Reuben Dalton (1752-1801)

According to a 2006 Dalton genealogy report submitted by Jean England, Reuben Dalton was the first of his line to settle in Grainger Co., TN.¹ He settled in Thorn Hill in 1801 after having served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.² Reuben had been an Ensign in Captain Isham’s company in the Virginia State Militia.  He died prior to the passing of the law that gave veterans of that war the right to apply for a pension.

He was born in Bedford Co., VA c1752.  He arrived in “Montgomery Co., VA from Pittsylvania Co. in 1772” and bought “170 acres in the area known as Little Reed Island Creek.”  In her report, Jean tells us that Reuben was listed on Tennessee tax rolls of 1797 as owner of 200 acres but was probably still in Virginia at the time.  He sold some of the Virginia property in 1797 and the rest of it in 1801 when he relocated to Tennessee.

Reuben died in 1801 and was buried “on the Fred Davidson farm on Copper Ridge Rd. near Cedar Springs Baptist Church” in Thorn Hill.  Archie Dalton, a long time Dalton researcher, wrote to me in 2005 and reported that Reuben "is buried in the woods close to the Bluff Davidson graveyard..." near Thorn Hill.  I have been unable to locate the farm or the cemetery and, it is not clear to me how either burial site is known.

On Jan. 4, 1808 he applied for a marriage license in Grainger Co. to marry Nancy Shockley.³ Nancy was born c1757 at Pittsylvania.  Her family likely migrated along with others into Grainger Co. about the same time as Reuben.

The union between the couple produced at least nine children:  Enos; Elizabeth; Agnes Anne; William Meredith; Reuben, Jr.; Mary; Carter; Hannah Ann and Timothy.  In this paper we will try to follow Timothy, thought to have been born in 1810.⁴

Timothy is the first known Dalton known to me to marry into the Coffey family.  His wife was Delphia Coffey, a daughter of George Coffey and Margaret L. Rucker.  We can follow George back to Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through his father, Benjamin Coffey who married Mary “Polly” Hayes.  I will only touch on the descendants of Timothy who also married Coffeys.

Delphia and Timothy were married in Grainger Co. on Dec. 29, 1828.⁵ Over the next 26 years, she became the mother of at least 11 of Timothy’s children. Timothy died c1863 in Grainger Co.; neither a death record nor place of burial has been located.  In any event, Delphia, yet with young children at home, married the widower Jacob Hipshire on Mar. 23, 1863.  Jacob was age 66 years and Delphia was age 48 when they married.  There were no known children.

Jacob was a North Carolina native and son of Henry and Delphia Delamar (sic).  His first wife was Matilda Hayes, born c1810 in NC, died 1855 in Grainger Co.  Her parents were Thomas and Sarah “Sally” Rucker Hayes.  Margaret Rucker, wife of George Coffey and Sarah “Sally” were sisters, daughters of Colby and Sarah Roberts Rucker.

The 11 children of Timothy and Delphia were:  David, born c1831; George Washington, born Feb. 3, 1832, died Dec. 24, 1904;⁶ Manerva, born c1834; Thomas, born c1834; Ally (Ollie?), born c1837; William Nelson, born Dec 6, 1839;⁶ Green C., born c1840; Colby Timothy, born c1842; Hiram, born c1843; Emeline, born c1844 and Harriet, born c1854.

Son George first married Charlotte Hedrick, a daughter of John and Lucinda Hipshire Hedrick. His second wife was Sarah Ann, Charlotte’s sister. George and Charlotte’s son Lafayette, known as “Lee Fate” married Cornelia Dalton, a child of Tandy Witcher and Matilda Coffey Dalton. Lee Fate’s son James Franklin, (1880-1947), married twice, the second to Louvernie “Vernie” Coffey (1887-1978), a daughter of Lacy and Margaret Ogan Coffey. James’ first wife was Mattie Collins to whom he was married in 1903.  I know of only one child, a son Creed, born 1913.  Mattie died in 1917 at the same time as Creed; she of “pulmonary consumption,” he of “lobar pneumonia.”⁷ I know of no children born to James and Vernie.

Daughter Ally (Ollie?) married William Hedrick and their daughter married Eva (1895-1963) married Guy Willis Hedrick, her multiple second and third cousin.  Guy was the son of William Henry and Margaret Jane Coffey Hedrick.  Jane was the daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane Shockley Coffey.

Son Colby Timothy (1842-1908) married Letitia Wolfe (1842-1904), a daughter of Moses and Catherine Wolfe Wolfe.  Their son Greenberry (1868-1942) married Lula May Coffey (1869-1948).  Lula was a daughter of Austin and Elizabeth Dalton Coffey.  Austin descends from Edward through his father Elijah Coffey who married Rebecca Shockley.  Elizabeth Dalton was a daughter of Colby John and Elizabeth McGinnis Dalton.  Colby goes back to Reuben through his father William Meredith Dalton who married Delphia Rucker, the daughter of Colby and Sarah Roberts Rucker.

The death date and place of burial for Timothy and Delphia is unknown. The death dates for many of the children are known and some of their burial sites are also known.  However, more research is required to confirm and verify.

Corrections and additions welcomed.

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¹ Jean England, Thorn Hill, TN, compiler, Dalton Ancestors, an attachment to e-mail from the author  to Jack Coffee:, Sep. 25, 2006. Most of the early information about Reuben is credited to Jean.

² A monument to his memory has been placed at the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church in Thorn Hill.

³ "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8YZ-WJ2 : accessed 24 January 2015), Reubin Daulton and Nancy Shockley, 04 Jan 1808; citing Grainger, Grainger, Tennessee, reference ; FHL microfilm 968,583.

⁴ Birth dates and locations for all of the children are inconsistent.  Some dates are prior to Reuben and Nancy’s marriage; some in Virginia and some in Grainger Co. He may have been previously married.

⁵ "Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VNDC-3SC : accessed 05 ⁶Mar 2013), Timothy Dalton and Delpha Coffer, 1828.

⁶ Betty White Martin, "Descendants of Timothy Dalton". Grainger Co., TN, Jul. 18, 2005

⁷ "Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1955", index and images, FamilySearch.org

Coffey Books Available

Author Betty White Martin grew up in Morristown and White Pine, TN, the only child of Lonnie White.  She has Coffey ancestry that extends all the way back to Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.

Her grandfather was John McHenry White, a son of Susan Isabelle Dalton White.  Susan was the daughter of of Carter and Nancy Whitsett Dalton.  Carter Dalton was a son of Matilda Coffey, wife of Tandy Witcher Dalton.  Matilda was a daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey. 

Nancy Whitsett Dalton was the daughter of Elizabeth Coffey, wife of Nathan Whitsett and later, wife of George W. Hayes.  Elizabeth Coffey was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey.

Betty has authored at least three books containing photos and some history of these families.  I have also documented them rather extensively in The Edward Coffey Project.

Our Coffey and Dalton Families In Photos, which begins with descendants of Cleveland Coffey and his wife, Susan Hayes.


Ramblings From the North Side of Clinch Mountain A pictorial history of the early families of Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., TN.

