Boone Coffey

I recently received a clipping from the Apr. 14, 1995 edition of the Watauga Democrat, published in Boone, Watauga Co., NC. Lead to the article was "Remembering Boone Coffey: Kermit Storie Recalls Days With Famed Hunter".

Boone Coffey was the son of Solomon Coffey and his wife Lucy. Solomon was born about 1811 in North Carolina. Lucy was born around the same year in North Carolina. They appeared in the 1870 census of Blue Ridge Twp., Watauga Co. as a family of seven. Children at home that year were Louisa, age 28; Sarah, age 26; Lisa, age 24; Boon [sic], age 21; Jones, age 18; and Lewis, age 16.

I was unable to find Boone in the 1880 or 1910 census, and find him next in the 1920 Blue Ridge Twp. census. He was 68 years old then, unmarried, and headed a family that included only his unmarried sisters: Sarah, age 71 and Eliza, age 70.

In 1930, at age 81, he was still unmarried and living alone in the Blue Ridge. North Carolina death records show that Boone died on May 23, 1932 in Watauga Co.

According to the memory of Kermit Storie, Boone was a "...hunter and that is what he did - hunted all his life." Kermit gave his own birth year as 1918 and said that he was about 14 years old when Boone died. During those years that Kermit was growing up he often looked after Boone and his sisters who lived in the Aho community.

Their home was a "large wood-frame house" that sat on 301 acres. "We never did know how Boone was able to accumulate all that land," Storie related. "It was quite unusual for a black man to own property in those days, and very unusual for a black man to be a major landowner..." According to Storie, Boone and his sisters lived on one end of the house, leaving the other half available to guests of any color.

Kermit and his wife were guests of Boone and his sisters on his wedding night.

After Boone died, his property was split up among a number of buyers, some of it to developers. One of the developements referred to in the article is the Greystone IV.

Undoubtedly, Solomon and his family were slaves at one time. The article indicates that Boone's sisters had been slaves. Because Boone was born in c1849 he too was likely held in bondage along with the remainder of his siblings.

I would like to think that the family's large land holdings came from a benefactor, perhaps their former "master."

Contact me at the e-mail address below for more information.

Roby Monroe and Annie Lee Wright Coffey (Update Jul 21, 2008)

Roby Monroe Coffey and Annie Lee Wright were married in Watauga Co., NC on Mar. 19, 1903. Annie was the daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright, and was born Jul. 27, 1885 in Caldwell Co., NC. She and Roby were several times cousins, the closest being second. Both counted Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey in their ancestry.

Roby was born Mar. 20, 1881 in Caldwell Co. to George Washington "Wash" and Matilda "Tilda" Coffey Coffey. "Wash" was a son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey while "Tilda" was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. "Wash" and "Tilda" were also cousins, and Jesse Calton was a nephew of William Clayton.

Roby died of a coronary occlusion on Oct. 1, 1955 and is buried at Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery near Boone, Watauga Co., NC. Annie died of breast cancer on Dec. 11, 1951 in Caldwell Co., and is also buried at Boone Fork.

Roby was the ninth of 11 children born to "Wash" and "Tilda."

Children born to Roby and Annie were nine:

Lena Mae, born Dec. 13, 1903 - Lena married George Norvell Fox on Apr. 10, 1927 in Carter Co., TN. George was born May 7, 1902 to John Lee and Jodie Ella Shook Fox. Lena died in 1979; a death date for George has not been found.

Lela Nancy, born May 20, 1906 married Ralph Washington Jones. Their children were: George Sylvester, born Jun. 3, 1927; Thelma, born Jan. 29, 1930, died Dec. 14, 2006; Ralph, Jr., born Mar. 6, 1936; Imogene, born Dec. 29, 1939; Paul Stewart, born Sep. 15, 1942 and an unnamed daughter born Dec. 4, 1948. Lela died May 7, 1969 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC. She is buried at Harris Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery in Hudson, Caldwell Co. Ralph died Jul. 14, 1987 in Lenoir and is also buried at Harris Chapel.

Bina Lee, born Jun. 29, 1909 married Troy Talmadge Coffey. Troy was born Mar. 4, 1906 to George Calvin and Louisa Curtis Coffey. George Calvin and Roby Monroe were many times related, the closest being first cousins. Bina and Troy had at least two children: Wayne Lewis, born Oct. 9, 1929 and one daughter born after 1930. Troy died Apr. 18, 1995 in Thomasville, Davidson Co., NC.


Lottie Murl, born Feb. 24, 1912 in Caldwell Co., died May 3, 1998 in Culpeper Co., VA. She married Ralph James Moore on Jan. 21, 1928 in Watauga Co. Their children were: Lonnie Desmon, born Jul. 20, 1928; Collis Eugene, born Dec. 12, 1932; Unnamed, born Dec. 29, 1934; Margaret Ruth, born Dec. 26, 1937; Betty Jean, born Jul. 20, 1939; Jay Harold, born Dec. 21, 1941; and Theodore Monroe, born Dec. 18, 1944. Quite remarkable that five of the seven children were born in Dec., while the other two were born in July.

Cora Lee, born Oct. 18, 1914 in Caldwell Co., died Dec. 31, 1990 in Caldwell Co. She married Earl Miller in Caldwell Co., in 1932. Their children were were all born after 1930.


Ruth, born Dec. 31, 1916, married Edward R. Cook on Aug. 29, 1936 in Watauga Co. No other info.

Frank, born c1919. No other info.

Boyd Ray, born Mar. 26, 1923 in Watauga Co., married Mary Elizabeth Hayes Feb. 23, 1946 in that county. All of their children were born after 1930.

Margaret Allene, born Apr. 7, 1926 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 10, 1990 in Caldwell Co. She married John Wellington Ford on Jul. 12, 1941 in Watauga Co. John was born in 1923 and died Sep. 7, 1980 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. Their children were: John, Jr., born Sep. 20, 1945, died Dec. 9,1996; Della Mae, born Dec. 23, 1947, died Mar. 12, 1995; and several others born after 1930 and apparently still living. Margaret is buried in the Bolick Cemetery in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co.


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

Joseph Commodore Church (Updated)

1. Joseph Commodore CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Jul 1878.1 He appeared in the census on Jun 6, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC as a single man in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., NC.2 He died on May 11, 1956 in Watauga Co., NC.3

Article, unknown newspaper

Joseph Commodore Church

Lenoir - Funeral services for J. C. Church, 73, of Rt. 1, Blowing Rock, who died Friday evening at a Blowing Rock hospital, will be conducted at 2 p.m. today at his residence by the Rev. Marshall Setzer of Lenoir and the Rev. Bob Shores of Blowing Rock. Burial will be in the Boone Fork Cemetery. A retired farmer, Mr. Church was born in Watauga County on July 12, 1877, a son of the late James and Laura Blackburn Church. His wife, Mrs. Vera Church, died in October of 1954. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Herman Coffey of Blowing Rock; a sister, Mrs. J. A. McLean of Connelly Springs; a brother, Ellis Church of Collettsville, six grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

He was buried in May 1956 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY were married on Oct 10, 1896 in Caldwell Co., NC.4


Lee Ella COFFEY (daughter of Thomas Avery COFFEY and Louisa E. GRAGG) was born in Caldwell Co., NC in Nov 1881. She died on Dec 16, 1963 in North Carolina. She was buried in Dec 1963 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Lee Ella COFFEY had the following children:

Lee Ella Coffey

2 i. Alma CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Oct 1897. She appeared in the census on Jun 11, 1900 in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC in the household with her grandparents, Thomas and Louisa Coffey.

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD were married about 1904 in North Carolina. They appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC.5 Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD was born in North Carolina in Oct 1883.6 She appeared in the census on Jun 5, 1900 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co., NC in the household with her widowed father. She died in 1916 in North Carolina. She was buried in 1916 in Holloway Church Cemetery, Holloway Mountain, Caldwell Co., NC. Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Nora Rebecca HOLLIFIELD had the following children:

+3 i. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH, born on Aug 16, 1905, Watauga Co., NC7; married Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY, on Jul 23, 1927, Watauga Co., NC8; died on Feb 24, 1977, Greene Co., TN9.
4 ii. Howard CHURCH was born in North Carolina in Aug 1906. He died about Feb 1907 in North Carolina. [See Corrections below!]

