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Showing posts with label Collettsville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Collettsville. Show all posts

October 3, 2009

The Collettsville Historical Society

This website is not on line now.  I'm unsure why the historical society chose to drop support, but it's down!



This website is back up and running. It looks to have been revamped somewhat. If you're interested in genealogy or history of that area of North Carolina, click on the title link to visit them.

October 10, 2008

The Collettsville [NC] Historical Society

 The Collettsville Historical Society Website is off-line!




The following by John O. Hawkins appeared in the Lenoir, NC "News-Topic," Sep. 26, 2008:

Life around Collettsville


The Collettsville Historical Society has only been organized a few years, and during the time, they lost their stalwart leader, Sandra Coffey, to cancer. But they are determined to carry on the legacy that she began.

One of the first things they did was to mark several historic sites in the Collettsville area. They have marked places of interest not only in Collettsville but also Wilson Creek, Edgemont and Globe.

Another project they have initiated is the publishing of a series of books entitled "Life Around Collettsville." Each of these books has one or more oral histories as related by people who live in or who know about Collettsville.
Click on the title link to read the remainder of the article, including information on the new publications.  I believe the website only archives articles for a short period.  If interested in that area of North Carolina, you might want to check it out ASAP.

July 1, 2008

Jack Coffey

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

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

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

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

Martha Coffey and Thomas M. were first cousins.

The children of Monroe and Dovie are:

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

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

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

Ruth Pappas

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The fourth child of Monroe and Dovie was Jack.

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

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

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

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

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

June 3, 2008

James Monroe and Flora Coffey Baldwin

James Monroe Baldwin

Death Certificate for J. M. Baldwin
James Monroe Baldwin was brother to William Roby. He was born May 13, 1885 in Watauga Co., and died Dec. 19, 1949 in Irenton, Lincoln Co., NC. He married Flora Coffey (date not known, but probably c1910); a daughter of Eldelano (Lano) and Mary E. Austin Coffey. Flora was born in Apr., 1894 in Caldwell Co. A death date for her has not been found. James is buried in the Iron Station Cemetery in Lincoln Co.


Their children were:

Hellen, born May, 1912
Florence, born May 13, 1914
Lottie, born Jun. 6, 1916
James, born 1930
Unnamed male, born and died Oct. 20, 1931. His death certificate gives his burial site as "at house."

"Lano" Coffey was born in NC in 1857 and died May 27, 1927 at Wilsons Creek in Avery Co., NC. According to The Collettsville Historical Society, he is buried at the Sam Coffey Cemetery in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. The burial site on his death certificate is unreadable. Mary, a daughter of Samuel Monroe and Mariah Reed Austin, was born Jun. 14, 1857 in Watauga Co., and died Sep. 19, 1934 at Wilsons Creek. Her death certificate gives the burial site as New Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery at Carys Flat, Avery Co.

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

March 10, 2008

Sandra Cloer Coffey (1945-2008)

Sandra was a co-founder of the Collettsville (North Carolina) Historical Society. She passed away on Mar. 7, 2008 in Caldwell Co., NC.

Her obituary can be found by clicking on the title link.


October 13, 2007

Joseph Commodore Church (Updated)


1. Joseph Commodore CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Jul 1878.1 He appeared in the census on Jun 6, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC as a single man in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., NC.2 He died on May 11, 1956 in Watauga Co., NC.3

Article, unknown newspaper

Joseph Commodore Church
Lenoir - Funeral services for J. C. Church, 73, of Rt. 1, Blowing Rock, who died Friday evening at a Blowing Rock hospital, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at his residence by the Rev. Marshall Setzer of Lenoir and the Rev. Bob Shores of Blowing Rock. Burial will be in the Boone Fork Cemetery. A retired farmer, Mr. Church was born in Watauga County on July 12, 1877, a son of the late James and Laura Blackburn Church. His wife, Mrs. Vera Church, died in October of 1954. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Herman Coffey of Blowing Rock; a sister, Mrs. J. A. McLean of Connelly Springs; a brother, Ellis Church of Collettsville, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was buried in May 1956 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY were married on Oct 10, 1896 in Caldwell Co., NC.4


Lee Ella COFFEY (daughter of Thomas Avery COFFEY and Louisa E. GRAGG) was born in Caldwell Co., NC in Nov 1881. She died on Dec 16, 1963 in North Carolina. She was buried in Dec 1963 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY had the following children:

