Florentine Arveston Cole

Stephen married Nancy Mitchell Simmons about 1845. Nancy (daughter of William Cole Simmons and Rhoda Johnson) was born on 6 Nov 1822 in Plaquemine Brulee, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; died on 27 Mar 1905 in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

SOLOMON COLE
Early Pioneer
http://jeffersoncountyms.org/bios.htm#cole

Solomon Cole, son of James Cole and Mary Rentfroe was born about 1760 in Ashpole Swamp, Bladen County, North Carolina. The family moved to "Natchez Country," Mississippi in 1772. They located at "Coles Creek," named for our Cole ancestors. Her, Solomon married Elizabeth Davis, widow of Charles Simmons. They had two sons named James Simmons and David D. Simmons (Black Dave). Solomon Cole received a Spanish Land Grant claim #756 of 200 acres, situated on the waters of Coles Creek, Natchez District dated: 4 January 1794. On 12 February 1778, Solomon Cole bought from his brother, Stephen Cole, 300 arpents of land on Coles Creek, for $150.00. A Spanish Grant #1380, donated to Stephen Cole. One month later Solomon Conveyed the 300 arpents to William Thomas for the sum of $600.00, making a nice profit. On February 7, 1804, Solomon and Elizabeth Cole sold their home, the original Spanish Grant #756 of 200 acres to Buckner Darden for $400.00. They moved their family from Coles Creek to St. Landry Parish, Louisiana in 1804. Solomon and his brother James located land on the Plaquemine Brulee. Solomon acquired 529 acres from Isaac Johnson, the original claimant. It was situated on the stream and bounded on the North by James Cole's land grant.

Solomon Cole served as a Police Juror (Justice of the Peace) in St. Landry Parish from 1811 to 1818. He later moved to a vacherie at Prairie Soileau. "When James and Solomon Cole moved from Coles Creek, Mississippi in 1804, they joined former neighbors by names of: Hayes, King, Forman, Simmons, McClelland, Reeves, Bilbo and Roberts. They all settled on each side of the Plaquemine Brulee stream in St. Landry Parish. James Cole was the original claimant by settlement and occupancy of 400 acres. Solomon Cole acquired his 529 acre Spanish Grant from Isaac Johnson, the original grantee. A tributary of Bayou Plaquemine Brulee ran through both James and Solomon's land, named Coles Bayou or Gulley. A certain location was known as Coles Cove. This area was also, "Coles Settlement," since that was the name of the first Post Office established in 1832. Evidently, this Post Office was located on the Solomon Cole land, some five miles north and east of present Crowley, Louisiana. Abraham Cole, son of Solomon was appointed postmaster, January 24, 1938. Two persons who gave bond were Jacob Simmons and William Forman, son-in-law of Solomon Cole. We do not know why the Coles became dissatisfied with the Plaquemine Brulee location. Perhaps, floods or pestilence caused crop failures. James Cole sold to Malachi Stanton, "a certain tract of land, situated in St. Landry Parish at a place called, Tasse Point, on a Gulley [Coles) of Plaquemine Brulee, containing 400 acres and being in the Western District of the Territory of Orleans, no State of Louisiana...in consideration of the sum of $350.00"
Dated: October 15, 1821 ) Bk. F p. 97-St. Landry Parish, La.) BAYOU DUBONNE, St. Landry Parish.

The Coles probably, started moving westward in St. Landry Parish after this date of 1821. Solomon Cole died in 1825 and his Succession papers read, "Judge George King went to the Cole Vacherie [small ranch) in Prairie Soileau on Beaver Creek to make an Inventory of the estate." Our intermarried families of Cole, Forman and Simmons are found together in the 1830 Census of St. Landry Parish in the area of "Bayou Dubonne," 60 miles southwest of Opelousas. This is the western part of the Parish cut off for Calcasieu after selling his grant on the Plaquemine Brulee is not known.

The Court House was burned down and all records were destroyed in Lake Charles in 1910. We cannot check deeds, marriages, conveyances, and probates for our Cole, Forman and Simmons families. The relationship of Solomon's family is established by his Succession Papers filed in Opelousas Court Records. Named is Elizabeth Cole, widow of the deceased, James Cole, a son, James Forman, a son-in-law is requested to "tutor" his minor son, "Stephen Cole," Stephens portion of his father's estate was left in the care of his Uncle James Cole Sr., half-brother, David Simmons, and his brother-in-law William Forman.

The Solomon Cole land was purchased by William Forman with the "reservations that, the widow, Elizabeth Cole and son Stephen Cole were to live on the 'home place." Other children of Solomon Cole were not named in the St. Landry Parish records but, we can identify those who married from the Bonds.

