William Luther and Mary Salome Moretz Coffey (Corrected)

William Luther Coffey was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. He was born Mar. 6, 1850 in TN, and died Mar. 5, 1925 in Watauga Co., NC. He married Mary Salome (Sallie) Moretz, a daughter of Daniel and Catharine Bolick Moretz. Sallie was born Aug. 20, 1850 in Watauga Co., and died Mar. 20, 1940 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC. I have not found a marriage date for them.

The following information was received from Brenda Trivette, a GG-Granddaughter:

"Although in the 1870 and 1880 census records for Watauga County Sally Coffey is said to be one year older than her husband William and the couple's tombstone in the Old Mount Pleasant Cemetery reads: William L. Coffey, March 6, 1850--March 5, 1925 and Salome Moretz Coffey, August 20, 1850-- March 20, 1940. These dates agree with those in the family Bible.

William Luther Coffey was the son of Jesse Calton Coffey (April 21, 1821--Aug.28, 1904) and Nancy Raines Coffey (Sept. 30, 1822--Jan. 14, 1899), who lived below where Tweetsie Railroad now runs and are buried in the Middle Fork Cemetery above the railroad...William and Sally had 12 children...

Will and Sally Coffey lived in the Big Hill section of Meat Camp Township on land given to Sally by her parents. Will was a nursery-man who grew, grafted and sold all kinds of fruit trees and grape vines. He is remembered by his granddaughter Georgia Bodenheimer Norris (born June 10, 1908, daughter of Lizzie) as a kind, strict man who would stand for no cutting up at the table. ("He'd give you one look and you knew what he meant.") He worked hard and provided well for his family. He would get up early and go out to work awhile before breakfast, (Georgia recalls her mother saying), but would never ask his children to go out and help him before breakfast.

He did not use tobacco in any form, but Sally chewed. She kept the habit a secret at first but finally told her husband, deciding "if he killed me he couldn't eat me". He did neither and after that she could chew with a clear conscience.

Around 1912 Will built a new house near the old one in which he and Sally had raised their family. The new house had a unique double staircase so you didn't have to go down the way you went up.

Will is said to have been a man of medium height who walked with a limp. He suffered from high blood pressure and heart dropsy. After he died, Sally stayed on in the house for eight years with her daughters Maud and Edna and her granddaughter Rose (Victor's daughter, who had come to live with her grandparents after her mother died). In 1923 the four of them moved to Lenoir where Sally died."

There were at least 12 children born to this union:

Arthur A., born Oct. 17, 1870

Victor Judson, born Oct. 29, 1872, died Feb. 1863. He married Frances Adeline Moretz on Aug. 3, 1899 in Watauga Co. Frances was born Apr. 15, 1873, and died May 11, 1913. They had at least four children: Hernando LeRoy, born Feb. 13, 1900, died Dec. 7, 1969; Frances Leona, born Mar. 6, 1902; Doris Winona, born Nov. 9, 1904; and Charles Raymond, born Apr. 2, 1907, died Apr. 28, 1987. Victor is also said to have been married to Emma Moretz, born Jun. 6, 1897, died Aug. 28, 1963. I have not found a record of this marriage.

Dell Carlton, born Jul. 1, 1875 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 4, 1963 in Watauga Co. He married Mary Jane Bodenheimer on Nov. 6, 1895. She was born Apr. 18, 1876 in Yadkin Co., NC, and died Nov. 7, 1974 in Watauga Co. There were 13 children born to this union: Robert Leroy, born Oct. 28, 1896, died May 13, 1974; Ora Estella, born Aug. 1, 1898, died Nov. 27, 1985; William Edgar, born Feb. 5, 1900, died Oct. 3, 1906; Mamie, born Nov. 15, 1901, died Dec. 22, 1901; Emma Edith, born Nov. 11, 1902, died Dec. 19, 1902; Addie Lee, born Jan. 10, 1904, died Feb. 15, 1964; David Glenn, born Feb. 27, 1906, died Apr. 17, 1996; Ira Calton, born Jul. 15, 1908, died Jan. 30, 2000; Paul Alfred, born Dec. 30, 1909; Walter Murray, born Jul. 22, 1912, died Mar. 3, 1985; anna Belle, born Jan. 28, 1915; Ray Albert, born Sep. 20, 1918, died Oct. 29, 1929; and Viola Mary, born Oct. 31, 1920, died Mar. 20, 1921.

Norman Oran, born Aug. 27, 1877 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 18, 1937 in Port Henry, Essex Co., NY. He married Carrie Norris, a daughter of John H. and Miriam Loretta Crowell Norris on Jan. 5, 1898 in Watauga Co. Carrie was born May 22, 1879 in Watauga Co., and died Feb. 15, 1968 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., NC. They had at least 6 children: Mabel Loretta, born Oct. 23, 1897, died Sep. 30, 1932; John Bynum, born Feb. 23, 1899, died Sep. 6, 1959; Clyde D., born c1903; Wilson H., born c1905; Virginia Clara, born Apr. 26, 1906, died Apr. 27, 1977; and Lorena, born c1912.

