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Showing posts with label Young. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Young. Show all posts

January 1, 2015

A Tribute to Joseph Elzie Hays

I have previously written about Joseph Elzie Hays and his family in Adair and Russell Co., KY.  That blog can be read here.



"Sketch of Joseph E. Hays.

"At his home in Jamestown, on the 23rd of last month, there passed from the walks of man, one who in many respects was a remarkable man.

"In a less isolated locality than that in which he spent most of his life, Joseph E. Hays might have been as distinguished as many of those whose names are known to multitudes.  But, for him home, for much of his life, he chose the little town of Jamestown, remote from railroad lines and from the busy mass of the world, and far removed from any of its great centers of thought and action.

"And yet it seems that no one has undertaken to write anything of the life of this well-known citizen and lawyer.  There is much that might be written.  Certainly the story of the 82 years of life of one whose talents and industry distinguished him among his fellows, can be be told in the limits of a brief article.  So much must be omitted.

"Hon. Joseph E. Hays was born in Russell county, Ky., December 6, 1822.  He was the son of Gabriel Hays [Jr.] and Martha Coffey Hays, who came here from Virginia some years before Russell county was created, and when this section was mostly a wilderness.

"His paternal grandmother was Jane Moore Quigly, of London, England, while his maternal grandmother was Jennie [Jane] Witherspoon, a member of a distinguished North Carolina family.  Both of these grandparents were cultured and intellectual women, and the grandson either inherited or early developed a burning desire for an education.

"In that day schools and teachers were few and far between, but the boy who really means to educate himself and accomplish something in the world, keeps saying to himself; 'where there's a will, there's a way.'

"And the boy, Joseph E. Hays, found away, though oftentimes it was far from being an easy one.  By a firelight made of boards and dry sticks he learned to read, of evening, after the day's work was over.  It was not always over, however, with the night fall, for his parents, as well as everybody else, perhaps in the vicinity at that time, were poor, and it is said, his labors were sometimes carried far into the night.  The family had to be supported and the father was an invalid.

"As an illustration of the lack of conveniences in this section, in that early day, it is said that he learned to cipher on a slate rock.

"But not baffled by adverse circumstances he attended country schools two short terms, then raised a tobacco crop to earn money with which to attend Zion Academy, in Adair county.  If the writer is not mistaken this school was at that time presided over by a Virginia gentleman, Prof. Carnes, who had been well educated in one of the fine colleges of that elder state.

"The writer has heard Mr. Hays say that when he quit school he recited the contents of Latin Grammar, missing nothing of importance, without a question being asked, except a general one, such as 'Tell what you know about this book,' or something of the kind.  It was at this school, Zion Academy, which Mr. Hays attended for two terms, that he learned Latin and Greek.

"I am not sure whether it was before or after this, but think it was before, that Mr. Hiram Rowe met the young man, and learning of his anxiety to learn, as well as recognizing his ability to do so, offered to teach him surveying.  The offer was promptly accepted and it was arranged that the lad should go to the home of Mr. Rowe and begin his studies at once.  So well did he apply himself and so readily did he master the subject, that at the remarkably early age of sixteen Mr. Rowe's pupil and protégé was surveyor of the county.

"After leaving school, and after having taught a few terms, when not attending school, Mr. Hays studied medicine and began to practice, but soon abandoned it to study law with Hon. Sam Bell Maxey.  At this time he was about 23 years old.

"After being admitted, he began, at Burkesville, Ky., in partnership with Mr. Cheek, the practice of the profession he was to follow for half a century.  It was here that he met and married Miss. Sophia M. Saufley,¹ a daughter of Henry Saufley, of Virginia.

"After his marriage he removed to Jamestown, and began to practice here and in adjoining counties.  At the bar of this section of that time were such men as Gov. Bramlette, Judge Fountain T. Fox, of Danville, Hon. Sherrod Williams, Col. T. P. Hill, Littleton Beard, Judge T. Z. Morrow, Hons. Tim Cravens, Ephrain and John S. Van Winkle and Major Tom Winfrey.  There were giants in those days and it is eulogy enough for any lawyer to say that he met and held his own with these men.

"At one time Mr. Hays practiced in six or seven counties and when in his prime probably received a larger sum annually in fees than is now earned by any two or three lawyers in this district.

"Two or three of the Stone Bro's., Hon. J. F. Montgomery and others read law with Mr. Hays, when they were preparing for admission to the bar.

"Mr. Hays, though in active practice for fifty years, held few offices.  He was County Attorney of Russell county, Police Judge of Jamestown, and frequently sat as special Judge of the Circuit Court.  It was while acting as Police Judge that he closed the saloons in Jamestown, it is said almost at the risk of his life, so bitter was the feeling on the subject.

"Mr. Hays was at one time a candidate for Congress, but withdrew before the election was held.

"In politics he was a strong Democrat. He was a slave owner and an ardent Southern sympathizer.  He belonged to that school of Southern politicians who believed that slavery was right, that the negro was a 'slave race,' and that the right of property ought not to be interfered with by any legal or constitutional enactment whatever, at least not without just compensation.

"I do not know, but I doubt that his were ever changed by the trend of events since the war, for he was singularly tenacious of any opinion, once thoroughly formed.

"Mr. Hays was thrice married.  His first wife died in early life a few years after they moved to Jamestown.  His second wife was Miss Mary Coffey², of Russell county.  To this union were born four children; Sophia M., Hiram Rowe, Mary A. and Rosaline Owsley.  Of these, only one is now living, the first named, Mrs. Sophia M. Stone.  Their mother died at the birth of the youngest daughter.  Afterward, Mr. Hays married the lady who now survives him, was Miss Elizabeth Young.³

"Mr. Hays had been for 39 years a member of the Christian church.

"Studying the question for himself, he came o believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Savior of mankind, and accepted him as his personal Savior.  The writer is told by those who know that in his latter days he spent much of his time in reading the Bible, in meditation and in prayer.

"It is not amiss to say here that he had two words of counsel for young men, which he mentioned with great emphasis when occasion offered.  They were, 'Be temperate, be industrious.'  And he followed his own advice in these respects.  He used neither tobacco nor intoxicants, in any form.  And as a lawyer his industry seemed to have no limits, when the interests of his client were at stake.  He always said he was not a very robust boy, and he attributed his wonderful physical powers solely to temperate habits and hard work.

"We can not undertake, in this article, any thing like a satisfactory study of Mr. Hays' character as a man or of his professional attainments.  As said before, in a wider field, a wider fame might have been his.  He believed in himself.  This sort of faith is even an important  factor of success.

"During the strenuous days of middle life he made some enemies.  Who does not, if he does any thing worth the doing?  He was not always, understood, I believe, by some with whom he came in contact, nor did he ever seek popularity as a good within itself.  He said once, that if he had the approval of his own conscience, he little cared what other men might say.  This was characteristic of the man.

"In his own words, his life had been 'one of duty.'  What more, if it was simply one of duty, as he saw it, what more can be required of any man?

"On public questions where any moral issue was involved, he always espoused the side that he believed would promote the moral good of the community.

"Frugal and simple in his own habits he spent money lavishly upon others who had any claim upon his bounty.

"But now, life's fitful fever is over.  The vast majority of mankind, so far as the world can see or know, seems to do little but eke out an existence, for a few short years, at most; then they die, are buried, and forgotten.

"Surely then one who by his own efforts, in the face of poverty and adversity, and starting life in a remote and primitive community, raised himself to a position of affluence and to an honorable and even distinguished place in his profession, is entitled, when he quits the walks of men, to more than passing mention.