.....Submitted by ...Your Most Obedient Servant, Stephen D. Forman, Commander, Granbury's Texas Brigade SCV Camp #1479, 11th Texas Cavalry Co. A, 12th Texas Cavalry Parsons Dragoons, Deo Vindice

________________________

Solomon Cole was born in North Carolina. The family moved to Natchez Country, Mississippi in 1772. They located on "Coles Creek". Here Solomon Cole married Elizabeth Davis, widow of Charles Simmon. She had two sons by Charles. James s and David D. Simmons.
Solomon received a Spanish Land Grant, Claim #756 of 200 acres, situated on the waters of Coles Creek, Natchez District on January 4, 1794.
On February 7, 1804, Solomon and Elizabeth Cole sold their home, the original Spanish grant #756 of 200 acres to Buchner Darden for $400. They moved their family from Coles Creek to St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Solomon and his brother Jamle, located on land on the Plaquemine Brulee St. Landry Parish. Solomon Cole acquired 529 acres from Isaac Johnson, the original grantee.
Solomon Cole served as a Police Juror (Justice of the Peace) in St. Landry Parish from 1811 to 1818. He later moved to a vacherie at Prairie Soileau.
The following explanation of the Plaquemine Brulee, St. Landry, Louisiana is taken from "Cole Footprints".
"The name PLAGUEMINE BRULEE is descriptive of the region, meaning burnt Persimine. The word Plaquemine is translated as the fruit of the Persimine tree; and Brulee was used by the Acadian settlers to describe fields burnt over for cleaninh spring. Voila! PLAQUEMINE BRULEE. It is also, the name of a well known stream of water, which covers Southern St. Landry Parish with tributaries of gulleys and bayous. This land area was important to the early settlement of Southwestern Louisiana.

Spanish explorers sailing along the Gulf coast as early as 1519 found the mouth of the mighty Mississippi River. They established Colonies and Forts. It was the French explorer, Robert Cavelier La Salle who claimed for France in 1682, ae land drained by the river and its tributaries. He named the territory, "Louisiana" in honor of King Louie XIV. Louis J. St. Denis founded the first permanent settlements at Natchitoches in 1714, and at New Orleans in 1718. After the Seven Year War in 1763, France ceded Canada and all of the Louisiana Province east of the the Mississippi to England (except the Isle of Orleans). By a secret treaty with Spain, France had ceded all her land west of the Mississippi and Orleans to that country. From his military might, Napolean forced Spain to give Louisiana back to France in 1800. His dream for a French Colonial Empire failed, and in 1803 Napolean sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States for $15,000,000.

During the French regime two Indian Trading Posts were established in the Southwestern section of the Territory, Poste des Attakapas and Poste des Opelousas. Both named for Indian Tribes who lived in the area. Post des Opelousas includet is now St. Landry, Acadia, Allen, Calcasieu, Beauregard Cameron, Jefferson and Evangeline Parishes. Some Anglo-Americans bought land from Indian Chiefs as early as 1780; others received Spanish Land Grants, until the Territory became United States property. She then granted land to Protestants as well as many Acadian families who moved into the area.

When James and Solomon Cole moved from Coles Creek, Mississippi in 1804, they joined former neighbors by names of : Hayes, King, Forman, Simmons, McClelland, Reeves, Bilbo and Roberts. They all settled on each side of the Plaquemine Bruleeam in St. Landry Parish. James Cole was the original claimant by settlement and occupancy of 400 acres. Solomon Cole acquired his 529 acre Spanish Grant from Isaac Johnson, the original grantee. A tributary of Bayou Plaquemine Brulee ran through both James and Solomon's land, named Coles Bayou or Gulley. A certain location was known as Coles Cove. This area was also, "Coles Settlement," since that was the name of the first Post Office established in 1832. Evidently, this Post Office was located on the Solomon Cole land, some five miles north and east of present Crowley, Louisiana. Abraham Cole, son of Solomon was appointed postmaster, January 24, 1938. Two persons who gave bond were Jacob Simmons and William Forman, son-in-law of Solomon Cole.
We do not know why the Coles became dissatisfied with the Plaquemine Brulee location. Perhaps, floods or pestilence caused crop failures. James Cole sold to Malachi Stanton, " a certain tract of land, situated in St. Landry Parish at a plalled, Tasse Point, on a Gulley (Coles) of Plaquemine Brulee, containing 400 acres and being in the Western District of the Territory of Orleans, no State of Louisiana...in consideration of the sum of $350.00" Dated: October 15, 1821 ) Bk. F p. 97-St. Landry Parish, La.)
BAYOU DUBONNE, St. Landry Parish

The Coles probably, started moving westward in St. Landry Parish after this date of 1821. Solomon Cole died in 1825 and his Succession papers read, "Judge George King went to the Cole Vacherie (small ranch) in Prairie Soileau on Beaver Cro make an Inventory of the estate." Out inter-married families of Cole, Forman and Simmons are found together in the 1830 Census of St. Landry Parish in the area of "Bayou Dubonne," 60 miles southwest of Opelousas. This is the western part of the Parish cut off for Calcasieu after selling his grant on the Plaquemine Brulee is not known. The Court House was burned down and all records were destroyed in Lake Charles in 1910. We can not check deeds, marriages, conveyances, and probates for our Cole, Forman and Simmons families.
The relationship of Solomon's family is established by his Succession Papers filed in Opelousas Court Records. Named is Elizabeth Cole, widow of the deceased, James Cole, a son, James Forman, a son-in-law is requested to "tutor" his mino, "Stephen Cole", Stephens portion of his father's estate was left in the care of his Uncle James Cole, Sr. his half-brother, David Simmons, and his brother-in-law William Forman.
The Solomon Cole land was purchased by William Forman with the "reservations that, the widow, Elizabeth Cole and son Stephen Cole were to live on the "home place". Other children of Solomon Cole were not named in the St. Landry Parish rs but, we can identify those who married from the Bonds.
(Steve Forman)
________________
From Carole Knight (cknight@huntnet.net)
From the Succession of Solomon Cole:
A petition from Elizabeth Cole, widow, asks that the community be sold at public sale on July 1, 1825, and that a family council be appointed to provide a tutor for Stephen Cole who is under the age of puberty. She signs with a mark. Wae a Cole, married a Cole??? Elizabeth is appointed the natural tutor.
Attending the family council are James Cole Sr., uncle; David Simmons, half brother; James Cole, Jr., his brother; William Forman his brother-in-law and James Simmons, a friend in lieu of a family member. William Forman was appointed undert. David Simmons signs, as do William Forman and James Simmons; James Cole Jr. makes a mark.
__________________
(who are these people?)
From the Succession of Jacob Simmons:
At the family meeting January 9, 1823, Edmund Johnson, Jr., and --- Milburn, uncles of the minor child Christopher Simmons, along with family friends in lieu of other family members, all agreed to name Edmund Johnson, Sr., the grandfathere tutor and Edmund Jr. as undertutor. Edmund Jr. signs.
It appears that mama Mary Johnson is also dead at this time??

