46

Wilks-Taylor Family

Erie Catharine Taylor (1881-1951), wife of W. W. Wilks

Youngest of seven children of F. S. Taylor & 1st wife Elizabeth Goen

Ferdinando San Francisco "F. S." Taylor (1851-1936) md. 1st wife Elizabeth Goen (1840-1884) on 12 Dec 1867;

md. 2nd wife Rosa McLaughlin (1851-1913) July 1890, had two children.

F. S. Taylor was the son of:

Tarleton Jones Taylor (1828-1867) md. Catharine Botkin (1831-1920)

Tarleton J. Taylor was the son of:

Benjamin F. Taylor (1793-1852), md. Mary Charlotte "Polly" Mings (1797-1878, daughter of Joseph Mings).

Benjamin F. Taylor was the son of

Thomas "Little Tom" Taylor & 2nd wife Hannah Bartleson (sister of 1st wife Jane Bartleson)

Descendant narrative for Thomas Little Tom Taylor

F. S. Taylor & Elizabeth Goen married 12 Dec 1867, when he was 16 and she was 26, in Cooke Co., TX. His parents had moved there when he was five from Harrison Co., KY. Elizabeth and her family moved from Jackson Co., IN, abt 1855 to Grayson Co., TX, but moved to Cooke Co. bef 10 Jul 1860, when the census was taken.

 

 

 Nov 1903 at Hucal ~ F. S. Taylor at Hucal

Nov 1903 at Hucal ~ Rosa McLaughlin Taylor

 

 Rosa A. Taylor, wife of F. S. Taylor, died at Dublin, Erath Co., TX, 13 Feb 1913, and was buried in Old Dublin Memorial Park. Her place of residence was Bridge St., 3rd Ward, Dublin

 Family Page from F. S. Taylor Family Bible, dated 13 Nov 1895, was probably written by his 2nd wife Rose Anna McLaughlin, because some of the names are spelled differently.

 

 

 

 

 

 1888 ~ Ferdinand S. Taylor, Delegate to the Populist Convention

 ca 1900 F. S. Taylor, Delegate to the Populist Convention in St. Louis

1914 ~ F. S. Taylor

 At his death on 4 Dec 1936 in Burnet, TX, the following article in the Burnet Bulletin read,

"Inasmuch as many items of interest in F. S. Taylor's life were unknown to the mass of people of Burnet County, we think it is not amiss to mention a few of them. F. S. Taylor was born March 14, 1851, in Harrison County, Kentucky in the Blue Grass Region. He came to Texas with his father and mother, by ship, down the Mississippi River, to New Orleans in 1856. Back up Red River to Shreveport, then across to Sherman, Texas, by wagon. T. J. Taylor, father of F. S. Taylor, was one of the pioneer preachers and school teachers of Texas. He also owned a sheep and cattle ranch and made Kentucky saddle horses a specialty.

"Young Ferdinand (F. S.) began tending sheep as early as seven years of age, and at the age of twelve was attending a herd of 5000 head of sheep, much of the time alone. His father hauled the bulk of their freight from Jefferson by wagon.

"F. S. Taylor was successful as a small farmer for many years. In addition to his farming, he ran a store in Erath County at Pervis. Erath at that date was considered a pioneer county.

"He lived one year in Missouri, also one in Arkansas, both of which were made from Texas by wagon. He settled a new farm and established a store and Post Office at Staff, in Eastland County. Also ran a successful store at Payne Gap, Mills County, Texas. Established a store and Post Office at Dell in Bosque County. Also one at Hucal in Summerville [sic] County. He was thrice sent as a delegate to Populist National Conventions at the following places: Austin, Galveston, and Fort Worth, Texas. Another time he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. He took an untiring interest in whatever he conceived to be the welfare of the community, state and nation. He was an active member of The Farmers Alliance and as such contributed to the building of the factory at Marble Falls.

"He traveled over practically all of Texas, much of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas and finally chose Burnet County as the place most suited for his last rest. He was a zealous contender for the Christian faith. Absolutely frank and honest in word and deed, and any mistakes he made in life were of the head and not of the heart.
"A FRIEND"

 

 

ca 1900 ~ Children of F. S. Taylor & wife Elizabeth Goen ~ Johna, Generah "Jenny," Erie, Leavia, & Asa Hampton Taylor. Daughters Amanda and Arrena "Renie" had already married.

