COUTS
CALIFORNIA'S COUTS COUSINS
VOLUME 2 AUGUST SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER NUMBER 5
1998
A Quarterly Newsletter for the Descendants of the Couts Family
JAMES ARMSTRONG
Subj: James Armstong Date:
98-06-29 02:44:05 EDT From:
Sjcfamorg1@Aol.com I just
returned from Robertson Co. and wanted
to pass on this info. James Armstrong
just recently had a stroke. He will be in
a nursing home while recouping. Will
try to find out more info and let you know.
Catch you later. Talk to you later
Sharon
MARY "POLLY" CALDWELL
Mary "Polly" Caldwell was the wife of John
"Indiana" Couts, son of Chrisley Sr. She
has been hard to track down over the years,
because her name was common and there
were so many Caldwells in the Kentucky
area. Our sparse information listed a Matthew
as her father, and a Curtis as a relative, but we
couldn't prove it. Then, I joined the HYPERLINK
mailto:L@roosweb.com L@rootsweb.comfor
Caldwells. One day, she magically appeared
on the screen. Thank you Georgeann Brooksley,
Ruby Stokes, and DeDeeMe!!!!
From: DeDeeMe Date:
Wed, 13 May 1998 To: CALDWELL-L@
rootsweb.com, Subject: Re: Mary "Polly"
Caldwell I have in my database a Polly
CALDWELL born about 1788 in Spartenburg
County, South Carolina, the third child of
Matthew CALDWELL, and his first wife whose
name is unknown. [Editor's note: traditional
naming patterns would make her Mary third
daughter would be called Polly, until mother's
death] Matthew CALDWELL is the son of
Curtis CALDWELL and Sarah FODERN or
WILKERSON. Polly's spouse is listed as
John Couch, married 9 Aug 1809. [ Editor's
note: Polly and John moved to Warrick County,
Indiana, circa 1812]
The father, Matthew CALDWELL, was born in
Warren or Union Kentucky and died in
Gasconade Co., MO. Matthew had 14 children
with his first wife: Sarah (b. 1784), Curtis
(1786), Polly (abt 1788), John L. (abt 1790),
Henry (abt 1792), Christina or Christian
(abt 1794), Isaac (abt 1798), Matthew H.
(abt. 1800), George H. (abt 1802), and
Christina Christian, (abt 1787), Sarah
(abt 1791), Mary (abt 1790), Isaac (1795),
John L. (26 Oct 1796). I hope this may be
the Polly you are looking for. (YES!!)
From: fondren.facts.fantasy@juno.com
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 12:14:42 EDT
Dear Barb: It seems we are in the same
confusing boat re Sarah who married
Curtis Caldwell. We based our assumption
that she was a Fondren because of the
security on the estate settlement and
the few other documents that place Curtis
Caldwell in the same area as John Fondren
early on before part of Mecklenburg Co NC
became SC. There appears to be more
than one Curtis - and of course there is Jr.
One Curtis Caldwell, fitting ours, was a
known Tory, and the Fondrens were also.
Since Curtis died ca 1782 and the war
ended 1781, that brings on a lot of thought
about his death. I have no clue. but again
he was a little old to have actually fought -
but possible if we have his birthdate any
where close - I am showing 1738-1742, I
guess. We've played around with that
so much. We do believe that John Fondren
of Fishing Creek was maybe the oldest of
the family from which he came and maybe
too old to have actually participated in
battles - but his son, John Fondren II is
probably the one with the pay vouchers,
etc. Sarah may have been the second
child in that group but no clue. I have the
following children of Curtis and Sarah:
Matthew b ca 1763 Union Co SC (part of
old 96th) m 1 unk - but with 9children m-2
to Nancy White with 3 children. died in
MO Sarah Caldwell Jordan, Miriam
(Marion) Caldwell Lankford Guyton
(The Guyton is another link for us)
Curtis Caldwell, Jr. m Sarah _____
John Caldwell ONE OF THESE CALDWELLS
MAYHAVE MARRIED A DAUGHTER OF THOMAS
SHANKLIN. Robert Caldwell, James Caldwell,
Mary Caldwell, Charles Caldwell (This info
came for the most part (bits and pieces here
and there, tho) from Julie Tatum Somehow
I have Curtis WASHINGTON Caldwell and
Sarah W. ________. Indication that Curtis
fought in the French and Indian War and
Cherokee War. (I have not sought records
for this - something that needs to be done.
I don't even know what else is out there.
I have an address for Georgeann Brooksley
along with her phone number. I can't recall
if we have corresponded. If we need me to
I can research my vertical file on Caldwell,
but it is huge! I joined that Caldwell news
letter thing a few years ago and all of that
is together. Curtis may have been born in
Chester or Union Cos. Get back to me, and
you too George Ann. I would give most any
thing to piece this together. Remember I
have very little proof of this info.
Mary From: fondren.facts.fantasy@juno.com
From: gbrooksby@juno.com (Georgeann
Brooksby) Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 14:37:52
EDT Sorry, I don't have his will...in looking
again I see it is his probate. [THIS PETITION
IS FOR JOHN OF INDIANA]
Probate Order Book No. 1, page 420:
J W B Morris Admin of the Estate of John Couts Dec'd
and Widow and heirs of Dec'd Estate
Now comes Administrators and files petition
............the court for.............against certain
of the heirs in said petition named to appear
and answer under oath as to the amount of
by them recieveth in the life time of said decedent.
and now comes Mary Couts widow of said John
Couts Dec'd Levi Couts Matthew P. Couts Bluford
H. Christwell (spelling in context) and Rhoda his
wife. Charles S. Hill and Sally his wife, Thomas
Fleener and Eliza his wife, John Price and Dolly
his wife, andStephen V Price and Martha his wife
heirs at law of said John Couts Dec'd defendents
hearin and files their written and answer marked
A hearin verified by affidavit which reads in words
and figures following to wit: (here insert it) and
it is ordered by the court that the several amounts
in said answer set forth as received by the said
heirs stand chargedagainst said Admin. and that
the heirs stand charged with the several amounts
by them received of the said decedent in his life
time on the final distribution of said estate.
