Ernest Reid Coffey

Ernest* was a native of North Caroline, born on Christmas day in 1916.  He was the seventh of eight children and last of four sons born to John Wesley and Nancy Kizzie Ann Hatley Coffey.

Prior to his conviction for the murder of his uncle, James Hardy Coffey in 1936, Ernest was a suspect in a number of petty crimes.

James Hardy Coffey was a son of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey and brother to John Wesley Coffey.  He was married on Sep. 10, 1905 in Watauga Co., NC to Lillian Mae "Lillie" Gray, daughter of William and Delia A. Gray of Boone, Watauga Co., NC.  Together, they had seven children, the middle being a son born in 1912; the others all daughters.

James became a law enforcement officer and at the time of his death he was a deputy sheriff in Watauga Co.  In 1936, the year he was killed, a number of vacant summer homes and camps in the surrounding forests had been broken into and items stolen.  Through investigation James apparently began to suspect that his nephew Ernest, and others were involved.  News items of the day report that James was about to charge the nephew when he was killed.

He was killed on Apr. 5, 1936.  News items of the day draw a picture of him arriving home after a day on the job and being killed by a shotgun blast through a window while giving one of his daughters a violin lesson.  Other reports tell of him singing hymns while omitting the violin lesson.

Ernest was arrested after allegedly boasting to a friend that he had killed his uncle.  The trial did not last very long and he was convicted in July, 1936 of murder in the first degree.  The first degree conviction was the first in the history  of Avery County and, he was sentenced to death in the state's gas chamber.  The conviction was upheld in Oct., 1936 by the state supreme court.

Another news item - undated - reported that Ernest's execution was delayed by Gov. John C. B. Ehringhaus. In Aug., 1937, then Governor, Clyde Hoey commuted the sentence to life imprisonment. In 1940. As more evidence giving credence to Ernest constant denial of guilt began to emerge, Gov. Hoey again changed his sentence to "20 to 30 years."  In 1948 he was paroled!

James Thomas Rusher, in his book** entitled Until he is Dead, considerable space was given to the murder trial and subsequent efforts to free Ernest, called Reid in the book.

Ernest father never believed that his son was guilty and spent years pursuing his release.  Other family members also believed in his innocence and worked for his release.

After his release, he married Zula May Baker, believed to be of Robeson Co.  She was born c1917 and died on May 16, 1977.  Ernest died on Mar. 16, 1981 in Raleigh, Wake Co.  Both are buried at Brier Creek Memorial Gardens in Leesville, Wake Co.

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*See also The Edward Coffey Project: James Hardy Coffey - http://bit.ly/1jWOS5d and, The Edward Coffey Project: Murder of James Hardy Coffey - http://bit.ly/1jWOQKQ

 ** Until He is Dead: Capital Punishment in the Western North Carolina History, Parkway Publishers, 2003, ISBN: 1887905731, 9781887905732, 246 pages

Edward Coffey (c1700-c1776)

Very little factual information is known of Edward Jr., a son of Edward and Ann Powell.  He is "said" to have been born c1701 in Essex Co., VA and, died in Albemarle Co., VA after 1774.  He married Grace Cleveland, a daughter of Alexander and Mildred Presley¹ Cleveland sometime between 1737 and 1740.

Marvin Coffey wrote in his ancestral work on James Blueford Coffey, a descendant of Edward and Ann, that he had found no proof of the children of Edward and Grace.  He speculated that Cleveland, Coffey, who married Elizabeth² is one of their sons.  Or, he might be the Cleveland Coffey who entered land in Burke Co., now Caldwell Co., on Zack's Fork, in the year 1778.

Marvin thought that Edward Jr. might be a twin of the better know John who married Jane Graves. John is thought to have been born between 1699 and 1700 followed soon thereafter by Edward Jr., with perhaps less than a year between the births.

No proof of the names of Edward and Grace's children has ever been found.³  Marvin, again speculating and, based on time and location, thought that Benjamin, born in VA in 1763 and on the Burke Co., NC census from 1790 to 1850 (Caldwell Co. in 1850) was the son.  He married Leah, born c1760 in VA.  A Leah Coffey who married Francis Hickman in Jefferson Co., TN in 1798 might be their daughter.

Other possible children were James, on the 1785 census in Botetourt Co, VA and William in Montgomery Co., VA from 1781 to 1785.  They could also have been the children of Peter and Susannah Coffey of Prince Edward Co., VA. The William found on tax lists in Buckingham Co., VA from 1783 to 1797 is likely to have been a son of Peter.

Jesse Cleveland Coffey found in Wilkes Co. up to about 1786 could be the same found later in Pendleton Co., SC in 1790 and 1800.  He was the father of Cleveland, Edward, Joel, Elijah, Elisha and John.4  

Jesse is found in the Pendleton District, South Carolina census of 1800.5 6  He married Nancy Alexander, probably before 1766.

I have been in recent contact with descendants of Jesse and Nancy.  Their ancestor was Jesse's son Joel who married Martha "Patsy" Cobb.  For the most part, descendants of Joel remained in Rabun Co., GA all of their lives.

Joel and Martha had at least four children, the first being John Coffee, who is often referred to by the title of Reverend.  He is buried as "Elder John Coffee." He married Lavinia Carter in that county on Dec. 31, 1833 and died c1835, likely in childbirth. and later married Martha Singleton on Feb. 4, 1837.  With Martha, they raised 11 children.  John died in 1886 and Martha in 1887.  Both are buried

at the Clayton Baptist Church Cemetery in Clayton, Rabun Co.

The second child of Joel and Martha was Mary Frances, born c1818 in SC, died 1873 in GA.  She married Silas B. Price on Mar. 19, 1835 in Rabun Co. and were parents of at least five: Nancy Elizabeth, Martha, William J., and John R.

William Rowland was third and his wife was Ruth M. West, born 1851.  They married on Aug. 25, 1879 in Habersham Co., GA.  William was born on Nov. 4, 1834 in Rabun Co., died in GA in 1909. Ruth died in 120.  Both are buried at Head of Tennessee Baptist Church Cemetery at Dillard in Rabun Co.  Their children were Mable, Georgia, John Benjamin; Franklin, James Clinton and William H.

