Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. COATES was born after 1760; and died.

Notes:

Henry received 200 acres of his father's land on the hill along Yoark Road in his will written on Nov. 22, 1723. He and Esther Willson declared their first intention to marry on Mar 6, 1731 in the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, NJ. He was supposedly from Buckingham, PA at the time. We now have autosomal DNA matches verifying that I descend from Henry and his wife, Esther Willson. I specifically have found cousins through both Esther Willson's father's and mother's side verifying this line. Isn't DNA wonderful in this field?

A Henry Coat bought 260 acres in 1733 from Robert Willson (brother-in-law). A Henry purchased land in the southwest corner of Readings line in 1735, Hunterdon Co., NJ, north of the Assanpink River (originally the township of Hopewell) from William Biles. A Henry also bought land from Thomas Canby in 1735 which he sold in 1741 to Derrick Hoagland. (C-1,46, 2110) Our Henry was listed as of Amwell Twp. in 1738 when he voted for John Emley and Benjamin Smith in the voting records for Hunterdon Co., NJ. A Jno. Coate was a candidate, but obviously Henry did not vote for him. (C-1824) He is likely the Henry listed as a freeholder who owned at least 50 acres or a house and three acres or more, living in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ in 1741. (C-294)

In 1757 our Henry moved to New Garden MM, Rowan and Guilford Counties, North Carolina from Kingwood MM, NJ. His certificate of removal from Kingswood to New Garden MM, NC is dated 14th, 7mo 1757 and lists himself and sons Marmaduke, James and John. (C-46b) He might be on the list of Taxable Persons in Rowan Co., NC in 1759 along with James and William Coats. That Henry is listed with 2 Poles over age 16 (likely referrring to his 2 youngest sons that were living with.) However, there is an unrelated (by YDNA) set of Coats in Rowan at the time named William, James and Henry who are there by 1755 in the tax records, who moved to Pasqutank Co., NC by 1769 that would account for them instead. Our Henry should not be confused with a Henry purchasing land in this same time period in Virginia who bought 200 acres between 1756-1761. (C-1037, 1498) There were many complaints at New Garden MM against Henry & his sons, James & Marmaduke & sometime before 1764, James & Marmaduke left (without asking for a certificate of removal for which they were disowned). Henry was actually dismissed from New Garden on 7/25/1761. Sons Marmaduke and James were not dismissed until 4/29/1769.(C-1497)

Henry then moved to Newberry, South Carolina. Our Henry purchased 200 acres on July 29, 1765 from John Brooks on Scotch Creek in Berkely Co., SC, a year before William purchased land on Scotts/Scotch Creek just south of the town of Newberry, Berkeley (District)?, S.C. supporting the theory he and William were brothers. Henry's witness when he purchased land included William (brother) and James (son or nephew) Coate. (C-891, 912) This land adjoined Benjamin Pearson of Bush River, Ninety Six District, SC as stated in Benjamin's will on Dec. 10, 1784. He was referred to as the late Henry Coates in this will. Near neighbors were also the late Hugh Creightons and John Brooks. The purchase of 200 acres indicates that there were 3 persons in his household at the time.(C-1699, 1700)

There were several other land transactions, any or all of which could be his purchases. A Henry Coats obtained 150 acres on Dec. 6 1768 and May 16, 1769 in what was then Berkley (now Newberry?), South Carolina. His neighbors were Richard Griffin, Jno Caldwell, John Delany and James Cook. A Henry had land on Mudlick Creek, Craven Co. in 1770 when Ann Hagen purchased land adjoining it. Their neighbors were Richard North , William O'neal, and Anthony Griffin. (C-1411, 1835) (C-1404) Lastly, a Henry obtained 100 acres on May 18, 1773 in Berkley on the waters of the Saludy bounded by vacant land. His son Marmaduke owned land in Berkley. His son "Little John" owned land within 2 miles of brother, Marmaduke. His son, James, could be involved in the following purchases. A James bought 150 acres on Dec. 3, 1771 and 250 acres on May 4, 1772 in Berkley.

Henry's estate is probated in 96 District, South Carolina, June 11, 1784. It was administered by John Coate, Benjamin Pearson, George Powell, and bound to John Thomas Jr. for 2000 pounds in the 96th District. Henry Coate was of Bush River in this record. His inventory was made on Aug. 10, 1784 by Samuel Kelly, Hugh Creighton, and Benjamin Pearson. He had a very small estate inventory and sale. Buyers were Joseph Campbel, one cow and calf, 1 old loom, 1 horse, and 1 trunk; John Man, 1 mare; Henry Coate, 1 mare; John Coate, 1 razor hone?, 1 tract of 200 acrs of land. John Coate, Benjamin Pearson and George Powell put up two thousand pounds sterling to ensure that the estate of Henry Coate, deceased would be distributed properly on June 11, 1784. It is housed at the Abbeville Courthouse, in Abbeville, South Carolina. (Box 21- pack 48 and 487). The original land he purchased from John Brooks in 1765 was in the hands of his son John Coate of Newberry.

