Charles Shelby Coffey, Sr.

Among the well known and able representatives of the bar of Hamilton county is Charles S. Coffey*, a resident of this city, for the most part, since 1900.  Mr. Coffey is a native son of Kentucky, being born on the old home place of his parents near Monticello, in Wayne county, on the 18th day of June, 1882.  He comes of old and honored families of the Bluegrass state, and his parents being Lewis and Sophia (Buster) Coffey.  His father is now living retired in Danville, Kentucky.  His mother passed away on January 1, 1894.  Lewis Coffey was long numbered among the representative farming men of Wayne county, Kentucky, and was successful in his lifework, and so conducted himself as to win and hold the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellow men.

Charles S. Coffey gained his early education in the public schools of Monticello, Kentucky, and was graduated from the high school of that place as a member of the class of 1898.  Thereafter he held a position as bookkeeper in a bank in Monticello for two years, at the expiration of which time, in 1900, he came to Chattanooga, where he was for some little time in the employ of the D. B. Loveman Company, one of the largest department stores in the city.  In January, 1902, Mr. Coffey entered the University of Tennessee, and in 1905 was duly graduated from the institution with the degree of Bachelor of Science.  the following year he was graduated from the law department of the same institution with the degree of Bachelor of Laws.

After his graduation Mr. Coffey returned to Chattanooga, and for some time he was supervisor at the real estate loan department of the Chattanooga Savings Bank, a position that was placed at his disposal soon after he returned to the city, and he continued in that position until September, 1910, when he resigned the same to engage in the practices of his profession.  About one year later he formed a partnership with Mr. Paul Campbell, under the firm name of Campbell & Coffey, and this alliance continued in effect for a year, at the expiration of which time Mr. James F. Finlay was admitted to partnership, and the title changed to its present form - Finlay, Campbell & Coffey.  this is known as one of the strong and successful law firms of Hamilton county, and Mr. Coffey, as one of its principals, has met with a pleasing degree of success in his profession, the branch which claims his chief attention being that of civil practice.

Mr. Coffey is unmarried.  He is a member of the Chattanooga Bar & Law Library Association, the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, and the Commercial Club, and he is affiliated with the Theta Lamda Phi and the Pi Kappa Alpha college fraternities.  Mr. Coffey is a Democrat, and while he is enthusiastic in the cause of the party, he has no desire for political preferment.  He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and has served for a number of years as a member of the board of the church of this denomination in his home city.

It may be mentioned here with all propriety that the father of Mr. Coffey was a valiant soldier of the Confederacy in the Civil war, and served in the command of General John H. Morgan.  Under this noted leader he participated in the famous Ohio raid, and was captured at that time by the Federal forces.  Thereafter he was held a prisoner at Camp Douglas, in the city of Chicago, until the close of the war.

---

Charles married on Nov. 21, 1916 to Mary Margaret Anderson in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN.[1] Their first born was Charles, Jr. on Dec. 29, 1917 in Chattanooga.

Charles, Jr. was married to Mary Helen Stewart on Jul. 23, 1942 in Franklin Co., TN.  She was born Jul. 22, 1920 in Winchester, Johnson Co., TN and died Mar. 6, 2004 in Chattanooga and was buried at Forest Hills Cemetery in that city.  Charles died in Jun. 1974 and was also buried at Forest Hills.

Mary Helen Stewart was a daughter of Arthur Thomas Stewart (1892-1972).  Mr. Stewart was the prosecuting attorney in the 1925 "Scopes Monkey Trial" in which Clarence Darrow unsuccessfully defended John T. Scopes, a biology teacher at Dayton, TN. Mr. Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, which was never paid. Stewart died Oct. 10, 1972 in Nashville, TN and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery in Winchester, Franklin Co., TN.[2]

Other children of Charles, Sr. and Mary were: Mary Catherine "Bitsy", 1920-2010, married James Garland Rawlings; Episcopal priest, Jonathan Bachman Coffey, 1921-2012, married Mary Elizabeth Corey; William Milton Coffey, 1924-2007, married Ruth Ann Pojman; an Robert Lewis Coffey, 1926-2010, married Frances Sue Davidson.

---

Sources:

*Will Thomas Hale & Dixon L. Merritt, Authors, A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans: The Leaders and Representative Men in Commerce, Industry and Modern Activities, 8 Volumes (Chicago and New York: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1913), .

[1]"Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8Y9-RVZ : accessed 04 Mar 2013), Chas. Shelby Coffey and Mary Margaret Anderson, 21 Nov 1916.
[2]"The Mobile Register, Mobile, AL", http://tinyurl.com/z2tdcst, Thu., Oct. 12, 1972 : accessed 6 Jun 2016.

Winright Shockley & Martha Emaline Coffey

The Coffey, Dalton, Harville, Rucker, and Shockley families have close family ties in Grainger Co., TN.  A researcher cannot concentrate on one of those families without also considering each of the others.  

It's impossible!  

Don't believe that?

Consider the following:

Winright Shockley, a son of Booker and Hannah Ann Dalton Shockley, married Martha Emaline Coffey, daughter of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey.  Winright and "Emily" were married on Feb. 20, 1851 in Grainger Co. and had at least eight¹ children:

Martha Jane Shockley married Thomas Coffey.  Their daughter Viola married Pleasant Dalton in 1912

George Winright Shockley married Harried Harville and they had a son, James Henry who married Cora Dalton in 1895. Their son James Nathan married Mayme Harville, daughter of Hugh Harville and Lillie M. Coffey.

Wyatt W. Shockley married Virginia Rucker, daughter of Perry Rucker and Minerva Latham.  They had at least six children and of those found to date, none are known to have married any of the above surnames.  Wyatt and family remained in Grainger Co. thru 1900 but by 1910 they were living in Bailey, Fannin Co., TX.  Wyatt died thee in 1910; Virginia in 1939.

Mahala Shockley married Collins Calvin Coffey, son of Caswell and Martha Campbell Coffey in 1883.  Their daughter married Buford Enderson Shockley in 1912.  Buford's parents are unknown to me.

William Berry Shockley married Eliza Jane Coffey in 1885.  She was the daughter of Thomas Nelson and Cornelia Coffey Coffey.

Jincey Shockley married Berry Wisdom Coffey in 1887. Their son Nathaniel married Pearly Dalton, daughter of Ira and Sarah Manerva Dalton Dalton. Nathaniel's daughter Dorsie Ellen Coffey married Esco Dalton, son of Hugh and Minnie Dalton Dalton. Stella May, another daughter of Nathaniel married Thea Coffey, son of Everett Elbert and Leva Lois Dalton Coffey.

Winright's last child, Elizabeth "Bettie" Shockley married Pleasant Dalton in 1888.  "Pleas" was a son of Hiram and Catherine Howerton Dalton. Hiram was a son of Timothy and Delphia Coffey Dalton. Timothy was a son of Reuben and Nancy Elizabeth Shockley Dalton and Delphia was a daughter of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey.

This is just one such family.  It is a small sampling of how these families joined with and shared their families over the years.  

I'm certain had I chosen to go back a few more generations, or had come forward one or two more, I would have found many examples within this select group where ancestors and/or descendants intermarried with the same family of surnames.

There are perhaps a few hundred examples in my Edward Coffey Project of how these families intermarried and how, until today, they still cherish each other.

Want to know more?  Contact me!

---

¹They also had a daughter named Rutha, born c1865.  I have not yet found info about her.

Benjamin & Nancy Hayes Coffey

Bennie Coffey Loftin (dec'd) in her 1984 book Lizzie's Legacy and Our Coffey Cousins, with co-author Mary Elizabeth Coffey Self, and second printing in 2002 re-titled work Coffey Cousins, North Side of Clinch Mountain, Tennessee and Beyond, wrote about her ancestor, Benjamin Coffey:

"Benjamin, son of John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey, b. 8 Feb 1808, Wilkes Co., d. 8 May 1867, Rockcastle Co., KY.  Nancy was b. 23 Jul 1802 in NC; d. 14 Feb 1874, KY. Children are John, 1828-18?; Unk, b. 1830; Richardson, 1832-1922;  Elizabeth, 1835-1922; Ransom, 1836-1917; Calvin, 1839-1863; Calton, 1839-1926; Marvel, 1841-1917; Perry, 1844-1864; and Ausborn, 1846-1923. A descendant of this line is Bennie Coffey Loftin. Benjamin was b. Feb. 8, 1808 in Wilkes Co., and d. May 8, 1867 in Rockcastle Co., KY. He m. Nancy, d. of Thomas and Sarah Hayes, and they had nine sons and one daughter.

"Benjamin did not live long after they moved to Kentucky from Tennessee. They moved shortly after the Civil War. Their sons, Ransom and John, were already living in Kentucky. Ransom and his cousin, James Madison Coffey, were living in Rockcastle County when the 1860 census was taken in the fall of that year. They are supposed to have moved together. Ransom fought on the Union side during the Civil War.

"All of Benjamin and Nancy Coffey's children were born in Tennessee, either Hawkins or Grainger County. They lived near the county line on the north side of Clinch Mountain. Ausbon's pension application for CSA service states that he was born at Rutledge. Rutledge was the county seat for Grainger County. They didn't live there, but lived near Idol (now Thorn Hill).

"Death dates for Benjamin, his wife, his parents, three and maybe four sons and a grandson were all recorded on two pages that Grace Coffey Gill found tucked into a little book that had belonged to her Grandpa Ausbon. There was an autograph on one page that reads, "Benjamin Coffey's Book,  August 1, 1856, T.G. Tilley."

"Rance Coffey (1885-1984) thinks that one of Benjamin's sons was crippled. He had heard a story of him going hunting on crutches. He thought it was Richardson, but he served in the CSA Army and as Rance says, What would the army want with a crippled man."

One of the sons of Benjamin and Nancy was seventh son, Calton Coffey, born Jan. 16, 1839 in Grainger Co., died in Oct., 1926 at Diamond in Stephens Co., OK.  He married Martha Ann Campbell, a daughter of William and Sidney Holt Campbell on Dec. 22, 1857 in Grainger Co.  a couple of years later Calton enlisted as a Sergeant in Co. D., 26th TN Infantry.

