Taylor - Samuel C.
Source: Wilson, Joseph M. Presbyterian Historical Almanac, vol.9.
Princeton, NJ: 1866-67, page 206 (thanks so
much to Pat Taylor Jennings for this piece) See also his
son Robert Francis Taylor's biography who would have also lived in Waveland a
short time)
Samuel Taylor was born in Nova Scotia,
Sept 14, 1795. The sermon preached on the occasion of his father's funeral by
James Hoge, DD at Columbus, Ohio from 1 Peter IV. 18, was instrumental in his
conversion. About the year 1822 he entered the Theological Seminary at
Princeton, NJ. After remaining there 3 years was licensed to preach. During the
next six months, he labored as missionary in Indiana and was greatly blessed in
the awakening and conversion of souls. In 1825 he was ordained and installed
pastor of the Millersburg and Stoner Mouth Churches of Bourbon County, Ky. In
1831 he was installed pastor of the Nicholasville and Cedar Creek Churches, Ky
where he remained until 1836, when he removed to Frankfort, Ind. While at
Frankfort he organized and built up the church of Jefferson, Ind. In consequence
of ill health, he resigned his charge at Frankfort in 1843. Having recovered
his health in 1845 he became pastor of the church of WAVELAND, IND. In 1852,
his health having again begun to fail, he removed to Washington, Ind, where he
preached for 18 months. Continuing feeble, but still retaining all the zeal and
energy of early manhood, he thought that removal to a Southern climate would
build him up again physically; accordingly in 1854 he went to Waco, Texas. Soon
after reaching Waco he and the Rev. Thomas Alexander organized a church. In all
the churches to which he ministered his labors were attended with ample and
blesses fruits and hundreds of persons were added to them. Possessing great
energy of character himself, he succeeded in a remarkable degree in developing
into a healthful activity the talents and energies of his people. His ready
tact and the ability to adapt himself to all conditions of society gave him
great opportunities for usefulness. He embraced every occasion for interesting
men in the subject of religion. He was of a meek and quiet spirit, excepting
where fidelity required great plainness of speech; in such cases he was bold
and uncompromising, sacrificing friendship rather than fall in duty. He was a
member of six or seven General Assemblies, and generally took an active part in
the proceedings. Twice he road (sic) on horseback from KY to Philadelphia when
the Assembly was in session there. He was always a leading member of the
Presbytaries and Synods with which he was connected. He often with his horse
swam creeks and rode through intense cold to meet his appointments, which
frequently wer 20 miles distance. His congregations generally doubled in size
within a few weeks after his settlement in any place, and a year rarely passed
in which there were not under his ministrations some precious seasons of grace.
At one time he travelled for several months with Rev. Daniel Baker as
evangelist in KY Synod. All the churches which they visited were were revived
and many persons were converted. He was for a number of years an active member
of the Board of Trustees at Hanover College, Ind and of the New Albany
Theological Seminary, Ind. He assisted a number of young men in procuring an
education and carried through his entire course the Rev. James M. Priest, a
colored minister of Liberia, who was liberated on condition that he would
educate him. Mr. Taylor was a close student and man of literary tastes. As a
theologian he was acute, prolific and systematic. Three weeks previous to his
death he held a series of meetings a few miles from Waco. He had scarecely
commenced them when he received a premonition that his work was accomplished
and his end at hand. In view of this he fervently prayed that God would grant
him one more visitation of his grace in connection with his labors in preaching
the gospel before he was taken away. His prayer was answered; a number were
awakened and converted by means of these services. After this he was chiefly
occupied in spiritual exercises and manifested but little interest in any
matter of mere temporal concern. Erysipelas soon made its appearance on his
face but though suffering greatly, his mind was ceaselessly active. In one
instance, during a momentary respite from pain, he expressed a deep sense of
his sinfulness. In reply, his son quoted the language of Paul to Timothy:
"It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all occupation," & c. His
mind seemed to lay hold upon it with his characteristic eagerness and he
repeated it, emphasizing the latter part of the verse. A few hours before his
death he exclaimed with rapture, "Happy! Happy! Hallelijah!
Hallelujah!" On the 9th of June 1855, having meekly and patiently,
heartily and energetically, done and suffered all his Saviours righteous will,
his ransomed spirit mounted up to God. Mr. Taylor was twice married; first to
Miss Elizabeth White, daughter of Major John White who lived near Winchester,
Va; and again to Mrs. Hannah Crawfords widow of the Rev. John Crawford of the
Presbyterian Church who still survives. He had 5 children, not one of whom are
living at this time (1867).