A Visit to McDowell County

In the fall of 2018, I had the opportunity to revisit my childhood home--McDowell County, West Virginia. The Turpin family's connection with this area began in 1932.

In 1932, King Turpin, Jr. moved to McDowell County with his wife, Nellie, and their children. They settled in the Kimball area. The Turpins stayed in the home of Charlie and Bertha Gary, but they spent a lot of time at William Church's home on Rock House Mountain. Not long after their arrival, Nellie died from giving birth to twins, who also died within thirty days of their mother's death.

Before the end of 1932, King married Bertha Lee Church, the daughter of William Church. Almost a year later, Bertha gave birth to my father, Jim Turpin. A more detailed account is given in my book entitled, A Man Called King.

Most of Jim's childhood memories were of life on Rock House Mountain. He lived there, other places and Laurel Hollow (above Carswell Hollow) up to the time of his marriage to Betty Turpin in 1954. Jim and Betty's second home was in Carswell, and that was my first childhood home after my birth in 1958.

The following video features highlights from my quick 2018 tour of Welch, Kimball and Carswell.

A Visit to Somerset, Kentucky

In 1792, Martin Turpin (my 5th great-grandfather, and son of Solomon Turpin) and his family moved from Gap Valley, Virginia to Madison County, Kentucky. By the time he applied for his Revolutionary War pension, he was living in Pulaski County, Kentucky.

In 2018, while preparing for a road trip to West Virginia, I noticed that I would be driving through Somerset, Kentucky--the county seat of Pulaski County. Remembering that Martin had lived in this area, I Googled "Martin Turpin Kentucky" and found a Kentucky Kindred Genealogy article entitled, "Revolutionary War Soldiers of Pulaski County" (hopefully the link is still active). In this article, a monument at the Pulaski County courthouse is featured, and on its plaque the name "Martin Turpin" is included in a list of Revolutionary War veterans. I made my plans to stop to see this marker, and the following video tells about that visit.

2018 Discoveries Near Knoxville

While on a business trip through Tennessee, it occurred to me that I was passing very close to some sites of potential significance to the Turpin family story. I took the time to stop.

My first stop was at the location of "Loveville" and Campbell Station. Martin Turpin settled in this area when he was fourteen years old. My second stop was at Southwest Point--the check-in station where Martin Turpin's flotilla likely stopped in 1796 after having traveled from Virginia on the Clinch River. The following two videos tell the story of these on-site investigations in early January of 2018.

A Visit to Loveville and Campbell Station



A Visit to Southwest Point

Ancestry.com DNA Results

I have just received my Ancestry.com DNA results, and here is my reaction video. The only surprise is that there is no DNA evidence for my Cherokee ancestry. All that means is that those genes did not get passed down to me. It does not necessarily mean that there is no Cherokee ancestry in this family line. Hopefully other Turpins in this family line will take the Ancestry.com DNA test; their results may indicate the Native American connection.




If this video does not display correctly in your browser, go to https://youtu.be/ThRHUtWqFgo.

In Search of Lafferty's Fort

If this video does not display correctly in your browser, go to https://youtu.be/U28NbykcLds.

Turpin Family History Books by Dr. Randy Turpin

In Search of Martin Turpin: A Family History Quest. Thousands of Turpins are historically connected to one lone teenage boy floating down the Clinch River in the year 1798. The boy's name was Martin Turpin. He originated out of Virginia, and he entered Tennessee on a raft. Martin Turpin was the first of the East Tennessee Turpins.

That was all that was known about Martin, until nearly two centuries later when the author went searching for him. Part One of this book is the written account of that quest. Part Two is the story of Martin Turpin's life.

Martin Turpin's story begins with a pre-history reaching back to the days when the Turpins were Vikings. From Norway they invaded France, and from France they joined William the Conqueror in the conquest of England. From England they settled in colonial Maryland, and then they pioneered Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.

Although this book was written to satisfy the genealogical curiosities of Turpin family researchers, it also serves as a valuable resource for students of colonial and post-colonial American history.

Paperback: 268 pages
ORDER NOW - Paperback Edition -- $14.95 
ORDER NOW - Kindle Edition -- $2.99 

DeclarationPress.com.

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A Man Called King: The Life and Legacy of King Turpin, Jr. This book would make a great gift for any of King's children, grandchildren, great grandchildren or great-great grandchildren.It would also be of interest to students of Appalachian culture, to Turpin family history researchers (especially those who are focused on the East Tennessee Turpins) and  to members of the Solway Church of God. The book contains much information about King's Aunt Laura--one of the charter members of the Solway church.

The book is 234 pages long, and the list price is $14.95. Orders may be placed at DeclarationPress.com.


Book Description:

What difference can one life make? Born in 1903 as the son of a wanderer in East Tennessee, King Turpin, Jr.’s childhood was everything but stable. However, an encounter with God’s grace instantaneously transformed his life, and for the remainder of his days, faithfulness to the God who had saved him became his highest ambition.

This narrative is based on the memories and stories of the people who knew King and is informed by thirty years of research conducted by his grandson, J. Randolph Turpin, Jr. The book contains enlightening descriptions of King’s life as a vagrant in the Tennessee River Valley, as a cotton mill worker in Knoxville, as a miner in Kentucky, Arizona and West Virginia, and as a farmer-miner-preacher in the Appalachian mountain region. It is a story filled with amazing incidents of faith in the midst of hardships and dramatic manifestations of God’s power in the midst of impossibilities. The story of King Turpin, Jr. demonstrates the significance of a life devoted to God.

Although this book was written as a tribute to King Turpin with the intent of inspiring faith in God, it also contains valuable information for researchers exploring Appalachian culture and the history of other East Tennessee Turpins.

Paperback: 234 pages
ORDER HERE - Paperback Edition -- $14.95 

DeclarationPress.com

Descendants of Isaac Turpin

I have recently heard from a descendant of Isaac Turpin, son of Martin Turpin and Elizabeth Russell. She is Lisa Brock of Clinton, Tennessee.  According to Lisa Brock, she is the daughter of Elmira Letisha Cagley, son of Lydia Alice Thacker (who married George Isaac Cagley), daughter of Sarah Clementine Turpin (who married Elias Bragg Thacker), daughter of Isaac Turpin. That makes Lisa the great-great granddaughter of Isaac. [The photo to the left of Sarah Clementine Turpin, daughter of Isaac Turpin, has been provided by Lisa Brock.]   Lisa reports: First, according to a court document, Isaac Turpin owned land that adjoined Amos Thacker in 1869.  It was located on Chestnut Ridge in the 15th district of Roane County, Tennessee. The second document I have is a marriage bond for Isaac's son, William H. who married Nancy Crawford in 1877 in Roane County, Tennessee. This marriage bond was signed by William Turpin and Isaac Turpin.

Obituary of Henry Turpin, Jr.

I never knew Henry Turpin, but I do have a great deal of interest in any of these Kentucky Turpins. Our East Tennessee Turpins and many Kentucky Turpins share a common ancestry, descending from Solomon Turpin in Gap Valley, Virginia in the late 1700s. Simply stated, Henry Turpin is probably a distant cousin.

Henry Turpin Jr., 78
Turpin, Vice & Fritz Funeral Home

Not Specified — Henry Turpin Jr., 78, of Waco, husband of 55 years to Betty Lou Thomas Turpin, died Monday, April 19, 2010, in his home.