Calton survived the war and by Dec., 1870 the family had relocated to Pilot Point in Denton Co., TX. They apparently made a detour or two and made stops in AR and MO. Later, one of their children reported his birth in 1869 Missouri and two others reported their births to have occurred in 1871 and 1875 Arkansas.*  Martha Ann Campbell Coffey died sometime before 1900 and is thought to have been buried near Montegue Co., TX.  She was the mother of at least seven children.

I have been unable to account for three of their children:  William, said to be first born; Benjamin, born 1858 in Claiborne Co., TN and Thomas Jefferson, born c1866.

Hillery, thought to be the third child, was born in TN in 1863.  He married Ella Mae Fleetwood in Denton Co., TX on Oct. 21, 1889.¹   He and Ella lived very short lives.  She died on Jan. 5, 1892 at age 22 and probably in childbirth.  Their first child, Charles Belden had been born in Sep., 1890 in the Chickasaw Nation, IT.  Hillery died before before 1898 in Terral, Jefferson Co., IT.  Both are buried at the Fleetwood Family cemetery in Jefferson Co.  Charles is said to have died in Dec., 1943 but I have not confirmed that.

Fifth child was Franklin David "Frank" Coffey, born Apr. 2, 1869, Missouri.  He married Rebecca Jane Kimberlain, a daughter of William and Anna Kimberlain.  She was born on Apr. 1, 1870 in Lebanon, Laclede Co., MO. and married on Apr. 23, 1890 in Fleetwood, Chickasaw Nation, IT.

Children born to this couple were:

William, born Mar. 26, 1891 at Fleetwood, died there in 1893 and buried at the Fleetwood Cemetery.

Rosa M., born in Fleetwood Jun., 1893; no further info.

Albert Wesley, born in Fleetwood Jan., 1895; no further info.

Hillery Newton "Hill", born Nov. 23, 1896 at Fleetwood, died and was buried at Terral Cemetery in Jefferson Co., OK in 1965.  Married Myrtle Ruth Fraysher [sic], a daughter of Louis and Mary Jennings Fraysher.  Their children were at least two: Frankie Brunetta, born Feb. 28, 1920 at Fleetwood, died in Papla, Gray Co., TX on Nov. 15, 2005.  Frankie married Boyd Stewart on Apr. 8, 1942 in Caddo, Bryan Co., OK.  The other child was Roy Elwood, born c1927 in Stephens Co., OK.

Artie Christine, born in IT in 1902, died in Comanche, Stephens Co., OK and buried there at Fairlawn Cemetery.  She married Robert McFatridge c1923.  He was born in Stephens Co. in 1899 and died there in 2000 with burial in Fairlawn Cemetery.  Their children numbered at least four:  J. F., born c1924; Clayton, born c1926; and twins, Haskell J. and Hazel Ann, born c1939, all in Stephens Co., OK.  Robert was a son of James and Mary Wise McFatridge.

Ransom, born Jan 6, 1904 in Fleetwood, died Jun., 1905 and buried at Terral.

Benjamin Franklin, born 1906 at Fleetwood, died 1974 at Comanche.  Married Mae Belle Kinman on Jan. 30, 1926 in Jefferson Co.² May Belle was born in Sweetwater, Nolan Co., TX on May 19, 1908 and died in Walters, Cotton Co., OK on Feb. 26, 1987.  Both are buried at Fairlawn Cemetery.  Their children were Edward Gene Coffey, born Aug. 23, 1927 at Fleetwood, died there on Jun. 25, 1930 and, Bobbie Corrine, born Sep. 26, 1930 at Fleetwood and died in Stephens Co. on Jun. 16, 1976.  Bobbie married Raymond Pewitt.

The last children born to Franklin and Rebecca were Edgar Belton and twin sister, Ethel Bell on Nov. 12, 1907 at Fleetwood.  Edgar married Dessie Mabel Nelson, born Nov. 4, 1906 in OK, died in Stephens Co. on Aug. 8, 1998.  Edgar died Apr. 22, 1974, also in Stephens Co.  Both are buried there at Fairlawn Cemetery.  Their children were at least two:  Kenneth W., born c1930 and Jimmie Dee, born c1932, both in Stephens Co.

Ethel married Earl Thomas Chastain on Jul. 12, 1926 in Montague Co., TX.³ Earl was a son of Thomas and Sarah Kimberlain Chastain and was born on Sep. 27, 1902 in Laclede Co., MO.  Earl died on Jul. 13, 1970 in Lebanon, Laclede Co. and was buried there at the Mount Rose Memorial Park.  Ethel was born on Nov. 12, 1907 in Fleetwood, IT and died on Feb. 14, 1982 at Lebanon.  She too is buried at Mount Rose.  Six children were born to this union:  Glenna L.; Ray; Tommy Franklin; Dottie Jean; Bobby Dean and James.  Dottie and Bobby may have been twins.


Additions and corrections welcomed!

  Jack

*I do not think this likely.  The family remained in Denton Co., TX through at least 1880 and later moved on the the Chickasaw Nation where they were enumerated in 1900. In 1910 and 1920 they were in Stephens Co., OK where Calton died.

^1"Texas County Marriage Index, 1837-1997", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XLX1-2XJ : accessed 17 Nov 2014), H C Coffee and E M Fleetwood, 21 Oct 1889; citing Denton, Texas, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1302338.

²"Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1891-1959", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XVL6-356 : accessed 27 Jul 2013), Ben Coffey and May Kinman, 1926.

³"Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FXS3-4M5 : accessed 20 Nov 2014), Earl Chastain and Ethel Coffey, 12 Jun 1926; citing Montague, Texas, , reference p 253; FHL microfilm 1435394.

Other sources: http://tinyurl.com/n5gfbmu and Rick Miller, Bedford, NH at Ancestry.com http://tinyurl.com/m6opvgu

Henry Spencer & Phoebe Coffey Dix

Phoebe Coffey was a daughter of Arnett and Kissiah Gray Coffey; Arnett being a son of William E. and Sarah Lucinda Coffey Coffey.  These Coffeys began life in Grainger Co., TN and eventually migrated to West Plains in Howell Co., MO.

Arnett was born May 22, 1848 in Rutledge, Grainger Co., and died on Apr. 6, 1915 in West Plains.  He married Kissiah, a daughter of Martin and Anna Gray, c1875 in MO.  She was born in Sep., 1857 and died on Mar. 23, 1928 in Shenandoah, Page Co., IA.  Arnett died of pneumonia and both he and Kissiah are buried at Howell Valley Cemetery in West Plains.

Arnett and Kissiah had at least three children:  Lucinda, born 1871, died 1943 in Bingham, Page Co., IA.  She married James Tully Campbell on Jul 21, 1887 in Pleasant Hill, Cass Co., MO.  James was born Sep. 11, 1864 in Neosho, Newton Co., MO and died in Bingham on Jul. 26, 1957.  Lucinda died on Jun. 6, 1943 in Bingham.  Both are buried at Howell Valley Cemetery.

The second child that I know of was Ira but have yet to locate any factual info about him.

Phoebe was probably their second child. She was born on Dec. 8, 1874 at Chapin in Howell Co. and, died Jul. 10, 1957 at McCrory in Woodruff Co., AR.  She married Henry Spencer Dix, born May 6, 1873 in Paulding Twp., Paulding Co., OH, on Jan. 7, 1896 in West Plains.  He died on Dec. 31, 1944 in Memphis, Shelby Co., TN and was buried at Corning Cemetery in Corning, Clay Co., AR.  Phoebe is also buried at Corning.

There were at least nine children born to their union:

Alfred Sidney, 1896-1981; married Lula Euphena Goss on Sep. 19, 1919 in West Plains and parents of at least seven children.

Caroline, 1899-1989; married James David Jacobs on Dec. 12, 1920 in Beedeville, Jackson Co., AR.  He was born in 1887 at McMinnville, Warren Co., TN and died in 1987 at McCrory.  Caroline is buried at Eight Mile Cemetery in Beedeville.  Children yet unknown.

May Oma, 1901-1991, was born at Chapin and died at Poplar Bluff in Butler Co., MO.  Her spouse was John Ephraim Marr, born 1890 in South Haven, Van Buren Co., MI and died 1982 at Poplar Bluff.  Both are buried at Corning.  Three known children:  Juanita, Earl and Lula Mae.

Lula, 1904-2001, married John Asbury Bullington on Sep. 29, 1923 in Jackson Co., AR.  She is buried at Corning along with her husband, born 1901 in AL, died at Knobel, Clay Co., AR in 1985.  I know of one child, Ernest, born 1925 at Dunklin Co., MO., diedd 2004 at Corning and buried in the Corning cemetery.

Ollie, 1907-1987, married Alfred Jacobs c1927.  She is buried at Eight Mile Cemetery with Alfred, born 1902 in Jackson Co., AR. and, died 1966.  Children yet unknown.

Ira, 1910-2007, married Edith Ashburn c1950 and Nora Williamson sometime later.  He is buried at Bald Knob in White Co., AR.  Burial location of his two wives is yet unknown.

Dorotha [sic] Irene, 1912-2002, was born at Chapin and died in TN.  Her spouse was Eual Duffel (no info) in 1929 at Jackson Co., AR.  She is buried at Memphis Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in Bartlett, Shelby Co., TN.  Children yet unknown.

Henry Charles, 1916-1992 was born at Chapin and died in AR.  No other information yet found.

The last known child was Lawrence Irwin, 1919 at Chapin, 2006 at Fort Branch, Gibson Co., IN.  He married V. Faye Pierce in AR c1939.  She was born in AR in 1923 and died in 1940 at the age of 17 and, probably in child birth.   No other information on either.

I have not yet completed all of the census and other research work to make this family complete.  Anyone with better information is invited to submit or discuss it.

  Jack

James T. Coffey - Suicide in Marshall, Saline Co., MO

MARSHALL—REPUBLICAN, VOL. IX. MARSHALL. SALINE COUNTY, MISSOURI. JUNE 3. 1900. NO. 13.

