19th, 1753.) He was bound as an apprentice for four years, to a merchant in Charleston, (George Parker.) After being released from this service, he was placed with Dr. Joseph Dobson, where he received all the education he ever possessed. He went in 1755 with Colonel Richard Henderson, to Kentucky, (then called Louisa.) Colonel Henderson had made a purchase in that section, from the Cherokee Indians, at Long Island on the Holston, they united their forces with Daniel Boone, who was their pilot to "the promised land." The company amounted to thirty persons.
Among these were Captain William Twitty; Samuel Coburn, James Bridges, Thomas Johnson, John Hart, William Hicks, James Peck, and Felix Walker were of this company, from Rutherford County. They were the first explorers of this section, and were charmed with the brilliant prospects before them. A sad reverse however overtook them on their way. On March 25th, 1775, before day, they were fired upon by Indians. Captain Twitty was killed, Walker was severely wounded, and the camp dispersed. Mr. Walker's life was for a time in extreme jeopardy. By the unremitting attention of Colonel Boone, he recovered, and in July returned to his farther's home in Rutherfordton. After remaining home some months he went to the Watauga, a branch of the Holston, which heads in the mountains, opposite Ashe County. The County of Washington had just been formed and he was appointed by the people, clerk of the first court ever heard of in this section. He continued in office for four years. The war of the Revolution then raging, his patriotic spirit caused him to go to Mecklenburg and join the army. On recommendation of Colonel Thomas Polk he was appointed Lieutenant in Captain Richardson's Company, in Colonel Isaac Huger's Regiment. He marched to Charleston in May, 1776, and was stationed on James' Island. At this time the Indians in Western Carolina became very troublesome, and he returned home as Captain of a Company of Light Dragoons, to protect the froatier. He was stationed at Nollachuckey. The Indians were subdued; he rereturned to Watauga and resumed his duties as Clerk of the Court. When Rutherford County was erected from Tryon, since become Lincoln (in 1779,) he was appointed Clerk of the Court. He resided at Cane Creek for many years, attended to his farm and his duties as Clerk of the Court, which duties he discharged to the great satisfaction of the community and with profit to himself.
In 1792 he was elected a member of the House of Commons from Rutherford County to the Legislature, then sitting at New Berne, and elected again in 1793 and 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803 and 1804,
In 1817 he was elected a member of the 15th Congress, and was re-elected to the 16th and 17th Congresses. In his first election the Hon. John Paxton was his opponent. He was succeeded by Dr. Robert B. Vance. His course in Congress was calm and sedate rather than showy. A devoted friend of General Jackson; he defended his conduct of the war with the Seminoles. He was the author of the phrase that has become historical in politics, "Talking for Buncombe."
He removed soon after leaving Congress, to Clinton, Mississippi, where he died in 1828.
General Walker was twice married; first, Susan, daughter of Colonel Charles Robinson, who died soon after her marriage; second. Isabella, daughter of William Henry, of York District, South Carolina, by whom he had several children. One of his grandsons (S. R. Walker) now resides in New Orleans, and with whose aid, and the autobiography of General Walker, this sketch is chiefly compiled.
Colonel Wm. Graham, born 1742, died 1835, was long a resident of this section of this State. He
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