Robert Culpepper

Notes:

From Culpepper Connections (citation details below):

Robert Culpepper's ancestry was long the subject of speculation. However, DNA testing reveals that 80+% of the mainline Culpeppers descend from sons of Robert, and that the balance, with only a minor genetic difference, descend from the sons of Henry Culpepper, Jr. The most logical conclusion from traditional genealogical research and DNA testing is that Robert and Henry Jr. are sons of Henry Culpepper (Sr.) of Lower Norfolk Co., VA. and his wife Elizabeth.

Robert was probably born around 1664 but it is not known if he was born in England or in Virginia.

He probably married his wife around 1690. She may have been named Sarah, but her maiden name is not known. She was probably a daughter of one of the neighboring families along the West Branch of the Elizabeth River in Norfolk Co., VA. She and Robert had sons named Joseph and Benjamin, and Robert, Jr. Robert, Jr. was obviously named after his father.

But the names Joseph and Benjamin were not used by Robert, Sr.'s brother, Henry, and so might be clues to the identity of Robert's wife. These were family names in the local Richardson, Powell, Hodges, and Hollowell families, among others, all of whom lived nearby. According to The Hollowells by Lucy E. Hollowell, the Hollowells were Quakers, and none of the Hollowell daughters from this time period is known to have married a Culpepper.

Robert finally emerges in Norfolk County records in 1692 when he bought 50 acres from Thomas and Elizabeth Green, for 2,000 pounds of tobacco. (Records on the Culpepper family in Norfolk County in the early 1700's are scarce, and all of the ones that we have found, including this one, are recorded above.)

Robert married Sarah about 1687 in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia. Sarah was born about 1666; died before 16 Oct 1739 in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Martha about 1719 in Norfolk, Virginia. Martha was born about 1696; died after 1746. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"The Ferryman." [Culpepper Connections]

Benjamin married Elizabeth about 1741 in Edgecombe Precinct, North Carolina. Elizabeth was born about 1721; died before May 1789 in Nash County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married Willoughby Manning about 1766 in Edgecombe, North Carolina. Willoughby (son of Matthias Manning and Margaret) was born in Nash County, North Carolina; died in 1806 in Nash County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]