"But then, men build their own best monuments, to wit, their own deeds and their own character and influence.  These do not die with our death.

"I leave then the subject of this sketch to something better than this poor effort of mine - to the commemoration of his own self-builded [sic] monuments, to the biography written by him in the hearts and lives of those who knew him.

"This biography can not be wrong.  Peace, then, to his ashes, rest to his soul."4


¹Sophia was born in VA, c1822, they married in 1848 and appeared in the 1850 Russell Co., census.  According to writer W. H. Perrin in Kentucky: A History of the State Sophia died Mar. 14, 1853.  There were no known children.

²Mary Ann was his double-second cousin, once removed.  Her parents were Elias "Eli" and Mary "Polly" Coffey Coffey, first cousins.  Elias was a son of Salathiel while Mary was a daughter of Nathan, brothers and said to be sons of the thus-far mythical Chesley Coffey.  She died on May 24, 1869 at the birth of her fourth child, Rose L. Hays.

³Elizabeth was a daughter of G. W. and Margaret Pemberton Young.

4Joseph is buried at Stone Cemetery in Jamestown, Russell Co., KY.  His Find-A-Grave memorial is #82210819

Source: A tribute to Joseph Elzie Hays by unknown author and which appeared in "The Adair County News, Columbia, Adair Co., KY", (http://1.usa.gov/1xiPV2T,) Page 1, Cols. 1-3, Vol. 7, No. 13, on Wed., Feb. 10, 1904.

September 22, 2012

William Harrison Parmley, Spouse of Sara Zerilda Coffey



WILLIAM H. PARMLEY

The farm and gin interests of Montague county, Texas, have an enterprising representative in the subject of this sketch, William H. Parmley.  He is a Kentuckian by birth and was born in Wayne County, September 13, 1858, son of Robert and Serilda (Strunk) Parmley, both natives of Kentucky.

Robert Parmley, Sr., grandfather of William H., was a Virginian and a great hunter who at an early day settled in the wilds of Kentucky, where he improved a farm and carried on agricultural pursuits extensively, having slaves to do his work.  He was twice married.  By his first wife the children were:  James, Garner, John, Washington, Lewis, Robert, Jr., Henderson, Giles, Mrs. Sidney Gan, and Mrs. Rebecca Rice.  Following are the names of the children by the second wife:  Mrs. Betty McBath.  William, Lad, Mrs. Abigail Winchester, Mrs. Ersley Stokes, Mrs. Vie Young, Mrs. Ellen Powers and H. Clay.

Robert Parmley, Jr., in his early manhood taught school for some years.  Although a southerner, he was a Union man, and two of his brothers, William and Lad, were Union soldiers.  He however took no part in the war.  He is politically a Democrat and was honored with official position in his native State, and also since his removal to Kansas.  He moved west in 1877 and settled in Cowley county, Kansas, where he improved a good farm and was for many years successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits.  Now at the age of eighty-two years, and still vigorous, he is living retired in Burden, that county.   Here he has served as justice of the peace and city judge.  He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church and of the Masonic fraternity, and has long been known as a generous, big-hearted, broad-minded man with a character in every way above reproach.  His first wife died in 1879. She belonged to one of the early families of Kentucky; was a member of Cumberland Presbyterian church, and was a woman of lovely Christian character.  Little is known of her family history.  Fowlowing are the names of her children:  Mrs. Milda Rice James (deceased); William H.; John (deceased); Ned (deceased); Bell, wife of George R. McClelland, and Ellen, wife of M. Mackey.  The father subsequently married a Mrs. Burris, his present companion. 

William H. Parmley was seventeen when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Kansas.  His education was received chiefly at home under his father's instruction and in the practical school of experience.  He assisted his father in the development of their farm in the new State of Kansas.  Then in 1880 he returned to Kentucky, married the sweetheart of his youth and took her back to Kansas with him. The next two years he was employed in breaking prairie with two yoke of oxen.  He rented land in Chautauqua county one year;  moved to Llano county, Texas, where he raised two crops; returned to Kansas, but soon came back Texas, this time settling in Montague county, where he bought eighty acres of land, to which he afterward added another eighty acres, and where he remained eight years.  His next move was to Indian Territory, but he did not remain there long.  Coming again to Montague County, he purchased land where he now resides.  To his original purchase here, one hundred and sixty acres, he has since added until he is now the owner of one thousand acres, 600 acres of which are under cultivation, most of which he rents, his chief products being corn and cotton.  His farm with its commodious, modern residence and other buildings, wind mill and fine water, large orchard of choice fruits, etc., is certainly an ideal country place.  In 1900 Mr. Parmley became interested in ginning.  He erected a gin with a daily capacity of twenty-five bales, to the operation of which he has since given his attention in ginning season.  It has been by his own energy and good management that Mr. Parmley has accumulated his estate since coming to Montague County, and he has well earned the title of self-made man.

Politically, Mr. Parmley is a Republican, posted and up-to-date in the country's progress and hopeful of Republican success in Texas.  He is one of the active members of the Farmer's Union, and both he and his wife are identified with the Missionary Baptist Church.

Of Mr. Parmley's domestic life, we record that he married Miss Serilda Coffee who was born in Kentucky, December 18, 1858, daughter of Jackson and Martha J. (Spann) Coffee, the former a native of Kentucky, the later of Tennessee. Her grandfather, Nathaniel Coffee, was a prominent farmer of Kentucky.  His children were:  Jackson; Cleve, one of the early settlers of Texas and William.  Jackson, a farmer in Kentucky until 1882, that year moved to Texas and settled in Hopkins county, where he spent two years; then came to Llano county, and two years later to Montague County, where he lived with his daughter for fifteen years.  He died here October 20, 1889. He was a plain, honest farmer, a member of the primitive Baptist church, and was highly respected by all who knew him.  His children in order of birth are:  Shelby, Lewis, Jack, Henry, and Willis, all deceased;  Samuel and Robert of Indian Territory;  Cleve, who resides with his sister, Mrs. Parmley;  Clay, who died in early life;  Eliza, wife of J. Kennett;  Mrs. Serilda Parmley;  and Mollie, deceased.  The children of Mr. and Mrs. Parmley are:  Robert, Leenora, Charles L., Thadeus, William F., Maud, Dosha and Lula S., all living at this writing except Lenora, who died at the age of three months.



A Twentieth Century History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas.
Captain B.B. Paddock, Editor, Illustrated Vol. II; 1906, The Lewis Publishing Company of Chicago & N.Y. Page 539-540
Thanks to Jacqueline Daffron for providing this info on 9/22/2012 - Click on title link to read earlier blog on this family.

November 1, 2011

Zachariah & Margaret E. Hailey Coffey

Zachariah was born in March, 1850 to Wayett Wesley (c1820-1859) and Nancy Coffey Coffey.  Wayett [sic] was a son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey;  Nancy's parents are unknown to me.

These Coffeys were mainly Augusta Co., VA families.

Margaret E. Hailey was born in Mar., 1860 to William W. & Mary Hardbarger Coffey.  She married Zachariah on Dec. 23, 1877 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., VA.  To them were born at least five children, two of which died in infancy and unnamed.  Their first child was Rosana, born c1879 in VA.  Second was Minerva, born Apr., 1881 followed by Eugene Bartley, born May, 1883, died Oct. 27, 1946 in Stuarts Draft, VA.

