BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TAYLOR

BIOGRAPHY

AS RECORDED IN:

COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF TOLLAND AND WINDHAM COUNTIES CONNECTICUT.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF PROMINENT AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS AND OF MANY OF THE EARLY SETTLED FAMILIES.

PUBLISHER: J.H.BEERS & CO., CHICAGO; 1903 P. 1064

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TAYLOR (deceased), in his life time one of the most highly respected and valuable citizens of Stafford Springs, Tolland county, was born at Willington, Conn., Aug. 7, 1818, coming from a family long identified with the best interests of this part of the State.

Elisha Taylor, the great-grandfather of Benjamin F., was born in Cape Cod, Mass., in 1725, and died in 1815, when over ninety years old. His wife, Dorcas, died in 1802, at the age of seventy-six. Their children were: Dorcas, who died at the age of seventy years; Samuel; and Thomas.

Deacon Thomas Taylor, son of Elisha, was born in Willington in 1752, and died in his native town April 15, 1815. His wife, Experience, died May 19, 1809, at the age of fifty-nine years. Their children were: Experience, born in 1782, died in 1834; and Asa.

Deacon Asa Taylor, the father of Benjamin F., was born in Willington, Conn., June 21, 1786, and was long a deacon of the Baptist Church, his death having occurred Sept. 28, 1851. Anna Fenton, who became his wife in May, 1810, was born June 1, 1786, and died Oct. 7, 1869. Their children were: Solomon, born in 1811, married Marietta Rider, of Willington, and died Aug. 23, 1894; Sanford, born Aug. 25, 1812, lives in Clinton, Mass.; Eliza, born Oct. 11, 1815, married Joel Smith, of Leominster, Mass., and is still living; and Franklin, to whom a school teacher gave the name of Benjamin, is our subject.

Benjamin Franklin Taylor had his education in his native town in both the public and the select schools, and then took up the study of music in Hartford under Prof. Wade, a noted musician of the time. In 1844 Mr. Taylor came to Stafford where he taught music and also had a music store. He was a gifted man in many respects, and was noted as an artist, his work still adorning many of the homes in this section of the State. A few years before his death he sold his music store, which was quite the resort of the music and art lovers of the community. Mr. Taylor taught the violin, piano and voice culture, and was in every respect a thorough musician and a finished instructor. In his younger days he taught singing school, and for many years was organist in the Congregational Church at Stafford Springs, where he was also Superintendent of the Sabbath School. Mr. Taylor was a member of the Baptist Church at Stafford Hollow, where he was organist and Sunday school superintendent until his engagement with the Congregational Church. In his politics he was a Republican, but never sought office.

Mr. Taylor was married June 5, 1843, to Miss Matilda Ellis, who was born in Dana, Mass., April 28, 1823, a daughter of Sheperd Ellis, of Stafford, and to this marriage were born: Julia Ellis, born march 26, 1845, died in infancy; Clementine Ardelle married the late Clark Sidman, a noted musician of Homer, N.Y., and is the mother of Edward Arthur, an attorney of New York city, and she now resides in Oil City, Pa.; Frances Eudora, born Aug. 25, 1848, married George H. Barber, of New London, and is the mother of Mabel Ellis, now Mrs. James Walcott, of New London; Edward Everett, born April 24, 1851, died June 20, 1873. Mr. Taylor contracted a second marriage, May 11, 1853, when Miss Maria Antoinette Eaton became his wife. She was born in Somers, Conn., Sept. 13, 1833, a daughter of Eli and Almira (Bourn) Easton, of Somers, the former of whom was a soldier in the war of 1812, going as substitute for his older and married brother, Horace, and he saw service at New London, Conn. Mrs. Almira (Bourn) Eaton, was a daughter of Moses Bourn, a Revolutionary soldier who moved from Rhode Island to Somers, Conn. Mr. Taylor was a director of the old Stafford National Bank, and also of the Cemetery Association. Much interested in educational matters, he served on the school committee several years, and rendered the city valuable service in this connection. He died April 21, 1900, and was buried at Stafford Springs. His life was indeed that of a Christian gentleman, honest and upright in his relations with his fellowman, and tender and affectionate in his home.

Reproduced by:

Linda D. Pingel great-great granddaughter of Cyrus White of Rockville, Ct.