John Tayloe II
Col. John Tayloe II (28 May 1721 – 18 April 1779) was the premier Virginia planter; a politician, and colonial Colonel in the Virginia Militia. Virginia. He served in public office including the Virginia Governor's Council, also known as the Virginia Council of State.
John Tayloe II | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 28, 1721 Old House, Richmond County, Virginia colony |
| Died | April 18, 1779 (aged 57) Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia |
| Resting place | Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia |
| Nationality | British/American |
| Occupation(s) | Planter, Agent |
| Known for | Virginia Planter, Builder of Mount Airy, Owner Neabsco Iron Works, Founder American Thoroughbred Horse Racing |
| Parents |
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| Relatives | Mann Page (brother-in-law), Edward Lloyd IV (son-in-law), Francis Lightfoot Lee (son-in-law) |
He has been described as a "model Virginia planter, planting tobacco, wheat and corn and raising livestock", what were known as mixed crops. A fifth-generation planter from the Tayloe Family, he took over the management of the Neabsco Iron Works during the 1740s, likely after his father's death in 1747.
Later Tayloe built Mount Airy, the Neo-Palladian villa overlooking the Rappahannock River. It is still held and occupied by the Tayloe family in the 21st century. Tayloe, his father and namesake son were said to exemplify gentry entrepreneurship.