Eugene married Hurcy [sic] Lee Brooks c1906 in VA.  Hurcy was a daughter of Joshua Cyrus & Alice Elizabeth (or, Susan?) Forbes Brooks.  She was born in Augusta Co. in Mar. of 1887 and died at Stuarts Draft on Aug. 29, 1954.  Eugene died on Oct. 27, 1846.  Both he and Hurcy are buried at the Mennonite Church Cemetery in Stuarts Draft.
Obituary, Waynesboro News Virginian, Sep. 1, 1954
Mrs. Hersey Lee Coffey, 69, died at 4 p.m. yesterday at her home near Stuarts Draft, after a long illness.
She was born Oct. 14, 1884, in Augusta County, daughter of the late Joshua and Alice Elizabeth Forbus Brooks. She was a member of Rankin Methodist Chapel.
Mrs. Coffey was preceded in death by her husband, Eugene Bartley Coffey on Oct. 27, 1946. Survivors include three sons, Alfred, Elmer, and Phy all of Stuarts Draft; four daughters, Mrs. Lloyd Stinnett, Mrs. Guy England, Miss Minnie Coffey and Miss Hersey Ellen Coffey, all of Stuarts Draft; 11 grandchildren; two brothers, Sandy Brooks and Carl Brooks, both of Stuarts Draft; four sisters, Mrs. Nellie McCray of Waynesboro, Mrs. Otho Humphreys of Stuarts Draft, Mrs. Floyd Young of West Virginia and Mrs. Levi Fitzgerald of Crozet.
The body will remain at Etter Funeral Home and be placed in the Valley View Mennonite Church near Stuarts Draft, tomorrow at 1 p.m. Funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m. by the Rev. E. B. White, assisted by the Rev. Jason Weaver, with interment in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be William Tillman, Harry Hailey, Lyle Hailey, Lawrence Dameron, Ollie Fretwell and Walter Pannell.
This union produced at least seven children:  Willa Bell, Margaret R., Alfred Cyrus, Elmer Franklin, Minnie Lee, Fie Landon and Hurcy Ellen.

Willa Bell was born Jun. 30, 1908 at Stuarts Draft and died Feb. 5, 2001.  Her husband was Lloyd Lewis Stinnett, born Apr. 28, 1908, died Mar. 23, 1983.  Both are buried at the Mennonite Church Cemetery at Stuarts Draft.
Obituary, The Daily News Leader, Staunton, VA, Feb. 7, 2001
STUARTS DRAFT- Willa Bell Stinnett, 92, of 63 Vance Lane, died Monday (Feb. 5, 2001) at her residence.
She was born July 30, 1908, at Stuarts Draft, a daughter of Eugene Bartley and Hurcy Brooks Coffey.
She was a homemaker and a member of Stuarts Draft Mennonite Church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Lloyd Lewis Stinnett; and a son, Bobby Stinnett.
Survivors include two daughters, Eunice Rachel Stinnett and Martha Elizabeth Stinnett, both of Stuarts Draft; a son and daughter-in-law, Orvin K. and Dawn Stinnett of Stuarts Draft; a daughter-in-law, Audrey Stinnett of Stuarts Draft; seven grandchildren, Rodney Stinnett, Regina Ott, Beth Campbell, Jennifer Eavers, and Jonathan, Amanda and Darrick Stinnett; and three great-grandchildren, Josh and Lindsey Ott and Isaac Campbell.
A service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Thursday at Stuarts Draft Mennonite Church by the Revs. Terry Miller and Charles Ramsey. Burial will follow at the church cemetery.
Pallbearers will be John Ott, Tim Campbell, Dave Harris, Maynard Weaver, Jerrel Suter, Eddie Burkholder, Billy and Grover Coffey.
Honorary pallbearers will be Steve Wallace, Tommy Fretwell, Larry Hepler, Frankie Robertson and friends attending the service.
The family will receive friends from 7-9 tonight at Reynolds Funeral Service of Stuarts Draft.
Margaret R. was born Dec. 14, 1909 and died Jan. 15, 1994.  Her spouse wasa Guy P. England, born Nov. 11, 1910, died Sep. 19, 1985.  They too are buried at the Mennonite Cemetery in Stuarts Draft.

Alfred Cyrus, born May 17, 1913, died Sep. 28, 1979.  Alfred married Tressia M. Fretwell, a daughter of William & Myrtle Fretwell, born Jun. 2, 1919, died Dec. 11, 1985.  Both are buried at the Rankin United Methodist Church Cemetery in Sherando, Augusta Co., VA.  Their children were Julia Marie Coffey Losh (1937-2009); Emily Jane Coffey Hepler (1939-2009), Annia Belle (1941-2004); Scottie Ray (1946-2003), Joyce, Becky and Billy.  Annia Belle married a Mr. Latsko.  She died on Jul. 8, 2004 and was buried at Rankin.  Scottie Ray married Mary Sue Fitzgerald, daughter of William Homer and Ruby Lee Vance Fitzgerald.  She was born Mar. 23, 1949 in Waynesboro, VA and died Oct. 30, 2011.  Both are buried at Rankin.
Obituary, Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Home, Stuarts Draft, VA, Nov. 1, 2011
Mary Sue (Fitzgerald) Coffey, 62, of Augusta County, passed away early Sunday, October 30, 2011 at Augusta Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Born March 23, 1949 in Waynesboro, she was the daughter of the late William Homer and Ruby Lee (Vance) Fitzgerald.
Mrs. Coffey retired from Hollister in Stuarts Draft. She also worked for Augusta County as a special ed driver.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by husband, Scottie Ray Coffey; brother, John M. Fitzgerald; sister, Judith Quick.
Survivors include her children, Stacey Moreau and husband Andrew of Crofton, MD and Nick Coffey and wife Jennifer of Lyndhurst; grandchildren, Katie, Brodie, Josie and Emmie Moreau and Isaac, Asher and Noah Coffey; siblings, Betty Eckard and husband Richard, Henry Fitzgerald and wife Dottie and Patsy Lunsford and husband Byron.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 P.M. on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the Stuarts Draft Chapel of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes, 1870 Stuarts Draft Highway, with Pastor Matthew Coiner and Charles Ramsey officiating. Burial will follow at Rankin Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery.
Active pallbearers will be Nick Coffey, Andrew Moreau, Ricky Mutherspaw, Jerry Hite, Mike Elliott and Jim Addie.
Honorary pallbearers will be retired and current employees of Hollister and Augusta County.
There will be no formal viewing or visitation at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Stuarts Draft Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 260, Stuarts Draft, VA 24477.
Arrangements under the direction of Reynolds Hamrick Funeral Homes Stuarts Draft Chapel, Stuarts Draft, VA.



September 25, 2011

"Nute" Gragg

This genealogy may be way off base, but appears to be somewhat accurate.  Readers with better knowledge of "Nute" are invited to submit corrections.

Updated Oct. 20, 2011



Newton "Nute" Gragg, sometimes referred to as Isaac Newton Gragg, was born May. 13, 1879 in Caldwell Co., NC to William "Billie" and Phoebe Shell Gragg.  He died May 26, 1956 in Bob White, Boone Co., WV and was buried at White Cemetery in Julian, Boone Co., WV.*

It is believed that Newton married and fathered a child, perhaps two, with Ada Coffey, a daughter of Eldelano "Lano" and Mary E. Austin Coffey.  One child is thought to have been Lloyd Gragg, perhaps sometimes referred to as Lloyd Coffey.  He was born c1909 in Caldwell Co., and died there in 1979**. Ada's death certificate does give her name as Ada Gragg and the widow of the late Newton Gragg.

