Vice Adm. Howard Harrison Good and Quincy Margaret Coffey

Adm. Howard Harrison Good (c1950)

Margaret, as she was called, was a daughter of James Alexander and Selina B. Fitzgerald Coffey.  She was born at Massies Mill in Nelson Co., VA in Sept., 1898.  She undoubtedly was married prior to her union on Jun. 29, 1945 at age 46 in the District of Columbia, Washington to Adm. Howard Harrison Good.  The marriage record reports her name as Margaret Coffey Eddiegorde.  That is probably a misinterpretation of her husband's surname but, I cannot be sure.  In any event, I have not found a marriage record for her prior to the one in 1945.  A short bio that I found also reports that Adm. Good had been previously married to a Miss Maria T., from whom he was divorced in 1939.  The 1940 census has Capt. Howard H. Good (divorced) and son, Edward L., age 20, residing in a DC apartment complex.

Up until the Japanese attack on our forces at Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, Good had remained pretty much in the DC area.  I found him returning to Seattle aboard the SS President Jackson on Apr. 1 1938 from a trip to Hong Kong.  He reported then that he was part of the "Navy Department in Washington, D.C."

Howard Harrison Good was born in Warren, Huntington Co., IN on Aug. 12, 1888.  He attended Warren High School and the Naval Academy.  He was in command of the heavy cruiser New Orleans* at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 and participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea, in May, 1942 as Captain of the New Orleans. After that battle he rescued many of the crew of the Lexington.

He was in the great Battle of Midway in June, 1942, and then assumed command of Cruiser Division Five, having been promoted to rear admiral in May, 1942. His cruiser division participated in many South Pacific operations, including the Battle of Santa Cruz. Thereafter he served for two years as head of the Base Maintenance Division, in the office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Subsequently he commanded United States naval forces in the Philippines, and was commandant of the Thirteenth Naval District, Seattle, from 1948 to 1950. He retired as a vice admiral in 1950.

He and Margaret were married for 18 years before his death in Aug. 12, 1963. Margaret died on May 13, 1971 at Roanoke Rapids in Halifax Co., NC and buried alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.  They are said to have had one son, Edward L. Good.   However, the child was born c1919, while Howard and Marie were still married.  The only information that I have for Marie is her birth, c1893 in Wisconsin.

  Jack

*http://www.navsource.org/archives/04/032/04032.htm

William Benjamin and Mary F. "Molly" Demasters Coffey

I am uncertain that any Demasters family researcher has ever conclusively proven that today's more-or-less accepted spelling is correct.  Some with whom I I have exchanged information tell me that the name can be found a Demastus, Damastas, etc.  I use the spelling that I have most often found; e.g., Demasters.

Mary "Molly" Demasters was born Dec. 4, 1804 (no source) and died before 1860 (no source).  She married William Benjamin Coffey on Nov. 13, 1824¹ in Nelson Co., VA, was living in that county at the 1850 census and was a widow there in 1860.  She died Apr. 22, 1867 but, her place of burial is not known to me.  She was the daughter of John and Martha "Patsy" Moran Demasters.  According to a typewritten letter dated Oct. 10, 1934 to Mrs. Leo W. Kasehagen of Washington, D.C., (sender not identified), this couple was married on Jul. 29, 1779 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., VA.²

William Benjamin Coffey was born c1805, probably in Nelson Co., VA, to Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burger Coffey.  He died on Apr. 22, 1867³ in that county.  His burial site is also unknown to me.

To the union was born at least seven children:  Morris W.; Martha Ann; Edmund Franklin; Egbert; Nancy; Elizabeth and William Benjamin, Jr.

1) Morris was born Aug. 12, 1825 in Nelson Co.  His wife was a double third cousin, Mildred Annister "Milly" Coffey, a daughter of John W. and Margaret Susanna "Susan" Coffey Coffey. John W. was a son of Edmind Steward Coffey, Jr. and his wife Matilda "Tildy" Fitzgerald.   Susan's parents were Reuben G. and Nancy Giles Coffey.

Children born to Morris and Milly were Mary Ann Elizabeth (1860-1946), who married Joseph Clay Hewitt (1847-1920).  Second was Nicholas Anderson "Nick" (1861-1956) who married his several times cousin, Viola M. A. Coffey, a daughter of George Washington and Rachel A. Campbell Coffey. Next was John Walton Coffey (1866-1945) who also married his several times cousin, Sarah Henry "Sallie" Coffey, a daughter of the George Washington Coffey who married Mary Catherine "Kitty" Demasters.  Kitty was a daughter of John and Mary Ann "Polly" Coffey Demasters.  Following John Walton was Alice Sophronia "Allie" Coffey (1870-1955).  Her husband was Hugh "Hughey" Coffey (c1861-?), a brother to Sarah Henry Coffey.

2) Martha Ann "Patsy" was born c1827 in Nelson Co.  Nothing more is know.

3) Edmond Franklin (1829-1906) married twice.  His first wife was Mary Jane Camden (c1829-?).  Their children were Lucas T. (c1859-?); William Luther (1861-1890) and B. E., a son, born 1866.  This son married I. B Jackson on Fb. 3, 1892 in Wythe Co., VA.#  His second wife was Sarah Margaret Smith (c1841-?) to whom he was married on Nov. 18, 1867 in Nelson Co.±  Their children were Hugh (1869-1870); Mary Jane (c1871-?); Nora Kate (c1872-1940); Elizabeth Dora "Betty" (1873-1954), married Edell Alexander Brown (1870-1933); Cofa Lee (1875-1875); Florence Pearl (1875-1960) and Julie Ann (c1878-?)

4) Egbert, 1831-?) married Martha Monroe on Fe. 23, 1854 in Nelson Co.*  Egbert was a volunteer with Co. E., 51st Inf Regt., CSA, Nelson Co.  I know of only one child, as son George W., born 1855.

5) Nancy (c1831-?) married Peter S. Fitzgerald on Jan. 18, 1848 in Nelson Co.**  Peter and Nancy had at least three children:  James W. (1851-?); Sarah Elizabeth, (1850-?) and Napoleon D., (c1866-?).  James married Mary S. Coffey, a daughter of William W. and Sarah Jane Coffey Coffey.  William W. was a son of William who married Elizabeth Giles and Sarah was a daughter of his brother, Reuben G. Coffey who married Elizabeth's sister, Nancy Giles.  Sarah Elizabeth married Lorenzo D. Fitzgerald, a son of Moses W. and Mary Ann Coffey Fitzgerald.  I suspect Lorenzo and Sarah Elizabeth were cousins but I cannot find the parents of his mother, Mary Ann Coffey Fitzgerald.  Napoleon married Martha Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of William David "Billy" Coffey and wife Samantha Elizabeth Campbell.

Nothing more is know of child 6) Elizabeth and child 7) William Benjamin, Jr.

Many of these families have descendants.  Information on individuals is available.  The entire family, including sources, is included on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.

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Sources:

¹Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA, Part 2, Page 19, Line 20.  This marriage register names the groom as William B. Coffey and the bride as Mary F. Masters with E.F. Coffey and John Masters as security.
²Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse Newsletter (Jefferson City, MO: Bonnie Culley, March 1996.  Winifred, dau. of John and Jane (Jean) Graves Coffee. One of their children, Martha "Patsy" Moran m. John DeMasters. John served in Rev. War and Martha drew a pension on his war record. See Issue 62, page 9 at http://tinyurl.com/qbfdt2c
³Nelson Co., VA Death Register, Page 22, line 5
#"Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRSH-G13 : accessed 25 Feb 2013), B. E. Coffy and I. B. Jackson, 03 Feb 1892; citing reference Page 8-5, FHL microfilm 34255. This child has not been found in the census record with the Edmund F. Coffey who married Mary Jane Camden.
±"Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZR-CQS : accessed 25 Feb 2013), E. F. Coffey and Sarah M. Smith, 18 Nov 1867; citing reference p 20 ln 54, FHL microfilm 32734.
*Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA, Part 2, Page 63, Line 11.
**"Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZT-QPX : accessed 09 Mar 2013), Peter Fitzgerald and Nancy Coffey, 18 Jan 1848.

Spotswood B. & Nancy (Carr?) Fitzgerald

The Fitzgerald and the Coffey families of Nelson Co., VA are forever tied to one another. Sometimes, it's very difficult to figure out which James, Elizabeth, Martha, Mary Coffey married which John, James, Mary or Elizabeth Fitzgerald. As I go back and forth between the Virginia Coffey families and those elsewhere, I invariably find some family error that I have created or a link that I didn't understand the first time around.

A friend, Wayne Coffey of Georgia, formerly of Virginia, has been a great help to me in figuring out who is who.

Working with these families is much like attempting to unravel a thousand yards of twine that has become tangled and re-tangled over a century or two and, each tangle a Gordian knot. Working on them from the disadvantage of being 800 miles from valuable sources - not otherwise available on the web - probably makes the tangled twine maybe twice as long.

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This blog is about Spotswood B. and Nancy Carr Fitzgerald. They had three children, two of which married into the Coffey families of Nelson Co. Spotswood was a few years younger than Nancy; in fact by about 10 years. He was born in Virginia c1811 and she c1801.

The marriage record for him and Nancy reports Aug. 8, 1838 in Nelson Co. and, it gives Nancy's surname as Fitzgerald. I'm lost as to whether she was originally a Carr who married a Fitzgerald and then sometime later married Spotswood. I do not have a source for the Carr surname which means somewhere back in the dawn of this project I found it "somewhere" but did not record the source.

I find them in the 1850 and 1860 census only, both times in Nelson Co. It appears they had only the three children: Joshua, born c1840; Mary Jane, born c1843 and Lewis Perkins, born Jan., 1845, each in Nelson Co.  I have not found a death record for them and do not know where they are buried.

Joshua enlisted in the Nelson Light Artillery Battery, Rives Company, on Aug. 31, 1861. The record reports that he was "mustered out" on Feb. 18, 1862, but did not survive the war.

