Peter Capley was borne Peter Keppel about 1760 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He was a son of Peter Keppel, Sr. and Anna Elizabeth Grobb. Peter married Maria Barbara Grappin about 1794. In the 1800 Census for Rowan County he is listed as Peter Keppel but a few years later a land deed refers to him as Peter Kapple. By 1820, he and his wife Barbara are in Bedford County, Tennessee and he is listed with the surname Copley. After 1820, in all documents he is listed as Peter Capley.
The various surname changes has made it somewhat difficult to identify and place family members. A modern day monument claims that Peter and Barbara had 11 children which matches the number of individuals within the household in the 1820 Census; but, have the proper eleven children been identified and verified. This monument also contained a birth date of 1 May 1768 for Peter Capley with no source.
Children named on Monument posted at: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90820314/peter-capley
- Anna Elizabeth 7. David
- John George 8. Michael
- Catherine 9. Salome
- Susanna 10. Sarah
- Mary Barbara 11. Mary Ann
- John Martin
Without any prior knowledge of this monument, I have identified the following children for Peter and Barbara Capley from the records of The Organ Lutheran Church, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC.
i. Anna Elizabeth Capley was born on 16 Jun 1795 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
Anna Elizabeth was borne 16 June 1795; Baptized 20 Sept. 1795, a Daughter of Peter Kepple with P. Kepple & W. sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 21, Image 85
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TJ-7?i=84&cat=353923
ii. John George "Buck" Capley, born 28 Aug 1797, Rowan County, North Carolina, United States; married Mary Ann Crowell; died Jan 1850, Bedford County Tennessee). John George was borne 28 Aug 1797; Baptized 29 Oct. 1797, a son of P. Kepple with G. (?) Ernhard sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 24, Image 88.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89Y4-D?i=87&cat=353923
iii. Catharine Capley was born on 30 Sep 1799 in Rowan County, North Carolina
Catherine was borne 30 Sept 1799; Baptized 11 May 1800, a Daughter of Peter Keple with Martin Duerr sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 33, Image 98
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TJ-7?i=84&cat=353923
iv. Susanna Capley was born on 3 Aug 1801 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
Susanna was borne 3 Aug. 1801; Baptized 14 Feb. 1802, a daughter of Peter Keple with P. Risenhaur sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 36, Image 101
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TG-4?i=100&cat=353923
v. Mary Barbara Capley was born on 16 Oct 1802 in Rowan County, North Carolina
Mary Barbara was borne 16 Oct. 1802; Baptized 25 Nov. 1804, a daughter of Peter Keple with parents sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 39, Image 105
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TN-C?i=104&cat=353923
vi. John Martin Capley was born on 25 Nov 1805 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
John Martin was borne 25 Nov. 1805; Baptized 26 May. 1806, a Son of Pet. Keple with John Keple sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 42, Image 108
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89T2-S?i=107&cat=353923
vii. David Capley was born on 28 Nov 1807 in Rowan County, North Carolina
David was borne 28 Nov. 1807; Baptized 9 Apr. 1808, a Son of Pet. Keple with Christo Bieber sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 45, Image 111
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89T5-7?i=110&cat=353923
viii. Sarah Capley was born on 19 Oct 1809 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
Sarah was borne 19 Oct. 1809; Baptized 27 May 1810, a daughter of Pet. Keple with parents’ sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 48, Image 114
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89TT-M?i=113&cat=353923
ix. John Capley was born on 10 Jan 1812 in Rowan County, North Carolina.
John was borne 10 Jan. 1812; Baptized 7 June 1812, Son of Peter Keple with parents sponsor.
Organ Lutheran Church Records, 1774-1882, Rowan County, North Carolina; LDS Film #313884; Page 51, Image 117
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-89T6-F?i=116&cat=353923
So what is the difference? In my research, I identified 9 children of which 8 matches the Capley Monument.
The one name I have that does not match the Monument is the birth and baptism of John Capley on 10 January 1812 in Rowan County.
Conversely, the Capley Monument had three names for which I have found no connection to the Peter & Maria Barbara Capley family.
- Michael Capley
- Salome Capley
- Mary Ann Capley
In the Organ Lutheran Church records, Salisbury, Rowan County, NC there is a Salome Keple born 28 December 1806, Baptized 29 March 1807; but, her father is not listed as Peter Keple. Her father is Jos. Keple.
There are no listings in these records of a Michael or Mary Ann Capley/Keple born to any Keple family. However, in the 1850 Census Bedford County in the Peter Capley, age 90, household there is a Michael Capley, age 28 and Mary Ann Capley, age 29; both are presumed to be children of Peter and Maria Barbara Capley.
Another puzzle is why did Peter name a son John Martin and then a later name another son, John. If you have any information on this family I would like to collaborate with you. My email Contact can be found on this page.
Peter Keppel/Capley is my 4th Great Grand Uncle.
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1 tombstone - https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/4553952/person/362000506167/media/7ddb5b8e-9eee-4e27-9c70-adb8a2934a7b