Lee Ella Coffey
2 i. Alma CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Oct 1897. She appeared in the census on Jun 11, 1900 in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC in the household with her grandparents, Thomas and Louisa Coffey.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD were married about 1904 in North Carolina. They appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC.5 Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD was born in North Carolina in Oct 1883.6 She appeared in the census on Jun 5, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC in the household with her widowed father. She died in 1916 in North Carolina. She was buried in 1916 in Holloway Church Cemetery, Holloway Mountain, Caldwell Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD had the following children:

+3 i. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH, born on Aug 16, 1905, Watauga Co., NC7; married Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY, on Jul 23, 1927, Watauga Co., NC8; died on Feb 24, 1977, Greene Co., TN9.
4 ii. Howard CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Aug 1906. He died about Feb 1907 in North Carolina. [See Corrections below!]

Hildred Myrt Church

Hildred Myrt Church
+5 iii. Hildred Myrt CHURCH, born on Aug 4, 1907, Watauga Co., NC10; married James Herman (Hum) COFFEY, on Jun 1, 1929, Watauga Co., NC; died on Sep 29, 2007, Watauga Co., NC11.
6 iv. Dorlas (Delores?) Revonda CHURCH12 was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jul 4, 1915.13 She died in Oct 1915 in North Carolina.









Vera Ester Coffey
Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Vera Esther COFFEY were married. They appeared in the census on Feb 5, 1920 in Watauga Co., NC.14 They appeared in the census on Apr 2, 1930 in Watauga Co., NC.15
Vera Esther COFFEY (daughter of David Nathaniel COFFEY and Caroline Lavinia COFFEY) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Sep 20, 1889.16 She arrived in the US on Sep 25, 191517 She arrived in the US on May 10, 1916 She died on Oct 28, 1954 in Watauga Co., NC.18

Article, unknown newspaper

Mrs. Church, 65 Taken by Death

Mrs. J. C. church, 65, of blowing Rock, Route One, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Blowing Rock hospital, following an illness of several months.

Born in Watauga county September 20, 1889, she was the daughter of the late David and Carolyn Coffey. Her maiden name was M? Vera Coffey.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at ? o'clock at the residence at Blowing Rock, with the Rev. S. E. Gra? officiating. Burial will be in Boone Fork cemetery.

The body was removed to the home this afternoon from Gr? Funeral Home.

Surviving are her husband; ? step-daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Hildred Coffey, of Blowing Rock, two brothers, Blain and Olin J. Coffey, of Bloqing Rock; and a half-brother, Garfield Coffey of Clarkston, W. Va.

[Some parts of article were unreadable]

She was buried in Oct 1954 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Second Generation

3. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH19 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 16, 1905.7 She died on Feb 24, 1977 in Greene Co., TN.9

Obituary

Mrs. Leslie Coffey

Mrs. Leslie Church Coffey, 71, of Rt. 2, Chuckey, Tenn., and a former resident of Blowing Rock died Thursday morning, Feb. 24, in Greenville, Tenn.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Boone Fork Baptist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Coffey is survived by her husband T. M. Coffey; one daughter, Mrs. W. O. (Velma) Perry of Hickory; one son, Jerry B. Coffey of Hickory; one step-daughter, Mrs. Sybil Davisd [sic] of Colton, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Herman (Hildred) Coffey of Blowing Rock; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Local arrangements were handled by the Hampton Funeral Service.

She was buried in Feb 1977 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

This information is incorrect 8/28/2014:  Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY were married on Jul 23, 1927 in Watauga Co., NC.8 Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY (son of George Calvin COFFEY and Louisa Elizabeth (Lou) CURTIS) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Apr 28, 1896.20 He appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC in the household with his parents. He died on Aug 23, 1980 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.21 Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY had the following children:

The following was received on 8/24/2014 from Yvonne Coffey Olmstead with updated information about her grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey:

Leslie Katherine Church married 2 different Coffey men.  The first was Charles [C.]  Coffey (not a son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis). They married 23 July, 1927.  They had 2 children: Velma Coffey Knight and Jerry Coffey. This husband, Charles died in 1955.  Leslie later married my grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey (who is son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis), born in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC 28 April 1896. He died in Hickory, NC 23 August, 1980. Leslie and Thomas Milton married in their later years and had NO children together.

