Capt. Stephen Cole, Jr.

Notes:

Stephen Cole and William Temple Cole Fight With Indians -
Stephen Cole and William Temple Cole were born in New River, Wythe Co., Virginia. There they married sisters named Allison, and emigrated to the southern part of the Cumberland, Wayne Co., Kentucky. In 1807, they came to Upper Louisiana, and settled on or near Loutre Island, about the same time that the Coopers settled on that island. In 1810, a roving band of about eighteen Pottowattomies, led by a war chief named Nessotingineg, stole a number of horses from the settlers of Loutre Island on the Missouri. A volunteer company consisting of Stephen Cole, William Temple Cole, Sarshall Brown, Nicholas Gooch, Abraham Potts, and James Mordock, was formed with Stephen Cole, then captain of the militia of Loutre Island, as leader. The company proposed to follow the Indians and recapture the stolen property. The volunteer company followed the Indians up the Loutre Creek, about 20 miles, and came to a place where the Indians had peeled bark, evidently to make halters, there the white men stopped for the night. The next morning they followed the Indian trail about thirty miles across Grand Prairie, just as they emerged from a small patch of timber, suddenly discovered the Indians with the horses. William Temple Cole and Sarshall Brown, on the fastest horses, started in pursuit, the others following them. So hard did they press their pursuit upon the Indians, who did not know the number of whites chasing them, and who were apprehensive that they might be captured in their wild flight, that they threw their packs into a plum thicket near a pool of water, and they scattered in the woods. These packs, consisting of buffalo robes, deer skins and partly tanned leather, they had stolen from Sarshall Brown. Night overtaking the party, they went into camp on the Waters of Salt River at a place known as Bonelick, 65 miles from the Loutre settlement, and about a mile or two northwest of the present city of Mexico, in Audrain County. Here contrary to the advice of their leader Stephen Cole, they without posting any sentinels, tied their horses in the thicket. After broiling some meat for supper, they went to sleep, with the exception of Stephen Cole, who with the sagacity of the experienced frontiersman was apprehensive of an attack. They had not been asleep long, when Cole thought he heard the cracking of a bush. He told his brother to get up, for he believed the Indians were near. However everything remained still, and solemn quietude prevailed. Stephen Cole pulled his saddle against his back and shoulders, and sought again his repose after the hard day\'s chase, but still impressed with impending danger. The Indians, who had crawled up so near that, by the light of the
little camp fire, they could see the faces of their unsuspecting victims, waited but a short time till all was quiet then they opened a volley upon the party, instantly killing Gooch and Brown, wounding William Temple Cole and mother of one of the men. A hand-to-hand struggle between the Indians and Stephen Cole then took place in which Cole killed four Indians and wounded a fifth; the remaining members of the Indian band disappeared. Stephen Cole then went into a nearby pool and squatted in the water to wash the blood from the many wounds which he had received. After a little while the Indians returned, found Temple Cole and killed him. Patton, who had managed to get off some distance, also was found dead near a little sapling. Stephen Cole, after stanching the flow of blood from his wounds left the scene of the bloody encounter.
The next morning, after he had gone about two or three miles, he sat down on a small gopher hill to rest, when he discovered two mounted Indians same distance away. They eyed him for a few minutes, then wheeled their horses and disappeared. He reached the settlement on the third day nearly famished, having had not a morsel to eat during all this time. James Moredock escaped unhurt, and it is said that if he had acted with one-half the bravery of Stephen Cole, the Indians would have been defeated. Samuel Cole, a son of William Temple Cole, says that the Indians did not scalp the whites in this encounter. Peace was supposed to prevail between the Indians and settlers. This skirmish proved to be the beginning of the Indian troubles on the Missouri River. It is possible that this band of Pottowattomies had been on the war path against the Osages, and since the war trail from the Pottowattomies\' led to the mouth of the Gasconade, near which Loutre Island is situated in the Missouri River, the temptation to steal some of the horses of the settlers had been too great for the Indians to forego. At any rate, so far as we know they did no personal injury to the settlers, except yielding to their penchant for stealing. If they had been bent upon more
serious mischief, they undoubtedly could and would have perpetrated it. James Cole, a son of Stephen Cole, says that in this fight Stephen Cole received 26 wounds, and that on his way home he chewed some elm bark and placed it on his wounds. Stephen Cole was killed by the Indians on the banks of the Rio Grande near El Paso in 1824. Cole was a strong, virile, robust, uneducated, but sagacious frontiersman. On one occasion he was present at a session of the legislature, says Houck, when two members who had been opponents in a spirited debate during the session, engaged in a fight, after adjournment for the day and clinched. This was a common occurrence in those days when physical strength and prowess were so greatly esteemed. Governor McNair, who happened to be present, tried to separate them, but Cole seized the governor and pulled him away, saying, \"In such a scrimmage a governor is no more than any other man.\"

