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CHAPTER 17
GRIFFIN ROE COLEMAN OF WINSTON COUNTY,
MISSISSIPPI
by GEORGE METTS, Louisville, Mississippi
Born: Fairfield County, South Carolina, September 27,1807.
Died: Winston County, Mississippi, May 29,1877.
Buried: Liberty Universalist (White Church) Cemetery.
Griffin Roe Coleman was born September 27, 1807, the son and fifth
child of Wiley Roe Coleman and Sarah Ragsdale Coleman, of Feaster-
ville Community, Fairfield County, South Carolina. He married
Susannah (Susan) Cockrell, daughter of Moses Cockrell, on
February 9, 1830.
Moses Cockrell, the father of Susannah Coleman, was born
February 28, 1799, and died April 9, 1867. His wife, Charlotte, was
the daughter of Andrew Feaster and Margaret Fry Cooper. She was
born August 8, 1809, and died October 28, 1864. Both are buried at
Soule Chapel Methodist Church, about six miles Northwest of Macon,
Mississippi.
Fourteen years later, on the day before the anniversary of this
marriage, Griffin R. Coleman purchased 80 acres of land from one
"Joseph May" in Section 14, Township 15, Range 13, Winston County,
Mississippi, adjacent to the plantation of his brother-in-law and
first cousin, Williams Charles Coleman. It is recorded that he paid
two hundred forty dollars for this property. The Warranty Deed
transferring the title to Griffin R. was witnessed by Williams C.
Coleman. As he brought his entire family West with him to
Mississippi and lived the latter half of his life on this one
Mississippi homesite, this sketch of G. R. Coleman (1807-1877)
will begin in Mississippi.
In all probability, Griffin R. and his wife walked over this
"new home" on their fourteenth wedding anniversary, accompanied by
their children, Amanda, 13; Moses, 11; Sarah, 7; Susan Regina, 4;
and Walter W., 2, the youngest, and, like the rest, born in South
Carolina. It does not seem likely that Griffin R. (he is listed in
all Winston County, Mississippi, land transactions as Griffin R.,
possibly to distinguish him from "Griffin Coleman of Concord," his
first cousin, who settled earlier in the county) would make the
trek to Mississippi without his family as he already had
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
at least two brothers, William Ragsdale and W. W. Coleman, and one
sister, Sophia, living in Winston County, besides a number of
cousins.
The Colemans of Winston County are known as a clannish family,
but do not frequently visit one another. They, however, have a
"family saying" that "blood is thicker than water," and will
quickly come to the aid of a brother or sister, although there be
little visiting between families in times of peace and tranquility.
There is a good chance that Griffin R. and his family stayed
with William Charles and Sophia until a house could be erected on
this property, described as the "East 1/2 of Southwest Quarter,
Section 14, Township 15, Range 13." Whether there was a home on
this property at the time Griffin R. purchased it is not recorded.
In any event, the house which Griffin R. either built or
acquired was a long two story structure, with a porch along half of
the west side. The other half was enclosed as a bedroom, and there
were sheds constructed on the North and South sides, also used as
sleeping quarters. The kitchen was constructed in a building to
itself a good way from the house.
This building was later occupied by Walter W. Coleman, youngest
son of G. R. and stood until well after 1900, when the property was
sold outside the family and the building torn down.
Immediately in back of the house was a small stream or "branch,"
the headwaters of Mill Creek, which in turn are the headwaters of
Noxubee River. The source of the branch was a spring at the home of
Williams Charles approximately one mile south. Strangely enough,
Mill Creek flows North, but another stream, also said to have
originated on Coleman property, flowed South and is generally
credited to be the headwaters of Pearl River.
It was to the North along Mill Creek which Griffin R. bought
property until by the outbreak of hostilities with the North, he or
his cousin, Williams Charles and Isaiah Daniel (still spoken of as
"Uncle Dan'l" by descendents, many who neither know who he was nor
what became of him, but whose exploits became folk legend), owned
most of the property in what is now old Mill Creek community, and
parts of Bond and Murphy Creek communities of Winston County.
Daniel Coleman moved away from his home place, however, about
three and one-quarter miles West of the Griffin R. and Williams
Charles residences, in 1860, settling in extreme Northwest Winston
County in what is now Choctaw County on property he purchased from
Williams
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Ragsdale Coleman, which was the original Coleman homestead in
Mississippi.
