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Daniel Thomas Coleman—And Some of His Ancestors

contributed by
James K. Harrison
e-mail:jkharrison2@comcast.net
26 September 2003

Introduction

Annie Coleman Castleberry’s father was Daniel Thomas Coleman (1800 – 1873). Around 1800 his ancestors moved from Virginia and Maryland to Greene County, Georgia. Daniel’s father was Eden Coleman (ca 1770 – 1817) and his mother was Nancy Ann Daniel (ca 1770 – 1828). Both are buried in Greene County, Georgia. Eden’s parents are unknown. Nancy Ann’s father was Thomas Daniel (ca 1740 – 1813) and her mother was Sarah Burney (? – 1815).

Eden Coleman was born in Virginia ca 1770 and died in 1817 in Greene County, Georgia. His wife (Nancy Ann Daniel) was born ca 1772 and died in 1828 in Greene County, Georgia.

Daniel Coleman’s wife was Clarinda Ann R. Randle (ca 1804 – ca 1885). Her father was William Randle (ca 1778 – 1830) who was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, and her mother was Susan Robinson Rives (ca 1783 - ??) who was born in Maryland. They are both buried in Morgan County, Georgia.

Intermarriages between the Coleman, Daniel, and Randle families took place before 1800 when they moved to Georgia. For example Daniel Coleman and his wife (Clarinda Ann Randle) were reputed to be cousins. Also, the first wife of Thomas Daniel (mentioned above) was Sarah Randle.

Chapter 13
Eden Coleman
(ca 1770 - 1817)

Eden Coleman (father of Daniel T. Coleman) was probably born around 1770 in Virginia (or maybe Maryland since his first child—Sally—was born there in 17931). I do not know who his parents were. Based on the 1793 birth of Sally (assuming she was the first child) he probably married Nancy Ann Daniel around 1792. Her father was Thomas Daniel (ca 1740 – 1813) and her mother was Sarah Burney (? – 1815).

It appears that Eden Coleman arrived in Greene County, Georgia, around 1790 (perhaps later if his daughter Sally was born in 1793 in Maryland as some sources indicate) when he was about twenty years old. His father-in-law (Thomas Daniel) was selling land in Greene County as early as 1792.2 My speculation is that the Coleman’s, Daniel’s, and Randle’s arrived in Greene County together around 1790 and settled on the waters of Richland Creek. Judging from the given names of some family members it appears that intermarriages between these three families began before their arrival in Georgia.

Eden was buying land in Greene County, Georgia, as early as 17903. In 1795 he was a witness for land sold by Samuel Thorton.4 Another land transaction in Greene County occurred seventeen years later in 1812 when he bought an alley (located fifty feet north of Broad Street) in the town of Greensboro5 (the county seat). In 1815, two years before he died (at about age 47), he bought land on the waters of Richland Creek6 in Greene County. In 1821 (Eden died in 1817) Eden’s wife (Nancy) sold 574 acres to James G. Randle, her son-in-law (husband of Sally, the eldest child)7. This land was on Richland Creek.

Eden was a Justice of the Peace in Greene County, Georgia, at some point in time between 1813 – 1817.

Eden Coleman’s will8 is dated 10 September 1816. In his will he appoints his wife the sole executor of his estate. In Nancy’s will9 (29 March 1825) she appoints her son (Daniel T. Coleman) and her son-in-law (Samuel Greene) executors of her estate. She also names Sally Randle, Cynthia Ralls, Eliza Greene, David Coleman, Daniel Coleman, and the heirs of Allen Coleman to receive a portion of her estate.

Eden died in 1817 and Nancy died in 1828 in Greene County where they are probably buried.

Eden Coleman and Nancy Ann Daniel had the following children:

Chapter 13 References and Notes

Chapter 14
Thomas Coleman Daniel
(ca 1740 – 1813)

Thomas Coleman Daniel was the father of Nancy Ann Daniel who married Eden Coleman around 1792. Thomas Daniel was born about 1740 in Virginia. His father was Captain William Daniel and his mother was Elizabeth Coleman (her relationship to Eden Coleman is unknown).

