JAMES COLE

• Death Notes
  • James Cole
    Born:  25 Jul 1600
    Highgate, London, [county], England  
    Died:  1688
    Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA 
    

• General Notes
  •   I would characterize James Cole of Plymouth, Massachusetts as intelligent, respected, prominent, business-oriented, politically astute, and notorious.
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    I find our immigrant Cole ancestor to be one of the most colorful characters I have found in my family tree. In reading the second-hand accounts of his appearances in public records I would characterize James Cole of Plymouth, Massachusetts as intelligent, respected, prominent, business-oriented, politically astute, and notorious.
    
    James Cole arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1633. Although some published accounts of his arrival in the colonies place him first in Saco, Maine, later published records show that a different James Cole most probably settled in Saco, Maine.
    
    The most comprehensive information on the descendants of James Cole is found in an extensive genealogy, The Descendants of James Cole of Plymouth 1633, by Ernest Byron Cole, published in 1908. Several later published articles have corrected and amplified Ernest Byron Cole's work.
    
    Although an early "myth" about James Cole claimed he married the daughter of a famous botanist, whose surname was Lobel, more recent published information cites records from Barnstaple, Devonshire, England that identify Mary Tibbes as the wife of James Cole. His first two children, James and Hugh, were likewise baptized in Barnstaple, Devonshire.
    
    James Cole had at least two more children for whom records can be found: John and Mary.
    
    Of particular interest is James Cole's apparent lack of church membership among the scores of early prominent settlers whose places of prominence in the community were usually parallelled by leadership roles within the church. Not only did James Cole appear to avoid church, but also operated a rather rowdy tavern - almost reminiscent of those which gave the old west a notorious flavor.
    
    James Cole became a freeman in Plymouth about 1634. He obtained from the colony a license to operate a public house, and by 1637 his first violation of the liquor control laws was recorded in the court records. A later account describes the throwing of stools and general disturbance until early morning hours. By 1640 the court withdrew James Cole's license to sell liquor, after which he was fined for selling liquor without a license. His license was not restored until 1645.
    
    James continued to operate an inn even without his liquor license. He was apparently financially successful and acted as surety on bonds at various times and loaned money. He undoubtedly won the respect of the townspeople. He was elected constable in 1641/2 and again in 1644. He was also appointed highway surveyor several times beginning in 1642.
    
    James Cole, as well as his wife, continued to experience problems in operating the tavern within legal boundaries after his license was restored. James and Mary were fined for allowing drunkenness in the tavern, selling liquor on Sunday, and selling liquor to Indians. In 1652 one of his tavern patrons was up all night drinking in Cole's house before he went out fishing and accidentally drowned.
    
    James himself was cited three times by the court for being drunk, the last time in 1671. In defense of his third offense he claimed to have an infirmity which caused him to appear drunk, and was not fined. He was also charged with battery in 1650, but cleared of the offense.
    
    Despite the rowdy reputation of Cole's tavern, the court in 1653 decided to pay James Cole for his expense of operating an "ordinary," and provided him with "necessaries" for entertaining strangers. In 1659 the court again paid Cole 10 pounds for improvements in his "ordinary."
    
    James Cole also appeared numerous times in court records as either plaintiff or defendant in various actions involving business contracts and debt collections.
    
    In 1670 the operation of the tavern succeeded to James, Jr., who was not charged the excise tax that year because he was beginning a new business. The operation of the tavern went smoothly after James, Jr. took it over, and there were no more fines for license and liquor violations, although one of the patrons was charged with "drinking, gameing and uncivil revelling" in 1671 when he brought a mare into Cole's parlor. Although James, Jr. was not held responsible he was cautioned to "keep good order in his house . . . " with "no revelling there."
    
    There apparently is no record of the deaths of James and his wife Mary.
    
    *********************************
    
    
    I find our immigrant Cole ancestor to be one of the most colorful characters I have found in my family tree. In reading the second-hand accounts of his appearances in public records I would characterize James Cole of Plymouth, Massachusetts as intelligent, respected, prominent, business-oriented, politically astute, and notorious.
    
