John Coskrey "Letter of Intention" to immigrate to Sumter, South Carolina, in 1812.


Text from Letter of Intention, January 24, 1812, for John Coskrey (1806-1882), great-great-grandfather of Wayne Coskrey:



I John Horan Clerk of the Sumter District in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that on the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve and in the thirty sixth year of the independence of the United States of America, James Coskrey made report to me agreeable to an act of Congrefs of the United States of America pafsed on the fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two that his son John Coskrey a native of the County of Down in that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain called Ireland and a subject to the King of Great Britain about six years of age, lately emigrated from Ireland and that he intends the named John Coskrey will make the state of South Carolina the place of his future residence, and to become a citizen of this state and of the United States.

Given under my hand and the seal of the said court the day and year above written.
John Horan

Sumter District
Registers Office and Clerks Office

Original certificate to James Coskrey and the above named John Coskrey and the rest of the family. Recorded in Book C.C. page 525 on the 254th day of February 1812.



Text of the James Coskrey family Letter of Intention taken from a poor photocopy:

==============================
The State of South Carolina

I John Horan Clerk of the Sumter District in the State aforesaid, do hereby certify that on the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twelve and in the thirty sixth year of the independence of the United States of America, James Coskrey aged thirty six years made report to me agreeable to an act of Congrefs of the United States of America pafsed on the fourteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two that he and family to wit, his two daughters, Nancy Coskrey about ten years of age and Rebecha Coskrey about eight years of age, his three sons John Coskrey about six years of age, David Coskrey about four years of age, and Thomas Coskrey about two years of age, natives of the County of Down in that part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain called Ireland and subjects to the King of Great Britain, lately emigrated from Ireland and that he and they intend to make the state of South Carolina the place of their future residence, and to become citizens of this state and of the United States. Given under my hand and the seal of the said court the day and year above written.

John Horan
Clerk of Register
==================================

Handwritten birthdates lists by John "Jack" Coskrey son David Bradley Coskrey (1842-1924) with John "Jack" Coskrey children who lived to adulthood on the two pages on the left, and the living children of David Bradley Coskrey and Sarah Lucinda "Lucindy" Davis (1850-1914) born through 1874 on the page on the right.

(Due to difference in handwriting, list of John Coskrey's children's birthdates may have been written by John Coskrey himself.)

David Bradley Coskrey letter home to father John Coskrey (1806-1882) during the Civil War, from near Tupelo, Mississippi, June 14th, 1862. Also includes words from brother William J. Coskrey (1839-1865), who died in the war, and refers to brother John Coskrey (1840-1865) who probably died in the war or soon afterward.

Text of letter home to father John "Jack" Coskrey from Tupelo, MS during the Civil War:

[ All spelling and punctuation is copied exactly from the original letter ]

Tupelo Miss June 14th 1862

Dear, Father,

I embrace the present opportunity of writing you a few lines which will inform you that myself & William are well. I have nothing of interest to write at present more than it is said that the health of the souldiers are improveing at this place, we was engaged in a bitter skirmish there was a part of two regt. and a few a caalry on our side supported by two pieces of artillery. We taken one a prisoner he reported that there three regt. of cavalry and six pieces of artillery. I was not in the fight myself though I close by I was near a enough to hear the balls whistling. I was on guard near where the fight commenced William was in the fight. There was one of the co. shot in the foot. We got to this place last Sunday evening. I heard John Fowler say that John is at Columbus Miss. He was there last Tuesday. He says that John is well and hardy. So nothing more at present.

David Coskrey

I now take the pen to let you know that I have not forgotten all of you. I am getting along tolerably well only I have got a verry bad cough and has had all the spring and summer so far I have not got anything to write about at present.

Wm Coskrey