According to the Internet1 Elizabeth Coleman’s linage was as follows: She was born in 1715 and her father was Robert Coleman III (1680 – 1748) who was born in New Kent County, Virginia and died in Caroline County, Virginia. Her mother was Mary Clayton (1683 - ?) who was born in Abingdon Parish, Essex County, Virginia. Robert Coleman III’s father was Robert Coleman II (1656 – 13 August 1713), and his father was Robert Coleman (ca 1620 – 1680) who was born in Suffolk County, England and died in Gloucester County, Virginia. So, Robert Coleman was the immigrant ancestor in this family probably arriving in America around 1645 (speculation). He married Elizabeth Grizzel about 1650 in Rappahannock, Essex, Virginia. Other direct ancestors were Robert’s father, John Coleman, who was born in Braxton, Mango, Essex, England and John’s father who was Sir James Coleman who married Mary Spencer. Both Sir James and Mary were born in England.

Thomas Coleman Daniel first married Sarah Randle and after she died he married Sarah Burney.2 Thomas Daniel was in the Revolutionary War.3 He had at least five older brothers (Samuel Coleman—the oldest—was born about 1728).

On 6 January 1787 Thomas Daniel was granted 460 acres of land in Greene County, Georgia.4 As early as 1792 he was selling and buying land in Greene County5. So he apparently arrived there around 1790. Based on deeds around 18006 his land was on Richland Creek. He also owned land in Madison County, Kentucky7 which he willed to his daughter, Nancy Coleman.

The children of Thomas Daniel and Sarah Burney were:

Thomas and Sarah Daniel outlived their children (except Nancy Ann) so their heirs were mainly their grandchildren. Thomas Daniel died in 1813 (his will is dated 7 April 1813)11 and his wife Sarah died in 1815 (her will is dated 3 July 1815).12 In his will he mentioned the following grandchildren: Charles (land on Greenbrier Creek to him), Polly Daniel, Sally B. Daniel (she married a Lanford before 1815), Maria Daniel, Harriett Ann Daniel, and Nancy Coleman. Thomas made his wife (Sarah) the executrix of his estate.

Two years later when Sarah died her will named the following grandchildren: John K. Daniel, Polly Daniel, Sally B. Lanford (she was willed a “still” holding 180 gallons), Mariah Daniel, and Harriet Ann Daniel. She made her son-in-law (Eden Coleman) the executor of her estate.

Almost all of these grandchildren must have been children of William and Charles since their last name was Daniel. And, of course, the Nancy Coleman mentioned above was Eden’s wife (Nancy Ann).

Chapter 14 References and Notes

Chapter 15
William Randle
(ca 1778 – 1830)

William Randle (ca 1778 – 19 October 1830) was the father of Clarinda Ann R. Randle (wife of Daniel T. Coleman). William was born in Brunswick County, Virginia, and he died at age 52 in Morgan County, Georgia. He, and probably his wife, are buried in Morgan County, Georgia, in a cemetery at the intersection of Clack and Spears Roads (also known as the Old Oscar Fears place).1 This spot is about 4 miles south and west of the I-20 and Hwy 83 intersection. William’s father was James Randle (born about 1745 in Virginia) and his mother was Roseanna Graves (born about 1754 in Virginia). William Randle had seven brothers. One was James Graves Randle (ca 1790 – 1863) who married Sarah (Sallie) Coleman (see p. 3) on 26 January 1808 in Greene County, Georgia.

On 24 September 1802 William Randle married Susan Robinson Rives (ca 1783 – ca 1834) in Greensville County, Virginia. Soon afterwards they moved to Greene County, Georgia.

According to a Greene County, Georgia, deed William Randle and his wife Susan sold land in Greene County to George Irving on 4 November 1804.2 So, William obviously moved from Virginia to Greene County, Georgia, very soon after his 1802 marriage. His oldest child (Clarinda Ann R. who married Daniel T. Coleman in 1824) was born in 1804, probably in Greene County.

By 1806 William was buying and selling land in Morgan County, Georgia, so he evidently moved there around that time. In 1808 he bought land in Morgan County on Indian Creek from Abraham Heard. Deed records show that other land transactions took place up until the time of William Randle’s death in 1830. I do not know the exact location of his land. The deeds say that some of it was on Indian Creek, some on Little River, some at Heard’s Fork of Indian Creek, some was near a road leading from Durden’s bridge to Madison, Georgia. I believe that some of his land was near the spot where William Randle and his wife (Susan R. Randle) are buried. As already mentioned this spot is in Morgan County, Georgia, in a cemetery at the intersection of Clack and Spears Roads (also known as the Old Oscar Fears place). It is about 4 miles south and west of the I-20 and Hwy 83 intersection.

