Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-05-24
Observation-Disclosures DELAWARE THURSDAY MAY "a 1900
ANCESTORS or BAYARD TAYLOR.



An Interesting Paper by Gilbert Cope Of
West Chester, PA.
At a meeting of the Chester County
Historical Society, at West Chester,
"a, on Thursday evening, Gilbert
Cope, tho secretary, read an interest
ing paper on the ancestors OF Bayard
Taylor.
The contribution was quite complete,
says the West Chester Republican, set
ting forth the geneology Of the Taylo
from tho time of their arrival in
America down to the time of the father
OF the illustrious Chester county poet
Data from that time forth is com mon
property in tho minds of all students
and members, of the family.
The account opened with pretty
story of young man who was iinpris.
oned for following the doctrines Of
George Fox. While suffering his PEN
atty in prison it was the custom OF
many to visit the prison and look IN
upon these odd people. A stylishly
dressed young lady came one morning,
and in passing about among the pris-
oners she came TO one who was writing.
Looking ever his shoulder she received
q stern rebuke from the writer. From
this she could have escaped, but there
was something in the eyes which held
her. The Fame given the prisoner was
Thomas Taylor. Later, when he had
served his time the young lady sacri.
iced her belief and the two were
welded.
Early accounts report the purchase OF
LOCO acres of land from William Penn
on March 3D., 1851, for 80 pounds sterl-
ing by Robert Taylor. This purchase
was made in England, and year later
Robert Taylor end his eldest son,
Joshua, came over aud took up the
land near Chester Springs TOW nship,
Delaware county. Robert Taylor was
AN active member of Friends meeting.
The son, Joshua Taylor, married Jane
Bradford. lie served as constable and
died in 1865. OF his wife who survived
him, no record of death bias been saved.
They had 10 children. Abram, who
married Rehecca Way, was one of the
poets ancestors, directly. He was an
Office holder and at one time was called
before the meeting for selling out a
Friend who refused to pay his tax be.
cause he had conscientious scruples
against so doing.
John was n son with. quite history.
lie was a stone mason by trade. Al
one time he was working with some
masons, for Farmer Bucher, in Lancas
ter county, erecting some Swiss build
ings. The Quaker boy became fasci
mated with the farmers daughter,
Annie. Their relations we're discour
aged by the farmer, but not to be out
done they clipped and were married.
They returned and were forgiven. They
removed to Chester county.
The meeting of which John was {
member appointed committee to hav,
a 'solid opportunity" with John at th,
| first convenience, and get his state
ment. Tie committee had the ''oppor
tunity," but John was in a bad humor
| Upon this the committee reported, ant
John was given a time limit to expi es
his grief at the aggravation OF tn,
Quakers or be dismissed from thel
ranks forever.
The two we're the maternal grand
parents OF Bsyaid Taylor. A. story il
| told of the bride returning to visit he
| people. When asked how her husband
treated her she replied very we'll, for hi
had never whipped her once. Thei
children were John and Joseph. Tn
latter married Rebecca Way and t
them were born 10 children, of which
| Bayard WINS the fourth.