| Notes |
- Marmaduke first proposed his intention to marry Anne Pole in his MM in Somerset Co., Eng on the 28th day 11 month of 1697/8. His 2nd proposal as Quaker custom dictated was announced at his monthly meeting on the 24th day, 12th month 1697/8. He was listed as Marmaduke Coate of Hambridge, Parish of Curry Rivel at the time. The meeting cleared his way to proceed with the marriage in Ann Pole's monthly meeting at that time. Note that he would have married Anne in his 40's if he was born in 1652 as his eulogy states.
I personally believe that his eulogy had date errors in it as sometimes was the case in Quaker eulogies. They simply took the thought to be age of a person when the records could not be checked and estimated their birth year. Also, records clear up to 1689 list his father, Marmaduke as the Marmaduke "of Hambridge".
Record keepers in these small towns knew that there was only one head male of a family named Marmaduke Coate at the time "of Hambridge" and listed him as such to discern him from other younger Marmaduke's in the area.
The births of his children from Marmaduke to Hannah are recorded in Somerset Quarterly Meeting records as being from the Kingsbury Episcopi Monthly Meeting in the Middle Division of Somerset Quarterly.
Marmaduke Coate came to America in the spring of 1713 with his wife, Ann, and children: Mary, William, Edith, and possibly Marmaduke, ranging in age from 6 to 12 years. In made inquiries of the Kingsbury Episcopi Monthly Meeting in England concerning this move starting on the 30th day 2 mo 1713. On July 27, 1714, he purchased land from John Garwood in Springfield Twp., Burlington Co., New Jersey. In 1720 he and his wife Ann witnessed the wedding of Jacob Garwood to Elloner O?, late servant of his brother Marmaduke Coate in Burlington Co., New Jersey. (C-2571) In 1723 the land he purchased from John Garwood became part of the newly formed New Hanover Township. He also came to own 500 acres near Philadelphia called "White Marsh". He purchased 300 more acres of land in Springfield Twp. which remained in that township after border changes. It was bequeathed to daughter Edith Newbold in his will and in reality turned out to be 400 acres of land.
Marmaduke and his wife apparently traveled to England multiple times. They were received on certificates from South Sutton MM, Somerset Co., England on 3/25/1715 and on 4/2/1718. He again traveled to England on certificate dated 8/7/1723 and returned to New Jersey on certificate dated Nov. 3, 1725. He likely died in Burlington Co., NJ and was buried there on Dec. 15, 1729. Quaker records show him to be a well respected, rather wealthy member of the community. One Boston Transcript record dated May 28, 1923 states that he was the secretary to William Penn.
It's validity is not certain, but a Coate, brother to a Hall in Hilliard, Oh supposedly has one of Marmaduke's book of notes from when he was a secretary to Penn. (C-351, 536) Note that their son, Marmaduke, was not mentioned in his father or mother's will. No record of him occurs in any Quaker records except for his birth in the Bristol and Somerset quarterly meeting. Because his parents, Marmaduke and Ann Pole Coate, had four more children who died in infancy whose deaths were recorded in the Bristol and Somerset records, it is likely that son Marmaduke did take the trip to America with his parents, but died enroute or shortly after their arrival in the colonies.
