Coleman Sharpton
Coleman Sharpton Sr (born circa 1835), was the great-grandfather of the Rev. Al Sharpton and a slave owned by the ancestors of Strom Thurmond, a long time U.S. Senator and staunch supporter of segregation.
Coleman Sharpton spent much of his life living near Edgefield, S.C. The Sharpton name came from Alexander Sharpton, a wealthy slave owner in Edgefield County. Alexander Sharpton's son, Jefferson, married Julia Ann Thurmond, Strom's first cousin twice removed. Once Jefferson died in 1860, Coleman - aged 25 - along with fellow slaves Biddy (22), Harrison (4) and Bachus (8) were passed along to Jefferson's four children. The 1860 Census for Edgefield, S.C. lists 78 slaves owned by A. Sharpton, including 3 mulatto children.
Coleman and his crew were sent to one of Jefferson's relatives in Florida, to help pay off Jefferson's debts. After emancipation made Coleman a free man, he worked as a wood hauler in Florida. His son, Coleman Jr (Al Sharpton's grandfather), was a preacher and owner of a grocery store in Liberty County, Florida.