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Reverend James Taylor Papers

 Collection
Identifier: MA.00125

Scope and Contents

Sermons, accounts, legal papers, and leather folder belonging to Reverend James Taylor.

Dates

  • Creation: 1808-1832

Creator

Conditions Governing Access

There is no restriction on access to the Taylor Papers for research use. Particularly fragile items may be restricted for preservation purposes.

Conditions Governing Use

Requests for permission to publish material from Taylor Papers should be directed to the Archives and Special Collections. It is the responsibility of the researcher to identify and satisfy the holders of all copyrights.

Biographical / Historical

Reverend James Taylor, a Trustee of Amherst College from its beginnings in 1821 until 1831, was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, the son of Colonel James Taylor, in 1783. He graduated at Williams College in 1803 and studied theology with Reverend John Taylor of Deerfield. He married John Taylor's eldest daughter, Elizabeth Terry, on July 22, 1807 and settled in Sunderland, Massachusetts. On October 11, 1831, after a ministry of nearly 25 years at the Congregational church in Sunderland, James Taylor died at the age of 48. The church prospered greatly under his ministry and enjoyed several powerful revivals of religion, especially in the years 1816 and 1831.

He early became interested in the founding of Amherst College from his membership in the Franklin Association and from his acquaintance with Colonel Rufus Graves, another founder and benefactor of the College.

Taylor's wife died on the day of her husband's burial leaving a large family of children.

Extent

0.5 Linear feet (1 archives box)

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Congregational minister, former Amherst College trustee. Papers consist of sermons, accounts, legal papers, and a leather folder.

Arrangement

This collection is organized into two series:

  1. Series 1: Sermons
  2. Series 2: Financial and Legal Papers

Immediate Source of Acquisition

The papers were donated by Reverend James H. Taylor, Pastor Emeritus of the Central Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C., and great-grandson of Reverend James Taylor.

Author
Graham Leach-Krouse
Date
2003
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Sponsor
Encoding funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Repository Details

Part of the Amherst College Archives and Special Collections Repository

Contact:
Amherst College Archives & Special Collections
Robert Frost Library
61 Quadrangle Drive
Amherst MA 01002-5000
(413) 542-2299