[Charles C. Coffey was a son of William Leander "Lee" Coffey and Nancy Rebecca "Nan" Hollars.  He was born Apr. 4, 1903 and died Sep. 25, 1933 and was buried at Boone Fork Community Cemetery at Blowing Rock.  The family lived in Mount Morris Twp., Genesee Co., MI in 1930 where Charles worked in an automobile factory and where both children were born.  Leslie died in Greene Co., TN in Feb., 1977 and was also buried at Boone Fork.]

7 i.
Velma Irene COFFEY was born in Flint, Genesee Co., MI on Jun 22, 1928. She died on Apr 12, 2006 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Obituary

Mrs. Knight

Velma Irene Coffey Knight, age 77, of Hickory and a former resident of Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 12 at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Knight was born June 22, 1928 in Flint, Michigan, a daughter of the late Charles and Leslie Church Coffey. She was a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Janice Knight of Conover; a daughter, Brenda Knight Starnes of Hickory; a brother, Jerry Coffey of Hickory; an aunt, Hildred Coffey of Blowing Rock; three granddaughters, Dia Hibbitts and husband, Mark, Shelly Lambert and husband Jeff, and Lanae Knight Jenkins, all of Hickory; a grandson, Shay Starnes of Hickory; six great-grandsons, Trevor Starnes, Daniel Hibbitts, Chase Jenkins and Cody Lambert, all of Hickory; and three great-granddaughters, Natalie Lambert, Jessica Hibbitts and Cidona Lambert, all of Hickory.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hue Knight.

Services for Mrs. Knight were held Tuesday, April 18 in Hickory.

Memorial may be sent to the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, 3702 Sixteenth St., N.E., Hickory, N.C. 28601.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of the arrangements.

5. Hildred Myrt CHURCH22 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 4, 1907.10 She died on Sep 29, 2007 in Watauga Co., NC.11

Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY were married on Jun 1, 1929 in Watauga Co., NC.

James Herman (Hum) COFFEY (son of John Wesley (Happy John) COFFEY and Ella Adelaide HENDERSON) was born in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC on Dec 5, 1904.23 He died on Mar 14, 1979 in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.24

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Oct. 2, 2007

Hildred Church Coffey

Mrs. Hildred Church Coffey, 100, of 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock, died Saturday evening, Sept. 29, 2007, at her home.

She was born August 4, 1907 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Com and Nora Hollifield Church.

Throughout her life, she was a wonderful daughter; then met Herman Coffey, whom she married June 1, 1929. She was a faithful servant of Christ and our Lord. She raised four children, grandchildren, family friend’s children with love, kindness, and taught us the Lord’s word. She was most definitely one of God’s best creations.

In her early life, she worked for the renowned artist, Elliott Dangerfield and then became manager of housekeeping at the Green Park Hotel in Blowing Rock until she retired at the age of 72.

Survivors include one daughter, Thelma Coffey of Blowing Rock; one son, James Coffey and wife, Mary, of Lenoir; one daughter-in-law, Vera Coffey of Hickory; three granddaughters, Kelly Lea Catterton of Blowing Rock, Melody A. Rich and husband, James, of Blowing Rock, and Vickie C. Norris and husband, Dan, of Boone; five grandsons, Michael R. Johnson and wife, Sally, of Charlotte, Thomas Gregory Catterton and wife, Penny, of Shatley Springs, Kevin Coffey and wife, Nancy, of Morganton, Eric M. Coffey of Boone, and Robert R. Coffey and wife, Debbie, of Boone; and many more extended family, friends, and loved ones alike. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Jerry Coffey, son of a late sister, Leslie C. Coffey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Herman "Hum" Coffey; one daughter, Betty Johnson and her husband, Roy; one son, Robert H. "Bob" Coffey; one grandson, Jeffery Lee "Jeff" Coffey; her father and mother, Com and Nora Hollifield Church; two sisters, Leslie C. Coffey and Delores Church; and one brother, Howard Church.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Boone Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock.

Officiating will be Pastor Darrell Miller, the Rev. Carl Osborne, and the Rev. Dean Coffey. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 7:00 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at Mrs. Coffey's residence, 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

He was buried in Mar 1979 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY had the following children:

