Samuel Anthony & Lora Destimonia Coffey Aldridge

Lora, a daughter of Joseph Reubin and Martha Elizabeth Gragg Coffey, was born Mar. 3, 1888 in the state of North Carolina.  She died Jun. 12, 1967 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., and was buried in the Hibriten Baptist Church Cemetery at Lenoir.

Samuel was born Feb. 22, 1893 in Watauga Co. to Harrison and Mary Etta Buchanan Aldridge.  He died Mar. 16, 1966 at Lower Creek in Caldwell Co.  Harrison was a son of Harrison, Sr., and Jincy Clark Aldridge.

He and Lora were married in 1915 in Caldwell Co.  He is buried at the Aldridge Family Cemetery in Watauga Co.

Together, he and Lora had at least eight children:

Howard Glenn, born Sep. 13, 1916 in Watauga Co., and died Jun. 6, 1995 in Catawba Co.

Murphy Lail, born 1918 in Watauga Co., and died 1997 in Caldwell Co.

Edith Flo, born Jan. 24, 1920 in Watauga Co., and died Dec. 11, 1995 in Newton, Catawba Co.  She married Roy Alvin Lowman, born Feb. 2, 1919 in Burke Co., and died May 6, 1982 in Catawba Co.

Audrey Claire, born Sep. 8, 1921

Darrell Claude, born Jul. 28, 1923

Gerald Guy, born Jan. 9, 1926 in Watauga Co., and died Jun. 5, 2005 in Morganton, Burke Co.

Lyle Byard, born Feb. 20, 1928

Ula Dade, born Aug. 14, 1931 in Watauga Co., and died May 25, 1997 in Catawba Co.  She married Billy Jackson Hewitt on Dec. 23, 1949 in York Co., SC and are the parents of several children.

Another of Harrison and Jincy's sons, James A., was born Feb. 1, 1853 in Caldwell Co., died Dec. 20, 1939 in North Carolina.  He married on Jun. 6, 1874 Sarah Gragg, a daughter of Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg.  James and Sarah's son, Arthur Blaine Aldridge, born Jun. 16, 1884, died Jun. 11, 1947, married Rosa Lee Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Filmore and Martha E. (Mattie) Story Coffey.  Both Arthur and Rosa Lee died and are buried in Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA.

Harrison and Jincy's daughter, Sarah Jane Aldridge married Baird Simeon Gragg, a son of Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or to correct any of this information.

Silas Milton & Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey

Silas was born Jun 16, 1886 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC to John Caroll and Nancy Evelyn Hartley Coffey. He died there on Nov. 4, 1961 and was buried in the Globe Baptist Church Cemetery at Lenoir in Caldwell Co., NC.

Margaret Caroline was born in 1889, the daughter of Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw. She died Sep. 16, 1975 in Caldwell Co. and, although I do not have proof, is likely buried with Silas at Globe.

They were married on Nov. 5, 1905 and the photograph is a record of their 50th Anniversary celebration.

There were at least 10 children born to Silas and Margaret:

Wilma Jessie, born Dec. 5, 1909 in Mortimer Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 27, 1997 in Caldwell Co. She married Ray L. Cook there in 1930.

Beeler, born Jul. 17, 1911 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 20, 1968 in Whitnel, Caldwell Co. His wife was Lema Lou Green, a daughter of Harlan and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. They were married in Caldwell Co. in 1932. Lena was born Jan. 16, 1915 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Aug. 3, 2000. They had at least three children: Hazel, born Apr. 25, 1938, died Mar. 11, 2003; Kenneth Walter, born Oct. 14, 1940, died Sep. 26, 2001; and Bealer Wayne, born Jan. 20, 1943, died Jul. 5, 2000.

Lema's obituary:

Lema Lou Greene Coffey, 85, of Congress St., Lenoir, died Thursday, Aug. 3, 2000, at Caldwell County Hospice.

She was born Jan. 16, 1915, in Caldwell County to the late Harlan Greene and Lou Ellen Bolick Greene. she was also preceded in death by her husband, Bealer Coffey; one son, Bealer Wayne Coffey; one daughter, Margaret Ellen Williams; one brother, Claude Greene and one sister, Alma Hartley.

She was a homemaker and a member of Globe Baptist Church.

Survivors include two suns [sic] Kenneth Coffey of Hudson and Larry Coffey of Granite Falls; three daughters, Dare Austin, Doris Bumgarner and Hazel Johnson, all of Granite Falls; 23 grandchildren; eight great grandchildren; and a number of great-great-grandchildren.

A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 962 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645.

Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Floyd Raymond, born Jul. 19, 1913 in Edgemont Twp., Caldwell Co., died Oct. 9, 1983 in Caldwell Co. He married Eva Frances Ingram who was born Jun. 11, 1915 in Caldwell Co. They had at least one child, a son Charles Author [sic], born Feb. 3, 1934 and died Feb. 10, 2003 in Valdese, Caldwell Co.

His obituary:

Charles Author Coffey, 69, of Lakeview Acres Drive, Valdese, formerly of Lenoir, died Monday, Feb. 10, 2003, at the residence.

He was born Feb. 3, 1934, in Caldwell County to Eva Ingram Coffey of Valdese and the late Floyd Coffey. He was also preceded in death by two sons, Marty Dean Coffey and Danny Michael Coffey.

He was owner of Coffey & Sons Concrete Finishing Co. and was a member of Light House Ministries in Drexel.

Survivors, in addition to his mother, include his wife, Dollie Crump Coffey of the home; two sons, Jimmy Richard Coffey of Hildebran and Gary Steve Coffey of Gamewell; a daughter, Donna C. O'Neal of Valdese; a brother, Charles Melton Coffey of George Hildebran; six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Thursday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Mike Ferree, Becky Trammel and Cecil Hamby officiating. Burial will follow at Globe Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Coffey, Greg Moore, Rob McGee, Shane Marshall, Scott McLeod and Nolan Clark. Bauch Coffey will be an honorary pallbearer.