Mary Jane married David Alfred Coffey, a son of Holloway Stewart* and Catherine Fitzgerald Coffey. I suspect that Catherine, born c1814, and Spotswood, born c1811, were brother and sister, making Mary Jane and David first cousins. But, I have no proof of that yet.

David was born in Nelson Co. in 1832 and married Mary Jane on Nov. 16, 1858 in that county. He died there in 1894 and was buried at White Rock Cemetery in Montebello, Nelson Co. Mary Jane survived until 1923 and was also buried at White Rock.

The children that I have so far located for them are: 1) Dilly Jane, born c1860; 2) Vanessa or Vernice "Nicey", born Jan., 1866, married Andrew J. Bryant on Nov. 21, 1883 in Nelson Co. One of their daughters married Wesley Robert Coffey, son of Edmund and Martha Snead Coffey. Wesley was Mary Etta's first cousin, twice removed. 3) Nancy, born c1864; 4) Eli Davis, born 1871, died 1942, married first cousin Frances Catherine Coffey, daughter of Alexander S. and Sarah Ann Fitzgerald Coffey. 5) Mary J., born c1872; 6) Malinda F., born c1874; 7) Fletcher Floyd, born May 1879, died 1934; married Mary Wyatt "Mollie" Fitzgerald on Dec. 29, 1925. Both had been previously married; Fletcher to Viola Bertha Fitzgerald with whom he had at least six children and, "Mollie" to Ernest Hope Fitzgerald in 1898, with whom she had at least five children. 8) M. Belle, born c1884, married Gilbert Thompson in Nelson Co. on Jun. 19, 1922. Belle was 38 yrs. old; Gilbert was 26. They had at least one child, Ester, born c1824.

Lewis Perkins was the third and perhaps last child born to Spotswood and Nancy. He came along in Jan., 1845. I haven't found an enlistment record for him as he was apparently too young to serve when the war began. He lived until 1926 and was buried at White Rock. He and Mary Ann Coffey were married Mar. 5, 1867 in Nelson Co. She was born in 1845 and died in 1925 and was also buried at White Rock.  Mary Ann was a daughter of Edmund and Martha Snead Coffey.

There were at least eight children born to them:

1) Nettie, born Feb. 1868, died Apr. 1965, married John Emmett Taylor in Sep, 1892. Parents of at least five children born between 1894 and 1912. 2) Jasper N. (Newton?), born 1871, died Oct., 1896. He married Elvira F. Coffey, a half-sister to David Alfred Coffey.  Elvira later married Elliot Walker Fitzgerald (1902) and died in 1960. 3) Eliza Jane, born 1873, died 1900, apparently never married; 4) Martha Elizabeth, 1876-1909, married John Cyrus Fitzgerald; 5) Mary Alice, born 1878, died 1968, married Holloway Stewart Coffey, Jr.; 6) Sally Jane (Henry?), married Mayo Cabell Fitzgerald in 1899.  He died in 1955, she in 1925.  He is buried at White Rock; I am unsure where Sally is buried.  They had at least seven children: Arthur, Savannah, Isaac Harrison; Ezra; Carrie, Waverly Ann; and Chester Martin.  7) Teressie, born 1887, died 1989 in Waynesboro, VA.  Married Charles Austin Coffey, another son of Holloway Stewart Coffey and Virginia Bryant.  Charles was born in 1878 and died in 1953.  Both are buried at White Rock.  Their children were at least four:  Eula Beatrice; Gladys Green; Woody Austin and Myrtle Virginia.

Corrections and additions welcomed!

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*Holloway Stewart Coffey was married at least four times. He had at least six children by Catherine Campbell; one by third wife Delilah Sneed and at least four by fourth wife, Virginia Bryant.

Additional information is available.

Pulaski Patterson Campbell

The Campbell, Fitzgerald and Coffey families of Virginia will forever be entangled and no more so than in Nelson Co., VA.

 Pulaski Patterson Campbell was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Campbell.

Alexander was a son of Jesse C. ( for Coffey?) and Mary Campbell. Jesse C. was a son of John and Amelia "Milley" Coffey Campbell. Amelia was a daughter of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey. Alexander married Elizabeth J. Fitzgerald on Aug. 31, 1857* in Nelson Co. Elizabeth was a daughter of Benjamin and Malinda Fitzgerald however, I have not yet looked for them.

There are very probably more children but, I know of only four for Alexander and Elizabeth, all born in Nelson Co.:

Sophia Jane, born c1857; Pulaski Patterson, born May 22, 1860, died Jan. 1, 1944; Matilda A., born c1861; and Melvina, born c1863.

Pulaski married Luticia Campbell on Feb. 14, 1883 in Nelson Co.  Some genealogies and at least one census record refers to her as Lucy.  She was the daughter of William and Susan Ann Mawyer Campbell.  William was the son of Joel and Nancy Coffey Campbell.  Nancy was the daughter of Edmond Steward Coffey, Jr. and his wife, Matilda "Tildy" Fitzgerald.  Edmond Stewart was brother to Amelia who married  Jesse C. Campbell.

Obituary for Pulaski and and Luticia:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 4, 1944

A double funeral was held at Mt. Carmel near Steele's Tavern Sunday at 2:00 o'clock for Mr. and Mrs. Pulaski Patterson Campbell.

Mrs. Campbell died December 31st, at their home near Stuarts Draft with influenza. She was 76 years of age.

Mr. Campbell who had been ill for a number of years, died at their home Saturday, January 1st. He was 85 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are survived by six sons, Burtie G. Campbell, William A. Campbell, Admiral D. Campbell, Churchill G. Campbell, Paul G. Campbell, and Hersey F. Campbell; three daughters, Sadie B. Coffey, Mattie H. Sorrells, and Lilly M. Bradley; and by 36 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Campbell is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mattie Tarry, of Stuarts Draft. Active pallbearers were: Raymond Campbell, Tinsley Campbell, Hardy Coffey, Johnnie Campbell, Eldridge Sorrells, Willie Campbell, Jerry Painter, Downie Painter, Elmer Lott, Ollie S. Lotts, Brent Coffey and Leftwick Campbell

Confused yet?  Yeah, me too!

Pulaski and Lutitia were parents of [probably] ten children:

1 - Siddie Belle, born Mar, 25, 1886 in Montebello, Nelson Co., died Jun. 9, 1973.  She married Massie Franklin Coffey on Sep. 28, 1908 in Nelson Co.  He was a son of Ryland and Martha Wyatt Fortune Coffey.  Massie was born Apr. 28, 1886 and died Sep. 22, 1973.  They are buried at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Cemetery at Steeles Tavern in Augusta Co., VA.  They were parents of at least eight children:  Dorothy, Genettie, Davis, Hugh, Sadie, Paul Hardy, Erskine, and Lorraine.  More info is available on request for some of these children.

2 - Bertie G., born Jan., 1887 in Montebello.  In at least one census he was enumerated as a female.  I believe he was male and will do more searching at a later date.

3 - Mattie Hall, born Apr. 7, 1889 in Montebello, died Jan. 27, 1977 in Waynesboro.  Mattie married Andrew Givens Sorrels, born c1874.  Andrew is said to be buried at the Pleas Taylor Family cemetery in Nelson Co.**  Mattie is buried at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro.  Andrew was a son of George D. & Bethanie Fitzgerald Sorrels.

Her obituary:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 28, 1977

Mrs. Mattie Hall Sorrells, 87, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in a local nursing home.  She was born in Montebello, April 7, 1889, a daughter of the late Pulaski P. and Luticia Campbell.  She was the widow of Andy Givens Sorrells, who died in May, 1943.

She is survived by two sons, Thurman E. Sorrells of Route 1, Grottoes, and Andy G. Sorrells Jr. of Richmond; one brother, Paul Gay Campbell of Amherst; one sister, Mrs. William H. (Lillie) Bradley of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of the Etter Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Bradford Moles, with interment in Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Thurman Sorrells Jr., Michael Sorrells, Mitchell Sorrells, Leslie Sorrells, Kenneth Bradley and Erskine Coffey.  Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews and friends attending the service.

The body will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight.

4 - Sadie R., born Jun., 1892.  In 1910 she was enumerated as a male child named Will.

5 - Churchill Gardner, born Jun. 23, 1894 in Montebello, died Jun. 8, 1954 and buried at Mount Paran Baptist Church cemetery in Nelson Co.  Churchill married Lovie Dean Sorrels on Feb. 24, 1918*** in Nelson Co.  She was the daughter of Wilda Gay "Willie" and Martha Ida Fitzgerald Sorrels.  Lovie died on Sep. 3, 1968 and is also buried at Mount Paran.  Their children were:  Gardner; Wildie, Martha, and Estie.

6 - George O., born Dec., 1896 in Montebello.  In the 1910 census this child was named Dewey.

7 - Paul Gay, born Apr. 2, 1899, died Dec. 15, 1977 and buried at Jonesboro Baptist Church cemetery at Jonesboro, Nelson Co.  Paul was married c1927 to Mazie G. Taylor, a daughter of Lafayette Givens and Lillie May Coffey Taylor.  Mazie was born on Aug. 13, 1911 in Nelson Co. and died on Jan. 31, 2005.  She is also buried at Jonesboro.  I know of one child, Paul, born c1933 in Nelson Co.

8 - Huey S., born Feb., 1900.

9 - Hercy F., born c1902.  Missing from family in 1910 census.

10 - Lillie M., born c1904.   Also missing from family in 1910 census.

Pulaski and Lutitia can be found in Massies Mill census records from 1900 through 1940.

More work needs to be done on this family.  Additions and corrections welcomed.

Jack

PS:  Re: Jonesboro cemetery.  References that I have found to this cemetery on Find-A-Grave place it at Roseland, in Nelson Co.  Searching Google maps for Roseland and Jonesboro revealed that they are more or less wide spots along the Patrick Henry Hwy. and, about a mile or so apart.  I have chosen to use Jonesboro as the home of this cemetery because that's where it's located and, Jonesboro is the name of the church.

