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CHAPTER 12 THE CHILDREN OF ROBERT AND ELIZABETH ROE COLEMAN In this chapter we shall write of the thirteen children born to this couple. After telling of them we shall list the names of their children. The reader then may follow descendants in the most excellent genealogy prepared by Mrs. Etta Rosson which appears in subsequent pages. First Child DAVID ROE COLEMAN, eldest child of Robert Coleman and Elizabeth Roe Coleman. Born May 19, 1765. Died March 25, 1855. In the opinion of the author of this Book, David Roe Coleman was one of the outstanding members of the entire Coleman family. He is best and most completely described by Mrs. Jennie I. Coleman in her Diary as follows: by MRS. JENNIE I. COLEMAN His first child, David Roe, was my great grandfather. He married Edith Beam, September 13, 1787. She died in 1825. I have never learned much about her. My grandfather, Henry, used to speak of her with much affection. I've heard of one of her children being very cross as a baby. She would card, sew, or do other necessary work, with it on her lap, and when it slept, would do her cooking, even if not the regular time, to get a meal. She couldn't leave it, if awake (must have been one of the first babies, or very spoilt.) David Roe Coleman was one of the most honored men in this county. Well informed, tho' not educated, a good surveyor, of upright habits, he was a man of influence. His health was remarkably good, his daily living being very simple; his supper for years was cornbread and milk. Had good sound teeth as long as he lived. Could shoot squirrels from the top of tall trees, and rode over his farm almost daily on a pony, accompanied by several small dogs. The last of these was kept by Grandfather Henry as long as it lived (after David Roe's death), name "Lion." His negro slaves were devoted to him and led a happy, well fed and well clothed life, under their kind old - 100 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY "marster." There are a few of them still alive, fifty years after his death, and they speak of him with the greatest love and reverence, and eyes dim with tears. Mary, who is now 76, and was bought by my father at his sale, looks back on the days spent as a slave of "Marster" as the best time of her life. Her mother, "Greecy," was bought by him and raised from a girl. Her children were above the ordinary, as she was, doing more and better work than many other slaves. Then "Coleman" Negroes have always had the reputation of being superior workers, as well as more honest and reliable every way, even since they were set free, this is acknowledged by those who work them. I have heard of some who have gone to other states and their superiority was always noted. I am proud to record here that I believe this was because of the way they had been reared, trained and treated by their owners, who worked themselves, and learned (Sic) the slaves to do good work, and by their example of honest dealing, exerted an influence that is still manifest in these ex-slaves, and their descendants. "Eb," another daughter of Greecy, and house girl, died a few years ago. She told me many little happenings in the old life at "Marsters," how good he was to them all, how happy and well fed they were. With eyes filled with tears, she told how she was standing at the back of his chair as he sat at the supper table (some of his grandsons being present) when he was stricken with death (March 25, 1855). The end was peaceful, as his life had been. I tell these things, John, so that you, who were born thirty-five years after slaves were set free, may judge something of the character of this old ancestor, a slave holder, and of his treatment of them. You can never know, as I do, of the true feelings existing between good masters and mistresses and their slaves. They were often treated as friends, and many of them proved themselves worthy of all confidence, faithful even unto death. Many of the Coleman slaves are buried adjoining the family graveyard. Grandfather David Roe Coleman accumulated considerable property, in shape of land and negroes. He was a splendid surveyor, and did much of that work. His eight children all lived, except one, to be grown, marry and raise families. He divided his property as they married, equally among them, giving each the same. In an old diary of his I read where he says he did this to prevent any trouble after his death; each should have his or her rightful share while he lived. As he was never in a court of law, he desired them never to resort to it. I am proud to say that neither sons, grandsons, nor greatgrandsons have, as far as I know. His house stood about the middle of what we call the Daddy Field." (His children and grandchildren all called him Daddy"), not far from - 101 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY the "Long Leaf Pine" that he planted, bringing the small sprout from somewhere between Columbia and Charleston. 'Tis the first one I ever saw, and is a great curiosity in this up-country. Good many young ones grow around it now, and a few are scattered over the near fields. The old one must be at least seventy years old. His house was a plain structure, of the style of all the houses around in those days. I remember how it looked. One large room, the main body, was of hewn logs, a splendid chimney, with large fireplace, at one end, and the entrance door at the other, shed rooms on each side, and a "loft" above. This house was removed (which I regret) in 1867, and rebuilt for a home for his nephew, Henry J. Coleman. 