Isaac Walker I from Scotland
The following was written by Samuel H. Walker (1844-1935) on the occasion of his parents 50th wedding anniversary in 1883:
“During the earlier years of the eighteenth century, from 1715 to 1746, Scotland was much agitated by the different attempts of the "Pretenders," James and Charles, to obtain a foothold upon the soil, and recognition as the crowned heads of England and Scotland, in pace of the Elector of Hanover, who, a German, had been crowned as George 1st, King of England.
“This foreign substitution, for the native born house of Stuart, was revolting to the sensitive sensibilities of many Scottish Chiefs, and they raised the standard of rebellion, hoping, while England was entangled with European wars, consequent upon the accession of a German to the throne, to secure recognition from the powers of Europe and support from the nation for the house of Stuart. After many disastrous encounters with the power of England, supported by the Hollanders, in which they suffered great loss of life, the remainder sought safety from the wrath of the King and fled to foreign soil. Of those who were taken many were executed, others were banished, while those who eluded pursuit were for three years published, both at home and the colonies, as rebels and felons, with large rewards offered for their heads.
“Isaac WALKER and his brothers Charles and Nathan were thus forced to flee, with five hundred pounds offered for their heads, and found in France temporary secrecy and security. Isaac Walker's wife, a Stuart, was informed of his intention to sail for America and made all her preparations to follow him, but was baffled for four years, least she should betray his hiding place in the forests of Maryland. He was afraid to communicate with her, and intended to return secretly to Scotland and bring back his wife, whom he had not seen for so long. By some kind providence, the day he intended to sail from Alexandria, the vessel he expected to return in brought his wife, and they met at the wharf. It was stated by Grandfather Nathan that, as his mother came up the hill from the wharf, a parrot called out to her, "Scotch;" when she exclaimed, ‘Laird! How did the poor creature know?’
“The brothers constructed a large white oak log house at the head waters of Bear Garden Branch, in Prince George's County, about nine miles northeast of what was afterwards called Washington, D.C. This house remained standing until about 25 years hence, when some of the logs were used to repair the barn and granary, which are now standing, and a piece of which is the cane this day presented to Jonathan T., Walker by his grandchildren. They named the place "Toaping Castle", after their stronghold in the old country; and after they thought it safe to acknowledge their identity, and danger was over.”
Prince George’s County, with its county seat of Upper Marlboro was established out of Charles and Calvert Counties in 1695. Upon arrival in 1746, the brothers built a log house in Prince George’s County, which they called “Toaping Castle” after their family stronghold in Scotland.
It was four years later, in 1750, that Isaac was able to have Elizabeth (Stuart) Walker join him in America. Perhaps he feared retaliation from his homeland and that his hiding place in the forests of Maryland might be revealed.
In February, 1754, Isaac Walker I received a large patent of land from the Lord Baron of Baltimore. The estate was known as Tugwelltown. Some historical data about the Walkers has been discovered. Lady Elizabeth (Stuart) Walker on August 26, 1771, waived dower, and Isaac, on that date, conveyed to their son, Nathan Walker (1756-1842), the Toaping Castle estate consisting of 188 acres of land. Also Nathan Walker owned 10 slaves, their total value being $574, and 317 acres of land worth $794. Of these 317 acres, 169 were in the tract known as “Toaping Castle” and worth $388.70. We learned this from the 1828 Tax List, Prince George’s County, Maryland, compiled by Prince George’s Co. Genealogical Society in 1985.
Other sources in our research were the Directory of Maryland DAR and Ancestors, published by Maryland State Society, DAR, c 1966, page 727, and Jean A. Sargent, editor, Stones and Bones; Cemetery Records of Prince George’s Co., MD, (Price George’s Co. Genealogical Society, Bowie, MD, c. 1984). From these we learned that Isaac Walker I served in the American Revolutionary War, in the Maryland Militia, commissioned a Second Lieutenant on 2 May, 1775 and made First Lieutenant on 24 May, 1778. Nathan Walker, his son, was a private, and together they served in Capt. Thomas Beall’s Company of the Upper Battalion of Militia in Prince George’s County.
When the first thirteen states were formed in 1776, an original state census was taken by Captain Thomas Dent on August 31, 1776, (Bettie S. Carothers, compiler, 1776 Census of Maryland), Isaac was then 55 years old and his wife Elizabeth, 42. They had three sons living with them, ages 18, 18 and 15, and no daughters. Also listed in the household was a male 75 years old, relationship unknown. It could be that either Isaac or Elizabeth brought their father with them. They also owned four Negroes. Other children of Isaac and Elizabeth listed on the same census were Charles Walker, age 23, with his wife Jane, age 20, and a one-year old son. Also listed were Catherine Walker Sherife, age 20, with husband Thomas Sherife, 40 years old, and daughters 4 and 2 years old. Of Isaac Walkers’ 7 children no listing is made of the oldest son, Isaac Walker II.
When Isaac Walker I died in 1807, he left a modest estate, with his personal inventory having been appraised at $109.49. Elizabeth died between 1800 - 1810. It is assumed that Isaac and Elizabeth made their home with Nathan, their son, until their deaths. They are buried in Walker Cemetery, on the south corner of Capital Beltway and Kenilworth Ave. near Greenbelt, off Walker Drive. Toaping Castle remained in the Walker family until the Federal Government purchased it in 1936. The house deteriorated, was vandalized and fell into such decay, it was eventually demolished. The land was cleared for what is now the Golden Triangle Business Park.
There is a Prince George's County Historical Society marker erected by the City of Greenbelt Bicentennial Committee in 1976, that is located near the family cemetery for the residence “Toaping Castle." It states:
TOAPING CASTLE (Circa 1750) Isaac & Nathan Walker Gravesite
On this site, Isaac, Charles, and Nathan Walker erected a large white oak house, named for their ancestral stronghold in Scotland which the three brothers had fled after the failure of attempts to unseat George I, King of England, as ruler of Scotland. Isaac permanently settled here and obtained land grants for 188 acres. He and his three sons served in the Revolutionary War. The graves of Isaac and his son Nathan are north of here.
Toaping Castle was the birthplace of Samuel Hamilton Walker (Feb. 24, 1817 - Oct. 9.1847), Lt. Colonel of the Texas Rangers and Captain of the U.S. Cavalry. He left home at the age of 19 to fight Indians and later he became a leader and hero of the Rangers. His suggested changes to Samuel Colt's revolver resulted in Colt's success as an arms manufacturer. 1000 Colt-Walker pistols -- the first, heaviest, and longest revolvers ever issued to American forces -- were purchased for the Texas Rangers during the Mexican War. Walker was killed in that war at the battle of Hua Mantla, Mexico.
The family cemetery is all that remains of the Toaping Castle estate.