Some accounts of the ancestors, relatives and family of Henry B. Taylor.
With a memoir written by himself.(This is a self-published book.)

This is a supplement written by Rev. B. S. Taylor brought down to 10/1892

When Mr. Smith selected his 1200 acres of land in New Connecticut he chose the poorest soil in the town because of its color resembling the best soil in their native state. Some of his farms were what is now called the Weischmeyer farm, the John Mitchell farm, The Ward farm, the Stocking farm and some on the Hall road. They sold much of the land exchanging for wheat, an acre of land not worth as much as a bushel of wheat, the price being two shillings the more for wheat.Our forefathers encountered many dangers and experienced many discouragements while immigrating to the west. Once while they were crossing a swamp Rebecca took up the task of getting the children over it because the men and boys were busy prying the wheels of their "touring car" and strengthening the ox power of the same. She would carry one to a place of safety and return for another, and thus she labored for a distance of nearly four miles. These three little girls were Rachel, Rebecca and Hepsibeth.At another time, when they were about to lose their way, she called for help across the Catarogus Creek until assistance was obtained and the party rescued and ferried across the stream.They suffered the loss of an ox from their team. What did they do? They simply yoked a cow with the mate and proceeded on their way, no doubt rejoicing that they owned a cow to yoke.While preparing for this journey, Rebecca, who had repeatedly been cautioned by her husband against burdening the luggage, surprised her husband by bringing forth a much desired crane for their new made fire place and for a long time theirs was the only crane in Dover. She hid it in the bedding when packing their goods.When the news of their son George's death was brought to them, Jonathan, for the time, was completely overcome, but not so with Rebecca. She calmly laid aside her work, donned her bonnet and shawl, and went forth to learn the worst, but for three days she scarily spoke so great was her grief and so heavy her burden, but possessing such marked self-control. Wonderful woman! Fitted not only to be the mother of eleven children but to be the mother of a colony. A genuine leader, always assisting in sickness, never tiring, ready for any emergency. A true pioneer.The puritans came to America to find freedom to worship God. The Smith's came to Dover to found homes for themselves and their posterity. May their principles ever be verdant in our memory, and may the examples so plainly marked be perpetuated by us who follow. May it never be said of us, their offspring, that we are retrograding, but the rather that we are advancing. Long live the Smiths. May there be many Jonathans who shall find a Rebecca as true and noble as she of Hardwick, Mass. The names of the family traced from the puritans: Mary, Keziah, Hepsibeth, Rhoda, Sarah, Elizabeth, Rachel, Philura, Jerusha and Dorothy: Jonathan, Joseph, Stephen, Abner, Jasher, David, Sylvenus.