Download pdf - MY WALKER FAMILY By Fred Coffey · ROBERT WALKER, ESQUIRE 7/5/16 About Robert Walker, Esq. Page 1 of 25 MY WALKER FAMILY By Fred Coffey DEAR READER: If you’re looking at an “.HTM”

ROBERT WALKER, ESQUIRE

7/5/16 About Robert Walker, Esq. Page 1 of 25

MYWALKERFAMILYByFredCoffeyDEARREADER:Ifyou’relookingatan“.HTM”versionofthisreport,beawarethereisa“.PDF”versionwithbetterformatcontrolandbetterprintingcapability.See:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/AboutRobertWalkerEsq.pdfThispaperismostlyaboutRobertWalker,Esquire,myoldestknownWalkerancestor.First,aquickintroductiontomyancestry:MYFAMILYLINE:RobertWALKEREsq.(Abt1717/20-befAug1786)&(Unknown?Ann??)RobertWALKERJr.(1Sep1748-)&MaryJONES(1Nov1758-9Jun1853)WilliamWALKER*(27Mar1790-Jun1855)&CatharineKIMBREL(abt1790-13Aug1835)BartlettYancyWALKER(Oct1819-aft1906)&FrancesNixonMAXEY(7Apr1827-19Apr1891)CyrusWALKER(7Jan1847-Sep1926)&LauraEttaMYERS(4Jul1853-28May1902)EverettElmerWALKER(6Feb1882-1948)&LinnieEllenMACHLAN(30Sep1884-7May1974)ElsieMaureenWALKER(20Nov1903-12Mar1983)&LeoNewtonCOFFEY(1901-1998)LeoFrederickCoffey(That'sme!)ADDITIONALSOURCES:Overtime,I’vedevelopedandwrittenaboutseveraltopicsthatarerelatedtoRobert,butaretoomuchtofullycoverinthissingledocument.Mostofthesehavereferenceelsewhereinthisreport,butarelistedherefor“quickreference”:ThereisaDNAstudy,http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/WalkerDNA2.pdfAndtheDNAStudystirredupsomequestionsaboutRobert’sbrotherDavid:www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/WalkerDNA2Appendix.pdfWhichinturnstirredupdiscussionofamultitudeofconfusingdescendantsnamed“David”:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/Walker7Davids.pdfThisnextitemisahodge-podgeofstuff,whichincludesfulldetailsonSurrycourtnotes,etchttp://www.coffey.ws/familytree/familynotes/A3WalkerCoffeyConnections.htmThereisapaperabouta“Coffey”relativethatlivedinSurry,thatoffersSurrybackground:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/JamesCoffee.pdfAndtherearetwoarticlesaboutRobert’srelationshipswiththeMoravians:www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/RobWalkerAndTheMoravians.pdfwww.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/MoravianRoads.pdfAndafterRobertisgone,IwroteabouthiswifeMary,sonRobert,andgrandsonWilliam.www.coffey.ws/familytree/familynotes/MaryWifeOfRobert.pdfhttp://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/Docs/WALKERRobertJr(W).pdfhttp://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/Docs/WALKERWilliam(W).pdfROBERTWALKERESQUIRE:We’rereadytodiscussRobertWalker,Esq.Butfirst,letmegivecreditwhereitisdue:Ihavehadalotofcorrespondencewithanotherresearcher,RandyWalker.IalsooweadebttoCraigandKathyWalker,whoarealsoresearchingWalkerroots.Youwillreadmoreaboutthemina



separatepaperonthisRobert'sson,RobertWalkerJr.AndIhavealsoexchangedalargevolumeofnoteswithresearcherBettyHicks.RobertWalkeristhepatriarchofmyownfamilyline.Andasaquickintroduction,thisisatabulationofhismarriagesandchildren.ROBERT'SMARRIAGESANDCHILDREN:RobertWALKEREsq.(Abt1717/20-befAug1786)&(Ann??)RobertWALKERJr.(1Sep1748-)&MaryJONES(1Nov1758-9Jun1853)WilliamWALKER(1750-Aug1814)JohnWALKERDavidWALKER(aminorin1786,perRobert’swill)JamesWALKER(aminorin1786,perRobert’swill)Elizabeth(marriedMiller)MaryWALKER(marriedThomasSylvanus“Silley”Wright)HannahWALKERRobertWALKEREsq.(Abt1717/20-befAug1786)&MaryPollyWALKERElizabeth“Betsey”WALKER(12Dec1785-24Mar1859)&BenjaminFranklinHOWARDJr.THEBIGPICTURE:ORIGINSANDEARLYLIFE:AbigcontributortoourunderstandingoftheoriginsandearlylifeofRoberthasbeengreatlyaidedbyaDNAstudyof14men,whoshowasolidgeneticconnectiontoRobert.These14“cousins”provedtobeadiversegroup,withavarietyoforigins,andallwerewillingtoshareinformationandsources.Aworkingpaper,withfulldetailsofouranalysis,canbefoundhere:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/WalkerDNA2.pdfSomeofthetestedgroup’sancestorswererelativelyrecentimmigrantstoAmerica,whoknewfullwelltheirnationalorigins.Basedonthis,wenowhavefullconfidencethattheoriginaloriginofourWalkerfamilywasScotland.HoweverwealsoknowthatatleastonelinecametoAmericabywayofNorthernIreland.ManyScotswereinvitedtosettleinNorthernIrelandinthe17thcentury,onconfiscatedIrishlands.Theyaresometimescalled“UlsterScots”,or“ScotsIrish”.And,particularlygivenwhenandwhereRobertfirstenteredAmerica,itishighlylikelythathewasalso“ScotsIrish”.WebelievethatRobert,andabrotherDavid,firstcametoPennsylvania,probablyintheearlyormid1700’s.WebelievetheywereinPennsylvaniauntilafter1765,becauseadescendant“David”bornin1765surviveduntilafter1850,andhereportedinthe1850censusthathewasborninPennsylvania.THISDavidwasapparentlyadescendantofRobert’sbrotherDavid.AnditisevidencethefamilywasinPennsylvanianolaterthan1765.BeforetheAmericanRevolutionsome200,000peopleemigratedfromUlstertoAmerica,withthelargestnumbersgoingtoPennsylvania.Fromthere,manywentSouthintoVirginiaandtheCarolinas,withRobertandbrotherDavidlikelyamongthem.Robertwascloselyassociated



withtheMoraviansinNorthCarolina,andtheyalsocamefromPennsylvaniaandpioneeredtheroads.RobertstrategicallyplacedhisTavernononeoftheMoravianroutes,andhislocationwasevenmarkedonaMoravianmap!HemayhaveeventravelledwiththeMoravians?Atseveralpointsinthisreport,wewillreferenceRobert’srelationswiththeMoravians.IfIsaysomethingbelowthatdoesn’tmakesense,youmightwanttocomebackandexaminethefollowing:www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/RobWalkerAndTheMoravians.pdfwww.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/MoravianRoads.pdfWewillshortlyintroduceevidencethatRobertwasinNorthCarolinaby1768.Somostlikelyhemadethemovesouthbetween1765and1768.ROBERT’SBROTHER,ROBERT’SWIFE:Robert’sbrotherDaviddiedinSurryCounty,NorthCarolinainabout1775,leavingorphanchildrenDavid,Lillias(Lillian?)andHannah.ThereareseveralrecordsintheSurryWillAbstractsinvolvingRobertWalkerandan“AnnWalker”settlingtheestateofDavid,andarrangingguardianshipsfortheorphanchildren.Giventhecontext,itisnotobviouswhether“AnnWalker”isRobert’swife,orDavid’swidow.Ipersonallythink“Ann”isRobert’sfirstwife,basedonlimitedsupportingevidence:ThereisaScottishnamingconvention,whichproposesthatthefirstdaughterinafamilyshouldbenamedafteritsmaternalgrandmother,theseconddaughtershouldbenamedafteritspaternalgrandmother,andthethirddaughtershouldbenamedafteritsmother.WhenwelookatthefamilyofRobertWalkerJr.(thesonofRobertWalkerEsq.)wefindhisfirstdaughterisnamedJamina,andweknowthatwasthenameofhermaternalgrandmother.ThethirddaughterwasnamedMary,andthatwasthenameofhermother.SoundslikeRobertJr.wasfollowingtheconvention!AndRobertJunior’sseconddaughter,whoshouldthereforehavebeennamedafterherpaternalgrandmother(thewifeofRobertSr.)?Thatwas"Anne".Itfitsreallywell!Fortherecord,herearetherelevantabstractreferences:

SurryWillAbstracts:1:46.Inv.ofsaleofDavidWalkerdecd.Buyerswere:AnnWalker,DavidWalker,RobertWalker,CharlesMcCay,JacobJohnScott,JacobMyers,JohnHoley,GeorgeHyet,AndrewLowery,RobertWalkerSr.,PeterLudwick,JohnGrowse,MartinArmstrong,RobertLanier,Jo.Williams,PeterShermer,TraugottBagge,JohnHealey,etc.TotalretndtoMayCt.1775byAnnWalker&RobertWalkeradmins.L44:12:6.SurryWillAbstracts:1:93a.AnnWalker,WilliamDobson,RichardGoode,JosephWinstonareboundtoMartinArmstrong,RobertLanier,JohnHudspeth,MatthewBrooks,Justices,forL500N.C.money12Feb.1778asAnnWalkerandWilliamDobsonjointlyareappointedguardiansofDavidWalker,LilliasWalkerandHannahWalker,orphansofDavidWalker



decd.Wit:Jos.Williams.Rec.Feb.Ct.1778.SurryWillAbstracts:”1:102.Acct.ofest.ofchildrenofDavidWalkerdecdbyAnnWalker&WilliamDobson,guardians.13May1778.CashreedofRobertWarwickL4,dittoRobertWalkerLI.Rec.MayCt.1778.SurryWillAbstracts:1:107a.RobertWalker,WilliamDobson,MartinArmstrong&MichaelHowzerareboundtoJohnHudspeth,CharlesMcAnally&RobertLanier,SurryCo.Justices,forL200proc14May1788(sic)asWalker&.DobsonareboundguardiansofDavidWalker,orphanofDavidWalkerdecd,makingexhibittotheJusticesin3mos.oftheirguardianshipaccts.Wit:Jo.Williams,Clk.Rec.MayCt.1778.

