Notes:

Eli Inman Coate had many children including 3 sets of twins! He and his wife divorced. Information on this family and it's descendants can be gleaned from Loren Little's site on the Internet at www.familytreemaker.com/users/l/i/t/Loren-Little/ .

Family/Spouse: Hannah Rebecca JORDAN. Hannah was born on 12 Jan 1851 in Brownstown, Jackson, IN, USA; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sarah RASHER. Sarah was born about 1835; died before 1869. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He was born near the Stillwater River, which runs through Covington, Ohio. John still lived in Miami Co., Ohio in 1843 when his son Eli was born. In 1854/55, he moved his family to Morengo, Iowa where he married his 2nd wife. He had no children by his second wife. After her death, he married again in 1858. During the American Civil War, he enlisted in the 28th Iowa Infantry, Company B at age 42 alongside one of his son, James. This regiment fought at Vicksburg, and Champion.

John married Fanny Coppock RUDY on 3 Jun 1838 in , Miami, OH, USA. Fanny was born on 12 Mar 1817 in , , OH, USA; died on 23 Jan 1855 in Victor, Iowa, Iowa, USA; was buried in Koszta, Honey Creek Twp., Iowa, Iowa, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

James is given land in his father's will written in 1803. He is obviously of an age to receive the land at his father's death estimating his birth age to be before 1787 as landowners could be age 16 or older at that time. According to "The Annals of Newberry" James, son of Big John and a John Turner, Jr. were involved with the death of a William Cox. William apparently got in a fight with them over a fishing hole around the Saluda River and died in the scuffle. The trial for murder took place in the March 1807 court. John Turner, Jr. was sentenced to the pillary and James fled the state. (C-1838, 1839, 1917, 1922) Most accounts state that nothing further was ever heard of James Coats. According to some descendants, this is the James Coate b. 1779 (from PA) married to Mary West who is the son of Stephen Marmaduke Coate and Martha Ann Matthews. Guy Coates and others believe he is the son of Big John Coate instead. DNA matches with descendants of son Wright, and possible son William are a match to this theory.

I've currently placed James married to Mary West as the son of Big John for this reason as well as the following. 1. It doesn't fit that he could be the son of Stephen Marmaduke Coate because: James's first 3 children were all born in SC all previous to the 1807 murder according to their census records. The only Stephen Coates (no Stephen Marmaduke) of this time period we've been able to find lives in Pennsylvania and New York at the time. His children were not being born in South Carolina. 2. James was born in PA in 1779 according to his 1850 census record, but in South Carolina according to his son John C. Coates 1880 census record.

If James is the son of Big John who committed murder, he could have lied about his birth place while his son gave the truth not knowing his parents had done otherwise. (C-2216, EL) 3. James, the son of Big John, was involved in a murder in 1807 and escaped from South Carolina. The first verified specific birth date of one of James's children is Elizabeth who was born in 1809 in Miami Co., Ohio. This is also still a fit. (C-482, C-1628)

For futher proof, please see the quoted section by Guy Coates below. Guy Coates believes James Coate of Newberry, Twp., Miami Co., Ohio is the missing son of Big John for the following reasons based upon his ancestor's known timeline and his DNA that matches other persons whom were descended from William, Big John's other possible son. Guy Coate's grandfather said that his ancestor, James Coates fought in the War of 1812 and was from Pennsylvania. "A James Coats (is) on the roster of Ohio soldiers in War of 1812. A James Coats is listed as a captain in Westfall's Mounted Company. This group of soldiers was trained in Pennsylvania and assigned the task of building a fort along the Stillwater River near today's Covington, Ohio. The fort was originally named "Fort Recovery," but later became known as "Fort Rowdy." The old fortress, which has been restored as a museum, was part of Newberry Township, Ohio.

