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Marshall was also known as “Doc” Taylor and The Red Fox.
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He was born in 1836 in Scott Co. VA, the eldest son of William P. TAYLOR and Polly STALLARD
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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!
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”.
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.
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!
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.
I am a cousin of Doc. Taylor, and Nancy Ann Booth Taylor is my ggg aunt. E-mail me.
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.
E-Mail Address: gbaker@pc.edu
This is my great great grandpa
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
he was my 4th great uncle, hope to talk with you sometime. my dad has a HUGE interest in him as well
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!
he was my 4th great uncle and what a character
always looking for new family and any info on my ancestors of this family
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
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
At Lynn Taylor – Doc Taylor is my ggg-uncle. My ggg-grandfather is Emory Taylor. I live in Indianapolis.
Tom Taylor my Emory taylor is my ggg as well, and doc is my ugh uncle too
Doc is my ggg uncle Andrew Jackson Taylor docs brother is my gg grandfather
I live in letcher county ky
My email is williamtaylorbill@yahoo.com
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.
doc was my cousin i live in louisville ky
Dr Taylor was not hung !