William Randle died at age 52 on 19 October 1830 and was buried on his land in Morgan County. His will5 is dated 2 October 1830. In it he leaves his property to his unmarried children. They were Mary and Lavenia and his seven sons (James G., William, Willis, Thomas, Irvin, Lackington, and Walton H.). Therefore his married children in 1830 were Clarinda Ann (married to Daniel T. Coleman), Lucy J., Elizabeth Rebecca, and Susan. He wishes for his wife to be provided for and his land to be equally divided between his seven sons (son William also got his father’s gold watch). Others got personal property (Negroes, furniture, etc). When William Randle died in 1830 he had thirteen children (assuming all were still living). Nine were minors (one minor was Susan who was married). So, it is no surprise that on 2 May 1831 the Morgan County, Georgia, court appointed son-in-law, Daniel T. Coleman, administrator of William Randle’s estate.

Susan R. Randle died between 6 February 1834 and 2 March 1835. She was listed as deceased in a Morgan County Deed on 2 March 1835. [Deed Bk I, p. 571]

William and Susan Randle had the following children:

Chapter 15 References and Notes

Chapter 16
Daniel T. Coleman
(1800 - 1873)

(Father of Annie Coleman Castleberry)

Annie Coleman Castleberry’s father was Daniel Thomas Coleman. He was probably born in Greene County, Georgia, around 1800. His father was Eden Coleman (ca 1770 – 1817) and his mother was Nancy Ann Daniel (? – 1825). Both died in Greene County, Georgia. 1

Daniel Thomas Coleman was undoubtedly named after his grandfather (Thomas Daniel). Daniel Coleman was seventeen years old when his father died in 1817.

Daniel was married on 7 January 1824 to Clarinda Ann R. Randle (she was supposedly a cousin and surely kin to her sister-in-law’s, Sally, husband--John Graves Randle--mentioned above). The Rev. Adiel Sherwood in Greene County performed the wedding. 1

The Rev. Sherwood was the original pastor of the Greensboro Baptist church (probably the church attended by the Coleman family) and served until 1831. He was also pastor of the Bethesda Baptist church in Union Point and the New Hope Baptist church. All were located in Greene County, Georgia.3

Clarinda Ann R. Randle’s (ca 1805 - ca 1885) father was William Randle (ca 1778 - 1830) of Brunswick County, Virginia, and her mother was Susan Robinson Rives (ca 1783 - ?) of Maryland.4

Daniel Coleman first resided in Greene County, Georgia, where he was probably born. County deeds5 show transactions for him as early as 1821 when he bought and sold land on Richland Creek. The Coleman family lived on the south side of Richland Creek on land adjoining Fretland (or Fretwell) and Randle.6 Richland Creek is about one mile north and west of Greensboro, Georgia. Daniel sold more land on Richland Creek in 1825.7 Two sons were born in Greene County--Albert in 1827 and Gus on 29 August 1829.

By 1830 Daniel Coleman was living in Morgan County, Georgia (with his wife and two male children--Albert and Gus--both less than five years old) according to the census. His name is mentioned in deeds8 as early as 1827. His land was on Indian Creek adjoining the land of his father-in-law (William Randle) who first arrived in the county around 1806. It was during his stay in Morgan County that he served as a justice of the peace.9

By 1840 he was a resident of Coweta County, Georgia, (with his wife, three sons and three daughters) according to the Federal census. Records for Coweta County show land transactions from 1835 to 1845 for Daniel Coleman.10 In 1836 new merchants in the county were Coleman and Huggins at Oak Lawn.11 So, evidently Daniel Coleman was both a farmer and a merchant during his stay in Coweta County.

