*****
DAVID WISDOM (WKPT13C@prodigy.com)

THE NORMAN TALAFER

Alas poor Talafer is dead from battle, for now almost a millennium.  No one in history is looked upon by so many as Father of their family line. He is said to be responsible for all the Taliaferros.  The Taylors have also set claim on this warrior.  So many descendants have created great fame for Talafer, he would be amazed and slightly confused.

He may say "It might be true, but I do not recall" (1)*

One minor problem is that Talafer never had a child in or out of wedlock.(2)*

Did they have test tubes in those days or just lawyers out for 50% of the property?  Maybe visiting Martians?

*(1)  Kit Carson's reply when asked about the stories made up about him.

*(2) Paul Gelroff, great scholar on ancient Royalty.  He may still be on
 AOL.

- - - - - - - -
JEAN (RSD1145) poses a question which applies to a number of medical issues.
****I was wondering if, in your next letter, you might have room to inquire as to any descendants who have Parkinson's disease.  I have it and heard recently that it can be inherited but no one in my immediate family has it - just curious -  thanks.

NEW MEMBERS

GEORGE TELLIFERRO ( GTellifero):  George, this is a terrific narrative about your pioneering family.
*****
Much of my information comes from Nell Sherman's book "Taliaferro-Toliver, Family Records."  I have heard that this publication contains errors, and am sure it does since my line is omitted.  I was born 27 Oct 1926, at Batesland, SD.  Batesland's nearest claim to fame is the fact that it is about 15 miles due east of the Wounded Knee battle field, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.  .....My father (John Tellifero b. 23 Nov. 1889 - d. 15 Mar 1976) broke much of the original prairie -- that is plowed the grass under and converted it to farm land. .....My Grandfather, born Elijah Jefferson Taliaferro, 14 Mar 1861 in Smithton, MO.,  died 30 Sep 1945, changed the spelling of the name to the current Tellifero, probably 192?.  He operated trading posts on the Indian Reservations.  His first store was at Macy, NE, then he went to the Blackfoot at the east gate of Glacier Park, where his oldest son (Orin Alonzo, 'Lonnie,' was born 21 Apr. 1887 and died 10 Feb. 1982) continued as a store keeper and served as a county commissioner.  To my knowledge the spelling just evolved over a period of time.  As late as 1925, the spelling Taliaferro was in use - however my father was discharged from the Army in 1919 as John W Telliferro, and he denied knowing that he had dropped the 2nd 'r'!!.....Elijah was the youngest child of James Andrew Taliaferro (b.12 Dec 1832, in Peoria, IL and died 26 Aug 1931 at Jacksonville, FL) and Catherine Holland.  James entered the Missouri Militia as a 1st Lt. in Dec of 1861.  He was severely wounded, 'left in the hands of the enemy' and eventually reported as dead from wounds at the Battle of Pea Ridge.  Somehow he avoided capture and got to Ft Smith AR were he met and was nursed back to health by Amanda Jane Beckworth.  They married 3 Sep 1863 at Pine Bluff AR.  This marriage and the 13 children and their descendants are all in Nell Sherman's book......Catherine Holland Taliaferro took her family and followed her eldest daughter (Sarah) to Iowa.  Sarah married a Daniel Thomas Rhode in Bethany, MO and moved to Iowa.  At some time and some where in Iowa (?) she married a man named Robinson.  I have a cousin, still living, that speaks of Grampa Robinson. Catherine has just disappeared.

          < If anyone has any information on Catherine Holland Taliaferro, please advise. >
 
......James Andrew's parents were Jefferson Taliaferro, (b. 18 Jul 1801, in Cynthia, KY, and died at Farmer's Branch 7 Sep 1870) and Nancy McClelland second of three wives.  Whether James Andrew and Jefferson ever saw each other or spoke after the Civil War is a matter of conjecture.  There is no indication that they were aware of each others presence, but they died and are buried within 100 miles of each other.

QUERIES

DAVID WISDOM (WKPT13C@prodigy.com) challenges - a good thing - my proposition that Joane Lane, wife of Bartholomew Taliaferro, was the daughter of John Lanye.  We'd be interested in more information if anyone has it.  Says David:

****
All other sources have repeated the idea of Thomas Lane being her father. Are you accepting John Lanye as her father?   Any record of John having a brother Thomas?  Has anyone ever checked the IGI files for the Lanes?