 1895 ~ Daughters Amanda, Generah, Arrena standing; Erie and Levia sitting

Erie Taylor wrote, "Then I remember living in Birdsdale and also remember the night we moved into the house on Big Elm Creek. The kitchen was high off the ground. The doorstep had been moved away, so father drove the wagon up by the door, and Mother set me out in the door saying, 'There, Erie, you are the first one in.' I lacked about three weeks of being three years old then. Father and the older children cleared brush, and put in ten acres of new land, planted in cotton, then worked thirty acres of old land besides the new land, after March first.

"The house had two large rooms, facing the east. It was about fifty yards east of the creek which overflowed with every big rain. The railroad ran east of it, and we used to water from a spring that got muddy when the creek overflowed. Father had a beautiful black mare, fine dark bay colt, a dun horse, and a cow they called Pide. I remember seeing her swim the creek when it was overflowed and swift. I was afraid she would drown, it was so swift -- but she couldn't keep her course. She drifted down quite a way, and she came out. When she got in the swiftest part of the channel, she bawled for help. We were all out watching her but couldn't help her. The picture is plain in my mind now. Father called her to come.

"There were wild plums along the creek. One day Mother, sister Manda and Rena started to gather plums. They left me at the house so I wouldn't get ticks and chiggers on me. But I cried to go with Mother, so she sent Rena ack to get me. Then I felt ashamed for crying.

"We had a big bunch of ducks with green heads. I thought they were awfully pretty, and used to like to see Father and Mother pluck them. Mother had a number of nice fluffy pillows that she had made, and so many nice quilts too. . .

"Our darling Mother died the ninth of August after being sick three weeks. She first had a stroke in her left arm and hand. An abcess formed on her lung, then she took erysipelas on the left side of her face, head, and neck. It was caused from Malaria having gathered on that place. It was a very unhealthy place. I remember so well the day she died. Father had sent me outside to play, but I stopped beside the door and was digging in the dirt when I saw the rest of them standing around the bed crying. I went in, and Mother's niece, Arrena shamlin, lifted up up to see her.

"There are no words to express what I felt then as I leaned over to see her. I was only three years and four and a half months old, but I realized she was gone. The next day when they took her off to bury her, just Father and I rode on the spring seat. There was her place, empty beside me. I came near falling off the seat when we went over a rough place. Father caught me to keep me from falling and he was crying. Oh, it was awful!!

"When the preacher made the funeral talk, he said that she would rise again, and I thought she would come back home and be with us again some day. And for a long time I expected her to come, and how I longed for her return. It was so lonely without her." This was in 1884.

 The Erie Catharine Taylor - William Wesley Wilks Family, by Doris Nan Ross Brock: Cleveland, OH, 1971, pp. 117-119.

Letter to F. S. Taylor from Rosa McLaughlin:

Dublin- Jan.15, 1890 ~ Mr. F. S. Taylor.

Highly esteemed friend,

Your very welcome letter has just been carefully perused by me, and everything being quiet, no one to disturb me this beautiful cold morning, I thought this my best chance to write. Though I go at it like one in the dark, for I have no news of interest, so you will have to put up with the best I can do. As I am somewhat out of practice of writing on the subject that is now in contemplation, I will have to ask you to excuse any blunder that I may make. Judging you to be of a generous nature, I do not hesitate to make the attempt, you being a good judge of human nature. I can say very little of myself, none that you have already found out of me. You have seen me just as you will always find me. Whether or not you will be surprised I cannot say when I tell you there is only two months difference in our ages.

I was born in the town of Vernon, Hickman County, Tennessee the 16th of May, 1851, moved to Texas when I was an infant, lived in the town of Bastrop two years, then moved to Rutersville, Fayette County where we remained for a number of years. In that town I spent the happiest and saddest days of my life. I was educated in the Female Academy of Rutersville, and there is where my dear old father was taken from us. He was as true a husband and as kind and generous a father as ever lived. My life has been quite a pleasant one with some few exceptions. I will not undertake to say more on paper for I could write a week on my travels, pleasures and trials. As I have answered your questions, I wait for another time.

I was very sorry indeed to hear that Brother Tant could not hold a meeting up here.

I have been quite busy the last week giving painting lessons, and painting hat marks for the young ladies to present to their best fellows.

My sister and her children will come in today on the eleven o'clock train. We are very anxious to see them as it has been five years since we have seen her. I don't expect we will sleep much tonight.

Hope you will have a nice time at your meeting. The Alliance is something I know nothing about - I never attended one of their meetings in my life. I used to belong to the Temperance. I joined the Masons last July. I like to attend their meetings.

