George Walker (b. circa 1824 - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-51517
Maryland State Colonization Society Emigrant to Liberia from Caroline
County, 1835
Biography:
George Walker was the freeborn son of Luke and Ann Walker, manumitted slaves from Caroline County. George had eight brothers and sisters; the two eldest, Thomas and Laura Ann, had had their freedom purchased by their father. His remaining siblings--Mahalah,William, Mary Adeline, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Allen--were all free born.1
On December 24 1835, the entire Walker family, as well as Allen's fourteen-month old nephew John Smith, emigrated to Liberia, where Luke hoped to set up a saw mill.2 The Walkers sailed from Baltimore on the brig Fortune, arriving at Cape Palmas, Liberia on February 4, 1836.3 Adjusting to the climate and diseases of the new land was often difficult, if not fatal, for colonists. Children of Allen's age were especially vulnerable.4 However, by the time that the colony's first census was conducted in 1837, Allen and the rest of the Walkers had successfully acclimated.5 Luke worked as a carpenter and was soon appointed to the position of Measurer of Lumber and Inspector of Shingles for the colony.6 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.7 In June 1837, the family returned to the United States on the Niobe. Colonial officials welcomed Luke's 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, Allen and much of his family were living in New York City in the home of Lewis Walker, who was probably a relative. George and his older brothers, Thomas and William, worked as porters while his mother and sisters, Elizabeth and Mahala, had no occupation listed.10
George Walker is likely the same individual who is recorded as living in Philadelphia on the 1860 U.S. Census. The birthplace, race, age, and occupation correspond with the information known about the George Walker who emigrated to Liberia. By 1860, George was a car driver with personal wealth valued at $450. He and his wife Mary had four daughters: Madaline, Idella, Emma, and Fanny.11 Three years later, George registered for the military draft for the Union Army, but it does not appear that he was called to serve.12 In 1870, the family still lived in Philadelphia, where the four girls attended school. It appears that George continued to earn a comfortable income as a driver as his personal wealth was valued at $600.13
2. Hall, Richard L. On Afric’s Shore: A History of Maryland in Liberia, 1834-1857. (Baltimore: Maryland Historical Society, 2003), 156.
3. Ibid, 453.
4. Ibid, 60.
6. Hall, 453.
7. Ibid, 156.
8. "Luke Walker." Maryland Colonization Journal, December 1837, Vol. 1, No. 13, p. 54.
9. Ibid.
10. U.S. CENSUS BUREAU (Census Record, NY) for George Walker, 1850, New York County, 1st District, 8th Ward New York City, Page 235a, Lines 37-42. Page 235b, Line 1.
Return
to George Walker's Introductory Page
|
Tell Us What You Think About the Maryland State Archives Website!
|
