Edmond Abraham Tapscott (and also Jackson)

The second of Elizabeth Percifull's children born to a totally unknown father. was Jackson Tapscott. Jackson will take little time to discuss for he appears in a single record, the 1850 census for Fauquier County, when he is found in Elizabeth’s household with his presumed half siblings. His age of 25 gives him an approximate birth year of 1825. He is never seen again. Now we can get to Elizabeth's third and final child born to an unknown father, Edmond, who appears in a multitude of records.

Edmond Abraham Tapscott. (AAHA.)

Edmond Abraham Tapscott was born to “Betsy” Tapscott 3 Sep 1828 in Fauquier County. No record exists proving that his middle name was “Abraham”; however, he had a son, grandson, great grandson, and gg grandson, all in a single line, with the name “Edmond/Edward A. Tapscott,” at least three of whom are known to have had the middle name “Abraham.” His first name is more uncertain since he and these descendants had first names that varied between “Edmond” and “Edward” (even “Edwin” once) in records. “Edmond” is the name on his cemetery marker. He also had a variable last name, which appears as “Tapscoe,” “Tapsco,” and “Tapisco” in some earlier records. That Edmond was illiterate was probably part of the problem.

On 21 Mar 1854 in the District of Columbia, “Edmund Taps??” married Frances Hughes. The couple apparently had three children, though there are some doubts. Around April 1855 an unnamed daughter was born to Frances and E. ”Tapsco” in Fauquier County. The child only lived a day. Then a birth record reports that Edmond and Francis “Tapscoe” had an unnamed son born in Fauquier County in September 1855. It seems likely one or both of these birthdates are incorrect.

And then, Frances apparently died, for in 1860 “Edward Tascoe” is found living in DC without Francis, but with two children, 10-year-old Nancy A. “Hues” (likely “Hughes”), probably a relative of Frances, and 3-year-old “Mahaly A. Tapscoe.” Mahaly, who is never seen again, was probably Edmond and Frances’s third and final child.

Ellen Denham Mason. (Monica Nickens.)

On 20 Sep 1862 in DC “Edward” Tapscott married Ellen Denham Mason. Ellen was born in Loudoun Co, VA, likely on 24 May 1842. We say “likely” because Ellen knocked off years as she aged. Her grave marker probably gives the correct month and day and the 1850 census, the correct year or close to it. In 1850, Ellen was living with her inferred mother, Ama, and sisters, Mary and Eliza in Loudoun County.

After three or four years in DC, where their youngest two children were born, Edmond and Ellen settled down in Cedar Run Distr, Fauquier Co. There they raised seven Tapscott children: William Dodridge (c1863–23 May 1929), Edward Abraham (11 Sep 1865–21 Feb 1936), Eugene c1868–11 Nov 1907), Florence E. (Aug 1871–4 Nov 1936), Sidney (3 Apr 1873–15 Oct 1930), Reburta (Apr 1876–20 Jun 1931), and Walter Wallace Sr. (11 Jan 1879–15 Dec 1961).

Samuel Newton Colvin Sr. 

Edmond met a tragic death. On 4 Jun 1880, near Warrenton, he was involved in a dispute with Phillip Hughes/Hughs, a farmer and a minister, and two of Phillip’s sons, over cattle and land rights. One of the sons, William, struck Edmond in the head with a rock, killing him. William was charged with the murder on June 28, 1880. The jury found William guilty of involuntary manslaughter and fined him $150.00. One wonders whether Phillip Hughs was related to Edmond’s first wife, Frances Hughes.

Several years later, on 17 Jun 1886 in Fauquier County, Edmond’s widow, Ellen, married Samuel Newton Colvin. Samuel had been born 9 Sep 1858 to James Colvin and Aletha Ann Preston. Ellen and Samuel had one known child, James Harry (1 Oct 1890–3 Aug 1947) and possibly a second, Samuel Newton Colvin Jr. (24 May 1884–27 Apr 1949), though Samuel Jr. may not have been a child of Ellen.

Ellen died 24 Oct 1912 in DC. Samuel, also in DC, passed away on 26 Nov 1921.

Wow, a lot of people and a lot of uncertainties. Have I made a mistake? Do you have suggestions? comments? complaints? Let me know. And thanks for your help.