Walkers of Pennsylvania

The Walker's of Pennsylvania

I received the following letter from a Mr James Leggate from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, after I posted some information about two of my Ancestors William and Hay Walker on one of the many message boards on the internet, asking for help in tracing them, James Leggate came to my rescue, and I can't thank him enough, the following information is part of the e-mail he sent me.

William Walker (1870 Census)
William was born in East lothian, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, on April 24 1806. He was the son of John Walker and Margaret Hepburn (Daughter of the Rev. Thomas Hepburn). He emigrated to the US. in 1831, spending a short time in Philidelphia Pa. then moving on to Allegheny City(Pittsburgh). In 1837 he organized the firm of W. and H. Walker soap and candle manufacturers with his brother Hay.

In 1866 he formed a partnership with James Bryce called Bryce,Walker, and Co glass manufacturers and at that time I believe that Hay took over the soap and candle firm. He was one of the organizers of the Farmer's Deposit Bank and in 1869 became it's President. He was also President and Director of the Merchants and Manufacturers Insurance Co. Pa.

In 1847 he married Eliza Ackley who was born in Washington Co. Pa. 1825/26. William and Eliza had 5 children but only his two daughters Margaret and Elisabeth are mentioned in his will. William died on April 09 1883 at his home on Western Ave. in Allegheny City Pa.

Hay Walker (1870 Census)
Less information is available on the life of Hay Walker but I will include what I have found. Hay was born in Scotland in 1813. He married Jeanett Charters (Daughter of Jane ? Charters) 1843/44. Hay died on January 21 1884 at 4 o'clock pm at his home in the 11th Ward of Allegheny City Pa.

Hay and Jeanette had 8 children, seven of which lived into adulthood. John the eldest, was born 1844/45. One book states that the Walker family had lived in the same Scottish town for some 300 years.