Catherine Taylor

Maiden name controversy

Catherine's supposed maiden name of "de Carteret" does not seem to have been known prior to the late 1900s. Definitive books on the Taylor family, even ones supposing a now-disproved noble origin for Edward, never ventured to guess at Catherine's maiden name.

Research as to when and why this maiden name appeared seem to have not turned up any hard evidence for it, although it's pretty much ubiquitous throughout the world of web genealogy at this point. FindAGrave insists it's true, as does the Taylor family genealogy site, here:

• https://www.ourfamtree.org/descend.php/Edward-Taylor/432394

These sites usually, but not always, name Philip de Carteret as Catherine's father. See below for an analysis of why this doesn't make sense in the form usually given.

The following theories have been explored as to the origin of the maiden name hypothesis:

• A piece of documentary evidence has turned up since the 1950's, but somehow hasn't made it into the web world;
• Matthew Taylor, Edward's supposed but disproved brother, had a distant connection with George de Carteret, and somebody invented a connection that has no factual support whatsoever;
• A connection was discovered that didn't consist just of a marriage record between the de Carteret family and the settlers of Monmouth;
• Family tradition surfaced which had been handed down for generations but was unknown by genealogist until recently

Unlike the noble origins of Edward Taylor, which have been definitively disproved, it has not been possible as of yet to disprove the de Carteret hypothesis. But it's definitely on shaky legs.

Origins

The "de Carteret" name clearly and unambiguously points to Jersey, in the Channel Islands, where the de Carteret family not only ran the government, but also were apparently key supporters of Charles II and thus helped bring the monarchy back to the United Kingdom after the Cromwell era, in 1660.

The de Carterets were awarded lands in what is now East Jersey, and Philip Carteret, 1st Colonial Governor of New Jersey arrived in 1665 to become the first Provincial Governor of the territory. He was accompanied by at least one brother.

Catherine de Carteret is not mentioned explicitly as being on board the "Philip" with her possible brother, but she had to get to New Jersey somehow, and women were often overlooked in those days for official tallies. If she is not a sister of the Governor, she would have likely been a close relation. But there's no need to look too far afield, because Catherine fits in beautifully with what we know about the children of Helier de Carteret.

Another possibility is that there were de Carterets living in New York in the 1600's even before Philip and his brothers arrived. De Carterets supposedly born in New York at a time similar to Catherine would be:

• Frances, 1650
• James, 1650
• Philip, 1640
• Elizabeth, 1640

Life

If Catherine was indeed a de Carteret, she was probably born in Jersey, Channel Islands, the probable daughter of the Attorney General of the island. She and her two possible brothers took ship to New York City, arriving in 1665, in response to brother Philip's appointment as Provincial Governor. She then married a pioneer from London by the name of Edward Taylor, and they settled in what is now Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey.