James Taylor, England to Carolina

June 4, 2013 — 5 Comments

grave James and Mary Taylor

My 7th great grandfather sailed to America when he was 27 years old, to start a new life in the new world.  Two different James Taylors on the early Virginia scene make research a bit tricky:

The James Taylor known in history as James Taylor 1st, may be the son of immigrant John Taylor and nephew of the above Dr. James Taylor. He was b in England 1635 and was transported to America under the Headright System by John Rosier of Northumberland Co., Va., 7 Feb 1650. He was well educated, an able lawyer, surveyor, vestryman of the church, and a member of the ‘40’s,’ a group of trustworthy men chosen to defend the Colony against Indians. Each man was levied a tax in arms and provisions. The record of this assignment is in the Parish Register of Northumberland County, Virginia, 1676, listed by Melnor Ljungstead in early court records and notes.

“James Taylor I was a large landowner and he was a prominent citizen in the colony. He was a lawyer and public official and served as a member of the House of Burgesses. He was sheriff of New Kent County in 1690 and vestryman of Saint George’s Parish. He was married, first, about 1666 in Virginia to Frances Walker who died September 23, 1680. He moved to Orange County, Virginia, and belonged to Saint Stephen’s Parish in New Kent County and also in King and Queen County…

“James Taylor I was married, second, to Mary Gregory August 12, 1682. She was born about 1665 and died about 1747. She was a sister of John Gregory, Jr., and they were from Essex County, Virginia. Her father was John Gregory and her mother was Elizabeth Bishop of Sittenbourne Parish, Rappahannock County, Virginia…”

James Taylor of New Kent County 10/21/1687 744 acres Rappahanock County Virginia Land Patents Book 7 page 625 South side of the Rappahanock River, 480 acres granted to Mr. Henry Abery, who sold to Mr. Robert Bishopp, who bequeathed to John Gregory, who gave to his sister Mary, now wife of said James Taylor; said land in danger of being lost was petitioned for by said Taylor the 1st day of the last Genrll. Court -04/15/1687 & granted by the Gov’r; beg. by the Indian Path alias Mr. Abrey’s path, to fork of Gregory’s Creek, on Richard Gregory’s lyne, in sight of John Gatewood’s plantation, to the Rowleing Roade. 246 acres for the transport of 5 persons: James Taylor, Hanna Martin, Robert Jones, Ursula Collis, Hanna Collier.

Mr. James Taylor and John Neal of New Kent County 10/20/1689 209 acres New Kent County Virginia Land Patents Book 8 page 16 in St Stephen’s Parish, on North side of Mattapony (Mattaponi) River, beg. below James Taylor’s plantation, along John Neel’s line, to Col. Thomas Walker, on Robert Jones, To Thomas White’s. Importation of 5 persons: Tho. Grimstone, Hugh Jones, Tho. Allen, Tho. Davis, Anne Brooking.

The Virginia Heraldica Being a “Registry of Virginia Gentry Entitled To Coat Armor” edited by Wm Armstrong Crozier; 2nd addition; Southern Book Co., Baltimore 1953, List James Taylor in Vol 7 on pg 108.

Crest: A naked arm couped at the shoulder embowed, holding an arrow ppr. Motto: Consequitur quodcunque petit. “Strikes what he aims at or he gains what he seeks.”

James Taylor, ancestor of the Caroline County family of that name, is said to have come from the vicinity of Carlisle, England. He was in VA before 1650 and took out patents of land on the Mattaponi River.

An old ring handed down in the family is said to have once been his property, and it bears engraved upon it the above crest which is that of the Taylors of Pennington Castle.

Taylor Caroline county Crest: A naked arm couped at the shoulder embowed, holding an arrow ppr. Motto: Consequitur quodcunque petit. James Taylor, ancestor of the Caroline county family of that name, is said to have come from the vicinity of Carlisle, England. He was in Virginia before 1650 and took out patents of land on the Mattaponi River. By his first wife, Frances, he had Jane, born 27 Dec., 1668; James, born 1674; Sarah, born 1676. His first wife died in 1680, and in 1682 he married Mary, sister of John Gregory, by whom he had the following children: John and Anne, twins, born 1685, John died young; Mary, born 1688; Edmund, born 1690; John, born 1693, died young; Elizabeth, born 1694, died young; John, born 1696. James Taylor died about 1698 at an advanced age. An old ring handed down in the family is said to have once been his property, and it bears engraved upon it the above crest which is that of the Taylors of Pennington Castle. The descendants of James Taylor have been exceedingly prominent in the history of the State, one of them–Zachary, becoming President.

