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CHAPTER 14
WILLIAM RAGSDALE COLEMAN (Known as
Buck Coleman)
William Ragsdale Coleman was the eldest child of Wylie Coleman and
Sarah Ragsdale. Born, Fairfield County, South Carolina, October 4,
1800. Died, near Hallettsville, Lavaca County, Texas, October 29,
1881. Resided in Winston (later Choctaw) County, Mississippi, from
1835 to 1860.
by FRANK R. COLEMAN *
An excellent sub-title for the life of William Ragsdale Coleman
might be "The Life Story of One of the Many Colemans with Restless
Feet."
He first saw the light of day in the first year of the Nineteenth
Century in Fairfield County, South Carolina. At the age of
thirty-five, he moved to Winston (later Choctaw) County,
Mississippi. At the age of sixty, he moved to Lavaca County, Texas,
where he lived another twenty-one years. By modern highway, it is
1281 miles from Fairfield to Lavaca, being 624 miles from Fairfield
to Choctaw, and 657 miles from Choctaw to Lavaca.
When Sarah Ragsdale Coleman died on August 3, 1820, William
Ragsdale Coleman was nearly twenty years of age. His brothers and
sisters were Nancy Ann, age 18; Joseph Ragsdale, age 17; Sophia,
age 15; Griffin Roe, age 13; Elizabeth A. and Robert F., twins, age
10; Rebecca, age 7; Wylie W., age 5; Henry Jonathan Francis Wyatt,
age 2; and Sarah, age 8 months.
The mother was only thirty-nine years of age when she died,
leaving eleven children, of whom seven were under fifteen years of
age.
On January 22, 1822, Nancy Ann, then age twenty, married Richard
Nolem, and left home.
Wylie Roe Coleman, the father of this large family, recognized
the need for a second wife. To protect the interests of his
children in his estate, he entered into an ante-nuptial written
contract with Mary Seymone that in the event she survived him,
after the contemplated marriage, she would claim only a child's
share in his estate. Because it is an interesting document, of a
kind no longer used, this contract has been copied in full in the
chapter on Wylie Coleman. Elihu Coleman, the only
*Frank R. Coleman of Dallas, Texas is the son of Thomas Blewett
Coleman and grandson of William Ragsdale Coleman.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
child of this marriage, was only nine months of age at the time
Wylie died on October 16, 1824. The graves of Wylie and Sarah are
located about 150 feet from his old home, about nine miles West of
Woodward, in Fairfield County, but near the Chester County line.
Joseph Ragsdale Coleman married Julianna Banks in February,
1824, leaving the nineteen year old Sophia as the oldest daughter
and William Ragsdale Coleman as the oldest son at home. The next of
the children to marry was Elizabeth A., the twin, who married John
Williams, in October, 1826. Then, on January 9, 1827, Sophia
married her first cousin, Williams Charles Coleman, the son of
Allen Roe Coleman and Sarah Coleman, themselves first cousins.
By the time the year 1830 rolled around, William Ragsdale
Coleman, approaching his thirtieth birthday, was ready to set up a
home of his own. On January 26, 1830, he married Miss Sarah Newport
Head, a native of South Carolina, the daughter of William Head,
Sr. and Susannah Gibson Harrison Head. Susannah was the daughter
of Captain Burr Harrison and his wife, Elizabeth Dargon. Captain
Harrison was a Revolutionary soldier and served under Lafayette at
Yorktown. Captain Burr Harrison was the son of Thomas Harrison,
grandson of Thomas Harrison, Sr., great grandson of Burr Harrison,
and great, great grandson of Cuthbert Harrison of Virginia.
Thus the descendants of William Ragsdale Coleman and his wife,
Sarah Newport Head, were distant relatives of the illustrious
Harrison family of Virginia, which produced two American
Presidents, namely, William Henry Harrison, and his grandson,
Benjamin Harrison. Sarah Newport Head was related to President
Tyler.
The Head family lived in Chester County, on the waters of Little
Sandy River. The parents of William Head, Sr., were Richard Head
and Sarah Newport. William Head, Sr. and wife, Susannah, moved to
old Winston County, Mississippi, now Choctaw, where they lived
about three miles East of the William R. Coleman home. The location
is now about three miles South of Ackerman and immediately East
of Highway 15. Their graves, marked, are now in the Tombigbee
National Forest, Choctaw Unit, and are situated across the highway
from the Howard McDowell residence. William Head died July 1,
1837. His wife died July 2, 1844.
THE BLEWETT FAMILY
Thomas Blewett received a land grant, consisting of 2000 acres,
situated on the Pee Dee River in South Carolina, from King George II.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
He made extensive improvements, including a large mill, on the
land. He had a son named Thomas Garton Blewett, born 4 July,
1789, at Blewett's Falls, South Carolina.
Thomas Garton Blewett moved to Chester, Chester County, South
Carolina, where he married Regina de Graffenried (born at Chester,
South Carolina, May 8, 1799), who was a descendant of the
Landgrave, and daughter of Tscharner and Eliza Allen de
Graffenried.
The slaves of Thomas Garton Blewett constructed a two story
spacious brick mansion in the town of Chester, in Chester County,
South Carolina.
The family moved to Columbus, Mississippi, in 1833, where the
same slaves built another two story brick residence. He named one
plantation "Pee Dee," another "Chester," and a third "York." The
cultivated areas included 1600 acres in cotton, 1000 acres in corn,
and some 300 acres in oats, wheat, potatoes and peanuts.
It is evident that William R. Coleman had great admiration for
Thomas Garton Blewett, eleven years his senior. He named his third
child, born in South Carolina, Thomas Blewett Coleman, and his
fifth child, born in Mississippi, Regina Blewett Coleman.
Griffin Roe Coleman, another brother, had reached the age of
twenty-two years. He chose a wife and married Susannah Cockrell,
February 9, 1830.
Apparently, Wiley Roe Coleman left no will. The record shows
that William R. Coleman and Henry Jonathan Coleman were
Administrators of the estate. (Henry Jonathan Coleman, the youngest
son of Robert Coleman who married Elizabeth Roe, to reach maturity,
was a brother of Wiley Roe Coleman and an uncle of William R.
Coleman).
In making preparations to move from South Carolina, W. R.
Coleman sold 279 acres in Fairfield County to John and William
Bryce (sons of William Bryce). This land was a part of the landed
estate of Wiley Roe Coleman. William R. Coleman had acquired
Griffin R. Coleman's share of 95 acres, also Elizabeth's share of
94 acres and Rebecca's share of 94 acres. This conveyance is dated
May 17, 1834, and was witnessed by Henry J. Coleman and William W.
Head.
Henry J. Coleman appeared before David R. Coleman, Justice of
the Quorum, and made affidavit that he saw William R. Coleman sign,
seal and deliver the deed of conveyance.
In February, 1829, he had sold 50 acres in Chester County,
situated at the head of Little River, to Jonathan Thomas and
wife.
In 1832, he sold 40 acres in Fairfield County for the sum of $1250.00
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
to Hugh Murdoch, said land known as the saw-mill tract, and was a
part of the estate of Wiley Roe Coleman, his father.
By this time, his brother, Robert F. (twin) had married Margaret
Smith, in 1832, and his sister, Sarah (at the age of 14), had
married Wiley U. Gilmar, December 8, 1833.
His brother, Wiley W. W. Coleman, at nineteen, was nearing the
age of maturity, and another brother, Henry Jonathan Francis Wyatt
Coleman, sixteen years old, both nearly old enough to care for
themselves, but the twelfth child of Wiley Coleman, Sr. (the child
by his second wife), Eli, was only ten years of age.
To complete the record of the children of Wiley Roe Coleman,
during the succeeding years, Rebecca Coleman married John W.
Robinson, in February, 1835. Wiley W. W. Coleman married Mary
Coleman, in February, 1836. Eli Coleman married Elenor Beasley, in
the year 1844. Henry,Jonathan Francis Wyatt Coleman married
Alcy.Cockrell, an old maid, November 28, 1848.
Since his obligations to his father's family had been taken care
of, William R. Coleman was free to move and to satisfy his urge to
settle on the virgin and fertile soil of a new State.
Three children, born in South Carolina, were members of his
house-hold:
1. William Head Coleman, born December 13, 1830.
2. Sarah Susan Coleman, born April 3, 1832.
3. Thomas Blewett Coleman, born October 12, 1833.
William R. Coleman named his third child as "Thomas G. B. Cole-
man," in his diary of 1851, thus establishing the fact this son was
named for Thomas Garton Blewett, of South Carolina and Mississippi.
