June 5, 2018 - There is a long-standing tradition in Shelby County - the Taylor Family Reunion!
This began long ago when the children of John Moses Taylor met to celebrate the birthday of his second wife Margaret Frazier Taylor. John Moses Taylor, his mother Sara Edwards Taylor and his brother Thomas Powell Taylor, Jr. came to Shelby County from Cumberland County, North Carolina in 1839. John Moses first married Harriet Loughridge. She is buried at Brookland Cemetery in Joaquin. A few years after her death he married Margaret Frazier. John and Harriet had 4 children, and John and Margaret had 11 children, two of which died young.
It was said by Dukes Taylor that "Margaret became their own dear mother and would remain so until her death." Her birthday was celebrated every year with a big party attended by her children, relatives and friends. After her death, the family decided that the tradition should be carried on by celebrating at the home of John William Edward Taylor “JWE” on his birthday, June 26. At his death, it became The Taylor Reunion.
This year we will be blessed with members of Thomas Powell Taylor, Jr's family! It is our hope that Taylors far and wide will gather this year for the family reunion. It will be held at Jackson Missionary Baptist Church fellowship hall on St. Hwy. 7, Joaquin, Texas on June 23, 2018 at 10 am and will be over when the last person leaves! A covered dish meal will be served at noon.
The Taylors were early settlers of Shelby County, and there are still many of this family in Shelby and surrounding counties, as well as in many other states. It is our hope that descendants of John Moses Taylor and Thomas Powell Taylor will come together for fellowship and a renewing of importance of family. We are asking all relatives to bring old pictures of their parents, grandparents or any ancestors to share with the group, and your favorite dish to share!
For questions or more information, call Joyce Lewis Richards (713-253-4596) or Tommie Heenan (254-226-4283).
