Christopher Taylor

from: http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/bucks/history/local/davis/davis15.txt

Christopher Taylor [was an early settler, (of Bucks County,PA) coming sometime in the '80's and*] owned 5,000 acres in the county, in several townships, a considerable tract in Newtown towards Dolington. He died intestate, [on the estate*] leaving two sons and one daughter, Israel, Joseph and Mary.

In 1692, 250 acres were patented to Israel Taylor, doubtless the son of Christopher, on the southeast side of Newtown borough. This he sold to James Yates, who, dying, 1730, the land went to his heirs, and soon after 1736, Samuel Carey became the owner of the greater part of the tract. Cary built a stone house on the premises 1741 and called the place "Retirement." He died there, 1766, leaving the homestead to his son Samuel, who sold it to Nathaniel, father of Nathaniel P. Burrows, 1801, for $5,860. It then contained 146 and one-half acres. It was next owned by Thomas Porter, and a school kept there, known as "Porter's Academy." The next owner was David Roberts, father of the late Stokes L. Roberts, and there the son was born. The daughters of the family were remarkably handsome women, Eliza being often spoken of as the "handsomest woman in Bucks county." She married Colonel Peter Ihrie, Easton. Twenty years ago the farm belonged to John B. Tomlinson, who pulled down the old house, built 1741, and erected a new one, 1878, He called the place the "Fountain Farm." The James Yeates who owned this farm after Israel Taylor, is said to have walked the Indian purchase of 1684, and it was subsequently owned by his son, James, who was one of the walkers in the "Walking Purchase," 1737, but gave out the morning of the second day and lived but three days. These facts make the place of historic interest.*]