Note: James Forman (Dw4man@aol.com) has his birth date as 1 Apr 1743. Could this have been birth date for another Solomon Cole? 1810 Opel Census has birth 1766-84.

131 COLE, Solomon 1766-84 1770? NC
female 1766-84 Elizabeth DAVIS
male 1795-1800 James 1794? MS
female 1795-1800 Polly 1798? MS
female 1795-1800 Mary 1800? MS
male 1801-10 Abraham 1804? MS
female 1801-10 Elizabeth 1806-8 LA

Residence 132 was James Cole, his brother.

Solomon married Elizabeth Davis about 1790 in Louisiana. Elizabeth was born in 1772 in Natchez, Adams Co, Mississippi; died in 1808 in Prairie, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Rhoda Johnson on 25 Jan 1822 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. Rhoda (daughter of Moses** Johnson and Nancy** Anna Robert) was born about 1804; died before 1838. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

SLR: Opel Ct.Hse m #1 - married William Simmons on 25 January 1822

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Bef 1737, Orange and Frederick Co, Virginia
• Residence: 1747, Black Water River, Bedford Co, Virginia
• Residence: 1748, Mecklenburg Co, North Carolina
• Residence: 1758, Ashpole Swamp, Bladen Co, North Carolina
• Residence: Abt 1765, PeeDee River area, Craven Co, South Carolina
• Residence: Mar 1772, Natchez District, Mississippi; arrived in MS
• Residence: Oct 1772, Natchez District, Mississippi; arrived
• Possessions: 10 Sep 1784, Natchez, Mississippi and Province of Lousiana
• Residence: Abt 1790, Coles Creek, Natchez, Mississippi
• Possessions: 19 May 1794, Coles Creek, Natchez District, Mississippi; Inventory

Notes:

As a child, James moved to the counties of Orange and Frederick, Virginia in the Shenandoah Valley between 1732-1737. In 1747, he moved to Lunenburg County (called Bedford County after 1754). In 1747, Janes Jr and his brother Stephen are found with their Uncle Mark Cole and the Rentfroes on the branches of the Black Water and Pigg Rivers in Virginia. On April 16, 1747, James Jr has 400 acres on both sides of Little Creek, a branch of the Black Water River. On March 28, 1748, he has 215 acres on both sides of Little Creek. On December 15, 1753, he has 400 acres on both sides of Story Creek, a branch of the Pigg River. James Jr, Mark Cole, James Sr Cole and Stephen Cole all lived on adjoining land at this time.

In 1757/58, James and his brother Stephen moved to Bladen County, North Carolina. They lived there about 7 years and then moved to Craven County, South Carolina. On March 26, 1765, James Cole of Craven County in the Government of South Carolina, sells to William Rentfroe of Bedford County, Virginia, for 30 lbs,. a tract of land containing 215 acres in Bedford County, on Little Creek, a branch of Black Water River. This land was surveyed for James Cole Jr on March 28, 1748. The grant was issued on August 16, 1756. It was acknowledged by James Rentfroe Jr who was the attorney for James Cole.

On October 10, 1757, James applied for land in Bladen County. One hundred acres on south side of Ashpole Swamp adjoining Richard Barfield. The land grant was issued on April 10, 1761. James conveyed this land to Thomas Robeson in 1765.

On February 18, 1765, James Cole of Craven County in the Province of South Carolina appoints James Rentfroe Jr of the County of Halifax, Colony of Virginia, Power of Attorney to transact all business for him.


James and his family arrived in Mississippi in March 1772. On moving to the Natchez District he is known as James Cole Sr. He and his family lived on Boyds Creek which was changed to Coles Creek in 1777. In 1799, the Natchez District was divided. The Coles Creek area on the north was named Pickering which changed to Jefferson County in 1802. His British Land petition says that James "arrived in this country with a wife and nine children."

On September 10, 1784, James Cole signed an agreement with Osborn Sprigg of the District of Natchez and the Providence of Opelousas, Louisiana. The agreement reads, "James Cole Sr to take in his posession all the stock of mares and colts belonging to the said, Sprigg. To take such care of them as to increase and benefit the stock...for two years; at the end of which, James Cole to take one-fourth of the increase as his own." signed Osborn Sprigg and James Cole.

