William Pinkney and Nancy Caroline Gragg Coffey

Update Mar. 8, 2008 - Some of this lineage is incorrect. Corrections are in the works.

Update Oct. 8, 2012 - Note correction below

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William Pinkney Coffey was a son of Silas C. and Eleanor (Nellie) Greene. He was born c1857 at John s River in Caldwell Co., NC, and died Aug. 13, 1942 in Watauga Co.

Nancy was born in Feb., 1863 in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., to Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg. She and William were married Oct. 25, 1883 in Caldwell Co.
William and Nancy were in Caldwell Co. until sometime after 1910, and before 1920 when he was found in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co.

There were at least 12 children born to this union. Two, Nancy Elinder, born Feb., 20, 1886, and William Marshall, born Jul. 28, 1887 died about two weeks apart in Nov., 1890. A third child, Romulous Linney, born in Dec., 1894, died in 1918.
The remainder of the children were:

- Edward Henry, born Dec. 17, 1884, died Mar. 11, 1967. He married (perhaps) three times and fathered at least nine children.
- Grover Alexander, born Jun. 26, 1889, died Apr. 7, 1940. He married Sallie Byrd Moore and fathered at least four children with her.

- Maude Rebecca, born Feb. 6, 1891, died Jul. 24, 1930, married Thomas Harrison Woodie, a son of Rufus and Sara Reid Woodie. They were parents of at least 11 children.

Update Oct. 8, 2012:  In my working file Thomas Harrison Woodie was married to Maude Virginia Coffey, a daughter of Augustus and Betty Beard Coffey, which was incorrect.  The above marriage to Maude Rebecca Coffey is correct.  Thomas and Maude Rebecca are buried at Jonas Ridge community cemetery in Burke Co., NC.

I have 10 children for them:  Fannie, born Apr., 1910, died Apr., 1981, married Challis Linwood Shell, born Jul. 1910, died Aug., 1962; Rufus Paul, born Sep., 1911, died Dec., 1993; Pearl Mabel, born Jun., 1914; Cordia Lee (Cordie), born Apr., 1916, died Oct., 1983, married Coburn Franklin; Alfred, born c1919; Nancy, born c1921; Joseph David, born 1922, died Jul., 1988, married Josephine Helen Dobber; Robert Dale, born Nov., 1923, died Sep., 1975; Howard Jackson, born Jun., 1925; and Lloyd Eugene, born May 1927, died Aug., 2000.

I am working on confirming spouse names and marriage dates for some of these children.

- Bird Elizabeth (Birdie), born Apr. 26, 1893, died Apr. 25, 1982. She married Horatio A. Aldridge on Feb. 19, 1913 in Watauga Co. He was born Apr. 20, 1891 to Samuel Columbus and Margaret Melissa Buchanana Aldridge. They were parents of at least six children.

- Adelaide Louisa (Addie), born Jan. 4, 1897, died Nov. 10, 1942. She married Thomas Arville Storie, a son of Jeremiah and Alice Carlton Storie. Thomas was born c1891. They had at least five children.

- Jennie Lynn, born Sep. 9, 1899, died Jun. 16, 1974 in Prince George Co., MD. She married a distance cousin, Vance Stephenson Coffey on Jul. 4, 1916. Vance was a son of Charles and Sophronia Phipps Coffey. They were parents of at least four children.

- Walter Johnson, born Aug. 17, 1907, died Aug. 29, 1957. He married Bonnie Sluder, a daughter of Andrew and Judy Sluder. They were parents of at least two children. Bonnie died in 1930, and Walter later married Rachel Dean, the widow of Millard Oscar Hampton. She and Walter had at least one child.

- Emma Destemonia, born Apr. 30, 1902, died May 29, 2000. She married Ben Moore on Feb. 14, 1947 and, was later married to James Logan Bladgett.

- Minnie Lee Ella, born Jun. 9, 1904, died Jun. 8, 1992. She was first married to Herbert Spencer (Hub) Wagner in about 1925. Hub was first married to Ruie Ellen Coffey. After her death in 1924 he married Minnie. Hub was convicted of murdering Earl Moody and Deck Byrd on Christmas Day in 1926. Following his release he is thought to have moved to WVa. After Hub, Minnie married Stanford Councill Coffey, a son of Jesse Filmore and Harriett Melissa Calloway Coffey. Minnie and Stanford were also distant cousins.

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

Ellis Empsey Marshall Coffey

In this photo, L-R, is: Herman Herbert Coffey, born Apr. 3, 1902, died c1919; Ellis Empsey Coffey, and Josie Ella Coffey, children of Henry and Sarah Jane.

I have previously written about the parents of Ellis, Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey. Ellis was the seventh of 10 children of Henry and Sarah, and was born Sep. 18, 1895 in the Globe township of Caldwell Co., NC.

Ellis married Zora Alice Phillips (marriage date not found, but probably c1920). She was born Dec. 8, 1896 in Ashe Co., NC and died Dec. 24, 1928 in Watauga Co. Her death occurred just about eight months following the birth of Edna Faye, leaving Ellis alone with five children, all under seven years. Zora was buried at Brown's Chapel in Watauga Co.

Sometime shortly after Zora's death he married Hettie Taylor, born Mar. 7, 1907, died Jul. 29, 1972. She is also buried at Browns Chapel.

There were three known children born to this union: John Thomas, born Mar. 4, 1933; Dorothy Louise, born May 1, 1937; and Dan Graham, born Apr. 13, 1939.

The birth record for the first child gives Hettie's surname as Taylor. The records of the next two gives her name as Hettie Harrison. She may have been previously married.

I did find a birth record for a male child born to Hettie Taylor and Ellis Harrison in 1933. This is likely a name entry error because their son John Thomas, was born that year. The given name Ellis for Mr. Harrison is also a bit too coincidental.

Ellis died Apr. 7, 1965 in Watauga Co. His headstone reveals that he was a WW1 veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart medal.

Ellis and Zora were parents of at least five children:

Arthur Henry, born Feb. 8, 1921, died Jul. 16, 1993 in Jefferson Davis Parish, La. In 1930 he was still living with his parents in Watauga Co. I have no further information.

Herman Eugene, born Jun. 20, 1922 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 6, 1989 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. He married Sally Kate Greer (marriage date not found, but probably late 1940s). Together they were the parents of at least three children: Sam Curtis Coffey, born Oct. 10, 1950; William Ellis Coffey, born Oct. 27, 1952; and Martha Jean Coffey, born Jul. 24, 1957, all in Watauga Co. Sally Kate was the daughter of Arnet and Hazel Snow Eggers Greer and was born Jul. 24, 1930 in Watauga Co.

Twins Ida Mae and Ella May, born Mar. 1, 1924. [Larry Williams, in an e-mail on Nov. 7, 2010, informed me that Ida and Ella were the same person: "Mama disliked Ila (or Ida) so much that when she was grown she listed her name as Ella."

Edna Faye, born Apr. 20, 1928. Edna married Quinton Jones Wheeler on Dec. 6, 1947 in Watauga Co. I have found only one child for them: Mary Adinia Wheeler, born Jul. 17, 1950 in Watauga Co.

