COATE, John ¹

  General Notes:

It is conjecture on my part that this John is the one who was in the Burlington Co., Springfield Twp., NJ tax lists for 1773, as was brother Daniel and that he left the following will. (C-2292E, E) WILL OF JOHN COATE (transcribed by Charlotte Coats Siercks) Be it remembered that I John Coate of the township of Springfield, County of Burlington and State of New Jersey. Being sick and weak of body, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, yet calling to mind the uncertainty of all sublunary enjoyments and that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make this my last will and testament. I give my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it to me as in the disposal of a being infinitely good and as to the worldly estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me my will is that it be disposed of in the following manner. First I give and bequeath unto my well beloved niece Hester Earle, wife of Caleb Earle my brown mare. Second I give and bequeath unto my beloved nephew Caleb Earle all the residue and remainder of my Estate both real and personal what ever and where ever the same may be, unto him the said Caleb Earle his heirs and assignees for ever, excepting only a certain Bond o obligation that I have against my Brother Daniel Coate which I hereby give him. Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my nephew Caleb Earle sole Executor of this my last will and testament. Sealed with my seal and dated this 25 day of April 1786. Affirmed 12 June 1786--Inventory of John Coate late of the Township of Springfield, County of Burlington, State of New Jersey. Purse and Apparel ..........................................6# 4S 6P Notes of Hand and Book accompts.............................66# 10S 4P Household Goods.............................................14# 10S 3P One Brown Mare..............................................20# -S -P
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107# 5S 3P
I believe this John to belong to the above info for the following reasons. 1) He had a brother Daniel in also lived in Burlington Co., NJ as an adult. 2) His brother Daniel was still alive when he wrote his will. 3) He's the only John in my extensive database with a brother named Daniel, who is the correct age and of the correct place to fit the John in this will. The clincher of this theory will come when and if a daughter of one of his brothers turns out to marry an Earle.

He is also likely to be the John Coate who was one of several Quaker males who were given title to donated land on which to build a proper meeting house in 1775 in Burlington Co., New Jersey. The meeting house was erected on a knoll with a beautiful view at the intersection of roads leading to Juliustown and Pemberton called Arney's Mount. Other "trustees" were Jacob, Restore, Samuel and Francis Shinn, as well as William Lovett and James Smith. ³