Thomas Harrison & Mary Catherine Squires Coffey

Thomas, a son of Willis Andrew and Sarah A. Bernard Coffey, was born in Kentucky on Apr. 11, 1865.  He married Mary Catherine Squires on Aug. 19, 1880 in Adair Co., KY and died there on Nov. 30, 1940.  He was buried at the Coffey Cemetery in Esto, Russell Co., KY.

Mary's parents have not been located. She was born Jul. 22, 1858 and a Mary C. Squires was found in Green Co., KY in the Kenton Co., KY household with Mary Gore or Glore.  But, no proof that this is Mary who married Thomas.

Mary who married Thomas is said to have died Jan. 23, 1923 and was buried at Esto in the Coffey Family Cemetery.  But this Coffey is given the maiden name of Allen and also linked as the spouse of Golson Wilson Coffey. There is a marriage record for her marriage to Golson, found at Liberty, Casey Co., KY dated Nov. 5, 1873. After the death of Golson's wife, he is said to have married a lady named Mary Jane but I have not found a marriage record.

There is also a marriage record dated Aug. 19, 1880 in Adair Co. for Mary Catherine Squires to Thomas.

It is entirely possible that Mary Catherine Squires and Mary Katherine Allen are the same woman.  If so however, she would hold a birth record, or come very close to making one, having given birth to 10 children with Thomas and 9 with Golson.  But, both families appear in the 1900 census with Golson in Adair Co. and Thomas in Russell Co. and both women were giving birth in 1883-1884 and giving them the same names.

Children of Thomas and Mary Squires Coffey were Mattie M., born May, 1882; Leonor, Apr., 1885; Ancil, born May, 1886; Vernia A., born Mar., 1890; Sally E., born May, 1896; Liddie R., born Apr., 1898 and Oscar Gilbert, born c1904.

Children of Golson and Mary Catherine Allen were James W., born 7 Aug., 1874, died Apr. 18, 1951, Russell Springs; John Wesley, born 9 Mar 1876, died 26 Feb., 1953, also in Russell Springs; Levi Pink, born Sep. 29, 1878, died Mar. 10, 1905 in Adair Co.; Samuel Marion, born Feb. 25, 1881, died 19 Sep., 1959 in Adair Co.; Andrew J., born Feb. 11, 1883, died Jul. 20, 1963 in Adair Co.; Hershel, born Dec. 14, 1884, died Feb. 25, 1948 in Adair Co.; Della M., born Aug. 18, 1886, died Mar. 23, 1904 in Adair Co.; Arthur, born Feb. 6, 1894, died Jan. 10, 1962.

Work remains to be completed on the Thomas Harrison family.  Not of his children's descendants have been researched.

It might be worthwhile to mention here that Samuel Marion Coffey married Ethel Squires in 1937.  Ethel was born Mar. 30, 1899 in Green Co., KY and died Nov. 26, 1986 in Campbellsville, Taylor Co., KY. Their marriage record mistakenly transposes their parents; his as Luther and Sally Squires and hers as Golson Wilson and Mary Catherine Allen.

Please contact me if you have figured out the two Mary C/Katherines.

Sources: US Federal Census and Find-A-Grave.

Noah Rice Blackwell

Noah Rice Blackwell was born in Rockbridge Co., VA in Dec., 1870 to James H. and Martha Jane Mines.* 

James and Martha were contemporaries of Reuben Wetzel, Sr. and Sarah Jane Wood Coffey of Nelson Co., VA.  Reuben and Sarah were married on Dec. 16, 1852 in Nelson Co.**

Rose Forest Maywood "Maywood" Coffey was born to Reuben and Sarah on Nov. 28, 1873 in Amherst Co.  She was married to Noah on Dec. 4, 1894 in Rockbridge Co.1

Maywood and Noah lived all of their lives within a few miles of their birthplaces.  From marriage in 1894 to the census n Jan., 1920 they were residents of Walkers Creek District in Rockbridge Co.  In 1930 they were living in the South River District of that county; in 1940 they were in Augusta Co.  By then, all of their children were grown with families except one, Minnie, born in 1898, who was still unmarried and living at home.

In addition to Minnie, Maywood and Noah had 10 other children:

Bulah May, born 1895, died 1973, married Brown Hartford Staton.

Minnie was second born.

James Earl, born 1900, died 1980, married Madge Allen.

Nina D., born 1902, married 1) William G. "Jack" Houser; 2) Percy V. Thompson.

Murrell R., born 1904, married Frank Blair Cox.

Rev. Leonard W., born 1905, married Gladys Merita "Bunky" Grimm.

Edith P., born 1907, married Guy Wilton Houser, probably related to Jack, above.

Earnest H., born 1910, not known to have married.

Blanche, born 1912, married Hansford Lee Lynn.

Cecil W., born c1913, probably died young.

Hazel B., born 1915, married Hunter O. Dunaway.

More detail on the children is available on request.

Noah died at age 75 on Mar. 17, 1946 near Spottswood in Augusta Co. and was buried at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Cemetery at Steeles Tavern in Augusta Co.

N. R. Blackwell2

Staunton, March 19 - Funeral rites for N. Rice Blackwell, 75, who died Sunday at his home near Spottswood, were held Tuesday at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Church.  Burial was in the adjoining cemetery.

He is survived by 10 children:  Mrs. Brown Staton, Mrs. Jack Houser, Mrs. Guy Houser, of Spottswood; Miss Minnie Blackwell, at home; Earl Blackwell, of Moffaits Creek; Mrs. Frank Cox, of Rockbridge Baths; Herman Blackwell, of Middlebrook; L. W. Blackwell, of Waynesboro; Mrs. Hansford Lynn, of Radford; Mrs. Hunter Dunaway, of Fairfield.

Rose preceded Noah in death.  She passed away on Mar. 3, 1946 and was also buried at Mount Carmel.  She was 72 years old.

More detail on Roses' ancestry is available on request.

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*Martha Jane was the second wife of James; his first wife, Nancy Bensen, died in c1856 leaving him with a number of small children to raise.  He and Martha were married on April 22, 1858 in Augusta Co., VA ["Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XR73-PW6]

**Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926, p59, line 29.

1Rockbridge County Marriages 1853-1896, VA State Archives, Reel 43; Bureau of Vital Statistics [read and extracted by Mary Ann Taylor].

²"The Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA)", http://bit.ly/1GT2oQ1, Wed., Mar. 20, 1946, Page 20.

Other sources:  1900-1940 US Federal Census, Find-A-Grave, FamilySearch.org, and Jarrett Wilson Harlow via Carol Hite Harlow, citing marriage, birth, census and death records of Nelson, Amherst and Rockbridge counties as well as family histories.

Colbert Larkin Coffey (c1811-1849)

I first wrote about Colbert on Aug. 2, 2007.  That blog can be found at: http://goo.gl/KAwiQ6

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Colbert Larkin Coffey lived a tragic life.  He fathered at least seven children and lost most of them early in their childhood and, then lost his wife, probably while giving birth to one of those children.

He was born to Newton and Sarah Meridith Coffey in Adair Co., KY. He married Catherine Ellis in KY in 1829 and by 1830 they were living in Montgomery Co., IL. In Aug., 1838 they were able to purchase land in Bond Co., IL and settled on 80 acres, 40 in the SW/4 of the NE/4 of S7, TS6N, R2W and, 40 in the SE/4 of the SW/4 of S6, TS6N, R2W. He and Catherine had perhaps six children.

Catherine died n Montgomery Co., IL in 1847 and was buried there at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Coffeen.

At least four of their children died as infants, including a daughter named for her mother. Speculation is they all died of Cholera¹ and perhaps three of them did.  Catherine the mother and daughter Catherine likely died as a result of complications from childbirth.

The children were:

James W., born 1833, married a lady named Nancy, died 13 Oct 2897 in Cleveland Co., OK.  He was buried at Independence Cemetery in Norman, OK.  Nancy died in OK on Aug. 28,1899 and was also buried at Independence.

Joseph, born c1834, died c1842.

Catherine, born 1836 in IL, died in IL, Montgomery Co., in 1847.

Elizabeth J., born 1837 in IL, died in IL, Montgomery Co., Filmore Twp.  Married Edward Lynn.  She died in 1923 and was buried at Glendale Cemetery in Fillmore Twp., Montgomery Co., IL.  Edward was born in 1835 and died in 189 and is also buried at Glendale Cemetery.

Nancy, born 1842 in IL died in Montgomery Co. in 1847.

Colbert Larkin, Jr., born c1845 in IL; died there in 1848.

Several of Colbert's children with Catherine are buried at Mount Moriah.

Shortly after the death of Catherine, Colbert married Permilia "Milly" Allen in Bond Co., IL.²  She was the daughter of Hector and Nancy Miller Allen.3  Together they had a son, Andrew, born c1848 in Montgomery Co.