Horace M., born 1915

Dock Edward, born 1917, died Jul., 1979. He married Nancy Louise Crump, born Aug. 4, 1924 in Avery Co., NC, died Jan. 29, 2003 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Nancy's obituary:

Nancy Louise Coffey, 78, of 10th Street Blvd., NW, Hickory, formerly of Lenoir, died Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2003, at Frye Regional Medical Center.

She was born Aug. 4, 1924, in Avery County to the late Bill and Mary Jane Woodruff Crump. She was also preceded in death by her husband, Doc Edward Coffey; three brothers, Percy, Arnold and Joe Crump, and four sisters, Alma Crump, Nell Wallace, Eva Pearson and Edith Pat Hartley.

She was retired from American Efird Mills and Bernhardt Furniture Industries and was a caregiver. She was a member of Harrisburg Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Marshall Edward Coffey of Boone; two daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Linda) Miller of Lenoir and Mrs. Randy (Crystal) Setzer of Morganton; a brother, Jim Crump of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; seven grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 11 a.m. Saturday at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Ted Williams and Ron Miller officiating. Burial will be in Wildwood Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today from 7 until 8:30 p.m. at the funeral home, and other times at the home of her daughter, Linda Miller, 1433 Bass Lane, Lenoir.

Pallbearers will be: Robbie Coffey, Chad Miller, Curt Miller, Buddy Detter, Alan Miller and Tommy Coffey.

Opal Rebecca, born Nov. 3, 1920 in Caldwell Co., died there Oct. 11, 2006. She married John Banks Myers, born Oct. 26, 1915 to Henry Dayton and Rose Dameron Myers. John died Apr. 13, 2005 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. John was a veteran of WWII and is buried at the Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir. Opal is also buried there.

Opal's obituary

Opal Coffey Myers, 85, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, N.C., passed away on Wednesday, October 11, 2006, at her residence.

Mrs. Myers was a homemaker and a devoted member of Union Grove Baptist Chu-rch for 59 years. She will be remembered especially for her dedication and love to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends.

Mrs. Myers was preceded in death by her parents Silas and Maggie P. Coffey; her husband, J. B. Myers; a daughter, Brenda Frances Myers; a grandson, J. B. Myers III; three sisters, Wilma Cook, Edith Robbins and Faye Keller and six brothers, Horace, Doc, Bealer, Clarence, Herman and Floyd Coffey.

Opal is survived by four children, Richard Myers, Pat Myers, Sharon Jenkins and J. B. Myers Jr., all of Lenoir. She is also survived by six grandchildren: Kimberly Robbins and husband Billy, Alison Crawford and husband Jason, Emily Freeman, Addie Tucker and husband Stuart, Cody Myers and Michael W. Jenkins Jr., all of Lenoir; eight great-grandchildren, Taylor, Rhett, Nathaniel, Hannah, J.B., Reagan, Colson and Grayson.

Funeral services will be held at Union Grove Baptist Church on Sunday, October 15, 2006 at 3 p.m. with Reverend Sam Craven and Reverend James Lambert officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the church. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Michael W. Jenkins, Jr., Cody Myers, Billy Robbins, Stuart Tucker, Jason Crawford, Austen Jud, Johnny Williams and Bobby Robbins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street SW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or to Union Grove Baptist Church, Building Fund, 1808 Union Grove Road, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Herman, born c1921

Edith Evelyn, born in Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1924, and died there on Feb. 5, 2005. She married Ernest Wayne Robbins.

Edith's obituary:

Edith Evelyn Coffey Robbins, 80, of Union Grove Road, Lenoir, died Saturday, Feb. 5, 2005, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

Robbins was born Oct. 15, 1924, in Caldwell County to the late Silas Milton and Margaret Caroline Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by: six brothers, Dock Coffey, Clarence "Cub" Coffey, Bealer Coffey, Herman Coffey, Horace Coffey and Floyd Coffey; one sister, Wilma Cook, and a granddaughter, Lisa Herman.

Mrs. Robbins was a homemaker. Her family was her life and she was ours.
Survivors include: her husband, Ernest Wayne Robbins, of the home; two sons; Wayne Milton Robbins and wife Gail, and Bobby Robbins and wife Debbie; four daughters, Carolyn Robbins Hicks, Donna Robbins Herman and husband R.L., Cherry Robbins, and Lynn Robbins Roberts and husband Joe; two sisters, Opal Myers and husband J.B., and Faye Keller and husband John; 15 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Graveside service was 2 p.m., Tues., Feb. 8, 2005, at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens with the Rev. Lynn Hawkins officiating. Robbins' eight grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Lillie Faye, born Apr. 16, 1928 in Caldwell Co., died Sep. 15, 2005 in Hudson, Caldwell Co. She married John J. Keller.

Lillie's obituary:

Lillie Faye Keller, 77, of Hawthorne St., Hudson, died Thursday, September 15, 2005 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care.

She was born April 16, 1928, in Caldwell County, to the late S. M. Coffey and Maggie Philyaw Coffey. In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ginger Webb; a great-grandson, Caleb Webb; six brothers and two sisters.

Mrs. Keller was a Homemaker and of the Baptist Faith.

She is survived by her loving husband of 45 years, John J. Keller of the home; a son, Johnny Williams and wife Shelia of Granite Falls and a sister, Opal Myers of Lenoir.

Graveside service for Mrs. Keller will be held on Saturday, September 17, 2005 at 11 am at Dry Ponds Baptist Church Cemetery with Dr. Rick Crouse officiating. The family will receive friends at the home of Johnny Williams, 22 Valley Street, Granite Falls.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., NW, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Mackie-High Funeral Home is serving the Keller family.

The last child was Clarence (Cub), born Sep. 13, 1033, died May 18, 1977.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or to correct any of this information.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley

Benjamin Franklin & Martha Cecelia Dobbs Coffey

Benjamin was born Feb. 10, 1851 in Wayne Co., KY to Nelson N. & Kissie Watters Coffey. His wife, Martha Cecelia Dobbs, was born Mar. 18, 1850 in Wayne Co. to George Washington & Lurany H. Strunk Dobbs. They were married on Dec. 5, 1872 in Whitley Co., KY.

