Richard Taylor (abt. 1650 - 1694)

Born about 1650 in Massachusetts [uncertain]

Husband of Hannah (Rice) Taylor — married 17 Oct 1677 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Descendants

Died 9 Jul 1694 at about age 44 in Sudbury, Middlesex, Massachusetts

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jillaine Smith [send private message]

Biography

Richard Taylor, later of Sudbury, was born about 1650, based on his known marriage date. His origins have not been identified. See the attached g2g question for a discussion of research and clues.

NOTE: The published vital records of Littleton, Massachusetts includes a chapter entitled “From the Records of the Late Samuel Smith in the Reuben Hoar Library."^[1] Even though the opening of this chapter clearly states, “He seldom stated his authority” and “The reader is therefore cautioned,” this chapter is frequently cited as the source for identifying Richard and Hannah (Rice) Taylor of Sudbury with Richard and Hannah (_____) Taylor of Yarmouth. Jillaine Smith's 2011 article disproves that claim.^[2]

His first documented appearance in New England is when he served under Capt. Joseph Sill in King Philip's War:

25 April 1676: Served under Capt. Joseph Sill in King Philip's War, and specifically in/near Sudbury.^[3]

It is likely that during this time, he met Hannah (Rice) Ward, pregnant and recent widow of Eleazar Ward who had been killed shortly before Richard's stint in Sudbury.

1677: He married the widow Hannah (Rice) Ward.^[4]

TAYLOR, Ri[chard] and Hannah Ward, Oct. 17, 1677. MR

1685: Paid a tax to support improvements to the Sudbury meeting house, along with many other Sudbury residents.^[5]

3 Feb 1687/8: A meeting of the selectmen: Srgt Joseph Freeman and Corpl Richard Taylor are chosen surveyors for the new grant fences for this yearand till others will be chosen.

21 May 1688: Town Meeting: Corpl. Richard Tailor was one of many Sudbury residents disbursed money to in order to purchase "constable staves."^[6]:

"It is recorded in the town book, that, in 1688, there was a distribution of the stock of ammunition.The following statement is accompanied by a list of persons who took the stock in charge:-- 'The names of those persons as have taken the public stock of ammunition into their hands, and have agreed to respond for the same in case that it be not spent in real service in the resistance of the enemy are as followeth... Corp. Richard Taylor."

January 1689: List of persons as have taken the public stock of ammunition into their hands and have engaged to respond for the same in case that it be not spent in real service in the resistance of the enemy.... Corpl. Richard Tailor.

16 Apr 1690: The selectmen of Sudbury received a warrant from the selectmen of Watertown to go on parambulation and accordingly our selectmen chose forthwith... For our norwest line nest Stow ... Corp. Richard Tailor.

2 Mar 1693: Sudbury Freeholders meeting. Ser. Richard Tailor was selected constable for the west side of the river.

30 Mar 1693: Selectmen's Meeting: It was voted and ordered and agreed that the present after named we chosen to serve in their respective places appointed... For the norwest line next Stow: Srgt Rich. Taylor... And for the norwest corner of the town: Sart. Tailor...

6 Apr 1693: Selectman's meeting: The King tax was made and transmitted to the Constables: Sart. Tailor and Mr. Rice; warrant granted by the Clerk by order of the selectmen to constables Tailor to warn Mary Pope out of town.

16 Jun 1693: Tax receipts Sudbury to Province: Charlestown: Then received of Richard Tailor, constable of Sudbury, the sum of thirty pounds, in part of said Town last assessment.

5 Jul 1693: Tax Receipts - Sudbury to County: Received the 5 of July 1693 of Richard Taylor, Constable for Sudbury, forty six shilings and six pence in money and Rec'd...

16 Oct 1693: Town Meeting: he was still Seargeant Tailor and constable of Sudbury.

18 Jan 1694: Selectman's meeting. Sargeant Richard Taylor was ordered to pay unto Sart. Joseph Freeman forty shillings in money for his semis [?] at the same time with Deacon Haines. (Richard Taylor was also still constable as referenced later in this same document.)

