Walter’s in the 1830 Census

Census Sunday
By Don Taylor

Following families in the early census records is always tricky and following a woman through census records before 1840 is especially difficult. Margaret Ann (Swann) Walter is challenging. So, if I could follow her children in the censuses, I might see her in one of their households.

Margaret died in New Salem, Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1826. The date she came to Ohio is still unknown. I have not been successful in finding her husband, James Walter, in the 1830 Census, even though he died in Rushville, Ohio, in 1838. Even though she had already passed, I wanted to begin with the 1830 Census and see what I could find for her children.

Public Domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Elkanah Walters – Richland, Fairfield County, Ohio

The 1830 US Census lists 14 heads of household with the surname Walter, Walters, Watter, or Waller.

• • 1    Male      5-10      James        (age 9) b. 1820
  • 1    Males    10-15    Harvy         (age 12) b. 1818
  • 1    Male      20-30    UNKNOWN MALE – (born 1800-1810)
  • 1    Male      40-50    Elkanah     (age 49)
  • 1    Female  <5           Margrate   (age 1) b. 1829
  • 2    Female  5-10      Adaline      (age 5) b. 1824
  •                                         Caroline     (age 7) b. 1822
  • 1    Female  30-40    Rachel       (age 40) b. 1890

Elkanah and Rachel (Decker) are believed to have married on 6 November 1814. If the unknown male was born in 1810, Rachel would have been 20 but was born before they were married. On the other hand, if the unidentified male was born closer to 1800, he would have been 10 to 15 years younger than Elkanah. An age that fits either of Elkanah’s younger brothers (James or John). I suspect this is either James or John. As I believe John was enumerated (see below), I suspect this is James. James C. Walters does appear in the 1840 Census in Liberty, Fairfield County, Ohio. 

Catherine (Walters) Swayze – Catherine married David Swayze in 1817.

In 1830, David Swayze appeared in the census for Walnut Township, Fairfield County, Ohio, page 198, 4^th from bottom.

• • 1    Male     30-40    David         (Age 34 b. 1796)
  • 1    Female < 5           S.B.            (age 2    b. 1828)*
  • 2    Females 10-15   Emily         (Age 10 b. 1820)
  •                                         Elizabeth   (age 12 b. 1818)
  • 1    Female  30-40    Rachel       (age 40 b. 1890)

* Note: Daughter Margaretta was born about 1821 and died on 18 October 1823. There are two other children, Angeline and William, who I believe were born between 1824 and 1826 and died before 1830.

John Walter – Berne, Fairfield County, Ohio – Page 139, Line 2 above from bottom.

• • 1    Male     20-29      John          (over 25 b. bef. 1804)
  • 2    Females < 5         FNU-D1     (under 5 (1825-1830)
  •                                         FNU-D2     (under 5 (1825-1830)
  • 1    Female  20-29    Belinda      (Unknown age)

Fits criteria expected for John Walter (bef. 1804-____), son of James and Margaret (Swann) Walter.

Nancy (Walters) Lewis.

Nancy was born in 1788 and would be about 42 years old in 1830 and likely married to FNU Lewis. There were seven Lewis households enumerated in Fairfield County during the 1830 Census.

• • William – 9 in the household – No females over 29.
  • Thomas – 3 in the household – No females over 20.
  • James – 4 in the household – No females over 20.
  • Juda – 6 in the household – Colored.
  • Daniel – 2 in the household – Colored.
  • Thomas H – 6 in the household – 1 female 30-39
  • John – 7 in the household  – 1 female 30-39

So, Nancy either lived outside of Fairfield County, Ohio, had her age reported incorrectly, or died before 1830. More research is needed.

Elizabeth Rebekah (Walters) Gurley.

Elizabeth was born in 1788 and would be about 42 years old in 1830, and possibly married to either Charles Stockard or James Gurley (I don’t know which was first.) Charles Stockard doesn’t appear in Fairfield County during the 1830 Census. James Gurley appears in the 1830 Census. His household has seven people, including a female 30 to 39 years old that could be Elizabeth. I need to do more research to determine Elizabeth’s marriages and children to know if this is Elizabeth (née Walter) or a different James Gurley or a different wife of his.

Conclusion – The Walter family in 1830

Parents

• • James            Location Unknown
  • Margaret        Died in 1826

Children

• • Martin             Location Unknown
  • Nancy              Location Unknown
  • Elkanah          and his family were in Richland Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio
  • Catherine       Married to David Swayze – Walnut Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio
  • Elizabeth        Probably married to James Gurley; lived in Fairfield County, Ohio
  • James C.          Probably living with Elkanah.
  • John                  and family – Berne Twp, Fairfield County, Ohio. 

Follow-up

Determine Elizabeth’s marriages and children to know if this is Elizabeth (née Walter) or if it is a different James Gurley or a different wife of his.

Next I’ll continue looking for the Walters in the 1820 Census, particularly James, Margaret, Martin, and Nancy.

Sources

• • 1830 Census – Ohio, Fairfield, Walnut – Page 198 – David Swayze -. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5L-GYL : 20 February 2021), David Swayze, Walnut, Fairfield, Ohio, United States; citing 198, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 337,941.
  • 1830 Census – Elkanah Walters – Rushville, Fairfield, Ohio. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5L-5N4 : 19 August 2017), Elkanah Walters, Richland, Fairfield, Ohio, United States; citing 259, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 337,941.
  • 1830 Census – Ohio, Fairfield, Berne, page 139 (2nd line from the bottom) – John Walter. “United States Census, 1830,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5L-LMF : 20 February 2021), John Walter, Bern, Fairfield, Ohio, United States; citing 139, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 337,941.