SALUTATIONS
Delivery Date Change: TT will not distributed on 12 Feb. The next issue will be on 19 Feb. This is due to ye old Editor's visit in Key West, FL. I may or may not be able to send and receive email during this visit, so if you write and don't hear from me, I'll play catch up for a few days after return home.
BETTY SMIDDY (103107.3363@CompuServe.COM) sends the following message
to all. For Weldon Rogers and whomever else interested, there is a Harrison
genealogy group. Contact Richard Harrison <76774.3517@COMPUSERVE.COM>.
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Conflicting information continues to arise as more information is added
to our Taliaferro Trove. Anyone who has studied the Taliaferro family
in any depth is aware of the frequency of conflicts and unresolved questions.
At present I'm collecting information in three files to help us arrive
at a concensus on three questions: (1) Connections between
the Taliaferro and Gray families in London and America; (2) Identity of
Katherine Dedman/Grymes, wife of the Rev. Charles Grymes, and her daughter,
Katherine/Sarah Taliaferro, wife of the Immigrant. (3) Identity of the
wife or wives of Francis Taliaferro of London. I received some information
concerning these three questions. If you can bring some insight or
information to these questions, please send it along. Other questions
will be addressed later.
We are the very first generation of Taliaferros to have the opportunity
of perfecting the history of this interesting family - more efficiently
than ever, we can collect extant information, compare it to original sources
(deeds, wills, tax records, etc) and resolve some of the conflicts.
NEW MEMBERS
DICK HOWELL (PDEJ55A@prodigy.com)
******I am searching for my Taliaferro line through the early Caudle/Cordle
and Buckner families. The James Caudle branch seemed to disappear
after 1718 birth of a son James to a James and Sarah Caudle in Gloucester
Co. A James Caudle was buried in 1737 there-from then on nothing
found that area. A James did appear in Brunswick Co. in 1734, but
then disappeared. I presume this was the James born 1717/1718.
Also a Richard Cordle was in Gloucester Co in early 1700's was Sheriff
1703 - 1706, next note is 1704 on Charles City Co. Rent Rolls for 100 acres.
Re the Buckner family, I have all three books wwritten by Mary G
Wright. Sh has done an amazing job, although I question one area
(namely John Buckner and Sarah Morgan children). I'll be happy to
search Ms. Wright's books for Buckner descendants.******
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CHARLOTTE CHILDS (PDEJ55A@prodigy.com) *****The Taliaferro I am researching
is Charles Taliaferro, born about 1663 and died 1734. He married
Mary Carter, I've been told. I am trying to find information about
his descendants. Somewhere down the line the Taliaferro name changed
to Toliver and that is where my line is from. A William Toliver,
as I was told, was the son of Charles Taliaferro. Willam had a son
whose name was James Madison Toliver. I'd be grateful for any information
about this family.
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ANNE HORNE (ahorne@quix.net)
*****My latest Taliaferro is Mary (c. 1679-?) mar. Francis Thornton
II (1681, Essex Co, VA 1752, Essex). They married 1703 in Essex.
My info has her as daughter of Col. John Thornton (1656-1720,
Essex).
Question: My info is that his father is Francis b. 1589, d. 1613,
married c. 1653! Now that's a neat trick. Can someone straighten
this out for me? Thanks.
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JOAN WILLIAMS ( flick1@erols.com)
My name is Joan Williams (b.Oct. 26, 1932) My husband and I live in
Spotsylvania Co, VA. We have three children (middle son is dead)
and five grandchildren. I was born in Missouri and raised in Kansas,
so I kinda claim both states as my home. My husband and I met while
both of us were in the Navy. We are retired ( he gets paid - I don't
- go figure) My favorites things to do are genealogy and my computer.
My husband's line is: Mary Taliaferro b. 1684 Essex Co, Va., married Francis
Thornton. Her parents
were Col. John the Ranger and Sarah Smith. I just started
doing research on
the Taliaferro and Thornton families. I live in an ideal place for
these
genealogies.
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(ernest.fricks@stoneweb.com)
*****I am seeking information, antecedents, etc., for Talifarro Carter,
who appears in the 1840 Roane Co TN census, p. 72 [b. ca1770-80] (000000001-011200010).
He is next to his putative son, Thomas Carter [b. ca1805] (11001-22001).
Thomas is listed in the 1850 Roane census (1641-866) with with Parthena
and children:
William H. b. c1830 (marr. Letha Everett 1854)
Tallifaro b. c1831 (marr. Elizabeth J. Mitchell 1853)
Lucindy b. c1832
Martha b. c1834
Caroline b. c1837
Minerva b. c1838
Albert J. b. c1849
Nancy J. b. c1842
Frances W. b. c1843
Ann E. b. c1844
Mary A. or H. b. c1846-7 (Anah or Hannah in 1860 census)
Thomas listed his birthplace as NC, while Parthena listed VA. The children are all b. TN. Thomas d. 1868 in Roane Co. Thanks for any guidance you can give me.
