William Tayloe (planter)

William was an early settler in York County, Virginia. In or before 1640, he purchased from John Utie the estate called "Utiemaria" in the aforementioned county, but, it seems, did not long hold it. By a deed dated Dec. 25, 1640, "William Tayloe of Utiemaria in the County of Charles River, in Virginia, merchant," sold to William Blackley, 100 acres of land which he had bought from John Utie, and on Jan. 7, 1641, he sold to Henry Corbell 1250 acres also purchased from Utie. Col. William Tayloe, as he ultimately became, was a burgess for York County in March, 1642-43, and Nov., 1647. As Maj. William Tayloe, he was present as a member of the council, Nov. 6, 1651, but lost his seat on the surrender of Virginia to the parliament. He was, however, again elected a councilor, April 30, 1652, and once more on March 31, 1654-55. He had been a justice of York since 1647. Col. Tayloe married Elizabeth, daughter of Richard Kingsmill, of Virginia, and died without issue. His widow married secondly Nathaniel Bacon. The tomb of Mrs. Elizabeth Bacon, now in St. Paul's Churchyard, Norfolk, bears the Kingsmill and Tayloe arms.[4]

Elizabeth Kingsmill Headstone, St Pauls, Norfolk, Virginia

Tayloe married Elizabeth Kingsmill, daughter of Richard Kingsmill a prominent member of the Virginia Company. Richard Kingsmil was the colonial customs inspector for the upper James River. Along the river, site of his inspection station, also featured a tavern, storehouse, warehouse, and ferry house. Quarterpath Road extended between Kingsmill Plantation, on the York River between King and Queen Creek, and Williamsburg.[5] The Virginia Company was a for-profit organization chartered in England which was charged with the founding and settlement of Virginia under the reign of King James I. In 1619, Richard Kingsmill, William Fairfax, William Claiborne, John Jefferson, William Spence, Richard Staples, and Richard Brewster, were the first Virginia Company members to receive grants of land in what was later to become "Kingsmill." Richard Kingsmill, a member of the General Assembly, expanded his holdings to 750 acres. He and his wife, Jane, had one child, a daughter, Elizabeth (1634-1691) who married first William Tayloe (Teylow) and then Colonel Nathaniel Bacon. The Kingsmill land was passed down through them to their niece, Abigail Smith and her husband, Lewis Burwell II.[6]

They had no children. Following Tayloe's death, his widow married Nathaniel Bacon, cousin of Nathaniel Bacon. [7] Elizabeth Bacon is buried in St. Paul's Churchyard, Norfolk and her grave shows the Kingsmill and Tayloe arms. Through his nephew, however, Col. William Tayloe, of Richmond County, progenitor of the Tayloe's of Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia, he has numerous representatives in Virginia.