Today I share with you information about Dr. Aquilla Talbott, son of Gustavus W. Talbott and Frances Ann Pryor.  Aquilla, named for this grandfather, was born December 17, 1838, in Bourbon County, Kentucky.  His mother Frances died before 1850; Aquilla is shown in the 1850 Bourbon County Census living with his grandfather, Aquilla, 76, who was born in Maryland.

Aquilla married Sarah Jane Head, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Head and Harriet Duvall.  According to Forks of Elkhorn Church, Sarah’s grandparents were Benjamin J. and Martha Head; and her great-grandfather John Alfred Head, of Culpeper County, Virginia, came to the area at an early date. 

In the 1870 Franklin County Census, Aquilla Talbott, 30, is living with the William Pryer family.  William Pryer is a physician, as well as Aquilla.  Perhaps Pryer was Aquilla’s instructor.  In the 1880 census of Fayette County, Aquilla and wife Sallie Jane, both 41, are living on the corner of Short and Jefferson Streets in Lexington.  This is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Lexington.

Aquilla Talbott and Sarah Jane Head were married between the 1870 and 1880 census.  I have found no children in my research.  They were both 42 in 1880, the marriage was evidently later in life.  But now I have just found the 1900 census for Fayette County – much more information is given in this census.  It says Aquilla and Sallie, living on Georgetown Street, have been married for 27 years, two children born, two children living.  This means the couple were married in 1873.  I’m surprised that no mention is made in any other document than this.  Did the census taker make a mistake?  Perhaps the children died young?  This is a mystery.

Aquilla was the first to pass away September 3, 1907.  His death certificate lists his age as 68 years, 8 months and 20 days, married, born in Bourbon County.  It lists his parents, as above.  Cause of death was organic heart disease.

Aquilla Talbott’s obituary from The Courier Journal, September 4, 1907:

Dr. Aquilla Talbott, one of the best-known physicians of Lexington, and an ex-Confederate soldier, died at his residence in this city at 6 o’clock this morning.  Dr. Talbott had been in bad health from a complication of kidney and stomach diseases for several months.  Yesterday afternoon he felt so ill that he went home about 1 o’clock and retired, hoping that he would feel better after a night’s rest.  He, however, grew gradually worse until he expired this morning.  Dr. Talbott was born in Bourbon County in 1838.  When he was seventeen years old the family moved to Franklin County, where he grew to manhood.  When Bragg’s army invaded Kentucky he joined Scott’s Louisiana Calvary and served with that organization until the close of the war.  In 1870 he came to Lexington and began the practice of medicine, in which he gained a wide acquaintance and popularity.

The funeral services will be held at the family residence tomorrow afternoon at 3 o’clock, the Rev. Preston Blake officiating.  The interment will be in the Lexington Cemetery.  The pallbearers will be as follows:  W. H. Snyder, Shelby Kinkead and Ben T. Head, of Lexington; J. S. Head, Jr., Ashland, Kentucky; R. C. Head, of Louisville and Augustus Talbott, of Paris, Kentucky.

The Frankfort Roundabout of September 9, 1907, said he was raised near the Forks of Elkhorn in Franklin County, and says his wife was from the Switzer neighborhood, which is on North Elkhorn Creek.

The Lexington Herald Leader of September 4, 1907, says the funeral services of the late Dr. Aquilla Talbott were held under the auspices of John C. Breckinridge Camp, United Confederate Veterans, of which he was previously a member.

And the Lexington Herald Leader of September 9, 1907, speaks of his will –

The will, which is dated at Lexington, Kentucky, December 22, 1891, bequeaths all of the property of the deceased to his wife, Sallie J. Talbott and is as follows:

‘While today enjoying excellent health, I am admonished by what is occurring around me that life, at best, is uncertain and being desirous myself of disposing of my earthly possessions, in case of death, I offer this as my only will:

‘First, I desire that all of my just debts shall be paid in full;

‘Second, I give and bequeath to my faithful and beloved wife, Sallie J. Talbott, all of my remaining property, of whatever character, in fee simple to do with as she may elect.  I hereby appoint said Sallie J. Talbott sole executrix of this will and desire that  no security shall be required of her.

‘Being written by my own hand and signed by me, I deem no witnesses necessary to this, my last will.’

Aquilla Talbott

‘N. B. I embrace in this bequest whatever funds in the hands of my father’s executor may be coming to me as heir.’

Sallie J. Head Talbott moved to the little town of Burgin, in Mercer County, after Aquilla’s death.  She lived an additional two years.

From The Lexington Herald, August 2, 1909 –

‘Mrs. Sallie J. Talbott died at her home in Burgin, Kentucky, Saturday after an illness of several weeks.  Mrs. Talbott was the widow of Dr. Aquilla Talbott, formerly of this city and a practicing physician here for many years.  She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Lexington, and a woman beloved and admired by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances both in and out of her church.

‘The body will arrive here over the Q & C railway at 7:25 Monday morning, accompanied by relatives and friends and will be taken to the First Baptist Church where the funeral services will be held at 2:00 o’clock.  Dr. J. W. Porter officiating.  The interment will follow in the family lot in the Lexington Cemetery.

‘Flowers should be sent to the church by 12:30 o’clock.’

Aquilla and Sarah Jane Talbott are buried in the Lexington Cemetery.