'Twas not long after the Civil War, the people were stripped of nearly everything, no sawing of lumber, so it was considered a great help to this young man, who had been a soldier four years, to get a home by moving this old house a few miles, and rebuild on his land. It is still standing in tolerably good shape, lived in by negro renters. "Daddy" David had the mysterious gift or power to cure diseases (called faith cure, I guess). Sick people came to him from long distances to be cured of tumors, wens, cancers, etc. He gave this "power" to his son-in-law, Jacob Feaster, who practiced the same as long as he lived. He gave it to his son John, who never used it. Also gave it to David Cork, who lived a long life and cured many people of divers complaints. I know of no one practicing this now. I can imagine some of the loneliness of this old man, who lived thirty years after the mother of his children was gone. Several of his sons and one daughter went to Alabama and made homes in what was then the "great unknown west." They had to go on horseback and wagons--no trains then, and letters were few. Once in a while they would return for short visits to the old father. I see short accounts of these visits in his diary. Then they would leave him, and I think of the sad partings. He spent much time in reading, as he grew old, and copying sermons. Was a Universalist in faith, and practice, and attended the meetings at the same old church we belong to. From what I gather from his few records, his faith was pure and simple as a child's. His grandchildren loved to stay with him, and he studied Greek with his grandson, David A., after he was eighty years old. Wells for drinking water were very rare or unknown then, all the first homes were built near good springs. The "Daddy" Spring is fine and is still giving freely of its good water, over a hundred years since he settled near it. A splendid corn and wheat mill was built near it in 1867, owned by several Colemans, run by the spring water, was a success for - 102 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY years. Gradually, it ran down, after change of owners. No sight of it left. DAVID ROE COLEMAN FAMILY BIBLE (Copied at the home of Misses Julia and Mary Faucette by J. P. Coleman, July 26, 1954.) Entries in the handwriting of David Roe Coleman (1765-1855). D. R. Coleman was born in Halifax County, N. C., May 19, 1765. Married Edith Beam, September 13, 1787, Fairfield District, SC. R. F. Coleman, the first son of DRC and Edith, his wife, was born the 26th of August, 1789, and died the 7th of September, 1842. Wiley F. Coleman, 2nd son was born March 10, 1792. D.H. Coleman, 3rd son was born 17 December, 1794. H. A. Coleman, 5 September, 1797. Wilson H. Coleman was born the 25th of March, 1800. Isabella Coleman was born 13th September, 1803, first daughter. Elizabeth, 2nd daughter, born 6th of April, 1807. Sally (or Sarah), 3rd daughter, was born the 10th of April 1810. Edith, the mother of the above named children died on April 28, 1825, in the 60th year of her age. Her third daughter, Sarah, died about the year 1815. Robert F. Coleman married Susanor Feaster, who died January 15, 1829, by whom he had 7 children, 3 daughters. Drusilla, who married William Coleman. 1st son Wm., died young. 2nd son D.R.C. Wiley F. Coleman died the 4th of March, 1835, leaving a widow and 7 children. 1 daughter Sophiah born July 19th, 1817, married lately to Abner Fant. Elizabeth, 2nd daughter, born January 21, 1819. 1st son Wilson was born the 27th December, 1821. 3rd daughter Mary was born 16th December, 1824. 2nd son David was born September 1, 1827. 4th daughter Martha was born 4th August, 1830. 5th daughter Isabella was born December, 1833. - 103 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY On the 5 of October, 1848, I had 57 grand children. Nine of whom are dead. Also had 33 great grandchildren. 3 of whom are dead. I am at this time 83 years old. D. R. COLEMAN, SR. The following written in the David Roe Coleman Bible by John Albert Feaster Coleman: "The record of Robert Coleman above so far as I know is that he was of Welch descent, he moved from Virginia to North Carolina, was one of a large family, had a brother William, the father of Solomon Coleman, and Charles another brother was the father of Nancy and Sallie Coleman. The former married Robert (her cousin) son of Robert above & Sallie his son Allen." From the Diary of David R. Coleman, in his handwriting, read at this time and place: "August 7, 1853. Clear morn, cloudy, thunder Evening." This was the day of the birth of Jacob Feaster Coleman, grandfather of J. P. Coleman. Also copied from the Diary of David R. Coleman. "The preceding accounts as stated against my children is done by me for the purpose of keeping them as near on an equality as possible with respect to the gifts I.htm#N004540">I make to them while I am living that When I am dead they may be enabled thereby to make an equal distribution amongst themselves of all the property I may be legally possessed at my Death, shear and shear alike -- all mine to be equal by theres each one to choose a disinterested friend and they to make the division as above stated without applying to the law as nothing that I have acquired of this worlds goods was ever obtained at law. Neither had I.htm#N004548">I ever a law suit. I therefore hope that my children will immitate there father in that parlicular. D. R. COLEMAN Wrote the 24th of June 1825" David Roe Coleman was sixty years of age when he wrote the above, but lived another thirty years. Land Deed Book DD, Page 58, Fairfield County, December 14, 1805. David Coleman agrees that 800 acres shall be Robert Coleman's part of - 104 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY land purchased from Mary Veree on October 30, 1800. Allen Coleman and Solomon Coleman were witnesses. COPY OF A LETTER WRITTEN BY DAVID ROE COLEMAN, 1ST, TO HIS SON, WILSON HENRY COLEMAN, OF GREENE CO., ALA. South Carolina, Fairfield District, June 27, 1835. Dear Son: I take the present favorable opportunity to write to you a line in way of remembrance, as I have not had a letter from you for a great while, and inform you that your father