Nora Ellen, born Jan. 8, 1880, died Jun. 14, 1966

Kenneth P., born Oct. 21, 1881, died Aug. 19, 1886

Frances Elizabeth, born Mar. 23, 1884, died Oct. 31, 1961. She married Will A. Bodenheimer, born Jul. 31, 1885, died May 11, 1977. At least four children were born: Georgia Sallie, born Jun. 10, 1908; Earl McCoy, born May 22, 1912; Lillian, born c1917; and Ruby Helen, born Mar. 27, 1922.

Rachel Ada, born Mar. 31, 1886 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 14, 1975. She married W. Johnson Green, born Apr. 20, 1883, died Apr. 4, 1967. They had at least two children: Jodie Velma, born Feb. 23, 1914, and William Dale, born Mar. 1, 1915.

Margaret Alberta, born Jul. 4, 1888 in Watauga Co., died Jan. 31, 1918 in Watauga Co. She married Elbert Solomon Norris, born Aug. 1884, died Oct. 1933. At least six children were born to their union: Nina Beular, born Jan. 31, 1910; Walter Denver, born Mar. 27, 1911, died Oct. 24, 1987; Clara E., born Nov. 14, 1912; Unnamed, born Jul. 7, 1914; Nancy S., born Sep. 4, 1915; and Lola Maude, born Aug. 28, 1917.

William Leon, born Jul. 29, 1893 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 11, 1963. He married Marion Edna Norris, born Oct. 7, 1895 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 10, 1987. They had at least nine children: Homer Leon, born Jun. 29, 1913; Thelma Edna, born Feb. 28, 1915, died May, 26, 1995; Arthur Wade, born Jun. 29, 1917; Ida Irene, born Feb. 23, 1919; Jewel Salome, born c1920; Marion Helen, born Jun. 16, 1924; Rena Marie, born Jul. 21, 1926; Waymon Wayne, born Jan. 7, 1929; and Stanley Owen, born Apr. 26, 1931, died Oct. 4, 2005.

Maude Estella, born Aug. 29, 1894, died Mar. 27, 1949

Edna Mae, born May. 6, 1898, died Oct. 14, 1964.

Please contact me at the e-mail address above to add to or correct any of this information.

Nancy Ann Coffey Young

This photograph is of Nancy Ann Coffey, wife of Charles Solomon Young, and their children. It was taken sometime around 1902 and appeared in Section B of the Sep. 13, 1991 issue of The Blowing Rocket, Blowing Rock, NC.

Pictured here is Nancy Ann, daughter of William Clayton Coffey, Jr., and wife Louisa Adeline Curtis. Nancy was born in May 1868, probably in Caldwell or Watauga Co., NC. She married Charles Young c1887.

Their children were:

L-R: Robert (Bob), born Apr., 1890; Lula, born May, 1888; Ernest (on Nancy's lap), born Dec., 18999; Frank, born Apr., 1892; and Hattie Lee, born Jun., 1896. Rose, born Feb. 4, 1898, is seated on the ground at left.

In the 1900 Watauga Co. census record, Nancy reported that she was the mother of seven children, but only six were living. Instead of Ernest, the child born in Dec., 1899 was named Gertrude J. in that census.1

1 1900 Watauga Co., Blowing Rock, ED123, Sheet 1B, dwelling/family 15, Young, Charley S., head, white male, born Jul. 1869, age 31, married 13 yrs., born NC, parents born NC, carpenter; Nancy A., wife, white female, born May 1868, age 32, married 13 yrs., mother of 7, 6 living, born NC, parents born NC; Lula B., dau., white female, born May, 1888, age 12, born NC; Robert, son, white male, born Apr. 1890, age 10, born NC; Frank, son, white male, born Apr. 1892, age 8, born NC; Hattie L., dau., white female, born Jun. 1896, age 3, born NC; Rose E., dau., white female, born Feb. 1898, age 2, born NC; Gertrude J., dau., white female, born Dec. 1899, age 5 mos., born NC; Joexler [sic], Charles, boarder, white male, born May 1877, age 23, single, born NC, parents born NC, teamster

Ransom Hayes

Ransom, a son of George Hayes, Sr., and wife Mary Judah "Polly" Mills was born c1805 in Caldwell Co., NC and died in Boone, Watauga Co. NC in 1868.

He married Sarah Greene, born Jan. 22, 1808 in Ashe Co., and died c1862 in Boone Co. Their marriage took place on Oct. 10, 1835 in Ashe Co.

The following appeared in the Centennial Edition of the Watauga Democrat on Jun. 3, 1972:

Hayes' Grave is in Boone

In a hilltop cemetery above Queen Street in Boone is the grave of Ransom Hayes, who with Jordan Councill, Jr. contributed a large tract of land on which Boone is now located.