SUICIDE IN HIS CELL.

James Coffey, a Farmer, Hangs Himself While

Confined in the City Jail. Insanity
the Cause.

Fatalities have become most frequent happenings about Marshall in the past few weeks.  Suicide and other manner of death follow so fast upon the tread of each other that they occasion little talk and less excitement. The last sensational happening of this nature, occurred Tuesday morning, an inmate of the city jail ending his life by hanging himself.

James Coffey was the suicide. He was formerly a farmer living about 4 1/2 miles northeast of Marshall, one-half mile west of Capt. Elliott's farm.  Since his family moved to Missouri from Tennessee, he had been regarded as an honest, sober and hard working man, though rather peculiar in his ways.  During the night of Wednesday, May 31st, he left his home, and was found on the Miami road near Fairville, wandering about next day, his mind seriously affected. Mr. Matt Hall, who happened along, observed his condition and brought him to Marshall, where he was turned over to the custody of the sheriff. 

Coffey seemed to return to his reason some what, and his trial before the Probate court led to the opinion that he would soon regain his mind completely. He was therefore ordered held in charge for a few days, when if recovery followed he was to be released and allowed to return home.  As the county had no suitable place for his confinement, the city officers took him to the jail quarters of the city hall, where in the day time he was allowed the freedom of the corridor. 

The prisoner, who in his ravings, imagined himself pursued by a threatening mob, was visited on Monday afternoon by his wife, who brought him a pie wrapped in a tea towel.  Monday night and Tuesday morning his actions evidenced a more violent insanity. At 9:30 Tuesday morning, keeper of the jail, Brice, when accompanying a lady visitor to his cell, discovered Coffey hanging from the upper birth of his cell, his body suspended by means of the tea-towel tied around his neck and attached to the lattice work of the birth. 

Assistance was at once called, little Charley Herndon cutting the cloth by which he hung, but the insane man was lifeless. The upper birth is only about five feet from the floor, and Coffey, in order to accomplish his death, had thrown his feet from under him allowing the weight of his body to produce a choking death. 

The coroner was notified and summoned a jury at once which returned a verdict that the deceased came to his death by "hanging himself with a towel," signed by Jno. Cunningham, foreman; J. R. Plynu, W. D. Black, A. J. Graves, M. T.  Campbell and N. F. Randolph.

His body was removed to the undertaking rooms and thence to his home on the farm, the burial taking place Wednesday at Shiloh. He was a heavy, rather tall, well built man, aged about forty-five years, with sandy hair, beard and mustache. He leaves a wife and four children who mourn deeply the loss of a father not responsible for this act of suicide in his demented condition.

Note: This was James T. Coffey who was born c1852 in Tennessee. His wife was Sarah E. Moore Coffey, born c1861 in Missouri. They appeared in the 1900 Marshall Twp., Saline Co., MO census. Their children then (all born in MO) were Grover C., born c1885; Hattie, born c1887; Joseph, born c1889; James Q., born c1875 in KY and a lodger, John Davison, age 29, born in MO. James was enumerated as James P., age 48, born in TN. Sarah was enumerated as head of household, likely meaning that James was already known to be incapacitated to some degree.

Who were the parents of James?

Sources:

United States Census, 1900," index and images,  FamilySearch  (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M3D6-R5P : accessed 10 Mar 2014), James P Coffee in household of Sarah E Coffey, Marshall Township (excl. Marshall city, incl. Missouri Valley College), Saline, Missouri, United States; citing sheet , family 290, NARA microfilm publication T623, FHL microfilm 1240902

Library of Congress (http://tinyurl.com/kjulmmm)

William Benjamin and Mary F. "Molly" Demasters Coffey

I am uncertain that any Demasters family researcher has ever conclusively proven that today's more-or-less accepted spelling is correct.  Some with whom I I have exchanged information tell me that the name can be found a Demastus, Damastas, etc.  I use the spelling that I have most often found; e.g., Demasters.

Mary "Molly" Demasters was born Dec. 4, 1804 (no source) and died before 1860 (no source).  She married William Benjamin Coffey on Nov. 13, 1824¹ in Nelson Co., VA, was living in that county at the 1850 census and was a widow there in 1860.  She died Apr. 22, 1867 but, her place of burial is not known to me.  She was the daughter of John and Martha "Patsy" Moran Demasters.  According to a typewritten letter dated Oct. 10, 1934 to Mrs. Leo W. Kasehagen of Washington, D.C., (sender not identified), this couple was married on Jul. 29, 1779 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., VA.²

William Benjamin Coffey was born c1805, probably in Nelson Co., VA, to Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burger Coffey.  He died on Apr. 22, 1867³ in that county.  His burial site is also unknown to me.

To the union was born at least seven children:  Morris W.; Martha Ann; Edmund Franklin; Egbert; Nancy; Elizabeth and William Benjamin, Jr.

1) Morris was born Aug. 12, 1825 in Nelson Co.  His wife was a double third cousin, Mildred Annister "Milly" Coffey, a daughter of John W. and Margaret Susanna "Susan" Coffey Coffey. John W. was a son of Edmind Steward Coffey, Jr. and his wife Matilda "Tildy" Fitzgerald.   Susan's parents were Reuben G. and Nancy Giles Coffey.

Children born to Morris and Milly were Mary Ann Elizabeth (1860-1946), who married Joseph Clay Hewitt (1847-1920).  Second was Nicholas Anderson "Nick" (1861-1956) who married his several times cousin, Viola M. A. Coffey, a daughter of George Washington and Rachel A. Campbell Coffey. Next was John Walton Coffey (1866-1945) who also married his several times cousin, Sarah Henry "Sallie" Coffey, a daughter of the George Washington Coffey who married Mary Catherine "Kitty" Demasters.  Kitty was a daughter of John and Mary Ann "Polly" Coffey Demasters.  Following John Walton was Alice Sophronia "Allie" Coffey (1870-1955).  Her husband was Hugh "Hughey" Coffey (c1861-?), a brother to Sarah Henry Coffey.

2) Martha Ann "Patsy" was born c1827 in Nelson Co.  Nothing more is know.

3) Edmond Franklin (1829-1906) married twice.  His first wife was Mary Jane Camden (c1829-?).  Their children were Lucas T. (c1859-?); William Luther (1861-1890) and B. E., a son, born 1866.  This son married I. B Jackson on Fb. 3, 1892 in Wythe Co., VA.#  His second wife was Sarah Margaret Smith (c1841-?) to whom he was married on Nov. 18, 1867 in Nelson Co.±  Their children were Hugh (1869-1870); Mary Jane (c1871-?); Nora Kate (c1872-1940); Elizabeth Dora "Betty" (1873-1954), married Edell Alexander Brown (1870-1933); Cofa Lee (1875-1875); Florence Pearl (1875-1960) and Julie Ann (c1878-?)

4) Egbert, 1831-?) married Martha Monroe on Fe. 23, 1854 in Nelson Co.*  Egbert was a volunteer with Co. E., 51st Inf Regt., CSA, Nelson Co.  I know of only one child, as son George W., born 1855.

5) Nancy (c1831-?) married Peter S. Fitzgerald on Jan. 18, 1848 in Nelson Co.**  Peter and Nancy had at least three children:  James W. (1851-?); Sarah Elizabeth, (1850-?) and Napoleon D., (c1866-?).  James married Mary S. Coffey, a daughter of William W. and Sarah Jane Coffey Coffey.  William W. was a son of William who married Elizabeth Giles and Sarah was a daughter of his brother, Reuben G. Coffey who married Elizabeth's sister, Nancy Giles.  Sarah Elizabeth married Lorenzo D. Fitzgerald, a son of Moses W. and Mary Ann Coffey Fitzgerald.  I suspect Lorenzo and Sarah Elizabeth were cousins but I cannot find the parents of his mother, Mary Ann Coffey Fitzgerald.  Napoleon married Martha Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of William David "Billy" Coffey and wife Samantha Elizabeth Campbell.

Nothing more is know of child 6) Elizabeth and child 7) William Benjamin, Jr.

Many of these families have descendants.  Information on individuals is available.  The entire family, including sources, is included on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.

---

Sources:

¹Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA, Part 2, Page 19, Line 20.  This marriage register names the groom as William B. Coffey and the bride as Mary F. Masters with E.F. Coffey and John Masters as security.
²Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse Newsletter (Jefferson City, MO: Bonnie Culley, March 1996.  Winifred, dau. of John and Jane (Jean) Graves Coffee. One of their children, Martha "Patsy" Moran m. John DeMasters. John served in Rev. War and Martha drew a pension on his war record. See Issue 62, page 9 at http://tinyurl.com/qbfdt2c
³Nelson Co., VA Death Register, Page 22, line 5
#"Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRSH-G13 : accessed 25 Feb 2013), B. E. Coffy and I. B. Jackson, 03 Feb 1892; citing reference Page 8-5, FHL microfilm 34255. This child has not been found in the census record with the Edmund F. Coffey who married Mary Jane Camden.
±"Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZR-CQS : accessed 25 Feb 2013), E. F. Coffey and Sarah M. Smith, 18 Nov 1867; citing reference p 20 ln 54, FHL microfilm 32734.
*Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA, Part 2, Page 63, Line 11.
**"Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZT-QPX : accessed 09 Mar 2013), Peter Fitzgerald and Nancy Coffey, 18 Jan 1848.

Pulaski Patterson Campbell

The Campbell, Fitzgerald and Coffey families of Virginia will forever be entangled and no more so than in Nelson Co., VA.

 Pulaski Patterson Campbell was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Campbell.

Alexander was a son of Jesse C. ( for Coffey?) and Mary Campbell. Jesse C. was a son of John and Amelia "Milley" Coffey Campbell. Amelia was a daughter of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey. Alexander married Elizabeth J. Fitzgerald on Aug. 31, 1857* in Nelson Co. Elizabeth was a daughter of Benjamin and Malinda Fitzgerald however, I have not yet looked for them.

There are very probably more children but, I know of only four for Alexander and Elizabeth, all born in Nelson Co.:

Sophia Jane, born c1857; Pulaski Patterson, born May 22, 1860, died Jan. 1, 1944; Matilda A., born c1861; and Melvina, born c1863.