In 1930, Ada, age 44, was enumerated as a Coffey in the Walter Adams household in Catawba Co. Walter's wife was Sarah Jane Coffey, a daughter of Rabon Scott and Margaret E. Hollander Coffey and Ada's cousin. With "Ader" in this census were two Coffey men, Foy [sic] [Floyd], age 25 and Loyd [sic], age 23.  If Nute was the father of Lloyd then this entry may suggest that he fathered both boys.  Floyd was born Dec. 16, 1907 in Caldwell Co.**

Lloyd married Epsey or Epsie Magdelene Coffey on Aug. 16, 1936 in Wilson Creek Twp., Avery Co.***  Epsie was the daughter of Thomas Newton "Black Tom" and Ella Mae Loudermelt Coffey, born Jun. 21, 1916 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 25, 1989 in Lenoir and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Lloyd died in 1979 and was likely to have been laid to rest at White Springs as well.  Lloyd and Epsie were divorced in July, 1964 in Caldwell Co.¹

Update 10/20/2011:  Lloyd Coffey of Taylorsville, NC sent me a photo of Lloyd's grave marker.  He is buried in the Globe Community Cemetery at Globe Baptist Church, Caldwell Co.³

"Nute," as he seemed to be popularly known, appeared as a boarder in the Nannie Young boarding house, Wilsons Creek Twp., Avery Co. in 1910. He married Della V. Hall, a daughter of Franklin Ellis & Alia Louella Greer Hall on Oct. 12, 1915 in Mortimer, Wilson Creek Twp.² Della was born Jun. 10, 1890 in Granite Falls, Caldwell Co., and died Sep. 3, 1959 in Bim, Boone Co., WV. She is believed to have been buried at the White Cemetery as well. I am aware of one child, Bonnie, was born c1918.

In 1918, Nute was in Bryson City, Swain Co., NC where he was registered for the WW1 draft. His registration card describes him as short and stout with blue eyes and bald. In 1920 he and Della were in Forneys Creek, Swain Co. and in 1930 they were in Boone Co., WV.  Nute's death certificate reports cause of death as a "cerebral hemorrhage" and Della's as a "cerebro vascular accident."  I guess both are the same cause and more commonly known as strokes.





*"West Virginia Deaths, 1853-1970." Index, FamilySearch, 2009. Digital copies of originals housed in County Courthouses throughout West Virginia. www/familysearch.org. name: Nute Gragg death date: 26 May 1956 death place: Bob White, Boone, West Virginia gender: Male age: estimated birth year: 13 May 1879 birth place: Globe, N. C. marital status: spouse's name: father's name: Billy Gragg father's birthplace: mother's name: Phoebe Shell mother's birthplace: occupation: Logging street address: residence: cemetery: White Cemetery burial place: burial date: 28 May 1956 film number: 571246 digital folder number: 4228482 image number: 58 source: County Records reference number: v 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, Lloyd Coffey, Death Register, Book 66, Page 100, parents Ada Coffey Gragg and Newtin Gragg.  Floyd Phillip Gragg Date of Birth: 16 Dec 1907 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: Newton Gragg Parent2 Name: Adar Coffey Roll Number: B_C017_68001 Volume: 4 Page: 114


***North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979, digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).  Groom's Name: Lloyd Gragg  Groom's Birth Date: 1909  Groom's Birthplace:  Groom's Age: 27  Bride's Name: Epsey Coffey  Bride's Birth Date: 1916  Bride's Birthplace:  Bride's Age: 20  Marriage Date: 16 Aug 1936  Marriage Place: Wilson Creek Twp., Avery, North Carolina Groom's Father's Name:  Nute Gragg  Groom's Mother's Name:   Ader Gragg Bride's Father's Name: Tom Coffey Bride's Mother's Name: Eller Coffey Groom's Race: White Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: White Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M75218-2 System Origin: North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number: 1689135 Reference Number: No. 94


¹North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. North Carolina Divorce Index, 1958-2004. Raleigh, NC, USA: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, 2004.  Primary Name: Epsie Gragg Spouse's Name: Lloyd Gragg Divorce Date:13 Jul 1964 Divorce County:Caldwell


²North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).  groom's name: Newton Gragg groom's birth date: 1880 groom's birthplace: groom's age: 35 bride's name: Della Hall bride's birth date: 1895 bride's birthplace: bride's age: 20 marriage date: 12 Oct 1915 marriage place: Mortimer, Wilson Creek, Nc groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: Phoeba Gragg bride's father's name: Ellis Hall bride's mother's name: Hall groom's race: White groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: White bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number: M74476-1 system origin: North Carolina-EASy source film number: 590350 reference number: Cn 165


³"Lloyd Gragg's grave marker is located in the Globe Community Cemetery at Globe Baptist Church in Caldwell County, North Carolina. This information should help with your blog about 'Nute' Gragg. Lloyd caddied during the summer months at Blowing Rock Country Club in Watauga County, North Carolina during the middle 1960's. I also caddied there during those summers and spent many hours talking with and getting to know Lloyd on those occasions that we caddied together. At that time he used the name Lloyd Gragg. I was also aware at that time that Lloyd was married to my father's double first cousin Epsey Coffey Gragg." [Lloyd Coffey, Taylorsville, NC, 10/20/2011]

March 10, 2011

Wiley Franklin & Susan A. Banner Sherwood

Wiley Franklin Sherwood was a son of Rev. James Justice Lafayette and Sarah Ann Young Sherwood, born Oct. 3, 1870 in Grayson Co., VA, died Sep. 14, 1944 in Boone, Watauga Co., NC.  He is buried at Cove Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Sherwood, Watauga Co., NC.

Rev. Sherwood was born Nov. 7, 1843 in Smyth Co., VA and died Oct. 26, 1917 in Cove Creek Twp., Watauga Co., NC.  He married Sarah Ann Young, date unknown, but probably 1869-70 time frame.  Sarah was also born in VA, c1847 and died Oct. 10, 1917 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC.  Rev. Sherwood is buried at Adams Cemetery in Vilas, Watauga Co., and Sarah was removed for burial to Shouns, Johnson Co., TN.

Wiley married Susan A. Banner on Sep. 15, 1891 in Watauga Co.  She was the daughter of Newton and Sophronia Mast Banner, and was born Feb. 8, 1871 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 14, 1949 at Cove Creek and was also buried at Cove Creek Cemetery.

Sophronia Mast & Newton Banner¹
Newton Banner is alleged to have accompanied a brother to TN to enlist in the CSA but was refused enlistment because he was too small.  The Union Army accepted him after being challenged to fight his way in against a bigger man.  After the war, he met with his brother to begin the long walk back home.  Somewhere along the way the brother died, Newton took his boots and wore them while carrying his brother's body back to NC.²

Newton died Dec. 18, 1941 in Cove Creek and was buried at the Banner Elk Cemetery.  Sophronia was the daughter of Joseph H. and Clarissa P. Mast.  Her death date and burial site is not known to me.  I have not found a military record for Newton.

There were at least eight and probably 10 children born to Wiley and Susan, all apparently in Boone:

James Marshall, born Jul. 17, 1892, died Nov. 26, 1975 in Boone
Annie Virginia, born Jan. 7, 1895
Grace Bryan, born Jan 18, 1897
Sophronia Blanche, born Mar., 1899
John Banner, born Sep. 28, 1905, died Aug. 3, 1966 at Boone
Sue Irene, born Mar. 20, 1908, died Apr. 21, 1972 at Blowing Rock
Mattie Lane, born Dec. 25, 1912
Ruth Elizabeth, born Dec. 12, 1915.

