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CHAPTER 15 ROBERT COLEMAN OF MT. MORIAH, SON OF JOHN ROE COLEMAN by J. P. COLEMAN Born, 1795 (census report). Died between 1870 and 1873. First arrived in Mississippi, 1835. Have not been able to locate his grave, but he must have been buried at Mt. Moriah, near his home, as so many of his descendants are buried there. His wife was named Jincy. Mr. Charles F. Prewitt stated that Robert Coleman had a prior wife, name unknown, by whom he had the following children, but we have been unable to verify: WILLIAM COLEMAN (Deaf Bill). Born, 1821. Still alive at the 1880 Census. Buried at Mt. Moriah, no marker, but buried by the side of his wife, Sarah Coleman, who was born July 20, 1825, died July 22, 1882. ROBERT and ISAIAH, who went to Texas. By the census, Robert was born in 1828 in Alabama. Isaiah married Kate Gaston, widow of Lee Moss. Children of the Second Wife JONATHAN COLEMAN (Johnnie) b. April 27, 1832, d. January 19, 1879. Married his second cousin, Sarah Jane Coleman, the daughter of Giles C. Coleman, b. April 24, 1843, d. November 4, 1923. Both are buried at Mt. Moriah, 4 miles northwest of Weir, on the French Camp Road. HENRY COLEMAN, b. March 9, 1836, d. October 21, 1906. Married Priscilla Weir, sister of James and John Weir, who was born September 6, 1839, d. January 14, 1917. Both buried at Weir. Last wills and testaments of record at Pages 24 and 61 of Will Book 1, Choctaw County. THOMAS J. COLEMAN, died in the Mississippi Delta. MARY ANN COLEMAN BLAYLOCK. MRS. T. J. BLACK, known as Polly. HIRAM F. COLEMAN, married his second cousin, Elizabeth, daugh- ter of Griffin Coleman of Old Concord. - 179 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Second Generation HENRY COLEMAN, died without issue. Children of Jonathan Coleman and Sarah Jane Coleman (a) WREN COLEMAN, born October 2, 1866, died March 30, 1934. (.htm#N008222">Married (1). Donie Jameson, 1907. (2). Cora Ligon Milam, May 15, 1917. No children. Burial Magnolia Cemetery, Meridian, Mississippi . (b) CLARENCE COLEMAN, born January 17, 1870, died April 10, 1931. Buried at Weir. (c) JOHN C. (JACK) COLEMAN, born August 12, 1871, died May 23, 1929, buried at Weir. Never married. (d) MRS. LILLIE B. COLEMAN WADE, born October 1, 1877, died November 30, 1939. (e) FRANK COLVIN COLEMAN, born July 24, 1873, died October 4, 1899. Children of William C. (Deaf Bill) Coleman WILLIAM D. COLEMAN, 1863-1884. SARAH, Mrs. Mack McKinley, 1842-1872. Mrs. Lillie Coleman Wade was married to Lige Wade. Their children were: Joe Wade, presently of Weir, Mississippi; Sarah Dorothy, married Louis Hermann of New Orleans; and John Coleman Wade, deceased. The following is taken from Page 49 of "A History of Ward County, Texas": "Grandfalls (named after "the grand falls of the Pecos River" by the first surveyors of land in Ward County), in 1898 proudly possessed a school to serve the forty-odd settlers living in the vicinity. Professor E. C. Wade, a quiet, dignified and well-educated young man, was its teacher. By 1903 the growing school needed an additional teacher, and it was sought to have Mrs. Wade join her husband at the school. She was cultured, refined and exceptionally well qualified in all respects; however, she had two small children of pre-school age whom she could not leave unattended at home. Finally, in November, 1903, the Wades considered themselves fortunate to have rented their two back rooms to a middle-aged couple, the M. K. (Jake) Kimberlains. Mrs. Kimberlain - 180 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY looked after the Wade children while Mrs. Wade taught, and Professor Wade got Jake a job as school janitor to supplement his income from his wife's operation of a home laundry. It seemed a happy arrangement all around." "But Jake, crippled in his left arm, and perhaps in his mind also, opposed Professor Wade's persistent demands that the Kim- berlain boy, Eddy, age 11, be required to attend school. Eddy did finally attend, but realizing his father's attitude, he did so only haphazardly, causing confusion at school and resulting in little learning for himself, Jake blaming Professor Wade for the boy's display of backwardness. Arguments occurred between Jake and Professor Wade, and Jake made remarks about the Professor around the community which reflected against the Professor's good name. On February 29, 1904, during an argument in which Wade demanded apologies because of accusations made against him, Jake shot the unarmed Professor in the stomach with a pistol and killed him. Kimberlain was convicted and served 25 years in prison. (4)" (Contributed by MRS. DEOLECE MILLER PARMELEE) . Professor