The Walton family of Brunswick County, Virginia, resided in the Glastonbury area of Somerset, England. They took their name from the village of Walton, which is 3¼ miles (N. W. by W.) from Glastonbury. Immediately west of Glastonbury are the villages of High Ham, Shapwick, and Meare, the first being 9 miles from the last, with Shapwick being between them, on a north/south axis. The Waltons lived at Low Ham Court, being present there until 1666, and were neighbours of William Balche, gentleman, and Sir Edward Hext, lord of the manor, 1596-1624, who the Waltons were related to by marriage. John Walton, auditor of Glastonbury abbey, who died in 1540, held ½-virgate freehold in High Ham manor in 1515. His brother, William, was also auditor of Glastonbury abbey in 1535, bailiff of Whitley hundred in 1538-9, and coroner in 1555. John’s son, Thomas, who died in 1576, purchased Shapwick manor in 1557.

Their various intermarriages also connected them to such families as the Carys and Paulets. They were of the upper echelons of the Somerset landed gentry, alongside such as the Hodges, Lancasters, Symes (Simms) and Wiches. A lesser member of the latter family, Edward Wiche, who married Sara Chapman, 9 Feb. 1640, in Bridgwater, 10 miles from High Ham, was the ancestor of Abigail Wyche, as I have shown elsewhere, who married George Brewer, 4 March 1734, son of George Brewer and Sarah Lanier, half-sister of Sampson Lanier Sr., who married Elizabeth Washington; their son, Thomas Lanier, m. Anne Maclin, dau. of William Maclin Sr. and Katherine Brewer. The connection to these families of such as the Harris family of Cheddar (15 miles from High Ham) was based on a shared locality, and a desire of the tenants of the landed gentry to marry into their families. As it was in England, so it continued in colonial America.