Pulaski married Luticia Campbell on Feb. 14, 1883 in Nelson Co.  Some genealogies and at least one census record refers to her as Lucy.  She was the daughter of William and Susan Ann Mawyer Campbell.  William was the son of Joel and Nancy Coffey Campbell.  Nancy was the daughter of Edmond Steward Coffey, Jr. and his wife, Matilda "Tildy" Fitzgerald.  Edmond Stewart was brother to Amelia who married  Jesse C. Campbell.

Obituary for Pulaski and and Luticia:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 4, 1944

A double funeral was held at Mt. Carmel near Steele's Tavern Sunday at 2:00 o'clock for Mr. and Mrs. Pulaski Patterson Campbell.

Mrs. Campbell died December 31st, at their home near Stuarts Draft with influenza. She was 76 years of age.

Mr. Campbell who had been ill for a number of years, died at their home Saturday, January 1st. He was 85 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are survived by six sons, Burtie G. Campbell, William A. Campbell, Admiral D. Campbell, Churchill G. Campbell, Paul G. Campbell, and Hersey F. Campbell; three daughters, Sadie B. Coffey, Mattie H. Sorrells, and Lilly M. Bradley; and by 36 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Campbell is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mattie Tarry, of Stuarts Draft. Active pallbearers were: Raymond Campbell, Tinsley Campbell, Hardy Coffey, Johnnie Campbell, Eldridge Sorrells, Willie Campbell, Jerry Painter, Downie Painter, Elmer Lott, Ollie S. Lotts, Brent Coffey and Leftwick Campbell

Confused yet?  Yeah, me too!

Pulaski and Lutitia were parents of [probably] ten children:

1 - Siddie Belle, born Mar, 25, 1886 in Montebello, Nelson Co., died Jun. 9, 1973.  She married Massie Franklin Coffey on Sep. 28, 1908 in Nelson Co.  He was a son of Ryland and Martha Wyatt Fortune Coffey.  Massie was born Apr. 28, 1886 and died Sep. 22, 1973.  They are buried at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Cemetery at Steeles Tavern in Augusta Co., VA.  They were parents of at least eight children:  Dorothy, Genettie, Davis, Hugh, Sadie, Paul Hardy, Erskine, and Lorraine.  More info is available on request for some of these children.

2 - Bertie G., born Jan., 1887 in Montebello.  In at least one census he was enumerated as a female.  I believe he was male and will do more searching at a later date.

3 - Mattie Hall, born Apr. 7, 1889 in Montebello, died Jan. 27, 1977 in Waynesboro.  Mattie married Andrew Givens Sorrels, born c1874.  Andrew is said to be buried at the Pleas Taylor Family cemetery in Nelson Co.**  Mattie is buried at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro.  Andrew was a son of George D. & Bethanie Fitzgerald Sorrels.

Her obituary:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 28, 1977

Mrs. Mattie Hall Sorrells, 87, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in a local nursing home.  She was born in Montebello, April 7, 1889, a daughter of the late Pulaski P. and Luticia Campbell.  She was the widow of Andy Givens Sorrells, who died in May, 1943.

She is survived by two sons, Thurman E. Sorrells of Route 1, Grottoes, and Andy G. Sorrells Jr. of Richmond; one brother, Paul Gay Campbell of Amherst; one sister, Mrs. William H. (Lillie) Bradley of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of the Etter Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Bradford Moles, with interment in Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Thurman Sorrells Jr., Michael Sorrells, Mitchell Sorrells, Leslie Sorrells, Kenneth Bradley and Erskine Coffey.  Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews and friends attending the service.

The body will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight.

4 - Sadie R., born Jun., 1892.  In 1910 she was enumerated as a male child named Will.

5 - Churchill Gardner, born Jun. 23, 1894 in Montebello, died Jun. 8, 1954 and buried at Mount Paran Baptist Church cemetery in Nelson Co.  Churchill married Lovie Dean Sorrels on Feb. 24, 1918*** in Nelson Co.  She was the daughter of Wilda Gay "Willie" and Martha Ida Fitzgerald Sorrels.  Lovie died on Sep. 3, 1968 and is also buried at Mount Paran.  Their children were:  Gardner; Wildie, Martha, and Estie.

6 - George O., born Dec., 1896 in Montebello.  In the 1910 census this child was named Dewey.

7 - Paul Gay, born Apr. 2, 1899, died Dec. 15, 1977 and buried at Jonesboro Baptist Church cemetery at Jonesboro, Nelson Co.  Paul was married c1927 to Mazie G. Taylor, a daughter of Lafayette Givens and Lillie May Coffey Taylor.  Mazie was born on Aug. 13, 1911 in Nelson Co. and died on Jan. 31, 2005.  She is also buried at Jonesboro.  I know of one child, Paul, born c1933 in Nelson Co.

8 - Huey S., born Feb., 1900.

9 - Hercy F., born c1902.  Missing from family in 1910 census.

10 - Lillie M., born c1904.   Also missing from family in 1910 census.

Pulaski and Lutitia can be found in Massies Mill census records from 1900 through 1940.

More work needs to be done on this family.  Additions and corrections welcomed.

Jack

PS:  Re: Jonesboro cemetery.  References that I have found to this cemetery on Find-A-Grave place it at Roseland, in Nelson Co.  Searching Google maps for Roseland and Jonesboro revealed that they are more or less wide spots along the Patrick Henry Hwy. and, about a mile or so apart.  I have chosen to use Jonesboro as the home of this cemetery because that's where it's located and, Jonesboro is the name of the church.

---

 *Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940; Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZB-D6T : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Alex Campbell and Eliz. J. Fitzgerald, 31 Aug 1857; citing reference pg 5 ln 18, FHL microfilm 32734.

**Lynn Coffey, editor, "Backroads," privately published newspaper, published at Love, Nelson Co., VA, 1981-2006., Vol. 18, No. 226, Nov., 2000, Page 9.

*** Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZ5-T5H : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Churchill G. Campbell and Lovey D. Sorrels, 24 Feb 1918; citing reference p 159 ln 13, FHL microfilm 32734.

Joel & Nancy Coffey Campbell

In November of last year I wrote a brief blog about this family.  Since that time I have been frustrated in  attempts to figure out if Joel Campbell, enumerated in the 1850 Nelson Co., VA census as a son of Joel and Nancy Coffey Campbell was really Joseph Cabell Campbell, born c1831 in Nelson Co.  I have since decided that he is and, entering Joel as his name in 1850 was a census error.

Joel and Nancy had nine children, none of them named Joel.  This is how I now have the family configured:

---

First Generation

1. Joel Campbell was born circa 1790 in Virginia. Joel Campbell and Nancy Coffey were married on Sep. 8, 1817 in Lovingston, Nelson Co., VA.1 Joel and Nancy appeared in the census on Nov. 15, 1850 in Nelson Co., VA.2 Some of the children in the 1850 census may not belong to Joel and Nancy. They were not listed in birth order in the census. Nancy Coffey, daughter of Edmond Stewart Coffey and Matilda Fitzgerald, was born circa 1800 in Virginia. Nancy appeared in the census on Jul. 3, 1860 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.3

Joel Campbell and Nancy Coffey had the following children:

+2 i. Rachel A. Campbell, born ca 1825, Virginia; married George Washington Coffey, Nov. 20, 1842, Nelson Co. VA; died Dec. 1881, Nelson Co., VA.

3 ii. Matilda Campbell was born circa 1830 in Virginia. This may be the Matilda Campbell who married John W. Fortune. They were the parents of Martha Wyatt Coffey who married Ryland Coffey.

+4 iii. Reuben Lee Campbell, born ca 1831, Nelson Co. VA; married Mary Jane Bridge, Aug. 22, 1856, Augusta Co., VA.

5 iv. Nancy Campbell was born circa 1832 in Virginia.

+6 v. Joseph Cabell Campbell, born ca 1831, Virginia; married Violetta Bridge, ca 1850, Virginia; married Mary Frances Lunsford, Dec. 28, 1864, Augusta Co., VA; married Martha Bowling , Nov. 27, 1879, Nelson Co. VA; ; died ca 1894.

7 vi. Lilly Campbell was born circa 1833 in Virginia.

+8 vii. Henry Campbell, born ca 1834, Virginia; married Lucy Ann Everitt, Nov. 2, 1865, Nelson Co. VA.

+9 viii. Francis Vanvert Campbell, born ca 1836, Virginia; married Nancy M. H. Campbell, Mar. 29, 1860, Nelson Co, VA; died 1894, Virginia.

+10 ix. William Campbell, born ca 1841, Nelson Co. VA; married Susan Ann Mawyer, Nov. 2, 1865, Nelson Co. VA. William did not appear with this family in the 1850 census.

Second Generation

2. Rachel A. Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1825 in Virginia. Rachel appeared in the census on Jun. 11, 1880 in Nelson Co., VA.4 Rachel died in Nelson Co., VA in Dec. 1881 of pneumonia. Rachel A. Campbell and George Washington Coffey were married on Nov. 20, 1842 in Nelson Co. VA.5 Rachel and George appeared in the census on Sep. 14, 1860 in Nelson Co., VA.6 Rachel and George appeared in the census on Sep. 3, 1870 in Nelson Co., VA.7 George Washington Coffey, son of William Coffey and Elizabeth Giles, was born circa 1814. George died in Virginia before 1880. Rachel was a widow in that census year.

George Washington Coffey and Rachel A. Campbell had the following children:

+11 i. Letitia Coffey, born ca 1843, Nelson Co., VA; married Jesse Demastus, Dec. 25, 1862, Nelson Co., VA.

+12 ii. Ryland Coffey, born ca 1846, Nelson Co., VA; married Martha Wyatt Fortune, Jun. 20, 1867, Nelson Co., VA.

+13 iii. Sarah C. "Lila" Coffey, born ca 1852, Tye River, Nelson Co., VA; married Joseph C. Hewitt, Oct. 27, 1870, Nelson Co. VA; died Jun. 27, 1871, Meadows, Nelson Co., VA.