John sold it in parts, in 1799 to Henry Coate of Newberry (his son), in 1800 to Frederick Nance, and in 1802 to John McMorris. John was listed as deceased before 1803.

Henry married Esther WILLSON on 3 Jun 1731 in Burlington County, New Jersey, USA. Esther (daughter of Samuel I WILLSON and Hester (Esther) OVERTON) was born on 8 Aug 1711 in Chesterfield Twp., Burlington Co, NJ; died after 1763 in Of Burlington Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her death date is usually listed as 5/6/1736. The information on her death date probably came from the book "The Willson Family, 1672-1959" by Richard Eugene Willson according to Ron Peterson. (C-2110)

However, it has not been able to be verified and could just as easily apply to her mother, Esther instead. The reasons why it likely applies to her mother instead are the following. Her son, Marmaduke was most likely born in 1738 as he would still have been under the age of 21 when he was listed with his father on their move from NJ to NC in 1757. It appears that her husband could have left community because of an uncomfortable situation for all. He never remarried which is extremely unusual for the times. Members of the Newbold family believe that Michael Newbold, b. 1706 in Burlington Co., NJ was married secondly to Henry Coates' wife, Esther Wilson. According to Newbold descendants, the Henry Coate she was married to in the Hunterdon Co., New Jersey area died sometime around 1755. However, my Henry Coate moved to North Carolina with his sons in 1757 (in Quaker Records) around the time that Michael and Esther were believed to be man and wife. Because no marriage record for Michael Newbold and Esther has been found even though Michael often witnessed Quaker marriages in Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, I thought it possible that Esther and Michael had a common law marriage. She is called his wife Esther in Michael Newbold's will written by 1763.

We are in any case, descended from the Henry who moves south with sons to Guilford/Rowan Co., NC and Esther Willson. What is now known through DNA evidence is that I have 2 cousins descended from both of Elizabeth's parents. Esther's mother's side also has a match clear back to Major General Robert Overton (b. 1609) and Anne Gardiner with me. (23andMe.com, cousins: Charlotte Buelow and Bonnie Scudder) We likely have these matches clear back into the 1600's because we descend through both Esther and her brother, Gabriel Willson.

Notes:

We have several cousins who descend from different sons of Samuel in our YDNA group to prove our descent from Samuel Coate, b. 1670! See these findings at: http://www.ancestrees.com/henrycoatebabt1595ydnagroup.html

Samuel Coate from Somersetshire, England first appears in Pennsylvania with his father, John Coate in 1685. (C-568) He could be the Samuel Coates who arrived in Maryland in 1682. In 1699, through an instrument in writing, his father gave him 200 acres of land that he had purchased on Mar 13, 1689 from Israel Taylor. Samuel, himself, had purchased 23 more acres from this same Israel Taylor on Nov. 16, 1696. After his father's death, in late 1699 or early 1700, Samuel sold the land he inherited from his father John and settled in Burlington Co., NJ.

One source entitled, "The Samuel Coate Family" says that Samuel settled near his brother, Marmaduke, who came over in 1717 (1713) and settled in Burlington Co. as proved by the will of Ann Coate, widow of Marmaduke. (1929) (C-549d) I believe this brother relationship to be an error as John Coate had a son Samuel but no known son, Marmaduke. It is more likely that Samuel and Marmaduke were cousins and this was the kinship referred to in Ann Coate's will. Another possible way the "Samuel Coate Family" erred in saying he lived near his brother, Marmaduke, is that Samuel did live fairly near his older brother James, who came to Philadelphia. James and his other brother Henry supposedly came over after their father, John and brother Samuel. (C-1542)

He appears often in Quaker records in the Middletown Monthly Meeting of Friends, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania. He signed a testimony against the sale of "rum or other strong liquors to the Indian" on 11/5/1687. He witnessed several marriages: 1) Jeffery Hawkins and Ellen Pierson on 9/21/1687 at the home of the bride, 2) William Smith and Mary Cronasdale on 1/12/1688, and 3) his elder brother James and Mary Watson at the Philadelphia Meeting House on 12/8/1691/92. He was a member of the Grand Jury of the Quarter Sessions Court in Bucks County, PA on 7/13/1693. He was a road juror ordered by the court to help lay out a cart road from Newtown to the ferry house at a session dated 12/1693, the second Wednesday of the month. He declared his intention to marry Mary Sanders on 11/3/1694/5 at the Middletown Meeting. Samuel and Mary also declared their intention to marry at the Falls Meeting on 12/6/1694/5 also. It appears they went to both meeting houses a second time to inform all interested family and friends of their intent to marry on 12/7/1694/5 and 1/6/1694/5 before proceeding to marry. Samuel was on a Petit Jury on 10/9/1696, a Common Pleas Jury on the 10th month, 1697 and a Grand Jury on 7/14/1698 and 1/8/1698/9.

