Coleman Family History

The Coleman family history is a true American history.  Our  American lineage records have been buried in a shallow  grave within the Cherokee Government in Oklahoma,  Burke County’s superior clerk of court (historical section),  and Burke County’s Probate court records.  Attending the  European’s school system under the U.S. Government we  were all told by complete strangers aka teachers that we  came from slaves.  We were packed on ships like sardines,  shipped to America in bondage, and essentially we had no  history worth mentioning.  This indoctrination thru twelve  years of history classes forced us to forget our lineage and  ancestors unknowingly. To understand the Coleman family  history we must have an open mind, think outside of the  box, envision ourselves as royalty, business owners with power, clout, prestige, honor, intellect, courage, and  wealth.

According to Cherokee government records John  and Nannie Coleman were both Cherokee American  Indian by blood. Based on these facts John Coleman’s  mother and father were Cherokee American Indian, and  Nannie Coleman’s parents were Cherokee American  Indian. John and Nannie Coleman had a residence in  Oklahoma during the late 1800’s up until around Nov 14th 1902 , according to the Native American Citizens and  Freedmen of Five Civilized Tribes 1895-1914 records. On  February 15th 1901 John Coleman met with some  European’s in Richmond County, Georgia who owned and  operated MO’ Dowd Sons & Company to make an  investment purchase of 158.5 acres more or less known  as Rosemary Place in Burke County, Georgia. John  Coleman owned and operated Bunker Company.  No additional family, friends, or parties were present  according to the deed on John Coleman’s behalf.  The MO’ Dowd Sons & Company had WH O’ Dowd, JL O’ Dowd and MA O’ Dowd as parties present during the transaction.  John Coleman made an initial investment of $3400.00,  eight promissory notes for $200.00 each at 4% interest  which increased to 7% annually if not paid on time.  On  December 10th 1907 Rosemary Place was transferred to  John Coleman in fee simple. The O’ Dowd Company &  Sons released full ownership of the land to John Coleman  and his heirs.  December 10th 1907 is a sacred day within  the Coleman family history.  John Coleman knew on that  day, that Nannie Coleman, his children, and future offspring would  be heirs.  His legacy was firmly set in stone on that day. 

Our second sacred day is on October 4th 1915. According  to Burke County Probate Court records John Coleman filed his will during the (Jim Crow south era) instructing  Nannie Coleman to pay his debts upon death, when she  dies to divide the (Heirs property) amongst their children,  “give the baby baby boy the house track, and the baby to  have next to the boy when baby is 21”.  John Coleman’s  business mind was on full display, crossing all T’s and  dotting all I’s and ensuring his wife and children would enjoy the  fruits of his labor.

Our third sacred day within the Coleman  family was August 10th 1971. Burke County Superior Clerk  of Court records show John Coleman’s will being executed  by dividing the Heirs property after Nannie Coleman’s  death.

Eight tracts of Heirs property were divided as  follows: 

• Tract# 1 Joseph Coleman

• Tract# 2 Ulysses Coleman, Robert Lee Coleman, Georgia,  Bessie Mae C. Lovett, Booker T. Coleman of Saint  Petersburg Florida, and Neely Coleman of Richmond  County, Georgia being all of the heirs at law of John  Coleman. 

• Tract# 3 Fred Coleman of Burke County, Georgia 

• Tract# 4 Gerald Coleman and Trudie M. Gordon of Akron  Ohio, Bernice C. Roberson of Richmond county Georgia,  and Bennie J. Coleman of Anderson county Tennessee,  

• John Frank Coleman of Richmond county, Georgia,  Gladys’s Coleman of Burke county, Georgia, Mattie C.  Harden of Richmond county, Georgia, and Shelley  Coleman of Burke County, Georgia being all of the heirs at  law of John C. Coleman, deceased.

• Tract# 5 Elora C. Bessent of Pontiac, Michigan, Willie Mae  Coleman Burke County, Georgia being the only heirs at  law of Clarence Coleman. 

• Tract# 6 Oscar Coleman of Burke County, Georgia

• Tract# 7 Bertha C. Jones of Burke County, Georgia

• Tract# 8 Gary Coleman of Burke County, Georgia.

  
Our fourth sacred day within the Coleman family was on  October 9th 1989. Shelley Coleman, Bennie Jean  Coleman, Bernice Coleman Isler, Mattie B. Harden,  Gladys’s Coleman, Gerald Coleman, John Frank  Coleman, and Alvin Gordon divided the Estate of John  Coleman. John Frank Coleman died August 29th 1982  leaving his heirs at law Ernest Coleman, John Ellis  Coleman, Vernice Coleman Adderly, and Brenda Joyce  Coleman. Alvin Coleman died on January 4th 1987 leaving 
his heirs at law Darryl Malvin Gordon, Carl Drason  Gordon, and Gwnedolyn Christenie Gordon. 

The tracts were divided as follows: 

• Tract# 1 Shelly Coleman 

• Tract# 2 Bennie Jean Coleman 

• Tract# 3 Bernice C. Isler 

• Tract# 4 Mattie B. Harden 

• Tract# 5 Gladys’s Coleman 

• Tract# 6 Gerald Coleman 

• Tract# 7 Ernest Coleman, John Ellis Coleman, Vernice  Coleman Adderly, and Brenda Joyce Coleman. 

• Tract# 8 Darryl Malvin Gordon, Carl Drason Gordon,  Gwendolyn Christenie Gordon

The Coleman history is filled with priceless lessons to  govern ourselves by. Are you married? Do you have a  will? Are you leaving a legacy for your offspring? Do you  own and control anything? Are you intimidated by  Europeans and their laws? John Coleman was married,  left a will, legacy for his offspring, owned 158.5 acres more  or less known as Rosemary Place and owned Bunker  Company, all while under the U.S. Government’s  segregation and Jim Crow laws in the south. The standard  has been set. We all can use John Coleman as a standard  for excellence moving forward. 


Respectfully, 
John Frank Coleman’s Grandson 
Curtis Anthony Jones Jr.