SIXTH GENERATION

36. John COKER was born about 1765 in Laurens Co., SC. He appeared on the census in 1800 in Laurens Co., SC. His wife is listed as Nancy. He appeared on the census in 1810 in Laurens Co., SC. Listed with Dicy. He died on 26 Jul 1847. ⁽⁶⁸⁾ He was married to Dicey (Nancy/Mary) DIAL? before 1789. The name Dicey was a nickname for Diana, Boadicea, Laodicea and Eurydyce. In Virginia around 1800 sy/cy nicknames were popular. B. Lorenz, "Origins of Unusual Given Names from the Southern U.S." The Journal of the American Name.

37. Dicey (Nancy/Mary) DIAL? appeared on the census in 1810 in Laurens Co., SC. She died after 1810 in Cherokee Co., TX. She was born in PA. Children were:

i. John R. COKER was born on 10 May 1789 in SC. His birth date on his tombstone. He owned land in 1802 in Laurens Co., SC.⁽⁶⁹⁾ He sold his last Laurens Co., SC land in 1802. He resided in Texas in 1834 in the Austin colony, TX..⁽⁷⁰⁾ John Coker arrived in the Republic in 1834. He is listed in Stephen F. Austin's Application Book, p. 103-4. The date of his application is Feb 1836. He is listed as single, wanting land, and his occupation is blacksmith. His father was with him at this time. They came from Alabama. He owned 640 acres in 1836 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX.⁽⁷¹⁾ John Coker served 6 months from 16 Mar to 15 Sept 1836. He received bounty land in Bexar Co, survey No. 65 in Sec. No. 5, situated NE side of Medina about 50 miles NW of city of San Antonio in Bexar Co. The survey was made 18 May to 1 Aug. 1838. Recorded in Book C., p. 193. William Lindsey made the first survey in 1836. He owned 1/3 league on 5 Jul 1841 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. The following is a copy of the deed John Coker received for being in Texas in 1836.
"Coker, John, Bexar No. 234, 1/3 league in Bexar Co., File #172, 1st Class Certificate granted for being in Texas in 1836 - settler Patented Oct 18, 1845, No. 299 Vol. 4, Granted by Bd. of Land Commissioners for County of Montgomery. Survey #12, Sect. #2, situated on Salado Creek of Co. of Bexar at stake set on the NW line of Survey No. 10 (400 varas NE of its SW corner) from which a live oak 15" in dia. bears N41 deg W49 varas and a live oak 2 inchs in Dia. bears S69 deg W67 4/10 varas. Then N48 deg 35 W 288 varas set a stake and raised a mount for corner. Thence N 41.25 deg RattleSnake Creek 2887 varas to stake set for N corner of this survey from which a mesquite 4" in dia. bears N64 deg W25 varas and an elm 3" in dia. bear SC E24 4/10 varas. The survey contains four labors of arable land and four 1/3 labors of pasture land.

R.C. Timble, surveyor.
Survey made Feb 1, 1837 - May 24, 1838, Examined Oct. 8, 1838

To 4 labors of Arable land @$2.50........$10.00
To 4 1/3 labors of pasture land @1.20 ..$ 5.20
------------
$15.20

