Fielding Walker Photograph n.d.

Access and use

Location of collection:
Thomas Balch Library
Thomas Balch Library
208 West Market Street
Leesburg, Virginia 20176
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Alexandra S. Gressitt
Phone: (703) 737-7195
Fax: (703) 737-7195

Summary

Creator:
Elizabeth B. Monroe
Abstract:
The collection consists of 8.5" x 11" black and white photocopies of an original photograph of Fielding Walker, including a copy of notes on verso.
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of 8.5" x 11" black and white photocopies of an original photograph of Fielding Walker, including a copy of notes on verso. The photocopies are the only item in this collection.

Notes on the verso state that Fielding supposedly served as a personal servant to General Robert E. Lee during the Civil War. No evidence has been found to substantiate this theory.

Biographical / historical:

Fielding Walker was born a free Black in Fauquier County, VA around 1835, a son of Samuel (ca. 1790-ca. 1880) and Nancy (ca. 1807-ca. 1870) Walker. He married Sarah Ann Lee Washington (ca. 1845-?), a daughter of Fanny Lee (n.d.) in Oct 1874; it was a second marriage for both. Sarah was a former slave of John H. Lee of Fauquier County. In the 1880 Federal Census, Fielding's wife is listed as Margaret, also known as Maggie (1843-1925); it is unclear whether she was his third wife.

Available sources indicate Fielding headed a blended family, including three children James (ca. 1867-?), Hulda (ca. 1868-?), and Julia (ca. 1877-?), as well as Margaret's children from a previous relationship: Agnes Washington (1871-?), F. Washington (1874-?), and May Washington (1876-?). By 1910, Fielding and Margaret had adopted Ada (ca.1894-?). Hulda married Marshall Jackson (1861-?) in Loudoun County, VA in 1892. Julia married Shedrick Shorts (ca. 1862-?) in Loudoun County in 1892.

Fielding moved his family from Fauquier to Loudoun County sometime between 1870 and 1880. He purchased 2 Dec 1884 a half acre near Bloomfield, VA from A.J. and Lucy Ann Spinks; the deed was recorded in 1917. Fielding died between 1910 and 1920. Margaret was buried in Rock Hill Cemetery, Unison, VA.

Acquisition information:
Elizabeth B. Monroe, Zionville, IN