Alice Philpot

Family/Spouse: Walter Coles. Walter died in Enniscorthy, Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
"Coles Hill", Hanover, Virginia, USA

William married Lucy Winston after 1738 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Lucy (daughter of Isaac Winston and Mary Ann Dabney) was born about 1707 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA; died in 1784. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: Abt 1730, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume V

Name: Thomas Jordan Coles

The Coles family has been prominent in England for many generations, one branch of the name taking up Irish residence. The crest of the Coles family is a serpent entwined about a pillar.

The great-great-grandfather of Thomas J. Coles. John (1) Coles, was born in Enniscorthy, Ireland, in 1706, and immigrated to Virginia about 1730. His mother was a Miss Philpot, a relative of Sir Philpot Curran, the noted Irish wit and barrister. John Coles married, in 1733, Mary, of Hanover county, Virginia, daughter of Isaac and Mary (Dabney) Winston. Isaac Winston, a member of an ancient English family, came from Winston Hall in England. A few years after the departure of John Coles for America, his younger brother, William Coles, came to Virginia, married Lucy Winston, a younger daughter of Isaac Winston, and settled at Coles hill in Hanover county, Virginia. Sarah, another daughter of Isaac Winston, married Colonel John Henry, and was the mother of the great patriot, Patrick Henry. William Coles, mentioned above, brother of John Coles, was the grandfather of Dolly Madison, wife of the fourth president of the United States, her mother's maiden name being Mary Coles.

John (1) Coles was one of the first settlers of Richmond, Virginia, assisting Colonel William Byrd in surveying and laying out the town. On Colonel Byrd's original survey of Richmond many of the most valuable lots bear the name of John Coles, land which today is valued at many thousands of dollars. In his will he bequeathed a large share of these lots to his youngest son. Isaac, then a baby, who afterward sold them for a piece of fine linen and a race horse. John Coles became a wealthy and influential man in the colony, although he died comparatively young. In addition to his Richmond property he owned vast landed estates in different parts of the colony, granted him by the King in consideration of services rendered the Crown. He was a colonel of militia and in some old records is also spoken of as major. He was a devoted adherent to the Church of England, and was one of the founders of the famous old St. John's Church, of Richmond, being buried under the chancel of that church. Not many years ago, in the course of some repairs that were being made in the church, there was found under the chancel, among other remains, a brass coffin-plate bearing the name of John Coles. He was church warden from the founding of the church until the day of his death, which occurred in 1747. At that time, the church and state being closely allied, the churchwardens controlled civil and military as well as church affairs, and in consulting old records it is found that John Coles wielded considerable influence in both church and secular affairs. His death in October, 1747, followed the birth of his son. Isaac, by a few months, and in his will he left an immense tract of land in Albemarle county, Virginia, to his son, John (2), willing to his sons, Walter and Isaac, vast estates on the Staunton, Dan, and Bannister rivers in that portion of Brunswick county, Virginia, which was afterward set off as Halifax county, also bequeathing to them other property. His daughters received good estates, Mary, married Henry Tucker, and has many descendants, and Sarah, who married General George Muter, having no children. John (2) Coles married Rebecca Tucker, and built and resided at "Enniscorthy," Albemarle county, Virginia, named after the old home in Ireland whence his father had come. John (2) Coles was the father of Governor Edward Coles, and his descendants have been prominent in many states of the Union, high office and honor coming to many. Mary (Winston) Coles, born in 1721, died in 1758, married (second) a Mr. Donald.