Mr. Turpin was born March 14, 1932, in Estill County, Ky., the son of the late Charles Henry and Nora Bell Hatton Turpin. Mr. Turpin was a member of the Waco Nazarene Church and was dedicated to his family. He was a veteran of the Korean War where he served four years in the U.S. Marines. Mr. Turpin loved to play bluegrass music. He retired from IBM after 30 years of service and he was a member of the Masonic Order.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Turpin is survived by: four daughters, Debra Clark (Carl), JoAnn Hedges (Larry), Paula Elkins (Scott) and Cheryl Casteel (Joel), all of Waco; four brothers, Eugene Turpin (Charlotte) of Richmond, James Turpin (Betty), Forest Turpin (Faye) and Johnny Turpin (Brenda), all of Waco; two sisters, Catherine Kaylor and Christine Gentry, both of Waco; eight grandchildren, Bobbi Agee of Irvine, Crystal Hedges of Richmond, Matthew Agee (Harley) of Beattyville, Ky., Aaron Bryan of Indianapolis, Ind., Heather Hedges of Waco and Travis Casteel (Sarah) of Berea, Jerred Elkins and Jessica Hunt, both of Richmond; and three great-grandchildren, Chelsea, Brittany and Andiria Agee, all of Waco.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Turpin was preceded in death by: one brother, Charles Turpin; and one sister, Eva Jo Turpin Schoenrock.

Funeral services for Mr. Turpin will be conducted at 11 a.m., Thursday, April 22, 2010, at Turpin, Vice & Fritz Funeral Home with Pastor Bob Mills and Bro. Kenneth Bishop officiating. Burial will follow in Turpin Cemetery in Estill County.

Pallbearers will be Matthew Agee, Aaron Bryan, Travis Casteel, Larry Hedges, Scott Elkins, Carl Clark and Joel Casteel. Honorary pallbearers will be Earl Barnes and John and Sally Congleton. Visitation will be from 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, 2010, at the funeral home, with a Masonic service at 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to: the Compassionate Care Center, 350 Isaacs Ln., Richmond, KY 40475.

www.TurpinViceFritz.com

[Source: http://richmondregister.com/obituaries/x563626324/Henry-Turpin-Jr-78 ]

More Martin Turpin Speculation

We are still trying to make sense of why Martin Turpin would show up in Knox County, Tennessee in 1805 (the year that he married Elizabeth Russell in Knox County at 22 years of age) with no other Turpins in sight. Many hold that he was the first of two sons named Martin born to Martin Turpin of Gap Valley, Virginia. The rest of the Gap Valley Turpins ended up in Kentucky. How did our Martin get separated from the rest of the family and end up in East Tennessee?

Could it be that our Martin Turpin had become legally obligated to accompany some other family in their move from Virginia to Tennessee? Could it be that as a minor he had been placed under the legal guardianship of another family?

On May 2, 1797, a person named Martin Turpin was "bound to David Love" for purposes yet unknown in Montgomery County, Virginia. [Source: Lewis Preston Summers' Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, vol. 1. Johnson City, Tennessee: The Overmountain Press, p. 868.] If this person was in fact our Martin Turpin, he would have been about 14 years old at this time.

There was a David Love born on March 25, 1763 in Augusta County, Virginia who married a Mary Draper on July 9, 1784 in Montgomery County, Virginia. [Source: familysearch.org] If this David Love is the same one to whom Martin Turpin was bound, Love would have been 34 years old at the time. According to Judi K. Ramsey, (Lakewood, California), David Love died April 3, 1827 in Maury County, Tennessee (Middle Tennessee). [Source: familysearch.org]

David Love's father was Joseph Love who settled at Campbell's Station (west of present-day Knoxville) in 1798 and died November 10 (or October 11), 1804 in Knox County, Tennessee. [Source: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=1940love&id=I0373 ]  Worth Ray's Tennessee Cousins notes that Joseph Love was Sheriff of Knox County and that David Love was Deputy Sheriff of Joseph Love of Knox County [Page 230].


If this is the family to whom Martin Turpin was bound, then it is conceivable that Martin moved with the Love family to Knox County. In 1805 Martin Turpin married Elizabeth Russell.

Did Martin Turpin move to Knox County, Tennessee with the Love family?

Obituary of Virginia N. Turpin Burks

The following is the obituary for my father's half-sister, Virginia N. Turpin Burks. Some of the information given is not accurate.


Burks, Virginia N.
Homemaker

Virginia N. Burks, 69, formerly of South Sandusky Street, died at 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000, in the Autumnwood Care Center, where she had been a resident since Feb. 1, 1998.

She was born June 12, 1931, in Miami, Ariz., to the late King and Nellie (Griggs) Turpin. Her step-mother, Bertha Green, survives. On Oct. 1, 1948, in Pikesville, Ky., she married Curtis Burks, who also survives.

Other survivors include: six sons, Allen Burks of Harriman, Tenn., Jerry Burks of Pemberville, Jack Burks of Tiffin, Joe Burks of Bloomville, Rick Burks of Sandusky and Randy Burks of Fostoria; 19 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; six half-brothers, Jim Turpin of Princeton, W.Va., Robert Turpin of Burgoon, Melvin and Doug Turpin, both of Fostoria, Wayne Turpin of Kansas, Ohio and Roger Turpin of Fremont; a sister, Pauline Davis of Virginia; and five half-sisters, Kathryn Graham of Kansas, Alice Hatfield of Findlay, Teresa Halcomb of Gibsonburg, Linda Halcomb of Fremont and Sandra Turpin of Alabama.

A brother, Jack Turpin, also is deceased.

Mrs. Burks, a homemaker, was a member of the Pentecostal Church.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday in the Turner-Engle Funeral Home, with the Rev. Thomas Ramsey officiating. Interment will be in Seneca Memory Gardens.

Visitation is 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. today and one hour before the service Friday at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the family.

Source: http://www.fostoria.org/CalBits/Obituaries/archive/2000/a_b.html#47

Various Notes about the Life of Laura Turpin

Over the years I have collected various notes about the life of Laura Turpin:

Laura was among the first to receive the Pentecostal blessing in the Hardin Valley region.  To this day many remember her as one of the godliest women they have ever known.  Everybody knew her affectionately as "Aunt Laura."

Reverend Bobby Scott recalls his association with Aunt Laura during the 1960's when he served as the minister of youth at Solway Church of God:

You won't find a more godly woman on the earth. When she stood to testify, she would speak no more than ten words, and the Spirit of God would fall on the congregation.

She was very supportive of the youth ministry. She was always praying for me.

Many times when the Holy Ghost would come upon her, she would start walking the church floor swinging her hands.  Her experience with God affected every facet of her worship as well as her daily life.

Charolette Hinshaw adds, "She was a blessed Saint of God. I can see her walking up and down the aisle of the church clapping her hands ever so gently and just saying, 'Wooo wooo wooo.' As she would pass by you, the power of God could be felt coming from her."

She and her brother, Frank, attended the Church of God at Solway, about four miles from their home.  She would visit the sick and go from house to house inviting people to church.  For years to come long-time residents of the valley would recall seeing the light of Laura's lantern at night, knowing that she was about doing the work of the Lord.

Wherever one found Laura, Frank was usually there as well.

Laura and Frank would leave home for the Sunday evening service at about 4:00 p.m.; the service started at 7:00 p.m.  They would cross the field from their house there on the edge of Hardin Valley, walk about a mile down Steele Road, ford Beaver Creek or take a boat across when the water was up (later a swinging foot
bridge was added), walk about a mile down Swafford Road, take a turn onto Guinn Road and finally end up on Solway Road where the church is located.  It was a total distance of about four miles.

