The Mecklenburg Project

Notes From Gayle Hix of the Taylor Clearing House

As I was reading through the packet received from Lorenzo O1sen, my eyes stopped on the date 25 October 1880. This date is on the first line of the attachment, and is the death date of Elizabeth Patrick Taylor. I was certain that the 1880 census was completed before October and that I would find her listed there.

I immediately went to the computer and put in the Western States CD of the 1880 census. Sure enough! There she was living in the household of Hannah Taylor, apparently her daughter-in-law. Elizabeth told the census taker that she was age 88, that she was born in Virginia, and that both her parents were born in Virgina.

At that point I had to go back to the life story to refresh my memory as to the birthplace of Elizabeth Patrick. Mecklenburg County, Virginia is located on the North Carolina state line at the head of the Roanoke River. The Roanoke River runs through Martin County, North Carolina, and was a full-fledged shipping canal by 1850. Does the route marked on Lorenzo's map along the Roanoke River also describe the route followed by Joseph Taylor Sr. prior to 1760? Probably so.

At that point another little known fact popped back into my mind. The survey instructions for the Joseph Taylor grant contains the words opposite Benjamin Lewis settlement. And can you guess where Benjamin Lewis was from? That's right, Mecklenburg County, Virginia!

Mecklenburg County was formed in 1764 from Lunenburg, and Lunenburg was formed in 1745 from Brunswick, and Brunswick was formed in 1720. Tbat's far enough back for now. You can figure that the records in a county start shortly after the formation of that county.

A quick check of some Mecklenburg records starting in 1765 shows plenty of familiar Taylor names e. g. Richard, Thomas, William, David, Joseph, etc. The further back, the more interesting the records become. Anyone want to help?

Project Outline Preparation Phase - ??? days

Collect maps of area
Study maps of area
Make preliminary research plan famnily fast and Temple session
Adjust research plan?

Data Collection Phase - ??? days

Work at Family History Library
Find land deeds - make copies
Find wills and inventories - make copies

Final Phase - ??? days

Family fast and Temple session
Analyze data
Write proof summary
Publish results

Volunteers should contact Gayle Hix of the Taylor Clearing House

TaylorAssociation.org