Frances Bell Evans, a Gr Gdau of James Taylor has in her possession a Seal Ring, which bears the Taylor Arms, which he wore, and with the ring the legend has been handed down which is said to have added the fourth Boars’ Head to the Arms. It relates that when the Chase was at it’s height, a wild boar, hard driven, turned upon the Royal Huntsman, whereat there sprang to his defence one of the attending Knights, who interposing, thrust the animal through with his lance. The King, in gratitude, told him to prefer any request whatsoever and that it should be granted. From this time the “Crest” and Distinguishing Mark of this Knight and his descendants was the uplifted Arm with Lance in Hand, accompanied by the Motto:

“Consequitor quadcumque Petit” (He Strikes what He Aims at or He Gains What He Seeks).

The descendants of James Taylor have been prominent in the history of the State, one of them — Zachary, becoming President. A common ancestor with Pres. Lincoln. “Old Taylor” liquor was created by a KY relative.

“There are two recorded dates of the death of James Taylor, one April 30, 1698, and another September 10, 1698. He died in King and Queen County, Virginia, Saint Stephen’s Parish. King and Queen County was formed from New Kent County in 1691.

“James Taylor held many land patents. In 1671 he owned 1,650 acres of land along the Mattaponi River. Between 1687 and 1695 he purchased more land along the Mattaponi so that his total acreage was 13,925. In 1693 he deeded to trustees of South Farnham Parish two acres and fifty perches of land on the south side of Hoskins Creek for a church. He held a patent for 950 acres of land in Kent County, Virginia, where he built his home and named it Hare Forest, named for the Earls of Pennington Castle in England where Taylor ancestors are buried. By division of county lines his home was in Orange County, Virginia, where his children were born. This home is now located in Caroline County, Virginia, about eight miles from Bowling Green, Virginia. He died 30 April 1698, and is buried in King William County, Virginia, which was a part of his estate. (Comment: Note that some of the above information seems to be referring to Dr. James Taylor, the uncle of our James. Researchers beware!- his uncle may have built Hare Forest).

“On 6 June 1933 a memorial tablet to James Taylor 1st was unveiled at King and Queen County courthouse in Virginia. Dr. Rupert Taylor, Senator Henry Taylor Wickham and Admiral Hugh Redman of the U.S. Navy addressed the gathering. Following is some information taken from excerpts of their speeches: New Kent County was formed in 1654. King and Queen was formed from New Kent 1691. Essex was formed in 1692, King William 1701 and Caroline in 1727.

“In 1690 as Sub-Sheriff of New Kent, County, Virginia, James Taylor served summons on those connected with Jacobite disturbances. He was Attorney of several cases in Essex County. He was also connected with trying to stop the lawless organization known as ‘Plant Cutters,’ who destroyed and burned tobacco plants and beds at night in an effort to control the price of tobacco.

In 1683 Gov. Henry Chicheley called out the militia, arrested and punished the offenders. However, Lord Culpepper who represented England’s interests, didn’t agree with the decision. Consequently many were indicted and ‘hanged by the neck until they were dead.’

The Tablet is inscribed as follows:

“James Taylor of England emigrant lawyer, public officer, lived in St. Stephen parish, King and Queen County, Virginia, died April 30, 1698, first wife, Frances Walker, born 1640, died April 22 or Sept 22, 1680, she was the daughter of Thomas Walker and niece of Edward Walker of Virginia. James’s second wife, Mary Gregory, daughter of John Gregory the son of Roger Gregory who first married Mildred Washington, aunt of General/President George Washington. Mary was from Essex County, married August 12, 1682, from him were descended , President James Madison, President Zachary Taylor, Colonel James Taylor (Knighe of the Horse Shoe), Judge Edmond Pendleton, John Penn signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Taylor of Carolina, General James Taylor of Kentucky, Admiral David Taylor, Admiral Hugh Rodman, Admiral Robert M. Berry, and other distinguished churchmen, soilders, sailors and officials, in each generation who assisted in the formation and perpetuation of the colonies and this nation”.

“This tablet given by Jaquelin P. Taylor, seventh in descent, June 1933.” A short biography of James Taylor, filled with the errors alluded to above, is contained in Carte’s The Forebearers and Descendants of William Taylor and Mahala Cromwell:

“The Forebearers & Desc of Wlm Taylor & Mahala Cromwell” by Carrie Carte 1980 LDS 929.273T219c “Americans of Gentle Birth & Their Ancestors” LDS 973D2pa “Historical Southern Families” by Boddie LDS 975D2B Vol 4 & 5 Note:James Taylor age 28 is listed as a px on the Truelove of London to Bermuda in 1635 (from “The Original Lists of Persons of Quality 1600-1700 by John Hotlen 1931) See the 1st listed doc above for info on the Taylor home & cemetery James Taylor was a lineal desc of the Earls of Pennington & emigrated in 1635.

[Comment: Note that some of the above information, especially the dates, seems to be referring to Dr. James Taylor, the uncle? of our James. Researchers beware!]