One of the early preachers for the Church of God, George Britt, recalls Laura letting him ride her mule to church along this route when he had come to do some special revival services there at Solway.  She and Frank still walked, but they insisted that Brother Britt ride the mule because he had been feeling ill.

In the late 1930s the doors of the church closed.  Laura and Frank came anyway.  They came to the empty church to pray.  One time while they were praying, the Holy Ghost came upon one of them and a message came forth in tongues.  The interpretation followed:  "This church will grow, and it will become greater than it has ever been before.  Great and mighty things will become of this church."  In 1942 a pastor finally came, and from that point onward the church began to progress.  [These dates need to be verified.]

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Aunt Laura "Robbed" of Her Childhood Home

It probably happened in the 1890s--at some point after King Christenberry's death.  Serelda Turpin and her children (King, Frank, Laura and perhaps others) experienced what Laura Turpin has described as "the worst robbin' case I've ever heard tell of."

Serelda and her children lived in several different places, and it seems that for awhile King Christenberry (and perhaps one or two other wealthy men) supplied Serelda and her children with whatever they needed. "We had money as far as that went," Laura recalls. However, in one single day their situation drastically changed.

The two boys, King and Frank, had begun to work, and Serelda had helped them get their jobs which paid $5 per week for both of them combined. Times were hard. It was difficult for a white man to get a job that would pay much because the freed slaves would work for so little pay.

Serelda and her children were able to move into a house owned by a wealthy man near the place where the boys were working. One day after King and Frank had only worked a week or two, they went to pick up their pay. A man named "Avery Crabapples" [the name has not yet been verified] saw them getting paid, and he followed them home. When he reached the house, he told their mother that she would have to give him the money that her boys had brought home. He took their money and said, "You'ns will have to move from here! You'll have to leave the house and leave everything, and go right now!" In Laura's words, "He broke a hickory, and the children that couldn't walk much way, he whooped them and made them move."

Avery Crabapples drove the Turpins away from the house and deep into the woods. They spent the whole night in the woods, and the next morning they ventured back toward the house. When they arrived back at the house, everything had been taken, and Avery Crabapples had taken over the house. Serelda and her children were left homeless.

When Laura Turpin provided me with this account, she closed by saying, "Avery Crabapples was his name. That was the worst robbin' case I've ever heard tell of. I've heard tell of them robbin' people to get their money, but they ain't ever taken the house with them.... Well, I hope he's in heaven. I tell you, people have got to do awful good to get there. You really have to do good."

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A Directory to Articles about Laura Turpin

The following are a few of the articles posted about Laura Turpin, daughter of Serelda Turpin:

• "Aunt Laura" Turpin
• Laura Turpin's Walk to Church
• Randy Tinch Recalls the Days of Laura Turpin
• A Visit to Solway Church of God
• Return to Hardin Valley
• Aunt Laura "Robbed" of Her Childhood Home
• Various Notes about the Life of Laura Turpin

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Randy Tinch Recalls the Days of Laura Turpin

Over the past several days I have received three Facebook messages from a gentleman I have never met in person.  His name is Randy Tinch, and he knew my great-great-aunt, Laura Turpin, personally.  Here is a compilation of the stories that he tells:

My wife Sharon and I were saved in Solway Church of God [located in Solway, Knox County, Tennessee] in March 1971 and knew Aunt Laura Turpin quite well. I would spend time at Aunt Laura's tiny home when she lived on Dogwood Road just a short distance from Solway Church of God.  I would go there several times a week just to talk with her about the Lord, about sanctification and the Holy Ghost.

Sometimes the presence of God would become so strong in her house that it was overwhelming. She shared a lot of stories about things the Lord did for her and Frank.  [Frank was Laura's brother.]

One story was about a light that came to them one night as they were returning home from church, when they lived at the old home place on the other side of Beaver Creek. They had walked across the old mill dam without a light.  Once they reached the other side, because of the woods it became so dark they couldn't see how to go on. So Laura and Frank knelt down and prayed for the Lord to help them. When they finished praying, she said a light came to them.

She said it wasn't a bright light, but it was bright enough for them to see how to go on up the creek, cross a fence, and then it went with them until  they reached an old wagon road that went from the creek up to the old home place. The light remained at the bottom of the hill  as they walked on up the hill. When they reached the top, the light vanished.

Laura said she knew the Lord sent that light to help them.  I asked her to tell me that story over and over.  I never got tired of hearing about it.

A few weeks before she died as I visited her in the nursing home, she laid her hand on me and prayed for me. Over the years, I have known, been around, and been prayed for by people such as Rod Parsley, Jesse Duplantis, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Billye Brim, T. L. Lowery and a few others, but when Aunt Laura laid her hand on me--just skin and bone--that probably had the greatest impact on my life.

I asked Randy Tinch if he knew when Laura came to faith in Christ.  Here was his response:

I don't remember when she was saved, but she received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at home.

A revival had broken out at Chandlers View Baptist Church which was located in what is now the Solway Methodist Church cemetery.  A sister by the name of Anna Cagley had received the baptism of the Holy Spirit which caused quite a stir in the church.

[Anne Cagley was born August 25, 1893 and died December 13, 1961.  She is buried at Solway Methodist Church cemetery.  Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/tn/knox/cemeteries/solway.txt]

Others, including Laura, began praying and asking the Lord to do the same for them. Laura said they began to pray and ask the Lord to send someone to the church that knew something about this experience.

In a short period of time after they began to pray, Sam C. Perry, who had just received the baptism at the Azusa Street revival, got off the train there at the Solway depot.  Without anyone knowing him and without him knowing them, he walked into the Chandler View Church and began to preach about the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Laura said she was so hungry for the Lord but did not receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit at church.

She had gone home after one of the services and had gotten behind the front door to pray.  As she was praying, she was filled with the Holy Spirit.

She said the Lord led her to either a piano or organ they had in the home, and she played and sang in tongues.

Aunt Laura's testimony was always, "I thank the Lord I am saved, sanctified, and filled with the Holy Ghost with the Bible evidence of speaking in tongues."  I heard that many many times during Wednesday night testimony services.

When I asked Randy Tinch when this encounter with the Holy Spirit took place, he responded with this note:

The year was probably around 1906 or 1907.  [Note that the Azusa Street Revival began in April of 1906.]  Sam C. Perry had returned from Azusa Street back to his home in Fort Myers, Florida and started preaching the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  He had preached his way up into Tennessee when he came to the church Laura and Frank Turpin attended.

Sam C. Perry became a Church of God minister.  I understand that he came back to that church many times. There is a lot of information about him in the history of the Church of God--Like A Mighty Army.  He had apparently gone to Azusa Street in 1906, came back and was preaching about the experience. I would assume that he came to where Laura was in the latter part of 1906 or first part of 1907.  So, it was during that time frame that she received the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

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The Life of Solomon Turpin: A Chronology

The following is the beginning of a chronology for the life of a Solomon Turpin--possibly an ancestor of the East Tennessee Turpins.

• October 16, 1765: A payment was made to Solomon Turpin from the sale of the Robert Harrison estate. [Source: http:// freepages. genealogy. rootsweb. ancestry.com/ ~newman/ virginia.htm ]

• November 8, 1774:  Solomon Turpin (along with Edward Carvin, Moses Higgenbotham, John Henley and Henry Smith) were ordered to view the several ways from Robert Caldwell's near Craigs Creek Mountain / Potts Creek Mountains to Sweet Springs. He, along with the others, were to report to the next court. [Source: Ann Bruxh Miller, Botetourt County Road Orders, 1770-1778, Charlottesville, Virginia, 2007]

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Joshua King Christenberry's Grave Located

After years of searching, on June 23, 2009 my daughter, Miranda, and I finally located the grave site of Joshua King Christenberrry.

