Mrs. Eddy's parents differed from each other in individual ways, and both of them had more culture and more varied interests than were common in their day among men and women of equal prosperity. Yet, Mark Baker and Abigail Ambrose Baker can be described as typical New Hampshire people of their time. They were intelligent, thrifty, religious, and they were independent thinkers. Further, they were charitable, hospitable, and public-spirited.
From their marriage in 1807 to 1836, Mr. and Mrs. Baker lived on their farm in the town of Bow. From 1836 to 1848, they lived on a farm one mile from Sanbornton Bridge (now Tilton) which they acquired instead of the one in Bow. In 1848, they moved into Sanbornton Bridge. While they lived in Bow, they did most of their buying and selling in Concord, which was the nearest center of business and population. Afterward, their business center was Sanbornton Bridge.
At his different places of residence, Mark Baker held the following offices or positions: agent of the town of Bow in regard to caring for the poor; clerk of the Congregational church of Bow; delegate of his church to church conferences; coroner for the Country of Rockingham; justice of the peace for the County of Belknap; Sunday School superintendent for the Congregational church at Sanbornton Bridge; trustee of Sanbornton Academy; quartermaster sergeant of a regiment in the New Hampshire militia; sergeant major of the same regiment; and sometimes acting chaplain thereof.
