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Walker/Heisler/Orme/Harford

WILLIAM HARRY WALKER

28 Dec 1894 – 12 Nov 1961

William Harry Walker was the sixth child of William Z & Nannie (Heisler) Walker.  My mother told me that he was named for his grandfather William H. Heisler.  Harry, like his older brother William Leslie, was known by his middle name.  My mother always named him as Harry on her documentation.  His military records and death certificate both state: Harry Walker AKA William Harry Walker.

Per the family bible page, Harry was born 28 Dec 1894.[1]  This copy of the record for the birth of the Walker children was the only family record found.  His later government and civil records all matched this date.

I have found no record of baptism for Harry. Based on the way the older and younger children were baptized in “batches,” I’m led to believe that church attendance was an irregular event for this family. He was possibly baptized in another local church and those records have not yet been scanned.  I continue to check as new records become available.

Harry appears with his family on the 1900 census.[2]  At age five, they were living at 330 N 22nd Street in Philadelphia.  This row of houses no longer exists, having been destroyed during urban renewal and the expansion of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  He is the youngest of his siblings and is not yet attending school and is listed as being unable to read or write.  In April 1910, fifteen year-old Harry was enumerated with his parents and seven siblings at 2019 Monmouth Street in Philadelphia.  As of 2017, that row house still existed and is shown at the left.  Neither Harry nor his brother, John, are shown as being employed, but they are also not shown to be attending school that year.  It is not clear based on his records if he graduated from high school or if he left to seek employment.

Harry apparently inherited his father’s mechanical skills and on 24 Apr 1917 enlisted in the U.S. Army as a mechanic in the newly formed aero squadrons. He served with the 23rd, 45th, and 162nd Aero Squadrons. He served overseas in England from 31 Jan 1918 to 2 Feb 1919. He was honorably discharged on being demobilized 13 Feb 1919.

He was not a pilot, but like every good mechanic, he made sure to have his picture taken while sitting in one of the planes he maintained.

Harry’s original papers had apparently been lost and this 1920 document was the only record that was found in his wife, Margaret’s, personal papers after her death.  Interestingly, it states he enlisted 24 April 1917 to serve “for seven years” but was discharged 13 Feb 1919 by reason of “letter AGO 23 Jan 1919.”  AGO is Adjutant General’s Office and this was the demobilization order for his unit at the end of the war.  Seven years was a common enlistment as the military was building up for entry into World War I.  The Army had learned their lessons about short enlistments during the Civil War and had not yet settled on the “for the duration” enlistments that would be used during World War II.

Prior to his departure overseas, Harry met his future wife, Margaret Frith McLean, while training at Hazelhurst Field (later known as Roosevelt Field) just a short distance from Margaret’s home on Long Island, New York.  They had met at a dance, and wrote to each other while he was away and became engaged upon his return.  He and Margaret married on 27 Sep 1919, in Roslyn, Nassau, New York.[3]  Their marriage license lists Harry as an auto mechanic and Margaret as a typewriter.

From l-r:  John W. Mortimer, Harry, Margaret, and Jeanette McLean (Margaret’s cousin).

In 1920, Harry and Margaret were found living with her mother, Nettie McLean, in North Hempstead, Nassau, New York.[4]  It’s a crowded household with the Walkers, Margaret’s sister Ada and her new husband Jack, brother’s Edward and Welling, and widowed sister, Susie, with her two infant children.  You’ll notice that the husbands take second place to the daughters and are the only ones employed.

Our family story claims that the relationship between Harry and Margaret’s mother was not particularly warm and Harry couldn’t wait to return to Philadelphia.  They were in Philadelphia, living on Rowe Street, on 21 Aug 1923 when son Harry Craig was born.

While Harry remained in Philadelphia to work, Margaret removed to Howard Beach, Long Island in the summer of 1927.  Daughter Shirley Dolores was born there 18 Jul 1927.

