Census Records
Below are several Census records from 1850 to 1920 which show various members of the Walmer-Reed family and their associates which were used to determine familial ties, birthdates, and household groupings for our research. Other intriguing bits of information can be retrieved from a census as well, ranging from occupations, to head of household.
Click on the above for a gallery view of census records
Listed here on the 1850 census are Samuel and Catherine Walmer with their children, Emma, Harry, and Maria.
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Also listed in the Walmer household are people who, presumably, were either boarders or employees.
The 1860 Census shows us that Clara Walmer is now ten years old and living with her father, Samuel, as well as her older sister Emma Walmer who will be Emma Reed. Emma is eighteen at the time of this census.
This second page of the 1860 census also shows us that Clara and Emma had three other sisters, named Eveline, Maria, and Mary, who was the youngest at five years old.
In the 1870 Census, we can more clearly discern that the Miss Clara L. Walmer that we are researching is the daughter of a Samuel Walmer, a coach manufacturer in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, along with his wife Catherine. The children listed in this census are Clara, Henry, Maria, and Mary.
Under the assumed employees/boarders, an African American is also listed as 18 year- old Louis, from Virginia. His occupation is an Ostler, or one who looks after horses. It is unclear if Louis is hired help, or a friend of the family. It is also unclear whether Louis was born free or enslaved.
Here in the 1880 census, we were able to locate Harry's employer, George N. Torrence, whom he mentions in one of his letters. Torrence is a shipping and commission merchant in Philadelphia at the time of the census.
In the 1900 Census, it is confirmed that Harry and Clara Bare now live in the same household, with the same last name, indicating that they have married by this time. The exact wedding date is unknown. Also listed as residing in their household is Reed Walmer, Clara's nephew by her brother, Harry. He is likely living with them to serve as an apprentice under Harry as this was a common practice during this period. However, he could be living with his aunt and uncle for other reasons not known to us.
In another page of the 1900 Census, it is confirmed that Clara's sister Maria is now married to Samuel Killough, and living with him in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania with their two children, Gilbert and Lassie.
The 1920 Census tells us that Clara is now widowed living with her sister Emma, also widowed. Also in the household is Emma's daughter Ella.