SALUTATIONS
 

BREAK OUT THE FIREWORKS! UNFURL THE BANNERS! HIRE A BAND!
POP THE CHAMPAIGN!  LIGHT THE CANDLES! LET'S CELEBRATE!

We have discovered the other half us us  --   a new 400 year old Taliaferro family .

QUERIES

ROBERT J. CHILDS, SR. (rchilds@ai2a.net)
*****Does anyone have information about William Toliver of North Carolina who was born ca.1780-90, son of Charles Toliver (Taliaferro) and died in Indiana ca.1822.  William had five or more children, one of those children is my descendant line of James Madison, b. 2-14-1811 and married Mary Dalton.  I need to know who James Mother was and back further if possible.   I am sort of stuck on this line.

Thank you for any help you give me.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
WELDON ROGERS (hcfr@mindspring.com) *****Who was Jane Bankhead?  Jane Bankhead Taliaferro died in 1832 at the age of 95 at the home of a grand- daughter in Washington D C. She was the daughter of James Bankhead and Elinor Monroe of St. Margaret's Parish, Caroline County. She was the mother of at least 10 children, none of whom survived her, accounting for some of the confusion about her husband. He has been named John and Richard in different published works. The only thing certain about him is that he lived at Blenheim, the Caroline County estate in St. Margaret's Parish.

Jane Bankhead Taliaferro's personal property was divided among her surviving grandchildren in 1832 by her executor and grandson, Benjamin F Taliaferro, attorney, of Fredericksburg. He left a list of all her children, and their living issue  in 1832, including himself. The list still exists and can be found in the Loose Papers of Caroline County in the Virginia State Library in Richmond.

Among the names appearing on this list as children of Jane Bankhead Taliaferro are Robert Taliaferro who married Ann Hubbard Taylor, Norborne Taliaferro who married Elizabeth Bankhead Buckner, Sarah Taliaferro who married John McKenney, Jane Taliaferro who married Francis Whitacker Taliaferro (parents of Benjamin F Taliaferro) and Hay Taliaferro who married Mildred Pendleton Taylor.

Jane Bankhead's husband is not named in the list but can be determined from the land tax lists of Caroline County 1787-1814. In 1787.  Robert Taliaferro owned 2130 acres of land in Caroline County. He died in 1791 and the land was distributed in 1793 to his widow Jane (367 acres) and sons William (733 acres), Norborne (410 acres) and Robert (500 acres). Another 620 acres, mortgaged to William Durrett, went to Robert Jr. in 1798 when the mortgage was paid. Son William does not appear on the list of 1832 because he left no issue that was living in 1832.

Robert's lion share of the estate indicates he was probably the oldest son with William second and Norborne 3rd. The shares of William and Jane are within a few acres of the amount of land at Blenheim (1150 acres) sold at auction after Jane's death in 1832. Son William died before 1810 and Son Robert before 1811 when their shares were taxed to their estates.

Who was this Robert Taliaferro? He is distinguished in the records from his older relative, Robert Taliaferro III (1687-1768) by being called Jr, Younger or Gentleman. He served on the Caroline Court for many years, living only 5 miles from the Courthouse. John of the Mount (ca 1690-1763) was Robert's security for the purchase of Blenheim from Roger Madison in 1752. Robert was the Co-Executor of John Taliaferro of the Mount's estate on his death in 1763, becoming sole executor after his brother Francis Taliaferro's death in 1768.

Claude Lanciano, an architectural historian, believes that the house at Blenheim was designed by Richard Taliaferro of Powhatan, younger brother of John of the Mount, uncle of Robert of Blenheim, and built about 1755. Details of the structure match others of known origin: the Wythe House and Powhatan.

The inspiration for the Zachariahs in Richard Taliaferro and Rose Berryman's family comes from Richard's brother Zachariah who died in 1722 without issue, leaving property to Richard (d 1748). But that's another long story.

Can anyone produce a genuine Bible record for Richard Taliaferro and Rose Berryman? If their son Richard was born in 1747 and Jane Bankhead was born in 1737, she was sure robbing the cradle . . . and their first child would be delayed until about 1767.