[My response to David:  Until someone comes up with a better origin for Joane Lane, I'm accepting her ancestry as presented it in the last issue.  Maybe someone will look into the Lane/Lanye/Lanier family of London in IGI, or elsewhere, and send a report.]

RESPONSES

WAYNE (wwr@netdepot.com) enlarges our discussion - a good thing - about whether Bartholomew Taliaferro of London was a musician. *****Henry G Taliaferro of New York has had several things in the VA Genealogist. Vol 38 No 3, July-Sept 1994 .  One article by Henry involved his
investigation of the witnesses to Bartholomew Taliaferro's Will in London in 1601. There were several - all Italian, all musicians. He found that Queen Elizabeth imported Italian musicians to play at her Court, preferring their techniques and style. I cannot find my copy but it will be in the Periodical index. Just look for Henry G Taliferro.
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ANNE HAMLIN (AHamlin777) responding to LARRY's (SXGY62A@prodigy.com) question about whether General George Catlett Marshall was a Taliaferro descendant transmitted a  chart demonstrating that General Marshall's descent:
 
Nicholas Taliaferro of "Totterdown Hill." the son of William Taliaferro (son of John-2) and Mary Battaile.  He was b: October 30, 1757, "Newington." Orange Co., VA;  d: January 1812 Augusta, Bracken Co.,  KY.

[Note 1:  Anne enhanced this information with an ancestry chart. Unfortunately, it fell apart in transmission . I hope I extracted the above information accurately, Anne.  If I didn't, I'll be happy to run a correction next week. ]

[Note 2:  Among the Taliaferro papers at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond VA is an original letter to Nicholas Taliaferro, dated in the early 1800s and addressed as follows: "To -Mr. Nicholas Taliaferro; Totterdown Hill; Rappahannock River."  I guess he received it. Preservation of this letter serves as a reminder to us of the reliance of colonial citizens on the waterways. They were the super highways of the 18th century and the key to westward migration.]
 
TALIAFERROS IN EUROPE

Again our thanks to ELLETRA AND RAY WEATHERS (rrw@htcomp.net) for their quick response and this demonstration of the level of their commitment to insuring the success of our newly launched discovery of the Taliaferro family. ******Source: "Historic Georgia Families," compiled by L. W. Rigsby,
Genealogical Publishing Company, 1969.     CHAPTER II.   "THE TALIAFERRO ARMS AND FAMILY TRAITS"

"The crest of arms that was adopted by the English branch of the Taliaferro family bears the motto "Viresco,"  meaning "I Flourish"; thus signifying the unison of the Plantgenet and English line of rulers.

"The Italian crest, which is generally accepted as the most authentic, has been adopted by the Virginia branch of the Taliferro family.  .... It is as follows:

"It is a shield with a bar of iron crossing from the sinister chief to the dexter base, a sword of gold cutting through the bar of iron; handle of sword in dexter chief; point in sinister base; one gold  rowel for a spur, or mullet, in honor point; another in pacific middle base.  Colors:  Pure ruby in right shield, pure silver in left, bar of iron brown, sword gold, rowels gold.  Crest above the shield is an ancient helmut of blue.  Motto: "Fortis et Firmis."

"To give an accurate and comprehensive account of personal traits and characteristics of the Taliaferro family is no easy task; for it is only after years of association, observation, and experience that one can truly appreciate their many virtues and discount their shortcomings.  It is only here and there that one finds a descendant of the present generation who still clings to the old personalities which predominated this people; the old customs and ways of living which guided their lives in the home, in politics, in war and in religion; yet to fully grasp the context of this sketch, it is essential to know something of their family life and the principles for which they stood; to know that they ranked first in war and first in peace; were loved by friend and admired by foe; and surmounting all else was their unchanging faith and trust in the Almighty God.

"The earliest traditional accounts of the Taliaferro family, dating back to 58 B. C., show them to be a tribe of barbarians, living about twelve miles from the present site of Florence, Italy. The old legend states that they excelled in music and in warfare; being born to the one, they achieved the other and history as well as tradition shows that they sang as they entered into battle.

"Wace, the chronicler describes the brave minstrel thus:

        "Taillefer [sic], who sang very well,
          On a horse that ran swiftly,
          Went before the duke singing
          Of Charlemagne and of Roland,
          Of Oliver and of the Vassals
          Who died at Roncesvalles."

"Their lives were marked by courage, bravery, and a desire for leadership. From the earliest period they have fought, bled and died for their country's cause; thus proving the truth of the words of the late Theodore Roosevelt, 'Only those are fit to live are not afraid to die.'

