Lee Thomas and Isis Orpha Winfree Coffey

Lee Thomas Coffey was born in North Carolina on Jun 24, 1871, a son of Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey. He appeared in the census on Jun. 8, 1900 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC as head of a household that included his widowed mother.1 He also appeared in the census on Apr 16, 1910 in Grady Co., OK enumerated as a single man in the household with his brother-in-law, James Alexander Stewart, who had married Harriet Coffey, Lee's older sister. Lee next appeared in the census on Jan. 7, 1920 in Grady Co., OK with Isis and two-year old daughter, Elizabeth.2 Lee died on Apr 15, 1952 in Grady Co., OK and was buried in the Everegreen Cemetery, Minco, Grady Co., OK.3

Lee Thomas and Isis Orpha Winfree were married about 1916. They appeared in the census on Apr 24, 1930 in Minco, Grady Co., OK.4 Isis, the daughter of James M. Winfree and Emma M. (LNU) was born in Illinois on May 30, 1890. She appeared in the census on Jun 11, 1900 in Washington, Nashville Twp., IL in the household with her parents. At the census on Apr 16, 1910 in St. Louis, MO she was enumeraed as a lodger and single woman residing in a boarding house and working in St. Louis.5 She died on Mar 10, 1976 in Minco, Grady Co., OK,6 and was buried in the Everegreen Cemetery, Minco, Grady Co., OK.7

Lee was in the retail hardware business in Minco, and Isis was his bookkeeper.

Lee and Isis had the following children:

i. Elizabeth COFFEY was born in Oklahoma about Jun 1917.


Sources:
1 United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1900 Caldwell Co., Patterson Twp., ED31, Sheet 4B, dwelling/family 78, Coffey, Lee T., head, white male, born June 1871, age 28, single, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Mary A., mother, white female, born Feb. 1843, age 57, widow, mother of 2, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC; Mary, sister, white female, born May 1880, age 20, single, born NC, parents born NC. [The family of James Nelson, age 25, was a neighbor].
2 Ibid., 1920 Grady Co., Minco town, Union Twp., ED180, Sheet 3A, dwelling 53, family 57, Coffee [sic], Lee T., head, male, white, age 48, married, born NC, parents born NC, hardware merchant; Isis, wife, female, white, age 27, married, born IL, parents born IL; Elizabeth, dau., female, white, age 2 yrs., 7 mos., born OK, father born NC, mother born IL.
3 Rootsweb. [http://www.rootsweb.com/~okcemete/grady/evergreen/c/c2evergreen.htm].
4 United States Federal Census. 1930 Grady Co., Union Twp., Minco town, ED20, Sheet 8B, Second St., dwelling 152, family 171, Coffee [sic], Lee T., head, male, white, age 59, married at age 45, born NC, parents born NC, hardware dealer; Isis O., wife, female, white, age 40, married at age 27, born IL, parents born IL, store bookkeeper; Elizabeth, dau., female, white, age 12, born OK, father born NC, mother born IL.
5 Ibid., 1910 St. Louis city, ED71, Sheet 2B, 1814 Washington St., dwelling 39, family 53, Winfree, Isis O., lodger, female, white, age 20, single, born IL, parents born IL, milliner,.
6 Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: Isis Coffey SSN: 445-42-8810 Last Residence: 73059 Minco, Grady, Oklahoma, United States Born: 30 May 1890 Died: Mar 1976 State (Year) SSN issued: Oklahoma (1959-1960 ).
7 Rootsweb. [http://www.rootsweb.com/~okcemete/grady/evergreen/c/c2evergreen.htm].

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

Thanks to Donald M. Coffey of Yorktown, VA for additional information and corrections.

Coffee/y in Nelson Co., VA Census 1810 to 1840

The following are Coffee/Coffey families found in the Nelson Co., VA census record from 1810 to 1840. The data reads l-r: Year of Census, Name in Census, Age Range, Year Born Range, and Who that person is/may be.

1810 Edmund Jr 26 to 44 1766 to 1784 s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey & h/o Matilda Fitzgerald
1810 William 26 to 44 1766 to 1784 s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey & h/o Elizabeth Giles
1810 William 16 to 25 1785 to 1794
1820 Edmund 45 and up 1765 or earlier Maybe Edmond Stewart, Sr., s/o of John and Jane Graves Coffey
1820 Nancy 45 and up 1775 or earlier
1820 William 45 and up 1775 or earlier May be s/o of Wm. and Eliz. Osborne Coffey
1820 Edmund F. 26 to 45 1775 to 1794 May be Edmond F., h/o Elizabeth Burgher, s/o Wm. and Eliz. Osborne Coffey
1820 Reuben 26 to 45 1775 to 1794 s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey
1820 William 26 to 45 1775 to 1794 s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey
1830 Edmond S. 50 to 60 1770 to 1780 *May be s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey
1830 Edmund F. 50 to 60 1770 to 1780 s/o of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey
1830 Reuben 50 to 60 1770 to 1780 s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey
1830 William 50 to 60 1770 to 1780
1830 John 30 to 40 1790 to 1800
1830 Garland 20 to 30 1800 to 1810 s/o of William and Elizabeth Giles Coffey
1830 Joseph 20 to 30 1800 to 1810 s/o of Edmund Stewart, Jr., and Matilda Fitzgerald Coffey
1830 Peter C. 20 to 30 1800 to 1810 s/o of Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burgher Coffey
1830 William 20 to 30 1800 to 1810
1830 William 20 to 30 1800 to 1810
1830 Francis 15 to 20 1810 to 1815
1840 Edmund F. 60 to 70 1770 to 1780 s/o of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey
1840 Edmund S. 60 to 70 1770 to 1780 s/o of John and Jane Graves Coffey
1840 Mary 60 to 70 1770 to 1780
1840 Nancy 60 to 70 1770 to 1780
1840 Reuben 60 to 70 1770 to 1780 Reuben G., s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey & f/o Reuben
1840 William 60 to 70 1770 to 1780 s/o of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey & h/o Elizabeth Giles
1840 Garland 30 to 40 1800 to 1810 s/o of William and Elizabeth Giles Coffey
1840 Holloway 30 to 40 1800 to 1810 s/o of William and Elizabeth Giles Coffey
1840 John W. 30 to 40 1800 to 1810
1840 Joseph 30 to 40 1800 to 1810 s/o of Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burgher Coffey
1840 Osborne 30 to 40 1800 to 1810
1840 Peter C. 30 to 40 1800 to 1810 s/o of Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burgher Coffey
1840 William 30 to 40 1800 to 1810 s/o of Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burgher Coffey
1840 William A. 30 to 40 1800 to 1810 s/o of William and Elizabeth Giles Coffey
1840 Benj. 20 to 30 1810 to 1820 This may be Benjamin J., h/o Candis W. Coffey (neither parents known)
1840 Benj. 20 to 30 1810 to 1820 This also may be Benjamin J., h/o Candis W. Coffey (neither parents known)
1840 Charles 20 to 30 1810 to 1820 s/o of Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burgher Coffey
1840 Edmund 20 to 30 1810 to 1820 s/o of William and Elizabeth Giles Coffey
1840 Frances 20 to 30 1810 to 1820
1840 Reuben 20 to 30 1810 to 1820 s/o of Reuben G. and Nancy Giles Coffey
1840 Henry 15 to 20 1820 to 1825

h/o = husband of; s/0 = son of
Surname for all families was spelled COFFEE until 1840 when it became COFFEY

Please help fill in the blanks or, correct any data. Contact me at the e-mail address below.

Sophia Suttenfield Porter (1815-1897)

Sophia Porter, North Texas pioneer, was born on December 3, 1815, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the second child of William and Laura (Taylor) Suttenfield (or Suttonfield). Little is known of her childhood, but many stories exist about her adult life and her four marriages. In 1833 she married Jesse Augustine Aughinbaugh (or Auginbaugh), a druggist and teacher. In 1835 the couple arrived in Nacogdoches, where she said Aughinbaugh deserted her. As a participant in the Runaway Scrape, Sophia claimed to have arrived at the battle of San Jacinto and to have nursed Sam Houston there. Holland Coffee, a member of the House of Representatives and an Indian trader, successfully lobbied the Texas Congress to pass a bill granting Sophia Aughinbaugh a divorce from her missing husband, and on January 19, 1839, she and Coffee were married at Independence in Washington County. From there the couple traveled over 600 miles to Coffee's Station on the Red River in Grayson County. There they developed Glen Eden Plantation and the town of Preston until Coffee was killed in 1846. In December 1847 Sophia married Maj. George N. Butt (or Butts), who helped her run Glen Eden until he was killed in 1863. Butt reportedly was ambushed by a member of William C. Quantrill's gang. The sobriquet "Confederate Paul Revere" was given Sophia during the Civil War, when she is said to have ridden her mount across the Red River to warn Col. James G. Bourland and his men that Union troops were at her plantation. The story continues that Mrs. Butt supplied the enemy with enough wine that they remained unaware of her departure. One account claims she locked the inebriated men in her wine cellar while she rode off. Other variants say either that Bourland escaped the Unionists or that he came to Glen Eden and captured them. On August 2, 1865, Sophia Butt married Judge James Porter, and they lived together at Glen Eden until his death in 1886. Sophia joined the Methodist church in Sherman in 1869. She had no children, but she raised two of Holland Coffee's nieces. She died on August 27, 1897, and was buried near Glen Eden. When the area was to be inundated to form Lake Texoma, her home was dismantled with the intention that it be reassembled as a museum of Grayson County history, but the wood was mistakenly burned.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Holland Coffee Papers, Sherman Public Library, Sherman, Texas. Mary Daggett Lake, "Glen Eden, Red River Valley Landmark," Southern Home and Garden, March 1936. Graham Landrum and Allen Smith, Grayson County (Fort Worth, 1960; 2d ed., Fort Worth: Historical Publishers, 1967). Sherrie McLeRoy, Mistress of Glen Eden: The Life and Times of Texas Pioneer Sophia Porter (Sherman, Texas: White Stone, 1990). Audy J. and Glenna P. Middlebrooks, "Holland Coffee of Red River," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 69 (October 1965). Glenna Parker Middlebrooks, "Sophia Coffee, History's Firefly," True West, October 1973. Sophia Porter Papers, Sherman Public Library, Sherman, Texas.

Holland Coffey (1807-1846)

Holland Coffee, Red River trader, the son of Ambrose and Mildred (Moore) Coffee, was born on August 15, 1807, probably in Kentucky. He was orphaned at age eleven and grew up in McMinnville, Tennessee, with an uncle, Jesse Coffee. In 1829 he arrived in Fort Smith, Arkansas, with Silas Cheek Colville, James Mayberry Randolph, and several others. There he established Coffee, Colville, and Company. He supplied local settlers, Indians, and trapping expeditions, and made contact with Sam Houston, who was living at the time among the removed Cherokees. In 1833 Coffee conducted a trapping expedition to the upper Red River. Afterward, he established a trading post at the old Pawnee village, probably the old north-bank village of the Taovayas near the site of present Petersburg, Oklahoma. He was a major link in completing the Camp Holmes treaty of August 24, 1835, the first treaty to authorize the relocation of eastern Indians to lands west of the Mississippi.

Coffee moved west to the mouth of Cache Creek, near Taylor, Oklahoma, in early 1836. He was respected by the Indians, became knowledgeable in Indian languages and customs, and ransomed many Indian captives. In April 1837 he was on Walnut Bayou, near Burneyville, Oklahoma, and by September he had moved across the river to Washita (Preston) Bend. Coffee was accused of aiding Indian depredations through trade-specifically by giving the Indians guns and whiskey in exchange for stolen cattle and horses-and was investigated by the Texas Congress. In the winter of 1837 he visited Houston, where he made satisfactory explanations to the government. On November 16, 1837, President Houston appointed him Indian agent, and on September 2, 1838, Coffee enacted a treaty between the Republic of Texas and the Kichai, Tawakoni, Waco, and Tawehash Indians at the Shawnee village, near the site of modern Denison. Coffee was elected to the Texas House of Representatives from Fannin County for the 1838-39 session. He married Sophia Suttenfield Aughinbaugh (see PORTER, SOPHIA) on January 19, 1839. Thereafter, he dissolved his partnership with Colville and turned to the development of Glen Eden Plantation in Grayson County. He furnished supplies for the Military Road expedition of William G. Cooke in the winter of 1840-41 and participated in framing the Texas Indian treaty of August 24, 1842. He developed the town of Preston near his trading post in 1845 and provided the supplies given to the Indians in the Comanche treaty of 1846.

