Crabtree to Coffey Tree

Seth Hopkins Crabtree was the son of the physician, John Crabtree of Penobscot Co., ME and the older brother of Addison Crabtree, also a physician.  The census record shows that Seth was a "laborer."

He was born in 1830 and did not marry until he was nearly 50 years old and then only after moving across country to Humboldt Co., CA.  I do not know how he got to the west coast; maybe hitched a ride in a wagon train heading across the plains.  From birth until at least Aug. 18, 1870, the date his family was enumerated, he lived at home, first in Hancock Co., ME then in 1860 and 1870 he lived at home in Penobscot Co., ME.

It took about 7 months for a wagon train to reach the west coast from Missouri. On Mar. 20, 1871 he was a registered voter in Eureka, Humboldt Co., CA meaning it took Seth only seven months to travel from Maine to California, a distance of about 3500 miles.

That, I believe would have been his great adventure!  He would probably have seen New York, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada, albeit site-seeing from a train window.

Seth remained a bachelor for about seven more years before he married Emeline Helena Felt, born in Wisconsin in Sep., 1853.  The marriage took place in Rohnerville Twp., Humboldt Co. on Dec. 25, 1878.  The 1880 Census tells us that he was a merchant, probably dry goods.

Emeline is probably the daughter of Lysander and Martha Felt, found in the 1870 census for Cannon Falls, Lillian Twp., Goodhue Co., MN.  In later census records, Emeline reported her father was born in MA and her mother in England.  That matches information given to the enumerator in 1870.

Over the next eight to nine years, three children were born to them:  Martha Leona on Jul. 13, 1880; Mark Jestin [sic] on Sep. 26, 1884 and Seth Haskel on Apr. 23, 1887.  Seth the father died before 1900 because Emeline was enumerated in the census that year as a widow in Rohnerville Twp.  She lived there as well in 1910, and in 1920 she lived with her son Haskal in Eureka, Humboldt Co.  A death date for Seth and Emeline has not been found.  Their burial sites are also unknown.

Martha was married on Dec. 16, 1901 in Mountain View, Santa Clara Co., CA to Willis Howe Faxon, a son of Samuel and Rebecca Elizabeth Scranton Faxon.  Willis was born in Hillsdale Co., MI in 1872 and died in Albany, Linn Co., OR in 1953.  Martha died in 1966 in Lebanon, Linn Co.  Both are buried at Waverly Memorial Cemetery in Albany.

Their son, Glen Shirley Faxon was born in Vallejo, Solano Co., CA in 1903 and married Lida "Dearie" Anne Coffey on Jun. 11, 1927 in Solano Co.  Dearie was a daughter of Ernest Garfield and Ester Martina Nelson Coffey, born in Clatsop Co., OR in 1909.  Ernest was a son of James Norman and Laura Ellen Hayes; Ester a daughter of Martin and Lydia Taylor Nelson.

Both Lida and Glen died in Edinburg, Shenandoah Co., VA.  The disposition of their remains is not known to me.

Obituary, The Shenandoah Valley Herald, Mar. 29, 2007, Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., VA

Lida Anne Faxon

EDINBURG- Lida Anne Faxon, 97, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at her home.
Mrs. Faxon was born in Hammond, Ore., daughter of the late Ernest G. and Ester Nelson Coffey. She was the wife of the late Glen S. Faxon.

Surviving are a son, Glen S. Faxon Jr. of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter, Barbara F. Stout of Edinburg; sister, Norma Johnston of Vallejo, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.

The family will received friends from 1 to 4 pm. Saturday, March 31, at the Faxon home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.

The Faxon children, Glen, Jr. and Barbara, were great-grandchildren of Seth and Emeline.

More information for both Crabtree and Coffey families is available.

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Sources:  CA County Marriage Records, 1850-1952, US Census and CA voter rolls

[Dearie was the second of eight children born to Ernest and Ester Coffey.  Others, in birth order, were Pearl Matina; Norma B., Laura H., Erma Louise; Nellie E., Eleanora Lorene, and Milton E.]

[Note:  Ironically, in 1940 the Faxon family live just blocks from my maternal grandparents in Baton Rouge, LA.]

Benjamin & Nancy Hayes Coffey

Bennie Coffey Loftin (dec'd) in her 1984 book Lizzie's Legacy and Our Coffey Cousins, with co-author Mary Elizabeth Coffey Self, and second printing in 2002 re-titled work Coffey Cousins, North Side of Clinch Mountain, Tennessee and Beyond, wrote about her ancestor, Benjamin Coffey:

"Benjamin, son of John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey, b. 8 Feb 1808, Wilkes Co., d. 8 May 1867, Rockcastle Co., KY.  Nancy was b. 23 Jul 1802 in NC; d. 14 Feb 1874, KY. Children are John, 1828-18?; Unk, b. 1830; Richardson, 1832-1922;  Elizabeth, 1835-1922; Ransom, 1836-1917; Calvin, 1839-1863; Calton, 1839-1926; Marvel, 1841-1917; Perry, 1844-1864; and Ausborn, 1846-1923. A descendant of this line is Bennie Coffey Loftin. Benjamin was b. Feb. 8, 1808 in Wilkes Co., and d. May 8, 1867 in Rockcastle Co., KY. He m. Nancy, d. of Thomas and Sarah Hayes, and they had nine sons and one daughter.

"Benjamin did not live long after they moved to Kentucky from Tennessee. They moved shortly after the Civil War. Their sons, Ransom and John, were already living in Kentucky. Ransom and his cousin, James Madison Coffey, were living in Rockcastle County when the 1860 census was taken in the fall of that year. They are supposed to have moved together. Ransom fought on the Union side during the Civil War.

