Stanford Rivers by H. M. Scott – The Taylors of Stanford Rivers

The Taylor Family

And their connection with Stanford Rivers

The full story of this very remarkable family has been written by a descendant – Doris Armitage – and a bibliography was compiled by Mr Edward Harris as recently as 1965.

Isaac Taylor (I) (1730–1807)

Isaac Taylor (I) was born in Worcester in 1730 and died at Edmonton in 1807. He was one of the founders and the Secretary of the Royal Incorporated Society of Artists (later to become the Royal Academy).

Isaac Taylor (II) (1759–1829)

One of his sons, Isaac (II), born in 1759, lived firstly in Islington with his wife, Ann (née Martin), where he worked as an Engraver with his brother Charles.

He later moved to Lavenham in Suffolk and there his fame grew as an Artist, Engraver and Author. He was called to the Non-Conformist Ministry, moved to Colchester and in 1811 to Castle Farm, Ongar.

He served the Ongar Congregational Church for some 18 years. During his ministry the congregation increased considerably. He was, however, a strict disciplinarian and recommended the removal from church membership of any who showed lack of loyalty to public worship, as well as those who fell short of the Christian standard in home and business dealings.

It was during his ministry that the daughter church at nearby Stanford Rivers was opened.

In spite of his church activities he still found time to devote to his other interests. He became known for his many books – "Advice to the Teens", "Self Cultivation", "Character Essential to Success in Life" and "The Book of Martyrs". His chief engravings were in the illustration of Boydell's Shakespeare.

His wife, Ann, was an authoress and her works enjoyed great popularity. Her chief books were "The Family Mansion", "Maternal Solicitude", and "Correspondence between Mother and Daughter at School".

The Rev. Isaac Taylor died in 1829 and his wife in 1830 – both were buried in the Chapel graveyard – together with their talented daughter, Jane. Their graves are now within the area covered by the floor of the School Hall and can still be viewed.

The Taylors of Ongar had eleven children – four of whom achieved great fame. For the sake of brevity I intend to include details of the works of only three of them – the daughters Ann and Jane and the son, Isaac (III).

Ann Taylor (1782–1866)

Ann Taylor was born in Islington in 1782. She was joint-authoress with her sister Jane of "Original Poems", "Nursery Rhymes" and "Hymns for Infant Minds".

Some of these poems – "My Mother", "Thank You Pretty Cow", "Great God" and "Wilt Thou Condescend" – were certainly amongst the most popular lyrics for children.

They were warmly recommended by persons so different as Sir Walter Scott, Thomas Arnold, Archbishop Whateley, Robert Southey and Miss Edgeworth.

The combined sales of her father's, her own, and her sister's (Jane) works were probably greater than those of any other family in English Literature. The impact of this family on Literature and Culture of their age is so important that no library can refuse to recognise it.

Their books are too numerous to list here – they are scarce and fetch high prices when traced.

Ann married the Rev. Joseph Gilbert, a well-known Scholar and Author, and had in all eight children. Records show that they frequently stayed with her brother Isaac at his residence, Stanford Rivers House.

The eldest son, Josiah (Author and Artist), and his wife lived for some time at Marden Ash. In 1872 Josiah appears to have had a financial interest in the Stanford Hall estate belonging to their close friends the Wilsons.

Ann's second son Joseph (born 1817) was associated for over 50 years with the celebrated Rothamsted Agricultural Laboratory. A Professor of Agriculture at Oxford, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society and in 1893 Queen Victoria conferred on him the honour of Knighthood.

Jane Taylor (1783–1824)

Ann's sister Jane, born in London in 1783, died in 1824 and is buried at Ongar.

She was author of "Display", "Essays in Rhyme", "Contributions of Q. Q.", and joint-authoress, with her sister, of the Poems mentioned above.

Jane's "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" is recited by children to this day.

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star

Twinkle, twinkle little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.

When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.

Then the traveller in the dark,
Thanks you for your tiny spark.
He could not see which way to go,
If you did not twinkle so.

In the dark blue sky you keep,
And often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.

As your bright and tiny spark,
Lights the traveller in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

Portraits of Jane and her sister Ann were exhibited in the Gallery of Distinguished Englishwomen in Chicago in 1893.

