The Coffee Pioneers of the Texas Panhandle

In the last blog, I transcribed the death report for Woodson "Woods" Coffee, a native Texan, from the Amarillo Daily News of June 13, 1953.  That information defined how Woodson became a pioneer in the Texas Panhandle.  With this blog, and perhaps a few later, I will attempt to show how Woodson came to be one of those pioneers.

This particular line of Coffee families comes from what we Coffee/y researchers often refer to as "the Chesley line." Because there was a Chesley, Jr., researchers have long believed that a Chesley Sr. must have existed. So far, however, no record of Sr. has ever been found. Current thinking has some leaning more towards Edward Coffey, Jr., son of Edward Sr., and his wife Anne Powell. As more sophisticated DNA testing methods become available, we learn more about our ancestry.

We can begin here with the mythical Chesley and his supposed wife, Jane Cleveland.  Their supposed son, Joel, married Martha Stepp or Stapp and had about nine children; namely Joseph; Cleveland; Catherine, Joel, Jr., James, Jane, Celia, Nathaniel (Nathan?) and Nebuzaradan.

Dr. Marvin Coffey in his book about his ancestor, James Bluford Coffey, cited years-old information from Mrs. C. R. Porter of El Reno, OK.  She repeated the story of Chesley and Jane, stating that it came from a daughter of Nathan and Sarah Eliza Emeline Coffey Porter c1895 and presumably from older records which she had access to.

Another source, a Mr. Lee Robert wrote in 1998 "that Joel, born 1780, m Martha 'Patsy'?.  They had 6 children: Nathaniel, m1 Louisa Durham, m2 Nancy Clark; Alvina (Elvira), b 1811, m Martin Wright, Mar 27, 1828.  She died Sep 7, 1869; Caroline, m Unk Summers; Martha L., m Perry M. Stacy; Francis m Jackson Jones; Henry B., m Sara Ann Isbele."  Seems doubtful this is the same Joel, however.

Joel was b. late 1740's and d. 1789.  Married Martha in 1753. Martha was b. 1737.  Joel was son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffee. Their children were Jesse Cleveland; James, Joel, Nathan, Katy, Frances Jane, Sealey, Nebuzarren, Cleveland.  

Source:  Revolutionary Ancestors, 1976; Wood Coffee Will and Inventory. [Joel's 1789 names his children and there is present a comma between Jane and Sealy; e.g. Jane, Sealy]

"Joel and Martha are also mentioned in The Georgians, Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers, by J. H. Austin.  [As pertains to the Coffey families, this book is of doubtful accuracy]

"Joel's will (probate) dated 1789 Wilkes Co., NC.  Children listed as James, Joel, Cleveland, Nathan, Katy, Jane and Celia.  See North Carolina will book C, page 321.

A Joel Coffey was named as one of the buyers from the estate sale of Robert Patrick in Surry Co., NC in Feb., 1778.  Robert Patrick apparently died between 1774 and 1777.  He was on the 1774 tax list of Benjamin Cleveland and again in 1775.  He was not listed on the 1777 tax list.

Marvin Coffey wrote in his work that "A DAR record has always listed Joel as born 1730, and married in 1753 to Martha Sealy, born 1737.  However, their youngest son Nebuzaradon was born posthumously in 1780 would thus have been born when Martha was 52 years old."[1]

A number of researchers have theorized that Joel married Martha Sealey who died, and he then married Martha Step.  Others have the opinion that Joel married a widow by the name of Mrs. Martha Step Sealey while another group has said that Sealey was a nickname for Celia which was the middle name of Martha.  Another thought is that Joel was born much earlier, about 1750.

Joseph is not listed in Joel's 1789 will (Wilkes Co., NC Will Book I, p260) but does appear in other researcher's works.  He could have been born to Joel's first wife and died before the will was made.  Joseph has also been reported to have gone to Kentucky quite early, and already otherwise provided for by his father thereby not making the will.  And, even if Joel had only one wife, Joseph could still have died quite young.  Marvin noted that there was a Joseph Coffey on early tax records of Adair Co., KY.

Martha Step's father was named Joseph so it would have been customary for Joel and Martha to have given a son that name.  A daughter Celia was referred to as Sealy in Joel's will.  Marvin's research did not uncover any Sealy families in the same county that the Coffeys lived in Virginia or North Carolina.

Continuing our trek to Woods and eventually his descendants, we begin with Joel and Martha's son James and Elizabeth Coffey Coffey.  James and "Betty" were cousins. Her father Nathan and James's father Joel were brothers.

Of the nine known children of James and Betsy, seven were male and two were female.  We'll concentrate on only one son, he being Logan McMillon Coffee [sic] thought to have been born Dec. 7, 1809 in Adair Co., KY. James and Betsy were married there on Mar. 4, 1804 [from descendants but no independent confirmation.] Logan was born in that County on Dec. 7, 1809 [no independent confirmation.]

When he was nearing age 30 he wandered off to Alabama where he met Mary Elizabeth Ragland. The two were married in Jackson County, AL c1837. Mary was a native of Jackson Co., TN. In 1840 the family was living in Marshall Co., AL but by the 1850 census, they were in Colorado Co., TX; in 1860 they were in Lavaca Co., TX. Perhaps they headed to far northwest Texas when the sabers began to rattle loudly in AL.

Logan's death was somewhat mysterious in that his body was never recovered.  He is said to have been hauling freight from Brownsville, TX back to Lavaca Co., when he was probably murdered in June of 1865; perhaps by Indians or maybe Confederate raiders.  In the book - On the Headwaters of the Lavaca and Navidad, by Paul Boethel, the author indicates that the circumstances of his death were "fraught with suspicions, possibly murder by his companions from the same neighborhood."

After Logan's murder, his widow Mary petitioned the court under date of Aug. 20, 1865 for administration of the property, saying her husband died about June 20th, 1865. (Probate records, November term, Lavaca Co., TX). 

Logan and Mary had eight children, 5 sons and 3 daughters.  The eldest child was Mansel Matthews Coffee [2]

Mansel was born in 1839, Jackson Co., AL where he met and married Georgiana Frances Reynolds on Jun. 4, 1861.  They were parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Woodson "Woods" Coffee was their eldest, born Mar 1, 1862 in Gonzales Co., TX.

Woodson married Ollie Pickens Stribling, daughter of Cornelius Kinchelo Stribling and Nancy Carolina Stribling, presumed cousins. Their children also numbered nine.  They had six sons and three daughters. 