A lengthy account of this Marmaduke is in Quaker records and was published in 1972 by Heiss. It is copied verbatum from Charlotte Coats Siercks site from http://www.rootsquest.com/~coatsfar/articles.html. Quaker Biographical Sketches of Ministers & Elders and other Concerned members of the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia 1682-1800 by Willard Heiss, 1972 page 111: Marmaduke Coate. Marmaduke Coate, the son of Marmaduke and Edith Coate, of Hambridge, in the county of Somerset, England, was born in the year 1652. (This was written after his death and could have an inaccurate birthdate.) Whilst yet young, his parents were convinced of the Truth as held by the people called Quakers, and he was evidently brought up "in the nurture and admonition of the Lord." His parents suffered much in support of the doctrines of the Lord Jesus Christ, being fined and imprisoned. The suffering of his father, at least as respects bodily confinement, was unusual, even in that day. For tithes his imprisonments were long, and the spoiling of his goods not small, but through all he continued faithful, bearing an honest testimony by his walking in truth, and cheerfully suffering for it, and leaving a seed behind him, to bear similar sufferings in the same blessed cause. In the Fourth month, 1670, Thomas Whitehead and Jane his wife, being at Yeovil, held a meeting at the house of Henry Lavor, in that place. A magistrate named Helliar, with his officers and some soldiers, came where Friends were assembled, and although it appears that nothing had been said, yet he turned the Friends out of the house, and conducted them prisoners to a neighbouring inn. As they passed along the street, Thomas Whitehead exhorted those about them "to repent and fear God." His wife also made some similar remarks. For this they were each fined L20, and the money was collected off the Friends, who had assembled at the meeting. Marmaduke Coate, the elder, was there, and being a man of substance, his portion of the fine was L20. In the Eighth month, the same year, Marmaduke was sued for tithes, for which, as he could not conscientiously pay the demand, he was cast into prison at Ilchester, where he was found, in the Fourth month, 1678, by John Whiting, who was committed to that place. Henry Walrond, whom John Whiting "characterises" as the greatest persecutor in the county of Somerset, was particularly severe on Marmaduke Coate, because being a man of property, he could the more easily make unrighteous gain off of him than his poorer neighbours. During Marmaduke's long imprisonment for tithes, on one occasion having a little temporary liberty allowed him, perhaps by the jailer, to go and look after his affairs at home, Walrond committed him again, although already a prisoner in the eye of the law. Many were the distraints he made on the goods of this innocent prisoner, until on one occasion meeting with a check, he confessed to Marmaduke that nothing prospered with him, and promised that he would persecute no more. This fit of repentance was soon over, and afterwards he was even more bitter than before, particularly towards Marmaduke. He had been a man of property, with a fair estate, and a fine noble personal But when he put his hands to the work of enriching himself, by spoiling his honest neighbours, everything went against him, He became so poor at last, that no one would trust him for a sixpenny loaf, and he had to spin to make a pitiful subsistence before he died. Whiting quotes concerning him, an old saying, "Such a thrifty trade is persecution, that it leaves men never a friend in heaven or on earth". After stating that Walrond "died miserably poor, as well as miserable otherwise," he gives a saying of Walter Raleigh, - "These are the men that sought the misery of others, and misery found them out. In the year 1682, being still in prison, Marmaduke Coate, John Coate, probably an elder brother, and a number of others prepared the following address: - "To the Judges of Assize, in the County of Somerset. "The representation of the people of God, called Quakers, in humility, "Sheweth, "That we profess faith in one only God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, whom we worship in his Spirit, according to the Holy Scriptures, and in the leadings of the same, are taught to love God above all, and our neighbours as ourselves, and to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty; and do own Charles the Second to be chief magistrate of this kingdom, and other his dominions, as being eminently preserved and brought into the government thereof, by the immediate hand of God; and do still resolve to be subject to him, and those in authority under him for conscience' sake, as good Protestant subjects, truly desiring to answer the just end of government, which is for the subduing of sin and vice, and encouragement of righteousness and virtue. "Yet notwithstanding we have been, and many of us are still exposed to such perils and sufferings as must inevitably bring many peaceable and industrious families, who desire the good of the king and kingdom, to utter ruin and destruction, and that only for their pure conscience toward God, (before whom we must all appear, and give an account, and receive a reward according to the deeds done in the body,) and that by laws made against papists, or meetings to plot and contrive insurrections, under pretense of religious worship, and seditious conventicles, which principles and practices we utterly deny and detest, as our peaceable deportment under many great sufferings, by those formerly in power, and since also, may sufficiently manifest. Some few particulars of our late sufferings annexed, are presented to your consideration, for this end, that as Providence orders your coming this circuit to do justice, you may not be altogether unacquainted with our sufferings, but may use your authority to relieve the oppressed, and put a stop to the cruel proceedings of our oppressors; at least discountenance such unmerciful practices. That so ye may appear to be such as are a terror to evil-doers, and a praise to them that do well, which is truly acceptable to the Lord. Therein his peace and blessing will be with you, which is the earnest desire and prayer of the innocent suffering people aforesaid. John Coate, Joseph Lye, Marmaduke Coate, &c." Marmaduke Coate, the younger, the subject of this memoir, on the 11th of the Ninth month, 1684, was taken at a meeting at Gregory Stoke, by Walrond, and sent to Ilchester prison, where his father still was. On the twenty-sixth of the same month, Edith Coate, a daughter of Marmaduke, the elder, being with others at a meeting in Ilminster, to worship God in spirit and in truth, as they had for many years regularly done, Henry Walrond came with his troop, arrested a number of whom Edith was one, and the next day committed them to prison. At the Sessions, in the Eleventh month, eighty-three of the Friends, in the Somerset prison, were liberated by court, and in the following month, thirty-two more were released by the jailer. Among these last appears to have been Marmaduke Coate, the elder. He was, however, through the instrumentality of his persecutors, in again for tithes before the month had expired. Whilst a prisoner for tithes, he was indicted for absence from the parish place of worship, and fined for a breach of law, which he could not have prevented. In the Sessions held in the Fifth month, 1684, at Bridgewater, in Somerset, the prisoners again addressed the justices, who discharged several of those then recently committed. Again, in the Sixty month, they addressed the justices appointed to hold the assizes at Wells. Still Marmaduke was kept a prisoner. In this summer his beloved daughter Edith was taken sick and deceased. We know not whether the privilege was granted him to take a last farewell of her or not, but we know that he who pitieth those that fear him, is a God of comfort, and able to consider his faithful children under every trial that can come upon them. Walrond fined many of the neightours, who attended her burial.