Documents dating May 7, 1785, show James as an honorable, trustworthy citizen of the Coles Creek Community.

From the Spanish Archives of the Indies, we have a census taken in Natchez District in 1792 showing the names: James Cole Sr, James Cole Jr, John Cole, Stephen Cole, Solomon Cole, Mark Cole and William Cole.

In 1794, an inventory of the estate of the late James Cole, deceased as declared upon oath of Mary Cole, the widow, reads, "John Cole, the eldest son; Jacob Stampley and Captain Richard King, all of this District, Appraisers.
450 acres of land...more or less (not a large estate)
One negro man, supposed to be 35 years of age
One grey horse, about 12 years old
One cow and calf, One yearling heifer
One two year old steer, 12 head of hogs
One saddle One feather bed, sheets, furniture
One large and one small iron pot and one bake oven
Five wooden, common chairs; three pewter basins, 6 pewter plates
Two pewter dishes - 3 earthen dishes
Four knifes and forks
One plough - two falling axes - one broad axe and three weeding hoes
One old drawing knife, one foot adze - one frowe
A small looking glass
This inventory was taken on May 19, 1794.

When the United State asserted its claim on the British Colony in the Natchez District, it ordered the land free and independent of Spanish rule. Winthrope Sargeant was named the first Misssissippi Territorial Governor in 1798. The Land Commission proceeded to confirm all land grants held by the settlers of early British and Spansih titles. A tithable-list was taken of all heads of households. From the list we can account for the surviving members of the Coles in the Coles Creek settlement in 1798. Living in Coles Creek, Natchez District in 1798: Mary Cole, widow; James Cole Jr; John Cole; Stephen Cole; Solomon Cole; Mark Cole. Living in the Homochitto River, Natchez District in 1798, William Cole.

On June 5, 1806, Mary Cole, widow of James, sold to Moses Higgins, "title to that part of land on which I now live, 120 acres for $150.00. All my stock of horses, hogs, horned cattle and household furniture."

Mary Rentfroe Cole's probate of her will was held on March 17, 1810.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0003.html


Residence:
Per "Sunlight on the Southside" pg 84, (from Steve Matthews via email) shown in Deloney's List, Meckenburg, NC titheables were:
Timothy Johnson
James Johnson .........4
Aquilla Gilbert ....... 1
Walter Mathews ........ 1
James Rentfro ......... 1
Joseph Rentfro ........ 2
Peter Vanbeber and
Isaac Vanbeber ...... 2
James Cole, Junr. ..... 1
Robt. Jones and
Thos. Jones ......... 2
William Rentfro ....... 1


Residence:
James and his family arrived in Mississippi in March 1772. On moving to the Natchez District he is known as James Cole Sr. He and his family lived on Boyds Creek which was changed to Coles Creek in 1777. In 1799, the Natchez District was divided. The Coles Creek area on the north was named Pickering which changed to Jefferson County in 1802. His British Land petition says that James "arrived in this country with a wife and nine children."

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0003.html

---
http://www.libertychapelcemetery.org/files/family/travel.html.
.
Early Migration Trails.
From the Pee Dee River Valley, NC
to Cole's Creek and Curtis Landing The pioneers to the new "Natchez Country" would leave the Pee Dee River area of SC/NC and travel about 200 miles using pack-horses to the Holston RIver in northeastern Tennessee. They traveled via the South Carolina State Road (North) on the Warriors Path. They continued on the Catawba Trail to the Wilderness Road Fort near Kingsport, Tennessee. (Some of the present day towns and cities they would pass through were: Cheraws, SC; Wadesboro, NC; New Salem, NC; Lenoir, NC; Blowing Rock, NC; Boone, NC; Hampton, TN; Johnson City, TN; and Kingsport, TN. The automobile driving distance today would be over 250 miles.).
At the Wilderness Road Fort they secured/built flat boats. The flat boats were sturdy with one end enclosed for protection from the elements. The flat boat had to be designed to allow for the women, children, food, bedding and household items. They had to transport a milk cow, chickens, horses, hunting dogs and farm implements. Once aboard the flat boats they followed the Holston River to the Tennessee River which they entered near Knoxville, TN. (They traveled near present day towns of Surgoinsville, TN; Chalk Level, TN: Cherokee Lake; Buffalo Springs, TN; and Mascot, TN).
Indian attacks were a frequent occurrence. The pioneers always had to be prepared. The women often steered the boats while the men fought the Indians. Some used chairs as shields, holding against their chests as protection from the Indian arrows. Following the Tennessee River they reached the Ohio River near Paducah, KY. (On this leg they traveled near present day towns of Dayton, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Scottsboro, AL; Guntersville, AL; Decatur, AL; Florence, AL; Savannah,TN; Perryville, TN; Sycamore Landing, TN; Eva, TN; Aurora, KY; and Lake City, KY) From Paducah the flat boats floated down the Ohio River where they entered the Mississippi near Cairo, IL. (This is near present day Metropolis, IL; and about 30 miles south of Cape Girardeau, MO)..
At Cairo, IL the flat boats embarked on the "mercy" of the mighty Mississippi River for the rest of the journey to the "Natchez Country." (They traveled near present day towns like Hayti, MO; Cathursville, MO; Heloise, TN; Osceloa, AR; Memphis, TN; Helena, AR; Rosedale, MS; Greenville, MS; Lake Providence, LA; and Vicksburg, MS) South of Rodney one group of pioneers steered the flat boats into Boyd's Creek (now Cole's Creek) for the 15 mile trip to Curtis Landing on the South Fork of Cole's Creek. Other pioneers continued on to Natchez or Wilkinson County steering their flat boats up St. Catherine's Creek, the Homochitto River or Buffalo River..
These pioneers had made a trip of approximately 1400 miles by flat boat on water. The total miles traveled by horse-pack and flat boat would be about 1650-1700 miles..
Upon arrival it was necessary to fell trees and build log houses quickly. Fields needed to be cleared and cultivated. The survival for the first year was dependent on the family's ability to fish and hunt. Squirrel, deer, ducks, and wild turkey were the family's fresh meat..
One of the pioneer families who had a British land grant in Jefferson County included James Cole who arrived October, 1772 with the paperwork finalized in 1776. Richard Curtis who arrived in 1780..

