Lillian Mabel Taylor
Lillian Taylor may have come from Portland, Oregon. She was one of few black women in the Yukon during the time she lived at Livingstone in the central Yukon.1) She lived at Livingstone Creek and Whitehorse from 1902 to 1913.2)
Clues to Taylor’s background and life come from what is believed to be her journal, found at Livingstone Creek by Emil and Eva Stehelin in 1967 or 1968. The diary describes the writer's life at Livingstone from 1 January – 14 March 1905. She worked as cook and laundress for several men, probably at the Road House, and owned claims in the area. She mentions “Dan,” most likely Dan Snure who operated the Roadhouse, and Mr. Pacaud, who was the Mining Recorder. A number of entries mention the “Barracks” and the “Post”, referring to the RNWMP post. Other people appearing in the journal include Dutch Henry, Billy Clethero, Kit Watter, and Captain Martin.3)
The journal was donated to Yukon Archives in 2002.4) Song lyrics written by Lillian Taylor are also held at the Yukon Archives.5)