DNA Project Results
As of November 3, 2009

By Warren Culpepper
DNA Project Manager and
Culpepper Connections Co-Publisher

Membership and Testing Status. The table below details our number of members and the separate, unrelated ancestral groups identified.

A Single Progenitor for the vast majority of American Culpeppers. We have proven that about 80% of American Culpeppers are related to each other through a common progenitor: Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk Co., VA (1633 - 1675+). We also have identified unique haplotypes (genetic signatures) for a number of Culpepper family sub-branches under Henry, as well as for four unrelated American branches and an unrelated International branch. Plus, we have identified an American Culpepper "Modal" haplotype, where the value for each of its 67 markers equals the value most commonly found in the US Culpepper DNA test results.

The Culpepper's Ancient Origin. A haplogroup identifies a person's major ancient population group and provides information about the origin of the male line. The haplogroup that includes the American Culpeppers descending from Henry of Lower Norfolk is designated as I1* and is estimated to have originated on the Iberian Peninsula during the last ice age. As the ice receded, descendants of the first I1 spread across Europe. Their children formed subpopulations, each having its own distinct history. While many I1 members trace their ancestry to Scandinavia, others find their roots in the British Isles, Germany, and beyond. Culpeppers, who first appeared in historical records in 12th century England, most closely match the subpopulation group called Ultra-Norse Type 13-15 (I1-uN13-15). Thus, the American Culpeppers probably descend from the Vikings, the Norse seafaring traders, warriors and pirates who raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the late 8th to the 11th century.

* In 2008, researchers led by Dr. Hammer, Family Tree DNA's Chief Scientist, published an updated Y chromosome haplogroup tree in Genome Research. This paper recommends a number of changes in haplogroup nomenclature. Among the changes, the American Culpepper Haplogroup, previously designated as I1a, became I1. As of May 5th, 2008, Family Tree DNA and the Culpepper DNA project have adjusted its haplogroup names to match the newer nomenclature recommended by this research. The Genographic Project sponsored by National Geographic will make a similar transition in late 2008.

The Culpepper Haplotypes. Combining our DNA knowledge with proven family relationships, here is the currently identified genetic structure of the family.

1. The Primary American Branch is headed by Henry Culpepper of Lower Norfolk. Henry had two sons, Henry Jr. and Robert:

   1. Henry Culpepper Jr., of Lower Norfolk. Henry Jr. maintained the haplotype established by his father. He had two sons, Thomas and Henry III:

      1. Thomas Culpepper of Norfolk. In general, the haplotype for the descendants of Thomas is identical to that of other Henry Jr. descendants except in the Thomas haplotype, DYS CDYb = 38 instead of 37.

      2. Henry Culpepper, III of Norfolk. Henry III maintained the haplotype exhibited by his father.

   2. Robert Culpepper of Lower Norfolk. With a mutation in DYS 442 from 12 to 13, Robert Culpepper establishes the Culpepper Modal haplotype. Robert had three sons: Robert Jr., Joseph, and Benjamin, only one of whom has a unique haplotype.

      1. Robert Culpepper, Jr. of Lower Norfolk. Robert Jr. maintains the modal haplotype exhibited by his father.

         1. James Culpepper (Sr.) of Nash Co., NC, son of Robert Culpepper, Jr. With James, DYS 534 mutates from 17 to 18, and all other markers are the same as the Modal haplotype.

            1. Henry Culpepper of Chattahoochee Co., GA, son of Christopher Culpepper, son of James Culpepper of Nash. With Henry, DYS 385b mutates from 15 to 14, while all other markers are the same as the James Sr. haplotype.

            2. James Culpepper, Jr., of Darlington Co., SC, son of James Culpepper of Nash Co., NC, and grandson of Robert Culpepper, Jr. With James Jr., DYS 439 mutates from 11 to 12, while all other markers are the same as the James Sr. haplotype.

         2. Daniel Culpepper of Warren Co., GA, son of William, son of Robert Jr. Within the Daniel descendants DYS 481 = 23 or 24 and not 25 as in the modal haplotype. This haplotype may extend as far up the ancestral line as Daniel's father, William (son of Robert Jr.), but there are no known brothers of Daniel with living descendants to test.

