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.

V. Fifth Generation — Francis B.C. 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 B.C. Turpin inherited "Rehoboth" from his father, Francis Turpin, who had purchased it in 1812. Mary Adeline Smoot was born in 1816.

Francis B.C. 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 one.

In the 1850 Census, Francis B.C. 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, which were common before the twentieth century. On August 18, 1852, the child also died.

On August 7, 1852, Francis B.C. Turpin married his second wife, Arietta Caroline Smith. They had two children.

Francis B.C. 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. Turpin and First Wife, Mary Adeline Smoot

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. Paul's Methodist Church.
2. Elizabeth Ann Turpin, born July 22, 1835. She married William Druray. They had at least one child, William Winfield Druray, who 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 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 Ross in 1870. They had four children: Charles Winfred Turpin, Mary Caroline Turpin, Bessie Lyie Turpin, and a fourth who 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, 1852; died as an infant on August 18, 1852.

Issue of Francis B.C. Turpin and Second Wife, Arietta Caroline Smith

9 & 10. Francis B.C. and Arietta had two children. Details are not recorded in this account.

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