Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1908-08-20
DEATH OF A. TAYLOR.
Eminent Horticulturist and Man.
ager Of Shelburne Farms.
Wns Also widely Known ms Landscape
Artist--Pioncer in street Improve
mcntr In Burlington-A Ma
tive of Scotland.

Archibald Taylor, manager of DR.. w.
Seward Webb's estate, for more than
aalf century n resident OF Burlington,
Ind widely known as one Of tho most
skilled horticuturists and landscape ar
lists in this part OF the country. died at
his home, Shclburne road at three
o'clock Monday morning aged 50 years
Mr. Taylor had been In failing health
for year and half. His decline had
been moro marked during the past six
months. although at times he regained
his strength sufficiently to make fire.
quent trips to Shclburne Farms, His last
trip to the Farms was made about two
weeks ago and for most of the time since
then. he had been confined to his bed, his
strength gradually giving way Death
was due to old age
Mr.. Taylor was born In Kilwnncn.
Ayrshire, Scotland. February 2S 1896.
fon of Archibald and Agnes CWilson)
Taylor. and on both sides was descended
from ancient Scottish clans. His father
was for years chief forester on the mag
nifcent estate of Lord EginEton. The
son received an academic education in
his native parish and became associated
with his father in the care Of the estate
SO that in his early years he gained val
liable experience in connection with
forestry and agricultural pursuits. after
wards taking up the discriminating
study and practical details of landscape
gardening. in which art he became most
proficient during a long and active car
per
In 1881 Mr. Taylor went to Edinburgh
md after for six years held con-
tract in connection with the care and de-
Velopmcnt of The botanical gardens of
Professor McNabh IN 1857 he came TO
the United States establishing himself IN
Burlington. His first work here was the
LAYING out Of the fine estate Of the late
Col 1.cCirand h Cannon. In which con-
nection no gave distinctive evidence OF
his skill ana artistic conceptions as a
Landscape gardener Tie continued IN
charge Of this estate for q years.
Relnquishng his management Of the
Cannon estate. Mr.. TAYLOR assumed
charge Of developing the grounds Of Oak
Ledge, also tho property of Dr. webb
AS agent for Or. webb, Mr.. Taylor had
a large part in the purchase Of the 1000
acres which now comprise shelburne
Farms, becoming manager OF the estate
and discharEing the exacting duties Of
that office to the end Of his life. In lay
Ing ont the grounds and beautifying the
landscape, Mr.. Taylor did q work which
brought him the highest endorsement.
Some Idea of the heavy responsibilities
Of his position may be gained when II is
remembered that the enterprise of open
Ing this vast estate involved the con-
ttruction of the great family seat, Shell
hurne House. the extensive barns and
stables conscrvatores and dairy, as we'll
rs miles Of macadamized road
In local affairs. Mr.. Taylor was an |
honored citizen OF Burlington. In politics !
he accorded his allegiance to the Repub-
lican party. He was elected a member |
Of the board Of aldermen and served con-
secutivcly a. an incumbent OF the office |
for nine years, during all OF which time |
he was chairman OF the street commit |
tee, in which connection his ability as |
landscape artist came into definite and |
practical force in the proper improve
ment Of the highways Of the city.
Mr.. Taylors first undertaking as chair |
man OF the street committee was the |
ma cada MIXING Of Church street. that be-
ing the first work Of the kind to be done |
In Burlington He caused to be removed
the wooden awnings or sheds which used +,
to project ont over tho sidewalks in front |
Of the stores on Church street. also re- |
placing the old plank walks with stone
Tagging. These Church street improve
ments were not accomplished without
stubborn opposition from the store
keepers and property holders. who could |
not then see the benefits to be derived |
from the change. Next, South Union
street was brought to a grade and maca- |
damized and the street improvements
thus inauCurated spread to all Of tho
thoroughfares in the city.
Fraternally, Mr.. Taylor was member
Of washington Lodge. No. ?. F. and A.
NJ His long career was dominated by
Inc loftiest integrity. He was to the
last profound. thorough and painstaking
IN every detail Of the trusts committed
10 him. commanding uniform confidence
by reason Of his sterling character. His
work was done and he closed a we'll
rounded career, rich IN years and honor.
Born within FIVE miles Of the birthplace
Of Robert Burns, Mr. Taylor had the
Scotchmans love for the Ayrshire bard
whose poems were an ever increasing
source Of delight He knew intimately
not only the whole body OF Burns work
but was familiar also with the setting OF
many of the poems. One incident Of his
early work Is closely associated with the
country of Tam O'Shanter and tho road
he traversed on the memorable night In
which he encountered the witches near
Aloway Kirk. The poem tells Tam's
course after he left the tavern, and hav-
Ing carried him "thro the whins" and
"by the ca'rn" brings him
Near the thorn aboon the we'll
WHARF Mungo's mither hang'd hersel"
At the instance OF Lady L.abouchere, Mr. |
Taylor took a shoot OF this thorn tree
and transplanted It to the park surround
Ing ERllngton Castle where 1t grew and
f1ourished.
Mr.. Taylor married In January, 1896
Miss Annie Armstrong, who was born II
Montreal Mrs Taylor died April II,
1903. The only surviving relative is a
son, Archibald ]. Taylor of Burlington.
Another son, Iinnaeus NJ. Taylor, died
several years ago.
The funeral was held from his late