Marion Oliver & Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey

Marion Oliver was the twelth of thirteen children born to Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey.

Thomas was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey, and was born Jan. 1, 1853 in North Carolina. He died in Watauga Co. on Dec. 17, 1915. Martha was the daughter of Thomas D. and Mary Elrod Cook, and was born Jul. 3, 1858 in Watauga Co. She died there on Mar. 25, 1939.

Marion Oliver was born Dec. 15, 1896 in North Carolina and died in Boone, Watauga Co. on Nov. 29, 1995.

His obituary:

Marion Oliver Coffey, 98, of Route 4, Boone, died Wednesday, Nov. 29, 1995, at Glenstone Health Care Center.

He was born Dec. 15, 1896, in Watauga County to the late Thomas and Ellen Cook Coffey. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Lyda Edmisten Coffey; four children; one granddaughter, Martha Fox; and a great-grandson, Matthew Higgins.

Coffey was a retired farmer and a member of Laurel Fork Baptist Church.

Survivors include one son, Bill Coffey of Quaker Hill, Conn.; three daughters, Mrs. E. B. (Eula Mae) Fox and Mrs. David (Nancy) Haas of Boone and Mrs. Stanley (Geneva) Hall of Hudson; 13 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; seven great-great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

The funeral is Saturday at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. with the Rev. Dean Coffey and Dr. Lamar King officiating. Burial will be in the Edmisten Cemetery.

The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at the funeral home in Boone.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Project on Aging or to Meals on Wheels, 783 West King St., Boone, N.C 28607

He married Lydia Ruth Edmisten on Dec. 30, 1917 in Watauga Co. and raised their family there. They appear in the census record for that county for 1920 and 1930. Both are buried in the Edmisten Cemetery at Perkinsville, Watauga Co.

They were the parents of at least eight children:

One child, a son, was born Jun. 16, 1919 and was apparently still born.

William Ray, born May 27, 1920, died Nov. 10, 1996. William married Amanda Hortense Wood, a daughter of Walter Raleigh Wood. She was born in Ashe Co. in 1920. It is believed that Amanda is still living somewhere in North Carolina.+ Their children were: Wanda, William, Jr., Sharon, Debra and Sheila.

His obituary:

William Ray "Bill" Coffey Sr., 76, of Quaker Hill, Conn., formerly of Watauga County, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 1996, at the residence.

He was born May 27, 1920, in Blowing Rock to the late Marion Oliver and Lyda Ruth Edmisten Coffey.

Mr. Coffey was a retired employee of Electric Boat as a sheet metal trade worker. He was a member of the Electric Boat Athletic Club Baseball League.

Survivors include his wife, Hortense Amanda Wood Coffey of the home; one son, William Ray Coffey Jr., of Ledyard, Conn.; four daughters, Mrs. Frank (Wanda) Reid of Hudson, Mrs. Don (Sharon) Beck of Waterford, Conn., Mrs. Joe (Debra) Paskwich of New London, Conn. and Mrs. Bill (Sheila) Muscella of Lebanon, Conn.; three sisters, Mrs. E. B. (Eula Mae) Fox and Mrs. David (Nancy) Haas, both of Boone, and Mrs. Stanley (Geneva) Hall of Hudson; 10 grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

The funeral is Friday at 11 a.m. at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel in Boone with the Rev. Joe Paskwich officiating. Burial will be in the Coffey Family Cemetery, George Hayes Road, Boone.

The family will receive friends Friday from 10 until 11 a.m. at the funeral home.

+According to Bill Muscella, Amanda's son-in-law, she has lived in Quaker Hill, CT for some time. This update from an e-mail to me dated 8/13/2016.


John Robert, born Aug. 12, 1922

Marion Audra, born Oct. 6, 1924

Sadie Ruth, born Mar. 4, 1926

Eula May, born May 4, 1929. She married Everett Burton Fox, Jr., son of Everett and Texie Creola Adams. Everett, Jr. was born Mar. 15, 1927 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 18, 2003. Their children were: Martha, Everette III, Charles and George. Eula May is thought to still be living somewhere in North Carolina.

Geneva Fay, born Sep. 17, 1931 in Watauga Co, married Stanley Hall on Mar. 21, 1953 in Watauga co. I do not have any additional family information.

Nancy Ellen, born May 16, 1934, married David Perry Haas. They had at least two children: David Bryan and Timothy Oliver.

Additions/Corrections can be submitted using the e-mail address below.

Benjamin Franklin Coffey (KY 1851 - KY 1918)

Benjamin Franklin Coffey, Jr. was the son of Ben, Sr. and Martha Lorilla Dobbs. Ben, Sr. was born Feb. 10, 1851 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY and died in McCreary Co., KY on Apr. 6, 1918. Martha was born Mar. 18, 1850 in Wayne Co., and died in McCreary Co. on Mar. 5, 1938. Ben, Sr. was a son of Nelson and Keziah Watters Coffey.

1. Benjamin Franklin COFFEY was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Feb 10, 1851. He died on Apr 6, 1918 in McCreary Co., KY.

Benjamin Franklin COFFEY and Martha Lorilla DOBBS were married on Dec 5, 1872 in Whitley Co., KY. They appeared in the census on Jun 22, 1880 in Wayne Co., KY.1 Martha Lorilla DOBBS was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 18, 1850. She appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY as a widow.2 Martha died on Mar 5, 1938 in McCreary Co., KY. Benjamin and Martha had the following children:

i. Nelson COFFEY was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY about 1874.
2 ii. Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr., born on Feb 16, 1876, Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY; married Sallie Belle CLARK, on Nov 11, 1902, KY.
3 iii. Tolbert M. COFFEY, born on Feb 5, 1878, Wayne Co., KY; married Sarah LNU, about 1899, Wayne Co., KY.
4 iv. Nettie COFFEY, born on Jun 10, 1881, Kentucky; married George PHILLIPS, on Jan 24, 1906, Kentucky; died on Feb 20, 1973, McCreary Co., KY.
v. Gertie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1883, and died about 1886 in KY.
5 vi. Henderson COFFEY, born on Mar 29, 1886, Kentucky; married Alice CLARK; died on Jan 5, 1909, KY.
6 vii. America COFFEY, born on Mar 11, 1890, Wayne Co., KY; married Litten KEITH; died on Nov 29, 1993, KY.
7 viii. Maggie COFFEY, born in 1893, Kentucky; married James KEITH.
8 ix. James Perkins COFFEY, born on Aug 24, 1896, Kentucky; married Clara CORRELL, on Jan 16, 1924, Kentucky; died on Feb 14, 1929, KY.