There is an obvious gap of 4+ years between Sophronia and John.  Perhaps there were two additional children who did not live to be enumerated in the 1910 census.

Sue Irene is the Coffey interest.  She married Thomas Herndon Coffey, Jr. on Jun. 20, 1928 in Cove Creek.  Thomas was a son of Thomas, Sr. and his wife Annie Marilda Pendley.  Sue died Apr. 21, 1972 at Blowing Rock and was buried there at White Springs Cemetery.  I do not have a death date for Thomas, Jr.

Annie Marilda was the daughter of William Patterson and Lou Ellen Moore Pendley.  She was born May 17, 1873 in the Globe, Caldwell Co., and died at Blowing Rock on Jul. 24, 1959.  Thomas, Sr. was born Mar. 21, 1867 in Watauga Co. to Cornelius Jones and Martha Jane Gragg Coffey.  He died Mar. 16, 1946 in Boone.  They were married Nov. 19, 1900 in Watauga Co. Thomas, Sr. and Annie are buried at White Springs.





¹Photo from Boone NC Magazine.com
²Nannie Greene, Compiler, Community and Change in the North Carolina Mountains: Oral Histories and Profiles of People from Western Watauga County, Catherine Stokes Sheppard Sarah Jean Joslin, Compilers (Jefferson, NC: McFarland, 2006), Page 172.

February 22, 2011

Pittward "Pitt" & Flavonia Fletcher Coffey

I completed some additional work on Pittward this morning.  Readers are invited to click on the blog title to see the original blog about this family and, which contains a few of the updates that will be included here.




Pittward, or Pitt as he seems to have been called, was the eldest child and son of Charles Edward and Sarah Jane Ogden Coffey.  Charles Edward was a son of John Jack and Betsey Duff Coffey and, John Jack was the third son of Jordan and Betsey Rippetoe Coffey.  By now, descendants of Jordan should know that he was actually a Talliaferro (Toliver) and not a Coffey.  But, they are interesting folks and they do eventually get back together with the Coffeys through intermarriage.

Pitt was born in Virginia - and very likely Amherst Co. because his parents never left.  They lived there, raised their children there and are now buried there.  His first wife was Lucy Parks White, daughter of Henry A., and wife Elizabeth, born c1863.  She was the fourth of six children in the White household in the 1870 Peddlar Twp., Amherst Co. census.

Lucy apparently died in childbirth, c1882.  Her only child was Vernie Irvine, born Sep. 23, 1882, died Mar., 1970 in Buena Vista, VA.  Vernie married Robert L. Seay on Dec. 13, 1899.  He was also an Amherst Co. resident, having been born there on Oct. 25, 1875.  They had at least six children:  Evelyn, Vivia, John Robert, Henry Vaughn, Marion and William Lee.

Sometime between Vernie's birth and Sep., 1885, Pitt married Flavonia [sic] Fletcher, a daughter of Lucian and Maria Frances Crawford Fletcher.  Flavonia was born Apr. 8, 1869 in Amherst Co. and died on Jan. 4, 1955 at Fraziers Bottom in Putnam Co., WV.  Their first child was Jesse, born Sep., 1885, died unmarried on Feb. 12, 1918 at Charleston in Kanawha Co., WV.  He is buried at Spring Hill in Charleston, Kanawha Co.

The second child was Janet Aurelia, born Jul. 24, 1888 in Kanawha Co., died Mar. 27, 1945 at Huntington in Cabell Co., WV.  Janet died by suicide when she jumped off the 5th Ave. bridge spanning the Guyan River.  She was nearly 57 years old and was Mrs. Chester L. Martin.  Her first husband was T. Edward Berry to whom she was married on Nov. 19, 1908.  I have not found them in the 1910 census and do not know if any children resulted from that union.  Martin was her second husband, but I have not found a marriage date.  Chester died on Sep. 14, 1959 in Huntington.  His burial place is not known to me; Janet is buried at Spring Hill.

Third child was Alma Elizabeth, born at Jarretts Ford in Kanawha Co. on Mar. 1, 1890.  She was first married there to Thomas H. Young in 1911. They divorced sometime c1921 (it says so on the license for her second marriage) after giving birth to at least three children by Thomas:  Harless, c1913; Margaret, c1915; and Carroll Fletcher, c1918.  Alma married her second husband Frank C. Briscoe when she was 34 and he was a 51-year old widower.  They were married in West Virginia in 1924, and lived for awhile at 215 Hunt Ave. in Charleston where she gave birth to two of his children:  Mary, born c1925 and Joseph H., born c1927.  I haven't found a death record for James.  Alma died on Dec. 12, 1969 in Charleston but not before marrying again at age 73 to the 72-year old James Marshall Lawson on Apr. 25, 1963 in Kanawha Co.  Alma is buried at Spring Hill.  The buial places of her three spouses are unknown.

[Update] Child number four was Harry Clarkston, born Jun. 8, 1892 at Elkview in Kanawha Co., WV; died at Fraziers Bottom, Putnam Co., WV on Mar. 14, 1969.  His wife was Cecil Ann Fisher, born May, 1895 in Putnam Co. and died there in 1985.  She and Harry are buried at Saint Albans, Kanawha Co. WV at the Cunningham Memorial Park cemetery. I am still searching for a marriage date and place.

Number five was Fletcher Euick (?), born Jul. 5, 1895 in Charleston, died Nov., 1980 in Kanawha Co.  Also, no info on possible wife and children.

Six was Stoughton (I've seen it spelled Stephen, but it's Stoughton on his death certificate) Edward, born Feb. 27, 1897 in Kanawha Co., died of tuberculosis in Charleston on Apr. 17, 1918 at age 21,  He is also buried at Spring Hill.  He also was unmarried.

The last and seventh child that I have for Pitt and Flavonia was James Tinsley.  He was born Sep. 21, 1901 in WV and died from heart failure at age 330years Oct. 10, 1934 in Charleston.  He was also unmarried.

February 14, 2011

Garland Olando & Frances Elizabeth Coffey Green

Frances Coffey Green
Frances was the third child of John William and Frances Little Coffey. She was born Jul. 4, 1904 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC and died in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC on Sep. 19, 1979. Her husband was Garland Olando Green, Jr., a son of Garland, Sr. and his wife Nellie W. Bynum. He was born Apr. 21, 1901 in Stedman, Cumberland Co., NC and died on Dec. 6, 1963 in Raleigh. He and Frances were married on Nov. 5, 1927 in Raleigh.

I know of one child, Frances Nell Green, born May 18, 1933 in Raleigh, died Oct. 3, 2003 in Matthews, Mecklenburg Co. Frances married Herbert Basil Magill, born 1930 in Stanly Co., NC, on Aug. 21, 1957 in Raleigh. Frances is buried at Matthews in Mecklenburg Co.

Obituary, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), December 1963
Garland O. Green, 62, of 3127 Banbury Rd., died Friday at Rex Hospital. He recently had suffered a heart attack. Mr. Green was commercial sales representative for Carolina Power & Light Co. He was a member of the board of managers of the Illumination Engineering Society, a member of Edenton Street Methodist Church where he served several terms on the official board, and was also a 32nd degree Mason. Surviving are his wife, the former Frances Coffey; a daughter, Mrs. H.B. Magill of Charlotte; his mother, Mrs. Nellie B. Rives of Raleigh, and three grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. today at Edenton Street Methodist Church. The Rev. Marvin Vick and the Rev. Kimsey King will officiate and burial will be in Montlawn with Masonic rites.

