Dr. Thomas Walker (January 15, 1715 – November 9, 1794) was an physician and explorer from Virginia who led an expedition to what is now the region beyond the Alleghany Mountains area of British North America in the mid-18th century. He was responsible for naming what is now known as the Cumberland Plateau and by extension the Cumberland River for the hero of the time, the Duke of Cumberland. His party were some of the first Englishmen to see this area – previous white explorers were largely of Spanish and French origins. Walker explored Kentucky in 1750, 19 years before the arrival of Daniel Boone. January 15 is the 15th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... // Events July 24 - Spanish treasure fleet of ten ships under admiral Ubilla leave Havana, Cuba for Spain. ... November 9 is the 313th day of the year (314th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 52 days remaining. ... 1794 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The word physician should not be confused with physicist, which means a scientist in the area of physics. ... See also explorations, sea explorers, astronaut, conquistador, travelogue, the History of Science and Technology and Biography. ... Official language(s) English Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Area  Ranked 35th  - Total 42,793 sq mi (110,862 km²)  - Width 200 miles (320 km)  - Length 430 miles (690 km)  - % water 7. ... The Allegheny Mountains are a part of the Appalachian mountain range located in the eastern United States. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ... (17th century - 18th century - 19th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701 through 1800. ... The Cumberland Plateau includes much of eastern Kentucky and western West Virginia in the United States. ... The Cumberland River is an important waterway in the southern United States. ... The Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, KG, KB, PC (15 April 1721–31 October 1765), a younger son of King George II of Great Britain and Queen Caroline, was a noted military leader. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... This 1820 oil painting by Chester Harding is the only portrait of Daniel Boone made from life. ...

Walker served as guardian for Thomas Jefferson after the death of Jefferson's father, Peter Jefferson, in 1757. This article is becoming very long. ... Peter Jefferson was the father of President Thomas Jefferson. ...

Early days

Thomas Walker was born at "Rye Field", Walkerton, King and Queen County, Virginia He was raised as Englishman in the Tidewater region of Virginia. Walker's first profession was that of a physician after he attended the College of William and Mary and studied under his uncle Dr. George Gilmer. Even though he never actually received a medical degree, Walker is thought to have been the first to have trephined bone for suppurative osteomyelitis as early as 1757.^{[citation needed]} King and Queen County is a county located in the Middle Peninsula in the state of Virginia. ... The Tidewater region of Virginia is the southeastern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia, centered on Hampton Roads. ... The College of William and Mary (also known as William and Mary or W&M) is a small, selective, coeducational public university located in Williamsburg, Virginia, United States. ... A trephine () is a surgical instrument. ...

Walker became a man of status in the county when he marries Mildred Meriwether in 1741, and acquires a large portion of land from her late husband’s estate. Here, Walker would set his roots and build his home known as Castle Hill, and have 12 children, who would become prominent Albemarle citizens in their own rights. He began his path to establishing his status by becoming a vestryman in April 1744, a position he would hold until 1785. He served Virginia proudly as a delegate to the House of Burgesses from Albemarle County, a trustee to the newly formed town of Charlottesville. To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Nickname: C-Ville Location in the Commonwealth of Virginia Coordinates: Country United States State Virginia County Albemarle County Founded 1762  - Mayor David E. Brown Area    - City 26. ...

Exploration

On July 12, 1749, the Loyal Land Company was founded with Walker as a leading member. After receiving a grant of 800,000 acres (3,200 km²) in what is now southeastern Kentucky, the company appointed Walker to lead an expedition to explore and survey the region in 1750. Walker was named head of the Loyal Land Company in 1752.

During the expedition, Walker gave names to many topographical features including the Cumberland Gap. His party built the first non-Indian house (a cabin) in Kentucky (today's Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site). Walker kept a daily journal of the trip. Cumberland Gap in winter Daniel Boone Escorting Settlers through the Cumberland Gap (George Caleb Bingham, oil on canvas, 1851–52) The Cumberland Gap is a pass across the Cumberland Mountains region of the Appalachian Mountains, also known as the Cumberland Water Gap. ... Dr. Thomas Walker State Historic Site is a park in Barbourville, Kentucky in Knox County. ...

At the age of 64, Walker again journeyed to the western areas of Kentucky and Tennessee to extend the border between Virginia and North Carolina westward. This controversial mapped border would forever bear the title of the "Walker Line" and today stand as the separating point between the two states.

He also had great influence in dealing with Indian affairs. Walker represented Virginia at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix and Treaty of Lochaber (1770) and dealt with the peace negotiations after the Battle of Point Pleasant. In 1775, Walker served as a Virginia commissioner in negotiations with representatives of the Six Nations in Pittsburg. Two different treaties between Native Americans and European-Americans were signed at Fort Stanwix, which was located near present-day Rome, New York. ... On Oct. ... The Battle of Point Pleasant was an action in Lord Dunmores War between Virginia militia and the Indians fought on October 10, 1774 near modern Point Pleasant, West Virginia. ... The Iroquois Confederacy (Haudenosaunee, also known as the League of Peace and Power, Five Nations, or Six Nations) is a group of First Nations/Native Americans. ...

Walker is also credited as the first American to discover and use coal found in Kentucky ^[1] Coal Coal (IPA: ) is a fossil fuel extracted from the ground by underground mining or open-pit mining (surface mining). ... Official language(s) English[1] Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  Ranked 37th  - Total 40,444 sq mi (104,749 km²)  - Width 140 miles (225 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 1. ...

Final days

After the death of his first wife, Walker would marry another lady with a famous name in 1781, Elizabeth Thorton (official marriage contract). Thomas Walker died on November 9, 1794 at Castle Hill, Albemarle County, Virginia. At the time of his death Walker was noted as the fourth wealthiest citizen of Albemarle County. Albemarle County is a county located in the U.S. state — officially, Commonwealth — of Virginia. ...

Notes

External links

• The Kentucky Highlands Project