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 *Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940; Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZB-D6T : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Alex Campbell and Eliz. J. Fitzgerald, 31 Aug 1857; citing reference pg 5 ln 18, FHL microfilm 32734.

**Lynn Coffey, editor, "Backroads," privately published newspaper, published at Love, Nelson Co., VA, 1981-2006., Vol. 18, No. 226, Nov., 2000, Page 9.

*** Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZ5-T5H : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Churchill G. Campbell and Lovey D. Sorrels, 24 Feb 1918; citing reference p 159 ln 13, FHL microfilm 32734.

Joel & Nancy Coffey Campbell

In November of last year I wrote a brief blog about this family.  Since that time I have been frustrated in  attempts to figure out if Joel Campbell, enumerated in the 1850 Nelson Co., VA census as a son of Joel and Nancy Coffey Campbell was really Joseph Cabell Campbell, born c1831 in Nelson Co.  I have since decided that he is and, entering Joel as his name in 1850 was a census error.

Joel and Nancy had nine children, none of them named Joel.  This is how I now have the family configured:

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First Generation

1. Joel Campbell was born circa 1790 in Virginia. Joel Campbell and Nancy Coffey were married on Sep. 8, 1817 in Lovingston, Nelson Co., VA.1 Joel and Nancy appeared in the census on Nov. 15, 1850 in Nelson Co., VA.2 Some of the children in the 1850 census may not belong to Joel and Nancy. They were not listed in birth order in the census. Nancy Coffey, daughter of Edmond Stewart Coffey and Matilda Fitzgerald, was born circa 1800 in Virginia. Nancy appeared in the census on Jul. 3, 1860 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.3

Joel Campbell and Nancy Coffey had the following children:

+2 i. Rachel A. Campbell, born ca 1825, Virginia; married George Washington Coffey, Nov. 20, 1842, Nelson Co. VA; died Dec. 1881, Nelson Co., VA.

3 ii. Matilda Campbell was born circa 1830 in Virginia. This may be the Matilda Campbell who married John W. Fortune. They were the parents of Martha Wyatt Coffey who married Ryland Coffey.

+4 iii. Reuben Lee Campbell, born ca 1831, Nelson Co. VA; married Mary Jane Bridge, Aug. 22, 1856, Augusta Co., VA.

5 iv. Nancy Campbell was born circa 1832 in Virginia.

+6 v. Joseph Cabell Campbell, born ca 1831, Virginia; married Violetta Bridge, ca 1850, Virginia; married Mary Frances Lunsford, Dec. 28, 1864, Augusta Co., VA; married Martha Bowling , Nov. 27, 1879, Nelson Co. VA; ; died ca 1894.

7 vi. Lilly Campbell was born circa 1833 in Virginia.

+8 vii. Henry Campbell, born ca 1834, Virginia; married Lucy Ann Everitt, Nov. 2, 1865, Nelson Co. VA.

+9 viii. Francis Vanvert Campbell, born ca 1836, Virginia; married Nancy M. H. Campbell, Mar. 29, 1860, Nelson Co, VA; died 1894, Virginia.

+10 ix. William Campbell, born ca 1841, Nelson Co. VA; married Susan Ann Mawyer, Nov. 2, 1865, Nelson Co. VA. William did not appear with this family in the 1850 census.

Second Generation

2. Rachel A. Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1825 in Virginia. Rachel appeared in the census on Jun. 11, 1880 in Nelson Co., VA.4 Rachel died in Nelson Co., VA in Dec. 1881 of pneumonia. Rachel A. Campbell and George Washington Coffey were married on Nov. 20, 1842 in Nelson Co. VA.5 Rachel and George appeared in the census on Sep. 14, 1860 in Nelson Co., VA.6 Rachel and George appeared in the census on Sep. 3, 1870 in Nelson Co., VA.7 George Washington Coffey, son of William Coffey and Elizabeth Giles, was born circa 1814. George died in Virginia before 1880. Rachel was a widow in that census year.

George Washington Coffey and Rachel A. Campbell had the following children:

+11 i. Letitia Coffey, born ca 1843, Nelson Co., VA; married Jesse Demastus, Dec. 25, 1862, Nelson Co., VA.

+12 ii. Ryland Coffey, born ca 1846, Nelson Co., VA; married Martha Wyatt Fortune, Jun. 20, 1867, Nelson Co., VA.

+13 iii. Sarah C. "Lila" Coffey, born ca 1852, Tye River, Nelson Co., VA; married Joseph C. Hewitt, Oct. 27, 1870, Nelson Co. VA; died Jun. 27, 1871, Meadows, Nelson Co., VA.

+14 iv. Joseph Marshall Coffey, born Jul. 18, 1854, Nelson Co., VA; married Martha Walker Demastus, Nov. 15, 1877, Nelson Co., VA; married Martha Coffey, Jun. 15, 1922, Nelson Co. VA; died Feb. 27, 1930, Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., VA.

+15 v. Viola M. A. Coffey, born 1859, Nelson Co., VA; married Nicholas A. Coffey, Jul. 24, 1882, Nelson Co., VA; died Dec. 1931, Virginia.

16 vi. William Henry Coffey was born circa 1862 in Nelson Co., VA.

4. Reuben Lee Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1831 in Nelson Co. VA.

Reuben Lee Campbell and Mary Jane Bridge were married on Aug. 22, 1856 in Augusta Co., VA.8 Reuben and Mary appeared in the census on Jul. 31, 1860 in Staunton (Independent City), VA.9 Reuben and Mary lived with her father in Fishersville, Augusta Co., VA on Aug. 12, 1870.10 Reuben and Mary appeared in the census on Jun. 4, 1880 in Augusta Co., VA.11 Mary Jane Bridge, daughter of James S. Bridge and Nancy Lee, was born in 1837 in Augusta Co., VA.

Reuben Lee Campbell and Mary Jane Bridge had the following children:

17 i. Charles Campbell was born circa 1857 in Virginia. 18 ii. John Campbell was born circa 1859 in Virginia. 19 iii. Nancy J. "Nannie" Campbell was born circa 1863 in Virginia. 20 iv. Angelina Campbell was born circa 1869 in Virginia. 21 v. William F. Campbell was born circa 1872 in Virginia. 22 vi. Matilda Campbell was born circa 1875 in Virginia.

6. Joseph Cabell Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1831 in Virginia. Joseph lived with the James Bridge family in Augusta Co., VA on Sep. 26, 1850. Joseph lived with his mother in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA on Jul. 3, 1860. Between 1861 and 1865 Joseph served in Rives' Co., Nelson Light Artillery Battery during the Civil War.12 Joseph died circa 1894.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Violetta Bridge were married circa 1850 in Virginia. Violetta Bridge, daughter of James S. Bridge and Nancy Lee, was born circa 1833 in Augusta Co., VA.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Violetta Bridge had the following children:

+23 i. Lawson J. Campbell, born Nov. 1851, Virginia; married Susan Mildred Truslow, Dec. 15, 1873, Nelson Co. VA; died Jan. 23, 1928, Virginia.

24 ii. Rubin Campbell was born circa 1856 in Virginia.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Mary Frances Lunsford were married on Dec. 28, 1864 in Augusta Co., VA.15 Joseph and Mary appeared in the census on Sep. 12, 1870 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.16 Mary Frances Lunsford, daughter of William Lunsford and Sarah Hight, was born circa 1847 in Virginia.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Mary Frances Lunsford had the following children:

25 i. Tinsley A. Campbell was born circa 1866 in Virginia. 26

    ii. Joseph C. Campbell was born circa 1868 in Virginia. 27

   iii. Martial Campbell was born circa 1872 in Virginia. 28 iv. Evelind Campbell was born circa 1875 in Virginia.

Joseph Cabell Campbell and Martha Bowling were married on Nov. 27, 1879 in Nelson Co. VA.13 Joseph and Martha appeared in the census on Jun. 15, 1880 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.14 Martha Bowling was born in 1858 in Nelson Co. VA.  There are no known children.

8. Henry Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1834 in Virginia. Henry Campbell and Lucy Ann Everitt were married on Nov. 2, 1865 in Nelson Co. VA.17 Lucy Ann Everitt, daughter of John Everitt and Mildred Ray Coffey, was born circa 1840 in Nelson Co, VA.

9. Francis Vanvert Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1836 in Virginia. Francis died in Virginia in 1894. Francis Vanvert Campbell and Nancy M. H. Campbell were married on Mar. 29, 1860 in Nelson Co, VA.18 Francis and Nancy appeared in the census on Jul. 3, 1860 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.19 Nancy M. H. Campbell, daughter of Francis Jefferson Campbell and Sarah Ann Grove, was born on Apr. 10, 1844 in Nelson Co, VA. Her marriage record to Francis Coffey reports her birth place as Bath Co., VA. There are no other indications that her parents were ever in that county.

10. William Campbell (Joel-1) was born circa 1841 in Nelson Co. VA. William was not included in the 1850 census.

William Campbell and Susan Ann Mawyer were married on Nov. 2, 1865 in Nelson Co. VA.20 Susan Ann Mawyer, daughter of C. Mawyer and M. A. , was born circa 1850 in Albemarle Co., VA.

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This family is still a bit suspect and will continue to be reviewed and altered until it is accurate.  Corrections are welcomed!

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Sources

1. Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Part 1 is from Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926 and and only includes entries for Coffey surnames thru 1899. See the files located at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/vitals/marr0001.txt, Part 2, Page 10, Line 27. License Date: 29 Aug 1817, Marriage Date: 8 Sep 1817, Security: Edmund Coffey. 


2. United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for year cited:. 1850 Nelson Co., Page 560, dwelling/family 915, Joel Campbell, age 60, male, farmer, $700, born VA; Nancy, age 40, female, born VA; Joel, age 22, male, born VA; Lilly, age 17, female, born VA; Nancy, age 18, female, born VA; Rachel, age 25, female, born VA; Matilda, age 20, female, born VA; Reuben, age 18, male, born VA; Henry, age 16, male, born VA; Francis, age 14, male, born VA. 


