SEVENTH GENERATION

96. Robert Coker was born in 1718 in Surry,VA. He died about 1789 in SC. Comments: Notes for Robert Coker:
North Carolina Taxpayers, page 42
1769 Tax List:
North Carolina, Dobbs County
Robert Coker and sons; Thomas and Nathaniel

1771 Tax List, North Carolina, Surry County
Robert Coker

1772 Tax List, North Carolina, Surry County
Robert Coker

1774 Tax List, North Carolina, Surry County
Martin Armstrongs List:
Robert Coker and son Thomas Coker 2; Sampson BRAZEAL 1; adj John Brown 1; adj Joseph Coker 1; adj William Harrison and son Robert Harrison 2;.......

(Solomon Coker, another son of Robert died in Surry County in 1781. Nathaniel has never been found after the Dobbs County list)

Deed
12 November, 1778
North Carolina, Surry County.
Joseph Winston-His Entry Book, Land Entries, 1778-1781.
Robert Coker enters 400 acres..Surry County...Toms Creek. Warrant granted to Thomas Coker.
(Micajah Clark also lived on Toms Creek.

Patent
South Carolina
3 March, 1789
Robert Coker, plat for 100 acres on Big Creek, Ninety Six district surveyed by Jonathan Clark.

===========================================
Research of Elizabeth C. Coker

Robert Coker, based on years of research, is the best candidate located for the father of Thomas Coker who died in Bibb Co., Alabama, 1818. Thomas of Bibb was born in 1755 according to Mrs. A. B. (Sue) Denny who obtained the information from Mrs. Ethel Bonner. Mrs. Bonner was in possession of a Coker Bible which belonged to Jonathan Clark Coker, son of Thomas of Bibb. Both Mrs. Denny and Mrs. Bonner are descendants of Thomas of Bibb. The same Jonathan Clark Coker mentioned above gave North Carolina as the birthplace of his father, Thomas of Bibb, on the US Census for Clay Co., AL in 1880. Considering the birthplace and birthdate given above as correct and going under the assumption Robert was father of Thomas of Bibb, it may be said Robert was in NC by 1755.

The following references are from Johnston County, NC Court Minutes, 1759-1766, Book 1, by Waynette Parks Haun, 243 Argonne Drive, Durham, NC 27704.
+ (Haun, p71) (Book p146-76) 3rd Tuesday in Apr 1763 - "Inventory of the Estate of Lewis Hill exhibited into Court by Doys. Wright and ordered to be filed."
+ (Haun p73) (Book p149) 3rd Tuesday in Apr 1763 - "Ordered that Dionysius Wright be appointed Guardn to Nathaniel Hill Orphan of Lewis Hill Decd. On his giving Joshua..., etc."
+ (Haun p89) (Bookp182-94) 17 Jan 1764 - "Order'd that the following persons be sum'd to our next Court in order to make it appear if they can, that Dionys. Wright neglects to do his Duty to the Orphans of Lewis Hill Dec'd., viz. Theops. Hunter, Esqr. and John Myott."
+ (Haun p95) (Book p193) 16 Oct 1764 - "Robert Coker came into Court & pray'd that he might be appointed Guardian to Nath'l Hill Orphan of Lewis Hill Decd. & offers for Security Elisha Thomas & Thomas Tomlinson which are excepted of by the Court."
+ Dobbs Co., NC (formerly Johnston Co.), 1769: Item from Ratliff Tax List cited earlier - Robert Coker appeared on a tax list for Dobbs Co., NC. He was listed as having sons: Thomas, Nathaniel and Solomon. Joseph Coker was a resident of Dobbs in 1769 when John Coker of Northampton Co., NC sold his Northampton land for him.
+ 1771 - Guilford Co., NC - Item from Buffalo Church and Her People, the Reverend S. M. Rankin - Robert Coker was living on North Buffalo Creek in 1771 in Guilford Co., NC.
+ 1772 - Guilford Co., NC marriage - from same reference as above - John Scott married Mary Coker. (Note: Guilford Co. was formed from Rowan Co. and Orange Co. in 1770. Buffalo Creek is on line between what was Surry and Guilford Counties. Today that line is between Stokes and Rockingham. This Mary could have been a daughter of Robert Coker. It could be significant that a John Scott appeared on page 17 of the Pendleton , SC US Census in 1800 and Thomas Coker [Thomas of Bibb] appeared on page 18 of same census.)
+ 1771 - Tax List - Surry Co., NC (Cited earlier - Ratliff) - Robert Coker, William Coker, Joseph Coker. (Accounting of sons not given.)
+ 1772 - Tax List - Surry Co., NC (cited earlier - Ratliff) Robert Coker, William Coker, Joseph Coker, Solomon Coker. The premise is these, Robert, William and Joseph, are the three brothers who left Brunswick Co., VA, sons of John of Brunswick. A second premise is Solomon, listed as son of Robert in Dobbs, has now reached the age of 21 years and therefore has his own listing.

