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Descendants of Robert Coleman of Nansemond County Virginia 1684-1930

Chapter 27.  Descendants of Zachary Taylor Coleman of Hamilton and Putnam Counties of Tennessee

Zachariah Taylor Coleman
provided by courtesy of Ralph Maynard, of Cookeville, TN.

By permission, the text below is excerpts from a book, The Colemans of North Hamilton County Tennessee by Cy Yarborough.
Editor's notes are my additions based on reports people have given me or I have researched - Wes Coleman

(398) Zachary Taylor Coleman was born 11/?/1847, on Walden's Ridge in Bledsoe County, Tennessee, which is now in Sequatchie County, TN.  He grew up on the mountain somewhere in the general area of the Lewis Chapel Community and Flat Top Mountain Community.  He moved to Putnam County, Tennessee with his family in the early 1860's at the age of around 13 or 14.

Zack joined the Union Army in 1864.  He was mustered in at Chattanooga, TN, on 9/12/1864, in the 6th Tennessee Mounted Infantry, Company D.  His term of enlistment was for 1 year.  He swore an affidavit that he was 18 years of age but he in fact lacked around 2 months reaching his 17th birthday when he enlisted.  A mistake could have been made about his date of birth but lying about one's age in order to enlist was not an uncommon occurence during the Civil War.  A mistake was made as far as his name was concerned.  He was erroneously mustered in the Army as John Coleman and his service record's are indexed under Z. T. Coleman but all have John Coleman written on them.

According to Zack's physical description in his service record he stood 5' 4" tall, was of dark complexion, had dark hair and grey eyes.  He was listed as a farmer and being born in Bledsoe County, TN.

Zack was discharged due to disability before his 1 year enlistment was up.  His disability discharge states he had his left arm amputated due to an accidental wound to the elbow inflicted by an associate in a fight that took place near Chattanooga on 3/20/1865.  He was discharged on 6/6/1865, in Chattanooga, TN.

He returned to Putnam County after his discharge and began farming. His farm was located in the extreme southwest corner of the county and actually ran over into DeKalb County, TN.

Editor's Note:
Patterson, 2004 related this information about Zachariah and his first wife:

Zack's first married Jane Mitchel.  Patterson, 2004 found the Dekalb Co, TN marriage book of 1848 to 1900 listing a marriage of G.T. Coleman and Jane Mitchel on 02/22/1869.  This date he found "curious" having the death certificate for their child, William Joseph Coleman, giving William's date of birth as 03/18/1867.

By the 1870 census Jane seems to have moved back to her fathers house with a five month old male child.

Patterson, 2004 writes he was given a date of Nov 16, 1871 for Zack and Jane's divorce, but this seemed odd to him since Zack would marry Sarah Jemima Stuart on 12/09/1870.

Patterson also found that Jane remarried to Joseph Williams on 10/18/1874 in the same marriage book.

Zack married 2nd Sarah Jemimah Stewart who was born in Bowma (Cookeville), TN. around 1851 or 1852.  Sarah had lost her right arm in a gristmill accident during her childhood.  It had been said that between them there wasn't anything they couldn't do on the farm.  From all indications the marriage was a blissful one.  Unfortunately Sarah died in the early 189O's around the age of 40.

Zack married for a 3rd time within a few years to Amanda Jane Patton, who was the sister of Mary Patton Haile Coleman, wife of Zack's nephew Robert E. Coleman.  They remained on the farm in Putnam County until after the turn of the century when Zack moved his family to Hunter, Arkansas.

The middle name of Zach's third wife, Amanda Jane Patton, was provided by Patterson, 2004.  This is supported by the U.S. Census listing her as Amanda J. in one place.

Early in 1907 Zack and his family moved to Soddy, TN.  There they remained for two or three years then returned to Arkansas for good.

Editor's Notes:
Zachary's family shows up in the 1910 U.S. Census for Putnam County, TN.  It may mean that Cy meant Zach and family moved back to their former home area in Putnam Co., TN, rather than Soddy, TN, but Zach had lived both places, so either one is likely to be true.

Zack farmed all of his life.  He was said to have been a skilled carpenter and generally an excellent worker with his hand.  Zack died in Hunter, Arkansas around 1924.  He was buried in Arkansas.  It is not known when Amanda died but she did live several years after Zack passed away.

