Gallant C. Coker, 1828 AL to abt 1908 Mississippi, has been the subject of study and speculation for many years. Apparently elusive in public record searches for quite some time, we have now documented Gallant C. Coker, with his third wife Tressie Ann and two of their children.

Recent research by Bill Hilton, descendant of Gallant and Sarah Coker (2nd wife), shows that there were three wives and families, not two as previously thought. This apparently new information may clear up some of the problem areas that have arisen and will hopefully help gather further insight into additional children and other details.

The emphasis below is on the third family. Details on earlier family members are fairly well known or that info can be provided and are not listed here. Thus far we have identified two of the children and hope to obtain further information on all the offspring (either 7 or 8) of Gallant and Tressie Ann as indicated in the 1900 and 1910 census.

Any additional information on the children of G. C. & T. A. Coker is gladly welcomed. Jones and Wayne counties of Mississippi are the primary known locations. The following listing contains some research notes and sources for the third family.

Contact: William M. "Bill" Hilton
email: 45612@sbcglobal.net

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Gallant C. Coker, focusing on the
descendants of
Gallant C. & Tressie Ann Coker

1st Generation

1. Gallant C. Coker was born 1828 in Chocktaw County, Alabama and died About 1908 in Wayne County, Mississippi. He married 1st Mary Simpson . She was born 1824 in Jasper County, Mississippi*, daughter of (unknown) and (unknown). He married 2nd Sarah (Gray?) . She was born 1824 in Jasper County, Mississippi*, daughter of (unknown) and (unknown). He married 3rd Tressie Ann (Mrs. G.C. Coker) 1877 . She was born November 1843 in Mississippi and died 1926, daughter of (unknown) and (unknown).

Note:
*These identical dates and locations should be reviewed for possible error.

Other events in the life of Gallant C. Coker
Burial : Lowery Cemetery, Wayne County, Mississippi [unconfirmed, info desired]
Civil War : CSA, 36th Infantry, Alabama [Documented]

Other events in the life of Tressie Ann (Mrs. G.C. Coker)
Burial : Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery, Jones Co., Mississippi


Children of Gallant C. Coker and Mary Simpson:
i. 2. James Simpson Coker was born August 1847 in Alabama.
ii. 3. Young Dempsey Coker was born April 1858 in Alabama.


Children of Gallant C. Coker and Sarah (Gray?):
iii. 4. Sarah Vashtie Coker was born February 1864 in Mississippi and died About 1945 in Mississippi.
iv. 5. Mary Elizabeth "Mollie" Coker was born June 8, 1868 in Mississippi and died October 27, 1930 in Magnolia, Pike County, Mississippi.
v. 6. George Coker was born 1870 in Mississippi.



Children of Gallant C. Coker and Tressie Ann (Mrs. G.C. Coker):
vi. 7. Etta Leona Coker was born February 1882 in Mississippi.
vii. 8. Joseph Napoleon Coker.
viii. unknown Coker.
ix. unknown Coker.
x. unknown Coker.
xi. unknown Coker.
xii. unknown Coker was born Before 1900.
xiii. unknown Coker was born After 1900 if 8 children.
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2nd Generation

2. Etta Leona Coker (Gallant C.1) was born February 1882 in Mississippi5,6. She married Archie B. Walters7,8 . He was born February 1878 in Mississippi9,10 and died 1953 11, son of (unknown) and (unknown).
Other events in the life of Archie B. Walters
Burial : Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery, Jones Co., Mississippi


Children of Leona Coker and Archie B. Walters:
i. Napoleon Walters was born 1899 12,13.
ii. 3. Porter L. Walters was born October 12, 1900 and died February 1, 1979.
iii. Carl Walters was born October 8, 1903 14 and died October 4, 1977; burial in Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery, Jones Co., Mississippi15.
iv. Octavia Walters was born 1905.
v. Penn Walters was born 1907.
vi. Oland Walters was born 1909.
vii. Judson Walters was born 1912.
viii. Leon Walters was born 1914.
ix. Ernest Walters was born 1917.



Notes on Etta Leona Coker:

1920 U.S. Census Beat 3, Errata, Jones County, Mississippi
January 17, 1920 HH#70/74
Walters, Ella wife 1 6 F F W 36 m
Penn son M W 13
Octavia dau F W 15
Judson son M W 8
Leon son M W 6
Ernest son M W 2 10/12
Coker T.A. mother F W 75 Wd
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1920 - see notes for Archie. Archie and son Carl are working logging in Wayne County, living with son Napoleon and family at the time of the 1920 census.