From:  Wayne Rogers with a lot of help from Eleanor T Waters, Dr. James F Klumpp and Henry G Taliaferro.
 

TALIAFERROS OF EUROPE

JOYCE BROWNING (Jbrown7169@aol.com) ****Here is brand new, never before seen evidence that confirms the identity of Joane Lane, wife of Bartholomew Taliaferro of London.

To review briefly what we know:  English records state unequivocally that Bartholomew Taliaferro of London was a Merchant, that he emigrated under the sponsorship of the Duke of Venice, and that he received denization status as a Merchant in 1562.  Nevertheless, the tradition has persisted in the
Taliaferro family that we are descended from a musician in the court of Elizabeth I. This tradition has withstood the test of four hundred years and the relocation of the family from London to a New World over 2500 miles away.  For a tradition to persist so resolutely, there has to be a reason -- and there is.

Bartholomew Taliaferro married Joane Lane (sic) on January 1,1584  at St. Michael's Church, Cornhill, London.  Based on my research of 15 years ago, I proposed to TT subscribers a possible explanation for the persistence of the court musician tradition in Issue No. 2, November 6, 1996 . My speculation was that Joane Lane might be a descendant of the Lanyre/Lanier family of London. Now before us are the wills of John and Elinor Lanier that provide ample circumstantial evidence their kinswoman, Joane, was the wife of Bartholomew Talliaferro.  Accompanying notes from the same source expand the knowledge
of this family  -  our family  -  our Lanier family.

  . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . .  . .Heads up, Hubbards! . . Heads up, Jennings! . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .
Source:  Virginia Gleanings in England.  Lothrop Withington.  1980

**Will of John Lanier:  Dated 27 Jan 1649.  My wife Ellinor Lanier to be ex'trix in whatsoever is due to me either in the Exchecquer or the Great Wardrobe or the Treasury Chamber.  She to have disposing of my children. Witnesses:  Edw. Maylard, John Roberts.  Prob. 28 Aug 1650 by Eleanor L., relict & extrix.  (Pembroke, 135)

[Ed. Note:  The brevity of this will and the dates will raise a new set of questions.  Was John Lanier in danger of losing his life because of his closeness to the Monarchy?  Another Lanier, Nicholas, fled the country with Charles II and survived.  Was John Lanier less fortunate?]

**Will of Elinor Laniere, relict of John Lanier of London, late deceased. Dated 23 Apr 1652. To be bur'd in St. Giles' churchyard where my late husband was.  To my son John L. ring etc., his father's picture & all his books.  To my dau'r. Frances, silver porriger etc., moneys in my present chambers.  To my dau'r Elizabeth, Spanish silver dish etc. Whereas there is due to me from Mr. Thomas Harris for so much goods of mine as he hath now in his hands, 70 pounds, same to my dau'r Frances for maintenance of my younger dau'r Elizabeth.  To my mother my deathshead ring.  Whereas there is an estate fallen to me by death of my kinsman, Mr. John Woodburne, which is yet in dispute, what is due to go to my three children John, Frances & Elizabeth.  And whereas my late husband Jo. L., left me his executrix and bequeathed me his whole estate & several sums still due, same to sd. three children equally, John & Elizabeth being under 18 & unmarried.

My son in law Thomas Hubbard to be ex'or & Mr. Ambrose Jennings, of London, merchant, to be overseer.   Witnesses:  Will. Lullingden, Richard Seaman. Prob. 22 July 1652 by Thomas Hubbard, the Ex'or.  (Bower, 150)

Accompanying notes from Virginia Gleanings:
. . . . The emigrant ancestor of the Virginia family was John Lanier, who lived in what is now Prince George County in 1676.  He died in 1717 leaving four sons, Nicholas, Sampson, John and Robert.  It will be seen that Nicholas was a favorite name among the English Laniers.  There is a short account of the Virginia family in the "William & Mary Quarterly  XV, 77-79."