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

Photos courtesy Mary Ann Sherfey Westerman

Asbury Coffey

Update 2-29-2012:  I have been unable to determine who the Asbury (var.) Coffey was who married Malinda Rash or Sarah Winkler.  I believe these families were mostly Burke Co. natives and perhaps not related to the James Asbury Coffey who married Chany Gragg.  As a result, I have removed the Coffey-Rash-Winkler family from the Edward Coffey Project until I can accurately determine who they are.

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James Asbury died in ca April, 1866 leaving a widow, Chaney [sic] and four minor children; e.g., Leroy (Levy?), Mary, Martha and Henry, "...infants and heirs at law of the said Jas. L. [sic] Coffee [sic].

In an action brought before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in the April 1866 session, Chaney declared that her husband died intestate in Caldwell Co., "seized & possessed of one tract of land lying in our said county whereon he formerly lived on the waters of Johns River adjoining the land of Daniel Moore & others..."  She claimed that she was entitled to the land by dower.  She also asked that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent the interest of the children.

In Sept. of 1866 she was allotted what appears to me to be the entire household, including farming equipment, crops and animals.  I haven't found a document specifically granting her the real estate.

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I believe the Asbury Coffey in the census records below might be James Asbury son of Thomas Coffey, Jr and Nancy Pendley. If I am correct, then he and the Marvel Coffey living next door to Nancy and Asbury in 1850 are first cousins.

The James Asbury that I have as Marvel's cousin was married in 1858* to Chainey Gragg1, the daughter of Enoch and Rebecca Estes Gragg, in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co. They had at least four children: William, born Jan., 1859; Mary Louise, born Nov., 1859; Henry Kelly (Caleb), born Aug., 1861; and Martha R., born Aug., 1861. If, as the two census records indicate, he was born in 1830 then it is likely that he was married at least once before Chainey.

The kicker in all of this is that a James Asbury Coffey enlisted in Co. F., 26th NC Troops in Caldwell Co. on Mar. 20, 1862 and, died c1866.2

Chainey's death record** gives her name as Mrs. Chaney Davis and her parents as Enoch and Beckey Estes. She married Alexander Davis on Sep. 13, 1865*** indicating that she and Asbury apparently divorced sometime prior to that, giving him the opportunity to marry again and father the children listed in the 1880 census.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can positively identify him or, can provide additional information that might place him him in the correct family.

Jun 3, 1880
ED208, Page 4
Mulberry, Wilkes Co., NC
dwelling 43/family 46

Coffey, Asberry, white male, age 50, married, farmer, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Sarah, white female, age 38, wife, married, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, William, white male, age 17, son, single, works on farm, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Mary, white female, age 13, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Martha C., white female, age 11, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Racheal L. [?], white female, age 5, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Laura E., white female, age 3, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC


Sep. 4, 1850
Kings Creek District
Caldwell Co., NC
dwelling 606/family 607

Marvel Coffey, age 30, male, white, farmer, $600, born NC
Nancy Coffey, age 30, female, white, born NC
Granville, age 5, male, born NC
Laura, age 2, female, born NC
Mary, age 11 mos., born NC
James Coffey, age 78, male, born VA

dwelling 607/family 608

Nancy Coffey, age 50, female, born NC
Asbury Coffey, age 19, male, born NC




1 Chaney is said to have had a child in 1857 out of wedlock, fathered by Elisha Gragg
2 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, 26th NCT [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm]* Caldwell Co. Marriage Records, Book 1, Page 249
** Caldwell Co. Death Records, Book 10, Page 17
***North Carolina Marriages, 1741-2004

Doctor Hill Wright

Doctor was a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. He was born April 1, 1889 in North Carolina and died Oct. 4, 1949 in Watauga Co., NC. He married twice, first to Virgie Nona Gragg, a daughter of Leonard L. and Alva Sims Gragg. She was born Oct. 18, 1897 in North Carolina and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. They were married May 13, 1913 in Watauga Co.

They had at least four children:

Meda Virginia*, born May 22, 1914

William Paul, born Jun. 19, 1918

Agnes Adele, born Aug. 15, 1921, died Jan. 15, 1988. Addie married James Bynum Coffey, a son of James Hardy and Lillian Mae Gray Coffey on Jul. 5, 1939 in North Carolina. James was born Apr. 28, 1912 in Watauga Co., and died there on Apr. 26, 1986. There were at least two children born to this union: Patricia Joe Ann, born Mar. 21, 1941, died c1996, and James Robert, born Sep. 27, 1942, died Nov. 11, 1999.

Thomas Hill, born Dec. 20, 1930

Doctor's second wife was Sally Phillips, but I have no information on her except that she also married Austin Blaine Coffey on Nov. 13, 1951 in Watauga Co. Doctor and Austin were first cousins.

Hill Wright registered for the draft in Watauga Co., NC on Jun., 5 1917, and was described as being tall and slender with gray eyes and black hair. He gave his age as 28 yrs. old, born Apr. 1, 1889. He farmed and lived with his wife and one child in Shulls Mill at the time of registration. He also claimed support of his mother.

He and Virgie appear in the 1920 and 1930 census in Watauga Co. They divorced sometime after the 1930 census was enumerated and Hill Married Sally Phillips.

By 1942 Hill and Sally were living in Talbot Co., MD. Hill was employed by and gave his address as George Jopp's Restaurant on Philadelphia Road. He described himself as being 52 yrs. old and, 5' 9.5" tall with blue eyes, gray hair and ruddy complexion. He weighed 160 lbs.

He and Sally returned to Watauga Co sometime after 1942 where he died on Oct. 4, 1949 and was buried there in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. Virgie apparently never remarried and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. Virgie is buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.

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 *Meda's birth record lists her name as Meda Virginia, born May 22, 1914. I have been told however that her middle name was Geneva and perhaps her birthyear was 1913.

Zebulon Vance and Mary Josephine Wright Dalton

Zebulon Vance (Zeb) Dalton, born Aug., 1860 in North Carolina, is thought to be a son of Bradley and Dicey A. Dalton of Rutherford Co., NC. He married Mary Josephine Wright c1894 in North Carolina, a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. Zeb died Jan. 23, 1927 in Mobscott, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Given his age (39) at the time of marriage to Mary, Zeb was apparently married at least once before. In the 1900 census, the first in which he and Mary would appear as a family, Mary reported that she and Zeb had been married for six years and, that she was the mother of five children but only four were living.

The eldest child in the 1900 household was Corah* [sic], age 11, born 1888. Mary was still married to Tilmon Gragg at that time. Other children in the 1900 household was Clyde V., born May, 1895 and, Nola Frenise [sic], born Aug. 7, 1903. I have not yet determined the location of Mary's other three children in 1900.

Mary was born Oct. 18, 1867 in Kelsey**, Watauga Co., NC, near Coffey's Gap and died Jan. 31, 1944, also in Mobscott. She and Zeb are buried at the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Prior to her marriage to Zeb, Mary had married Tilmon Monroe Gragg on Mar. 3, 1888 in Caldwell Co. Tilmon was born Feb. 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died Dec. 12, 1928 in Camden Co., NC. he was a son of Edmond and Indiana Isabelle Gragg Gragg.

