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Topic: Completed - Captain Walker of Gilgarron (Read 341 times)
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Piglet01
RootsChat Veteran
 Offline
Posts: 661
Captain Bob as a boy
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Hello
First time on a board 'south of the border', so please be gentle with me. :O) I've a distant relative of my sons, a Robert Amos who was a Wheel and Cartwright . Born in Scotland.
In the 1840's he was working as a joiner for a Captain Walker in Gilgarron - Parish of Distington. I have him and family on the 1851 census
He had 5 daughters, all born in the area and I've got info on all. What I'm looking for is some info on where he worked. Also who was Capt Walker? I believe he was a RN officer - of some note in the area. Other than that I know as they say 'nothing'
In the 1850's Robert returned to Scotland and remained there till death.
Thanks for any help you can give.
Regards, Steve :O)
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 13 August 08 20:52 BST (UK) by Piglet01 »
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McDonald originating in Aberlour. Smith (Aberdeenshire/Aberdeen), Esslemont, Christie, Robbie; Scott (in Aberdour). Crosbie and Willison. Roxburgh: Lawrie, Thomson, Paxton, Peacock, Amos, Robson
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Piglet01
RootsChat Veteran
Offline
Posts: 661
Captain Bob as a boy
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Thanks very much Cathy.
Have usd Google books some time ago. Went and got the article you mentioned :O) Also, came across the item below on another web page.
'Gilgarran is a hamlet 2 miles E. of Distington. The stately mansion of Capt. James Robertson Walker, R.N. is situated here; and near to the village of Distington are Prospect House, the seat of Major Henry Caldecot and Belle Vue, the residence of John Stanley, M.D'.
I wonder what happened to the 'stately mansion?
Once again. Thanks very much. Regards, Steve :O)
Mannix & Whellan, History, Gazetteer and Directory of Cumberland, 1847'
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 13 August 08 20:52 BST (UK) by Piglet01 »
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McDonald originating in Aberlour. Smith (Aberdeenshire/Aberdeen), Esslemont, Christie, Robbie; Scott (in Aberdour). Crosbie and Willison. Roxburgh: Lawrie, Thomson, Paxton, Peacock, Amos, Robson
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jeffbubble
RootsChat Extra
Offline
Posts: 16
Henry Stamper Wilson, Lonsdale Battalion. Grandad
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Hi this may help.
Gilgarran House
Built in Italianate style, from local yellow freestone by a brother and sister, William and Anne Walker.
William, a Whitehaven merchant, born in Grasmere, became successful during the napoleonic wars. He was a man of substance, owning property at Aspatria and Loweswater.
His love for ornamental trees and plants for his grounds took him to foreign climes, in search of choice specimens. On one of these expeditions to Italy in June 1819, the merchant ship, Brunswick, on which he was travelling with his sister and a Miss Wilson of Barnghyll, was attacked by the Spanish gunboat, Pronte and in the ensuing action, William Walker was killed.
The battered ship reached Italy, but on the return journey Miss Walker (now the heiress of her brother) was conveyed in a British frigate under the command of a naval officer (who had been on board the Victory at the battle of Trafalgar) by the name of Captain James Robertson.
A romance followed: Anne and James fell in love and, subsequently were married at St Nicholas’ Church Whitehaven, in July 1825. The Captain assumed by Royal licence the additional surname of Walker, hence the name “Robertson-Walker.”
On retirement from the Navy, he became a JP and the High Sheriff of Cumberland in 1841. The family were well loved in the area, and noted for their benevolence to the people in the Parish of Distington. The household and estate needed seven maids, two gamekeepers, a groom, butler, coachman, five woodsmen, six gardeners and seven farm workers.
The houses for these workers provided a nucleus for a small village with a school. Each house had running water.
Death duties saw the end of the estate, for in 1940 both Mr J Robertson-Walker died and Lt. Ian Murdo Maxwell Robertson-Walker was killed on HMS Gloucester, at the battle of Crete.
The mansion and estate were put up for sale in 1951. The lots included the house with its 4,000 gallon water supply, the staff houses, garage and stables, a saw mill, quarry, Home Farm, Kelmore Hills Farm, Colin Gate Farm, Low Dyonside Farm, High House Farm, Common Side Farm and Bellevue. It totalled over 850 acres and also had a considerable quantity of Scotch spruce, and larch timber. The house was demolished in the 50s, and a private housing estate built on the site.
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Jefferson - Wigton/Workington
Wilson -Distington/Workington
Mudridge/Mugridge Cumberland & Cornwall
Hewitson -Ulldale
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Piglet01
RootsChat Veteran
Offline
Posts: 661
Captain Bob as a boy
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Thanks very much Jeff
Good background information, which despite a search on Google Books I didn't have. Just had a look at this posting on the off chance today. It's nice to have background info like that and make people being researched 'more alive'.
Regards, Steve :O)
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« Last Edit: Wednesday 13 August 08 20:54 BST (UK) by Piglet01 »
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McDonald originating in Aberlour. Smith (Aberdeenshire/Aberdeen), Esslemont, Christie, Robbie; Scott (in Aberdour). Crosbie and Willison. Roxburgh: Lawrie, Thomson, Paxton, Peacock, Amos, Robson
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