| Notes |
- He might have been the one of several William's in North Petherton who was buried on 6 Aug 1726 in North Petherton. Records do not list any relatives or age.
This William of the Carolinas has been extremely elusive. In turn of the last century works on Coates that were fraught with errors he was said to be the husband of Rachel Ann Budd and father of Gentleman John. We've found no proof o. In fact, there is a William Coate who is married to a Rachel (Budd) whom was a brother to my Marmaduke Coate. After he sells his father's land in New Jersey, he then appears to marry Rachel (Budd) and buying land in Philadelphia where he dies by 1769. I can't really find William's in this family tree that could be him other than the William who was christened in Curry Rivel Parish in Somerset, England in 1618 and was the son of Henry Coate and Mary. We don't currently know how this Henry is related to my Marmaduke's family though it is highly likely he's related. He is thought to be the William Coate who preceded Henry (my Marmaduke's father) to North Carolina, living in Rowan Co. by 1754. He is listed in the tax tables for Rowan County in 1755, 1759 and 1760. In the 1759 tax lists, he was living in a grouping near John and James Coate (both brothers of my Marmaduke). Note: James Coats married Robena Ryle (not a Quaker) in Rowan County, NC in 1759. There is no deed record for this William who was being taxed in Rowan. This was part of Bladen Co., to become Anson Co., NC in that early time period. Anson Co. deed records showed nothing, but other records in Bladen and Anson still need to be checked. (C-1565) A William Coats was appointed Commissioner on July 12, 1754 in the room of Edward Hughes Esqr. for the Roads in the fork of the Yadkin., Rowan Co., North Carolina. (C-936) He replaced a very prominent citizen in this position. This tells us that he probably had prominence, owned land and was at least 21 years of age. (C-2014) A court case entitled, "Mary Dughart" vs. William Coats, Troner?" in Rowan Co., NC on July 23, 1756. The verdict was guilty. No details of the case are known. (C-936) A court case in Rowan Co., NC on Oct. 21, 1756 discharged William Coats from being committed for having 2 horses in his custody, the property of whom was unknown. Some of the same judges whom he served under as juror dismissed this case. (C-2014)
A William Coate had jury duty on Oct. 22, 1756 in Rowan County, in the case John Parker vs. James Berry. He was a juror on July 22, 1757; Oct. 20, 1759 (or 1762); and April 22-23, 1762 respectively. William and two other jurors, John Jones and Jeremiah Green all appear to have moved to Bush River MM, South Carolina. He was also a juror under the same judges in these cases, Jno. Hanby, Ed Hughs, and Wm. Buse in Rowan before his move. (C-936, 943) 3?)
William is listed as a taxable person from Rowan County in 1759. (C-353) He supposedly sold his land in Rowan County in 1762 after he had moved onto Newberry Co., South Carolina. What is evident is that any mention of William no longer exist in the area after 1762. (C-199,253c,552,573) Note: - In a deed dated 1760 in Salisbury, Rowan County, Samuel Bryan bought land from Granville on the south side of the Yadkin River below the mouth of Coats Branch. The deed was proved in Sept. of 1761. Either James or William could have owned the Coate/Cote land refered to called Coats branch in this deed.
William is listed as a commissioner in the Fork of the Yadkin River and was taxed for his property from there. William lived 35 miles from the New Garden Monthly Meeting, and was not likely an active member. (C-95, 936, 938, 969, 1910) A William Coate then appears between Spring Field and Bush River in South Carolina before 1762 according to John Belton Oneal in "The Annals of Newberry" and "The History of Newberry" by Pope. This source also states that William Coate "lived and must have died in Newberry Co. between 1762-1796." (C-930) He interacts with my Henry (father of James, John and Marmaduke), who moved to Bush River, South Carolina. Henry had also lived in North Carolina as per Quaker records and purchased land in what is now Newberry Co., SC in 1765. This is witnessed by this early William Coate and James (the one who married Robena Ryle). William then purchased 200 acres of land in Craven Co., SC on Aug 5, 1766. His platte was certified on Aug. 4, 1767 and granted on Nov. 24, 1767 on Bush River. His adjacent land owners were Jacob Brooks, Mary Steedhams, Samuel Kelly (NE) and John Furnas (SW). Jacob Brooks is where the "Brooks Fort" was, a sturdy cabin with some kind of low fence around it. A parcel of 67 acres of William's land was sold in 1800 by John Galbreath (who died by 1807). It is transcribed here by Charlotte Coats Siercks."Transcription of Deed showing sale of some of William Coate land of 1767 Misc Rec Bk D p. 544 State of South Carolina: Know all men by these present that I John Galbreath of the district of Newberry in the state aforesaid in consideration of two hundred dollars to me paid by John Kelly of the state and district aforesaid have granted bargained sold and released and by