The Family of Jeremiah Walker (1799-1850)
This will be a fairly short post about the parents and siblings of Abraham Walker (1823-1884). As you’ll recall, Abraham was the immigrant ancestor who came from Lancashire to Philadelphia in the late 1840s. His father Jeremiah Walker was born in Hollinwood, Lancashire, in about 1792-93, the youngest found son of James Walker and Elizabeth Sandiford. He was baptized 3 Feb 1799 in St. Margaret’s in Hollinwood.1 Jeremiah married Mary Newton in the Manchester Cathedral on 25 Sep 1821.2 Mary Newton was born 1792-93 in Lancashire, but we do not yet know whom her parents were. There is simply not enough information at this time to narrow this down. Their ages were not listed in the baptismal records and the first time we find an age is with the 1841 England Census.3 Both were listed at 49 and Mary’s age stayed consistent in later censuses.
Based on the known birth years and baptism dates of their children, this does not appear to be a family that rushed to the church to baptize their children as babies. While researching these families, I found numerous children 2-7 years of age in the burial records that did not appear in the baptism records. Jeremiah was buried 9 Sep 1850 in St. Peter’s Churchyard. Mary was buried 27 Dec 1878 in the same churchyard.
Jeremiah and Mary had six known children:
Abraham Walker (1823-1884) – previously discussed.
John Walker – born about 1824, baptized 23 Jul 1826 in St. Michaels.4 It appears that John also came to Philadelphia. He married Mary A. Thompson in Philadelphia 26 Feb 1859. John and Mary’s son Charles Alfred Walker was born there in 1863. Mary died 7 Sep 1864 and John died of typhoid fever 19 Dec 1865.7,8 In 1868, Charles was baptized as Abraham and Ann’s son,9 but on his 1880 death certificate, Abraham named his parents as John and Mary.10 Sadly, with the number of John and Mary Walkers in both Lancashire and Philadelphia, it’s near impossible to sort them out to gather any further details. Charles Alfred Walker died of endocarditis 24 Jun 1880 and was interred in Mount Moriah.
Martha Walker – born about 1826, died May 1828, buried 4 May 1828 in St. Michael’s Churchyard.11 The burial register stated her age as 2.
Jonathan Walker – born Sep 1828, baptized 2 Feb 1829,12 died Jun 1830, buried 12 Jun 1830, St. Michael’s.13 The burial register stated his age as 19 months.
Elizabeth Walker – born May 1831, baptized 15 Jan 1832,14 died Oct 1832, buried 7 Oct 1832, St. Michael’s.15 The burial register stated her age as 17 months.
Jeremiah Walker – born about 1833, baptized 18 Aug 1844, died 6 Sep 1885 in Trenton, Mercer, New Jersey. He may not be in my direct line, but I found him fascinating, and fairly well documented—plus chasing his kids became a team project with my cousin Jamie. His story and sources will be in the next post will be about Jeremiah and his family.
Footnotes:
1. St. Margaret (Hollinwood, Lancashire, England), “Christening Records,” Baptism: Jeremiah Walker 3 Feb 1799, son of James and Betty Walker; FHL microfilm 1,435,717, item 3.
2. Manchester Cathedral (Manchester, Lancashire, England), “Marriage Records,” p470, #1409, 25 Sep 1821, Jeremiah Walker and Mary Newton; FHL microfilm 1,545,580.
3. 1841 Census of England, Lancashire, Ashton Under Lyne, p. 29 Line 17; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., “1841 England Census,” Ancestry (http://www.Ancestry.com).
4. St Michaels (Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England), “Baptisms,” John Walker, baptized 23 Jul 1826; FHL microfilm 547,823.
5. 1861 census of England, Lancashire, Ashton-Under-Lyne, folio 16, page 32, Mary Walker, 69 (1792), St. Michael; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., Ancestry (http://www.ancestry. com : accessed 8 Jul 2017); citing PRO RG 9/2981.
6. 1871 census of England, Lancashire, Ashton-Under-Lyne, folio 52, page 17, Mary Walker, 79 (1792), St Michael; digital images, The Generations Network, Inc., Ancestry (www.ancestry. com : accessed 8 Jul 2017); citing PRO RG 10/4070. Pennsylvania City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Death Certificates 1803-1915, Mary A. Walker, died 7 Sep 1864; digital image, Family Search, New Family Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org: 5 Jul 2017).
7. Pennsylvania City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Death Certificates 1803-1915, Mary A. Walker, died 7 Sep 1864; digital image, Family Search, New Family Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org: 5 Jul 2017).
8. Pennsylvania City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Death Certificates 1803-1915, John Walker, age 42, born England, died 19 Dec 1865, buried 21 Dec 1865, FHL Film 1987498; digital image, Family Search, New Family Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org).
9. Church of the Redemption (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia County), “Baptismal Record,” Charles Alfred Walker, baptized 12 Apr 1868; FHL microfilm 1,731,982, item shows birth date of 23 Jan 1863.
10. Pennsylvania City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Death Certificates 1803-1915, Charles Alfred Walker, died 24 Jun 1880, son of John and Mary Walker; digital image, Family Search, New Family Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org: 20 Jun 2008).
11. St Michaels (Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England), “Burials,” Martha Walker, buried 4 May 1828, age 2, daughter of Jeremiah Walker;
12. St Michaels (Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England), “St. Michael’s Church,” Baptisms p.200; Jonathan 2 Feb 1829, son of Jeremiah and Mary Walker, FHL microfilm 547,823.
13. St Michaels (Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England), “Burials,” Jonathan, buried 12 Jun 1830, age 19 months, son of Jeremiah Walker;
14. St Michaels (Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England), “Baptism Register p. 132,” Elizabeth, baptism 15 Jan 1832, daughter of Jeremiah and Mary Walker; FHL microfilm 547,823
15. St Michaels (Ashton Under Lyne, Lancashire, England), “Burials,” Betty, buried 7 Oct 1832, age 17 mo., daughter of Jeremiah Walker; FHL microfilm 1,545,443.