Robert Walker (1729 - 1797)

Born 10 Oct 1729 in Bristol Parish, Henrico, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Starke) Walker — married 1745 in Virginia

Descendants

Died 19 Oct 1797 at age 68 in Kingston Plantation, Dinwiddie, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Gary Samples [send private message]

Biography

Robert Walker served with Civil Service, Virginia during the American Revolution.

Capt. Robert Walker of Kingston ^[1] was born on 10 October 1729 to David Walker and Mary Munford in Bristol Parish, Prince George, Virginia. He was Baptized on the 26 th of October 1729. ^[2]

Robert married Elizabeth Starke in 1745 ^[3] They are said to have had 20 children, here are some known names:

1. Edward ^[4]

2. Martha ^[5]

3. John ^[4]

4. Mary Ann ^[6]

5. Bolling M.^[5]

6. Richard ^[5]

7. William ^[7]

8. Ann Louisa ^[5]

9. Theodorick ^[5]

10. Clara ^[5]

11 Stark ^[5]

In 1770 Robert is living on his Kingston Plantation in Dinwiddie county, VA ^[5]

Newspaper Appearances

08 Feb 1770 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 4 Column 2.

Strayed from Frances Walker's in Dinwiddie county, early in July last, a deep bay mare about 4 feet 7 or 8 inches high, her mane has been roached, short sping tail, has large scar in her forehead, paces and trots well, is rather slim made, her brand forgot, she was bred near Halifax old courthouse, and made that way. Whoever brings her to the subscriber, in the county aforesaid, shall receive five pounds reward. Robert Walker.

13 Jun 1771 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 3 Column 3.

To be sold, pursuant to the last will and testament of William Stith, deceased. Fifteen hundred acres of land, lying on Herring Creek in Charles City County adjoining the Buckland Estates, and ____ Tract. Any person inclinable to purchase the whole, or ___ part of ____ may know the terms by applying to the subscriber, in Dinwiddie. Robert Walker.

06 Feb 1772 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 4 Column 2.

Charles City, January 1, 1772 Ran away on Thrusday the 26th of December, a Negro fellow named Jack, about 26 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, and is a ___ made fellow, has a scar over his left eye, which may appear to a stranger blind and another between his middle and fore finger of the right hand. He carried with him, ____ the ____ cloathing of laboring Negroes, a pair of buckskin breeches. The lad ___ formally belonged to David Welsenholme, Esq of Maryland, and I bought him of Mr. Andrew Sprowie about tow months ago, He is a very ____ cunning fellow; and I do not doubt but wid condevour to make his escape towards Norfolk, or to Maryland again. He was seen on the road to Williamsburg. I will give twenty shillings reward if taken up to the county, five pounds if taken 50 miles from home, and ten pound if out of the colony, provided he is brought home. Robert Walker.

27 Feb 1772 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 3 Column 2.

The badness of the weather having prevented my attending the sale of Stith's land, on Herring Creek in charles City, agreeable to a former advertisment, I do hereby give notice that I shall offer it for sale, on the premises, on thrusday the 19th of March, with cafy Payemnts. Robert Walker, Executor

23 Apr 1772 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 3 Column 2.

Run away from the subscriber, in Dinwiddie, on Tuesday the 14th April a Negro named Bob, about twenty three years of age, five feet ten or eleven inches high, by trade a blacksmith, very dark and this visaged. Whoever appenends the said slave, and brough him to me, shall have forty shillings reward, if he is taken in Virgina, and three pounds if taken in Caroline, beside what thw law allows. Robert Walker

26 Nov 1772 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 2 Column 3.

Five Pounds Reward Will be paid by the subscriber for apprebending Dick, a light Mulatto slave, by trade a shoemaker, and was lately the Property of James Walker. He is about thirty five years of age, well set, near five feet ten inches high, can read, and may attempt topass for a freeman; it is therefore necessary that all Captains of vessels should be cautious of carring him out of the Colony. It is supposed he is harboured about Brandon, or with the Indians on Pamunhey. Whoever deliveres him to me, in Dinwiddie, shall have the above reward. Robert Walker

24 Dec 1772 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 3 Column 2.

Committed to York Prison, a Negro man named Jack, who says that he belongs to Captain Robert Walker of Charles City, he is five feet eleven or eight inches high, has a lump over his left eye, and keeps it half shut, He has on a blue half-thicks coat with white metal buttons, an osnabrug shirt and trousers and Virginia made stocking and shoes. The owner is desired to fetch him away and pay charges to William Mitchell

11 Feb 1773 As seen in the Virginia Gazette Page 3 Column 1

Dinwiddie, January 28, 1773.