Below are two videos related to this find. The first was recorded with a video camera, and the second was uploaded from my mobile phone at the time that we made the discovery. In both videos I erroneously state that Joshua King Christenberry was my "great-great-great-grandfather." Actually, one of those "greats" can be dropped; he was my "great-great-grandfather"--the father of King Turpin who was the father of "Little King" Turpin (my grandfather).

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A Famous First Cousin, One Time Removed

I just discovered that I have a somewhat famous first cousin, one time removed. Her name is Amanda Jane Raby Pearson.

Amanda is the daughter of Rosie/Rosa Bell Turpin who married Charles Raby, and Rosie was the daughter of my great-grandfather, King Turpin, and his first wife, Sarah Morrow.

I first heard about Amanda through my great-aunt, Laura Turpin. Aunt Laura told me that she had a niece who had seven sets of twins plus several other children! However, she never told me the name of the niece, and I did not understand her significant place in history until today.

According to Time Magazine's website, with the birth of Amanda's seventh consecutive set of twins on July 21, 1961, she broke the U.S. record for consecutive births of twins.

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"Aunt Laura" Turpin

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.

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Martin Turpin of Anderson County, Tennessee

A major concern in my research has been to form a more complete picture of the life of Martin Turpin (b: abt. 1783 in VA)--the first of our Turpins to settle in East Tennessee. On the basis of what we know thus far, we can construct the following timeline for Martin Turpin's life:

• Abt. 1783: born in Virginia.

• 1783: end of the Revolutionary War.
  

• (?) Abt. 1783 - unknown date: may have lived in Gap Valley, Virginia--present-day Gap Mills, West Virginia [connection with the Gap Valley Turpins uncertain]

• (?) March 1783: land dispute at Second Creek between William West and a man who was possibly Martin's father--Martin Turpin. [Source: http:// files.usgwarchives.org/ wv/ greenbrier/ court/ record1.txt citing The History of Monroe County West Virginia, by Oren F. Morton, B. Lit., Originally Published: Staunton, Virginia, 1916, Reprinted, Regional Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1988, pages 68-78.]

• (?) 1783-1785: a woman who was possibly his mother, Agnes, either died or was divorced from a man who was possibly Martin's father--Martin Turpin.

• (?) March 8, 1785: when our Martin was about 2 years old, a man who was possibly his father, a Martin Turpin, married Nancy Jane Fleming at Linville Creek in Rockingham County, Virginia (or Richmond, Virginia). (Source: familysearch.org)

• (?) June 16, 1785: when our Martin was about 2 years old, a man who was possibly his father, a Martin Turpin, was "placed under bond for good behavior for a year and a day." [Source: http:// files.usgwarchives.org/ va/ botetourt/ court/ minutes129gwl.txt citing Annals Of S W Virginia, June 1785. Botetourt County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Court, Minutes, County Court June 1785.]

• (?) 1785: when our Martin was about 2 years old, the elder Martin (possibly our Martin's father) and his wife, Nancy, had a son named James.
  

• (?) 1786: when our Martin was about 3 years old, it is noted that the elder Martin (possibly our Martin's father) had 1 slave, 2 horses and 3 head of cattle.

• (?) 1788: when our Martin was about 5 years old, the elder Martin (possibly our Martin's father) and Nancy had a daughter named Tabitha. (Some records show the name as Talitha.)
  

• (?) Bef June 29, 1789: recorded on this date, some of Solomon Turpin's (possibly our Martin's deceased grandfather) land was conveyed to his son, Martin, who may have been our Martin's father.
  

• (?) Aft. June 29, 1789: when our Martin was about 6 years old, Solomon's son, Martin (possibly our Martin's father), sold out along with several other Gap Valley Turpins (i.e., Moses, James, Solomon, Jr., Aaron).

• (?) 1790: when our Martin was about 7 years old, the elder Martin (possibly our Martin's father) and Nancy had a son named Martin, giving the senior Martin two sons bearing his name.

• (?) Bef. July 31, 1792: when our Martin was about 9 years old, recorded on this date, a land transaction showing a Martin (possibly our Martin's father) and wife Agness (or Agnes--possibly our Martin's mother) Turpin selling 147 acres for 5 shillings to William Haynes. This transaction probably took place prior to 1785. (The land was part of the Solomon Turpin survey on the head of Second Creek adjacent to David Johnston.)

• Time Gap: 1792-1805: transition from Virginia to Tennessee.

• (?) 1792: when our Martin was about 9 years old, the man who may have been his father, Martin Turpin, moved to Madison County, Kentucky in 1792--the same year in which Kentucky became a state. (This elder Martin later moved to Garrard County, Kentucky and then to Pulaski county, Kentucky.) [Source: http:// jwebber.tripod.com /pafdata/ pafn197.htm]

• May 2, 1797: A person named Martin Turpin was "bound to David Love" for purposes yet unknown in Montgomery County, Virginia. [Source: Lewis Preston Summers' Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, vol. 1. Johnson City, Tennessee: The Overmountain Press, p. 868.] Our Martin Turpin would have been about 14 years old at this time. (See "More Martin Turpin Speculation")

• 1792-1800?: the elder Martin Turpin (possibly our Martin's father) moved from Madison County, Kentucky to Pulaski County, Kentucky. [1800 Census as cited at http:// jwebber.tripod.com/ pafdata/ pafn197.htm.]

• May 2 1797 - 1798?: at 14 or 15 years of age [based on the possibility of the aforementioned Love family connection], entered Tennessee by raft on the Clinch River [according to oral tradition].

• 1798: Martin may have settled at Campbell's Station with the Love family. David Love's father was Joseph Love who settled at Campbell's Station (west of present-day Knoxville) in 1798. [Source: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=1940love&id=I0373 ]  Worth Ray's Tennessee Cousins notes that Joseph Love was Sheriff of Knox County and that David Love was Deputy Sheriff of Joseph Love of Knox County [Page 230].

• 1800: when Martin was about 19 years old, the elder Martin Turpin (who may have been our Martin's father) lived in Pulaski County, Kentucky. [1800 Census as cited at http:// jwebber.tripod.com/ pafdata/ pafn197.htm.]
  

• 1803?: when Martin was about 22 years old, Andrew Russell (possibly the father of Martin's soon-to-be wife) had come from Virginia to visit his son, Matthew, in Knox County and died there. [Source: http:// joepayne.org/ houston.htm citing Dorthy Day Gillespie, "Biref History of the Family of William Gillespei, Sr. (1734-1826)", in Ther Heritage, 20th Anniversary (Hot Spring County, AR: Hot Spring Historical Society), vol. XV, 1988, p. 35-47.] [This Matthew Russell, Martin Turpin's brother-in-law, may have been the same Matthew Russell noted as the first known settler in the Concord, TN area (1787). He settled on land granted by the government for serving in the Revolutionary War. Source: http:// www.knoxcotn.org/ knoxcotn/ 2001/ knoxcodigestv1_182.htm and Centennial history of First Baptist Church, Concord (published in 1991).]
  

