B68 - Thomas Walker & family, 1853

Thomas Walker was born in Carleton, near Pontefract, Yorkshire, England on 19-9-1853, the 7th child of Samuel (1801) and Rachael (born Dixon) Walker.

From the April 1861 Census Returns, he was at home in Town Street, Carlton with John 18 yrs, sisters Sarah 19 & Rachel Hannah. 23. Both parents were present. As of this date we have been unable to find a record of any attendance at a school, though five of Samuel’s children are on record as having attended the Quaker Boarding School at Ackworth.

Thomas married Margaret Laidler of Milford Junction, South Milford, Yorks. In the April 1881 CR Margaret is shown as age 26, born Tweedmouth, living with her widowed mother Sarah age 46, born in Benwell, Northumberland and a brother George William age 20 born Milford Junction. Also present is a second brother John and a niece Lizzie Laidler from Pelton Fell. Durham.

In the same 1881 CR Thomas is shown at “Highthorn”, Huntington, York, age 27, an Insurance agent and a visitor staying with Thomas Walker age 40, auctioneer and valuer, born Rochdale. This Thomas Walker’s wife was Emma age 36, born at Gilberdyke, York. Their two children were James C Walker age15, and Thomas H Walker age 13, both born in York. Two servants were also listed. It is not thought that this Walker family is connected to our Walker family.

It is interesting to note that the date of this census was April 3rd and three days on April 6th 1881 Thomas and Margaret Laidler were married in Huntington, a village a few miles north of York.

Herbert b. 2-4-1882 died 5-4-1893

Thomas Percy b. 4-12-1884 died 23-11-1961

Thomas Percy Walker married Hannah Welford.

For more details of Thomas Percy see his biography.

Prior to June 1885 it appears that Thomas and his family removed to Whitby, Yorkshire, as Thomas was one of the persons mentioned in his Mother’s Will which was probated in 1893. Her personal estate was valued at £1003. In this Thomas was mentioned as an Inn-Keeper of Whitby.

Bulmer’s directory for 1890 list Thomas Walker as owner of the Crown Hotel, Whitby, previously known as Flowergate House. This was built in 1779 by John Addison for Thomas Campion a ship owner. It is said the original plans were based on the Mansion House, London and was considered as the most handsome house in Whitby.

Following Thomas Walker’s death on 16-12-1897 the “valuable contents of this well known Hotel (Crown Hotel, Whitby were) for sale by order of the Executor of the late Thomas Walker”. To be auctioned by Mr Robert Gray of the County Sale room, Whitby, a four day sale 4th, 5th, 6th & 7th April 1898. A copy of the order and contents of the sale is included below and in our Walker archives.

From Probate books:-

Thomas Walker of Whitby Yorks, (Hotelkeeper) died 16 December 1897. Probate September 1898 London to John Clerke Snowden, civil servant, £5,898.

Thomas Walker of Whitby (Hotel keeper) died 16 December 1897. Admon (with will) (Ltd) London 27 March 1900 to John Clifford, builder & Alfred Ernest Tyson accountant. Effects £4245. Former grant 1898.

Thomas Walker of Whitby died 16 December 1897. Probate to Thomas Percy Walker (farmer) 1911. Effects £389. Former grant September 1898 and March 1900.

TheThomas Percy Walker mentioned above was his son.

It is not known at the moment where Thomas Walker or his wife Margaret were buried.

Sources

:-Private photographs, papers etc belonging to John H Walker, Leeds.

:- Charles Walker's (1860) note book

:- 1881 Census returns.

:- Probate documents of Rachel Walker (1809).

:- Queen Elizabeth Law Courts, Liverpool.

:- Liverpool Central Library.

:- Ackworth School records, Eng.

:- Bulmer's Directory for Whitby 1890.

By R. B. Walker Eng. 27 August, 2006