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CHAPTER 15
ROBERT COLEMAN OF MT. MORIAH, SON OF
JOHN ROE COLEMAN
by J. P. COLEMAN
Born, 1795 (census report). Died between 1870 and 1873. First
arrived in Mississippi, 1835. Have not been able to locate his
grave, but he must have been buried at Mt. Moriah, near his
home, as so many of his descendants are buried there.
His wife was named Jincy.
Mr. Charles F. Prewitt stated that Robert Coleman had a prior
wife, name unknown, by whom he had the following children, but we
have been unable to verify:
WILLIAM COLEMAN (Deaf Bill). Born, 1821. Still alive at the
1880 Census. Buried at Mt. Moriah, no marker, but buried by the side
of his wife, Sarah Coleman, who was born July 20, 1825, died July 22,
1882.
ROBERT and ISAIAH, who went to Texas. By the census, Robert
was born in 1828 in Alabama. Isaiah married Kate Gaston, widow of
Lee Moss.
Children of the Second Wife
JONATHAN COLEMAN (Johnnie) b. April 27, 1832, d. January
19, 1879. Married his second cousin, Sarah Jane Coleman, the daughter
of Giles C. Coleman, b. April 24, 1843, d. November 4, 1923. Both are
buried at Mt. Moriah, 4 miles northwest of Weir, on the French Camp
Road.
HENRY COLEMAN, b. March 9, 1836, d. October 21, 1906. Married
Priscilla Weir, sister of James and John Weir, who was born
September 6, 1839, d. January 14, 1917. Both buried at Weir.
Last wills and testaments of record at Pages 24 and 61 of Will
Book 1, Choctaw County.
THOMAS J. COLEMAN, died in the Mississippi Delta.
MARY ANN COLEMAN BLAYLOCK.
MRS. T. J. BLACK, known as Polly.
HIRAM F. COLEMAN, married his second cousin, Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of Griffin Coleman of Old Concord.
- 179 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Second Generation
HENRY COLEMAN, died without issue.
Children of Jonathan Coleman and Sarah Jane Coleman
(a) WREN COLEMAN, born October 2, 1866, died March 30, 1934.
(.htm#N008222">Married (1). Donie Jameson, 1907. (2). Cora Ligon Milam,
May 15, 1917. No children. Burial Magnolia Cemetery, Meridian,
Mississippi .
(b) CLARENCE COLEMAN, born January 17, 1870, died April
10, 1931. Buried at Weir.
(c) JOHN C. (JACK) COLEMAN, born August 12, 1871, died
May 23, 1929, buried at Weir. Never married.
(d) MRS. LILLIE B. COLEMAN WADE, born October 1, 1877,
died November 30, 1939.
(e) FRANK COLVIN COLEMAN, born July 24, 1873, died October
4, 1899.
Children of William C. (Deaf Bill) Coleman
WILLIAM D. COLEMAN, 1863-1884.
SARAH, Mrs. Mack McKinley, 1842-1872.
Mrs. Lillie Coleman Wade was married to Lige Wade. Their
children were: Joe Wade, presently of Weir, Mississippi; Sarah
Dorothy, married Louis Hermann of New Orleans; and John Coleman
Wade, deceased.
The following is taken from Page 49 of "A History of Ward
County, Texas":
"Grandfalls (named after "the grand falls of the Pecos River" by
the first surveyors of land in Ward County), in 1898 proudly
possessed a school to serve the forty-odd settlers living in the
vicinity. Professor E. C. Wade, a quiet, dignified and
well-educated young man, was its teacher. By 1903 the growing
school needed an additional teacher, and it was sought to have Mrs.
Wade join her husband at the school. She was cultured, refined and
exceptionally well qualified in all respects; however, she had
two small children of pre-school age whom she could not leave
unattended at home. Finally, in November, 1903, the Wades
considered themselves fortunate to have rented their two back
rooms to a middle-aged couple, the M. K. (Jake) Kimberlains. Mrs.