Wade's body was returned home and buried in Bear Creek Cemetery. This Robert Coleman first appears in Mississippi on August 8, 1835. On this date (Book A, Page 262, of the Winston County Land Deeds) Andrew Walters conveyed to Robert Coleman "of Sumter County, Alabama," the Northeast Quarter of Section 6, Township 16, Range 10, then in Winston County, now in Choctaw, and located about two miles Northwest of the present Town of Weir. The language of the conveyance indicates that Robert Coleman had lived in Sumter County, Alabama, before coming to Mississippi, and Griffin Coleman of Old Concord was a subscribing witness to the conveyance. This further shows that while Williams Charles Coleman received his first conveyance from Andrew C. Walters on July 3, 1835, Robert must have accorpanied him since both Williams Charles and Robert purchased of Andrew C. Walters. Griffin Coleman received his first deed August 27, 1836, from Alfred Gilkey, Book B, Page 54. In the land deed records of Sumter C.unty, Alabama, Book C. Page 221, we find that on February 7, 1837, Robert Coleman and wife, Jency, conveyed 111 acres of land, being the Northwest 1/4 of Fractional Section 4, Township 20, Range 2 West of Sumter County. The deed was - 181 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY. acknowledged in Winston County, Mississippi. The property is located three miles northeast of Sumterville, Sumter County, Alabama, and since there is no deed of record to Robert Coleman it is apparent that he entered this land from the government when first opened to settlement about 1820. We also find that on February 27, 1839, Isaiah Coleman, son of Robert, gave a deed of trust on lands in Section 28, Township 20, Range 2 West (Book C, Page 111). This land was three miles south of the lands owned by Robert Coleman. As late as April 18, 1848, Isaiah Coleman was conveying land in Sumter County, (Book K, Page 385). September 30, 1861, Book Q, Page 633, Winston County, "Robert Coleman of the Co. of Choctaw "sold to" Henry Coleman, son of the before named Robert Coleman, of the County of Winston," the West 1/2 Northwest 1/4, Section 6, Township 16, Range 10. Book Q, Page 635, September 30, 1861, "Know all persons by these presents that I, Henry Coleman, having a mind to volunteer in the Army of the Confederate States of America and knowing that life on all occasions is uncertain but especially so when engaged in the war and exposed to the vicissitudes of a soldier's life" conveyed to his beloved wife the same land. She was his first wife, Emily, born Dec. 22, 1833, died July 4, 1862. Buried at Bear Creek. Our next record of him appears in Land Deed Book U, Page 55, when, On June 22, 1867, Robert Coleman and wife, Jincy, conveyed the West 80 acres of the tract he acquired in 1835 to his son, T. J. Coleman. As ff this date, I have not located the grave of Robert Coleman, but we know that he was dead by the year 1873, because on October 3, 1873, the heirs of Robert Coleman conveyed to Jonathan Coleman the East 80 acres of this same Quarter Section. The heirs executing this instrument were William Coleman (known as "Deaf" Bill), Mary Ann Blaylock, T. J.Black and Henry Coleman. From this evidence and from an interview on August 26, 1951, with Mr. Charles Feemster Prewitt, who was born in 1872 and reared in the same community, William Coleman, Thomas J. Coleman, Jonathan Coleman, and Henry Coleman were all brothers, and sons of Robert Coleman. A sister, Polly, married Tom Black, which accounts for that signature on the deed. Thomas J. Coleman went to the Mississippi Delta, and we have no further information at this time. According to his tombstone in the Mt. Moriah cemetery, about four miles northwest of Weir (French Camp road) Jonathan Coleman was born April 27, 1832, and died January 19, 1879. - 182 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY. His wife, Sarah Jane Coleman, was born April 24, 1843, and died November 4, 1923. Her husband died at the early age of 47, while she lived to be 80 and was a widow forty-four years. Mr. Charles F. Prewitt states that she was a well educated woman for her time and was a school teacher when she married Jonathan Coleman. She was widowed at the age of 36, saved all the extensive land that Jonathan Coleman owned, reared her family, and was so economical that she was still saving money at the time of her death. Mr Prewitt tells many interesting anecdotes about Jonathan Coleman He knew him as "Johnny." It seems that Johnny was well known as a practical joker. There was a young woman living in the community, who, unfortunately, was not attractive and was not sought after by the men. Johnny Coleman told her that a