Richard Taylor (abt. 1620 - abt. 1673)

Born about 1620 in England [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Wheldon) Taylor — married before 1648 in Massachusetts

Descendants

Died about 1 Aug 1673 at about age 53 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Jillaine Smith [send private message] and Puritan Great Migration Project WikiTree [send private message]

Richard Taylor migrated to New England during the Puritan Great Migration (1621-1640). Join: Puritan Great Migration Project Discuss: pgm

Biography

This is NOT the same Richard Taylor "tailor" of Yarmouth, MA. There were two separate men by this name-- one in Boston (m1 Mary; m2 Elizabeth); one in Yarmouth (wife unknown). Both died in 1673-- Boston Richard in August; Yarmouth Richard closer to December. Both had separate probate records.

While it's possible that Mary Whelden, daughter of Gabriel, married Richard Taylor, tailor of Yarmouth, there is slightly more evidence that she married the Taylor of Boston. The sole piece of such evidence (found to date) is the 1646/7 birth of a son John to Richard and Mary Taylor of Boston. ^[1]

Richard Taylor, tailor of Boston, died the same year as Richard Taylor, tailor of Yarmouth, but had a separate will, dated 30 July 1673; probated 2 August 1673, between which the Boston Taylor died.

The will demonstrates that his first wife, Mary (Whelden?) (and mother of son John) died, and he married subsequently Elizabeth _____.

Elizabeth might be the Elizabeth Taylor, widow, who made a will in Suffolk County 15 Oct 1681 and was dead by 12 Jan 1681. She had no children, and made bequests to kindred, especially kinswoman Elizabeth Randall who cared for her during her final illness.^[2]

Last Will & Testament

Dated 30 July 1673, proved 2 August 1673, names his “only son John,” wife Elizabeth, and others.

Richard Taylor - Last Will & Testament^[3]

Boston, MA - 1673

The last will and testament of Richard Tailer is as followeth: I.... my debts and buriall charges discharged I give unto my only Sonne John Tayler the Dwelling house and all the ____ thereto belonging where mr.? Endicot now lives a tenant for his life and in case he marry , _____ the longer liver of the name in case they have any children there unto _____ and their heirs forever provided be or they that shall enjoy doe pay sixe and twenty shilling a year Every yeere unto the Deacons of the first Church of Boston for the use of the sd. Church and in default of paymt the Deacons for the time being that have the hall and celler under it till they be satisfied. But in case our son have no children there it to be to the first church in Boston for ever?

Item I give to my sonne my shoppe under the stayerway of the town[,] house and all belongings to them.

Item I give to my wife Elizabeth Tayler the third of all my land, housing in Boston awarding to her.

It. I give my said wife all such household moveables of what kind she ...... brought with her provided the halfe of them be disposed of at her death to her housewoman? Elizabeth Poffard and the the executor take security that it may be performed accordingly.

Item I give to my sister[in-law?] Jane Taylor in England if she alive fifteen pounds and to each of her children Nicholas and James Tayler five pounds a piece. But if she be dead then the whole to her children equally and my will is my executor be discharged of it upon his payment of it. These rightly within three months after lawful Demand.

It. my land I lately bought lying neare unto Deacon Allen’s house being two house lotts the one I give to the old church and the other to the south church after five years time forever and the old church to have their first choice.

Item I give my kinsman Henry Tayler and his wife and children fifteen pounds in money and goods-- half in money and halfe in goods.

Item. I give brother Eington? ten shillings in money and goods also halfe the earnings? of the two bearing lottes this during the time of his weakness?

Item. I give unto Bro. Yearus? ten shillings unto Burt Clough ten shillings also unto Bro Bradford Eight shillings all of them in money & goods.

Item I give my Countman? Wm? Jones fifty shillings money and the loan of my new cloak. Seaven years of her lives so long & ???? to the Executor.

Item to Bro. Cullermore? ten shillings in money and goods to goodey shafer? ten shillings to goody Harke ten shillings yoo.... Rust five shilings.

Item I give to Mr. James Allen Teacher fifty shillings to Mr. John Oxenbridge fifty shillings & to Elder Jno. Uwall? fifty shillings all min money.

Lastly I make and ordaine of this my last will whereby I make void all other former Wills ____. Sonne John Tayler my Executor & Mr. Peter Bracketh? as to be helpfull to him. I joined in Executorship with him and doe give him for his paines? three pounds. I give my kinsman Henry [Taylor] my leather Dublet with silver buttons. I give to goodman Hark my old leather Dublet and searge Jacket I weare upon i. I give to goodm. Jones of Watertown ten shillings in money and goods. In all legacies of money & goods ____ to be understood to be halfe money also that there may bee a Right understanding of the finances? no occasion if question or doubt. I declear that all my estate not hereby disposed is and shall be to my Executor and for a testimony that this is my will I have hereunto put my hand and seale this 30 (5) 1673. The mark of Richard Taylor.

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of John Sears & Walter Emender? Mr. John Searles & Capt. Walter Emerenden made oath in Court to that they were present and subscribed their names as witnesses when Richard Tayler deceased this to be his last will & testament & there when he so did he was of a disposing mind. This Date? 2.6.73. as attests free Grace Bendall Record’r Recorded and compared for free. Grace Bendall Recordr.

Sources

1. ↑ [Ninth] Report of the Record Commissioners Containing Boston Births, Baptisms, Marriages and Deaths, 1630–1699 (Boston: Rockwell & Churchill, 1883; repr. Boston: Municipal Printing Office, 1908), 83, “John of Richard & Mary Tailor born 2nd--12th month [1646/7].”
2. ↑ Suffolk County (Massachusetts) Probate Records, 1636-1899; Author: Massachusetts. Probate Court (Suffolk County); Probate Place: Suffolk, Massachusetts. Probate Records, Vol 1-2, 1636-1766, Case #1211, pp 383-384
3. ↑ Suffolk County Probate, 7:316

See also:

• Research of Jillaine S. Smith as published in "The Two Richard Taylor Families of Early Yarmouth, Mass." in NEHGS Register 165,166 (July, October 2011).
• Porter, Jan & Stramara, F., The Origin of Gabriel¹ Whelden of Yarmouth and Malden, Massachusetts, The New England Historical & Genealogical Register (NEHGS, Boston, Mass., 2009) Vol. 163, WN 652, Page 261.