Obituary, The News & Observer (Raleigh, NC), 21 September 1997
CHARLOTTE--Mrs. Frances Coffey Green, 93, of Charlotte, died Friday, September 19, 1997 at Sardis Nursing Home.  A graveside service will be held at Montlawn Cemetery in Raleigh, N.C. on Thursday, September 25, 1997, at 11 a.m.

The family will receive friends Wednesday evening from 7-8 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Home, Charlotte, N.C.

Mrs. Green, a native of Wake County, N.C., was a graduate of Raleigh High School and NCCW College, which is now UNCG.  As a member of Edenton Street United Methodist Church in Raleigh, Mrs. Green was active in United Methodist Women.

Survivors include her daughter, Mrs. Fran G. Magill of Charlotte; nephews, John N. Coffey Jr. of Raleigh, and Thomas G. Coffey of Naples, Fla.; a niece, Linda Young of Raleigh; two grandsons; four great-grandchildren; and several great nieces and nephews.  Mrs. Green was predeceased by her husband, Garland O. Green.

Memorials may be made to Edenton Street United Methodist Church, 228 W. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27603.

Arrangements are by Wilson Funeral Service.

Photo and obituaries courtesy John Coffey of Raleigh

John William & Frances Elizabeth Little Coffey

John Wm. Coffey
Fannie Little
John William was the second child and first son born to Elijah and Mary Ann Nelson Coffey.  He was born in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC on Jun. 18, 1869 and died June. 11, 1960 in Raleigh, Wake Co., NC.  He married on Dec. 14, 1898 in Raleigh Frances Elizabeth "Fannie" Little.  Fannie was born Mar. 7, 1878 in Concord, Cabarrus Co., NC and died in Raleigh on Nov. 30, 1967.  They lived out their lives in Wake Co., and are buried at Montlawn Memorial Park in Raleigh.


John and Fannie were the parents of three girls and one boy.  Natalie Little Coffey was their first born, Sep. 25, 1899, died Sep. 22, 1996.

Obituary, The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC, 24 September 1996

Natalie Little Coffey
RALEIGH--Natalie Little Coffey, died Sunday at age 96 at Mayview Convalescent Center.  She was born in Raleigh on September 25, 1899, the eldest child of John William Coffey and Frances Elizabeth Little. She attended public schools in this city, graduating from Raleigh High School in 1916.  She afterwards attended the North Carolina College for Women at Greensboro, graduating with an A.B. degree in 1920, and a M.A. in 1929.  Her affection for her alma mater was constant throughout her life, and for many years, she served as president of her class.

Education was her calling.  Miss Coffey was one of Raleigh's legendary teachers, honored and beloved by generations of students who cherished her as a counselor and friend.  She began her career in Rocky Mount where she taught for two years.  Returning to Raleigh, she served as an instructor in English and Spanish at Raleigh High School for two years, Hugh Morson High School for 30 years, and Broughton High School for 10 years.  She retired in 1965 after 44 years of service.  Her love and concern for her students extended far beyond the classroom.  Driving a little blue-and-black coupe, affectionately nicknamed the "Coffey Can," she would cheerfully ferry as many as seventeen kids to football games, plays, and concerts.  During the World War II she even coached the Hugh Morson golf team to a state championship.

For much of her life she lived in Boylan Heights with her parents.  In retirement she devoted herself to her family, especially to the children for whom she was their adored "Nannie."  She was a lifelong and devoted member of Edenton Street Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, John N. Coffey, and her sister, Mary Lou C. Miller.

She is survived by a sister, Frances C. Green of Charlotte; two nephews, John N. Coffey Jr. of Raleigh, and Thomas G. Coffey of Naples, Florida; two nieces, Mrs. Herbert B. Magill of Charlotte, and Linda M. Young of Cary; and 11 grandnieces and grandnephews.

A graveside service will be held 11 a.m. Wednesday, September 25, in Montlawn Memorial Park.
 Other children to follow.



Photos and obituary courtesy of John Coffey of Raleigh

November 26, 2010

Joseph Elzie and Mary Ann Coffey Hays

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The following are some random notes that I have and which I believe pertain to Joel who married Martha Stepp/Stapp:
Joel, born 1780, m Martha "Patsy"?.  They had 6 children: Nathaniel, m1 Louisa Durham, m2 Nancy Clark; Alvina (Elvira), b 1811, m Martin Wright, Mar 27, 1828.  She died Sep 7, 1869; Caroline, m Unk Summers; Martha L., m Perry M. Stacy; Francis m Jackson Jones; Henry B., m Sara Ann Isbele. Source:  Lee Robert, Nov., 1998.

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

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

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

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

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

Joseph is not listed in Joel's 1789 will (Wilkes Co., NC Will Book I, p260) but does appear in other researcher's works.  He could have been born to Joel's first wife and died before the will was made.  Joseph has also been reported to have gone to Kentucky quite early, and already otherwise provided for by his father thereby not making the will.  And, even if Joel had only one wife, Joseph could still have died quite young.  Marvin noted that there was a Joseph Coffey on early tax records of Adair Co., KY.
The bio paragraph cited above says that Joel (Martha Stepp) Coffey was the son of a Joel of English parents.  To me, this says the belief (among some Coffey researchers) that Joel was a son of the elusive - almost mythical - Chesley Coffey, may not be accurate. I am told that the DNA test results of some researchers who trace their lineage to this Joel are descendants of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.

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

Continuing with Joseph...

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

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

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

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



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

November 1, 2010

Sheridan L. "Sherd" Dobbs & Sarah "Sally" Coffey

Sherd Dobbs
Sarah Coffey Dobbs
Sherd Dobbs was born Sep. 4, 1844 in Wayne Co., KY and died in McCreary Co. on Dec. 17, 1941.  He and Sarah Coffey were married and were parents of at least four children.  Sarah was the daughter of Nelson N. and Keziah "Kizzie" Watters.  She was born c1846 in Wayne Co., and died Jan. 23, 1910 in McCreary Co.

Their children were:

Benjamin Franklin, born about Feb., 1870, married Luraney Coffey, born c1878 to Henry Baker and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs Coffey.  Sarah Elizabeth was sister to Sherd and therefore, an aunt to Benjamin and, Benjamin a double first cousin to Luraney.

Ben and Luraney's children were:
Alice, born c1898; Katie (or Roxie?), born c1901; Florida, born Aug. 19, 1903 in Wayne Co., died Apr. 5, 1963 in Fayette Co., KY.  Florida kept it in the family and married Edgar Dobbs, Benjamin's triple first cousin, once removed and double sixth cousin, once removed.  Edgar's parents were Joseph Dobbs and Polly Ann Coffey, a daughter of Joseph and Louisa J. Jones Coffey.  I know of one child born to Edgar and Florida, a son Howard, born 1927, died Dec. 21, 1984 in Pulaski Co.  The last Ben-Luraney child that I am aware of was Ester Loraine, born Feb. 14, 1910, died Oct. 7, 1911.
Eli Dobbs
Eli, born c1872, married c1912 to Lettie (LNU), born c1894. Their children were Willer, born c1913; Austin, born c1918; Arthur, born c1920; Myrtle, born c1925 and Clifford, born c1929. Myrtle and Clifford may have been born in Florida.

Angelina, born Nov. 7, 1876 in Wayne Co., died Jan. 28, 1958 in McCreary Co. She married on Dec. 20, 1900 James C. "Jim" Coffey, born Jun. 6, 1879 in Wayne Co. Jim was the son of Richard Henderson and Catherine C. Jones Coffey. Jim and Angelina were first cousins; his father was her uncle.






