He married 1st in England to Ann/Elizabeth ( ), who died before 1628/9 in England, he married 2nd Rebecca Short, who died in 1671, and he married 3rd Esther ( ).

Walter was an immigrant from the parish of Yetminster in the county of Dorsetshire England. He was of Salem, Ma. 1628, of Charlestown 1629, Rehoboth 1643, Seakonk, formerly Plymouth Colony 28 Oct 1645 where he was the first representative of the general court from that town. Deputy, town officer, juryman, New London 1652, and founder of Stonington 1653.

Walter was accused and acquitted in September of 1630 with the killing of Austin Bratcher. Freeman 18 May 1631, constable 1633-1636, united with the Roxbury church. Church record indicates that Walter and his family removed to Rehoboth and was representative in 1646 and 1647, being the first from that town, had more children and removed again to Stonington in 1653.

His will dated 19 May 1658 was made at stonington was proven 11 May 1662, naming wife Rebecca and eleven children, John, Grace, Jonas, William, Gershom, Elihu, Nehemiah, Moses, Benjamin, Hannah, and Elizabeth, omiting daughter Rebecca.

Stonington was then called Southerton.

Children: of Walter and Ann or Elizabeth Palmer

1. GRACE b. 1612/14, m. Thomas Minor

Children: of Walter and Rebecca Palmer

1. Hannah bp 15 June 1634


2. Elihu b. 24 Jan 1636, of Stonington 1658, not there by 1670.


3. Nehemiah b. 23 Nov 1637, d. 17 Feb 1718 aged 80, of Stonington,
   m. 20 Nov 1662 Hannah, dau of Thomas Stanton.
   Ch: Joseph, Elihu, Jonathan, Daniel


4. Moses b. 6 Apr 1640, d. 1701, of Stonington 1658, m. Dorothy Gilbert.
   Ch: Moses, John


5. Benjamin b. 30 May 1642, d. 1716 of Stonington 1665, freeman 1666, lived on the disputed border of R.I. and was a Capt. and involved in the contraversy, d. 10 apr 1716.


6. John, of Stonington


7. Jonas, of Rehoboth 1668


8. William, of Charlestown 1640, of Stonington 1666, and later of Killingworth which was then called Kenilworth in 1670.


9. Gershom, b. 1645, d. 1718/19, of Stonington,
   m. 28 Nov 1667 Ann Denison

Rebecca, m. 20 Apr 1665 Elisha Cheesbrough

Submitted by Susan Dorris