The Taylor family of New Jersey is another family that was torn in the American Revolution.  George Taylor, born 1684 was the father of three sons and an early arrival to Monmouth County New Jersey. His sons were Edward born 1712, John born 1716 and George born 1717.

Edward Taylor was a prominent and influential man in Monmouth County, He had been in the New Jersey Assembly in 1768, 1772 and 1775 and was a member of the Provincial Congress of New Jersey in 1775 and 1776. At the outbreak of the Revolution he was actively supporting the people of Boston sending supplies to Massachusetts so that the locals could avoid the British import taxes.  His son George Taylor, husband of Deborah Carman, was an officer in Colonial Militia.  But in July of 1776, George Taylor had a change of heart and resigned his commission in the Colonial Militia which was attached to the Continental Army.  He then accepted a commission as Colonel of a battalion of Loyalist Volunteers from the British Army.  At this occurrence his father, Edward also changed allegiance back to the Crown. Because of his influence over local Monmouth County politics (and because some thought him a spy for his son) Edward was ordered by Brigadier General David Forman to remain on his farm in Middletown "until further notice", basically under house arrest by the Continental Army.  One would think this would be enough turmoil for one family, but son of Colonel George Taylor and Deborah Carman - Edward Taylor who was born in 1764 when of age accepted a commission in the Continental Army and rose to the rank of Captain. Son was in arms against his father.

John Taylor, second son of Edward Taylor, born 1716 was also a prominent man in early New Jersey history. Before the Revolution he was Royal Sheriff of Monmouth County and his politics were definitely Loyalist. In 1777 Admiral Lord Howe personally came to Monmouth County and appointed John "His Majesty's Lord High Commissioner of New Jersey".  In the continuing twist of this family, John Taylor married Phoebe Heard about 1740, well before the Revolution and they had but two children both dying as infants, so at the time of the Revolution came, Phoebe was not tied down to home with children to bear.  And when it came time to chose sides, Phoebe chose her brother over her husband; her brother being General Nathaniel Heard of the Continental Army. A large part of John Taylor being appointed "Lord High Commissioner of New Jersey" in 1777 was based on the fact that in 1776 in a midnight raid, General Heard captured the Royal Governor of New Jersey and took him prisoner to Connecticut, where after being imprisoned  after a short stay the Governor thought it better to return to England than to New Jersey.  Phoebe never divorced her husband. But Phoebe is buried in the Lippit Burying Ground in Middleton, Monmouth County, New Jersey - her husband is not!

09/04/2006