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The Hissem-Montague Family  |
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The Hissem-Montague Family |
This family had come to Ohio from Vermont, but had originally settled in Massachusetts. There were several large Walker families in Massachusetts all with early ancestors named Thomas Walker. However, excepting the first generation, I think what follows is probable based on the use of common family names, including Obadiah and Asa.
By the way, you may think that tracking a man with the given name of Obadiah would be easy given the uniqueness of that name, unfortunately there was a famous Obadiah Walker (1616-1699), an Oxford Don, who became famous for putting principle over his best interests, and backed the wrong side during the English Revolution. Many young Walkers were named in his honor.
(16) Thomas Walker (1614)My G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather. The father of Thomas, below, may have been born in 1614 in England. Confusingly, there appears to have been four Thomas Walkers in Boston around this time.
"The name of the immigrant ancestor of the Walker line who was the father of the first Thomas Walker of Sudbury Mass. is uncertain." - from "Walker Genealogy: A Record of the Descendents of Thomas Walker of Boston and Sudbury, Massachusetts - 1625-1697" by Harold C. WhitmoreThomas Walker arrived in America on the ship "John" on 2 October 1635. He was recorded in Boston in 1650. He was a brickburner; that is, he fired bricks. He was also referred to as a brickmaker. He married Anne.
This Thomas Walker died on 11 August 1659 in Boston,
"leaving his widow and several young children as well as an older son Thomas, possibly the child of an earlier marriage, who with the widow was granted the administration of his estate" - from tanelson1@juno.com
Alternatively, Thomas Walker married Hannah, and remained in England.
"I believe he [Thomas Walker's son, Thomas, below] was born in London, England, circa 1630, and his parents were Thomas and Hannah Walker. I have two possible birth records (IGIs) from the LDS database, and am trying to determine which is correct. Both records show that his parents were Thomas and Hannah Walker."Note however that our Thomas was not, strictly speaking, a merchant. (17) Thomas Walker (1635)
"Their children's names were: William, bp. 18 Sep 1632; Hannah, bp. 5 May 1635; Mary, bp. 2 May 1638; and Sarah, bp. 4 Oct 1640, all at St Antholin Parish, London, England. Note the use of names used in later generation of Walkers. I've looked at numerous birth/baptism records - both hardcopy and microfilm - but have yet to find a birth/baptism record for our Thomas Walker."
"... the will of Hannah Walker of London, widow, 10 April 1675, proved 2 Nov 1675, in which she "bequeath unto my son Thomas Walker of Sudbury in New England, in the parts beyond the seas, merchant, the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds ...To my son in law Paul Strange...to my daughter Hannah..." This will is published in the October 1893 issue of the New England Historic and Genealogical Record, under the title, Genealogical Gleanings from England." - from Ancestry of Hannah Walker, b. about 1697
My G-G-G-G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather. I believe Thomas was born in England in about 1635. He married Mary Stone, the daughter of Dr. Daniel Stone [Stoner] and Mary Howe of Cambridge, on 2 July 1659, in Boston, Massachusetts. Mary was born on 22 March 1644 in Cambridge, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. Other authorities hold that Thomas was also a brickmaker of Boston, like his father, and that he married a Susanna Collins, the daughter of John Collins, on 25 March 1662.
Thomas and Mary moved to Sudbury between 1661 and 1664. Thomas was a school teacher and perhaps founder of the first free school in Sudbury, Massachusetts, circa 1664. He was listed as an inn holder, or innkeeper, circa 1672.
"In 1688 he was one of 43 townsmen to whom the town's stock of ammunition, for use in King William's War, was distributed." - from "Walker Genealogy: A Record of the Descendents of Thomas Walker of Boston and Sudbury, Massachusetts - 1625-1697" by Harold C. WhitmoreKing William's war lasted from 1688 to 1697. It was the American theater of a European war between Louis XIV and the League of Ausburg comprised of England, Holland, Spain, the Holy Roman Empire and Savoy. It was fought between French colonials out of Canada and their Indian allies and English colonials of New England and their Indian allies.
Thomas died on 30 May 1697 in Sudbury. Mary died in 1704, aged 59. Their children were,
(18) Mary Walker (1661), born in Boston
(18) Thomas Walker (1664), born in Sudbury
(18) William Walker (1666)
(18) Hannah Walker (1668), died young
(18) Hannah Walker (1669)
(18) Daniel Walker (1672), died young
(18) Daniel Walker (1673)
(18) Sarah Walker (1677)
(18) Abigail Walker (1679)
(18) Elizabeth Walker (1680)
(18) John Walker (1682)
My G-G-G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather. The eldest son of Thomas Walker and Mary Stone, he was born on 22 May 1664 in Sudbury, Massachusetts. He married Martha Howe [How], the daughter of Samuel Howe and Martha [Mary?] Bent, on 7 December 1687 in Sudbury. Martha was born on 9 October 1669 in Sudbury. Martha may have been a cousin; Thomas' grandmother was a Mary Howe.
"He was held in high esteem, served at town treasurer, constable, and collector, and was an original member of the Framinham Church." - from "Henry Cobb Stryker and Amanda Rosetta Walker: Their Ancestors and Descendants" by Daisy Belle Wikberg.
