Taylors Settle in Cedar Mountain, Alabama in 1817

Here is part 1 of the paper Betty Hamby West presented to the North Alabama Conference Historical Society.

I grew up with the knowledge that I was somehow related to an early Alabama Methodist circuit rider named "Taylor" who was buried in the cemetery at Taylor Memorial Methodist Church in Chalkville. There were family legends surrounding several Taylor brothers, but I had no knowledge of specific details of their lives and ministries. I was reminded of the pride my family had in their Taylor ancestry when I recently read the obituary of my father, Rev. Charles P. Hamby, written by Dr. G. M. Davenport and printed in the North Alabama Conference Advocate in February of 1952. The obituary reads "He was of godly parentage, being the son of George W. and Laura Clark Hamby. His mother was of pioneer Methodist stock; her grandfather was the Rev. Isaac Taylor, the fragrance of whose life abides still over the bounds of the North Alabama Conference." Gathering information for this paper has been more than enjoyable. I have pored over records, visited cemeteries, acquired photographs, studied old Conference Journals, and interviewed people. In the process, I have developed a sense of sacred trust to pass on to my descendants, and to the conference, knowledge of this inspiring pioneer Methodist family.

George Taylor, his wife Nancy, and their seven children came to Alabama from Tennessee in 1817, the year Alabama was made a territory. George and Nancy were my great-great-great grandparents. They were a part of the flood of settlers who came into the state after the defeat of the Creek nation at Horseshoe Bend and the Treaty of Fort Jackson in 1814. By this treaty, the Creeks surrendered much of their land to the white settlers. Not long afterwards other Indian confederations made land cessions to the United States government. By,the Land Act of 1800, land acquired from the Indians was sold for $2.00 an acre with four years to pay (Joiner 29).

These hardy settlers came into an area with no roads, only Indian trails, and rivers for highways. They made their trip by flat boat and covered wagon, and settled on land that had to be cleared for cultivation. It was a daunting task to provide shelter and food in a wilderness. In spite of the hardships, these people had time and energy to pursue religion.

George Taylor and his family settled at Cedar Mountain, which is in the Clay community, along with Rev. Perry Tunnel and wife, Rev. James Johnson and wife, and Francis Self and wife. These people, who came to Alabama through Ware Valley and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, were already Methodists (Self). In April, 1818, the Presiding Elder of the Nashville District of the Tennessee Conference sent Rev. Ebeneezer Hearn to organize Methodist Societies in this region of Alabama. The society at Cedar Mountain was organized in 1819. It is not known whether the society had a church or met in a home. This society gave place to Shiloh, located only three miles away, in 1826. Shiloh was part of the Jones Valley Circuit which had been formed in 1823. It would later become Clay Methodist Church (Goodwin). The Taylors were charter members of both Cedar Mountain and Shiloh societies (Lazenby 139-141 ).

George Taylor had four sons: Casper, William, Isaac, and Harris. According to Anson West, the Rev. James Axley baptized all four sons on one occasion and "in eloquence, earnestness, and faith, he prayed that the four sons might be called to preach." Three of the four, William, Isaac, and Harris, answered the call. The oldest son, Casper, became an active Methodist layman. West notes that in that county and among Methodists the Taylors were already distinguished (287-288).

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