Patriot Legacies: James Taylor was soldier, settler, founder of local churches

Patriot James Taylor was born Jan.30, 1760, in Culpepper, Virginia to Benjamin Taylor, Jr. and Priscilla (Ann) Taylor. About five years later records show them in North Carolina.

James Taylor is listed in the will of his grandfather Benjamin Taylor, Sr. who at the probate of the will in 1775 grants him 40 shillings to be used toward his schooling when he becomes eligible.

At the age of 18 years in 1778, James Taylor joined the Revolutionary War as a substitute for Joseph Myer and served in the North Carolina militia. He served under Capt. Salathiel Martin in the 3rd Regiment of North Carolina and marched into Charleston where he remained for about five months.

He volunteered again for another three months in a company commanded by Capt. Gibson Woolridge where they engaged with the Tories, and he was taken prisoner. Taylor says he ran away and returned to his company near Shallowford, North Carolina where they joined others in the Battle of Shallowford. After the Shallowford battle he was elected company commander.

North Carolina records indicate he married 15 year old Susanah Cook on April 21, 1780, in Wilkes, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Butler Stonestreet Ashford and Sarah Susannah Barrow also from Wilkes County.

Sometime after his marriage, he joined the North Carolina militia for a year where he stayed, serving under Daniel Wright. He says he stayed in that service about a year, until the end of the war when he was discharged, likely about 1783.

James Taylor and wife Susannah lived in North Carolina for several years where at least four of their children were born. James indicates in his pension document that they then moved to Knox County. That was likely around 1796. They remained there before finally settling in Blount County about 1800.

James was licensed to preach in 1814 and continued to do so until his death. Some sources indicate he was responsible for the start of the five earliest Baptist churches in the area. Most of them are on the east end of the county. Records show his involvement in several of the early Primitive Baptist churches in the area.

Both his pension document, will, and early church records of Tuckaleechee Cove Primitive Baptist Church mention his friend and fellow clergy, William Balew (Ballue). His will also mentions his friend and patriot, Joseph Cooper Cook. Clergy from the Primitive Baptist Church in Cades Cove, John Oliver and Peter Cable are also mentioned along with Taylor in the early church records.

James Taylor’s pension documents were also witnessed and sworn to by William Ballue and his neighbor Isaac Campbell. He lists several notable Blount Countians who would swear to his pension service sworn statement: John Walker, James Houston, George Ewing, John Martin, James Upton, George Caldwell, and David McKamy. The pension was approved in 1831, and he was granted $56.66 per year.

Based on the three times of service above Taylor’s application for a land grant was approved in 1833.

James and his family likely settled in the east end of Blount County given that his church footprint is left on several of those area churches.

James’ children include Nancy Taylor who married William Williamson and moved to Davidson Co., Benjamin married Lettieca Upton, William married Elizabeth Snider and moved to Missouri, Charles married Elizabeth Denton and moved to Alabama, Randolph who married Mary Denton and also moved to Alabama.

Phoebe Taylor married James Magill “Hoss” Walker, John married Susannah Blair and moved to Hamilton Co. Johua married Mary Brickey, Frances married a Hartley and moved to Texas, Nancy married Archibald Hale and moved to Anderson County, Pleasant married Elizabeth Waters, and Susannah married William James Davis and moved to Missouri.

James Taylor died on March 3, 1841, at the age of 81.

He is buried in a marked grave at Centenary Baptist Church Cemetery. Susannah Cook Taylor has no known gravesite.