Samuel Taft

Samuel Taft (September 23, 1735 at Upton, Worcester County, Province of Massachusetts – August 2, 1816 at Uxbridge Worcester County, Massachusetts[1]) was a Revolutionary War soldier who later hosted his former commander in Chief, President George Washington, at his home, on his inaugural tour of New England.

Samuel Taft
Samuel Taft's home; Washington slept here on November 8, 1789
Nickname(s)Taft Tavern
BornSeptember 23, 1735
Upton, Province of Massachusetts
DiedAugust 2, 1816
Uxbridge, Massachusetts
AllegianceUnited States of America
Years of service1775–1780
RankPrivate
UnitWorcester 9th Company,

Capt. Thaddeus Read's co.,

Col. Nathan Tyler's regt
Battles/warsBattles of Lexington and Concord, American Revolution
Other workTavern proprietor and farmer; hosted President George Washington on inaugural tour; father of 22

Early life

Samuel was the son of Israel Taft, and Mercy Aldrich, both of whom were from Mendon. Samuel's father, Israel Taft, was the grandson of the first American Taft, Robert Taft, Sr of Mendon

Taft was an American Revolutionary War soldier from Uxbridge, Massachusetts. The vital records of Uxbridge, records that Samuel Taft had intentions to marry Mary Murdock on December 16, 1758.[2] The vital records of Uxbridge, record that a number of his children, including Frederick, Marcy, Merret, Otice, Perley, Sibbel and George S. were born to Samuel and Mary Taft. His wife Mary died after 28 years of marriage in 1785. Samuel married Experience Humes January 9, 1786 at Uxbridge, Ma; died August 2, 1816 at Uxbridge, Ma, at age 80.

Service in Revolutionary War

He served in the American Revolutionary War as a private with a company from Worcester County.[3] He served in Capt. Thaddeus Read's co., Col. Nathan Tyler's regt.[3]

A famous visitor

In 1789, Samuel Taft was the proprietor of a tavern in Uxbridge. This tavern is now known as Samuel Taft House. Newly elected President of the United States, George Washington, stayed one evening with Mr. Taft and his family. The President wrote a letter to Mr. Taft, from his next stop, on November 8 at Hartford, thanking him for his service and giving some gifts to Samuel's daughters.

  • A new president visits: President Washington stayed at the Samuel Taft Tavern in November 1789, during his inaugural trip through New England.[4]
November 8, 1789.
Sir:
Being informed that you have given my name to one of your sons, and called another after Mrs. Washington's family, and being moreover very much pleased with the modest and innocent looks of your two daughters, Patty and Polly, I do for these reasons send each of these girls a piece of chintz; and to Patty, who bears the name of Mrs. Washington, and who waited more upon us than Polly did, I send five guineas, with which she may buy herself any little ornament she may want, or she may dispose of them in any other manner more agreeable to herself. As I do not give these things with a view to having it talked of, or even to its being known, the less there is said about the matter the better you will please me; but, that I may be sure the chintz and money have got safe to hand, let Patty, who I dare say is equal to it, write me a line informing me thereof, directed to 'The President of the United States at New York.' I wish you and your family well, and am,
etc. Yours,
:
George Washington
– Letter to Mr. Samuel Taft, written from Hartford on November 8, 1789

[4]

It is possible that President George Washington refers to Perley in his letter as "Polly" and one of the other girls as "Patty". These could have been their nicknames and not their given names.

Samuel Taft House

Samuel Taft House is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and an external link below tells the story of the house and has a picture.. President William Howard Taft, also stayed here in 1910.

A famous family

The famous Taft family from Uxbridge and Mendon, has produced a line of politicians throughout the US, including another President, William Howard Taft, whose grandfather, Peter Rawson Taft I was born in Uxbridge in 1785.

Death

The town of Uxbridge vital records recorded Samuel Taft, Revolutionary soldier's death, on August 2, 1816,[1] in his 80th year.

Notes
  1. Mass., Uxbridge (1851). Vital Records of Uxbridge, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Thomas Williams Baldwin. pp. 409. Retrieved 2007-10-27. Samuel Taft of Uxbridge.
  2. .Mass., Uxbridge (1851). Vital Records of Uxbridge, Massachusetts to the Year 1850. Wright & Potter printing Company. pp. 321. Retrieved 2007-10-27. Samuel Taft of Uxbridge.
  3. "Tafts of Massachusetts, Revolutionary War". rootsweb. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
  4. Chapin, Judge Henry (1881). Address Delivered at the Unitarian Church in Uxbridge; 1864. Worcester, Mass.
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