Other features which characterized this family are ambition, influence, and power. They also possessed a marked degree of culture and education. During the Medieval Age a branch of this family married into the Royal household; the children of their flesh and blood have held in their hands the destiny of nations. They threw aside the bonds of barbarism and achieved the highest honors that God has bestowed upon mortal man. They were men whom power could not corrupt; death could not terrify; defeat could not dishonor.

As to  personal appearance, they are said to have possessed to a marked degree the Italian type of brunette beauty, being tall and stalwart of form. As to religion, they were no doubt of the Roman Catholic faith, but after the emigration of the family to England, they adhered to the Church of England  and the old church records of Virginia show that during the Colonial period they were still of the Episcopal faith.  It was no doubt desire for religious freedom and conquest which caused the emigration of the family to America.  Dr. John Taliaferro and his children were of the Baptist faith. But regardless of the sect or creed, one seldom found a Taliaferro who failed to manifest the utmost faith and trust in God.  The church and state
records indicate that the descendants of the Emigrant, Robert Taliaferro, were men of honor and of trust; holding high social, political, and religious offices in the old Virginia Colony.

"In the family of Dr. John Taliaferro there predominated certain characteristics so marked as to be termed by some members of the family the "Taliaferro Trademark."  Among the present day descendants one seldom finds these characteristics combined in one personality; however, it is still in evidence among some branches, the most noticeable being the Tennessee branch of the family. Mr. John Dickerson Rose, Kingston, Tenn., in describing these characteristics says:  "As to family traits, our people are very clanish,
they will scrap with themselves, nothing serious; but for an outsider to interfere and impose on any member of the family, the whole branch resents it, and it means a sure enough fight.  As to religion, they are all Baptists and as to politics, they are all democrats, and I mean sure enough ones at that. My mother is still an unconquered rebel and she doesn't mean Confederate either, just a plain rebel.  Our Kentucky kinsmen are feudists. They have been killing and being killed for about one hundred years, but
civilization is finally overcoming that."  A vivid description of these Kentucky feudists, referred to by Mr. Rose may be found in the 'Trail of the Lonesome Pine.'

"These boys were reared according to the best standards of their day, but they evidently inherited a double portion of the fighting spirit which so characterized those of the early Christian Era.  Their fellow kinsmen were gratified to know that these feudists have laid aside the armour of warfare and have returned to civilization and to God.

"In speaking of family traits, Mrs. Luvenia Taliaferro, wife of the late Richard Dickerson Taliaferro, says that the Taliaferro by word is "By Blood." Her husband served with honor and distinction during the War Between the States;  he and his brothers singing as they entered into battle. He was present when Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox and said, "I would rather die than surrender."  His wife relates an amusing incident which occurred when Mr. Taliaferro had already passed his three score years and ten.  He and his good wife attended a circus at Leon, Oklahoma, during which the band played "Dixie."  He felt the old southern blood tingling in his veins; waving his hat high in the air, he entered the ring amidst the cheers of spectators and cried, "Play it again!  Play it again!"  His wife rushing to his side, tapped him on the shoulder and said, "Hush Papa, you'll get arrested."  Paying no attention to her entreaty, he shouted, "By blood, there aren't enough men under this tent to arrest me."  He continued to wave his hat and
sing, while the band continued to play the old southern melody and the crowd laughed and cheered.

"Family tradition credits the home of Dr. John Taliaferro with being a home where love and religion walked hand in hand.  It is said that the love they bore for one another surpassed all understanding; friends and visitors found the welcome of true southern hospitality awaiting them; and the stranger
within their midst found the latch-string on the outside of the door.  Their hearts were kind; they delighted in relieving the wants of their fellow creatures, and cultivated that divine pleasure by the most liberal and unpretending methods; to the poor they were benefactors; to the rich, examples; to the wretched, comforters; their piety went hand in hand with their benevolence, and they thanked their Creator for being permitted to do good."

[Note:  Contemporary Virginia Taliaferros speak rather fondly of another Taliaferro trait not mentioned above:   'Taliaferros' they say, 'are known to be haughty.']

RESEARCH

Published lineages abound (whether right or wrong) and are accessible through sources like the Virginia Magazine of Biography and History and Virginia Genealogies.

