Tom Dula

Remember the 60's hit Tom Dooley by The Kingston Trio?  It was a ballad about the young Thomas C. Dula who was tried (twice), found guilty both times and finally hung on May 1, 1868 for the death of Laura Foster.

Tom was born to Thomas P. and Mary Keaton Dula on Jun. 20, 1844 in Wilkes Co.  According to tales, he was as promiscuous as most young men when they reach puberty and had been known to have been intimate with Laura as well as other young women, married or single, in his neighborhood in Wilkes Co.

He enlisted in Co. K, 42d NC Infantry Regiment on Apr. 24, 1862.  Following enlistment, Tom spent Nov. 1 through Nov. 24 in the hospital at Petersburg, VA.  On Dec. 3, 1862 he was in the Episcopal Church Hospital at Williamsburg, VA and on Dec. 25, 1862 rejoined his regiment.  In Jan. and Feb., 1863 he was present with his unit but reported sick.  His rank was Musician.

He and his unit were in defense of Petersburg, VA for four months beginning Jul. 17, 1864.  He was again reported in the hospital at Richmond in Oct. 1864.  He had been admitted to the hospital on Aug. 10, 1864.

In March of 1865 he and his unit were in battle at Kinston, NC where he was captured and sent to Point Lookout in MD.  It was from there that he was paroled after signing the oath of allegiance on Jun. 11, 1865.

 Ann Foster was the illegitimate daughter of Carlotta "Lotty" Foster.  She was sometimes known as Angeline Pauline Foster and sometimes as Angeline Pauline Triplett.  Her father has never been determined.  Ann eventually married James Melton on Jun. 22, 1859 and had a daughter, Martha Jane, born c1861.  Some people contend, unto today, that Tom was the father but that has never been proven.

Laura Foster was some distant cousin to Ann.  She was the daughter of Wilson and Martha Bowman Foster, born c1843 in Caldwell Co.

Pauline Foster was a second cousin to Ann Foster Melton and had come to Caldwell Co. from Watauga to work for Ann and her husband.  She was eventually a "key witness" against Tom but described by a reporter for the New York Herald as "remarkable for nothing but debasement...".  Someone had overheard an argument between Pauline and Ann Foster Melton, apparently related to the death of Laura.  Authorities were notified and Pauline agreed to testify.

What's this to do with Coffey?  Well, Thomas P. Dula, father of Thomas C. was brother to John Dula; both sons of Bennet and Anna Stowe Dula.  John Dula married Mary Trivette and had a number of children, including Thomas Wesley, born Jan., 1837, died Feb. 16, 1924.

Thomas Wesley married Laura E. Laxton on May 19, 1856 in Caldwell Co. and, among others, had Arthur Hill Dula who married Mary Jane Coffey, the daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa Gragg Coffey.  Arthur's sister, Mary Laura, married John Wesley Coffey, brother to Mary Jane.

To read more about Tom Dula and his trial, check out Death in North Carolina Piedmont by Francis H. Gasstevens, The History Press, Charleston, SC, 2006.  See also the Blue Ridge Country article by Sharyn McCrumb.

William Leon & Marion Edna Norris Coffey

This couple married c1912, probably in Watauga Co., NC.  William was a son of William Luther and Mary Salome Moretz Coffey, born Jul. 19, 1892 in Watauga Co.  Marion was the daughter of Millard Harrison and Ida Delrea Davis Norris and was born Oct. 7, 1895, also in Watauga Co.

When William Leon registered for the draft in WW1, he did so on June. 5, 1917 in Watauga Co.  He was described as being tall with medium build, blue eyes and light colored hair.  He was 24 years old, born July 29, 1893 at Meat Camp in Caldwell Co.  Like those before him, he was a farmer and had a wife and two children.

The family appeared in both the 1920 and 1930 Watauga Co. census at Blowing Rock.  His death in August, 1963 at age 71 was ruled a suicide by "asphyxiation, drowning."  Reason for suicide is not known but "depression" was cited as contributing to his death.

He and Marion had nice children together, all born in Watauga Co.:

Homer Leon, born Jun. 29, 1913, married Polly Ersal Presnell, born Jan. 22, 1916.