In 1700, after his move to Burlington Co., NJ, there is a Samuel Coate who was listed as one of the men who helped survey and lay out a by-road for accommodating the "back inhabitants" leading into the Kings Road. (C-1668) Since he is the only Samuel I know of living in Burlington Co., NJ in 1702, the following records also likely apply to him. He and Samuel Beard acknowledged to the court that they owed the King forty lbs. which was to be levied on their goods, chattles and tenements on condition that Samuell Coates keep the peace particularly toward Elizabeth White and Elizabeth Brown. These two women had attested to the court that they were afraid he would abuse or ravish them and felt their lives were in danger. The court then ordered Samuel Coates to find security to prove his intention was peaceful. Samuel was also charged with four others of neglecting service on the road in that year. In that same year in court, Samuel was named as one of the new Constables from Burlington. These records were summarized in "The Burlington Court Book, a Record of Quaker Jurisprudence in West New Jersey, 1680-1709", by H. Clay Reed. (C-1673)

On 1/10/1702/3, he submitted the purchase of a deed for 3 acres of land in Newtown, with the deed dated 9/16/1696. He appears to have sold that land plus 19 other acres to Shadrack Walley on that same day, 1/10/1702/3 and then submit it to the courts on 7/8/1703. In 1705 he was named as a Grand Juror in the court records. (C-1673) The Old York Road went from Market St. in Philadelphia through Newtown, Bucks Co., PA to land he later bought in Springfield, Burlington, NJ and in 1722 in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ (at least 400 acres) over the Delaware River. It appears his sons inherited different parts of this land that had then become Bethlehem Twp. which later became Kingwood, Hunterdon Co., NJ and possibly Amwell Co., NJ.

Here are the deed records that belong to him in NJ records:
Coate, Samuel (Grantee) TO: Samuel Coate 10 May 1703 L (WJ) : Folio 337 (SSTSE02
FROM: Joseph English
CONVEYANCE. Burlington County.
OTHERS NAMED:
LOCATIONS: West Jersey; Burlington Coate, Samuel (Grantor) TO: Roger Fort (son-in-law, husband of d. Ann Coate) 11 May 1722 W (WJ) : Folio 339 (SSTSE023)
FROM: Samuel Coate
CONVEYANCE. Springfield, Burlington County.
OTHERS NAMED:
LOCATIONS: West Jersey; Burlington; Springfield Township Coate, Samuel (Named) TO: Roger Fort (added by Linda Coate: Support for Roger Fort being his son in law) 27 Mar 1723 Basse B (Surveys, 207-290) : Folio 264 (SSTSE023)
FROM:
SURVEY. 197 acres. Springfield Township; Burlington County. For Roger Fort. Land purchased of Samuel Coate. Bordering lands of Ananiah Gaunt. [Warrant Date: 13 Aug 1722]. View PDF
OTHERS NAMED: Samuel Coate; Hananiah Gaunt
LOCATIONS: West Jersey; Burlington; Springfield Township

He and his family took a certificate to Buckingham from Burlington on March 6, 1723 (the same year he died). Quaker minutes mention sons John and Henry and in the Women's minutes from Buckingham it mentions Mary Coate and daughter Elizabeth. (C-549c, 995, 1086)

Samuel purchased the land they moved to in 1723 on April 17, 1722: 400 acres of land in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co. from Robert Eaton adjoining John Holcombe's land. (This land is now a part of Mercer Co., NJ.) Samuel Coate was listed as of Springfield, Burlington Co., NJ at the time. He also purchased an additional adjoining 100 acres according to the deed where his son William sells 150 acres of the land in 1728. (I'm suggesting this extra land purchase also included land in what became Bethlehem Twp. (and then Kingwood Twp.) as that is where we can verify his son John's land was. He was a carpenter and appears to have established a ferry service there known as Coate's Ferry on the Delaware River. Opposite him was a service owned by John Wells known as "Wells ferry" on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware. It is interesting to note that this ferry service later became known as Coryell's Crossing (Corryell's Ferry in Lamberton, NJ) and was where Washington crossed the Delaware in the Revolutionary War and is the scene of the famous painting of same. It was approximately 5 miles from what had become Trenton, NJ at the time.

On Aug. 24, 1723, John Bainbridge, Samuel Coate, Thomas Curtis, Joshua Anderson, Andrew Smith, and Nathaniel Leonard, freeholders, received tax money from Capt. Ralph Hunt for the running of the government in Maidenhead, Hopewell, Amwell and Trenton Townships, NJ. I have no further details in his involvement in running the townships than this record in the deeds of NJ. (C-2152)

After Samuel's death in 1723, his land on the hill along Yoark Road went to sons John, Henry, and William. His will was written Nov. 22, 1723 and proved Jan. 8, 1723/24. It lists wife Mary, children: John, Henry, William, Marmaduke, Samuel and Elizabeth. (C-549d, 1078, 1433) In his will, he is referred to as Samuel Coate, Gentleman, of Amwell, Hunterdon Co., NJ. He bequeathed 200 aces to son John, 200 to son Henry and the rest to son William. His Executors were sons, John and Henry. It was witnessed by Jon Holcombe, John Wells, and Benjamin Willcocks. The inventory of his estate dated Dec. 23, 1723 included a clock, the family bible and other books and was made by George Green and John Holcombe In 1728, his son John sold 200 acres of the tract of land he was given by his father, to John Purcell. In 1732, John Coate, of Bethlehem, N.J. (which later became Kingwood Twp., NJ) sold 30 acres more of this land to John Holcombe. It is a home built by this John Holcombe that Washington stayed in twice during the Revolutionary War. (This 1732 deed mentions adjoining posts belonging to William and Henry Coate's lands.) (C-153)