3. United States Federal Census. 1860 VA, Nelson Co., Massies Mill, Page 33, dwelling/family 243, Nancy Campbell, age 61, female, $70, $125, born VA; Joseph C., age 29, male, farming, born VA; Henry, age 26, male, born VA; William, age 23, male, born VA. 


4. United States Federal Census. 1880 Nelson Co., ED113, Page 13, dwelling/family 103, Coffey, Rachael [sic] white female, age 59, widow, farmer, born VA, parents born VA; Violetta, white female, age 19, dau., single, at school, born VA, parents born VA. 


5. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), index entries derived from copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Virginia. groom's name: Washington Coffey groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Rhoda [sic] Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date:20 Nov 1842 marriage place:Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p 44. 


6. United States Federal Census. 1860 Nelson Co., Massies Mill, Page 143, dwelling/family 1025, Washington Coffey, age 45, male, farmer, $__, $170, born Nelson Co.; Rachel, age 35, female, born Nelson Co; Meartetia(?), age 17, female, born Nelson Co;, Rila [sic], age 12, male, born Nelson Co;, Laula [sic], age 9, female, born Nelson Co; Joseph, age 7, male, born Nelson Co; Latetia, age 5, female, born Nelson Co. This family apparently missed the 1850 census. 


7. United States Federal Census. 1870 Nelson Co., Dist. 2, Massies Mill Twp., Lovingston PO, Page 71, dwelling 555, dwelling 583, Coffey, Geo. Washington, age 56, male, white, farmer, $273, $200, born VA; Rachel, age 49, female, white, keeping house, born VA; Lalla Kite [sic], age 17, female, white, at home, born VA; Joseph, age 13, male, white farm laborer, born VA; Violet, age 11, female, white, at home, born VA; William Henry, age 8, male, white, at home, born VA. 


8. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. Groom's Name: Reuben Campbell Groom's Birth Date: 1831 Groom's Birthplace: Nelson Co., Va. Groom's Age: 25 Bride's Name: Mary Jane Bridge Bride's Birth Date: 1837 Bride's Birthplace: Augusta Co., Va. Bride's Age: 19 Marriage Date: 22 Aug 1856 Marriage Place: Augusta, Virginia Groom's Father's Name: Joseph Campbell Groom's Mother's Name: Nancy Coffey Bride's Father's Name: James Bridge Bride's Mother's Name: Nancy Lee Groom's Race: Groom's Marital Status: Single Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: Bride's Marital Status: Single Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M86847- System Origin: Virginia-EASy Source Film Number: 30416 Reference Number: No. 340 Collection: Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940. 


9. United States Federal Census. 1860 Augusta Co., 1st Dist., Staunton PO, Page 122, dwelling 720, family 738, Reuben Campbell, age 26, male, born VA; Mary J., age 23, female, born VA; Charles, age 3, male, born VA; John, age 10 mos., born VA. A neighbor was Mildred J. Bridge, age 40, a matron with eight children in the household. Another was the James Bridge family, apparently a widower and age 57 with six children in the household. James appears to be the same James as Mary's father. Two farms away was the Morris Coffey family with wife Milly and child Mary Ann E., age 6 mos. Also in the household was Susan Lewis, age 25, who was enumerated as a servant. 


10. United States Federal Census. 1870 Augusta Co., South River Twp., Fishersville PO, page 31, dwelling 212, family 215, Bridge, James, Sr., age 62, male, white, farmer, $400, $100, born VA; Campbell, Reuben, age 35, male, white, farmer, born VA; Mary Jane, age 34, female, white, keeping house, born VA; Charles, age 13, male, white, age home, born VA; John, age 10, male, white, at home, born VA; Nanny J., age 7, female, white, born VA; Angelina, age 1, female, white, born VA. 


11. United States Federal Census. 1880 Augusta Co., South River Dist., ED21, Page 9, dwelling/family 58, Campbell, Reuben, white male, age 48, married, farmer, born VA, parents born VA; Mary J., white female, age 40, wife, keeps house, born VA, parents born VA; John T., white male, age 18, son, works on farm, born VA; Nancy, white female, age 13, dau., at home, bornVA; Wm. F., white male, age 8, son, born VA; Matilda, white female, age 5, dau., born VA. 


12. US Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865, National Park Service, database on-line at www.itp.nps.gov/cwss/. Name: Joseph C Campbell Residence: Massies Mill, Virginia Rank at enlistment: Private State Served: Virginia Survived the War?: Yes Service Record: Enlisted in Company Rives', Virginia Nelson Light Artillery Battery. Description: height: 5 ft. 11 in., dark complexion, grey eyes, dark hair. Sources: Index to Compiled Confederate Military Service Records The Virginia Regimental Histories Series. 


13. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. groom's name: J. C. Campbell groom's birth date:1832 groom's birthplace: Nelson Co. groom's age:47 bride's name: Martha Bowling bride's birth date:1858 bride's birthplace:Nelson Co. bride's age: 21 marriage date:27 Nov 1879 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name:Nancy bride's father's name: Edmond S. bride's mother's name:Matilda (Incorrect! They were groom's grandparents.) groom's race: White groom's marital status: Widowed groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: White bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p42 ln89 . 


14. United States Federal Census. 1880 VA, Massies Mill, ED114, Page No. 30-31, dwelling/family 280, Campbell, Jocepl [sic], white male, age 48, farming, born VA, parents born VA; Marthie, white female, age 21, wife, married, keeping house, born VA, parents born VA; Tinsley, white male, age 13, son, single, farm hand, born VA; William, white male, age 12, son, single, farm hand, born VA; Martial, white male, age 8, son, single, born VA; Evelind, white female, age 5, dau., single, born VA; Henderson, Cate, white female, age 19, boarder, born VA, parents born VA. None of the children in the Campbell household at this census were Martha's. John J. Coffey was a boarder in the Jeremiah Falls/Fawls household, just a few farms away from the Campbell farm. 


15. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. groom's name: Joseph C. Campbell groom's birth date:1829 groom's birthplace:Nelson Co., Va. groom's age:35 bride's name:Mary Frances Lunsford bride's birth date:1845 bride's birthplace: Nelson Co., Va. bride's age:19 marriage date: 28 Dec 1864 marriage place:Augusta, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel Campbell groom's mother's name: Nancy Coffin [sic] [Coffey] bride's father's name: William Lunsford bride's mother's name: Sarah Hight groom's race: groom's marital status: Widowed groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86847-3 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:30416 reference number:No. 1545. In 1870, Mary Francis gave her age as 23 yrs., indicating a birth year of 1847. 


16. United States Federal Census. 1870 Nelson Co., Massies Mill Twp., Lovingston PO, Page 94, dwelling 722, family 761, Campbell, Joseph C., age 40, male, white, farm laborer, $500, born VA; Francis [sic], age 23, female, white, keeping house, born VA; Rubin, age 18, male, white, farm laborer, born VA; Lawson, age 14, male, white, farm laborer, born VA; Tinsley A., age 3, male, white, born VA; Joseph C., age 2, male, white, born VA; Henderson, Catharine, age 12, female, white, house servant, born VA. 


17. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org, index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZ5-Z43 : accessed 4 June 2012), Lucy Ann Everett, 1865. groom's name: Hy [sic] Campbell groom's birth date:1837 groom's birthplace:Nelson Co., Va. groom's age: 28 bride's name: Lucy Ann Everett bride's birth date:1840 bride's birthplace: Nelson Co., Va. bride's age: 25 marriage date: 26 Oct 1865 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name: Nancy bride's father's name:Jno. bride's mother's name:Mildred groom's race: groom's marital status: Single groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p 14 ln 56. 


18. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org, index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZT-NMJ : accessed 4 June 2012), Nancy H. M. Campbell, 1860. groom's name: Francis Campbell groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Nancy H. M. Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date: 29 Mar 1860 marriage place:Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status:Unknown groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number: M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:p 75.  Another record from the same source reads: groom's name:F. Campbell groom's birth date: 1841 groom's birthplace: Nelson Co. groom's age:19 bride's name:N. H. M. Campbell bride's birth date: 1844 bride's birthplace: Bath Co. bride's age:16 marriage date: 29 Mar 1860 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name:Mary bride's father's name: Francis bride's mother's name:Sarah groom's race: groom's marital status: Single groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin:Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number:pg 8 ln 18 . 


19. United States Federal Census. 1860 VA, Nelson Co., Massies Mill, Page 33, dwelling/family 244, Francis Campbell, age 22, male, born VA; Amanda, age 17, female, born VA. 20. Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. groom's name: Wm. Campbell groom's birth date: 1841 groom's birthplace: Nelson Co. groom's age: 24 bride's name: Susan Ann Mawyer bride's birth date: 1850 bride's birthplace: Albemarle bride's age: 15 marriage date: 02 Nov 1865 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: Joel groom's mother's name: Nancy bride's father's name: Childres bride's mother's name: Margaret groom's race: groom's marital status: Single groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: Single bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number: M86879-0 system origin: Virginia-EASy source film number: 32734 reference number: p 14 ln 60.

Coffey & Campbell in Nelson Co., VA

According to his Oct. 1, 1823 will*, Francis J. and Isabell Catlett Campbell had four children.

IN THE NAME OF GOD! AMEN.  I FRANCIS CAMPBELL in the County of Nelson.  Being weak in  body but sound in mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make  and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)  principally and first.