Jesse Leonard was the last known child.  He was born on Oct. 10, 1828 in Rabun Co. and married first to Nancy O. Singleton on Sep. 2, 1845.  She was born c1828 in GA.  Their children were Terrel, Mary M., Jemima, John E., James Jefferson, Lucinda and Martha, all born between 1847 and 1860. These children remain a work in progress.  More is known of the children by his second wife, Arzelia P. Thomas, born 1839 in Rabun Co.

Those children were Sarah B. "Sally," born c1863, married James A. Canup on May 4, 1886 in Rabun Co.  Robert Douglas, born Dec, 1866, married Martha Hazeltine Bowen on Dec. 10, 1888 in Towns Co., GA.  Joseph T., born c1869, no other information.  Rachel L., born c1872, married W. Virgil Bowen, no other information.  Franklin Alexander, no further information; Naoma Callie, born c1875, married Anderson Eller on Apr. 8, 1900 in Rabun Co. and lastly, Genela F., born Jun., 1877, married Martin Baker on Aug. 25, 1895.

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Footnotes

¹ Some Cleveland researchers reject Mildred Presley as the wife of Alexander and name an anonymous "Mary" as the mother of his children.  My source for her name is the work of  Marvin Coffey whose source appears to be by tradition. I consulted The Genealogy of the Cleveland Families, Edmund James Cleveland, 1899 and Virginia Cleveland Ancestor Discovered, George A. Martin, National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 46, Sep., 1958. Cleveland's work appears to me to mix two different Cleveland families and, is the source of the Presly surname.  I have not made a study of the Cleveland line and have only those two references to go by.

² Elizabeth is suspected to be the daughter of a man named Benjamin Franklin of Albemarle Co.  He had a daughter named Elizabeth who is known to have married a Clifton or Cliff Coffey and to have lived in Albemarle Co.  Marvin believed that Cliff or Clifton was a nickname for Cleveland because Joel and Martha Stapp Coffey had a son named Cleveland and nicknamed Cliff.  According to Tim Peterman, Elizabeth Franklin Coffey was the mother of Grace Coffey who married Rutherford Coffey in Green Co., KY in 1801.

³ At least by any Edward Sr. researcher that I know.

4 According to Marvin Coffey.  Others name his wife as Nancy Alexander and children as Cleveland, Bathsheba, Edward, John, Joel, Nancy and Elisha. Some descendants continue to spell their name Coffey while others, up through about the middle of the 20th century began spelling their name Coffee.  It appears now that practice ended and descendants have once again accepted Coffey as the correct spelling.

5 Attenpt to reconcile family members: 3 under 10 males: Edward, Joel and Elisha; Male 16-25, Cleveland; Male 45, Jesse; Female under 10: Nancy; Female, 10-15, Unknown; Female, 45, Nancy.  John should be here, born between 1786 and 1822.

6 Some family researchers claim that Jesse was born c1855 in VA and died c1807 in the Pendleton Dist., SC.  Some write that his parents were Joel Coffee [sic], and Martha Seely, and that he married Nancy [lnu] and was the father of Joel, born c1799 in the Pendleton Dist., and married Martha "Patsy" Cobb.  Joel is said to have died Sep. 15, 1849 and is buried in the Old Kingwood Cemetery.  The only reference I have found thus far to any Kingwood cemetery, places it in Preston Co., WVa.

^{Sources used were Rabun County Marriage Records; Census records, and family histories of Karen Coffey Galanski and Victoria Isham.  Heavily relied on for early Edward and Ann Powell research is credited to Marvin Dale Coffey and his work, James Bluford Coffey, His Ancestors and Descendants in America, and Vol. II, privately printed in 1984, second printing in 1994.  See http://bit.ly/1zUm0Sn for more information about this book.}

Coffey & Wilson in North Carolina

Ron Wolden and I began exchanging e-mails a few weeks ago.  He is in search of his Coffey and Wilson ancestry.  Ron would like to know more about his Wilson side.

Jordan H. Wilson was his 3d great grandfather who married Nancy Baker c1832 in NC.  Jordan was born sometime between 1798 and 1811 in Burke Co., and died in Caldwell Co. on Apr. 10, 1892.  He married Nancy Baker, born c1806 in Burke Co., died Dec. 16, 1894 in Caldwell Co.  Both are buried at the Lindsay Cemetery near Collettsville, in Caldwell Co.

Jordon and Nancy had at least six children:

Joseph Coleman Wilson, born Jun. 11, 1834 in Burke Co., died Mar. 18, 1884 in Caldwell Co.  Joseph married Martha Lindsey (var.) in Caldwell Co. on Jan. 15, 1861.

Robert Monroe Wilson, his 2d great grandfather, was born Apr. 26, 1837 in Burke Co. and died Jun. 29, 1920 in the Mulberry township of Caldwell Co.  He is buried at Harpers Chapel Cemetery in Patterson.  He married Susan Caroline Coffey c1862.  She was the daughter of Athan and Mary McGuire Coffey, born Oct. 6, 1845, died Jan. 23, 1949 in Mulberry Twp.

Robert and Susan's children were at least six:  Joseph J., born c1865; Mary Addie, born c1866, married John A. Lutz c1895; Annie J., born c1875; Nina Victoria, born c1879, married Flaveous Josephus Sherrill.  He was born in the Yadkin Valley on Oct. 15, 1875, died May 29, 1959 in Washington State.  He and Nina were married Mar. 25, 1900 in Patterson Twp.  I do not have death or burial information for Nina.   R. Athan, born Oct., 1881 and Martha C., born Aug., 1884.

Other children of Jordan and Nancy were:  John Alexander., born c1840, Burke Co., died 1919 in Caldwell Co.; Mary Jane, born c1844; Nancy P., born Jun. 17, 1847, died Sep. 8, 1899, buried at Lindsay; Laura, born Aug. 10, 1850, died Mar. 28, 1870 and also buried at Lindsay.