The grave recently was found by Zeb Shook, who relates that the Caldwell County-born man died in April of 1868.

[The photo that appeared here has been removed Jul. 4, 2007. It has not been proven that it was of Ransom Hayes]

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.

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.

Thomas Avery & Louisa Gragg Coffey

Thomas Avery Coffey was a son of Austin and Mary A. Blalock Coffey. He was born June 3, 1854 in Watauga Co., NC and died Dec. 21, 1917 in Avery Co., NC. Thomas married Louisa E. Gragg on Sep. 20, 1873 in Caldwell Co. Louisa was a daughter of Johnson P. and Nancy Jane Cuthbertson Gragg. Louisa died in 1922.

They are believed to have had 10 children, but I have found only eight:

Mary Jane, born Aug., 1874, died May 26, 1955. She married Arthur Hill Dula on Oct. 11, 1892 in Watauga Co. Arthur was born Jan. 1867 in North Carolina and died Sep. 7, 1948 in that state. Their children: Clyde Lester; Charlotte Nevada; Olive M.; Beatrice Rema; Ruth Virginia; Earnest; Ruby Evelyn; Lois Esther; Cleda Elizabeth.

John Wesley, born Jan. 28, 1878 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 17, 1962 in North Carolina. He married Kizzie Ann Hatley on Oct. 9, 1902 in Watauga Co. Kizzie was born Feb. 12, 1882 in North Carolina and died Jun. 19, 1962 in that state. Their children were: Ira Vance; Edgar Hugh; Lillian Delana; Opal; Louise; Avery Jamison; Ernest Reid; and Adell

Milton F., born about March, 1880 - no further information

 Lee Ella, born Nov., 1881 in Caldwell Co., died Dec. 16, 1963. Married 1) Joseph Commodore Church and 2) William Washington Collins

 James Hardy, born Jan. 1884 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 5, 1936 in Avery Co., married Lillian May Gray.

Theodocia (Docia), born Aug. 28, 1884 in Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 14, 1941 in Watauga Co. She married 1) Columbus Filmore (Lum) Blalock (son of William McKesson "Keith" and Sarah Malinda Pritchard Blalock). Child by Lum was Hazel, born c1913. She married 2) Luther Farthing. Lum had previously married 1) Emma McNeely and 2) Esther Caldonia Calloway.

Emma Viola, born Nov. 2, 1888 in Caldwewll Co., died 1988 in North Carolina. She married Emory Joel Young on Dec. 28, 1907 in Watauga Co., NC. Emory was born Apr. 4, 1882 and died Mar. 14, 1929 in North Carolina. Their children were: Charles Howard; Mary Lou; Thomas Wood; Emery Hugh; Hardin Darrell; and Rawleigh Edgar.

 Kelsey A, a son, born Dec. 7, 1891 died Aug. 12, 1907 and buried at White Springs in Blowing Rock.

Thomas is buried in Avery Co. It is said that the snow was too deep to bring him to White Springs. Louisa is buried in the White Springs Cemetery in Watuaga Co.

Please contact me to add to or correct this information.

Walter "Watt" Lenoir Sims and Vera Ester Coffey

I am searching for information about Walter.

I know only that he may have married Vera Esther Coffey, a daughter of David Nathaniel and Caroline Lavinia Coffey Coffey. Vera was born Sep. 20, 1889 in Watauga Co., NC and died Oct. 28, 1954 in North Carolina. The union produced at least one son, Archie Sims, born Sep. 11, 1916 in Watauga Co., and died May, 1939 in the Phillippine Islands.

Anyone with information on Walter, or his son Archie, please contact me.

Roby Columbus Coffey

Roby Columbus Coffey was called "Uncle Potter" by his family. He was born Jun. 16, 1881 to Joseph R. and Martha Elizabeth Gragg Coffey and died in Sep., 1964 in North Carolina. In about 1907 he married Lester Pearl Elrod who was born to William G. and Laura V. Green Elrod in about 1889.

Roby and Lester had nine children, all born in Watauga Co.:

Hellen, born about 1906
Dallas Eugene, born Jul. 3, 1907
Deward Belmont, born May 15, 1909, died May 6, 1994
Omer Roby, born Mar. 2, 1912, died Jul. 16, 1998
Ruby Almeda, born May 8, 1914
Dennis Owen, born Feb. 20, 1918
Edward, born Feb. 16, 1921
Unnamed dau., born Jul. 24, 1922
Unnamed dau., born Nov. 18, 1923

Although not known for certain, the last two children were likely to have been stillborn.

Deward married Maude Eliza Mays, born Nov. 17, 1909 and had at least two children: Douglas Bruce, born Feb. 5, 1952, died Jul. 23, 2003, and Deward Burris, born Jul. 21, 1942, died Aug. 22, 2004.