Griffin Roe was thirty-six years of age when he moved to
Mississippi, and as already mentioned, had five children between
the ages thirteen and two. Two more children were born after he
arrived in Mississippi, Jacob Feaster, 1845, a son; and Emily
Fairfield, a daughter, born in 1849, and carried in the 1850 Census
rolls as "South Carolina."
Winston County personal tax rolls show that in 1847, three years
after coming to Winston County, G. R. Coleman was assessed for
twenty-four head of cattle and five slaves under sixty years of
age. In 1863, he was assessed for one pleasure carriage and eleven
slaves under sixty years of age, which in point of slaves made
Griffin R. Coleman the smallest slave holder of the older Winston
County Coleman settlers.
He continued almost from the day he arrived in Mississippi until
his death to obtain property, mostly in small parcels, along or
near Mill Creek, and from before the Civil War until his death on
May 20, 1877, owned and operated a water mill in Section 2,
Township 15, Range 13, on Mill Creek, where he both ginned cotton
and ground corn. .
Except for the faint trace of a ditch no sign of the old mill
remains today. This mill site is on Mill Creek on property commonly
referred to as the "Sallie Elleton Place," who incidentally was his
granddaughter, child of his daughter, Sarah, and her second
husband, J. C. Cannon.
Griffin Roe Coleman was on his way to this mill in a wagon when
the wagon reportedly slipped on a wet hillside roadbed near his
home. Somehow he was thrown out of the wagon and crushed between a
wagon hub and the clay bank. He died on the above mentioned date as
a result of these injuries.
In 1866, Union troops confiscated twenty-five bales of cotton
from G. R. Coleman at this mill, engaging a party named "Cage" to
haul this cotton by wagon to Macon where it was shipped by train.
Both Griffin R. and his son, Walter W., known as "Burr," were at
the mill when the cotton was taken. in 1933, an instrument seeking
compensation for this cotton was filed in Winston County by his
surviving children, Emily Fairfield Coleman Metz and W. W. Coleman.
On Griffin Roe Coleman's children, the oldest daughter, Amanda,
married Adam Cooper, September 28, 1853; Sarah first married
Francis Marion Triplett (buried 16th Hills graveyard, 1862), and
then J. C. Cannon; Moses married Sallie L. Cooper, April 9, 1868;
Walter W. married Dolly C. A. Metts, on December 21, 1867; Jacob
Feaster married Charlotte Pagan, on December 7, 1869; and Emily
Fair
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
field married George Young Metz, on November 12, 1868. (It might be
noted that Dolly "Metts" and George "Metz" were brother and sister,
as were W. W. and Emily Coleman. For some unexplained reason some
descendents of George Y. Metz use the "Metz" spelling, others the
"Metts" spelling, but seldom consistently, which results in
considerable confusion, especially in obtaining records from
gravestones, deeds, and tax records.)
Regina Susan, Griffin R. Coleman's third daughter, died August
20, 1867, unmarried, and like all, with the exception of Amanda and
Sarah, are buried in the Liberty Universalist Cemetery.
Liberty Universalist Church, known as "The White Church," is
listed as having been organized in 1846 in a national directory of
Unitarian- Universalist Churches, however, this date could not be
authenticated by the researcher of this particular chapter. Wording
of the warranty deed conveying the property to Liberty Church by
Williams Charles Coleman would indicate that buildings or
"tenaments" existed on the property prior to the transfer of title,
and in all probability services were conducted at the property and
in homes of members of the faith prior to the actual transfer of
Five and 45/100 acres to Liberty Church on May 10, 1859.
Book Q (Record of Deeds, Winston County, Mississippi), Page 25
shows that on May 10, 1859, Williams Charles Coleman conveyed to
Liberty Church the Five and 45/100 acre property, the indenture
being between "William Coleman of the county and state above named,
of the firstpart, and C. Y. Rowland, A. Gillis, Esq., and W. B.
Welch, trustees of Liberty Church, describing the property as
commencing at a large white oak one Chain Northeast of the Spring
known as the Spring of "Linches Schoolhouse." There is no record,
however, of Giles Linch having owned land in Section 10, Township
15, Range 13 East, prior to the above mentioned transfer of title.