"1688; of Sudbury, bought 60 acres of Gookin and How, on both sides of the highway from Sudbury to Sherborn, bounded on John Adams and John Bent."
"Built house near Rice's End 10/27/1717; Mr. Swift on his burial; "Hodie Sepultus Thomas Walker; proh dolor."
12/2/1717; Will proved. Owned lands at Billerica, MA and Wells, ME"
"Town offices: 1700, town treasurer; constable 1703"
"Martha Howe: 1694; On Sudbury records, taught school." - from the "History of Framingham" as shown on Descendants of Thomas Walker
Thomas died on 25 October 1717 in Framingham, Middlesex county, Massachusetts at the age of 53, "leaving considerable property." Martha remarried in 1718, to John Whitney. She died on 24 November 1721 in Shrewsbury, Worcester, Massachusetts. Thomas and Martha's children were,
(19) Thomas Walker (1688), died young
(19) Samuel Walker (1689)
(19) Martha Walker (1690)
(19) Obadiah Walker (1691)
(19) Mary Walker (1696)
(19) Thomas Walker (1700)
(19) Asa Walker (1702)
(19) Hannah Walker (1705)
(19) Jason Walker (1708)
(19) John Walker (1713)
My G-G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather. He was born on 9 October 1691 in Sudbury, Middlesex county, Massachusetts, the fourth child of Thomas Walker and Martha Howe. He married Hannah Learned, the daughter of Isaac Learned and Sarah Bigelow, on 2 May 1715 in Framingham, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. Hannah was born on 16 September 1694 in Framingham. She died on 6 July 1744. Obadiah married a second time, to Eunice Taft White [it was also her second marriage], on 28 October 1745 in Uxbridge, Massachusetts.
Obadiah was a big man in Sutton, Massachusetss. He was a Selectman in 1729, 1730, 1736, 1737, 1738 and 1744. He as an Assessor in 1740, 1741 (as Lieut. Obadiah Walker), 1742 and 1743 - from the "History of the town of Sutton, Massachusetts" by W. Charles Benedict. I suppose he must have been in the local militia.
"Obadiah Walker of Sutton, Gentleman, made his will on 14 June 1758 naming his wife Eunice, his youngest son, Benjamin, who was under 21, and other children Silas, Obadiah, and Asa Walker, Hannah Allen, Martha Shumway, Mary Ellis and Sarah Chase." - from "The American Genealogist." He died in 1760 in Marlborough, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. His will:
Will of Obadiah Walker, Sutton, Worcester County, MassachusettsThe last will and Testament of Obadiah Walker in the Name of God Amen the fourteenth Day of June in the year of our Lord 1758 - I Obadiah Walker of Sutton in the County of Worcester within his majestys Province of the Massachusetts Bay in new England Gentleman - now of perfect mind & memory and calling to mind my own mortality knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will & Testament That is to say principally and first of all I give and recomend my soul into the Hands of God that gave it and my Body I will to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and as touching my worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased the Lord to Bless me in this Life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner & Form That is to say first I will that all my lawfull Debts that I owe to any manner of person or persons whatsoever be well and truly contented & paid in convenient Time after my decease by my Executor hereafter named.
Item. I give to my well beloved wife Eunice Walker for her comfort and support all my Indoor moveables excepting my Books and wearing apparel. Item I give her my Riding Horse, Two Cows & Six Sheep to be hers together with the forementioned forever. Item I give her the Priviledge of my Dwelling House and Barn and the Improvement of an Inclosure above my Barn about five acres and one third part "of this Inclosure where my house and barn is and ___ part" of my orchard, also the sd Cows and Sheep, also that my son Asa find her a horse to Ride as she hath occasion and oxen to do her work in Plowing Carting her Hay and firewood Together with the priviledge of getting her fire wood on my wood land all which during her remaining my widdow.
Item I give her my great Bible and in case my youngest son Benjamin Walker dont Live to Twenty one years of age my will is that my said wife have the Eight pounds hereafter mentioned as willed to him and other part of his Portion over and above sd Eight pounds Together with sd Bible to be hers forever.
Item I give to my oldest son Silas Walker one pound Lawfull money which together with what I have given him is in full of his Portion to be paid after me wife ceases to remain my widow.
Item I give to my son Obadiah Walker what he hath Recd also a note of Eight Pound Lawfull money which I have against him which is in full of his Portion.
Item I give to my son Asa Walker the whole of my Homestead reserving as above to my wife during her widowhood also I give him all my stock of Cattle Bonds notes & Book Debts not otherwise mentioned or disposed of and also one half of my out Door moveables and my Sword he paying all my just debts & funeral charges and doing for my wife as above mentioned and paying the Legacies as above and hereafter to be mentioned.
Item I give to me son Benja Walker a certain Tract of Land in the Easterly part of Douglas about Eighty acres also Eight Pounds Lawfull money which money I owe him it being a Legacy given him by his grand Father Taft and which money I have Received to be paid him by my Executor at Twenty one years of age and with Interest from this Day also I give him half of my out of Door moveables and my Gun.
Item I give to my Daughter Hannah Allen Twenty shillings Lawfull money to be paid her by my Executor after my wife ceases to remain my widow.
Item I give to my daughter Martha Shumway Twenty shillings Lawfull money to be paid her by my Executor after my wife ceases to remain my widow.