Omer Roby married May Tester and they had at least two children: Arthur Wayne, born Oct. 9, 1933, and Mary Janice, born Nov. 10, 1935.

I have no information on the other children.

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

Reuben Finley Coffey

Reuben was a son of Joseph R. Coffey and Martha Elizabeth Gragg. He was born Jul. 3, 1870 in Caldwell Co., NC and died Nov. 15, 1955 in that county. He married Flora Ellen Hollifield on Dec. 14, 1893 in Caldwell Co. Flora was born May 27, 1876 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Nov. 18, 1956.

They were the parents of four children:

Alfred Linney, born Nov. 19, 1894 in Caldwell Co., and died in France during WW1 on Sep. 18, 1918. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Section Euro, Site 3218. He never married. When he registered for the WW1 draft he was employed as a mail carrier in Watauga Co. He was described as being tall with a medium build, brown eyes and dark colored hair.

Martha Viena, the second child, was born Sep. 30, 1896 in Caldwell Co., and died Jun., 1986 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. She married Jethro Ransom Harmon on Nov. 26, 1921 in North Carolina. Jethro was born Feb. 2, 1898 in Caldwell Co., and died Jun. 13, 1996 in Hudson, Caldwell Co. Martha and Jethro had five children: Edna May, born Nov. 25, 1922; John, born and died 1924; Claude Edward, born 1926; Paul Hubert, born Oct. 27, 1929; and Olan Dale, born Jul. 10, 1932.

Their third born was Joseph Meritt, born Jan. 27, 1899 in Caldwell Co., and died Jul. 11, 1981 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC. He married Sue Augustus Childs, born Aug. 8, 1899 in North Carolina and died Jan. 1995 in Blowing Rock. I have not found a marriage date for this couple. Their children were Beulah Mae, born Mar. 24, 1924 in Watauga Co.; Evelyn Flora, born Oct. 24, 1928 in Watauga Co.; Joseph, Jr., birth date not found; and Richard D., born Apr. 27, 1948 in Watauga Co., and died Sep. 28, 2003 in Wilkes Co., NC. Beulah married a distant cousin, Hardin Blaine Coffey, son of Austin Blaine and Emma Mahalia Harris Coffey.

Fourth born was Wiley Earl Coffey. He was born Jul. 11, 1902 in Caldwell Co., and died Mar. 9, 1972 in Watauga Co. He first married Blanche Shumate. The only child found for them is Lena Verdola, born Feb. 23, 1923. His second wife was Edna Mae Story, born Jun. 14, 1904 in Watauga Co., and died Aug. 31, 1980 in Catawba Co., NC. A marriage date has not yet been found. Their children were Wiley Earl Coffey, born Jun. 10, 1928, died Aug. 14, 2004. Wiley retired from the United States Navy as a Lt. Cmdr. He was buried in Virginia Beach, VA but I have not yet found the exact site. Their second child was Kenneth Asher Coffey, born Oct. 14, 1931, died Nov. 21, 1978 in Glendale, CA. He was also a veteran of the US Navy and served during the Korean conflict. His gravesite is at Plains View Baptist Church in Fallston, Cleveland Co., NC. The last child is the Rev. Elmer Deal Coffey, born Oct. 5, 1937.

Please contact me with additions or corrections.

David Nathaniel Coffey

David Nathaniel Coffey was born Aug. 25, 1853 in Watauga Co., NC and died there on Dec. 30, 1930. David was the son of Austin Coffey and Mary A. Blalock. He married Carolina Lavinia Coffey, a daughter of Levi L. and Temperance Calloway Coffey. Caroline and David were distant cousins, both descendants of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

Their children:

A. Austin Blaine Coffey, born Jan. 14, 1887 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 28, 1970 in Watauga. He married Emma Mahalia Harris, born May 8, 1888 in Watauga Co., died Jul. 6, 1933, also in Watauga, in 1914 in Caldwell Co.

Their children were Murray Harris, born May 9, 1915 in Hudson, Caldwell Co., died Apr. 5, 2003 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., married Ruby Evelyn Dula, born Jan. 19, 1910 in Caldwell Co. Their children were Vernon, Terry and Imogene. Second child was Katherine Gwendolyn, born Aug. 1, 1919, and Hardin Blaine Coffey, born Apr. 23, 1923. Hardin married Beulah Mae Coffey, a distant cousin.

B. Vera Esther Coffey, born Sep. 20, 1889 in Watauga Co., died Oct. 28, 1954 in North Carolina. She married Walter (Watt) Lenoir Sims and had one known child, Archie Sims, born Sep. 11, 1916, died May 1939 while serving with the military in the Philippines. Vera later married Joseph Commodore Church, born Jul. 1878 in North Carolina, died May 11, 1956, also in North Carolina. Joseph was married at least twice prior to Vera. His first wife was Lella (Lee Ella) Coffey with whom he had one child, Alma Church. His second wife was Nora Rebecca Hollifield. Lee Ella later married William Washington Collins.