On October 1, 1846, Coffee became offended over a remark about his wife and attacked Charles Ashton Galloway, a trader from Fort Washita, who stabbed him to death. Coffee had no children. He was entombed in a brick aboveground crypt at Glen Eden; his grave was removed to Preston Cemetery at the time of the impounding of Lake Texoma.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY: Grant Foreman, Pioneer Days in the Early Southwest (Cleveland: Clark, 1926). Graham Landrum and Allen Smith, Grayson County (Fort Worth, 1960; 2d ed., Fort Worth: Historical Publishers, 1967). Audy J. and Glenna P. Middlebrooks, Holland Coffee of Red River, Southwestern Historical Quarterly 69 (October 1965)

General John E. Coffee of Georgia

Back in Jan., 2006 I wrote about the two generals Coffee, one a son of Peter Coffey, Jr., and wife Sarah Smith. John is recorded in the History of Dodge County [GA, Cobb, Addiie Davis : Atlanta, Foote & Davies Co., 1932, pgs 271] as having fought in the War of 1812.

Today I received the following from Frank V. Coffee, a descendant of General John E. Coffey:

"Gen. John E. Coffee is believed to have fought with Jackson in the 1817-18 Seminole War in Florida and he was active in the numerous skirmishes designed to ultimately drive the Indians from Georgia.

I'm pretty sure he didn't fight in the War of 1812 because during that time he was engaged in moving his family from Powelton, Georgia, to the banks of the Ocmulgee and establishing his plantation there.

In 1838, for reasons I have never been able to ascertain, almost all the Coffees remaining in Jacksonville, Georgia, following the General's death moved en masse to Madison County, Florida, via the so-called Old Coffee Road."

Joel Coffey and Elizabeth Grubb

Joel was the fifth of at least 10 children born to Meredith and Ester Coffey. Meredith was a son of John Coffey and Dorcas Carter. I have not found any information on Ester. Joel was born c1806 in Grainger Co., TN and died there before Sep. 10, 1851. They appeared in the 1850 Grainger Co. census.*

Elizabeth Grubb was the daughter of Jacob and Barbara Shelly Grubb and was born Dec. 25, 1808 in Grainger Co., TN. She and Joel were married Feb. 5, 1829 in Grainger Co. Jacob was Joel and Elizabeth's bondsman. I am certain that Jacob and Barbara had additional children but I have not yet identified them.

There were at least eight children born to this union:

Nancy, born Oct., 1830. She married John Hinshaw on Oct. 17, 1847 in Grainger Co. He was born c1822, probably in Grainger Co., and died in 1883. They had at least 12 children: Martha Jane, born 1848, died 1917; William Temple, born 1851, died c1890; James Henry, born 1853, died 1932; Amanda E., born 1855, died 1897; Samantha Caroline, born 1858, died 1900; John Bo., born 1860, died 1885; Theodocia A., born 1862, died 1938; Mary Susan, born 1864, died 1909; Nancy Cordelia, born 1866, died 1943; Jacob Golden, born 1868, died 1940; Sophronia, born 1870; and Rosa F., born 1872, died 1904. Nancy and John appeared in every Grainger Co. census from 1850 through 1880.

James, born c1831

John, born c1833, married Nancy A. Vineyard, born c1835 in Grainger Co., died before 1880 in Grainger Co. They were married c1850 in Grainger Co. Children were: James W., born c1854; Eliza Cordelia, born c1856; William G., born c1858; Pleasant G., born c1861; Catherine, born c1863; Nancy C., born c1864; John P., born c1865; Samuel Henry, born c1869; Meredith H., born c1872; and Sarah A., born c1872. I found John and Nancy in the 1860 and 1870 Grainger Co. census.

Susannah, born Jul 23, 1836 in Grainger Co., married Samuel Stalsworth Feb. 19, 1855 in Grainger Co. Samuel was born c1836 in TN. Their children were Rosanna Elizabeth, born c1855; Nancy J., born c1858; Joel Amos, born Mar. 30, 1860, born Artissa Hinsaw (perhaps brother to John); Samuel S., born c1863; Mary L., born c1865; William D., born c1868; Sarah M., born c1871; John C., born c1874; and Martha A., born c1877. Susannah and Samuel appeared in the 1860, 1870 and 1880 Grainger Co. census.

Jacob S., born c1839

William Elijah, born c1842

Sarah E., born c1845. She married Robert Inklebarger on Dec. 6, 1860 in Grainger Co.

Elvira, born c1846

Please send additions and/or corrections to me.





*1850 Grainger Co., Pabge 102, dwelling 731, family 756, Joel Coffee, age 44, male, farmer, $2000, born TN;Elizabeth Coffee, age 44, female, born TN; John Coffee, age 14, male, farmer, born TN; Susan Coffee, age 12, female, born TN; Jacob Coffee, age 11, male, born TN; William E. Coffee, age 8,. male, born TN; Sarah E., age 3, female, born TN; James Griffin, age 16, male, laborer, born TN

Other Coffee families adjacent to Joel at this census were James, age 44; wife Sarah, age 44, son Joel age 23, dau., Martha age 20; Elizabeth, dau., age 16; John, son, age 14; Calvin, son, age 10; Mahala, dau., age 12; Mary, dau., age 8; Aquilla, son, age 2.

James Coffee, age 19, male; wife Martha, age 19, female, and son Joel H., age 4 mos.,

Another neighbor is John Hinchall [Hinsaw], and wife Nancy. Nancy was the daughter of Joel and Elizabeth.

