George Walker II was born in 1763 Burke County, GA the 5th child of 12 children. There are theories he went off at a young age to fight in the Revolutionary war, however documentation is still required to prove this.  He is referenced in several publications as being a Revolutionary war veteran and was awarded land for his service.  

He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Walker in 1787 in Burke County, GA at the age of 24.  Betsy Walker was the daughter of Joel B. Walker and Judith Gywnn originally of Buckingham County, VA and later of Burke County, GA.  Joel B. Walker was a Revolutionary patriot and lived near the elder George Walker I in the Brier Creek region.  Joel and Judith had 3 enslaved people in 1763. (source: Families of Burke County, GA by Robert S.Davis & Silas E.Lucas, Jr) The documents for these enslaved people are still not found. However, upon Betsey Walker’s death, she deeded 15 enslaved people to her children. Those enslaved where part of an inheritance given by Margaret Hancock. I believe this to be an relative of hers. Research still needs to uncover Margaret Hancock and her origins.

George Walker and Betsy had 9 children and settled in Pulaski County, GA following the death of his parents. All their children become enslavers.  Sometime between 1799-1808 George Walker II and his family relocated to Pulaski County buying up land near Shellstone Creek close to modern day Cochran, GA which they named “Longstreet”. Local Lore speaks to the origins of “Longstreet” as a beautifully manicured and landscaped road…one beautiful “long street”. While we no plantation records survived we can ascertain that many of the enslaved laborers would have been experienced botanists and landscapers.

His enslaved population built 7 houses with each compound comprising of approximately 7,000 acres. The Walker Plantation complex of Longstreet would have been completely self sufficient. For all intents and purposes, its own town complete with a commissary for the enslaved to gather supplies.

In 1820, he is found in the 1820 census of Pulaski County with 48 people enslaved. 28 enslaved men, 20 enslaved females. I think what is interesting is only 30 people are engaged in agriculture. That leaves 18 people available to work other industries. There is a lot to read between the lines on these documents to understand further the day in and day out of the enslaved populations and what life was like.

In 1830 the year of his death, Betsy Walker is registered in the tax record as the property owner of 30 enslaved people. According to the register a male between 60-69 years old was living but George would have either been very ill or near death. Perhaps this is why his wife is registered in his stead. There is a 18 person decline between the decade. Unsure where or what happened to them but assuming they were deeded prior to George Walker II ‘s death. 17 enslaved males and 13 enslaved females.