William R. Coleman was responding to the same urge that a number
of his relatives had shared. Five of his uncles, namely, John
Roe Coleman, Grimn Roe Coleman, William Roe Coleman, Solomon Roe
Coleman, ald Francis Roe Coleman, all sons of Robert Coleman who
married Elizabeth Roe, had moved to Greene County, Alabama, along
with two of his aunts, namely, Sarah Coleman and Elizabeth Coleman.
This makes a total of seven persons in one family that had restless
feet, and all moved to Greene County, Alabama.
Five of the children of Robert Coleman, who married Elizabeth
Roe, namely, David Roe Coleman (Daddy Dave), Robert Roe Coleman,
Wiley Roe Coleman, Allen Roe Coleman, and Henry Jonathan Coleman,
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
remained in South Carolina and reared families. The remaining two
children of Robert Coleman and Elizabeth Roe died young.
The Colemans in South Carolina used many nicknames. Here are
nine:
1. David Roe Coleman, Senior, "Daddy" and "Daddy Dave."
2. Albert, son of David Henry Coleman, "Ob."
3. David Roe Feaster, "G. W. Punkins."
4. Trezevant D. Feaster, "Trez."
5. Wiley Coleman, "Screw."
He was the son of Robert Roe Coleman and Nancy Coleman.
6. David Andrew Coleman, "The Squire."
7. Jacob Feaster, "Squire Feaster."
8. Henry Jonathan Coleman, Senior, "The Steamer."
9. William Ragsdale Coleman, "Buck."
After the trip from South Carolina to Mississippi, the following
children were born:
4. Eliza Jane Macon Coleman, January 30, 1835.
5. Regina Blewett Coleman, December 17, 1836.
6. Louisa Harriet Coleman, September 10, 1838.
7. Henry Jonathan Coleman, March 25, 1840.
8. Anna Rebecca Coleman, November 26, 1841.
9. Mary Anner Harrison Coleman, June 23, 1843.
10. James Burr Head Coleman, January 13, 1845.
11. Marcia Maranda Coleman, May 3, 1848.
The family lived on a plantation comprised of about 1760 acres
of land, and included the plantation which Williams Charles Coleman
sold to William R. Coleman in 1839. Slaves were used to help
cultivate the land, and the sons of William R. Coleman worked in
the fields.
The two story house faced west and included a two story porch,
or balcony, from which William R. Coleman could watch the overseers
and workers in the fields.
There was a row of negro slave cabins located across the road
from the residence. The doors of the slave quarters opened toward
the main house where their master lived. There was a spring nearby
which furnished water for all.
Thomas Blewett Coleman told his children that he would play, as
a boy, with the little negro slave boys on the farm. He spent most
of his childhood and young manhood on the Mississippi farm, and
learned how to be an excellent marksman with a gun and learned how
to be a successful farmer.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
On one occasion, William R. Coleman had left the older son,
"Bill" (William Head Coleman), and the younger son, "Tom" (Thomas
Blewett Coleman), in the charge of a negro overseer, a slave, and
gave the boys specific instructions to work all day in the field,
while he would be away from home. Upon his return at the close Of
the day, he asked for a report from the overseer, as to how much
work the boys had done. The slave replied: "Marse William, dem two
boys dun nothing but fit and fit all day long." (Fight all day
long).
For fear that he would become a bad example before his young
children, Thomas Blewett Coleman would not talk about the following
incident until his children became older. When a barefoot boy on
the farm, he had disobeyed his father, while working in the field.
William R. approached him to take hold of him, in order to
administer the necessary punishment. Tom started running as fast as
he could. Climbing over rail fences and running across the cotton
field, with William R. close behind, in hot pursuit. When the chase
ended, a double dose of punishment was administered.
The farm provided cattle for beef and hogs for meat needed to
supply both the whites and the negroes. Wild game, which included
deer, squirrels and wild turkeys, became a supplementary source of
meat. Tom would clear a strip, about 150 feet long, in the woods,
draw a line on the ground, bait the line with shelled corn and wait
for the wild turkeys to find and eat the corn. From his hiding
place behind the piles of brush, he would shoot down the line of
turkey heads as the corn was picked up.
The young men wore long trousers, with straps at the bottoms
buckled under the shoes, to keep the trouser legs down, just like
the pants shown on the posters of "Uncle Sam," the well known
caricature representing the United States of America.
Some of the slaves were assigned work in the fields, others were
to help with the housework and the care of the white children.
Before Tom was old enough to be depended upon to wash behind his
ears, one of the negro women slaves would bathe him. When the
ordeal was over, the slave would ask: "Now, how do you feel, better
or wusscr (worse)?" To this question, Tom would always reply:
"Wusser (worse)."
William R. Coleman's old home and plantation was sold to his
first cousin, Isaiah Daniel Coleman.
William Ragsdale Coleman had become restless again. Although he
had become prosperous, he was interested in acquiring new land in
the State of Texas. In 1851, William R., in the company of his son,
Thomas Blewett Coleman, who had reached the age of eighteen, and a
cousin named George Davis, made a trip to Texas and he recorded in a
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Diary, the route, the mileage and various comments on the soil,
crops, the kinds of trees, and general conditions he found along
this way. After traveling for fifteen days on horseback, they
crossed the eastern boundary of Texas, averaging twenty-six miles
per day.
The travelers reached Nacogdoches, one of the three oldest
settlements in Texas, and two other towns made famous in the early
history of the State, namely, Washington-on-the-Brazos and
Independence. The Texas Declaration of Independence was signed at
Washington-on-the-Brazos, and for a time served as the Capitol of
Texas.
Concerning the land on the Brazos, he made the following comment
in his Diary: "Rich land-through a beautiful high prairie country.
A very healthy looking country. Land selling from $1.00 to $10.00
per acre.
Note: It is of interest to record the fact that my mother,
Martha Jane (Simpson) Coleman, was born during the year 1851 in
Macon County, Alabama. Her parents were David Butler Simpson and
Arabella Butler Callaway.
"Fine cedar groves and plenty of pin oak and evergreens.
Generally the richest country and the prettiest prairie country I
have ever seen. Thickly settled with rich farmers. Plenty of
cattle, horses, sheep and hogs to be seen for miles. Some droves of
sheep appear to be one thousand head." He was favorably impressed
that this area would be a good location for him.
The travelers proceeded to Bastrop on the Colorado River, then
to Austin, the State Capitol. His comment about Austin was as
follows: "A very healthy place. Three female academies, with fine
churches." He had seven young daughters and he was noting places
where schools would be available for them in case the Move to Texas
was made. After looking at the rich level land on the east bank of
the Colorado River near Bastrop, he made favorable comment on the
land in the Diary.
At Austin, they turned north to Georgetown, and there turned
east, starting the return trip to Mississippi. They passed the
falls of the Brazos River below present Waco, and visited the towns
of Fairfield and Palestine and went to visit Frank Coleman, living
thirteen miles north of Palestine.
The travelers passed through the towns of Rusk, Henderson,
Elysian Fields and on to a town located on the line between
Texas and Louisiana, known as Lickskillet, now called Latex,
thence to Shreveport, Louisiana, and then back to Winston
County, Mississippi.
His impressions concerning the land on the Brazos were so
favorable
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
that his first decision was to settle there, but in 1860, when he
moved to Texas, he bought land in Lavaca County. He had passed
through Round Rock, in Fayette County, while on the inspection
trip, and Fayette County lies to the north of Lavaca County, and is
an adjoining County.
Although the war clouds were gathering, prior to the Civil War,
William R. had made plans to move to Texas in 1860, when he was
sixty years of age, an age at which most people would hesitate to
make a move of this kind. On December 15, 1859, he entered into a
written agreement with Isaiah Daniel Coleman, his first cousin, to
whom he had sold the farm, that he would vacate the premises by
October 1, 1860. He sold his large walnut dining table having a
seating capacity of twelve persons, and other furniture, but moved
some of his furniture and equipment, horses, slaves, etc., to
Lavaca County.
