San Francisco, Cal, July 4, 1886

Mr. T. E. Bowman:

I received your kind note some time since, asking if I could give you any information respecting the Taylor family. My long delay in answering you has been owing to a press of business, for at my advanced age it takes me a great while to do very little. Your request reminds me of reading when a boy, a Scotch Biographical Dictionary. Coming to the "T"s I found the Taylors were only noted for two things, to wit: Living to a great age and begetting numerous children. So let it be.

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Our ancestors immigrated to America from the lowlands of Scotland during the reign of King William and Mary—three brothers named Zachariah, John and William. Zachariah went to Culpepper, Virginia; John to Albany, New York, both marrying and raising large families. William, my great-grandsire, married in the city of New York, a Miss Van Pelt—a true Knickerbocker; that is to say, a descendant of the Hollanders. They ultimately settled on a farm at Yorktown, Westchester County, New York. At that place my grandsire Benjamin Taylor was born, about the year 1736. He entered the Colonial English Army in 1753. Their rendezvous was at Fort Orange, Albany, where they awaited supplies and orders. In 1755 the Colonial Governor planned a grand campaign against the French and Indians; one commanded by Gen. Braddock against Fort Duquesne; one commanded by Gen. Johnson against Crown Point; one commanded by Gen. Shirley against Fort Niagara. England was to furnish munitions of war and 6,000 men—the Colonies to raise 10,000 more. All of these campaigns were entire failures. Gen. Shirley with an army of near 2,000, including friendly Indians, advanced in 1755 to the northern Frontier, to Lake Ontario. He went up the Mohawk trail, then the only passable route to this northern lake, striking the lake near its mouth, to proceed hence by water to besiege Fort Niagara, situated near the head of the lake. 6,000 troops were to follow this advance guard. But in consequence of bickerings between Colonial and English officers, they failed to make the connection. The advance guard reached the frontier and built two forts, or more properly called, stockades, both near the mouth of Lake Ontario, one on each side of the Oswego River, one called Ontario and the other Owego. Owing to the desertion of their Indian allies, and severe sickness amongst the Colonial soldiers, the main object of the campaign was abandoned. Gen. Shirley left Col. Mercer in command, returning to Fort Orange, Albany.

In the above named contingent, were parts of three companies of English soldiers, one commanded by Capt. Augustus Campenfeldt. To this company my grandsire Benjamin Taylor was attached.

In the spring of 1756, the French, seeing the deleterious and fatal mistakes of the English, profited by their failures. The Marquis de la Calm had just been appointed Governor and General of all the French forces in Canada. He collected together at Fort Frontenac, now Kingston, a force of 5,000 men, mostly Indians, crossed Lake Ontario with 30 pieces of cannon, and besieged Fort Ontario. After a bloody fight Col. Mercer was forced to evacuate the place, retiring across the river to Fort Owego. During the night’s retreat, my grandsire Benjamin Taylor, by his expertness as a swimmer, rendered essential service, saving, with others, the life of his captain who was drowning. This incident undoubtedly made them ever after fast friends.

Fort Owego was besieged. After a bloody resistance of three days, Col. Mercer being killed, the garrison surrendered to Mont de la Calm as prisoners of war. This was in August 1756.

At that time grandfather was about 20 years of ago, having served his country in the French and Indian War over three years.

The prisoners that were not massacred by the Indians arrived safe at Quebec in November. They were conveyed down the River St. Lawrence in bateaux and Indian canoes, arriving at Quebec at the commencement of winter.

My grandfather at that time was at the zenith of youthful manhood: straight, tall, athletic, brave, and proud of his fine qualities.

After reaching Quebec a French officer detailed him as a servant, and ordered him to black his boots. He refused. For this refusal he was imprisoned in a dungeon and fed on bread and water for nearly two months. It so happened that a French soldier for some offense was confined in the same place; he was taken sick and his case reported to the Provost. On leaving for the Court, grandfather told him to tell the Court that an Englishman in the dungeon was sick too, which errand her faithfully performed. My grandfather was ordered into Court. After an examination he told his tale. The Provost ordered him to the Barracks with the other prisoners of war.