Two Coate names appear in Freeholders lists for New Jersey, that could be his sons. John Coates was a landholder who was selected as the 42nd juror in Bethlehem Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ in 1741 (Vol. 37, pg. 56-Genealogical Mag. of N.J.) and Henry Coates was a land holder in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ. (C-294, Vol. 37, p.54)

Son Marmaduke is in Quaker records when he married Sarah Mathis in Little Egg Harbor, 1747. (C-549c)

Son William is still puzzling. He or his uncle account for the William who witnessed a Quaker marriage in Burlington County, NJ. He sold his land, 150 acres, that he inherited from his father, Samuel, on May 21, 1729 to William Cornwell. (C-549d). We do not know how much land he received from his father, as deed records do not tell us the amount that Samuel first purchased. We know it was large enough to encompass 197 acres that went to his son-in-law, Roger Fort, 200 acres to son John, 200 acres to son Henry and all the rest which included at least 150+ plus acres to son William. That could also indicate that William is his oldest living son. It is likely that he still retained some land as his name is mentioned in a deed of sale by his brother in 1732. (C-153) This is possibly the William who moved to what became Newberry County, SC by 1762. (See William's bio on ancestrees for further details as he could also be the William Coats who lived in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, PA by 1734.)

Samuel married Mary SAUNDERS on 6 Jan 1695 in Falls M.M., Bucks, PA, USA. Mary (daughter of John SAUNDERS, * and Mary FARLEY) was born on 24 Jun 1672 in of, Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA; died in 1733 in Falls, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary is mentioned in will of Ann Coate, widow of Marmaduke, of Burlington Co., NJ. in January of 1729/30. (C-253c)

I currently have found 7 triangulations on chromosomes 5 and 22 with descendants of John Sanders m. to Mary Farley via Mary Farley's father, George proving that she descends through the early Massachusetts Sanders and Farley families. They averaged 4.71 cM's and a 27Q value of certainty between all of them when compared to my Uncle's DNA. This is above the average in cM and Q value size for this distance in time because I was able to compare these cousin's DNA with my Uncles.

I also found 3 triangulations through the John Sanders married Mary Clarke of less strength in average cM match size and in average Q values that highly suggest that both of these 2 early Sanders/Saunders families are related to each other.

Notes:

His parents brought him to America at age one. The Home Visitor, a newspaper that published an article on him, states that in was on the "good ship Welcome" with William Penn along with his 3 sisters and parents in 1682. Their purpose was to help found "The Green Country Towne" which is now Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Samuel grew up in Burlington Co., NJ. He married Hester Overton in 1705 and settled at Crosswicks Creek, Chesterfield Twp., Burlington Co., NJ on land that his father gave him at his wedding. They lived there for 25 years, having all their children at this location. They were members of the Chesterfield M.M., in Burlington Co., NJ at the time. In 1730, they moved to Franklin Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ where they built a stone mansion on 600 acres of property which he bought from Jacob Doughty. It was a strong well built home with enormous chimneys and a large beam running across the top. This home built by Samuel and Hester housed many generations of their descendants, according to R E Willson's 1979 The Willson Family 1672-1959. On page 6 of that book - "By 1907, it became necessary to tear down the mansion, which was then beyond repair. William D Wolverton, M. D. husband of Annie E. Willson ... (d/o) James Willson and Mary A. Laing, built a new house on the original plot. The original carved stone is still in the west gable, which has the initials S.H.W. 1735 but under it is another similar stone marked - Rebuilt, W. D. W. - 1907." It was a mile southwest of Quakertown (C-199, C-740, 1509b) They helped establish the Kingwood Monthly Meeting in Quakertown sometime after this move.

The dates of their children's births come from a family bible with both Samuels' signature in it. I believe this bible might be preserved at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. Samuel was a Quaker minister for a number of years. A memorial was issued by the Society of Friends Kingswood Monthly Meeting after his death. It is transcribed here from "The Jerseyman", c1898, Vol. 4, pg. 36 retaining spelling and capitalization: "Our antient Friend Samuel Willson Died thee Ninetheenth Day of the Twelfth month 1761 and was Inter'd in Friends Burying Ground at Kingwood the Twenty-Second Day of the Same Month about the Eightieth year of his Age. He was a Minister many years which in a general way was well received amongst his Friends. He was a Diliglent attender of our Meetings both of Worshop and Discipline, till of late years when through his ability & Natural Strength failed so much that he was not able to Stay during the time that Meetings are geneerally held, His life and Coversation (in a good degree) was Solid Sober and Orderly, agreeable to his Ministry. He was Suddenly Siezed with Death not Lying any time Sick so that he had no time to declare any that might be on his mind to Speak to any of his Friends. Yet we have good reason to Hope when we consider his former Conduct while he was in his Health and Strength that he has gone to Enjoy that Immortal Crown that is laid up for the Righteous. Aged 80 years, 5 months, & 14 days." (C-865, 1525)

The following is from a book called Pioneer Families of Northwestern New Jersey. "IV. Samuel Willson I, born 1681, brought to America when he was one year old, died 1761 in the 8lst year of his age; married Hester Overton, born 1682, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Overton. They settled in Chesterfield township where eight children were born to them: in 1730 they removed to Franklin township in Hunterdon County, N. J.