Their children were: William Henderson, born Jan. 14, 1884, died Oct. 28, 1946, married Mary Etta Coffey, a daughter of George Washington (Wash) and Matilda (Tilda) Coffey Coffey. The second child was Rhett, born May, 1886; the third Alverdia, born Mar., 1893.

After Zeb's death, Mary married Ed Foster. There are no known children from this union. I have not yet been able to find additional information about Ed.

Henderson, Mary's son by Tilmon Gragg, fathered at least 10 children by Mary Etta Coffey and, will be the subject of a future blog.

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





*I have just learned that Corah [Cora] was actually the daughter of Mary and Tilmon.

**The old home-store sat beside what is now the Collins Road and NC Hwy 221, the old Foscoe Road. Some locals referred to that area as Coffey's Gap. Mary's parents, Thomas and Margaret Coffey Wright, later sold the place to William Washington Collins, a native of Georgia.

Theodocia Coffey Conundrum (Updated 9/24/07)

I have two different sources that disagree on who the parents were of the Theodocia (Docia) Coffey that married Columbus Filmore (Lum) Blalock on Nov. 13, 1911* in Avery Co. This source is based on intimate family knowledge.



The second source insists that she was the daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey. The other source indicates that she was the daughter of Joseph Burgess and Mary** Lagustia [sp?] Gragg Coffey. This source's argument is based on census records.



So, I did some extra census browsing to see what I could prove, or disprove.



This is the Docia who married Lum Blalock:

I have her birth date as Aug. 28, 1884*.

In Nov. 1911 when she married Lum Blalock she had already reached her 27th birthday, meaning she was born 1884.

In the Jan 19, 1920 census for Bend, Deschutes Co., OR she was 35 yrs old, 7 months shy of her 36h birth date. So, on her birthday in Aug., 1920, at age 36, she would have been born in 1884.

She returned to North Carolina after Lum's death in 1925. In the 2 Apr 1930 census she was 45 yrs old and was about 4 1/2 months shy of her 46th birthday. So, on her birthday in Aug. 1930, at age 46, she would have been born in 1884.

When she died on Feb. 14, 1941 she was 56 yrs old, meaning she was born 1884.

So, if she was a daughter of Thomas Avery, she should have been in the 1900 and 1910 census, but was not.

This is the one for Joseph Burgess:

His daughter was born in Jan. 1880, and according to the 1900 census, enumerated Jun. 6, she was 20 yrs old, indicating a birth year of 1880.

She was not with the family in 1910, meaning I suppose, that she married, or went elsewhere (she didn't die until 1955) sometime between Jun. 6, 1900 and Apr. 26, 1910.

There is a 1955 death record in Caldwell Co. for Docia Samanthia Coffey, daughter of Burgess and Mary Gragg Coffey.

In my experience with the Caldwell Co. records, the deceased person is indexed under their married name, then the record lists the name the parents. I think if Joseph Burgess' Docia had married, she would not have been indexed as a Coffey.

So, we are - in my opinion - talking about two different women named Docia, one the daughter of Joseph Burgess and one the daughter of someone else, perhaps Thomas Avery. The only thing that I have not figured out is why - if a daughter of Thomas - she never appears in the census record with them.

On the otherhand, if the marriage date of Docia to Lum is off by a year, that would explain why she wasn't with the Thomas Avery family in 1910. Instead of 1911, she could have married him in 1910 or perhaps living with him at the time of the 1910 census. But, I have not found her anywhere in the 1910 census. I also do not have an explanation why she does not appear with Thomas Avery in 1900.



At this time, I do not believe that the daughter of Joseph Burgess was the one that married Lum.



Write to me at the e-mail address below to correct my math or, to discuss my conclusion.













*unsourced
**One source lists her given name as Margaret, not Mary

Martha Renia (Sarena?) Coffey

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

Their children were:

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

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

George N., born c1877

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

I have some descendant information for most of the children.

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

Jesse (Red Eye) Coffey

Jesse, whose middle name may be Cleveland, was born c1859 to Cleveland and Mary Ann Miles (Mills?) Coffey in Watauga or Caldwell Co., NC. He died Jan. 31, 1941 in Caldwell Co. Jesse married Lucinda Louisa (Lou) Coffey on Sep. 20, 1878 in Watauga Co. Lucinda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Cleveland was uncle to Jesse Calton.

"Red Eye" and Lou had seven children:

Mary Elizabeth Coffey, born Aug. 23, 1877 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 1, 1956 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She married Haywood Hatley in Caldwell Co. in 1899. Haywood is buried in White Springs Cemetery in Watauga Co. and, Mary is believed to also be buried there. They were parents of 11 children: Mancenie (Cenie), born Oct. 3, 1903, died May 28, 1974; Alice V., born c1905, died 1924; Omie Devada, born Apr. 3, 1907, died Mar. 26, 1972; Jannie Delana, born Feb. 27, 1909, died Sep. 22, 1988; Ernest C., born c1912; Robert Woodrow, born Mar. 15, 1915, died 1991; Beulah Doris, born Feb. 19, 1916, died Feb. 15, 1971; William Jay (Bill), born Jul. 18, 1918, died Jul. 19, 1988; Jessie, born c1919; Ethel Blanche, born Mar. 8, 1921; and Daisy Pearl, born Jan. 21, 1928, died Jan. 19, 1986

Sarah E. E., born Oct., 1881 in Caldwell Co., married first to James W. Gragg, a son of Leason and Martha Renie Coffey Gragg. James was born Oct. 19, 1883 in Caldwell Co., and died there in Jun. 15, 1926. They were married c1906 in Caldwell Co. There were 10 children born to this marriage: Stella Lou, born Apr. 17, 1906; Nancy Elizabeth, born May 11, 1907; Hester, born Feb. 2, 1909, died Mar. 14, 1948; Florence, born c1911; Columbus Newton, born Feb. 12, 1912, died Jun. 30, 1979; Albert Robert, born Jul 23, 1913, died Dec. 22, 1989; Piolet P., born c1916, died Jan. 16, 1939, married Joseph Monroe Coffey, a son of Julius Adore and Aston Jane Dellinger Coffey; Leason Obidiah, born 1916, died Feb. 23, 1986, married Nell Elizabeth Coffey, daughter of Julius Calvin and Clearcy Adams Coffey; Lue Cenia, born Mar. 25, 1918, died Oct., 1986; and Joseph, born c1920.

William Carlton (Will), born Jan. 1884, died Nov. 30, 1957. He married Bessie Mae Townsend, born Jan. 22, 1890, died Dec. 26, 1956, in Caldwell Co. in 1907. They were parents of 11 children: Lula, born Jul. 1, 1908, died 1989; Joe Cleveland, born Aug. 19, 1912, died Apr. 24, 1994; Rose Ellen, born Jan. 19, 1914, died 1914; Emma, born Apr. 24, 1915, died 1930; George Thomas (Pig Tom), born Aug. 29, 1917, died Jan. 3, 2007, married Cordelia Viola Coffey, daughter of Thomas Newton (Black Tom) and Ella Mae Loudeermilt Coffey. Thomas Newton and George Thomas were second cousins; Nancy Elizabeth, born Oct. 6, 1919, died 1989, married Dillard Green Coffey, a son of David William and Dessie Crump Coffey. Dillard and William Calton were distant cousins. John William, born Oct. 24, 1922, died May 31, 2007; Lillie Ruth, born Aug. 22, 1924, died Jan. 26, 2003, married Roby Clint Coffey, a son of Horance Clinton and Viola T. Cook Coffey. Roby and William Walton were close cousins. Troy Abner, born Apr. 27, 1927; Cora Lee, born Apr. 30, 1930; and Monroe Jackson, born Jan. 4, 1934.