Editor's Notes:
Patterson, 2004 relates that Mr. J. T. Stuart of Watertown, TN records a death date of Oct 31, 1923 for Zack in Hunter, Arkansas.

Zack fathered more children then any other descendant of Charles Coleman; a total of 25 children.  One by his 1st wife, 13 by Sarah Steward and 11 by Amanda Patton.

Three of his children by Sarah Stewart died in infancy and their names are not known.  A set of twins and a single birth.  The rest of the children are as shown below.

Editor's Notes on sources of information for Zach's family below:

1. The exact dates of birth and death for Sarah Jemimah's children were reported by Patterson, 2004.
2. The exact dates of birth and death for Amanda Jane's children were reported on the Pfaus web site.
3. The years of birth are based on U.S. Census Records of 1900 DeKalb Co., TN, 1910 Putnam Co., TN, and 1920 Woodruff Co., AR.
4. William Joseph Coleman's name was reported by Patterson.
5. Existence of Della was reported by Patterson.
6. The rest is based on Cy Yarborough's original work.

(398) Zachary Taylor Coleman and Jane Mitchel had one child:

(840)  1. William Joseph "Bee" Coleman     b. 03/18/1867, in TN

(398) Zachary Taylor Coleman and Sarah Jemimah Stewart had these children:

(841)  2. James Monroe Coleman             b. 12/10/1874,  in Putnam Co., TN
(842)  3. Charles Harrison Coleman         b. 12/15/1876,  in Putnam Co., TN
(843)  4. Martha E. Coleman (Mickey), twin b. 11/29/1878,  in Putnam Co., TN
(844)  5. Mary Lou Coleman, twin           b. 11/29/1878,  in Putnam Co., TN
(845)  6. Henry Clay Coleman               b. 06/09/1881,  in Putnam Co., TN
(846)  7. Ella Coleman, twin               b.       1883,  in Putnam Co., TN
(847)  8. Della Coleman, twin              b.       1883,  in Putnam Co., TN, d. 1891.
(848)  9. Susan F. Coleman                 b. 08/ ?/1885,  in Putnam Co., TN
(849) 10. Zachary Taylor Coleman, Jr.      b. 02/ ?/1889,  in Putnam Co., TN
(850) 11. Lona Coleman, twin               b. 03/ ?/1891,  in Putnam Co., TN, d. c1985
(851) 12. Dona Coleman, twin               b. 03/ ?/1891,  in Putnam Co., TN, d. 07/ ?/1891

(398) Zachary Taylor Coleman and Amanda Jane Patton Huff had these children:

(852) 13. Bailey Coleman, son              b. 05/21/1894,  in Putnam Co., TN
(853) 14. Daisy Pauline Coleman, dau.      b. 02/22/1896,  in Putnam Co., TN
(854) 15. Ollie Ruby Coleman, dau.         b. 11/17/1896,  in Putnam Co., TN, died 06/15/1988
(855) 16. Houston Coleman, son 	           b. 07/18/1899,  in Putnam Co., TN
(856) 17. Thomas J. Coleman, son           b. 02/03/1903,  in TN
(857) 18. Lee Coleman, son                 b. 02/ ?/1905,  in TN
(858) 19. Richard Louis Coleman, son       b. 12/15/1906,  in AR
(859) 20. Lucy Mildred Coleman, dau.       b. 12/25/1908,  in AR, died 09/19/1989.
(860) 21. Emma M. Coleman, dau.            b. in 1908/1909, in AR
(861) 22. John George Coleman, son         b. in 1911/1912, in TN
(862) 23. Albert Carl Coleman, son         b. in 1912/1913, in AR

Editor's Notes
The 1900 U.S. Census for DeKalb County, Tennessee, 16th District, Volume 15, Enumeration District 48, Sheet 3 beginning on line 36 shows Zach's family in the Soddy area:

Name	Relation	Birth	Age	Birthplace
Zach	Head	Nov 1847	62	TN
Amanda	Wife	Jan 1870	30	TN
H. C. (Henry Clay)	son	Jun 1881	18	TN
Susan F.	dau	Aug 1885	14	TN
Zach	son	Feb 1889	11	TN
Lone	dau	Mar? 1891	9	TN
Baley	son	May 1894	6	TN
Daisy	dau	Feb 1896	4	TN
Ollie	dau	Nov 1898	2	TN
Huston	son	Jul 1899	1	TN
Hickey, Jurelve	serv	May 1879	21	TN