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Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery
Lower Myrick Rd Laurel, Jones Co., Mississippi
WALTERS, Etta C. ( Coker) 1882 - 1956



Notes on Archie B Walters:

1900 Census, Beat 3, Jones County, Mississippi
June 7, 1900 HH#116/118
Walters, Archie B. head Wh male Feb 1874 21 m 2 yrs MS MS MS Farmer
" Leona wife Wh fe Feb 1882 18 m 2 yrs 1/1 ch MS AL? MS
" Napoleon son Wh male Jan 1899 1 MS MS MS
Coker, G. C. Father-in-law May 1829 70 m23 AL GA SC
" Trecey Mother-in-law Nov 1843 56 m23 7/5 children MS SC GA


1910 Census - Beat 3, Jones County, Mississippi
May 14, 1910; HH375
all nativities Mississippi except Etta & Tressy
Walters, Archie B. head m w 33 m1 12
" Etta wife m w 27 m1 12 6/6 MS AL MS
" Polie* son m w 11 s
" Porter son m w 9 s
" Carl son m w 7 s
" Octavia dau f w 4 s
" Penn son m w 3 s
" Olon son m w 1 2/12 s
Coker, Tresy A. mother-in-law f w 67 Wd 8/5 MS SC SC


1920 Census, Beat 5, Wayne County, Mississippi January 24, 1920; HH#256/268; all nativities Mississippi;
work in logging or sawmill
Walters, Polly * Head R male wh 21 m
" Villa Wife fe wh 22 m
" Tural son m wh 1 1/12 s
Walters, Archi Father m w 40 m
" Carl Brother m w 17 s

* Napoleon Walters nicknamed "Polie", various spellings.






3. Joseph Napoleon Coker (Gallant C.1) was born March 31, 1879 and died November 13, 1965. He married Ella W. (Mrs. Napoleon Coker) . She was born July 21, 1882 and died February 6, 1972, daughter of (unknown) and (unknown).

Children of Joseph Napoleon Coker and Ella W. (Mrs. Poley Coker):
i. Lorena Coker22 was born 1901 in Mississippi23.
ii. Iva Coker24 was born 1903 in Mississippi25.
iii. Olive Coker26 was born 1907 27.
iv. 5. Owen N. Coker was born May 16, 1909 in Mississippi and died September 6, 1989.
v. unknown Coker was born Before 1910.
vi. 6. Joe Coker was born June 17, 1911 in Mississippi and died May 2, 1961.
vii. Wilson W. Coker 28 was born 1913 in Mississippi29.



Notes on Joseph Napoleon Coker (newlyweds!)

1900 U.S. Census, Beat 3, Jones County, Mississippi
June 18, 1900 HH#275/278; All nativities MS
Coker, Napoeion Head wh male Mar 1879 21 m0
' Ella Wife wh fe July 1882 17 m0 0/0 ch



1910 census: children Lorena, Iva, Ollie and Owen; Ella mother of 5/4 ch.


1930 U.S. Census, Beat 5, Jones County, Mississippi
April 18, 1930 HH#155/157; All nativities Mississippi
Coker, Poley Head O _ yes M W 50 m @ 24
" Ella Wife M W 47 m @ 21
" Olive Dau F W 23 s
" Owen N Son M W 20 s
" Joe O. M W 19 s
" Wilson W M W 17 s


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Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery
Lower Myrick Rd Laurel, Jones Co., Mississippi

COKER, Joseph N. 31 Mar 1879 - 13 Nov 1965
Mason

[The name Mason is listed under Joseph, all other listings show Coker on same line. Mason may or may not be the deceased child noted in the 1910 census. Photo or headstone review or outside info needed to resolve this.]


3rd Generation (Grandchildren)

4. Porter L. Walters (Archie B.1) was born October 12, 1900 30 and died February 1, 1979.
Burial : Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery, Jones Co., Mississippi



Notes on Porter L. Walters
Porter, age 19, is listed as a boarder Wayne County, Mississippi in the 1920 census, working as a cook in a boarding house.


5. Owen N. Coker31 (Joseph Napoleon2, Gallant C.1) was born May 16, 1909 in Mississippi32,33 and died September 6, 1989 34.
Burial : Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery, Jones Co., Mississippi

6. Joe Coker 35 (Joseph Napoleon2, Gallant C.1) was born June 17, 1911 in Mississippi36,37 and died May 2, 1961 38. He married unknown (Mrs. Joe Coker)39 .
Other events in the life of Joe Coker
Burial : Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery, Jones Co., Mississippi


Children of Joe Coker and unknown (Mrs. Joe Coker):
i. Infant Coker 40 was born February 14, 1934.