    James Cole arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1633. Although some published accounts of his arrival in the colonies place him first in Saco, Maine, later published records show that a different James Cole most probably settled in Saco, Maine.
    
    The most comprehensive information on the descendants of James Cole is found in an extensive genealogy, The Descendants of James Cole of Plymouth 1633, by Ernest Byron Cole, published in 1908. Several later published articles have corrected and amplified Ernest Byron Cole's work.
    
    Although an early "myth" about James Cole claimed he married the daughter of a famous botanist, whose surname was Lobel, more recent published information cites records from Barnstaple, Devonshire, England that identify Mary Tibbes as the wife of James Cole. His first two children, James and Hugh, were likewise baptized in Barnstaple, Devonshire.
    
    James Cole had at least two more children for whom records can be found: John and Mary.
    
    Of particular interest is James Cole's apparent lack of church membership among the scores of early prominent settlers whose places of prominence in the community were usually parallelled by leadership roles within the church. Not only did James Cole appear to avoid church, but also operated a rather rowdy tavern - almost reminiscent of those which gave the old west a notorious flavor.
    
    James Cole became a freeman in Plymouth about 1634. He obtained from the colony a license to operate a public house, and by 1637 his first violation of the liquor control laws was recorded in the court records. A later account describes the throwing of stools and general disturbance until early morning hours. By 1640 the court withdrew James Cole's license to sell liquor, after which he was fined for selling liquor without a license. His license was not restored until 1645.
    
    James continued to operate an inn even without his liquor license. He was apparently financially successful and acted as surety on bonds at various times and loaned money. He undoubtedly won the respect of the townspeople. He was elected constable in 1641/2 and again in 1644. He was also appointed highway surveyor several times beginning in 1642.
    
    James Cole, as well as his wife, continued to experience problems in operating the tavern within legal boundaries after his license was restored. James and Mary were fined for allowing drunkenness in the tavern, selling liquor on Sunday, and selling liquor to Indians. In 1652 one of his tavern patrons was up all night drinking in Cole's house before he went out fishing and accidentally drowned.
    
    James himself was cited three times by the court for being drunk, the last time in 1671. In defense of his third offense he claimed to have an infirmity which caused him to appear drunk, and was not fined. He was also charged with battery in 1650, but cleared of the offense.
    
    Despite the rowdy reputation of Cole's tavern, the court in 1653 decided to pay James Cole for his expense of operating an "ordinary," and provided him with "necessaries" for entertaining strangers. In 1659 the court again paid Cole 10 pounds for improvements in his "ordinary."
    
    James Cole also appeared numerous times in court records as either plaintiff or defendant in various actions involving business contracts and debt collections.
    
    In 1670 the operation of the tavern succeeded to James, Jr., who was not charged the excise tax that year because he was beginning a new business. The operation of the tavern went smoothly after James, Jr. took it over, and there were no more fines for license and liquor violations, although one of the patrons was charged with "drinking, gameing and uncivil revelling" in 1671 when he brought a mare into Cole's parlor. Although James, Jr. was not held responsible he was cautioned to "keep good order in his house . . . " with "no revelling there."
    
    There apparently is no record of the deaths of James and his wife Mary.
    
    
    James Cole
    
    
    James Cole was born in England. He migrated to Plymouth as an adult with his wife Mary and their 4 children.  James Cole first appears in the records of Plymouth Colony in the 1630s. The name of the ship on which he sailed to America is not known.
    James was an innkeeper. Operating an inn, or "ordinary," was a public service and the Colony authorized money to keep the ordinary in good repair. James also appears in the Records of Plymouth Colony for violations of the Colony’s liquor laws on numerous occasions.
    
    James Cole’s ordinary was near but not actually on Plymouth’s "Coles Hill." Coles Hill most probably takes its name, not from James Cole, but from John Cole who bought property on the hill in 1697. The first reference to "Coles Hill" appears on 6 March 1698-9 : "The towne granted to Nathaniel Warren 50 foot frunt of land below Coles Hill soe Caled by the shore side and soe to Run down from High Water Marke in to the sea to whorf out soe farr as may be Convenient the sd Warren alwayes leaveing A sufficient way for Carts to pass along the shore between the banck & the sd land to be taken upp" (Records of the Town of Plymouth, I : 266).
    