Not readily available are compiled county records of Taliaferro ancestors which tell us of their environment --  who were their neighbors, what historical events influenced them, what community service did they undertake. Understanding this is the essence of understanding the American Taliaferro
family.  For instance, by following this line of investigation, I learned that an ancestor stood on a hill near the upper James while his home and that of his neighbors washed away in 1769.  I know where he was on July 20, 1776, who he breakfasted with in Albemarle County, what he ate and who his companions were. I know what water course he saw every day when he walked out the door, where the mill was, and the ferry that carried him across the river, how he came to meet and marry my ggg grandmother who lived in another county.

Unless we recreate the environment of our ancestors, unless we envision their landscape, unless we know what events charted their lives, unless we know THEM, then we will learn little about our heritage.  That's my soapbox for today.
 
MISCELLANY

The following excerpt is from the newly published "Hallowed Ground, Preserving America's Heritage,"  by Rudy Abramson  with Photographs by Kenneth Garrett and Jack Kotz. The pictures of the Virginia countryside are breathtaking and the prose is colorful and lively, written by a journalist who has researched his subject well. The book was inspired by Disney's attempt about two years ago to build a theme park near Manassas VA in Prince William County.  No one knew until all the land had been purchased that the countryside was destined to become a theme park.  A lively debate and thunderous objections ensued, and Disney walked away from Virginia.  Here are a few plaudits for this outstanding publication.

..... Here, in a heartfelt combination of text and photographs, but attractive and authentic, is a panoramic explication of an American heritage worth fighting to preserve. This volume, which is at once a celebration and a symbol of resolve, can be the rock around which the forces of historical preservation can rally when the time comes and the need arises.  -- Shelby Foote, Author of 'The Civil War:  A Narrative.'

.....The words and magnificent photographs in these pages are a transporting experience.  This is home ground for all Americans, wherever they may live or whatever their origins.  Here is a landscape like none other, in fact and in the national memory.  Rudy Abramson and photographers Kenneth Garrett and
Jack Kotz have caught Virginia's spirit of place exactly and remind us again of those treasures in our heritage that are truly priceless.  --  David McCullough, Author of 'Truman.'

.....This book makes a compelling and gloriously illustrated case for preserving one of the great historic and cultural landscapes in America.  It will surely persuade a larger audience of what many of us have known for a long time:  the Virginia Piedmont is an irreplaceable national treasure.  -- Richard Moe, President of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Excerpts:
"By  1700, the population of the Virginia Colony had grown to 58,000, and it was increasing at the rate of more than 20 percent each decade.  Into the Piedmont rolled a wave of settlement, stimulated by the steady arrival of new immigrants from Europe, the deterioration of Tidewater soil repeated planted
in tobacco, and the enticement of land speculators.  The westward movement became a primary objective of the colonial government in Williamsburg during the administration of Alexander Spotswood, a combative and ambitious lieutenant governor.

... "On the Rapidan River, some thirty miles above the falls of the Rappahannock in present-day Orange County, he planned to locate a settlement of Tuscaroras who had moved into Virginia from North Carolina.  The site was precisely where the main Iroquois hunting trail crossed the river.

As a further incentive, he offered to station a minister, a teacher, and a small military detail in the village and to send Englishmen regularly to trade for furs.  Evidently, this was not enough for tribal leaders, for they led their people back to North Carolina.

Spotswood was undeterred.  Rangers riding the frontier had reported finding silver and iron ore in the Rappahannock Valley, so the governor decided to establish a mining village at the site spurned by the Tuscaroras.

.... "In the spring of 1714, the governor constructed his fortress with funds provided by the Virginia Assembly.  Behind its walls, he settled the ninefamilies, totaling forty-two men, women, and children, and named the place German in honor of the residents' homeland and in tribute to Queen Anne.  It was an important event in the opening of the Piedmont."

...."Although his encouragement of settlement and his steps to provide security on the frontier did much to open the Piedmont, Spotswood is best remembered as the first Englishman to reach the Shenandoah Valley.  In 1716, when rangers discovered a passage over the Blue Ridge at Swift Run Gap, the governor quickly organized an expedition and personally led the first venture to stake England's claim to the land beyond the mountains.

"With great fanfare, he departed the Governor's Palace at Williamsburg on August 20, waving to an excited crowd as he grandly rode away in his open carriage.  At Germanna, he assembled a party of sixty-three horsemen, including rangers, Indian guides, and social friends accompanied by servants. Marching behind a trumpet and a pack of hounds, they set off into the wilderness, followed by a string of pack horses loaded with supplies, hunting gear, and an awesome quantity of liquor."