By Muriel Bristol | August 18, 2024
Joseph Walker was born in the Northeast Parish of Rochester, NH, February 12, 1769, son of Richard and Sarah S. (Wentworth) Walker. He was a namesake for his paternal grandfather, Joseph Walker, and/or his paternal uncle, Joseph Walker, Jr.
His parents were among the earliest settlers of Rochester’s Northeast Parish and Joseph Walker would have been among the first settler children born in what is now Milton.
Richard Walker was also a very early settler and a near neighbor of Mr. [Jonathan] Twombly; probably there was very little difference in the time of their settlement [circa 1760]. … The date of Mr. Twombly’s settlement is obtained from the birth of his daughter, Betsey, who afterwards married [in 1789] James C. Hayes. She was born June 4, 1862 [1762], and is believed to have been the first white child born in town (Scales).
(The known children of Richard and Sarah S. (Wentworth) Walker were: Joseph Walker (1769–1850), Abigail Walker (1772–1842), Betsy Walker (1776-1844), Lydia Walker (1779–1826), Richard Walker (1781-1790), and Sarah Walker (1785–1827)).
Father Richard Walker was among the one hundred one men that signed a petition, February 8, 1762, seeking representation for the first time for Rochester, NH, in the NH Provincial Assembly, or legislature. (For whatever reason, Walker’s early settler neighbor, Jonathan Twombly, did not sign). Their petition noted that Rochester had been settled for “upwards of thirty years,” and had by then grown to include “upwards of a Hundred and thirty families.”
Father Richard Walker was later among the one hundred ninety-eight men who signed the revolutionary Association Test in Rochester, NH, June 1, 1776. (Brother-in-law Josiah Main signed also, as did neighbor Jona Twambley).
WE, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with ARMS, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets, and Armies, against the United American COLONIES (Batchellor, 1910).
Twenty-two Rochester men “refused” to sign. Another twenty-two Rochester Friends, i.e., “Quakers,” did not “choose” to sign, i.e., they were conscientious objectors.
Father Richd Walker and uncle Joseph Walker were among the three hundred ten Rochester inhabitants that petitioned the NH legislature, August 30, 1785, seeking repeal of an act requiring milled boards to be square-edged and an inch thick (and other lumber in proportion). Those inhabitants described themselves then as being “largely Concerned in Lumber.” They sought also repeal of an act forbidding transport of lumber to the British West Indies, and seeking the issuance of a new paper money (Hammond, 1884). (See Rochester Lumber Remonstrance – August 1785).
Richd Walker headed a Rochester, NH, household at the time of the First (1790) Federal Census. His household included two males aged 16-plus years [himself and son Joseph Walker], and five females [Sarah (Wentworth) Walker, and daughters Abigail Walker, Betsy Walker, Lydia Walker, and Sarah Walker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of George Hays and Jona Twombly. (See Northeast Parish in the First (1790) Federal Census).
Joseph Walker of Milton was a subscriber to the Rochester Social Library in or after 1792, as were Milton’s Levi Jones, Jotham Nute, Barnabas Palmer, Lt. William Palmer, and Beard Plumer (McDuffee, 1892). This private library remained active until about 1823, by which time it had acquired 400 volumes (McDuffee, 1892; NH State Librarian, 1892). (See also Milton Social Library – 1822)).
Joseph Walker married in Lebanon, ME, November 10, 1796, Sarah “Sally” Pray. She was born in Lebanon, ME, in 1776, daughter of Joshua and Sarah (Roberts) Pray. (She was a sister of Dr. Samuel Pray (1769-1854) of Rochester, NH, who would attend upon wounded Milton militiaman Norton Scates in 1807).
(The known children of Joseph and Sarah (Pray) Walker were: Richard Walker (1797–1883), Abigail Walker (1799–1858), Mercy Walker (1801–1869), Asa Tibbetts Walker (1803-1886), Emeline “Emily” Walker (1806–1881), Elizabeth B. Walker (1808–1825), Joseph H. Walker (1812–1859), Sarah A. Walker (1814–1902), and Harriet N. “Hattie” Walker (1817–1892)).
Son Richard Walker was born in the Northeast Parish of Rochester, NH, January 10, 1797. He was a namesake for his paternal grandfather, with whom they lived.
Sister Elizabeth “Betsy” Walker married in Rochester, NH, January 21, 1797, Benjamin Tibbetts. He was born in Rochester, NH, January 9, 1775.
Sister Abigail Walker married Ebenezer French. He was born in Farmington, NH, in 1774.
Daughter Abigail Walker was born in the Northeast Parish of Rochester, NH, February 25, 1799.
Father Richd Walker headed a Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, household at the time of the Second (1800) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 45-plus years [Richard Walker], one female aged 45-plus years [Sarah (Wentworth) Walker], one male aged 26-44 years [Joseph Walker], one female aged 26-44 years, one male aged 16-25 years [Richard Y. Walker], one female aged 16-25 years [Sarah (Pray) Walker], one female aged 10-15 years [Sarah Walker], one male aged under-10 years [Richard Walker], and one female aged under-10 years [Abigail Walker]. (See Northeast Parish in the Second (1800) Federal Census).
Daughter Mercy Walker was born in the Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, August 23, 1801.