On July 13, 1860, William R. Coleman paid cash $4,446.00 for
446 acres of land located six miles northwest of Hallettsville, and
on the east bank of the Lavaca River. He purchased this land from
A. W. Searcy and wife, Mary Louisa Searcy.
On September 18, 1869, he purchased 377 additional acres,
adjoining the first tract, from Thomas J. Ponton. He paid $100.00
cash, signed notes to pay $850.00 in gold on December 25, 1869
(Christmas Day), and $619.00 due twelve months from date of deed, a
total of $1,569.00. The total acreage was 823 acres.
A letter written by Eliza Jane Macon Coleman (who was an
unmarried daughter and a school teacher) is addressed to Thomas B.
Coleman, her brother, at Hallettsville, Lavaca County. The letter
bears the date of January 29, 1861, written and mailed at
Lexington, Mississippi. In the letter she expressed hope that he
had recovered from his "little fit of homesickness."
Homesickness for Mississippi became a serious matter, and a
family conference was held to decide what should be done.
Texas was a very young State, having been admitted to the United
States in 1845, following a short period of existence as the
Republic of Texas. Life in the new State required the endurance of
hardships. The State lacked schools and cultural advantages. Life
in Texas was so different from the life the children had become
accustomed to on the plantation where most of the work was done by
slaves, and where life was comfortable and easy in the midst of
relatives and friends.
Lavaca County is located in the south part of Central Texas, in
the Texas Coastal Plain Area. The Lavaca River, from which the
County
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
derived its name, flows across the central part of the County in a
southeasterly direction The Navidad River flows across the eastern
part of the County. Both rivers empty into Lavaca Bay, an arm of
Matagorda Bay.
Gonzales, the main town in DeWitt's colony, is located about
twenty-eight miles to the west of the Hallet settlement, and San
Antonio de Bexar is about ninety-five miles to the west. Goliad,
or Presidio la Bahia, is situated about sixty-two miles to the
southwest.
All of the four sons of William R. Coleman volunteered for
service in the Confederate Army. Thomas Blewett Coleman was among
the first recruits to drill on the streets of Hallettsville.
1. William Head Coleman served in the famous Walker's Texas
Division, C. S. A., was wounded and disabled early in the war.
Later, he served two terms as Sheriff of Lavaca County.
2. Thomas Blewitt Coleman enlisted in Co "A" 8th Texas Infantry
and served four years, mainly in Louisiana and Arkansas under
General Edmund Kirby-Smith
3. Henry Jonathan Coleman was killed on the second day of the
Battle of Elkhorn Tavern, in the northwest corner of Arkansas.
March 8, 1962, was the 100th anniversary of his death. The Yankees
called this battle the "Battle of Pea Ridge." A comrade by the
name of Newt Anderson was by the side of Henry Jonathan Coleman
when he was shot down.
4. James Burr Head Coleman served in Co "D," 2nd Texas Cavalry,
Pyron's Regiment. After the war, he moved to Coleman, Texas, where
he was President of the First National Bank in January 1896.
Also rendering service in the Confederate Army, was William
Ford, who married Sarah Susan Coleman, daughter of William Ragsdale
Coleman. William Ford received a wound in the arm during the war and
died later from the effects of the wound.
Thomas Blewett Coleman hastened home at the close of hostilities
to help make a living for the family, which suffered privations and
hard-ships, along with other Southern families, following the
fall of the Confederacy, during the years of the Reconstruction
Period.
Rural churches in the State of Texas have been noted for having
consecrated pastors, and congregations great in the spirit of
consecration, dedication and Christian fellowship, although often
limited as to numbers. The rural church known as "North Grove
Baptist Church" was a
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
church of this kind. Although the life of the church covered a
short span of ten years, its activities comprised an important
chapter in the life of William R. Coleman and his family.
He came to Texas with letters for himself and family, as well
as for two slaves, from the Concord Baptist Church located in
Winston County, Mississippi, of which he had been one of the
founders in 1837.
Thomas Blewett Coleman served as Church Clerk of the North
Grove Baptist Church for most of the time, and the minutes were
kept in his handwriting. The Articles of Faith, Church Covenant
and Rules of Decorum are in my mothers's handwriting.
The minutes of the first meeting reveal a list of the fourteen
charter members. On Page 3 appears the following entry:
"On Saturday, the 29th of May, 1875, the following Brethern
and Sisters presented themselves with letters of Recommendation
for the purpose of being organized into a regular Missionary
Baptist Church:
J. P. and Margaret Garrison
W. R. Coleman
S. N. Coleman
M. M. Andrews
E. J. Coleman
S. S. Ford
T. B. Coleman
W. W. and Lavina Page
T. M. Tyler
S. L. Tyler
T. F. and T. L. Tyler
"On motion, Elder B. F. Carr was called to the chair as
Moderator and A. S. Bunting, Clerk. After prayer by Elder P.
Harris, the Church Constitution and the Articles of Faith were
read, and adopted. The right hand of Christian and Church
fellowship was then exchanged, after which, the Church was de-
claimed (proclaimed) duly organized.
"The Church then proceeded to elect three Deacons, Brethern
William R. Coleman, John F. Garrison and W. W. Page.
B. F. CARR, Moderator,
A. S. BUNTING, Clerk."'
William Ragsdale Coleman, his wife, Sarah Newport (Head) Cole-
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
man, his three daughters, Miss Eliza Jane Macon Coleman, Mrs. Sarah
Susan (Coleman) Ford, Mrs. Marcia Maranda (Coleman) Andrews, with
his son, Thomas Blewett Coleman, all presented themselves for
membership on letters from the Hallettsville Baptist Church, to
become charter members.
Martha Jane (Simpson) Coleman, wife of Thomas Blewett Coleman,
was accepted as a member, at the time of the second meeting of the
Church, and on a letter from the Hallettsville Baptist Church.
On later dates, the following relatives were received:
Miss Florence N. Andrews, granddaughter of W. R. Coleman.
Miss Anna B. Ford, granddaughter of W. R. Coleman.
Miss Lula Ford, granddaughter of W. R. Coleman.
Miss Anna Sue McLelland, relative of the wife of W. R.
Coleman .
Mrs. Mary Anner Harrison (Coleman) Simpson, who was a
daughter of W. R. Coleman and wife of W. B. Simpson.
William B. Simpson, son-in-law of W. R. Coleman and brother
of Martha Jane (Simpson) Coleman.
The minutes do not give a definite location for the first lot
and house of worship, but on the 27th day of October, 1879,
William R. Coleman signed a deed donating three acres of land, a
part of the William Ponton League, and situated about five miles
northwest from Hallettsville, for the establishment of a Baptist
Church, with space for a cemetery, and providing that the Church
building, when constructed, was to be available for use as a
school.
Use was made of the Church building as a school. The two oldest
children of Thomas Blowett Coleman, who were David William Coleman
and Ernest Head Coleman, attended school there, the school term
lasting for three months during the year.
In February, 1877, W. R. Coleman asked to be relieved of the
duties as Deacon, and T. B. Coleman was elected Church Clerk.
In July, 1877, Brother H. V. Cole was licensed to preach, and
Thomas Blewett was ordained as a Deacon.
The name of T. B. Coleman appears on many Committees appointed
by the Church, and on the lists of delegates to the meetings of the
Association, as well as to State Conventions.
In the record for 1878, little "Davie" W. Coleman (David William
Coleman), oldest child of Thomas Blewett Coleman, and at the age of
seven years, is listed as having made a contribution to Missions.
"Davie"
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
has set a record for longevity for the Coleman family in Texas,
having passed his 90th birthday before he departed this life on
December 24, 1961.
On September 5, 1885, a resolution was adopted and the church
organization was dissolved at North Grove Baptist Church.
William Ragsdale Coleman, the chief sponsor for the Church, had
departed this life on October 29, 1881, and his widow with several
members of his family had moved to Coleman, Texas.
For the Spring Term of Court, 1863, William R. Coleman was
summoned to serve as a Grand Juror.
He was summoned again to serve on the Grand Jury March 13, 1865,
and when he did not answer the summons, a One Hundred Dollar fine
was levied against him for defaulting. Apparently, he had a valid
excuse, for on March 16, 1865, at his request, the fine was set
aside. (Vol. "C," P. 43).
Page 263, Vol. "D," Minutes of District Court at Hallettsville,
dated November 2, 1868. Presiding Judge, Wesley Ogden; Sam C.
Lackey, District Attorney; W. H. Coleman, Sheriff; T. A. Hester,
Clerk. William R. Coleman summoned as a Petit Juror-defaulted-was
fined Thirty Dollars. Minutes for November 7, 1868, show "It is
ordered by the Court that the fine of Thirty Dollars entered at
this term of the Court against William R. Coleman be set aside."