It is of possible significance that between 1850 when H. Lanham
purchased the entire Section from J. H. Hardy and H. Gray, to
February 29, 1856, when Williams C. Coleman acquired the West
half from a G. B. Sanders, the property changed hands four times
and that Giles Linch settled on property in adjacent Section 9,
Township 15, Range 13, as early as 1848. Who built the schoolhouse
and why it became known as "Linches Schoolhouse" is not known;
however, Giles Linch was a literate man, and was elected to the
Mississippi Legislature from Winston County as early as 1855. Some
of his descendents are buried in the Church Cemetery, but a child
who died after he settled nearby is buried, like Daniel Coleman's
three children, in an unmarked grave within sight of his original
homesite.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
The first marked grave at the Liberty Cemetery is that of Regina
Susan Coleman, daughter of Griffin Ragsdale and Susan Cockrell
Coleman, who died August 20, 1867.
GENEALOGICAL AND CENSUS DATA COMPILED BY
J. P. COLEMAN
WINSTON COUNTY CENSUS OF 1850
Griffin Coleman, 42, b. S. C.
Susanna Coleman, 37, b. S. C. .
Amanda Coleman, 19, b. S. C.
Moses Coleman, 17, b. S. C.
Sarah Coleman, 13, b. S. C.
Regina Coleman, 10, b. S. C.
Walter Coleman, 8, b. S. C.
Jacob Coleman, 5, b. Miss.
So. Carolina Coleman, 1, b. Miss.
WINSTON COUNTY CENSUS OF 1860
G. R. Coleman, 52, b. S. C.
Personal property $10,000. Real estate, $4,500.
Susannah, 48
Moses, 25
Susan, 21
Walter, 1 8
Jacob, 1 5
Emily (listed above as So. Carolina), 8
GENEALOGY OF THE WINSTON COUNTY COLEMANS
DESCENDANTS OF GRIFFIN R. COLEMAN AND
SUSANNAH COCKRELL
AMANDA COLEMAN, born December 6, 1830, died June 1, 1908.
Married Adam Mayfield Cooper, born July 28, 1828, died June 27,
1899. Buried at Louisville. He was the son of George Cooper and his
- 208 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
wife, Sallie Mayfield. George was the son of Peter Cooper, who
settled in Georgia.
This couple had four sons and three daughters. I.htm#N009928">I am sorry that I
do not know the names of all of them. Among them was John Walter
Cooper, who was born November 26, 1857, at Louisville. On November
10, 1881, he married Miss Sarah Jane McGee. She was born December
26, 1861. Mr. Cooper died January 3, 1903 at Yakima, Washington.
Mrs. Cooper died July 6, 1952 at Tacoma, Washington. They were the
parents of a daughter, Sallie, born at Louisville on September 5,
1896. She married Harry Tell Metzler in Tacoma, Washington, on
April 9, 1924. In 1955, Mrs. Metzler was living at 716 South 53
Street, Tacoma.
II
CHILDREN OF MOSE COLEMAN AND MRS. SARAH COOPER COLEMAN
1. Polly. Born December 13, 1872. Died June 1, 1945. She was the
second wife of Pace Lipscomb. He was born August 17, 1871, died
September 7, 1931. He first married Regina Coleman, daughter of
Walter W. (Burr) Coleman. Children of Mrs. Polly Lipscomb were:
Cooper Lipscomb Anderson and Wade Randolph Lipscomb, both deceased,
and Mrs. Polly Lipscomb Lantz, of Pubelo, Colorado, and Edward Pace
Lipscomb, of Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Lipscomb are buried at
Mashulaville.
2. George Bell Cooper Coleman. Born April 22, 1869, died January
18, 1955. Married, October 28, 1923, Manassa Roe (Tommie) Cole-
man, daughter of Jacob Feaster Coleman.
3. Sallie Coleman, born August 28, 1876, died February 28, 1923.
4. Griffin Roe Coleman, born April 2, 1878, married Florence
Richardson, and still alive as this is written. Children: Eugene,
Kate, and Evon.
III
SARAH COLEMAN. First married Marion Triplett. Had two sons,
Albert and Walter. He died in Macon, during the Civil War, while
trying to make his way home. Second marriage to Jack Cannon. Three
children, Sallie, who married Jake Murphy, Dell, and Henry, who had
nine children. Albert Triplett had two sons, Marion and Nimrod.
IV
WALTER W. COLEMAN (BURRA). Married Dollie Metts, December 22,
1867.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
1. Regina, born July 3, 1870, died July 15, 1898. Married Pace
Lipscomb, his first wife. Her children were Walter Jasper Lipscomb,
of Schlater, Miss. and Albert Floyd Lipscomb of Macon, Miss.
