CAPT. JOHN ARCHER COKE.
The founder of the Coke family in Virginia was John Coke who came
from Derbyshire, England, in 1724, and settled in Williamsburg, where
the family has ever since had worthy representation (See copy of "Coke
History," Virginia State Library.) The subject of the present sketch
was born in Williamsburg, July 14, 1842, a son of John Coke, who was
born in Williamsburg in 1797, and died in April, 1865, and who was a
son of John Coke, who was a son of the founder of the family. The
mother of John Archer Coke, was Eliza Hankins, born in James City
county, about the year 1800, died about 1868, a daughter of Archer
Hankins, presiding justice of James City county for many years.
John Archer Coke was educated at William and Mary College, where
he studied law, and was graduated in Academic department in 1860.
In April, 1861, he entered the Confederate States Army, a lieutenant in
the "Lee Artillery." At the reorganization of the battery in 1862, he
was elected captain of the same, was wounded slightly in "Dahlgren's
Raid" around Richmond; served with the Army of Northern Virginia
until about 1864, then was assigned to duty in Richmond until the
close of the war.
In September, 1865, he commenced the practice of law in Richmond,
and has continued in that profession since that time. He married, in
Mecklenburg county, Virginia, April 17, 1867, Emma Overbey, of that
county. They have two children, Elise and John Archer, and have
buried two: Robert P. and Emma Sacheverall Mrs. Coke is a daughter
of Robert Y. Overbey, who was born in Mecklenburg county in 1796,
and died in 1872. Her mother was Mary Pool, born in the same county
in 1800, died in 1886.