The 1910 U.S. Census for Putnam County, Tennessee, 13th District, Volume 78, Enumeration District 87, Sheet 14 shows:

Name	Relation	Age	Birthplace
Zacharire	Head	63	TN
Manda J.	Wife	40	TN
Lona	dau	19	TN
Baily	son	15	TN
Daisy	dau	13	TN
Ollie	dau	11	TN
Huston	son	9	TN
Thomas J.	son	7	TN
Lee	son	5	TN
Louis	son	3	TN
Lucy	dau	2	TN
Emma M.	dau	1	TN

and it also shows that "Manda J." has had ten children, nine of whom are living.

The 1920 U.S. Census for Woodruff County, Caney Township, Arkansas, Enumeration District 237, Sheet 3B beginning on line 98 shows:

Name	Relation	Birth	Age	Birthplace
Z. T.	Head	73	TN
Amanda J.	Wife	49	TN
Zach T.	son	29	TN
Bayle	son	25	TN
Thomas J.	son	18	TN
Lee	son	16	TN
Richard	son	14	AR
Lucy	dau	12	AR
Emma	dau	10	AR
Johnie	son	8	TN
Albert	son	6	AR

Patterson, 2004 records:
(840) William Joseph "Bee" Coleman was born March 18, 1867, and died December 18, 1942 in Carthage, TN.  He married Ida Ray, daughter of Phillip Ray and Nancy Ann.  Ida Ray was born July 02, 1882, and died August 13, 1970 in Nashville, TN.  William was buried December 19, 1942, in Carthage TN.  Ida Ray was buried in 1970, in Carthage, TN. (840) William Joseph "Bee" Coleman and his wife, Ida Ray, had these children:

(863)  1.  George Henry Coleman, b. December 06, 1904, Probably Smith Co, Tn,; d. June 19, 1931, Probably Hickman Tn, Smith Co,.
(864)  2.  Millissa Ava Coleman, b. October 02, 1901; d. June 06, 1984, Nashville Tn,.
(865)  3.  Mattie Velma Coleman, b. January 05, 1908; d. September 24, 1998, Forrest LawnCem, Goodletsville Tn,.
(866)  4.  Louvada Coleman, b. October 22, 1909; d. March 18, 1978.
(867)  5.  Ira Franklin Coleman, b. October 17, 1911, Dekalb Co, Tn; d. November 03, 1994, Milan Tn,.
(868)  6.  Katy Mae Coleman, b. January 01, 1914; d. January 08, 1987; m. (1) Houston Anderson; m. (2) HAMPTON.
(869)  7.  Jesse Carrol Coleman, b. April 05, 1924; d. Abt. September 2000; m. Dorthy.

(841) James Monroe Coleman was born 12/10/1874, in Putnam County, TN, he married Catherine Carter in Putnam County, TN, around 1894.  Catherine was born 8/?/1874.  James farmed for a living and stayed in Putnam County when his father left for Arkansas.  Nothing else is known of this family at the present time.

(842) Charles Harrison Coleman was born 12/15/1876, in Putnam County, TN, he married Lisa Carter in Putnam County around 1895.  I believe Lisa is Catherine's sister but I do not know for sure.  Lisa was born 5/?/1877. Charles also farmed and remained in Putnam County after his father left.  In the 1900 Putnam County Census they are shown as having 2 children.  Nothing else is known about this family.

(842) Charles Harrison Coleman and wife Lisa Carter had these children by 1900:

(870)  1.  Dolly Coleman,                      b. 07/?/1897, in Putnam County, TN.
(871)  2.  Alty May Coleman,                   b. 06/?/1899, in Putnam County, TN.

(843) Martha E. Coleman (Mickey) was born in 11/29/1878, in Putnam County, TN.  She married Columbus Hickey and lived her life out in Putnam County. She had 3 or 4 children of whose names are presently unknown.

(844) Mary Lou Coleman (Ervin) was an identical twin sister to Martha.  Mary married a man named Ervin and lived in Putnam County, TN.

(845) Henry Clay Coleman was undoubtedly one of the most remarkable members of the Coleman family.