Second Generation

2. Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr. (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Feb 16, 1876.

Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr. and Sallie Belle CLARK were married on Nov 11, 1902 in Kentucky. They appeared in the census on Jan 17, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY,3 and the census on Apr 3, 1930 in McCreary Co., KY.4 Sallie Belle CLARK was born in Kentucky on May 3, 1884, and died on Nov 20, 1966 in McCreary Co., KY. Benjamin Jr. and Sallie had the following children:

i. Martha COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1905.
ii. Benjamin Franklin COFFEY Jr. was born in Kentucky about 1907.
9 iii. Rebecca F. COFFEY, born on Sep 12, 1908, Wayne Co., KY; married John H. COFFEY, on Nov 15, 1928, McCreary Co., KY; died on Aug 9, 2000, McCreary Co., KY. John was the son of William and Laura Belle Jones Coffey.
iv. Tony M. COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1911.
v. Leroy COFFEY was born in North Carolina about 1913.
vi. Henry O. (A.?) COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1914.
vii. James H. COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1917.
viii. Dovie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1920.
ix. Delphia COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1926.
x. Vianie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1927.
xi. Grover COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1928.

3. Tolbert M. COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Feb 5, 1878.

Tolbert M. COFFEY and Sarah LNU were married about 1899 in Wayne Co., KY. They appeared in the census on Jun 14, 1900 in Wayne Co., KY.5 Sarah LNU was born in Kentucky in Jan 1883. Tolbert M. COFFEY and Sarah LNU had the following children:

i. Martha COFFEY was born in Wayne Co., KY in Oct 1899.

4. Nettie COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Jun 10, 1881. She died on Feb 20, 1973 in McCreary Co., KY.

Nettie COFFEY and George PHILLIPS were married on Jan 24, 1906 in Kentucky. They appeared in the census on May 2, 1910 in Wayne Co., KY,6 and in the census on Mar 10, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY.7 George PHILLIPS was born in Wayne Co., KY about 1884, and died on Jul 25, 1974 in McCreary Co., KY. Nettie COFFEY and George PHILLIPS had the following children:

i. Flonnie PHILLIPS was born in Kentucky on Oct 22, 1906.
ii. Mattie PHILLIPS was born in Whitley Co., KY on Aug 13, 1908.
iii. Otto PHILLIPS was born in Whitley Co., KY on Jul 3, 1910.

5. Henderson COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Mar 29, 1886, and died on Jan 5, 1909 in Kentucky.

Henderson COFFEY and Alice CLARK were married. Alice CLARK [Still being researched]


6. America COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 11, 1890, and died on Nov 29, 1993 in Kentucky.

America COFFEY and Litten KEITH were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 16, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY.8 Litten KEITH was born in Kentucky about 1891.


7. Maggie COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky in 1893.

Maggie COFFEY and James KEITH were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY in the household with Maggie's widowed mother. James KEITH was born in Kentucky about 1887.


8. James Perkins COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Aug 24, 1896. He appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in Slavans, McCreary Co., KY as a single man in the household with his widowed mother. He died on Feb 14, 1929 in Kentucky.

James Perkins COFFEY and Clara CORRELL were married on Jan 16, 1924 in Kentucky. Clara CORRELL was born in Kentucky in 1905, and died on Sep 25, 1995.




Third Generation

9. Rebecca F. COFFEY (Benjamin F.-2, Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Sep 12, 1908, and died on Aug 9, 2000 in McCreary Co., KY.

Rebecca F. COFFEY and John H. COFFEY were married on Nov 15, 1928 in McCreary Co., KY. John H. COFFEY (son of William COFFEY and Laura Belle JONES) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 29, 1910. He died on Oct 1, 2002 in McCreary Co., KY.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1880 Wayne Co., Dist. 5, ED110, Page 24, dwelling/family 212, Coffey, Benjamin F., white male, age 29, married, farmer, born KY, father born NC, mother born KY; Martha Z., white female, age 30, wife, married, keeping house, born KY, father born KY, mother born NC; Nelson, white male, age 6, son, single, born KY, parents born KY; Benjamin F., white male, age 4, son, single, born KY, parents born KY; Bonapart, white male, age 2, son, single, born KY, parents born KY.
2. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans, Dist 179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 29, Coffey, Martha, head, female, white, age 69, widow, born KY, parents born KY; James, son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Keith, James, son-in-law, male, white, age 33, married, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Keith, Maggie, dau., female, white, age 26, married, born KY, parents born KY.
3. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans Twp., ED179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 30, Coffey, Benjamine F., head, male, white, age 43, married, born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Sally B.,wife, female, white, age 36, married, born KY, parents born KY; Martha, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Benjamine F., son, male, white, age 13, single, born KY; Rececca F., dau., female, white, age 11, single, born KY; Tony M., dau., female, white, age 9, born KY; Lee R. [sic], son, male, white, age 7, born KY; Henry A., son, male, white, age 5, born KY;James H., son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 5 mos.
4. Ibid., 1930 McCreary Co., Whitehead Twp., ED6, Sheet 2A, Wolf Creek Road, dwelling/family 19, Coffey, Benjamin F., head, male, white, age 54, married at age 26, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sallie B., wife, female, white, age 44, married at age 17, born KY, parents born KY; Benjamin F., son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY; Tony M., dau., female, white, age 19, single, born KY; Leroy, son, male, white, age 17, single, born KY; Henry O., son, male, white, age 16, single, born KY; James, son, male, white, age 13, born KY; Docie, dau., female,white, age 10, born KY; Dorothy, dau., female, white, age 7, born KY; Delphia, dau., female, white, age 4 [?], born KY; Vianie, dau., female, white, age 3, born KY; Grover, son, male, white, age [?], born KY.
5. Ibid., 1900 Wayne Co., Pct. 6, ED130, Sheet 9B, dwelling 162, family 163, Coffey, Talbert [sic], head, white male, born Feb. 1878, age 22, married 1 yr., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sarah, wife, white female, born Jan. [?], 1883, age 17, married 1 yr., born KY, parents born KY; Marthy, dau., white female, born Oct. 1899, age 7 mos., born KY.
6. Ibid., 1910 Wayne Co., Rock Creek Pct., ED229, Sheet 3B, dwelling 97, family 101, Philips, George, head, male, white, age 25, married once for 4 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Nettie, wife, female, white, age 24, married once for 4 yrs., born KY, parents born KY; Flonnie, dau., female, white, age 3, born KY; Mattie, dau., ffemale, white, age 1 yr., 4 mos. [Census is light and difficult to read].
7. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., White Head Pct., ED178, Sheet 1A, Alum Creek Road, dwelling/family 4, Phillips, George, head, male, white, age 36, married born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Nettie, wife, female, white, age 40, married, born KY, parents born KY; Flonna, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Mattie, dau., female,whtie, age 12, single, born KY; Otto, son, male, white, age 9, single, born KY.
8. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans, Pct. 16, ED179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 31, Keith, Litten, head, male, white, age 28, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; America, wife, female, white, age 29, married, born KY, parents born KY.