Ron tells me that Jordan's name first appears on an election list of voters in Lenoir, NC who submitted ballots at White's Election Ground on Johns River, Aug. 13, 1835.  In 1838 he enlisted as a Private in Co. D. of the Burke Co. Volunteers during the Cherokee Removal.  Sons Joseph Coleman and Robert Monroe had already been born.  Jordan's actual birth is likely to be somewhere between 1798 and 1811 in Burke Co.  Ron speculates the 1811 date may have been used at the 1838 enlistment to make him appear to be younger in order to serve.

Page 1 of Jordan's Will

His wife, Nancy Ann Baker was the daughter of John Menefee and Lucenda Puett Baker. In 1840 the couple lived in the Beaverdam District of Cherokee Co.

The executor of Jordan's will was his son, John Alexander Wilson.  Named heirs were M. E. Shell, R. T. Wilson, R. M. Wilson, J. W. Wilson, J. L. Wilson, Minnie Wilson, Mary M. Greene, Jesse Wilson and W. H. Lloyd.  The Shell and Lloyd portions appear to be payment for preparing the will.

R T., Robert Theodore Wilson, Minnie Wilson and Jesse (Hasty) Wilson were children of his son Joseph Coleman.  J. L. Coleman may be Joseph's son Lafayette and J. W., his son John.  Ron says that Mary M. Greene is a bit confusing since Joseph Coleman's daughter Mary was only 13 at the time and Jordan's daughter Mary had the middle name Jane.  But, Mary Greene is probably one of the two.  However, Mary Jane is known to have married M. M. Slagle.  R. M. Wilson is probably Robert Monroe.

[Jordan and Nancy were in Lower Creek Twp., Caldwell Co. in 1850; Beaverdam Dist., Cherokee Co. in 1860 and in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co. in 1870.  I haven't found them in 1880.  Ron also mentioned in his e-mail the marriage of Joseph Coleman Wilson to Martha Lindsey, a daughter of Grief Lindsey and Mary Elizabeth Coffey.  This is a union that I do not have recorded and, pretty much unsure who the parents were of Mary Coffey.  Click to contact Ron via e-mail.]

  Jack

Liston Pancoast Coffey

Liston Pancoast - an odd combination of names - was born to Albert G. and Elizabeth F. Goodhue Coffey on Feb. 7, 1869 in Russell Co., KY, a descendant of the alleged-to-be-mythical Chesley Coffey.  About 1885 in KY he married Jennie Louise Morris, the daughter of Elijah P. Morris.

Elijah's wife and Jennie's mother was Nancy Coffey[1], a daughter of George W. Coffey of Russell Co., KY.  George is also believed to be descended from Chesley through Chesley's alleged (there's that word again) son, Joel who married Martha Stepp, or Sealey.[2]  Joel and Martha's son Cleveland, who married Jane Witherspoon was George's father.

Liston and Jennie moved to the Oklahoma Territory sometime before 1900 and can be found in the McElroy Twp, Pawnee Co. census that year.  I haven't located them in 1910 but, in 1920 they were in Idabel, McCurtain Co., OK.  Liston is said to have died in Paris, Lamar Co., TX on Dec. 15, 1930.  According to Harris[1] he was a resident of Idabel at the time of his death.  I have not been successful in locating his burial site but, he is likely buried with Jennie.

Jennie was born in KY in 1861 and died in Antlers, Pushmataha Co., OK on Feb. 20, 1958.  She is buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Antlers.

There were at least four children born to the union of Jennie and Liston:

Edith[1], born Mar. 5, 1891 in Burnside, Wayne Co., KY, died Nov. 26, 1949 at Antlers.  She married John J. Ledford of Bucktown, Hardin Co., TN is about 1914. Children were Lenore, James Morris and Kenneth Thurman.

Ruth[1], born Sep. 22, 1895 in Pawnee, Indian Territory, OK.  She married Walter Henry Baker, born 1894 in Carter Co., OK, on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  He died in Logan Co., OK in 1988.  Ruth died in Paris, TX in 1939.  Children:  Kathryn Elizabeth and Gwendolyn, both born in Carter Co., OK.

George Leighton[1]. born 1899 in Pawnee, died in Idabel in 1927.  He married Vida Valerian Russell of Bodcaw, Nevada Co., AR on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  George is buried at Greenhill Cemetery at Muskogee, OK. Sometime before 1940 Vida remarried.  Her second husband was George R. Orenbaum of TX.  Children with George were:  George, Jr., 1921-2006; Bessie Jeanne, born 1923, married Homer Cantwell and Vida Lucille, married Jack Ernest Collier.

The fourth child born to Liston and Jennie was Liston, Jr.[1] on Oct. 133, 1902 at Pawnee.  He married Mildred Vera McDonald on May 17, 1928 at Idabel.  She was born to Elmer and Florence McDonald in 1908 at Octavia in Le Flore Co., OK.  Liston, Jr. died on Dec. 12, 1976 in Bryan Co., OK; she on Oct. 7, 1884 at Pittsburg Co., OK.  Both are buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Antlers, OK.

According to Mildred's obituary, she and Liston owned and operated the Coffey Funeral homes in several counties in SE Oklahoma.  Apparently, the family moved from time to time to the towns where the businesses were located, not staying long in any town.  In 1948 they moved to Antlers where they remained until death.  Their children were Wallace, Liston Ray, Frances, Patsy Ruth and Charlotte Kay.

Corrections and/or additions welcomed!

Jack

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[1]Descendant Report, Jan. 3, 2005, Cheryl Harris to Fred Coffey (FredCoffey@aol.com), cc: Jack Coffee.  Cheryl wrote:  "I haven't had success tracking siblings and half-siblings of Liston Pancoast Coffey. There is a family photo circa 1910 with a man reported as 'Uncle Fred' who has a strong resemblance to Liston. But, except for a James F. brother, no explanation for 'Fred' and only vague reference to him moving to Eddy, Texas (although there was an Eddy, Oklahoma very close to where the family was living in Pawnee, Oklahoma at that time)."  Cheryl also commented that Liston, Sr. may have been married prior to Jennie.  She reported that he had sired an unnamed child about 1875 in KY and cited a 1918 death date for the child.

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

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

A Joel Coffey was named as one of the buyers from the estate sale of Robert Patrick in Surry Co., NC in Feb., 1778.  Robert Patrick apparently died between 1774 and 1777.  He was on the 1774 tax list of Benjamin Cleveland and again in 1775.  He was not listed on the 1777 tax list.

