For those who have read Mary Eagle/Walker's Diary and perhaps of even more interest to those who read Charles Walker's Diary of 1851

The long saga of the Walker family is finally over. But there might be some of you who care enough about the characters to be curious as to what happened next. Through my research I have found out the following:

Albert Jones, (born 1829) Charles’ best friend, continued to live with his mother. He also continued to work as a coach trimmer. After his mother’s death, he lived with his sister, and then later with his niece. He spent some time out of Worcester, living in lodgings in Tewksbury, but was back in Worcester in 1901, which is as far as the research goes.

Charles Cale (born 1818) – employee of the Needham firm became manager. He had a son, also called Charles who was born in 1844. He was listed as an engine smith, with Selina and daughter Edith born in 1866.  I think this is probably the man who takes over Charles Walker’s business in 1901.

Adelaide Hilbourne (born 1832) – shirt maker friend of Charles. She never married, but has several children, who are all brought up at her father’s house. They have different surnames, but she kept her own name - which I assume to mean that she didn’t marry any of the children’s fathers. 

William Bass Needham –  (born 1843) Son of Charles’ original boss, Francis E Needham  and Charles’ partner in business for many years. Married Jessie Ann, and had son Edward Francis, born 1870. In 1871 William is listed as a merchant general.  In 1891 he lived at 46 Lowesmore, and was listed as Coal and Corn Merchant. He seems to have had 3 more children, Harry W, Leonard and Winifred.W.B. Needham was an important public figure in Worcester in 1896. He was a councilor for St. Johns Ward and involved with all sort of public committees. In 1901 he is still listed as a Corn and Coal Merchant, and his son Leonard is listed as a Lawyers Clerk. At that time he lived at the Moorlands. His brother John Needham (born 1842) might be the person in the 1871 census listed as Lieutenant in the Artillery, living in Frimley Surrey. I couldn’t find him in the 1891 census.  Interestingly enough, his son Edward takes over the coal and corn business and by 1908 is living next door to the people who feature in my next book.

Robert Needham –  (born 1852) , another son of FE Needham, listed in 1871 as a timber merchant clerk but still living with Aunt Martha, who came to live with the Needhams when their mother died in 1855, and after Mr. Needham died, she took the younger children, including Mary aged 22 and Annie aged 20 with her to Aston, Warwickshire. She is listed as “living on her income.”

William Bacon – (born 1833) firm friend of Charles is listed as a Builders Bookkeeper in Northallerton in 1861. By 1871 he is back in York, still boarding but is now listed as an accountant and commercial agent. His brother George, b 1844, lives at the same boarding house and is a railway clerk.

Lindsay Hall – (born 1831) from Liverpool - in 1861 Lindsay worked as a clerk in a Merchant’s office, was married to Emily and lived in a big house with 3 servants. By 1871 he was a General Produce and Cotton Broker. By 1881 he was a widower and at the time of the census was a visitor at friends in Liverpool, but still working as a merchant.  By 1891, he was a lodger, living with a police man, and worked as a sugar broker agent. I can’t find him in 1901.

Cousin Richard Wilson, (born 1840) whose family own the glove business that features highly in the diary and journal, marries Margaret, and they have 4 children, but by 1881, he is described as a widower, with no employment.  He is living with Elizabeth Price, (born 1823) Inn Keeper. I think she is his mother, and she remarried after the death of Uncle Richard, some time before 1871.

Cousin Harry Walker – ( born 1826) a widower at the time of my Mary Eagle story, married again, before 1871, but had only the one daughter Eliza from his first marriage mentioned.  He continued working at the bank, and became chief clerk. But by 1891, when he had retired, he is listed as living with his daughter, Eliza Trent (born 1857) who is married to a solicitor.  By 1901 he was married for the 3rd time, a woman much younger than he, they were living in Bournemouth and they had a baby son Edward, born in 1900 in Malvern.

Uncle Henry Walker – in the 1861 Census, he is staying with his daughter Eliza Whatmouth in Hull. His wife Mary Ann Walker doesn’t die until 1911.

Mary Elizabeth Wilson (born 1838) – Charles’ cousin, who moves to York to housekeep for his father when he becomes a widower. After his death, she, according to the 1881 census,  moves back to Worcester and runs a boarding house on Castle Street. I can’t find a listing for her for 1891.

Thomas Eagle –  (born 1795) Mary’s father – dies in 1863. The family did move to Clifton, and his wife Elizabeth (born 1801) continued to live there, with her children until they married, and then on her own.  She is listed in 1881 as a visitor at Grove House Pocklington (her home town).  I couldn’t find her in the 1891 census.

