James Avery & Mary Jane Lainey Coffey

I noticed today that someone had been searching the blogs for information about James Avery Coffey.  As it happens, I have been trying to fill out his family information over the past couple of weeks.

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James was a son of James and Mary Keller Coffey and was born on Apr. 30, 1847 in Caldwell Co., NC and probably in the Yadkin valley. He was married there on Oct. 4, 1872 to Mary Jane Lainey (var.), born in April 1848 to James and Mariah Lainey.

There were at least nine children born to this union, all in the Kings Creek Twp. of Caldwell Co.  Each of them lived to become adults, marry and leave some descendants.  I'll name and report on each of them and their families.

The first born was James Columbus on Aug. 11, 1873.  James married Ann Etta "Etta" Barnett, daughter of Thomas Horton and Sarah Isabella Sherrill Barnett on Sep. 7, 1895 at Kings Creek..  Etta was born May, 12, 1874 in the Yadkin Valley and was the mother of at least two children:  John P., born in 1896, died in 1962 in Gaston Co., NC.  He married Lela Elrod - date not yet known - who was born in NC in 1910 and died there in 1999.  Both are buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Gastonia.  Second was Thomas Frank, born 1898, died 1967 in Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., NC.  Thomas' wife was Naomi Farris and I have no information about her.  Thomas is buried at Mountain Rest Cemetery at Kings Mountain.

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Next was George Wesley, born in 1875.  His spouse was Lula Jane Barlow and they were married on Jun. 17, 1911 in Caldwell Co.  Lula was born to John Horton and Martha M. "Mattie" Grubb Barlow on Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek Twp.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912, died May 7, 1944.  Here spouse was Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller, born in Yadkin Valley in 1893.  They were married c1933 in Caldwell Co.  Nora died in Lenoir in 1944, Lee in 1958. Both are buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery [KCBCC].  I know of no children.  Nora Lee was followed by Charles, c1915; Viola, c1917; Callie, c1919; Ellen, c1922; Annie, c1924 and Clara Mae, c1928.  Clara Mae married George Lincoln Smith and died on Mar. 21, 2012 at Hickory in Catawba Co.  She was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir.  Her obituary reports that she had a son and two daughters.

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Third born was Mary Genelia in 1878.  She married Finley Green Andrews [date not known], who was born on Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., NC.  He was a son of Avery J. and Sarah Knight Andrews.  He and Mary had at least five children:  Troy Lawrence, 1907 in Caldwell Co., died 1946 in Forsyth Co.  His wife was Edna M. Mooney.  No other information.  Following Troy was Elizabeth, c1910; Roy Green, c1912; Sarah Jane, c1916 and Marvin Pershing, c1918.  Mary died in 1946 and Finley in 1961.  Both are buried at KCBCC.

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Julia Emma was fourth.  She was born in 1879 and married Rufus T. Barlow, a son of Horton and Nancy Maltba Barlow.  Rufus was born in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. on May 11, 1864 and they were married there on Dec. 8, 1901.  Their children were Nellie Mae, born 1904, died 1940.  She married James Fox on Nov. 1, 1924 in South Lenoir Twp., Caldwell Co.  James was born c1899 but I have no death information. Nellie is buried at KCBCC.  James is probably there as well.  Nellie's sister, Hattie Emma, was born c1908 and married Ralph Raymond Clippard in 1927.  He was born c1902 in NC.  I know of two children:  Richard, born c1937 and Maynard, born c1939..  I do not know where Hattie and Ralph are buried.  There were probably other children born to Rufus and Julia, but the last one I know of was Jack Christie, born 1915, died 1978 in Caldwell Co.

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Amanda Lou followed Julia in 1992.  She married Joseph Hamilton Kirby in 1906.  He was born in 1883, a son of William Jackson Kirby and Nancy Emma Nelson.  Their children were:  William Avery, 1907-1968, married Ruth Eva Montgomery, 1918-1998.  Both are buried at KCBCC.; Luther Iron, 1909-1958; Mallie Filmore, 1912-1978; and Edgar Lee, 1915-1969.  Edgar's wife was Gladys Lola Barlow, daughter of John Walter and Frances Ella Prestwood Barlow.  She was born in 1910 and died in Wilkes Co. in 1992.  They were apparently not married until 1964 and are likely to have been previously married to others.

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Robert Lee was next, born in 1885.  His wife was Bessie Church to whom he was married in Valmead, Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1911.  He died in 1937 and was buried at KCBCC.  Bessie was born c1895 but I have no other information about her.

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William Henry "Will" was born in 1886.  His first wife was Naomi Genely [sic] Keller, daughter of Milas and Demaris Barlow Keller.  She was born in 1883 and died in 1933.  Her two children were Albert L., born c1907 and Mary Ethel, born 1910.  In c1938 Will, age 52, married 15 year old Annie Mae Summerow, a daughter of Joe F. and Florence Kincaide Summerow.  Annie was born in 1923 and gave Will at least five children:  Thelma Lore, 1939-2011, married James Garlen Laws; Ira Lee, 1940-?; and infant son, born 1943; Steve Wilson, born 1946 and Stanley Edward, birth date not known.  Annie died on May 2, 1989 in Hickory, Catawba Co. and was buried at Littlejohn Methodist Church cemetery in Hickory.  Will died on 1959 and was buried at KCBCC.  Sometime after Will's death, Annie married Gurner Walter Hamby, 1910-1996.

