Jason Baker & Alvin Brton Connection

Leo found @ the Rochester Public Library an account of the life of “Jason Baker: Monroe County Treasurer” written by Carol B. Bickel. Jason was Carol's great, great grandfather. Her account gave information to document the background history of the Baker family.

I found that Jason's brother was a Brick maker in 1850 US Census: Coxsakie, New York, Green County
Ambrose Baker
Capital $5,000
225 Tons of Coal $450
900 Cords of Wood $3,150
6,000,000 Bricks $21,000
50 Employees

The second fact was that Jason's sister Harriet was married to Alvin Burton. These facts describe a man who had an understanding of brick making, traveling with his brother in law to Brighton, the center of up-state New York brick making industry and invest and grow a new barick making factory. They came from the Hudson River area which was to become the center of the brick industry in support of New York City. This data allows us to connect Burton & Baker with greater understanding to the facts presented below.
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Jason arrived in Brighton in 1842........1855 NYS Census said "in town"... 13 years:
1855-13= 1842.........so 1842 he was 28 years old.
In 1842 he was married with 2 children, Mary & Albert.
Did he operate a kiln in the Brick Business....?

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I had located three references to Jason Baker, (before I read Carol's notes), in his relationship to the Brighton Brick Industry but I have never seen or read that he was an operator of a Brick Yard. The references I found are as follows:

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The first is an 1847 reference to Baker & Burton. This story seems to indicate that Jason Baker was a partner with the Alvin Burton in the Burton Brick Business.

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"Rochester Daily Democrat" (RDD) May 18, 1847 page 2, Column 7

"Baker & Burton Brick Manufactures in City show successful"
But I could not find article on Microfilm...?
Were Burton & Baker in business together in 1847...?
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I wish I had access to the above article which may have added some details as to depth of the involvement of Burton and Baker. This was before I foubd Carol's story.

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The second is a remembrance of the Court House construction in 1850 . This story seems to indicate that Jason Baker was a partner with the Gideon Cobb in the Burton Brick Business.

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Some Early Recollections:
An Old Citizen Interviewed - Old Times Brought Vividly to View in Rochester Union Advertiser : June 16, 1882 "Turning around toward the Court House Mr. Buckland remarked "This is a building I helped build. When the subject was first broached two plans were drawn - one providing for a brick structure and one for stone. Neither of them was adopted. The Common Council concluded to take the brick plan and the job was let to Baker and Cobb, who got some materials and commenced work."
...So were Baker & Cobb in Business together .....in 1850.......... probably!

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The third is an article that appeared in the "Rochester Daily Advertiser" Wednesday Evening - Feb. 16, 1853......page 2, Column 6 under "Home Matters." This story seems to indicate that Jason Baker was a leader in the formation of the Rochester Brick & Tile Co.

BRICKMAKING ASSOCIATION - Owing to the steady - indeed we may say rapid - growth of the city the article of brick is one of much importance; and we have been informed that many structures are greatly delayed for the want of this article of building. As a means of giving greater energy to the manufacture of brick and drain tile - the latter an article rapidly coming into favor - the Democrat learns that an association denominated "The Rochester Brick and Tile Manufacturig Company" has been formed with a capital of $100,000 - That paper adds - "Several of our wealthy citizens, not engaged in this branch of business before - as Messrs. Boody, Otis and others, - have taken stock in this company. Gideon Cobb Esq. of Brighton, well known for through-out the State as an enterprising farmer, contractor and brick maker, has been chosen President of this company. Jason Baker, Esq., of Brighton, has been appointed sales man in general of the wares to be manufactured. It is known that in Brighton, within three miles of the city, is an extensive bed of brick clay, from which have been produced most of the brick used in building up our city. The gentlemen owning and operating the brick yards are all of the most energetic sort. A large business will be done under the new arrangement. Of the probable quality of the brick and tile that will be produced, we need not speak. They will make none but such as will be likely to command the market."