Following the death of Colbert in Jan., 1849, Milly married a third time, this time to the widower, Jacob Layerly [sic]. Her first husband had been Jacob Davis to whom she was married in 1840 at Rockbridge Co., VA.  Jacob died in 1846 in either Montgomery or Bond Co., IL.

Together they had several children and the family appeared in the Montgomery Co., census of 1860.4  The family remained in IL at least through 1880 but, by 1900 were residing in Eastland Co., TX.  Milly is said to have died there in 1908 but I have not found a death record for her. Neither have I been successful in locating her or Jacob's burial place.  I have also been unsuccessful in learning the proper spelling of the surname which has hampered the search.

I will continue to work on this family.

Additions and/or corrections are welcomed.

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Sources:

¹Laudie, L. (2009). Mrs. Coffey. In Milly, Nancy, & Florie 1825-1955 of Rockbridge County, VA(No ed., pp. 30-35, 99-100). Independence, MO: Two Trails Publishing.
²16 Jul 1847. Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp. Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film 1317522
3Laudie, L. (2009). Mrs. Coffey. In Milly, Nancy, & Florie 1825-1955 of Rockbridge County, VA(No ed., pp. 30-35, 99-100). Independence, MO: Two Trails Publishing. [The complete book can be found at http://tinyurl.com/m3u4pz4]
4"United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MX4D-QVB : accessed 08 Aug 2014), Jacob Layerley, N 2/3 Of T 7 N R 2 W Of 3d P M, Montgomery, Illinois, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 217, household ID 1587, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803214.

Hodge R. & Hannah Wilson Coffey

Hodge was a son of William Henderson[1] and Mary Faulkner (var.) Coffey and was born about 1812 in North Carolina.  I have been told that his middle name was Rayburn but, it could also have been Raymond.

This family was in Owen Co., IN where Hodge married Hannah Wilson on Nov. 13, 1831.[2] Hodge and Hannah appeared in the Washington Twp., Owen Co. census in 1850.  Sometime between 1855 and 1858 Hannah attempted [apparently] to divorce Hodge.  The following appears in Owen Co. divorce proceedings[3]:

[Plaintiff] Coffey, Hannah Coffey, [Defendant] Hodge R.  [Complete record, including order book and pages] (6) 270 48/116 1855/1858 [Remarks] Dismissed. Plaintiff to recover costs  

Apparently there was a reconciliation because they were found living together in the 1860 census.  I have not found them in 1870 or later.  The death dates and places for the couple have also not been found.

Their children as given in the 1850 and 1860 census records were:

Oliver N., born Dec. 2, 1832; James L. R., born Jun. 9, 1835; Silas D. M., born Feb. 23, 1839; Mar A. R., born c1841; Serena, born c1847; and Laura, born c1852.  Another child, Silas, is said to be their son, born c1843 and who apparently was deceased by 1850.

Oliver married Lydia Susan Litton, born c1828 in NC, on Jan. 30, 1851 in Owen Co. and died Dec. 30, 1901.  He is buried at Jennings Cemetery in Alanthus Grove, Gentry Co., MO.  I do not have a death date or burial place for Lydia.  Both last appeared in the census record on Jun. 18, 1900 in Gentry Co.  Their children were:  Harrison, Rebecca, Edgar, Martha, Joshua Benton, Francis M., and Charles E.  Charles is said to have been born in Douglas Co., KS; the rest in Indiana.

James Leander "Lee" married Elizabeth Caroline Litton, a daughter of Joel and Sarah Bridges Litton,[4] on Sep. 30, 1855 in Owen Co.  Elizabeth died in 1876 at Alanthus Grove and is buried at Jennings Cemetery in Alanthus Grove.  She and Lee were parents of at least six children:  Martha Ann, Laura, Joel, Eliza, Sarah K. and Silas Hinkley.  Following the death of Elizabeth, Lee married Sarah J. Matthews in Albany, Gentry Co., MO on Apr. 2, 1885.  No children are known to have been born to this union.  Lee died on Nov. 6, 1890 in Gentry Co. and was buried at Jennings Cemetery.  Sarah died in 1917 at Stanberry in Gentry Co. and was buried at High Ridge Cemetery in Stanberry.

Silas married Carolina Laura Byles on Nov. 1, 1864.[5]  Their children as I know then were Ida, Emma, Nettie and Robert Wallace.  Robert was born Nov. 27, 1878 in Brazil, Clay Co., IN and married Alice Louise Wright in that county on Aug. 17, 1907[6].  Alice was a native of Terre Haute in Vigo Co., IN, born there on Jun. 24, 1891.  Silas had a unique life.  His bio can be found in source identified in footnote 5.  He died on Mar. 6, 1904 in Manatee Co., FL and was buried at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Brazil, Clay Co., IN. Caroline died on Apr. 9, 1915 in Brazil and was also buried at Cottage Hill.

Hodge and Hannah also had a daughter named Mary Ann, born on Jan. 24, 1841 in Indiana. A public family tree on Ancestry.com identifies this Mary Ann as a daughter of William H. [Henderson] and Mary Falkner [sic] [Faulkner].

William H. died on Oct. 17, 1844 in Owen Co.  Mary did not die until 1851.  In 1850 she lived with her son Silas K. Coffey in Owen Co.  In the household with Silas and his mother was a 16-year old Mary Coffey. Some researchers apparently conclude that this Mary was Silas' sister.

However, I believe that she was Silas' wife, Mary Parrish to whom he was married on Aug. 12, 1859 in Owen Co.[7]

Mary, daughter of Hodge, married David H. Allen on May 9, 1858 in Owen Co.[8]  In 1860 the couple resided with their daughter Maranda, age 9 mos., in Owen Co.  In 1870[9] a David Allen of the correct age was enumerated in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN.  His occupation was painter.  In 1880 a 47-year old David Allen was an inmate in the Owen Co., Asylum.  The Ancestry genealogies report that Maranda died in 1862 but I cannot confirm that.  There are other reports, yet unconfirmed that Mary Ann married a Mr. James and, that she died on Jun. 30, 1903.  There is a Mary Ann Coffey James buried at the Ellettsville Methodist Church Cemetery in Monroe Co., IN.[10]  But, it is not confirmed that she was the daughter of Hodge and Hannah Wilson Coffey.

Additions and/or corrections welcomed.

  Jack

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Footnotes:
[1]William is said to be a son of Reuben and Sarah Scott Coffey, born 1789 in Caldwell Co., then Burke Co., NC.  Reuben and Sarah's children are not entirely agreed upon by researchers.
[2]Owen County, Indiana: Marriages before 1850, Owen County Historical and Genealogical Society online [http://www.owen.in.us/owenhist/bks123a.htm], accessed Jan. 6, 2005.
[3]Divorces for Owen Co., IN 1819-1871, Owen Co. Historical and Genealogical Society online [http://www.owen.in.us/owenhist/divorces.htm], accessed Various.
[4] She is likely to be a sister to Susan, wife of Oliver, but I have not investigated the possibility.
[5] Charles Blanchard, Editor, Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Illustrated. (Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884), p345
[6]Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXR9-SPT : accessed 21 Feb 2013)
[7]"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXFF-X65 : accessed 30 Mar 2013), Silas K Coffey and Mary Parrish, 1849.
[8]Ancestry.com. Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 [database on-line], indexed by Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.
[9]The 1870 census record in which David is found is rather odd.  The enumerator tallied females and males separately, making it impossible for me to determine who was in a family.  For 1880, see https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11829-43603-85?cc=1438024&wc=M9SM-J17:n2115918512 and http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=6742&iid=4240636-00249&o_iid=48558&o_lid=48558&o_sch=Web+Property
[10]Find A Grave Memorial No. 74411333

Thomas Coffey & Elizabeth Smith

Back in 2006 I wrote a short blog about Smith Coffey, thought by me to be the youngest child born to Thomas and Elizabeth Smith Coffey.

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Thomas was a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey and, a grandson of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.  He was born on Mar. 7, 1742[1] in Essex Co., VA and married first Elizabeth Smith c1762 in Albemarle Co., VA.  Thomas died in Apr., 1825[2] in Wilkes Co., NC; Elizabeth is thought to have died between 1775 and 1780, probably in VA.  Thomas' second wife was Sarah "Sally" Fields, married 1778/9, probably in Wilkes Co., NC.

Thomas and Sally had at least 10 children, many of which I have written about in earlier blogs.  If anyone want more info, leave a note or send an e-mail.

There were about six children born to Thomas and Elizabeth.  Two that I want to write about today are Elizabeth, the eldest and, John Franklin, next eldest.

