Administrative Information

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Preferred Citation

John Taylor. Papers, 1798-1824. Accession 24654a. Personal papers collection. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Acquisition Information

Lent for copying by James S. Patton, 107 South Lee Street, Alexandria, Virginia, 11 October 1956.

Biographical Information

John Taylor was born December 1753 to James Taylor (d. 1759) and Ann Taylor. After his father's death, his mother sent Taylor to live with his uncle Edmund Pendleton (1721-1803), a prominent Virginia politician. Pendleton saw to his nephew's education which included attending the College of William and Mary. Taylor studied law under Pendleton and was admitted to the Caroline bar in 1774. When the Revolution began, Taylor served as quartermaster for the 2nd Virginia Regiment, then the Continental Congress appointed him judge advocate for all Continental troops in Virginia. Congress then appointed him a major in the 2nd Canadian Regiment, but tired of not seeing active duty, then the perceived incompetence of his commanding officer, Taylor resigned his commission 10 February 1779. Elected to the House of Delegates, Taylor served from 1779 to 1785 (excepting 1782) and 1796 to 1800. In 1789, he retired from the practice of law to pursue his agricultural interests. Three times he was elected to the United States Senate to finish unexpired terms in 1792, 1803, and 1822. Elected to a full term in 1793, he resigned in 1794. Taylor chose not to seek reelection in 1803, and was elected to a full term in 1823 and served until his death. He married Lucy Penn (d. 1831) of North Carolina in 1782 and they had eight children. Taylor, a noted author on agriculture and politics, died in Caroline County 21 August 1824.

Scope and Content Information

Papers, 1798-1824, of John Taylor (1753-1824) of Caroline County, Virginia, consisting of notes, propositions, and agreements, 1798-1800, with John Hipkins concerning Taylor's account with Hipkins and their conflicting interests in purchasing a tract of land; letter, 30 April 1809, to Lewis G. White concerning Mr. Bernard's bull and a fence; and letters, 1823-1824, to John H. Bernard concerning personal news and politics, including his appointment as Senator from Virginia, Congress, President James Monroe (1758-1831), the upcoming presidential election of 1824, political parties, and legislation.