In the spring of 1757 these English prisoners, or a portion of them, were send to France. The ship in which they were to embark laid in the stream below Quebec. All prisoners were conveyed on board in small boats. A number were massacred at the Embarkadero. Grandfather was the last man to enter a boat. As she shoved off, an Indian made his appearance. Finding his prey too far off, he gave a yell, drew his knife and made a scalping maneuver and picked up a stone, slung it with effect, hitting grandfather in the side. He saved his hair by falling in the boat. His life for a long time was despaired of. He carried the scar in his side, which was an indentation as big as a hen’s egg. This wound troubled him, causing much suffering during a long life.

He was a prisoner of war in Havre de Grace in France until 1759. He was then exchanged, went to London, supporting himself there by the occupation of barber. One Sunday in crossing London Bridge, he met face to face his old captain, then Col. A. Campenfeldt—a welcome surprise to both parties.

The Colonel was to depart the next day to Gibraltar. His regiment was already on board ship. He took grandfather to his house in London, kept by two maiden sisters (for he was not married). Grandfather was introduced to them and made welcome and pressed to make their home his as long as he stayed in London. The next morning Col. A. C. presented grandfather with a purse of five guineas and took his departure for Gibraltar. (Grandfather was never at that place.) And that day was the last seen of the noble Colonel by his friends in London. In 1760 his regiment was ordered from Gibraltar to the East Indies, and he died on the passage.

Grandfather learned and worked at the trade of brickmason for years in London. He has often told me that he worked some two years on the Tower of London.

He returned to America about the year 1762. Sailed for Boston in a bark which was wrecked off the harbor; reached New York by a coaster; by sail to Peekskill; foots it out to Yorktown, where he was born; calls for entertainment at his father’s home; receives a welcome; after supper makes himself known to the family. After a hearty embrace by all, his father took down the old fiddle from the wall—fiddled, danced and sung, "Benjamin, my son that was dead, is alive again, alive again." Grandfather had been absent and mourned as dead some eight or nine years, having a brother born in his absence, at that time seven years of age. His name was altered to Absalom. (I never heard him speak of rum.)

In 1763 or about that time, he married a Miss Foster at Verplank’s Point, on the Hudson River. This lady was a Puritan of the Puritans, a native of Old Massachusetts. By this union was born to them four children, three sons and one daughter. The daughter, I disremember her     name, was twice married. A daughter by her first marriage married Capt. Richard Wells of Charleston, S.C. After acquiring a competence on the seas, they settled and died at Brooklyn, New York, leaving four children, one son and three daughters. I was well acquainted with all of them. Richard, their son, graduated at Yale and studied law, married a settled in Mississippi. Mary, the oldest daughter, married Capt. Daniels of New Orleans. Jane married an Englishman by name of Shaw, who came to California in ’49; died in Humbolt Co, in ’50. Celisteen married Judge Kent of New York—all very high toned families, all now deceased, leaving a numerous progeny. My aunt’s second husband’s name was Miles. They settled in Western New York.

My grandfather Benjamin Taylor’s sons were named James, Augustus Campenfeldt, and Justice William.

RECAPITULATION

My grandfather, Benjamin Taylor, was born at Yorktown, Westchester Co, New York, in the year 1736. Enlisted in the Colonial Army in1753 or 54, aged 16 years. Was at Fort Orange, afterwards actually engaged in war, with the French and Indians on the northern frontier, taken prisoner by them at Fort Owego 1756, was in the army and a prisoner of war some five or six years. Worked in London as a brickmason three years (three or more), returned to America in the year 1761, married in 1763, aged 29 or 30 years. Died at Fishkill, Dutchess Co, NY, Sept 1832, aged 96 years.

I was domiciled under the same roof with him for three years and at his bedside when he breathed his last; saw the last sod laid on his grave. He was buried in the Methodist graveyard beside his two great-granddaughters, children of my late brother James. The burying place and M.E. Church adjoined my brother’s farm.

My grandfather, Benjamin Taylor, in many respects was a remarkable man. Though periodically suffering from the wound in his side, yet from general good health, muscular power, tenacity of life, and agility, few men equaled him.

My uncle Augustus C. Taylor was born at Peekskill. Removed with my father’s family to Franklin, Mass. When a lad of 16 returned to the place of his birth. Followed the occupation of farmer. At the time of his demise was said to be one of the best and most thrifty farmers of Westchester Co. He married a Miss Lent. They buried three children and both of them died at Peekskill.

Justice [Justus] William Taylor, the youngest son of my grandfather, followed the seas. Was at an early age captain and owner of a vessel trading between New York and the West Indies. On a return trip from the latter place he took the yellow fever, ran his vessel up the Hudson River to Peekskill, and died and was buried there. His widow, formerly a Miss Place, subsequently married Capt. John R. Skiddy.  Justice Taylor left one son, the late renowned Capt. Wm. Skiddy.