ButnowwecanmoveontoinformationinwhichIdohavemoreconfidence:COUNTIESOFNWNORTHCAROLINA:It'sgoingtobetoughtofollowthehistoryofRobertWalker,Esq.,andhisfamily,ifyoudon'texaminethehistoryoftheareawherehelived.We'relookingatthenorthwestpartofNorthCarolina:In1753RowanCountywasformed,andwefindRobertlivingtherebynolaterthan1768:WecanfindseveralreferencestoRobertWalkerintheRowanCo.NCCourtofPleas&QuarterSessionsBook#3.IntheserecordsheappearsbeforetheCourtasanordinarycitizen.Heisalsofoundintaxlistsforthistimeperiod,including1768.TheearliestreferencecomesfromRowanCo.CourtRecords:July16,1768:"OnmotionofJohnDunn,Esqr.orderedbythecourtthatRobertWalkerhaveleavetokeepanOrdinaryathisowndwellinghouseinRowanCounty.SecurityWilliamTim:ColeandThomasStilwell."(An"Ordinary"isaformoftavern,andwearegoingtofindthatRobertwasinthetavernbusinessuntilhisdeath,withhiswifetakingoverthereafter.)ThistaverncouldarguablybeconsideredtheoriginofthemoderncityofWalkertown,NC--we'lltalkmoreaboutthatlater.AmajorfunctionoftheCourtwastomanagetheroadsinthecounty,withcitizensappointedtovariousduties.InJanuary1769,wefindthisappointment:"OverseerofRoadsRobertWalkerfromVacouiaLinetoSandyRidgeCapefareRoad(fromWachoviatoCapeFear)"AlsoinAugust1769hereturnstocourtforarenewal:"OrdinaryLicenserenewedforoneyearathisdwellinghouse."Andagainon14Aug1770"OrderedthatRobertWalkerhavelicensetokeepOrdinaryathisdwellinghouse."RegardingtheseTavernBonds,Craig&KathyWalkerfoundthefollowingtranscriptoftheactualAugust1769bond.Thespellingandpunctuationoftheoriginaldocumentarepreserved:



"KNOWallMenbythesePresentsthatweRobertWalker,WmTempleCole&CharlesMcAnallyareheldandfirmlybounduntoWmTryonGovernorandCommanderinChiefeinandovertheProvenceofNorthCarolinaintheSumeforThurteyPoundsProclamationMoneytobeepaidtotheGovernororhisSuccessorstothewhichPayementwellandtrulytobemadewebindeourselvesandEveryofusourandeveryofourHeirsExecutorsandAdministratorsjointlyseverallyfirmlybythesePresentsSealedwithoursealsandDatedthe9thDayofAugust1769TheConditionofthisObligationissuchThatwhereasthesdRobertWalkerhathobtainedaLicensetoKeepATavrononhisPlantationwherehelivsonthemoravenRoadontheWatersofmuddyCreekinRowanCountyifthereforeyesdRobertWalkerdothConstantlyfindandprovideinhisorhersaidTavernGoodwholesomeandCleanDietandLodgingforTravelersandStableFodder&CornorPasturageastheSeasonShallrequireforthineHorsesforandduringthetermeofoneyearefromthe9DayofAugustandshallnotsufferunlawfulGammeinginhisorherHousenorsellLiquerontheLordsDaytoaneyPersonbywhichsuchPersonsmayintoxicatedthentheObligationtobevoidOtherwisetoRemaineinforce

AndthiscomeswiththesignaturesofRobertandofWmTempleCole(notsure,thesecondentryhandwritingisincredible!):Oh,notethattheBondstatesthatRobert“…livsonthemoravenRoad....”.Asnotedearlier,RobertstrategicallyplacedhisTavernonamajorMoravianroutetoandfromPennsylvania.ThereisanotherfunctionoftheCourt-itapprovesthebrandsthatcitizensmayapplytotheirlivestock.ThefollowingwouldappeartoprovethatRobertwasthereforeengagedinfarming,aswellasrunninghistavern:"RowanCo.CourtRecords:1771RobertWalkerMarkisslopingcropofeachyear(ear),oneonthefour(fore?)sideoftheleftyearandtheotherslopsbacksideoftherightyear&BrandisR3ontherightshoulderandbuttocks."SURRYCOUNTY:Thenin1771SurryCountywasformed,andthatnowincludedRobert'shome.AllofhiscourtrecordshenceforthrefertoSurryCounty.TheSurryCountycourthousewasestablishedin1779ataplacedcalledRichmond.(Butdon'tlookforRichmondonaNCmap--itnolongerexists!)We'regoingtofindalotofinformationaboutRobertintheCourtRecordsforthisnewSurryCounty.We'llcomebacktothatshortly.Butfirstalittlemoregeography:In1789(afterRobert'sdeath)Surrywassplit,andStokesCountywasformed.Theoldcourthousewasnowinconvenient,sobothcountiesformednewcountyseats,andRichmondwasultimatelyabandoned.Robertwasdeadbythen,buthisoldhomeandTheOldRichmondCourthousewerenowinStokesCounty.



Thenin1849and1850SurryandStokescountieswereeachsplitagain,addingYadkinandForsythcounties.AndwherethenwastheOldRichmondCourthouse?ItwasontheForsythCountyside,nearwherethefourcountiescometogether.SowherewouldwegoifwewantedtovisitGGGGGGrandpaWalker'soldRichmondhome?TheRichmondCourthouseisnowjustanarcheologicalsite,locatedinForsythCounty,nearTobaccoville,NC,onPayneRoadjustoffDonnahaRoad,neartheYadkinRiver.Thatwouldbeabout15milesnorthwestofWinstonSalem,NC.Here’swhatitlooksliketoday:TAXLISTS:TheRowanCoTaxlistshowsRobertWalkeron1768taxlistofJacobLaesch.ThislistisforBellowsCreek(akaBelewsCreek),Thelistingis"RobertWalker&sonRobert1poll".Theyhavenoslaves.(TheonepolltaxisprobablyforRobertJr.,withRobertSr.probablynotrequiredtopaythepolltaxbecauseheisolderthanage50atthattime.)The1771taxlistofSurryCo.showsRobertWalkerwith3polls.The1782SurrytaxlistshowsRobertWalkerwith1212acres.The1785taxlistofCapt.LovillshowsRobertWalkerwith1112acres.1whitepoll,3blackpolls,onthe1786taxlistingis"MaryWalker,EscrsofRobertWalkerdecd"andshow812acres,3blackpollsand17townlots.LaterI'lldiscusshislandownershipabitmore.ROBERTWALKER,ESQUIRETwoofthemostfascinatingdocumentsIhavefoundaretheRowanandSurryCountyCourtminutes.Mostofthiscomesfromtheabstractof"SurryCounty,NorthCarolina,CourtMinutesVolumesIandII1768-1789"byMrs.W.O.Absher.Inthisabstract,inadditiontodozensofreferencestoRobert,wecanfindanumberofmyotherrelatives.IhavewrittenawholeseparatepaperonSurryCountyandmyfamilyconnectionsbasedonthesecourtminutes,andotherreferences.Youcanexaminethefulldetailsbyclickingonthefollowing:http://www.coffey.ws/familytree/familynotes/A3WalkerCoffeyConnections.htmCAUTION:Thisisamessyandcomplexsite,andramblesonaboutmanyancestorsinadditiontoRobertWalker.ButitwillallowyoutoexaminemorecarefullytheactualentriesintheCourtminutes.Anyway,herearesomeofthehighlightsregardingRobert:Letmefirstaddresshistitle,"Esquire".Originally,intheMiddleAges,thiswasapersonwhoranked"aboveagentleman,andbelowaknight".IthassinceevolvedintheUnitedStatestousuallybea"…signofcourtesy



towardmembersofthelegalprofession".IseriouslydoubtthatRobertwasformallytrainedasalawyer,butinNorthCarolinainthelate1700'sitwouldhaveprobablybeenacourtesyreferencetohisofficialdutieswiththecourt.WhenwelookedattheRowanCountycourtrecordsabove,Robertappearedasanordinarycitizen.Butinabout1771,whenthenewSurryCountywasformed,wesuddenlyfindhimconsistentlyreferredtoas"RobertWalkerEsquire",andheisfoundservingasacommissioner,orjustice,intheSurryCountyNorthCarolinaCourtMinutes.Itwouldappearhesawanopportunitytomoveupwhenthenewcountywasformed?ThefirstSurryCountyreferenceisactuallyfoundintheoriginalsurveyfortheboundaryofthenewSurryCounty(seeabove“Connections”linkforthesurveytranscript).Thisisatediousbutfascinatingdocument,usingtrees,houses,creeks,waterfalls,fishtraps,oaksaplings,etc.,etc.assurveylandmarks.ButatonepointwefindtheSurveylinedescribedas"…runningwestcrossingabranchofDanRiverEastofRobertWalkersEsquire,thenceEastofhishouseaboutone-quarterofamile,crossingtheeasternmostBranchofMuddyCreek,thencethroughtheMoravianTract,crossingtheforkoftheroad.."etc.,etc.ThissurveywasfiledandprovenbeforeJesseBenton,theclerkofSurryCourtin1771.Theinterestingthingisthatheisnow"RobertWalkerEsquire",suggestingthathehadalreadyassumedhisofficialcourtduties.Theadjacentmodernmapgivesyouaquickintroductiontotheareabeingdiscussed,whichisnearmodernWalkertown,NC.Notethebluelines,whichshowthestreamsthroughthearea.AndtakenoteofHwy66,OldHollowRoad.Thisroadisessentiallythewatershedforthearea.Streamsnorthofthislineflownorth,andarebranchesoftheDanRiver.Andstreamssouthofthislineflowsouth,intowhatwasthenknownasMuddyCreek.AlsonoteHwy158,ReidsvilleRoad.Thisisapproximatelytherouteofthe“roadtotheironworks”whichwasfirstdescribedaspassingfromRobert’shouse.Moreonallthislater.(Note:TheaboveSurveysuggestshishousewasnearthesouthernBORDERoftheoriginalSurryCounty.Beawarethattheborderwaslatermovedafewmilesfarthersouth,andalsobeawarethatRobertlatermovedtothetownofRichmond,theCountySeat,whichwasinthecenterofSurry.Morediscussionsoflocationswillfollow.Landrecordsshowthaton14Feb1779RobertWalkerbought121/2acresinthetownofRichmondfor33pounds–hewasreadytomovetothenewcountyseatassoonasitwasestablished.)FoundanotherearlyreferencerelatedtothestartupofSurryCounty,butthisonewasactually