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

Lilburn Warren Coffee

In a previous blog about Lilburn Warren Coffee, son of my 3G-grandfather Lilburn Coffee, I did not have any information about the family of his wife, Margaret Goode.

Repeating a bit of that earlier blog, Lilburn Warren was born Sep. 1, 1850 in Hempstead Co., AR and died in Big Spring, Howard Co., TX on Mar. 30, 1918. He married Margaret Goode on Oct. 26, 1876 in Hays Co., TX

Margaret was born May 7, 1855 in TX, and died Mar. 16, 1946 in Big Spring. She was the daughter of Wadsworth F. "Watt" Goode and Nancy Emeline Moose. "Watt" was born in Jan., 1825 in Alabama; Nancy was born Mar., 1834 in either Mississippi or North Carolina. She listed both places in various census records.

According to his Civil War Pension Application dated Aug. 2, 1899, and approved Dec. 22, 1899, "Watt" served in Capt. Clay Davis' Co. from Apr., 1864 to Apr. 1865 in Rancho Davis, TX.

[According to the Handbook of Texas Online Rancho Davis was a town "on the Rio Grande near the site of the former Carnestolendos Ranch." At the end of the Mexican War in 1848, it because part of Nueces Co. "Camp Ringgold, later Fort Ringgold, was established at Rancho Davis on Oct. 26, 1848, the year the county was organized and named for James Harper Starr, Rancho Davis was renamed Rio Grande City and made county seat."]

"Watt" married Nancy Emeline Moose on Aug. 15, 1851 in Fayette Co., TX. They are found later in the 1860 and 1870 census record in Austin Co.; 1880 in Hays Co., and finally in Yoakum, DeWitt Co. According to the Texas Death Index (1902-2000), "Watt" died in Lavaca Co. on Nov. 20, 1914. He was buried in Yoakum Co. in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

I have not found a death date for Nancy Emeline.

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

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.

---

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.

More about George Hamilton Hayes

While updating family files using census records I discovered that George Hamilton Hayes, born Jan. 5, 1868, died Aug. 23, 1953, was a son of Joseph Hayes and Eliza Hodges.

Joseph was born Oct. 23, 1828 in Watauga Co., and died Apr. 28, 1907 in that county. He married Eliza Hodges on Oct. 10, 1848 in Ashe Co., NC. Eliza was born Jan. 6, 1829 in North Carolina, and died in Boone, Watauga Co. on Aug. 3, 1887. Joseph was a son of Ransom Hayes and Sarah Greene.

There were other children born to Ransom and Sarah, but I have only looked at Joseph and Richard. Richard was born in May 1849. He married Delphia L. Hayes. I have not yet found a blook link between Delphia and Richard. They were the parents of Etta May Hayes who married Francis Richmond Coffey on Dec. 25, 1891 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC.

Ransom was born c1805 in Caldwell Co., NC, a son of George Hayes, Sr., and Mary Judah (Polly) Mills Hayes. Mary was a daughter of William Mills and Sarah Ellis.

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

Lee Thomas and Isis Orpha Winfree Coffey

Lee Thomas Coffey was born in North Carolina on Jun 24, 1871, a son of Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey. He appeared in the census on Jun. 8, 1900 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC as head of a household that included his widowed mother.1 He also appeared in the census on Apr 16, 1910 in Grady Co., OK enumerated as a single man in the household with his brother-in-law, James Alexander Stewart, who had married Harriet Coffey, Lee's older sister. Lee next appeared in the census on Jan. 7, 1920 in Grady Co., OK with Isis and two-year old daughter, Elizabeth.2 Lee died on Apr 15, 1952 in Grady Co., OK and was buried in the Everegreen Cemetery, Minco, Grady Co., OK.3

Lee Thomas and Isis Orpha Winfree were married about 1916. They appeared in the census on Apr 24, 1930 in Minco, Grady Co., OK.4 Isis, the daughter of James M. Winfree and Emma M. (LNU) was born in Illinois on May 30, 1890. She appeared in the census on Jun 11, 1900 in Washington, Nashville Twp., IL in the household with her parents. At the census on Apr 16, 1910 in St. Louis, MO she was enumeraed as a lodger and single woman residing in a boarding house and working in St. Louis.5 She died on Mar 10, 1976 in Minco, Grady Co., OK,6 and was buried in the Everegreen Cemetery, Minco, Grady Co., OK.7

Lee was in the retail hardware business in Minco, and Isis was his bookkeeper.

