The Delmarva Turpin's

by Mary Caroline Turpin Layton 9/13/1875 -3/4/1957

Links to Generations
(1) William, (2) Solomon, (3) Beauchamp, (4) Major Francis, (5) Francis B.C.

IV. Fourth Generation - Major Francis Turpin

Major Francis Turpin' (Beauchamp', Solomon', William') was born September 9, 1759, in Dorchester County (now Sussex County, Delaware). He married Ann Nancy Reed, the widow of Captain Ezekiel Reed and daughter of Lieutenant Matthew Smith of the Fork District, Dorchester County. Nancy Reed, according to tradition, was a very pretty young widow with two small children, Ezekiel Jr. and Betsey Reed.

Francis Turpin was an ensign in the Revolution at 18 years of age and later became a Captain in the Upper Battalion of Dorchester County. Also in the militia of Upper Dorchester County were his half-brother, John Twiford, his elder brother, Captain John Turpin, his wife's first husband, Captain Ezekiel Reed, and his wife's father. Lieutenant Matthew Smith.

Francis Turpin remained in the Dorchester County Militia after the Revolution and also served as Major in the War of 1812 in the llth Regiment of the 12th Brigade. During the War of 1812, his regiment was stationed near Crotcher's Ferry, Dorchester County.

Major Francis Turpin was a large landowner and slave holder, no doubt by far the largest slave holder in the region. For years, when his name was mentioned among descendants of his neighbors, one would hear the remark, "He is the man who owned a hundred slaves." This was an unusual number for Maryland, where the average farmer seldom owned over a dozen slaves.

Major Turpin inherited some land from his father, patented other tracts, and acquired much by purchase, and therefore possessed much at his death. Besides his home and other lands in Dorchester, he possessed 600 acres in Sussex County, near the Delaware boundary.

As one expressed it, he was a nabob of his day. Evidence of his wealth was his horsedrawn coach. When his daughter went riding in the coach, for protection a slave on horseback rode one half mile ahead, while another slave rode one half mile behind.

Another one of his extravagances was his pet ape from England. The ape followed him everywhere. However, after some time, the ape became destructive. The apes final act convinced Major Turpin that something must be done. The event occured when Major Turpin went to visit the home of a neighbor. When he reached his neighbor's yard his first thought was that it was snowing. He soon found that the neighbors were housecleaning and had put feather beds on the porch roof to air. The ape had run ahead, climbed on the porch, and tore into a bed, throwing feathers and fluff all over the yard.

Soon after his marriage, Major Turpin lived a short time in Delaware. He then moved to farm, in Dorchester County, where his eldest children were born.

Major Francis Turpin's name frequently appears in the civil court records of Dorchester County. The first occurance appeared in March of 1799. Evidently, as the guardian of Elizabeth Smith, he was fined for not rendering accounts to the orphans court.

In March of 1799, his name again appears. James Moore was fined for assaulting Francis Turpin.

Some of the charges were more serious than others. In October of 1803, Francis Turpin was found not guilty of manslaughter on the body of Joseph Esom.

A record appearing in March of 1813 states the following: "Francis Turpin had a conversation with a certain Deborah Bailey on July 6, 1808 in Dorchester County, at which time Turpin inquired whether Bailey was pregnant. Bailey said yes and that the father was William Wheatly. Turpin offered Bailey $40.00 to swear that the child was Resdon Smith's. The child was bore December 18, 1808 and supported by William Wheatly." Major Turpin was found not guilty.

Francis Turpin's homeplace is situated on the banks of the northwest fork of the Nanticoke River in the town of Eldorado. A tract of 2,350 acres, known as "Rehoboth" was patented to Captain John Lee in 1673. In 1787 Lettice- Corbin Lee sold "Rehoboth" to Captain John Smoot. In 1787, after much subdividing of the land, the tract consisted of only 200 acres. Around 1788, Captain John Smoot built an impressive brick structure that is called both "Rehoboth" and "Liberty Hall". The structure by 18th century standards was considered a mansion. Some writings erroneously attribute the building of the structure to the Lees.

In 1812 Major Frank Turpin bought "Rehoboth". Major Turpin, who died December 28, 1829, was interred on the estate, which has since been known as the "Turpin Place". Around 1935, his body and tombs were removed to Cambridge, Maryland, where at the time Revolutionary soldiers were being removed and placed in one church yard.

