Richard Coates Wilkins
Richard Coates Wilkins in uniform as Paymaster, 6th Regiment, New Jersey National Guard
RICHARD COATES WILKINS was born on August 27, 1845 in Pemberton, New Jersey to Richard Wilkins and his wife, the former Elizabeth Ann Coates. His father was a merchant and the family was living in Pemberton when the Census was taken in 1850. His grandparents, Isaac and Ann Wilkins, were then living in North Camden. Isaac Wilkins died in April of 1853, and it would seem that his son moved to Camden around that time. Ann Wilkins died in Camden in 1862.
Richard Wilkins’ family had moved to Camden’s North Ward by the time the 1860 Census was taken. Interestingly enough, the elder Wilkins’ occupation was listed as “Gentleman.” Also at home was older sister Sallie Ann. Sadly, both of his parents died in April of 1861.
On June 1, 1874 Richard Coates Wilkins married Laura Stokes, whose family was one of the first British clans to settle in South Jersey. He had been appointed to a position with the First National Bank of Camden, and at some point during the 1870s was made Paymaster of the Sixth Regiment, New Jersey National Guard. Nathan F. Cowan, a co-worker at the bank, and E.L. Wright, were the witnesses for the marriage license. The wedding was performed by Reverend Garrison of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Richard Coates Wilkins’ sister Sallie Ann Wilkins had married a young physician, Dr. Henry Ackley, at some point during the Civil War. There was a child, Henry Wilkins Ackley, who sadly was born and died the same day, January 17, 1865. Sallie Ackley would be a widow before the year was out, her husband passing away in Philadelphia on December 17, 1865. On January 22, 1877, she married her brother’s friend, Nathan F. Cowan, and bore three sons, William and twins Edgar and Herbert. Nathan F. Cowan was associated with the First National Bank of Camden for 50 years, retiring in 1922 when it merged with the National State Bank. The Cowans lived at 228 Cooper Street in Camden before moving to a mansion at 105 North Cove Road in Pennsauken (Merchantville is/was on the other side of Cove Road). William Cowan would own the home next door at 113 North Cove Road. Sallie Wilkins Cowan died in 1912 and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Camden.
Richard Coates Wilkins was living at 319 Pearl Street in Camden when the Census was taken in 1880 with his wife Laura and son, Eugene Taylor Wilkins. A daughter, Sallie, had died in June of 1874 at the age of eight months. Richard C. Wilkins’ occupation is listed as “retired” which is somewhat unusual given that he was but 33 at the time. Perhaps his health had already broken down, as he died on March 9, 1883. Laura Wilkins and her son moved to Merchantville for a short time before moving to Philadelphia. They retained ties to Camden, however. Eugene Taylor Wilkins married in Camden in 1903.
Baptism Certificate
Named: Baptism Certificate, Church of Christ, Pemberton, New Jersey, and March 30, 1847.
Richard Wilkins — Father of Richard Coates Wilkins
Richard Wilkins, father of Richard Coates Wilkins
Evergreen Cemetery — Camden, New Jersey
Left: the grave of Richard Wilkins, father of Richard Coates Wilkins, who died April 4, 1861. Right: the grave of his mother Eliza Ann Wilkins, who died 10 days later, and his daughter Sallie, who died at eight months of age.
Portraits — Richard Coates Wilkins at 18 with his sister Sallie Ann Wilkins, age 22
Richard Coates Wilkins at 18, with his sister Sallie Ann Wilkins, age 22. Sallie Ann married Dr. Henry Ackley in 1861. She later married Nathan Cowan.
A Good Appointment.
Camden newspaper — undated
A Good Appointment.—Mr. Richard C. Wilkins of this city, has been elected to a clerkship in the First National Bank of Camden. A better selection could not have been made. Mr. W. is a young man of first class business abilities, and high integrity, prompt and courteous,—qualities which will enable him to discharge the duties of the position with honor to himself, and credit to the bank.
Marriage License
Named: Marriage License, Richard Coates Wilkins & Laura Stokes, June 1, 1874, at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, Certified by Rev. Garrison, rector of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, and Witnessed by Nathan F. Cowan & E.L. Wright.
Business Card — Paymaster, 6th Regiment, New Jersey National Guard
Business Card of Richard Coates Wilkins — Paymaster, 6th Regiment, New Jersey National Guard
A Pleasant Surprise Party.
Philadelphia newspaper — undated
A Pleasant Surprise Party.—Capt. Henry C. Lees, Lieuts. F. A. Rex and E. L. Thornton, of the 6th Regt., and Lieut.-Col. Wm. H. Hempsing and Paymaster Richard C. Wilkins, accompanied by the 6th Regiment Band; Prof. Joseph Jennings, leader, invaded Philadelphia on Thursday night, and made a raid upon Capt. Wm. C. Shinn, at the Markoe House, Chesnut above Ninth, when the gallant Captain and his estimable lady, together with the other inmates of the house, were treated to several delightful airs from that excellent band. It having been discovered, after a parley, that the apparently hostile demonstration of the N. J. N. G. was of a pacific character, Capt. Shinn allowed his countrymen to enter his winter quarters, and entertained them in the hospitable manner for which he is noted among his many friends. It being so near election, Mayor Fox’s vigilant political patrolmen surmised the intention of the foreign visitors was to bring the Captain back with them as a repeater; but when it was explained that Co. B. is mostly Democratic, while the Captain still adheres to the true faith, as expounded in the gospel of Republicanism, their suspicions were allayed, and the only repeating now desired is a repetition of the pleasant visit.