QUERIES
ANNE HORNE (ahorne@quix.net)
*****While being shown the Fortson/Winn homes in Elbert, GA in 1989,
John Wright Boyd proudly drove us into the woods to show us a monument
to a Talliaferro. John had the huge monument erected. Does
anyone know to whom?
In his book "Lt. Thomas Fortson," he shows the lineage of Mr. Robert
H. Winn of Mt. Sterling, KY from Compendium of American Genealogy
V. VI, 1937, p. 646. (p. 55 of Fortson), "his third generation in
this data: Lucy A. Taliaferro (1808-1849) married Jesse D. Winn,
Jr. 2/2/29." Other Taliaferros in the index are:
Augustine, Charles, John, Kemp, Lewis, Robert, Walker, and William.
All of the references are to VA records. He does not mention
the reason for his GA monument. I hope this will help someone.
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CAROL (MAPurdy16)
I understand that Elizabeth Gaines Catlett, mother of Margaret, was
the daughter of Capt. Daniel Gaines and Margaret Rowzie. Elizabeth
Underwood (Taylor) (Slaughter) (Catlett) Butler in her will named Daniel
Gaines, Edward Rowzie, and Thomas Hawkins as overseers of her children.
I wonder if Margaret is the dau. of Ralph Rowzie. I have this Gaines
line as well, but it ties into my Meriwether line, which in turn, ties
into Taliaferro. Martha Gaines, dau of Daniel & Margaret Gaines, m.
Daniel Harvie. Daniel & Martha Gaines Harvie's daughter Mary m. David
Meriwether. David & Mary Harvie Meriwether's daughter Martha m. Capt.
Benjamin Taliaferro, b. 1750 in VA.
RESPONSES
WELDON ROGERS (hcfr@mindspring.com) responds to TIM TALIAFERRO (HAMWIFE).
*****More information on your family is in W F Johnson's History of
Cooper Co, MO. It gives the eight children of Robert Hay T and Louise Hickox,
with your Charles William T as the oldest and born in Kansas City KS. Robert
Hay was born in 1822 and married in 1852, and died after 1873. Have
you found him in the 1850 or later census records? The State of his birthplace
would be helpful in identifying his parents. Robert Hay T was a traveler.
The birthplaces of his children indicate he lived in KS in 1853, New Mexico
in 1856, MO in 1860, & OK in 1870. We also have a Robert Hay T who
was a Baptist minister in Austin TX but the dates do not fit.
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WELDON ROGERS (hcfr@mindspring.com) responds to LAWRENCE LEE
(SXGY62A@prodigy.com)
***** "One file has their children as:
1. Agatha Taliaferro - This is Agatha Hay, the wife of John of the
Mount.
She received a gift in King George County in 1713 when she was
about 14 years of age.
2. Francis Taliaferro--b. 1697, d. young. This is the nephew mentioned
by
William Catlett in his Will dated 1697. Bequests indicate an earlier
birthdate. No record of him after 1697.
3. John "of the Mount" Taliaferro--b. abt 1699, Virginia, probably
born earlier than his wife.
No birthdate known, died in 1763.
4. Robert Taliaferro--b. abt 1701, Virginia, d. 1725 This is Robert
of
Stafford whose Will lists all his brothers & sisters then living.
His tombstone gives birth and death dates.
5. Richard Taliaferro--b. 1705, Essex County, Virginia, d. Jul 3, 1779
This is Richard of Powhatan, James City County who married Eliz.
Eggleston
6. William Taliaferro--b. Jan 17, 1706/7, Virginia. This is Major William
who married Ann Walker and died in 1757 in Caroline Co. Birthdate is unknown.
He is probably older than his brother Richard whose birthdate of 1705 was
published in his obituary.
7. Elizabeth Taliaferro--b. abt 1709, Prince William County, Virginia,
d.1775 married Thomas Stribling.
"The other file has their children as:"
1. Francis Taliaferro--b. 1697, d. young
2. Zachariah Taliaferro--will probated 1745, Essex County, Virginia,
married unknown abt 1705. I would like to see documentation on this one!
See below on children of John the Ranger. Does anyone have this Will in
Essex in 1745 or any kind of record of his marriage?
3. John "of the Mount" Taliaferro--b. 1699, Virginia
4. Robert Taliaferro--b. abt 1689, d. 1735, Essex County, Virginia,
dates arein error.
5. Elizabeth Taliaferro--b. 1695, d. abt 1775
"Does anyone know the correct information?"
