The Taylor Family
The history of the Taylor family began in a small Indian town called Quantico, which means "a place of dancing." After the War Between the States ended, Wicomico—a new county formed from old Somerset County—was established, and the former slaves were free to find new lives. In the 1870 census records of the Quantico District, Joshua Taylor and Mary Cottman were found with their two small daughters: Elizabeth, age 6, and Mary H, age 2. Littleton Cottman, Mary Cottman’s oldest child from a previous relationship, was a nine-year-old apprentice living on a different farm.
By the 1880 census, Joshua and Mary Taylor had three new additions to the family: Leah E, John L, and Joshua H. Joshua Taylor was born in December 1833 in Somerset County, Maryland, and his wife, Mary Cottman, a Native American, was born around 1840 in Somerset, Maryland. Joshua and Mary Taylor were married in 1884 in Quantico, Maryland. Joshua Taylor passed away by 1909.
Littleton Cottman was born in March 1862 in Somerset County, Maryland. His wife was Phoebe Cathell, born in 1864 in Somerset County. The Cottmans were married around 1880 in Quantico. According to the 1900 census, their children were: Edward H Cottman, born June 1880; Emma E Cottman, born March 1884; Alonzo F Cottman, born September 1886; Littleton L Cottman, born September 1888; and John W Cottman, born September 1890. Mary Frances Cottman, another daughter, was not listed in the census records but lived in Salisbury, Maryland, with her husband, Orlando Purnell.
Members of this branch of the family lived long, productive lives. Emma E Cottman lived to be 101 years old, and her brother Littleton Cottman was 100 when he passed away. Emma made her home in Princess Anne, Maryland, where she was an educator in the Somerset County School System. Emma, Alonzo, and Littleton were musicians who played at the church in Quantico. Emma's husband was Woodard William Privott of North Carolina. Phoebe Cottman died at age 97 on January 2, 1961, leaving behind 82 descendants.
Elizabeth Taylor, known as Lizzie to the family, was the oldest daughter of Joshua Taylor and Mary Cottman Taylor. Born in April 1866 in Somerset County, Maryland, Aunt Lizzie was a minister, singer, and midwife who delivered babies throughout Wicomico County. She was well-known among both Black and white residents of Quantico. She married Thomas L. Pinkett of Quantico on January 2, 1889. He was born in March 1861 in Somerset County, Maryland, and his parents were Sandy and Mary Pinkett. Their children were Carl Peters, Lorenzo, Herbert, Laura, and Lillie Pinkett.
Mary H. Taylor was born in November 1869 and was the first child born after the formation of the new county. She died at a very young age. John Linwood Taylor, the second son, was born in December 1875. His wife was Sinora Bell from Delaware, and their only daughter was Mary Taylor. John Taylor was a minister, pastoring in Wilmington, Delaware, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was known for driving luxurious cars whenever he visited Quantico.
Joshua Handy Taylor, the youngest son of Joshua and Mary Taylor, was born in July 1877. He married Octavia Gayle on September 11, 1901. Her parents were Frederick and Ellen Ballard Gayle of Quantico. It was said that Uncle Josh walked with such dignity that he appeared wealthier than he actually was. He passed away in December 1956. The children of this marriage were Dorothy and Rupert Taylor.
Dorothy Taylor, born on June 7, 1902, in Quantico, married William Furr of Hebron, Maryland. Their only child was an adopted daughter, Mable Furr. Dorothy passed away on June 2, 1996, at St. Agnes Hospital in Catonsville, Maryland, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Rupert Taylor died in March 1996, three months before his sister, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Leah Eliza Taylor, the third and youngest daughter of Joshua and Mary Cottman Taylor, was born in October 1874 in Quantico. The family called her Eliza. Her first marriage was to Charles Sheppard of Kent Island, Maryland, with whom she had three sons: John (Johnny), Thomas (Tommy), and Edward Jerome (Eddy) Sheppard. After Charles's supposed death at sea, she moved back home to live with her father and changed the boys' surname back to Taylor. Johnny Taylor served in World War I in France and Germany and died from the effects of chemical gas at age 21. Tommy developed tuberculosis while working in a factory in Wilmington, Delaware, and passed away.
On November 13, 1901, Leah Eliza Taylor married John A. Graham of West Virginia. They had three children: a set of twin boys who died in infancy and Mary Marie Graham, born May 24, 1902, in Quantico. On August 16, 1923, Marie married David Scott Chase in Quantico. Their children were Olive Leola Graham and Hubert Graham. Leola Graham was born on March 7, 1920. Marie Graham Scott passed away on September 27, 1924. When Leola was a young child, she lived with her great-uncle John Taylor and his family, attended school, and became a licensed beautician. She later moved back to Quantico with her grandmother, Eliza. Her first marriage was to William Robinson of Wetipquin on August 16, 1944. Her second marriage was to Robert Barclay of Nanticoke, Maryland. Leola had two daughters, Vivian and Norcenda. Olive Leola Graham Barclay passed away on February 23, 1998. Her brother Hubert resides in Wilmington, Delaware.