Received of John Coker $15.20 in promissary notes the fees upon the forsgoing survey made under Cert. No. 234 from Montgomery Co. Signed John S. Simpson, dated San Antonio, 5 Jul 1841 at Alton, Texas, Denton Co., Texas. He was buried in 1857 in Coker Cemetery, Bexar Co., TX. The first person was buried in the Coker Cemetery in 1857. The family would get together once a year to clean up the graves. Tex Sullivan caught the snakes, did cleaning and clearing for the cemetery in the late 1930's. As the years progressed, it became harder and harder to get people to come and clean up the grave sites. The Coker Cemetery Assocation
was formed to provide perpetual care and set up an account with $25,000. The fund now has over $100,000. Gifts and interest support the cemetery as excellent care is given without touching the principal. In 1986, the Board of Trustees included: Royce Jones, Arthur Nagel, Ray Williams, Carlton Coker, Sidney Gefers, Jr., Gary Nagel, and James Williams. He resided home of Amos Dickens Jones and his wife, Jane Maria in 1860 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. He was educated Coker School in 1861 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. Education was important to the Coker Settlement and the first school was established in 1861 in a one room frame building. The tuition was $2.00 a year per child to pay for the teachers salary. You were not required to pay for the days a child missed due to illness. In 1904, a two story building was added to the school which served to educate children until both buildings burned in 1924. A two story brick building replaced the burned frame school in 1925. The teachers were Edna Jane Jones and Janette Stanfield Jones. Two indoor restrooms and a hallway were added to the building in 1936 under the leadership of Craig Stanfield. This building was abandoned until it was turned into an Italian restaurant which later burned.

The seven common school districts were consolidated in 1949 into the North East Rural High School District with Clarence Camp as the chairman of the Board of Trustees. At that time the Coker School had 109 scholastics. The Blanco Road School had 17 students and the Serna School was the largest school with 274 children. In 1955, the NERHSD voted to become the North East Independent School District. Today this district has 30 Elementary Schools, 8 Middle Schools and 5 High Schools with more that 42,000 students, 4,700 teachers and staff and three special activites campus'. He died on 4 Jan 1861 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. He owned 640 acres on 16 Dec 1874 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. ⁽⁷²⁾ Survey No. 45 issued by Sec. of War., Geo. W. Heckley 15 June 1838.

Survey No. 45 in La Salle Co., situated on waters of Jahney Creek, a tributary of Nueces River, about 90 miles SW of S A, surveyed Dec. 7, 1874. Chain carriers: Wm. W. Garretson, John W. Garretson, Albert Bailey. Recorded in Book D., No. 4, San Antonio, 16 Dec 1874 by L.C. Navarro, Dist. Surveyor, Bexar Dist. He owned Coker United Methodist Church in 1883 in San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX. "A little boy looked up at his father and asked, "Who are these?" as he read..."Deaf Smith, Denmore Rives, John Coker, Y.P. Asbury, E. R. Rainwater, John Garner, and Moses Lapham..." His father replied, "These were men who performed an outstanding deed by destroying a bridge which trapped Santa Anna and his troops. This act helped to win independence for Texas." The father and son were reading a marker that designates the site of Vince's bridge at Houston, Texas.

John Coker, a bachelor from South Carolina, was recognized for this deed by the Texas Legislature, October, 1845, and given a grant of land consisting of one-third of a league. (A square league is 5,760 acres. One-third is 1,920 acres.) This area in later years became known as Coker Community.

Upon receipt of the grant of land, John or "Jack" as he was familiarly called, wrote to his brother, Joseph, in Alabama inviting him to Texas to share the grant. Joseph came and the families of his sons and sons-in-law. They travelled many days about fifteen miles per day, but they always rested on Sunday. In his diary, Amos Dickens Jones (a son-in-law) referred to Sunday as a "lonesome day." When they arrived at Salado Creek in Bexar County, they set up residence with John Coker.

The settlers continued to feel the need to gather together on Sundays for worship. At first they met in homes, then later outdoors in groves and brush arbors. Still later, the families met in the schoolhouse. Finally, in 1886, the residents of Coker Community built a church.
Amos Dickens Jones collected money from San Antonio businesses so that the building was build debt free. This was the beginning of Coker Community and Coker Church.

In the early years it was called Salado Methodist Episcopal Church, South, being named for the creek on the bank of which it was built. Later it was called Coker Methodist Church.

Like so many rural churches in the United States, Coker has experienced several periods of development during its growth from a pioneer church to an urban church. Each of these periods has been distinct and has made its contribution to the history of this church.

