Among the earliest settlers in Townsend Township were four single North Carolinian brothers named John, William, Isaac and Ralph Walker. In June 1796 they left their parental home in Clinton Township, Lincoln County on Lake Erie between Beamsville and Grimsby to explore their opportunities for carving 200-acre farms out of the Long Point Settlement wilderness. The families of the first two have now been in Norfolk County for well over two centuries.

The second brother William Walker mentioned above was actually the third in a row to carry this name in North America. His United Empire Loyalist father William Walker (II) brought his wife and ten children ranging in age from 7 to 27 on the arduous 1000-mile trek from Orange County North Carolina to Upper Canada in the spring of 1794. On July 10, 1794 he petitioned the Land Board for a grant of land stating he:

“Just arrived with his Family, (Eleven in number, Four of which is men able to bear Arms) from North Carolina, has suffered everything but Death by the American Revolution, had property in Land, 800 acres all of which was taken from him and Sold by the Rebels (that were then Stiled)"

"He begs leave to inform your Excellency that he faithfully adhered to the British Government and can procure Witnesses of his Loyalty. He now prays for an allotment of Land adequate to His Family and does hope you will please to consider his long travel near 1000 Miles and give him a grant that he may immediately improve, for his further subsistance or such other relief as that your Wisdom may seem meet and your Petitioner will ever pray” [1]

The Executive Council of Upper Canada issued an Order-in-Council granting to the petitioner and his family a generous allotment of 1200 acres of land in Lots 11, 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, Concession 7, Grimsby Township, Lincoln County. He later received Lots 19 and 20 in the Front Concession of Clinton Twp., Lincoln County on Lake Ontario. William made his home on this Clinton property at the end of The Thirty Road on Lake Ontario, known as “The Harbour” a port of call for lake boats for many years.

In another petition dated May 13 1796, William Walker told more of his service during the American Revolution and expressed an interest in the newly opening lands in Norfolk County on behalf of his children:

“late of North Carolina… came 2 years ago… has wife and 10 children…received 1200 acres… was in the army of Lord Cornwallis… lost all of his property, both real and personal… lost 800 acres of land… has expended upwards of £700 to raise sufficient supplies for his family… requested additional lands at the Long Point Settlement.” [2]

The Executive Council ordered, “If the petitioner’s children are of age they will receive lands in their own right.” A month later in June 1796 four Walker sons arrived in Townsend Township ready to petition for their own grants and start their own farms.

Settlement in Townsend Township

Land agent and developer Paul Averill was busily building a mill at Waterford and held the rights for settling the entire township of Townsend. With his approval each of the four brothers located a parcel and made their application to the Land Board of Upper Canada by a joint petition dated on June 30, 1796 as sons of “William Walker late of North Carolina.”[3]

The oldest, John Walker aged about 28 located on Lot 2 Concession 9 between present Waterford and Round Plains. The next, William Walker aged about 26 settled beside his older brother on Lot 1 Concession 9. The third, Isaac Walker aged about 21 years chose Lot 8 Concession 8 east of Waterford. The youngest, Ralph Walker who “wants about 6 months to complete his 21st year” chose Lot 8 Concession 7 south of Isaac.

In January of 1797, Paul Averill compiled a report of all his recommended settlers with their locations. This included the four brothers and their chosen locations.[4]

By 1799 it became apparent that a confirmation would be needed. The father of the four brothers William Walker Senior held considerable influence in early Upper Canada and filed a petition to the Land Board stating:

The following have been on their lots at Townsend about 3 years and have from 10 acres upwards cleared: Ralph Walker; Isaac Walker; William Walker Jr; John Walker; Sarah Walker m., Joseph McCool; Margaret Walker m., William McCool; Thomas Walker; Ann Walker m., John Henry; Philip Walker. [5]

In addition to the four older sons, two younger brothers named Thomas and Philip were mentioned although they actually settled elsewhere. Two sisters Margaret and Sarah with their respective husbands Joseph and William McCool put down roots in Norfolk. The youngest, Ann Walker and her husband John Henry settled in Clinton Township.

Walker Antecedents in North Carolina

The Walker family roots in North America actually date back a half century prior to these events. William Walker, the Loyalist mentioned he had held 800 acres of land in North Carolina. Family researcher Warren R. Walker has spent many years searching out records of this ancestral settlement and found a treasure trove of documents including the will of the very first William Walker who voyaged from Ireland to North America. This document is the only known record of this ancestor to date.