Joseph Walker and his father, Richard Walker, both signed the Rochester Division Petition of 1802.
Son Asa Tibbetts Walker was born in Milton, November 24, 1803. Daughter Emeline “Emily” Walker was born in Milton, April 24, 1806. Daughter Elizabeth B. “Eliza” Walker was born in Milton, August 3, 1808.
Father Richard Waker [Walker] headed a Milton household at the time of the Third (1810) Federal Census. HIs household included one male aged 45-plus years [himself], one female aged 45-plus [Sarah (Wentworth) Walker], one male aged 26-44 years [Joseph Walker], three females aged 26-44 years [Lydia Walker, Sarah Walker, and Sarah (Pray) Walker], one male aged 10-15 years [Richard Walker], one female aged 10-15 years [Abigail Walker], one male aged under-10 years [Asa T. Walker], and three females aged under-10 years [Mercy Walker, Emeline Walker, and Eliza B. Walker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Saml Bragdon and Isaac Wentworth.
Son Joseph H. Walker was born in Milton, January 20, 1812.
Father Richard Walker of Milton, husbandman, made his last will, June 16, 1812. He devised a life estate in one-half of his dwelling house and the firewood held and cut at the door to his beloved wife, Sarah Walker. She was to have cut firewood sufficient to maintain one fire. She was to receive one-quarter of the produce raised on the farm, excepting hay, of which she was to receive enough to winter two cows and four sheep. He devised all his real estate and farming utensils to his son, Joseph Walker, including that in which Sarah Walker had a life estate. He devised $1 to his eldest daughter Abigail French, and $1 to his second daughter Betsy Tibbetts, above what they had already received. He devised to his third and fourth daughters, Lydia Walker and Sarah Walker, as much as would make their share equal with their elder married sisters. This was to be paid within two years or the times of their marriages. Meanwhile, they were to have the use of the back room of his dwelling house. He appointed his son, Joseph Walker as executor. Aaron Wingate, George S. Hayes, and Samuel Bragdon signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 13:334).
Father Richard Walker died in Milton, April 9, 1813, aged seventy-seven years.
Mr. Walker died in 1813 at the age of seventy-seven years, and he and his wife are buried very near their old neighbors (Scales).
The last will of father Richard Walker was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Dover, NH, April 20, 1813 (Strafford County Probate, 13:336).
Sister Lydia Walker married in Alton, NH, September 5, 1813, Samuel Bragdon, both of Milton. Rev. John Page performed the ceremony. Bragdon was born in 1771.
Mother Sarah S. (Wentworth) Walker died in Milton, February 7, 181[4?], aged seventy-one years. (Her gravestone appears to say 1811, but that would have had her dying before her husband named her in his last will of June 1812).
Daughter Sarah A. Walker was born in Milton, April 20, 1814.
The Milton Selectmen of 1815-17 were Jas. Roberts, Josiah Witham, and Jos. Walker.
Joseph Walker and James Roberts signed the Milton Road Weight Petition of 1816. (See Milton Road Weight Petition – 1816). (For whatever reason, the third selectman, Josiah Witham, did not so sign).
Daughter Harriet N. “Hattie” Walker was born in Milton, May 15, 1817.
Joseph Walker and his son, Richard Walker, both signed the April 1820 petition requesting the appointment of James Roberts as a Milton justice-of-the-peace. (See Milton Seeks a Magistrate – 1820).
Joseph Walker signed the June 1820 remonstrance petition requesting that Milton not be divided in two parts. (See Milton Militia Dispute – 1820 and Milton Anti-Division Remonstrance – June 1820).
Joseph Walker signed the June 1823 petition requesting that Gilman Jewett be appointed as a Milton coroner. (See Milton Seeks a Coroner – June 1823).
Father-in-law Joshua Pray died in Milton, October 21, 1823, aged eighty-one years. Mother-in-law Sarah (Roberts) Pray died in Milton, November 24, 1824, aged seventy-seven years.
Brother-in-law Ebenezer French died in Alton, NH, November 26, 1824, aged forty-nine years.
Son Richard Walker married (1st), in 1825, Sarah “Sally” Hatch, he of Dover, NH, and she of Milton. She was born in Northeast Parish, Rochester, NH, August 22, 1798, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Henderson) Hatch. Rev. James Walker performed the ceremony.
Daughter Mercy Walker married in Milton, July 4, 1825, Ruben Jones Witham. Rev. Hershell Foster performed the ceremony. He was born in Milton, December 4, 1801, son of Josiah and Mehitable (Jones) Witham.
Daughter Elizabeth B. Walker died in Milton, November 18, 1825.
Sister Lydia (Walker) Bragdon died in Milton, July 10, 1826, aged forty-six years. Sister Sarah Walker died in Milton, August 5, 1827, aged forty-one years.
Joseph Walker headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself], one female aged 50-59 years [Sarah (Pray) Walker], one female aged 30-39 years [Abigail Walker], one female aged 20-29 years [Emeline Walker], one male aged 20-29 years [Joseph H. Walker], one female aged 15-19 years [Sarah A. Walker], and one female aged 10-14 years [Harriet N. Walker]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Isaac Wentworth and Theod. C. Lyman.
