New Headstone for Annie Lewis (Alexander) Coffey

The following was submitted by Kevin D. West [kdwest@sandspringsok.org]. Annie was his GG-grandmother:

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Annie Lewis Alexander was born on 24 Jan 1863 in Parker Co., Texas.  She was the daughter of Lewis and Sarah E. (Culwell) Alexander.  Around 1878, while still residing in Parker Co., Annie married Frank Hudson Coffey.  Frank was born 10 Jan 1861 in Texas, the son of Elijah D. Coffee and Margaret “Peggy” Armstrong.  Frank and Annie Coffey later moved to the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) in late 1889 or early 1890.  They were still residing there when the 1900 Census was taken.  A decade later they were living in Oldham and Carson Cos., in the Texas panhandle, where Frank worked for the railroad.  But, by 1920 Frank and Annie had moved back to Oklahoma, settling in Tulsa, where they remained into the 1930s. 

Photo by Kevin D. West

Annie Lewis (Alexander) Coffey passed away sometime in early January of 1936.  Regrettably, no death certificate is on file for her at the State Health Dept.  I have attempted to determine her exact date of death, having searched in newspapers, funeral home and other records, as well as by submitting queries both printed and online, all without success.  Fortunately, Tulsa’s Memorial Park Cemetery, where Annie Coffey is buried, does have a record of her date of internment, that being 7 Jan 1936.  For nearly eighty years, my great, great-grandmother’s grave has remained unmarked, but no longer.  Her specific date of birth and date of burial are inscribed on the headstone. 

After his wife’s death, Frank Coffey moved to Bristow, Creek Co., Oklahoma where he later passed away on 13 Jun 1940.  According to his death certificate, he is buried in the Bristow City Cemetery.  Unlike his wife Annie, Frank’s grave is still unmarked.  And, unfortunately, the City has no record of where in the cemetery he is buried.  My paternal grandmother, Annie Jewel (Smith) West, daughter of Arizona Pearl (Coffey) Smith, often said of her maternal grandparents, Frank and Annie Coffey, that they were “good, Christian people.”  What better epitaph could anyone wish?  

Chisolm R. Coffey (1885-1935)

Chisholm R. Coffey was a son of William Edmondson and Nancy Louisa Daniel, who descended from Edward through his son John, his son Rev. James, his son Rice, his son Henry Bradford and finally, his son William Edmondson.

The Gadsden Times, Jan. 14, 1935

CHEROKEE MAN KILLS ANOTHER IN SUNDAY ROW

Chisholm Coffey Shot to Death by Will Ashley

Chisholm R. Coffey, 48, successful Cherokee County farmer, and one of the best known men of county, was shot and killed by Will Ashley, 47, at Blue Pond Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock. The shooting is said to have been witnessed by six people, present at the Blue Pond depot on the T. A. G. Railway where the difficulty took place.

Ashley remained at the place of the shooting and sent for the sheriff, according the report, and gave himself up to the authorities. He was lodged in the Cherokee County Jail at Centre.

According to a statement issued by Ashley to investigating officers, the shooting took place after the men had been engaged in a scuffle. Ashley told the sheriff that Coffey "abused and threatened" him and also that Coffey choked him or was attempting to choke him. He did not make a further statement. A pistol was the weapon used in the slaying and it was reported that four or five shots were fired.

Coffey was a member of one of the most prominent families of North Alabama. His mother, before her marriage was Miss Louise Daniel and her family was one of the big landholders of that part of the state. Coffey also owned large farming interests in the county, his place being situated in the valley about five miles above Blue Pond.

Funeral services for Mr. Coffey will be conducted at 2 o'clock Tuesday afternoon at the home and burial will follow at the Daniel cemetery with Brown-Service directing. The Rev. J. M. McHugh will have charge of the services.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by five daughters, Mrs. Evan Owen, of Gadsden; Miss Lillian Coffey, of Round Mountain; Miss Sara Lou Coffey, of Gadsden; and Miss Frances and Miss Mary Coffey of Round Mountain; two sons, William and Tom Coffey of Round Mountain; three sisters, Mrs. Janie Phillips and Mrs. Mattie Elliott, of Gadsden, and Mrs. Carrie Bostic, of West Virginia.

Chisholm and his wife, Frances Eula Wheeler, a daughter of Drew and Alice Alexander Wheeler, were the parents of at least 9 children, the youngest of which was about six years old at the time of his father's death; the eldest about 23.