Lee and Isis had the following children:

i. Elizabeth COFFEY was born in Oklahoma about Jun 1917.


Sources:
1 United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1900 Caldwell Co., Patterson Twp., ED31, Sheet 4B, dwelling/family 78, Coffey, Lee T., head, white male, born June 1871, age 28, single, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Mary A., mother, white female, born Feb. 1843, age 57, widow, mother of 2, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC; Mary, sister, white female, born May 1880, age 20, single, born NC, parents born NC. [The family of James Nelson, age 25, was a neighbor].
2 Ibid., 1920 Grady Co., Minco town, Union Twp., ED180, Sheet 3A, dwelling 53, family 57, Coffee [sic], Lee T., head, male, white, age 48, married, born NC, parents born NC, hardware merchant; Isis, wife, female, white, age 27, married, born IL, parents born IL; Elizabeth, dau., female, white, age 2 yrs., 7 mos., born OK, father born NC, mother born IL.
3 Rootsweb. [http://www.rootsweb.com/~okcemete/grady/evergreen/c/c2evergreen.htm].
4 United States Federal Census. 1930 Grady Co., Union Twp., Minco town, ED20, Sheet 8B, Second St., dwelling 152, family 171, Coffee [sic], Lee T., head, male, white, age 59, married at age 45, born NC, parents born NC, hardware dealer; Isis O., wife, female, white, age 40, married at age 27, born IL, parents born IL, store bookkeeper; Elizabeth, dau., female, white, age 12, born OK, father born NC, mother born IL.
5 Ibid., 1910 St. Louis city, ED71, Sheet 2B, 1814 Washington St., dwelling 39, family 53, Winfree, Isis O., lodger, female, white, age 20, single, born IL, parents born IL, milliner,.
6 Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: Isis Coffey SSN: 445-42-8810 Last Residence: 73059 Minco, Grady, Oklahoma, United States Born: 30 May 1890 Died: Mar 1976 State (Year) SSN issued: Oklahoma (1959-1960 ).
7 Rootsweb. [http://www.rootsweb.com/~okcemete/grady/evergreen/c/c2evergreen.htm].

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

Thanks to Donald M. Coffey of Yorktown, VA for additional information and corrections.

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.

Collettsville, NC Historical Society (Update Jun. 1, 2008)

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This website is now off-line.

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A new website is now available for western North Carolina family researchers. The recently formed Collettsville Historical Society, Inc. has claimed space on the web to display their work, membership information, and other items of interest to genealogists. One of the first large projects to be included thus far are the cemeteries of the area.

According to the website, their area of interest is the "northwestern section of Caldwell County from Wilson Creek, including Johns River to Mulberry Creek."

The village of Collettsville is located in the foot hills of western North Carolina in northwestern Caldwell County. The town is at the confluence of Mulberry Creek and Johns River. We have recently been discovered by the outside world of land developers as a wonderful place to live. We agree. At the same time we realize that our heritage and culture as we know it today will rapidly change.

The introduction further explains that many of the first settlers of the area were the Collett, White, Webb, Estes, Greene, Franklin, Coffey and Gragg families.
If your family came from this area of Caldwell County you probably will want to visit this site on a regular basis. Because it is new, it will continue to grow and add material almost daily.
It is also a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation which means that all donations to it, monetary or otherwise, are tax deductable.
Click on the title link to visit the Society's website.

Louis Jasper Coffey (1860 NC-1947 MO)

Lewis Jasper Coffey was born Oct. 6, 1860 in North Carolina to Eli and Louisa Caroline Storie Coffey. He died Dec. 15, 1947 in Pettis Co., MO.

Eli was born c1813, a son of James and Delilah Ferguson Coffey. Louisa was a daughter of Eli and Mary (Polly) Carlton Storie, and was born Apr. 1831 in NC, died after 1910 in MO.

Lewis' siblings were James, born c1853; Joshua, born c1854; Louisa C., born Sep. 12, 1856, died Feb. 19, 1942 and Isaac Milton, born c1858.

Lewis Jasper and Alice Ann Moulder, who was born Jan. 5, 1868 in MO and died Feb. 28, 1944 in Camden Co., MO, were married on Jan. 7, 1886 in Camden Co.

There were at least 10 children born to this union:

Buford Garfield, born Oct. 7, 1889, married Delphia A. Campbell c1912 in MO. Delphia was the daughter of Charles R. and Emily M. Campbell and was born Sep., 1895 in MO. Their children were Verdie, born c1913; Finis A., born c1915; Agnes Verna, born c1918; Hurle or Hurley Boss, born c1921; Charles Lewis, born c1926; and Clayton A., born c1929.

George B., born Feb. 8, 1892, died Mar. 3, 1893

Autis Belford, born Jan. 9, 1893 in MO, died Feb. 12, 1968 in Kansas City, Wyandotte Co., KS. He married Edith Estelle Toby, born Sep. 29, 1896, died May 6, 1993. Their children were: Charles Leslie, born Dec. 26, 1918, died Jan. 2, 2000, married Ellen Moss; Ila May, born c1922; Emil Ray, born May 26, 1923; Russell Glen, born Nov. 12, 1928, died Sep. 2002; Paul Marvin, born Mar. 27, 1931, died Nov. 26, 1983, married Myrtle Darlene McClain.

Leslie D., born Feb. 16, 1896 in MO, died Feb. 3, 1979. Married Della M. Edison, born Sep. 8, 1898 in MO, died Oct. 12, 1986. Their children were Hilda F., born c1922; Frieda, born c1924; Lew Dwight, born c1926; Donald, born c1927; Berna Dale; Eurla Jane.

Millie May, born Apr. 12, 1898, died Jan. 29, 2005

Elza S., born May 30, 1901, died Feb. 28, 1947

Ida Mabel, born c1905

Aubra B., born c1907

Shelby R., born Mar. 22, 1908, died Oct. 18, 1974

Lily Fay, born Oct. 18, 1912

Lewis and Alice were enumerated in the 1900 through 1930 census in Camden Co., MO. Both are buried in the Green Cemetery at Climax Springs, Camden Co.