The Laniers in England are stated in the "Dictionary of National Biography," to have been of French origin.  [Ed. Note:  another source states that the family originated in Italy and resided for a time in France before going to London.]  John Lanier is referred to in 1577, as having been a musician and
a native of Rouen, France.  He owned property in Crutched Friars, Parish of St. Olave, Hart Street, London.  He was probably the father of "John Lanyere, musician to her Majesty."  This John Lanyere or Lanier, married, Oct 12, 1585, at the Church of the Holy Minories, London, Frances, daughter of Marc Anthony Gallilardo, who had served as musician to Henry VIII and his three successors.

The most distinguished of the family, Nicholas, son of John Lanier (2) just referred to, was baptized at the Holy Minories, London, Sept. 10, 1688.  He became musician to the royal household and in 1604 was "musician of the flutes."  He held, subsequently , a high position among the royal musicians, both as a composer and performer.  Among other music he composed, that for Ben Jonson's masques:  "Lovers Made Men" (1617), and "The Vision of Delights," as well as paining the scenery for the latter.  At the accession of James I he was made Master of Music, with a pension of 200 pounds a year.  He was also a painter and skilled amateur of works of art.  In 1625 he was sent abroad by Charles I, to purchase pictures and statues, and is considered to have been the first, with the exception of Thomas, Earl of Arundel, to appreciate the worth of drawings and sketches of the great masters.  With the outbreak of the Civil War, the fortunes of the family declined, and Nicholas Lanier followed the Stuarts into exile.  At the Restoration, he was restored to his office and died Feb.1665-6.

Another Nicholas Lanier, probably uncle of the preceding [and son of John Lanier (1)], was musician to Queen Elizabeth in 1581 &c.  He owned considerable property in East Greenwich, Blackheath and the neighborhood. He had four daughters and six sons, John (died 1650), Alphonso (d. 1613), Innocent (d. 1615), Jerome (d. 1657), Clement (d. 1661) and Andrea (d. 1659). All of them were musicians in the service of the crown and some of their children succeeded to their posts.  The will of Nicholas Lanyer, gent., gave his lands &c to his wife Lucrece and 12 d. apiece to his sons named.  Mrs. Lucretia Lanier was buried at Greenwich, May 31, 1634.

A third Nicholas Lanier, probably a cousin of the musician and painter, was born in 1568 and published two volumes of etchings.  He was probably the person of the name buried at St. Martins-in-the-Fields Nov. 4, 1646.
__________

The identification of Joane Lane as Joane Lanier is based on a minimum of six points of convergence, sufficient evidence to validate her identity.

1.  Joane Lane, as published in the Registry of St. Michael's Cornhill, is probably the clerk's  corruption of the name Laneyre/Lanier.

2.  Marc Anthony Gallilardo was the father of Frances, the wife of John Lanier (2) and he was a witness to the will of Bartholomew Taliaferro in 1603.

3.  Bartholomew and Joane Taliaferro and John (2) and Frances Lanier lived on Hart Street in London, not a long street, and both families were parishioners of St. Olaves.

4.  Thomas Hubbard was Executor of the will of Elinor Lanier, and the Hubbard and Taliaferro families retained a close relationship after members emigrated to America.

5.  The Bartholomew Taliaferros named one son Jeromme, a named used by the Lanier family.

6.  Both John and Nicholas, given names used by the Laniers, are not used by the European Taliaferros, but are given names of sons in the early Taliaferro family in America.

Based on the foregoing, it becomes apparent that Joane Lane/Laneyere was a descendant of  Nicholas Lanier (1).  John Lanier (1) did not have a daughter named Joane, and John Lanier (2) was too young to have been her father. They would have been cousins.
 

COLONIAL TALLIAFERROS

ANNE BAKER (abaker@searnet.com), the non subscriber who shared information with us last week now suspects that she may well be a Taliaferro descendant, and is now a subscriber/contributor.  All you Harrisons, welcome Anne to our group, and tell her what her Taliaferro line is. *****Since hearing from you I am finding Taliaferro interacting with my later families in Ky & GA/SC, but no marriages that I know of  --  yet.

