John Baker

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. The inscription 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 November 1716, Aet. [aged] 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].

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).

Further Reading

The National Maritime Museum at Greenwich has some of Baker's papers

Oxford Dictionary of National Biography