WIFE

Jane Sumner

CHILDREN

1. Robert Coates b. Abt. 1658

2. John Coates b. Abt. 1661

3. Abygaile Coates b. 10 Apr 1663

4. Eleazer Coates b. 1667

From "Roberts Coates of Lynn, Mass. and some of his Descendants" by Evelyn (Coates) Aherin 1970

"Robert Coates was believed born in England about 1627 and died at Lynn, Mass. before April 26, 1708. (Essex Deed. series 3, 59:50).  His exact date of birth and parentage is unknown.  He married about 1657 Jane Sumner, who probably was born in England about 1638, the daughter of emigrants, George and Mary Sumner of Rowley, Mass.  The following petition appears in the Essex County court files:

"The humble petition of Robert Coates Senior of Lyn and Jane his wife and daughter of George Sumner, who died by smallpox some forty years since, in Rowley, for administration of the estate of Thomas Sumner, her brother, who married an died without issue, his wife is also dead, she having married twice (married second, Thomas Elithorp) and said Jane is only heir living, she being about ten years old when her father died.  To the court to be held the first Tuesday, November 1691."

Robert was the second inhabitant of Nahant, who probably lived there as a fisherman and shepherd.  In 1657, the people of Lynn held a town meeting and appointed Thomas Laughton, George Keysor, Robert Coates and Joseph Armitage, a committee to defend their right to Nahant for the benefit of all the people of Lynn."