The Journal of Surry County Genealogical Association printed the Surry County tax lists for the year 1774 (P. O. Box 997, Dobson, NC 27017) The following entries appeared:
+ Vol. IV, No. 2, Apr 1984, p7 - Cha. McAnally's List Taken 1774 - William Coker 1
+ Vol. IC, No. 3, Jul 1984, p6 - M. Armstrong's List 1774 - Robert Coaker with son Thomas 2. Immediately following Robert Coaker and Thomas is listed Neathen Hill 1. This listing of Thomas still with his father indicated he was not yet 21 years. This ties in with birthdate 1755 given by Mrs. Denny. It also fits with later census records. The Neathen Hill appears to be the boy Robert accepted guardianship for back in Johnston (Dobb) Co. Solomon did not appear on this list, however, Joseph Coaker 1, does appear a short distance below Robert. (Note: 1774 the three brothers are on Surry tax lists - Joseph, Robert and William.)
+3 Apr 1780 - Grant Book 41, p37, File 298 - Surry Co., NC - North Carolina grant to Robert Coker - location: Chestnut Creek and waters of Tom's Creek.
+ 14 Nov 1780 - Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes, Abstracts, Vol 1 (1768-1785), Absher and Hayes - Robert Coker and Jesse Bumps (executors) Will
of Richard Varnel, 7 Jun 1780, Surry Co., NC. (This is a curiosity: Richard Varnell left all his earthly goods, so it seems, to his "friend" Hannah Coker and her two children, the youngest whose name is Robert and to her child which she is "pregnant" with. The immediate thought is Hannah's children are Richard's also, however, Solomon Coker is deceased also. The exact time is not known. He died intestate. His will is recorded and inventory taken in Feb Court 1782. This is pure speculation: Could Solomon have been the father of Hannah's children? Solomon, it seems, could have precedeased Richard. Estates are not settled and recorded immediately upon death. No reason for a closeness between Richard and Cokers is apparent.)

+ 6 Apr 1789 - Robert Coker received a land grant in 96 District on Big Creek of Big Generostee This is Pendleton, SC land on SC/GA line. This land had been surveyed by Jonathan Clark for him 31 Mar 1787. NC took a state census of 1784 - neither Robert or son Thomas appeared in this enumeration. The census it was learned, though called 1784 was not taken until 1786-87. It is assumed Thomas and Robert had moved on by then.

+ 1790 - Laurens County, Heads of Families, First Census of the United States - 1790. South Carolina. South Carolina Heritage Series, No. 6, p75. The case can be made the Carkers who showed up in Laurens County were really Cokers. The following are found very, very close together: Robert, Philip, James, Robert, John and Joseph. Joseph left a will in Laurens in 1792. Researchers badly wish for Joseph to have gone to the Cheraws in SC but it doesn't fit. These people seem to be the Cokers of interest.

+ 3 Jun 1797 - 18 Jul 1797, Laurens Co., SC - Robert Coker to Philip Coker for 40 pounds sterling, part of original grant to John Abercrombie 1 Dec 1769 by Bull - North Side Rebourns Creek bourdered on James Abercrombie. Wit: Robert Coker, Jr., William Hellams, John Coker, JP.
+ 24 Jul 1797 - Laurens Co., SC Deed Book F, p303 - Robert Coker, Sr. to James Coker for 20 pounds sterling, 100 acres on south side of Raiborn Creek, bordered by James Abercrombie, Big Sarvey, Richard Owens, original grant 21 Dec 1779 by William Bull. Witnesses: Thomas Coker, Robert Coker, Jr., John Coker, JP. (Possibly these references have led researchers to believe Robert Coker married an Ann Abercrombie. Maybe he did. Back in Surry in 1779 Thomas Coker gave his mother, Ann, a slave as a gift of love.)
+ 1800 - US Census - Laurens Co., SC - Robert Coker, Sr. is enumerated as age 45 up and his wife the same. He is found on page 18. He and wife are only household members. On this same page are listed what seem to be Joseph's boys.
+ 1805 - 1805 Georgia Land Lottery Virginia S. Wood and Ralph Wood - two Robert Cokers are listed. Both are listed as residents of Jackson Co., GA.
+ 1807 - 1807 Georgia Land Lottery - Virginia S. Wood and Ralph Wood - Robert Coker, Sr. is listed without county of residence. He drew land in Wilkinson Co., GA.

Because a person drew a lot of land doesn't imply he moved on to the land. This entry concludes information in regard to Robert Coker, Sr. It appears likely he spent his last days in Jackson Co.




Robert's Family

Spouse: Ann Abercrombie married
Children: Nathaniel Coker, Solomon Coker, Thomas Coker, Phillip Coker


Robert's Heritage

Parents: John W. Coker, Priscilla Geddings
Siblings: William Coker, John Coker, James Coker, Joseph Coker, Mary Coker, Caleb Coker, Honour Coker, Priscilla Coker, Bryan Coker

97. Ann Abercrombie. Children were:

i. Philip Coker was born in 1766 in NC. Comments: Notes for Philip Coker, Sr.:
Research by:

Charlotte Tucker
201 Los Encinos Ranch Road email: cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com
Wimberley, TX 78676

It's not known if Phillip (1766) left a will and there is no proof of his death date, but using any available record, following is a possible partial list of his children. It should be noted again that this is only speculative and has not been documented.