Elizabeth was born on Oct. 25, 1765 and died in Oct., 1852[3] in Monroe Co., IN.  She is buried there at the Coffey Cemetery in Ellettsville.  She married David Allen, born in VA in May, 1765 and died in Apr., 1848.[3]  He too is buried at the Coffey Cemetery.

Their children were:

Thomas, born 1792 in NC, died and is buried at Ellettsville.  A death date is not shown on his headstone.

Polly, born 1794, probably in NC, died and is buried at Ellettsville.  She does not have a death date on the stone.

John, born 1797, probably in NC, died Aug. 31, 1844 in Elletsville.  John married Eliza Coffey, the daughter of John Franklin Coffey and his wife, Hannah Wilson.  Of course, this John Franklin is the brother of Elizabeth, making John Allen and Eliza Coffey first cousins. Eliza was born Nov., 1798 in NC and died Aug., 1844 in Elletsville.  They were married in Sep., 1818 in Wilkes Co., NC

Following John was Jesse, born 1800 in NC, died Feb., 1881 in Monroe Co..  I do not know his wife's name but, there were at least seven children born to her.  They were James, born c1828 in KY.  The rest, all born in IN, were William, c1830; David, c1832; Nancy, c1836; Joseph, c1838; Louisa, c1840 and John Allen, c1842.  Jesse is also buried at the Coffey Cemetery in Ellettsville.

Hanna, born Jul., 1802 in Wilkes Co., married Abner Wilson, born 1804 in Burke Co.  He died in Monroe Co. in 1844, she in 1877.  They too are buried at the Coffey Cemetery.

Martha "Patsy," born in NC in 1804 married John Candler Corder of VA, probably about 1824 or a tad earlier and, probably in IN.  John was born in Jul., 1800 and died in 1852.[3]  Martha died in Dec., 1887 [3] and both are buried at the Coffey Cemetery.

They were parents of at least seven:

Mary A., married Jonathan L. Allen, a son of John and Eliza Coffey Allen.   Mary and Jonathan were first cousins as well and second cousins.  They too are buried at the Coffey Cemetery.  I haven't yet searched for children.

Eliza Jane, born 1829 in IN, died there in 1899.  She married Lorenzo [Dow?] Coffey, first cousin once removed, a son of Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey.  Larkin was a son of Thomas and his second wife, Sarah Fields Coffey.  Lorenzo and Eliza had at least two children:  Wayland Everett, born 1854, died 1919 and, Nora E., born c1878, died 1947.  Wayland is buried at the Coffey Cemetery; Nora at the Presbyterian Cemetery in Ellettsville.

Rachel, born 1832, died 1912, married Jason Coffey, another son of Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey.  Jason was born in 1829, NC, died 1871 in IN.  Both are buried at the Coffey Cemetery.  They were parents of Merritt V., Ira E., Cyrus V., and Esther Martha.

Elizabeth was next.  She was born in 1835 and died in 1841.  She is also buried at the Coffey Cemetery.

Stephen, born 1838, died 1909, married Rachel Wilson in IN c1865.  She was born in 1843 KY, died in Ellettsville in 1929.  Chidlren were John; Frank; William S.; Clara; Emma H.; and Martha.  Stephen and Rachel.  All of the children and their spouses are buried at the Coffey Cemetery.

Sarah, born 1842, died 1860, buried at Coffey Cemetery.

Martha, 1845, buried at Coffey Cemetery, death date not given on headstone.  She married Asbury Coffey, her double second cousin, born c1838 in IN to James Wilson and Malena Coffey Coffey.  James Wilson was a son of first cousins, John Franklin and Hannah Wilson Coffey; Malena was a daughter of Rev. Reuben and Martha "Polly" Dowell Coffey.  Asbury and Martha had children Mary; Charlie; Willie; Freddie and Ethel Malena.  Asbury and Martha, as well and their children and spouses are all buried at the Coffey Cemetery.

The last child of David and Elizabeth Coffey Allen was David, born 1808, died 1881.  He married Eliza McCowan, born c1799 in VA.  Their children, all born in IN, were Elijah; Nancy; Mary; William; James; Sarah and Margaret.

John Franklin Coffey married Hannah Wilson in Oct., 1796, Wilkes Co.  Hannah was born there in 1769 and died in IN on Sep. 12, 1862.

I know of five children born to them:  Rebecca who married John Wilson;  Cassandra; Eliza, mentioned above as spouse of John Allen; John Wilson, mentioned above as spouse of Malena Coffey; and Jane Graves[4], born Mar., 1811, died in 1855, Monroe Co., IN.  Jane married Alfred Martin "Martin" Coffey, another son of Rev. Reuben and Martha Dowell.  Alfred was born in 1807, Wilkes Co., died in1836, Owen Co., IN.  They had at least two children:  James Martin, 1837-1861 and Christopher Columbus, birth unknown, died during the Civil War in 1862 at Corinth, Perry Co., MS.  He is buried at the National Cemetery in Corinth, Alcorn Co., MS.  James is buried at the Stouts-Houston Cemetery in Ellettsville.

I have more information about many of these families.

Updates and corrections are appreciated.

 Jack

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[1] Unproven
[2] According to Laurence Coffey, Thomas "...was buried in Hull Hill graveyard..", and after Sarah died, she was buried next to him.  "Years later the cemetery became neglected, and almost lost..."  Laurence and cousin Newell Sanders "...had their remains removed to Harper's Chapel burying ground, where a suitable monument was placed above them."  Harpers Chapel is located in Patterson, Caldwell Co., NC.
[3] Headstone - birth and/or death dates for everyone buried at the Coffey Cemetery in Ellettsville are taken from their headstones.
[4] John, in naming this child after his grandmother seems to have had a concept of where his roots lay.

Dorinda and Malinda, the Wheat ladies

Hiram Taylor Wheat and his wife Elizabeth Richards, both of Russell Co., KY, had a number of children, including Dorinda, born Nov. 20, 1881 and, Malinda, born Nov. 8, 1884. Both of these ladies married into the Edward Coffey line of descent.

James & Dorinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda L. married James W. Coffey, a son of Golson Wilson and Mary C. Allen Coffey, on Jan. 30, 1902 in Adair Co., KY.  Compared to the "normal age" of about 20 for the males and 14-15 for the females of that era, Dorinda and James married late in life.  He was 27 years old, she was 20.  Their first child was named Taylor Wilson Coffey, born Feb. 15, 1909.  Unfortunately, the child did not live even a month and died on Mar. 10, 1909 and was buried at Mount Pleasant Methodist Church Cemetery near Russell Springs.

Except for that visit to Adair Co. to marry, James and Dorinda lived the remainder of their lives in Russell County, always near Russell Springs.  Both he and Dorinda were faithful members of the Mt. Pleasant Methodist Church.

Their second and last child was Loriston, a son, born May 29, 1914 in Russell Co.  He died on Jun. 30 1989 in Jefferson Co., KY and was brought home for burial at Mt. Pleasant. I have no information about any family that he may have had.

A young man by the name of Willis Conover first appeared with James and Dorinda in 1910 and was enumerated as their ward.  He was four years old.  I have not yet determined who his parents might have been, but there was a William Conover who married Sarah Stapp in Adair Co. who may have been his parents.  William and Sarah did have a daughter, Sarah Emma who married Samuel Marion Coffey, brother to James W.  Willis continued to appear with or very near James and Dorinda through 1930 when he was their neighbor with his own family, wife Helen, and young son Wilmer.

Finally, in 1940 James and Dorinda were alone once again.  He died on Apr. 18, 1951 of a coronary occlusion and Dorinda on Feb. 22, 1961.  Both were buried at Mt. Pleasant.  One puzzle however was found in her obituary.  That reports that she was not buried until Apr. 24, 1961.  I am wondering if it was too cold and ground too frozen in February to dig her grave and the thaw did not come until late April!?

Mrs. Dorinda Wheat Coffey, widow of the late James W. Coffey, died at her home in Jamestown on Saturday, April 22.  She was 79 years of age.

She and Mr. Coffey were married in 1902 and two children were born of this union - Taylor Wilson Coffey, who died in infancy, and Loriston Coffey.  In addition, Willis Conover, now living in Brooklyn, Ind. grew up in the home of Mrs. Coffey and she was as a mother to him.  Mr. Coffey died in 1951.

In addition to her son and foster-son, she is survived by six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.  Two sisters and one brother preceded her in death, and one sister, Mrs. Ann Coffey of Montpelier, survives.

Mrs. Coffey was a member of the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church and lived a devout Christian life.  Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, April 24, in her church, conducted by the pastor, Rev. D. A. Payton.  Burial was in the church cemetery.
Pallbearers were Guy Calhoun, Horace Angle, Ray Wheat, Talt Jones, Glaud Grider, and H. C. Coffey.  Rottetoe Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. [Judy Lynn]

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James W. Coffey was born August 7, 1874, lived 76 years, eight months and 11 days, when his spirit passed from this earth, April 18, 1951.

