Taylors Go To Missouri

When I started my Genealogy research some 30 years ago, I did not have much to go on. I started working on our Family History shortly after my father passed away in 1988.

 

From one of my uncles I got a listing of all of my Dad’s siblings and their parents. Since my Grandfather’s name is the same as his Grandfather, our progenitor John Henry Taylor, I spent some time running in circles trying to get things figured out. After a little while I was able to separate the two John Henry’s and get started on the rest of our Family History. I really know very little about my Grandfather and have not been able to gather a lot of details.

 

This is all I have been able to find:

 

My grandfather, John Henry Taylor was born in Winston County on Febrary 1, 1886. He married Lydia Ann King on January 20, 1907 in Winston County. They had a total of 13 children--12 of them lived past childbirth.

 

John Henry Taylor, the second son of William Carroll Taylor, left Winston County with his father, William Carroll, and siblings to farm/sharecrop in Tennessee around 1919. Before they moved to Tennessee, John Henry and Lydia had 5 children: William Olis, Carl Lee, Olin Birtis, Ettis Vera and Lois Pauline.  They were all born in Winston county. James, Nola Virginia, and William Henry were born after the family moved to Tennessee. Around 1923 they moved back to Morgan County, Alabama where Earl Washington was born. Sometime between 1924 and 1927 they moved back to Lawrence County, Tennessee. where Willa Mae was born in 1927.

 

By 1930 the family had moved to New Madrid, Missouri to continue sharecropping/farming. Their youngest two sons, J.C. Taylor and Edward Ray, were born in New Madrid.

 

John Henry died December 1, 1932 from influenza.

 

Written by John Taylor,

Grandson of John Henry Taylor 1886-1932

 

Both John Henry and Lydia Ann King Taylor are buried in Evergreen Cemetery, New Madrid, Missouri. 

Francis Marion Taylor, 7th Child of John & Eliza

Francis Marion Taylor, seventh child of John & Eliza, was born on the first day of January, 1843.  His name first appears on the 1850 Federal Census for Hancock County, later Winston County, as Frances Taylor, 8 years old.

At the age of 25, he married Elizabeth A. Smith, daughter of James M. and Martha Smith. Elizabeth was the sister of J. D. Smith, who was the second husband of Mary Mollie Taylor.  So 2 children from John Taylor's family married 2 children from James Smith's family.  Francis and Elizabeth were married in 1868, according to the census recording in 1900.

Francis Marion and Elizabeth were the parents of 9 children, according to the 1900 census.  Names of the seven known children are as follows:

• John Christopher Taylor, married Mary "Mollie" Logan, buried Old Bethel Cemetery, Winston County, Alabama
• James Taylor
• George Washington Taylor. married Cora Larkin Ferguson, buried Arrington Chapel Methodist, Cherokee County, Alabama
• Francis Marion Taylor, married Lula Thackerson, buried Williams Community (Ohatchee #2), Calhoun County, Alabama
• Roxana Taylor, married William Newton Davis, buried Pleasant Gap Cemetery, Cherokee County
• Sarrah "Sallie" Elephair Taylor, married Arthur Gordon Hardin, buried Polk Memory Gardens, Cedartown, Polk, Georgia
• Charles Alexander, married (1st) Luna Hyde and (2nd) Antha Ellen Cagle, buried Liberty Grove Baptist Cemetery, Winston County

By the age of 37, Francis Marion was the Probate Judge of Winston County.  This occupation is listed on the 1880 Federal census record. His name appears on scores of documents from the county during that time.  Unfortunately, a newspaper article from the Lamar News on June 3, 1886 details a scandal for Taylor and the county.

F.M. Taylor, Probate Judge of Winston County, 

 plead guilty of embezzlement charge and removed

 F.M. Taylor, Probate Judge of Winston County, whose whereabouts have been a mystery for some time, appeared before the Supreme Court and plead guilty to the charge of embezzlement which had been brought against him, and the judgment of the lower court removing him from office was affirmed.

 

F. M. Taylor,
Liberty Grove Baptist Cemetery

By 1900, Francis Marion and Elizabeth, along with their 3 youngest children, were living in Tecumseh, Cherokee County, Alabama.  His occupation was farmer.   Next door to Francis was his son, George Washington Taylor and family. Ten years later, Francis Marion was living with his youngest son, Charles Alexander and family, in the Ashridge community of Winston County. He was listed as divorced.