certain gentleman in the community was in love with her and desired to marry her, but was too timid to ask for her hand in marriage. Of course, the gentleman had entertained no such thoughts, and was much amazed by what followed. One day as the gentleman was riding through the woods, the lady stopped him and told him that Mr Johnny Coleman had told her of his desire to marry her and that she was ready to accept him. The man was highly shocked and told her that he had not entertained any such intentions. Of course "bad trouble" ensued with Johnny over the incident, but fortunately no one was hurt. For a long time he was supervisor in Attala County, resided just over the line out Of Choctaw, the boundary running through his front yard. He got into a feud with his brother, Henry, over denying a public road in which Henry was interested, and they carried guns for each other for a long time, but violence never occurred. However, when Johnny lay on his death-bed in 1879, Henry was apprised of the fact while passing there and declined to see his brother, which indicates the overly stern stuff out of which some of these old-time Colemans were made. Carrying some of Johnny Colemans practical jokes further, he was a great friend of Dudley Prewitt (father of Charles Feemster Prewitt and brother of Andrew Jackson Prewitt, who married Sarah Coleman, daughter of Isaiah Daniel) Dudley Prewitt would "bait" wild turkeys and would conceal himself in a blind to await their arrival. Johnny Coleman found the blind and saw the bait, concealed himself in the blind, killed an enormous gobbler, threw it over his shoulder and went by and invited Dudley Prewitt to a log-rolling the next day and promised him plenty of turkey if he would attend. Of course, when Dudley went to the blind he saw the feathers on the ground from the gobbler that Johnny had shot and he knew then what had happened. - 183 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Cluffie Ming was a tenant on the Jonathan Coleman plantation, then operated by his widow, Mrs. Sarah Jane Coleman. He asked her for an order for five dollars worth of medicine for his sick children. Mrs. Coleman told him that he did not need five dollars worth of medicine. She made out a list of salts and cathartic pills which came to seventy-five cents, and Cluffie said that by the time "she got through with him" he decided that he did not need any medicine at all. One day, Cluffie was discussing the Colemans with Mr. Prewitt, and Mr. Prewitt was talking about what splendid people and fine neighbors they were when Cluffie said "I admit they are fine people, but they sure are hell on their croppers." Johnny Coleman and Mrs. Sarah Jane Coleman had five children. The oldest was Wren, Born October 2, 1866, died at Noxapater, Mississippi, March 30, 1934, and buried in Magnolia Cemetery at Meridian. Mr. Richard A. Moss, of Ackerman, now 79 years of age, tells me that Jonathan Coleman was a very precise kind of a man, that he enjoyed a drink, and was not very talkative, except when drinking. When drinking, he liked to expound on "scientific subjects." Mr. Prewitt appears to have been especially fond of Wren Coleman. He described him as being "true as steel." Mr. Forrest Woods, of Noxapater, Mississippi, worked for Mr. Coleman for many years in his mercantile establishment in Noxapater and says that he was one of the Finest men he ever knew. In early life Wren Coleman went to Texas and remained there for about two years, but came back to the old home farm. He had a college education, at which college I have not been able to ascertain. According to Mr. Prewitt, he was a prodigious worker and would not stop at anything in the way of work. On one occasion Mr. Prewitt saw Wren Coleman "in a trot," and remarked to a negro present that Mr. Coleman appeared to be in a hurry. The negro replied "he is just pokin' now; if you try to follow him in the field, he will kill you." Wren Coleman married, first, Miss Donie Jameson, of Kosciusko, in June, 1907. She died soon after the marriage and he was married the second time to Cora Ligon Milam on June 15, 1917. She survives and at this time resides at 714 Sixth Avenue, Laurel, Mississippi. He had no children. The remaining children of Jonathan Coleman were Clarence, who died in 1931, and John C. (Jack) who died in 1929. Mr. Prewitt's description of Jack Coleman was that "he would stand hitched" meaning that he - 184 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY was steadfast and could be depended upon. He was farming in the Arkansas Delta at the time of his death. Neither he nor Clarence were ever married. A fourth son of Jonathan Coleman was Frank Colvin Coleman