"All of Benjamin and Nancy Coffey's children were born in Tennessee, either Hawkins or Grainger County. They lived near the county line on the north side of Clinch Mountain. Ausbon's pension application for CSA service states that he was born at Rutledge. Rutledge was the county seat for Grainger County. They didn't live there, but lived near Idol (now Thorn Hill).

"Death dates for Benjamin, his wife, his parents, three and maybe four sons and a grandson were all recorded on two pages that Grace Coffey Gill found tucked into a little book that had belonged to her Grandpa Ausbon. There was an autograph on one page that reads, "Benjamin Coffey's Book,  August 1, 1856, T.G. Tilley."

"Rance Coffey (1885-1984) thinks that one of Benjamin's sons was crippled. He had heard a story of him going hunting on crutches. He thought it was Richardson, but he served in the CSA Army and as Rance says, What would the army want with a crippled man."

One of the sons of Benjamin and Nancy was seventh son, Calton Coffey, born Jan. 16, 1839 in Grainger Co., died in Oct., 1926 at Diamond in Stephens Co., OK.  He married Martha Ann Campbell, a daughter of William and Sidney Holt Campbell on Dec. 22, 1857 in Grainger Co.  a couple of years later Calton enlisted as a Sergeant in Co. D., 26th TN Infantry.

Calton survived the war and by Dec., 1870 the family had relocated to Pilot Point in Denton Co., TX. They apparently made a detour or two and made stops in AR and MO. Later, one of their children reported his birth in 1869 Missouri and two others reported their births to have occurred in 1871 and 1875 Arkansas.*  Martha Ann Campbell Coffey died sometime before 1900 and is thought to have been buried near Montegue Co., TX.  She was the mother of at least seven children.

I have been unable to account for three of their children:  William, said to be first born; Benjamin, born 1858 in Claiborne Co., TN and Thomas Jefferson, born c1866.

Hillery, thought to be the third child, was born in TN in 1863.  He married Ella Mae Fleetwood in Denton Co., TX on Oct. 21, 1889.¹   He and Ella lived very short lives.  She died on Jan. 5, 1892 at age 22 and probably in childbirth.  Their first child, Charles Belden had been born in Sep., 1890 in the Chickasaw Nation, IT.  Hillery died before before 1898 in Terral, Jefferson Co., IT.  Both are buried at the Fleetwood Family cemetery in Jefferson Co.  Charles is said to have died in Dec., 1943 but I have not confirmed that.

Fifth child was Franklin David "Frank" Coffey, born Apr. 2, 1869, Missouri.  He married Rebecca Jane Kimberlain, a daughter of William and Anna Kimberlain.  She was born on Apr. 1, 1870 in Lebanon, Laclede Co., MO. and married on Apr. 23, 1890 in Fleetwood, Chickasaw Nation, IT.

Children born to this couple were:

William, born Mar. 26, 1891 at Fleetwood, died there in 1893 and buried at the Fleetwood Cemetery.

Rosa M., born in Fleetwood Jun., 1893; no further info.

Albert Wesley, born in Fleetwood Jan., 1895; no further info.

Hillery Newton "Hill", born Nov. 23, 1896 at Fleetwood, died and was buried at Terral Cemetery in Jefferson Co., OK in 1965.  Married Myrtle Ruth Fraysher [sic], a daughter of Louis and Mary Jennings Fraysher.  Their children were at least two: Frankie Brunetta, born Feb. 28, 1920 at Fleetwood, died in Papla, Gray Co., TX on Nov. 15, 2005.  Frankie married Boyd Stewart on Apr. 8, 1942 in Caddo, Bryan Co., OK.  The other child was Roy Elwood, born c1927 in Stephens Co., OK.

Artie Christine, born in IT in 1902, died in Comanche, Stephens Co., OK and buried there at Fairlawn Cemetery.  She married Robert McFatridge c1923.  He was born in Stephens Co. in 1899 and died there in 2000 with burial in Fairlawn Cemetery.  Their children numbered at least four:  J. F., born c1924; Clayton, born c1926; and twins, Haskell J. and Hazel Ann, born c1939, all in Stephens Co., OK.  Robert was a son of James and Mary Wise McFatridge.

Ransom, born Jan 6, 1904 in Fleetwood, died Jun., 1905 and buried at Terral.

Benjamin Franklin, born 1906 at Fleetwood, died 1974 at Comanche.  Married Mae Belle Kinman on Jan. 30, 1926 in Jefferson Co.² May Belle was born in Sweetwater, Nolan Co., TX on May 19, 1908 and died in Walters, Cotton Co., OK on Feb. 26, 1987.  Both are buried at Fairlawn Cemetery.  Their children were Edward Gene Coffey, born Aug. 23, 1927 at Fleetwood, died there on Jun. 25, 1930 and, Bobbie Corrine, born Sep. 26, 1930 at Fleetwood and died in Stephens Co. on Jun. 16, 1976.  Bobbie married Raymond Pewitt.

The last children born to Franklin and Rebecca were Edgar Belton and twin sister, Ethel Bell on Nov. 12, 1907 at Fleetwood.  Edgar married Dessie Mabel Nelson, born Nov. 4, 1906 in OK, died in Stephens Co. on Aug. 8, 1998.  Edgar died Apr. 22, 1974, also in Stephens Co.  Both are buried there at Fairlawn Cemetery.  Their children were at least two:  Kenneth W., born c1930 and Jimmie Dee, born c1932, both in Stephens Co.

