Ruth Wayte

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Ruth Wayte may have been born in 1801 at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.^2,3 She was likely born circa 1802 at Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire.^4,1 She was the daughter of Thomas Wayte and Mary (?)¹

She married Reverend Edward Knight Baker, an agent of the London Missionary Society, son of George Baker and Elizabeth Knight, on Tuesday, 9 April 1833 (although one source has it being the day after) at Ashby-de-la Zouch, Leicestershire..^5,2,6

Ruth and her husband Edward emigrated from Gravesend, Kent, on 28 February 1834 on the "Henry Wellesley."⁷ Ruth and her husband Edward arrived at Madagascar on 1 July 1834.⁸
Almost immediately after his arrival they adopted the son of a Creole trader after the death of his father (the father had rendered many services to the missionaries).⁹

Ruth may have been something of an artist as she had engaged to prepare some sketches of Madagascar.¹⁰ She and Reverend Edward Knight Baker moved to Mauritius in September 1836. It is believed they were fleeing the persecution of Christians on Madagascar.^11,12

Ruth returned briefly to England on the John Bagshaw, arriving 31 July 1841 where "she entered the two oldest children in the missionary school at Walthamstow and the returned with the youngest to Mauritius".¹³ She and Reverend Edward Knight Baker arrived circa 1845 at Port Adelaide, South Australia.¹⁴


Edward and Ruth attempted to sell a "small flock of clean sheep, with a run" in Morphett Vale, South Australia, through an advertisment in the newspaper on 28 September 1847. They attested to the validity of John D. Darby's will on 26 January 1853. To his brother Thomas he left all of his real estate and personal effects, after payment of his debts and funeral expenses. He also stated that his "beloved wife" Mary was to enjoy the "use and benefits" of the property held jointly with his brother Thomas, namely half of Sections 628 and 801, as well as half of the allotments in Albert Town [Alberton] and Carrington Street, Adelaide. This share was to then pass to their children. He also wished Mary to have access to the reaping and winnowing machines along with "all the corn, hay, five horses with harness cart", as well as the leases of sections of 9, 10 and 90 owned by Reverend Edward Baker. John was to die later the same day..¹⁵

The will of her niece's husband John D. Darby was probated on 4 April 1853.¹⁵

In 1854, council rates information indicates that Edward and Ruth owned part section 9, 10, and 20 with a stone dwelling of 8 rooms. They were assessed for £56 for holding 140 acres (57 hectares.)^16,17

By 1856, Edward and Ruth had sold the majority of their land (Section 20) retaining a fifth, 40 acres. Part of Section 10 was leased to her niece, the widow Mary Darby (on the south-west corner of what is now Doctors and Panalatinga Roads).^16,18

Ruth, as the mother of the bride, may have attended the wedding of Ellen and John Edward Tapley, an accountant from Adelaide, They were married at her parent's residence in a Congregationalist ceremony conducted by Ellen's father at Hillside House on Friday, 25 December 1857 at Morphett Vale, South Australia.. Others who may have attended include Arabella McDonald as mother of the groom and Richard Edward Tapley as father of the groom. John and Ellen went on to have two children together.^19,20,21

Ruth, as the mother of the bride, along with Edward may have attended the wedding of Harriet and Reverend Charles Manthorpe, a English Congregational minister, in a Congregational ceremony performed by Reverend Thomas Quinton Stow at her father's house on Thursday, 20 October 1859 at Morphett Vale, South Australia.. Others who may have attended include Sarah Love as mother of the groom and James Symonds Manthorpe as father of the groom. Charles and Harriet went on to have as many as 13 children together.^22,6

Not too long after the marriage, scandal overtook the family. Ellen's husband had travelled to India and began send her letters and small sums of money, but this petered out. When Ellen travelled to India to investigate, she discovered John had changed his name and was living with another woman.²³ Back from her shocking trip to India, Ellen moved in with her parents where she lived for the next decade.

Edward and Ruth seem to have taken in a number of destitute children.²⁴

Ruth, as the mother of the bride, along with Edward may have attended the wedding of Ellen and Charles Mosse Sprigg, a farmer marrying for the second time, in a Congregational ceremony conducted by her sister's husband Reverend Charles Manthorpe at Glenelg Congregational Church on Wednesday, 2 September 1874 at the Adelaide suburb of Glenelg.. Others who may have attended include . Charles and Ellen went on to have just one known child together.^25,23 Ruth and Edward lived at Morphett Vale, South Australia. They were apparently in this 8 room stone house from their arrival in 1845 until their death 40 years later.²⁶

Her husband Edward died 20 January 1885 at the age of 80, leaving her a widow.

Ruth died on 9 June 1885 at Morphett Vale, South Australia.^27,6,28,29 Her body was interred at Bain's Cemetery on 10 June 1885 at Morphett Vale, South Australia. She is buried in the same plot as her husband..^30,6