I also descend through Jonathan Taylor's first marriage. Do you descend through Jonathan's son Hugh Zack?
James Taylor's birthplace is given as Va in the censuses. His ages varies, putting his birth date between 1793 and 1801.
Mary's family name is Gilbert. She was born in Spartanburg, SC
You can see them in:
1820 fed census Spartanburg SC James and Mary are next door to her father Daniel Gilbert Jr, who is recorded as Gilbaird in the this census.
In 1840 James is in the census in Henderson County, NC, where he moved and bought land on the Green River with his brother-in-law, Joseph Gilbert,
In 1850 James is in the Fed census in Henderson NC with Mary and 8 of their children, including Jonathan Taylor.
In 1860, James and Mary (as Polly, common nickname for Mary) are in the Fed Henderson NC with only two of their children, Daniel (named for Mary's father) and Caleb.
1870 Fed census with a Milly I can't identify yet.
By 1876 Mary must have died. James, 75, remarries Nancy Laughter, 58.
In the Fed 1889 census he appears with his son Richard Taylor's family
James Taylor in household of Richard Taylor, "United States Census, 1880"
Event Place: Mills River, Henderson, North Carolina, United States
Gender:Male Age:87 Marital Status:Married Occupation: Farmer Ethnicity: American
Relationship to Head of Household: Father
Birthplace: Virginia, United States Birth Date: 1793
Father's Birthplace: Virginia, United States Mother's Birthplace: Virginia, United States
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Self Richard Taylor M 55 North Carolina, United States
Wife Martha Taylor F 56 North Carolina, United States
Dau Lizzie Taylor F 19 North Carolina, United States
Son Richard Taylor M 17 North Carolina, United States
Son Hamilton Taylor M 15 North Carolina, United States
Son Robert Taylor M 12 North Carolina, United States
Son Julius Taylor M 8 North Carolina, United States
Grndsn Edgar Taylor M 6 North Carolina, United States
Father James Taylor M 87 Virginia, United States

By 1900 James' son Richard Taylor has moved to Texas and is living with one of his sons.