Ethel married Earl Thomas Chastain on Jul. 12, 1926 in Montague Co., TX.³ Earl was a son of Thomas and Sarah Kimberlain Chastain and was born on Sep. 27, 1902 in Laclede Co., MO.  Earl died on Jul. 13, 1970 in Lebanon, Laclede Co. and was buried there at the Mount Rose Memorial Park.  Ethel was born on Nov. 12, 1907 in Fleetwood, IT and died on Feb. 14, 1982 at Lebanon.  She too is buried at Mount Rose.  Six children were born to this union:  Glenna L.; Ray; Tommy Franklin; Dottie Jean; Bobby Dean and James.  Dottie and Bobby may have been twins.


Additions and corrections welcomed!

  Jack

*I do not think this likely.  The family remained in Denton Co., TX through at least 1880 and later moved on the the Chickasaw Nation where they were enumerated in 1900. In 1910 and 1920 they were in Stephens Co., OK where Calton died.

^1"Texas County Marriage Index, 1837-1997", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XLX1-2XJ : accessed 17 Nov 2014), H C Coffee and E M Fleetwood, 21 Oct 1889; citing Denton, Texas, county courthouses, Texas; FHL microfilm 1302338.

²"Oklahoma, County Marriages, 1891-1959", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XVL6-356 : accessed 27 Jul 2013), Ben Coffey and May Kinman, 1926.

³"Texas Marriages, 1837-1973", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FXS3-4M5 : accessed 20 Nov 2014), Earl Chastain and Ethel Coffey, 12 Jun 1926; citing Montague, Texas, , reference p 253; FHL microfilm 1435394.

Other sources: http://tinyurl.com/n5gfbmu and Rick Miller, Bedford, NH at Ancestry.com http://tinyurl.com/m6opvgu

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

Rev. John H. & Minerva Jane Coffey Nelson

John, sometimes referred to as "Rev. John Nelson," was a farmer in Caldwell Co. when he married Minerva Jane Coffey in that county in 1865.  He was a son of John M. & Elizabeth Penley Nelson*, born in Caldwell Co. on May 19, 1841.  Minerva, a daughter of Wilborn & Sarah Cottrell Coffey, was born there on Dec. 20, 1844.  John likely served the Confederacy during the Civil War.  There were at least three with the name from NC who enlisted.**  Which if any, is this John has not been determined.

Minerva gave John at least 11 children, all born in Caldwell Co. between 1869 and 1890.  They were:

Nora Cornelia, born Sep. 25, 1869, died May 22, 1953 at Belmont in South Point Twp., Gaston Co., NC.  Her spouse was Seth J. Setzer, a son of Larkin and Julia Holsclaw Setzer, born c1862.  They were married at Patterson on Mar. 20, 1888.  Seth died on Sep. 5, 1937 at Reidsville in Rockingham Co. and Nora on May 22, 1953 at Belmont.  Seth was buried at Mount Holly city cemetery in Gaston Co. while Nora was buried at Greenwood cemetery in Belmont.

Sarah, born Sep., 1870.  No further information.

Thomas, born c1873, married Mary Ingle, daughter of Mark & Nancy Ingle on Jul. 24, 1898 in Patterson Twp.  Mary was born c1876 in NC.

Minnie J., born Dec., 1874, married William "Willie" Estes on Feb. 15, 1903 in Johns River Twp.  He was born in 1880 in NC.

Robert Lee, born Feb. 1, 1875, married Junie Mae Phillips on Jun. 28, 1913 in Caldwell Co.  Robert died Jun. 6, 1955 in Lenoir; Junie there on Mar. 9, 1962.  Both are buried at Lenoir in Harpers Chapel cemetery.

William Rufus was born Dec. 6, 1879 and married Kate Pearl Suddreth, a daughter of Toliver Suddreth, on Oct. 4, 1913 in Caldwell Co.Kate was born c1890.  Rufus died Jun. 23, 1954 and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir.  No info on Kate's death date and burial location. They had at least two children:  Albert Lee and Edna Minerva.

Henry L. & Mary C. were born in Dec., 1880 and Aug., 1883, respectively.  No further information.

George W. was born Mar., 1885 and married China Carlton on Feb. 14, 1910 in Burke Co., NC.  Children that I know of were:  Rubie, born c1917, Lorrane, born c1919, one unnamed, born c1926 and Willis Ester, a male?, born c1935.

Milton League, born Aug. 2, 1887, died in Lenoir on Feb. 18, 1966.  Milton married Cora Lee Kirby, born Sep. 3, 1894 in Caldwell Co. on Jun. 29, 1917.  Cora died Oct. 31, 1971 in Lenoir.  Both are buried at the Nelson Chapel in Lenoir.

The last child born to John and Minerva was Albert J., born in Apr., 1890.  He married Lucy B. Greene in 1919.  She died Oct. 4, 1938 and he followed her on Apr. 22, 1939.  I'm still looking for their burial places.  Chidlren:  Hattie Belle, born 1920; Mattie, born 1921; Annie Mae, born 1923; and Willie Wilson, born 1924.

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*John H. was not the only child of John M and Elizabeth to marry a Coffey.  Their son George W., born 1837, married Mary Lou Coffey on Jun. 9, 1859 in Caldwell Co.  Mary Lou was a daughter of McCaleb and Elizabeth Collett Coffey.  George died on Jun. 8, 1860 in Lenoir; Mary Lou on Sep. 24, 1863.  They are both buried at Nelson's Chapel in Lenoir.  Another of the Nelson children, a daughter named Mary Ann, married Elijah L. Coffey on Jun. 20, 1867 in Caldwell Co.  Elijah was a son of William Coffey, Jr., and his wife Margaret Robbins.
**One John H. enlisted in Co. F, 6th Regiment, NC Infantry. Another enlisted in Co. D, 52d Regiment, NC Infantry and a third [John H. D.] enlisted in the 33d Regiment, NC Infantry.

