1. Thomas¹ BAKER, son of Thomas BAKER and Frances DOWNE, was born in Hothfield, Kent, England September 29, 1618.⁽¹⁾ Thomas died April 30, 1700 in East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York at 81 years of age.⁽²⁾ He was interred May 1700 at the South End Burial Ground, in East Hampton, Suffolk County, New York.

He married Alice DAYTON June 20, 1643 in New Haven, New Haven Colony, Connecticut.⁽³⁾ Alice was born May 1620 in Ashford, Kent, England. Alice was the daughter of Ralph DAYTON and Alice GOLDHATCH. Alice died February 6, 1708/9 in Amagansett, Suffolk County, New York at 88 years of age.⁽⁴⁾ She was interred February 1708/9 at the Amagansett Burial Ground, in Amagansett, Suffolk County, New York.⁽⁵⁾ She was baptized May 21, 1620 at Saint Mary's Church in Ashford, Kent, England.⁽⁶⁾

He was baptized October 11, 1618 at St. Margaret's Church in Hothfield, Kent, England.⁽⁷⁾ He came from England in 1639 and was enrolled as a Free Planter at Milford, Connecticut, one of the original six towns of the New Haven Colony. He remained there for slightly more than a decade. In May 1650 he entered into an agreement with Daniel How [Howe] to purchase all of Howe's accommodations and rights at East Hampton, for the sum of 20 pounds, to be delivered on September 29, 1650. (East Hampton Town Records 1:4-5). On August 24, 1650 Thomas Baker paid the agreed purchase price and moved to East Hampton, Long Island where he lived for the remainder of his life.

At the first election, Thomas Baker was chosen as one of four "Townsmen", who with the Constable, wielded considerable authority in ordering the affairs of the town. He was reelected to this post each succeeding year until 1662. On June 24, 1654, the Court confirmed Thomas Talmage and Thomas Baker as the military officers chosen by the Company raised for the defense of the town. (East Hampton Town Records 1:58). The town records of November 9, 1654 state: "It is ordered that Thomas Baker shall keep the Ordinary." (East Hampton Town Records 1:61). This license to operate a public house, which included the responsibility for dispensing "strong waters" in accordance with town regulations, was retained by him until 1673.

He was a spokesman for East Hampton on numerous occasions. In March 1657/8 he was selected, with John Hand, to go to Connecticut to bring East Hampton under jurisdiction of that colony. In 1665 he was foreman of the first grand jury to sit in the Province of New York, in New York City. In 1666 he was chosen overseer, and in 1667 constable. On May 4, 1671 he was chosen with Rev. Thomas James to negotiate with the towns of Southhold and Southhampton concerning procurement of a charter. (East Hampton Town Records 1:337). People of the three eastern towns objected strongly to paying taxes unless they were levied by a General Assembly chosen by the people. In 1681 Captain Josiah Hobart and Thomas Baker were chosen to represent East Hampton to complain of the lack of a General Assembly. He was Justice of the Peace in 1675 and a patentee in both of the town patents. He was a prominent citizen of East Hampton and served in the town government, in various capacities, for nearly forty years.

Thomas BAKER and Alice DAYTON had the following children:

+ 2 i. Hannah² BAKER was born June 26, 1650.

+ 3 ii. Thomas BAKER was born July 26, 1654.

+ 4 iii. Nathaniel BAKER was born December 22, 1655.

5 iv. Abigail BAKER was born in East Hampton, Long Island, New York June 1, 1658. She married (male) TUTHILL circa 1680. Some undocumented sources give her husband as Nathaniel Tuthill (or Tuttle) born about 1639 in Southold, Long Island to Henry and Bridget Tuthill. Nathaniel's death is given as 1696 in Rahway, New Jersey. Other sources, also undocumented, give her husband as Edward Tuthill (or Tuttle) of Boston. This researcher has not, as yet, found any evidence to support either of these claims.

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