Fauquier County Tapscotts - Catherine Tapscott

 We are continuing to research Elizabeth Percifull Tapscott's descendants. We have just finished the Holder line and are starting work on three of Elizabeth's children who have totally unknown fathers: Catherine, Jackson, and Edmond Abraham. Today we begin with Catherine.

Unlike her siblings, probably all half-siblings, Catherine is not identified as a child of Elizabeth Percifull Tapscott by any reliable record. We believe her to be a child for three reasons. First, of course, is her name. Second, Catherine fits nicely into the unnamed people in Elizabeth Percifull’s 1840 census household. Third, following her marriage, Catherine is living just four residences away from Elizabeth in the 1850 census for Fauquier County.

Tracing the history of Catherine and her descendants proves exceedingly difficult. Official records provide strong evidence, bordering on proof, that Catherine and most of her descendants were white. This means that her father was not the father of most of Elizabeth’s other children. And he was not James E. Tapscott, since legal documents state that Harriet was James’s only child. It is possible that Catherine was fathered by the same person that founded the Holder line, a person that we believe to have been Taliaferro Holder. Certainly, birth years indicated by census data for Catherine are, for the most part, near the birth year of Robert Francis Tapscott, the first member of the Holder line. Might Catherine and Robert Francis have been siblings, even twins? It is possible. Perhaps, someday, DNA will provide an answer, or, at least, some evidence, though that is unlikely since Catherine has left few identified descendants.

Catherine is first named in the 8 Jan 1848 bond for her Fauquier County marriage to Alexander Martin. A little later that year, Alexander’s brother, John, would marry Catherine’s niece Maria Ann. Unfortunately, Catherine did not leave good records of her birth date, which was around 1827 according to her marriage record, but closer to 1817 according to census data. Catherine was probably trying to hide the fact that she was likely considerably older that Alexander, who was born 3 Nov 1826.

Catherine and Alexander lived out their married lives in Fauquier County, where they parented at least nine children, most of whom vanished without a trace. Seven children are identified from the 1850 and 1860 censuses: Mary Virginia (born c1849), Robert William (c May 1850), Sarah R. (c1852), Eliza (c1854), Catherine L. (c1856), Harriet S. (c1857), and Plumb (c1859). Of these, only Harriet is found after the 1860 census. It is not unlikely that at least some of these died young. Two more children are found in the 1870 census, Georgiana (c1860) and Rosette (c1863). Both are also found in the 1880 Fauquier County census (as “Georgeanna” and “Rosann”), but Rosette is not seen again. Of Catherine’s seven children only Harriet S. and Georgiana have any significant known history, and even that is severely limited.

Catherine died sometime between 1880, when she appears with her husband in the Fauquier County census, and 1900 when Alexander, listed as widowed, is found living in Fauquier with his daughter Harriet and eight grandchildren, offspring of Harriet and Georgiana. Alexander is not seen again.

Harriet had six known children, all of whom had unknown, or uncertain fathers and were given the family name “Martin”: Lavinia (27 Oct 1877–6 Jul 1919), Sallie Lucy (9 Dec 1878–11 Jan 1962), Willie (May 1882–aft 1910), Frank (Aug 1888–aft 1910), George Cleveland Sr. (22 Mar 1889–11 Jul 1961), and Katharine Emily (23 Sep 1891–30 Nov 1983). Records name the father for only Katharine, and even then, two different men are named: Charles H. Martin and George Martin. Neither of these individuals can be identified. Harriet is last seen living with her nephew Joseph Jeffries in Fauquier County in 1930 and is not found thereafter.

Georgiana Martin married John E. Jeffries in Fauquier County on 22 Oct 1884. Born to John Sr. and Catherine (Smith) Jeffries around 1839 in Fauquier County, John Jr. had fought in the Civil War, as a Confederate soldier in the 49th Infantry from 21 May 1861 to 18 May 1865, when he was captured near Fairfax, VA. Following his parole, he married Willie Virginia Claggett on 12 Oct 1865 in Fauquier County. Virginia died by 1880 leaving John Jr. a widower with seven kids. He probably still had those children living with him when he married Georgiana.