[1]Interesting to note that John M. Porter of Lincoln Co., MO married Eliza Emeline Coffey, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Meredith Coffee in 1850 Pike Co., IL. They resided there a very long time with John dying there in 1895.  Eliza died there in 1901. Further, Martha Coffee, a daughter of Nebuzaradan married William Porter, brother to John and they named one of their sons Joseph Woods Porter.

[2]No idea why they began spelling their name this way, but speculation says it happened in Alabama where General John Coffee of Battle of New Orleans fame had settled and became quite prominent in the state.

"A Race for Life"

“Fight Between Gila County Officers and the White Mountain Apaches at Cibicu –  Chief Nan-tan-go-tayz Killed."

“Probably few, if any readers of the item published in last Saturday’s Silver Belt, that an Indian had been killed on Cibieu by cowboys, entertained the least suspicion that the parties referred to as ‘cowboys’ were Deputy Sheriff E. L. Benbrook and posse.  Few, in fact, were aware of his departure from Globe, or of his mission to the Cibieu country.  The facts in regard to that trip, as related by Mr. Benbrook, are about as follows:

The Silver Belt, Globe, Gila Co., AZ
Report of Apache attack at Cibicue Creek

“At the October (1895) term of the District Court of Gila county, two Indians, Tonto C 24 and Tonto O 8, were indicted for burglary committed at the Vosburg ranch, in the vicinity of Pleasant Valley.  The warrant for the arrest of the Indians wanted was delivered to Deputy Benbrook, who left Glove, December 1, for Cibieu to make the arrest.  Arriving at Pleasant Valley, he was joined by Bill Voris, Frank Ketcherside and Huse Kyle.  The party left the Gentry ranch, three miles above Ellison’s, on Thursday morning, December 5, and arrived at Cooley’s camp, (Cooley being head chief of the band of Indians), on Cibicu creek, 30 miles distant, about sundown.

“Nan-tan-go-tayz, the chief then in authority, a brother of Chief Cooley, upon being informed through an interpreter what the officers wanted, consented to the arrest of the two Indians.  Tonto C 24 was identified and placed under arrest, and the officers had started to ride away with their prisoner, when Ketcherside recognized the other buck wanted, Tonto O 8, among the forty or fifty Indians in the camp.  At this juncture Loco Jim hailed the officers and asked what they wanted with the two Indians, and Captain Jack, the interpreter, rode up and said they could not take the Indians away.

“While they were parleying the other Indians began to gather in around the officers, and Nan-tan-go-tayz, the chief, camp up close to Ketcherside’s horse and made a grab at the bridle rein, but missed it, as the horse jerked his head away.  The chief then went up to Voris and with both hands grasped the Winchester hung on the side of the saddle, and attempted to draw the gun from its holster.

“Voris, thereupon, caught the Indian’s wrist with both hands and broke the hold of one hand on the gun, when the Indian, retaining his hold on the gun with one hand, grasped the bridle rein of Voris’ horse with the other.  Just then Tonto C 24, one of the Indians whom the posse went to arrest, fired a shot from a distance of about 20 yards, and Voris, seeing that the situation was desperate and that they chief was getting the better of him, drew his six-shooter and fired at his adversary.  The Indian throw his head back and avoided the bullet, whereupon Voris placed the pistol close to the Indian’s breast and fired again.  Nan-tan-go-tayz fell forward on his face without uttering a sound.  About twenty-five Indians standing on the side of a hill, some sixty yards away, then fired a volley at the officers, which passed over their heads, and the latter returned the fire from their pistols.

“The officers put spurs to their horses and a race for life began, the Indians who were mounted and armed giving chase.  After a hard run of half a mile the trail made an abrupt turn and the Indians in the lead by a flank movement, got ahead of the officers, who, seeing they were cut off, took to the cedar brake to the right of the trail and up the steep side of the mountain.  Here the posse got scattered; Voris was in the lead, and, dusk having fallen, he regained the train, forged ahead alone and reached Ellison’s ranch about 1:30 o’clock on Friday morning.  Benbrook and Kyle soon came together again in the timber.  Benbrook’s pony was winded, and going up the mountain fell and caught the rider’s right knee under the saddle, causing him a painful injury.  Having returned to the trail, they were again headed off by the Indians and forced once more to take to the timber and were joined by Ketcherside.

“Voris, when he reached a narrow defile near Canyon creek, twenty miles from Cibicu, saw a signal fire a short distance from the trail, and when Benbrook, Ketcherside and Kyle passed, the embers of the fire were plainly to be seen.  The Indians who had got ahead of them on the trail had probably made the fire to signal John Dazin’s band of Indians, and he had then gone on to the main crossing of Canyon creek, with the intention of ambushing the officers.  Suspecting this, Voris left the main trail and crossed Canyon creek lower down, and his companions, under the guidance of Ketcherside, took an old trail that crossed the creek higher up, and they arrived at Ellison’s ranch at 3 o’clock Friday morning.

“When the fight commenced at Cibieu, the officers were compelled to abandon their pack mule which was carrying their blankets, sisty rounds of ammunition, provisions and camp utensils.  That any of the men escaped with their lives seems providential, and can be accounted for only by the approach of nightfall, which lent them its kindly protection.

“The officers, when they realized the futility to take the two Indians, tried to get away peaceably, intending to go to Fort Apache and ask the military for assistance, but the Indians, bent on mischief, provoked the fight.  The Indians were the aggressors and the officers when attacked were in the discharge of their duty.

“The apathy and apparent unwillingness of the military at Apache, on former occasions, to assist civil officers in the apprehension of Indian malefactors is sufficient excuse for Deputy Benbrook not going first to the post, to request a military escort to aid and protect him in the discharge of his duty.  It was in August, 1890, that Sheriff J. H. Thompson went to Fort Apache to secure the arrest of Guadalupe and other Indians who murdered young Baker in the Sierra Ancha.  Colonel Hunt, then in command at Apache, made no effort to arrest the Indians for whom the Sheriff held Warrants, further than that, after two or three days’ delay, two scouts went out, as alleged, to get Guadalupe, but returned without him.  A few days after Guadalupe came in and on the insistence of Sheriff Thompson was placed in the guard house.  The Sheriff then requested an escort to San Carlos, which Colonel Hunt refused him, and, after remaining about ten days at Apache, the Sheriff too Guadalupe from the guard house at 3 o’clock in the morning and, by a forced ride of 90 miles, reached San Carlos safely with his prisoner.

“The White Mountain Apaches, living on Cibieu creek, are the most warlike and treacherous Indians on the reservation.  While ostensibly under the surveillance of the commanding officer at Fort Apache, practically they are under no restraint whatever.  They continue in their pristine savagery, enjoying the largest liberty, and retaining their hatred of the whites.  They kill cattle and loot ranches when opportunity offers, and are not averse to taking human life.

