In addition to the Cooleys in the Surry/Stokes county NC
region, there were families in Halifax, Edgecombe, Bute and Franklin
counties. I've split them into two groups, below. Additionally, we know that
English immigrant Abraham Cooley spent several years in Stokes county;
Virginian and Revolutionary War veteran, James Cooley, was in Surry county
during the war; and William Matthews Cooley was
in Stokes county following the war.
I have no idea at this point if any of these Cooleys were related to our
John (I make some irresponsible speculation about that at the end of this
article) but the common origin of Virginia and North Carolina certainly
makes it a tantalizing possibility. However, as I have shown in the main
article, there were many Cooley immigrants before 1800 and many of them
landed in Virgina.
I cannot claim any original research on the following. Virtually
everything was found on the Net.
Cooleys of Halifax and Edgecombe Counties, NC
James Cooley was born on 16 Apr 1758 in Charles City County, Virginia and
married Penelope ("Penny") Gargus in Halifax County, apparently in 1790.
It's unknown how James was related to the following Cooleys, if at all.
There was also a former Virginia slave by the name of Cooley who moved to
Halifax county in the 1700s. In other words, it would not be unreasonable to
suggest that there may have been multiple unrelated Cooley families residing
in that county at about the same time.
According to F Ben Couch's website, James had the
following children:
- William Truitt Cooley, b. December 1, 1790, Halifax County, NC
d. June 6, 1847, Humphreys County, Tennessee.
- Mary Cooley, b. 1791, Halifax County, NC; m. John Bolton.
- Woodijah Cooley, b. 1792, Halifax County, NC; d. October
1851.
- Nancy Cooley, b. 1793, Halifax County, NC; d. 1845, Waverly,
Humphreys County, TN.
- Martha Cooley, b. 1794; m. James Puckett.
- Seabourn James Cooley, b. November 11, 1795, Halifax County, NC; d. February 26, 1866, Humphreys County
TN.
- Jennie Cooley, b. 1796; m1 Louis Hitchcock; m2 Champion.
- Lavinia Cooley, b. 1797, Montgomery County, TN; d. Unknown; m.
John Johnson, June 22, 1813, Montgomery County, TN.
- Eaton Jones Cooley, b. 1798, Montgomery County, TN; d. June 17,
1854, Humphreys County, TN.
James Cooley served in the Revolution from Virginia. Ben keeps a copy of
his pension records. Paul Cooley writes about his
grandfather, William John Cooley, a descendant of James, on his blog. A 2005 post by Paul at genforum
illustrates his descent from Woodijah Cooley.
Just a few miles east of Charles City county, where James was born, is
Gloucester county, the home of John Cooley (c1715-1767). If we accept the
following birth dates, our John Cooley, having been born by
1740, does not fit neatly into this family as their son John (c1743-c1795)
was born a few years too late. Besides, he is believed to have gone to South
Carolina and died there by by 1795. Edward was too young to have been our
John's father. Nevertheless, our John might have been a cousin. With that in
mind, it's certainly worth keeping an eye open for these folks and hope that
one day a descendant will offer up his Y chromosome.
Martha Stevens/Stephens was born 30 Mar 1715 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA.
She married John Cooley on 24 Nov 1732. Their children are noted on the web
as follows. (Were there really two Elizabeths?)
Edward Cooley, 6 Jan 1733/34 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA
Elizabeth Cooley, 20 Jun 1736 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA
Martha Cooley, 18 Jan 1741/42 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA
John Cooley b: 1 Jan 1743/44 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA
Elizabeth Cooley b: 20 Apr 1745 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA
Martha is believed to have died in Edgecombe county, NC. Her husband,
John Cooley, died in Halifax county, NC in 1767. I don't know that it's
been proven without doubt, but it is generally believed that this John A
Cooley of Darlington county, SC, was the son of John and Martha (Stephens)
Cooley. The following is as transcribed at Wallace L McKeehan's website.