+14 iv. Joseph Marshall Coffey, born Jul. 18, 1854, Nelson Co., VA; married Martha Walker Demastus, Nov. 15, 1877, Nelson Co., VA; married Martha Coffey, Jun. 15, 1922, Nelson Co. VA; died Feb. 27, 1930, Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., VA.

+15 v. Viola M. A. Coffey, born 1859, Nelson Co., VA; married Nicholas A. Coffey, Jul. 24, 1882, Nelson Co., VA; died Dec. 1931, Virginia.

16 vi. William Henry Coffey was born circa 1862 in Nelson Co., VA.

4. Reuben Lee Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1831 in Nelson Co. VA.

Reuben Lee Campbell and Mary Jane Bridge were married on Aug. 22, 1856 in Augusta Co., VA.8 Reuben and Mary appeared in the census on Jul. 31, 1860 in Staunton (Independent City), VA.9 Reuben and Mary lived with her father in Fishersville, Augusta Co., VA on Aug. 12, 1870.10 Reuben and Mary appeared in the census on Jun. 4, 1880 in Augusta Co., VA.11 Mary Jane Bridge, daughter of James S. Bridge and Nancy Lee, was born in 1837 in Augusta Co., VA.

Reuben Lee Campbell and Mary Jane Bridge had the following children:

17 i. Charles Campbell was born circa 1857 in Virginia. 18 ii. John Campbell was born circa 1859 in Virginia. 19 iii. Nancy J. "Nannie" Campbell was born circa 1863 in Virginia. 20 iv. Angelina Campbell was born circa 1869 in Virginia. 21 v. William F. Campbell was born circa 1872 in Virginia. 22 vi. Matilda Campbell was born circa 1875 in Virginia.

6. Joseph Cabell Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1831 in Virginia. Joseph lived with the James Bridge family in Augusta Co., VA on Sep. 26, 1850. Joseph lived with his mother in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA on Jul. 3, 1860. Between 1861 and 1865 Joseph served in Rives' Co., Nelson Light Artillery Battery during the Civil War.12 Joseph died circa 1894.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Violetta Bridge were married circa 1850 in Virginia. Violetta Bridge, daughter of James S. Bridge and Nancy Lee, was born circa 1833 in Augusta Co., VA.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Violetta Bridge had the following children:

+23 i. Lawson J. Campbell, born Nov. 1851, Virginia; married Susan Mildred Truslow, Dec. 15, 1873, Nelson Co. VA; died Jan. 23, 1928, Virginia.

24 ii. Rubin Campbell was born circa 1856 in Virginia.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Mary Frances Lunsford were married on Dec. 28, 1864 in Augusta Co., VA.15 Joseph and Mary appeared in the census on Sep. 12, 1870 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.16 Mary Frances Lunsford, daughter of William Lunsford and Sarah Hight, was born circa 1847 in Virginia.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Mary Frances Lunsford had the following children:

25 i. Tinsley A. Campbell was born circa 1866 in Virginia. 26

    ii. Joseph C. Campbell was born circa 1868 in Virginia. 27

   iii. Martial Campbell was born circa 1872 in Virginia. 28 iv. Evelind Campbell was born circa 1875 in Virginia.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Martha Bowling were married on Nov. 27, 1879 in Nelson Co. VA.13 Joseph and Martha appeared in the census on Jun. 15, 1880 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.14 Martha Bowling was born in 1858 in Nelson Co. VA.  There are no known children.

8. Henry Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1834 in Virginia. Henry Campbell and Lucy Ann Everitt were married on Nov. 2, 1865 in Nelson Co. VA.17 Lucy Ann Everitt, daughter of John Everitt and Mildred Ray Coffey, was born circa 1840 in Nelson Co, VA.

9. Francis Vanvert Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1836 in Virginia. Francis died in Virginia in 1894. Francis Vanvert Campbell and Nancy M. H. Campbell were married on Mar. 29, 1860 in Nelson Co, VA.18 Francis and Nancy appeared in the census on Jul. 3, 1860 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.19 Nancy M. H. Campbell, daughter of Francis Jefferson Campbell and Sarah Ann Grove, was born on Apr. 10, 1844 in Nelson Co, VA. Her marriage record to Francis Coffey reports her birth place as Bath Co., VA. There are no other indications that her parents were ever in that county.

10. William Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1841 in Nelson Co. VA. William was not included in the 1850 census.

William Campbell and Susan Ann Mawyer were married on Nov. 2, 1865 in Nelson Co. VA.20 Susan Ann Mawyer, daughter of C. Mawyer and M. A. , was born circa 1850 in Albemarle Co., VA.

---

This family is still a bit suspect and will continue to be reviewed and altered until it is accurate.  Corrections are welcomed!

---

Sources

1. Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Part 1 is from Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926 and and only includes entries for Coffey surnames thru 1899. See the files located at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/vitals/marr0001.txt, Part 2, Page 10, Line 27. License Date: 29 Aug 1817, Marriage Date: 8 Sep 1817, Security: Edmund Coffey. 


2. United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for year cited:. 1850 Nelson Co., Page 560, dwelling/family 915, Joel Campbell, age 60, male, farmer, $700, born VA; Nancy, age 40, female, born VA; Joel, age 22, male, born VA; Lilly, age 17, female, born VA; Nancy, age 18, female, born VA; Rachel, age 25, female, born VA; Matilda, age 20, female, born VA; Reuben, age 18, male, born VA; Henry, age 16, male, born VA; Francis, age 14, male, born VA. 


3. United States Federal Census. 1860 VA, Nelson Co., Massies Mill, Page 33, dwelling/family 243, Nancy Campbell, age 61, female, $70, $125, born VA; Joseph C., age 29, male, farming, born VA; Henry, age 26, male, born VA; William, age 23, male, born VA. 


4. United States Federal Census. 1880 Nelson Co., ED113, Page 13, dwelling/family 103, Coffey, Rachael [sic] white female, age 59, widow, farmer, born VA, parents born VA; Violetta, white female, age 19, dau., single, at school, born VA, parents born VA. 


5. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), index entries derived from copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Virginia. groom's name: Washington Coffey groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Rhoda [sic] Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date:20 Nov 1842 marriage place:Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p 44. 


6. United States Federal Census. 1860 Nelson Co., Massies Mill, Page 143, dwelling/family 1025, Washington Coffey, age 45, male, farmer, $__, $170, born Nelson Co.; Rachel, age 35, female, born Nelson Co; Meartetia(?), age 17, female, born Nelson Co;, Rila [sic], age 12, male, born Nelson Co;, Laula [sic], age 9, female, born Nelson Co; Joseph, age 7, male, born Nelson Co; Latetia, age 5, female, born Nelson Co. This family apparently missed the 1850 census. 


7. United States Federal Census. 1870 Nelson Co., Dist. 2, Massies Mill Twp., Lovingston PO, Page 71, dwelling 555, dwelling 583, Coffey, Geo. Washington, age 56, male, white, farmer, $273, $200, born VA; Rachel, age 49, female, white, keeping house, born VA; Lalla Kite [sic], age 17, female, white, at home, born VA; Joseph, age 13, male, white farm laborer, born VA; Violet, age 11, female, white, at home, born VA; William Henry, age 8, male, white, at home, born VA. 


8. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. Groom's Name: Reuben Campbell Groom's Birth Date: 1831 Groom's Birthplace: Nelson Co., Va. Groom's Age: 25 Bride's Name: Mary Jane Bridge Bride's Birth Date: 1837 Bride's Birthplace: Augusta Co., Va. Bride's Age: 19 Marriage Date: 22 Aug 1856 Marriage Place: Augusta, Virginia Groom's Father's Name: Joseph Campbell Groom's Mother's Name: Nancy Coffey Bride's Father's Name: James Bridge Bride's Mother's Name: Nancy Lee Groom's Race: Groom's Marital Status: Single Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: Bride's Marital Status: Single Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M86847- System Origin: Virginia-EASy Source Film Number: 30416 Reference Number: No. 340 Collection: Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940. 


9. United States Federal Census. 1860 Augusta Co., 1st Dist., Staunton PO, Page 122, dwelling 720, family 738, Reuben Campbell, age 26, male, born VA; Mary J., age 23, female, born VA; Charles, age 3, male, born VA; John, age 10 mos., born VA. A neighbor was Mildred J. Bridge, age 40, a matron with eight children in the household. Another was the James Bridge family, apparently a widower and age 57 with six children in the household. James appears to be the same James as Mary's father. Two farms away was the Morris Coffey family with wife Milly and child Mary Ann E., age 6 mos. Also in the household was Susan Lewis, age 25, who was enumerated as a servant. 


10. United States Federal Census. 1870 Augusta Co., South River Twp., Fishersville PO, page 31, dwelling 212, family 215, Bridge, James, Sr., age 62, male, white, farmer, $400, $100, born VA; Campbell, Reuben, age 35, male, white, farmer, born VA; Mary Jane, age 34, female, white, keeping house, born VA; Charles, age 13, male, white, age home, born VA; John, age 10, male, white, at home, born VA; Nanny J., age 7, female, white, born VA; Angelina, age 1, female, white, born VA. 


11. United States Federal Census. 1880 Augusta Co., South River Dist., ED21, Page 9, dwelling/family 58, Campbell, Reuben, white male, age 48, married, farmer, born VA, parents born VA; Mary J., white female, age 40, wife, keeps house, born VA, parents born VA; John T., white male, age 18, son, works on farm, born VA; Nancy, white female, age 13, dau., at home, bornVA; Wm. F., white male, age 8, son, born VA; Matilda, white female, age 5, dau., born VA. 


12. US Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, National Park Service, database on-line at www.itp.nps.gov/cwss/. Name: Joseph C Campbell Residence: Massies Mill, Virginia Rank at enlistment: Private State Served: Virginia Survived the War?: Yes Service Record: Enlisted in Company Rives', Virginia Nelson Light Artillery Battery. Description: height: 5 ft. 11 in., dark complexion, grey eyes, dark hair. Sources: Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records The Virginia Regimental Histories Series. 


13. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. groom's name: J. C. Campbell groom's birth date:1832 groom's birthplace: Nelson Co. groom's age:47 bride's name: Martha Bowling bride's birth date:1858 bride's birthplace:Nelson Co. bride's age: 21 marriage date:27 Nov 1879 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name:Nancy bride's father's name: Edmond S. bride's mother's name:Matilda (Incorrect! They were groom's grandparents.) groom's race: White groom's marital status: Widowed groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: White bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p42 ln89 . 


14. United States Federal Census. 1880 VA, Massies Mill, ED114, Page No. 30-31, dwelling/family 280, Campbell, Jocepl [sic], white male, age 48, farming, born VA, parents born VA; Marthie, white female, age 21, wife, married, keeping house, born VA, parents born VA; Tinsley, white male, age 13, son, single, farm hand, born VA; William, white male, age 12, son, single, farm hand, born VA; Martial, white male, age 8, son, single, born VA; Evelind, white female, age 5, dau., single, born VA; Henderson, Cate, white female, age 19, boarder, born VA, parents born VA. None of the children in the Campbell household at this census were Martha's. John J. Coffey was a boarder in the Jeremiah Falls/Fawls household, just a few farms away from the Campbell farm. 


15. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. groom's name: Joseph C. Campbell groom's birth date:1829 groom's birthplace:Nelson Co., Va. groom's age:35 bride's name:Mary Frances Lunsford bride's birth date:1845 bride's birthplace: Nelson Co., Va. bride's age:19 marriage date: 28 Dec 1864 marriage place:Augusta, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel Campbell groom's mother's name: Nancy Coffin [sic] [Coffey] bride's father's name: William Lunsford bride's mother's name: Sarah Hight groom's race: groom's marital status: Widowed groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86847-3 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:30416 reference number:No. 1545. In 1870, Mary Francis gave her age as 23 yrs., indicating a birth year of 1847. 


16. United States Federal Census. 1870 Nelson Co., Massies Mill Twp., Lovingston PO, Page 94, dwelling 722, family 761, Campbell, Joseph C., age 40, male, white, farm laborer, $500, born VA; Francis [sic], age 23, female, white, keeping house, born VA; Rubin, age 18, male, white, farm laborer, born VA; Lawson, age 14, male, white, farm laborer, born VA; Tinsley A., age 3, male, white, born VA; Joseph C., age 2, male, white, born VA; Henderson, Catharine, age 12, female, white, house servant, born VA. 


17. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org, index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZ5-Z43 : accessed 4 June 2012), Lucy Ann Everett, 1865. groom's name: Hy [sic] Campbell groom's birth date:1837 groom's birthplace:Nelson Co., Va. groom's age: 28 bride's name: Lucy Ann Everett bride's birth date:1840 bride's birthplace: Nelson Co., Va. bride's age: 25 marriage date: 26 Oct 1865 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name: Nancy bride's father's name:Jno. bride's mother's name:Mildred groom's race: groom's marital status: Single groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p 14 ln 56. 


18. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org, index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZT-NMJ : accessed 4 June 2012), Nancy H. M. Campbell, 1860. groom's name: Francis Campbell groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Nancy H. M. Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date: 29 Mar 1860 marriage place:Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status:Unknown groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number: M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p 75.  Another record from the same source reads: groom's name:F. Campbell groom's birth date: 1841 groom's birthplace: Nelson Co. groom's age:19 bride's name:N. H. M. Campbell bride's birth date: 1844 bride's birthplace: Bath Co. bride's age:16 marriage date: 29 Mar 1860 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name:Mary bride's father's name: Francis bride's mother's name:Sarah groom's race: groom's marital status: Single groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:pg 8 ln 18 . 


19. United States Federal Census. 1860 VA, Nelson Co., Massies Mill, Page 33, dwelling/family 244, Francis Campbell, age 22, male, born VA; Amanda, age 17, female, born VA. 20. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. groom's name: Wm. Campbell groom's birth date: 1841 groom's birthplace: Nelson Co. groom's age: 24 bride's name: Susan Ann Mawyer bride's birth date: 1850 bride's birthplace: Albemarle bride's age: 15 marriage date: 02 Nov 1865 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name: Nancy bride's father's name: Childres bride's mother's name: Margaret groom's race: groom's marital status: Single groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number: M86879-0 system origin: Virginia-EASy source film number: 32734 reference number: p 14 ln 60.

Joel Hamilton Malicoat

Joel Hamilton Malicoat is said to have been born on Feb. 6, 1818 in TN to Dedman and Levina Thacker Malicoat. I cannot verify that through any record that I have found. Neither can I verify that his middle name was Hamilton. Middle names were not all that common in the era of his birth.

An extract of a Bible record sent to me in 1995 e-mail reads:

Grainger County Bible Records - Mallicoat Bible

Original owner Joel Mallicoat, present owner, Adam Mallicoat, Bean Station, Tn. Copied by Johnny Atkins, Bean Station, Tn Oct 1, 1937

Joel Mallicoat born Feb 6, 1818

Family Record: Joel Mallicoat was born in the year 1818, Feb 6th, and Margaret Wolfe, his last wife was born in the year 1832 November 3rd. and we were married in the year 1850. Martha Allen, my first wife was born in the year 1822 June 7th, and was married Dec 3, 1840. James L. Mallicoat born Dec 10, 1841

William Sheaddie born Oct 15, 1843 Nancy Jane born May 19th 1845 Wiley Mc. Henderson born Jan 23, 1848 Martha Mallicoat died Feb 12, 1848 Nathaniel N. Mallicoat died June 18, 1854 John Mallicoat died 10th May 1857 The little girl died April 29, 1859 L. Mallicoat was killed Jan 21, 1865 Margaret Mallicoat my last wife died May 21, 1883 William Mallicoat died Feb 23, 1908 Joel Mallicoat went into the Civil War in 1861 and came out in 1866; he was the father of 12 children.

I know that a Joel Malicoat married Margaret Wolfe in Grainger Co., TN on Aug. 14, 1850.  He and Margaret appeared in the Grainger Co., TN federal census record from 1860 until 1880.  According to the above Bible record, Margaret died on May 21, 1883.  children from this marriage were: Eliza; Mary L., Henry L., married Hannah Dalton; Martha E., Adam W., Lydia, married John Timothy Dalton and Harley who married Ethel Malena Coffey, daughter of Asbury and Martha Corder Coffey.


Joel married again on Sep. 2, 1883, this time to Julia A. Hipshire Coffey.  I know of no children born to this union.

An entry at Find-A-Grave (FAG) for a Joel Hamilton Malicoat, born 1837 in TN, died in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., IN in 1927, says he was the husband of Martha Allen.  Information included with his FAG memorial says that he came to MO when a year old.  The creator of the memorial page also reports that Joel Hamilton and Martha A. were parents of:

"Florabelle (b. Dec. 14, 1859), Hester Evelyn (b. Feb. 8, 1861), Horace Hamilton (b. Feb. 28, 1863), Fred (b. Aug. 2, 1865), Rilla (b. March 8, 1869), Maude (b. June 24, 1871), Anna (b. March 22, 1874), and Charlie (b. Dec. 15, 1875); enlisted as a CPL in Co. G, 38TH IND INF on Sept. 18, 1861; discharged for disability, April 1862"

Joel's obituary, also posted on his FAG memorial, reads in part:

"He is survived by the widow, two sons, H. H. of this city, and Harley of Ellettsville, three daughters, Mrs. Flora Campbell, Detroit, Mrs. Rilla Stevenson, Hammond, and Mrs. Maude Koss, this city."

Their children, as I have them and all born in TN were:  James L., born 1841; William L., born 1843; Nancy Jane, born 1845 and Wiley, born 1848.  These children appeared in the 1860 census with Joel and wife Margaret Wolfe.  Because they married in 1850, the children are apparently Joel's by a previous union.  Joel and Margaret's children were:  Eliza, Mary, born c1853; Henry L., born 1854; Martha, born c1856; Adam, born May, 1860, Lydia, born Dec., 1862 and Harley, born Dec. 15, 1875.  I have not found a son named Harley in any household with Joel and his three wives and have to conclude that he must belong to the Joel Hamilton Malicoat buried at Ellettsville.  Harley was born in that town and married Ethel Malena Coffey in Owen Co., IN on Jan. 30, 1913.

In 1870 children remaining in the household with Joel and Margaret were:  Henry, Martha, Adam, Liddie and Eliza.  In 1880 only Adam, Lida [sic] and Eliza remained at home.

I tend to believe that Joel Malicoat in TN was not named Joel Hamilton Malicoat.  None of his marriage records or census records even hint at a middle name or initial.  I do not know what to believe about his marriage to Martha Allen as given in the above Bible record.  Perhaps Joel's marriage to Martha Allen was coincidental to the marriage of Joel Hamilton Malicoat to Martha Evelyn Allen!?

James & Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey Bridge

Descendants of Jordan Coffey know that Jane Coffey, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey, is considered by many to be the mother of Jordan*.  His father is known through DNA testing of descendants to have been a Taliaferro.

Some, interested only in Jane do not realize that she had a younger sister, Elizabeth, born c1775 in either Amherst or Nelson Co., VA who married James Bridge.  James' birth date is not known but speculatively it was c1775.  He and Elizabeth were married on Sep. 15, 1795 in Amherst Co.

My research shows their first child, William, wasn't born until 1801 in Nelson Co.  There were probably some born earlier but I have found no record.  William died on Mar. 22, 1879 in Back Creek, Augusta Co.  Nothing is known by me of his life between birth and death.

Edmond C., born c1802 was next.  He married Martha W. Tyler of Apr. 29, 1824 in Amherst Co.  Like William, I know nothing of his life with Martha.

Elizabeth was third born c1805.  She married Spotswood Padgett on Nov. 24, 1824 in Amherst Co. and together they were parents to at least seven children:  Frances Jane, c1826; Elizabeth, c1828; Reuben Beverly, b1829; James, c1833; Catharine, c1837; Mary A., c1839 and, Martha W., c1844.

