Walker Families of Nicholas, Jackson, and Wirt Counties West Virginia
William Walker wrote a will in 1805, probated in Goochland county 20 October 1806. This William was the father of the Elverton Walker, named executor of his will: I do appoint my son Elverton Walker & my worthy friend John Todd my sole executors of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the second day of September in year of our lord eighteen hundred and five.
In 1810 we find an Elverton P Walker listed in the census of Kanawha County on Cabin Creek, along with a Randolph Walker. At that time, Kanawha County was a much larger area, and Nicholas County was formed from a portion in 1818. Based on census reports, Elverton was probably born around 1770 or earlier. 1818 Poll tax in Nicholas Co, VA shows Elverton in the Laurel Creek area which became part of Nicholas County & then later Braxton county. 7 Feb 1820 census Nicholas County VA shows Elbertson P Walker with 3 males under age 10, 3 males age 10-16 1 males 16-26, 1 males over 45 (Elverton). Females are showing as 4 under age 10; 2 10-16, 2 16-26 and 1 26 to 45 year old female; none over 45 and no slaves.
From: History of Nicholas County, WV by William Griffee Brown
"WALKER, Scotch-Irish. Elverton P. Walker, first of the name on the Land Books of the County, came from King George County about 1806, married a daughter of Michael Baker (note step-daughter) and located on the John Hess farm on Laurel Creek. He had a family of fourteen children. Some of his sons went west, but Hiram, Jackson and James located on Laurel Creek . . . The Walker family is related to many pioneer families now living in Nicholas and adjoining Counties."
Early settlement: "Jonathan Dunbar came from Monroe County,(VA) bought a tract of land from James Foster on Backus Branch, lived there for a time, then moved to Laurel Creek. Alexander Brown came from Monroe, and bought land on Laurel Creek from Thomas Hughes and Captain George Fitzwater. Near this time Elverton P. Walker came from King George County and bought the farm of John Hess on Laurel Creek. Edwin Bell now owns the land where Walker built his cabin. Colonel Edward Campbell says in his letters on the early settlements: 'The coming of Brown and Walker made quite an addition to the population of the County, as each had a family of fourteen children"
Elverton is listed as a witness from Nicholas County in the Revolutionary War pension application for a soldier Jeremiah Odell or Odle who had settled in Nicholas county and lived in the same neighborhood as Elverton P Walker. Elverton is listed on tax lists in 1822, 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1831, 1832. He is showing as head of household in 1830 in Nicholas County VA census. 1833 November 1 - 50 acres on waters of Patterson's Fork in Nicholas County Book 1, page 384. 1834 September 20 - 34 acres between Laurel & Peter's Creek; Land Grants 83, pg 4720. 1840 census of Western District of Nichaolas County VA shows: Elverton P Walker as Head of Household with one 15-20 year old male, one 20 to 30 year old male and one 60 to 70 year old male; one 10 to 15 year old female, one 15 to 20 female and one 50-60 year old female. 1851 50 acres Laurel Creek Book 2 Page 277.
Connections for some future generations have previously been based on papers in a Revolutionary War pension application by children of the deceased soldier, Andrew McGahee. Margaret McGahee, daughter of Mary Craig and her first husband Andrew McGahee, was the wife of Elverton Walker.
Notes from the file: Andrew McGahee or Andrew McGahey, Mary Baker former widow, PA Line, widow's last husband was Michael M. Baker also served in the Rev. See claim for PA Line service. The soldier Andrew McGahee married Mary Craig in Cumberland county (no date given) after the Rev. soldier moved to the "western country" and his brother William McGahee also moved there. Soldier was killed by Indians on his farm near Vincennes in IN Terr between 1788 and 1790. Soldier's widow marred 2nd to Michale M. Baker on 15 Feb 1791 at Point Pleasant, VA and about 1812 they moved to Franklin County, Ohio for 1 year, then moved to Greene County, IL., and in 1830 widow applied for BLW from the state of PA and was allowed $200 in lieu of BLW. Her second husband Michael Baker died 13 Sep 1831 in Greene Co.,IL., and widow died there 18 Oct 1837. The soldier Andrew McGahee was survived by 2 daughters, Margaret born 1782 and Isabella born 1784. In 1837 Margaret was the wife of Elverton P. Walker of Nicholas, VA. Other Baker family data; to wit; Sarah born 1781, Anna, 1792, William, no year, James no year, John, 1802, also shown, Michael Morris Baker son of John and Mary Baker born 1828, Nancy Baker married John Phillips 2 Nov 1826. In 1855 soldier's daughter, Margaret Walker and his son Marion Walker also his 2nd daughter (not named) who married James Begs on 5 July 1855, Nancy, Olive, James Walker whose eldest son Willis Walker died in the previous spring leaving his beloved companion and 2 or 3 children (not named). Uncle Joe Hunter who was possibly living in Franklin Co., John Grese/Gross and his sister (not named) also Francian Grese/Gross, the exact relationship of these people to Soldier's daughter not stated.
