Richard Dod Baker

1784 to 12 August 1807

BAK00100

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Headlines of Richard Dod Baker’s life are in brown.

Dates are in red.

Hyperlinks to other pages are in dark blue.

References and citations are in turquoise.

Context and local history are in purple.

1784

Richard Dod Baker was the eldest son of Richard Dod and Hannah (nee Hassall) Baker (FAR00083). He was born in 1784.

Richard Dod, commn’d, Royal Scots Fusiliers, 1803, transferred to Royal Leicestershire Regiment, Lieutenant 1804, born 1784, educated Brasenose College, Oxford, died unmarried 1807 (Burke, John and Burke, Sir Bernard (1836)(Eighteenth Edition, 1972), Bellyse Baker of Highfields in Burke’s Landed Gentry, Volume 3, pages 35 to 38).

1801

Richard entered Brasenose College, Oxford and matriculated in October 1801.

Baker, Richard Dod, son of Richard, of Leominster, county Hereford, gentleman, Brasenose College, matriculated 25 March 1801, aged 17 (Oxford University Alumni, Volume 1, 1715 to 1886)

Richard's eldest son, Richard Dod Baker, went to Brasenose college, Oxford, from where he wrote a number of rather interesting letters to his cousins Elizabeth and Arabella Thorley, of Chetwynd Rectory, Newport, daughters of his father's younger sister Mary. On getting there in 1801 he said “After a very pleasant journey we arrived at this celebrated seat of learning on Thursday last, and although the college rules did not exact our attention till the 17th, I found everything very comfortable. At Stafford we waited on Mr Whalley. He showed us a grand piano, which my father purchased for 65 Guineas, it appeared to me a good toned one, but when Bessy comes to finger it, we can form a better judgement. On Friday my father introduced me to a Mrs. Smith, a lady of considerable property in the neighbourhood, such an acquaintance will be very pleasant, at least very different from the noisy riot of a college evening; without company of some sort, Oxford, I assure you, would be quite intolerable, and the man who pens himself up in his attice pouring everlastingly over his books, can be compared to nothing better than “Owl in a Desert”. Study, however, affords many an hour's rational amusement, but like anything else there can be too much of it...” Not ideal academic material, the reader may think. In his next letter dated 14th October 1801, he described his rooms and life at Oxford; “I took possession of my rooms on Saturday, and I assure you they are much more comfortable than I expected, my sitting room is as large as, if not larger than, your little Parlour and to appearance, much more comfortable a Bureau, 5 chairs and a table in it, my drawing room (for so I please to call it) is smaller but neater, a glass door out of my sitting room to it, with two chairs and two tables, my bedroom is a little larger than the sitting room with a very comfortable bed, bureau etc, altogether, as if it were our 3 Parlours at Highfields, but a door to each room out of my S.R. I have been this morning with one of the tutors to buy myself a set of tea things, candle sticks, silver teaspoons, sheets, towels etc, and though Oxford is the most imposing place in the world could not, I think, offer us much in such small articles. Figure to yourselves a venerable elderly man and myself with our caps and gowns, choosing and buying the best China, good judges, I'm sure I could not tell China from common ware.

We had a grand illumination on Monday night last; High Street (the most beautiful in the Kingdom) cut an elegant appearance and the different Emblems of Peace etc in transparencies greatly aided add it to the splendour of it. At 7 o’clock in the evening the Oxford Royal Volunteers attended by their band and two cannons fired a Fene de Joye on the occasion. The people seem’d mad, and even now cannons are firing. The Proctors (whose office I dare say you have heard of) were very busy that night, most of the Oxonians went without their caps and gowns, but I did not, though I was afraid of being distinguished, that is, if any of the Mob discovered you to be an Oxonian or a Collegian, they will often throw a squib into one’s Gown, which makes great fun for them, and we are often insulted by some of them, I am told, though I have never experienced any of it.”

