Ridge Street Historic District in Charlottesville, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

James T. S. Taylor

(1840-1918)

Photographed by Kevin W., January 16, 2026

1. James T. S. Taylor Marker

Inscription. James T. S. Taylor, a free Black shoemaker, grew up in Charlottesville and served as a sergeant in the 2nd U. S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War. As a newspaper correspondent, he wrote wartime letters detailing Black soldiers' experiences and protesting racial injustice. He later became a leader in Charlottesville's Republican Party. He was a delegate to the Virginia Constitutional Convention of 1867-68, where he championed Black suffrage and civil rights. In 1881, he supported the Readjuster Party, a biracial reform coalition that abolished the poll tax and invested in public education. Taylor remained an active Republican into the 20th century and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

Erected 2025 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number Q-92.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.

Location. 38° 1.448′ N, 78° 29.121′ W. Marker is in Charlottesville, Virginia. It is in the Ridge Street Historic District. It is on 1st Street South 0.1 miles north of Elliott

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Avenue, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 201 Elliott Ave, Charlottesville VA 22902, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Virginia.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Oakwood Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Daughters of Zion Cemetery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Dedicated to You, A Free Citizen in a Free Land (approx. 0.4 miles away); Benjamin E. Tonsler Residence (approx. 0.4 miles away); Site of Mount Zion Baptist Church, 1884 (approx. 0.4 miles away); Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (approx. 0.4 miles away); Inge's Store (approx. half a mile away); Together We Grow (approx. half a mile away).

Photographed by Kevin W., January 16, 2026

2. James T. S. Taylor Marker

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charlottesville.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Sacajawea (was approx. 0.4 miles away but has been permanently removed).

James T. S. Taylor Grave Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin W., January 16, 2026

3. James T. S. Taylor Grave Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on January 16, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 16, 2026, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 54 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 16, 2026, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.