Finding aid prepared by Amanda M. Reeve
Hubbard Taylor papers
Bulk, 1780-1838
University of Kentucky Special Collections
Collection is arranged by format.
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
61M139 : [Identification of item], Hubbard Taylor papers, 1772-1858, University of Kentucky Special Collections.
0.68 Cubic feet
2 boxes
The Hubbard Taylor papers are comprised primarily of correspondence concerning Kentucky land transactions, as well as some personal and political correspondence, as are numerous financial records and a few memorandum books.
Hubbard Taylor, a member of a distinguished Virginia family who counted James Madison (1750/51-1836), Martha Wagles Shelton Jefferson (1748-1782) and Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) among its kin, came to Kentucky as a surveyor in 1780. After serving several years as deputy surveyor of Lincoln County, Taylor moved to what is now Clark County. A member of the first State Constitutional Convention, he served in the State Senate (1796-1800, 1815-1819) and was five times a presidential elector.
The Hubbard Taylor papers are comprised primarily of correspondence concerning Kentucky land transactions, as well as some personal and political correspondence, and numerous financial records and a few memorandum books. Letters, survey reports, deeds, bills of sale, manuscript maps, tax receipts, powers of attorney, and other materials related to land surveys and transfers compose the bulk of the collection. Other financial records include stock subscriptions in and checks from the Winchester branch of the Bank of Kentucky, and stock certificates in the Covington and Lexington and Maysville and Lexington Railroads.
Several of the letters concern personal and family affairs and are written by Taylor, his father James Taylor IV, and his brother, General James Taylor, the founder of Newport, Kentucky. Numerous letters are related to politics, including relations with France and England in the early years of the Republic, the War of 1812, and Kentucky politics. Several of the latter include correspondence from Kentucky Senator George M. Bibb (1776-1859) and unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Anthony Butler, concerning the gubernatorial election of 1820 (won by John Adair, 1757-1840) and the controversy about debt relief, which was the primary issue in the campaign.