William Tailer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Tailer
Acting Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay
In office November 9, 1715 – October 5, 1716
Preceded by	Joseph Dudley
Succeeded by	Samuel Shute
In office June 11, 1730 – August 10, 1730
Preceded by	William Dummer (acting)
Succeeded by	Jonathan Belcher
Personal details
Born	February 25, 1675/6 Dorchester, Suffolk County, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Died	March 1, 1732(1732-03-01) (aged 56) Dorchester, Suffolk County, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Signature

William Tailer (born February 25, 1675/6 – died March 1, 1731/2) was an important military leader and politician in the early American colony of Province of Massachusetts Bay. He came from a rich and powerful family. He also married into other influential families.

Tailer served as the lieutenant governor of Massachusetts twice. First, from 1711 to 1716, and again in the early 1730s. During these times, he briefly became the acting governor. He did not agree with Governor Joseph Dudley on many political issues. Tailer supported a plan for a "land bank." This idea aimed to fix the colony's money problems.

During his first time as acting governor, he approved building Boston Light. This was the very first lighthouse in what is now the United States. He was also active in defending the colony. He led soldiers in the 1710 attack on Port Royal. This was the capital of French Acadia during Queen Anne's War.

In the 1720s, he was in charge of Boston's defenses. He also helped talk with the Iroquois and Abenaki tribes during Dummer's War. Later, Jonathan Belcher, who was once his political rival, became his friend. Belcher chose Tailer to be his lieutenant governor in 1730. Tailer held this job until he passed away. He was buried in the tomb of his uncle, William Stoughton.

Early Life and Military Service

William Tailer was born in Dorchester, Massachusetts Bay Colony. His birthday was February 25, 1675/6. His parents were William Tailer and Rebecca Stoughton Tailer. His mother was the daughter of an early Massachusetts settler, Israel Stoughton. She was also the sister of a judge named William Stoughton.

His father was a wealthy landowner and merchant. He owned buildings in Boston. He was also part of a powerful land development company. Tailer's father passed away in 1682.

William Tailer inherited a large amount of property. Records show that in 1695, his guardians ran five mills for him. He also received money from his uncle's large estate. His uncle was a bachelor and had no children.

By 1702, Tailer married Sarah Byfield. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Byfield, another important colonial judge. Sarah passed away around 1708. Nathaniel Byfield and Tailer's father had been business partners. Tailer continued this business relationship.

Francis Nicholson was Tailer's commander at Port Royal.

Tailer served in the colony's army during Queen Anne's War. In 1710, he led a group of soldiers. They helped capture Port Royal in Acadia. After this victory, he traveled to London with Francis Nicholson. Nicholson was the leader of the expedition. Tailer hoped to get a promotion.

His hopes came true. He was made lieutenant governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay. He served under Governor Joseph Dudley. Tailer then returned to Massachusetts. He continued to help defend the colonies. He served at Fort William and Mary in New Hampshire. He also reported on the defenses in what is now southern Maine.

In early 1711/2, he married Abigail Gillam Dudley. She was the widow of Joseph Dudley's grandson, Thomas. William and Abigail had six children. They raised their family in the old Stoughton family home in Dorchester. Tailer joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company in 1712. He was elected as its captain that same year.

Serving as Acting Governor of Massachusetts

Tailer was chosen for the Governor's Council from 1712 to 1729. He was also appointed as lieutenant governor of Massachusetts three times. Even though he was related to the Dudleys by marriage, his political relationship with Governor Dudley was difficult.

Many people in the colony, including Tailer, were members of the Anglican Church. They doubted Governor Dudley's religious beliefs. Dudley had been raised in the Puritan faith. He had officially become Anglican while in England in the 1690s.

Tailer and Dudley also disagreed about the colony's money problems. Dudley wanted the government to issue public "bills of credit." This was a way to control the rising prices caused by too much paper money. Tailer, along with his father-in-law Nathaniel Byfield, wanted a private "land bank." This bank would issue money that was backed by the land owned by its investors.

