1. WILLIAM1 COALE was born c1592 in England, and died 1669 in St Jerome's, St Mary's Co., MD. He married SARAH 1631 in Elizabeth City, Warwick Co,VA. She was born Abt. 1600, and died Aft. 1659 in St. Jeromes, St. Mary’s Co., MD.

Willis B. Coale, The Coale Family - Nine Geneartions, Volume I 1569-1955 (Pontiac, Illinois: The Johnson Press, Inc., 1976)5. Pontiac, Illinois: The Johnson Press, Inc., 1976.

As the immigrant American ancestor, William crossed the Atlantic to Virginia in 1618, not long after the start of this first permanent English settlement in the New World. (It was in 1620 that the founding up in New England would occur.) Young William, leaving home apparently for adventure, suffered first a tempestuous ocean voyage, with many fatalities from illness on board ship. Then, after the arrival he survived a fearful, surprise Indian massacre.

After becoming a well-established tobacco grower, he resettled in the newer province of Maryland. Here he became the first in a long succession of prosperous Coale planters near the waters of mid and upper Chesapeake Bay.

In April 1618, at about age 20, he embarked on a brand new sailing ship, the "Neptune", in company with a governor and a large band of prospective settlers for the still struggling Virginia colony. It was about 1625, seven years after his arrival, that according to the record, he received one of the early land grants. This was for only 50 acres. The early Virginia records reveal the name of William Cole in a census list of all inhabitants made in 1625, in order to show the "units" prepared for defense. At the time William was head of a "muster" of three persons including himself and two other men on his own plantation in Elizabeth Cittie, a section on the headland just below Jamestown. Within a few years William had moved up the north bank of the James River to Warwick County, nearer Jamestown. He married about 1631 to SARAH _. From "Maryland Marriages, 1634-1777" (Page 207), Barnes: "Clawe, William, m. by 27 May 1677, SARAH, widow of William Cole".

Page: 21 "British Roots of Maryland Families"

1624/25 Muster of people living in Elizabeth City shows William living with Francis Cole, who arrived on the Susan in1616, and Roger Farbrase. Other sources refer to "Francis" as being his wife. No other information has been found on Francis Cole. The muster also indicates that he arrived 1618 on the "Neptune". However, the records of the Virginia Company indicate that he arrived with wife "Hester" on the "Margaret" of Bristol (no date given).

Immigration: APR 1618 Bristol, Eng. to Elizabeth City, Norfolk Co., Va. on the "Neptune" 1

William Coale

Year: 1618

Place: Virginia

Source Publication Code: 9448

Primary Immigrant: Coale, William

Annotation: In the years from 1925 to 1942, Frederick A. Virkus edited seven volumes with the title, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy, published in Chicago by the Institute of American Genealogy. Each volume has a section in the main body of the work, co

Source Bibliography: VIRKUS, FREDERICK A., editor. Immigrant Ancestors: A List of 2,500 Immigrants to America before 1750. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1964. 75p. Repr. 1986. Page: 21

The Coale Family: Nine Generations"

1651 - Patent for removal to St. Jeromes, St. Mary's Co. included 400 acres of land, which was substantially larger than holdings in Va. It also gave him the right of service from an indentured servant.

1662 - Obtained a patent for 500 acres in Somerset Co on the eastern shore of the Chesapeake. No further information available on outcome of this venture.

The Maryland Quaker researchers claim that he moved to St. Jerome, St.Mary's County, Maryland, with his wife Sarah Beck, where he died in 1669. And, they claim that his son William was born 1633 and became the prominent Quaker in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Will of William Coale (p, St. Jerome's, SM). Date: 21 March 1669. Bequests: daughter Sarah Beech wife of Elias Beech, wife Sarah Coale, sons Richard & William & John & Charles & daughter Mary Coale.

Executrix: wife. Witnesses: Thomas Paine, Tho. Griffin. Will proved by Thomas Griffin on 17 July 1669 before John Blomfeild. Sarah Cole was granted administration on estate of William Cole. Security: Thomas Griffin. Appraisers: Thomas Griffin, Henry Penington. Nicholas Young to administer oath.

2. WILLIAM2 COALE (WILLIAM1) was born 1633 in James River, Jamestown, Warwick Co., Virginia, and died 1678 in West River, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He married ELIZABETH THOMAS 1670 in Anne Arundel County, MD, daughter of PHILIP THOMAS and SARAH HARRISON. She was born Abt. 1653 in England, and died 1724 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

In 1656 he moved to Severn, Anne Arundel Co., Md. 1657 - William heard Thomas Thurston and Josiah Coale (prominent Quaker ministers) preach and began signing his name "Coale" and became a convinced Quaker that year.

In 1660's he traveled to Virginia as a messenger of the Truth, with George Wilson, and both were imprisoned for many months. Wilson died in chains. Coale's health was impaired to the point where he never fully recovered. In April, 1672 he attended the first General Meeting for Friends in Maryland held at West River Meeting for the purpose of founding the first Yearly Meeting in Maryland.

On 25th Day, 8th Month, 1672 – He hosted a meeting attended by George Fox. 1674. He also, with Wenlock Christison, William Perrie and John Homeard, presented a petetion to the Maryland General Assembly requesting relief from the requirement of taking an oath.

Coale, William,A. A. Co.,26th Oct., 1678;

16th Feb., 1678,

To son William by former wife Hester, and hrs., “Great Bonnerstum” on West R.

To 2nd son William by sd. wife Hester, and hrs., 100 A., part of “Hickory Hills,” at 21 yrs. of age.

To wife Eliza:, execx., 300 A., part of “Portland Manor,” during life.

To son Samuel by present wife Eliza:, and hrs., 200 A., part of “Portland Manor.”

To son Philip by sd. wife Eliza., land afsd. bequeathed to wife, at her death.

To dau. Eliza:, personalty at 16 yrs. of age.

Should either of afsd. younger sons die without issue, surviving one to inherit deceased's portion. In event of death of all sons without issue, land to descend to next in line of Coale, first male, then female.

Test: Saml. Lane, Thos. Francis. 9. 92.

MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 1

3. ELIZABETH3 COALE (WILLIAM2, WILLIAM1) was born 1671 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. She married NATHAN SMITH, son of THOMAS SMITH and ALICE ACTON. He was born 1656 in Calvert County, MD, and died 1710 in Calvert County, MD.

ANCESTORS OF BASIL BURGESS and ANNA SMITH