In 1779, an expedition under Don Bernardo de Galvez, Spanish governor of Louisiana Territory, captured the British Fort in Natchez. After the fall of the British at Baton Rouge, General Galvez negotiated the surrender of the English Fort Panmure in Natchez on September 21, 1779. The Spanish, with generous land grants, gave the residents opportunity to move to Opelousas Post in early 1780.

Residence:
Residence Oct 1772 Natchez District, Mississippi
"Family tradition says, that 'James Cole with neighbors and kin came to the Natchez Country,' Mississippi on flat boats, by floating down the Holston, Tennessee, Ohio, and Mississippi Rivers.'
"From the records of the West Florida Land Petition, we know that James Cole arrived October 1772, with a wife and nine children."
Cole Foot Prints, p 29

Possessions:
p 6 Agreement. 10 Sep 1784 Osborn Sprigg, of District of Natches and Province of Louisiana, and James Cole, Jr., of same, agree that James Cole take into his possession all the stock of mares and colts that said Sprigg may have and take such care of them as to increase and benefit said stock, ... for two years, at the end of which James Cole to take one-fourth of the increase as his own. James (X) Cole, Osborn Sprigg, ack before Trevino.

The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805 by May Wilson McBee
pg 135
http://books.google.com/books?id=yvJw1hHgSLMC&pg=PA115&lpg=PA115&dq=green,+province+of+west+florida&source=bl&ots=-PhXvwnRzr&sig=UyLpAOAD_6BqmGrQBlpgUxY2Cfc&hl=en&ei=tAIUTYznK8K88gbewKy7Dw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFcQ6AEwCA#v=snippet&q=hayes&f=false


Residence:
Natchez Records 1767-1805 by May Wilson McBee
Page 357 (no preview available)
William Ferguson to Thos Marston Green, 348 acres on Cole's Creek, b. by lands of John Smith, James Cole, Ben Stanley, and Benj. Roberts, for $350. ...no preview available for this page

page 80
1790. William Ferguson to Thomas Marston Green, 348 arpents b. by John Smith, James Cole, Benj. Stampley, Benj. Roberts, for $350 paid. Wit: Eben Rees. ...no preview available for this page

Possessions:
In 1794, an inventory of the estate of the late James Cole, deceased as declared upon oath of Mary Cole, the widow, reads, "John Cole, the eldest son; Jacob Stampley and Captain Richard King, all of this District, Appraisers.
450 acres of land...more or less (not a large estate)
One negro man, supposed to be 35 years of age
One grey horse, about 12 years old
One cow and calf, One yearling heifer
One two year old steer, 12 head of hogs
One saddle One feather bed, sheets, furniture
One large and one small iron pot and one bake oven
Five wooden, common chairs; three pewter basins, 6 pewter plates
Two pewter dishes - 3 earthen dishes
Four knifes and forks
One plough - two falling axes - one broad axe and three weeding hoes
One old drawing knife, one foot adze - one frowe
A small looking glass
This inventory was taken on May 19, 1794.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0003.html

James* married Mary* Rentfroe about 1754 in Black Water River, Bedford Co, Virginia. Mary* (daughter of James* Rentfroe, Sr and Esther* Van Bibber) was born in 1736 in Crooked Run, on the Shenandoah, Orange Co, Virginia; died in 1810 in Coles Creek Settlement, Natchez District, Jefferson Co, Mississippi. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Possessions: 05 Jun 1806, Coles Creek, Natchez, Jefferson Co, Texas; sold to Moses Higgins
• Will: 17 Mar 1810, Coles Creek, Natchez, Jefferson Co, Mississippi

Notes:

1737 William Rentfroe, living in old Orange Co, VA, signed a petition:
"The inhabitants of Opeckon and Shenanadore humbly beg, that your Court give permission that two meeting places might be erected. One on the land of Rev William Williams near his home and another near the home of Morgan Bryan. Rev William of Presbyterian faith has promised to supply us the ministry of his office. " (Bk 3. p 101, Orange Co, VA)
23 May 1737: Wm Rentfroe "request that Peter Woolf or Solomon Froman be appointed Constable in my stead" (Deed Bk 2 Orange Co.)
24 May 1740 WmRentfroe buys from Robert McKay 828 acres on West side of Shenandoah River, on both side of Crooked Run (Bk 4, pg 191)

Possessions:
On June 5, 1806, Mary Cole, widow of James, sold to Moses Higgins, "title to that part of land on which I now live, 120 acres for $150.00. All my stock of horses, hogs, horned cattle and household furniture."

