The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1877-10-10
FRAGMENTS OF THE EARLY HISTORY
OF OHIO COUNTY.
CHATTER XVI.
ny II. d. TAYLOR.


ond son Of old Harrison Taylor. On q
shady knoll on the road few miles east
of Hartford. among memorials Of the
dead, stand the marble slabs, pointing TO
the last resting place Of the Eev Thomas
TAYLOR and his wife Margaret Taylor,
whose memories have almost faded from
the present generation, but both OF whom
once occupied no ordinary position in so>
ciety. a. the inscriptions on the marble
will indicate. On HE, after name, dates,
&c, is the following. AS a patriot,
none loved his country more. As a
preacher, he stood pre-emiuent as pio-
neer OF Methodism in the west Remarks
able alike for his honesty, industry, en-
ergv and beneyolence, his heart was al
ways right, his failings were but virtues
in excess
On hers, after like names, dates. &c,
is the following:
"By the good esteemed the suffering blessed,
Now laden with years she lies at rest
go read Of the illustrious mothers Of
Greece. of Rome aud our own land, yet
know that here lies one, though reared
an orphan 10y stranger, on the borders OF
civilization, amid the horrors of the Rev
olution, who, in all the duties OF social,
religious and domestic life, was excelled
by none OF these"
No simpler truths could be told OF
their memories than those stones utter.
Margaret Taylor was the daughter OF
Nicholas Curlett, an old Indian fighter
aud scout, an almost constant companion
Of old Gen. Morgan. HE parents were
of English and Irish descent, and his
wife's maiden name was Flaugherty, OF
Hugenot origin. Nicholas Curlett was
killed while descending the Ohio river,
by band of pretended friendly Indians,
and his wife dying shortly afterwards,
their daughter, Margaret, was left help
less infant in the hands OF strangers, sew
eral hundred miles from any blood re-
lation. But fortune blessed her with
home where no parents could have treat-
ed her with greater tenderness; and often
has she been heard to say that her
adopted parents treated her with more
marked care and attention than they did
their own children, and if any descend>
ants Of Col. Hedge should ever read this
notice OF his adopted child, they may
rest assured that the day OF her death,
she cherished the most unhounded love
aud affection for the family with whom
her lot was cast.
Col. Hedge lived in what is now COM
monty called the Pan Handle, near
Wheeling. Va. During the whole of the
Revolutionary war that section WAS the
continued scene of border strife and
hlocdshed. A summer never passed
without the settlers having to resort to
their different neighborhood forts and
stations. Wheeling. Ramsey and Fouts
were all in this region, and their names
rendered familiar by hearing her tell OF
interesting incidents that occurred ct
each. Long years ago before those
stories we're published under the title of
western Adventures" she had been
heard to relate some of the most thrilling
scenes related there. Betsy Zane. for
strength, coursge, fun and frolic, was the
admiration Of all; none could outride, out
dance, out run Bet. and few, male or fe
male, wire a better shot. The young
Johnstons lived in the same valley, and
we're fishing in the same stream where
she had often played and fished. when
they were captured by the Indians.
McCullock, who took the famous leap.
was a near neighbor and close family
connection OF the Hedges In fact, du-
ring nearly the whole time OF her resi-
dence in that region, old Colonel Hedge
and his three sons, Sol, 10 and Silas, the
NcCullocks, Ranseys, Zpnes, and few
others, kept watch and ward Of this
whole region. then cut Off from almost
all succor east of the mountains.
Reared in such family, and among
such noble spirits as these, even the entire
want Of education could not suppress and
keep down those noble principles which
ever adorned and exhaltod her through
her whole life. Peace having restored
her 10 her relatives, who lived in Freder-
lex county. Virginia she took upon herr
self the sacred duties OF wife and mother
both of which stations she pre-eminent>
ly adorned during long life. AZ a
housekeeper, so far as her means extend
ed, she vas excelled by few, and as a
mother, no kinder heart ever beat re-
sponse to the feeblest vail OF infancy,
none ever labored more assiduously and
with,better judgment, to instil into the
minds of children all the virtues that
adorn human nature, and if precept and
example would fail, the rod was not
spared, but ever used with prudence and
moderation.
In 1902, she aod her husband, with
four small children, left Virginia, and
afler long and wearisome journey by
land. reached Ohio county, where they
lived the remainder OF their days, which
to her was Heightened out to her eighty
fourth year.
Blessed with an excellent memory
fond Of reading. which she had learned
to do without the aid Of schools, devoid
Of the witch. burning superstitions o
former days, ever attentive to facts are
principles, and ready to apply them with
reason and common sense cheerful, kline
and oonsiderate to all. she was pleasan
companion 10 old or young, and her com
pany respected and appreciated wber'
ever she went. To the sick she was eve