1793: Last Will and Testament of John A. Cooley. 2 Dec: Will vol. 15C,
1793-1797, pg. 311-313, Probate Court, Darlington Co, SC:
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Cooley, of the County of Darlington in the
state of South Carolina, planter, being very sick and weak but of perfect
mind and memory and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make
and ordain this, and no other but this, my last Will and Testament. That is
to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the
hands of Almighty God who gave it, and my body I recommend to the Earth to
be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my
Executor, nothing doubting but a the General Resurrection I shall receive
the same again by the might power of God, and as thouching such worldly
estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give,
devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form, which is to
say: First, I lend and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Rachel, all my
moveable estate, during her natural life; excepting one negro child named
Rhode, which I give to my youngest daughter, Salley, forever. And after the
death of my wife, I Will that all such moveable estate be equally divided
amongst all my children. Item. I Will that my wife pay to each of my
children one Shilling Sterling in cash within six months after my death.
Item. Give and bequeath all my land to my four sons, viz. John, Allen,
William and Kinchen, to be equally divided by men of their own choosing,
allowing John's lot to be where he now lives, and I do hereby utterly
disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other former Testaments, Wills,
Legacies and I do appoint my loving wife, Rachel, Executrix of this my last
Will and Testament. Ratifying Rachel Cooley, Executrix. Ratifying, sllowing
and confirming this and no other but this to be my last Will and Testament,
in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Second Day of
December in the year of our Lord 1793. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced
by the said John Cooley as his last Will and Testament in the presense of us
who in his presence and in presense of each other have herunto subscribed
our names: Lewis Strickley, Samule Mixon, Frederick Bell, John Cooley
(seal).
1795: Will proved Darlington Co, December, Intermediate Court. Lewis
Strickley testified.
According to The Boundless Bounds Family by Ruth T. Dryden, John
and Rachel's son, John Cooley, married Jane Bownds.
Martha (Stevens) Cooley's sister, Rebekah, married Richard Burt. He died
in Halifax county, NC. This deed, with its mention of Richard Burt, helps
tie in the Halifax and Edgecombe Cooleys to one another:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~burtsou/richard_b1724.html
Edgecombe county NC
21 Feb. 1753 Edgecombe Co. Deed Book 4, p. 402 [4]
William Gill of Edge. Co. to William Robers of Edge. Co. Wit: Edward Cooley,
Richard Burt, William Roberts
And is this the same Edward Cooley? The reference to the Stephens of
Halifax county suggests so--and it mentions (Richard?) Burt. If the dates
for John and Martha (Stephens) Cooley's children are correct, then this may
well be their son.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~burtsou/richard_b1724.html
Granville county NC
Deed Book 8 1758-1761:
p. 67 Edw. Cooley of Granville Co. to Edward Stephens of Halifax Co. 19 Dec
1761. 20 pounds proclamation money. 214 acres, joining Jos. Jno. Williams,
Burt. Edward Cooley. Wit: Jos. Jno. Williams, Archd. Hamilton. Mar Ct 1762.
CC: Jos. Montfort.
The following is found for Halifax county:
http://www.rootsweb.com/~burtsou/richard_b1724.html
Deed Book 9
p. 402 John Fish of Halifax Co. to Archibald Hamilton merchant of same. 25
Jul 1765. 300 pounds of Virginia. 850 acres, joining Richd. Burt, John Park,
Joel Hunt, William Haywood, William Jones, Thicket Swamp, John Coley,
Jeremiah Stephens, Miln Swamp. John Fish. Wit:Mary Harris(x), Thos. Hunter.