About a mile southwest of the village of Quakertown in Hunt-erdon County, N. J., stands an old mansion. It is built of stone and high up on its western gable appears the inscription "s H W 1735." The initials are those of Samuel and Hester (Overton) Willson who builded there a house which was destined to shelter many generations of their descendants. The house gives evidence of having been well built; the walls laid up in clay are firm and solid and will endure perhaps another century if no ruder hand than that of time is laid upon them. The enormous chimneys almost stone enough to build a modern sized house. In the western gable near the date stone there is a small square loop-hole which one might suppose had been intended for use in defending the castle against the attacks of Indians were it not for the fact that the owners thereof were members of the peace-loving sect called Quakers. An ancient pent-house protected one of the doors. The partitions of the interior are of wood and are paneled all the way up to the lofty ceiling.

Originally the huge beams were exposed to view, the ceiling being a comparatively recent innovation. Two small windows set quite high in the thick walls admitted but scant light and the general appearance must have been somewhat gloomy. The great fireplace with its stock-hole in the jamb speaks eloquently of the pleasures of the olden time, for here the young people of the family with their neighboring cousins and friends gathered around to enjoy social converse and innocent games.

Among the many relics still preserved in the Willson family is a large cupboard brought from England by Robert Willson the founder of the American family. Another momento is the original deed dated 1730 for 600 acres of land given by Jacob Doughty in consideration of 300 pounds of lawful silver money. But the oldest and most interesting souvenir is a 'well worn Bible, the several portions of which were printed at different dates and afterward bound together; the last part is dated 1618. Robert Willson's autograph appears on one page, and those of Samuel and his sister, Rebecca, on another. Eight children of Samuel and Hester Overton Willson of Quakertown, N. J.:I. Samuel Willson II, born 1706, died 1785, married Deborah Willets.II. Robert Willson, born 1709, died 1785, md. Mary Lundy.III. Esther Willson, born 1711, married in 1731 Henry Coate of Buckingham, pa.; no further record.IV. James Willson, born 1713, died 1777, married in 1736 Martha Laing.V. Sarah Willson, born 1715, married in 1736 Richard Heath; no further record.VI. Ann Willson, born 1720, removed when a widow in 1784 from. Warren County, N.J., to Carroll County, Va., and died there at the age of 101 years; married Richard Lundy III. Most of their descendants now live in Virginia and Canada.VII. John Willson, born 1723, died before 1772; married Margaret Lundy. The main purpose of this article is to register some of their newly discovered descendants.VIII. Gabriel Willson, born 1725, died 1805, married in 1749 Elizabeth Lundy.

Note that four Willsons, a sister and three brothers, married four Lundys, a brother and three sisters. The four Lundys referred to (Mary, Richard, Margaret and Elizabeth) were children of Richard Lundy II and his wife Eliza-beth Large; grandchildren of Richard Lundy I and his wife Jane Lyon, and of Joseph and Elizabeth (-----) Large. "

I have an autosomal DNA match with a Terri S. Hayden at Ancestry where we have both this Samuel Overton and Hester his wife in common and Richard Lundy, so we don't really know what our DNA confirms.However, I have many triangulations with cousins whom descend from Samuel Willson and Hester Overton's ancestors at 7 cM's or above on MyHeritage. This is possible even this far back in time because I descend from 2 of their children, Esther and Gabriel which do prove this line is correctly traced.

Samuel married Hester (Esther) OVERTON on 12 Jun 1705 in Chesterfield Twp., Burlington Co, NJ, USA. Hester (daughter of Samuel OVERTON and Hannah HALL) was born on 26 Oct 1682 in , Hunterdon, NJ, USA; died on 6 May 1736 in Kingwood, Hunterdon, New Jersey, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her death date could be the death date usually attributed to her daughter Esther as 5/6/1736. She was definitely living in 1731. She and her husband could easily be the E.W. and S.W. on the stones in the oldest cemetery in Quakertown, NJ. That is the only information on the stones, but the initials on stones next to each other would statistically apply to them. Photos of them have been provided by Patti Sue McCrary.

I now have an autosomnal DNA cousin match whom also descends from this line through our mutual ancestor Robert Overton married to Anne Gardiner helping to prove the Coate descent through this line by the name of Bonnie Scudder via 23andMe.

Notes:

We now have absolute proof that we descend through John's father Henry with another YDNA tester in our Coats Surname Project at FTDNA. This cousin descends from a different son of Henry's that ends up being forced to migrate to Australia. Thank you, Australian cousins for helping to prove this line from 1595 to the present!