Between 1810 and 1816 most Miami County residents moved to Darke County, Ohio for a period of years during the Indian uprisings and returned to Miami County after their safety was more assured by the government. According to census records, in 1820 James was living in Adams Twp., Darke County, Ohio. By 1830, James and his family were back in Newberry Twp., Miami County; then by 1846 they were living in Gibson Twp., Mercer County, Ohio. ('The history of Newberry County Ohio mentions William and John Coats who settled in the area with their sons. William and John were probably his brothers, sons of Big John Coate.') Children of James Coats (b. Jan. 28, 1779) & Mary West (b. April 9, 1780).Joseph Coats, b. abt, 1802 William Coats, b. abt. 1803 Abigale Coats, b. Dec. 24, 1803, b. S.C. Mark Coats, b. May 27, 1806 in So. Carolina. d. 8/15/1883 in Koszta, Iowa. Mary Coats, b. July 10, 1806.Elizabeth Coats, b. February 14, 1809.Sarah Coats, b. June 11, 1812.John C. Coats, b. July 15, 1817 in Covington, Ohio. d. December 13, 1888, Ponca, Nebraska, age 71.James B. Coats, b. May 19, 1825Wesley Coats, b. March 2, 1829.

Now, here is some evidence to consider: James Coats' oldest daughter, Abigale married a man named Abraham Mott and they show up in the 1860 census living in Gibson Township, Mercer County, Ohio. In this census, Abigail shows her place of birth as South Carolina. In addition, living in the same household is probably her mother or mother-in-law, Mary, age 76. (Remember that her husband, James, died in 1856). Mary also shows her place of birth as South Carolina. By 1860, John C. Coats, age 44 year, shows up living in Honey Creek, Iowa. Next door to him is brother, Mark Coats, age 55, who shows his birth place as South Carolina. Finally, in 1880, John C. Coats, age 64, is living in Ionia, Dixon County, Nebraska and in the census he states that both his father and mother were born in South Carolina."

Starting with his daughter Elizabeth, in 1809, they were having children in Miami Co., Ohio. His son John born 1817 is the last child that can be verified as being born in Miami Co., Ohio. He is living in Newberry Twp. in the 1835 tax lists for Miami Co., Ohio. His grandson, Eli Inman Coate was born in 1843 in Covington, Miami Co., Ohio (Covington is north of Ludlow Falls, Miami Co., OH) A James Coate family that appears to fit this James and not the James who is the son of Marmaduke Coate in Miami Co, OH is in the census in 1830, 1840 and 1850 for Miami Co., Ohio (C-1628) In the 1830 Newberry Twp., Miami Co., Ohio census, he is between the age of 50-60 and his wife is of 40-50. They have the following children in their family: 1 son under 5, 1 from 10-15, 1 from 15-20, 1 from 20-30 and 1 daughter of 5-10 and 1 of 15-20. They are living next door to their son Mark Coats. They are living within six farms of John Coats, Sr. and Jr. in Newberry Twp. that is related to Steve Pearson's family. The connection is not known however.

He might be the following James and Mary Coate in the 1850 census records for Clinton County, Ohio, Chester Township. He is 66 years old and Mary Coats is 63 living at the residence of a blacksmith named Seaseney (sp?), probably in Wilmington, Ohio. Both are from South Carolina. If this is him, James would have been born in 1783 and Mary in 1786. Some researchers believe that James died in 1856. He might be buried near Wilmington, Ohio or in Iowa Co., Iowa as others claim. It should be noted though that Mary is listed with a birth date of 4/19/1780 in several 2nd hand sources and at age 76 in the 1860 census where she is living with her daughter, Abigail Mott.

James married Mary WEST on 12 Nov 1801. Mary (daughter of William WEST and Elizabeth HILBORN) was born on 19 Apr 1780 in SC; died after 1860 in Of Mercer, Ohio. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The 1860 Census list Mary Coats, age 76, living in Mercer County, Gibson Twp, Ohio with her daughter and son-in-law, Abraham and Abigale Mott. Their land is located as follows 79 acres, N/W quarter of N/W Sec 27 Township 15N Range 1 East. Highway 49 passed through this property between Fox Road and Jenkins Road. It should be noted that there were 200 acres nearby owned by a Thomas and Francis West, Sec. 25, T 15 N, R 1 E who might be relatives of Mary.

