EIGHTH GENERATION

192. John W. Coker was born in 1690 in Brunswick Co., VA. He died after May 1759 in Greensville Co., VA. Notes for John W. Coker:
Will Book 3, Page 290

In the name of God Amen I John Cooker of Brunswick County in the Colony of Virginia Being sick and Weak of Body but in my perfect Sence and Memory Thanks be to God for the Same do make my last will and Testament in manner of form following. First I Give and bequeath my Soul to God who gave it to me and my Body to the Ground to be Buried in a Decent manner at The Discretion of my Executors hereafter ~
Mentioned in Sure and Certain hope of Joyful resurrection Through Jesus Christ my only Savior & redeemer ~ and what worldly goods God hath been pleased to bestow upon I give and bequeath as followeth:

My will and Desire is that my Lawful Debts of my Funeral Charges be payed and Discharged all The residue of my Estate I let and Lend to my loving Wife Priscela Cooker for and During her natural Life and after her decease Equally to be Divided amongst my Children (Viz.) William Cooker John Coker; James Coker, Joseph Coker, Robert Coker and Honour Smith & Mary Floyd

Also I Constitute and appoint my Son James Coker The whole and Sole Executor of This my last will and Testament Revoking all former and other wills & Bequests by me made Ratifying and Confirming this only to be my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have thereunto put my hand & affixed my Seal this 16th Day of December 1758 Inpresence of: John Coker (LS)
Jno Campbell
John Atkinson
Nathan ^ Dorth (^represents "his mark" - could not sign his name)

Page 291
At a Court held for Brunswick County the 22 Day of May 1759 This will was presented in Court by James Coker The Executor Therein Named who made Oath Thereto according to Law ~and the Same being proved by The Oaths of John Atkinson and Nathan Dortch two of The witnesses Thereto was ordered to be Recorded and on The motion of the said Executor who Entered into Bond with John Spence his Security in The Penalty of five Hundred pounds Conditions according to Law, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate Thereof in Due form
Test Arch Wager (illegible - may be sign for clerk)
(In places throughout this recording of the will, the 2nd o in Cooker is marked out.-Coker then.) THIS DOCUMENT TRANSCRIBED BY ELIZABETH C. JONES.



John's Family

Spouse: Priscilla Geddings married 1710
Children: William Coker, John Coker, James Coker, Joseph Coker, Robert Coker, Mary Coker, Caleb Coker, Honour Coker, Priscilla Coker, Bryan Coker
ABT 1710 in of,Surry,VA


John's Heritage

Parents: William Coker, Mary Cartwright
Siblings: James Coker, Thomas Coker, Caleb Coker
He was married to Priscilla Geddings about 1710.

193. Priscilla Geddings was born about 1693 in Brunswick Co., VA. She died after 1728. Children were:

i. William Coker was born in 1712 in Surry,VA. Comments: Notes for William Coker:
Research of Elizabeth C. Jones

William Coker became a resident of Northampton Co., NC.
+ 9 November 1757 - Northampton Co., NC, Deed Book 2, p413 - Granville Co., NC grant to William Coker of Northampton Co., NC - 118 acres adjoining Jack's Swap, the county line, Machin's Henry Arthur Smith and Fountain Creek.

The next three entries are taken from Abstracts of Minutes of the Court of Pleans and Quarter Sessions, Rowan Co., NC, 1763-1774, Jo White Lynn
+ 9 Feb 1763 - William Coker on jury, Rowan Co., NC - Vol. 2, p461.
+ 14 Apr 1763 - William Coker on jury, Rowan Co., NC - Vol. 2, p457
+ 16 Apr 1763 - William Coker on jury, Rowan Co., NC - Vol. 2, p461
+ 9 Feb 1766 - Rowan Co., NC - Deed Book 6, p269. Abraham Whitworth, Jr. to William Coker - 357 acres on the east side of the Dan River opposite Cheraw (Saura) Town. (This is in NC and not Cheraws District, SC. There is no doubt this has caused great confusion among researchers. Much later in time there was a William Coker in SC, Cheraws, but not this man.)