         3. Stephen Josephius Culpepper, son of Lemuel. We have identified a marker for the descendants of Stephen Josephius Culpepper: DYS 534 = 16 and not 17 as in the modal haplotype. Lemuel is theorized to be the son of Joseph of Norfolk or his brother John, each of whom is a son of Robert Culpepper, Jr.

      2. Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC. With Joseph, DYS 464d mutates to 15 from 14, and all other markers are the same as the Modal haplotype. About half of all Culpeppers descend from Joseph. None of Joseph's four sons with descendant lines have a distinguishing haplotype, but one grandson, two great-grandsons and one 2-great-grandson do.

         1. Benjamin Culpepper of Edgefield Dist., SC, son of Benjamin, son of Joseph.  The haplotype for the descendants of Benjamin Culpepper of Edgefield Dist., SC is identical to that of his father (Benjamin, son of Joseph) except in the son's haplotype, DYS 442 has mutated back to the progenitor's value of 12 from the modal value of 13 that was apparently introduced by Robert of Lower Norfolk.

            1. Andrew "Drury" Culpepper of Henry Co., AL, son of Benjamin of Edgefield, , son of Benjamin, son of Joseph. The haplotype for the descendants of Drury is identical to that of his father (Benjamin of Edgefield) except in the Drury haplotype, DYS CDYb = 38 instead of 37.

         2. David Sneads Culpepper of Dooly Co., GA, son of David of Laurens Co., GA, s/o John of Jones Co., GA, s/o John of Morgan Co., GA, s/o Joseph. The haplotype for David and his descendants is identical to that of his father, David, except DYS CDYb = 36 instead of 37.

         3. Evan Alexander Culpepper, Sr. of Coryell Co., TX, son of Congressman John Culpepper of NC, s/o Sampson of Wilkinson, s/o Joseph. The haplotype for Evan and his descendants is identical to that of his father, John, except DYS 449 = 29 instead of 28.

      3. Benjamin Culpepper of Edgecombe Co., NC (and his son Benjamin the Ferryman and his grandson Erasmus Culpepper of Nash Co., NC). This line has no observable mutations down through Erasmus and even to some modern day descendants, and carries on the Modal haplotype established by Benjamin's father, Robert.

         1. Pleasant Jackson Culpepper of Jackson Parish, LA, son of Osborne Jackson, son of Benjamin of Clarke Co., AL, son of Osborne of Nash Co., NC, son of Erasmus, son of Benjamin the Ferryman, son of Benjamin of of Edgecombe. In general, the haplotype for the descendants of Pleasant Jackson Culpepper is identical to that of other Benjamin Culpepper descendants except in the Pleasant Jackson haplotype, DYS 437 has mutated to 15 from 16. This haplotype may extend as far up the ancestral line as Pleasant Jackson's great-grandfather, Osborne, since no other lines descending from Osborne have yet been tested. It doesn't appear to go back as far as Osborne's father, Erasmus, because other descendants of Erasmus do not have the marker of DYS 437 = 15.

         2. Elisha Culpepper of Talbot Co., GA, son of Nathan, son of Erasmus, son of Benjamin the Ferryman, son of Benjamin of of Edgecombe. In this haplotype, Elisha's descendants have the Marker DYS-447=22 and not 23 as in the modal hapoltype

2. Other American Branches. These branches were previously thought to descend from Henry Culpepper, but hidden paternity exists. One or more of these branches may be Henry Culpepper descendants through a Culpepper daughter. or they may be descendants of an orphaned child of a friend or relative of a Culpepper family who took him in and raised him.

1. Joel Culpepper of Harris Co., GA Branch. Three descendants of Joel Culpepper of Harris Co., GA (1798-1878) have been tested, and while none of them are related to any other Culpepper, they are closely related to each other. Joel had been believed to be a grandson of William Culpepper of Warren Co., GA, son of Robert Jr. However, the test results of a descendant of William's son Daniel matches the other Culpeppers, so we know that Joel is not the son of Daniel.

2. Allison Culpepper of Webster Co., GA Branch. Two descendants of Allison have been tested, and while neither is related to any other Culpepper, they are quite closely related to each other (67 out of 67 markers). Previously, Allison was thought to be a grandson of Joseph Culpepper of Edgecombe, and was perhaps a son of John of Jones Co., GA, or of John's brother, Joseph of Morgan Co., GA.
    

