Background
Baker was born in 1610 in the parish of Alphington, near Exeter, Devon, as is recorded on his mural monument in Dunchideock Church.
Baker was born in 1610 in the parish of Alphington, near Exeter, Devon, as is recorded on his mural monument in Dunchideock Church.
He was for the duration of twenty years President of Bantam in the East Indies. Baker was the first President of Madras when the Presidency of Fort Street George was created in the year 1652. He served as President from 1652 to 1655.
In 1652-1653, caste conflicts arose between "left-hand" and "right-hand castes" which was settled by the English, who reserved the eastern half of the Indian quarter of the city for the "left-hand" castes and the western half of the quarter for the "right-hand" castes.
During this period the area around Madras was in great turmoil due to the rebellion of Mir Jumla against his overlord in Golconda. During this time Bala Rao, the chief of Poonamallee, raised the customs duties on English goods thereby causing a drastic increase in prices.
This blockade and the economic boycott of English trade by Bala Rao forced the English to reduce Fort Street George from a Presidency to an Agency at the termination of Baker"s term of office. Private trade was eventually allowed while holding Presidency positions but had at first been frowned upon.
Both Aaron Baker and Sir Edward Winter were ultimately dismissed for engaging in lieutenant
Baker retired to Bowhay in the parish of Exminster, Devon, England, with the fortunes he earned. In 1669 he rebuilt the north chancel aisle of Saint Michael"s church in Dunchideock, near Exminster, where is a monument to his memory. Baker died in 1683 and is buried in Saint Michael"s Church, Dunchideock, where survives his mural monument.
By coincidence or otherwise, a later Governor of Madras, Sir Robert Palk, 1st Baronet (1717-1798), lived in the parish of Dunchideock at Haldon House and was buried in the same parish church.
A mural monument to Aaron Baker survives in Street Michael"s Church, Dunchideock, situated on the north wall of the north aisle chapel. lieutenant is inscribed in Latin as follows: Huius aedificii partem sum(p)tu suo proprio generoso erexit.
Natus Alphinton hoc comitatu. Obiit die 28 Octobris An(n)o Verbi Incarnati 1683 aetatis suae 73 ("This monument is placed and sacred to the pious memory of Aaron Baker of Bowhay, Esquire, embalmed below, who during the space of twenty years was President of Bantum in the East Indies He erected at his own noble expense part of this building He was born in Alphington in this county.
He died on the 28 day of October in the year of the Word Incarnate 1683, of his age 73").
Above is the crest of Baker: A man"s dexter arm embowed argent garnished or grasping in the hand an arrow point downward of the last.
