William Stanley Coffey, a son of Salathial "Sail" Coffey and wife Nancy Dunbar, is thought to be a descendant of the mythical Chesley and said wife Jane Cleveland. William was born in Russell Co., KY on Jul. 9, 1842 and died in McKinney, Collin Co., TX on Jun. 23, 1922.
William and Sarah Elizabeth Lucas were married on Feb. 27, 1866 in Collin Co., TX where most, if not all of their 10 children were born. Sarah was the daughter of Peter and Mary E. Lucas.
Their children were:
+ Dr. John Cicero Coffey, born Jan. 6, 1867, died Apr. , 1954 in Wichita Co., TX. His death was caused by chronic myocarditis at the Wichita Falls State Hospital. I have not found his burial site. He married Gabriella "Ella" Coffey in Grayson Co., TX on Oct. 28, 1895. Gabriella was the daughter of Matthew Slaughter Coffey and his wife Virginia Texana "Jennie" Butridge. Matthew and William Stanley were very distant cousins. Matthew is a known descendant of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey. Dr. Coffey and Ella were parents of one know child, a daughter named Ruth, born Aug. 5, 1897, died Jan., 1984 in Amarillo. Ruth married Roy Raymond Hunter in Texas c1929. He was born Apr. 11, 1894 in that state and died in Amarillo on Aug. 4, 1975. Their children were Virginia, John C., Mary L. and Roy Raymond, Jr.
+ Robert Henry Coffey, born Oct. 8, 1868, died Apr. 13, 1950 in Collin Co., and was buried at Fitzhugh Cemetery in Forest Grove, Collin Co. His wife was Minnie Mabel Biddy, a daughter of George and Edna McDonald Biddy. She was born in TN on Jul. 2, 1873 and died in McKinney on Feb. 20, 1968. They were married in McKinney on Dec. 18, 1892. Their children were Clarence Milton, 1893-1949; Tressie A., 1896-1975; Hallie Elizabeth, 1899-1993; and Edgar Biddy, 1901-1967. Minnie was buried at Fitzhugh along with Clarence and Tressie. Hallie's burial site is yet unknown to me. Edgar rests at Forest Grove.
+ Mary Frances "Molly" Coffey, 1869-?, married Samuel Lloyd Renfrow on Apr. 13, 1887 in Collin Co. He was born c1876 in that county and died there on Apr. 3, 1907. His "Report of Death" does not name his burial site. Their children were Ethert Alford, 1887-1948; William Lloyd, 1890-?; Alberta, no dates; Edgar, 1891-?.
+ Denie Elzada Coffey, 1871-1948. Her first husband was General Jackson Moss, no dates. They were likely married in Collin Co. c1885±. I know of at least two children: Sarah Leona Moss, 1889-1959 and Orlia Jackson Moss, 1891-1975. Orlia married Ermyne Mitchell (1895-1974). both are buried at Cottage Hill Cemetery at Celina, Collin Co. Denie's second husband was William Dillon Goode, born 1866 in Roanoke, VA. He died in Plano, TX in 1916; Denie at Wylie, Collin Co., in 1948. I know of two children for them: Clarice, born c1909 and Virginia, born c1910, both in TX.
+ Missouri B. Coffey, born 1873, died and was buried at Forest Grove. Nothing else is know.
+ Laura Ellen Coffey, 1875-1966. Laura married William John Ledbetter, born in TN in 1866, c1896. He died at Paducah, Cottle Co., TX in 1932 and was buried there in the Garden of Memories Cemetery. Laura Ellen also died in Paducah and was also buried in the Garden of Memories. Their children were Horace Chilton, 1897-1971; Aaron, 1898-?; Roy Robert, 1902-?; Nila Erona, 1905-?; Ruth Ellen, 1909-? and Mary Elizabeth, 1911-?
+ Salathiel "Sales" Coffey, 1896-1944. He married Eva Phylena Conner on Dec. 19, 1900 in Collin Co. She was born in 1881 at Sulphur Springs in Hopkins Co., TX and died Dec. 21, 1945 in Amarillo. Both are buried at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo. Their children were Elmer, 1901-1906; Leona Meda, 1905-?; Laura Ella, 1908, married Arlie Colley Swint c1926. He was born in TX in 1907 and died in Wichita Falls in 1980 and was buried at Rosemont Cemetery in Wichita Falls. Laura's death date and place of burial is unknown to me. Following Laura was Frances Lorene, 1915-?; Willis L., 1917-? and Amos B., 1920-1926. He is also buried at Llano.
+ Alwilda Davis Coffey, born 1878, died 1968 in McKinney. She married Silas Earl Walker on Dec. 5, 1899. He was born in 1875 and died in 1926. Both are buried at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney. Their children were Jessie Lois, 1901-?; Silas, Jr., 1905-? and Vernon Coffey, 1908-?.
+ Charles Milton Coffey, 1880 to 1918. He is thought to have died unmarried and buried at Fitzhugh Cemetery.
+ Homer Lucas Coffey, born 1882, died 1958 at McKinney. He married Lela Mae Holder in 1902. She was born in TX in 1884 and died in McKinney in 1930. In 1940 Homer married Mrs. Lizzie E. Short. I have no other information on Lizzie. There was at least one child born to Homer and Lela, a daughter named Sarah Elizabeth in 1906. No other information.
Please e-mail additions and/or corrections to me at the address provided on the right.
Showing posts with label Cleveland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleveland. Show all posts
October 22, 2013
February 13, 2013
Elias "Eli" Coffey (1775-1833)
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| Elias Coffey Will & Probate |
According to one researcher, Eli was born on May 8, 1775 in Wilkes Co., NC. We know from Green Co., KY marriage records he married Mary "Polly" Coffey, a first cousin and daughter of his uncle Nathan Coffey and wife Mary Saunders, the marriage having occurred on Mar. 22, 1801 in that county.
Eli and Mary had at least 12 children, all born in KY, some in Logan Co. and, some in Adair and Russell Counties. There are a few we do not yet have an exact place of birth but suspect some of their older children were born in Greene Co.[1]
Eli died in Russell Co., KY in Jul., 1833, leaving a will dated Nov. 10, 1832.[2]
"In the name of God amen. I Eli Coffey of Russell county and State of Kentucky, calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and knowing that all men have got to die to [sic] make this my last will and Testament in the following manner and form
"My will and desire is that all of my property such as are land and stock of all description and house furniture and farming interests to belong to my wife Poly Coffey during her natural life and at her death an equal distribution to be made of all my property of any kind among my children My will and desire is that as my sons come of age for my wife to give them one horse briale [sic] [bridle] and saddle apiece and I appoint Acillis [sic] Coffey my sole execution of this my last will and testament In witness where of I herewite [sic] set my hand and seal this 10th day of November 1832"
Eli signed with his mark.
Nebuzaradan Coffey and William Payne were witnesses.
By the time the will was probated on Dec. 9, 1833 at Jamestown, the witness Nebuzaradan was deceased. A person who appears to be Will F. Patterson made his testimony that the signature of the deceased Nebuzaradan was genuine.
I do not know who this Nebuzaradan was. Salathiel and Elizabeth are not known to have had a son by that name. But, then we do not know with any certainty how many children they did have and all of their names. The same researcher mentioned in paragraph 2, above, tells me Salathiel died intestate and his wife was named administratrix of his estate. No children were named in the paperwork that followed. Later, the wife and children moved to Adair Co., to what was then Green Co., KY, about 1799-1801. Some of the children later migrated into the Illinois territory.
I am aware of at least three men named Nebuzaradan Coffey. The first is said to be a son of Joel Coffey and Martha Stepp, Joel being another son of Chesley and brother to Salathial. This is the Nebuzaradan, said to have been born in 1789, died in 1867 at Marion Co., OR. His wife was Elizabeth Easley.[3]
The next I know of was born in Jun., 1831 to Willis and Violetta "Lotty" Haynes Coffey of Russell Co., KY. This Nebuzaradan married Anna Leach "Annie" Baxter on Apr. 8, 1868 in Buchanan Co., MO. Annie was born to Joseph and Frances George Baxter in MO in Sep., 1844. She died in Denver Co., CO in 1934. Her spouse preceded her in death in 1901. Both are buried in the Fairmont Cemetery in Denver. They were parents of at least seven children, all but one born in MO. The last, Hattie, was born in CO.
And finally, the third Nebuzaradan was born c1757[4] in Albemarle Co., VA to Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey. I believe earlier researchers more or less assigned some children to Chesley based on time and place. I have not seen any documentation which confirms Chesley existed, much less had certain named children.
In any event, by tradition, Nebuzaradan moved to Madison Co., KY c1794[5]. He made his will in Madison Co. on Oct. 1, 1796 and was probated on Mar. 7, 1797.[6] Again by tradition, his wife was Elizabeth Hayes, born c1760, died c1830. A marriage record has not been found.
So, who was the Nebuzaradan Coffey who witnessed the will of Elias "Eli" Coffey?
Jack
Sources
[1] More information is available in the Edward Coffey Project or, via private email.
[2] Kentucky Probate Records, 1792-1977, familysearch.org
[3] "Nebuzardan Coffey, born in North Carolina in 1790, moved to Kentucky, where in 1810 he married Miss Easley, 14 days older than himself. He removed to Illinois in 1831, and came to Oregon in 1847. He died at his home in Marion County on the 20th of January, 1867, leaving his wife, who with him, had borne the vicissitudes of 57 years on the frontier." The Works of Hubert Howe Bancroft, Vox. XXIX [Vol I, History of Oregon 1834-1848 citing the Salem Unionist of Feb. 11, 1867.
[4] Birth year could have been earlier. If his son was the Joel who married Jane Coffey in Wilkes Co., NC on Aug. 22, 1793, then Nebuzaradon was born earlier than 1780. First name could be Isaac as suggested in the Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse newsletter of March 1997 by Donna McDonald of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. She also suggested he was born in Wilkes Co., NC. Birth year must have been earlier. If 1757 is close to accurate, he was 13 yrs. old when he married Elizabeth, who if born in 1760 would have been ten years old at her marriage! It's rather obvious their birth and/or marriage dates of way off.
[5] No records found dated prior to 1796
[6] Julia Spencer Ardery, Compiler, Kentucky Court and Other Records, 2 Vols. (Baltimore, MD: Genealogy Pub. Co., 1979). Coffey, Nebuzarden - To wife, and all chdn. viz: Joel, Sary, Polly, Fieldin, Sail, Nilas, Hays, Betsy and Ruth; property divided when youngest child comes of age. Extrs.: Joel Coffey, Jas. Coffey, Fieldin Coffey. Written Oct. 1, 1796. Wts. Allin, Cleveland Coffey, Marthy Coffey. Probated March 7, 1797. See also Junie Estelle Stewart King, compiler, Abstract of Early Kentucky Wills and Inventories (: Heritage Books, 2001), p. 162.
January 11, 2013
John Clinton & Nancy Elizabeth Coffey Jacobs
What began as an attempt to correct a previous blog about a member of this family resulted in deleting that blog and starting over. For some unknown reason I could not remove a link that connected that blog to a now deleted website.
Nancy Elizabeth Coffey was born on May 23, 1861 in Rash, Jackson Co., AL and died there on May 16, 1918. She was born to the union of Rice Abner Coffey and his first wife, Mary Ann Coffey. She and Rice were first cousins as well as double-fourth cousins. She was the daughter of Benjamin B. & Mary Elizabeth Roach Coffey while Rice was the son of Alexander Hamilton and Nancy E. Weatherly Coffey. Benjamin and Alexander were brothers as well as double-third cousins. These families go back to Edward through Rice and Sarah Bradford Coffey, Rev. James Coffey and wife Elizabeth Cleveland to Edward's son John and his wife, Jane Graves.
Nancy Elizabeth married John Clinton Jacobs in Stevenson, Jackson Co., AL on Nov. 1, 1883. [1] He was born on Apr. 22, 1855 in Beech Grove, Maury Co., TN and died in Scottsboro, Jackson Co., AL on Jun. 30, 1938.[2]
Their first child, a daughter, was Bennie Coffey Jacobs, born in TN in 1884, died in Scottsboro on Oct. 17, 1899 at the age of 15 years. She is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro.