Died:
"Enniscorthy", Albemarle Co., VA

John married Mary Ann Winston in 1733 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Isaac Winston and Mary Ann Dabney) was born in 1721 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA; died on 24 Oct 1758. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Coles Hill", Hanover, Virginia, USA

Lucy married Isaac Winston on 2 Jun 1770 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Isaac (son of Isaac Winston and Mary Anne Fontaine) was born about 1745 in Henrico County, Virginia, USA; died in 1821 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Coles Hill", Hanover, Virginia, USA

Mary married John Payne in 1761 in Guilford County, NC. John (son of Josias Payne and Mary Anna Fleming) was born on 9 Feb 1739 in Goochland County, Virginia, USA; died on 24 Oct 1792 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
"Coles Hill", Hanover, Virginia, USA

Walter married Mary Darricott about 1768 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume I
IV--Burgesses and Other Prominent Persons

Name: Walter Coles
son of John Coles, a merchant of Richmond, who emigrated from "Enniscorthy," Ireland, by his wife Mary, daughter of Isaac Winston, of Hanover county, Virginia, was born November 14, 1739, in Hanover county; was colonel of the militia and burgess for Halifax county in 1765, 1766-1769 and 1769-1771. He married, February 28, 1767, Mildred Lightfoot, daughter of William Lightfoot and his wife, Mildred Howell. He died in Halifax county, November 7, 1780.

Died:
"Mildendo", Halifax Co., VA

Walter married Mildred Lightfoot on 28 Feb 1767. Mildred was born on 11 Feb 1752; died on 1 May 1799. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume V

Name: Thomas Jordan Coles (cont.)

Colonel Isaac Coles, son of John (1) and Mary (Winston) Coles, was born in Richmond, Virginia, March 2, 1747, died on his plantation in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, June 3, 1813, and is there buried. He was educated at William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia, was a colonel of militia during the revolutionary war, and was a member of the Virginia legislature in 1783-84-85-87. He was a member of the convention which met in Richmond in June, 1788, to ratify the new Federal Constitution, and there voted against its ratification. He was a member of the first United States Congress which met in New York City in 1789 and there "voted against the adoption of the Constitution as it came from the hands of its framers, for he saw the poison under its wings." It is also on record that he voted to "abolish the slave trade," although a large land-owner and slave-holder himself, while his brother-in-law, Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, voted to continue it. He held his place in Congress until 1797, and while a member of the Philadelphia Congress he voted "to locate the seat of government on the banks of the Potomac. "He was twice married, (first) in 1771, to Elizabeth, died in 1781, daughter of William Lightfoot, of Charles City county, Virginia. They had three children, only one of whom lived to maturity, Isaac (2), who built and lived at a place called Springwood, near Houston, Halifax county, Virginia, and was the grandfather of the late Hon. Paul C. Edmunds and Captain Henry Edmunds, of Halifax county. Colonel Isaac Coles, Sr., married (second) in January, 1790, Catherine Thompson, a "New York belle and beauty," whom he met while attending the New York Congress. She was a daughter of James and Catherine (Walton) Thompson, of New York, and a descendant of the Beekmans. Her sister, Ann, had previously married Elbridge Gerry, of Massachusetts, an old bachelor at the time of his marriage. Elbridge Gerry was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, governor of Massachusetts, member of Congress, vice-president of the United States at the time of his death in 1814, and was once sent abroad on an important diplomatic mission with Pinckney and Marshall. Catherine Thompson, second wife of Colonel Isaac Coles, Sr., was born in New York City in 1767, died in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, in 1848. being buried by the side of her husband. They were the parents of a large family, of one of whom, Walter, further mention is made. Colonel Isaac Coles, Sr., during his political career, lived on the plantation in Halifax county, Virginia, inherited from his father, located at Coles' Ferry on the Staunton river, and about 1800 moved to Pittsylvania county, Virginia. His home in this locality was a plantation of five thousand and fifty-seven acres, which land he had purchased from Philip Lightfoot, a cousin of his first wife. His reason for disposing of his Halifax property was two-fold; because of the malarial conditions there prevalent, which affected both his health and that of his family, and because of financial embarrassment, for the political positions that had taken such a large share of his time had been honorary or with small remuneration attached and wide inroads had been made upon his finances during his long public service. Colonel Isaac Coles, Sr. was known as a great wit and entertaining raconteur, and in the declining years of his life prominent men from all parts of the country journeyed to his home to enjoy his unmatched hospitality and the gleams from the intellect that time had not deprived of its luster.

