Fauquier County Tapscotts - John Robert Martin

Born in Fauquier County Oct 1853, John Robert Martin, Maria Ann Tapscott Martin's third child, married his first cousin Elizabeth Tapscott around 1884. Elizabeth was the daughter of Maria’s sister (probably half sister), Cordelia. Then, while living in Cedar Run, where John farmed and worked as a carpenter, Elizabeth and John had ten children, born between 1887 and 1912, who lived to be adults: Alvenia (“Alice,” 10 Jan 1887–7 Apr 1953), Robert Franklin (28 Aug 1888–24 Jun 1969), Jesse James (16 Mar 1890–24 Jan 1962), Cinderella Nellie (May 1891–c Jul 1939), Harry Richard (15 Oct 1892–16 Apr 1965), Sadie Ann (7 Jan 1895–Jan 1986), Maria Virginia (9 Dec 1896–14 Jan 1999), Cora Dean (20 Jun 1901–3 Dec 1990), Johnanna (7 Feb 1906–May 1986), and Herbert Radcliffe (10 Aug 1912–Feb 1980).

Then things fell apart. On 6 Dec 1928, at a farm, where he had worked for years, near the village of Casanova in Fauquier County, John Martin got into an argument with his employer Cornelius R. Tompkins about storing some corn. John pulled out a pistol and shot Cornelius three times. Cornelius died a few hours later, and John was charged with 2nd degree murder. He was convicted and on 4 Feb 1929 was sentenced to 20 years. John Robert died of endocarditis in prison 23 May 1934, and was laid to rest in Warrenton, Virginia. His death certificate also stated that he suffered from senility. Perhaps it was a decreased cognitive ability that caused John to solve an argument over corn with a pistol.

Cornelius R. Tompkins

Cornelius was the son of Robert R. Tompkins, who had administered the estate of Telem Plato.

Elizabeth spent her final years in Washington, DC. In 1930 she was living there with her daughter Sadie, son-in-law Hamilton Preston, and five Preston grandkids. In 1940 Elizabeth was heading a DC household of assorted relatives. Elizabeth died in DC 17 Feb 1947, and was buried in Lincoln Memorial Cemetery in Suitland, Maryland. Her cemetery marker is inscribed 

BY HER DEVOTED DAUGHTER

JOHNANNA M. WASHINGTON

State Prison, Richmond, Virginia, John Robert Martin’s home for four and a half years (from post card).