is still living and in good health (Blessed be God for His mercies). Hoping that you and your family are all well. I.htm#N004575">I believe I have not wrote to you since the Death of your brother, Wiley. His widdow and children are well and I think are likely to do well. They are very industrious, and your namesake, Wilson, is much so. Wiley had but a very short sickness from Thursday until Tuesday. He was doing very well. I think it was the excessive cold was the cause of his death. I am certain I have never experienced so cold a winter. Our wheat crops were greatly injured and a great many entirely ruined. All the fig trees and chany trees are killed, the fig trees will spring up again, but the Chany will not. Our prospects for corn and cotton is very good at this time, the seasons have been very good. As for your brothers and their families are all well, except Chaney, Henry's wife. She has had a long spell of sickness that has seemed to threaten insanity. Isabella and her family are well. We expect to see lsaac and Betty in July. They were all well when we last heard from them. I.htm#N004598">I am in the 61st year of my age. I am as nearly as strong as I.htm#N004601">I ever was, but not so active. I take a great deal of exercise, tho I.htm#N004603">I work but little. I go into no excesses except reading. I think one third of the day is spent by me in reading. I live much alone and think that few men desires peace more than I do, and none love it better. To love God with all my powers and my neighbors as myself is my aim and end. I rejoice that I.htm#N004610">I have lived a life of Temperance (in almost everything). I have a good pare of spectacles and an excellent little Rifle gun, and I think I can kill more squirrles than any man in the neighborhood. This serves as an - 105 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY amusement for me in my vacant hours from reading. Peace be with you, my dear son. D. R. COLEMAN. I add no more. Wilson H. Coleman. Sent by Mr. William Halsell. Deed Book 4, Pages 326-28, Fairfield County, March 10, 1817. Deed from Ferdinand Beam and others to Robert F. Coleman, recites the descendants of Albert Beam, father of Mrs. David Roe Coleman, as follows: CHILDREN OF ALBERT BEAM 1. John Beam 2. Jesse Beam 3. Albert Beam 4. William Beam 5. Edith Coleman 4. Mary Coleman 5. Sarah Coleman 6. Dorcas Beam 7. Elijah Beam, deceased 1. Ferdinand Beam 2. Edith Beam 3. Nancy Beam, wife of David Coleman - 106 - . [PICTURE] HENRY ALEXANDER COLEMAN and MRS. CHANEY FEASTER COLEMAN. - 107 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Second Child JOHN ROE COLEMAN, born, April 2, 1768, Halifax County, N. C. Died, September 4, 1835, Greene County, Ala. John Coleman married Mary Beam, daughter of Albert Beam and sister of Edith Beam, who married David Roe Coleman. The children of David Roe Coleman and John Roe Coleman were double first cous- ins. By file No. 316 of the Probate Court of Greene County, Alabama, we find that John Coleman died possessed of an estate valued at $15,000, including 14 slaves and $1025 in cash. On June 19, 1837, Wm. R. Dennis was paid by the Administrator the sum of twenty dollars for paling in two graves, evidently that of John and his wife. She preceded him in death as she is not mentioned in the estate papers. The children of John Roe Coleman and his wife, Mary Beam were: 1. Robert Coleman, later of Choctaw County, Mississippi, for whom a later chapter herein appears. 2. Salley, wife of Grayfield Cosa. 3. Elizabeth, wife of William Coleman, who later went to Anderson County, Texas. 4. David Coleman, of the State of Georgia. 5. Mary, wife of Charner Colvin. 6. Dorcas, wife of Henry McElroy. 7. John G. Coleman, who was the Administrator of the Estate, later of Yalobusha County, Miss. 8. Giles C. Coleman, later of Yalobusha County, Mississippi. 9. Nancy, wife of Laton Upchurch. 10. Elijah L. Coleman. (File No. 639. Greene County, Alabama) ESTATE OF WILLIAM COLEMAN, WHO MARRIED ELIZABETH COLEMAN, WHO WAS DAUGHTER OF JOHN ROE COLEMAN JOHN G. COLEMAN, his brother-in-law, ADMINISTRATOR. Died 1841, leaving as his heirs, his widow, Elizabeth Coleman. Went to Anderson County, Texas. - 108 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Mary A. Coleman, who married Marshall Wrenn. Isabella C. Coleman. Elizabeth M. Coleman. Nancy A. Coleman. William F. Coleman. Went to Anderson County, Texas. Robert M. Coleman. The last four were minors. Among the purchasers at the sale of the estate were Giles Coleman, Joseph Coleman, and John G. Coleman. Estate was finally settled on October 29, 1845. On October 29, 1842, the Administrator sold the lands of William Coleman, deceased, to J. G. Coleman and Elizabeth Coleman. The notes were signed by John G. Coleman, Sr., John G. Coleman, Elizabeth Coleman, John G. Coleman, Jr., and D. H. Coleman (son of David Roe Coleman). On October 18, 1854, John G. Coleman, and Isabella, his wife, sold the land where he had formerly lived. Book S, Page 675. On October 8, 1851, Giles C. Coleman and Susannah Coleman deeded 160 acres about six miles north of Eutaw to Isaac Mobley. Book R, page 441. On February 21, 1854, Elizabeth Coleman of Anderson County, Texas, sold her 1/2 interest in lands in Greene County, Alabama, and W. F. Coleman was a witness to the deed. On April 28, 1854, J. G. Coleman and Isabella, his wife, of Chambers County, Alabama, sold land in Greene County. Book X, page 180. At Page 325 of Book I, we found that on September 15, 1838, John G. Coleman and Elijah L. Coleman sold all their right in certain lands to William De Graffenried. Land Deed Book Y, Page 295. January 2, 1817, John R. Coleman and Mary, his wife, to Robert Fitz Coleman all their right, title or claim that they have to the real estate of Albert Beam, reciting that Mary is a daughter of Albert Beam. Land Deed Book DD, Page 128. Fairfield County. On the 13 day of