Taylor, George W., 1803-1891

G.W. Taylor was the son of Jacob Taylor and Elizabeth Richards Taylor. A convinced Friend, Taylor was early a member of New Garden, (Pa.) Monthly Meeting. He was a pupil of the Quaker educator Enoch Lewis. Taylor m. (1) Elizabeth Sykes in 1831; m. (2) Ruth Leeds in 1864; m. (3) Elizabeth Burton in 1885. Active in the Free Produce Movement, particularly between 1847 and 1867, Taylor was responsible for finding supplies of free labor products, for running a free produce store in Phila. (1847-67), for locating manufacturers who would use the products, both in U.S. and Britain and for operating his own mill.

George Washington Taylor (1803-1891) was the son of Jacob and Elizabeth Richards Taylor. His family attended the meeting (Society of Friends) at New Garden and when he was 12, was brought into membership. In boyhood, he became convinced of the morality of the anti-slavery position, having read John Woolman's Testimony, including against slave labor products. Taylor attended Enoch Lewis' school. He later helped form the Free Produce Association of Friends with other Quakers and was chosen as secretary. At first, they rented a store at 5th & Cherry Streets in Philadelphia, PA, which they later owned. Taylor taught math in Lindley Murray Moore's school in Flushing, LI and became a member of Flushing Monthly Meeting in 1827. When Murray moved the school, Taylor moved with him and joined Purchase Quarterly Meeting. In 1829, he left Murray's school and taught at Westtown School near Philadelphia. He became a member of a Philadelphia meeting. In 1850, he visited the West Indies and obtained supplies for the Free Produce store. He married three times: Elizabeth Sykes in 1832 (d. 1859); Ruth Leeds in 1864 (d. 1881); and Elizabeth Burton in 1885.