Family background
David Taylor was born about 1804 in Stirling, Scotland, the son of David Taylor. He died in Sydney after a long illness on 9 September 1844, aged 40, leaving a widow and family. The funeral proceeded from St Andrews Scots Presbyterian Church to the Sandhills Cemetery, later relocated to Bunnerong.
Occupation & interests
David Taylor senior, Church of Scotland, arrived as a free settler with his family and was living in the Newtown area in 1841. David Taylor junior was established as a builder in Dixon Street by the 1840s. In November 1842, he was building St Andrews Cathedral and Christ Church. His other buildings included the Lunatic Asylum at Tarban Creek. In July 1844, he was a member of the Committee of the Benevolent Society. In 1851 his wife Mrs David Taylor was a freeholder of Dixon Street.
Local government service
David Taylor was elected Foundation Councillor for Phillip Ward from 1 November 1842 until 8 July 1844, two months before his death. One of his proposals while in office was for public conveniences to be erected in Sydney.
References
City of Sydney Archives. Aldermen’s Files; Portraits CRS 54/637
Society of Australian Genealogists: AGCI index; Cemetery transcripts
State Records of NSW: Bounty Index; 1841 Census