The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-11-02


 This maxim of the great psalmist is brought to mind by
 the life story of Captain Henry
 Augustin Tayloe, the patriarch of the canebrake section of Alabama, whose pretty country home nestles in the prAirle fields of Hale County, one-half mile from the railway station at Gallion. Deep hay meadows skirt the splendid grove of caks in which the Tayloe house stands. At this season the freshly mown hay fills the atmosphere with perfume that Is incense to nostrils accustomed to utuffy smells of city by-ways and gives peace to ears aftuned to noises of city curbs.
 April z, 1902, Captain Tayloe celebrated the ninety-fourth anniversary of his birth. He is now well upon the journey that leads to the ninety-fifth milestone of his earthly career and he is making the jour- ney in good health; his faculties remark ably preserved for one who has witnessed all of these years, and is in as close touch with the world that moves about him as is any one in Alabama.
 WIDELY INFORMED.
 The keen. bright blue eyes of Captain Tayioe cannot follow printed pages and his hearing is defective, but each morn- ing the daily newspapers are read to him and he listens with avidity. He discusses 4fe Pennsylvania coal strike, the present political situation, modern books and modern inventions. In almost the same breath he amazes the young man. who eits at his feet with personal recollec- tions of Thomas Jefferson, James Madi- son. Andrew Jackson and other great men of the early history of the United States These men and their families were inti- mates of the Tayloe family and Captain Tayioe tells of incidents in his life and their lives; of the ties which bound their families together. with the modesty of one who knew and associated with them by right of heritage.
 "The days of our years are 'three-score years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four-score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is poon cut off and we fly away"
 So wrote the psalmist. Notwithstanding khis Biblical precept, Captain Tayloe is nearing nve-score years and is happy in the love and confidence of three daughters and distinguished son; the revenential affection of fourteen grandsons and Haughters and the honor, high esteem and admiration not only of his neighbors, but of thousands in Alabama who have felt the warmth of his sunny nature. appre- ciated the depth of his great intellect and
 
 for his fellow-men.
 q am confident" said Captain Tayloe, in discussing the Biblical injunction, that God has let me live to repent of my sins. I feel that I have been wicked man.
 This humility in the presence of his Maker is best understood when 1t is known that this fine old gentleman is the oldest communicant of the Episcopal Church of Alabama and that practically all of the years of his life have been spent in earnest solicitude and good work fol the church to whose faith he subscribed nearly seventy years ago.
 Chronologically and briefly stated, this is the career of Captain Tayloe: Born ir Washington, D. C., ApGil ', 1908; educated at the University of Virginia 1S24-26; in terested in race horses in Washington and other cities several years: conducted z large farm on His fathers estate neal Mount Airy, Va, as young man; came to Alabama about 1882, locating near the present city of Faunsdale: lived within radius of ten miles of his present home since coming to Alabama; married Miss Narcissa Jemison of Perry County in 1858; now living at his old homestead near Gallon. Hale County, with his sori and daughter Mir and Mrs. B. F. Hatch, and grandson. Tayloe Hatch r DAYS OF THE DEAD.
 While the memory of Captain Tayloe is vague as to incidents of recent years. his face lights up when he recalls the days of the historic dead. His recollec- tions of the earlier Presidents are as vivid as if they walked with him on yes- tereen. Although but a boy, just out. of kits at the time, Captain Tayloe remem- bers to the last detail the burning of the Nations capital and the Presidents house in Washington by the British just after the retreat from Bladensburg in 1872 Driven from his official residence by Brit ish troops. President Madison was ten dered and accepted the residence of the father of Captain Tayloe as a temporary home. It was in this house that MT. Mad ison affixed his signature to the treaty of Ghent This residence is still standing in Washington and is owned by great neph- ews and nieces of Captain Tayloe. It is on New York Avenue and Eighteenth Street, adjacent to the White House, and is leased as a club house. It is one of the show places of Washington.
 Additional interest attaches to the Fay Joe house in Washington by reason of the fact that the site upon which it stands and the material which entered into its construction were selected by George Washington.
 My father" says Captain Tayloe. 'whO was John Tayloe, was a warm personal friend of General Washington. distinct ly remember my father speaking of the selection of the site and material for the house by General Washington. The ma 7 terial came from England and before the house was completed General Washing ton died. My father died in 1924 He was 55 years old. l can see him now" con- tinued the old gentleman, placing his hand to his eyes as though looking down the vista of years. He was robust handsome man. He wore his hair pow dered. with a queue, and his big, white topped boots impressed me with their os- tentaton.'
 Tn passing, 1t is interesting to know that the Tayloe family was closer to the family of George Washington than by the mere ties of friendship. nephew of General Washington was an uncle ot Captain Tayloe, having married a sister of John Tayloe, father of Captain Tayloe This uncle of Captain Tayloe was Will. liam Augustin Washington. in whose honor Captain Tayloe was given his Christian name. "Augustny
 The records of the Tayloe family show that the name was originally Taylor . About 170O the great grandfather of Cap. tain Tayloe came to America His pass. port read "Jonn Taylor, merchant" Hi. was fine old English family and it ii traditional that when he settled in the new world he dropped the 1T" in tn, name replacing it with an "e," so tha his family might be given a distinctive ness in future years. How well his ideS succeeded Is apparent.