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David Cole, 30, Farmer, 1860 GCC HH#871, Grayson Militia, Co I, 51st VA, Enl on 12/31/62 in Grayson Co. NFR, Age 39, Farmer, 400, 440, 1870 GCC, Granted pension on 6/2/1900 by the Grayson Co. Pension Board.

David entered the War in 1861 and served until 1865 in the 51st VA Inf. under General Hartan. One battle at Fisher Hill in Valley of VA and also had a big fight at Wincester. Also one near Morristown, TN and one at Lee town in Valley of VA signed by Allen Haga 4/7/1927. (newspaper article)

Ancestry.Com census indexes -David first appears in the Fed Census in 1850 pg 205 id#VAS5a345019
He is listed as family 635 with Minerva (both 19) and Serena L age 6/12.

1850 Federal Census for Grayson County, VA at New River Notes
36 635 635 Cole David 19 M . Farmer . VA . . . . .
37 635 635 Cole Minerva 19 F . . . VA . . . . . Grave Stone has her Menerva
38 635 635 Cole Serena L. 6/12 F . . . VA . . . . . Grave Stone has her as Irena Lutitia

1860 Federal Census for Grayson County, VA at Ancestry.com lists David 30, Menerva 29, Letitia _ 10, Columbus 9, Ambrose 7, Sarah 6, Cynthia 3, and Milton 2. This was family 871.

1860 Grayson County, VA Agriculture Census at New River has David Cole with 50 acres of improved land and 50 acres of unimproved land value of land $500, farm implements $10 and 1 horse.

MINERVA PARKS COLE

Wife of David Cole was born in Grayson, County, VA., May 20, 1831, departed this life and went to heaven Aug. 12. 1922 -- Age 91 years
2 months, 23 days. She was converted at the age of 15 and joined the Methodist Church in which she lived a happe and useful Christian life for more than 76 years. Married to David Cole (who went to heaven July 10, 1013) in 1848 with whom she lived for 65 years. Of this union, 11 children were born to-wit: Mrs Titha Haga, Columbus, Ambrose, Mrs. Sarah Robbins, Mrs Cynthia Ross, Milton, Emory, Mack, Rev. Elbert H. Cole of the Holston Conference, Graham Circuit Tazewell District, Mrs. Meda Ross, and Jonas Cole.

All the sons hold official positions in the Methodist Church. There are 63 grand-children and 130 Great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren--204.

Brother Cole and wife kept open home for all the preachers in this country for 65 years. The Coles originally came from North Carolina. Two grand-children, Revs. Luster and Vance Ross, or honored preachers in the Missionary Baptist Church. This family has been and is today a blessing to this country.

Sister Cole was converted in childhood's early morning and for 76 years she was a faithful member of the church. She lived her religion==an experimental religion. [I'm wondering if the minister meant "experential" rather than experimental E]

She was very ready to talk of her faith in God and her hope of heaven. Her experience of the saving power of God in her soul. She knew in whom she believed and her prospect of heaven was ever bright. She loved to talk of the past and of the good people who have gone on before and when she spoke of these, she would praise God. She believed in prayer and said she prayed for her children every day. They are poorer by reason of her departure but heaven is made more attractive.

She will be waiting and watching to count them all safe at home in heaven. Do not disappoint her.

Let me say again that she believed in prayer. Just an incident 40 years ago--Emory was sick of asthma. For 16 days and nights he could not sleep. When he finally went to sleep, it was thought her was dying. She went to the woods to pray and prayed through to God, got happy, raised a shout and today he is well and happy.

I have heard her pray to get off to heaven. She said not a cloud, not a shadow, not a doubt obscured her vision. She lived in Beulah Land right up close to God.

Gone you say! Yes, she slipt away yesterday like an infant that falls asleep in its Mother's arms. Happy reunion yesterday morning at 9 o'clock when Sister Cole crossed over up into Glory and met her redeemed loved on [ones] on the other shore.

The ten living children have lost the best friend a child ever had - - Mother. Her life here tells us clearly where she has gone. Heaven is her
eternal home.

Children, grand-children, great-grand-children meet her there.

Funeral services were conducted at the home of her youngest son, Jonas. She was buried* on the farm where she was born 91 years ago, by the writer. T.D. Stader

[*"by the writer" should have been placed after "buried" instead of at the end, but it was not in the original. The way it is written, it seems that the
minister birthed Minerva, too. E].

Typed as originally written. [ ] and * indicate my corrections or remarks. Earlene Rather O'Dell, wife of: Ralph Ellis O'Dell - - grandson of David Ellis and Mary Virginia Statzer Cole, great-grandson of Columbus and Rosalyn (Rosa) Haga Cole, and great-great-grandson of David and Minerva Parks Cole.

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Photos taken from Jonas Cole Lane's house. He told me that this property was some of the original Cole Property.

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