Robert Coleman (abt. 1622 - abt. 1688)

Born about Sep 1622 in Brent Eleigh, Suffolk, England

Descendants

Died about Dec 1688 at about age 66 in Charles City, Charles City County, Colony of Virginia [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: US Southern Colonies Project WikiTree [send private message], Jeff Pringle [send private message], and Warren Coleman [send private message]

Robert Coleman resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies

Biography

A previous version of this profile suggested that he may have been the son of Richard Coleman and Rebecca Claiborne, and brother of William Coleman, Nicholas Coleman, and Thomas Coleman. Lacking any evidence, Robert has been detached from this family. See research notes.

There are two different Robert Coleman's that appear as headrights (see Research Notes for one author's discussion regarding this):

• Robert Coleman came to the Virginia colony on 2 March 1638 as a headright of Thomas Symons. ^[1] He first appeared in Virginia patent records in 1646. in the area known as Mobjack Bay. ^[2]
• Robert Coleman of "Charles City County Virginia" was a headright of William Farrar who received 2,000 acres in Henrico County Virginia in 1637 for the importation of 40 people, including Robert Coleman, who would have been fifteen years old at the time of his arrival in Virginia.^[3] A Patent to Farrar's Island Plantation was granted by Governor John Harvey in 1637 to Colonel William Farrar ll. The thirty-eight immigrants sponsored by William Farrar in 1637 to enter Virginia included: ... Coleman, Robert'.^[4] Lea (Walker) Sullivan

Marriage and Children

Robert married Elizabeth Grizzell circa 1650 in Rappanhannock, Essex, Virginia Colony. They had the following children:

• Thomas Coleman
• Grizzell Coleman
• Captain Robert Coleman ^[5][6]
• John Coleman
• Daniel Coleman
• Joseph Coleman
• Richard Coleman ^[7]
• Elizabeth Coleman ^[8]

Land Records

Robert Coleman was granted 110 acres in Gloucester County, 18 Mar 1662, for the transportation of 3 persons.^{[citation needed]}

A Deed of Gift, dated 20 May 1663, in which Robt Coleman Senr of "Apamatuck River" in C.C. Co. gives "unto my sonne Robt Coleman now Jun'r", part of "my land" on the Southside of Apamatuck River "I know not the quantity of it" bounded as foll the bredth of it upon the River shall be from the Land of Robt Burgesse down the River side to two marked oakes w'ch stand at the West end of my now dwelling house:. This was signed RC and witnessed by Thomas Batte and Thomas Daulby, and "Sworne in Court by Robt Coleman sen'r" 3 jun 1663.^{[citation needed]}

Research Notes

Disputed Origins & Identity

There is a Robert Coleman, son of Richard, baptised in 1622, ^[9] or possibly in 1629^[10] A nearly identical record to the one cited for the baptism of Robart, son of Richard is for the 1622 burial of Robart, son of Richard in the same location, "Castle Sowerby with Sebergham, Cumberland, England" (both records show just 1622 - no month or day). "England, Cumbria Parish Registers, 1538-1990", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4JY2-59N2 : 6 April 2022), Robart Colmon, 1622.

Some people think he was the son of Richard Coleman and Rebecca Claiborne, the brother of William Coleman, Nicholas Coleman, and Thomas Coleman. ^[11]. There are no records to substantiate this claim.

Farrar's land grant, called Farrar's Island, is located within 5 miles of the 813 acre tract later purchased by Robert Coleman from Lt. Col Walter Chiles. Descriptions from various land patents place Coleman's tract within a mile of where the current I-295 bridge crosses the Appomattox River in Prince George County, Virginia.^[12]

Robert Coleman arrived in Charles City County, Virginia in 1637^{[13] [14]}

I think that the conclusion that Robert Coleman of Charles City County, Virginia was the headright of William Farrar is more logical that the alternative of being the Robert Coleman head right of Thomas Symons of James City County. Thomas Symons received 800 acres on the Chichahominy River on June 8 1639, for the transport of multiple individuals into the Colony, including a Robert Colemsn. Thomas also received a grant dated October 10, 1642 for land in that part of the Colony that was to become Gloucester County.^[15] These 800 acres on the Chicahominy River are a considerable distance from the 813 acre tract purchased by Robert Cole of Charles City County, some five miles from Farrar's Island, due to the proximities of the headright holder's land grants to the indentured servant's later land acquisitions.^[16] This comment is by Lea (Walker) Sullivan

Robert Coleman of Charles City County, Virginia's presence in Charles City County, Virginia in 1652 is proven by ^[17] On 05 November, 1652, Charles City Country, Virginia, Lt. Colonel Walter Chiles conveyed to Robert Coleman, 813 acres on the south side of the Appomattox River in Charles City county, (now Prince George County). "This indenture between Lt. Col. Walter Chiles of James City in Virginia Esquire and Robert Coleman of the county of Charles City in Virginia aforesaid planter, for and in consideration of a valuable sum of tobacco and cask to him in hand paid, doth sell unto Robert Coleman all that his plantation and divident of land containing eight hundred and thirteen acres lying in Appomattox River in the county of Charles City in Virginia." This is the same land later owned by John Coleman of Charles City County, who was likely the son of Robert.