Spiritual guidance during the pioneer period was first provided by laymen, both church-appointed and self-appointed, and later by circuit riding preachers. The Rev. A. E. Rector, a circuit rider for Coker and three other churches, came to Coker Community in the fall of 1883. Rev. Rector's circuit consisted of Boerne (where he lived), Selma, Lockhill and Coker (called Salado). He travelled his circuit on horseback. He carried a slicker and blanket in his saddle bag. His congregations went to church in wagons drawn by horses and sometimes oxen. A few people had buggies. The services lasted all day.

Coker Church at that time met monthly in the community schoolhouse. It was a small frame building and was situated in about the middle of the present cemetery. In the summer months services often were held under a brush arbor. Regardless of the meeting site, the women sat on one side and the men of the other. During Rev. Rector's period of service, the Coker membership doubled from the original 15 to 30. Rev. Rector's salary for the first year was $360 for the entire circuit, out of which he had to buy a horse and pay for his board and laundry. The second year, Rector was given an assistant and the third year, the circuit was divided.

Rector made each church once a month. It was at the urging of Rev. Rector and through the efforts of Amos D. Jones, who collected money from businessmen in San Antonio, that a frame church building was erected debt-free in 1885. The building was one room with a wooden floor and roofing. In those days, the mark of progress for a community was a schoolhouse, a church, and a cemetery. Leonard T. Coker and Neill B. Coker (donors of the church site), Amos D. Jones, Z. T. Autry and William Sabin were the original trustees of the church property; Taylor Jones was the first superintendent of the Sunday School.

It is interesting to note that among the first weddings in the frame church were those of Agnes Autry to William C. Marmon and Margaret Autrey to Fred Tomasini. The brides were sisters. The last wedding to be held in the frame church was that of Leona Marmon, daughter of one of the first brides, Agnes. The last funeral to be held from the frame church was that of Fred Tomasini, one of the first bridegrooms.

Even though the pastorates were of short duration and the program of the church was limited, the church was a powerful force for good. It was established with the conviction that no society could be a good society without being God-oriented and that Christ must be the central integrating force in personal life as well as in the community life. The church building was the outward symbol of the pre-eminence of God in human life. The church made that faith real in terms of fellowship and aspiration toward the divine.

A period of church decline set in as the population of the community began moving away. This trend was very evident in the 1930's. It was just before this that the name was changed to Coker Community Church. Coker Church was a supply church under McKinley Avenue Methodist Church and then under Los Angeles Heights Methodist Church. It was during this time that A. H. Bankert preached. He had a dream of building a rock church, and encouraged the membership to collect and sell old gold and scrap iron to start a fund for that purpose. He tried to revive interest in Coker Community Church by having a Homecoming for members, friends and former attendants on Sunday, November 6, 1932. The Rev. A. E. Rector was there as well as two other former ministers, the Rev. J.D. Scott (pastor form 1915-1916) and the Rev. J. G. Pollard (pastor from 1922-24). Two services were held including an evening service conducted by Rev. R. S. Adair who baptized some children whose parents he had baptized in this building years ago. The building had recently been painted to get ready for the occasion. Even so, there was much talk about the "rural church problem" and about the "dying country church." For a while it looked as though Coker was going to be one of these.

The period of readjustment started in 1937 when Coker became an independent charge in the West Texas Conference. This gave Coker Church a new sense of its importance to the community and to the Methodist district as a whole. The people wanted a new building. The seed that Rev. Bankert planted was growing. An additional strip of land was deeded to the church by Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Townsend. A fundraiser rodeo, organized by J. B. Palmer, was held in July 1938. Now there was money to start. Henry H. Wallace began rounding up people to help haul the rock that James M. Coker donated. Through Wallace's willingness to work and to get others to help, the enterprise began to take shape. People contributed money and their personal services. Men labored and women prepared meals. Many Saturdays and holidays were spent working. These efforts culminated in a rock building which was ready for service in March, 1939.

