| Notes |
- (Notes from Wanda Smith)
After researching John Taylor for a period of about ten years, I have collected several interesting facts. One thing that I have also found is family legends on this family. They all tell the same basic tale, yet certain details vary. I am at a loss to explain the difference in dates. Whatever the reason, I will give each version and let the reader draw his own conclusion. Notes taken from Henry Stiles' History of Ancient Windsor [H.S.]; Commemorative Biographical Record (of Fairfield County, CT) [C.B.R.]; Early Immigrants [E.I.] & others.
John immigrated from Haverhill, Suffolk, England with Winthrop's fleet in 1630. He settled at Lynn, MA [E.I.[. Very soon settled at Boston [C.B.R. p. 168] Where he married a widow, Rhoda, who had two daughters.
He moved to Hartford, CT briefly before settling at nearby Windsor, CT [C.B.R. p. 168]. In 1638, he bought a lot at Windsor from Beggat Eggelston [H.S.] His widow would sell this land, with a house, back to Eggleston in 1651 [H.S.[. It appears that Taylor owned the land for two years before the house was completed and the land made ready for farming.
Another account of John states that he was one of two brothers who left England in 1639. One returned to England soon afterward and the vessell was never heard from again after leaving New York. [C.B.R. p 99]. The other brother, John settled at Windsor and married a widow. Once at Windsor, John engaged in the occupation of a pewtersmith {C.B.R. p 168].
From Sheldon's, "The History of Northfield" (MA) pp 553,554; John was at Windsor, 1640, probably went there with Rev. Ephraim Huit (or Hewett), August 17, 1639, directly from England. He served as a juror in 1641 and 1644.
On November 24, 1645, being "fully intended and prepared for a voyage for England." he made a will, leaving his "daughters in-law," (Rhoda's daughters) to be equally divided among them, "all my land that lyes on the east of the great river (this is site of the present South Windsor) in lieu of my engagement with them upon my marriage and that my wife shall trayne them up until they come to the age of eighteen years and said wife to have the benefit of ye sd land until yt time." He gives to his wife and two sons, his house and all residue of his lands in the town of Windsor, and all of his personal property; his wife to have the use of it until she marry, or the sons come of age.
There is a tradition in the family that, soon after making this will John Taylor sailed for England in the New Haven "Phantom ship" the vessel never heard from again, except for in the manner narrated below; Rev. James Pierpont, a minister at New Haven (CT) in 1684-1714, giving an account of a wonderful vision seen there, some half century before. This letter incorporated in Mather's Magnalia written 1695/6. Pierpont says, the ship sailed in January 1647; a date accepted, so far as we know, by all subsequent historians; but recent investigations show that the date of departure was certainly, January 1645/46.
Pierpont writes: "I now give you the relation of that apparition of a ship in the air, which I have received from the most credible, judicious, and curious surviving observers of it. In the year, 1647, besides much other lading, a far more rich treasure of passengers (five or six of which were persons of chief note in New Haven) put themselves aboard a new ship built at Rhode Island, of about 150 tuns; but so walty, that the master (Lamberton) often said she would prove their grave. In the month of January, cutting their way through much ice, on which they were accompanied by the Rev. Mr. Davenport, besides many other friends, with many fears, as well as prayers and tears, they set sail... In June next ensuing a great thunder storm arose out of the north-west; after which (the Hemisphere being serene) about an hour before sun-set, a ship of like eimensions with the aforesaid, with her canvas and colours abroad (though the wind northerly) appeared in the air coming up from our harbour's mouth, which lyes southward from the town, seemingly with her sails filled under a fresh gale holding her course north, and continuing under observation, sailing against the wind, for the space of half an hour. MANY were drawn to behold this great work of God; yea, the very children cryied out, 'Ther's a brave ship' At length, crowding up as far as there is usually water sufficient for such a vessel, and so near some of the spectators, as they imagined a man might hurl a stone on board her, her main top seemed to be blown off, but left hanging in the shrouds; then her misen-top; then all her masting seemed blown away by the board; quickly after the bulk brought into a careen, she overset, and so vanished into a smoaky cloud, which in some time dissapated, leaving, as everywhere else, a clear air. The admiring spectators, could distinguish the several colours of each part, the principal rigging and such proportions, as caused not only the generality of person to say, 'This was the mould of their ship, and thus was her tragick end.' but Mr. Davenport also in public declared tot his effect, 'That God had condescended, for the quieting of their afflicted spirits, this extraordinary account of his sovereign disposal of those for whom so many fervent prayers were made continually.' "
Rhoda Taylor moved to Norwalk, CT and married third, Walter Hoyt.
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1605 - 1645 (40 years)