Kimberlain
- 180 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
looked after the Wade children while Mrs. Wade taught, and
Professor Wade got Jake a job as school janitor to supplement his
income from his wife's operation of a home laundry. It seemed a
happy arrangement all around."
"But Jake, crippled in his left arm, and perhaps in his mind
also, opposed Professor Wade's persistent demands that the Kim-
berlain boy, Eddy, age 11, be required to attend school. Eddy did
finally attend, but realizing his father's attitude, he did so only
haphazardly, causing confusion at school and resulting in little
learning for himself, Jake blaming Professor Wade for the boy's
display of backwardness. Arguments occurred between Jake and
Professor Wade, and Jake made remarks about the Professor around
the community which reflected against the Professor's good name. On
February 29, 1904, during an argument in which Wade demanded
apologies because of accusations made against him, Jake shot the
unarmed Professor in the stomach with a pistol and killed him.
Kimberlain was convicted and served 25 years in prison. (4)"
(Contributed by MRS. DEOLECE MILLER PARMELEE) .
Professor Wade's body was returned home and buried in Bear Creek
Cemetery.
This Robert Coleman first appears in Mississippi on August 8,
1835. On this date (Book A, Page 262, of the Winston County Land
Deeds) Andrew Walters conveyed to Robert Coleman "of Sumter County,
Alabama," the Northeast Quarter of Section 6, Township 16, Range
10, then in Winston County, now in Choctaw, and located about two
miles Northwest of the present Town of Weir. The language of the
conveyance indicates that Robert Coleman had lived in Sumter
County, Alabama, before coming to Mississippi, and Griffin Coleman
of Old Concord was a subscribing witness to the conveyance. This
further shows that while Williams Charles Coleman received his
first conveyance from Andrew C. Walters on July 3, 1835, Robert
must have accorpanied him since both Williams Charles and Robert
purchased of Andrew C. Walters. Griffin Coleman received his first
deed August 27, 1836, from Alfred Gilkey, Book B, Page 54.
In the land deed records of Sumter C.unty, Alabama, Book C. Page
221, we find that on February 7, 1837, Robert Coleman and wife,
Jency, conveyed 111 acres of land, being the Northwest 1/4 of
Fractional Section 4, Township 20, Range 2 West of Sumter County.
The deed was
- 181 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY.
acknowledged in Winston County, Mississippi. The property is
located three miles northeast of Sumterville, Sumter County,
Alabama, and since there is no deed of record to Robert Coleman it
is apparent that he entered this land from the government when
first opened to settlement about 1820.
We also find that on February 27, 1839, Isaiah Coleman, son of
Robert, gave a deed of trust on lands in Section 28, Township 20,
Range 2 West (Book C, Page 111). This land was three miles south of
the lands owned by Robert Coleman.
As late as April 18, 1848, Isaiah Coleman was conveying land in
Sumter County, (Book K, Page 385).
September 30, 1861, Book Q, Page 633, Winston County, "Robert
Coleman of the Co. of Choctaw "sold to" Henry Coleman, son of the
before named Robert Coleman, of the County of Winston," the West
1/2 Northwest 1/4, Section 6, Township 16, Range 10.
Book Q, Page 635, September 30, 1861, "Know all persons by these
presents that I, Henry Coleman, having a mind to volunteer in the
Army of the Confederate States of America and knowing that life on
all occasions is uncertain but especially so when engaged in the
war and exposed to the vicissitudes of a soldier's life" conveyed
to his beloved wife the same land. She was his first wife, Emily,
born Dec. 22, 1833, died July 4, 1862. Buried at Bear Creek.
