FIFTH GENERATION

18. Joseph COKER was born on 14 Aug 1798 in Laurens Co., SC. The family was here until about 1815. He appeared on the census in 1816 in Monroe Co., Mississippi Terr.. 1 male under 21, 2 males over 21, 1 female under 21, 2 females more 21 He appeared on the census in 1830 in Franklin, TN. The family of John Coker and of his three sons were in Franklin Co., TN from about 1827 to 1832. US Census, Joseph Coker, 1 male under 5, 1 M 20-30, 1 M 30-40, 1 female under 5,
1 F 5-10, 1 F 20-30, 1 F 50-60. He appeared on the census in 1840 in Talladega, AL. On page 267, you find listed in order: James Coker, Seaborn Jones, Edey Tackey, Wesley Jones, Nathaniel Harris, Lepee Fane and Joseph Coker. John, Joseph and James Coker and their father, John Coker were in Talladega Co., AL from 1832 to 1849.
Joseph Coker, Males, 11:10-15, 1:40-50; Females 1 under 5, 2:5-10, 1:10-15, 1:15-20, 1:30-40, 1:60-70. 7 Male slaves, 4 Females slaves. He appeared on the census in 1850 in Cherokee City, TX. Family #110, enumerated 30 Sept 1850

Joseph Coker, 50, M, Farmer, $3500, SC; Melinda, 39, F, SC; Nancy Virginia, 16, F, AL; Nancy Virginia, 16 F, AL; Sarah P. 13, F, AL: Malinda W., 9, F, AL; Amanda, 7, F, AL; Wm. L. T., 4, M, AL; Neal B., 10 mon., TX.
He was living in 1853 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. After the death of his wife, Melinda, in 1853, Joseph and nine of his children came to the Coker Settlement at the invitation of brother, John Coker. Of the three boys and six girls, the youngest was four years old and the oldest was 28 years old. He appeared on the census in 1860 in Bexar Co., TX. He was newspaper article on 17 Apr 1870 in San Antonio , Bexar Co., TX,. Mr. Joseph Coker, an old citizen of Bexar County, who was convicted of murder in the second degree and who escaped from the guard on the 13th of June, 1869 has been pardoned by the governor, and his return to his family is anxiously desired. When last heard from, he was in Bowie County, Texas. He is perhaps 70 years of age. The papers in Austin and all over Texas are requested to copy this notice. Page 3 Col 2. San Antonio Herald, April 17, 1870.

Joseph Jones was convicted in the shooting John Jones, Jr, who was apparently the son of Samuel C. Jones. Joseph was guarding a watering hole on the Salado. He was sentenced to two years but escaped from the hospital where he had been sent to determine the status of his health before beginning his sentence.

Joseph was in Bowie Co. near Texarkana, where his wife, Melinda Brown's sister, Elizabeth, lived with her husband, Levi Shockley. He appeared on the census in 1880 in Bexar Co., TX. He died on 10 Mar 1881 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. He was buried on 12 Mar 1881 in Coker Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX. San Antonio Obituary, 12 Mar 1881, last page. He was living early 1860's in Castorville, TX. A severe drought in the area caused local ranchers to guard dwindling water supplies for their herds. Water was hauled from San Pedro Springs, which was about a days journey. Joseph Coker with his sons, Neil and William Leonard were guarding a water hole when three boys aged 18, 16 and 15 challenged the use of the water. A fight broke out after the boys started calling names and throwing stones. Joseph, who had been drinking, lost his temper and shot the 18 year old. He was tried in Hondo, TX and sentenced to 10 years in prison. After being taken to a hospital for illness, Joseph escaped. He hid out with various family members and in the countryside until 1870 when he was pardoned. A personal notice in the newspaper told Joseph of his freedom and he returned home at about 70 years of age.

Joseph Coker died in his sleep on Friday, March 10, 1881. His death was discovered when he didn't come for breakfast according to J. Harrison Coker's diary. A coffin and burial suit were brought and he was buried in the evening. English General Davidson, who had retired from India to the Coker Settlement, said the service. Most of the family attended the funeral. Those listed in the diary include: the J. Harrison Coker's, the Taylor Jones', the Neil Coker's,
the Nat Wilson's (Nat was the brother of Judith Wilson Coker), and Jim Walker. He was a Farmer. He was Methodist. He was married to Melinda BROWN about 1822.