Vol. 2 page 421 Now at this time comes Levi
Couts and his mother the said Levi Couts is by
the court appointed Guardian of the minor heirs
of John Couts deceased to wit: Matilda, John
Mary Ann and Aaron C. Couts and file his bond
to the acceptance of the court and is sworn as
said guardian. May 10, 1842 I have a few
more references to estates settlements of other
family members, I wrote to the county and after
about six months they just sent me the name
of a researcher, so I thought when I go to Salt
Lake I would look up the rest. I had just worked
a little on this family, just census and few
probates and marriages, had not completed the
job. Will be happy to work on it more. As I
said earlier, no mention of Susanna, wonder
if she died young and left no children which
would account for no mention in the estate.
Have a good day, George Ann
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CAVE J. COUTS It may seem that we are em
phasizing "Old Cave", but he is just so notorious
or is it infamous in California History, there is
always something more interesting to add to the newsletter.
TO TRIAL FOR TRYING TO STEAL COURTHOUSE ~
YESTERDAY IN THE WEST, BY Coyer, a free-lance
writer living in San Diego Nov. 17, 1985 ~ materials
submitted by Lucy Leon
Next, Bean decided to bring an accomplice
in on the scheme. He called upon the aid of an Army
officer with whom he had recently become friendly:
Lt. Cave Johnston (sic) Couts of the 1st U.S. Dragoons.
Lt. Couts seemed like a good choice as
partner since at this time he was already in legal
trouble with the Army. Before his arrival in San
Diego, he had been stationed in Los Angeles
and while on duty there operated a "gambling
den" with two civilians. The Army discovered
this operation and charged the lieutenant with
"conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentle man."
Since officers were at a premium in California,
the Army decided to delay Couts' trial until more
troops arrived in the area. (Couts finally faced a
court martial on Dec. 27, 1850, and was cleared
of the charge.)
To make Couts a partner in the courthouse
deal, Bean sold him part of the property for $2.50.
All this wheeling-and dealing took place on June
15, the very day Bean was elected mayor. He
had to carry out his plan fast while he still had
the powers of an alcalde.
Believing he now had full ownership of
the building and property, Bean then began
to bully the council members. His first act was
to take over the room used by the clerk and
throw out all of the papers and documents
stored there. When the council members
demanded an explanation for his actions,
Bean informed them that he now owned the
building and would do with it as he pleased.
He and Couts then proceeded to take
possession of the other officers for their own
use and, at the same time, Couts began
construction on a two-story frame structure
immediately next door. Bean intimated to
the council members that if they did not
accept his authority, he would evict them
all by December.
The council immediately began an
investigation into Bean's ownership of the
courthouse. They questioned Senora Amador
and fund that although she had sold the deed
to Bean, she thought he was acting on behalf
of the city. If she had known he was buying
the land for his personal use, she would
never have sold it.
The council then began checking the
past ownership of the lots and made a
surprising discovery - Senora Amador did
not have a legal claim to the property.
When Alcalde Alvarado sold the deed to
her husband, he failed to attach an official
seal to the document and did not use
stamped paper. He also neglected to
record the price of the property on the
deed, another infraction of regulations.
Besides all this, Amador never had
occupied or improved the land. All this
added up to the widow's ownership of
the tract being null and void.
Armed with this information, the
councilmen wrote up the results of their
investigation and on Aug. 20 submitted
them to court. Ironically, the document
lists the plaintiffs as the "Mayor and
Common Council of the City of San Diego"
even though the mayor, Joshua Bean,
was one of the defendants.
After reading the accusations, Bean
acknowledged that he knew Amador's
ownership of the land was null and void,
but pointed out that in that case the lots
reverted back to the city, and as mayor,
Bean could dispose of the property as
he saw fit. But Bean must have believed
Amador's claim was a valid one,
otherwise why bother to buy the deed
from his widow?
Next came a strange series
twists an turns in the legal battle. On
Oct. 1, the council decided to recognize
Bean and Couts' claim to the property,
drop their lawsuit against the two men,
and that both parties would pay their
own legal costs. But nine days later,
Bean and Couts suddenly changed their
minds and were willing to sign the deed
to the courthouse over to the city council.
The matter finally came to trial on
Jan. 7, 1851. Judge Olivers S. Witherby
decided in favor of the city council. Bean
and Couts not only had to relinquish their
claim to the property, but also pay all court
cost as well. Couts was allowed to keep the
building he had constructed next door,
which he turned into a successful hotel
know as the Colorado House.
The town hall/courthouse continued
to serve the growing community of San Diego
until its destruction by fire on April 20, 1872.
although the site of may court cases dealing
with theft, never again would the building
itself be the object of such a case.
DEED OF SALE
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY CLERK'S RECORDS
FROM THE VIRGINIA ARCHIVES
Page 117 ordered to be recorded by the court,
Pet Hog C.R.C.