2. Mrs. Minnie Coleman Johnson, born October 18, 1872, married
Davis Y. Johnson, January 20, 1892. Died September 19, 1930.
3. Lola Coleman Caldwell, born October 31, 1876, married
Caldwell. Died October 31, 1933.
4. Ossie Coleman Bouchillon, born June 16, 1879. Married J. K.
Bouchillon, November 24, 1904. Died March 7, 1919. Roy Bouchillon
is a son of this marriage.
5. Mary Bell Coleman McCool, born June 1, 1886. Married W.
Charles McCool, November 24, 1904. Died January 21, 1921. Buried at
Murphy Creek. Children: Waldine, Carrie May, Dollie, who married
Attorney Hoy Hathorn, Walter, and Annie B.
6. Amanda Coleman Jones, born August 15, 1889. Married Wayne
Jones, August 19, 1916. Died October 15, 1965. Buried at Murphy
Creek. Children: Mrs. Dorothy Myer, Mrs. Mary Lucy Canizaro,
Walter, Regina McKay, Lee Meets Jones, and Mrs. Suzanna McKay.
V
JACOB FEASTER COLEMAN AND HIS WIFE, CHARLOTTE PHAGAN
1. Susie, who married Jake Livingston. Sons, Hubert and Halbert.
2. Robert E. Coleman, born March 31, 1873, died August 27, 1939.
Married Pearl Moore, who died 1964. Daughter, Mrs. Erma Thorne, of
Meridian, Mississippi, has been much interested in family history.
Son, Billy Coleman, Lucedale, Mississippi.
3. Kirk Coleman, born October 10, 1R74, died February 28, 1945.
married Alma Croft. They are buried at Betheden.
4. Roxie, married Lewis Suber. Children: Inez, Robert, Lawrence,
Clayton, Hurold, Madge, and Maude.
5. Manassa Roe (Tommie), born November 27, 1879. Died May 28,
1955. Married G. B. Cooper Coleman.
6. Elbert Feaster Coleman (Ell). Born, 1881. Died May 3, 1963.
Buried at New Hope Methodist Church. Married (1) Velma Ruth Deason,
died 1920, (.htm#N010073">(2) Lyda B. Sullivan McNeel. Children: (1) Percy D.,
(.htm#N010077">Dallas, Texas, (2) Leonard V., died 1941, (3) Bertrand, Carthage,
(.htm#N010081">Mississippi, (4) Lester Clayton, deceased, (5) Mrs. Lottie Wall
Dean,
- 210 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Waco, Texas, (6) Elbert Feaster, Jr., Dallas, Texas, (7) Mrs.
Electa Eaves, (8) Daniel Carl, the latter two of Lewisville, Texas.
7. George Alma Coleman (Sugar Baby).
VI
EMILY FAIRFIELD COLEMAN, born April 27, 1849. Married George W.
Metz, November 12, 1868. She died in 1936. He was born 1844, died
1915. Parents of twelve children. The youngest twins. Ollie, Edgar
Belmont, George, Elbert, Albert Walton, Mary May, Nancy Pearl,
Daisy Jack, Ahmalean, Ahvallene.
In August, 1919, Mrs. Jennie I. Coleman and Mrs. Mary Coleman
Faucette, of Feasterville, South Carolina, visited their Winston
County kin. Here are some of the notes kept by Mrs. Coleman on this
trip:
"Moses was 12 years old when they came to Mississippi in wagons
and carryalls for the women and children. Several families came
together. Four weeks on the way. After the surrender he came back
by Rock Hill and by home of relatives in Fairfield, riding a fine
U. S. horse he had captured. Name Gunboat. Got home in fourteen
days, swimming all the rivers, till he reached Tuscaloosa. Was a
great hunter. Has killed 6 wild turkeys at one shot. His father
(Griffin R.) killed 9 at one shot. His father used to hunt bears in
Mississippi Valley (delta)."
"James Bouchillon ancestors from Abbeville, South Carolina, of
French descent. Married Rebecca Straight. Son Kirk Bouchillon
married Osceola (Ossie) Coleman. Daughter Ann Bouchillon mar-
ried Henry Fulcher. Son, Lucien, played the violin for us."
Liberty Universalist Church & Graveyard, 6.9 Miles Northeast
Of Louisville, Mississippi, On The Old Coleman Road. Turn
Right (Opposite Little Residence) Go .3 Miles To "White
Church As It Is Known There.