James married Nancy Sullivan about 1790. Nancy was born about 1776; died in Aug 1829 in St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

from Carole Knight (cknight@huntnet.net)
From the Succession of Nancy Sullivan, August 1829, St. Landry Parish:
James Simmons, Sr., becomes the tutor to the minor children Abner and Mary Simmons and natural tutor to his son Stephen. Stephen is not mentioned in all the documents, however, as he is "over the age of puberty". David Simmons was the undertutor
In all the related documents (copies in my files), James Simmons actually signs. At the sale of the estate of Nancy Sullivan on September 15, 1929, the possessions, including the slaves, horned cattle, horses and so on were sold at a publiction at the home located on Bayou Darbone with the following folks buying at least one item:
-- James Simmons, signs
-- James Cole, makes a mark
-- John Simmons, signs
-- David Simmons, sign
-- Jacob Simmons, signs
-- Elizabeth Cole, makes a mark
-- William Simmons, makes a mark
The sale took two days and brought in $6,656.55.
Benjamin B. Jefferson was one of the witnesses attending to the sale account.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Census: 1790, Cheraws Dist, St. Thomas Co, South Carolina
• Residence: 1791, Natchez, Mississippi
• Residence: 1794, Natchez, Mississippi
• Residence: 20 Sep 1796, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; wit sis-in-law marriage
• Residence: 07 Aug 1803, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; 1st 5 kids bt
• Census: 1820, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana

Notes:

Pure speculation and guess that Moses could be son to Joseph and brother Henry Issac.

Debbie has in her tree that he might be son of Burrell Johnson, 1755-Dec 1823 Edgefield, South Carolina and Marie Joesphe Lord, 1755 KY - 15 Jun 1785 St. Jacques, Quebec, Canada, and suggests he had a brother Francis 1777-1798.

"Jesse" came from a guess that the abstractor made of the name of Ann's father at the time of her marriage to Thomas Court in the St. Landry marriage license #51. The notation shows _ _ _ e & Nancy Roberts with "Jesse" filled in above the dashes.

Wit: Robert, Susanne (Benjamin & Elizabeth Cole) m 20 Sept 1796 Jacob Welsh. Also Wit John Moore, Andrew Walsh, Robins.

On August 7, 1803, they had all their children (first four born at this time) baptized at the same time.

1810 Rapides Par Census:
Moses Johnston - listed 45+
1 male, 2 female under 10 - Amand, Eliz, John
2 males, 1 female 10-16 - Ben, Abraham, Marie
1 male 16-26 - Solomon Green
1 male 45+ Moses
1 female 26-45 Nancy

also listed in Rapides:
William Johnston 00012-00100-00
Josiah S. Johnston 01300-00000-15

According to the 1820, St.Landry, census, there were residents counted that do not show up later. They were two boys under 10 yrs old; three men age 26-45; one girl age 10 to 16; and two girls ages 16-26.

from Carole: That is not the census data that I have. He was somewhere in St. Landry Parish when I found it... the data included 7 children!! The 1820 census
reads as follows:

301321 422000 5

1830 Louisiana: No listing for Moses Johnson

Found on GenWeb Pennsylvania that a John Roberts and John Lyons emigrated from Cork, Ireland on the brig "Freemason" entering America on 27 Dec. 1764. Possible connection??
______________
Dianne Peoples: As far as your question about Moses and James L. being brothers. Iv'e never heard this info before. In Gen Erbon Wise's book, Wise Footsteps from England and Ireland, p.57, he thinks that Moses and Francis Johnson were the sons of Burrell Johnson. Burrell was b.c1755,
SC. I will warn you that some don't hold this book in high regard.

LV Hayes: Her opinion of Wise's book is certainly on the money. It contains errors and scrambled data on many families. I understand that a revision is to be published some time this year, but I haven't picked up word of Wise checking with anybody, so I don't know if it's going to be any better.

DP: Houston Tracy Jr. tells me that he thinks Moses traveled with Rev Joseph Willis from SC to Natchz District c1794.

LVH: Yeah, there's a tale going around that Willis led like Moses a whole caravan of families from SC (some versions have NC) to LA. I don't buy it. The Pevoto book mentions documents that may locate Moses in the Natchez area in 1794. There's much uncertain about this family, but the eldest daughter, Isabelle, was baptized at Opelousas in 1803, so Moses got to St Landry Parish by then. He's not on the 1810 census, however.

DP: The 1860 Rapides Parish Census states that Moses' son, John L. was born c1802 KY. He was, however, baptized in St. Landry Parish, LA in 1803. It seems that the more you know, the more confused you get.

