Robert Walker (1630)

Robert Walker
Born	c. 1630 Scotland
Resting place	Ireland
Children	James Walker (1660)

Beginnings in Scotland

"The earlier Walkers do not have good dates, so we use Robert Walker b.abt 1630 [James's father]. He was the first we know about. We believe that our ancestor Robert Walker lived in Scotland, Torbolton, Ayrshire before 1665, and fared well until the restoration when he was arrested and fined for selling and 'weaving lining cloth' in defiance of English laws pertaining to Scottish persons. It was prohibited by newly enforced regulations promulgated by the Restored Monarchy."

"He was raised near Glasgow, Scotland. Migrated to Ireland, signed allegiance to King William at the [siege of Londonderry], 1688-9. In 1689 he and his son, James b abt 1660 are on the rolls of inhabitants of Londonderry, Ulster, at the time of the siege, by forces under James II and Lord Tyrconel."

"In 1718, a group of Ulster Scots, two Roberts, a William and a James Walker were among those living in N Ireland who petitioned Gov. Schute of Massachusetts for permission to immigrate to the American colonies, which request was subsequently granted."

Additional Notes

Robert Walker was born about 1610 in Scotland. He was raised near Glascow, Scotland. He migrated to Ireland and signed an allegiance to King William at the siege of Londonderry 1688-1689.

"We believe that our ancestor was a Robert Walker who lived in Scotland, Tarbolton, Ayrshire before 1665, when he was arrested for selling 'lining clothe prohibited by the newly enforced regulations promulgated by the Restored Monarchy.

In 1689 he and his son, James are on the rolls of inhabitants of Londonderry, then under siege, by forces under James II and Lord Tyrconel.

In 1718 two Roberts a William and a James Walker are among those living in N. Ireland who petitioned Gov. Schute of Mass. for permission to emigrate to the colonies, which request was subsequently granted, with six of James Walker's sons taking advantage beginning after 1730, three, James Henry and Andrew locating east of the Susquehanna, and three others Samuel, Robert and William on the western side. Estates are in court records for those east, but there are none for the three western Walkers." James Opfell

In September of 2004, I visited Scotland for the very first time. I was able to visit Tarbolton in Ayrshire for a day and stroll through the old parish cemetery where still today the Walker name is prevalent. Unfortunately, the parish Minister was unavailable due to a funeral ceremony at the parish church. I was able to meet some of the elderly attendees waiting at the entrance of the church for the funeral to start. I explained that I was from the United States and a Walker and was conducting a Family research for the Walker Family that, from all accounts, originated there in their small farming village of Tarbolton. They, in their Black suits and Grey white hair acknowledged the fact that there were still many a prominent Walker Families in the area. They had a good look at me and with squinted eyes nodded their heads in an almost approving manner to say, "Aye, there is some likeness of the Walker family in this boy". One just had the feeling that the look on these rugged, broad shouldered farmer's faces was a glint of almost familiarity between us, almost as if we knew each other very well. A easy feeling, that I must say I have had when I have met people that I didn't know personally but later found that they were actually distant family members.

They spoke in soft, hurried Brough Scottish accents, acting very much distracted by their obvious spiritual god fearing loyal attendance to a probable family member's funeral. I could sense that they were very much interested in my claim to be of Tarbolton Scottish descent. I sensed their intrest in me which took on a feeling that they were curious about this American boy. I know they would have loved to have had a chance to talk more about my family research, but they had a more important task at hand of committing a love one into god's hands. I, very respectfully, didn't want to be a distraction in their duty to god and family .

As I reflect back and oddly enough, I had no problem understanding their almost Gaelic Scottish accents and mannerisms. It was a spiritual experience for me as if I was really talking to family instead of total strangers. If I had been dressed for the occasion I would have loved to have attended that funeral in that small 18th century parish church. I am sure it would have been an experience without precedence.

I was able to take a few photos of the church and the surrounding village which I have submitted to the scrap book here under Robert Walker's family sheet. One in particular is of the placard outside the parish church that has the church of Scotland's information for this parish and the Minister's Name. I plan on writing as soon as possible to share my research and be sure to let him know that I was there on that Autumn day physically as well as spiritually. W. Walker Jan. 2005

The migration to Ireland

In 1603 King James VI of Scotland became King James I of England and this saw a major change of direction in Ireland. The existing Scottish and English families in Ireland expected a better deal from the Protestant King James and he saw that by getting loyal Scottish Protestants into Ireland he could also remove a lot of his other problems. On the Scottish - English border the Border "Reivers" had been a thorn in the flesh for a long time with several families (Armstrong, Elliott, Irvine, Graham, Nixon, Johnson, etc) called `the riding clans` , living by pillaging the populace ("reiver" means plunderer ). He dealt with the Reivers very harshly, hanging many and transporting others to the Province of Connacht in western Ireland. James also saw the opportunity to encourage the Scottish Presbyterian "Dissenters" who were severely opposed to the rule by Bishops, to move across the Irish Sea. His opportunity came when the Irish Earls fled from Ireland in 1607 leaving the whole of Tyrone and Donegal and half of Fermanagh liable to seizure. The subsequent confiscation of virtually all non- church lands in Counties Tyrone, Armagh, Fermanagh, Donegal, Cavan and Coleraine meant that much of the Province of Ulster was available for disposal by the Crown. Plantation was not a new idea but followed a number of earlier attempts to settle people in Ireland. There was a mainly English Plantation in the mid-16th Century when Queen Elizabeth I wanted lands settled and sought to curb the growing friendship between the Scottish McDonnells in North Antrim and France. There were several attempts including one by Sir Thomas Smith to settle the Ards in Co Down in 1572 .

Thousands of Scottish people went to Ulster with the Plantation and thus was born the Scotch - Irish / Ulster Scot. In 1649 -50, there was another major redistribution of lands when Cromwell offered land in lieu of wages to his soldiers - many took the offer and sold the lands on without themselves even visiting their allotment. In later years many of these Scots - Irish and the indigenous Irish people who were badly treated in so many ways, subsequently emigrated to the USA and Canada .

It was not until the late 18th and 19th century that their ancestors continued the tradition of emigration to other colonies in Australia and New Zealand.There you have a snapshot of how the Scotch - Irish originated and of whom President Teddy Roosevelt said that they were, "the kernel of the distinctively and intensely American stock who were the pioneers of our people in their march westward."

Notes