FAMILY LINEUP

James Harrison MC 1674, Mrs. Elizabeth () Mott, widow of George Mott (Old Rappahannock County VA).  James Harrison died 1712 in Essex Co (now Caroline Co) on his land which lay between Snow and Ware Creeks.

     1 Child: Jael Harrison, BC 1676, married William Williams, d. 1712, Essex County (now Caroline*)
    a. James Williams, died Aug 1735 Spottsylvania Co VA married Ann, d. after 1735 b.  Sarah Williams married Philemon Cavenaugh. He died 1744, Orange Co VA. Married 2nd Richard Covington
      c.  Elizabeth Williams, married ca 1719 William Marshall, son of Thomas and Martha   Sherwood Marshall of Westmoreland Co VA.  William Marshall died Nov 1757 in    Caroline Co.  Elizabeth died after 1768 in Caroline

Jael Harrison Williams married 2nd Richard Johnson **, son of Henry Johnson, d. 1703 Essex
 
 d.  Elizabeth Johnson m. 7 Oct 1731, Spotsylvania Co VA, Richard Tutt, son of Dr.   Richard Tutt and Mary Underwood.  Another son of Richard and Mary Underwood, James   Tutt married a granddaughter of George Mott and Elizabeth Mott.  Elizabeth (Johnson)  Tutt died 1767, Spotsylvania Co VA and Richard Tutt died testate Nov 1767, Spotsylvania  Co.  Richard Tutt BC 1703.  Had 5 sons.

**Richard Johnson died in Spotsylvania 1726.  His widow, Jael, administered his estate.  A short time before his death he had withdrawn as a Justice of Spotsylvania because of ill health.

Jael (Harrison) Williams/Johnson died testate in Spotsylvania County Aug 1733 and her son, Jame, who had run a ferry and grog shop, rented out the farms of about 400 acres.  The ferry was at the mouth of Hazel Run, just east of Fredericksburg and the farm land lay behind it.

Later there were lawsuits involving Charles Taliaferro over this land.  He had sold/transferred it to Jael and the lines were not clear.  These have been somewhat abstracted in several books for historical work, not genealogy, and the authors perceived the data differently.  This mess apparently goes back several generations

JOHNSON FAMILY:

Henry Johnson married (1) ___?___.  She died before 1695 when he set up a trust for his four daughters preparatory to his marrying Mrs. Christian Bourne.

Children of the first wife:
1.  Richard Johnson married Mrs. Jael (Harrison) Williams after 1712.
 a.  Elizabeth Johnson married Richard Tutt.
2.  Elizabeth Johnson.  She apparently married in 1702 (see will  of Henry Johnson)
3.  Sarah Johnson
4.  Katherine Johnson
5.  Ann Johnson

Richard, Sarah, Katherine, and Ann were all underage and not married in 1702
(see will of Henry Johnson, dated 1702)

This Henry Johnson is not to be confused with another Henry Johnson, orphan in 1685, who married Elizabeth Muffitt, step-daughter of Richard Bond who came from Maryland.  Henry and Elizabeth Muffit Johnson were still married in 1700. He is associated with a Thomas Johnson (wife Mary) and another Richard Johnson of Essex County, but in another area.  The relationship, if any, to Henry Johnson, father of Richard and the four daughters is not know at this time.
 

RESEARCH

BETTY ANN SMIDDY (103107.3363@compuserve.com)

*****Death of Major Taliaferro (1835)

Since the last issue of THE SUN there has passed from our midst a citizen who helped materially to make Winchester what it is today - one of the most peaceable, thrifty and moral towns in Kentucky. Major John Taliaferro died last Saturday morning at 2:30 o'clock, and was buried Sunday afternoon from the Presbyterian church. He was born in this county, near Winchester, July 24, 1814, and throughout his life had been blest with remarkable health and vigor. He was the son of Hay Taliaferro, of Carolina county, Va., and his mother's maiden name was Betsy Tutt. It is an old and honorable name, not only in Virginia but in French and English history. In Normandy, whence the family came, it was spelled Taillefer - John Taillefer was knighted by Charles the Bald in 840, and John Taillefer, the Troubadour, went singing into the fight at Hastings and was the first man killed in that great struggle. The family has figured conspicuously and usefully in the history of Virginia from 1633, when the first member of it made his home there.