Recorded from Original Deed under Act of
Assembly approved in Nov. 18, 1884
This Indenture made the twentyth day of
March in the year of our Lord one thousand
Seven hundred and Eighty one Between
Deter Kouts and Susannah his wife of
the county of Rockingham and in the
state of Virginia of the one part and
Conrad Kester of the other part and in
the county aforesaid withnessth that
for and in consideration of the sum of
four hundred pounds current money of
Virginia in had paid by the said Conrad
Kester at or before the Sealing and
Delivery of these present the Recpt
whereof he doth hereby acknowledge
and there doth release acquiti and
Discharge to said Conrad Kester his
Heirs and assigns by these present
he the said Peter Kouts, Sussannah,
his wife haste granted bargained sold
aliened and confirmed and by these
presents doth grant bargain sell alien
and confirm and by this Present unto
said Conrad Kester and his Heirs and
assigns forever one certain Tract of
Land Containing one Hundred and
eighty-six acres lying and being in
county aforesaid on a branch of the
North river Shannando called Wallings
Creek first granted to James Gill by
Patent bearing date the thirteenth day
of June 1743 and afterward conveyed
by Adam Rader to the said Deter Kouts
by Deeds and Lease and Release
dated the 4th and 5 days of August in
the year 1761 and boundeth as followisth
Beginning at two white oaks on the
West side of said Creek and running
thence south seventy five Degrees East
seventy two poles crossing the said
Creek at a pine North fifteen Degrees
East one thousand and seventy poles
to a white oak south seventy five degrees
East-thirty Eight poles to two pines north
to two pines North fifteen Degrees East
+++ hundred and sixty poles to two white
oaks, north seventy five degrees, west
one hundred and ten poles, crossing said
creek, to three pines on the top of a ridge
south fifteen degrees west three hundred
and thirty to the beginning and all houses
buildings orchards ways water , water
courses profits, commodities, hereditaments
and appurtenances. Whatsoever to the
said Premises here by granted or any
part there of, belonging or in anyway
appertaning and the revisions and revisions
remainder and reminders rents issues and
profits thereof and also all of the state
rights, and titles trusts, properly claimed
or demands whatsoever of him the said
Deter Kouts and Susannah his wife and
to the said premises and all deeds evidences
and writings touching or in any way con
cerning the same to have and to hold the
land here by conveyed and all singular
premises. Here by ++++ every part and
parcel thereof with their and every of their
appurtenances unto the said Conrad Kester
his heirs and assigns forever the only
proper use and behoof of him. The said
Conrad Cutter and of his heirs and assigns
forever and the said Deter Kouts and
Susannah his wife for themselves their
heirs and assigns by these presents that
the said Deter Kouts and Sussannah his
wife now at the time of the sealing and
delivers of these is seized of a good and
sure Perfect and Indefensable Estate of
Inheretence in fee simple of and in the
premises Hereby granted that She hath
good Power and lawfull and absolute
Right and authority to grant and convey
the same to the said Conrad Kester In
manner and form aforesaid and that
the said Premise now are and so forever
hereafter shall remain and be free and
clear of and from all former and other Gifts
Grants Bargains sales Dower Right Title
of Dower Judgement Executions Titles
Troubles charges Incumbrances whatso
ever made and done contained or suffered
by the said Deter Kouts and Susannah his
wife or any Person or persons whatsoever
assessment here after to grow in and
payable to the collector for the time being
for the use of the Commonwealth of Virginia
for and in respect of the said Premises
only Excepted and for Aurprized and the
said Deter Kouts and Susannah his wife
and their heirs all and Singular the Premises
Hereby Granted with the appurtenances
unto the said Conrad Kester his Heirs and
assigns them the said Deter Kouts and
Susannah his wife and their heirs and all
and every other Person and forever Defend
by these Present and Lastly that the said
Deter Kouts and Susannah his wife and
their Heirs and every other Person or Persons
and their Heirs and everything having or
claiming in the Premises here before mentioned
or intended to be hereby Bargained and sold
shall and will from time and at all times
Hereafter at the reasonable Bequest and
at the Proper Cost and charges in the Sur
of him the said Conrad Kesler his heirs or
assigns make do and execute or cause or
procure to be made done and executed all
and every such further and personable act
and at thing or things conveyance and
assurances for there Better and more effectual
conveying and assuring the premises aforesaid
with their and every of their appurtanances and
the said Conrad Kesler his heirs and assign by
the said Deter Kouts his heirs and assigns or
there Counsel Learned in the Law shall be
Reasonable advised or Ievised or Required
in witnesses where of the said Deter Kouts
and Susannah his wife have hereunto se
there hands and seals the day and year
above written
Sealed and Delivered (original in German)
Peter Koutz Seal
In presence of
Susannah ({her mark) Kouts
Cornelius Collins
John Whitman, John Thomas
At a court held for Rockingham County on
the 27th day of Aug 1781 This Deed of
Bargain and sale from Peter Couts and
Susanna his wife to Conrad Koster was
proved by the witnesses and ordered
to be recorded By the Court Pet. Hog C.R.C.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE INTERNET COUTS - THE LATEST COLLECTION-
From: CBStark@aol.com Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998
Subject: Re: Stark Don't mind at all. You may
not be familiar with TN history, and that could
make your research efforts a little more difficult.
As you no doubt from the generous help of our
friends, comes the next piece of information:
From: CBStark HYPERLINK "mailto:CBStark@
aol.com" Date: Fri, 24 Apr 1998 Subject: Stark
Barbara, I have e-mailed with a Couts researcher
in the past but can't pinpoint which person in my
rolodex that was. I try to keep a hard copy
address book of researchers in my various
lines. I have a copy of the three volume set
of "James Stark of Stafford County of Virginia
and his Descendants" and share whatever I
can locate in that with others. That book is so
complete and my own branch of the family
(John Carter Stark of Sumner County, TN) has
stayed put since 1810 so there just isn't that
much more I need to do on my Stark line
catching my other lines up to the same level.
The only information I have other than family
records on the Gordon [Margaret Couts,
mother of Susannah Couts, who married
Phillip Freeman, was believed to have
married a Gordon] line comes from the
1850 Jackson Co, TN and 1860 Davidson
Co TN census files. Family records include
only death and burial records for Malissia
Adaline Gordon, my great-grandmother.
Here is what I have:
James b abt 1805 in KY - Martha J. b abt
1809 in VA - James W. Gordon b abt 1835-
John A. Gordon b abt 1837
Mary E. Gordon b abt 1842- Margaret E.
Gordon b abt 1847- Martha L. Gordon b
abt 1850- Malisssia Adaline Gordon b 1
March 1854 in Davidson Co, Tn, d 10
March 1891 Sumner Co, TN m abt 1875
Mills Taylor Bloodworth-
Medorah C. Gordon b abt 1856 m Ide
The TN marriage index lists: James W.
Gordon to Rebecca J. Shannon 6-10-1859
in Robertson Co.
John A. Gordon to M. J. Williams 6-19-1858
in Sumner Co. I have been able to obtain
a copy of the marriage license of James and
Rebecca, and handwritten across the bottom
is "Solemnized the rites of matrimony of the
above named parties on the 16th of June
1859. s/ H. L. Covington, JP." I have no
idea if this James and John are the James
and John listed on the 1850 index, but I
have followed up on this because of the
family tradition that my mother had two
uncles who went to the Civil War and
never were heard from again. I am further
intrigued by this as I type. The Couts were
in Robertson Co, right? And the Couts
have Gordon connections, right? James
and Rebecca were married there by H. L.