Notes:

YDNA now clearly indicates that Big John is the son of Gentleman John through 3 of Big John's descendants. No other descendants from any other Coats in our group have as much shared DNA and such a high probality that they are father and son. By estimated ages and place, this is likely also. Check out our YDNA group at http://www.ancestrees.com/henrycoatebabt1595ydnagroup.html that indicates they have a 97% chance of being closely related within 8 generations of descendants. That's as lovely a chart as you can get for YDNA probabilities between father and son of this time period for 37 points. At last, we finally know who Big John's father is!This John who is referred to here was a Blacksmith. He starts his will with a declaration, "In the name of God, Amen", which indicates that he personally is not a Quaker. Daughter Rachel is listed in one of the "laying downs" in the Bush River Monthly Meeting. However, when she marries Thomas Wilkinson Furnas in 1792, he was disowned for marrying out of unity (a wife who wasn't a Quaker). Daughter Mary is the only one that appears to have been a Quaker as she was married in the same monthly meeting. (C-1838)His wife, Rachel's family were Quaker and lived in the Wateree MM district of Camden, Kershaw Co., SC from 1764 onward. This area became the Bush River MM area which her parent's family helped establish. It is highly likely that Rachel and her husband married in this region and settled down on Beaverdam Creek. (C-1920, see bio on John C. Wright also.)Big John bought 150 acres on July 4 1769 in Craven Co. on the Saluda River at Beaver Dam Creek. (He probably began this purchase process on May 6, 1766.) His neighbors included Charles Nicks, Isaac Cook (brother-in-law), Thomas Brooks, Calib Gilbert, Peter Hakins and George Heaworth (later). (C-692, 947) He was apparently the only John Coat that lived on this Beaverdam Creek. (There are two other Beaverdam Creeks: Big Beaverdam Creek that flows west and a little north of this and flows into Little River above Mudlick Creek and one that flows into Bush River) C-1552, 1554) This is the same area where many of the children of John Wright Sr. (the father of his wife Rachel) lived. He sold this land in 1787. (C-2075) A deed transcribed by John H. Coate of Michigan in which John purchased four acres from brother-in-law, Isaac Cook follows: (C-1925) "Know all men by these present that I Isaac Cook of Newberry County and State of South Carolina am held and firmly bound unto John Coats of the same place in the R___ sum of twenty pounds Sterling which payment will and truly to be maid I ____ myself and my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns ____ by this ______ sealed with my seal and dated this Eleventh day of February 1788 anno domino one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight. The conditions of the obligation is such that if the above boundin Isaac Cook his heirs Executors Administrators or assigns shall make or cause to be maid unto the (aforesaid) John Coats his heirs or assigns good sufficient lawful title to a certain tract of land containing four acres situated in the county and State aforesaid on the waters of the Beaverdam, a branch of Saluda River _______sixteen(?) perches on Richard Tompsons land and forty perches on the said John Coats' ___ land then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and virtue in ??????? the land. Isaac Cook hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year _____ above written" The will was witnessed by a John (Jay) and Mary Coate. John then proceeded to assign the 4 acres to Jesse Coats (Negro), his slave. He gave Jesse his freedom in 1795. (Newberry Co. Deed Book C, p. 499)John Coate's supposed sons mostly settled on land adjacent to their fathers. Big John and Rachel sold land to (son) Wright Coates on Sept. 24, 1795. (C-909) This Big John is listed as B. John or Big John in his land deeds and legal documents as demonstrated by John H. Coate of Michigan. (C-633)In Newberry Ct. records, dated Sep. Term, 1790 it was ordered that Big John Coats be "appointed overseer instead of Tho's Black & command the same hands for the lease & release (of land) from Henry Coats to Robert Gilliam Esq'r proved on a dedimus directed to Burk County in the State of Georgia & ordered to be recorded." (C-1528)In the 1790 census I believe he is the John Coats on page 79 in the Newberry Co., SC census. He had 2 males over 16 (he and son Wright), 2 males under 16 (John (adopted) and James), 4 females (Rachel, his wife, and daughters Rachel, Mary, & Rebecca -adopted) and a slave in his household. The reasons why I think this is him, is because it fits his possible children, he is living off from other Coats in the census and persons surrounding him are some of his father-in-law's children. Big John originally got some of his land from his father-in-law and had neighbors that were some of his wife's siblings. Case in point: Sister-in-law Susannah was married to Isaac Hollingsworth. Isaac is living in that region. Brother-in-law's Thomas Write and Nathan Write are also listed in that same region. Big John had one slave which he freed in 1795, and this John's household has one slave in 1790. In this census, his neighbors include several Gallbreaths' including