Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Elijah Baker

(1742-1798)

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 21, 2020

1. Elijah Baker Marker

Inscription. Elijah Baker, Baptist preacher, began his ministry in Lunenburg County. As an itinerant in the 1770s, he helped found several churches in the counties along the James and York Rivers. He arrived in this area on Easter Sunday 1776 and traveled to nearby Magothy Bay Anglican Church. The minister was absent, and Baker, atop a horse block near the churchyard, preached the first Baptist sermon on the Eastern Shore. He is credited with helping to found 18 Baptist churches on the Delmarva Peninsula. Detained in Accomack County in 1778, he was the last Baptist jailed for preaching in Virginia. Baker was the pastor of nearby Lower Northampton Baptist Church when he died in 1798.

Erected 2017 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number WY 26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1776.

Location. 37° 14.759′ N, 75° 58.332′ W. Marker is in Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. Marker is on Lankford Highway (U.S. 13) 0.1 miles south of Jacobia Lane. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24280 Lankford Highway, Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A different marker also named Elijah Baker (within shouting distance of this marker); Mansion Site (approx. 2.1 miles away); Bacon's Rebellion (approx. 2.1 miles away); Indians (approx. 2.1 miles away); Slavery on the Eastern Shore (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Custis Tombs (approx. 2.1 miles away); Cape Charles Colored School (approx. 2.4 miles away); Cape Charles (approx. 2½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.

Elijah Baker Marker and Lower Northampton Baptist Church image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tim Fillmon, July 21, 2020

2. Elijah Baker Marker and Lower Northampton Baptist Church

Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 2, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,043 times since then and 78 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 2, 2020, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.