John "Jack" Coker was born on the 10th of May 1789 in Laurens, South Carolina to John Coker Sr. and Nancy Dicey Dial. He was the eldest of the children with two brothers, Joseph Mansil (1798-1881), and James (1797-1879). An article put out by the San Jacinto Museum of History Assoc. states John's legacy best:
"On applying for land in Austin's Colonies as is shown in Book B.P. 103, Mr. Coker stated that he came to Texas from Alabama in 1834. He declared he was single, and was a blacksmith by trade. In the Headright Certificate #234 for 1/3 league of land issued to him March 1, 1838 by the Board of Land Commission of Montgomery County, it also stated that he arrived in Texas in 1834. In the Comptroller's Military Service Record #1475, it was certified that he served in the Texas army from March 6 to September 5, 1836. He was a member of Captain Henry W. Karnes' Company at San Jacinto. On June 15, 1838 Donation Cerificate #333 for 640 acres of land was issued to him for having participated in the battle. He was a member of 'Deaf' Smith's party which destroyed Vince's Bridge near Pasadena, Texas. In Comptroller's Military Service Record #1090, it is stated that he lost a horse in the battle valued at $175. The Probate Records of Bexas Co., Book T, p.312, show that Mr. Coker died in San Antonio in November, 1861. His only surviving brothers, James and Joseph were his heirs, Mr. Coker being single. He is buried in the Coker family lot in the cemetery in the Coker settlement in Bexar Co., Texas."
There is a Texas Medallion and a marker on his grave, put there by the state which reads as follows:
John 'Jack' Coker
May 10, 1789 - Jan. 4, 1861
Came from Sourth Carolina to Texas in 1834. Served in the Battle of San Jacinto in Texas War for Independence in 1836. Was one of a party with 'Deaf' Smith that destroyed Vince's bridge near Pasadena. This deed may have kept Santa Anna's army from retreat or reinforcement, thus assuring Texan victory. In recognition, the legislature of Texas awarded to Coker 1,920 acres where he and his brother Joseph founded Coker community.
John was on his land by 1841, when he and two friends blazed the land lines by marking the trees with axes. Then he selected a spacious wooded spot for his home where mesquite and live oak trees were plentiful. This place was also to serve as the first overnight stop on the cattle trail from south Texas through San Antonio on the way north. The cattle made about twelve miles a day, so his place was just the right distance from San Antonio. Friendly Indians dug the drain to the water hole for him. The depression is still there and a 500 year old live oak still stands at the edge. Once settled, John invited his two brothers and families to join him, thus establishing the Coker community of today.
Taken from "Our Coker Family" provided for Coker reunion ca. 1982 by
Edith B. Wilbanks (1906-1992)
"On applying for land in Austin's Colonies as is shown in Book B.P. 103, Mr. Coker stated that he came to Texas from Alabama in 1834. He declared he was single, and was a blacksmith by trade. In the Headright Certificate #234 for 1/3 league of land issued to him March 1, 1838 by the Board of Land Commission of Montgomery County, it also stated that he arrived in Texas in 1834. In the Comptroller's Military Service Record #1475, it was certified that he served in the Texas army from March 6 to September 5, 1836. He was a member of Captain Henry W. Karnes' Company at San Jacinto. On June 15, 1838 Donation Cerificate #333 for 640 acres of land was issued to him for having participated in the battle. He was a member of 'Deaf' Smith's party which destroyed Vince's Bridge near Pasadena, Texas. In Comptroller's Military Service Record #1090, it is stated that he lost a horse in the battle valued at $175. The Probate Records of Bexas Co., Book T, p.312, show that Mr. Coker died in San Antonio in November, 1861. His only surviving brothers, James and Joseph were his heirs, Mr. Coker being single. He is buried in the Coker family lot in the cemetery in the Coker settlement in Bexar Co., Texas."
There is a Texas Medallion and a marker on his grave, put there by the state which reads as follows:
John 'Jack' Coker
May 10, 1789 - Jan. 4, 1861
Came from Sourth Carolina to Texas in 1834. Served in the Battle of San Jacinto in Texas War for Independence in 1836. Was one of a party with 'Deaf' Smith that destroyed Vince's bridge near Pasadena. This deed may have kept Santa Anna's army from retreat or reinforcement, thus assuring Texan victory. In recognition, the legislature of Texas awarded to Coker 1,920 acres where he and his brother Joseph founded Coker community.
John was on his land by 1841, when he and two friends blazed the land lines by marking the trees with axes. Then he selected a spacious wooded spot for his home where mesquite and live oak trees were plentiful. This place was also to serve as the first overnight stop on the cattle trail from south Texas through San Antonio on the way north. The cattle made about twelve miles a day, so his place was just the right distance from San Antonio. Friendly Indians dug the drain to the water hole for him. The depression is still there and a 500 year old live oak still stands at the edge. Once settled, John invited his two brothers and families to join him, thus establishing the Coker community of today.
