At some point between 1977 and 1980 while I was a student at Lee College (Cleveland, TN), I learned that I had a great-great aunt living in the Knoxville / Oak Ridge area who was approaching 100 years of age. Her name was "Laura"--"Aunt Laura" Turpin (1881-1982).The television mini-series, Roots, had already inspired me to begin digging for my own family roots, so my close proximity to this newly discovered relative provided a great opportunity to initiate my own genealogical search.
To place Laura's own story into historical context, she was born March 1, 1881, the daughter of Serelda Turpin. Serelda was the daughter of James and Jerusha Turpin, and James was the son of Martin and Elizabeth (Russell) Turpin. (Martin was the first of our Turpins to settle in East Tennessee sometime between 1796 and 1805.)
"I'm ninety-nine years old!" Laura began in my first interview with her. Then she proceeded with the telling of stories that would answer many of my questions and stir up many new ones.
Prior to meeting Laura, all I knew was that my grandfather's name was King Turpin, that his father's name was King, and that his father's name might have been King as well. Laura opened a whole new world to me, introducing me to two additional generations of family history.
It was from Laura that I learned that her mother's name was "Rildy," or "Serelda." With King Turpin, Sr. (my great grandfather) being her brother, that meant that Serelda was my great-great grandmother. Regarding Serelda, Laura said, "You see, my mother [Serelda] never was married. She just stayed around here with these rich folks and had children by them."
Laura went on to inform me that their father's name was King Christenberry. (While I have found a great deal of evidence supporting the claim that King Christenberry was the father of her brother, King Turpin, Sr., I have not found the same degree of support for the claim that Mr. Christenberry fathered Laura and her other brother, Frank.)
Laura shared with me many stories about her life that I will include in upcoming updated versions of this post.
Today a number of people at Solway Church of God in Solway, Tennessee still remember Laura Turpin and her brother, Frank. I will include their stories in updated versions of this post as well.
A Chronology of Laura Turpin's Life:
- March 1, 1881: Born in Tennessee, the daughter of Serelda Turpin and King Christenberry.
- 1906 or 1907: At 25 or 26 years of age, she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit at home during a time when revival had broken out at Chandlers View Baptist Church. Sam C. Perry, who had been impacted by the Azusa Street Revival in California, was ministering there. (Source: Randy Tinch)
- 1907: Her brother, Frank Turpin, purchased 8 1/2 acres in Hardin Valley where both she and Frank would live.
- 1909: We know that Laura was married to Henry Dunaway during this time, but we do not yet know the exact year of their marriage.
- November 16, 1909: At 28 years of age, she gave birth to a son--William Sherman Dunaway. (Source: Randy Tinch)
- March 28, 1913: A strong earthquake shock centered at Knoxville was felt over an area of 7,000 square kilometers in eastern Tennessee. "Two shocks were felt in many places. Movable objects were overthrown, and bricks fell from chimneys. A number of false alarms were set off at fire stations. Buildings throughout the city shook violently. The Knox County Courthouse, a massive brick structure, trembled noticeably. People outdoors experienced a distinct rise and fall in the ground; there were some cases of nausea." (Source: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ regional/ states/ tennessee/ history.php)
- 1913: The founding of Providence Church of God--later known as Solway Church of God (Solway, Knox County, Tennessee). A man by the last name of Kirby donated the land for the building. According to Jake Popejoy, a former pastor of the church, Laura and Frank were charter members.
- 1924: her aunt, Mary Elizabeth Turpin Potter, died in Custer County, Oklahoma.
- September 27, 1926: Laura's mother, Serelda, died of cancer at the age of 75 in Frank and Laura (siblings) Turpin's home in Hardin Valley. Serelda (Rildia) was buried in the Providence Church of God cemetery.
- October 27, 1926: Laura's aunt, Amada (Mandy), died at home (where Serelda, Laura and Frank had lived as well). She suddenly spun around and around in the floor, suffering from both a heart attack and a broken blood vessel in her head. They managed to get her to bed, but within a short time she was dead. She was 78 years old. Amanda was buried in the Providence (Solway) Church of God cemetery.
- March 29, 1933: Laura's brother, King Turpin, died in Knoxville and was buried in the Providence Church of God cemetery in Solway.
- August / September, 1934: A revival took place that led to the reorganizing and reopening of Providence Church of God after it had been shut down for some time.
- November 4, 1934: The reorganizing and reopening of Providence Church of God after it had been shut down for some time. Laura Turpin and her brother, Frank, were instrumental in the reopening of the church.
- August 4, 1951: Laura's brother, Frank Turpin, died.
- 1956: The name of Providence Church of God was changed to Solway Church of God.
- April 12, 1979: The day I (Randy Turpin) first met Aunt Laura.
- 1980: My second and last visit with Aunt Laura.
- November 1, 1982: Laura Turpin died and was buried in the cemetery at Solway Church of God.
