In searching the records relating to Worcester at the time when Charles Walker lived, and various official records, a bit more of his life can be filled in. He was born on October 6th and baptised at St. Martin's Church on October 25th, 1829 when he was just under 3 weeks old, and was given the name of Charles Simpson Walker. His parents were listed as George and Mary Walker of Park Place, Worcester.
After 1851, Charles continued working for Mr. F.H. Needham but by 1859, he was known as an Accountant, rather than a Bookkeeper. In 1859, he married Mary Eagle, from York, whose family had been friendly with the Walkers for many years. She was 19 and he was 29. We don't know where in Worcester they lived at that time. (Photo of marriage certificate)
In 1881, he had a house on Rainbow Hill Terrace. In the Census, he is listed as aged 51, a Corn Merchant. His wife, Mary is aged 42. They had 4 daughters-Mary, who was 21, which meant she was born in 1861; Lilian Elizabeth, who was 15, and therefore born in 1866; Lucy Marian, aged 14, and therefore born in 1867; and Charlotte Simpson, aged 9 and born in 1872. The three younger girls are listed as scholars. They are also listed as having a servant called Alice Hadley, aged 22.
Charles went into partnership with his boss, Mr. Needham at some time between 1860 and 1880, and then when the elder Mr. Needham died, the partnership continued between Charles and William Bass Needham, but apparently not for too long. After that Charles went into business on his own. He seemed to own several properties. I think there was a warehouse on Lowesmore Wharf and then 2 houses on Lowesmore Road- numbers 26 and 27. Whether one of these was his residence at that time or both were used for business purposes, it wasn't clear. Certainly at least one of them was a business address.
His ex-partner, W.B. Needham was an important public figure in Worcester in 1896. He was a councillor for St. Johns Ward and involved with all sort of public committees. In 1901, Charles retired and sold his business to Mssrs. Cornforth and Cale. His address after that is listed as St. Margaret's, Bromyard Rd.
His wife, Mary died about 1902 suddenly of apoplexy. About
this time too, Charles wrote his will. He himself died on October 8, 1908
at St. Margaret's, Bromyard Road at the age of 79, of Senile decay and
Bronchitis. The information for the death certificate was given by his
daughter C. Simpson Walker who was present at his death. (Copy
of Charles death certificate)
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