Martha Cecelia Dobbs Coffey with unidentified grandchildren
Photo Courtesy Charles Gilbreath 

Benjamin died of nephritis on on Apr. 6, 1918 in McCreary Co. and is buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Yamacraw. Martha died there of pneumonia on Mar. 5, 1938 and is also buried in the Coffey cemetery.

Their children were:

Nelson, born c1874

Benjamin, Jr., born Wayne Co. on Feb. 16, 1876, died McCreary Co. on Nov. 15, 1855. He married Sallie Belle [?] [May?] Clark on Nov. 11, 1902 in Kentucky. Both are buried in the Coffey cemetery. They were parents of at least 11 children. Some additional information is available.

Tolbert Nelson, born Feb. 5, 1878, died Jul. 15, 1907. He married Sarah Roberts c1899 in Wayne Co. After Tolbert died, Sarah married Andrew Cader Worley on Feb. 9, 1914.

Nettie, born Jun. 10, 1881, died Feb. 20, 1973 in McCreary Co. She married George Phillips on Jan. 24, 1906. He was born c1884 in Wayne Co., and died Jul. 25, 1974 in McCreary Co.

L. Henderson, born Mar. 29, 1886 in Kentucky, died Jan. 5, 1909 in McCreary Co. He married Alice Sims Clark c1905 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca Morrow Clark, born Dec. 5, 1887 in Kentucky, doed Oct. 26, 1979 in Wayne Co. She married second to Alex Blane Tucker in Jan., 1911.

America Florence, born Mar. 11, 1889 in Wayne Co., died Nov. 29, 1993 in Stearns, McCreary Co. Her husband was Sherman L. Corder, born c1891 in Kentucky, died Dec. 25, 1981 in McCreary Co. They were married c1922.

Maggie, born 1893, married James E. Keith.

James Perke, born Aug. 24, 1895 in McCreary Co., and died there on Feb. 14, 1929. He married Clara May Correll, a daughter of William and Rose M. Simpson Correll. They were married Jan. 16, 1924. Both are buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Yamacraw.  Clara died on Sep. 25, 1995 in Sidney, Shelby Co., OH.

Contact me for additional information on ancestors and descendants of this family or, to make corrections.

Reuben Coffey

This Reuben was a son of Joseph and Louisa J. Jones Coffey.  He was born Oct. 13, 1875 in Wayne Co., KY and died by homocide on Mar. 17, 1943 in Slavans, McCreary Co., KY.  I do not know the circumstances surrounding his murder.

He married Mary Alice Vaughn on Dec. 25, 1895 in Tennessee.  Mary was born Nov. 29, 1877 and died Dec. 17, 1954 in McCreary Co. 

Both are buried in the Cedar Grove Church Cemetery in McCreary Co.

There were at least 11 children born to Reuben and Mary:

Emma, born Apr. 6, 1898, died Jan. 23, 1982.  She married Joseph Kurtis [sic] Roberts in KY c1923.  He was born Jun. 28, 1886 in Wayne Co., and died on Jun. 18, 1962 in Kentucky.  The children found so far were:  Kathleen, born c1926; Hobart, born c1928; and Clara, born c1929.

Perk, born c1901 in Wayne Co., died unknown.  He married Lula LNU c1922 in KY.  Their known children were: Victor, born c1925; Donald, born c1926; Pauline, born c1927; and Stanley, born Dec., 1929.

Oda, born c1902 in Wayne Co., married Alice Jones, c1920 in Kentucky.  Their known children were:  Oda, born Apr. 25, 1922; Stella, born Jun. 15, 1923; Mary Etta, born Oct. 26, 1925; and Conley, born c1928.

John Herbert, born Aug. 20, 1906 in Wayne Co., and died Jan. 5, 1962 in McCreary Co.  He married Lillie Dobbs, born Nov. 30, 1910 in Whitley Co., KY to Thomas and Julia Jones Dobbs.  Lillie doed Sep. 19, 2000 in Stearns, McCreary Co.

Lonia, born c1908

Nelson, born Apr. 11, 1911, died Feb.,1980

George, born c1914

Sterling E., born Apr., 1916, died 1985.  He married Ester Dobbs, sister to Lillie.

Clyde Estill, born Dec. 26, 1918 in KY, married Dora Dobbs, also a sister to Lillie.

Fordie (male), born May 28, 1921, died Dec., 1982

Carl Homer, born 1923 in McCreary Co., died Jul. 1992 in Kentucky.  He married Ada Clark.  I have one child for them:  Joyce Coffey who married Truesdell Coffey, a son of Matthew and Alma Lou Smith Coffey.  Truesdell died when he accidentally shot himself while hunting on Nov. 13, 2007.

Contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.

Jack Coffey

Today's on-line edition of the News-Topic in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, announced the death of Jack Coffey, age 87 of that city.  He passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Blowing Rock.

Jack was the son of Monroe and Dovie Jane Clark Coffey.  Monroe was the son of Thomas M. and Martha Cordelia Gragg Coffey.  He was born Jan. 26, 1883 in Avery Co., and died Nov. 3, 1955 in Caldwell Co.  He and Dovie were married in Caldwell Co. in 1910.

Jack was married to Sadie Alice Huffman, born Feb. 3, 1923 in NC, died Oct. 10, 1984 in Winston-Salem.  She was the daughter of James Granville, a son of James and Betty Roberts Huffman,  and Grace Genelia Austin, a daughter of Harvie Austin and Alice G. Poarch [sic].

Dovie, born c1890 in NC, was the daughter of William Harvey and Martha L. Coffey Clark.

Martha Coffey and Thomas M. were first cousins.

The children of Monroe and Dovie are:

Ruby, born Jul 28, 1911 in Avery Co., and died Sep. 1, 1967 in Lenoir.  She married Oscar Frye.

Ruth, born Feb. 10, 1913 in Avery Co., and died Feb. 5, 2008 in Caldwell Co.  Her first husband was Jay Greene; her second was George Pappas.

Ruth's obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Feb. 7, 2008

Ruth Pappas

Ruth Coffey Pappas, 94, of Morganton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 at Grace Hospital.

