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Captain, farmer and merchant. Born circa 1784. Walker's original grant was at Tunbridge. In 1827 he was leasing the land and his stock to Robert Harrison of Woodbury, whilst he lived at Sorell.1 Walker was buying large quantities of wheat in 1826:
"Settlers are informed, that good clean Wheat in any Quantities will be received by Mr. HARRIS WALKER, at Sorell Town, and paid for in Spanish Dollars on delivery."2
Harris Walker was in partnership with Andrew Counsel. They owned a store near the Sorell Town Jetty. Counsel and Walker suffered several arson attacks in March 1826. The first attack was reported as follows:
"MORE INCENDIARIES - We are sorry to say, that on Tuesday night, a party of ruffians attacked Captain HARRIS WALKER'S premises at Pitt Water, and burnt to the ground two stacks - one of wheat, another of hay. The particulars are not known, but it is understood that the villains who perpetrated this abominable act are known, and the Police are in search of them."3
"The barn of Messrs. Council [sic] and Walker, Settlers at Pitt Water, containing 2500 bushels of wheat, was burnt to the ground on Tuesday, supposed by Bird and Tilly."4
The Land Commissioners visited Counsel and Walker on 19th April 1826:
"...rode through a farm rented by two men, Counsel and Walker, who came to this Colony from the Cape of good Hope, after having been emigrants there. They had by the greatest industry, got together, about one thousand Bushel of wheat, & melancholy to relate it was consumed to Ashes, by the act of Incendiaries, who were talked of in the neighbourhood as if little doubt existed of their indentity."5
Walker's wife died on 6th May 1826:
"Deaths - On Saturday last, at Pitt-water, the Lady of Harris Walker, Esq., universally lamented."6
Walker also owned a 600-acre property adjoining Richmond on the Coal River. He advertised the farm for sale in November 1826:
"For Sale, that beautiful Grant of Land adjoining to Charles William Murray, Esq., of 600 Acres, free of all restrictions, on the Banks of the Coal River, adjoining the upper side of D. Lord, Esq.'s Estate, called Richmond Park, and the Township of Richmond. One end of the new Stone Bridge stands upon the corner of the said Grant. - For Particulars, apply to Mr. HARRIS WALKER, of Sorell, Pitt Water."7
Died in 1829.
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1 Anne McKay (ed.), Journal of the Land Commissioners, p.57
2 Colonial Times, 14 April 1826, p.1, c.4.
3 Colonial Times, 10 March 1826, p.3, c.2.
4 Colonial Times, 31 March 1826, p.4, c.3.
5 Anne McKay, Journals of the Land Commissioners, p.1.
6 Colonial Times, 12 May 1826, p.4, c.3.
7 Colonial Times, 17 November 1826, p.1, c.3.
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