8 i. Betty Ann COFFEY25 was born in May 1930. She died on May 30, 1952.26 She was buried in Jun 1952 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.
+9 ii. Robert Herman (Bob) COFFEY, born on Sep 2, 1931, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC27; married Vera Louise COOK; died on Jun 24, 1994, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC28.
+10 iii. Thelma Ann COFFEY, born on Jul 9, 1934, Avery Co., NC29; married Thomas Samuel CATTERTON.
+11 iv. James Norman (Herman?) COFFEY, born on Aug 27, 1939, Watauga Co., NC30; married Mary Ann RICH.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. [His WW1 Draft Registration gives his birthdate as Jul. 12, 1877].
2. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 . National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Joseph Commorore Church registered for the draft in Watauga Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was of medium height and build with brown hair and eyes. He was 41 yrs. old, born Jul. 12, 1877. Joseph was a resident of Shulls Mills in Watauga Co, was a self-employed farmer and listed Alma, Leslie and Hildred Church of Shulls Mills as his nearest relative[s].
3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Joseph C Church Death Date: 11 May 1956 Death County: not assigned Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 78 Birth Date: 1878 Race: White Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
4. Caldwell County, North Carolina Register of Deed's Index Search, Wayne L. Rash, Register of Deeds online [http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp], accessed variously.
5. United States Federal Census. 1910 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED159, Sheet 7A, dwelling 112, family 114, Church, Joseph C., head, male, white, age 32, married twice, this time for 5 yrs., born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Nora R., wife, female, white, age 26, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 3, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie C., dau., female, white, age 4, single, born NC, parents born NC; Hildred M., dau., female, white, age 2, single, born NC, parents born NC. [Oscar L. Coffey was the enumerator].
6. Ibid., 5 Jun 1900, Watauga Co. in the household with her parents.
7. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
8. Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995). Officiated by M. B. Woosely.
9. Shelby County [TN] Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., TN online [http://register.shelby.tn.us], accessed Various [Results returned as Surname Given Name; Date of Death/Age; County of Death; County/State of Residence; Marital Status; Gender; Race; File No.]. COFFEY LESLIE C 02-24-1977 / 71 GREENE GREENE / TN MARRIED F WHITE 07774.
10. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Hildred Myrul Church Date of Birth: 4 Aug 1907 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
11. Greg Catterton, "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail message from () to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007. "It is with great sadness for me to tell you my nanny (Hildred Coffey) passed away Saturday night September 29, 2007 at 10:28 PM. She was 100 years old... I was with her in her final moments, and she went very peacefully.".
12. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 523.
13. Ibid., Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
14. United States Federal Census. 1920 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED164, Sheet 19A, dwelling 260, family 363, Church, Comoador [sic], head, male, white, age 41, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Vera [sic], wife, female, white, age 28, married, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie, dau, female, white, age 14, single, born NC; Hildred, dau., female, white, age 12, born NC; Archie, son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 3 mos., born NC.
15. Ibid., 1930 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED16, Sheet 1B-2A, dwelling/family 24, Church, J. Com, head, male, white, age 53, married at age 21, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Church, Vera, wife, female, white, age 41, married at age 26, born NC, parents born NC; Sims, Archie, step-son, male, white, age 13, single, born NC, parents born NC; Coffey, David, father-in-law, male, white, age 76, widower, married at age 35, born NC, parents born NC, laborer on truck farm.
16. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Vera Esther Coffey Date of Birth: 20 Sep 1889 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: David Nathaniel Coffey Parent2 Name: Carolyn Coffey. [A passenger record for Vera sailing from Panama, CZ to NY on 1916 gives her birth year as 1891].
17. New York. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Micropublication M237. Rolls # 1-675. National Archives, Washington, D.C. and New York. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Micropublication T715. Rolls # 1-8892. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Name: Vera Sims Estimated birth year: 1891 Age: 25 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Cristobal C Z Ship Name: Panama Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: North Carolina Line: 30 Birth Location: North Carolina Birth Location Other: country Page Number: 28. [Her arrival entry indicates that she was married].
18. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Vera E Church Death Date: 28 Oct 1954 Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 65 Birth Date: 1889 Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
19. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 6 Page: 36.
20. Ibid., Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Date of Birth: 28 Apr 1896 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Geo Calvin Coffey Parent2 Name: Lou Curtis.
21. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Death Date: 23 Aug 1980 Death City: Hickory (P) Death County: Catawba Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 84 Burial Location: Burial out of state Birth Date: 28 Apr 1896 Birth Location: Tennessee Residence City: Hickory Residence County: Catawba Residence State: North Carolina Gender: Male Race: White Marital Status: Widowed Social Security Number: 410340203 Autopsy: No Institution: General Hospital Attendant: Physician Source: NC Department of Health. North Carolina Deaths, 1979-82.
22. , "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007.
23. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: James Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 5 Dec 1904 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: John W Coffey Parent2 Name: Ella Adelaid Henderson Roll Number: B_C017_68001 Volume: 20-A Page: 35.
24. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: J. Coffey SSN: 244-14-0751 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 5 Dec 1904 Died: Mar 1979 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
25. Letter from Margaret J. Farley (130 West Acadia Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27127) to Jack K. Coffee, Oct. 31, 2006; held by Jack K. Coffee (110 Lydia Road, St. Joseph, LA 71366). Original obituary clipping(s) from Watauga Democrat.. Some information from Margaret via e-mail.
26. Various E-mail sources; see details. "Betty was born in 1934 but not for sure. She died with her [husband[ in 1952. They were in Wilkes Co., NC or state of Virginia when the [automobile] accident occured.".
27. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Robert Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 2 Sep 1931 Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: Jame Herman Coffey.
28. Social Security Death Index, Master File
. Name: Robert H. Coffey SSN: 245-34-0940 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 2 Sep 1931 Died: 24 Jun 1994 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
29. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Thelma Anne Coffey Date of Birth: 9 Jul 1934 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: James H Coffey Parent2 Name: H M Church.
30. Ibid., Name: James Norman Coffey Date of Birth: 27 Aug 1939 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: James Herman Coffey Parent2 Name: Hildred Myrl Church.

