Richard Taylor (c1625-1703)

Richard TAYLOR (abt. 1625-1703)

 * Early settler of Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony. Not to be confused with his (possibly slightly older) contemporary, also of Yarmouth: Richard Taylor (abt 1620-1673), tailor. Both were supposedly married to women by the name of Ruth.

Name variations
Richard "Rock" Taylor

Richard Taylor of the Rock

Vital statistics

 * Sex: Male


 * Born: about 1625 at England (probably)
 * Died: 1, age at death unknown
 * Interment: probably at Yarmouth, Plymouth Colony

Pedigree
The origins and pedigree of Richard "Rock" Taylor are unknown. His emigration date and details are also unknown. (But see below.)

Spouse(s)

 * Ruth Unknown (abt 1625-1693)

Offspring

 * 1) Richard Taylor (1652-1732), b. 9 June 1652; m. Hannah Unknown (1649-1733)
 * 2) Mehitable Taylor (1654-??), b. 23 July 1654; m. 29 Dec 1681 Jonathan Smith (??-??)
 * 3) Keziah Taylor (1657-1734), b. 18 Feb 1656/7; m. 6 Feb 1680/1 Samuel Eldredge (1655-1705).
 * 4) Jasher Taylor (1659-1752), b. 9 May 1659
 * 5) Hannah Taylor (1661-??), b. 17 Sep 1661; m. 26 Aug 1682 Job Jenkins (??-??)
 * 6) Elisha Taylor (1664-1741?), b. 10 Feb 1664; m. bef 1689 Rebecca Wheeler (??-1730)
 * 7) Mary Taylor (1667-??)

Biography

 * Is distinguished from the other Richard Taylor (abt 1620-1673) of Yarmouth because, as noted by James W. Hawes, the Richard Taylor who died in 1703 did not sign his 1693 will, but used a mark, instead, implying illiteracy. Therefore, he is not likely to have been a surveyor, a member of the grand jury, witness to a deed, or a constable. He is also in places referred to as a husbandman, whereas the other was a tailor.

Early life and education

 * There was a Richard Taylor, age 16, on the ship Truelove which departed Gravesend, England on 11 Jun 1635. Other Taylors on that ship were: James Taylor, 28; William Taylor, 17; Ann Taylor, 24.

Military service
Might have been one of the two Yarmouth men able to bear arms in 1643.

Career
Likely a farmer (husbandman) and probably illiterate.

Family life
His wife was Ruth, but her last name has not been identified. (Some say "Burgess" but with no documentation.) Ruth died 9 June 1693. Richard, probably moved by her death, wrote a will 2 Sep 1693.


 * The Original Will of Richard Taylor, September 6th, 1693
 * "In the name of God Amen. The 2nd day of September 1693, in the fifth year of the Reign of their Majesties King William and Queen Mary, etc., I Richard Taylor of Yarmouth in the county of Barnstable in New England, being aged and weak in body but of sound and disposing memory.... do make this my last will and testament in mannor and form following...
 * Item. I given and bequeath unto my son Richard Taylor about twelve or fourteen acres of my land, be it more or less according to ye bounds wherein mentioned....
 * Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mehetabel four pounds.
 * Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Keziah Eldridge, four pounds.
 * Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Samuel Eldridge, twenty shillings.
 * Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Hanah Jenkins, twenty shillings, if she come for it, but not else. And if she doth not come for it within two years after my decease, I do give it equally to my two other daughters, Mehetable and Keziah.
 * Lastly, my will is that these legacies above mentioned be paid out of my moveable estate....
 * And... my will is that my said son, Elisha (Tailor) Taylor, shall pay the sums in currant pay within two years after my decease.
 * And I do nominate and appoint and empower my well beloved sons Richard Taylor, Elisha Taylor, and Samuel Eldridge to be executors to this my will. In witness whereof I, the said Richard Taylor, have hereunto set my hand and seal, the ay and year first above written.

He wrote a codicil in 1699:


 * Be it known to all people by this instrument that I, Richard Taylor, above named, do by this addition declare that my above written will shall stand in all the particulars of it except that change which gives my son Elisha two years more to pay such part of the legacies or portions, above by me given to my children, as my moveable estate will not reach the payments of which said clause, I do hereby disanull and make void. And I do hereby further add that my will is that my grandchild Jehosephat Eldridge shall have my sword, and that my granddaughter Mehetable Eldridge shall have my biggest box that hath a lock and key to it, with all the things in it. And that my grand daughter Mehetable Smith shall have my other box and all the things in it. And my grand Daughter Keziah Eldridge shall have my chamber pot. And my will is that these particulars, now by me given to my grandchildren, shall not be accounted as part of my estate, which is to pay the legacies before given in my first above written will, which my son Elisha is to pay. and lastly, it is my will that my son Elisha do so cause hereafter to sell the land and meadows he hath of me that he shall give due reprising thereof to his brother Richard at the price others will give for it. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the twenty-eight day of October 1699.

His will was proved 3 October 1703.


 * October 6, 1703. Then John Thacher, Esq. and Lydia Thacher, his wife, before Banabas Lothrop Esq., Judge of probare etc for the county of Barnstable, made oath that they did see Richard Taylor, late of Yarmouth, now Deceased, sign and seal this instrument and heard him declare it to be his last will and testament and that he was of disposing mind and memory when he so did, so far as they know. And also that they saw him sign and seal the codicil thereunto annexed.


 * Before Barnabas Lothrop, Esqu. judge of probate etc. for this County of Barnstable at Barnstable, the will of Richard Taylor, late of Yarmouth, deceased, to whose property annexed (?) was proved, approved, and allowed, who, having while he lived and at the time of his death, goods, chattels, rights, and audits in said county. And administration of all and singular the goods, chattels rights and audits of the deceased committed to Richard Taylor, Samuel Eldred (Eldrige), and Elisha Taylor in said will named executors. As in witness thereof, I, the said Barnabas Lothrop, have set my hand and seal of office, October 6th, 1703."

The inventory of Richard Taylor of Yarmouth, who died the first day of August 1703. [Amounts are shown in English pounds, shillings and pence.]:


 * Item To wearing clothes, bedding, and old household stuff, 04=14=08
 * Item to one sword and 2 boxes, 01=02=00
 * Item to neate cattle, 07=00=00
 * Item, To housing and land (140=0=0)
 * Item More. One grindstone and plow (00=04=06)
 * This inventory taken by John Howes and Sam.l Sturges (?) Aprized this 11th day of August, 1703.


 * October 6, 1703. Then Elisha Taylor appeared before Barnbabs Lothrop, Esq. Judge of probates etc. for the County of Barnstable, and made oath that the above written is a true inventory of the Estate of Richard Taylor, his deceased father, o far as he knows. And that if anything that is material shall further come to his knowledge he will bring it to this inventory. Attest. Wm. Bassett, Reg.

Related entries

 * 1663-4 (March 1): He is mentioned in the records when it is stated that Thomas Starr had taken a piece of timber from "Richard Tayler, of the Rocke," and was ordered to give him another piece and pay damages, or pay him L3. (4 Plym. Col. Recs. 53.)

Contributors
Jillaine