James Russell Coffey

James Russell Coffey is one of the last remaining veterans of WW1. I recently replied to an e-mail with the following information pertaining to him:

The earliest info that I can find on Russell begins in Crawford Co., OH in 1850. The entire family remained in Crawford Co., OH up to at least Russell.

I'll work from Russell back:

1900 Census: Russell, born Sep. 1898, son of George, born Jan. 1869 in OH (Surname spelled Coffey in census; George was a farmer)

1880 Census: George in household with Michael and Mary B. Coffey [sic]. Michael was a farmer who was born in OH, father in Ireland and mother in NY. Mary and her parents were born in Baden (Germany).

1870 Census: George, born c1865*, son of Michael, born 1837 in OH. (Surname spelled Coffee; Michael was a wagon maker)

1860 Census: Michael, born c1833*, born OH, wife is named Barbara, born Baden. George obviously not born yet. (Surname is spelled Coffee; Michael is wagon maker)

In 1850 I found Michael in the household with 36-yr old Michael Sheridan. (Surname spelled Coffee; Michael was a wagon maker, born Ireland, and wife Ann, age 48, born NY). Ann may be Michael's remarried mother.

Other children in the family were:

Michael Coffee, age 13, born OH

Matthew Lynch, age 11, born Ireland

Andrew Coffee, age 9, born OH

John Coffee, age 4, born OH

Margaret Sheridan, age 4, born OH

I didn't find anything about the Coffee family on Ancestry. Neither did I check 1840 because I don't know who Michael's father was. I haven't checked Ancestry for the Sheridan family either. It appears that Russell's ancestors came to America from Ireland shortly before the Civil War, perhaps earlier.

Name: James R. Coffey
Serial Number: 5284607
Race: W
Residence: Creston, O.
Enlistment Division: National Army
Enlistment Location: Columbus, O.
Enlistment Date: 12 Oct 1918
Birth Place: New Washington, O.
Birth Date / Age: 1 Sept 1898
Assigns Comment: Students' Army Training Corps OSU Columbus O to Discharge Private Honorable discharge 12 Dec 1918.
Volume #: 3 Official Roster of Ohio Soldiers, Sailors and Marines in the World War, 1917-1918. Vol. I-XXIII. Columbus, OH, USA: F. J. Heer Printing Co., 1926.

*age differences are likely result of census taker error

Nathan and Sarah Coffey Green

Sarah was the daughter of Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey. She was born c1804 in NC, and died Aug., 1879 in Jefferson Co., TN. She married Nathan Green, a son of Jeremiah and Mary Wiseman Green in about 1818 in Ashe Co., NC. Nathan was born c1800 in Watauga Co., and died c1839 in Jefferson Co., TN.

There were at least five children born to the marriage:

Mary J., born Mar. 4, 1821, died Feb. 23, 1881. On Jul 20, 1837 she married Jonathan Quarles in Jefferson Co. He was born in that county on Aug. 10, 1819, and died there on Jul. 22, 1858. I know of no children born to this couple.

Margaret, born Jan. 31, 1823 in TN, died Sep. 27, 1908 in Jefferson Co. She married Asa Smelcer on Feb. 18, 1866 in Jefferson Co. He was born c1820 in that county and died there in 1870. Margaret is said to have also married a Logan Poe, but I have no record. I know of no children born to either marriage.

Nancy, born 1818 in TN, married William Prewitt on Dec. 29, 1847 in Jefferson Co. I have no further information.

Jeremiah Jeffferson, born Sep. 16, 1829 in Jefferson Co., died Mar. 2, 1909 in that county. He married Elizabeth J. Brooks there on Mar. 2, 1849. She was born Apr. 18, 1832 in Jefferson Co., and died there on Jan. 29, 1917. No further information.

Francis M., born c1839. No further information.

Sarah was enumerated in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 Jefferson Co., TN census. In 1850 she was a widow with Mary J. Coffee, age 10, and Saphrona C. Coffee, age 5, born TN in the household. I do not know who these Coffee [sic] children belong to.

In 1860 she was living with her widowed daughter, Mary J. Green Quarrels in Jefferson Co., and in 1870 she was in the household with her son Jeremiah in that county.

Additions and/or Corrections

Coffee/Coffey Blogs Available on CD

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William O. Coffey

William O. was the son of William M. Coffey, himself a son of Nathan Coffey and Elizabeth Gilbreath. The mother of William O. has not been identified.

"William O. Coffee, M.D. of Columbia [Maury Co.], was born in Ballard County, Ky., in 1859, and after the usual common school training he obtained his literary and medical education in St. Louis, Mo., and graduated from the Missouri Medical College of that city in 1880. He first began practicing in the blue-grass State, and later in Illinois, Missouri, Indiana, Kansas, New York, Pennsylvania, and in May, 1885, came to Tennessee. William Coffee [sic] was known, and his grandfather, Nathan Coffee, had been a well-known and prosperous business man. William O. has acquired a good practice in the short time he has been in Columbia. He is a member of the Kentucky, Illinois, Missouri and King's County (N.Y.), Medical Societies, and was one time a member of the American Medical Association. he is a Democrat in politics and a member of the K. of H. fraternity."

Source: Southern Historical Press, Inc., History of Tennessee Illustrated (Nashville, TN: The Goodspeed Publishing Co.,)

Emery E. Coffey

Emery was another son of Benjamin Coe and Lucy Barbre Coffey. I have his given name as Emery Elous, but I am uncertain about the middle name. He was born Feb. 10, 1872 in Christian Co., IL and died Jan. 10, 1948 in Mounds, Creek Co., OK. He married Alice Bertha Chadwick Feb. 10, 1892 in Corydon, Wayne Co., IA. She was born Oct. 4, 1871 in Humeston, Wayne Co., IA and died Jul. 3, 1957 in Mounds.

There were nine children born to the union, but four, including twin sons, died in infancy:

George Ray, born Feb. 16, 1893, died Jan. 23, 1965. He married Nettie L. Banes, born c1894 in MO. They had at least one child, Ara, a daughter, born c1914. The family can be found in the 1920 and 1930 Tulsa Co., OK census.