Photo courtesy of Ed Taylor

James Taylor, my father, was born at Peekskill 1764, went with the family to Massachusetts. At 16 was apprenticed to learn the trade of blacksmith. At 17 he enlisted in the Continental army. Was with General Washington at Valley Forge during that terrible winter of suffering. He often told me how he and his comrades dug up the tails of beef after they had been buried months, stewed them, eating the same without salt or pepper to sustain life. Thus fared the Boys of American Liberty. At the close of that struggle he returned to Franklin, finishing his trade with his old master, Hall Pond. After finishing his trade, he, with other pioneers, crossed the Allegheny Mountains on foot, having only one horse for packing. At Pittsburgh he came near losing his life by falling in the night off the walls of old Fort Duquesne. He crossed the Ohio River into Virginia, thence to Kentucky. Was with Capt. Lewis’ surveying party one season. They had several skirmishes with the Indians. Several of the party lost their scalps. He escaped unharmed. The only trophy of such adventures was a razor strap made from the untanned hide of a savage. He returned to Franklin, married Miss Salome Partridge, with the intent of settling in Kentucky, but his friends persuaded him to settle down in Franklin where he carried on a general blacksmith business for years, then moved to the place of his birth, then to Westford, Vermont. There was born to them 14 children. Two of them died in infancy, both girls. Lucius, Benjamin, Isabella, James and Foster were born at Franklin, Mass. Salome, Amos, Maleta E. and Alpha were born at Westford, VT. At Peekskill he followed his trade. His heaviest work was ship smithing.

Lucius died at Westford, VT, aged 27. Benjamin married a Miss Barnaby. They had four children, all of them now living. William now in San Francisco. James living at Ithica, NY. Augustus C living in New York City. Emroy now the Widow Dubois. All married and had large families. He died some years since at the Great Bend, Penn.

Isabella married David Wilcox of Westford, VT. Died in Milton leaving two children, one son and one daughter, Dilvan and Charlotte. Wilcox subsequently married again, moving to Illinois. Dilvan, a very promising young man, died some years since. The daughter is supposed to be living in the Western States.

James, the third son, was married twice, had five children, two now living: Edward Flagler, a lawyer and politician, lives in Illinois; Augustus with his mother at Peekskill where James died.

Bartholomew Foster, the fourth son, married a Miss Clara Bliss in Essex, where he died some years since, being over 80 years of age. He had four children, two sons and two daughters. Three are living. Lucius living in Oakland, California. The two daughters are living at Essex Junction, VT, all married and have large families. Salome, the second daughter, married Ambrose Barnaby, settled in Michigan where she died, leaving sons and daughters.

Amos P., the fifth son, was twice married, settled in Monroe Co, Michigan, where he died, leaving sons and one daughters.

Maleta Ellis married Thomas Bowman of Westford, where she lived and died, leaving sons and one daughter.

Alpha Whic married Orange Lawrence of Westford. She is yet living. Had a large family of children, several now living.

Augustus C, the sixth man, married Rachel Vanwyck Hoagland at Fishkill, Dutchess Co, NY, May 1833. Done business a number of years at that place, came to California in 1849, settled in San Francisco where he yet lives. Had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, fours sons and two daughters now living.

Elizabeth Lent, the seventh daughter, married Gilbert Hart of Peekskill, where she lived and died, leaving two sons, James and Coleridge, both professional men.

William Skiddy, the youngest son of James Taylor, married Miss Depew of Peekskill. Ultimately settled in Michigan where he died leaving sons and daughters.

I have given you a detailed history of our family, which is substantially correct. Justice to my father requires me to speak more of him in detail.

For a number of years after his marriage he resided and carried on the blacksmith business at Franklin, Mass., where a number of his children were born. He then moved to Peekskill, the place of his birth, where his father, mother, and brothers were located. Following there his trade of blacksmithing, his heaviest work was the ironing of schooners, the then locomotives on the Hudson River. Here periodically he and his family suffered much by malarial fevers.