locatedinthe“SurryWillAbstracts”(eventhoughithasnorelationshiptowills):“MartinArmstrong,JohnArmstrong,Robt.Walker&WilliamRobersonofSurryareboundtohismajestyfor1000pds.sterl.asMartinArmstrongisappointedSheriffofSurryCo.3Apr.1771.Wit:JesseBenton.Rec.MayCt.1771,”Robert’sverygoodfriend(seelater!)MartinArmstrongisappointedSheriffofSurryCounty,withRoberthelpingpostbond.Thenewcountyisreadytogo!ManyoftheearlySurrycourtrecordsaremissing,withonlybitsandpiecesavailableintheearliestyears.Here’sanotheroftheearlierrecords:Heisreportedas"Present"intheofficialminutesfor"thethirdTuesday(of)February(inthe)11thyear(ofthe)Reign(of)LordGeorgeThird".Gotthat?(Thatdate,inasystemcalledRegnalyears,countsfromthedatethemonarchcametothethrone,andtranslatingitwasabitofachallenge.Butaftersomeresearch,andlearningthatGeorgeIIIbecameKingon25Oct1760,Iworkedthedateouttobe"Tuesday,February18,1772".)ThefirstSurryCourtsessionswereheldatthehouseofGideonWright,oneofthe"Esquires".Thisisbecausethenewcourthousewasnotyetbuilt.(Note:Willaddresslocationsinmoredetaillater.)Here'sthepreambletooneofthiscourt'searlyrulings,namingRobert,andexplainingtheirofficialduties:

09Nov1771(CR092.326.17,SurryCo.,NCCriminalActionPapers)NorthCarolinaSurryCountyAtaninferiorCourtofPleas&quarterSessionsbegunandheldin&fortheCountyofSurryontheThirdSundayofNovemberinthetwelfthyearoftheReignofourSovereignLordGeorgethethirdbytheGraceofGodofGreatBritainFranceandIrelandKingDefenderoftheFaith&BeforetheWorshipfulJacobBONNCharlesMCANALLYGideonWRIGHTandRobertWALKEREsquiresandotherstheirCompanionJusticesassignedtokeepthePeaceforsaidCountyandalsotohearanddetermineallPettyLarceniesTrespasses,AssaultsBatteriesCrimesandMisdemeanorsofaninferiorNatureWhatsoevercommittedordoneintheCountyaforesaid.

ItappearsthattheCountyCourtsatabout4timesayear,foronlyafewdayseachsession.ThereforeRobertstillhadplentyoftimetotendtohislandsandhistavern.Readingthecourtminutes,Robert’snameappearswithgreatfrequency.Notsurprising,sinceheispresentinhisofficialdutiesatmanyofthemeetings.HealsoappearsfairlyoftenastheSUBJECTofcourtproceedingsaswell.ForonethinghekeptaTavernathishouse,andneededtorenewhislicenseatregularintervals.Wasthereaconflictofinterest?Well,tohiscredit,hedoesnotappeartohavebeensittingasaCommissioneronanyoftheparticulardayswhenHIStavernlicensecameupforrenewal!However--wedofindhimsittingatthebenchon9May1785whenitis"Ordered:TavernRates(shall)beamendedasfollows:Goodcider6(shillings?)perquarttil1Feb.annually;afterwardat8;…"Withregardtoanotherentry,wecan'tbesureifhewasinterestedinthewelfareofthecommunityorphans-orjustlookingforcheapservants.Buton13May1785wefind"Ordered:SarahBrandon,orphanofWm.Brandon,deceased,agesevenyears,bebounduntoRobertWalkerandhiswifeMary,(to)learnmisterySpinsteruntil18yearsandatherfreedombe



givenfeatherbed,furniture,cowandcalf…"(This"learnmisterySpinster"threwme,untilIfoundanothergenealogyreferenceindicatingthatitmeantshewastolearnhowtobeaspinster--howtospinanddootherhouseholdduties.)Robertapparentlyhadotheryoungservants,possiblyacquiredthesameway.Butoneofthose,apparentlyaverybravelad,hadthenervetoappearbeforethecourton9May1780,andcomplain:"JohnMcCay,servantboyofRobertWalker,broughtbeforeCt.&complainedhismasterhadusedhimwithtoomuchseverity,whichfactWalkeracknowledged.Ordered:InfutureWalkershallfindJohnMcCayduringhisservitudegood,wholesomediet,clothing,washingandlodgingand(shall)givehimunreasonablecorrectionatnotime…".RobertdidnottolerateinsolencewhenhesatasCommissioner.Wefindon19November1785"Ordered:WilliamCrawford,Esq.Fined5shillingsforprofaneswearingandspeakingincontemptofCourtafterhewasordertoSilence;finepaidanddeliveredtoRobertWalker,Esqr."Apparentlythecourtandcommunitywerestrictinotherwaysaswell.Atroughlythetimethenewcourthousewasready,wefindon11Feb1779"OrderedRobertWALKER,Esqr.AndSamuelCUMMINSappointedcommissionerstoprovideandagreewithworkmantoerectStocksandWhipingPostintownRichmondandcalluponCountyTrusteeformoneyforexpenseofsame."AndapparentlysuchCountyequipmentonlyhadalimitedlife,becausewelaterfindon12August1785anotherentry"Ordered:CommissionerstoemployworkmantoerectPairStocks&WhippingPostatCourtHouse…"Buttheycouldbegeneroustothoselessfortunate.Quiteoftenpeopleweremadeexemptfromthepolltaxforvariousreasonssuchasageorpoverty.On10November1779wefind"Ordered:WilliamMcFeetobeclearedfrompayingtax;hebeingobjectofpityandnopersontoworkforhim."AveryfrequentactionoftheCourtistoordercitizenstoservetoinspecttheroadsaroundthecounty.(Ibelievethefarm/homeownerwasresponsibleformaintainingtheroadsfrontingonhisproperty,buttheCountyneededtoassureitwasdoneproperly?)RobertoftensatontheCommissionthatmakethoseorders,buthealsowasassignedtoserveto"viewaroad"himselfonoccasion.RobertWalkerEsq.,andhissonRobertJr.,botharepresentfromtimetotimeintheCourtrecords.Atonepointtheywerebothappointedtothesamecommitteetoviewsomeroads.Sometimes,particularlyafterRobertSr.diesandJr.becomestheSr.Robert,youhavetobecarefulwhichoneyouarereadingabout!TheCommissionersalsoappointedcitizenstoserveonjuries,andRobertJr.wassoorderedon11Feb1779,andheservedfortwodayson12-13May1779.ThestrikingthingisthatthesamesinglejuryheardNINEcivilcasesoverjustthosetwodays.Justicewasswift!RobertalsoservedastheCountytaxcollectorforawhile:AnentryintheSurryWillAbstracts



reportsthaton17Aug1780“…sdWalkerisappointedTaxCommissioner”.(AndanentryintheMoravian’sBethaberaDiaryon27Nov1782reports"Mr.Walkerwasheretocollectthegraintax,whichwaspaidtohiminTicketsandmoney.")TheCourtusuallyassembledfourtimesayear,inFebruary,May,August,andNovember.Particularlyinthelateryears,RobertWalkertendedtoappearonlyonthefirstdayofthesessionandtoconductnobusinessonthatday.Itismyguessthathewassortofa"seniorjustice",andperhapscameinprimarilytoorganizetheagendaforthecurrentsession?Ormaybehewasgettingold,anditwasjustanhonoraryappearance?Afinalnote:Wedon'tknowexactlywhenRobertWalkerEsquiredied,buthislastappearanceinofficialcapacitywason13February1786.Inthatsamesessionheappearedof14FebruarytoenteradeedofpropertytoMordecaiMendenhall,andsworeanoaththatthedeedwasvalid.Andthenonthenextday,15February,heappearedasaplaintiff,andthenasadefendant,beforeajuryintwocourtcases.Apparentlyheandanotherpersonsuedeachotherforslander.Thesamejuryheardbothcases,andfoundforthedefendantineachcase.(Inotherwords,thejurydecidedneitherpartywasreallyguiltyofslander.)Andon18Februaryhewasnamedasamemberofacensuscommittee(see"CensusTaker"below).HeappearsoncemoreintheMay1786session,butnotinanofficialcapacity.HeandhiswifeMaryenteredadeedon10May.AndhewassuedbyaRichardPhilipson11May.(Itisnotclearwhytherewasalawsuit,andisnotclearwhatwastheoutcome.)HeobviouslydiedsometimebetweentheMayandAugust1786CourtSessions.Therewasaflurryofcourtactivityrelatedtohisdeathinthesessionthatsaton15-16Aug1786.ThefirsttoappearwashiswifeMary,whowantedleavetocontinuetokeeptheTavernoperatingatherhome.Onlessermatters,theCommissionersappointedareplacementforRobert,andhiswillwasproved.Overthenexttwoyearstherewereseveralmorecourtactionsrelatedtohisestate.CENSUSTAKER:OneofRobert'slastofficialactsonCountybusinessalsotellsussomethingofhisfamily:Therewasa"NorthCarolinaCensus1784-1787".AndtheCourtminutesof18Feb1786containtheitem"ReportofcommitteetoexaminelistsofInhabitantsofCountyasfollows:LOVILLESDistrict:RobertWALKER."(Othercommitteemembersalsonamed).Andtheactualcensusdatareportnames"AlistofsoulsfortheDistrictofCapt.Lovel,TakenbyRobertWalker".(IwouldpresumethiswasthedistrictaroundRichmond,whereIbelieveRobertwaslivingatthetime.)ThecensusreportliststhefirstpersonasRobertWalkerhimself,withhouseholdconsistingof:"1WhiteMale21-60years;2WhiteMalesunder21&above60;4WhiteFemalesallages;3Blacks12-50;2Blacksunder12andabove50".HISWILL:Craig&KathyWalkerfoundacopyofRobert'swill.Youcanviewanimageoftheoriginal(Caution:it'salargefile!)at:



