Walker of Baldock & Willian, Hertfordshire

[pastimperfect]

Hi
I have been researching my Walker family for over 30 years.
They first appear in Baldock in the 1600's but by mid 1700's migrated to the nearby village of Willian where there was a Walker in residence until 2004!

Much has been made of the fact that an Elizabeth Walker baptised in 1583 and daughter of Augustine Walker, was the wife of Richard Warren of The Mayflower fame. I have not found any connections to my branch; indeed it is probable that Augustine originated from Warwickshire and lived briefly in Baldock where he was an Ale Taster before retiring to Great Amwell (approx 20 miles from Baldock)

My earliest Walker is Ralph, son of Ralph c 1660 who was Landlord of The Bull PH in Church Street, still standing today but as a private dwelling.

Most of the male Walkers were agricultural labourers and until the 1840's most were baptised in the parish church at Willian. With the advent of the railway and the decline of intense farm labouring, many diversified and moved to Kent or London working as bakers, gas light fitters and even in the Merchant Navy at Chatham. One Walker (William) went one step further and got transported to Van Dieman's Land in 1845 for stealing a copper pot worth £1.

Our branch is also a dying breed. My father Thomas is the last of this branch, having produced four girls and no boys to carry on this line that remained unbroken for so many centuries in Hertfordshire

[chapla1n]

Hi,

I too am looking for Walkers from Willian.

My GGG Granfather was William, born there 13.1.1828 - he married Ruth Bird in Bassingbourn, Cambs.

His father was John, born there 4.1.1779 - married to ?

His father was William, born there 29.6.1746 - married to?

His father was John - married to Anne.

Can you take me back any further, or help with the wives?

I'd appreciate any help you can give.

Blessings

Bob

[janbooth]

Bob,

According to the Militia Lists of Willian, there was a William WALKER recorded in Willian from 1768 through to 1785. In 1768 he was described as a Servant which normally means unmarried and by 1772 was shown as a Labourer as he was in 1773. By 1775 he is shown as a Labourer with 3 children, in 1778 as a Labourer, Poor with 3 children, 1779 & 1781, Labourer with 3 children, 1782 a Labourer with 5 children and back to 3 children in 1784 & 1785. There is a marriage on Hugh Wallis's IGI site (all extracted records so pretty reliable) of a William WALKER and Ann RAMSEY on 18 September 1771 at Willian (which is confirmed by HALS online marriage index), which fits in quite well with the Militia List, and also the births of some children.

There is also a marriage on HALS Online Marriage Index of a John WALKER of Willian and a Sarah PALMER at Weston on 20 February 1813.

Janet

[pastimperfect]

Ralph Walker b 1660 m Mary Fossie in Baldock, Hertfordshire

John Waker b 1684 m Elizabeth Lea in Baldock

Ralph Walker 1718- married Sarah FFolkes - a widow, Baldock

they had

William Walker who married Ann Ramsey and are direct ancestors of my family who moved into the village of Willian around 1771 upon marriage. William came from the nearby town of Baldock

They are the parents of John who married Sarah Palmer of Weston
they had

The 1861 UK Census for Willian shows William living with his mother Sarah (a widow) who was indeed the same Sarah Palmer of Weston married to John Walker

I have all the Walker BMD extracted from Willian Parish Registers

[chapla1n]

Thanks to Janet and Pastimperfect,

So much to get to work on.

Look forward to being in touch again.

Let me know if you want to know more about my William Walker and his family in Cambridgeshire.

Blessings

Bob

[Clive Blackaby]

Let me know if you want to know more about my William Walker and his family in Cambridgeshire.

Bob,
Just in case you're not familiar with the area, you could hurl the proverbial brick from Bassingbourne (Cambs) into Hertfordshire - well almost. At the time you are talking about, half of Royston (now wholly in Herts, and 3 1/2 miles away) was in Cambs, and likewise Baldock is less than 3 miles into Herts.

[pastimperfect]

[QUOTE=chapla1n;204303]Hi,

I too am looking for Walkers from Willian.

My GGG Granfather was William, born there 13.1.1828 - he married Ruth Bird in Bassingbourn, Cambs.

Bob

According to UK Census 1861 (YOB given C 1828); 1881 (YOB given c 1831) & 1891 (YOB given c 1833) the William that married Ruth Bird was born in Buckland, Hertfordshire. Buckland is a small village (nearest town, Royston) close to the Cambridgeshire border.

In the UK Census 1861 for Willian, William is a single man born c 1828 in Willian, Hertfordshire. He is the son of:

John Walker 1779 – 1856

Sarah Walker nee Palmer 1787 – 1865

He remains single and living alone throughout the census returns


Ally Walker

[Keith Daniells]

After 30 years you may have already covered this but you will find The Baldock Museum can be very helpfull. On a recent trip to England I made a point of calling in on them while chasing info on the Henwood family and they were able to provide quite a bit of info I had not know about. you can make contact to Brendon King 01462892640. Although not until the early 1900s the Henwoods had The Star PH just across from the Bull.