Item I give to my Daughter Mary Ellis Twenty shillings Lawfull money to be paid her by my Executor when my wife ceases to remain my widow.
Item I give to my Daughter Sarah Chase Twenty shillings to be paid her by my Ex when my wife ceases to remain my widow it being Lawfull money and Each of the above Legacies to be considd as together with what I have given them in full of their Portion.
Item My will is that my wearing Clothes be Equally divided among my sons and my Books Except my Bible to be equally divided among all my Children and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disanul any other will or wills Instruments or Testaments by me made ratifying and confirming this & no other to be my last will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the Day & year first written.
Obadiah Walker (seal)
NB the words I give him [...] to my son Asa the other side was Interlined before signing.
Signed sealed Published Pronounced and declared by the sd Obadiah Walker as his Last will & Testament In presence of us the subscribers David Hall Jacob Gibbs Eliza Burbank
Ss Worcester June 9, 1760 the Revd Mr. David Hale & Jacob Gibbs Two of the above witnesses personally appearing made oath that they saw Capt Obadiah Walker the signer of the aforegoing Instrument sign & seal & heard him publish pronounce & declare the same to be and contain his Last will & Testament and that when he did he was of sound Disposing mind according to their best discerning and that they Each of them set to their names as witnesses thereof with Each other & of sd Elizabeth Burbank the other witness at the same Time in sd Testator presence and the said Mr. Hall add it was purely his omission that Asa Walker was not mentioned Exer therein the said Deceased having mentioned him & I do approve of the same as the Last will of the Decd & hereby comitt adm. thereon unto the said Asa Walker a son of sd Decd who accepting of the sd Trust & gave Bond with surety to fullfill the same in all Regards. In Testamony hereof I have set my hand & seal of office this 9th Day of June Anna Dom. 1760 [...] John Chandler Judge Pro_ for County of Worcester
Obadiah's children with his first wife, Hannah, were,
(20) Silas Walker (1716)
(20) Hannah Walker (1718)
(20) Obadiah Walker (1721)
(20) Asa Walker (1726)
(20) Mary Walker (1731)
(20) Sarah Walker (1735)
With his second wife, Eunice, he had a son,
(20) Benjamin Walker (1746)
My G-G-G-G-G-Grandfather. He was born on 8 June 1721 in Marlborough, Middlesex county, Massachusetts. He was the son of (19) Obidiah Walker and Hannah Learned - from the "History of the Town of Sutton, Massachusetts" by W. Charles Benedict. In about 1724 the family moved to Sutton, Massachusetts. His mother, Hannah, died there in 1744.
Obadiah Walker married Hepzibah Shumway, the daughter of Peter Shumway, who served in the Narragansett war, and Mariah Smith, on 12 November 1741 in Sutton [Oxford?], Worcester county, Massachusetts. Hepzibah [Hephsibah] was born on 1 April 1720 in Oxford.
All of their children were born in Sutton. Later they lived in Douglas, Massachusetts and then in Royalston, perhaps moving there the same time as his son, Thomas Walker, below.
"Obediah had been given a 50-acre lot in 1743 by his father. This property adjoined the homestead of Obediah Sr. In 1761, Obediah, Jr. purchased a 300 acre lot in "Royalshire" township from Daniel Drury of Shrewsbury. After his father's death, and the purchase of this property, Obediah removed to "Royalshire" (Royalston) where he lived at least until the 1790 census, when he had two males over age 16 and two females with him in the household."
Obadiah came to Croyden, Sullivan county, New Hampshire in about 1790 and died there on 29 August 1810 in his 90th year. The children of Obadiah and Hepzibah [Hepzibeth] were,
(21) Reuben Walker (1742)
(21) Thomas Walker (1743)
(21) Obadiah Walker (1744/5)
(21) Hepzibah Walker (1746)
(21) Jesurun Walker (1748), apparently moved to Townshend, Vermont at the same time as his brother, Thomas. Member of the company of Captain Josiah Fish, of Townshend, in the Revolution. Died on 17 June 1813.
(21) Molly Walker (1752)
My G-G-G-G-Grandfather. "Walker, Thomas, s. of Obadiah and Hipsabah [Hepzibah Shumway]" was born on 19 July 1743 in Sutton, Worcester county, Massachusetts - from "Vital Records of Sutton, Massachusetts."
Thomas Walker married Lucy Rice on 8 February 1766.
"Mr. Thomas Walker of Uxbridge and Lucy Rice of Upton intend marriage February ye 7th 1766"Lucy was born in Upton, Worchester county, Massachusetts, perhaps the daughter of Beriah and Mary (Goodnow) Rice.
"The Intention of marriage between Thomas Walker of Uxbridge and Lucy Rice of Upton was granted on February ye 8, 1766 and are here Entered in order for marriage . . . Entered and Recorded by Moses Taft Town Clark" - from "Births, Marriages, Deaths 1736-1860" of Upton, Worcester county, Massachusetts
Thomas and Lucy moved to Royalston, Massachusetts before 1769. Based on the birthplaces of their children, they moved to Townshend, Windham county, Vermont between 1772 and 1774.
| Townshend, Vermont
The region now known as Vermont was in the early 1750's contested by New York and New Hampshire. When Townshend received its formal charter on 20 June 1753 the proprietors of the village obtained title from the crown through the Colonial Governor and council of New Hampshire. In 1764 the Connecticut river was established as the boundary, making Townshend part of Cumberland county, New York. After the revolution Vermont was made a state. The French and Indian War of 1754 to 1761 made the region a dangerous one to inhabit. Some documents indicate that the town was not settled until June 1761. |
Thomas Walker was an active member of the local community and a supporter of American independence.
