ZACHARY TAYLOR
Zachary was born on November 24, 1784, in Orange County, Virginia. Most historians agree that he was born in Montebello, home of his mothers’ relatives. His father was Richard Taylor (1744-1829), planter and public official and his mother was Sarah “sally” Dabney Strother Taylor (1760-1822).
He was the third of eight children, four brothers and three sisters-Hancock Taylor, William Dabney Strother Taylor, George Taylor, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee Taylor, Joseph Pannill Taylor, Mrs. Sarah Baily Gray and Mrs. Emily Richard Allison
Zachary Taylor married Margaret “peggy ” Mackall Smith when he was 25 and she was 21 years of age, on June 21, 1810. They had three daughters and a son to live maturity-Ann Mackall Taylor (1811-1875), Sarah Knox Taylor (1814-1835), Mary Elizabeth “Betty” Taylor (1824-1909) and Richard “Dick” Taylor (1826-1879).
Taylor received only the most basic education. His first teacher, Elisha Ayer, pronounced him “quick learning and still patient in study” Apparently he also studied under Lewis Wetsel and his last instructor was Kean O’Hara.
Zachary Taylor was a Career military officer (1808-1848) rising from first lieutenant to Major General. He served in the war of 1812 and the Black Hawk, Second Seminole, and Mexican War for which, the victory recognized him as a national hero and favored him for the presidential Nomination.
He was nominated for the presidency in 1848 having as his opponent to Lewis Cass of Michigan. His Vice-president was Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) who inherited the presidency after Zachary’s death.
Zachary died in July 19, 1850, 10:35pm. He4 attended celebrations of the fourth of July and was exposed to the sun for a few hours. Later he drank a large bowl of cherries and a pitcher of ice milk. Presumably he contracted an intestine infection common, at that time, in Washington DC. Cholera Morbus. His diarrhea weakened him and died in presidency.
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