Jesse Cleveland, born Dec. 1888 in Caldwell Co., married Eliza Loudermilt in 1910 in Caldwell Co. They were parents of at least six children: Annie Rivers, born 1911, died 1952; Nannie B., born c1912, married William Glenn Coffey, a son of Jesse Calton and Julia E. Hollifield Coffey. Nannie and William were close cousins. Lester Devarlin, born c1914; Zelma, born c1915; Nettie J., born Feb. 27, 1920; and Jerry Baxter, born 1923, died 1973.

James Perry, born c1885, died 1971 in Caldwell Co. He married Bertha Noblett c1905 in North Carolina. Their children were six: James Perry, Jr., born c1917; Jessee Logan, born 1917, died 1973; Troy William, born Oct. 29, 1920, died Feb. 16, 1995; Rosey, born c1924; Catherine, born about Jan. 1926; and George Thomas, born May 19, 1928, died Dec. 21, 1989.

Thomas Newton (Black Tom), born May 1890 in Caldwell Co., died there in 1940. He married Ella Mae Loudermilt in Caldwell Co. in 1909. She was born Oct. 1891 and died in Caldwell Co. in 1975. They were parents of 11 children: Mary, no dates' Missouri Ann (Zudie), born Nov. 10, 1910, died Aug. 4, 2003; Arizona (Zone), born 1912, married Harrison Thomas Coffey, a son of Willart T. "Iron Foot" and Eliza Alice Townsend Coffey; Epsey Magdelene, born 1916, died 1989; Arlie Clinton, born Jun. 24, 1918, died Sep. 25, 1974; Cordelia Viola (Cordie), born Aug. 14, 1920, died Jan., 1983, married George Thomas "Pig Tom" Coffey; Clinton (unsure of this one), born c1923; Rosie Annalee, born Sep. 30, 1924, died Feb. 9, 1971; Abner Willie, born May 9, 1925, died Sep 3, 1989; Lewis Monroe, born Nov. 5, 1929, died Dec. 5, 2004; and Spencer, born Nov. 6, 1930.

[Jan. 23, 2008: There were two other children born to this union between Thomas Newton and Ella Mae: Ruby Mae, born c1932 and Johnny Ray, born c1934. Two additional children may have been part of this family as well. They are Dolly Alwilma (Wilma, Lewilma?), and Ella May. No birth records have been found for them. Dolly married Leonard Dayton Coffey. A Dolly Coffey is listed as sister in the obituaries of several of Tom and Ella's known children. Please contact me if you can connect any of these children to the correct families.]

Rosa Bell (Rosie), born Sep. 1893, Caldwell Co., married Joseph Townsend. Their children were Mary, born c1914; Matilda Beatrice (Tilda), born 1916, died 1917; and Frank Lewis, born Oct. 14, 1919, died Mar. 28, 1999.

I have other spouses, children and dates. Please contact me at the below e-mail address for more information or, to add to or correct any of these data.

Lula married  Herbert Church on Aug. 13, 1932 in Boone.

William Obediah & Nancy Coffey Gragg

Updated June 12, 2014

Nancy Coffey was born c1816 in Burke Co., NC, a daughter of Joseph and Isabella Lindsay [var.] Coffey. She died in Caldwell Co., NC in 1887.

William Obediah Gragg was born Apr. 15, 1758 in Virginia and died Oct. 20, 1847 in NC. He and Nancy were married Jul. 4, 1837 in Caldwell Co. Nancy was William's third wife. He is thought to have been previously married to Elizabeth Pulliam and Nancy Dunkle but no records have been found.

At least two children were born to William and Nancy [Coffey]:

Edmund Paza & Mahulda Gragg? Gragg

Indiana Isabelle, born May 16, 1838, died 1909. She married Edmond Gragg on Mar. 10, 1855 in Caldwell Co. He was the son of David Obediah and Elizabeth Webb Gragg as well as a nephew of his new wife.

William Taylor, born May 27, 1846 in either Caldwell or Burke Co., NC and died Nov. 4, 1925 in Avery Co. He married Elizabeth Pendley [var.], Feb. 20, 1875 in Caldwell Co.

Another son was born to Nancy Coffey, Edmund Paza Gragg in May 1849, a couple of years after William's death in 1847. His biological father is not known, but some have speculated that he was a Philyaw.

Edmond Paza was married c1870 to Mahulda Vasty [sic] [Gragg?]. Shortly thereafter he and Mahulda moved to Rabun Co., GA where their children were born:

Margaret E., born Feb., 1872

John Newton, born Jan 19, 1873, died Jun. 22, 1961 in GA; married Della Gosnell Feb. 11, 1906 in Rabun Co., GA; at least two children: Elbert and Gordon.

Daniel L., born Jul., 1877

Elijah L., born Feb., 1879, died Mar 18, 1958 in GA; married Missouri Shed Dec. 17, 1902 in Habersham Co., GA; at least 5 children:  Winona; Harley; Chester; Roy and Ora.

 Albert J., born Apr., 1882, married Sarah Benfield Dec. 24, 1905, Rabun Co. At least one child:  Lee, born c1908, Rabun Co.

Milus M., born c1884

Burgess G., born Apr 16, 1888, Georgia, died Jun. 24, 1970, Clayton, Rabun Co., married Omie Smith, no further info.

Doctor Clinton, born c1891

John Henry and Josie Ella Nora Coffey Sherfey

John Henry Sherfey was born Jan. 30, 1890 in Hawkins Co., TN, a son of James David and Maria Elizabeth Weaver Sherfey. He married Josie Ella Nora Coffey on Jul. 6, 1916 in Three Springs, Washington Co., VA. Josie was born Mar. 11, 1900 in the Globe community of Caldwell Co., NC and died Apr. 24, 1983 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., TN. John died Jul. 10, 1971, also in Bristol.


Josie was the next to youngest child born to Henry Kelly and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey.

John first married Mary Beechbord [sic] c1909 in Virginia. I'm not certain what ultimately became of Mary, but suspect that she died shortly after the birth of her second child, Stella, born c1911. Her first child was Carson C. Sherfey, born cFeb. 1910. These two children were in the household with John and Josie in the Washington Co., VA census of 1920.

Josie gave birth to at least 16 children between the years 1917 and 1941!