The next two entries taken from North Carolina Taxpayers, 1761-1786. Compiler, Clarence E. Ratliff.
+ 1771 - Surry Co., NC - William Coker
+ 1772 - Surry Co., NC - William Coker

+ 16 Feb 1773 - Surry Co., NC - Deed Book 4, p34-35. William Coker sold 175 acres on the east side of the Dan River adjoining Jerry Bradley for 60 pounds. (Note: Surry Co. was formed from Rowan in 1770.)
+ 1774 - William Coker appeared on Charles McAnally's list of taxpayers in Surry Co., NC - Journal of Surry County Genealogical Society - p7, Vol. IV, #2, Apr 1984. PO Box 997, Dobson, NC 27017
+ 28 Feb 1778 - Surry Co., NC - William Coker and wife, Mary, sold to Amos Ladd for 200 pounds, 182 acres on the east side of the Dan River adjoining Jerry Bradley, Joseph Carmichael, Solomon Stone, William Carmichael. The two land sales amounted to William's entire grant. (Surry County, North Carolina Abstracts, Deed Books A, B, and C, 1770-1788, Abstracted and Compiled, Corrected and Revised by Mrs. W. O. Absher, G. R. S. - Southern Historical Press, % The Rev. S. Emmett Lucas, Jr., PO Box 738, Easley, SC 29640, p14.)
The next entries are taken from Surry County, North Carolina Court Minutes Abstracts, Vol. 1, (1768-1785), Absher and Hayes, p41.
+ 17 Feb 1782 - William Coker sued by James Condon.
+ 6 Jun 1788 - Laurens Co., SC - Deed Book B., p350 - William Coker and wife, Mary, to James Brown for 1100 pounds, 150 acres. Part of 300 acre grant of 23 December 1771 to Rolly Brown on south side of Enoree River. Witnesses: John Farrow, John Brown.

1788 is the last record of William. In 1790 two William Cokers appeared on the US Census for NC - one in Edgecombe County and one in Burke County. In 1790 two William Cokers appeared on the US Census for SC - one in Cheraws District and one in Orangeburg District. The likelihood of William going back to NC seems slim. Both SC Williams have households which appear entirely too young for William. In regard to this reasoning based on the foregoing - William either died in Laurens - probably before 1790 - or moved to another state.


William's Heritage

Parents: John W. Coker, Priscilla Geddings
Siblings: John Coker, James Coker, Joseph Coker, Robert Coker, Mary Coker, Caleb Coker, Honour Coker, Priscilla Coker, Bryan Coker
He died about 1790.
ii. John Jr. Coker was born in 1714 in Surry,VA. Comments: Notes for John Coker:
Research of Elizabeth C. Jones

In 1769 John was in Northampton Co., NC. He signed for Joseph Coker who was in Dobbs Co., NC.
+ 10 Feb 1769 - Northampton Co., NC - Deed Book 4, p320. Joseph Coker signed by mark of John Coker. Joseph was of Dobbs Co., NC, to Burwell Bass - 300 acres in Northampton Co., NC. (Note: William Coker sold his land to Thomas Bass of Brunswick Co., VA.)
It is not known if John ever occupied this land. William did live in Northampton Co. and John lived and died there.
+ 2 Nov 1778 - Northampton Co., NC - Will Book A, 1762-1791, p309. John left his will. He did not name his wife by name. He named two sons, John and Joshua, and referred to the rest as "all my children". Both John and Joshua were named executors of the will.

From the will of William Robinson/Robertson (names interchangeable in old records) who left a will in Sumter Co., SC: He named a wife, Mary, and step-sons, Joshua and Noah Coker. From this will, John's wife, Mary, may possibly be determined and also one of his sons Noah. John Robertson's will is located in Sumter Co. Will Book A, p12. Taking the assumption this will named the wife of John of Northampton, Noah Coker becomes one of the unnamed children in John's will. Three of John's sons then are known: John, Joshua, and Noah.


John's Heritage

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

iii. James Coker was born in 1714 in James City, VA. Comments: Notes for James Coker:
Research of Elizabeth C. Jones

James Coker remained in the state of Virginia until his death. He left a will in Greenville Co., VA, Clerk's Office of Circuit Court, Greensville Co., VA, Will Book 1, p228. James' will was made 30 Nov 1792 and probated Aug 1793. James named his wife, Ann; son, Thomas (under age 21); three daughters referred to as "my three children": Sally, Dolly, Lucy; "my grandson", Jesse Coker, identified as son of Darkis; "my daughter, Betsy Massey; and Frances Eppes. Who Frances Eppes was is unknown. Witnesses were Frances Eppes, Batte Peterson and Benjamin Coker.



James's Heritage

Parents: John W. Coker, Priscilla Geddings
Siblings: William Coker, John Coker, Joseph Coker, Robert Coker, Mary Coker, Caleb Coker, Honour Coker, Priscilla Coker, Bryan Coker
He died before Aug 1793 in Greensville Co., VA.
iv. Joseph Coker was born in 1715 in James City, VA. Comments: Notes for Joseph Coker:
Research of Elizabeth C. Jones

Joseph remained in Brunswick Co., VA through 1763-64. This is arrived at through an accurate transcription of the Revolutionary War pension application papers of a Thomas Coker, soldier #30957, believed to be Joseph's son. Through this accurate transcription a birth year may be ascertained for Thomas. While his pension papers say he was born in Brunswick Co., NC, it is rather apparent this is an error. On examination of the pension papers both Brunswick County and North Carolina are written in a smaller, paler hand - as though filled in possibly at a later date. Brunswick Co., VA surely seems more accurate than a spot on the NC coast far to the south - in fact, almost in SC.