Mr. Coffey is survived by his wife, Dorinda Wheat Coffey, one son, Lorista [sic] Coffey, and a boy whom he raised, Willis Conover.

There were seven brothers and one sister.  Four of his brothers are still living, John Coffey, Same Coffey, Andy Coffey and Arthur Coffey.  He survived one son, Taylor Wilson Coffey, three brothers, Pink Coffey, Herschel Coffey, Martin Coffey, also one sister, Della, preceded him to the grave.

James W. Coffey and Dorinda Wheat were united in holy wedlock January 30, 1902, where they lived together for 49 years.

Mr. Coffey professed Christianity at an early age.  He was a devout Christian who attended church at Mt. Pleasant where he held his membership.  His last statement was, "I am ready to go.  There is nothing in the way." 

Funeral and burial was at Mt. Pleasant, with Rippetoe Funeral Home, Russell Springs, in charge of all arrangements. [Judy Lynn]

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Andy & Malinda Wheat Mar Record

Dorinda's sister, Malinda Ann, sometimes called Ann or Annie, was born in Russell Co. on Nov. 8, 1884 and died in Adair Co. on Mar. 26, 1976.  She married Andrew J. "Andy" Coffey on July 18, 1909 in Adair Co.  Andy was also a son of Golson and younger brother of James W.

From the time of their marriage until death this couple resided in Adair Co but, both were returned to Russell Co. for burial in the Methodist church cemetery with others in their respective families.

This couple appears to have had only three children:  Pinkey, born c1914, who I believe married a Grider and had two children, Nadine and Arvis.  These two children appeared in the 1940 census as grandchildren with Andy and Ann.  Nadine was age 4 and Arvis was age 2.  Their parents were not present in the household.

In addition to Pinkey there was Leslie, a son, born c1918 and Alvis, another son, born c1924.

Andy died on Jul. 20, 1963 and Malinda on Mar. 26, 1976.


Jack

Joel Hamilton Malicoat

Joel Hamilton Malicoat is said to have been born on Feb. 6, 1818 in TN to Dedman and Levina Thacker Malicoat. I cannot verify that through any record that I have found. Neither can I verify that his middle name was Hamilton. Middle names were not all that common in the era of his birth.

An extract of a Bible record sent to me in 1995 e-mail reads:

Grainger County Bible Records - Mallicoat Bible

Original owner Joel Mallicoat, present owner, Adam Mallicoat, Bean Station, Tn. Copied by Johnny Atkins, Bean Station, Tn Oct 1, 1937

Joel Mallicoat born Feb 6, 1818

Family Record: Joel Mallicoat was born in the year 1818, Feb 6th, and Margaret Wolfe, his last wife was born in the year 1832 November 3rd. and we were married in the year 1850. Martha Allen, my first wife was born in the year 1822 June 7th, and was married Dec 3, 1840. James L. Mallicoat born Dec 10, 1841

William Sheaddie born Oct 15, 1843 Nancy Jane born May 19th 1845 Wiley Mc. Henderson born Jan 23, 1848 Martha Mallicoat died Feb 12, 1848 Nathaniel N. Mallicoat died June 18, 1854 John Mallicoat died 10th May 1857 The little girl died April 29, 1859 L. Mallicoat was killed Jan 21, 1865 Margaret Mallicoat my last wife died May 21, 1883 William Mallicoat died Feb 23, 1908 Joel Mallicoat went into the Civil War in 1861 and came out in 1866; he was the father of 12 children.

I know that a Joel Malicoat married Margaret Wolfe in Grainger Co., TN on Aug. 14, 1850.  He and Margaret appeared in the Grainger Co., TN federal census record from 1860 until 1880.  According to the above Bible record, Margaret died on May 21, 1883.  children from this marriage were: Eliza; Mary L., Henry L., married Hannah Dalton; Martha E., Adam W., Lydia, married John Timothy Dalton and Harley who married Ethel Malena Coffey, daughter of Asbury and Martha Corder Coffey.


Joel married again on Sep. 2, 1883, this time to Julia A. Hipshire Coffey.  I know of no children born to this union.

An entry at Find-A-Grave (FAG) for a Joel Hamilton Malicoat, born 1837 in TN, died in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., IN in 1927, says he was the husband of Martha Allen.  Information included with his FAG memorial says that he came to MO when a year old.  The creator of the memorial page also reports that Joel Hamilton and Martha A. were parents of:

"Florabelle (b. Dec. 14, 1859), Hester Evelyn (b. Feb. 8, 1861), Horace Hamilton (b. Feb. 28, 1863), Fred (b. Aug. 2, 1865), Rilla (b. March 8, 1869), Maude (b. June 24, 1871), Anna (b. March 22, 1874), and Charlie (b. Dec. 15, 1875); enlisted as a CPL in Co. G, 38TH IND INF on Sept. 18, 1861; discharged for disability, April 1862"

Joel's obituary, also posted on his FAG memorial, reads in part:

"He is survived by the widow, two sons, H. H. of this city, and Harley of Ellettsville, three daughters, Mrs. Flora Campbell, Detroit, Mrs. Rilla Stevenson, Hammond, and Mrs. Maude Koss, this city."

Their children, as I have them and all born in TN were:  James L., born 1841; William L., born 1843; Nancy Jane, born 1845 and Wiley, born 1848.  These children appeared in the 1860 census with Joel and wife Margaret Wolfe.  Because they married in 1850, the children are apparently Joel's by a previous union.  Joel and Margaret's children were:  Eliza, Mary, born c1853; Henry L., born 1854; Martha, born c1856; Adam, born May, 1860, Lydia, born Dec., 1862 and Harley, born Dec. 15, 1875.  I have not found a son named Harley in any household with Joel and his three wives and have to conclude that he must belong to the Joel Hamilton Malicoat buried at Ellettsville.  Harley was born in that town and married Ethel Malena Coffey in Owen Co., IN on Jan. 30, 1913.

In 1870 children remaining in the household with Joel and Margaret were:  Henry, Martha, Adam, Liddie and Eliza.  In 1880 only Adam, Lida [sic] and Eliza remained at home.

I tend to believe that Joel Malicoat in TN was not named Joel Hamilton Malicoat.  None of his marriage records or census records even hint at a middle name or initial.  I do not know what to believe about his marriage to Martha Allen as given in the above Bible record.  Perhaps Joel's marriage to Martha Allen was coincidental to the marriage of Joel Hamilton Malicoat to Martha Evelyn Allen!?

Samuel Marion & Sarah Emma Conover Coffey

Samuel was a son of Golson Wilson and Mary C. Allen Coffey.  These families have been placed in the mythical Chesley Coffey line, primarily based on the very early research by others.  I became interested in Sam when I found the record of his Feb. 19, 1905 marriage to Sarah Emma Conover, a daughter of William Conover and Sarah Stapp.

Sarah Emma was born Dec. 4, 1882 in Adair Co. and lived there her entire life. She died on Apr. 23, 1933 in the White Oak Pct. of Montpelier.  Her photo, obituary and other vitals can be found at Find-A-Grave, contributed by someone identified as "BC."  Sarah was mother to five children with Sam:  Mary L., (c1907-?); Bascom Edgar (Aug. 21, 1910-Feb. 1986); William Goshen (Nov. 27, 1912-?); Joe Pink (Jun. 23, 1921-?) and Philetus Everett (Nov. 11, 1925-?).*

Sam does not appear to have remarried after Sarah's death.  He died on Sep. 19, 1959 and was buried in the same Conover family cemetery as Sarah at Gentrys Mill in Adair Co.

Conover-Coffey Marriage Record

While looking for Sarah's parents birth, marriage and death dates, I found a marriage record for William Conover, age 32 to Mary E. Coffey, age 37 in Adair Co. on Oct. 18, 1888.  This William does not appear to be Sarah's father but, is likely some relation to her.  Right now, I would really like to find out who Mary's parents were.  If you know, drop me an e-mail.

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*1930 US Fed. Census, White Oak Pct., Adair Co.:  1930 Adair Co., White Oak dist., ED 1-4, Sheet 1B, Middle Jamestown Road, dwelling/family 11, Coffey, Samuel M., head, male, white, age 49, married at age 25, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sarah E., wife, female, white, age 47, married at age 22, born KY, parents born KY; Mary E., dau., female, white, age 23, single, born KY, seamstress; Bascom E., son, male, white, age 19, single, born KY, farm laborer; William G., son, male, white, age 17, single, born KY, farm laborer; Joe P., son, male, white, age 8, born KY; Philetus E., son, male, white, age 4 yrs., 4 mos., born KY

Clifton Connard Coffey (1876-1957)

Updated: 5/30/2014

Clifton Connard Coffey was a son of John and Rosanna Jane "Roxie" Nash Coffey.  He was their second son and child born in year 1876 and was born on Nov. 27.  Their first born was Lampkin, in Jan., 1876.

