In the 1700's there were possibly 2 or 3 Coltrain families found in America, leaving records in North Carolina. Two David Coltranes, James and William Coltrain are all recorded in early documentation. The David Coltranes may have come from Scotland. Confusion is based on various records. 1. A David Coltrane witnessed and administered wills, purchased land, ran a ferry, was appointed Justice of the Peace bewtween 1737 and 1740 in Edgecombe, Bertie and Tyrell Counties. 2. A Captain David Coltranes from NC was probably killed in South American between 1741-1743. This David Coltrane had marrried Mary Trotter of Chowan County, NC and had one son: William, born abt 1740. 3. Soon after, on 18 Aug 1744 a David Coltrane witnessed the sale of land and on 28 Jun 1746 was appointed Justice of the Peace, both in Edgecombe County. Robert Coltrane witnessed Joseph Winterbottom's will 1 Dec 1735 (unknown county of NC). This document is difficult to read and the name Coltrane may have been incorrectly transcribed. No other records have been found for this individual. James Coltrain is first found in a 1761 tax record for Bertie Co. He witnessed of a will for Abraham Barberrie of Bertie County 19 Feb 1762. In 1776 he was in the Revolutionary War under Col. William Williams of Martin Co. Two years later he purchased land in Martin Co and probably died before 6 Nov 1781. William Coltrain of North Carolina is described as a "deceased father' on the petition for guardianship dated 17 Feb 1761 for John Coltrain (Coltrin (age 18)) in Wareham, MA.