William Taylor Sr (abt. 1727 - abt. 1804)

Born about 1727 in Antrim, Ireland

Descendants

Died about 15 May 1804 at about age 77 in Laurens County, South Carolina, USA

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Name William Taylor Age 40 Birth Year 1727 Arrival Year 1767 Arrival Place Charles Town, South Carolina Primary Immigrant Taylor, William

Biography

William Taylor Sr was a South Carolina colonist.

The following words were taken from "A Brief History of our Family" by Ralph Alton Taylor 1984

"The information herein is on file in the South Carolina Archives and the Laurens County Courthouse. In the early days records were very incomplete so much desirable information is not known.

Records indicate that my generations great, great, great, great, great grandfather, William Taylor, Sr. arrived in Charleston from Ireland December 12, 1767 on the passenger ship Earl of Denegal along with 265 other passengers. It is accepted they came to this country seeking religious freedoms as so many were in those days. It is said that the King of England owed William Taylor a debt in that William Taylor had fought for him in the religious wars of Ireland. Therefore on September 12, 1768, William Taylor was given a land grant of 350 acres in Laurens County, South Carolina. The Land Grant document as well as a platt is included in this history. Accompanying William, Sr. were his wife, Janet along with his son, William, Jr. and his wife Martha. The son also received a grant from the King of England for 150 acres. A copy of this grant and platt are also included in these pages. All of the above were born in Ireland.

The "Land Grant" is located directly across the road from where Rocky Springs Church now stands. It is my understanding the land for the church was donated by William Taylor, Sr. One of the conditions of this gift was that any descendant of his may be buried in the church graveyard regardless of his religious beliefs or denomination. William and his family are buried in the graveyard. The church was organized about 1780.

It appears William Taylor prospered and became quite wealthy, as the records indicate he owned many slaves and conducted much business with the Miltia, particularly the Calvary during the late 1770s and 1780s. Such business included the sale to the cavalry of beef, pork, salt and other items on his plantation. He also rented horses and wagons for their use, as this was during the Revolutionary War/ William also served with the cavalry. It appears he would serve for a while and then return to his plantation as did most of the servicemen of his time. Records indicate he served as a private, 1st Lieutenant and captain during these years. Copies of receipts for payment for his services are included in this paper. As near as I have determined at this time the Taylor family prospered through the 1800s. Most lived to a ripe old age. Example: Martha, wife of William, Jr. lived to the age of 106. Enclosed is a news clipping indicating she was 101.

Records indicate that the family did very well for almost a hundred years. All owned their own property including the land and slaves who worked for them. All could read and write, which was an accomplishment in those days. But as happened to most of the people in the South this all seemed to be lost due to the Civil War during the 1860s. It was then that our direct ancestors became scattered throughout the state as well as some going to other states-very little property was owned and most were unable to send the children to school. Our great-great-grandfather, John Henry died in his forties just prior to the Civil War leaving our great, great grandmother, Nancy with several children. One of these was our great grandfather, Ralph who is buried at Unity Church. He was in his twenty's when the war began. Records indicate that in 1860 he and his wife Nancy lived in Edgefield County, aloing with 2 children. They were William Taylor, age 3 and George Taylor, age 1. At this time he owned real estate valued at $625. His personal property was valued at $50. I assume that due to the hard times he either lost or sold his property in Edgefield and moved to Pickens Co. By 1870 his family had grown to 5 children, including my grandfather James who was six years old. In 1880 the family was living in Easley and the children totalled 8. During this 10 - 15 year period they were share croppers as they farmed but owned no property.

No census was taken in 1890 but I assume they continued to live in the Pickens-Oconee County area. At some point during this time Robert moved his family to Reidville where they were living in 1900. There they farmed 346 acres. Most of the children had grown up and left home by this time. Living with Robert at this time was daughter Lula, sons Thomas and Luther and a servant named William Ballard, age 16.

During the 1880s Grandfather James married our Grandmother Margaret. In 1888 Uncle Walte was born and by 1910 they had 10 living children. At this time they lived at what most of us know as the old home place on H'way 146 just east of Woodruff. There they rented this farm with the entire family participating and living in the same small house. The number totalled 14 as Walter and wife, Marie and son James were there also.

By 1910 also, great-grandfather Robert and wife Nancy along with daughter Lula were living in Woodruff. Great Grandmother Nancy died in 1912 and was buried at Unity Church. Great grandfather Robert came to live with Grandfather James and died in 1914. He is also buried at Unity Church.

Much work is yet needed to learn more details about our ancestors. I find it very interesting that we all grew up within a few miles of the original land grand given by the King of England and never knew about it. Also, that some of the family which is fairly close of kin has never been known about until now. I am referring to Alice Taylor Hargett who is the Granddaughter of John Henry Taylor, Jr. This makes her the 1st cousin of my father, uncle & aunts.

John Henry Taylor, Jr. moved with his family to Russellville,Franklin county, AL in 1883. His wife was Rebecca Sloan, related to the Sloans of Woodruff we all know. John Henry Jr. died in 1927. My father Ralph was age 25 at that time but was not aware of these relatives so far as I know."

Also information received from Ralph Taylor:

This is the line of names through which our came. An illegitimate child started the Taylors of Scotland. He was first named Donald McEwen Bhig. He was the son fo the Chieftain of Clan Cameron, Ewen Bhig. His mother was daughter of the McDougall clan Chieftain. The name Bhig means small (or short) in Gaelic (Scottish)^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Entered by Seán Sloane Johnson.

See also:

• Rootsweb
• findagrave record at Rocky Springs Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Laurens, Laurens, South Carolina, USA
• Earl of Donegal Passengers, Ireland to South Carolina [1]
• Administration of Estate of William Taylor, Sr
  • "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939L-NW9K-B1?cc=1911928&wc=MPPY-4WP%3A190568901%2C190567102%2C190568902%2C191597901 : 21 May 2014), Laurens > Probate Court, Estate papers > 1800-1931 > Box 068, Package 3 - Box 072, Package 10 > image 629 of 1181; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
  • Letters of Administration filed on 2 Oct 1804 by William Talar Jr and Samuel Talar
  • Legatees named within: William Taylor, Jr; Gennet (or Jane) Templeton; John Talar; Samuel Talar; Richard Talar; Legatees of Margret Ross, Dec; Legatees of Agness Taylar, Dec; Peggy Taylor; John Taylor; Jane Word; Elizabeth Taylor

Notes

Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s Name Jannet Taylor Age 37 Birth Year 1730 Arrival Year 1767 Arrival Place Charles Town, South Carolina Primary Immigrant Taylor, Jannet

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Seán Sloane Johnson for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Seán and others.