"Province of New-York, Cumberland County, Townshend, July 12, 1775.
We, the subscribers, heartily and sincerely adhere to the proceedings of the Continental Congress, held at Philadelphia on the 5th day of September, 1775, more especially the Association Agreement; as witness our hands: John Hazeltine, Amos Holbrook, John Burt, Timothy Holbrook, John Wright, Paul Hazeltine, William Hayward, John How, John Hazeltine, Jr., Silas Hayward, John How, Jr., Thomas Walker, Caleb Hayward, James Watkins, Jesman [Jeshurun] Walker, Peter Hazeltine, Jonathan Claton, Samuel Wisell, Paul Hayward . . ." - from DAR record of Colonel John Hazeltine
Thomas Walker and his brother, Jeshurum, were entered in the proprietors' book as land owners in the village, though it is not clear at what date this occurred. The last meeting of the proprietors was in 1782.
Thomas later moved to Brookine, Vermont, which was just south and east of Townshend. Thomas Walker was elected first constable and collector of the new town of Brookline, Vermont in 1795. He was 52 years old. Thomas died in Brookline, Windham county, Vermont at an unknown date.
Their children were,
(22) David Rice Walker, born 07 May 1769, in Royalston, Massachusetts
(22) Molly Walker, born on 20 September 1772, in Royalston, Massachusetts
(22) Obadiah Walker (1774)
(22) Amasa Walker, born on 02 April 1776, Townshend, Vermont, died in New Port Vermont; he married Sarah Millett in 1797, in Massachusetts; she was born on 11 July 1777, in Holden, Worchester county, Massachusetts; she died on 27 January 1855, in New Port, Vermont.
(22) Jeshurun Walker, born 12 February 1778, in Townshend, Vermont, married Lydia Holbrook
(22) Asenath Walker, born 17 May 1780, in Townshend, Vermont
My G-G-G-Grandfather. Per his tombstone, the Obadiah Walker of Meigs county, Ohio, was born in 1774. Obadiah Walker, the son of Thomas Walker and Lucy [Rice], was born on 28 May 1774 in Townshend, Windham county, Vermont.
In 1798 Obadiah, who would have been 24 years old at the time, moved to Belpre, Washington county, Ohio. This was on the Ohio river, just above Athens county, and two counties above Meigs county. The distances however are slight between Belpre in Washington county and Chester in Meigs county where Obadiah finally settled. Obadiah was on an 1800 and 1803 tax list for Belpre township, Washington county.
Obadiah, then 31, married Cassandra Halsey on 6 June 1805 in Washington county, Ohio.
"Name of Parties . . . Residence . . . When Married . . . By Whom MarriedCassandra was born in about 1785/8 in New Jersey, the daughter of Edward Halsey and Hannah Burrough [I think]. Edward was born in 1747, the son of Zebulonn Halsey and Sarah Sayre, and Hannah in 1745.
Obadiah Walker & Cassandra Halsey . . . Belpre . . . June 6th 1805 . . . D. Loring
- from "Marriage Records 1803-1841, Washington County, Ohio" at familysearch.org
"Children of Edward and probably Hannah (-) Halsey:While a reference below says that Obadiah and Cassandra moved to Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio in 1805, it looks more like Obadiah, and his in-laws, moved just one county south, to Athens county, where he remained until 1820.
i. probable daughter . . .
ii. probable daughter . . .
iii. Jesse Halsey, b. 21 Oct. 1777 [calc.] in Penn. or N.J.; d. 15 Nov. 1854, bur. in Keebaugh Cem., Orange Twp. Meigs Co., Ohio, next to his wife; m. 19 Oct. 1806 in Letart Twp., Gallia Co., Ohio, Nancy Dains, daughter of Asa and Jane Dains, b. 13 May 1788 [calc] in Royalton, Vt., d. 6 January 1874.[76]
iv. probable daughter . . .
v. probable daughter . . .
vi Jacob Halsey, b. about 1783 (1850 census) in N.J.; d. between 8 May 1851 (will) and 1 Nov. 1855 (probate) in Meigs Co., bur. next to his wife in Mound Cem., Chester Twp.; m. abut 1808 Laura Hecox, b. 6 May or 14 June 1790 [calc.], d. 8 June 1850. [77]
vii. Cassandra Halsey, b. about 1785 in N.J. (1850 census); d. 20 Sept. 1851, bur. in Mound Cem., Chester Twp., Meigs Co., next to her husband; m. 6 June 1805 in Washington Co., Ohio. Obadiah Walker, b. about 1776 in Vt. (1850 census), d. 15 Feb. 1859 (gravestone).[78]" - from "The New York Genealogial and Biographical Record."
Obadiah was a member of the Grand Jury for Athens county, Ohio for the December Term of 1807. Athens county is between Washington and Meigs county, all facing on the Ohio river. A Jesse Halsey, most likely Cassandra's brother, was on the same jury.
Obediah Walker was in the 1808 tax list for Athens county, Ohio.
