Looking to establish a connection between some Cole families who originated in Pomfret, Windham County, CT and then may have moved to Berkshire County, MA (in the areas of Gageborough, Windsor and Williamstown) and Hampshire County, MA (Amherst Township). Later they may have relocated to Herkimer and Jefferson Counties, NY.
The IGI LDS index lists the following children born to Samuel and Patience Cole in Pomfret, Windham Co., CT between 1729 and 1751:
Solomon, Oct 26, 1729; Sarah, Aug 3, 1731; Samuel, Jun 8, 1733; Mary, Nov 13, 1735; Mary, Oct 6, 1737; John, Feb 24, 1738; Patience, May 14, 1741; John, Sep 25, 1742; Philip, Oct 22, 1745; Joseph, May 3, 1748; Benjamin, Sep 26, 1751.
The 1820 Federal Census shows the following Cole names listed for Amherst, Hampshire Co., MA:
Benjamin; Samuel; John; Solomon; Joseph.
Other Cole names are: Oliver; William; Rufus; Jonathan; Levi; Moses; Reuben; Simeon; Wealthy.
My g-g-g-g-grandfather, Philip Cole, was living in Berkshire County between at least 1775 and 1793 and sold some land in March, 1783 to Asa Hall. A check of the Grantee/Grantor index around this time period shows that many of these other Cole family members bought and sold land in the immediate area of Windsor.
I have been so far unable to track down Philip's ancestry. I know he moved to Rutland County, VT in 1793 from Williamstown, MA and then moved to Litchfield, Herkimer County, NY in 1796 where he stayed for 8 years before moving on to LeRay, Jefferson County, NY in 1804.
Philip fought in the Revolutionary War in 1775 in the same regiment and company as Benjamin Cole. I am hopeful that Benjamin and Philip are related.
Benjamin is buried in the Old Baptist Cemetery in the Town of Winfield, Herkimer County. Benjamin died on Apr 20, 1835 at the age of 84. Buried adjacent to Benjamin is his second wife, Ischah, who died Aug 12, 1831, age 57. (Benjamin may have also been known as "Deacon" Benjamin Cole). Also buried adjacent is Fanny, died May 21, 1836 at age 32 and John, died Mar 25, 1831 at age 36.
My questions are:
Are Philip and Benjamin brothers? Who was Benjamin's first wife? Are Fanny & John children of Benjamin and Ischah?
What became of Philip? I can find no clue to his demise. The last record of his existence is the 1800 Litchfield Census. He is nowhere to be found in 1810 so must have died during that decade. Where is he buried?
Please visit our family website by clicking on the link below.