Benjamin Culpepper son of Robert

Male, #3211, (say 1698 - circa 1746)

Parent*Robert Culpepper of Lower Norfolk Co., VA (s 1664 - c 1742)
Parent*(?) (?) Unknown wife of Robert CULPEPPER of Norfolk Co., VA (s 1666 - b 16 Oct 1739)
Benjamin Culpepper son of Robert|b. say 1698\nd. circa 1746|p3211.htm|Robert Culpepper of Lower Norfolk Co., VA|b. say 1664\nd. circa 1742|p834.htm|(?) (?) Unknown wife of Robert CULPEPPER of Norfolk Co., VA|b. say 1666\nd. before 16 Oct 1739|p840.htm|Henry Culpeper of Lower Norfolk Co., VA|b. say 1633\nd. after 1675|p36412.htm|Elizabeth (?)|b. say 1640\nd. say 1676|p36058.htm|||||||

DNA* From DNA and genealogical evidence we conclude that Benjamin Culpepper son of Robert is a descendant of Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk, VA. 
Name Variation  Benjamin Culpepper son of Robert was also known as Culpeper son of Robert. 
Birth*say 1698 Benjamin was born say 1698. 
 He was the son of Robert Culpepper of Lower Norfolk Co., VA and (?) (?) Unknown wife of Robert CULPEPPER of Norfolk Co., VA. 
Marriage* He married Martha (?). 
Deed*19 May 1741 A deed was granted to him by Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC witnessed by Hopkins Wilder on 19 May 1741 at Edgecombe Precinct, North Carolina.
(Edgecombe County NC, Deed Book 1, page 379 – This Indenture made the 19th day of May in the year of our Lord 1741 and in the 16th year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the 2nd by the grace of God of Great Britain, Scotland, and Ireland King defender of the faith and between JOSEPH CULPEPPER of Edgecombe County in the province aforesaid of the one part and BENJAMIN CULPEPPER of the County aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said JOSEPH CULPEPPER for and in consideration of the sum of eight pounds to him in hand paid, hath given granted, bargained, released, and transferred unto BENJAMIN CULPEPPER his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract and parcel of land lying and being on the west side of Fishing Creek. Beginning at a Beech thence to a White Oak thence to a White Oak to a Red Oak then to a Pine then to a Black Oak then to a Pine for the compliment containing by estimation one hundred and sixty acres of land be the same more or less. Together with all houses orchards whatsoever any manner of ways, woods, under woods, water courses rights hereditaments and appurtenances to the said land belonging or appertaining. To have and to hold the said 160 acres of land to the said BENJAMIN CULPEPPER his heirs and assigns forever in as full and ample manner to all intents and purposes as the same is granted to the said JOSEPH CULPEPPER by the patent aforesaid. And the said deed the said JOSEPH CULPEPPER hereby obliges himself his heirs Executors, Administrators to warrant forever defend to the said BENJAMIN CULPEPPER his heir assigns forever. In Witness whereof the said JOSEPH CULPEPPER hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. Signed JOSEPH CULPEPPER (seal) in presence of Hopkins Wilder, George Yate. May Court 1741 – The above Deed of Sale was in open Court acknowledged in due form of law and on motion ordered to be registered. Test: Robert Forster, C. Ct.). 
Death*circa 1746 He died at Edgecombe Co., North Carolina, circa 1746.1 
Biography* This Benjamin Culpepper is a rather elusive figure in our Culpepper family history. There are few records which can be attributed to him with certainty, other than one surviving fragment from his 1746 estate record, which has otherwise been lost. The following account of Benjamin is largely speculative in nature.
     Benjamin Culpepper was born in Norfolk Co., VA, perhaps around 1698. He was a legatee in his father, Robert Culpepper's, will there, which was probated in 1743.
     Benjamin probably married his apparent wife Martha around 1719 in Norfolk County, VA. Perhaps around 1721 or so, his eldest son, Benjamin Jr., was born. Benjamin and Martha probably had other sons and daughters as well, perhaps Robert Culpepper, and possibly, William Culpepper. This writer currently believes that William was more likely a son of Benjamin's brother, Robert Culpepper, Jr., and has listed him there. Likewise, Robert Culpepper of Anson is currently listed as a probable son of Robert Jr. of Norfolk, as well.
     Since Benjamin does not appear in Norfolk Co., VA tithable records during the years 1730-1736, he must have left Norfolk Co., VA, prior to 1730 to join his brother, Joseph, on the North Carolina frontier. At that time, Joseph was living in what is now Northampton County, NC. But prior to 1741 the area was part of Bertie County.
     By the mid 1730's the two brothers had apparently moved about 30 miles west, and settled on land on the south side of Fishing Creek, in what was then Edgecombe Precinct , NC (beginning in 1732) and which became Edgecombe Co., NC in 1741.
     This may be the Benjamin who witnessed the deed of John Rogers, Jr. "John Rogers, Jr., of Edgecombe Pct., to Edward Powers, 18 Jan 1735/6, for 14 pounds Virginia money, 170 acres more or less, on the north side of Fishing Creek, joining Goss and the creek, part of the land granted to William Goss on 10 April 1730. Witnesses John Williams ("E" his mark), Jacob Rodgers, Benjamin Culpepper ("B" his mark), and Robert Inman. (Edgecombe Pct, NC DB 1-143)
     In May 1741, Benjamin bought 160 acres on Fishing Creek from his brother Joseph Culpepper, for eight pounds, which was just what Joseph had paid for it. (DB 1, p. 379). Witnesses were Joseph's nephew Hopkins Wilder, and George Yate. It is impossible to tell from the poor desccription in the deed, whether this was the east or the west half of the original property. This writer believes, however, that it was probably the west half.
     On 22 May 1746, Martha Culpepper, thought to have been Benjamin's wife, was mentioned in Edgecombe County Court Records as the administrator of the estate of Benjamin Culpepper, deceased. Upon her request, the court ordered the sale of enough of the perishable estate of Benjamin Culpepper, deceased, to pay his debts. Perishable estate normally refers to crops, etc.
     Edgecombe estate records from this time period are not complete, for reasons unknown. So no further records from Benjamin's estate have as yet been found. But it would appear that the 160 acres he may have purchased from his brother Joseph, descended, by right of primogeniture, to his eldest son, Benjamin Jr.
 

Family

Martha (?) (say 1696 - after 1746)
Child

Charts Descendants of William Culpeper of Hunton and Wigsell, from 1509: 7 generations
Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk Co., VA (5 generations)
Descendants of Benjamin Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC (Six generations)
Warren Culpepper's Ancestry Chart
Last Edited 1 Oct 2008

Citations

  1. Joseph W. Watson, compiler, Estate Records of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, 1730-1820, Rocky Mount, NC: Watson, 1970, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.646 R5w.
    p 65.