Joseph sold land in Northampton in 1769. Whether he lived on this land is unknown.
+ 10 Feb 1769 - Northampton Co., NC - Deed Book 4, p320. Joseph Coker sold Northampton Co. land (signed by John Coker). Joseph was of Dobbs Co., NC at that time. This was 300 acres to Burwell Bass of Brunswick Co., VA. (Note: John Coker had power of attorney for Joseph.) It is logical a brother would be given power of attorney to sign for another brother.

Joseph left Dobbs and was in Surry Co., NC by 1771 as were both William and Robert The following two entries from North Carolina Taxpayers, 1701-1786, compiled by Clarence E. Ratliff:
+ 1771 - Tax List - Surry Co., NC: Joseph Coker, William Coker and Robert Coker.
+ 1772 - Tax List - Surry Co., NC: Joseph Coker, William Coker, Robert Coker and Solomon Coker.
+ 1774 - Tax List - Surry Co., NC: Joseph Coaker and Robert Coaker with son Thomas Coker - both appear on M. Armstrong's list of taxpayers. (Next to Robert is listed Nathan Hill, a boy Robert received guardianship for while residing in Dobbs Co. - Note: Joseph was of Dobbs at one time also.) William appeared on Charles McAnallys's Surry tax list in 1774. - The Armstrong list came out in the Dobson NC Journal in Vol. 4, Book 3, p253.
+ 3 Apr 1780 - Surry Co., NC - Deed Book B, p88 - Entry from Surry County, North Carolina Deed Books, A, B, and C, (1770-1785), Mrs. W. O. Absher. 200 acres on Big Bean Shoal Creek, water of Yarkin(sic) (Yadkin) River near mouth of said creek.

The following two entries from Surry County North Carolinas Court Minutes, Abstracts,
Vol. 1 (1768-1785), Absher and Hayes.
+ 15 Nov 1781 - Surry Co., NC - Joseph Coker on a jury in Surry Co.
+ 12 Feb 1782 - Surry Co., NC - Solomon Coker (dec'd) Nuncupitive (oral) will - Joseph Coker and David Poindexter, executors, Surry Co.

Joseph Coker is not located on any census for North Carolina in 1790. Joseph Carker is located in Laurens Co., SC in 1790.
+ 20 Mar 1790 - Laurens Co., SC - Will Book A, p71. Will of Joseph Coker - probated 1792. Joseph named his wife, Mary, and sons Thomas, Calvin, Drury and John. It is stated that John was the joungest. Drury was executor and witnesses were: William Hellams, Thomas Coker and Martin Dial.


Joseph's Heritage

Parents: John W. Coker, Priscilla Geddings
Siblings: William Coker, John Coker, James Coker, Robert Coker, Mary Coker, Caleb Coker, Honour Coker, Priscilla Coker, Bryan Coker
He died between 1792 and 1795.
96 v. Robert Coker.
vi. Mary Coker was born in 1720 in Surry,VA.

Comments: Notes for Mary Coker:
Research of Elizabeth C. Jones

Mary married a Floyd. A John Floyd left a will in Northampton Co., NC. The will was dated 3 Aug 1756 and went to probate in Nov 1756. John named the following sons: Morrise, Thomas, William, Stephen, Jesse, John. He named one daughter, Elizabeth Cooker (Coker?). He named his wife, Mary, and executors were his sons Thomas and William. Witnesses were Charles Campbell and James Stanton (Will book and page for reference not available).

Several things should be noticed about the will. A Charles Campbell witnessed the will of John of Brunswick, also, John Floyd died two years before John Coker. Mary could have been wife of one of John Floyd's boys. Mary for now must remain in the realm of the unknown with a best guess - wife of one of John Floyd's sons.


Mary's Heritage

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

vii. Caleb Coker was born in 1722 in Surry,VA.
viii. Honour Coker was born in 1725 in Surry,VA. Comments: Notes for Honour Coker:
Research of Elizabeth C. Jones

Virtually nothing is known of Honour Coker other than the fact that she married a Smith. William Coker's land grant in Granville was bounded on one side by land belonging to Henry Arthur Smith. William owned the grant for one year only and never resided on it. Smith is a very, very common name. To make a connection here would be foolish.


Honour's Heritage

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

ix. Priscilla Coker was born in 1726 in Surry,VA.
x. Bryan Coker was born in 1728 in Surry,VA.