The Taylor Family was one of the original families who immigrated to Brentwood. According to the 1870 U.S. Census,  Marion and Malcolm Taylor had four children, three of which were born in Scotland and their fourth child was born in New York. John was the couple’s oldest child and was born in 1855, Mary was born in 1863, Margaret Lavina was born in Sterling, Scotland on June 28, 1865 and Jane Ann who was born in New York in 1867.  In the 1870 and 1880 Census Malcolm’s occupation is listed as a gardener.

 The family left Scotland and moved to Brentwood in 1865. The Taylor children grew up in Brentwood and attended the Episcopal Church.  The Episcopal Church held their services in the Octagon School House before a church was constructed.

 For a short period of time the family lived with Marion’s brother, John Clendenning on Crooked Hill Road in Brentwood.  Their son, John purchased a farm on Crooked Hill in 1883. He married Elizabeth Moreland that same year. Elizabeth and John had five children who were born in Brentwood. Their names were Clems born in 1885, John born in 1887, Mary A born in 1890, Robert born in 1893 and Elizabeth born in 1897. John Taylor continued to work as a farmer and became noted for developing a red seedling potato throughout Suffolk County. John was also listed as working for the Rail Road in the 1870 and 1880 Census.

We know that Malcom’s nephew Gordon Taylor recorded the history of Margaret Taylor’s early years in Brentwood.  Gordon Taylor lived on Third Avenue in Brentwood.

If anyone has more information about the Taylor farm and family please contact the Local History Room.       

 - M. Koferl, Local History Newsletter, May 2009