Other sources used:  1850, 1870, 1880, 1900 US Federal Census; NC Death Certificates; Various cemetery records; NC Registrar of Deeds web service; familysearch.org


All of the surnames in this blog represent some very old Caldwell and Watauga  Co. NC families, some pre-Revolutionary.  Many of the ancestors of these herein named were pioneer hunters, explorers and settlers in those counties..

William & Anna "Annie" Boone Coffey

William was one of the sons of Thomas and Sarah "Sally" Fields Coffey.  He was the second of 10 children born to that couple and the first of eight sons.  Bible records provided in 1990 by Mary E. Thornburg, tells us that William was born "November 29th in the year of our Lord 1782," and died May 22, 1839 in Wilkes Co., NC.  He was buried there at the Rufus Baptist Church Cemetery in the Mulberry Community, now part of Caldwell Co. (Lat: 36.00080, Lon: -81.64390).

Mary's Bible records tell us that William married Annie Boone on Oct. 16, 1804 in Boone, Watauga Co., the daughter of Jesse Boone and his wife Sarah McMahan.  Annie appears to be the sixth of at least eight children born to Jesse and Sarah.  She was born Jul. 26, 1785 in Burke Co. and died in Caldwell on Jan. 16, 1876.  She is also buried at the Rufus cemetery.

At least six children were born to William and Annie, the first being Daniel Boone Coffey, born Nov. 12, 1805 in Burke Co., died Jan. 21, 1862 in Caldwell Co.  Daniel married Clarissa Estes on Sep. 11, 1834.  She was born Jul. 18, 1817 in Burke Co., died Jul. 17, 1884, probably in Caldwell Co.  They were parents of at least nine children:  1) Emily who married her first cousin (once removed) Charles Lewis Coffey, a son of McCaleb and Elizabeth "Betsy" Collett Coffey; 2) Drury Dobbins who married Harriet Elizabeth Collett on Aug. 25, 1859; 3) Martha Ellen who married Elijah L. Moore on Oct. 12, 1858 in Caldwell Co.; 4) Sophronia Tate who married Henry Clay Coffey, brother to Charles Lewis; 5) Jonah, born May 9, 1843 in Caldwell Co.  He may have died in infancy; 6) Israel Boone, born Apr. 19, 1845 in Caldwell Co., died Jul. 10, 1920 in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, married Catherine Emma Spainhour of North Carolina on Sep. 19, 1867 in Caldwell Co. 7) Julia, born Aug. 3, 1847; 8) Hezekiah, born 1852; 9) Celia, born Nov. 7, 1855, died Apr. 15, 1858.

Second born to William and Annie was Wilborn on May 14, 1807 in  Burke Co.  He married Sarah "Sallie" Cottrell on Jan. 2, 1832 in Caldwell Co.  Sallie was born May 1, 1812 in Wilkes Co. and died in Caldwell Co. on Mar. 25, 1894.  Wilborn died on Nov. 27, 1897.  Both are buried at the Rufus cemetery.  They were parents of at least eight children:  1) William Rufus, who married Harriet E. Moore on Dec. 4, 1856; 2) Thomas Milton, born c1835, died Aug. 12, 1863 on the Gettysburg battlefield; 3) Myra Emeline, born c1836, died before 1860; 4) James Grayson, born 1839, died Aug. 24, 1863 at the Union POW camp, Davis Island, New York Harbor, NY; 5) Minerva Jane, born Dec. 20, 1844, died Oct. 10,1934 and who married the Rev. John H. Nelson, born May 19, 1841 in Caldwell Co., died May 22, 1915; 6) John Calvin, born Apr. 30, 1848 in Caldwell Co., died in Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co. on Feb. 27, 1930.  He married Nancy Caroline Tuttle, born Jan. 10,1854 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 10, 1939 at Lenoir, Caldwell Co.; 7) Finley Patterson, born Apr. 30, 1848 in Mulberry Twp., died in Lenoir on Apr. 13, 1937.  His wife was Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Tuttle, born Sep. 11, 1851 in Caldwell Co, died Apr. 20, 1931 in Lenoir.  Nancy Caroline and Mary Elizabeth Tuttle were sisters, daughters of Robert G. & Lucinda Puett Tuttle. 8) Charlotte Caroline, born Dec. 2, 1851 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 18, 1944.  She married Jesse Richmond Moore on Oct. 21, 1869 in Caldwell Co.  He was born Mar. 16, 1849 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co. and died in the Mulberry Twp. on Sep. 13, 1921

William and Annie's third was Gilliam, born May 21, 1810, died Jan. 8,1910 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co.  He married Mary "Polly" Moore on Jan. 2, 1832.  She was born c1820 in Burke Co. and died in Caldwell Co. on May 26, 1871.  They were parents of at least six:  1) Harvey N., born 1837, died 1912, married Jane Cochran; 2) William Elbert, born 1839, died 1912 at Morganton, Burke Co.  His wife was Margaret Anne Kinkaid, born 1837 in Burke Co., died Dec. 22, 1921 in Morganton.  Margaret had a child after William died and whose father is not known to me.  She and William Elbert had at least six children:  Mary, William Alvin, Lula Eloise; Annie Jane, Harvey Macan, and Maggie Lee. 3) Harriet E., born Sep. 6, 1843 in Cedar Valley, Caldwell Co., died Dec. 12, 1937 in Elizabethton, Carter Co., TN.  Harriet's spouse was James Brown Blair to whom she was married on Oct. 7, 1866 in Caldwell Co.  James was born in Cedar Valley on May 1, 1844 and died in Carter Co. on May 24, 1920.  They had at least eight children:  Henry Lee, Gilliam Colbert, Harvey, John Caldwell, Job W., Mary E., Hatibel, and Lillie M. 4) Celia Adeline, born c1847, died before 1910.  Her husband was John Wesley Estes and they were married on Dec. 2, 1868 in Caldwell Co.  Their children were at least eight:  Benjamin G., Albert Lafayette, Horace Herndon; John C., Victor Scotland, Emma E., Homer Roy, and May C.  This family left NC sometime after 1880 and journeyed west to Iowa where Emma was born and then to Idaho where May was born.  5) Cordelia Adaline, born Jan. 10, 1853, died Jul. 9,1918.  She married John Boone Gragg on Dec. 17,1 877 in Caldwell Co.  He was born Feb. 15, 1856 in Caldwell Co., and died in Globe Twp., on May 23, 1937.  Both are buried at the Job Moore cemetery in the Globe.  Their children were at least seven:  William Hardie, Charlie, Stella Victoria, John Vernon, Laurance Dillard, Mamie, and Horace Milton.  Child 6) was Emma, born c1855.  Unfortunately, nothing else has been found for her.