Covington. Two of my Bloodworth ancestors
lived in Robertson Co for some time and
are connected to a family in Sumner Co but
I can't connect them to their father. How
ever, two Sumner Co Bloodworths married
Covingtons, and both were from Logan Co
[Editor's note: our group was in Logan
formerly Lincoln Co KY], KY which is right
across the line from Robertson. All this
may be neither here nor there to your Stark-
Couts-Gordon line or my Stark-Bloodworth-
Gordon line, but every little clue helps.
Any information I can dig out from my
Stark books I'll be more than happy to
share with you. If you can pick up on
anything about these mysterious Gordons,
I'd love to hear from you. And if you run
across any Bloodworths HELP! If you like,
I'll pass your e-mail address along to any
other Couts researcher I hear from. I have
to do all my researching from home because
of chemical sensitivities and allergies, but
my niece visits the TSL&A and Sumner Co.
Archives as she gets time off from work,
which, of course, isn't nearly as often as
I would like. Let me hear from you again
soon. Joyce
4
Subj: Girls Lutheran Reformed Schools,
From: Rev. Nelson R. Sulouff
HYPERLINK mailto:zuli@sprintmail.com
mailto:zuli@sprintmail.com Hello Barbara, I
regret I cannot tell you about schools in PA,
but perhaps I can help you in other ways. In
looking for the name of any church or church
school I believe you should be aware that
the words "Reformed" and "Lutheran" in any
title should be connected by the word "and."
I make this point because there never was a
"Reformed Lutheran" church. If you have found
it written "Reformed Lutheran" it is either an
error, a deliberate abbreviation, or a misunder
standing of some other sort. The German
Lutheran Church and German Reformed
Church had congregations in many, many
places in Pennsylvania where both con
gregations would share the use of a common
church building and/or school building. Often
virtually the same people would attend worship
every Sunday in the same building as the
ministers from the two churches would alternate
conducting the services. However, at
communion services one would see only
about half of the congregation participating
and the other half would wait until it was
the turn oftheir pastor to conduct the
communion service. As a consequence
these activities sometimes took the name
of "Union" church or school. I was raised
in a Northumberland Co. and was a member
of a Lutheran Church where the Sunday
School was a "Union" school. I don't know
if this will help you in your searches for
church documents, but it might. If you have
any interest in Benjamin Franklin Kautz,
born 1851 in Baden, Germany, to Henry &
Magdalena (Longyear) Kautz, who immigrated
in 1854, graduated from Gettysburg College
and Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary and who
was ordained as a Lutheran minister in 1880,
I have information on his ministry and his
family that I will gladly send to you. Best
regards, Rev. Nelson R. Sulouff
From: CBStark@aol.com Date: Sat, 25
Apr 1998 Subject: Re: Stark Don't mind
at all. You may not be familiar with TN
history, and that could make your research
efforts a little more difficult. As you no
doubt know, TN was originally the western
territory of NC. In 1779 settlers crossed
from East TN to what is now Nashville
and shortly thereafter, NC designated
much of Middle TN as Davidson Co. As
the settlement grew, Sumner and Ten
nessee Counties were added. After NC
ceded the territory to the US government
and it entered the Union in 1796 as
Tennessee, that county was divided
and its name changed to Montgomery
(Clarksville) and Robertson (Springfield).
Many of the records of Tennessee County
are lost, but much info concerning the
area and early families can be found in
Montgomery and Robertson Counties,
and don't overlook Davidson and Sumner.
Logan Co KY is directly across the state
line from Robertson Co TN. Keep in
mind that the boundary between VA
and NC was in dispute before KY and
TN became states, and the line wasn't
finally settled until after 1800, well after
the early settlers had laid claim to
bounty lands and/or purchased farms.
It is not inconceivable that you will find
records in KY or TN, Davidson, Sumner,
Tennessee, Montgomery, and Robertson
Counties having to do with one specific
fact that never moved or migrated but
had boundaries disputed, settled, moved,
and re-designated. But I really don't think
it is as bad as it sounds.
The book, "Red River Settlers, Records
of the Settlers of Northern Montgomery,
Robertson, and Sumner Counties, Tennes
see" has this to say on Couts:
"John H. Poston married Nancy L. Nelson.
They were the parents of thirteen children.
Hugh Hammill Poston of Nashville was one
of their sons, and Benjamin F. Poston of
Clarksville was another. Richard and William
Poston, two other sons settled in Memphis.
They were lawyers. One of the daughters of
Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Poston married John F.
Couts, as his first wife. ......" "James H.
Woodward, one of the sons of the Hon. and
Mrs. Woodward, was born on 28 Apr 1832
and was married in 1877 to Nannie L. Draughon
the daughter of Dr. George E. and Tabitha
(Couts) Draughon......" I love a mystery.
That's what got me into genealogy as much
as anything, but I didn't mean to get this
much into your particular mystery! But I've
enjoyed it so let me know if I can be of
further help. Joyce
Subj: FLEENER Date:8-04-25 From:
bfleener@chaffee.net (Betty Fleener)
To:bevans@coutsfamily.com
Hi, I saw a querry in your newsletter
about a Nicholas Fleener. My husband
is descended from him and if Sheryl
would like to contact me I have over
18,600 FLE cousins in my database.
A lot of them are in my database at
HYPERLINK http://castle.chaffee.net/~bfleener/#FLE
Betty Fleener
Subj: Byrd Family Date:98-04-26 From:
greenrp@peoplescom.net (Roger green)
To:bevans@coutsfamily.com
Hi, I was wondering if
you know if any of the Byrd's in your
family may have raised some GREEN
CHILDREN. We have been told that
the younger children of some of our
ancestors was raised by the BYRD
FAMILY. Just trying to tie in more family
history. Also do you know who the
family was of SUSAN C. GREEN 1837-
1878 that married ARCHER B. COUTS
1833-1911. Thank You Roger Green
From: CBStark
Date: Sat, 25 Apr 1998 Subject: Couts-Stark
In checking the index of my James Stark of
Stafford Co VA and his Descendants books,
I find little or no genealogical data on
John Couts. He married Leah Stark, b ca 1765
in Loudoun Co VA; m John Couts ca 1790
Robertson Co, TN; d 1830-40 Robertson
Co TN. She was the dau of Thomas Stark
and Rachel?. Thomas was b ca 1725
Stafford Co, VA, d 1802 Robertson Co
TN. Rachel died after 1802 in Robertson
Co. TN. Thomas Stark was the son of
James Stark and Elizabeth Thornton of
Stafford Co VA. Thomas Stark migrated
from VA to TN by way of SC, and it was
in SC that the Coats/Coates/Couts/Coutes
and Stark families seem to have met and
joined confusions. I just hope this will
all fit on an e-mail. By page citation, I'll
give you what is here on the Couts name:
Page 794 - data listed above Page
811 - "In the 1790s one Jacob Pennington
and one Isaac Pennington were in the
same area of KY/TN as were the Stark
family of Thomas Stark. MontgomeryCo
TN Deed Bk A, p 124 shows Moulton of
Lincoln Co VA conveying to Jacob Pen
nington of Tennessee Co. 320 acres on
Sulpher Fork of Red River. This deed
was witnessed by John Couts.