Children:  Infant male, born Dec. 13, 1909, died Dec. 20, 1909; Alice, born c1912; Lillian Nell, born c1915; Frances, born c1917; Mary, born c1919, married a Mr. Wood and died Jan 31, 2012 at Cedar Bluff in Cherokee Co.; William, born c1922; Thomas, born c1924; Sarah Lou, born c1928 and Alice, born c1929.

John Marshal “Marsh” Coffey

John Marshall, or Marsh as some called him, was born in Wayne Co., KY on Jan. 2, 1850 and died in Boyle Co., KY on May 17, 1908.  He was a son of Thomas Coleman and Patience Jane Miller Coffey.  Upon his death, he was laid to rest at Stanford in Lincoln Co. in the Buffalo Springs Cemetery.

He was married, date unknown, to Mary Elizabeth “Lizzie” Jones, a daughter of Absolom S. “Albin” and Telitha Coffey Jones.  Marsh and Telitha were first cousins whose common ancestors were Lewis Russell and Bidant “Biddy” Moore Coffey.  Lizzie was born Dec. 5, 1857 in KY and died in Boyle Co. on Apr. 23, 1930.  She is also buried at Buffalo Springs.

Their children numbered at least four, three of which married and had children:

Alvin Jones, born Nov. 14, 1882, died Sep. 20, 1947 in Lincoln Co., married Elizabeth “Bettie” Hayden, a daughter of Andrew Jackson and Nancy Alexander “Nannie” Coffey Hayden.  Nancy was a daughter of Henderson and Minerva Alexander Coffey, born Dec. 12, 1839 in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY, died Jan. 4, 1930 in Danville, Boyle Co.  Andrew was born in TN in 1840 and died in Danville on Aug. 8, 1912.  He and Nannie are buried at Buffalo Springs.  Alvin died on Sep. 20, 1947 in Lincoln Co.; Elizabeth died Aug. 24, 1950 in Danville.  They too are buried at Buffalo Springs.  I have no children for them.

Joseph & Shelly's Marriage Announcement

Shelly H., born Mar. 16, 1885, died Aug. 22, 1961, married Joseph Henry Newland in late July or early August, 1907¹ at Stanford.  Joseph was born Aug. 2, 1884 in KY and died May,  22, 1961.  Both he and Shelly are buried at Buffalo Springs.  Their children were Mary Elizabeth, born c1908 and, Jenny Roe, born c1918, both in Lincoln Co.

Ebbie B., born Mar. 7, 1896, died Jun. 23, 1930 in Washington, D.C.  Ebbie married Robert J. Warren c1922.  He was born in KY about 1893.  Their children were Robert A., born c1924 in TN; John M., born c1926 in KY and Irene E., born c1927 in OH.  In the 1930 census, Robert was employed as a “marble mason.”  Ebbie died within a couple of months after the 1930 census found them in Washington, D.C., and was returned to KY for burial at Buffalo Springs.  In the 1940 census Robert was found in Gary, Lake Co., IN with new wife, Christine E.  With them was Ebbie’s children, John M., and Irene E.

The fourth child of Marsh and Lizzie was Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 11, 1900 in KY, died in Lincoln Co. on Jun. 30, 1914.  She too is buried at Buffalo Springs.

  Jack

¹The Interior Journal, Stanford, KY, Aug. 2, 1907, Page 3, Col. 4 (http://tinyurl.com/la5hx52)

Update Apr 9, 2014:  

John and Lizzie had at least seven children.  In addition to the above four, there was Jennie, born Apr. 9, 1887 in Boyle Co., KY, died Jan. 23, 1962 in Hamilton Co., OH.  She was buried at Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnatti; John Coleman, born Sep. 1, 1889 in Stanford, KY, died on Sep. 15, 1961 and was buried at Raton, Colfax Co., NM; Margaret, born Sep. 23, 1891 in KY, died Oct. 5 1919 in Danville, Boyle Co., KY and buried at Bellevue Cemetery in Danville

John Marshall's Find-A-Grave memorial no. is 96322267.  His children can be followed on FAG from that site.

William Larkin & Nancy A. Drayman Coffey

William Larkin Coffey
Photo via Benna J.[1]

William Larkin was a son of Lewis Elbert and Hester Gravitt Coffey and, Nancy, a daughter of Leonard and Nancy Alexander Draymon.  William was second oldest of at least ten children, born Mar. 23, 1853 in Gilmer Co., GA.  Nancy was born on Feb. 23, 1854 in Pickens Co., SC.

