Surprise - I found a Gem

One of the questions that I keep researching is why did my people come to Grayson County. Last week in the library I found this answer to why my Taylor line came to the area. Here is what I found:

Parents: Perigan Taylor and Sarah Nelson (died in Taylorsville, Tenn)

John Nelson Taylor 1805-1862 and Carey Ann Shepherd 1812-1865 (died in Taylorsville)

         Children:Phalander (Pete) Y. Taylor, John Nelson Taylor, Robert (Bob) Taylor, James (JIm) H. Taylor, and Surse Shelby Taylor came to Texas in 1866-1867 from Flora, Mississippi, after the Civil War in a covered wagon and horseback. They left Mississippi because they lost their slaves and their land. They could no longer farm their cotton plantation or operate their cotton gin. The Taylor boys stayed 4 years on a farm they bought 10 miles west of McKinney in the Pecan Grove cemetery area. The move to Texas revealed many hardships. They had no money left to build homes after purchasing their land. For the first year they put their wagon beds together and that was sleeping quarters. They cooked on open fires. After 4 years in Mckinney, three of the brothers married. The two unmarried brothers John and Surse then went to Brady in south Texas about 1870 to 1883. In this area they built up a sizeable heard of cattle with their own brand –heart up- heart down. After 13 years they sold out for $14,000 and the balance due in cattle. 

         In 1882 the Taylor brothers sent for Thomas Taylor and Margaret Nelson Hulme, fully aware of the hard times in the south after the Civil war. They lost all their property during the Civil War. In 1883 they decided to come to Texas to live with Thomas's brothers until a house was available.

They came with eight children by train to McKinney and lived with his brothers until a house was available. They shipped their household items, cattle and horses by train to Texas. Sallie Lucile, "Granny" was 2 or 3 years old. Sally  crossed the Mississippi River on her third birthday, the story is told. Every family member worked on the farm to make a living. Life in Texas was a big change. Margaret and the girls had never cooked or sewed. Slaves had previously done all their work, so they all learned together. Three more children were born in Texas, for a total of 11 children.