Tag: Loyal Company of Virginia

January 25, 1715: Thomas Walker Born in King and Queen County

Thomas Walker was born in King and Queen County, Virginia, on January 25, 1715. He was a widely respected physician, farmer, merchant, and legislator.

He also was an investor, agent, and surveyor for the Loyal Company of Virginia, which promoted settlement in present southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southeastern Kentucky.

In 1750, Walker led the first recorded expedition into Kentucky. On his return, he crossed the headwaters of the Tug Fork River in present McDowell County and the confluence of the New and Greenbrier rivers at present Hinton. He then traveled up most of the length of the Greenbrier.

Afterward, Walker served in the Virginia General Assembly, representing several counties, including Hampshire—West Virginia’s oldest county. During the French and Indian War, he was a commissary general for more than 80 forts on Virginia’s western frontier and was present at Edward Braddock’s overwhelming defeat in 1755.

Walker negotiated important Indian treaties, served as commissioner of Indian affairs after the 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant, and was a member of the Revolutionary conventions leading up to the Revolutionary War. Thomas Walker died in 1794 at age 79.

July 12, 1749: Loyal Company Granted 800,000 Acres

On July 12, 1749, the Colony of Virginia granted the Loyal Company 800,000 acres in what is today parts of southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southeastern Kentucky. The Loyal Company promoted settlement in Western Virginia at a time when few pioneers dared to venture west of the Allegheny Mountains.

By 1754, the land company had settled about 200 families, including some along the New and Bluestone rivers. Most of these settlements, though, were destroyed by Indians during the French and Indian War.

The grants to the Loyal Company, and to the Greenbrier and Ohio companies, were early attempts by colonial Virginia to resist English rule. The king of England believed that he alone had the right to award land grants, while Virginia’s leaders felt they should control western lands.

After the French and Indian War, England tried to repress violence on the frontier by forbidding settlement west of the Alleghenies. However, many land speculators and pioneers ignored the order of the crown and pushed into Western Virginia. This westward expansion heightened tensions with England and furthered our nation’s journey toward independence.

Loyal Company Granted 800,000 Acres: July 12, 1749

On July 12, 1749, the Colony of Virginia granted the Loyal Company 800,000 acres in what is today parts of southern West Virginia, southwestern Virginia, and southeastern Kentucky. The Loyal Company promoted settlement in Western Virginia at a time when few pioneers dared to venture west of the Allegheny Mountains.

By 1754, the land company had settled about 200 families, including some along the New and Bluestone rivers. Most of these settlements, though, were destroyed by Indians during the French and Indian War.

The grants to the Loyal Company, and to the Greenbrier and Ohio companies, were early attempts by colonial Virginia to resist English rule. The king of England believed that he alone had the right to award land grants, while Virginia’s leaders felt they should control western lands.

After the French and Indian War, England tried to repress violence on the frontier by forbidding settlement west of the Alleghenies. However, many land speculators and pioneers ignored the order of the crown and pushed into Western Virginia. This westward expansion heightened tensions with England and furthered our nation’s journey toward independence.

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