Died:
"Coles Hill", Pittsylvania Co., VA

Isaac married Elizabeth Lightfoot on 1 Apr 1771. Elizabeth (daughter of William Lightfoot and Mildred Howell) died in 1781. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isaac married Catherine Thompson on 2 Jan 1790 in New York City, New York, New York, USA. Catherine (daughter of James Thompson and Catherine Walton) was born in 1767 in New York City, New York, New York, USA; died in 1848 in Pittsylvania County, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Henry Tucker on 17 Feb 1765 in Norfolk, VA. Henry died in of Norfolk, VA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Enniscorthy", Albemarle Co., VA

Died:
"Enniscorthy II", Albemarle Co., VA

John married Rebecca Elizabeth Tucker on 9 Feb 1769. Rebecca died in 1826. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: George Muter. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Martha married Peter Fontaine Armistead in 1810. Peter (son of Bowles Armistead and Mary Ann Fontaine) was born in 1778 in Virginia, USA; died in 1866 in Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mary Thornton. Mary (daughter of John Thornton and Jane Augusta Washington) was born about 1785. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: S. F. Dade. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Walter married Lucinda Summerville Dade on 7 Aug 1810. Lucinda was born on 9 Apr 1792 in Culpeper, Culpeper County, VA; died on 4 Oct 1849 in Columbus, Lowndes County, MS. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Mary Howson Wallace on 2 Sep 1813. Mary was born on 16 Oct 1796 in Ellerslie, Stafford County, VA; died on 9 Nov 1853 in Culpepper County, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Beckwith. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married John George Jackson in 1800 in Montpelier, Orange County, VA. John (son of George Jackson and Elizabeth Brake) was born on 22 Sep 1777 in near Buckhannon, WV; died on 29 Mar 1825 in Clarksburg, Harrison County, WV. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Clara Wilcox. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

BIOGRAPHY: The Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans: Volume VII M. Madison, George page 214

BIOGRAPHY: MADISON, Dorothy (Payne) Todd, wife of President Madison, was born in North Carolina, May 20, 1767; daughter of John and Mary (Coles)Payne and granddaughter of John and Hannah (Fleming) Payne, and of William Coles of Coles Hill, Va. Her paternal grandfather emigrated from England to Virginia early in the 18th century and her paternal grandmother was a granddaughter of Sir Thomas Fleming, one of the pioneer settlers of Jamestown. Her parents removed to Philadelphia while Dorothy was a child and joined the Society of Friends, in which faith she was reared. She was married in 1786 to John Todd, a young lawyer of Philadelphia, Pa., who died in 1789 leaving her with an infant son. She made her home with her widowed mother in Philadelphia and assisted her in keeping a boarding house. She was married secondly in 1794 to James Madison, one of her mother's boarders, in attendance as representative from Virginia in the 3d congress. The ceremony was performed at "Harewood," Jefferson county, Va., the home of her younger sister Lucy, the wife of George Steptoe Washington. They resided at "Montpelier," Mr. Madison's summer home, until 1809 when he was appointed secretary of state and they removed to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Madison became the centre of Washington's social circle, and upon the elevation of her husband as President of the United States, she filled the position of mistress of the White House brilliantly and successfully. In 1814 the British army marched against the national capital and the President and his cabinet fled to Virginia, but Mrs. Madison remained at the White House where she packed many important cabinet papers into trunks which were put into a carriage, and as an afterthought she removed Stuart's portrait of Washington from its frame and saw it in a place of safety before leaving. She was rejoined by Mr. Madison in Washington and together they fled to Virginia. [p.214] A few days later she returned to Washington, where she found her home in ashes. The President followed the next day and they rented the house called the "Octagon" owned by Colonel Taylor, where they resided until the White House was rebuilt. In 1817, upon the expiration of President Madison's second term, they returned to Montpelier, where she lived in retirement. Congress conferred on her the franking privilege and voted her a seat upon the floor of the senate. She removed to Washington one year after her husband's death and again entered society. She died in Washington, D.C., July 12, 1849.

