Individual Details

Abner was the first Clerk of the Clay County Court. His son Abner Jr. started the Baker/Howard feud when he killed Dan Bates. Abner Jr. was first declared mentally incompetent to stand trial, but was later re-tried and hung.

Abner Sr. was first married to Sarah Letcher Giles, and then, 19 Oct 1796, he married Elizabeth Welch Buford, Garrard Co KY.

Clay Co KY Court Order Book "B" 1815-1832 [Eastern Kentucky Roots and Remembrances, published by the Owsley Co History & Genealogy Society, Fall/Winter 2011, p.20f]
14 Aug 1815: Jim, a Negro man slave, property of Samuel Ousley of Lincoln Co bound to Abner Baker whose time expired 7 Apr 1814 - add the said Negro to his list, subject to $500 taxation.

Clay Co Ky Deed Book A - 1806-1827; compiled by Florence Nelson Young & Virgil D. Young; Eastern Kentucky Roots & Remembrances, Spring 2012, p.25f
p.52 18 Aug 1812 Abner Baker apptd William Neal and Stephen Gibson of Clay his attornies to receive from Authorities in Buncombe Co NC, a negro fellow named Ned, in custody of the jailor and to pay the prison all lawful expenses. And bring with them the said negro and one bay mare worth $50, a bridle, saddle & saddles bags worth $200-300 found to be in possession of said Ned when taken into custody.

p. 55 19 Sep 1811 Abner Baker to John Bates for $200. 150a in Clay on waters of Little and Big Goose Creeks, adj Richard Singleton lands and the 400a survey of George James.
Clerk: Abner Baker.

p.102 Abner Baker to Charles Smith. 20 acres in Clay Co on Big Goose Creek for $1. Part of 143 1/4 acres patented to Abner Baker, not including the house and improvements on the land. Those who made & hold the improvements are to enjoy them without paying for them by deriving title under this claim.

p.122 24 Mar 1815 Abner Baker to John Bates. 50 acres in Clay Co by Big Goose Creek, for $200. Wit: Andrew Bradley, George Davis.

p.126 6 Jan 1812 Joseph Camp of Pulaski Co to Abner Baker of Clay. One Negro man named Gloster aged twenty-one in 1812, for $500. Wit: Martin Gibson, Walter Mancy
4 Jan 1815 William Camp of Pulaski Co to Abner Baker. Whereas Joseph Camp sold to Abner Baker a certain negro slave Gloster and Joseph Camp having prior to the sale made a bill of sale to William Camp. William Camp now relinquished his claim. Wit: Elijah Barns.

19 Sep 1844 Daniel Bates - Noncupetive Will
The undersigned were present on the night of the 13th Inst in Clay County at the salt furnace of Daniel Gates, about one mile and a quarter from the family residence of said Bates, which was during the last illness of said Bates, and while he was laboring under a mortal wound from a pistol shot which said Bates was inflicted by Abner Baker Jr. While the said Bates was ill from the wound aforesaid, he requested us to bear evidence of his request. He requested the undersigned Davis to give the undersigned Potter his pocket book, which he said contained one thousand five hundred and fifty dollars and requested said Potter to give said pocketbook and contents to his borther-in-law David V. Walker. the said Daniel Bates informed us that he had a will in his desk at his residence which he wished destroyed, and that his wish was that the law in regard to his estate should take its course or govern. He requested in our presence that his estate should be managed by David V. Walker, Barton Potter, and Leander Miller.
September 19, 1844
Signed: Josiah Davis, William Woodcock, Barton Potter, James T. Woodard
The undersigned further state that the above Daniel Bates, during the night above named, requested that his slaves, Joe Nash and wife Lucy, and his negro man Pompey should be set free. We further state that the said Daniel Bates stated to us that he had been shot by the said Abner Baker Jr. without cause or provocation; that he never had harmed him, that he would give ten thousand dollars for his scalp, and wished that sum expended to bring him to justice. He further called those present in our presence to request James B. Walker and Joel J. Walker to see that he had justice done him.
September 19, 1844
Signed: James t. Woodward, Josiah Davis

Birth	18 Feb 1775	Prince Edward County, Virginia
Death	21 Jan 1861	Garrard County, Kentucky

Father	Caleb Baker (1734 - 1824)
Mother	Catherine Hodnett (1739 - )