Eliza Graham was a good-natured person who made her home a center of attraction for her family and neighbors. She was trustworthy and led a virtuous life, serving as the treasurer of several church and community offices. She was very industrious, making quilts, cooking delicious meals, and canning food for the winter. Her hobbies included reading, fishing, and playing dominoes, which she would hide in her apron when her sister Lizzie visited on her way to a church meeting. She had a lot of respect for her sister. Mr. Graham was a carpenter who kept their home neat and orderly. Leah Eliza Taylor Graham passed away on July 8, 1944, in Quantico, Maryland.
Edward Jerome Taylor, the youngest son of Eliza Taylor Graham, was born on September 9, 1900. He was the only surviving male carrying the Taylor name, continuing the family legacy. He lived in Quantico with his mother and stepfather. Edward had handsome features, a melodious singing voice, and loved to play baseball. Educated in the Wicomico County School System, he often recounted stories of his travels from Quantico to Wetipquin while visiting his grandmother. Edward married Victoria Myrella Bailey on October 2, 1921, in Quantico. She was born in February 1902 in Wetipquin, Maryland, and her parents were Theodore and Minta Seldon Bailey of Wetipquin. In 1926, they purchased a seven-acre farm from the Messick family in Wetipquin. Their oldest son, Norwood Curtis, is now deceased. Norwood had two daughters, Helena and Ann. Edward and Victoria’s other children are Pearline Winola Taylor, Ethel Taylor, Elva Rene Elizabeth Taylor, Edward Theodore Taylor, Larry John Taylor, Amelia Olive Taylor, Christine Eliza Taylor, and Victoria Ann Taylor (adopted granddaughter).
Maybelle Minnie Taylor, born August 24, 1927, in Wetipquin, was educated in the Wicomico County School System, graduating from Salisbury Colored High School in 1944. She attended Morgan State College for two years. On July 13, 1950, she married Rodney Gilbert Toadvine (Kaiser) in Salisbury, Maryland. Maybelle and her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, where she trained as a clerical assistant at Saint Agnes Hospital. She began working in the hospital nursery in 1967 and retired in December 1989. Her nieces nicknamed her "Ms. Vacuum Cleaner" because she was so neat and always cleaning. Maybelle Taylor Toadvine passed away on July 12, 1990. Her children were Donald Toadvine (a stepson) and Regina Toadvine.
Victor Reed Taylor, the youngest son of Edward and Victoria Bailey Taylor, was born on November 29, 1936, in Wetipquin, Maryland. He was educated in the Wicomico County School System, graduating from Salisbury Colored High School in 1954. Victor attended Bowie State University for three years and served in the United States Army from September 12, 1961, to September 12, 1963. He loved sports, playing softball and boxing in the Boy Scouts club. Victor sang in the junior choir at church and in the high school glee club. He was known for his storytelling, often recounting trips from Quantico to Wetipquin. He moved to the western shore of Maryland, settling in Washington, DC. Victor worked as a bus operator for the Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority for over 30 years and part-time for Vocational Services, Inc., in Bowie, Maryland, after retiring from Metro. Known as "hard-hitting" Vic Taylor in boxing, he also coached the Bladensburg Blades baseball team and earned the nickname "Coach." He enjoyed family gatherings and fishing with his brother Ed. Victor's wife was formerly Thelma Jackson of Washington, DC. Her mother is Dorothy Adams of Washington. Their children are Gregory, Christal, Tanya, and Sherri. Victor was multi-talented, being a singer, dancer, chef, comedian, and the life of the party. He passed away on June 28, 2004.
There are eight generations of the Taylor family beginning with Joshua Taylor in 1870. Each person was unique in their own way but always special to God and family. I would like to express special thanks to the following individuals who assisted me in researching the Taylor family history: my mother, Pearline Mitchell, whose memory of the family extended over 75 years; my cousins, Gwendolyn McBride Thomas and Doris Cottman Polk; my friends, Mannie Church Greene and her sister Ruth Church Brittingham; my uncles, Larry Taylor and Edward Taylor; my aunts, Doretta Taylor and Victoria Jones; my cousin Tyrone Taylor and his wife Amy. I especially wish to thank my two sons, Calvin, who helped with the printing, and Warren Jr., who made all the generation charts. Above all, I thank God for all His goodness and blessings to this great family. The following hymn was sung many years ago by my great-aunt Elizabeth Taylor Pinkett.