Mrs. Pappas was born Feb. 10, 1913 in Caldwell County to the late Monroe and Dovie Clark Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jay Greene and second husband, George Pappas; a daughter, Mary Lou Williams; a son, Nolan Greene; two brothers, Bruce and Clyde Coffey and a sister, Ruby Frye.

Mrs. Pappas was a loving grandmother and well respected as a beautician. She was of Methodist faith.

Survivors include a brother, Jack Coffey of Collettsville; three sisters, Nell Mize of Georgia, Blanche Garren of Lenoir and Louise Steele of Lenoir; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Pendry's Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date.

The funeral service will follow at 7:30 p.m. with the Rev. Terry Adams officiating.

The family requests memorials to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 1029, Valdese, NC 28690.

Condolences may be placed online at www.mem.com.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory, Lenoir, N.C. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sarah Nell Coffey, born Jan. 21, 1919 in Caldwell Co., married a Mr. Mize.

The fourth child of Monroe and Dovie was Jack.

Blanche, born 1923 in Caldwell Co., married Bill Garren.

Martha Louise, born 1925 in Caldwell Co., married Robert Haywood Steele, Jr.  He was born Oct. 6, 1920 in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 30, 2003.  He is buried at the Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Kings Creek, Caldwell Co.

The last child of Clyde and Dovie was Clyde Hedrick, born May 26, 1928 in Wilsons Creek, Avery Co.  He died Apr. 1, 2001 in Guilford Co..  He was married in 1956 to Rebecca Jeanette Estes, a daughter of Fredrick Caleb and Annie Rader Estes.  She was born in Caldwell Co. in 1928.  Clyde was a veteran of the Korean War and is also buried at the Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery.

Click on the title link to read Jack's obituary.

Contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.

Two Coras [Update]

Cora Sadie was Cansadia as contained in the obituary for her son Carl William Crump.



Obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Jul. 16, 2005

Carl Crump

Carl William Crump, 85, of Hwy 90, Collettsville, N.C. died Tuesday, June 14, 2005 at his residence.

He was born May 10, 1920 in Avery County, N.C. to the late Theadore Crump and Cansadia Coffey Crump. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by one brother, Roy Crump; six sisters, Edna Whisenant, Analea Whisenant, Louise Philyaw, Minnie Bowen, Mamie Crump and Kate Jolly, and one grandson, Joe Walker.

Mr. Crump was a retired furniture worker, U.S. Army World War II veteran, a member of Maple Grove Baptist Church and loved to hunt and fish.

Survivors include his wife, Ethel Philyaw Crump of the home; three sons, Ralph Crump of Collettsville, N.C. , Roger Crump of Hudson, N.C. and Terry Crump of Lenoir, N.C.; three daughters, Jean Plunk of Hudson, N.C., Frances Walker of Lenoir, N.C. and Shirley Crump of Lenoir, N.C. and a sister, Margaret Phipps of Lenoir, N.C.

Funeral services will be Friday, June 17, 2005 at 2 p.m. at Pendry's Chapel with the Rev. Floyd Coffey, Rev. Brian Gragg and Rev. Boyd Coffey officiating. Burial will be at Greene Family Cemetery.

The family will receive friends today, June 16, 2005 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Pendry's.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Plunk, Gerald Plunk, Norman Crump, Pat Crump, Mike Moore and Jim Whisenant. Honorary pallbearers will be: Cameron Crump, Brian Crump, Scott Walker and Greg Walker.

Memorials may be made to Caldwell County Hospice, 902 Kirkwood St. NW, Lenoir, NC 28645 or online condolences may be made at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Thanks Carolyn!!

---

According to birth and death records, Raban Scott and Margaret Hollander Coffey gave the name Cora to two of their daughters; one Cora Sadie and the other Cora L.

Cora Sadie - who some say was nicknamed Candy - was born Oct. 28, 1885 and died Jul. 1, 1942 in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC She married Theodore H. (Steve) Crump who was born Jun. 15, 1881 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Jan. 27, 1975. He was the son of David and Mahulda Jane Clark Crump.

Cora Sadie and Steve had at least two children. Annie Lee, born Mar. 10, 1917, died Apr. 29, 1999, married Henry Ray Whisenant, who was born Sep. 21, 1914 and died Sep. 8, 1947 in Caldwell Co. The other child was Carl William born May 10, 1920 and died Jan. 14, 2005.

The 1900 Caldwell Co. census of this family lists the child born closest to the date of this Cora as Ella B. K., born Oct., 1884.

The only Cora in the family in 1900 was the following:



This Cora was born Feb. 19, 1895 in Avery Co., NC and died there on Jul. 17, 1962. She married William Roby Baldwin c1911. He was the son of Pinkney F. and Hattie Jane Bristol Baldwin and was born May 3, 1890 in Watauga Co., and died in Avery Co. on Apr. 28, 1970.

Their children were:

Iona Beatrice, born Feb. 7, 1914
Clarence, born c1916
Carlos William, born Feb. 19, 1919
Harrison, born c1921
Virginia Mae, born May 11, 1924, died Feb. 21, 1998
Mal, born c1925
Trixie, born c1926
Herbert Hoover, born c1928

Elsie Matthews Coffey (Updated 4/13/08)

The death of Elsie Matthews Coffey of McCreary Co., KY was announced today in the McCreary County Record of Whitley City, KY.

She was born at Jones Hollow, Kentucky on March 3, 1928 the daughter of the late Marcus and Flonnie Phillips Matthews. Her husband was Grover Conley Coffey, who I believe was a son of Benjamin Franklin Coffey, Jr., and Sallie Belle Clark.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can confirm Grover's parents.

Click on the title link to view Elsie's obituary, and to view her photograph.

Update Apr 13, 2008:

Nettie Coffey, a daughter of Benjamin Franklin Coffey and wife Martha Cecelia Dobbs, was born Jun. 10, 1881 in KY, and died Feb. 20, 1973 in McCreary Co., KY. She married George Phillips on Jan. 24, 1906 in KY. He was born c1884 in Wayne Co., KY and died Jul. 25, 1974 in McCreary Co.

They were parents of at least three children: Flonnie, born Oct. 22, 1906; Mattie, born Aug. 13, 1908; and Otto, born Jul. 3, 1910.