Dorothea married John Todd on 7 Jan 1790 in Philadelphia, Delaware, Pennsylvania, USA. John (son of John Todd and Mary Duburow) was born on 17 Nov 1763 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; died on 24 Oct 1793 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Dorothea married Jr. James Madison on 15 Sep 1794. James (son of James Madison and Eleanor Rose (Nelly) Conway) was born on 16 Mar 1751 in Port Conway, King George, Virginia, USA; died on 28 Jun 1836. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She as a Widow married Thomas Todd of Kentucky, a widower whose first wife was Elizabeth Harris

Birth:
"Coles Hill", Hanover, Virginia, USA

Lucy married George Steptoe Washington on 20 May 1793 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. George (son of Samuel Washington and Anne Steptoe) was born on 17 Aug 1771; died on 10 Jan 1809 in Augusta, Columbia, Georgia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Lucy married Thomas Todd on 29 Mar 1812 in The White House, Washington, DC. Thomas was born on 23 Jan 1765 in King and Queen, Virginia, USA; died on 7 Feb 1826 in Frankfort, Franklin, Kentucky, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Anna married Richard Cutts on 31 Mar 1804 in Virginia, USA. Richard (son of Thomas Cutts and Elizabeth Scammon) was born on 22 Jun 1771 in Cutts Island, Saco, York, Maine, USA; died on 7 Apr 1845 in Washington City, District Of Columbia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Thornton Augustine Washington. Thornton was born in 1758 in Stafford, Stafford, Virginia, USA; died on 26 Jun 1787 in Jefferson, Alexandria, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From Family Tree Maker, CD 174 Virginia Vital Records # 1, 1600s- I 800s, Virginia Will Records, The Wills of the Reverend Patrick Henry and Walter Coles of Hanover County, Va., (C) Broderbund Software, Inc., Banner Blue Division

Walter Coles, of Coles Hill, Hanover County, Virginia (only child of Walter and Mary [Darracott] Coles) was born 18 November 1769, seven months after his father's death, and died at Coles Hill between 9 November and 27 December 1815. He was a member of the County Court of Hanover for a number of years and as such an active participant in the fight between the Republican and Federalist members of the Court over the nominations made for that body in 1810. In politics he was a Federalist. He resided at Coles Hill, a very beautiful, if isolated, estate on the South Anna of the Pamunkey, which adjoined the Doswell estate known as Allen's Creek and which was separated from Rocky Mills and Mount Brilliant by the South Anna. It also lies in the general neighborhood of Chilton which was owned by Hugh Nelson and was later the home of Col. Nathaniel Pope, and of Aldingharn, the home of Col. Charles Dabney. Walter Coles owned numerous slaves and was fairly wealthy for his time.

Died:
"Coles Hill", Hanover, Virginia, USA

Walter married Mary Randolph Price on 27 Dec 1792 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Thomas Price and Barbara Overton Winston) was born on 6 Oct 1776 in Cool Water, Hanover County, VA; died on 16 Jan 1847. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

DAR # 593761 and # 502396 - calls her Mrs. Pouge, also; prob. a second marriage.

Birth:
"Mildendo", Halifax Co., VA

Died:
"Sylvan Hill", Charlotte Co., VA

Mildred married Jr. Paul Carrington on 24 Aug 1786 in Halifax County, VA. Paul (son of Paul Carrington and Margaret Read) was born on 20 Sep 1764; died on 8 Jan 1816. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married James Bruce on 1 Aug 1799. James was born on 20 Mar 1763; died on 12 May 1837 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA; was buried in St Andrews churchyard, Philadelphia, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isaac married Mildred Lightfoot Carrington on 7 Feb 1811. Mildred (daughter of Jr. Paul Carrington and Mildred Howell Coles) was born on 9 Apr 1792; died on 10 Mar 1820. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married Isaac Howell Carrington on 19 Apr 1853. Isaac (son of Paul Sydenham Carrington and Emma Catherine Cabell) was born on 7 Mar 1827; died on 30 Jan 1887. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Louisa Woodson Payne. Louisa (daughter of Philip Payne and Elizabeth Dandridge) was born on 11 Oct 1807; died in 1821/1901. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Catherine married Baldwin Matthews Payne in 1827. Baldwin (son of Philip Payne and Elizabeth Dandridge) was born on 11 Dec 1796; died in 1832/1887. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Catherine Patton. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Mary married James M. Whittle in 1834. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Eliza Patton. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

DAR # 593761 and # 502396

Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, Volume V

Name: Thomas Jordan Coles (cont.)