“Concerning the early settlement in North Carolina, W. R. Walker wrote: “Alamance County was originally part of Orange County, North Carolina, the county immediately to the east. Alamance County was officially proclaimed a county in April of 1849. The boundary to the north finds Caswell County, south is Chatham County, and west is Guilford County. There is little information on William Walker. He owned property on Hogans Creek. Hogans Creek is in Rockingham County, NC, and flows in a northeasterly direction through that county and Caswell County until it empties into the Dan River. That area is on the far western edge of Orange County as it existed in 1769. Walker named as his executor, John Robertson, whose name matches that of a man known to have lived on Country Line Creek since 1761. What this means is that Walker lived in an area that today is the southeastern corner of Rockingham County.”

Last Will And Testament of William Walker: [6]

In The Name Of God Amen the 24th Day of March / 1769 I, William Walker of the County of Orange Yeom: Being Weak of Body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God therefore Calling to Mind the Mortality of my Body Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say Principally, and first of all I give & Recomend my Soul into the hands of God that give it, and as for my Body I recomend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian Like and Decent Manner to the Discreation of my Executors, Nothing Doubting But the General Resurrection I shall receive the Same again By the Almighty Power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life, I devise give and Bequeath and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, it is my Will and I do Order that in the first Place all my Just Debts and funeral Charges be paid and Satisfied, And I do Order that John Robertson and John Corry shall be my Executors

Item I do Give and Bequeath to my well beloved wife the thord of all my Estate which is a mear and a Cow for a Shot [Shoat?] I have None

Item I do give to my well beloved Son James Walker Two Dollars.

Item I do give and bequeath to my well beloved son John Walker Ten Pounds he Received in Pensalvania and Twenty Pounds in North Carolina and what Cattel he Received

Item I do give and bequeath to my well beloved sons William, Abraham & Alexand Equal divide of all the Money and Chattles att my Decease the place that William Lived on is his one only The one half of the said Tract the East end belongeth to Abraham and the tract on Hogan's Creek Belongeth to Alexander

Signed:

William Walker (his mark)

Witnesses:

John Correy (Jur.) (his mark)

Shusana T Corry (her mark)

Orange County July Court 1769

The Execution of the within Will is Proved in Open Court by John Corry one of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto, and Ordered to be Recorded. Test P. Nash

Back to Loyalist William Walker (II)

Researcher W. R. Walker has also ferreted out a series of North Carolina deeds for the second William Walker prior to his settlement in Upper Canada.

To summarize the land transactions that follow, the known land purchases in Orange County, North Carolina occurred following the American Revolution in November 1784. William may have held and lost other lands due to his Loyalist service prior to that time. He purchased still more tracts of land in the years that followed 1784. A decade later, William disposed of the last of his real estate holdings in April 1794 then departed for Upper Canada. It is also noted that the two April 1794 land transactions were sales to his eldest son Robert Walker who remained in North Carolina.

The Deeds

1. In a deed dated 15 Nov 1784, Barney Grimes and Mary his wife, conveyed to William Walker 100 acres of land located on the south branch of Little River, it being part of a 360 acre tract of land granted to Thomas Perkins by John, Earl of Granville, 6 Dec 1761.

2. In a deed dated 3 Jul 1787, Thomas Riggs conveyed to William Walker 100 acres of land located on the waters of Little River.

3. In a deed dated 7 Apr 1788, Alexander Hunter and Susannah his wife, conveyed to William Walker 200 acres located on the south side of the North Fork of Little River.

4. In a deed dated 30 Dec 1789, James Riggs conveyed to William Walker 100 acres of land located on the waters of Little River.

5. In a deed dated 14 Dec 1791, John Mitchell and Elizabeth his wife, conveyed to William Walker 213 acres of land located on the waters of Eno River.

6. In a deed dated 30 Aug 1793, William Walker conveyed a tract of land to Levi Whitehead (Whitted?).

7. In a deed dated 28 Nov 1793, William Walker conveyed a tract of land to William Dunnegan.

8. In a deed dated 17 Feb 1794, William Walker conveyed a tract of land to William Roark.

9. In a deed dated 22 Apr 1794, William Walker conveyed a tract of land to Robert Walker.

10. In a deed dated 22 Apr 1794, William Walker conveyed a tract of land to Robert Walker.

Epilogue

After arriving in Upper Canada William Walker became prominent in Lincoln County. In 1804, William was chosen one of five Freeholders to choose two representatives of the district to run for a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada. William was listed on the 1812 and 1816 Voters List and on the subscription lists for the building of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church at Grimsby.[7]

The will of William Walker dated at Clinton Twp., Lincoln Co. on 13 Apr 1819, probated on 2 Nov 1819 was transcribed by W. R. Walker:[8]

In The Name of God Amen, I, William Walker of the Township of Clinton, County of Lincoln and District of Niagara, Yeoman, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and knowing its appointed for all men once to die, being weak and infirm in body but of (sound?) mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God - do make ordain and constitute this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following - That is to say first I give and commit my soul unto the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and christian like manner at the discretion of my executors herein after named and as to my worldly estate where with it hath pleafed (pleased) Almighty God to blef (bless) me with I give Bequeath and Dispose of in the following manner -

That is To Say First I give to my eldest son Robert Walker, In Orange County State of North Carolina, the sum of One Hundred Pounds New York Currency if called for within the space of seven years after my decease.