Elmer Pruitt was born in Coffey Co., TN in 1887 and died in Bridgeport, Jackson Co. in 1970. He was involved with the Gunter Stove Works in Bridgeport for many years. His wife was Lena Geneva Givan or Givens, born c1890 in Missouri. They were parents of nine children: Geneva, Bettie, Elmer, Jr., Sallie Belle, Rice Abner, Henry Grady, Lethia Ring, Nathan Bedford Forrest and Mary Jane. Elmer, Sr. died in Bridgeport in 1970, Lena in Marion Co., TN in 1977. Both are buried at Cumberland View Cemetery in Marion Co. Lena appears in the 1910 Finley Twp., Christian Co., MO census with her parents and a large number of siblings. The handwriting is small and blurred making it difficult to determine what exactly the surname is: Givan, Givans, Given or Givens.
Annie Theodosia "Dosia" was born in 1890, Coffee Co., TN, and married Mitchell Luther Harris of Cumberland Co., NC in Scottsboro on Mar. 14, 1910. He died in Scottsboro in 1960, she in 1974. She is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro and he is probably there as well. Their children were John Clinton, Roderick Edward, Dr. Elmer Jacobs; Dr. Ruth; Mitchell Luther, Jr.; and an unnamed son who was born and died in Feb. 1928 at Autauga Co., AL.
Henry Woodfin Grady was born in 1892, Maury Co., TN. He married Sarah Louise Wilson in 1913, McMinn Co., TN. Sarah was born there in 1893 and died in Scottsboro in 1988. They too are probably buried at Cedar Hill but I have not found them there. I know of a couple of children: Nancy Elizabeth, born 1915 and John Clinton, born 1918, both in Scottsboro.
Rice Abner was born in TN in 1894 and died in Scottsboro in 1980. He married Jewell Riggs, born 1898 in GA, died 1952 in Scottsboro. Jewell was living with her paternal grandparents in Haralson Co., GA in 1900. I have not located her parents. I have not found the marriage record for Rice and Jewell and do not know of any children.
Veda Pearl was born in AL in 1896 and married Claude Evans Spivey of Rhea Co., TN in Dec., 1917 at Scottsboro. They had at least two children, Carolyn, born 1918 and Lunita Jacobs, born 1925, both in Scottsboro. Carolyn married William Bethel Wilson on Jun. 26, 1941 in Tuscaloosa Co., AL. Their engagement was announced in the Tuscaloosa News on Jun. 15, 1941.[3]
The last known child of John and Nancy was Lunita, born in 1902. She married Robert Martin Lane in Scottsboro in 1927 and had at lest two children; Robert Martin and Frances Fletcher. Nothing more is known of this family.
[*] Jerry Dickinson wrote in a Jan. 18, 2013 e-mail that "Fletcher Jacobs and Philo Dayton Benham did have at least one child - Nancy Benham b. 29 Jan 1933 in Alabama d. 9 Mar 1967 - Fulton, Georgia. Married a Steenhuis. Found her SSN/1940 census/some ship passenger list. She is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery."
[1] "Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQNJ-B2H : accessed 26 Nov 2012), J. C. Jacobs and N. Elizabeth Coffey, 01 Nov 1883.
[2] Information about John Clinton Jacobs was originally found at a website (Jacobs Family History) owned by Mary Ellen Harris. There was an abundance of info about the family, including photos of all of the children of John and Nancy. The site appears to be off line now; at least at the link I first found.
[3]The Tuscaloosa News
The photos were found on the Former Jacobs Family History website, no longer on-line with the same web address.
Nancy Elizabeth Coffey was born on May 23, 1861 in Rash, Jackson Co., AL and died there on May 16, 1918. She was born to the union of Rice Abner Coffey and his first wife, Mary Ann Coffey. She and Rice were first cousins as well as double-fourth cousins. She was the daughter of Benjamin B. & Mary Elizabeth Roach Coffey while Rice was the son of Alexander Hamilton and Nancy E. Weatherly Coffey. Benjamin and Alexander were brothers as well as double-third cousins. These families go back to Edward through Rice and Sarah Bradford Coffey, Rev. James Coffey and wife Elizabeth Cleveland to Edward's son John and his wife, Jane Graves.Nancy Elizabeth married John Clinton Jacobs in Stevenson, Jackson Co., AL on Nov. 1, 1883. [1] He was born on Apr. 22, 1855 in Beech Grove, Maury Co., TN and died in Scottsboro, Jackson Co., AL on Jun. 30, 1938.[2]
Their first child, a daughter, was Bennie Coffey Jacobs, born in TN in 1884, died in Scottsboro on Oct. 17, 1899 at the age of 15 years. She is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro.
Elmer Pruitt was born in Coffey Co., TN in 1887 and died in Bridgeport, Jackson Co. in 1970. He was involved with the Gunter Stove Works in Bridgeport for many years. His wife was Lena Geneva Givan or Givens, born c1890 in Missouri. They were parents of nine children: Geneva, Bettie, Elmer, Jr., Sallie Belle, Rice Abner, Henry Grady, Lethia Ring, Nathan Bedford Forrest and Mary Jane. Elmer, Sr. died in Bridgeport in 1970, Lena in Marion Co., TN in 1977. Both are buried at Cumberland View Cemetery in Marion Co. Lena appears in the 1910 Finley Twp., Christian Co., MO census with her parents and a large number of siblings. The handwriting is small and blurred making it difficult to determine what exactly the surname is: Givan, Givans, Given or Givens.
Annie Theodosia "Dosia" was born in 1890, Coffee Co., TN, and married Mitchell Luther Harris of Cumberland Co., NC in Scottsboro on Mar. 14, 1910. He died in Scottsboro in 1960, she in 1974. She is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Scottsboro and he is probably there as well. Their children were John Clinton, Roderick Edward, Dr. Elmer Jacobs; Dr. Ruth; Mitchell Luther, Jr.; and an unnamed son who was born and died in Feb. 1928 at Autauga Co., AL.
Henry Woodfin Grady was born in 1892, Maury Co., TN. He married Sarah Louise Wilson in 1913, McMinn Co., TN. Sarah was born there in 1893 and died in Scottsboro in 1988. They too are probably buried at Cedar Hill but I have not found them there. I know of a couple of children: Nancy Elizabeth, born 1915 and John Clinton, born 1918, both in Scottsboro.
Rice Abner was born in TN in 1894 and died in Scottsboro in 1980. He married Jewell Riggs, born 1898 in GA, died 1952 in Scottsboro. Jewell was living with her paternal grandparents in Haralson Co., GA in 1900. I have not located her parents. I have not found the marriage record for Rice and Jewell and do not know of any children.
Veda Pearl was born in AL in 1896 and married Claude Evans Spivey of Rhea Co., TN in Dec., 1917 at Scottsboro. They had at least two children, Carolyn, born 1918 and Lunita Jacobs, born 1925, both in Scottsboro. Carolyn married William Bethel Wilson on Jun. 26, 1941 in Tuscaloosa Co., AL. Their engagement was announced in the Tuscaloosa News on Jun. 15, 1941.[3]
Miss Spivey Is Engaged to Wed Mr. William Wilson
Mr. and Mrs. Philo Dayton Benham announce the engagement of their niece, Carolyn Spivey of Scottsboro, Alabama to William Bethel Wilson of this city.
The wedding will take place on the evening of June 26 at 7 o'clock in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Benham and Tuscaloosa relatives will attend the nuptial vows.
The bride-elect is the grand-daughter of the late John Clinton Jacobs, widely-known banker of North Alabama, and of Mrs. George Wesley Spivey of Dayton, Tenn. [sic]. She was graduated from Penn Hall Preparatory School in Chambersbury, Penn., and attended Sweet Briar College in Virginia where she was affiliated with the Kappa Delta sorority.
The bridegroom-to-be, known and admired in this city as Bill Wilson, is the son of Dr. and Mrs. John W. Wilson of Audubon Place and a nephew of Owen Meredith and of Commander J. E. Meredith (U.S. Navy) of Mobile.
Mrs. Wilson was graduated from the Tuscaloosa High School where he was a member of the S.E.A. fraternity. At the University of Alabama he was affiliated with the Kappa Alpha fraternity and other social organizations.Philo Dayton Benham was the husband of Veda's sister, Fletcher Pitts Jacobs. Fletcher was born in Jackson Co. in 1899 and died in Scottsboro in 1962. Philo was born - according to the marriage record - in Delaware in 1895. He and Fletcher married in Jackson Co. in 1929 and, he died in 1960. Both are buried at Cedar Hill. I know of no children for them.[*]
The last known child of John and Nancy was Lunita, born in 1902. She married Robert Martin Lane in Scottsboro in 1927 and had at lest two children; Robert Martin and Frances Fletcher. Nothing more is known of this family.
[*] Jerry Dickinson wrote in a Jan. 18, 2013 e-mail that "Fletcher Jacobs and Philo Dayton Benham did have at least one child - Nancy Benham b. 29 Jan 1933 in Alabama d. 9 Mar 1967 - Fulton, Georgia. Married a Steenhuis. Found her SSN/1940 census/some ship passenger list. She is buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery."
[1] "Alabama Marriages, 1816-1957", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQNJ-B2H : accessed 26 Nov 2012), J. C. Jacobs and N. Elizabeth Coffey, 01 Nov 1883.
[2] Information about John Clinton Jacobs was originally found at a website (Jacobs Family History) owned by Mary Ellen Harris. There was an abundance of info about the family, including photos of all of the children of John and Nancy. The site appears to be off line now; at least at the link I first found.
[3]The Tuscaloosa News
The photos were found on the Former Jacobs Family History website, no longer on-line with the same web address.
January 2, 2013
Lewis Russell and Bidant "Biddy" Moore Coffey
Lewis' will has been transcribed and can be found here. In his will, he named his children Betsy, Rachel, Polly, James, Henderson, Shelby, Benjamin F.,Thomas, and Edward. He mentioned his deceased son Jesse and named Jesse's daughter Sophronia as a legatee. Son Cleveland may have been deceased without descendants as he is not mentioned.
Lewis Russell Coffey was a grandson of John and Jane Graves Coffey through his father, the Rev. James Coffey and his wife, Elizabeth Cleveland. James and Elizabeth, through their 11 children are responsible for many of the Wayne and Pulaski Co., KY Coffey families.
Lewis was number 11, born Nov. 18, 1772 in Amherst Co., VA, died Sep. 29, 1850 in Wayne Co., KY.[1] He married Bidant "Biddy" Moore on Dec. 10, 1795 [2] in Wilkes Co. NC, a daughter of Jesse Moore and Alley Johnson. Biddy was born on May 3, 1775 in Albemarle Co., VA and died in Wayne Co. on Jan. 13, 1857.[1]
Eleven children were born to Lewis and Biddy. They were:
Elizabeth G. (Betsy), 1797-1868, who married Richard Northcraft Cullom. Richard was a farmer and a legislator, born in Maryland in 1795. He and Betsy were married in Wayne Co., KY where Richard's family had moved early in his life. In 1830, he and Betsy moved to Tazewell Co., IL where they lived the remainder of their lives. In 1836 he was elected to the 10th Illinois General Assembly where he served with Lincoln. In 1840 he was elected to the IL Senate. He served in a number of other elected offices and died in Tazewell Co. on Dec. 3, 1872. Betsy died on Dec. 5, 1868. Both are buried at the Old Washington Cemetery in Tazewell Co., IL. They had at least five children, the third being Shelby Moore Cullom (1829-1914). He followed his father into politics and was elected to the IL state house in 1855. In 1865 he was elected to represent IL in the US Congress where he served three consecutive terms. In 1876 he was elected Governor of IL and served nearly two terms. He resigned in the middle of the second term to become a candidate for the US Senate, to which he was elected and served five consecutive terms and was considered several times as a candidate for the US presidency.[3] He married twice, both wives daughters of Samuel and Hannah Beaver Fisher. All are buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL.