A small tract of land, containing, by essimation, three hundred and twenty five acres, lying a little below Birch Bridge, on Nottoway River, very good for growing Tobbacco and wheat, made over by James Walker to Captain Robert Walker and myself, in Trust, will be exposed to public sale, on the premises on Thrusday the 35th of March. Th Land May be seen, in the mean time, by applying to Captain Walker. --- A few valuables slaves will be sold at the same time and place.

As Trustee for Ipam Eppes, I purpose to sell at publick sale, the land whereon he lives, on Saturday the 13 of March, the sale of which, at his request, will be at his own Ordinary; and on the Monday following, at Dinwiddie Courthouse, some of his valuable slaves, among whom is a blacksmith. Nothing but ready money, or Merchants Notes payable at the April General court, will be taken for either Walker's or Eppes effects. Gray Briggs.

1776 Revolutionary War

1776 Col. Robert Walker was a Commissioner of Law during the Revolution ^[4]

Taxes

1782 Robert appeared on the tax roll of Dinwiddie county, VA with 1 Poll and 52 slaves. ^[8]

Will of Robert Walker

In the name of God Amen. I Robert Walker of the county of Dinwiddie do make and ordain this instrument of writing as my last will and testament in manner and form following; I give and bequeath to my son Robert Walker that part of the land whereon I now live exclusive of what I hereafter give my son Theodoric Walker reserving to his Mother the use of all that lies to the east side of the horsepen branch during her life except the free use of all such houses as he the said Robert shall build & such lots as he hath already enclosed containing _____ acres be the same more or less to him the said Robert and his heirs forever. I also give him one mulatto fellow named Emmanuel, also one third of the piney land in Sussex county bought of Ga’s. Locke.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Richard Walker all that part of land on the south side of Nottaway river below more’s swamp in the county of Greenville containing one thousand and fifty two acres including the new Mill on the said river, together with the following slaves, to wit, George, Sam, Affrica, Eleck, Muriah & Tillor, with all their increase also all the stocks of every kind I have supplied him with, all which land & negroes I give the said Richard to him and his heirs forever. It is my will and desire that if the litte of either of the slaves I have given the said Richard should prove bad that the value of such slave shall be made good to the said Richard. out of my estate unless it can be recovered from the person, I may have bought such slave from. I also give him the said Richard one third of the piney land in Sussex county bought of Ga’s. Locke. To him and his heir forever

Item I give and bequeath to my son Theodoric Walker ______ acres of land lying at the upper end of the tract whereon I now live and bounded as followeth, to wit beginning on the reedy branch below the mouth of the flat meadow branch, opposite to part of Winfield Manson’s plantation, thence up that meadow on the north side so as to include all the well flat ground belonging to said branch as it tends to my present cornfield fence thence along a straight line through my cleared good land to a red oak near my red tob[acco] ground thence along a ridge called David Miles down to the horsepen branch at an old ford that leads into an enclosure called the red s?ill, thence along a line to be hereafter a??? up to Robert Massenburg’s line so as to strike it one hundred yards to the west side of the said branch, thence along Massenburg’s line to the horsepen branch, up the said branch to Mr. Richard Barton’s line, along his line to the mouth of a drain in Winfield Masons line near Burrows race ground thence along the said Masons line part of which is bounded by the reedy branch to the beginning; I also give him the said Theodoric three acres of land in Petersburg, whereon one Cosby now lives. I also give him the said Theodoric three hundred & fifty-eight acres of land lying on the west side of Buckskin called & known by the name of Mambis – all which lands I give the said Theodoric Walker to him and his heirs forever. I also give him the said Theodoric all my stock of every kind at the College Plantation & twenty head of cattle to be taken out of the stock at Kingston, and two work horses & a young mare he now claims as his.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Bolling Munford Walker all the remain of land lying on both sides Nottoway river on the counties of Sussex and Greenville. Containing one thousand and seventy acres including my Mill on the said river. I also give him the said Bolling one third of the piney land bought of Jas. Locke all which lands I give the said Bolling Munford to him & his heirs forever. I also give him the said Bolling all the stock of every kind that is on the plantation whereon Jack Thacker now lives as an overseer for me, together with the plantation utensils and a colt he now claims.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Barton the following slaves, to wit; Peter, Able, Sally, Fanny, & Hannah with all their increase from the time she was just in possession of them. I also give her all the stock of every kind that I have heretofore supplied her with.

