Early Virginia records can be extremely difficult to come by, due to numerous losses through the centuries. I’m not usually lucky enough to locate wills for my husband’s ancestors, so I was ecstatic to find one for Samuel Coleman, his 6X great grandfather.
Samuel, born c1705, married Ann, probably around 1729. He died between 1 April 1748, when he wrote his will, and 20 September 1748, the date the will was proved in court. No marriage record has been found, but some say she is Ann Christian, daughter of Thomas Christian and Rebecca New, also of Goochland County, Virginia. Ann was born c1710 and reportedly died before June 1778 in Goochland County. I have no documents, but wonder if that date represents a land sale by her heirs. Another item for the Family History Library research list.
Will of Samuel Coleman, 1748
Goochland County, Virginia
Deed Books, vol. 4-5
In the name of God Amen I Samuel Colman being very sick &
weak in Body but of Perfect sound mind and memory do make and
ordain this my Last Will (and?) ___tment (Testament?) in Manner and Form Following:- – – – – – – – – – – – – – – -bequeath my Soul to God and my Body to the earth to be decent. . . . . . . . . . . . buried according to the discretion of my Executors here af-ter named- – – – – – – – -to my dear and loving Wife, one young Cow I like. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Beloved Wife Ann Colman my Whole Estate during her life or Widowhood, and after her Death or Marriage- – – -divided as Followeth: Item I give to my Two Sons Jas Colman & Saml. Colman the Land & Plantation whereon I now Dwell to be equally divided in Quantity between them. Item. I give to my other two Sons Jno. Colman & Danl. Colman, my set of Black Smiths Tools & after my debts and Funial (sic) charges are paid and defrayed then the Residue of my estate both Riel (sic) & Personal to be Equally divided amongst all my Children. I constitute & appoint my Beloved Wife Ann Colman, & Jacob Oglesby my Executors of this my last Will & Testament revoking all other Wills hereto fore made as Witness my Hand and Seal this First day of April, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & Forty eight.
Test: Robt. Woodson, Jno. Wright Samuel Coleman Seal
John (I) Pryor
(his mark)
At a court held for Goochland County Septem. 20. 1748
This Will was proved by the Oaths of Robt. Woodson, Jno. Wright and Jno. Pryor the Witnesses herto to be the Last Will & Testamand of the said Samuel Coleman deced. which was hereupon admitted to Record.
Children:
- James, said to have married Elizabeth Leake, c1751, Goochland County, Virginia
- Samuel, married Ann Wright, 30 March 1756, Goochland County, Virginia
- John, died after 1 April 1748
- Daniel, died after 1 April 1748
How nice that the ink blob was at the beginning of the will instead of covering important genealogical information!
I feel that we may share some of the same ancestors. I am looking for the family of John Coleman born1770 in Goochland and was married to Sarah Sally Thompson Mayo. I am looking for his family and when they came here. Any information you could give me would be appreciated. Thanks, Susan Brown
Hi Susan, I’d follow the land records for your John Coleman in Goochland County. Did he buy all his land or perhaps he inherited it or bought from relatives. Then I’d search the court minutes for Coleman entries, looking for mentions to John and other Colemans. Of Samuel Coleman’s four sons, in my husband’s family, I know they died in Albemarle, Amherst and Buckingham Counties. The last two counties were formed from parts of Albemarle in 1761. Did your John Coleman remain in Goochland? I know little about Samuel’s fourth son, Daniel. Could you John tie into him ?
Hi Linda.
I am Susan Brown sister. She told me she posted on information on John Coleman. He did not stay in Virginia. He went to as far as I can tell he went to Chester District, South Carolina. There are so many John’s, Robert’s & Sarah’s in South Carolina it really hard to tell. We believe he married Sally Thompson Mayo. Had a son Robert and maybe Daniel. He was in South Carolina 1830 & 1840 then in 1850 they went to Randolph County, Alabama just in time for the census. John is 80 years old Robert is listed as head of household with his wife Sarah and all their children. John’s wife must of died around (I believe) between 1830 & 1840 there is no wife listed for john on that census. I also believe Robert is living with John in 1840 Chester Co. South Carolina. The wife and their kids are correct according to age. John and Robert died before 1860 and I found Sarah in White Plains, Calhoun County, Alabama on the 1860. She died in 1895 and is buried in a cemetery with others from Chester Co, South Carolina. John’s sister in law is buried there Mary Mayo Cheatwood, Robert Richardson Cheatwood, and the Mayfields at Shoal Creek Cemetery Cleburne County, Alabama, USA I found this info on Findagrave. All of these families lived in Chester County SC. We have looked a long time for John’s family. I know there are 3 big Coleman families in Virginia. But we can’t find a connection. There are John’s in these family with no info. I this is a lot of info. Thank you for replying to my sisters post. JimmieAnne Hitt