From History of Cooper County Missouri by W. F. Johnson


William Temple Cole and his family went from Wythe County VA to St Charles County MO in 1807. William Temple Cole was killed by Indians on 20 July 1810. The court appointed his brother Stephen Cole (jr), administrator and in 1814 guardian of William Temple Cole\'s sons Stephen Cole & Samuel Cole both over age 14.

The following is hand written:

District of Saint Charles } Henry Hight Judge of probate
Territory of Louisiana } of the district aforesaid
To Hannah Cole relict & widow of William Temple Cole - deceased, James Cole, Holbert Cole, Stephen Cole, Samuel Cole, Jane Cole, Martha Cole, William T Cole, Ann D. Cole, Eleoner Cole and Phebe Cole ---- heirs and representatives of William Temple Cole ---- deceased.
You are hereby Summoned and required to Show cause if any you can why the sale of Lucy & Issac - slaves belonging to the estate of the aforesaid William Temple Cole -should not be directed and the amount of the sale distributed among you according to your respective rights on or before the first day of September next-

Given under my hand with the seal of office annexed the 24th day of July - in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & eleven.
H. Hight

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=day76149&id=I0590

Major Stephen Cole was the acknowledged leader of the settlers living south of the Missouri River, in what is now Boonville, Missouri. Having made every effort to protect his loved ones, and his neighbors, during the trying period of the War of 1812, when peace was declared in 1815, the love of wild adventure led him to become a pioneer in the trade with Santa Fe. In 1822, he and his nephew (also named Stephen Cole) were killed by Navajo Indians about 60 miles southwest of Santa Fe, on the Rio Grande River.

See http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=day76149&id=I0112 and also thanks to Robert \"Bob\" Priddy

Stephen married Phoebe Allison in 1799 in Wythe Co, Virginia. Phoebe (daughter of Holbert McClure (Halbert) Allison and Mrs. Nancy Agnes (..) Allison) was born in 1772 in Wythe Co, Virginia; died about 1825 in Cole Co, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Webpage with info on Stephen Cole and family;
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/a/n/Ronald-P-Kanarr/GENE1-0014.html

Stephen married Eleanor Bounds about 1754 in Bedford Co, Virginia. Eleanor (daughter of James Bounds and Ann (Dykes) Dicks) was born about 1733 in Dorcester, Maryland; died in 1783 in Bedford Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: Bef 1713, Chester, Pennsylvania
• Residence: Aft 1730, West Virginia
• Residence: Aft 1732, Frederick Co, and Orange Co, Virginia
• Residence: 1737, Orange Co, West Virginia

Notes:

1731 Yoist Hite, German from PA, first settler in Western VA, and Robert McKay, a Quaker from Cecil Co, MD, secured a 100,000 acre Grand from the Council of VA 21 Oct 7131. Terms required Hite and McKay to settle 100 families within 2 years. The Cole bros, Rentrfoes and Robinsons came to Western VA at that time.


1737 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) Also signed by William Rentfroe.

(Opeckon River (just north of present day Winchester, Frederick, County. This location also mentioned in John Madden documents a little later in 1745)

__
James migrated to West Virginia after 1730. He was in Orange County, West Virginia in 1737.

In 1742, James was appointed Constable by the Augusta County Court that was formed from Orange County, West Virginia.

In July 1745, James received a 400 acre grant along Buffalo Creek. In December 1753, he buys 400 acres on Story Ceek in Lunenburg County, Virginia. In May of 1773, he sells 49 acres. He seems to have continued living in this area, even after his sons left in 1757/58, until his death.

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/l/Darlene-Cole-Fresno/GENE1-0002.html#CHILD3
___

http://www.ancestorstories.org/dad/cook/merlyn/index.cfm
Merlyn Joseph Cook Bio
1914 - 1995, Honorary Researcher
charlie -cookstuff@aol.com

, William Cook II (ca 1725-1785) and his wife Margaret, started their married life ca 1750, in what is now Franklin Co., VA., living first on Fox Run on the Blackwater River. In about 1767, they moved a few miles south of where Hatchet Creek enters the north side of Pigg River, a few miles west of Rocky Mount. In 1784 they moved on west to Franklin Co., KY, near Frankfort, where some of the older children had already migrated. But for approximately 34 years they lived in what is now Franklin Co., VA, although they left just before Franklin Co. was organized.

