Businessman, land speculator, town promoter, and political agent. A younger son of James Taylor, Sr. and Ann Hubbard, of 'Midway', Caroline County, Virginia, James arrived in Kentucky in 1792 to develop the large tract of land at the mouth of the Licking River that his father purchased from George Muse, who had been awarded the land for his service in the French and Indian War. Most of what comprises modern-day Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, and Newport was included in the original tract. Beginning in 1792 Taylor laid out the town of Newport, and in 1793 marked the trail that has become U.S. 27 to Lexington. In 1795 he married the widow of Maj. David Leitch, an early pioneer of Campbell County. In 1798 he donated land for the establishment of the Newport Academy, and a two-acre tract for the construction of a courthouse and jail on Fourth Street, between Columbia and York Streets. With assistance solicited from his cousin President James Madison in 1803, Taylor persuaded the federal government to move the Fort Washington military post from Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky. As an inducement he donated five acres at the mouth of the Licking River on which to build a facility, and in return the government rewarded Taylor with a contract to construct what would become the Newport Barracks. During the War of 1812 he held the rank of Brigadier General and was captured by the British in the Detroit Campaign but was soon paroled. Other business interests of Taylor included operating ferries across both the Licking and the Ohio Rivers, founding the Newport Bank, investing in the Newport Manufacturing Company, operating sawmills and gristmills along the Licking River, as well as owning both a saltworks and a tanning business. He quickly replaced his original log cabin residence built in the 1790s with a frame house which was destroyed in 1837 in a fire set by a disgruntled slave. The brick mansion which was his residence in later years is still standing at 335 East Third Street, two blocks east of Newport on the Levee.
(Biography compiled by Todd Whitesides).
Covington Journal, Friday, November 10, 1848, page 3:
Death of Gen. James Taylor - We are called on to record the decease of this venerable citizen. He died at 3 o'clock P. M. yesterday, Nov. 7 at his residence in Newport, Ky. He was born in 1769 in Caroline County, Virginia and emigrated to Kentucky in 1792.
He was Quarter Master General of the North Western Army during the last war with England, in which office he served with distinction. He was one of the officers designated by Gen. Hull to draw up the articles for his surrender, which he indignantly refused to do.
Gen. Taylor left a very large property, being perhaps the largest landed proprietor in the West. His estate, which is estimated at four millions, will descend to a son and three daughters.
He preserved his faculties till the last hour. It was a most grateful reflection to him that his life was spared till the day of the Presidential election; and by the obliging disposition of the Judges of the Election, who went to his chamber to receive his vote, he had the inexpressible satisfaction of casting it for his friend and relative, General Zachary Taylor for President of the United States. His remark, on giving his vote was characteristic of the old soldier. "I have given the last shot to my country."
(Biography compiled by Todd Whitesides).
Covington Journal, Friday, November 10, 1848, page 3:
Death of Gen. James Taylor - We are called on to record the decease of this venerable citizen. He died at 3 o'clock P. M. yesterday, Nov. 7 at his residence in Newport, Ky. He was born in 1769 in Caroline County, Virginia and emigrated to Kentucky in 1792.
He was Quarter Master General of the North Western Army during the last war with England, in which office he served with distinction. He was one of the officers designated by Gen. Hull to draw up the articles for his surrender, which he indignantly refused to do.
Gen. Taylor left a very large property, being perhaps the largest landed proprietor in the West. His estate, which is estimated at four millions, will descend to a son and three daughters.
He preserved his faculties till the last hour. It was a most grateful reflection to him that his life was spared till the day of the Presidential election; and by the obliging disposition of the Judges of the Election, who went to his chamber to receive his vote, he had the inexpressible satisfaction of casting it for his friend and relative, General Zachary Taylor for President of the United States. His remark, on giving his vote was characteristic of the old soldier. "I have given the last shot to my country."
