In 1940 the census showed Shedrick Taylor to be 104 years old, but he was either joking or didn't know. His exact birthdate has been found in the slave lists of Good Hope Plantation in Orangeburg Co. SC., where it is also learned that his parents were Primus and India Taylor.
Two Civil War enlistments are known: in the U.S. Colored Troops 84th Infantry Regiment, and in Company G, U.S. Colored Troops 87th Infantry Regiment. Rank at enlistment both times was corporal.
In 1940 he was living with his daughter India Tillet, widow of William Tillit. Both the Tillets are buried in this cemetery. His death year is undocumented, but it cannot have been long after 1940.
Shedrick was married to Nancy Show. Their known children are India, also buried here, and Shedrick (1882-1921), who died in Texas.
That his headstone has not been found is unsurprising to anyone who knows the history of this cemetery. Many of the headstones were bulldozed into a gully by an oil company that leased the land for drilling.
Two articles were written in newspapers in 1940 and 1941. A photograph of the 1941 article is at left, and both articles are transcribed below:
1. Chandler News-Publicist, February 22, 1940, p. 1:
"Aged Negro Passes 104th Anniversary
Shedrick Taylor, Former Slave, Gets Many Gifts From Friends, Neighbors
Shedrick Taylor celebrated his 104th birthday anniversary quietly on Feb. 12 at his home near Carney, caressing the many gifts brought by his friends and neighbors.
Shedrick can't see the gifts. His eyesight played out before the rest of him did, and he's 'goin' on his second lap', meaning his second span of 'three-score-and-ten.'
His Bible is his comfort and he proves that by quoting long passages from the scripture to his friends and visitors.
Living with his daughter, India Tellet [sic-Tillett], Shedrick says he does not expect to live much longer, but shows a physical condition that belies his belief.
He is still active in church and Negro community affairs, although his blindness handicaps him.
Shedrick says he well remembers his grandparents, who were native Africans, brought to this country by slave traders nearly 175 years ago.
Born in Orange Borough, South Carolina, Taylor said he was sold twice as a slave, living on plantations in Florida and Georgia before his third owner took him to Arkansas, where he was freed by the Emancipation proclamation.
He was married in Marlan- Texas in 1869, and was the father of seven children, only two of whom survive.
Asked how he managed to live so long, Shedrick answered, 'I lives close to God. Sometimes I gets visions, and they tell me how to live.'
He is said to quote scripture passages of as many as a thousand verses, giving each correctly, and without faltering.
'My time is close to being up, but I don' feel bad any --,' Shedrick said. ' Ain't had no medicine for nearly seven years. The Lord look after me.'
So Shedrick moves on toward another anniversary, enjoying life, and remembering things that are mere words in books for those of us who live today."
2. Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 16, 1941, p. 66:
"Lincoln Negro, Former Slave, Celebrates His 105th Birthday
Chandler, Feb. 15. -- (Special.)-- There was no brass band when the friends and relatives of Shedrick Taylor gathered at his home northwest of Carney last week to pay homage to the former slave on his 105th birthday. He is one of the few Negroes left in the state who were authentic slaves.
Probably the oldest man in Lincoln county, the aged Negro has had a colorful life. He was born of slave parents in South Carolina on Feb. 10 1836. He was twice separated from his parents in the days preceding the Civil war when his masters sold him to other owners, and he served as a slave on plantations in South Caroline [sic], Arkansas and Florida.
Following his emancipation after the war Taylor migrated in the westward flow to Texas, but soon went back to Arkansas for a short while before moving to Oklahoma where he has lived ever since.
He was married in 1868, and two of his six children are still living. They are India Tillet and Sarah Mayberry. Since his wife's death 20 years ago, Taylor has been living with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Tillet.
The Bible is the only book Taylor was ever able to read. He learned to read in 1867, after he was named a deacon to his church, but there wasn't much literature then, and the Bible remained his book. Although he has been blind for four years he can repeat from memory many Scriptural passages. He is also well informed on current international affairs and takes quite an interest in their discussion.
He is in good health and is quite active. He hasn't had an illness of importance in the last eight years.
