Thomas Walker (b. circa 1822 - d. ?)
MSA SC 5496-51523
Maryland State Colonization Society Emigrant to Liberia from Caroline
County, 1835
Biography:
Thomas Walker was enslaved in Caroline County until he was purchased and freed by his father, Luke Walker. Luke also purchased his wife, Ann, and daughter, Laura Ann, although it is not clear if all three belonged to the same owner since the slave holder's name was not recorded. Thomas also had seven freeborn siblings, George, Mahalah, William, Mary Adeline, Joseph, Elizabeth, and Allen.1
On December 24 1835, the family, including Thomas' fourteen-month old nephew, John Smith, departed for 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 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.4 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.5
In December 1837, the family probably lived in Baltimore where Luke owned a grocery store in the Fell's Point area.6 By 1850, Thomas was working as a porter and living in New York City in the home of Lewis Walker, who was probably a relative. Also living in the household were his mother, Ann, and siblings, William, George, Elizabeth, Allen, and Mahala.7
By 1860, Thomas was married and had amassed a personal estate valued
at $500. Thomas still worked as a porter in New York City while his wife,
Susanna, worked as a laundress. The couple had two young children, Gilbert
(b. circa 1856) and Mary E. (b. circa 1859).8 Ten years later,
Thomas and Susanna still lived in New York City, but their children no
longer appeared on the census with them.9
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.
5. Hall, 453.
6. "Luke Walker." Maryland Colonization Journal, December 1837, Vol. 1, No. 13, p. 54.
7. 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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