This blog has often talked about Tapscotts of Fauquier
County, Virginia (search for the word “Fauquier” and you will see what I mean).
Each year since 1983, with one exception, the Fauquier
Tapscotts have held a reunion in Fauquier County the last weekend of July.
Until recently the gathering was held in a rural field in the Cedar Run
District, where many Tapscotts once lived. The creek that runs through the
field, Cedar Run, was used for baptisms by Poplar Forks Church, two miles
distant, where many Tapscotts are buried. In the earlier years, when the
reunion was a two-day event, multiple tents were set up, allowing overnight
camping to keep the party going. Since its initiation the reunion was only
canceled once, in 2017 due to the threat of heavy rain, which never occurred. The
event is now limited to one day and is held in a more convenient and
comfortable site than the field, despite the field’s sentimental value. (Thanks
to Mark Porter for this information.)
 |
| The earlier reunions
were held near Poplar Forks Church and Cemetery, where many Tapscotts rest. |
On Saturday, 27 July, the 2019 reunion the was held at Northern
Fauquier Community Park, Virginia.. And Mary Frances and I drove 1852 miles one
way from Albuquerque to attend this 36th gathering. We actually
drove much further because the trip was not only to meet the Tapscotts, but to
collect information on Mary Frances’s family, the Summers. (But that is another
subject and a different blog, http://summersfamilyhistory.blogspot.com/).
We had attended the Tapscott reunion once before, in 2015,
and had a great time. Then we had met sixth and seventh cousins, their spouses,
their children. But this time was even better. Mark Porter did a superb job planning
and coordinating the function, with help from funds manager, Bridget Harris. Mark’s
dad, Conway, worked continuously grilling hamburgers and hot dogs. Greg and
Daron Tapscott provided splendid live entertainment. But perhaps the best
entertainer was “Duke” Bland, who did an outstanding job auctioning off donated
items to pay for next year’s reunion.
And in addition to renewing old acquaintances and making new
ones (including folks I had corresponded with for years but had never met), I met
a descendant of Robert “King” Carter, who in 1723 had hired Henry Tapscott,
“The Immigrant,” my 6th great grandfather, to do carpentry for him.
And I met a descendant of Bishop Enoch George Jr., whose grandmother was Ann
Edney, whose first husband was Henry the Immigrant. Wow!
Great event, great people, great memories. We’ll be back
next year.