Richd Walker headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], one female aged 30-39 years [Sarah (Hatch) Walker], one female aged 20-29 years, one male aged 15-19 years, one female aged under-5 years [Eliza A. Walker], and one male aged under-5 years [Richard Walker]. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Thos Merrow and Chas Swasey.
R.J. Witham headed a Milton household at the time of the Fifth (1830) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], and one female aged 20-29 years [Mercy (Walker) Witham]. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Josiah Witham and John Witham.
Daughter Emeline Walker married, in 1833, Hiram William Varney. He was born in Berwick, ME, May 14, 1804, son of Timothy and Abigail (Scribner) Varney.
Asa T. Walker married in Somersworth, November 15, 1835, Louisa Morrill, both of Berwick, ME. Rev. Eleazar Smith performed the ceremony. She was born in Falmouth, ME, in 1807, daughter of James and Abigail (Lowe) Morrill.
Son Joseph H. Walker married in Dover, NH, December 16, 1835, Elizabeth Lake Hildrup, both of Dover, NH. Rev. Jared Perkins performed the ceremony. She was born in Newburyport, MA, June 20, 1817, daughter of Jocelyn and Mary (Samples) Hildrup.
Daughter-in-law Sarah “Sally” (Hatch) Walker died in 1837.
Brother-in-law Samuel Bragdon of Milton made his last will, May 5, 1838. He devised to his wife, Lydia [(Walker)] Bragdon, and his children, Louisa Bragdon, John Bragdon, Moses Bragdon, Sarah [(Walker)] Shapleigh, and Betsy [(Walker)] Lyman. He appointed Stephen M. Mathes to be his executor. Joseph Walker, Isaac Wentworth, and Joshua A. Hanson witnessed Bragdon’s signature (Strafford County Probate, 59:338).
Daughter Sarah Ann Walker married in Milton, May 31, 1838, Josiah Norton Witham, both of Milton. Rev. John French performed the ceremony. Witham was born in Milton, November 25, 1815, son of Josiah and Mehitable (Jones) Witham.
Joseph Walker attended the Union Methodist Church (in the then Milton circuit) and was a steward of that church in 1839.
A [Methodist] church was at Union village for many years in active operation. Milton circuit, October, 1831. A.H. Houghton, preacher in charge, J. Worster, assistant circuit preacher, held quarterly meetings at Milton, Union village, Brookfield and Wakefield. October, 1832, Wolfeborough, Milton Mills, Milton Three Ponds, Brookfield. John Adams, L.E. Gordon, assistant. 1833, July. Circuit divided into Milton and Wakefield circuits; quarterly meeting at new meeting house; John Adams and Moses Chase, preachers. 1834, last quarterly conference at the old meeting-house in centre of the town. 1839, Joseph Smith, preacher; Elisha Mills, local preacher and class leader at Union; stewards, Thomas Chapman, Luther Wentworth, Joseph Walker, Samuel Applebee (Merrill, 1889).
Son Richard Walker married (2nd), in 1840, Elizabeth “Eliza” Hatch. She was born in Newington, NH, in 1803, daughter of William and Elizabeth (Henderson) Hatch (and younger sister of Walker’s deceased wife).
Joseph Walker headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 70-79 years [himself], one female aged 60-69 years [Sarah (Pray) Walker], and one female aged 20-29 years [Harriet N. Walker]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. His household appeared in the enumeration between those of Samuel Bragdon and Joseph L. Walker (with Isaac Wentworth just beyond Joseph L. Walker).
Ruben J. Witham headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], and one female aged 30-39 years [Mercy (Walker) Witham]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his father,] Josiah Witham, and Nathan Jones.
John Scates headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 60-69 years [himself] and one female aged 40-49 years [Abigail (Walker) Scates]. One member of his household was engaged in Manufacture and the Trades. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Pinkham and Maurice Henderson.
Hiram Varney headed a Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 30-39 years [himself], two females aged 30-39 years [Emily (Walker) Varney], one female aged 5-9 years [Eliza A. Varney], one male aged under-5 years [Charles W. Varney], and two females aged under-5 years [Emily A. Varney and Clara A. Varney].
Joseph L. Walker headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. HIs household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], one female aged 20-29 years [(Elizabeth (Hildrup) Walker)], and one male aged under-5 years [Joseph Walker]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of [his father,] Joseph Walker, and Isaac Wentworth.
Josiah N. Witham headed a Milton household at the time of the Sixth (1840) Federal Census. His household included one male aged 20-29 years [himself], and one female aged 20-29 years [Sarah A. (Walker) Witham]. One member of his household was engaged in Agriculture. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Levi Wentworth and [his father,] Josiah Witham.
Brother-in-law Samuel Bragdon died in Milton, December 11, 1840, aged sixty-nine years, ten months. HIs last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Somersworth, NH, December 22, 1840 (Strafford County Probate, 59:340).
Sister Abigail (Walker) French died in Alton, NH, September 10, 1842, aged sixty-nine years. Sister Elizabeth “Betsy” (Walker) Tibbetts died in Newbury, VT, February 4, 1844, aged sixty-eight years.
Son-in-law Reuben J. Witham of Milton made his last will September 23, 1845.
Son-in-law Reuben J. Witham died in 1845. His last will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Rochester, NH, February 3, 1846.
Son Richard Walker invented a file-making machine, upon which the Portsmouth Journal reported in 1847.
