Thomas Walker (explorer)

Thomas Walker
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Louisa County
In office
1752–1755
Serving with Abraham Venable
Preceded byCharles Barrett
Succeeded byRobert Anderson
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Hampshire County
In office
1756–1761
Serving with Gabriel Jones
Preceded byGabriel Jones
Succeeded byJames Keith
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses representing Albemarle County
In office
1761–1772
Serving with Henry Fry, Edward Carter, Thomas Jefferson
Preceded byAllen Howard
Succeeded byJohn Walker
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates representing Albemarle County
In office
May 1782 – May 1783
Serving with Thomas Jefferson
Preceded byIsaac Davis
Succeeded byGeorge Nicholas
Personal details
BornJanuary 25, 1715 (1715-01-25)
Walkerton, King and Queen County, Virginia
DiedNovember 9, 1794 (1794-11-10) (age 79)
Castle Hill, Albemarle County, Virginia, U.S.
Spouses
Mildred Thornton
(m. 1741)
Elizabeth Thornton
(m. 1781)
Children12, including John and Francis
Known forpolitician, explorer
Signature

Thomas Walker (January 25, 1715 – November 9, 1794) was a physician, planter and explorer in colonial Virginia who served multiple terms in the Virginia General Assembly, and whose descendants also had political careers. Walker explored the Western Colony of Virginia (present-day Kentucky) in 1750, a full 19 years before the arrival of famed frontiersman Daniel Boone.