1. John W. TAYLOR [scrapbook] 1 was born on 1 Oct 1812 2 in Edgecombe Co., North Carolina 2. He died on 13 Apr 1853 3 in California 3.
John W. Taylor was born 1 October 1812 in Edgecombe Co., North Carolina. It is possible that his middle name is William, as there is a grandson named John William Taylor. There is no knowledge of John's parents or siblings. John is known to have migrated from North Carolina to Greene Co., Alabama by October 1832, when shortly after turning twenty years old he married Elizabeth A. Newsum.
John and Elizabeth are known to have resided in Greene Co., Alabama through at least December 1841, when their fourth child was born. A further march west ensued, and by 1844 John and Elizabeth had made it to Mississippi, and were known to reside in Clarke Co., Mississippi by June 1846. John and Elizabeth lived in Clarke Co., Mississippi until at least early July 1852, likely in the Beaverdam community. (Presently there is not a Beaverdam community in Clarke Co., Mississippi--however, there is a Beaverdam creek and nearby is an historical school site called Beaverdam school, location is 31.871ºN, 88.897ºW. There is also a Beaverdam Cemetery located at 31.868ºN, 88.851ºW).
Sometime in late 1852, John W. Taylor headed to California to participate in the Gold Rush. This move is perhaps a bit odd, as by 1851 it was common news that few new arrivals to California were making meaningful finds. Whatever his expectation was for his fortunes, John's account of his journey to California is recorded in a letter he wrote back to Elizabeth on 6 March 1853, which happened to be five days after the birth of their last child who was conceived prior to his departure from Mississippi.
John's journey to California was harrowing, and he took a route that was common from the southern United States at that time. John likely departed by ship from New Orleans and then landed in Panama. From there, an overland journey across the isthmus through the jungle was taken where he then embarked on another ship for San Francisco. On these journeys disease was common, in particular dysentery. John records the deaths of several men on the journey, which were thrown overboard en route. John attempted to stay healthy by sleeping in the fresh air and by lying near on open port hole as he slept. At the time of writing his letter on 6 March, John was in Sonora, California, and stated that he had "escapt [sic] sickness" and only had a "bad cold." He was preparing to go on a prospecting trip, and return to Sonora in three or four weeks. However, it was only five weeks after this, on 13 April 1853 that John died. Perhaps he had developed pneumonia.
A transcription of the letter follows:
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Calaforna Tuolama [Tuolumne] Co. Sanora
March the 6th 1853
Dear Elizabeth
I take the present opportunity of writing you a few lines to in form you that I am well with the exceptions of a bad cold and hope these few lines will find you all the Same. I arrived at Sanfrancisco on the 19th of feb. and came to this place the 22nd and found in the post office a letter from Alexander and last Sunday I met with him hear and have came hear to day to meet him and Andrews and I Expect to gow with them this Evening. I am with some men that appear very willing for me to stay with them but they do not Suit me I have nothing of importance wright We had a great deal of sickness on the Ship in going from panaman [or panamar] to Sanfrancisco their dyed a bout fifty one day 10 or 12. [I think he means that about 50 men died enroute and one day 10 or 12 died.] Some nights their would be 5 or 6 Some hollowing and scraming and dying clost to me and expected by time next thought to keep from taking the diseases I slept out on the herricane deck as much as possible and when I slept in by birth I would open the port hole and I lie with my face at it So as to keep from Smelling the cent of the Ship and to get pure air and have Escapt Sickness, only a bad cold.
I have worked hear some but have not made a nery thing yet more than board Some people hear are making large Sumes of gold and others are not making anything worth a mention walker I have joined a compony to go on _________ river we have cent 15 to min ___ the[?] to prospect the Start to day and will be back in 3 or 4 weeks the presumption that a man can make his pile their a shorttime and we have sent those men to se and they are to report to the company that sends them Write me at this place direct your letter to Sonora Calafornia Tuolla Co
(signed) John Taylor
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