Each time I show the presentation of Old Shelburne Farm Pictures, I learn something from someone in the audience. Following the presentation at Memorial Hall, I learned that there used to be strict rules that residents had to attend church in the town in which they lived. There were fines and punishments for failing to attend church.
Before Shelburne was incorporated as a town, it was part of Deerfield. Deerfield residents referred to Shelburne as the Northwest Pasture, because compared to the fertile land in Deerfield, they deemed it only suitable for pasture.
When it came time to draw the boundaries of Shelburne in 1768, the John Taylor family had land in both towns. They had to choose where to go to church. If you look at a map of Shelburne, you’ll see a part that juts out in the lower right corner. This change was made because the Taylor family chose to go to the First Congregational Church in Shelburne and live in Shelburne.
What a difference that made! Elliott and Dorothy Taylor farmed in Shelburne where they raised champion Shorthorn cattle. They both showed them at local fairs. Mt. Majorette won at all the local fairs and was sold to a farm in Rhode Island. They showed Majorette at the National Competition and the International Competition in Canada where she won Grand Champion!
Next generation, Gordon Taylor was a star baseball player, playing shortstop at Arms Academy. When he married his wife Marion, they both became very active in the First Congregational Church in Shelburne center, where Gordon had a wonderful singing voice. They both served countless volunteer hours in the Shelburne Grange. They went on to own The Blackmer Insurance Agency, a prominent business in Shelburne where I had the privilege to work with them.
Marion was active in the Women’s Club, spearheading the fundraiser to renovate the Bridge of Flowers in the 1980s. She also served as president of the Women’s Club and later as treasurer. Marion was also on the Mohawk School Committee and served as chairperson for many years. Marion was a founder of the Mary Lyon Education Fund that has given thousands of dollars for student scholarships and educational purposes. Deservedly, she was chosen Citizen of the Year by the Greenfield Recorder in 1990.
But the service doesn’t stop there! Son, John Taylor and his wife Sherry went on to follow in his parent’s footsteps. They also owned Blackmer Insurance for many years. They too have been very active in The First Congregational Church and in the Shelburne Grange where Sherry is now Master. John Taylor is an exceptional EMT, Fire Chief in Shelburne Center, and person to call when you need help in Shelburne.
Shelburne is indeed fortunate that over 250 years ago the Taylor family chose to go to the First Congregational Church of Shelburne and live in Shelburne. Thank you Taylor Family.
Carolyn Wheeler lives in Shelburne.