Evening star., 1907-07-22
ROMANCE OF CONCORD
Rev. Timothy Walker and His
S0n-in-LaW.
COUNT RUMFORD'S CAREER
Became q Tory and Had to Flee From
Home.
ACHIEVED FAME IN BAVARIA
Responsible for tho Beautihcation Of
Munich-Bsnefactio Of His
Daughter.
BY WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

Special Correspondence Of The star and the Chicago
Record Herald.
CONCORD, n. H, July II, 1901.
Like Parson Hooker at Hartford, the
most important character in the history Of
Concord is the Rev. Timothy Walker. the
first minister of the Congregational Church.
who preached there for ffty-two years.
from 1870 to 1882. 1t was his first and only
charge. He went to the pulpit direct from
his ordination and at the end Of his labors
was buried in the old cemetery, where
eighteen of his sons and grandsons lie in
a row beside him, and other descendants.
multitude of them. buried around
him. He organized what is now known as
the Old North Church. with eight men,
bers. in $780, and baptized. married and
in this community up to the hour Of his
death. 1t is said that public worship has
been held by this church on every Sabbath
day since dts organization, 1T years ago.
There have been few pastors and their
periods of ministration have averaged
twenty-nine years.
Parson Walker was reverenced by the
entire population; much that after
service on Sunday mornings and after
moons 1t was customary for the whole con-
gregatfon to remain standing in their pews
until he left the pulpit and passed down
heads to the pastor. Many Of his sermons
were printed in pamphlet form and were
accepted as inspired. He was a good deal
Of a boss. also. I should Judge. was Par
son Walker. and what he said and even
what he thought was like the laws of the
Medes and Persans He was the tenn
poral as well as the spiritual leader OF
the people. He gave them advice in -finan-
cial, legal. political and social affairs and
among the archives of the town and county
are many legal documents in his hand
writing. He represented the community In
a controversy over boundary lines. which
lasted forty years. and made three voyages
to London, where he commanded sufficient
influence to bring the local concerns of
Concord to the personal attention OF the
king.
The Popular Estimate.
One OF the odd characters in the early
history OF the town. a desperate and dis
solute man. declared that he feared none
but God and Parson Walker, and that was
the attitude Of the entire community.
Upon the organization Of the township of
Concord. then called Penny Cook. in 1733.
the inhabitants and freeholders voted
That there should be fifty pounds given
to Mr.. Timothy Walker for building of him
dwelling house In Penny Cook, provided
that he give the Inhabitants and freeholders
a receipt that he has received in full for
his salary in times past until this day for
the decay of money, It not being equal to
silver at seventeen shillings the ounce
That house is still standing On North
Main street and is today occupied by Mr..
Joseph B. Walker. the fifth generation
from the parson and the first citizen of
Concord. He Is a venerable gentleman,
now eghty-six years old. who has the
qualification of looking back upon an event
full and useful life. and the eulogies of the
community have not been withheld is
usually the case until his death. He knows
how highly he is esteemed and how well
beloved by his fellow citizens.
Upon the death of Parson Walker after
his pastorate Of ffty-two years the par
sonage passed to his son, Judge Timothy
Walker. who occupied 1t during his life:
from him Capt. Joseph Walker inherited
1t. 1t has sheltered six successive genera
tons and is still one OF the most pre-
tentious and comfortable mansions in the
city, although. OF course. during its long
history, it has been enlarged and restored
several times.
The original church was torn down many
years ago and was replaced by a large
brick structure upon a lot across the way.
schoolhouse now occupies the original
site
tombstone was erected. as the epitaph
reads, by the town of Concord in men,
ory of the Rev. Timothy Walker, late pas
tor Of the church in said town. who de-
parted this lice September 1. A. D. 1852. in
the seventy eighth year OF his age, and the
fifty-second Of his ministry"
Lying under a grassy mound nearby 10
the dust of the most romantic character In
the history Of Concord, and her epitaph
da.