John William Baker

He was the son of Jacob Baker, a merchant based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his wife Hannah Smith.

Baker moved to Trinidad, Cuba in 1805, and became wealthy through his involvement in several businesses, including the Atlantic slave trade and owning sugar plantations.

He became a naturalized Spanish citizen in 1819, and changed his name to "Juan Guillermo Béquer".

He was to be made a member of the Spanish nobility with the title of "Marquess of San Juan de Piedras Albas", but Baker died before it could be conferred on him.

Legend says that he was so wealthy that when Baker tried to lay a mosaic of doubloons in the floor of the dining room, the Spanish authorities pointed out it would be improper to walk on the coat of arms of Spain, so he inlaid them in the floor on their edges.