Misc. Notes
A landowner and lawyer in Caroline County, which had just been formed in 1728 from parts of Essex, King & Queen and King William Counties. Benjamin Walker’s name frequently appears in what is left of the Caroline County Order Books. An example is his legal complaint filed in June 1738 against the tobacco inspectors at Roys and Conways Warehouses in Caroline County citing that they "had greatly neglected thie duty". They do not charge correctly for the transfer of the tobacco, nor do they properly care for the product in their keeping.
In the Virginia Gazette for June 9, 1738 there is an article by Benjamin Walker promoting rattlesnake root for the gout. His obituary appeared not long after in the September 8, 1738 issue. It said:
Williamsburg, September 6
“Last Sunday was Sen’night died at his home in Caroline County, Mr. Benjamin Walker, who had practiced the law several years in the county courts in which he arrive to a degree of Eminence; and at the last General Court was admitted to plead there. He had the Gout when very young; has been several years grievously afflicted with it; and, it is believed, was the cause of his death.”
When Benjamin’s will was probated in 1739, his signature was confirmed by Thomas Walker, most likely his brother Thomas’s son (later known as Dr. Thomas Walker), and John Baylor, a King and Queen County neighbor of the Locust Grove Walkers was appointed guardian to Benjamin’s son John who was underage. The three daughters (Ann, Betty and Mary) received their part of the inheritance in 1751.