I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my body to the Earth to be buried  in a Christian like manner, at the discretion of my Executors here and after named and first,  I request that all my just debts shall be paid; and as touching the residue of my worldly  estate as God hath blest me with.  I do leave in the manner and form following ______:

I leave and bequeath to my beloved wife Is(a)bell Campbell the third of my Estate during her  natural life at the discretion of my Executors.  The residue of my estate to be equally  divided between my two sons and two daughters viz. Francis Campbell; Polley Gregory, Joel  Campbell, and Rachel Gregory, share and share alike, only I give and bequeath to my son Joel  Campbell my house existing nary all which is to them and their heirs forever; - and further  it is my will and desire that the line made by myself and John Masters (between him and myself)  to stand forever.  And lastly I do appoint my sons Francis and Joel my sole Executors of this  my last will and Testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills by me made and  declare this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and  seal this first day of October eighteen hundred and twenty-three.

                                              His
                                     Francis   X   Campbell (Seal)
                                             Mark

Signed, sealed and delivered by the above named Francis Campbell to be his Last Will and Testament

Benjamin Hatter
John Coffey
Edmund F. Coffey

Francis J. Campbell II appears to be the eldest, born c1780 in VA, died 1855 in Nelson Co.  He married Nancy Coffey, said to be a daughter of Edmond S., Sr. and Nancy Barnett Coffey, on Feb. 26, 1806 in Amherst Co.**  He was followed by Mary "Polly" Campbell, Joel, born c1790, and Rachel.

Joel also married a Nancy Coffey, said to be a sister to Edmond S., Jr. whose parents were Edmond Sr. and Tildy Fitzgerald Coffey.

It gets more confusing!

Joel and Nancy had a number of children, believed to be as follows:

Rachel A., born c1821, died Dec. 1881, Nelson Co.
Reuben Lee, born c1828
Joel, also born c1828
Matilda, born c1830
Nancy, born c1832
Francis Vanvert, born c1836
Henry, born c1837
William, born c1841

The family appeared in the 1850 Nelson Co census as follows:

1850 Nelson Co., Page 560, dwelling/family 915, Joel Campbell, age 60, male, farmer, $700, born VA; Nancy, age 40, female, born VA; Joel, age 22, male, born VA; Lilly, age 17, female, born VA; Nancy, age 18, female, born VA; Rachel, age 25, female, born VA; Matilda, age 20, female, born VA; Reuben, age 18, male, born VA; Henry, age 16, male, born VA; Francis, age 14, male, born VA

The placement of children makes it appears to me, at least, that either Joel or Nancy had been previously married.  First clue is that Joel is 20+ years older than Nancy.  Further, the daughter Rachel is said to have married Washington "Wash" Coffey in 1842 yet she is still at home in 1850.  A marriage record for Wash names his wife as Rhoda.¹

Interesting to note that the marriage record for Francis J. Campbell names his bride as Nancy Campbell, not Nancy Coffey.***

The Nancy Coffey, daughter of Edmond, Jr. and Tildy, is said to have been born c1779; her spouse Joel in 1790.

Francis and his Nancy Coffey wife are said to have had a number of children, some of which were named Joel, and Rachel, born last in that family.  Two of the first three children born to Joel and his Nancy Coffey wife were named Rachel and Joel.

I am thinking that the two Nancy's might be the same people.  She may have first married a Campbell, perhaps Francis and, when he died she married his brother Joel.  Because dates are so inconclusive, we cannot be sure when any of the Campbell sons or either of their Coffey wives was born.  At least I cannot be certain!

In any event, there are enough inconsistencies and lack of source data about this Campbell-Coffey family for us to be suspicious of any genealogy that includes them with any implication that it is accurate.

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*Lynn Vanderherchen, http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/wills/w-cam01.txt
**Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), index entries derived from copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Virginia. [n.b. According to another source Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850 (Dodd, Jordan R.) the marriage too place on 28 Feb., 1806.  Perhaps 26 Feb. was the license date. This source names the bride as Nancy Campbell.
***Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Part 1 is from Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926 and and only includes entries for Coffey surnames thru 1899. See the files located at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/vitals/marr0001.txt, Part 2, Page 33, Line 2.

¹groom's name: Washington Coffey groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Rhoda [sic] Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date: 20 Nov 1842 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin: Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number :p 44

Zachariah & Margaret E. Hailey Coffey

Zachariah was born in March, 1850 to Wayett Wesley (c1820-1859) and Nancy Coffey Coffey.  Wayett [sic] was a son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey;  Nancy's parents are unknown to me.

These Coffeys were mainly Augusta Co., VA families.

Margaret E. Hailey was born in Mar., 1860 to William W. & Mary Hardbarger Coffey.  She married Zachariah on Dec. 23, 1877 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., VA.  To them were born at least five children, two of which died in infancy and unnamed.  Their first child was Rosana, born c1879 in VA.  Second was Minerva, born Apr., 1881 followed by Eugene Bartley, born May, 1883, died Oct. 27, 1946 in Stuarts Draft, VA.

Eugene married Hurcy [sic] Lee Brooks c1906 in VA.  Hurcy was a daughter of Joshua Cyrus & Alice Elizabeth (or, Susan?) Forbes Brooks.  She was born in Augusta Co. in Mar. of 1887 and died at Stuarts Draft on Aug. 29, 1954.  Eugene died on Oct. 27, 1846.  Both he and Hurcy are buried at the Mennonite Church Cemetery in Stuarts Draft.

Obituary, Waynesboro News Virginian, Sep. 1, 1954

Mrs. Hersey Lee Coffey, 69, died at 4 p.m. yesterday at her home near Stuarts Draft, after a long illness.
She was born Oct. 14, 1884, in Augusta County, daughter of the late Joshua and Alice Elizabeth Forbus Brooks. She was a member of Rankin Methodist Chapel.

Mrs. Coffey was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Bartley Coffey on Oct. 27, 1946. Survivors include three sons, Alfred, Elmer, and Phy all of Stuarts Draft; four daughters, Mrs. Lloyd Stinnett, Mrs. Guy England, Miss Minnie Coffey and Miss Hersey Ellen Coffey, all of Stuarts Draft; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Sandy Brooks and Carl Brooks, both of Stuarts Draft; four sisters, Mrs. Nellie McCray of Waynesboro, Mrs. Otho Humphreys of Stuarts Draft, Mrs. Floyd Young of West Virginia and Mrs. Levi Fitzgerald of Crozet.

The body will remain at Etter Funeral Home and be placed in the Valley View Mennonite Church near Stuarts Draft, tomorrow at 1 p.m. Funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. by the Rev. E. B. White, assisted by the Rev. Jason Weaver, with interment in the church cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be William Tillman, Harry Hailey, Lyle Hailey, Lawrence Dameron, Ollie Fretwell and Walter Pannell.

This union produced at least seven children:  Willa Bell, Margaret R., Alfred Cyrus, Elmer Franklin, Minnie Lee, Fie Landon and Hurcy Ellen.

Willa Bell was born Jun. 30, 1908 at Stuarts Draft and died Feb. 5, 2001.  Her husband was Lloyd Lewis Stinnett, born Apr. 28, 1908, died Mar. 23, 1983.  Both are buried at the Mennonite Church Cemetery at Stuarts Draft.

Obituary, The Daily News Leader, Staunton, VA, Feb. 7, 2001

STUARTS DRAFT- Willa Bell Stinnett, 92, of 63 Vance Lane, died Monday (Feb. 5, 2001) at her residence.

She was born July 30, 1908, at Stuarts Draft, a daughter of Eugene Bartley and Hurcy Brooks Coffey.

She was a homemaker and a member of Stuarts Draft Mennonite Church.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd Lewis Stinnett; and a son, Bobby Stinnett.

Survivors include two daughters, Eunice Rachel Stinnett and Martha Elizabeth Stinnett, both of Stuarts Draft; a son and daughter-in-law, Orvin K. and Dawn Stinnett of Stuarts Draft; a daughter-in-law, Audrey Stinnett of Stuarts Draft; seven grandchildren, Rodney Stinnett, Regina Ott, Beth Campbell, Jennifer Eavers, and Jonathan, Amanda and Darrick Stinnett; and three great-grandchildren, Josh and Lindsey Ott and Isaac Campbell.

A service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Stuarts Draft Mennonite Church by the Revs. Terry Miller and Charles Ramsey. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.

Pallbearers will be John Ott, Tim Campbell, Dave Harris, Maynard Weaver, Jerrel Suter, Eddie Burkholder, Billy and Grover Coffey.

Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Wallace, Tommy Fretwell, Larry Hepler, Frankie Robertson and friends attending the service.

The family will receive friends from 7-9 tonight at Reynolds Funeral Service of Stuarts Draft.

Margaret R. was born Dec. 14, 1909 and died Jan. 15, 1994.  Her spouse wasa Guy P. England, born Nov. 11, 1910, died Sep. 19, 1985.  They too are buried at the Mennonite Cemetery in Stuarts Draft.

Alfred Cyrus, born May 17, 1913, died Sep. 28, 1979.  Alfred married Tressia M. Fretwell, a daughter of William & Myrtle Fretwell, born Jun. 2, 1919, died Dec. 11, 1985.  Both are buried at the Rankin United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sherando, Augusta Co., VA.  Their children were Julia Marie Coffey Losh (1937-2009); Emily Jane Coffey Hepler (1939-2009), Annia Belle (1941-2004); Scottie Ray (1946-2003), Joyce, Becky and Billy.  Annia Belle married a Mr. Latsko.  She died on Jul. 8, 2004 and was buried at Rankin.  Scottie Ray married Mary Sue Fitzgerald, daughter of William Homer and Ruby Lee Vance Fitzgerald.  She was born Mar. 23, 1949 in Waynesboro, VA and died Oct. 30, 2011.  Both are buried at Rankin.

Obituary, Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home, Stuarts Draft, VA, Nov. 1, 2011

Mary Sue (Fitzgerald) Coffey, 62, of Augusta County, passed away early Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation.

Born March 23, 1949 in Waynesboro, she was the daughter of the late William Homer and Ruby Lee (Vance) Fitzgerald.

Mrs. Coffey retired from Hollister in Stuarts Draft. She also worked for Augusta County as a special ed driver.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Scottie Ray Coffey; brother, John M. Fitzgerald; sister, Judith Quick.