C. Winford B. Coffey, born Jan., 1896 - no additional information.

D. Olin James Coffey - see his story here.

I am still searching for additional information on Walter (Watt) Lenoir Sims, son of Elisha and Charity Sims. He disappeared from Watauga Co. after 1900. That year he was age 16 and in the household with his widowed mother. His brother, Abraham L., age 20, was also still in the household.

In 1910 Charity was still head of household, but both sons were gone. In their place was Mabel M., age 21, Charity's daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren, Annie L., age 3, and Ernest W., age 7 or 9 months. We do not know which of Charity's sons was the father of these children.

In 1920 Charity was found in Watauga Co. in the household with another son, Hampton, age 48, and his family.

Please contact me with additions or corrections.

William Columbus Coffey

William Columbus Coffey was already a principal merchant in Boone, Watauga Co., NC when that town was incorporated on Jan. 23, 1872. William's brother Thomas Jefferson was among the first appointed town commissioners.

He was born near Patterson in Caldwell Co. on Apr. 3, 1839. After sometime in TN, William joined the 26th North Carolina Regt. in which he served until 1863 when he was transferred to the 58th North Carolina under the command of Col. J. B. Palmer.

After being elected Second Lieutenant in Apr., 1864, he surrendered at Greensboro with Johnson's Army in Apr., 1865.

That Nov. he returned to Boone with his brother Thomas Jefferson and opened a store in the J.W. Councill building. He left Boone in 1866 and opened a branch store at what is now Zionville in Watauga Co. He remained there until 1869 when he returned to Boone to assist his brother in opening the Coffey Hotel and Store.

In 1866 William married Carrie L. Curtis, daughter of Hezekiah Curtis of Wilkesboro. After Carried died he married Mrs. Ada Penn in Jul., 1908.

The photograph appeared in the July 3, 1972 Centennial Edition of the Watauga Democrat, and was contributed by Mrs. Nell Linney.

Singing on the (Grandfather) Mountain

The 83d Annual Singing on the Mountain will be held Jun. 24, 2007 at the base of Grandfather Mountain near Boone, NC.

The event website - click on title link to visit - describes this as a "...day-long gathering held out-of-doors in a meadow at the base of Grandfather Mountain" where "...some of the top Southern Gospel groups will perform."

In the photo is John Wesley "Happy John" Coffey and was taken in 1963 at the 39th Singing on the Mountain.

Happy John was born Aug. 6, 1877 in Watauga Co., a son of Joseph R. Coffey and Martha Elizabeth Gragg. He married Ella Adelaide Henderson on Feb. 9, 1901 in Watauga Co., NC.

Their children numbered five:

Charlie Edward Coffey, born Oct. 10, 1900, died unknown; married Georgia Missouri Coffey, daughter of George Calvin and Louisa Elizabeth "Lou" Curtis.

Cordie Myrtle Coffey, born Feb. 25, 1902, died Jun. 17, 1978; married Lloyd Edgar Coffey, born Jun. 26, 1899 in North Carolina, died Jan. 23, 1988. Lloyd was a son of Walter Gwyn and Julia Hayes Coffey.

Zadia Elizabeth Coffey, born May 24, 1903, died Feb. 23, 1996; married William McKinley Bolick. He was born Apr. 17, 1895 in Rufus, Caldwell Co., NC and died Jul. 5, 1977 in Watauga County.

James Herman Coffey, born Dec. 5, 1904 in the Globe community of Watauga Co., died Mar. 14, 1979 in Boone. He married Hildred Myrt Church, born Aug. 4, 1907. She was the daughter of Joseph Commodore and Nora Rebecca Hollifield Church.

Dolphus Sylvester Coffey, born Aug. 8, 1906 in the Globe, died Dec. 13, 1981 in Blowing Rock. He married Bessie Downs, born Aug. 19, 1907, died May. 14, 1997 in Blowing Rock.

Some vital information is still missing but I hope to have more research completed shortly.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.

Clipping and photograph courtest Margaret Coffey Farley

Watauga High School Class of '45 - 50th Class Reunion

This photograph appeared in the Aug. 4, 1995 Edition of the Watauga Democrat. The photographer was not identified.

Click on Image to Enlarge

Clipping courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley

Emma Viola Coffey

Corrected Information

Emma Viola Coffey was the sister of Lee Ella Coffey who married William Washington Collins. She was born Nov. 2, 1888 in Caldwell Co. Emma is thought to have died in about 1987, a year or so shy of her 100th birthday.

She married Emory Joel Young Dec. 28, 1907 in Watauga Co. Emory was born Apr. 4, 1882 and died Mar. 14, 1929 in North Carolina.

