Simon P. Coker was a farmer who served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1874 until his assassination in 1876. He represented Barnwell County, South Carolina.[1][2]
He was assassinated by white supremacists in 1876 during the Ellenton massacre in September 1876.[1][3] He was one of between thirty and fifty black republicans executed that day.[4] Coker was shot in the head while praying for mercy. Future Governor of South Carolina, Benjamin Tillman was present at the execution. [3]