Edward Decoin Walker (1786 - 1868)

Born 31 Oct 1786 in New Hanover, NC

Descendants

Died 22 Feb 1868 at age 81 in New Hanover, NC

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Biography

Edward ("E.D.") was born in about 1786-1789. Edward Walker passed away in 1868.

It is unclear who his actual father was, or whether his middle name is actually Decoin. He is referred to as Edward D. or E.D. in records.

Although Edward is often stated in genealogies to be the biological son of William Walker, this is disputed by Y-DNA evidence. (See research note on William Walker's page)

He was a farmer and slave owner in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Census records in 1850 and 1860 show his wife was named Ann and that his children likely included: George, Washington, Hannah, Margaret, Joel, and Caroline Walker. He also had a daughter Catherine who was married prior to the 1850 Census.

Slave Schedules show he owned a number of slaves (the 1850 schedule shows 42 slaves).

But this character became interesting when you review records of the Freedman's Bureau, which was set up during the Reconstruction period after the Civil War. There were several complaints, including one allegation of murder, which seems to have been prematurely dropped after a preliminary examination.

He passed away at age 78 in 1868. He was buried at the William Walker Cemetery, Wards Corner, Pender, North Carolina.

Sources

• "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHP7-2DG : 20 February 2021), E D Walker, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States; citing 147A, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 123; FHL microfilm 18,089.

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M4BD-G67 : 24 December 2020), Ewd D Walker, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1850 ", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HRWW-XWMM : 23 February 2021), Edwd D Walker (owner) in entry for 42 slaves, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States, MM9.1.1/MVC5-RW3:, 1850.

• "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MD6D-29G : 18 February 2021), E D Walker, 1860, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States.

• "United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QR-WS89 : 16 March 2018), Edwd D Walker, 23 Feb 1866; citing Residence, North Carolina, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1909, Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861-1880, RG 105, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 75; FHL microfilm 2,427,080. (regarding a mule sold by Edward for work services to freedman Geo. Bordeaux who offered to make a final payment to retain the mule George had restored to health, which money/services was apparently refused by Edward who wanted the mule back once it was healthy again.)

• "United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGPV-2WYN : 16 March 2018), E D Walker, 24 Sep 1866. (Affidavits in file re case of boy Sam bound to ED Walker - notes indenture of apprenticeship cancelled - Sam to be returned to his mother.)

• "United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QR-W3FW : 16 March 2018), E D Walker, Jul 1867; citing Residence, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1909, Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861-1880, RG 105, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 75; FHL microfilm 2,427,080. (Mack Walker (colored) complained that his mother/brother (not sure of writing) was killed by E D Walker October last, a warrant was issued for his arrest, but after preliminary examination before a judge the case was dropped for insufficient evidence; clerk commented 'this was a cruel decision in my opinion.')

• "United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QR-WSP9 : 16 March 2018), E D Walker, 10 Sep 1867; citing Residence, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1909, Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861-1880, RG 105, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 75; FHL microfilm 2,427,080. (Freedman's complaint by Geo. Bordeaux wishing to gain possession of his grandchild Minerva being held by E.D. Walker)

• "North Carolina, Freedmen's Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V61R-SP6 : 11 March 2018), E D Walker, 08 Oct 1866; citing NARA microfilm publication M843 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,616,844. (Shows instructions re the case of the child "Minerva" held by E.D. Walker - that case returned to the civil courts because the military authorities can only interfere when the civil authorities fail to bring the matter to trial.)

• "United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QR-WSJK : 16 March 2018), Ed Walker, 22 Nov 1866; citing Residence, New Hanover, North Carolina, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1909, Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861-1880, RG 105, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 75; FHL microfilm 2,427,080. (Complaint by freedman (name indecipherable) about ED Walker complaining that he had gone to Walker's home to get his children but was coerced to sign a paper and pay money for his children.)

• "United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGPV-89VJ : 16 March 2018), E D Walker, 1866. (Statement by Archeluea Jackson, nephew of Hager Walker, who had a child Sam while bound to E.D. Walker, and who he says is fully able to support herself and child until the next crop.)

• "United States Freedmen's Bureau Miscellaneous Records,1865-1872", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGPV-NYJV : 16 March 2018), E D Walker, 17 Sep 1866. (Statement of E.D. Walker re the boy Sam was bound to him and his mother was unable to support him and had consented, signed with his mark.)

• "United States, Freedmen's Bureau, Records of Freedmen's Complaints, 1865-1872," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2QR-W9VQ : 16 March 2018), E D Walker, 28 Sep 1866; citing Residence, North Carolina, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1909, Records of the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands, 1861-1880, RG 105, (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 75; FHL microfilm 2,427,080. (Patrick Walker complains that his brother Sam, son of Hager Walker, was murdered by Ned Walker, who had been overheard saying he would kill Sam before Saturday night.)

• Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/96480404/edward-decoine-walker : accessed 20 May 2021), memorial page for Edward Decoine Walker (31 Oct 1789–22 Feb 1868), Find A Grave: Memorial #96480404, citing William Walker Cemetery, Wards Corner, Pender County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Mike Walker (contributor 47925925) .