1. Thompson Coker
2. Phillip Coker, Jr.
3. Robert (A.? - Albert?) Coker
4. John Wesley Coker
5. Ann Coker
6. Hannah Coker
7. Nathan Coker

Children of Philip Coker, Sr. are:
24 i. Thompson4 Coker, born Bet. 1785 - 1788 in NC/SC.

Notes for Thompson Coker:
Research by:

Charlotte Tucker
201 Los Encinos Ranch Road email: cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com
Wimberley, TX 78676

Shown in "Index to Georgia
Tax Digests", Vol. IV, p54, 1810 Tax List, Jackson Co., Hays District. (Philip
Coker was shown in same county and district, p56.) "Jackson County, GA
Inferior Court Minutes - Dec 1809 - "Thompson Coker, Philip Coker et al ordered
to work on the road under John Pennington, Overseer. The road running from
John's Mill to intersect the road leading from Wood's Bringe to the Appalachee
River near Pennington Mills - that is from the new bridge on the Mulberry to said road."
New record - same source - "Thompson Coker appointed constable in William
Pentecost's district."
New record - same source, Jul 1816 - "Philip Coker's name drawn as a juror for
ensuing term."
The above information concerning Thompson/Phillip was provided by Elizabeth C. Jones.

Next found record is Thompson Coker, 1830 Shelby Co., AL census, p255:
1 male b 1820-25; 1 male b 1815-20: 1 male b 1780-1790
2 females b 1825-30; 1 female b 1820-25; 1 f b 1815-20; 1 f b 1780-90
(Shelby Co. census: p267: John W. Coker; p268: Robert Coker, Phillip Coker; p275: Philip Coker.)

Other brief references to Thompson found in "History of Coosa Co., Alabama", Rev. George E. Brewer, Southern Historical Press, follow. "Was appointed J. P./constable ca 1834, resigned 1837; in 1836, court ordered new road from Thompson Coker's......."

Summation on Thompson Coker: He probably married ca 1810-15, Jackson Co., GA, to (Mary? Unknown). No other mention is found in Alabama 1840 census records for Thompson Coker.

Note: A widow, Mary Coker, is shown as head of household on 1840 Coosa County census. According to descendants of this Mary Coker, she and some of her children moved to MS near a possible kinsman of her husband. The kinsman's name was Robert A. Coker (see more).

Source: Charlotte Tucker <cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com>

25 ii. Nathan Coker, born Bet. 1790 - 1800.

Notes for Nathan Coker:
Research by:

Charlotte Tucker
201 Los Encinos Ranch Road email: cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com
Wimberley, TX 78676

A possible son of Phillip (b 1764). Nathan was shown on 1840 Coosa Co census and was not named as a son of Thomas (d 1818). Nothing more is known about Nathan. It would be interesting to see a list of his children so that we could identify any naming patterns.

Source: Charlotte Tucker <cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com>

+ 26 iii. Phillip Coker, Jr., born Abt. 1794 in SC.
+ 27 iv. Robert Albert Coker, born July 30, 1798 in SC; died 1869 in Pontotoc, MS.
+ 28 v. Anna Coker, born Bet. 1800 - 1804.
29 vi. John Wesley Coker, born Abt. 1802 in GA; died Bef. 1860 in Randolph Co., AL. He married Nancy White Bassett October 27, 1823 in Bibb Co., AL.

Notes for John Wesley Coker:
Research by:

Charlotte Tucker
201 Los Encinos Ranch Road email: cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com
Wimberley, TX 78676

This is my family and I have extensive data on descendants. Please contact me if you are interested.

Source: Charlotte Tucker <cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com>

More About John Coker and Nancy Bassett:
Marriage: October 27, 1823, Bibb Co., AL

30 vii. Hanna Coker, born Bet. 1805 - 1806. She married Harris Spiers July 02, 1821 in Bibb Co., AL.

Notes for Hanna Coker:
Research by:

Charlotte Tucker
201 Los Encinos Ranch Road email: cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com
Wimberley, TX 78676

According to research of Reginald Speir and Bobbie Speir Jarvinan

Source: Charlotte Tucker <cmtgwt@wimberley-tx.com>

Marriage Notes for Hanna Coker and Harris Spiers:
The certificate written to the Clerk of Bibb Co [AL] giving permission for Hannah to marry Harris is written and signed by "Philip (one L) Coker, Father. Dated July the 2nd, 1821.



More About Harris Spiers and Hanna Coker:
Marriage: July 02, 1821, Bibb Co., AL




Phillip's Family

Spouse: <NoName> married
Children: Thompson Coker, Nathan Coker, Phillip Jr Coker, Robert Albert Coker, Anna Coker, John Wesley Coker, Hanna Coker


Phillip's Heritage

Parents: Robert Coker, Ann Abercrombie
Siblings: Nathaniel Coker, Solomon Coker, Thomas Coker

ii. Nathaniel Coker.
iii. Solomon Coker died in 1781 in Surry Co., NC..
48 iv. Thomas Coker.