So I may expect you soon. Very well, I am sure you are welcome. I Will be glad to see you and try to make it as pleasant as possible for you. Though we are poorly prepared to entertain gentlemen.

I hope you will excuse this badly written letter for this pen is just awful. With best wishes I am your friend.

Rosa McLaughlin

 

 Henry C. Simpson, wife Arrena "Renie" Taylor, Lola & Austin Simpson, ca 1908

 

 Nov 1898 ~ F. S. Taylor & wife Rosa McLaughlin, their son Charles Jenkins Taylor and daughter Rosa Jewel Taylor.

Gorden Gatewood wrote, "FERDINANDO SAN FRANCISCO TAYLOR (spelled as found in family Bible), first child and first son of Tarlton Jones Taylor and Catherine Bodkin. He was born in Harrison Co., KY, and was five years old when the family moved from the Kentucky Blue Grass Region to the Black Lands of Texas. . . F. S. Taylor, herein and henceforth referred to as Uncle Ferd.

"Uncle Ferd was a migratory individual. The grass appeared to be greener some other plance than where he was situated at the time. To get a detailed account of his meanderings, read, The Erie Catherine Taylor - William Wesley Wilks Family, by Doris Ross Brock Johnston, a great-granddaughter and a careful researcher.

"He had a monumental task thrust upon him when his father was murdered. Being the oldest child and son, he had the monumental task of helping his mother with managing the farm and caring for the little ones, his brothers and sisters. Then he married 12 Nov 1867. So he had the added responsibility of his own family.

"In 1868 Great-Grandma Taylor [Catharine Bodkin/Botkin] rented her place in Grayson Co., TX, and moved to Clay Co., MO, to be near her sister and some more of her relatives. Uncle Ferd and wife [Elizabeth Goen] went with them. They stayed in Missouri about a year. Then pulled stakes and moved to Bell Co., TX. Uncle Ferd's father-in-law was living there then. They settled in the Moffat community of Bell Co. Great-grandma, Catherine seemed to put her roots down in the Moffat community.

"Ferd Taylor was on the Tax Roll of McLennan Co., TX, 1880. They left Carlton, Hamilton Co., TX, in the fall of 1880 bound for Arkansas. Bought land in Washington Co. near Cincinnati, AR. Here a daughter, Erie Catharine, their youngest child, was born.

"They sold out and started back to Texas during the summer, having stayed there less than a year. Back in Texas they picked cotton a while near Montague, thence to Hill Co. and purchased 60 acres of fine black land near Hillsboro. In about two years, he sold out in Hill Co. and went to Lampasas, TX, camped in a grove of pecan trees on Sulphur Creek on the north side of town (the trees are still there, 1985).

"From thence to Troy, Bell Co. At Troy, Elizabeth Goen Taylor died, leaving Uncle Ferd with seven children, the oldest of which was sixteen. He left Troy in the fall of 1884 intending to go to Young Co., TX, and purchase school land. He stopped by a friend's house near Alexander, Erath Co. The friend persuaded him to rent some of his land. Lived there a year, then moved to another place nearby where they lived for a year or two. Thence to Indian Gap in Hamilton Co. In 1888 they started to Young and Stephens Cos. prospecting. They picked cotton in the fall of 1888 and eventually wound up back in Hamilton Co. in the Blue Ridge Community. [This is the place Erie described as their happiest.]

"Uncle Ferd married Rose Anna "Rosa" McLaughlin 1890. His second daughter [Arrena Goen Taylor] married in 1890. He purchased a place near Carlton, Hamilton Co., lived there a year or two [his and Rosa's two children, Rosa Jewel and Charles Jenkins Taylor, were born there], sold out in July of 1894 and started for the Indian Territory but turned back at the Red River. He bought a crop near Forrestburg, Montague Co., TX, harvested the crop there and moved to Eulogy, Bosque Co., TX. He did not find anything there that suited him. Again they wound up in Hamilton Co. and purchased raw land near Olin. Improved the place and made two crops there. One year was dry and the other was stormy.

"From Blue Ridge in Hamilton Co. they moved to Eastland Co., where he purchased land, built a new house and crib. Here he was instrumental in establishing a Post Office, Staff [Apr 1897]. He also ran a store in conjunction with the post office.