A Woman of Vim and Vigor which is based loosely on the life of Nancy Whitsett Dalton Cozart.  She was the daughter of Elizabeth Coffey and Nathan P. Whitsett.  Nancy married twice; beginning in 1854* to Carter Coffey Dalton with whom she had at least five children: Susan who married Thomas Jefferson White; James Tandy, married Mary Emeline Jackson; Betty; Tennessee, who married Perry Singleton and, Pleasant.  There may have been others because it was seven or more years between Tennessee, born 1867 and Pleasant, born c1874.  

Carter and Nancy apparently divorced because they were married a second time in 1860**.  When Carter died in 1877 Nancy had an affair with his uncle, Anderson Dalton and had two more children, Matilda, born c1877 and Milton, born in 1880.  Nancy seems to have also had an affair with her former father-in-law, Tandy Witcher Dalton, a brother to Anderson and had another child, Charles S.  

Tandy did not die until 1909 so they likely divorced as well for on Oct. 13, 1888 she married James Wiley Cozart.  No children are known from that union. 

These books are very reasonably priced and available on Amazon.com.  They can be reviewed and purchased by clicking on the title of each book. E-mail me if you would like to discuss these books with the author.

*https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8YC-1LX
** https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8Y8-7VH

Winright Shockley & Martha Emaline Coffey

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

It's impossible!  

Don't believe that?

Consider the following:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Want to know more?  Contact me!

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

Colby & Sarah Roberts Rucker

In 1927 Edyth Johns Rucker Whitley put together a rather comprehensive account of the Ruckers in American. By her own admission, Edyth did not set out to provide "a complete history of the family" before they began to arrive on the shores of this country.*

She emphatically states that the origin of the Ruckers was "no doubt a very historical family" and was German. She descended into a short description of when the family originated when a "Sir Knight crusader, John Von Rucker, was granted in 1096 AD¹ a coat-of-arms, dating from the first Crusade."

This book is available to read and download at Ancestry.com.  I will borrow only slightly from it in this outline of the family and their intermarriage with the Coffey and Dalton families of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. I have not relied on it entirely for Colby's descendants; instead I have relied on several contemporaries who have assisted me over the years while I researched my own Coffee/y ancestry.

Edyth tells us that Colby Rucker was a son of Peter and Sarah Rucker of Culpepper Co., VA. She found no exact date of marriage for Peter and Sarah but speculated that it "must have been about 1759." In 1775 Peter sold his land in Virginia and relocated with Sarah and his children to Mississippi. Through an investigative process Edyth speculates that although no official record has been found that provides Sarah's maiden name, she pretty much convinces researchers that her name was Sarah Cowherd, a daughter of Colby Cowherd whose property adjoined the Ruckers in Culpepper Co.

Colby Rucker was born Oct. 10, 1760 and died on Jan. 20, 1852 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., TN and was buried there at the Rucker Cemetery. He married Sarah Roberts** c1784 and she died c1844, but we do not know where or, the location of her burial.

They had at least eight children; seven of which are believed born in Wilkes Co., and the last in Grainger Co., TN.

The first was Elizabeth. An un-sourced contribution to Coffey Cousins' tells us that she was born  born Jan. 6, 1787 and died Mar. 22, 1855.  She married John Coffey, a son of Benjamin and Polly Hayes Coffey on Mar. 1, 1804 in Wilkes Co.  It is said that 12 children were born to the union but likely there were only ten.  We have no data on two of them:  Jesse T. and George.

The others were Ausburn (var.) who was born on Jan. 11, 1805 and died on Dec. 30, 1876 in Grainger Co. He was married c1830 to Matilda "Tildy" Dalton, a daughter of Enos and Rebecca Williams Dalton. Tildy was born Jan. 30, 1799 in Grayson Co., VA and died in Rockcastle Co., KY on Jan. 30, 1899. Ausburn is buried at the Rucker Cemetery in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., while Tilda died in Rockcastle Co. and was buried in Roundstone, KY at the Scaffold Cane Cemetery. Thirteen children.

Colby, born Aug. 23, 1806 in Wilkes Co., died in Estill Co., KY on Jun. 17, 1888. He was married to Mary Ann "Polly" Adams on May 22, 1830 in Grainger Co., TN. She was born Oct. 6, 1807 in VA, died Sep. 26, 1887 in Estill Co. Both buried at Garrett Cemetery in Jinks, Estill Co. Ten children.

Benjamin, born Feb. 8, 1808 in Wilkes Co., died May 8, 1867 in Rockcastle Co. He married Nancy Hayes c1872 in Hawkins Co., TN.  Nancy was born Jul. 23, 1802 in NC and died in Rockcastle Co. on Feb. 14, 1874.  Both are buried at the Maret Cemetery in Wildie, Rockcastle Co. Ten children

Elizabeth Coffey Whitsett Hayes
Photo via S. Phelps

Elizabeth was born Oct. 14, 1810 in TN and died in Cass Co., MO on Aug. 30, 1883. Her first husband was Nathan P. Whitsett to whom she was married on Dec. 1, 1839. He died in Jan., 1842 in Grainger Co. and she then married her first cousin, George W. Hayes, a son of Thomas and Sarah "Sally" Rucker Hayes. Sally was the daughter of Colby and Sarah Roberts. The marriage occurred on Feb. 23, 1845 in Grainger Co. Both George and Elizabeth are buried at Pleasant Hill in Cass County's Union Baptist Church Cemetery. At least five children.

Nancy, born Jan. 12, 1811 in Grainger Co., died Nov. 20, 1896 in Rockcastle Co.  She never married and in the 1860 census she was enumerated as "insane."  She is buried at the Thomas Jefferson Coffey cemetery near Lake Linville in Rockcastle Co.

John Jackson, born Jan. 12, 1812 in Hancock Co., TN, died Oct. 15, 1877 in Rockcastle Co. His spouse was Elsie Nash, born 1810 in TN and died in Grainger Co. on Jan. 7, 1867. They were married Jul. 7, 1839 in Grainger Co. He is buried at Maret Cemetery in Wildie; she at the Condry Cemetery in Thorn Hill. Elsie was a daughter of Thomas and Dicy Mallicoat Nash. They also had a son named Marvel Nash who married Louisa Wells. Their daughter, Sarah Nash later married Wiley Coffey, son of Ausburn and Tildy Dalton Coffey. A son, Parrot Leon Nash also married Martha Matilda Coffey, a daughter of Wiley and Sarah Nash Coffey. John Jackson and Elsie had seven children.

The Coffey's loved their cousins!

John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey's daughter, Sarah Lucinda, born c1822 in Grainger Co., married William E. (or H.) Coffey on Mar. 21, 1840.  William was the son of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey.  Margaret Rucker and Sarah's mother, Elizabeth Rucker were sisters and, John and George Coffey were brothers.  So, Sarah and William were double first cousins!  Sarah and William had seven children.

Margaret Elizabeth Coffey, born Feb. 28, 1823, probably in Grainger Co., married Isaac Bullen on May 9, 1844 in that county.  He was born Apr. 23, 1802 in TN and died in Rockcastle Co. on Nov. 28, 1896.  Margaret also died in Rockcastle Co.  Margaret was Isaac's second wife.  His first wife was Mary Dotson to whom he was married on Nov. 3, 1829 in Grainger Co.  They had five children, one of which (Hannah) married Elias Henry "Eli" Coffey in 1851 Grainger Co.  He was another son of Ausburn and Tildy Dalton Coffey.  Both Margaret and Isaac are buried at the Thomas Jefferson Coffey Cemetery.  Mary Dotson is buried at the Dotson Cemetery in Grainger Co.

