The First Kentucky Turpin’s

The first known (documented) Turpin’s in Kentucky (area soon to become Kentucky) were John and Solomon. They were early settlers at Boonsboro. This is the location of the first fort in Kentucky. It was built at Boonsboro in March 1775 by Daniel Boone, Squire Boone, and other settlers traveling with them. Daniel and Squire had been at the Boonsboro area four years earlier. A Solomon and John Turpin are recorded as early settlers at Boonsboro. Who are these early Kentucky Turpins? Are we related to this John and Solomon? Can we answer this question? Let’s give it a try.

Using the TURPIN family historical records we find some very interesting possibilities. We are a direct descendant from Solomon, Jr, Turpin (see descendent outline on the next page). Solomon, Jr, b. 1708, married Miriam Taylor, b. 1723, both were born in Maryland. They united in married in 1749 and gave birth to a dozen children. Solomon, Jr, is our great-great-great grandfather.

The possibilities for these first two Turpins are determined by age in 1775 are

John D – age 25, son

The most likely possibility is that it was Solomon, Jr, age 67 and his 25 year old son, John D. Sixty seven may seem old for such a trip; however, he lived until 1788, thirteen more years. Age 80 is very much above average for the 1700’s. We have an adventurous robust Turpin setting the standard. It seems reasonable to assume that he was the Solomon with Daniel Boone at Boonsboro. The second choice is John, age 25. At age 25 one is ready to be a pioneer and explore the new world. However, we do know for a fact that Solomon (III) marries Mary Polly West from West Virginia in 1788 and moves to Muddy Creek at Moberly Station and has their first child, John Sr in 1790. John is the first know (documented) born in the area to become Madison County Kentucky. He is our great-great grandfather.

Solomon, Sr TURPIN b. 11/9/1673 m. Kathryn Love

Solomon, Jr TURPIN b. 1708 m. Miriam Taylor Ü Parents of first Kentucky Turpins

Solomon III TURPIN b. 1764 m. Mary Polly West Ü At Ft Boonsboro

John, Sr TURPIN b. 1790 m. Elizabeth Hopper Ü First Turpin born in Madison Co

Allen E TURPIN b. 7/3/1838 m. Arminda Denny

Betty Elizabeth Turpin m. Matthew Dixon

Mary Ann Turpin m. Luther Mize

James Davis Turpin .m Millie Lanter

John Crusey Turpin m. Mollie Parish

Sally Bird Turpin m. Charles Lanter

Hayden Samuel Turpin m. Lou Gayheart

Ada Turpin (childhood death)

Nannie Lou Turpin m. George Hendricks

Lucy Lee Turpin m. Clarence Bruner

S Dorcas Turpin m. William Hopper

George Duddley Turpin m. Nannie Dearinger/Margaret Hale

Nathan Price TURPIN m. Mattie Lou DearingerÜ My grandfather

Susan Minerva Turpin m.. Jake Dearinger

Solomon (III) married Mary Polly West, from Greenbrier, West Virginia thirteen years after the permanent settlement was created by Daniel and the early settlers at Ft. Boonsboro. They married 3/18/1788 and settled at Moberly Station on Muddy Creek near Waco, Ky. (This location is approximately 10 miles from Boonsboro.) John Turpin, Sr. was born to Solomon (III) and Mary in Madison County in 1790. He is the first Kentucky born Turpin in our direct descendant line. They lived at Muddy Creek. Since Solomon (III) and Mary married and made their home about 10 miles from Boonsboro, it is completely reasonable to assume that he and his relatives (father) came to Kentucky via Boonsboro.

There were a total of three Turpin households on Muddy Creek during 1789, the time the data was gathered for the 1790 Census. The 1790 census was the first in the U.S. The census from 1790 through 1840 only lists the head of the household. The three Turpin households in 1790 were

Elizabeth Turpin and son

William Turpin, Sr

William Turpin, Jr

Solomon, age 25, and Mary, age 20 and pregnant with our great-great grandfather must have been part a part of the William, Sr or William, Jr. households.

The 1800 census list seven Turpin families on Muddy Creek.. They were

Elizabeth

William Turpin

William Turpin

Moses Turpin

Nathan Turpin

Nathan B Turpin

Solomon Turpin Ü Our great-great-great grandfather, Solomon (III) at age 36