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Benjamin Walker was born in Darley, Yorkshire, England on 23 Jan. 1799, the 10th child of Robert (1755) and Rachel (born Spence) Walker.
Benjamin is described in his father’s Will of 19 Sept. 1820, as “being of Menwith-with-Darley in the Parish of Hampsthwaite, County of York, Shopkeeper and Linen Weaver, being of the people called Quakers.” His father says in his Will:- "I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Walker all my Estate of land situated in Darley, Parish of Hampsthwaite and County of York with all hereditament and appurtenances thereunto belonging”. In 1826 Benjamin built a large new stone house just a few yards east of what used to be his father’s barn and shop. Over the back door on the lintel is carved the date 1826.(See photo) This house which today is known as “Field House”(See photo) was constructed over two old cellars, belonging to the previous house. The owner felt sure that the second cellar, consisting of a large "concrete" room with meat hooks in the ceiling and a very large stone-slab table had been a place for hanging slaughtered hogs and cattle. In the side of the room were places for keeping salt. Both Bud and Richard Walker have viewed this. The first cellar, to which one enters by outside steps near the front door is much smaller. The roof beams of the cellar which also support the ground floor of the house are notched on their upper sides. These notches bear no relation to the ceiling beam structure or adjacent beams. It would appear that these beams have been used before (probably on the previous house or cottage) and re-used in the 1826 build.
As Benjamin was still single at this time, (1826) it would seem likely that his mother and his two sisters, Sarah and Elizabeth moved into Field House with him.
Field House door, Darley
Built in 1826 by Benjamin Walker
Field House, Darley
Built in 1826 by Benjamin Walker
On 29 July, 1829, Benjamin married Elizabeth Webster in York, Yorkshire. Elizabeth was born on 8 Oct. 1796 in Storthwaite, of Thornton Parish, the daughter of George and Ann (born Pickering) Webster. At the time of Elizabeth’s marriage her parents were both deceased though their residence as shown on the marriage certificate was Storthwaite, Yorkshire. According to a talk by Benjamin’s great grandson, Benjamin Claude Walker, presented to a gathering of Friends at Darley Meeting House 100 years later, on 13 July, 1929, the Websters and the Walkers were among the early Friends attending Meeting at Dacre and Darley.
Benjamin and Elizabeth had 7 children, all born in Darley:-
See separate biographies for Benjamin and Edwin.
Joseph was educated at Ackworth Boarding School from 1840 to 1843 and at Lawrence School, York from 1844 to 1845. In the Bootham School records (where the Lawrence students are recorded), Joseph is described as a Retired Chemist of Birstwith, with a hobby of gardening.
The Residual Account Document associated with his father's Will of 1855 says that Joseph was a druggist of Rochester. Joseph inherited a half share of the Long Lane farm at Felliscliffe with his brother John, in the parish of Hampsthwaite. This was occupied by Thomas Horseman at that time.
In his sister Ann’s Will, dated 4-12-1857, he is described as a “gentleman” of Menwith-with-Darley.
From 1861 to 1869 he was a member of Harrogate Friends Meeting. The 1861 Census, however, shows Joseph as living in his father’s House (which by 1861 was owned by his brother Benjamin) in Darley, as unmarried, age 30, a landed proprietor, born in Darley. He was living with his cousin, Sarah Ellen Webster. She was listed as unmarried, age 21, lady, born Manchester and living with Sally Wheelhouse, unmarried, age 20, house servant, born Darley.
Spence Walker, who died 1870, left a Will with a Probate register document which showed Joseph Walker of Birstwith as one of the Executors.
Joseph was listed in the 1871 Census Return for Birstwith as:-“Joseph Walker - age 40 - Annuity from Railway Shares - born Darley who has living with him one Jane Sudbury, age 38, housekeeper & Gen. Servant”. He was living very close to Birstwith House, Laurel Bank and East View, all properties owned by brothers and a sister.
The Quaker York Quarterly Meeting records show Joseph's Account of various trusteeships, as,:-
1872-1879 Joseph Walker of Darley.
A Court document of 11 Feb. 1880 states Joseph as a gentleman of Boston Spa, Yorks.