She and Larkin were married on Aug., 6, 1875 in Pickens Co.  He died Nov. 18, 1905 in Morgan Co., TN and she, also in Morgan Co., on Apr. 3, 1945.  Nancy and Larkin ae buried at Crab Orchard cemetery in Oakdale, Morgan Co.

There were at least nine children born to Nancy and Larkin between 1876 and 1897.  The first five were born in GA while the last four were born in TN.

First born was Leonard Edward "Eddie", born Apr., 1876 and died in Hamilton Co., OH in Nov., 1964.  His wife was Eva Jane Gamble, born in 1882 AR, died in OH in 1956.  They were married in Roane Co., TN in 1899.  Their children numbered at least four:  Ella Mae, James, Josie and Bessie Annie.  All were born between 1902 and 1916 in TN except James who was born in KY.

Second born was James Harrison in 1878, Pickens Co., GA.  His spouse was Anna Laymance, married 1897 in Roane Co.  She died in that county in 1962 and James followed in 1966.  Both are buried at Riggs Chapel Cemetery in Harriman, Roane Co.  Their children were Lee, Maud and Robbie.  There are likely more but I have not yet dug any deeper.

Josie was the first daughter born to James and Nancy.  She was born in 1880 and died in 1881.

Rosa Lee was born in 1882, Murray Co., GA, died 1960 in Morgan Co., TN.  Her spouse was Arthur Samuel Shepherd, 1882 VA - 1959 TN.  Both are buried at Rankin Chapel in Oakdale, Morgan Co., TN.

William, born 1885 in Monroe Co., married Lucy Robbins in 1910, Roane Co., TN.  Lucy was the daughter of Zacharia and Mary Hurst Robbins and was born in Bell Co., KY in 1890.  She died in Morgan Co., TN in 1917 nd buried at Crab Orchard Cemetery in Oakdale.  William "Bill" married second to Donnie Robbins c1910 and they were the parents of at least two sons, John and Richard.  Bill is also married at Crab Orchard but a grave site for Donnie has not been found.

Walter F. was born in 1889 and died in Roane Co. in 1970.  He married Nora E. Adkisson in Roane Co. in 1919.  She was born in 1897 and died in Roane Co. in 1982 and, both are buried at Crab Orchard.  Children were Jesse; Clare; Clarennce; and Laura Mae.

Lawrence W. was born in McMinn Co., TN in 1892 and died in Morgan Co., TN in 1971.  He married Essie Edwards in Roane Co. in 1919.  She was born in Roane Co. in 1905 and died in Morgan Co. in 1997.  They too are buried at Crab Orchard.  Their children were seven:  Vance W., Helen Annalene; David Lawrence; Franklin Delano; Leonard Samuel; Wanda Sue and Larry James.

Coral Vernie Mae, born 1894 in Rhea Co., TN, married Charles Robert Clark in Roane Co. in 1912.  He was born in Morgan Co., in 1884 and died in Morgan Co. in 1958.  Coral died in Roane Co. in 1975.  Both are buried at Rankins Chapel cemetery in Oakdale.  Their children were:  Rev. Arnold Robert; Myrtle; Mabel; Walter Larkin; Albert Lewis; Lela Lodena; Carlene; Carl Boone; and Eva V.

The last child born to Larkin and Nancy was Minnie in 1897, Cumberland Co., TN.  Minnie married David Lee Blake in Roane Co. in 1924.  Both died at Pine Orchard in Morgan Co.; he in 1958, she in 1931. Both are buried at the Pine Orchard cemetery.

Updates and corrections welcomed.

Additional information is available for many of the Larkin and Nancy descendants.

  Jack

[1] This researcher has posted photos of other members of Larkin's family on Find-A-Grave memorial pages.  Click on the link in the caption under Larkin's photo to get started.

Lewis Russell and Bidant "Biddy" Moore Coffey

Lewis' will has been transcribed and can be found here.  In his will, he named his children Betsy, Rachel, Polly, James, Henderson, Shelby, Benjamin F.,Thomas, and Edward.  He mentioned his deceased son Jesse and named Jesse's daughter Sophronia as a legatee.  Son Cleveland may have been deceased without descendants as he is not mentioned.

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Lewis Russell Coffey was a grandson of John and Jane Graves Coffey through his father, the Rev. James Coffey and his wife, Elizabeth Cleveland.  James and Elizabeth, through their 11 children are responsible for many of the Wayne and Pulaski Co., KY Coffey families.