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

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

Joseph is not listed in Joel's 1789 will (Wilkes Co., NC Will Book I, p260) but does appear in other researcher's work.  He could have been born to Joel's first wife and died before the will was made.  Joseph has also been reported to have gone to Kentucky quite early, and already otherwise provided for by his father thereby not making the will.  And, even if Joel had only one wife, Joseph could still have died quite young.  Marvin noted that there was a Joseph Coffey on early tax records of Adair Co., KY.

Martha Step's father was named Joseph so it appears logical that Joel and Martha would have given a son that name.  A daughter Celia was referred to as Sealy in Joel's will.  Marvin's research did not uncover any Sealy families in the same county that the Coffeys lived in Virginia or North Carolina.

As far as can be determined, a record of Chesley and Jane Cleveland has never been found.  Researchers should be aware that much controversy exists over the existence of Chesley and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  Additional controversy surrounds their child Joel.  Family information contained here should be taken lightly, and independent research used to confirm or refute connections.

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

Readers can find earlier blogs about this family here and here.

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Photo courtesy of Darryl Dobbs

Photo:  Benjamin Franklin Coffey was a son of Nelson and Keziah and married Martha Cecilia Dobbs, daughter of George Washington and Lurany Strunk Dobbs.  Thomas "Tom" Dobbs, was Sherd and Sally's son and married Julia Jones.  The others are discussed more fully below.  The photo is said to have been taken c1920.  However, Luraney died before 1910 and her child Roxy was born c1901.  I suspect it was taken in the Spring or early Summer of 1902.

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Short recap:

Sheridan L. "Sherd" Dobbs was born Sep. 4, 1844 in Wayne Co., KY to George Washington and Lurany H. Strunk Dobbbs.  He married Sarah "Sally" Coffey, born c1846 in KY, c1869.  Sally was a daughter of Nelson N. & Keziah "Kizzie" Watters Coffey.  Sally died Jan. 23, 1910 in McCreary Co., KY and Sherd died there on Dec. 17, 1941.  Both are buried in the Dobbs family cemetery in Stearns, McCreary Co.*

Their children, as I have them, were Benjamin Franklin, born ca Feb. 1870; Ollie, a daughter, born c1872; Emeline, born c1874; Angelina, born Nov. 7, 1876, died Jan. 29, 1958; Thomas, born Dec. 14, 1877, died Sep. 6, 1950, and Eli, born Nov., 1881.

Benjamin married Luraney Coffey, his mothers niece and a daughter of Henry Baker and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs Coffey.  Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs and Sherd Dobbs were sister and brother, making Benjamin and Luraney double first cousins.

Luraney died before the 1910 census and probably at the birth of her fourth child.  Their children were Alice, born c1898, Roxie, born c1901, Florida, born Aug. 19, 1903, died Apr. 5, 1963 in Fayette Co., KY, and Esther Loraine, born Feb. 14, 1910, died Oct. 7, 1911.  Florida married Edgar Dobbs, her 4x second cousin.  Edgar was the son of Joseph and Polly Ann Coffey Dobbs.  Joseph was a son of James Shelby "Jim Frett" and Prudence Ann "Prudie" Coffey Dobbs.  Jim Frett and Sherd Dobbs were brothers.  Polly Ann Coffey was a daughter of Joseph & Louisa J. Jones Coffey, and Joseph was brother to Prudence.

Esther Loraine died at the age of 1 year, 7 mos., and 23 days.  Her death certificate lists "cause unknown."  She is buried at Rock Creek in Wayne Co.

I have no information on Ollie and Emeline Dobbs.

Angelina also married a Coffey.  He was James C. "Jim" Coffey, born Jun. 6, 1879 to Richard Henderson & Catherine C. Jones Coffey.  Richard was brother to Sarah "Sally" Coffey who married Sherd Dobbs.  Catherine, born Mar. 27, 1840 in Wayne Co., was a daughter of William McKinley and Mary Jane "Polly" Baker Jones.  Catherine died in McCreary Co. on Oct. 16, 1901; Richard on Aug. 6, 1920.

Jim and Angelina had at least eight children:  Twins, Ollie and India, born Dec. 7, 1903; Saphronia Katherine, Apr. 7, 1906; Marie, Aug. 31, 1910; James Beecher, born Mar. 8, 1911; Roberta, born May 7, 1913; Raymond R., born Jan. 29, 1915 and Lillie, born c1918.  More information is available on these children.

Thomas Dobbs married Julia Jones, thought to be a daughter of Charlie and Lizzie Jones.  She was born in Slavans, McCreary Co. on Feb. 19, 1879 and died in Cooperative, McCreary Co. on Feb. 21, 1940.  Thomas and Julia are buried at the James C. Coffey family cemetery in Stearns.  Their children were Lillie, born 1910, Parker, born 1913, Ester, born 1918, Dora, born 1920 and Edith, born 1929.  More info is also available on these children.

Sherd and Sally's last child was Eli, born Nov., 1881.  No death info has been found for him or his wife Lettie, maiden name unknown.  They had children Willer, born c1913, Austin, born c1918, Arthur, born 1920, Myrtle, born c1925 and Clifford, born c1929.  This family went to Florida sometime between 1920 and 1925 because the last two children were born in that state.

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*Please contact me if you have geocoordinates for this cemetery.

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

Sherd Dobbs

Sarah Coffey Dobbs

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

Their children were:

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

Ben and Luraney's children were:

Alice, born c1898; Katie (or Roxie?), born c1901; Florida, born Aug. 19, 1903 in Wayne Co., died Apr. 5, 1963 in Fayette Co., KY.  Florida kept it in the family and married Edgar Dobbs, Benjamin's triple first cousin, once removed and double sixth cousin, once removed.  Edgar's parents were Joseph Dobbs and Polly Ann Coffey, a daughter of Joseph and Louisa J. Jones Coffey.  I know of one child born to Edgar and Florida, a son Howard, born 1927, died Dec. 21, 1984 in Pulaski Co.  The last Ben-Luraney child that I am aware of was Ester Loraine, born Feb. 14, 1910, died Oct. 7, 1911.

