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Edward Coles

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Edward Coles

Birth
Esmont, Albemarle County, Virginia, USA
Death
7 Jul 1868 (aged 81)
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
Burial
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA
Plot
Section E, Lot 218
Memorial ID
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Illinois Governor. Born in Enniscorthy, Virginia, he was the private secretary to President James Madison, (1809-16). An advocate against slavery, after he inherited his father’s plantation and slaves, he moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1817, in order to set his slaves free. There he led political campaigns that prevented the legitimization of slavery in the State of Illinois. In 1822, he was elected the 2nd Governor of Illinois, serving until 1826. While in office, he led anti-slavery forces in the 1824 Constitutional Convention resolution vote that guaranteed Illinois would remain free. After his term, he settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of his life. Coles County, Illinois, founded in 1831, was named in his honor.
Illinois Governor. Born in Enniscorthy, Virginia, he was the private secretary to President James Madison, (1809-16). An advocate against slavery, after he inherited his father’s plantation and slaves, he moved to Edwardsville, Illinois, in 1817, in order to set his slaves free. There he led political campaigns that prevented the legitimization of slavery in the State of Illinois. In 1822, he was elected the 2nd Governor of Illinois, serving until 1826. While in office, he led anti-slavery forces in the 1824 Constitutional Convention resolution vote that guaranteed Illinois would remain free. After his term, he settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he spent the rest of his life. Coles County, Illinois, founded in 1831, was named in his honor.

Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith

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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Scott Maxwell
  • Added: Jul 20, 2002
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6623976/edward-coles: accessed ), memorial page for Edward Coles (15 Dec 1786–7 Jul 1868), Find a Grave Memorial ID 6623976, citing Woodlands Cemetery, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.