The Home
A Brief History
Dr. Martin Walton came to Robertson County a widower in 1802 with his five children.
He was one of a few doctors in the rural area, given the time period and population of Robertson County at that time. The room in the front of the home that we call "The Walton Room" is a dedication to Martin Walton. It has an unusual separate side entrance, not far from the front door and was perhaps used to see the sick who came calling. There is also door in this room that leads directly into a downstairs bedroom. This room holds the records of Dr. Walton's revolutionary war service, where he served approximately 18 months, beginning at age sixteen.
It also holds the records of his father, John Walton, who served at Valley Forge.
In addition to Martin Walton, his brother Meredith and sister Temperance Walton were some of the original settlers of Robertson County. His brother Meredith and wife Sarah Walton (Yates), of whom the current owners are related, lived close by.
1802-1845
The time of the Walton's is surrounded in much mystery.
We know from recorded accounts that Dr. Walton left Virginia for Tennessee as a widower in 1802, and that he purchased a substantial amount of acreage in Robertson County 1804. He was also later given a land grant for his Revolutionary War service. The Walton home was believed to have been completed in 1809, as "1809" is inscribed above the front door, but is covered by a porch added during the 1860s renovation.
Dr. Martin Walton died intestate, very unusual for a man of his wealth and background, in 1844. His second wife, Chloe, had died in 1840. His son David was murdered in the midst of settling the estate in 1845. The murder, allegedly perpetrated by two enslaved men, is another mystery. According to newspapers, one man was acquitted and the other was executed on October 31, 1845 in Springfield. The newspapers, however, cast doubt that there were not more people involved in the murder of David Walton. Adding to the mystery, two of David's adult children died the following year, in January 1846.
This ended the Walton's time in the home.
William Pope purchased the home.
William Pope, who was witness to Martin Walton's pension application that is displayed in the Walton room, bought the home after David's death and died shortly after in March 1846. From there, William Pope's descendants remained in the home until 2018.
1846-2018
After the death of William Pope, the house then went to William Pope's daughter, Priscilla (Pope) and her second husband William Gorham.
William Gorham and Priscilla had six children, and Priscilla had two children from a previous marriage. Priscilla's first husband, Carter Forman, had died very young. One of these children was Susan Gorham, who would later inherit the home with her husband, William Cook. And so this family would keep the home until modern day...
Learn more about these families, especially Susan and William Cook,
on our tour.
