James Taylor, Newport's Founder

James Taylor, Newport's Founder. . In 1792 James Taylor sent his two sons, James and Hubbard, to Kentucky to assess 2,500 acres of land awarded him for service in the Revolutionary War. In 1793 the younger James was sent again with instructions to develop and expand those holdings. For the next 55 years, James devoted himself to that task., A principal focus of James Taylor's life was the development of the town of Newport. He worked tirelessly to make it the governmental, economic and cultural center of northern Kentucky. James donated land for a courthouse and successfully lobbied the state government to name Newport as a county seat., He also donated land and successfully lobbied the federal government to secure the Newport Barracks. He invested in ferries, the Newport Manufacturing Company and several banks. He also helped found the Newport Academy, the first "public school" in greater Cincinnati., By the time of his death in 1848, James Taylor witnessed the transformation of Newport from wilderness to a thriving city of 6,000 residents., James Taylor (1769-1848) As the father of Newport, James Taylor always boasted of its advantages. In 1795 he wrote "the Ohio and Licking binding two sides of this town, makes the situation equal to any in this state, to which may be added the advantages of the permanent seat of justice for Campbell County.", Keturah Taylor (1773-1867) Not long after the death of Keturah's first husband Major David Leitch, she married James Taylor on November 15, 1795. In addition to 13,800 acres of land along the Licking River, as well as land in other counties, she brought intelligence and determination to their marriage., Bellevue James Taylor referred to his home in Newport, even when it was only a log house, as "Belle Vue." After fire destroyed his mansion in 1842, James and Keturah built this home along Third Street (Belle Vue Street on the 1795 map). The house originally faced the river. In the 1880s extensive renovations reoriented the house to face Third Street, including the moving of what had been the east wing to the north side of the house where it was attached to the original structure. Photos courtesy of the Kenton County Library), Plan of the Town of Newport, 1796 This 1796 Plan of Newport was signed by James Taylor. The town was laid out by his brother Hubbard on the standard grid with streets 66 feet wide. The principal north-south streets , Saratoga, Monmouth, and York , were named after major battles of the Revolutionary War. Cabot (now Central), Columbia (for Columbus) and Isabella (Queen of Spain) recall the Age of Exploration. Taylor reserved lots 79 through 84 for a "Publick Square," and the Esplanade that ran the length of the entire riverfront, was designated as "common forever." (Map courtesy of the Campbell County Court House)