Joshua, probably a son of Abraham Stapp and Dorothy Moss, appears to have been born in Essex Co., VA c1687 and married Martha, a daughter of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey, between 1718 and 1721 in Essex Co. The earliest references to this marriage that I am aware of can be found in the Laurence H. Coffey book, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants, published by Newell Sanders, Chattanooga, 1931 and, The Stapp/Stapp Families of America by Henry P. Scalf in 1976. Joshua died c1783 in Orange Co., VA and left a will there in Will Book 3, pages 54-55.¹
Orange County Will Book 3, Page 54-55
"In the Name of God Amen I, Joshua Stapp of the County of Orange being in perfect health and sound sense of memory and mindful of the uncertainty of this life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I give my soul to almighty God who gave it me trusting in Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins and as for what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow me I give in manner and form following Viz.
"Item my will and desire is that my Negro man and newswoman be both free and at their own disposal and if there should be any charges required by the Court towards their being legally set free from Bondage then my will is that such charges be paid out of my estate.
"Item my will is that my grandson Achillies Stapp have my Negro woman Cate.
"Item I give the residue of my Estate not already mentioned to be divided between the persons whose names I hereafter mention my Grandson Achillies Stapp my Grand daughter Lucy Willhoit (? ) my Grand daughter Sarah Creel and my Grand daughter Martha Hubbard to them and their heirs forever.
"Item my will is that my Estate not be sold but be appraised and divided according to appraisement.
"Lastly I constitute and appoint my Grandson Achillies Stapp Executor to this my last will and testament revoking all former wills byme made acknowledging this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and Seal this 19th day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty Two.
"Signed Sealed and Published In Presence of John Dayne,John Wayt Joshua X Stapp (SS) , William Wyat Mark
"At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday 27th March 1783 This last will and testament of Joshua Stapp Dec'd being presented into Court by Achillis Stapp Executor therein named And proved by the oaths of John Wait and William Wait Two of the witnesses hereto And Ordered to be recorded And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath According to law Certificate is granted him for Obtaining Probate thereof in due form whereupon he with Robert ? MIller his Security Entered into Bond for the same in"The sum of Two thundered and fifty pounds. Teste James Taylor C.O.C."
Orange Co. VA. Deed Book 16 pg. 352-353 Aug. 13, 1773
"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving have given and granted and by these present do give grant & confirm unto my son Joshua Stapp of Said County one Negro Man named Marrick to him and his heirs forever and also one Negro Woman Named Frank Ide (?) give to the said Joshua Stapp Junior during his life and after the Decease of the said to be with their increase divided equally between the children of the said Joshua Stapp and Hannah his wife forever and by these present to be do warrant the said Negroes to the said Joshua Stapp his heirs executors Administrators or Assigns forever from any person or persons whatever Claiming any Rights or Title to the said Negroes or either of them Virtue to my hand and Seal this Thirteenth day of August Anno Dom 1773.
"William Bell his Joshua X Stapp (SS), Thomas Burbridge mark , John Stabler (?) at a Court held for Orange County the 28th of September 1773 this Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Joshua Stapp Junior was proved by the Oaths of William Bell Thomas Burbrige and John Stabler Witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded. Test James Taylor C.O.C.”