• 1803: "The Last Will and Testament of Andrew Russell" of Augusta County, Virginia was probated in Knox County, Tennessee. Elizabeth Russell (possibly the same Elizabeth as the soon-to-be the wife of Martin Turpin) is listed as his daughter, possibly implying the Russell family's presence in Knox County in 1803. [Worth Ray, Tennessee Cousins, a History of Tennessee People, 212]

• October 28, 1805: At about 22 years of age, Martin Turpin married Elizabeth Russell in Knox County, Tennessee. The marriage certificate was signed by both Martin Turpin and James Scarborough. (Eleven years later in a court record dated October 14, 1816, both James Scarborough/Scarbro and Martin are listed as workers on a road. Source: Anderson County Tennessee Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Minutes, 1814-1819, page 111.)

• Time Gap: 1805-1812?: transition from Knox County to Anderson County.

• 1805-1812?: moved from Knox County to Anderson County, Tennessee.

• Abt. 1807: At about 24 years of age, Martin's son, James Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1809: At about 26 years of age, Martin's son, William Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1811: At about 28 years of age, Martin's son, David Turpin, was born.

• 1812: At about 29 years of age, Martin Turpin was drafted to serve as a Private in the East Tennessee Militia, 5th Regiment (Col. E. Booth's Regiment; Capt. Richard Marshall is also noted in the record). However, the record shows that he was "discharged for inability." (Source: Noted by Barbara Oliver. Also Sarah Turpin citing listing from Tennesseans in War of 1812, page 503.)

• Abt. 1812: At about 29 years of age, Martin Turpin's son, Thomas Turpin, was born.

• Oct. 12, 1812: At about 29 years of age, Martin Turpin was appointed as a juror in Anderson County, Tennessee.

• Oct. 13, 1813: At about 30 years of age, Martin Turpin was appointed as a grand juror in Anderson County, Tennessee.

• Abt. 1816: At about 33 years of age, Martin Turpin's son, Martin Turpin, was born.

• October 14, 1816: At about 33 years of age, Martin Turpin, James Scarbro/Scarborough and others were associated with work on a road in Anderson County, Tennessee. (Eleven years earlier on October 28, 1805, James Scarborough signed Martin and Elizabeth's marriage certificate. Source: Anderson County Tennessee Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Minutes, 1814-1819, page 111.)

• Abt. 1819: At about 36 years of age, Martin Turpin's son, Isaac Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1822: At about 39 years of age, Martin Turpin's son, Henry Turpin, was born.

• 1830: according to census, lived in Anderson County (Source: http:// www.geocities.com/ Heartland/ Meadows/ 9081/ 1830AN.html)

• Apr. 26, 1832: When the senior Martin Turpin was about 49 years old, his first grandson, Martin Turpin (son of James Turpin), was born.

• November 12, 1836: When Martin Turpin was about 53 years old, he sold a parcel of land (50 acres located on the north bank of the Clinch River in Anderson County) to Joseph Harden for the sum of $300. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing from Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book I-1, Pg. 253)

• February 6, 1837: When Martin Turpin was about 54 years old, he acquired 300 acres (Anderson County) from the State of Tennessee. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Land Grant No. 712)
  

• 1840: according to the census, lived in Anderson County

• January 4, 1843: A severe earthquake in the Memphis, Tennessee area was strongly felt in Knoxville, caused considerable alarm, but did no damage. (Source:
  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ regional/ states/ tennessee/ history.php)
  

• 1850: according to census, lived in Anderson County

• August 23, 1853: When Martin Turpin was about 70 years old, Abraham J. Hagler and Jacob C. Hagler sold him 100 acres of land for $100 in Anderson County on the side of Chestnut Ridge (on the north side of the Clinch River). (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 564)

• May 28, 1857: At abt. 74 years of age, Martin Turpin gave his son, Henry Turpin, a parcel of land in Anderson County, Tennessee as a gift for Henry living with him and taking care of him in his old age. No acreage amount is mentioned in the record. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book S-1, Pg. 397)

• April 17, 1858: At abt. 75 years of age, Martin Turpin sold William Turpin (son?) 100 acres in Anderson County, Tennessee on the north side of the Clinch River for $165. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book P-1, Pg. 570-572)

• 1858: Martin Turpin appears in the 1858 Tax List for Anderson County owning 200 acres valued at $500. (Source: Sarah Turpin)

• 1858-1859: presumed death at abt. 75-76 years of age. (Source: Sarah Turpin: Martin's widow (Elizabeth) appears in the 1859 Tax List for Anderson County, owning 210 acres valued at $420. Elizabeth also appears in the 1860 census alone.)

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James Turpin of Anderson and Roane Counties

The following is a chronology of the life of James Turpin of Anderson and Roane Counties, Tennessee:

• Abt. 1807: born the son of Martin Turpin and Elizabeth Russell Turpin.

• Abt. 1809: When James was about 2 years old, his brother, William Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1811: When James was about 4 years old, his brother, David Turpin, was born.

• 1812: When James was about 5 years old, his father, Martin Turpin, served in the East Tennessee Militia, 5th Regiment (Booth's Regiment). (Source: Barbara Oliver)

• Abt. 1812: When James was about 5 years old, his brother, Thomas Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1816: When James was about 9 years old, his brother, Martin Turpin, was born.

• 1816: When James was about 9 years old, his father, Martin Turpin, worked on the construction of a road in Anderson County, Tennessee.

• Abt. 1819: When James was about 12 years old, his brother, Isaac Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1822: When James was about 15 years old, his brother, Henry Turpin, was born.

• 1830: The Indian Removal Act was passed.

• Bef. 1832: James' marriage to Jerusha/Jerusa--reportedly a Cherokee woman. Someone has noted that in light of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, James married Jerusha to prevent her removal.
  

• Apr. 26, 1832: When James was about 25 years old, his first son, Martin Turpin, was born.

• 1838: The removal of the Cherokee from the southern Appalachian Mountains began. Someone has noted that when Jerusha's sisters (and possibly other Cherokee family members) were forced to move as a result of the Indian Removal Act, she became imbittered.

• Abt. 1839: When James was about 32 years old, his son, William G. Turpin, was born.

• Abt. 1843: When James was about 36 years old, his son, John Turpin, was born.

• January 4, 1843: A severe earthquake in the Memphis, Tennessee area was strongly felt in Knoxville, caused considerable alarm, but did no damage. (Source:
  http://earthquake.usgs.gov/ regional/ states/ tennessee/ history.php)
  

• July 7, 1845: At the courthouse door in Clinton, Tennessee (Anderson County), as the highest bidder James Turpin purchased 170 acres (the property of Mary Millers' heirs) for the amount of four dollars thirty-three and 3/4 cents (the amount owed in taxes for 1842-1843). (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 593-594)

• August 31, 1847: James sold 75 acres to Harbard H. Crawford for the sum of $100.00. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Deed Book N-1, pgs. 15-16)

• January 1848: When James was about 41 years old, his daughter, Amanda, was born. (Source: Amanda Turpin's tombstone)
  

• March 4, 1851-1853: When James was abt. 44-46 years of age, his daughter, Serelda, was born in Tennessee. (Her tombstone shows a birthyear of 1851, but the 1860 Roane County census shows Serelda as 7 years old.)

• February 1, 1854: James Turpin transfered to his wife, Jerusha, the title of the land previously purchased on July 7, 1845. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 593-594)

• Bef. August 5, 1854: James Turpin acquired/built a new house in Anderson County. (Implied bySarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 588-589)

• August 5, 1854: Samuel C. Young sold James Turpin 33 acres in Anderson County for $20. The parcel was adjacent to James Turpin's newly built house. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 588-589)

• November 6, 1858: James Turpin and wife, Jerusha Turpin, sold William Gallaher 250 ¾ acres in Anderson County, Tennessee on the north side of the Clinch River for $300. The land description seems to indicate that the property had frontage on the river. "This may have been when they moved to Roane County." (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book S-1, Pg. 65 )

• 1858-1860: Presumed death of James' father, Martin Turpin. (James' mother, Elizabeth, appears in the 1860 census alone.) James would have been abt. 51-53 years of age at the time.
  