Our next record of him appears in Land Deed Book U, Page 55,
when, On June 22, 1867, Robert Coleman and wife, Jincy, conveyed
the West 80 acres of the tract he acquired in 1835 to his son,
T. J. Coleman.
As ff this date, I have not located the grave of Robert Coleman,
but we know that he was dead by the year 1873, because on October
3, 1873, the heirs of Robert Coleman conveyed to Jonathan Coleman
the East 80 acres of this same Quarter Section. The heirs executing
this instrument were William Coleman (known as "Deaf" Bill), Mary
Ann Blaylock, T. J.Black and Henry Coleman. From this evidence and
from an interview on August 26, 1951, with Mr. Charles Feemster
Prewitt, who was born in 1872 and reared in the same community,
William Coleman, Thomas J. Coleman, Jonathan Coleman, and Henry
Coleman were all brothers, and sons of Robert Coleman. A sister,
Polly, married Tom Black, which accounts for that signature on the
deed. Thomas J. Coleman went to the Mississippi Delta, and we have
no further information at this time. According to his tombstone in
the Mt. Moriah cemetery, about four miles northwest of Weir (French
Camp road) Jonathan Coleman was born April 27, 1832, and died
January 19, 1879.
- 182 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY.
His wife, Sarah Jane Coleman, was born April 24, 1843, and died
November 4, 1923. Her husband died at the early age of 47, while
she lived to be 80 and was a widow forty-four years. Mr. Charles F.
Prewitt states that she was a well educated woman for her time and
was a school teacher when she married Jonathan Coleman. She was
widowed at the age of 36, saved all the extensive land that
Jonathan Coleman owned, reared her family, and was so economical
that she was still saving money at the time of her death. Mr
Prewitt tells many interesting anecdotes about Jonathan Coleman He
knew him as "Johnny."
It seems that Johnny was well known as a practical joker. There
was a young woman living in the community, who, unfortunately, was
not attractive and was not sought after by the men. Johnny Coleman
told her that a certain gentleman in the community was in love with
her and desired to marry her, but was too timid to ask for her hand
in marriage. Of course, the gentleman had entertained no such
thoughts, and was much amazed by what followed. One day as the
gentleman was riding through the woods, the lady stopped him and
told him that Mr Johnny Coleman had told her of his desire to marry
her and that she was ready to accept him. The man was highly
shocked and told her that he had not entertained any such
intentions. Of course "bad trouble" ensued with Johnny over the
incident, but fortunately no one was hurt.
For a long time he was supervisor in Attala County, resided just
over the line out Of Choctaw, the boundary running through his
front yard. He got into a feud with his brother, Henry, over
denying a public road in which Henry was interested, and they
carried guns for each other for a long time, but violence never
occurred. However, when Johnny lay on his death-bed in 1879, Henry
was apprised of the fact while passing there and declined to see
his brother, which indicates the overly stern stuff out of which
some of these old-time Colemans were made.
Carrying some of Johnny Colemans practical jokes further, he was
a great friend of Dudley Prewitt (father of Charles Feemster
Prewitt and brother of Andrew Jackson Prewitt, who married Sarah
Coleman, daughter of Isaiah Daniel) Dudley Prewitt would "bait"
wild turkeys and would conceal himself in a blind to await their
arrival. Johnny Coleman found the blind and saw the bait, concealed
himself in the blind, killed an enormous gobbler, threw it over his
shoulder and went by and invited Dudley Prewitt to a log-rolling
the next day and promised him plenty of turkey if he would attend.
Of course, when Dudley went to the blind he saw the feathers on the
ground from the gobbler that Johnny had shot and he knew then what
had happened.
- 183 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Cluffie Ming was a tenant on the Jonathan Coleman plantation,
then operated by his widow, Mrs. Sarah Jane Coleman. He asked her
for an order for five dollars worth of medicine for his sick
children. Mrs. Coleman told him that he did not need five dollars
worth of medicine. She made out a list of salts and cathartic
pills which came to seventy-five cents, and Cluffie said that by
the time "she got through with him" he decided that he did not need
any medicine at all.
One day, Cluffie was discussing the Colemans with Mr. Prewitt,
and Mr. Prewitt was talking about what splendid people and fine
neighbors they were when Cluffie said "I admit they are fine
people, but they sure are hell on their croppers."
Johnny Coleman and Mrs. Sarah Jane Coleman had five children.