Chandler florists sent him flowers on his birthday, and many Chandler business people sent floral gifts, and many other gifts came from friends and neighbors, both white and Negro."
Two Civil War enlistments are known: in the U.S. Colored Troops 84th Infantry Regiment, and in Company G, U.S. Colored Troops 87th Infantry Regiment. Rank at enlistment both times was corporal.
In 1940 he was living with his daughter India Tillet, widow of William Tillit. Both the Tillets are buried in this cemetery. His death year is undocumented, but it cannot have been long after 1940.
Shedrick was married to Nancy Show. Their known children are India, also buried here, and Shedrick (1882-1921), who died in Texas.
That his headstone has not been found is unsurprising to anyone who knows the history of this cemetery. Many of the headstones were bulldozed into a gully by an oil company that leased the land for drilling.
Two articles were written in newspapers in 1940 and 1941. A photograph of the 1941 article is at left, and both articles are transcribed below:
1. Chandler News-Publicist, February 22, 1940, p. 1:
"Aged Negro Passes 104th Anniversary
Shedrick Taylor, Former Slave, Gets Many Gifts From Friends, Neighbors
Shedrick Taylor celebrated his 104th birthday anniversary quietly on Feb. 12 at his home near Carney, caressing the many gifts brought by his friends and neighbors.
Shedrick can't see the gifts. His eyesight played out before the rest of him did, and he's 'goin' on his second lap', meaning his second span of 'three-score-and-ten.'
His Bible is his comfort and he proves that by quoting long passages from the scripture to his friends and visitors.
Living with his daughter, India Tellet [sic-Tillett], Shedrick says he does not expect to live much longer, but shows a physical condition that belies his belief.
He is still active in church and Negro community affairs, although his blindness handicaps him.
Shedrick says he well remembers his grandparents, who were native Africans, brought to this country by slave traders nearly 175 years ago.
Born in Orange Borough, South Carolina, Taylor said he was sold twice as a slave, living on plantations in Florida and Georgia before his third owner took him to Arkansas, where he was freed by the Emancipation proclamation.
He was married in Marlan- Texas in 1869, and was the father of seven children, only two of whom survive.
Asked how he managed to live so long, Shedrick answered, 'I lives close to God. Sometimes I gets visions, and they tell me how to live.'
He is said to quote scripture passages of as many as a thousand verses, giving each correctly, and without faltering.
'My time is close to being up, but I don' feel bad any --,' Shedrick said. ' Ain't had no medicine for nearly seven years. The Lord look after me.'
So Shedrick moves on toward another anniversary, enjoying life, and remembering things that are mere words in books for those of us who live today."
2. Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 16, 1941, p. 66:
"Lincoln Negro, Former Slave, Celebrates His 105th Birthday
Chandler, Feb. 15. -- (Special.)-- There was no brass band when the friends and relatives of Shedrick Taylor gathered at his home northwest of Carney last week to pay homage to the former slave on his 105th birthday. He is one of the few Negroes left in the state who were authentic slaves.
Probably the oldest man in Lincoln county, the aged Negro has had a colorful life. He was born of slave parents in South Carolina on Feb. 10 1836. He was twice separated from his parents in the days preceding the Civil war when his masters sold him to other owners, and he served as a slave on plantations in South Caroline [sic], Arkansas and Florida.
Following his emancipation after the war Taylor migrated in the westward flow to Texas, but soon went back to Arkansas for a short while before moving to Oklahoma where he has lived ever since.
He was married in 1868, and two of his six children are still living. They are India Tillet and Sarah Mayberry. Since his wife's death 20 years ago, Taylor has been living with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Tillet.
The Bible is the only book Taylor was ever able to read. He learned to read in 1867, after he was named a deacon to his church, but there wasn't much literature then, and the Bible remained his book. Although he has been blind for four years he can repeat from memory many Scriptural passages. He is also well informed on current international affairs and takes quite an interest in their discussion.
He is in good health and is quite active. He hasn't had an illness of importance in the last eight years.
Chandler florists sent him flowers on his birthday, and many Chandler business people sent floral gifts, and many other gifts came from friends and neighbors, both white and Negro."