10 Mar 1694: Among many other residents of Sudbury, contributed a tax to pay for repair of bridges - Sartt Richard Tailor

30 Mar 1694: Tax receipts to province: Received of Mr. Samuel Howe, Constable of Sudbury, by the hands of Mr. Richard Taylor, sixteen pounds by discount of orders... pt of sd town assessments. Rec'd for Mr. James Taylor, Treas.: Jeremiah Allen.

Richard Taylor died 9 July 1694.^[7][8]

As he died intestate, his widow has to petition the court for division of his estate. The final division of his estate was carried out on Dec. 18, 1695 with portions going to:

• widow Hannah
• daughters Hannah Colby, Elizabeth, Annah and Lydia Taylor
• sons Richard, John, Caleb and Jonathan ^[9]

Children

All recorded in Sudbury Vital Records:^[10]

1. TAYLOR, Ri[chard] ch. Ri[chard] and Han[nah], Aug 15. 16[78]. MR (p. 141)
2. TAYLOR, John ch. Ri[chard] and Hannah, Apr. 27, 1680. MR (p. 141)
3. TAYLOR, Elizab[eth] ch. Ri[chard] and Hannah, Feb .18, 1681. MR (p. 141)
4. TAYLOR, Anna d. Rich[ar]d and Anna, May 1, 1684. MR (p. 141)
5. TAYLOR, Lydia d. Rich[ar]d and Hannah, June 11, 1686. MR (p. 141)
6. TAILOR, Caleb s. Richard and Hannah, Feb. 27, 1689/90. MR. (p. 140)
7. Jonathan Taylor was not recorded in the published Sudbury Vital Records, but is named as Richard's son in the latter's probate records. Jonathan was born between 1691-1694. There is a gap in Sudbury's records around this same time.

Sources

1. ↑ Joseph Alfred Harwood, Records of Littleton, Massachusetts (Concord, Mass.: Patriot Press, 1900), 481.
2. ↑ Jillaine S. Smith, "The Two Richard Taylor Families of Early Yarmouth, Massachusetts," Register, New England Historic and Genealogical Society, Volume 165 (July & Oct 2011), starting on page 187 but specifically on p 282 (links for subscribers)
3. ↑ George M. Bodge, Soldiers in King Philip's War, Boston: Printed for the author (1891), p 228 (accessed 8 January 2016)
4. ↑ Henry Ernest Woods (editor), “Vital Records of Sudbury, MA to 1850,” Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society (1903), marriages, p. 275, 281.
5. ↑ Unless otherwise noted, this and the following facts are from Sudbury Town Clerk's Office, Town Records, Book 1.
6. ↑ Alfred Sereno Hudson, The History of Sudbury, Massachusetts 1638-1889, (available on books.google.com), p. 269-270
7. ↑ 270. Edgar John Bullard, “Bullard & Allied Families,” Detroit, MI, (1930), p. 122. Digitized version on ancestry.com
8. ↑ This date is found in the Inventory of his estate (see attached image); while the inventory was dated 4 September 1694, the date "July 9, 1694" is written immediately below the line saying Richard Taylor of Sudbury now deceased. This is the date of death recorded in Bullard & Allied Families.
9. ↑ Case Number: 22230: p. 1-7: Middlesex County, MA: Probate File Papers, 1648-1871.Online database. AmericanAncestors.org. New England Historic Genealogical Society, 2014. (From records supplied by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Archives.)
10. ↑ Vital Records of Sudbury, Massachusetts, to the Year 1850, NEHGS, Boston, MA, 1903, pp 140-141. Note: MR-=Middlesex County Record (East Cambridge)

Acknowledgments

• Jillaine Smith for compiling the above biography and origins challenge.
• Barbara Corley for creating WikiTree profile Taylor-13761 through the import of export-BloodTree.ged on May 12, 2013.
• Tom Elliott. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Tom and others.