The name T. B. Coleman appears several times as having served on
the Grand Jury and on the Petit Jury.
DOCUMENTARY NOTES ON WILLIAM R. COLEMAN
On December 30, 1835, William R. Coleman was in Winston County,
Mississippi, and witnessed a deed from Abram Miller to Samuel T.
Potts.
On July 1, 1837, he was one of the five founders of Concord
Baptist Church, then in Winston, but now in Choctaw County.
1843. Inscription on the Tombstone in Old Concord Church Ceme-
tery, "Sacred to the Memory of Anna Rebecca, daughter of William R.
and Sarah N. Coleman. She departed this life November 4, 1843,
aged 1 year, 11 months, and 8 days." (Nov. 26, 1841-Nov. 4, 1843).
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Whision County Personal Tax Assessment Roll, 1847.
"Wm. R. Coleman
1 pleasure carriage, $150
1 clock, $5
30 head of cattle
1 piano, $1,000
20 slaves under 60 years of age
AUGUST 27, 1850
Family No. 17.
Whistoll County, Mississippi.
U. S. Census of 1850.
William R. Coleman, 49, b. S. Car.
Sarah, 41, S. C.
William, 19, S. C.
Thomas 11, S. C. (this age for Thomas appears to be error)
Eliza, 15, b. Miss.
Regina, 12
Louisa, 10
Henry, 9
Mary, 7
James, 5
Marcia, 2
Also residing with the family were James Williams, teacher, age
21, born in Alabama, Catherine Williams, l7, b. Ala., Jane Hudson,
40, born Virginia."
4th Sunday in August, 1853. Protracted Meeting, Concord
Baptist Church. "Received for baptism, and baptized on the 1st
Sunday in September, Eliza J. Coleman, Francis Coleman (son of
Griffin Coleman), Thos. B. Coleman. P. 121 of the Minute Book.
U. S. CENSUS OF 1860. Winston County. Enumeration of June 20,
1860.
WM. R. COLEMAN, born in South Carolina, value of personal
estate, $34,000, value of real estate, $10,800.
S. N. Coleman.
Wm. H. Coleman, personal property valued at $3,300.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Thomas B., 24, personal property, $2,300.
E. J., female, age 23, school.teacher.
L. H., 20, music teacher.
There are other names after L. H. too dim to read.
Louisville, Miss.
May 2, 1860
Rec'd of Edward Foster Twelve Hundred and Fifty Six dollars for
a steam mill I have this day sold him for sixteen hundred dollars
leaving bal due me of Three Hundred and forty four dollars. And
should I.htm#N007014">I fail to furnish said mill I am to pay him 10% interest
on the amt. paid me until I refund it. The said mill to be 18
Horse Power.
W. R. Coleman
(Evidently, William Ragsdale was here selling his steam mill in
contemplation of his forthcoming move to Texas).
Saturday before the second Sunday in September, 1860. Page 167
of the Concord Church Minutes.
"Granted letters of dismission to Bro. W. R. Coleman, T. B.
Coleman, and Sisters S. N. Coleman, E. J. Coleman, Susan Ford,
Louisa Coleman, and servants Sam & Abram."
May 15, 1882, Lavaca County, Texas, Last Will and Testament of
William R. Coleman proved. Will dated April 3, 1879. Mrs. S. N.
Coleman Executrix. Owned 575 acres of land, about six miles North
of Hallettsville, valued at $6,900.
January 12, 1885. Will proven for Mrs. Sarah N. Coleman, dated
the Unknown day of October, 1882. Named daughter, Mary A. Simpson, wife
of W. B. Simpson; daughter, Marcia M. Andrews; son, James B.
Coleman; granddaughter, Florence Andrews; son, W. H. Coleman;
daughter, Regina B. Lemman, wife of Dr. D. S. Lemman; Louisa H.
Wilkins, wife of Dr. B. B. Wilkins. Thos. B. Coleman, Executor.
The Estate settlement shows that the land was sold and bequests
were paid.
Original Invitation in the possession of J. P. Coleman by the
courtesy of Mrs. Robert Stainback, 631 North President, Jackson,
Mississippi:
"Mr. Andrew Hemphill
The pleasure of your company is respectfully solicited at W. R.
- 159 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Coleman's to attend a Quilting Party on Friday the 23rd of Dec.
1853.
W. H. COLEMAN"
WILLIAM R. COLEMAN FAMILY RECORD
Copied from William R. Coleman Family Bible by Frank R. Coleman
on July 13, 1954, through the courtesy of Mrs. Mary Coleman
Johnson, and through the kindness of Mrs. Hampton Cottar, 135
Roberts Cut Off Road, Fort Worth, Texas.
The Bible is large, old-fashioned, with heavy covers, large
print and made by the New York Bible Society.
One of the pages near the front cover has the following words in
Old English lettering:
WILLIAM R. COLEMAN'S BOOK
The handwriting for the first part of the family record is old
style showing the use of a pen with a very fine point. The
handwriting appears to be feminine; it does not have bold masculine
strokes. The letters are small but formed with accuracy, beauty,
skill and uniformity that made it a wonderful document to read.
Then in later years, others added entries with marked contrasts in
the handwriting.
WILLIAM RAGSDALE COLEMAN, Son of Wiley Snr. and Sarah
Coleman, Born in South Carolina on the Fourth day of October
AD 1800.
SARAH N. COLEMAN, daughter of William Snr. and Susan G. Head,
Born in South Carolina on the Twenty-first day of June AD 1809.
BIRTHS
WILLIAM HEAD COLEMAN, Son of William R. and Sarah N.
Coleman, Born in South Carolina on the Thirteenth day of
December AD 1830.
SARAH SUSAN COLEMAN, daughter of William R. and Sarah N.
Coleman, Born in South Carolina on the Third day of April 1832.
THOMAS BLEWIT COLEMAN, Son of William R. and Sarah N.
Coleman, Born in South Carolina on the Twelfth day of October
AD 1833.
ELIZA JANE MACON COLEMAN, Daughter of William R. and
- 160 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN
FAMILY
Sarah N. Coleman, Born in Mississippi on the Thirtieth day of
January AD 1835.
REGINA BLEWITT COLEMAN, Daughter of William R. and
Sarah N. Coleman, Born in Mississippi on the Seventeenth day of
December AD 1836.
LOUISA HARRIETT COLEMAN, Daughter of William R. and
Sarah N. Coleman, Born in Mississippi on the Tenth day of
September AD 1838.
HENRY JONATHAN COLEMAN, Son of William R. and Sarah N.
Coleman, Born in Mississippi on the Twenty-fifth day of March
AD 1840.
ANNA REBECCA COLEMAN, Daughter of William R. and Sarah
N. Coleman, Born in Mississippi on the Twenty-sixth day of
November AD 1841.
MARY ANNER HARRISON COLEMAN, Daughter of William
R. and Sarah N. Coleman, Born in Mississippi on the Twenty-third
day of June AD 1843.
JAMES BURR HEAD COLEMAN, Son of William R. and Sarah N.
Coleman, Born in Mississippi, on the Thirteenth day of January
AD 1845.
(In different handwriting.)
MARCIA MIRANDA COLEMAN, Daughter of W. R. Coleman
and S. N. Coleman, was born on the 3rd of May, l 848.
FLORENCE NEWPORT ANDREWS, Daughter of P. A. & M. M.
Andrews, was born on the Sixth of March, 1868.
SUSAN FRANCES HEAD, Daughter of William W and Mary A
Head, Born in Mississippi on the Thirteenth day of November
AD 1837.
A MELVINA WlLLIAMS, Daughter of John Jr and Elizabeth Ann
Williams, Born in South Carolina on the Twenty-second day of
January AD 1829.
NANCY CATHERlNE WILLIAMS, Daughter of John Jr and
Elizabeth Ann Williams, Born in Alabama on the Twelfth day
of April AD 1833.
FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGES
WILLIAM RAGSDALE COLEMAN and SARAH NEWPORT
HEAD, Married Twenty-sixth day of January AD 1830.
- 161 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
PEMUROKE ANDREWS and MARCIA MIRANDA COLEMAN,
Married Eighteenth day of April AD 1867.
(In the following entries several persons contributed information as
shown by several styles of handwriting).
ROBERT C. THORNTON and HARRIETT C. HEAD, Married
Eighteenth day of January AD 1842.