Elizabeth married Leonard S. S. Farnsworth, a son of Nathaniel and Pamela Simonder [sic] Farnsworth, on Jul. 3, 1856.

Reuben Beverly married Minerva J. Rankin, a daughter of John B. and Elizabeth Sheets Rankin, on Aug. 30, 1854 in Augusta Co.

James S. followed Elizabeth in 1808.  He married Nancy Lee on Jun. 27, 1832 in Nelson Co.  Nancy was born in VA in 1803 and died at Back Creek Augusta Co. on Aug. 6, 1855.  James died Nov. 28, 1870 in Augusta C.  Their children were Violetta, born c1833; Alexander, c1834; Mary Jane, c1837; Jefferson, born c1839 and Jesse Richardson, born May 30, 1844.

Violetta married Joseph Cabell Campbell, a son of Francis Jefferson Campbell II and his wife, Nancy Coffey.  Nancy was a daughter of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey.  Joseph and Violetta were parents of at least two children:  Lawson J., born Nov. 1851, died Jan. 23, 1928.  Lawson married Susan Mildred Truslow on Dec. 15, 1873 in Nelson Co.  

She and Lawson had a number of children, one of which married Grace M. Coffey, daughter of Andrew Jackson and Rebecca Campbell Coffey.  His name was Grover Cleveland Campbell, born Aug. 18, 1886, died Apr. 16, 1955 in Lynchburg, VA.  He and Grace were married on Dec. 25, 1904 in Nelson Co.

Jesse Odom followed James S.  He was born in 1810 and died on Sep. 2, 1859 at Back Creek.  I know nothing of his life between those dates.

Mary Ann was the last of James and Elizabeth's children.  She was born c1815 and married Nicholas Demastus, a son of John and Martha "Patsy" Moran Demastus.  Nicholas was born of Feb. 18, 1788 and married Mary Ann on Jan. 23, 1837 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co.

There are a lot of unknowns for James and Elizabeth; e.g., when and where were they born, who were his parents and, when/where did they die?

*James Bridge provided the surety bond when Jordan married Elizabeth Rippetoe in 1803.

---

Sources:  Amherst Co. Marriage Records, 1763-1821; Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940; Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1902; US Federal Census, 1850-1880; Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850

Coffey & Campbell in Nelson Co., VA

According to his Oct. 1, 1823 will*, Francis J. and Isabell Catlett Campbell had four children.

IN THE NAME OF GOD! AMEN.  I FRANCIS CAMPBELL in the County of Nelson.  Being weak in  body but sound in mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make  and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)  principally and first.

I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my body to the Earth to be buried  in a Christian like manner, at the discretion of my Executors here and after named and first,  I request that all my just debts shall be paid; and as touching the residue of my worldly  estate as God hath blest me with.  I do leave in the manner and form following ______:

I leave and bequeath to my beloved wife Is(a)bell Campbell the third of my Estate during her  natural life at the discretion of my Executors.  The residue of my estate to be equally  divided between my two sons and two daughters viz. Francis Campbell; Polley Gregory, Joel  Campbell, and Rachel Gregory, share and share alike, only I give and bequeath to my son Joel  Campbell my house existing nary all which is to them and their heirs forever; - and further  it is my will and desire that the line made by myself and John Masters (between him and myself)  to stand forever.  And lastly I do appoint my sons Francis and Joel my sole Executors of this  my last will and Testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills by me made and  declare this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and  seal this first day of October eighteen hundred and twenty-three.

                                              His
                                     Francis   X   Campbell (Seal)
                                             Mark

Signed, sealed and delivered by the above named Francis Campbell to be his Last Will and Testament

Benjamin Hatter
John Coffey
Edmund F. Coffey

Francis J. Campbell II appears to be the eldest, born c1780 in VA, died 1855 in Nelson Co.  He married Nancy Coffey, said to be a daughter of Edmond S., Sr. and Nancy Barnett Coffey, on Feb. 26, 1806 in Amherst Co.**  He was followed by Mary "Polly" Campbell, Joel, born c1790, and Rachel.

Joel also married a Nancy Coffey, said to be a sister to Edmond S., Jr. whose parents were Edmond Sr. and Tildy Fitzgerald Coffey.

It gets more confusing!

Joel and Nancy had a number of children, believed to be as follows:

Rachel A., born c1821, died Dec. 1881, Nelson Co.
Reuben Lee, born c1828
Joel, also born c1828
Matilda, born c1830
Nancy, born c1832
Francis Vanvert, born c1836
Henry, born c1837
William, born c1841

The family appeared in the 1850 Nelson Co census as follows:

1850 Nelson Co., Page 560, dwelling/family 915, Joel Campbell, age 60, male, farmer, $700, born VA; Nancy, age 40, female, born VA; Joel, age 22, male, born VA; Lilly, age 17, female, born VA; Nancy, age 18, female, born VA; Rachel, age 25, female, born VA; Matilda, age 20, female, born VA; Reuben, age 18, male, born VA; Henry, age 16, male, born VA; Francis, age 14, male, born VA

The placement of children makes it appears to me, at least, that either Joel or Nancy had been previously married.  First clue is that Joel is 20+ years older than Nancy.  Further, the daughter Rachel is said to have married Washington "Wash" Coffey in 1842 yet she is still at home in 1850.  A marriage record for Wash names his wife as Rhoda.¹

Interesting to note that the marriage record for Francis J. Campbell names his bride as Nancy Campbell, not Nancy Coffey.***

The Nancy Coffey, daughter of Edmond, Jr. and Tildy, is said to have been born c1779; her spouse Joel in 1790.

Francis and his Nancy Coffey wife are said to have had a number of children, some of which were named Joel, and Rachel, born last in that family.  Two of the first three children born to Joel and his Nancy Coffey wife were named Rachel and Joel.

I am thinking that the two Nancy's might be the same people.  She may have first married a Campbell, perhaps Francis and, when he died she married his brother Joel.  Because dates are so inconclusive, we cannot be sure when any of the Campbell sons or either of their Coffey wives was born.  At least I cannot be certain!

In any event, there are enough inconsistencies and lack of source data about this Campbell-Coffey family for us to be suspicious of any genealogy that includes them with any implication that it is accurate.

---

*Lynn Vanderherchen, http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/wills/w-cam01.txt
**Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), index entries derived from copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Virginia. [n.b. According to another source Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850 (Dodd, Jordan R.) the marriage too place on 28 Feb., 1806.  Perhaps 26 Feb. was the license date. This source names the bride as Nancy Campbell.
***Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Part 1 is from Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926 and and only includes entries for Coffey surnames thru 1899. See the files located at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/vitals/marr0001.txt, Part 2, Page 33, Line 2.

¹groom's name: Washington Coffey groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Rhoda [sic] Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date: 20 Nov 1842 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin: Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number :p 44

William Richard & Maude Matilda Coffey Dodd

William Richard was a son of Alexander and Mary Alice Anderson Dodd and was born at Massies Mill, Nelson Co., VA in 1874.  He married Maude Matilda Coffey, a daughter of Ryland and Martha Wyatt Fortune Coffey on Nov. 26, 1899* in Nelson Co.  William died there on Nov. 4, 1965; Mary on Apr. 22, 1963.  Both are buried at Hebron Baptist Church cemetery** in Afton, Nelson Co.

William and Maude had at least four children, two of whom married into the Farrar family, also of Nelson Co.

Clark Hampton Dodd, born Oct. 15, 1902 married Russie Farrar on Dec. 22, 1929* in Staunton, VA.  Russie was born Aug. 28, 1912 and died Sep. 6, 2005.  Clark died Nov. 27, 1986.  Both are also buried at Hebron.

Russie was the daughter of Samuel Thomas and Lillie Myrtle Critzer Farrar.  Samuel was the son of Seaton and Mary M. Orfliter Farrar.  The Farrars are buried at Rodes United Methodist Church*** in Afton.

William and Maude's daughter Roxie, born Apr. 30, 1904, married Russie's brother, Henry Thomas Farrar (date not known).  Henry was born Mar. 28, 1904 in Nelson Co. and died Sep. 19, 1959 in Washington, DC.  Roxie died in Nelson Co. on Dec. 31, 1968.  They too are buried at Hebron.

---

Ryland Coffey, Maude's father was a son of George Washington and Rachel A. Campbell Coffey.  I have not been able to locate details on George or Rachel, but believe he was born c1814 in VA, she c1821 in Nelson Co.

George goes back to Edward through William and Elizabeth "Betsy" Giles Coffey; Edmond S. & Nancy Barnett Coffey; to Edward's son, John and wife Jane Graves.

Seaton Farrar was a son of William H. & Esther Farrar.  Mary Orfliter was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Orfliter. Seaton and Mary were married Dec. 31, 1856* in Lovingston, Nelson Co.  In the 1850 census, The Farrar and Orfliter families were neighbors in Nelson Co.

---

* https://www.familysearch.org, Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,
**Cut and past coordinates into maps.google.com to locate this cemetery: 37 59 19.02, -78 50 3.37
***Use these coordinates to locate Rodes:  37 59 14.08, -78 50 5.68

Margaret Elizabeth Bessie Coffey

There seems to have been two with the same name, both born around the same time in the same place and, both called Bessie!

If you have an Edward Coffey Project CD or DVD, please note the following addition and correction:

The first Margaret Elizabeth Coffey

She was born to Thomas Clingman Coffey and his wife Margaret Coffey.  Thomas was a son of Smith W. & Charity Elizabeth Redmond Coffey; Margaret, a daughter of William Coffey, Jr. and his wife Margaret Robbins.  Smith and William were first cousins, once removed as well as second cousins, once removed (common ancestors were John Coffey and Jane Graves).

This Margaret was born Aug. 14, 1897 in Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 1, 1956 in Lenoir.  She married James Franklin Coffey on Aug. 30, 1916 in Yadkin Valley.  James was a son of Elijah M. and Caroline Amanda "Carrie" Dobbins Coffey.  Thomas Clingman and Elijah were third cousins, once removed.

I know of two children:  Wallace E., born Aug. 11, 1917, died Sep 1, 1992; and Millard Lafayette, born Apr. 2, 1922, died Oct. 25, 1976.

