Clarke County Georgia Biographies - Rev. Robert Burke Taylor 1845 - 1924 ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ********************************************************************************************** This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Sep 2002 From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller This earnest man of God was born on October 14, 1845 in Athens, Georgia. His early school days were spent in that classic city until his mother moved to the family plantation in Early County, near Blakely, Georgia. Later the family moved to Cuthbert, Georgia, where, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the Confederate army and served his country valiantly for four long years, graciously accepting the issues of that infortunate struggle, at its close giving himself diligently to the rebuilding of his lost fortune. At the age of twenty four he was happily married to Miss Lutherine Mercer Cowdrey, daughter of a prominent Baptist minister of Early County, Rev. William C. Cowdrey. About this time he was converted and baptized into the fellowship of the Blakely Baptist church by its pastor, Rev. W. M. Davis, who later moved to Texas and died there. In the fall of 1859 he was licensed to preach and shortly afterwards ordained to the full work of the ministry. The ordaining council were Rev. J. G. Corley, Thomas Muse, and W. L. Curry, notable men of sainted memory. His first work as pastor was in Early County, and later at Cordele, where he built the first house of worship for that magic city of today. Other pastorates were Shellman, Richland, Buena Vista, Sylvester, White Plains, Morgan, Bluffton, together with many country churches within the bounds of the Bethel, Friendship and Summerhill Associations. His health failed him while at Morgan and he retired to private life, spending his last years at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Linwood Jennings, near Plains, Georgia, where he "fell on sleep" after two years of patient suffering, on Saturday morning, July 5, 1924. Thus ended a life of splendid service, as a man of heroic sacrifice, as a Christian and glorious achievment as preacher and pastor. As a man, Brother Taylor was honest, brave and true. He knew how to adjust himself agreeably to his fellows and endear himself closely to his friends. He was cautious but companionable, sensitive and sensible. There was in him a spirit of true nobility, that attracted while it acquired respect, a sense of honor that won its way to the hearts of his fellows. He loved to be trusted and despised duplicity in any form on any occasion. He was the soul of honor, sincerity, and truth and had the courage of his convictions. As a Christian he was humble, devout and consecrated. He never seemed to forget "the Rock whence he was hewn and the hole of the pit whence he was digged." He lamented his weaknesses and shortcomings, while his penitence was so genuine and his confessions so frank and full as to restore him to the joys of a wonderful salvation, and reveal to him the marvels of redeeming grace. As a preacher he was scrupulously loyal to "the Word." He ardently loved the "old doctrines of grace" and proclaimed them at times with such eloquence and power as to move his auditors to hallelujahs and tears. His mannerisms were so orderly and his spirit so humble as to enable him to hide himself behind the cross. He had an evangelistic passion that was contagious and in earnestness of soul that was compelling when he undertook to preach the Gospel to saints or sinners. As pastor he had the shepherd heart and was ever sympathetic, tender and faithful. He had tact and courage in dealing with the erring and was strong in defending the honor and dignity of Christian living and encouraging loyal church membership. He was a popular pastor and most of his members were proud of him and loyal to him. What more can be said of any man? 1920 Calhoun Co. GA Morgan page 231 32- James B. Taylor 45 GA GA GA Sarah M. 49 Ga Ga GA wife Joseph B. 16 Ga Ga GA son Margorie 2 Ga Ga GA dau James 6 Ga Ga Ga adopted son 33- Robert B. Taylor 74 Ga Ga GA minister gospel Luther? M. 73 Ga Ga GA wife 1920 Georgia Sumter Page: ED: 107 8A 4-Linwood Jennings 40 GA SC Ga Clifford T. 47 Ga Ga Ga Lynett? 12 Ga Ga Ga daughter 1880 Census Census Place Blakely, Early, Georgia Family History Library Film 1254144 NA Film Number T9-0144 Page Number 248A Robert TAYLOR Self M Male W 34 GA GA GA Farmer Luther TAYLOR Wife M Female W 33 GA --- GA Clifford TAYLOR Dau S Female W 9 GA GA GA Rodney TAYLOR Son S Male W 6 GA GA GA Robert TAYLOR Son S Male W 3 GA GA GA William TAYLOR Son S Male W 1 GA GA GA 1850 Clarke Co. GA Athens page 13 164- James J. Taylor 33 GA Jane H. 25 Ga Robert 4 Ga Harriet C. 1 page Athens page 20 260 Robert Taylor 60 Ireland Robert G. T. 20 Ga Richard 18 Ga Lucy L. Barnes 40 Ga Georgia Death Index Name: R. B. Taylor Death Date: 05 Jul 1924 Gender: County of Death: Sumter Certificate: 22765-F Age: GEORGIA MARRIAGES: TAYLOR, ROBERT - MURRELL, WINNY Marriage Date: 20 Nov 1874 County: Early TAYLOR, ROBERT B. - COWDRY, L. M. Marriage Date: 04 Nov 1869 County: Early TAYLOR, JANE H. State: GA Year: 1860 County: Early County Record Type: Slave schedule Township: 6th Dist. Page: 355 Database: GA 1860 Slave Schedule TAYLOR, J. J. -ESTATE- State: GA Year: 1860 County: Early County Record Type: Slave schedule Township: 6, 28, 1164 Dist. Page: 359 Database: GA 1860 Slave Schedule Georgia Richmond County Spouse: Burke, Jane H. - Taylor, James Marriage Date: 13 Dec 1842 1860 Georgia Federal Census Index COWDRY, WILLIAM DRAYTON County: Early County Township: Octavia P. O. 28th Dist Page: 625 NAME AGE SEX OCCUPATION BIRTH REAL Personal Estate Estate Cowdry Wm Drayton 57 M Minister SC 8000 15000 Celah 47 F SC John 23 M Planter GA James 19 M GA Sarah 17 F GA Lutherine 15 F GA Emma 13 F GA Cornelia 11 F GA Biography of William Drayton Cowdrey can be seen at http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/early/bios/wcowdrey.txt