John Tayloe II
Encyclopedia
Colonel John Tayloe II was arguably the richest plantation owner in Virginia
for his generation. He served in public office including the Virginia Council of State. He has been described as a "model Virginia planter, planting tobacco, wheat and corn and raising livestock." A fourth-generation plantation owner from the Tayloe family of entrepreneurs, he took over the management of the Neabsco Iron Works
during the 1740s, likely after his father's
death in 1747. The Tayloe family of Richmond County
, including John Tayloe II, his father, John Tayloe I
, and son, John Tayloe III
, exemplified gentry
entrepreneurship
.
at Old House, located on Rappahannock River
, two miles west of Mount Airy
, an estate his grandfather had purchased and upon which he built a home. Tayloe was born to John Tayloe I (1688–1747) and Elizabeth Gwynn, daughter of David Gwyn and Katherine Griffin. He had an elder brother, William Tayloe (1716–1726) who died at age 9, a twin sister named Elizabeth, and younger sister named Ann Corbin Tayloe, born 25 August 1723. Tayloe was educated in England.
, Tayloe supplied the Virginia Navy with "Cannonball, Plant, and Pigg iron". He served in public office as a member of the county court and he sat on the Virginia Council of State. He had approximately 250 slaves. Among his servants were a band of musicians. He was an influential member of the King's Council, under Lord Dunmore
, and of the first Republic Council, under Governor
Patrick Henry
. Tayloe was a member of the House of Burgesses
of Virginia 1774.
Tayloe owned more than 20000 acres (8,093.7 ha) in the Northern Neck
, including land on both sides of the Rappahannock. The Mt. Airy estate was originally acquired by his grandfather, William Taylor (late Tayloe), who bequeathed the property to his son, John Tayloe I
, and he to Tayloe II. Tayloe built the mid-Georgian plantation house; construction began in October 1760 and was completed by 1765. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
as a National Historic Landmark
. The property had a 1 miles (1.6 km) long horse racetrack, a deer park, a bowling green, terraced gardens, and a burial ground. The portraits at "Mount Airy," are considered one of the finest private collections in America.
His plantation was supported by interdependent farms (Forkland, Gwinfield, Hopyard, Marshe, Menokin
, and Old House) in three counties (Richmond, Essex, and King George). Other plantations were in Stafford County and in southern Maryland. In 1751, Tayloe acquired Menokin Tract, adjacent to Mount Airy. After his daughter Rebecca married Francis Lightfoot Lee
, Tayloe built the plantation house of Menokin
in 1769 for his son-in-law. In 1765, he was taxed for 8942 acres (3,618.7 ha) of land in Loudoun County
.
, their 10th child. His granddaughter, Mary Tayloe Lloyd, married Francis Scott Key
. Tayloe was related to Robert Beverley, Landon Carter
, Mann Page
, and Ralph Wormeley. He supported the Episcopal Church
.
In his will, Tayloe made provisions that the Tayloe Charity Fund would be continued as a legacy forever: A charity for the benefit of the poor of a parish given in trust to the minister and vestry; when there ceased to be either, was vested in
the overseers of the poor for the parish, by the act of 1805,(a) and they may recover the charity in equity. It met legal challenges in later years.
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
for his generation. He served in public office including the Virginia Council of State. He has been described as a "model Virginia planter, planting tobacco, wheat and corn and raising livestock." A fourth-generation plantation owner from the Tayloe family of entrepreneurs, he took over the management of the Neabsco Iron Works
Neabsco Iron Works
The Neabsco Iron Works were located in Woodbridge, Virginia, USA. After abandoning the Bristol Iron Works, John Tayloe I established the Neabsco Iron Foundry around 1737. The business became a multifaceted antebellum industrial plantation...
during the 1740s, likely after his father's
John Tayloe I
John Tayloe I was one of the richest plantation owners and businessmen in Virginia for his generation. Considered to be the chief architect of the family fortune, he was known as the "Hon. Colonel of the Old House"...
death in 1747. The Tayloe family of Richmond County
Richmond County, Virginia
Richmond County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 9,254. Its county seat is Warsaw. The rural county should not be confused with the large city and state capital Richmond, Virginia, which is over...
, including John Tayloe II, his father, John Tayloe I
John Tayloe I
John Tayloe I was one of the richest plantation owners and businessmen in Virginia for his generation. Considered to be the chief architect of the family fortune, he was known as the "Hon. Colonel of the Old House"...
, and son, John Tayloe III
John Tayloe III
Hon. John Tayloe III , of Richmond County, Virginia, was prominent in business, government, and social circles. A highly successful plantation owner, he took an active part in public affairs and was considered the "Wealthiest man of his day". A military officer, he also served in the Virginia...
, exemplified gentry
Gentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is the act of being an entrepreneur, which can be defined as "one who undertakes innovations, finance and business acumen in an effort to transform innovations into economic goods". This may result in new organizations or may be part of revitalizing mature organizations in response...
.
Early years
Tayloe was born in Richmond CountyRichmond County, Virginia
Richmond County is a county located on the Northern Neck in the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. As of 2010, the population was 9,254. Its county seat is Warsaw. The rural county should not be confused with the large city and state capital Richmond, Virginia, which is over...
at Old House, located on Rappahannock River
Rappahannock River
The Rappahannock River is a river in eastern Virginia, in the United States, approximately in length. It traverses the entire northern part of the state, from the Blue Ridge Mountains in the west, across the Piedmont, to the Chesapeake Bay, south of the Potomac River.An important river in American...
, two miles west of Mount Airy
Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia
Mount Airy, near Warsaw in Richmond County, Virginia, built in 1758-62, is a mid-Georgian plantation house, the first built in the manner of a neo-Palladian villa. It was constructed for Colonel John Tayloe II, perhaps the richest Virginia planter of his generation...