I also triangulate with autosomal DNA cousins who descends through John and Elizabeth Coate's daughter, Ann Coate, on chromosome 7 in overlapping segments as our 1st common Coate ancestor, tentatively suggesting our descent from John and Elizabeth. Back in this distance of time, the cM's segment match length is small enough that it can't currently prove the descent. I expect that the fact that we triangulate improves the statistical proof, but we will have to wait till the mathematics in this field also improves to know for sure. I would guess that John's mother's name could be Elizabeth from his 2 daughter's names. Ann would have been named after his mother-in-law, JoAnn.

Here are the facts that we do know about John Coate. He was the father of our Samuel Coate of Somerset Co., England; Newtown, PA and Hunterdon Co., NJ proven by the fact that Samuel was given 200 acres of his father, John Coate's land in Newtown, Pennsylvania via letter dated August, 1699 from Somerset, England one month before John Coate died in England. John was married to Elizabeth Humphreys in England and had the following children: John, Henry, James, Samuel, and Elizabeth. His children's births are registerd as being from the Kingsbury Episcopi M.M., Middle Divison of the Somerset Quarterly Meeting in England. Quaker records were only kept in their monthly meeting from 1665-1673. They list both John and Elizabeth as parents. They are listed right before his nephew Marmaduke married to Ann Pole's children are listed in this Middle Division of the Somerset Monthly Meeting records all in the same hand. They likely were transcribed from their Monthly Meeting records kept until 1673. It is known that they had four small children and one on the way in 1672 when it was recorded that his house had been burnt down and his wife was expecting. This matches well with the birth dates of his children. However, he could have had more children from 1673 onward that were not in the records. One source lists him with a daughter named Ann. This fits well with info on descendants of an Ann Coate (1673-1762) married to a Roger Fort (1669-1749) in the United States. (E)

He lived in Lambrook, England, which adjoins the town of Curry Rivel on the east. He is often listed in the Illchester Monthly Meeting Minutes or Southern Division Monthly Meeting Minutes as it was known beginning in 1670.

Other events in his lifetime are as follows.

1668 His wife, Elizabeth Coate, sister to John Humphries, was reprimanded for being married by a priest indicating that John was not a Quaker at the time of his marriage. Kingsbury MM, Somerset, England.

1670 8mo 27d In Somerset: "In this Year the following Persons were committed to Prison at Ilchester for refusing to pay Tithes, ... Impropriator: John Coate, at the suit of Samuel Tilley." http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/mn/m3350x3351.htm

1671 2mo 27d In attendance at Illchester MM, Somerset, England (Park)

25d 7mo 1672 In the Southern Division MM minutes, a request was made to other area meetings to aid and assist John Coate, whose "afflicted condition" had resulted from his imprisonment, the burning of his home and property, his indebtedness, his responsibility for his 4 small children, "one of them having been scalded near to death and his wife also being near her time."

1672 12mo 29 In attendance at Illchester MM, Somerset, England (Park)

1676 12mo 24 In attendance at Illchester MM, Somerset, England (Park)

1678 On 28 of month 3 (May), John Coat of Lambrook was at the Bishop's Court on the same day that Quaker John Whiting was questioned for not paying tithes, http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/mn/m3350x3351.htm

1678 (4mo: Park) At Somerset, "Beside those already mentioned, there had been imprisoned for Tithes, some Years before John Whiting's Commitment, John Coate, John Smith, Thomas Ridiout of Mark, and Walter Hodges of Kingsbury. http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/mn/m3350x3351.htm

1679 5mo 31d In attendance at Illchester MM, Somerset, England (Park)

1680 2mo 29d "For a Meeting at Gregory-Stoke: John Cuffe, John Pinny, Francis Scott, and John Coate, were fined

John married Elizabeth HUMPHREYS on 29 Dec 1663 in Kingsbury M.M., Somerset, ENG. Elizabeth (daughter of Johanas (John) HUMPHREY and Joan) was christened on 11 Jul 1647 in , Somerset, ENG; died before 1686 in Kingsbury, Somerset, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her name is definitely Elizabeth Humphreys. According to Quaker records when she is listed as the wife of John, her birthdate is given as July 7, 1647. She is listed as the mother of John's children in the 1660's in Somerset Co., England. Her surname is proven to be Humphries because of the following extracts from Minute Book 1 of Illchester M.M. in county Somerset, England. "15/12/1668 7th minute, from Kingsbury Meeting, "That Thomas Budd and George Taylor do again go and visit James Humprheys and Elizabeth Coate, his sister, and in God's love, warn them again to clear their conscience by their obedience to the truth, and that they no longer absent or withdraw themselves from the assemblies of God's people." 25/12/1668, "That Thomas Budd and George Taylor do again go and visit James Humprheys and Elizabeth Coate, his sister ...and that Elizabeth, as she is in a capacity, come to the Friend's Monthly or give forth a testimony against her being married by a priest."

Further evidence has been found in the Southern Divison Quarterly Meeting Records which transferred data from the Monthly Meeting records into lists by one recorder. In the middle of the listing for John and Elizabeth Coate's children, her brother James Humphries and previously unknown wife Joan is listed with the birth of their daughter Joane Humphries. Her brother James is then listed in the baptismal records for the Church of England as from Kingsbury Episcopi and the son of John and Joane Humfry. Then to put the cherry on the cake, she and husband John Coate, named their first child John after her father. This was the most common Quaker naming pattern.