Pg. 353:
"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye thatI the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving have given and granted and by these present do give grant & confirm unto my son Thomas Stapp of Said County During Life One Negro Man named James and One Negro Woman named Minn (?) and after the Decease to be equally divided between the Children of the Said Thomas Stapp and Ann his wife with their increase forever and by these presents do warrant the said Negroes to the said Thomas Stapp during life and after his decease to the heirs of the said Thomas and Ann his wife for ever from _____ Claims of any person or Persons to ha (?) Claiming any Rights for (?) The said Negroes or either of them. Witness my hand and Seal this fourteenth day of August Anno Dom 1773. In the presence of William Bell his Thomas Burbridge Joshua X Stapp (SS), John Stabler mark"
"At a Court held for Orange County the 28th of September, 1773 This Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Thomas Stapp was proved by the Oaths of William Bell Thomas Burbridge and John Staler Witness there and Ordered to be Recorded , Test James Tayler C.O.C. "
Pg. 393-394
"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving but more Especially for the Love and good will I have unto my son James Stapp have given and granted and by these present do give grant bargain & confirm unto my son James Stapp one Negro man named Abraham and one Negro woman named Bel lone Negro boy named Abraham one Negro girl named Bell and for the above Consideration do give freely and Clearly the above said four Negroes and their Increase to my said son James Stapp and his heirs forever and by Virtue of this present writing do warrant the said Negroes with their Increase." "Tomy said son James Stapp and his heirs Executors Administrator from the Just Claim right or title of any person or persons whatever having or lawfully claiming the same or part thereof in Witness whereof I the said Joshua Stapp Senior have here to set my hand seal this 23rd day of December Anno Dom One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five. . Signed Sealed and Delivered his Inthe presence off Joshua X Stapp, William Sims , Thomas Stapp , Thomas X Stapp, Killes Stapp"
"At a court held for Orange County on Thursday the 22nd of February 1776. This Deed of gift from Joshua Stapp to James Stapp proved by the oaths of Wm. Sims Tho. Stapp and Tho. Stapp junior thereof the Witnesses hereto and Ordered to be recorded. Test James Taylor C.O.C. "
Deed Book 16 pg. 394
"Toll Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving but Especially for the Love and good will I bare unto my Granddaughter Elizabeth Sims of Albemarle County have given and Granted and by these presents do give grant bargain and Confirm unto my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Sims one Negro boy named Ben and for the above Consideration do give freely and Clearly the above said Negro boy to my said Grand daughter Elizabeth Sims to her and her heirs forever and by Virtue of this present Writing do warrant the said Negro boy tomy said Grand Daughter Elizabeth Sims and her heirs Executors Administrators from the Just Claim Right or Title of any person or persons whatever having or Lawfully Claiming the same in Witness whereof I the said Joshua Stapp Sener have hereunto my hand and Seal this 3 of December Anee Dom One thousand Seven hundred and seventy five . In the presence off : Joshua Stapp, William Sims ,Tho. Stapp , Tho's Stapp , Killes Stapp"
"At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday the 25th of February 1776 This Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Elizabeth Sims was proved by the Oaths of William Sims Tho's Stapp and Tho's Stapp Junr. Three of the Witnesses hereto and Ordered to be Recorded , Test James Taylor C.O.C."Researchers believe that Joshua and Martha had at least eight children, they being:
Joseph who married Elizabeth Lucas and had (at least) Joshua, Elizabeth and Sally and died after 1775.
John, born between 1720 and 1722, died at Culpepper, VA in 1751. He married Ann Salmon, born c1710 in Spotsylvania Co., VA.
Joshua, Jr., born c1724, died in Jun., 1814; married Hannah Durham and had children Achilles, Thomas, Lucy and James. Achilles married Margaret Vawter on Nov. 27, 1782 in Orange Co.² Thomas married Elizabeth "Betsy" Barbridge or Burbridge on Jan. 4, 1779 in Orange Co.³ Lucy married John Wilhite.
Eve Stapp married Anthred Salmon.
Anester, born c1728 married Capt. William Sims and had at least one child, Elizabeth, born in Albemarle Co., VA. [Scalf].
Elizabeth, born c1729 in VA, married William Morris c1746, [Scalf]
Thomas married Ann Lucas. [Scalf] Thomas came into possession of 200 acres of land from his brother Joseph of Orange Co. Joseph had married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Lucas and the land was her inheritance. It is said to have been "lying on both sides of Marsh Run." See Orange Co. deed book 13, page 331. The relationship between Ann and Elizabeth is not known.
Scalf also reports that a son named James was born c1731 but offers no other information. James is mentioned in his father's will.
Some researchers claim an additional three daughters were born to the union but, no documentation has been produced.
Sources:
¹ See also Orange Co., VA Deed Book 16, pages 352-353 dated Aug. 13, 1773
² "Virginia, Orange County Marriage Records, 1757-1938" at FamilySearch.org
³ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940" at FamilySearch.org. See also Virginia County Records: Miscellaneous County Records, Wm Armstrong Crozier, p169 as well as Johnston, Stapp and Allied Families, Jennie F. Downing Crow, 1979, Page 18
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