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Wild Irish Rosemarie- and her reformed heritage




Following family history is fascinating to me. If you were to see me you would have little doubt of my Italian heritage. My father's family came to the United States through Ellis Island. What may not be so obvious at first is my Irish heritage. I can trace my maternal heritage back to Isaac Taylor Taylor Sr. was born October 08, 1710 in Armagh, Antrim, Ireland, and died October 08, 1781 in Virginia. Isaac served in the Virginia militia and it is my relationship to him that would allow me to be a Daughter of the American Revolution should I ever desire to join. It's not clear to me when, but it seems Isaac's family immigrated to Antrim, Ireland. They were Scottish Covenanters. So it looks as though I am Irish but only by way of being a Scot and a Presbyterian Scot at that. Since the Scots don't celebrate St. Patrick's Day, we'll just stick with my Irish heritage for now.

Isaac built a life in Virginia and had several children. Each of those children spread out from their father's home until eventually a branch of the Taylors built their lives in Lemoore, CA. I have pictures of the old Lemoore homestead and I stood in a field surrounded by cattle when we buried my grandfather in the old Taylor Cemetery. By the time I arrived in this family, there was no evidence of anyone having faith in God. Quite a departure from their roots who vowed to hold to the Protestant Reformation.

Born and raised in California, I have recently moved to Kentucky. My move was prompted by the same thing that prompted Isaac's; the chance for a better quality of living. In the genealogy records I have inherited, it seems that quite a few of my Taylor kin have lived in the Blue Grass state. I have returned home in more way than one. Though I am not Presbyterian, I am most decidedly Reformed in my theology. So in celebrating St. Patrick's day, you can keep the green beer and the leprechaun's pot of gold. I will marvel in the way God weaves the tapestry of His family and be grateful for an eternal heritage.




Romans 6:22-23 22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NAS)

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