Virgil R. DuPont

Virgil R. DuPont, son of Abraham DuPont and Jane Verdier Pepper, was born 26 Mar 1813, SC, died 11 Aug 1885, FL, buried DuPont Cemetery in the Hammock, Flagler CO, FL married 26 Jul 1838, SC, Amelia (Emily) Whitley, born about 1821, SC, died between 1852-1856, probably in Orange CO, FL.

In the 1850 Census, Abraham is shown with his wife Amelia, living in Division 18, Orange CO, FL. His occupation is listed as Hotel Keeper. Living with them are their children: Jane, Abraham, Thomas, Anna and Milton

After her death, Abraham and the children still at home, moved to St. Johns CO, FL and were listed in the 1860 Census of that county. Also listed in that Census, is his new wife Jane and two additional children, Mary and Tulula.

They lived at Matanzas on the plantation bequeathed to Virgil DuPont in his father Abraham's will. Descendants of Virgil DuPont have continually resided on this land. In 1880 he was listed as a postmaster with the mail brought by boat from St. Augustine three times a week. It is also stated that he carried the mail between St. Augustine and Daytona over the Kings Highway at one time. He was said to be a large, raw-bone man, more than 6 feet tall.

Two of Virgil DuPont's sons by his first marriage, William and Abraham, served in the Confederate Army during the War Between the States and were killed in action. Their bodies were brought back to St. Augustine and were buried in the Old Huguenot Cemetery. Their names are inscribed on the Confederate Monument in the Plaza in St. Augustine.

Eight children were said to be born to his first marriage. The seven children whom the compiler was able to document are as follows:

1. William Augustus DuPont, 04 Jun 1839, GA, died in CSA service, possibly in May 1862 in the Battler of Seven Pines, Richmond, VA

2. Jane Verdie DuPont, born 13 Nov 1841, GA

3. Abraham DuPont, born 22 Dec 1841, died in CSA service, possibly in May 1862 in the Battler of Seven Pines, Richmond, VA

4. Thomas Benjamin DuPont, born 03 Jan 1845, FL

5. Ann Amanda DuPont, born 24 Sep 1847, FL

6. Milton McMurray DuPont, born 10 Dec 1849, FL

7. Charles Joseph DuPont, born 21 Jan 1852, died Aug 1852, FL, possibly Orange CO

Virgil R. DuPont married 2nd, 28 Nov 1856, FL, Sarah Elizabeth (Kate) Knight, dau of Samuel Knight, born 07 Feb 1841, FL, died 17 Aug 1907, St Johns CO, FL. Both are buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, St Johns CO, FL.

The nine children of Virgil R. and Sarah Elizabeth DuPont were;

8. Mary Elvira DuPont, born 28 Aug 1857, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 28 Aug 1905, St Johns CO, FL, married 03 May 1874, FL, Thomas (Theodore) O’Steen, son of James O'Steen and Mary Thompson, born 18 Nov 1856, FL, died 24 Jan 1930. Both buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, St Johns CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Bertied Clevland O’Steen, born 13 May 1885, FL, married between 1910-1917, Gertie LNU

(2) Maryleana O'Steen, born Mar 1888, FL

9. Tullulah Ellen (Lulu) DuPont, born 14 Jan 1859, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 26 Sep 1903, FL, buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, St Johns CO, FL married 18 Apr 1883, Henry Francis Masters, son of Peter Andres Masters and Mary C Solana, born 17 Sep 1857, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, died 20 Jul 1926, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Pitsey S Masters, born 01 Mar 1888, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, married Berdie LNU, born about 1893. Issue;

A. Vernon Masters, born about 1918, FL

B. Edgar Masters, born about 1921, FL

C. Margaret Masters, born about 1922, FL

D. Evelyn Masters, born about 1924, FL

Berdie was 1st married to FNU Purdom. They had son John, born about 1914, FL

(2) Carrington James Masters, born 25 Jul 1893, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, married Elizabeth E LNU (Div-1934). He was a dental student in Atlanta when he filled out his WW I Draft Registration.