Clifton married Myrtle A. Martin on Apr. 30, 1911 in East Bend, Yadkin Co., NC.  Myrtle was a daughter of Wesley Alexander and Flora Anna Poindexter Martin and was born in Aug., 1891.

A little bit of info about the Martin and Poindexter families:  

Wesley was born on May 18,1862 in Yadkin Co., the son of Bennett R. and Martha Millner Truelove Martin.  Wesley died on Dec. 3, 1947 in East Bend; Flora on Jun. 18,1958 in Yadkinville, Yadkin Co.  He and Flora were married on Apr. 16, 1885 in East Bend.

Bennet and Martha were married on Jan. 10, 1856 in Yadkin Co.  

Flora Anna Poindexter was a daughter of John A and Paulina Allen Poindexter, born on Dec. 25, 1879 in Yadkin Co.  John and Paulina were married in Yadkin Co. on Oct. 28, 1868.  

Children of Clifton and Myrtle, all born in VA, were:

Gates (?), born c1913; Lynn A. (male), c1914; Nell L., c1916; Edythe, c1918; Dr. Everett Lee, c1922; Janice I., c1925 and Lewis G., c1927.

Dr. Everett Lee Coffey married Janice Mundy and had at least one child, a son named Clifton Lee, born Aug. 21, 1955, died May 28, 2008 at Hardy in Bedford Co., VA.

Corrections and/or additions welcomed.

Jack

WW1Draft Registration for Clifton Connerd/Conard  Coffey

Rice & Sarah "Sally" Bradford Coffey

This Rice Coffey was a son of the Rev. James Coffey and his wife Elizabeth Cleveland.  He is thought to have been born on Apr. 17, 1766 in Amherst Co., VA and to have died on July 24, 1853 in Bedford Co., TN.

Rice wrote a letter* to his nephew Thomas Jefferson Coffey - son of Ambrose, a younger brother to Rice - from Shelbyville on Nov. 15, 1844 which reads:

Dear Jefferson:

I received your letter of the 16th of September and have read it with entertaining interest. Indeed, it is always a source of gratification to me to hear that my friends are doing well.

You request some information respecting the history of our ancestors. I have no written biography of the Coffee family and therefore can only relate to you such facts as have come within my own recollection and such as have reached me by tradition.

I remember to have seen my paternal grandfather. His name was John Coffee, and he was raised in one of the lower counties of Virginia and died in Albemarle. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane Graves, and my father's name was James Coffee.  He also was raised in the lower part of Essex and from thence to Albemarle, where your father Ambrose Coffee was born in the year 1762. From this county my father (James) removed to Amherst and here his children grew up to manhood. My mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Cleveland. My maternal grandfathers's name was Alexander Cleveland. He was a descendant of the English and was an own cousin of Oliver Cromwell, a gentleman who figured conspicuously in the sixteenth century. He was raised in Virginia and born in the year 1663 and died in 1775, at the age of 112 years.

My father was born in 1729 and died in 1786. His children were nine sons and two daughters. My brothers names were John, Archelaus, James, Reuben, Ambrose, Eli, Joel and Lewis Coffee. They are all dead save Eli and Lewis, the first of whom resides in Missouri and the other in Kentucky.

I became acquainted with your maternal grandfather Jesse Moore about the close of the revolutionary war. He then lived in Burke County, N.C., where you were born. He was born in Virginia, and many of his descendants now live in Kentucky.

I am still living at the same place you last saw me, but cannot expect, in the course of nature to remain much longer.  I am now in my 80th year.

May God bless you.

Rice Coffee

Sarah Bradford Coffey was a daughter of Bennett** and second wife Margaret White.  She is said to have been born in TN on July 22, 1770 and died on Sep. 3, 1840 in Bedford Co.  A sibling to Sarah was Henry Bradford, born Dec. 24, 1766, died May 10, 1871, married Rachel McFarland on Jan. 17, 1799.  Rachel was born Aug. 28, 1783 and died Aug. 26, 1852.  Their daughter Mary, born Mar. 22, 1809, died Oct. 20, 1893 in MO, was the wife of Asbury Madison Coffey***, thought by me to be the son of Eli and Hannah Allen Coffey.

Rice appears in very few North Carolina records meaning that he and Sarah moved to TN quite early in their marriage.  Their homeplace was near Wartrace, and he is on the 1788 and 1789 tax lists, and again from 1796 to 1799.  He has not been found in the 1790 or 1800 census.  This could indicated that he was gone during the period 1790-95, and that they moved permanently around 1800, or soon thereafter.

The first tax list in TN in which he appears in 1812 in Bedford Co.  A short account of the family written about 1890 by Rice Abner Coffey, a grandson, says that Rice moved from NC to Bedford Co. in 1808.  It also says that all of the children, except the last three were born in NC.  That would put the migration date a bit earlier.

He and Sally had 9 children.  Some discrepancy exists in various lists.  The 1820 census lists 5 male children and 3 female, which would be correct because Jerusha died in 1810.

Source‡ names children of Rice and Sarah as: Jurusha, d. age 16; Elvira; Henry B., m. Sarah Edmondson; Mary G., d. 1878, m. __ Kendall; Weightress (1801-1837), unmarried; Alexander Hamilton, d. 1864, m. Nancy Matherly; Martha (1805-1845), m. A. Yell; Benjamin B., (1809-1864), m. Mrs. Mary E. Beach; John R. (1815-1896), m. Mary A. Cross (Benjamin was Gen. in Mexican War). Marvin Coffee reports birth date for Sarah as Jul. 22, 1770 and death date as Sep. 3, 1840 in Bedford Co., TN.

Mary, a daughter of Rice and Sally, was born c1798 in NC and died Oct. 22, 1878 in TN, probably Bedford Co.  She is said to have married John Kendall on Mar. 4, 1821 in that county and to have divorced him before 1850.+

She and Kendall had at least one child, a daughter named Arcena, born c1825.  In 1850 when Mary appeared in the census with her widower father in Bedford Co., she was enumerated as Mary Kindle, age 42 with Hanna Kindle, age 25 and Nancy Bell Kindle, age 13.  Also in the household was a physician, Dr. William Pruett, age 24, born in TN.

We know that Arcena married a Prewitt but are unsure if William was her husband.  They are close in age and place and certainly had the opportunity.  Prewitt apparently died or otherwise disappeared sometime after 1859 and may have died in the Civil War, although I have not found a record of his service.  Mary and Arcena, along with Arcena's two chidlren, Nanny and Willis Prewitt, appear together in the 1860 and 1870 Bedford Co. census.  Arcena was found there in 1880 with her still unmarried children.

I would like to know who was Arcena's husband and, who was the 13-year old Nancy Bell Kindle in the 1850 census.

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*Sometimes referred to by Coffey researchers as "The Said Rice Letter."
**All information about Bennett comes from: Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinter, Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007)
***Read more about Asbury here and here.
‡Lost Links, Elizabeth Wheeler Francis, Southern Western Historical Quarterly, LXIX, 1945, pps. 98, 156, 157 and Descendants of James Bluford Coffey by Dr. Marvin Coffey
+Mary G. Kendle (Kendall) vs John Kendle for divorce. Mary G. Kendle and John Kendle were married in Bedford Co on 4 Mar 1821.  Source: Page 600, Chancery Court Records 1837-1845 by Marsh; call no: 976.858 M366ch

Continuing with children of Jesse & Nancy F. Allen Coffey

Beatrice Anna Coffey

The fourth child born to Jesse and Nancy was Beatrice Anna Coffey.

Beatrice, apparently called Anna was born Feb. 24, 1860 in Nelson Co., and died May 12, 1940 in Lima, Allen Co., OH.

Her first husband was Thomas Givens Mays.  He was born c1851, probably in VA, and they were married on Sep. 25, 1877 in Nelson Co.

Her second husband was David Robinson who was born on May 31, 1843 and died Jun. 13, 1927 in Miami Co., OH.  They were married on Sep. 12, 1889 in Waverly, Pike Co., OH.  Her last spouse was William Neely to whom she was married - when both were age 70 years old - on Dec. 4, 1930 in Allentown, Allen Co., OH.  Anna apparently had only one child.  In the 1900 census she reported that she was the mother of one child, none living.

Nancy E. Coffey

William Garland followed Anna and was born Jun. 3, 1862 in Rockbridge Co., VA.  He appeared in the 1870 Augusta Co. and 1880 Nelson Co. census records with his family but, nothing else is yet known about him.

