Hi Rob, I am not directly connected to your BAKE family (yet).
However I have traced my family back to 1695 in Bramley Head in the parish of Fewston, you are correct that it is a small group and in such a small area I do think they all connect.
My family line is direct to Arthur Bake born 1665 his son was a Robert Bake born 1695.
If you let me know your details we can try and connect.
I read with interest that your other corispondent (sorry don't know his name)said he has a number of entries for the name Gilbert?
I have only found a hand full, do these come from the quaker records which is somthing I've never veiwed, if so have you come across any Arthur's or Robert's.
Is your family also connected to John and Jane Bake of Dacre I believe he died in 1775?
You can contact me by e-mail gavin.bake@boc.com.
Nice to make contact with other Bake's.
By the way I'm based in Darlington England.