The information about Willis Walker and his death is taken
from a portion of a letter which is included in the pension file. The
letter was written by Margaret McGahee Walker from Laurel Creek in Nicholas County, VA on July 23, 1855 to her son Elverton S Walker and his wife Mary Jane, who were living in Greene County, Illinois.
She states: "I forgot to mention the death of Willis Walker James's oldest son. He died of consumption sometime in April last leaving a beloved companion and two or three children to mourn their irreparable loss, but they mourn not as those who have no hope for he left a living testimony that he was going to rest"
There are two major questions about relationships. Before Margaret McGahee, Elverton Walker is said to have had a first wife, a Susan Bailes, although there is no documentation of that marriage. James Walker was born 16 June 1798 in Virginia. He married Nancy Legg 10 April 1821 in Nicholas County, Virginia. He appears in the 1850 census of District 43 in Nicholas County with household members: James Walker 52, Nancy Walker 46, Eli Walker 20, Felix Walker 19, Washington Walker 17, James Walker 15, Elizah Walker 13, Elberten Walker 11, Martha Walker 10, Susan Walker 8, Manon Walker 3. However, in James A Walker's death record 22 February 1869 in Clay county, his place of birth is Nicholas County and his parents are listed as Elverton and Susan Walker, not Elverton and Margaret. This information leads one to believe that James was a step-son of Margaret McGahee Walker.
The second question is whether James was the father of Willis Walker who married Mary Jane Boggs.
James' eldest son could have been Willis Walker, born 12 March 1822 in Nicholas County, Virginia, and out of the household, married and shows in the census of Wirt County, Virginia in 1850. The Marriage Records for Willis Walker and Mary Jane Boggs are found in Nicholas County records. No parents are listed. Mary Jane Boggs was the daughter of James R and Harriet Walkup Boggs. The bond and license are dated 11 Mar 1845, so it is assumed they married on or shortly after that date in Nicholas County. It appears that Willis and Mary Jane came to Jackson County with Mary Jane's family who migrated from Greenbrier and Nicholas Counties. Although Willis' death is recorded 13 Apr 1855 in Jackson County, VA, there are no parents listed - but cause of death is consumption, the same as reported in Margaret's letter.
The problem is the discovery of a second Willis Walker, still living in Nicholas County in 1850. This Willis Walker was about the same age, born about 1825. This Willis age 25 is listed in the 1850 Nicholas County census. living near Margaret McGahee Walker, with a wife Roda and children Isaac and Mary. Further records of this family not have been found. The 1850 Census of Wirt County Virginia District shows: Willis Walker 28, Mary J Walker 21, Martha J Walker 4, James W Walker 2.
The mention in Margaret's letter that Willis Walker was the oldest son of James and also his date of death gives a strong indication that the Willis Walker who married Mary Jane Boggs is a son of James and Nancy Legg Walker. James had a son James Milton Walker born 25 Mar 1823, so if Willis was his oldest son, then Willis would have been born before 1823, and Willis Walker who married Mary Jane Boggs was born 12 March 1822, which the 1850 census suggests the other Willis would have been born in 1825.
The date of death on the Gravestone for Willis Walker reads 13 April 1855 which matches with the July 1855 letter which says ". . .Willis Walker James's oldest son. He died of consumption sometime in April". The age at death of 33 showing on the stone would mean an 1822 birth date. At the time of Willis' death, he had 4 living children with a 5th born after he died, not "two or three children to mourn their irreparable loss" mentioned in the letter. Willis moved from Nicholas County after his marriage in 1845, so it's possible that Margaret didn't know of the other children, and if the Willis and Rhoda were the ones living near Margaret, it is felt she would have been more accurate about the children.
Finally, it is possible that Willis who married Mary Jane Boggs was a son of William and Margaret Burdette Walker, both born in Greenbrier County, whose marriage bond is in Monroe County, Virginia dated 12 September 1808. Several of their children, including their son Macklin Walker migrated to Jackson County, Virginia as did other members of the Burdette family. Margaret had a brother named Willis. In the 1850 census, William and Margaret were in Nicholas County. Family history has said that Willis' ancestors 'came from England' and it is said that William's father, John, was born in England. However, no records have been found to place Willis in this family. More research needs to be done.
