Thomas Walker (explorer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dr. Thomas Walker
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Louisa County
In office 1752–1755 Serving with Abraham Venable
Preceded by	Charles Barrett
Succeeded by	Robert Anderson
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Hampshire County
In office 1756–1761 Serving with Gabriel Jones
Preceded by	Gabriel Jones
Succeeded by	James Keith
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Albemarle County
In office 1761–1772 Serving with Henry Fry, Edward Carter, Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by	Allen Howard
Succeeded by	John Walker
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Albemarle County
In office May 1782 – May 1783 Serving with Thomas Jefferson
Preceded by	Isaac Davis
Succeeded by	George Nicholas
Personal details
Born	January 25, 1715 (1715-01-25) Walkerton, King and Queen County, Virginia
Died	November 9, 1794 (1794-11-10) (age 79) Castle Hill, Albemarle County, Virginia, U.S.
Known for	politician, explorer
Signature

Thomas Walker (born January 25, 1715 – died November 9, 1794) was an important person in colonial Virginia. He was a physician, a farmer who owned large lands, and an explorer. He served many times in the Virginia government. His family members also became politicians later on. Walker explored the area that is now Kentucky in 1750. This was 19 years before the famous explorer Daniel Boone arrived there.

Early Life and Family

Thomas Walker was born at a place called "Rye Field" in Walkerton, Virginia. This area is in King and Queen County, Virginia. He grew up in the Tidewater region of Virginia, which is near the coast.

Walker first became a doctor. He studied at William and Mary College. He also learned from his brother-in-law, Dr. George Gilmer.

In 1741, Walker married Mildred Thornton. She was a widow with land and property. They built a home called Castle Hill. They had 12 children together. Many of their children became important citizens in Albemarle County, Virginia. Two of Walker's sons, John and Francis Walker, later became members of Congress in the new United States. After his first wife died, Walker married Elizabeth Thornton in 1781.

Public Service and Farming

In April 1744, Thomas Walker was chosen as a vestryman at his church. This meant he helped manage the church's affairs. He held this position for over 40 years.

Walker also served Virginia as a delegate in the House of Burgesses many times. This was the law-making body of colonial Virginia. He represented different counties: first Louisa County, then Hampshire County, and finally Albemarle County. Walker also became a trustee for the new town of Charlottesville. This meant he helped manage and develop the town.

Around 1742, Walker brought several English Foxhound dogs to Virginia. This started a tradition of foxhunting among the wealthy families in the Keswick area.

Explorer and Pioneer

On July 12, 1749, the Loyal Land Company was started. Thomas Walker was a main member of this company. Other members included surveyors Joshua Fry and Peter Jefferson. The company received a special permission from the king to explore and claim about 800,000 acres (323,748 hectares) of land. This land is now in southeastern Kentucky. At that time, Native American groups lived there.

The company chose Walker to lead an expedition to explore this region in 1750. He likely traveled along the Wilderness Road. Walker also bought a large farm from Joshua Fry. This helped pay him for his surveying work. In 1752, other members chose Walker to lead the Loyal Land Company.

Replica of the first house built in Kentucky

During his expedition, Walker named many places. One important place he named was the Cumberland Gap. His group also built the first house in Kentucky that was not built by Native Americans. It was a simple cabin. They also helped another Virginia pioneer, Samuel Stalnaker, build his home. This home was on the westernmost edge of colonial Virginia. Walker wrote a daily journal about his trip.

Walker explored with another Virginian named Joseph Martin. Martin was an agent who worked with Native American groups. He was also a lawmaker and a surveyor. They were some of the first colonists to travel in this area. Martin's son, William Martin, later described how the Cumberland Mountain and Cumberland River got their names: "A meeting with the Cherokees was held at Fort Chiswell. Dr. [Thomas] Walker and my father, [General] Joseph Martin, went with the chiefs on their way home. The Native Americans were guides. They went through the place now called Cumberland Gap, where they found a nice spring. They still had a little rum left, and they drank to the health of the Duke of Cumberland. This is how Cumberland Mountain and Cumberland River got their names."

When he was 64, Walker traveled west again to Kentucky and Tennessee. He was asked to map the border between Virginia and North Carolina. At that time, both states claimed the land to their west. The border he mapped was called the "Walker Line." It is still the border between Kentucky and Tennessee today, from east to west, ending at the Tennessee River.

Walker was also important in dealing with Native American groups. He represented Virginia at important agreements like the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and the Treaty of Lochaber (1770). He also helped with peace talks after the Battle of Point Pleasant. In 1775, Walker was a Virginia commissioner. He met with leaders of the Iroquois Six Nations in Pittsburgh. The colonies wanted them as allies against the British.

He is also known for being the first person to find and use coal in Kentucky.

Because he knew so much about the western lands, Walker became an advisor to Thomas Jefferson. This was from 1780 to 1783. Jefferson was writing his famous book, Notes on the State of Virginia (1785), and Walker helped him with information.

Death and Legacy

Thomas Walker died on November 9, 1794, at his home, Castle Hill.

• Kentucky built a copy of the cabin that Walker's expedition built. This place is now called the Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site.
• Thomas Walker High School is in Lee County, Virginia. It was built in 1940 by combining two other high schools. The school was updated in 1959 and 1971.