Palo Pinto Co., TX - Bios: Hannibal Giddings (Ham) Taylor ********************************************************* This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb by: Bobbie Ross September 25, 2002 USGenWeb Archives. Copyright. All rights reserved http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************* HANNIBAL GIDDINGS TAYLOR Hannibal Giddings (Ham) Taylor was the oldest son of Stephen Slade Taylor who was one of the earliest settlers of Palo Pinto County. On 24 June 1868 he and Mary Jane Bevers were married, uniting two pioneer families of the county. Their wedding picture shows Ham to be dressed in nearly knee high leather boots that he was reputed to have made for himself. On this instance Stephen Slade Taylor gave consent for the marriage, the marriage was performed by G. W. Slaughter, B.M., and filed and recorded by Stephen Slade Taylor as Palo Pinto County Clerk. There were 10 children of this union to grow to maturity, one girl died as a child. Ham Taylor in his turn became a preacher and services were held in his home for many years before a church was built. This church has a historical marker, "First Christian Church Oldest- Church Building in Palo Pinto, for congregation believed to have been first of any faith worshipping here. Oorganized 1857 in home of Dr. Stephen S. Taylor, a lay preacher. Members built church in 1882-1883. Despite 1883 storm damage, building has been in continuous use-sometimes by other faiths during their early years. Addison and Randolph Clark, founders of Texas Christian University, were early Pastors. Recorded texas Historic Landmark-1968" Daughter of Stephen Slade Taylor, Aurilla Eliza Jane married Samuel Houston Bevers. Brother and sister married brother and sister. In this instance S.S. even performed the wedding ceremony. These two couples contributed many children to the development of Palo Pinto County. Ham Taylor died Oct. 10, 1910, Mary Jane lived on until Feb. 11, 1935. She had a grandson in the Legislature in Austin at that time and the Legislature was in session. It was adjourned on Feb. 13, 1935 in her memory and a resolution was read naming her as a true pioneer. Her obituarty in the Palo Pinto County Star stated that at 87, she was the county's oldest pioneer. By Bobbie Watson Ross, great grand daughter of Ham and Mary Jane Bevers Taylor from book "Bevers and Taylor, Pioneer settlers of Palo Pinto County" by Bobbie Ross 1996. By James Ross, the great-grandson of Jane Smith Ross, taken from the book "Ross Record" by Bobbie Ross, 1989 copyrighted by Bobbie Ross Sept.2000 -------------------------