 

Ferdinand S. Taylor ran a store in communities where he lived. He applied to establish a post office in his store, and was named Postmaster at Hucal in Somervell Co., TX (below) and Staff in Eastland Co. (above), looks like 1897.

 

 Asa Hampton Taylor & Bertha McCarty md. 21 Nov1906

"All of the family liked Eastland Co. except Uncle Ferd. Sold out there and wound up at Payne's Gap in Mills Co. They lived at Payne's Gap three years. Sold out and went to Floyd Co. on the High Plains of Texas. Didn't like there because he could not raise cotton. So they returned to Bosque Co. and purchased land eight miles west of Meridian. Here he ran a store and also helped establish the post office of Dell, TX.

 

Arrena "Renie" Taylor & husband Henry C. Simpson, nephew Howard Tippie (8) who lived with them at Hamilton in 1910 census (seated). Standing: Their daughter Lola Simpson (19), Austin (17); Johna Taylor, wife Cassie Winter; Frank Tippie whose wife Jennie Taylor died Feb 1910; Asa H. Taylor & wife Bertha MCarty (right). The two infants probably Ola & Edith b. 1907 & 1909 (daughters of Asa). 

 

 1901 ~ F. S. Taylor storefront & home at Dell, Bosque Co., TX ~ his wife Rosa "Mun," Charles Jenkins, F. S., & Jewel Taylor; Erie Taylor Wilks

 

 Tombstone of Dr. A. L. Moore & wife Olevia "Levia" Taylor Moore, DeLeon, TX

"F. S. Taylor stayed at Dell eight months, sold out and went to Motley Co., TX. Didn't like there so he traveled over the plains for quite some time, was at Lubbock, TX, in 1901, a village of about 200 people. At that time the business section of town contained "a general store, a drug store, a saddle and harness shop, one blacksmith shop, a livery stable, a wagon yard, two feed stores, a hotel, one or two restaurants, two cattlemen's supply stores, a post office, school house, and two or three saloons and gambling houses, a railroad and station. The houses were all made of lumber and rather small. A few two-story houses. If they ever had church, they had it in the school house, said Erie Catharine Taylor Wilks; who was twenty years of age at that time.

"From Lubbock they went by the Yellow House Ranch, thence westward to New Mexico. At the Horn Ranch fifty miles east of the Pecos River some of them drank too much water from an alkaline lake, and some became ill. "That night Brother Jeff Lean got awfully sick. Amy Hall, Sister Richardson, and myself went out to Mr. Horn's house to get some medicine for him. We didn't know how ranchers felt about farmers. They gave us the medicine but let us know they didn't want farmers in the country," Erie wrote.

"The wagon train traveled westward to Fort Sumner, then to Santa Rosa, thence towards Las Vegas, NM. On the way they met a Mr. Laird and family returning. His remarks about the country were not at all complimentary. The men stood around and talked for a couple of hours. Some wanted to go on, others wanted to turn back. Finally they decided to let Erie decide which way to go. Uncle Ferd came to her wagon and said, "Erie, we have decided to follow you." She studied a few minutes, realizing winter was coming on, money was running low, there were little ones in the group. They were in the mountains with no protection except their wagons. If misfortune befell some, it would be her fault. She turned her team and wagon around and started back.

 

"They landed in Hamilton Co. at Payne's Gap and bought the place they had sold. From Payne's Gap, they moved to Somervell Co. and bought land from J. R. Milam. He built a new house, mended the fences, and established a post office at Hucal, TX. He also had a country store. While living at Hucal, they worshipped at Chalk Mtn., Erath Co.

 

 

 1904 ~ F. S. Taylor store & home at Hucal ~ his wife Rosa "Mun" on left, Erie Wilks, not sure who next three are, and Charles Jenkins "Buck" & F. S. Taylor

"I don't know where Uncle Ferd went from Hucal, but in 1918 he was living a mile or so east of Hico in Hamilton Co. During peanut harvesting season in the fall of 1918, my father sent me to Hico with a four-horse load of thrashed peanuts and to secure supplies for the thrasher. . . Returning from Hico the next morning I saw Uncle Ferd was in his front yard when I approached his home, which was beside the road. I stopped and talked with him for about thirty minutes. He was an interesting person . . . did not talk down to young people. That is the last time I saw him.