Survivors include her children, Stacey Moreau and husband Andrew of Crofton, MD and Nick Coffey and wife Jennifer of Lyndhurst; grandchildren, Katie, Brodie, Josie and Emmie Moreau and Isaac, Asher and Noah Coffey; siblings, Betty Eckard and husband Richard, Henry Fitzgerald and wife Dottie and Patsy Lunsford and husband Byron.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 1870 Stuarts Draft Highway, with Pastor Matthew Coiner and Charles Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow at Rankin Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Nick Coffey, Andrew Moreau, Ricky Mutherspaw, Jerry Hite, Mike Elliott and Jim Addie.

Honorary pallbearers will be retired and current employees of Hollister and Augusta County.
There will be no formal viewing or visitation at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 260, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.

Arrangements under the direction of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes Stuarts Draft Chapel, Stuarts Draft, VA.

Reuben G. & Nancy Giles Coffey

Originally published 2006; revised 9/7/2011. More information on Reuben and his descendants can be found on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.

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Reuben G. Coffey, a son of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey, was likely born in VA c1777. He died Nov. 24, 1845 in Nelson Co., VA. His wife was Nancy Giles, a daughter of William & Margaret (LNU) Giles on Sep. 5, 1801* in Amherst Co., VA. I have not found any dates for Nancy and their grave sites remain unknown to me.

There were at least 11 children born to this union:

Mildred Ray, born Dec. 20, 1803, died Mar. 14, 1883 in VA. She married John Everitt, born c1806, died Oct. 18, 1892 in Nelson Co. I know of one child, Elias, born Dec. 12, 1842, died Sep. 13, 1931 in Nelson Co. Mildred has a headstone at the Everitt cemetery in Love, Nelson Co. John is probably there as well.

Nancy, born c1808, married Garland G. Coffey, her double first cousin, on Mar. 17, 1825 in Nelson Co. Garland was the son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey, William being brother to Reuben and Betsy, sister to Nancy. There were at least nice children born to this union: William, Nancy, Reuben Wetzel; Jesse C., Elizabeth A., John W., Moses, Harrison, and Alfred James.

Margaret Susanna married her first cousin, John W. Coffey, a son of Edmond and Tildy Fitzgerald Coffey. Edmond was brother to William and Reuben. John was born at White Rock in Nelson Co. c1805 and died there in Mar., 1864. Margaret was born c1810 in Nelson and died there c1877. They had at least four children: Nancy J., Mildred Annister, John Henry, and Colston Harrison.

Winnie, born c1812, married Silas M. Ramsey on May 3, 1834 in Nelson Co. No other information.

Sarah Jane, born c1812, married William W. Coffey, her double-first cousin and son of her uncle William and Aunt Betsy Giles Coffey, on Feb. 18, 1832 in Nelson Co. Their children were James H., Peter Jordan, William Montebello, Robert W., Marvel Maurice, James Rodney, Elizabeth N., Zachariah, and Mary S.

Frances C., born 1813 in Nelson Co., died Nov. 27, 1886 at Massies Mill in Nelson Co. She married Robert Woodson Fitzgerald on Aug. 23, 1830. He was born Oct. 31, 1807 in Nelson Co., died there on Jun. 7, 1886. Both are said to be buried at the Fitzgerald "burying grounds" in Nelson Co. Their children were: Mary Jane, Edward Addison, Philander Hersey; Sarah Ann; Napoleon Dewey, and Josephine.

Reuben C., born c1816 in Nelson Co., died Dec. 16, 1883 in Amherst Co. His spouse was Margaret Bowling, a daughter of William and Martha J. Bowling. Margaret was born c1816 and died Dec. 12, 1883 in Amherst Co. Their children were Marcellus B., and Augustus.

Elizabeth, born c1816, married Joshua Madison Ramsey on Sep. 13, 1850 in Nelson Co. He was a son of William and Catherine Campbell Ramsey, born Oct. 16, 1820 in Rockbridge Co., died Jan. 21, 1897 in VA. I know of one child, Editha, born c1860 in Nelson. Joshua's first wife was Nancy C. Steele, a daughter of John Steele, and Mary Coffey. Mary was a daughter of Edmond and Nancy Barnett Coffey and sister to William and Reuben. Joshua's children with Nancy were: Melvina, Delilah, Dabney Coleman, Andrew Jackson, Mary Susan and Susan Virginia.

Mary, born c1820 in Nelson Co., married Zephaniah Fitzgerald on Aug. 27, 1833 in Nelson Co. He was born c1818 in VA. I know of one child, Achilles Washington, born Aug. 8, 1844, died Feb. 5, 1917 in Nelson Co.

Emily, born c1821 in Nelson Co. No further information.

Lucy Ann, born c1824 in Nelson Co. Lucy married Robert Alexander Fitzgerald on Dec. 17, 1850 in Lovingston, Nelson Co. I do not have their death dates but, both are buried at the Pleas Taylor Family cemetery in Nelson Co.** Lucy and Robert had at least two children: Alexander Robert and Susan Massie.

Nancy Giles Coffey died sometime between 1824 and c1830. It was around 1830 when Reuben G. married Margaret Snead of Nelson Co. They had at least four children: Meredith J., born c1832; James Solomon, born c1835; Missouri A., born c1836 and Amanda Jane, born c1849.

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The Will of Reuben G. Coffey:

Will: Reuben G. Coffey Source: Nelson Co., VA Will Book G, Page 173.

Contributor: Shirley Houk

I Reuben G. Coffey, of the County of Nelson & State of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory, but weak in body, do make and constitute this to be my last will and testament revoking all will or wills made by me.
1st. My desire is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid in the most convenient way that my executors may think proper, whom I shall hereafter name

2nd. I give to my daughters Betsey and Lucy and my son Reuben C. Coffey my tract of land on the Fork Mountain where Forbesh formerly lived, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.

3rd. I give to my Reuben C. Coffey, my Cupboard and Bureau extra for past favors he had done for me which he shall not be accountable to my estate for in any future division. I also deem it unnecessary to say anything about the disposition of the negro girl Daskus which I formerly owned as I have heretofore sold and she is now the property of my son Reuben C. Coffey for which he has the bill of sale.

4th. I heretofore sold a tract of land lying on the Fork Mountain known by Clarks place to William W. Coffey for the payment of Six Thousand pounds of Toba which is hereafter to be paid and my desire is that the said sale shall stand good by one third of the payment or bond for said payment to be given to my wife, Margaret on the condition that she joins my executor or legal representative in making right of said to the said William W. Coffey.

5th. I give to my beloved wife, Margaret during her natural life or second marriage the one third part of all my estate of every description, which is not before disposed of to be enjoyed by her and her three children Meredith, Soloman and ____ and at the death of my wife Margaret, or second Marriage, she is at liberty to dispose of ?? childrens part between all my children in any that she may think proper, of the third part left to her.

6th. The other two thirds of my estate, at my death, my desire is that it shall be equally divided between all my children Milly, Polly, Nancy, Susan, Jane, Betsey, Fanny, Reuben, Winny, Lucy, Emily, Meredith, Solomon and ____ share and share alike taking into consideration what I have heretofore advanced to them which advancement I have made in writing.

7th. The One third part of my estate which I gave to my beloved wife Margaret during her natural life or second marriage after the childrens part, I gave her the liberty to take out at her death or second marriage my will is that the balance be also equally divided between all my children as before named share and share
alike.

Lastly I do hereby appoint my son Reuben C. Coffey my executor of this my last will and testament. Given under my hand this 22nd day of September 1825.

Reuben G. (X) Coffey
Witness:
Joseph B. Coffey
Nancy Campbell
Nancy Parrish
Sylvanus Meeks

At a Court held for Nelson County the 2_th day of November 1845 This last will and testament of Reuben G. Coffey decd, was this day presented in said Court and proved by the oaths of Sylvanus Meeks and Joseph B. Coffey, two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Reuben C. Coffey the executor named in said Will, who made oath thereto and together with Nelson Clarkson his security entered in and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Six hundred dollars conditioned according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said Will in due form of law. Teste Sp. Garland, Ck.

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Elizabeth N. J. Coffey Martin

Update: Mar. 26, 2012

William W. and Sarah Jane Coffey Coffey were parents of at least nine children, one of which was Elizabeth Nancy Jane Coffey, born Jun. 21, 1845.  On Jan. 27, 1870 she was married to John N. Martin in Nelson Co.

Yesterday, I received this photo of Elizabeth N. J. from Jinni Kerdi, a great-granddaughter.

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*Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. See also "My Virginia Kin", 1958,Press-Journal Pub. Co., p64.

**This cemetery is located off the Mill Creek School Road on private land owned by Larry and Nancy Long of Richmond, VA. Source notes about this cemetery indicate that it is "In very sad state of disrepair."

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William Coffey, Jr. & Mary "Polly" Rippetoe

William, Jr. was a son of William, Sr. and wife Elizabeth Osborne Coffey.  He was born in VA c1762.  His date of death is not yet known.  He and Polly married Nov. 2, 1790 in Amherst Co., VA.  A Peter Rippetoe stated that both parents gave consent; James Rippetoe was surety.

William, Sr. has sometimes been referred to as a vindictive old man because of the way he disposed of property in his will of March, 1825*:

I William Coffey of the County of Nelson and State of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory do make declare & publish this my last will and Testament in maner and form as followith. Item I give to my son Edmund F. Coffey and to his Hiers forever that tract of land that I purchased of Joseph Burger which is the same tract that the said Edmund now lives on containing by estimation two hundred and fifteen acres to the same more or less also a negro boy named John.