The second Margaret Elizabeth Coffey

She was a sister to James Franklin Coffey.  There is some confusion about her given name:  Some say Margaretta while others say Margaret.  I have it as Margaretta because that's the way it appears in the Caldwell Co. birth register, Vol. 6, Page 266.

She was born Aug. 29, 1894 in Buffalo Cove, Caldwell Co. and married Millard Porter Campbell on Sep. 24, 1916* in Yadkin Valley.  Millard was born Jul. 14, 1894 in Caldwell Co., died of influenza and pneumonia on Jan. 12, 1919 in Lenoir and was buried at Buffalo Cove.  His parents were George W. and Dorcas Elizabeth Beach Campbell.

Margaretta very likely remarried sometime later but so far, I have not found a second marriage record.

---

Please contact me if you know where the Buffalo Cove and/or the Lewis Cemeteries are located.

---

*Groom's Name: Millard Campbell Groom's Birth Date: 1893 Groom's Birthplace: Groom's Age: 23 Bride's Name: Bessie Coffey Bride's Birth Date: 1894 Bride's Birthplace: Bride's Age: 22 Marriage Date: 24 Sep 1916 Marriage Place: Yadkin Valley Groom's Father's Name: George Campbell Groom's Mother's Name: Elizabeth Campbell Bride's Father's Name: Elijah Coffey Bride's Mother's Name: Carrie Coffey Groom's Race: White Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: White Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M74476-1 System Origin: North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number: 590350 Reference Number: Cn 175. North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).

Woodson Robert & Frances C. Coffey Fitzgerald

Sorting out the Fitzgeralds, Campbells and Coffeys of Nelson Co., VA is like trying to put 1000 decks of playing cards back together after tossing them into the air during a hurricane!  Hopefully, I have correctly put together the following!

---

[Update:  11-11-11: Thanks to Brad Fitzgerald of Roanoke, VA I have been able to clarify and update some of the information about this family.  First and probably most important is the correction of the name Robert Woodson to Woodson Robert.  Other chances are noted below.]

---

Woodson Robert Fitzgerald was born in Nelson Co. on Oct. 31, 1807 and died there on Jul. 7, 1886.  He was married on Aug. 23, 1830 to Frances C. Coffey, a daughter of Reuben G. & Nancy Giles Coffey.  Reuben P.* [sic] Coffey was security.  Readers may know that Reuben was a brother to William who married Elizabeth "Betsy" Giles, both daughters of William and Margaret Giles. (anyone know Margaret's maiden name?)  Frances died Nov. 27, 1886 at Massies Mill in Nelson Co. Both are said to be buried at a Fitzgerald Family Cemetery** in Nelson Co.

Their children were at least six.  Approximately 4 years passed after their 1830 marriage before the first known child was born so, perhaps at least one other was born before 1834.

The first child was Mary Jane, born Mar. 17, 1834, died Feb. 14, 1922.  She married Hezekiah Coffey on Dec. 19, 1855 in Nelson Co.  Hezekiah was a son of Edmund Coffey and Martha Snead.  He died in July, 1863 at Gettysburg in Adams Co., PA.

Pension Application:  Hezekiah Coffey, 1889.  Made by his wife, Mary F. Coffey; Transcribed by:  Shirley Moore [w_moore@bellsouth.net]

      Application of a Widow of a Deceased Soldier, Sailor or Marine for a Pension.

     I, Mary F. Coffey, residing at ____ In the County of Nelson In State of Virginia, do hereby apply for aid under an act of the General Assembly entitled :An act to give aid to soldiers, sailors or marines of Virginia, maimed or disabled in the war between the States, and to the widows of Virginia soldiers, sailors and marines who lost their lives in said war in the military service."  And I do swear that I am the widow of Hezekiah Coffey who was a member of Co. F 49th Infantry Regiment and who, while in the discharge of his duty in military service during the late war between the States, lost his life.

And I do further swear that I am not receiving aid from or a pension from any State or from The United States, and that I do not hold any national, State or county office which pays me in fees or salary over three hundred dollars; that my income from no source amounts to three hundred dollars; and that I do not own in my own right property of the assessed value of one thousand dollars; ___ that I am now entitled to receive annually the sum of thirty dollars under the terms of the aforesaid act  of the General Assembly.

And I do further swear that the following answers are true:

1st,  What was the name of the applicants deceased husband?  Ans. Hezekiah Coffey
2d    When and where, as nearly as can be ascertained, did the applicant's husband die, and and from what cause?
Ans.  In July 1863 at Gettysburg _______
3d.   When and where were the applicant and her deceased husband married:
Ans.  In the year 1855 in Nelson Co. Va
4th.  Has the applicant ever married again? Ans. No

                                 Mary F. Coffey (signature)

I, T.P. Fitzpatrick, Judge of the County Court for the County of Nelson do certify that Mary F. Coffey, whose name is signed to the foregoing application, personally  appeared before me in open court, and , having the said application fully read and  explained to her, as well as the statements and answers therein made, she, the said  Mary F. Coffey made oath before me that said statements and answers are true.      Given under my hand this 22nd day of April, 1889.                                      Thos P Fitzpatrick (signature)

Nelson @ No 35
Virginia
Co. of Nelson, TO-WIT:

I, Thos. P. Fitzpatrick, Judge of the ___ Court for the County of Nelson, do  certify that I have carefully enquired and examined into and am fully satisfied from  the evidence adduced before me that each and all of the facts set forth in the within  application are true; that the application is for these reasons approved, and it is  therefore certified  that Mary F. Coffey is entitled to receive annually from the  State of Virginia the sum of thirty dollars.

Given under my hand this 22nd day of  April, 1889.

Thos. P. Fitzpatrick (signature)

Mary Jane died Feb. 14, 1922 and was buried at the Achilles Fitzgerald Family Cemetery.  I think this cemetery is the one at Crab Tree Falls.

They had two children:  Martin Marcellus, born Dec. 27, 1854, died Sep. 24, 1932 in Augusta Co., VA.  His wife was Teressa Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter of James Milton and Ardenia Coffey Fitzgerald.  He and Teressa were married on Dec. 26, 1878 in Nelson Co.  Second child was Sarah Frances, born May 10, 1860 in Nelson Co. and, died Nov. 19, 1906.  Her husband was David Edward Painter, born to John Painter and Nancy Ellen Fitzgerald on Aug. 22, 1856.  He died Jul., 1945 in Nelson Co.

Woodson & Frances' second child was Edward Addison Fitzgerald, born c1838 in Nelson Co., died 1915 in VA.  He married Nancy E. Coffey on Jun. 2, 1865 in Nelson Co.  Her parents were Holloway Stewart Coffey and his wife, Catherine "Kate" Fitzgerald.  Holloway and Frances were first cousins, he a son of William Coffey and Elizabeth Giles.  Children of Edward and Nancy - as I know them - were Blanchetta, born c1866, John Silas, born c1868, Edward Alexander, born about May, 1870 and Raleigh Woodson, born Nov. 4, 1880.  All were born in Nelson Co.

[Update 11-11-11:  Another son, John C. has been found.  He was born c1842 in Nelson Co. and died during the Civil War.  He was a member of  the Nelson Light Artillery, Rives Battery.  He is believed to have died in a (field?) hospital rather than killed in action.  He appears in the Virginia Regimental History book as a member of the Rives Battery and that he was a brother to Philander Hersey Fitzgerald (Brad Fitzgerald of Roanoke provided info on this son)]

Following Edward Addison was Philander Hersey, born Feb., 1844, died Oct. 6, 1925 in Albemarle Co.  He married Amanda Jane Coffey, born c1849.  She was a daughter of Reuben G. and Margaret Snead Coffey.  This Reuben G. was a son of Edmond S. & Nancy Barnett Coffey.  Philander and Amanda were parents to 12  14 children: Ruth J., James Irvin, Linda J., Anna Parker, Perry Dickerson, Eudora, Richard, Gilbert Walker, Quintus, June C., Myrtle Lee, Mittie Jackson, Lloyd Washington, and Dulcie C.

Woodson and Fannie's next child was Sarah Ann, born Sep. 12, 1846, died Apr. 15, 1926.  She married Alexander S. Coffey, a son of the above Holloway Stewart and Catherine Fitzgerald Coffey.  Alexander was born Mar. 2, 1844 and died Jul. 20, 1929 in Nelson Co.  They were married in that county on Jan. 16, 1873.  Their children were: Frances "Fannie" Catherine, Adolphus Franklin, Mary Docia, Robert Alexander, and Charlie Cleveland.

Napoleon Dewey followed Sarah Ann.  He was born Apr. 20, 1847 and died before 1930  Nov. 18, 1922 in Nelson Co.  His wife was Lucinda C. Blackwell, born c1850 in VA.  They had at least 10 children:  William, Cornelia, Robert, Charles Napoleon, Lilly M., Serena, Ella G., Eliza J., Coral L., and Mary Lula.  Charles Napoleon was born Feb. 7, 1875 and died Dec. 26, 1949.  His wife was Melissa Stevens Truslow, daughter of Joseph Walker and Minerva Ann Thompson Truslow.  They were parents of at least nine children but I have not found any that married into the Coffey family.  Names and particulars are available if needed.

One last child of Woodson and Fannie is said to be Josephine, born c1852.  However, I have no other information about her.  She married in Nelson Co. on Dec. 30, 1869 to William H. Blackwell, born c1849 in Rockbridge Co., VA.

I could use some help sorting out the various Fitzgerald Cemeteries from someone with intimate knowledge of the area!

---

*This may be an error.  Frances had a younger brother named Reuben C.
**So far, I have discovered three Fitzgerald cemeteries in Nelson.  One is located on North Fork Road, some distance from Lovingston and is "high on a ridge."  The Fitzgerald Family cemetery referred to in the text is said to be located on the "back side of Fork Mountain" and about 4 miles from Lovingston.  A third is said to be at Crabtree Falls and referred to as the Achilles Fitzgerald Family Cemetery.  I do not yet know which is the correct cemetery for Woodson Robert and Frances.