William J. Baker

  General Notes:

There is a William Baker listed in the 1850 census: The 1850 Federal Census for Philadelphia, PA, North Ward, page 251B, dated August 3, 1850 records William Baker (73 - PA) living in the home of Thomas E. (40 - PA) and Mary (35 - PA) Potter and children Henry (9), William (11), Samuel (5), and Thomas L. (3). Also in the household is Elizabeth Baker (19) and listed below her is Mary Potter (10/12) [possibly another child of Thomas and Mary Potter]. This is most likely our William Baker and perhaps Mary Potter and Elizbeth Baker are William's daughters. Thomas is employed as a Broker and no other male in the household list a profession, occupation, or trade.
The 1860 census confirms little Mary Potter as a child of Thomas and Mary Potter: The 1860 Federal Census for Philadelphia, PA, Ward 22, District 1, Germantown P. O., page 14B, dated June 8, 1860 records Thomas E. (48 - PA) and Mary (45 - PA) Potter with their children William W. (20), Harry C. (18), Samuel T. (14), Thomas C. (12), and Mary (10). Also in the household is John Lynch (19 - Ireland). Thomas is employed as a Broker and has real estate valued at $35,000 and a personal estate valued at $5,000. Note: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates Index, 1803-1915
Name: Thomas E Potter
Birth Date: abt 1810
Birth Place: Phila
Death Date: 9 Apr 1862
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age at Death: 52
Burial Date: 12 Apr 1862
Gender: Male
Race: White
Occupation: Broker
Street Address: Fisher Lane & 2nd St Pike
Cemetery: Laurel Hill
Marital Status: Married
FHL Film Number: 1977747
also listed in the same index:
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates Index, 1803-1915
Name: Mary R Potter
Birth Date: abt 1814
Birth Place: Phila
Death Date: 19 Jan 1872
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age at Death: 58 years 4 months 6 days
Burial Date: 22 Jan 1872
Gender: Female
Race: White
Street Address: 1931 Spruce St
Cemetery: N. L. Hill
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse: Thomas
Father: Baker
FHL Film Number: 2021082


Also in the North Ward of Philadelphia in 1850 is William's married daughter, Julia: The 1850 Federal Census for Philadelphia, PA, North Ward, records Julia [Baker] Dickenson (29 - Maryland) with her husband A. C. Dickinson (38 - PA) and children Margaretta (8 - NY), Mary (6 - PA), and Josephine (1 - Ireland). The recorded places of birth are quite varied. A. C. is an M. D.

William married Margaretta Wager, daughter of Phillip Wager and Hannah Wertz, on 8 Jan 1805. (Margaretta Wager was born on 26 Oct 1785 in Philadelphia, PA. and died on 21 Jan 1844.)