Fauquier County Tapscotts - James Tasco Tapscott, again

SS Stuttgart.

James Tasco Tapscott’s first wife, Mary Colvin, apparently died c1894, following the birth of their daughter Ruth, for on 8 Aug 1895, in DC, James was married again, to Catherine Durr. James's bride was born “Katharina Dürr” on 8 Jun 1872, probably in Wenden, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where she was baptized the following day. She had immigrated to the United States, apparently by herself, arriving in Baltimore 19 Aug 1891 on the SS Stuttgart.

Katharina, whose name was Anglicized to “Katharine,” “Catharine,” “Catherine,” etc., and James had four children: George Washington, Catherine M., William Thomas, and Nellie Virginia.

Born 22 Feb 1896 in DC, their first child, George, who never married, died 23 Jan 1970 in Berea, VA. George, who was first a farmer and then a truck driver, served in WWI in Co D, 56th Pioneer-Infantry, which took part in the bloodiest battle ever fought by the U.S. Army–the Meuse Argonne, fought 26 Sep 1918 to 11 Nov 1918.

Catherine, who was born 16 Apr 1897 in DC and married Eli Dzidich, a Yugoslavian immigrant, died 29 Feb 1988 in Vienna, VA. Eli was born 15 Jul 1896, but we know nothing about his death. Catherine and Eli had no known children.

William Thomas, often called “Willie,” was born 24 Jul 1898 in Virginia (his death certificate erroneously gives DC as his birthplace) and died 26 Nov 1971 in Fredericksburg, VA. He was married twice, first to Alma Shelton on 13 Dec 1926 in Rockville, MD, in a childless marriage that was annulled 19 May 1944 in Alexandria, VA. Apparently, Alma’s divorce from an earlier husband was not finalized when she married William. William’s second marriage was to Grace Garner Bryant on 16 May 1946 in DC. Grace’s birth name was “Lunsford,” but she had married Linwood E. Bryant earlier on 17 Feb 1930. That marriage, which had resulted in two children, had ended in divorce 3 Dec 1943. William’s marriage with Grace also resulted in two children.

Nellie Virginia, James Tasco Tapscott’s final child, was born 10 Jun 1912, when James was well into middle age. Nellie is first seen in the 1920 census for Prince William Co, VA, in the household of Jacob Hook, without her father (found in a separate record) but with her mother, who was working as a housekeeper for Hook. Then in 1930 Nellie appears in the same household, still with her mother, but with the name “Nellie Hook.” She is said to be Jacob Hook’s “adopted daughter.” James had died the preceding year. Nellie reverted to the name “Tapscott,” in October 1941, when she obtained a license in Rockville, Maryland, to marry Alfred Russell Crumbaugh. Nellie Virginia Crumbaugh passed away on 9 Jun 1999 in Fairfax Co, VA. There is no evidence that she had any children. 

Children of James Tasco Tapscott, c 1900: Ruth, George, Catherine (“Kate”), and William (“Willie”). Nellie had not yet been born. (AAHA Photo Collection.)

James Tasco Tapscott departed this life 8 May 1929 in Coles Distr, Prince William Co, VA, where he had a farm. His widow, Catharine, lived considerably longer, dying 5 May 1958 in Falls Church, Virginia, where she had been living with her daughter Nellie and Nellie’s husband, Alfred.

Errors? Disagreements? Additions? Questions? Please post them on this page as a comment, or email me. I welcome input.