Catherine Coffey, born Apr. 29, 1827 in TN, died Sep. 27, 1914 in Howell Co., MO.  She married a Mr. Sweet in Cass Co., MO.  We know that Catherine is buried at the Langston Cemetery in West Plains, Howell Co. MO, but no clues yet on Mr. Sweet.

William M. Coffey, born Oct. 31, 1828 in TN is the last known child of John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey.  He married Ellen Nash on Jun. 10, 1849 in Rutledge, Grainger Co.  He died on Aug. 9, 1893 in that county; she on Jan. 19,1884.  Unfortunately, I have not yet found where they are buried.

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2/16/2015 Update:

The following is from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application made for the Colby's children.  His pension was denied as no proof existed that he actually served:

United States Department of Interior***

Bureau of Pensions

Rev. and 1812 Wars.         Washington, Nov. 6, 1925

Section R-9061

In response to your letter [presumed to be Whitley] of the second instant, I have the honor to advise you, that from the records of this Bureau it appears that Colby, or Colley Rucker was born October 10, 1760, place not stated.  During the Revolution he lived with his parents, whose names are not on record, on the Mississippi River, near Natchez.  He married soon after the Revolution in Wilkes County, North Carolina, date not given, Sarah Roberts.  He died in Grainger County, Tennessee, January 20, 1852.  His wife died about eight years before he died.  In 1852, their surviving children were:

Mrs. Margaret Coffee, aged sixty-five years.

Mrs. Elizabeth Coffee, aged sixty-seven years.

William Rucker, aged sixty-three years.

Mrs. Sarah Hayes, aged sixty-one years.

Mrs. Nancy Pain or Payne, aged fifty-eight years.

Mrs. Delphia Dalton, aged fifty-six years.

John Rucker, aged fifty-four years.

Mrs. Jane Hayes, aged fifty-one years.

On December 27, 1852, William Hays, or Hayes, soldier's administrator, a resident of Rockcastle County, Kentucky, applied for pension in behalf of the surviving children.  He was also soldier's son-in-law, but it is not stated which daughter was his wife.

It is stated that Colby, or Colley Rucker, enlisted in 1778, or 1770 and served under Captain Alston and Colonel Blunt, ranging up and down the Mississippi River near Natchez, for eighteen months.  After this, while going to North Carolina, he was captured by the British and confined in Savannah between four and six months, before he escaped.

He then went to Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he enlisted and served for three months under Captain John Keyes and Colonel Benjamin Harrald and Colonel Charles McDowell against the Cherokees.  Dates of service not given.

The claim was not allowed as soldier did not render six months service, in an embodied military corps as required by the pension laws.

Very truly yours,

Winfield Scott, Commissioner

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Sources:

¹ The People's Crusade; see http://tinyurl.com/l6b244m

*Neither do I plan to create here a complete descendant list of children and other descendants of Colby.  I will however, be glad to discuss and provide information, including sources, to any researcher who would like to know more about this very large family.

** Was Sarah's surname Roberts or Robins?  According to the website "Robins [Ro-Bynes] Robbins - Clan?" Colby Rucker married Sarah Robins, daughter of John Robins, Jr., and Margaret Strother.

See the wewbsite  http://jimrobins.cherokee-online.com/robins.php as source of following information:

Children of John Robins, Jr. and Margaret Strother:

William Robins, born c. 1745 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died c. 1774 in Orange Cty., Virginia. He was married c. 1766 to Ann Foster, born c. 1744, died 14 June 1833.

Capt. Thomas Robins, born c. 1748 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died bef. 1824 Coffey Cty., Tennessee. He was married on the 24 December 1775 to Mary Foster, she was born abt 1747, died 4 December 1807 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina.

NOTE: Check this link for a surname history for the Foster line: Foster Link

[http://www.fmoran.com/foster.html]

John Robins, born c. 1750 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died (?) in Franklin Cty., Tennessee. He married Elizabeth Dogan in c. 1771 in Orange Cty., Virginia.

NOTE: Check this link for a surname history for the Jones line

[http://www.fmoran.com/wilkes/jones.html]

Reuben Robins, born bet. 1750-1755 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died in 1833 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. He was married on the 29 April 1782 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina to Jane Turner, born c. 1760-70, died c. 1850-60

Mary Robins, born c. 1760 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died (?) in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. She married Joseph Roberts c. 1781.

Ann Robins, born (?) in Orange Cty., Virginia. She married James Sartin c. 1786.

Lucy Robins, born bet. 1755-60 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died bef. 1787 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. She married (Benjamin) Brown

Sarah Robins, born (?). She married Colby Rucker c. 1786.

***Microfilm publication M804 (Washington, D.C.: NARA, ), M804, Pension No. R.9061.

Esther V. Dalton or Hettie U. Dalton?

Ester V. Dalton was a daughter of Colby and Victoria Greenlee Dalton, born Jan. 16, 1870 in Grainger Co., TN.  As Ester V., she was married to Thomas L. Parsons in Grainger Co. on Dec. 12, 1887.  Esther died in Knoxville, Knox Co., TN on Dec. 27, 1927 and buried there at Woodlawn Cemetery under the name Hettie U. Dalton [carved in stone]!  Her death certificate reports her as "Esther V. Parsons (Mrs. T. L.)."

Tragedy in the life of Hiram Dalton

Hiram Dalton, born Mar. 4, 1843 at Idol in Grainger Co., TN, was a son of Timothy Dalton and Delphia Coffey.  Delphia was the daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey, natives of North Carolina, and Timothy was a son of Reuben and Elizabeth Shockley Dalton, Virginia natives.

In order of birth, Hiram was the seventh of at least 11 children born to Timothy and Delphia. Others were, in order of birth, George Washington, David, Thomas, Ollie or Ally, William Nelson, Green C., [Hiram], Colby Timothy, Manerva, Emeline and Harriet.  A couple of these children were married at least twice but, Hiram seems to have had an abundance of misfortune with his spouses.  He was married at least four times.

His first wife was Catherine Howerton, born c1843, died c1870.  They were married on Nov. 11, 1861[1] in Grainger Co.  Catherine was the mother of at least two children which survived to adulthood: Pleasant "Pleas" Dalton, born Aug. 5, 1865, died Aug. 14, 1942, and Mary Elizabeth Dalton, born c1866, died 1947.

Hiram's second wife was his first cousin, Mahala Jane Dalton, a daughter of Carter J. and Mary A. Coffey Dalton.  Mary was a sister to Delphia, wife of Timothy.  Timothy and Carter J. were likely very close kin but I haven't determined that yet.  This marriage occurred on Jul. 6, 1871 in Grainger Co.[1]

Mahala and Hiram had at least four children:  George, born c1874; Abner B., born 1875, died 1949; Rev. Carter J., born 1876, died 1939 and, Mary Margaret, born 1882, died 1968.

Mahala apparently died at the birth of Mary in 1882 because Hiram took his third wife, the widow Myra Mallicoat on Dec. 24, 1882[1] in Grainger Co.  Myra was about 37 years old when she married Hiram.  I do not know if she bore any children for Hiram but, in 1900 Hancock Co., a son by the name of Farnee or Tarnee, born in Apr., 1888 and then 12 years old, was in the household with Hiram.  In this census Hiram reported that he had been married for six years but a wife was not enumerated.

