A.M. and Florence Taylor Papers

Collection

Identifier: Ms 099

Scope and Content

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The collection dates from 1892-1942, and is comprised mostly of correspondence. In addition to providing information about the Taylors, the collection is an important source of information about St. Augustine and it also documents the early life of author, Edith Pope. Personal correspondence includes letters between immediate family members, distant relatives, and family friends. Letters from Edith to her parents while she attended Baldwin School are included. Other letters from Florence to A.M. depict the typical seasonal arrivals and departures of families living in St. Augustine at the time. Business correspondence includes letters between the Taylors and their business partners in Niagara Falls. Payment of rental fees and property conditions make up the bulk of this.

Some noted documents in the collection are Edith's guardianship papers and the will of Florence Taylor. In his engagement books, A.M. Taylor noted daily activities, casino events, and weather. Specific dates mentioned in the engagement books are Edith's birthday (July 23, 1905) and the death of Florence Taylor. A scrapbook of anecdotes for stage appearances and speeches is included. Newspaper clippings from 1898-1902 tell of the prominence of the Casino in St. Augustine. There are also photographs, address books, account books, and a set of keys.

Dates

Creation: 1892-1942

Creator

Taylor, Abram Morris, 1862-1942? (Person)
Taylor, Florence. (Person)

Access

The collection is open for research.

Biographical/Historical Note

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Abram Morris (A.M.) Taylor and his wife, Lorena Florence Tugby Taylor, were important individuals in St. Augustine and the state of Florida from the late 1800s until A.M. Taylor's death in 1942. Born on September 1, 1862, A.M. Taylor was originally from Morris County, New Jersey. After he graduated from the College of the City of New York, he began visiting Florida. He became a seasonal resident in St. Augustine in 1889, when he became the manager of the Casino, a club at the Hotel Alcazar. As manager, he oversaw one of the city's most popular venues for entertainment.

Taylor was influential in various state and local clubs. In 1905, he formed the Florida State Elks Association and served as president from 1906-1908. He also was the president of the local Rotary Club from 1933-1934, and was a member of the Masons. He also served in the Florida Senate (St. Augustine, District 31) from 1925 to 1931. Throughout his career he had a reputation as a captivating speaker, and at times appeared on the stage.

Upon settling in St. Augustine, Taylor met and married Florence Tugby. Originally from Niagara Falls, New York, she had traveled and taken up residence in St. Augustine with her parents prior to A.M. Taylor's arrival. Like Taylor, she became an influential part of the community as a member of various women's organizations. She also was a business woman who took over her father's rental properties in Niagara Falls.

Florence Taylor died September 17, 1932 in St. Augustine. A.M. Taylor died in St. Augustine on May 20, 1942. Their daughter Edith Taylor Pope (1905-1961) became a noted Florida novelist.

Extent

2 Linear feet (5 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, photographs, documents, accounts, engagement books, address books, and newspaper clippings related to Abram Morris and Florence Taylor.

Physical Location

University of Florida Smathers Library Building

Related Material

The University of Florida George A. Smathers Libraries holds related collections: The Edith Pope Papers, 1920-1961, contain correspondence between Edith and her parents as well as Edith's personal papers and literary manuscripts. The Verle Allyn Pope Papers, 1969-1973, include the political papers of Edith's husband, a state senator.

The Florida Historical Society, Cocoa, Florida, holds the A.M. Taylor Papers, which include additional papers and correspondence of A.M. and Florence Taylor.

Processing Notes

In 2007 the correspondence was reorganized. Photographs were removed from original folders and placed in a "Photographs" folder. Account, address, and engagement books are now stored together.