Mr. Treasurer James Taylor

Mr. James Taylor was born in London ,England, the son of Christopher Taylor,at  All Hallows Honey Lane ,leather seller and Citizen, London ,England, and Mary Foxall. 

he was Bpt. lee Co.,Kent on 24 April 1647.

He studied Navigation under John Cole at Ratcliff.

Exactly when and how he came to the U.S. is unknown at this time. He may have come as an indentured servent to Frances H. Lee Esq. of Salem. Diary of Samuel Sewall states, he was indenture in prossession of Frances H. Lee,of Salem. We know he was in Boston by the 1670's as he married first Elizabeth Fuller , in 1673 and had three children by 1677.

He married 2nd., in 1679, Rebbecca Clark/Clarke,daughter of Capt. Christopher Clark/Clarke,a merchant and ship owner, and his wife Rebecca Eyre/Ayre.

James and Rebecca had 10 children.

james Taylor became a very wealthy and prominent gentleman.

He owned property in Boston,Brookline,and Lynn/saugus.

He bought The saugus Iron Works from Samuel Appleton, 1688/1689. by this time the iron works was no longer in business. He bought it as a gentleman's farm. it was known as Mr, Taylor's Farm. James Taylor was the last Proprietor of the Iron works, which at that time was over 600 acres.

James Taylorendouced the following:

Marriage Thurs. 28 jan. 1673 to Elizabeth

24 Oct 1674, morning, daughter, Elizabeth died

My daughter mary borne 25 jan 1675

My son Christopher born 16th dec. 1677

I was married 2nd to Rebecca , 26 januarie 1679.

My dau Rebecca born Tues at 1'2 hour past 3 in afternoon.

My son James born 31 Nov. 1683 5 or 6 in morning.

My dau Elizabeth born Wed. 16 Dec. 1685 about 10 in the morning

My son Samuel born 5th Dec. 1687 at about 7 in morning Monday.

There is a thrid dau Elizabeth who grew to adulthood and married ,who was also credited to him but not listed in this list by him. His other child can be found in the Boston Records.

He was Treasurer of the Mass. Bay Provence fron June 17.1693 -June 25,1714 .

From 1693 to the Revolution only four persons held this office. They were Taylor, Allen, William Foye, and harrison gray.

                                                                                      " Last night Mr. Treasurer taylor died in his house in Lin.( Lynn now Saugus)  The corps was brought in a  Horse -Litter  to the Ferry to his House in Town."

 " Aug 2   To Cambridge again by reason of Admiralty ; so lost Dt. C. Mather's lecture. Came home time enough for funeral of Mr. Treasurer Taylor. Bearers, Lt. Govr. Mr. Winthrop; Mr. Sewall. Mr. Eliakim Hitchinson; Mr. John Burrill,Speaker Mr. Treasurer Allen.  skarfs and Gloves. No Rings nor Escutcheons. I saw no ministers but Mr. Shepard and Mr. Wadsworth: They had Scarvs. 

Ref"

Inhabitants and Estates of the Town of Boston 1630 - 1800 by Annie Twang

Holmes and Hearths of Old Lynn page 31,86,87

memorial History of Boston, Boston families of the Eighteenth Century page 549

Royal decent of James Taylor provided by Doug Richardson N.E.H.gen,Boston ,Ma.

Iron Works papers

Will of James Taylor # 27301 Essex County

Diary of Samuel Sewall pages 94.95.96.97

Boston records

Lynn vitals

Collection of Mass. Hist. Soc.

ye Crown Coffee House, A Story Of Boston