Thelma Edna, born Feb. 28, 1915, died May 26, 1995 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co.  Thelma married Odell Cletus Deal, a son of Nathan T. and Mary Elvira Shell.  He was born Jan. 2, 1904 in Catawba Co., and died there on Jan. 6, 1989.  Odell's first wife was Constance Eliza Chester, born 1908, died 1957 in Catawba Co.  He and Thelma were married in 1959 in Caldwell Co.  Thelma was a US Navy veteran of WWII.  Her military headstone marker reads S1 [Seaman First Class] US Navy, World War II.  What an adventure she must have had!  She had no known children.

Arthur Wade, born Jun. 29, 1917, married Dec. 20, 1945 to Annie Elizabeth Cohn, born Sep. 8, 1917, died Dec. 28, 2000 in Boone.

Ida Irene, born Feb. 23, 1919, married Vernon Stokes Woods, born Jan. 27, 1918 in NC, died Oct. 12, 196 in Mecklenburg Co., NC.  They were married Nov. 27, 1944 in Watauga Co.

Jewel Salome, born c1920, married Max R. Moody.  Max was born Mar. 25, 1919 in Watauga Co. and died there on Mar. 31, 2006.

Marion Helen, born Jun. 16, 1924, married Conor Jones Triplett on Sep. 14, 1946 in Watauga Co.  He died in June, 1976.

Rena Marie, born Jun. 21, 1926, married Ralph Junior Broyhill on Jan. 26, 1946 in Watauga Co.

Waymon Wayne, born Jan. 7, 1929 - no information.

Stanley Owen, born Apr. 26, 1931, died Oct. 4, 2005 in Blowing Rock.  Stanley married Betty Moody.

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Some of the birth years for these folks were found in the 1900 census.  In many cases when a corresponding death certificate was found the birth year was +/- 1 year off the census record.  This also occurs many times when viewing WW1 draft records.  The birth year is nearly always off by +/- 1 year from headstone, census or death certificate dates.  It is a phenomena that I have noticed many times and often wondered which is the most accurate?








No. 997

Elijah and Mariah Coffey Coffey

Elijah was a son of Cleveland and Jane Witherspoon Coffey; Mariah was the daughter of Eli and Mary "Polly" Coffey Coffey. They were double-second cousins, their common ancestors being the mysterious Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey.

Elijah was born in Wayne Co., KY in 1807 and died in Casey Co. on Sep. 10, 1876. His burial place is not known. Mariah was born Jan. 17, 1802 in KY and died in Russell Co., KY in Oct., 1854. Her burial place is also unknown. They were married in Russell Co. on May 18, 1826.

They were the parents of at least four children, all daughters:

Emily Caroline

Lucy Jane, born Jun. 27, 1831, died Jun. 6, 1907. She married William T. Jackman, born to Adam and Elizabeth Triplett Jackman on Mar. 17, 1829 in Russell Co. He died Sep. 7, 1891 in Adair Co., KY. Their children were: James, Mariah, John W., William A., Fethah [?] J., Laura J. and Frank [Francis?].

Mary E., born c1834 in Russell Co.

Mariah Ann, born c1838 in Russell Co., and died there on Sep. 21, 1854.

I have no further information on this family and would appreciate additions and/or corrections.

Who did Adolphus Penley Marry?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sanuel Odous, born Aug. 21, 1938

Mozelle Etta, born Aug. 11, 1940

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

Jeanette Emma, born Sep. 9. 1946

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

George Washington Coffey (1870-1940)

I recently found a death certificate for George Washington Coffey, born Dec. 15, 1870, died Nov. 10, 1940 in West Virginia. The certificate lists his father as Marval [sic] Coffey, and his mother as Mary Ann Coffey.

In my files I have Mary Ann Coffey, daughter of Marvel and Nancy E. Pendley Coffey, born Jun. 10, 1850 in Caldwell Co., NC, died Jan. 15, 1910, also in Caldwell Co. Until now I did not know who her husband, and father of her children was: John Kelley, born c1869; George Washington, and Elizabeth G., born Oct. 6, 1873.

But, now I'm confused [not unusual at all!]. Who was Marvel descended from? Did the informant for George's death certificate make a mistake and give his grandfather's name instead?

Please contact me if you can help!