December, 1821, John R. Coleman and Mary Coleman, his wife, conveyed their home place to William Curry. The last will and testament of Henry McElroy dated October 31, 1853, was probated on December 17, 1853, Sumter County, Alabama. The 1850 Census of this family listed eleven children: Sarah, Mary J., Nancy R., Emiline, Dorcas L., Louisiana, Martin V., George W., Alabama, Asenith, and Laura. - 109 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Third Child ROBERT ROE COLEMAN, Born, Halifax County, N. C., Feb. 1, 1769. Died, Fairfield County, S. C., August 12, 1844. Robert Roe Coleman married his first cousin, Nancy Coleman, daughter of Charles Coleman. His brother, Allen, married Nancy's sister Sarah, so the children of this couple were double first cousins. On the road to the Beam House, near Feasterville, a road to the right takes one to the site of the Sallie D. (Jonathan D.) Coleman house. This is where Robert Coleman lived. There is an old family graveyard, with many graves, only one marked. The stone bears the inscription Robert H. Coleman. October 1, 1832. June 24, 1862. He was a son of Hiram H. Coleman and grandson of Robert R. Coleman. Robert H. Coleman died at Augusta, Georgia, of pneumonia, the second year of the Civil War. His wife was Julia Ann Feaster, daughter of Andrew Feaster and Mary Norris. It was customary when there were several of the same given name in a family for the women to be called by her name and that of her husband, making a double name. So, Julia Ann was called "Julia Bob." She, with two sons, moved to Florida with her brothers. She lived at LaGrange, Florida, near Titusville, in Brevard County. Her home was a center of culture and refinement. She had the only piano in that part of a wild country. She taught the first Sunday school on Indian River, and weddings were frequently held at her house. On her frequent visits to Feasterville she told of the Indians about her home, of the wild animals, such an panthers. Robert Roe Coleman and Nancy Coleman had four children: 1. Hiram H., born April 30, 1803, died April 9, 1837. Married Elizabeth Beam. 2. Wylie (Screw), married Sallie Rainey. 3. Jonathan David, married Sallie McLane. 4. Polly, who died young. All information on Robert Roe Coleman furnished by Mrs. Etta Rosson. - 110 - . [PICTURE] BOB COLEMAN, SR. (Robert W.), descendant of Robert Roe Coleman and Nancy Coleman. Bob lives at Chester, SC and is one of the best loved of all the Coleman Clan. - 111 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Fourth Child WYLIE ROE COLEMAN, born, Halifax County, N. C., October 27, 1771. Died, Fairfield County, S. C., October 16, 1824. Married, first, in 1799, Sarah Ragsdale. She was born October 15, 1781, and died August 3, 1820. She had eleven children: 1. William Ragsdale, born October 4, 1800, to whom a chapter in this book is devoted. 2. Nancy Ann Coleman, born December 6, 1801. 3. Joseph Ragsdale, born June 2, 1803. 4. Sophia, who married her first cousin, Williams Charles Coleman, born January 16, 1805. 5. Griffin Coleman, born September 25, 1807, on whom we have a later chapter. 6. Elizabeth A. and 7. Robert F., twins, born April 4, 1810. 8. Rebecca, who married John W. Robinson, born December 20, 1812. 9. Wylie W. W., born April 19, 1815. 10. Henry J. F. W., born February 5, 1818. 11. Sarah, born December 23, 1819. After the death of Sarah, in 1820, Wylie Coleman married Mary Semone, by whome he had one son, Elihu, who was born January 8, 1824, the year of his father's death. WILEY ROE COLEMAN AND SARAH RAGSDALE COLEMAN BIBLE RECORDS BIRTHS Wiley Coleman, Father, October 27, 1771. Sarah Ragsdale Coleman, Mother, October 15, 1781. William R. Coleman, October 4, 1800. Nancy Ann Coleman, December 6, 1801. Joseph R. Coleman, June 2, 1803. Sophia Coleman, January 16, 1805. - 112 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY [PICTURE] Home of Wylie Coleman, still standing, but in a great state of disrepair. Wylie and Sarah are buried immediately behind this house. Griffin R. Coleman, September 27, 1807. Elizabeth A. Coleman, April 4, 1810. } Robert F. Coleman, April 4, 1810. J } Twins Rebecca Coleman, December 20, 1812. Wiley W. W. Coleman, April 19, 1815. Henry J. F. W. Coleman, February 5, 1818. Sarah Coleman, December 25, 1819. Eli Coleman, January 8, 1824. MARRIAGES Wiley Coleman to Sarah Ragsdale, in the year 1799. Nancy A. Coleman to Richard Nolen, January 22, 1822. Joseph R. Coleman to Juliana Banks, February 5, 1824. Elizabeth A. Coleman to John Williams, October 12, 1826. Sophia Coleman to William Coleman, January 9, 1827. William R. Coleman to Sarah Head, January 26, 1830. Griffin R. Coleman to Susannah Cockrell, February 9, 1830. Robert F. Coleman to Margaret Smith, in the year 1832. Rebecca Coleman to John W. Robinson, February, 1835. - 113 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Sarah Coleman to Wiley U. Gilmer, December 8, 1833. Wiley W. W. Coleman to Mary Coleman, February, 1836. Eli Coleman to Elenor Beasley, in the year 1844. H. J. F. W. Coleman to Alcy Cockrell, November 28, 1848. DEATHS Wiley Coleman, October 16, 1824. Sarah Coleman, August 3, 1820. John Williams, August 6, 1836. Elizabeth A. Williams, May 8, 1837. Nancy Ann Nolen, July 6, 1847. } Eli Coleman, April, 1849. } In different Richard Nolen, October, 1851. } handwriting Sophia Coleman, January 22, 1857. } from Joseph R. Coleman, June 16, 1859. } H. J. F. W. Coleman Juliana Banks Coleman, December 21, 1871. } Alice Coleman, November 11, 1863. } NOTE (by Mrs. J. W. Starnes): H. J. F. W. death is in my Bible as January 20, 1891. The above COPY of Bible Record made in 1844 is now in the possession of Mrs. J. W. Starnes, Ridgeway, South Carolina, a descendant of Wilie Coleman. 