From Joan Tharp:From Kathryn Barnard: ...He was 10 years old when his father died in 1822. His mother bound him to an uncle for whom he worked until he became of age. [I do not know if this uncle was a Tapp or a Chowning.] When he was of age he packed all his earthly possessions in a saddlebag and rode horseback from Kentucky to Clay County, Missouri. He purchased 400 acres of land, at ten dollars an acre from Joel Estes who had homesteaded it 13 years earlier. This was in 1839, this land was located south of Fishing River. Of the original acreage some of it still belongs to Pendleton's direct descendents. His first task was to clear some land for a home site. On October 27, 1839 he married a neighbor girl, Martha Dykes. They farmed the land and raised cattle...."Occupation: Minister/Farmer. There is no record of William & Frances ever owning land in Kentucky . Served in War of 1812 - Served 27 August 1814 to 25 October 1814, with Capt. Sarshell Cooper's Company of Mounted Militia of Missouri Territory, Lt. Col. Dodge's Command, mustered and dischargedat Boone's Lick. Payroll indicates he was paid $8 per month; however, since he furnished his own rations, horse and forage, he was paid a total amount of $54.74.
MISSOURI BAPTIST BIOGRAPHY, Vol. IV, pp. 284-288:
ELDER WILLIAM THORP 1772-1853 Religious Activity in Missouri, 1809-1853 By Hon. C. D. Allen, Liberty, Mo. (1919, Liberty, MO.)
The subject of this sketch was of the true, original stock of pioneer settlers of Kentucky and Missouri.
Of them we may write as Byron wrote:
Elder Thorp was born in Virginia in the year 1772, in what county it can not be said with certainty, but the weight of tradition is in favor of either Albermarle or Bedford. He was of English descent, the name of Thorp perpetually identifies his family with England. His ancestors in Virginia were among the early immigrants into the Colony of Virginia. He was early in development of body and mind, and a striking example of the effect in life of the union in the same individual of aptitude, energy and strong, good sense. At an early age he lost his mother and he and his two brothers - Dotson and James - became separated and knew nothing of each other until they were near grown. In 1786, he escaped from unpleasant surroundings and with an uncle - Thomas Thorp - emigrated to Kentucky. is settlement in Kentucky was most likely in Madison County in that State. The flow of emigration from Virginia to Kentucky seems, at first, to have been in large part, to Madison County, it then dispersed into various counties in the "Dark and Bloody Ground". He was born in the midst of poverty and with no advantage in the way of education - indeed, he could neither read nor write in his boyhood. He learned to read and write after his marriage, through the assistance of his wife and his kind employer, a Mr. Phelps. The early portion of his life was one of hard labor. When a youth in Kentucky, under the preaching of the Rev. Mr. Chenault, he was converted to religion and joined the Baptist Church. That was, of course, before the division of the Baptist of Kentucky, Missouri and other states, which occurred in the earlier years of the 19th Century. In his twentieth year he married in Kentucky a Miss Frances Owen. She was the daughter of Barnet Owen, who had emigrated from Virginia. Mr. Owen was a zealous Baptist. She was an excellent singer, a Baptist and of marked piety. Her advice to her husband, when he felt the call to preach the Gospel was: "If the Lord has called you, go and preach. He will provide a way for us.". At the beginning of his married life, he and his wife were very poor. To use the old-time phrase"their worldly goods could have been carried in a meal sack.". After marriage, a fortunate fact occurred to the young couple. They Were employed to work for the Mr. Phelps, already mentioned, who was a kind, estimable man. They continued in his service for three years. He did farm work, she worked in the house, including labor at the wheel and loom. As before indicated, it was during these three years that he Learned to read and write. To learn to read and write is to sow good ground with choice wheat. It instantly quickens a naturally bright mind, which is curious after knowledge. The effect was instantaneous with Elder Thorp. He became a reader, and, above all, a reader of the Bible. Primitive Baptist preachers, in the early days, may be said to have been men of one book, but that one book was the Bible. He made Holy Writ his constant study. All intelligent observers doubtless have often noted the aptitude of primitive Baptist preachers in scriptural quotation. The impulse to preach the Gospel now came upon him. He was ordained to the Gospel ministry in the Baptist Church, and began his fifty-seven years of labor as a minister of the Gospel. Some years later he felt the impulse of emigration to the Missouri Territory, and so in 1809 - following the trail of Daniel Boone - with his wife, children and worldly goods, he came westward, crossed the "Father of Waters", and spent the winter of 1809 on Loutre Island, above St. Charles, now embraced within the area of Montgomery County, Missouri. In the spring of 1810, he pushed up the Missouri River to a locality then called "Boone's Lick Bottom", leaving his family on Loutre Island in the care of his brother, James Thorp, who had come from Kentucky with him. "Boone's Lick Bottom" is embraced within the area of Howard County, Missouri. Here he made a crop. In December, 1810, he moved his family to his habitation - a rude cabin, made of slabs - in the "Boone's