"However, he remained in Hamilton Co. a year or two then migrated to Burnet Co. [abt 1921], where he spent his declining years . . . He was an active member of the Farmers Alliance and represented the Alliance at National conventions at Austin, Galveston, and Fort Worth, TX. Another time he represented them at Cincinnati, OH. He always worked for the improvement of his community. He was faithful to the Lord all the days of his life." *

* Excerpt from TARLTON JONES TAYLOR'S ANCESTRY AND DESCENDANTS 1500-1986, by Gorden Jefferson Gatewood (1900-1987)

 

In the census taken 28 Apr 1910 in Somervell Co., TX, they were enumerated in hh 114-115 as F. W. Taylor head 59 KY-KY-KY, Rosa A. wife 59 TN-PA-NC, Jewel daughter 19 TX-KY-TN, Jenkins son 15 TX-KY-TN

In the census taken taken 20 Jan 1920 in Hico, Hamilton Co., TX, F. S. Taylor was 68 b. KY, a farmer, and his daughter Jewel 28 was living with him, a teacher.

 

 F. S. Taylor kept a store in Burnet Burnet County Court House Square, looking west at Post Mountain ~ abt 1920?

In 1930 Burnet Co. census, his grandson Karl G. Wilks, wife Cora, son Glynn, and brother Vane were renting the duplex on the other side of the home of Ferdinando S. Taylor and his bride, Mary T. Notice that 79 y.o. Ferdando S. Taylor was proprietor of a grocery store, while 23 y.o. Carl (Karl) and 20 y.o. Vane Wilks were snipes on the railroad:

 

Ferdinando S. Taylor, widower, married Rosa Anna McLaughlin, daughter of Samuel D. McLaughlin and Jane K. DeShazo, in Jul 1890 at Hamilton Co., TX. He sold out in Jul 1894 at Carlton, Hamilton Co., TX, and started for the Indian Terr. but turned back at the Red River. He bought a crop near Forrestburg, Montague Co., TX, harvested the crop there, and moved to Eulogy, Bosque Co., TX. He established a post office and store in Apr 1897 at Staff, Eastland Co., TX.

He and Levia Taylor appeared on the census of 1900 at Hamilton, Hamilton Co., TX. He lived in 1901 at Dell, Bosque Co., TX. He and Rosa Anna McLaughlin lived in 1903 at Hucal, Somervell Co., TX. He and Rosa Anna McLaughlin appeared on the census of 28 Apr 1910 at Justice Pct. 2, Somervell Co., TX. He and Rosa Jewel Taylor appeared on the census of 20 Jan 1920 at Hico, Hamilton Co., TX.

He wrote a letter on 22 Jan 1928 at Burnet, TX, to his daughter Jewel, teaching school in McCamey, TX.

 Burnet, Tex.
1-22-28

Dear Daughter,
I will proceed to answer your letter that I received yesterday. I was rushed so yesterday that I cashed the check before I read all of the letter.

They fixed up a note and had me to sign it for you and had me to sign it as a surety. If there is anything behind I will deposit some for you. I have some saved up to pay on the note. I think that I can get considerable more together this week: will have about $40.00 come in the 2nd on new accounts but will be too late for the note. Expect that I will have to borrow some for a short time.

Business is some better than when you was here though I have had some awful dull days. I wrote to Jenkins jest before you came home, and the letter came back a few days ago. Had been opened through mistake. I wrote him again and sent the returned letter also.

I got a report from the manager of that oil corporation. He informs me that they have secured a number of royalties in the Crane County oil fields and urges me to hold onto shares, that we will begin to receive dividends soon. They have spread out over parts of La., Okla and Texas.

Reter [Reta] is getting along fine with the measles. Karl nor Vane hasn't tuck [took] them yet. I have been doping them on sulpher [sulphur] and cream of tartar. Erie came over once to see about Reter. Will was over yesterday, the first time in about 3 months.

They gone into the goat and hog business considerable. Had bad luck with the kids. That cold spell yesterday was a cold rain day and snowed a little about dark, but got considerable warmer before day and is clearing off now.

Hern has put up a scating [skating] rink here and quite a number are going around with broken arms, and no money to pay their honest debts.

I noticed in the papers that they have sent a lot of Rangers to McCamey to assist in keeping order, and about a number of people getting bit by mad dogs, and that the sheriff and his posse is killing all of the dogs in Crane County.

Emer [Emma?] was sick last Sunday. They think that it is another attack of gall stones like she had about 20 years ago.

Write soon.
F. S. Taylor

P.S. Have rheumatism in both ankles yet to some extent but does not hinder me from getting around.

