WALKER COUNTY. 593 



trees, at the plantation formerly owned by Hicks, six feet in 

 circumference, now producing fine fruit. 



Name. — This division of the State received its name in ho- 

 nour of Major Freeman Walker. He was born on the 25th 

 day of October, 1780, in Charles City county, Virginia. He 

 came to Georgia in 1797, and after a course of study in the 

 Richmond Academy, entered the office of his brother, George 

 Walker, Esq., as a student of law. In 1802 he commenced 

 practice, and by his unwearied attention to his profession, soon 

 became one among the most successful lawyers in the coun- 

 try. In 1807, he was elected a member of the State Legisla- 

 ture, in which body he exhibited the same powers of mind 

 which had distinguished him before the tribunals of justice. 

 For several years after this time, his attention was exclusively 

 devoted to his private affairs. In 1819 he was elected a Sena- 

 tor of the United States. In this august assembly, he did the 

 State which he represented great honour. He assisted in the 

 settlement of the Missouri question, and his speech, which he 

 delivered on that subject, will ever remain a monument of his 

 genius and patriotism. He held many other appointments, 

 such as Mayor of Augusta, Judge of the Court of Common 

 Pleas, &c. He died at his residence, Spring Hill, on Butler's 

 creek, Richmond county, September 23d, 1827, in the 47th 

 year of his age. We might add much more in reference to 

 this gentleman, but think our readers will have a better idea 

 of his character from the following epitaph fupon his tomb, 

 written by the Hon. Richard Henry Wilde : 



Consecrated 

 To the cherished memory and mortal relics 

 of 

 Freeman Walker, 

 nl An able and successful Advocate, 

 a graceful and fluent speaker. 

 His influence as a Statesman, his reputation as an Orator, and 

 his urbanity as a gentleman, were embellished and endeared 



by 



social and domestic virtues. 



Long a distinguished Member of the Bar, 



