Robert Coleman's name appeared on a list of headrights on 2 Mar 1638 in Upper Norfolk Co, meaning he was in VA by that date. His name later appeared as a witness to York Co records between 1646-48. Robert Coleman was among the early colonists in Gloucester Co, which was opened for white settlement on 1 Sep 1649. Robert died in Gloucester Co sometime after 6 May 1682, the last mention of him in any existing record. During the War Between The States, Gloucester Co records were taken to Richmond for safekeeping and were destroyed when Richmond was evacuated and burned. But the few records in existence are evidence that Robert Coleman lived in Abingdon Parish, Gloucestor Co VA.646

When Robert and his wife, Elizabeth Grizzell (marriage date unknown), crossed the York River to Tindall's Point in what became Gloucester Co, they probably settled along the Severne River between Tindall's Point and Mobjack Bay. In the early days of the colony, rivers and tidal streams provided the easiest means of transportation for settlers. The waterways also provided a source of food and a means of shipping tobacco, VA's major exportable commodity.646

During Bacon's Rebellion in 1676, the Abingdon Parish Register was destroyed, forever denying us the facts about any children born to Robert Coleman and Elizabeth Grizzell. (VA law required that all births and deaths be reported to the parish minister). Based on available evidence, the six known surviving children of Robert and Elizabeth Coleman were Thomas, Robert, Joseph, Grizzell, Daniel and John.646

There is no evidence anywhere of Robert Coleman's birth year. However, he was not born in 1620 and did not marry Elizabeth Mott in Ireland or anywhere else. Records from Brent-Eleigh Parish in Suffolk, England prove this.646

The birth year of Robert Coleman of Mobjack Bay was more likely ca 1630, and he was brought to VA as a young boy. He may have been a son of the Edward Coleman whose name appeared on a Lower Norfolk Co. headright list in 1637, and on a 1638 list of ages of people residing in that county. But this is only speculation and should not be posted on the Internet as fact. For anyone interested in pursuing the ancestry of Robert Coleman of Mobjack Bay, they should start with the Edward Colman of Suffolk, England whose will was proved in 1596.646

Robert Coleman came to America as a headright of Thomas Symons (Pat Bk I, Part II, p 624, 250 acres). Transported with Robert were David Lewis, Thomas Annis, Robert Sanders, and Thomas Dickson.

Robert was listed March 2, 1638 in Upper Norfolk County records as a headright of Thomas Symons.572

Source 466 has his birthdate as “bef 1622” while 572 has it “abt 1622” -- similar discrepancy with death date (572 says “abt” where 466 says “aft”)