The fourth child of William and Annie was Celia, Jun. 29, 1813 in Burke Co., died in Wilkes Co. on Jul. 12, 1899.  She married Hezekiah Curtis, a son of Samuel and Susanna Cottrell Curtis, on Dec. 26, 1833 in Wilkes Co.  Hezekiah was born May 16, 1810 in Wilkes Co., and died there on Jan. 20, 1901.  Both are buried at Mountain Park Cemetery in Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co.  Their children were Darcus, Judson, Larkin Junius, Julia, Finley Patterson, Caroline L., and Martha Gertrude.

The fifth and last child born to William and Annie was Calvin on Sep. 30, 1819.  He died Apr. 2, 1847 after a short marriage to Mary Greene in about 1839-40.  Four children were born to Calvin and Mary:  Harrison, Alexander, William and Patterson Vance.  William also died on the battlefield at Gettysburg.

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This is quite a long blog and I hope that I have not made it too complicated to follow.  Many of these folks have been written about in previous blogs.  Use the search window in the sidebar to look for them.  To assure accuracy, place "quotation marks" around the name your are searching for.  All of these, plus all of their known (to me) ancestors and descendants are present on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.  Readers can also use the "Search Also For" links at the bottom of each blog.

George Nelson Coffey

George was a son of Elijah L. & Mary Ann Nelson Coffey.  Click on this blogs title to read an earlier post.

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George Nelson Coffey

"George N. Coffey received his PhD degree from George Washington, Washington, C.C., and worked as a geologist, doing a soil survey for the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture over a great portion of the United States, one of the first of its kind.  This first career ended as a research scientist at the Ohio Agricultural Experiment Station at Wooster, Ohio.  His father-in-law, William Francis Kean, an attorney and judge in Wooster, persuaded George to establish a land title business in Wooster, The Wayne County Abstract and Title Company.  He went to Law school and obtained the right to practice law, recommended for conducting a title business.  He continued in this second career until his retirement.

"George Nelson Coffey, Ph. D., University of Illinois, Urbana, IL was a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"George Nelson Coffey joined the Bureau of Soils in 1900, the second year of its existence, and worked in the program for about 11 years. During those years he worked on soil surveys in many parts of the United States. Those surveys exposed him to a wide variety of soils. Because of his experience and knowledge, he was chosen to supervise soil classification and correlation after five years with the Bureau. During the time that he was in charge of soil classification and correlation, Coffey became acquainted with earlier soil studies, such as those of E.W. Hilgard in Mississippi, T.C. Chamberlain in Wisconsin, and the Dokuchaiev school in Russia. From those sources and his own field experience, Coffey developed and promoted his ideas of soil genesis and classification. Coffey's ideas were in marked contrast to the prevailing idea in this country that soils were simply a function of the underlying rocks. Coffey presented his ideas in journal articles for several years, culminating with the publication of USDA Bureau of Soils Bulletin No. 85 in 1912. Bulletin 85 is now recognized as a classic, but like Coffey's journal articles, it fell on deaf ears in 1912. Coffey left the soil survey program before Bulletin 85 was published and worked at the Ohio Agricultural Station, where he worked on soil mapping, an erosion study, and fertilizer trials. Later, Coffey moved on to the University of Illinois. In 1922 Coffey left soil science as a career but retained his interest in soils and geology. After he left the soil survey program Coffey's publications on soil genesis and classification were largely forgotten. About a decade later a profound change in the concept of soil and in the understanding of soil genesis began in the United States. Championed by Curtis F. Marbut, the change occurred gradually in the 1920s, 1930s, and beyond. A new group of American pedologists emerged who had learned of and from the Dokuchaiev school and had the benefit of the profound changes that had occurred in the United States. Those pedologists rediscovered Bureau of Soils Bulletin No. 85 and earlier publications by Coffey and recognized the advanced nature of Coffey's ideas of soil genesis and classification. Those ideas mark Coffey as one of the first, if not the very first, of the American pedologists."

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Source:  Soil Science Society of America [no longer on-line].

John William & Frances Elizabeth Little Coffey

John Wm. Coffey

Fannie Little

John William was the second child and first son born to Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey.  He was born in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC on Jun. 18, 1869 and died June. 11, 1960 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC.  He married on Dec. 14, 1898 in Raleigh Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little.  Fannie was born Mar. 7, 1878 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC and died in Raleigh on Nov. 30, 1967.  They lived out their lives in Wake Co., and are buried at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.

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John and Fannie were the parents of three girls and one boy.  Natalie Little Coffey was their first born, Sep. 25, 1899, died Sep. 22, 1996.

