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.
V. Fifth Generation - Francis BC Turpin
Francis Bartholomew Charles Turpin (Major Francis'
Beauchamp', Solomon',
William') was born February 24, 1807 in Dorchester County. On June 6,
1832, he married Mary Adeline Smoot, the daughter of Captain John Smoot,
who built the mansion at "Rehoboth". Francis BC Turpin inherited
"Rehoboth" from his father, Francis Turpin, who had purchased it in
1812. Mary Adeline Smoot was born in 1816.
Francis BC Turpin continued to live in grandeur, as his parents had
done. He was well known for lavish hospitality, generosity, and
kindness. His slaves were always fed equal to the extravagant table of
his own family. While neighbors ate corn bread every day and wheat bread
only on Thursdays, Sundays, and special occasions, it was well known
that the Turpins had wheat bread every day and fed the slaves the same.
His home was also a home for any relative who needed a home.
In the 1850 Census, Francis BC Turpin was listed as a 43 year old
farmer. He was living with his 34 year old wife, Mary and they had seven
children at the time. They also had two black laborers named William
(age 16) and Eli T Stanley (age 5).
On March 18, 1852, Mary Adeline Turpin gave birth to her eighth child,
George D Turpin. Six days later Mary died. Her death was probably due to
complications of childbirth. Childbirth deaths were common before the
twentieth century. On August 18, 1852, the child died. •
On August 7, 1852, Francis BC Turpin married his second wife Arietta
Caroline Smith. They had two children.
Francis BC Turpin died November 19, 1857 at "Rehoboth". His probate was
badly managed. The lawyer died. The executor went bankrupt, although it
was well known that he lived many years afterwards without working. And
the bondsman signed over the property to Mrs. Turpin, but later was able
to buy "Rehoboth" and raise his family there.
Therefore, the house and all the furniture went out of the family. The
children received only a few dollars. While his children did not inherit
property, all inherited the honesty and good principles for which their
father was well recognized.
Issue of Francis B C and first wife, Mary Adeline Turpin.
1. John Baynard Turpin, born May 20, 1833. He married Elizabeth Jane
___. He died August 14, 1883 and she died October 9, 1875. They are
buried at St. Pauls Methodist Church.
2. Elizabeth Ann Turpin, born July 22, 1835. She married William Druray.
They had at least one child. His name was William Winfield Druray. He
died at age six. Elizabeth Ann remarried and died as Elizabeth Ann Jones
on April 28, 1910.
3. Mary Jane Turpin, born September 22, 1838.
4. William Henry Turpin, born January 29, 1841. He married Elizabeth H
Houston. He died July 11, 1895 and she died January 14, 1886 at age 60.
They are buried in the East New Market Cemetery.
5. Gulia Elma Wilson Turpin, born September 1, 1842. She married Samuel
Edward Collins on September 2, 1867 in East New Market. They had
nine children, Elizabeth Turpin, Charles Edwin, John F. Staler, Mary
Sophia, Guliaelena S., Thomas Wilbur Hampton, William Turpin, Adeline
Douglas, and Walter Raymond. They raised their family in
East New Market. She died
July 8, 1893. Samuel E. died on December 31, 1898. For more
information about the Collins family see the
Descendants of Abraham Collins.
6. Francis Thomas Turpin, born April 20, 1846. He married Love Rosspn
1870. They had four children, Charles Winfred Turpin, Mary Caroline
Turpin, Bessie Lyie Turpin and a fourth that died as an infant. Love
Ross Turpin was born in 1844 and died in 1916. Francis T Turpin died in
1925.
In the mid-1900s, his daughter, Mary Caroline Turpin created the
foundation of this genealogy. Without her exceptional undertaking, we
would not have all of the interesting personal stories about Major
Francis Turpin. She married Oscar L Layton and had five daughters and
two sons.
7. Walter Turpin, born December 19, 1848. Walter and his wife are buried
at Salem Methodist Church. He died December 23, 1900. His wife, Kate E
died February 20, 1895 at age 49.
8. George D Turpin, born March 18, 1851 and died as an infant on August
18, 1852.
Issue of Francis BC Turpin and second wife, Arietta C Turpin:
9 & 10. Francis BC and Arietta had two children.