“These Indians, living forty-six miles from Fort Apache, can not be kept in subjection.  They roam at pleasure, and may be off the reservation for weeks at a time without the knowledge of the commanding officer at Apache.  They are a continual menace to the peace of Eastern Arizona, and it is high time that the Government remove them to the Indian Territory, or elsewhere, where they could be kept under strict surveillance.

“In order to show the character of these Indians we will relate a little history.  In 1881, some 500 Indians were living on Cibieu creek, whom the Government had found it impractical to remove to San Carlos, as the Indians objected, and were too strong in numbers and warlike in spirit for the authorities to attempt compulsion.  Nock-a-del-kleny, a medicine man, by incantations and prophecies that he would bring the dear warriors to life, incited the Indians to rebellion, and to prevent the threatened outbreak[,] Colonel Carr, with a detachment of soldiers and scouts from Fort Apache, went to Cibieu to arrest the medicine man.  The Indians resisted and were joined by Carr’s scouts, who opened fire on the soldiers, killing Captain Hentig and ten soldiers, and followed the command to Apache and fired on the post.  Nock-a-del-kleny, the medicine man, was killed in the engagement at Cibicu.

“Proceedings were instituted before U. S. District Court Commissioner Kinney, on Thursday, and warrants issued for the arrest of the Indians, to the number of twenty or more, who fired upon Deputy Benbrook and posse, December 5, on Cibieu.  The warrants were placed in the hands of Deputy U. S. Marshall J. H. Thompson, who, accompanied by Messrs. Benbrook, Ketcherside, Voris and Kyle, left Thursday noon for San Carlos to join Lieutenant Fenton’s command and accompany them to Fort Apache, where Deputy Marshal Thompson will apply to Colonel Powell, the commanding officer, for assistance to the effect the arrest of the Indians.”

Next:  Troops from Apache

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NB:  Cibieu is Cibecue Creek; Nock-a-del-kleny was Nock-ay-det-Klinne who began holding ceremonies that became known as “Ghost Dances” at the village on Cibecue.

 

Col. Carr was Eugene Asa Carr.

 

William Voris was the husband of Pearl Virginia Coffee, a daughter of Robert Marion and Emma Gaines Reynolds Coffee.  Pearl was a descendant of Chesley through Joel (Martha Stepp); James (Eliz. Coffey, d/o Nathan & Mary Saunders Coffey); Logan McMillon (Mary E. Ragland), parents of Robert Marion.  The marriage was announced in the Daily Arizona Silver Belt on Dec. 22, 1898, Page 2, Col. 3:  "J. W. Voris and bride, nee Pearl Coffey, who were married December 23, at Albany, Texas, are expected to arrive tomorrow night. Mr. Voris, who is a well known resident of Globe, will receive hearty congratulations from his many friends. Mr. Voris will serve as deputy to Sheriff-elect W. T. Armstrong." [Note that publish date was a day before the wedding occurred.  One or the other is obviously incorrect.]

Cibecue is NW and a meandering 45 miles, or thereabouts, from Fort Apache.  Today, it will take about an hour to drive that distance in an automobile.  Riding a horse at a walk would probably take 10 to 12 hours, including rest stops for man and horse.  Riding at a lope would be faster but the horse would tire quicker.

Source:  Arizona Silver Belt. (Globe City, Pinal County, Ariz.), 14 Dec. 1895, Page 3, Col. 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84021913/1895-12-14/ed-1/seq-3/>

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Joshua & Martha "Patsy" Coffey Stapp

A recent e-mail asking for possible documentation of the marriage between Joshua and Patsy resulted in my attempt to again locate any documentation that FamilySearch.org might now have.  Unfortunately, I found none.  But, checking for on-line books through Google I found a couple of other references to this family that might be beneficial to researchers.  I have taken the liberty of altering/correcting spelling of some verbiage in the will to allow it to be more easily read.

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Joshua, probably a son of Abraham Stapp and Dorothy Moss, appears to have been born in Essex Co., VA c1687 and married Martha, a daughter of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey, between 1718 and 1721 in Essex Co.  The earliest references to this marriage that I am aware of can be found in the Laurence H. Coffey book, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants, published by Newell Sanders, Chattanooga, 1931 and, The Stapp/Stapp Families of America by Henry P. Scalf in 1976.  Joshua died c1783 in Orange Co., VA and left a will there in Will Book 3, pages 54-55.¹

Orange County Will Book 3, Page 54-55

"In the Name of God Amen I, Joshua Stapp of the County of Orange being in perfect health and sound sense of memory and mindful of the uncertainty of this life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I give my soul to almighty God who gave it me trusting in Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins and as for what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow me I give in manner and form following Viz.

"Item my will and desire is that my Negro man and newswoman be both free and at their own disposal and if there should be any charges required by the Court towards their being legally set free from Bondage then my will is that such charges be paid out of my estate.

"Item my will is that my grandson Achillies Stapp have my Negro woman Cate.

"Item I give the residue of my Estate not already mentioned to be divided between the persons whose names I hereafter mention my Grandson Achillies Stapp my Grand daughter Lucy Willhoit (? ) my Grand daughter Sarah Creel and my Grand daughter Martha Hubbard to them and their heirs forever.

"Item my will is that my Estate not be sold but be appraised and divided according to appraisement.

"Lastly I constitute and appoint my Grandson Achillies Stapp Executor to this my last will and testament revoking all former wills byme made acknowledging this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and Seal this 19th day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty Two.

"Signed Sealed and Published In Presence of John Dayne,John Wayt Joshua X Stapp (SS) , William Wyat Mark

"At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday 27th March 1783 This last will and testament of Joshua Stapp Dec'd being presented into Court by Achillis Stapp Executor therein named And proved by the oaths of John Wait and William Wait Two of the witnesses hereto And Ordered to be recorded And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath According to law Certificate is granted him for Obtaining Probate thereof in due form whereupon he with Robert ? MIller his Security Entered into Bond for the same in"The sum of Two thundered and fifty pounds. Teste James Taylor C.O.C."

Orange Co. VA. Deed Book 16 pg. 352-353 Aug. 13, 1773

"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving have given and granted and by these present do give grant & confirm unto my son Joshua Stapp of Said County one Negro Man named Marrick to him and his heirs forever and also one Negro Woman Named Frank Ide (?) give to the said Joshua Stapp Junior during his life and after the Decease of the said to be with their increase divided equally between the children of the said Joshua Stapp and Hannah his wife forever and by these present to be do warrant the said Negroes to the said Joshua Stapp his heirs executors Administrators or Assigns forever from any person or persons whatever Claiming any Rights or Title to the said Negroes or either of them Virtue to my hand and Seal this Thirteenth day of August Anno Dom 1773.