1. Moses Coleman 3/18/1832-7/25/1923.
2. Sallie Cooper Coleman (wife) 1/26/1837-3/12/1919.
3. Sallie Coleman (Dtr.) 8/28/1876-2/28/1923.
4. Velma, wife of Elbert Coleman, 12/23/1877-1/18/1919.
5. Lester, Son of E. F. & V. R. Coleman, 4/18/1917-5/31/1918.
6. Robert E. Coleman, 3/31/1873-8/27/1939.
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THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
7. Chester D. Coleman, Officers Training Camp, 4/27/1892
2/20/1938.
8. Jacob Feaster Coleman, 3/17/1845-7/6/1920.
9. Charlotte Pagan (wife), 1/31/1847-9/18/1910.
10. Clayton, son of J. F. & C. P., 4/3/1888-10/S/1895.
11. Hattie, Dtr. of J. F. & C. P., 1/11/1872-3/15/1896.
12 George B. Pagan, 7/28/18.16-7/25/1901.
13. Mrs. Susan Coleman, 1810-7/30/1894.
14. G. R. Coleman, died 5/20/1877, aged 70 years, 4 months, 16
days. (Griffin R.).
15. Regina Susan, Dtr. of G. R. & S., died 8/20/1857, aged 28 years
12 days.
16. W. R. Coleman, died 10/2/1884, age 4 years, 4 months.
17. Minnie Coleman Johnson, wife of Davis Yancy Johnson,
10/18/1872-9/19/1930.
18. Dollie Metz Coleman, wife of W. W. Coleman, 9/7/1846-
3/8/1931.
19. W. W. Coleman, Co. G 20th Miss. Reg. Lorings Division,
1/2/1842-3/21/1933.
20. Ossie Coleman Bouchillon, 6/16/1879-3/7/1919.
In the Metz Plot are the graves of George Y. Metz (1844-1915) and
Emily Fairfield Coleman Metz (1849-1936), with a list of their
children.
On September 15, 1949, returning from Jackson, Mississippi, we
(Mr. and Mrs. D. B. Clayton, Sr., and son Don) came by Louisville,
Mississippi, had lunch, and went out Northeast on the Louisville
Starkville Road, to Old Webster, there turned South, stopped at
Betheden Lutheran Church, then continued to Coleman Road and
returned to Louisville, after stopping at Liberty Church. The
following buried at Betheden:
1. Robert E. Lee, son of W. T. & S. F. Coleman, 2/23/1902-
8/5/1921.
2. Thomas P. Coleman, Co. I-150th Inf., b. 11/30/1894-d.
10/22/1918, in England.
3. Willie L., son of W. T. & S. F. Coleman, 3/14/1890-9/7/1906.
4. Wm. Thomas Coleman, 4/26/1855-7/25/1923.
5. Sarah Francis Coleman, wife of W. T., 6/11/1866-11/21/1928.
- 212 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
6. Alma Croft, wife of A. K. Coleman, 6/17/1879-12/14/1931.
7. A. K. Coleman, 10/10/1874-2/28/1945.
DEATH OF W. W. COLEMAN
One of Our County's Oldest and Most Esteemed
Citizens Passes
(WINSTON COUNTY JOURNAL)
After a lingering illness of several months, death claimed one
of our county's oldest and best known citizens, Mr. W. W. Coleman,
last Tuesday, March 21st 1933, at the home of his daughter, Mrs.
Kirk Bouchillon, in Bond community. Funeral services were held at
Universalist Church, of which he was a charter member, on
Wednesday, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and
relatives. Rev. J. C. Watson, of the Presbyterian Church,
Louisville, had charge of the services, assisted by Rev. J. L.
Ward, of Columbus, and Rev. Blum Wallace, of Shreveport. Mr.
Coleman was 91 years of age last January, and had resided all of
his life in the community in which he died, and held the high
esteem and friendship of all with whom he came in contact because
of his upright and honorable principles. Firm in his convictions he
could always be located upon any question at issue, and stood for
the right. He served loyally and bravely through the Confederate
War, and was loyal to the cause until death, taking an interest in
the Reunions so long as he was able to attend.
Bura Coleman, as he was familiarly known to his comrades and
friends, shed light and gladness by his presence, and in his
passing they have lost a true and tried friend.
Immediate relatives surviving, are: Mrs. Lola Caldwell, of
Macon, Mrs. Wayne Jones and Mrs. Kirk Bouchillon, daughters, and
one sister, Mrs. George Metts, all of this County.
