Beverly and all - I have been aware that there were several different Cole families in
Clay Co. in the 1800s. At least three. As I mentioned, my line came from Pennsylvania.
They are listed in the 1850 census of Unity Township, Westmoreland County, PA. The
father
Jacob was born in PA abt. 1805. The mother was Christeen or Christina Unknown, b. abt
1812.
They had 7 children: Elizabeth (22), Michael (19), Jacob (16), John (13), Mathias (10),
George (7), and Martha (4). The family came shortly after this to Clay Co., settling in
Sugar Ridge Twp. Perhaps it was in 1853 when Elizabeth who married John Lytle is listed
as coming in History of Clay Co., IN, by Charles Blanchard. Michael (my ancestor) fought
in the Civil War and died in Columbia, OH. The story of this battle is recorded in the
book, "Coburn's Brigade", by Frank J. Welcher and Larry G. Ligget. His
brothers Jacob,
John, and George were probably the three by these names recorded in Travis as being in
the 21st Regiment during the Civil war.
Michael married Sarah Maria O'Brien. Elizabeth is mentioned above. Jacob married
Mary
Jane Crafton and went to Arkansas. John married Martha Unknown. George married Mary J.
Unknown. I know nothing about Mathias or Martha.
Surely someone on this list is connected to this branch of the Cole family. I would love
to hear from anyone who is. I may be the only descendant who is still living in Clay Co.
Betty A.
Beverly Carman wrote:
I do believe that there were at least three different branches of
"COLEs" that
came to either Clay, Owen, Greene or Sullivan Counties. I know of at least two
who settled in Clay. My William Cole b. 1782 came to Clay in about 1830 and
came from North Carolina. Another William Cole, Jr. (no relation - another
line) I believe came from Virginia.
I don't have any info on the third line. Not sure when they came or what area they
were from.
Would this be your line of COLEs in Clay County?