He was born 06/09/1881, in Putnam County, TN.  He grew up with a rough bunch of boys in Putnam County but was saved at the age of 12 by a Methodist preacher at a revival.  Never again straying from the church he began his formal education at the age of 14 at Smithville, TN.  He persuaded the teacher to let him start in the 8th grade even though he had never been to school a day in his life.  He told the teacher if he didn't ask him any questions in class for three months by then he would catch up with the class. Henry studied until midnight every night.  In order to stay awake he would stick his feet in a tub of ice when he felt himself getting drowsy.  In three months he not only caught up with the class but was excelling in it.  From Smithville he went to Cookeville, TN, to finish high school and then to Maryville College where he began teaching at the age of 17.

Henry became a "troubleshooter" for the Tennessee school system traveling to schools throughout the state where they were having discipline problems.  Through the years he gained a reputation for being a good disciplinarian.

Henry taught in schools throughout the Tennessee state system but some of the more notable jobs were as principal in the elementary school at Baxter, TN, and teaching in the Retro School at what is now Bakewell, TN, in North Hamilton Co.

During Henry's teaching days he married his 1st cousin, Nanny Coleman, youngest daughter of his uncle Thomas J. Coleman.  They were married 1/25/1907, in Sale Creek, TN.

After 19 years of teaching Henry left the profession in 1917 and became the Agricultural Agent for Overton County, TN.  During this time he also published a small country newspaper for a short while.

In 1920, Henry changed professions again due to divine intervention.  He answered the call he had refused 12 years before and he entered the Methodist ministry.  His first church was in Lawrenceburg, TN, where there was a one room building and 44 members.  He built a new building by having a book of poems written by a local poet published and sold enough to raise $8,000 in six months.  With his own initiation and sweat the new church was built and began to flourish.

From Lawrenceburg, Henry and family came back to Chattanooga, being affiliated with the Old Manker Church, St. James Methodist, St. Marks Methodist, Clifton Hills Methodist and Candler Methodist Church.  His wife Nannie was always active in organizing the churches as she was when Henry was a teacher as she taught school also.

Henry remained in the ministry until his retirement in 1953 at the age of 72.

With time on his hands Henry cultivated a large vegetable garden every summer and began a woodworking shop in which he had made all types of items from cradles to grandfather clocks.

Henry's beloved wife Nannie passed away 10/17/1975, one day before her 92nd birthday, ending a marriage of nearly 70 years.  She was buried in the Varner Cemetery, Soddy.

In 1983, Henry Coleman was still living at the age of 102.  Still gardening, still working in his woodshop, still preaching an occasional sermon, writing poetry, discussing politics and supporting local political leaders (he once ran for Governor of Tennessee himself), and generally still enriching the lives of those around him.  His mind was still as sharp as ever and he had a humorous wit hard to equal.

Henry said that he was just starting on his second 100 years.

(845) Henry Clay Coleman and wife (665) Nannie Coleman had one child:

(872)  1.  Olin H. Coleman,            b. 3/25/1909, in Silver Point, TN.

(872) Olin H. Coleman grew up living in several places in Middle and East Tennessee.  He was educated in Tennessee schools, went through college and medical school and became a physician.  He married Ethel Henderson and entered the service as a U. S. Army doctor in World War II.  During the African Campaign Olin was stationed in Tunisia where he died of an apparent heat stroke in the early 1940's.  He and Ethel had no children.

(846) Ella Coleman was born in 1883.  She was killed in a childhood accident when a swing broke while she was swinging in it.  She was buried in Baxter, TN.

(848) Susan F. Coleman (Princess) was born 8/?/1885 in Baxter, TN.  She married Monroe Princess.  Nothing else is known of her.

(849) Zachary Taylor Coleman, Jr. was born 2/?/1889, in Baxter, TN.  He moved to Arkansas with his father.  His descendants lived in Arkansas.

(850) Lona Coleman (Jones) was born 3/?/1891, in Baxter, TN.  She married a man named Unknown Jones and raised a family.  Nothing else is known of her.

(851) Dona Coleman was the identical twin sister of Lona, she died as an infant.

(852) Bailey Coleman lived in Arkansas. The Pfaus web site records:

b. 05/21/1891, in TN,
d. 05/18/1922, in Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR.
burial: Hunter, AR.
Military service: 1918, Corporal 834 Motor Transport, 39th Div., U.S. Army.