Stephen Cantrell of Sumner Co NC (TN)
conveyed to Jacob Pennington of Ten
nessee Co 274 acres on Sulphur Fork
of Red River adjoining John Couts and
Molton Mouldin (Montgomery Co TN
Deed Bk A, p 127) dated Oct. 15, 1790,
proved Sept. 24, 1792. Also in 1790
Moulton Mouldren of Lincoln Co VA
conveyed to the heirs of Chrisley Couts
320 acres in Tennessee Co on Sulpher
Fork of Red River adjoining Jacob Pen
nington. The deed was witnessed by
John Couts (Montgomery Co TN Deed
Bk A, p 128). Page 818 - "Tennessee
Notes: Few records are extant for the
1790s for the Robertson Co TN area
where Thomas Stark Sr. and his 3 sons
James, William, and Walter moved in
late 1788 or 1789. The Anna Pearson
McIntosh papers state that 'William
Stark with his 2 brothers, James and
Ephraim (error for Walter), emigrated
to TN some time during 1790 and settled
the farm on Beaver Dam, afterwards
owned by John Couts. This statement
is very close to the 1788-89 date when
Thomas Stark did migrate to TN. The
Goodspeed "History of TN" in the
Robertson Co section is also fairly
accurate. This history states that in
1792 in the 18th District near Beaver
Dam Creek settled William and James
Stark. Thomas Stark is not mentioned
in either of these accounts probably
because his death in 1802 was so many
years prior to the writing of these two
accounts that he had been forgotten by
late descendants."
Page 820 - ".........The Anna Pearson McIntosh
papers state that Leah was the daughter
of James Stark and that she married John
Couts. She was too old to be a daughter
of James Stark being born ca 1765. By
tradition Leah was a Stark and must have
been a daughter of Thomas Stark. Her
name, Leah, also comes down in the
name of children of Jeremiah(3) Stark.
See Chapter 71 for further discussion
of Leah (Stark) Couts."
Page 926 - "Robertson Co TN Wills,
p 274 -- Sept 29, 1813 - Aug 1815."
The will of Nehimiah Vernon of Robertson
Co TN is quoted and the last paragraph
thereof states "I hereby nominate and
appoint my beloved wife Charity Vernon
and my trusty friend John Couts and
Anthony Jones son of David Jones
executors of this my last will and testament."
Page 1026 - After citing references to
Stark purchases recorded in Montgomery
Co TN Deed Bk A, p 277, Robertson Co TN
Deed Bk B, p 3, Robertson Co TN Deed Bk
B, p 332, and Robertson Co TN Deed Bk J.
p 82, there is "The farms all joined. One of
he (Stark) brothers settled the farm afterwards
owned by Arch
Couts and in 1935 owned by Joe Couts......"
Page 1028 - "Robertson Co TN Deed Bk N,p
484 - May 2, 1818. James Stark to Jessee
Morris -- 106 acres - dividing line of James
Stark Jr. - line of Walter. Stark. Wit:
William Couts, Joseph Hardaway.
"Robertson Co TN Deed Bk 0, p 12 - Apr 24,
1818. James Stark to John Couts 274 acres
on waters of Sulphur Fork -- $1327. Wit:
James Appleton, William Couts.
"Robertson Co Minutes Bk 5 -- Apr 1818.
James Stark to John Couts 274 acres."
Page 1032 - "Robertson Co Minute Bk 6
- Feb 1821. William Couts overseer.
Hands: James Stark, Walter Stark.
"Robertson Co TN Minute Bk 9 -- Nov
1828. Archer Couts overseer in room
of Walter Stark. Hands: Walter Stark,
William Couts, JohnCouts, James W. Stark."
Page 1033 - "Robertson Co TN Minute Bk 9
- Feb 1830. John Krisel Jr. Overseerin room
of Archer Couts. Hands: Walter Stark, Archer
Couts, William Couts, John Couts,
James W. Stark"
Page 1047 - "Robertson Co TN Deed
Bk 13, p 475. Sally Henry and husband
Thomas Henry, Frances Grimes and
husband Cornelius Grimes, Thomas
W. Stark, Elizabeth Grimes and husband
Jessie Grimes, Mary Wells and husband
Milton Wells, Miriam Wells and husband
Henry Wells, Franklin Stark and Mary
Stark, all the children and widow of Walter
Stark deceased all above 21 years of age
to William Couts. Land on waters of Beaver
Dam Creek being the land belonging to the
estate of Walter W. Stark deceased. 145
acres and 15 acres. Total 161 acres 25 poles......"
Page 1126 - Refers again to the Goodspeed
History referred to above.
Page 1127 - "Birth, Death and Marriages of
William Stark.......The factual evidence points
strongly to the fact that William Stark was
married twice. According to the 1788 New
berry Co SC deed, the name of the first wife
of William Stark was Ann. She was probably
Ann Coats, daughter of William
Coats."
Page 1128 - "Camden Dist SC Will Bk --
proved June 15, 1783. Will of William
Coats of Camden Co SC. Executrix:
wife Frances. Daughters Ann Starkes,
Priscilla Coats. Sons Barton Coats,
William Coats, Benjamin Coats. Wit:
James Gore, Polley Coates, Elisha Gore.
There follows several SC and MO
documents witnessed by various Coats.