Oct Ct 1766. CC: Jos. Montfort.
p. 443 John Bradford Esq. sheriff of Halifax Co. To William Hamilton &
Company of same. 11 Apr 1767. Thomas Williamson had sued for the goods of
John Fish. 850 acres, joining Richard Burt, John Parks, Joel Hunt[Hurt?],
William Haywood, William Jones, Thickett Swamp, John Cooley, Jeremiah
Stephans. John Bradford. 11 Mar 1767. A. J.:Montfort Eelback. (note: many
deeds in the book involving Joel Hurt)
SOURCES:
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=stevensp&id=I06901
[Pamunkey Neighbors Supplement, Vol. 2, op. cit.]
http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=REG&db=fbneal&id=I13909&ti=4317
http://www.tamu.edu/ccbn/dewitt/mckstorycooley.htm#cooleyjohnsr
Cooleys of Bute and Franklin Counties, NC
The following post is found at genforum:
James R. Sanders b. abt 1796/98 married Louisa Cooley b. on Abt. 1800/1804,
married on Feb 13, 1825. Franklin Co. NC. Louisa Cooley was the dau. of
John Cooley and Mrs Cooley, (Lucy Bell). John was born 1760/1765, died 10 Aug
1834 & married 27 July 1808. Children were 3 boy's, John, Joel, Jacob, and 5
girls Louisa.and 4 more sisters.
2. John Cooley was the son of John Cooley b. 1734 married 1759. to Mrs John
Cooley b. 1738. Children were 1- Winifred Cooley b. 1765 - d. 1846, 2-
Edward, b. 1760/62, 3.- Miss Cooley b. 1766, 4- Sally Colley b. 1768, 5-
Nancy b. 1771,6 - Stephen Cooley, 7- Claiborn Julius Cooley , and John
COOLEY b. 1760/1765 died 1834, All of the above being in Franklin County,
North Carolina.
The above information can be summarized in this manner:
John Cooley
1734-
m 1759
|
------------------------------------------------------
| | | |
John Cooley Edward Cooley Stephen Cooley Winifred Cooley
c1760/5-1834 c1760/2 1765-1846
m 1808 Lucy Bell m Delilah m Vinson Sanders
| Hartsfield
Louisa Cooley
m James R Sanders
I find this of interest, considering the theory that our John Cooley
probably had resided in Caroline county, VA:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wertin/rowland.html
1787 February 16 North Carolina Franklin County Deed Book 6 #785
Page 16, Howell Freeman of Franklin County, North Carolina to John Mitchell
of Caroline County, Virginia 50 pounds for 200 acres at Henry Freemans
former line & by John Cooley, Jacob Hartsfield (formerly called Mullens),
Norwood & Freeman. Witnesses: Jesse Rowland, Jordan Rowland
I did not note where I found the following deed abstract. If Edward was
John Cooley's son, he would have been quite young.
March 13, 1779, Tobias Butler of Bertie Co., NC planter, to Edward Cooley of
Franklin Co. planter, for 655 pounds Procl. money a tract of 300 acres in
Franklin Co. on the south bank of Crooked Creek at the mouth thereof
adjoining Phillip Taylor, WILLIAM SANDERS, and Jones. Deed book 1, # 44.
And here are some deed abstracts from Bute and Franklin counties. There
may be some repetition here. I've copied and pasted them just I found
them. The notes are the compiler's, not mine:
Early Settlers of Franklin Co., North Carolina
*Bertie Co. Court Minutes 1767-1779 by Brent Havard Holcomb
January 10, 1778, ALECK (ELLICK) SANDERS, blacksmith of Bute Co., Province
NC, & MARY SANDERS to Tobias Butler of Bartee (Bertie Co.), Province NC 300
pds procl money for 300 A in Bute Co. on branches of Crooked Creek where
said SANDERS now dwells, down the Dividing Branch to Andrews Branch
adjoining Mooney, part of a 640 A Earl Granville grant to John Mooney by
Francis Corbin and Benjamin Wheatley. Wit: JOHN COOLLEY (COOLEY), MOSES
JOYNER. Bute Feb. Court, 1778. Warren Co., NC Records, Vol. II Supplement.
March 13, 1779, Tobias Butler of Bertie Co., NC planter, to Edward Cooley of
Franklin Co. planter, for 655 pounds Procl. money a tract of 300 acres in
Franklin Co. on the south bank of Crooked Creek at the mouth thereof
adjoining Phillip Taylor, WILLIAM SANDERS, and Jones. Deed book 1, # 44.