In the 1810 census of Athens county, Ohio as Obadiah Walker.
In the 1810 tax list for Athens county, along with his father-in-law, Edward Halsey, and brothers-in-law, Jacob and Jesse Halsey.
Athens County, Ohio 1810 Tax List -I don't believe George and John Walker were related.
Halsey, Edward
Halsey, Jacob
Halsey, Jesse
Walker, George
Walker, John
Walker, Obadiah
Obadiah was also on the Grand Jury for the January Term of 1815 - from the "History of Athens County, Ohio" by Charles Manning Walker.
In 1819 "Obadiah Walker of Troy sold to Edward Halsey [his father-in-law?] of Troy 29 acres 2 roods 22 perches in Township 4 Range 12 section 25, adjoining Walker and Charles Rice, for $88.91. The deed has no date, but was acknowledged 31 [sic] June 1809. It does not name a wife, but Obediah had married Cassandra Halsey prior to this and she lived until 1851, suggesting that the clerk was not strict about requiring dower release." - from "The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record." Not surprisingly, Troy was a township in Athens county, on the Ohio river.
In the 1820 census of Orange township, Meigs county, Ohio as Obadiah Walker. In the household were 3 males under 10, 3 who were 10 to 15 years old, and 1 26 to 44. Of females, there were 1 under 10, 1 who was 10-15, and 1 26 to 44.
In the 1830 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Obadiah Walker. In the household were 2 males under 5, 2 who were 10 to 14, 2 who were 15 to 19, 1 who was 20 to 29, and 1 who was 50 to 59. Of females, 2 were 5 to 9, 1 was 15 to 19, 1 was 20 to 29, and 1 was 40 to 49.
In the 1840 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Obadiah Walker. In the household were 3 males who were 5-9, 1 who was 10 to 14, 1 who was 20 to 29, 1 30 to 39, and 1 60 to 69. Of females, 1 was 5 to 9, 2 were 15 to 19, 1 was 20 to 29, and one was 50 to 59.
In the 1850 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Obadiah Walker, a 74 year old farmer, of Vermont. Living with him were his wife, Cassandra, 65, of New Jersey, and children Melissa, 33, Vincent, a 22 year old farmer, Obadiah, 19, and Caroline, 17, of Ohio.
In 1851 Obadiah appeared before what I suspect was the Justice of the Peace to testify in favor of his friends, Asa Daines and his wife.
"15 Sep 1851 Obadiah Walker appeared before Josiah Smith and swore that in 1798 he moved to Belpre, Washington Co., Oh. Among those with whom he formed an early friendship was Asa Daines and his family, who then resided in Belpre. The friendship continued but both moved to Meigs Co., Oh in the same vicinity. Asa and Jane were living together with their older children. Since he first met them, they were recognized as husband and wife. He never heard any suspicions to the contrary. He believes that their oldest son Jeptha, is a least 65, and that the couple was probably married in 1785." - from "Ohio Records and Pioneer Families" by Esther Weygandt Powell
Soon after, Obadiah exhibited his cattle at the Meigs county fair.
"Meigs County Agricultural Society.
The various committees of the Meigs County Agricultural Society awarded the following premiums at the Fair held at Middleport, on the 22d day of October, 1851.
. . .
Best yoke of Work Oxen over 4 years old to Obadiah WALKER $4,00 Best yoke of Steers from 3 to 4 years old to Obadiah WALKER $4,00"
Cassandra Walker died on 29 September 1851 at the age of 66. Obadiah Walker died on 15 February 1859 at the age of 84 [born circa 1774]. Both were buried in the Mound cemetery in Pomeroy, Meigs county, Ohio.
A full recount from "The Pioneer History of Meigs County" by Stillman Carter Larkin,
"Obadiah Walker and Cassandra Walker, nee Halsey, lived in Chester township in 1805 and spent their long lives in the same locality. They were good citizens and brought up a large family of sons and daughters.
Jesse Walker, the eldest child, was born in 1806. He was twice married. Miss P. M. Richardson was the first wife, but dying left two children. He then married Margaret Mauck, of Cheshire, Gallia county, where they made their home until death. They had two children. Jesse Walker died at the ripe age of eighty-five years, a kind, upright man, a member of the Free Will Baptist Church from his youth. Milton Walker married Harriet Newel and lived in Chester several years, and then went to Illinois. They were Methodists, earnest Christians. Selden Walker, Vincent Walker and Obadiah Walker were younger sons. Vincent married Sevilla Weldon and moved to Iowa and died there. Obadiah married Emily Weldon; lived and died in Chester township. Bethia Walker was the wife of Baza Wells, in Chester. She had two children, but buried them and her husband also. She was married afterwards to Benjamin Brown, of Athens, Ohio. All are dead.
Melissa Walker married and was left a widow in Iowa. Emeline Walker was the wife of William Church, in Rutland, Ohio, where he died, and she went to Iowa. Samaria Walker was married to James Decker, of Lebanon township. They had two or three children. Mr. Decker and Mrs. Decker died in Lebanon township. Caroline Walker was married to Abner Hissim, of Tanner's Run, Ohio, but later they removed to Iowa."