FILE MACHINE. – Most of the files now used in this country are imported, being made in England by hand, with great labor. The Portsmouth Journal states that Mr. Richard Walker has invented and patented a machine, now in operation, which will ere long make files an article of export instead of import. Three machines, which can be tended by one man, can complete twenty common files an hour. A steam engine of five horsepower can put at least 50 of these machines in operation (Pittsfield Sun (Pittsfield, MA), November 11, 1847).
Joseph Walker of Milton made his last will on November 23, 1849. He devised all of his household furniture to his “beloved wife,” Sally Walker, so long as she might live, as well as $50 annually. He devised to two of his sons, Richard Walker and Joseph Walker, $5 in addition to what they had already received from him. He devised to three of his daughters, Mercy [Witham], Sarah A. Witham, and Emily Varney, $5 in addition to what they had already received from him. He devised to his daughter, Abigail Scates, $25 in addition to what she had already received from him. He devised to his daughter, Harriet N. Walker, all of his household furniture (after the decease of his wife) and the use and occupancy of the back room in the house, “so long as she remains single or unmarried.” He appointed his son, Asa T. Walker, as sole executor. He was to pay out the monetary legacies, resolve any remaining debts, and for his own share of the estate take all of the real and personal estate that might remain. L.L. Leighton, Daniel P. Warren, and Irena B. [(Twombly)] Warren signed as witnesses (Strafford County Probate, 61:414).
Joseph Walker died of lung fever in Milton, January 22, 1850, aged eighty-one years. He was a farmer (1850 U.S. Census Mortality Schedule). His last will was proved in Strafford County Probate court held in Dover, NH, February 5, 1850 (Strafford County Probate, 61:414).
Richard Walker, a machinist, aged fifty-three years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Eliza [(Hatch)] Walker, aged forty-seven years (b. NH), Eliza A. Walker, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Emma Walker, aged eight years (b. NH), Edward Walker, a baker, aged fifteen years, Charles Walker, aged thirteen years, Harriet S. Walker, aged seven years (b. NH), Ellen Walker, aged six years (b. NH), and William Hatch, a farmer, aged eighty-two years (b. NH).
John Scates, a tailor, aged seventy-five years (b. ME), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Abigail [(Walker)] Scates, aged fifty-one years (b. NH). John Scates had real estate valued at $300. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Martha A. [(Nutter)] Towle, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and David Washburn, a shoe manufacturer, aged thirty-five years (b. MA).
Joseph Coleman, a joiner, aged fifty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Mercy [((Walker) Witham)] Coleman, aged forty-eight years (b. NH), Eliza Ann Coleman, aged nine years (b. NH), Alena Coleman, aged seven years (b. NH), and Olvia Manson, aged twenty-nine years (b. NH). They shared a two-family house with the household of Wiley Coleman, a joiner, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH).
Asa T. Walker, a farmer, aged forty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Louisa Walker, aged forty-three years (b. ME), George Walker, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Louisa Walker, aged nine years (b. NH), Mary Walker, aged seven years, Ara Walker, aged four years (b. NH), Evaline L. Ricker, aged twenty years (b. ME), Harriet N. Walker, aged twenty-eight years (b. NH), and Sally [(Pray)] Walker, aged seventy-three years (b. ME). Asa T. Walker had real estate valued at $1,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Daniel Wentworth, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. ME), and Isaac Wentworth, a farmer, aged twenty-six years (b. NH).
Hiram Varney, a tallow chandler, aged forty-six years (b. NH), headed a Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Emily [(Walker)] Varney, aged forty-four years (b. NH), Eliza A. Varney, aged sixteen years (b. NH), Charles W. Varney, aged fourteen years (b. NH), Emily A. Varney, aged ten years (b. ME), and Clara A. Varney, aged six years (b. ME). Hiram Varney had real estate valued at $2,000.
Joseph Walker, a machinist, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Concord, NH, household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Elizabeth [(Hildrup)] Walker, aged thirty-three years (b. ME), Joseph Walker, aged thirteen years (b. NH), Martha Walker, aged nine years (b. NH), Reuben Walker, aged four years (b. NH), and John Walker, aged eight months (b. NH). Joseph Walker had real estate valued at $800.
Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Seventh (1850) Federal Census. His household included Sarah [(Walker)] Witham, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), Charles Witham, aged ten years (b. NH), Eliza Witham, aged six years (b. NH), Charles Witham, aged three years (n. NH), Mehitable [(Jones)] Witham, aged fifty-two years (b. ME), Lucy Witham, aged fifty years (b. NH), and Martha Witham, aged forty years (b. NH). Josiah N. Witham had real estate valued at $3,000. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Brackett Merrill, a lumber dealer, aged thirty-four years (b. ME), and Asa Jewett, a lumber dealer, aged thirty-five years (b. NH).
Daughter Mercy (Walker) Witham married (2nd) in Milton, December 25, 1850 [?], Joseph Coleman (per Joseph Coleman’s War of 1812 Pension File). He was born in Newington, NH, 1791, son of Joseph and Mary (Godwin) Coleman. (His first wife, Olive C. (Adams) Coleman, had died in Portsmouth, NH, June 3, 1850).
Son-in-law Joseph Coleman appeared in the Portsmouth, NH, directory of 1851, as a carpenter, with his house at 8 Atkinson street. Son Richard Walker appeared as a machinist, with his house at 6 Hanover street.