Eli Dobbs

Eli, born c1872, married c1912 to Lettie (LNU), born c1894. Their children were Willer, born c1913; Austin, born c1918; Arthur, born c1920; Myrtle, born c1925 and Clifford, born c1929. Myrtle and Clifford may have been born in Florida.

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

Angelina and Jim were parents to at least eight children:

James Beecher Coffey

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

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

Their children were:

Lillie, born Nov. 20, 1910 in Whitley Co., died Sep. 19, 2000 in Stearns, McCreary Co.  Lillie married  John Herbert Coffey, a son of Reuben and Mary Alice Vaughn Coffey on Nov. 23, 1933 in McCreary Co.  Lillie and Reuben were first cousins, once removed and second cousin to here husband, John Herbert.  I know of one child for Lillie, a son Dallas, born Nov. 1, 1944, died Oct. 4, 1947.

Following Lillie was Parker, born Jul. 10, 1913 in McCreary Co.  No further info.

Ester was next.  She was born Sep. 4, 1918 in McCreary Co., died Nov. 24, 2003 in KY.  She continued the family tradition by marrying Sterling E. Coffey, another son of Reuben and Mary Alive Vaughn Coffey.

The fourth child of Thomas and Julia was another daughter whose name I believe to also be Ester, or Dora Ester and have possibly confused the same child as two different people.  Whether or not they are the same, Dora Ester married Clyde Estill Coffey, still another son of Reuben and Mary Alice Vaughn Coffey.  Clyde was born Dec. 26, 1918 and died Dec. 22, 1968 in McCreary Co.  He and Dora were married on Jun. 11, 1941 in Stearns.

I plan to further check the "case of the two Esters."

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Unless otherwise indicated, photos are courtesy of Theresa/Thunderbird584

Coffey-Gilbreath

Elmer C. Gilbreath compiled the Coffee-Gilbreath-Turnbow Families in 1958.  It was placed on microfilm and retained in the LDS library at Salt Lake City and later reprinted by Gene Brewington (dec'd).  The following is from Gene's reprint and the website Gilbreath-Morrow Cemetery.

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 I began transcribing information for the Gilbreath-Coffey family with Andrew Gilbreath and his wife Nancy Hicklin.  Andrew is said to have been born c1735 in Pennsylvania, married Nancy c1767 in South Carolina and died c1783 in Tennessee. Of interest to Coffey researchers are two of their children, John (Jun. 6, 1768 - Nov. 24, 1850) and Elizabeth (c1777-June 18, 1846).

John Gilbreath was born in Virginia and died in Maury Co., TN.  He married Mary "Polly" Coffey c1788 in Kentucky.  Polly was the daughter of Chesley Coffey, Jr. and his wife, Margaret Baldwin.  She was born in Sept., 1758 in Wilkes Co., NC and died Aug. 24, 1843 in Maury Co.  Both she and John are buried in the Gilbreath-Morrow cemetery and their graves are marked with headstones.

Their children were Andrew, born c1791 in SC; James, born Apr. 2, 1792 in SC, died Sep. 26, 1845 in Maury Co.; Jane, born Oct. 2, 1795 in SC, died Apr. 22, 1842 in Maury Co., and John, born Sep. 26, 1799 in Green Co., KY.  His death date is unknown. 

Of these, James married Elizabeth Baker in KY n 1816.  She was born there on Mar. 24, 1798 and died in Maury Co. on Apr. 6, 1879.  Both are buried in the Gilbreath-Morrow cemetery and their graves are marked with headstones.  Their children were Minerva, born Nov. 30, 1819, died Sep. 28, 1875; John B., born Dec. 2, 1823, died Oct. 3, 1855; Isaih R., born Dec. 1, 1828, died Nov. 21, 1864, and Absalum M., born Mar. 9, 1830, died Nov. 22, 1858. 

Isaih married Mary L. Coffey on Aug. 19, 1862 in Maury Co.  She was the daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth Fine Coffey.  Calvin was a son of Nathan and Elizabeth Gilbreath Coffey.  Their children were Martha, born Jun 21, 1863, died Feb. 22, 1864 and, William James, born Aug. 29, 1864.  Isaih and Martha are buried at Gilbreath-Morrow.  After Isaih's death, Mary remarried to J. J. Fleming and died May 8, 1896 in Maury Co.  Mr. Fleming died Mar. 4, 1926 in Maury Co.  Both are buried at Rose Hill Cemetery in Columbia, Maury Co.

Absalum married Emily E., born Nov. 25, 1831, died Sep. 1, 1855 in Maury Co.  They had at least one child, Elizabeth Jane, born Aug. 20, 1855, died Nov. 30, 1855.  All are buried at Gilbreath-Morrow and their graves are marked with headstones.

John and Polly's third child Jane, married John Leonard Morrow on Oct. 13, 1821 in Maury Co.  John's grave site is unmarked; Jane's headstone is intact.  John was born Apr. 30, 1797 in the Pendleton District of SC and died Jan. 21, 1863 in Maury Co.

Their children were:

Mary Ann, born Jun. 3, 1828, perhaps in Giles Co., died Aug. 20, 1902 in Collin Co., TX.  She married Coleman William Wilcoxson on Mar. 26, 1851 in Maury Co.  He was born there on Sep. 26, 1828 and died in Collin Co. on Oct. 12, 1902.  They had at least two children:  Martha Asia, born Jan. 27, 1858 in TN, died Apr. 3, 1947 in Collin Co.; and Mary Alice, born Jul. 15, 1865 in Farmersville, Collin Co., died in Victoria Co., TX on Apr. 3, 1954.  These sisters respectively married brothers Isaac Fountain Coffey and William Daniel Coffey, sons of William Fine Coffey and Priscilla Howard.  Both had large families and, more information is available.

Susan P. was their second child.  She was born Mar. 10, 1834 in Maury Co., and died Apr. 7. 1852.  She is buried at Gilbreath-Morrow and her gravesite is marked by a headstone.

