James Reed Walker1

b. 2 September 1813, d. 18 May 1879
FatherJames Walker2
MotherMary Jane Davis2 b. 29 Oct 1788, d. 14 Jul 1843
Birth2 Sep 1813 James Reed Walker was born on 2 Sep 1813 in Alabama.1,3 
Marriage License15 Apr 1837 He and Jane Davis obtained a marriage license on 15 Apr 1837 in Madison County, Alabama.4,2 
  They were first cousins.  
Will-Recd17 Oct 1842  James received the sum of $187.92 when the estate of his maternal grandfather, Samuel Davis was probated in Madison County, Alabama, on 17 Oct 1842. James's siblings each received identical amounts which was their share of their deceased mother's portion of Samuel's estate.5 
Cens-18507 Nov 1850  James and Jane were enumerated in Madison County in 1850, when the first federal census to record all members of a household was taken. They were listed as J.R. Walker, a 37 year old farmer who owned land valued at $3,000, Jane (32), James (12), Elizabeth (7), John (5) and William (3).3 
Cens-186013 Jun 1860  Ten years later, when the census was again taken the family farm had increased in value to $15,000. James (enumerated by his middle name Reed) also owned personal property worth $15,000. This census also noted that Jane, at age 42, could not read or write. However, son James was working as a teacher and the other school age children were all attending school. In addition, a Polly Davis [possibly Jane's mother?], was living with the family. Polly's age was listed as 63 and her place of birth as unknown. Also, a check mark in the column titled "color" confuses the issue as further clarification was not provided.6 
Cens-187017 Aug 1870  By 1870 the value of James's land had fallen to $4,000 and his personal property to $1,000 [no doubt impacted by the Civil War]. The location of the family residence was more clearly identified in the 1870 census; James and Jane's land was in township 1, range 2 east. Four of the couple's children were still living at home.7 
Death18 May 1879 James died on 18 May 1879 at age 65.3 
Burial He was buried at Miller Cemetery in Madison County, Alabama.1 

Family

Jane Davis b. 11 Sep 1818, d. 19 Jun 1896
Children
  • James Walker3 (circa 1838 - )
  • Elizabeth Walker3 (circa 1843 - )
  • John Walker3 (circa 1845 - )
  • William Walker3 (circa 1847 - )
  • Robert Walker6 (circa 1850 - )
  • Loudemia Walker6 (circa 1854 - )
  • Alexander Walker6 (circa 1856 - )
  • Sarah Walker7 (circa 1858 - )
Last Edited25 Aug 2007

Citations

  1. [S1802] "Madison County Cemetery Records", database, USGenWeb: Alabama, Madison County (http://www.rootsweb.com/~almadiso/madison.htm : viewed Aug. 2007).
  2. [S1734] Samuel Davis settlement (1845), Madison County, Alabama Probate Record 10: 550. The settlement included a list of credits and charges against the estate and a specific list of each of the legatees including the heirs of Samuel's deceased children.
  3. [S1782] J.R. Walker household, 1850 U.S. cens, Madison Co.. AL, pop. sched., District 34, p. 349, dwelling 264, family 264, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2007, image 39 of 67. Household includes: J.R. Walker, 37, farmer, owns land val at $3,000; Jane 32; James 12; Elizabeth 7; John 5; William 3; all b. AL.
  4. [S1735] "1809-1899 Madison Co. Alabama Marriage Index", database, Madison County Records Center (http://www.co.madison.al.us/mcrc/ : viewed June 2007), James R. Walker - Jane Davis entry, citing Vol. 4:374 of the Madison Co. Marriage Records.
  5. [S1733] Samuel Davis will (1842), Madison County, Alabama Probate Record 10: 24. Samuel's will, dated the 8th day of Jan. 1842 was recorded Oct. 17, 1842. It named Joseph Rice and son William Davis as his executors with Madison Anderson and James Seaton as witnesses.
  6. [S1803] Reed Walker household, 1860 U.S. cens, Madison Co.. AL, pop. sched., District 1, p. 269 stamped, dwelling 232, family 232, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 35 of 72. Household includes: Reed Walker, 48, farmer, owns land val at $15,000, pers. prop of $18,000; Jane, 42, cannot read or write; James, 21, teacher; Elizabeth, 16; John, 14; William, 12; Robert, 10; Lod__a (f), 6; Alex, 2; all b. AL; Polly Davis, , 63, place of birth unkown, cannot read or write, is a check mark in column titled Color but meaning is not clear.
  7. [S1805] James R. Walker household, 1870 U.S. cens, Madison Co.. AL, pop. sched., Township 1 Range 2E, p. after 249 stamped, dwelling 84, family 99, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2007, image 16 of 41. Household includes: James R. Walker, 58, farmer, owns land val: $4,000 & pers. prop of $1,000; Jane, 52; Robert, 18, works on farm; Loudeama (f), 16; Alexander 14; Sarah, 12; all b. AL.