Silas Taylor facts for kids

Silas Taylor (born July 16, 1624 – died November 4, 1678) was an English army officer. He fought for the Parliament during the English Civil War. He was also known for collecting old books and papers, and he even wrote some music!

A Life in England's Past

Silas was born in a place called Harley, Shropshire, on July 16, 1624. His father, Silvanus Taylor, supported Oliver Cromwell and the Parliament. Silas went to Shrewsbury School and then to New Inn Hall, Oxford, in 1641.

Silas left Oxford to join the Parliament's army. He became a captain under a leader named Edward Massey. After the first English Civil War, his father helped him get a job in Herefordshire. He became a "sequestrator," which meant he helped manage money and property that belonged to people who supported the King. He was good at this job and got along well with the local important families.

When the King returned to power in 1660 (this was called the English Restoration), Silas needed help to find new work. Sir Edward Harley, who became the governor of Dunkirk, took Silas with him. Silas worked there helping to manage military supplies. He came back to London in 1663 and was without a job for almost two years. Later, he found a job managing naval supplies in Harwich. He kept this job until he died on November 4, 1678, at 54 years old. He was buried in the church at Harwich.

A Passion for Collecting

When Parliament was in charge, Silas could look at old books and papers in the big libraries at Hereford Cathedral and Worcester Cathedral. He copied an important old document from the year 964, written by King Edgar. People at the time thought he took some things, but today, experts say those claims were not true.

Silas collected many things for a history book he wanted to write about Herefordshire. Some of his collections went to the Harleian collection, which is a famous group of old documents. His notes about Harwich were later used by Samuel Dale. Dale published a book called The History and Antiquities of Harwich and Dovercourt in 1730, using Silas's original work and adding more information. Other historians like Edmund Gibson and Thomas Cox also used Silas's notes for their own books.

When Silas died, he owed money. Because of this, his remaining collections were sold to pay off his debts.

His Published Works and Music

Silas Taylor only published one book under his own name. It was called The History of Gavel-Kind, published in London in 1663. This book was about an old English law system called "gavelkind." He also included a short history of William the Conqueror in Latin.

Silas was also interested in music. He knew famous musicians like the Playfords and Matthew Locke. Two of his own music pieces were published in a book called Court Ayres in 1655. Samuel Pepys, a famous diarist, even heard one of Silas's songs performed in the royal chapel!