Emma and Emory had at least six children:

Charles Howell, born Sep. 26, 1910

Mary Lou, born Apr. 2, 1913, died 2000

Thomas Wood, born Nov. 25, 1915

Emery Hugh, born Oct. 25, 1917

Hardin Darrell, born Jul. 3, 1920

Rawleigh Edgar, born Oct. 7, 1922

Mary Lou's obituary, probably from the local Watauga Democrat or Blowing Rocket newspaper, reads:

Mrs. Suddreth

Mrs. Mary Lou Young Suddreth, age 87, of 1471 Payne Branch Road, Blowing Rock, widow of John T. "Jay" Suddreth, died Saturday, September 23 at Blowing Rock Hospital.

Mrs. Suddreth was born April 2, 1913 in the Shull's Mills community of Watauga County, a daughter of the late Emory Joel and Emma Viola Coffey Young. She was a retired weaver from Goodwin Weavers in Blowing Rock, and a member of the Perkinsville Baptist Church in Boone.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Evelyn Shoemake of Blowing Rock; two granddaughters, Michele Shoemake of Lakewood, Colorado and Emma Louise russell of Sunrise, Florida; three grandsons, Doyle Shoemake of Lakeland, Florida; Richard Shoemake and Joseph Shoemake, both of Blowing Rock; and one brother, Hugh Young and wife Florence, of Monetta, South Carolina. She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Suddreth was preceded in death by six brothers; Howard, Charlie, Thomas, Hardin, Edgar and Wesley Young.

Graveside services were conducted on Tuesday morning at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock. Officiating were the Rev. Vance Triplett and the Rev. David Austin.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service of Boone was in charge of the arrangements.

Photo courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley

Lee Ella Coffey (Corrected Info)

William Washington and Lee Ella Coffey Collins

Lee Ella Coffey was born Nov., 1881 in Caldwell Co., NC to Thomas Avery Coffey and Louisa E. Gragg. She was a grand-daughter of Austin Coffey and Mary A. Blaylock, and half-niece to the infamous Keith Blaylock.

Lee Ella is shown here with her second husband, William Washington Collins, born c1867 in Georgia. They were married c1903 in North Carolina.

She and William had at least three children:

• E. Spencer Halton, born Oct. 9, 1903
• De Estia Sylvia*, born Dec. 14, 1905
• Thomas William Staple, born Sep. 6, 1915

Lee and William also adopted Norma Pauline Coffey, the daughter of Olin James Coffey.
Lee Ella's first husband was Joseph Commodore Church, born Jul. 1878 in North Carolina. They had one child, a daughter Alma who married Orville Johnson of Tennessee.

*Some comments to me indicate that her given name was Deatte but was called Sally. The NC Birth Index lists her as De Estia Sylvia Collins**.

Her obituary reads:

Miss Sally Collins, age 92, of 112 Collins Store Road, Blowing Rock, died Thursday morning, January 15 [1997], at Watauga Medical Center.

A retired motel owner and operator and former merchant, Miss Collis was born at Shulls Mills on December 14, 1905, a daughter of the late W.W. and LeElla Coffey Collins. She was a member of the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church.

Miss Collins is survived by one sister, Norma Hodges*** and husband, Rev. Howard Hodges of Morganton, N.C.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Edna Hampton of Boone, two nephews, William S. Collins, Jr. of Conway, South Carolina and Roy Johnson of Kingsport, Tennessee; four nieces, Sharon Dowdy of Altamont Springs, Florida, Ernestine Nanny of Marion, S.C., Rebecca Parsons, of Lexington, N.C. and Susan Ballard of Charlotte, N.C.; several great nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, W.W. and LeElla Coffey Collins, two brothers, Staple Collins and Spencer Collins, two half brothers and two half sisters.

Funeral services for Miss Collins were conducted Saturday, January 18 at The Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church. Officiating was the Rev. Ronnie Jones and the Rev. Gordon Nobles. Interment followed in the Boone Fork Cemetery.

Memorials may be considered to the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church, in care of Susan Coffey, 146, Wilson Coffey Road, Blowing Rock, NC 25605.

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

**Name: De Estia Sylvia Collins Date of Birth: 14 Dec 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: William Washington Collins Parent2 Name: Lee Ella Coffey Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 18 Page: 53

***Norma Pauline Coffey Hodges died on Nov. 9, 2003 in Denton, Davidson Co., NC. Her obituary reads:

DENTON--Mrs. Norma C. Hodges, 79, of Denton, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, at her home. Born in Watauga County on June 3, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Olin J. and Estie Coffey Coffey and was a homemaker and a member of Zion Baptist Church in Morganton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, the Rev. Howard Thomas Hodges, who died April 20, 2001. She also was preceded in death by her foster family, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Collins, Sally Collins, Spencer and Staple Collins.

She is survived by daughters, Rebecca Parsons and husband, Lloyd, of Denton, and Susan Bullard of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Jessica, Caitlin and Robb Bullard of Fort Mill, S.C. and Jen Parsons of Richlands and Amanda Perez of High Point.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Baptist Church in Morganton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Cedar Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1048, Linwood, N.C. 27299.

