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 (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 was a child of Alexander Sr. and Elizabeth Wood. Alexander Jr. and Lucy were brother and Sister.

Born 4 Aug 1846 in Winchester City, just across the county line, Harvey Kemp Wood grew up in Clarke Co, and that is presumably where he met his wife to be, Delilah Frances (“Fannie”) Wheeler. 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) soon 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.