The oldest was Wren, Born October 2, 1866, died at Noxapater,
Mississippi, March 30, 1934, and buried in Magnolia Cemetery at
Meridian.
Mr. Richard A. Moss, of Ackerman, now 79 years of age, tells me
that Jonathan Coleman was a very precise kind of a man, that he
enjoyed a drink, and was not very talkative, except when drinking.
When drinking, he liked to expound on "scientific subjects."
Mr. Prewitt appears to have been especially fond of Wren
Coleman. He described him as being "true as steel." Mr. Forrest
Woods, of Noxapater, Mississippi, worked for Mr. Coleman for many
years in his mercantile establishment in Noxapater and says that he
was one of the Finest men he ever knew.
In early life Wren Coleman went to Texas and remained there for
about two years, but came back to the old home farm. He had a
college education, at which college I have not been able to
ascertain. According to Mr. Prewitt, he was a prodigious worker and
would not stop at anything in the way of work. On one occasion Mr.
Prewitt saw Wren Coleman "in a trot," and remarked to a negro
present that Mr. Coleman appeared to be in a hurry. The negro
replied "he is just pokin' now; if you try to follow him in the
field, he will kill you."
Wren Coleman married, first, Miss Donie Jameson, of Kosciusko,
in June, 1907. She died soon after the marriage and he was married
the second time to Cora Ligon Milam on June 15, 1917. She survives
and at this time resides at 714 Sixth Avenue, Laurel, Mississippi.
He had no children.
The remaining children of Jonathan Coleman were Clarence, who
died in 1931, and John C. (Jack) who died in 1929. Mr. Prewitt's
description of Jack Coleman was that "he would stand hitched"
meaning that he
- 184 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
was steadfast and could be depended upon. He was farming in the
Arkansas Delta at the time of his death. Neither he nor Clarence
were ever married. A fourth son of Jonathan Coleman was Frank
Colvin Coleman buried in Mt. Moriah cemetery, born July 24, 1873,
and died October 4, 1899. The name "Colvin" is a direct reference
to South Carolina and the Coleman connection with the Colvin
family. The only daughter of Jonathan Coleman, Lily, married a
school teacher, Lige Wade. She was born October 1, 1877 and died
November 30, 1939. Lige Wade was a school teacher of brilliance,
but was killed in Texas in an altercation with a northern man who
occupied the same house with him. He is buried in Bear Creek
cemetery in Attala County.
"Deaf" Bill Coleman, brother of Jonathan and son of Robert lived
on the headwaters of McCurtains Creek. He had a son by the name of
Will Coleman, who, according to Mr. Prewitt, was "as proud as a
peacock" and always went extremely well dressed. Mr. Richard A.
Moss gives this same description of him. He studied to be a doctor
and married Cherry George, daughter of Dr. George. He took her to
the old home of his father (his mother was dead) but the new wife
did not like the place and left her husband. She was a very
beautiful woman and when she left him, Will Coleman abandoned all
pretense to personal pride, dressed in any manner, and took to
strong drink. He began to contract to furnish cross ties for the
new railroads then being built through Choctaw County. (1884). He
became ill of pneumonia and died while away from home working on
one of these contracts. Dudley Prewitt sent his son, Philip, after
the body. He hauled it home nailed up in a box and he was buried in
Mt. Moriah Cemetery without the box ever being opened. Thus ended a
career that opened with bright promise and was wrecked because of a
beautiful woman.
"Deaf" Bill's wife was named Sarah. She was born July 20, 1825,
and died July 22, 1882. She is buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery and
her grave is marked. Her husband, buried beside her, has no marker.
After her death, "Deaf" Bill decided that he would marry again.
He was a man who was well fixed, with plenty of horses, mules,
cattle, sheep and everything that made for comfort in those days.
He went to French Camp and borrowed $800 from Frank Holloway, a
prominent lawyer of that place. Hc bought himself a new buggy, a
very efficient car trumpet, and set about finding a new wife. He
was soon seized with a sudden illness of the "flux," of which he
died, and all of his possessions went to Holloway in satisfaction
of the indebtedness.
