Title on photograph: Attendants at Old Slave Day, Southern Pines, NC. April 8. 1937
LOC: U.S. (WPA) Works Progress Administration, Federal Writers’ Project slave narratives collections.
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Mr. Demus Taylor is Nicodemus Taylor, Taylor as in the 12th President of the United States Zachary Taylor. Mr. Demus Taylor was Zachary Taylor's brother's slave.
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Mr. Nicodemus Taylor's Obituary
FORMER SLAVE DIES AT THE AGE OF 113

"Uncle" Demus Taylor, ante-bellum slave, is dead at the age of 113!

In all probability the oldest citizen of North Carolina, "Uncle" Demus passed away a few days ago at his home in Taylortown, which is a colored settlement in the vicinity of Pinehurst.

The aged negro, who was a slave in the days when owning such property was legal in this state, had the distinction of being comparatively wealthy. At one time he owned considerable land, and almost half a century ago disposed of a large tract to James W. Tufts, famous throughout the country for his development of Pinehurst into one of the leading winter resorts of the United States.

(Note: Interestingly, modern histories say that Taylor had bought the land from Tufts to make Taylortown)

"Uncle" Demus had another claim to distinction. He was one of the first negro golf caddies in the country, beginning that type of work 40 years ago, but a few years ago, advancing age forced him to give up caddying. He enjoyed himself hugely a year ago when an "Old Slave Day" was staged in Southern Pines, and he attracted much attention as being the oldest ex-slave. The settlement in which he lived was named for him.
[The State Magazine December 15, 1934]

Death Certificate:
Deamus Taylor
Name of father: Not known (Slave)
Name of mother: Not known (Slave)
Lived 35 years in Taylortown
Occupation: Farmer Retired 15 years
Widowed Age 108 years
Cause of death: Old Age No Doctor Attended
Informant: Elnora Adams, Pinehurst (Daughter)
Place of burial: Pinehurst, NC
Date of burial: Dec. 5, 1934
Undertaker: M.D. McEachern & Co., Pinehurst

The History of Taylortown. Taylortown was developed in the early 1900s by Demus Taylor, grandson of one of the first African slaves brought to the New World and a descendant of the Western African tribe known as Ebu.
He had purchased land from the Tufts family to build homes for the work force for Pinehurst's hotels and golf courses. The town, first called Old Settlement, was renamed in his honor.
Robert Taylor, the son of Demus Taylor, operated a small cafe that served as a gathering spot for the settlement. He also helped found a school for the settlement's children. This school would become known as Academy Heights.
Today Taylortown is a town with a strong sense of community. The town reflects the legacy of its founders as well as the courage and leadership of all who have come since. [Moore County Historical Association]

Source: Find A Grave