George Taylor

George Taylor (1716-1781) - Signer of the Declaration of Independence

Early and Personal Life:

• 1716: Born in Ireland (exact date unknown). Little is known about his early life, but based on his reading and writing skills, he likely received a good education.

• 1736: Emigrated to the American colonies at the age of 20. He was one of three Declaration signers born in Ireland but the only one who arrived as an indentured servant. His passage was paid by Samuel Savage, Jr., an ironmaster at Coventry Forge near Philadelphia.

• 1742: Married Ann Taylor Savage (Taylor was her maiden name; however, they were not related) with whom he had two children: James, born in 1746, and a daughter who died in childhood. 

• 1767: Taylor purchased a 331-acre tract at Biery's Port (now known as Catasauqua) and built a two-story Georgian stone manor house. He leased much of the land for farming and sold it in 1776. 

• 1768: Taylor's wife Ann died shortly after the house was completed. He subsequently sired five children by his housekeeper out of wedlock. 

Career and Public Service: 

• 1736: Began work at Coventry Forge as a laborer, but his skills were recognized, and, by 1739, he was promoted to bookkeeper-manager.

• 1742: One year after the death of Samuel Savage in 1741, Taylor married his widow, temporarily acquiring the business until Savage's eldest son came of age. 

• 1753: Moved to Bucks County and leased Durham Furnace. The business would later produce ammunition for the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

• 1764: Elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly.

• 1775: Appointed to the Committee of Safety, where he supported the colonial resistance against British rule. 

• 1776: Appointed to the Continental Congress as a replacement delegate. He signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776.

• January 1777: Along with fellow signer George Walton of Georgia, Taylor negotiated a peace treaty with the Six Nations (Iroquois) at Easton. However, the Continental Congress did not ratify the treaty. 

• March 1777: Elected to the Supreme Executive Assembly of Pennsylvania, but due to illness and financial strain he retired from public life after only six weeks. 

Later Years and Death:

• 1778: Taylor faced financial challenges after the State of Pennsylvania took control of Durham Furnace. The owner, James Galloway, was a Loyalist, and when the British fled, the state confiscated all of his property - including Durham Furnace. 

• 1780: Taylor moved back to Easton, leasing a small stone house on the corner of Fourth and Ferry  Streets, known today as the Parsons-Taylor House. 

• 1781: Taylor passed away on February 23, 1781, in an upstairs bedroom of the Parsons-Taylor House at the age of 65. He was originally buried at the German Evangelical Lutheran Church, (now known as St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church) across the street from the house. 

• 1855: The people of Easton erected a monument honoring Taylor at Historic Easton Cemetery. This is reputed to be the first public monument erected to the memory of any of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

• 1870: Taylor's body was moved to its present site in front of his monument in Easton Cemetery.

Biographical information obtained from:

Historic Easton Cemetery

National Park Service

Constituting America