Walter Coles, son of Colonel Isaac, Sr. and Catherine (Thompson) Coles, was born in December, 1790, died at Coles Hill, Pittsylvania county, Virginia, in November, 1857. He was first a lieutenant and later a captain in the American army in the war of 1812, and for ten years held a seat in the Virginia legislature, from which body he was sent to Congress, of which he was a member from 1835 to 1845, his father having preceded him to both law making institutions. He was a man of practical wisdom, unblemished honor and patriotism, and successful in all his undertakings. The Democratic party claimed his allegiance throughout his entire career. He married Lettice P., who died in 1875, youngest daughter of Judge Paul Carrington, Sr. Judge Paul Carrington, Sr., was a son of George Carrington, a member of the Virginia house of burgesses. George Carrington, when a youth of nineteen years, assisted Colonel William Byrd in running the boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina, and in his mature years was a personage of influence and power in his colony. Judge Paul Carrington, Sr. was a member of the Virginia house of burgesses from 1765 to 1775, in which latter year it was replaced by the conventions of the people. In 1765 he voted against Patrick Henry's resolutions in regard to the Stamp Act, considering that the colonies had too few munitions of war with which to oppose a mighty kingdom grown old in waging victorious wars on land and sea. In the journals of the house of burgesses Paul Carrington's name is found as a member of every important committee appointed between 1765 and 1775 He was a member of each of the three conventions of 1775 and was appointed one of the eleven members of the celebrated committee of safety, which at that time held the supreme executive power in the colony. He also sat in the famous Virginia convention of 1776, and on the organization of the new government took a seat in the house of delegates, from which he passed to the bench of the general court and thence to the court of appeals. He was a judge of this latter court until 1811, when, in the seventy-ninth year of his age, he resigned, being succeeded by his nephew, Governor William H. Cabell, and died in 1818, aged eighty-five years. Apart from the invaluable service he rendered his state and country he gave three youthful sons to the Colonial army in the war for independence. Walter and Lettice P. (Carrington) Coles were the parents of: Lettice, died aged fourteen years, and is buried in the Congressional Cemetery, Washington; Isaetta, died in childhood, buried at Coles Hill, Pittsylvania county, Virginia; Isaac, died in childhood, buried at Coles Hill, Virginia; Walter, of whom further; Helen C., died at Coles Hill in 1897; Mildred H., married Colonel Stanhope Flournoy, died in Missouri, in 1901; Agnes C., married Dr. J. G. Cabell, of Richmond, and died January 31, 1901.

Died:
"Coles Hill", Pittsylvania Co., VA

Family/Spouse: Lettice P. Carrington. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Colonial Fams. of the US, Vol. 7, p. 454 (from Ancestry.com)
DAR # 593761 and # 502396

Died:
"Oak Hill", Halifax Co., VA

Sarah married George Carrington on 6 Apr 1784. George (son of Paul Carrington and Margaret Read) was born in 1756; died in 1809. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isaac married Juliana Stricker in 1830. Juliana was born in 1796; died in 1876. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Isaac married Louisa Nevison in 1823. Louisa was born in Norfolk, VA; died in 1824. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Helen Skipwith. Helen (daughter of Peyton Skipwith and Jean Miller) was born in 1789; died in 1864. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Illinois; Governor

Notes:

Dear George,

As a direct descendant of both Thomas Jefferson and Edward Coles, I am a perfect example of the complexities of life our founding fathers experienced, that all Americans experience, except that in my case it is a direct family experience. President Jefferson, slave owner; Governor Coles, anti-slavery son of Virginia. Ultimately they became relatives through the marriage of my mother and father.