In 1940 the census showed Shedrick Taylor to be 104 years old, but he was either joking or didn't know. His exact birthdate has been found in the slave lists of Good Hope Plantation in Orangeburg Co. SC., where it is also learned that his parents were Primus and India Taylor.
Two Civil War enlistments are known: in the U.S. Colored Troops 84th Infantry Regiment, and in Company G, U.S. Colored Troops 87th Infantry Regiment. Rank at enlistment both times was corporal.
In 1940 he was living with his daughter India Tillet, widow of William Tillit. Both the Tillets are buried in this cemetery. His death year is undocumented, but it cannot have been long after 1940.
Shedrick was married to Nancy Show. Their known children are India, also buried here, and Shedrick (1882-1921), who died in Texas.
That his headstone has not been found is unsurprising to anyone who knows the history of this cemetery. Many of the headstones were bulldozed into a gully by an oil company that leased the land for drilling.
Two articles were written in newspapers in 1940 and 1941. A photograph of the 1941 article is at left, and both articles are transcribed below:
1. Chandler News-Publicist, February 22, 1940, p. 1:
"Aged Negro Passes 104th Anniversary
Shedrick Taylor, Former Slave, Gets Many Gifts From Friends, Neighbors
Shedrick Taylor celebrated his 104th birthday anniversary quietly on Feb. 12 at his home near Carney, caressing the many gifts brought by his friends and neighbors.
Shedrick can't see the gifts. His eyesight played out before the rest of him did, and he's 'goin' on his second lap', meaning his second span of 'three-score-and-ten.'
His Bible is his comfort and he proves that by quoting long passages from the scripture to his friends and visitors.
Living with his daughter, India Tellet [sic-Tillett], Shedrick says he does not expect to live much longer, but shows a physical condition that belies his belief.
He is still active in church and Negro community affairs, although his blindness handicaps him.
Shedrick says he well remembers his grandparents, who were native Africans, brought to this country by slave traders nearly 175 years ago.
Born in Orange Borough, South Carolina, Taylor said he was sold twice as a slave, living on plantations in Florida and Georgia before his third owner took him to Arkansas, where he was freed by the Emancipation proclamation.
He was married in Marlan- Texas in 1869, and was the father of seven children, only two of whom survive.
Asked how he managed to live so long, Shedrick answered, 'I lives close to God. Sometimes I gets visions, and they tell me how to live.'
He is said to quote scripture passages of as many as a thousand verses, giving each correctly, and without faltering.
'My time is close to being up, but I don' feel bad any --,' Shedrick said. ' Ain't had no medicine for nearly seven years. The Lord look after me.'
So Shedrick moves on toward another anniversary, enjoying life, and remembering things that are mere words in books for those of us who live today."
2. Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 16, 1941, p. 66:
"Lincoln Negro, Former Slave, Celebrates His 105th Birthday
Chandler, Feb. 15. -- (Special.)-- There was no brass band when the friends and relatives of Shedrick Taylor gathered at his home northwest of Carney last week to pay homage to the former slave on his 105th birthday. He is one of the few Negroes left in the state who were authentic slaves.
Probably the oldest man in Lincoln county, the aged Negro has had a colorful life. He was born of slave parents in South Carolina on Feb. 10 1836. He was twice separated from his parents in the days preceding the Civil war when his masters sold him to other owners, and he served as a slave on plantations in South Caroline [sic], Arkansas and Florida.
Following his emancipation after the war Taylor migrated in the westward flow to Texas, but soon went back to Arkansas for a short while before moving to Oklahoma where he has lived ever since.
He was married in 1868, and two of his six children are still living. They are India Tillet and Sarah Mayberry. Since his wife's death 20 years ago, Taylor has been living with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Tillet.
The Bible is the only book Taylor was ever able to read. He learned to read in 1867, after he was named a deacon to his church, but there wasn't much literature then, and the Bible remained his book. Although he has been blind for four years he can repeat from memory many Scriptural passages. He is also well informed on current international affairs and takes quite an interest in their discussion.
He is in good health and is quite active. He hasn't had an illness of importance in the last eight years.