They were:

John Clifton, born Jan. 8, 1917, died Jan. 14, 1917
Earl Bascum (Hammer), born Mar. 11, 1918, died Sep. 13, 1987
Charles Ester (Possum), born c1920
Bertie Estelle, born May 28, 1921
(Rev.) John Claymon (Pinkey), born Apr. 6, 1923
Ella Loraine, born May 20, 1925, died Apr. 17, 1926
James Ellis (Beck), born Jan. 20, 1927
Henry Arthur (Hen), born May 24, 1928, died Nov. 9, 2003
Howard Dwight, borm Mar. 11, 1930
(Rev.) Charles Junion (Pretty Boy), born Jul. 26, 1931
Elsie Margarette (Slim), born Mar. 20, 1933
Ray Richard (Buckles), born Apr. 17, 1935
Rena Sue, born Aug. 24, 1936
Vernon Louis, born Oct. 23, 1938, died Nov. 2, 1938
Verna Louise, born Oct. 23, 1938, died Nov. 3, 1938
Willie Jo (Tootsie), born May 6, 1941

Please send additions and/or corrections to me at this e-mail address:


1910 Washington Co., Goodson Dist.ED127, Sheet 8A, dwelling 111, family 115, Sherfey, Henry, head, male, white, age 20, married once for one year, born VA, parents born US, farmer; Mary, wife, female, white, age 24, married once for one year, mother of 1, 1 living, born VA, parents born VA; Carson C., son, male, white, age 2 mos., born VA, parents born VA

1920 Washington Co., Goodson Dist., ED150, Sheet 4A, Rudy Creek Road, farm 68, family 70, Sherfey, Henry, head, rents, male, white, age 30, married, born TN, father born TN, mother born VA; Josie, wife, female, white, age 30, married, born NC, parents born NC; Carcon C., son, male, white, age 10, single, born VA, father born TN, mother born NC; Stella J., dau., female, white, age 9, single, born VA, father born TN, mother born NC; Earl B., son, male, white, age 2 yrs, 2 mos., born VA, father born TN, mother born NC; Charles E., son, male, white, age 1/24 [sic]

Photos courtesy of Mary Ann Sherfey Westerman

James Blaine & Dartha Jane Coffey Phillips

Dartha Jane Coffey was the eighth child and third of four daughters born to Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey. She was born Jan. 29, 1898 in Mulberry, Caldwell Co., NC, and died in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on May 21, 1931. She married James Blaine Phillips on Jun. 15, 1912 in Watauga Co. James was born Mar. 16, 1893 in Wilkes Co., and died May 21, 1954 in Caldwell Co. He was a brother to Zora Phillips, wife of Ellis Empsey Coffey, brother to Dartha.

There were 10 children born to the union of James and Dartha:

Vercie Rosetta, no information

Vesta Ivalee, born Apr. 22, 1916, died May 5, 2006. Vesta married Walter Ranzy Woodring on Jun. 10, 1934 in Watauga Co. Walter was born Mar. 7, 1892 in Watauga Co., and died there on Nov. 3, 1995. They had at least seven children: Edna Louise, two unnamed daughters, Henry Clay, Geneva Belle, Betty Jewel and Kathy Lea. Walter was the son of Henry B. and Martha Angeline Miller Woodring.

Gladys Viola, born Oct. 22, 1919, married Thomas Lee Ellis, born Nov. 25, 1918. There was at least one child, Billy Lee Ellis, born Jul. 16, 1941. Thomas was the son of Jesse and Carrie Mott Ellis.

Ellis, no information

James Glen, born Apr. 8, 1921, died Dec. 5, 1988

Charles Arthur, born Apr. 30, 1923

Mary Elizabeth, born May 23, 1925

William Blaine (Judd), born Apr. 17, 1927, died Dec. 31, 1995. He married Bertha Loretta Coffey on Jan. 1, 1949 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of William Glenn and Nannie B. Coffey Coffey. William was a son of Jesse Calton and Julia E. Hollifield Coffey while Nannie was a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermilt Coffey. William and Bertha had at least three children: Virginia Loretta, born Oct. 8, 1949; Nona Marie, born Sep. 12, 1950, and Dorothy Annie, born Jan. 5, 1953.

Alma Jean, no information

Stella Rhea, no information

Henry Kelly Coffey was married twice more after the death of Sarah Jane. His second wife was Emma Stanberry who he married in Caldwell County in 1906. There was at least one son born to this marriage: Aaron Roosevelt, born Oct. 25, 1907, died Aug. 29, 1951. Aaron married Nellie Bell Critcher c1928 and fathered at least five children: Nellie Louise, born Mar. 22, 1929, James Gray, born Nov. 1, 1931, Ethel Mae, born Mar. 19, 1933, Emilie Lee, born Sep. 29, 1937, and Barbara Lennis, born Dec. 20, 1941.

Henry's third wife was Roberta Ellen Edmisten with whom he had at least one child, Kyda (Kitie), born Feb. 14, 1911, died Aug. 1, 1978. Following Henry's 1911 death Roberta married William Leander Robbins, a son of James and Elizabeth Coffey Robbins. William had previously married Hannah Elizabeth (Lizzie) McGuire on Mar. 8, 1896 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. Elizabeth Coffey's parents were William, Jr. and Margaret Robbins Coffey.

Links to previous blogs on the Henry Kelly Coffey family:

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/06/henry-kelly-caleb-and-sarah-jane-gragg.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/06/henry-kelly-caleb-coffey-addendum.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/02/beeler-ester-and-sallie-elizabeth.html

Francis Richmond Coffey

Francis Richmond Coffey was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor (Nellie) Green Coffey. He was born in March of 1863 in the Globe community of Caldwell Co., NC. He died in that state on Jun. 13, 1928. He and Etta May Hayes were married in the Globe on Dec. 25, 1891.

Etta was born Jul. 23, 1876 in Caldwell Co. to Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes. She died April 10, 1932 in North Carolina.

There were at least 13 children born to this union. I have some descendant information for seven of them:

Mary E., born Jul. 1, 1894, died Jan. 7, 1896. She died unmarried and is buried at the New Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery near Cary's Flat in Avery Co., NC.

Netie L., born Dec. 1896

Queen Vester, born Oct. 8, 1898 and died Sep. 2, 1988. She married Sylvestere Gragg on May 2, 1920 in NC. he was born c1891 in that state. I do not yet have a death date or parents for Sylvester. She and Sylvester had at least 10 children: Goldie, Hobert, Rolhen Sylvester, Mabel, Agnes, Lewis, Russell, Cecil D., Herman Ray and Dorothy Jean.

[It appears that Sylvester is the son of Luther Burgess and Mary J. Crump Gragg. His birth year c1891 fits in with the other three identified children of Luther: Cora Ella, born Feb. 1894, died May 14, 1973, married Grover C. Coffey, son of David Columbus and Julia N. Beard Coffey; William E., born Nov., 1896; and Sanford Robert, born Jan. 25, 1899, died May 20, 1992, married Edna Mae Raby]

Exie Mae, born Oct. 21, 1901 in NC, and died in that state on Feb. 15, 1926. She married Ivey Watson Coffey, date unknown. He was born May 10, 1900 in Gragg, Avery Co., and died Oct. 20, 1982 in that county. They had at least three children: Odell Joseph who married Velma Gragg; Janet Ruth, and Opal. Ivey was a son of David William and Gertrude Trivette Coffey. After Exie's death, Ivey married Virginia May Woodie, born May 30, 1892, died Jun. 1976 in Caldwell Co. She was the daughter of Rufus Asbury Woodie and Sara Elizabeth (Betty) Reed.