Rachel, 1798-?, married Thomas Jefferson Jones c1830. They were probably married sometime around 1830 and were in the 1860 Wayne Co., KY census. Thomas was age 55; Rachel age 59. I know of two children: Margaret (1830-1862) married Martin Sallee. In 1860 a John Jones, age 11, was in the household with Thomas and Rachel and, could be a son or a grandson.
Mary Jane "Polly", c1803-1855, married Jooshua Oatts in Wayne Co. on Jan. 4, 1821.[4] They were in the 1850 Wayne Co., KY census with children Cleveland, age 21; Emily, age 18; John R., age 15; Safrona [sic], age 14; Lewis, age 10; T. J., age 8 [Thomas J.]; Shelby C., age 6 and Russell, age 5. In addition to those, they also had Cosby [1823-1890] and James Douglas [1824-1893]. Joshua died in 1858 and is buried at Elk Springs Valley Cemetery in Oil Valley, Wayne Co. Polly died of typhoid fever in 1855 and is also buried at Elk Springs Valley.
James Lewis, 1802-1855, married Sarah Alloway "Sally" Strange in 1830, Wayne Co. Sally was born in McMinn Co., TN in 1807 to Archelaus Alloway and Elizabeth Coffey Strange. Elizabeth Coffey Strange and James Lewis Coffey were first cousins. James died in Wayne Co. in 1855 and Sally there in 1885. Both are buried at Elk Springs Valley. They had at least 10 children: Jesse Columbus; Elizabeth E.; Anjeletta; George W.; Cleveland McKendree; Mary "Molly"; James Franklin; Sarah J. "Sallie"; Obidah Strange "Obie"; and Verlinda J. "Linnie." More information about this family is available.
Henderon, c1802-1868, married Minerva Alexander in 1827, Wayne Co.[5] Minerva was born c1805 in KY and died in Wayne Co. in 1881. Harrison died in 1868 and both are buried at Elk Springs Valley. They had at least 10 children: Telitha; Mary Alexander; Shelby; Joseph; Emily Biddy; Nancy "Nannie"; Elizabeth "Betsy;" Lewis; Mary Anna and Susan. More information about this family is available.
Shelby "Shelly," 1811-1863, married Zerilda Emarine Meadows, daughter of Andrew and Jane Graham Meadows. She was born in Wayne Co., 1822 and died there in 1900. Shelly died in 1863 [6] and both are buried at Elk Springs Valley. I have only three children for them: Shelby, Jr., 1833-?; Andrew Lewis, 1844-1887; and Mary Jane, 1854-?. More information about this family is available.
Edward Northcraft Cullom, c1813-?, married Rachel A. Isaacs. Rachel was born in 1823 and died in Wayne Co. in 1872. She is buried at Kendrick Cemetery in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY. No further information.
Jesse Moore, 1815-1835, married Elizabeth "Eliza" Smith in 1832. [5] They had a daughter, Sophronia, born c1833. No further information.
Benjamin Franklin, 1816-1868, married Mary Ann Worsham in 1842. [5] Mary Ann was born in 1826 in KY and died in Wayne Co. in 1886. Both are said to be buried in Monticello at a Coffey Cemetery. [7] Their children were Emma; Martha; William E.; Mary A.; Ida S.; Benjamin, Jr.; Robert Lee and Nannie J. No further information.
Cleveland L., 1817-?, married Sophronia Oatts, born 1812m died 1877 in Wayne Co. Children were at least two: Lewis J. and Mary C. Sophronia is buried at Elk Springs Valley. No further information.
Thomas Coleman, c1819-1890, married four time, first to Mary Heaven or Havens in 1839, Wayne Co.[5] No children are known to have been born to this union. Second wife was Patience Jane Miller in 1848.[5][8] He and Patience had at least three children: Margaret, c1841, John, c1843 and Marshal, c1850. Patience died in Wayne Co. in 1855. That date is not proven and her burial place is not known to me. Third wife was Sarah Havens, likely some relation to Mary, his first wife. Nothing is known of her. Thomas' fourth wife was Mrs. Amanda Jane Hudson Stone, born c1819. They had at least three children: Amanda, c1851; Alley, c1853 and Mary, c1856. According to the KY DAR, Thomas died in Lincoln Co. and is probably buried there.[9]
Some documentation as well as this information and Lewis' ancestors, his family and his descendants can be found on the Edward Coffey Project CD or DVD. In fact, all of the Coffey's that I have written about in this blog over the past number of years can be found in my Edward Coffey Project, with much of it updated since the blog was written.
[1] Grave monument
[2] Coffey, Laurence H., editor, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants (Chattanooga, TN: N. Sanders, 1931), Page 85.
[3] Governors of Illinois (Chicago, IL: Biographical Publishing Company, 1891), Pages 175-176.
[4] Dodd, Jordan. Kentucky Marriages to 1850. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1997. Electronic transcription of marriage records held by the individual counties in Kentucky.
[5] From Wayne County, Kentucky Marriages, 1801-1860. Source gives brides name as Mannen Alexander; Manerva in 1850 and 1860 Wayne Co. census. Bond missing; married 29 March 1827 by Racoon John Smith.
[6] “Kentucky Probate Records, 1792-1977,” Image database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/).
[7] Wayne Co. KY Cemeteries compiled by B. B. Coffey, Sr., Page 31. This cemetery is referred to in the source as Coffey Cemetery and is said to be located at or near the intersection of Spruce St. and Hiland View Dr. in Monticello.
[8]The bride's name appears to be Jane Meeker in record. Surety was Isaac N. Shepherd. Bond dated 23 August 1848; Minister return is missing.
[9] Kentucky DAR, compiler, Kentucky Bible Records (: DAR, 1966), Vol. IV.
May 23, 2012
George Archelaus Coffey, 1874 IL - 1949 OK
George Archelaus Coffey was a son of John A. McClernan and Mary R. Glascock Coffey. John was born in Saline Co., IL in 1846 to Achilles and Jane Dean Coffey and died in Apr., 1893 at Washita Co., OK. He and Mary were married on Aug. 15, 1869 in Saline Co.* These families descend from Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through their son John who married Jane Graves and, their son, Rev. James Coffey who married Elizabeth Cleveland.
George was born in Saline Co. on Jan. 13, 1874 and died Apr. 28, 1949 in OK. He married Julia Gordon Lockhart on Aug. 11, 1895 in Erath Co., TX. Julia was born Mar. 3, 1877 at Bluff Dale in Erath Co., and died on Oklahoma City on Nov. 25, 1961. Both she and George are buried at Warner Memorial Cemetery in Muskogee Co., OK.
The biography for George tells us that he and Julia had four children: John L., born in Mar., 1898 in TX; May L., born May 19, 1900 in OK and twin daughters, Georgia W. and Geordia W., born c1903 in OK. May married John P. Nickens on Aug. 30, 1926 in Cleveland Co., OK and had at least two children, Georgia C., born c1928 and Mary R., born c1929. May is also buried at Warner but the burial site for John has not been located. In the 1930 census John and May were residents of Cleveland Co. where he was employed as a "decorator" for the Kress Co. and May was a public school teacher. Marriage records for the other children of George and Julia have not been found.
George began his career as a school teacher in Erath Co. and was principal of schools in that county at Huckaby. He was later a teacher at Alexander, TX and Walnut Springs, TX. He went to Washita Co., OK Territory in 1899. Later they would relocate to LoneWolf in Kiowa Co., OK and even later to Goodwell in Texas Co., OK. In 1930 they were in Vann, Muskogee Co.
In 1911 George served as state senator in OK's third state legislature. He later served in the 17th (1939), the same legislature in which Will Rogers was then serving.
The following is a rather long biography produced by John Bradfield Thoburn on pages 1413-1414 in his 4th volume, A Standard History of Oklahoma, published in 1916. I have broken it up somewhat to make it a bit easier to read.**
*http://www.pendleyusa.com/sampendle/index.htm#TOC, accessed Sep., 2005.
**Search Google Books for George A. Coffey
George was born in Saline Co. on Jan. 13, 1874 and died Apr. 28, 1949 in OK. He married Julia Gordon Lockhart on Aug. 11, 1895 in Erath Co., TX. Julia was born Mar. 3, 1877 at Bluff Dale in Erath Co., and died on Oklahoma City on Nov. 25, 1961. Both she and George are buried at Warner Memorial Cemetery in Muskogee Co., OK.
The biography for George tells us that he and Julia had four children: John L., born in Mar., 1898 in TX; May L., born May 19, 1900 in OK and twin daughters, Georgia W. and Geordia W., born c1903 in OK. May married John P. Nickens on Aug. 30, 1926 in Cleveland Co., OK and had at least two children, Georgia C., born c1928 and Mary R., born c1929. May is also buried at Warner but the burial site for John has not been located. In the 1930 census John and May were residents of Cleveland Co. where he was employed as a "decorator" for the Kress Co. and May was a public school teacher. Marriage records for the other children of George and Julia have not been found.
George began his career as a school teacher in Erath Co. and was principal of schools in that county at Huckaby. He was later a teacher at Alexander, TX and Walnut Springs, TX. He went to Washita Co., OK Territory in 1899. Later they would relocate to LoneWolf in Kiowa Co., OK and even later to Goodwell in Texas Co., OK. In 1930 they were in Vann, Muskogee Co.
In 1911 George served as state senator in OK's third state legislature. He later served in the 17th (1939), the same legislature in which Will Rogers was then serving.
The following is a rather long biography produced by John Bradfield Thoburn on pages 1413-1414 in his 4th volume, A Standard History of Oklahoma, published in 1916. I have broken it up somewhat to make it a bit easier to read.**
"There is no profession to which men devote their energies more dignified in its ethics or more reasonably helpful to their fellow-men than that of education, the always advancing standards of which demand of its devotees constant study and a keen and comprehensive knowledge of a wealth of subjects. These demands, in turn, redound to the benefit of the community, for not infrequently the capable educator is chosen for positions in the law-making department of our government, where he is able, through his superior attainments, to contribute materially to his locality’s development and progress. Of the educators of Western Oklahoma who have won prominent positions in their calling and at the same time have served the communities capably in legislative office, one of the best known and most popular is George A. Coffey, ex-state senator and at present superintendent of schools of Carter, Beckham County. His labors as an educator have covered a period of more than twenty years, and his advancement in his profession has been steady and consistent. Few men have contributed in greater degree to the cause of education, and no man has a better record for straightforward, energetic effort as a public servant.
