Edit: I've written an updated, more extensive sketch on Daniel Cole, confirming his parents and that his wife was Ruth Collier. New sketch is here.
Daniel Cole was in Plymouth before 1640, when he had a large tract of land granted to him at Duxbury. He was in Marshfield by 1642, then at Yarmouth, then finally at Eastham by 1649. In that year he sold his land at Duxbury to Edmond Weston.
Daniel was an active and respected citizen. He served as Deputy to the General Court, representing Eastham for a number of years, was a Selectman, Town Clerk, grand juror, and constable. He also was appointed to purchase on behalf of Gov. Thomas Prence a place at Plain Dealing in Plymouth, which had been selected for the residence of the Governor. He was a member of the grand inquest to hear the indictment against Alice Bishop who was charged with murdering her child and was on the coroner's jury that found that Daniel Doane's child accidentally drowned in a well.
Mr. Cole, Mr. Thomas Prence and Mr. John Freeman were appointed by the town to use their "best endeavors to put forward or encourage the Indians" or the "English to kill the wolves."
He was a tailor by trade in England. In 1661 Daniel Cole had liberty granted him to "draw and sell strong water and wine at Eastham, provided that he always be furnished with good wine for the supply of those that are in need amongst them." Only men of character were allowed to sell liquor at this time. It was a lucrative business, and large amounts were consumed, so men of less character would water the liquor down, something the government wanted to avoid.
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| Not related to the Coles, but I love this Library of Congress photo of the Simeon Doane House, Nauset Road, Eastham |
Daniel married Ruth (Collier?), probably at Eastham, circa 1643 and they had 11 children: John, Timothy, Hepsibah, Israel, James, Mary, Ruth, Hester, William, Thomas and Daniel.
Although Easther/Hester, Thomas and William's births were not recorded, they are known from a 1717 deed. The rest were recorded at Eastham.
All of the children reached adulthood and married and all but one had children. Daniel lived to see the births of 35 of his 56 grandchildren, as well as two of his 225 great-children.
The suggestion of Ruth being a Collier comes from a deed dated 16 Oct 1659 in which William Collier gave to "my soninlaw Daniell Cole of the Towne of Eastham in the Jurisdiction aforsaid yeoman" all his Purchase land at Satucquett, Namscekett or Paomett on Cape Cod, reserving use for his horses to pasture on the land during his lifetime.
I descend through Daniel and Ruth’s son Timothy, who fought in King Philip’s War.
1 Daniel Cole 1615 - 1694
+Ruth Collier 1627 - 1694
2 Timothy Cole 1646 - 1694/95
+Name Unknown 1648 -
3 Timothy Cole 1684 - 1760
+Apphia Pepper 1686/87 - 1718
4 Dorothy Cole 1712 - 1782
+Thomas Freeman 1708 - 1766
5 Thomas Freeman 1731 - 1800
+Esther Ryder 1731 - 1802
6 Dorothy Freeman 1752 - 1825
+Elnathan Eldredge 1746/47 - 1837
7 Nehemiah Eldredge 1775 - 1839
+Ruth Harding
8 James Harding Eldredge 1797 - 1873
+Rosanna Wixon 1789 - 1868
9 Rosana S. Eldredge 1826 - 1911
+Valentine Kelley 1828 – 1882
10 Mary Ann Kelley 1855 - 1941
+David Howes Kelley 1842 - 1925
11 Ethel Florence Kelley 1890 – 1981
+Wallace Cedric Booth 1887 - 1970
12 Mildred Louise Booth 1917 – 1999
+Arthur Elmer Washburn Davis 1913 – 1976
13 my parents
14 me
Daniel Cole died at Eastham 20 Nov 1694, aged 79 years. His wife Ruth died 16 December following, in her 67th year.
He died intestate. The inventory was taken 24 Dec 1694. Settlement from Barnstable Probate records mentions children: John, Timothy, Israel, James, William, Daniel, Thomas, Hepsibah who m. Daniel Doane, Ruth who married John Young, Mary who m. Joshua Hopkins, Hester who m. Medad Atwood. All agreed to division of father's estate, either signing with name or by mark 15 January 1695. Thomas Cole was to have his father’s homestead, including dwelling house, barn, outhouses, orchard, and meadow. The rest was divided as such: John Cole Shall have" £13, 8s., Timothy Cole £9, Israel Cole £9, James Cole £9, William Cole £9, Daniel Cole £9, Thomas Cole £9, Hipsibah Doan £12, 19s., Ruth Young £12, 19s., Mary Hopkins £12, 19s., Hester Atwood £12, 19s.
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| I wonder if the early settlers found time to enjoy Eastham's beauty |
Sources:
Susan E. Roser, Early Descendants of Daniel Cole of Eastham, Massachusetts, Friends of the Pilgrim Series Vol. 2, 2010
Josiah Paine, Early Settlers of Eastham, Book 2, Library of Cape Cod History and Genealogy, No. 32, CW Swift publisher, Yarmouthport, Mass., 1916
Mayflower Descendant, Vol 23, April 1921, No 2, includes settlement of Daniel Cole's estate.