Elizabeth did not ever come to America. She might be the Elizabeth Coate, widow, who died in the month called Feb of 1720/21 in Hambridge according to Somerset Quarterly Monthly Meeting Records for Somerset Co., England. (1720 In month 12, Eliz. Coate of Hambridge, died. [http://www-personal.umich.edu/~bobwolfe/gen/mn/m3350x3351.htm] ) The problem with this is there is a John Coate of New Towne, Pennsylvania who was listed free of marriage engagements when he requested a return to England in the 1686. Therefore, I am accepting the theory that he was married twice, both times to an Elizabeth. (C-199, 253c)

Notes:

According to Triangulations I have with both the Sanders/Saunders of Maine and Massachusetts and this Sanders/Saunders of Massachusetts, these two groups are related. Some of the children of one might apply to the children of the other instead.

John married Mary FARLEY in 1671 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. Mary (daughter of George FARLEY, * and Christian Beatrice BIRTHS) was born in Feb 1647 in Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA; died on 31 Aug 1712 in of, Billerica, Middlesex, Massachusetts, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The original immigrant ancestors of this Willson line were Robert and Ann Willson. The spelling of their last name is confirmed by the personal signatures of Robert and children, Samuel and Rebecca in the family bible brought over from England during immigration. The Bible is inscribed with, "John Willson, his book." and the inside cover has the inscription: "Robert Barker-London-1606." (C-915) We are not sure if this indicates Robert's father and a second relative or not. The Bible is currently in the care of the Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. (C-865)

This family line is again of the Quaker faith. "Robert (was) dismissed from Scarborough (ENGLAND) March 2 - 1682 to the care of their friend's in New Jersey and Penna." Robert, his wife and all four children supposedly came over on the ship, "Welcome" during the spring of 1682. They landed at Philadelphia and proceeded to Chesterfield Twp., Burlington Co., New Jersey. Knowing the tragic loss of life on the Welcome to scarlet fever, this family was very lucky to all make it across. Ann had been married previously and had Susannah. Recorded in the extracts from Whitby Register at the Friends House, London, England is a bond concerning her previous child. "Thos. Staindridge, deceased bro." of Ann, left 10 pounds to her and husband, Robert Witham's child. This is not proof that Ann's maiden name was Staindridge as two major sources, Armstrong and Shotwell, state her name to be Hoag or Hogg. Perhaps Thos. Staindridge was a half brother. This discrepancy has not been proven either way.

Ann, "widow", and Robert, "bachelor", were married at her home in Scarborough, England, within the Pickering Monthly Meeting district. After arriving in America, Robert can be found owning 2 adjoining properties on the south side of Crosswicks Creek, New Jersey. Deeds do not seem to be available though he is mentioned in a survey of his neighbor, Thomas Wood's land. The land was originally a parcel of the 15,000 acres owned by Thomas Budd referred to in the General Assemby on May 12, 1687.

Robert is mentioned often in the Friends Records. He was appointed a trustee of the Friends Burial Grounds at Crosswicks in 1685. He was also active in local government. In 1688, he was a constable for Chesterfield Twp. In February, 1688 he was a member of the Grand Jury meeting in Burlington, New Jersey. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1697 in the House of Representatives. Family members are entitled to membership in the Society of Colonial Wars because of his legislative services. "In 1702, Robert purchased 260 acres of land from Richard and Susanna Stockton, bordering on Crosswicks Creek, and probably adjoining lands already owned by him. This land descended to his son, Samuel I, who sold it in 1733 to Henry Coate," (Esther Willson's husband).

His death occurred February 12, 1709/1710. The New Jersey Abstracts of Wills list Robert Willson of Chesterfield, Burlington Co., on March 27,1708, as making a nuncupative will, or a verbal will to his wife, Ann and son, Samuel. He mentioned his daughter, Rebecca, son-in-law, Cornelius Empson, granddaughter, Mary Empson and grandson, Robert Willson. Executors were his wife and son, Samuel. An inventory of his estate was submitted the 10th month of 1709 for a total of 181 pounds, 6 and a half shillings. This inventory covered the personal estate for both Robert and Ann as Ann had also died before December of 1709 when it was taken. (C-256, 1509c)

Here is an extensive excerpt from the book "Pioneer Families of Northwestern New Jersey by William C. Armstrong (pg. 81-84):"Robert Willson and his good wife, Ann Hoag, lived at Scarborough in the County of York, England. They were members of the Religious Society of Friends. They came to America in 1682 with three young daughters and an only son, a babe in arms; they landed at Philadelphia, Pa., and settled in the township of Chesterfield, Burlington, N. J. Robert was a member of the Grand Jury which met at Burlington, N. J., in February 1688. Four children of Robert and Ann Hoag Willson, all born in England:I. Sarah Willson, born 1673, died 1700, married in 1693 Cornelius Empson; no further record.II. Deborah Willson, born 1674, died 1687, aged thirteen years.III. Rebecca Willson, bom 1677, died 1760, married Sam-uel Large, settled in Hunterdon County, N. J., and had at least one son, Jacob, who married Ann Lundy, daughter of Isaac Lundy IV. Samuel Willson I, born 1681, brought to America when he was one year old, died 1761 in the 8lst year of his age; married Hester Overton, born 1682, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Overton. They settled in Chesterfield township where eight children were born to them: in 1730 they removed to Franklin township in Hunterdon County, N. J.