• August 26, 1860: according to the census, living in Roane County at or near Welcker Mill. (Welcker Mill was located at the confluence of East Fork and Main Poplar Creek adjacent to the present-day site of the K-25 Oak Ridge plant on the northeast side.)
  

• 1861: Tax List shows James Turpin living in Roane County, Tennessee. (Source: Sarah Turpin)

• 1861: At the age of 54, the American Civil War began.

• 1861: His sons, William and John, swam across the Clinch river to escape the Confederates. They walked to Kentucky to join the Union Army.

• August 9, 1861: James' sons, William G. Turpin and John T. Turpin, enlisted in the Union Army, First Regiment, Company K. [Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Tennessee : of the military forces of the state, from 1861 to 1866. Ancestry.com]

• August 21, 1861: James' sons, William G. Turpin and John T. Turpin, mustered for service in the Union Army, First Regiment, Company K. [Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Tennessee : of the military forces of the state, from 1861 to 1866. Ancestry.com]

• June 7, 1862: James Turpin's land in Roane County, Tennessee (75 acres) was valued at $250. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Tax Assessment Lists, 1862-1918, Ancestry.com)

• July 9, 1862: James' brother, Martin, Jr., "died of disease" as Private in Co. K, 1st Regiment, Tennessee during the Civil War. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Ancestry.com, "Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Tennessee; of the military forces of the state from 1861 to 1866")

• 1862-1864: James' death at abt. 55-57 years of age. 1864 Tax List shows James Turpin heirs in Roane County, Tennessee. (Source: Sarah Turpin)
  
  
  
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The Life of Serelda/Rildia Turpin: A Chronology

The beginning of a chronology of the life of Serelda/Rildia Turpin follows:

• March 4, 1851-1853: born in Tennessee, the daughter of James (Jim) Turpin and Jerusa/Jerusha (J'rusy)--a Cherokee. (Her gravestone shows the birth year of 1851, but the 1860 Roane County census shows Serelda as 7 years old.)

• February 1, 1854: When Serelda was 3 years of age or younger, her father, James Turpin, transferred to her mother, Jerusha, the title of the land previously purchased on July 7, 1845. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 593-594)
  

• Bef. August 5, 1854: When Serelda was 3 years of age or younger, her father, James Turpin, acquired/built a new house in Anderson County. (Implied by Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 588-589)

• August 5, 1854: When Serelda was 3 years of age or younger, Samuel C. Young sold her father, James Turpin, 33 acres in Anderson County for $20. The parcel was adjacent to James Turpin's newly built house. (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book Q-1, Pg. 588-589)

• January 25, 1855: When Serelda was almost 4 years old or younger, her brother, Martin Turpin, married Juliann Qualls in Roane County, Tennessee. (Source: familysearch.org)

• November 6 1858: When Serelda was about 5-7 years of age, her parents, James Turpin and Jerusha Turpin, sold William Gallaher 250 ¾ acres in Anderson County, Tennessee on the north side of the Clinch River for $300. The land description seems to indicate that the property had frontage on the river. "This may have been when the family moved to Roane County." (Source: Sarah Turpin citing Anderson County, Tennessee Deed Book S-1, Pg. 65)

• 1858-1860: When Serelda was about 5-9 years old, her grandfather, Martin Turpin, died. (Her grandmother, Elizabeth, appears alone in Anderson County in the 1860 census.)
  

• August 26, 1860: according to the census, living in Roane County at or near Welcker Mill with her parents, James and Jerusa/Jerusha, and her siblings--William (age 21), John (age 17) and Amanda (age 12). (Welcker Mill was located at the confluence of East Fork and Main Poplar Creek adjacent to the present-day site of the K-25 Oak Ridge plant on the northeast side.)

• 1861: Tax List shows her father, James Turpin, living in Roane County, Tennessee. (Source: Sarah Turpin)

• 1861-1864: Death of Serelda's father, James Turpin, when she was abt. 8-13 years of age. 1864 Tax List shows James Turpin heirs in Roane County, Tennessee. (Source: Sarah Turpin)

• 1861: At the age of 8-10, the American Civil War began.

• 1861: Serelda's brother, William, began to incur debts owed to their mother, Jerusa. [Inferred by a court case settled in August 1879. Information provided by Sarah Turpin.]

• 1861: When Serelda was 8-10 years of age, her brothers, William G. Turpin and John Turpin, swam across the Clinch River to escape the Confederates. They walked to Kentucky to join the Union Army.

• August 9, 1861: Serelda's brothers, William G. Turpin and John T. Turpin, enlisted in the Union Army, First Regiment, Company K. [Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Tennessee : of the military forces of the state, from 1861 to 1866. Ancestry.com]

• August 21, 1861: Serelda's brothers, William G. Turpin and John T. Turpin, mustered for service in the Union Army, First Regiment, Company K. [Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Tennessee : of the military forces of the state, from 1861 to 1866. Ancestry.com]

• March 2, 1864: When Serelda was 11-13 years of age, her brother, William, had returned home from the war and married Louisa Isabella Christenberry.

• May 12, 1864: Her brother, William, writes a letter to his wife, Leona Isabella (Chrisenberry) Turpin, from the battlefield in Kingston, Georgia. This was two months after their marriage. In the letter he says, "Isabele, when you rite, tell me how my mother an sisters is gitting along.... John [his brother] sends his best respect to you an all his friends."

• September 1864: Her brother, William, mustered out of the army, having served his term of enlistment. [Source: Mary Morris McCafferty]

• November 8, 1864: When Serelda was 11-13 years of age, her brother, Martin, at age 31/32 enlisted in Anderson County, Tennessee to serve the Union, Seventh Regiment Mounted Infantry, Company I. (Source: http:// www.tngennet.org/ civilwar/ rosters/ minf/ minf7/ coi5.html)

• May 4, 1865: When Serelda was 12-14 years of age, her brother, Martin, at age 32/33 was mustered to serve the Union, Seventh Regiment Mounted Infantry, Company I. (Source: http:// www.tngennet.org/ civilwar/ rosters/ minf/ minf7/ coi5.html) The Seventh Tennessee Mounted Infantry was... organized at Athens, Tennessee and stationed at that point the greater portion of its term of service. It was actively employed in hunting guerrillas, with whom it had frequent engagements. [Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Tennessee : of the military forces of the state, from 1861 to 1866. Ancestry.com]

• 1865: at the age of 12-14, the American Civil War ended.

• June 15, 1865: When Serelda was 12-14 years of age, her brother, Martin, at age 32/33 was discharged from his service to the Union in the Civil War. (Source: http:// www.tngennet.org/ civilwar/ rosters/ minf/ minf7/ coi5.html)

• Time Gap: 1865-1871?: journey west and back.

• 1865-1871?: At some point between the age of 12 and 20, Serelda was taken to Kentucky by Absalom and Elizabeth (her sister) Potter. (According to John Strunk, the Potters' made this move after the Civil War. In 1869 Absalom Potter is shown on the Tax List in Roane County, which may place their departure after 1869. Serelda and Amanda Turpin are absent from the 1870 Anderson County census.)

