James Baker (Roundhead) facts for kids

James Baker was an English lawyer and politician. He lived in the 1600s. He was a member of the House of Commons, which is like a part of the government, in 1659 and 1660.

James Baker's Early Life and Work

James Baker was a lawyer, also called an attorney. By 1636, he lived in a town called Shaftesbury in England. He held several important jobs in his local community.

In 1637, he became a steward. This meant he helped manage the local court for a large estate in Abbotsbury. Later, in 1642, he was a constable and a churchwarden in Shaftesbury. A constable was like a local officer, and a churchwarden helped manage the church.

His Role During the English Civil War

The 1640s were a time of big changes in England. There was a war called the English Civil War. During this war, James Baker became very important. He worked as a solicitor and a "sequestrator" for Dorset. This meant he helped manage lands that were taken from people who supported the King. He did this from 1646 to 1649.

He was also the mayor of Shaftesbury from 1647 to 1648. Being mayor meant he was the main leader of the town. He held many other important roles too. He was a commissioner for taxes in Dorset in 1648 and again in 1652. In 1650, he helped make sure people followed new rules. He was also a captain in the local army, called the militia cavalry, in 1650. In 1655, he was a commissioner for security. He served as mayor of Shaftesbury again from 1656 to 1657.

Becoming a Member of Parliament

In 1659, James Baker was chosen to be a Member of Parliament (MP) for Shaftesbury. This meant he represented his town in the government, which was called the Third Protectorate Parliament at the time.

In 1659, he was also a lieutenant in the militia cavalry. In January 1660, he was again a commissioner for taxes in Dorset. In April 1660, he was re-elected as an MP for Shaftesbury. This time, he served in a new government called the Convention Parliament. He signed an important document from Dorset that supported the return of the King. This event is known as the Restoration.

Family Life and Death

James Baker was married by 1636. He and his wife had three sons.

He passed away in October 1689. He was buried at St. Peter's Church in Shaftesbury on October 21, 1689.