Quoting from the History of Dorchester County, page 105, "Major Turpin lived there for many years, where he dispensed lavish hospitality to many a social guest within its spacious halls. Balls, so popular over 80 or 90 years ago, were continued for two or three days at a time. At his home, where music and wine kept merry, handsome men and maidens fair through many a mazy dance.

Besides the usual carved wainscoting, high mantelpieces, and deep windows, indicative of the colonial period, the old house had a distinctive feature, worthy of note. Over the mantels in the parlor and dining room, built into the walls were panel paintings, which seemed to be reproductions of a magnificent country estate of the old English type.

The interior of the house was gutted by fire in 1916, but was rebuilt by the late Francis Brueill on its original plan and with the original walls which were not burned. Today, the view of the house from the Nanticoke River is still breathtaking. However, there has been a addition to one side of the structure.

The estate was passed on to the son of Francis Brueill after his death. In 1990, the latter Brueill died and left the estate to his wife, Ruth Brueill. Unfortunately, she has been forced to sell some of the estate's treasures for her survival.

Francis Turpin's first wife, Nancy died in 1809, when their son, Thomas J. Turpin was only six months old. The infant was raised by his brother-in-law, Dr. John Gibbons of Seaford, Delaware.

Major Turpin remarried on January 12, 1811 to Ann Chance. She was a widow and bore Francis two children, Josiah and Ann Jane. On August 24, 1824 Francis Turpin married for a third time. This wife, Nancy Dill, survived him.

Issue of Major Francis Turpin and First wife, Nancy (Smith) Reed:

1. Kitturah Turpin, born December 16, 1789. She married her cousin Solomon Turpin, a son of Joseph Turpin. He was from Broad Creek, near Laurel, Delaware. Solomon died a few years later and left Kitturah with three small children. She soon married Severn Dawson and resided in Caroline County, Maryland.

2. Nancy Turpin, born February 12, 1792. She married John Douglas and died young, leaving two small children, Joseph Francis Douglas and John Turpin Douglas.

3. John Beauchamp Turpin, born May 21, 1794 and never married. He was a deep sea Captain. He went to the West Indies with his half-brother, Ezekiel Reed and was never heard from again. The family always believed that foul play was involved. The vessel belonged to his father and the crew were all slaves. The boys would have inherited more at their father's death than the vessel and crew were worth.

4. Leah Arah Turpin, born May 18, 1796. She married Dr. John Gibbons, a young doctor who had recently come from Ireland. Although Dr. Gibbons later became a prominent citizen of Seaford, Delaware, this marriage was opposed by her father. Like other Maryland families, the major opposed recent arrivals in this country. To him, Dr. Gibbons was just a damn young Irishman. Leah died before her father, leaving three minor children, Francis, Washington, and Caroline.

5. Sallie D. Turpin, born April 15, 1798. She married Ignatius Newton. This marriage also was strongly opposed by her father and resulted in a runaway marriage. On the first attempt, the prospective bride came down the stairs carrying her shoes in her hand. She dropped one shoe on the stairs. This woke her father, so she did not get away from home that night. The second attempt was successful. Newton was a stranger to Dorchester County. He claimed to have several farms in Virginia. After marriage, she found that he did not have any property. He also spent all the property that she had inherited. This led to a miserable life for Sallie. She left several children. The most prominent descendent of hers is the late Senator Oliver A. Newton of Bridgeville, Delaware.

6. Joseph Turpin, born April 10, 1800. He died young.

7. Gulia Turpin, born December 25, 1802. Gulia was engaged to her young cousin, Charles Wright of Delaware. This did not meet with the approval of her father, who felt that Wright could not properly support his daughter. Gulia obeyed her father and did not marry Charles. However, as it was said, she died of a broken heart, soon after she returned home from boarding school.

8. Mary Cannon Turpin, born March 8, 1805 and died in 1839. She was well known for her beauty. She became the second wife of Jacob C Wilson, a wealthy Quaker of Caroline County and lived near Preston. The first wife of Jacob C Wilson was her first cousin, Mary Cannon Smith, the daughter of Matthew Smith Jr, and wife Priscilla Turpin. They left a few descendants.

9. Francis BC Turpin, born February 24, 1807.  (See fifth generation)

10. Dr. Thomas J Turpin, born May 8, 1809. He went to Louisiana for his health. He married and left descendants in that state.

