The Somerset reporter., 1902-10-09
The Walker Family.


Walker family, held In the old Walker
homestead in New Portland, now oc-
cupied by Mrs. Frances E Walker and
her family, Mrs. F. E. Stanley augusta
Walker Stanley of Newton, Mass. read
the following historical paper relating
to the Walker family and the town of
New Portland
The Walker family is of English de-
scent somewhere in the Latter part of the
seventeenth century the first John that
we have any knowledge of was married
in Kittery, Maine, and soon after remoV-
ed to Berwick. At that time the lnhabi-
tants of Berwick consisted of eight fam
/ lilies, and much of their energy was en-
ployed TO protect themselves from the
Indians. John Walker commanded the
fort or block house-a place OF refuge
for the little band of settlers, when the
/ depradations of the Indians drove them
to place of safety. We know but
very little about this man or his family
as all the records of the town of Ber-
wick for nearly fifty years we're burned.
But we do know he must have been
leader among his neig hborA, and was
somewhat versed in military affairs of
the day.
In 1920 his son, Solomon, was born.
This same Solomon served in the Reyo-
lutionary war, having previously moved
from Berwick with his family to what
Is now Woolwich. He received his com
mission as captain in the Continental
Army, July 3, ITO, being at that time
about SO years OF age. No doubt his
father had drilled him in military tao
tics at an early age and have no doubt
IL we had all the records we should find
him taking part in the French and In
dian wars. However that may be we
know he was impressed with the idea
that home and country should be protect
ed from foreign invaders, for the indepen-
dence born in those early patriots allow
ed no interference in their rights to
govern themselves az they saw fit. He
served through the entire war, enlisting
three times, and showed great bravery
In many encounters with the British.
He was q man of considerable means, as
his will in favor of his wife, Marion, in
dictated. Several hundred pounds were
Disposed of, the executor of the will
being his Oldest son, Solomon, man
fully forty years of age at the time ofhis
fathers death. l have read this will
In the Lincoln Co. Probate records of
that time and found 1t very interesting.
Notwithstanding the fact that SOLO
mon seems to be the family name In
our family it Is not through this second
solomon that we derive our ancestry,
but through his brother, Andrew, the
second son ofthe old Captain. Andrew
married Damares cross and lived near
the home of his father They had sew
eral children among them solomon, who
married Tabitha Gard. This was the
Solomon 'alker who first settled in
New Portland. They came this town
about 1880 and bought this farm, now
known as the old homestead: one
Zephemiah Williams who had settled
here short time previously. With him
or coming near the same time, was sam
uel Gould, who married Lydia alker,
sister of Solomon. They settled on the
farm adjoining, the one now owned and
occupied by Andrew Davis.
Previous TO this and soon after his
discharge from the army, at the close of
the Revolutionary War, Capt. Josiah
Parker settled in this town. He was
the second in town. On February 10,
1880 he was married to Betsey Walker,
this being the first wedding in the town.
she was the first of our family to take
a W.
lieve she was daughter of Solomon,
but of this, am not positive, so at an
early period in the history of this town
when there were only seven families in
ALL three of them belonged to the Walk
er family.
The privations and hardships endured
by them in these early days would hard
ly be believed by these later generations.
In 1899 John, son of Solomon and Tabi-
tina, was born on the old homestead
When very young man, not over 20
he married Martha Jones, then not
quite seventeen. Soon after their mar
riage they moved to farm on the South
Road near the top of the hill, which was
first settled by Eben Carsley now known
as the William Walker place. Here all
the children, fourteen in number, were
born, with the exceptions of the Oldest
and youngest In the early days this
house stood In the northeast corner OF
the farm, on the road, but later the new
house was built under the hill, and the
old one moved down to be used as an
clubhouse.
Many day in my childhood, have
played in this old building, imagining
myself grandmother Walker, and busy
ing myself in doing my housework and
taking care of my numerous family.
Corncobs represented the different chill
dren, and strict obedience was exacted
from William, Mary, Solomon, John and
Abb N, etc. If there is any possible
resem blance between grandmother and
me 1t must be because / have tried so
many times as child to impersonate
her In this little old house that was once
her home.
Grantgrandfather Solomon died in
1921 and Tabitha, his wife, in 1845. A
short time before her death John, my
grandfather moved from his home under
the hill to the old homestead with his
numerous family.
His son, William, my father took the
farm, where after keeping bachelors
ball a couple of years, he brought Mary,
his wife, To share his joys and sorrows
Six children blessed this union, all of
whom are now living save one, who
died in infancy
On the old homestead the acres clear
ed and titled by his father and brother,
John and Mathas's younger children
grew to manhood and womanhood and
here the older children and grandchild
rem always found cordial welcome. One
of the greatest delights of my childhood
was to spend day or two at grand.
fathers; and when dance in the old
hall was IN prospect how eagerly
downed my best calico to match the
graceful motions of my uncles and aunts