Beginning at Page 180 of Lewis' History of Winston County is
found the history of Company D. of Perrin's Regiment of Cavalry of
which Robert O. Perrin, of Scooba, was Colonel and Henry L.
Muldrow, of Starkville, was Lt. Colonel. Moses W. Coleman, son of
Griffin Roe Coleman, was 2nd Sgt., and had a horse shot under him
in the charge at Kingston, Georgia, in 1864.
According to Pages 185 and 186, this organization fought in the
Army of Tennessee and was at Marietta, Kennesaw, Good Hope Church,
Peachtree Creek, and opposed Sherman all the way to Savannah. After
the surrender, they were in Jeff Davis' train and passed through
Unionville (Union) and to Washington, Georgia, where they
surrendered on May 9, 1865.
- 213 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Thus we see that a Winston County Coleman was one of those who
guarded the President of the Confederacy in his unsuccessful
flight South after Appomattox.
Jacob Feaster Coleman enlisted in the Confederate Army in June,
1863. He served in the twentieth Mississippi Regiment.
W. W. Coleman enlisted in 1861, Co. G., Twentieth Mississippi,
and was in prison at Camp Douglas at the time of the surrender.
LETTER FROM MRS. COOPER COLEMAN TO MRS. JENNIE I.
COLEMAN, OF FEASTERVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA
Louisville, Miss., March 23, 1924.
Dear Cousin Jennie:
l am really ashamed to write you, as I have just neglected to
write so long. Your letter to Uncle Mose on the 18th of March, his
birthday had he been living. He died last July the 26th, after
being confined to his bed for 3 weeks. His advanced age, and his
daughter Sallie's death, he lost all interest in life. He died at
his daughter, Polly's, at Mashulaville, but was brought back to his
own home and buried beside his loved ones that had gone before.
I deeply sympathize with you in the passing away of your dear
son. We all have the same great bereavement of being parted a
while from our loved ones. Some times I think if it was not for my
great faith in Universalism, I would not care to live, but I know
there is a good kind loving Father's hand in all our trials and
troubles in this life, and believe some time we will understand.
All the kinfolks you asked about are still living and doing
fine. Uncle Berry still has rheumatism and cannot get about much,
but is as fat as pig and often speaks of his trip to South
Carolina. (He went back to South Carolina in 1920). Oh, how I do
wish you would visit us again. Well, there has been one great
change in my life since you were here. I have only added "Mrs." to
my name. Cooper and I married the 28th of last October, and we are
living here at Uncle Moses old home place. Chester and George are
living at Papa's old home, only the two left now. Chester, you
know, has T.B., but is doing just fine. Weighs 196 lbs. Fat and
healthy, but must be very careful for several years yet.
Uncle Jack Cannon lives with his daughter. Brother Elbert's wife
died four years ago, and he married again last April, a widow with
three children. Brother Robert has moved to adjoining county
(Attala) to live
- 214 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
with Pearl's parents that were left by themselves. They are too old
and feeble to live alone.
Griffin and Florence have 3 healthy little children, a boy and 2
girls, still living at the same place. I stopped to go to Sunday
School at Old Liberty, but it began raining, so I cannot go.
(Signed) Tommie Coleman
WILEY W. COLEMAN
b. April 18,1815
d. March 20,1875
Buried at Mashulaville, Mississippi
Son of Wiley Coleman of South Carolina. Brother of William
Ragsdale Coleman, Mrs. Sophia Coleman, Mrs. Catherine Coleman
Robinson, and Griffin Ragsdale Coleman.
He married Mary (Polly), daughter of Solomon Coleman and Betty
Elam.
Moved to Winston County, Mississippi, 1844. Land Deed Book H,
Page 382.
In the Winston County Census of 1850, his wife is listed as
Mary, age 32, son Theophilus, 12, and daughter, Emma, age 2.
In the 1860 Census, the value of his real property is given at
$20,000, personal property at $50,000. The same children as in
1850, with the addition of William, age 6, born in Mississippi.
In the 1863 Personal Assessment Roll of Winston County he was
assessed with 40 slaves, 900 dollars loaned out at interest, two
pleasure carriages, 1 watch, 1 clock, 1 piano, and 35 head of
cattle.
Book M, Page 34. John Hardaway "of the Choctaw nation, West of
the State of Arkansas" sold to Wilie W. Coleman undivided one-half
West 1/2 Southeast 1/4 Section 2, Township 14, Range 14. l9
November, 1851.