In 1819 Edward Coles left his family home 'Enniscorthy' in his beloved Albemarle County, Virginia, selling his possessions. In April, Coles and his slave Ralph Crawford managed the exodus of about 20 slaves, traveling in covered wagons to Brownsville Pennsylvania, where the group boarded boats for the trip down the Ohio River. Near Pittsburg, he informed his slaves they were free and that they could either leave or continue on with him. After arriving in Illinois, he gave to the head of each family 160 acres of land as a gift for their service.

In October, 1821, Edward Coles ran for and was elected second governor of Illinois on an anti-slavery platform. Three pro-slavery candidates also ran which split the electorate and allowed Coles a slim margin of victory...167 votes. In 1822, Governor Coles asked the General Assembly to ban slavery and enact laws protecting free blacks. Instead, the pro-slavery legislature presented the electorate with a referendum calling for a Constitutional Convention to make Illinois a slave state. On August 2, 1824, the Convention was defeated by a vote of 6, 640 to 4, 972. After the Convention was defeated and in this process he made many political enemies who emerged during his run for Congress; he was badly beaten.

However, controversy was not a stranger. Let us not forget the times...Edward was born into a slave-holding family. Yet while attending William and Mary College he developed his anti-slavery attitude resolving that 'he would not hold slaves or live in a state which upheld the institution of slavery.'

At the conclusion of his second term as Governor, after being sued for bringing his slaves to Illinois, and losing his home to fire, in 1832 Edward Coles went to Philadelphia and met and married Sally Logan Roberts. Ironically, many years later, their son Roberts Coles left Pennsylvania and became the Commander of Company I(2), The Green Mountain Grays of the 46th Virginia Infantry. Captain Roberts Coles was killed on the 8th of February, 1862, during the first days of the Battle of Roanoke Island. As a further irony, the attending Confederate surgeon turned out to be his cousin, Walter Coles, who is presently buried in the family graveyard at Enniscorthy.

Edward Coles is my paternal fifth-great-grandfather. My grandfather, father and I are all named for Captain Roberts Coles, his son. My mother is Thomas Jefferson's fourth-great-granddaughter. Further, Thomas Jefferson and Edward Coles were friends. In 1814, while private secretary to President Madison, he wrote to Jefferson regarding his views on slavery. Many believe Jefferson is responsible for the extension slavery in Virginia; as well, many believe Coles responsible for preventing Illinois from becoming a slave state. I do not think even Roger Wilkins can imagine some of the fire-side conversations which occur on a cold winter's night among members of my family.

Rob Coles (electronic mail, July 10, 2001)
http://www.meetthomasjefferson.com

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ilhistor/governors/coles.html

Edward Coles, second Governor of Illinois, 1823-6, was born Dec. 15, 1786, in Albemarle Co., Va., on the old family estate called "Enniscorthy," on the Green Mountain. His father, John Coles, was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. Having been fitted for college by private tutors, he was sent to Hampden Sidney, where he remained until the autumn of 1805, when he was removed to William and Mary College, at Williamsburg, Va. This college he left in the summer of 1807, a short time before the final and graduating examination. Among his classmates were Lieut. Gen. Scott, President John Tyler, Wm. S. Archer, United States Senator from Virginia, and Justice Baldwin, of the United States Supreme Court. The President of the latter college, Bishop Madison, was a cousin of President James Madison, and that circumstance was the occasion of Mr. Coles becoming personally acquainted with the President and receiving a position as his private secretary, 1809-15.