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

Photo courtesy Carol Hall

DVM George Hamilton Hayes

George Hamilton Hayes, born Jan. 5, 1868 in Watauga Co., NC, married Rosa Ethel (Rosie) Coffey on Aug. 4, 1909 in that county. Rosie was the daughter of Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey. She died in Watuga Co. on Jan. 2, 1940. George died there on Aug. 23, 1953.

Before his marriage to Rosie, he was married to Mollie Moody in 1879. Together they had two children: Roby Harvey, born Nov. 25, 1890, and Thomas W., born May 23, 1893. Molly died in Watauga County in 1906.

Six children were born to the union with Rosie:

Texie Verlee, born Sep. 6, 1910
Joseph Ransom, born Sep. 10, 1912, died Feb. 13, 2005
Doris Perry, born Jun. 3, 1915
William Arthur, born Feb. 17, 1918
Glenn Lawrence, born Mar. 18, 1920
Julia Helena, born Jan. 12, 1928

Following Rosie's death in 1940, George married Alice Taylor. There are no known children from this union.

In 1907 George became a Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine and was the first man to be licensed to practice veterinarian medicine in Watauga Co. where he practiced for 45 years.

Thomas Carlton, born Jan. 1, 1853 in North Carolina, died Dec. 17, 1915, was the son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. He and Martha Ellen Cook were married Nov. 14, 1875 in Watauga Co. Martha was born Jul. 3, 1858 in North Carolina and died Mar. 25, 1939 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Elrod Cook.

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

Western North Carolina Genealogy Resource Center

The Western North Carolina Genealogy Resource Center is owned by Diane Ramsey Miller and is pretty well organized. It contains some genealogical records not found elsewhere. If you are researching in western NC visit the website by clicking on the title link.

John Wilkerson Coffey (Update 11-24-07)

The problem that I have had in placing John Wilkerson Coffey into the proper family has likely been solved with an e-mail received yesterday from John Coffey of Raleigh, NC.

This is what John wrote:

"I do still want to quibble about your placement of John Wilkerson Coffey in the family of William Coffey Jr. and Margaret Robbins Coffey. For one, John Wilkerson is listed in the family Bible record of William Coffey Jr., which lists the children beginning with Elbert (b. 3 Jan 1837). According to that same Bible record William and Margaret were married 2 Jan 1836—well after the presumed 1830/31 birth date of John Wilkerson. Another, tangential piece of evidence is a letter written by John W[ilkerson] Coffey to Elijah Coffey during the Civil War in which John reports that “I was at your fathers to day & they was all well.” This indicates to me a close but not father-son relationship.

"What makes more sense is that John Wilkerson is a half-brother to William. After the death of Mary (Polly) Coffey ca. 1828, William Sr. marries ca. 1830 another Margaret Robbins—the aunt of the Margaret Robbins who married William Jr. By this union two children are born: John Wilkerson (b. ca. 1831) and Nancy E. (b. 13 Aug 1832). The widow Margaret and her two children are enumerated in the 1850 census as neighbors of William Jr. Jack Hawkins ( CaldHeritMus@aol.com) has done much to unravel the Robbins-Coffey confusion."

"John Wilkerson Coffey appears to have been regarded almost as an older brother by William Jr.’s son Elijah. He was, after all, far closer to Elijah’s generation than that of his half-brother William, Jr. During the Civil War, John Wilkerson apparently remained at home while Elijah and his brothers joined the Confederate army. John Wilkerson sent Elijah the lyrics for patriotic ballads and on at least one intriguing occasion advised Elijah on the legal limitations of habeas corpus protection in cases of desertion or harboring deserters. And it is well to note that John Wilkerson named his first son Elijah and Elijah named his first son John W[illiam]—my great-grandfather and namesake."

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The Caldwell County, North Carolina Register of Deeds website lists an 1855 marriage record for John William Coffey to Linsey Robbins. Although not found in any census with his family, I believe he was a son of William (Jr.) and Margaret Robbins Coffey.

John was born c1830 in North Carolina and Mary Lindsey Robbins was born c1823 in Wilkes Co., NC. They had a son named Elijah M. Coffey, born Sep. 28, 1856, died Mar. 2, 1933.

Elijah married Caroline Amanda (Carrie) Dobbins, born Apr. 25, 1862, died Nov. 12, 1951. Elijah and Carrie had at least six children:

John Hilliard, born 1882, died 1958
Julia Ann, born 1888, died 1971
James Franklin, born Jun. 14, 1891, died 1965
Margaretta Elizabeth, born Aug. 29, 1894, death date unknown
Joseph Dobbins, born 1896, died 1972
Mary Lindsay, born 1898, died 1977

It appears that the child Mary Lindsay was named for Elijah's mother. Joseph was apparently named for his mother's family. Carrie was the daughter of Eber and Minerva McCall Dobbins. Eber Dobbins was born c1818 in New Jersey; Minerva was born c1834 in North Carolina.

James Franklin Coffey was born in Buffalo Cove, Caldwell Co., and married Margaret E. LNU c1917 in North Carolina. It is believed that Margaret was Margaret Elizabeth and called Bessie. The birth records for one of their children names the mother as Bessie Coffey.

Their known children were:

Wallace E., born about Sep., 1917 in Caldwell Co.
Millard Lafayette, born 1922, also in Caldwell Co.

It appears that Joseph Dobbins Coffey married Nellie Blanche Robbins in 1922, Caldwell Co. I believe that Nellie was the daughter of Thomas S. and Mary L. McGuire Robbins, and that she was sister to Caroline Amanda (Carrie) Dobbins. This means of course, that Joseph Dobbins married his mother's sister.

Joseph and Nellie had at least nine children, two of which were born and died unnamed in 1931. Two other named children were born and died in the same year. One was Howard Dalton, born and died in 1927, and Margaret Evaline, born and died in 1934.

