James Taylor (1817-1891)

James Taylor (c1817-1891), railway contractor.

1851 Living at Blackburn Street, New Accrington: James Taylor (age 34 born Whitmore, Staffs), Railway Contractor employing 50 men, with his wife Sarah and three daughters.

Contractor for the Ascot and Aldershot branch of the London and South-Western Railway

1855 Evesham Bridge. James Taylor, Contractor.

1860 Opening of Yeovil to Exeter section mentions James Taylor of Springfield House, Staffordshire and (later in the article) James Taylor, Contractor.

1861 Living at Springfield House, Chorlton: James Taylor (age 44 born Whitmore, Staffs.), Railway Contractor. With his wife Sarah, 39, Sarah Ann E Taylor 14, Chas Fred Taylor 16, Albert Samson Taylor 6, Alfd Earnest Taylor 1.

1861 Contractor for the Exeter and Exmouth Railway.

1861 Sale of Railway Plant and Materials on account of the contractor Mr. James Taylor, having finished the works of the Exeter Extension Railway. Apply Longbrook Street, Exeter.

1871 James Taylor 53 railway contractor, lived in Whitmore with Sarah Taylor 45, Charles F Taylor 26, farmer, Elizabeth Taylor 22, Alice Taylor 17

1871 Contractor for the Barnstaple to Ilfracombe section of the London and South-Western Railway.

1872 Contractor for the Torrington Extension Railway.

1881 Living at Springfield House, Chorlton: James Taylor (age 64 born Whitmore, Staffs), Contractor and Widower. With his niece and grandson.

1891 James Taylor 75 (living on own means) and Elizth Hannah Taylor 34 were boarding in Torquay

1891 Died in Bideford; his will was proved by his son George John Taylor

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1891 Obituary.

We regret to announce the death Mr. James Taylor, of Springfield Hall, Whitmore, which occurred at Slade Park, Bideford, on the evening Monday, after an illness of about fifteen months' duration. The deceased gentleman, who was in his 75th year, was first taken ill his residence, Springfield Hall, and was attended Dr. Mackenzie, of Willoughbridge, and Dr. Arlidge, of Stoke. He recovered from the attack, and in September last went to stay in Devonshire, deriving great benefit from visit to his own house, Carey Castle, Torquay. He arrived home about six weeks ago, hoping to return to Carey Castle in the winter. On Wednesday, the 8th last. he again complained feeling unwell and was seized with a fit. He never rallied from this time, and passed quietly away on the day mentioned, retaining his customary cheerfulness to the last.

In his business career the deceased might be termed self made man; leaving his native place, Whitmore, and his parents the early age of 13, he went to employment in connection with the Grand Junction Canal, the Box Tunnel etc. For the last thirty years Mr. Taylor has been assisted in his business as a contractor by his son, Mr. G. J. Taylor. His first contract was for Mr. Fry. the celebrated chocolate manufacturer, of Bristol. He undertook, among many other contracts, the construction of the 50 miles of railway between Yeovil end Exeter, the widening of Lime-street, Liverpool, a work which occupied him five years, as well as the maintenance of the London and South-Western Railway for five years, and the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, and Midland Railway, for periods of seven years respectively.

The deceased gentlemen's great ambition while a boy at Whitmore, earning a small pittance of about a shilling a-day, was become the owner of the surrounding fields and pastures and build mansion — aims which he ultimately accomplished. He took delight in fox-hunting and presented half the pack of hounds to the present master, the Marquis of Stafford, after the death of the late Lord Shrewsbury. The deceased was the father of ten children - seven of whom, four sons and three daughters, survive him. By his will, he leaves all his property in Staffordshire and Devonshire, including Springfield Hall, with the land and farms. Abbottstram Court, Slade-park, Westward Ho estate, etc. .to his son, Mr. G. Taylor.

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