On September 7, 1913, Francis Marion married Eliza Evans Pittman.  Eliza was the daughter of Leverett and Sarah (Brown) Evans.  Her first husband was Squire Pittman. Eliza was the sister of Sarah Sephronia Evans, who married William Carroll Taylor, brother of Francis Marion.  So two sons of John Taylor married two Evans sisters. 

At the age of 76, Francis Marion died on March 2, 1919.  He is buried at Liberty Grove Baptist Cemetery in Winston.  After Francis Marion's death, his widow Eliza lived with her brother, George Milton Evans, and family in the Arley area. The location of the grave of Francis Marion's first wife has not been found.   His second wife, Eliza Evans Taylor, is buried at Mount Hope Cemetery, Arley, Alabama.



Children of Alonzo and Emma: William Wansley "Willie" and Mary Taylor

Children of Alonzo & Emma:
William Wansley and Mary Sephronia Taylor

William Wansley Taylor, son of Alonzo Grant Taylor and his first wife Emma Elliott, was born on September 30, 1892 in Winston County.  He was the first born to Alonzo and Emma.  Following his birth were Henry and Mary Sephronia.  Henry, born on May, 24, 1894, died before he was a year old.  Mary Sephronia was born on December 12, 1895. 

William, known to most as "Willie," and Mary grew up in Winston County.  The Taylor  home was very near the present location of Liberty Grove Baptist.  Their mother died when Willie was 5 years old and Mary Sephronia was 2. Emma is buried at Liberty Grove Baptist Cemetery. 

About 3 months after Emma's death, Willie's father married Margaret Derusha Stevens, daughter of John Benjamin and Lucinda (Brown) Stevens. The family continued to grow, with the birth of seven more brothers and sisters for Willie and Mary.

Willie and Bertha

When Willie was 21 years old, he married his bride--Bertha Caledonia Comer, daughter of Daniel Patrick and Ollie F. (Ezell) Comer. The wedding was performed on January 11, 1914 in Lawrence County, Tennessee by Willie's great uncle, James Knox Polk Taylor, Minister of the Gospel.  The signature of B. F. Curtis (Benjamin Franklin) appears on the wedding record also.  Curtis was the son of Mary Jane Curtis, daughter of Mary Mollie Taylor.

Willie and Bertha were the parents of 10 children: Mitchell Edward, Carlos Cleo, Lester Alonzo, Ruby Estelle, Selma Virgie, Lola Mae, Verda Dee, Mary Fleda, William Gene and Betty Jean. The family lived in the Liberty Grove community, four miles south of Loretto, Lawrence County, Tennessee.



Willie and Bertha

Willie died on July 17, 1961.  He and his wife, Bertha, are buried at Restview Cemetery, Loretto.

Mary Sephronia Taylor

At the age of 16, Mary Sephronia Taylor, Willie's sister, married Harvey Berry on September 19, 1912. The wedding took place at the home of W. T. King. The couple had seven children: Alta, Ronnell, Russell, Ozie, Alpha Omega, Helen and Eula Mae.

Sometime during the 1920's, Harvey left the family and was not located until the children were grown. Mary worked hard to provide for her children.  On the 1930 census, Mary is listed as divorced from Harvey.  Her occupation was general farmer. She and her six children were living in the household. James F. Tittle, widowed, was living next door to their home.   Before the 1940 federal census, Mary married Mr. Tittle. 

Mary died on July 17, 1966 in Winston County.  Inscribed on her tombstone is "Mother's love will show us the way," a loving tribute to their mother. Mary Sephronia and J. F. Tittle are both buried at Macedonia Cemetery, Winston.


 

William Verpo Taylor

William Verpo Taylor

William Verpo Taylor, son of Charles Alexander and Louisa Jane (Curtis) Taylor, was born March 30, 1880 in Winston County, Alabama.   His given name "William Verpo" suggests that he was named after William Verpo Curtis, one of nine sons born to Solomon Curtis.  The Taylor and Curtis families had several connections throughout the years.

