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The Taliaferro Guardianship

The York County SC Deed Book Book G (p. 185) includes the following curious entry for 31 March 1809:

John Moore would later (circa 1820) marry Rebecca Darwin ^3.31, daughter of John Darwin ^2.8.

According to the Hart Genealogy, Ruth Taliaferro was the daugter of John Moore's sister Margaret, and would later marry a cousin, one William Moore. The following diagram is an attempt to illustrate the relationships:

Ruth is also referred to as Ruth Brown Taliaferro, but the relationship with the John G. Brown of this document is unknown, nor precisely how John Darwin ^2.8 came to stand as guardian for her. The father of John and Margaret Moore was probably also named 'John' (on the grounds that Margaret's brother is sometimes referenced as 'John Moore, Jr.', but we have seen cases where the epithet is used to distinguish a nephew from an uncle, so remains conjectural).

It is possible (under investigation) that Mildred Powell (Ruth Taliaferro's grandmother) is of the same family of Elizabeth Powell (who married John's son William Darwin ^3.30 in February 1808, and her brother John Powell, who married John's daughter Rachel Darwin ^3.32 on the same day. But at present, this is conjectural.

There may be other relationships behind the guardianship as well. William Taliaferro is said (in the Hart Genealogy) to have been a "Revolutionary soldier;" perhaps John Darwin had been a comrade-at-arms. It is also possible John saw military service with William's father, Captain Richard Taliaferro, who signs as a witness to the 1802 Will of Thomas Manion--another family later allied by marriage to the Darwins (York County Will Book A, p. 174: Case 60/File 299: dated 9 July 1802, probated 4 March 1805: the other witnesses were John Ramsey, "Littleton Sandaland" and "Randolph Sandlin," the latter two presumed brothers of Gilly Sandlin, later wife of John Darwin's son John Bland Darwin ^3.33).

Also unknown (but deemed likely) at present is if Richard Taliaferro, born in Virginia, is of the same family of William Booth Taliaferro (1822-1898), Brigadier General C.S.A.

And finally, also in the realm of speculation unless/until some further documents are found, may be noted the possibility that witness John L. Henderson may be identified with the John Henderson, son of David Henderson referenced in the 1794 Will of Thomas Henderson.

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