(853) Daisy Coleman was born 2/?/1896, in Baxter, TN.  She was raised primarily in Arkansas.
The Pfaus web site records:

Middle name of Pauline.
b. 02/22/1896, Baxter, TN.
d. 02/20/1932, Hunter, AR.
m. John A. Cooper
burial in Hunter, AR.

(854) Ollie Ruby Coleman was born 11/?/1898, in Baxter, TN.  She was also raised primarily in Arkansas.
Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Ollie married a Collier, and this is Pfaus' line. The Pfaus web site records that Ollie was born Ollie Ruby Coleman on 11/17/1896, and died 06/15/1988, per Social Security records.  However, the 1900 U.S. Census for DeKalb Co., TN shows she was born Nov 1898 and lists her as two years of age.  This is consistent with the 1910 U.S. Census for Putnam County, TN showing her as 11 in June of that year.

(854) Ollie Ruby Coleman and husband George Herbert Collier had these children:

(873)  1.  Laura Amanda Collier, b. 05/25/1920.
(874)  2.  Alva Virgle Collier, b. 08/08/1922, Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR; d. September 01, 2002, Conway AR.
(875)  3.  Ruby Lora Collier, b. 09/29/1923, Jasper, MO; d. August 18, 1979, Harrison, Boone Co., Ar.
(876)  4.  Russell Lee Collier, b. 04/23/1927, Hunter, Arkansas; d. July 01, 2000, Morrilton, AR.
(877)  5.  George Gilbert Collier, b. 12/30/1930, Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR; d. July 22, 1953, Korean War; m. Peggy Unknown.
(878)  6.  Malis Monroe Collier, b. February 20, 1933; d. February 19, 1949.
(879)  7.  H. K. Collier, b. Unknown.
(880)  8.  I. M. Collier, b. Unknown.

(873) Laura Amanda Collier married Doyle Wills and they had two children.

(877) Gilbert was killed during the Korean War, after peace treaty was signed and was awarded the Medal of Honor.  He graduated from Gillette High School, Gillette Ar.  He was buried in DeWitt Cementary, Arkansas Co., AR.
[Pfaus web site]

(878) Malis M. Collier died after an accidental shooting while rabbit hunting with friends.  The rifle was his 16th birthday present.
[Pfaus web site]

(855) Houston Coleman was born 7/?/1899, in Baxter, TN.  He also lived in Arkansas.
Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Houston lived in Bald Knob AR or MO. The Pfaus web site records:

b. July 18, 1899, TN;
d. February 18, 1977, Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR;
m. Myrtle.
Burial: Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR
Lived in Bald Knob AR or MO
Military service: 1918, Pvt., U.S. Army WWI

(856) Thomas J. Coleman lived in Arkansas.
Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Tom lived in Hunter, AR. The Pfaus web site records:

b. February 03, 1901, TN;
d. Unknown, Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR;
m. Thelma.
Burial: Hunter, Woodruff Co., AR

(857) Lee Coleman lived in Arkansas.
Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Lee lived in Foxworth, MS.

(858) Richard Coleman lived in Arkansas. Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Richard lived in Fresno, CA.

(859) Lucy Coleman lived in Arkansas. Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Mildred Coleman Holmes lived in Hunter, AR.  Pfaus, 2004 confirmed my suspicions that Mildred and Lucy were the same person.  Pfaus reported Mildred Coleman was born on Christmas day, 12/25/1905, died 09/19/1989, and that she married Elmer Holmes.  She was known to family as "Aunt Ted".  The year of birth is not consistent with U.S. Census records.  The 1910 U.S. Census for Putnam County, TN shows she was two and the 1920 U.S. Census for Woodruff County, AR shows she was twelve, indicating a year of birth as 1907 as the month of the Census was prior to her birthday, and she would have turned 13 in 1920.

(860) Emma Coleman lived in Arkansas. Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records Emer Coleman Funkerburk lived in Fort Smith, AR.

(861) John Coleman lived in Arkansas.
Editor's Note:
Pfaus, 1999 records John was Chief of Police in Brinkley, AR for many years.

(862) Albert Coleman lived in Arkansas. Albert married a Ms. Griffin and they had six children, five of whom were still living at last report [Pfaus web site].

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