August 22, 2007

Martha Renia (Sarena?) Coffey

Martha was born Mar. 12, 1827 in the Globe Twp. of Caldwell Co., NC, the daughter of Jacob Zachariah (Zack) and Margaret Coffey Coffey. Martha married Leason Gragg, a son of David Obediah and Elizabeth Webb Gragg on Nov. 23, 1860 in Globe. She died in Globe on Apr. 26, 1920. Leason was born May 1834 in Burke Co., NC and died in Collettsville, Caldwell Co. in 1910.

Their children were:

David Obodiah, born Jun. 4, 1861 in Caldwell Co. and died Oct. 14, 1933 in North Carolina. He married Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) Dellinger c1881 in North Carolina. Fanny was born in Caldwell Co. in 1864 and died in Norfolk, VA in 1946. She was the daughter of Elkanna and Elizabeth (Betty) Godsey Dellinger.

Grayson Columbus, born Dec. 28, 1876 in Globe and died Apr. 21, 1955 in Collettsville. He married Mary Cordelia Hicks in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. on Dec. 18, 1899.

George N., born c1877

John Robert Joshua, born Dec. 1878. He first married Mary Adelaide Coffey on May 2, 1898 to a daughter of Julius Calvin and Eugenia Lavinia (Genie) Dellinger Coffey. Mary was born 1880 in North Carolina. After eleven children, the last born in 1919, Mary apparently died and John married Sarah E. Coffey, born Oct. 1881 to Jesse (Red Eye) and Lucinda Louise Coffey Coffey. This marriage took place after Apr. 2, 1930 because on that date John Robert appeared in the Caldwell Co. census as a widower. Sarah had first married John's brother, James W. Gragg in about 1906, with whom she had ten children. James was born Oct. 19, 1883 and died Jun. 15, 1926 in Caldwell Co.

I have some descendant information for most of the children.

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

June 15, 2007

Collettsville, NC Historical Society (Update Jun. 1, 2008)

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This website is now off-line.

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A new website is now available for western North Carolina family researchers. The recently formed Collettsville Historical Society, Inc. has claimed space on the web to display their work, membership information, and other items of interest to genealogists. One of the first large projects to be included thus far are the cemeteries of the area.

According to the website, their area of interest is the "northwestern section of Caldwell County from Wilson Creek, including Johns River to Mulberry Creek."

The village of Collettsville is located in the foot hills of western North Carolina in northwestern Caldwell County. The town is at the confluence of Mulberry Creek and Johns River. We have recently been discovered by the outside world of land developers as a wonderful place to live. We agree. At the same time we realize that our heritage and culture as we know it today will rapidly change.
The introduction further explains that many of the first settlers of the area were the Collett, White, Webb, Estes, Greene, Franklin, Coffey and Gragg families.
If your family came from this area of Caldwell County you probably will want to visit this site on a regular basis. Because it is new, it will continue to grow and add material almost daily.
It is also a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which means that all donations to it, monetary or otherwise, are tax deductable.
Click on the title link to visit the Society's website.

April 13, 2007

Hillie Horton Coffey

Hillie was a son of Gilliam and Susan D. Gragg Coffey and was born Jul. 31, 1887 in Caldwell Co., NC. He died there on Mar. 30, 1963. He married Bessie McLean in Caldwell Co. in 1908 when Bessie was 15 years old.

