Individual Details

Jacob served as a Second Lt. in the Revolutionary War under Capt. Henry Rhoads in the 1st Bn. Penna Line (1777-1778). His service is verified with DAR.

Jacob WALKER is listed as a taxable inhabitant of Brothers Valley, Bedford County, PA in 1774, 1775, and 1776.

Jacob WALKER is listed in Bedford County Return of Property for Brothers Valley in 1779, owning 200 acres, 5 horse, and 4 cattle.

Jacob WALKER, of Brothers Valley Company, was commisioned a Second Lieutenant on May 8, 1779.

Taken from History of Bedford and Somerset County, Vol. 3, Blackburn, page 31:
Jacob WALKER was a member of the early generation of the WALKERS in this country. He was born in Frederick County, Maryland, about 1740, and immigrated to Bedford County (now Somerset County), Pennsylvania, in 1774. He settled in and resided in Brothers Valley township until his death in 1778 when he was killed by being thrown against a tree while riding a horse. He is descended from the WALKERS, who were early settlers in Maryland. He married and reared a family, but the name of his wife is not known.

Taken from Bedford and Somerset Counties, Vol. 2, Blackburn, page 59:
In time the general needs of the community led to the advisability of the laying out of a town in this settlement being considered. Finally it was determined to do so, and a part of the farm now owned by Elias COBER, in the neighborhood of what is now known as Pine Hill, was selected as being suitable for a town site....A day was fixed on which lots were to be staked off and sold....The novelty of begining a new town raised considerable excitement and interest...drew quite a number of people to the place. Among others were a party of young men on horseback...On coming to a smooth place in the road, in a spirit of fun and banter, it was proposed to ride a race for the first choice of lots in this new town. While the race was being run the horse of a young man named Jacob WALKER, while running at full speed, made a sudden lurch to one side, throwing his rider against a tree, killing him instantly. This sad and untoward accident...was looked on as being an unfortunate omen..the project was entirely abandoned.
Jacob did live long enough after the accident to write his will, written in German, and dated 16 Mar 1783. In it he lists his wife Elizabeth, and children Philip, Jacob, Peter by name with land grants. He also specifically referes to the "child whereof my wife is pregnant".

Birth	31 MAR 1749	Weil im Schonbuch, Wurttemberg, Germany
Marriage	ABT 1765	Leitersburg, Frederick Co., MD - Elizabeth WASHABAUGH
Will	16 MAR 1783	Brothers Valley, Bedford Co., PA
Death	8 APR 1783	Brothersvalley Twp., Somerset Co., PA
Burial		Newton Saylor Cem.,
Probate	19 APR 1783	Bedford Co., PA

Spouse	Elizabeth WASHABAUGH ( - )
Child	Philip WALKER (1766 - 1833)
Child	Jacob WACKER/WALKER II (1770 - 1843)
Child	Peter WALKER (1773 - 1853)
Child	Elizabeth WALKER (1774 - 1847)
Child	John George WALKER (1777 - 1847)
Child	Frederick WALKER (1780 - 1843)
Child	Maria Barbara WALKER (1783 - 1813)

Father	Michael WACKER (1700 - 1773)
Mother	Maria CARL ( - )
Sibling	George WACKER (1732 - 1775)
Sibling	Maria Barbara WACKER (1746 - )