The fifth child was Nancy Elizabeth, born May 21, 1864 in Rockbridge Co.  She married James F. West on Jul. 20, 1902 at AllBasic City, Augusta Co.  James was born c1848 in Hanover Co., VA.  James was a son of Overton and Virginia Harris West.


Allen F. Sherman followed Nancy.  Read about his family here.

George R. Coffey

George Robert was next, born Mar. 16, 1869 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co.  He married Sarah Emma Lotts on Feb. 10, 1891 in Nelson Co.  I believe she was born c1867 in MD to Martin H. and Margaret Sarah Allen, younger sister to Jesse's wife, Nancy.  I know of one child born to Sarah and George:  Estelle, born May, 1891 in Lyndhurst.

Jacob W. Coffey

Jacob W. was the eighth child.  He was born Jun. 4, 1871 in Lyndhurst and died Sep. 28, 1936 in Rockbridge Co., VA.  His first wife was Sallie J. Fitzgerald, a daughter of Parks G. & Sarah Ramsey Fitzgerald who were married in Nelson Co. on Apr. 13, 1840.  Sallie died in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH on Aug. 29, 1928, and was buried at Bells Valley Cemetery in Rockbridge Co.  His second wife was Stella Austin Hite, born c1879, died Apr. 15, 1938, also in Rockbridge Co.  They were married on Jan. 20, 1929 in Cincinnati.  Stella died in Rockbridge Co. on Apr. 15, 1938.  She and Jacob are also buried at Bells Valley.  Stella's previous spouse was William Henry Ingram.  He was born c1880 in Rockbridge Co., and they were married there on Jun. 30, 1903.

John Franklin was born Apr. 20, 1874 in Back Creek, Augusta Co. and died Dec. 21, 1933 in Allen Co., OH.  He was married to Willie Winsor, a daughter of Sherman and Mary Engram [Ingram?] Winsor on Aug. 19,1908 in Rockbridge Co.  Willie was born Dec. 25, 1888 in Rockbridge Co. and died Nov. 10, 1924 in Lima, OH.  They had at least four children:  Mable Virginia, born Sep. 11, 1909, died Jul. 1, 1972; Anna Ruth, born Jan. 10, 1911, died Jan. 9, 1993; Thelma, born c1914, and Nancy Mildred, born c1918.

Emily Susan followed John.  She was born July 9, 1876 and died on Dec. 9, 1876.

Rosa Belle Coffey

Rosa Belle was next.  She was born Jul. 21, 1878 in Lyndhurst and died there on Jun. 14, 1920.  She married Robert Oceola "Osie" Nukols on Oct. 4, 1899 in Avis, Augusta Co., VA.  He was born in Lyndhurst on Dec. 24, 1878 and died there on Jul. 7, 1933.  Both are buried at Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church Cemetery at Greenville in Augusta Co.

Their children were Emily; Elmer Juett; William Hyder; Annie; Evelyn Isabel; Henrietta Elizabeth; Fannie Catharine; Mary Magdalene; and Margarette Hazel.

"Osie" Nukols was a brother to Callie C. Nuckols who married Eric Harris, a son of John Abraham Harris and his wife Mary Jane Coffey.  Mary Jane's family was written about in the previous blog.  The Nukols were children of Henry Juett and Georgianna Miller Nukols.

The last child born to Jesse and Nancy was James Rucker.  He was born on Feb. 22, 1881 in Nelson Co. and died in Allen Co., OH on Aug. 10, 1934.  His wife was Martha Rebecca Anderson, born  c1881 in Staunton, VA, died Dec. 11, 1938 in Lima, OH.  I know of one child, Virginia B., born c1915 in VA, and she may have been a foster child.  James and Martha are buried at Cairo East Cemetery in Allen Co., OH.

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This concludes the children of Jesse and Nancy Allen Coffey as I have them.  All of the photographs and much of the family data are from the collection of Shirley Houk for which I am grateful.

Allen F. Sherman & Susan Virginia Hamilton Coffey

Allen was born on May 27, 1866 in Rockbridge Co., VA to Jesse C. and Nancy F. Allen Coffey. Jesse was a son of double first cousins, Garland and Nancy Coffey Coffey,  Garland was a son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey; Nancy a daughter of William's brother Rueben and his wife Nancy Giles, a sister to Betsy.

There were at least 12 children born to Jesse and Nancy and Allen was the sixth.  He married Susan, a daughter of Jacob and Susan Virginia Ramsey Hamilton on June 24, 1891 in Rockbridge Co.  Allen died on Apr. 13, 1913 in Lima, Allen Co., OH and was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Bluffton, Allen Co.  Susan died in Cairo, Allen Co., OH on Sep. 23, 1912 and was buried at Cairo East Cemetery at Cairo.

She and Allen were parents of at least eight children:  John Henen, Jacob "Jake" William; Susan Emily; Minnie Bell; Anna May, Forest Allen, Naomi Pearl; and George Robert.  All of the children were left orphans at the death of Allen and some spent their early days in an orphanage in Ohio.  Information by other researchers that I have found on Ancestry.com shows that Anna and George were left to orphanages upon their father's death, but it is likely that at least Susan through George spent some time in one.

John Henen was born Aug. 29, 1892 in Augusta Co., VA and died in July, 1962 in Michigan, probably in Adrian, Lenawee Co. where he last appeared in the 1930 census.  His wife was Minnie A. Lowery, born in Ohio, 1894, to whom he was married on Jun. 20, 1914 in Sand Creek, Lenawee Co.  Their children were:  Wesley Allen, born Dec. 27, 1915 in MI, died Apr. 8, 1996 in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH; Coleman, born Feb. 11, 1918 in MI, died there on Jul. 22, 1995; Gatha, born c1920 in Allen Co., OH and John, Jr., born c1924 in MI.  John registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Adrian and was then described as being of medium height and build with dark brown eyes and hair.  At the time he resided with his wife and one child at 627 S. Center in Adrian and was employed by the Adrian Steel Casting Co. as an iron worker.

Jacob "Jake" William was born May 9, 1894 at Union Twp., Scioto Co., OH and died unmarried on Feb. 20, 1971 in Lucas Co., OH.  In 1920 he was found residing with his sister, Minnie B. Hilyard in Lima.

Susan Emily was born in Jan., 1896 in Virginia and died July 20, 1964 in Allen Co.  She married Francis L. Merricle on May 27, 1916 in Allen Co.  Francis was born Sep. 4, 1896 in Allen Co., and died in Lima on Jan. 8, 1953.  He was buried at Memorial Park in Lima.  I suspect that Susan is also there but cannot confirm that.  I know of only one child, Aline Virginia, born Jun. 22, 1919 in Lima and tragically died there on Aug. 11, 1919.  Her death certificate gives the cause of death as strangulation while nursing.  She is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Lima.

Minnie Bill Coffey
Photo Courtesy of Shirley Houk

Minnie Bell was born in June, 1898 in Virginia and married Milton A. Hilyard, born c1897 in OH.  They were found in the 1920 census for Lima, Allen Co.  At the time, Milton was a machinist in a locomotive factory.  Her brother Jake, age 25, was living with them at the time.

Anna May was born Nov. 24, 1903 in Alleghany Co., VA and died on Dec. 16, 1993 at Gig Harbor in Pierce Co., WA.  She married Leo Albert Lind on May 20, 1939 in Pacific Co., WA.  Leo died on Jan. 24, 1991 in Tillamook Co., OR and is found at the Willamette Crematory in Tigard, Washington Co., OR.  Anna May was also cremated and her ashes can be found at the Tacoma Mausoleum in Tacoma, Pierce Co.  WW2 enlistment records show that Anna May entered the US Women's Army Corps on Dec. 2, 1942 at Portland, OR.

Forest Allen was born Sep. 15, 1906, probably in VA, died on May 17, 1959 in Allen Co.  He married Rosalie E. Hoffman, born in 1918, died 1993.  They are buried together at Gethsemani Cemetery in Lima.

According to information found on Ancestry.com, George Robert was born Feb. 23, 1911 in Virginia and died May 10, 1967 in Lima.  After his father died he was placed in the Allen County Children's Home in 1913 from which he was taken in 1915 by the John W. Miller family and eventually adopted by them in 1927, at which time he became George Robert Miller.  An obituary found on Ancestry reports that he was survived by his wife Lucille as well as sisters, Mrs. Naomi Helm, Mrs. Minnie Hilyard and Mrs. Raul [Almeda] Duff.  Almeda was a natural child of the Miller's and married Raul Duff in Mercer Co., OH on Nov. 27, 1902.

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Bibliography:

"Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Ohio.

"Ohio Marriages, 1800-1958," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/). Index entries derived from digital copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Ohio.

"Washington State County Marriages, 1858-1950," database, FamilySearch, (http://familysearch.org), from the Washington State Archives. Digital copies of originals housed in County Auditor Offices in various counties throughout Washington.