Obituary, The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC, 24 September 1996

Natalie Little Coffey

RALEIGH--Natalie Little Coffey, died Sunday at age 96 at Mayview Convalescent Center.  She was born in Raleigh on September 25, 1899, the eldest child of John William Coffey and Frances Elizabeth Little. She attended public schools in this city, graduating from Raleigh High School in 1916.  She afterwards attended the North Carolina College for Women at Greensboro, graduating with an A.B. degree in 1920, and a M.A. in 1929.  Her affection for her alma mater was constant throughout her life, and for many years, she served as president of her class.

Education was her calling.  Miss Coffey was one of Raleigh's legendary teachers, honored and beloved by generations of students who cherished her as a counselor and friend.  She began her career in Rocky Mount where she taught for two years.  Returning to Raleigh, she served as an instructor in English and Spanish at Raleigh High School for two years, Hugh Morson High School for 30 years, and Broughton High School for 10 years.  She retired in 1965 after 44 years of service.  Her love and concern for her students extended far beyond the classroom.  Driving a little blue-and-black coupe, affectionately nicknamed the "Coffey Can," she would cheerfully ferry as many as seventeen kids to football games, plays, and concerts.  During the World War II she even coached the Hugh Morson golf team to a state championship.

For much of her life she lived in Boylan Heights with her parents.  In retirement she devoted herself to her family, especially to the children for whom she was their adored "Nannie."  She was a lifelong and devoted member of Edenton Street Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John N. Coffey, and her sister, Mary Lou C. Miller.

She is survived by a sister, Frances C. Green of Charlotte; two nephews, John N. Coffey Jr. of Raleigh, and Thomas G. Coffey of Naples, Florida; two nieces, Mrs. Herbert B. Magill of Charlotte, and Linda M. Young of Cary; and 11 grandnieces and grandnephews.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, in Montlawn Memorial Park.

 Other children to follow.

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Photos and obituary courtesy of John Coffey of Raleigh

Elijah L. & Mary Ann Nelson Coffey Family Update

I have written previously about the family of Elijah and Mary Ann.  Click on the blog title to read.

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Harriet "Hattie" Coffey Stewart

Their first child was Harriet "Hattie", born May 15, 1868 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., died Nov. 16, 1954 in Enid, Garfield Co., OK.  Hattie married James Alexander Stewart, born Apr. 24, 1858 in Canada to Scottish parents.  They were married on Dec. 22, 1896 in Harpers Chapel, Patterson, NC.  James died Mar. 3, 1929 in Enid, Garfield Co., OK.  Both are buried at Evergreen Cemetery in Minco, Grady Co., OK.  The couple emigrated to Indian Territory shortly after their marriage and appeared there on the Chickasaw Nation* census of Jun. 2, 1900.  They remained in Grady Co. through the 1920 census but, by 1930 were in Garfield Co.

Caldwell Native Dies in Okla.

News has been received here of the death of Mrs. Hattie Coffey Stewart of Enid, Okla., on November 16.

Mrs. Stewart was born near Patterson in Caldwell county on May 15, 1868.  She was the oldest daughter of Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey.

She is survived by one daughter, Helen, of the home; two brothers, John W. Coffey of Raleigh, and Dr. George N. Coffey of Wooster, Ohio; and one sister, Miss Mary E. Coffey of Lenoir and Enid, a teacher in the Lenoir High school for many years.

Enid, OK newspaper, 4 March 1929.

JAMES A. STEWART CLAIMED BY DEATH

James Alexander Stewart

A heart attack yesterday morning proved fatal for James A. Stewart, 70, an elder and prominent worker in the Central Christian church, who died last night at 9 o'clock at his home, 1516 West Broadway.

Surviving him are his widow and a daughter, Mary Helen of the home.  Miss Stewart for several years has been instructor of English at Enid high school.

Eight years ago the Stewarts came here from Minco where they had resided many years.  Mrs. Stewart's sister, Miss Mary Coffey of near Raleigh, N. Car., recently came here to reside and it so happened that their brother, Lee Coffey and family of Minco had come for a week-end and were with Mr. Stewart when he died.

Funeral services will be from the Central Christian church in the morning at 10 o'clock, the pastor, Rev. R.C. Snodgrass officiating.  The body will be taken to Minco where a service will be held in the Presbyterian church and burial made in the Evergreen cemetery by the side of his son who died nine years ago.

The body was prepared for burial by the Henninger-Royer Funeral home.

 James and Hattie at two children, both born in the Chickasaw Nation:  Mary Helen, Sep. 23, 1897, died Sep. 24, 2003 in Edmond, Oklahoma Co., OK; and John Forbes, born Feb. 5, 1900, died Jul. 11, 1920 in OK.  John was a victim of an accidental drowning at age 20, and was buried at Evergreen Cemetery.

Oklahoma newspaper, September 2003

Mary Helen Stewart

Graveside services for Mary Helen Stewart, 106, were held on Sunday, September 28 at 2:30 p.m. at the Evergreen Cemetery in Minco, with Rev. Sam Scott of the Minco First Baptist Church officiating under the direction of the Huber-Reynolds Funeral Home of Minco.

Stewart was born on September 23, 1897 in Indian Territory now known as Minco to James Alex and Hattie (Coffey) Stewart and died on Thursday, September 25, 2003 at the Oklahoma Christian Home in Edmond, the day after her birthday.

She became a member of the First Christian Church in Minco at age 12, and after moving to Enid, became a member of the Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) where she was a member for sixty years.  In 1960 she started a church library.  She served as a deaconess two terms and was honored as Board member Emeritus
.
She received her BA in Education from the Oklahoma College for Women (now USAO) and a Master's degree from Phillips University.  She taught in Mangum and thirty-five years in Enid.  While in Enid, she did graduate work at the University of Colorado and the University of Missouri.  After retiring, she spent three years in Boone, North Carolina, where she worked at Appalachian State University.

She was a member in several local, state and national teacher's organizations: the American Association of University Women; Business and Professional Women;  the Altrurian Study-Social Group; the Westside Garden Club and the Women's Fellowship Guild of Enid.  She volunteered at Bass Hospital.

In 1983 she moved to the Oklahoma Christian Home Cottage Campus and transferred her membership to the Edmond Christian Church.  She moved into the nursing section in December of 1996.

She was preceded in death by her parents, James and Hattie Stewart and by her brother, John Stewart.

She is survived by two first cousins, Elizabeth Wormley of Chickasha and William Coffey of Schenectady, New York.

Elijah and Mary Ann were parents to four additional children.  More on those later.

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Grady County originally part of the land given to the Choctaw in exchange for property in the southeastern United States. In 1837, the Chickasaw join them, and in 1855 a treaty separated the two tribes, and the Chickasaw acquired an area that included much of Grady County. The 1898 Curtis Act stripped the Chickasaw Nation of its authority, and communal land was forced into allotment, paving the way for statehood. When Oklahoma acquired statehood in 1907, Grady County was organized and Chickasha was named the county seat. (Wikipedia)

Grateful appreciation to John W. Coffey of Raleigh, NC for help with this research.

Lee Thomas Coffey - Update

Lee Thomas Coffey

Lee was a son of Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey.  He was born Jun. 24, 1871 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC and died in Minco, Grady Co., OK on Apr. 15, 1952.  He is buried there in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Click on the title link to read an earlier blog about Lee.

His photograph, obituary and biography was provided by John W. Coffey of Raleigh, NC:

Obituary:

Lee T. Coffey was born near Lenoir, North Carolina, June 24, 1871, and passed away April 15, 1952. He was the son of Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey. Mr. Coffey was educated in the public schools of his native state. After the death of his father in 1891 he took over the management of his father's farm for several years.

In 1906 he came to Minco,Oklahoma and joined his brother-in-law, J.A. Stewart, in the hardware and implement business. After Mr. Stewart's retirement in 1921 he became the sole owner of the business, and operated it until 1943.

Early in life he was converted and became a member of the Advent Christian church near his home. His life was a living testimony of his faith in the saving power of Christ.

On June 29th, 1916, Mr. Coffey was married to Isis Winfree. To this union was born one daughter, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Bill Roby, of Oswego,Illinois.

In addition to his wife and daughter he is survived by two sisters, Mrs. J.A. Stewart of Enid, Oklahoma, and Miss Mary Coffey of Lenoir, North Carolina; also two brothers, John W. Coffey of Raleigh, North Carolina, and Dr. George N. Coffey, of Wooster, Ohio[Typescript of obituary.  Coffey Family Archives.]

Biography:

Lee Thomas Coffey was born in Patterson, Caldwell Co., NC on June 24, 1871, a son of Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey. After the death of his father, Lee managed the family farm in Happy Valley. He appeared in the 1900 Census in Patterson as head of a household that included his widowed mother. In 1906 he came to Minco, Grady Co., OK, and joined his brother-in-law, James Alexander Stewart, in the hardware and implement business, Stewart & Coffey. After Mr. Stewart's retirement in 1921 Lee became the sole owner of the business, and operated it until 1943. Lee appeared in the 1910 Census in Grady Co., OK listed as a single man in the household with his brother-in-law and older sister Harriet Coffey Stewart. He next appeared in the 1920 Census in Grady Co., with wife Isis and two-year old daughter Elizabeth. Lee died on April 15, 1952 in Minco, Grady Co., OK and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Minco. A typescript obituary records that “Early in life he was converted and became a member of the Advent Christian church near his home. His life was a living testimony of his faith in the saving power of Christ.”

Lee Thomas Coffey and Isis Orpha Winfree were married June 29,1916. They appeared in the 1930 Census in Minco. Isis, the daughter of James M. Winfree and Emma M. (LNU) was born in Beaucoup, Washington Co., IL on May 30, 1890. She appeared in the 1900 Census in Nashville Twp., Washington Co., IL in the household with her parents. At the 1910 Census in St. Louis, MO she was listed as a single woman residing in a boarding house and working in St. Louis. She died on March 10, 1976 in Minco, Grady Co., OK,6 and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Minco.

Lee and Isis had the following child:

i. Elizabeth Mae COFFEY was born in Minco, June 21, 1917.

Drury Dobbins & Harriet Elizabeth Collett Coffey

Drury was the son of Daniel Boone and Clarissa Estes Coffey, and was born Apr. 23, 1838 in Burke Co., NC.  Harriet was the daughter of James Hamilton and Jane Stewart Collett [photo], and was born Nov. 25, 1840 in Caldwell Co.

She and Drury were married in Caldwell Co. on Aug. 15, 1859.  Drury died in Caldwell Co. on Aug. 16, 1913 and Harriet on Jan. 13, 1921.  Both are buried in Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.

Her obituary:

MRS. HARRIET COFFEY OF LENOIR, DIES AT AGE OF 80

Lenoir, Jan. 16 -- Mrs. Harriet Coffey died at the home of her son, F. H. Coffey, Thursday evening, being 80 years old, and was buried Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock in Bellview cemetery, Rev. A. A. McLean conducting the funeral services.

Mrs. Coffey, whose maiden name was Miss Harriet Collett, was born at Collettsville November 25, 1840, and on August 24, 1859, was married to D. D. Coffey. To this union two sons, F. H. and D. S. Coffey, and one daughter, Ellen Coffey, were born. Mr. and Mrs. Coffey continued to live at Collettsville for a number of years, following which time they went west and lived 14 years. At the end of that time, their son, F. H. Coffey and his family, who were also living in Junction City, decided to return to North Carolina, and Mr. and Mrs. Coffey returned with them to Lenoir where they lived until August, 1913, when Mr. Coffey died. Four years ago last October Mrs. Coffey fell and broke her hip. Since that time she had been confined to her bed.