The home-made slatted wooden benches used as pews in the frame church were used initially in the new church. Even though the membership was only ninety, letters were sent to many friends of the congregataion, soliciting one dollar from each to be used toward raising money to finish the church and to complete an educational building. By December, 1940, a rock veneered educational building was ready for the use of the church and community and all was debt-free. Some of the lumber from the frame church was used in this.

The dedication service, which was preceded by a basket dinner on the grounds, was conducted by the Rev. Edwin C. Calhoun, District Superintendent, and the Rev. J. H. Meredith, pastor. Special guests were the Rev. A. E. Rector, first pastor of Coker Church, and Mrs. Fannie Hatch Coker and Mrs. Mattie Coker McNett, both of whom joined the church under Rev. Rector in the 1880's. The program consisted of a historical sketch of the community and church given by Arthur W. Nagel, while Monte M. Brown, District lay leader, gave a glimpse into the future of Coker Church. White haired Rev. Rector, speaking from a rocking chair, added to the program by giving some "Echoes of the Past." C.J. Stanfield, Jr., chairman of the building committee, presented a radio to Rev. Rector as an expression of appreciation from the church. V. L. Jones, a descendant of one of the original trustees, presented the new buildings for dedication.

Soon another period became evident, the period of change from rural to urban. What was once a rural church was now a suburban church and soon became a city church. In 1949, the first educational unit (the old Sunday School wing) was connected to the sanctuary and the following year a small pastor's study and church office were added to the educational unit. The building now used as a church office was originally the parsonage, which was completed in the spring of 1953.

Trustees, with visions of growth of the northern part of San Antonio and Coker Church, purchased 6.979 acres of land east of the existising property in March, 1957. This increased church and cemetery acreage from three to eleven acres, the current size.

The area around the church began to be referred to more frequently as the suburbs of San Antonio. The designation "Coker Community" was used less often and the only by ""old timers." The number of families living within five miles of the church continued to grow. Again, in order to be responsive to the needs of the people, a second educational unit of 6 rooms was completed in the spring of 1961. Now it was possible to have twelve Sunday School classes. The total floor space had been quadrupled.

By the spring of 1963, even more classroom space was needed. This need was met by converting the parsonage and garage into 3 classrooms and a church office as the old office became a classroom. This move ended an era - that of the preacher living next to the church. No longer will ministers assigned to Coker be able to tell, as can some of their predecessors, of times when they were cut off from the rest of the world because of being surrounded by the high waters of the flooding Salado Creek. Several times the solid rock church and parsonage stood high, dry and firm as waters of the rampaging Salado Creek rushed past on all sides but never actually touched the buildings.

The change from rural to urban became more obvious as the number of homes and businesses in the area increased. What fabulous growth this has been. The church too has continued to grow. The years 1965 and 1966 were very important in its long history. With increased attendance each Sunday, it became necessary to build a larger sanctuary. Under the pastorate of the Rev. John R. Gibbs, the sanctuary was remodeled to be used as a meeting place, as well as to provide space for six classrooms. Now there were three distict departments in church school - children, youth, and adult. The church membership was 550. A weekday school was organized.

By 1967, Coker United Methodist Church was becoming a leader in the Southwest Conference of the United Methodist Church. All of the classrooms were air conditioned and a central air conditioning system was installed in the pastor's study and the church office. There was a nursery for both church school and worship.

In 1969, the Methodist Church had a new organizational structure for local church government. Now the governing bodies are the Administrative Board, the Council on Ministries, and the Commissions. The church bought a parsonage for the Rev. G. Robert Grimes and his family who came to Coker in June, 1968.

In November, 1970, a pipe organ was contracted to be built. Coker Church started an intensive athletic program to include children, youth, and adults. Under the leadership and direction of Rev. Grimes, the growth of the church has continued both spiritually and materially. In 1971, a part-time minister was added to the staff to be in charge of youth activities.