Land Deed Book M. Page 540. William C. Coleman and Sophia
Coleman. 19 March, 1853. Sold to W. W. Coleman North 1/2 Southwest
1/4 East 1/2 Northwest 1/4 and Southeast 1/4 of Section 32, Township
15, Range 14.
William T. Coleman, son of Wylie W. Coleman and Mary Coleman was
known as Barley. He married Dody Shaw. They had two sons, buried at
Mashulaville. One was named Robert, whose grave is not marked, and
Edward, whose grave is marked. Wylie had a daughter, Mary (Molly)
who married Arthur Jernigan.
- 215 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
I am grateful to Mr. E. Q. Richards, of Macon, Mississippi, for
this information.
U. S. CENSUS OF 1860
WINSTON COUNTY
W. W. COLEMAN, 45,
Value Of real property, $20,000; Personalty, $50,000
born in S. C.
MARY, 43, b. S. C.
T. F., 21, b. S. C. (Theophilus)
EMMA, 11, b. Miss.
Wm., 6, b. Miss.
UNCLE ED COLEMAN OF NOXAPATER, MISSISSIPPI
One of my favorite friends was Mr. Ed Coleman, of Noxapater,
Mississippi. For many years he was Constable of District 5, Winston
County, and always served as special deputy at the Circuit Courts
when I was Judge and District Attorney. He was a favorite of all
who knew him.
He was the son of William H. Coleman who enlisted in Pickens
County, Alabama, on March 18, 1862, in the 19th Alabama, Joe
Wheeler's command. He was born July 20, 1829, and died January 23,
1908. He is buried in the Northeast corner of the Methodist
Cemetery at Noxapater.
William H. Coleman was the son of Henry Coleman, a Baptist
Minister, born in South Carolina.
Uncle Ed did not know the family history sufficiently to know
whether we were kinfolks. He was so much like all the other
Colemans that I always claimed kin with him.
Reverend Wayne Coleman, presently Pastor of the First Baptist
Church, Oxford, Mississippi, is an authority on this line of
Colemans. He is a grandson of Uncle Ed Coleman.
I did not want to leave Uncle Ed out of this Coleman Book.
JAMES COLEMAN
I have not been able to identify this Coleman. In the Winston
County census of 1850 he is listed as 45 years of age. He was born
in South Carolina. His wife, Cynthia, was 38, and born in North
Carolina.
- 216 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
The children were Harrison, 17; Elizabeth, 15; Mary, 12; George,
11; Nancy, 9; and Sarah, 5, all born in South Carolina except
Sarah, who was born in Mississippi.
LETTER FROM MRS. CHARLES C. WICKER
Louisville, Mississippi
September 14, 1956
Gov. J. P. Coleman
Ackerman, Miss.
Dear Mr. Coleman:
I am sure you will be surprised to get a letter or request not
asking for a job--maybe tho this is more than that--What I want so
badly is to get connected on our Coleman family line back to
Revolution so I.htm#N010503">I can get into the DAR's. Had thought I might get my
Triplett line but it seems it will take more time and MUCH more
money than I can get to get that done. You may not remember me but
I work here in Mr. Shelby Woodward's office and have been in here
10 1/2 years--my Paternal G- Grandfather was Griffin R. Coleman. His
sons were Mose--Jake & Walter and I don't know the daughters except
my Grandmother was Sallie or Sarah Coleman she married first my
Grandfather F. M. Triplett and had two sons Moses Walter, and
Albert G. Triplett. My Grandfather died during the Civil War, in
Macon. He was very ill and they were trying to get him home, but he
never made it. He never did see my Dad as he was born 6 months
before G-Dad died and after he had gone to the War. If you do have
the line run and would let me use it, could I come to Ackerman some
week-end, or of course it would be lots easier on me not having a
way to come if you would let Bro. Thrailkill have the material and
bring it to me. He is the father of my daughter-in-law. Anyway it
will suit you I would manage to get up there if you have time to
let me know if you have this data compiled and will let me copy it.
Thanking you for any consideration in this matter, I am
Sincerely yours,
S/ MRS. CHARLES C. WICKER
Mrs. Charles C. Wicker
208 Thelma St.
Louisville, Mississippi
- 217 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
Louisville Miss R #4
April 11-1915
Mrs. Jennie I. Coleman
Shelton, S. C.