'Mr. Coffey was born in Saline County, Illinois, January 13, 1874, and is a son of Rev. J. M. and Mary R. (Glasscock) Coffey, and a descendant of Irish ancestors who came to America in Colonial days and settled in Virginia. His father was born in Saline County, Illinois, in 1846, and as a young man adopted the vocation of farmer, an occupation he has followed throughout his life, in connection with his labors as a minister of the Missionary Baptist Church. With the exception of a year spent in Kansas, he resided in Saline County, Illinois, until 1888, in that year removing with his family to Baylor County, Texas, and two years later going to Brown County, in the same state. There he made his home until April, 1893, when he took up a homestead in Washita County, Oklahoma, and after proving his claim disposed of his land and bought his present farm, also in Washita County. He is now living a retired life, being in comfortable financial circumstances. Mrs. Coffey, who survives at the age of sixty-seven years, is a native of Tennessee.'Mr. Coffey of this review comes of a race of people noted for longevity, none of his ancestors, male or female, having died under the age of seventy-five, and some of them reaching the age of 112."George A. Coffey attended the country schools of Saline County, Illinois, until he was fourteen years of age and at that time went with his parents to Baylor County, Texas. He went to the high school at Seymour, and in 1890, when his parents went to Brown County, Texas, he entered Howard Payne College and finished the teachers’ training course in 1894. In the meantime he had already entered upon his educational career, having taught several terms in Oklahoma and Texas, and in 1894 began to devote his entire time to his chosen calling, as a teacher in Erath County. In the term of 1895-6 he was principal of schools at Huckaby, Erath County, Texas, and during the terms of 1896-7, 1897-8 and 1898-9 was teacher at Alexander, Texas, while in 1899, 1900, he was engaged in the same capacity at Walnut Springs, Texas. On December 25, 1899. Mr. Coffey came to Oklahoma and filed on a claim in Washita County, on which he began to live March 10, 1900, and continued to reside thereon for five years, finally proving up and selling it. During this time, in 1900-01, he had continued his professional labors as principal of schools at Gage, Oklahoma, continued as such in the term of 1901-2, and in 1902-3 was principal of the schools at Cordell, there organizing the first graded school in Washita County. In the terms of 1903-4 and 1904-5 he was superintendent of schools at Port, Oklahoma, in 1905-6 at Rocky, Oklahoma, in 1906-7 at Port again, and in 1907-8, 1908-9 and 1909-10 at Lone Wolf, Oklahoma."During the time he resided at Lone Wolf, Mr. Coffey served as a member of the Oklahoma State Senate, to which body he was elected on the democratic ticket. His service therein was a notable one, he being chairman of the committees on Penal Institutions and Enrolling and Engrossing Bills, and a member of the committees on Public Service, Fees and Salaries, Education, Insurance, Mines and Manufacturing, Public Health and Military Affairs. He introduced and secured the passage of the bill for State Aid for Consolidated Schools, the first bill of its kind and now a law. He was one of the authors of and introduced into the Senate the bill which created the present State Board of Education, and of the bill that secured the large appropriation for the buildings at the Granite Reformatory. Mr. Coffey took a leading part in the fight against the Muskogee Fair Bill, and opposed a large appropriation for the governor’s inaugural ceremony. For a number of years Mr. Coffey has been a leading figure in all the prohibition campaigns, being a stump speaker of forcible address and convincing argument against the liquor traffic."In 1910-11 Mr. Coffey was superintendent of schools at Mountain Park and Retrot. Oklahoma, in 1911-12 at Spring Creek, in 1912-13 at Sentinel, and in 1913-14 at Spring Creek again, and in the fall of 1915 was called to the position of superintendent of schools at Carter, Oklahoma, with a corps of six teachers and a scholarship of 300 pupils. Mr. Coffey is a valued member of the Washita County Teachers Association and the Oklahoma Teachers Association. He has at various times been honored in a professional way, having served as a member of the Board of Examiners of Erath County, Texas, for four years, and of Washita County, Oklahoma, eight years. During the greater part of this time he has devoted the summer terms, when others are enjoying vacations, to faithful and energetic work in the summer normal schools."A recent review of the life and labors of Superintendent Coffey said in part as follows: 'He is a man of versatile ability, being known for twenty-three years to the people of Southwestern Oklahoma in the various capacities of pioneer and progressive educator, fraternal and religious lecturer, prohibition speaker and school legislator. He has ever been in the front ranks of every fight for better government, better schools, morality and decency. His fearless stand for humanity and the right has made him a host of friends. In the school room, in the state senate, in his home, and among his neighbors and friends, he has ever been the same common, plain, unassuming man. The humblest citizen and smallest child in the county may approach him on the same plane of confidence and friendship and be assured of receiving the same consideration and courtesy that would be given to the highest educators and officials of the state with whom he has frequently associated. In his work he has enjoyed the friendship and respect of the ablest men of the state, yet he has spent his time for the uplift of the common people; and the overwhelming support that they have given to all his public aspirations gives proof that they fully appreciate his efforts in their behalf.'"With his family, Mr. Coffey belongs to the Baptist Church. His fraternal connections are with Lone Wolf Lodge, A. F. & A. M.; the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, at Sentinel, and the Rebekahs of the same; the Woodmen of the World, at Sentinel, and the Modern Woodmen of America at Lone Wolf."Superintendent Coffey was married in Erath County, Texas, in 1895, to Miss Julia Gordon Lockhart, daughter of the late Elder J. C. R. Lockhart, who for more than seventy-five years was a. Baptist preacher in Alabama and Texas. Four children have been born to this union: John L., who is a teacher in the public schools of Carter, under his father; Mary L., who is a member of the sophomore class, at Carter High School; Georgia, who is in the seventh grade of the public schools at Carter; and Geordia, twin of Georgia, also in seventh grade."
*http://www.pendleyusa.com/sampendle/index.htm#TOC, accessed Sep., 2005.
**Search Google Books for George A. Coffey
December 1, 2011
Ebenezer Fairchild of North Carolina
The Rev. Ebenezer Fairchild is said to have married Seleh (var.) Durham, a daughter of Mastin and Martha "Patsy" Coffey Durham. Martha was the daughter of the Rev. James Coffey and his wife Elizabeth Cleveland. James, of course, was a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.*
Elizabeth Cleveland is said by Cleveland researchers to be an out-of-wedlock daughter of Edward Coffey and Grace Cleveland, Edward being a brother to John. Edward is also reported to have married Grace at some later date. If Grace's birth year of 1716 is close to being accurate, she would have been about 11 years old when Elizabeth was born in 1727.
The undocumented birth years of most of the early descendants of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey are somewhat speculative. In many cases they are based on known birth dates of subsequent generations and an estimate of years between generations. Personally, I am not comfortable with this method.
Searches for accurate data on Fairchild have proven futile, except for the following:**
*The book, A century of Wayne County, Kentucky, 1800-1900 by Augusta Phillips Johnson, page 9, reads: "Reuben, Lewis Russell, and James Coffey were sons of the Rev. James Coffey and Elizabeth Cleveland, sister of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, who was with Shelby at King's Mountain." [emphasis mine]
**John Preston Arthur, Author, A History of Watauga County, North Carolina: With Sketches of Prominent Families, Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., added new material, 3rd ed. (Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1986), Page 95. It is also in this book that the author provides some insight to Ebenezer's arrival in North Carolina. He wrote that on July 10, 1893, Elizabeth Eagles of New York City, married Nathan Horton. "They went first to the Jersey Settlement, afterwards moving to Holman's Ford, from which place they came with William Miller and his wife, Mary, and their son, David, and Ebenezer Fairchild and family to what is now Cook's Gap, six miles east of the town of Boone." Chapter VIII of this book contains some additional information about Ebenezer, but in my opinion little of genealogical worth. From this I would believe that Morris Town mentioned in the letter is Morristown in present day Morris Co., NJ.
Elizabeth Cleveland is said by Cleveland researchers to be an out-of-wedlock daughter of Edward Coffey and Grace Cleveland, Edward being a brother to John. Edward is also reported to have married Grace at some later date. If Grace's birth year of 1716 is close to being accurate, she would have been about 11 years old when Elizabeth was born in 1727.
The undocumented birth years of most of the early descendants of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey are somewhat speculative. In many cases they are based on known birth dates of subsequent generations and an estimate of years between generations. Personally, I am not comfortable with this method.
Searches for accurate data on Fairchild have proven futile, except for the following:**
"An old letter:
Morris Town, August 23d, 1771.
The Church of Jesus Christ in this place holding Believers Baptism Laying on of Hands Eternal Election & Final Perseverance of the Saints in Grace &c
To the Church of Christ in Roan County in North Carolina of the same Faith, or to any one of the sister churches to whom These Presents may Come, Greeting:
Whereas our Brother Ebenezer Fairchild has Been Baptized in a Regular Way and Received by Us in Full Communion who for some time gave Good Satisfaction to this Church, But after faling [sic] into some Sensorious Errors was Laid under Suspension, And is now Removed from us without a Regular Dispensation has Sent us a Letter Dated September 28, 1770, wherein he seems to make very humble Confession of his Sins and Grievance to the Church and Desires Forgiveness for it which, as he Confesses, was Drinking too hard, Loose Living, and also not keeping his Place in the Church which he Acknowledes and Begs our Prayers to God for him that he may be Enabled to Live up to the Profession he has made, which may the Lord help him to do.
Wherefore as his Life and Conversation is now better Known to you that to us, Although by what we Hear from him we do hope he is a Humble Pentitent, Therefore, if you do Receive him, he is Dismissed from us, and the God of all Grace Bless you all.
Amen.
James Goble
Daniel Walling
John Brookfield
Sam'l Parkhurst
Brother Ebenezer Fairchild we rejoice to hear from you such agreeable News may the Lord grant you Grace and live Agreeable to the profession you have made...Pray for us.
Signed by us at our Meeting Part for All"
*The book, A century of Wayne County, Kentucky, 1800-1900 by Augusta Phillips Johnson, page 9, reads: "Reuben, Lewis Russell, and James Coffey were sons of the Rev. James Coffey and Elizabeth Cleveland, sister of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, who was with Shelby at King's Mountain." [emphasis mine]
**John Preston Arthur, Author, A History of Watauga County, North Carolina: With Sketches of Prominent Families, Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas Jr., added new material, 3rd ed. (Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, Inc., 1986), Page 95. It is also in this book that the author provides some insight to Ebenezer's arrival in North Carolina. He wrote that on July 10, 1893, Elizabeth Eagles of New York City, married Nathan Horton. "They went first to the Jersey Settlement, afterwards moving to Holman's Ford, from which place they came with William Miller and his wife, Mary, and their son, David, and Ebenezer Fairchild and family to what is now Cook's Gap, six miles east of the town of Boone." Chapter VIII of this book contains some additional information about Ebenezer, but in my opinion little of genealogical worth. From this I would believe that Morris Town mentioned in the letter is Morristown in present day Morris Co., NJ.
October 15, 2011
Katherine Grace "Katy" Coffee
 |
| Katherine Grace Coffee |
Katy was born on Jan. 12, 1976 in Kerrville, Kerr Co., TX to Harold Alan and Bobbie Stoebe Coffee. She was murdered on Jun. 3, 2011 in New Castle where she had been newly hired as a district conservationist in Newcastle.
Katy's father was a son of Walter Cleve and Irene Elizabeth Gutschow Coffee. Walter was a son of Clyde M. and Abbie E. Griff Coffee. Up to now, few if any researchers knew who Clyde had married. I discovered her in the Texas birth records for their children, Walter Cleve and Tom Franklin Coffee.
This family goes back to the mythical Chesley. Beginning with Clyde, whose parents were Cleaveland C. and Mattie Leonora Swagerty Coffey. Cleaveland was a son of Mansel Matthews and Georgiana Frances Reynolds Coffee. Mansel was the son of Logan McMillon and Mary Elizabeth Ragland Coffee. Logan was the son of James and Elizabeth Coffey Coffey. James appears to be the son of Joel and Martha Stepp Coffey while Elizabeth was the daughter of Nathan and Mary Saunders Coffey. Both Nathan and Joel are currently thought to be sons of mythical Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey.
The Coffee spelling is thought to go back to Logan and Mary when they lived in Jackson Co., AL. The family, I believe (based on an obituary) thought incorrectly that they were descended from Gen. John Coffee of that state. Part of the obituary for Mansel (1839-1891) reads:
"His family is intimately connected with the history of this country as far back as Gen'l Coffee who, was second in command at the Battle of New Orleans in 1816."
That part was lined out by someone else by the time I received a copy.
The following appeared in a news article found at Trib.com, a website for the Wyoming Star-Tribune:
The following appeared in a news article found at Trib.com, a website for the Wyoming Star-Tribune:
On the morning of June 3, 2011, the body of Katherine Grace Coffee, age 35, was discovered in her home in Newcastle, WY, the victim of an apparent homicide. The death is being investigated by the Newcastle Police Department and the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation. Anyone that has information about the crime or has knowledge of Coffee's whereabouts on the evening and night time hours of Thursday, June 2, 2011 are asked to call the Newcastle Police Department at (307)746-4486. Coffee's family has offered a $25,000 reward to anyone that can provide information that leads to the arrest and conviction or the person/s involved in this crime.
September 15, 2011
The Georgians: Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers
This book was compiled by Jeanette Holland Austin and apparently originally published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. in 1984. It was reprinted for the Clearfield Company, Inc. by Genealogical Publishing in 1998 and again in 2002.
It is an ambitious work but not without errors.
Beginning on page 84, the compiler provides a descendants list for Peter Coffee, born in Ireland between 1690 and 1700, who came to VA c1730 aboard the ship “Forward Galley.” This is documented on page 188 of the 1981 work by Marion and Jack Kaminkow, Emigrants in Bondage. In this work, it is stated that Peter was received on board the ship October 28, 1730.