Lick Bottom". His home remained here until in 1824. The period extending from 1810 to 1824 was full of his ministerial labors, and a portion of it at a time of great danger from hostile Indians. This time of danger extended from the spring of 1812 until in 1815. The settlers were compelled to secure their safety in forts. There were four principal forts in the area now known as Howard County, viz.: Hempstead, Kincaid, Cooper and Cole. Elder Thorp with his family sought refuge in Fort Cooper. Anyone wishing further information of this period of Indians danger can be fully informed in the History of Howard County, to be found in Campbell's "Gazetteer of Missouri", published in 1874. During the time of Indian hostilities, Elder Thorp went from fort to fort and therein preached the Gospel. His associates in the ministry during his residence in Howard County were elders David McLain, Wilson Thompson, Luke Williams, Colden Williams, Jacob Chenault, Thomas Campbell, Sr., Theodoric Boulware, Berryman Wren, James Barnes, T. P. Stephens, Thomas Fristoe, Sr., John London, Kemp Scott and Thomas Fristoe, Jr. The last three in the division of the Missouri Baptists in 1834 identified themselves with the Missionary Baptists, so-called. Under his aiding ministration five churches were established in the Boone's Lick country. They were Mt. Pleasant, Concord, Salem, Mt. Zion and Bethel. With his assistance, on July 25, 1818, these churches were formed into Mt. Pleasant Association. At a later date, Salem Association was formed and ministers and churches increased in number. In 1821 he began to travel farther up the country and established churches in the territory now embraced in the counties of Ray and Clay. Among them were Big Shoal Church and Fishing River Church - both in Clay County - the former on May 23, 1823, and the latter in October, 1823. From Fishing River Church, Fishing River Association was named. In 1824 he removed to Clay County and here made his final home. On settling in Clay County he was chosen Moderator of Fishing River Association and was continued in that position by his brethren until by age he became too infirm to attend to the duties of the office. During the remainder of his life - as long as strength sufficiently remained - his ministerial labors continued, traveling in religious effort, preaching and founding churches. He was the first minister of the Gospel who ever preached in Clay County, and perhaps the first who ever preached in the counties bordering on the Missouri River west of St. Charles. Elder Thorp died on March 7, 1853, and was buried in the graveyard at Little Shoal Meeting House in Clay County. His wife died on July 30, 1860, and was buried by her husband's side. At her death she was something over 87 years of age. Elder Thorp was esteemed one of the best preachers among the primitive Baptists in Missouri. He thought well and preached with energy, directness and effect. In the division of the Baptists of Missouri in 1834, he remained firmly with those who are spoken of as Primitive Baptists, and died in what they considered the true Baptist faith. In person he was somewhat above the middle size, symmetrical in figure and was a man of strength and activity. As was usual with the pioneer families of Kentucky and Missouri, the family of Elder Thorp was large. A son, the late Joseph Thorp, was for some years one of the justices of the County Court of Clay County, Missouri. EARLY DAYS, by Judge Joseph Thorp, gives a slightly different, and more detailed account of the life of Elder William. It also describes how Elder William became one of the leaders of the Missouri Militia, which ran the Mormons out of Missouri.And tall and strong and swift of foot were they,
Beyond the dwarfing city's pale abortions,
Because their thoughts had never been the prey
Of care or gain the green woods were their portions:
No sinking spirits told them they grew grey,
No fashion made them apes of her distortions;
Simple they were not savage, and their rifles,
Though very true, were not yet used for trifles.Will of William Thorp, Sr., Clay Co., MO., 19 July 1845:
Know All Men by these presence that I William Thorp Sr. of Clay County and State of Missouri do make this my last will and Testament, as follows, that is to say - First, It is my will that my Funeral expense and all my Just debts be fully paid - Second, It is my will and I do hereby give to my wife Frances all my property (Real and personal) to have and to hold as her right during her life or widowhood to dispose of so far as need be for her benefit an comfort in life - Third, It is my will after her death, that if anything of my effects be left that it be Equally divided between My legal an lawful heirs - Fourthly and lastly, It is My will and I do hereby appoint my Son Joseph Thorp, to Execute this my last will an Testament. In Testimony whearof I Set my hand and Seal this 19 day of July in the year of our Lord 1845.His /s/ William X Thorp Sr. Mark Test M. Haynes Simeon Collins Codicil In addition to the foregoing it is my wish that my Executor my son Joseph Thorp Sell all of my slaves at private sale and procure for them humane masters. In testimony whereof I have set my hand and seal this 8th day of Feb. 1853 Wm. Thorp (Seal)
By request of the testator enscribed his name to this above codicil Milliner Haynes Simeon Collins Attest Milliner Haynes Simeon Collins Receipts, March 1853, Liberty, Clay Co., MO, per Clay Co. Archives: Joseph Thorp paid John Edward $12 for coffin for his father, and $8.95 to George Lodwick, for material for burial."
