Unhonored and unsung by historians, his memory forgotten, except
by a few, no man ever lived in Wilkinson County who more richly deserves space in this
History than does Charles Culpepper.
While we have no direct data on the date and place of his birth, yet we have every
reason to believe that he was a native of Virginia [he was born in Anson County, NC]. We
find him and his brother [father], Sampson Culpepper, being granted land in Washington
County, Georgia, by reason of his [Sampson's] service in the Revolution. Charles [born
1767] was evidently to young to fight in this war. We first find Charles in Georgia as an
active Baptist Minister serving in the Hepzibah Association.
Mr. Culpepper was married to Rachel, the eldest daughter of that grand old North
Carolina patriot, Josiah Warren, who will go down in history as 'The lone horseman from
Burke County,' who rode upon the excited scene before the State House at Louisville,
Georgia, in 1796 at the very moment when the Yazoo Act was about to be burned, and drawing
from his pocket the sun-glass suggested to his friend, Jas. Jackson, that the accursed
document be consumed by fire drawn from heaven.
Among the earliest settlers of Wilkinson are found three Culpeppers, Charles, his
brother Sampson, and Joel (probably also a brother) [this was Joel W. Culpepper, son of
David Culpepper and Elizabeth Hogan]. These settled in the vicinity of Toomsboro, the home
of Charles being on the lands formerly owned by Dr. N. T. Carswell, now by Geo. H.
Carswell, four miles east of Irwinton.
Never was a man more thoroughly imbued with the spirit of Missions than was Charles
Culpepper. He, it seems was first to realize the tremendous opportunity of the Baptist
Church in that vast territory lying between the Oconee and Ocmulgee rivers into which
hordes of settlers were literally pouring, clearing the lands and building their homes, a
vast region without community centers, clamoring in every settlement for some place of
worship, some clearing house for social intercourse to break the monotony of the
backwoods.
Seizing the opportunity, sometimes with Rev. Shirey as his partner, sometimes with Rev.
John Ross, also a Virginian, he began the work of planting churches. Roads were as yet
mere trails, but these consecrated men, without pay or hope of reward would select a
community where there were already members of the Baptist church, and using these as a
nucleus would announce services and invite the neighborhood, and soon a church would be
organized. His unceasing activities won for him the approbation of his fellow Baptists. As
the churches were organized they were added to the Hepzibah Association, which by reason
of its enormous area and number of churches was becoming unwieldy. Thus, in 1814, when the
Ebenezer Association was formed at Cool Spring church at Allentown, Charles Culpepper was
a leading spirit and now became a member of the Association, which his work in organizing
churches had made possible.
It was during these years that the question of Missions was beginning to agitate the
Baptists. Into this movement he threw his whole being, and in no small way was responsible
for the rapid growth of the Missionary idea. The Hepzibah Missionary Society was
organized, among the first in Georgia, and Culpepper was made its President. Thus, Charles
Culpepper might well be called "The Father of Missions" in Wilkinson County.
Through the years that followed he was ever in the forefront leading the missionary
elements of the Baptist churches in this section, and in Houston County where he later
moved.
And not alone as a minister of the Gospel was Charles Culpepper noted. His strength of
character, his reputation for honor had so endeared him to the citizens of Wilkinson
County, that, when the selection of the county site was to be made, and every effort was
being exerted to choose those commissioners to perform this duty who could not be swayed
by public opinion or hope of gain, Charles Culpepper was one of those appointed by the
legislature.
In 1816, he was chosen to represent Wilkinson County in the legislature, serving one
term.
In 1824, when the educational system of Wilkinson was reorganized, Charles Culpepper
was appointed one of the commissioners of the Wilkinson Academy.
Culpepper was sought after and took an active interest in all public gatherings. The
Fourth of July celebrations sometimes took political turns and the toasts given were often
at odds with the political beliefs of Culpepper, who was a strong supporter of the Troupe
ticket. However, the toasts which he gave as is recorded in the newspaper accounts of the
day, evidence a man of education, culture, and a deep understanding of human nature. They
were such as would not antagonize the numerous Clark supporters present, for whose
political opinions he showed every respect.
It was inevitable that Culpepper should be a Troupe supporter. Not only was it natural
for him to align himself with the great mass of his fellow Virginians in Georgia [he was
actually from North Carolina], but likewise his wife's father and brothers stood by the
party advocated by the Virginians.
In 1809, having now moved from Burke County to Laurens, Josiah Warren and his wife both
died, leaving several minor children. Culpepper was appointed their guardian and took them
to his own home near Irwinton. Having no children of his own, he lavished upon them a
father's love, giving them every advantage of an education. Best of all he seems to have
transmitted to these orphans that divine spark which animated his whole being. And whether
in the ministry, in the laity; whether as lawyers, on the Bench, or as State House
officials, these orphans and their descendants have ever since borne the mantle of Charles
Culpepper. Though near ninety years have passed since his death [Charles died in 1831],
they still revere his memory; his influence still lives.
The article, which was apparently written around 1921, then
goes on to discuss the Warrens.