Austin ends the Peter Coffee descent with the family of Michael Coffee, of Rockingham Co., NC and dates his will to June 23, 1804, proved Nov., 1810 in Rockingham Co. In the will, Michael names wife Margaret and children: Michael, Robert, Thomas, John, Sophia, Mary and Margaret. She tells us that Michael was a son of Joshua Coffee, born 1745 in Prince Edward Co., VA, later of Granville Co., NC.
Clearly, I am not a Peter Coffee expert, but have read some fairly well documented work on this line. The one that I most often refer to when asked about Peter is the compilation completed and privately published by Gene Brewington (dec’d). His wife was a Peter descendant. Gene named only five children for Joshua and wife Elizabeth Graves: William, born Sep., 1768, died before 1797; Thomas Graves, born 4 Sep. 1769 in Prince Edward Co., died 1846 in Lauderdale Co., AL; Elijah, born 1770, died before 1797; John, born June 2, 1772 in Prince Edward Co., died in Florence, Lauderdale Co., AL on Jul. 7, 1833.
John Coffee was a life-long friend of Andrew Jackson, and they engaged in many business affairs together. John raised a regiment of volunteers to help Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in Dec., 1814. After that battle he was promoted from Colonel to Major General, and in 1817 was appointed Surveyor-General of Alabama. He moved to Huntsville in that state and in 1819 moved to Florence in Lauderdale Co. He died at the family home, "Hickory Hill" north of Florence. William T. Hale wrote a bit about Gen. Coffee in his work A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans, published in 1913 by Lewis Publishing Co. of Chicago. Coffee Co., AL is named for him.
Joshua’s brother, Peter, Jr. also named a son John who also became a General. The two Johns are sometimes confused with one another. Peter Jr.’s son was most famous in GA and served from there in the War of 1812. He was also a US Congressman. Coffee Co., GA is named for him.
Austin continues with the genealogy of Michael Coffey by writing that he married Margaret, last name not given, and cites his children as Thomas who married Mary Coffee, a daughter of Hugh Patrick Coffee whose last will and testament was written on June 15, 1828 and proved in August, 1828 at Rockingham Co., NC; John; Michael; Robert; Sophia; Mary; and Margaret. She ends there, but writes that “The family in Wilkes Co., N. C. are descendants of either Peter, or Joshua, sons of Peter Sr.”
As far as I know, all of that could be correct. However, following the above quote, Austin appears to tell us that James Coffey who married Elizabeth Cleveland was a descendant of Peter. All Edward Coffey research that I know of, tells us that Rev. James Coffey was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves, John being the eldest son of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.
James is one of the better researched of the known children of John and Jane Graves Coffey. He was referred to as Reverend because he was a Baptist minister in Wilkes Co., NC.
Many researchers have assumed that James and Elizabeth were married in Orange Co. about 1750, and more specifically Aug. 30, 1750. However, no source has been given for this date, and a record has not been found in Orange Co. marriage records.
James can be found on the Orange Co. "List of Tithables" in 1749, but not in 1754 meaning that he and Elizabeth moved [to Albemarle Co.?] soon after their marriage.
The first deed record found in Albemarle Co. is dated 1758. They bought 124 acres from James' father John, at the head of the middle branch of the Hardware River. (Many early Albemarle Co. records are missing making it impossible to determine the exact date that James settled in Albemarle Co.)
James did enter land on July 26, 1765 for 262 acres "on the head branches of Meechums River, under the Ragged Mountains." This date is probably much later than actual purchase because James had already moved to Amherst Co. the year prior to that date.
James made his will on Sep. 13, 1786 and it was proved Oct. 26 in Wilkes Co. All of his children are named except he mentions the "heirs of my son Archelaus." This indicates that Archelaus died prior to Sep. 1786.
Elizabeth is said to have gone to TN with her son Rice where she died about 1827, at about 100 years of age.
From Virginia DAR Book; Big Blue Book, 1970, page 469:
James Coffey -- Born 1726 Ireland; Died 1813 Wilkes County, North Carolina; Married 1746, Prince Wm. Co., Va., Elizabeth Cleveland, born 1728, died 1828.
James Coffey served as a Private under Capt. Alexander Peoples. Five of his sons were Revolutionary soldiers. (Penn. Archives, 5th Series Vol. VI, p. 57). He resided in Pennsylvania during the Revolution.
The accuracy of that DAR biography is very questionable.
Some researchers have mistakenly given James the middle name of Bluford or Edwen [sic]. I have even seen Ervin as a middle name for James. Middle names did not become common in America until long after the Rev. War. It became somewhat common only after the mid-1800’s. I do not believe anyone can produce documentation that any of our early Coffey ancestors had middle names. The proliferation of such errors as middle names in web-based genealogies is, in my opinion, the result of copying undocumented work without question.
In a following paragraph, Austin then seems to name Thomas Coffey, another son of John and Jane Graves Coffey as a descendant of Peter. I believe that has been proven to not be accurate in the work by Dr. Marvin Coffey, a descendant, in his 1984 work, James Bluford Coffey: His Ancestors and Descendants in America as well as in Thomas Coffey and His Descendants, compiled by Laurence H. Coffey of Lenoir, NC (pub: Newell Sanders, Chattanooga, 1931).
If she knew differently, Austin may have simply miswrote (e.g., badly worded) or perhaps should have omitted all together the comment about the Wilkes Co. Coffeys being descendants of Peter. I’m afraid that comment has mislead some to erroneously conclude that some of Edward’s descendants were actually Peter descendants.
It is an ambitious work but not without errors.
Beginning on page 84, the compiler provides a descendants list for Peter Coffee, born in Ireland between 1690 and 1700, who came to VA c1730 aboard the ship “Forward Galley.” This is documented on page 188 of the 1981 work by Marion and Jack Kaminkow, Emigrants in Bondage. In this work, it is stated that Peter was received on board the ship October 28, 1730.
Austin ends the Peter Coffee descent with the family of Michael Coffee, of Rockingham Co., NC and dates his will to June 23, 1804, proved Nov., 1810 in Rockingham Co. In the will, Michael names wife Margaret and children: Michael, Robert, Thomas, John, Sophia, Mary and Margaret. She tells us that Michael was a son of Joshua Coffee, born 1745 in Prince Edward Co., VA, later of Granville Co., NC.
Clearly, I am not a Peter Coffee expert, but have read some fairly well documented work on this line. The one that I most often refer to when asked about Peter is the compilation completed and privately published by Gene Brewington (dec’d). His wife was a Peter descendant. Gene named only five children for Joshua and wife Elizabeth Graves: William, born Sep., 1768, died before 1797; Thomas Graves, born 4 Sep. 1769 in Prince Edward Co., died 1846 in Lauderdale Co., AL; Elijah, born 1770, died before 1797; John, born June 2, 1772 in Prince Edward Co., died in Florence, Lauderdale Co., AL on Jul. 7, 1833.
John Coffee was a life-long friend of Andrew Jackson, and they engaged in many business affairs together. John raised a regiment of volunteers to help Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans in Dec., 1814. After that battle he was promoted from Colonel to Major General, and in 1817 was appointed Surveyor-General of Alabama. He moved to Huntsville in that state and in 1819 moved to Florence in Lauderdale Co. He died at the family home, "Hickory Hill" north of Florence. William T. Hale wrote a bit about Gen. Coffee in his work A History of Tennessee and Tennesseans, published in 1913 by Lewis Publishing Co. of Chicago. Coffee Co., AL is named for him.
Joshua’s brother, Peter, Jr. also named a son John who also became a General. The two Johns are sometimes confused with one another. Peter Jr.’s son was most famous in GA and served from there in the War of 1812. He was also a US Congressman. Coffee Co., GA is named for him.
Austin continues with the genealogy of Michael Coffey by writing that he married Margaret, last name not given, and cites his children as Thomas who married Mary Coffee, a daughter of Hugh Patrick Coffee whose last will and testament was written on June 15, 1828 and proved in August, 1828 at Rockingham Co., NC; John; Michael; Robert; Sophia; Mary; and Margaret. She ends there, but writes that “The family in Wilkes Co., N. C. are descendants of either Peter, or Joshua, sons of Peter Sr.”
As far as I know, all of that could be correct. However, following the above quote, Austin appears to tell us that James Coffey who married Elizabeth Cleveland was a descendant of Peter. All Edward Coffey research that I know of, tells us that Rev. James Coffey was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves, John being the eldest son of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.
James is one of the better researched of the known children of John and Jane Graves Coffey. He was referred to as Reverend because he was a Baptist minister in Wilkes Co., NC.
Many researchers have assumed that James and Elizabeth were married in Orange Co. about 1750, and more specifically Aug. 30, 1750. However, no source has been given for this date, and a record has not been found in Orange Co. marriage records.
James can be found on the Orange Co. "List of Tithables" in 1749, but not in 1754 meaning that he and Elizabeth moved [to Albemarle Co.?] soon after their marriage.
The first deed record found in Albemarle Co. is dated 1758. They bought 124 acres from James' father John, at the head of the middle branch of the Hardware River. (Many early Albemarle Co. records are missing making it impossible to determine the exact date that James settled in Albemarle Co.)
James did enter land on July 26, 1765 for 262 acres "on the head branches of Meechums River, under the Ragged Mountains." This date is probably much later than actual purchase because James had already moved to Amherst Co. the year prior to that date.
James made his will on Sep. 13, 1786 and it was proved Oct. 26 in Wilkes Co. All of his children are named except he mentions the "heirs of my son Archelaus." This indicates that Archelaus died prior to Sep. 1786.
Elizabeth is said to have gone to TN with her son Rice where she died about 1827, at about 100 years of age.
From Virginia DAR Book; Big Blue Book, 1970, page 469:
James Coffey -- Born 1726 Ireland; Died 1813 Wilkes County, North Carolina; Married 1746, Prince Wm. Co., Va., Elizabeth Cleveland, born 1728, died 1828.
James Coffey served as a Private under Capt. Alexander Peoples. Five of his sons were Revolutionary soldiers. (Penn. Archives, 5th Series Vol. VI, p. 57). He resided in Pennsylvania during the Revolution.
The accuracy of that DAR biography is very questionable.
Some researchers have mistakenly given James the middle name of Bluford or Edwen [sic]. I have even seen Ervin as a middle name for James. Middle names did not become common in America until long after the Rev. War. It became somewhat common only after the mid-1800’s. I do not believe anyone can produce documentation that any of our early Coffey ancestors had middle names. The proliferation of such errors as middle names in web-based genealogies is, in my opinion, the result of copying undocumented work without question.
In a following paragraph, Austin then seems to name Thomas Coffey, another son of John and Jane Graves Coffey as a descendant of Peter. I believe that has been proven to not be accurate in the work by Dr. Marvin Coffey, a descendant, in his 1984 work, James Bluford Coffey: His Ancestors and Descendants in America as well as in Thomas Coffey and His Descendants, compiled by Laurence H. Coffey of Lenoir, NC (pub: Newell Sanders, Chattanooga, 1931).
If she knew differently, Austin may have simply miswrote (e.g., badly worded) or perhaps should have omitted all together the comment about the Wilkes Co. Coffeys being descendants of Peter. I’m afraid that comment has mislead some to erroneously conclude that some of Edward’s descendants were actually Peter descendants.
June 18, 2011
Dr. Edmond Aurelius Coffey
He married Dianah Bagby c1830, probably in NC where she was born on Jan. 27, 1811 to Edmond and Nancy Ann Martin Bagby. Dianah died in 1889 in Etowah Co., AL and was buried at Union No. 3 Baptist Church Cemetery at Ballplay, Etowah Co.
Many researchers believe the family first settled in Gwinnett Co., GA where their 12 children were born. The 1840 census for that county does show an Edmon Coffee with 2 males under 5; 1 male, age 5 to 9; 1 male, 30-39; 1 female under 5; 2 females, age 5-9; and 1 female, age 20-29. The census also counted 8 slaves at the residence.