PENDLETON WASHINGTON TAPP From Missouri Pioneers:Pendleton W. Tapp- Will written 17 May 1857; proved 27 July 1857. In consideration that my father-in-law, John Dykes, gave my first wife certain property of which I am still the owner and possessor, I give, devise and bequeath that to my son, Lewis W. Tapp the only surviving child of my first marriage. To my wife Catherine Tapp. To all my children, share and share alike (names not given). Exr. Elisha Estes. Wit: A. L. Chapman, James P. McCarty, John L. Soper & Clifton Searcy. (page 159)
Culpeper County Deeds pages 508-509: 15 September 1768. Lewis Tapp and Ann his wife of Culpeper County to Bushrod Doggett of Fauquier County. For £180 current money. 470 acres which was given Lewis Tapp by his father William Tapp by deed of gift 16 June 1763...corner to a tract of land formerly granted to Robert Eastham...corner to the land of Thomas Dillard...corner to Lewis Davis Yancey...corner to Tutt, Richard Yancey and Philemon Yances...to Hawkins' line... Signed Lewis Tapp Ann Tapp 15 September 1768. Acknowledged by the parties. Ann was first privily examined.
Culpeper County Deeds pages 534-35. 19 May 1768. Lewis Tapp and Ann his wife of Culpeper County to Philemon Yancey of same. For £ 17 current money. 117 acres, part of 500 acres given to Lewis by his father...along Richard Yancey's line...along Borne's (?) line. Signed Lewis Tapp 19 May 1768. Acknowledged by Lewis. 21 July 1768 Ann wife of Lewis Tapp acknowledger her right of dower. note: suspect Borne is Bourne relative of Christian
From Will Book C p. 56: Inventory and Appraisal of Estate of Lewis Tapp, dec'd. Recorded 21 March, 1785. Made by Jacob Coones, John Fishback, Joseph Coons, Jr. From Essex Co. Deed Book 31, pg. 148 Seventh day of December, 1773 DEED OF GIFT, WILLIAM MONTAGUE SR. to his children
To All whom these_____________William Montague of this County of Essex for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have for my children, William Montague Junior, Anna the wife of Lewis Tapp, Patty Montague, and Fanny the wife of Jesse Passon. Do by these _____ give grant and confirm unto my aforesaid children the following Negro Slaves, with their future increase viz Thompson, Lenore, Cait, to be equally divided among them and their heirs_____to and for my ____ the said slaves with their increase for and during my natural life. TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforesaid slaves from and immediately following my decease with the future increase unto said William Montague Junior, Anna, wife of Lewis Tapp, Patty Montague, and Fanny wife of Jesse Passon and their heirs to be equally divided among them for the claim of all manner of persons whatever. IN WITNESS whereof I have forth with set my hand and seal this Seventh day of December 1773.
Sealed and Delivered In the provisional. John Davis William Montague Richard Phillips
From Will Book C, p. 66: Account of dower of Ann Tapp, widow of Lewis Tapp, dec'd. Agreed to by other heirs: Philip Amiss on behalf of his wife the said Ann Tapp (now Amiss), Vincent Tapp, guardian to Lewis Tapp, son and heir-at-law of the dec'd. Dated 5 May, 1787. Signed by Wm. McClanahan, John Wigginton, James Jett. Recorded 18 June, 1787.
