Ann Walker (b. circa 1800 - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-51515
Maryland State Colonization Society Emigrant to Liberia from Caroline
County, 1835
Biography:
Ann Walker was enslaved in Caroline County until she was purchased and freed by her husband, Luke Walker. He also purchased their children, Laura Ann and Thomas, although it is not clear if they belonged to the same owner since the slave holder's name was not recorded.1 Ann was manumitted prior to the birth of her next oldest child, George, who was born free circa 1824. The Walkers had six more children more children--Mahalah, William, Mary Adeline, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Allen--who were all born free.2 In 1832, the Walkers were enumerated on Caroline County's Free Negro Census. At that time, they did not express an interest in emigrating to Liberia. A twenty-five year old man named Lewis Smith, who was probably Ann and Luke's son-in-law, was also listed as a member of the Walker household.3
By 1835, the family's views on emigration had changed, and they departed for Liberia, where Luke hoped to set up a saw mill.4 On December 24, 1835, the family sailed from Baltimore on the brig Fortune, arriving at Cape Palmas, Liberia on February 4, 1836.5 For some reason, Lewis Smith did not accompany the Walkers. However, Luke's grandson, fourteen-month old John Smith, emigrated to Liberia with the other Walkers. It is unclear who John's mother was.6 By the time that the colony's first census was conducted in 1837, Luke was working as a carpenter, and all of the Walkers had survived acclimation to the new land.7 Little is known about Ann's life in Liberia. However, she would have been quite busy in the home raising her nine children and a young grandchild.
However, the family did not remain in Liberia for long. Luke became
disillusioned by the frequent material shortages and lack of opportunities
in the new colony. In June 1837, Luke and his family returned to the United
States on the Niobe. Colonial officials welcomed his departure,
believing that his attitude demoralized the colonists as well as dissuaded
potential settlers from coming to Liberia.8 By December 1837,
the family probably lived in Baltimore where Luke owned a grocery store
in the Fell's Point area.9 In 1850, Ann was living in New York
City in the home of Lewis Walker, who was probably a relative. Also living
in the household were Ann's children, Thomas, William, George, Elizabeth,
Allen, and Mahala.10 By the next federal census in 1860, the
family had dispersed with Thomas remaining in New York City while Allen
had moved to Massachusetts, George to Philadelphia.11, 12, 13 The
whereabouts of Ann and the other Walkers is unclear.
2. Ibid.
4. Hall, Richard L. On Afric’s Shore: A History of Maryland in Liberia, 1834-1857. (Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 2003), 156.
5. Ibid, 453.
6. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (Papers of the Maryland State Colonization Society), Manumission Lists, 1832-1839, MSA SC 5977, Film Number M 13248-1, Emigrants, Lines 279-285, 286-289.
8. Hall, 453.
9. "Luke Walker." Maryland Colonization Journal, December 1837, Vol. 1, No. 13, p. 54.
10. U.S. CENSUS BUREAU (Census Record, NY) for Ann Walker, 1850, New York County, 1st District, 8th Ward New York City, Page 235a, Lines 37-42. Page 235b, Line 1.
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