Andrew Alexander was next, born Feb. 6, 1836, died Jun. 18, 1898 in Maury Co.  Andrew married Martha S. Coffey, another daughter of Calvin and Elizabeth Fine Coffey, on Mar. 4, 1880 in Maury Co.  Martha was born Sep. 13, 1842 and died Jan. 14, 1899 in Maury Co.  Both grave sites are marked by headstones.  Before Andrew, Martha was married to Martin V. West of Giles Co. He was born Apr. 15, 1841 and died Jun. 14, 1872 in Maury Co. and was buried at Gilbreath-Morrow.

John William is the last known (to me) child of John and Jane.  He was born Nov. 4, 1853 in Farmersville, Collin Co., and died in Pauls Valley, Garvin Co., OK on Jun. 26, 1925.  He married Rebeca Jane Bottoms, born May 9, 1858 in IL, died Jun. 4, 1936 at Pauls Valley.  Both are buried at the Paoli Cemetery in Garvin Co.

John Gilbreath, born Sep. 26, 1799 in Green Co., KY is the last known (to me) child of John and Mary Coffey Gilbreath.

As written earlier, Andrew and Nancy Hicklin Gilbreath had two children who married into the Chesley Coffey, Jr. family.  His daughter, Elizabeth, born c1777 (very questionable, considering Nathan's birth date!) in VA married Nathan Coffey, a son of Chesley, Jr.  Nathan was born Aug. 13, 1790 in NC and died Jun 3, 1858 in Maury Co.  He is buried at Reece Chapel Cemetery at McCains in Maury Co.  Elizabeth died on Jun. 18, 1846 and is also buried at Reece Chapel.  I wrote an earlier blog about Nathan and Elizabeth and it can be read here.  Not much was included about their 14 children however, and I'll do that in a future blog.

After Elizabeth died, Nathan married  Eupheme Stockard, and I know almost nothing about this union.

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Wayne Austin has created an excellent website containing links to roughly 400 Tennessee cemeteries, some with photographs of the graves and headstones.  To view photos of the Coffey-Gilbreath graves, use this link.  Use this link to view a menu of available cemeteries.

Armstead Armstrong Coffee

Armstrong sometimes appears in the census record with his first name only and sometimes with only his middle name.  He was born to Nathaniel and Nancy Clarke Coffee in July, 1836, and married Catherine Cannon, born in Jan., 1841 in North Carolina in 1866.  I do not have a death date or burial place for Armstrong or Catherine.

Their children were:

Newton Asbury, born c1867 in Lower Creek Twp., Burke Co..  He married Ella D. Baker c1892 and died of pneumonia on 3 Feb., 1941 at Morganton in Burke Co.  Ella also died of pneumonia on 21 Jan 1943 at Grace Hospital in Morganton and both are buried there at Forest Hill Cemetery.

Their children, all born in Morganton, were Essie M., born c1900; Grace M., born c1902, Rosa E., born c1906 and Homer D., born c1910.

Emma C., born c1869 in Lower Creek, married George Matlock c1898.  Emma and George are known to have had at least one child, Walter, born Oct., 1898.

Louisa, born c1874.  No further information.

Samuel Wesley, born Oct., 1878 in NC, married the widow Mable Moses.  He died of uremia at Grace Hospital in Morganton on 20 Sep., 1945 and was buried at Forest Hill.  I have not found a death record for Mable.  She was young enough to have remarried and had other children after Sam died.

Lula Jane, born c1880 in Caldwell Co., married first to George Wortman and second to Waid Preston Raby.  She died of third degree burns on 28 Aug 1930 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC.  She was burned while attempting to start a fire using kerosene.  Her grave site is also at Forest Hill.  She is thought to have had at least one child by each of her husbands.

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Update Mar. 17, 2012 - Armstead served with the 26 Regt., NC Infantry, CSA, during the Civil War. Catherine died before the 1910 census because Armstead appeared then as a widower in Morganton, Burke Co., NC. His son Samuel still lived with him and Sarah Carpenter was a cook for the pair. Homer D., son of Newton Asbury and Ella D. Baker, married Willie Eloise Hines c1930 and they had a son named Homer H. Coffey, born Apr. 19,1931.

Albert G. & Elizabeth F. Goodhue Coffey

There was an e-mail in my in-box this morning from a Coffey researcher and correspondent of a few years back.  She is researching this family line and has Coffey information but was concerned that she did not know Elizabeth's parents.

Elizabeth F. Goodhue was born c1835 in Wayne Co., KY and died in that county c1865.  She was the daughter of James Goodhue of New Hampshire and Jane Morris of Cumberland Co., KY.1  Elizabeth's spouse Albert, was born c1825 in Wayne Co. to George W. and Nancy (LNU) Coffey and died sometime after 1893 in Pawnee, Indian Territory, OK.

In 1850 Albert was a constable in Russell Co. and roomed in a home just doors away from the widow Jane Goodhue and her daughters, Mumzella Malvina and Elizabeth.  Mumzella married Isaac G. Scholl c1860 in KY.  He was a native of Merry Oaks in Barren Co., KY.  Her children, all born in Russell Co., were Isadora, born c1862; Dr. Joel B., born Mar 1868; Asa H., born c1869 and Luther F., born Oct., 1872.  Joel, a physician, married Nancy (LNU) c1897 and in the 1900 census had one child, a daughter named "Baby" born Apr., 1898 in Russell Co.

Albert and Elizabeth were parents of at least five children:

Amanda M., born Aug. 19, 1852 in Jamestown, Russell Co., and died after 1920.  She married John McKnight Grider on Dec. 14, 1870 in Russell Co.  They had at least two chidren, Lizzie, born c1872 and Virgil M., born Mar. 6, 1874.  John was born Jun. 19, 1852 in Monroe, Hart Co., KY.  According to my correspondent, Amanda probably died in North Dakota.  I do not have death/burial information of John.

Second child of Albert was Robert B., born Jun. 16, 1855 in Jamestown.  No further info.

Third was an infant, born May 15, 1857, died Jun. 15 of that year.

Fourth was a son, Liston Pancoast, born Feb. 7, 1860, and is said to have died on Dec. 15, 1930 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX.  Liston married Jennie Louise Morris c1885 in Wayne Co.  She was the daughter of Elijah P. M. and Nancy C. Coffey Morris, born Nov. 20, 1861 in Wayne Co., died Feb. 20, 1958 in Antlers, Pushmataha Co., OK.  Jennie is buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Antlers.  I have not yet discovered Liston's burial site.