King Charles the Second dying, his brother James came to the throne, and being inclined to favor the Catholics, he was willing to favor all who, for dissent from the Church of England, were in prison. He put forth a proclamation for a general pardon on the 10th of the First month, 1686, and as the executive part thereof was committed to the justices, Friends in the Somerset prisons prepared a statement and address to be laid before the Quarter Sessions held at Wells, on the 30th of the same month.
Their address ran thus: "To Chief Justice Herbert and Judge Wright, assigned to hold assized and gaol delivery, for the Western Circuit at Wells, for the county of Somerset, the thirtieth of the month called March, 1686. "Several of the people called Quakers, now prisoners in the gaol at Ivelchester, in the county of Somerset, on behalf of themselves and many others of the same people, in humility, show, "That since the Wise Disposer of all things, hath ordered your employment in this honourable service, to relieve the oppressed, and deliver the captives; and since king James II, that now is, hath committed part of his clemency to your custody, to distribute the same, according as the Lord hath inclined his heart; and having taken particular notice of our sufferings, and signified his will and pleasure, that we, the people commonly called Quakers, should receive the full benefit of his general pardon, with all possible ease; which grace and favor we, with all thankfulness, acknowledge to God as the Chief Author, who hath the hearts of king's at his disposal; and to the king, as being ready herein to mind that which the Lord inclined his heart unto, and not without hope, to find the like opportunity to render to you our hearty thanks, for the full accomplishment of that which our God allows, and the king so readily grants us; and also hearing the report of your nobility and moderation, in managing this weighty trust committed to you, we are emboldened thus to address ourselves, though in plainness of speech, yet in sincerity of heart, to lay before you, that we have for several years been prisoners in the goal aforesaid, not for any plotting against the king or government, or harm done to his subjects. Our peaceable lives have manifested our fidelity to the kings, and love to our neighbors; it being contrary to our principles to do otherwise, but only for conscience' sake, because in obedience to Christ Jesus, we dare not swear at all, or forbear to worship 'God, as he hath ordained, nor conform to those worships which we have no faith in; which, to omit the one, or practice the other, we should thereby sin, and so would our consciences, and break our peace with God; and what good then should our lives do us, if we might enjoy never so much of the world's favor and friendship.
"Our humble request, therefore, to you is to consider and compassionate our suffering condition, and improve the power and authority that God and the king hath entrusted you withal, for our relief and liberty; we still resolving and hoping, through God's assistance for the future, to manifest our fear to God, honour to the king, and honesty to all his subjects, by our godly, humble and peaceable conversation. The particular causes of our imprisonments are herewith attested, under our keeper's hand. And we further pray, that mercenary informers and envious prosecutors against us only for conscience' sake, may, according to your wisdom and prudence, be discouraged from prosecuting such actions, by which many industrious and conscientious families and persons are in danger of being ruined; and we encouraged in our diligence, in our respective callings, and may enjoy the benefit of our industry; and so shall we be the better enabled to perform with cheerfulness the duties we owe to God, the king, and all men. The Lord guide you in judgment, and more and more incline your hearts to love mercy, and do justice, and grant you the reward thereof; which is truly our desire and prayer." The names of the prisoners, the cause, with the period of their confinement, are then given. Marmaduke Coate's imprisonment for tithes is notices as fifteen years and five months. The prisoners were released, but Marmaduke Coate did not long survive his liberation. In the year 1689, when the demand for tithes against his estate was made, his widow, Edith Coate, and his son Marmaduke were prosecuted, and committed to prison.
