Isaiah (Zet) Coffey is believed to be the illegitimate son of Nancy Coffey, daughter of Nelson and Rebecca Hamilton Coffey. Nelson was the fourth child and son of Jordan and Elizabeth Rippetoe Coffey.

Nelson was born about 1810 in Virginia and died about 1845 in that state. He married Rebecca, born about 1816 in Virginia, on Feb. 5, 1833 in Amherst Co.

They were the parents of six children; Nancy, born May 4, 1836, died Jan. 11, 1922 in Amherst Co., was their second.

Their first child was Frederick, born about 1834, followed by Nancy, Julia, born about 1838; Matthew, born about 1841; Pauline, about 1843, and Nelson, Jr., born about 1845.

Nancy subsequently married Holman (Delaware) Lawhorne on Dec. 16, 1867 in Amherst Co. Holman was born Oct. 15, 1826, and died Jan. 27, 1907. Together they had six children: Sarah Elizabeth; Emma; Ollie A.; Phelia; Sam, and Andrew.