Daughter Harriet N. Walker married in Milton, March 4, 1851, Alpheus Remick, both of Milton. Rev. James Doldt performed the ceremony. Remick was born in Milton, in 1814, son of John D. and Abra ((Applebee) Worster) Remick.
Son Richard Walker moved from Portsmouth, NH, to Hopedale village, in Milford, MA, in 1853.
And there was Richard Walker, an ardent spiritualist and “heavy thinker on important subjects,” who was becoming locally well known as the inventor of improvements in textile machinery; before he joined the community in 1853, Walker had patented the first power loom for knitting underwear. The Practical Christian probably understated the situation when in 1857 it said of the villagers that “in respect to business enterprise, and the laudable ambition to acquire property for good use, they have their full share” (Spann, 1992).
Richard Walker, a machinist, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milford, MA, household at the time of the First (1855) MA State Census. His household included Eliza [(Hatch)] Walker, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), Abby Walker, aged twenty-seven years (b. NH), Edward Walker, a soap maker, aged twenty-one years (b. NH), Charles Walker, a book bonder, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Harriet Walker aged twelve years (b. NH), and Ellen Walker, aged ten years (b. NH).
Son-in-law Hiram W. Varney died in Milton, September 8, 1855.
Son-in-law Joseph Coleman appeared in the Portsmouth, NH, directory of 1857, as a joiner, with his house at 8 South street. Son Asa T. Walker appeared as a soap boiler, with his house at 18 Anthony street.
Manila Debacle Recalls Dewey’s Naval Battle; “Concord” Captain Tells All. … Asa T. Walker, widely-known soap manufacturer, resided in nearby Milton for a time, and then moved to Portsmouth. He was the father of his namesake, who commanded the battleship “Concord” in the naval engagement [of 1898] (Portsmouth Herald, January 3, 1942).
Daughter Abigail (Walker) Scates died in Milton, January 30, 1858.
Son Joseph H. Walker died of cholera morbus in Dover, NH, August 3, 1859, aged forty-nine years.
Son Asa T. Walker appeared in the Portsmouth, NH, directory of 1860, as a soap chandler, on McDonough street, with his house at 17 Austin street.
Making Soap. By and by the farm wife will be busy about the soap making, and many inquiries will be made as to how it should be done. An experienced soap maker describes the usual method of making soap for scouring wool in wool factories. He writes: “The manner of making the different grades of commercial soap is essentially the same, though different kinds of fat may be used. It is always made on a large scale, in enormous vats or boilers. Several hundred-weight of crude soda ash is first dissolved in boiling water in the soap boiler, which is a huge circular iron vessel holding from 500 to 1,000 gallons, with a steam pipe in the centre. Half the weight of the soda in pure caustic lime is then added, and the mixture boiled. When the lime has rendered the soda caustic, the boiling is discontinued. Several hundred-weight of tallow are now put into the soap pan, which is a different vessel made of cast iron, applied, either by a furnace beneath it, or by steam carried by pipes around the bottom pan. The latter is the usual. The pan usually holds several tons. After the tallow, cut up into pieces, is put into this pan, a quantity of the lye is added, the steam is turned on and the boiling continued until the lye is thoroughly incorporated with the tallow, and the whole becomes a pasty-mass. Several shovelfuls of common salt are thrown in. This causes the lye to separate, and as the mass cools, the lye, deprived of its soda, is drown off. Fresh lye is then added and boiled, and this is repeated until the tallow is saturated with the soda; that is, it will not take up any more. Water is now added until the proper consistency is reached. If resin is to be used, it is now added, and the mass again boiled. It is then run off into frames and molds, where it is allowed to solidify, and then is cut by wires into bars, dried, and packed in boxes. Two thousand pounds of yellow soap will require 1,000 pounds of tallow, 350 pounds of resin, with lye sufficient to make the whole a smooth, perfectly homogeneous and saponaceous mass.” The figures given sufficiently describe the proportions of the materials, viz.: ten pounds of tallow and 350 pounds of resin make twenty pounds of hard soap. – New York Tribune (Hollis Times, February 3, 1888).
Richard Walker, a machinist, aged sixty-three years, headed a Milford, MA, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Eliza [(Hatch)] Walker, aged fifty-seven years, Hattie Walker, aged seventeen years, and Nellie Walker, a bookbinder, aged fifteen years.
Joseph Coleman, a farmer, aged sixty-eight years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Mercy [((Walker) Witham)] Coleman, aged fifty-eight years (b. NH). Joseph Coleman had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $100. (The resided in close proximity to the household of her brother-in-law, J.N. Witham, a farmer, aged forty-four years (b. NH).
Asa T. Walker, a soap manufacturer, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Louisa [(Morrill)] Walker, aged fifty-three years (b. ME), George M. Walker, a soap manufacturer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Louisa Walker, aged nineteen years (b. NH), Mary F. Walker, aged seventeen years (b. NH), and Asa Walker, aged fourteen years (b. NH). Asa T. Walker had real estate valued at $1,000 and personal estate valued at $1,500. George M. Walker was deaf & dumb.