Descendants of Willis Walker of Nicholas and Jackson and Wirt County, Virginia
The following are believed to be direct descendants of Willis and Mary Jane Boggs Walker.
1 Willis Walker b: 12 Mar 1822 in Nicholas Co, VA d: 13 Apr 1855 in Jackson County, Virginia Burial at Hodam Cemetery, Roane Co, WV
. +Mary Jane Boggs b: Jan 1828 in VA - age 21 in 1850 Wirt Co, VA census m: 11 Mar 1845 in Nicholas Co, WV d: 27 Aug 1884 in Roane Co, WV Bur Hodam Cemetery Roane County - under Greathouse Name
........ 2 Martha Jane Walker b: 03 Apr 1846 in Jackson Co, WV d: 05 Nov 1929 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV burial Millerville Cemetery
........... +William Hedrick Miller b: 04 Jan 1845 in Jackson Co, WV son of William H & Nancy Ellen MIller m: 22 Aug 1866 in Roane Co, WV d: 14 Jan 1930 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV burial Millerville Cemetery
.................. 3 Evaline Belle Miller b: 12 Jun 1867 in Roane Co, WV d: 03 Apr 1952 in Roane Co, WV
..................... +James Albert Miller b: 30 Jun 1861 in Roane Co, WV m: 22 Aug 1886 in Roane Co, WV d: 11 Jan 1943 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Theodore Johnson Miller b: 12 Nov 1869 in Roane Co, WV d: 28 Jan 1946 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV
..................... +Else b: Abt. 1870 m: Bef. 1892
.................. *2nd Wife of Theodore Johnson Miller:
..................... +Clara Epling b: Abt. 1871 in Roane Co, WV m: 01 Jun 1893 in Roane Co, WV d: 25 Aug 1916
.................. 3 George W Miller b: Abt. 1861 d: 1956
..................... +Ida M Gandee b: Abt. 1861 in Jackson Co, WV m: 17 Aug 1873 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Mary J Miller b: 04 Sep 1874 d: 03 Aug 1965 in Roane Co, WV
..................... +Calvin A Goff b: 04 Mar 1875 in Roane Co WV m: 24 Mar 1894 in Roane Co, WV d: 15 Oct 1955 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Nancy E Miller b: 1877
..................... +George F Lesher b: Abt. 1875 m: 16 May 1896 in Roane Co, WV
........ 2 James Washington Walker b: 05 Feb 1847 in Jackson Co, VA d: 18 Jan 1921 in heart failure Spencer, Roane Co, WV Burial Triplett
........... +Sarah Columbia Bartlett b: 17 Oct 1848 in Barbour Co, VA m: 05 Apr 1868 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV d: 09 Jan 1936 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Dora D Walker b: 03 May 1869 in WV d: 08 Nov 1906
..................... +Jesse Taylor b: 02 Apr 1869 in Jackson Co, WV son of Alexander & Melinda Tanner Taylor m: 09 Apr 1897 in Roane Co WV d: 07 Mar 1926
.................. 3 Virena Walker b: 1871 in WV d: Aft. 1915
..................... +Floyd Hildreth b: 01 Apr 1867 m: 01 Jan 1899 in Roane Co, WV d: 27 May 1914 in Roane Co WV
.................. *2nd Husband of Virena Walker:
..................... +A.W. Sanders b: 1871 in Washington Co, PA m: 16 Mar 1915 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Nancy Jane Walker b: 1873 in Roane Co WV d: Abt. 1929
..................... +Lewis Paugh b: 1868 in Barbour Co, WV m: 24 Sep 1891 in Roane Co WV d: 1953
.................. 3 Martha Ellen Walker b: 08 May 1875 in Roane Co WV d: 06 Mar 1969 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV buried at Hodam Cemetery
..................... +Thomas Taylor b: 11 Aug 1870 in Jackson Co, WV m: 13 Mar 1894 in Roane Co WV d: 10 Jan 1940 in Buried at Hodam Cemetery Roane Co WV
.................. 3 Ada Walker b: 10 Oct 1877 in Roane Co, WV d: Abt. 1937