buried in Mt. Moriah cemetery, born July 24, 1873, and died October 4, 1899. The name "Colvin" is a direct reference to South Carolina and the Coleman connection with the Colvin family. The only daughter of Jonathan Coleman, Lily, married a school teacher, Lige Wade. She was born October 1, 1877 and died November 30, 1939. Lige Wade was a school teacher of brilliance, but was killed in Texas in an altercation with a northern man who occupied the same house with him. He is buried in Bear Creek cemetery in Attala County. "Deaf" Bill Coleman, brother of Jonathan and son of Robert lived on the headwaters of McCurtains Creek. He had a son by the name of Will Coleman, who, according to Mr. Prewitt, was "as proud as a peacock" and always went extremely well dressed. Mr. Richard A. Moss gives this same description of him. He studied to be a doctor and married Cherry George, daughter of Dr. George. He took her to the old home of his father (his mother was dead) but the new wife did not like the place and left her husband. She was a very beautiful woman and when she left him, Will Coleman abandoned all pretense to personal pride, dressed in any manner, and took to strong drink. He began to contract to furnish cross ties for the new railroads then being built through Choctaw County. (1884). He became ill of pneumonia and died while away from home working on one of these contracts. Dudley Prewitt sent his son, Philip, after the body. He hauled it home nailed up in a box and he was buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery without the box ever being opened. Thus ended a career that opened with bright promise and was wrecked because of a beautiful woman. "Deaf" Bill's wife was named Sarah. She was born July 20, 1825, and died July 22, 1882. She is buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery and her grave is marked. Her husband, buried beside her, has no marker. After her death, "Deaf" Bill decided that he would marry again. He was a man who was well fixed, with plenty of horses, mules, cattle, sheep and everything that made for comfort in those days. He went to French Camp and borrowed $800 from Frank Holloway, a prominent lawyer of that place. Hc bought himself a new buggy, a very efficient car trumpet, and set about finding a new wife. He was soon seized with a sudden illness of the "flux," of which he died, and all of his possessions went to Holloway in satisfaction of the indebtedness. His other child, Sarah, married Michael McKinely, formerly of Co. A - 185 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY 23 Miss. Infantry, Confederate States Army. She died September 16, 1872, age 30 years, 4 months, and 16 days. She was the mother of E. Y. McKinley, a prominent citizen of the Panhandle section of Choctaw County. DEATH OF HENRY COLEMAN Mr. Henry Coleman who lived some two miles from Weir, passed from the walks of men on Sunday night October 21 aged about 70 years. One of the landmarks of Choctaw has passed away in the death of Henry Coleman. He was a member of a family well known not only in Choctaw but in this section of the State. Mr. Henry Coleman was a remarkable man in many respects. He was a man of strong: convictions and had the courage of them. He stood for truth right and justice. He was a man who had great contempt for a mean act. He lived above reproach at all times. The disease that sapped away his life was cancer and for quite awhile before his death he was well aware that death would soon approach him but when the end came he was ready to go. His remains were buried at Mt. Moriah Church. "Peace to the ashes of them noble true men. --CHOCTAW PLAINDEALER MR. JACK G. COLEMAN DEAD It is with sincere regret that the Plaindealer chronicles the death of that splendid citizen Jack G. Coleman which sad event occured very suddenly at his home al Marked Tree Arkansas on Thursday of last week. He was 58 years of age and a native citizen of Choctaw County where he was widely known and prominently connected. He had been engaged in farming in Arkansas several years and had large planting interests there. The remains arrived at Weir last Saturday and interment took place at the family cemetery. Services being conducted by Rev. Wallace of Noxapater assisted by Rev. W. I. Duncan Presiding Elder of the Columbus District. He is survived by one sister Mrs. Lillie Wade and two brothers Clarence and Wren, besides a large list of other relatives and friends. Jack G. Coleman was a genial clever wholesouled fellow a good citizen, and a man who loved his friends. Truly another of our good friends has gone to his reward. We deeply sympathize with the loved ones.