His other child, Sarah, married Michael McKinely, formerly of Co. A
- 185 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
23 Miss. Infantry, Confederate States Army. She died September 16,
1872, age 30 years, 4 months, and 16 days. She was the mother of E.
Y. McKinley, a prominent citizen of the Panhandle section of
Choctaw County.
DEATH OF HENRY COLEMAN
Mr. Henry Coleman who lived some two miles from Weir, passed
from the walks of men on Sunday night October 21 aged about 70
years. One of the landmarks of Choctaw has passed away in the death
of Henry Coleman. He was a member of a family well known not only
in Choctaw but in this section of the State. Mr. Henry Coleman was
a remarkable man in many respects. He was a man of strong:
convictions and had the courage of them. He stood for truth
right and justice. He was a man who had great contempt for a
mean act. He lived above reproach at all times. The disease that
sapped away his life was cancer and for quite awhile before his
death he was well aware that death would soon approach him but
when the end came he was ready to go. His remains were buried at
Mt. Moriah Church. "Peace to the ashes of them noble true men.
--CHOCTAW PLAINDEALER
MR. JACK G. COLEMAN DEAD
It is with sincere regret that the Plaindealer chronicles the
death of that splendid citizen Jack G. Coleman which sad event
occured very suddenly at his home al Marked Tree Arkansas on
Thursday of last week. He was 58 years of age and a native citizen
of Choctaw County where he was widely known and prominently
connected. He had been engaged in farming in Arkansas several years
and had large planting interests there. The remains arrived at Weir
last Saturday and interment took place at the family cemetery.
Services being conducted by Rev. Wallace of Noxapater assisted by
Rev. W. I. Duncan Presiding Elder of the Columbus District. He is
survived by one sister Mrs. Lillie Wade and two brothers Clarence
and Wren, besides a large list of other relatives and friends.
Jack G. Coleman was a genial clever wholesouled fellow a good
citizen, and a man who loved his friends. Truly another of our good
friends has gone to his reward. We deeply sympathize with the loved
ones.--CHOCTAW PLAINDEALER
Personal Roll, Choctaw County, 1863. Robert Coleman, 4 slaves
under 60 years of age.
Choctaw County Census of 1840.
Robert Coleman (of Mt. Moriah) enumerated next to John Pre-
witt.
- 186 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
3 males under 5
1 5-10
1 10-15
1 15-20
1 40-50
1 female 15-20
1 30-40
Choctaw County Census of 1850.
Family No. 523.
Robert Coleman, 54, [farmer, b. S. C. (Deafe). Born about 1796.
Jincy, 47
Robert, 22, farmer, b. Alabama.
Louisa, 21
Jonathan, 19
Hiram, 16
Henry Thomas, 10
Mary Ann, 9
Choctaw County Census of 1860.
Robert Coleman, age 60, farmer, born in S. C.
wife, Jency, age 6(), born in S. C.
Eliza, age 35, spinster, born in Alabama.
Thomas, age 23, farmer, born in Mississippi.
William Coleman, age 39, farmer, born in S. C.
wife, Sarah, age 34, born in Alabama.
Sarah E., age 17, born in Mississippi.
Hiram Coleman, age 30, born in Alabama,
wife, Elizabeth, born in Alabama.
Mary J., age 5, born in Mississippi.
Robert W., age 3, born in Mississippi.
Sarah C., age 1, born in Mississippi.
Choctaw County Census of 1870. Township 17, Range 9.
R. B. Coleman, 75 b. S. C.
Wife, Jincy, 67, b. S. C.
Sallie, 10, b. Miss.
- 187 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
T. I. Coleman, 30 b. S. C.
Delila C., 22, b. S. C.
Mary A., 4, b. Mississippi
Robert W., 2, b. Mississippi
W. M. Coleman, age 39, born in S. C.,
wife, Sara, born in Alabama.