On 18 May 1865 John Jeffries signed a parole agreement swearing not to fight against the Union in the absence of a prisoner exchange. He had to sign the agreement with a mark since he was illiterate. (Fold3)

Both John Jr. and Georgiana had apparently died by 1900, when we find their four known children living parentless with their grandfather, Alexander Martin. The children were Joseph Baker Jeffries (2 May 1886–6 Oct 1963), Frank Lonnie Jeffries (3 Nov 1889–3 Feb 1973), Mary Virginia Jeffries (15 Jan 1892–18 Aug 1976), and Martha Jeffries (Aug 1894–?).

Mary's grave marker, Albuquerque.

Mary Virginia Jeffries is of particular interest to me since she spent much of her life working as a nurse in Albuquerque, which is where I live. Our residences here actually overlapped a few years though I didn't know that until very recently. (By the way, her relatives shown on Find A Grave are totally incorrect.)

Catherine's Descendants.

I need your help. Catherine Tapscott and her descendants are by far the most complicated of the Fauquier County Tapscotts that I have researched to date. A shocking number of errors are found in published family trees for this line. Indeed, nearly all on-line trees for Catherine and her descendants are filled with "halucinations." If you find errors in my work (which I hope will not happen) or have comments or suggestions, please let me know.

Fauquier County Tapscotts - James Edward Tapscott

James Edward Tapscott, Robert and Lucy’s last child, was born 5 May 1857 in Millwood, Clarke Co, VA. James’s snappy wardrobe belies his occupation, which was always labor. He started out as a laborer on his parents’ farm, but by 1880 he was working as a farmhand in the Falling Waters area of Berkeley Co, WV.

On 27 Apr 1882 in Clarke County, James married another Clarke County resident, Henrietta Stickles. Henrietta, whose last name is spelled in a variety of ways (Stickle, Stickles, Stickel, Stickels) was born 7 Apr 1862 in Berryville, VA, to Henry C. (claimed without evidence by many to be “Henry Clay”) and Susan E. (Writt) Stickles. Henrietta’s father was a confederate soldier, having enlisted in the 11 Regiment Virginia Cavalry on 6 Nov 1862, just eight months after Henrietta was born.

James and Henrietta lived for a while in Wiehle, Fairfax Co, VA, and then in Dumfries Distr, Prince William Co, VA. By 1910, James and Henrietta had ten children all of whom lived to adulthood.

First-born was Cyrus Hanson, for whom records show birth dates of 26 Feb 1881, 26 Feb 1882, and 26 Feb 1883. The last is most likely as it agrees with the 1900 census and would be ten months after the marriage of his parents. Cyrus, who married Mary Agnes Mulroe in the District of Columbia on 2 Jun 1909, passed away 4 Oct 1947.

Robert Clay was born 11 Oct 1884 (cemetery marker gives a year of 1883) and married Violet Christabelle Amiss on 3 Jul 1907 in the District of Columbia. Robert died 11 Nov 1960.

Born in Mar 1885, Lucille (“Lucy”) Blanche married Thomas Brower Beach in Arlington Co, VA, on 8 Aug 1912.  She passed away in the District of Columbia on 18 Jan 1944.

Evalyn Thomas Tapscott (yes that was her name), who was born in Berryville, Clarke Co, 25 Feb 1888, married Eppa Hunton Williams 19 Jan 1910 in the District of Columbia.

Born 25 Feb 1889, Susie B. Tapscott married Karel Frederik deRooy 16 Aug 1927 in the District of Columbia. Susie passed 8 Nov 1960.

Harvey Neil was born 25 Mar 1892 in Berryville, Clarke Co. On 18 May 1923 in the District of Columba he married Anna Nora Hanley. Harvey died 13 Nov 1971.

James Edward Tapscott Jr was born 16 Jul 1894 and married Mary Beatrice White 16 Jul 1894. James died in Dec 1967.

Gertrude (“Gertie”) Tapscott was born 9 Aug 1898 and was apparently married to Frank Leary Davis around 1920 (based on the birth date of her oldest child), though no record is found., She died 7 Apr 1984.

Born 11 May 1900, Henrietta Tapscott married Sigsbee Lee Keyes 18 May 1923 in the District of Columbia. Henrietta died 21 May 1985.