19. Melinda BROWN was born on 3 Nov 1806 in SC. Birth determined from 1850 Census of Cherokee Co., TX.
She died on 24 May 1853 in Cherokee Co., TX. She was buried in Jacksonville Cemetery, Jacksonville, Cherokee Co., TX. Children were:

i. Harriett Elvira COKER was born on 31 Jan 1823 in SC. She died on 14 Nov 1846 in Talladega, Alabama.
9 ii. Jane Maria COKER.
iii. James Harrison COKER⁽¹⁰⁾ was born on 22 Oct 1827 in SC. He died on 23 Oct 1892 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. He was buried in Coker Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX. He was Lay minister, did legal papers for friends, was a farmer, and a teacher at the Coker School. He was described as a quiet, gentle, strict man who wore a black frock tail coat. He walked with hands behind back. James was named after the original John Coker's friend, James Harrison from Virginia who's decendants became Presidents of the U.S. He served as a Private in the Confederate Army
Captain J. K. Stevens, Co. C Col. P. O. Woods Riflemen Texas Cavalry . Discharge states he was born in South Carolina, is 33 years old, 5 feet 8 inches high, light bellious complexion,
hazel eyes, dark hair and by occupation a stock raiser, was inducted by Capt. J.K. Stevens
at San Antonio, TX on the 22nd day of March 1862 to serve three years or for the War. He was paid $50 when he enlisted, owes the Confederate States $15.69 for clothing. He is discharged for disability. His attorney is brother in law Amos Dickens Jones, who is in the same Company .
iv. Eliza Caroline COKER was born on 1 Feb 1831 in TN. She died on 22 Jun 1914 in Seguin, TX. She was buried in San Geronimo Cem., Seguin, TX.
v. Nancy Virginia COKER was born on 18 Feb 1834 in Talladega, AL. She died on 3 Sep 1898 in Seguin, TX. She was buried on 4 Sep 1898 in Geronimo, TX. Geronimo, TX is located north of Seguin, TX.
vi. Sarah Pamelia COKER was born on 17 Dec 1836 in Talladega, AL. She died on 7 Dec 1929 in TX. She was buried in San Jose Burial Park. The Coker family came from Telladega Co., AL to TX. As they came through East Texas, Melinda took a fever, died and was buried in Cherokee Co. Sarah Permilia and her sister, Virginia, took over the household duties and reared the two small brothers. The family moved on to the San Antonio area and established what is know as the Coker Community.

The Seay and Coker famiies lived on adjoining tracts of land and shared a common water well. It was at the well that Sarah Permelia Coker and Marshall Molton Seay met. They courted under the big trees on the grounds of the Coker home. They were married on 22 July 1854 in the Jones Boarding House on Alamo Plaza in San Antonio, TX. Sarah Permelia wove dotted swiss and made her wedding dress entirely by hand. Their first home was on the Olmos, a creek well know to northside residents of San Antonio.
vii. Malinda Winifred COKER was born on 8 Jun 1840 in Talladega, AL. She died on 20 Jan 1929 in San Antonio, TX. She was buried on 20 Jan 1929 in Coker Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX.
viii. Amanda Emily COKER was born on 4 Feb 1843 in Talladega, AL. She died on 9 Nov 1862 in Coker Community, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX.
ix. William Leonard Tarrant COKER was born on 15 Jan 1846 in Talladega, AL. He died on 31 Dec 1928 in Coker Community, San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. He was buried in Coker Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX. He was named after Leonard Tarrant. William Leonard Tarrant was a Rev. War Soldier, was a Methodist pastor, lawyer, judge of the county court, Indian agent and legislator in Talledega, AL. He presided at the marriage of several in the family. He and his family moved to Texas. William is named after William Leonard Tarrant, a Methodist Preacher in Talladega, AL, and a Rev. War Soldier.
x. Neill Brown COKER was born on 22 Jul 1849 in Cherokee Co., TX. He died on 31 Oct 1932 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. He was buried in Coker Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX. He was donated land for the Coker Methodist Church. It is said that Neill is named after Melinda Brown's brother.