The excluded wife Hiram claimed to have in the 1900 census was likely C. J. Roberts [given names not found].  They were married on May 14, 1894[1] in Grainger Co.  I have not been able to locate Hiram in the 1910 census.  He died of unknown causes in Hancock Co. on Jun. 14, 1915 and was buried at the Wolfenbarger Cemetery in that county.

Perhaps some of Hiram's poor record with wives was passed along to Pleasant, his son with Catherine Howerton.  Pleas, as he was called, was born on Aug. 5, 1865 in KY and died on Aug. 14, 1942 in Hamblen Co., TN.  He is buried in that county at the Emma Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown.

Pleas' first wife was Elizabeth "Bettie" Shockley.  They were married in Grainger Co. on Feb. 24, 1888.  She was the mother of at least three children:  Effie, born c880, James Carter, born 1896, died 1958 and, Neil, born c1902.  Bettie died on May 11, 1911 and was laid to rest at Emma Jarnagin.

A little more than a year later, Pleas married Viola Coffey on Aug. 10, 1912 in Grainger Co.  Viola was the daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane Shockley.  Martha Jane was the sister to Elizabeth Shockley, Pleas' first wife.  Their common ancestors were George and Margaret Rucker Coffey, Reuben Dalton and Elizabeth Shockley and Colby and Sarah Roberts Rucker.

Viola was the mother of at least six children: Claude Wilson, Lee Boyd, Lloyd Oliver, Paul Edam, Clifford and P. Henderson, all born between 1913 and 1926 in Hamblen Co.

The life that would eventually turn to tragedy for Pleas and Viola began with the birth of their first child, Claude Wilson.  He married Virgie Newman on Jan. 20, 1940[1] in Hamblen Co.  He was 26 then and perhaps had been previously married, but I find no record.  Neither do I know who their children were, if any.  Claude ended his life by gunshot on Jun.1, 1953[2] and was buried at Emma Jarnagin.

Their next son was Lee Boyd, born Nov. 17, 1917.  Lee died of "infantile paralysis" [known as poliomyelitis or, polio today] at the age of 10.[2]  He was buried at Emma Jarnagin.

Lloyd Oliver was next, born Aug. 30, 1919.  He died on Dec. 11, 1921[2] of burns when his clothing was ignited by the fireplace.

Paul Edam came next, born Feb. 1, 1922.  Paul died at age 12 on Mar. 23, 1934[2] of bronchial pneumonia.

Clifford survived to married Mary Lois Hall on Aug. 16, 1953 in Hamblen Co.  I have not found a death record for him or Mary.

Their last child was P. Henderson (Henderson), born Sep. 30, 1926.  Henderson died of pneumonia on Mar. 28 1939 at age 12.

It appears then that all of their children, with the possible exception of Clifford died before Viola passed on in 1969.  And, most died before Pleas' death in 1942.  All but Clifford are to be found buried at the Emma Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown.

The Tennessee Daltons and Coffeys have a history of intermarriage.  Other of Hiram's children married into the Coffey family and I have information on those.  Additions and corrections welcomed.  Contact me via e-mail for more info.

  Jack

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Sources:
[1]"Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950"
[2]"Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1915"

James Madison & Lydia Ann Wolfe Coffey

James was a son of Ausburn (var.) and Matilda "Tildy" Dalton Coffey.  Lydia "Liddy" was the daughter of Adam and Jemima McCoy Wolfe.  James, born in 1834, Tennessee, married Liddy in Grainger Co., TN in 1857.[1]  She was born in Grainger Co. in 1836.[2]

By 1860 the couple was residing in Rockcastle Co., KY where they remained for the rest of their lives.[3]

Between 1858 and 1882 James and Liddy had at least 12 children; three sons, the remainder were daughters.  There was one unnamed child that was born and died in Feb., 1882, sex also unknown.

First child born was Thomas Jefferson in 1858, Grainger Co., died 1934 in Jessamine Co., KY.  Thomas married Mary Alice McGuire in 1883, Rockcastle Co.   She was born in KY in 1865 and died in Madison Co., KY in 1940.  Their children were: Beulah, Martha, Lydia, Minnie and Willie, all daughters.  Thomas' burial place is not known to me.  Mary Alice is buried at the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison Co.

John Henry, born in May, 1861 at Rockcastle Co., married Eliza Margaret Langford in 1891, Rockcastle Co.  She was born in that county i 1856 and died in Mercer Co., KY in 1931.  John Henry died at Mt. Vernon, KY in 1951.  Their children were Minnie L., James Madison and Jessie.  Both John and Eliza are buried at the Maret Cemetery in Wildie, Rockcastle Co., KY.

The first daughter born to James and Liddy was Margaret Angeline on Aug. 16, 1863 in Rockcastle Co.  She died there in Oct., 1863 and was buried at Maret.

Glathia Jane, born Oct., 1865, married Joseph Love Ramsey in 1898, Rockcastle Co.  Joseph was born in KY in 1842 and died in Rockcastle Co. in 1901.  Glathia Jane died in Madison Co. in 1939.  Joseph's first wife was Martha Jane Bryant, born 1843, died 1895.  They had at least two children; Ella, c1866 and Gatie, 1881 in Renfro Valley, Rockcastle Co.  Gatie married Arthur A. Coffey in 1897, Rockcastle Co.  He was the son of Lee and Isabelle "Belle" Hiatt Coffey.  Lee and Glathia Jane were first cousins.  Glathia is buried at the Berea Cemetery while Joseph was buried at the Hiatt Cemetery in Renfro Valley.

Gemima "Mimmia" follower Glathia in Dec., 1866 at Rockcastle Co.  She never married and died at Rockcastle Co. in 1967.  She is also buried at Maret.

Matilda was next, born in 1868 at Wildie.  She married John R. Dotson on Oct. 5, 1893 at Rockcastle Co.  He was born in TN in Jun., 1872 and died in Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH in 1965.  Matilda, whose middle name was either Addison or Aderson - nicknamed Addie - died in Preble Co., OH in 1953.  They had Orla, Ila, Dewey, Margaret, Earnest, Honest John [sic] and Argie.  Orla married Walker Blanton, born c1884, died 1962.  Orla died in 1981.  Both are buried at Berea.  Honest John was born in 1903 and died in 1914 at Wildie.  He was buried at Rockcastle Co., but cenetery is not given on his death certificate.

Hulda was one of two daughters of James and Liddy that married a Ketron.  Her husband was George Nelson, born 1867 in KY to Allen and Bettie Hatfield Ketron.  He and Hulda married in 1897, Rockcastle Co and had children William Allen; James B.; John C.; Freeman D.; Lydia Loretta; and George Conley.  George was their only child not born in KY.  He was born in Indiana, and probably in Randolph Co.  Hulda died in Eaton, OH in 1951; George in Winchester, Randolph Co., IN in 1945.  Hulda is buried at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester.  George's resting place in unknown to me but likely also at Fountain Park.

William Ausbon was the last known son born to James and Liddy.  He was born in Rockcastle Co. in 1873 and died there in 1964.  He married Cordelia T. Reynolds in 1895.  She was born to Tandy and Sarah Parsons Reynolds in KY in 1871 and died in Rockcastle Co. in 1913.  The name given on her death certificate as well as her headstone is Cordelia Tea Coffey.  Both she and William are buried at Maret.  Their children were Casper; Della J.; Grace; Vesta; John Clay; Unnamed male; William R.; and James Jefferson "Jepp."