Item I give and bequeath to my beloved wife the wench Nanny with her four youngest children, to be at her disposal, provided they are given to such of my children as she may think proper. I also lend her in lieu of dower the following slaves to wit; Betty, sewing Hannah, Anebellar, Great Amey, Long Amey, John, Abram, Phill, Jupiter, Bob, George, Sampson, & Lucy. I also giver her in lieu of Dower the use of Kingston; that is all the land on the east side of the horsepen branch except what I have already disposed of in this instrument of writing. I also give her the chariot & four & horses that generally run in it; also the best wagon & four horse together with all the stock of every kind, not before disposed off belonging to this plantation and all the furniture & plantation utensils hereto belonging all which stocks and household furniture, carriage Hc? I give her the liberty of disposing of among my children as she may think proper at any time she may think proper, provided she abides by my will. But if she should not abide by my will, there in that case, it is my will & desire, that all and everything I have left at her disposal be sold to pay any debts & legacies hereafter specified

Item I give and bequeath to my son David Walker all my land on Meherrin river together with all the stocks of every kind thereon; plantation utensils, to him the said David & his heirs forever. I also give him a colt, first choice, out of all my young nags at Kingston, not before disposed of.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Withers all the negroes & stocks of every kind I have already supplied her with. I also giver her one hundred pounds current money of Virginia.

Item It is my will and desire that all my horses not yet be disposed of including one third of Commendation be sold by my exactors either privately or otherwise as they may think proper and the money arising from such sales be applied to the support of my son David until he returns to Virginia, & the payment of debts & legacies; it is ,y will & desire that all my negroes not before disposed of be at my deaths equally divided between my children hereafter named to wit; David Theodoric, Bolling, Mary Ann, Clara, Lyeser to their & their heirs forever. I do not mean in this instrument to included those slave left my wife in lieu of Dower I further devise all such slaves left here in lieu of dower be at her death equally divided between Robert Walker, David, Theodoric, Bolling, Mary Ann, Clarilson & Linesee Walkers or there legal representatives & particularly desire such division may be done without a sale, so that my miller Charles be allotted to my son Bolling and in case of the death of said Charles if it happens before such division, that Club Foot Sam be placed in the same situation that Charles would have been in. I also desire my wife may after such divisions are completed, have the sue of all my children’s estates, until they come of age, the better to enable her to bring them up. I desire my son Bolling be brought up to the law. I do appoint my beloved wife, my son Robert, Richard Walker, my son-in-law Richard Barton & Thomas Withers, executors to this my Last Will & Testament….

It is my will and desire that in case my son Bolling Munford departs this life before he arrives to the age of twenty one years or without heirs, that the land I have willed him on the south side Nottoway river containing two hundred acres, shall descend to my son David Walker, and that on the north side to my son Theodoric Walker, and their heir forever; but in case my said son Theodoric should die before he arrives of age & without heir it is that case my will & desire that all the lands he may die sosped? of by Virtue of this my will, may descend to my son Robert Walker, he paying one hundred pounds to each of his three youngest sisters, to wit; Mary Ann, Clarisa & Lueser, and in case of either of there deaths the sum aforesaid to be equally divided between the survivor or survivors.