20 July 1758. William Tapp of Culpeper County and Christian Tapp his wife to James Green of same, planter. For £50 lawful money. 190 acres, part of a greater tract conveyed to William Tapp by James Pendleton, Gent., in Culpeper County... formerly granted to Colonel Henry Williss by patent remaining in the Secretaries Office of this Colony which said land was conveyed to James Pendleton, 270 acres of which was transferred by deed to William Tapp...190 acres bounded as by survey made by Richard Young, surveyor...on the north side of Indian Run...to the mouth of Willis's Run ...corner to a tract of land belonging to Henry Huffman...up a small branch...line of William Tapp...
Signed William Tapp Christian (X) Tapp Wit: Richard Young, Survr. 20 July 1758. Acknowledged by them.note: I suspect James Green is the husband of Elizabeth Tapp, daughter note: also the Pendleton name has come in contact with William.
In the name of God Amen I William Tapp of Culpeper County being sick & weak in body but of sound mind & memory calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it appointed for all men once to die, I recommend my soul into hands of God that gave it me; & as touching such worldly goods as God in his mercy hath been pleased to bestow upon me I dispose of the same in the following manner.... Imprimis, I lend unto my loving wife Christian all my Estate Real & personal during her life the same peaceably to possess & enjoy. Item I give unto my son Vincent Tapp & his heirs after my said wife's decease the land & manor Plantation whereon I now live... containing one hundred & ninety-five acres, more or less. Item I give unto my Grandson William Tapp, son of my said son Vincent a Tract or parcel of Land adjoining the land & Plantation whereon I now live Containing Forty three acres more or less to him & his Heirs...Item I give unto my Daughter Ann Cunningham wife of John Cunningham and to her Heirs, after my wifes decease a negro wench named agy (?)... Item I give unto my Daughter Alice Graham wife of John Graham & to her Heirs, after my wife's decease a negro man named Peter. .. Item I give unto my Daughters Ann Cunningham and Alice Graham above said after my wife's decease all my Stock of Cattle, to them & their Heirs to be equally divided between them.... Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Green & to her heirs after my wife's decease my Horse Bridle & Saddle.... Item I give unto my Daughter Sarah Jett wife of John Jett & to her Heirs after my wife's decease all my Stock of Hogs & Sheep... Item I give unto my sons William Tapp & Lewis Tapp and their Heirs the sum of one Shilling Sterling money each....Item I give unto William Yates son of Mary Yates Dec'd, & to his heirs the sum of one hundred pounds in Continental Bills of Credit of the Congress of of this State as is now Current.... Item my will is that all the remainder of my Estate of every kind whatsoever, be sold and the Money thance arising be equally divided between my Children, Vincent Tapp, Elizabeth Green, Sarah Jett, Ann Cunningham & Alice Graham & them & their heirs... Item I constitute & appoint my son Vincent Tapp, & my Friend James Jett Executors of this my last will and Testament, hereby revoking all Former wills, Legacies by me made Ratifying & Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament. In witness I have set my hand & seal this 27th day of June 1780. Signed Sealed & Declared to be the last will & Testament of Will'm Tapp
Wm Tapp [signature]
In the presence of us
Thomas Hopper
Jacob Wall
Ann (X) Wall September 10th 1789 the within last will & testament of William Tapp acknowledged before us, under an exception as mentioned to the annexed Codicil Moses Tapp Sias Tapp Be it known unto all persons that it is now my intent & meaning that the within Bequest of one hundred pounds of continental bills of Credit of Congress or of this State unto William Yates is not to be Considered as any part of my last will and Testament as therein mentioned and I do hereby disannull the same accordingly, As Witness my hand & Seal this 10th day of September 1789. Moses Tapp Sias Tapp Wm [his mark] Tapp (L. S.) At a Court held for Culpeper County this 7th Day of January 1791 (not clear) This last will & Testament of William Tapp dec'd , was exhibited to the Court together with the Codicil thereto annexed & was proved by the oaths of Moses Tapp & Sias Tapp two of the witnesses thereto I ordered to be Recorded James Jett the only Executor therein named came into Court & refused to take upon himself the burthen of the Execution thereof. John James CC
Obituary Appearing in the Liberty Tribune in 1940:The foregoing instrument was, at the date hereof, signed and declared by the said William P. Tapp to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto. Cecil L. Turnage S. T. Kelly , Jr.Funeral services for William P. Tapp, a highly respected native son of Clay County were conducted March 21, by Rev. J. N. Darnell in the Kearney Christian Church, in the presence of a large crowd of friends. He was born Sept. 7, 1851, on a farm south of Kearney, now owned by Clay Rogers of Kansas city. For some time he had made his home with his son Edgar and family, where he passed away March 19, after an illness of several months. Music was furnished by Mrs. Ralph Riley and Mrs. Carl Grubbs who sang "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder" and "My Hope is Built on Nothing Less." Mrs. Malissa Riley presided at the piano.