Obadiah's children were,
(23) Jesse Walker (1806)
(23) Milton Walker (c1808)
(23) Selden Walker (c1809)
(23) Ansel Walker (c1815)
(23) Melissa Walker (c1817)
(23) Oliver R. Walker (1817)
(23) Emeline Walker (c1826)
(23) Vincent Walker (c1828)
(23) Obadiah F. Walker Jr. (c1830)
(23) Oscar Walker (c1831)
(23) Caroline Walker (1832)
(23) Bethia Walker, the wife of Baza Wells
(23) Samaria Walker, the wife of James Decker
The eldest child, he was born on 8 April 1806 in Athens county, Ohio.
"He was twice married. Miss P. [Pamela] M. Richardson was the first wife, but dying, left two children." Pamela was born in 1809 and died on 21 September 1833, of cholera. Her children were Oscar, born 21 August 1830, and Milton R., born on 26 June 1832.
"He then married Margaret Mauck, of Cheshire, Gallia county, Ohio on 21 April 1847. They lived in Gallia county until their death. They had two children. Margaret was born in Cheshire on 3 November 1817, the daughter of Joseph Mauck and Elizabeth Whaley. Another source claims Jesse came to Gallia county in 1850. Gallia county is on the Ohio river, just south of Meigs county.
In the 1880 census of Cheshire, Gallia county, Ohio as Jesse Walker, a 74 year old famer. He was born in Ohio while his father was from Vermont and his mother from New York. Living with him were his wife, Margret, 62, of Ohio. Her folks were from Virginia and New York, and children, Amos L., a 22 year old farmer, and Kate, a 21 year old servant, both of Ohio.
Mr. Walker is a farmer, his farm being located in Cheshire and Addison Townships. His postoffice address is Cheshire, Gallia county, Ohio." - from the "History of Gallia County."
"Jesse Walker died at the ripe age of eighty-five years, a kind, upright man, a member of the Free Will Baptist Church from his youth." Margaret died on 18 November 1889 in Gallia county.
(23) Milton Walker (c1808)I have a Milton Walker who was born about 1808 who was residing in Meigs county in 1850. "He married Harriet Newel and lived in Chester several years, and then went to Illinois. They were Methodists, earnest Christians."
"Milton WALKER to Harriet NEWELL, Sept. 13, in Chester, by John C. BESTOW, J. Peace." - from "Pioneer Marriages, 1832" in "The Democrat (Pomeroy, OH)" of 6 April 1893
An Edward Alonzo Walker was laid to rest in 1932 in the Cisne cemetery in Wayne county, Illinois. He was the son of Milton Walker of Meigs county, Ohio and Harriet Newell of Lancaster county, Ohio. Alonzo was born on 26 August 1841 in Chester, Ohio and died on 31 May 1932 in Mt. Vernon, Illinois.
Another son, Elbert M., was born in Meigs county in 1843. Per a biography of Elbert, his father, Milton, was a wagon maker in Meigs county until 1854, when he moved to Wayne county, Illinois, where he died four years later. Harriet A. Walker died in October 1902. - from "Wall's History of Jefferson County, Illinois" by John A. Wall.
(23) Selden Walker (c1809)I have a Selden Walker who was born in Ohio in about 1809. In 1850 he was residing in Athens county, Ohio.
(23) Ansel Walker (c1815)A shoemaker by trade. He married Adaline. In the 1850 census he was living in Meigs county, Ohio. He served in the war.
"Ansel, the oldest, enlisted in the 36th Ohio Infantry, and served two years." - from "Meigs County Ohio - Bios: Chester Township" Hardesty's published 1883"
| The 36th Ohio Infantry
"The 36th Ohio was raised at Marietta, Ohio, between July 30 and August 31, 1861. After training and drilling, the new regiment moved to Summersville, Virginia in what is now West Virginia, on September 10. It engaged in several raids and operations in the region and helped win a decisive victory at the Battle of Lewisburg. In August 1862 the regiment moved into the defenses of Washington, D.C. Shortly thereafter, the 36th participated in the Northern Virginia Campaign and in the Second Battle of Bull Run. During the subsequent Maryland Campaign, the 36th, as part of the Army of the Potomac, attacked Confederate forces on South Mountain and then took part in the Battle of Antietam on September 17. In 1863, the regiment moved to Eastern Tennessee and participated in several actions, including the Battle of Hoover's Gap and smaller engagements near the Cumberland Gap. It then fought at Chickamauga in northern Georgia in September. It also was in action during the Chattanooga Campaign(Brown's Ferry and Missionary Ridge)." - from Wikipedia The regiment's term of enlistment expired late in the year 1863 and while a number of men chose to re-enlist, I believe Ansel went home. |
In the 1870 and 1880 census of Kanawha county, West Virginia as a boot maker and a peddler. In the 1880 census his father was shown as of Vermont, his mother of New York. Ansel's children were Marietta, Charles S., Emma, Olivia, Libby and Addie.
(23) Melissa Walker (c1817)In the 1850 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Melissa, 33. She was living at home with her parents, Obadiah and Cassandra, and siblings, Vincent, Obadiah Jr., and Caroline.
She "married and was left a widow in Iowa." She probably emigrated with her brother, Vincent, and sister, Caroline, who married Abner Hissem.