Lewis was number 11, born Nov. 18, 1772 in Amherst Co., VA, died Sep. 29, 1850 in Wayne Co., KY.[1]    He married Bidant "Biddy" Moore on Dec. 10, 1795 [2] in Wilkes Co. NC, a daughter of Jesse Moore and Alley Johnson.  Biddy was born on May 3, 1775 in Albemarle Co., VA and died in Wayne Co. on Jan. 13, 1857.[1]

Eleven children were born to Lewis and Biddy.  They were:

Elizabeth G. (Betsy), 1797-1868, who married Richard Northcraft Cullom.  Richard was a farmer and a legislator, born in Maryland in 1795.  He and Betsy were married in Wayne Co., KY where Richard's family had moved early in his life.  In 1830, he and Betsy moved to Tazewell Co., IL where they lived the remainder of their lives.  In 1836 he was elected to the 10th Illinois General Assembly where he served with Lincoln.  In 1840 he was elected to the IL Senate.  He served in a number of other elected offices and died in Tazewell Co. on Dec. 3, 1872.  Betsy died on Dec. 5, 1868.  Both are buried at the Old Washington Cemetery in Tazewell Co., IL.  They had at least five children, the third being Shelby Moore Cullom (1829-1914).  He followed his father into politics and was elected to the IL state house in 1855.  In 1865 he was elected to represent IL in the US Congress where he served three consecutive terms.  In 1876 he was elected Governor of IL and served nearly two terms.  He resigned in the middle of the second term to become a candidate for the US Senate, to which he was elected and served five consecutive terms and was considered several times as a candidate for the US presidency.[3]  He married twice, both wives daughters of Samuel and Hannah Beaver Fisher.  All are buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, IL.

Rachel, 1798-?, married Thomas Jefferson Jones c1830.  They were probably married sometime around 1830 and were in the 1860 Wayne Co., KY census.  Thomas was age 55; Rachel age 59.  I know of two children:  Margaret (1830-1862) married Martin Sallee.  In 1860 a John Jones, age 11, was in the household with Thomas and Rachel and, could be a son or a grandson.

Mary Jane "Polly", c1803-1855, married Jooshua Oatts in Wayne Co. on Jan. 4, 1821.[4]  They were in the 1850 Wayne Co., KY census with children Cleveland, age 21; Emily, age 18; John R., age 15; Safrona [sic], age 14; Lewis, age 10; T. J., age 8 [Thomas J.]; Shelby C., age 6 and Russell, age 5.  In addition to those, they also had Cosby [1823-1890] and James Douglas [1824-1893].  Joshua died in 1858 and is buried at Elk Springs Valley Cemetery in Oil Valley, Wayne Co.  Polly died of typhoid fever in 1855 and is also buried at Elk Springs Valley.

James Lewis, 1802-1855, married Sarah Alloway "Sally" Strange in 1830, Wayne Co.  Sally was born in McMinn Co., TN in 1807 to Archelaus Alloway and Elizabeth Coffey Strange.  Elizabeth Coffey Strange and James Lewis Coffey were first cousins.  James died in Wayne Co. in 1855 and Sally there in 1885.  Both are buried at Elk Springs Valley.  They had at least 10 children:  Jesse Columbus; Elizabeth E.; Anjeletta; George W.; Cleveland McKendree; Mary "Molly"; James Franklin; Sarah J. "Sallie"; Obidah Strange "Obie"; and Verlinda J. "Linnie."  More information about this family is available.

Henderon, c1802-1868, married Minerva Alexander in 1827, Wayne Co.[5] Minerva was born c1805 in KY and died in Wayne Co. in 1881.  Harrison died in 1868 and both are buried at Elk Springs Valley.  They had at least 10 children:  Telitha; Mary Alexander; Shelby; Joseph; Emily Biddy; Nancy "Nannie"; Elizabeth "Betsy;" Lewis; Mary Anna and Susan.  More information about this family is available.

Shelby "Shelly," 1811-1863, married Zerilda Emarine Meadows, daughter of Andrew and Jane Graham Meadows.  She was born in Wayne Co., 1822 and died there in 1900.  Shelly died in 1863 [6] and both are buried at Elk Springs Valley.  I have only three children for them:  Shelby, Jr., 1833-?; Andrew Lewis, 1844-1887; and Mary Jane, 1854-?.  More information about this family is available.

Edward Northcraft Cullom, c1813-?, married Rachel A. Isaacs.  Rachel was born in 1823 and died in Wayne Co. in 1872.  She is buried at Kendrick Cemetery in Monticello, Wayne Co., KY.  No further information.