    The date of James Cole’s death is unknown, he last appears in the records in 1673.
    
    
    How do we know about James Cole?
    From the written records of the 17th century.
    For a look at the 17th century records that pertain to James Cole, click HERE.
      www.pilgrimhall.org
    James Cole arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1633. Although some published accounts of his arrival in the colonies place him first in Saco, Maine, later published records show that a different James Cole most probably settled in Saco, Maine.
    
    The most comprehensive information on the descendants of James Cole is found in an extensive genealogy, The Descendants of James Cole of Plymouth 1633, by Ernest Byron Cole, published in 1908. Several later published articles have corrected and amplified Ernest Byron Cole's work.
    
    Although an early "myth" about James Cole claimed he married the daughter of a famous botanist, whose surname was Lobel, more recent published information cites records from Barnstaple, Devonshire, England that identify Mary Tibbes as the wife of James Cole. His first two children, James and Hugh, were likewise baptized in Barnstaple, Devonshire.
    
    James Cole had at least two more children for whom records can be found: John and Mary.
    
    Of particular interest is James Cole's apparent lack of church membership among the scores of early prominent settlers whose places of prominence in the community were usually parallelled by leadership roles within the church. Not only did James Cole appear to avoid church, but also operated a rather rowdy tavern - almost reminiscent of those which gave the old west a notorious flavor.
    
    James Cole became a freeman in Plymouth about 1634. He obtained from the colony a license to operate a public house, and by 1637 his first violation of the liquor control laws was recorded in the court records. A later account describes the throwing of stools and general disturbance until early morning hours. By 1640 the court withdrew James Cole's license to sell liquor, after which he was fined for selling liquor without a license. His license was not restored until 1645.
    
    James continued to operate an inn even without his liquor license. He was apparently financially successful and acted as surety on bonds at various times and loaned money. He undoubtedly won the respect of the townspeople. He was elected constable in 1641/2 and again in 1644. He was also appointed highway surveyor several times beginning in 1642.
    
    James Cole, as well as his wife, continued to experience problems in operating the tavern within legal boundaries after his license was restored. James and Mary were fined for allowing drunkenness in the tavern, selling liquor on Sunday, and selling liquor to Indians. In 1652 one of his tavern patrons was up all night drinking in Cole's house before he went out fishing and accidentally drowned.
    
    James himself was cited three times by the court for being drunk, the last time in 1671. In defense of his third offense he claimed to have an infirmity which caused him to appear drunk, and was not fined. He was also charged with battery in 1650, but cleared of the offense.
    
    Despite the rowdy reputation of Cole's tavern, the court in 1653 decided to pay James Cole for his expense of operating an "ordinary," and provided him with "necessaries" for entertaining strangers. In 1659 the court again paid Cole 10 pounds for improvements in his "ordinary."
    
    James Cole also appeared numerous times in court records as either plaintiff or defendant in various actions involving business contracts and debt collections.
    
    In 1670 the operation of the tavern succeeded to James, Jr., who was not charged the excise tax that year because he was beginning a new business. The operation of the tavern went smoothly after James, Jr. took it over, and there were no more fines for license and liquor violations, although one of the patrons was charged with "drinking, gameing and uncivil revelling" in 1671 when he brought a mare into Cole's parlor. Although James, Jr. was not held responsible he was cautioned to "keep good order in his house . . . " with "no revelling there."
    
    There apparently is no record of the deaths of James and his wife Mary.
    
    
    Spouse 2   
    Mary Tibbes
    Born: 15 Jun 1598 in Barnstaple, [parish], Devon, England
    Died: 7 Mar 1660 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   
    Marriage: 1 May 1625 in Barnstaple, [parish], Devon, England   View Info 
    Children Sex Birth
    Daniel Cole  M 1614 in [city], [parish], [county], England   
    James Cole  M 1625 in London, London, [county], England   
    Hugh Cole  M 1627 in Bristol, Swansea, Massachusetts, USA   
    Ephraim Cole  M abt 1629 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   
    John Cole  M 21 Nov 1637 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   
    Mary Cole  F 1639 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA   
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    James Cole who was born in London, England. He married Mary Tibbs about 1624 in England. James died about 1688 in Plymouth, Plymouth, MA.  James and Mary Tibbs Cole had four children, James, Hugh Cole I, John Cole and Mary Cole.
    