Angelina and Jim were parents to at least eight children:

James Beecher Coffey
Ollie, born Oct. 16, 1901, Wayne Co., died Jan. 4, 1988 in McCreary Co.; India, born Dec. 7, 1902 in Wayne Co., died Jan. 1, 1987 in Kentucky; Saphronia Katherine "Frona" born Apr. 7, 1906 in Wayne Co., died Oct. 6, 1978 in McCreary Co.  She married George Washington Worley, born Mar. 11, 1901 in Wayne Co., died Jul. 24, 1974 in Scott Co., TN.  Their children known to me were Lona, Carrie and Lonzo.  Following Saphronia was Marie, born Aug. 31, 1910, died Apr. 11, 1976; James Beecher, born Mar. 8, 1911 in Wayne Co., died Aug. 6, 1971 in Kentucky.  He married Anna Young on Dec. 23, 1940 in McCreary Co.  Roberta, born May 7, 1913, died Mar. 22, 1914, McCreary Co.; Raymond R., born Jan. 29, 1915 in McCreary Co., died Oct. 15, 1937 in Danville, Boyle Co.; and finally, Lillie, born c1918 in Kentucky.

Thomas was the last child that I am aware of that was born to Sherd and Sally.  He was born Dec. 14, 1877 in TN and died Sep. 6, 1950 in Cooperative, McCreary Co., KY.  He married Julia Jones, a daughter of Charlie and Lizzie Jones, on Jan. 28, 1900.  Julia was born Feb. 19, 1879 in Slavans, McCreary Co., and died Feb. 21, 1940 in Cooperative.

Their children were:
Lillie, born Nov. 20, 1910 in Whitley Co., died Sep. 19, 2000 in Stearns, McCreary Co.  Lillie married  John Herbert Coffey, a son of Reuben and Mary Alice Vaughn Coffey on Nov. 23, 1933 in McCreary Co.  Lillie and Reuben were first cousins, once removed and second cousin to here husband, John Herbert.  I know of one child for Lillie, a son Dallas, born Nov. 1, 1944, died Oct. 4, 1947.
Following Lillie was Parker, born Jul. 10, 1913 in McCreary Co.  No further info.
Ester was next.  She was born Sep. 4, 1918 in McCreary Co., died Nov. 24, 2003 in KY.  She continued the family tradition by marrying Sterling E. Coffey, another son of Reuben and Mary Alive Vaughn Coffey.
The fourth child of Thomas and Julia was another daughter whose name I believe to also be Ester, or Dora Ester and have possibly confused the same child as two different people.  Whether or not they are the same, Dora Ester married Clyde Estill Coffey, still another son of Reuben and Mary Alice Vaughn Coffey.  Clyde was born Dec. 26, 1918 and died Dec. 22, 1968 in McCreary Co.  He and Dora were married on Jun. 11, 1941 in Stearns.
I plan to further check the "case of the two Esters."



Unless otherwise indicated, photos are courtesy of Theresa/Thunderbird584

September 21, 2010

Noah Monroe Coffey

Coffey-Good Marriage License
Noah was a son of Perry L. and Sarah "Sally" Sanders Coffey.  He was born on Mar. 31, 1883 in Ozark Co., AR and died in Baxter Co., AR on Feb. 4, 1919.  He was buried there at the Conley Cemetery in Mountain Home.

His wife was Celia Veronica Gooden to whom he was married Mar. 28, 1909 in Baxter Co., AR.  Celia was born in Arkansas on Feb. 14, 1883 and died as Celia V. Boyd on Oct. 26, 1955 in San Mateo Co., CA.  Her second husband has not yet been discovered.


Noah and Celia had four children:





Olive Irene, born c1910 in MO.  She married Talmadge Young.








Eugene Frank "Bud", born Feb. 5, 1912 in Washington state, died Sep. 15, 1969 in Sutter Co., CA.  He married Elizabeth Pool, born c1922 in MO, died Jan. 13, 1974 in Sacramento Co., CA.








Edith Mildred, born c1916 in Arkansas.









Helen Juanita, born c1918 in Wyoming.  She married a Mr. Taylor.






I continue to search for more information about this family and will update when more information becomes available.

All people photos are courtesy of and remain the property of Juanita Coffey Daniel.

August 9, 2009

Children of William Brownloe and Mary Young Coffey

A couple of days ago I wrote about this family. William was a son of John C. & Martha White Coffey of which I wrote about earlier today. Mary "Mollie" was the daughter of George and Sarah "Sallie" Lee Young.

Today I decided to add a little more info about the children:

Walter Chandler, born c1920 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., died Aug., 28, 2001 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN.

His obituary:

Chandler Coffey, 82, 700 Milligan Highway, Johnson City, died unexpectedly Tuesday, August 28, 2001, at Johnson City Medical Center.

Mr. Coffey was a native of Grainger County, Tenn. He was of the Protestant faith and was a retired worker from the Dawn of Hope Workshop.

Survivors include a sister, Bonnie Coffey, Greeneville, and a niece, Vickie Smith, Greeneville.

Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, (423) 543-4917, is in charge of arrangements. Visit our Web site at www.Funeral-Plans.com/Tetrick

COFFEY -- Graveside services for Chandler Coffey, 82, 700 Milligan Highway, Johnson City, who died Tuesday, August 28, 2001, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, August 31, at Coffey Ridge Cemetery, Unicoi, with the Rev. Ross Lindley officiating. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Correll and David Morrison. Everyone will meet at the cemetery at 10:55 a.m. Friday for the graveside service. Friends may call from noon until 8 p.m. Thursday, August 30, at Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to ARC of Washington County, 2700 S. Roan Street, Suite 300 B, Johnson City, Tenn. 37601, Attn: Lorie Copas. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is in charge of arrangements.

Cecil G., born c1922, died young.  No other information.

John Henry, born c1924 in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN, died Mar.  1, 2008 in Grainger Co.

His obituary:

John H. Coffey, age 84, of Bean Station,Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 1, 2008. He was a member of Yellow Springs Baptist Church. He was a good husband and father and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mollie Coffey; brothers, Kyle and Chandler; and sisters, Viola (Rick) (Ralph) Hatfield and Martha Sloan.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susie Howerton Coffey; sons, Danny Coffey and Earl (Charlotte) Coffey; brother, Rhisteen of Morristown; sisters, Vioma McKinney of Indiana, and Fern Manning of Ohio; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at Westside Chapel Funeral Home, Morristown,Tennessee with the Rev. Vance Dennis Johnson, the Rev. Bill Johnson, and the Rev. Ray Seal officiating. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at First Independent Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the services at the funeral home. Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown, Tennessee.

Addie Viola "Rick" Coffey Hatfield, born Mar 25, 1925, died Jun. 2, 1989.

Her obituary:

Addie Viola (Coffey) Hatfield, 64 of 7923 Shartz Road, Franklin, died June 2 at her home. She was a native of Thornhill, Tennessee. Born in 1925 to William and Molly (Young) Coffey. Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Hatfield, Springboro, and Sharon Seabald, Dayton; two brothers, Chandler, Knoxville, TN; John, Bean Station, TN; three sisters: Cecil, Knoxville, TN; Vioma (Oma) (Floyd) Mckinney, Marion,Indiana and Martha Sloan, Bellefontaine, Ohio; one half-sister, Fern McQueary, Franklin; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son Dale Hatfield in 1970 and her husband, Ralph in April 1988.

