A Gates Family Review:Information about Benjamin Walker
Benjamin Walker (b. 1742, d. December 31, 1821)
Notes for Benjamin Walker:[mcreary.FTW]
Immigration of Irish Quakers into Pennsylvania
Benjamin Walker, a member of the Meeting, who resided on an adjoining farm to the south, was on the building committee, and in his Diary (1780-1786), gives a detailed account of the work of construction, 4 Mo. 13, 1782, he is "one to provide Nesareys and go on with Building an addishing to our Meeting house." 5 Mo. 16, they "agreed with ye Carpenters to Do ye work for the Meeting house; flowring(flooring) 5s by ye Square, Lining ye walls 7s-6d, Galoreer (gallery) 12sby Square, Sash 7dpr Light, Sheters (shutters) 4s apeace, Doars 10s, Window Cases 4s-6d, Doars 5s6d." 6 Mo. 13, 5thday, "at Meeting this Day we agreed with John and Jonah Thomas toBuild a Stone End to the Meeting house and with ye Carpenters."For several months afterward we find Walker turning aside from his many other duties and actively engaged in pushing forward the building of the meeting-house.One day (7Mo.30) he goes to York for lime; another he is hauling stone; and another (8Mo7) he drives "to the pigeon hills for Lime 35 Bushels" 8Mo. 8, "Ditto and halling Corner Stone for Elihu Underwood."8 Mo.27 he is "Halling the Summer Beam." By 9 Mo. 6, the stone work had so far progressed that our diarist notes."At our Meeting for Suffiring Raising ye New End of ye meeting house" 10 Mo. 14 he hauled "Shingles from ye Meeting house to Wm. McMullins (brother of George McMillan)to Soak."By 10 Mo. 21 no doubt the shingles were sufficiently soaked, and evidently he is returning them when he writes under this date, "halling Shingals for ye Meeting house."The Addition was soon completed, and , 1 Mo.2 1783, we find the committee settling with "the Masons for Building ye new meeting house and theris Du to them 44 Pounds-4-0."Repairs on the old end were begun the following summer. 5 Mo. 27, 1783, they were "Striping the old Roof Off, " and 6 Mo. 20, "halling Sleepers for the Meeting house." 8 Mo. 11 they were "taking up the Meeting house floore." 9 Mo.26, Walker went "to Manahan to Allin Tarbuts for a Load of Boards for ye Meeting." 11 Mo. 17, they settled "with the Carpenters that Built the Meeting House; it Came to 47 Pounds-15-7 1/2.'
Benjamin Walker was also a Grave Digger for the Church. In his Diary " 5Mo. 22, 1781 3d-day, notes that he was "Diging a Grave for Elizabeth Ellet formerly Atherton," at Warrington Friends Burial Ground.
Diary of Benjamin Walker, of Warrington, York Co., Pa., (1780-1786) in Possession of a descendant Mrs. Phebe A. Smith, York, Pa.
More About Benjamin Walker:
Burial: December 31, 1821, Warrington Friends Graveyard, Warrington Twp., York Co., Pa.5112
Children of Benjamin Walker and Ruth Morris are:
- +Benjamin Walker jr., b. May 07, 1782, York Ct., Pa.5112, d. November 06, 18365112.