(3) Lizzie Masters, born about 1897

(4) Hubert Henry Masters, born 12 Mar 1899, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, died 06 Mar 1984, Putnam CO, FL, married about 1923, Eula LNU, born about 1903, FL. Issue;

A. Loraine Masters, born about 1926, FL

B. Frances L Masters, born Sep 1927, FL

C. Marvin L Masters, born Sep 1929, FL

Henry Francis Masters married 2nd, Corrie Elizabeth LNU, born 07 Jan 1884, VA, died 15 Feb 1972, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL. They had two sons, Lockwood and Russell.

10. Edward Longworth DuPont, born 15 Feb 1861, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 1922, Putnam CO, FL, buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery. Never married. In the 1900 census of St. Johns CO, he is listed as residing at Neoga, age 39, single with occupation "Farm Laborer."

11. James Dozier DuPont, born 19 Jan 1863 Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 10 Apr 1930, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL at home of son Lee, married 06 Apr 1895, Mary Ann (Annie) O' Steen, dau of Jackson O' Steen and his wife Rachel E. Carter, born 28 Jan 1870, Carterville, St Johns CO, FL, died 19 Aug 1941, Flagler CO, FL. Both buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, Flagler CO, FL. See the sketch on James Dozier DuPont for additional information on this family.

12. Franklin Pepper DuPont, born 20 Jan 1865, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 28 Nov 1946, Putnam CO, FL, buried DuPont Cemetery, Flagler CO, FL, married 22 May 1890, Laura Boyton, born 18 Nov 1869, IL, died 04 Mar 1943, Putnam CO, FL, buried Federal Point Cemetery, Federal Point, Putnam CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Leo Clarence DuPont, born 24 Aug 1891, St Louis, MO, died 17 Aug 1986, St Johns CO, FL married Martha B LNU, born 09 May 1869, died o4 Mar 1943. He was a farmer. She was a nurse. Both buried Federal Point Cemetery, Federal Point, Putnam CO, FL. Issue:

A. Charles Leo DuPont, born about 12 Feb 1921, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, died 02 Mar 2000, Federal Point, Putnam CO, FL, married Thelma

He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and Korea and worked at the naval base in Jacksonville in civil service as an aircraft mechanic for 25 years.

B. Wallace DuPont, born about 1925, FL

C. Clarence E (Buzzy) DuPont

(2) Marvin Clyde DuPont, born 03 Oct 1892, St Louis, MO, died 18 Feb 1974, Jacksonville, married Masie LUN. He worked for the postal department. Issue;

A. Nancy DuPont, born 1925, Osceola CO, FL

(3) Curtis Melton DuPont, born 21 Apr 1894, St Louis, MO, married Mabel Brown, born about 1896, NY. He was an electrician

13. Alice Virginia DuPont, born 11 Apr 1867, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 1939, FL, married James Monroe Bryant, born 1856, FL, died 1919, St Johns CO, FL. Both buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, St Johns CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Agnes L Bryant, born 23 Jan 1888, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 21 Feb 1976, Flagler Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married William Franklin Cothron, son of Joseph Cothron and Marguerite Elizabeth Weeks, born 24 Sep 1884, Moutrie, St Johns CO, FL, died 04 Mar 1968, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL. Both buried Pellicer Creek Cemetery, St Johns CO, FL. Issue;

A. Alice Cothron, born about 1915, FL married Phil Barnes. Issue;

a. Bryant Barnes

Alice Cothron married Slade Pinkham. Issue;

b. Margaret (Peggy) Pinkham

c. Mary Pinkham, born 12 Mar 1950, Florida East Coast Hospital, St Augustine, St Johns CO, FL, married 22 May 1971, Key West, Monroe CO, FL, Robert Earl Kross. Issue;

Alice Cothron married J W Beachem. Issue;

d. J W Beachem, Jr

B. William Franklin Cothron Jr,

C. James M Cothron

(2) James Monroe Bryan Jr, born about 1892, FL

(3) Virgil Dupont Bryant, born 08 Apr 1894, White City, FL

14. Lucy Laura DuPont, born 12 Jun 1869, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 1933, Polk CO, FL married Lopez C Masters, born Nov 1867, FL, died 1949, Polk CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Silas Andrew Masters, born 19 Jun 1891, FL, died 08 Feb 1976, Manatee CO, FL, married Margaret Dorothy LNU, born 28 Aug 1900, MA, died Manatee CO, FL. He was a machinist. Issue:

A. Dorothy F Masters, born about 1921, FL

B. Margaret L Masters, born about 1923, FL

C. Daisy E Masters, born about 1924, FL

(2) Estella Masters, born Oct 1894, FL

(3) Daniel Masters, born Nov 1896, FL

15. Virgil Luther DuPont, born 02 Apr 1872, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL, died 29 Jan 1937, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, married Laura O LUN, born Jun 1876, FL (Div). He was a millwright in the Jacksonville ship yards.

Virgil Luther DuPont married 2nd, 03 Nov 1914, Emilie Virginia Bernelle, dau of Emile Joseph Bernelle and Josephine Victoria La Mee, born 28 Aug 1878, Macon, Bibb CO, GA, died 12 Aug 1967, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL. Issue;

(1) Virginia Leone DuPont, born 23 Aug 1915, Cedar Key, Levy CO, FL, died 30 Oct 1984, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, married Fuller Dent Tresca, born 08 Jan 1914, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, died 09 Sep 1981, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL

(2) Virgil Roger DuPont, born 31 Jan 1918, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, died 20 May 1995, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL, married Dorthea Mae Bartels

(3) Edna Elizabeth Dupont, born about 1920, Jacksonville, Duval CO, FL

16. Sarah Elizabeth DuPont, born 15 Feb 1874, Matanzas, St Johns CO, FL. Some records say she married a Turner and resided in Palatka - others say she married a Masters (brother of Henry)

Source: The First Families of Flagler by Mary Ketus Deen Holland who cited as her sources, Published Articles, Family Records and Melinda DuPont Clemons.


Additional sources used by the compiler were: 1850 United States Federal Census, Division 18, Orange, Florida; 1860 United States Federal Census, Division 22, St Johns, Florida; 1870 United States Federal Census, St Augustine, St Johns, Florida; 1880 United States Federal Census, Precinct 8, Saint Johns, Florida; 1900 United States Federal Census, Palatka, Putnam, Florida; 1900 United States Federal Census, Precinct 8, Saint Johns, Florida; 1910 United States Federal Census, Jacksonville Ward 7, Duval, Florida; 1910 United States Federal Census, Panama, Duval, Florida; 1910 United States Federal Census, Palatka Ward 1, Putnam, Florida; 1920 United States Federal Census, Monterief, Duval, Florida; 1920 United States Federal Census, Kissimmee, Osceola, Florida; 1920 United States Federal Census, Bradley, Polk, Florida; 1920 United States Federal Census, Federal Point, Putnam, Florida; 1920 United States Federal Census, New Augustine, St Johns, Florida; 1930 United States Federal Census, Jacksonville, Duval, Florida; 1930 United States Federal Census, Kissimmee, Osceola, Florida; 1930 United States Federal Census, Lakeland, Polk, Florida; 1930 United States Federal Census, Federal Point, Putnam, Florida; Georgia Marriages to 1850; Florida Divorce Index, 1927-2001; World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; WWI Civilian Draft Registrations; Social Security Death Index; Florida Death Index, 1877-1998; A transcript of the Dupont Family Bible which was found in the Southern Genealogist's Exchange Quarterly, Vol. 9, NO 48, Winter 1968, pg 6, which states that the Bible was in the position of Marvin Dupont, 2315 W. 17th Street, Jacksonville, FL at that time. The information was submitted by Mrs. C F Bowen, Box 110B, Ft Geo Start Rt., Jacksonville, FL 32229 (Most of the information on the first seven children comes from this source); Huxford Genealogical Society, Inc., Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, Volume 8, (Huxford Genealogical Society, Inc, P.O. Box 595, Homerville, GA, 1988), pg 262; Emile Joseph Bernelle family information posted on ancestry.com and Peter Andres Masters family information posted on ancestry.com.

Please send questions, corrections or additions to Sisco Deen, P.O. Box 637, Flagler Beach, FL 32136 or email him at Sisco_Deen@hotmail.com