sometime Rector of Fyfield in Essex: Giving a modest and short account of her exemplary piety and charity.
With some useful papers and letters writ by her on several occasions.” Elizabeth Walker (née Sadler) was born in Bucklersbury, London, on 12 July 1623.
At an early age Elizabeth recognized a certain level of piety and obedience, traits that would become some of her best-known characteristics as an adult.
Through a series of contacts and family friends Elizabeth was sent out to the country to live with John Beadle, an elderly minister.
While not overly old for marriage – most women in the early modern period married in their twenties – this is notably later than usual.
Walker kept meticulous notes in her journal of each child's “merciful deliverance from God” and other details, such as her health around delivery.
Being Lord's Day, between four and five in the Morning, my Fever turned to an Ague, and held me ten Weeks, and brought me very low, yet God in his Mercy graciously spared me, and restored my Health, I bless him for it.”[11] As was tradition, Walker was the primary teacher for her children.
She reminded them of the duties of a “virtuous woman”: that they should work hard, help those in need, and obey their husbands.
In her writings, Walker included pages worth of scripture and prayers she deemed noteworthy for her children.
Walker writes of her: “My sweet Child, and dearly beloved Daughter Mary, a sweet tender hearted obedient Child, of great Prudence, and early Piety, and exemplary Inclination to the knowledge of God, and concerns of a better Life; she fell suddenly ill of a Sore Throat, Jan. 17.
1669. and after four Days illness, sweetly fell asleep in Jesus Christ, Jan. 21.”[15] Some five or six years later tragedy again struck the Walker house when her daughter, also named Elizabeth, died of smallpox.
She “[…] distilled Waters, Syrups, Oils, Ointments, Salves, &c. or distribute them out, or apply them to those who needed […]”[19] She sought out other recipes for medicines and treatments actively, often enlisting the help of her brother in law, a licensed physician.
That she chose to deal in drugs and medicines is mildly unusual – of the small number of women in the medical field at that time, most were midwives.
As well as teaching her children to read and write, she taught her own servants, and instructed them to follow in her pious ways.
[27] Walker may also have been consulted or included in a receipt book written by Mary Rich, Countess of Warwick, and her sister, Lady Katherine Ranelagh, though it is difficult to discern what she wrote or influenced.
Perhaps a true sign of her piety, some of the last words she spoke to her husband were, “A short Prayer my Dear before thou goest.”[28] She was buried on 27 February.