Bartlett Taylor facts for kids

Bartlett Taylor (born February 14, 1815 – died July 3, 1901) was an important leader and minister. He was part of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He bought his freedom from slavery in 1840. After the American Civil War, he became a missionary. He helped start many churches in Kentucky and Tennessee.

Bartlett Taylor's Early Life

Bartlett Taylor was born into slavery on February 14, 1815. This happened in Henderson County, Kentucky. His father, Jonathan Taylor, was also his owner. When Bartlett was about seven, his father faced money problems. Because of this, many enslaved people, including Bartlett's mother, were taken away. Bartlett never saw his mother again.

When Bartlett was nine, he and his sisters moved. They went to a farm in Oldham County, Kentucky. At age twelve, he was bought by his master's brother. He stayed on the same farm until he was nineteen.

Moving to Louisville

Later, Bartlett moved to Louisville with his master's daughter. There, he worked as a butcher. He was very good at his job. He worked for a man named Clisindoff, who was a big meat seller.

Bartlett saved a lot of money, about $1800. He wanted to buy his freedom. On September 20, 1840, he went to an auction. He planned to bid for himself. Before the auction, he loaned his money to friends. Sadly, they could not pay him back in time.

At the auction, Bartlett still made the highest bid, $2,000. Even though he had no money, the auction manager helped him. The manager was owed money by Bartlett's owner's family. So, he agreed to be responsible for Bartlett's bid. Bartlett worked hard and paid him back within a year.

Bartlett Taylor's Family Life

After becoming a free man, Bartlett Taylor married Jane McCune. She was from Abingdon, Virginia. They had three daughters together. Sadly, Jane passed away in 1846.

In 1848, Bartlett married again. His second wife was Mariam A. McGill from Vincennes, Indiana. They had one son named Samuel Taylor. Samuel grew up to be a school teacher. He later became a principal at the Main Street Colored School in Louisville.

Bartlett Taylor's Career and Ministry

Bartlett Taylor went to night schools to learn. He had many teachers, including Reverend Henry Adams. He learned to read and write. He also kept working as a butcher and selling meat. He was very successful and earned a lot of money. However, he lost it in 1858 when he helped a friend with a debt that could not be paid.

Around this time, Taylor started to focus on being a preacher. He became a respected leader in his community. In 1864, he was chosen as the treasurer for Wilberforce University. He held this important job for several years.

Founding Churches and Community Work

In 1866, Bishop J. P. Campbell appointed him. Bartlett became a traveling preacher and missionary. His mission was to serve Kentucky and Tennessee. For the next twenty years, he started many churches.

Some of the churches he founded include one in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 1872. He also started a church in Cynthiana, Kentucky, in 1874. He opened churches in Pleasureville, Kentucky, and Christiansburg, Virginia. He also helped churches in Louisville.

Bartlett Taylor was also active in conventions for African Americans in Kentucky. In 1867, he served as the treasurer for the state convention.

In 1881, he returned to Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was a pastor there and helped build a grade school. In 1884, he moved to Ashbury Chapel in Louisville. There, he raised money to rebuild a church that had been destroyed by fire. He was highly respected for all his hard work. He was also a delegate to many General Conferences of the A. M. E. church.

Bartlett Taylor's Later Years and Death

Bartlett Taylor passed away on July 3, 1901, in Louisville. His funeral was held at Quinn Chapel. He was buried in the Eastern Cemetery on July 6.