Their other children were:

James Ward, born 1925, died 1991
Robert Earl, born 1929, died 1983
Betty Ruth, born May 23, 1932, died Mar. 31, 2005
J. D. Devon (Toby), born 1939, died 1985
Carl Gabriel, born Dec. 26, 1941, died 1996

Other children of John Wilkerson (William?) and Mary Lindsey Robbins Coffey were:

Margaret, born c1859
Jethro, born c1861
James, born c1864
Julia, born c1869

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

Clara Coffey (1853-1917)

Clara Coffey was a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Sally) Estes Coffey. She was born May, 1853 in North Carolina - probably in Caldwell Co. - and died in that county in 1917. She married Waightstill H. Haigler on Aug. 11, 1872 in Caldwell Co. who was born Jun., 1852 in NC and died in Caldwell Co. in 1927. Waightstill was a son of John and Eula Beard Haigler.

Isaac, Clara's father, was a son of Smith and Hannah Boone Coffey. I have not found any of the ancestors of Sally Estes. Clara was the sixth of the 12 known children of Isaac and Sally. Smith was born c1776 in Albemarle Co., VA and died in 1839 in Cherokee Co., NC. Hannah was born c1783 in Burke Co., NC and died Nov. 22, 1886 in Caldwell Co.

The Haigler's had at least two children: John, born c1874. John apparently died before 1900 because in the census that year Clara reported that she was the mother of two but only one survived. That second child was a daughter, Mary Elizabeth (Betty), born Jun., 1877 in Caldwell Co., and who died there in 1956.

Betty married Lee Durham Barlow c1895 in NC - probably in Caldwell Co. He was born in NC in Jul., 1874 and, together they had at least four children:

Clara Elmira, born Jan., 1896, died 1976, married a Lee
John Ray, born 1900, died 1970
Waitsel Boone, born 1904, died 1968
Daisy Lee, born 1907, died 1994, married a Harville

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

Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore

Wiley Hill Moore was born Apr. 28, 1883 in Watauga Co., NC. He married Ellen Hodges, born c1883 in North Carolina. A marriage date has not been found. The union produced at least seven children, two of which married into a Coffey family.

Their first son and third child Ralph James Moore, was born Apr. 4, 1908 in Watauga Co. Ralph married Lottie Murl Coffey, a daughter of Roby Monroe and Annie Lee Wright Coffey. Roby was the son of George Washington and Matilda Coffey Coffey. Annie was the daughter of Thomas A. Wright and Margaret Ann Coffey.

Lottie was born Feb. 24, 1912 in Caldwell Co., NC and died May 3, 1998 in Culpeper Co., VA. A death date has not been found for Ralph.

Their children were:

Lonnie Desmon, born Jul. 20, 1928
Collis Eugene, born Dec. 12, 1932
Unnamed, born Dec. 29, 1934
Margaret Ruth, born Dec. 25, 1937
Betty Jean, born Jul. 20, 1939
Jay Harold, born Dec. 21, 1941
Theodore Monroe, born Dec. 18, 1944

Amy Moore, the fourth child and third daughter of Wiley and Ellen, was born Apr. 12, 1910 and died Jan. 25, 1987. She married Bruce Glen Coffey, born 1908 in Caldwell Co., and died Sep. 2, 1971 in that county. They were married c1928 in Caldwell Co.

Bruce was the son of Julius Pinkney and Louise A. Edwards Coffey. James was born Apr. 24, 1858 in NC and died Feb. 11, 1933 in Caldwell Co. He and Louise were married Mar. 30, 1913 in Rowan Co., NC. Louise was born c1875 in NC. A death date has not been found.

I know of only two children for Bruce and Amy:

Marland [?], a son, born about Sep., 1929
Unnamed daughter, born Oct. 12, 1941

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Update Aug. 16, 2009

Barbara Campbell has updated the information on Bruce Glenn Coffey. She reported that Bruce and his sister Hazel were not the biological children of Julius and Louise. She believes they were either adopted or were just foster children because they did not inherit from Julius when he died. Their mother was Carrie Hathcock of Cabbarus Co., NC. Carrie died in 1919 and no father has ever been found. Bruce and Amy's children were Maynard; Marlene, born Sep. 17, 1933; Mable, Mary and James.

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Other children of Wiley and Ellen were:

Floy Belle, born Apr. 26, 1902, died Dec. 6, 1986, never married
Lula Mae, born Oct. 26, 1905
Jessee Glenn, born Dec. 26, 1916
Loan Raymond, born Feb. 12, 1919
Cleny Coe, born Aug. 21, 1921

Julius Pinkney and Roby Monroe were distant cousins. Their nearest common ancestor was John Coffey, a son of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey. John married Jane Graves.

George Washington Coffey and Margaret Ann Coffey were first cousins. George and his wife Matilda were also first cousins, once removed. Matilda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Jesse and George were also first cousins.

Enoch Coffey

Enoch, brother to Nancy who married William "Revolutionary Bill" Gragg, was born c1809 in Burke Co., NC and died Oct. 3, 1893 in Caldwell Co. He was married at least three times, first to Prudence Gragg - parents not yet known - which produced a daughter, Lucinda.

Lucinda was born c1832 in Caldwell Co., and married Stanhope Whisenant. Stanhope was born c1832 in North Carolina and died of disease on Apr. 18, 1862 in Camp Mangum, Raleigh, Wake Co., NC. Stanhope was a member of Co. D, 11th NC Infantry, having enlisted on Feb. 12, 1862 in Burke Co. Lucinda's second husband was Francis M. (Frank) Herald on Sep. 22, 1868 in Caldwell Co. One of their children, Enoch Vaughn Herald, born c1873 in Caldwell Co., married his second cousin Nora Celia Coffey, a daughter of Julius Calvin and Eugenia Lavenia Dellinger Coffey.