The family of Coles was a prominent one in Virginia, and their mansion was the seat of the old-fashioned Virginian hospitality. It was visited by such notables as Patrick Henry, Jefferson, Madison, Monroe, the Randolphs, Tazewell, Wirt, etc. At the age of 23, young Coles found himself heir to a plantation and a considerable number of slaves. Ever since his earlier college days his attention had been drawn to the question of slavery. He read everything on the subject that came in his way, and listened to lectures on the rights of man. The more he reflected upon the subject, the more impossible was it for him to reconcile the immortal declaration "that all men are born free and equal" with the practice of slave-holding. He resolved, therefore, to free his slaves the first opportunity, and even remove his residence to a free State. One reason which determined him to accept the appointment as private secretary to Mr. Madison was because he believed that through the acquaintances he could make at Washington he could better determine in what part of the non-slaveholding portion of the Union he would prefer to settle.

The relations between Mr. Coles and President Madison, as well as Jefferson and other distinguished men, were of a very friendly character, arising from the similarity of their views on the question of slavery and their sympathy for each other in holding doctrines so much at variance with the prevailing sentiment in their own State.

In 1857, he resigned his secretaryship and spent a portion of the following autumn in exploring the Northwest Territory, for the purpose of finding a location and purchasing lands on which to settle his negroes. He traveled with a horse and buggy, with an extra man and horse for emergencies, through many parts of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, determining finally to settle in Illinois. At this time, however, a misunderstanding arose between our Government and Russia, and Mr. Coles was selected to repair to St. Petersburg on a special mission, bearing important papers concerning the matter at issue. The result was a conviction of the Emperor (Alexander) of the error committed by his minister at Washington, and the consequent withdrawal of the latter from the post. On his return, Mr. Coles visited other parts of Europe, especially Paris, where he was introduced to Gen. Lafayette.

In the spring of 1819, he removed with all his negroes from Virginia to Edwardsville, Ill., with the intention of giving them their liberty. He did not make known to them his intention until one beautiful morning in April, as they were descending the Ohio River. He lashed all the boats together and called all the negroes on deck and made them a short address, concluding his remarks by so expressing himself that by a turn of a sentence he proclaimed in the shortest and fullest manner that they were no longer slaves, but free as he was and were at liberty to proceed with him or go ashore at their pleasure. A description of the effect upon the negroes is best described in his own language:

"The effect upon them was electrical. They stared at me and then at each other, as if doubting the accuracy or reality of what they heard. In breathless silence they stood before me, unable to utter a word, but with countenances beaming with expression which no words could convey, and which no language can describe. As they began to see the truth of what they had heard, and realize their situation, there came on a kind of hysterical, giggling laugh. After a pause of intense and unutterable emotion, bathed in tears, and with tremulous voices, they gave vent to their gratitude and implored the blessing of God on me."

Before landing he gave them a general certificate of freedom, and afterward conformed more particularly with the law of this State requiring that each individual should have a certificate. This act of Mr. Coles, all the more noble and heroic considering the overwhelming pro-slavery influences surrounding him, has challenged the admiration of every philanthropist of modern times.

March 5, 1819, President Monroe appointed Mr. Coles Registrar of the Land Office at Edwardsville, at that time one of the principal land offices in the State. While acting in this capacity and gaining many friends by his politeness and general intelligence, the greatest struggle that ever occurred in Illinois on the slavery question culminated in the furious contest characterizing the campaigns and elections of 1822-4. In the summer of 1823, when a new Governor was to be elected to succeed Mr. Bond, the pro-slavery element divided into factions, putting forward for the executive office Joseph Phillips, Chief Justice of the State, Thomas C. Browne and Gen. James B. Moore, of the State Militia. The anti-slavery element united upon Mr. Coles, and, after one of the most bitter campaigns, succeeded in electing him as Governor. His plurality over Judge Phillips was only 59 in a total vote of over 8,000. The Lieutenant Governor was elected by the slavery men. Mr. Coles' inauguration speech was marked by calmness, deliberation and such a wise expression of appropriate suggestions as to elicit the sanction of all judicious politicians. But he compromised not with evil. In his message to the Legislature, the seat of Government being then at Vandalia, he strongly urged the abrogation of the modified form of slavery which then existed in this State, contrary to the Ordinance of 1787. His position on this subject seems the more remarkable, when it is considered that he was a minority Governor, the population of Illinois being at that time almost exclusively from slave-holding States and by a large majority in favor of the perpetuation of that old relic of barbarism. The Legislature itself was, of course, a reflex of the popular sentiment, and a majority of them were led on by fiery men in denunciations of the conscientious Governor, and in curses loud and deep upon him and all his friends. Some of the public men, indeed, went so far as to head a sort of mob, or "shiveree" party, who visited the residence of the Governor and others at Vandalia and yelled and groaned and spat fire.