In Robertson Co TN in Jan 1797 Barton
Coats, William Coats on Jury; in 1799
Benjamin Coats, William Coats on Jury;
in 1802 Benjamin Coutes, James Stark,
Wm Stark on jury.
"Robertson Co TN Deed Bk D (printed book)
Index in front of book -- William Coats to
John Baker. "Bk D, p 50. William Couts to
John Baker 320 acres granted to Henry J
ohnson -- Deer Pond. Jan 22, 1800.
Wit: Bazel Boren.
On pages 1128, 1129, and 1130 the
text makes me appreciate the confusion
you face in researching the Couts/Coutes
/Coats/Coates name in SC, TN, and
perhaps on into MO. I have read and
re-read it and found no firm fact that
would justify typing it all out for you,
but then, I may just have become
confused! :-) Most of it is a recap of
the problems and covers ground
already quoted above.
Page 1190 - Annie Stark [William(6)
Harrison, John(5) W., William(4),
William(3), Thomas(2) b 1 Jul 1884
Robertson Co TN, m John G. Couts,
d 5 Jan 1921 Robertson Co TN.
Page 1194 - Robertson Co TN Deed Bk 3,
p 270 - Oct 26, 1832 Property transfer
from Ephraim Stark to Benjamin B. Porter
witnessed by William Couts, Jos.
Hardaway. Robertson Co TN Will Bk
10, p 598 - Feb 27, 1841. Inventory
and Account of Sale of slaves of Ephraim
Stark deceased as sold by a decree of
the Circuit Court. "Amount of sales of
slaves as sold by Benj B. Porter and
William Couts."
Page 1208 - Robertson Co TN Deed
Bk J. p 375 June 17, 1811 - Aug 11,
1812. John McCarley and John Couts
witnessed property transfer from
Thomas Johnson to Walter Stark.
"Robertson Co TN Minute Bk 9 - Nov.
1828 Archer Couts overseer in room
of Walter Stark. Hands: Walter Stark,
Isaac Morris, and John Morris. The
following hands to keep it in good repair:
William Couts,
John Couts, Jesse Morris, James W. Stark,"
Page 1209 - "Robertson Co TN Minute
Bk 9 - Feb 1830. John Krisel Jr. overseer
in room of Archer Couts. Hands: Walter
Stark, Archer Couts, Isaiah Morris, William
Couts, John Morris, John Couts, James
W. Stark, Jesse Morris."
Page 1246 - 1263 - This Chapter 71
with the descendants of Leah Stark [Leah
(3) Thomas(2)] and John Couts. Hope this
is more helpful than confusing, but maybe
it will give you leads. Joyce Davis
Nicole Davis ndavis@ecst.csuchico.edu
Website: Referred by: Just Surfed On In
From: Chico, CA Time: 1998-05-05
Comments: Wow, Great Site. My family
comes down through Cave Johnson
Couts, JR. I'm not sure of the exact line
off hand, but I know my great grandmother's
maiden name was Couts. I have a family
tree through the Bandini Assoc. Right now
one of my professors is actually looking
at it. If you like I can send it to you also.
Please email me and let me know.
Subj: COUTS FAMILY HISTORY Date:
98-05-03 00:20:43 EDT From: gnxyyz
@swbell.net (michael j couts)
HELLO, MY NAME IS MICHAEL COUTS
AND I AM INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT
WHO MY RELATIVES ARE ON MY FATHERS
SIDE. MY FATHERS NAME IS GEORGE
WILLIAM COUTS AND HIS FATHERS NAME
IS ARTHUR COUTS. THEY BOTH RESIDED
IN PHILADELPHIA FOR AS LONG AS I CAN
REMEMBER. I HAVENT SEEN MY FATHER
FOR OVER 20 YEARS, SO MY
INFORMATION IS LIMITED. ANY INFO
YOU CAN PROVIDE
WHOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANK
Hi Barbara: According to my genealogy
program I am a 3rd cousin to Archer Couts,
3 generations removed. Our common
ancestor is John Wilks b. abt 1710 in New
Kent Co., VA. Visited you WEB PAGE and
it is very good. Sincerely, Jim- [Jim please
write back, I don't have your email]
\\|//
(@ @)
~~~~~~~~~~oOOo~(_)~oOOo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Crisley Couts a man of letters
This signature of Crisley Couts was found
on a petition to the government of North
Carolina, from the Red River TN/KY.
Name: Joan Matthews Website: Referred
by: Just Surfed On In From: Central point,
Oregon Time: 1998-05-18 04:43:28 Comments:
I was looking for John Matthews and came
across the California Couts Cousins. I am
working on the Couts for my granddaughter
( 11 year old Varonika Matthews ) on her
mother's side. Her great Grandmother
and I are friends. This is where I got most
of my information. She is Lois Couts, the
wife of the late Abraham Minton Couts, a
descendent of Christley Couts Sr.. Abraham's
parents were Ida Onstott & Joseph Mansfield
Couts. On April 22,1998 , Lois Couts turned 81
years young.
Subject: Edna Couts Date: Tue, 26 May 1998
17:26:03 0700 From: bgeiberger@juno.com
(Charles R Geiberger)
When visiting my aunt, Edna Couts, yesterday
I found the CALIFORNIA COUTS COUSINS
newsletter in her room. Edna is 99 years
old and blind so she wasn't aware of the
newsletter since no one had read any of it
to her. She would ordinarily have been very
interested in it but unfortunately two months
ago suffered a type of stroke which has severely
impaired her memory. Edna was married to Lee
Gurnett Couts, a grandson of Lt. Cave J.Couts,
until Lee's death in 1950. She has kept in touch
with two of Cave's direct descendants of her
generation, Nanette Couts Thompson and Susan
Couts Springstead. They and their brother Richard
Couts are the children of Forster and Nan Couts.
Forster was Lee Couts's brother and they were
both born on Rancho Guajome, which was described,
in your last newsletter. Forster and Lee were
the sons of John Forster Couts, who was the son
of Cave Johnson Couts. John Forster Couts was
the brother of Cave Couts Jr., mentioned in the
article about Lt. Cave J. Couts. I just talked to
Nanette Couts Thompson. She would be very
interested in receiving the newsletter and felt
that her sister Susan would be even more
interested. They may be able to give you
more information about Cave Couts' family.