I do in this devise to my son Robert in case of the death of his brother Theodoric before he comes of age to include that part of land willed to the said Theodoric next to W Richard Barton’s, but in case of the said Theodoric death, as aforesaid, it is my will & desire that W Barton may have the upper part of the land so willed to the said Theodoric to be laid off by running a straight line from the foard where wee crofs the reedy branch in going to the race ground to the corner of the old orchard at two gate post along and old ditch beside the said orchard. To the end thereof. Thence a straight line to the horsepen branch at Massenburg’s corner containing _____ acres which land in case of the death aforesaid, I give the said Barton to him & his heirs forever. It is my will and desire if my wife should refuse to accept of the gifts, I have given her on lieu of Dower & Claim her thirds of my estate that their on that case, the whole of what I have given her be sold & after debts & legesies are paid be equally divided between Theodoric Walker and my three youngest daughters – In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 29th day of Feby 1796

Robert Walker

Whereas the legal title on one hundred acre of land on Nottaway in the County of Greensville lying on the west side of my land in that county is in nce? owing to neglect of Joel Marbery Decd. Uothers?; I do hereby authorize and impower my executors to convey the same to whoever hath a right to claim it, when thereto required

Robt, Walker ^[9]

Dinwiddie Se.

February Court 1798

This will was presented into court by Richard Walker & Robert Walker Two of the executors therein named & the same was proved to be the hand writing of the said Robert Walker by the oaths of William Brodnax & Robert Wasson and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Richard Walker & Robert Walker who made oath thereto certificate I granted thereon for obtaining a probate thereof in due form giving security wherefrom they together with Thomas Withers & David Walker their security entered into & acknowledged their bond in the penalty of ten thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs. Thomas Withers one of the executors therein named refused to take upon himself the burthen of the execution thereof liberty being reserved for the other executors to join in the probate whenever they may think fit.

Teste: Nicholas C.D.C.

27 Oct 1797 Robert's obituary read: Walker, Robert of Kinston Dinwiddie Co., died on Thrusday night 19 Oct in his 69th year; He left a widow and 10 children. ^[10] [William died before his father]

Slaves listed in the will of Robert Walker:

1. Jack
2. Bob
3. Dick
4. George
5. Sam
6. Affrica
7. Eleck
8. Muriah
9. Tillor
10. Peter
11. Able
12. Sally
13. Fanny
14. Hannah
15. Nanny with her four youngest children
16. Betty
17. sewing Hannah
18. Anebellar
19. Great Amey
20. Long Amey
21. John
22. Abram
23. Phill
24. Jupiter
25. Bob
26. George
27. Sampson
28. Lucy

Sources

1. ↑ Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tylers Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Volume 1. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Com, 1981. Digital image: [1].
2. ↑ The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia, 1720-1789; Bristol Parish (Va .) Page 386, Churchill Gibson Chamberlayne, 1898, "Record of Robert Walker 10 Oct 1729 Bap 26 Oct, Parents: David and Mary Walker". Digital image: [2]
3. ↑ Wulfeck, Dorothy Ford. Marriages of some Virginia residents, 1607-1800 ; v.2 surmanes I-Z. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1986.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (A121081 http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 23 Dec 2017), "Record of RobertWalker", Ancestor # A119598.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 5.7} Parks , Gary. Genealogies of Virginia Families From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine. Vol. IV. Walker-Yeardley. Baltimore, MD: Geneagolical Publishing Co. , 1981.
6. ↑ Headley, Robert K., Jr. Genealogical Abstracts from 18th Century Virginia Newspapers. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. , 1987. Page 24.
7. ↑ Crozier , William Armstrong . Williamsburg Wills. Being Transcriptions from the Original Files at the Chancery Court of Williamsburg. Baltimore, MD: Southern Book Co. , 1954 .
8. ↑ 1782-1787 by Augusta B Pothergill & John Mark Naugle. Genealogical Publishing Co Baltimore 1986
9. ↑ Lost Records Localities Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA 23219. Digital image: [3]
10. ↑ Headley, Robert K., Jr. Genealogical Abstracts from 18th Century Virginia Newspapers. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. , 1987. Page 24.

• Nicholson, Lee. Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine Vol IV. "The Walker Family". Compiled by Gary Parks. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing, 1981.

Acknowledgements

Contributors

• Rose Edwards
• Gary M. Samples Sr.
• Baptism and day of birth provided by Liz Shifflett