Taylor Brothers


Company Names, addresses, dates: 1
  W.A.S. Taylor, Freemason cor Catharine, Norfolk VA (1865-66) 1,2
  Taylor Bros., 198 Freemason, Norfolk VA (1868-1874) 1,3
  Taylor & Bro., 198 Freemason, Norfolk VA (1875-1892)
  Taylor Bros, 198 Freemason, Norfolk VA (1894)
  Taylor & Bro, 198 Freemason, Norfolk VA (1895)
  Walter N. Taylor, 21 Charlotte, Norfolk VA (1894-1895)
  Walter N. Taylor, 29 (21) Charlotte, Norfolk VA (1897-1902) 4

Notes:
The Taylor brothers were: William Andrew Smith Taylor (1835-1899)5, Walter Nimmo Taylor (1841-1902)6, and sometimes Edward C. Taylor (ca.1848-1930)7,8.

William was the oldest brother, and listed in the 1870 US Census as a druggist, whereas his 2 younger brothers were listed as Drug Clerks.
The Norfolk city directories list the company as "Taylor Bros" some years, and "Taylor & Bro" other years. The "& Bro" definitely refers to Walter, whereas the "Taylor Bros" may refer to both brothers. The only year I can conform that Edward was a partner is 1874, where the City directory listed all 3 brothers in the residentail section under "Taylor Bros".1

William was a Captain in the confederate army during the civil war9.

1895 was the last year the Taylor Brothers show up in Norfolk directories. Starting in 1894, Walter shows up owning his own drugstore. It appears he ran it until his death in 1902.

I couldn't find any connection between these Taylor brothers and T. Ramsay Taylor, who ran the Taylor's Pharmacy in Norfolk.

Taylor Brothers Bottles:
taylor_06 taylor_07 This is a clear 7.25" BIM citrate-of-magnesia style bottle embossed:
fancy slug plate: TAYLOR BROS / PHARMACEUTISTS / NORFOLK VA.
base: M (in a diamond)
The mark on the base indicates this bottle was made by the John M. Maris Co (late 1870s-ca.1880s).
The stopper is unusual, so a close-up photo is shown.
taylor_05 This is a clear 3.6" bottle embossed:
vertical: TAYLOR BROS / CHEMISTS / NORFOLK VA.
base: W T & Co


Walter N. Taylor Bottles:
taylor_08 This is a clear 4.6" bottle embossed:
vertical: WALTER N. TAYLOR / PHARMACIST / 21 CHARLOTTE STREET
base: W T & Co / M / U.S.A.


1 Norfolk City directories, 1851,66,70,72,74-75,77,80,82-83,85-86,88-92,94-95,97-99,1900-10,12-14
2 Norfolk Post, 19-Dec-1865, p.2 (earlies mention I could find for "W.A.S. Taylor" drugist)
3 Virginian-Pilot, 8-Aug-1868, p.1 (earlies mention I could find for "Taylor Bros." drug store)
4 Street addresses changed in 1897; 21 Charlotte Street became 29 Charlotte Street, but was the same location
5 find-a-grave entry for William Andrew Smith Taylor
6 find-a-grave entry for Walter Nimmo Taylor
7 1870 US Census lists Edward C. Taylor in Norfolk as age 32 (so he was born ca.1848)
8 Virginian-Pilot, 10-Dec-1930, p.17 (obituary for Edward C. Taylor)
9 Norfolk Virginian 1899-Jan-19 page 4 (obituary for W.A.S. Taylor)


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This page last updated on March 7, 2026.