Some other sources claim he died on this date in Caroline County, VA, and some say he died on 10 Sep 1698, in New Kent County, VA. Some other sources claim he was born in 1635 in Carlisle, County Lancaster, England.

James Taylor is Second Great Grandfather to James Madison and Zachary Taylor, both Presidents of the
United States. These descendants are through James Taylor's second wife, Francis Walker, rather than
Mary Bishop Gregory, who is the ancestor for our Taylor line. But we all share James Taylor as an ancestor!

According to notes by George F. Thompson: "James (the Elder) Taylor immigrated to America on the Truelove in 1635."

Per h1282: "His home was called Monte Bello; he was a member of the House of Burgesses 1702. He was a surveyor and was given 16,000 lbs of tobacco for his services.

Per A.C. file 560, he immigrated in 1635 on the "Truelove".

For research, check "Taylor Fam Bible Records, Gen of Va Fam. from VA Mag of His & Biog Vol 5" used as a source in WFT Vol 10, 3236 quoting author Dorothy G. Lee in "Allied Families of Taylor..."


For some reason, WFT Vol 10, Tree 4071 shows James as the son of Thomas Taylor and Elizabeth Horton rather than as son of Thomas Taylor and Margaret Swinderly (who are shown as parents to the Thomas married to Elizabeth Horton)

Other notes from WFT 4071: "James held many land patents. In 1671 he owned 1650 acres of land along the Mattaponi River. Between 1687 and 1695 he purchased more land along the Mattaponi so that his total acreage was 13,925. In 1693 he deeded to trustess of South Farnham Parish two acres and fifter perches of land on the south of Hoskins Creek for a church. He held a patent for 950 acres of land in Kent Co., VA where he built his home and named it "Hare Forest" - named for the Earls of Pennington Castle in England where Taylor ancestors are buried. By division of county lines, his home was in Orange Co., VA where his children were born. This home is now located in Caroline Co., VA about eight miles from Bowling Green, VA He died April 30, 1698 and is buried in King William Co., Va which was a part of his estate.

"In 1690 as Sub-Sheriff of New Kent co., VA, James served summons on those connected with Jacobite Disturbances. He was Attorney for several cases in Essex Co. He was also connected with trying to stop the lawless organization known as "Planat Cutters," who destroyed and burned tobacco plants and beds at night in an effort to control the price of tobacco. In 1683, Gov. Henry Chicheley called out the militia, arrested and punished the offenders. However, Lord Culpeper, who represented England's interests, didn't agree with the decision. Consequently, many were indicted and "hanged by the neck until they were dead."

"On June 6, 1933, a memorial tablet in memory of James Taylor I was erected by Miss Gresham of King and Queen Co., VA, and Mrs. Jacquelin P. Taylor, president of the Taylor Family Association ofRichmond, VA, both descendants of James. The tablet is inscribed as follows:

James Taylor of England emigrant lawyer, public officer, lived in St. Stephen parish, King and Queen County, VA, died April 30, 1698, first wife Frances Walker, born 1640, died April 22 or Sept. 22, 1680, she was the daughter of Thomas Walker and niece of Edward Walker of Virginia. James's second wife, Mary Gregory, daughter of John Gregory, the son of Roger Gregory who first married Mildred Washington, aunt of General/President George Washington. Mary was from Essex County, married August 12, 1682, from him were descended President James Madison, President Zachary Taylor, Colonel James Taylor (Knight of the Horse Shoe), Judge Edmund Pendleton, John Penn, signer of the Declaration of Independence, John Taylor of Carolina, General James Taylor of Kentucky, Admiral David Taylor, Admiral Hugh Rodman, Admiral Robert M. Berry, and other distinguished churchmen, soldiers, sailors, and officials, in each generation who assisted in the formation and perpetuation of the colonies and this nation."


Sources mentioned by WFT vol 8, Tree 3552:
"The Forebearers & Desc of Wm Taylor & Mahala Cromwell" by Carrie Carte 1980, LDS 929.273T219c
"Americans of Gentle Birth & Their Ancestors" LDS 973D2pa
"Historical Southern Families" by Boddie LDS 975D2B Vol 4 & 5
Note: James Taylor age 28 is listed as a px on the Truelove of London to Bermuda in 1635 (from "the Original Lists of Persons of Quality 1600-1700 by John Hotlen 1931)
James Taylor was a lineal desc of the Earls of Pennington and emigtated in 1635.