About a mile southwest of the village of Quakertown in Hunterdon County, N. J., stands an old mansion. It is built of stone and high up on its western gable appears the inscription "S H W 1735." The initials are those of Samuel and Hester (Overton) Willson who built there a house which was destined to shelter many generations of their descendants. The house gives evidence of having been well built; the walls laid up in clay are firm and solid and will endure perhaps another century if no ruder hand than that of time is laid upon them. The enormous chimneys almost stone enough to build a modern sized house. In the western gable near the date stone there is a small square loop-hole which one might suppose had been intend-ed for use in defending the castle against the attacks of Indians were it not for the fact that the owners thereof were members of the peace-loving sect called Quakers. An ancient pent-house protected one of the doors. The partitions of the interior are of wood and are panneled all the way up to the lofty ceiling.

Originally the huge beams were exposed to view, the ceiling being a comparatively recent innovation. Two small windows set quite high in the thick walls admitted but scant light and the general appearance must have been somewhat gloomy. The great fire-place with its stock-hole in the jamb speaks eloquently of the pleasures of the olden time, for here the young people of the family with their neighboring cousins and friends gathered around to enjoy social converse and innocent games.


Among the many relics still preserved in the Willson family is a large cupboard brought from England by Robert Willson the founder of the American family. Another momento is the origin-al deed dated 1730 for 600 acres of land given by Jacob Doughty in consideration of 300 pounds of lawful silver money. But the oldest and most interesting souvenir is a 'well worn Bible, the several portions of which were printed at different dates and afterward bound together; the last part is dated 1618. Robert Willson's autograph appears on one page, and those of Samuel and his sister, Rebecca, on another. Eight children of Samuel and Hester Overton Willson of Quakertown, N. J.:I. Samuel Willson II, born 1706, died 1785, married Deborah Willets.II. Robert Willson, born 1709, died 1785, md. Mary Lundy.III. Esther Willson, born 1711, married in 1731 Henry Coate of Buckingham, pa.; no further record.IV. James Willson, born 1713, died 1777, married in 1736 Martha Laing.V. Sarah Willson, born 1715, married in 1736 Richard Heath; no further record.VI. Ann Willson, born 1720, removed when a widow in 1784 from. Warren County, N.J., to Carroll County, Va., and died there at the age of 101 years; married Richard Lundy III. Most of their descendants now live in Virginia and Canada.VII. John Willson, born 1723, died before 1772; married Margaret Lundy. The main purpose of this article is to register some of their newly discovered descendants.VIII. Gabriel Willson, born 1725, died 1805, married in 1749 Elizabeth Lundy.

Note that four Willsons, a sister and three brothers, married four Lundys, a brother and three sisters. The four Lundys referred to (Mary, Richard, Margaret and Elizabeth) were children of Richard Lundy II and his wife Elizabeth Large; grandchildren of Richard Lundy I and his wife Jane Lyon, and of Joseph and Elizabeth (-----) Large."

Robert married Ann HOAG (HOGE) on 9 May 1672 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Ann (daughter of Unknown STAINERIDGE, daughter of Sir James HOGE and Marjorie LAMBERT-HOGE) was born about 1652 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England; died on 11 Feb 1709 in Chesterfield, Burlington, New Jersey colony. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ann had a brother named Thomas Staindridge. He is listed as her brother when he left 10 pounds to Ann's child, "Susanna (A) Witham, daughter of Anne Witham" by Anne's marriage to Robert Witham in his will dated 5d, 11m 1670. This 10 pounds was referred to when Anne remarried on 1d, 3m, 1672 according to her marriage bond. Anne is listed as the widow to Roberth Witham in this bond. Anne's estate was inventoried the 10th month (Feb.) 11, 1709/10 shortly after her husband's death. (C-199) Richard Eugene Wilson produced a 2 volume set on the Wilson family.

Susan Coate Wassem provided a photo copy of Esquire Thomas Staindridge's will to verify that Anne's last name was Stainridge before she married a Witham. Anne also received three eleventh's of her brother's estate after all debts were cleared.

Notes:

Samuel probably lived in Burlington Co., NJ at the time of his death. That is where his daughter is listed from when she marries in 1732 and her father is listed as deceased. (C-2221)

Samuel married Hannah HALL in 1680 in Chesterfield, Burlington Co, New Jersey. Hannah (daughter of William HALL, * and Hester HALL) was born in 1660; died after 1732 in Of Burlington Co., NJ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her birthplace is given as Hunterdon Co., NJ in 1660. This is the year it was first settled by Danes and Sweedes so it's unlikely this young English woman was born there then.