www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/Robert_Walker_Esq_Will.PDFThetextofhiswill(withaddednotesclarifyingrecipients)follows:"NorthCarolina,SurryCounty,March[blank]day,theyearofourLordGod1786.IRobertWalkeroftheCountyaforesaidandTownofRichmonddoherebyinthenameofGodamen,constitutemakeandordainthistobemylastwillandtestament.Firstofallandorderthatmybodybeburieddecentlyatthediscretionofmyexecutorsandthatallmylawfuldebtsandfuneralchargesbepaid.IdoherebywillandorderthatmywifeMaryWalkerandmysonRobertWalkerandmytrustyfriendColMartinArmstrongtobeappointedtheexecutorsofthismylastwilltestament.(MaryWalker–Wife)"Idoherebywillandbequeathuntomybelovedwife,MaryWalkerthethirdofallmymoveableestate,asalsoallthenegrossolongasshelivesinwidow-hoodaftermydeath,onlythenegroPhillipshallbesoldorhired,andRoseshallremainwithhermistressaslongasthenegroRoselives.Ialsowillandorderthatmywifeshallhavetheraisingofherchildrenandthatsheraisethematthewholeexpenseoftheestate.IallowmywifeanyoneoftheplantationsIown,thatshechooses,untilallofthechildrencomesofage.Asalsothestill,theutensilsofhusbandry,twohorses,fivecowsandcalves,herbedandbeddingandchestofdrawers,herteawareandkitchenfurnitureandallthenegrostillthechildrencomeofage;butthataninventorybetakenofthewholeandvaluedandifthatmywidowmarrysthensheshallhavethethirdsonlyandthecourtshallchooseguardiansforthechildren.AsalsoIwilltomywifehermareandsaddleandthethirdsofallthemoneysinhandandthethirdsofallonthebooks.AndalsothreehundredacresoflandontheEastsideoftheRiverTennessee.(James–son)"IdoheregiveandbequeathuntomysonJamesfivehundredacresoflandontheEastsideoftheRiverTennessee.AsalsothreehundredacresonDuckRiveroutofthe180hundredtract,andmyhorseandsaddle,andwatch,andfiftypoundsinmoneywhenhecomesofage.IdoalsoallowthatheshallbewelllearnedinEnglisharithmeticandastronomyandtuitionattheexpenseofthewholeestate.(David–son)"IalsowillandbequeathuntomysonDavidthreehundredacresoflandonDuckRiveroftheaforesaidtract.AsalsofivehundredacresontheWestsideoftheTennesseeRiverandalsofivehundredacresontheEastsideoftheTennesseeRiverandtheirheirsforever,tohaveandtohold.AsalsotoDavidIwill&ordainthatheshallhavewhenheshallbeofageahorse&saddleofthevalueoftwentyfivepoundsandfivepoundsfortobuyhimawatch,mybucklesandhatandthatmyapparelandbooksbedividedatthediscretionofmywifeandtheDavidshallhavelearningequallyashighasJames.AsalsoIwillandorderthatDavidshallhaveanegroboughtequallygoodvaluetoPeteriftherebenotanyinmypossessionatmydeath.(Polly&Betsey–youngdaughtersbylast(meaningcurrent)wife)"IdofurtherwillandbequeathtomydaughterPolly,hadbythelastwife,thenegrochildnamedSusey.Asalsotwentyfivepoundsinmoneywhensheisofage,asalsoahorseandsaddlevaluedtotwentyfivepounds,acow&calf,abed&bedding,andchestofdrawers.AndtomydaughterBetsey,bythelastwife,IgiveandbequeaththenegrochildMann,andahorseandsaddle,acowandcalf,abedandbedding,achestofdrawersandtwentyfivepoundsinmoneyandgoodlearningtobothandif___bothofthemmarryscontrarytotheirmotherswill



&consenttheyshallforfeittheonehalfoftheirportionandtheirmotherortheirguardianshalldisposeofittoanyoftheirbrethrenasseemsgoodtothem.(RobertWalker–son)"IdoherebywillandbequeathuntomysonRobertWalkerthreehundredacresoflandonDuckRiveroutofthe180acrestractandfiveshillingsinmoneytohimandhisheirstohave&toholdforever.(RobertWalker–grandson,sonofRobertWalker)"AsalsotohissonRobertWalkerIgive&bequeaththreehundredacresoutoftheaforesaidtracktohim&hisheirsforever.Asalsofiftypoundsinmoneytobewhollyexpendedonhiminlearningfromtimetotimeasneedrequires.(RobertWalker–grandson,sonofWilliamWalker)"AsalsoIgive&bequeathuntoRobertWalker,thesonofmysonWilliamWalker,tohimIgiveandbequeaththreehundredacresoflandontheWestsideoftheTennesseeRiverasalsotwentyfivepoundsinmoneytobeexpendedonhiminlearningashisneedrequires,thesaidlandstohaveandtoholdforever,him,andhisheirs.(PossibleFuture–grandson,sonofJohnWalker)"AsalsoIdoherebygive&bequeathuntoasonofmysonJohnWalkerifsobethathehasasoncalledRobertWalkertohimIgiveandbequeathtwohundredacresoflandontheWestsideoftheTennessee.(RobertWright–grandson,sonofSilleyWright&MaryWalkerWright)"AsalsoIgive&bequeathontoRobertWright,mygrandson,sonofSilleyWrighttohimIgiveandbequeathtwohundredacresoflandontheEastsideoftheTennessee,tohaveandtoholdforeverandhisheirs.(MaryMiller–granddaughter-daughterofElizabeth(Betsey)Miller)"AsalsoIwillandbequeathuntoMaryMillerthedaughterofBetseyMillertwohundredacresoflandontheWestsideoftheTennesseetohaveandher____beingforevertohaveandhold.(WilliamWalker–son)"Idoherebywill&bequeathuntomysonWilliamWalkerfiveshillings.(JohnWalker–son)AsalsountomysonJohnWalkerIwillandbequeathfiveshillings.(ElizabethMiller&MaryWright-daughters)"AndtomydaughterElizabethMillerandalsountoMaryWrightmydaughterIwillandbequeathtoeachofthemfiveshillingsandassetofmeaninginvalueequaltothreepoundstoeachofthem.(MaryWalker–norelationshipnoted–hiswife?)"AsalsotoMaryWalker,Igiveandbequeathfiveshillingsandassetofmeaningequalvalueasaforesaid.(HannahWalker–norelationshipnoted)"AndtoHannahWalkerIgiveandbequeathfiveshillingsinmoneyandassetofmeaningequalvalueasaforesaid.(Polly&Betsey–youngdaughtersbylast(meaningcurrent)wife)"Ifurtherdowill&bequeathuntomytwoyoungdaughtersPollyandBetseybythelastwifetothemIgiveandbequeathtoeachofthemthreehundredacresoflandontheEastsideoftheTennesseeRivernexttotheirmotherslandtothemandtheirheirsforever.(FutureChildren)"NB_____ifanymorechildrenshallhereafterbeborntomebymywife,theyshallhaveandenjoyequalportionwiththosenowmentionedofthelastwife’schildren,iftheestatecanbear