Briggs Funeral Home in Denton is assisting the family.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley

Finley Patterson Coffey - Caldwell County, NC

Caldwell County was formed in 1841 from Wilkes and Burke counties. It is named for Joseph Caldwell, the first president of the University of North Carolina. In 1847 a part of Caldwell was taken to form Alexander Co., and in 1849 a part of the county was used to form Watauga Co. In 1861 another bite was taken out of Caldwell to help form Mitchell Co. Avery Co. was formed in 1911, again at the expense of surrounding counties, including Caldwell. The county seat is Lenoir, named for Rev. War figure, Gen. William Lenoir.

Today Caldwell Co. has a total area of about 472 square miles and is dominated by the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Piedmont is also a part of this county and in contrast to the Blue Ridge, is an area of gentle rolling hills. The latest demographics that I have found gives the population in 2000 at a bit over 77, 000.

In 1850 the county consisted of the townships of Johns River, Kings Creek, Little River, Lower Creek, Smokey Creek, Summers and Yadkin. By 1880 the townships had changed somewhat. Johns River, Kings Creek, Little River, and Lower Creek remained. Replacing the others were Buffalo, Globe, Lenoir, Lovelady and Patterson.

Finley Patterson Coffey was born in the Johns River township in 1848. He was the son of an early Caldwell Co. settler, Wilborn Coffey and his wife, Sarah (Sallie) Cottrell. Willborn has been born in Burke Co. in 1807, and married Sarah in Caldwell Co. in Jan., 1832.

According to my research, Finley was the seventh of eight children. Of course he grew up on his father's farm where he learned how to properly go about the work of providing food for a family. By age 21 he was married to Mary Elizabeth Tuttle, born in Caldwell Co. around 1851, likely the daughter of Robert Tuttle, sheriff of Caldwell Co. in 1860.

Within the first 10 years of marriage, Mary gave birth to at least 6 children. In 1900, and again in 1910 she told the census taker that she was the mother of 11 children, and that 10 were still living. Most research that I have seen agrees that their fourth child, Wilborn Haywood, born Feb. 9, 1876, died in 1891 at age 15.

Their first son was Rufus Gamewell Coffey, born Dec. 15, 1871 and died Apr. 9, 1939 in Granville Co., NC. The Caldwell Co. town with that name was named for Gamewell Tuttle, a Methodist minister and likely a relative of Rufus' mother. Rufus married Minnie Ann Welch and they were the parents of Roby Elbert, born 1912; Mabel Alberta, born 1914; Dora Helene, born 1917; Nellie Ruth, born c1920, and Lyle Welch, born 1926.

Robert Calvin, born May. 15, 1872, married Salah Palistine McHan. I haven't found much information on this family, but believe that Sarah was the daughter of Allison and Eleanor McHan, born Nov. 1883 in North Carolina, died Apr. 25, 1922. I have found only three children: Allison, born c1903, Clara, born c1906 and an unnamed female, born c1909. In 1910 the family was living in Swain Co., NC.

The next two children were Sarah L., born c1874 and Wilborn, born 1876. Wilborn died young, and I have not found any information on Sarah's descendants.

John Hill was the fifth child. He was born in 1877 and died in 1965. He married Dessie Cunningham, born 1899 and died in 1979. In 1920 and 1930 this family was in Swain Co., NC.

The sixth child was a daughter, Cora Estelle, born Jul. 16, 1879. She married George Avery Link on Jul. 11, 1907 in Caldwell Co. They had at least one child, a son named Marshal Gaius, born Nov. 26, 1908. In 1910 and 1920 the family was still in Caldwell Co.

William Finley followed, born in 1881, died 1972. He married Annie Mae Smith, born 1886 in North Carolina, died 1975. They had a large family - at least 10 children. They remained in Caldwell Co. from 1910 through the 1930 census record. The children that I have found are: Avery Grayson, born 1906; Lexie, born 1908; Hilliard, born c1911; William Garland, born 1912; Raymond Woodrow, born 1914; Mary Lucille, born 1917; Willie M., a daughter, born c1921; George R., born 1923; Margie K., born 1925, and Sarah A., born c1927.

Lanese Tuttle was next. He was born Jul. 1, 1884 and died Apr. 4, 1964. His wife was Ethel R. Lovelace, born Dec. 6, 1894, died Jan. 2, 1935. They also had a large family of eight children: Vera, born c1914; Claude T., born c1916; Ralph L., born c1918; Paul, born 1919; Doyle Robert, born 1921; William Ray, born 1923; Lee Roy, born 1926, and Max J., born c1930.

Nancy Alice came next, born Jan. 9, 1890, died Feb. 9, 1983 in Burke Co. She married Hardie Sudderth, born Apr. 8, 1886 in Caldwell Co. and died Jul. 29, 1967. They were married Apr. 15, 1920 in Caldwell Co. I have not yet found any of their descendants.