Robert Eagle – (born 1834) – Mary’s eldest brother. He features in Charles diary of 1851 (Charles bought him a water colour picture when he was in London), but I didn’t mention him much in the journal, because I hadn’t until recently found him in the census material. He is listed in 1851 as a Copperplate engraver. By 1861, he is living in Bradford with a Lithographic Printer, Thomas Lund and his wife and daughter (although Robert is the boss). By 1871 Robert has married Ann (born 1843) and they have 3 children, Mary born 1865, Florence, born 1867 and Thomas born 1869 and Arthur born 1870. They live at 78 Tennyson Place, Bradford, and he is listed as an Engraver and Lithographic Printer employing 20 men, 10 girls, 16 boys and 25 half time boys.  In 1881 he and his wife are visiting at friends in Skipton, the Matthew Laycocks. Robert is listed as a Lithographer and Stationer. In 1891 he is back in Bradford, and his son Arthur, now 20 works as a Lithographer for him. He also has a daughter 17 and son Vincent 7 living at home. By 2001 he and his wife are still in Bradford. He is listed as a Lithographer and Book binder, and his son Ernest is a statioiner’s assistant. His other son Vincent is an architect’s clerk.  In 1901 his son Arthur lives on his own in Bradford, working as an engraver. Annie T Eagle (sister now 27) is visiting the Harisses in Bradford.

Thomas Eagle –  (born 1837) Mary’s brother – worked as a dial painter, married Ann Lascelles who was a milliner, continued to live in York. In 1891 they lived in Fulford, York, he is listed as an Optical Painter, and they have their niece Evelyn Prest living with them. This, I think, is Mary’s sister Elizabeth’s daughter.

William Eagle –  (born 1842) Mary’s other brother – worked as a glazier and plumber, married Jane, and moved to Kinston upon Hull, Yorkshire. I can’t find him in the 1881 listing.

Elizabeth Eagle Prest ( born 1840) Mary’s sister – in 1871 she marries to Robert Prest, a shoemaker and they live in Boltby Village, Boltly Yorkshire. They have several children listed, Walter E, born 1864, Clara E, born 1865, Margaret Ann born 1870.

However, her husband in 1861 was married to someone called Fanny, and they lived in Kirby Knowle, where he also was a shoemaker and was listed as Wesley Methodist Church, Local Branch.  He had 2 children, James born in 1859 and George born in 1860. But in 1871, those children are not living with him and his new wife Elizabeth. James (aged 12) was working as a farm servant for his grandfather, David Grainger at Krayton with Branwith – and he is listed as having a younger brother, John, born in 1865. His brother George (aged 11) is also working as a farm servant, but in Boltby, where his father lives, but not for his father.  I presume the first Mrs. Prest has died, as she is not listed in either household. But as Elizabeth’s first child is listed as having been born in 1864, which is while Robert Prest was still living with his first wife, I presume that Elizabeth was married before as well, and the first 2 children were from that first marriage. Other children listed are William born in 1872 and Emily Evelyn, born 1879, who was staying with her Uncle Thomas in York in 1891.  William Haw Prest ( born 1872) has two sons listed in the 1901 census, John (1900) and William Edwin (1899). Walter Prest (born 1863) has one son listed, William born 1896 in Knarsborough.

Cousin Ned Thackray –  (born 1831) continues to live in York at St. Giles, and takes over the cab business, which was originally owned by Charles’ father and Uncle Henry Mayfield.  He marries Emma, who was born in Claines in Worcester – which is where the Walkers live. In 1881 he is still listed as a Carriage Proprietor, and still living with wife Emma.

Uncle Charles Walker – (born in 1799) in 1861 he was listed as a proprietor of houses. In 1881, he and his wife Eliza (born 1802) are lodgers at St Mary Bishop Hill junior. He is listed as a retired ironmonger.

Cousin Charles George Walker (born 1826) is a cashier at a bank in York in 1861, and lives with his wife, mother-in-law and son, at his father’s house. By 1881 he is listed as  an oil merchant and cab operator. His eldest son John (born 1863) is an engineer apprentice. By 1891 he is listed as a Railway clerk – and his sons who still live at home are John a graphic draughtsman and Sydney (born 1865) a wood carver.

George Walker –  (born 1800) Charles’ father. He is still listed as a cab proprietor in 1871. His housekeeper is listed as Mary Ann Walker (born 1836) instead of Wilson. I think that is a mistake rather than he married her. She is still listed as unmarried.  I couldn’t find him in 1881. She has a separate listing in Worcester for her later life.