the John and James Gallbreath who sold parts of the original William's 1766 land purchase. The Gallbreaths sold the land in 1800 and abt. 1804. The land the Gallbreath's sold is located on the north of Bush River, which is not adjacent to where Big John lived. Locating all the places where the Gallbreaths owned land in 1800 would be useful to picture this. Did the Gallbreaths live near Big John in 1790, but also own land about 3 miles east where William's original land was located in 1800?In the 1800 census on pg. 70, he is the John who has one under age 10 (Sampson), one male between ten and 16 (John Jr.), one male between 16 and 26 (James), himself (over 45), 1 female between ten and 16 (Rebecca), one unknown female between 16 and 26 and Rachel his wife (over 45) plus one other free person in the family (his freed slave).According to Summer's Book: "Old John Coate died about 1802-1803, bequeathed estate to widow, Rachel, and children James and Sampson. Wright Coate made his will on Nov. 18, 1808, and died in the same year. He left widow, Mary, and children Frederick, Daniel, and Susan. Exr John Belton O'neall." The fact that he is the only John referred to as "Old" in a list of several John Coates who died in a similar time range....this John's birth date is likely to be before all the others guestimated to be between 1733 and 1748. Note, that his death date turns out to be around 1809 instead. His will is transcribed and provided by John H. Coats as follows:"WILL OF JOHN COATS 31 January 1803Newberry County South CarolinaWill Book 4 pg. 11In the name of God Amen. I John Coats of Newberry District in the State of South Carolina being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say First I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachal all my moveable and personal estate. Second I give and devise my land as follows first I give to my son James that part of my land the north east side of the publick road or the road nearly the line, the Division line to begin at the road on William Coats's line thence along the road to a crook in it thence to continue so as to come nearby a field and include the said field, thence a strait line so as to strike the line near the said publick road, with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Secondly I give and devise all the residue of my land where on the house stands the southwest side of said road and division line to my son Sampson and his heirs and assigns forever with the appurtenances thereunto belonging except such privileges as are herby reserved for my wife as follows. I give my wife Rachal privilege or income of my land and houses or buildings that I gave my son Sampson until he comes to be of age and afterwards my said wife shall have privilege of the said house and garden during her natural life and lastly I hereby appoint my said wife Rachal to be my executrix to execute this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of January in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and three.Signed sealed and declaredhisby the above named JohnJohnCoatsCoats to be his last will andmarktestament in the presence of uswho have hereto subscribed ournames as witnesses in the presenceof the testator byIsaac KirkSamuel Cottman?Levi Longshore"You will note that in the will, John only names 2 sons, Sampson and James. Researchers believe that he actually had 4 sons and 2 or 3 daughters for the following reasons. They had a daughter Mary, whose marriage they witnessed in the parent witness position. Grandchildren of Mary's knew that she had a sister Rebecca and a brother John. Rebecca cared for John's children when they moved to Ohio after John's wife had died. Rebecca was also buried next to her sister. John also gives his "brother" William guardianship of his children several years after his wife died. However, DNA evidence show's that John's descendant's DNA is not the same as the others that descend from James, Wright, and William making it likely that John was adopted into the family. Rachel is said to be his daughter because she moved to Ohio with her sister, Mary's family, and their families are buried together. William is thought to be Big John's son because Big John and Rachel witnessed William's purchase of land from his likely brother, Wright Coates, as a young man. William's land is also mentioned in Big John's will as existing next to land he bequeaths to one of his sons. William's descendants do have DNA that is only different by 1 point out of 37 to Marmaduke Coate's DNA grouping. Wright is listed as the brother of James in an equity record for South Carolina verifying that he is a son of Big John and this is also supported by DNA evidence. All of these children are accounted for in the 1790 and 1800 census records for this family.

Big married Rachel WRIGHT before 1768. Rachel (daughter of John C. WRIGHT, * and Rachel WELLS, Minister) was born on 10 Nov 1747 in , Prince George, MD, USA; died on 2 Sep 1790 in , , SC, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

At least one source says she married first to a John Hollingsworth, but this is thought to be a mix-up that comes from misinformation in Summers book.

William married Elizabeth HILBORN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]