, an estate his grandfather had purchased and upon which he built a home. Tayloe was born to John Tayloe I (1688–1747) and Elizabeth Gwynn, daughter of David Gwyn and Katherine Griffin. He had an elder brother, William Tayloe (1716–1726) who died at age 9, a twin sister named Elizabeth, and younger sister named Ann Corbin Tayloe, born 25 August 1723. Tayloe was educated in England.
Career
After Tayloe's father died, Tayloe inherited a large fortune including 20000 acres (8,093.7 ha) and 320 slaves. In 1756, he bought the Occoquan Ironworks company, eventually running it as one business with the Neabsco Ironworks. During the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, Tayloe supplied the Virginia Navy with "Cannonball, Plant, and Pigg iron". He served in public office as a member of the county court and he sat on the Virginia Council of State. He had approximately 250 slaves. Among his servants were a band of musicians. He was an influential member of the King's Council, under Lord Dunmore
Earl of Dunmore
Earl of Dunmore is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1686 for Lord Charles Murray, second son of John Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl. He was made Lord Murray of Blair, Moulin and Tillimet and Viscount of Fincastle at the same time, also in the Peerage of Scotland. He was...
, and of the first Republic Council, under Governor
Governor of Virginia
The governor of Virginia serves as the chief executive of the Commonwealth of Virginia for a four-year term. The position is currently held by Republican Bob McDonnell, who was inaugurated on January 16, 2010, as the 71st governor of Virginia....
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry
Patrick Henry was an orator and politician who led the movement for independence in Virginia in the 1770s. A Founding Father, he served as the first and sixth post-colonial Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779 and subsequently, from 1784 to 1786...
. Tayloe was a member of the House of Burgesses
House of Burgesses
The House of Burgesses was the first assembly of elected representatives of English colonists in North America. The House was established by the Virginia Company, who created the body as part of an effort to encourage English craftsmen to settle in North America...
of Virginia 1774.
Tayloe owned more than 20000 acres (8,093.7 ha) in the Northern Neck
Northern Neck
The Northern Neck is the northernmost of three peninsulas on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This peninsula is bounded by the Potomac River on the north and the Rappahannock River on the south. It encompasses the following Virginia counties: Lancaster,...
, including land on both sides of the Rappahannock. The Mt. Airy estate was originally acquired by his grandfather, William Taylor (late Tayloe), who bequeathed the property to his son, John Tayloe I
John Tayloe I
John Tayloe I was one of the richest plantation owners and businessmen in Virginia for his generation. Considered to be the chief architect of the family fortune, he was known as the "Hon. Colonel of the Old House"...
, and he to Tayloe II. Tayloe built the mid-Georgian plantation house; construction began in October 1760 and was completed by 1765. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
as a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
. The property had a 1 miles (1.6 km) long horse racetrack, a deer park, a bowling green, terraced gardens, and a burial ground. The portraits at "Mount Airy," are considered one of the finest private collections in America.
His plantation was supported by interdependent farms (Forkland, Gwinfield, Hopyard, Marshe, Menokin
Menokin
Menokin, also known as Francis Lightfoot Lee House, was the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee near Warsaw, Virginia. Lee was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence...
, and Old House) in three counties (Richmond, Essex, and King George). Other plantations were in Stafford County and in southern Maryland. In 1751, Tayloe acquired Menokin Tract, adjacent to Mount Airy. After his daughter Rebecca married Francis Lightfoot Lee
Francis Lightfoot Lee
Francis Lightfoot Lee was a member of the House of Burgesses in the Colony of Virginia. As an active protester of issues such as the Stamp Act, Lee helped move the colony in the direction of independence from Britain. Lee was a delegate to the Virginia Conventions and the Continental Congress...
, Tayloe built the plantation house of Menokin
Menokin
Menokin, also known as Francis Lightfoot Lee House, was the home of Francis Lightfoot Lee near Warsaw, Virginia. Lee was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence...
in 1769 for his son-in-law. In 1765, he was taxed for 8942 acres (3,618.7 ha) of land in Loudoun County
Loudoun County, Virginia
Loudoun County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and is part of the Washington Metropolitan Area. As of the 2010 U.S. Census, the county is estimated to be home to 312,311 people, an 84 percent increase over the 2000 figure of 169,599. That increase makes the county the fourth...
.
Personal life
He married Rebecca Plater and they had 11 children (two died as babies) so there were 9, all girls except John Tayloe IIIJohn Tayloe III
Hon. John Tayloe III , of Richmond County, Virginia, was prominent in business, government, and social circles. A highly successful plantation owner, he took an active part in public affairs and was considered the "Wealthiest man of his day". A military officer, he also served in the Virginia...
, their 10th child. His granddaughter, Mary Tayloe Lloyd, married Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key
Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner".-Life:...
. Tayloe was related to Robert Beverley, Landon Carter
Landon Carter
Landon Carter was a planter from Virginia, best known for his account of life before the American War of Independence, The Diary of Colonel Landon Carter.-Biography:...
, Mann Page
Mann Page
Mann Page III was an American lawyer and planter from Spotsylvania County, Virginia. He was a delegate for Virginia to the Continental Congress. He was the half-brother of Virginia Governor John Page....
, and Ralph Wormeley. He supported the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church
An episcopal church has bishops in its organisational structure which is calledEpiscopal polityEpiscopal Church may refer to:Anglican Communion:...
.
In his will, Tayloe made provisions that the Tayloe Charity Fund would be continued as a legacy forever: A charity for the benefit of the poor of a parish given in trust to the minister and vestry; when there ceased to be either, was vested in
the overseers of the poor for the parish, by the act of 1805,(a) and they may recover the charity in equity. It met legal challenges in later years.