By 1930, Harry is self-employed as a plasterer.  He and Margaret along with their two children are living with Harry’s sister Ruth and her husband Bill Schoenleber at the time of the 1930 census.[5]  We know based on stories shared by Margaret, Craig, and Shirlee that the early 1930s were difficult and lean times for the family.  Harry was constantly seeking work and taking what he could find to make ends meet.  Craig recalled his father whittling children’s pull toys and selling them door-to-door during the depression.  He and Shirlee both told of Harry buying candy and repackaging it and selling that also.  They also spoke of counting out the pennies at the butcher shop for a small piece of meat to go in the soup pot.  Neither felt as though they were any poorer than their neighbors at the time, but there was very little money in the household.

In 1932 Harry travelled to Washington D.C., joining the “Bonus Army” as they demanded a promised cash bonus be paid early.  The World War Adjusted Compensation Act of 1924 had awarded each of the men who served in the World War a bonus certificate they could redeem in 1945.  With interest, the value would be about $1000.  The veterans needed the money now.  They were not successful in winning the bonus and Harry returned home.  There will be a separate post that tells of the events that unfolded around the gathering in Washington and why it left Harry angry and resentful with the government.

In 1934, Harry completed his Veterans Service and Compensation Application.[6]  This form provided his proof of military service so that he could be paid his bonus when it was finally passed.  That finally occurred in 1936.  The address provided is of 1923 E. Orleans Street.

By 1940, Harry and family had moved to their own place at 2150 Birch [Read more…] about WILLIAM HARRY WALKER

December 22, 2020 By Sharon Leave a Comment

Walker/Heisler/Orme/Harford

Finding Phoebe Ann Lincoln Walker Part 2 of 2

The hunt for Annie Barrett was on, and she immediately turned up on the 1900 census in Camden, New Jersey. I knew I had the right woman when I saw her parents were both born in England. There were several hours of crazed digging as I worked through the records and found the 1910 census and the 1895 New Jersey State Census. After marrying Thomas, she appears on records as both Phoebe and as Ann/Anna/Annie. I also found New Jersey birth and marriage registrations for several of her children, as well as a Social Security Application for one to prove Annie Barrett’s maiden name was Walker.

Here’s what I can prove so far along with a timeline for Phoebe Ann and her husband Thomas P. Barrett:

Phoebe Ann Lincoln Walker married Thomas Patrick Barrett about 1884. Thomas was born about 1863 in Ireland, the son of Thomas Barrett (1843-1875) and Johanna Griffin (1843-?). His immigration dates appear as 1865/66 and he lists himself as naturalized. Thomas appears with his family on the 1870 census as Patrick. There are multiple Thomas and Patrick Barretts in Philadelphia and New Jersey which has lead to some confusion. However, our Thomas Patrick Barrett is a machinist in Camden from at least 1895-1940. His job and location do not vary, and throughout his adult life, one or more of his children is in the same household.

