Notes:

According to Sion's children's census records, Sion was born in Virginia. This Sion is often listed as being born in 1742. However, the Sion in Kershaw Co. in the census records through 1820 is consistently given with a birth date of between 1756 and 1774, making him a generation older than is often stated. This is supported by the fact that he called for the education of his 3 youngest children (like their older siblings) in his will in 1830. If he had been born in 1742, he would be 88 and have youngsters in the house. That's not nearly as likely as if he was in his 60's. He, therefore, does not fit with the parents, etc, also stated for him. It is Beverly Burton's theory that he is the son of Joseph. That is the one verified person in the Orangeburgh area at the time that is the right age to be his father. He is in the Kershaw Co., SC census records as being the right age in the right place where his possible siblings lived. In the 1820 census, he lived within a dozen houses or so of his possible brothers, Joseph, Lemuel and David. Sion is in the following county court records in Kershaw Co., SC: 1785, purchases land in Camden District; 1790, Belton Vs. Sion Coats; 8/7/1794 Grand Jury; 1795, Witnesses James Perry's Deed; 5/7/1798, Appraiser of Estate of John Dixon; 8/9/1799 Grand Jury. In the 1820 census for Kershaw Co., SC, his household consists of 2 males under age 10, 1 between 10 and 15, and he is above age 45. There are 3 females under age 10, 1 from 10-15, and his wife is between the ages of 26 and 44. Note that one of the sons ages does not match his cemetery stone's birth date according to this census record. To me this suggests that son John's birthdate on his cemetery stone was a little too early and not accurately known. Sion is said to have married two Perry sisters, but according to thorough first hand research by James Fort of Canada, this isn't so. Sarah, sister to Mary Perry, married a Jesse Tillman instead. All that we know for certain at this point is that Sion's first wife was Mary Perry and his second wife was named Sarah with an unknown surname. It should also be noted, that some of his children attributed to him through his first wife, Mary Perry, are more likely children of his second wife by their ages. This is assuming that Mary died before 1801 as is indicated by various researchers. (C-2398, E) Sion and the Perry's are often connected in the records. Sion was a witness to several wills involving Perrys: James Perry of Kershaw Co., SC, Josiah Pery in 1812, James Perry Jr. and Benj. Perry. (C-1796, 1948, E) Sion lived near the Present Lancaster, Chester, York county lines in Flattop section on road that runs "from Liberty Hill to Camden". He is listed in a platt map dated 1826 in Kershaw County bounded by Benjamin and James Long's properties. He left a will in 1830 which was probated in 1832. He left land to all of his sons and many slaves to most all his sons and daughters. His estate must have been of some substance. His wife was named as Sarah. The named children in his will in the order of naming were sons: Sion, Gideon, John, and daughters: Betsey Coates, Jincey Revell, Mary Coates, Rebecca Coates, and Polly Flanigan. His will does not support the fact that he had a son James even though some have connected him with a son James. He provides for the education of his 3 youngest children to be equivalent to what all the rest of his children have been provided with, but does not state which ones they were. He states in his will that his wife Sarah may take care of "her children" as she sees best. This implies that Sarah might have children by another marriage. For some reason, there was a lawsuit about the probate of his estate. After it was settled, Sion, Gideon, Sarah and her infant son Josiah-? all moved to Alabama. (C-2200, 2201) Lastly, I suspect that Sion was married 3 times, first to Mary Perry who died before the 1800 census, 2nd to an Unknown person by whom he had 3 sons and two daughters and then finally Sarah named in his will by whom he had Josiah Coates in the late 1820's. However, this family still does not all fit. We know the sons' ages from cemetery stones, but two of them would have been born between 1800 and 1810. He only has one son listed as being born between those years... and two daughters. In the 1820, the years don't quite match up again. This family is therefore still a puzzlement.

Sion married Sarah BAYE after 1800. Sarah was born in 1775; died after 1830 in , Cherokee Co. (Now Etowah), AL, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

It is not certain that Sarah's surname was Perry, only that her first name was Sarah as stated in her husband's 1830 will. She, along with sons Sion and Gideon ended up in what was Cherokee Co., Alabama shortly after her husband's death. The homestead they built there was still standing in Oct. 1999 when Michael Tucker was corresponding with the Coates Discussion Group on the Internet. (C-2188, 2201)

Notes:

Joseph was living in SC by the year 1752, likely in what became called Orangeburg District in 1768. Below is a description of the land in which Joseph Coats lived...It was likely called Craven Co., SC to begin with, then Orangeburgh District and then Kershaw Co., SC after that. http://www.carolana.com/Carolina/Settlement/craven_county_original.html"One can argue that all of the existing counties within the state of South Carolina were eventually derived from this original Carolana county named Craven and this argument would withstand almost any counter-argument. However, it was not quite that cut and dried. As with all of the colonies, the establishment of counties and/or precincts was a slow and sometimes painful process as the population grew and local sentiments evolved over time.