Elisabeth [(Hildrup)] Walker, aged forty-two years (b. MA), headed a Concord, NH, household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Martha Walker, a spinner, aged eighteen years (b. NH), Reuben Walker, aged fourteen years (b. NH), John Walker, aged ten years (b. NH), Frank Walker, aged six years (b. MA), Joseph Walker, a laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), Sarah Walker, aged sixteen years (b. MA), and Jeremiah Elkins, a laborer, aged twenty-three years (b. ME).
J.N. Witham, a farmer, aged forty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills P.O.”) household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Sarah A. [(Walker)] Witham, aged forty-six years (b. NH), Charles Witham, aged fourteen years (b. NH), and Mary E. Witham, aged eleven years (b. NH). J.N. Witham had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,500. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Nathl Rines, a farmer, aged forty-four years (b. NH), and Mehitable [(Jones)] Witham, aged ninety years (b. NH).
Alpheus Remick, a farmer, aged forty-five years, headed a Milton household at the time of the Eighth (1860) Federal Census. His household included Harriet [(Walker)] Remick, aged forty-three years, Ida B. Remick, aged eight years, and Sarah Remick, aged eighty-four years. Alpheus Remick had real estate valued at $2,500 and personal estate valued at $100. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Elizabeth Hart, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), and Joseph Rines, aged seventy-six years (b. NH).
Richard Walker, a machinist, aged sixty-seven years (b. NH), headed a Milford, MA, household at the time of the Second (1865) MA State Census. His household included Eliza [(Hatch)] Walker, housekeeping, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), Hattie S. Walker, a bookbinder, aged twenty-two years (b. NH), and Nellie Walker, a polisher, aged twenty years (b. NH).
Sarah “Sally” (Pray) Walker died of old age in Milton, April 18, 1867, aged ninety years, six months. [Her gravestone says 1868]. She was a widow.
MITREING MACINES. RICHARD WALKER, Milford, Mass., Dec. 3, 1867. In this machine the cutters are placed opposite each other, the moving one being attached to a lever oscillated by a cam. Another cutter slides in a head, adjustable to any angle to cut the required mitre (Ringwalt, 1871).
Daughter Mercy ((Walker) Witham) Coleman died in 1869. (Her husband’s War of 1812 pension records note that she had predeceased her second husband, who died in 1878).
Daughter-in-law Elizabeth “Eliza” (Hatch) Walker died of congestion of lungs in Milford, MA, in December 1869, aged sixty-six years, five months, and nine days. (The 1870 U.S. Census Mortality Schedule gave her cause of death as Old Age).
James M. Morey, a blacksmith, aged forty-two years (b. NH), headed a Milford, MA. household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah E. [(Walker)] Morey, keeping house, aged thirty-eight years (b. NH), Minnie M. Morey, attending school, aged eleven years (b. MA), and Richard Walker, a journeyman machinist, aged seventy-three years (b. NH). James M. Morey had real estate valued at $300.
Joseph Coleman, a carpenter, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included [his daughter,] Olivia Manson, keeping house, aged forty-eight years (b. New Brunswick). Joseph Coleman had real estate valued at $500 and personal estate valued at $200. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Mary Wentworth, keeping house, aged seventy-five years (b. NH), and [his brother-in-law,] Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH).
Asa T. Walker, a soap maker, aged sixty-six years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Loisa [(Morrill)] Walker, keeping house, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), George M. Walker, works in soap shop, aged thirty-three years (b. NH), and Mary Walker, at home, aged twenty-six years (b. NH). Asa T. Walker had real estate valued at $2,000 and personal estate valued at $1,000.
Charles W. Varney, a confectioner, aged thirty-four years (b. NH), headed a Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Rachel P. [(Parker)] Varney, a housekeeper, aged twenty-eight years (b. ME), Hiram Varney, aged twelve years (b. ME), George W. Varney, aged ten years (b. ME), Letta Ann Varney, aged seven years (b. ME), Chs. W. Varney, aged four years (b. ME), Emily [(Walker)] Varney, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), and Chs V. Richards, aged six years (b. NH). Charles W. Varney had real estate valued at $1,000.
Joseph R. Walker, works in print works, aged thirty-nine years (b. NH), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Elizabeth [(Tebbetts)] Walker, keeping house, aged twenty-six years (b. NH), Joseph Walker, aged five years (b. NH), William Walker, aged ten months (b. NH), Elizabeth [(Hildrup)] Walker, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and Frank G. Walker, attending school, aged fifteen years (b. NH). Joseph R. Walker had personal estate valued at $300.
Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged fifty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Sarah A. [(Walker)] Witham, keeping house, aged fifty-six years (b. NH), Lura Booth, aged six years (b. NH), and Allen Randall, a farm laborer, aged forty years (b. ME). Josiah N. Witham had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $1,072. They shared a two-family house with Lucy Witham, keeping house, aged seventy-two years (b. NH). Lucy Witham had real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $140. Their households appeared in the enumeration between those of [his brother-in-law,] Joseph Coleman, a carpenter, aged seventy-nine years (b. NH), and Olive L. Remmick, aged seventy-nine years (b. ME).
