Van Baker of Newville: Ex-slave

Known in town as “Bossy” Baker, Van Baker was born a slave in Virginia about the year 1820. When The Star and Enterprise newspaper reported that Mr. Baker had suffered a severe attack of hemorrhages of the head in February 1904, they said he did not know exactly how old he was, but it was supposed that he was well up in his eighties.¹

In a series of reminiscences, it was reported that Baker and his wife came to Newville as newlyweds from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia,² but this has not been documented. The 1880 U. S. Census of Newville recorded those living in the Baker household as Van Baker, a laborer aged 60, who, along with his parents, was born in Virginia. His wife’s name was listed as Frances (although it was Hannah), aged 55, who, as well as her parents, was born in Virginia. Their 22-year old niece, Clara Fisher, was living with them as well as 21-year old niece Mary Baltimore and her nine-month old daughter Hannah.

Baker’s wife Hannah died on August 11, 1885, aged 57 and is buried in the Newville Cemetery. Although the 1890 U. S. Census was destroyed, the 1900 Census provides additional information about Mr. Baker. He had attended school for five years, and he could read and write. At the age of 79, he was still employed as a day laborer. His 28-year old granddaughter, Laura Lindsey, was living with him as well as her three children Viola 10, Cornelia nine, and Frederica aged three.³

Mr. Baker willed his possessions to his granddaughters Hannah Baker and Laura Lindsey,⁴ and died April 21, 1904. Funeral services were held from A. M. E. Zion Church, and he was buried in the Newville Cemetery.⁵ The Newville Star and Enterprise ran the following obituary in its April 27, 1904 issue.

“Van Baker, a highly respected colored citizen, of our town, died on Thursday afternoon at his home on Main street from pneumonia, aged about 84 years, although it is the general impression that he was much older, as he did not know his exact age. He was a slave in Virginia and came to Newville after his liberation, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Baker was sick all winter, suffering from several hemorrhages. About a week ago he felt able to stroll up town and thus contracted a new cold, which developed into pneumonia and consequent death. He is survived by one granddaughter, Mrs. Hannah Smothers of Harrisburg”