Flonnie married Marcus Matthews. They were the parents of Elsie.

Elsie married Grover Conley Coffey, son of Benjamin Franklin Coffey, Jr.




L-R: Sally Clark, w/o Ben'j Franklin Coffey, Jr.; Flonnie Phillips Matthews, d/o Geo. and Nettie Coffey Phillips (Nettie sister of Ben'j, Jr.); Adina Coffey, dau. of Sally and Ben'j; Mattie Phillips, sister to Flonnie; Lee Roy Coffey, s/o Sally and Bej'j; Dovie Coffey; and Dorothy Coffey, d/o Sally and Ben'j.

Not yet sure who Dovie belongs to.

Photo courtesy Ola Jackson 4/08

Maudie Coffey Jackson

This photo depicts, from left to right, Maudie, America Florence, and Martha Coffey. Maudie and Martha were sisters; America was a sister to L. Henderson. She married Litton Keith, born Dec. 5, 1890 in KY and died there on Oct. 12, 1920. Florence was born Mar. 11, 1890 in Wayne Co., KY and died Nov. 29, 1993 in that state.





This photo is of Maudie and, apparently taken before her marriage (she is not wearing a wedding ring) to Charles Jackson.





This too may be a pre-wedding photograph. Perhaps it is an engagement photograph.




Maudie and Charles, perhaps also pre-marriage. I cannot discern a wedding ring on either person. Charles Jackson was born Feb. 28, 1906 in Owsley Co., KY and died Mar. 29, 1983 in Hamilton Co., OH. Both he and Maudie are buried at the Rose Hill Cemetery, Princeton Pike, Hamilton Co.






And finally, Maudie in recent years. She died in 1994 at Fairfield, OH and is buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Princeton Pike, Hamilton Co., OH.



I previously mis-identified this photo as Maudie Coffey Jackson. It is actually Alice Sims Clark, wife of L. Henderson Coffey and, Maudie's mother. She was born Dec. 5, 1887 in Kentucky and died Oct. 26, 1979 in that state.

Alice was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca Morrow Clark who were also parents of Sallie Belle Clark, born May 3, 1884, died Nov. 20, 1966. Sallie was the wife of Benjamin Franklin Coffey, Jr., a brother to L. Henderson Coffey.

L. Henderson Coffey

L. Henderson Coffey was a son of Benjamin Franklin Coffey and Martha Lorilda Dobbs. He was born Mar. 29, 1886 in Kentucky and died Jan. 5, 1909 in McCreary Co., KY. He married Alice Sims Clark in Jan., 1911. After the death of Henderson, Alice married Alex Tucker with whom she had eight more children. Alice died in Kentucky on Oct. 26, 1979. Alex was born Nov. 12, 1890 in Kentucky and died on Oct. 6, 1971 in Wayne Co., KY

Henderson and Alice had two children:

- Maudie, born Nov. 13, 1906 at Wolf Creek, Yamacrow, McCreary Co., died Mar. 23, 1994 in Hamilton Co., OH. Maudie married Charles Jackson c1931 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co.

Maudie Coffey Jackson

She is buuried in Rose Hill Cemetery, Princeton Pike, Hamilton Co.

- Martha, born Sep., 1908 and is still living, although in poor health. Her husband was Oscar Jones of Wayne Co., KY.

The following, as well as the photographs, was contributed by Ola Jackson of Fairfield, OH who is a grandchild of Henderson and Alice:

"The story of my Grandfather Henderson is a sad one. He was playing cards with a "friend" and lost. There was a disagreement . The next morning he was riding his horse past another friends barn, when the disgruntled card player heard him comment to the friend that he had cheated. The "friend" then came out and shot him.. My mother was just 3 years old and her sister , Martha was 1 year old. I have recently found out that the man's name who shot Henderson was Owen Worley. Maudie had eight more siblings who had a different father. Alice Clark Coffey. married Alex Tucker of Wayne County KY. One of the half sisters told me that name. My mother told me that it was around Christmas when Grandfather was shot.... He lived until January."

"Maudie was born at Wolf Creek, Yamacraw , Kentucky She was raised in Wayne County. I don't know if Martha was born in McCreary County or not, but she was raised in Wayne County. I do know that my mother attended school in McCreary County. Maudie died on March 23, 1994. This Coffey Family is buried in Coffey Cemetery #1. Benjamin Franklin Coffey owned much land that they sold part of to The Stearns Coal Co."

[The] "Cemetery where Maudie Jackson is interred is Rose Hill Cemetery, Princeton Pike , Hamilton , Ohio. She passed away here in Fairfield. We have lived in and around Fairfield for many years. I am the 5th child of Maudie and Charles Jackson.. Grandfather L. Henderson was the son of Benjamin Franklin Coffey Sr. and Lorilda (I have seen different spellings such as Lorilla, Cereilea, etc. on the internet.) Dobbs. Alice Clark was the daughter of Henry Clark , born in Campbell County TN or Whitley County Ky, reports differ, and Rebecca Morrow. They lived in Wayne County Kentucky. Henry was a Civil War Veteran, joining when he was 17. He died in October 1942. He was in the 12th KY Reg. Co H. .The Clarks are from Henry County Virginia."

Please contact me at the e-mail address below to add to or correct any of this information.

Benjamin Franklin Coffey (KY 1851 - KY 1918)

Benjamin Franklin Coffey, Jr. was the son of Ben, Sr. and Martha Lorilla Dobbs. Ben, Sr. was born Feb. 10, 1851 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY and died in McCreary Co., KY on Apr. 6, 1918. Martha was born Mar. 18, 1850 in Wayne Co., and died in McCreary Co. on Mar. 5, 1938. Ben, Sr. was a son of Nelson and Keziah Watters Coffey.

1. Benjamin Franklin COFFEY was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Feb 10, 1851. He died on Apr 6, 1918 in McCreary Co., KY.