Ancestry.Com.

Fridley, Beth. "Augusta County, Virginia, Birth Records, 1862-1875".

Gethsemani Cemetery (Lima, Allen Co., OH). Grave marker data.

Lynn Coffey, editor, "Backroads," privately published newspaper, published at Love, Nelson Co., VA, 1981-2006.

Michigan Department of Vital and Health Records. Michigan Deaths, 1971-1996.

Michigan Marriages 1868-1926.

OH. Franklin Co.. Columbus. Vital Statistics. Ohio Department of Health. Death certificate.

Ohio Deaths, 1908-1953, 1938-1944, and 1958-2002.

Oregon Death Index, 1903-98.

Rockbridge County Marriages 1853-1896, VA State Archives, Reel 43; Bureau of Vital Statistics.

Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Center.  Obituary Index.  Online [http://www.rbhayes.org/hayes/].  Accessed various.

Social Security Death Index, Master File.

State of Florida. Florida Death Index, 1877-1998. Florida: Florida Department of Health, Office of Vital Records.

United States Federal Census.

US World War II Army Enlistment Records.

World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.

Rev. Patrick Henry & Cora Lee Coffey Clements

Patrick's father was James P. Clements.  His mother was Eliza Jane Allen.

"Mr. Clements has for ancestors Methodist people for a hundred years; so he has a right to shout, on proper occasions.  His birthplace was on the rich level of blue grass found all along the platform of the Blue Ridge.  He dates from October 9, 1861.  He was blessed with the favor of working on a farm in early life.  It beats a gymnasium to strengthen the thews and tendons of a young fellow.  And he learns much of the things needful in the country pulpit, as illustrations and the drift of thought.  He also was clerk in a store, another valuable aid in knowing the people.  Our Academy at Bedford and our College at Ashland educated Mr. Clements, 'in book-learning.'

He is stout for his inches, five feet nine; 165 pounds, hair, auburn; voice clear, sonorous reaching.  He speaks with moderate speed, perhaps faster that the average.

He came into the Conference in the usual way in 1895.  He and Miss Coffey were married April 19, 1899.  They have a clever boy to gladden their hearts.

Mr. Clements served two years at South View and Providence, near Lynchburg, and then was assigned to Lunenburg, where he now expounds.  He has made marked improvements in the material and spiritual condition of his present charge.  There is much subterranean, wholesome humon in 'Pat' Clements, which bubbles up at times.  And, withal, the grave questions he is charged to expound, fill his soul with profound seriousness."*

The following is amended from what you may have read here previously:

 His wife was Cora Lee Coffey, born Dec. 16, 1875 in Amherst Co., VA to Daniel Rufus and Mildred J. Lawman Coffey. 

Patrick Henry Coffey died on Sep. 29, 1950 in Wakefield, Sussex Co., VA and was buried at Blandford Cemetery in Petersburg, VA. Cora died on Feb. 8, 1964 in Hampton, VA and was also buried at Blandford.

Their children were Bascom L., born c1901; Louise T., born c1904; and Mildred L., born c1915.

James P. Clements was born in Amherst Co., VA on Aug. 4, 1823 and died there on Mar. 13, 1924.  Eliza was also born in Amherst Co. on May 28, 1827 and died there on Nov. 26, 1899.  Both she and James are buried at Mount Horab United Methodist Church Cemetery at Amherst, Amherst Co.

A daughter of James and Eliza was Mary Jane Clements, born 1858, died 1937 in Amherst Co., married Augustus Decereaux Whitten.  Their son, Marvin Harrison Whitte, born 1882, died 1975, married  Hattie Stinnett in 1902, Caswell Co., NC.  Their daughter, Lottie Pearl Whitten, (1913-1997) married Reuben Loyal Coffey (1909-1988), a son of Reuben Wood and Nettie Belle Nicely Coffey.

James Thomas Clements, another son of James and Eliza, married Lucy Johnson and their daughter Nevie, married John Woodson Coffey, a son of Henry Landon and Lillie Belle Burch Coffey.  Another daughter, Ella Lazenby married Harry B. Coffey, a son of Henley and Avarilla Ogden Coffey.  Still another daughter, Sadie Lillian married Edgar Littleton Coffey, brother to Harry B.

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*John James Lafferty D. Litt., Author, Sketches and Portraits of the Virginia Conference: Twentieth Century Edition (Richmond, VA: n.p., 1901), Page 463.

Descendants of William and Catherine Campbell Ramsey

According to the Journal of the Clan Campbell, Vol. 17-19 (1990, page 52), Catherine Campbell, a daughter of James and Judith Fitzgerald Campbell, married William Ramsey in Amherst Co., VA.  Virginia marriage records report the date as Jan.. 10, 1805.

They were the parents of at least eight children; 5 boys and three girls. 

The first son was Joshua Madison, born Oct. 16, 1820 in Rockbridge Co., died Jan. 21, 1897.  He is buried at the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Strasburg, Shenandoah Co., VA.  He married Nancy C. "Nannie" Steele on Aug. 5, 1839 in Nelson Co..  Nannie was the daughter of John and Mary "Polly" Coffey Steele.  Mary was a daughter of Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey and was born c1781.  Nannie died in Spottswood, Augusta Co., and is buried there at the Old Providence Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Joshua's second wife was Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of Reuben G. and Nancy Giles Coffey.  They were married on Sep. 30, 1850 in Nelson Co.  I haven't yet found Elizabeth's death date or burial place.

By his first wife, Joshua was the father of:

Melvina, born c1839

Delilah, born c1842.  She was twice married; first on Sep. 20, 1860 to Colston Harrison Coffey, a son of John W. and Margaret Susanna Coffey Coffey.  Colston died in the Civil War Dec. 2, 1862 at Lyndhurst in Augusta Co.  He was a member of Lamkin's Amherst-Nelson Light Artillery Regt.  He had enlisted in that regiment on Jul. 8, 1862.  Delilah's second husband was Cornelius W. Mahone, born 1842 in James City Co., VA.  They were married on Oct. 19, 1865 in Augusta Co.

Dabney Coleman, born Oct., 1842, married Feb. 9, 1864 in Augusta Co. to Lavenia E. Fauver, also born in Augusta Co. in 1842.

Andrew Jackson, born Jun. 2, 1846, died Mar. 23, 1889 in Nelson Co.  He married Lucy Ann Ham on Feb. 1866 in Augusta Co.

Mary Susan Ramsey, born c1848.

Susan Virginia, born c1849, married Jacob Hamilton.  Their daughter, also named Susan Virginia, was born Mar. 16, 1875 in VA, died Sep. 23, 1912 in Cairo, Allen Co., OH.  She married Allen P. Sherman Coffey on Jun. 24, 1891 in Rockbridge Co.  He was a son of Jesse C. & Nancy F. Allen Coffey.  Their children were:  John Henen, born 1892, died 1962; Jacob William, born 1894, died 1971; Susan Emily, born 1896, died 1964; Minnie Bell, born 1898, died 1960; Anna May, born 1903, died 1993; Forest Allen, born 1906, died 1959; Naomi Peark, born 1908; George Robert, born 1911, died 1967; Henry McDonald and Walter Lee.

Joshua and Elizabeth Coffey had at least one child, a daughter named Editha, born c1860 in Nelson Co.  Nothing more known.

Joshua's brother, Lewis Levi married Susan Jane Campbell on Feb. 1, 1838 in Rockbridge Co.  They were parents of at least 10 children:

Hezekiah, born c1837 in Nelson Co., married Susan Massie Fitzgerald, a daughter of Robert Alexander and Lucy Ann Coffey Fitzgerald.  Lucy Ann was a sister to Elizabeth, Joshua's second wife.

James M., born c1837, married Mary Sneed on Oct. 18, 1860 in Nelson Co.  Children were:  James, Jr., born c1862, married Sarah Jane Coffey Aug. 16, 1883, daughter of William Montebello and Cynthia Wood Coffey; Willie Jane, born c1867, married Henry B. Steele on Apr. 15, 1883 in Amherst Co.; Matthew Henry, married Delilah Coffey, sister to Sarah Jane, Aug. 21, 1887 in Amherst Co.; Stuart Lee, born c1871, married Annie Lee Coffey, sister to Sarah Jane and Delilah, Sep. 9., 1895 in Rockbridge Co.

Mary: No information

Elizabeth, born 1846 in Amherst Co., married Peach W. Cash on Aug. 28, 1878 in Amherst Co.

Richard Benjamin; Ambrose Coleman and Louisa:  No information

William Marshall, born 1851 in Amherst Co., married Mary E. Hamilton, daughter of James and Susan Hamilton, Apr. 4, 1877 in Amherst Co.