Hildred Myrt Church

Hildred Myrt Church

+5 iii. Hildred Myrt CHURCH, born on Aug 4, 1907, Watauga Co., NC10; married James Herman (Hum) COFFEY, on Jun 1, 1929, Watauga Co., NC; died on Sep 29, 2007, Watauga Co., NC11.
6 iv. Dorlas (Delores?) Revonda CHURCH12 was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jul 4, 1915.13 She died in Oct 1915 in North Carolina.

Vera Ester Coffey

Joseph Commodore CHURCH and Vera Esther COFFEY were married. They appeared in the census on Feb 5, 1920 in Watauga Co., NC.14 They appeared in the census on Apr 2, 1930 in Watauga Co., NC.15

Vera Esther COFFEY (daughter of David Nathaniel COFFEY and Caroline Lavinia COFFEY) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Sep 20, 1889.16 She arrived in the US on Sep 25, 191517 She arrived in the US on May 10, 1916 She died on Oct 28, 1954 in Watauga Co., NC.18

Article, unknown newspaper

Mrs. Church, 65 Taken by Death

Mrs. J. C. church, 65, of blowing Rock, Route One, passed away Thursday afternoon at the Blowing Rock hospital, following an illness of several months.

Born in Watauga county September 20, 1889, she was the daughter of the late David and Carolyn Coffey. Her maiden name was M? Vera Coffey.

Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at ? o'clock at the residence at Blowing Rock, with the Rev. S. E. Gra? officiating. Burial will be in Boone Fork cemetery.

The body was removed to the home this afternoon from Gr? Funeral Home.

Surviving are her husband; ? step-daughters, Mrs. Leslie Coffey and Mrs. Hildred Coffey, of Blowing Rock, two brothers, Blain and Olin J. Coffey, of Bloqing Rock; and a half-brother, Garfield Coffey of Clarkston, W. Va.

[Some parts of article were unreadable]

She was buried in Oct 1954 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

Second Generation

3. Leslie Kathleen CHURCH19 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 16, 1905.7 She died on Feb 24, 1977 in Greene Co., TN.9

Obituary

Mrs. Leslie Coffey

Mrs. Leslie Church Coffey, 71, of Rt. 2, Chuckey, Tenn., and a former resident of Blowing Rock died Thursday morning, Feb. 24, in Greenville, Tenn.

Services were conducted Saturday afternoon at the Boone Fork Baptist Church. Interment followed in the church cemetery.

Mrs. Coffey is survived by her husband T. M. Coffey; one daughter, Mrs. W. O. (Velma) Perry of Hickory; one son, Jerry B. Coffey of Hickory; one step-daughter, Mrs. Sybil Davisd [sic] of Colton, Calif.; one sister, Mrs. Herman (Hildred) Coffey of Blowing Rock; five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.

Local arrangements were handled by the Hampton Funeral Service.

She was buried in Feb 1977 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.

This information is incorrect 8/28/2014:  Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY were married on Jul 23, 1927 in Watauga Co., NC.8 Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY (son of George Calvin COFFEY and Louisa Elizabeth (Lou) CURTIS) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Apr 28, 1896.20 He appeared in the census on Apr 23, 1910 in Watauga Co., NC in the household with his parents. He died on Aug 23, 1980 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.21 Leslie Kathleen CHURCH and Thomas Charles Milton COFFEY had the following children:

The following was received on 8/24/2014 from Yvonne Coffey Olmstead with updated information about her grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey:

Leslie Katherine Church married 2 different Coffey men.  The first was Charles [C.]  Coffey (not a son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis). They married 23 July, 1927.  They had 2 children: Velma Coffey Knight and Jerry Coffey. This husband, Charles died in 1955.  Leslie later married my grandfather, Thomas Milton Coffey (who is son of George Calvin Coffey and Louisa Elizabeth Curtis), born in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC 28 April 1896. He died in Hickory, NC 23 August, 1980. Leslie and Thomas Milton married in their later years and had NO children together.

[Charles C. Coffey was a son of William Leander "Lee" Coffey and Nancy Rebecca "Nan" Hollars.  He was born Apr. 4, 1903 and died Sep. 25, 1933 and was buried at Boone Fork Community Cemetery at Blowing Rock.  The family lived in Mount Morris Twp., Genesee Co., MI in 1930 where Charles worked in an automobile factory and where both children were born.  Leslie died in Greene Co., TN in Feb., 1977 and was also buried at Boone Fork.]

7 i.
Velma Irene COFFEY was born in Flint, Genesee Co., MI on Jun 22, 1928. She died on Apr 12, 2006 in Hickory Twp., Catawba Co., NC.

Obituary

Mrs. Knight

Velma Irene Coffey Knight, age 77, of Hickory and a former resident of Blowing Rock, died Wednesday, April 12 at Frye Regional Medical Center after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Knight was born June 22, 1928 in Flint, Michigan, a daughter of the late Charles and Leslie Church Coffey. She was a member of Sandy Ridge Baptist Church.

She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Dean and Janice Knight of Conover; a daughter, Brenda Knight Starnes of Hickory; a brother, Jerry Coffey of Hickory; an aunt, Hildred Coffey of Blowing Rock; three granddaughters, Dia Hibbitts and husband, Mark, Shelly Lambert and husband Jeff, and Lanae Knight Jenkins, all of Hickory; a grandson, Shay Starnes of Hickory; six great-grandsons, Trevor Starnes, Daniel Hibbitts, Chase Jenkins and Cody Lambert, all of Hickory; and three great-granddaughters, Natalie Lambert, Jessica Hibbitts and Cidona Lambert, all of Hickory.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Donald Hue Knight.

Services for Mrs. Knight were held Tuesday, April 18 in Hickory.

Memorial may be sent to the Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, 3702 Sixteenth St., N.E., Hickory, N.C. 28601.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home and Crematory of Hickory was in charge of the arrangements.

5. Hildred Myrt CHURCH22 (Joseph Commodore-1) was born in Watauga Co., NC on Aug 4, 1907.10 She died on Sep 29, 2007 in Watauga Co., NC.11

Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY were married on Jun 1, 1929 in Watauga Co., NC.

James Herman (Hum) COFFEY (son of John Wesley (Happy John) COFFEY and Ella Adelaide HENDERSON) was born in Globe, Caldwell Co., NC on Dec 5, 1904.23 He died on Mar 14, 1979 in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.24

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Oct. 2, 2007

Hildred Church Coffey

Mrs. Hildred Church Coffey, 100, of 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock, died Saturday evening, Sept. 29, 2007, at her home.

She was born August 4, 1907 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Com and Nora Hollifield Church.

Throughout her life, she was a wonderful daughter; then met Herman Coffey, whom she married June 1, 1929. She was a faithful servant of Christ and our Lord. She raised four children, grandchildren, family friend’s children with love, kindness, and taught us the Lord’s word. She was most definitely one of God’s best creations.

In her early life, she worked for the renowned artist, Elliott Dangerfield and then became manager of housekeeping at the Green Park Hotel in Blowing Rock until she retired at the age of 72.

Survivors include one daughter, Thelma Coffey of Blowing Rock; one son, James Coffey and wife, Mary, of Lenoir; one daughter-in-law, Vera Coffey of Hickory; three granddaughters, Kelly Lea Catterton of Blowing Rock, Melody A. Rich and husband, James, of Blowing Rock, and Vickie C. Norris and husband, Dan, of Boone; five grandsons, Michael R. Johnson and wife, Sally, of Charlotte, Thomas Gregory Catterton and wife, Penny, of Shatley Springs, Kevin Coffey and wife, Nancy, of Morganton, Eric M. Coffey of Boone, and Robert R. Coffey and wife, Debbie, of Boone; and many more extended family, friends, and loved ones alike. She is also survived by 19 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; and one nephew, Jerry Coffey, son of a late sister, Leslie C. Coffey.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Herman "Hum" Coffey; one daughter, Betty Johnson and her husband, Roy; one son, Robert H. "Bob" Coffey; one grandson, Jeffery Lee "Jeff" Coffey; her father and mother, Com and Nora Hollifield Church; two sisters, Leslie C. Coffey and Delores Church; and one brother, Howard Church.

Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 2, 2007, at 2:00 o'clock, at Boone Fork Baptist Church. The body will lie in state, at the church, from 1:00 until 2:00 o'clock.

Officiating will be Pastor Darrell Miller, the Rev. Carl Osborne, and the Rev. Dean Coffey. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Monday evening, from 7:00 until 9:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Service. At other times, friends may call at Mrs. Coffey's residence, 138 Chestnut Knob Trail, Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated, or memorial contributions may be made to High Country Health Care System/Hospice, 400 Shadowline Drive, Suite 100-B, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

He was buried in Mar 1979 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC. Hildred Myrt CHURCH and James Herman (Hum) COFFEY had the following children:

8 i. Betty Ann COFFEY25 was born in May 1930. She died on May 30, 1952.26 She was buried in Jun 1952 in Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery, Watauga Co., NC.
+9 ii. Robert Herman (Bob) COFFEY, born on Sep 2, 1931, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC27; married Vera Louise COOK; died on Jun 24, 1994, Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC28.
+10 iii. Thelma Ann COFFEY, born on Jul 9, 1934, Avery Co., NC29; married Thomas Samuel CATTERTON.
+11 iv. James Norman (Herman?) COFFEY, born on Aug 27, 1939, Watauga Co., NC30; married Mary Ann RICH.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. [His WW1 Draft Registration gives his birthdate as Jul. 12, 1877].
2. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 . National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Joseph Commorore Church registered for the draft in Watauga Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was of medium height and build with brown hair and eyes. He was 41 yrs. old, born Jul. 12, 1877. Joseph was a resident of Shulls Mills in Watauga Co, was a self-employed farmer and listed Alma, Leslie and Hildred Church of Shulls Mills as his nearest relative[s].
3. North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Joseph C Church Death Date: 11 May 1956 Death County: not assigned Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 78 Birth Date: 1878 Race: White Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
4. Caldwell County, North Carolina Register of Deed's Index Search, Wayne L. Rash, Register of Deeds online [http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp], accessed variously.
5. United States Federal Census. 1910 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED159, Sheet 7A, dwelling 112, family 114, Church, Joseph C., head, male, white, age 32, married twice, this time for 5 yrs., born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Nora R., wife, female, white, age 26, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 3, 2 living, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie C., dau., female, white, age 4, single, born NC, parents born NC; Hildred M., dau., female, white, age 2, single, born NC, parents born NC. [Oscar L. Coffey was the enumerator].
6. Ibid., 5 Jun 1900, Watauga Co. in the household with her parents.
7. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
8. Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995). Officiated by M. B. Woosely.
9. Shelby County [TN] Register of Deeds, Shelby Co., TN online [http://register.shelby.tn.us], accessed Various [Results returned as Surname Given Name; Date of Death/Age; County of Death; County/State of Residence; Marital Status; Gender; Race; File No.]. COFFEY LESLIE C 02-24-1977 / 71 GREENE GREENE / TN MARRIED F WHITE 07774.
10. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Hildred Myrul Church Date of Birth: 4 Aug 1907 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
11. Greg Catterton, "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail message from () to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007. "It is with great sadness for me to tell you my nanny (Hildred Coffey) passed away Saturday night September 29, 2007 at 10:28 PM. She was 100 years old... I was with her in her final moments, and she went very peacefully.".
12. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 523.
13. Ibid., Name: Dorlas Revonda Church Date of Birth: 4 Jul 1915 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield.
14. United States Federal Census. 1920 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED164, Sheet 19A, dwelling 260, family 363, Church, Comoador [sic], head, male, white, age 41, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Vera [sic], wife, female, white, age 28, married, born NC, parents born NC; Leslie, dau, female, white, age 14, single, born NC; Hildred, dau., female, white, age 12, born NC; Archie, son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 3 mos., born NC.
15. Ibid., 1930 Watauga Co., Watauga Twp., ED16, Sheet 1B-2A, dwelling/family 24, Church, J. Com, head, male, white, age 53, married at age 21, born NC, parents born NC, farmer; Church, Vera, wife, female, white, age 41, married at age 26, born NC, parents born NC; Sims, Archie, step-son, male, white, age 13, single, born NC, parents born NC; Coffey, David, father-in-law, male, white, age 76, widower, married at age 35, born NC, parents born NC, laborer on truck farm.
16. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Vera Esther Coffey Date of Birth: 20 Sep 1889 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: David Nathaniel Coffey Parent2 Name: Carolyn Coffey. [A passenger record for Vera sailing from Panama, CZ to NY on 1916 gives her birth year as 1891].
17. New York. Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1820-1897. Micropublication M237. Rolls # 1-675. National Archives, Washington, D.C. and New York. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957. Micropublication T715. Rolls # 1-8892. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Name: Vera Sims Estimated birth year: 1891 Age: 25 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Cristobal C Z Ship Name: Panama Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: North Carolina Line: 30 Birth Location: North Carolina Birth Location Other: country Page Number: 28. [Her arrival entry indicates that she was married].
18. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Vera E Church Death Date: 28 Oct 1954 Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 65 Birth Date: 1889 Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67.
19. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Leslie Kathleen Church Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Joseph Commodore Church Parent2 Name: Nora Rebecca Hollifield Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 6 Page: 36.
20. Ibid., Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Date of Birth: 28 Apr 1896 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: Geo Calvin Coffey Parent2 Name: Lou Curtis.
21. North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996. Name: Thomas Milton Coffey Death Date: 23 Aug 1980 Death City: Hickory (P) Death County: Catawba Death State: North Carolina Death Age: 84 Burial Location: Burial out of state Birth Date: 28 Apr 1896 Birth Location: Tennessee Residence City: Hickory Residence County: Catawba Residence State: North Carolina Gender: Male Race: White Marital Status: Widowed Social Security Number: 410340203 Autopsy: No Institution: General Hospital Attendant: Physician Source: NC Department of Health. North Carolina Deaths, 1979-82.
22. , "Coffey Desdndant [sic]," e-mail to Jack Coffee, Sep. 29, 2007.
23. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: James Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 5 Dec 1904 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: John W Coffey Parent2 Name: Ella Adelaid Henderson Roll Number: B_C017_68001 Volume: 20-A Page: 35.
24. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: J. Coffey SSN: 244-14-0751 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 5 Dec 1904 Died: Mar 1979 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
25. Letter from Margaret J. Farley (130 West Acadia Ave., Winston-Salem, NC 27127) to Jack K. Coffee, Oct. 31, 2006; held by Jack K. Coffee (110 Lydia Road, St. Joseph, LA 71366). Original obituary clipping(s) from Watauga Democrat.. Some information from Margaret via e-mail.
26. Various E-mail sources; see details. "Betty was born in 1934 but not for sure. She died with her [husband[ in 1952. They were in Wilkes Co., NC or state of Virginia when the [automobile] accident occured.".
27. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Robert Herman Coffey Date of Birth: 2 Sep 1931 Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: Jame Herman Coffey.
28. Social Security Death Index, Master File
. Name: Robert H. Coffey SSN: 245-34-0940 Last Residence: 28605 Blowing Rock, Watauga, North Carolina, United States of America Born: 2 Sep 1931 Died: 24 Jun 1994 State (Year) SSN issued: North Carolina (Before 1951 ).
29. Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes. Microfilm. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. Name: Thelma Anne Coffey Date of Birth: 9 Jul 1934 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Avery Parent1 Name: James H Coffey Parent2 Name: H M Church.
30. Ibid., Name: James Norman Coffey Date of Birth: 27 Aug 1939 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: James Herman Coffey Parent2 Name: Hildred Myrl Church.