it,ifnottheymusthaveadividendoutoftheaforesaidbequeathwiththeirbrothersandsisters.(Closing)"Andallthe_________afterallthebequeaths______offshallbesoldatpublicksaleasalsoallthelands,____,and_____________exceptwhatisbequeathedandfiveyearsuntilgiven,andpaidinequal___giving__________andpayinginterest.NB___Iallowitisbest,IwillthatPeterthenegroshallremainwithmywidowaslongasshelivesawidowandayoungboybeboughtoutoftheestateforJames,thesameheshallhaveandholdforever.Andaftertheirmothersdeaththesonsshallhavedoubleportionswiththegirlsandsoallthenegrosthat___isthenandaftershallbepropertydividedamongherchildren.Idoherebyrevokedisannulallotherformerwillsandacknowledgethistobemylastwillandtestamentbeforethesepresents.Astotheplantation,mywidow’sdower,afterherdeath,hersonsshallhaveanequalportionwithmytwo____sonsRobertandWilliamWalkerandthethreehundredacresontheTennesseemywifeshallhaveandholdforeverandbequeathtowhomshewill.Ithereforedoconcludeandfinishthislastwillandtestamentbeingperfecthealthandsoundmindandmemory.Ihavedonetothebestofmyskillandabilityandthatwithouttheleastprejudice,sopeaceand_____I____and___ofalmightyGodremainingamongstyou______.IthinkIhaveansweredthe____ofmycreationinagreatmeasure.Ihopetodieinpeaceandhopesinsalvationinandthroughourblessedredeemer,JesusChrist.RobertWalker(seal)"Signedsealed&acknowledgedbeforeusthesubscribing(testament?)the(blank)dayofMarchandtheyearofourLordGod1786."NorthCarolina,SurryCounty,AugusttermAD1786.TheforegoingwillofRobertWalker,Esqrwasprovedinopencourtbythecomparisonofhands,towit,bytheoathsofJosephWilliams,JohnRandleman,MacolmCurry,WilliamHughlett,JohnArmstrong,JohnThomasLongino&JamesGaines_______,herebeingRecordedaccordingly__JWilliams(CountyClerk).NORTHCAROLINAPROBATERECORDS:KathyWalkerfoundimagesofhisestateinventoryandotherdocumentsatthefollowing:https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:SQWF-D7DN-9?i=137&wc=32L2-K66%3A170003101%2C170782501%3Fcc%3D1867501&cc=1867501Onthispage,attopleft,youshouldsee“Image138of213”.Images138-141aretheestateinventory.Image147reportsonthesaleofsomeestateitems.Image80showsan1801QuitClaimfrommostofthefamilymembers.Image81isan1801QuitClaimfromtheminorchildrenJamesandBetsy.EstateinventoriedbyJobMartin&JosephRandleman,includingnegroesPeter(worth£120)Phillis(£100),Susannah(£30),Nancy(£20),Rose(£80),&Aggie(£20).Totaltotheamountof828pounds,9shillings,10penceplustwosilverwatches.ReturnedbyWilliamMeredithandWilliamCook.Alsonotesduefrom(listof13names)to73pounds,8shillings,5pencewith



TreasuryCertificate&certificatesduefrom(longlistof65names)totalling278pounds,18shillings,11pence.Wits:W.Meredith,WilliamCook.Oneofthoselisteddebtors,bytheway,isone“JamesCoffey”,whomIhavewrittenaboutextensively,andwhoowedRobert14shillingsand3pence.IsuspectthiswasanoutstandingbillfromRobert’sTavern?It’snotrelevanttothisWalkerstudy,butifyouhavetimeonyourhands,orwanttolearnmoreaboutSurryCounty,you’rewelcometoread:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/JamesCoffee.pdfROBERTWALKER,LANDSPECULATORAtfirstglance,Robert'swill(seeabove)suggestshewasaverylargelandholderinSurryCounty,generouslyhandingouthundredsandhundredsofacresfromhishugeestatetohischildren.Butthenyoulookatamap,anddiscoverthattheTennesseeandDuckRiversactuallycometogetherinWesternTennessee,NOTinpresentdayNorthCarolina.Heisinfactgivingawayfrontierland,whichhehadprobablyneverseen,andcertainlyneverlivedon.Hehadjoinedmanyofhiscontemporaries,andengagedinapopularpastimeoftheera,tryingtoacquirepromisingwesternlandseitherforhischildrenorpurelyforspeculativeprofitgains.Thereisnoevidencethatanyofthenamedchildreneveractuallylivedthereeither.(Ididfindsomereferencetooneofthechildren,ourancestorRobertJr.,sellingsomeoftheland:"OnSeptember23,1809,ClementCannonofWilliamsonCountyboughtfrom'RobertWalker,heirofRobertWalker,Senior,deceasedoftheCountyofSurryandStateofNorthCarolina'atractof175acresonElkRiver(nowinTennessee).SeealsonoteswithsonRobertJr.,whowasacquiringlandinthesameareainhisownname.)ThisispartofaveryinterestingtopicinAmericanHistory.TheoriginalNorthCarolinacolonyclaimedalllandslyingtothewestasfarastheMississippiRiver.In1777NorthCarolinacreateda"county"initswesternreserve,WashingtonCounty,whichatitscreationencompassedtheentirepresent-dayTennessee.Andlandtherebecameavailableforpurchaseat50shillingsforevery100acres.TheareabecameaUnitedStatesterritoryin1790,andTennesseebecameastatein1796.SoourRobertwasactiveintheperiodwhenthiswasconsideredpartofNorthCarolina.Thestoryofthelandspeculationisalongandcomplicatedone.TherearelotsofcomplicationsthatmayhaveimpactedRobert.Thepricetothestatemayhavebeenbetween50shillingsand10poundsper100acres,orhemayhaveacquireditinaprivatedeal.TheremayhavebeenlandclaimsbyRevolutionaryWarsoldiersinvolved.Therewereoftenoverlappingclaims.MuchofthelandneartheDuckRiverbelongedbytreatytotheCherokeeIndians,butNorthCarolinawasoftenreluctanttorecognizeIndianrights.TheacreagequotedinRobert'sWillmayhavebeenpriortoapropersurvey,andmayhavethusbeengrosslyincorrect.Andthereisevidenceof"substitutions"replacinginitialclaims.Andallofthiscameloadedwithconfusionandcorruption.



SeethelaterdiscussionofRobert'sassociationwithMartinArmstrong,andhisbrotherJohnArmstrong.FollowingaresomenotesofwhatIhavefoundsofaraboutspecificacquisitionsofRobertandhisfamily:Robert'sTennesseeLand:IntheHoustonClaytonLibraryIfound"JohnArmstrong'sEntryBook:October21,1783–May25,1784",abstractedbyIreneM.Griffey.Ms.Griffeyalsoabstracted"EarliestTennesseeLandRecords",whichshowsthatmanyofthesewarrantswereturnedintoactuallandgrants.TheseabstractsincludedthewarrantapplicationsfiledforsomeofthelandRobertWalkergaveawayinhiswill(Ithinkthewillimpliestherewasactuallymorethanthis).FollowingaretheWalkerfamilyWarrantsthatIfound,withnotesindicatingthatacoupleofthesewereactuallyfinalizedaslandgrants.Commentswillfollow:

(Entry)E137:"JohnWalker–(Petitionfiledon)October21,1783.InGreenCountyontheNorthsideofFrenchBroadRiverbeginningatanOakonthebankoftheriverandrunningdownforcomplimentincludinghisimprovement."250Acres,WarrantissuedJune7,1784.E428:"RobertWalker–October25,1783.OntheNorthsideofTennesseeRiverbeginningatthemouthofthesecondlargecreekabovethemouthofDuckRiverrunningupthesdTennesseeRiverforcompliment."4000acres,WarrantissuedJuly10,1784.E584:"RobertWalkerJunr.–October27,1783.InGreenCountyonDuckRiverbeginningwheretheSoldiers'Westboundarylinecrossesthesdriverthelasttimesorunninguptheriveronbothsidesforcompliment."1800Acres,WarrantissuedJuly26,1784.E1040:"JohnWalker–October29,1783.InGreenCountyonPlumbCreekincludingthewarpath."300Acres,WarrantissuedJune7,1784.E1266:"RobertWalker,Senr.–December13,1783.In[blank]CountyontheNorthsideoftheriverTennesseeoppositetohisformerentryoffourthousandacres,beginningathighwatermarkincludingthelargestwatercoursethatfallsintothesdTennesseeoppositetotheaforesdentryrunningalongsideoftheTennesseeforcompliment".1200acres,WarrantissuedJune24,1784.(Grant#1228issued27Nov1793,Bk81,Pg510.Howevergrantdescriptionis"OnSsideofElkRiver",whichisafardistancefromtheoriginaldescription–presumetherewasasubstitution?)E1307:"WilliamWalker–Jany4,1784.Ontheno.sideofFrenchBroadRiverbelowJesseGreenitbeingthebottomonsaidriverjoiningCapt.JamesHubbardsentry&runninguptheriverforcomplimentincludinganisland."272Acres,WarrantissuedJune7,1784.(Grant#323issued20Sep1787.)E1620:"JohnWalker–April5,1784.JoiningJosephHardensentryonthewatersofDuckRiverNo.1619runningdownthecreekforcompliment."1300acres,WarrantissuedNov.30,1784.E1629:"RobertWalkerforJamesParoulWalker–April9,1784.LyingontheS.SideoftheTinsee(sic)RiverintheCountyof[blank]beginningatHighWatermarkonthebanksoftheTinisee(sic)RiverattheuppersideofRobtWalkerSenr'sEntryof1200acressorunningupalongsideoftheTinisee(sic)forcompliment."1000Acres,WarrantIssuedJany12,1785.E2227:"RobertWalker,Senr.–May22,1784.OntheTennesseejoiningJoelLewis'sEntryNo.[blank]ontheupperline&upsaidriverforcompliment."700Acres,WarrantissuedJany10,1785.(Grant#124issued10Jul1788,Bk67,Pg469.Howevergrantdescriptionis"LyingonForkofWeakleysCreek"–thisisaforkofElkCreek,whichisfoundatadistantlocation–presumetherewasasubstitution?)