I am curious to know how you came to be
sending the newsletter to Edna Couts, let
me know if you have time. Sincerely, Bob
Geiberger bgeiberger@juno.com 7
Name: Helen Couts Neudorfer Website:
Referred by: Just Surfed On In From:
Pittsburgh PA Time: 1998-06-20
Comments: My grandfather was George
Washington Couts. He married Elizabeth
Donofrio in the late 1890's. They had 12
children and lived in Pittsburgh all of their
lives. I would like to hear from any relatives.
Great web page!
From: DOLLYBEAR2@aol.com Date: Sat, 4
Jul 1998 Subject: Re: Augusta County, VA
Query : GRIM
My, this was a quick answer to the AUGUSTA
COUNTY,.VA rootsweb. I am sorry but the only
thing I have on JACOB GRIM born 1755 is that
his son PHILLIP GRIM was born in ROCKRIDGE,
VA in 1779 and that the family moved on to OHIO.
I wish I could help you. I am searching too for the
family of my first JACOB GRIM. What a mystery !!!!
It would be great if we could connect in some way.
Until then I wish you luck on this 4th of July. Dottie
in CA p.s. Where were your GRIM'S in VA from ?
and who were their siblings?
From: IBC20006DC@aol.com Date: Thu, 2 Jul
1998 12:37:47 EDT Subject: Re: TNDAVIDS
SURNAMES
Hello Barbara, I saw your post on the
TNDAVIDS list and thought I'd take a
second. As you'll recall, I'm a descendant
of Nancy Couts, John Byrd down through
Henry and Lucinda Choate. Thanks to your
help I was sent Choate and Byrd information
by Mary L Reed [Byrd/Bird watcher], whom
I need to contact again. Since Launa Kitros
[Byrd/Bird watcher] has retired I've contacted
her and told her I'd find another Couts on the
information, which you may probably have
seen, but if you haven't, here it is Winnie
Hally/Hailey (Couts) Simmons 1806-1883.
b. February 1806 in Indian Territory
(where is that???), TN/NC d. Sept 12,
1883 in Lockwood, Dade Co, Mo. She
was the daughter of John Ed Simmons
and Cathy Choate b. Robertson Co, TN.
She married one Pawhatan (Pocohontas)
Choat/Choate, who was also her uncle,
Cathy's younger brother!!!!! Lucinda was
one of six of their children, a couple of
whom ended up in Texas. Anyway, Launa
knew about Winnie, but not in connection
with Couts. I went back to your web site,
through all your trees and couldn't find her.
On the Descendants of Chrisley tree it
does mention Simmons in the surname
list, but I couldn't find Simmons anywhere.
After so much success, on other lines I just
finally turned back to these. Thought you'd
be interested and wonder if
you know where the Couts (or Hailey or
Simmons for that matter fit in?) Maybe
put a query in your next newsletter, which
I am looking forward to. Janet (Baugh)
Hunter in Alexandria, VA
From: "The Prouty's" prouty@sonic.net
Subject: Re: Strode Date: Tue, 30 Jun
1998 11:02:43 -0700
I only have a little on Strode (Stroud). Our
tree has Letitia Strode, b.Aug. 30,1725 in
Frederick Co.,Virginia to James Edward
Stode and Eleanor Shepard. She married
Jacob Van Meter Sr. on 30 Aug. 1741 in
Virginia. They
came to Hardin Co, Ky 1779/80 using
"houseboats" down the Ohio River with
their children's families' etc., said to be
about 100 people. I don't know if her side
of the family was in this party. Do you have
more information on
this? I do have stories of their trip down the
Ohio with Indian attacks etc. plus the settling
of Severns Valley, but not a story of the
Strode's being wiped out. See the DEWITT
line of our web page, using the surname
index for Jacob Van Meter Sr. if you are
interested, I'll check out you page too!
Thanks, Nancy Prouty
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE WILL OF HENRY COUTS ~ evidence
and connection THIS INFORMATION
CONNECTS HENRY, CHRISTOPHER
(CHRISLEY JR.), SUSAANAH, and
MARGARET COUTS
Hardin county Kentucky, April 8th one
thousand eight hundred and eighteen.
In the name of God, Amen
Henry COUTS being in perfect mind
and memory and knowing that it is
appointed for all men to die, do make
this my last Will and Testament. First,
I bequeath my body to the dust and my
soul to God from whom I received it and
that after my funeral Expences and all
my debts are paid, I give and bequeath
as follows to wit; to my well beloved wife,
Sarah COUTS, the use and enjoyment of
my whole estate, real and personal, during
her natural life. And at her decease, then,
I give my nephew Christopher COUTS, the
value of one fourth part of the tract of land
whereon I live, the said land to be valued
and to be paid him in property at its real
value. One fourth part. Item, I give to Henry
Whitman, son of Mary Whitman, $15 to be
paid him in property at its real value and
after the several bequeaths are paid that
then, I give the residue of my estate, both
real and personal to my niece, Sussanah
COUTS, and Daughter to my sister
Margaret COUTS, to her and her heirs
forever. My Will and desire is that my
wife, Sarah COUTS, and my well beloved
and trusted friend John Hadgen, act as
my Executors in this my last Will and
see that my desires in the distribution of
what it has pleased to bless me with shall
be complyed with. Signed sealed and
delivered in the presence of Essa Hubbard
Squire LaRue Wm. Payne. Henry Couts -Seal
At a County Court began and held for
Hardin County at the Court House in Elizabeth
town on Monday the 9th of November, 1818.
The within instrument of writing purporting to
be the last Will and testament of Henry COUTS,
deceased, was produced in court and proven
by the oaths of Essa HUBBARD, Squire LARUE,
and William BAYNE, to be the last and
testament of said COUTS and ordered to
be recorded and that I have truly recorded
the same in my office.