However, well into the late 1700s, even after the American Revolution, many citizens continued to consider themselves as living in Craven County...In 1682, the Lords Proprietors decided to establish two new counties, south of Craven, and these were named Berkeley and Colleton. Craven was deemed to lie between the Cape Fear River (in present-day North Carolina) and southward to the mouth of the Awendaw Creek in present-day Berkeley County, South Carolina...In 1768, South Carolina eliminated all counties, including Craven County and established seven new "Districts," with governmental seats in each district. From 1768 to 1785, these districts remained intact, however, the district seats did change some during that time-frame. These were : Beaufort District, Camden District, Charles Town District, Cheraws District, George Town District, Ninety-Six District, and Orangeburgh District...With the creation of the first overarching Districts in 1768, the name Craven County was abolished, never to be resurrected in the state of South Carolina. However, North Carolina has had a Craven County in existence since 1712 to the present day. Apparently, one is enough for the two Carolinas.

If one were to attempt to determine which of the current South Carolina counties are actually situated within the last incarnation of Craven County prior to its elimination in 1768, the best guess would have to include: all of Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Marion, Darlington, Florence, Dillon, Marlboro, Chesterfield, Lee, and Lancaster counties, and parts of Charleston, Berkeley, Clarendon, Sumter, and Kershaw counties."

He was a Baptist minister for Swift Creek Church (Charleston Association Minutes). He was whipped for preaching near Cheraw Hill sometime before 1772 by the Baptist Community. They justified it because of "Cate's" immorality. There is a current day Swift Creek Baptist Church near Camden, Kershaw Co., SC that had a famous early settler named Cheraw that is likely where he lived at the time. This area is locate east and slightly north of Columbia, SC. (C-598a) He or his son Joseph is listed in the 1778 census for Camden District (Kershaw Co.), South Carolina.

When Joseph died in Orangeburgh his likely son, Joseph, appears to have inherited his property. His death date is theorized to be 1791 by Beverly Burton as his "messenger" position at Swift Creek Church was taken over in that year. He or his son Joseph are probably the Joseph Coats who purchased 300 acres of land in Craven Co., SC on Nov. 4, 1772. Joseph purchased 100 acres of land from adjoining land owned by William Scott of Craven Co., SC previous to 1779. He was a witness to William Scott's will (of Craven Co., SC) in 1779 along with a John Coate (his son?). William Scott apparently didn't die till 1794 when John went before the court in Kershaw Co., SC to testify as to the accuracy of William Scott's will.(C-910)

It is complete theory on my part who his children are. I will state under each child's name why they have been included in this list.

Joseph married Elizabeth Ann MARR. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Thomas had two known sons, William and Joseph, both of whom immigrated to South Carolina between 1715 and 1725 at Charles Town. (C-2118, 2270E) Neva Coats supplied the following transcription to Charlotte Coats Siercks internet site that supposedly applies to this Thomas Coates. "Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Coats of the City of Glassgow in the Kingdom of North Britain Maltman have made, ordained constituted and appointed and by these presents do make ordain constitute and appoint Robert and William Brisbanes Merchants in Charles Town in South Carolina both or either of them my true and lawful attorneys or attorney for me and in my name and for my use to ask demand levy recover and receive all and Sundry goods debts sums of money chattels and effects dues and duty's whatsoever which were belonging in due and owing to the now deceased Mr. William Coates my son some time minister of the Gospel in the parish of St. Georges Dorchester in South Carolina by whatsoever person or persons whatsoever manner of way & for whatsoever cause or occasion & that have become due since his decease & upon nonpayment thereof the persons liable in payment of the same their Exers & Adors for me & in my name to sue arrest imprison implead & prosecute for the same & upon such suit to proceed to judgment & execution & thereupon the debtors their exors and Admors in prison to hold & keep until payment thereof be made with all coats & damages sustained or to be sustained by the detaining of the same and upon payment thereof the said debtors & theirs aforesaid: forth out of prison to discharge & acquitances for the same or any part thereof for me & in my name to make seal & deliver & also to do perform & execute all & every lawful & reasonable acts & things whatsoever both for obtaining & discharging of the same as shall be needful to be done giving & hereby granting upon my said attorneys or attorney my full and absolute power in the premises ratifying and holding firm all & whatsoever my said attorney or attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises in virtue of this presents In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Glasgow the twenty first day of March in the 26th year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France & Ireland King defender of the faith and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fifty three years signed: Thomas Coats (LS) Signed sealed and delivered in presence of, James Coats, John Wilson Sr., Arch Coats Before Justice of the Peace for the Shire of Lanark these are to certify that the above Thomas Coatts appeared this day....signed John (seal) Brown. James Coatts of the City of Glasscow mariner one of the witnesses to the within writing being duly sworn upon the holy Evangelist made oath that he was present and saw the within Thomas Coatts sign seal and as his act and deed deliver the within power of attorney and also saw John Wilson and Archibald Coatts sign there to as witnesses...Sworn before me this 27th day of June 1753...Dan'l Crawford J.P. Recorded the 27th June 1753 (C-1892)

Thomas married Sarah CRAMER. Sarah (daughter of Class Hermonson CRAMER) died in 1765 in Holborn, London, Middlesex, ENG. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Unknown married Unknown UNKNOWN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]