Joshua Taylor Born 1833
Mary Cottman Taylor born 1840
Native American
First Generation
Littleton Cottman born 1862
Elizabeth Taylor born 1866
Mary Taylor born 1869
Leah Taylor born 1874
John Linwood Taylor born 1875
Joshua Handy Taylor born 1877
Second Generation:
1. Littleton Cottman wife Phoebe Cathell
Edward Cottman
Emma Cottman
Alonzo Cottman
Littleton Cottman
John Cottman
Mary Cottman
Douglas Cottman
1. Edward Cottman wife Christa Dashiel
Thersa Cottman
Naomi Cottman
Agatha Cottman
Marjorie Cottman
Yancy Stewart
Kenneth Cottman
Kermit Cottman
Stoner Cottman
2. Emma E Cottman husband Woodard Privolt
Elizabeth Privott
Mary Privott
Inna Privott
Nora Privott
Woodard Privott
3. Alonzo Cottman wife Mary Virgie Stewart
Ocis Stewart
Clinton Stewart
James Stewart
Ethel Cottman
Geraldine Cottman
4. Littleton Cottman wife Sadie Jackson
Irvin Cottman
Florence Cottman
Elaine Cottman
Agnes Cottman
Thomas Cottman
Mary Cottman
Hoyd Cottman
Doris Polk
George Wilson Cottman
5. John Cottman
levin Cottman
6. Mary Cottman
Orland Purnell
Emerson Elwood Cottman
Edward James Purnell
William Purnell
Raymond Purnell
Levin Purnell
Alonzo Purnell
Dr Elmer Purnell
Lillie Purnell
Emma Purnell
7. Douglas Cottman
2. Elizabeth Taylor married Thomas L. Pinkett
Carl Peters Pinkett
Lorenzo Pinkett
Herbert Pinkett
Laura Pinkett
Lillie Pinkett
Mary H. Taylor - died young
Second Generation: Elizabeth Taylor
1. Lorenzo Pinkett
No children
2. Lillian Pinkett
Thurston Mcbride
Mary Mcbride
Leslie Mcbride
Gerald Mcbride
Alonzo Mcbride
Augusta Mcbride
Arthur Mcbride
Gwendolyn Mcbride
3. Herbert Pinkett
No children
4. Laura Pinkett
No children
5. Carl Peters
Juanita Peters
6. Mary Taylor died young
Second Generation: Leah Eliza Taylor
John Taylor
Thomas Taylor
Edward Taylor
Marie Graham
Twin boys died at birth
1. Marie Graham
Leola Graham
Vivian Graham
Hubert Graham
Virginia Graham
Beverly Graham
Hubert Graham Jr
2. Thomas Tayler
No children
3. Twin boys died at Birth
4. Edward Jerome Taylor Wife Victoria Bailey
Norwood Curtis
Pearline Wanda Taylor
Ethel Taylor
Maybelle Minnie Taylor
Edward Jerome Taylor
Elva Elizabeth Taylor
Larry John Taylor
Victor Reed Taylor
Amelia Olive Taylor
Christine Fliza Taylor
Victoria Ann Taylor
5. John Taylor
No children
Second Generation: John Linwood Taylor
Mary Taylor
Second Generation: Joshua Handy Taylor
William Taylor
Dorothy Taylor
No Children
Third Generation
Edward Taylor Wife Victoria Bailey
1. Pearline Taylor husband James Mitchell
Joyce Mitchell
1. Sylvester Mitchell
2. Rebecca Burrell
3. Warren Burrell Jr
4. Christopher Burrell
5. Calvin Burrell
2. James Mitchell
1. Theresa Savage
2. Allen Mitchell
3. Stephon Hunt
3. Jerome Mitchell
1. Jerome Mitchell Jr
2. Jennifer Mitchell
4. Ronald Mitchell
1. Ronald Mitchell Jr
2. James Mitchell
5. David Mitchell
1. Detoiya Mitchell
2. Dyana Mitchell
3. Doniell Mitchell
6. Linda Mitchell
1. Craig Mitchell
2. Kevin Mitchell
7. Bryant Mitchell
2. Ethel Taylor husband Darnell Lewis
1. Anthony Waller
2. Duwayne Taylor
Duwayne Taylor
Desmond Taylor
Tracy Taylor
Tia Taylor
Tawanda Taylor
Katrina Taylor
Derrick Taylor
3. Edward Taylor wife Doretta Jones
Yvette Taylor
Diana Hachoose
Angelina Hachoose
Deborah Taylor
Sarah Janna Amin
Mikaylah Amin
Tyrone Taylor
Donavan Taylor
Briana Taylor
4. Amelia Taylor husband James Maxwell
Steven Maxwell
Gayle Maxwell
5. Christine Taylor husband Walter Williams
Stacey Williams
6. Maybell Taylor husband Rodney Toadvine
Regina Toadvine
Kevin Boyo
Yuonne Boyo
2. Donald Toadvine
7. Norwood Curtis
Helena Curtis Barkly
Ann Curis Barkly
8. Larry Taylor wife Louise Brinson
Larry Taylor Jr
Marguis Taylor
Kyle Taylor
2. Gary Taylor
Branson Rayan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor
3. Jacqueline Taylor
Raveen Nicole Jones
4. Shelia Taylor
Jada Bailey
Gerrick Bailey
9. Elva Taylor husband Stanley Robinson
Beverly Collins
Edth Collins
Michael Russell
Edward Collins
Edward Collins Jr
Estella Robinson
10. Victor Taylor wife Thelma
Gregory
Tanya Taylor
Sherri Jackson
Chrystal Taylor
11. Victoria Jones husband Charles Jones
Angele Clady
Tyrone Leatherbury
Stacey Clady
Tyler Johnson
Kadeisha Rivers