The fuel of the house consisted of peat, procured by his labour from the neighbouring mosses.

He also assisted his parishioners in haymaking and shearing their flocks,--in which latter art he was eminently dexterous.

In return, the neighbours would present him with a haycock, or a fleece, as a general acknowledgment of his services.
After officiating as curate of Leathwaite for about twenty years, the annual value of the living was increased to seventeen pounds ten shillings.

His character being already well known and highly appreciated, the Bishop of Carlisle offered Mr.Walker the appointment of the adjoining curacy of Ulpha; but he conscientiously refused it, on the ground that the annexation "would be apt to cause a general discontent among the inhabitants of both places, by either thinking themselves slighted, being only served alternately, or neglected in the duty, or attributing it to covetousness in me; all which occasions of murmuring I would willingly avoid." Yet at this time Mr.Walker had a family of eight children.

He afterwards maintained one of his sons at Trinity College Dublin, until he was ready for taking Holy Orders.
The parish pastor was, of course, a most economical man.