Alpheus Remmick, a farmer, aged fifty-five years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Ninth (1870) Federal Census. His household included Harriet N. [(Walker)] Remmick, keeping house, aged fifty-two years (b. NH), James L. Remmick, at school, aged eight years (b. NH), and Samuel Remmick, a farm laborer, aged forty-eight years (b. NH). Alpheus Remmick had real estate valued at $3,000 and personal estate valued at $921. Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of James Applebee, a farmer, aged sixty-nine years (b. NH), and Samuel F. Rines, a farmer, aged fifty-two years.
Son Richard Walker of Milford, Mass., filed for U.S. Patent No. 137,808, August 30, 1872. His patent was for “Automatic Signals for Railroad Crossings” (U.S. Patent Office, 1873).
Son-in-law Josiah N. Witham was the Representative of the Unity Lodge, No. 62, A.F. & A.M., before the statewide Grand Lodge in May 1876. Charles C. Hayes was its Worshipful Master, and Daniel S. Burleigh was Proxy for the Senior Warden.
Son-in-law Joseph Coleman died of paralysis and old age in Portsmouth, NH, May 26, 1878, aged eighty-seven years. He was a carpenter.
Son Asa T. Walker of Portsmouth, NH, was one of those patients featured in an advertisement for Dr. J.R. Newton, “the Healer,” in 1879.
ASA T. WALKER, Portsmouth, N.H., who has suffered from asthma for twenty years, was perfectly cured with one treatment (Newton, 1879).
Charles Walker, a publishing house superintendent, aged forty-three years (b. NH), headed a Cambridge, MA, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Jennie M. [(Smith)] Walker, keeping house, aged twenty-eight years (b. MA), his children, Minniehill Walker, at school, aged twenty years (b. MA), Charles R. Walker, at school, aged fifteen years (b. MA), Willie H. Walker, aged one year (b. MA), his father, Richard Walker, a machinist, aged eighty-three years (b. NH), and his niece, Emma L. Walker, works in publishing house, aged twenty-two years (b. MA).
Asa T. Walker, a soap boiler, aged seventy-six years (b. NH), headed a Portsmouth, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Louisa [(Morrill)] Walker, aged seventy-two years (b. ME), his son, George M. Walker, a soap boiler, aged forty-two years (b. NH), [his son-in-law,] Charles W. Shaw, a soap boiler, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), his [Shaw’s] wife, Mary F. [(Walker)] Shaw, aged thirty-five years (b. NH), and his [Shaw’s] son, Albion W. Shaw, aged four years (b. NH). They resided at 2 McDonough Street.
Emily [(Walker)] Varney, keeping house, aged seventy-four years (b. NH), headed a Berwick, ME, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. Her household included her daughter, E. Angeline [(Varney)] Richards, at home, aged thirty-nine years (b. ME), and her grandson, Charles V. Richards, a clerk in store, aged seventeen years (b. ME). They shared their house with the household of her son, Charles W. Varney, works in confectionary manufactory, aged forty-four years (b. NH).
Frank E. Walker, a carriage trimmer, aged twenty-five years (b. MA), headed a Dover, NH, household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Nellie F. [(Hickford)] Walker, keeping house, aged twenty-three years (b. NH), his daughter, Edith L. Walker, aged two months (b. NH), and his mother, Elizabeth [(Hildrup)] Walker, a nurse, aged sixty years (b. NH). They resided on Locust Street.
Josiah N. Witham, a farmer, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), headed a Milton household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Sarah A. [(Walker)] Witham, keeping house, aged sixty-four years (b. NH), and his adopted daughter, Lura A. Witham, works in felt mill, aged seventeen years (b. NH). Their household appeared on the enumeration between those of Samuel F. Rines, a blacksmith, aged sixty-two years (b. NH), and Fred P. Jones, a farmer, aged twenty years (b. NH).
Alpheus Remick, a farmer, aged sixty-five years (b. MA), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Tenth (1880) Federal Census. His household included his wife, Harriet N. [(Walker)] Remick, keeping house, aged sixty-three years (b. NH), and his adopted son, James L. Remick, works in woolen mill, aged nineteen years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Edgar A. Wentworth, works in woolen mills, aged twenty-four years (b. NH), and Joseph R. Brown, a woolen sorter, aged forty-three years (b. MA).
Daughter Emiline (Walker) Varney died in Milton, August 25, 1881.
Son Asa T. Walker appeared as having his house at 2 McDonough street. A.T. Walker & Sons (George M. Walker and Charles W. Shaw) appeared in the Portsmouth directory of 1883, as soap chandlers at 5 Elm street.
Son Richard Walker died of senility in Milford, MA, November 15, 1883, aged eighty-six years, ten months, and five days.
RECENT DEATHS. Richard Walker, a well-known inventor, died in Hopedale, Milford, Mass., on the 15th inst., at the age of nearly eighty-seven years. He was born in Milton, N.H., in 1797. In middle life he removed to Portsmouth, N.H., and thence in 1853 to Hopedale Community, Milford. During the last seven or eight years of his life he resided with his son, Mr. Charles Walker of Cambridge, Mass. He was a man of remarkable mechanical skill and genius for invention, having patented many useful and valuable machines. He was in early life the inventor and patentee of the first power loom tor knitting woollen undergarments, incurring at the time the hostility of the English hand-loom workmen. Later, he was the inventor of several useful cotton machines and other improvements. He joined the Masonic fraternity when twenty-one years of age, and was subsequently elected master of Strafford Lodge, Dover, N.H. During the Morgan anti-Masonic excitement he was an earnest and loyal defender of the brotherhood. He was an ardent Spiritualist, a frequent and interesting contributor to the various Spiritualistic journals of the day, and ever ready in public and private to give his testimony to that belief (Boston Evening Transcript, November 17, 1883).