Jesse (Red Eye) Coffey

Jesse, whose middle name may be Cleveland, was born c1859 to Cleveland and Mary Ann Miles (Mills?) Coffey in Watauga or Caldwell Co., NC. He died Jan. 31, 1941 in Caldwell Co. Jesse married Lucinda Louisa (Lou) Coffey on Sep. 20, 1878 in Watauga Co. Lucinda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Cleveland was uncle to Jesse Calton.

"Red Eye" and Lou had seven children:

Mary Elizabeth Coffey, born Aug. 23, 1877 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 1, 1956 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She married Haywood Hatley in Caldwell Co. in 1899. Haywood is buried in White Springs Cemetery in Watauga Co. and, Mary is believed to also be buried there. They were parents of 11 children: Mancenie (Cenie), born Oct. 3, 1903, died May 28, 1974; Alice V., born c1905, died 1924; Omie Devada, born Apr. 3, 1907, died Mar. 26, 1972; Jannie Delana, born Feb. 27, 1909, died Sep. 22, 1988; Ernest C., born c1912; Robert Woodrow, born Mar. 15, 1915, died 1991; Beulah Doris, born Feb. 19, 1916, died Feb. 15, 1971; William Jay (Bill), born Jul. 18, 1918, died Jul. 19, 1988; Jessie, born c1919; Ethel Blanche, born Mar. 8, 1921; and Daisy Pearl, born Jan. 21, 1928, died Jan. 19, 1986

Sarah E. E., born Oct., 1881 in Caldwell Co., married first to James W. Gragg, a son of Leason and Martha Renie Coffey Gragg. James was born Oct. 19, 1883 in Caldwell Co., and died there in Jun. 15, 1926. They were married c1906 in Caldwell Co. There were 10 children born to this marriage: Stella Lou, born Apr. 17, 1906; Nancy Elizabeth, born May 11, 1907; Hester, born Feb. 2, 1909, died Mar. 14, 1948; Florence, born c1911; Columbus Newton, born Feb. 12, 1912, died Jun. 30, 1979; Albert Robert, born Jul 23, 1913, died Dec. 22, 1989; Piolet P., born c1916, died Jan. 16, 1939, married Joseph Monroe Coffey, a son of Julius Adore and Aston Jane Dellinger Coffey; Leason Obidiah, born 1916, died Feb. 23, 1986, married Nell Elizabeth Coffey, daughter of Julius Calvin and Clearcy Adams Coffey; Lue Cenia, born Mar. 25, 1918, died Oct., 1986; and Joseph, born c1920.

William Carlton (Will), born Jan. 1884, died Nov. 30, 1957. He married Bessie Mae Townsend, born Jan. 22, 1890, died Dec. 26, 1956, in Caldwell Co. in 1907. They were parents of 11 children: Lula, born Jul. 1, 1908, died 1989; Joe Cleveland, born Aug. 19, 1912, died Apr. 24, 1994; Rose Ellen, born Jan. 19, 1914, died 1914; Emma, born Apr. 24, 1915, died 1930; George Thomas (Pig Tom), born Aug. 29, 1917, died Jan. 3, 2007, married Cordelia Viola Coffey, daughter of Thomas Newton (Black Tom) and Ella Mae Loudeermilt Coffey. Thomas Newton and George Thomas were second cousins; Nancy Elizabeth, born Oct. 6, 1919, died 1989, married Dillard Green Coffey, a son of David William and Dessie Crump Coffey. Dillard and William Calton were distant cousins. John William, born Oct. 24, 1922, died May 31, 2007; Lillie Ruth, born Aug. 22, 1924, died Jan. 26, 2003, married Roby Clint Coffey, a son of Horance Clinton and Viola T. Cook Coffey. Roby and William Walton were close cousins. Troy Abner, born Apr. 27, 1927; Cora Lee, born Apr. 30, 1930; and Monroe Jackson, born Jan. 4, 1934.

Jesse Cleveland, born Dec. 1888 in Caldwell Co., married Eliza Loudermilt in 1910 in Caldwell Co. They were parents of at least six children: Annie Rivers, born 1911, died 1952; Nannie B., born c1912, married William Glenn Coffey, a son of Jesse Calton and Julia E. Hollifield Coffey. Nannie and William were close cousins. Lester Devarlin, born c1914; Zelma, born c1915; Nettie J., born Feb. 27, 1920; and Jerry Baxter, born 1923, died 1973.

James Perry, born c1885, died 1971 in Caldwell Co. He married Bertha Noblett c1905 in North Carolina. Their children were six: James Perry, Jr., born c1917; Jessee Logan, born 1917, died 1973; Troy William, born Oct. 29, 1920, died Feb. 16, 1995; Rosey, born c1924; Catherine, born about Jan. 1926; and George Thomas, born May 19, 1928, died Dec. 21, 1989.

Thomas Newton (Black Tom), born May 1890 in Caldwell Co., died there in 1940. He married Ella Mae Loudermilt in Caldwell Co. in 1909. She was born Oct. 1891 and died in Caldwell Co. in 1975. They were parents of 11 children: Mary, no dates' Missouri Ann (Zudie), born Nov. 10, 1910, died Aug. 4, 2003; Arizona (Zone), born 1912, married Harrison Thomas Coffey, a son of Willart T. "Iron Foot" and Eliza Alice Townsend Coffey; Epsey Magdelene, born 1916, died 1989; Arlie Clinton, born Jun. 24, 1918, died Sep. 25, 1974; Cordelia Viola (Cordie), born Aug. 14, 1920, died Jan., 1983, married George Thomas "Pig Tom" Coffey; Clinton (unsure of this one), born c1923; Rosie Annalee, born Sep. 30, 1924, died Feb. 9, 1971; Abner Willie, born May 9, 1925, died Sep 3, 1989; Lewis Monroe, born Nov. 5, 1929, died Dec. 5, 2004; and Spencer, born Nov. 6, 1930.

[Jan. 23, 2008: There were two other children born to this union between Thomas Newton and Ella Mae: Ruby Mae, born c1932 and Johnny Ray, born c1934. Two additional children may have been part of this family as well. They are Dolly Alwilma (Wilma, Lewilma?), and Ella May. No birth records have been found for them. Dolly married Leonard Dayton Coffey. A Dolly Coffey is listed as sister in the obituaries of several of Tom and Ella's known children. Please contact me if you can connect any of these children to the correct families.]

Rosa Bell (Rosie), born Sep. 1893, Caldwell Co., married Joseph Townsend. Their children were Mary, born c1914; Matilda Beatrice (Tilda), born 1916, died 1917; and Frank Lewis, born Oct. 14, 1919, died Mar. 28, 1999.

I have other spouses, children and dates. Please contact me at the below e-mail address for more information or, to add to or correct any of these data.

Lula married  Herbert Church on Aug. 13, 1932 in Boone.

Nettie Louise Coffey

Nettie was a daughter of Francis Richmond and Etta May Hayes Coffey*. She was born in North Caroliona, probably in Caldwell Co., on 8 Dec., 1896. She died in Watauga Co. on Aug. 7, 1979. Both her birth and death dates were found in the Social Security Death Index (SSDI) as well as in the North Carolina death records. She married Larkin Alberton Calloway in Watauga Co., but a marriage date has not been found. Based on birthdate of their first child, 1913 can be the presumed marriage year.



Larkin Alberton was born Apr. 1, 1885 in Watauga Co., and died Jan., 1966 in Banner Elk, Avery Co. His birthdate was found in the WW1 draft registration cards, and his death date was recorded in the SSDI. When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Watauga Co., he was described as being of medium build and height with brown hair and eyes. Nettie was named as his nearest relative.



There were four children born to the marriage, but only two survived to adulthood. All were born in Watauga Co.

• DeEtte, born Apr. 22, 1914


• Nellie M., born Oct. 5, 1917, died at age 5 on Sep. 27, 1923 in Watauga Co.