these presents do grant bargain... to the said John Kelly all that plantation or tract of sixty-two acres of land as being part of a tract granted the 24 day of Nov 1767 to William Coats for 200 acres situated in Craven County when surveyed on the north side of Bush River waters of Saluda River begining at white oak ? in fork of branch run NE 38.17.50 to stake & thence SE 52.7?.50 to a stake & thence NE 12.22.50 to pine & thence NW 79.?.50 to ? and thence NE 11.36.50 to ? thence SW 79.5.50 to ? oadk and thence SW 13.23.40 to pine and thence SW 46.11.6? and thence SE 55.13.75 to small Hickory and thence SW 37.22.58 ? and thence SE 45.16.75 to begining to white oak ? fork of branch amounting to sixty-two acres as aforesaid ? moreor less as may more fully and at large appear by a platt thence of hereof indorsed together with all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in any wise incident or appurtaining to have and to hold all and singular the premises before mentioned unto the said John Kelly his heirs and assigns ? I do hereby bind myself and my heirs executors and administrations to warrant and forever defend all and signular the said premises to the said John Kelly his heirs ... Witness: My hand and seal this twenty seventh day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and in the twenty fourth year of the independence of the united states of America signed sealed and elievered in presences of: James Galbreath and Abraham Sanders (not sure of this last name) Signed: John Galbreath Proved on oath of James Galbreath Original recorded April 19, 1800 (original grant has plat attached) (C-1945) Forty Four more acres of his original 200 acres of land appear to have been sold in 1807 with William's original purchased being mentioned. It's transcription by Charlotte Coats-Siercks follows: Transcribed land record for William Coats land of 1766 Newberry County Misc Records Bk J p. 484 State of South Carolina: Know all men by these present that I Nthan Galbreath ? (minor?, no I think it's attorney) of James Galbreath Senior ? (late?) of Columbrad County State of Ohio for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars to me paid by John Frost of Newberry District in the State of South Carolina the ? - Whereof I hereby acknowledge have granted bargined and sold and released by these present do grant bargain sell and release unto the said John Frost all that plantation or tract of land 44 acres it being part of a tract granted the 24th day of Nov 1767 to William Coate for two hundred acres situated in Craven County (when surveyed) on the north side of Bush River waters of Slauda ? (point?) beginning at Bush River Running N 38 E 23.40 to white oak then N 46 w 51.60 part on land belonging to John Kelly and part on John Galbreath deceased land to stake thence W 30 2 19.50 and Robert ? (Poroly?) land to Bush River then (along?) Bush River to place of beginning accounting forty four acres in the whole a morty (?) or hald part thereof belonging to the estate of John Galbreath deceased the other twenty or half part being twenty-two acres as may now fully and at large appear by a plate laid off for John Frost and Nathan Galbreath by Isaac Kirk or hereby intended to be conveyed by the said Nathan Galbreath to John Frost aforesaid together with all and singular the eighty members hereditaments and apputenance to the said premises belonging or many wife incident or appurtaining to have and to hold all and singular the premesis before mentioned unto the said John Frost his heirs assigns forever and I do hereby bind myself my heirs executors and administrators to (?) forever (?) all (?) signulars the said premises unto the said John Frost his heirs and assigns against myself and my eirs aux against every person whowoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof - Witness my hand and seal this sixth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven and in the thirty fifth year of the United States of America. Signed sealed and delieved in presence of: Fred. Nance, Joseph Fleming (?) Signed Nathan Galbreath SS/ND: Personally appeared before me Frederick Nance who being duly sworn swore on oath that he was present and saw the within named Nathan Galbreath (minor or attorney, think it must be attorney, couldn't be a minor and sign a deed) of James Galbreath sign seal and deliver the within deed of conveyance to the within named John Frost for the use and purpose within stated and that Joseph Fleming (?) and himself in the presents of each other (?) the deed executed thereof - dated: Sept 18th 1810. Signed F. Nance Recorded Sept 22, 1810 (Original grant at above cite has plat of this land, this is the lower portion of the 1766 plat to William Coate)"
No deeds have been found where any Galbreaths purchase William's land. I therefore, theorize that the John Gallbreath in the 1800 sale or James Gallbreath in the 1807 sale received the land as descendants of William Coate... but so far no proof hs been found to support this. (These Gallbreaths did not have children until the 1780's and 90's, making them too young to be son-in-laws of this William Coate).
A third and 4th transaction involving William's original land takes place with John B. O'Neal, the author of "The Annals of Newberry." On Feb 15, 1822, John B. O'Neal sells 29 33/100 acres of William Coate's original land to Clement Nance for $525.00. Adjoining neighbors to the property are Clement Nance, James Fernandis and J.B. O'neal himself. It's recorded in Deed Book P2, pg. 402. Then in the same Deed Book, pg. 404 on the same day, John B. O'Neal purchases 120 acres of William's original land granted on Nov 24, 1767 from Clement Nance. Clement's wife, Elizabeth gives up her dowry rights to it. The land adjoins southeast & northwest by said O'Neal and southwest by Samuel Speer. I find these last two deeds very significant. First, they show that John B. Oneal had personal knowlege of the original William's land because he literally owned his land. Therefore, when he states in his book that William surely lived in Newberry SC from about 1762 to 1796 in his "Annals of Newberry", he personally knew that he was not living there in 1822 when he purchased his land and had not been living there in his adult memory. When I say he had personal knowledge of him, I mean that he knew he had once lived there and had died sometime before John B. O'Neal's actual memory, as John O'Neal, himself, was not born till 1793. Secondly, if John B. Oneal owned about 30 acres of William's land prior to Feb. 1822, where did he get it from? One possibility is that he or his wife were grandchildren of the original William. His wife's name was Helen. Thirdly, since Clement Nance could sell back to John B. O'Neal 120 acres of William's land, it's just as likely that Clement Nance or his wife, Elizabeth, could also be grandchildren. Since I don't know the ages of Clement Nance's wife, Elizabeth, there is also the possibility that she was a daughter of the original William, too. (C-2100)
As for William's death date, in the Annals of Newberry another entry on pages 11-12 indicates that he lived there somewhere between 1762 and 1796 as relayed by researcher, Jeff Bedenbaugh. O'neall in this source, relates "a story about a mysterious stranger, one James Jones, who claimed to be the son of John Jones who held the original grant to the land Newberry stood on." (Note....the John Jones is also likely to be the friend and fellow juror of William Coate when they lived together in Rowan Co., North Carolina.) "It was apparent from his knowledge of localities, such as Kelly's old store (Springfield) and the old inhabitants, that it was true as he stated. For instance, stepping into the old house at Springfield, in the lifetime of its venerable occupant, Hannah Kelly, and sitting down for a moment, this poor wandering stranger said to as he rose, he believed he would step over to Billy Coate's, and walked towards the north door, which had been closed, and the steps removed, for more than a quarter of a century. The old lady said that that was once the familiar way of passing out of the house to the elder William Coate's who lived and must have died between 1762 and 1796." As Jeff Bedenbaugh points out, referring to Billy as the "Elder" William Coate indicates that there was a younger one living in the area also. There is no William Coate as an aged head of household in the 1790 South Carolina census. It is my guess that he died before 1790 or is living with a child. On 10/10/1785, there is one record of a William Cate who witnessed the purchase of land in Laurens Co., SC by a Charles Saxon from Benjamin Jones of 200 acres originally owned by Henry Neily in 1766 that might be this William Coate. (C-2301) He is not in the 1779 census of the Old 96th District which included all of current day Newberry and Laurens Counties, whereas most of his neighbors/children to his land purchase of 1766 are in that census. This could indicate that he died before 1779 instead.
Lastly, in trying to discern the truth about William, we can look at the list of his children as passed down in the old Coate's genealogy, Summral's and Collin's work . They basically list them as Anne, Susanne (or Thomas instead), Moses, Rachel, Amos, Aaron, Marmaduke, Elizabeth, Jesse, John, Henry and Alfred. Again no proof has been found that most of these children even existed including a search in all census records for the U.S., except for possibly John, and Elizabeth. All of it is still theory and in no way fact. No "children" appear in the records connected with this William in the Carolinas. Even though he is listed as the father of "Gentleman John" in several older Coate's histories as theories, there is no interaction between Gentleman John and William in South Carolina or between he and any other Coates but the ones in my family that are verified as having moved from New Jersey to VA to NC to SC in Quaker records.
Autosomnal DNA evidence now has verified that Henry Coate along with sons John, James and Marmaduke are my direct family instead of William being the father of my Marmaduke as was theorized by Amanda Krell in the early to mid 1900's. Looking over the facts, it's entirely possible that William of South Carolina had no children or wife at all.
If he did, a last hypothesis applies to a pattern in the deed records. In a one year period, several Coats purchased land. Some of them might be William's sons. Their purchases were rather large. They all were in Berkley or Craven County. I suggest that maybe we don't know all the names of William's sons and that this is when some of his sons moved to South Carolina. Land purchases made by persons whose parentage is not certain include: John Coates, 400 acres on Sept. 26, 1772 in Craven District; Joseph Coats, 300 acres on Nov. 4, 1772 in Craven; William Coats, 650 acres on Dec. 1, 1772 in Berkley; Thomas 250 acres on Apr. 2, 1773 in Berkley; Henry, 100 acres on May 18, 1773 in Berkley and Charles on Dec. 8, 1773 in Newberry. (Note that both Henry and Charles filed their deeds on Mar. 29, 1790 which suggests a relationship.) (C-912) Please take into account that this entire family of his children are a hypothesis based on observations with unproven connections.
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