Jonathan Coggswell Farley

Jonathan Coggswell Farley

• Jonathan Coggswell Farley was born circa 1800 in Virginia or South Carolina, or 1798 in Ipswich, Massachusetts.
• According to the 1878 City Directory and History of Montgomery, Alabama: Of the earliest inhabitants of "New Philadelphia," or "Yankee Town," [were] . . . Jonathan C. Farley. . Dr. James Mitchell. . Thomas Lewis, William Lewis, Green Wood. . John Goldthwaite. . . Mr. Jonathan C. Farley erected the first framed store house and dwelling in the fall and winter of 1817. The store house stood at the corner of Market and Hull streets, the present location of Mr. T. S. Madigan's brick store. His dwelling stood on the adjoining lot. A mill was early established on "Spring Creek," now known as "Eight Mile Creek," east of Montgomery, by Messrs. Pinkston and Allen. This afforded a fair supply of excellent lumber for several years. . . . Dr. James Mitchell, who removed from Tennessee early in 1818, was the first practicing physician in the town. The Doctor married a sister of Col. Bolling Hall, and retired to a farm in Autauga County, from which county he removed in 1853 to Texas, where he was still residing last fall. . . ." By act of December 3, 1819, "New Philadelphia" and "East Alabama" were incorporated into one town, under the name of Montgomery. . ."
• Montgomery's first election was held 3 January 1820, in Jonathan Coggswell Farley's store, to establish Montgomery's first governing body, as the combined communities of New Philadelphia and East Alabama. Farley and three others were named in an act of the Alabama General Assembly to conduct and manage this first election. Farley was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1798. About 1816, he sailed from Portland, Maine to the port of Mobile then proceeded to Ft. Jackson (Toulouse) to establish a trading post. Coming to Montgomery, he opened the town's second store. He served as foreman of the first Grand Jury and, later, moved to a plantation outside town near Cross Keys. The town's first newspaper, The Montgomery Republican, also occupied his store.
• He married Thermutis Pinkston, daughter of James Pinkston and Grissell Comer, on 23 November 1830 in Alabama.
• Jonathan Coggswell Farley appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Macon County, Alabama. Other members of the household included William Farley, Sarah Farley, Mary Farley and Jonathan C. Farley.
• He married Sarah (?) say 1854.
• On Friday, 4 May 1855, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. Jonathan C. Farley of Ala. came to Dinner."
• On Tuesday, 28 April 1857, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: Mr. J. C. Farley arrived from Alabama."
• On Thursday, 19 May 1859, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Mr. J. C. Farley came to day."
• On Friday, 13 April 1860, Green Wood recorded in his plantation daily account book: "Made a visit to Charles Abercrombie's yesterday and returned today in Company with J. C. Farley."
• Jonathan Coggswell Farley and Sarah (?) appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Chambers County, Alabama, and also Martha Moore, age 22, born in Georgia, possibly Sarah's daughter by an earlier marriage.. Other members of the household included Jonathan C. Farley.
• He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
• Jonathan Coggswell Farley appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Chambers County, Alabama, and also a few farm hands and household help.. Other members of the household included Jonathan C. Farley.
• He was farming, according to the 1870 census.
• Jonathan Cogswell Farley was one of the first permanent white inhabitants of Montgomery, Alabama, then known as "New Philadelphia." His store was the site of Montgomery's first election in 1820, and also housed the town's first newspaper, The Montgomery Republican. He visited Greenwood in 1855, 1857, 1859 and 1860. J. C. Farley's first wife Thermutis Pinkston was Thermutis Pinkston's first cousin, daughter of his mother's helf-sister Grissell Comer Pinkston. Also, Grissell's son Lucius/Lucian Pinkston was in Montgomery County, Texas, 1850-1870.

• Last Edited: 21 May 2014