• MacDonald, born Sep. 20, 1919, died at age 15 on Jan. 22, 1935 in Avery Co.


• Claude Coolidge, born Feb. 1, 1922

Francis Richmond was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor Green Coffey, and Etta was the daughter of Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections. I would like to know when and where they married, and the parents of Larkin.

*Francis Richmond Coffey was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor Green(e) Coffey. Etta was the daughter of Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes. Richard was in the Ransom and Sarah Greene Hayes line.

Thomas Stuart Coffey (follow-up)

Thomas Stuart Coffey, born Dec. 12, 1881 in Watauga Co., NC, was a son of Thomas Jefferson and Mary Elizabeth (Mollie) Greer Coffey. It has been suggested that Thomas Stuart was named by his Civil War veteran father in honor of J.E.B. Stuart, famed Confederate cavalry officer and often referred to as "the eyes and ears" of Robert E. Lee.

T. S. Coffey married Josephine Carr Sanborn on Feb. 14, 1912 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC. Josephine was born c1844 in North Carolina and died Dec. 17, 1977 in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC. T. S. died Aug. 21, 1970 in Statesville.

Three children were born to the marriage:

Marjorie Elizabeth, born Mar. 28, 1913. She married Phares Vernon Breneman on Jan. 22, 1944 in Statesville. Phares was a son of Daniel and Ella Breneman, and was born Apr. 30, 1906 in Henry, Rush Co., IN. He died May 9, 1976 in Statesville. I have not found any children born to this union. Both married in their 30's and after Phares completed his service in the Army during WW2. He enlisted in the service at Los Angeles, CA on June 17, 1941, just months prior to the Japanese raid of Dec. 7, 1941 on Pearl Harbor.

Thomas Stuart, Jr., born Aug. 1, 1915, died Dec. 16, 1968. He married Mary Stackhouse Macon and was the father of Ann Macon, born Aug. 15, 1946 and Thomas Stuart III, born Jan. 26, 1950. Shortly after the marriage, Thomas, Jr. enlisted in the Army on Jan. 25, 1943 at Fort Bragg, NC. He was described as being 5' 10" tall and weighed 132 lbs.

After returning to Statesville following military service, T. S. Jr. became more active in town and state politics. Numerous articles concerning his life and service in the area can be found in archived copies of The Landmark, a period newspaper of Statesville, NC. One such article, which appeared in the May 17, 1945 edition reads:

S-Sgt Coffey, the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. S. Coffey, 316 East Broad Street, Statesville, is married to the former Miss Mary Macon, Warrenton, North Carolina. A 1935 graduate of Matt Thompson High School, Statesville, he attended the University of North Carolina and was in charge of the Securities division, North Carolina treasury department, Raleigh, before entering the army in January, 1943. Having graduated from engineering school at Greeley, Colorado, he came overseas in June, 1943. Before entering the army, he was an active member of the Raleigh Junior Chamber of Commerce.

Doris Sanborn, born Jan. 19, 1920 in Statesville, died May, 1994 in Statesville. She married Richard Hardin Griggs there on Nov. 7, 1940. Richard was born Sep. 24, 1913 in Gary, McDowell Co., WV and died Jan. 25, 1990 in Statesville. I know of one child, a son, Richard Stuart Griggs, born Apr. 1, 1948.

Additions and/or corrections welcomed.

James Blaine & Dartha Jane Coffey Phillips

Dartha Jane Coffey was the eighth child and third of four daughters born to Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey. She was born Jan. 29, 1898 in Mulberry, Caldwell Co., NC, and died in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on May 21, 1931. She married James Blaine Phillips on Jun. 15, 1912 in Watauga Co. James was born Mar. 16, 1893 in Wilkes Co., and died May 21, 1954 in Caldwell Co. He was a brother to Zora Phillips, wife of Ellis Empsey Coffey, brother to Dartha.

There were 10 children born to the union of James and Dartha:

Vercie Rosetta, no information

Vesta Ivalee, born Apr. 22, 1916, died May 5, 2006. Vesta married Walter Ranzy Woodring on Jun. 10, 1934 in Watauga Co. Walter was born Mar. 7, 1892 in Watauga Co., and died there on Nov. 3, 1995. They had at least seven children: Edna Louise, two unnamed daughters, Henry Clay, Geneva Belle, Betty Jewel and Kathy Lea. Walter was the son of Henry B. and Martha Angeline Miller Woodring.

Gladys Viola, born Oct. 22, 1919, married Thomas Lee Ellis, born Nov. 25, 1918. There was at least one child, Billy Lee Ellis, born Jul. 16, 1941. Thomas was the son of Jesse and Carrie Mott Ellis.

Ellis, no information

James Glen, born Apr. 8, 1921, died Dec. 5, 1988

Charles Arthur, born Apr. 30, 1923

Mary Elizabeth, born May 23, 1925

William Blaine (Judd), born Apr. 17, 1927, died Dec. 31, 1995. He married Bertha Loretta Coffey on Jan. 1, 1949 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of William Glenn and Nannie B. Coffey Coffey. William was a son of Jesse Calton and Julia E. Hollifield Coffey while Nannie was a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermilt Coffey. William and Bertha had at least three children: Virginia Loretta, born Oct. 8, 1949; Nona Marie, born Sep. 12, 1950, and Dorothy Annie, born Jan. 5, 1953.

Alma Jean, no information

Stella Rhea, no information

Henry Kelly Coffey was married twice more after the death of Sarah Jane. His second wife was Emma Stanberry who he married in Caldwell County in 1906. There was at least one son born to this marriage: Aaron Roosevelt, born Oct. 25, 1907, died Aug. 29, 1951. Aaron married Nellie Bell Critcher c1928 and fathered at least five children: Nellie Louise, born Mar. 22, 1929, James Gray, born Nov. 1, 1931, Ethel Mae, born Mar. 19, 1933, Emilie Lee, born Sep. 29, 1937, and Barbara Lennis, born Dec. 20, 1941.

Henry's third wife was Roberta Ellen Edmisten with whom he had at least one child, Kyda (Kitie), born Feb. 14, 1911, died Aug. 1, 1978. Following Henry's 1911 death Roberta married William Leander Robbins, a son of James and Elizabeth Coffey Robbins. William had previously married Hannah Elizabeth (Lizzie) McGuire on Mar. 8, 1896 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. Elizabeth Coffey's parents were William, Jr. and Margaret Robbins Coffey.

Links to previous blogs on the Henry Kelly Coffey family:

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/06/henry-kelly-caleb-and-sarah-jane-gragg.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/06/henry-kelly-caleb-coffey-addendum.html

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2006/02/beeler-ester-and-sallie-elizabeth.html

Cleveland Coffey (c1810 - Apr. 1862)

Updated and corrected Jul. 18, 2007
2nd Update Oct. 20, 2011


Cleveland was a son of Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey. He married three times: 1) Susan Hayes with whom he father at least three children:

Andrew Jackson, born Dec. 1, 1833, died Dec. 3, 1903, married Rachel Imes

William Wesley, born c1834, died Jul. 11, 1864, married Gelina Shouse (see previous blog on John Cleveland Coffey)

Susan Elizabeth, born Mar. 31, 1839, died Sep. 1, 1925, married 1) James C. Webb, c1858 in Caldwell Co., NC.; 2) Aaron McGinnis

Cleveland's second wife was Malinda Coffey, a daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey. Malinda was born c1823 in Tennessee. They were married Nov. 11, 1839 in Grainger Co. There were at least six children born to Cleveland in this union:

George Holland, born Jul. 1841, married Samantha Ann Ridgeway. Children were Marvin, Henry William, Clara Bell, Cora Duffie, Willadene, and Thomas Hardy.

Margaret Elvira, born c1842

Nancy Mahala, born c1844

Frances L., birth unknown, married Cicero McAmy Prestwood, parents of John Cleveland Prestwood, born Oct. 14, 1851.

