Matthew Taylor, Senr., came from New England, to Nova Scotia, in company with his brothers-in-law, Messrs. Archibald, and others, who arrived at Fort Belcher, December 13th, 1762. He was born in Londonderry, N. H., October 30th, 1727. He was married to Elizabeth Archibald before they came to Nova Scotia. He was one of the Grantees of Truro Township, and had his front land lying between Isaac N. Archibald's and the South line of Onslow. His house stood on the hill west of John E. Archibald's house. Here he reared a numerous family. He died at the house of Mr. David Dickey, on the Halifax road, south side of Stewiacke River, when he was on his way to Halifax. He died January 22nd, 1796, aged 68 years. His widow was taken by her sons to St. Mary's and died there about the year 1810. She was buried on a small Island in the Lake, a short distance up the East River of St. Mary's, above the forks.
John Taylor, their eldest son, was born in New Hampshire, June 2nd, 1752, and was brought by his parents to Truro, when he was ten years old. His name is among the Grantees of the Township, although he was only in his fourteenth year at the time. His front lot was adjoining his father's land, and he inherited his father's farm. About the year 1802, he sold his farm in Truro and removed to St. Mary's, and settled on an interval farm at the forks, being the same on which the Rev. Mr. Pitblado and the Messrs. Archibald now reside. In the year 1812, he sold his farm their to Alexander M. Archibald, and removed up the East River, and died there. He was married to Nancy, the eldest daughter of Samuel Archibald, Senr., and Eleanor Taylor, his wife. They had three sons and five daughters.
James, the second son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born in New Hampshire in the year 1754, and was brought by his parents to Truro when eight years old. He was married to Rebecca Bartlett. They removed to Major field, New Brunswick, and carried on farming there very extensively. He had his barn so constructed that he could unload a ton of hay from his cart into the mow in a minute and a half.
Matthew, the third son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born in New Hampshire, June 28th, 1755, seven years before they came to Truro. He was married to Rebecca, daughter of James Archibald, Senr., February 6th, 1783. John Archibald, their eldest son, was born in Truro February 9th, 1784. James, their second son, was born February 19th, 1786. Matthew, their third son, was born June 16th, 1787. David, their fourth son, was born October 22nd, 1788. Elizabeth, their daughter, was born March 2nd, 1790. Mr. Taylor settled on the farm on which the late John D. Christie lived and died. He had a Saw Mill about half a mile up the brook. He and his family removed to Ohio, United States, about the year 1792.
David, the fifth son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born about the year 1760. He was settled on the farm on which William T. Archibald now resides. On January 15th, 1799, when he was chopping in the woods, a large limb fell from the tree and struck him on the head. He was found dead. He was married to Eleanor Archibald in the year, 1783. Janet, their eldest daughter was born in Truro, August 19th, 1784. She was married to Adam McKeen of St. Mary's, August 15th, 1805. They had four sons and four daughters. Thomas, the eldest son of David and Eleanor Taylor, was born April 26th, 1786. He inherited his father's farm, and was married to Lucy, daughter of Ebenezer and Catherine Hoar, of Onslow, October 6th, 1807. Their only daughter, Eleanor, was born August 3rd, 1808. She was married to David T. Archibald, and had one son and six daughters. On the 3rd of January, 1809, Thomas Taylor and his brother were in the woods together. In chopping down a tree it fell upon Thomas and killed him. Matthew ran home with the sad tidings to his wife. She ran, with her child five months old, in her arms, and was the first on the spot. She removed the hat, in which was the brains of her husband. The scene may be more easily imagined than described. His widow was married again to David, the second son of William and Ann McKeen, and they had two sons and one daughter. Elizabeth, the second daughter of David and Eleanor Taylor, was born in Truro, July 31st, 1788. She was married to William, son of Gavin Johnson. William Johnson built the house, and lived in it some time, which is now owned by John Hattie, of Salmon River. He removed to