DEATHS
PEARL COLEMAN BISCO, Daughter of Wm Head Coleman
Died August 13, 1935. Son, Jack Coleman Bisco whose father was
Michael Joseph Bisco.
MATTIE SIMPSON COLEMAN, Wife of Tom Coleman, died
August 19,1935.
WILLIAM HEAD Snr., Departed this life on the 1st day of July,
1837.
SUSAN GIBSON HEAD, Departed this life on the 2nd November
1844.
BURR HARRISON HEAD, Son of William, Senr. and Susan G.
Head, Departed this life on the 25th day of january 1845.
WILLIAM WOODWARD HEAD, Son of William Senr. and Susan
G. Head, Departed this life on 13th March 1847.
(The following notation in the handwriting of Thomas Blewit Cole-
man.)
ELIZA JANE MACON COLEMAN, Daughter of Wm. R. and
Sarah N. Coleman, Departed this life on the Twentieth day of
June, 1880.
WILLIAM RAGSDALE COLEMAN, Departed this life on the
Twenty-ninth day of October,1 K81.
SARAH NEWPORT COLEMAN, Departed this life on the Twenty-
first of November,1884.
WILLIAM HEAD COLEMAN, Died December 15, 1890.
JAMES BURR HEAD COLEMAN, Died June 12, 1905.
LULA H. COOMBS, who was Louisa Harriett Coleman Coombs,
died September 21, 1917.
JAMES BURR HEAD COLEMAN'S FAMILY RECORD
MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE
THIS CERTIFIES that the Rite of Holy Matrimony was celebrated
between James Burr Head Coleman of Coleman, Texas,
- 162 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
and Mary Eliza Livingston, of Coleman, Texas, on May 1st, 1878 at
Coleman, Texas.
by REV. B. I. McLELLAND { C. C. Fountain
WITNESS {
{Kate S. Price
James Burr Head Coleman was son of William Ragsdale Coleman and
Sarah Newport Head.
BIRTHS
James Burr Head Coleman born in Mississippi, January 18th, 1845.
Mary Eliza Coleman Born June 8th, 1860, in Gonzales, Texas.
Marcia Gertrude Coleman Born March 21st 1879, in Coleman, Texas.
Florence Estella Coleman Born October 30th 1881, in Coleman,
Texas.
Casey Livingston Coleman, Born June 10th, 1883. Born in Coleman,
Texas.
Charles Pelham Coleman, Born December 6th, 1887. Born in Coleman,
Texas.
Mary Finney Coleman, Born May 121h, 1890. Born in Coleman,
Texas.
Thomas Clarence Coleman (twin), Born July 24th, 1893. Born in
Coleman, Texas.
Maggie Claire Coleman (twin), Born July 24th, 1893. Born in
Coleman, Texas.
James Sidney Coleman, Born January 11th, 1896. Born in Coleman,
Texas.
MARRIAGES
C. L. Coleman, of Mineral Wells, Texas, and Nell Evans, of Wagoner,
Indian Territory (no heirs) on December 27th, 1906, at Wagoner,
Indian Territory.
Maggie Claire Coleman, Mineral Wells, Texas, and Marion L. Long,
Ft. Worth, Texas, on February 7, 1912.
Mary Finney Coleman, Mineral Wells, Texas, and George F. Miller,
on October 9, 1912.
- 163 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Charles Pelham Coleman, Mineral Wells, Texas, and Addie Harris,
Yukon, Oklahoma, July 3, 1919.
C.L. Coleman married Ora Dunn (Davis). (No heirs).
Charles Pelham Coleman married Melanie Johanna Meckel, March 7,
1931, San Antonio, Texas.
DEATHS
Marcia Gertrude Coleman, Died October 14th, 1880.
Florence Estella Coleman, Died May 28, 1883.
James Sidney Coleman, Died January 13th, 1896.
James Burr Head Coleman, Died June 12th, 1905.
Mrs. M. E. Price, Died June l9th, 1909, mother of Mary Eliza
Livingston.
James Archibald Livingston, Died 1909.
Mary Finney Livingston, Died 1910.
Maggie Claire (Margaret) Coleman, Died March 7, 1942.
Mary Eliza (Livingston) Coleman, Wife of James B. Head Coleman,
Died February 2, 1943.
Addie Harris Coleman, Died December 6th, 1939.
Casey Livingston Coleman, Died March 4, 1931.
Mary Finney Coleman (Miller) married Joseph (Alex) Johnson,
January 24, 1930.
(Copied by Frank R. Coleman, on July 13, 1954. Bible in the
possession of Mrs. Hampton Cottar, 135 Roberts Cut Off Road, Ft.
Worth, Texas.)
Dear Mrs. Arnold:
I deferred writing from day to day waiting for Thomas and his
family to be established in their home. I.htm#N007356">I promised you I would take
up my pen, to give you a description of their establishment and
their prosperity.
In the first place I have the pleasure to write that we all
enjoyed uninterrupted health, altho we had a tiresome time in
coming as we must expect, traveling fifteen hundred miles and more
but travelers can form an idea of the difficulties we had to
encounter passing over mountains, rivers and bridges and I must say
the most beautiful scenery I ever beheld. After we left Virginia we
had a rough country to pass through, East Tennessee, and very
little better in Middle Tennessee. Indeed the whole state, at least
on the Public road, were a set of uncouth and disobliging people,
in Knoxville they looked a little more civilized. The traveling
through Alabama was very little better. They called their
- 164 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
[PICTURE]
MRS. ETHEL HAWLEY, great granddaughter of Will-
IAM RAGSDALE COLEMAN, and her husband, W. E.
HAWLEY, at the McDowell Farm, Choctaw County,
Mississippi June 7, 1949.
Taverns, Stands and their accommodations intolerable. Passing
through the country that the Choctaw Indians sold to the
government, where I most dreaded, we had the best accommodations.
Our bills were very high and our fare intolerable and I would advise all
- 165 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
that immigrate here to come in their cars or by Steamboats, unless
their Company is sufficiently large to buy their own provision and
have a tent. We had to pay from sixteen to twenty dollars every
morning and we were traveling seven weeks. Never laid by but one
day, Betsy wanted some cloths washed for her children. We had to
travel every Sabboath day. Every rainy day our bills were so
enormously high. Without partiality permit me to inform you, we
had not gone six miles in the State of Mississippi before we
discovered a visible change for the better. The houses are neatly
built, have a light, neat and airy appearance. We had good
accommodation.
The first night we got to Columbus, l6 miles from the line
dividing Mississippi from Alabama. There we were more comfortably
fixed than we had been since we left Virginia and our bills were
lower. We passed through some beautiful and flurshing villages and
some of the most splendid plantations that you could conceive.
Figure to yourself a field so extensive and the corn so high that
it looked like a map of sapplings or stake drove so thick in the
ground, with four or five ears of corn on them. The whole field
covered with pumpkins, the largest I have ever seen. Cotton
fields as far as your eyes can view, resembling a great river
frozen over and covered with drifted snow. The potatoes, not
patches, but fields of them, and yams that they have here in
abundance. You know I promised you Mrs. Arnold, I would describe
every thing exactly as it is, and I.htm#N007407">I do assure you I have never in
my life seen such cows and you may buy one at any time with a
young calf for $12.00. One was offered Thomas yesterday morning
for that price. I.htm#N007411">I've never eaten better bacon and I never saw
larger hogs. There is not a day scarcely the huntsmen don't
bring in deer, sometimes two. I thought l never tasted such
excellent meat, but I am almost tired of seeing it. Some days they
bring in wild turkeys by the horseload, shoot them not a half mile
from the College. Partridges, rabbits, squirrels, in short, let me
assure you that we can procure every article you have in the market
at Washington and much cheaper.
We arrived on the 11th of November, in Jackson, the Capital of
Mississippi, a very flourishing city. The State house is a very
handsome building very much like the Capital to Washington. On a
smaller scale Steamboats passing to and fro on Pearl River. Jackson
is built on table land with the river running below it. l think it
empties in the Mississippi River. The Trustees of the Centenary
College have purchased this beautiful place called the Brandon
Springs, in Rankin County, 18 miles from Jackson. The Medicinal
spring is handsomely inclosed with a
- 166 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
dome, and on top a cupelo with a gilt hall and a large leaf, a walk
from the spring to a pavilion elegantly enclosed with seats all
around, and all kind of trees, enclosed with a latticed all painted
white from thence the walk continues to a botanical garden. You
pass through the garden to a centree building that is now called
the Domitory. It has 42 rooms, two of them very large, then on both
sides are 24 cottages painted white. Some with three and some with
four rooms, little porch in front with lattice work. After passing
the Dormitory there are five very large houses, the President's
house have five rooms down stairs and four above. lt is a large two
story house with Galleries all around, handsome white pillars, a
carrage house, stable, meat house, good kitchen, pantry, etc. In
short, they have every comfort.