The last child, Clarence Roscoe Tapscott, who was born 11 May 1904 and died 16 Feb 1962, never married.

Henrietta Stickles Tapscott passed away in Fredericksburg, VA, 24 Nov 1926 and her widowed husband James Edward Sr, in the District of Columbia on 15 Feb 1938.

And that is the end of the early history of the Holder Branch of the Fauquier County Tapscotts. There are many members of this line much more able than I am to continue the Holder Saga toward the present. Comments? Complaints? Errors? Let me know.

The Fauquier County Tapscotts - Beverly Alexander Tapscott

“Beverly Alexander,” how do you like that for the name given Robert and Lucy’s sixth child? But, in fact, until the middle 1900s “Beverly” was a popular male name.

Beverly Alexander Tapscott was born 30 Mar 1854, presumably in Clarke Co, VA, where his parents were living. He grew up in Clarke Co, where he worked as a farmhand, probably on his parents’ farm. By 1880, Beverly had moved to Walnut Twp in Bates Co, Missouri, where he continued work as a farmhand, but now on the farm of Harvey K. Wood, where he was staying. Harvey Kemp Wood was Beverly’s cousin. Harvey’s parents were Alexander Jr. (29 Oct 1805–21 Jan 1887) and Martha L. (“Patsy”) Doughty (27 Jul 1806–14 or 20 Sep 1888) Wood. Like Lucy Frances Wood Tapscott, Alexander Jr. was a child of Alexander Sr. and Elizabeth Kirk Wood. Alexander Jr. and Lucy were brother and Sister.

Born in Winchester City, just across the county line, Harvey Kemp Wood (4 Aug 1846 – 30 Oct 1918) grew up in Clarke Co, and that is presumably where he met his wife to be, Delilah Frances (“Fannie”) Wheeler (11 Dec 1846 – 24 May 1934). Though she lived in Fauquier Co as a very young child, Delilah and her parents, Jackson Wheeler (18 Jun 1821 - 15 Dec 1905) and Jane Triplett Wheeler (20 Dec 1822 – 22 Apr 1902) moved to Clarke Co, and in 1860 lived just a few houses from Harvey’s family. But the Wheeler family soon moved again, to Missouri, probably because Jackson, a Confederate veteran, wanted to avoid reconstruction and the federal occupation of Virginia. And Harvey Kemp Wood may have gone with them because on 20 Nov 1870 in Pettis Co, MO, he and Delilah were married.

Beverly stayed in Missouri (presumably with Harvey and Delilah) long enough to meet and marry a Missourian. On 20 Apr 1881 in Cass Co, MO, Beverly wedded Mary Susan McHenry, daughter of Daniel James (1 Aug 1833 – 23 Sep 1908) and Nancy Jane Rowe (28 Sep 1836 – 28 Sep 1836) McHenry. Then, Beverly and his bride headed to Santa Barbara Co, CA, as did Beverly’s in-laws. They probably traveled together since both Beverly and Daniel are first found in California in 1890.

Beverly and Mary Susan had six children. The first three were born in Missouri and the others in California—William Edward (3 Feb 1883–11 Nov 1928), Estella Frances (28 Jan 1885– 30 Apr 1960), Arlie Clay (13 Aug 1888– 27 Jul 1958) Clarence Payne (8 Mar 1891– 30 May 1911), Cecil Hough (8 Mar 1891– 11 Nov 1923), and Ora Louise (28 Sep 1893–11 Sep 1973).

I must acknowledge the large amount of research done by Laura Chasty on the history of Beverly Alexander Tapscott and his relatives. Without the solid foundation laid by Laura, this posting would have proven extremely difficult, if not impossible.

Readers: Please post a comment if you see errors or have suggestions, comments, or questions.

Fauquier County Tapscotts, Robert Clay Tapscott

Born in Clarke Co, VA, on 19 Apr 1851, Robert Clay Tapscott was the only child of Robert Francis and Lucy who never married. Robert started out as a farmhand in Virginia, probably working on his family’s farm, and ended up in Santa Barbara Co, CA, where he continued as a farm laborer. He may have moved to California with his brother Beverly and Beverly’s mother- and father-in-law, Nancy Jane Row and Daniel McHenry; however, very limited evidence indicates that Robert moved there before the others. By 1900, Robert Clay was boarding with Nancy and Daniel in Santa Barbara Co. Later on, Robert boarded in Santa Barbara Co with his brother Beverly.