Census records for 1850 and 1860 show the family residing in Cherokee Co., GA. In 1870 they were in Etowah Co and, 1880 in Blount Co. Sometime shortly after Dianah's death, Dr. Coffey relocated to Denton Co., TX, perhaps to join number seven son, Aurelius (1842-1918) who was in the Denton Co. census of 1880 and 1900 and who died there in 1918.
There were twelve children born to Edmond and Dianah:
Their first was Edmund Bagby, born Jan. 1, 1831, died before 1870 in AL. He married Melissa Jane Sewell, born c1831 in GA. Their marriage was between 1850 when Melissa was living with her widowed mother in Cherokee Co., AL, and 1854 when their first child Frances was born. Their other children were: Sarah Malinda, born 1856 in Cherokee Co., died Sep. 4, 1918 in Blount Co., AL; Lydia Jane, born 1858 in St. Claire Co., AL, died Jan. 8, 1926 in Etowah; and Rachel B., born c1859. There may have been others; these are all I know of.
Second born was Elizabeth Ann on Aug. 27, 1832, died Aug. 8, 1877 in AL. She married Elisha Trimble Walker c1854 and had at least seven children: Nancy; Josephine, Benjamin; Webster; Aurelius; Martha and Elizabeth.
Next was Loany who married William Woodard. She was born 1835, died Jan. 12, 1894 in Chepultepec, Blount Co. Her children were Dianah, born 1854; Jesse T., born c1857; Edmund, born c1859; and William M., Jr., born 1862, died 1930.
Benjamin L., born May 3, 1836, death date unknown. He married Lucy Shields, born c1852 in GA. Their children were Elizabeth, Edmond John; Nancy Walker; and Asberry Aurelius. Probably others that I have not yet located. Asberry Aurelius died in Denton Co., TX in 1951.
Sarah Caroline followed c1838. She married John W. Tidmore, born in AL c1846.
Webster Gilbert was born Jun. 20, 1840 and died in Etowah Co. in 1911. He married Louise Evaline Tidmore, possibly brother to John, c1865. She was born Jan. 22, 1845 in AL and died in Etowah Co. in 1935. They were the parents of 12: James Henry; John Adams; William Thomas; Anna Elizabeth; Webster Gernagin; Edmond Columbus; Buddy J. [who probably died an infant]; Minnie Luella; Martha Jane; Nancy Victoria; Jesse L.; Mary Evergreen; Grover Cleveland; and General.
Aurelius, born Mar. 9, 1842, died Jan. 7, 1918 in Denton Co., TX. His wife was Grace Penelope Hodges, born Oct. 4, 1844 in AL, died shortly after her husband, on Jun. 1, 1918 in Aubrey. Their children were: Wm Riley; Edmund Harrison; James Madison; Francis; Kathryn; Bertha Maurine; Cora and Tommy. The first four were born in AL, perhaps Etowah Co.; the last four in Denton Co., TX.
Child number 8 was Thomas Arvil, born Jun. 30, 1843, died Mar. 9, 1917 in Pontotoc Co., OK. His wife was Hannah Henson, born in AL c1845, died Aug., 1914 in Pontotoc Co. Their children were: Nathan; Mary D., Thomas; Henry Gilbert; Mettie Ellen; James Martin; John Thomas; Aurelius; and Walter Curtis.
James Madison was next. He was born Jun. 4, 1845, died in 1922, perhaps in TX. His wife was Elizabeth Susan Caddell, born 1847 in AL. They married in Etowah Co. in 1867. Chidren: Lewis Edmond; Lemuel A; Basil C; Amanda Evergreen; Aurelius; one unnamed son (1878-1879); Mallie Jane; Laura Valera; James R.; Barbara Elizabeth; and Dessie Victoria.
Eliza Jane, born 1847, died 1915. She married John Boone McKinney on Sep. 19, 1868 in Etowah Co. He was born c1847 and died c1884. Children were: John Thomas; Edmond James; William Webster; Benjamin Aurelius; Dinah Elizabeth; Samuel Washington; and Lorena Martha Creacy Evergreen [sic].
No. 11 was Martha, born 1850, died c1920. Her husband was Perry E. Daily, born 1853 in AL. They were married Aug. 4, 1872 in Blount Co., AL. Children: Edmond; Mary; Ellen, and William.
The last child born to Edmond and Dianah was Chaney Evergreen on Dec. 28, 1852. No other info has been found and, she likely died in infancy.
*Gloria B. Mayfield Project Mgr, "Cemeteries of Denton County Texas", database, Cemeteries of Texas, Cemeteries of Denton County Texas (http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/etx/denton/listdenton.html).
More information about this family and their descendants is available on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.
January 28, 2011
David Franklin & Elizabeth Conner Coffey
David was a son of Nathaniel and Sarah Meredith Coffey. Nathaniel (Nathan) was a son of Joel and Martha Stepp/Step Coffey. Joel is said to be a son of the oft-labeled "mysterious" Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey.
As described below, Nathan came to Pike Co., IL in 1829 with his parents and other siblings. He married Elizabeth Conner there on Aug. 6, 1842 and in 1850 was elected Justice of the Peace for Pike Co. The family farmed and raised children throughout the 1850s and early 1860s, but in June of 1862 David entered the Civil War on the side of the Union when he became commander of Co. B, 68th Ill Regt. He was 45-years old.
The 68th was organized for 3-months service in June, 1862 and most of the men were from the northern part of the state. During the second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run to us Rebels) he was detailed to "hospital service." The record does not say if he was wounded, sick or had special talents needed in the hospital. In any event, he died on Sep. 22, 1867 in Griggsville, Pike Co.
Sarah E., born c1843, Nathan F., born c1845; John Hardin, born Aug. 31, 1847, died Apr. 29, 1917 in Oklahoma; Delitha M., born c1849; Daniel Franklin, born Mar., 1851; Burton B., born c1853; Thomas M., born 1856; Mary J., born c1857; and Grace L., born c1861. Grace died of pneumonia on May 19, 1914 in Kansas City, Kaw Twp., Jackson Co., MO. She is buried at St. Joseph in Buchanan Co., MO. She had been a teacher at the Garfield School in Jackson Co. Delitha was also a school teacher in Griggsville in the 1880s.
John Hardin married Ellen Martin on Oct. 14, 1875 in West Grove, Davis Co., IA. Ellen was born in 1855 - probably in IA - and died in OK in 1938. Both are buried at Fairlawn Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
Daniel Franklin married Nancy Margaret "Maggie" Hill on Oct. 14, 1874 in Scott Co., IL. Maggie was born in Mar. 1856 in IL. This family moved around quite a bit. In the 1880s they lived in Chambersburg, Pike Co.; in 1900 they lived in Brunswick, Chanton Co., MO; 1910 in Dodge City, Ford Co., KS and in 1920 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO. Their children were: Russell J., born Feb., 1877, IL; Burton B., born Feb., 1880 in Chambersburg, Pike Co.; Elizabeth, born May, 1883 in IL; Florence, born Mar., 1888 in MO; Flossie, born Apr., 1891 in MO; Lola, born Jan., 1898 in MO and Marie, born Mar., 1899 in MO.
Thomas M., born 1856 in IL, married Lillian M. Hathaway on Jul. 5, 1883 in that state. He was a Minister of the Gospel. Sometime between their marriage and 1894 the family moved to Iowa where five of their six children were born: Grace H., born Aug. 30, 1884; Allen, born May, 1886; Inez C., born Sep., 1888; Maud M., born Feb., 1890; Myrna M., born Feb., 1894. Their last child was Paul I., and he was born Jan., 1899 in Union Co., South Dakota. By 1910 they were in Alva, Crook Co., WY where they apparently remained, at least through the 1920 census.
Grace married Victor M. French (not the Little House on the Prairie character) on Oct. 2, 1907 in Crook Co. Victor was born in Egan, Moody Co., SD and died in Rapid City, Pennington Co., SD in Oct., 1967. Grace died in Alva in 1917, apparently during, or right after the birth of their third child. Victor later married Delia Foley, but I have not found a marriage record or list of their children. His children with Grace, all born in Crook Co., were: Russell E., born c1909; Celia M., born c1910 and Geraldine B., born c1917. The two girls were enumerated with Grace's parents in 1920; Russel with his father. Victor, Grace and Delia are buried at the Alma Cemetery in Crook Co.
Maud M., also school teacher (as was her sister Inez in 1910) married Leslie Browning Hopper on Feb. 17, 1913 in Crook Co. I have not found them in any census.
¹Charles C. Chapman & Co., Compilers/Publishers, History of Pike County Illinois;: Together With Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military and Political History; Portraits of Prominet Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Chas. C. Chapman & Co., 1880), Pages 515 & 516.
As described below, Nathan came to Pike Co., IL in 1829 with his parents and other siblings. He married Elizabeth Conner there on Aug. 6, 1842 and in 1850 was elected Justice of the Peace for Pike Co. The family farmed and raised children throughout the 1850s and early 1860s, but in June of 1862 David entered the Civil War on the side of the Union when he became commander of Co. B, 68th Ill Regt. He was 45-years old.
The 68th was organized for 3-months service in June, 1862 and most of the men were from the northern part of the state. During the second Battle of Manassas (Bull Run to us Rebels) he was detailed to "hospital service." The record does not say if he was wounded, sick or had special talents needed in the hospital. In any event, he died on Sep. 22, 1867 in Griggsville, Pike Co.
"David F. Coffey, deceased, one of the pioneers, was born in Simpson county, Ky., May 18, 1817, and was a son of Nathan Coffey, deceased, well known in this county, who brought his family here in 1829 and settled on sec. 3, Griggsville township, at the summit of the hill which was afterward christened "Coffey Hill," and is still called by that name. He was the father of 13 children, of whom David F. was the 6th. The latter was married in 1842 to Elizabeth Conner, daughter of Francis Conner, deceased, who came to Franklin Co., Ill., in 1832. Mr. and Mrs. Coffey had 10 children, of whom 9 are living, - Sarah E., Nathan F., J. Hardin, Delitha M., Daniel F., Burton B., Thomas M., Mary J., and Grace L. Mr. Coffey was Captain of Co. B, 68th Regt. Ill. Inf., in the Rebellion, but was detailed to hospital service during the second battle of Manassas. He died Sept. 22, 1867, at the age of 50 years; had been a member of the Baptist Church for about twenty-seven years."¹He and Elizabeth had nine children, all born in Pike Co.:
Sarah E., born c1843, Nathan F., born c1845; John Hardin, born Aug. 31, 1847, died Apr. 29, 1917 in Oklahoma; Delitha M., born c1849; Daniel Franklin, born Mar., 1851; Burton B., born c1853; Thomas M., born 1856; Mary J., born c1857; and Grace L., born c1861. Grace died of pneumonia on May 19, 1914 in Kansas City, Kaw Twp., Jackson Co., MO. She is buried at St. Joseph in Buchanan Co., MO. She had been a teacher at the Garfield School in Jackson Co. Delitha was also a school teacher in Griggsville in the 1880s.
John Hardin married Ellen Martin on Oct. 14, 1875 in West Grove, Davis Co., IA. Ellen was born in 1855 - probably in IA - and died in OK in 1938. Both are buried at Fairlawn Cemetery in Oklahoma City.
Daniel Franklin married Nancy Margaret "Maggie" Hill on Oct. 14, 1874 in Scott Co., IL. Maggie was born in Mar. 1856 in IL. This family moved around quite a bit. In the 1880s they lived in Chambersburg, Pike Co.; in 1900 they lived in Brunswick, Chanton Co., MO; 1910 in Dodge City, Ford Co., KS and in 1920 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO. Their children were: Russell J., born Feb., 1877, IL; Burton B., born Feb., 1880 in Chambersburg, Pike Co.; Elizabeth, born May, 1883 in IL; Florence, born Mar., 1888 in MO; Flossie, born Apr., 1891 in MO; Lola, born Jan., 1898 in MO and Marie, born Mar., 1899 in MO.
Thomas M., born 1856 in IL, married Lillian M. Hathaway on Jul. 5, 1883 in that state. He was a Minister of the Gospel. Sometime between their marriage and 1894 the family moved to Iowa where five of their six children were born: Grace H., born Aug. 30, 1884; Allen, born May, 1886; Inez C., born Sep., 1888; Maud M., born Feb., 1890; Myrna M., born Feb., 1894. Their last child was Paul I., and he was born Jan., 1899 in Union Co., South Dakota. By 1910 they were in Alva, Crook Co., WY where they apparently remained, at least through the 1920 census.
