An Interesting Description of John Taylor
Frontier Baptist Minister

     Here is how James E. Welch describes John Taylor:

      "I saw this aged brother at the meeting of the Elkhorn Association, at the Big Spring Church, near Frankfort, in 1832. He was a member of the Body; and yet he took his place on the front seat of the gallery.¹ The Moderator, observing him, said, - "Come down, Brother Taylor, and sit with us;" but he promptly replied, - I am a free man, Brother Moderator," and kept his seat. He was low of stature, muscular, had broad shoulders and a broad face, high cheek bones and heavy eye brows, over-hanging a pair of light and small, but expressive, eyes. He was plain, and by no means particular, in his apparel, and rather reserved in conversation, though, at times, he seemed to enjoy a dry joke upon his brethren.

     "His death was peaceful and tranquil, and he has left behind him a name worthy of enduring remembrance."
---------------------------
¹ Editor's note: The gallery (or balcony) was generally reserved for the slave members of the church.

===========

[From William B. Sprague, ed. Annals of the American Pulpit; or Commemorative Notices of Distinguished American Clergymen of Various Denominations, Volume VI: Baptists, 1860, p. 159. This document was provided by my son, James K. Duvall. - jrd]

---

Baptist Biographies
Baptist History Homepage