COMMENTS:Ithinkthathissonswereapplyingforlandatthesametime.WhileitispossiblethattheaboveapplicationsforWilliamandJohnrefertopeopleotherthanRobertWalkerEsquire'ssons,IthinkthecoincidenceofdatesandthefamilyrelationshipwiththeArmstrongbrotherssuggestthey'reALLRobert'sfamily.Becauseoftherelationshipbetweentheblocks,andthewaythenamesareoffered,IthinkitisabsolutelyclearthatatleastwarrantsE428,E584,E1266,E1629,andE2227refertotherightfamily.NoneofthesewarrantshadactuallybeenconvertedtograntsbeforeRobert'sdeath,sohiswillmusthavebeenassumingultimatesuccess?WouldguessthatRobertJr.,asexecutor,tookresponsibilityforproperfollow-up?Andofpossibleinterest:Wecan'tfullypindownwhereRobertJr.livedbetween1787and1795–andtwoofthegrantswerefinalizedin1788and1793–somaybeRobertJr.wasoffinTennesseegettingthingssortedout?NotethefinalareaappearstobeinGilesCounty,whichiswherewepreviouslyfoundanother1788grant(#2935)thatappearedtobelongtoRobertJr.AlsothedescriptionthatgoeswiththesetwograntsisdifferentfromthedescriptionintheirrespectiveWarrantapplications–theyrefertoareasquitesomedistanceapart.Isuspecttherewassomesubstitution,andthinkmaybethatwasdonebecausetheoriginalareasbelongedtotheIndians?NorthCarolinaabsolutelydidnotrespectIndianrights,butwhentheFedstookovertheyinsistedonatleasttokenrecognitionofIndianland.IhavenotdeterminedifRobert'sfamilyeverrealizedanyeconomicbenefit.Idoknowthateverythingwassuspendedin1790whenthefederalgovernmentacceptedcontrolofthelandfromNorthCarolina,andthatifoftentookyearsandyearstoworkoutproblemsofIndianrights,landfraudandlostrecords.I'malwaysinterestedinthegeographyofareasclaimedbyancestors.BasedonexaminationofsomeTennesseeRivercharts,Ibelievetheoriginaltract"E428"(4000acres)andadjacent"E1266"(1200acres),canbefoundjustsouthofwheremodernInterstate-40crossestheTennesseeRiver.Onthesatelliteimage,itlookslikeVERYroughterrain.It'snowpartoftheTennesseeNationalWildlifeRefuge,andthenearesttownis"SugarTree",population160.(ThesubstitutedgrantsalongtheElkRiverlookmuchmorepromisingasagriculturalland.)OtherLandHoldings:IwishtoalsonotethatnotallofRobert'slandacquisitionswerein"Tennessee".IntheSurryCounty,NorthCarolina,DeedBookC,wefindthaton3Nov1784RobertWalkerreceivedfourgrantsofland,totaling1450acres,onMuddyCreekand"Blews"Creek.Othersatthesametimegotlandonthe"Dann"river.AlittlesearchofgeographicnamesshowsthatthesewerereallyBelewsCreekandDanRiver,whicharealllocatedinwhatisnowForsythCounty.ThisisnotfarfromwhereRobertlived.Thislandisnearthepresentdaycityof"Walkertown",whichwewilldiscussinamoment.HowdoweknowthattheRobertWalkerwhoacquiredthelandgrantsnearWalkertownin1784wasOURRobert?Becauseadeedofsaleon6Mar1786,saysthatthesalewasby"Robert



Walker,Esq.AndwifeMary",andnotesthatthelandsoldwas"partoflargertractgrantedtoRobt.Walker3Nov1784".WALKERTOWNThiscityisinpresentdayForsythCounty,aneasternsuburbofWinston-Salem,asshownonthismap.Tolearnmore,visit:http://www.walkertownareahistoricalsociety.org/ThiscitydidnotexistinthetimeofRobertWalkerEsq.,butitisintheareawherehelivedpriortohismovetoRichmond.(It'sabout17milesasthecrowfliesfrommodernWalkertowntothesiteofoldRichmond.)Anditisclearthatthecity'snamederivesfromthefamilyofourRobertWalkerEsquire–althoughitisunclearwhetheritwasnamedspecificallyinhonorofRobertEsq,orinhonorofoneofhisdescendants.Ithinkitmostlikelythatitwasnamedwhileadescendantlivedthere,butinhonorofthefamilyasawhole.Wikipediagivesareference:"WalkertownwasnamedforDr.RobertWalkerwhowaslivingatthesiteby1771."Reference:Powell,WilliamS.TheNorthCarolinaGazetteer:ADictionaryofTarHeelPlaces,ChapelHill,NC:TheUniversityofNorthCarolinaPress,1968.Onexamination,Iconcludethisisaproblematicstatement.TheRobertWalkerwholivedintheareain1771wasour"Esquire"andnotadoctor,andtheymaybemixinghimupwithsomebodyelsenamedRobert,and/oraphysiciannamedDr.Walker?Oh,andwecandobetterthanthe"1771".Documentsdiscussedearliershowhewasintheareaby1768whenhegotaTavernlicense!The"WalkertownAreaPlan"foundatthecitywebpageismorecautious.Itsays:"TheearlyhistoryofWalkertownisnotclear.However,itisknownthatRobertWalkerownedatractoflandinthevicinityofpresent-dayWalkertownasearlyas1771."Thesameplan,intheirsectionon"IdentifiedHistoricalResources"mentionsa"Dr.RobertWalkerHouse(D)"builtcirca1820,inthecentralpartofthecity.(The"(D)"indicatesithasbeendemolished!)ImadeanefforttolocatetheRobertWalkerEsqpropertyintheWalkertownvicinityusingolddocuments.IconcludeitisinthesouthernthirdofthepresentdayWalkertowncitylimits–thatwouldmakeitabout2milessouthofthetowncenter.Youcanreadmyanalysisathttp://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/FamilyNotes/RobertWalkerHouse.htmRandyWalkersays"The'Doctor'RobertWalkerinreferencewasaDr.WilliamRobertWalkerwhowasborn19Oct1804andwasthegreat-grandsonofRobertEsq.Dr.WalkercamebywayofWilliamWalker,sonofRobertEsq.HemovedtoMissouriinthespringof1852wherehepracticedmedicineforover40years.Onthe10Feb1881hewassupervisingtheloadingofsomesawlogsandsustainedaninjurythatresultedinhisdeath2dayslater.HewasapioneerphysicianinMissouri.”



Myowninvestigationshowedthatthis"Dr.WilliamRobertWalker"istheonethatmarriedElizabethB.Vanhoy,andhewasthesonoftheRobertWalkerwhomarriedMarthaLove.Andhehadabrother"RobertLoveWalker".HoweverIdon'tthinkheeverwentbythename"Robert"–Isuspecthisbrotherusedthat.Hewasaphysician,andisfound,usingonlythename"William"andage45,inthe1850censusinForsythCountywithhiswifeand9children.HeisbelievedtohavebecomethepostmasterwhentheWalkertownPostOfficewasstarted,accordingtopostalrecords,on6/15/1848.Whilehemighthavechosenthename"Walkertown"afterhimself,itmayhavealsobeeninformallycalledthatmuchearlier.Heisalsofoundinthe1860and1870censusforHenryCounty,MO,alwaysunderthename"William".Healsodoesn'tfitwiththeWalkertownAreaPlanreferencetothe"Dr.RobertWalkerHousebuiltcirca1820"–hewouldhavebeenage15andmuchtooyoungtobuildahouse.Althoughhemighthavelaterpracticedmedicinefromthathouse.(IwonderifhisFATHERcouldhavebeenthe"Dr.Robert"?)MYPERSONALASSESSMENT(BYFREDCOFFEY)ThisallstartedwithRobertWalkerEsq.,ofSurryCounty,wholivedintheareaofWalkertownbynolaterthan1768-1771,andwhohadanobsessionaboutassuringtherewouldbeanabundanceof"Roberts"amonghisdescendants.HehadasonWilliam,whointurndutifullynamedasonRobert(1770–1848),assuringbothWilliamandRobertrecognitioninRobertEsq'swill.William'ssonRobertmarriedMarthaLove,andbecameaverywealthyandprominentcitizen,andprobablybuiltabighouseabout1820intheareanearLove'sMethodistchurch(nowcentralWalkertown).And,beinggratefultograndfatherRobert,henamedhisownsons"WilliamRobert"and"RobertLove".AndsonWilliamRobert(alwayscalledWilliaminthecensusandhisfather'swill)practicedmedicineandservedaspostmaster,inanareathatwasbecomingmorecommercialandthatpeoplebegantocall"Walkertown".Thenalongcomethehistorians,wholearnthattherehadbeenWalkersabout,usingthenameRobert,since1771,thatoneoftheRobertslivedinabighouse,andthatoneWalkerwasaphysician/postmasterwhentheareabegantobecalled"Walkertown".Hey,that'sallyouneedtostarttalkingabout"Dr.RobertWalkerwholivedheresince1771andbuiltanhistorichouseinabout1820"!BeingadescendantofRobertWalkerEsquire,myviewisthatitallcomesbacktothisWalkerfamilypatriarch!So"Walkertown",indeedhonorsmyancestor!LANDHOLDINGSANDTRANSACTIONS,WALKERTOWNAREA:RobertWalkerwasontheRowanCounty1768taxlistofJacobLaesch.ThislistisforBellowsCreek(akaBelewsCreek).PartsoftheWalkertownareadrainintoBelewsCreek,sothistaxlistisprobablyreferencinghislandinandneartoday'sWalkertown.Sohewastherebynolaterthan1768.Alsonoteearlierdiscussionunder“DNA”,whichsuggestsstronglythatRobertandhisbrotherDavidwerestillinPennsylvaniain1765.Ibelievethatwhilehemayhavebeenonthistaxlist,hedidnotyetofficiallyOWNthisland:ThenorthernpartofNorthCarolinawasintheGranvilleProprietary.TheGranvilleagentsweremakinglandgrantsfrom1744to1763.WhenLordGranvillediedinEnglandin1763,hisland



officesclosedandneverreopened.In1778NorthCarolinaopenedlandoffices,andbeganissuinglandgrants.Butbetween1763and1778youeitherboughtlandfromsomeonewhohadaGranvilleGrant,oryouworkedonthebasisof"SquattersRights".There'sapassingreferencetoRobertintheMoravian3July1771BethabaraDiary,mentioning"…heisnotaFreeholder".Ithinkthatsuggestshewasa"squatter"withoutlegaltitletothelandwherehelived.Itappearsthatin1778,assoonasNorthCarolinaopenedlandoffices,Robertappliedforthelandhehadbeensquattingon.Andheapparentlygotit.IntheSurryCounty,NC,DeedBookC,RobertWalkerreceivedfourlandgrantson3Nov1784.Andothersinhisfamilywerealsoaggressivelyacquiringlandinthevicinityof“Muddy”and“Belews”creek.Herearetherelevantgrants:

