Robert Jefferson Culpepper

Male, #32357, (2 Jul 1830 - 10 Dec 1919)

Parent*John Jefferson Culpepper (4 Nov 1797 - 4 May 1885)
Parent*Catherine Bell (c 1797 - c 1865)
Robert Jefferson Culpepper|b. 2 Jul 1830\nd. 10 Dec 1919|p32357.htm|John Jefferson Culpepper|b. 4 Nov 1797\nd. 4 May 1885|p32054.htm|Catherine Bell|b. circa 1797\nd. circa 1865|p32055.htm|John Culpepper of Randolph Co., AL|b. 1 Oct 1772\nd. 13 May 1855|p31566.htm|Nancy Gillespie|b. circa 1778\nd. 25 Jul 1848|p31584.htm|Robert Bell|b. circa 1765\nd. before 1820|p32056.htm|Barbary (?)|b. circa 1765\nd. circa 1825|p32057.htm|

DNA* He has been proven by DNA and genealogical research to be a descendant of Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC, who is a grandson of Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk, VA. 
Birth*2 Jul 1830 Robert was born at Upson Co., Georgia, on 2 Jul 1830.1 
 He was the son of John Jefferson Culpepper and Catherine Bell. 
1840 Census1 Jun 1840 William and Robert was probably a free white male, age 5 and under 10,in John Jefferson Culpepper's household, on the 1840 Census on 1 Jun 1840 at Chambers Co., Alabama.2 
Marriage*19 Dec 1848 He married Lorraine Cardwell at Chambers Co., Alabama, on 19 Dec 1848.3 
Census1850 He was listed as a resident in the census report at Chambers Co., Alabama, in 1850. 
Census1860 He was listed as a resident in the census report at Almond, Randolph Co., Alabama, in 1860. 
Civil War*between 1862 and 1864 He served in the War Between the States between 1862 and 1864.1 
Census*1866 A census listed Robert as head of household at Tallapoosa Co., Alabama, in 1866.4 
1880 Census* Robert was listed as the head of a family on the 1880 Census at Wesobulga, Clay Co., Alabama.5 
Tax roll*1889 He registered to pay taxes at Marshall Co., Alabama, in 1889.6 
Land Grant/Patent*18 Feb 1898 He was granted land on 18 Feb 1898 at Cullman Co., Alabama.7 
1900 Census*1 Jun 1900 Robert was listed as the head of a family on the 1900 Census at Albertville, Marshall Co., Alabama.8 
1910 Census15 Apr 1910 Robert was listed as a father in John James Culpepper's household on the 1910 Census at Albertville, Marshall Co., Alabama.9 
Photographed*say 1918 He was photographed Photo provided by Mary Lillian Culpepper Pierce. say 1918 at Joppa, Cullman Co., Alabama.
Robert Jefferson Culpepper
Death*10 Dec 1919 He died at Joppa, Cullman Co., Alabama, on 10 Dec 1919.1 
Burial*circa 12 Dec 1919 His body was interred circa 12 Dec 1919 at Corinth East Baptist Church Cemetery, Joppa, Cullman Co., Alabama.1
Robert J. & Louraney Culpepper tombstone
Biography* Census: 1870 Louina P. O. District (now Wadley), Randolph Co., AL. \p. 572 #2 (R. J. Culpepper 40 GA).\ Census: 1880 Beat 4, Wesobulga District, Clay Co., AL. \ED 34-1 (R. J. Culpepper 49 GA SC SC).\ Census: 1900 Albertville, Marshall Co., AL. \ED 83-12 (Robert J. Culpepper Jul 1828 [1830?] GA).\ Census: 1910 Marshall Co., AL. \ED 96-22 (Robert J. Culpepper 79 SC in hh of son John J. Culpepper).\
      Robert Jefferson Culpepper was known to his great-grandchildren as "Great Grandpa Jeff" or "ole e Pa." His parents were recorded in the 1830 census of Upson Co., GA and this is where Robert is presumed to have been born. The 1900 Soundex for Alabama shows Robert J. Culpepper in Albertville, Marshall Co, AL with a birth date of July 1828 but since he was not noted in the 1830 census this can probably be discounted. By 1840, Robert had moved with his parents to Chambers Co., AL where he was noted as one of two males 5 to 10 years of age in the household of John J. Culpepper. Robert emerges in Chambers Co., AL marriage records in 1848 and by 1850 was listed with his wife in the 1850 Chambers Co., AL census living next door to his sister and near his parents.
      Robert J. and Louraney (Cardwell) Culpepper hosted the wedding of his younger brother, William Washington Culpepper, and her younger sister, Ferby Cardwell, at their home 23 Dec 1855. Their father, John Jefferson Culpepper, was the second bondsman. At some point after this, Robert J. Culpepper apparently moved his family to Randolph Co., AL. He is noted in land records purchasing 39.86 ½ acres in the SE 1/4 of NE 1/4 of section 3 in Township 22 Range 10 of Randolph Co., AL. Unfortunately, the date is illegible. The land appears to be just north of the 159.46 acres of land which Robert's father, John J. Culpepper, obtained 22 Aug 1850. Robert and his brother, William, and their parents were noted living next to each other in the 1860 census of Almond P. O. District, Randolph Co., AL.
