John Baker - Westminster Abbey, London, UK
N 51° 29.985 W 000° 07.636
30U E 699386 N 5709314
John Baker was an officer in the Royal Navy and a politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1713 and 1716. He rose to the rank of vice-admiral after service in the Nine Years' War and the War of the Spanish Succession.
Waymark Code: WM13BFC
Location: London, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/01/2020
Views: 4
The
memorial inscription, in the nave of Westminster Abbey, to John Baker
reads:
To
the memory of John Baker Esqr., Vice Admiral of ye White
Squadron of the British Fleet: who, when he commanded in the
Mediterranean
dyed at Port-Mahon the 10th of Novemr 1716, Aet. 56.
He was a brave, judicious, and experienced officer,
a sincere friend, and a true lover of his country.
Manet post funera virtus.
[virtue remains after the funeral]
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The Westminster
Abbey website has an article about John Baker that advises:
Vice-Admiral
John Baker died on 10th November 1716 at Port Mahon in Minorca
and his body was returned to Westminster Abbey for burial in
the north aisle of the nave on 22nd February 1717. A monument
of black and white marble depicting a sarcophagus and various
naval figureheads and other trophies, by the sculptor Francis
Bird, was erected near the grave.
John was born in 1660, a son of James Baker, a mariner of Deal
in Kent, and his wife Elizabeth. He was appointed a second
lieutenant in 1688 and rose through the ranks to become a
Rear-Admiral in 1708. In peacetime he became a Member of
Parliament but soon returned to the Mediterranean to negotiate
treaties with Tripoli and Tunis and build up the naval base at
Port Mahon. He died unmarried and his estates passed to his
nephew Capt. Hercules Baker (d.1744). In his will he also
mentioned his brother James (and his son Edward), and sisters
Mary (Mumrey) and Susanna (Friend).
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Note:
With
the re-opening of Westminster Abbey after Covid-19 lockdown
photography, for private use, has been allowed in most areas
of the Abbey when services are not taking place (see here).
There is an entry fee payable to enter the Abbey that is
currently £18 for an adult (October, 2020).
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Description: Please refer to the detailed description.
Date of birth: 01/01/1660
Date of death: 11/10/1716
Area of notoriety: Military
Marker Type: Monument
Setting: Indoor
Visiting Hours/Restrictions: Usually 0930-1630 but can vary due to services and Covid-19 restrictions.
Fee required?: Yes
Web site: [Web Link]
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