Name County Year Entered

Year Issued

Acres File # Location

Robert Walker Surry 1779 1784 150 588 On a branch of Blews creek [Blues Creek] Robert Walker Surry 1778 1784 500 652 O the Middle Fork of Muddy Creek Robert Walker Surry 1779 1784 300 727 On the waters of Muddy Creek Robert Walker Surry 1779 1784 500 791 On the head of Blues Creek David Walker (a minor)

Surry 1778 1780 300 234 On the waters of Muddy Creek

Robert Walker Jr. Surry 1779 1780 600 291 Beg. At the Morvarian Corner white oak William Walker Surry 1780 1784 100 726 On the waters of Mudy (Muddy) Creek John Walker Surry 1778 1780 500 317 Beg. At a black oak on the North side of a

branch That’s2950totalacres,or4.6squaremiles!Lookingatamap,myimpressionisthatALLofmodernWalkertownisonlyabout20squaremiles!NotethattwoofthefourgrantstoRobertareonMuddyCreek,andtwoonBlues/Blews/BelewsCreek.Hisholdingscrossedthewatershed,whichisroughlyinthemiddleofWalkertown.AnotherWalkerresearcher,BettyHicks,foundthe1778entrythatbecameFile#652above,in“AbstractsoftheLandEntries,1778-1781,inSurryCounty,NC”reporting“#164ROBERTWALKERenters500acresoflandinSurryCo.lyingontheMIDDLEFORKofMUDDYCREEK,beginningattheWACHOVIAlineatapointdueWfromabigpoplartreeonthecreekwithabignotchinitbeingadeterminedlinebetwixtJOSEPHEDWARDSAFORMERPROSSESSORandI,sorunningSsomedistanceovertheroadthatleadstotheironworkssoWtoacornersettledbetwixtMYBROTHERDAVID,DEC'D.,sorunningNWaconditionallinetotheWACHOVIALine-June91778.(WarrantGranted.December28,1778-entrywithdrew,moneyrefunded.)”(NOTE:Inthis,Ithink“PROSSESSOR”shouldread“PROCESSIONER”,referringtothepracticeofa“procession”oflandownersroutinelywalkingtheboundariesofland,verifyingandupdatingmarkersasappropriate(e.g.,isthe“bigpoplartree”stillthere)?TheseNewEnglandersdrewontheage-oldritualofbeatingthebounds,alsocalledhuntingtheborough,processioning,orperambulation.Alsothe“ironworks”mentionedwerelocatedverynearwhatisnowReidsville,NC.TheroadtotheironworkswouldapproximatethemodernReidsvilleRoad(Hwy158)inWalkertown.Thishighwayintersects“IronWorksRoad”justwestofReidsville.)



OneoftheparticularlyinterestinggrantswasfoundbyKathyWalker:StateofNorthCarolinaGrantNo.233(thiswouldbeFile#234above)Issued3Apr1780Entered21Aug1778.“KnowyethatwehavegrantedtoDavidWalker/aminor/threehundredacresoflandinSurryCountyonthewatersofMuddyCreekbeginningataBlackOakrunningNorthWestbeingalineagreedonwithRobertWalkerfiftyfiveChaintoaPostOakthenceWestTenChaintoaStakeintheMoravianLinethenceonSaidlineSouthSeventyeightChainstoDanielHuffsCornerPostOakthenceEastonHuffslinefortyfourChainstoaHicoryontheSamehenceNorthtotheBeginning.TOHOLDuntotheSaidDavidWalker/aminor/hisHeirsandAfsignsforever.DatedtheThirdDayofApril1780.ByHisExcellency’sCom’dR.C.CarnellJ.C.HarganSec.”ThereisacomplementaryGrantbyNorthCarolinaIssued3Nov1784toRobertWalker:“No651:KnowyethatwehavegranteduntoRobertWalkerfivehundredacresofLandinSurryCountyontheMiddleForkofMuddyCreekbeginningatapostoakrunsthenceEastseventythreechainstoastakeSoutheightychainstoastakeWestthirtynineChainstoablackoakinDavidWalkerslinenorthonhislinethreechainstoablackoakNorthWestonhislinefiftyfivechainstoapostoakthennorthtothebeginningtoholduntothesaidRobertWalkerhisheirsandassignsforeverdatedtheThirddayofNovember1784.ThesetwograntstogetherareclearlyforthelandsettledbyRobertandbyhisbrotherDavid.BrotherDavidisdeceased,andthatlandwenttoDavidJunior,aminor.(Oh,andIstronglysuspectthatthe“DanielHuff”mentionedwasalsomyancestor,thathewasthegrandfatherofMaryJoneswhomarriedRobertWalkerJr.!?)Thereisathirdgrantofinterest,File#727above.Ihadtroublereadingandfollowingthedetails,butitclearlyreferstoaconnectionbetweenacornerofoneoftheabovegrants,andtotheDanielHuffline.Theaboveisasketchofhowthethreefittogether:Allthreeofthesegrantsreferto“MuddyCreek”,whichputstheminthesouthhalfofWalkertown.Inlateryears,Robertsoldsomepartsofhisgrants.On14Feb1786hesoldtwotractsoflandonMuddyCreekandBlews(Belews)Creek,whichwerepresumablypartofthesegrants.ThissalewastoMordecaiMENDENHALL,andwasalsonotedintheSurryCourtMinutesonPage84.Therewasanadditionalsaleofanother50acresonMuddyCreekon6Mar1786to



ArchibaldCAMPBELL,alsonotedintheCourtMinutesonPage90.Thesalepricewas47£10s.Thisoneisveryclearlypartofthe1784grant,sincethedeednotesthatitwas"partoflargertractgrantedtoRobt.Walker3Nov1784".Thedeedalsoindicatesthatthesalewasby"RobertWalker,Esq.andwifeMary".NotethatRobert'swillwasdraftedinthesamemonthasthislastsale.Thismayhaveindicatedhewastheninpoorhealth?LANDHOLDINGSATRICHMOND:TheearliermapalsoshowsthelocationofRichmond.Wefounda1774surveyshowingthelandholdingsaroundRichmond,asfollows:



Youwillseean"AreaE"nearthetopwith400acres–thatislandownedbyRobertWalkerEsq.Andhealsoowned,accordingtothe1786taxlist,some12townlots.(YoucaneasilyfindtheRichmondsiteusingGoogleMaps.Justaskfor“PayneRoad,Tobaccoville,NC”.It’sashortroad,andthesiteistheclearedareaattheeasternend.)Thisimageshowsalocationidentifiedas"GideonWrightHome&Courthouse".BeforetheRichmondcourthousewasbuilt,thecountycommissionersmetinabuildingonthefarmofGideonWright.Andthereappeartohavebeensomeseriouspoliticalissues!FollowingisaquoteIborrowedfromwww.planetmurphy.org:

"OnthelocallevelinSurryCounty,anothersortofwarwastakingplace.Thecountyleaders–GideonWright,MartinArmstrong,AlexanderMartin,andBenjaminCleveland–startedfightingoverthelocationofthenewSurryCourtHouse.Thisfightbecamepartofthelocalissuesoftheon-comingAmericanRevolution.ApatriotgroupincludingMartinArmstrongpushedtohavethecourthouseatMulberryFields(Wilkesboro).AnothergrouppushedtolocateiteastwardontheYadkinRiverfarmofGideonWright.BothArmstrongandWrighttookthematterdirectlytoGovernorTryontoobtainhispermission.WrightwonandthecourthousewasconstructedonhisfarmwhichalongtheEastBend-BethaniaRoad.MartinArmstrongandhisfollowersrefusedtoacceptthedecisionandbeganeffortstomoveittoMulberryFields.Evenasjusticesofthepeace,theyrefusedtoattendanycourtsessionatcourthouseonWright'sfarm.Severalyearslaterinabout1775,thecourthousesuspiciouslyburnedtotheground."

ROBERTWALKERROLE:ThenewcourthousewasbuiltatRichmondinabout1779,andRichmondwasonlyabout2milesnortheastofGideonWright'sfarm.SoArmstrongneverwonhisbattletolocateitatWilkesboro(about40milesfartherwest).TheSurryCourtrecordsdoshowthatRobertWalkerwaswillingtositontheGideonWrightcourt,sohecouldnothavebeenpartoftheArmstrongfactionthatrefusedtoattend.ArmstrongDIDparticipateasaCommissionerafterthemovetoRichmond,sothatmayhavebeenthefinalcompromise?Armstrong,WrightandWalkerallbecamemajorlandownersaroundRichmond.IwilltalkmoreaboutRobert'sassociationswithWrightandArmstronginamoment.TherearesomeRichmondlandrecordsI'mstillpuzzlingover,butI'mbeginningtosuspectthatArmstrong,Wright,andmaybeWalker,weregettinggrantsintheRichmondareafromNorthCarolinain1778.Notethat1778iswhenNCbegantomakeitsowngrantsfromareasoftheformerGranvilleProprietary.TherearealsoreferencestooldGranvillegrantsbelow.IfoundthefollowingreferencestograntsintheRichmondarea,withboundariesrelatedtoArmstrong/Wright/Walkerlands.ThereisanimplicationthatRobert’slandwasformerlyownedbya“Douglass”,suggestingthatRobertacquiredhislandfromamanwhoreceivedaGranvillegrant?