In Family Puzzlers, Feb 3, 1977, No. 485: The Taylors of Orange trace their ancestry back to James Taylor of Carlisle, ENG. The time of his emigration to VA is not actually known. He settled on Chesapeake between North and York Rivers, and died in 1698.

Jamestown VA – 1624 MARTINS HUNDRED VA T460 ? TAYLOR 1624 JAMES CITY CO. VA T460 TAYLOR, Fortune

Moss, Mary m. 19 Aug., 1724, John Taylor. St. Paul’s Parish Register.

Submitted by Sara Beth Swope, a descendant of Mary & Samuel J. Dunn. 8/97; EMail: sbswope@netten.net

In 1987 she found the old Lewis-Taylor Cemetery now Crowder Cemetery, near Whiteville, Hardeman Co. TN. She mailed me Bible records, wills, charts, other researchers notes; a great deal of data on the Joseph Taylor and Mary Ann Taylor families who migrated to Hardeman Co. TN. See list below.

History of Fayette Co. TN. 1986; Family Puzzler 2-3-77 No. 485; Mary Ann Blackwell Bible records; R. B. Shore Bible Records; 1985 Taylor Descent; Shore chart & Shore Descent; Crowder Cemetery Picture; Rev Thomas Taylor memoirs; Joseph Taylor’s will and 1985 letter; Ancestory of Elizabeth Willis Goode by Carol J. McCraw and Col. Joseph Taylor record.

Other sources where info on James Taylor can be found are listed below some with conflicting info. One Thousand Years of Hubbard History Genealogy of the Cloyd Basye and Tapp Families Beverly’s History of VA St. Mark’s p. 74; Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper, VA Register of Maryland’s Heraldic Families Vol 1 The Lewis Family of the Seventeenth Century

“Of Carlisle, ENG; much of the descent and vital statistics from NGS Quarterly Vol XVIII, Jun 1930, No 2. Located in VA between the York and North Rivers. 1693 DEED: King and Queen Co, VA, DB 8-268. Capt. Joshua Story, James Taylor, and Jonathan Fisher 9,150 acres. 1694 DEED: King and Queen Co, VA, DB 8-317. James Taylor 134 acres. 1695 DEED: King and Queen Co, VA, DB 8-414. James taylor 500 acres.

According to this researcher: Name is James Cary Taylor Birth: 1615 in Earl Hare,Carlisle,England 1 Death: 12 Sep 1698 in King And Queen,Virginia Father: Thomas Taylor b. 15 Mar 1574 in Hadley,Middlesex,London,England Mother: Margaret Swinderby b. 1578 in Copenhagen,Denmark Burial: Bowling Green,Caroline County,Virginia Mary Bishop Gregory (Wife) b. 1665 in Essex,Caroline County,Virginia Marriage: 12 AUG 1682 Children: Elizabeth Taylor b. 1684 Ann Taylor b. 1684 Mary Taylor b. 1686 Mary Bishop Taylor b. 2 Jun 1688 in Caroline County,Virginia John Powell Taylor b. 18 Nov 1696 in Caroline County,Virginia

Frances Walker (Wife) b. 1640 in Accomoac. Accomack County,Virginia Marriage: 1666 in New Kent County,Virginia Children: James Taylor b. 1668 James Taylor b. 14 Mar 1675 in King And Queen,Virginia Jane Taylor b. 1674 Sarah Taylor b. 1676

James Taylor held many land patents. In 1671 he owned 1,650 acres of land along the Mattaponi River. Between 1687 and 1695 he purchased more land along the Mattaponi so that his total acreage was 13,925. In 1693 he deeded to trustees of South Farnham Parish two acres and fifty perches of land on the south side of Hoskins Creek for a church. He held a patent for 950 acres of land in Kent County, Virginia, where he built his home and named it Hare Forest, named for the Earls of Pennington Castle in England where Taylor ancestors are buried. By division of county lines his home was in Orange County, Virginia, where his children were born. This home is now located in Caroline County, Virginia, about eight miles from Bowling Green,Virginia. He died 30 April 1698, and is buried in King William County, Virginia, which was a part of his estate. (Comment: Note that some of the above information seems to be referring to Dr. James Taylor, the uncle of our James. Researchers beware!- his uncle may have built Hare Forest).

James Taylor (1608 – 1698)
is my 7th great grandfather
John Taylor (1685 – 1776)
son of James Taylor
John Taylor (1727 – 1787)
son of John Taylor
John Taylor (1747 – 1781)
son of John Taylor
John Nimrod Taylor (1770 – 1816)
son of John Taylor
John Samuel Taylor (1798 – 1873)
son of John Nimrod Taylor
William Ellison Taylor (1839 – 1918)
son of John Samuel Taylor
George Harvey Taylor (1884 – 1941)
son of William Ellison Taylor
Ruby Lee Taylor (1922 – 2008)
daughter of George Harvey Taylor
Pamela Morse
I am the daughter of Ruby Lee Taylor