Trust no one. Check everything. You are the only one to be satisfied that it is correct.
This is fairly typical of all the errors which plague T genealogy. My comments are too long to go in TT, but any ideas you have to get this stuff corrected would be wonderful!
PS: Ten of the eleven children of John Taliaferro and Sarah Smith are
mentioned in his will, written in 1715. This may be something that needs
to be in TT, as a matter of record. The full text is in Essex Co Will Book
3, pp 157-8.
COLONIAL TALLIAFERROS
Below is a monograph about another early Taliaferro. By way of
explanation: the monographs which I present through TT were written over
ten years ago when I was actively researching the Taliaferro family in
their home territory - Essex and Caroline County VA. Almost everything
reported is from original county records (not abstracts) and not dependent
on secondary sources. I'm stale on the details of the research now
and am on my fourth computer - the original one was not compatible
with later systems so some data is irretrivable). For this reason,
some of the citations may not specific, but the text contains general references
which confirm an interpretation. Your comments, observations, challenges,
and corrections are appreciated. In this way, we will eventually
have some Taliaferro family monographs on which some concensus has been
reached based on source that are available at the end of the 20th century.
ROBERT TALIAFERRO, II
(c1652-1688)
Essex County, Virginia
Robert Taliaferro II was born in 1652, the eldest son of Robert and Katherine Taliaferro. He was about 19 years old when his father died in 1771. His apparent lack of involvement in the settlement of his father's estate has been commented upon by several observers of the Taliaferro family history. It may be that he lived on the remaining acres of his father's plantation in Gloucester County until 1786.
Under the laws of the 17th century, the father did not always name his eldest son in his will, enumerating only the names and portions of his younger children. By law, the deceased's widow received 1/3 of the real estate and a child's portion of the moveable estate. The portions left to the younger children was specified by the father. If there was no will, the younger children inherited nothing. The entire estate, less the widow's portion, was inherited by the eldest son, even though his name did not appear in the will.
Francis, the second son of Robert I, appears to have been more active than his elder broher, Robert, in managing their father's estate. It has even been suggested by some writers that Robert II suffered from some kind of infirmity. However, many, but not all of the records concerning the estate of Robert Taliaferro I were preserved in Essex County. It is clear that Francis, as the eldest son living in Essex County, acted as administrator of the estate in that county. It is quite probably that at one time, Robert II released his administrative authority for the Essex land to Francis. However, very little remains of the early Gloucester County records and this may obscure the role of Robert II. He evidently inherited and managed the greater portion of the Gloucester plantation after his father's deat. When he moved to Essex County in 1686/7, his younger brother and sister, Charles and Catherine, chose him as their Guardian. That Robert II did not live in Essex County until 1686 is evident by the absence of any reference to him in the country court orders although his brothers, Francis and John, are much in evidence.
In spite of appearances and comments from previous researchers, Robert Taliaferro II assumed control of his inheritance a year after his father's death and as soon as he became old enough to act on his own account. In 1673, he re-registered a patent for 739 adjoining Mr. Henry Corbin and Mr. Charles Grimes in Essex County. He probably applied for the patent on or soon after his 21st birthday. It generally took a minimum of a year to process a patent. Since the patent was issued in 1673 date of issue is a reasonable measure of his age, 22 years, when the patent was perfected. This is the land which becomes the home plantation for the next five or more generations and on which Mount Chruch was erected. This property lay between Golden Vale Creek and Mount Creek; that is between Taliaferro's Mount and the land held by other Taliaferros on Pneumensends' Creek.
Robert Taliaferro II married Sarah Catlett, daughter of John Catlett by April 6, 1687. He was about 35 years old at the time of his marriage. There is no evidence that there had been an earlier marriage; however, later records show that, if there was, no children of a first marriage survived those who lived in the Essex/Caroline County area. Since Sarah Catlett lived in Essex County, it can be assumed that his marriage prompted Robert II's move from Gloucester. He and Sarah, his wife, had only one child, Robert II, whose birth closely coincided with the death of his Father in 1688.
Robert II died intestate at the age of 36 years. His wife, Sarah, petitioned the court for administration of his estate. As a literate man possessed of landed wealth, whose forbears left Wills, it would be most unexpected that Robert Taliaferro II would not have written a will had death been anticipated.