JOSEPHWINSTONHISENTRYBOOK,SURRYCONC,LANDENTRIES;1778-1781byAgnesM.Wells,VirginiaG.Phillips,CarolJ.Leonard;1987p.45/497GeorgeSprinkleentered360acresinSurryCo,NorthsideoftheYadkinbelowGidionRitts[Wrights],itbeinganoldentrymadeinEarlofGraville'soffice.(SEENOTE1BELOW)12Aug1788.p.50/550GidionWrightentered200acresinSurryontheYadkinR,begatuppercornerofGeorgeSpringles,thenceNEuptheriverandroundtomyoldline.13Aug1778.SURRYCONCDEEDS;Vol1DBA;1770-1783;Mrs.W.O.Absher,Mrs.RobertKHayesp.229-3010Dec1778NCGrant#18toJohnArmstrong.640acresbothsidesFralesyCrk[Frays,Freys,FreeseCrk?]includingthetownofRichmond.OnGideonWright'slinecrossingTarraratRoad,TownforkRd,the



agreedlinebetArmstrong&RobertWalker.p.243-24410Dec1778NCGranttoSamuelCummins.640acresYadkinRadjGideonWrightsline,belowmouthoftheLittleYakincrossingTarraratRdtoGreatYadkin.SURRYCONCDEEDS;Vol1DBB;1770-1783;Mrs.W.O.Absher,Mrs.RobertKHayesp.843Apr1780NCGranttoGideonWright.200acresYadkinR,hisownlinep.1381Aug1781SamuelCumminstoJosephPhillips.640acresonYadkinadjGideonWrightline,belowmouthofthelittleYadkin,crossingTararat[Ararat]Rd.[This640acreswasaNCgranttoSamlCumminson10Dec1778]p.18511Sep1781JosephPhillipssoldtheabove640acrestoWilliamShepperd.AdjGideonWright'sline,belowmouthoftheLittleYadkin,crossingTararatRd&theLittleYadkintoGreatYadkin.SURRYCOUNTYLANDABSTRACTS:29Apr1778ARMSTRONG,JOHN640acresonFigley'sCreekboundedby:GideonWright"landformerlybelongingtoJohnSneed"caveatfiledbyRobertWalker-newsurveyorderedSURRYCOUNTYLANDABSTRACTS:29Apr1778ARMSTRONG,JOHN640acresonFigley'sCreekboundedby:boundedby:townofRichmondcaveatfiledbyRobertWalker-newsurveyorderedSURRYCOUNTYLANDABSTRACTS:29Apr1778WALKER,ROBERTSenr.400acresformerlyknownbythenameofDouglassplaceboundedby:GideonWrightsoldsurvey,nearFreeman’sRoad“beingalinedeterminedbyJohnArmstrongandmyself”totheforksoftheroadthatleadstoDanRiverNOTE1:AGideonWrightgenealogist,KayHaden,reports:"TheGrantfromtheEarlofGranvilletoGideonWrightwasmade10Aug1762;GideonWrightwassaidtobeofRowanCounty.ThetractwasontheEastsideoftheYadkinRoppositetoBenjaminPettit,69acres.Thiswasaleasefor3hforeveryhundredacrestobepaidattheCourt-houseofRowan-atypicalgrantfromthecrowninthistimeperiod.Surveyed19May1762.GideonWright&GeorgeSprinkleSurveyor&ChainCarriers.ProvedinopenCourtatRowanCo,Oct1762andRecordedinBook5,p.75."

There'sanothertinylandtransactionforatinytownlotinRichmondthatisquiteinterestingfromanhistoricalperspective:

SURRYCONCDEEDS;VOL1DBB;1770-1783;AbstractedbyMrsW.O.Absher,Mrs.RobertKHayesp.297-298:"6Feb1783SamuelCummins&wifeMarytoRobertWalkerfor20shillings.71/2squarepolesinTownofRichmond,cornerDiamondbetsdCummins&Walker,NWSquareoftown,cornerBroadSt,lotformerlyclaimedbyGideonWright.Wit:Martin&JohnArmstrong."

BACKGROUND:Thisisaninterestingwrap-upofsomeAmericanRevolutionevents:ColonelGideonWrightsupportedtheKingintheAmericanRevolutionandhislandswereconfiscated(buthiswifewasallowedtocontinueusingthem).Robert'sclosefriends,ColonelMartinArmstrongandhisbrotherJohn,werewinningleadersonthePatriotside.Gideondiedin1782.ArmstrongandWalkerarebothnowsittingontheSurryCourt(andactuallyapprovingmattersrelatedtoGideon'sestate).AndWalkerisbuyingapieceofGideon'sformerholdings.Thevictorsdividethespoils?ROBERTWALKER'SASSOCIATES:Letmeintroduceagroup,andtwoindividuals,whowereclearlycloseassociatesofRobert,andwhoplayedprominentrolesinthehistoryofourcountry.TheirinteractionswithRobertwillhelpunderstandRobert:



TheMoravians:TheMoravianswereaProtestantChurchoriginallyfromPennsylvania,whoexpandedintoamajorsettlementinNorthCarolina.RobertusuallyhadgoodrapportwiththeMoraviancommunity–beforemovingtoRichmondhispropertywasjustoutsidetheMoravianblock,totheEast.AndtheMoravianskeptgreatdiaries,withmanyreferencestoRobert.It'sinterestingreading–seeawholeseparatepaperIwroteonhisMoravianrelationshipsabove.MartinArmstrong:Whoisthisperson?IbelievehewasamajorpresenceinthelifeofRobertWalkerEsq.,andprobablyaveryclosefriend.HisacquaintancewithRobertdatesatleastfromtheformationofSurryCountyinabout1770and,atRobert'sdeathin1786,MartinwasoneoftheExecutorsofRobert'slastwillandtestament(alongwithRobert'swifeMaryandsonRobertJr.).WefirstfindMartinasasurveyorlayingouttheSurryCountyline,withitsreferencetopassingRobert'shouse.WefindMartinservingasCountySheriffwhenRobertfirstappearsasaJusticeontheSurryCourt.TheSurryCountycourthousewasbuiltonlandownedbyMartin,andourRobertacquiredseveraltownlotsinRichmond.MartinalsoservedalongsideRobertasafellowJusticeformanyyears,untilRobert'sdeath.MartinwasColoneloftheSurryMilitiaduringtherevolution,andprobablycommandedRobert'ssonRobertJr.attheBattleofKingsMountain.OfparticularinterestmaybethatMartinArmstrongwasaMAJORlandspeculatoratthetimeourRobertgotinvolvedinTennesseelandspeculation.MartinandhisbrotherJohnArmstrongplayedmajorrolesinthescandalsinvolvingTennesseeland,wherethetwobrotherswereinchargeoftakingentriestoclaimland.Martinatonetimeheld50landpatentsand260,000acresforhimself.And,inmymind,thereislittledoubtthatRobertWalker'sownlandspeculationbenefitedfromhiscloseassociationwithMartinArmstrong.Again,thisisanextremelycomplicatedsubject,andonethatcouldstandfurtherresearchintotherolesandholdingsofRobertWalker.JohnArmstrong:BrotherofMartin,seeabove.JohnmanagedthelandofficeinHillsborough,NC,aftertherevolution.His"EntryBook"recordsseveralwarrantsinitiatingthegrantingoflandaroundtheTennesseeRivertoRobertWalkerandhisfamily.HealsosignedasawitnesstotheprovingofRobert'swill.GideonWright;Gideon,andourRobert,alsohadalongrelationship.TheyappeartogetherasJusticesfromtheearliestdaysaftertheformationofSurryCounty.Ultimately,GideonWrightandMartinArmstrongcamedownonoppositesidesoftheAmericanRevolution.GideonandhisbrotherHezekiahremainedloyaltotheKing,andwerebothColonelsintheWhigmilitia.Martin,andhisbrotherwereofficersonthePatriotside.



FIRSTSPOUSE:ANNE?(Seethediscussionearlieraboutwhetherornot“Ann”wasthenameofRobert’sfirstwife.SECONDSPOUSE:MARYWedonotyethaveanyfirminformationastofamilyoriginsofeitherofRobert’swives.Howevertheremaybeaclueregardingthesecondwife:ThereisamarriagerecordextractedfromtheFamilyHistoryLibrary,CountyRecords,SaltLakeCity,UT,dated18Aug1775,showingthataMaryPROWELLmarriedaRobertWalkerinGuilfordCounty,NC.GuilfordisthenextcountytotheEastofSurryCounty.Howeverwehavebeenusingthisdateof18Aug1775asthedatethatRobertWalkerJUNIORmarriedMaryJONES,andthatMarywasfromGuilfordCounty,sothere'sclearly(!)someconfusionhere!(IthinkthatmarriagedateforRobertJr.islesslikely,becauseitwouldmeanthatRobertJr.andMaryhadnochildrenforthefirst5yearsoftheirmarriage.AlsoMaryJoneswouldhavebeenonlyage13iftheymarriedin1775.)Willtrytodosomefuturechecking,butthisisdifficult.AllweknowthatRobertSr.andRobertJr.eachmarriedawifenamed"Mary"atmoreorlessthesametime.WedoknowMOREaboutMaryAFTERRobertEsq’sdeath.KathyWalkerdiscoveredSurryCourtdocumentsregardingguardianshipofthetwoyounggirlsandmarriagerecords,itisnowevidentthatRobert'swidowMaryremarriedJesseLesteron20May1787.PickingupfromKathy’sinfo,IwroteaboutMary(Walker)Lesterasfollows:www.coffey.ws/familytree/familynotes/MaryWifeOfRobert.pdfMYFAMILYLINE,ROBERT’SDESCENDANTS:EverythingIpresentlyknowaboutRobertWalkerEsqisabove.HoweverhissonRobert(Junior)maybeofinteresttosome.Havealookatthefollowing:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/Docs/WALKERRobertJr(W).pdfAndmyinitial"search"formyWalkerrootsisdiscussedwithhisgrandson,William,at:http://www.coffey.ws/FamilyTree/Docs/WALKERWilliam(W).pdfPleasereportcorrectionsoradditionsto...FredCoffey,[email protected]