1. Thomas Walton, of High Ham, Somerset.
1.1. John Walton. Oct. 17, 1549, Proved by Thomas Walton, May 4, 1551. (14 Bucke). Buried in the Church of High Ham, in the Chauncell, between Mr Dyer, sometime Parson of the same Church, and my two wives. To the Cathedral Church of Wells, 6 d. To the mayntenance of Goddis Dyvyne Service in the Church of Netherham, six good wether sheepe. … To my son Alexander Walton, my purchase in West Monckton, with appurtenances. To my son Andrew Walton & his heirs, all my lands in Langport Easton, Langport Weston, Som’ … To my daughter Joane Walton, £40, and ‘oon flate pece with a cover of silver parcel gilted, and oon bedde with appurtenances’, she to be ordered in her marriage by Sir Thomas Dyer, Kt, and William & Thomas Walton, her brothers. To my daughter Elisabeth Walton, £40, & the same to my daughter Agnes Walton. To my cousin Richard Walton, son of my brother William Walton,* the elder, my wood knyfe. 12d to the poor people of two Alms houses in Glastonbury. Residue to my son Thomas Walton, Exr. My brother Walton, & my gossip Uppham, overseers. ‘And I beseche the Lyvyn God Recyve my soule unto His endless mercy’.
1.1.1. William Walton.
1.1.2. Thomas Walton, d. 1576, purchased Shapwick manor in 1557.
1.1.2.1. Thomas Walton, d. 1622. His sister, Anne, married Edward Hext, 2 Apr. 1578, High Ham.
1.1.2.1.1. Francis Walton, conveyed Shapwick in 1622 to Abraham Burrell.
1.1.2.1.2. William Walton, bapt. 12 Jan. 1572, High Ham.
1.1.2.1.2.1. Edward Walton, bapt. 22 Mar. 1598, Glastonbury (St John), ‘f. William’, married 1. Francis …
1.1.2.1.2.1.1. Edward Walton, bapt. 22 Feb. 1620, Meare (St Mary), ‘f. Edward’.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2. Francis Walton. bapt. Aug. 1623, Meare, ‘f. Edward’.
1.1.2.1.2.1.3. George Walton, bapt. 11 May 1626, Meare, ‘f. Edward’. (dvp).
1.1.2.1.2.1.4. Mary Walton, bapt. 16 Apr 1629, Meare, ‘f. Edward’, m. George Cooper, 28 Sep. 1654, Meare.
1.1.2.1.2.1.5. Elizabeth Walton, bapt. 15 Nov. 1632, Meare, ‘f. Edward’.
1.1.2.1.2.1. Edward Walton married 2. Mary …
1.1.2.1.2.1.1. William Walton, bapt. 14 Aug. 1642, Meare, ‘f. Edward and Mary’.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2. George Walton, bapt. 9 Mar. 1657, Meare, ‘f. Edward and Mary’.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1. George Walton, gent, b. c. 1682, d. 31 Oct. 1766, m. Elizabeth Rowe, d. 1785, in Brunswick Co.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1. Isaac Rowe Walton, d. 22 Oct. 1770, in Menherrin Parish, Brunswick Co., married Elizabeth Ledbetter.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.1. David Walton, born in 1760 in Brunswick Co. died 9 May 1848, married (28 Feb. 1778) Rebecca Wyche.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.2. Henry walton, married (1775), Rebecca Brewer.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.1.3. Nancy walton, married (1804) Nathaniel Peebles (Peeples).
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.2. Mary Walton, born 1711 in Brunswick Co., died 17 July 1779, married Richard Ledbetter.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.3. Elizabeth Walton, born in 1727, in Brunswick Co., died 7 July 1764, in Greensville Co, married (1741) Adam Simms.
1.1.2.1.2.1.2.1.4. Catherine Walton, born circa 1728, died 20 June 1812 in Brunswick Co, married (1747) Nathaniel Harris. They had sons: Walton, Nathan, Howell, Isaac, Hubbard, and David; daughters: Jane Williams, and Elizabeth Allen; grandchildren; Elizabeth Hoard, Harris Coleman, Catherine Coleman, Polly Hargrove, John Coleman, and Thomas Camp Harris, and Peter and John Harris, grandsons of deceased son, David; names as in order in the Will of Nathan Harris (Will Book 1, pages 236-238, Greenville County, 1793).
1.2. *William Walton, m. 1. Joan, dau. of Legh, of the Isle of Wight. His sister, Dorothy Walton, married John Hawley Esq., of Aller, Somerset; their grandson, Francis, was the father of Sir Henry Hawley, of Wiveliescombe, Somerset (neighbour of the intermarried Bennett and Harris families of that place), who married Elizabeth, sister of Sir John Paulet, afterwards Lord Paulet.
1.2.1. Dunston Walton. P.C.C., last will and testament, proved 29 March 1572, of Dunstan Walton (d. 19 March 1572), brother-in-law of the poet, Thomas Watson (d. 1592). The testator leaves bequests to his wife’s brother, John Watson (d. 19 Dec. 1574)and sister, Anne (nee Watson) Ducke (d. 18 October 1574) and her daughter, Blanche. Ann Walton had firstly m. Thomas Watson, and, secondly, Thomas Ducke. Dunston Walton was one of the largest exporters of broadcloths.
1.2.2. Richard Walton, leasee of Shapwick, see Cal. Pat. 1553-4, 89, married Elizabeth, daughter of John Cary of Cade Kabeare, Devon, son of Robert Cary and Jane Carew, the son of Sir William Cary and Elizabeth, daughter of Sir William Paulet, of Hinton St. George, Somerset. Cary, of Castle-Cary in Somerset — Arms.— Gules a chevron between three swans, arg. Crest.— On a wreath a swan proper. Jane Carew was the daughter of Sir Nicholas Carew, Baron of Carew-Castle in Pembrokeshire.
1.2.2.1. Richard Walton, of Shapwick, Som. Esqr. Feb. 8, 1609. Admn. to Jane Worth, alias Walton, daughter of deceased.
1.2.2.1.1. Francis Walton, bapt. 28 May 1561, Baltonsborough (St Dunstan), ‘f. Richard’.
1.2.2.1.1.1. Thomas Walton, armiger, born circa 1586.
1.2.2.1.1.1.1. Francis Walton, bapt. 1 May 1614, Shapwick (St Mary), ‘f Thomas, armiger’.
1.2.2.1.1.1.2. John Walton, armiger, bapt. 19 Jul. 1612, Shapwick, ‘f Thomas, armiger’, m. Katherine …
1.2.2.1.1.1.2.1. Andrew Walton, bapt. 1 Sep. 1636, High Ham, ‘f. John and Katherine’.
1.2.2.1.1.1.2.2. Robert Walton, bapt. 7 Jan. 1645, High Ham, ‘f. John and Katherine’.
1.2.2.1.1.1.2.2.1. Robert Walton, served as Clerk of the St. Peter’s Parish Vestry from 1723 to 1734.
1.2.2.1.1.1.2.2.1.1. Robert Walton, born 1716, married Sally Hughes.
1.2.2.1.1.1.2.2.1.2. Sherwood Walton, born 10 July 1728. Wm. Goode to examine Anne Walton for dower relinquishment, 6 Jan.1762 (Halifax Co. Deed Books 2-6, 1759-1767, p. 35). 1  June 1762, Cornelius Cargill, Lydall Bacon, Mathew Marabel, & Wm. Goode Gent. or any two of them, ordered to examine Anne (Goode), wife of Sherwood Walton and receive relinquishment of right of dower in 170 acres. Signed: Mat Marable, Wm Goode (ibid.). Sherwood Walton was the brother-in-law of William Harris: 1 Dec. 1761: William Harris of Lunenburg Co. to John Smith of Amelia Co. 500 a. both sides middle fork of Bluestone Creek.Wit: Abram Crowder; Peter Hamlin; Benjamin Ragsdale; Frances (Goode), wife of William Harris rel. dower. (Land in St. James Parish, which became Mecklenburg). John Smiths land in Mecklinburg was bounded by that of Daniel Coleman, born 1731, father of Daniel Coleman, son-in-law of Nathaniel Harris. (Meck. B. 3, pp. 177-178).
1.2.2.1.1.1.2.3. Thomas Walton, bapt. 28 Oct. 1653, High Ham.
1.2.2.1.1.1.3. Katharina Walton, married John Tucker, 28 Sep. 1626, High Ham.
1.2.2.1.1.1.4. Anna Walton, married Samuel Balch, 1 Mar 1630, High Ham.
1.2.2.1.1.1.3. Andrew Walton, married Isotta Pople (Peeple/People), 1637, High Ham. The Peeple/People family were neighbours of the Walton family in Meare. The earliest mentioned in the registers is James People, who married Edith Abbot, 7 Oct. 1596, in Meare (St. Mary). Their son was Richard People, baptised 15 Jun. 1597, father of 1. James, father of James, bapt. 19 0ct. 1654; Edward, bapt. 17 Jan. 1657. 2. Thomas, father of John, bapt. 26 Feb. 1662. Their relationship (if any) to Daniel People, who married Ann Burge, 7 Nov. 1695, in Middlezoy (Holy Cross) can not be known. Middlezoy is 11 miles from Meare, and 7 miles from High Ham. Middlezoy manor was purchased by Edward Dyer in 1570. The fee-farm rent for Middlezoy manor was granted to Lady Denise Hext before 1633 and used by her to endow an almshouse in Somerton. (S.R.S. xxviii. 85; li, p. 260; V.C.H. Som. iii. 153).
1.2.2.2. Thomas Walton, of Shapwick, Som, Esqr. March 6, 1610. Proved April 29, 1611. (34 Wood) To be buried near my wife in the Chancel of Shapwick Church. To Richard, my son, my lands, &c, in Butleigh Wooton, Compton Dundon, Streate, Langporte Eston, Langport Weston, Weeke Perham, Curry Rivell, Drayton, &c, & elsewhere, to him & his heirs. In default, to my said daughter. Residue of my goods to my son Richard Walton, Exr. My friends, John Maye, Esqr, my brother William Walton, & Richard Hadley, clerk, overseers, to each £6. 13. 4. Proved by William Walton, brother, one of the overseers, during the minority of Richard Walton, son.
1.2.2.3. William Walton.
1.2. William Walton, m. 2. Isabell, daughter of Richard Long, of Glastonbury. See Weaver’s Visitations of the County of Somerset, p. 134, 1885.
1.2.1. Francis Walton,
1.2.2. Henry Walton
1.2.3. Robert Walton.