Myrtle May, born May 17, 1895 in Humeston, died Mar. 24, 1984 in Jay, Deleware Co., OK. She married George Richard Jenkins on Apr. 27, 1913 in Mounds. He was born Dec. 8, 1886 in Schuyler, Colfax Co., NE and died Apr. 23, 1971 in Bixby, Tulsa Co., OK. They had at least two children: Wilma, born about Feb. 1914, died Jul. 1, 1914, and Loren Richard Jenkins, born Dec. 21, 1916. [Loren is a personal friend.]

Harvey, born Mar. 13, 1897 in Wayne Co., IA, died Mar. 20, 1897, also in Wayne Co.

Albert Lee, born Jun. 5, 1899, Wayne Co., and died Aug. 25, 1902, also in Wayne Co.

Floyd, born Mar. 26, 1901, Wayne Co., died Apr. 9, 1901, Wayne Co.

Lloyd, born Mar, 26, 1901, Wayne Co., died Apr. 13, 1901, Wayne Co.

Nellie Marie, born Oct. 9, 1902, died Feb. 11, 1980. She married Dwight P. Wilmoth, born Oct. 5, 1899 in AR, died Jul. 9, 1981 in Orange Co., CA. I have found only one child for them: James Ellis, born Mar. 17, 1934 in AR, died May 6, 1995 in Orange Co.

Don Deyo, born Oct., 1904 in Humeston, Wayne Co., died Mar. 22, 1985 in Hutchinson, Reno Co., KS. He married Murl [LNU] c1927 in OK. She was born in that state c1906. I have found one child, Betty, born c1928.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.

Some Sources:

1910 Wayne Co., Washington Twp., IA, ED174, Sheet 1A, dwelling/family 11, Coffey, Emery E., head, male, white, age 38, married 18 yrs., born IL, fathere born KY, mother born IN, laborer on road work; Alice B., wife, female, white, age 38, married 18 yrs., mother of 9, 5 living, born IA, father born NY, mother born OH; Myrtle M., dau., female, white, age 14, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA; Nellie M., dau., female, white, age 7, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA; Don D., son, male, white, age 5, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA; Pearl D., dau., female, white, age 2, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA

1920 Benton Co., Round Prairie Twp., AR, ED32, Sheet 6A, farm 111, family 114, Coffey, Emery E., head, owns, male, white, age 49, married born IL, father born KY, mother born IN, farmer; Alice B., wife, female, white, age 48, married, born IA, father born NY, mother born OH; Nellie M., dau., female, white, age 19, single, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA; Don D., son, male, white, age 15, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA; Pearl D., son [sic], male, white, age 11, born IA, father born IL, mother born IA

1930 Tulsa Co., Glenpool Twp., OK, ED19, Sheet 4A, dwelling 57, Coffee [sic], E. E., head, male, white, age 58, married at age 26, born IL, father born KY, mother born IL; Alice, wife, female, white, age 68, married at age 26, born IA, father born NY, mother born OH

1920 Tulsa Co., Glenpool Twp., OK, ED198, Sheet 3B, dwelling 49, family 64, Coffey, George R., head, male, white, age 26, married, born IA, father born IN, mother born IA, oil driller; Nettie L., wife, female, white, age 26, married, born MO, father born IN, mother born IA; Ara R., dau., female, white, age 5, born OK; Banes, Dr. L., father-in-law, male, white, age 71, married, born IN, parents born England, doctor too old to practice; Banes, Margarett J., mother-in-law, female, white, age 67, married, born IA, father born IN, mother born IA; Ray O., brother-in-law, male, white, age 25, single, born OK, father born IN, mother born IA, oil worker

1930 Tulsa Co., Bixby Twp., OK, ED1, Sheet 12A, 315 Main St., dwelling 258, family 264, Coffey, Ray G., head, male, white, age 37, married 18 yrs., bornIA, father born KY, mother born IA, oil drilling contractor; Dottie [sic], L., wife, female, white, age 37, married, born MO, father born IN, mother born IA; Ara R., dau., female, white, age 15, born OK, father born IA, mother born MO; Hillard, Bonnie M., nieve, female, white, age 18, single, born OK, father born PA, mother born Colorado

Caroline Jackson and Noble R. Ladd

Caroline was the daughter of Stewart Jackson and Elizabeth Woodson Coffey. Elizabeth was a descendant of Peter Coffee through her father, Thomas Graves and Mary Knight Coffey.

Caroline was born c1820 in Alabama and married first to Carlisle Woodson Knight on Apr. 18, 1842 in Lauderdale Co., AL. In the 1850 Lauderdale Co. census, Caroline was enumerated with her widowed mother as Caroline Knight, age 30 with Elizabeth Knight, age 8. I presume that Elizabeth was Caroline's daughter, and that Carlisle had died.

The following year, on Dec. 18, 1851, Caroline married Noble R. Ladd. Noble was born c1799 in Virginia. Together they had at least two children: Caroline "Callie" Coffee Ladd, born c1854 (in photo), and Linnie, a daughter, born c1862.

Photo courtesy of Betty Moss

Band of Brothers

The feature allowing users to enter family members has apparently been discontinued at the BofB/HBO website.  I could not find it while visiting the site on 12/21/2010.

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Several years ago HBO produced a series that is said to be the most accurate depiction of a WW2 unit ever produced. I watched the entire series when it first ran and I like to watch re-runs of it whenever I have the opportunity.

The story follows Company E, 502 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division [Easy Company] from basic training to the completion of the war in Europe. This unit jumped into Normandy and, after fighting their way across Europe, was part of the defense of Bastogne at the Battle of the Bulge.

I was a member of the US Army from 1959 to 1968. From the period 1960-1963 I was stationed at Verdun in France. That area has suffered invasion and devestation since well before Charlamagne. I spent a lot of my free time visiting battle fields, old forts and reading about the two great 20th century wars that nearly destroyed Europe.