William Verpo married Sarah Elizabeth James, daughter of James Henry and Mexor Evelyn (Walker) James.

They had the following children:


Sarah Elizabeth
"Lizzie" (James) Taylor

• Charles Raymond
• Gladys Evelyn
• James Edward, married Lillie Annie Petruzela, buried Yoakum Restland Cemetery, Yoakum, Texas
• Ruby Jay
• Edna Ruth
• Joyce Irene, married James Painter

William Verpo and Lizzie made their home in Saint Clair County, Alabama.  He died of pulmonary tuberculosis at the age of 61 on May 9, 1941 in Ashville, Alabama.  William Verpo and Sarah Elizabeth Taylor are buried at Hopewell Cemetery, Ashville.

Sacred Harp Singing--Fasola and our Taylors

Haunting, fierce and lovely harmonies, beautiful, sacred, uplifting, soul soothing, all-day singing .... these are words that have been used to describe Sacred Harp singing.  Our Taylor ancestors living in Alabama surely knew about Sacred Harp, and many sang it.  The tradition lives on today as well!

The lyrics to one of the favorite songs of many Sacred Harp singings is written below. The words speak for themselves.

Wondrous Love

What wondrous love is this, O my soul, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this, O my soul!
What wondrous love is this
That caused the Lord of bliss
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul, for my soul,
To bear the dreadful curse for my soul!

When I was sinking down, sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down, sinking down,
When I was sinking down
Beneath God’s righteous frown,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul for my soul,
Christ laid aside His crown for my soul.

To God and to the Lamb I will sing, I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb I will sing;
To God and to the Lamb,
Who is the great I AM,
While millions join the theme, I will sing, I will sing,
While millions join the theme, I will sing.

And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on;
And when from death I’m free, I’ll sing on.
And when from death I’m free
I’ll sing His love for me,
And through eternity I’ll sing on, I’ll sing on,
And through eternity I’ll sing on.

The singings brought rural country folks together, who often lived miles apart.  Both adults and young people attended Singing Schools where they learned the rudiments of music and practiced the songs.  

The human voice, the instrument we were given at birth, is the only instrument used in Sacred Harp singing, also known as Fasola singing.  A tradition that dates back to colonial times in America, Sacred Harp singings are still alive and prosper today around the country. 

Singers sit facing each other, forming a hollow square, with each singing part--treble, alto, tenor and bass--sitting in the four sections.  Singers take turns leading the group.  Standing in the middle of the square, the leader calls the song by page number as the Sacred Harp book is held in one hand, and the beat is kept with the other hand.  The singers begin by singing the appropriate notes using Fa So La Me.  Then they immediately begin singing the song using the words.

Also known as shape note singing, the music is written in the books using shapes to help the singer easily identify the tone:  Triangle is the shape for "Fa," oval is the shape for "Sol," rectangle is the shape for "La," and diamond is the shape for "Me."

From "Original Sacred Harp" (Denson Revision) Standard Melodies, Page 1, Rudiments of Music,
Published by Sacred Harp Publishing Company, Inc., Haleyville, Alabama

Singing Conventions were annual gatherings of singers.  In Winston County,  conventions date back to the The Clear Creek Mountain Home Singing Association of Winston County, formed in 1874. Then in 1896, the Bear Creek Sacred Harp Memorial Singings of Winston County was organized.  Neighboring Alabama counties also held conventions. 

The following accounts of family links to Sacred Harp singing have been shared by Taylor descendants:

I remember my grandmother, Sarah Elizabeth (James) Taylor, saying that my grandfather, William Verpo Taylor, loved fasola singing.  He became a Christian and began attending church regularly later in his life.  I'm not sure how long he did this or exactly where, but they lived near the Hopewell community between Ashville and Gadsten Alabama for many years and I always assumed it was there.

William Alexander (Bill) Taylor

Kyle, Texas

In the Minutes of the Sacred Harp Centennial Celebration held in Double Springs, Alabama September 18-24, 1944, several Taylors are listed as singers: Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Taylor, Columbus Taylor, Helen Taylor, Sulu Taylor, Theodore Taylor, Mrs. O. H. (Oscar Harrison) Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Lonnie Taylor, Harrison Taylor, W. M. Taylor and Eugene Taylor.  At this same centennial celebration, the monument that sits on the grounds of the Winston County courthouse to honor Seaborn M. Denson and Thomas J. Denson was dedicated. The talented Denson brothers were well known for their work in writing Sacred Harp music, singing and teaching others to sing.