Daniel P.M., born c1849

Perry L., born c1853, died Jun. 8, 1885, married Sally Sanders and was father of Nancy Ann, born Nov. 1876, Viola Virginia, born Sep. 1879, Noah Monroe, born Mar., 1883, and Georgia Alexandria, born Dec. 1885.

Cleveland's third trip to the altar was with Mary Ann Miles on Jan. 8, 1854. They had three children: Sarah A., born c1857, married Tilmond Gurley on Sep. 28, 1879 in Watauga Co., NC; Napoleon Austin, born Mar. 1858 in NC, married Oct. 14, 1895 in Caldwell Co., NC to Mary Ellen Adams. Mary was born in Aug., 1878 in NC. Their children were: Cleveland Napoleon, born c1883; Elmo, born c1883; Lillie A., born May. 1886; Rosa B., born Oct. 1888; Perry Elmore, born mar. 25, 1892; William McKinley, born Feb. 1898; Dollie, born c1903; and Lona, born Jun. 25, 1910.

Their third child was Jesse Cleveland "Red Eye" Coffey who married Lucinda Louise Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Jesse and Lou had seven children: Mary Elizabeth, born 1877, died 1956, married Haywood Hatley and, had 11 children; Sarah, born 1879, died 1957, married first to James W. Gragg, had 10 children, married second to John Robert Joshua Gragg; William Calton (Will), born Jan. 1880, died 1957, married Bessie Mae Townsend and had 11 children; Jesse Cleveland born 1888, married 1910 to Eliza Loudermilt and had 6 children, died 1923; Thomas Newton "Black Tom", born May 1890, died 1940, married Ella Mae Loudermilt and had 11 children; James Perry*, born c1891, died 1971, married Bertha Noblett, and had 6 children;  and Rosa Bell (Rosie), born Sep 1893, married Joseph Townsend and had three children.

Question for researchers: Was Cleveland's third wife Mary Ann Miles or Mary Ann Mills? I have seen both surnames applied to her, but never a source.

---

*James Perry's headstone reports a birth date of Dec.25, 1878. Lloyd Coffey of Taylorsville, NC wrote "James Perry Coffey and Bertha Noblett Coffey's gravestone is located at Cedar Rock Baptist Church in Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina. Note the date of birth for James on the stone. One of his greatest exaggerations was his age. He always claimed to be much older than he really was. My mom always said that if you believed Windy Jim when he told you his age, he would soon have you believing that he was older than his father. Mom knew him quite well from having grown up as his neighbor. His children were some of her best friends throughout her life."

Marion Oliver & Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey

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

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

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

His obituary:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

They were the parents of at least eight children:

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

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

His obituary:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


John Robert, born Aug. 12, 1922

Marion Audra, born Oct. 6, 1924

Sadie Ruth, born Mar. 4, 1926

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

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

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

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

Francis Richmond Coffey

Francis Richmond Coffey was a son of Silas Carroll and Eleanor (Nellie) Green Coffey. He was born in March of 1863 in the Globe community of Caldwell Co., NC. He died in that state on Jun. 13, 1928. He and Etta May Hayes were married in the Globe on Dec. 25, 1891.

Etta was born Jul. 23, 1876 in Caldwell Co. to Richard and Delphia L. Hayes Hayes. She died April 10, 1932 in North Carolina.

There were at least 13 children born to this union. I have some descendant information for seven of them:

Mary E., born Jul. 1, 1894, died Jan. 7, 1896. She died unmarried and is buried at the New Hopewell Baptist Church Cemetery near Cary's Flat in Avery Co., NC.

Netie L., born Dec. 1896

Queen Vester, born Oct. 8, 1898 and died Sep. 2, 1988. She married Sylvestere Gragg on May 2, 1920 in NC. he was born c1891 in that state. I do not yet have a death date or parents for Sylvester. She and Sylvester had at least 10 children: Goldie, Hobert, Rolhen Sylvester, Mabel, Agnes, Lewis, Russell, Cecil D., Herman Ray and Dorothy Jean.

[It appears that Sylvester is the son of Luther Burgess and Mary J. Crump Gragg. His birth year c1891 fits in with the other three identified children of Luther: Cora Ella, born Feb. 1894, died May 14, 1973, married Grover C. Coffey, son of David Columbus and Julia N. Beard Coffey; William E., born Nov., 1896; and Sanford Robert, born Jan. 25, 1899, died May 20, 1992, married Edna Mae Raby]

Exie Mae, born Oct. 21, 1901 in NC, and died in that state on Feb. 15, 1926. She married Ivey Watson Coffey, date unknown. He was born May 10, 1900 in Gragg, Avery Co., and died Oct. 20, 1982 in that county. They had at least three children: Odell Joseph who married Velma Gragg; Janet Ruth, and Opal. Ivey was a son of David William and Gertrude Trivette Coffey. After Exie's death, Ivey married Virginia May Woodie, born May 30, 1892, died Jun. 1976 in Caldwell Co. She was the daughter of Rufus Asbury Woodie and Sara Elizabeth (Betty) Reed.

Ellis, born Jul. 10, 1903 in Avery Co., died Apr. 15, 1994 in Banner Elk, Avery Co. She married Walter Raleigh Gragg, a son of David Obodiah and Frances Elizabeth (Fanny) Dellinger. Walter was born Oct. 18, 1900 in Avery Co., and died Mar 12, 1987 in Watauga Co. Ellis is buried in the Gragg Family Cemetery - which I understand is also the Hopewell Cemetery. They were parents of at least eight children: Rome, Ruth, Howard, Ethel, Dallas, Alma, Irene E., and Rachel R.

Dartha (Dolly), born Mar. 8, 1904 in Avery Co., died Mar. 20, 2006 in Caldwell Co. She married Virgil Clingman Gragg on Jul. 24, 1920 in Caldwell Co. He was the son of Larkin Henderson and Lee Ella Gragg Gragg, and was born Jul. 31, 1900 in Caldwell Co. He died there in 1980. There were at least five children in this family: Orville, born c1922; Homer Lee, born 1924, died 1989; Troy, born c1926; Jesse, born c1928; and Lafayette Anthony, born 1945. This last child seems to have been born a bit too long after Jesse, but his birth to this couple is recorded in Caldwell Co. birth register, book 32, Page 1042.

Donald, born May 20, 1906

Fred J., born Aug. 23, 1907, died Feb. 22, 1958.. He married Nellie Gragg, dau of Tilmon Monroe and Lillie May (Mary?) Fortner Gragg.

Nellie was born c1908.

Dallas, born c1910

Edgar, born c1912

Netta Belle, born Feb. 13, 1915. She married Alfred Argie Gragg, a son of John Robert Joshua Gragg and Mary Adelaide (Addie) Coffey. Addie was a daughter of Julius Calvin and Eugenia Lavinia (Genie) Dellinger Coffey. Alfred and Netta Bell had at least 10 children: Busalee, born Jan. 7, 1935; Lela D., born May 15, 1936; Ramona, born Jul. 13,1937; Nellere, born Apr. 17, 1939; Patie, born Jul, 13, 1942; John R., born Nov. 14, 1942 (unlikely, but their births are recorded as such in the Caldwell Co. records); Magatha, born Mar. 7, 1943; Alfred Deane, born Feb. 22, 1948; Billy Brown, born Mar. 5, 1950, died Apr. 2, 2006; and Linda Faye, born Nov. 18, 1952.

Esselene, no birth or death information. She married Shelby Delon Gragg on Oct. 23, 1937 in Watauga Co. He was born Sep. 20, 1915 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Sep. 28, 1974. He was a son of Leason Carrol and Dora Belle Bean Gragg. Esselene and Shelby had at least five children: Billy Wess, born 1936; twins David L., and Kenneth, born 1039; Lois, born 1941 and Shelby Wayne, born 1943.

And finally, Lois Agnes, born Jun. 30, 1919. No other information.