In the 1881 Census Joseph was shown as living at Lowcocks Farm in Hartwith, Hartwith-cum-Winsley of Yorkshire, occupation “Gentleman”.
1887 Joseph Walker of Darley removed to Wakefield.
1887-1889 Joseph Walker of Wakefield now of Leeds.
1890 Joseph Walker now of Normanton, Yorks.
1896 Joseph Walker of Normanton now of Roath, Cardiff, (Wales).
1906 Joseph Walker of Roath, Cardiff.
Joseph died 16-4-1907.
Relatively little is known of the three sisters, Ann, Hannah and Elizabeth Jane. They all attended Ackworth School, Ann from 1843 to 1846, Hannah from 1845 to 1848 and Elizabeth Jane from 1847 to 1850. At the time of the 1851 Census Ann was shown as being at 10 Oxford Row, Leeds, visiting the Thomas Walker family, who at that time had no connection to our Walker family. See biographies 52 and 53 for later connections. However all three of the girl’s signatures appear on their father's and brother Benjamin’s shop receipts, some as late as 1861, until the shop was taken over by Edwin. H. Stevens. According to Ann’s Will, (see Biog-39-E) dated 4 Dec. 1857 she was of “Menwith-with-Darley” However, she died in 1859 at Carlton, near Pontefract, Yorkshire at the home of her Uncle Samuel Walker. Her personal estate was valued at under £800. By 1861, after Ann and Hannah had both died, Elizabeth Jane was living with her brother, Benjamin,as "housekeeper" at Hay-a-Park. She left a Will, (see Biog-39-F) in which she bequeaths all her real and personal property unto her brothers, to share and share alike, valued at under £1500.
The three girls were buried at the Friends Burial Ground in Darley, Ann in row 2, plot 5, Hannah in row 3, plot 1 and Elizabeth in row 2, plot 7. All three were spinsters at the time of their deaths.
John was first educated at Rawden Quaker School from 16 June, 1850 to 19 June, 1851, and then at Ackworth School from 1851 to 1854. He is mentioned in his father’s Will of 1855 as inheriting a half share of an Estate called “Long Lane” farm, at Felliscliffe. Little seems to be known of John other than he did marry Eliza Austin, although the date of marriage is unknown. He did however, leave a Will (see Biog-39-G) at the time of his death, which reads, in part:- “John Walker of 31 Roundhay Road, Leeds, in the County of York, Provision Dealer, I give and devise all my leasehold estate situate and being at Heckburn, Bedlington in the County of Northumberland unto my dear wife, Eliza Walker”.
His personal estate was stated as under £200. There are no children mentioned. John was buried in the Friends Burial Ground in Darley in row 9, plot 1.
Webster Walker lived only five months. He was buried at the Friends Burial Ground in Darley, in row 3, plot 8.
On the 30th. Jun. 1844 Elizabeth Webster of Darley died at age 47. She was buried in the Friends Burial Ground at Darley in row 3, plot 11. She left a Will (see Biog-39-B) leaving her entire estate to her husband, Benjamin.
Benjamin Walker of Darley died on 14 Feb. 1855 at age 56. He, also, was buried at the Friends Burial Ground at Darley, in row 3, plot 12 (see photo below). He left a Will (see Biog-39-C)
Following his death his Executors advertised Lawn Farm for sale, see Biog-39-D
To once again quote from Benjamin Claude Walker’s address to Friends at Darley in 1929 concerning his great grandfather :-
“The quiet reserved manner of Darley Friends is well illustrated by the story of one Benjamin Walker. His office was broken into one night and a sum of about £30 was stolen. His wife was not well at the time and he told of his losses to no one. The broken window was repaired and nothing was said. Some days later when he was walking along the road a man he knew quite well joined him and said; “I was sorry Mr. Walker to hear of your loss”. “What Loss?” “Why, the sum of money you had stolen.” Benjamin Walker turned and looking straight at him said “Thou art the man who hast it, and thou will return it”. We learn this man was in a sad plight and really required money, and that our Darley Friend did not treat him harshly nor did he demand the return of the full sum taken.”
Benjamin Walker's grave marker.
Friends Burial Ground, Darley,
By:- R.B. Walker, Eng. & H.L. Walker, Can. Rev:- 29-May-2004
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