Businessman, land speculator, town promoter, and political agent. A younger son of James Taylor, Sr. and Ann Hubbard, of 'Midway', Caroline County, Virginia, James arrived in Kentucky in 1792 to develop the large tract of land at the mouth of the Licking River that his father purchased from George Muse, who had been awarded the land for his service in the French and Indian War. Most of what comprises modern-day Bellevue, Covington, Dayton, and Newport was included in the original tract. Beginning in 1792 Taylor laid out the town of Newport, and in 1793 marked the trail that has become U.S. 27 to Lexington. In 1795 he married the widow of Maj. David Leitch, an early pioneer of Campbell County. In 1798 he donated land for the establishment of the Newport Academy, and a two-acre tract for the construction of a courthouse and jail on Fourth Street, between Columbia and York Streets. With assistance solicited from his cousin President James Madison in 1803, Taylor persuaded the federal government to move the Fort Washington military post from Cincinnati to Northern Kentucky. As an inducement he donated five acres at the mouth of the Licking River on which to build a facility, and in return the government rewarded Taylor with a contract to construct what would become the Newport Barracks. During the War of 1812 he held the rank of Brigadier General and was captured by the British in the Detroit Campaign but was soon paroled. Other business interests of Taylor included operating ferries across both the Licking and the Ohio Rivers, founding the Newport Bank, investing in the Newport Manufacturing Company, operating sawmills and gristmills along the Licking River, as well as owning both a saltworks and a tanning business. He quickly replaced his original log cabin residence built in the 1790s with a frame house which was destroyed in 1837 in a fire set by a disgruntled slave. The brick mansion which was his residence in later years is still standing at 335 East Third Street, two blocks east of Newport on the Levee.
(Biography compiled by Todd Whitesides).
Covington Journal, Friday, November 10, 1848, page 3:
Death of Gen. James Taylor - We are called on to record the decease of this venerable citizen. He died at 3 o'clock P. M. yesterday, Nov. 7 at his residence in Newport, Ky. He was born in 1769 in Caroline County, Virginia and emigrated to Kentucky in 1792.
He was Quarter Master General of the North Western Army during the last war with England, in which office he served with distinction. He was one of the officers designated by Gen. Hull to draw up the articles for his surrender, which he indignantly refused to do.
Gen. Taylor left a very large property, being perhaps the largest landed proprietor in the West. His estate, which is estimated at four millions, will descend to a son and three daughters.
He preserved his faculties till the last hour. It was a most grateful reflection to him that his life was spared till the day of the Presidential election; and by the obliging disposition of the Judges of the Election, who went to his chamber to receive his vote, he had the inexpressible satisfaction of casting it for his friend and relative, General Zachary Taylor for President of the United States. His remark, on giving his vote was characteristic of the old soldier. "I have given the last shot to my country."
(Biography compiled by Todd Whitesides).
Covington Journal, Friday, November 10, 1848, page 3:
Death of Gen. James Taylor - We are called on to record the decease of this venerable citizen. He died at 3 o'clock P. M. yesterday, Nov. 7 at his residence in Newport, Ky. He was born in 1769 in Caroline County, Virginia and emigrated to Kentucky in 1792.
He was Quarter Master General of the North Western Army during the last war with England, in which office he served with distinction. He was one of the officers designated by Gen. Hull to draw up the articles for his surrender, which he indignantly refused to do.
Gen. Taylor left a very large property, being perhaps the largest landed proprietor in the West. His estate, which is estimated at four millions, will descend to a son and three daughters.
He preserved his faculties till the last hour. It was a most grateful reflection to him that his life was spared till the day of the Presidential election; and by the obliging disposition of the Judges of the Election, who went to his chamber to receive his vote, he had the inexpressible satisfaction of casting it for his friend and relative, General Zachary Taylor for President of the United States. His remark, on giving his vote was characteristic of the old soldier. "I have given the last shot to my country."
Inscription
To the memory of
JAMES TAYLOR,
born in Caroline County,
VIRGINIA
April 19, 1769.
Died November 7, 1848.
He removed to Kentucky
1792
and settled near Newport.
Here he found a wilderness
still infested with the wild Indians.
He lived to see it
populous and flourishing
by his great energy,
industry and integrity of character.
He gained for himself
the honor and respect
of his fellow citizens
and held offices
of great trust and responsibility
both under the state
and
general government.
Family Members
Siblings