Their children were: 

Edith, born Mar. 5, 1891 in Wayne Co., died Nov. 26, 1959 in Antlers.  She married John J. Ledford c1914.  He was born c1876 in Bucktown, Hardin Co., TN.. Their children were Lenore, James Morris and Kenneth Thurman.

Ruth, born Sep. 22, 1895 in Pawnee, IT, OK, died Aug 28, 1939 in Paris, TX.  She married Walter Henry Baker on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel, McCurtin Co., OK.  He was born Oct. 20, 1894 in Ardmore, Carter Co., OK and died in Guthrie, Local Co., OK on Feb. 22, 1988.  Ruth and Walter had at least two children:  Kathryn, born 1921 and Gwendolyn, born 1922, both in Healdton, Carter Co.  Kathryn is said to have died on Jul. 22, 2001 in Fargo, Cass Co., ND. 

George Leighton, born Jul. 12, 1899 in Pawnee, died Jul. 18, 1927 in Muskogee Co., OK.  He married Vida Valerian Russell on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  Vida was born Jan. 5, 1902 in Bodcaw, Nevada Co., AR and died Sep. 26, 1968 in Santee, San Diego Co., CA.  Their children were:  George, Jr.; Bessie Jeanne and Vida Lucille.

Their last known child was James, apparently a "surprise baby," born c1915.  No further info.

The fifth child of Albert and Elizabeth was Thomas V., born 1863.  No further info
 has been found.

Elizabeth's sister, Mumzella Malvina was born Dec., 1830 in Russell Co. and, married Isaac G. Scholl.  The Russell Co. history revealed this:

"Isaac G. Scholl was born in Merry Oaks in Barren County, Kentucky, and moved to Jamestown in October 1850.  He followed his aunt, Sally (Hodge) Satterfield, and her husband Archabald Satterfield, who had come to this area from Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky, in 1822.  Isaac Scholl served as jailer of Russell County for many years after being appointed to the position in August of 1853.  He was also the town marshal and a blacksmith.  During the Civil War, Isaac was a 3rd lieutenant in the 94th Regiment, 2nd Battalion of the Russell County Militia.  Isaac's grandfather, Abraham Scholl, had been a Revolutionary War soldier.  Abraham was in the Battle of Blue Licks in northern Kentucky when Daniel Boone's son, Israel, was killed."

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Update, Aug. 17, 2011

Albert was married a second time and then to Matilda D. Grider c1865 in [perhaps] Clinton Co., KY but, more likely in Russell Co. because Matilda was born there c1832.  She also appeared there in the 1850 census with her parents, James and Ann Grider.

Some genealogies that I have viewed reports that Matilda first married Vespusian T. Bristow c1851 in Russell Co.  He apparently died before 1860 because she later married William Marlow and moved to Missouri.  The Marlow's appeared in the 1860 census of Miles Point, Carroll Co., MO.2

William was apparently dead by 1865 when Matilda married Albert.  They appeared in the 18703 Jamestown, Russell Co., KY census with two Marlow children: Hiram B., age 9 ["deaf and dumb"] and, Mary W., age 7, both born in MO.

Albert died in 1903 [some genealogies report his death in Oklahoma] and was buried in the Eddy Cemetery at  McLennan Co., TX.  His three sons with Matilda, George Fred, Joseph Frank and James C. are also buried at Eddy.4

An unresolved issue is the report in the1870 and 1880 census record of Albert's birth in Alabama.

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1 Russell County Historical Society, Russell County, Kentucky: History and Families (Nashville, TN: Turner Publishing Co., 1996), Page 19.
2 1860 Carroll Co., Sugar Tree Bottom Twp., Miles Point PO, Sheet 13, dwelling 1019, family 6 [sic], William Marlow, age 48, male, farmer, $8000, $3295, born KY; Matilda, age 25, female, born KY; Saml Marlow, age 22, male, laborer, born KY; John Marlow, age 18, male, born KY; Allice D., age 14, female, born KY; Wm., age 12, male, born KY; Geo., age 10, male, born KY; Malchum [sic] D., age 3, male, birth not given
3 1870 Russell Co., Jamestown PO, Pct. 1, Page 11, dwelling/family 74, Coffey, Albert G., age 45, male, white, farmer, $5000, $2000, born AL; Matilda D., age 36, female, white, keeping house, born KY; Amanda M., age 17, female, white, born KY; Robert B., age 14, male, white, born KY; Liston P., age 10, male, white, born KY; Thomas V., age 6, male, white, born KY; George F., age 4, male, white, born KY; Joseph F., age 11 mos., male, white, born KY; Marlow, Hiram B., age 9, male, white, born Missourie [sic], dumb; Marlow, Mary W., age 7, female, white, born Missourie 
4 His entry on Find A Grave incorrectly places this cemetery in Falls Co., TX

Levi Lafayette Coffey

Levi Lafayette Coffey was a son of Elisha and Anna Harmon Moody Coffey. He was born May 30, 1833 in Burke Co., NC and died Feb. 11, 1925 in Watauga Co., NC. At the time of death he was a retired farmer.

Temperance (Tempie) Calloway was the daughter of James and Nicey Gragg Calloway, and was born c1844 in North Carolina, and died there in c1890. She and Levi were married c1859.

In 1860 they were in the Valle Crucis district of Watauga Co. With them was their first child, Lavina, age 5 months. They remained in Watauga county through the 1880 census. Tempie apparently died sometime between June 7, 1880 and Jan. 1, 1882 when Levi married his distant cousin, Mary Ella Coffey.

Children of Levi and Tempie were:

Caroline Lavinia, born Mar. 6, 1860 in Watauga Co., died Feb. 13, 1923. She married David Nathaniel Coffey, a son of Austin Coffey and Mary A. Blalock.

Joseph DeKalb, born 1863 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jan. 24, 1939. He married Letitia Walters on Apr. 9, 1899 in Watauga Co. She was born Sep., 1879 in North Carolina and died in Watauga Co. in 1960. Joseph apparently had a wife before Letitia, but she is yet unidentified.