In a letter dated 10th December 1801, he talks of examinations; “I dare say, little as you know of this seat of learning, you have heard that our examinations for degrees has always hitherto being laughed at as trifling and a mere matter of form, but they have now assumed a very serious aspect, and as your cousin is to take one, you will not deem the following short account of the new examinations and which I must undergo at all improper. There is now a large room fitted up for the purpose, which will contain, I should imagine 300 persons. There are benches for the vice chancellor, proctors, doctors, heads of colleges and halls etc, who are all required to attend at this most solemn occasion and about 200 students (word missing?) there are perhaps 6 examined at a time, and this occupies from 9 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon; so that whoever thinks of taking the a degree must fag.”

(Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 19 to 23).

(Richard Dod Baker to his cousins, the Misses Thorley, 14 October 1801, Baker Records, 44)

(Richard Dod Baker to his cousin Miss Thorley undated 1801, Baker Records 43)

(Richard Dod Baker to his cousin, Miss Thorley, 10 December 1801, Baker Records, 45)

Brasenose College (pronounced Braise-Nose) is one of the colleges of the University of Oxford. The history of Brasenose College, Oxford stretches back to 1509, when the college was founded on the site of Brasenose Hall, a medieval academic hall whose name is first mentioned in 1279. Its name is believed to derive from the name of a brass or bronze knocker that adorned the hall's door. The library and chapel were added in the mid-17th century. The college was associated with Lancashire and Cheshire, the county origins of its two founders – Sir Richard Sutton and the Bishop of Lincoln, William Smyth – a link which was maintained strongly until the latter half of the twentieth century. After 1785 the college prospered under Principal William Cleaver. The college began to be populated by gentlemen, its income doubling between 1790 and 1810, and achieved considerable academic success.

In around 1801, Brasenose College, Oxford was transitioning from a quiet, traditional institution into a fashionable and prestigious college. Governed by bachelor fellows in holy orders, it catered increasingly to wealthy gentlemen commoners, maintaining a classic curriculum centred on classics, mathematics, and divinity just before the sweeping nineteenth century academic and athletic shifts.

The college was strictly closed to women and required conformity to the Church of England, run entirely by resident fellows.

Around this period, Brasenose began attracting a wealthier demographic of students, shifting away from poorer scholars and gaining a notable waiting list alongside Christ Church and Oriel. The educational routine relied heavily on traditional texts, Greek and Latin classics, and theology, predating the introduction of modern competitive honours exams and widespread sporting dominance.

The layout benefited immensely from its prime position beside Radcliffe Square and the Radcliffe Camera, anchoring its physical prominence in central Oxford.

Just prior to 1801, college fellow Ralph Churton published a notable historical study in 1800 on the original founders, Bishop William Smyth and Sir Richard Sutton.

1803

Richard was commissioned into the Royal Scots Fusiliers in 1803.

1804

Richard transferred to the 17^th Leicestershire Regiment. He sailed with his Regiment for India in July 1804 on board the Worcester. (Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 23).

In July 1804, the 17th Regiment of Foot, later the Royal Leicestershire Regiment, embarked from England on a transport journey to India. This voyage marked the beginning of an historic eighteen year deployment to the Indian subcontinent, setting the stage for gruelling campaigns that eventually earned the unit its prestigious Royal Tiger badge. The Regiment sailed aboard ships like the East Indiaman or transport Worcester toward Madras and Fort William, arriving by late 1804. Tropical disease and high sickness rates struck the men hard shortly after their arrival in India through 1805.

Coloured silhouette of Lt Richard Dod Baker (1784-1806) by J Buncombe, who specialised in painting military and naval officers before they went overseas to serve in the Napoleonic wars

(Richard Dod Baker to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Thorley, 7 January 1804, Baker Records, 46)

It was the year before Trafalgar. He wrote again to his cousin;