March 1815, Allotment of dower to Martha Harris, widow of Brittain Harris,
dec'd; 1/3 part of 784 acres on Tar River and Cypress Creek. Nathan Perry,
sheriff; Wm. Person surveyor. Jurors were: James Strother, Cordy Ferrell,
Wm. Freeman, Sr., Knighten Alford, Loftis Pippin, Reuben Stallings, JAMES
SANDERS, Stephen Cooley, Joshua Perry, Elias Wrenn, Reddick Hillsman. Eight
negroes were also allotted. Will book D, # 144.
June 9, 1817, Inventory of property of Vinson Sanders. Included were 470 1/2
acres, 11 negroes (not named). Names mentioned: Littleberry Pippen, James
Cooley, Jacob Mitchell, WILLIAM SANDERS, the widow WINIFRED COOLEY SANDERS,
and others. Signed SHERWOOD SANDERS, Adm. September court, 1817. Will book
F, # 343.
Undated 1821, Account of estate of James Spivey by Willis Horton, admr.
Names mentioned among many others were: ARENDELL & FOX, BAILEY PERRY, EDWARD
COOLEY, JEREMIAH PERRY, EATON UPCHURCH, & JAMES SANDERS, dec'd. Will book G,
# 610.
January 1821, Buyers at the sale of property of John Williams included:
SHERROD SANDERS & WILLIAM SANDERS. In Feb. 1821, the slaves were sold, and
named among the buyers were EDWARD COOLEY & BAILEY PERRY. March court 1821.
Will book D, # 638. **NOTE: BAILEY PERRY was a bondsman for the marriage of
THOMAS B. SANDERS & CAROLINE ARENDELL. This means that they were good
friends.
Typing in all caps is certainly not my style:
[source link]
1777 FEBRUARY 17 NORTH CAROLINA BUTE COUNTY "ABSTRACTS OF WARREN COUNTY N.C.
DEED BOOK 7" DB-7 PAGE 161. 17 FEBRUARY 1777.
BRIDGES FRE(E)MAN, PLANTER, TO JNO. COOLEY, BOTH OF BUTE CO.,
PRO. CAROLINA. 100 PDS.(60 PDS?) PROCL. MONEY FOR 200 A. IN
BUTE CO. IN UPPER FORK OF ANDREWS BRANCH, BOUGHT FROM
JNO. MOONEY 3 APR. 1762, PART OF AN EARL GRANVILLE GRANT TO HIM FOR
640 A. BY AGENTS FRANCIS CORBIN & BENJAMIN WHEATLEY 17 MAY
1756 & WHERE SD. MOONEY FORMERLY LIVED. WIT: JULIUS ALFORD,
WARREN ALFORD. PROVED BY JULIUS ALFORD, BUTE FEB. COURT
1779,
THOS. MACHEN, C.C. REG: 10 APRIL 1780, BY WILLIAM JOHNSON,
JR., P.R.
1778 SEPTEMBER 25 NORTH CAROLINA BUTE COUNTY "BUTE COUNTY
LAND
ENTRIES" ENTRY #222. W(ARRANT) ISSUED 25 SEPT 78 BRIDGES
FREEMAN ENTERS 620 A ON ANDERS CREEK ADJ. LINES OF ALFORD,
JNO. MULLINS, WM. FREEMAN, SAML JONES, JNO COOLEY,
HARTSFIELD,
WRIGHT, WOMMOCK.