Judith, born c1866 - no further information.

Emma, born Oct. 19, 1869 in Watauga Co., and died in Hickory, Catawba Co. on Jan. 3, 1938. She married William M. Coffey, a son of Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Redmond.

James Wesley, born May 2, 1873 in Watauga Co., and died Dec. 6, 1960 in Boone, Watauga Co. He married Callie Ward, a daughter of James Ward and Mary Hicks. Callie was born Mar. 30, 1898 in Watauga Co., and died there on Aug. 25, 1975. James had also been previously married to Donnie Brewer. She was the daughter of Marvel Brower, and was born Dec. 15, 1883 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 22, 1924.

Archie E., born c1875 in North Carolina and died there on Apr. 11, 1903. He married Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown on Sep. 30, 1900 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Samuel Walker and Nancy Jane Joyce Brown. Jennie died Jul. 1, 1962 in Taylorsville in Alexander Co., NC. Virginia had been previously married to Leroy Starnes, and after the death of Archie, she married Henry Boone Coffey, a son of Smith and Charity.

[Note: A reader has reported that Leroy Starnes was Jennie's third husband]





A child of Jennie and Archie was Paul Arch Coffey, born Aug. 30, 1902, and died Mar. 25, 1957. He married Margaret Allen Linney on Dec. 6, 1926 in Watauga Co. She was born Apr. 27, 1906 in Boone and died there on un. 10, 1994. Their son, Paul Armfield Coffey married Rachel Ann Rivers, a daughter
of Robert Campbell and Bonnie Jean Lewis Rivers. Rachel's grandfather acquired the Watauga Democrat in 1889, a year after it was founded. Rachel took over the paper in 1975 after the death of her father and sold it in 1999.



Oscar Lee, born Sep. 7, 1878 in North Carolina and died Jul 1, 1977 in Davidson Co., NC. He married Ollie Belle Calloway, a daughter of William Henderson and Almirah M. Johnson Calloway. Ollie was born Mar. 10, 1886 in Watauga Co., and died on Apr. 23, 1943 in North Carolina.

More information is available on the children and their descendants.

According to her death certificate, Mary Ella Coffey was born in 1865 in North Carolina and died on Mar. 27, 1949 at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Baker* Redmond Coffey. She is buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mill.

The only child that I have for them is Henry Oliver Coffey, born Jul. 25, 1889. Henry married Zettie Chloe Honeycutt on Mar. 23, 1913 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Luke Jackson Honeycutt and Lithia Rotenberry. Luke was born in Alexander Co. in 1860 and died at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co. on Jul 4, 1939. Lithia was born in Mt. Airy, Surry Co., NC in 1860 and died at Shulls Mill on Oct. 7, 1930. Zettie was sister to Ada who married Lee Nelson Coffey, a son of Smith and Charity.

Children of Henry and Zettie were:

Unnamed female, born and died on Dec. 28, 1913

Henry Clay, born Mar. 31, 1916

Mary Helen, born Jan. 30, 1918

Litha Louise, born Jan. 24, 1920

Ruth Odena, born Nov. 25, 1921, died Aug. 27, 1931

Betty Lee, born Jul 26, 1927

Drop me a note at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information. I will also be happy to provide more information on this famiy to anyone who needs it.




*Laurence Coffey gives this name as Elizabeth Baker Redmond, indicating that she was probably married previous to her marriage to Smith. However, in an e-mail dated Aug. 23, 2007, a family researcher wrote this to me:

"Elizabeth was born 6/25/1836 and died 5/20/1912. She was not married prior to her marriage to Smith Coffey on June 25, 1854 (that was her 18th Birthday). According to the Caldwell County Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, Volume II – January Term 1848, Elizabeth, an orphan child of 11 years of age, was bound to Lucinda Baker (that is where the Baker name originated) until age 18, at which time she was give[n] her freedom, $6.00, a new suit of clothes, a bible and she was to be taught to read and write."

Another reader has recently informed me that "She was also a Cherokee. We never learned her Native-American name. "Chariety" which is from her headstone) is the only nickname we know of. (Sounds a lot like Cherokee) Redmond or Redman could refer to "a red Man" (Indian) this , of course, is family speculation. She needed a Surname for marriage."

Squire Coffey

Squire Coffey, born c1803 in Burke Co., NC, was a son of Smith Coffey and Hannah Boone. One genealogy that I have seen indicates that he married Nancy Moore on Dec. 29, 1824 in Burke Co. Nancy, is it said, was born Jan. 13, 1806 in Caldwell Co., and died there in 1826. Apparently there were no live children born to their union.

A Burke Co. marriage bond by Daniel Moore - perhaps some kin to Nancy - shows the marriage of Squire on Dec. 29, 1824 to Nancy. A History of Watauga County and, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 show that Squire married Alley Webb with bond dated Oct. 2, 1828 in Burke Co. Daniel Moore was a witness. Another genealogy report submitted by Charles Crabtree for inclusion in the Edward Coffey Project contains this information:

Smith W. Coffey's father, Squire Coffey was born about 1802\3 in Burke County North Carolina and died after 1840 in Cherokee County North Carolina, reportedly buried in the Peachtree Cemetery in the same county.

Squire and Alley (Ella?) had at least four children:

Margaret, born c1833, died May, 29, 1899. Margaret married Joseph Baker c1835 in North Carolina. I have found only two children for them: William, born c1847 and Mary, born c1849.

Smith, born May 1832, died Jan. 11, 1916.

Henry, born c1837 in Burke Co. He married Elizabeth Kendall, a daughter of William and Sarah D. Kendall around 1860. Elizabeth was born c1847 in North Carolina. Henry apparently died before 1870 - perhaps in the Civil War - because Elizabeth appears in the 1870 census with her parents in Caldwell Co. With her was her daughter, Laura, born in Aug., 1861.

I have one other child for Squire and Alley. She was Mary, born c1838 but I have not found her after 1850 when she was in the household with her widowed mother in Caldwell Co.

Squire died after 1840 and is thought to be buried somewhere in Cherokee Co., NC. I have not yet found a death date or place for Alley.

Please contact me with additions or corrections.