Benjamin Franklin COFFEY and Martha Lorilla DOBBS were married on Dec 5, 1872 in Whitley Co., KY. They appeared in the census on Jun 22, 1880 in Wayne Co., KY.1 Martha Lorilla DOBBS was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 18, 1850. She appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY as a widow.2 Martha died on Mar 5, 1938 in McCreary Co., KY. Benjamin and Martha had the following children:

i. Nelson COFFEY was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY about 1874.
2 ii. Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr., born on Feb 16, 1876, Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY; married Sallie Belle CLARK, on Nov 11, 1902, KY.
3 iii. Tolbert M. COFFEY, born on Feb 5, 1878, Wayne Co., KY; married Sarah LNU, about 1899, Wayne Co., KY.
4 iv. Nettie COFFEY, born on Jun 10, 1881, Kentucky; married George PHILLIPS, on Jan 24, 1906, Kentucky; died on Feb 20, 1973, McCreary Co., KY.
v. Gertie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1883, and died about 1886 in KY.
5 vi. Henderson COFFEY, born on Mar 29, 1886, Kentucky; married Alice CLARK; died on Jan 5, 1909, KY.
6 vii. America COFFEY, born on Mar 11, 1890, Wayne Co., KY; married Litten KEITH; died on Nov 29, 1993, KY.
7 viii. Maggie COFFEY, born in 1893, Kentucky; married James KEITH.
8 ix. James Perkins COFFEY, born on Aug 24, 1896, Kentucky; married Clara CORRELL, on Jan 16, 1924, Kentucky; died on Feb 14, 1929, KY.


Second Generation

2. Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr. (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Feb 16, 1876.

Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr. and Sallie Belle CLARK were married on Nov 11, 1902 in Kentucky. They appeared in the census on Jan 17, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY,3 and the census on Apr 3, 1930 in McCreary Co., KY.4 Sallie Belle CLARK was born in Kentucky on May 3, 1884, and died on Nov 20, 1966 in McCreary Co., KY. Benjamin Jr. and Sallie had the following children:

i. Martha COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1905.
ii. Benjamin Franklin COFFEY Jr. was born in Kentucky about 1907.
9 iii. Rebecca F. COFFEY, born on Sep 12, 1908, Wayne Co., KY; married John H. COFFEY, on Nov 15, 1928, McCreary Co., KY; died on Aug 9, 2000, McCreary Co., KY. John was the son of William and Laura Belle Jones Coffey.
iv. Tony M. COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1911.
v. Leroy COFFEY was born in North Carolina about 1913.
vi. Henry O. (A.?) COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1914.
vii. James H. COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1917.
viii. Dovie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1920.
ix. Delphia COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1926.
x. Vianie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1927.
xi. Grover COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1928.

3. Tolbert M. COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Feb 5, 1878.

Tolbert M. COFFEY and Sarah LNU were married about 1899 in Wayne Co., KY. They appeared in the census on Jun 14, 1900 in Wayne Co., KY.5 Sarah LNU was born in Kentucky in Jan 1883. Tolbert M. COFFEY and Sarah LNU had the following children:

i. Martha COFFEY was born in Wayne Co., KY in Oct 1899.

4. Nettie COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Jun 10, 1881. She died on Feb 20, 1973 in McCreary Co., KY.

Nettie COFFEY and George PHILLIPS were married on Jan 24, 1906 in Kentucky. They appeared in the census on May 2, 1910 in Wayne Co., KY,6 and in the census on Mar 10, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY.7 George PHILLIPS was born in Wayne Co., KY about 1884, and died on Jul 25, 1974 in McCreary Co., KY. Nettie COFFEY and George PHILLIPS had the following children:

i. Flonnie PHILLIPS was born in Kentucky on Oct 22, 1906.
ii. Mattie PHILLIPS was born in Whitley Co., KY on Aug 13, 1908.
iii. Otto PHILLIPS was born in Whitley Co., KY on Jul 3, 1910.

5. Henderson COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Mar 29, 1886, and died on Jan 5, 1909 in Kentucky.

Henderson COFFEY and Alice CLARK were married. Alice CLARK [Still being researched]


6. America COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 11, 1890, and died on Nov 29, 1993 in Kentucky.

America COFFEY and Litten KEITH were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 16, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY.8 Litten KEITH was born in Kentucky about 1891.


7. Maggie COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky in 1893.

Maggie COFFEY and James KEITH were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY in the household with Maggie's widowed mother. James KEITH was born in Kentucky about 1887.


8. James Perkins COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Aug 24, 1896. He appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in Slavans, McCreary Co., KY as a single man in the household with his widowed mother. He died on Feb 14, 1929 in Kentucky.

James Perkins COFFEY and Clara CORRELL were married on Jan 16, 1924 in Kentucky. Clara CORRELL was born in Kentucky in 1905, and died on Sep 25, 1995.




Third Generation

9. Rebecca F. COFFEY (Benjamin F.-2, Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Sep 12, 1908, and died on Aug 9, 2000 in McCreary Co., KY.