Robert passed away on 16 Mar 1921, and was laid to rest in Santa Maria Cemetery, Santa Maria, California. He left no known descendants.

Fauquier Couty Tapscotts - Mariah Louise Tapscott

Born in Clarke Co, Virginia, on 14 Apr 1849, Mariah Louise, who is often found with the names “Maria” and “Louisa,” was Robert and Lucy’s fourth child. On 21 Dec 1875 in Berryville, VA, Mariah married Thomas Fenton Payne. Thomas had been born 27 May 1849 in Loudoun Co, VA, to James Sanford and Margaret Ann (Starkey) Payne.By 1850, James and Margaret had moved to Clarke Co, where Thomas and Mariah presumably met.

The Paynes lived out their lives in Clarke Co. where Thomas farmed. There they raised four kids, three daughters and a son: Ollie Thomas (23 Dec 1876–28 Apr 1963), Eveline Carter (31 Oct 1878–2 Feb 1958), Emma Forest (24 May 1882–6 Mar 1954), and Monte Griffith (22 Mar 1885–5 Jul 1945).

On 29 Dec 1914 in Clarke Co, Thomas passed away, as did his wife five years later, on 23 May 1920. The couple were laid to rest in Providence Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery, Frogtown, Clarke Co, VA.

Fauquier County Tapscotts - Florinda Martin Tapscott

Mrs. Florinda Martin Hough

Born 19 Sep 1847 in Clarke Co, VA, Florinda Martin Tapscott (often called “Flora”), Robert and Lucy's third child, was likely named after her aunt Florinda Wood who married Isaac Martin. On 24 Nov 1869 in Clarke County, Virginia, Florinda Tapscott married Randolph Kounslar Hough, son of Harriet Elizabeth Elliot and Armistead T. M. Hough. Commonly pronounced “how” or “hoff,” the last name is often misspelled in records. Born 25 Oct 1847 in Clarke County, Randolph was probably named after the local physician, Randolph Kownslar.

Randolph and Florinda’s first child, Cecil T, was born in Clarke County on 12 Sep 1870. The remaining six births occurred elsewhere, for Randolph went from farming to railroading, which was more lucrative but required a lot of traveling by him and his family. The family first went to West Virginia, where Randolph was a railroad brakeman and where their next three children, William Ernest (23 May 1873 – 14 Aug 1855), Ada R (12 Sep 1875 – 4 Jul 1951), and Lulu (name was likely “Lula,” 10 Apr 1878 – 16 Dec 1883) were born, presumably in the town of Keyser, Mineral County, where the family was living. By 1886, the Houghs had moved to Texas, where R. K. Hough (the name he was given in most news articles) was working as a conductor for the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, a job at which he excelled according to newspapers. In 1900 the family was living in Corsicana, Navarro Co, Texas, though R. K. was often found elsewhere, as expected for a railroad conductor. Everything seemed to be going superbly. But it wasn’t.

First, a child, “Claudie,” born 20 Mar 1881, died at age two on 14 Sep 1883. Then, just three months later, Lulu, who had accompanied her parents from West Virginia, died on 16 Dec 1883. She was only five years old. Could things get worse? Definitely.

On 5 Nov 1887 at age seventeen, Cecil, their first-born who was working as a “boy brakeman,” fell from the top of a freight car at Corsicana and was crushed to death under the wheels. But this story becomes worse. According to a newspaper article published back in West Virginia, Cecil’s body was mangled “in a fearful manner” and

The boy's mother has been ill for some time and it was feared the shock would kill her—and when the news was gently imparted to her by Mr. Rankin she was so affected that she immediately went into spasms, and physicians were called, who spent the greater portion of the night with her.

Our story becomes even sadder. The West Virginia newspaper noted that Cecil’s brother William was present during the accident:

Little Willie, who is only about 13 years old, seemed to be totally unbalanced by the terrible occurrence. He was speaking to his brother when he was killed and picked up his hat and watch. After seeing the body laid upon the planks, he entered the caboose where the dead boy had slept and called repeatedly "Cecile, Cecile!" but Cecile had gone beyond even the reach of the voice of a loving brother-where there would be no lanterns swung and the signal to "back" would be heard never. The white face of that child with bloodless lips and scared look was as sad a picture as the unrecognizable remains that lay upon the lumber.

Things continued to go downhill for Florinda and Randolph. Florinda’s persisting episodes of illness were so severe at times that Randolph had to temporarily quit his job to care for her. On 23 Oct 1902 a seventh, and final child, Ollie May, was born. But she would live less than a year, dying on 30 Aug 1903. On 8 Feb 1905 at age 57, Florinda died of pneumonia in Houston. She did not live long enough to see the 3 Jan 1910 death of her sixth child, Lola W., born 17 Apr 1885 and likely named in memory of her dead sister Lula. Lola died at age 25, leaving behind a husband and just two surviving siblings, William and Ada.

Florinda was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery, Corsicana, Texas, where six of her seven children, most having died young, would be buried. Only Ada is buried elsewhere, in Mountain View Cemetery, Oakland California.

Florinda (“Flora”), Randolph (“R. K.”), and children Cecil, William (“Will”),
Lula, Claudie, Lola, and Ollie are interred in Oakwood Cemetery

Following Florinda’s death, Randolph married twice more. On 4 Apr 1907, in Deming, New Mexico, he wedded Willie M. Chapman. Willie’s previous marriage to Thomas J. Chapman had ended in divorce on 21 May 1902 in Waxahachie, Ellis Co, Texas. Willie's marriage to Randolph lasted just a little over two years. She died on 22 Jun 1909 and was interred in Oakwood Cemetery, sharing a marker with her husband R. K. and stepdaughter Lola. She left behind three sons from her earlier marriage—Randolph, Baine, and Marvin Chapman. To date, we have been unable to determine Willie’s birth name or parentage.

On 25 Oct 1910 in Ennis, Texas, Randolph married Eugenia Turner. Eugenia (often called “Jennie”) was the widow of John C. Schrader. Born Eugenia Lemmon, she and John had married in Indiana 21 Mar 1881. John had died of Consumption on 2 Dec 1896 in Ennis, Texas, where he and Eugenia had gone in hopes of improving his health. Eugenia had then married Charles Turner, a marriage that ended in divorce on 28 Sep 1908 in Waco, Texas. Eugena died 14 Jul 1929 in Ennis, Texas. Her death certificate gives a date of birth of 13 May 1866; however, she is known to have knocked years off her age as she grew older. A birth year around 1856 is more likely.

Fauquier County Tapscotts - Thomas M. Tapscott

Henry and Elizabeth’s last known child, Thomas, was born 20 Nov 1894 in Berryville, VA. His SS card, WW I draft card, and cemetery marker give a birth year of 1894; however, his WWII draft registration card and the 1900 census give a year of birth of 1895.

A possible confusion is that another Thomas Tapscott was also born in Berryville, also in November, and around the same year. Thomas Gold Tapscott was born 14 Nov 1896 (or 1892, or 1893) to William Cabell Reeves Tapscott. Thomas's unusual middle name may have come from a relative since several Clarke County residents had the surname “Gold.” Thomas Gold was a member of the James line of Virginia Tapscotts and was not one of the Fauquier County Tapscotts.

Uncle Tom's Marker

Unlike many of his siblings, Thomas of the Fauquier Co Tapscotts, apparently led a rather boring life. We say apparently because he drops out of sight for twenty-two years, between 1920 and 1942, when he was living in Laurel, MD. Thomas started life working as a cotton mill doffer in 1910 and ended up an automobile mechanic. He never married, dying 19 Aug 1995 and leaving no known descendants. Thomas is buried in Ivy Hill Cemetery, where his mother and several of his siblings were laid to rest. His marker is inscribed with “Uncle Tom” and was probably erected by the family of his sister Lillian, with whom he lived for a while. The family called him “Tommy.”