Children of Tarleton Jones Taylor and Catharine Bodkin were:

1. Ferdinando San Francisco3 Taylor was born on 14 Mar 1851 at Harrison Co., KY. He married Elizabeth Goen, daughter of Stephen P. Goen and Arrena Stephens, on 12 Dec 1867 at Cooke Co., TX. He witnessed the death of Elizabeth's brother, Jonathan L. Goen, circa 1869 at Trinity River Bottom, Kentucky Town, Grayson Co., KY.


He and Elizabeth Goen moved in Oct 1869 to Bell Co., TX. They appeared on the census of Jun 1880 at Justice Pct. 5, Bell Co.

He received a letter from his aunt, Rebecca Jane Taylor Howard in Kentucky:

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 father’s 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 father’s side: Uncle Groom’s 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 William’s 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 Tarlton’s 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 Parker’s children living are the following: William Taylor lives in Grant County near Dock’s. 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 Dunkin’s 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 Taylor’s sister, Jane Bartson, married Jacob Canetscer who was uncle to my mother. Christopher Canetscer was another uncle to my mother.

My grandmother on Mother’s side was Margaret Canetscer. Her mother’s 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 Bunker’s 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.


He received another letter from his Aunt Rebecca in KY, apparently written for her by nephew James Tandy Osborne:

Canby, Owen Co., Ky.
March 11, 1883

Mr. F. S. Taylor

Dear Nephew:
I take pleasure in giving you all the information I can on the Taylor family. Mother was born and raised near Summerset. I do not really know in what year she was born, but I guess it must have been the year 1800. Father was born 1793, in Madison County and raised there 10 miles from Richmond. Grandfather Thomas Taylor, I think, emigrated from South Carolina. I don’t know what year he died in. Grandmother Bartison was, I think, a full blooded Duchess.

Zach Taylor, - - - I don’t know really what relation he is to us, but they say he is some (kin). I was born Oct. 12th, 1819 in Madison Co., 10 mile of Richmond, Ky. That is about all (I) believe.

This leaves us all well excepting James. He is very poorly, and Pleas’s wife and children, -- they have the whooping cough.

I hope this may find you all enjoying good health. Write soon.

Your affectionate aunt,
Rebecca J. Howard

[NOTE: The handwriting on this second letter is not the same as on her first, and is beautiful fancy script, probably learned in the “commercial course” mentioned in accompanying letter by J. T. Osborne:

Corinth, Grant Co., Ky.
March 11, 1883

Mr. F. S. Taylor & Family:
I avail myself of this opportunity of writing you a few lines this morning. I very often think of you all and dream of the bright sunny south. We all are satisfied in our Grant County Home. We have raised two good crops. We have made $1000.000 in the last two years off of our Tobacco and hogs besides raising plenty of produce to live on, though we are working harder than we ever did before. But the old adage is, there is no excellence without great labor.

Green has been teaching and studying together at home ever since he has been back until seven weeks ago he started to school at the State Normal College at Lexington, Ky. I taken a commercial course there last winter and spring but Billy and I are still with Pa on the farm. We are aiming to put another big tobacco crop this year. We are expecting an early spring season. Somebody wrote us that Edd Goens was married. Write us who he married and give us all the news. We have not forgotten you all yet and don’t expect to. We all would like so well to see you all. Write soon.

Yours as ever,
J. T. Osborne

F. S. Taylor married again, to Mary Talulah "Lu" Kirkley, a widow, on 22 Mar 1930 at Burnet, TX. They were enumerated in the census taken 2 Apr 1930 at Burnet, Burnet Co., TX.

There F. S. Taylor died on 4 Dec 1936 at age 85. He was interred in the Post Mountain Cemetery at Burnet.

His widow was the only grandmother my Mother, Reta Wilks Ross, ever knew, and we called her Granny. She stayed in their house in Burnet (between the Depot and the Square) several years before moving back to the Lufkin area to be near her children, and then it passed to Jewel.

On her tombstone in Old North Church Ceme., Nacogdoches, TX, her children used her first married name, and theirs, Quine:

 

Continued =>

More pix of Jewel & C. J. Taylor

Goen Family, Bartleson Family, Knatzer/Knortzer/Canatser-Mings Family, Taylor Ancestry, Taylor Descendants

Tarleton J. Taylor & wife Catharine Bodkin

Descendants of Catharine Smith Zumwalt Bodkin

Michael Smith, Revolutionary soldier

Joseph Mings, Revolutionary soldier

Wilks Family Table of Contents

Page Updated 9 Apr 2012