The Constitution, not establishing or permitting slavery in this State, was thought therefore to be defective by the slavery politicians, and they desired a State Convention to be elected, to devise and submit a new Constitution; and the dominant politics of the day was "Convention" and "anti-Convention." Both parties issued addresses to the people; Gov. Coles himself being the author of the address published by the latter party. This address revealed the schemes of the conspirators in a masterly manner. It is difficult for us at this distant day to estimate the critical and extremely delicate situation in which the Governor was placed at that time.

Our hero maintained himself honorably and with supreme dignity throughout his administration, and in his honor a county in this State is named. He was truly a great man, and those who lived in this State during his sojourn here, like those who lived at the base of the mountain, were too near to see and recognize the greatness that overshadowed them.

Mr. Coles was married Nov. 28, 1833, by Bishop De Lancey, to Miss Sally Logan Roberts, a daughter of Hugh Roberts, a descendant of Welsh ancestry, who came to this country with Wm. Penn in 1682.

After the expiration of his term of service, Gov. Coles continued his residence in Edwardsville, superintending his farm in the vicinity. He was fond of agriculture, and was the founder of the first agricultural society in the State. On account of ill health, however, and having no family to tie him down, he spent much of his time in Eastern cities. About 1832 he changed his residence to Philadelphia, where he died July 7, 1868, and is buried at Woodland, near that city.

From: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887

Birth:
"Enniscorthy", Albemarle Co., VA

Edward married Sally Logan Roberts on 28 Nov 1833 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Robert Hill Carter. Robert was born in 1778; died in 1809. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Richard Singleton. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Rutherfoord. John was born in 1792; died in 1866. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Emily married John Rutherfoord in 1816. John was born in 1792; died in 1866. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

From "History of Albemarle County", by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, page 172:

COLES

John Coles' father, John, came to this country from Enniscorthy, Ireland, and established himself in Hanover County, Virginia, where he married Mary Winston. His children were Walter, Sarah, Mary, the wife of John Payne, and mother of Dorothy, President Madison's wife, John, and Isaac, who lived in Halifax County, and was a member of Congress from that district. John settled in Albemarle on the land above mentioned. He married Rebecca E. Tucker, who first drew the breath of life in the historic city of Jamestown. His children were Walter, John, Isaac, Tucker, Edward, Rebecca, the wife of Richard Singleton, of South Carolina, Mary Eliza, the wife of Robert Carter, Sarah, the wife of Andrew Stevenson, Elizabeth, and Emily, the wife of John Rutherford, of Richmond. John Coles died in 1808, and his wife in 1826.

John married Selina Skipwith, of Mecklenburg. His home was Estouteville, where he died in 1848. He left three sons, John, who lived near Warren, Peyton, who married his cousin Isaetta, and succeeded his father at Estouteville, wher he died in 1887, and Tucker, whose present residence is Viewmont.

Birth:
"Enniscorthy II", Albemarle Co., VA

Died:
fire at hearth/"Estouteville", Albemarle County, Virginia

John married Selina Skipwith about 1825. Selina (daughter of Peyton Skipwith and Jean Miller) was born on 30 Jul 1793 in Prestwould, Mecklenburg, Virginia, USA; died on 9 Aug 1870 in Esmont, Albemarle, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
"Enniscorthy II", Albemarle Co., VA

Died:
"Woodville", Albemarle Co., VA

Family/Spouse: Eliza Fauntleroy Cocke. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sally Thompson Craig. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sarah married Andrew Stevenson on 8 Jan 1816. Andrew was born on 21 Jan 1784 in Culpepper County, VA; died on 25 Jan 1857. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Died:
at birth