Eliza Brannaman, born 1875 in Rockcastle Co., died in 1971 and was buried at Maret.  She never married.

MarionVictoria Ketron Reese

Cordelia "Delia" was the other daughter of James and Liddy to marry a Ketron.  He husband was Freeman, brother to Hulda's husband, George Ketron.  They were married in Rockcastle Co. in 1897.  Freeman was born in KY in 1875; Delia in 1878, Rockcastle Co.  He died there in 1928; she in Berea in 1952.  Both are buried at Scaffold Cane Cemetery in Round Stone, Rockcastle Co.  Their children were:  Johnny Love; Benton, Allen A; Daisy B.; Hagie  (?) M.; Thurman H.; Floy T.; and Marion Victoria.  Floy married Brandley Powell in 1937.  Marion Victoria married Leonard Reese.

The last named child of James and Liddy was Sallie, born c1879.  No other information.  An unnamed child was born Feb. 1, 1882,  It died that same month in Wildie and was buried at Maret.

More details are available in the Edward Coffey Project.  Corrections and additions are welcomed.

 Jack

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[1]David B. Trimble, Wolfe and Hickman of East Tennessee (Microfilmed by Brigham Young University: David B. Trimble, 2506 Hartford Rd., Austin, TX 78703, 2006), Page 189.
[2] 1900 Rockcastle Co., KY census, Round Stone Pct., ED 65, Sheet 13A
[3] 1860 thru 1930 census records for Rockcastle Co.

Joel Hamilton Malicoat

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

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

Grainger County Bible Records - Mallicoat Bible

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

Joel Mallicoat born Feb 6, 1818

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Austin Coffey and His Several Wives

It has been somewhat of a struggle to sort out the life and death of Austin Coffey, born c1840 in TN to Elijah and Rebecca Shockley Coffey.  Even now I am not certain that I have his genealogy correct.

Elijah was born on Feb. 23, 1819 (not proven) and married Rebecca Shockley on Jan. 11, 1840.*  They appear in the 1850 Grainger Co. census with Austin, age 10; Molly, age 9; Mira(?), age 7; George, age 2; and Wyatt, age 14.  Wyatt was a Coffey but not, apparently, a son.

Austin was out of his parents house by 1860.  The Grainger Co. census for that year enumerated the family with children Milah (Mira?), age 18; George, age 12; Ambrose, age 9; Samuel, age 4; and Martha E., age 3.

In 1870 we find Mila (Mira?), age 27; Grove (George), age 22; Samuel, age 15; Lacy, male, age 12; Elijah, age 10; and Martin, age 4.

I have not found them in 1880.  Elijah is said to have died in Grainger Co. on July 13, 1890 at age "71 years, 4 months and 20 days."**  Rebecca died Aug. 11, 1890 (unsourced) in Grainger.

Austin married Elvira Wolfe in Grainger Co. on Jan. 7, 1856#.  Some genealogies that I have seen report their divorce on Jan. 24, 1858, but I have not seen a record document.  This would mean that he and Elvira married when he was about 15 years old.  Austin then married Elizabeth Dalton on 20 May 1860 in Grainger Co.†  They appeared in the Aug. 13, 1860 Grainger Co. census as "tenants" in the household with the Colby Dalton family.  He was 18 and Elizabeth was 19.

Elizabeth can be found in the 1870 census at Thorn Hill in Grainger Co. with children Hulda, age 9 and Ida, age 6.  Austin was not in the household and cannot be found elsewhere that year.  Perhaps, as it has been suggested, he hid from the census taker! 

There is another marriage record for Austin Coffey to Laura Ambrose on Oct. 19, 1875.‡ He apparently died before 1880 because Laura appeared in the 1880 census of Grainger Co. as a widow.  With her were children Mary A., age 5 and Adie, age 2.

Elvira is said to have given birth to Martha Emeline c1856.  Given that she and Austin married in Jan of that year, perhaps it was a "shotgun" arrangement!?  With Elizabeth Dalton he was the father of Hulda and Ida.  Another source¢ reports that they were also the parents of Lula May, born May 5, 1869.  She married Greenberry Dalton on Oct. 10, 1886 in Grainger Co. and had at least twelve children.  Unfortunately, she never appears in any census record with any of Austin's wives.

The California Death index contains a record for Lula Dalton [Lula Coffee], born 1 May 1868 in VA, died 17 Jun 1948 in Los Angeles in which her mothers maiden name was given as Ambrose and mother's surname as Coffee.  Since Lula was born in 1869, some 5 years prior to Austin and Laura's marriage, it is doubtful her mother's name is correct in this record.  I suppose that she could have been Laura's daughter from a prior marriage and given the Coffey surname.

Laura also appears in the 1890 Veterans Schedule for Grainger Co. as a widow of Austin Coffey.

Hopefully, someone can offer additional information that will help sort out this family a bit more.

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*Marriage Bonds and Licenses, 1835-1866, Grainger Co., Tennessee, Book 2, Billie Wyrick Kennerly, Houston, TX

**The graves of Elijah and Rebecca can be found on the north side of Clinch Mountain, Grainger County, Tennessee on property once owned by William Coffey.  The property is one and one-half miles east of Fair View Church and School which was in existence in May, 1938.

Other names transcribed at the time from headstones were Lacy Coffey, born March 30, 1861, died Oct. 27, 1888; William Coffey, born Sept. 3, 1888, Died Oct. 5, 1888; Charley Coffey, no dates; Bettie Coffey, no dates; Oma Coffey, no dates.

The following is the obituary of Elijah Coffey, son of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey from church records.

Elijah Coffey was born February the 23rd 1819 and died July the 13th 1890,  aged 71 years, 4 months and 20 days. He professed faith in Christ in March  1852 and joined the Baptist Church at Cedar Springs. He married Miss  Rebecca Shockley, a member of the same church. He was ordained a deacon  of his church April the 2nd Saturday 1873 and lived a consistent Christian and working member of his church, visiting the sick and administering to  their wants. He was sick about two weeks, bearing his suffering with patience and fortitude. He called his family around him, bade them  farewell, asked the blessings of God and quietly passed away, leaving an affectionate wife and six children to mourn the loss of a good husband and father and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. But his wife ceased her mourning in four weeks and one day and followed on over the turbid waters where husband and wife meet to part no more.  But the livings's [sic] loss is the dead's eternal gain. "Asleep in Jesus,  blessed sleep from which none ever wake to weep." Wm. N. Dalton, Church  minutes.

Sources for above include: Virginia L. Peterson, Dorothy Dalton Johns, Bessie H. Johnson, Julia Dalton Harrell, Ella Coffey Carpenter, Wanda Hamblin Deck, R.B. Coffey and Grace McGinnis, Morristown TN (mcginnis@planetc.com), and Bennie Coffey Loftin in her compilation of the family of George Coffey and Margaret Rucker.

Coffey, Elijah – b. February 23, 1819; d. July 13, 1890. Married Rebecca Shockley. Member of Cedar Springs Baptist Church. Ordained Deacon the 2nd Saturday , 1873. Leaves wife, and 6 children. She died 4 weeks and 1 day later. [E-mail from Bernice Mullins to Jack Coffee, subject: Obits, Jul. 16, 2005]

#Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.