Col. William Byrd speaks of a Taliaferro as being associated with him on a commission to race the sources of the Rappahannock. St. George Parrish in Spottsylvania County, Ware Neck church in Gloucester, and the towns of Fredericksburg and Port Royal were founded by the Taliaferros.

The Thorntons, Aylettes, Tutts, Hays, Grimes, Throckmorton, Woodfords, Taylors and Taliaferros were all related. Through the Grimes family, Major Taliaferro was connected with Gen. Robert E. Lee, whose pictures strongly suggest the relationship. Three companies of minute men in Virginia at the outbreak of the Revolution were commanded by Taliaferros. They bore their part with distinguished valor and patriotism in the war that achieved our independence and have been active participants in every succeeding war. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch died from wounds received in the Revolutionary army. Major Taliaferro was a cousin of Gen. Alexander Galt Taliaferro and Gen. Wm. B. Taliaferro, both of whom gained distinction as Confederate soldiers.

John Taliaferro, who served in Congress longer than any other man from Virginia ever did, was also his kinsman.

In 1842, Major Taliaferro married Lucy Elizabeth Hickman, daughter of Squire Wm. Hickman, and niece of Richard Hickman, who was Lieutenant Governor during Shelby's second term and himself an old and valiant soldier. Mrs. Taliaferro died many years ago, after having borne four children - Charles Hay, who lived only six years, Mrs. J. V. Morton, now teaching city school, Mrs. Judge W. M. Beckner and Mrs. Dr. I. H. McKinley.

For nearly fifty years, Major Taliaferro was engaged in the dry goods business and no man ever had the confidence of his patrons in a higher degree. For a short while he as a merchant in Lexington, and spent a few years as a farmer in Kenton County, Ky. and in Saline county, Mo.

He was a Postmaster of Winchester during Pierce's administration and also during Cleveland's first term. In 1868 he was elected Clerk of the Clark Circuit Court, and held this office for a period of six years. Whilst residing in Lexington over 58 years ago, he was made an Elder of the Presbyterian church, and on returning to Winchester was elected to the same position here. For forty odd years, he was Superintendent of the Sunday School in the Presbyterian church at this place, and took the tenderest interest in children and in all matters affecting their welfare or interest. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren have never found "grandpa's" age a barrier to affectionate intercourse and familiarity.

In every movement for the development of the county or town in which he lived. he was always found at the front favoring a liberal progressive policy. It was not in his nature to be bigoted or narrow or intolerant. In his politics he was always a Democrat of the Jeffersonian faith, and believed firmly in the policies of Jackson and Cleveland. His tastes were all simple and plain, and his life was an open book. He despised shams or deceit, and honored courage, manhood and sincerity wherever found. One of the last requests he made of his family was to put no lies on his tombstone. Years ago a friend who had amassed a large fortune said that he would give all he had for John Taliaferro's undoubting faith. It did not forsake him  in his last days. His deathbed was practically without pain or anxiety,  and his whole career was such as to leave the recollection of him a sweet memory to his family and friends. When he failed in business, some fifteen years ago, his assets and account to them for the proceeds without bond or security of any kind. He had the proud satisfaction of finally paying every dollar that he owed, but it was always gratifying to him to know that such confidence had been reposed in his integrity. His kindness of heart and generous disposition made him too prone to give credit where it was not deserved, but no man ever had occasion to doubt his word of his absolute fairness. To him might with peculiar propriety the words of the great poet be applied:

"His life was gentle, and the elements So mixed in him that Nature might stand up  And say to all the world, "This was a man."
 

__________________________________________________________________
TALIAFERRO TIMES is compiled from email contributions and other sources. Information distributed by this newsletter is the sole responsibility of each contributor.  Any questions regarding items contained herein should be sent to the individual submitter.  The editor reserves the right to edit for brevity and clarity.
Distributed by Joyce Browning         cJBrown7169@AOL.com
11 March  1998
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deanna@spingola.com
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