Son of Benjamin Baker (1780 – 1855) & Ruth Sherman (1781 – 1864). Married Mary C. Waite (1821 – 1894) on 14 Jun 1842 in North Kingston, Rhode Island.

Contributor BMC provided this contemporary article about David Baker:

On Wednesday, Sept. 8, 1869, the sloop Resolution left Newport, RI on its journey to Wickford, RI. The vessel was under the command of Captain David Sherman Baker and mate, Captain Pegleg Weeden Wightman. Both men were from Wickford, RI. With a rising southeast wind, they stayed on course with double-reefed sails. Before reaching Conanicut Island, the wind increased, and Captain Baker had to shorten sail. There was poor visibility of Conanicut Island. The sloop continued towards Wickford harbor to the west of the lighthouse, and it struck a rock across from Gardiner's wharf. The mast was carried away, and the sloop broke up into pieces with fifteen minutes. Passengers, John G. Allen and Alphonso Cooke were washed overboard and lost in the sea. Captain Baker and Capt. Wightman along with a third passenger, John F. Brown of Exeter, RI held on to the mast and rigging. They drifted across the harbor into Spink's Cove, west of Sanger Point. Two hours later, the men were rescued by a schooner's boat lying in the harbor. John G. Allen, the son of Stephen H. Allen & Elizabeth was found on Sep. 13, 1869. He died at the age of 31y, 5m, and 20d.

Captain Baker had sailed the sloop on the Newport to Wickford trip for more than 30 years without serious accident or loss of passengers. Captain Baker is buried at NK-#26-Elm Grove Cemetery in Lot 44, and Captain Wightman is buried in Lot 528. John G. Allen is buried in the NKHS #18-Old Baptist Cemetery. Alphonso Cooke is buried at Locust Grove Cemetery in Providence, RI.

Source:
McAleer, Althea H., Elm Grove Cemetery Inscriptions, North Kingstown, RI, RI Genealogical Society, 2000.


Children:

Joseph W. Baker, 1843 – 1863
Henry Baker, 1844 – 1844
Charles Cahoon Baker, 1845 – 1862
Nicholas Baker, 1847 – 1926
Mary A. Baker, 1848 – 1849
George C. Baker, 1850 – 1851
David Sherman Baker, 1852 – 1906
Benjamin Baker, 24 Oct 1853 – 21 Oct 1921
Abigail Frances Baker, 1855 – 1894
Thomas Allen Baker, 1856 – 1907
William Cotter Baker, 1858 – 1931