In 1714, Byfield went to London. He wanted to get support for the land bank. He also hoped to become governor himself. This position was open after King George I became king. Byfield did not become governor. But he convinced Colonel Elizeus Burges, who was chosen to replace Dudley, to keep Tailer as lieutenant governor.

However, Burges was paid by people who opposed the land bank. He resigned his job before leaving England. But the official papers for Burges and Tailer had already been sent to Massachusetts. So, Tailer became acting governor in November 1715.

Right after taking office, Tailer made many changes. He removed people who opposed the land bank and supported Dudley from their government jobs. But his actions did not work out as he planned. The colonial assembly elected Joseph Dudley's son, Paul, as attorney general. Also, people in London who were against the land bank worked to replace Tailer.

One of these people was Jonathan Belcher. It's interesting because Belcher later became Tailer's friend. He even helped Tailer get the lieutenant governorship a third time. Because of their efforts, the king chose Colonel Samuel Shute to replace Burges. Shute was against the land bank. The king also chose William Dummer as Shute's lieutenant governor. Tailer lost his job when Shute arrived in October 1716. Shute even ignored Tailer when he arrived. He chose to meet with the Dudleys first.

The only major lasting achievement during Tailer's time as acting governor was the building of Boston Light. This was the first lighthouse built in what is now the United States. When Tailer was a member of the assembly, he helped write the laws to fund this project. He signed these laws after he became governor.

Colonial Military Service

After his first time as acting governor, Tailer traveled to England. There, he worked on behalf of John Nelson. Nelson was trying to get money for the loss of Nova Scotia. This land was lost in the 1667 Treaty of Breda. But Tailer's efforts were not successful.

He also asked for a military pension for himself. He successfully convinced Lord Cobham that he deserved money for his service at Port Royal in 1710. He was given half the pay of a colonel, which was £400 per year. John Nelson noted that Tailer losing the lieutenant governorship (which paid £50 per year) "has proved much to his advantage."

This painting was once thought to be a portrait of Tailer by John Smibert. Later, it was found that Smibert's signature was fake. The painting is from the early 1700s, but we don't know who the person in it is.

Tailer eventually came back to Massachusetts. While Shute was governor, Tailer was involved in talks with Native American tribes. These talks happened on the northern borders of the colony. He also continued to be active in the colonial army.

In 1717, Tailer went with Shute on a trip to Maine. They went to talk with the Abenaki people of northern New England. Shute did not handle the talks well. This made things more tense between the Abenaki and British settlers. In 1720, Tailer was one of several people sent to help settle things between the settlers and the Abenaki. They found a possible way to agree. But continued raids and disagreements made the situation worse. Shute declared war on the Abenaki in July 1722. This happened after the Abenaki attacked British settlements on the Maine coast.

Shute had many disagreements with the colonial assembly. Because of this, he left for England in early 1723. He left Lieutenant Governor Dummer in charge of the war. Tailer was a main member of a group sent to Albany, New York in 1723. They tried to convince the Iroquois to join the fight against the Abenaki. This trip was not successful. The Iroquois refused to join the war against the Abenaki. Tailer continued to be involved in the war. He was responsible for keeping Boston's defenses strong.

Another Term as Acting Governor

Tailer's political views changed during the 1720s. He and Byfield started to agree more with the common people. Because of this, he and Jonathan Belcher, who was once his opponent, became allies.

When Governor William Burnet passed away in 1729, Belcher was in London. He was working for Connecticut. He was also helping to argue against Burnet's unpopular demand for a permanent salary. Belcher successfully became governor. Then, he helped Tailer get another appointment as lieutenant governor.

Tailer's appointment was announced before Belcher arrived. So, Tailer briefly served as acting governor while waiting for Belcher. These few months were quiet. The colony was dealing with an outbreak of smallpox. Because of this, Tailer postponed the assembly meetings.

Tailer passed away in Dorchester in March 1731/2. He was still serving as lieutenant governor. His pallbearers included Governor Belcher and other important political figures. He is buried in his uncle Willam Stoughton's tomb. This place is now called the Dorchester North Burying Ground.

Images for kids

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  William Tailer's signature.