A KNICKERBOCKER LEGACY: The Baker Family and The Edgar Family of Rahway N.J. and N.Y.C. (Hardcover with Dust Jacket) 1972, 2024
By John Milnes Baker
Jacobus Backer and Margaret Stuyvesant were married in New Amsterdam in 1655. They were the progenitors of the families traced in this book.
The term Knickerbocker derives from Washington Irving’s 1809 A History of New York from the Beginning of the World to the End of the Dutch Dynasty and of course signifies a connection to “Old New York.”
Fifty years ago there was no such thing as the Internet. There certainly was no ancestry.com and the nation’s fascination with family history and genealogy was unimagined.
There have long been numerous historical and genealogical organizations which usually require a “qualifying ancestor” to join. But the current popular interest in family history was generally considered rather esoteric. All that has changed in recent years, however, and I believe the timing of this updated publication is propitious.
One’s surname doesn’t have to be Baker or Edgar to find this book relevant. There are well over three hundred names other than Baker and Edgar in the index alone, and many of these families are also represented in the book, many with individual genealogical charts.
(470p., Illus., Index, 2024)
Hardcover only, includes dust jacket.
Comment from the Author:
I am one of John Baker's granddaughters, so having this book written about our family and where I come from is so meaningful. I have watched Poppy turn this book from a dream into a reality over many years and have been so privileged to see drafts along the way and hear updates as he reached out to new members of the family – sometimes even connecting me with them, as in the case of some Edgar kinfolk that live up near my college.
I remember the first time I really understood Poppy's love for genealogy was when he helped me compile some history for my family tree in elementary school. My presentation was much more in depth than those of my classmates, going all the way back to Jacobus Backer sailing over to America in the 17th century. I realized that I had already learned so much about my ancestors, but had really only barely scratched the surface in discovering their stories. It was then that I truly appreciated how expansive genealogical history is and how connected I felt to my family after learning a bit more about where we all come from.
Poppy's passion for family and his role as "storyteller of the tribe" has been a central part of our (very large) family for my entire life. His work to learn about each of us and our ancestors has brought our family together in unique and exceptional ways. Whether it be hearing his stories (many that appear here) around the dinner table or vacations with our family of 18 people who all get along and love each other very much, Poppy's passion for our family and our history has certainly shaped my understanding of the meaning of family – and that's just what this book continues to do. A Knickerbocker Legacy really is a treasure for our family to have our story (to date) preserved forever, and I understand the importance of keeping this genealogical work going for future generations. So proud of your work, Poppy, I love you!
The Holland Society of New York reviewed the original edition of this book over fifty years ago. Here are three excerpts from the review that still resonate today: 1) "One suspects that it may have come as a surprise to some of John Bakers relatives to find that they trace their descent from a Dutch merchant trader, Jacobus Backer, who came to New Amsterdam in 1653." 2) "The author / genealogist replaces considerable family lore with factual data based on his research." 3) "Baker has made a valuable contribution to increase our knowledge of New Netherland families and their descendants."
I hope this is helpful. - John Milnes Baker
I’m so grateful to have a copy of A Knickerbocker Legacy. Growing up, I always admired my Great Uncle John. I enjoyed listening to him sing folk songs and was lucky enough to grow up in a beautiful home that he designed. With even our two-year-old daughter making the book, we’ll always cherish this book of our genealogy.
What a fantastic family heirloom and historical work John has written. A Knickerbocker Legacy has so much detail and history going back hundreds of years. It is especially important to me as John Milnes Baker is my great uncle and it’s clear he didn’t just compile names and dates—he preserved a piece of our family’s identity. Thanks Uncle John for giving us this tangible connection to where we came from.
Having A Knickerbocker Legacy is such a gift for our family. As a descendant of the Baker family, and as the son of John Baker’s niece, this book feels deeply personal especially considering both my son Hugo and my middle name(s) are also Baker (See Attached Image). It’s not just a record of names and dates, but a thoughtful and carefully researched account of the people and stories that shaped our family.
What stands out most is the dedication behind the work. The detail, historical context, and preservation of family connections reflect a genuine commitment to honoring our shared legacy. It’s rare to see family history documented with such care and clarity.
I’m grateful for the time and effort that went into creating this book. It’s a lasting gift to our family and something future generations will be able to learn from and take pride in.
