... John Taylor senior, who was a limner (portrait painter) and his wife Jane.
It is possible that [John Taylor senior] originated from Downham in Gloucestershire, as he left property there to his wife Jane in his will of 1680. His father's uncle, the water-poet John Taylor (1578–1653), was born in Gloucester in 1578 and died in London in 1653. Pope said of him: “Taylor, their better Charon, lends an oar / Once swan of Thames, though now he sings no more.”
... 24 September 1680, Taylor’s father John Taylor senior also died (notwithstanding the fact that he stated that he was “in good health” when he signed his will on 23 September, the day before his death). He was buried inside St Mary Magdalen Church on 25 September 1680, and the following words were added to the above inscription:
Also underneath resteth the body of John Taylor, senior … in hope of a joyful resurrection,
he died September ye 24 1680.
