Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-04-29
WASHINGTON, TAYLOR, MORSE.
NJ. Grinnan Makes Some Correction Re-
garding the Latter Two.

To The Editor Of the Dispatch:
Mr.. y. G.. Grinnan has contributed u
the last number Of the Virginia Magazine
OF History and Biography a letter OF
such general interest chat 1 respe ctfuily
ask you to give 1t wider circulation.
Such a request would not be made be
cause OF any mere personal interest but
that cannot detract from the letters real
claim to public attention.
The Colonel James Taylor referred TO
was my great-grandfather. His son,
James Taylor, JT.. known as a general,
settled in Newport KY, just opposite
? to Cincinnati. He was so successful in
handling the military lsnd-warrants OF
his father ana others who engaged his
service. that he was enabled TO erect an
elegant residence with capacious grounds
running down towards the Ohio river.
ana though IT was once destroyed by fire.
he rebuilt IL in similar fine style. ! nave
seen him in Kentucky as well as III VIZ
ginia. lie was with General HUI at the
time Of his inglorious surrender Of De-
troit. and the tradition is that he was
So indignant that he broke mis- sword
That accomplished woman, Mrs. General
Ashley. who married the distinguished
John j. Crittenden. was a kinsw1man O.
his wife, Keturah Morse; for Mrs. Crit
tenden was once a Miss Morse. Follow
ing is the letter: NJ.
NOT MUSE, BUT MORSE.
Editor Of the Virginia Magazine Of His
tory &C.:
"Sir.-In the Virginia Magazine Of His
tory for January is list of Virginia troops
in Braddock's campaign, or part thereof
and George Muse Is named as lieutenant
colonel Of Washington's regiment l am
satisfied that this Is an error ana that
the name should be Colonel George
Morse. and wishing to rescue from OBJ
ivion an eminent character, ] VIII give
some facts with reference TO him.
Colonel Morse lived in ST. Mary
parish. Caroline county, and probably at
Morse's Neck. a Yell-known estate which
still bears his honored name. Near by
him lived Colonel James Taylor, at Md
way. who was about the same age with
WASHINGTON, a connection Of his and In
innate with him. General James Taylor,
Of kentucky, son Of Colonel James, In
his autobiography manuscript says that
Washington. after he had received his mill
tary commission. came 10 his father
and got from him an Introduction 10
Colonel Morse, and remained week with
Morse studying military tactics, and that
Braddocks campaign, as was Colonei
Taylor The Ntter was an adtutant or
inspector, and had TO remain, very much
against his will. at Fort Cumberland, but
after Washingtons return served with
him for six months in fortiiying the
frontier General James Taylor, bein9
the son OF Colonel James, had every or
portunty from his father Of being well
Informed about Washington he Ghe Gen
crab also married Keturah Morse. daugh-
ter of Major Hugh Morse, OF Goochland'
Il near relative Of Colonel George; ana,
besides this General Taylor remarks that
he knew well Colonel George Morse, who
instructed the beloved Washington in
the rudiments Of military art.
New, We may well suppose that Wash
ington, who selected his officers, would
not fail to choose as licutenant-colonel
such an experienced soldier as his old
preccptor. and thus had the opportunity
of receiving further instruction.
TRANSFERRED WARRANTS.
"Colonel George Morse was entitled 10
$685. acres of land under the proclamation
of 116j for his services in Braddocks
campaign, and he transferred the war
rants therefor 10 Colonel Taylor who
entered them in Kentucky. There can be
no doubt that Colonel George Morse was
leutcnant-colonel in l755 or earlier.
1T may BE- proper to say that Colonel
Taylors civil record was as distinguished
as his military; that he was Surveyor
Of Caroline county; twice High Sheriff
lieutenant colonel of the county prior 10
the revolution; one of the Committee Of
Safety, and member of the House OF
Burgesses for some years before the Revo-
luton, and continued to serve IN that
capacity ard in the Senate till old age
induced him TO resign. lie was, with
Judge Pendieton, member Of the conven-
ton from Caroline TO consider the
adoption Of the Constitution. lie was
desc nded from James Taylor, OF Carlisle,
England, and. therefore. one of the Tay-
lor family of Orange and Caroline. His
mother was Alice Thornton. whose sister
or sisters. intermarried with the Balls
and Washingtons. We mention these facts
to show that entire faith may be placed
III his statements.
"a. G. GRINNAN.
HMaiiSOn Milia Va