"As a young married man living on the Blackwater River, William had served as an Anglican Lay Reader (because of the shortage of clergymen). The meetings were held in the houses Joseph RENTFROE and Mark COLE, and William was paid a small stipend in tobacco. Later he served as a J.P., in early Henry Co. History.

"Their home was apparently quite close to the old Bedford Co., line before Franklin Co., was formed. Before the COOK family left for Ky., a letter was prepared by their neighbors and friends, some of whom lived in Bedford Co. The letter which is still preserved, reads as follows: Sept. 26, 1783 "HENRY CO., VA: This is to certify that William COOK has been a resident in this place for near thirty years; and has always behaved unblameable; and demeaned himself as a good citizen, Patriot, and friend, to his country and has faithfully Acted in the Civel department--and now being disposed to move to the Western Waters, we recommend him to the Inhabitants of that Country hoping he will meet with as warm a reception as the Merits of his Caracter Intitles him to. Test

Joseph Anthony Jno. Rentfro, J.P. Swinfield Hill, J.P.

A. Hughes, J.P. Robt. Jones, Sen'r James Calloway, Cty. Lt.

Peter Saunders, Col. Robt. Jones, Jun'r Campbell Co.

John Dillard, J. P. Thos. Jones, Jun'r Thos. Hale, Capt'n

Sam'l Hairston Henry Jones Acquilla Greer

Moses Greer, J. P. Jesse Heard, J. P. Jesse Rentfro

Thos Cooper John Hall Abraham Penn, Col."

William Hall

James* married Susannah* Rentfroe (or Renfro) about 1719 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania. Susannah* (daughter of Tailor John R.* Rentfrow (Rentfro), Jr. and Margaret* Robinette) was born between 1699 and 1705 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania; died after 1752. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
James Cole, Sr. (s/o Stephen b. ca. 1661, and Elizabeth "Temple" Cole b. 1662) made his intention to marry Susannah Rentfroe in Chester Co., PA. in 1719 at the New Garden Monthly Meeting (found at the Swathmore College in PA). We have no idea when they married, but know they did as she was on Land Records until 1752 in VA. The only other Renfro found in PA was a John Renfro and Elizabeth who could be Susannah's parents. (Not confirmed) They had witnessed some legal papers together there at the Meetings.

James married Ann (Dykes) Dicks about 1721 in Bedford Co, Virginia. Ann was born in 1700 in Dorchester, Maryland; died in 1740 in Bedford, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: Bef 1713, Chester, Pennsylvania

Notes:

The Cole ancestors came to America before 1725, landed near Chester, PA, lived in the WELSH TRACT, 30,000 acre grant from William Penn in 1701 to the Society of Welsh Baptist. Original Welsh immigrants of Baptist, Presbyterian faiths.

Original entry record, "We set sail in June 1701 from Melford in the ship JAMES and MARY landing in Philadelphia in September. All were memebers of the Churches of Jesus Christ in the counties of Pembroke and Carmarthen, South Wales in Great Britain. We were moved and encouraged to come to these parts viz Pennsylvania."

They first lived in Radnor Township, PA, a group settled in the great Valley of Chester at Trediffrein. Most moved into New Castle Co, where the Presbyterians found the Pencader Church at Glasgow. The Baptist established their first church upon Iron Hill in New Castle. The Welsh brought letters of Commendatory so they might be received as brethern in Christ if they met others of like faith. Known members of this early group were Robinson, Evans, McDonald Graham, Cloyd, RONTRFO, VAN BIBBER.

Their sons pioneered down to the Shenandoah Valley in Orange and Frederick Counties, VA with James Cole, John Cole and Mark Cole in 1732/37.

(John, James, Mark and William went to frontier of Virgina with Captain George Robinson.:
http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/w/a/l/Shelly-Wales/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0041.html)

Since Stephen's wife, Elizabeth, died in 1732, and his sons left for Virginia right after this, it could be probable that Stephen started this trip with his sons. He could have died and been buried on the journey since he is not buried in the family plot in New Castle and there is no record of him in Virginia.