The 10th child born to Finley and Mary was Mary Vestal. She married Henry Ward Beecher Anderson, born May 7, 1898 in NC, died Oct. 1, 1984. Mary was born Sep. 10, 1892 and died Feb. 9, 1981. I have no descendant information.

Their final child was Davis Eugene, born May, 15, 1895 and died Dec. 6, 1935. He married Etoy Greene and they were the parents of at least one child, Jackie Bradley, a daughter, born 1934.

Please contact me if you need more information, or can add to or correct any of the above information.












Sources: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67; US Census records; Caldwell Co. Register of Deeds; WW1 Draft Registrations; North Carolina Birth Index, 1800-2000

James Edward Coffey (1934-2004)

James Edward Coffey was the fourth child and oldest son of Clayton McDonald (Mack) and Lany Esther McCroskey Coffey. He was born Sep. 13, 1934 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC and died Jan. 11, 2004 in Crestview, Okaloosa Co., FL.

Obituary, Bluefield Daily Telegraph, Bluefield, WV, Jan. 16, 2004, and the Lenoir News-Topic, Jan. 17, 2004

James E. Coffey

CRESTVIEW, Fla. - James E. Coffey, MSGT, USMC, retired, 69, of Crestview, passed away Sunday, Jan. 11, 2004.

He was born on Sept. 13, 1934 in Blowing Rock, N.C., and moved to Crestview 17 years ago from Matoaka. He retired from USMC after 27 years of service.

Mr. Coffey was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Lonnie Ray Coffey and Clayton Coffey Jr.; one sister: Mrs. Floyd (Nellie) Coffey; two sons: Rocky and Carl Gene Coffey.

Survivors include his three sons: Curt Coffey of Fallbrook, Calif., Steven Coffey of Blowing Rock, Brad Coffey of Carlsbad, Calif.; three sisters: Mrs. Vencil (Bertha) Akers of Cambridge, Md., Virginia Bailey of Qwinton, Va., Margaret Farley of Blowing Rock; friend: Kim Staley of Crestview; numerous other family members.

Graveside services will be held at 9:30 a.m. Friday at Barrancas National Cemetery with military honors.

The family will receive friends today from 5-7 p.m. at the Brackney Funeral Home in Crestview.

Brackney Funeral Service, Crestview, is in charge of arrangements

.

Clayton McDonald Coffey (1903-1992)

Clayton McDonald (Mack) Coffey was born Jun. 1, 1903 in Avery Co., NC. He was the first child and oldest son of Samuel Monroe and Safari Josephine Dellinger Coffey.

He married Lani Esther McCroskey and they were the mother of my Watauga Co., NC correspondent, Margaret Coffey Farley. Lani Esther was born Dec. 13, 1910 in Coffey's Gap, Watauga Co.

Clayton and Esther's children were:

- Bertha May, who married Vencil Akers
- Gladys Virginia, who married Sherman Eugene Bailey
- Nellie Alilene, who married Floyd Carl Coffey, son of Thomas Leroy and Alice Sanders Coffey. Floyd and Nellie were very distant cousins.
- James Edward, who married 1) Estelle Levy, 2) Yaeshie Yong
- Margaret Josephine, who married 1) Kinney Eugene Ellis, 2) Vivian Edward Farley
- Clayton McDonald
- Lonnie Ray, who married 1) Arlene Dishner, 2) Dorothy Creighton*
- Steven, an adopted son

Photos courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley, Winston-Salem, NC

*Corrected spelling 12/18/2007

Lany Esther McCroskey Coffey

Lany Esther, left in the photograph, was the wife of Clayton McDonald (Mack) Coffey. She was born Dec. 13, 1910 in Coffey's Gap, Watauga Co., NC.

She and Clayton had eight children:

Bertha May, who married Vencil Aker

Gladys Virginia, born Mar. 31, 1931, married Sherman Eugene Bailey

Nellie Alilene, born May 30, 1932, Caldwell Co., married Floyd Earl Coffey, son of Thomas Leroy and Alice Sanders Coffey

James Edward, born Sep. 13, 1934 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., died Jan. 11, 2004 in Crestview, Okaloosa Co., FL.

Margaret Josephine, born Apr. 26, 1936 in Caldwell Co.*

Clayton McDonald, born/died 1938

Lonnie Ray, born 1941, died 1991, married Arlene Dishner

Steven, born 1959

The young woman on the right is Lany's sister-in-law, Pauline Coffey, daughter of Samuel Monroe and Safari Josephine Dellinger Coffey. She married Otis Bell c1944 and had at least three children: Wayne, Chris and Rhonda.

More information shortly on both families.

Additions and/or corrections appreciated.




*Margaret is my source for the photograph, and a number of others that will soon appear here. She is also my source for much of the Caldwell, Watauga and Avery Co. Coffey information in my files.