The Taylor Family

The Taylor Family. Sabine Hill State Historic Site. , "Happy Valley" and Sabine Hill (1778-1853) , In 1778, during the Revolutionary War, Andrew Taylor traveled from Virginia to what would later become eastern Tennessee. Taylor settled near this location on the Powder Branch of Buffalo Creek. It was there that a young Nathaniel Taylor grew up in what the Taylor family called "Happy Valley."

Receiving land from his father, Nathaniel permanently settled in "Happy Valley" in 1791 with his bride, Mary Patton of Rockbridge County, Virginia. In 1809, he added to his land, purchasing 381 acres from Joseph S. Tipton. This expanded the Taylor property to 3,000 acres.

Nathaniel was an active member of the community. Appointed a justice of the peace for Washington County, he also served as the first sheriff of Carter County, TN, and in the state senate. Taylor rose through the ranks in the local militia from private all the way up to colonel. He was later appointed brigadier general and served under Andrew Jackson in the War of 18 12 at Mobile, Alabama.

After the war, Nathaniel returned home to his wife and children, with plans to build a larger house on the property. However, Taylor unexpectedly passed away in 1816 and never saw Sabine Hill complete. Following Nathaniel's death, his wife, Mary, took over the estate and built the house seen today.

From 1816 until her death, Mary Taylor and her children managed the family plantation including the grist mill, saw mill, iron works, and the estate. Her success in business was a rare accomplishment for a woman in the early 19th century. As a leader and a parent, Mary ensured that the plantation and her children prospered.

Enslaved People at Sabine Hill , Sources show that Nathaniel Taylor owned many slaves during his lifetime. These slaves, imported through Charleston, South Carolina, worked on his plantations and his iron works. Account books show Taylor paid $12,000 for one group of slaves. Over 20 slaves are listed in Taylor's 1826 inventory and 14 slaves were listed in an 1854 inventory.

No evidence of slave dwellings has been found near Sabine Hill. In her will, Mary Taylor stated that most of her slaves should go to close family members. She did make one exception. Mary allowed two elderly slaves named Sam and Lear "...to remain where they are and work and support themselves. Give them the use of sufficient land for that purpose and grant them as much liberty as the law permits and not to sell or separate them."

Taylor Legacy , Nathaniel and Mary Taylor's descendants were accomplished lawyers, ministers, and politicians. In fact, their two great grandsons, Alfred Taylor and Robert Taylor, ran against each other for the office of Tennessee governor. "Alf" ran as a Republican, and "Bob," a Democrat. This 1886 election was nicknamed the "War of Roses." At the rallies, the brothers debated and played their fiddles while the crowd members wore a red or white rose to show support for their respective candidate. Bob won the election of 1886. Both brothers served as U.S. Congressmen and Alf won the gubernatorial election in 1920.