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Marshall Benton TAYLOR

September 21, 2006 by Patty 21 Comments

marshallbentontaylor.jpg

  • Marshall was also known as “Doc” Taylor and The Red Fox.

  • He was born in 1836 in Scott Co. VA, the eldest son of William P. TAYLOR and Polly STALLARD

  • Marshall married Nancy A. BOOTH, 23 Nov. 1854.

Marshall was tried, convicted and sentenced to death for murder in Wise Co. Va 1897, but there is speculation whether or not he died on the gallows or was secreted away by his friends. There are many stories surrounding his life and adventures.

See Marshall Benton Taylor – A Legend,  Flora Taylor Stallard’s letter about Doc and Mashall Benton Taylor – One Side of the Story

To see a picture of Marshall in his younger years and another account of his life, see Nancy Wright Bays great site. She also has stories about John Wright and other characters of the era

Photo is the property of Berniece. Thanks for sharing!

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Related

Filed Under: Faces Tagged With: Booth, Stallard, Taylor

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gary Griffith says

    September 21, 2006 at 7:06 am

    E-Mail Address: gary_griffith@yahoo.com

    Marshall Benton Taylor is my ggg-grandfather. One of his daughters, Rebecca Taylor Johnson, is my gg-grandmother. (By the way, Rebecca married Absalom Johnson, not Elbert Johnson as most internet information indicates.) This is a wonderful photo, and if anyone has any other photos of Marshall, I’d really appreciate them contacting me. The only other photo I have of him is the one in the book, “The History of Wise County, Virginia”.

    Reply
  2. Gary Griffith says

    September 21, 2006 at 1:30 pm

    E-Mail Address: gary_griffith@yahoo.com

    One more thing, if anyone knows the circumstances surrounding this photo of Marshall Benton Taylor, I’d be interested in knowing that information. For example, was it taken while he was in jail awaiting execution, or is it simply a posed sitting? Knowing what I know about Marshall, I assume that’s a Bible he’s holding.

    Reply
    • Hilary S Clark says

      February 28, 2019 at 1:19 pm

      It is a picture of him right before his hanging. It was taken in his cell in the old Wise County Jail. He is holding his beloved Bible, from which he preached his own funeral. He also prepared, with the help of his wife, the Holy Sacrament ( Communion) and invited all in the crowd to join him. No one joined, except for his wife. His wife made his suit of white, per his request. She also fashioned a “hood” out of white to place over Doc’s (Marshall Benton Taylor) face during his hanging. I can answer any questions you may have about Doc Taylor.
      Hope this helps you!

      Reply
  3. Gary Griffith says

    September 21, 2006 at 1:31 pm

    E-Mail Address: gary_griffith@yahoo.com

    Sorry to monopolize these comments, but I’ve never read what became of Marshall’s wife, Nancy Booth Taylor after Doc’s “execution”. If anyone knows what happened to this apparently sweet little woman, please let me know. Also, I just wanted to note that I live in Kansas City, and this summer (2002) my father and I traveled to Wise, VA to meet our long lost cousin, Ed Baker. (I’m Doc’s ggg-grandson through Rebecca Taylor, and Ed is Doc’s grandson through Martha Taylor, both of which were Doc’s daughters.) We also were fortunate to meet Dudley Cocke, who wrote the fantastic play “Red Fox/Second Hangin’” under the auspices of Appalshop in Whitesburg, KY. It’s on video and for sale through Appalshop, and I’d definitely recommend buying it. Finally, I’d love to hear from any other relatives of Marshall Benton Taylor (surely there are some folks directly related to Doc’s son, Sylvan, out there.) Maybe we could have a family reunion.

    Reply
    • William Griffith says

      February 28, 2016 at 8:30 pm

      I am a cousin of Doc. Taylor, and Nancy Ann Booth Taylor is my ggg aunt. E-mail me.