I give to my son John the like sum of one hundred pounds of like money.

I give to my son William the sum of one hundred pounds like money.

I give to my son Ralph Walker the sum of Four Hundred pounds like money as above said and

I give and bequeath to my son Thomas one Hundred pounds like money.

I also give and bequeath to my grandson Archibal McKool, son of William McKool, the sum of two hundred pounds like money.

I give and bequeath to my son Phillip the sum of one hundred pounds like money all the above said gifts and bequeaths to be paid in one year after my decease.

I also give to my daughter Margaret Mckool one hundred pound like money to be paid her by my executors in year after my decease together with my large cafe (case) of drawers.

I Alfo (also) give to my daughter Sarah McKool the sum of one hundred pounds like money and in like manner, together with my beft (best) bed and bedding with the curtains thereunto belonging.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Henry the sum of five pounds like money.

I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Sarah Henry my small cheft (chest) of drawers.

I alfo (also) give to my granddaughter, Elizabeth Walker, daughter of my son Ifaac (Isaac), two hundred pounds like money as afore said together with my long smoking coat.

I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Catharina Walker, daughter of my said son Isaac, one hundred pounds like money to be paid to my said granddaughters as they may severally come of lawful age.

I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Sarah Walker, daughter of my said son Isaac, the sum of twenty pounds like and to paid in like manner when she becomes of lawful age.

I also will and order that my dwelling houfe (house) and lot wherein I now live with the appurtenances, thereunto belonging to sold by my executors with the two years after my deceafe (decease) and the money arising therefrom to be disposed of for the following manner, that is to say, I give to my two daughters, Margaret and Sarah McKool, fifty pounds each out of the last mentioned property of my said houfe (house) and lot the remainder to be equally divided among my three sons to wit, Ralph, Thomas and Philip and my granddaughter, Elizabeth Walker, daughter of my said son Isaac, and I do further will and order that all the remainder of personal property not heretofore bequeathed shall be sold by my executors and the money arising therefrom to be equally divided among all the legatees heretofore named both children and grandchildren excepting my son Robert and my granddaughter, Sarah, daughter of John Henry, and lastly I do by these presents nominate and appoint my sons Ralph Walker and Thomas Walker and my trusty friend Jonathan Woolverton, Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke all former Wills or Executors by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto let my hand and seal this thirteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and nineteen "1819"...

Signature:

William Walker

Signed, Sealed, published, and declared by the above named William Walker to be his Last Will and Testament in the presents of us who have here unto subscribed our names in his presents and in the presents of each other - -

Note: The word "among" between the eleventh and twelfth line from the bottom of the second page is underlined before being signed by:

Alexander McNaught

Ambrose Gillmore

Jonathan Woolverton.

Gravestones

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Churchyard, Grimsby Twp., Lincoln Co., Ontario. The inscriptions and dates read:

“Erected to the memory of William Walker who departed this life October 22 1819, in the 76th year of his age.”

“Here lies the body of Sarah Walker, b.1746, wife of William Walker who departed this life the 6th day of April 1806, in the 60th year of her age.”

“Sacred to the memory of Elizabeth Walker, second wife of William Walker. Born 1762, she departed this life on June 25, 1817 in the 55th year of her age.”

Sources

[1] Upper Canada Land Petition “W” Bundle 1, Doc. No. 9

[2] Upper Canada Land Petition “W” Bundle 2, Doc. No. 46

[3] Upper Canada Land Petition “T” Bundle 2, Doc. No. 13

[4] Averill Report prepared by Paul Averill c. Jan 1797, recommending persons for settlement in Townsend Twp. Upper Canada Land Book C, p. 314 National Archives of Canada Reel C-1001

[5] Upper Canada Land Petition read in Council on 8 Nov 1799 “W” Bundle Misc 1796-1815, Doc. No. 34

[6] 1769 Orange County, North Carolina Wills Book A, pages 101-102 included in the website of W. R. Walker: http://www.wrwalker.com/

[7] Annals of the Forty, Vol. 9, p. 52

[8] Lincoln County Wills filed alphabetically by year, document transcript included in the website of W. R. Walker: http://www.wrwalker.com/