In 1838 a fracas in the Newnan Baptist church resulted in a “church trial” (Newnan is the county seat of Coweta County). Helping to settle the matter on April 20 were Medows and Coleman from New Hope Baptist. The trial results were excommunication of Brother Wooten and the exclusion of Brother Bolton---but he was later restored. 12

Around 184213 (as late as 1848 according to land records)14 Daniel T. Coleman moved his family to Mississippi settling about 1 ½ miles south of Egypt, Mississippi, in Chickasaw County. The records for 1848 (Sheriff’s book) and 1851 (county land roll) list his name. From these records it appears that his land was located about 9 miles south of Okolona on present day Highway 45. His property appears to have been on (or very near) the Chickasaw – Monroe County line. His brother-in-law’s name (Willis Randle) also appears in the 1848 records (Sheriff’s book).

Church and land records indicate that Daniel Coleman later attended church and bought land in Monroe County, Mississippi, where his wealthy brother-in-law (James G. Randle) lived on a large plantation named Cotton Gardens (near present day Muldon – about 7 miles southwest of Aberdeen on state Highway 25). A June 1850 Monroe County deed states that the Goosepond Baptist Church deacons (Daniel Coleman, R. T. Harrison, Samuel Holloway) bought a church building ($100) and four acres of land ($50) from Charles McClendon.15 The land (to be used as a burial ground) was near (probably on) the Aberdeen – Houston Road (Old Houston Road on today’s maps) and about seven miles west of Aberdeen. When traveling east on the Old Houston Road it was only about 4 miles from the Chickasaw-Monroe County line (where Daniel Coleman’s land was located). The Coleman family apparently lived in this area until 1852.

In early 1852 they moved to nearby Pontotoc, Mississippi. According to the minutes16 of the Pontotoc Baptist Church, Daniel and his wife joined the church on 6 March 1852 moving their letter from the Graceland Baptist Church in Monroe County, Mississippi. Did Goosepond Baptist change its name or did the Coleman family move to another church before departing Chickasaw County?

In Pontotoc, Mississippi, the Daniel T. Coleman family had at last come to their final abode, at least for Daniel (he died in Pontotoc 21 years later in 1873) and Clarinda Ann (she died there 33 years later ca 1885). It was in Pontotoc that their children reached maturity and married. Their eldest child (Albert) was already 25 years old in 1852 and Gus was 23. Their youngest daughter (Lina) was not yet born. Their youngest son (William R.) later died in Pontotoc (before 1872) leaving a wife and six children.

The long journey began fifty-two years earlier in Greene County, Georgia, where Daniel Coleman was born (ca 1800) and married (in 1824) and lived until about 1830 when he moved west (for the first time) to Morgan County, Georgia. From Morgan County he moved around 1835 to Coweta County, Georgia, where he lived for the next ten years. Around 1842 he moved west for the third time, this time to Chickasaw County, Mississippi (his land was about 1 ½ miles south of Egypt). From there he moved in 1852 to the town of Pontotoc in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, approximately 350 miles west of Greene County, Georgia, where his sojourn began twenty-five years earlier.

Daniel T. Coleman and his family were active members of the Pontotoc Baptist church from 1852 to 1896. Their names appear frequently in the church minutes. He was a deacon, church clerk (off and on from 1853 to 1866), treasurer (1856 to 18??), a delegate and messenger to various church conferences and a frequent member of various and sundry committees. He and his family often made generous financial contributions to support the church and its pastor. Daniel T. Coleman seems to have participated in almost every church activity except preaching.

The Pontotoc Baptist church (where the Coleman family were members) was formed in 1846 from the Cherry Creek Baptist church. William L. Slack was the pastor from 1853 to 1880.17 He undoubtedly conducted the wedding ceremony for several of Daniel Coleman’s children (i.e.,Laura Coleman on new years eve 1857) and the funeral service for Daniel Coleman when he died in 1873. The Rev. Slack was apparently a well-educated man since according to E. T. Winston18 he was president and professor of ancient languages, chemistry, geology, astronomy and mathematics at Mary Washington College in Pontotoc. His daughter (Sarah) taught natural philosophy at the small college.