†"Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/)

‡Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.

¢David B. Trimble, Wolfe and Hickman of East Tennessee (Microfilmed by Brigham Young University: David B. Trimble, 2506 Hartford Rd., Austin, TX 78703, 2006), Page 216.

James Coffey, bc1862

The James Coffey I am searching for was born c1862 in Hancock Co., TN.  His father may have been William Coffey, born c1831 in TN to Caswell and Annie Jordan Coffey. I do not yet know who William married and I do not know all of his children.

James is said by some researchers to have been married at least four times.  By one he was the father of Tilmon, born c1883 in TN, died Nov. 27, 1970 in Claiborne Co., TN.

Tilmon married twice.  His took his first wife Bealey Ferguson, c1904.  She was born Jun. 4, 1890 in TN, died July 21, 1989 in Hancock Co.  Following Tilmon's death in 1970, Bealey married Tilmon's brother Matthew with whom she had at least one child, a daughter named Laura.  I find this difficult to believe because Bealey would have been close to 80 years old when Tilmon died.

If Tilmon did not die until 1970, then he and Bealey must have divorced because Tilmon married Susan Parker c1918.  If there was a divorce then Bealey could have married Matthew early in the century and been the mother of several more children.*

The marriage by Tilmon to Susan produced at least four children:

Stella, born Jul., 1918; Clester or Cluster, born 1919; Ethel M., born c1925 and Joseph, born Feb., 1927.

His obituary, which appeared in the Claiborne Progress on Nov. 26, 1970 related that he was survived by half-brothers Clint Barnard, Kyle Coffey, Meb Coffey, Ott Coffey and Nan Coffey, all half-siblings.  I does not mention living or deceased full siblings.  He was also survived by children Lonnie, Floyd, Cluster, Joe, Lloyd, Carson, Lee, Harrison, Pearl, Ethel, Bertha and Adra.

So, from this we know that one of James' marriages - probably the second - was to Nancy Barnard with whom he had at least one child Hamilton, born Apr. 2, 1870, died Dec. 30, 1953.  In fact, Hamilton's death certificate from Middleboro, Bell Co., KY, tells us that his parents were James and Nancy.  It also appears that Nancy was not born Barnard but was previously married to one with whom she had Clint.

I cannot find  the first wife of James.  She would, as I calculate, have been the mother of Tilmon, Matthew, Charles H. "Charlie", William Caswell and Laura.  Charles married Emily Dalton on Jun 16, 1906 in Grainger Co. and they had at least two children:  Dovie, born c1907 and Herman, born c1909, both in Grainger Co.

The 1951 obituary for William Caswell tells us that he had one brother, Tilmon and two half-sisters, Cordy and Nan Coffey, and half-brothers Kyle, Albert, and Arthur Coffey, Clint Barnard, Milburn, Mat, and Hamilton Coffey.

Coffey-Wolfe Marriage License

The TN State Archives tells us that a James Coffey married Mattie Wolfe in Grainger Co. on Aug. 13, 1898.  The 1900 census found this family in Hancock Co.  Mattie and John had been married for two years.  Mattie was 21 and James was 40.  They had two children: Charley, born Jun., 1888 and Laura, born Feb., 1892, neither of which was Mattie's.  The only child she had until then was lost at birth.

The 1920 enumeration for Hancock Co. reports that Mattie and James had been married 13 years and that she was the mother of four, three living.  Children were Nan, age 6, Rena, age 3 and Elbert, age 1 year, 6 mos.

So, we have a Nan that could be the half-sister from William Caswell's obituary.  Was Elbert really Albert? Was Charles H. really Charles Hamilton?

Charles Coffey-Emily Dalton Marriage License

The problem with Charles H. and Hamilton being the same person arises when we remember that Charles "Charlie" married Emily Dalton in 1906.  This does not eliminate the possibility that Emily died and he then re-married.  They did appear together in the 1910 and 1920 census.  In the latter enumeration they had children Dovie, age 13, Herman, age 10, Lillard, age 10, Louie (?), age 8 and Ruby, age 4 mos.

The problem is compounded when we learn that Hamilton married Sarah Purkey c1900, and had two children, John and Viola.  Sarah apparently died because Hamilton then married Louisa Howerton and they had at least one child, Martha born June, 1919.

The last wife of James' may be Margaret, who we find in the 1910 Grainger Co. census, a 52 year old widow with daughters Vernie, age 21, Bettie, age 19, and Oma, age 17.  Next door was Charles and Emily Dalton Coffey with their children, Dovie and Herman.  Margaret and Charles were also neighbors in the 1920 Grainger Co. census.  The same three daughters were in the home with Margaret and were joined by Stella Shockley, Margaret's eight year old granddaughter.  Charlie and Emily's children were Dovie, Herman, Lillard, Louis (?) and Ruby.

So, was Margaret really Mattie [Margaret Martha?] and, was she James' last wife, or was she one somewhere in between the others?  Were the 1910-20 women with Margaret her daughters or, one of his other wives?

I will send a free Edward Coffey Project DVD to the first** researcher who can satisfactorily sort this out for me while also providing sources to backup their conclusions.

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*I can imagine how reunions went if both families showed up!
**You do not have to be the first to submit information; just the first with the most accurate information that can be substantiated.  If your information is substantial, with photos, etc., then contact me before sending anything via e-mail.  Of course, I will be the judge of what is satisfactory. This offer ends at midnight, Sep. 30,2010.

Samuel B. Coffey

Samuel B. Coffey

Sam was born Feb. 25, 1873 in Grainger Co., TN to George and Martha M. Johnson Coffey.  George was a son of Elijah and Rebecca Shockley Coffey.

Sam's wife was Amanda "Mandy" Dalton, born Nov. 15, 1876 and died Nov. 23, 1903 in Grainger Co.  I do not know her parents.

Their children known to me were:

Tina, born c1898, Grainger Co.

Jack Oard, born Oct. 29, 1900, died Jan. 29, 1930, Grainger Co.  Jack married Leva Shockley, a daughter of Enos and Rosa Jackson Shockley on Jun. 28, 1919.  Leva was born Jun. 6, 1901 in Grainger Co., and died there on Nov. 20, 1927.  Both are buried in the Shockley cemetery in Grainger Co.  Their son, Kenneth Edward Coffey was born Apr. 20, 1925 in Franklin, Warren Co., OH and died there on May 16, 1925.  The death certificate for the child indicates that he died of malnutrition.  Sadly, his mother suffered from tuberculosis and there was no one to care for the child. [Ohio death certificate no. 32020]

At one time Sam was the sheriff of Grainger Co. and boasted of the number of stills that he had raided and destroyed.

The photograph is undated and the name of the contributor has been lost.  Please contact me if you are the owner.  I would love to know what other information is on the reverse.

Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette Coffey

The Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette Coffey was born Oct. 15, 1857 in Grainger Co., TN to William Wesley and Gelina E. Shouse Coffey.  William was the son of Cleveland and Susan Hayes Coffey.  Cleveland was one of the Burke Co., NC Coffey families that moved into TN in the early 1830s.  Susan was from Ashe Co., NC and their first child, Andrew Jackson Coffey was born there in Dec., 1833.

