James Taylor Jr. (March 14, 1670 â June 23, 1729) was an American politician and surveyor from Virginia. He served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses.
James Taylor Jr. was born on March 14, 1670, as the oldest son of Frances and James Taylor. His father emigrated from England and settled on in what is now New Kent County, Virginia, in 1668.
Taylor surveyed land in Hanover, Spotsylvania, and Orange counties. After finding a plot of in Orange County, he settled there. He was a colonel of the Virginia militia.
Taylor served as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from 1702 to 1714.
Taylor married Mary Thompson. They had nine children, including Frances, James III, Zachary, and George. His daughter Frances married Ambrose Madison and was the mother of James Madison Sr. as well as paternal grandmother of U.S. president James Madison. His son Zachary was the father of Richard Taylor and paternal grandfather of U.S. president Zachary Taylor. His son James III was a grandfather of James Taylor V. His son George also served in the House of Burgesses and was a great-great-grandfather of Kentucky politician Edmund H. Taylor Jr.
Taylor died on June 23, 1729.