In addition to my obvious interest in an accurate story about WW2, my particular interest in the HBO series was Eugene Roe, a cousin on my maternal side. Eugene was a medic in "Easy" Company and, although not highlighted enough in the Stephen Ambrose book about this unit, he was given significant time in the HBO production.

HBO created a low-key website to advertise the series, and to offer viewers a place to talk about and to honor veterans in their families. I visited the site when it first appeared, and entered memorials to Loy G. Coffee, a paternal uncle, and to Raymond Bourgeois, my wife's uncle on her maternal side.

So, to make my point here: Except for my contribution, there are no other Coffee or Coffey men or women who have been memorialized on this website.

If you have an uncle, grandfather, aunt, grandmother, brother or sister who contributed to the Allied Effort during WW2 I encourage you to visit the HBO website and create your own memorial to that person. It's easy, painless and free!

Let me know when your memorial has been created and I'll post the link here.

Thank You!

I began this work on Dec. 7, 2004. Since then I have written 408 (this is number 409) pages.

To date, visitors have read 20,383 pages for an average of 48 pages per day. That's an average of 4.7 pages per reader or, a little over 10 readers per day. My stats show that researchers from every continent have read the posts. The stats can be skewed somewhat by the few readers who sometime spend a couple of hours, or return more than once per day and read 40 or more pages during their visit.

When I first began researching my family name I thought I was only one of a handful of Coffee/y researchers. Nearly 30 years later I find there are literally thousands researching this ancient surname.

A number of readers have chosen to share their family information, including photographs and other documents, and for that I am thankful.

It appears that many of those researchers descend from ancestors who emigrated to the United States from Ireland or England during the 19th century. By and large however, those interested are descendants of Edward Coffey and Ann Powell through their son John and wife Jane Graves.

Edward and Ann had only three known sons: John, Edward and Austes [sic]. Little to nothing is known of the last two, making John the best researched of all of their sons.

I have compiled more than 8000 of John's descendants. Here are some interesting (to me, anyway) stats:

For those who have a known birth, marriage or death date:

Average age at marriage for males: 24; for females: 21
[I thought the average for females would be lower!]

Average age at death for males: 62; for females: 61
[I thought the spread would be wider and in favor of females!]

Average children per family: 3.4 males; 2.4 females
[Again, I am surprised that the average per family is not higher.]

All in all, I am heartened by your positive response to my meager effort.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Best Wishes to all for a prosperous and happy 2007!

I'm looking forward to hearing from more of you in the new year with even more family information and photographs. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort in 2006, and may your New Year be safe and joyous.

Jack Coffee
Saint Joseph, LA
USA

Larkin D. Coffey (1824 GA - 1887 AL)

Larkin was the second of seven sons born to Jesse and Winifred Compton Coffey. He was born Oct. 18, 1824 in Georgia (maybe Gilmer Co.) and died Oct. 10, 1887 in Lawrence Co., AL. he married Temperence Elaine (Tempi) Gravitt on Nov. 19, 1846 in Forsyth Co., GA. She was born Jun. 2, 1827 and died one week after Larkin, on Oct. 17, 1887 in Lawrence Co., AL. Both are buried in the Montgomery Cemetery at Wren in Lawrence Co., AL.

The family appears in every census from 1850 to 1880. The 1870 census names Larkin's wife as Frances, but this is probably an error by the enumerator.

In 1850 they are found in Gilmer Co., Subdivision 33, page 427, dwelling/family 1118: Larkin Coffee [sic], age 25, married, farmer, $200, born GA; Tempa Coffee, age 19, female, born GA; John Coffee, age 4, male, born GA; William Coffee, age 2, male, born GA. Neighbors of Larkin are Jasper Gravet [sic], age 19 and wife Selina with dau. Mary J. Next to Jasper is Thomas Gravet, age 45, and family.

By 1860 the family has left GA and settled in AL: 1860 Blount Co., Western Div., Summit PO, Page 32, dwelling/family 369, L. D. Coffee [sic], age 36, male, white, farmer, $350, $350, born GA; Tempy, age 30, female, born GA; John, age 12, male, born GA; William, age 11, born GA; Martha, age 10, female, born GA; Nancy, age 9, female, born GA; Martha V., age 5, female, born GA; Thomas, age 4, male, born GA; Jesse, age 2, male, born AL

In 1870 they have reached Lawrence Co. in AL, the place where they will live out their lives: 1870 Lawrence Co., TS7, R7W, Moulton PO, Page 16, dwelling/family 129, Coffee [sic], Larkin, age 46, male, white, farmer, $1080, $475, born GA; Francis, age 40, female, white, keeps house, born GA; W. R., age 20, male, white, farm laborer, born GA; Mary, age 17, female, white, at home, born GA; Van Buren, age 15, male, white, farm hand, born GA; Thos., age 19, male, white, at home, born GA; Jesse, age 13, male, white, at home, born AL; Sarah A., age 8, female, white, at home, born AL; Georgiann, age 5, female, white, at home, born AL; Susan, age 2, female, white, at home, born AL

1880 Lawrence Co., Pen Hook, Twp. 7, Page 410C, Coffey, Larkin, male, white, age 55, born GA, parents born SC, farming; Coffey, Tempy, wife, female, white, age 49, born GA, parents born GA, keeling house; S. A. Coffey, dau., single, female, white, age 17, born AL, parents born GA; G. A. Coffey, dau., female, white, age 15, single, born AL, parents born GA; Susan Coffey, dau., female, white, age 12, single, born AL, parents born GA; M.V. Coffey, son, single, male, white, age 24, born GA, parents born GA, farming; T. J. Coffey, son, male, white, age 23, single, born GA, parents born GA, farming; R. Mayfield, male, white, age 17, born AL, parents born AL, laborer

Contact me for more information.

Leslie James Coffee (1916-1944)

Leslie James Coffee was a son of Jerry and Martha Elizabeth Olive Coffee. He was born Mar. 17, 1884 in Texas and died Jun. 1944. He was killed in a plane crash while ferrying an aircract from the US to the war zone in Europe. He was never married.