Ellis, born Jul. 10, 1903 in Avery Co., died Apr. 15, 1994 in Banner Elk, Avery Co. She married Walter Raleigh Gragg, a son of David Obodiah and Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) Dellinger. Walter was born Oct. 18, 1900 in Avery Co., and died Mar 12, 1987 in Watauga Co. Ellis is buried in the Gragg Family Cemetery - which I understand is also the Hopewell Cemetery. They were parents of at least eight children: Rome, Ruth, Howard, Ethel, Dallas, Alma, Irene E., and Rachel R.

Dartha (Dolly), born Mar. 8, 1904 in Avery Co., died Mar. 20, 2006 in Caldwell Co. She married Virgil Clingman Gragg on Jul. 24, 1920 in Caldwell Co. He was the son of Larkin Henderson and Lee Ella Gragg Gragg, and was born Jul. 31, 1900 in Caldwell Co. He died there in 1980. There were at least five children in this family: Orville, born c1922; Homer Lee, born 1924, died 1989; Troy, born c1926; Jesse, born c1928; and Lafayette Anthony, born 1945. This last child seems to have been born a bit too long after Jesse, but his birth to this couple is recorded in Caldwell Co. birth register, book 32, Page 1042.

Donald, born May 20, 1906

Fred J., born Aug. 23, 1907, died Feb. 22, 1958.. He married Nellie Gragg, dau of Tilmon Monroe and Lillie May (Mary?) Fortner Gragg.

Nellie was born c1908.

Dallas, born c1910

Edgar, born c1912

Netta Belle, born Feb. 13, 1915. She married Alfred Argie Gragg, a son of John Robert Joshua Gragg and Mary Adelaide (Addie) Coffey. Addie was a daughter of Julius Calvin and Eugenia Lavinia (Genie) Dellinger Coffey. Alfred and Netta Bell had at least 10 children: Busalee, born Jan. 7, 1935; Lela D., born May 15, 1936; Ramona, born Jul. 13,1937; Nellere, born Apr. 17, 1939; Patie, born Jul, 13, 1942; John R., born Nov. 14, 1942 (unlikely, but their births are recorded as such in the Caldwell Co. records); Magatha, born Mar. 7, 1943; Alfred Deane, born Feb. 22, 1948; Billy Brown, born Mar. 5, 1950, died Apr. 2, 2006; and Linda Faye, born Nov. 18, 1952.

Esselene, no birth or death information. She married Shelby Delon Gragg on Oct. 23, 1937 in Watauga Co. He was born Sep. 20, 1915 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Sep. 28, 1974. He was a son of Leason Carrol and Dora Belle Bean Gragg. Esselene and Shelby had at least five children: Billy Wess, born 1936; twins David L., and Kenneth, born 1039; Lois, born 1941 and Shelby Wayne, born 1943.

And finally, Lois Agnes, born Jun. 30, 1919. No other information.

Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

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Update, Oct. 14, 2010:  Another child of Rufus and Sarah Reid Woodie, Alfred Wilson Woodie, married Viola Gertrude Coffey, a daughter of Julius Adore and Aster Jane Dellinger Coffey.  Alfred was born May, 1894 and died May 12, 1979 in Banner Elk, Avery Co.  Viola was born in 1903 and died May 23, 1986 at Blowing Rock.

Update, Jul. 28, 2011: Ivey Watson and Exie marriage date was Dec. 28, 1918 in Avery Co., NC.  Odell Joseph Coffey and Velma Gragg were married Mar. 10, 1941 in Carter Co., TN.  Odell died Nov. 14, 2005 in Newland, Avery Co.; Velma on Nov. 19, 2009 in Linville, Avery Co.

Update, Aug. 23,2011:  Louise Woodie, daughter of Alfred Wilson and Viola Gertrude Coffey Woodie, born Jun. 3,1924, passed away on Apr. 25, 2007 in Burke Co. She was first married to Floyd Clark and second to a Mr. Lane.

Her obituary:

Louise Woodie Clark Lane, 83, of Robey Street, Morganton, made an unexpected move to heaven on Wednesday, April 25, 2007.

Born in Avery County, on June 3, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Gertrude Coffey Woodie.

She was a retired employee of Broughton Hospital and was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. Throughout her life, Louise was a tower of strength to her family and was a loving, caring and sharing woman who adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always offered a ready smile, a hug and food whenever visitors came to her home. Her accomplishments were many but her greatest ones were the strength, love and faith she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Louise's passing on will leave a vast empty space in many lives; but her arrival in Heaven is reason to rejoice.

She is survived by her children, Jerry Lynn Clark of Morganton, Jean C. Harrell of Asheville, Lonnie F. Clark and June Kunhe of Morganton, and Janell C. Wakefield and her husband, Charles, of Morganton; grandchildren, Chris Clark and his wife, Anita, of Denver, Stacy Clark and his wife, Dana, of Bardstown, Ky., Joel Harrell and his wife, Jenny, of Raleigh, Monica Wakefield, Lisa Dooley and her husband, Floyd, and Stephanie Clark, all of Morganton; great-grandchildren, Zane and Wylie Clark, Camden and Bailey Dooley, Marcus Clark and Elias Wakefield; brothers, Roy Woodie and his wife, Irene, of Jonas Ridge and Ralph Woodie and his wife, Anna, of Oak Hill; a sister, Myrtle Clark of Jonas Ridge; a sister-in-law, Christine Woodie of Jonas Ridge; many special nieces and nephews who loved her as a second mother and all of their spouses and children; and special friends, Jettie Causby and Verna Beach. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Woodie; and infant sisters, Mary and Betty Woodie.

The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Holland officiating.

Burial will follow in the Calloway Cemetery at Jonas Ridge.

The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. At other times the family will be at Mrs. Lane's home, 103 Robey St. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 or to Calloway Cemetery, c/o Long Ridge Baptist Church, Newland, NC 28657. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Note: Bettie, born Apr. 27, 1936, died Jun. 7, 1938. No information on Mary.  Ralph Woodie died Jun. 23, 2009 and is buried at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Hill, Burke Co.

Elkanna and Elizabeth (Betty) Godsey Dellinger

Elkanna was a brother to Reuben. He married Betty on Mar. 15, 1848 in North Carolina, and probably in Rockingham Co. They appeared there in the 1850 and 1860 census. Elkanna is thought to have died in 1865 and Betty in 1900.

There were at least nine children born to this couple:

Obedience C. Dellinger, born c1849 - no other information.

Mary Frances Dellinger, born c1851, died Jun. 27, 1931. She married her cousin James Pinkney Dellinger. Read Reuben's blog entry for more information.

Martha A. (Mattie) Dellinger, born c1854 in Rockingham Co., died 1930 in Caldwell Co. She married Thomas Coffey in Caldwell Co. in 1891. Thomas had previously been married to Martha Cordelia Gragg and had children: Monroe, born 1883, died 1955; John Sherman, born May 1886; and William Kelly, born 1888, died 1940. It is yet unclear whether he and Mattie had children of their own.

Thomas R. Dellinger, born c1856 in Rockingham Co., married Eveline McKinney. There are two know children: Sarari Josephine (Josie), born Jan. 1, 1883, died Mar. 19, 1979. She married Samuel Monroe Coffey on Dec. 15, 1901 in North Carolina; and Samuel Dellinger, born c1888, who married Julia Coffey c1911. Julia was a daughter of Eldelano (L.D.) and Mary E. Austin Coffey.

