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Samuel Coate

Samuel Coate[1, 2]

Male 1670 - Aft 1723  (53 years)    Has 6 ancestors and more than 100 descendants in this family tree.

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  • Name Samuel Coate 
    Birth 10 Nov 1670  Lambrook, Co. Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death Aft 22 Nov 1723  Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Siblings 5 Siblings 
    Person ID I201964  Geneagraphie
    Last Modified 7 Mar 2001 

    Father John Coate,   b. Abt 1618   d. 29 Dec 1699, Kingsbury Mm, Co. Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 81 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth Humphries   d. Dec 1720 
    Marriage 29 Dec 1663  Kingsbury Mm, Co. Somerset, England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F82794  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Mary Saunders   d. Aft 1733 
    Marriage 6 Jan 1695  Falls Mm, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Samuel Coate,   b. 3 Jan 1696, Neshanning, Middletown Mm, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 28 Jan 1736, Bethlehem, Hunterdon, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 40 years)
    +2. John Coate,   b. Aug 1699   d. Abt Jun 1751, Kingwood, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 51 years)
    +3. Henry Coate,   b. 1700, Kingwood Mm, Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Abt May 1784, Newberry Co., South Carolina, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 84 years)
    +4. William Coate,   b. Aft 1701, Amwell , Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1767 (Age 66 years)
    +5. Marmaduke Coate,   b. Aft 1702   d. May 1749, Burlington, New Jersey, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 46 years)
     6. Elizabeth Coate,   b. Aft 1704, Buckinghammon Mm, Bucks, Pennsylvania, USA Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1743 (Age 39 years)
    Family ID F82806  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 7 Mar 2001 

  • Notes 
    • Samuel Coate from Somersetshire, England supposedly first appears in Pennsylvania with his father, John Coate in 1685. (C-568) In 1699, through an instrument in writing, his father gave him 200 acres of land that he had purchased on Mar 13, 1689 from Israel Taylor. Samuel, himself, had purchased 23 more acres from this same Israel Taylor on Nov. 16, 1696. After his father's death, in late 1699 or early 1700, Samuel sold the land he inherited from his father John and settled in Burlington Co., NJ. One source entitled, "The Samuel Coate Family" says that Samuel settled near his brother, Marmaduke, who came over in 1717 and settled in Burlington Co. as proved by the will of Ann Coate, widow of Marmaduke. (1929) (C-549d) I believe this brother relationship to be an error as John Coate had a son Samuel but no known son, Marmaduke. It is more likely that Samuel and Marmaduke were first cousins and this was the kinship referred to in Ann Coate's will. Another possible way the "Samuel Coate Family" erred in saying he lived near his brother, Marmaduke, is that Samuel did live fairly near his older brother James, who came to Philadelphia. James and his other brother Henry supposedly came over after their father, John and brother Samuel. (C-1542)

      He appears often in Quaker records in the Middletown Monthly Meeting of Friends, Bucks Co., PA. He signed a testimony against the sale of "rum or other strong liquors to the Indian" on 11/5/1687. He witnessed several marriages: 1) Jeffery Hawkins and Ellen Pierson on 9/21/1687 at the home of the bride, 2) William Smith and Mary Cronasdale on 1/12/1688, and 3) his elder brother James and Mary Watson at the Philadelphia Meeting House on 12/8/1691/92. He was a member of the Grand Jury of the Quarter Sessions Court in Bucks County, PA on 7/13/1693. He was a road juror ordered by the court to help lay out a cart road from Newtown to the ferry house at a session dated 10/1693, the second Wednesday of the month. He declared his intention to marry Mary Sanders on 11/3/1694/5 at the Middletown Meeting. Samuel and Mary also declared their intention to marry at the Falls Meeting on 12/6/1694/5 also. It appears they went to both meeting houses a second time to inform all interested family and friends of their intent to marry on 12/7/1694/5 and 1/6/1694/5 before proceeding to marry. Samuel was on a Petit Jury on 10/9/1696 and a grand jury on 7/14/1698 and 1/8/1698/9.

      In 1700, after his move to Burlington Co., NJ, there is a Samuel Coate who was listed as one of the men who helped survey and lay out a by-road for accomodating the "back inhabitants" leading into the Kings Road. (C-1668) Since he is the only Samuel I know of living in Burlington Co., NJ in 1702, the following records also likely apply to him. He and Samuel Beard acknowledged to the court that they owed the King forty lbs which was to be levied on their goods, chattles and tenements on condition that Samuell Coates keep the peace particularly toward Elizabeth White and Elizabeth Brown. These two women had attested to the court that they were afraid he would abuse or ravish them and felt their lives were in danger. The court then ordered Samuel Coates to find security to prove his intention was peaceful. Samuel was also charged with four others of neglecting service on the road in that year. In that same year in court, Samuel was named as one of the new Constables from Burlington. These records were summarized in "The Burlington Court Book, a Record of Quaker Jurispurdence in West New Jersey, 1680-1709" by H. Clay Reed. (C-1673)