Jerry and Martha's other children were:

- Jerry, Jr., born Jan. 23, 1919, died May 15, 1988; married first to Helen Lorayne Donnis and had one son, Jerry Earl, born 1947. He married second to Fleta Rose Whitmore, born Dec. 22, 1928 in Bell Co., TX, died Mar. 17, 2000 in Fort Worth. There were no children born to this marriage.

- Mary Coffee, born Sep. 12, 1920 in Palo Pinto Co., TX. Married Louis Lee Robertson May. 20, 1942. He died Mar. 13, 1978 in Tom Green Co., TX. Their children were: Sherry Diane; Leslie Lee; David Charles and Kathleen Sue.

- Olive, born Apr. 2, 1925, married Vaudell Preather Dec. 26, 1942. Their children were Larry Edward and Gary Leon.

Joshua Coffey (c1821-c1891)

Joshua, a son of Thomas and Margaret Coffey* Coffey, Jr. was born about 1821 in Burke Co., NC and died c1891 in North Carolina. He married Rebecca Shepherd on Nov. 1, 1842 in Wilkes Co.1 He apparently married a second time, to Rebecca Eveline Wyatt. I have not found a marriage date for this union, but the birth date of their children suggests c1880.

By his first wife Joshua fathered at least 9 children:

- Adeline, born c1844 who married Alfred Wyatt c1870 in NC. Their children were Mary Ann, born c1872; James, born c1874; John C., born c1876; and Martha, born about Oct. 1879

- Matilda, born c1846, married Isham Patrick

- John Drury, born c1848, died Jan. 5, 1895. Drury married Sarah Wyatt, born c1851, died Jul. 9, 1924 in Wilkes Co. John and Sarah had at least nine children:

- Martha, born c1872
- Calvin, born c1873
- Mildred Jane, born c1874, died Mar. 5, 1933, married John Edward Key. They had at least 5 children: Lelia, Victoria, Richard Edward, Paul Thomas and Mildred Evelyn.
- Rebecca Leona, born Jul. 1877 married William Thomas Bumgarner Apr. 30, 1910 in Wilkes Co. They had at least one child: Ila Virginia, born Jul. 29, 1913.2
- Sindy, born c1878
- Ellen Elzina, born Sep., 1883, married Leander Vance Johnson Apr. 24, 1904 in Wilkes Co. They had at least two children: Sarah Virginia, born May 13, 1909, and Arthur Franklin, born Aug. 13, 1923.2
- Larkin, born Jul. 1884, married Lessie Bauguess Oct. 21, 1906 in Wilkes Co. Lessie was born Dec. 31, 1887 in NC and died Jan. 7, 1968. Their children were Clyde, born Dec. 7, 19092; Spainhour, born Feb. 28, 19122; Paul, born 1914; Alvin, born c1916; Hazel, born 1919 and Florence, born c1922.
- Joshua Thomas, born May 1887 in NC, died Mar. 23, 1983 in Wilkes Co., NC. He married Mabel Esther Parson, born c1904 in NC, died Feb. 27, 1988 in Wilkes Co. Their children were at least four: Josephine, born c1923; Grace D., born c1924; Wade P., born c1926, and Hallie, born Sep. 16, 1930, died Jul. 3, 2004.

Joshua and second wife had at least two children:

- John Payton, born May 1, 1881, married c1902 Jennie Elizabeth Hartin, born c1884 in NC. Their children were: Lucy, born c1903; Thurman, born c1906; Mattie, born 1910; John, born c1913; Mattie A., born c Jun 1916, married Frank Robertson; Ruby T., born c Feb. 1919, and twins, Eva G. and Irma M., born c Sep. 1916.

- Thomas Joshua, born c1821 in Burke Co., died c1891. He married Laura W. Parsons, c1903 in NC.

I have additional information to share on some of these families.

Please write to me with additions and/or corrections.

1 NC Marriage Bonds 1741-1868
2 NC Birth Index, 1800-2000

*Some researchers have concluded that Margaret was the daughter of William Coffey and Elizabeth Osborne. William and Elizabeth did have a daughter named Margaret, born in Virginia c1782, died in that state c1838. She married George Monroe and had at least one child, Mary (Polly) Monroe, born Apr. 1832. Mary (Polly) married Peter Demastus and they were the parents of Peter Alice Demastus, born Feb. 1862, died May 31, 1938 who married David Garland Coffey, a son of William and Mary C. Ramsey Coffey. I have found no evidence that Thomas' wife was the same Margaret. Evidence to the contrary will be welcomed.

Census extracts:

1850 Wilkes Co., dwelling/family 155, Joshua Coffee [sic], male, larmer, $125, born Burk[e] Co., Rebecah [sic] Coffee, age 25, female, born Wilkes Co.; Addeline Coffee, age 6, female, born Wilkes Co.; Matilda Coffee, age 4, female, born Wilkes Co.,; Drew Coffee, age 2, male, born Wilkes Co.

1880 Wilkes Co., Mulberry Twp., ED208, Page 15, dwelling 151, family 165, Coffee [sic], Joshua, white male, age 59, married, married during census year, farmer, born NC, parents born NC; Evaline, white female, age 33, wife, married, married during census year, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC; Rufus, white male, age 20, son, single, farm laborer, born NC, parents born NC; Perry, white male, age 18, son, single, farm laborer, born NC, parents born NC; Franklin, white male, age 13, single, farm laborer, born NC, parents born NC

1880 Wilkes Co., Mulberry Twp., ED208, Page 15, dwelling 155, family 158, Wyatt, Alfred, white male, age 28, married, farner, born NC, parents born NC; Adline [sic], white female, age 36, wife, married, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC; Maryanne, white female, age 8, dau., born NC; James, white male, age 6, son, born NC; John G., white male, age 4, son, born NC; Martha, white female, age 8 mos., born Oct., dau., born NC

1880 Wilkes Co., Mulberry Twp., ED208, Page 14, dwelling 148, family 151, Coffee [sic], Drury, white male, age 30, married, farm laborer, born NC, parents born NC; Sarah, white female, age 29, wife, married, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC; Martha, white female, age 8, dau., born NC; Calvin, white male, age 7, son, born NC; Jane, white female, age 6, dau., born NC; Rebecca, white female, age 4, dau., born NC; Sindy, white female, age 2, dau., born NC

Watauga County, North Carolina Postoffices and Postmasters

According to the website, New River Notes and the sub-page [click on title link to read the entire list], the following Coffeys were postmasters at the location indicated. The dates are no explained, but presumed to be date of appointment.

