The Delmarva Turpins

by Mary Caroline Turpin Layton (September 13, 1875 – March 4, 1957)

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

III. Third Generation — Beauchamp Turpin

Beauchamp Turpin (Solomon, William) was born March 3, 1723, in Dorchester County and died in that county in 1769. He married Mary Cannon in 1756. She was a daughter of James Cannon and a sister of Beauchamp's brother's wife. She was the widow of Bartholomew Twiford. Her birthdate is listed as May 13, 1732.

To his son John Turpin, Beauchamp willed three tracts of land: "Red Oak Level", "Beauchamps Choice", and "Turpin's Regulation". His son Francis Turpin was to receive land bought of Susannah Gullett after his mother's death or marriage. The movable estate was devised to wife and three daughters, Mary Turpin, Nancy Turpin, and Priscilla Turpin.

The widow, Mary Turpin, died in Sussex in 1784. In her will, sons John Twiford and Francis Turpin, daughters Nancy Turpin and Priscilla Turpin, and granddaughter Polly Darby are mentioned. Her son John Turpin was to be executor.

Issue of Beauchamp and Mary Turpin

1. Captain John Turpin, born October 2, 1757. He married Margaret Brown.
2. Major Francis Turpin, born September 9, 1759. See Fourth Generation.
3. Nancy Turpin, born October 5, 1764. She married Curtis Jacobs.
4. Priscilla Turpin, born June 9, 1768. She married Matthew Smith, her first cousin.
5. Mary Turpin, living in 1770. She was not mentioned in her mother's will and probably died before that date.

Primary Source Records

Maryland State Archives · Dorchester County Wills

Beauchamp Turpin — Dorchester County, Md. | Signed 28 Dec. 1768 | Proved 15 Mar. 1769

In the name of God, Amen. I, Beauchamp Turpin of Dorchester County, planter, being sick and weak in body but of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

That I give to my beloved wife Mary the dwelling plantation I now live on, with all the tract of land thereunto belonging as also all the improvements thereunto belonging during her widowhood; but in case she marries, then I leave to my said wife all that tract of land that I bought from Susannah Gullet, with all the improvements, benefits and privileges thereunto belonging during her life. Also I leave to my beloved wife one third of my personal estate to her during her natural life.

Also I give and bequeath to my son John Turpin three tracts of land, one called "Red Oak Level", one called "Beauchamps Choice", one called "Turpins Regulation", to him and his heirs forever.

Also I give and bequeath unto my son Francis Turpin all that tract of land I bought from Susannah Gullet, in case his mother should not marry; but if the said mother should marry he is not to possess the said land until her death, then to him and his heirs forever. Also I give to my said son Francis Turpin my dwelling plantation with the tract called "Turpins Beginning". If his said mother should marry he is then to possess it; and in case she should not marry, he is not to possess nor molest his said mother in her widowhood. In the aforesaid two tracts I give to him and his heirs forever.

Also I give all my movable estate to my three daughters, Mary Turpin, Nancy Turpin, and Priscilla Turpin, to be equally divided between them, and exclusive of my wife's part, to them and their heirs forever.

Also I give my wife liberty to sell as much land out of "Turpins Regulation" to the northward of Mahones Industry as will pay all necessary charges she might have occasion of. Also I nominate and appoint my beloved wife my executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills heretofore made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-eighth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty eight.

Witnesses: Spencer Waters · Philoman Jones · Thomas Kelly
Mary Turpin qualified as executor, 15 March 1769.

Delaware State Archives · Sussex County Wills

Mary Turpin — Sussex County | Signed 17 Dec. 1782 | Proved 1783

In the name of God Amen. I, Mary Turpin of Sussex County, this 17th day of December 1782, being of perfect sense and memory, thanks be giving to Almighty God for it, but calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men to die, do make, ordain and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following, viz.:

First, I give and bequeath my soul to Almighty God through the comfortable hope of my only Savior, our Jesus Christ, that He will take it unto Himself; and my body to the earth, receiving such comely burial as shall seem convenient to my hereafter appointed executor.

Second, I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son John Twiford one shilling sterling and no more, to him and his heirs forever.

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