Item I give to Edmund F. Coffey and James Montgomery in trust & to their successors for the benefit of my daughter Jane Fitzgerald and the legitament children of her body one half of my tract of land in Nelson County on Cub Creek containing by estimation two hundred and fifteen acres the said tract of land to be equally divided according to quantity and quality. The other moiety of the said last mentioned tract of land I give to my said trustees herein before mentioned & to their successors for the benefit of my son William Coffey during his natural life, at his death to return to the rest of my children or those which I shall name hereafter, each to hold the part they now live on. Item I give to Magret Monroe that tract of land called Briges Place in Nelson County containing by survey one hundred acres be the same more or less also one hundred dollars cash to be paid by my Executors hereafter named to the care and management of George Monroe nevertheless the said Margaret is at liberty to dispose of the said land as she pleases, also one horse of the value of forty dollars & one cow & calf.

It is my desire & request that my Executors hereafter named shall rent to Jordan Coffey my tract of land whereupon the said Jordan has lived he the said Jordan paying to them for the benefit of my Estate five pounds per annum so long as my Executors shall think it prudent to rent it to him but if my Executors shall think it right to sell the said tract of land the proceeds of the said is to go to the rest of children hereafter named. Item I give to Edmund F. Coffey & James Montgomery in trust for the benefit of Elizabeth Bridge & to their successors as also for the benefit of the Hiers of her body forever one moiety of my tract of land in Augusta County on Back Creek the said tract to be equally divided according to quantity and quality. Item I give to Elizabeth Coleman, Anney Coleman, James Coleman, John Coleman, Patsey Coleman, Polley Coleman and Lucy Coleman (who are children of Mildred Coleman deceased who was Mildred Coffey) one dollar each to be paid by my Executors out of my Estate. All the rest of my Estate both real and personal of what kind or naturesoever after my just debts and funeral espenses are paid, I give to Osborn Coffey one eighth part to Edmund F. Coffey one eighth part Edmund F. Coffey and James Montgomery trustees and to their successors for the benefit of Mary Coffey and Elizabeth Bridge one eighth part each also to my said trustees and their successors for the benefit of Jane Fitzgerald and the legatimate children of her body and Winny Hays I give one eighth part each also to my said trustees for the benefit of Frankey Coffey one eighth part, also to my said trustees and successors for the benefit of William Coffey during his natural life one eighth part at his death to return to the rest of my children & my trustees to be divided among them in the same manner as the property heretofore given that was not E________ given nevertheless all those that have received any money or other property heretofore must _____ the same into Hotch pot before any division takes place on their part, except Edmund F. Coffey who is not required to account for any thing received, all the property herein given in trust is to be under the management & sole control of my trustees herein before named and their successors. It is my desire that the County Court of Nelson shall appoint trustees to and in place of those appointed by me in the last will whenever it appears they of inablity to act. Hereby revoking all former wills made by me, I do constitue and appoint my friends Edmund F. Coffey and James Montgomery my Executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of March 1825. Acknowed before us William Coffey (Seal)

John Hughes (his mark) Moses W. Hughes (his mark) Benjamin Hughes Peter C. Coffey (his mark)

At a Court held for Nelson County the 28th day of March 1828. This instrument of writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of William Coffey deceased was produced into said court and proved by the oaths of John Hughes, Moses W. Hughes and Peter C. Coffey three subscribing witnesses hereto, and the same is ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Edmund F. Coffey one of the Executors named in said will, who made oath and together with George Williams his security entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of twelve thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining probat of said will in due form of law. And, at a Court held for said County the 28th day of April 1828. James Montgomery, another of the Executors named in said will, personally appeared in Court, and made oath, and together with John Harris (_____" his security, acknowledged a bond in the penalty of $12,000, conditioned according to law and hereupon certificate is granted him for obtaining probat of said will, jointly with Edmund F. Coffey in due form of law. Teste Spotswood Garland Clerk

Although other of his daughters had children out of wedlock, he chose to single out Jane and limit her legacy to "legitament children of her body...".  He left property in the hands of his trustees with instructions that William, Jr. receive land in trust during his lifetime but, upon his death it would return to the estate for the benefit of his other children.  This effectively left out any heirs that William, Jr. might leave and who would otherwise be entitled to a part of the estate their father had inherited.

Some researchers have interpreted the will of William, Sr. to show his disdain for his daughter-in-law, Mary "Polly" Rippetoe or, perhaps the entire Rippetoe clan.  She and William, Jr. had been married 38 years when William, Sr. made his will.  Why would Sr. make such a stipulation affecting the potential inheritance of his grandchildren?

The children of William and Polly Rippetoe Coffey were: Sarah; Frankey; Nancy; Osborn; Jane and Elizabeth.

I have no information on the first two.  Nancy, born c1795 in Nelson Co.,  Had at least three illegitimate children.*  They were Candis W., born c1815 and who married Benjamin J. Coffey on Jan. 28, 1836 in Nelson Co.  I have been unable to identify this Benjamin's parents.  Candis and Benjamin had at least seven children:  Peter J.; Susan; Sarah A.; Paulina M.; George Washington; Caroline Elizabeth; and Beverly.  Nancy's second illegitimate child was also a daughter, Sophia W., born c1815 in Nelson Co.  Sophia married William Crost on Mar. 23, 1835 in Nelson Co..  I have no children for them.  The third illegitimate child was Ann who married James Butler.  I have no further info on this couple.

William, Jr.'s fourth child was Osborn, born c1796 in VA.  He married on Sep. 20, 1827 to Mary Fitzgerald, his first cousin and the daughter of his father's sister Jane and her husband Benjamin Hawkins Fitzgerald.  Their children were Eleanor or Ellen, born c1827; Mary Elizabeth, born c1830; Anna Mariah, born Oct. 28, 1822, died Sep. 12, 1906 in Rockbridge Co., VA; and Jane G., born c1838.

His fifth child was Jane, born c1801 in Nelson Co.  She married Edmund Fitzgerald, a first cousin and son of Benjamin and Jane Coffey Hawkins.  That marriage took place on Mar. 26, 1832 and resulted in at least four children:  Wyatt, born 1833; Benjamin Douglas, also born 1833;** James Alexander, born c1839; and Mariah, born c1842.

The sixth and last child was Elizabeth, born c1810.  I have no other information about her.

More information is available for some of these families on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.

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Source: Nelson Co, VA Will Book C, Pg 417;Contributed by: Wayne Coffey
*This fact may also be cause for William, Sr. to disinherit his grandchildren by William, Jr.
** I do not believe they were twins or, that they were both born in 1833.

Woodson Robert & Frances C. Coffey Fitzgerald

Sorting out the Fitzgeralds, Campbells and Coffeys of Nelson Co., VA is like trying to put 1000 decks of playing cards back together after tossing them into the air during a hurricane!  Hopefully, I have correctly put together the following!

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[Update:  11-11-11: Thanks to Brad Fitzgerald of Roanoke, VA I have been able to clarify and update some of the information about this family.  First and probably most important is the correction of the name Robert Woodson to Woodson Robert.  Other chances are noted below.]

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Woodson Robert Fitzgerald was born in Nelson Co. on Oct. 31, 1807 and died there on Jul. 7, 1886.  He was married on Aug. 23, 1830 to Frances C. Coffey, a daughter of Reuben G. & Nancy Giles Coffey.  Reuben P.* [sic] Coffey was security.  Readers may know that Reuben was a brother to William who married Elizabeth "Betsy" Giles, both daughters of William and Margaret Giles. (anyone know Margaret's maiden name?)  Frances died Nov. 27, 1886 at Massies Mill in Nelson Co. Both are said to be buried at a Fitzgerald Family Cemetery** in Nelson Co.

Their children were at least six.  Approximately 4 years passed after their 1830 marriage before the first known child was born so, perhaps at least one other was born before 1834.

The first child was Mary Jane, born Mar. 17, 1834, died Feb. 14, 1922.  She married Hezekiah Coffey on Dec. 19, 1855 in Nelson Co.  Hezekiah was a son of Edmund Coffey and Martha Snead.  He died in July, 1863 at Gettysburg in Adams Co., PA.

Pension Application:  Hezekiah Coffey, 1889.  Made by his wife, Mary F. Coffey; Transcribed by:  Shirley Moore [w_moore@bellsouth.net]

      Application of a Widow of a Deceased Soldier, Sailor or Marine for a Pension.

     I, Mary F. Coffey, residing at ____ In the County of Nelson In State of Virginia, do hereby apply for aid under an act of the General Assembly entitled :An act to give aid to soldiers, sailors or marines of Virginia, maimed or disabled in the war between the States, and to the widows of Virginia soldiers, sailors and marines who lost their lives in said war in the military service."  And I do swear that I am the widow of Hezekiah Coffey who was a member of Co. F 49th Infantry Regiment and who, while in the discharge of his duty in military service during the late war between the States, lost his life.

And I do further swear that I am not receiving aid from or a pension from any State or from The United States, and that I do not hold any national, State or county office which pays me in fees or salary over three hundred dollars; that my income from no source amounts to three hundred dollars; and that I do not own in my own right property of the assessed value of one thousand dollars; ___ that I am now entitled to receive annually the sum of thirty dollars under the terms of the aforesaid act  of the General Assembly.

And I do further swear that the following answers are true:

1st,  What was the name of the applicants deceased husband?  Ans. Hezekiah Coffey
2d    When and where, as nearly as can be ascertained, did the applicant's husband die, and and from what cause?
Ans.  In July 1863 at Gettysburg _______
3d.   When and where were the applicant and her deceased husband married:
Ans.  In the year 1855 in Nelson Co. Va
4th.  Has the applicant ever married again? Ans. No

                                 Mary F. Coffey (signature)

I, T.P. Fitzpatrick, Judge of the County Court for the County of Nelson do certify that Mary F. Coffey, whose name is signed to the foregoing application, personally  appeared before me in open court, and , having the said application fully read and  explained to her, as well as the statements and answers therein made, she, the said  Mary F. Coffey made oath before me that said statements and answers are true.      Given under my hand this 22nd day of April, 1889.                                      Thos P Fitzpatrick (signature)

Nelson @ No 35
Virginia
Co. of Nelson, TO-WIT:

I, Thos. P. Fitzpatrick, Judge of the ___ Court for the County of Nelson, do  certify that I have carefully enquired and examined into and am fully satisfied from  the evidence adduced before me that each and all of the facts set forth in the within  application are true; that the application is for these reasons approved, and it is  therefore certified  that Mary F. Coffey is entitled to receive annually from the  State of Virginia the sum of thirty dollars.