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

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Update, Oct. 14, 2010:  Another child of Rufus and Sarah Reid Woodie, Alfred Wilson Woodie, married Viola Gertrude Coffey, a daughter of Julius Adore and Aster Jane Dellinger Coffey.  Alfred was born May, 1894 and died May 12, 1979 in Banner Elk, Avery Co.  Viola was born in 1903 and died May 23, 1986 at Blowing Rock.

Update, Jul. 28, 2011: Ivey Watson and Exie marriage date was Dec. 28, 1918 in Avery Co., NC.  Odell Joseph Coffey and Velma Gragg were married Mar. 10, 1941 in Carter Co., TN.  Odell died Nov. 14, 2005 in Newland, Avery Co.; Velma on Nov. 19, 2009 in Linville, Avery Co.

Update, Aug. 23,2011:  Louise Woodie, daughter of Alfred Wilson and Viola Gertrude Coffey Woodie, born Jun. 3,1924, passed away on Apr. 25, 2007 in Burke Co. She was first married to Floyd Clark and second to a Mr. Lane.

Her obituary:

Louise Woodie Clark Lane, 83, of Robey Street, Morganton, made an unexpected move to heaven on Wednesday, April 25, 2007.

Born in Avery County, on June 3, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Alfred and Gertrude Coffey Woodie.

She was a retired employee of Broughton Hospital and was a member of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. Throughout her life, Louise was a tower of strength to her family and was a loving, caring and sharing woman who adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She always offered a ready smile, a hug and food whenever visitors came to her home. Her accomplishments were many but her greatest ones were the strength, love and faith she instilled in her children and grandchildren. Louise's passing on will leave a vast empty space in many lives; but her arrival in Heaven is reason to rejoice.

She is survived by her children, Jerry Lynn Clark of Morganton, Jean C. Harrell of Asheville, Lonnie F. Clark and June Kunhe of Morganton, and Janell C. Wakefield and her husband, Charles, of Morganton; grandchildren, Chris Clark and his wife, Anita, of Denver, Stacy Clark and his wife, Dana, of Bardstown, Ky., Joel Harrell and his wife, Jenny, of Raleigh, Monica Wakefield, Lisa Dooley and her husband, Floyd, and Stephanie Clark, all of Morganton; great-grandchildren, Zane and Wylie Clark, Camden and Bailey Dooley, Marcus Clark and Elias Wakefield; brothers, Roy Woodie and his wife, Irene, of Jonas Ridge and Ralph Woodie and his wife, Anna, of Oak Hill; a sister, Myrtle Clark of Jonas Ridge; a sister-in-law, Christine Woodie of Jonas Ridge; many special nieces and nephews who loved her as a second mother and all of their spouses and children; and special friends, Jettie Causby and Verna Beach. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Woodie; and infant sisters, Mary and Betty Woodie.

The funeral will be held at 2:30 p.m. Sunday at Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church with the Rev. Bill Holland officiating.

Burial will follow in the Calloway Cemetery at Jonas Ridge.

The family will receive friends at the church on Sunday beginning at 1:30 p.m. At other times the family will be at Mrs. Lane's home, 103 Robey St. Memorial gifts may be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-1942 or to Calloway Cemetery, c/o Long Ridge Baptist Church, Newland, NC 28657. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Note: Bettie, born Apr. 27, 1936, died Jun. 7, 1938. No information on Mary.  Ralph Woodie died Jun. 23, 2009 and is buried at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery in Oak Hill, Burke Co.

More about George Hamilton Hayes

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

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

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

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

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

David N. Coffey

In the photo from left to right, is Arthur Hill Dula*, his wife Mary Jane Coffey; Theodicia Coffey Blalock, and David Nathaniel Coffey.

Mary Jane and Theodocia are sisters, and children of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey. Thomas Avery and Nathaniel were brothers, sons of Austin Coffey and Mary Blalock.

Theodocia married Columbus Filmore (Lum) Blalock, a son of William McKesson "Keith" and Sarah Malinda Pritchard Blalock. "Keith" was a son of Mary Blalock by an unknown father.

David Nathaniel married Caroline Lavinia Coffey, a daughter of Levi L. and Temperance Calloway Coffey. Levi and Austin were second cousins.

The dress seems to indicate that the photo was taken in the 1920's. Columbus (Lum) and Theodocia went to Bend, OR where they were enumerated in the 1920 census. Lum died in Bend on Oct. 6, 1925**. Theodocia later married Luther Farthing, and died in Watauga Co., NC on Feb. 14, 1941. Lum had been previously married, first to Emma McNeely in 1884 and second, to Esther Caldonia Calloway.

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*See earlier blog on this family
**Oregon Death Index, 1903-98. Salem, Oregon: Filmed by the Oregon State Archives and Records Center, [1998-] . Name: Blalock, Columbus Filmore County: Deschutes Death Date: 6 Oct 1925 Certificate: 118

Stewart Blaine Hayes (1891-1980)

Stewart Blaine Hayes was born Mar., 1891 in Watauga Co., and died May 21, 1980 in Boone, Watauga Co. He was a son of John Edward and Celia Alice Trivette Hayes.

He married Esther Cornelia Coffey, a daughter of Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey on Dec. 24, 1911 in Watauga Co. Esther was born Dec. 9, 1891 in Blue Ridge Twp., Watauga Co., and died Feb. 1, 1936 in Watauga C.

Thirteen children were born to this union:

Carl Marion, born Nov. 15, 1912, died Jun. 21, 1979. He married Emma Jane Coffey on Oct. 6, 1934. Emma, a daughter of Walter Gwyn and Julia Hayes Coffey, was born Apr. 4, 1915 and died Jul. 15, 1988.
Wilma Roxanna, born c1914
Lucy Faye, born Sep. 4, 1915
Stella Mae, born Mar. 31, 1917
Ray Donald, born Nov. 5, 1918
Gladys Isabell, born Nov. 4, 1920
Thomas Blaine, born Jul. 26, 1922. He married Mildred Coffey, a daughter of William Jefferson and Elsie Mae Hodges Coffey. She was born May 16, 1919.
Vera Alice, born Jul. 10, 1924
Doyce, born Mar. 15, 1926
Snow Ellen, born Jan. 31, 1928
Addie Verlee, born Jan. 9, 1930
John Edward, born Nov. 2, 1931
Unnamed, born Nov. 28, 1934

Following Esther's death in 1936, Stewart married Vergie Moody Danner, a widow with twelve children of her own.

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

DVM George Hamilton Hayes

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

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

Six children were born to the union with Rosie:

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

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

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

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

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

Anson Lafayette and Eliza Jane Coffey Harrison

Anson Lafayette Harrison was born Jul. 6, 1852 in Watauga Co., NC to the union of Joseph Martin and Sarah Jane Critcher Harrison. He married Eliza Jane Coffey, born Feb. 6, 1854 in Watauga Co. to Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. She died Oct. 23, 1931 in Watauga Co.

This marriage eventually produced 15 children, only four of which were males. They were:

Newton Leonard, born May 9, 1873, died Jan. 11, 1966
Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 14, 1878, died Oct. 20, 1949
Martha Cal Donnie, born Oct Oct. 18, 1876, died May 8, 1961
James Monroe (Roe), born Apr. 22, 1878, died Jan. 29, 1952
Sarah Elmira Queen, born Jan. 18, 1880, died Feb. 20, 1956
Julia Emma, born Mar. 14, 1882, died Nov. 19, 1946
Zora Lena, born Sep. 18, 1883, died 1952
Doshie Estie, born May 16, 1885, died Mar. 16, 1974
Vettie Vesta, born Feb. 17, 1887, died Feb. 14, 1967
Benjamin Martin, born Oct. 4, 1889, died Jan. 26, 1932
Nomie Bessie, born Jun. 3, 1891, died 1991
Lula Jane, born May 27, 1892, died Oct. 12, 1977
Roxie Belle, born May 23, 1894, died Jul. 9, 1978
Tommie Calton, born Jan. 21, 1896, died Feb. 25, 1896
Lettie Vertia, born Jul. 9, 1898, died Jan. 2, 1912

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

Jesse Calton Coffey

Jesse Calton Coffey, born Apr. 21, 1821 in Watauga Co., NC was a son of Reuben and Rachel Hayes Coffey. He married Nancy Raines (a marriage date has not been found), born Sep. 30, 1822 in Cocke Co., TN, died Jan. 14, 1899 in Watauga Co. Jesse died Aug. 28, 1904 in Watauga Co. Both are buried in the Tweetsie Railroad Cemetery in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.