Dear Jennie
Mott sent me your letter, so I.htm#N010553">I.htm#N010552">I thought I would write to you too. I
am Griffin Coleman's oldest son. My father came to Miss in 44. I was
born in S. C. I was 12 years old when he came to Miss. I stayed at
Uncle Henry Coleman two years & went to school at Feasterville to
L. F. W. Andrews. My father had three brothers Buck, Wiley &
Wyatt. I dont know how many sisters my father had. My mother was
Mose Cockrell's daughter. She was a Granddaughter of Andie
Feaster's. Mott Coleman & me are first cousins. His mother was my
father's sister, Sofie. Buck Coleman married a Head & moved to
Texas in 60. Wiley married Pollie Coleman he died here. Wyatt
married my mother's sister & died in S. C. I have two brothers,
Walter & Jake, four sisters Amanda, Sallie, Emiley & Susie. I will
not tell you any thing about Mott for he is going to write you a
long letter soon. I went to school with your father, he came to see
me in Miss in 53. I was with him when he killed the first deer he
ever killed. Ask me any question & if I.htm#N010597">I can ans. it I will gladly
do so.
Your Cousin
MOSE COLEMAN
Louisville, Miss.
March 23'd 1924
Dear Cousin Jennie,
I.htm#N010603">I am really ashamed to write you as I have just neglected to
write so long, but your letter to Uncle Mose on the 18th of March
his birthday had he been living, he died last July the 26th after
being confined to his bed for three weeks, his advanced age and
grieving over his daughter Sallie's death he lost all interest in
life. He died at his daughter Pollie's at Mashulaville but was
brought back to his own home and buried beside his loved ones that
had gone before.
`I deeply sympathize with you in the passing away of your dear
son. We all have the same great bereavement of being parted a
while from our love ones, some times I think if it was not for my
great faith in Universalism I would not care to live, but I know
there is a good kind
- 218 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
loving Father's hand in all of our trials & troubles in this life,
and believe some time we will understand.
All the kinfolks you asked about are still living and doing
fine. Uncle Berry still has rheumatism and cannot get about much
but is as fat as a pig and often speaks of his trip to S. C. Oh how
I do wish you could visit us again. Well there has been one great
change in my life since you was here. I have only had Mrs. added to
my name. Cooper and I married the 28th of last Oct and are living
here at Uncle Mose's old home place.
Chester & George are living at Papa's old home only them two
left there now. Chester you know has T.B. but is doing just fine
weighs 196 lb fat & healthy looking but must be very careful for
several years yet. We thought for over two years he could not live
but have great hopes now of him getting entirely over the attack.
Aunt Dump still have all her children with her.
Uncle Jack Cannon lives with his daughter, very feeble now.
I don't guess you are raising any chickens and having a garden.
I have 23 baby chicks and have my garden planted, but we are still
having winter here had a 12 in snow Mar 13th, only snow we had
this winter.
Cooper and I are in the creamery business milking 6 cows now.
Will have 15 to milk later this spring. I like it fine. Clara &
George are selling cream too they have about 20 cows in all. Lots
of farmers are selling cream since the Bollweevil gets all the
cotton in this country mighty little cotton planted here now.
Chickens eggs and cream are the mostly crop.
How is Cousin Mary give her my love & respects. You spoke of
Sister Robie her health is not very good she has 8 children living
and has two grown girls and three grown boys. Inez her oldest
daughter taught school this Winter. Brother Elbert's wife died 4
years ago and he married again last April, a widow with three
children.
Brother Robert has moved to adjoining county (Ittala) to live
with Pearl's parents that was left by themselves, they are too old
and feeble to live alone.
Griffin & Florence has three healthy looking children. A boy and
two girls they are doing fine and still live at the same place. I
will finish your letter. I stopped to go to Sunday School at Old
Liberty but it began raining so I.htm#N010664">I cannot go. I guess you saw in Our
Helper that Bro. Strain was preaching for us again that is every 3
months while when he can get loose from his Churches in Ga. He
wants to move his family to Miss.
- 219 - .
THE ROBERT COLEMAN FAMILY
must close now and feed my chickens and pick up the eggs. I get
between 30 and 40 eggs a day, also go to my turkey nest. I have
turkeys too. A housekeeper is kept busy most of the time. Please
forgive me and write to me sometimes tell Cousin Mary to write. I
guess she is busy with Grand babies. Wth much love and deep sympathy
to you in your great bereavement.
your loving Cousin
Tommie COLEMAN
- 220 - .
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