A highlight of the archival work done at our campus is researching Greenwich family histories.
As Black History Month comes to a close, we seek assistance in finding any information regarding a long-time Greenwich resident named Henry Louis Walker (nicknamed “Alabam”).
Walker was born around 1827 on a large plantation in Locust Hill, Albemarle County, Virginia to enslaved parents Lewis and Clara Walker.
He resided briefly in New York and made his home in Greenwich in 1883. He married Louvinia (Simmons) Walker, in 1869.
A 1934 Greenwich Time article acknowledging the couple’s 65th wedding anniversary notes that they had “14 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.”
Walker worked as a dynamite handler for local contractor and businessman Henry C. Webb.
The 1920 federal census lists his occupation as “Powderman” and his home address as 71 Hamilton Avenue.
This location (near Edgewood Avenue) was so closely associated with Mr. Walker that it was known by the locals as “Alabam’s corner” and referenced many times as such in various newspaper accounts.
Henry Lewis Walker passed away at the Municipal Hospital in Greenwich in June 1943. Although the exact year of his birth seems to be undetermined, it was said he was 116 years old.
Should you have any information regarding Walker or his family please reach out to Christopher Shields, Director of Library & Archives at cshields@greenwichhistory.org
Are you looking to learn more about your family history?
Visit our Library & Archives from 9 am - 5 pm on Wednesdays
or by appointment.
Image credit: Greenwich Time, September 16, 1937, page 20.
No comments:
Post a Comment