Born on 19 March 1800 at London, England, the son of John Walker, saddler, and his second wife Elizabeth, nee Ridley. Served an apprenticeship to a linen draper. Left England in 1831 with James Backhouse. In Van Diemen's Land. Helped prepare reports for the Government on the conditions of the convicts, aborigines, etc. Arrived at Melbourne on 10 November 1837 per "Eudora" from Hobart, V.D.L., with Backhouse. Visited George Langhorne's Mission Station on the Yarra River. Went to South Africa. Returned to Van Diemen's Land. He married on 15 December 1840 at the Friend's Meeting House, Hobart, V.D.L. to Sarah Benson Mather, daughter of Robert Mather. Opened a linen drapery. Distributed religious literature. Manager of the Hobart Town Savings Bank. Temperance worker. Died on 1 February 1859 at his residence at the Savings Bank, Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, and was buried on 4 February 1859 at the Friend's Burial Ground, Providence Valley, West Hobart, Tasmania.

[marriage certificate; death certificate; Australian Dictionary of Biography (Vol. 2); Johns An Australian Biographical Dictionary; Serle Dictionary of Australian Biography]

Back to Home Page