Grace married Victor M. French (not the Little House on the Prairie character) on Oct. 2, 1907 in Crook Co. Victor was born in Egan, Moody Co., SD and died in Rapid City, Pennington Co., SD in Oct., 1967. Grace died in Alva in 1917, apparently during, or right after the birth of their third child. Victor later married Delia Foley, but I have not found a marriage record or list of their children. His children with Grace, all born in Crook Co., were: Russell E., born c1909; Celia M., born c1910 and Geraldine B., born c1917. The two girls were enumerated with Grace's parents in 1920; Russel with his father. Victor, Grace and Delia are buried at the Alma Cemetery in Crook Co.
Maud M., also school teacher (as was her sister Inez in 1910) married Leslie Browning Hopper on Feb. 17, 1913 in Crook Co. I have not found them in any census.
¹Charles C. Chapman & Co., Compilers/Publishers, History of Pike County Illinois;: Together With Sketches of its Cities, Villages and Townships, Educational, Religious, Civil, Military and Political History; Portraits of Prominet Persons and Biographies of Representative Citizens (Chicago, IL: Chas. C. Chapman & Co., 1880), Pages 515 & 516.
January 22, 2011
James Wesley & Sarah Elizabeth Coffey Redwine
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| Charlie, Essie Dee and George Redwine |
Sarah was a daughter of Martin and Mary Jane Bailey Coffey and, this family descends from the thus far mythical Chesley and Elizabeth Cleveland family. Martin was a son of Golson Wilson and Rebecca Ann Shackleford Coffey. Golson was a son of Martin and Nancy Hansford Coffey. Martin is said to be the son of Chesley and Jane.
James and Sarah appeared together in the 1900 Grayson Co., TX census and the 1910 Lexington, Cleveland Co., OK census. I have not found the family in the 1920 census but they appeared in the 1930 Colbert, McClain Co., OK census with their son George W. and his family as well as their last born child, Essie Dee.
Census records show that James and Sarah had seven children: Pearl, born c1895 in OK; Jannie, in TX c1900; Olia, in TX c1902; Allie, in TX c1904; Charlie, in TX c1906; George, in OK c1909; and Essie Dee, in OK c1913. Essie married John Douglas Franks and the couple lived and died in Tacoma, Pierce Co., WA; John in 1994 and Essie in 1996.
I'm still working on this family.
Recap/Update Jul. 10, 2011
James Wesley Redwine was born Mar. 3, 1866 in Cedar Springs, Dallas Co., TX and died Feb. 21, 1936 in Shawnee, Pottawatomie Co., OK. His first wife, thought to have been named Rebecca, died before 1897, perhaps in TX where her children were born. They were:
Milton, born May, 1884; Willie, born Jan., 1887; Irene, born Mar., 1889; Margaret, born Aug., 1890; and Pearlie, born Jan., 1894.James' second wife was Sarah Elizabeth Coffey, born c1877 in MO to Martin and Mary Jane Bailey Coffey. She married James on Jul. 12, 1897 in Grayson Co., TX and became the mother of at least six children:
Willie married a lady named Jenny and had several children, including Earl, Willis, Leonard, Alice and Lera (?), a male.
Janie, born Oct., 1899; Olia or Ola, born c1902; Allie, born c1904; Charlie, born c1906; George, born Feb. 22, 1909 and Essie Dee, born c1913. Essie, Charlie and George appear in the above photo.Irene, from James' first wife, married c1905 to Lee P. Mooneyham and was the mother of five children:
Gilbert P., born c1906; Lillian E., born c1908; Glen W., born c1911; Clifford L., born c1913 and, Dessie L., born c1915Lee died c1917 and Irene then married Ephraim Vernon Coffey, a son of William Franklin and Elizabeth Ann Brown Coffey. William Franklin was a brother to Martin, both sons of Golson Wilson and Rebecca Ann Shackleford Coffey.
Ephraim had been previously married to Elizabeth Jane Wood with whom he fathered at least seven children:
Mary J., born Dec., 1884; Bettie A., born Mar., 1886; Jennie L., born May, 1889; Sophronia, born Jan., 1891; Jessie, born Jun., 1893; Sarah, born Sep., 1895, and Rosie, born July, 1898.His second wife was Beulah B. Roach who he married c1901 in OK. Their children were:
Dora, born c1905; Ira Franklin, born c1911, and John "Jack" Wesley, born c1914. There may have been another born in the six year gap between Dora and Ira. He is not known to have fathered any children with Irene.There is a child in the 1910 census with Ephraim and Beulah that I cannot account for: He and Elizabeth Wood had a daughter named Mary, born in Dec., 1884. In 1910 there was a child named Mary, age 16 in the household with Ephraim and Beulah. She was not Beulah's child and she was too young to be Elizabeth's unless, perhaps, there was a census error and Mary was really 26 years old instead of 16.
Update, Jul. 19, 2011
James Wesley's first wife was Rebecca (Elizabeth?) Ann Rutledge. Rebecca is said to have been previously married to M. L. Mason with whom she had the child Milton, born May 1884.
January 21, 2011
Rice & Sarah "Sally" Bradford Coffey
This Rice Coffey was a son of the Rev. James Coffey and his wife Elizabeth Cleveland. He is thought to have been born on Apr. 17, 1766 in Amherst Co., VA and to have died on July 24, 1853 in Bedford Co., TN.
Rice wrote a letter* to his nephew Thomas Jefferson Coffey - son of Ambrose, a younger brother to Rice - from Shelbyville on Nov. 15, 1844 which reads:
She and Kendall had at least one child, a daughter named Arcena, born c1825. In 1850 when Mary appeared in the census with her widower father in Bedford Co., she was enumerated as Mary Kindle, age 42 with Hanna Kindle, age 25 and Nancy Bell Kindle, age 13. Also in the household was a physician, Dr. William Pruett, age 24, born in TN.
We know that Arcena married a Prewitt but are unsure if William was her husband. They are close in age and place and certainly had the opportunity. Prewitt apparently died or otherwise disappeared sometime after 1859 and may have died in the Civil War, although I have not found a record of his service. Mary and Arcena, along with Arcena's two chidlren, Nanny and Willis Prewitt, appear together in the 1860 and 1870 Bedford Co. census. Arcena was found there in 1880 with her still unmarried children.
I would like to know who was Arcena's husband and, who was the 13-year old Nancy Bell Kindle in the 1850 census.
*Sometimes referred to by Coffey researchers as "The Said Rice Letter."
**All information about Bennett comes from: Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinter, Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007)
***Read more about Asbury here and here.
‡Lost Links, Elizabeth Wheeler Francis, Southern Western Historical Quarterly, LXIX, 1945, pps. 98, 156, 157 and Descendants of James Bluford Coffey by Dr. Marvin Coffey
+Mary G. Kendle (Kendall) vs John Kendle for divorce. Mary G. Kendle and John Kendle were married in Bedford Co on 4 Mar 1821. Source: Page 600, Chancery Court Records 1837-1845 by Marsh; call no: 976.858 M366ch
Rice wrote a letter* to his nephew Thomas Jefferson Coffey - son of Ambrose, a younger brother to Rice - from Shelbyville on Nov. 15, 1844 which reads:
Dear Jefferson:Sarah Bradford Coffey was a daughter of Bennett** and second wife Margaret White. She is said to have been born in TN on July 22, 1770 and died on Sep. 3, 1840 in Bedford Co. A sibling to Sarah was Henry Bradford, born Dec. 24, 1766, died May 10, 1871, married Rachel McFarland on Jan. 17, 1799. Rachel was born Aug. 28, 1783 and died Aug. 26, 1852. Their daughter Mary, born Mar. 22, 1809, died Oct. 20, 1893 in MO, was the wife of Asbury Madison Coffey***, thought by me to be the son of Eli and Hannah Allen Coffey.
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
Rice appears in very few North Carolina records meaning that he and Sarah moved to TN quite early in their marriage. Their homeplace was near Wartrace, and he is on the 1788 and 1789 tax lists, and again from 1796 to 1799. He has not been found in the 1790 or 1800 census. This could indicated that he was gone during the period 1790-95, and that they moved permanently around 1800, or soon thereafter.Mary, a daughter of Rice and Sally, was born c1798 in NC and died Oct. 22, 1878 in TN, probably Bedford Co. She is said to have married John Kendall on Mar. 4, 1821 in that county and to have divorced him before 1850.+
The first tax list in TN in which he appears in 1812 in Bedford Co. A short account of the family written about 1890 by Rice Abner Coffey, a grandson, says that Rice moved from NC to Bedford Co. in 1808. It also says that all of the children, except the last three were born in NC. That would put the migration date a bit earlier.
He and Sally had 9 children. Some discrepancy exists in various lists. The 1820 census lists 5 male children and 3 female, which would be correct because Jerusha died in 1810.
Source‡ names children of Rice and Sarah as: Jurusha, d. age 16; Elvira; Henry B., m. Sarah Edmondson; Mary G., d. 1878, m. __ Kendall; Weightress (1801-1837), unmarried; Alexander Hamilton, d. 1864, m. Nancy Matherly; Martha (1805-1845), m. A. Yell; Benjamin B., (1809-1864), m. Mrs. Mary E. Beach; John R. (1815-1896), m. Mary A. Cross (Benjamin was Gen. in Mexican War). Marvin Coffee reports birth date for Sarah as Jul. 22, 1770 and death date as Sep. 3, 1840 in Bedford Co., TN.
She and Kendall had at least one child, a daughter named Arcena, born c1825. In 1850 when Mary appeared in the census with her widower father in Bedford Co., she was enumerated as Mary Kindle, age 42 with Hanna Kindle, age 25 and Nancy Bell Kindle, age 13. Also in the household was a physician, Dr. William Pruett, age 24, born in TN.
We know that Arcena married a Prewitt but are unsure if William was her husband. They are close in age and place and certainly had the opportunity. Prewitt apparently died or otherwise disappeared sometime after 1859 and may have died in the Civil War, although I have not found a record of his service. Mary and Arcena, along with Arcena's two chidlren, Nanny and Willis Prewitt, appear together in the 1860 and 1870 Bedford Co. census. Arcena was found there in 1880 with her still unmarried children.
I would like to know who was Arcena's husband and, who was the 13-year old Nancy Bell Kindle in the 1850 census.
*Sometimes referred to by Coffey researchers as "The Said Rice Letter."
**All information about Bennett comes from: Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinter, Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007)
***Read more about Asbury here and here.
‡Lost Links, Elizabeth Wheeler Francis, Southern Western Historical Quarterly, LXIX, 1945, pps. 98, 156, 157 and Descendants of James Bluford Coffey by Dr. Marvin Coffey
+Mary G. Kendle (Kendall) vs John Kendle for divorce. Mary G. Kendle and John Kendle were married in Bedford Co on 4 Mar 1821. Source: Page 600, Chancery Court Records 1837-1845 by Marsh; call no: 976.858 M366ch
June 4, 2010
Mansel Matthews & Georgiana Frances Reynolds Coffee
Amended first Sep. 7, 2010, second Apr. 24, 2011.
The immediate ancestor of Mansel was Logan McMillon Coffee, born Dec. 7, 1809 in Adair Co., KY, died Jun. 20, 1865 in TX, "the circumstances fraught with suspicions, possibly murder by his companions from the same neighborhood."* In about 1837, while passing through Alabama heading to Texas, Logan married Mary Elizabeth Ragland. She was born Jan. 15, 1815 and died in Lavaca Co., TX on Jan. 15, 1879.
From all indications, Logan's family name began as Coffey but left Alabama as Coffee. My theory is that once they settled (for awhile) in Alabama and began to make records, their family was perhaps thought to be part of the family of General John Coffee, most notably famous for his role at the Battle of New Orleans. General Coffee, and his Georgia counterpart - also named John - were first cousins, descendants of Peter Coffee. A recent DNA discovery proves a connection between Peter and Edward, but very distant and well before either came to America.