Memorial to Seaborn M. Denson and Thomas J. Denson,
Erected Summer 1944 during  the Centennial Celebration of Sacred Harp music
Winston County Courthouse, Double Springs, Alabama

Ada Taylor Godsey, daughter of George Washington and Lucinda (Swims) Taylor, was highlighted in an issue of Country Home magazine, June 1995, Page 58: 

Ada Godsey, 87, also of Double Springs, remembers going to all-day singings in a horse and buggy around 1919.  More often, she walked the mile from her home to the Pleasant Ridge (Hill)  Primitive Baptist Church.

"My family couldn't all fit in the buggy," she explains.  Her father once organized a singing school at the church and brought in Tom Denson, one of the best teachers the tradition has ever produced."

"Papa hitched Molly to the buggy and drove twenty miles to Haleyville to meet him at the train," Ada says.  When the 10-day singing school ended, Denson taught another one 5 miles away in the community of Posey's Mill. "For ten days we walked there (Posey's Mill) through the woods, sang all day, and then walked home again,"  Ada recalls.

Shared by Kay Wojack,

Descendant of Columbus Taylor

Daddy used to talk about fasola singing when we were growing up.  He liked it.  I don't know if he sang it or not, but he talked about it.  (Daddy is Hosey Stevens, oldest son of Pachie Taylor Stevens.  This family moved from Winston to Lawrence County, Tennessee in 1920).

Ann Stevens Rohling

Lawrenceburg, Tennessee

 .

At the close of the Centennial Celebration of Sacred Harp music held in 1944, the minutes of the event denoted a special song that is still often chosen to end each gathering of singers:

"The great body of singers and listeners joined in singing page 62, "Parting Hand" and mid smiles and tears, they bade each other a loving farewell; some to meet again soon, to sing again these songs of Zion; some to meet in that Land where there'll be no sad parting; where we'll sing, forever, a song of Moses and the Lamb, with our loved ones who are watching and waiting for us." Page 24 

L.O. Odem President

Ruth Denson Edwards, Secretary 

Page 62, "Parting Hand"
From "Original Sacred Harp" (Denson Revision) Standard Melodies,
Published by Sacred Harp Publishing Company, Inc., Haleyville, Alabama

George Washington Taylor, son of Charles Alexander

George Washington Taylor, first child of Charles Alexander and Louisa Jane (Curtis) Taylor, was born March 24, 1858 in Winston County.  His name is first found on the 1860 Federal Census as a two year old, living with his parents and newborn sister, Amelia, in Township 10, Range 9 of Winston. 

At the age of 19, George married Lucinda Caroline Swims in 1877.  Lucinda was the daughter of Aaron H. and Elizabeth Caroline (Long) Swims.  Both fathers of George and Lucinda were soldiers in the 1st Regiment, Alabama Calvary, Union Army during the Civil War.

George's wife was orphaned as a child when she was about 8 years old.   Her father had died of typhoid fever in a civil war hospital.  Her mother died the following year.  Guardianship of Lucinda and her siblings was granted to her uncle, William Riley Long. 

George and Lucinda had the following children:

• Charles Aaron Taylor, named after their fathers, married Scottie May Lyle
• Frank Marion Taylor
• Andrew J. Taylor
• Columbus Washington Taylor, married Arsula "Suler" Posey
• David Lincoln Taylor, married Lula Belle Posey (sister of Columbus' wife, Suler Posey)
• Rhoda Bell Taylor, married (1) William Houston Guttery and (2) Pinkney Jackson Woodall
• Ada Louise Taylor, married Richard Sherman Godsey
• Ida Taylor, twin to Ada, died at birth
• Ella "Eller" Ruth Taylor, married John W. Kidd

George was sometimes listed as George Washington Taylor, Sr. in records.  Unlike today's naming pattern practices, George did not have a son named "Junior."  However, George's uncle, James Knox Polk Taylor also named his son George Washington Taylor, who was referred to as "Junior."