• 1865-1871?: taken to Kansas or Red Cloud, Nebraska by Absalom and Elizabeth Potter.(Red Cloud, Nebraska was founded in 1871.)

• (?) 1865-1871?: taken to a reservation area in Oklahoma later known as Custer County. (We are not sure that Serelda joined the Potters in this part of the journey.)

• 1865-1871?: At some point between the age of 12 and 20, Serelda returned from the West to Tennessee.

• 1861-1869?: her mother, Jerusa/Jerusha Turpin, gave William Turpin the family land on the condition that he would take care of her until her death. (?) (It may be that Jerusha actually sold him the land and allowed him to make payment arrangements.)

• 1867: Serelda's grandmother, Elizabeth, is still living. Martin Turpin, Sr.'s widow (Elizabeth) is list in the Tax List for Anderson County as owning 105 acres of land valued at $200. (Source: Sarah Turpin)

• August 1869: her brother, William G. Turpin, was murdered by George Hembree over a land boundary dispute. (Source: John Strunk and newspaper article submitted by Sarah Turpin)

• May 26, 1870: The start of a series of court cases in which Serelda's mother, Jerusa, sues the heirs of William G. Turpin (deceased) for the payment of a debt. [Chancery Court Minute Book, Vol. 6 (1867-1870)]
  

• 1871 or earlier: had returned from Oklahoma.

• 1871 or earlier: she and her sister, Amanda, were seduced by a married man. Their promiscuous lifestyle brought a reproach on the family.

• 1871 or earlier: her brother, John, separated himself from the family because of the disgrace she and her sister had brought upon them. John left home walking down the road playing his fiddle.

• 1871?: her brother, John, was caught in a blizzard and died several days later from exposure.

• 1872: When Serelda was between the age of 19 and 21, she had an affair with Joshua King Christenberry, who was about 22 years old at the time.

• November 11, 1872: A compromise was reached on an unnamed matter related to the heirs of William Turpin (deceased) and Serelda's mother, Jerusa. [Chancery Court Minute Book, Vol. 6 (1870-1876). Information provided by Sarah Turpin.]
  

• March 16, 1873/75: at the age of 22/24, gave birth to Joshua King Turpin.

• July-August, 1873: sued Joshua King Christenberry for the support of his child, Joshua King Turpin.

• April 4, 1874: death of Serelda's sister-in-law, Leona Isabel Christenberry--William G. Turpin's widow.
  

• March 16, 1876: Joshua King Christenberry married Annie McKamey.

• 1876: sued Frank Hardin for the support of his child (name of child unknown; possibly Frank Turpin, if Frank).

• October 12, 1876/1877: at the age of 25/26, gave birth to Frank Turpin. (The tombstone shows 1877 as the date of death; however, birthdates on tombstones are not always accurate. The aforementioned 1876 court case may imply 1876 as the birthyear.)

• August 1879: Serelda's mother, Jerusa, sued J. H. Adams--guardian for the heirs of William Turpin--for debts incurred between 1861 and 1879 totaling $500. The court decided in favor of Adams, the defendant. Jerusa appealed the decision but lost. [Information provided by Sarah Turpin]

• December 1879: The State of Tennessee ordered the Sheriff of Roane County to acquire from Serelda's mother, Jerusa, an amount of $21.35 to cover the court costs incurred by J. H. Adams in the previous law suit. [Information provided by Sarah Turpin.]

• March 18, 1880: A search was made of Serelda's mother's home, but insufficient property could be found to cover the debt of $21.35. [Information provided by Sarah Turpin.]
  

• 1880: living in Roane County with her mother--Jerusa/Jerusha, her sister--Amanda, and her children--King, Frank and Caldonia (Laura). (Census)

• Aft. 1880: her mother, Jerusa, died after 1880.

• March 1, 1881: at the age of 30, gave birth to Laura Caldonia Turpin.

• Time Gap: 1881-1895?: she and her children were driven out of their home and became homeless. They spent the first night in the woods. (Source: Laura Turpin)
  

• August 3, 1895: when she was 44 years old, her son, Joshua King Turpin, married Sarah Morrow in Anderson County, Tennessee.

• January 11, 1896: death of Joshua King Christenberry.

• 1902: when she was 49-51 years old, a group photograph was taken in the Wheat community of her brother Martin's family. Her brother Martin and her sister Amanda are in the photograph, but Serelda is not. (Source on date: John Strunk)

• 1905: her brother-in-law (husband of Mary Elizabeth Turpin Potter), Absalom Potter, died in Custer County, Oklahoma.

• 1907: when she was 56 years old, her son, Frank Turpin, purchased 8 1/2 acres in Hardin Valley.

• 1913/1914: the founding of Providence Church of God (Solway Church of God).

• 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)
  

• 1924: her sister, Mary Elizabeth Turpin Potter, died in Custer County, Oklahoma.

• September 27, 1926: died of cancer at the age of 75 in Frank and Laura (siblings) Turpin's home in Hardin Valley.

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The Life of King Turpin: A Chronology

The beginnings of a chronology of the life of King Turpin follows:

• March 16, 1873/1875: born in Tennessee, the son of Serelda Turpin. His biological father was Joshua King Christenberry.

• March 16, 1876: his biological father, Joshua King Christenberry, married Annie McKamey.

• 1876: his mother, Serelda Turpin, sued Frank Hardin for support.
  

• October 12, 1877: birth of his brother, Frank Turpin.
  

• 1880: lived in the home of his grandmother, Jerusa (a.k.a. Jerusha) Turpin in Roane County, Tennessee.

• March 1, 1881: birth of his sister, Laura Turpin.
  

• August 3, 1895: married Sarah Morrow in Anderson County, Tennessee.

• January 11, 1896: death of his father, Joshua King Christenberry, in Roane County.

• March 1898: a daughter, Rose/Rosie/Rosa B., was born to King and Sarah.

• Between 1898 and 1900: Sarah Turpin and her daughter, Rose, were taken to the Anderson County asylum for the poor--the poor farm. (In the 1900 census Sarah and Rose are enumerated with James Garrett at the county asylum.)
  

One Turpin researcher notes that Sarah and King's daughter, Rose/"Rosa Bell," died in 1977. She also notes that Rose married Charles Raby and by that union had a daughter named Amanda Jane Raby (Pearson).

• May 1899: a son, William McKinley Magsley/Magsby, was born to King and Elizabeth Belle Magsley/Magsby.

• 1900: lived in the home of his aunt, Amanda Turpin, in Anderson County, Tennessee. Elizabeth Belle Magsley/Magsby and her son, William, lived there as well.
  

• February 2 or 3, 1902/03: a son, "Little King" Turpin, was born to King and Elizabeth Belle Magsby in a houseboat on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

• March 1, 1906: a daughter, Minnie Belle Turpin, was born to King and Elizabeth Belle Magsby in a houseboat on the Tennessee River someplace in Alabama.

• 1906-1910: divorced or separated from Elizabeth Belle Magsby.

• 1906-1910: death of Elizabeth Belle Magsby at 525 Market Square/Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

• (1906-1916?: lived at "Tile Town;" lived at Mullins Cove.)

• 1907: his brother, Frank, bought 8 1/2 acres in Hardin Valley.

• 1910: lived in Roane County, Tennessee and is listed in the census as a farmer.

• 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)

• 1916: lived in North Chattanooga.

• January 11, 1916: his son, "Little King," arrived at the Bonny Oaks boys home in Chattanooga, Tennessee after being taken from King.
  