Joseph C. N. Dellinger, born Nov. 1858, died 1938 in North Carolina. He married Nancy Elizabeth (Lizzie) Coffey, born Mar. 1860, died 1940. She was the daughter of Zacheus (Zack) and Margaret (Granny Peggy) Coffey Coffey. Joseph and Lizzie had at least five children: Margaret, born Aug., 1879; Thomas B., born Aug., 1881; Mary M., born Jul. 1885; Rosa Belle, born Sep. 19, 1890, died Aug. 1, 1973; and Dora S., born Aug., 1896. Rosa Bell married Samuel Keller.

Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) Dellinger, born 1864 in Caldwell Co., died 1946 in Norfolk, VA. She married David Obadiah Gragg, a son of Leason and Martha Renia Coffey Gragg. They had at least 10 children, some of which married back into the Coffey, Gragg and Dellinger families. I will write more about this family at a later date.

Walter Dellinger married Polly Woodie - no other information except that they had a son named Charles.

Biddie Dellinger - no other information.

John Dellinger - no other information.

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

Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula

Arthur Hill Dula and Mary Jane Coffey were married in Watauga Co., NC on Oct. 11, 1892. Mary Jane was the daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey.

Arthur & Mary J. Coffey Dula

Arthur, called Hill, was born Jan., 1867 in NC and died Sep. 7, 1948 in Watauga Co., NC. Mary Jane was born in Aug., 1874 in Caldwell Co., NC and died May 26, 1955 in Watauga Co. Both are buried at Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in that county.

Nine children were born to this marriage:

Clyde Lester Dula, born Jul. 23, 1893, died Aug. 2, 1973. Clyde was first married to Bertha May Robbins, born Mar. 9, 1897 in Watauga Co. His second wife was his cousin, Katherine Gwendolyn Coffey, born Aug. 1, 1919 to Austin Blaine and Emma Mahalia Harris Coffey.

Charlotte Nevada Dula was born Jan., 1894 and died Jul. 14, 1989 in Asheville, NC. She married Julius Allen Gragg, born Jun. 25, 1892, died Jun. 17, 1979 in Boone, Watauga Co.

Olive M. Dula, born Feb., 1899

Beatrice Rema Dula, born Jul. 7, 1902

Ruth Virginia Dula, born Aug. 5, 1904

Earnest Dula, born c1908

Ruby Evelyn Dula, born Jan. 19, 1910. Ruby was married on Nov. 19, 1938 to Murray Harris Coffey, born May 9, 1915 in Hudson, Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 5, 2003 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. Murray was a brother to Gwendolyn who married Ruby's brother, Clyde Lester. Their children were Imogene Dula Coffey, born Aug. 19, 1930; Vernon Coffey, born Oct. 5, 1939, and Terry Lee Coffey, born Nov. 3, 1947.

Lois Esther Dula, born Jun. 3, 1912

Cleda Elizabeth Dula, born Sep. 17, 1917

Additions and corrections welcomed.

Monroe Coffey

Monroe was one of at least three sons born to Thomas and Cordelia Gragg Coffey. Thomas was the son of Brice Brisco and Susannah (Sookie) Gragg Coffey while Cordelia (no dates) was the daughter of James Madison and Nancy Caroline Gragg Gragg.

The other two known sons of Thomas and Cordelia were John Sherman, born May 1886, and William Kelly, born 1888, died 1940.

Monroe was born Jan. 26, 1883 in Avery Co., NC and died Nov. 3, 1955 in Caldwell Co., NC. He married Dovie Jane Clark, born c1890 in NC to William H. and Martha L. (LNU) Clark. Martha may have been a Coffey but I have not yet found a definitive record confirming that.

Monroe Coffey registered for the draft in Caldwell Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was described as being tall with medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. He was 35 yrs. old, born Jan. 26, 1883. He was employed as a US Forest Ranger by the US Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service. He resided at Edgemont in Caldwell Co. with his wife, Dovie.

Children born to Monroe and Dovie were:

Ruby, born 1911, died 1967. The NC death index lists her as Ruby Coffey Frye.
Ruth, born Feb. 10, 1913
Sarah Nell, born Jan. 21, 1919
Jack, born 1921
Blanche, born 1923
Martha Louise, born 1925
Clyde Hedrick, born May. 26, 1928

Martha Louise married Robert Haywood Steele and had children Linda Carol, born 1954, and Brian Robert, born 1956.

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

Jesse Calton Coffey

Jesse Calton Coffey, born Apr. 21, 1821 in Watauga Co., NC was a son of Reuben and Rachel Hayes Coffey. He married Nancy Raines (a marriage date has not been found), born Sep. 30, 1822 in Cocke Co., TN, died Jan. 14, 1899 in Watauga Co. Jesse died Aug. 28, 1904 in Watauga Co. Both are buried in the Tweetsie Railroad Cemetery in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.

Jesse and Nancy were the parents of James Milton who married Mary Louise Coffey. Another child, Matilda, born Jul. 1, 1848 in TN, died Apr. 2, 1927 in Coffey's Gap, Watauga Co., NC, married George Washington (Wash) Coffey, a son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey.

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Update Jun. 13, 2007: Children of Jesse and Nancy were: 1) Matilda (Tilda), born Jun. 1, 1848, died Apr. 2, 1927. Tilda married George Washington (Wash) Coffey, her first cousin (once removed). George was the son of William Clayton and Sarah (Sallie) Greene Coffey. More information is available on George and Tilda and their 11 children. 2) William Luther (Bill), b Mar. 6, 1850, died Mar. 5, 1925, married Mary Salome Moretz, born Aug. 5, 1850 in Watauga Co., died Apr. 20, 1940 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. More info is available on them and their 12 children. 3) Eliza Jane, born Feb. 6, 1854, died Oct. 23, 1931, married Anson Lafayette Harrison Aug. 29, 1871 in Watauga Co. Anson was born Jul. 6, 1852 in Watauga Co., and died Dec. 1928 in NC. Eliza was born Feb. 6, 1854 in NC, and died Oct. 23, 1931 in Watauga Co. 4) Thomas Carlton, born Jan. 1, 1853 in NC, died Dec. 17, 1915, perhaps in NC. Married martha Ellen Cool Nov. 14, 1875 in Watauga Co. Martha was born Jul. 3, 1858 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 25, 1939 in Watauga Co. Their children numbered 13. 5) Rachel Lorrinda, born Nov. 10, 1856 in NC, died Oct. 14, 1934 in Watauga Co. She married Nov. 7, 1875 in Watauga Co., to Jordan Hampton, born Sep. 10, 1856, died Jan. 22, 1935 in Watauga Co. They were parents to 15 children. 6) James Milton, born Apr. 14, 1860 in Watauga Co., and died there on Feb. 23, 1924. He married mary Louise Coffey on Oct. 19, 1879 in Watauga. She was the daughter of James Asbury and Chainey Gragg Coffey, and was born Nov. 12, 1859 and died Mar. 3, 1924 in Watauga Co. They were parents of at least 13 children.

Who did Adolphus Penley Marry?