Taken from "Our Coker Family" provided for Coker reunion ca. 1982 by
Edith B. Wilbanks (1906-1992)
John "Jack" Coker was born on the 10th of May 1789 in Laurens, South Carolina to John Coker Sr. and Nancy Dicey Dial. He was the eldest of the children with two brothers, Joseph Mansil (1798-1881), and James (1797-1879). An article put out by the San Jacinto Museum of History Assoc. states John's legacy best:
"On applying for land in Austin's Colonies as is shown in Book B.P. 103, Mr. Coker stated that he came to Texas from Alabama in 1834. He declared he was single, and was a blacksmith by trade. In the Headright Certificate #234 for 1/3 league of land issued to him March 1, 1838 by the Board of Land Commission of Montgomery County, it also stated that he arrived in Texas in 1834. In the Comptroller's Military Service Record #1475, it was certified that he served in the Texas army from March 6 to September 5, 1836. He was a member of Captain Henry W. Karnes' Company at San Jacinto. On June 15, 1838 Donation Cerificate #333 for 640 acres of land was issued to him for having participated in the battle. He was a member of 'Deaf' Smith's party which destroyed Vince's Bridge near Pasadena, Texas. In Comptroller's Military Service Record #1090, it is stated that he lost a horse in the battle valued at $175. The Probate Records of Bexas Co., Book T, p.312, show that Mr. Coker died in San Antonio in November, 1861. His only surviving brothers, James and Joseph were his heirs, Mr. Coker being single. He is buried in the Coker family lot in the cemetery in the Coker settlement in Bexar Co., Texas."
There is a Texas Medallion and a marker on his grave, put there by the state which reads as follows:
John 'Jack' Coker
May 10, 1789 - Jan. 4, 1861
Came from Sourth Carolina to Texas in 1834. Served in the Battle of San Jacinto in Texas War for Independence in 1836. Was one of a party with 'Deaf' Smith that destroyed Vince's bridge near Pasadena. This deed may have kept Santa Anna's army from retreat or reinforcement, thus assuring Texan victory. In recognition, the legislature of Texas awarded to Coker 1,920 acres where he and his brother Joseph founded Coker community.
John was on his land by 1841, when he and two friends blazed the land lines by marking the trees with axes. Then he selected a spacious wooded spot for his home where mesquite and live oak trees were plentiful. This place was also to serve as the first overnight stop on the cattle trail from south Texas through San Antonio on the way north. The cattle made about twelve miles a day, so his place was just the right distance from San Antonio. Friendly Indians dug the drain to the water hole for him. The depression is still there and a 500 year old live oak still stands at the edge. Once settled, John invited his two brothers and families to join him, thus establishing the Coker community of today.
Taken from "Our Coker Family" provided for Coker reunion ca. 1982 by
Edith B. Wilbanks (1906-1992)
"On applying for land in Austin's Colonies as is shown in Book B.P. 103, Mr. Coker stated that he came to Texas from Alabama in 1834. He declared he was single, and was a blacksmith by trade. In the Headright Certificate #234 for 1/3 league of land issued to him March 1, 1838 by the Board of Land Commission of Montgomery County, it also stated that he arrived in Texas in 1834. In the Comptroller's Military Service Record #1475, it was certified that he served in the Texas army from March 6 to September 5, 1836. He was a member of Captain Henry W. Karnes' Company at San Jacinto. On June 15, 1838 Donation Cerificate #333 for 640 acres of land was issued to him for having participated in the battle. He was a member of 'Deaf' Smith's party which destroyed Vince's Bridge near Pasadena, Texas. In Comptroller's Military Service Record #1090, it is stated that he lost a horse in the battle valued at $175. The Probate Records of Bexas Co., Book T, p.312, show that Mr. Coker died in San Antonio in November, 1861. His only surviving brothers, James and Joseph were his heirs, Mr. Coker being single. He is buried in the Coker family lot in the cemetery in the Coker settlement in Bexar Co., Texas."
There is a Texas Medallion and a marker on his grave, put there by the state which reads as follows:
John 'Jack' Coker
May 10, 1789 - Jan. 4, 1861
Came from Sourth Carolina to Texas in 1834. Served in the Battle of San Jacinto in Texas War for Independence in 1836. Was one of a party with 'Deaf' Smith that destroyed Vince's bridge near Pasadena. This deed may have kept Santa Anna's army from retreat or reinforcement, thus assuring Texan victory. In recognition, the legislature of Texas awarded to Coker 1,920 acres where he and his brother Joseph founded Coker community.
John was on his land by 1841, when he and two friends blazed the land lines by marking the trees with axes. Then he selected a spacious wooded spot for his home where mesquite and live oak trees were plentiful. This place was also to serve as the first overnight stop on the cattle trail from south Texas through San Antonio on the way north. The cattle made about twelve miles a day, so his place was just the right distance from San Antonio. Friendly Indians dug the drain to the water hole for him. The depression is still there and a 500 year old live oak still stands at the edge. Once settled, John invited his two brothers and families to join him, thus establishing the Coker community of today.
Taken from "Our Coker Family" provided for Coker reunion ca. 1982 by
Edith B. Wilbanks (1906-1992)
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