The period of their confinement, we know not. About the beginning of 1700, Marmaduke Coate was married to Ann Pole, a daughter of Edward and Mary Pole, of Bustlehay, in Somersetshire. At what period they removed to America, I have not been able to discover, but they settled in Burlington county, New Jersey. They both became useful members of that meeting, and were both members of the meeting of ministers and elders. He was an elder, and she either stood in that capacity, or in that of a minister. Of their son, William, we shall have further to note. Marmaduke Coate, having lived honoured and respected, deceased the 15th day of the Twelfth month, 1729. (Pages 111-113)
His will as provided for by Charlotte Coates Sierck's web site is as follows: Will of Marmaduke Coate (transcribed will) I, Marmaduke Coate of the Town and County of Burlington is the West Division of New Jersey-Yeoman-being at this time in pretty good health of body, and of sound and perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same and for all other his Mercies do make ordaine and put in writing this my last will and testament in manner and form as followeth and principally of all I give and recomend my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body to the earth to be buried at the descretion of my Executrix, held after the manner and as toughing. The disposition of al such worldly estate that it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life do give, devise and bequeath there of as followth my will is that all my just debts be truly paid and discharged. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto my son William Coate all that my farm and plantation land and appurtion there to belonging situated in the Township of now Hanover and County of Burlington aforesaid to hold to him my said son William and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and for want of such heirs to be equally divided amongst his sisters vis - MARY RAPER, now wife of Caleb Raper; EDITH NEWBOLD, now wife of Thomas Newbold; and HANNAH COOPER, now wife of Isaac Cooper or to survivors of them and their children always provided. And it is my mind and will that my wife shall have a homestead in the said form and plantation during her natural life in these parts and particular as followeth-she shall have the comfort and priviling of part of my dwelling house for her to inhabit is the lower rooms of my dwelling house, the front rooms below and two back lean rooms and the sellar under the now rooms and the orchid part-that little ould orchid containing about acre of land and the garden part is that garden on the south side of the house other little aforesaid as water from the well to - will not be wanting from my son to help his own mother. And whereas-I have a peace of land in Great Britain containing about five or six acres with dwelling house, orchid and other appurtenances which was lately in the possession of one JAMES TILLY in Hamburg in the prish of Corivial in Summersetshire which said land housing and other appurses I give and bequeath unto my said wife ANN COATE and her heirs and assignes - giving and granting my said wife as free and to all intents and purposes whatsoever to give, grant, bargain or sell to any person or persons whatsoever as if I personally perform to do it myself. ITEM-I, give and bequeath unto my daughter MARY RAPER now wife of Caleb Raper-aforesaid the just and full sum of three hundred pounds of good currant money of New Jersey within valid months after my death. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto my daughter EDITH NEWBOLD, now wife of Thomas Newbold, all that my farm and plantation situated in the Township of Springfield and County of Burlington afore said now adjoining to John Sholy's plantation, said daughter and her heirs and assignes forever. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto my daughter HANNAH COOPER, now wife of Isaac Cooper all that my five hundred acres of land lying into be near to a place called White Marsh to bequest to her my said daughter and her heirs and assigns for each. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto each of my grandchildren vis - MICHALL NEWBOLD and ANN COOPER ten pounds to each of them to be paid by my executrix as soon as each of them shall attain the age twenty one years. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto my friend Abraham Harnington of Chesterfield the sum of five pounds currant money of New Jersey. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto my friend Peter Aaron the sum of five pounds currant money aforesaid. ITEM-I give and bequeath unto Friends of the Monthly Meeting of Burlington the sum of five pounds in order to be distributed among the most needy widows there unto belonging. All the rest and remaining of my estate both real and personal not here in willed and bequeathed, I give unto and bequeath unto aforesaid Dear and beloved wife Ann Coate whom I make, ordain and appoint my only sole executrix of this my last will and testament, making null and void all former and where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty eight. Marmaduke Coate Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said testator presence of us vis-Sam Seattergood, Samuel Cox, Thomas Seattergood Original Will of Marmaduke Coate - wife Ann Pole - November 2, 1728, Burlington County, Township Willinborough, New Jersey Superior Court of New Jersey Office of the Clerk - Trenton, New Jersey page 1653-1652 (C-336)
An "Apostle Spoon" given to Marmaduke Coate by his godfather when he was baptized with his initials on it was still in existence in 1894 according to a letter by Mrs. W. R. Newbold to a Miss Mortoin. (C-536)
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1658 - 1729 (71 years)