--CHOCTAW PLAINDEALER Personal Roll, Choctaw County, 1863. Robert Coleman, 4 slaves under 60 years of age. Choctaw County Census of 1840. Robert Coleman (of Mt. Moriah) enumerated next to John Pre- witt. - 186 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY 3 males under 5 1 5-10 1 10-15 1 15-20 1 40-50 1 female 15-20 1 30-40 Choctaw County Census of 1850. Family No. 523. Robert Coleman, 54, [farmer, b. S. C. (Deafe). Born about 1796. Jincy, 47 Robert, 22, farmer, b. Alabama. Louisa, 21 Jonathan, 19 Hiram, 16 Henry Thomas, 10 Mary Ann, 9 Choctaw County Census of 1860. Robert Coleman, age 60, farmer, born in S. C. wife, Jency, age 6(), born in S. C. Eliza, age 35, spinster, born in Alabama. Thomas, age 23, farmer, born in Mississippi. William Coleman, age 39, farmer, born in S. C. wife, Sarah, age 34, born in Alabama. Sarah E., age 17, born in Mississippi. Hiram Coleman, age 30, born in Alabama, wife, Elizabeth, born in Alabama. Mary J., age 5, born in Mississippi. Robert W., age 3, born in Mississippi. Sarah C., age 1, born in Mississippi. Choctaw County Census of 1870. Township 17, Range 9. R. B. Coleman, 75 b. S. C. Wife, Jincy, 67, b. S. C. Sallie, 10, b. Miss. - 187 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY T. I. Coleman, 30 b. S. C. Delila C., 22, b. S. C. Mary A., 4, b. Mississippi Robert W., 2, b. Mississippi W. M. Coleman, age 39, born in S. C., wife, Sara, born in Alabama. Elizabeth 28, and William G., both born in Mississippi. Mt. Moriah Colemans, U. S. Census 1870 Jonathan Coleman, B. 1831, Alabama Sarah, B. 1844, Alabama Wren, 3 Clarence, 7/12 Isaiah, 3 Henry Coleman, B. 1836, Alabama Priscilla Weir B. 1839, Mississippi Richard, 6 Choctaw County Census of 1880. Henry Coleman, 44 (1836), born in Alabama. Father and Mother in S. C. Priscilla, wile, 43, born in Mississippi. Parents in S. C. Beat 1. T. J. Coleman, white male, 23. Born in S. C. Mother born in Alabama. E. J. Coleman, white female, 23, born in Mississippi. Parents in Tennessee. William Coleman, white male, 59, born in S. C., and so were his parents. S., white female, 54, born in Alabama. W. D. Coleman, son 17, born in Mississippi. Henry Coleman, son of Robert of Mt. Moriah, was a soldier in the New Prospect Grays, organized at New Prospect, Mississippi, August 26, 1861. Among others, this group fought at Chickamauga, Franklin, Kenne- saw Mountain, Murphresboro, Spring Hill, Shiloh, and Peachtree Creek. - 188 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY Joseph W. Robinson, son of John W. and Catherine Coleman Robin- son, grandson of Wiley Coleman, fought in this outfit, lost an arm at Peachtree Creek, and later became a well beloved doctor of medicine at LaGrange and French Camp in Choctaw County, Mississippi. This organization was in eighteen general battles. Winston County furnished 1490 soldiers to the Confederate Army, and 465 of them were killed in battle. ISAAC COLEMAN Choctaw County, Mississippi, Census of 1850 Isaac Coleman, b. 1812, S. C., farmer. Judith Coleman, b. 1815, S. C. Penelope, b. 1834, S. C. Cornelius, b. 1836, S. C. Augustus, b. l838, S. C. Nancy, b. 1841, S. C. Louella, b. 1846, Miss. Adella, b. 1846, Miss. Twins. John, 10 months, Miss. Mrs. Etta Rosson states that Isaac Coleman was the son of Solomon Coleman, who, in turn, was the son of William Coleman, of Fairfield. He married Judith McShane, daughter of Hundley McShane and Alice Feaster, who was the daughter of Andrew and Margaret Feaster. Mrs. Rosson further states that Isaac Coleman and wife died in Union County, S. C., so they must have moved back to South Carolina. Isaac Coleman first acquired land in Winston County from Joseph P. Crosley on Dec. 13, 1843. Land Deed Book H, Page 147. In the Personal Assessment Roll of 1847 he was assessed with 1 Pleasure Carriage, 1 clock, and thirteen slaves under sixty years of age. At Page 204 of Land Deed Book M., Winston County, Mississippi, is recorded the deed of July 17, 1852, by which Isaac Coleman and Judy, his wife, sold to Walter Ford N l/2, S. 6, T. 16, R. 11 E 1/2 NE 1/4, S. 1, T. 16, Range l0 SE 1/4 and E 1/2 of NE 1/4, 35-17-10 W 1/2, SW l/4, 36-17-10 760 acres. - 189 - . THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY This was probably when they went back to S. C. Walter Ford later sold this land to John W. Robinson, who married Catherine Coleman. It belonged to the widow Robinson, then to Dr. Joe and Hon. Lafayette Robinson, and now much of it belongs to J. P. Coleman. [PICTURE] [PICTURE] WILLIAM ALEXANDER COLEMAN (left) (Uncle Will) Weir, Mississippi July 3, 1861 Feb. 3, 1956 CHARLES CAMERON COLEMAN (at age 70) (right) Cameron, Texas April 7, 1866 Jan. 19, 1953 - 190 - .
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