Uncle William Clephan –  (born 1811) Architect and Builder living in Stockton on Tees, employing 9 men.  His son Eugene follows him in the business. By 1871, William has died, and his widow, Jane (nee Walker born 1802) still lives in the same place, with sons Thomas Richmond, aged 27, architect and builder, and Eugene 20, now a student of theology.

Cousin Charles Cox –  (born 1829)Liverpool family connection. He works as a general produce broker. He married Charles first potential girlfriend Eliza back in 1851, and they have 3 children. In 1871 he is listed as a cotton broker, and a widower. Children are listed as Ada (1859) Charles (1857), Gertrude (1862), Edith (1864) and Harry N (1865). I can’t find him listed after 1881.

Charles Simpson Walker – (born 1829) our hero – does well for himself. He becomes a partner in the Coal, Corn and Guano Business, with Mr. E.H. Needham and his son William,(which expands to have an office in Birmingham)  and later becomes sole owner of a business, but William also is running a similar business. Charles moves from his small cottage to a big house on Rainbow Terrace, where he raises 5 children. They have several servants and a governess. His only son, Frank Clephan, is born in 1864, but dies in 1878.  His daughters besides Mary (born 1859) are called Lilian Elizabeth, born in 1866; Lucy Marion born in 1868 and Charlotte Simpson, born in 1873. When Charles owns the business, before 1891 they move to premises 26, and 27 Lowesmore in Worcester – two beautiful half timbered black and white premises next door to each other – one to live in and one as an office. In 1901, Charles retired and sold his business to Mssrs. Cornforth and Cale. His address after that is listed as St. Margaret's, Bromyard Rd. He died aged 79, of senile decay and pneumonia on October 8, 1908, at St Margaret’s Bromyard Road. His daughter Charlotte was with him and gave the information for the death certificate. He divides his property between the two daughters who continue to live in Worcester, but the others get a share of the estate.

Mary Eagle Walker – our heroine, shares the life with her husband as listed above. She dies in 1902 of apoplexy.

Mary Walker – our baby heroine – I know nothing more about. She continues to live with her parents up until 1907 when her father dies.

Lucy Marion Walker – towards the end of the 19th Century, she moved to Kirby Lonsdale and became a teacher at the Clergy Teacher’s School. But she returned to Worcester after her father died, and she herself died there in 1909 – aged only 42.

Lillian Elizabeth Walker – became a nurse and moved to London, where she is listed as working at St John Westminster Hospital for Women. I think she might have married Bernhold Wolf in 1909 who lived in a boarding house near the hospital which was used as lodgings by medical staff.  They had a son in 1910 called John Carl and lived in Lambeth. As he might be Charles Walker’s only direct descendant, I would be interested in tracing him.

Charlotte Simpson Walker – wasn’t living at home for the 1901 census, but I don’t know where she was.  She continued to live in Worcester and was friends with the Day family, which is not doubt why we now have Charles’ diary. In a Worcester directory for 1916, there is a listing for The Misses Walker on Red Hill. These may well be Charlotte and her sister Mary.  Charlotte died in 1935 at the age of 62.  We also have a picture of Harold Day (my husband’s grandfather) which was addressed and posted to Charlotte Walker in Worcester, confirming that some items from her estate were handed down to our family.

Here is Charles Walker’s obituary.

The following is the Obituary of Charles Walker which was published in the Worcester Chronicle, the Saturday following his death.

 DEATH OF MR. C.S. WALKER
 

One of Worcester's literary men, and a figure formerly well-known on the Corn market, passed away on Monday at St. Margaret's Bromyard Road, in Mr. Charles Simpson Walker. His age was 79.A native of York [not so according to his birth and baptismal certificates], Mr. Walker came to Worcester in 1844 [again, I doubt the accuracy of that date, and think it should be 1849] as a clerk in the office of Mr. W.B. Needham's father, with whom afterwards he went into partnership. When Mr. Needham died this partnership was continued with his son, Mr. W.B. Needham, but subsequently it was terminated, and Mr. Walker started a business of his own in Lowesmore from which he retired seven or eight years ago, and which was taken over by Messrs. Cornforth and Cale.

On the Cornmarket he was looked upon as a man of great integrity, and was highly esteemed. Of a retiring disposition, Mr. Walker refrained from participating in affairs of public life. He was of an entirely genial nature. His intense love for books caused him to gather around him a large collection, and he prided himself on being the recipient of many letters from well-known authors, among them Mark Twain. His literary attainments were considerable, and he was looked upon as one of Worcester's best littérateurs.

Mr. Walker survived his wife who died suddenly from apoplexy, by six years. Two of his four daughters are at home, one is second mistress at the Clergy Teachers' School, Kirkby Lonsdale and another is a nurse at a London hospital."