"William Bell his Joshua X Stapp (SS), Thomas Burbridge mark , John Stabler (?) at a Court held for Orange County the 28th of September 1773 this Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Joshua Stapp Junior was proved by the Oaths of William Bell Thomas Burbrige and John Stabler Witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded. Test James Taylor C.O.C.”

Pg. 353:

"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye thatI the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving have given and granted and by these present do give grant & confirm unto my son Thomas Stapp of Said County During Life One Negro Man named James and One Negro Woman named Minn (?) and after the Decease to be equally divided between the Children of the Said Thomas Stapp and Ann his wife with their increase forever and by these presents do warrant the said Negroes to the said Thomas Stapp during life and after his decease to the heirs of the said Thomas and Ann his wife for ever from _____ Claims of any person or Persons to ha (?) Claiming any Rights for (?) The said Negroes or either of them. Witness my hand and Seal this fourteenth day of August Anno Dom 1773. In the presence of William Bell his Thomas Burbridge Joshua X Stapp (SS), John Stabler mark"

"At a Court held for Orange County the 28th of September, 1773 This Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Thomas Stapp was proved by the Oaths of William Bell Thomas Burbridge and John Staler Witness there and Ordered to be Recorded , Test James Tayler C.O.C. "

Pg. 393-394

"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving but more Especially for the Love and good will I have unto my son James Stapp have given and granted and by these present do give grant bargain & confirm unto my son James Stapp one Negro man named Abraham and one Negro woman named Bel lone Negro boy named Abraham one Negro girl named Bell and for the above Consideration do give freely and Clearly the above said four Negroes and their Increase to my said son James Stapp and his heirs forever and by Virtue of this present writing do warrant the said Negroes with their Increase."  "Tomy said son James Stapp and his heirs Executors Administrator from the Just Claim right or title of any person or persons whatever having or lawfully claiming the same or part thereof in Witness whereof I the said Joshua Stapp Senior have here to set my hand seal this 23rd day of December Anno Dom One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five. . Signed Sealed and Delivered his Inthe presence off Joshua X Stapp, William Sims , Thomas Stapp , Thomas X Stapp, Killes Stapp" 

"At a court held for Orange County on Thursday the 22nd of February 1776. This Deed of gift from Joshua Stapp to James Stapp proved by the oaths of Wm. Sims Tho. Stapp and Tho. Stapp junior thereof the Witnesses hereto and Ordered to be recorded. Test James Taylor C.O.C. " 

Deed Book 16 pg. 394 

"Toll Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving but Especially for the Love and good will I bare unto my Granddaughter Elizabeth Sims of Albemarle County have given and Granted and by these presents do give grant bargain and Confirm unto my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Sims one Negro boy named Ben and for the above Consideration do give freely and Clearly the above said Negro boy to my said Grand daughter Elizabeth Sims to her and her heirs forever and by Virtue of this present Writing do warrant the said Negro boy tomy said Grand Daughter Elizabeth Sims and her heirs Executors Administrators from the Just Claim Right or Title of any person or persons whatever having or Lawfully Claiming the same in Witness whereof I the said Joshua Stapp Sener have hereunto my hand and Seal this 3 of December Anee Dom One thousand Seven hundred and seventy five . In the presence off : Joshua Stapp, William Sims ,Tho. Stapp , Tho's Stapp , Killes Stapp"

 "At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday the 25th of February 1776 This Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Elizabeth Sims was proved by the Oaths of William Sims Tho's Stapp and Tho's Stapp Junr. Three of the Witnesses hereto and Ordered to be Recorded , Test James Taylor C.O.C." 

Researchers believe that Joshua and Martha had at least eight children, they being:

Joseph who married Elizabeth Lucas and had (at least) Joshua, Elizabeth and Sally and died after 1775.

John, born between 1720 and 1722, died at Culpepper, VA in 1751.  He married Ann Salmon, born c1710 in Spotsylvania Co., VA.

Joshua, Jr., born c1724, died in Jun., 1814; married Hannah Durham and had children Achilles, Thomas, Lucy and James.  Achilles married Margaret Vawter on Nov. 27, 1782 in Orange Co.² Thomas married Elizabeth "Betsy" Barbridge or Burbridge on Jan. 4, 1779 in Orange Co.³  Lucy married John Wilhite.

Eve Stapp married Anthred Salmon.

Anester, born c1728 married Capt. William Sims and had at least one child, Elizabeth, born in Albemarle Co., VA. [Scalf].

Elizabeth, born c1729 in VA, married William Morris c1746, [Scalf]

Thomas married Ann Lucas. [Scalf]  Thomas came into possession of 200 acres of land from his brother Joseph of Orange Co. Joseph had married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Lucas and the land was her inheritance. It is said to have been "lying on both sides of Marsh Run." See Orange Co. deed book 13, page 331. The relationship between Ann and Elizabeth is not known.

Scalf also reports that a son named James was born c1731 but offers no other information. James is mentioned in his father's will.

Some researchers claim an additional three daughters were born to the union but, no documentation has been produced.

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Sources:

¹ See also Orange Co., VA Deed Book 16, pages 352-353 dated Aug. 13, 1773
² "Virginia, Orange County Marriage Records, 1757-1938" at FamilySearch.org
³ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940" at FamilySearch.org.  See also Virginia County Records: Miscellaneous County Records, Wm Armstrong Crozier, p169 as well as Johnston, Stapp and Allied Families, Jennie F. Downing Crow, 1979, Page 18

Dorinda and Malinda, the Wheat ladies

Hiram Taylor Wheat and his wife Elizabeth Richards, both of Russell Co., KY, had a number of children, including Dorinda, born Nov. 20, 1881 and, Malinda, born Nov. 8, 1884. Both of these ladies married into the Edward Coffey line of descent.

James & Dorinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda L. married James W. Coffey, a son of Golson Wilson and Mary C. Allen Coffey, on Jan. 30, 1902 in Adair Co., KY.  Compared to the "normal age" of about 20 for the males and 14-15 for the females of that era, Dorinda and James married late in life.  He was 27 years old, she was 20.  Their first child was named Taylor Wilson Coffey, born Feb. 15, 1909.  Unfortunately, the child did not live even a month and died on Mar. 10, 1909 and was buried at Mount Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery near Russell Springs.

