DR. GILBERT TAYLOR FAMILY CEMETERY, Hwy 31N, GILES COUNTY TENNESSEE

Dr. Gilbert Taylor

Summarized from the Pulaski Citizen August 12, 1870 and August 19, 1870

Dr. Gilbert Taylor died at his residence in this city on Saturday night, 6th instantly, at 11 o'clock. The fatal disease was inflammation of the bowels.

Dr. Taylor was born in Orange County, VA on November 18, 1791 in the same house in which his relative, President Zachary Taylor was afterwards born. He was 79 years old at
the time of his death.

Dr. Taylor studied medicine in his native county and attended lectures in Philadelphia. He came to Pulaski in 1811, and recalled the cane that grew on most of the present site of the
town. With the other pioneers of the town, he commenced life's journey. He started practicing medicine upon his arrival in Pulaski and soon had an extensive practice.

When the War of 1812 came he responded to the first call for volunteers. He was appointed surgeon of his regiment, and also received the appointment of Staff Surgeon for Gen.
Jackson. He served through the Creek campaign with Gen. Jackson. At the memorable crossing at the Battle of Emuckfau, when Col. Stump and his cavalry became demoralized
by the charge of the Indians in the rear, Dr. Taylor was one of the twenty-five men that defended the ford until the infantry, with the help of the artillery, could re-cross. Eighteen
out of the twenty-five men of this noble band were shot down. His coolness and bravery on this occasion called for the commendations of his General.

On September 2, 1817, in the City of Pulaski, he married Miss Delia McCormack who survives him.

In 1814, he made a profession of religion and in 1819 he was ordained a minister of the M. E. Church. He has been an able, faithful and efficient minister of the church. His deep
sympathy with the afflicted, his pastoral visits to the sick, and his affectionate interest in their spiritual interest, knew no bounds and greatly endeared him to all. He was one of
nature's noble men, possessed of a well balanced mind, courteous in his manners, kind and warm hearted in his feelings, frank, independent and conscientious in all the relations of
life, he was a devoted husband, and affectionate father. He had a great aversion to show and when giving directions about his burial a few days before his death, he said he had lived as
a plain unostentatious man through life and he wished to be buried in that manner; he wanted no eulogistic remarks at his grave.

Dr. Taylor had been a member of the Masonic fraternity for 58 years. Thus has passed another of the early pioneers of our county. With his death, much of the unwritten history
of our county and the thrilling events of frontier life is now lost.

As printed in the GILES COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BULLETIN  Apr 2013.

Dr Taylor was found living in (near) Pulaski in the 1870 census (11 Jun 1870) with his wife Delia McCormack and Erasmus Taylor age 31 and Annie Taylor age 27. Dr Taylor was listed as a minister of the Gospel (but we also know he was a physician.)

As donated by Daniel Vaughn. Added to this site 3 Sep 2016 by C. Wayne Austin.