Daniel Coker
Daniel Coker, the son of James Coker and Eliza JACKSON was born in Kent Co., DE in 1840. He first married a woman named Hester and then, on 17 March 1885, he married Sarah J. RIDGEWAY, daughter of Tilghman Ridgeway and Sina Mosley, who was born into the Kent Co. mixed blood community on 18 April, 1847. Sarah was the widow of Alfred Wilbank Ridgeway who died August 25, 1883.

Daniel was a Civil War Veteran, for the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 25th US Colored Regeiment, Company C, mustered into service on 7 January, 1864.

The regiment was recruited, for the most part, in PA and organized at Camp William Penn in Feb. 1864. The right wing of the regiment was shipped to New Orleans but shipwrecked off Beaufort, NC where they joined the seige of Little Washington before being sent on to New Orleans...too late to join the Red River campaign. They were then sent to Barrancas, FL where they relieved the 7th Maine at garrison duty. During the Mobile campaign in January 1865, the regiment reported to General Pile for field service. They joined the New Orleans First, composed primarily of creoles.

During the spring & summer of 1865 the men suffered terribly from scurvy; about 150 died and many were disabled. They remained on duty until December 1865 when they were ordered to Philadelphia and, on 6 December, 1865, mustered out.

The regimental flag was a Freedman, released from his shackles, stepping forward to receive a musket and uniform. The flag was presented to the Union League in Philadelphia. The opportunity to fight was never afforded them and "the men always felt this a grievance."

After the war, Daniel returned to Kent Co. His occupation was listed as "brick molder" but his health never recovered.

Daniel had the following children:

    by his first wife, Hester:
  1. Daniel Coker, Jr. (b.c.1864)
  2. Eliza Coker (b.c.1868)
  3. Isaac Coker (b.c.1869)

    by his second wife, Sarah:
  1. Alfred Wilbank Coker (1887-1943)
  2. Alonzo Coker (1890-1957)

Daniel died on 5 March, 1898 and was buried at Whatcoat Cemetery in Dover. His wife, Sally Ridgeway Coker, who died 22 April, 1919, is buried at Fork Branch Church.