"Ancestrees"

John Reynell COATES Esquire ^{1 2}

  General Notes:

John was educated as a lawyer and was very close to the uncle that raised his father, Samuel Coats. He succeeded his father his appointment as the agent to oversee the vast Penn Estates. He is also the person that carried the original Penn Charter from England back to Pennsylvania after it was determined that it should be in the possession of the Penn descendants. He also was a councilor on the Philadelphia City Council for multiple years. Here are 3 letters of the day which show some of his involvement with the Penn Estate.

"Letter from John R. Coates

Phila., July 22, 1801.

Gentlemen:

A Letter from your Secretary, dated 24 Ult'o., came to hand the day before yesterday. I regret extremely that the want of further information should be found necessary for the adjustment of the Proprietary Concerns in Luzerne; It has been out of my power to discover any other Record in the Land Office, or elsewhere, than those which I left Gen'l Irwine, in possession of when I was at Wilkesbarre last fall. They consisted of 1st, A List of Persons who had agreed to purchase Lands in the Manors of Stoke and Sunbury (which List exhibited the Nos. of the different Allotments, the price to be given and the quantity of ground; and 2dly, A large Draught, an Office Copy of the two manors in question, with the divisions, Which corresponded with the above mentioned List of persons who contracted in 1771 at Easton.

This Draught I requested Gen'l Irwine to deliver to Thomas Duncan, Esq'r., at Carlisle; he may have done so, and, in that case, I have written to that Gentleman, Who will forward it to you, if it is in his keeping. If not, I presume you now have it. If my attendance at Wilkesbarre could advance the objects of your mission, or promote the Interest of my Constituents, I would immediately set off; or if you know of any particular information or document likely to be serviceable I will immediately procure them, if possible.

I am, Sir,

Very respectfully,

Y'r. Friend, &c.,

JOHN R. COATES.

*****************************

Letter from John R. Coates.

Philad., Aug't. 19, 1801.

Gentlemen:

I attended as soon as possible to procure such docum'ts as your last letter informed me were necessary for you. It is impossible for me to wait personally on you, nor do I think it will be deemed necessary, after the Rec't of the Package in which this is enclosed. I believe that the papers now sent will afford all the elucidation which you require, and all which I have been able to obtain.

I remain, Sir, very respectf'y.,

Your mos. Ob. Servant,

JOHN R. COATES.

When you have no further use for the Draught & List I will be obliged by y'r ret'ng them.

*******************

Letter from John R. Coates.

Carlisle, July 5th, 1804.

Sir: The Secretary of the land office informed me that it

<373> PENNSYLVANIA CLAIMANTS.

was probable the Certificates were made out for the Luzerne lands belonging to the late proprietaries. I am induced to send an express to you in hopes the papers may be in your possession; if they are at Wilkesbarre, be so good as to direct the Messenger on whom to call there. If they are not all made out I will thank you for as many as are; my reason for Sending at this time is that I may call at Lancaster when I return to Philadelphia.

I am, Sir, respectfully,

Your Most obed't. Serv't.,

JOHN R. COATES,

Att'y. in fact for J. & R. Penn, Esq'r.

Thomas Cooper, Esq'r., Sunbury. *******************

Letter from John R. Coates.

Philadelphia, July 9, 1804.

Sir: I lately sent an express to you at Sunbury, but you must have left that place before his arrival. I heard of your coming to Philad'a. & hastened from Carlisle that I might see you before your departure.

If I do not succeed in meeting with you, be good enough to leave a line at Tomlinson's Bar, informing me whether the Certificates for the Proprietaries land in Luzerne have been made out. And if so where they are and how I am to obtain them? By taking this trouble you will greatly oblige, Sir, respectfully,

Your mo. obed't. Serv't.,

JOHN R. COATES,

Att'y. for J. & R. Penn.

T. Cooper, Esq'r. *******

Mr. Cooper to John R. Coates.

August 19, 1803.

John R. Coates, Esq'r.:

Sir: The Commissioners here will thank you for early information on the following Subject, in which the proprietary Estate is interested.

Nos. 34 and 35, in the Manor of Stoke, sold in 1772 to George and Martin Ryerson, under agreem'ts executed as per the official copy transmitted to us, has been released to the State by first the proprietors, 2 by the heirs of Charles Stewart, deceased, and is also claimed 3dly by M'rs. Kerr, under a Deed of 1774 from Thomas Lowrey, who has paid the money. How much has been paid, and whom do you consider entitled?

I am, in Behalf of myself & the other Comm'rs,

Yours, &c.,

THOMAS COOPER. **************************

Thomas Sambourne to John R. Coates.

July 21, 1804.

Sir: D'r. Rose requested that I would give him some Intelligence with Respect to the Proprietor's Manors in this County, released to the State. I know of no Difficulty at present. But with regard to your Manors of Stoke and Sunbury, it will be necessary for you forthwith to send to the Commissioners a list of all such persons who you Acknowledge to have titles under you in those Manors, that we may make their Certificates out for such parts as they have released; the sooner this is done the better, as the Commissioners wish to close the Business this Summer.

I am, Sir,

Your M'o. Ob.,

THOMAS SAMBOURNE.

John R. Coates, Esq'r. *************************

<510> LETTERS FROM THE

Mr. Cooper to John R. Coates.

August 1, 1804.

Sir: Herewith I send you a Copy of the Observations I have to make on the release of M'r. Penn. The paper will sufficiently explain itself, and I transmit it thus early that you may have time to clear up the Difficulties before the Board of Property when the Certificates are delivered there. I mean of course to be understood as at liberty to make any further Remark that may occur. The Certificates will not be ready till the Beginning of Winter,

I am, Sir,

Your obed't. Servant,

THOMAS COOPER."

Source: (http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/1pa/history/local/ss18/pass18-10.txt)

John was named in the will of his cousin, Peter Reeve, merchant, in Philadephia in 1799. John Reynell and his wife had at least 3 sons and 1 daughter. His will is transcribed as follows by Charlotte Coats Siercks: John R. Coates - PA Wills Book 15, p. 425/#72, wife Sarah M Coats, son in law Jacob G. Morris, friend George M. or W. Wharton, daughter Lydia C. Morris, trust for said daughter's children, devisees Gacob G. Morris and George M. Wharton, three sons Martin, Henry & Saunders, debt to James Webb mentioned, executors Jacob G. Morris and George M. Wharton, signed Dec 1836, witnesses Charles Gilpin and Ira P. Bames or Rames, Codicil dated 1836, granddaughter Sarah Westar Morris (not sure of that middle name), Witnesses to codicil Hannah Parks, Hannah C. West, Lydia C. Mintum, probated March 9, 1842 (C-2147, E)

John married Sarah MORTON on 6/10/1801. (Sarah MORTON died after 1842.)