Details
[TAYLOR, Zachary]. Manuscript document in an unknown hand, comprising Taylor's Last Will and Testament of 20 November 1837, possibly the copy owned by Dr. Robert C. Wood (one of Taylor's attending physicians), with the first nine words possibly in Wood's hand, [Washington], 16 July 1850. 3½ pages, 4to, some minor water staining, otherwise fine.
TAYLOR'S WILL: WRITTEN BEFORE THE FLORIDA CAMPAIGNS OF THE SEMINOLE WAR. The original had been written shortly before Taylor's first important command, and is here copied only a week after the President's unexpected death in the summer of 1850. The Seminole War proved costly to the American Army and its dangers were obviously not lost upon the new commander in Florida: "Being about to enter on a campaign in Florida, should it be my lot to fall by the enemy, or a victim to the climate, I direct the following disposition to be made of my property." To his wife, Margaret, Taylor leaves several slaves: "my servants Charles, Tom, Dicy, [and] Jane and her children." Margaret also receives the general's bank stock, his household and kitchen furniture, and a small parcel of land from which she will receive the income when sold. To his daughter Ann, who married Dr. Robert Wood, Taylor leaves $30,000 and a parcel of land in Kentucky. To his daughter Mary Elizabeth, he leaves his property in the city of Louisville. As was customary, however, the major share of Taylor's estate, his plantation in Louisiana including all of its slaves, was left to his only son, future Confederate General Richard Taylor, who was only eleven years old in 1837: "During his minority I direct the plantation aforesaid and servants be placed under the management of some humane and careful individual." Taylor also assures that Richard will receive a classical education.
Taylor survived the Seminole War, but 18 months after becoming President in 1849, he succumbed to an illness contracted while attending a 4th of July celebration at the Washington Memorial.
TAYLOR'S WILL: WRITTEN BEFORE THE FLORIDA CAMPAIGNS OF THE SEMINOLE WAR. The original had been written shortly before Taylor's first important command, and is here copied only a week after the President's unexpected death in the summer of 1850. The Seminole War proved costly to the American Army and its dangers were obviously not lost upon the new commander in Florida: "Being about to enter on a campaign in Florida, should it be my lot to fall by the enemy, or a victim to the climate, I direct the following disposition to be made of my property." To his wife, Margaret, Taylor leaves several slaves: "my servants Charles, Tom, Dicy, [and] Jane and her children." Margaret also receives the general's bank stock, his household and kitchen furniture, and a small parcel of land from which she will receive the income when sold. To his daughter Ann, who married Dr. Robert Wood, Taylor leaves $30,000 and a parcel of land in Kentucky. To his daughter Mary Elizabeth, he leaves his property in the city of Louisville. As was customary, however, the major share of Taylor's estate, his plantation in Louisiana including all of its slaves, was left to his only son, future Confederate General Richard Taylor, who was only eleven years old in 1837: "During his minority I direct the plantation aforesaid and servants be placed under the management of some humane and careful individual." Taylor also assures that Richard will receive a classical education.
Taylor survived the Seminole War, but 18 months after becoming President in 1849, he succumbed to an illness contracted while attending a 4th of July celebration at the Washington Memorial.