William ‘the carpenter’ Taylor, of Assawoman

First traceable member of this family in America. Antecedents unknown.

Family

https://www.espl-genealogy.org/getperson.php?personID=I25093&tree=1

Around 1638, William Taylor married Elizabeth (unknown). They had the following children:

1. William c1638 married 1) Elizabeth Hope 2) Bridget Rackclife
2. Winifred c1640 married Peter Parker (son of Phillip Parker and Mary Fletcher) circa 1670
3. Elizabeth married Charles Rackliffe II, (son of Charles Rackliffe I and Elizabeth), circa 1682.1
4. Elias married Comfort Ann Anderson, (daughter of William Anderson (Burgess) and Mary Wise), circa 1690.

No wife was named in William Taylor’s Will.

Origins

• Not a known child of Thomas Taylor & Margaret Taylor
• Birth place seen as Bolton, Greater Manchester, England without supporting evidence.
• Brothers Elias Taylor (m. Anna Hutchinson); Thomas Taylor (m. Jane Fenwick)

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Will

William made a will on 21 September 1686 at Accomack County, Virginia:

• To son Elias Taylor land on Assawoman Creek containing 850 acres , 600 acres being granted me by patent dated 1664, & the remaining 250 being part of 1050 acres purchased of Col. John Stringer, remainder to his heirs, with remainder to my son William Taylor, with remainder to my daughter Winefred, formerly wife of Peter Parker, deceased
• To son Elias 450 acres, being the South end of said 1050 acres between Geangoteage & Assawoman Branches.
• To daughter Winefred, formerly wife to Peter Parker, deceased
• To son William land on the seaboard side between Geangoteage & Assawoman Branches, containing 800 acres, being the northermost part of said 1050 acres, also 450 acres in the woods.
• To my 4 grandaughters Elizabeth, Mary, Rachell & Sarah Parker, daughters of Winefred Parker.
• To daughter Elizabeth Ratclif & her husband Charles Rattclife.
• To grandaughter Elizabeth Rattclife.
• To grandson William Taylor, Jr.
• Son Elias residual legatee & Ex'r.
• Witt: William Whittington, William Paine, John Elliot.

The will was proven 21 jun 1687

Notes

According to Matthew Wise he is very likely the William Taylor who was among the 40 colonists who arrived at Jamestown in Oct 1633 with Edward Kingswell and his partners Roger Wingate and their families, on their way to make a settlement in North Carolina, the first attempt since the ill-fated Raleigh venture, but the vessel that was to transport them from Jamestown was abandoned, and most of them probably remained in Virginia. Kingswell devised his rights to Wingate, whose widow Dorothy devised them to Lewis Burwell. On 18 Apr 1648 a patent was granted to Lewis Burwell and Thomas Vause for 2300 acres for transporting colonists. As several persons who were headrights under his patent are known to have been with the Kingswell colony, it is believed that this list represents the entire group of colonists. Among the names are included William Taylor, Elias Taylor and Thomas Adams.

Custody of nephew Phillip Taylor, son of brother Phillip Taylor:

Whereas Wm. Taylor has petitioned this court that he has taken into his care Phillipp Taylor, orphan, who hath been provided for by him about two years since the decease of his father Capt. Phill: Taylor and has to the best of his ability seen him educated. Wm. Taylor as likewise petitioned to have the land of the said orphan in his possission to improve until said Phillip Taylor becomes of age. Whereas it appears to the Court that there is 1,000 acres belonging to the said orphan Phillip Taylor, situated at the seaboard side in N'hamp County, it is tought fit and ordered that said Wm. Taylor be hereby authorized to let out & dispose of the said land for the best use of the orpahn until he becomes of age, provided that he does not mollest the Indians.

Brother Elias Taylor, m. Anna alias Hutchinson.

Whereas William Taylor hath made complaint to this Court that his brother Elias Taylor doth most wrongfully and injuriously keep away and deter from him his apparel and other necessaries thereunto belonging without any cause or color at all contrary to all right and equity. It is thereupon thought fit and so ordered that the said Elias Taylor shall forthwith give up and deliver unto his brother William Taylor all his wearing clothes and apparel with their appurtenances which the said William now hath or which belong unto him in the custody of the said Elias, without further delay.

The final settlement of the estate of Elias Taylor (wife Anna Taylor, alias Hutchinson) showed 20 lbs tobacco had been received of William Taylor. < BR>

References

• https://www.espl-genealogy.org/getperson.php?personID=I25093&tree=1
• Wills and Administrations, Accomack County, Virginia, 1663-1800 By Stratton Nottingham. Page 15. GoogleBooks will of William Taylor, 21 Sept 1686 - 21 Sept 1687. Names son ELIAS; son WILLIAM; daughter WINEFRED, formerly the wife of Peter Parker. 4 Parker granddaughters: Elizabeth, Mary, Ranchell & Sarah. Daughter ELIZABETH RATTCLIFE & her husband Charles & their daughter Elizabeth. Grandson William Taylor, Jr.