     When the Civil War began, Robert enlisted in the Confederate Army. Capos Conley "Chip" Culpepper, II obtained the following records from the National Archives: Culpepper, Robert J. Co. B/C. 37 Alabama Infantry. _____(Confederate) Private_/_Private _____CARD NUMBERS 1_____44662957 2_______254194 3_______294918 Number of medical cards herein Number of personal papers herein 1 Book Mark: See Also: --------------------------- (Confederate) C __________37__________Ala Robert J. Culpepper Pvt _ Capt. Hamner's Company, Alabama __________ Volunteers* Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above, for Mch 15, 186 2 Enlisted: When Mch 15, 186 2 Where Daviston, Ala By whom Period 3 years or the war Last paid: By whom To what time__________, 186_. Present or absent Not stated Remarks: *This company subsequently became Company B, 37th Regiment Alabama Infantry. Book Mark: _____/s/_ (?)nell ____________________Copyist ------------------------------ Culpepper, Robert J. Pvt., Co. B._____37, Reg't Ala. _____(Confederate) 1 Inclosures. Pris. of War Record 1 ------------------------------ VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, JULY 9th A.D. 1863 TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, KNOW YE THAT I, Robert J. Culpepper private of Co. B Reg't 37th Ala Vols. C.S.A. being a Prisoner of War in the hands of the United States Forces, in virtue of the capitulation of the City of Vicksburg and its garrison, by Lieut. Gen John C. Pemberton, C.S.A., Commanding on the 4th day of July, 1863, do in pursuance of the terms of said capitulation, give this my solemn parole under oath----- That I will not take up arms again against the United States nor serve in any military, police, constabulary force in any Fort, Garrison or field work, held by the Confederate States of America against the United States of America, nor as guard of any prisons, depots or stores, nor discharge any duties usually performed by Officers or soldiers against the United States of America until duly exchanged by the proper Authorities. ____________________/s/_ Robert J Culpepper Sworn to and subscribed before me at Vicksburg, Miss., this 9th day of July, 1863. _____/s/ Wm P. Davis 23rd Reg't Indiana Vol. ____________________Lt. Col AND PAROLING OFFICER. --------------------------- (CONFEDERATE) R. J. Culpepper Co., B 37 Ala (Inf) Appears on a __________ROLL of non-commissioned officers and privates employed on extra duty at Dalton, Ga during month of Jan 186 4 By whose order employed Nature of service Teamster TERM OF SERVICE: From Jan. 1, 186_. To Jan 31, 186_. Remarks: Driving (?)(?) wagons Roll No. _____ WOOTTON [Stamped] Copyist --------------------------- (CONFEDERATE) R. J. Culpeper Co. B 37 Ala. Appears on a __________ROLL of non-commissioned officers and privates employed on extra duty at Dalton Ga during month of Feb., 186 4 By whose order employed Nature of service Teamsters TERM OF SERVICE: From Feb 1., 186_. To Feb 29, 186_. Remarks: Roll No. _____WOOTTON [Stamped] Copyist
      After the war, Robert returned home and he was noted with his wife and children in the 1870 census of the Louina P. O. District (now Wadley), Randolph Co., AL. His brother, William Washington Culpepper, was still living next door and his parents were also living nearby, all apparently on the same land that they were on before the war. By 1880, Robert had apparently moved his family to Clay Co., AL R. J. Culpepper was noted with his wife and younger children in Wesobulga District, Clay Co., AL in 1880 census records.