After eliminating the Gloucester estate, which may have been sold when he married, and land inherited by his younger brothers and sister, it appears that Robert II possessed the following tracts in Essex County:
.....366 acres inherited from his father-in-law, John Catlett
.....739 acres re patented in 1773
..1150 acres which represents the balance of his father's property
not inherited by others
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2255 acres total
It is not known whether Robert Taliaferro II sold his Gloucester property or if it was sold by the estate after his death. In 1704 Sarah Catlett (Taliaferro) Sallis is recorded in the Quit Rent Rolls as owning 1,150 acres, all of it in Essex county, the exact amount remaining of her deceased husband's inheritance fom his father's estate in Essex after distribution to younger siblings. It is not known under whose name the 739 acres between the Goldenvale and Mount Creeks was registered at that time, but it is discernable from later records that this land must have been held in trust for Robert III, the infant son of Robert II and his wife Sarah Catlett.
Following her husband's death, Sarah Catlett Taliaferro married Samuel
Sallis, son of her father-in-law's Gloucester partner. After the
death of her second husband, she married Samuel Short.
MISCELLANY
(Continued from Vol. I, No. 13) Abstracted From: "Settlers, Southerners, Americans, The History of Essex County, VA," by James B. Slaughter, 1985.
"The highest praise for Rappahannock County came from Durand de Dauphine. Looking back over his time in America, Durand picked his favorite spot:
" 'I found in Virginia advantages which cannot be discovered in the other colonies in the dependence of England . . . I also deem it necessary to state the reasons why I prefer the provinces of Rappahannock & Stafford to the others in the colony. They are three: pleasantness, health, and fertility . . . I also noticed while traveling that the inhabitants are stouter than elsewhere, their complexions clear and lively.' "
[Editor's Note: Durand's salesmanship of the area (for he very likely was an early 'press agent') was successful. We so often think of the Huguenot settlement, Manakin, in Chesterfield County as the only Huguenot settlement in Virginia. But that was not the case. Robert Beverley, the Historian, was very active in attracting French Huguenots to his Beverley Park, as were the settlers of Stafford County. Governor Spotswood commented that the grapes cultivated and the wine brewed at Beverley's location was as good as any from Europe. Early Huguenot immigrants are found in Westmoreland, Caroline, Stafford, and Prince William Counties. Among them are: Colclough, Ewell, Bertrand, Gallahough, Reno, Broughnough, Charetier, DeNeale, Hough, Jernew, and so on.]
...The smoldering grievances [in the 1670s] of Virginia's small planters erupted in America's first civil war. Bacon's Rebellion of 1676. Indian troubles in the mid-1670s sparked the uprising. In 1675, a trade dispute escalaated into a small war between Virgniia frontiersmen and Maryland Indians. One thousand Westmoreland and Stafford County planters crossed the Potomac River and attacked all Indians indiscriminately. The Maryland Indians retaliated with raids along the entire Virginia frontier, from the Potomac to the James.
Warriors struck Rappahannock County (predecesor of Essex County) in early 1676. Within a ten mile radius of present-day Port Royal, the Indians killed thirty-six settlers and burned sixty plantations. Panic swept Rappahannock and other frontier counties. The settlers urged the governor to declare a war against all Indians.
Governor Berkeley suggested building forts on the frontier to meet the Indian threat. Experienced woodsmen rejected the plan, knowing that soldiers stationed in forts were ineffective against the highly mobile Indians. The frontiersmen asked permission to band together in search-and-destroy missions, but the Assembly chose the Governor's proposal. Disgruntled planters complained that the expensive forts would enrich Governor Berkeley and his contractors, while affording little protection against the Indians.
James River planter Nathaniel Bacon, although a wealthy gentleman and a member of the Governor's Council, was sympathetic to the small planters and their hostility toward all Indians. Bacon began organizing the planters on the uper James River to fight the Indians. Frontiersmen now had a leader of recognized social status to rally around and stand up to Governor Berkeley.
In May of 1676, Bacon and his frustrated followers took action without the government's permission and destroyed a tribe of friendly Indians on the Carolina border. . . . . Rappahannock Countians reached for their muskets at the call for a march against the Indians. In early July of 1676, Bacon's 'northern force' began forming on Piscataway Creek in latter-day central Essex. Hundreds of armed men gathered and many were eager to fight. Reports circulated of "several Houses burned, people killed and wounded in Piscataway." Fifty cavalrymen loyal to Governor Berkeley rushed to Piscataway with, in the words of their commander, "an intention to suppress ye Insolences committed." The northern force was fighting on familiar ground,however, and defeated the Governor's men on July 10th.
After the Piscataway skirmish, Bacon's northern force headed south to
join their commander. The Indians took advantage of the undefended
Rappahannock frontier and burned thirty-seven more farms upriver.
Bacon finally sent Rappahannock native Major Simon Miller to the frontier,
and his troops stopped the attacks. . . . .
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TALIAFERRO TIMES: Compiled from email and other sources
Distributed by Joyce Browning
cJBrown7169@AOL.com
5 February 1996
deanna@spingola.com
Back to Taliaferro Times Index
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