. Curtis. Origin: Old Family Name.

The Curtis name is found in the 1740 Bahamas Census and other early records of the Bahamas. Several members of this old family received land grants on Long Island after the close of the American Revolution; E. Curtis received an unknown number of acres of land in the Burnt Ground area of Long Island 10 October 1788. This is most likely Eunice Curtis, as she is named as owning property adjoining that of Neptune Curtis on Neptune’s deed, although her name is not present on the maps themselves.

The Curtis name is found in the 1740 Bahamas Census and other early records of the Bahamas. A Neptune is listed in the 1740 Census, with wife, Frances, and children, Charity, Richard, Andrew, and Faith. Neptune (to whom we refer as Neptune Sr., although he was at least the second Neptune) is also listed in the census in a separate household with wife, Elizabeth, and son Neptune Jr. This means there were three Neptune Curtises listed in 1740, and per the 1734 Firzwilliam Census, this was a “Free Black or Mulatto” family.

Reference: 1740 Census.