“Highfields

Wednesday 18th Ap 1804

Dear Elizabeth

The necessity of joining the Regt. immediately prevents me coming over to Chetwynd before my departure. I suppose you have heard from Montague (her brother, an officer in the same regiment) or will soon, to inform you of our destination. I received a letter from him on Monday desiring me to hasten my journey to Dublin in consequence of orders from England. He adds “When you take leave off them at Chetwynd assured them all of the trust I ever have in the protection of that Providence which has kindly watched over them and myself through life and that I in nothing doubt a happy return among them.” For my own part I think myself fortunate as I am in the surest road to promotion and all my friends will, I trust, be reconciled to the present separation in the prospect of my return to England hereafter with the consciousness of having acquitted myself in the duties of my profession. As you may not have yet heard from my good friend I must inform you the 17th has received orders from England to hold men in immediate readiness to embark for the East Indies, place of destination Bombay. For me to offer you any consolation would be only an insult to your better sense which will tend to teach you how necessary it is for our well being to acquiescence in the will of an unerring Providence. I am happy to add my mother is much better reconciled to it than I would have expected. Be assured it will be a very great addition to my happiness to hear of your welfare. I am now going to Drayton and on the evening shall place myself in the mail at Woore. Being so hurried you will excuse this scroll. Give my best duty to my good Aunts and love to all my Cousins when you write, and wishing you all the happiness in this world can bestow believe me my dear Betsey.

Your affectionate friend and cousin

Richard Dodd Baker

I hope to reach Dublin this week. Adieu.”

(Richard Dod Baker to his cousin, Miss Elizabeth Thorley, 18 April 1804, Baker Records, 47)

(Richard Dod Baker to his brother, William Baker of Highfields, 10 June 1804, Baker Records 49)

They set sail for India in July, when he wrote; “We embarked on board our respective ships last Wednesday and it is the Admiral's intention should the wind be all favourable to sail this Evening. I am just arrived on shore with Captain Whittey and others in an open Boat thoroughly drenched and I lament my time will not allow me to express my sentiments in the manner I would wish,” a rather ambiguous observation! The names of the ships in the convoy were he tells us; “the Lord Hawkesbury, the Worcester (on which I am on board), the Duke of Montrose and the Airey Castle under convoy of the Culloden 74 guns Sir Edward Pellew Commander.”

Although this letter was written from Portsmouth, the ship sailed from the Isle of Wight, where he sat for his silhouette portrait, by the Newport artist, J Buncombe. The picture hangs at Highfields with his dress sword. During the voyage he kept his own log book, a Journal of a Voyage to the East Indies 1804, in which one can follow the day-to-day happenings on board, followed by the course and the number of knots covered from noon to noon. The greatest distance covered was 215 knots “strong breezes, cloudy with small rain”. 150 to 170 was more usual, about seven or eight knots an hour. Most of the days were comparatively uneventful; however on September 8th we read: “fresh breezes and pleasant. At 10 AM a strange sail seen to the westward. Signal made by the Admiral for the United Kingdom and Alexander to chase her. Suppose her an American. At 2 PM inquire for the Fleet to change their course to east I/I South. At 5 PM the Lord Hawkesbury and Baring reprimanded by the Commodore for not paying more attention to the signals.” The United Kingdom, Alexander and Baring had joined the convoy at Cowes. The voyage ended on Wednesday, December 12th. “At 10 AM anchored off Fort William. At 2 PM disembarked with the detachment and marched into barracks at Fort William.”

(Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 23 to 24).

This booklet also includes fascinating extracts from old financial accounts, memoranda, and also letters and journals, including those from the early 1800s written by Richard Dodd Baker junior while an undergraduate at Oxford and later when en route to India with the 17th Leicestershire Regiment, the year before Trafalgar (Evening Sentinel, 29 November 1982).

John Buncombe (c 1758 to 1837) was a highly distinct British silhouette artist who spent much of his working life at Pyle Street in Newport on the Isle of Wight. Flourishing between roughly 1795 and 1830, Buncombe carved out a highly successful and lucrative niche for himself by capturing the profiles of British military personnel stationed at or passing through the island. He would paint the face and hair of the subject in solid, stark black, but meticulously illustrate their regimental dress, gold and silver epaulettes, cross belts, and uniform button details in vivid, full colour, especially bright scarlet and navy blue. (John Buncombe, Profiles of the Past).

1806

Richard died on his way home from India on 12 August 1806 (Baker, J Bellyse (1982), Highfields, Audlem: Sixteenth Century Home of the Dod and Baker Families, Audlem District History Society, page 25).

(Administration of the goods of Richard Dod Baker, deceased, 1807, Baker Records 42).