Blowing Rock:

John S. Coffee [sic] Jul. 26, 1856
Silas C. Coffey Jul. 26, 1856
William C. Coffey Jun. 13, 1873
Thomas H. Coffey Apr. 2, 1914
Mrs. Irene S. Coffey Feb. 2, 1953
Olin Jay Coffey Jun. 5, 1953
Mrs. Irene S. Coffey Jun. 30, 1961

Boone:

William C. Coffey Jun. 13, 1873

Foscoe:

Oscar S. Coffey Jul. 15, 1905

Kelsy:

Comodore J. Coffey Jul. 15, 1891
David N. Coffey Mar. 20, 1905

Oliver N. Coffey

While researching the William H. and Mary Faulkner Coffey family, I found several researchers who claim that Oliver N. Coffey, born Dec. 2, 1832, died Dec. 30, 1900 is one of their sons.

Actually, Oliver is their grandson, born to their son Hodge Raymond Coffey. Hodge was born about 1812 in North Carolina and married Hannah Wilson on Nov. 13, 1831 in Owen Co., IN. Hannah was born about 1809 in North Carolina.

Oliver was their oldest child, and married Lydia S. Litton on Jan. 30, 1851 in Owen Co. I can find only one child born to this union: Joshua Benton Coffey, born about 1860, died Dec. 7, 1929.

Joshua married Mary Ester (Mollie) Bonner, who was born May 27, 1870 in Harrisburg, PA, died May 7, 1957 in Hays, Ellis Co., KS. Their son, Dr. Francis (Frank) Ellsworth Coffey was born Aug. 1, 1891 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., KS and died Aug. 27, 1946 in Hays, Ellis Co., KS. His wife, Marguerite Hanning Burger was born Jul. 4, 1893 in Kansas City, KS and died Jan. 4, 1984 in Hays, KS.

They had two children: Dr. Roy B. Coffey, born Jan. 26, 1924, and D. Joanne Coffey, born about 1928.

Dr. Roy Coffey died in Port Charlotte, FL on May 6, 2004. His obituary lists survivors as his wife, Louise, two daughters, Diane Sullivan and Gail Kelling; four sons, Frank, Charles, Lee and Gary as well as a sister Joanne Ramph of Kansas. Dr. Coffey was buried with military honors in the Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell.

Other children of Hodge and Hannah were:

James L., born Jun. 9, 1834, died Nov. 6, 1890 who married Elizabeth Litton. Children were Martha, born about 1856 and Laura, born about 1858. There may have been others, but I have not found them yet.

Silas D. M., born Feb. 23, 1839, died Mar. 6, 1904 in Manatee Co., FL. He married Caroline Byles, born abt. 1836 in PA, died Apr. 9, 1915 in Brazil, Clay Co., IL. I have found no descendants of this union.

Mary A. R., born abt. 1841 in Indiana, married David H. Allen May 9, 1859. I have found no descendants of this union.

Serena T., born about 1846, and Isaac. These children may have died young. I have not found any information on them.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.



Sources:

Hodge Raymond - 1850 Owen Co., Dist. 83, Washington Twp., dwelling 275, family 276, Hodge R. Coffey, age 38, male, farmer, $1600, born NC; Hannah, age 41, female, born NC; Oliver N., age 18, male, farming, born IN; James L. R., age 15, male, farming, born IN; Silas D.M., age 11, male, born IN; Mary A. R., age 9, female, born IN; Sarene T., age 3, female, born IN

Oliver N. - Marriage: Name: Oliver N Coffey Spouse Name: Lydia S Litton Marriage Date: 30 Jan 1851 Marriage County: Owen Source Title 1: Owen County, Indiana Source Title 2: Index to Marriage Record 1850 - 1920 Inclusive Vol Source Title 3: W. P. A. Original Record Located: Compiled by Indi Book: 27 OS Page: 228

Joshua Benton - 1910 Wyandotte Co., Kansas City, Pct. 23, Ward 5, ED117, Sheet 11A, dwelling 271, family 226, Coffey, Joshua B., head, male, white, age 49, married once for 22 yrs., born IN, father born IN, mother born NC; Mary E., wife, female, white, age 38, married once for 22 yrs., mother of 1, 1 living, born PA, parents born PA; Francis E., son, male, white, age 18, single, born KS, father born IN, mother born PA; Bonner, William B., bro-in-law, male, white, age 36, widower, born PA, parents born PA, farmer; Winchester, Efford L., cousin, male, white, age 34, widower, born IN, parents born US, car inspector for railroad.

1920 Wyandotte Co., Kansas City, Ward 4, ED171, Sheet No. 23A, 1400 Throuwell [?] Ave., dwelling 524, family 538, Coffey, Joshua B., head, male, white, age 52, married, born IN, father born IN, mother born NC, machinest for railroad; Mary Coffey, wife, female, white, age 42, married, born PA, parents born PA, dance teacher; Frank, son, male, white, age 26, married, born KS, father born IN, mother born PA, none; Marguerite, dau.-in-law, female, white, age 24, married, born KS, fathere born PA, mother born IR, saleslady at grocery store; Netter, George W., lodger, male, white, age 40, married, born KS, father born PA, mother born KS, railroad office clerk; Netter, Mary J., lodger, female, white, age 45, married, born PA, parents born England; George, Jr., lodger, male, white, age 9, born KS, father born KS, mother born PA

James L. - 1860 Gentry Co., Twp. 63, Alanthus Grove PO, dwelling 1023, family 1019, James L. Coffee, age 26, male, mechanic, $100, $200, born IA; Elizabeth, age 21, female, born IA; Martha, age 4, female, borm MO; Laura, age 2, female, born MO