Freeman Walker

Freeman Walker (October 25, 1780 – September 23, 1827) was a United States Senator from Georgia. Born in Charles City, Virginia, he attended the common schools; in 1797, he moved to Augusta, Georgia.

Freeman Walker
United States Senator
from Georgia
In office
November 6, 1819 – August 6, 1821
Preceded byJohn Forsyth
Succeeded byNicholas Ware
Member of the Georgia House of Representatives
In office
1807-1811
Personal details
Born(1780-10-25)October 25, 1780
Charles City, Virginia
DiedSeptember 23, 1827(1827-09-23) (aged 46)
Augusta, Georgia
Political partyDemocratic-Republican

Walker studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1803, commencing practice in Augusta. He was a member of the Georgia House of Representatives from 1807 to 1811, and was mayor of Augusta in 1818 and 1819. He was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the U.S. Senate to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of John Forsyth, serving from November 6, 1819, to August 6, 1821, when he resigned. At the time of the 1820 census he owned 46 slaves.[1] He was again mayor of Augusta in 1823. Walker died in Augusta in 1827; interment was in the Walker family cemetery.[2]

Freeman Walker's son was Confederate major general William H.T. Walker, who served in the American Civil War.

"Freeman Walker" is a 2008 novel by David Allan Cates, and is also the name of the title character. There is no connection between this fictional character and the historical Walker, though the story is set in the South in the 19th century, and the use of the same name may have been a coincidence. The novel is about a young mixed-race slave who is manumitted by his white father. He changes his name from Jimmy Gates to Freeman Walker because of the imagery the name evokes.[3]

Legacy

Walker County, Georgia, was named for Senator Walker.[4]

References
  1. 1820 United States Census, United States Census, 1820; Richmond County, GA;. Retrieved on 6 March 2016.
  3. Freeman Walker, a novel on Amazon.com
  4. "Walker County". Calhoun Times. 1 September 2004. p. 106. Retrieved 26 April 2015.

Freeman Walker at Find a Grave

U.S. Senate
Preceded by
John Forsyth		 U.S. senator (Class 2) from Georgia
November 6, 1819 – August 6, 1821
Served alongside: John Elliott		 Succeeded by
Nicholas Ware


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