Leroy, born 1855 in Nelson Co., married Jun. 3,1878 to Mary "Mollie" Ramsey, a daughter of William F. and Fannie Tomlinson Ramsey.  William was a brother to Joshua and Lewis.

 Marcellus McDonald:  No information

Lorenzo and Eliza Corder Coffey

Lorenzo was born c1832 in North Carolina to Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey.  Not too much info has been found for Lorenzo.

Eliza Corder, born c1830 in Indiana, was a daughter of John Candler and Martha "Patsy" Allen Corder.  Patsy's parents were David and Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey Allen.  Betsy was a daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Smith Coffey; Thomas being a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.  Another son of David and Betsy, John Allen married Eliza Coffey, a daughter of John Franklin and Hannah Wilson Coffey.  John Franklin was also a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Smith Coffey.

Lorenzo and Eliza had at least two children; Wayland E. or Waland, born Dec., 1854 in Indiana and, Nora E., born 1878 in Indiana.

Wayland married Clara Risdon on Dec. 22, 1875 in Owen Co., IN.  Clara was the daughter of James and Ellen Risdon who emigrated to New York as a family from England on Jun. 3, 1858 aboard the Ocean Monarch.  Although Clara always claimed to have been born in England, and was born some two years before their arrival, she was not found on the passenger list with her parents.

Clara and Wayland had at least three children:  Norman L., born Apr., 1877, Nora E., born Nov., 1878 and, Iva A., born Jan., 1888. 

Norman married Estella M. Dowell on Feb. 3, 1900 in Owen Co., IN.  Their children were:  Lawrence, born c1902; Loyd F., born c1904; and Arthur, born c1906.  All were born in Indiana.

Nora married Alva Preston Christy c1903 in Indiana.  Alva was born in Nov., 1872 in Indiana and had been previously married to Essie Sharp c1892 in Indiana.  Essie gave birth to one son, Clyde Wallace Christie and apparently died at or shortly after his birth. On Jun. 9, 1900 Alva was a widower with one child, Clyde Wallace Christy, born Aug., 1893.  Both resided in the household with Essie's parents, George Parks and Martha S. Allen Sharp and was enumerated as their son-in-law and grandson, respectively.  With Nora, Alva fathered at least two additional children:  Corliss W., born c1904 and Clara Faye, born c1909, both in Indiana.

I have no information on the child Iva A.  She appeared with the family in the census of 1900 as a 12-yr old female, born in Jan., 1888.

Many of these families and their descendants are buried at the Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., IN.

I would like to have more information about this family, and especially Lorenzo and his Corder wife. I need to know when and where they died, and perhaps where they are buried.

Please drop me a note if you can help!

Marvel Coffey

As long as I've been researching Coffee/Coffey families I've read that other researchers who are interested in the Marvel Coffey who married Rachel Boone, have concluded that he was named Asbury Marvel Coffey. As one who has taken those researchers to be accurate (for the most part), I continued the search for Marvel's father without any success.

Just recently, with thanks to Janet de la Peña and Bonnie Culley, I received a copy of the Jesse Boone will. Jesse was the father of Rachel. In his will Jesse divided his estate between Daniel Boon [sic], Israel Boon, Jonithan Boon, Marvel Coffey, Jonithan [sic] Wilson, Smith Coffey, William Gregg [sic] [Gragg], and William Coffey. The will was written on Nov. 23, 1829 and recorded in McMinn Co., TN.

Jonathan, Daniel and Israel were his sons. Smith Coffey was his son-in-law, husband of Hannah, Jesse's daughter. William Coffey was also a son-in-law, husband of Anna Boone. William "Buck" Gragg was a son-in-law, husband of Celia Boone and Marvel Coffey, a son-in-law, husband of Rachel.

Jonithan Wilson may be the John Wilson who married Rebecca Coffey. Rebecca was the daughter of John Franklin Coffey, another son of Thomas Coffey and Elizabeth Smith.

Jesse appointed Asbury M. Coffey and his son Israel as executors of his will.

It is likely that many people reading this will believe that Asbury M. Coffey was the son-in-law, Marvel. However, Asbury M. was really Asbury Madison Coffey, an attorney in McMinn county at that time and believed to be the son of Eli and Hannah Allen Coffey. Asbury Madison later achieved fame in Kansas and Missouri.

In 1830, the McMinn county census lists only two Coffeys as head of household: Asbury M. and Marvel. We know that both Marvel and Asbury Madison relocated to McMinn county, so this - in my opinion - proves that the two of the Boone will were different people.

Now, how do we determine who the father was of Marvel? I can only speculate and offer the following:

Thomas Coffey, a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey, was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Smith with whom he had six children:

Elizabeth "Betsy", born 1763, died 1850 in Indiana, married David Allen.

John Franklin, born c1765, died c1812 in Wilkes Co., NC, married Hannah Wilson. Parents of Rebecca who married John (Jonithan?) Wilson. Several of John Franklin's children married children of Reuben Coffey, another son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

Thomas Jr. born c1767, married first Margaret Coffey (parents not yet known) and 2) Nancy Pendley. born c1800. There were two Nancy Pendleys, both married Coffey men. However, the two were born about 18 years apart. The second Nancy was born c1818 in NC and married a Marvel Coffey who was the son of James Coffey and Delilah Ferguson. This Marvel remained in NC throughout his lifetime. Thomas, Jr. and his Nancy named one son James Asbury Coffey.

James, born c1772, died c1840 in Wilkes Co., NC is the son who married Delilah Ferguson and were parents of Marvel who married Nancy Pendley. James and Delilah's other children were Thomas, Lovancy, James, Jr., Eli, Myra and Louisa.

Mary, born c1775, died c1828 in NC, married William Coffey, born c1775 in Burke Co., NC, and a son of Benjamin Coffey and Mary "Polly" Hayes. Benjamin was a brother to Thomas making Mary and William first cousins.

Thomas' last child with Elizabeth Smith was Smith Coffey, born c1776, died 1839 in Cherokee Co., NC. He married Jesse Boone's daughter, Hannah.

It is interesting to note that James and Delilah named a son Marvel, and Thomas, Jr. and wife Nancy named one son James Asbury.

It is also interesting to me that of the nine children born to Thomas Coffey and second wife, Sarah Fields, the first four were born pretty much like clock work; e.g., every two years between c1780 and c1788. The next five were also born more or less like clock work, every two years. There is a gap between Elijah - fourth child, born c1788 - and Sarah, the fifth child, born c1792, that Marvel, born c1790 would fit into pretty well.

All of this assumes, of course, that the given approximate birth years for these children are somewhat accurate.

So, let me see if I can sum this up correctly!

- James Coffey was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves

- James and wife Elizabeth Cleveland were parents of Eli, who married Hannah Allen and were parents of Asbury Madison Coffey.

- Thomas Coffey, also a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves.

- Thomas married 1) Elizabeth Smith and were parents of Smith Coffey. Thomas married second to Sarah "Sally" Fields.

- Thomas and Sarah "Sally" Fields Coffey were parents of William Coffey who married Anna Boone.

- William Coffey, Smith Coffey and Marvel Coffey, along with Asbury Madison Coffey all involved in the Jesse Boone will.

- A gap exists between the first four and last five of Thomas and Sally Fields Coffey's children; a gap that Marvel could fit into given that birth years are somewhat accurate.

Could it then be concluded from this somewhat preponderance of evidence that Marvel Coffey was a son of Thomas and Sarah "Sally" Fields Coffey?

Your opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Rufus & Charlotte Allen Coffey

Rufus was a son of the Rev. Reuben A. & Polly Dowell Coffey.  Reuben and Polly have been written about before, and most of the information on the family has been based on the research of Janet Amtower.  Blogs containing some of Janet's research and photo contributions can be found here, here, and here.  Her work appears in several issues of the publication of the Owen County Historical and Genealogical Society (OCHGS), PO Box 569, Spencer, IN 47460.

Some of the information and photos in this blog are also courtesy of Janet.

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I have found little information about Rufus except that he married Charlotte or Charlotta Allen on Feb. 17, 18421 in Monroe Co., IN. 

The family appeared in the 1850 Owen Co. and, the 1860 Monroe Co. census.  Rufus died on Jan. 26, 1886 in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., and was buried there in the Coffey Cemetery.

Charlotte was born Mar. 21, 1821 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY and died Sep. 20, 1882 in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., IN.  She is also buried at the Coffey Cemetery in Ellettsville.

The 1860 census shows one child, Cynthia, born c1853, in the household.  Apparently, she was the only child born to the union.

I can be reached at the above e-mail address with additions and/or corrections.

1 Indiana State Library Genealogy Database: Marriages through 1850, Indiana State Library online [http://199.8.200.229/db/marriages_search.asp], accessed Sep.,2005