Canby, Owen Co., Kentucky, December 2,
1882
Mr. F. S. Taylor
Dear nephew:
Your kind letter came to hand yesterday
to which I will now take pleasure in answering. We are all well
except myself. I am very much affected with the rheumatics. We
were glad to learn that you all are well pleased with your new
home and glad to learn that Catherine is settled permanently
in a good country and may you all do well is my happiest wish.
You wish for information as to our family, as to our ancestry
as far back as I can remember. I will commence with grandfather
Taylor, whose name was Thomas, and lkived in Madison County where
our nearest relatives resided. He had a sister, Grace, who married
a Jones and lived near Mount Sterling in Montgomery County.
My grandmother on the paternal side was
of a great family of people. Her maiden name was Hannah Bartison
and a better woman than her never lived.
I will now give the names of some of
my fathers uncles on paternal side. Uncle Groom the eldest,
Father Benjamin Taylor, and Uncle William, uncle Tarleton, and
uncle Parker who was the youngest boy, besides there three aunts
on paternal side to wit: Aunt Grace, Jennie, and Rebeccah who
was the youngest child. All of whom I have named were noted especially
as a peacable and quiet and energetic family; noted as strong
Democrats, and all strong reformers except uncle Groom who was
a Baptist. I must tell you that uncle William Taylor was so strong
and uncompromising a Democrat that his faith and political principle
was the only thing that he was ever known to fight for. Ay! he
gave his all to the old Jeffersonian party firm and irreconciliable.
Indeed all the Taylor family of whom I know anything about was
loyal to that principle except old Uncle Zack the hero
of Buena Visa who was elected president on the Whig
Platform and who was a member of our family.
I will now give you some of the names
of the first cousins of father, who live near Mount Sterling,
Viz: Jesse, Frank, Augustine, and Thomas. In addition, I will
now give you the names of some of my first cousins on fathers
side: Uncle Grooms children who are now living are all
here in Owen ane Grant Counties. Cousin Hannah, married Wilburn
Holbrook, Elizabeth married Benjamin Martin. Jane married Frank
Stamper a merchant in Owenton. Rebecca married Judge Jesse Holbrook
of Owenton, formerly county judge of Owen County and who is now
one among the most wealthy in Owen County. Thomas, James, and
Wesley, the boys, are neighbors to us, in good circumstances
and among the most highly esteemed of our citizens.
Uncle Williams children are the
following: Parker, Speed, Cassius, and Pendleton, and Owen who
was named for Owen County for its unparalleled loyalty to the
Democracy. They live in Madison County, except Speed, who lives
in Washington County, Ky. All in good circumstances.
Uncle Tarltons children are the
following: Frank, who lives in Jessamine County in the heart
of the blue grass country and said to be the wealthiest man in
Jessamine County is the oldest now living.
Bartson, the youngest, lives in Lexington,
owns two farms in Madison County, also a lot and Hotel in Lexington.
Cousin William Hendren was a preacher of the Christian faith.
Uncle Parkers children living are
the following: William Taylor lives in Grant County near Docks.
Susan married Hiram Taylor, living now in Estil County. Maranda
Taylor lives now in Missouri, and America married a Beasley living
on the Kentucky River.
One of the boys was named Green, one
Fayette, and one Elijah. They all live in Tunnell County near
the Kentucky River.
There is a second cousin of mine living
near Warsaw in Galatin County, very wealthy and a good and enterprising
citizen. His name is Tarlton. Aunt Grace Dunkins boys live
near Danville in Boyle County. Willie Dunkin married Miss Wannie
Goodnight near Danville.
My youngest aunt Becah married Benjamin
Kidwell in Madison County.
Aunt Mary Taylor married James Howard
in Madison County.
Young A. J. Taylor, formerly of Danville,
now a noted Baptist Divine in Lexington, is a second cousin of
mine. Grandmother Taylors sister, Jane Bartson, married
Jacob Canetscer who was uncle to my mother. Christopher Canetscer
was another uncle to my mother.
My grandmother on Mothers side
was Margaret Canetscer. Her mothers maiden name was Smith.
My grandfather on maternal side was Joseph Mings who emigrated
from England and was in the war of the Revolution and fought
at Bunkers Hill.
Hoping this will suffice for the present
and as I cannot think of any more of our ancestry farther back
I will close.
With much love to all the family and
hoping to hear from you all soon, I remain your affectionate
aunt.
Rebecca J. Howard
P.S. Dock and Mary Jane send their love and respect to you all
and wish you well. They all are well as common.
2 Dec 1882 at Canby, Owen Co., KY.
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