1949. The State of South Carolina } District of Fairfield } Articles of agreement made and concluded this first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty four Between Wiley Coleman of the one part and Mary Seymone of the other part. Whereas a marriage is shortly to be had and solemized between the said Wiley Coleman and the said Mary Seymone, it is therefore covenanted and agreed by and between the said parties to these presents in manner and form following, that is to say--The said Wiley Coleman doth for himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators covenant and agree to and with the said Mary in case the said intended marriage shall be had and solemized as aforesaid that she the said Mary shall be entitled to in her own right absolutely in fee simple to a child's part or such proportion or share of the Estate both real & personal of the said Wiley at his death or so much thereof as shall be fully equal to the proportion or share of - 114 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY any one of the children of the said Wiley in case the said Mary shall survive him and the said Wiley shall die intestate and if the said Wiley shall leave a last will and testament it is further covenanted and agreed that he shall thereby make a proportion for the said Mary equal in value and amount to what she would be entitled to receive of his said estate should he depart this life intestate and it is also covenanted and agreed between the parties aforesaid that the said Mary shall be entitled on the death of her said intended husband in case she shall survive him to have, receive and take in her own right absolutely all such property and effects in addition to the above provision as she shall bring with her in marriage or shall make or earn by her own individual skill and industry. And the said Mary on condition of the promises doth for herself, her heirs, executors and administrators covenant and agree to and with the said Wiley Coleman in case the said marriage shall take effect and she shall survive him to receive and accept the above proportion as in every respect complete and sufficient and in lieu of her distributive share of the estate of the said Wiley Coleman real and personal and also in lieu of dower or any or all other demands which she might legally have or claim of in or to the said estate And it is further covenanted and between the parties aforesaid that the said Mary in case she shall survive the said Wiley Coleman shall upon the reasonable request of heirs or executors or administrators of the said Wiley Coleman, make and execute any other instrument or instruments of writing as shall be advised by councel learned in the law, to release his estate both real and personal from the claim of the said Mary over and beyond the provision or provisions secured to her by virtue of these presents in witness whereof we the said parties have hereunto set our hands and affixed our Seals this the first day of January in the year of our Lord aforesaid. In presence of WILEY COLEMAN Simson Pannel } MARY SEYMONE B. D. Carter } Mark William Thomas } So. Carolina ) Fairfield District ) Personally appeared William Thomas before me and made oath that he was present and saw the above named Wiley Coleman & Mary Sey- mone sign, seal and acknowledge the above Signatures to both their hands and seals that he together with Simeon Pannel & - 115 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Benjamin D. Carter in the of each other witnessed the due execution thereof. Sworn to before me the first day of Jany 1824. WILLIAM THOMAS D. R. Coleman JQ Recorded May 12, 1824 Land Deed Book Y, Page 541. August 17, 1812, Wiley Coleman conveyed his home place to John Weir, includes land granted to William Coleman and by him and wife Elizabeth conveyed to Robert Coleman on the 12 day of May, 1788 on Beaver Creek. File 43, Package 664, Fairfield County. William Ragsdale Coleman, at the age of 25, was the Administrator of his father's estate. The widow, Mary, in writing, waived her right to be Administratrix. On March 22, 1825, the personal property of Wylie Coleman was sold by W. R. Coleman and Henry J. Coleman and brought the sum of $6262.30. Purchasers at the sale included W. R. Coleman, Henry J. Coleman, Joseph Coleman, H. A. Coleman, Robert Coleman, Wiley Coleman, Solomon Coleman, Robert R. Coleman, Sophia Coleman, Mary Coleman, D. R. Coleman and John Robinson. The sale required three days to complete. It included nine slaves. - 116 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Fifth Child ALLEN COLEMAN, born November 7, 1773. Died June 21, 1848, age 75. Allen Coleman was married to his first cousin, Sarah Coleman. She was the daughter of Charles Coleman. Thus Colemans like the writer of this chapter are descendants of Colemans "both ways." The date of the marriage is unknown, but their son, Williams Charles, was born September 13, 1801. On January 11, 1803, Allen was a witness to a deed made by l'sh Coleman to William Ragsdale, conveying 50 acres of land on the south side of Sandy River (Book J, Page 245). On December 14, 1808 (Book X, Page 272, Fairfield County), Robert Coleman, Jr. conveyed to Allen Coleman 225 acres on Storm Branch, waters of Beaver Creek. On the thirtieth day of September, 1809, Allen Coleman was one of the witnesses to his father's will. On November 9, 1816 (Book 5, Page 255, Chester County), George Washington McDaniel conveyed to Allen Coleman, for a consideration of $ 1150, 250 acres on the waters of Little Rocky Creek, Chester County. The deed recites that Allen Coleman is a resident of Fairfield County. This no doubt marks the date that Allen moved from the Beaver Creek area to Rocky Creek. The new location was partly in each of the two counties of Chester and Fairfield. His wife, Sarah, died May 27, 1839. Her tombstone states her age to have been 64, so she must have been born in 1775. A survey of these lands made March 6, 1767, and of record in the Surveyor General's office in Columbia shows the property in that year to have