Given under my hand this 22nd day of  April, 1889.

Thos. P. Fitzpatrick (signature)

Mary Jane died Feb. 14, 1922 and was buried at the Achilles Fitzgerald Family Cemetery.  I think this cemetery is the one at Crab Tree Falls.

They had two children:  Martin Marcellus, born Dec. 27, 1854, died Sep. 24, 1932 in Augusta Co., VA.  His wife was Teressa Catherine Fitzgerald, daughter of James Milton and Ardenia Coffey Fitzgerald.  He and Teressa were married on Dec. 26, 1878 in Nelson Co.  Second child was Sarah Frances, born May 10, 1860 in Nelson Co. and, died Nov. 19, 1906.  Her husband was David Edward Painter, born to John Painter and Nancy Ellen Fitzgerald on Aug. 22, 1856.  He died Jul., 1945 in Nelson Co.

Woodson & Frances' second child was Edward Addison Fitzgerald, born c1838 in Nelson Co., died 1915 in VA.  He married Nancy E. Coffey on Jun. 2, 1865 in Nelson Co.  Her parents were Holloway Stewart Coffey and his wife, Catherine "Kate" Fitzgerald.  Holloway and Frances were first cousins, he a son of William Coffey and Elizabeth Giles.  Children of Edward and Nancy - as I know them - were Blanchetta, born c1866, John Silas, born c1868, Edward Alexander, born about May, 1870 and Raleigh Woodson, born Nov. 4, 1880.  All were born in Nelson Co.

[Update 11-11-11:  Another son, John C. has been found.  He was born c1842 in Nelson Co. and died during the Civil War.  He was a member of  the Nelson Light Artillery, Rives Battery.  He is believed to have died in a (field?) hospital rather than killed in action.  He appears in the Virginia Regimental History book as a member of the Rives Battery and that he was a brother to Philander Hersey Fitzgerald (Brad Fitzgerald of Roanoke provided info on this son)]

Following Edward Addison was Philander Hersey, born Feb., 1844, died Oct. 6, 1925 in Albemarle Co.  He married Amanda Jane Coffey, born c1849.  She was a daughter of Reuben G. and Margaret Snead Coffey.  This Reuben G. was a son of Edmond S. & Nancy Barnett Coffey.  Philander and Amanda were parents to 12  14 children: Ruth J., James Irvin, Linda J., Anna Parker, Perry Dickerson, Eudora, Richard, Gilbert Walker, Quintus, June C., Myrtle Lee, Mittie Jackson, Lloyd Washington, and Dulcie C.

Woodson and Fannie's next child was Sarah Ann, born Sep. 12, 1846, died Apr. 15, 1926.  She married Alexander S. Coffey, a son of the above Holloway Stewart and Catherine Fitzgerald Coffey.  Alexander was born Mar. 2, 1844 and died Jul. 20, 1929 in Nelson Co.  They were married in that county on Jan. 16, 1873.  Their children were: Frances "Fannie" Catherine, Adolphus Franklin, Mary Docia, Robert Alexander, and Charlie Cleveland.

Napoleon Dewey followed Sarah Ann.  He was born Apr. 20, 1847 and died before 1930  Nov. 18, 1922 in Nelson Co.  His wife was Lucinda C. Blackwell, born c1850 in VA.  They had at least 10 children:  William, Cornelia, Robert, Charles Napoleon, Lilly M., Serena, Ella G., Eliza J., Coral L., and Mary Lula.  Charles Napoleon was born Feb. 7, 1875 and died Dec. 26, 1949.  His wife was Melissa Stevens Truslow, daughter of Joseph Walker and Minerva Ann Thompson Truslow.  They were parents of at least nine children but I have not found any that married into the Coffey family.  Names and particulars are available if needed.

One last child of Woodson and Fannie is said to be Josephine, born c1852.  However, I have no other information about her.  She married in Nelson Co. on Dec. 30, 1869 to William H. Blackwell, born c1849 in Rockbridge Co., VA.

I could use some help sorting out the various Fitzgerald Cemeteries from someone with intimate knowledge of the area!

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*This may be an error.  Frances had a younger brother named Reuben C.
**So far, I have discovered three Fitzgerald cemeteries in Nelson.  One is located on North Fork Road, some distance from Lovingston and is "high on a ridge."  The Fitzgerald Family cemetery referred to in the text is said to be located on the "back side of Fork Mountain" and about 4 miles from Lovingston.  A third is said to be at Crabtree Falls and referred to as the Achilles Fitzgerald Family Cemetery.  I do not yet know which is the correct cemetery for Woodson Robert and Frances.

Continuing with children of Jesse & Nancy F. Allen Coffey

Beatrice Anna Coffey

The fourth child born to Jesse and Nancy was Beatrice Anna Coffey.

Beatrice, apparently called Anna was born Feb. 24, 1860 in Nelson Co., and died May 12, 1940 in Lima, Allen Co., OH.

Her first husband was Thomas Givens Mays.  He was born c1851, probably in VA, and they were married on Sep. 25, 1877 in Nelson Co.

Her second husband was David Robinson who was born on May 31, 1843 and died Jun. 13, 1927 in Miami Co., OH.  They were married on Sep. 12, 1889 in Waverly, Pike Co., OH.  Her last spouse was William Neely to whom she was married - when both were age 70 years old - on Dec. 4, 1930 in Allentown, Allen Co., OH.  Anna apparently had only one child.  In the 1900 census she reported that she was the mother of one child, none living.

Nancy E. Coffey

William Garland followed Anna and was born Jun. 3, 1862 in Rockbridge Co., VA.  He appeared in the 1870 Augusta Co. and 1880 Nelson Co. census records with his family but, nothing else is yet known about him.

The fifth child was Nancy Elizabeth, born May 21, 1864 in Rockbridge Co.  She married James F. West on Jul. 20, 1902 at AllBasic City, Augusta Co.  James was born c1848 in Hanover Co., VA.  James was a son of Overton and Virginia Harris West.


Allen F. Sherman followed Nancy.  Read about his family here.

George R. Coffey

George Robert was next, born Mar. 16, 1869 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co.  He married Sarah Emma Lotts on Feb. 10, 1891 in Nelson Co.  I believe she was born c1867 in MD to Martin H. and Margaret Sarah Allen, younger sister to Jesse's wife, Nancy.  I know of one child born to Sarah and George:  Estelle, born May, 1891 in Lyndhurst.

Jacob W. Coffey

Jacob W. was the eighth child.  He was born Jun. 4, 1871 in Lyndhurst and died Sep. 28, 1936 in Rockbridge Co., VA.  His first wife was Sallie J. Fitzgerald, a daughter of Parks G. & Sarah Ramsey Fitzgerald who were married in Nelson Co. on Apr. 13, 1840.  Sallie died in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH on Aug. 29, 1928, and was buried at Bells Valley Cemetery in Rockbridge Co.  His second wife was Stella Austin Hite, born c1879, died Apr. 15, 1938, also in Rockbridge Co.  They were married on Jan. 20, 1929 in Cincinnati.  Stella died in Rockbridge Co. on Apr. 15, 1938.  She and Jacob are also buried at Bells Valley.  Stella's previous spouse was William Henry Ingram.  He was born c1880 in Rockbridge Co., and they were married there on Jun. 30, 1903.

John Franklin was born Apr. 20, 1874 in Back Creek, Augusta Co. and died Dec. 21, 1933 in Allen Co., OH.  He was married to Willie Winsor, a daughter of Sherman and Mary Engram [Ingram?] Winsor on Aug. 19,1908 in Rockbridge Co.  Willie was born Dec. 25, 1888 in Rockbridge Co. and died Nov. 10, 1924 in Lima, OH.  They had at least four children:  Mable Virginia, born Sep. 11, 1909, died Jul. 1, 1972; Anna Ruth, born Jan. 10, 1911, died Jan. 9, 1993; Thelma, born c1914, and Nancy Mildred, born c1918.

Emily Susan followed John.  She was born July 9, 1876 and died on Dec. 9, 1876.

Rosa Belle Coffey

Rosa Belle was next.  She was born Jul. 21, 1878 in Lyndhurst and died there on Jun. 14, 1920.  She married Robert Oceola "Osie" Nukols on Oct. 4, 1899 in Avis, Augusta Co., VA.  He was born in Lyndhurst on Dec. 24, 1878 and died there on Jul. 7, 1933.  Both are buried at Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Greenville in Augusta Co.

Their children were Emily; Elmer Juett; William Hyder; Annie; Evelyn Isabel; Henrietta Elizabeth; Fannie Catharine; Mary Magdalene; and Margarette Hazel.

"Osie" Nukols was a brother to Callie C. Nuckols who married Eric Harris, a son of John Abraham Harris and his wife Mary Jane Coffey.  Mary Jane's family was written about in the previous blog.  The Nukols were children of Henry Juett and Georgianna Miller Nukols.

The last child born to Jesse and Nancy was James Rucker.  He was born on Feb. 22, 1881 in Nelson Co. and died in Allen Co., OH on Aug. 10, 1934.  His wife was Martha Rebecca Anderson, born  c1881 in Staunton, VA, died Dec. 11, 1938 in Lima, OH.  I know of one child, Virginia B., born c1915 in VA, and she may have been a foster child.  James and Martha are buried at Cairo East Cemetery in Allen Co., OH.

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This concludes the children of Jesse and Nancy Allen Coffey as I have them.  All of the photographs and much of the family data are from the collection of Shirley Houk for which I am grateful.