Son-in-law Josiah N. Witham died of enteritis in Milton, June 22, 1884, aged sixty-eight years, eight months, and three days. He was a farmer.
Daughter-in-law Louisa (Morrill) Walker died in Portsmouth, NH, June 17, 1885, aged seventy-seven years, eleven months, and twenty days. She was married. F.L. Benedict signed the death certificate.
Son Asa T. Walker died of manition in Portsmouth, NH, May 11, 1886, aged eighty-two years, five months, and sixteen days. He was a soap maker. F.S. Benedict signed the death certificate.
Son-in-law Alpheus Remick of Milton wrote his last will, August 30, 1887. He devised to his “beloved wife,” Harriet N. Remick, all of “my homestead lot, with the buildings thereon, situate on Atkins street in Milton Mills,” as well as all of his personal estate. He was presumably weak, as he signed with an “X.” William E. Pillsbury, M.D., James R. Boynton, and Charles C. Hayes witnessed his mark or signature (Strafford County Probate, 102:369).
Son-in-law Alpheus Remick died in Milton, in 1887. His will was proved in a Strafford County Probate Court held in Rochester, NH, October 3, 1887 (Strafford County Probate, 102:369).
Daughter Harriet N. “Hattie” (Walker) Remick died of an ovarian tumor in Milton, April 30, 1892, aged seventy-four years, eleven months, and fifteen days. She was a widowed housekeeper. W.E. Pillsbury, M.D., signed the death certificate
Daughter-in-law Elizabeth L. (Hildrup) Walker died of hemiplegia in Merrimack, MA, August 19, 1894, aged seventy-seven years, one month, and twenty-one days.
Grandson Asa T. Walker, Jr., commanded a battleship in the Spanish-American War naval battle of Manila Bay, May 1, 1898.
Asa T. Walker, widely-known soap manufacturer resided in nearby Milton for a time, and then moved to Portsmouth. He was the father of his namesake who commanded the battleship “Concord” in the historic naval engagement. Immediately after the battle Commander Walker wrote his wife a letter, of which the following is that part referring to the engagement. It is owned by Ira W. Jones of Milton and came to him from his cousin, Charles Walker Jones of Melrose, Mass., whose mother was closely related to the Walker family. … [The remainder of this article, including the interesting letter, is too lengthy to extract here] (Portsmouth Herald, January 3, 1942).
Sarah A. [(Walker)] Withum, a homekeeper, aged eighty-six years (b. NH), headed a Milton (“Milton Mills Village”) household at the time of the Twelfth (1900) Federal Census. Her household included her son-in-law, John J. Howland, a day laborer, aged forty years (b. Canada), and her adopted daughter, Lura A. Howland, aged thirty-six years (b. NH). Their household appeared in the enumeration between those of Leonard Reed, a wool picker (factory), aged forty-six years (b. ME), and Crosby H. Prescott, head waiter (hotel), aged forty-nine years (b. ME).
Daughter Sarah A. (Walker) Witham died of exhaustion (and an abdominal tumor) in Milton Mills, December 17, 1902, aged eighty-eight years, eight months. She was a widowed housewife.
References:
Find a Grave. (2013, September 20). Lydia Walker Bragdon. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117375320/lydia_bragdon
Find a Grave. (2020, November 2). Abigail Walker French. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/217941168/abigail_french
Find a Grave. (2013, November 24). Joshua Pray. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117584426/joshua-pray
Find a Grave. (2013, September 24). Sarah Wentworth [Roberts] Pray. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117584535/sarah-pray
Find a Grave. (2013, August 11). Harriet N. Walker Remick. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/115296563/harriet-n.-remick
Find a Grave. (2012, April 25). Emily Varney. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/89126948/emily-varney
Find a Grave. (2016, March 19). Asa Tibbetts Walker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/159718384/asa-tibbets-walker
Find a Grave. (209, May 7). Elizabeth [Walker] Tibbetts. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/198925455/elisabeth-tebbetts
Find a Grave. (2010, June 5). Joseph Walker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/53278620/joseph-walker
Find a Grave. (2013, September 24). Richard Walker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117585273/richard-walker
Find a Grave. (2013, September 24). Sarah Walker. Retrieved from www.findagrave.com/memorial/117585883/sarah_walker
Hunt, F. (1848). Merchants Magazine and Commercial Review. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=CqJJAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA228
Newton, Alonzo E. (1879). Modern Bethesda; Or, The Gift of Healing Restored. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=YCq0AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA276
Ringwalt, John Luther. (1871). American Encyclopedia of Printing. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=ztQoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA229
Spann, Edward K. (1992). Hopedale: From Commune to Company Town, 1840-1920. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=_54oZLPtj7UC&pg=PA141
U.S. Patent Office. (1873). Specifications and Drawings of Patents Issued from the U.S. Patent Office. Retrieved from books.google.com/books?id=jMk6AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA490
Wikipedia. (2024). Battle of Manila Bay. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Manila_Bay
Milton Observer 