Adolphus Penley was born Feb., 1864 in Watauga Co., NC, the son of Adolphus W. and Elizabeth Triplett Penley. Adolphus W. was born c1821 in NC and Elizabeth was born there c1835.

Adolphus the younger was found unmarried and living with his parents in the 1870, 1880,1900, and 1910 census record for Blue Ridge Twp., Watauga Co. His mother, Elizabeth Triplett Penley was still living and in the household with Adolphus in 1910. He obviously married sometime between 1910 and 1920 because the 1920 census records him as a widower with two children in the household: Velma Triplett, a daughter, age 18, and Jowe [?] Triplett, a son, age 15.

I presume - always dangerous, of course - that the Triplett name was an error, or he actually gave both children the Triplett name to honor his mother's family. In any event, I have not found a marriage for Adolphus.

His daughter Velma married Milton Leroy Coffey, born Jul. 10, 1900 in Watauga Co. He was the 12th of 13 children born to James C. and Mary Louise Coffey Coffey. James was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey while Mary Louise was the daughter of James Asbury and Chainey Gragg Coffey.

Milton and Velma - referred to as Velma Penley in some birth records, and Velma Triplett in others, had at least 13 children:

Ronard Leroy, born Jul. 4, 1921, died Oct. 10, 1999. He married Nina C. Turnmire and produced at least two children: Richard Michael, born 1955 and Marie Marherine, born 1957.

Toss Lee, born Nov. 30, 1922. He did not appear with the family in the 1930 census.

Flocy [sic] Mae, born Nov. 30,1922, died Jul. 22, 1923.

Winnie Lee, born Jun. 12, 1924, married Carol Rhymer Hartley Oct. 16, 1943.

Romy Triplett, born Sep. 11, 1927, died Nov. 18, 1927.

James Adolphus, born Sep. 24, 1928, died May 22, 1961, married Gertrude Green Jun. 30,1951.

Ward Stanley, born Nov. 13, 1930. died Jul. 10,2003.  Married Dorothy Elizabeth Griffith.

Junie Juanita, born Oct. 21, 1933, died Jul. 4, 1974.  Married Tom Howard Walker Sep. 30, 1952.

Reba Julia, born Apr. 9, 1936, died Nov. 4, 2007.  Married Raymond Sylvester Price Mar. 29, 1954.

Sanuel Odous, born Aug. 21, 1938

Mozelle Etta, born Aug. 11, 1940

Mary Wylmouth [sic] [Wilma], born Feb. 16, 1943, died Mar. 17, 2011.  Married 1) Albert Price in 1970; m2 Richard T. Horn

Jeanette Emma, born Sep. 9. 1946

Please contact me if you know who Adolphus married, or wish to add to or correct any of this information.

Hillie Horton Coffey

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

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

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

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

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

How to Create a Convoluted Family History

William Obediah Gragg, referred to in some genealogies as "Revolutionary Bill," married his second wife, Nancy Coffey, the daughter of Joseph and Isabella Lindsay Coffey. William was born Apr. 15, 1878 in Virginia and died Oct. 20, 1847 in North Carolina. Nancy was born c1816 in Burke Co., NC and died in 1887, Caldwell Co., NC.

William's first marriage was to Elizabeth Pulliam, probably in the late 1700's, and perhaps in Virginia. One of their children was David Obediah Gragg, born Jul. 4, 1796 in Albemarle Co., VA, and died 1846 in Caldwell Co.

William's marriage to Nancy Coffey produced at least two children: Indiana Isabella, born c1838, died 1909; and G. L. Taylor, born c1846 in Burke Co., died Nov. 4, 1925 in Avery Co.

David Obediah married Elizabeth Webb c1820 in Caldwell Co. Elizabeth was born Mar. 25, 1794 in Caldwell Co., and died in that county in 1881. I have found 10 children for them, one of which was Edmond, born c1829 in Burke Co.

Edmond married his aunt, Indiana Isabella Gragg on Mar. 10, 1857 in Caldwell Co. They had at least six children, all of which were also his first cousins. Indiana was also their grand aunt.

Mary Gragg, one of Edmond and Indiana's daughters, married Joseph Burgess Coffey, her double first cousin1, and a son of Brice Brisco and Susannah (Sookie) Gragg.

Larkin Henderson, another of Edmond's children, married his first cousin1, Lee Ella Gragg, daughter of G. L. Taylor and Elizabeth E. Pendley Gragg.

I hope I have this correct! If not, please send corrections and/or additions.

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1 Also first cousin, once removed

Thomas Avery & Louisa Gragg Coffey

Thomas Avery Coffey was a son of Austin and Mary A. Blalock Coffey. He was born June 3, 1854 in Watauga Co., NC and died Dec. 21, 1917 in Avery Co., NC. Thomas married Louisa E. Gragg on Sep. 20, 1873 in Caldwell Co. Louisa was a daughter of Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg. Louisa died in 1922.

They are believed to have had 10 children, but I have found only eight:

Mary Jane, born Aug., 1874, died May 26, 1955. She married Arthur Hill Dula on Oct. 11, 1892 in Watauga Co. Arthur was born Jan. 1867 in North Carolina and died Sep. 7, 1948 in that state. Their children: Clyde Lester; Charlotte Nevada; Olive M.; Beatrice Rema; Ruth Virginia; Earnest; Ruby Evelyn; Lois Esther; Cleda Elizabeth.

John Wesley, born Jan. 28, 1878 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 17, 1962 in North Carolina. He married Kizzie Ann Hatley on Oct. 9, 1902 in Watauga Co. Kizzie was born Feb. 12, 1882 in North Carolina and died Jun. 19, 1962 in that state. Their children were: Ira Vance; Edgar Hugh; Lillian Delana; Opal; Louise; Avery Jamison; Ernest Reid; and Adell

Milton F., born about March, 1880 - no further information

 Lee Ella, born Nov., 1881 in Caldwell Co., died Dec. 16, 1963. Married 1) Joseph Commodore Church and 2) William Washington Collins

 James Hardy, born Jan. 1884 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 5, 1936 in Avery Co., married Lillian May Gray.

Theodocia (Docia), born Aug. 28, 1884 in Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 14, 1941 in Watauga Co. She married 1) Columbus Filmore (Lum) Blalock (son of William McKesson "Keith" and Sarah Malinda Pritchard Blalock). Child by Lum was Hazel, born c1913. She married 2) Luther Farthing. Lum had previously married 1) Emma McNeely and 2) Esther Caldonia Calloway.

Emma Viola, born Nov. 2, 1888 in Caldwewll Co., died 1988 in North Carolina. She married Emory Joel Young on Dec. 28, 1907 in Watauga Co., NC. Emory was born Apr. 4, 1882 and died Mar. 14, 1929 in North Carolina. Their children were: Charles Howard; Mary Lou; Thomas Wood; Emery Hugh; Hardin Darrell; and Rawleigh Edgar.

 Kelsey A, a son, born Dec. 7, 1891 died Aug. 12, 1907 and buried at White Springs in Blowing Rock.

Thomas is buried in Avery Co. It is said that the snow was too deep to bring him to White Springs. Louisa is buried in the White Springs Cemetery in Watuaga Co.

Please contact me to add to or correct this information.