John Walker (234)

John Walker (13 February 1744–2 December 1809 ) was an elected representative, plantation owner, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Born in Virginia, his father was a skilled physician and surgeon made wealthy by speculation in Indian lands. Consequently, John received an affluent education culminating in his graduation from the College of William and Mary. Not long after graduating he married Elizabeth Moore with his college friend Thomas Jefferson beside him as a groomsmen. By 1768, Walker had overseen the construction of Belvoir plantation in Virginia (not far from Jefferson’s childhood home) and soon began accumulating the public offices that were part and parcel to men of his social standing. His public officeholding included serving as a clerk with the Virginia delegation at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and election to Virginia’s House of Burgesses its committees on courts of justice and elections. Walker contributed in material ways in the fight for Independence, notably collecting clothing for the army over the difficult winter of 1777-78. In 1779, he was elected as Virginia’s delegate to the Continental Congress and, with his family, took up residence in Philadelphia. The following summer, however, Walker was not reelected and he returned, somewhat resentful, to Virginia. Retirement proved more intermittent than permanent and Walker was recalled to serve on councils and committees and in 1790 was the interim United States Senator for Virginia. Subsequent family health crises plagued Walker later in life, including the postpartum death of his only child. Attempting to receive treatment for a series of his own painful ailments, Walker died enroute to Philadelphia in 1809. Existing records suggest, but cannot definitely confirm, that this John Walker was the John Walker elected to APS. (PI)