Judge James P. Coleman, author of the book, The Robert Coleman Family from Virginia to Texas 1652 - 1965 states: "It is believed that Robert Coleman b approximately in 1622 in England, arrived in Charles City County, Virginia in 1637, was one of four brothers to arrive in Virginia from England: William, Robert, Thomas and Nicholas (Coleman). The last three brothers came to Virginia "together" presumably to join Robert Coleman, who was there by 1652. This Robert had four sons: Robert Coleman Jr., William Coleman Jr., John Coleman and Warner Coleman. Given that Robert names his William "Jr" rather than William "Sr", it could be concluded that such was done to differentiate Robert's son from Robert's brother of the same name." (Note: Jr. was not 'given' as a name in this time period. Records indicate Sr. and Jr. when there is more than one man of the same name in an area. It does not always indicate a father and son; it just as often indicates an uncle and nephew or an elderly and younger man of the same name.) In his book he also states, "The author has found many printed references from many sources and from family traditions that Thomas Coleman, William Coleman, and Nicholas Coleman came to Virginia "together" and were brothers. It is understood that Nicholas Coleman later migrated to Pennsylvania. It is altogether reasonable to suppose that they came to join Robert Coleman, who was there by 1652 and equally reasonable to suppose that all four were brothers." It is inferred that if all brothers from a single family left England for America, there must have been insufficient inheritance to allow the oldest brother to stay behind. Thus, none of these four brothers would have been wealthy upon their arrival. (If the author located many printed references and sources, please provide them here. Otherwise, please note that they are not given in the book.)

One website devoted to Robert Coleman, The Immigrant lists only six verified children surviving childhood. vid: Thomas, Robert, Joseph, Grizzell, Daniel, and John.

A MyHeritage tree claims Robert died on 6 May 1689 at Tindalls Point, Gloucester, Virginia.

Sources

1. ↑ "Coleman Family Mobjack Bay", p.54
2. ↑ "THE COLEMAN FAMILY OF MOBJACK BAY, VIRGINIA" BY Sherrianne Coleman.Nicol. 1998
3. ↑ Robert Coleman, Coleman Family History, Robert Coleman of Charles City County, Virginia, Chapter 2, page 45.
4. ↑ Robert Coleman of Charles City County, Virginia, Robert Coleman, Coleman Family History, Chapter 2, page 45 third paragraph,
5. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, database, FamilySearch : 30 December 2014, Robert Coleman in entry for Robert Coleman, 13 Jan 1656); citing LITTLE HORKESLEY, ESSEX, ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 857,078.
6. ↑ Settlers, Southerners, Americans: The History of Essex County, Virginia 1608-1984 , by James B. Slaughter, Essex County Board of Supervisors, 1985 p. 36:
7. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JMP3-PX7 : 30 December 2014, Robert Coleman in entry for Richerd Coleman, 27 Feb 1659); citing LITTLE HORKESLEY,ESSEX,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 857,078.
8. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N5M7-X2V : 30 December 2014, Robert Colman in entry for Elizabeth Colman, 23 Apr 1663); citing LITTLE HORKESLEY,ESSEX,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 857,078.
9. ↑ "England, Cumbria Parish Registers, 1538-1990", database, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:4JY2-5M6Z : 6 April 2022), Robart Colman, 1622.
10. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", Robard Colman, 1629, son of Rechard Colman.
11. ↑ Robert Coleman, The Robert Coleman Family from Virginia to Texas 1652 - 1965, Judge James P, Coleman
12. ↑ Robert Coleman of Charles City County, Virginia, Coleman Family History, Chapter 2, page 45, fourth paragraph.
13. ↑ Robert Coleman in the U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s,. Source GREER, GEORGE CABELL. Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666. Richmond [Va.]: W.C. Hill Printing Co., 1912, 376p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1978. Repr. 1982. Page:73
14. ↑ Coleman Family History, colemanfamilyhistory.files.wordpress.com 2017, Part Two, Direct Antecedents, Chapter 1, page 43.
15. ↑ Early Virginian Families Along the James River: James City County, Surry County, Virginia, by Louise Pledge Heath Foley, 1990. The 1639 grant information is found on page 30.
16. ↑ Robert Coleman of Charles City County, Virginia, Coleman Family History, Chapter 2, page 45, paragraph six.
17. ↑ 5 November 1652, Charles City County Court Orders of 1655-1658, page 18.

See also:

• "Cavaliers and Pioneers" Patent Book 5, p 508
• "Charles City County Court Orders and Fragments 1664-1696", p 309
• https://www.geneajourney.com/coleman.html#notea
• Robert Coleman of Mobjack Bay, Virginia (genealogy.com message board posting)
• Find A Grave: Memorial #134491215
• Book: Trails West: The Watsons and Walkers, American Pioneers, is a historical tribute by Roberta Watson Richardson to her ancestors who built our nation, fought for its independence, and explored and developed the American West. Nearly 30 of her ancestral families, both paternal and maternal, were in Colonial Virginia before 1700. In fact, her lines first crossed through marriage in Virginia at the turn of the 18th century when Watson ancestor Thomas Christian and Walker ancestor John Tully each married daughters of planter Edmund New. From Virginia, the families took different paths. Watson ancestors headed southwest into Kentucky, Texas and Arizona, while Walker ancestors moved westward before joining the California Gold Rush and settling in the fertile Sierra foothills. Ancestor profiles include Scot/Irish/English surnames Watson, Christian, Coleman, Graves, Hughes, Leake, Miller, New, Randolph and Wallace; German Miser; French Huguenot Toncray and Tully; and Swiss Walker. The book is available on Amazon.com and Kindle Books
• Rootsweb Mobjack Bay Colemans
• Genealogist Janis Knox
• Robert Coleman in the U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s; accessed 27 Feb. 2015; Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.

Notes:

Name: Robert Coleman

Arrival Year: 1637

Arrival Place: Virginia

Primary Immigrant: Coleman, Robert

Source Bibliography: GREER, GEORGE CABELL. Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666. Richmond [Va.]: W.C. Hill Printing Co., 1912, 376p. Reprinted by Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, 1978. Repr. 1982., Page: 73