(23) Oliver R. Walker (1817)
"Oliver R. Walker - was born in Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio, May 3, 1817, and here married March 23, 1845. Emily S. Weldon, who was born in this township, one-half mile from where her husband's farm is, became his wife. Her birth was on the 4th of July, 1820, and her parents were Richard and Sally (Steadman) Weldon. Her mother came to the county in 1796, and her father's death was in 1830, near Columbus, Ohio. Obadiah and Cassandra (Halsey) Walker were the father and mother of Oliver R. Walker. The father came from Washington to Meigs county in 1804, and was one of the pioneer settlers of Chester township.Oliver R. Walker and three of his brothers were Federal soldiers during the war between the States. Ansel, the oldest, enlisted in the 36th Ohio Infantry, and served two years; Obadiah, Jr., enlisted in the 7th Ohio Battery, and was promoted to second lieutenant. He was afterward Captain and then major of a colored regiment, and served three years. Vincent A. and Oliver R. enlisted in 1863 in the 140th Ohio Infantry, and were mustered out at Gallipolis, Ohio. All did a soldier's duty, and received honorable discharge. Francis Weldon, uncle of Mrs. Walker, was a soldier in the 1812 war.
| The 140th Ohio Infantry
The 140th Ohio Infantry was organized in Gallipolis, Ohio, and mustered in on May 10, 1864, for 100 days service under the command of Colonel Robert B. Wilson. The regiment left Ohio for Charleston, West Virginia on May 10. It was assigned to duty as garrison at Charleston and on guard duty along the Kanawha and Gauley Rivers until September. The 140th Ohio Infantry mustered out of service September 3, 1864, at Gallipolis. - from Wikipedia |
"Mr. and Mrs. Walker have two daughters: Eva S., born December 13, 1846, and Carrie B., born January 29, 1849. Carrie married David L. Geyer, of Pomeroy, this county, September 12, 1872, and they have four children: Edith M., Fordise C., Frances C. and Arthur N. Eva was many years a teacher, and is now at home with her parents, the comfort of their old age. Mr. Walker has a good farm, with his post office address at Chester, Meigs county, Ohio." - from "Meigs County Ohio - Bios: Chester Township" Hardesty's published 1883"
She "was the wife of William Church, in Rutland, Ohio, where he died, and she went to Iowa." She apprently did not go with her siblings, Caroline and Vincent, at the time of their emigration in the mid-1860's. I have an Emeline Church, aged 54 [1826], of Ohio, who was in the 1880 census for Rutland, Meigs county, Ohio with her husband, William Church. However, in the census of 1905, an Emeline Church was living in Douds-Leando, Chequest township, Van Buren county, Iowa. I think she was living with Abner and Caroline Hissem, on their farm. Her name falls on the census list immediately after theirs and just before that of John M. and Eleanor Lee.
(23) Vincent A. Walker (c1828)In the 1850 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Vincent Walker, 22. He was living at home with his parents, Obadiah and Cassandra, and siblings Melissa, Obadiah Jr., and Caroline.
"He married Sevilla Weldon [sister of Obadiah Jr's wife?] and moved to Iowa and died there." His wive's name is sometimes shown as Civilla E. Walker.
In the 1860 census of Lebanon township, Meigs county, Ohio as Vincent, a 32 year old farmer. Living with him was his wife, Olivia [sic], 30, and son, Francis, 1. Also living with him were his brother, Obadiah Jr., 30, and sisters, Melissa, 46, and Caroline, a 28 year old school teacher.
Member of the Lebanon township committee of the Military Committee for Meigs county in 1861. He served in the war.
"Vincent A. and Oliver R. enlisted in 1863 in the 140th Ohio Infantry, and were mustered out at Gallipolis, Ohio." - from "Meigs County Ohio - Bios: Chester Township" Hardesty's published 1883"
He moved to Iowa, probably in company with his sister, Caroline, and her new husband, Abner Hissem. In the 1870 and 1880 census of Van Buren county, Iowa as Vincent or V.A. Walker. In the 1885 Van Buren county, Iowa state census as Vincent A. Walker. Below is the 1875 plat map for Chequest township. Note the V. Walker's 40-acre parcel below A. Hissom's farm.
Below is the 1897 plat map with a slightly larger farm for Vincent, at 80 acres. I'm assuming the Vincent H. Walker is a mistranscription of Vincent's middle initial of "A."
In the 1850 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Obadiah Walker Jr., 19. He was living with his parents, Obadiah and Cassandra, and siblings Melissa, Vincent, and Caroline.
In the 1860 census of Lebanon township, Meigs county, Ohio as Obadiah Jr., 30. He was living with his older brother, Vincent, his wife, son, and sisters, Melissa and Caroline.
"He married Emily Weldon; lived and died in Chester township."
He served in the Civil War. A pay site, Fold3, has a lot of information on Obadiah.
