John Tayloe III

John Tayloe III
John Tayloe III by Gilbert Stuart on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Born	(1770-09-02)September 2, 1770 Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia
Died	March 23, 1828(1828-03-23) (aged 57) Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia
Resting place	Mount Airy, Richmond County, Virginia
Nationality	British/American
Education	Eton College, Cambridge University
Occupation	Planter, Agent
Known for	Virginia Planter, Builder of The Octagon House, Founder of the Washington DC Jockey Club

Hon. John Tayloe III (September 2, 1770 – March 23, 1828), of Richmond County, Virginia, was prominent in business, government, and social circles. A highly successful plantation owner, he took an active part in public affairs and was considered the "Wealthiest man of his day". A military officer, he also served in the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate of Virginia for nine years. The Tayloe family of Richmond County, including John Tayloe III, his father, John Tayloe II, and grandfather, John Tayloe I, exemplified gentry entrepreneurship.

Tayloe was born September 2, or September 13, 1770. He was the son of John Tayloe II, and Rebecca Plater Tayloe; his paternal grandfather was John Tayloe I. Of the nine children in the family, a twin brother did not survive more than a few days, and two sisters died while babies. All of his remaining siblings were girls. Before going away to school in England, Tayloe learned patriotism from his father. He was educated at Eton and Cambridge.

After returning home from England, he was ready to administer his estate for the benefit of the country as well as his own family. As he was the only surviving son, after his father's death in 1779, Tayloe was named in his father's will to receive most of his father's slaves, personal property, land and business interests. When his inheritance was turned over to him, the income was US$60,000; within a few years, he increased this to US$75,000. His father's iron- and shipbuilding interests were conserved and enlarged by Tayloe. His master shipbuilder at Occoquan was his slave, Reuben. Of Tayloe's other slaves, he reportedly sold 50 of them, mostly young girls, during the period of 1809 through 1828. In addition to shipbuilding at Neabsco Iron Works, Tayloe had other dealings in Prince William County, Virginia. In 1814, he purchased lots in Occoquan, and on the one that fronted Mill Street, he built the Occoquan Hotel. He served as a county postmaster for a time, and his stagecoach lines stopped in Occoquan, giving passengers a chance to disembark here.