..................... +William B Lake b: Abt. 1876 in Scotland Co, MO m: 28 Nov 1915 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Harvey Judson Walker b: 12 May 1879 in Roane Co WV d: 30 Jun 1965 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV
..................... +Virginia Ellen Williams b: Abt. 1879 in Roane Co, WV m: 31 Mar 1902 in Roane Co, WV
.................. *2nd Wife of Harvey Judson Walker:
..................... +Ella Jane Gough b: Abt. 1886 m: 1955 d: 1976
.................. 3 Asbury S Walker b: 05 Sep 1882 in Roane Co WV d: 28 Jul 1963 in Spencer, Roane Co, WV
..................... +Lillian Estelle Jones b: 1885 m: 07 Oct 1906 in Roane Co WV d: 1982
.................. 3 Lillie Nellie Walker b: 18 May 1885 in Roane Co, WV d: 18 Jan 1949 in Roane Co WV
..................... +Edward M Straley b: 02 Jul 1879 in Lewis Co, WV son of George Presley & Mildred Grimsley Straley m: 20 Oct 1907 in Roane Co, WV d: 18 Jun 1913
.................. *2nd Husband of Lillie Nellie Walker:
..................... +George Andrew Hylbert b: 05 May 1863 in Wirt Co, WV m: Aft. 1920 d: 19 Mar 1942 in Roane Co, WV burial at Hodam Cemetery
.................. 3 Oma Gay Walker b: 01 Apr 1887 in Roane Co, WV d: 1929
..................... +Carl Nichols b: 28 May 1888 m: 26 Jul 1908 in Roane Co WV d: 1966
.................. 3 Mabel Leola Walker b: 10 Sep 1889 in Roane Co WV d: 1971
..................... +Dillard Francis Ott b: Abt. 1885 m: 1918
........ 2 John Marion Walker b: Mar 1851 in Jackson Co, WV d: 10 Mar 1920 in Roane Co, WV
........... +Sarah Ann Freeland b: 24 Feb 1850 in Marion Co, VA m: 24 Dec 1871 in Roane Co, WV d: 13 Dec 1944 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Steven Walker b: 09 Dec 1872 d: 22 Jan 1873
.................. 3 Willis Walker b: 28 Jan 1874 in WV d: 09 Feb 1957 in Roane Co, WV
..................... +Elizabeth "Betty" Kendall b: 30 Sep 1875 d: 28 Dec 1963
.................. *2nd Wife of Willis Walker:
..................... +Eva Etta Wright b: 08 Jul 1880 in Roane Co WV m: 04 Oct 1898 in Roane Co WV Bk 6 page 306 d: 06 Mar 1902
.................. 3 Emaline "Emily" Walker b: 19 Sep 1876 d: 19 Aug 1902
.................. 3 Frank Edward Walker b: 19 Aug 1878 in WV d: 13 Sep 1938
..................... +Ella F Starcher b: 25 Nov 1875 in Roane Co, WV m: 23 Nov 1901 in Roane Co, WV
.................. 3 Frederick Walker b: 02 Dec 1880 in Roane Co, WV d: 14 Jun 1971 in Spencer, Roane, WV
..................... +Ona Conley Sutphin b: 25 Feb 1886 in Roane Co, WV d: 22 May 1974 in Spencer, Roane, WV
.................. 3 Fieldon Noah Walker b: 10 Oct 1887 in Roane County, WV d: 10 Feb 1962 in Roane Co,WV
..................... +Delilah Board b: Abt. 1885 m: 09 Nov 1912 in Roane Co WV
.................. 3 Alfred W Walker b: 17 Feb 1883 in Roane Co, WV d: 1968 in Roane Co, WV
..................... +Lucy Sutphin b: 1890 in Roane Co, WV m: 23 May 1908 in Roane Co WV
.................. 3 Holly Walker b: 07 Jun 1885 d: 1958
..................... +Sybil Burdette b: Abt. 1890
.................. 3 Randall Guy Walker b: 10 Mar 1892 in Living w bro Willis 1900 census age 8 d: 28 Jan 1975
..................... +Norma King b: Abt. 1900
........ 2 Fieldon Walker b: 14 Aug 1853 in Roane Co, WV d: 11 Oct 1922 in Triplett, Spencer District, Roane Co, WV-buried Hodam Cem 10/13/1922
........... +Sarah Jane Connolly b: 30 Jun 1853 in Roane Co. WV m: 12 Feb 1879 in Roane Co, WV by Rev. George A Burdette d: 29 Oct 1930 in Roane Co., WV
.................. 3 Argaylious Paul Walker b: 26 Oct 1879 in Roane Co, WV alt DOB is Oct 27 d: 25 May 1950 in WV- Burial in McCray Cemetery in Calhoun County, WV