George and Lucinda lived all of their lives in the Ashridge community.  He died on March 25, 1926 at the age of 68.  His occupation was listed as retired farmer on the death certificate.  Lucinda died on December 21, 1940 at the age of 83. They are both buried at Rock Creek Baptist Church, Winston County.

George Washington and Lucinda Caroline (Swims) Taylor,
Photo in collection of descendant Kay Wojack

Charles Alexander Taylor, 3rd Child of John & Eliza

Charles Alexander Taylor,
Son of John & Eliza (Cagle) Taylor

Charles Alexander Taylor, third child of John and Eliza (Cagle) Taylor, was born in Hardin County, Tennessee on January 24, 1834.  His birth place is recorded on Union soldier pension documents and provides proof that the Taylor family lived in Hardin County, Tennessee before settling in Winston County, Alabama.

His name first appears on a federal census for Hancock County, Alabama (later known as Winston). Listed as Charles Taylor, age 16, he is the oldest child living in the household of 10 people.  At the age of 23, Charles married Louisa Jane "Sis" Curtis on February 19, 1857 at the home of the bride's father, Solomon Curtis.   Two brothers of Louisa Jane also married Taylor sisters.

Charles Alexander and Louisa Jane (Curtis) Taylor,
Photo in collection of Bill Taylor

Charles and Louisa were the parents of eight children:

• George Washington Taylor, married Lucinda Caroline Swims, buried at Rock Creek Cemetery, Winston
• Amelia Taylor
• Thomas Pinkney Taylor, married Cordelia J. Swims, buried at Rock Creek Cemetery, Winston
• Martha Jane Taylor, married Albert Randolph Shipman, buried at Fairview Cemetery, Winston
• John Frank Taylor
• James Jackson Taylor, married Lou Ella Penn
• William Verpo Taylor, married Sarah Elizabeth James, buried at Hopewell Cemetery, Ashville, St. Clair County, Alabama
• Lewis Monroe Taylor, married Lula M. Alexander, buried at Curtis Cemetery, Winston

On October 12, 1863, Charles Alexander went to Glendale, Mississippi and enlisted in the Union troops of the 1st Alabama Volunteer Calvary, Company L.  He and his brother, Andrew Jackson Taylor, served in the same unit.  Many Winston County men joined the Union troops to show their opposition to War of the Rebellion.  Their father, John, was a leader in Winston County who boldly spoke about his loyalty to the United States government. 

Later in Charles' life, he filed for a pension which he was eligible to receive for his military service.  In those pension files can be found information regarding his family and life in the war.  One eventful story unfolds through the documents Charles submitted.  Following orders given by Colonel Dodge to recruit new members for the company, Charles and a few other men set out on Christmas Day of 1863.  When they were near Jacinto, Mississippi, the men were shot by bushwhackers causing their horses to stampede.  Charles' horse made a quick bolt to the left and caused him to be thrown into the pommel of the saddle causing a painful rupture to his groin. This injury which gradually grew worse troubled him for the remainder of his life. 

Charles was separated from his unit and unable to return, according to documents in the pension file.  He recorded that he hid out in the bushes to keep from being shot at by rebels.  After a few months, Charles was able to return to his unit.  He was treated by the Regimental Sergeant for his injury.  His file also revealed that a march from Glendale, Mississippi to Jasper Alabama led his troop of soldiers within ten miles of Charles' home in Ellaville. His captain advised him to go home and take to the woods to prevent capture by the Rebels. Charles recorded that he was treated in the woods by Doctor Bird and DeGraffenreid.  His discharge date for his service was May 1, 1864.

At the age of 47, Charles was named first minister of Liberty Grove Baptist on October 8, 1881.  He was very active in the Clear Creek Baptist Association. Another brother, James Knox Polk Taylor, also became a Baptist preacher.

On January 7, 1916, Charles died at the age of 81.  In his last days he was cared for by sons, John Frank and Lewis Monroe Taylor.  Charles is buried in Curtis Cemetery, along with his wife Louisa Jane.

CHAS A. TAYLOR, CO. L, 1 ALA. CAV.
Curtis Cemetery, Winston County, Alabama