Berry Coffey married his first wife, Harriet Dalton on May 15, 1879 in Grainger Co.  She gave him at least two children:  Dewitt, birthdate unknown, and Charles "Charlie" Edward, born in Grainger Co. in Jan., 1878, died Jul. 9, 1952 in TN.  Charlie married Susan McDaniel c1904 and they became the parents of at least four children: 

Verdia Alice, born Aug. 24, 1906, died Dec. 1, 1989, married George Nelson Shockley who was born Jul. 23, 1899 in TN, died in Claiborne Co., TN on Aug. 9, 1978.  Both are believed to be buried in the Shockley cemetery in Claiborne Co.  They were parents of at least 10 children.

Laura Bell, born Nov. 29, 1909, died Dec. 29, 1983.  She married the Rev. Gus Harville on Sep. 23, 1926 in Grainger Co.  They were parents of at least two children:  Roy R., born c1928, died Apr. 4, 2007 in Bean Station, Grainger Co., and Clora N. "Sis", born Jun. 5, 1933 in Grainger Co., died Nov. 18, 2006 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co.  Clora married the Rev. Ira C. Dalton in Grainger Co. in Sep., 1965.

Cephus Henry, born Feb. 2, 1912, died Jun. 18, 1973 in Grainger Co.  He married Virgie Miller on Jun. 26, 1944 in Hamblen Co., TN.  Virgie was born Jun. 10, 1925 and died Oct. 11, 1999 in Knox Co., TN.  I know of only one child, Lonny Hugh, born Jan. 19, 1950 in Hamblen Co., died there on Dec. 30, 1966.

Enos Garfield, born Jul. 9, 1915 in Thorn Hill, died Aug., 19, 1988 in Franklin, Warren Co., OH.  He married Ophia Coffey, a daughter of Elijah and Martha Coffey Coffey and a distant cousin.  I know of no children born to this union.

I do not have a death date for Harriet but she apparently died before Nov. 5, 1887 because on that date Berry married Jincey Shockley.  Jincey was the daughter of Winright and Martha Emaline "Emily" Coffey Shockley and was born in May of 1864.

This marriage brought at least three more children to the family:

Cynthia, born in Aug., 1887

Nathaniel, born Sep. 8, 1893 in Grainger Co., died Apr. 22, 1970 in Bean Station.  Nathaniel married Pearley Dalton on Sep. 24, 1918 in Grainger Co., the daughter of Ira and Sarah Manerva Dalton Dalton.  They had at least six children: Dorsie Ellen, Stella May, Fannie Lucy, Berry, Albert and Kenneth.

George O., born Sep., 21, 1898, died Jan., 1981.  George married Buena Vista Collins on Mar 14, 1918 in Grainger Co.  Buena Vista was born c1900.  They had at least six children:  Lewis, Nelson G., J. D., Hobert, C. A., and Rufus N.

Jincey apparently died before Jan. 1, 1904 because on that date Berry took his third wife, Mary Jane Sheffield.  Mary Jane was born Aug., 25, 1870 to William and Nancy Coulson Sheffield.  She died on Jan. 17, 1956.  Their children were:

Mattie E., born Feb. 13, 1906, died Oct. 14, 1988.  Mattie married Hobart David Carpenter c1925 and had at least one child, Vina Mae, born c1926, died Nov. 3, 2005 in Bean Station.  Vina Mae married Roy Nelson Livesay who died on Sep. 11, 2001 in Grainger Co.

Berry Snyder, born c1909

Rufus Kyle, born May 14, 1912, died Oct. 5, 1994.  Rufus married Cecil Dalton in Sep., 1940.  She was born Jun. 9, 1924 to Simeon and Lula Dalton Dalton, and died Oct. 22, 2007 in Thorn Hill.

The Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette Coffey died on Jan. 1, 1936.  The following is his obituary as it appeared in the Mulberry Gap Association minutes for that year:

Coffey, Berry W. was born October 15, 1857; d. January 1, 1936, age 78 years 2 months 16 days. He professed faith in Christ Feb 10, 1877 and joined the Methodist church later joined the Missionary Baptist at Oak Hill Baptist Church where he remained a member until death. He was ordained to ministry, April 4, 1893. He was a great lover of the church and Sunday School and great friend to the young ministers. He always told them to stand for the cause of Christ. He leaves to mourn his loss his , wife, 6 children 5 boys sons, 1 daughter, 3 half brothers, 19 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends, but our is his eternal gain. When we will meet where will be no more sad parting. Written by Children.

He was buried in the Coffey Family cemetery in Thorn Hill along with Mary Jane.

Photo and most of this family information is courtesy of Bernice Mullins, Hancock Co., TN

Henry Sanford Coffey

I've been attempting to figure out the family of Henry Sanford Coffey, born Feb. 4, 1878 in Wayne Co., KY, died Jun. 12, 1961 in Madison Co., KY.

He was a son of John Ausburn and Mary Elizabeth Branaman Coffey.  John was a son of Ausburn and Matilda Dalton Coffey, born Oct. 24, 1836 in Fayette Co., TN, died Dec. 18, 1884 in Rockcastle Co., KY.  Mary was born Jun. 24, 1845 in Rockcastle Co., and died Sep. 19, 1933 in Wildie, Rockcastle Co.  Henry was their seventh child and third son.

Some genealogies report that Henry Sanford was married to Lottie Belle French, and was the mother of Sarah Hester Coffey, born around Nov. 1908 in Rockcastle Co.  And, I do have a death certificate for Lottie Belle Coffey, daughter of Thomas French and Martha Jane Merritt.  It reports that she was married at the time of death but does not give her husband's name.  It also reports that the informant was her "step daughter," but does not give her name.

Census reports for Henry Sanford show him in the household with his parents in 1880 and 1900.  From 1910 through 1930 he is enumerated in Rockcastle Co. with his wife Bessie and their children.

There is a death record in Madison Co., KY for Henry S. Coffey who died on Jun. 12, 1961.  A headstone in the Merritt Cemetery at Wildie, Rockcastle Co. marks the graves of H. Sanford Coffey, born Feb. 4, 1878, died June 12, 1961 and Bessie Coffey, born Feb. 3, 1887, died May 11, 1952.

So, was Lottie Belle French Coffey who died May 11, 1952 and Bessie on the headstone one and the same person?  Seems like it, but how did the death certificate come to name her Lottie Belle while she was always know as Bessie in the census record?

Was Sarah Hester, mentioned above, the same Sarah Hester Coffey who married William L. Proctor of Rockcastle Co.?

Please contact me if you can help unravel this (to me) puzzle.

Milton Carter Dalton Family

Milton Carter Dalton was a son of Carter and Nancy Elizabeth Whitsett Dalton. Carter was a son of Tandy Witcher and Matilda Coffey Dalton while Nancy Elizabeth was a daughter of Nathan and Elizabeth Coffey Whitsett.

Matilda and Elizabeth were double first cousins, descendants of Benjamin Coffey and Mary Hayes as well as Colby Rucker and Sarah Roberts.

Milton was the seventh of at least eight children born to Carter and Nancy. He was born Dec. 20, 1879 in Tazewell, Claiborne Co., TN. I believe that he married Elizabeth Jane Owens, born Aug. 4, 1876 and died Nov., 1941.

According to the 1920 census [not yet found in 1900 or 1910], their children were Cassie, born c1904; James C., born c1906; Andrew, born c1907; and Fred, born c1914.