Except for that visit to Adair Co. to marry, James and Dorinda lived the remainder of their lives in Russell County, always near Russell Springs.  Both he and Dorinda were faithful members of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church.

Their second and last child was Loriston, a son, born May 29, 1914 in Russell Co.  He died on Jun. 30 1989 in Jefferson Co., KY and was brought home for burial at Mt. Pleasant. I have no information about any family that he may have had.

A young man by the name of Willis Conover first appeared with James and Dorinda in 1910 and was enumerated as their ward.  He was four years old.  I have not yet determined who his parents might have been, but there was a William Conover who married Sarah Stapp in Adair Co. who may have been his parents.  William and Sarah did have a daughter, Sarah Emma who married Samuel Marion Coffey, brother to James W.  Willis continued to appear with or very near James and Dorinda through 1930 when he was their neighbor with his own family, wife Helen, and young son Wilmer.

Finally, in 1940 James and Dorinda were alone once again.  He died on Apr. 18, 1951 of a coronary occlusion and Dorinda on Feb. 22, 1961.  Both were buried at Mt. Pleasant.  One puzzle however was found in her obituary.  That reports that she was not buried until Apr. 24, 1961.  I am wondering if it was too cold and ground too frozen in February to dig her grave and the thaw did not come until late April!?

Mrs. Dorinda Wheat Coffey, widow of the late James W. Coffey, died at her home in Jamestown on Saturday, April 22.  She was 79 years of age.

She and Mr. Coffey were married in 1902 and two children were born of this union - Taylor Wilson Coffey, who died in infancy, and Loriston Coffey.  In addition, Willis Conover, now living in Brooklyn, Ind. grew up in the home of Mrs. Coffey and she was as a mother to him.  Mr. Coffey died in 1951.

In addition to her son and foster-son, she is survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death, and one sister, Mrs. Ann Coffey of Montpelier, survives.

Mrs. Coffey was a member of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church and lived a devout Christian life.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, April 24, in her church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. D. A. Payton.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Guy Calhoun, Horace Angle, Ray Wheat, Talt Jones, Glaud Grider, and H. C. Coffey.  Rottetoe Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. [Judy Lynn]

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James W. Coffey was born August 7, 1874, lived 76 years, eight months and 11 days, when his spirit passed from this earth, April 18, 1951.

Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Dorinda Wheat Coffey, one son, Lorista [sic] Coffey, and a boy whom he raised, Willis Conover.

There were seven brothers and one sister.  Four of his brothers are still living, John Coffey, Same Coffey, Andy Coffey and Arthur Coffey.  He survived one son, Taylor Wilson Coffey, three brothers, Pink Coffey, Herschel Coffey, Martin Coffey, also one sister, Della, preceded him to the grave.

James W. Coffey and Dorinda Wheat were united in holy wedlock January 30, 1902, where they lived together for 49 years.

Mr. Coffey professed Christianity at an early age.  He was a devout Christian who attended church at Mt. Pleasant where he held his membership.  His last statement was, "I am ready to go.  There is nothing in the way." 

Funeral and burial was at Mt. Pleasant, with Rippetoe Funeral Home, Russell Springs, in charge of all arrangements. [Judy Lynn]

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Andy & Malinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda's sister, Malinda Ann, sometimes called Ann or Annie, was born in Russell Co. on Nov. 8, 1884 and died in Adair Co. on Mar. 26, 1976.  She married Andrew J. "Andy" Coffey on July 18, 1909 in Adair Co.  Andy was also a son of Golson and younger brother of James W.

From the time of their marriage until death this couple resided in Adair Co but, both were returned to Russell Co. for burial in the Methodist church cemetery with others in their respective families.

This couple appears to have had only three children:  Pinkey, born c1914, who I believe married a Grider and had two children, Nadine and Arvis.  These two children appeared in the 1940 census as grandchildren with Andy and Ann.  Nadine was age 4 and Arvis was age 2.  Their parents were not present in the household.

In addition to Pinkey there was Leslie, a son, born c1918 and Alvis, another son, born c1924.

Andy died on Jul. 20, 1963 and Malinda on Mar. 26, 1976.


Jack

Samuel Marion & Sarah Emma Conover Coffey

Samuel was a son of Golson Wilson and Mary C. Allen Coffey.  These families have been placed in the mythical Chesley Coffey line, primarily based on the very early research by others.  I became interested in Sam when I found the record of his Feb. 19, 1905 marriage to Sarah Emma Conover, a daughter of William Conover and Sarah Stapp.

Sarah Emma was born Dec. 4, 1882 in Adair Co. and lived there her entire life. She died on Apr. 23, 1933 in the White Oak Pct. of Montpelier.  Her photo, obituary and other vitals can be found at Find-A-Grave, contributed by someone identified as "BC."  Sarah was mother to five children with Sam:  Mary L., (c1907-?); Bascom Edgar (Aug. 21, 1910-Feb. 1986); William Goshen (Nov. 27, 1912-?); Joe Pink (Jun. 23, 1921-?) and Philetus Everett (Nov. 11, 1925-?).*

Sam does not appear to have remarried after Sarah's death.  He died on Sep. 19, 1959 and was buried in the same Conover family cemetery as Sarah at Gentrys Mill in Adair Co.

Conover-Coffey Marriage Record

While looking for Sarah's parents birth, marriage and death dates, I found a marriage record for William Conover, age 32 to Mary E. Coffey, age 37 in Adair Co. on Oct. 18, 1888.  This William does not appear to be Sarah's father but, is likely some relation to her.  Right now, I would really like to find out who Mary's parents were.  If you know, drop me an e-mail.

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*1930 US Fed. Census, White Oak Pct., Adair Co.:  1930 Adair Co., White Oak dist., ED 1-4, Sheet 1B, Middle Jamestown Road, dwelling/family 11, Coffey, Samuel M., head, male, white, age 49, married at age 25, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sarah E., wife, female, white, age 47, married at age 22, born KY, parents born KY; Mary E., dau., female, white, age 23, single, born KY, seamstress; Bascom E., son, male, white, age 19, single, born KY, farm laborer; William G., son, male, white, age 17, single, born KY, farm laborer; Joe P., son, male, white, age 8, born KY; Philetus E., son, male, white, age 4 yrs., 4 mos., born KY

Ephraim Ellison & Elizabeth Coffey

The Characters:

Nathan Coffey, born c1760 in Rowan Co., NC, died 1823 in Jackson Co., AL.  Married Mary Saunders c1823 in Wilkes Co., NC.

