Wrights & Maxeys of Monroe County, Mississippi - Person Sheet
Wrights & Maxeys of Monroe County, Mississippi - Person Sheet
NameCOLEMAN, Mary Ann 
Birth Dateabt 1702
Birth PlaceLunenburg, Lunenburg County, Virginia
Death Date5 Dec 1794 Age: 92
Death PlaceLunenburg, Lunenburg County, Virginia
FatherCOLEMAN, Thomas Sr. (~1679-1748)
MotherLORT, Elizabeth Mary (~1681-1759)
Spouses
Birth Date27 Mar 1703
Birth PlaceFinneywood, Henrico County, Virginia
Death Date13 Sep 1764 Age: 61
Death PlaceSt. James Parish, Lunenburg County, Louisiana
FatherCOX, Bartholomew (1665-<1731)
MotherBAUGH, Rebekah (~1675-1731)
Misc. Notes
As is typical of this period, most of what is known of John Cox is found in the land and tax records. In John's case, he owned land first in Brunswick County and then Lunenburg County where he eventually became a Justice of the Peace. In that role his name was attached to many documents, but they tell us little about him.
His will reveals that he owned a 24 slaves when it was written. In the 21st century this is a jarring fact, but the straight forward listing of each by name seems to indicate that he saw no shame or immorality in possessing another human as property which was a fact of life in the community where he lived. Assigning them in an exact manner to his wife, children and grandchildren also suggests he knew the personality and abilities of each of them and matched them with his family members. This could possibly mean he did care about them as human beings to be looked after as was the attitude of some masters, but that is perhaps a rationalization his descendants might reach in order to accept an ancestor whose attitudes would be considered immoral today.
However, he also was a leader with various offices in his church and supported it with a gift of land for use by its ministers which confirms his willingness to take a leadership role in his community. He evidently saw no conflict with his role a slave owner, and indeed, in this period even ministers owned slaves.
His will reveals that he owned a 24 slaves when it was written. In the 21st century this is a jarring fact, but the straight forward listing of each by name seems to indicate that he saw no shame or immorality in possessing another human as property which was a fact of life in the community where he lived. Assigning them in an exact manner to his wife, children and grandchildren also suggests he knew the personality and abilities of each of them and matched them with his family members. This could possibly mean he did care about them as human beings to be looked after as was the attitude of some masters, but that is perhaps a rationalization his descendants might reach in order to accept an ancestor whose attitudes would be considered immoral today.
However, he also was a leader with various offices in his church and supported it with a gift of land for use by its ministers which confirms his willingness to take a leadership role in his community. He evidently saw no conflict with his role a slave owner, and indeed, in this period even ministers owned slaves.
Marr Date1724
Marr PlaceLunenburg, Lunenburg County, Virginia