Active pallbearers were, Ralph Riley, Ralph Morris, Winn Wilkerson, Charles L. Smith, Carl Grubbs and Gilbert Barr, Sr.; honorary pallbearers, Major W. Ragland, George W. Eaton, W. A. Ferril, G. P. Shaver, G. O. Shaver and Robert McGinnis
Besides his son Edgar, he leaves 12 grandchildren, 18 Great-grand-children, and one sister, Mrs. Almeda Tapp of Kearney. He was buried in Fairview cemetery in North Kearney beside his wife, Mary Jane Stollings, who preceded him several years ago.
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LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT I, William P. Tapp, of Clay County, Missouri, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking any will by me at any time heretofore made.
1st. I direct that all my just debts, funeral expenses and costs of administration of my estate shall be paid as soon after my death as practicable by my son, Edgar Tapp, which payments by him shall be a condition precedent to his receiving the benefits, bequests and devises hereinafter set apart to him under the terms hereof, the same to be paid by him personally and not out of the assets of my estate.
2nd. I have a deceased daughter, Kate L. Thorp; also a deceased daughter, Will-Marie Robeson. At the time of making this will there are six children of my said deceased daughter, Kate L. Thorp, said six children being the following: Robert E. Thorp, William J. Thorp, Herbert D. Thorp, Floyd M. Thorp, Helen Thorp and Frances Thorp. There are also at the time of making, three children living of my said deceased daughter, Will-Marie Robeson, said three children being the following: Lucile Robeson Weaver, R. Lee Robeson, Jr. and Madeline Robeson Meadows. I do hereby give and bequeath to each of my grandchildren above named the sum of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) and do hereby direct that as a condition precedent to Edgar Tapp receiving the benefits, bequests and devises hereinafter given to him under the terms of this will, he, the said Edgar Tapp, shall pay to each of the above named grandchildren said sum of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00), said payments to be made by the said Edgar Tapp personally, and to be a lien against the real estate I own at my death until paid. If any of the above named grandchildren are dead at the time of my death, the legacy of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) given to such deceased grandchild shall lapse.
3rd. Any indebtedness which my son-in-low, R. L. Robeson, Sr., may owe to me at the time of my death, whether heretofore or hereafter incurred, shall be cancelled and held for naught and he shall not be required to pay the same.
4th. Subject to the foregoing provisions of this will I do hereby give, devise and bequeath all of my property, real, personal or mixed, of whatsoever kind and wheresoever situate to my son, Edgar Tapp.
5th. In the event any person named herein, who receives a devise, bequest or benefit under this will shall file any claim against my estate for services rendered, materials furnished or obligations claimed to be due by me to said person, or if any person receiving any devise, bequest or benefit under this will shall file any suit to contest this will, then and in either of said events, the devise, bequest or benefit given to such person shall be void as to such person and such person shall be precluded from receiving any devise, bequest or benefit hereunder.
6th. I hereby appoint my son, Edgar Tapp as executor of this, my last will and testament.
WITNESS my hand this 27th day of May.
William P. Tapp (signature)
Know all men by these presents that I William Tapptico of the County of Northumberland in the Colony of Virginia and King of the Wiccocomoco Indians am holden and firmly bound unto Phillip Smith of the aforesaid County and Colony in the full and perfect sum of 1,000 pounds current money of Virginia to be paid unto he said Phillip Smith, his heirs, executors, administrators or assignees which payment well and truly to be made. I do hereby bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents as witness my hand and seal this 31st day of December, 1718. Whereas the above bound William Tapptico's father died in the 1695 or 6 obtaining liberty of John Smith of Purton in Gloucester County to seat, tend, and occupy a certain nect (sic) of land commonlY Old Town Neck and as much lands and land at the mouth of the neck of the said William Tapptico, Elinder his wife. William Taptico, Jr. and the heirs male begotten could tend and after their decease to return to the said John Smith and his heirs forever. Now know ye that the season (illegible) request of him the said Phillip Smith, his heirs, etc.: make over to the said Smith all his right, title and interest in and to the above said neck and all the right and property of the said Taptico and his heirs both without the said neck and shall and with at all times forever exhonerate, acquit, and disclaim and forever defend the same from all manner of persons claiming from, by, or under him the said William Taptico or his heirs: male of his body then the above obligation to be void and of none effect. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal this day and year above written.
