Gateway to Texas: history of Orange County.
edited by Dr. Howard C. Williams
Page 231

The John Coale (Cole) Family

John Coale (18OS-1875) was born in St. Landry Parish. His parents were James Coale and Jemima Curtis, who were married in Natchez Territory in Mississippi in 1785. John Coale married Rachel Hayes in Opelousas, Louisiana, on July 27,
1823. Both were eighteen years old at the time. Ultimately, they had nine children.

It is believed that he migrated to Texas in 182.3 to receive a Mexican land grant. However, some problem occurred and he never received the final title.

It is known that he lived in the Cow Bayou Settlement. He was mentioned in several documents, although there is no record that he owned land. He was listed with Richard Ballew, John Harmon, and Thomas Hart on a committee to select a suitable place for the seat of justice of the new municipality of Jefferson. George Patillo mentioned him as one of the early citizens that he remembered. Also, he was mentioned by Captain George w. Hargraves as one of the men who served during the Texas Revolution. He thereafter turned his interests to cattle and cattle-raising, along with his brother and his children. His oldest son, David, married Louisa Stephen. His son, Joshua, died in April of 1903, and was buried in Orange County. John's other children married Stephensons, Burrells, Mills and Williamsons. The elder Coale died on April 20, 1875, and was buried in the John Coale Cemetery in Orange. His wife, Rachel, died on November 21, 1890, and is buried at the Abshire Ranch Cemetery in Liberty, Texas.


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http://www.rootsweb.com/~txorange/histmarkers.html

Marker Number: 11476

Marker Title: John Cole Homestead Index Entry: Cole, John City: Orange County: Orange Year Marker Erected: 1981 Marker Location: 3 mi. west on FM 2802 from SH 62, 20 mi. north of Orange

Marker Text:
Pioneer settler John Cole (1805-75) migrated to Texas in 1828. An active resident of the Cow Bayou community, he served in the militia during the 1836 Texas War for Independence. Moving to this area, he built a log cabin on public land (5 mi. W). In 1848 he received a land grant for his homestead (.5 mi. N). Cole was a successful cattleman in northern Orange and southern Jasper counties. The community that developed around his land from 1830 to 1902 was known as the Cole settlement. He is buried in the family cemetery on his original homestead.

• Married: 27 Jul 1823 in St Landry Parish,La

1. David COLE b: 16 Jul 1824 in Tasse Point, Plaquimine Brule
2. Joshua COLE b: 4 Jul 1828 in Tasse Point, Plaquimine Brule
3. Clark COLE b: 25 Nov 1828 in Cow Bayou, Liberty, Tx
4. Mark COLE b: 27 Jan 1830 in Cow Bayou, Liberty, Tx
5. Sarah Ann COLE b: 26 Dec 1836 in Republic Of Texas, Jeffrsn, Tx
6. Absalom Benjamin COLE b: 29 Apr 1839 in Cole Settlement, Jasper, Texas
7. Elizabeth COLE b: 24 May 1842 in Jefferson County, Texas
8. James "Jim" COLE b: 18 Aug 1843 in Republic Of Texas, Jeffrsn, Tx
9. Mahulda COLE b: 24 Nov 1845 in Republic Of Texas, Jeffrsn, Tx

1. Repository:
   
   Title: 1850 U.S. Census
   Note:
   Source Media Type: Census
   Page: Jefferson county pg 246
   Text: 178 178 John cole 45 M Farmer
   Rachel 45 F
   Clark 19 M Farmer
   Mark 16 M Do
   Sally Ann 13 F
   Elizabeth 10 F
   Absolm 8 M
   James 6 M
   Mahulda 4 F
   Date: 15 Oct 1850
2. Repository:
   
   Title: 1860 U.S. Census
   Note:
   1860 U.S. Census
   
   Source Media Type: Census
   Page: pg 327b pct 2 Duncan woods PO
   Text:
   240 240 Cole John 55 m w Farmer LA
   Rachel 55 f w House Keeper LA
   Absalome 20 m w Stock Keeper TX
   James 16 m w Stock Keeper TX
   Hulda 13 f w TX
   Clark 30 m w Stock Keeper TX
   Date: 28 Jun 1860
3. Title: 1870 Census
   Page: Precint no 5 page 2
   Text:
   12 12 cole john 65 m w farmer LA
   Rachel 65 f w keeping house LA
   James 27 M w Farmer TX
   Date: 21 Jul 1870
4. Repository:
   Name: Family History Library
   Salt Lake City, UT 84150 USA
   
   Title: Ancestral File (R)
   Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
   Publication: Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998