Betsy and their children are delighted. Every room in the house
is handsomely papered. Thomas gets twent-five hundred dollars per
year, house, fire wood and expence of Doctor free. The Doctor has
six rooms to his house, built in Cottage style, no upstairs and
interior very handsome. The Multifiora and honeysuckles making the
porch perfectly green. He has for his Salary two thousand dollars,
house and firewood free from expence. I have a cottage with two P
(defaced) rooms and board with Thomas. I insisted on this
arrangement. They have so much company is not always agreeable to
me besides if I had gone to live or have a room in Thomas' house it
might wound James feelings. I did not like to cause him
mortification. Betsy and the girls are very affectionate to me.
There are from 55 to 60 houses all very handsome, neatly
painted. The College is in a very nourishing state. lt is thought
superior to any in the South. All the Servants that came from
Washington are well and much pleased. Sprig says he would not go
back if he could. Jenny declairs she would not, she is hired to
Thomas. If you should see Ben inform him his children are well.
Henry and Nora live with the Stward. In the college Maria is
unrse to Betsy's boy. Van Buren and Geroginna lives with Son Thomas
and drives his carriage. James has a man by the name of Emanuel
driving his carriage and cultivates his garden.
I.htm#N007487">I.htm#N007486">I believe I have told you all the news. I should like to see
you all very much but if I.htm#N007489">I have my health next summer I would
prefer staying here. We have excellent water. There are four
wells and I.htm#N007492">I think there are five or six cisterns. I am sure there
are more than a dozen springs in the circumference of less than a
mile. I have seen very little frost, not one particle of snow,
indeed I can scarcely realize that it is the 12th of January.
- 167 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
I wish you, dear Mrs. Arnold to give My love to Mrs. Simpson
and all their family. Give my love to Miss Lucy, say to them l had
my reason for not visiting them if they knew all they would not
blame me, but i can assure theM I feel much attached to them. Now
you must read this letter to them and write me all the news. The
Miss Thorntons send their love and bid me tell they never will
forget your kindness. l thank you for your goodness in staying
with me. l never put my wrapper on I don't think of you. If we
don't meet on earth, I hope we may meet in heaven where parting may
be no more; farewell, God forever bless you is my prayer.
S/ JANE C. THORNTON
January 12, 1842.
W. R. COLEMAN'S DIARY OF HIS TRIP
TO TEXAS IN YEAR 1851
(OCTOBER 9, 1851 to DECEMBER 19, 1851)
October 9, 1851, started to Texas. William Ragsdale Coleman,
George Davis and Thomas B. Coleman (a son of William Ragsdale
Coleman). From William Ragsdale Coleman's to Kosciusko, 30 miles,
Attala County. Then to Thomas Town, 16 miles, Leake County. The
crops this far are sorry. Cotton something over one-half a crop.
Health tolerably good. Land generally very poor and dry, except
about 10 miles North of Thomas Town, which is good.
3rd Day. Then to Sharon, 24 miles. Land level, but rather poor
and much worn. Thickly settled with a goodly number of Meeting
Houses. Badly watered.
Sunday, October 12, to Canton, Madison County, 7 miles. Land
good and level. Crops very poor.
Then to Jackson, 26 miles, Hinds County. Land good and generally
level. Crops very sorry. Cotton not a half a crop, and corn very
sorry.
October 13th. 10 miles southwest of Jackson. Land good and
thickly settled and wealthy people. Then 6 miles, very poor and
very broken.
Then to Gallatin (which no longer exists), Copiah County, 24
miles, making from Jackson to Gallatin, 40 miles. Poor, broken long
leaf pine country. Gallatin is a poor place, secluded in a long
leaf pine country, in the dark corner of Mississippi.
- 168 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Then on the Natchez Road to Rodney, Jefferson County. A good
appearance of health.
Thursday, October 16th, arrived in Rodney, 54 miles from
Gallatin. Rich land. Cotton good, Corn very poor.
Thursday, October 16th, 1851, at 12 o'clock arrived in Water
Proof, Louisiana, Tensas Parish. Fine land, cotton making one and
one-half bales to the acre. Thickly settled and finely improved.
Friday, October 17th, to Tensas River, 14 miles. Land good,
cotton one and one-half bales to the acre. Corn not more than one
to five bushels to the acre. Certainly a sickly country, but finely
improved and thickly settled with wealthy citizens. Land perfectly
level.
Saturday, October 18th. From Tensas River to Harrisonburg, Cata-
houla Parish, 20 miles. Land rich, sickly, and wet. Many overflows.
Many deaths. Then to camp at night 17 miles through a very broken,
poor, pine country. Road very bad. Still Catahoula Parish.
Sunday, October 19, 1851. Thence through a very poor pine
country, then through a large portion of level postoak country.
Exceedingly poor. A portion of which very rocky in places. Thickly
settled, with the worst looking citizens that I ever saw. Many old
settlements made many years ago either died out or quit. Mostly
French or Creoles. The water exceedingly bad and scarce and very
sickly. I have not seen a healthy citizen for the last 60 miles.
To Little River, where steamboats run in the winter, but now
ford it. Then to Gabriel Barron's, 10 miles, Rapides Parish, then
to camp at night, 23 miles (this is near where Alexandria now is).
Still very poor country, some prairie and some long leaf pine.
Creeks and branches all dry. Hogs very sorry. Still thinly settled,
sickly, hardly a person remaining out of every six settlements. The
people gone. Farms badly mistreated. The state of society
wretchedly bad. I have seen but two Meeting Houses for the last
hundred miles.
October 21, 1851. Then to Red River, 15 miles, the high land is
tolerably good. A mixture of oak and pine. Cotton and corn sorry.
Thinly settled and with poor people, many French and Mexicans. Red
River is a fine stream but very low at this time, not boatable. It
overflows its banks immensely. The bottoms are immensely rich, all
stiff red loam. Many places for miles it is sanded over with red
sand five or six feet in depth, thrown out in overflows, not many
wet marshes. Many ash, pecans, and cotton trees of enormous size.
Then to Natchitoches, 10 miles. This place is a large and
beautiful town situated on the former banks of the Red River, but
the river has
- 169 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
made a new channel 10 miles distance. Steamboats still run the old
channel in times of extreme high waters. There are many French and
Mexicans here.
October 22nd. To fort Jesop, Sabine Parish, 25 miles.
October 23rd. Then to the town of Many, 7 miles, then to Sabine
Town, 18 miles. Steam boats run here. People appeared healthy.
October 24th. From Sabine Town, Sabine County, Texas, to Milam,
the county seat, 9 miles. Then to Thompson Allen's.
(15 days after they left home, the travelers have reached Texas.)
Following is the mileage schedule entered in the back of this
diary:
To Kosciusko 30, to Thomas Town 16; to Sharon 24; to Canton 7;
to Jackson 26; to Gallatin 40; to Rodney 54; to Water Proof 12; to
Tensas River 14; to Harrisonburg 20; to Little River 41; to Gabriel
Barron's 10; To Red River 38; To Natchitoches 10; To Fort Jesop 25;
to Many 7; To Sabine River 18 Total distance to Texas 392 miles.
Average mileage per day on horseback 26.
October 25, 1851. To San Augustine, a considerable Town. The
county site of Augustine County, 18 miles. The land from the Sabine
River is very rich. High class country. Fine running creeks. Some
good springs. Up to camp tonight 9 miles. This is a very healthy
and old settlement, and very thickly settled. It appears that there
may have been settlements made one hundred years ago. The land is
very red and exceedingly rich. The people appear very healthy. This
part of the country is very thinly timbered. Generally large
hickory and blackjack, and a mixture of walnut, ash, mulberry,
buckeye, blackhaw, and many other rich growths that we do not know.
Not a particle range but the best upland country of the same
distance that I have ever seen. There is a great deal of rock in
some places. Some limestone rock. Up to Melrose Town, 16 miles,
Nacogdoches County.
