Willis Turner (c1823) and Orpy Ann --- of Marion and Dillon Co, SC

I (Marty Grant) don't know how (or if) I'm related to the Willis Turner family, but I am very interested in him though.

Willis Turner was born ca 1822/23 in Marion District, SC. I'm not sure which section of the county he was born in, but he seems to be in the Reaves Township area in 1850 and in Kirby by 1860. His widow Orpy was in Legette Township for the 1870, 1880 and 1900 census. I imagine he is probably from Kirby Township area along the south and west side of Catfish Creek, where many of the Turners lived.

I haven't been able to determine who Willis Turner's parents were, but I have a few suspects. He wasn't married until ca 1847 or thereabouts, so presumably he was still home with his parents for the 1840 census. There were a few Turner households in 1840 Marion who had a male child his age with them, including: John Turner Jr, Martha Turner, and Hugh Turner. Of these Hugh seems unlikely, as he lived way down in the Effingham area (McMillan Township). That leaves John Jr and Martha (an apparent widow) as the prime candidates. Unfortunately, I know very little about either of these.

One strong clue towards Willis Turner's origin is his race. On the 1850 and 1860 census, he was listed with race code of "M", meaning "Mulatto" or mixed blood. Census takers used this designation to show a person of mixed race, whether they be part Indian, part Black, or of some other origin (darker skinned). A large portion of the Turners of Marion County fell into this category. One of the earliest Turner's in the area was John Turner Sr (c1740-c1804) and his wife Patience. They were listed in this mixed race category, and there are several public records relating to them. The 1790 and 1800 census list them in the "Free Colored" columns, and some court records and one deed record show them to be of black origin (however, these records were based on statements by people trying to hurt the family in that era of racism, so were certainly very biased). In any event, I strongly suspect that Willis Turner is somehow related to old John Turner, perhaps a grandson, or great grandson. See John and Patience's page for more details on this subject.

Willis would have been about 7 years old by the time of the 1830 census, so he should have been enumerated in the age 5-9 category (born ca 1820/25). There were several Marion District Turner families with apparent sons that age, but most are identified already. Here are those who are not identified yet, and could be considered suspects for Willis' parents: Hugh E. Turner (c1794) (not likely, as he lived in Effingham area); Martha Turner (1784/90) who was with her father Reuben Turner (1760/65) in 1830; Robert Turner (c1794), and William Turner (c1768).

For the 1840 census, Willis would have been about 17 years old, so he should be enumerated in the 15-19 age group (born ca 1820/25). John Turner (1800/10) had a male that age with him in 1840; Martha Turner (1784/90) had one also, as did Hugh E. Turner (c1794) (not likely, as he lived in Effingham area).

Willis Turner married Orpy Ann --- ca 1847 in Marion District, SC. I don't know what her maiden name was. She was also listed with race code of "M" for the 1850 and 1860 census. After the death of her husband in the 1860's, she lived the rest of her life with Garot (or Jarret) Christmas, her cousin. Perhaps that was her maiden name also.

Willis Turner and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion District, living between the Samuel Smith (c1784) and William Smith (c1829) families. (Perhaps Orpy was a "Smith"). Based on these, and other neighbors, they seemed to be living in the Temperance Hill area, or the area northwest of Maidendown Swamp, just south of Buck Swamp. There were no Turner's in this area back in the 1840 census, so Willis must have moved here from somewhere else. (I'd wager this is where Orpy Ann's family was from).

Willis Turner and family had moved somewhat by the time of the 1860 census. By this time they were listed between the William Dew (c1802) family and the Mary Kerby (c1825) family. They were also in very close proximity to other Turner families, probably close relatives, including: Joel Turner, Robert Turner (c1794), Robert Turner (c1825) and others. This places them clearly in Kerby Township, probably somewhere just south or southwest of Latta, on the southern side of Catfish Creek (now Dillon County). Once again, Willis and family were all enumerated with a race code of "M", as were all the other Turner's nearby.

For the Civil War, Willis Turner enlisted in Company D, 25th Regiment Infantry as a Private. He was listed by Sellers as "Willis Turner Jr", though I know of no other Willis Turner of age at that time. (A History of Marion County, South Carolina by W.W. Sellers, page 635).

If Willis Turner's "race" was a factor, it didn't stop him from serving in the Confederate cause. In the same Company with him were Joel Turner and one of the Martin Turner's.

Willis died sometime before 1870. I don't know if he died during the Civil War, or afterwards. His last child was born ca 1865. By the time of the 1870 census, his widow Orpy was residing with Garot C. Christmas, who also seemed to be widowed, with children of his own. Her name was listed as "Turner" on this record, so they weren't married. They were cousins. They were in Legette Township, so apparently she moved again after the death of Willis Turner. I missed this entry when I transcribed the Turners from the 1870 census, so I found it in a published version of this census (by Margaret Byrd Altman). She didn't include anything under the race column, so I'm not sure how they were listed.

She was still with Mr. Christmas for the 1880 census. This census listed her name as Christmas as well, and listed her as his wife, and her daughters Mary and Margaret Turner as "Christmas" as well. I'm fairly sure this was a mistake, as they were not married to each other, for on the 1900 census, she was still with him, but listed as "Turner" again, and they were both listed as Widowed, and she was listed as his "cousin". In 1880 they were still in Legette Township, though not with the exact same neighbors as in 1870. The Stephen Turner family was about 10 houses away in 1880.

Orpy Ann Turner was listed on the 1900 census, still living with Mr. Christmas. This time, she was listed as his "cousin". They were both listed as widowed.

Orpy Ann Turner died 22 Apr 1908 and was buried at the Reedy Creek Cemetery. She is listed as "Orphy Turner 4/22/1908 aged about 76 years. (Per "101 Cemeteries in Marion Co, SC" by Marion Co, Historical Society, page 392 shared with me by Terry Britt).

Children

Willis Turner and Orpy Ann --- had 10 children (per her 1900 census entry), but only 8 of them are known from the 1850 through 1880 census records. The other 2 may have died young. By the time of the 1900 census, only 4 of their children were still living.

Evander D. Turner was born ca 1847/48 in Marion District, SC, probably in Reaves Township. He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census. He was too young for Civil War service. He married Caroline --- before 1870, and they were listed together on the 1870 census. This census had a messed up numbering scheme, and numerous households ran together, so I'm not sure if the Turner's were residing with this other family, or if this was a census taker's mistake. They were in Bethea Township with a Huggins family (black). No other Turner's were living in Bethea Township at this time. Although Evander was listed with race code of "M" (Mulatto) in 1850 and 1860, here he was listed as "White".

By the time of the 1880 census, for some reason, Evander and Caroline were living in different households. She was still in Bethea Township, and he was listed in Kirby (if it is the same Evander). In any event, Caroline Turner was listed as married, but no husband was with her. She was in a Bethea household, in Bethea township. Her race code was "M" (Mulatto), though in 1870 she was "White".

The entry for Evander Turner in Kirby Township might not be the same Evander, but I don't know who else it could be. His age isn't quite right, he is listed as Single, and race code = White. This could be him though, if he and Caroline were separated.

George W. Turner was born ca 1850 in Marion District, SC, presumably in Reaves Township. He was home with his parents for the 1850 and 1860 census, listed with race code of "M" (Mulatto) each time. I didn't find George W. Turner on the 1870 census. He wasn't home with his widowed mother Orpy Turner in 1870. Sometime prior to 1876 he married Margaret ---. I found them listed on the 1880 census in Marion County, in Marion Township, at least I'm reasonably sure this is the same George Turner (if not, I'm not sure who else it could be, though George, son of Benjamin Turner was about this same age, though a little younger). No other Turner families were listed nearby, though there were others in the same township.

Jesse Turner was born ca 1853/54 in Marion District, SC, probably in either Reaves or Kirby Township. He was home with his parents for the 1860 census. He wasn't with his widowed mother Orpy Turner in 1870, unless he was the one listed as "Jessie Christmas" age 18, which is a close fit, except for the surname. I didn't find a Jesse Christmas in 1860 Marion or 1880 Marion census, so this could be a mislabelled Jesse Turner. I didn't find Jesse Turner on the 1880 census in Marion, although there was a much older Jesse Turner family listed in Jeffries Township.

Asberry Turner was born ca 1855/56 in Marion District, SC, probably in Reaves or Kirby Township. He was home with his parents for the 1860 census (listed as "H. Turner" which might be a misread "A. Turner", I'll have to recheck that). He was with his widowed mother Orpy Turner for the 1870 census. Asberry Turner married Mary --- sometime prior to ca 1879. They were listed on the 1880 census in Marion Township. I read this entry as "Andrew Turner", but the published version of this census shows "Asberry Turner". I'll have to recheck it to be sure. They also showed a brother residing with him named "David C. Turner", which should probably be "Harris C. Turner", which I'll also recheck. The family was listed as White in this census. Just four houses away was a John C. Turner family, he was a son of Rachel Turner.

Mary Turner was born ca 1856/57 in Marion District, SC, probably in Kirby Township. She was home with her parents for the 1860 census, and with her widowed mother for the 1870 and 1880 census.

Willy Turner was born ca1859/60 in Marion District, SC, probably in Kirby Township. He was home with his parents for the 1860 census, but gone by 1870, so probably had died by then.

Harris C. Turner was born 11 Jun 1862 (per Tonya Perry) in Marion District, SC, probably in Kirby Township. He was home with his widowed mother Orpy for the 1870 census. In 1880 he was living with his brother Asberry Turner, though listed as David C. Turner (I'll read that census again to make sure it wasn't transcribed wrong).

Thanks to Tonya Perry, a descendant of Harris, for providing details on his family. Harris C. Turner married Minnie Turner ca 1893 in Marion Co, SC. Minnie was a daughter of Kenneth T. Turner (1848) who was a son of Martin M. Turner (c1820) and Eliza ---. It seems reasonable to assume that Harris and Minnie were related to one another, but exactly how is unknown.

Tonya Perry reports that Harris and family moved to Pender Co, NC by 1900 and he died on 1 Aug 1904 either in Pender Co, NC or in the Latta, SC area. He is buried in the Turner cemetery near Latta. Tanya isn't sure if he died in NC or SC, but in either event, he is buried in SC.

I found widow Minnie Turner Turner on the 1910 census listed next door to her parents in Marion Co, SC.

Minnie died on 6 Mar 1947 in Marion or Dillon County, and is buried at the Turner Cemetery in Dillon County.

Margaret Turner was born ca 1864/65 in Marion District, SC, probably in Kirby Township. She was home with her widowed mother for the 1870 and 1880 census.

Researcher List

1. Willis¹ Turner Pvt , born 1822/23 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1860/70 in Marion Co, SC. He married in 1840/48 in Marion Dist, SC Orpy Ann (---) , born Dec 1829 in Marion Dist, SC; died 22 Apr 1908 in Marion Co, SC; buried in Reedy Creek Cemetery, Marion Co, SC.

Children of Willis Turner Pvt and Orpy Ann (---) were as follows:

2 i Evander D² Turner , born 1847/48 in Marion Dist, SC. He married abt 1870 in Marion Co, SC Caroline (---) , born 1848/49 in Marion Dist, SC.

+ 3 ii George W² Turner , born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC. He married Margaret (---) .

4 iii Jesse² Turner , born 1853/54 in Marion Dist, SC.

+ 5 iv Asberry² Turner , born 1855/56 in Marion Dist, SC. He married Mary (---) .

6 v Mary² Turner , born 1856/57 in Marion Dist, SC.

7 vi Willy² Turner , born 1859/60 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1860/70 in Marion Co, SC.

+ 8 vii Harris C² Turner , born 11 Jun 1862 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1 Aug 1904 in Pender Co, NC. He married Minnie Turner .

9 viii Margaret² Turner , born 1864/65 in Marion Dist, SC.

Generation 2

3. George W² Turner (Willis¹), born 1850 in Marion Dist, SC. He married in 1870/76 in Marion Co, SC Margaret (---) , born 1855/56 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of George W Turner and Margaret (---) were as follows:

10 i Caroline³ Turner , born 1875/76 in Marion Co, SC.

5. Asberry² Turner (Willis¹), born 1855/56 in Marion Dist, SC. He married in 1870/79 in Marion Co, SC Mary (---) , born 1859/60 in Marion Dist, SC.

Children of Asberry Turner and Mary (---) were as follows:

11 i Eldora³ Turner , born 1878/79 in Marion Co, SC.

8. Harris C² Turner (Willis¹), born 11 Jun 1862 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1 Aug 1904 in Pender Co, NC. He married bef 1893 in Marion Co, SC Minnie Turner , born 17 Oct 1873 in Marion Co, SC; died 6 Mar 1947 in Dillon Co, SC; buried in Turner Cemetery, Dillon Co, SC, daughter of Kenneth T Turner and Amanda (---) .

Children of Harris C Turner and Minnie Turner were as follows:

12 i Maude³ Turner , born 1891/92 in Marion Co, SC; died 1933 in Gastonia, Gaston Co, NC. She married aft 1910 (---) Lane .

+ 13 ii Tracy³ Turner , born 1893/94 in Marion Co, SC. He married unknown.

14 iii Marvin³ Turner , born 15 Jan 1895 in Marion Co, SC; died 25 Jun 1951 in Dillon Co, SC.

15 iv Thad³ Turner , born 1897/98 in Marion Co, SC.

16 v Covington³ Turner , born 1899/1900 in Marion Co, SC.

17 vi Lamar³ Turner , born 1901/02 in Marion Co, SC.