Ad.

There are two people that I can identify as using the Walton toponym at an early period:

Final Concord: (i) Stephen de Walton, plaintiff, (ii) John de Bourbath, chaplain, and William de Wythele, chaplain, deforciants. 1 messuage, 1 acre of plough land, 6 acres of meadow land, and 20 acres of pasture land with appurtenances in Barton David (county of Somerset). (Isle of Wight Record Office, ref. AC95/32.21. 14 June 1338).

Alan de Walton died by 1364.

The following are more certainly of the family of Thomas Walton, deceased by 1514:

Letter of Attorney. (i) Edith, wife of John Walton of Barton, (ii) John Gyan. To put Joanna, daughter of John Russsell in full possession of lands and tenements in Doneford, Stogumber, Assholte, Carselake and elsewhere in the county of Somerset
Seal. (Isle of Wight Record Office, ref. AC95/32.48. 7 Sep. 1406). In the records of Glastonbury Abbey Assholte  is mentioned in conjunction with Walton, Street, and Buddelegh in matters of rights of common. John Walton may have married Edith Russell.

Grant with warranty. (i) Thomas Walton, son and heir of John Walton, of the age of 22, (ii) John Russell and Oliver his son. Rent of 1 messuage, 20 acres of land and 6 acres of meadowland with appurtenances in Carselake in parish of Stogumber (Somerset); and the rent of a messuage, 24 acres of land and 2 acres of meadow land in Assholte, Somerset. Seal. (Isle of Wight Record Office, ref. AC95/32.52. 1 October 1413).

Thomas Walton may have been the father of:

1. William Walton: Power of Attorney. By William Carent, John Carent, Wm. Walton and Jo. Barter for livery of seisin to William Weston, of all their lands in Bruton, Bruham, Hengrove, Milton, Castlecary and Thorne, Co.Som. (Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\WHh/640. 30 March 1469). The later Waltons intermarried with the Carys of Catlecary. Grant and counterpart. By William Carent, John Carent, jun. esquires, William Walton and Robert Barter to Roger Weston, of the manor of Begbury al. Presteley, to hold to him and his heirs in tail, and on failure of heir, to William Weston his brother, and his heirs in tail. (Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\WHh/909-910. 30 March 1469).

2. Thomas Walton. Gyfforde v Walton. Plaintiffs: William Gyfforde, of Bristol, merchant. Defendants: William Walton, of Netherham, gentleman. Subject: Detention of deeds relating to a messuage and land in Keinton Mandeville, claimed by defendant as son and heir of Thomas Walton. Somerset. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 1/316/4 1504-1515). Lease of wood, for term of three years. Sir John Arundell, knight = (1) Thomas Walton of Netherham, Thomas Davy of Lamporte and John Hayne of Paradyse = (2)-(4). Consideration: 18 marks, payable £4 already, £4 next Easter and £4 at the following Michaelmas, to John Belde, (1)’s receiver. (1), through his surveyor William Belde, to (2)-(4), all his wood at Pytney called Pytneywode (Somerset); (2)-(4) shall have 3 years for felling and carrying the wood, starting at 1st Nov. (‘all halwon’) next; they shall fully coppice and enclose (‘close’) the wood during that term. 3 seals of (2)-(4), presumably. Pytneywode = Pitney Wood, Somerset, Netherham, probably = Low Ham, near Pitney Wood, Lamporte, near Pitney, presumably. Paradyse = Paradise, near Pitney Wood. (Cornwall Record Office, ref. AR/4/2117. 2 October 1498).

The earliest armorial of these Waltons was a fleur de lys gules, a mullet for a difference.

copyright m stanhope 2016