Ohio, United States, about the year 1815. Matthew, the youngest son of David and Eleanor Taylor, was born in Truro, May 29th, 1791. He was married to Elizabeth, daughter of Ebenezer and Catherine Hoar, of Onslow, April 1st, 1813. Eleanor, their eldest daughter, was born in Truro, April 18th, 1814. She was married to William McLeod, of Bible Hill, May 21st, 1855. Susan, their second daughter, was born October 27th, 1818. She was married to Charles Blackie, of New Annan, October 22nd, 1844. They had three sons and one daughter. She died March 27th, 1859. Thomas, the eldest son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born June 16th, 1821. He was married to Susan, daughter of Benjamin Lynds, of North River, March 27th, 1863. George L., their eldest son, was born in Truro, December 31st, 1863. Thomas B., their second son, was born March 27th, 1865. Catherine, the third daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born October 10th, 1824. James, their second son, was born April 2nd, 1829. He was married to Elizabeth Watson, November 16th, 1854. They had one son. Mrs. Taylor died January 19th, 1856, and he was married again to Margaret Miller, of New Annan, February 23rd, 1864. Matthew, the youngest son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born May 27th, 1831. He was married to Esther, daughter of David Archibald 9th, and Rebecca Spencer, his wife, March 24th, 1868. Bessie, their daughter, was born January 5th, 1869, Eleanor, the youngest daughter of David and Eleanor Taylor, was born in Truro May 2nd, 1796. She was married to Charles Hall of Halifax. They had one son and one daughter. Mr. Hall died some time ago, and she was married again to Martin Murphy of Maitland. Margaret, daughter of Matthew Taylor, Senr., and Elizabeth Archibald, was born in Truro July 12th 1763, being the next summer after they came to Nova Scotia. She died young.
Samuel, the sixth son of Matthew Taylor, Senr., and Elizabeth Archibald, was born in Truro, February 17th, 1765. He was married, and had a family of children. He was one of the eight who settled first in Upper Stewiacke in the spring of the year 1784. Shortly after, he removed to Ohio, United States. Robert, the fourth son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born in New Hampshire about the year 1757, and was brought by his parents to Nova Scotia in December, 1762. He was married to Mehetabel Wilson of Chiganoise December 6th, 1781; they had two sons and three daughters. He bought the mill which stood then between the North River bridge and James McNutt's shop, from Simeon Howard (who first built it). He afterwards sold out and removed to Ohio, United States.
Archibald, the seventh son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born in Truro, December 28th, 1766. He was married to Jane, the eldest daughter of William and Mary Blair of North River. She died shortly after they were married. He removed to St. Mary's and was married again to Mary McDonald of Pictou they had three sons and two daughters. He died suddenly at St. Mary's about the year 1837, aged 70 years. Elizabeth, the second daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born in Truro February 28th, 1769. She was married to Gain, son of Richard Bartlett; they had one son and one daughter. Gain Bartlett was born in Truro, June 28th, 1764; he was married, and had two children. When driving home a load of wood one day, he fell from the sled in front of the runner. The team stopped, and when he was found the sled was on his body, and he was dead.
William the eighth and youngest son of Matthew and Elizabeth Taylor, was born in Truro, November 7th, 1771. He was married to Margaret, daughter of Alexander McCurdy of Onslow; they had one son and three daughters. Mrs. Taylor died when her children were all young. Their son's name was Daniel Taylor. He was married to a daughter of William Lynds of North River, and had a family of children. They removed to Illinois, United States, about the year 1835. Elizabeth, the daughter of William and Margaret Taylor, was married to Robert Blair of North River. Her family appears among the Blair families. William Taylor removed to St. Mary's, was married again, and had a family of children. About the year 1840 he was chopping in the woods at Sherbrooke, and was killed by the falling of a tree. Matthew Taylor, Senr., was the second son of Matthew and Janet Taylor, who came from Londonderry, Ireland, to Londonderry, N. H., in the year 1722.