Notes on Joe Coker
Antioch Methodist Church Cemetery
Lower Myrick Rd Laurel, Jones Co., Mississippi

COKER, Infant 14 Feb 1934
daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Joe Coker
COKER, Joe O. 17 Jun 1911 - 02 May 1961


[Two possible names are noted in the Antioch cemetery list for future reference re possible wife of Joe Coker.]

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Sources noted:
1 1900 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
2 1910 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
3 Family records by William M. "Bill" Hilton
4 Martha Graham research dated May 2008
5 1900 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
6 1910 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
7 1900 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
8 1910 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
9 1900 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
10 1920 U.S. Census, Wayne County, Mississippi
11 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi
12 1910 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
13 1920 U.S. Census, Wayne County, Mississippi
14,15,16 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi
17 1900 Census, Jones County, Mississippi
18 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi
19 1930 U.S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi
20,21 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi
22-25 1920 U.S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi
26-29 1930 U.S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi
30 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi
31,32 1930 U.S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi
33,34 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi
35,36 1930 U.S. Census, Jones County, Mississippi
37-40 Antioch Cemetery listings, Jones County, Mississippi

One of the primary purposes of this posting is to gather information and hopefully identify the children attributed to Tressie Ann in the 1900 and 1910 census. It should be noted that we do not know at this time if these children were from the marriage to Gallant or possibly from a previous marriage. In 1900, Gallant and Tressie are both listed as having been married 23 years and that she was the mother of 7 children with 5 living. Tressie Ann was 33 years of age when first married to Gallant so could have had previous children. Only Etta Leona Coker (married Walters) and Joseph Napoleon Coker have been positively identified at this time. Any information regarding the children or a possible first marriage for Tressie would be greatly appreciated.

Additionally, the 1870 census has just been presented to this researcher.

1870 Clarke Co., MS Census, District 3, P.O. Enterprise; July 16,1870
Sarah A. Coker. , age 46 , b. Ala, ca. 1824 keeping house
Susan R. Coker F W , age 14, b. Ala. ca. 1856
Dempsy Coker, M W age 12, b. Ala ca 1858
Vashti Coker , F W age 11, b. Ala. ca. 1859
William A. Coker , M W , age 9, ba. Ala. ca.1861
Mary Coker , F W age 7. b. Ala. ca. 1863
George Coker, M W , 10 mos. b. MS ca. 1869

Any information regarding Susan R. or William A. Coker would also be greatly appreciated.

Since the original posting, research has uncovered a good deal of information on Tressie Coker and has identified five of the seven children attributed to her in the 1900 census. Two of the living children noted from the census were born to Gallant and Tressie, the others from two previous marriages.

Tressie Ann was the daughter of John and Elmira (Overstreet) Blackedge. John Blackledge (son of Zacharia & Mary Blackledge), was born about 1794 and died September 11, 1871 in Jones County, Mississippi. Elmira Overstreet was born about 1809 in Georgia and died before 1870 in Jones County, Mississippi.

Tressie Ann is the spelling used on her headstone but the name is also noted in census records as Trecy and Teressa. She first married Wiley Roberson (possibly Robinson) and had a son Wiley Roberson (jr.) who was born 1863. No other information was noted regarding either Wiley Roberson.

By 1870, Tressie had married John Hodges, an apparent widower with six children. Her son Wiley Roberson, age 7, also appears in the Wayne County, MS census along with twins Eliza & William, age one. John Hodges was previously married to Mary Cynthia Blackledge, whose relationship to Tressie Blackledge, if any,is unknown but likely can be found. John was listed as 62 years of age and most likely died prior to 1877 when Tressie married Gallant C. Coker.

Gallant and Tressie were there parents of Joseph Napoleon Coker, born 1879 and Etta Leona Coker born 1882. J. Napoleon married Ella (possibly Blackledge) and had 7 children. Etta married Archie B. Walters and they had 9 children.
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A final note from an outside researcher: The original summary included information on Gallant's reported first two marriages which was not part of my research and may contain errors. An 1870 Clarke County census appears to be this family but creates more questions than answers. While I probably did not have access to all information, I would urge Coker researchers to thoroughly analyze and share all available information on Gallant. For example, what is the origin of the name Mary Simpson? Is there any basis to name Mary as mother of Y.D. rather than Sarah? Does the 1870 Clarke County census show this family?