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Update Mar. 31, 2012

Marvel and Nancy Pendley Coffey were enumerated in the 1850 and 1860 Kings Creek Twp., Caldwell Co., NC census with a daughter named Mary. In 1850 she was 11 months old and in 1860 she was 12 years old.  In 1870 the family was still in Kings Creek Twp., and Mary, now aged 20, was enumerated as a "domestic servant."

Mary "the daughter" is said to be the mother of three children without benefit of marriage: John Kelly, born c1869; George Washington, born Dec. 15, 1870, died Nov. 10, 1940 in Williamson, Mingo Co., WV; and Elizabeth Jeanette "Lizzie," born Oct. 6, 1873 died May 18, 1958 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

There is a marriage record in Mingo Co., WV for John K. Coffey to Mary Crotts on which John names his parents as "Marvel & Mary Ann Coffey."

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jeanette was married first to Julius F. Barnett* on Nov. 18, 1893 at Kings Creek. On Nov. 8, 1911 she married Frank Wilson** at Granite Falls in Lovelady Twp., Caldwell Co.  Elizabeth died on May 18, 1958 at Lenoir.  The informant named on her death certificate was Mrs. Nellie Triplett, Lizzie's daughter, born to the Julius Barnett marriage.  The certificate names Lizzie's mother as Mary Ann Coffey but the father's name was "Not Obtainable."

So, I now have two of Mary's children who claim Marvel and Mary Ann Coffey as their father.  The third child only names Mary Ann as the mother.

Now, when Mary, the "domestic servant," appeared in the 1870 census, she was apparently the mother of the child John Kelly, age 1 year in that census.   Four years later, Mary "the daughter" married William Zachariah Maltba*** and lived with him until her death in 1910.

In the 1880 Caldwell Co. census, Zacariah [sic] Maltba and wife Mary A., had children (among others): John K., age 11; George, age 9 and Elizabeth, age 6, all of which appear to be the same children attributed to Mary Ann by documents mentioned herein.  Although not enumerated with the Coffey surname, they were much too old to have been children resulting from the Zachariah and Mary Ann union.

So, what are we to make from all this?  Mary who married Zachariah Maltba named Marvel Coffey as her father.  Was Mary's father also the father of her first three children?  Was there another Marvel?  Was Mary "the domestic servant" another Mary Coffey?  Was Mary "the daughter" also Mary "the domestic servant?"

The Maltba family remained in Kings Creek the remainder of their lives.  Elizabeth "Lizzie" remained in the Kings Creek area during her marriages to Barnett and Wilson while the two boys, John K. and George Washington moved on to West Virginia.

Anyone have this figured out?

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 *Groom's Name: Julius F. Barnett Groom's Birth Date: 1866 Groom's Birthplace: Groom's Age: 27 Bride's Name: Lizzie Coffey Bride's Birth Date: 1873 Bride's Birthplace: Bride's Age: 20 Marriage Date: 18 Nov 1893 Marriage Place: Kings Creek Twp, Caldwell, North Carolina Groom's Father's Name: Thos. H. Barnett Groom's Mother's Name: Sarah Barnett Bride's Father's Name: Bride's Mother's Name: Mary Ann Maltba Groom's Race: White Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: White Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M74468-8 System Origin: North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number: 590346 Reference Number 

 **groom's name:N. F. Wilson groom's birth date:1862 groom's birthplace: groom's age:49 bride's name:Lizzie Barnett bride's birth date:1874 bride's birthplace: bride's age:37 marriage date:08 Nov 1911 marriage place:Granite Falls, Lovelady Twp, North Carolina groom's father's name:Jacob Wilson groom's mother's name:Margaret Wilson bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race:White groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race:White bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M74461-8 system origin:North Carolina-EASy source film number:590349 reference number


***groom's name:Wm. Z. Maltba groom's birth date:1853 groom's birthplace: groom's age:21 bride's name:Mary A. Coffey bride's birth date:1849 bride's birthplace: bride's age:25 marriage date:25 Nov 1874 marriage place:Caldwell, North Carolina groom's father's name:Jonathan Maltba groom's mother's name:Sarah Maltba bride's father's name:Marvel Coffey bride's mother's name:Nancy Coffey groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M74468-7 system origin:North Carolina-EASy source film number:590345 reference number:bk 3