Jesse and Nancy were the parents of James Milton who married Mary Louise Coffey. Another child, Matilda, born Jul. 1, 1848 in TN, died Apr. 2, 1927 in Coffey's Gap, Watauga Co., NC, married George Washington (Wash) Coffey, a son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey.

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Update Jun. 13, 2007: Children of Jesse and Nancy were: 1) Matilda (Tilda), born Jun. 1, 1848, died Apr. 2, 1927. Tilda married George Washington (Wash) Coffey, her first cousin (once removed). George was the son of William Clayton and Sarah (Sallie) Greene Coffey. More information is available on George and Tilda and their 11 children. 2) William Luther (Bill), b Mar. 6, 1850, died Mar. 5, 1925, married Mary Salome Moretz, born Aug. 5, 1850 in Watauga Co., died Apr. 20, 1940 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. More info is available on them and their 12 children. 3) Eliza Jane, born Feb. 6, 1854, died Oct. 23, 1931, married Anson Lafayette Harrison Aug. 29, 1871 in Watauga Co. Anson was born Jul. 6, 1852 in Watauga Co., and died Dec. 1928 in NC. Eliza was born Feb. 6, 1854 in NC, and died Oct. 23, 1931 in Watauga Co. 4) Thomas Carlton, born Jan. 1, 1853 in NC, died Dec. 17, 1915, perhaps in NC. Married martha Ellen Cool Nov. 14, 1875 in Watauga Co. Martha was born Jul. 3, 1858 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 25, 1939 in Watauga Co. Their children numbered 13. 5) Rachel Lorrinda, born Nov. 10, 1856 in NC, died Oct. 14, 1934 in Watauga Co. She married Nov. 7, 1875 in Watauga Co., to Jordan Hampton, born Sep. 10, 1856, died Jan. 22, 1935 in Watauga Co. They were parents to 15 children. 6) James Milton, born Apr. 14, 1860 in Watauga Co., and died there on Feb. 23, 1924. He married mary Louise Coffey on Oct. 19, 1879 in Watauga. She was the daughter of James Asbury and Chainey Gragg Coffey, and was born Nov. 12, 1859 and died Mar. 3, 1924 in Watauga Co. They were parents of at least 13 children.

James Milton and Mary Louise Coffey Coffey

On Nov. 20, 2006 I wrote about the James "C." and Mary Louise Coffey family. That posting indicated that James' middle initial was "C." I have since learned that although his headstone reads James C. Coffey, his middle name was actually Milton.

Both James and Mary are buried in the Tweetsie Railroad Cemetery in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.

Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore

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

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

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

Their children were:

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

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

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

I know of only two children for Bruce and Amy:

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

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Update Aug. 16, 2009

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

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Other children of Wiley and Ellen were:

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

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

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

Haywood and Mary Elizabeth Coffey Hatley

Haywood Hatley was born Aug. 23, 1874 in Watauga Co., NC to William and Ann Hatley. He married Mary Elizabeth Coffey in Caldwell Co., NC in 1899. Mary was born Aug. 23, 1877 in Caldwell Co., and died Aug. 1, 1956 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She was a daughter of Jesse (Red Eye) Coffey and Lucinda Louise (Lou) Coffey.

Jesse was the son of Cleveland and Mary Ann Miles Coffey, and Lucinda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Jesse and Lucinda were first cousins, once removed, both descendants of Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey.

Haywood registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Watauga Co.*

Children of Haywood and Mary Elizabeth were:

Mancenie (Cenie), born Oct. 3, 1903 in Watauga Co., died May 28, 1974 in NC. She married Roby Leonard Rich on Jun. 12, 1920 in Watauga Co. Roby was born Jul. 2, 1894 in NC and died Jul. 17, 1953 in that state.

Alice V., born c1905 in NC, died c1924 in Caldwell Co. She married James Henry Bennett c1924 in NC. He was born Sep. 20, 1904 in NC, died Nov. 24, 1962. Alice apparently died in childbirth, because James subsequently married her sister, Jannie Delana Hatley on Oct. 31, 1926 in NC. Jannie was born Feb. 27, 1909 in Avery Co., and died Sep. 22, 1988 in NC.

Omie Devada, born Apr. 3, 1907 in NC, died Mar. 26, 1972 in Avery Co. She married Charles Woodruff, born Feb. 23, 1910, died Dec. 11, 1975.

Jannie Delana - see above.

Ernest C., born c1912

Robert Woodrow, born Mar. 15, 1915, died 1991

Beulah Doris, born Feb. 19, 1916, died Feb. 15, 1971. She married Himal Carroll.

William Jay (Bill), born Jul. 18, 1918, died Jul. 19, 1988

Jessie, born c1919

Ethel Blanche, born Mar. 8, 1921

Daisy Pearl, born Jan. 21, 1923, died Jan. 19, 1986. She married Isaac Hill Maltba.

More information is needed on the children of this family. Please send additions and/or corrections to the e-mail address below:

*Haywood Hatley registered for the draft in Watauga Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was described as being tall with medium build, blue eyes and brown hair. He was age 44 yrs., born Aug. 23, 1874. He was a farmer and resident of Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., NC where he resided with his wife, Mary Eliz. Hatley. He signed the registration card with his mark.

Update Sep. 21, 2007:

I believe that Haywood was the son of William M. and Eliza Ann Sides Hatley. Other children of William and Eliza were: Mary, born c1877; Jackson Sidney "Jack", born Jun. 12, 1878, died Dec. 15, 1933, married Drusinna Phillips; Kizzie Ann (Nancy K. (?), married John Wesley Coffey and Lillie Victoria, married Silas Columbus Coffey.

Nathan and Sarah Coffey Green

Sarah was the daughter of Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey. She was born c1804 in NC, and died Aug., 1879 in Jefferson Co., TN. She married Nathan Green, a son of Jeremiah and Mary Wiseman Green in about 1818 in Ashe Co., NC. Nathan was born c1800 in Watauga Co., and died c1839 in Jefferson Co., TN.

There were at least five children born to the marriage:

Mary J., born Mar. 4, 1821, died Feb. 23, 1881. On Jul 20, 1837 she married Jonathan Quarles in Jefferson Co. He was born in that county on Aug. 10, 1819, and died there on Jul. 22, 1858. I know of no children born to this couple.

Margaret, born Jan. 31, 1823 in TN, died Sep. 27, 1908 in Jefferson Co. She married Asa Smelcer on Feb. 18, 1866 in Jefferson Co. He was born c1820 in that county and died there in 1870. Margaret is said to have also married a Logan Poe, but I have no record. I know of no children born to either marriage.

Nancy, born 1818 in TN, married William Prewitt on Dec. 29, 1847 in Jefferson Co. I have no further information.

Jeremiah Jeffferson, born Sep. 16, 1829 in Jefferson Co., died Mar. 2, 1909 in that county. He married Elizabeth J. Brooks there on Mar. 2, 1849. She was born Apr. 18, 1832 in Jefferson Co., and died there on Jan. 29, 1917. No further information.

Francis M., born c1839. No further information.

Sarah was enumerated in the 1850, 1860 and 1870 Jefferson Co., TN census. In 1850 she was a widow with Mary J. Coffee, age 10, and Saphrona C. Coffee, age 5, born TN in the household. I do not know who these Coffee [sic] children belong to.

In 1860 she was living with her widowed daughter, Mary J. Green Quarrels in Jefferson Co., and in 1870 she was in the household with her son Jeremiah in that county.

Additions and/or Corrections