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COMMODORE RICHARD TAYLOR,
sixth son of Col.George Taylor, was born January 6, 1749. He was commissioned as Captain in Virginia Navy, February 6, 1776 and served with great gallantry and distinction until disabled by a wound in his knee in an action with a British vessel November 1781. During the war he captured several British merchantmen, and was twice wounded, once in the thigh and once in the knee, the latter being by a grape shot, which went entirely through it. This wound never healed and was at last the cause of his death nearly 44 years afterward, viz:-Aug.30.1825.
After the close of the Revolution he was made chief officer of the Virginia Navy and served in that capacity until Nov.1794, when he resigned and removed with his family to Kentucky.
He received a pension from the United States and a large grant of land in recognition of his services. The plantation upon which he lived in Ky., and where he died, is about 20 miles East of Louisville and 2 1/2 miles Northeast of the present Village of Goshen, in Oldham, Co., It was then in Jefferson Co.
He marriedCatharine Davis (born Nov.20, 1750; died probably about 1805-1808), a niece of Col.William Rowley of King George Co.Va., who died 1774 and from whom she inherited a large estate in negroes and real estate.
Commodore Taylor was the father of eleven children, all of whom, except the eldest, having been borne to him by his wife, Catharine Davis. The eldest was a bar sinister, and was named Richard, for his father. One of Catherine Davis's sons also received the same name, the former being called "Dick", the latter "Richard." The former was a devoted and affectionate a son to Catharine Davis as any of her own children and he was always loved and esteemed by all his Taylor relations as much as any of the rest.
During the War of 1812 he was Colonel [?] of a Kentucky regiment and received a severe wound in battle, which lamed him for life. He was thereafter called Col."Hopping Dick," to distinguish him from his brother Richard. He was called the bravest of the brave and was a favorite with all who knew him.
For a more complete history of Commodore Taylor reference is made to a genealogical work, entitled "Robertson-Taylor," written by the author of these notes and published in 1900, at Detroit, Mich.
[Note-"Col.Hopping Dick" Taylor, the eldest son of Commodore Richard, born ___________: died at Frankfort, Ky., July 16, 1830: was Sergeant-at-Arms of the Court of Appeals and an energetic business man, honored and respected by the people of Frankfort and the State. He was for many years the proprietor and manager of the "Mansion House," the prominent hotel of Frankfort. He married Mrs.Mary Ann (Martin) Buckner, born in Albemarle Co.Va., 1778; died in Lexington, Ky. 1853; daughter of Col.John Martin and widow ofJohn Washington Bucknerby whom she had: 1.Elizabeth Buckner, m.Rev.Thomas P.Dudley and 2. John Washington Buckner, m.1st, Catharine G.Crockett, m.2nd, Sarah Margaret Fletcher. She had by her marriage with Col.Hopping Dick Taylor: 1. Lewis Martin Taylor, 2. James Wilkinson Taylor, m. Louisiana Symmes, 3. Catharine B. Taylor, m. Col.Moses B.Morrison, of Lexington, Ky., 4. Natilda, d.y.--P.F.T.]
Commodore Richard Taylor's and Catharine Davis' (his wife's) children:
1. William Rowley, born June 11, 1772, Captain of the Schooner "Sally" and lost at sea in October 1793.
2. Thompsonborn Sept.23, 1775; married Anne Oldham, was Major in War of 1812.
3. Richard, born Dec.2,1777, married his first cousin, Mary Taylor, daughter of Edmund Taylor and Sarah Stubbs.
4. Colby, born Jan.8, 1780; married 3 times; 1st Elizabeth McGuire; 2nd, Lucy Taylor; 3rd, Lucy Minor.
From the TAYLOR DIARY #1907-z in the Southern Historical Collection, University of North Carolina Library, Chapel Hill. FOR REFERENCE ONLY: PERMISSION TO PUBLISH MUST BE REQUESTED. WARNING: MOST MANUSCRIPTS ARE PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT.