I am researching the Epps family in Blackstone, Virginia also. I think that my family's name started with the spelling "Epes" and later changed to EPPS. I have not been able to confirm this yet, but I am going to keep searching until I do. My great-grandfather was Archie or Archer Epps or Epes (both spellings were used. He had 12 brothers and sisters (some of their names were Samuel, Gilbert, Freeman). He was married to Susie Epps or Epes.
Please let me know if you have any information which can help me.
Thanks.