Enoch's second wife was Martha Calloway, born c1818 in Burke Co. Their children were:

Levi, born c1837
Mary, born c1838
Sarah A., born Jun. 1840; married Johnson P. Gragg
Joseph, born c1843, married Nancy J. Gragg
Elizabeth, born c1846
Martha, born c1848; married Harvey Clark

Fannie Sims was a domestic servant in the Enoch Coffey household in the 1870 and 1880 census. Although Fannie was not enumerated with him in 1860, it's likely that she was employed by Enoch shortly after Martha died. It was in that census when Enoch was first enumerated as a widower, and still had a couple of small children in the home.

On Jan. 3, 1882, the then 73 year old Enoch and the 39 year old Fannie Sims were married at Enoch's home in Caldwell Co. Witnesses to the marriage were J. Whisenant and James Pendley.

There is some speculation that Enoch had some sort of relationship with a Dovie Perkins but no records have been found, and references to a Dovie Perkins have not been found in North Carolina records.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.

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

Wyatt and Mary Jane Coffey Hayes

Jesse T. Coffey, a son of Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey, was born Jan. 16, 1807/08 in North Carolina. He moved from NC to Grainger Co., TN where he married Lettie Collins on Dec. 24, 1838.

I know of only two children for them: Mary Jane, born Feb. 13, 1841 in TN, and Sarah E. (Saphronia?), born c1843.

Mary Jane found herself in Boone, Watauga Co., NC in 1865 where she married Wyatt Hayes on Aug. 24th of that year. Wyatt was born Oct., 1842 in NC and died Dec. 22, 1930 in Watauga Co. Mary Jane died there on May 30, 1911.

Wyatt was the son of Rice and Elizabeth Cook Hayes. Rice was the son of John and Millie Medaris Hayes. In addition to Rice, John and Millie were also the parents of Rachel Hayes who married Reuben Coffey, and Sarah Hayes who married McCaleb Coffey.

I know of nine children for Wyatt and Mary Jane:

Sarah A. L., born c1867
George E., born Dec. 1869
Lunna E., born c1872
Henry C., born Sep. 1874
Julia, born Apr. 7, 1876, died Jun. 18, 1955
Bell, born c1878
Lettie M., born Jun. 1880
Connie P., born Sep. 1882
Willie, born Mar. 1885

Julia married Walter Gwyn Coffey, her second cousin, in Watauga Co. on Jul. 5, 1896. Walter was a son of James Cornelius "Jones" and Martha Jane Gragg Coffey, born Sep. 28, 1878 in NC, died Apr. 1, 1945 in Watauga Co. "Jones" Coffey was the nephew of Jesse T. Children of Walter and Julia were: William Harston, born May 29, 1897; Lloyd Edgar, born Jun. 26, 1899, died Jan. 23, 1988; McDonald, born Mar. 13, 1904; Wyatt Hayes, born Apr. 28, 1909; Cecil Gwyn, born Apr. 8, 1912; and Emma Jane, born Apr. 4, 1915, died Jul. 15, 1988. Lloyd Edgar married his distant cousin, Cordie Myrtle Coffey, a daughter of John Wesley "Happy John" and Ella Adelaide Henderson Coffey.

Sarah E., the second known child of Jesse T. and Lettie Collins Coffey, married her first cousin, James Carlton Coffey, a son of Reuben and Rachel Hayes Coffey. James was born Jan. 8, 1838 in Cocke Co., TN and died Feb. 27, 1915 in NC.

I know of only eight children for this couple: Thomas Jones, born c1865; Jesse Finley, born c1867; Charles L., born c1869; Laura, born c1871; Lionel [?], born c1872; Alice, born c1875; Harley, born c1877; and Victoria, born c1880. Jesse Finley married Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Graig in 1889 in NC. Mary was born Jan. 4, 1872 and died Sep. 30, 1936 in Caldwell Co., NC.

Please contact me with additions or corrections.

Reuben and Sarah (Sally) Scott Coffey

For the past month or so I have been given invaluable research material by one of Reuben's descendants. Margaret Coffey Farley of Winston-Salem, NC has given me photos and family history that would have otherwise taken me years - if ever - to uncover.

Thank you, Margaret!

Margaret descends from Reuben Coffey and Sarah Scott. Reuben, a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey, were parents of at least 13 children, 12 of which have known descendants. Two of his sons, Jesse, born between 1775 and 1780, and Joseph, born c1785, are pretty much responsible for most of the Coffeys found in North Carolina today.

Many of Reuben's children moved out of North Carolina and headed west. Many of them settled in Missouri and Indiana. Jesse and Joseph remained pretty close to home.

- Reuben, Jr. married Naomi Hayes. Some of their children were born in NC and TN, but much of the family was in Indiana by the late 1820's.

- Jesse who married Margaret Edmiston, remained in North Carolina where they produced at least 10 children. His son Jesse married in Grainger Co., TN in 1838. At least one of son Jesse's children, Mary Jane, returned to North Carolina where she settled with husband Wyatt Hayes in Watauga County.

- Elizabeth married John Greene and produced at least 10 children, all of which are thought to have remained in NC. After John Greene died in 1853, Elizabeth married Thomas Roper and moved to Greene Co., IN. She is thought to have had at least one child with Thomas.

Nancy, one of the Greene children, married James Coffey, a son of Levi and Dolly Edmundson Coffey. Levi was a grand-nephew (as well as first cousin twice removed) to Reuben.

Many of Levi's descendants are also found in North Carolina today.

- Elijah married Polly Dyer. The first six of their 11 children were born in NC. In about 1816 or 17 they moved west. Their seventh child, Joel Anderson, was born in Tennessee, William Trimble, their eighth, was born in Kentucky, and the next three in Indiana. It seems that all of the children born in North Carolina eventually settled in and around Owen Co., IN.

- Sally married Samuel Curtis and had at least one child, Hezekiah, born c1810. Hezekiah later married Celia Coffey, a daughter of William and Annie Boone Coffey. William was nephew to Reuben. Some of the Curtis children are believed to have remained in Wilkes and Burke Counties.

- Joseph married Isabella Lindsay. They produced seven children, most of which remained in Caldwell County. Margaret Coffey Farley is his descendant through his son Zacheus (Zack) who married his first cousin, Margaret, daughter of Jesse who was Joseph's brother.

