EDMUND and ELIZABETH TAYLOR

Few records were left by Edmund and Elizabeth.  Edmund and family were counted in Campbell Co., VA on the 1820 Census.  Edmund's will was filed in the same county in 1824.  Elizabeth and her children moved to TN after Edmund's death.  Elizabeth's ancestry is uncertain.  In 1829 a suit was filed in Sumner Co. that named all of the Taylor's children.  As part of that suit David Garrett of Overton Co. gave his deposition.  He referred to Elizabeth Garrett as "Aunt Betsy."  Perhaps Elizabeth was a daughter of Stephen Garrett and Magdalene Bernard, and a sister of David's father Joshua Garrett.  Or perhaps Elizabeth was an aunt by marriage. Joshua Garrett was married to Mary Jane Taylor.  Was Mary Jane (daughter of Joseph N. Taylor and Catherine Van Dyke) as sister of Edmund Taylor? Elizabeth Taylor died in 1838.

THEIR CHILDREN

1)  Chesley Taylor. Born about 1785.  He was the executor for his father's estate. He moved with his siblings to TN after his father's death in 1824.  Chelsey married Mary Ann Hardeman in Sumner Co. on December 25, 1829.  James Gourley was the bondsman. They settled in Davidson Co. (later part of Chatham Co.).  Chesley's widow, Mary appears on the 1840 Census and subsequent censuses.   Four children are known to be Chesley and Mary's, the oldest born in 1835.  It can be speculated that they may have had more children that have not yet been found on the census records.

2) Jane Taylor.  Born about 1787 in VA. Jane also came to TN after her father's death in 1824.  Jane never married, living near her brothers Pleasant and David in Sumner Co., TN and with her younger sister Elizabeth.  Jane is on the 1850 Census.  It is unclear as to the identity of the James Taylor who was living with her on the census; whether he was a nephew or perhaps her own child.  She died in 1857. 

3) Spicy Taylor was born in about 1790 in VA.  She married William Pryor on August 18, 1809 in Campbell Co., VA.  Their marriage can be found in Quaker marriage records, but it is unknown whether the Taylors or the Pryors were practicing Quakers. The 1830 Census of Overton Co.indicates that William was much older than Spicy, born 1771 - 1775.  It has also been speculated that this was a second marriage for William Pryor since children older than their marriage date are living with the family on the census.  Since not all of the Taylors can be accounted for as heads of household on the 1830 and 1840 census records, I believe that some of these "children" are actually Taylor siblings.  It is believed that Spicy and William had at least 6 children:, Chesley, Mary, Overton and Edward Pryor (named for Edward Taylor?) born about 1824 is probaby their son.  Phereba who lived with Spicy in 1850 and near Massy in 1860 may be a daughter or an in-law.  Other possible sons (though unproven) are James who died insolvent in 1844 and Thomas C. Pryor also mentioned in 1844 Court Records and William H. Pryor. Census records indicate there was also another daughter. William died before the 1840 Census and Spicy died before the 1860 Census.   No wills or estate records have been found.

4) Hezekiah "Kiah" Taylor was born in VA between 1793 and 1799.  He and his father, Edmund, were the only members of this Taylor family who appeared as head of households on the 1820 Census of Campbell Co., VA.  Hezekiah married three times and fathered at least 17 children.   He first married in January 9, 1818 in Campbell Co., VA to Sally Giles (believed to be Sally Dickey the widow of Perrin Giles).  They had two children.  Between 1820-1824 Sally died and Hezekiah remarried.  His second wife is known only as Elizabeth.  According to census records, Hezekiah and Elizabeth had at least 7 children. In about 1858 Hezekiah married for the third time to Margaret Richardson with whom he had 8 children.  Hezekiah appeared on census records in Overton Co., TN from 1850 through 1880.  Hezekiah died in 1880 in his 80's.

5) Massa "Massy" Taylor was born about 1800 in VA.  She married John Pryor on December 23, 1812  (it is speculated that she was older than the age given on the 1850 census since this would have made her twelve years old at the time of her marriage).  Massa and John left VA before her father's death.  Their son Allen Pryor reports in the Goodspeed History that he was born in White Co., TN in 1816.  It is not proven that William and John Pryor on the 1820 Census of White Co. are the same men who married Spicy and Massa Taylor.  John Pryor moved to Sumner Co. before the 1830 Census (which is consistant with Allen's account) -- he appears on the census near his brother-in-law David Taylor.   John died before 1850.  Allen Pryor stated he was one of seven children.  The known children of Massa and John Pryor are Allen L., Samuel D., George W., Edward (died in Mexican War). Albert who is on the 1850 Mortality Schedule has been counted as Massy's son.  It is unknown yet whether Jonathan and Elizabeth who were living with Massa in 1850 are her children or a son and daughter-in-law.  It is speculated that Louisa McCullough was Massa's daughter, which is supported by Louisa's children inclusion in the will of Samuel D. Pryor. It is also speculated that William Pryor who was married to Margaret Curry was Massa's son (Margaret's step-father was Pleasant Taylor, Massa's brother)  After William Pryor and Margaret divorced in 1848, Margaret continued to live close to Massa in Sumner Co. Betty Pryor, Allen L.'s daughter referred to Margaret and William's grandchildren as her "cousins."  Massa died in 1867.  There was no will but an Estate Sale was held in Sumner Co.

6) Pleasant Taylor was born about 1804 in VA.  He married March 16, 1838 in Sumner Co to Margaret "Peggy" Chowan, the widow of John Curry.  Margaret had four children from her previous marriage, including Margaret Curry who later married William Pryor.  Pleasant and Margaret had two children. From 1850 through 1870 Pleasant is found in the 11th District of Sumner Co., TN.  Pleasant married Sarah Andrews in 1852 and fathered 10 additional children. Pleasant died in 1878-1879.

7) Elizabeth Taylor. Born between 1807-1810 in VA. No marriage has been found for Elizabeth. In 1850 she was living with her sister Jane in Sumner Co., TN.  At the time of Jane's death in 1857, Elizabeth was living with her sister Mary Fuqua in Robertson Co.  Elizabeth is not found on the 1860 Census --- Did she marry?  Did she die?  Is she the Elizabeth living with Massa on the 1860 Census?

8) John Taylor was born about 1790 in VA.  He married Susannah "Lucky" Williams on November 20, 1808 in Campbell Co., VA.  He is mentioned in Overton Co. deeds and Sumner Co. lawsuits, so it is assumed that he and his wife migrated to TN with the rest of the family after his father's death. I would like to hear from anyone who  has further information of John and Susannah Taylor.

9) David Taylor was born in VA in about 1802.  He married November 25, 1822 to Frances "Fanny" Russell in Campbell Co., VA.  In 1830 he is on the Sumner Co. census near John Pryor (Massa's husband).  David appears on Sumner Co. census records through 1870.  He and Fanny had 8 children: James D., William H., Elizabeth, Edmund R., Mariah, Matilda and two unidentified daughters.