been entirely surrounded by vacant land. The land was originally laid out to John McDonald and a note on the plat shows the South Fork of Rocky Creek to have been six feet broad and five inches deep, "but goes dry in summer." On October 18, 1828 (Book NN, Pages 97 and 98, Fairfield) Allen Coleman, for $484.50 conveyed to Henry Tynes 254 acres "on the branches of Beaver Creek," reciting that the land adjoined Henry A. Coleman, Robert R. Coleman, Solomon R. Coleman, and Solomon Beam. The deed further recited that the land originally had been granted to Joseph Veree in 1774, by his widow conveyed to David R. Coleman, and by him conveyed to Allen Coleman and Robert R. Coleman. - 117 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Sarah Coleman did not acknowledge the deed until July 28, 1833, and signEd by mark. A copy of this deed was made available to me by Miss Eva Colvin, 908 Pickens Street, Columbia, South Carolina, on March 3, 1951. The South Carolina census for Chester County, 1830, lists A. Coleman. The family consisted of one male and one female born between 1770 and 1780, as well as one male born between 1800 and 1810. This must have referred to Isaiah Daniel Coleman, then 19, who was actually born in 1811. To reach the original Allen Coleman home, go north 1/10 mile from the Faucette home. Turn right on the road to Chester. 4/10 mile on the right is the home site. LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ALLEN COLEMAN (Page 70 of Book A-l of the Records of Wills Of Chester County, South Carolina) THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, CHESTER DISTRICT In the name of God Amen, I Allen Coleman of the District and State aforesaid being of sound mind and memory and mindful of the uncertainty of life have made and published this my last will and testament. 1st. It is my will and desire that my body be decently buried. Secondly. It is my will and desire that all my property both real and person after my lawful debts are paid be disposed of in the following manner, viz. First, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Gladden four negroes which she now has in her possession, namely, Delse and three children and Mary also two negro boys named Joe and Jackson. Secondly, I give and bequeath to my son William Charles Coleman two negro boys named Dave and Abram which are now in his possession, also a negro boy named Bob. Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca Gladden seven negroes which she has now in her possession, viz. Charlotte and her four children and Sue and Ellen, also two negroes named Charles and Lucinda. Fourthly, I give and bequeath to my son Isaiah Daniel Coleman seven negroes which he has not in his possession namely Sam, Augustus, Wilson, Fanny, Frank, Levi, and Mary, also Jenny and any increase which she may have after this time. - 118 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Fifthly, I give and bequeath to my grandson, Ansellem Roe Gladden, one mulatto boy named Sam. Sixthly, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Sarah Coleman Gladden one negro girl named Inda. Seventhly, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Sarah Coleman one negro girl named Esther. Eightly, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Gladden, one old negro woman named Esther. Ninthly, It is my will and desire that all the residue of my property, both real and personal, be sold and applied to the payment of my debts and should there not be sufficient to pay my debts then it is my will and desire that all my children contribute an equal proportion for that purpose but should there be an overplus after the payment of my debts then in that case it is my will and desire that such overplus be equally divided between my children or their lawful representatives. Tenthly, It is my will and desire that all the above named negroes which are now in my possession and which I have willed to my children remain on the plantation whereon I now reside until said plantation is sold and for said negroes to be under the care of my son in law James Gladden. In the last place, I do hereby appoint my son-in-law James Gladden and my son Isaiah D. Coleman, Executors of this my last will and testament. Signed, sealed, and published this Eleventh day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Forty Four. ALLEN COLEMAN (L.S.) Signed, Sealed and Published in the presence of S. D. Barron, John Howze, and Joseph R. Coleman. On January 31, 1848 in the Court of Ordinary for Chester District this will was admitted to probate and James Gladden and Isaiah V. Coleman named Executors and qualified. THE ALLEN COLEMAN BURYING GROUND The Allen Coleman burying ground is 3.3 miles East of Blackstock on the Great Falls Road. This road is paved, and the cemetery is probably three hundred yards south of the road in thick woods. The cemetery contains the following monuments: - 119 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY "In Memory of Allen J (R) Coleman, who departed this life July 21, 1848, in the 75th year of his age. He was a kind neighbor, a humane master, and an honest man. Peace to his remains." Grave is in Southwest corner of the rocked walled burying ground. "Sacred to Memory of Agnes Coleman" (First wife of Isaiah Daniel). Next grave North: "In memory of Sarah Coleman, wife of Allen J. Coleman, who died May 27, 1839, in the 64th year of her age. A referred wife, mother, and mistress. God takes the too good on earth to stay And leaves the bad, too bad to take away." Next grave North: Under this stone are carefully laid aside the mortal remains of two infants (twins) the children of I. D. and Agnes Coleman who were born and died September 10, 1839. "Suffer little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of heaven." This cemetery is located on the farm of Robert W. Douglas, as of 1950, Route 1, Blackstock. It is completely enclosed by a stone wall. CHILDREN OF ALLEN COLEMAN AND SARAH COLEMAN 1. William Charles Coleman, who married his first cousin, Sophia Coleman. 2. Rebecca Coleman, who married John Gladden. 3. Elizabeth Roe Coleman, twin, who married James Gladden, twin brother of John. 4. Isaiah Daniel Coleman, who married Agnes Ferguson, and after her death, Harriet Davis. Williams Charles Coleman and Isaiah Daniel Coleman have chapters devoted to them in the Mississippi section of this book. John Gladden and Rebecca Coleman, had children named (1) Sallie, who married John Feaster Coleman, son of Henry Jonathan Coleman and Mary Feaster; (2) Rebecca, who married a Latham; (3) Jesse, who married his cousin, Sallie Coleman, they being buried at the Jefferes Cemetery, Feasterville; (4) Anselm Roe Gladden. l20 THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