      On 1/10/1702/3, he submitted the purchase of a deed for 3 acres of land in Newtown, with the deed dated 9/16/1696. He appears to have sold that land plus 19 other acres to Shadrack Walley on that same day, 1/10/1702/3 and then submit it to the courts on 7/8/1703. In 1705 he was named as a Grand Juror in the court records. (C-1673)

      He and his family took a certificate to Buckingham from Burlington on March 6, 1723 (the same year he died). Quaker minutes mention sons John and Henry and in the Women's minutes from Buckingham it mentions Mary Coate and daughter Elizabeth. (C-549c, 995, 1086)

      Samuel purchased the land they moved to in 1723 on April 17, 1722: 400 acres of land in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co. from Robert Eaton. Samuel Coate was listed as of Springfield, Burlington Co., NJ at the time. He also purchased an additional adjoining 100 acres according to the deed where his son William sells 150 acres of the land in 1728. He was a carpenter and appears to have established a ferry service there known as Coate's Ferry on the Delaware River. Opposite him was a service owned by John Wells known as "Wells ferry" on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware. It is interesting to note that this ferry service later became known as Coryell's Crossing and was where Washington crossed the Delaware in the Revolutionary War and is the scene of the famous painting of same.

      On Aug. 24, 1723, John Bainbridge, Samuel Coate, Thomas Curtis, Joshua Anderson, Andrew Smith, and Nathaniel Leonard, freeholders, received tax money from Capt. Ralph Hunt for the running of the government in Maidenhead, Hopewell, Amwell and Trenton Townships, NJ. I have no further details in his involvement in running the townships than this record in the deeds of NJ. (C-2152)

      After Samuel's death in 1723, his land on the hill along Yoark Road went to sons William, John, and Henry. His will was written Nov. 22, 1723 and proved Jan. 8, 1723/24. It lists wife Mary, children: John, Henry, William, Marmaduke, Samuel and Elizabeth. (C-549d, 1078, 1433) In his will, he is referred to as Samuel Coate, Gentleman, of Amwell, Hunterdon Co., NJ. An inventory of his personal estate at the time included a clock, 214 pounds, a bible and other books. He bequethed 200 aces to son John, 200 to son Henry and the rest to son William. His Executors were sons, John and Henry. It was witnessed by Jon Holcombe, John Wells, and Benjamin Willcocks. The inventory of his estate dated Dec. 23, 1723 included a clock, the family bible and other books and was made by George Green and John Holcombe.

      In 1728, his son John sold 200 acres of the tract of land he was given by his father, to John Purcell. In 1732, John Coate, of Bethlehem, N.J. sold 30 acres more of this land to John Holcombe. It is a home built by this John Holcombe that Washington stayed in twice during the Revolutionary War. (This 1732 deed mentions adjoining posts belonging to William and Henry Coate's lands.) (C-153)

      Two Coate names appear in Freeholders lists for New Jersey, that could be his sons. John Coates was a landholder who was selected as the 42nd juror in Bethlehem Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ in 1741 (Vol. 37, pg. 56-Genealogical Mag. of N.J.) and Henry Coates was a landholder in Amwell Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ. (C-294, Vol. 37, p.54)

      Son Marmaduke is in Quaker records when he married Sarah Mathis in Little Egg Harbor, 1747. (C-549c)

      Son William is still puzzling. He is the logical choice of the William that marries Rachel Ann Budd. He sold his land, 150 acres, that he inherited from his father, Samuel, on May 21, 1729 to William Cornwell. (C-549d) It is possible that he still retained some land as his name is mentioned in a deed of sale by his brother in 1732. (C-153) This is likely the William who went to Rowan County, North Carolina by 1754 and then to Newberry Co., SC by 1762. However, this has not been proven and there are other William Coate's that could be of the right age to be the son of Samuel.

      The following will is an example in point. If anyone knows the father of the following William, it would help us clarify Samuel's son William. The best evidence that the following William is not the son of Samuel is that none of his daughters appears to be married and no grandchildren are mentioned. Also, two of his sons were underaged. That would make him too young to be the son of Samuel that we are looking for. (C-572)

