"Ancestrees"

Thomas COATES ^{2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9}

  General Notes:

This Thomas is listed in a book written in 1897 by Henry T. Coates entitled "Thomas Coates" as the first settler in the colonies with this name. He left home, in the neighborhood of Sproxton, Leicetershire, England on the 12 mo, 17th, 1682 via London, England where he bought a journal which is still in possession of a descendant on 22d, 12 mo 1682 at the beginning of his journey to the colonies. He arrived in William Penn's colony in 1683 and settled in Darby Twp., Pennsylvania The area in Sproxton where he was raised was neighboring the village of Cotes where his family had been for generations. (C-2383) They were French Huguenots according to "Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Volumes I-III" (E) Family tradition says that he was disinherited because of his conversion to Quakerism when he married his wife. We do know that his parents were Episcopalian, so this story might have some truth to it. He returned to England for a visit a year following his emigration for a several month period.

In 1692, he purchased property in Philadelphia and lived in that large city for the rest of his days. He is listed as a Merchant of Philadelphia in his will. In fact, he was a merchant of considerable influence. One of his purchases was for $7000.00. He had business transactions with a James Coates and his customer list included James and William Coates. In 1694, Thomas Coates again returned to England to arrange for the ransom of George Palmer (son of his sister Elizabeth by her first husband) from Algerian pirates, as noted in the minutes of Darby Monthly Meeting.

Thomas, probably this one, witnessed the will of John Newman in Philadelphia on Jul 9, 1715. (C-1006, 2041) He converted to the Quaker faith and was a "valued member".

He owned several lots at the corner of 2nd and Market Streets (originally named High St.) One of these lots is still in the possession of his descendants. Before his death he gave each of his living children a gold coin. His instructions were to never part with it unless they actually wanted bread. (C-1678, 1772, 2157)

An abstract of his will sent by Anne Wiegle follows. It is in the Delaware Co, PA (then Chester Co., PA) probate records. (C-2106E) Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1834 (will book D, p. 131) COATS, THOMAS. Philadelphia. Merchant. September 18, 1719. September 30, 1719. D. 131. Children: Enoch, Samuel, Elizabeth, Sarah and Mary. Rowland Powel, Haverford, Chester County, miller. (Gift to Rowland Powel of Haverford in Chester Co, PA, Miller.) Executors: Wife Bulah, son Enoch and daughter Elizabeth. Trustees: George Fitzwater, Israel Pemberton and Samuel Levis, Junior. William Palmer and wife (not named), Widows Prigg, Smith and Clubb mentioned. Witnesses: William Lawrence, Owen Roberts, Edward Roberts and Josiah Lawrence. (Note that all the children not named in his will had died in infancy - before adulthood). ¹⁰

  Noted events in his life were:

• Emigration, 1682, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

• Will, 9/18/1719, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

• Probate, 9/30/1719, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Thomas married Beulah JACQUES, daughter of Thomas JACQUES and Elizabeth UNKNOWN, on 7/25/1696 in Philadelphia M.M., Philadelphia, PA.¹ (Beulah JACQUES was born in 1659 and died on 4/29/1741 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA ^{11 12}.)

  Marriage Notes:

or Sep. 25, 1696. (C-1772)