• May 6, 1916: removed his son, "Little King," from the Bonny Oaks boys home in Chattanooga, Tennessee. "Little King" was sent to Concord / Hardin Valley to live with his uncle, Frank Turpin. The record at Bonny Oaks shows that King lived in North Chattanooga at this time.
  

• May 14, 1916: married Ida Belle Conatser in Walker County, Georgia. Justice of the Peace, D. H. Hixon, officiated. (Source: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/walker/vitals/marriages/grtys.txt)

• 1917/18: birth of son, John W. Turpin. (Source: 1920 census)

• 1920: lived in Knox County, Tennessee.

• About 1920: birth of daughter, Grace Turpin, in Tennessee. (Source: 1930 census)

• About 1921: birth of daughter, Georgia L. Turpin, in Tennessee. (Source: 1930 census)

• 1923: purchased 12 1/2 acres in Hardin Valley area from Amanda Stubbs for the price of "one dollar and love and affection." (Source: registry of deeds)

• About 1926: birth of son, Albert D. Turpin, in Tennessee. (Source: 1930 census)

• September 27, 1926: death of his mother, Serelda Turpin, in Concord, Tennessee

• October 27, 1926: death of his aunt, Amanda Turpin.

• About 1927: birth of son, Daniel N. Turpin, in Tennessee. (Source: 1930 census)

• 1929: moved to Knoxville.

• 1930: lived in Knoxville, Tennessee and is listed in the census as a moving picture operator.

• March 29, 1933: died in Knoxville, Tennessee. 

More information about the life of King Turpin is contained in the book about his son, A Man Called King: The Life and Legacy of King Turpin, Jr.

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Bloody Affray: the Death of William G. Turpin

We now have two accounts of the death of William G. Turpin (abt. 1839 - 1869), The first account of William's death has been provided by Sarah Turpin:

The Tennessean, of the 19th, contains the particulars of a sanguinary encounter which occurred on the 8th instant [August], in the 14th civil district of Roane county, from which it appears that the two combatants in this case, named respectively TURPIN and HEMBREE, brothers-in-law, having had a misunderstanding between each other [according to John Strunk, it was a land/boundary dispute], they mutually agreed to settle their difference in a fair, square, stand-up fight, no knives or deadly weapons to be used.

In pursuance of this agreement, TURPIN threw his knife away. HEMBREE refused to do likewise, when TURPIN tried to arm himself with a club, and whilst in the act of picking up a stick, was set upon by his antagonist, and severely, if not fatally cut about the head, neck and shoulders. Notwithstanding TURPIN’S wounds are believed to be fatal.

HEMBREE is still at large, no attempt having been made to arrest him. Roane seems to be making rapid strides towards the reputation enjoyed by the frontier, where law is set openly at defiance, and its minions are powerless. Note: It is not known if Mr. TURPIN died or not.

(Source: Knoxville Weekly Whig, Wednesday, 25 Aug 1869, Vol. XX, No. 29.)

The second account of William's death has been provided by Jane Burr of Humble, Texas. On August 3, 2012 I received a package from Jane that contained a document written by Mary Morris McCafferty entitled, "Mama's Stories: A Recent Family History Constructed from the Memories of Florence Ethel Turpin Morris." The account of the fight that resulted in William's death begins on page 23:

It was not uncommon in those days to settle grudges with a fight. Each combatant had witnesses present and it was understood that once the fight was over, the winner prevailed and there would be no further dispute about the matter in question. A "fair fight" meant that no weapons would be used--only fists. William and a neighbor had a dispute over a piece of property. A fair fight was arranged and it was held out behind William's barn, so as to be away from the women and children. Both men threw their knives into a fence corner and fought with their fists. William was declared the winner. The other man was known to have a very bad temper. He dashed for his knife as William was walking away. Someone shouted to William to watch out. He saw that he was in danger and he ran to the barn to get something to use in defending himself. He snatched at a board that was lying under the edge of the barn. Apparently the board was nailed onto something because he could not free it and while he was tugging at it, the man stabbed him in the back. 

William lived 30 days after he was stabbed. Before he died, each child was taken to his bedside so that William could say farewell and present each with a keepsake. Some of the children were given $20 gold pieces. King was given a pair of gold cuff-links. King was only about two years old at the time, but he seemed to remember being taken to the bed where his father lay and said he remembered how the bed was placed in the room. 

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Where Was/Is Lues Well and Welcker Mill?

Where was/is Lues Well and Welcker Mill? I have located the site of Welcker Mill, but Lues Well has not yet been found.

What is the significance of these two places? The 1860 census shows Elisabeth Turpin (Elizabeth Russell Turpin) as living within the postal area of Lues Well in Anderson County (TN), and the family of James and Jerusa Turpin are found in the postal area of Welcker Mill in Roane County (TN).

Welcker Mill was located at the confluence of East Fork and Main Poplar Creek adjacent to the present-day site of the K-25 Oak Ridge plant on the northeast side. We do not yet know how close James and Jerusa actually lived to the site of the mill and post office.

As far as Lues Well is concerned, the search continues.

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Turpin Properties in Knox County, TN

A hurried search through the Registry of Deeds at the East Tennessee History Center (Knoxville, TN) has produced the following relevant finds for Turpin properties in Knox County (prior to 1931).

November 5, 1907 (Book 218, Page 270)

Grantee: Frank Turpin (King and Laura Turpin's brother)

Grantor: Robert Brashears

8 1/2 acres in district 9 (Hardin Valley area)

Purchase Price: $80

My Note: It appears that Frank Turpin is the first Turpin to own land in Knox County.

September 29, 1908 (Book 224, Page 102)

Grantee: Frank Turpin (same as above)

Grantor: Sarah Summers

Right of way for a road in district 9 (Hardin Valley area)

My Note: This road is today known as "Turpin Lane." It leads to Frank's previously purchased property.

August 22, 1923 (Book 382, Page 257)

Grantee: King Turpin

Grantor: Amanda Stubbs (husband was W. N. Stubbs)

12 1/2 acres in district 9 (Hardin Valley area)

Purchase Price: "One dollar and love and affection"

My Note: Could this "Amanda" be Amanda Turpin as a married woman? Until now, we have received no indication that Amanda Turpin ever married.

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In Search of Elizabeth Belle Magsby

I am in search of my great-grandmother, Elizabeth Belle Magsby. Most of what we know about her life is intertwined in our record of the life of her son, "Little King" Turpin.

The following is a video update on my most recent research related to Elizabeth's life and death. After viewing the video, you may want to review the chronology below.



Here is all that we know thus far about the progression of events in Elizabeth's life:

• Abt. 1880: born.

• May 1899: gave birth to a son, William M. (McKinley?) Magsley. (According to Minnie Belle Turpin Hall, King and Elizabeth's first child was William McKinley Turpin--presumably the William M. Magsley noted here.)
  

• 1900: lived in the home of Amanda Turpin. (Amanda's nephew, King, lived there as well.)

• February 2 or 3, 1902/03: gave birth to a son, "Little King" Turpin, in a houseboat on the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

• March 1, 1906: gave birth to a daughter, Minnie Belle Turpin, in a houseboat on the Tennessee River someplace in Alabama.

• 1906-1910: divorced or separated from King Turpin and united with John Selby.
  

• 1906-1910: died (?), presumably in Chattanooga, Tennessee. (According to an interview with Minnie Belle Turpin Hall in the early 1980's, her mother, Elizabeth Belle Magsby, died at 525 Market Square. See the video above for the reasons why this information is dubious.)
  

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