Witnesses: Capt. Maurice Jones William {drawing of seal} Tapptico
Bridgett Ward" Back to the Main Page Back to the top of the page
" Elinor Jones was a granddaughter of Robert Jones. Robert Jones and John Lewis obtained 2,000 acres in the Northern Neck in 1657. Elindor Jones Tapp, widow, married by July 4, 1702, John Lewis II, as his second wife, and married as her third husband Ignatius Oliver. She as Elinor Oliver made will 16 September 1719, naming daughter Elizabeth Keane, son-in-law John Keane, and granddaughters Elizabeth and Elinor Keane."Back to the Main Page Back to the top of the page
"Thomas migrated from England to what was called Charles River Co., Virginia as H/R (headright) of Thomas Hughes 9/28/1643. (2-147). See p. 1. His grandfather may have been William Tapp who married Mary Hollande 5/18/1587."
It is believed that Thomas Tapp resided in Warwick County where his father-in-law, John Lewis, Sr. held land until about 1663, when he followed his brother-in-law John Lewis, Jr. to Northumberland County. Thomas Hughes also moved to Northern Neck, where he was murdered in 1662. John Lewis, Sr. and Robert Jones were granted patents of 2,000 acres in the Northern Neck in 1647, and John Lewis, Jr. had reached there by 1662.
The Northern Neck (20-66) may be defined as an area which extended from the Potomac River south to the Rappahanock River and from the headwaters of both streams in the Western section of the Colony to the Chesapeake Bay. Up until 1669, grants were regularly made by the local government on the basis of H/R (headrights) as stated in the patent books. After that date, the number decreased. The first issued to John Washington and Nicholas Spencer of Westmoreland. The common seal was affixed to the grant by Thomas Culpeper, who had by this date obtained a one-sixth interest in the Northern Neck. Beginning in 1690, land patents in the Northern Neck were entered separately and an orderly method of handling them established.The will of Thomas Tapp has not been found. Probation of the will of Thomas Tapp was granted to John Lewis, Jr., brother-in-law, May 18,1687. Thomas Tapp was overseer for Thomas Hobson, Clerk of Northumberland (12). In a difference between him and Thomas Hobson, Hobson was ordered to pay according to the agreement, August 24, 1678.
**See will of Jane Fullerton in Old Rappahanock County in 1678 in which she names John Tapp, Jr. Elizabeth Meader, Thomas Conners and others. Some of Thomas Tapp's daughters may have married Conners, Meaders, and others mentioned in the will. Mary Lewis Tapp, widow, married in Old Rappahanock County in 1691 John Butcher who left will in Middlesex County in 1698. Marriage records of her and her daughter appear in Old Rappahanock Marriages. (17-307) It seems very likely, or at least it is possible, that the given name of Lewis in the Tapp family came from Mary Lewis, the wife of Thomas Tapp.
Migration Pattern: The migration of the Tapps was in a Northwesterly direction through Old Rappahanock to Spottsylvania and Culpeper Counties and to the present Rappahanock County, VA. From Culpeper and Rappahanock many went westward to West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Etc. Some went to North Carolina from Virginia and from there some went to South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, etc."
The homestead of Lewis Tapp overlooked the Kentucky River and the area on his property is still called Tapp Cliffs. His stone house is gone, but the site is still clearly visible. His land ownings were extensive and were distributed to his children on his death. Lewis Tapp died in 1822 from a fall from the Cliffs while endeavoring to tend his fish traps along the river. Six of his children remained in Jessamine County: his twin daughters, Milly and Maria, who married respectively, Andrew Hemphill and David Arnold; Frances who married Lee Spears who established the spears post office; William who died unmarried living with his sister, Frances; Miranda who married John Wilmore and died without children; and Emily married twice and has descendants still living in Jessamine County. One daughter Elizabeth, moved to Illinois and the others to Missouri.Note that four of the spouses of the children were closely related to direct ancestors of the compiler. Benjamin Soper was first cousin to Thomas Prather, a great great grandfather; David Arnold was a great great grandfather; Emily Johnson was second cousin to Euphon Prather, a great grandmother; and Lee W. Spears was first cousin to George Newman, a great great grandfather.