      Reply
  4. Ada Troeh says

    September 21, 2006 at 1:31 pm

    E-Mail Address: hatroeh@aol.com

    I am a great great grandaughter of Dr. Taylor. My mother, a granddaughter of Henry Baker and Martha Catherine Taylor gave me a copy of the picture you have here. Several yers back I visited a museum that had a LARGE picture of Red Fox and his diploma. I believe there was also a couple of his personal items in the same glass case. I believe the museum was in VA. not far from the KY state line. On my next trip, I took my husband to see these items, but the display had been changed and his things were ‘in storage.’ Is there any way to (a) locate the name and place of the museum and (b) get a copy of that picture and diploma? I would appreciate it very much.

    Reply
  5. ted baker says

    September 21, 2006 at 1:32 pm

    E-Mail Address: gbaker@pc.edu

    This is my great great grandpa

    Reply
  6. Connie Calhoun says

    September 21, 2006 at 1:32 pm

    E-Mail Address: gccalhoun2@yahoo.com

    WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A PICTURE(S) OF DR. TAYLOR AS I,TOO, AM RELATED. I AM DOING GENEALOGY AND WOULD LOVE TO INSERT A PHOTO OF HIM. ANYONE THAT WILL HELP ME, I WILL PAY FOR PHOTO AND YOUR TIME AND TROUBLE. GET IN TOUCH WITH ME @ gccalhoun2@yahoo.com

    Reply
    • MELANIE KING says

      November 15, 2013 at 11:52 pm

      he was my 4th great uncle, hope to talk with you sometime. my dad has a HUGE interest in him as well

      Reply
  7. Steve Conley says

    June 14, 2013 at 8:17 am

    We will be celebrating Doc Taylor’s life July 11-14 in Big Stone Gap, Pound and Jenkins.

    We have more photos and new stories about him. Several of his direct descendant are coming from KS, FL and MO and GA!

    Reply
  8. MELANIE KING says

    November 7, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    he was my 4th great uncle and what a character

    Reply
  9. MELANIE KING says

    November 7, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    always looking for new family and any info on my ancestors of this family

    Reply
  10. Lynn Taylor says

    November 15, 2013 at 11:15 pm

    Doc is my great-great uncle. My father is Harrison Taylor, my grandfather is Blaine Taylor, and my great-grandfather is Emory Taylor, Doc’s brother.

    Lynn Taylor
    Bloomington, IN

    Reply
    • MELANIE KING says

      November 15, 2013 at 11:51 pm

      Lynn, would love to talk to you, he was my 4th great uncle. my dad has a HUGE interest in him. I am on Facebook and so is he. I live in FL, he in GA. hope to hear from you.
      melliecats88@aol.com

      Reply
  11. Tom Taylor says

    July 30, 2014 at 5:42 pm

    At Lynn Taylor – Doc Taylor is my ggg-uncle. My ggg-grandfather is Emory Taylor. I live in Indianapolis.

    Reply
  12. Jesse Taylor says

    January 11, 2015 at 12:31 pm

    Tom Taylor my Emory taylor is my ggg as well, and doc is my ugh uncle too

    Reply
    • William Taylor says

      July 4, 2015 at 11:47 pm

      Doc is my ggg uncle Andrew Jackson Taylor docs brother is my gg grandfather
      I live in letcher county ky

      Reply
  13. William Taylor says

    July 4, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    My email is williamtaylorbill@yahoo.com

    Reply
  14. William Griffith says

    February 28, 2016 at 8:40 pm

    I am Doc Taylor’s 1st cousin 3 times removed. Nancy Booth Taylor is my 3rd great aunt.I have done a lot of genealogy work. would love to hear from any relatives of either one of them. or anyone that has posted here.

    Reply
  15. bob taylor says

    October 24, 2019 at 7:12 pm

    doc was my cousin i live in louisville ky

    Reply
  16. Ernie Benko says

    May 20, 2020 at 5:39 pm

    Dr Taylor was not hung !

    Reply

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