Martha Lyons

Martha married Johnson Moss about 1847. Johnson was born about 1827 in of, Louisiana; died after 1848. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Will: 1829, Opelousas, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; succession

Notes:

SM Ch bt 16 June at age 7 yrs v6 #106
Hayes, Hetty m William Lyons in succ. of William Lyons dated 21 February 1829 (Opel Ct Hse succ. # 483) See also 1821 #238
Children listed in succession (Opel Ct Hse 1829 Succ # 483 & 1821 #238)

Researching Lyons: davidl2@home.com (per Temple)

Will:
Children listed in succession.

William married Elizabeth Cole about 1835 in Louisiana. Elizabeth (daughter of Solomon Cole and Elizabeth Davis) was born about 1806 in Plaquemine Brulee, Acadia Parish, Louisiana; died after 1842. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Protestant
• Possessions: 04 Mar 1790, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana
• Possessions: 1801, Bayou Queue de Tortue, Vermilion Parish, Louisiana
• Will: 04 Sep 1834, St. Landry Parish, Louisiana; inventory

Notes:

They were in Pensacola Florida when their son, Gabriel was born.This is stated in record of marriage of Gabriel to Nancy Burleigh. GC Chv 1p 6.
Bapt. record of their son John said that John and Anne Ahart were of Georgia.

writeup found in Ancestry:
JOHN LYONS, SR., was the first Lyons ancestor of which we have record. He was born about 1757. John?s father may have been Samuel Lyons but there is no proof of this.

According to one family legend, the Lyons came from Ireland and Scotland. According to another they came to this country from Nova Scotia about the time of the American Revolution.

It is not known when the first Lyons reached Louisiana. Some members of the family believe that the Lyons first settled in Georgia or Tennessee. However, it is certain that John Lyons, Sr. was in Louisiana prior to 1801 for in that year he purchased some 6000 acres of land in what is now Vermilion and Acadia Parishes. The land is situated on both the North and South sides of Bayou Queue de Tortue.

John Lyons, Sr. was the father of at least seven children:
1.MICHAEL LYONS, born about 1777.
2.John Lyons, Jr.
3.Gabriel Lyons
4.Elizabeth Lyons
5.Samuel Lyons
6.William Lyons
7.David Lyons

John Lyons, Sr. married Nancy or Ana, Ahart. It is thought that all of John?s children were born of this marriage; however, Michael, the eldest child, might have been by a previous marriage.

According to the Lyons? Family Bible, Nancy Ahart Lyons died on June 1, 1809, and John Lyons, Sr. died on August 23, 1835. He died at his home place on Bayou Queue de Tortue.


Possessions:
04 MAR 1790
(Juan de Lion an inhabitant of Pensacola) petitioned for a land concession 80 by 40 arpents at the mouth of Bayou Vermilion on the right bank descending and the last high land on the bayou to form a vacherie and to make oak timber for the construction of boats.
source:
4.Title: La Raconteur: Record Group P85-190 at Louisiana State Archives
Abbrev: Lyons, John La Raconteur
Date: 1995

Possessions:
land on the south side of the bayou "50 arpents front by the ordinary depth" (40 arpents) from Celestin la Tortue, Chief of the Attakapas, for $87
source: Title: Acadia Parish Louisiana, a History prior to 1900
Abbrev: Acadia Parish History, Vol. 1
Author: Fontenot, Mary Alice; Freeland, Paul B.
Date: 1976; Text: p. 12

Will:
The inventory of his estate was taken at "the plantation and last residence of the late John Lyons of said parish....situated on the Bayou Queue de Tortue, distant about fifty miles from the Courthouse of said Parish."

John married Nancy Anne Ahart about 1775. Nancy was born in 1761 in Georgia or Virginia; died on 1 Jun 1809 in Plaqueine Brulee, Acadia Parish, or St. Landry Parish, Louisiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Religion: Protestant

Notes:

A careful look at the list below will show the research on this line needs some work; the dates do not fit together very well. If you have additional info please share it!

There are 2 children John M Lyons listed and I initially thought they were probably the same person but the dates of spouses don\\\'t align.

John M Lyons is born in 1783 in GA
- He marries Marie Hayes 27 Oct 1800 in Opelousas and is listed as a Protestant
- Marie Hayes dies 17 May 1826
- yet the record shows they have a son Aborn born in 1829 (3 years after she died)
- He marries Rachael Marie Forman 30 Mar 1804, according to the notes in a Catholic church
- Rachel and he have a son David Lyons born in 1798 (5 years before the wedding)
- and their son John L Lyons III is born 5 Jul 1804 (4 months after the wedding)
- Rachel and he divorce(!) 21 May 1824
- He marries Rebecca Gilchrest 19 Jun 1826 (1 month after Marie dies and 2 years after the divorce from Rachel).

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]

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."