The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-08-20
7orgets, for the Day..
Cares Of, 2 olitics and
Politicians.
VISITS AMONG
HIS RELATIVES
Long Tafts and Short Tafts, Big
Tafts and Little Tafts, Come
From All Directions to Greet
Fan1ily's Most Distin-
guished Member Of
ficiates at Christening.
7Il7 n p

beverly, Mass, August 1o.-Forget-
ing for the moment the troubles and
worries OF politics and politicians.
President Taft spent the greater part
u the day In the homes and haunts
4 his ancestors. The President rum
mayed into his own family history
Ind met scores OF relatives. Some were
70 remote as hardly TO be counted. but
they were all Tafts or Torrevs. and
The most distinguished member Of the
family secmed glad to be able to shake
tho hand OF all. There were long
Tafts and short Tafts, big Tafts and
little Tafts. blondes, brunettes and
red haired.
I'VE had all sorts IN the family"
laughed the President.
II was over at Mendon and Bridge
and that vicinity that the Tafts set
lied back in 1880. Robert Taft was the
first OF the Tafts to come over from
England Then. in direct line of de-
scent, the generation lead down to
tho President as follows: Joseph Taft,
Peter Taft, Aaron Taft. Peter Rawson
Taft. Alphonso Taft and William Ho-
ward Taft. The Presidents son Rob-
ert is the eighth generation.
Related to Aldrich.
In the genealogical analysis that the
day brought forth 1t was discovered
that through an ancient strain the
president is related to Senator Nelson
wflmarth Aldrich. Of Rhode Island;
that Secretary Charles Dyer Norton Is
also related 10 the Senator from Rhode
Island. and that the President IS re-
lated to Governor Draper. OF Massa-
chusetts.
s., was as the guest Of Governor
Draper that the President made ms ms
,sgn. isa tat at tile Governar:s home IN ,Hops-
iala and started in q drizziing rain
On the ancestral trip this morning.
I'm route to Afendon. Mr.. Taft stop
ION machinery manufacturing plant at
9peu hat surround juno il. The men in the
factory gave him three cheers
Inspecting the tablet erected at Found
Frs park in Mendon that the most
Interesting episode Of the day oc,
eurred. No one in the town. seemed &c
his presence soon was noised abroad
hnd Tafts came from all directions.
Mrs. Clarence Taft was one OF the
Flrst to arrive, and when she met ms 2
she was the mother OF the youngest
Taft in the vicinity. a son two weeks
Bid. She also explained that he had
hot yet been given a name, and It
WAS insisted that the President should
Eelect one. He agreed at once. and
me youngster was borne TO the scene.
s"I name him Robert" said hePrest-
dent. and L hope he grows up to be
great comfort to his mother and
rhn .bahy is said to be fifth cousin
pf the President.
The name OF the original Robert Iaft
s engraved upon the monument as one
bf the founders OF that place. common
" known as the #"Old Mother Town.
Robert brought six stalwart sons with
him from England.
Visits Buryfng Ground.
From A1endon Park the President
went TO the old burying ground and
was shown the ancient headpieces that
mark the graves OF a large number
pf his ancestors. Then he visited the
bid church where they worshiped,f and
home in 1885, All marks Of the house
are gone and the lot that surrounded
6tSis now an orchard The next spot
~ interest was the little home OF Miss
Sarah Taft, a delightful. white -haired
woman. who was completely taken. by
burprise when the Presidents big au-
Lomobile stopped In front Of her door.
"a the Commonwealth tn stepped out. iss
Taft was not expecting visitors and
living quite alone, she kept her dis
tinguished guests waiting with many
hpologies until she could change her
krock Then she extended asmost hos
pitable welcome.
After lunching at Governor Draper's
:, e>%Erasi an t4rat1lrned to9Revarlv