Issue of Major Francis Turpin and second wife, Ann G Chance:

11. Josiah B Turpin, born April 5, 1813. He married Nancy Tully. Josiah was left much property by his father, but borrowed on his inheritance until it was all spent. The day he turned 21 years old, he signed over all of his estate to his neighbor, Tilghman Haskell, to cover his debts. Josiah died in St. Marys County, Maryland and left children.

12. Ann Jane Turpin, born September 25, 1815. She married Mark Delahay. They went west and had two children. She died on August 10, 1839.

Major Francis Turpin and third wife. Nancy Dill had no children.

Issue of first wife Ann Nancy Smith and her first husband, Captain Ezekiel Reed:

1. Ezekiel Reed, married Amelia Wright on November 6, 1810. She was born August 3, 1790 and died April 11, 1859. Ezekiel and his half-brother, John Beauchamp Turpin went to the West Indies, and were never heard from again. Ezekiel and Amelia had two boys and three girls.

2. Betsey Washington Reed, born February 13, 1781. She married Samuel Smoot of Dorchester on April 7, 1801. He was the son of Edward and Rosanna (Hodson) Smoot.

Cambridge, Maryland
Commissioners' Record
7 E R, p. 324
15 April 1830

Whereas, Francis BC Turpin and Jacob C Wilson and Mary C Wilson, his wife, petition to the Judges of Dorchester County and ask for that Francis Turpin of Dorchester County being seized of divers tracts and parcels of land and real estate in the county aforesaid since March 1, 1821, died intestate leaving the following children: Francis B C Turpin, Mary C Wilson, wife of Jacob Wilson, your petitioner, Kitty Dawson, wife of Severn Dawson, Sally Newton, the wife of Ignatius Newton, and Thomas J Turpin of full age and Josiah B Turpin and Ann Jane Turpin, minors and the following grandchildren, to wit: Joseph Douglas and John Douglas, children of Nancy Douglas, a deceased daughter, minors and Francis T Gibbons, Washington T Gibbons and Caroline C Gibbons, children of Leah A Gibbons, a deceased daughter, as heirs at law, upon which the inheritance of said lands descend. Petition to appoint John Donovan, Joseph Nichols, Matthew Smith Sr., William Wheatly (of Ed) and Minos Adams to divide the lands and also to appoint John Douglas as guardian to the minors.

Page 285
28 October, 1831

Petition of Francis B C Turpin, Jacob Wilson and wife Mary.

That Ann Turpin being possessed of land and died intestate leaving the following children:
Francis BC Turpin, Mary C Wilson, wife of Jacob Wilson, Kitty Dawson, wife of Severn Dawson, Sally D Newton, wife of Ignatius Newton, Thomas J Turpin and Ezekiel Reed of full age and the following grandchildren: Avora Smoot, son of Elizabeth W. Smoot, a deceased daughter of full age, Joseph Douglas and John Douglas, minors and Francis T Gibbons, Washington T Gibbons, and Caroline C Gibbons, children of Leah A Gibbons, deceased daughter, as heirs at law upon which the inheritance of said lands descends. Ignatius C Newton and Sally, his wife, sold his part to Jacob C Wilson, the petitioner.

Records in the Bible of Major Francis Turpin.

Births

Beauchamp Turpin born March 3, 1723.
Mary Turpin born May 13, 1732.
John Turpin, their son born October 2, 1757.
Francis Turpin, their son born September 9, 1759.
Nancy Turpin, their daughter born October 5, 1764.
Pricilla Turpin, their daughter born June 9, 1768.
Kattura, daughter of Francis Turpin and Nancy Turpin born December 16, 1789.
Nancy, born February 12, 1792.
John B Turpin, born May 21, 1794.
Leah A Turpin, born May 18, 1796.
Sallie Turpin, born April 15, 1798.
Joseph Turpin, born April 10, 1800.
Julia Turpin, born December 25, 1802.
Mary C, born March 8 1805 died 1839.
Francis B C, born February 24, 1807.
Thomas J, born May 8, 1809.
Josiah B Turpin, born April 5, 1813.
Ann Jane Turpin born September 25, 1815.

Deaths

Francis Turpin, son of Beauchamp Turpin, died December 29, 1829.
Mary C Wilson, died April 8, 1839.
Ann Jane Delahay, wife of Mark Delahay, died August 10, 1839.