Elizabeth was buried on September 24, 1732 in the Cole plot at Saint Paul's Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. her tombstone reads that she was 70 years of age at death. Her son Stephen Jr, daughter-in-law, Martha, and Stephen and Martha's daughter, Elizabeth Cole, who died on June 19, 1731 at the age of 9 months, are buried with her.

----------


Immigration:
According to "The Cole Family" by R. Voyt Hill
When Stephen received a disappointing inheritance, he left home to seek his fortune. He boarded a ship headed for America, and showed up in Philadelphia, Chester county, Pennsylvania circa 1682.
http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/ourfamily2/stephencole.html

Stephen* married Elizabeth* Temple, (immigrant) in 1687 in St Paul's Ch, Chester Co, Pennsylvania. Elizabeth* (daughter of Sir John* Temple and Jeane* (or Jane) Yarner (or Yernar)) was born in Sep 1662 in Dublin, Ireland; was christened in 1667 in St. Michan Church, Dublin, Ireland; died on 22 Sep 1732 in Chester , Delaware Co, Pennsylvania; was buried on 24 Sep 1732 in Cole plot in St Pauls Church-yard, Chester Co, Pennsylvania (age 70). [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 1725

Notes:

arrived in the colonies in 1725, possibly as a widow.


Christened:
Ireland\u002C Select Births and Baptisms\u002C 1620-1911
Name Ellizabeth Temple
Gender Female
Baptism Date 1667
Baptism Place Saint Michan, Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
Father John Temple
Mother Jeane
FHL Film Number 824048

about St. Michan's:
"St Michan's is very interesting. It is Church of Ireland.
Burials were done under the church in vaults and catacombs. The air was very arid and many bodies were well preserved."
followed by listing of the Cole/Temple children with bt dates derived from a book "The Registers of St Michan, Dublin." Posted to Rootsweb by Debra Cole
http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/COLE/2001-02/0983226487


Buried:
Elizabeth was buried on September 24, 1732 in the Cole plot at Saint Paul's Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. her tombstone reads that she was 70 years of age at death. Her son Stephen Jr, daughter-in-law, Martha, and Stephen and Martha's daughter, Elizabeth Cole, who died on June 19, 1731 at the age of 9 months, are buried with her.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1734, Cecil Co, Maryland (later Virginia)
• Property: 14 Mar 1742, Edgecombe Co, North Carolina
• Will: 1748, Edgecombe Co, North Carolina

Notes:

Updated: Wed Oct 29 23:45:48 2003 Contact: Delores Willey (felinesmama@msn.com)
http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GED&db=:2619333&id=I539511753

John was a Quaker in New Garden Township, Chester Co., PA. John was perhaps part of a westward movement from Chester Co., PA to Frederick Co, Virginia., a distance of at least 200 miles south and west of Chester Co. Many emigrants to Virginia moved across the river into Maryland, Delaware and Pennsylvania then returned to Virginia. Several Renfros are found on the records of these early counties on the edges of the mountains on both the western slopes and the eastern. One of the first emigrants was a John Rontfro of record in Delaware. He appears on pages 18 and 19 of records of the Welsh Tract Baptist Meeting, Pecander Hundred, New Castle Co., Delaware, 1701 to 1728.
Citing: (1) Signers of the Confession of Faith, 1725
(2)John Rontfro Margaret Rontfro and The names of Such as has been removed from us by death
..John Rontfro

Although John was a member of this Welsh community church, it is believed he just roamed into the area and settled with these people, not that he had Welsh ties. All research points to his French/Scot background.
John Rentfro's house is mentioned in a coroner record at Court, 26 June 1707, Chester Co., PA , History of Chester Co., PA., G. Cope and J.S. Futhey. John Rentfro was a witness to the will of Thomas Rowland on Mar. 3, 1708 in Chester Co., Pa.
(Gilb ert Cope, Gen. & Pesn. Memoires of Chester & Deleward Cos., PA. II:435. Newberry Library E4854085)

In 1712 and 1718 John Rentfro witnessed to Quaker marriages in Chester Co., Pa. And appears on tax list in 1718-1719 in New Garden Township, Chester Co., Pa; 1724 Birmingham Township, Chester Co., Pa and 17 26 in Nottingham Township, Chester Co., Pa.
(NOTE: Although John was a witness to a Quaker marriage, there is no record he was a Quaker. He is on the Welsh Tract Baptist Church records. It was not necessary to be a Quaker to witness for them.)
At a Monthly meeting in East Nottingham, Cecil Co., Maryland (later Virginia) in 1734, John Renfro was witness to the wedding of Geo. Hollingsworth. Also present was Elizabeth Renfro (Maryland Arch. Annapolis, Film M564)

The will of Samuel Robinet, April 30, 1745, Chester Co., PA mentions Son-in-law, John Rentfro and grandson, George Rentfro (first mention of the given name, George), at Nottingham. (Book F (A 1) p 555, dated May 23, 1745. This will not only proves the Margaret Robinet, John Rentfro marriage but also proves that he was alive as late as 1745. Margaret was John's first wife.

