George Walker

Third son of Thomas was born at Leeds. Like his brother John he was bought up with horses. Both of them showed outstanding natural ability in this connection after an elementary education probably from their Mother. Their life was the stable. As a young man he worked as a groom for Colonel Whyte in Ireland. But by 1850 he had decided to migrate. He arrived at New Plymouth on the 15th of December 1850 on the "Phoebe Dunbar". George remained at New Plymouth until March 1853, mostly working with horses ( blacksmithing and breaking in).

  He attended the Methodist Chapel where he met choir girl who became Mrs George Walker. This was Emma Maria Tuffin. The only daughter of Thomas Tuffin (1814-1902), from Shaftesbury Dorset. The Tuffins had arrived in New Plymouth in 1842 on the "Blenheim". George Emma and their 3 month old son Thomas travelled overland to Wanganui losing a horse in the Patea river on the way. George soon bought some land in Wanganui and later in 1861 bought "Mount Jowett" on the plateau above Aramoho adjacent to John's Farm. During the 1860's he was also custodian of the Colonial Hospital.

  In 1868 when it was thought that the maori were going to attack Wanganui a fort was built on the farm "Mount Jowett". George besides being a great sportsman was a keen horticulturalist ( an interest shared by most of his sons). George won numerous prizes, especially for roses. He donated the timber for the first Methodist church in Wanganui. George and Emma had a family of 7 sons and 1 daughter.