"Ancestrees"

William COATES ^{2 3}

  General Notes:

An Esq. William married Mary Green on Nov. 17, 1757 in Saint Phillips Parish, Charleston, South Carolina. (C-419f) This William was born 1731 and died 1780 at age 50. A William Sr. who never lived in the American colonies, is listed as the father of this William in a 1761 Charles Town, SC, Power of Attorney document. (C-692, 1282)

At least three of William and Mary's children were George b.1763 and baptized in St. Phillip's Parish, Thomas, and Elizabeth. (C-1069) It is likely that Thomas inherited much of his father's estate as his wife, Catherine Coats had a large estate, was in courthouse records often and left a will. (C-419f&g, 1292)

William was known as both Gentleman and Esquire in the Charleston, SC records. We know this to be true, because Gentleman William and his wife Mary Green jointly purchased 842 acres in Colleton Co., SC in 1760. About six months later, he is called William Coates, Esq. as he and wife Mary sell 155 of these same 842 acres to a John McQueen. All records that apply to Gentleman or Esquire William in Charlestown, SC records apply to him. He is probably the William Coats who is listed as a sugar merchant in the Charleston Merchants List of 1756-1761. (C-1463) He purchased a sloop named "The Happy Swain" in Charleston on July 16, 1760. (C-1658) On Jun 15, 1761, he empowered an attorney to sell his share of the estate he had been given by his father, William in his will. He is the William Coates, Esq. who purchased 650 acres on Poke Swamp, Berkley Co., SC on Dec. 1, 1772 boardered by Thomas Smith. (C-1278) He is likely to be the William Esq. who purchased 800 acres on a bay in Berkley Co., SC that was surveyed for him on May 4, 1773 on the Northeast side of the Edisto River. (C-1279, 1280, 1299, 1407) He was appointed to a commision for the Port of Charles town and referring to this position, he made his will which is recorded in the original will book, 1780-1783, p. 127. He requested that he and his family be buried near each other in St. Phillip's Church Yard. (C-266, 1283, 1286, 1287, 1290-1292) Transcriptions of deed records as located by Charlotte Coats Siercks that apply to him are as follows. Book I-3, p. 266, 14 Dec. 1759, L&R:  William Harvey, gentleman, & Mary his wife (lately Mary Seabrook); George Saxby, Esq. & Elizabeth his wife (lately Elizabeth Seabrook); & Susannah Bosomworth (lately Susannah Seabrook); all of Charleston; Mary, Elizabeth & Susannah being devisees under the will of Alexander Hext, planter, of Johns Island, Colleton Co.,; of 1st part; to William Coats, gentleman, of Charleston; for 5 shillings; all their claim to 842 a. & houses, on S side Cacaw Swamp, in St. Pauls Parish, Colleton Co. Whereas Alexander Hext by will dated 16 July 1736 bequeathed to his friends, Samuel Jones, planter, of Colleton Co.,; Benjamin D'Harriette, merchant, of Charleston, Othniel Beale, merchant, of Charleston, & Charles Pinckney gentleman, of Charelston, his lands & houses on S side Cacaw Swamp, in trust for Sarah Greene, wife of Daniel Greene, Jr. being the eldest daughter of Mary Seabrook, subject to certain limitations; & whereas Sarah Greene died in Alexander Hext's lifetime & the property reverted to Hext; after whose death said trustees inherited for Mary, Elizabeth, & Susannah, residuary legatees; now they release their claim to Coats; Witnesses:  Richard Lambton, John Mackenzie. Before Fenwicke Bull, J.P. & P. Register, on 3 Mar. 1768. Recorded 10 March 1768 (C-1466) _____ Book H-3, p. 410, 11 & 12 Feb. 1760, L&R:  William Harvey, gentleman, & Mary (formerly Mary Seabrook) his wife; George Saxby, Esq., & Elizabeth (formerly Elizabeth Seabrook) his wife; & Susanna Bosomworth (fomerly Susanna Seabrook) gentlewoman; all of Charleston; Mary, Elzabeth & Susanna being devisees & legatee under the will of Alexander Hext, planter, of Johns Island, Colleton Co.; of 1st part; to William Coats, gentleman, of Charleston, & Mary his wife (formerly Mary Green); for love & affection & to settle all disputes; 842 a on S side of Cawcaw Swamp.  Whereas said land on Cawcaw Swamp had been granted the Rev. Mr. Alexander Garden, late rector of St. Phillips Parish, Charleston, on 23 Nov. 1723; & Mr. Garden by L&R dated 10 & 11 Jan. 1733 sold to Alexander Hext; who by will dated 16 July 1736, among the other devisees, bequeathed to his friends, Samuel Jones, planter, of said Co., Benjamin D'Harriette, merchant, of Charleston, Othniel Beale, merchant, of Charleston, & Charles Pinckney, gentleman, of same place; as truste; that is, all his plantations & houses on S side of Cawcaw Swamp; in trust for Sarah Green, wife of Daniel Green, Jr., of Charleston, the eldest daughter of Mary Seabrook (Daniel & Sarah Green being father and mother of Mary Coats, party hereto), subject to certain limitations; & whereas Sarah Green died in the lifetime of Alexander Hext, a doubt arose as to whether the land reverted to Hext; & after his death to Jones, K'Harriette, Beale, Pinckney, as trustees for Mary Harvey, Elizabeth Saxby & Susanna Bosomworth; now, to settle all doubts the parties of the 1st part release all their rights to William & Mary Coats & their heirs.  Witnesses:  Mary Yeomans, Sarah Yeomans, Elener Yeomans.  Proved by Mary Yeomans on 2 Mar. 1768 before Fenwicke Bull, J.P. her daughter Sarah & Elener, the other witnesses, bein then deed.  Recorded 11 Mar. 1768 by Fenwicke Bull. Register... (C-1467) _____ Source:  South Carolina Deed Abstracts 1719-1772 Vol. III, 1755-1768, Books QQ-H-3, Clara A. Langley p. 126-127 Book W-W, p. 359, 8 & 9 Oct. 1760, L&R:  William Coats, Esq., & Mary his wife, to John McQueen, gentleman, for 600 currency, 155-1/2 a., being the S part of 842 a. in Colleton Co., sold by William Harvey & Mary his wife; George Saxby, Esq. & Elizabeth his wife; & Susanna Bosomworth, gentlewoman, all of Charleston by L&R dated 11 & 12 Feb 1760 to William & Mary Coats; the 155-1/2 a bounding SW on the part of 842 a. sold to Mrs. Ann Smith; other sides on George Sommers.  Witnesses:  George Bedon, Thomas Yeomans. Before Alexander STewart, J.P. William Hopton, Register. _____ P-4, 224-226:  Lease & release.  1&2 Feb 1775, William Coats of Charles Town, SC, Esqr., to Wm Donaldson of same, merchant, for 490 pounds SC money, 650 acres in Berkley County on Poke Swamp adj. land laid out for Thomas Smith.  William Coats (LS) Wit:  Alex Macbeth, Robt. Rose.  Proved by the oath of Alexander Macbeth before Thomas Phepoe, J.P. for Charles Town District, 15 May 1775. Recorded 1 Aug 1775. (C-1465)

An inventory of William's estate was taken on Jul 25, 1781. His will directs that his body be interred in St. Philips Church Yard near his wife and children with the inscription "Here lyes an unfortuante Man and his family aged 50 years". (C-419m, 1658) Second hand sources state he was buried either Oct (Newspaper file) or Nov 9, 1780. (E)

William married Mary GREEN, daughter of Daniel GREEN Jr. and Sarah HARVEY, on 11/17/1757 in Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.¹

  Marriage Notes:

They were married by Mr. Richard Clarke.