LVH: John L. also appears to be on the 1826 Atascosita census where his birth place is also identified as KY.
_______________
Date: 8/30/98 10:42:40 PM Central Daylight Time
From: smjtree@sprynet.com (Steve Johnson/Michelle Johnson)
To: Lumoto@aol.com

The Acadian Johnson/Jeansonne Family Assoc will be hosting a world wide family reunion in Marksville, la. next August, 1999 as part of the CMA-Louisiana 1999 Acadian Families Reuion. If your Jeansonne family came from Opelousas then you are a member of this Acadian family since our family started in Opelousas after coming here from Acadia in the 1760"s. For more info on the assoc please reply and info will be sent to you....Steven johnson Eunice, la.
_____________
Date: 9/1/98 10:09:51 PM Central Daylight Time
From: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net (T.J. Jeansonne)
Reply-to: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net
To: Lumoto@AOL.COM

Sherry,
I have researched the information that you supplied on your Johnson lineage.
Everything that I was able to come up with agreed with the data that you supplied, but I was unable to tie you in to the JEANSONNE branch. I did locate a Moise Johnson (born 1755). He was the son of Jean-Baptiste (Joseph) Johnson, Sr. and Marie-Josephe Laure. No record of place of
birth, but he was probably born in Canada. I don't know if this is the same Moses "Jesse" Johnson that you referred to.
You should probably check with a cousin of mine who has done a lot of research on the Johnson/Jeansonne family. In fact he has a book out titled GENEALOGY OF THE JOHNSON AND RELATED FAMILIES . His name is Floyd E. Johnson Sr. and his address is:
1302 Estelle St., Hattiesburg, MS 39402-2719. Phone (601) 258-3300.
If Floyd can tie you in to our JEANSONNE/JOHNSON lineage, please let me know so I can include you and your family in our database for future reference.
Hope this has been some help. If I can be of further assistance, let me know..
Tom Jeansonne
Opelousas, LA

_____________
Reply-to: tjjeansonne@worldnet.att.net
To: Lumoto@AOL.COM

Sherry -
The following is the url for the JEANSONNE/JOHNSON website:
http://www.geocities.com/BourbonStreet/5075/index.html

The Webmaster (Kathryn Coombs) informs me that she is in the process of finding a new "home" for it, therefore a lot of the links which you click on will give you an ERROR 404 NOT FOUND. She assures me that she is working on getting the site up and running real soon.
Tom
_________________
>>Yeah, there's a tale going around that Willis led like Moses a whole caravan of families from SC (some versions have NC) to LA.
>
>Y'all are way up on me here. Haven't seen the books and don't know who Willis is.

An interesting character. Born the son of a white plantation owner and an indian slave in Robeson Co, NC, he became the first protestant minister and founded the first protestant church west of the Mississippi or at least
that's how the tale goes. He did help found a number of churches in southwestern LA, including the Big Woods church near Edgerly, LA in 1827.
But he also owned slaves, married at least 4 wives, and sired 19 known children.

>>John L. also appears to be on the 1826 Atascosita census where his birth place is also identified as KY.
> Well, he was baptized at 1 yr old; so Moses was in KY in 1802. What is confusing here? What am I missing?

The documentation which indicates that Moses and Nancy Roberts both may have been in the Natchez area circa 1794, not yet married to one another. Of course, they could have made a trip up river to KY. As I said before,
the documentation is spotty and somewhat conflicting.
----
LV: Do you have access at your library to McBee's _Natchez Court Records, Vol.
II_? If so, check pages 245-6 from Book F. This source is identified in Laura Dingle Ewing's Peveto book, which would be another good source for you if you can also find it in the library. It's long out of print.

Laura quotes passages from McBee which reveal in effect that a Moses Johnson was living with a Mrs. John Green, whose husband had left the country for parts unknown. These records, which may date to 1794, relate to a squabble between Moses and a Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts, whose husband, Jonathan had enlisted in the military and not come back. Mrs. Green had invited Mrs. Roberts to stay with her while ole Moses was gone to New Orleans, and when he returned, Moses charged Elizabeth for bed and board
and confiscated her goodies until she payed. This led to the court action.
Also mentioned is that John Green had given Moses a note for a debt of $67 dated Jul 1791, so that would place Moses in the Natchez area at least as early as that date.

Laura was focussed on finding a Roberts, so she thought mistakenly that Elizabeth may have been Moses's Nancy Roberts, but in light of what you have learned of the Anna who married John Green, it was just the opposite.
More likely, he married the same Mrs. Green he was with circa 1794 or just lived with her because she would not have been able to get a divorce with her husband's status unknown due to his departure.

NATCHEZ 1794: PART ONE, the abstract

FROM The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805: Abstracts of Early Records by May Wilson McBee La. 929.1 McBee

Page 270 Book F
(Court proceedings: March 15, 1794 - Daniel Clark)
Page 245: Mrs. Elizabeth Roberts made oath that her husband, Jonathan Roberts, was settled on Mr. Mather's plantation at Bayou Sara by agreement but about six weeks ago her husband abandoned her and enlisted as a soldier and left her big with child and she has two young children by her former husband, Henry Grant, but she has some little property when she married Jonathan Roberts but he has none. Some time before Roberts left her she was invited by Mrs. Green who lived with Moses Johnson to go and stay with her for awhile and she did, with Roberts consent. Johnson was then gone to Orleans with the volunteers [She detailed the work that she did and the supplies she furnished while at the house of Moses Johnson during two months and a few days she stayed as well as listing her belongings she had taken there from the Mather plantation.] When Moses Johnson returned he exacted a note for $40 from her for board for herself and two children and is claiming her possessions in payment [Affidavit of Moses Johnson who denies Mrs. Roberts story; she was not invited to his house, etc.}

Page 246: I enclose two depositions, Mrs. Roberts and Moses Johnson. I have ordered that her property be restored to her and she has given security that she shall not part with any of it until I receive Your Excellency's answer. I think the man has overcharged her. Moses Johnson also holds a note of John Green for $67 due ever since July 1791. This Green has left the country some time past and has a tract of land here and his wife who lives with Johnson. Johnson's suit is to have the land sold to pay the debt. Mrs. Roberts has a very worthless husband. Devall married them before the proclamation. Devall married them before the proclamation. She is very poor and has two children and now big with child. Etc.