She was a life long member of the Adventist church, and a professed Christian. Hers was a life of loving service and she will be greatly missed. She did not complain at her lot, but bore with courageous patience her affliction. During the war she knitted sweaters and socks for the soldiers, and seemed so glad to do that much for the boys.  [Courtesy of Nancy Stonebreaker]

His obituary:

August 13, 1913 – Mr. Drury Coffey Passes.

Useful and Valued Citizen and Brave Confederate Veteran Answers Final Roll Call.

Mr. Drury D. Coffey died at the home of his son, Mr. F.H. Coffey Saturday evening at 6 o'clock after an illness of only a few weeks. For several months Mr. Coffey had been in declining health, but not till recently did his friends and relatives become alarmed about his condition and realize that the end was near. He was one of the old landmarks of Caldwell county, and the announcement of his death will bring sorrow to many homes, especially among the older citizens, who love and honored him, as their comrade and leader.

Drury D. Coffey was born in the Mulberry section of the county in 1838, and was soon recognized as a leader among his people in both social and political life. He was honest as a citizen and always spoke his convictions. As a public servant, he was the champion of the rights of his people and always guarded their interest most zealously. When the Civil War came on, he immediately volunteered and went to the front as a member of Company E, 58th North Carolina Regiment. He was made Sergeant Major of this company and distinguished himself for his prowess and devotion to the cause. He was in many engagements, but was only wounded slightly one time, having a finger shot off.

After the close of the war, he returned to his home, and began life anew as a farmer. He was soon honored by his people by being elected County Commissioner, and so successful and wise was he in handling the affairs of the county, that he was re-elected seven consecutive terms, serving in all sixteen years. In 1857 he represented Caldwell county in the General Assembly of North Carolina, and here he distinguished himself for the boldness and aggressiveness with which he championed the rights and cause of the common people. He moved from this county to the State of Kansas in 1892, where he lived 15 years. In his old days he felt the longing to return to his native county, and in 1907 he returned and took up his residence in Lenoir, where he lived till his death.

In 1868, Mr. Coffey was married to Miss H. E. Collett of this county. She together with two sons, Mr. D. S. Coffey of St. Paul, Minn., and Mr. F. H. Coffey of Lenoir; one daughter, the wife of Dr. Robert Coffey of Portland, Ore., one of the most noted surgeons on the Pacific Coast; and three sisters, Mesdames Charley Coffey and H. C. Coffey of Lenoir, and Mrs. M. E. Moore of Manhattan, Kan., survive him.

He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and until his death was the oldest living member of Hibriten Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No 262. The burial was with Masonic honors, the funeral services being conducted from the residence of Mr. F. H. Coffey Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by Rev. C. T. Squires. The body was laid to rest in Belleview Cemetery. The pallbearers were Major G. W. F. Harper, Capt. Edmond Jones and Messrs J. L. Nelson, H. L. Houck, E. F. Reid, C. A. Tuttle, M. N. Harshaw and F. P. Moore.  [Courtesy of Nancy Stonebreaker]

Their children were:

Finley Hezekiah, born Apr. 20, 1861, died Aug. 4, 1943

Daniel Silvester, born May 20, 1866, died Apr. 16, 1945

Clarissa Ellen, born Sep. 24, 1868, died Mar. 1, 1939

Please contact me to add to or to correct any of this information.

Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey

I have just received these photographs from John W. Coffey in Raleigh, NC. He wrote that the beard seen here on Elijah was added to the photo after Elijah died. John also said that he had been told that the beard was lifted from a photo of Lincoln, but he has not been able to verify that.

Elijah was a son of William Coffey, Jr., and his wife Margaret Robbins. William and Margaret married in Caldwell Co., NC in 1829. In addition to Elijah (second born), their other children were: Elbert, Larkin, Bartlett, Cornelius, Elizabeth, Thomas, Mary, Sarah, William and Margaret.

Elijah and Mary Ann were married on June 20, 1867 in Caldwell Co. Mary Ann was born Feb. 23, 1843, a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth Penley Nelson. She died Jan. 6, 1929 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

Elijah was born on Buffalo Creek in Wilkes Co., NC on Aug. 20, 1838 and died in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co. on Oct. 6, 1891.

Their children were:

Harriet "Hattie", born May 15, 1868, died Nov. 16, 1954. She married James Alexander Stewart on Dec. 22, 1896 at Harpers Chapel, Patterson Twp.

John William, born Jun. 18, 1869 in Patterson Twp., died Jun. 11, 1960 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC. He married Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little on Dec. 14, 1898 in Raleigh.

Lee Thomas, born Jun. 24, 1871 in Patterson Twp., died Apr. 15, 1952 in Minco, Grady Co., OK. He married Isis Orpha Winfree (Hmmm!) on Jun. 29, 1916. Isis was born May 30, 1890 in Beaucoup, Washington Co., IL and died in Minco on Mar. 10, 1976.

George Nelson, born Jan. 17, 1875 in Patterson Twp., died in Wooster, Wayne Co., OH on Oct. 4, 1967. He married Clara Estella Kean on Apr. 22, 1914 in Wooster. She was born Jan. 29, 1889 in Wooster and died there on Jan. 26, 1926.

The last child I have found is Mary Etta, born May 18, 1880, died Jul. 25, 1971. I have no descendants for her.

John wrote that this photograph was taken of Elijah's widow and children in the front yard of their home. We can see a lot of detail in the home. It must have been a beautiful place when seen in its full color and environment.

I can be reached at the above e-mail address if corrections or additions are needed.