3. John J. Culpepper of Jackson Co., FL Branch. Two descendants of John J. have been tested, and while neither is related to any other Culpepper, they are quite closely related to each other (12 out of 12 markers). Previously, John J. was thought to be a son of John Jefferson Culpepper and his wife Catherine Bell. However, descendants of other children of John Jefferson Culpepper show a match to the Joseph Culpepper line. We now believe that John J. Culpepper and his sister Mary Ann Elizabeth Culpepper are most likely the children of Catherine Bell and a currently unidentified husband who preceded her marriage to John Jefferson Culpepper.
    

4. William Culpepper of Bosque Co., TX Branch. Two descendants of William have been tested, and while neither is related to any other Culpepper, they are quite closely related to each other (12 out of 12 markers). Previously, William was thought to be a son of John Culpepper of Hancock & Marion (MS) and his wife Keziah Taylor. John Culpepper of Hancock and Marion was the son of Rev. John Culpepper, Jr. of Hancock Co., MS, and this John was the son of John Culpepper of Jones Co., GA. However, other descendants of John Culpepper of Jones show a match to the Joseph Culpepper line. The most likely break in Culpepper paternity for the branch descending from William probably occurs with William's mother, Keziah Taylor, since she appeared to have born several children with no known father in sight. Thus, we now believe that William Culpepper is most likely the son of Keziah Taylor and a currently unidentified male in either Hancock or Marion County, Mississippi.
    

3. International Branch
   (Culpepers and Colepepers, all outside of the USA)

   1. The Culpepers of Barbados appeared at about the same time in the mid 1600's as the Culpeppers of America. The first Culpeper in Barbados was the Rev. William Culpeper, a descendant of William Culpeper of Hunton and Wigsell. This branch persists today as the Colepepers of South Africa, and the Culpepers (2-p) of Puerto Rico, and Canada. We have 67-marker DNA test results from two members of the Bajan (Barbados) branch, and a 37-marker test from a member of the Puerto Rican branch.  They all closely match each other, but they do not match the Culpeppers of America.

   2. Culpepers emerged in India in the mid 18th century in connection with the English-backed East India Company. It seems likely that the first Culpeper there was either a descendant of the Hollingbourne line, or of the Bajan branch. The Indian branch persists today with members in India, England and Australia. The only person from this branch to be tested so far is a match on 63 out of 67 markers with the Barbados project members mentioned above, and thus the Indian and Bajan branches are definitely related.

4. Pearson/Gradeless Branch. We have one non-Culpepper with the surname of Gradeless who has joined our project because he is a fairly close match to some of the mainline Culpeppers. He matches the Culpepper Modal haplotype on 60 of 67 markers, and the Progenitor haplotype on 61 of 67 markers. The earliest known ancestor of Gradeless is thought to be a Joseph Pearson, born say 1700, who was the father of Jesse Grayless (Gradeless) born out of wedlock. He lived in Dorchester Co., Maryland, on the east side of Chesapeake Bay and north of the Culpeppers who were on both sides of the bay in the Virginia counties of Norfolk and Accomack. The Gradeless project member has the mutation that we believe distinguishes the Progenitor’s haplotype from the Modal. He also has six other mutations (actually seven steps, since there is one two-step mutation), suggesting that his connection to the Culpeppers is ancient if it actually exists. It is also clear that he is not at all a match with the Culpepers of Barbados and India.

As we secure additional test results, we expect to identify the haplotypes for more branches of the family. It is also possible that with more test results, we will modify the names of some of the above haplotypes as well as change some of the speculative linkages within our family tree.

Confidentiality. In order to respect privacy, the test results and identities of project members are shown only in a password protected section of this website, and only if they have granted permission for their names and results to be revealed to others who are close matches. Under no circumstances will we reveal this information to those who are not project members.

Marker-by-Marker Detail. The underlying 67-marker detail from which we created our groupings above can be viewed at: Tabular Analysis of Allele Values (User name and password required. If you are a project member and don't have your log-in info, send an e-mail to Warren Culpepper).

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