      According to an article from the Guntersville Advertiser 10 Oct 1916, Robert J. Culpepper and his wife had moved to the Sand Mountain area of Marshall Co., AL 28 years previously. This would have been approximately 1888. A son, John James Culpepper, located his family in what is known today as Albertville, Marshall Co., GA. Other members of the extended family settled across the county line in Joppa, Cullman Co., AL. Unfortunately, the 1890 U. S. census burned and so it is not possible to see exactly how everyone was situated at the time. What is known is that, according to her obituary, Mrs. R. J. (Louraney Cardwell) Culpepper died in Joppa, Cullman Co., AL in 1894. After the death of his wife, Robert apparently split his time at the residences of his children. Robert J. Culpepper was noted in Albertville, Marshall Co, AL in the 1900 census. He was listed as having been born Jul 1828 although, since he was not noted in the 1830 census and was listed in later census records as being age 19, 30, 40 and 49, the 1828 reference can be discounted. Robert Jefferson Culpepper's daughter, Arkansas (Culpepper) Williams, and her two young sons, "Larkis" and "Charlie," were living with him. In 1910, Robert was still living in Marshall Co., AL was noted in the Marshall Co., AL census living with his son, John J. Culpepper. A great-granddaughter, Mary Lillian Butler Pierce, wrote, 19 Jan 1979: He carved & made fancy furniture, beautiful beds among other things. He had a collection of old guns.... He had a hobby of keeping a diary, of the weather and happenings of the day.... My Grandpa Jack [John James Culpepper] & family along with ole e Pa & family all moved here to Sand Mt. from Randolph or Clay [the family was in Clay Co., AL in the 1880 census] in covered wagons in 1883.... Ole e Pa Jeff... walked lots of miles almost every day, even in his 80's.... One more thing about ole e Pa Jeff, he carved and made spinning wheels to spin yarn then weave it into yarn for cloth in those days."
      Mary Lillian Butler Pierce added in s 23 Apr 1993 letter that "Robert Jefferson Culpepper carved and made furniture in his younger days - beautiful pieces - and each piece painted black." 20 Jan 1979, Mary Lillian wrote that her great-grandfather had lived with her grandparents in the same house that she is living in now: Lola Martin said ole e Pa Jeff's room was upstairs, steps are steep here and only heat he had up there & light was a lantern. Scratches are still on the wall up there where he would strike a match to light the kerosene lantern. Was a stacked chimney in the middle of the house, heat from it helped keep the walls of that little room warm. Said he never had a cold or was sick in winter.
      Mary Lillian Butler Pierce added in a 23 Apr 1993 letter: Lola Martin was right stairs were steep, and still are. Scratches are still on the wall. I painted or painted part of that little room up stairs a few yrs ago, and it's hard to find the scratches now.
      According to a great-granddaughter, Mary Lillian Butler Pierce, Robert Jefferson Culpepper received a monthly pension of $15.00 from the State of Alabama for his Civil War service. In a 3 Sep 1994 phone conversation, Mary Lillian noted that her great-grandfather would buy a gallon of "white whiskey" with 15 cents from his Confederate Pension money and add a teaspoon of it to his breakfast coffee "instead of cream" to make "Lace Coffee." The following is from the 10 Oct 1916 issue of the Guntersville Advertiser published in Guntersville, Marshall Co, AL: R.J. Culpepper is 86 years old and enjoys good health for a man of his age. He has lived on Sand mountain 28 years [arriving circa 1888]. Uncle Jeff as he is familiarly called, has 8 living children, 53 grandchildren, 98 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren, which is, we believe, getting pretty close to the record in this county.
      Robert Jefferson Culpepper died three years later, apparently while visiting his grandson, Charlie J. Williams, across the county line in Joppa, Cullman Co., AL. Two days later, Charlie wrote his half-brother, Larcus Culpepper who, according to Mary Lillian, was living in Texas: larcus I am Very Sorry But he had to go Some time and I guess now was as good time as eny they beried him at Corinth [south of Joppa, Cullman Co., AL] and then they taking up granma and moved here [her] up there and Beried her Beside him.... he was awfull Bad and he died that night about twelve oclock.....
      Mary Lillian added in a 18 Jan 1979 letter: Great Grandpa Jeff has a war emblem by his tomb shaped like a 3 or 4 leaf clover, made of iron or steel. He had a pocket watch with a chain & watch fob looked like the iron emblem at his grave. My grandfather [John James Culpepper] kept it, long as he lived.... Uncle Frank Culpepper [Francis Marion Culpepper] got it soon as my Grandfather died. I don't know who got it when Uncle Frank died.... Great Grandpa Jeff... got a war pension of $15.00 per mo. from Gov. [the State of Alabama]. 

