John Walker (1657 - abt. 1747)

Born 26 Oct 1657 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Plymouth Colony, New England

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Knoles) Walker — married 22 Jul 1684 in Taunton, Plymouth Colony

Descendants

Died about Jul 1747 at about age 89 in Marshfield, Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay

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John was a Friend (Quaker)

This is a work in progress and will continue to be updated.

Biography

John Walker was born on 26 October 1657 in Marshfield, Plymouth Colony.^[1] He died there at 90 years old. He was the son of John Walker, Sr., and Lydia Reed who both were born in England and immigrants to New England in the 1630s and were married in Marshfield, Plymouth Colony, on 20 Oct 20, 1654. He had three sisters. Lydia (b. 1655), Martha and Mary Walker.

John Walker married Mary Knoles on 22 July 1684 in Taunton, Bristol County, Plymouth Colony.^[2]

They had at least 4 children as follows:

1. Jane WALKER b. 16 Feb 1685 in Marshfield, Plymouth Colony
2. John WALKER, III b: 16 Feb 1685 in Marshfield, Plymouth Colony.
3. Sarah WALKER b: 1689 in Woburn, Massachusetts Bay Colony.
4. Isaac WALKER b: ABT 1690 in Marshfield, Plymouth Colony.

The 1861 book, Memorial of the Walkers of the Old Plymouth Colony, says that John Walker, born Oct. 20, 1657, lived into his 90th year (i.e. over 89), dying between July 13, when his will was written, and August 8, 1747, when it was proven. He was a blacksmith. He was also a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) but possibly not a very public one as that minority religious group was persecuted in the New England colonies in the mid-17th Century. This may explain why John's children were born in different locations as he may have moved frequently, always keeping property in Marshfield.

The Walker genealogy book also says John had a son, Isaac, as well as John Jr. (See above). John Jr. died in 1742 in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Isaac died in 1750 in Marshfield, Massachusetts. As he had married in 1715, he must have been born ca. 1690, possibly also in Connecticut. Both of John Walker's sons and families were also Quakers.^[3]

Probate

His will is dated 13 July 1747 and proved on 8 August 1747 in Plymouth. He mentions his children, Isaac Walker, and John Walker, decd (giving his heirs 100 pounds), and his grandsons Isaiah Walker, Isaac Walker, and John Walker. His inventory was taken on 8 August 1747 in Marshfield.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ "Massachusetts Births and Christenings, 1639-1915", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FZ85-22K : 15 January 2020), John Walker, 1657.
2. ↑ Taunton Marriages, as seen on: image 493.
3. ↑ Walker, James Bradford, Memorial of the Walkers of the Old Plymouth Colony, embracing genealogical and biographical sketches of John Taunton, Philip of Rehoboth, William of Eastham, John of Marshfield, Thomas of Bristol and their descendants, from 1620 to 1860, Northampton, Mass., 1861, 497 pgs. Heritage Quest on-line; page: p 369. Under "John Walker of Marshfield".
4. ↑ "Massachusetts, Plymouth County, Probate Records, 1633-1967," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L97D-822D : 20 May 2014), Probate records 1745-1749 and 1836-1849 vol 10-10A > image 283-284 of 611; State Archives, Boston.

• Ancestry.com: Will of John Walker.

• Walker, James B. R. Memorial of the Walkers of Old Plymouth Colony: Embracing Genealogical and Biographical Sketches of James, of Taunton ; Philip, of Rehobeth ; William, of Eastham ; John, of Marshfield ; Thomas, of Bristol ; and of Their Descendants from 1620 to 1860. Northampton: Metcalf & Co., Printers, 1861. Print, p. 368.

• Massachusetts, Wills and Probate Records, 1635-1991. John Walker. Probate Date: 1747. Probate Place: Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Inferred Death Year: Abt 1747. Inferred Death Place: Massachusetts, USA. Case Number: 21806.