DNA and the Bolling/Bowling/Bowlin/Bollin/Bolding Surname

yDNA results from the Tapscott DNA Project show a very close paternal genetic relationship between at least some individuals with the surname Bolling/Bowling/Bowlin/Bollin/Bolding and the Tapscotts tested. Despite extensive research using classical means (i.e., paper) I have been unable to find a connection. The relationship is so strong that it appears that a major Tapscott progenitor had a father named "Bowling" (or variant thereof), or the converse. This could have happened either here (both families are from Virginia) or before arrival in America (both families are British). As you all know, the earliest Tapscotts arrived from England in New Jersey around 1690 and in Virginia in 1700. Of course it is possible that the connection between the two families occurred prior to the common use of surnames (i.e., prior to 1400). I am searching for a connection.

Probate of Will of William Tapscott of Daviess County

William was apparently alive in July 1826 when a letter was written him by James Madison ("James Madison to William Tapscott, 29 Jul 1826," James Madison Collection, Founders Early Access, University of Virginia Press.), but had died by 11 Dec 1826, when his will was probated (Probate, will of William Tapscott, Daviess County, Kentucky, Will Book A, 1815-1842, p. 58, Microfilm Roll 702067, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky.). A transcription of the probate court record has been posted in the Tapscott surname message board.

Will of William Tapscott of Daviess County

During my recent research trip, I found a microfilm of the will of William Tapscott of Daviess County. William was a son of Capt. Henry Tapscott and Margaret Stott. I have put an exact transcription of the will on the Tapscott Board at Ancestry.com. Will of William Tapscott, Daviess County, Kentucky, Will Book A, 1815-1842, p. 57, Microfilm Roll 702067, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky. The will was probated at a 11 Dec 1826 Daviess County court. Probate, will of William Tapscott, Daviess County, Kentucky, Will Book A, 1815-1842, p. 58, Microfilm Roll 702067, Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, Kentucky.

Fauquier County Tapscotts - Monica R. Sanowar

While on the road during my recent Tapscott research trip, I received a telephone call from Selby Tapscott, a descendant of Harriet Tapscott, the originator of many of the Fauquier County (Virginia) Tapscotts. He called to tell me of the death of his first cousin (once removed) Monica Sanowar. (Monica passed away 4 Oct 2013, her obituary appeared in the Washington Post today, 13 Oct). Monica, whom you may know by her moniker "yelothndr," was a very early contributor to Tapscott family history discussions. In particular she passed on a lot of first-hand information (or at least family tales) about the Fauquier County Tapscotts. She and I did not always see eye to eye (I believe her GGG Grandmother Harriet Tapscott to be a daughter of James and Elizabeth Percifull Tapscott, she did not), but I always found my discussions with her infinitely interesting and informative. In recent years, Monica had gotten increasingly involved with DNA Genealogy, American Indian culture, and the manufacturing of her hot sauces, Yellow Thunder being one. I am truly sorry to hear of Monica's death. She was a universal person with involvements in and opinions on everything. Monica, you will be missed.

Trip

Traveling through Kentucky and North Carolina researching Tapscotts. Spent two days at the Kentucky Dept for Libraries and Archives. Great place and I may have to go back for a week. They have every record from every county on microfilm, but almost nothing on the internet. Spent two days in Daviess county KY, where William Tapscott, son of Capt. Henry, lived. Mary Frances and I are now in Glasgow KY, our location for the next three full days for exploring Barren, Green, and Casey counties (and a little of Allen). My GGG grandfather, William the Preacher, spent his later life in Green. Henry, his son, my GG grandfather, spent his childhood in Green and married there, then moved to Barren for a few years around 1830, before going on to Indiana and then Illinois. Three of William's sons (William Stewart, George Rice, and Richard) moved to Casey County from Green. Richard later went to Marion County KY. I'll let you know what I find on this trip when I have a chance to digest it and look at my notes.

Henry C. Tapscott and Robert C. Tapscott

I have posted this also on Ancestry.com to see who reads what.

It is often stated that Robert C. Tapscott, son of Edney and Sarah (Windsor) Tapscott had the middle name "Conway," a name that he used in Caswell County, NC, but not after moving to Missouri. One often cited record (Property for Methodist Episcopal Church, 28 Aug. 1828, Caswell County, North Carolina, Deed Book Y, pp. 61-61) which names a "Conway Tapscott" as a grantee. But this was certainly not Robert C. Tapscott, who would have been at most 14 years old in 1828 (1850, 1860, 1870 Missouri censuses) and could not have been a grantee. Moreover Robert C. had no known Conways in his line. On the other hand, Henry C. Tapscott, son of Henry and Nancy Tapscott and first cousin of Robert (through his mother, Nancy) was 28 years old in 1828 and had a paternal grandmother who was a Conway. I believe that Henry C. was probably the "Conway" in the 1828 transaction (along with his close relatives, brother James and uncle John). I know of no evidence for Robert having the middle name "Conway". I am requesting comments on or arguments against this.

Second Edition

I am now working furiously on the second edition, which I am expanding to include the fourth generation (in America) for all Tapscott descendants. Of course a large number, with interesting stories, go even farther towards the present than that.

I run into a big problem with William the Preacher, born 24 Jan 1764 in Cumberland County, Virginia, died about Mar 1837 in Green County, Kentucky, son of Edney Tapscott. In spite of the fact that I am his direct descendant (GGG grandson) and have extensive information about his military service and even his own personal life, I know next to nothing about his family. A major problem is that Buckingham County court records were destroyed by a fire in 1869, and it was there that William is believed to have started married life. Only one plat book survived, although some lost wills and deeds were rerecorded later. William is said to have married Winifred Cobb and to have had five children: Henry, William Stewart, George Rice, Richard, and Winifred; however, no original or even contemporary secondary sources have been reported. We know a lot about the four boys, but nothing that says their father was William. No original record has been found that gives either his wife’s family or given name. In fact, in his Revolutionary War pension application which contains a brief biography, William says not one word about his family. But his four supposed sons do appear in numerous documents at the same times and in the same locations as does William. For convenience I am taking the name of William’s wife as “Winifred Cobb,” though given the middle names of two of the “sons,” a family name of “Rice” or “Stewart” seems also likely. “Cobb” (or “Cobbs”), “Rice,” and “Stewart” are all relatively common Virginia names.

Where in the world did the name Winifred Cobb come from! Does anyone have a reliable source (not someone's unsourced family tree!)?