His daughter Elizabeth, born c1791 in NC, died 1837 in Jackson Co., AL.  Marriage records in Adair Co., KY show that “Betsy Coffey, daughter of Nathan Coffey, married James Coffey on Mar. 4, 1804.  James is said to have been a son of Joel and Martha Stepp/Stapp Coffey.  Joel is said to have been a son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey.

Salathiel Coffey, currently believed to be a brother to Nathan and Joel, was born between 1750 and 1855, died Jul. 28, 1784 in Wilkes Co., NC.  Married Elizabeth Gore and also had a daughter named Elizabeth, born between 1781 and 1784 in Wilkes Co.  She is said to have married Rutherford Coffey, son of Nathan on Mar. 17, 1891 in Green Co., KY

Newton Coffey, born c1773 in Wilkes Co., married Sarah Meredith c1802 in Adair Co., KY, a son of Salathiel.

Longtime Coffey researchers and readers of this blog will know that no documents have ever been found that proves Chesley existed.  The fact that a Chesley, Jr. did, makes that a clear possibility, however.

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Ephraim Ellis-Elizabeth Coffey
Marriage Bond

Ephraim Ellison posted bond to marry Elizabeth Coffey in Wilkes Co. on Dec. 18, 1799; Thomas Cole was the bondsman.  I have been unable to determine who Elizabeth’s parents were.  I have a theory that she is somehow closely connected to Salathiel and Elizabeth Gore Coffey, and is perhaps their daughter.

Salathiel died intestate in 1784 in Wilkes Co.  Elizabeth Gore Coffey was named in the administration of the estate but no children were.  Following that, Elizabeth Gore Coffey and her children moved to that part of Green Co., KY that in 1801 became Adair Co.  Salathiel and Elizabeth had a daughter named Elizabeth.

A marriage record exists in Green Co., KY that shows the marriage of an Elizabeth Coffey to a Rutherford Coffey on Mar. 17, 1801.  Rutherford was a son of Nathan and Mary Saunders Coffey.  Nathan also had a daughter named Elizabeth but it is unlikely that Rutherford married his own sister.  Nathan's Elizabeth married James Coffey, son of Joel and Martha Stapp/Stepp Coffey.  Joel is thought be a brother to Salathiel and Nathan.

The best information that I have shows Rutherford was born in 1786*, meaning he would have been 15 years old at the time of his marriage to Elizabeth, who would have been between 17 and 20 years old.  Reatherford [sic] Coffey does appear in Adair Co. on Dec. 30, 1802 as a witness to Nathan’s obligation to obtain a property deed.  I suspect that he would already reached majority age in 1802 meaning that he was born closer to 1780 or 1782.

So, Rutherford’s marriage to Elizabeth Coffey in KY is after Ellison’s marriage to the Elizabeth Coffey in Wilkes Co. making it a bit unlikely that Ellison’s Elizabeth is the same one that married Rutherford.  Either Elizabeth could be Salathiel’s daughter but, which one.

Ephraim Ellison and Elizabeth Coffey were married in Wilkes Co. on Dec. 18, 1799.

In Oct., 1805 Ephraim Ellison named Newton Coffee [sic] of Adair Co., KY as his attorney to “…demand…amount of a bond or obligation I have on William Dudley and Thomas Robins of Wilkes County” NC…for $300 or a young negro.  This was witnessed by Joel and Ely Coffee.

On Dec. 16 of that same year, Ephraim again appointed Newton Coffee [sic] as his lawful attorney to “manage any suit or suits in the county court for the County of Wilks and State of N. C. either for or against me… To collect…the proceeds of a bond dated the 20th day of December 1804 and signed by William Dula and Thomas Robins and purported to have by them executed to me for a young negro boy or girl… or 300 dollars…”

This makes it clear that Ephraim Ellison and his Coffey wife were closely connected to Newton.

It is possible that Elizabeth and Ellison did not follow through with their marriage plans and that Elizabeth then married Rutherford once they arrived in KY.

Who were parents of Elizabeth Coffey who married Ephraim Ellison?  Perhaps she had been previously married to a Coffey and then widowed?

Looking for clues! 

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*Traditional birth year, but some researchers believe he was born much earlier, e.g., 1779 or even earlier.  However, Nathan and Mary Saunders did not marry until c1785 calling into question even the 1782 birth year.  Perhaps another Coffey's son?

Joel & Martha Sealey Stapp Coffey

I received the following a couple of days ago from James Scott of Logansville, GA:

I have the complete family of Joel & Martha Sealey Stapp Coffey, all the 9 children and all the grand children and some of te [sic] [the] great grand children 53 pages in all, if you or any one you may know wants a copy it is $20 in book form. The next brother Salathiel & Elizabeth Franklin Coffey, and all 11 of their children and grand children & great grand children, and most of their children has large families, the price will be 25¢ a sheet. Also I have all of Isaiah Neburzarden & Elizabeth Hayes's family, with children & grandchildren and great grand children, they had 9 children. The 25¢ cost covers copy cost, postage, & the book form.

If anyone would like to communicate about this with James, drop me a note and I'll send his contact information.

Joseph Elzie and Mary Ann Coffey Hays

Joseph's parents were Gabriel Hays, Jr. born c1792 in VA who married Martha Coffey in Adair Co., KY on Dec. 26, 1813.  Martha was the daughter of Cleveland and Jane Witherspoon Coffey.  Her date of birth and death is not known to me, but given the time of marriage, she was likely born around the same time frame as Gabriel.

Martha and Gabriel were the parents of Joseph Elzie Hays, born Dec. 6, 1822 in Russell Co., and died there on Jan. 23, 1904.

Joseph was married three times.  His first was to Sophia M. Saufley on Oct. 19, 1848 in KY.  Sophia was born c1822 in VA and died on Mar. 14, 1853 in KY.  If there were children born to this union, none survived.

On Mar 25, 1854 in Russell Co., Joseph married Mary Ann Coffey, a second cousin to his mother, Martha Coffey Hays.  Mary Ann was born Jul. 4, 1828 in Russell Co., and died there on May 24, 1869, apparently in childbirth while delivering their fourth child, Rose.  Their first three children were Sophia, born c1856 who became the wife of Judge W. S. Stone; Mary A., born c1866 and Rose L., born c1869, all in Russell Co.

Joseph's third wife was Elizabeth C. Young of Wayne Co., daughter of G. W. and Margaret Pemberton Young.  There were no children.

A biography* of Joseph, published in 1888, reveals that his father Gabriel Hays, Jr. came from VA to settle in a part of Adair Co. that is now in Russell Co.  Gabriel Hays, Sr., was a "native of Scotland" who came to the "American colonies and went into the war of Revolution, arose to the position of major, and served in that capacity until independence was achieved."

