William Walker (born 5 Jan 1783 in Prescot) married Mary Johnson (born 1780 in Haydock) on 5 Jan 1801 at St. Peters, Liverpool. William died 23 Dec 1860 at age 77. Mary died 25 March 1866 at age 86 years. William and Mary Walker, along with their daughter Rebecca (died 20 Oct 1897 aged 86 years) are buried in the St Helens Cemetery (Section 4, Grave 386).

In MEMORY of

WILLIAM WALKER

WHO DIED DECEMBER 23RD. 1860

AGED 77 YEARS

ALSO OF HIS WIFE
MARY WALKER.
WHO DIED MARCH 25TH. 1866

AGED 86 YEARS

ALSO REBECCA,

DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE

WHO DIED OCT 20TH 1897.

AGED 86 YEARS.

    William was a watch movement maker who lived and worked in St Helens. The above photo of William Walker appears in Tony Mercer's book, Mercer Chronometers: History, Maintenance and Repair (Mayfield Books, Ashbourne, Derbyshire, 2003). William and Mary had seven children including Sarah (who married Richard Mercer), Mary (who married Robert Procter), Beatrice (who married Samuel Holt Travers), Rebecca, Ann, James and Matilda.

When the 1841 Census was taken on June 6, 1841 the family of William Walker lived on Duke Street, St Helens. Thomas Mercer and John Mercer are two of the children of his eldest daughter Sarah (Walker) and are living with them as well. Thomas Mercer went on to become the well known chronometer maker of London and later St. Albans, Hertfordshire.

1841 Census           Age   Occupation

William Walker        59     Watch Maker

Mary Walker           62

Ann Walker             24

Matilda Walker        20

James Walker           22     Watch Maker

Thomas Mercer         18     Watch Maker

John Mercer             16     Watch Maker

When the 1851 Census was taken on 30 Mar 1851 the family of William Walker lived at 51 Duke Street, St Helens. Richard Travers was the grandson of William and Mary Walker. His parents Samuel and Beatrice Travers were living in Rainhill by this time. Samuel was a watchmaker as well.

1851 Census                                  Age       Occupation                      Where Born
William Walker     Head      Mar      68        Watch Wheel Maker         Lancashire, Prescot
Mary Walker        Wife       Mar      71                                                Lancashire, Haydock
James Walker       Son         U         32        Watch Movement Maker    Lancashire, St Helens
Richard Travers     Grandson U        19        Watch Movement Maker    Lancashire, St Helens
Rebecca Walker    Daur        U        38                                                Lancashire, St Helens
Margaret Bate       Serv        U        17        House Servant                    Lancashire, St Helens

When the 1861 Census was taken on 7 April 1861 the family of Mary Walker lived at 94 Duke Street, St Helens.

1861 Census                                 Age        Occupation                    Where Born

Mary Walker        Head    Wid        81        Fund Holder                    Lancashire, St Helens

Rebecca Walker    Daur    U            45        Share Holder                  Lancashire, St Helens

James Walker        Son     U            41        Watch Maker                  Lancashire, St Helens

Also, when the 1861 Census was taken the family of William's daughter Mary, who married William Procter, lived at Rushy Park, in the Township of Windle.

1861 Census                              Age    Occupation                             Where Born

Robert Procter      Head     Mar    52     Machine Maker Foreman         Yorkshire, Yorkshire

Mary Procter        Wife      Mar    55                                                   Lancashire, St Helens

William                 Son       Un      27                                                   Lancashire, St Helens

Matilda                Daur      Un      16                                                   Lancashire, St Helens

William's daughter Mary, who married Robert Procter, is buried in the St Helens Cemetery. (Section 4, Grave 416). This grave is located immediately next to that of her father.

Interred in this grave are:

Mary Johnson Procter, buried Jan 19, 1860, Age 24 years, Register Number 422.
(Daughter of Mary and Robert Procter)

William Procter, buried Feb 4, 1860, Age 4 years, Register Number 436.
(Relation is unknown, but probably a grandson of Robert Procter)

Mary Procter, buried Jan 24, 1878, Age 73 years, Register Number 10385, Age 73 years.

Annie Woodward, buried Oct 6, 1917, Age 77 years, Register Number 58257.
(Daughter of Mary and Robert Procter)

IN LOVING REMEMBRANCE
OF
MARY PROCTER
WHO DIED JANUARY 21ST 1878
AGED 73 YEARS
ANNIE WOODWARD
DAUGHTER OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED ON OCTOBER 2ND 1917 AGED 73 YEARS

Immediately next to this grave (Section 4, Grave 415) is the grave of Robert Procter. Unfortunately, it does not have an associated grave marker.

Interred in this grave are:
Rebecca Procter, buried 21 June 1858, Age 18 years, Register Number 34.
(Daughter of Robert and Mary Procter)

Robert Procter, buried 7 Dec 1863, Age 55 years, Register Number 1670.

James Courtney Procter, buried Sept 29, 1918, age 86 years, Register Number 59743.
(Son of Robert and Mary Procter)

If you have information that may assist in this research or any question or comments about the website please email: mike@traverslancashire.net.