..................... +Ida Merrill b: 28 Mar 1890 m: 27 Oct 1907 in Roane Co, WV d: 24 Jun 1965
.................. 3 Mary Matilda Walker b: 18 Sep 1882 in Roane Co, WV d: 28 Oct 1965 in Buried at Hodam Cemetery Roane Co WV
..................... +Hoyt Kelly b: 21 Sep 1881 in WV m: 09 Nov 1903 d: 08 Jan 1965 in Buried at Hodam Cemetery Roane Co WV
.................. 3 Silas Walker b: 08 Nov 1885 in Roane Co, WV d: 22 Nov 1968 in Belpre, Washington Co, OH
..................... +Mary Jane Hylbert b: 14 Aug 1889 in Roane Co WV m: 24 Dec 1911 in Roane County WV by J N Fox at home of JW Hylbert d: 19 Mar 1978 in Wood Co, WV
.................. 3 Dwight Lyman Walker b: 29 Feb 1888 in Triplett, Roane Co, WV d: 18 Apr 1977 in Wood Co, Parkersburg, WV burial Mt. Olivet Cemetery
..................... +Opha Mae Hylbert b: 14 Aug 1889 in Roane Co, WV m: 05 Apr 1914 in At her parents home in Roane Co, WV by Rev J. N. Fox Bk 12, Pg 13 d: 30 Mar 1965 in Wood Co, Parkersburg, WV burial Mt. Olivet Cemetery
.................. *2nd Wife of Dwight Lyman Walker:
..................... +Mattie Frances Hylbert b: 20 Aug 1895 in Roane Co WV m: 07 Jun 1965 in Parkersburg, Wood Co, WV d: 22 Mar 1990 in Sarasota County, FL
.................. 3 Zylpha Mae Walker b: 31 Oct 1891 in Roane Co, WV d: 30 Aug 1971 in WV
..................... +Robert Ray Stutler b: 04 May 1883 in Roane Co, WV m: 22 Dec 1907 in Roane Co, WV by Rev Artin T Rhodes at parents' home d: 03 Jun 1962
.................. 3 Francis Ivan Walker b: 18 Sep 1893 in Triplett, Roane Co, WV d: 03 Mar 1987 in Calhoun Co, WV
..................... +Virgie Walters b: 17 Mar 1897 in daughter of Loren Walters and Florence Payne m: 25 Dec 1914 in Roane Co, WV d: 11 Jul 1983 in Grantsville, Calhoun Co, WV
........ 2 Mary Ellen Walker b: 17 Dec 1855 in Palestine, Spring Creek Dist, Wirt Co, WV d: 17 May 1929 in Wirt Co WV myocardial enfarcation from flu
........... +Silas P Righter b: 15 Dec 1845 in Clarksburg, Harrison Co, WV m: 1872 in Married 28 years in 1900 census of Wirt Co d: 09 Sep 1934 in Arteriosclerosis - Palestine, Spring Creek Dist, Wirt Co, WV
.................. 3 James Lathrop Righter b: 14 Dec 1873 in Wirt County, WV
..................... +Emma Cain b: 17 Dec 1877 in D/o Reason Cain and Louia Maria Piercy m: 25 Dec 1894 in Wirt Co, WV
.................. 3 John Marion Righter b: Nov 1875 in Wirt County, WV d: 1959 in Hill Grove Cemetery Wirt, WV
..................... +Laura Dawn McCutcheon b: 21 Jan 1887 in Roane Co, WV d: 21 Jan 1927 in Zanesville, OH
.................. *2nd Wife of John Marion Righter:
..................... +Claudie E Townsend Dent b: Abt. 1880 m: 26 Feb 1927
.................. 3 Sarah Columbia Righter b: May 1880 in Wirt County, WV
..................... +Robert P White b: Abt. 1880 m: 18 Jun 1901 in Wirt, WV
.................. 3 Floyd Anderson Righter b: 25 Oct 1882 in Wirt County, WV d: Dec 1967
..................... +Mary Elmyra McCutcheon b: Abt. 1884 m: 12 Aug 1904 d: 1968
.................. 3 William Hedrick Righter b: 01 Nov 1886 in Wirt County, WV d: 11 Apr 1977 in Vancouver bur in Clark, Washington
..................... +Ella Mae Starkey b: 17 Sep 1889 in Grantsville, Calhoun, WV d: 18 Jul 1957
.................. 3 Albert Anderson Righter b: Feb 1892 in Wirt County, WV d: 1976
..................... +Georgia F Burson b: Feb 1892 in Wirt County, WV m: 27 Feb 1913 in Wirt County, WV - See Notes for Remarriage d: 1977 in Bur Wirt Co WV Mt. William Cemetery
