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-Bayard
Taylor
Bayard
Taylor was a famous local writer and poet. He was born to Rebecca
Way and Joseph Taylor on January 11, 1825. He was named after James
A. Bayard, a Delaware senator who was popular at the time. When Bayard
was four-years-old, his mother taught him to read. He went to school
when he was 6, and Ruth Ann Chambers was his teacher. He attended
Bolmar's Academy in West Chester, then Unionville Academy. He graduated
in 1842. Bayard was trained in the printing business. In 1844, he
wrote his first book. It was a collection of poems called Ximena,
or the Battle of the Sierra Morena, and Other Poems.
In that same year, Bayard persuaded the Saturday Evening Post,
US Gazette, and Graham's Magazine to pay for his reports
from Europe. He then sailed from New York on July 1, 1844 to Liverpool,
England. He arrived on July 29 and spent two years in Europe, traveling
all over France, Germany, Italy, and England. His book, Views Afoot,
or Europe Seen with a Knapsack and Staff, detailed his trip. Once
he got back, he wrote Rhymes of Travel, Ballads and Poems,
which was published in December 1848. Then in June 1849, the New
York Tribune sent him to California to cover the gold rush. After
being in California for five months, he wrote Eldorado, or Adventures
in the Path of Empire. It was published in May of 1850.
On October 24, 1850 Bayard married Mary Agnew who died of tuberculosis
less than two months later on December 21st. Bayard then traveled
to Egypt in 1851 and in 1852, he was in Calcutta, India when he moved
to Japan with Commander Perry. He returned to the US in 1854, but
was back in Northern Europe by 1856. His book, Northern Travel:
Summer and Winter Pictures of Sweden, Denmark, and Lapland was
published in 1857, telling of Swedish life and literature.
In 1857, he married Marie Hansen, had a daughter named Lilian in 1858
and moved to the US. Bayard and Marie bought the 80-acre property
of Cedarcroft. A thirty-two room house was planned out for the land.
Bayard then went on a lecture tour to raise more money for his family.
Bayard Taylor was made charge d'affaires of the Russian Legation in
St. Petersburg. He wrote his first novel, Hannah Thurston: a Story
of American Life in 1863, and John Godfrey's Fortunes; Related
by Himself: a Story of American Life in 1864. The Picture of
St. John and The Story of Kennett were written at Cedarcroft
in 1866. The Story of Kennett is still popular in the area
today.
In that book, Sally Fairthorne was really Sarah Taylor, Bayard's aunt.
She was born on June 11, 1811 and moved to the house on North Union
Street, called Fairthorne Homestead in the story. She was married
to Samuel Jacobs and died on October 6, 1908. Her brothers, Joseph
and Joshua Taylor were Joe and Jake Fairthorne in the book. The true
identity of Betsy Lavender is unknown, but many people think she was
either a member of the Taggart family that lived just outside of Kennett,
or a combination of three women. Sandy Flash was James Fitzpatrick,
a former resident of Doe Run who joined the Continental Army during
the American Revolution. He was mistreated and took the side of the
British. He was later caught and hanged in Chester on September 26,
1778. Dr. Deane was John Baldwin, and his daughter, Martha Deane,
was Ruth Baldwin. She married Benjamin Taylor and after he died she
married Thomas Wilson. She died at 81 years of age on March 21, 1861.
Squire Sinclair was Squire Samuel Sinclair who lived southwest of
Kennett. Deb Smith was really Rachel McMullin, who lived in a two-story
log cabin near Unionville Road. Old Man Barton was Joseph Walter,
an old man who lived on South Walnut Street. The Woodrow property
was Bayard Taylor's own, Cedarcroft mansion.
In June and July of that same year, the family took a trip to Colorado.
Bayard then wrote a book called, Colorado: a Summer Trip which
described their vacation and was published in the beginning of 1867.
In 1870 his last novel, published called, Joseph and His Friend:
a Story of Pennsylvania. In 1874, the family moved to New York.
Then, in 1876, he was asked to write an ode for the centennial of
the US. He began his last poem, published in 1877 was titled, Prince
Deukalion: a Lyrical Drama.
Bayard was made the US Minister to Berlin, Germany in 1878. He died
on December 19, 1878. To honor him, his friend William Wichersham
applied for a charter for The Bayard Taylor Memorial Library to be
located near his home in Kennett Square. A charter was granted on
January 30, 1895.
The lot on the corner of South Broad Street and Apple Alley cost $600.00.
It cost $6,791.50 to build the library building and it was dedicated
in September of 1896. During the first year, 7326 books were circulated.
In the 1950's after being open for 65 years, the library needed to
move to a bigger building. The cost of the building and the land at
216 East State Street was $218,273, of which $80,000 was donated by
the Longwood Foundation. It was dedicated on February 16, 1962. In
the spring of 1979, the Children and Young Adults' section of the
library was moved to the basement of the library. The library is still
used by many people today. The library's website is, http://www.bayardtaylor.org.
There you can find more information on Bayard Taylor and the history
of the library.
Bayard Taylor was an important local writer and poet. He helped the
people of America find out about life in Europe and the other places
that he visited. His legacy continues today as the library that bears
his name continues to grow and benefit out community. From literacy
programs to summer reading and internet searches, the Bayard Taylor
Memorial Library helps people today to learn more about the world
around them.
Jeremiah
Bailey| Richard Banard | Bayard
Taylor | George Fox | Howard
Pyle
Martha
Brown |Pierre
Samuel Dupont | Wyeth Family
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