1884 – Phoebe Ann and Thomas Patrick marry. I believe in a church in Philadelphia, but I have not yet found a record of the marriage. This is based on their census information.
1885 May 23 – son Charles Lawrence Barrett born in Philadelphia.1
1887 Mar – daughter Annie Barrett born in Philadelphia.
1887 Jul 1 – daughter Annie Barrett died in Philadelphia.2
1888 Jun 30 – daughter Mary (Mamie/Mame) A. Barrett born in Philadelphia.3
1891 Feb 12 – daughter Catherine Barrett born in Philadelphia.4
1893 Jul 28 – daughter Johannah/Joanna/Hannah Josephine Barrett born in Philadelphia.5
1895 May 15 – New Jersey State Census, Camden – Thomas P. Barrett, Annie, Charles, Mamie, Joanna, Katherine.6
1897 Oct 2 – daughter Cecelia/Celia Barrett born in Camden, New Jersey.7
1900 Feb 20 – son Thomas Patrick Barrett (Jr) born in Camden, New Jersey.8
1900 Jun 4 – Federal Census, Camden – Barrett, Thomas Mar 1863, married 16 years, Machinist, Annie July 1865, 7 children, 6 living, Chas May 1885, Mary Jun 1888, Katherine Feb 1891, Hannah Aug 1893, Celia Oct 1897, Thomas Feb 1900.9
1901 Jan 29 – sister-in-law Kate (Unknown) Walker dies and names Annie Barrett in her will.10
1902 Jul 26 – daughter Helen Bessie Barrett born in Camden, New Jersey.11
1905 Jun 14 – New Jersey State Census, Camden – 932 Howard St. Thos P. Barrett 41 Machinist, Annie P. 38, Chas L. 20, Mary 16, Katherine 14, Johanna 12, Celia 8, Thos P 6, Helen B 3.12
1908 – daughter Mary Barrett marries Albert P. Richter.13
1908 Nov 25 – son Charles Lawrence marries Mary C. Frees in Philadelphia.14
1910 Apr 28 – Federal Census, Camden – 932 Howard St. Barrett, Thomas P, 46, Machinist, Phoebe A. 41, Catherine 19, Johanna 17, Cecelia 13, Thomas 10, Helen 8, Johanna 66 [Thomas’ mother].15
1910 daughter Catherine marries Archie Mason. [Based on census]
1912 Dec 27 Phoebe Ann Lincoln Walker Barrett dies Camden
1916-17 – daughter Cecelia marries Lloyd Fulcher.
1920 – Not yet found on the census, however Thomas, Thomas Jr. are in the Camden City Directory.17 They along with Helen, and Mary are in the Camden City Directory from 1921-25 at 210 Main St.
1924 Aug 19 daughter Josephine marries William Shaner in Camden.18
1925 – daughter Helen marries Edward Gribbin. [Based on census]
1926 – son Thomas Jr. marries Catherine Guilfoy in Philadelphia.19
1930 Apr 8 – Federal Census, Camden – 224 Main St. Barrett, Thomas P. 65 Wd, Richter Mary 37 divorced [dau], Richter Thomas 18 [grandson].20
1940 Apr 4 – Federal Census, Camden – Elm St, Barrett, Thomas P. 75 Wd, Shaner, Josephine 39 Wd [Dau], Murphy, Florence 17 [Granddaughter] They are residing in the home of Raymond Heater and Josephine is listed as the housekeeper.21
After 1940 – Thomas Patrick Barrett passed away.

The documentation is available on the BurgraffScott family tree on Ancestry and being added to FamilySearch.org.



