Rev. Charles Culpepper1

Male, #3992, (8 Jan 1767 - 1831)

ParentSampson Culpepper son of Joseph & Martha (circa 1737 - circa 1806)
ParentEleanor Gilbert (25 Apr 1745 - 19 Jul 1823)
Rev. Charles Culpepper|b. 8 Jan 1767\nd. 1831|p3992.htm|Sampson Culpepper son of Joseph & Martha|b. circa 1737\nd. circa 1806|p3948.htm|Eleanor Gilbert|b. 25 Apr 1745\nd. 19 Jul 1823|p3949.htm|Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC|b. say 1696\nd. 1745|p3209.htm|Martha (?)|b. say 1700\nd. 24 Jan 1764|p3210.htm|||||||

Birth*8 Jan 1767 Charles was born at Anson Co., North Carolina, on 8 Jan 1767. 
 He was the son of Sampson Culpepper son of Joseph & Martha and Eleanor Gilbert. 
Land Lottery*1805 Charles participated in but did not win the land lottery in 1805 at Washington Co., Georgia.2 
Marriage*26 Apr 1807 He married Rachel Warren at Montgomery Co., Georgia, on 26 Apr 1807.3 
Deed*Nov 1811 He granted a deed in Nov 1811 at Laurens Co., Georgia.
(Charles Culpepper of Wilkinson Co. to McDaniel Oliver of Washington Co. for $300: 120 acres in Washington Co. on Buckeye Creek as granted to David Bryan, bordering Jas. Martin, Kinching Hilliard, Livingston and Jones. /s/ Charles & Rachel Culp'r'. Wit: Lewis Hodgeson, Henry Hilliard, Henry Pullen.).4 
(Deed Witness) Deed18 Jan 1812 He witnessed a deed grant by Sampson Culpepper son of Sampson & Eleanor on 18 Jan 1812 at Laurens Co., Georgia.
(Sampson Culpepper of Wilkinson Co. to Kinchen Hilliard of Laurens for $400: 100 acres now in Laurens Co., formerly Washington Co., on Buckeye Creek as granted to David Bryan, bordering Oliver, Bryan, Culpepper. Also part of a survey granted to J. Culpepper bordering Livingston and Culpepper. Wit: Charles Culpepper, Dawson Webb.).5 
Land Lottery1820 He had a fortunate draw in the land lottery in 1820 at Wilkinson Co., Georgia, (lot 181-5 in Gwinnett Co., GA).6 
1820 Census*7 Aug 1820 Charles was listed as the head of a family on the 1820 Census at Wilkinson Co., Georgia. Unaccounted for is a Male 16-26. As Charles and Rachel had no biological children, this is probably a son of Josiah Warren (ID: 4396).7 
Will*1 Jun 1828 He made a will at Houston Co., Georgia, on 1 Jun 1828.
     Will of Charles Culpepper, probated 5 Sep 1831, recorded 8 Sep 1831. To wife, Rachel, the land where he lives, being north half of Lot #20, 13th District of Houston Co., with his slaves, etc. After her death, the negroes are to go to Lott Warren and Eli Warren. Executors: WIfe and Eli Warren. "At the death of my wife, I appoint Bro. Sampson Culpepper to act as executor." Witnesses: Rt. W. Baskin and John H. Smith, J.P..8 
1830 Census*1 Jun 1830 Charles was listed as the head of a family on the 1830 Census at Houston Co., Georgia.9 
Death*1831 He died at Houston Co., Georgia, in 1831. 
Probate*5 Sep 1831 Charles's will was probated at Houston Co., Georgia, on 5 Sep 1831. 
Biography* The following account of Charles Culpepper is from the History of Wilkinson Co, GA, by Victor Davidson, pages 490-492. Comments in brackets were added by Lew Griffin.
     "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 [more likely, 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.
(Names referenced above: Rev. Charles Culpepper Rev. Charles Culpepper).10 
Research note*26 Apr 2004 Charles is a known son of Sampson Culpepper & Eleanor Gilbert. 

Charts Descendants of Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC (Six Generations)
Last Edited 25 Jan 2005

Citations

  1. Victor Davidson, History of Wilkinson County Georgia, Spartanburg, SC: Reprint Company Publishers, 1978.
    p 490-492.
  2. Virginia S. and Ralph V. Wood, 1805 Georgia Land Lottery Greenwood Press, Cambridge, 1964, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.8 R2WY 1805.
    page 81.
  3. Book A, p. 156.
  4. Laurens County Clerk, Laurens Co., GA Deeds, 1808-1884, Books A-S Transcribed by Lew Griffin from Microfilm , Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 395,592 - 395,601.
    Book C, page 15.
  5. Laurens County Clerk, Laurens Co., GA Deeds, 1808-1884, Books A-S Transcribed by Lew Griffin from Microfilm , Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 395,592 - 395,601.
    Book C, page 32.
  6. The Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., 1820 Land Lottery of Georgia Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, 1986, Repository: LDS Family History Library - Salt Lake City, Call No. 975.8 R2la.
    page 78.
  7. 1820 Federal Census, United States.
    Page 211, Wilkinson Co., GA
    Charles Culpepper, 1 M16-26, 1 M45+, 1 F26-45.
  8. Houston Co., GA Will Book A (1827-1855), page 67.
  9. 1830 Federal Census, United States.
    Page 285, Unk Twp, Houston Co., GA
    Charles Culpepper, 1 M60-70, 1 F50-60.
  10. Victor Davidson, History of Wilkinson County Georgia, Spartanburg, SC: Reprint Company Publishers, 1978.
    pages 490-492.