Jane Taylor died, unmarried, at Chipping Ongar in 1824 and is buried with her father at the Congregational Chapel.

Isaac Taylor (III) (1787–1865)

Isaac Taylor (III), known as "Isaac Taylor of Stanford Rivers", son of the Rev. Isaac Taylor and brother of Jane and Ann, was born at Lavenham in 1787.

He became the most prolific writer of the family, some thirty-eight of his works being listed by Harris. These included "Spirit of Hebrew Poetry", "Ancient Christianity" and "Loyola".

At the age of 42 he became famous with his "Natural History of Enthusiasm", which placed him in the front rank of contemporary literature.

Apart from his writing he devoted much time to Engraving, Draughtsmanship and Mechanical inventions. His many inventions included a Beer Tap in 1824.

He married a friend of his famous sister, Jane – Elizabeth Medland of Newington – and took her to live in 1825 at Stanford Rivers House.

Isaac Taylor at Stanford Rivers House

In this serene old house Isaac worked on his inventions (he fitted up a workshop there), he wrote his books and thought his long thoughts. In company of his fellow thinkers he paced his garden paths and the nearby secluded lanes and sought peace with his Maker.

He devoted over a year to writing his memories of his beloved sister Jane.

Isaac Taylor, philosopher, man of letters, artist and inventor, wished to leave his record of an age and outlook which he loved.

Many of his works were published anonymously – none of the Taylors sought limelight, although their works sold by the thousands, and Isaac, who could have been a literary lion, remained as secluded as the rest of the family.

Isaac and Elizabeth had nine children, all born at Stanford Rivers House.

Early in 1861 the village lost "its sweetest charm" in the death of Elizabeth, who is buried with her husband and two of their daughters in the Churchyard.

Although of Non-Conformist stock, Isaac Taylor enjoyed the religious thinking and great friendship of the Rector, Dr Tattam.

All his children attended the Church Sunday School and did much to enjoy the friendship of the Parishioners.

This great man of letters died in 1865 at Stanford Rivers House.

In 1891 his portrait was exhibited in the Victorian Exhibition in the Gallery of Eminent Theologians. A crayon portrait, by his nephew Josiah Gilbert, hangs in the National Gallery.

The Children of Isaac Taylor (III)

Isaac Taylor's eldest son, Canon Isaac Taylor, B.A., M.A., Hon. LL.D., D.Litt., was born in 1829 and died at Settrington Rectory, Yorkshire, in 1901.

His sister Jessie, born in 1841, married Thomas Wilson, Esq., in 1872 (see "The Wilson Family").

James Medland Taylor, a son of Isaac Taylor of Stanford Rivers, settled in Manchester, was associated with the Church of England and was the architect of about 50 churches in Lancashire and Cheshire.

Another son, Henry, also became an Architect of some renown.

The Later History of Stanford Rivers House

1865–1909: The Low Family

In 1865, after the death of Isaac Taylor, Stanford Rivers House was occupied by Mr and Mrs Robert W. Low, who were for many years Master and Matron of the Ongar Union Workhouse. After Mr Low's death in 1909, his widow continued in occupation.

1912: Francis W. P. Holten

In 1912 local directories gave Francis W. P. Holten as the occupier.

1922: The Castle Family

In 1922 Mr Norman Castle and his family were in occupation and during this period the house was modernised and certain alterations made externally.

1933–1956: The Burgess and Featherstone Families

In the years 1933–1956 the property was occupied by the Burgess and Featherstone families and during this period the Essex Lawn Tennis Championships were played in the grounds (the site of the tennis court can still be identified).

From 1956: The Aubrey-Jones Family

In 1956 the Burgess family sold to Mr and Mrs Anthony Aubrey-Jones, who secured the then dilapidated house and overgrown garden for a mere few thousand pounds.

Since that date the property has been beautifully renovated and the garden tastefully laid out.

The Aubrey-Jones children are now "grown up" and have left the parental home and it will be sad if its present owners should find this lovely home too large for their requirements and decide to dispose of it.

It is a charming family residence with considerable old-world charm and bears the marks of the love and care of its owners.