This is the last Will of me Charles Simpson Walker of Saint Margaret’s Bromyard Road in the City of Worcester, Gentleman. I appoint my four daughters Mary Walker, Lilian Elizabeth Walker, Lucy Marian Walker and Charlotte Simpson Walker (herein after called my Trustees) to be the Trustees and Executers of this my Will. I give all my real Estate (if any) and all my personal Estate to my Trustees Upon trust to sell call in collect and convert the same into money and after payment thereout of my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to hold the net proceeds of such sale calling in collection and conversion Upon trust for all such of them my said four daughters Mary Walker, Lilian Elizabeth Walker, Lucy Marian Walker and Charlotte Simpson Walker as shall be living at my death and such child or children of any such daughter then deceased as being male shall attain the age of twenty one years or being female shall attain that age or marry in equal shares absolutely but so that the child or the children collectively of any deceased daughter of mine shall take only the same which such deceased Daughter would have taken if she had survived me I declare that it shall be lawful for my trustees to raise part or parts not exceeding into the whole one-half of the expectant or presumptive share of any minor taking under this my Will and to apply the same for or towards his or her advancement preferment or benefit as my trustees shall think fit and I declare that all moneys for the time being held by my trustees under the trusts of this my Will may be reclaimed in their present investments or may be invested in or upon any of the public stocks or funds of Government securities of the United Kingdom or upon freehold copyhold leasehold or chattel rent securities in England or Wales or in or upon the shares stocks debentures, mortgage or securities of any Company or Corporation or body whether commercial municipal county local or otherwise carrying on business or constituted for any purpose in Great Britain or any Colony or dependency  of the United Kingdom (but not in any other mode of investment) and may from time to time vary such investments for others of any kind hereby authorised and I hereby revoke all former or other wills by me heretofore at any time made. In witness whereof I have set my hand to this my will this sixth day of October, One thousand Nine hundred and Two - C.S. Walker - Signed by the said Charles Simpson Walker as said for his last will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other, have herein subscribed our names as witnesses W.B. Hulme, Solicitor, Samuel J. Pollard, his Clerk.

This is a Codicil to the last Will of me Charles Simpson Walker of Saint Margaret's Bromyard Road in the City of Worcester, Gentleman, which Will bears date the sixth day of October One thousand nine hundred and two. Whereas by my said Will I have appointed my four Daughters, Mary Walker, Lilian Elizabeth Walker, Lucy Marian Walker and Charlotte Simpson Walker to be the Trustees and Executors of my said Will, Now I do hereby revoke the appointment of the said Lilian Elizabeth Walker and Lucy Marian Walker as such Trustees and Executers  and I do this bearing in mind that in all probability they will not be resident in Worcester at the time of my death and that their being called upon to act as such trustees and Executors would entail upon them duties which they would find it difficult to fulfill and in all other respects I confirm my said Will. In witness whereof I have set my hand to this a first Codicil to my said Will this eighteenth day of September, one thousand nine hundred and three - C.S. Walker - Signed by the said Charles Simpson Walker as and for a first Codicil to his last Will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names in witness, the erasure of the word Lucy in the third line above written having been previously named - W.B. Hulme, Sol. Worcester S.J. Pollard, his clerk.

This is a second Codicil to the last Will of me- Charles Simpson Walker of Saint Margaret's Bromyard Road in the City of Worcester, Gentleman which Will bears date the eighteenth day of September, one thousand Nine hundred and three. I give all my furniture, plate, plated articles, linen, china, paintings, engravings and other household effects jewellery and ornaments of the person (except such of them as I shall in my lifetime have given to any of my said daughters) to my daughters, Mary Walker and Charlotte Simpson Walker in equal shares absolutely. I give to each of my Daughters Lilian Elizabeth Walker and Lucy Marian Walker the sum of fifty pounds to be in lieu or place of the furniture and other effects herein before bequeathed to my said daughters Mary Walker and Charlotte Simpson Walker and in all other respects I confirm my said Will. In Witness whereof I have set my hand to this a second Codicil to my said Will this twelfth day of February One thousand nine hundred and seven - C.S. Walker - Signed by the said testator Charles Simpson Walker as said for a second Codicil to his said Will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses - W.B. Hulme, Sol, Worcester. Samuel J. Pollard, his clerk/Affidavit filed as to mis-recital of date of Will in second codicil./On the twelfth day of November, 1908 Probate of this Will (with Two Codicils) was given at Worcester to Mary Walker and Charlotte Simpson Walker, the Executrixes.