    Hugh Cole I was born about 1627 in London, England. He married Mary Foxwell, daughter of Richard and Ann Shelley Foxwell, August 8, 1654. Hugh died Swansea, Bristol, MA January 22, 1698-99. Mary was born August 17, 1635 in Scituate, MA, she died 1689 in Swansea, MA. Mary and Hugh had eleven children. Mercy, Experience, James, Hugh II, John , Martha, Anna, Ruth, Ebenezer, Mary and Benjamin. My ancestor was Hugh Cole.
    
    Hugh Cole II, was born March 8, 1657/58 in Plymouth, MA. He married Deborah Buckland May 6, 1881 in Swansea, Bristol, MA. Deborah was born September 16, 1658 in Rehobeth, Bristol, MA and died November 7, 1724 in Swansea, Bristol, MA. Hugh died Feburary 17, 1737/38 in Swansea, Bristol, MA. Hugh and Deborah had ten children, Anna, Christian, Bethia, Deborah, Hugh III, Mary, Joseph, Lydia, James and Hannah.
    
    Hugh Cole III, was born May 30, 1683 in Swansea, Bristol, MA. He married Martha Luther, daughter of Samuel Luther and Mary Abell, December 13, 1705. Martha was born December 9, 1681 and died 1765 in Swansea, Bristol, MA. Hugh died February 17, 1736/37 in Swansea, Bristol, MA. Hugh and Martha had seven children, Hugh IV, Nehemiah, Joseph, Martha, Peleg, David and Deborah.
    
    Joseph Cole, Sr., was born May 3, 1716 in Swansea, MA. On May 1, 1738 he married Freelove Mason, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Barney Mason. Freelove was born November 14, 1720 in Swansea, Bristol, MA and died 1792 in Washington Co., VA. Joseph died April 22, 1785 in Washington Co., VA. It is believed that Joseph and Freelove are buried in Sinclair's Bottom Cemetery in the back under a pine tree. Between 1771 and 1774 Joseph moved to Washington County, VA and settled on the South Fork of the Holston River. Joseph and Freelove had seven children, Elizabeth, Joanna, Hugh Sr., Joseph Jr., Urania, Zacheus and Sampson.
    
    Sampson Cole was born March 7, 1755 in Swansea, MA. Sampson's first wife was Keziah Cole, believed to be the daughter of Isreal Cole. They had three children. She was killed after the third child was born by a fall from a horse. Sampson purchased land in Smyth Co., VA as early as 1770. He then married Lydia Wheeler, who was born in NY. She was the daughter of James and Abigail Wheeler. Sampson died June 25, 1833 in Smyth Co., VA. Lydia died March 25, 1841 in Smyth Co., VA. They are both buried at the cemetery at Old Blankenbeckler School, north of South Fork of the Holston River, above Riverside and below Adwolf, Smyth Co., VA. Sampson and Lydia Wheeler Cole had eight children, Ann, Freelove, James, Joseph, Jesse, Martha, Elizabeth and Abigail.
    
    Elizabeth Cole was born in 1796. She married Andrew Patterson on September 6, 1814 in Smyth Co., VA. Elizabeth died May 20, 1880 in Washington, Co., VA. Andrew Patterson received a land grant in Washington Co, VA for services in the war of 1812. Andrew died June 19, 1862 in Washington Co., VA. He was a Reverand. Andrew and Elizabeth had seven children, Ann, Elizabeth, Sampson C., Lydia, Eleanor, Thomas E., and Martha.
    
    Martha Patterson married Campbell Berry St. John .
    
    
    
    **There is a Cole monument in Enniskillen, Ireland dedicated to Sir Lowry Cole, a general wo served under Wellington during the Peninsular War, 1808-1814.  The monument is about one hundred feet high, and can be climbed to give a fine view over the town, (information furnished by Alun Goodall).