Orange Co, Virginia. was formed from Spottsylvania in 1734.

North Carolina
Sometime after the death of Margaret, John moved to Edgecombe Co., N.C. and married Tomasin Simmons. Sometime in-between, John was in Frederick Co, Virginia where he witnessed a Quaker marriage. It should be pointed out that others than Quers did witness these marriages on occasion. John was on the Welsh Tract Baptist roll earlier. So many of his descendants were Baptist ministers in later generations. One Franklin County resident points out that some may have been Anglican, as Anglican services were held in some of the Rentfro homes prior to the Revolution.

John Rentfro's will was filed in Edgecombe Co., NC in 1748. WILL lists, Sons, George, Enoch & Jacob Ranfrow; wife, Tomasin and ?her two sons, William Ranfrow and James Ranfrow. (N.C. Wills, 1663-1 789, Vol XXVI:27, State Archives, Raliegh, NC. Wife, Tomsen Ranfrow and Matthew McKinney Executors.

Edgecombe Co., NC was formed from Bertie Co. in 1741. Later became Granville Co., laying on the South West side of the Roanoke River adjoining Virginia. Evidence that John was married to Tomasin Simmons is found in the property settled on her by her mother, presumably soon after her marriage.

Mary Simmons to John Rentfroe of Edgecombe Co., tailor, 14 Mar 1742/43 for the love and affection I bear my son, (son-in-law); 100 acres of land on the north side of Buck Swamp

---

It has been reported that John Rentfrow married probably three times.

He was first married in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

He then married in Frederick County, Virginia (Winchester in NW part of state.)

Thereafter, he moved to Edgecombe County, North Carolina where he married Tomesin (Simmons) Ridgens before 1742/3.

He left a will in Edgecombe County, North Carolina in 1748.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=clucas&id=I2583


Residence:
1734 witness marriage between George Hollingsworth and Hannah McKay. Wife Elizabeth also present. Cecil Co., MD. (later VA)

Property:
Edgecombe County, NC
Deed Book 5, p161
Mary Simmon of Edgecombe County
to John Renfroe of Edgecombe County, taylor
14 Mar 1742/3 for love, good will, and affection I bear my son 100 A on the north side of Bush Swamp joining Joseph Lane, and Bakers Branch all houses, orchards, gardens, etc. part of a grant to Edward Simmons, 17 Oct 1735
Wit: Walter MacFarlan, William Holley
Reg. Edgecombe County
May Ct 1743

(Abstract of Deeds, Edgecombe Precinct, 1732-1758, Hofmann, p. 182 #161


Will:
Will of John Rentfrow

W: 30 May 1748
P: Aug Ct 1748
Edgecombe County, NC

being very sick and weak of body

Sons: Enuch (Enoch) Renfrow, George Renfrow five shillings each and they are to have no further demands on my estate.

Wife: Tomasin Renfrow all my land for her lifetime and reversion to my son Jacob Renfrow. Rest of estate to be divided between my wife and her two sons William and James Renfrow.

Exec: Matthew MacKinne
Witnesses: John Haywood, Nathaniel Holly, John Evans

(Edgecombe County, NC Will Abstracts, 1732-1792, Golden West Marketing, page 68)
(NC Wills by Grimes, page 310.)

----
John Rentfro's will was filed in Edgecombe Co., NC in 1748. WILL lists, Sons, George, Enoch & Jacob Ranfrow; wife, Tomasin and her two sons, William Ranfrow and James Ranfrow. (N.C. Wills, 1663-1 789, Vol XXVI:27, State Archives, Raliegh, NC. Wife, Tomsen Ranfrow and Matthew McKinney Executors.

John married Margaret* Robinette about 1695. Margaret* (daughter of Samuel* Robinette, (immigrant) and Mary* Taylor, (immigrant)) was born in 1697 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania; died before 1733 in Chester Co, Pennsylvania. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Rebecca (..) Bounds, Mrs about 1693. Rebecca was born about 1670; died after 1708. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]