Fauquier County Tapscotts - Rodolph

Telem Plato/Tapscott and Margaret Pinn's fourth son, Rodolph, is found in records under a variety of names: “Rhodolph Tapsaco,” “Rodolph Topsico,” “Rudolph Topsico,” “Adolph Topsico,” “Rudolph Tapsico.” He went most often by the name “Rodolph Tapsico.” That he was illiterate made it impossible for him to check the spelling of his names in documents, and agents just wrote down what they thought they heard. One wonders if Rodolph tended to slur his probable name, “Tapscott,” the name eventually used by all his siblings. He is first seen as “Rodolph Pearson” with his parents in the 1860 census, where his age is given as 15, corresponding to a year of birth of about 1845, though other records show a variety of birthyears.

UACT Recruitment Poster (Wikimedia, public domain)

On 11 Jan 1865, Rodolph enlisted at Shelbyville, Tennessee, in the Union Army Colored Troops (UACT). Three months later, on 9 Apr 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, effectively ending the war. Rodolph was one of 179,000 black soldiers (10% of the Union troops) during the Civil War. Rodolph served until 7 Apr 1866, when he mustered out in Nashville, Tennessee.

Following his military service, Rodolph is next seen in 1870 in Golden Pond Pct, Trigg Co, Kentucky, working as furnace keeper. Then, on 3 Apr 1877, “Rhodolph Tapsaco” married Minta Banner in Pope Co, Illinois, where he would end up farming for almost forty years. In 1880 “Adolph Topsico” and Minta were living in Pope County with three children—Eli (b c1870), Louisa (b c1873), and Mary J. (b c1874), none of whom can be found in later records. Since the admittedly questionable ages indicate that the three children were born prior to Rodolph and Minta’s marriage, they may have been Minta’s children from an earlier relationship.

On 21 Dec 1891 in Pope County, a Thomas Degraffenried married “Liza Topsico,” who likely had a connection with Rodolph, though the connection is unknown.

Rodolph's marriage with Minta was short-lived. By 1900, “Rudolph Topsico” was a widower living in Pope County with a “Minnie Rice” and a “Tilda Fowler,” said to be his daughter and granddaughter, respectively. Unfortunately, Minnie’s and Tilda’s ages are not given, and like other possible descendants, they are not seen with any certainty again. By 1910, “Rudolph Tapsico” was living with “Mary M. Tapsico,” listed as his wife by a second marriage for both. They are claimed to have been married 12 years earlier, but that is very unlikely. Mary, born c1843 in Tennessee, was reported in 1910 to have two children, both living. Mary is not seen again.

Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home, Quincy, Ill, 1906 postcard.

On 15 Jul 1914, “Rudolph Topsico,” was admitted to the Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home in Quincy, Adams Co, Illinois. It was in Adams County that he died on 25 Sep 1914.

And this ends Rodolph's tale. He may well have left descendants, but who they are may never be determined.

Is a reader out there a descendant of Rodolph? Do you know of a descendant? If so, please let us know.