Parmenas Taylor (1753 - abt. 1827)

Born 4 Apr 1753 in Prince William County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Davenport (White) Taylor — married 1779 in Virginia

Descendants

Died about 28 Feb 1827 at about age 73 in Taylor's Bend, Jefferson County, Tennessee, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kath Belden [send private message]

Biography

Ancestral File Number

Ancestral File Number: 19BZ-XVV

Event

Event: Came from England

Type: Arrival

Date: APR 1753

Place: Tennessee, USA

Note

Note: #N00004

Note: #H00026

Birth

Birth:

User ID: F9C1D7A5-DAEB-416C-B2E7-81D672AD141C

Record ID Number: MH:IF59

Date: 4 APR 1753

Place: Prince William County VA

Death

Death:

User ID: 9582CEFC-4D24-478B-A9E8-B67929A50EF9

Record ID Number: MH:IF60

Date: 30 JAN 1827

Place: Taylor's Bend Jefferson TN

Burial

Burial:

User ID: 6D46831D-E6D3-44ED-ADC5-B33C8D229C65

Record ID Number: MH:IF361

Notes

Note H00026Colonel Taylor was born in April,

1753, near the line between Virginia and North Carolina,

perhaps in Virginia. He served throughout the Revolutionary

War, and was a Captain in Colonel White’s North Carolina

Regiment. He was taken prisoner, and held for nearly a

year, during which time he was employed in repairing guns in

the British arsenal. He was six feet, six inches tall, and

weighed 210 pounds. Soon after leaving the army he married

Betty, the daughter of his commander, and settled on the

north side of the French Broad River, opposite George

Turnley. He was a member of the convention which framed the

first State Constitution of Tennessee, was a fine

land-surveyor, and much respected Justice of the Peace. His

elder brother was the father of Zachary Taylor, elected

President of the United States in 1848

Note N00004Parmenas Taylor seems to be a larger than life hero in the American Revolution. Mrs. Jean Bible wrote a biography of him for the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Colonel Parmenas Tayolor, one of Jefferson County's foremost early settlers, was born in Prince William county, Virginia, on April 4, 1753. In forces in North Carolina, serving first as a lieutenant and later as captain in the regiment of Colonel William White, probably of Burke County, North Carolina. He and Col. White were captured by the British during an engagment in Norther Carolina and held in prison many months. When they were exchanged they both retuned to active duty. He was among the valiant "Overmountain men" who destroyed the British army at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. Their victory played a significant role in turning the tide of Revolutionary War. His military career was enhanced some years later when he was appointed Colonel of Militia in Jefferson County, Tenneessee. Hence, the title of Colonel Taylor.

In 1779, he married Betty White, who was born in North Carolina about 1760, and was the daughter of his Revolutionary commander, Col. William White. One historian says that the commander disapproved of the marriage, which may account for their leaving the more civilized and thichkly and thickly populated Colony of North Carolina not long after the marriage for the "Wilds of East Tenneessee".

Arriving in the Tennessee country, then a part of North Carolina, they settled on a rich and productive but still forested site which is still called "Taylor Bend" on the French Broad River about nive miles northeast of Dandridige in Jefferson County. Eleven children were born to the couple; William, Leanna Taylor McClannahan, Leroy, Polly Taylor Butler, Matilda Taylor Inman, Mahala Taylor Turnley, Argyle, Willis, albert Gallatin Taylor, Elizabeth Taylor Langdon and Alfred.

Col. Taylor's children and later his grandchildren were taught from the start to do their share of work on the plantation. There was much to be done to claear away part of the wooded area for crops and for pasture, to build a house and outbuildings, as well as to procure and raise adequate food, clothing and other necessities for the rapidly growing family.

Parmenas taylor was a large man, over six feet tall, muscular and strong, with an intellect to match his physical size. Like other leading patriots of the period, he was a necessity and by inclination and talent a "man of many parts'. In addtion to managing a large plantation, he was a mechanic, had a small blacksmith and carpenter shop where he repaired his plows. During his military service, he had also acquired a knowledge and skill for repairing the old-time flintlock guns.

An affectionalte memoir by his granson, Parmenas Taylor Turnley, mentions that the Colonel often brought his moulds and metal over to the shop of his son-in-law, John Cunningham Turnley, who had better facilities. it was a memorable occasion for the young grandson. He was allowed to blow the bellows to melt the brass and lead and to help hold the moulds. At the same time, he could sample "Granmother Betty's" delicious sheet bread and honey from the family bees hives that his Grandfather brought for him.

Always active in service to his community, county, state, and country, Col. Taylor was member of the Assembly of the Territory South of the River Ohio, as well as a member of the legislative council for the Territorial Government. He was member of the convention that formed the Constitution of the State of Tennessee. Governor John Sevier appointed him one of the Justices of the Peace for the recently organized Jefferson County. His concern for education was demonstrated when he was made one of the county seate, in 1806.

On February 28, 1827, his rather sudden death came as a tragic loss to the community and county. Apparently still a robust man, he had caught a cold four months earlier which he had neglected to care for and it had turned into serious lung complications from which he never recovered.

Parmenas Taylor was buried in the "Family Burying Ground" on his own plantation not half a mile from his home, where a large number of his family and descendantes are also buried.

From an obituary, signed only "One Who Knew HIm Well", found much later by a descendant, comes a summation of the character of this outstanding patriot, "... in all the numerous stations in which he was placed by his government he uniformly sustained the character of a worthy, hones, upright man. he left a numerous circle of friends, relatives and acquanintances to deplore their loss... which it is believed was his unspeabable gain". Taylor Bend, French Broad river, March 1827. (sources" Taylor Family papers and Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee".)

Parmenas T. Turnley, the grandson of Parmenas Taylor, stated in a published report that, "(he) died at his residence in Taylor's Bend, Jefferson County, Tenneessee on 30 January 1827 (or 28th of Feb.) in the 74th year of his age. His widow, (Betty), died at the same place, eleven years alter (1838) also in the 74th year of her age. The parents of the latter were of the English Church; and Betty, in later years attached herself to Methodist society..." Parmenas Taylor was apparently about six years old at the time of his grandfathers's death. [White. 10]

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/15204561/parmenas-taylor: accessed April 18, 2024), memorial page for Parmenas Taylor (4 Apr 1753–28 Feb 1827), Find a Grave Memorial ID 15204561, citing Taylor Cemetery, Jefferson County, Tennessee, USA; Maintained by Mary Everett (contributor 49425960).

Acknowledgments

• Thank you to Katherine Belden for creating WikiTree profile Taylor-15001 through the import of Belden Family Tree gedcom.GED on Jul 28, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Katherine and others.
• Profile created by Adam Hollier through the import of James_TaylorWhite.ged on Apr 16, 2020.
• WikiTree profile Taylor-9399 created through the import of Turnley_All_2012-05-16.ged on May 18, 2012 by William Turnley. See the Changes page for the details of edits by William and others.