Veteran of the American Revolution. He was an officer in Gen.Washington's Army, and was at White Plains, Saratoga, Stillwater and at the storming of Stony Point. Served in the Continental line - sergeant, ensign, lieutenant. After his return from the War in 1781, his father gave him a tract of 185 acres of land in Buckland. Here he lived, on what has since been known as the "Alfred Woodward place", until his brother Lt. Othniel Taylor, who had the "Fort Farm" or homestead in Charlemont, removed to Canandaigua,NY. Tertius then moved over the river, buying out Othniel and the other heirs in 1792, and spent the rest of his life there.

From RussT, a distant cousin……

Here is a portion of a letter written in old english by brother Othniel Taylor on Aug.22,1780 from Camp at Orangetown — He writes:" in grate haste I sit down to write you a few lines to inform you that myself and Brother(Tertius) are well. He lays down four miles from this place. I saw him a few months ago. He had a very fine present made him this day by the Marquise De Lafayette. He commands the Division of Light Infantry, he gave every Officer in his Division an Epaulete, Cockade and Feather, which could not be bought for 1000 dollars as money now goes. He likewise made a present of a sword to each Sergeant in the Division, we left West Point the 31st of July, and here on 8th inst.(this place is opposite Dobbs Ferry on the jersey side) waiting I suppose for the French Fleet." PS. Othniels Rev. [War letters (typed & original) are all in the Pocumtuck Valley Memorial Assn. Library. 84B Old Main Street, Deerfield, Mass. 01342. Museum Memorial Library. ]


Husband of Elizabeth Carter Taylor, married at Buckland,MA on Aug 2,1781.

Children: Betsey Taylor, Tertius Taylor Jr, Sophia Taylor, Elias Taylor, Amanda Taylor, Elijah Taylor, Sophia Taylor, Elisha Taylor, Elijah Taylor, Pardon Taylor, Consider Taylor. Many children died young, and only Elias had issue.

NOTE: He also has a cenotaph here in East Charlemont Cemetery.