A missionary on leave, the Rev. Finis B. Jeffery, came to Coker and in January 1973 organized a lay witness program. This program enriched the spiritual growth of Coker Church so much that several Prayer and Share Groups were formed. The Care and Concern Groups also functioned in a marvelous way. By now the church membership had doubled. In December, 1972, it was reported as 1,048.

By February 1974, it became apparent that more space was needed. A Charge Conference was called to present the proposed construction of a new building. By the end of the year a new multipurpose building had been completed and was formally consecrated December 29, 197. The well equipped kitchen fulfilled a dream of many of the women of the church.

The following year saw the completion of a sixteen rank pipe organ and the remodeling of the first educational building with permanent partritions. The old sanctuary was once again remodeled to afford space for 150 more seats for worship. A choir director, Mr. David Cain, was hired to be in charge of all choirs. There were now two associate ministers, the Rev. Mary Elizabeth Raper, and the Rev. C. Reginald Hardy. A Mother's Day Out Program, which is self supporting, was started.

The pastor's report for Charge Conference for the year 1976 gave the names of three ministers with the Rev. C. Leon Sims replacing Rev. M. E. Raper. The ever increasing tempo of activities every day and evening at Coker Church has made an exciting and lively congregation.

In October 1976, John Bridges became the Director of Music. A new chapter of AARP was organized under the sponsorship of Coker Church. In May 1977, the church membership was reported at 1,427. From 1966 to 1977 the membership tripled.

In 1978, the Rev. Gregory Robertson became leading minister. It was at this time that the stained glass windows were installed and renovation of the scout hut building was made. The logo for the church was designed with an oak tree with running water at its base which represented Salado Creek. A church library was set up by Denny Graham. Handbells were purchased in 1979 and Coker Church was connected to the San Antonio water system. The beautiful altar kneelers were completed by a group of women headed by Margaret Mangum and presented to the church. Lonnie B. Phillips initiated the Ministry through Clowns program.

By 1980, the membership reached 1,770. The nursery facilities were remodeled, the enlarged parking area paved, and three worship services were being held each Sunday. A fulltime choir director was hired. It was obvious that once again more space was needed. In May 1980, a three year building fund pledge program was initiated raising $440,000 for construction of new facilities.

Membership reached 1,825 in 1982. An Altar Guild was formed. Coker Church became a member of the San Antonio Urban Council. A Sunday morning breakfast program, organized by Alton Voges, became popular. Lenten luncheons were served. In June of 1982, ground was broken for a million dollar expansion project which included a new sanctuary (600 seats) and major renovation of the present sanctuary into a two story education building.

On June 12, 1983, the new sanctuary was occupied and Rev. C. Reginald Hardy retired. During the year, six Boy Scouts received God and Country awards. Each week is filled with activity with Wednesday night being the highlight. Day School, exercise classes, Methodist Men, and Bible Studies are among other week day programs that are being held. Dedication services were held November 20, 1983, for both the new sanctuary and new education facilities with Bishop Ernest T. Dixon, Jr., preaching at these services.

By constantly enriching the educational program, it is hoped that the youth will find present experiences, such as picnics on the church lawn and sessions under the oak trees, as meaningful to them as basket dinners and Easter egg hunts on church premises were to those of the pioneer church.

By the close of 1985, Coker's membership had grown to approximately 2,150. There are now three worship services and two Sunday School sessions each Sunday. The church staff now numbers 15. Rev. Greg Robertson is senior pastor, and Rev. Norman Roe is associate pastor. The coming years continue to be a challenge to Coker as we reach out in mission and ministry. May this rich heritage go on!