- James married Hannah Alloway Strange, producing at least seven children. Many of those children were born in Wilkes Co., but moved on with their parents to settle in Spencer and Owen Counties in Indiana.

- Nancy married Joel Anderson Dyer and raised at least nine children. Her first husband was a Durham but I know nothing of him. I have not looked at this family sufficiently to know where the Dyer children were born, but both Joel and Nancy died in Indiana; Joel in 1850 and Nancy in 1866.

- William, married Mary Faulkner and had at least two children. The family moved out of North Carolina sometime after 1812 and ended up in Owen Co., Indiana.

- Joel Benjamin married Saphronia Stepp/Stapp. They had at least seven children, one of which is know to have been born c1817 in Burke Co., NC. The remainder are thought to have been born in Monroe Co., IN. After reaching adulthood, many of Joel's children moved on to Gentry Co., MO.

- Thomas married Sarah Stokes and became mother to at least 12 children. I do not have a lot of information on any of them except Leven Stokes, born Dec. 4, 1819. He moved on to Meigs Co., TN where he married Celia Perry in 1844. He and his family eventually settled in Laclede Co., MO. Another of Thomas' sons, Joseph Alson, also settled in Laclede Co.

- And finally, Jane, Reuben and Sarah's last child. She married James Benjamin Webb. Little is known of them, but James died in 1827 in Overton, Shelby Co., TN.

I suppose it would be safe to say that if your surname is Coffey and your parents and grandparents were born in North Carolina, you are very likely to be a descendant of Reuben through either his son Jesse, or son Joseph.

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

Cuba Monroe and Minnie Elsie Suddreth Coffey

Minnie, a daughter of James Walter and Pearl Raby Suddreth, was born may 14, 1911 in Caldwell Co., NC. She married Cuba Monroe Coffey c1930 and passed away Apr. 4, 2006 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

Cuba was a son of John Sherman and Buena Vista Coffey Coffey. John and Buena Vista were distant cousins with common links to Joseph and Isabella Lindsay Coffey, and Reuben and Sarah Scott Coffey. Cuba was born in Jan., 1910 in Caldwell Co., and died in that county in 1955.

The union of Cuba and Minnie produced seven children:

Mabel Audry, born 1931, died 1941
James Cuba (Jim), born 1932, died Aug. 30, 2003
Sarah Jane, born 1935, died 1950
Mary Alice, born 1937
Nellie, born 1939
Harvey, born 1941
Richard, birthdate not found

Sometime after Cuba died Minnie married for a second time; this time to Haywood Clay, Sr. Haywood was born May 13, 1907 in North Carolina and died Nov. 22, 1982 in Catawba Co., NC.


Obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Thur., Apr. 13, 2006

Elsie Clay

Elsie Suddreth Coffey Clay, 94, of Rocky Rd., Lenoir, passed away Tuesday, April 4, 2006 at Gateway Nursing Center.

She was born May 14, 1911 in Caldwell County to the late Walter Suddreth and Pearl Raby Suddreth. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her first husband, Cuba M. Coffey and her second husband, Haywood Clay Sr.; one son, James M. Coffey and two daughters, Sarah Jean Coffey and Mabel Coffey.

Mrs. Clay was a homemaker and a member of Edgemont Baptist Church.

Survivors include a son, Richard (Dick) Coffey of Alamonte Springs, Fla.; three daughters, Mary A. Brantley of Eustis, Fla., Nell C. Penley and Judy Phillips both of Lenoir, N.C.; two brothers, J.P. Suddreth of Lenoir, N.C., Earl Suddreth of Beckley, W.Va., two sisters Lena Crisp of Lenoir, Lois Scarboro of Raeford, N.C.; 15 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 7, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Roseborough Cemetery in Avery County with the Rev. Richard Yount officiating.

The family will receive friends at Pendry's Funeral Home today, April 6, 2006 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. and all other times at the home of Judy C. Phillips, 2491 Clay Dr., Lenoir, NC 28645. There will be a closed casket.

Grandsons will serve as pallbearers.

Memorials, in addition to flowers, may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, NC 28645.

Please send additions and/or correction to me.

The Wright, McCroskey and Coffey Families

Sarah Ellenora (Ellie) Wright was born Jan. 26, 1877 in Caldwell Co., NC to the union of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. She was the fourth of their nine children, and their third daughter to that time.

She married Samuel Wiley McCroskey in Nov., 1900 in Knox Co., TN. He was born Apr. 10, 1869 in Bluff City, Sullivan Co., TN and died Apr. 14, 1926 in Burke Co., NC.

To the union was born eight children:

Raymond McCroskey, born May 1902, died Feb. 16, 1926

Mae McCroskey, born Jul. 11, 1904,died Jul. 17, 1983. Mae married Samuel Woodie who died Jul. 11, 1966.

Lula Nevada McCroskey, born Apr. 15, 1907

Earl Lemuel McCroskey, born Feb. 1909, died Jan., 1967. Earl married Mary Lois Coffey, a daughter of Thomas Leroy and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mary was born Mar. 10, 1926 in Caldwell Co., NC and died Apr. 16, 2005 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC. Their children were Jessie Irene, born 1946; Estie Rosie, born 1952; and Joy Lela, born 1962.

Lany Esther married Clayton McDonald (Mack) Coffey, a son of Samuel Monroe and Safari Josephine (Josie) Dellinger. Lany was born Dec. 13, 1910 in Coffey's Gap, Watauga Co., and died Jun. 7, 1973 in North Carolina. Clayton was born Jun. 1, 1903 in Avery Co., NC and died Jun. 11, 1992 in Watauga Co. I do not have a marriage date or place for them. Their children were: Bertha May; Gladys Virginia; Nellie Alliene; James (Jim) Edward; Margaret Josephine; Clayton McDonald, Jr.; Lonnie Ray; and Steven.

Lawrence Edward, born Mar. 15, 1915

Virgie Edith, born Apr. 10, 1917, died Nov. 12, 1970

Roy Lois, born Oct. 27, 1921, died Jul., 1970

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.