October 26, 1851. Now to Nacogdoches Town, 10 miles, a consider-
able Town, a great distance from trade. They haul from a distance
of eighty to one hundred miles. Some parts of the country about
Nacogdoches is exceedingly sandy.
October 27, 1851. Monday. From Nacogdoches todays travel up to
feed time 13 miles. Very sandy country tolerably level well
watered, healthy, and thinly settled. The range improving but not
good, then to Dunlap, a little town, 2 miles, situated on the San
Antonio Road in Nacogdoches County, a sorry place. Then to
Ashmore's in Cherokee County, 12 miles, a level and beautiful
country. Land good and well
- 170 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
watered, situated on or near the Angelina River, just cleaned out
for steamboats, great place for fish.
October 28, 1851 . Then to John Conner's, 1 mile. Fine land.
Healthy country. Stayed at Conner's two days.
Thursday, 30 October. From J. Conner's southwest to Austin
James, by Mrs. Leach's, 8 miles, where we took dinner in a valley
between two mountains. Rich land, with walnut, pecan, ash,
mulberry. Red land. Then to the San Antonio Road at Tany's Fort, 8
miles, finely watered and some extra good plains.
October 31st. Then to the Neches River, 6 miles, land good and
level and fine. This river is small, not navigable. Wide swamp
and great overflow. Then to Crocket, 27 miles. Exceedingly poor,
generally badly watered, thinly settled, Houston County. From the
Neches River the country is very level and sandy with some prairie
or barrens. Very thinly timbered except on the creek. Crops very
poor, but little cotton planted .
Saturday, November 1, 1851. From Crocket to Camp Ground, on the
Cincinnati Road, 10 miles. The driest of any place since we left
home. Then to camp at night 12 miles. A great many salamanders.
Sunday, November 2nd. From camp to the Trinity River at Cincin-
nati, Walker County, 11 miles. Sickly. Then to Stubblefield's down
Trinity River, 8 miles.
Monday, November 3, 1851. Stayed all day with Stubblefield.
Tuesday went to look at Mr. Haskell's land. Rode 10 miles to
get to it through a very poor country, badly timbered and badly
watered, then back 10 miles. Stayed two days more on the 5th and
6th. Davis is sick.
Friday, November 7th. Started from Stubblefield's then to
Huntsville, the county seat of Walker County, 10 miles. Then to
Anderson Town, 35 miles. Large prairie country with some cedar
grove, near Anderson. Not a drop of running water. Anderson Town
is a new town just built up and a considerable town with two
meeting houses and the Baptist were sitting in conference when I
passed through. The creeks and branches are generally rock
bottomed. This evening the land is exceedingly rocky. The timbered
portion is good.
Then to Brazos River at Washington Town. Rich land. The Brazos
is a small stream. Washington is situated on the western bank of
the Brazos, on a high bluff.
Then west to Independence, in Washington County, 12 miles,
through a beautiful high prairie country. A very healthy looking
country. Land
- 171 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
selling from $1.00 to $10.00 per acre. Fine cedar groves and plenty
of pin oak and evergreens. Independence is a small town situated on
the prairie. Generally the richest country and the prettiest
prairie country I have ever seen. Thickly settled with rich
farmers. Health good and good well water and some springs. People
well fixed. Plenty of cattle, stock, horses, sheep and hogs to be
seen for miles. Some droves of sheep appear to be one thousand
head. Some mesquite. Still Washington County.
November 10, 1851. Then to Roundtop, small country town in
Washington County, through rich prairie. More beautiful country
than ever. 30 miles from Independence to Roundtop.
November 11th. Then to Bastrop, on the Colorado River, in
Bastrop County, 40 miles. Through a portion of Lafayette County.
Bastrop is situated on the West side of the Colorado River in a
rich valley. Beautiful buildings, many stores, and a beautiful
stream. People look healthy.
Thursday, November 13, 1851. From the eastern banks of the
Colorado River through the Colorado valley. Some black prairie soil
but generally a black sandy soil. Exceedingly rich and as level as
a floor. Cannot be surpassed for fertility and beauty. Fine crops
of corn. We then crossed over the Colorado. The stream is a
beautiful one without any swamp. It has a gravely and rocky bottom.
Thence Northwest up the Colorado Valley to Austin. The land in
the valley on the river selling from $5.00 to $8.00 an acre
unimproved, but improved at $10.00 to $30.00 per acre. 10 or 15
miles off of the river good land can be had for $1.00 and $2.00 per
acre.
Austin, the capitol of the State, situated on the banks of the
Colorado River, in Travis County, a large and beautiful place. A
very healthy place. Three female academies, with fine churches.
November 14th. From Austin north to camp at night, 9 miles,
through a rich country, all prairie. Not a sprig of any kind of
timber.
November 15th. Then north to Georgetown in Williamson County, 16
miles. It is 7 miles to Walnut. A prairie country, some sandy, but
generally black and some chocolate color. Much limerock. Thence all
the way to Georgeville. Very rocky of lime and thousands of
flintrocks. Land exceedingly rich. Georgeville is a small place,
only three years old and is somewhat a promising place situated in
a large prairie. Timber generally scarce here. Rails hauled three
miles. A beautiful high elevated country very rocky. Bell County
and Nolinville is immediately north of Georgetown and a large
number of the Rangers are stationed forty miles north of
Georgetown.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Thence from Georgeville east to camp at night through prairie
country, very rich and land very high. Crossed Saint San Gabriel
River, which is a very beautiful river 75 yards wide and a perfect
rock bottom.
November 16th. From camp to camp again 22 miles. Crossed many
nice running creeks with some timber. Abounds with deer, wolves,
and splendid range. Crossed Little River this evening and camp.
Little River is one of the branches of the Brazos running
northeast. It is large enough for small steamboats. Thinly settled,
passed only three or four houses today. We are on a small trailway
running from Georgtown northwest to the fall of the Brazos River.
November 17, 1851. From camp in Williamson County 28 miles,
entirely a prairie country generally level. Some portions of this
land good but generally poor. Passed no settlers today. On Elm
Creek considerable swamp, low and wet, for 6 miles. Very brushy.
Still a trail. Sorry portion of Texas. Deer and bear and wolves
aplenty. This is a disagreeable, inconvenient, and sickly portion
of country.
November 18, 1851. From camp to the falls of the Brazos River
in Falls County, 3 miles through timbered and sandy land. The
Brazos is about 100 yards of channel and seems good for navigation
to the falls. There is considerable falls and boats cannot go
above them. Then East 18 miles to camp at night. The Brazos bottom
is about 6 miles wide, of red stiff land, with a very uneven
surface. Overflows some. The growth is generally large hackberry
cottonwood. Then through a prairie country. Bad water and thinly
timbered up to camp on the Blue Ridge which amounts today to 21
miles. The Blue Ridge is a beautiful rich sandy ridge 7 or 8 miles
across.
November 19th. Today's travel from camp on the Blue Ridge to
Springfield in Limestone County, 20 miles, through a beautiful
black sandy prairie country. Level and rich, with many creeks, all
bushy and some timber on them. Springfield is a new place. West of
the Town 100 yards spring sufficient to turn a saw mill. There is
much cedar about this place. Then to camp at night 6 miles.
November 20, 1851. From camp in Limestone County north of east
on the road that leads from the falls of the Brazos to Fairfield,
the County seat of Freestone County, 20 miles. This is a beautiful
sandy prairie country up to Fairfield. Fairfield has had its rise
since the first of July, 1851, and is quite promising with three
good stores. From there to camp, 9 miles. The country from the Blue
Ridge to this place is very desirable.
November 21, 1851. From camp to Parker's Bluff on Trinity River,
5 miles above Magnolia. This is a very sandy country, rather
broken, well
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
watered, but rather poor and very thinly timbered. The Trinity is
small here but steamboats come up here. The Trinity overflows its
banks for 5 or 6 miles and has a very sickly appearance.
From Trinity to Palestine, 10 miles, the County seat of Anderson
County. Two last miles up to Palestine, high, red land. Palestine
is considerable place with good churches, female academy, and
masonic lodge with 14 stars. Then north to Frank Coleman's 12
miles, beautiful sandy country, good water, rather broken in
places, Land generally good, tolerable good timber in places, then
8 miles northeast to the Neches River, the Mosley neighborhood.
There is a small town rearing up here. A very popular neighborhood
and good female schools.