Attest, Saml
HAYCRAFT, Jr. C.H.C.C.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kentucky Tax List ~ 1790
Henry Couts, 1 white male over the age of 21;
4 horses owned; cattle owned 7 Lincoln County;
Waterway Sugar Creek. Peter Couts 1 white
male over the age of 21; 1 horse owned Lincoln
County; Sugar Creek. Others on Sugar Creek
- Joseph Bledsoe Jr., James Crafford; Daniel
Cooley John Craig, Alex Colleir, James Collier
William Camden, John Denton. Other
waterways close: Licking Waters, Gilberta
Creek, Dicks River Licking Run, Boones
Creek, and Clear Creek.
A POINT OF CLARITY: Who Belongs
Whom (let me know if your name isn't here) ~
Probable Parents:
Dietrich "Teter" Couts (Kautz) and Sussana ?
John of Robtson Co. TN , Chrisley Sr. ,
Henry, Margaret (Gordon), Elizabeth (Mason),
Mary Magdalene, William
Spouse: Leah Stark Sarah Wright
Sarah Freeman ? ?
Walter Stark EmelineEpps
JOHN COUTS AND LEAH STARK'S DESCENDANTS ~
COUTS, Byrd/Bird, Priddy, Wilson, Mosley,
Mauer, Sexton, Brinkman Hutcheson,
Schoonmaker, Farrell, Kettling, Wittmer,
Johnson, Lane, Putnam, Nash, Eatmon,
Phillips, Sloan, Hardin, Burnett, Barradall,
Grant, Sweatt, Simpson, Bowles, McConnell,
Page, Bowles, Austin, Collins, Oxley,
Harper, Woodward, Beisner, Mills, Broyles,
Raymond, Wyrick, Mc Clure, Kennard,
Lyons, Valenzula, Donnelly, Engstrom,
Beerly, Brown, Wilcox, Brown, Hausen,
Renfro, Newman, St. John, Mc Neeley,
Karleskint, Clements, Renfro, Meyers,
Stewart, Middleton Hart, Dowdy Radell,
West, Mildfelt, Clark, Freeman, Abbiatti,
Davidson, Herine Denise Wolfe, Heisey,
Morris, Speer, Pritchard, Shaffer, Berrigan,
Putney, Griger, Buckingham, Hogan, Barriga,
Bates, Gibson, Pearcy, Miller, Osborne,
Bartlett, Gipson, Hope,Irby, Baugh, Hunter,
Austin, Marsh, Scott, Tate, Caldwell,
Davidson, McPhail, Brewer, Stark, Chester,
Drysdale, Malher, Earlywine, Choate
(Shoates), Robinson, Welsh, Nieslanik,
Swartzendruber, Philips, Doyle, Ruttman,
O'Bier, Nichols, Warwick, Pickering,
Williams, Thompson, Francis, Stapp,
Brownlee, Draughon, Woodward, Hasbrouck,
Gray, Swope, Bandel, Beaty, Leistiko,
Barbre, Bowen, Beck, Lewis, Granicy,
Hedrick, Sawyer, Morris, Hagler, Griffith,
Bayless, Yazel, Yozel, Von Elling, Vahle,
Fredrick, Moon, Martin, Infanger, Watson,
Willcockson, Leibrant, Gentry, Hartley,
Helm, Baker, Farmer, Eldridge, Harris,
Thornton, Henderson Blood, Seybold,
Wilson, Aspinwall, Kruse, Walsh, Parker,
Tucker, Walsh, Kruse, Stivers, Frogge
Lavey Leeper, Maxwell, Ellis, Sooter,
Leeper, Vaile, Mathne, Hayter, Finley,
Killingworth, Crouch, Sewell, Houston,
Stokes, Sara, Newland, Stith, Walker,
Holcomb, Frey, Acker, Pitt, Greene,
Adams, Simmons, Brasilli, Graves,
Adcox, Mitchell, Huddleston, Green,
Burnett, Echols, Ranklin, Haston,
Crabtree, Rowash, Offutt, Moore, Black,
Randolph, Johnson, Conner, Wilison,
Stewart, Kitros, Drake, & Reynolds
CHRISLEY COUTS AND SARAH WRIGHT DESCENDANTS ~
COUTS, Collins, Caldwells, Lefevers,
Derossett, Bowers, Pearson, Askew,
Campbell, Hollenbeck, Meguiar, Fleener,
Dyres, Wrights, Owens, Draughons,
Appleton, Greene, Gibbons, Gwaltney,
Mallon, Myers, Reed, Butcher, Grim,
Davis, Rae, Leale Lockwood, Benton,
Boyd, Siddon, Moores ,Andersons,
Chriswell, Price, Sevrein (Levin), Minton,
Hill, Winn, Hannah, La Pree Barnett,
Buchanan, Strickland, Baird, Garrison,
Bridgman, Penny, Jennings, Burdit,
Kirby, Robinson, Ford, Page, Wins,
Gibson, Jauron, Luker, Bandini, Simmons,
Fields, Adams, Davidson, Gerlt, Marriott,
Weaver, Palmes, Braden, Deferrari,
Phelps, Lallier, Hartig, Caldwell, Barton,
Childers, Dunn, Roderick, Peacock,
Upham, Leon, Williams, Flanharty,
Keith, Stockton, Ryan, Chessir,
Paton, Middleton, Allen, Hill, Strodes,
Dykes, Pulse, Dykes, Rollins, Bankhead,
Bookout, Smith, Jackson, Evans, Lyons,
Yaeger, Yaber, Callahan, Pfister, Allen,
Baker, Tomlinson, Cox, Minton, Carmichael,
Pearson, Roller, Moon, Onstott, Chapman,
Strickland, Baird, Page, Mansfield, Jennings,
Dorresett, Turner, Smith, Burdit, Bilyeu,
Burton, Baker, Terry, Fehrenbacher,
Harrolle, Ballinger, Baker, Hibbard,
Baker, Underwood, Harris, Richardson,
Abu-Shabakeh, Newman, Thomas, Heller,
Smith, Scott, Hurt, Callahan, Smith & Ferguson
WILLIAM COUTS AND EMELINE EPPS
DESCENDANTS ~Vaughn, Ruffins, Nichols, & Smith
MARGARET COUTS (GORDON?) ~Freeman, Stroades
MARY MARGARET COUTS (STARK) ~ Stark, Randall
HENRY COUTS AND SARAH FREEMAN
DESCENDANTS ~ No descendants
ELIZABETH COUTS (MASON ) ~ no known heirs
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