Rebecca F. COFFEY and John H. COFFEY were married on Nov 15, 1928 in McCreary Co., KY. John H. COFFEY (son of William COFFEY and Laura Belle JONES) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 29, 1910. He died on Oct 1, 2002 in McCreary Co., KY.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1880 Wayne Co., Dist. 5, ED110, Page 24, dwelling/family 212, Coffey, Benjamin F., white male, age 29, married, farmer, born KY, father born NC, mother born KY; Martha Z., white female, age 30, wife, married, keeping house, born KY, father born KY, mother born NC; Nelson, white male, age 6, son, single, born KY, parents born KY; Benjamin F., white male, age 4, son, single, born KY, parents born KY; Bonapart, white male, age 2, son, single, born KY, parents born KY.
2. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans, Dist 179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 29, Coffey, Martha, head, female, white, age 69, widow, born KY, parents born KY; James, son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Keith, James, son-in-law, male, white, age 33, married, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Keith, Maggie, dau., female, white, age 26, married, born KY, parents born KY.
3. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans Twp., ED179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 30, Coffey, Benjamine F., head, male, white, age 43, married, born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Sally B.,wife, female, white, age 36, married, born KY, parents born KY; Martha, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Benjamine F., son, male, white, age 13, single, born KY; Rececca F., dau., female, white, age 11, single, born KY; Tony M., dau., female, white, age 9, born KY; Lee R. [sic], son, male, white, age 7, born KY; Henry A., son, male, white, age 5, born KY;James H., son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 5 mos.
4. Ibid., 1930 McCreary Co., Whitehead Twp., ED6, Sheet 2A, Wolf Creek Road, dwelling/family 19, Coffey, Benjamin F., head, male, white, age 54, married at age 26, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sallie B., wife, female, white, age 44, married at age 17, born KY, parents born KY; Benjamin F., son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY; Tony M., dau., female, white, age 19, single, born KY; Leroy, son, male, white, age 17, single, born KY; Henry O., son, male, white, age 16, single, born KY; James, son, male, white, age 13, born KY; Docie, dau., female,white, age 10, born KY; Dorothy, dau., female, white, age 7, born KY; Delphia, dau., female, white, age 4 [?], born KY; Vianie, dau., female, white, age 3, born KY; Grover, son, male, white, age [?], born KY.
5. Ibid., 1900 Wayne Co., Pct. 6, ED130, Sheet 9B, dwelling 162, family 163, Coffey, Talbert [sic], head, white male, born Feb. 1878, age 22, married 1 yr., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sarah, wife, white female, born Jan. [?], 1883, age 17, married 1 yr., born KY, parents born KY; Marthy, dau., white female, born Oct. 1899, age 7 mos., born KY.
6. Ibid., 1910 Wayne Co., Rock Creek Pct., ED229, Sheet 3B, dwelling 97, family 101, Philips, George, head, male, white, age 25, married once for 4 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Nettie, wife, female, white, age 24, married once for 4 yrs., born KY, parents born KY; Flonnie, dau., female, white, age 3, born KY; Mattie, dau., ffemale, white, age 1 yr., 4 mos. [Census is light and difficult to read].
7. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., White Head Pct., ED178, Sheet 1A, Alum Creek Road, dwelling/family 4, Phillips, George, head, male, white, age 36, married born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Nettie, wife, female, white, age 40, married, born KY, parents born KY; Flonna, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Mattie, dau., female,whtie, age 12, single, born KY; Otto, son, male, white, age 9, single, born KY.
8. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans, Pct. 16, ED179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 31, Keith, Litten, head, male, white, age 28, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; America, wife, female, white, age 29, married, born KY, parents born KY.

Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

Monroe Coffey

Monroe was one of at least three sons born to Thomas and Cordelia Gragg Coffey. Thomas was the son of Brice Brisco and Susannah (Sookie) Gragg Coffey while Cordelia (no dates) was the daughter of James Madison and Nancy Caroline Gragg Gragg.

The other two known sons of Thomas and Cordelia were John Sherman, born May 1886, and William Kelly, born 1888, died 1940.

Monroe was born Jan. 26, 1883 in Avery Co., NC and died Nov. 3, 1955 in Caldwell Co., NC. He married Dovie Jane Clark, born c1890 in NC to William H. and Martha L. (LNU) Clark. Martha may have been a Coffey but I have not yet found a definitive record confirming that.

Monroe Coffey registered for the draft in Caldwell Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was described as being tall with medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. He was 35 yrs. old, born Jan. 26, 1883. He was employed as a US Forest Ranger by the US Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. He resided at Edgemont in Caldwell Co. with his wife, Dovie.

Children born to Monroe and Dovie were:

Ruby, born 1911, died 1967. The NC death index lists her as Ruby Coffey Frye.
Ruth, born Feb. 10, 1913
Sarah Nell, born Jan. 21, 1919
Jack, born 1921
Blanche, born 1923
Martha Louise, born 1925
Clyde Hedrick, born May. 26, 1928

Martha Louise married Robert Haywood Steele and had children Linda Carol, born 1954, and Brian Robert, born 1956.

Please contact me at the e-mail address below with additions and/or corrections.

William Lewis Coffey

William was a son of Richard L. and Julia Mattie Mason Coffey. He was born Sep. 7, 1866 in Brown Co., IN and died May 18, 1934 in that county. He married Rosa Belle Clarke on Jul 2, 1892 in Brown Co. She was born Jan. 22, 1872 in Brown Co., and died May 25, 1946 in Marion Co., IN.

William was a high school teacher and principal, and later became superintendent of Brown county schools where he served until about 1911. He was later an executive cashier for the Nashville State Bank in Nashville, Brown Co.

His biography* states that he was a "Republican in political alignment and is affiliated with the Masonic fraternity and the Knights of Pyhthias." William served on numerous boards and committees in Brown County in which he spearheaded "Liberty Loan" campaigns, Red Cross affairs, and Near East relief work. Rosa is said to have been the granddaughter of Dr. Charles Clark, a "kinsman of the great frontiersman and western explorer, George Rogers Clark."


Their children were:

- Marie, born Jan. 1895
- William Wendell, born Feb. 23, 1902
- Arthur Livingston, born c1905
- Alton Powell, born c1904
- Marguerite, born Apr., 1910

The family appeared in all census records in Brown Co. from 1900 through 1930. Arthur and Alton were twins. There were likely other children born between 1895 and 1902 that did not survive beyond infancy.

I have not researched the children and their descendants.

Please contact me if you have additional information and/or corrections to this data.


*From a book with no cover or title. See [http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/message/rw/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties.brown/1341; the author of this message, and transcriber of the William L. Coffey biography wrote: "This book has no cover, and no index, and no author..."]

John Reid and Mary Ann Cross Coffey

John Reid Coffey was a son of Rice and Sarah Bradford Coffey. He was born March 27, 1814 in Wartrace, Bedford Co., TN, and died March 21, 1896 in (probably) Jackson Co., AL. His wife Mary Ann Cross was born Dec. 29, 1831, and died Sep. 6, 1887. They were married Aug. 21, 1849.

The Coffey Cousins' website contains at least two researcher submitted papers on John Reid and Mary Ann. Now, through the courtesy of Pamela Howell we have photographs of John and Mary.