Page 247: If Roberts has any pay due him, etc. Signed Francis Poussett, March 11, 1794

PART II FOLLOWS ? ONE OF THE ACTUAL DEPOSITIONS.

Tragically the only letter missing in the index to the abstracts is ?G?

Carole

Found in State Census N.C. 1784-1787 - significance not known.
Moses Johnson
List of Inhabitants of Johnston Co, for yer 1787. Recd'd Mar 16, 1787.
List of number of inhabitants of Capt John Bryan of Every Sect & Condition
Moses Johnson -- 1 white male, 21-60 years
2 white male under 21 - over 60
5 white female - all ages
and
Capt William Talton Co, pg 3:
Moses Johnson 1 white male, 21-60 years
2 white male under 21 - over 60
4 white female - all ages


Census:
1790 Cheraws District, St. Thomas Co, South Carolina
page 14
Moses Johnson 1 1 1

unk who these people are
same page Judith Johnson - - 1

page 13
William Johnson 2 0 1


Residence:
Moses was witness to marriage of Susanne Robert & Jacob Welsh. 20 Sep 1796. Susanne sis of Nancy Anna; so his sis-in-law.
Robert Susanne - Presbyterian (Benajmin & Elizabeth Colle - Presbyterians) m 20 Sept 1796 Jacob Welsh - Presbyterians, of Maryland in the United States (Peter & Catherine Opaver (Huppert). Wits: Andrew Walsh(?), Moses Johnston, John Moore, Robin. Fr. Pedro de Zamora (Opel Ch.: v 1-A, p 69)

Census:
7 Aug 1820 St. Landry Parish
page 2
Name: Moses Johnson
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): St Landry, Louisiana
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820


Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 3 1810-1820
Benjamin but died prob bef 1820 ?, ?, ?
one of these might be Joachim b 1816, son of Abraham

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1 (1802-1804)
John 1802

Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 3 (1795-1804)
Abraham, 1799 but had son by 1816 ?, ?


Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44: 2 1776-1794
?

Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1 bef (1775
Moses bef 1765

Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 4 (1810-1820)
Ann, Amanda or Rhoda or both?, ?, ?, ?

Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2 (1805-1810)
Amanda or Rhoda or both?

Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2 (1795-1804)
Elizabeth 1795 and maybe Abraham's wife?

Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 5
Free White Persons - Under 16: 9
Free White Persons - Over 25: 3
Total Free White Persons: 17
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 17

no wife
Marie married abt 1812 and in her own census
Abraham married abt 1815

other Johnsons in 1820 Opel

James Johnson - same page 2:
alone: foreigner not naturalized age 16-25 (1795-1804)
-------
also
pg 3
Edmund >45


pg 6
Susannah >45;
5 kids: 2f 1m <10; 1m 1f 10-15
(same page John Arrington)
Pg 7
Isaac, David (next to each other)

Gideon, same pg 7
26-44 (1776-1794)

pg 16
John 2m 16-25; 1f 16-25 (1795-1804)

same pg, several familiar names, inc James Foreman Jr. and Thomas Hayes; Bosman Hays

(Thomas Hayes s/o Bosman Hayes & Jane Forman; James Forman Jr., Solomon Green

Sarah Forman, sister to Jane, m Isaac Johnson

-----------
John pg 17
same pg Jacob Harmon Sr.; Benjamin Andrus;
William Perry,
Asa Forman, Isaac Forman, Ephraim Forman Joseph Forman
Francis Hoffpauir, John Lyons sr -- and more - all adjac
Jonathan Foreman

Moses** married Nancy** Anna Robert about 1794. Nancy** (daughter of Benjamin* Robert, (immigrant) and Elizabeth* Cole) was born about 1770 in Natchez District, Mississippi; died after 1815 in Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1794, Natchez, Mississippi

Notes:

1810 Rapides Par Census - age 26-45. If had first child at 17 and last child at 42 - b 1773.

Robert, Nancy (Benjamin & Isabelle Robert) m 16 Sep 1787 John Green of Virginia (Thomas & Anne Green) Wits: James Young, John Dunmore, Ebrent(?) Robins. Fr. Joseph de Arazena (Opel Ch. v.1-A, p 9)

Robert, Anna m John Green (Opel. Ch)
Robert, Anna m Moses Jansonne
Jeansonne, Moses m Anna Robert (Opel. Ch)

Natchez court records show that Moses and Nancy were living in the same household in 1794, but she is still referred to as John Green's wife.

Birth:
daughter Marie is the only child who lived long enough to be entered in the 1880 census where birthplace of parents are recorded. She stated her mother born in Mississippi.