Taylor, James

From Helderberg Hilltowns of Albany County, NY

Birth

James Winthrop[1] Taylor was born in Berne[2], Albany County, NY or in Schoharie[1] County, NY to John Taylor Sr. (B. May 15, 1805, D. May 13, 1854) and Susan Shephard (B. Jan 24, 1804, D. Aug 1, 1887).[1][3][4] He was one of nine children.[1]

Marriage & Children

In the early 1870s, James married Henrietta Kniskern (B. Sept 3, 1853, D. after 1936), who was the daughter of Jonathan Kniskern and Polly Ann Deyo.[1] James and Etta, as she was known, had the following children:

Occupation

James worked as a farmer before he served during the Civil War.[2] After the war, he became a shoemaker probably as a result of his leg amputation.[6][5]


Military Service

Residence at Enlistment: Berne[7]
Place of Birth: Berne, NY[7]
Date of Birth: March 1842[7]
Names of Parents: John (Taylor) and Susan Shepherd[7]
Marital Status: Single[7]
Occupation: Farmer[7]
Term of Enlistment: 3 years[7]
Bounty Received: None[7]
Enlistment Date: 12 Aug 1862[2]
Enlistment Place: Albany, New York
Enlistment Rank: Private[2]
State Served: New York
Regiment: 7th Regiment NY Heavy Artillery
Company: Company K[2]
Wounded In Action on: 16 Jun 1864[2]
Wounded at: Petersburg, VA[2]
Discharged for Disability: 6 Jul 1865[2]
Discharge Place: Central Park Hospital, New York City[2]
Additional Remarks: Enlisted at age 21. Also appeared on the rolls of Company D. His right leg was amputated.[2]"wounded at battle of Petersburg in left leg and had leg amputated above knee Still living Discharged July 6, 1865"[7]

Born in Berne, NY in 1842, Age 21, Farmer, Dark eyes, Light complexion, 5'7" tall.[8]

Sources Used: Ancestry.com, American Civil War Soldiers; Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State of New York for the year 1897; Keating, Robert, Carnival of Blood: The Civil War Ordeal of the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, Published by Butternut and Blue, Baltimore, Md 1998; Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War

Life

James was one of the younger sons in a large family.[1] His father John, who was a farmer in Berne, died at 49 yrs of age in 1854.[1] After his father's death, his mother continued to operate their farm with the help of her sons including James.[4] James served in the Civil War in the 7th Heavy Artillery Regiment. Unfortunately he was wounded on June 16, 1874 at Petersburg and his right leg was amputated. This injury required that he leave farming and become a boot and shoe maker.[6][5] In 1870 James was living with his mother Susan in East Berne.[6] A decade later he was living in New Scotland, Albany County, NY with his wife, children and mother.[5]

Death

James died January 23, 1883 at the age of 41. He was survived by both his mother, Susan and wife, Henrietta. James was buried in the South Berne Rural Cemetery.

Monument of James Taylor at the South Berne Rural Cemetery. Photo courtesy of Russ

Obituary

Additional Research Notes

Additional Media

Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War


Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Bernehistory.org
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 Keating, Robert, Carnival of Blood: The Civil War Ordeal of the Seventh New York Heavy Artillery, Published by Butternut and Blue, Baltimore, Md 1998
  3. 1850 US Census, Berne, Albany Co, NY
  4. 4.0 4.1 1860 US Census, East Berne, Albany Co, NY
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 1880 US Census, New Scotland, Albany Co, NY
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 1870 US Census, East Berne, Albany Co, NY
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 7.6 7.7 7.8 Town and City Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War
  8. NY Civil War Muster Roll Abstracts, Ancestry.com Military databases