      It is transcribed by Linda Coate Dudick with the original spelling and punctuation maintained. "In the name of God Amen, I William Coat of South Carolina and Camden District being weak in Body but of sound mind & memory ( ) be God do this day in the year of Our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred Eighty Three do make and Order this my last Will & Testament in manner following First I desire that my Just Debts be paid (that is to say) (Imprimis) Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Ann Starkes one Cow to be paid in twelve Months after my Decease. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Priscilla (Coats) one feather Bed the same she has now in (possession) at my my Decease Item I give and bequeath to my Son Barton Coats one Horse, Saddle & Bridle that he has now in possession at my Decease. Item, I give & bequeath to my Son Wilson Coats one Bay Horse Saddle & Bridle at my Decease. Item I give and bequeath to my son William Coats one Horse Valued to five Pounds & Sterling when come of Age. Item I give & bequeath to my Son Benjamin Coats one Horse valued to five pounds Sterling when come of Age. Item I give & bequeath to my beloved Wife Frances Coats all the () & (residue) of my Goods Chattels and personal Estate whatsoever () Executor of this my last Will and Testament and hereby utterly revoke, disallow & dis(annul) all former Bequests , Wills or Legacies by me hereof in anywise (left made decla?) Ratifying Confirming this and no other to be my last Will & Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this 15th day of June one thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty (Three). Signed, Sealed & published and declared by the within name Testator William Coats in the presence of James Gore Notley Coats Elisha Gore William Coats (Seal)"

      Another will filed in 1797 for a William Coate in Hunterdon Co., NJ is listed below. It, at a stretch could be Samuel's son William. This William lived in the right county in 1775 to have been Samuel's son. All his children appeared to be of age and he appeared to be elderly. He mentions no wife. With six children being born an average of two years apart and all being of age (the girls living elsewhere where beds would have to be delivered), would make his oldest child be at least 33 years of age and born 1742 or earlier. Quaker males usually married in their mid or late 20's. That would give this William a birthdate of 1717 or earlier. His land records would need to be followed back to possibly verify his parentage. An added note in the index to the will says that he was "of Tinicum, Bucks Co." when his will was filed 22 years later in 1797.

      "In The name of God Amen the thirtyeth Day of May in the year of our Lord God Anno Domini one Thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Five I William Cotes of Kingwood in the County of Hunterdon And province of New Jersey Yeoman Being Very Sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and Memory Thanks be given unto God therefore calling to Mind the Mortallity of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and Ordain this my Last will and Testament that is to Say principally and ( ) of all I Give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that Gave it and for my body I Recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian Like and Decent manner at the (Decision) of my Executors Nothing Doubling but at the General (Resurrection) I Shall Receive the Same Gain by the Mighty power of God And as (leaving?) Such Worldly Estate Wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this Life I Give ( ) and ( ) of the ( ) in the following manner and form, ( ) it is my will in the first place that all my Movable Estate be Sold in a Convenient Time after my Decease Excepting two Beds and Beding by my Executors hereafter (Named) to pay my funeral Charges and Debts. Item it is my will that all my Lands that I Possess be (Sowing) two years from this date. Item it is my will that after all my Just Debts and Legeses hereafter Mentioned be paid that the Reminder of my Estate be Equally Divided Between my three well Beloved Sons Joseph Cotes and William Cotes and Walter Cotes Item it My will that if it Should Please the Lord to take any of my well Beloved Children out of this world Without Issue Then his or her Share so Deceased to be Equally Divided Amongst my Surviving Children. Item it is my will that My Executors Do pay to my well Beloved Daughter-Sarah her-heirs or Assigns the sum of thirty pounds Good and lawful money in () months after the Sale of the Lands Item it is my will that my Executors do pay to my well Beloved Daughter Mary the Sum of Twenty pounds Good And Lawful Money in twelve months after the Sales of My Lands Item it is my will that my Executers do pay to my well Beloved Daughter Hannah Her Heirs or Assigns the Sum of Thirty pounds Good and Lawful money in Eighteen Months After the Sale of my Lands Item it is my will that my Executors Do Deliver to my Daughter Mary one Bed and Beding Immediately After my Decease Item it is will that my Executors Do Deliver to my Daughter Hannah one Bed and Beding Immediately after My Decease Item it is my will that my Wearing Apperal at my Decease be Equally Divided Among my three Well Beloved Sons Viz: Joseph William and Walter And I do Hereby Appoint my well Beloved Son Joseph Cotes and My Beloved Son in Law John McParson Sole Executors of this my Last will and testament hereby Revoking Defannuling and Making Void all former wills Bequeathed by me made and Declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Aff(idavid) my Seal this thirtyeth Day of May Anno Domini one thousand Seven hundred and Twenty Five Signed Sealed ( ) Pronounced and Declared by the Said William Cotes as his last will and testament in the Presence of us the (Subscribers) (Signed Marten Cogart, Levi Hatcham (or Katcham), John Vankirk and William Coats" [3]

  • Sources 
    1. [S554] Ernest S. Park, Park, Ernest S., Anc..of Marmaduke Coate, (unpub, c1950, 1960).

    2. [S641] New Jersey Archives, Series I, Vol. 23.

    3. [S645] D'Autrechy, Phyllis B., D'Autrechy, Hunterdon Co. Records, (Trenton, NJ: Trenton Publishing Co.).



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