The minutes reveal several interesting church customs when compared with today’s standards. It was a small church with a fundamentalist bent. The pastor’s job ran for twelve months with a vote taken each year to decide who the pastor for the next twelve months would be. The pastors were mostly selected from the church membership. One church expense was the purchase of wine (apparently used in the Lords supper ceremony). The church met twice a month usually on Saturday, at least the church conference meetings (which were the main subject of the church minutes) were held on Saturday. The pastor usually preached at these meetings, which were followed by the church business session. The doors of the church were open for membership at these Saturday meetings (regular Sunday services may also have taken place but are not mentioned in the minutes perhaps because no business matters were taken up on Sunday). Black people were members of the church even after the Civil War as late as 1872. In fact there was concern at times that the number of black members would outstrip the white membership. The expulsion of members for drinking, dancing, profanity and other sins was common. William C. Castleberry (a grandson of Daniel T. Coleman) was expelled on 10 November 1895 by the Pontotoc church after receiving a report on his “deportment”! 19

Daniel T. Coleman made numerous land transactions in Pontotoc County starting around 1850 and continuing until his death in 1873. One interesting transaction on 29 August 1854 was the gift of Lot 27 in the town of Pontotoc to the Deacons of the Baptist Church20 (present day First Baptist Church). The church minutes for 4 March 1854 say, “D.T. Coleman appointed to buy the church lot”. 21 Apparently he later decided to make Lot 27 a gift to the church. The church was soon built only to be destroyed by a tornado on 24 March 1855. 22 One week after the tornado a committee was appointed (31 March 1855) to dispose of the church lot and on 14 April 1855 the lot was sold to Daniel T. Coleman for $100.00. 23

Daniel T. Coleman is mentioned several times by E.T. Winston in his 1931 account about the early pioneers of Pontotoc, Mississippi.24 General Thomas McMackin is given credit by E. T. Winston as the founder of Pontotoc. When the General left Pontotoc some of his property was bought by Daniel T. Coleman.25 Winston says -----

“Mr. D. T. Coleman bought his (General McMackin) hotel property here and the stable property across the street. Mr. Coleman built a livery stable on the latter property that has lately been remodeled for store and warehouse purposes by Messrs. R. L. Lyon and sons.”

Mr. Winston also writes about Mary Washington College in Pontotoc.26 He says-

”Next to Chickasaw College in romantic and general interest was Mary Washington College, which had a brief career, but flourished in the antebellum period of the “golden fifties” when old Chickasaw was like wise in the fullness of its career. As Chickasaw was sponsored by the Presbyterians, Mary Washington College was a product of the Baptists of this section. The college property was on the northern outskirts of Pontotoc, on land now owned by V. L. Bigham. It was burned by Yankee vandals during the Civil War, and was never restored. The institution was established under the patronage of the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Columbus and Aberdeen Baptist Associations and incorporated in 1852. From a correspondent, Rev. E. L. Shettles, of Austin, Tex., several years ago, we gleaned the following additional information”-------The enrollment of this year was 94. Ancient language 12, modern language 6, pupils in music 47. Among the 94 enrolled, Pontotoc and Pontotoc County claimed 47, Chickasaw 9, -----The Rev. Martin Bell was sponsor for more than any other parent. He had in school of his own Sarah H., ----- Daniel T. Coleman had a like number of daughters: Laura E., Emma F., Ann R., Antoinette, Adeline.”

In the 1858 wedding announcement for Laura E. Coleman27 Daniel Coleman is referred to as “Judge” Daniel T. Coleman. This came apparently from his service as a justice of the peace in Morgan County, Georgia. 28

In Daniel Coleman’s will (13 Feb 1872) he made his son, Daniel E. Coleman, and his son-in-law, William Castleberry, the executors of his estate.29 He left his interest in the store in Pontotoc (run by William Castleberry) to his wife. He left $100.00 to his thirteen year old grandson, Howard C. Scott. He instructed his executors to sell his property and to distribute the proceeds (after expenses) equally among his wife, his living son (Daniel E.), the six heirs of his deceased son (William R.) and his five daughters. No mention is made of four of his children: Albert, Gus, Antoinette, and Sina. I assume that some of them never married and died before 1872 although Gus did marry and did not die until 1876. He leaves it up to his executors to decide what to do with his farm equipment and his household furniture.

Daniel T. Coleman died in Pontotoc, Mississippi, on 7 July 1873. I do not know where he is buried (probably in Pontotoc however no record or tombstone has been found).

The children of Daniel T. Coleman and Clarinda Ann R. Randle were:

Chapter 16 – References and Notes


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