Mansel was the first child of Logan and Mary. He was born Sep. 12, 1839 in Jackson Co., AL and died on June 5, 1891 in Throckmorton Co., TX. His unattributed obituary made the claim that "his family was intimately connected with the history of this country as far back as Gen'l Coffee, who was second in command at the Battle of New Orleans in 1816." Well before the obituary came into my hands, someone over struck that line, knowing as many of us do that it was inaccurate. This is likely to be the reason why the family surname is spelled Coffee instead of Coffey.
According to that obituary, Mansel was thrown from his horse after it "dashed with great force against a wire fence..." tossing him into the air. Upon falling to the ground, he struck the back part of his head causing him to fall into a coma from which he never recovered.
Mansel's wife was the beautiful Georgiana Frances Reynolds, a daughter of B. F. and Virginia Mayers Reynolds of Mississippi. Georgiana was born in Rankin Co., MS in Jan., 1845. She and Mansel were married in Lavaca Co. on Jun. 4, 1861. Georgiana's younger sister, Emma Gaines Reynolds married Mansel's brother, Robert Marion Coffee.
Georgiana gave birth to at least nine children; seven boys and two girls. There was, between some of the children sufficient time for her to have borne others, but perhaps they died young or, she was fortunate and did not become pregnant.
Woodson, born Mar 1, 1862 in Gonzales Co., TX, died June. 12, 1953 in Amarillo, Potter Co., TX. Woodson married Ollie Pickens Stribling on Aug. 14, 1890 in Throckmorton, the daughter of Judge Cornelius Kinchelo andRuth B. Greenwood Nancy Caroline Stribling Nancy Caroline was a cousin of Judge Kinchelo whom he met during the Civil War. His first wife had died in 1860 with no children produced. Ruth Bradley Greenwood was Judge Kinchelo's mother. She and Woodson had at least nine children: Ruth, Benjamin, Grace, Woodson, Jr., Oran, Roy Coburn, Frank (died young), Ollie and Jack Kinchelow. Ollie died of influenza on Jan. 23, 1930 in San Antonio. She and Woodson are buried at the Llano Cemetery in Amarillo.
The second child was Logan Alonzo, born Mar. 5, 1865 in TX, died Feb. 19, 1945 in Miami, Roberts Co., TX. He married Mary Mildred Harrah, a daughter of J. W. and Emogina Fitch Harrah of Wheeler Co., TX. Mildred was born there on Nov. 16, 1880 and died in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS on Jul. 26, 1922. Both she and Logan are buried at the Miami Cemetery. They were parents of at least six sons: Joseph Logan, Harry M., Tom Leonard, Tas, Marion Clarence, and Dana.
Next came Cleaveland C. (probably Charles), born in TX on Oct. 26, 1867. He married Mattie Lenora Swagerty, daughter of W. T. and Lucy King Swagerty, on Dec. 31, 1890. She was a native of Hunt Co., TX, having been born there on Dec. 15, 1871. She died Jul. 21, 1959 in Amarillo and was buried at Miami. Cleaveland is probably there as well; I just haven't located him yet. Their children were nine: Clyde M., Norman, Floyd Thomas, Effie Lelia, Hattie G., Bessie Lucy, Ada, Mattie Lenora and William J. "Bill."
Fourth was Henry Coleman, born Nov. 7, 1869 in TX, died Jul. 4, 1956 in Pampa, Gray Co., TX. He married Mary Eppie Thomas, born in TX in Aug., 1871, died in Ochiltree Co., TX on Jun. 21, 1904. Henry was buried at Miami while Mary rests in an unmarked grave at Ochiltree Cemetery, Perryton, Ochiltree Co., TX. Their children were Vida, Frances, Albert Mansel, Eugene L. and Raymond Oliver. Raymond was a musician and died in an automobile accident near Amarillo in 1922. According to cemetery records, Eppie is buried next to Raymond. There is an open area next to him, but no marker to indicate anyone is buried there.
Fifth, and first daughter, was Hattie C., born Apr. 15, 1874, died in 1887. Nothing else is known and she is thought to have died young.
James Volney was sixth. He was born Aug. 15, 1875 in Lavaca Co. died Oct. 26, 1957. He married Alice Gertrude Tidwell, daughter of Will and Josephine Kendrick Tidwell. Alice was born in TX on May 7, 1878 and died in Potter Co. on May 10, 1931. Alice is buried at Miami; I'm still looking for James' final resting place. Their children were: William Cleveland, Joe F., Guy T., Volney Lanius, and Allene G.
Glenn L. was number seven, born in Dec., 1878. He marrieda lady by the name of Mary Gentry, born c1883 in TX. but nothing more is yet known of this couple. Their children were Georgia Lee, Glenn F. and Katheryn Jean.
Mansel Reynolds was next. He was born in Throckmorton on Oct. 28, 1885 and died in Perryton on Jun. 26, 1948. His wife was Lillian Lee Long, born Nov. 28, 1889 in TX, and died at Perryton on Jun. 25, 1959. Both are buried there in the Ochiltree Cemetery. Their children were Doris Lorene, Mansel Reynolds, Jr., Mary Margaret and Georgia Nell.
Mary Virginia was the last child. She was born Feb. 28, 1888 in Throckmorton and died in Big Spring, Howard Co., TX on Oct. 26, 1965. She was buried there in Trinity Memorial Park. She married Claude B. Locke, a son of Judge Newton F. and Dora Barton Locke of Roberts Co. Their children were Winnie, born c1907, Claude, Jr., born c1909 and Dorothy F., born c1912. One of the daughters married Adolph Swartz and was the informant on her mother's death certificate.
My opinion: There appears to be somewhat of a very tiny element of veracity to the Chesley Coffey/Jane Cleveland theory. They are said to have had a son named Jesse Cleveland. Joel, also thought to be Chesley's son, named a son Cleveland. Joel's son James named a son Cleveland. Logan, brother to that Cleveland named one of his sons Cleveland, and Mansel, son of Logan named one of his sons Cleaveland [sic]. Interesting to note however, is that none of the descendants name a son Chesley.
All photos belong to Kathy Coffee Simmons and used with her permission
*"On the Headwaters of the Lavaca and Navidad, Paul Boethel,Von Boeckmann - Jones, Austin, Texas c. 1967
No. 996
The immediate ancestor of Mansel was Logan McMillon Coffee, born Dec. 7, 1809 in Adair Co., KY, died Jun. 20, 1865 in TX, "the circumstances fraught with suspicions, possibly murder by his companions from the same neighborhood."* In about 1837, while passing through Alabama heading to Texas, Logan married Mary Elizabeth Ragland. She was born Jan. 15, 1815 and died in Lavaca Co., TX on Jan. 15, 1879.
From all indications, Logan's family name began as Coffey but left Alabama as Coffee. My theory is that once they settled (for awhile) in Alabama and began to make records, their family was perhaps thought to be part of the family of General John Coffee, most notably famous for his role at the Battle of New Orleans. General Coffee, and his Georgia counterpart - also named John - were first cousins, descendants of Peter Coffee. A recent DNA discovery proves a connection between Peter and Edward, but very distant and well before either came to America.
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| Mansel M. Coffee |
According to that obituary, Mansel was thrown from his horse after it "dashed with great force against a wire fence..." tossing him into the air. Upon falling to the ground, he struck the back part of his head causing him to fall into a coma from which he never recovered.
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| Georgiana Frances Reynolds |
Georgiana gave birth to at least nine children; seven boys and two girls. There was, between some of the children sufficient time for her to have borne others, but perhaps they died young or, she was fortunate and did not become pregnant.
Woodson, born Mar 1, 1862 in Gonzales Co., TX, died June. 12, 1953 in Amarillo, Potter Co., TX. Woodson married Ollie Pickens Stribling on Aug. 14, 1890 in Throckmorton, the daughter of Judge Cornelius Kinchelo and
The second child was Logan Alonzo, born Mar. 5, 1865 in TX, died Feb. 19, 1945 in Miami, Roberts Co., TX. He married Mary Mildred Harrah, a daughter of J. W. and Emogina Fitch Harrah of Wheeler Co., TX. Mildred was born there on Nov. 16, 1880 and died in Wichita, Sedgwick Co., KS on Jul. 26, 1922. Both she and Logan are buried at the Miami Cemetery. They were parents of at least six sons: Joseph Logan, Harry M., Tom Leonard, Tas, Marion Clarence, and Dana.
Update Oct. 15, 2011: After Dana came Lona, a daughter born Apr. 22, 1912; Merle R., a son, born May 14, 1913 and David, born Nov. 20, 1918, all in Miami, Roberts Co., TX. There remains some confusion on my part about the child Merle. Some genealogies name him Mansel. However, I have found two documents, both relating to births on May 14, 1913: One reports only on the birth of an unnamed male child on that date. The second document was created on Mar. 10,1951 as a correction to the original birth certificate. This document reports the birth of Merle R. Coffee on May 14, 1913 to Logan and Mildred. The document was sworn to by Logan before the Roberts Co. clerk of court on Mar. 10, 1941. So, was the first document for the unnamed child for one named Mansel that died at birth and the one for Merle as a surviving twin?
Next came Cleaveland C. (probably Charles), born in TX on Oct. 26, 1867. He married Mattie Lenora Swagerty, daughter of W. T. and Lucy King Swagerty, on Dec. 31, 1890. She was a native of Hunt Co., TX, having been born there on Dec. 15, 1871. She died Jul. 21, 1959 in Amarillo and was buried at Miami. Cleaveland is probably there as well; I just haven't located him yet. Their children were nine: Clyde M., Norman, Floyd Thomas, Effie Lelia, Hattie G., Bessie Lucy, Ada, Mattie Lenora and William J. "Bill."
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| Children of Mansel and Georgiana Reynolds Coffee |
Fourth was Henry Coleman, born Nov. 7, 1869 in TX, died Jul. 4, 1956 in Pampa, Gray Co., TX. He married Mary Eppie Thomas, born in TX in Aug., 1871, died in Ochiltree Co., TX on Jun. 21, 1904. Henry was buried at Miami while Mary rests in an unmarked grave at Ochiltree Cemetery, Perryton, Ochiltree Co., TX. Their children were Vida, Frances, Albert Mansel, Eugene L. and Raymond Oliver. Raymond was a musician and died in an automobile accident near Amarillo in 1922. According to cemetery records, Eppie is buried next to Raymond. There is an open area next to him, but no marker to indicate anyone is buried there.
Fifth, and first daughter, was Hattie C., born Apr. 15, 1874, died in 1887. Nothing else is known and she is thought to have died young.
James Volney was sixth. He was born Aug. 15, 1875 in Lavaca Co. died Oct. 26, 1957. He married Alice Gertrude Tidwell, daughter of Will and Josephine Kendrick Tidwell. Alice was born in TX on May 7, 1878 and died in Potter Co. on May 10, 1931. Alice is buried at Miami; I'm still looking for James' final resting place. Their children were: William Cleveland, Joe F., Guy T., Volney Lanius, and Allene G.
Glenn L. was number seven, born in Dec., 1878. He married
Mansel Reynolds was next. He was born in Throckmorton on Oct. 28, 1885 and died in Perryton on Jun. 26, 1948. His wife was Lillian Lee Long, born Nov. 28, 1889 in TX, and died at Perryton on Jun. 25, 1959. Both are buried there in the Ochiltree Cemetery. Their children were Doris Lorene, Mansel Reynolds, Jr., Mary Margaret and Georgia Nell.
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| Mary Virginia Coffee Locke |
My opinion: There appears to be somewhat of a very tiny element of veracity to the Chesley Coffey/Jane Cleveland theory. They are said to have had a son named Jesse Cleveland. Joel, also thought to be Chesley's son, named a son Cleveland. Joel's son James named a son Cleveland. Logan, brother to that Cleveland named one of his sons Cleveland, and Mansel, son of Logan named one of his sons Cleaveland [sic]. Interesting to note however, is that none of the descendants name a son Chesley.
All photos belong to Kathy Coffee Simmons and used with her permission
No. 996
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