This is the "Letter of Intention" to immigrate to Sumter, South Carolina, in 1812, of John "Jack" Coskrey (1804-1882), son of James Coskrey. Note the mention of James Coskrey as John's father and the spelling of "Coskrey" for both. Each family member received their own letters, and there was also a Letter of Intention for the whole family, mentioning all and giving their ages.

The family document is the basis for believing James Coskrey's wife died sometime before the January 24, 1812 date on the document. Birthdates for the individual James Coskrey children other than David Coskrey (1807-1885) are also based on this family Letter of Intention.


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:

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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
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