15 JUNE 1778 BRIDGES FREEMAN
1779 FEBRUARY 11 NORTH CAROLINA BUTE COUNTY "MINUTES OF THE COURT
OF COMMON PLEAS & QUARTER SESSIONS 1767-1779" PAGE 162
A DEED FROM BRIDGES FREEMAN TO JOHN COOLEY WAS PROVED BY
THE
OATH OF JULIUS ALFORD A WITNESS THERETO AND ON MOTION THE SAME
IS ORDERED TO BE REGISTERED
1780 JULY 21 NORTH CAROLINA FRANKLIN COUNTY DEED BOOK 1 #121
PAGE
121: BRIDGES FREEMAN OF FRANKLIN COUNTY TO JACOB HARTSFIELD OF
SAME JULY 21, 1780, FOR 100 POUNDS A TRACT OF 188 ACRES BEGIN-
NING AT SAID HARTSFIELD'S OLD CORNER ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF AN-
DREWS CREEK AND RUNNING EAST ACROSS THE SAID CREEK,
ADJOINING
WOMACK, HARTSFIELD, JULIUS ALFORD, AND JOHN COOLEY, IT BEING
PART OF A GRANT TO SAID BRIDGES FREEMAN FROM THE STATE OF N.C.
BEARING DATE SEPTEMBER 20, 1779. WITNESSES: HENRY
FREEMAN,
SAMUEL WRIGHT.
1784 FEBRUARY 20 NORTH CAROLINA JOHNSTON COUNTY FRANKLIN COUNTY
DEED BOOK 4 #604 PAGE 69 BRIDGES FREEMAN OF JOHNSTON CO., N.C.
TO HOWELL FREEMAN OF THE COUNTY AND STATE AFORESAID, FEB. 20,
1784, FOR 50 PDS. SPECIE A TRACT OF 125 ACRES IN
FRANKLIN CO.
LYING ON THE WATERS OF ANDREWS CREEK AND ON COOLEY PATH &
JAKES PATH ADJOINING HARTSFIELD, MULLINS & HENRY FREEMAN.
WITNESSES: HENRY FREEMAN & CHUBY FREEMAN [FEMALE]
IN THE SEPTEMBER COURT OF 1784, THIS DEED WAS PROVED BY
HENRY
FREEMAN AND REGISTERED.
1785 OCTOBER 18 NORTH CAROLINA FRANKLIN COUNTY DEED BOOK 5 #477
PAGE 131 JOHN COOLEY (COOLY) OF FRANKLIN CO. TO JOHN SMITH OF
SAME, OCT. 18, 1785, FOR 150 PDS. SPECIE A TRACT OF 200 ACRES
ON ANDREWS CREEK ADJOINING HOWELL FREEMAN, ROLEN, AND
HARTSFIELD. WIT: JOHN NORWOOD, JUNR., CLARY
NORWOOD.
1787 FEBRUARY 16 NORTH CAROLINA FRANKLIN COUNTY DEED BOOK 6 #785
PAGE 94 HOWELL FREEMAN OF FRANKLIN CO., PLANTER, TO JOHN
MITCHELL OF CAROLINE CO. (VA.?), FEB. 16, 1787, FOR 50 PDS.
CURRENT MONEY A TRACT OF 200 ACRES BEGINNING AT HENRY
FREEMAN'S FORMER LINE AND ADJOINING JOHN COOLEY, JACOB
HARTSFIELD [FORMERLY CALLED MULLENS], NORWOOD &
FREEMAN.
WIT: JESSE ROWLAND, JORDAN ROWLAND.
1788 SEPTEMBER 30 NORTH CAROLINA FRANKLIN COUNTY DEED BOOK 6 #899
PAGE 208 HOWELL FREEMAN OF FRANKLIN CO. TO VINSON SANDERS OF
SAME, SEPT. 30, 1788, FOR 120 PDS. SPECIE A TRACT OF 200
ACRES
LYING ON THE NORTH BANK OF HARTSFIELDS MILL CREEK ADJOINING
MITCHELL, WOOD, AND STEPHEN COOLEY. WIT: JACOB HARTSFIELD,
JOSEPH FREEMAN.
