Bernard H. Walker Diaries, 1858-1867, 1885, 1893-1902, 1907-1910, 1914 | Sargeant Memorial Collection

By Ryan Caillet

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Collection Overview

Title: Bernard H. Walker Diaries, 1858-1867, 1885, 1893-1902, 1907-1910, 1914

ID: 001/01/MSS 0000-237

Primary Creator: Walker, Bernard Humphrey (1826-1917)

Extent: 2.0 Boxes

Arrangement: Arranged in chronological order.

Date Acquired: 00/00/0000

Subjects: Farm life--Virginia--King and Queen County, Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid, Va., 1864, King and Queen County (Va.), King and Queen County (Va.)--History, Norfolk (Va.), Richmond (Va.), United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865, Virginia--Climate, Virginia--Social life and customs, Walker, Bernard H. (Bernard Humphrey), 1826-1917

Languages: English

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Ten handwritten diaries from 1858 to 1914. Entries typically include observations on the weather, reports and commentary on current events, descriptions of Walker's medical and agricultural work, and Walker's personal thoughts.

Biographical Note

Bernard Humphrey Walker was born in Mount Elba, King and Queen County, Virginia on August 1, 1826. Walker came from a long lineage of doctors and followed his ancestors into the profession. In addition to medicine, Walker farmed and recorded details about weather and crop conditions. Religion featured heavily in Walker's life; he was a devoted member of Smyrna Christian Church. Walker resided in King and Queen County during the Civil War; he was involved with the Confederate cause, and he recorded much of the war's events in his diaries.

Walker married Dorothea F. Bagby on February 12, 1851, and together they had eight children. Walker died in Norfolk, Virginia on January 1, 1917 at the home of his son, Dr. Rowland H. Walker. Dorothea Walker died on March 20, 1904. Both Walker and his wife are buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Norfolk, Virginia.

Subject/Index Terms

Farm life--Virginia--King and Queen County
Kilpatrick-Dahlgren Raid, Va., 1864
King and Queen County (Va.)
King and Queen County (Va.)--History
Norfolk (Va.)
Richmond (Va.)
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865
Virginia--Climate
Virginia--Social life and customs
Walker, Bernard H. (Bernard Humphrey), 1826-1917

Administrative Information

Repository: Sargeant Memorial Collection

Access Restrictions: This collection is open to all researchers.

Use Restrictions: The status of copyright for these materials is governed by Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U. S. C.). Copyright restrictions may apply.

Acquisition Source: Unknown

Related Materials: The King and Queen County Tavern Museum holds three of the later diaries written by Bernard H. Walker. These diaries cover December 1902 to May 1905, May 1908 to August 1909, and April 1911 to May 1913. For more information please see http://www.kingandqueenmuseum.org/.

Preferred Citation: Bernard H. Walker Diaries, MSS 0000-237, Sargeant Memorial Collection, Norfolk Public Library, Norfolk, Virginia.

Processing Information: Processed July 29, 2015.

Box and Folder Listing

Browse by Box:

[Box 1],
[Box 2],
[All]

Box 1

Item 1: Diary, 1858-1859: This diary covers the years 1858 and 1859. Most of the entries are short descriptions of weather conditions and the work performed by Bernard H. Walker, but also present are descriptions of current events.
Item 2: Diary, 1860-1867: This diary covers the years from 1860 to 1867. Entries include descriptions of the weather, agricultural conditions, family matters, and current events.
Item 3: Diary, 1866, 1885: This diary contains entries for the years 1866 and 1885. Also included are records of money lent by Bernard H. Walker and correspondence.
Item 4: Diary, 1893-1894: This diary contains entries from January 1893 to April 1894.
Item 5: Diary, 1895-1896: This diary includes entries from March 1, 1895 to October 20, 1896.

Box 2

Item 1: Diary, 1897-1899: This diary includes entries from August 1, 1897 to December 27, 1899. Typical entries include reports on weather conditions and descriptions of current events. Also included are correspondence and newspaper clippings.
Item 2: Diary, 1899-1902: This diary contains entries from December 1, 1899 to November 30, 1902. Also included are correspondence and newspaper clippings.
Item 3: Diary, 1907-1908: This diary includes entries from March 1, 1907 to May 1, 1908. Typical entries include observations on weather conditions, descriptions and commentary on current events, and recordings of Bernard H. Walker's medical work.
Item 4: Diary, 1909-1910: This diary includes entries from September 1, 1909 to April 19, 1910.
Item 5: Diary, 1914: This diary includes entries from March 21, 1914 to November 23, 1914.