A cousin of my grandmother was John Macneil, the New Hampshire general who fought at Lundy’s Lane, and won distinction in 1814 at the neighboring battle of Chippewa, towards the close of the War of 1812.

AUTOBIOGRAPHIC REMINISCENCES

This venerable grandmother had thirteen children, the youngest of whom was my father, Mark Baker, who inherited the homestead, and with his brother, James Baker, he inherited my grandfather’s farm of about five hundred acres, lying in the adjoining towns of Concord and Bow, in the State of New Hampshire.

One hundred acres of the old farm are still cultivated and owned by Uncle James Baker’s grandson, brother of the Hon. Henry Moore Baker of Washington, D.C.

The farm-house, situated on the summit of a hill, commanded a broad picturesque view of the Merrimac River and the undulating lands of three townships.  But change has been busy.  Where once stretched broad fields of bending grain waving gracefully in the sunlight, and orchards of apples, peaches, pears, and cherries shone richly in the mellow hues of autumn,—­now the lone night-bird cries, the crow caws cautiously, and wandering winds sigh low requiems through dark pine groves.  Where green pastures bright with berries, singing brooklets, beautiful wild flowers, and flecked with large flocks and herds, covered areas of rich acres,—­now the scrub-oak, poplar, and fern flourish.

The wife of Mark Baker was Abigail Barnard Ambrose, daughter of Deacon Nathaniel Ambrose of Pembroke, a small town situated near Concord, just across the bridge, on the left bank of the Merrimac River.

Grandfather Ambrose was a very religious man, and gave the money for erecting the first Congregational Church in Pembroke.

In the Baker homestead at Bow I was born, the youngest of my parents’ six children and the object of their tender solicitude.

During my childhood my parents removed to Tilton, eighteen miles from Concord, and there the family remained until the names of both father and mother were inscribed on the stone memorials in the Park Cemetery of that beautiful village.

My father possessed a strong intellect and an iron will.  Of my mother I cannot speak as I would, for memory recalls qualities to which the pen can never do justice.  The following is a brief extract from the eulogy of the Rev. Richard S. Rust, D.D., who for many years had resided in Tilton and knew my sainted mother in all the walks of life.

The character of Mrs. Abigail Ambrose Baker was distinguished for numerous excellences.  She possessed a strong intellect, a sympathizing heart, and a placid spirit.  Her presence, like the gentle dew and cheerful light, was felt by all around her.  She gave an elevated character to the tone of conversation in the circles in which she moved, and directed attention to themes at once pleasing and profitable.