Browse Items · Martin Digital History

Pioneer life and the Taylor family by Josephine Kitching Taylor, c. 1974

Handwritten notes review life in early Stuart, including Methodist church events, ice cream socials, funerals, and the Christian Endeavor Society. Also includes a memoir of her meeting and marrying John E. Taylor, and records of her children and extended family.

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Methodist Church history by Josephine Kitching Taylor, c. 1974

Handwritten notes chiefly detailing the history of the Methodist Church.

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John E. Taylor to 1929 by Josephine Kitching Taylor, c. 1974

Handwritten notes detailing the early life of her husband, John E. Taylor, to 1929.

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Mr. and Mrs. Walter Kitching by Sarah Josephine Kitching Taylor, 1972

A memoir focusing chiefly on the lives of Walter Kitching (1846-1932) and John E. Taylor (1892-1972), and Josephine Kitching Taylor. Details John E. Taylor's career, including his time as mayor, bank president, builder, and realtor; the lives of Josephine and John's children; and activities of Sarah Josephine Kitching Taylor, including the local organizations she was part of: P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter P (erroneously noted as PEG), Stuart Woman's Club, and the Ladies Bible Class.

History notes of Josephine Kitching Taylor, 1949

Handwritten notes in a small book, a preprinted day calendar. Details her family's history in Stuart, including father Walter Kitching, who arrived in Stuart in about 1890 and her mother Emma Jane Michael Kitching. Discusses the career of Walter Kitching as a tradeboat captain, who built several stores in Stuart. (The first is noted as being by the river where the first depot was; second was an annex next to where Johns Dry Cleaners was in 1950; and a third store where the Sinclair Service Station and part of Chisholm's was in 1950, later sold to Raulerson Grocery). Details how Walter Kitching and Dr. Haney secretly appealed to railroad to change name of town.

Also details the life of her husband John Taylor and the Taylor family and her own activities and community involvement, including membership in the Garden Club, the M.E. Missionary Society, the Soap Bubble Club, the Woman’s Club, and the PEO Sisterhood.