http://www.patch.net/deeds/db2-3.html
DB-2, page 334. 6 December 1768. EDWARD COOLEY & ANN, his wife, and JAMES
HOB(B)S & MARY, his wife, to JOHN COOLEY, all of Bute Co. 8 Pds. Va. money
for 100 A. in Bute Co. on the Syprus Branch & Swamp. Wit: SIMAN PERRY, SAMUL
WORTON. Proved by SAMUEL WORTON (HORTON?), Bute November Court 1769, BEN
McCULLOCH, C.C. Reg: 8 February 1770, by WILLIAM JOHNSON, P.R. Marginal
notation: l0 May 1770 Deld. to J. ALFORD
The name Mullins is mentioned a couple of times in the above deeds. An
abstract of the following will is found at
http://gedcom.surnames.com/burgess_jim/np260.htm:
WILL FRANKLIN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
John MULLINS WILL DATED 9 Apr 1784 mentions several children: Nancy,
Julius(not 21), Bud Mullins, Entchen1 Mullins, Wife Mary. Sons Lane Mullins
and Green Mullins. WITNESS NATHANIEL MULLINS and John Cooley.
The article goes on to say that Nathaniel Mullins is found in Hillsboro
District, Randolph county, in the 1790 census.
Again, however, our John cannot be placed with this family. Nor can we
place the elder Bute/Franklin county John with the Halifax Cooleys. But
let's make something up, to see how they might fit:
Warning! This diagram is fiction. It's here only to
illustrate that our John Cooley cannot be the other John Cooleys of North
Carolina. Also note that genetics has shown that the Stokes county
Cooleys and the Halifax Cooleys were not related. This chart will go with
the next major edit of this page.
Unknown Cooley
bef 1700
|
?----------?----------?---------?---------?
? ? ?
(Halifax county) (Franklin county) (Stokes county)
John Cooley Unknown Unknown
c1715-1767 Cooley Cooley
m Martha Stephens | |
| | |
------------ | |
| | | Our
Edward Cooley John Cooley John Cooley John Cooley
1733/4 1743/4-c1795 1734- c1740-c1811
m Rachel |
| -----------------
| | | |
Kinchen John Edward Stephen
Cooley c1760s
|
Louisa Sanders
Although it makes for a pretty picture, the above is, of course, dangerous
speculation and serves only to show that if our John Cooley was related to
the other Cooleys of North Carolina, they had to have shared, at minimum, a
grandfather born sometime before 1700. And there were the two veterans of the Revolution, James
Cooley born in Charles City county VA in 1758 and James Cooley born in
Virginia, 1760. But remember, there is presently zero genealogical evidence
that these families were related. We need patrilineal descendants of these
groups to step forward and have their yDNA tested. Only then will we know if
this line of speculation is reasonable.
North Carolina Cooley DNA
This is just the beginning of what I hope will be a much larger study.
Although at least eleven descendants of John Cooley have had their yDNA
tested, to date only one representative of the other Cooley families of
North Carolina and Virgina has tested. [UPDATE: descendants of the Halifax
Cooleys have also tested. We have now proven three unrelated Cooley
families of NC.] As shown below, fewer than half of the first 25 markers
match. The conclusion is simple, these Cooley families were not
partilineally related.
FTDNA Kit #57597 - A descendant of John Cooley, Stokes county NC
FTDNA Kit #153302 - A descendant of Andrew Cooley of Orange county NC
|
Mismatched markers are highlighted |
#57597 |
- |
13 |
24 |
15 |
11 |
11 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
10 |
13 |
11 |
30 |
15 |
9 |
9 |
11 |
11 |
23 |
14 |
20 |
34 |
12 |
13 |
15 |
16 |
#153302 |
- |
13 |
23 |
15 |
11 |
10 |
13 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
29 |
17 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
11 |
26 |
14 |
19 |
31 |
15 |
15 |
17 |
17 |
1A complete transcription of this will is found at
http://www.users.qwest.net/~willmurray/Mullins/johnmullinsidescendants.htm.
The name is spelled "Kintchen Mullins." The John Cooley who witnessed the
will may well be the John Cooley who had son Kinchen Cooley.
All original portions ©
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Michael Cooley, OrbitInternet.net -
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