BAKER, Hercules (1683-1744), of Deal and East Langdon, Kent.

Published in The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1715-1754, ed. R. Sedgwick, 1970
Available from Boydell and Brewer

Constituency

Dates

1722 - 1 Nov. 1744

Family and Education

bap. 15 Aug. 1683, 2nd. s. of James Baker of Deal, mariner, by Amy Mullett of Deal. m. (lic. 9 May 1713) Jane Fox, 1da. suc. uncle John Baker 1716.

Offices Held

Capt. R.N. 1713; treasurer of Greenwich Hospital 1736-d.

Biography

In 1715 Hercules Baker was serving in the Mediterranean under his uncle, Admiral John Baker, but nothing is known of his subsequent naval career.1 Soon after inheriting his uncle’s property he was returned unopposed for Hythe, voted with the Government in every recorded division, and was rewarded with a place at Greenwich in 1736. On being passed over for promotion to flag rank in 1744, he thought of resigning his place, explaining to Newcastle that ‘my resolution proceeds only from the shame I feel, to return among my neighbours in the country, who will conceive (from what has happened) a low opinion of me’.2 However, he was still treasurer of Greenwich when he died 1 Nov. 1744.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: A. N. Newman

Notes

  • 1. Byng Pprs. (Navy Recs. Soc.) iii. 78, 82; Charnock, Biog. Navalis, iv. 32.
  • 2. Add. 32703, f. 176.