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Elisha Elmore was born in 1888 and c1919 married Fannie Bell Kirby, a daughter of William N. and Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  Fannie was born at Kings Creek in 1898.  They were parents of Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye Mae, born Dec., 1925, died 1987.  Toye (or Toy) married Earl Pearson in 1948; and Claude William born 1928.  Claude married Clara Dean Walker, daughter of Oscar Walker, on Mar. 26, 1954 in Granite Falls.  Claude died on Oct., 2010 at Rhodhiss, His burial place is unknown and there were no services scheduled.  Elisha is buried at KCBCC.  Fannie is likely there as well.

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Finally, we arrive at the last child, Millard Monroe, born 1889.  He married Mary A. Nelson in 1909 at Watauga Co.  She was born in 1892 to Thomas and Elizabeth Davis Nelson.  Their children were Rosa Bell, 1909-?; Mamie Bell, 1910-1993, married William Lee Turnmire in 1925, a son of John Calvin and Fannie Green(e) Turnmire.  They were parents of one unnamed, 1926-?; Grady, 1927-?; Nina, 1929-2009; Eugene, 1931-1969; Vilas, 1933-1940; Pauline, 1936-2002; William, Jr., 1938-1996; Lucille, 1940-?; and Edity, 1944-?.  Everett Turner follower Mamie in 1914, Watauga Co..  His wife was Thelma Green and they had at least one child, Lee Roy, born/died in Jan., 1937.

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So, that's what I have on this family.  There are more exact details available.

Additions and corrections welcomed!

Jack

Samuel Monroe Austin

Samuel Monroe was a son of Samuel and Sarah Bolch (Bolick?) Austin and, was born Mar., 1824 in Watauga Co.  He was first married to Mariah Reed on Sep. 30,1854 in Caldwell Co. with whom he fathered six children:

Samuel M. & Mary Rich Austin

Sarah, born Dec. 25, 1849 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., died Apr. 15, 1947 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. Sarah married Anthony Granville Keller c1881. He was born Feb. 11, 1854 in NC and died in Watauga Co. on Mar. 4, 1927. He was a son of James Wilborn and Margaret Eveline Turner Keller. Their children were George Jefferson; Elsie N; Sallie Marie; James W., Pantha E.; John L.; Granville A.; and Mary J. Sarah and Anthony are buried at Winkler Cemetery in Boone.

Mary, born Jun. 14, 1857 in Watauga Co., died Sep. 19, 1934 in Gragg, Avery Co., NC. She married Eldelano "Lano" Coffey, a son of Jacob Zachariah "Zack" and Margaret "Peggy" Coffey Coffey. Lano was born in 1857 and died May 27, 1927 in Wilson Creek Twp., Avery Co. More about Jacob and Peggy here, and here.*

Louisa, born Jan. 17, 1858 died at Kings Mountain in Lincoln Co., KY on Sep. 26, 1929. She married James Monroe Holsclaw, born Mar. 15, 1858 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 14, 1927 in Lincoln Co. They are both buried at Gooch Cemetery in Kings Mountain.

Melinda, born Mar. 2, 1858 in Watauga Co., died there on Jan. 24, 1895. She married Jonas Keller, brother to Anthony who married Sarah, Melinda's sister. Jonas was born in Aug., 1847 in Caldwell Co., died in Watauga Co. in 1930. He and Melinda were married on Oct. 31,1879 in Boone. Both are buried at Winkler. Their children were: Margaret Louise; Roe Wilborn; Charlie; Samuel and Arthur.

Adaline, born Dec., 1859 in Watauga Co. No further information. She apparently died quite young.

Celia M., born Sep. 21, 1864 in Watauga Co., died May 29, 1939 at Shulls Mill. Celia married Sim Penley. She is also buried at Winkler. No information on her spouse.

Samuel Monroe married his second wife, Mary Elizabeth Rich (var.) c1866. Mary was born Jul. 30, 1843 in Cherokee Co. to John and Rebecca Tomson [sic] Rich and died Oct. 13, 1922 in Blowing Rock. Mary is also buried at Winkler. Before he died on Mar. 28, 1912, Samuel fathered another eight (at least) children with Mary.

Their children were:

Martha M., born Apr. 28, 1869 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 26, 1948 in Lower Creek Twp. She married W. J. Putnam. Martha is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir. No further information.

William Levi, born Aug. 31, 1870 in Watauga, died Aug. 12, 1946 in Blowing Rock. His wife was Della Greene. William is buried at Winkler.

Julia Ann was born Sep. 24, 1871, died Apr. 18, 1964 at Belmont in South Point Twp., Gaston Co., NC. Her spouse was a Mr. McMillian. Julia is buried at Greenwood Cemetery in Belmont.

