"Ancestrees"

William COAT Jr. ^{1 2 3 4 5 6}

  General Notes:

This William was listed as a "sometimes" minister. It is theory that his father is Rev. Joseph Coates. Charlotte Coats descends from this line and theorizes that his father is a Charles of Maryland. Some descendants believe he is the son of William Sr. of Dorchester Co., South Carolina. Since he is living in Camden District, Kershaw Co., SC, another theory by Beverly Burton is that he is one of the possible sons of Joseph Coates, a Baptist minister who died in Orangeburgh Co., SC in 1783. Several of Joseph's possible sons moved to Camden District, Kershaw Co., South Carolina. However, substantive support has not been seen to prove any of these yet. (C-1716)

The following is my transcription of his will with 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)"

William has been stated to be the father of Rev. William Coates and Nancy Baker in Neva's book. This remains to be proved. There is possible DNA evidence that might disprove this theory if the following is true. Thomas Coates (related to Marmaduke Coate by DNA) has a grand-daughter named Peggy Coates. The only Peggy Coate we can find in Newberry records is the daughter of Notley Coates. If this is the same Peggy, that would mean that Notley was the son of Thomas. Notley has business dealings with William Coates of Kings Creek and this whole group might be related. We know for certain that the DNA of Rev. William Coates does not match the DNA of Thomas Coates. In other words, if Peggy is the Peggy Coats who is the son of Notley and Notley is the son of Thomas, then Rev. William is not the son of William of Kingswood. This remains to be proven and could easily be with DNA results from a proven descendant of William Coate of Kings Creek through sons Barton, Wilson or Benjamin.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Will, 6/15/1783, Camden, Kershaw, SC. ⁹

William married Frances UNKNOWN about 1750. (Frances UNKNOWN died after 1783.)