Collection is open for research.
Permission to publish material from John H. Taylor Correspondence must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: John H. Taylor Correspondence, Ms2011-050, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.
The collection was donated to Special Collections in May 2011.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the John H. Taylor Correspondence was completed in June 2011.
John H. Taylor was born about 1840 in Virginia. From 1859 to 1861, Taylor attended Allegheny College, a school for Baptist ministers open from 1859 to 1861, in Blue Sulphur Springs, Greenbrier County, Virginia (now West Virginia). Rev. Taylor was a chaplain for the 35th Regiment, Georgia Infantry. He enlisted in 1863 and left the service due to ill health in early 1865. He was present at the Battle of the Wilderness and the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. By 1880, Taylor and his wife, Susan, were living in Middle River, Augusta County. They had at least 8 children. Taylor died in 1916.
This collection includes two types of materials: envelopes from correspondence, mostly to Taylor; and correspondence to and from Taylor. Much of the correspondence dates from 1859 to 1861, while Taylor was a student at Allegheny College, and concern Taylor's daily, as well as news from family and friends. Several 1860 and 1861 letters mention politics at the start of the Civil War. Related topics include military actions at Fort Sumter (letters to Taylor dated January 11, April 7, 1861) and Harpers Ferry (letter to Taylor dated April 22, 1861), discussion of Virginia Secession (letter to Taylor dated December 4, 1860; February 18, April 7, 1861; Taylor's letter dated May 28, 1861), concerns over qualities of the Lincoln presidency (letters to Taylor dated November 30, December 4, 1860; February 18, 1861) and the Jefferson Davis presidency (letter to Taylor dated April 22, 1861).
Correspondents include: Julia A. Foster (likely John's sister), Albert J. Foster (married to Julia), Mary E. Foster, Simpson F. Taylor (father), F. McCarthy, Jr. (student at University of Virginia), and F. B. Moore (?). There is also a letter from 1877 from Taylor to his wife, Sue.
This collection is divided into three folders: letters written by Taylor, letters written to Taylor, and envelopes and ephemera. Each folder is arranged chronologically, with the exception of the third folder: envelopes and ephemera. This folder is primarily arranged by material type--either envelope or postcard. Secondarily, it is arranged by addressee. Lastly, it is arranged by postmark date, when discernible. When the year is indeterminable, the envelopes are arranged by month and date.