Footnotes:
1. Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, FHL Film #1,289,324, Charles L. Barrett, 23 May 1885, Father Thomas Bareet, Mother Annie Barrtt; digital image, “Pennsylvania Births and Christening, 1709-1950,” (11 Aug 2017).
2. Pennsylvania City of Philadelphia, Philadelphia City Death Certificates 1803-1915, FHL Film #2,078,756: Annie Barrett, 1 Jul 1887, age 3 mo, Father Thomas P. Barrett, mother Annie Barrett; digital image, Family Search, New Family Search (http://pilot.familysearch.org: 11 Aug 2017).
3. Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bk Jan 1888, p. 296, Mary Barrett, 30 Jun 1888, Father Thos. Barrett, other Annie Barrett; digital image, “Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, City Births 1860-1906,” (11 Aug 2017).
4. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 Aug 2017), Catherine Mason, b. 12 Feb 1891, d. Aug 1978.
5. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 11 Aug 2017), Josephine Shaner, b 28 Jul 1893, d. Jan 1964.
6. New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, p. 144, family 882, line 4305, Annie Barrett, 20-60; digital images, Ancestry(accessed 12 Aug 2017).
7. “New Jersey, Births and Christenings Index, 1660-1931,” database(accessed 12 Aug 2017), Female Barrett, b. 2 Oct 1897, father Thomas Barrett, mother Phoebe Walker; FHL Film #494237.
8. “New Jersey, Births and Christenings Index, 1660-1931,” database(accessed 12 Aug 2017), Male Barrett, 20 Feb 1900, father Thomas Barrett, mother Phoebe Walker; FHL Film #494237.
9. 1900 U.S. census, Camden, New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, enumeration district (ED) 33, p. 4A, dwelling 79, family 80, Annie Barrett; digital images, Ancestry (accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T623, roll 957.
10. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Kate Walker, 7 Feb 1901, Philadelphia, Case #230, Wills, No 218-245, 1901; digital images, Ancestry (accessed 11 Aug 2017).
11. Social Security Administration, “Social Security Death Index,” database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 12 Aug 2017), Helen Gribbin, b. 26 Jul 1902, d. 5 May 1989.
12. 1905 State Census, New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, p. 35, line 43, Annie P. Barrett, 38; digital images, FamilySearch.org(accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing FHL microfilm 1,688,591.
13. New Jersey, Marriage Index, 1901-1914, “Ancestry,” database (accessed 12 Aug 2017), Mary Barrett to Albert Richter 1908.
14. “Philadelphia Marriage Indexes, 1885-1951,” database, Fmaily Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 12 Aug 2017), Charles Barrett to Mary Frees, 1908.
15. 1910 U.S. census, Camden, New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, enumeration district (ED) 8, p. 14B, dwelling 270, family 278, Phoebe A. Barrett, 41; digital images, Ancestry (accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T624, roll 872.
16. 1915 New Jersey State Census, New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, Camden, p. 16A, family 346, line 30, Thomas P. Barrett; digital images, FamilySearch(accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing FHL Film #1,465,509.
17. Camden, New Jersey, City Directory, 1920 p.89, Barrett, Thos, machst, h 63 State St; digital imagesaccessed 12 Aug 2017.
18. New Jersey, United Methodist Church Records, 1800-1970, “Trinity, Camden, 19 Aug 1924 William Shaner to Josephine Barrett,”; digital images, Ancestry.
19. “Philadelphia Marriage Indexes, 1885-1951,” database, Fmaily Search (http://www.familysearch.org : accessed 12 Aug 2017), Thomas Barrett to Catherine Guilfoy, 1926.
20. 1930 U.S. census, Camden, New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, enumeration district (ED) 2, p. 7A, dwelling 89, family 93, Thomas P. Barett, 65; digital images, Ancestry (accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T626, roll 1319.
21. 1940 U.S. census, Camden, New Jersey, population schedule, Camden, enumeration district (ED) 8-3, p. 2A, Thomas P. Barret, 75; digital images, Ancestry (accessed 12 Aug 2017); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm T627, roll 2342.

August 13, 2017 By Sharon Leave a Comment

Walker/Heisler/Orme/Harford

Finding Phoebe Ann Lincoln Walker Part 1 of 2

Phoebe Ann Lincoln Walker has been one of those women that has made me insane over the years. We found her full name in the baptismal record. She was born 28 Jul 1865 and baptized 8 Nov of that year in the Church of the Redemption. Like many children that year, she received Lincoln’s name after his assassination. She appeared on the 1870 census as Phoebe and on the 1880 census as Annie L. As with many women, she disappears after 1880. The marriage records aren’t helpful and the twenty year gap between census records adds to the problem.

I have searched for Phoebe Ann dozens of times under both names, but never found her. Based on her mother Ann (Orme) Walker’s 1900 census I knew Phoebe Ann was still alive and out there just waiting to be found. This last week, I was writing about the Walkers, and I decided to go through all the documentation one last time. Phoebe was still a dead end, but I worked through all her siblings again hoping for a clue.

With the addition of the Pennsylvania Wills and Probate by Ancestry in 2015, there was finally an easy way to work through the wills for all the family members. There was no will for Phoebe’s brother, Ralph Orme Walker, but on a whim, I decided to check for a will for his second wife Kate who died 29 Jan 1901. I hoped that I might find a sibling or something that would lead me to Kate’s maiden name. She had a will, but she didn’t name any siblings. However, God bless Kate, she did name all of Ralph’s surviving siblings—including Annie Barrett.1

Excerpt from Kate Walker’s 1901 Will

Phoebe Ann Lincoln Walker BARRETT. Finally, a name to work with.



Footnotes:
1. Pennsylvania, Wills and Probate Records, 1683-1993, Kate Walker, 7 Feb 1901, Philadelphia, Case #230, Wills, No 218-245, 1901; digital images, Ancestry (accessed 11 Aug 2017).

August 12, 2017 By Sharon Leave a Comment

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