Zachary taylor davis biography

Zachary Taylor

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Zachary Taylor will always be remembered for his forty years of military service and sixteen months as the twelfth president of the United States of America. Taylor was born in Montebello Plantation, Virginia on November 24, 1784, just over a year after the Revolutionary War concluded. He was born to Sarah Dabney Strother and Richard Taylor, a veteran lieutenant colonel who served on George Washington’s staff. Shortly after his birth, the family migrated to Kentucky and raised Zachary Taylor and their other eight children on a tobacco plantation. In Kentucky, Taylor received a rudimentary level of education, and he learned about farming and horsemanship, but he desired a life of military service. 

In 1808, Taylor left Kentucky, and he was granted a commission as a first lieutenant for the United States Army. He was assigned to a garrison at Fort Pickering in Tennessee. Two years later, he married Margaret Mackall Smith, and they had six children together. His oldest daughter, Sarah Knox Taylor, married future pr

Zachary Taylor: Family Life

Zachary Taylor lived most of his life as an army officer at various frontier outposts. Two of his five daughters died as young children. Another daughter, Sarah Knox Taylor, married the young Mississippian who would become the president of the Confederacy and who served under Taylor in Mexico—Jefferson Davis. Sarah tragically died from cholera just two months after her wedding. At the time of his presidency, Taylor had three surviving children: Ann Margaret Mackall, Mary Elizabeth, and Richard. Elizabeth "Betty" married Major William W. S. Bliss, known to the Taylor family as "Perfect Bliss." Major Bliss had served under Taylor in Texas and at the Battle of Monterrey. Even before and after his marriage to Betty, Bliss was like a son to Taylor, advising him about finances, politics, and military tactics.

On numerous occasions, Taylor used family time to manage his lands and plantations. Seldom at home long enough to supervise slaves or crops, he relied on associates, relatives, and his daughters to assist his wife with daily finances and decisions.

Zachary Taylor

President of the United States from 1849 to 1850

This article is about the president of the United States. For other people with the same name, see Zachary Taylor (disambiguation).

"General Taylor" and "Zach Taylor" redirect here. For other uses, see General Taylor (disambiguation).

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Zachary Taylor

Taylor c. 1843–1845

In office
March 4, 1849[a] – July 9, 1850
Vice PresidentMillard Fillmore
Preceded byJames K. Polk
Succeeded byMillard Fillmore
In office
April 23, 1845 – July 23, 1848
Appointed byJames K. Polk
Preceded byOffice established
Succeeded byWilliam Davenport
Born(1784-11-24)November 24, 1784
Barboursville, Virginia, U.S.
DiedJuly 9, 1850(1850-07-09) (aged 65)
Washington County, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeZachary Taylor National Cemetery
Political partyWhig
Spouse
Children6, including Sarah, Mary, and Richard
Parent
ProfessionMilitary officer
Awards
Signature
Branch/serviceUnited States Army
Years of service