In the summer of 1807 my mother’s father, Lieut. Partridge paid him a visit and persuaded him to move to the healthy regions of Vermont, taking two of the family with him, Salome and Foster. In the winter of 1807-8 he moved his family to Westford, settling on a farm and carrying on a general blacksmith business. In 1812 the U.S. declared war against Great Britain. He then raised a company of men and entered the service of his country. Most of his company were Westford, Milton, Essex and Underhill boys. These men enlisted for one year. At the expiration of their term of service he was detailed by the General in command to the recruiting service. In the Summer of 1814 he visited New York and Peekskill on this business. Sister Salome accompanied him to Peekskill where Brother James was then located. It was during this trip to New York that his likeness was taken—the profile of which you sent me. He returned to New York about ten days before the battle of Plattsburgh. Volunteers were called for and the Green Mountain Boys nobly responded. On the Sunday morning one week before the battle took place, there was music in the air all along the ridge between Squire Bowman’s and Capt. Taylor’s. The bugles sounded and drums beat "To Arms, To Arms." The road was lined with marching volunteers. They went by the road through the Government Reserve to Milton, thence by water to Plattsburgh. My father was detailed and led the boys onward. After arriving in camp the General detailed him to serve the boys with guns and ammunition. They fell short of cartridge boxes to go all around. Priest Worster of Fairfield, who had raised a company, when it came his turn, filled his capacious pockets (these pockets were in a big silk vest where he carried his Bible and Psalm Book) with double rounds of cartridges, which made the boys cheer heartily. After this service was completed, he was given in charge of a regiment of these Volunteers, who formed the front guard in following the Red Coats on their retreat to Canada. So earnest were these volunteers that when the rear guard was overtaken and hoisted the white flag, it was hard to restrain them. Their cry was "There’s a Red Coat, damn him! Fire!" The day of this battle, Sunday, the 13^th, 1814, is to me ever to be remembered. Although then scarce six years of age, I can remember what happened there as if it were yesterday. A few infirm men with women and children, gathered together on Bold Hill, the dividing line between Westford and Milton, to see the battle go on. Your grandmothers Bowman and Taylor were there with their children. Your mother, father, uncles and aunts, and in fact, the whole neighborhood turned out. The able bodied men were, nearly to a man, gone to battle for their country. I remember one incident that happened on that eventful day: an old hunter by the name of Jack Willis came sauntering up the hill from the Milton side, with his rifle on his shoulder. Old grandfather Partridge asked him if he was not ashamed for not being in the ranks fighting for his country. He excused himself by saying he had been to the embarcadero and could not get a passage over the lake. The old man told him he was a coward. He, however, done us some service for he felled several trees to give all a better view of the battlefield.

At the close of the war, father returned to Westford, where there, or at Essex, he ended his earthly career.

Your notes speak of Grandfather’s brother Absalom. He married and settled in Milton, VT near the close of the last century. Located on a prime piece of land, most interval, near the mouth of the River Lamoille. He had several children. One daughter I knew, the Widow Davis, who lived on the Taylor Ranch located by her father, Absalom. She gave us youngsters many anecdotes respecting the early career of her father. One, for its novelty and absurd ridiculousness is worth re-telling.

He was out hunting one winter day. Killed a moose and skinned it and laid down by his campfire. The cold became to intense that he wrapped the green skin around him and went to sleep. On awakening he found himself in a moose prison, with, as he first tho’t, no chance of escape. The Vermont frost had closed his winding sheet solidly around him. At length he succeeded in getting out a pocket knife and cutting his was out of a moose-skin grave.

This old lady lived with her daughter and grandchildren. The oldest daughter of these grandchildren, who was about my age, married Timothy Sibley of Westford. Another daughter [married] Wm. Johnson, a young man brought up by Simon "Parmelee". Their names were Sebrings.

One remark and I am done.

In reviewing the family of Taylors, I think the world has been benefited by their existence. They have been a stalwart set of laboring men—mostly living upon the place the world calls the middle classes; men that worked and earned their daily bread. Such men are the stability of States in peace and defenders in war.

My dear Elliott, if you can decipher this scribbling of your old uncle, you may find sufficient to continue your notes. I make no apology for grammar or classic spelling.

With much love to you and family, I remain,

Your uncle,

Augustus C. Taylor.

N.B. Let us hear from you often.

Gen. Zachary Taylor, the hero of Buena Vista, and President, was our forty-ninth cousin—the youngest son by my great grandfather’s oldest brother, born in old Virginia, stationed for a short time at Burlington in 1813, when Gen. Wade Hampton, Sr. commanded the Northern Army. Old Job Bates that saw him and Father together, said he should know they were of the same common stock by the frown they both carried on their upper lip.

A.C.T.