Chandler florists sent him flowers on his birthday, and many Chandler business people sent floral gifts, and many other gifts came from friends and neighbors, both white and Negro."
Two Civil War enlistments are known: in the U.S. Colored Troops 84th Infantry Regiment, and in Company G, U.S. Colored Troops 87th Infantry Regiment. Rank at enlistment both times was corporal.
In 1940 he was living with his daughter India Tillet, widow of William Tillit. Both the Tillets are buried in this cemetery. His death year is undocumented, but it cannot have been long after 1940.
Shedrick was married to Nancy Show. Their known children are India, also buried here, and Shedrick (1882-1921), who died in Texas.
That his headstone has not been found is unsurprising to anyone who knows the history of this cemetery. Many of the headstones were bulldozed into a gully by an oil company that leased the land for drilling.
Two articles were written in newspapers in 1940 and 1941. A photograph of the 1941 article is at left, and both articles are transcribed below:
1. Chandler News-Publicist, February 22, 1940, p. 1:
"Aged Negro Passes 104th Anniversary
Shedrick Taylor, Former Slave, Gets Many Gifts From Friends, Neighbors
Shedrick Taylor celebrated his 104th birthday anniversary quietly on Feb. 12 at his home near Carney, caressing the many gifts brought by his friends and neighbors.
Shedrick can't see the gifts. His eyesight played out before the rest of him did, and he's 'goin' on his second lap', meaning his second span of 'three-score-and-ten.'
His Bible is his comfort and he proves that by quoting long passages from the scripture to his friends and visitors.
Living with his daughter, India Tellet [sic-Tillett], Shedrick says he does not expect to live much longer, but shows a physical condition that belies his belief.
He is still active in church and Negro community affairs, although his blindness handicaps him.
Shedrick says he well remembers his grandparents, who were native Africans, brought to this country by slave traders nearly 175 years ago.
Born in Orange Borough, South Carolina, Taylor said he was sold twice as a slave, living on plantations in Florida and Georgia before his third owner took him to Arkansas, where he was freed by the Emancipation proclamation.
He was married in Marlan- Texas in 1869, and was the father of seven children, only two of whom survive.
Asked how he managed to live so long, Shedrick answered, 'I lives close to God. Sometimes I gets visions, and they tell me how to live.'
He is said to quote scripture passages of as many as a thousand verses, giving each correctly, and without faltering.
'My time is close to being up, but I don' feel bad any --,' Shedrick said. ' Ain't had no medicine for nearly seven years. The Lord look after me.'
So Shedrick moves on toward another anniversary, enjoying life, and remembering things that are mere words in books for those of us who live today."
2. Daily Oklahoman, Feb. 16, 1941, p. 66:
"Lincoln Negro, Former Slave, Celebrates His 105th Birthday
Chandler, Feb. 15. -- (Special.)-- There was no brass band when the friends and relatives of Shedrick Taylor gathered at his home northwest of Carney last week to pay homage to the former slave on his 105th birthday. He is one of the few Negroes left in the state who were authentic slaves.
Probably the oldest man in Lincoln county, the aged Negro has had a colorful life. He was born of slave parents in South Carolina on Feb. 10 1836. He was twice separated from his parents in the days preceding the Civil war when his masters sold him to other owners, and he served as a slave on plantations in South Caroline [sic], Arkansas and Florida.
Following his emancipation after the war Taylor migrated in the westward flow to Texas, but soon went back to Arkansas for a short while before moving to Oklahoma where he has lived ever since.
He was married in 1868, and two of his six children are still living. They are India Tillet and Sarah Mayberry. Since his wife's death 20 years ago, Taylor has been living with his eldest daughter, Mrs. Tillet.
The Bible is the only book Taylor was ever able to read. He learned to read in 1867, after he was named a deacon to his church, but there wasn't much literature then, and the Bible remained his book. Although he has been blind for four years he can repeat from memory many Scriptural passages. He is also well informed on current international affairs and takes quite an interest in their discussion.
He is in good health and is quite active. He hasn't had an illness of importance in the last eight years.
Chandler florists sent him flowers on his birthday, and many Chandler business people sent floral gifts, and many other gifts came from friends and neighbors, both white and Negro."
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