Services were June 5 at the Eaton-Anderson Funeral Home, Franklin with the Rev. Delbert Dawes officiating. Burial was in Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, Warren County, Ohio.
 Martha Vioma "Oma" Coffey, born c1927.  No other info.

Martha Jean "Marty" Coffey Sloan, Jul. 27, 1929, Harlan Co., KY, died Dec. 5, 1989 in Bellfonatine, Logan Co., OH.

Her obituary:

Martha J. Sloan,1177 Erie St.was born on July 27th,1929 to Bill Coffey and Mollie Young Coffey in Harlan County, Kentucky.

Mrs.Sloan died Tuesday, Dec. 5th,1989 in Bellefontaine,Ohio,at age 60.

She married John M. "Hank" Sloan on June 11, 1966 in Bellefontaine,Ohio.

Funeral services will be conducted at Eichholtz Funeral Home Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Keith McNeill will officiate and burial will be at the Rushsylvania Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Mrs. Sloan was a former employee of Westinghouse Corporation in Bellefontaine. She was a member of the BPOElks 132 and the auxiliaries of F.O.E. 2166 and Frank Castle Post 1066, VFW.

She was the sister of Walter Chandler Coffey, Cecil G.Coffey, John Henry (Susie) Coffey, Viola (Rick) (Ralph) Hatfield ,Vioma (Oma) Coffey (Floyd) McKinney, Fern Young (Bill) McCeary (George) Manning, Mary Francis Young (Ben) Scearce, Paul Bunch and Ruth Bunch.

Survivors include two sons, Richard Dearwester of DeGraff and Craig Dearwester of Bellefontaine; two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Connie) Cardwell of Marysville and Mrs. Joseph (Valerie) Wise of Bellefontaine; and eight grandchildren.

Thanks to Barbara Rushing of Bradenton, FL for permission to use these.

August 7, 2009

William Brownloe Coffey

The following family information and photographs are courtesy of Barbara Hutchinson, Bradenton, FL

William Brownloe Coffey was a son of John C. & Martha Wyatt Coffey.  John was a son of Richardson, and he a son of Benjamin and Nancy Hayes Coffey.  William was born on March 7, 1900 at Bean Station in Grainger Co., TN and died in Mooresburg, Hawkins Co., TN on Mar. 31, 1977.  He is buried at Meadow Branch Cemetery in Bean Station.

His wife, Mary "Mollie" Young, a daughter of George and Sarah "Sallie" Lee Young, was born March 14, 1905 in Tazewell, Claiborne Co., TN and died in Middletown, Butler Co., OH on Feb. 19, 1944.  She is buried at Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin, Warren Co., OH.

I do not have a marriage date for William and Mollie, but probably around 1918 to 1919.

Together they had six children:

Walter Chandler, born 1920 in Thorn Hill, died Sep. 28, 2001 at Johnson City in Washington Co., TN.  He is buried at Coffey Ridge Cemetery in Unicoi, Unicoi Co., TN.

Cecil G. - no information

John Henry, born 1924 in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN, died Mar. 1, 2008 in Grainger Co.  He is buried at the First Independent Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Bean Station.  His wife was Susie Howerton.

Martha Vioma "Oma" - no information.

Addie Viola "Rick", born May 25, 1925 in Thorn Hill, died Jun. 2, 1989 in Franklin, Warren Co., OH.  She married Ralph Hatfield and had two children, Paul and Ruth.  "Rick" is buried at Franklin, Warren Co., OH in the Woodhill Cemetery.

Martha Jean "Marty", born Jul. 27, 1929 in Harlan Co., KY, died Dec. 5, 1989 at Bellefontaine, Logan Co., OH.  She is buried in the Rushsylvania cemetery in Logan Co.  "Marty" married John M. "Hank" Sloan.


More on this family in a later blog.

March 15, 2007

Jesse and Elizabeth Riffe Coffey

Jesse Coffey, born May 26, 1784 to Osborn and Mary (Polly) Nightingale Coffey, married Elizabeth Riffe Feb. 16, 1805 in Pulaski Co., KY. He died Jul., 1850 in Casey Co., KY. Elizabeth, who some researchers have named Tabitha, was born Jul. 3, 1758 in Lincoln Co., KY, and died Sep. 29, 1842 in Casey Co.

Jesse is also said to have fathered a daughter named Sally, and two sons, C.R., and Jesse, Jr. Their mother is unknown to me.

Jesse was a Colonel in the War of 1812, a state senator in 1834, and a member of the delegation that wrote the Kentucky state constitution in June 1850, a month before he died .

"Probably the most prominent of the early settlers was Colonel Jesse Coffey, a soldier of the War of 1812, who fought in the Battle of Thames in Canada, in which the famous Indian chieftain, Tecumseh, was slain, as was also the noted pioneer Kentuckian, Colonel William Whitley, who founded Whitley's Station near Crab Orchard."

"Colonel Coffey owned a large boundary of good land in and around Middleburg and it was he who built the old watermill, so long a landmark in the little town, on the site occupied by the modern water-power mill now owned and operated by Mr. L. F. Young. Colonel Coffey's mansion, built at about the same time as the old water-mill, stood on the hill just behind the home now owned by Mr. J. W. Short, and was the scene of the famous wedding of Polly Coffey as related in Peter B. Riffe's History of Casey County."

Jesse and Elizabeth's first child was Osborn N. Coffey, born Feb. 4, 1807 in Casey Co. He married Jane L. Bell on Sep. 4, 1829 in Lincoln Co. They were parents of at least seven children:

William, born KY c1832
Grizzell (Grace?), born KY c1834, married John F.
Gillum
Jane, born MO c1837
Jesse, born MO, c1839
Bettie Lee, born
MO, Apr. 30, 1841, died MO Aug. 15, 1911
Ann Robb, born MO, c1846
Finley
L., born MO, c1849

One source had this information about Osborn:

Osborn N. COFFEY, an old and respected citizen and an early settler of Lincoln County, Mo., was born in Casey County, Ky., February 4, 1807, and is the son of Jessee and Elizabeth (RIFFLE) [sic] COFFEY, both of whom were natives of Kentucky. Their ancestors were from Virginia and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father was an extensive dealer in hogs, which he used to drive to Richmond, Va., a distance of about five hundred miles. He was a colonel in the War of 1812, was for two terms a member in the State Legislature, and a member of the Constitutional Convention of Kentucky. Both were members of the Missionary Baptist Church, and lived to a good old age. They reared a large family of children, of whom Osborn N., is the second. While growing up, he had very poor opportunities for schooling, though he aided himself very much in that direction after attaining his growth. At the age of eighteen he began for himself, and soon after engaged as clerk in a store, where he remained two years. In 1829 he married Miss Jane L. BELL, a native of Lincoln County, Ky., and in their family were seven children who lived to be grown. One of the sons served in the Confederate Army and was twice severely wounded. In 1831 Mr. COFFEY moved to Missouri, and three years later to Lincoln County, where he opened a store in Louisville. At the same time he dealt in hogs and tobacco, but failing in this he purchased the place where he now lives, which consists of 363 acres of land. Both he and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church, and for many years he was a magistrate. He has done quite well, financially, though he has had many reverses and losses.




Sources:

W. M. Watkins, editor, The Men, Women, Events, Institutions & Lore of Casey County, Kentucky (Louisville, KY : 236 pgs: Standard Print Co., 1939)

History of Lincoln County, Missouri (Chicago: Goodspeed Publishing Co., 1888)

March 13, 2007

Nancy Ann Coffey Young

Nancy Ann Coffey and Children
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