An very interesting part of this bio reads: 

"Martha (Coffey) Hays was born in Adair, now Russell County, was a daughter of Cleveland Coffey, a native of North Carolina who was an early settler in Adair, now Russell County, Ky.; he was a farmer and stock-trader, and a son of Joel Coffey, also a native of North Carolina, whose father, Joel Coffey, Sr. was of English parentage.  Joseph E. Hays is of Scotch [sic] descent on his father's side, and of English on his mother's."

Joel, father of Cleveland, was probably born in VA and was married to Martha Stepp/Stapp c 1753,  Certainly, the number of Joel Coffeys floating around between VA and KY in that timeframe makes it extremely difficult to sort them out.

The following are some random notes that I have and which I believe pertain to Joel who married Martha Stepp/Stapp:

Joel, born 1780, m Martha "Patsy"?.  They had 6 children: Nathaniel, m1 Louisa Durham, m2 Nancy Clark; Alvina (Elvira), b 1811, m Martin Wright, Mar 27, 1828.  She died Sep 7, 1869; Caroline, m Unk Summers; Martha L., m Perry M. Stacy; Francis m Jackson Jones; Henry B., m Sara Ann Isbele. Source:  Lee Robert, Nov., 1998.

Joel was b. late 1740's and d. 1789.  Married Martha in 1753. Martha was b. 1737.  Joel was son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffee. Their children were Jesse Cleveland; James, Joel, Nathan, Caty, Frances Jane, Sealey, Nebuzarren, Cleveland.  Source:  Revolutionary Ancestors, 1976; Wood Coffee Will and Inventory.

Joel and Martha are mentioned in The Georgians, Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers, by J. H. Austin.

Joel's will (probate) dated 1789 Wilkes Co., NC.  Children listed as James, Joel, Cleveland, Nathan, Katy, Jane and Celia.  See North Carolina will book C, page 321.

Marvin Coffey wrote in his works that DAR has always listed Joel as born 1730, and married in 1753 to Martha Sealy, born 1737.  Nebuzaradon, their youngest son, was born in 1780 meaning that Martha would have been aged 52 at his birth.

A number of researchers have theorized that Joel married Martha Sealey who died, and he then married Martha Step.  Others have the opinion that Joel married a widow by the name of Mrs. Martha Step Sealey while another group has said that Sealey was a nickname for Celia which was the middle name of Martha.  Another thought is that Joel was born much earlier, about 1750.

Joseph is not listed in Joel's 1789 will (Wilkes Co., NC Will Book I, p260) but does appear in other researcher's works.  He could have been born to Joel's first wife and died before the will was made.  Joseph has also been reported to have gone to Kentucky quite early, and already otherwise provided for by his father thereby not making the will.  And, even if Joel had only one wife, Joseph could still have died quite young.  Marvin noted that there was a Joseph Coffey on early tax records of Adair Co., KY.

The bio paragraph cited above says that Joel (Martha Stepp) Coffey was the son of a Joel of English parents.  To me, this says the belief (among some Coffey researchers) that Joel was a son of the elusive - almost mythical - Chesley Coffey, may not be accurate. I am told that the DNA test results of some researchers who trace their lineage to this Joel are descendants of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.

So, it could be that some in the 1888 biography - and who undoubtedly contributed to it - believed they were of English not Irish descent.  We know that Edward was Irish and came to America as an indentured servant and, likely come here through England.  We know that Peter Coffee, an Irishman and Edward's distant relative, came to America from an English prison.  Given that Edward may also have departed from England, seems logical to me that 100-plus year old family tales could have mistakenly told of Edward being of English descent.  Edward may have thought of himself as being English, given the Ireland-England politics of the era.

Continuing with Joseph...

The Bio tells us that his father was a "life-long invalid," and that Joseph was self-educated.  By the time he was 17 he was the deputy county surveyor, working under Hiram Rowe.  He began teaching school at age 19 and at the age of 21 was elected to the Kentucky militia as a captain and, rose the the rank of colonel.  He read law with Gen. Rice Maxey and admitted to the Kentucky bar in 1846.

Being a somewhat wealthy man and the largest slave owner in the county, he was naturally a southern sympathizer during the Civil War.  At the close of the war he returned to his law practice and was appointed "master commissioner of the Russell Circuit Court."  It did not take long for him to recoup the wealth he lost as a result of the war.

His son, Hiram was born on Dec. 7, 1858 and was educated in the law by his father.  He "was admitted to the bar at the age of seventeen years and six months."  He also taught school in Jamestown at the age of 14; spent a year in Texas and returned to KY at the age of 20.  He settled in Monticello, Wayne Co. where he practiced law and became county attorney.

He married Eva Owens, a daughter of Dr. S. R. Owens, a well known physician of the time.  They were parents of one daughter, Mary Owen Hays.  In 1882 Hiram was a candidate for Congress.  While on the stump however, he became ill and withdrew.  He died on Jan. 14, 1888 at the home of Dr. Owens.

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* W. H. Perrin, Author, Kentucky: A History of the State: Embracing a concise account of the origin and development of the Virginia Colony; its expansion westward, and the settlement of the frontier beyond the Alleghenies; the erection of Kentucky as an independent state, and its subsequent development, J. H. Battle & G. C. Kniffin, Authors, eighth edition (Lewisville, KY, & Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey and Company, 1888), Pgs 860-861.

Nebuzaradan Coffey 1789 Wilkes Co., NC - 1867 Marion Co., OR

This Nebuzaradan Coffey was the son of Joel and Martha (or Sealey, depending on which genealogy is used) Stepp/Stapp Coffey. He was born on August 29, 1789 in Wilkes Co., NC and died on January 20, 1867 in Marion Co., OR.

"Neb" spent some time in Wayne Co., KY where he married Elizabeth Easley on September 13, 1810.*
The family left Kentucky sometime before 1850 because they appear in the Marion Co., OR census on January 24, 1850.  Sometime shortly after that, "Neb" was apparently elected to the territorial legislature because between December 2, 1850 and February 2, 1851, he was the "Doorkeeper" for the territorial legislature.

The document shown here is from a report published by the Oregon Secretary of State, H. R. Kinkaid, Biennial Report of the Secretary of the State of Oregon, published by the state in 1899.  It is the only place in the book where "Neb" is mentioned.

*History of Cumberland County, Kentucky, J. W. Wells, 1947

Nathan Coffey (1788 KY - 1834 IL)

Nathan or, perhaps, Nathaniel Coffey was a son of Joel and Martha Stepp [var] Coffey. He was born Jan. 10, 1788 in Kentucky, and married Sarah (Sally) Meredith on Nov. 11, 1806 in Adair Co., KY. Sarah was the daughter of David and Hannah Cook Meredith.