Family

Lorraine Cardwell (8 Jun 1833 - 2 Jan 1894)
Children

Charts Descendants of Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC (Six Generations)
Descendants of Robert Jefferson Culpepper of Cullman Co., AL
Last Edited 15 Jul 2008

Citations

  1. Anna Cochran Gregath, compiler, Cullman County Churches and Cemeteries, Cullman, Alabama: Cullman County Commission, 198_, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. US/CAN 976.173 K2c.
    Vol 2, pages 15-16:
    Corinth East Baptist Church Cemetery, Cullman Co., Alabama. From I-65, Exit 312, proceed east on AL-157 to AL-69. Turn right on AL-69 and proceed north for 21 miles to AL-67. Continue on AL-69 for one more mile and Corinth Church will be on the right (South)
    + R. J. Culpepper, 2 Jul 1830 - 10 Dec 1919, CSA 1861-1865
    + Lourainey Culpepper, 8 Jun 1833 - 2 Jan 1894.
  2. 1840 Federal Census, United States.
    Page ??, Lew Griffin Transcription, Chambers Co., AL.
    John J. Culpepper, 2 M5-10, 1 M40-50, 1 F15-20, 1 F40-50.
  3. Marriage Records 1833-1861 of Chambers County, Alabama Vol I Genealogical Society of East Alabama, Inc., 1974.
    p 70 by Wm F Grady J. P.
  4. 1866 Alabama State Census, Tallapoosa Co., AL:
    R. J. Culpepper, 1M20+, 1M10-19, 1M0-9, 1F20+, 2F10-19, 2F0-9.
  5. FHL Film 1254007, National Archives Film T9-0007, Wesobulga, Page 39A.
  6. Margene Hemrick Black, compiler, 1889-1895 Reconstructed Census of Marshall County, Alabama, Guntersville, Alabama: Past and Present Publications, 199_?, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. US/CAN Book 976.194 X2bm.
    Tax Assessors Records of 1889 (page 4): J. J. Culpeppe, R. J. Culpepper, W. H. Culpepper.
  7. General Land Office Records, compiler, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records, Online, Bureau of Land Management.
    http://www.glorecords.blm.gov/PatentSearch/
    Robert J. Culpepper, AL4230__.371, Authority Date: 20 May 1862; Signature Date: 18 Feb 1898, Huntsville Land Office, 40 acres. NWNE part of Sec 8, Township 9-S, Range 1-E. Huntsville Meridian; Cullman Co., Alabama.
  8. 1900 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 83, Sheet 12A, Lines 25-28, Albertville, Marshall Co., Alabama (12 Jun 1900)
    Robert Culpepper, Head, M, Wh, Jul 1828, 71, wid, GA/--/--, Farmer
    Arkansas B. Williams, Dau, F, Wh, Jan 1876, 24, md-2yrs, ch 2/2, AL/GA/AL
    Larkes C. Williams, Grandson, M, Wh, Jun 1892, 7, sng, AL/--/AL
    Charlie J. Williams, Grandson, M, Wh, Jul 1887, 2, sng, AL/--/AL.
  9. 1910 Federal Census, United States.
    ED 96, Sheet 22B, Lines 66-69, Albertville, Marshall Co., Alabama (10 May 1910)
    John J. Culpepper, Head, M, Wh, 59, md1-39yrs, AL/SC/SC, Farmer
    Nancy J. Culpepper, Wife, F, Wh, 60, md1-39yrs, ch 3/3, AL/NC/NC
    Effin L. Culpepper, Dau, F, Wh, 29, sng, AL/AL/AL
    Robert J. Culpepper, Father, M, Wh, 79, wid, SC/SC/SC.