ELIZABETH and ISOBEL GLADDEN, the twin daughters of Allen Coleman - 121 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Sixth Child GRIFFIN COLEMAN, born May 20, 1775. (by J. P. COLEMAN) Much time has been spent in an effort to discover written evidence concerning this sixth child of Robert Coleman and Elizabeth Roe. By the entry in the David Roe Coleman Bible, we are certain of the date of his birth. The Fairfield Census of 1800 lists Grief (sic) Coleman as living in a household of his own, adjacent to the other Colemans, but omits any information as to the number in his household. He was twenty-five years old that year. The only mention of him in Mrs. Jennie I. Coleman's Book shows that he "went West." He does not appear in any of the Census Reports of 1810 for South Carolina, Georgia, or the Mississippi Territory, of which Alabama was later formed. In his father's will of 1808 the desire was expressed that the younger brother, Henry Jonathan, should learn the hatter's trade from Wiley or "Griffith," so Griffin must have yet been in South Carolina in 1808, at the age of 33. Griffin Thompson, of Ackerman, Mississippi, a lifelong resident of Choctaw County, and who is still alive on November 1, 1962, was born December 11, 1877. He has frequently told the writer that when he was born, his great grandmother, Elizabeth Coleman, the wife of Griffin of Old Concord, was present. She insisted that the baby be named Griffin, since, she said, there had always been a Griffin in the family "all the way back." Mrs. Jennie I. Coleman in her writings said that Griffin Coleman "went West," but in all our searches we have been unable to find any trace of him. Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Children WILLIAM ROE COLEMAN, born Fairfield County, South Carolina, on March 6, 1776. We very much regret that we have been unable to learn anything of this seventh child other than Mrs. Jennie I. Coleman's statement that he went west. SARAH COLEMAN, born November 8, 1778, married Reuben Mobley, and moved to Alabama. ELIZABETH COLEMAN, born September 8, 1780. Also moved to Alabama. - 122 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Tenth Child SOLOMON ROE COLEMAN, born October 29, 1783, Fairfield County, SC. Died Greene County, Alabama. He married Mourning Coleman, daughter of Stephen Coleman. By file No. 636 in the Probate Records of Greene County, Alabama, we find that his widow, Mourning, survived him. They had the following children: 1. Tabitha, who married Anderson Conoway. 2. Nancy, who married Wiley Mobley. 3. Elmira, who married James Thompson. 4. Elizabeth, who married Colvin Jones. 5. Robert Coleman. 6. Martha, who married Robert Free, and left children, David, Nancy, Mourning, Susanna, and Solomon Monroe. 7. Mary, who married John Horten, and left children, Alonzo C., William C., Elizabeth, Jane Hollis, and Leonidas. His home was on the line of Greene and Pickens Counties, Alabama, and he owned six slaves at his death. - 123 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Eleventh Child FRANCIS ROE COLEMAN, born, Fairfield County, SC, July 12, 1786. Died, Greene County, Ala., January, 1839. He married Margaret Mobley, daughter of Benjamin Mobley. On September 10, 1814, he deeded to Henry Jonathan Coleman, his younger brother, "the place on which I now live, containing 520 acres, more or less, on Fork of Little River. Deed Book Z, page 333. On the same date he deeded to another brother, Wiley Coleman, stating that they had been joint purchasers of the land in 1810. Book Z, Page 334. File No. 324, Probate Court of Greene County, Alabama, shows that Margaret Coleman relinquished her right as Administratrix in favor of her son, Joseph. According to these files, Francis Roe Coleman, left the following children: 1. Griffin B. Coleman, later of old Concord, Choctaw County, MS to whom a later chapter is devoted. 2. Mary, who married Elijah Edge. 3. Joseph Coleman. 4. Ansel R. Coleman, a minor. 5. Margaret Jane Coleman, who married William B. Hill. 6. William R. Coleman, who in 1853, was living in Kemper County, Mississippi. 7. Jonathan F. Coleman. He owned six slaves and personal property worth $4,796.08. He also owned 520 acres of land in Sections 28, 32, and 33 of Township 23, Range 2 East, which is about 6 miles north of Eutaw, between the present day Cresswell road on the south and the Yellow Jacket Road on the North. This land was sold to David H. Coleman, son of David Roe Coleman, for $3,457.21. Twelfth Child ZEREBABLE COLEMAN, born November 28, 1789. Died young and buried at the feet of his parents in the Coleman Cemetery, Feasterville, SC. - 124 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Thirteenth Child HENRY JONATHAN COLEMAN, born, June 22, 1793. Died, February 3, 1861. On December 31, 1818, he married Mary Feaster, daughter of John Feaster and Drucilla Moberley. The ceremony was performed by his brother, David Roe Coleman. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. He enlisted at Winn's Bridge South Carolina, and served from October 6, 1814 to February 28, 1815 in Captain William Nevitt's Company of South Carolina militia. He acquired nearly 2,000 acres of land, was a hatter by trade as well as an excellent farmer. His wife was born January 10, 1798, and died November 18, 1873. They had sixteen children. Six served in the Confederate Army and only two survived. 1. John Feaster, born October 3, 1819, died February 15, 1856. 2. Elizabeth Drucilla, born March 18, 1821, died December 9, 1891. 3. Dr. Robert William, born October 3, 1822, died May 27, 1873. 4. Jacob Feaster, born January 30, 1824, died May 20, 1864, of pneumonia at Wilmington, North Carolina, in the Confederate Army. 5. Chaney Caroline, born January 4, 1826, died an infant. 6. David Roe, born June 8, 1828, died May 9, 1897. 7. Henry Jonathan, Jr., (1) born January 3, 1830. Died an infant. 8. Henry Jonathan, Jr., (2) born May 13, 1831, Died May 3, 1874. 9. Francis Wiley, born May 23, 1833. Died an infant. 10. Dr. William Calhoun Preston, born June 28, 1834. Died January 31, 1863, of wounds received in the Confederate Service. 11. Allen Griffin, born October 24, 1835, Died July 7, 1864, in the Confederate Service at Petersburg, Virginia. 12. Dr. Benjamin Franklin, born October 20, 1837. Died October 28, 1863, in the Confederate Service at Bruceton, Virginia. 13. Richard Henry Lee, born January 15, 1839. Died an infant. 14. Hiram Lee, born January 18, 1840. Died an infant. 15. George Washington, born September 4, 1844. Died February 4, 1931. Confederate soldier. 16. Sarah Caroline, born April 9, 1847. Died September 19, 1890. - 125 - .
HENRY JONATHAN COLEMAN and his wife, MARY FEASTER.
DR. WILLIAM CALHOUN DAVID ANDREW COLEMAN, PRESTON COLEMAN, 1834- diarist of note, 1823-1865 1863. Wounded at Second Manas- (Photo provide by Miss Kathleen sas from which he died. (Photo sup- Coleman.) plied by Miss Kathleen Coleman.) - 126 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY IN MISSISSIPPI 1835 to the Present Chapters arranged in the order of their arrival in Mississippi THE ROUTE FOLLOWED BY THE COLEMANS TO MISSISSIPPI We are much indebted to Dr. John H. Goff, Professor of Business Administration, Emory University, for expert advice, cheerfully given, on the route likely followed by the Colemans who migrated from Chester and Fairfield into Winston County, Mississippi. Dr. Goff, who probably knows more than does any other person about the mid-nineteenth century routes from South Carolina to Mississippi, took great pains to furnish us detailed information, for which he would accept no fee. Elapse of time and scarcity of records leave us with no definite proof as to which of two available routes were actually followed. One way would have been from Chester and Fairfield to Abbeville, SC, and from there to Columbus, Georgia. Another would have been south, through Columbia to Augusta, thence west to Columbus, Georgia. They could have gone either way. The latter would have been the longer, but more level. Professor Goff has traveled both routes as closely as would be possible in any automobile. The presence of Lyle's ford, on the Broad River, in western Fairfield, offering a convenient crossing, which was in use even in Revolutionary times, may have caused the use of the "upper" route, by Abbeville. Dr. Goff says that the shortest route, from Abbeville to Columbus (Ga.), was one of the great stage thoroughfares from New York to New Orleans, before the advent of the railroad. He has personally retraced this road, and knows it well. Starting at Abbeville, the traveler would have come to Vienna, on the Savannah River, opposite Lisbon, Georgia. Here he ferried the river and went on through Washington, Georgia (where the picturesque home of Robert Toombs stands until this day); thence to Powelton, in Hancock County; thence to Sparta; and from there to Milledgeville, the Capitol of the State. At Milledgeville he could have taken the "Old Garrison Road" direct to Macon, or he could have curved through Clinton to Macon. After leaving Macon, if he followed the favored way, he would have gone through Knoxville, Roberta, Francisville, Ficklin's Mill, and Geneva, into Columbus. This was the route of the historic Upper Federal Road, later the old "Federal Wire [telegraph] Road." From Columbus he would have gone via Crawford, Society Hill, Tuskegee, and Montgomery, Alabama. Since we know that - 129 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Isaiah Daniel Coleman came into Winston County, Mississippi, via Macon, MS, it is fairly certain that he went from Montgomery to Selma and turned northwesterly to Linden, Livingston, and Alden, all in Alabama, and from thence to Macon, Mississippi. True, he could have turned north at Selma and gone through Marion, Greensboro, and Eutaw, and thence to Macon. The older Colemans (Williams Charles, Griffin, and William Ragsdale) entered lands at the Columbus, Mississippi, Land Office. It would be fairly certain that they came to the State via Columbus. In this event, as Professor Goff points out, they no doubt turned North at Montgomery, through Centerville, to Tuscaloosa, thence to Reform, and on to Columbus. From Columbus they followed the Robinson Road (cut in 1821) directly to Louisville. (This description may be confusing if one does not bear in mind that both Georgia and Mississippi have a Columbus and a Macon.) As early as 1834, John B. Whitfield went from Lenox County, NC to Linden, Alabama. His route was through Columbia, Augusta; Macon, Columbus, Tuskegee, and Montgomery, thence west to Linden. Professor Goff says that by 1854 there were alternate routes, and a person with his own vehicle might have gone one way, whereas public carriers would have gone another. The Colemans moved in their own conveyances, some of them taking six months to make the trip from South Carolina to Mississippi. - 130 - .
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