"Obadiah, Jr., enlisted in the 7th Ohio Battery, and was promoted to second lieutenant. He was afterward Captain and then major of a colored regiment, and served three years." - from "Meigs County Ohio - Bios: Chester Township" Hardesty's published 1883"The 7th Battery was under the command Captain Silas A. Burnap. Obidiah F. Walker, 31, entered service as a 2nd Lieutenant on 1 December 1861 for a 3 year term of service. "Appointed [to the 7th Battery?] Feb. 6, 1862; promoted July 3, 1863, to Captain 1st Tennessee Heavy Artillery, afterward designated 3d U. S. Colored Troops, from which discharged Jan. 1, 1866." - from the "Official Roster of the Soldiers of the State of Ohio." Looks to me like he served over 4 years.
| The 7th Ohio Battery
"This battery was recruited in the county of Meigs, Ohio, by Captain S. A. Burnap. It was organized at Camp Dennison, and was mustered into the United States service January 1, 1862. On March 13, 1862, it received its arms and equipments, and on the 18th of the same month it marched to Cincinnati. It was there placed in cars and taken to St. Louis, with orders to report to General Halleck. On April 6th it received orders to report to General Grant at Pittsburg Landing, and on the same day went on board the steamer Edward Walsh, bound for that place. On April 11th it disembarked at Pittsburg Landing and reported to General Grant. On April 20th the battery was assigned to General Sherman's Fifth Division, of General Grant's army. On April 26th twenty, men of the Thirteenth Ohio Battery were transferred to the Seventh, the first-named battery being disbanded by order of General Hurlbut. On April 28th the advance on Corinth, Mississippi, was commenced, and the Seventh moved with the army until the evacuation of that place. Having been transferred to Hurlbut's Fourth Division, the battery marched with it to Grand Junction, by the way of Big Hatchie. It was quartered at Lagrange, Tennessee, for about one week, and then marched to Coldwater, where it had a skirmish with the enemy. It then returned to Lagrange, and thereafter marched to Memphis, Tennessee, arriving at the last named place on July 21, 1862. While at Memphis it made several reconnoissances, and remained up to September 6th. It then marched to Bolivar, Tennessee, where it arrived on the 16th of September. On a reconnoissance to Lagrange it came in contact with a large force of the Rebels, under Van Dorn and Price, and but for its rapid marching would have been overwhelmed. On October 4th the battery marched with its division to the relief of Corinth, then heavily pressed by the enemy. On this march the Rebels, in superior force, were met at the Big Hatchie and routed. In this affair a Rebel battery was captured; and, in consideration of tha gallantry of the Seventh Ohio Battery, it was presented by General Hurlbut with two of the captured guns. On December 12th the battery was at Yacona, Mississippi, below Coldwater and Holly Spring, having marched with General Grant's column to that place. The Rebels having captured Holly Springs, the troops were compelled to fall back to Memphis. On May 13, 1863, the battery was taken on transports to Young's Point, opposite Vicksburg, and thence it sailed up the Yazoo River and encamped at Haines's Bluff. From this point it marched to a position in the rear of Vicksburg, on the Warrenton Road, where it was relieved by General Herron's forces. It was then placed on the Hall's Ferry Road, and remained until the surrender of the city." - from "Territories of Washington, New Mexico, Nebraska, Colorado . . ." |
In 1863 Captain Obadiah F. Walker, 33, was transferred to the 3d US Colored Heavy Artillery - from the "United States Civil War Service Records of Union Colored Troops, 1863-1865."
| 1st Regiment Tennessee Heavy Artillery / 3rd U.S. Colored Troops
The 1st Tennessee Heavy Artillery was organized at Fort Pickering in Memphis, Tennessee in 1863. On 11 March 1864 it was redesignated the 2nd U. S. Heavy Artillery Regiment (Colored). On 26 April 1864 this was changed to the 3rd U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment. Muster out in December 1865. |
I have a Capt. Obadiah F. Walker who died in Ohio in 1866, the year of our Obadiah's discharge.
(23) Oscar Walker (c1831)He served in the war. He removed to Nevada. I have an Oscar Walker who was born in Ohio in about 1831 and lived in the Truckee River Valley, Washoe county, Nevada in 1880. His wife was Mary. There was a lot of silver mining in this area at that time.
(23) Bethia WalkerShe "was the wife of Baza Wells, in Chester. She had two children, but buried them and her husband also. She was married afterwards to Benjamin Brown, of Athens, Ohio. All are dead."
(23) Samaria WalkerShe "was married to James Decker, of Lebanon township. They had two or three children. Mr. Decker and Mrs. Decker died in Lebanon township."
(23) Caroline Walker (1832)My G-G-Grandmother. She was born on 29 June 1832 in Meigs county, Ohio. In the 1850 census of Chester township, Meigs county, Ohio as Caroline Walker, 17. She was living at home with her parents, Obadiah and Cassandra, and siblings Melissa, Vincent, and Obadiah Jr.
In the 1860 census of Lebanon township, Meigs county, Ohio she was listed as a 28 year old school teacher living with her brother, Vincent, and his young wife, Olivia. Also living in the house were her older sister, Melissa, and brother, Obadiah Jr.
She married "Abner Hissim [sic], of Tanner's Run, Ohio, but later they removed to Iowa."
"No 431Caroline and Abner Hissam moved to Van Buren county, Iowa in the mid-1860's.
Abner Hissem
To
Caroline Walker
May 12th 1862
Return filed herein as follows to wit -
"To the Judge of the Probate Court of Meigs County, Ohio. I hereby certify that on the 27th day of April A.D. 1862 Abner Hissim and Caroline Walker were joined in marriage by me, a Minister of the Gospel, by virtue of a license for that purpose issued from said Court. - (Signed) - A. Jordan"
W H Lasley Probate Judge" - from "The State of Ohio, Meigs County, SS, - Probate Court"