Twelve of their 13 children were born in KY, the last there in Feb., 1829. Their last was born in IL in Jan., 1831. These dates indicate that the family left Adair Co. in about 1830 for IL, and arrived there before Jan., 1831. Nathan died in Pike Co., IL on Sep. 19, 1834. Sarah died there on Dec. 26, 1853.

Their children were:

Martha Bagby, born Jan. 8, 1808, and married Charles M. Benbook in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Mar. 18, 1826.

Woodson Rickets, born Oct. 1, 1809.

Elizabeth Graham, born Apr. 27, 1811.

Meredith Washington, born Mar. 3, 1813, married Eliza Hutchinson on Jul. 24, 1836 in Pike Co., IL. They appeared in the 1840 census in Pike Co.

Joel Woodson, born Mar. 5, 1815.

Daniel Franklin, born Apr. 18, 1817, died Sep. 22, 1867. He married Elizabeth Conner, born c1820 in KY, on Aug. 6,1842 in Pike Co., IL. Daniel died Sep. 22, 1867 in Griggsville, Pike Co., IL. Their children were: Sarah E., born c1843; Nathan F., born c1845; J. Hardin, born c1847; Tabitha (Delitha?) M., born c1849; Daniel Franklin, Jr., born c1851, married Nancy M. [LNU] c1876 in IL. their children were Russell J., born c1877 and Burton B., born Feb. 1880. Burton B., born c1853; Thomas M., born Apr. 2, 1855, married Lillian May Hathaway on Jul, 5, 1883 in Pike Co., IL; Lillian was born c1862 in Griggsville, Pike Co.; Mary J., born c1857; Grace L., born c1861, died May 19, 1914 in Kaw, Jackson Co., MO. The family appears in the 1850 and 1860 in Griggsville, Pike Co. census.

Hannah Jane, born Mar. 19, 1819, married William Wells Apr. 12, 1835 in Pike Co. William was born c1815 in KY and apparently died before 1860. He was not present for the census that year. However, two of the children born to Hannah Jane were born after 1860, making it possible that William was away at war, returned before 1863 and died before the 1870 census. Their children were Haster M., born c1837; William, born c1843; John, born c1845; Hardin, born c1849; Jane, born c1851; Frances, born c1854; George, born c1863, and Nelly, born c1865. William is with the family in the 1850 Griggsville, Pike Co. census, but was absent in 1860 and 1870.

Kizia Catherine, born Jan. 9, 1821, married Archibald Campbell Mar. 9, 1840 in Pike Co. Archibald was born c1817 in KY. Their known children were as son, J. W., born c1843 and E. E., a daughter, born c1846. She and Archibald were in the 1850 Pike Co. census.

Thomas Chelton, born Dec. 18, 1822, married Rebecca J. Daigh, Jun. 11, 1848 in Pike Co. Rebecca was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Daigh. Thomas later married Helen L. Brower. They were in the 1850 Pike Co. census in the household with Rebecca's parents.

Eliza Emeline, born Mar. 10, 1825 in Simpson Co., KY, died Dec. 9, 1901 in Pike Co., IL. She married John Porter Nov. 28, 1850 in Pike Co. He died May 27, 1895 in Pike Co., and Eliza died there on Dec. 9, 1901. Their known children were: Emma, born Jan. 8, 1852; Sarah, born Oct. 6, 1856; Jane, born c1858; and John D., born Sep. 23, 1860. They appeared in the 1860 through 1880 Newburg Twp., Pike Co., IL census.

James Cleveland, born May 31, 1827.

Sarah Ann, born Feb. 4, 1829, married Charles Tomlinson Nov. 14, 1863 in Pike Co. Charles was born c1831 in New Jersey. They appeared in the 1870 Macon Co., MO census and in 1880 in Warrensburg, Johnson Co., MO. They had no known children.

Corrections and/or additions can be sent to me at the e-mail address below.

Bertha Etta (Cookie) Coffey

Leah Meadows
Bertha Etta (Cookie) Coffey was the daughter of James Lawson and Leah Meadows Coffey. She was born Feb. 24, 1883 in Alanthus Grove, Gentry Co., MO and died in 1937.

Other children born to James and Leah were:

Zenfauts, no other information.

James Emerson (Emer), born Oct. 14, 1872, died Jul. 28, 1959

Charles Elmer, born Jun. 3, 1876, died Apr. 22, 1934

Nettie Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 1880, died Jul. 26, 1962.

Jesse Edward, born Mar. 18, 1885, died Sep. 30, 1960. Jesse married Martha J. Anderson c1904 and had children: James W., born c1906; Bonnie Viola, born Sep. 17, 1913, died Feb. 15, 1919; and Velma.

Unnamed infant daughter, born Feb. 7, 1887, no other information

Lulu Ethel, born Jun. 25, 1880. Lula married Otis Bateman

"Cookie" married Elza Ackert Walker, born Aug. 21, 1884 in Alanthus Grove, died Nov., 1949 in Buchanan Co., MO. Their children were Melvin James, born Nov. 21, 1904, died Aug. 25, 1932; and Martin Edgar, born c1909, died 1976.

Elza was the son of Martin Perry Walker and Mary Frances Coffey. Mary was the daughter of Lawson H. Coffey and Eliza Ann Campbell. James Lawson was a nephew of Lawson, and Lawson was a son of Joel Benjamin and Exea Saphronia Stapp Coffey. James Lawson was a son of Jesse H. Buchanan Coffey and Lucinda Burpo. Jesse was also a son of Joel Benjamin and Exea Stapp Coffey.

Mary Frances Coffey was married twice more after the death of her Walker spouse. She married second to David B. Boatwright on Sep. 6, 1889, probably in MO. Mr. Boatwright had been previously married to Lutushia Wright on Dec. 25, 1873. There was at least one child born to Mary and Mr. Boatwright: Bertha M. Boatwright, born Jun. 12, 1890 and who married Manly Judd. Mary's third marriage was to John Barton.

This family is being researched by Sandy Warde who provided the lineage and the photograph. Sandy wrote:

"I have been researching my line from Lawson H. and James L. Coffey's line who intermingled into my Walker family. They have been an elusive bunch. I do have Mary Francis Coffey's death certificate. She was the daughter of Lawson and Eliza Campbell Coffey. She had three husbands, Abner Walker, David Boatwright, and ( John) Henry C. Barton. She was buried in Stanberry, Missouri under her Walker married name with our Walker family. I also have Eliza Campbell Coffey's death certificate..."