Chemist 1800-1868
Lillian Spender (nee Headland 1835-1895) was a popular writer of her time, known better as Mrs John Kent Spender. Her aunt, Anna Maria Headland, married Edward Walker, sixth son of the Perfumer and his wife, Mary.
Edward Walker was born in St James’s Westminster on 28 April 1800 and christened at the family church, St James’ Piccadilly on 11 May that year. He probably attended Mr. Chapman’s school in Wandsworth with his elder brothers, Joseph and John, before being apprenticed to Messrs. Savory and Moore, later chemists to the Queen.
When Edward married Anna Maria Headland, in St Andrew’s Holborn on 22 November 1822, his parents had already died, but relatives from both families would have filled the church. His brother Henry was there with sister-in-law Amelia, as her sister Eliza Medina was married to Anna Maria’s elder brother, Edward. It appears that the couple had no children.
Edward’s profession can be seen as a natural progression from his father’s. After a few years, the couple moved north, and Edward became a chemist in his own right in Newcastle-on-Tyne. Advertisements show Edward producing Digestive Dinner Pills in Kelso from 1839 to the mid-1840s, and he also developed a sheep dip for ticks and other vermin. He was back in Newcastle in 69 Grey Street from 1850.
In Newcastle, Edward carried on a successful chemist business. He chose pharmaceutical and nutritional lines that were trustworthy and effective. His position maintaining the health of the community was one of great importance and well-respected, but he was not immune to the temptations of luxuries, and happily stocked and advertised wares that would be the envy of his customers.
In November 1863, Edward retired due to ill-health, moving to Croft soon after. He died five years later aged 67 and was buried on 30 March 1868 in St Peter’s graveyard, Croft on Tees, followed by his wife Anna Maria on 5 August 1869 aged 71. Local papers recorded his death.
Walkers through time 