Samuel Monroe, Jr., born Feb. 14, 1873 in Watauga Co., died Apr. 23, 1959 in Boone. He married Minnie Belle Payne, daughter of John Milton and Eliza Jane Downs Payne, c1907. She was born Feb. 28, 1880 and died in Boone on Sep. 2, 1969. They too are buried at Winkler. Children were: Lewis Milton; Ella Mae; Daisy Virginia; one unnamed male child and Ned Payne.

Emma, born c1876, died Feb. 2, 1967 in Blowing Rock, married Benjamin Greene, a son of Amos and Sena Estes Greene. Ben was born Aug. 1, 1844 in Watauga Co. and died in Lenoir on May 7, 1921. Ben is buried at the Reform Church Cemetery in Blowing Rock; Emma is at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Cordelia, born c1878, also married a Greene, first name unknown. Cordelia died Dec. 27, 1969 in Obion Co., TN. No other information.

Carrie Naomi, born Sep. 26, 1881 in Boone, died Feb. 17, 1939 in Lenoir. Her spouse was William Lee Robbins, born May 14, 1877 to Rufus and Eliza Story Robbins. William died Oct. 7, 1955. I know of one child, Mary W., born Nov., 1899 in Boone. William is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery; Carrie is at Winkler.

The last of Samuel and Mary's children was George Washington, born Oct. 30, 1884 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 18, 1972 in Mocksville, Davie Co., NC. His wife was Lillie Victoria Moody, born Jan. 23, 1887 in NC, died at Shulls Mill on Feb. 27, 1940.

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Photo via Margaret Coffey Farley

James Avery & Mary Jane Laney Coffey of Kings Creek, Caldwell Co., NC

James Avery Coffey was born in April, 1846 to James Coffey, Jr. and his wife Mary Keller.  James Avery married c1871 to Mary Jane Laney, a daughter of James and Moriah Laney.  Jane was born in Apr., 1848 and died on Jul. 30, 1931 in Kings Creek Twp., Caldwell Co., NC. They were in the Kings Creek Twp. census from 1870-1900.

Mary Jane was buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church cemetery*.  James is probably also buried there but I have not found a record.

James and Mary Jane were parents to eight children, all born in Kings Creek:

James Columbus, born Aug., 11, 1873.  James registered for the WW1 draft at Williamson in Mingo Co., WV where he was employed as a coal miner by the War Eagle Coal Co. of War Eagle, WV.  He was 45 years old, born Aug. 11, 1873 and was described as being short and stout with blue eyes and dark brown hair.  He named Ann Coffey of Kings Creek as his nearest relative.

George Wesley, born Aug., 1875, died Jul. 25, 1928 in Caldwell Co.  George married c1911 Lula Jane Barlow, a daughter of John and Martha Grubb Barlow.  Lula was born Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek and died in Lenoir on Apr. 16, 1971.**  She was buried at Kings Creek; George's grave site has not yet been located.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912; Charles W., born c1915; Viola A., born c1917; Callie, born c1919; Ellen, born c1922; Annie, born c1924 and Clara M., born c1928.  Nora Lee married Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller.  He was born Jan. 12, 1893 in Caldwell Co., and died May 16, 1958 at Kings Creek. Nora lee died May 7, 1944 at Lenoir.  Both are buried at Kings Creek.

Mary Genelia, born Jul. 31, 1878, died Mar. 17, 1946.  She married Finley Green Andrews, born Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., died at Lenoir on Dec. 31, 1960.  Both are buried at Kings Creek.+  Their children were Troy Lawrence, born Aug. 10, 1907, died Aug. 12, 1946 in Forsyth Co.; Elizabeth, born c1910; Roy Green, born c1912; Sarah Jane, born c1916 and Marvin Pershing, born c1918.

Julia E., born Jun., 1879; Amanda L., born Jul., 1881, Robert Lee, born Aug., 1885, died 1930; and William Henry, born Aug., 1886, died 1959 - no further information.

Elisha Elmore, born Aug. 14, 1889, died Oct. 7, 1962.  He married Fannie Bell Kirby, born Apr., 1898 at Kings Creek to William N. & Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  She and Elisha were married at Caldwell Co. in 1919.  Their children were Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye May, born Dec. 14, 1925, died 1987, and Claude William, born 1928.  Toye married Earl Pearson in Caldwell Co. in 1948.


















*NC Death Cert., No. 279
**NC Death Cert. No. 11910
+NC Death Certs. 34854 (Finley) & 6800 (Mary)

No. 981

The Daughters of Silas & Maggie Philyaw Coffey

 

Left to Right:  Wilma Jessie Coffey Cook; Eva Frances Ingram wife of Silas' son, Floyd Raymond Coffey; Lillie Faye Coffey (top), wife of John J. Keller; Opal Rebecca Coffey, wife of John Banks Myers; and Edith Evelyn Coffey, wife of Ernest Wayne Robbins.  Photo was probably taken between 1930 and 1933.

  

 Left to Right:  Wilma, Opal, Lillie and Edith.  This photo is said to have been taken in 1955 at the 50th anniversary of their parents.  However, it appears to me that the ladies are older than 50 so the photo was likely taken at some later family event.

Click on the title link to read more about this family.

Photos courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley