Family and Education

b. c.1697, 2nd s. of Francis Taylor of South Littleton, Worcs. by Elizabeth, da. of William Rawlins of Pophills, Warws. educ. I. Temple 1722, called 1724; M. Temple 1725. unm.

Offices Held

Recorder, Evesham; town clerk, Worcester.

Biography

Taylor, a successful lawyer, acquired lands at Middle Hill, Broadway, where he built a mansion in 1724.1 Returned for Evesham as a Tory in 1734, after contesting it unsuccessfully in 1727, he voted against the Government on the Spanish convention in 1739 and the place bill in 1740. According to a memorandum sent to the Pretender in 1739, he was ready to use his interest in Worcestershire to promote any scheme for the restoration of the Stuarts, was ‘very loyal, and does not want courage’.2 Withdrawing with many other Tories before the division on the motion for Walpole’s dismissal, 13 Feb. 1741,3 he died soon afterwards, 17 Apr., aged 44.

Ref Volumes: 1715-1754

Author: Eveline Cruickshanks

Notes

• 1. VCH Worcs. iv. 40; Nash, Worcs. i. 146.
• 2. Stuart mss 216/111.
• 3. Coxe, Walpole, iii. 563.