Their first child was unnamed and was born Mar. 16, 1921 and died shortly thereafter. Their second was James Harding Coffey, born Aug. 3, 1922. He also died shortly after birth. Fred Oral was their third child, born Mr. 16, 1924, followed by Ora Lee, born Feb. 27, 1927.

Census records for 1910 places the family in the Globe Twp., and in 1930 in the Johns River Twp. I have not found them in 1920.

According to his WW1 draft registration card, Hillie was of medium height and build with light blue eyes and dark brown hair. He was a self-employed farmer who lived with his wife in Collettsville, NC.

I have not found any information about Bessie. Anyone who has researched this family and has birth and death dates, as well as burial location, please contact me.




March 4, 2006

Confederate Soldiers of Caldwell [Co., NC]

The following is from Annals of Caldwell County, W. W. Scott, Lenoir, NC, 1930, Chapter 10, page 28:

Fifty-Eighth Regiment

Colonel - John B. Palmer, of Mitchell.

Lieutenant-Colonels - Edmund Kirby, of Virginia, killed at Chickamauga in 1863; Thomas J. Dula, of Caldwell, resigned Aug. 29, 1864; S. M. Silver, Thaddeus M. Coleman.

Majors - T. J. Dula (Caldwell), wounded at Chickamauga, promoted to lieutenant-colonel Aug. 14, 1864; A. T. Stuart (Caldwell), killed at Jonesboro, Ga.; S. M. Silver; G. W. F. Harper (Caldwell), promoted in November, 1864 from captain of Co. H.

Surgeons - W. A. Collett, of Burke; W. H. Harris.

Sergeant-Major - D. D. Coffey, of Caldwell

Quartermaster Sergeant - John E. Medearis, of Caldwell.

Drum Majors - H. Estes and J. Caldwell Blair, both of Caldwell

Company E, of Caldwell

Captains - A. T. Stuart, Thomas J. Coffey.

Lieutenants - J. B. Marler, T. J. Coffey, W. E. Coffey (dropped).

Company H, of Caldwell

Captains - T. J. Dula; G. W. F. Harper, wounded at Resaca, Ga., May 15, 1864; Larkin W. Gilbert.

Lieutenants - W. W. Lenoir, promoted to captain in 37th regiment July, 1862; G. W. F. Harper, E. M. Hedrick, A. D. Lingle, L. A. Page, killed in 1864 at Dalton, Ga.; L. W. Gilbert, promoted to captain.

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Thomas J. Coffey was Thomas Jefferson Coffey, son of McCaleb and Elizabeth Collett Coffey. He was born 1828, died 1901.

Thomas Jefferson Coffey was born in 1828 near Patterson, in present-day Caldwell county. Before the war, he was a schoolteacher in Valle Crucis, North Carolina and later a merchant in Eastern Tennessee. When the war started, he enlisted, at age 33, as a private in Company E of the 58th North Carolina. Later he was promoted to 2nd and then 1st lieutenant as well as assistant quartermaster of the regiment. In this tintype he holds a Whitney of C. S. manufactured Spiller & Burr revolver. His sword, although covered in gilt paint, resembles a type manufactured in Richmond. Coffey was hospitalized at Charlotte on March 14, 1865 with phthisis, which is a wasting away of the body, usually caused by tuberculosis. He was furloughed on the same date. He returned to Tennessee and joined his brother in business. Before his death he and his brother entered into an agreement that whichever survived the other should carry on the firm business as long as he thought fit, and then divide the property. Coffey died in 1901.

D. D. Coffey was Drury Dobbins Coffey, son of Daniel Boone and Clarissa Estes Coffey. He was born Apr. 23, 1838 in Burke Co., NC and died 1913 in Caldwell Co., NC. He was husband to Harriet Elizabeth Collett who was born Nov. 25, 1840, and died Jan. 13, 1921. Harriet was undoubtedly descended from Charles Collett "of the family for whom Collettsville was named, it having been changed to its present name from the name of John's River Store. He was clearly of Huguenot stock, the name Collett being a well-known French name current at this day." [Annals of Caldwell Co.]

W. E. Coffey is probably William Elbert Coffey, born c1840 in Caldwell Co., married Maggie Kincaid. William was the son of Gilliam and Mary (Polly) Moore Coffey.

Please contact me if anyone has more detailed information on William or Drury.