The photographs can be viewed at: http://tinyurl.com/4lzld          [link no longer valid in 2014]

The photographs remain the property of Tammy Howell and should not be used in any other website, forum or service where a fee is charged to access them. Her permission should be asked for prior to using them on any other otherwise "free" website.

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Update July 25, 2014

Gen, John Reid Coffey

COFFEY, JOHN R, of Fackler, Jackson County, son of Rice and Sallie (Bradford) Coffey, was born at Wartrace, Bedford County, Tenn., March 27, 1814.

Rice Coffey* was born in Pennsylvania [sic] [Amherst Co., VA] in 1766. When a young man he removed to North Carolina and became a gunsmith. He married and again removed to Tennessee about 1801, and settled on a farm of a thousand acres of land which he bought of General Jackson, and on which his son, John R. Coffey, was born. He died in 1853, and his wife in 1840. He was a son of James Coffey, of early times, who raised a large family, all of the older sons of whom served as soldiers in the Revolutionary War. The Coffey family are Baptists.

John R. Coffey spent his early days on a farm attending the common old-field schools. When he was thirteen years of age he went to a high school at Shelbyville, Tenn., and remained there twelve months. After this, he came to Bellefonte without an acquaintance in the county or a dollar in his pocket, and became a clerk in a store. At the age of twenty-two, he established a mercantile business of his own in that village, and continued it until 1846. In 1840, he was elected Sheriff of Jackson County. At the breaking out of the Mexican War, he enlisted in the army in a company commanded by Capt. Richard W. Jones. He afterwards acted as lieutenant, lieutenant-colonel, and major-general in the militia; went to Mobile and organized the First Alabama Regiment and was elected its colonel, and as such, participated in the siege of Vera Cruz. After the war with Mexico, he became a general of the militia.  He had now returned to his farm and devoted his attention to its cultivation until 1853, when he moved to Stevenson and engaged in the mercantile business, which he prosecuted with considerable success until the beginning of the late war, when he again closed his store and returned to his farm of 4,000 acres, on the banks of the Tennessee River.

In 1861 he was elected a delegate to the convention which passed the ordinance of secession. He was bitterly opposed to that ordinance, but, being overpowered, he submitted with the best possible grace, and thereafter gave moral and substantial support to the Confederacy. (General Coffey's grandmother was a sister to Col. Ben, Cleveland, who commanded a regiment at the battle of King's Mountain.)

Mary Ann Cross Coffey

General Coffey was married January 21, 1849, to Miss Mary Ann Cross, daughter of Col. Chas. and  Eliza (Clark) Cross, of Jackson County. They were natives of North Carolina and came to Alabama about 1826. He was a soldier in the Indian wars, and was drowned in the Tennessee River about 1848. (His wife's great-grandfather, Col.Wm. Maclin, and her grandfather, Robert Clark, were in the Revolutiouary War; the latter was wounded in battle at Eutaw Springs, from which he died. Her grandfather, Maclin Cross, was in the battle at Nick-a-Jack, Indian Nation.)

General Coffey is the father of six children, of whom four grew to maturity, namely: Eliza, wife of Wm. J. Tally; Sallie B., wife of C. W. Brown, chief clerk in the office of the State Superintendent of Education; John B. and Clark Maclin. General Coffey's wife died September 6, 1887. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Masonic order. General Coffey is a man of commanding presence, being over six feet in height and having apparently the vim and energy of a youth. He is one of the best known men of the State and one of the most influential men in Northeastern Alabama.

[Both the General and Mary Ann are buried at the Cross Cemetery just a bit north of Scottsboro in Jackson Co., AL]

Source for this biography: Smith & De Land, Editors/Publishers, Northern Alabama: Historical and Biographical (N.p.: n.p., Alabama, 1888), Transcribed by Veneta McKinney at http://genealogytrails.com/ala/jackson/.  Other sources for information on the General and his family are:  TN, Davidson Co., Coffey Collection, file: "Biography of John R. Coffey," Coffey Family 324, Bio, John R. Coffey, 26 December 1894; Coffey Family History, Tennessee State Library and Archives, Nashville, TN and, Thomas McAdory Owen LL.D., Compiler, History of Alabama and Dictionary of Alabama Biography, 4 Volumes (Chicago, IL: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1921), Vol. III, Page 368.

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Shelbyville, Tenn*
November 15, 1844

Dear Jefferson:**

I received your letter of the 16th of September and have read it with entertaining interest. Indeed, it is always a source of gratification to me to hear that my friends are doing well.

You request some information respecting the history of our ancestors. I have no written biography of the Coffee family and therefore can only relate to you such facts as have come within my own recollection and such as have reached me by tradition.

I remember to have seen my paternal grandfather. His name was John Coffee, and he was raised in one of the lower counties of Virginia and died in Albemarle. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane Graves, and my father's name was James Coffee.  He also was raised in the lower part of Essex and from thence to Albemarle, where your father Ambrose Coffee was born in the year 1762. From this county my father (James) removed to Amherst and here his children grew up to manhood. My mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Cleveland. My maternal grandfathers's name was Alexander Cleveland. He was a descendant of the English and was an own cousin of Oliver Cromwell, a gentleman who figured conspicuously in the sixteenth century. He was raised in Virginia and born in the year 1663 and died in 1775, at the age of 112 years.

My father was born in 1729 and died in 1786. His children were nine sons and two daughters. My brothers'names were John, Archelaus, James, Reuben, Ambrose, Eli, Joel and Lewis Coffee. They are all dead save Eli and Lewis, the first of whom resides in Missouri and the other in Kentucky.

I became acquainted with your maternal grandfather Jesse Moore about the close of the revolutionary war. He then lived in Burke County, N.C., where you were born. He was born in Virginia, and many of his descendants now live in Kentucky.

I am still living at the same place you last saw me, but cannot expect, in the course of nature to remain much longer.  I am now in my 80th year.

May God bless you.

Rice Coffee


* From Tennessee Library and Archives:

**Jefferson was Thomas Jefferson Coffey, born 1805, Burke Co., NC, died 1858 in Brazoria Co., TX.  He was the son of Ambrose and Mildred Moore Coffey, both of whom died in Pulaski Co., KY in early 1800s.