Elizabeth 28, and William G., both born in Mississippi.
Mt. Moriah Colemans, U. S. Census 1870
Jonathan Coleman, B. 1831, Alabama
Sarah, B. 1844, Alabama
Wren, 3
Clarence, 7/12
Isaiah, 3
Henry Coleman, B. 1836, Alabama
Priscilla Weir B. 1839, Mississippi
Richard, 6
Choctaw County Census of 1880.
Henry Coleman, 44 (1836), born in Alabama. Father and Mother in
S. C.
Priscilla, wile, 43, born in Mississippi. Parents in S. C.
Beat 1. T. J. Coleman, white male, 23. Born in S. C. Mother born
in Alabama.
E. J. Coleman, white female, 23, born in Mississippi. Parents in
Tennessee.
William Coleman, white male, 59, born in S. C., and so were his
parents.
S., white female, 54, born in Alabama.
W. D. Coleman, son 17, born in Mississippi.
Henry Coleman, son of Robert of Mt. Moriah, was a soldier in the
New Prospect Grays, organized at New Prospect, Mississippi, August
26, 1861.
Among others, this group fought at Chickamauga, Franklin, Kenne-
saw Mountain, Murphresboro, Spring Hill, Shiloh, and Peachtree
Creek.
- 188 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Joseph W. Robinson, son of John W. and Catherine Coleman Robin-
son, grandson of Wiley Coleman, fought in this outfit, lost an arm
at Peachtree Creek, and later became a well beloved doctor of
medicine at LaGrange and French Camp in Choctaw County,
Mississippi.
This organization was in eighteen general battles.
Winston County furnished 1490 soldiers to the Confederate Army,
and 465 of them were killed in battle.
ISAAC COLEMAN
Choctaw County, Mississippi, Census of 1850
Isaac Coleman, b. 1812, S. C., farmer.
Judith Coleman, b. 1815, S. C.
Penelope, b. 1834, S. C.
Cornelius, b. 1836, S. C.
Augustus, b. l838, S. C.
Nancy, b. 1841, S. C.
Louella, b. 1846, Miss.
Adella, b. 1846, Miss. Twins.
John, 10 months, Miss.
Mrs. Etta Rosson states that Isaac Coleman was the son of
Solomon Coleman, who, in turn, was the son of William Coleman, of
Fairfield. He married Judith McShane, daughter of Hundley McShane
and Alice Feaster, who was the daughter of Andrew and Margaret
Feaster. Mrs. Rosson further states that Isaac Coleman and wife
died in Union County, S. C., so they must have moved back to South
Carolina.
Isaac Coleman first acquired land in Winston County from Joseph
P. Crosley on Dec. 13, 1843. Land Deed Book H, Page 147.
In the Personal Assessment Roll of 1847 he was assessed with 1
Pleasure Carriage, 1 clock, and thirteen slaves under sixty years
of age.
At Page 204 of Land Deed Book M., Winston County, Mississippi,
is recorded the deed of July 17, 1852, by which Isaac Coleman and
Judy, his wife, sold to Walter Ford
N l/2, S. 6, T. 16, R. 11
E 1/2 NE 1/4, S. 1, T. 16, Range l0
SE 1/4 and E 1/2 of NE 1/4, 35-17-10
W 1/2, SW l/4, 36-17-10
760 acres.
- 189 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
This was probably when they went back to S. C. Walter Ford later
sold this land to John W. Robinson, who married Catherine
Coleman. It belonged to the widow Robinson, then to Dr. Joe and
Hon. Lafayette Robinson, and now much of it belongs to J. P.
Coleman.
[PICTURE] [PICTURE]
WILLIAM ALEXANDER COLEMAN (left)
(Uncle Will)
Weir, Mississippi
July 3, 1861
Feb. 3, 1956
CHARLES CAMERON COLEMAN (at age 70) (right)
Cameron, Texas
April 7, 1866
Jan. 19, 1953
- 190 - .
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