The photograph - source unknown - is said to be one of Nancy Elizabeth Whitsett Dalton, Cassie, Milton Carter and Elizabeth Jane with James C. on her lap.

Please contact me if you are the source of the photograph, or can add to or correct any of the family information.

The Edward Coffey Project (Update 2)

This project is active again on the Coffey Cousins' website.

I have not included photographs or sources in this upload. Rather than ask for a CD, a few "researchers" have been spending hours downloading thousands of pages. They are not only stealing my work, and the work of those that have contributed to the project, but are also monopolizing my server, effectively denying access to others. I am certain that they will continue to download the file, but at least it will not take them hours to do it because they will not be able to download the documentation.

A CD containing all of the information that I have compiled on Edward and his descendants is available. The CD will include photographs, obituaries, complete source citations (when available), and other family and/or individual facts. It represents several years of personal research plus the time and effort of everyone who has contributed their family information to assure an accurate as possible picture of the family.

Besides 7000+ Coffeys, the compilation contains such surnames Campbell, Dalton, Fitzgerald, Gragg, Hayes, Wolfe, Shockley, and others. The CD will also now contain the descendants of Jordan Coffey.

I have attempted to remove everyone from the CD who was born after 1930 and for whom I have no death information. Please contact me ASAP should you find yourself, or your immediate family (father, mother, siblings, spouses and their children) in this compilation, and would like to have them removed.

The CD is free. I now charge $10.00 for postage and materials. It can be ordered from me, Jack Coffee, 110 Lydia Road, St. Joseph, LA 71366. CDs are burned when an order is received thereby assuring every CD is the most up to date available.

Abram and Mahala Cantwell Parris

Abram and Mahala May Cantwell Parris were parents of 12 children, two of which married into the Coffey family.

Abram (Abraham in the 1900 census) was born in Oct., 1826 in the Spartenburg district of SC. He died Apr. 16, 1915 in Missouri. Mahala May was born Jan. 22, 1830 in the Spartenburg district and died Sep. 23, 1909 in Grainger Co., TN. According to one source1, Abram went to MO to live with some of his children with a promise that upon his death he be returned to Grainger county to be buried with Mahala.

We know that Abram served the Confederacy during the Civil War. What isn't clear is which unit. Some genealogies that I have seen place him in Co. K, 16th NC Inf. Regt. However, there was also an Abram Parris who enlisted in Co. M, 7th Bn. Reserves Inf. Regt., in SC. I haven't researched enough to know which is accurate.

In 1860 the family lived in NC so the one who enlisted in Co. K is likely the one of interest here. The census for that year places them in Cooper Gap, Polk Co., NC. By 1870 they were in Grainger Co., TN and in 1880 in Claiborne Co. The family remained in that county until sometime after 1910. Abram the widower was found there in the 1910 household with his daughter Mahala Samantha Parris Cope.

An extract of the 1900 census:

1900 Claiborne Co., ED8, Sheet 15B, dwelling 168, family 270, Paris [sic], Abraham, head, white male, born Oct., 1826, age 73, married 52 yrs., born SC, parents born SC, farmer; Mahala, wife, white female, born Jan., 1830, age 70, married 52 yrs., mother of 12, 9 living, born SC, parents born SC; West, Allen, servant, white male, born Jan. 1879, age 21, married 3 yrs., born TN, parents born TN, farm laborer; West, Liddie E., servant, white female, born Jun., 1879, age 20, married 3 yrs., mother of none, born TN, parents born TN, house keeper; Milligan, Hobart, g-son, white male, born Dec., 1896, age 3, born TN, parents born TN

Both he and Mahala are buried in the Condry [Cope] Cemetery2 in Grainger Co.

The two daughters who married into the Coffey family were:

Dorcus Elizabeth, first born and eldest daughter, was born Oct, 30, 1847, died May 7, 1927. She married John Jackson "Stumpy" Coffey, Jr., c1868 in TN. John was born May 26, 1845 in Grainger Co., and died there on May 10, 1929. Both are buried at McGinnis-Harrell Cemetery3 in Grainger Co.

I have four children born to this family: Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 4, 1868; Etta Elsie, born Jun. 12, 1870; William Lemmie, born Mar. 22, 1872, died Dec. 21, 1932 in Washburn, Grainger Co.; and John Landrum, born Oct. 22, 1874, died Jul. 16, 1909.

- William Lemmie married Caroline Hopson, a daughter of Jesse and Julia Ritter Hopson. She was born May 1, 1875 in Thorn Hill and died Aug. 28, 1945 in Pontiac, Oakland Co., MI. Both are buried at McGinnis-Harrell.

Their children were: William Tarrance; Maude Delia; Parlin John; Amanda Elizabeth; James Nelson; and Julia Isabell.

- John Landrum married Mollie E. Condry on Oct. 7, 1891 in Grainger Co. She was born Feb. 28, 1876 in Grainger Co., and died Sep. 24, 1953 in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN. Although John is buried in the Condry [Cope] cemetery, Molly was apparently buried in the Jarnigan Cemetery in Morristown.

Their children were: John Zolley; Myrtle E.; James Henderson; Jesse Morris; and Carrie Mae.

Abram and Mahala's third born and third daughter was Sarah Emily Ann. She was born Oct. 20, 1852 in TN and died Aug. 3, 1905 in Thorn Hill. She married Colby C. Coffey, a brother to Stumpy. I haven't found a marriage date but estimate c1870.

Their children were: John Alfred; Cora; James Orlander; Mary; Nelson; Dillard D.; and Della.

I have some descendants of the children of Colby and Sarah as well as Dorcas and John.

A son of Colby, James Orlander Coffey, married Orlena Cope c1898. They had at least eight children, the youngest of which was James Carson, born Apr. 9, 1918, and who died on Jan. 8, 2008 at the age of 89. I found his obituary this morning in the Middletown Journal, Middletown, OH:

COFFEY, James Carson Age 89, of Middletown went to be with the Lord at Atrium Medical Center on Tuesday, January 8, 2008. James was born on April 9, 1918 in Tazwell, TN, the son of Orlando and Orleana Coffey. The youngest of eight children, James was a veteran of the United States Army during WW II. He was an assembly worker for General Motors for 20 years, retiring in 1980. James attended Towne Blvd. Church of God. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers General, Emmet and Paris Coffey; sisters Lillie Dalton, Ella Carpenter, Delta Coffey and Elsie Jaynes. James is survived by Beulah Seal Coffey, his devoted wife of 64 years; daughter Mary Hall and husband John; son Tony Coffey and wife Faith with grandson Carson Coffey. Visitation will be Thursday, January 10, 2008 5:00-8:00 at Baker-Stevens Funeral Home. A Celebration of Life Service will be Friday, January 11, 2008 at 10:30 am also at the Funeral Home. Interment will be at Woodhill Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.baker-stevens.com.

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








1Claiborne County Historical Society, compiler, The People's History of Claiborne County, Tennessee 1801-1988 (: Claiborne Co. Historical Society, 1999, Second Printing)

2There are at least two cemeteries with the name Condry. One is located off Hwy 131W on Hayes Mountain Lane, and almost due west of Thorn HIll. The other is found off Condry Bend at 36:22:18N, 083:29:29W more or less NW of Thorn Hill, near Beech Grove

3This cemetery is located off of Campground Road, west of Thorn Hill.