Page updated 20th May 2005 by Sue Froud

SILAS BAKER

My thanks to Ian & Gary Baker for the information about Silas emigrating to Australia, and his family and descendants.

SILAS BAKER 1831 - 1900

Silas was the fourth child of Andrew Baker and Jane Burge, he was born at Broomfield, Somerset and was baptised 4th December 1831. By 1851 Silas had left home and was living with his Uncle James Sellick and Aunt Mary Elizabeth Sellick at Keebys, Broomfield.

At age 25 Silas emigrated to Australia, he sailed on the "Tartar" leaving Portsmouth, England 2nd April 1857. The Voyage took 116 days and he landed at Sydney 27th July 1857. On board the ship also was another family named Baker who came from Creech St Michael in Somerset, Robert and Charlotte with their 7 children the eldest daughter named Sarah, the youngest  a baby born on the ship. The story is that Sarah Bakers luggage got mixed up with Silas Bakers and this how they met. The following year Silas married  Sarah Baker at St Johns Anglican Church, Stroud, NSW on the 11th November 1858.

Silas and Sarah worked at "Bickham" an estate at Pages River 6 miles from Murrurundi, Silas was a labourer where he drove the horse team. They were living in a hut by the Pages River for a while, then he bought a property in Splitters Creek at public auction, where he would have paid no less than 1 pound an acre, in about 1861. Silas and Sarah had 8 children. Emma Jane born 11th December 1859 at Bickham, Murrurundi, Alfred Andrew born 20th April 1862 at Bickham, Murrurundi, Sarah Ann born 12th June 1864 at Bickham, Murrurundi. They moved to Sandy Creek where Elizabeth Florence was born 23rd October 1866 and Silas James born 27th November 1869. By 1872 they had moved again to Wingen where Charles Henry was born 2nd June 1872. On the 4th October 1873 Silas bought a property that adjoined his land, now in total he owned over 200 acres. When Robert John was born on 16th January 1875 they were living at Petwyn Valley, two years later when Charlotte Matilda was on born 7th July 1877 they were living at Warlands Range. It is from here that the children attended the Blandford School..

Silas died 20th September 1900 aged 67 and he is buried in the Old Anglican Cemetery at Murrurundi, NSW. Sarah died 11th May 1914 aged 72 and she is buried beside Silas.

ALFRED ANDREW BAKER 1862 - 

Alfred Andrew was the second child of Silas Baker and Sarah Baker, he was born 20th April 1862 at Bickham, Murrurundi NSW. Alfred married Isabella Eglantine Louisa Duncan (whose family were Scottish, she was born on Matford Island, Bermuda, while her father was working there) They married at St Pauls Anglican Church Murrurundi on 20th March 1890. Alfred and Isabella had 12 children in all. Silas James was born 10th October 1891, his father Alfred was casually employed at "Bloomfield" at the time. The following year the family moved to Splitter Creek area where Alfred worked as a Boundary rider, perhaps on his fathers property. Vivian Erneld was born 10th December 1893 at Blandford. Roy Ainsley was born 12th August 1894 at Splitters Creek, sadly Roy died aged 11 of Peritonitis caused by Appendacitis in 1905. The family moved to Narrabri where they stayed until 1904. Clarence Alfred was born 20th March 1896. Elsie was born in 1897. Sarah Isabella Duncan was born 1898. Annie Gordon  was born 9th July 1903. The family moved back to Murrurundi and then to Ellerston. Pearl Charlotte was born 1st November 1904. Muriel Florence was born 20th September 1906. Frederick Alexander Morrison was born 29th June 1908. The family moved again in 1910 to Willow Tree which was owned by Alfred's sister Charlotte and her husband Fred Benham, not long after twins Alfred William and Hilton Keith were born 26th November 1910, but sadly Hilton died aged 8 weeks. It is thought that Elsie may had died at this time as well.

Alfred's mother died in 1914 and the family moved into her house at Blandford. The 1st World War had started, Vivian signed up in 1915 and served in the Middle East and France, He was killed in action in France 20th July 1916. The following year 1917 Clarence signed up and served, he came back to a great welcome home at Blandford from the family.

Alfred had a permanent position at "Bloomfield" between 1917 & 1922, after which reaching 60 years old he retired. Isabella died 3rd May 1938 at Blandford. Alfred died 27th March 1942 at Gosford, when he was accidentally killed when a train hit him near Gosford.

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