Nathan Coffey and Mary Saunders

Lately I have been working on the Nathan and Mary Saunders Coffey family.

Nathan is said to be a son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey, born 1760 in Rowan Co., North Carolina and died 1823 in Jackson Co., Alabama. He is said to have been married in 1785 to Mary Saunders, probably in Wilkes Co., North Carolina. See the Dec. 1989 and Jan. 1991 issues of Coffey Cousins' newsletter. Additional information can be found in Vol. II of North Carolina Soldiers, Sailors, Patriots.

The children of Nathan and Mary are said to be:

Mary (Polly), born Dec. 7, 1782, married Eli Coffey, son of Salathiel Coffey

Rutherford, born 1786, married Elizabeth Coffey, sister of Eli

Absalom/n, born 1788, married 1)Mary Lusk, 2)Mary Beard (Baird?), 3)Nancy Ann Chadwick

Joel, born Aug. 3, 1790, married Mary (Polly)Knox

Elizabeth (Betsy), born c1791, married James Coffey, son of Joel and Martha Step/Stapp Coffey

Grace, born 1793, said to have married a Mr. Marlow. Marlow may be given name rather than surname

William Saunders, born 1795, married Elizabeth Schuyler

Nancy, born 1797, married Richard Lockett

Catherine, born 1799, married John Baxter

The child that I am having the most difficulty with is that of Absalom. Researchers have found records of this family in Jackson Co., Alabama that show he died there intestate in 1869. The petitioner was Absalom/n, Jr. who represented the heirs of Absalom, Sr.

Names mentioned first in the petition are: (paraphrased) Breny, Rithy, Thomas J. all of full age residing in Titus Co., TX, and Absalom/n and Narcisa Coffey who reside in Jackson Co., AL, and of full age. Also George Coffey, a minor under the age of 21 and resides in Jackson Co., AL. Also the heirs of Hugh Coffey, deceased, who reside at Daingerefield, TX, and of Lankston Coffey, deceased, who reside near Daingerfield, TX, their names being unknown to petitioner.

I take it from this that that Absalom/n, Sr. had eight children with Mary Lush. Other researchers also name Leander, Polly Ann, and Melvina as his children. Melvina is thought to have married Langston Coffey, son of James and Elizabeth (Betsy) Coffey Coffey. Betsy is said to be the daughter of Nathan and Mary Saunders Coffey.

The problem that I am facing now is how to separate the Langstons!? Langston, son of James and Elizabeth (Betsy) Coffey, was born August 11, 1807. Langston, son of Absolom/n, Sr. was also born c1807. I am wondering if these are the same persons, and the son of Absolom.

Please write to me if anyone can help sort out this ball of string!