John Coker, as he helped Deaf Smith carry out the order of General Sam Houston that day in 1836, may possibly have had some idea he was helping to create and establish the Republic of Texas. But do you think he had any idea his service, his contribution to freedom would lead, someday to this place of worship, Coker Methodist Church? (This account was written by Royce and Jeanette Stanfield Jones) He served in the military 6 Mar to 15 Sep 1836 in Battle of San Jacinto, TX. John received a 1,920 acre land grant in Bexar Co. on the Salado Creek near the present San Antonio Airport for his payment for his participation in the Battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836. The battle cry at 4:30pm was "Victory or Death". The land boundary markers included a live oak tree of 15 inches diameter, Rattle Snake Creek, a mesquite tree four inches in diameter and an elm tree three inches in diameter. John Coker is the only known War of Independence hero from Bexar County.

The Heroes of San Jacinto, by Dixon and Kemp, on page 311
2nd Reg't Texas Volunteers
Pvt. COKER, John
Born in Alabama, emigrated to Texas with his father, JOHN COKER, in 1834. He was a blacksmith by trade. In service record #1553 it is stated that Mr. Coker served in the Texas Army from 6 Mar to 5 Sep 1836, and that a horse he was riding was killed at San Jacinto. He was with Deaf Smith and his party when Vince's Bridge was destroyed.
Mr. Coker died in San Antonio in December 1864. His only surviving brothers, James and Joseph, were his heirs, Mr. Coker being single.

San Antonio Monthly, April, 1982, by John Jeter

John Coker, a 47 year old bachelor just two years in Texas (came with his father John in 1834) from Laurens Co., SC, volunteered to put his life on the line for a struggling republic. In April 1836, at San Jacinto, "Uncle Jack", as he was affectionatelly known, told his men of a plan to wrest control of the territory from the "Bonaparte of the West," Santa Anna.

"Boys," said Coker to the men of Capt. Karnes' Cavalry Company, "before many hours we will have one of the damndest, bloodiest fights that ever was fought and I believe it would be a good plan to go and burn that bridge so as not only to impede the advance of reenforcements of the enemy, but cut off all chance of retreat."

So behind the lead of Sam Houston's trussted scout, Deaf Smith, Coker and party of five men from Smith's Spy Company set out to burn Vince's Bridge, which spanned a strategic bayou not far from the main battleground.

Young P. Alsbury wrote of John Coker, "He is a man who is second to none in honesty of purpose, valor and patriotism."

Jeanette Stanfield, Mrs. Royce Jones, notes in a paper on "The Cultural Development of Coker Community, Texas", "Smith took with him, Denmore Rives, John Coker, Y.P. Alsbury, E.R, Rainwater, John Garner, and Moses Lapham. They galloped eight miles to the spot where a pine and cedar log bridge spanned the bayou. They first fired the bridge but it wouldn't burn, so they cut it down, and it fell into the bayou."

At the September 1986 Coker Family Reunion, well-known historian and author T.R.Fehrenbach noted in his luncheon speech that indeed John Coker's contribution as of great important for Texas independence.
ii. James COKER was born in 1797 in Laurens Co., SC. He appeared on the census in 1830 in Franklin Co., TN. 1 Male 30-40, 1 Female under 5, 1 F 20-30. He appeared on the census in 1840 in Talladega Co., AL. pg. 267, Males 2:5-10, 1:30-40; Females 1 under 5, 1:5-10, 1:10-15, 1:30-40. No slaves. He emigrated in 1846 from Cherokee Co., TX. James and Joseph Coker, follow their father, John and brother, John to Texas. James settles in Cherokee Co., and raises his family there.


















james and Joseph He appeared on the census in 1850 in Cherokee Co., TX. Family #345, enumerated 28 Oct 1850

Jas Coker, 53, M, Farmer, 500, SC; Mary, 43, F, SC; Franklin, 19, M, TN; Andrew J., 17, M, AL; Mariah E., 14, F, AL; Sarah J, 12 F, AL; John, 10 M, AL; Joseph, 6, M, Al; Mary F., 3, F, AL. He died about 1879 in Cherokee Co., TX.
18 iii. Joseph COKER.