November 26th. Then back south to Palestine, 23 miles, then east
to camp 12 miles, thickly settled. Land from $3.00 to $10.00 per
acre. There is but little cotton planted in this part of the
country and but little from the Colorado River on the upper road to
this place. Corn from 75% to $1.00 per bushel. From camp east of
Palestine to Rusk, Cherokee County, 20 miles, then to Mud Creek, 3
miles. Then to New Salem, in the County of Rusk, a considerable
town, situated in a red land country, surrounded by hills and
mountains.
November 28, 1851. From New Salem to camp at night 13 miles.
November 29, 1851. From camp to Henderson, 13 miles, situated in
a beautiful sandy country. A considerable town. Said to be
the healthiest town in Texas. Then to camp at night 11 miles.
November 30, 1851. From camp to the Grand Bluff on the Sabine
River. This town is a very small place. 20 miles from camp, this
portion of country is generally poor, lies level, and heavily
timbered, with fine water. Generally thickly settled with bad
looking people. Then from Sabine River to camp at night 10 miles,
Panola County. Steamboats run this river two or three months in
thee year. Seldom any cotton planted.
December 1, 1851. From camp to Elysian Fields, 5 miles, thence
to Vernon, or Lickskillet, at the line of Texas and Louisiana, the
line runs through the Town. Then to camp at night, Desoto Parish,
Louisiana, 15 miles, through good land, lies well, only full of
mounds, not a drop of running water. Large plantations and thickly
settled. Rich planters from the appearance of buildings, etc.
December 2, 1851. From camp to Shreveport, 6 miles, thickly
settled by wealthy planters, fine buildings. Shreveport is a very
considerable town, large and fine buildings, situated on the west
bank of Red River at the mouth of Caddo Lake. Then to Bayou Cross,
4 miles in the swamp.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Then to Bayou Red Chute. Then on the high land up to camp, 4 miles.
December 3, 1851. From camp 16 miles through a tolerable level,
low, wet country, thickly settled, some good places, but not
healthy.
Then to Minden, a beautiful and large town. Fine houses and a
pleasant place. Healthy situation. Then to camp at night, 5 miles.
December 4, 1851. From camp to camp, 26 miles, still in
Claiborne Parish, hilly country. Thickly settled.
December 5, 1851. To camp in Jackson Parish, 25 miles, about
thirty or thirty-five miles south of the Arkansas line. The state
of society has been wretchedly bad for the last 50 miles.
December 6, 1851. From camp to Trenton on the Ouachita River, 20
miles, through a poor country. Trenton is a pretty little town
situated on the west bank of the river. Then to Monroe on the east
bank of the river. The Ouachita is a considerable stream and fine
steamboat navigation. Monroe is a considerable town, the county
seat of Ouachita Parish.
December 7, 1851. From camp in Ouachita Parish to camp through a
part of Bastrop Parish to camp in Morehouse Parish, 19 miles.
Today's travel has been all swamp, first Ouachita swamp then
Mississippi swamp. This morning traveled up a lake about 6 miles,
thickly settled. Large plantations. Exceedingly rich and level.
Fine buildings. Wealthy citizens. Roads very bad.
December 8, 1851. From camp to camp across a bayou and across
Death River, 17 miles, still Morehouse Parish. The road today has
been exceedingly bad. Many deaths lately with pneumonia.
December 9, 1851. From camp in Morehouse Parish to camp in
Carroll Parish, 16 miles. Bad road, across lakes and flat lands
generally. Overflows to a great extent. Very miry and a good deal
of water on the ground. Some canebreaks. Have seen only four
settlers in the last thirty miles. Camped last night where we could
not hear anything but owls and wolves and the bellowing of
alligators.
December 10th, 1851. To Bayou Mason, 5 miles. Then to Tensas
River at Featherstone, 7 miles, then to camp, 6 miles, making in
all 18 miles today.
December 10th. This day's travel has been through wet overflows
across lakes and bayous. It commenced raining last night. Today
still raining. Have not seen any appearance of the sun. Tonight
we are in the muddy swamp far distant from any house and we do
not know whether we are on the right road or not. The swamp is so
exceedingly
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
bad we are much disheartened. Many miles of swamp to go before we
reach Vicksburg. No settlers.
December 11, 1851. From camp to Richmond, Madison Parish. A
considerable town, situated on the banks of Roundway Bayou. One of
the finest hotels I have ever seen. Then across the swinging bridge
75 yards long, then east 15 miles, thickly settled, fine farms,
rich planters. Land making from one to three bales per acre. Ducks
and geese by the thousands.
December 12, 1851. From camp to Vicksburg, 15 miles. From
Vicksburg, Warren County, Mississippi, 8 miles. Vicksburg is
situated on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River. A very
considerable town, exceedingly broken, much washed land.
Saturday, December 13, 1851. From camp to Smith's Ferry on the
Big Black River on the Canton Road, 18 miles. Plantations badly
watered. Big Black here has not any swamp. Steamboats run far
above Smith's Ferry. Then to Brownsville, 10 miles.
December 14, 1851. From camp to Livingston, 14 miles. Rail
timber is very scarce. Livingston is a little dry town. One good
meeting house Madison County. From dinner to camp, 11 miles. Still
Madison County, thickly settled, with rich planters. The land much
worn out. We are tonight within two miles of Canton.
December 15, 1851. To Canton, then to Sharon, then to camp.
December 16th. Then to Thomastown, then to Kosciusko.
December 19, 1851. Then to W. R. Coleman's, 30 miles.
We note from the diary that some of the expenses incurred on
this trip were as follows: Toll Gate, 50 cents; Heat, 15 cents;
Ferry, 40 cents; Whiskey, $1.00; 3 pounds of sugar, 30 cents; one
tin cup, 9 cents; Fodder, 75 cents.
This journey took W. R. Coleman through 11 counties in
Mississippi, 15 parishes in Louisiana, and 20 counties in Texas.
Total mileage covered on this trip, 1506.
In the same little book which contained the Diary of the Trip to
Texas, are found additional notations as follows:
The following entries were found in the W. R. Coleman diary of
the trip to Texas:
February 3, 1842, left with James --- to pay Mr. Horne in
Gainesville, $90.00. Paid. Signed. George Gentry, Cherokee County,
Georgia.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
May 19, 1843, rec'd of C.htm#N008091">Isaac Coleman $15 S. C. money.
May 30, 1843, paid to lsaac Coleman in consideration of theUnknown
$15.00 as follows: 1 load of corn supposed to be 28 or 30 bushels, 5
bushels of meal, 5 bushels of peas, corn and meal at 37 1/2, peas at 75.
June 25, 1843. Left with Mr. James Y. Unknown $20.00 to be changed and
$8.00 to be sent to Robert Coleman.
W. R. Coleman received of W. H. Head $250.00 to be paid in
Marion, Alabama.
Entry shows that on July 24, 1851, W. R. Coleman made a trip to
Marion, Alabama. He recites the distance to Louisville 15 miles,
then 30 miles to Ward's in Noxubee County, then shows 43 miles to
undecipherable point. He paid 25% for a watermelon, 45% for three
glasses of cream, and $2.75 for staying overnight. He paid $1.50
for crossing the Warrior river, 50% for crossing the Tombigbee, and
paid $1.00 for a handkerchief. He was to have visited Eutaw,
Greensboro, and Clinton.
He shows the addresses of James M. Coleman, Macon County,
Alabama. Alfred Coleman and Matthew Coleman and Stephen Coleman,
Marshall, Texas, Harrison County. Notes he started home from
Marion, Alabama, on Thursday, July 31, 1851.
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[MAP OF TRIP]
WILLIAM RAGSDALE COLMAN'S DIARY
On Oct. 9, 1851 my grandfather William Ragsdale Coleman, with
my father Thomas Blewit Coleman, and George Davis a cousin, started
to Texas from the farm in Mississippi. He kept a diary on the
trip. This journey, made to find good farm land in Texas brought
the travelers into Texas only 15 years after Texas became a
Republic. On Dec. 19, 1851 he reached home after traveling 1506
miles. It is probable that the trip was made on horseback. In
1860 grandfather moved his family to Texas and settled on a farm
about 3 miles norwest of Hallettsville. As you read the diary, the
progress of the travelers can be traced on the map.
Prepared by Frank R. Coleman - August 25, 1956.
[MAP OF LAVACA COUNTY, TEXAS drawn by F.R. Coleman]
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