Jesse Moore, 1815-1835, married Elizabeth "Eliza" Smith in 1832. [5]  They had a daughter, Sophronia, born c1833.  No further information.

Benjamin Franklin, 1816-1868, married Mary Ann Worsham in 1842. [5]  Mary Ann was born in 1826 in KY and died in Wayne Co. in 1886.  Both are said to be buried in Monticello at a Coffey Cemetery. [7]  Their children were Emma; Martha; William E.; Mary A.; Ida S.; Benjamin, Jr.; Robert Lee and Nannie J.  No further information.

Cleveland L., 1817-?, married Sophronia Oatts, born 1812m died 1877 in Wayne Co.  Children were at least two:  Lewis J. and Mary C.  Sophronia is buried at Elk Springs Valley.  No further information.

Thomas Coleman, c1819-1890, married four time, first to Mary Heaven or Havens in 1839, Wayne Co.[5]  No children are known to have been born to this union.  Second wife was Patience Jane Miller in 1848.[5][8]  He and Patience had at least three children:  Margaret, c1841, John, c1843 and Marshal, c1850.  Patience died in Wayne Co. in 1855.  That date is not proven and her burial place is not known to me.  Third wife was Sarah Havens, likely some relation to Mary, his first wife.  Nothing is known of her.  Thomas' fourth wife was Mrs. Amanda Jane Hudson Stone, born c1819.  They had at least three children:  Amanda, c1851; Alley, c1853 and Mary, c1856.  According to the KY DAR, Thomas died in Lincoln Co. and is probably buried there.[9]

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Some documentation as well as this information and Lewis' ancestors, his family and his descendants can be found on the Edward Coffey Project CD or DVD.  In fact, all of the Coffey's that I have written about in this blog over the past number of years can be found in my Edward Coffey Project, with much of it updated since the blog was written.

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[1] Grave monument
[2] Coffey, Laurence H., editor, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants (Chattanooga, TN: N. Sanders, 1931), Page 85.
[3] Governors of Illinois (Chicago, IL: Biographical Publishing Company, 1891), Pages 175-176.
[4] Dodd, Jordan. Kentucky Marriages to 1850. [database online] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 1997. Electronic transcription of marriage records held by the individual counties in Kentucky.
[5] From Wayne County, Kentucky Marriages, 1801-1860. Source gives brides name as Mannen Alexander; Manerva in 1850 and 1860 Wayne Co. census. Bond missing; married 29 March 1827 by Racoon John Smith.
[6] “Kentucky Probate Records, 1792-1977,” Image database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/).
[7] Wayne Co. KY Cemeteries compiled by B. B. Coffey, Sr., Page 31.  This cemetery is referred to in the source as Coffey Cemetery and is said to be located at or near the intersection of Spruce St. and Hiland View Dr. in Monticello.
[8]The bride's name appears to be Jane Meeker in record. Surety was Isaac N. Shepherd. Bond dated 23 August 1848; Minister return is missing.
[9] Kentucky DAR, compiler, Kentucky Bible Records (: DAR, 1966), Vol. IV.

Perkins & Coffey in Kentucky

Lewis Perkins married Rhoda "Rodie" Coffey, the daughter of Nelson N. and Keziah Watters Coffey, c1861 and probably in Wayne Co., KY.

They had:

Louvenia, born c1863
Nelson, born c1864
William, born c1866
Rachel, born Nov., 1873, married Elisha Slaven
John M., born Jan., 1876, married Gertrude Toby

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James B. Perkins married Nancy Rue Coffey on Aug. 1, 1859 in Wayne Co.

They had:

Rebecca, born 1859
Minerva Jane, born 1862
Sally, born 1865
William, born 1866
Keziah E., born 1868
Fannie B., born 1871
James Z. (?), born 1873
Hardin, born 1873
Mary A., born 1875
Elijah, born 1891; Louis, born 1881 (twins)
Nettie, born unk., died 1943 Monticello, Wayne Co.
Kizzie, born unk., died 1948, Nicholasville, Jessamine Co., KY

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A William Perkins, born in Mar., 1866 in KY married Nancy, last name unknown, c1888 in KY, probably Wayne Co.  Nancy was born in KY in Apr., 1870.

They had (at least two):

Sallie O., born Nov. 9, 1888, married Obie Alexander
Linnie, born Feb., 1891 in Wayne Co.

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My question to readers:  Is this last William either of the first two?