The more I sift through this info, the more complicated it gets. First of all, to get this out of the way, Madison Coats, son of James Robert served in the Civil War, Company F, 7th Ms. infantry battalion. John Webster Coats had land deeded to him by his father, James Robert in Green Co., Ala., in 1829. He and his family don't show up in Lauderdale, Ms., until the 1850 census. Therefor, his first 3 kids must have been born in Ala. Some of the kids don't show up in the 1840 census, but do in 1850, and vice versa. Therefor, the following is "best guess" on dates and state of birth. John Webster Coats, b.1808,Tn-Ky, m.1835-36, Ellen Brantley, b.1820,NC. Issue: 1. Thomas b.1834, Al., m. went to Mesquite, and died at Murkel, Texas, had two kids, Cid and Dee. Served Civil War, Co F, - 7th Battalion, Ms. Infantry. 2. Nancy b. 1836, Al., m. and went to Texas. 3. Mary E. b. 1838, Al., m. and WTT. 4. Harriett, b. 1843, Ms., (Twin?) 5. Hammett, b. 1843, Ms. (Twin?)Served Civil War, Pvt, Co. C,14th Regiment. Died soon after. 6. John Alexander, b.1846, Ms., d.1925, Cottonwood, Tx.,m. 1873 Angleina Love. (More on these Texas Coatses later.) 7. William David, b. 1851, d.1924, m. 1877, Annie Esther Graham. (Annie Sue Coats Sumrall descended from this line.) 8. Elizabeth, b., 1852, m. Mr. Alexander, and went to Louisiana. 9. Benjamin Franklin, b.1854,Ms,d.1883, m. Larah Griffin at Cary, Ms. 1877. (My line.) Ellen Brantley Coats died 1858 in childbirth. Remmember, she was 15 at time of marriage, so she was only 38 years old. John Webster married #2 Elizabeth Massengale in 1859, and had 4 daughters by her: 1. Anna m. W. R. Taylor. 2. Sarah m. Forrest Graham. 3. Johnnie m. Henry Ellis, and Jennie m. John Hawkins, all in Lauderdale, Ms. Apparently, John Webster and James Robert, his father had different farms. John Webster, at one time, had 660 acres, and paid poll taxes on 6 slaves. Annie Sue Coats Sumrall told my brother and I many stories about John Webster's family, and said the family owned "sections and sections" of land. The only record I found was the 660 acres above. She told other tales also, which I will hold for another day. James Alexander moved to Texas shortly after his dad married the second time. He became a prominent citizen in Cottonwood, Callahan Co., Tx. A Coats descendent lives on that farm today. More on that later. Any additions and or corrections are greatly appreciated. John Coats