James Avery & Mary Jane Lainey Coffey

I noticed today that someone had been searching the blogs for information about James Avery Coffey.  As it happens, I have been trying to fill out his family information over the past couple of weeks.

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James was a son of James and Mary Keller Coffey and was born on Apr. 30, 1847 in Caldwell Co., NC and probably in the Yadkin valley. He was married there on Oct. 4, 1872 to Mary Jane Lainey (var.), born in April 1848 to James and Mariah Lainey.

There were at least nine children born to this union, all in the Kings Creek Twp. of Caldwell Co.  Each of them lived to become adults, marry and leave some descendants.  I'll name and report on each of them and their families.

The first born was James Columbus on Aug. 11, 1873.  James married Ann Etta "Etta" Barnett, daughter of Thomas Horton and Sarah Isabella Sherrill Barnett on Sep. 7, 1895 at Kings Creek..  Etta was born May, 12, 1874 in the Yadkin Valley and was the mother of at least two children:  John P., born in 1896, died in 1962 in Gaston Co., NC.  He married Lela Elrod - date not yet known - who was born in NC in 1910 and died there in 1999.  Both are buried at Hollywood Cemetery in Gastonia.  Second was Thomas Frank, born 1898, died 1967 in Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co., NC.  Thomas' wife was Naomi Farris and I have no information about her.  Thomas is buried at Mountain Rest Cemetery at Kings Mountain.

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Next was George Wesley, born in 1875.  His spouse was Lula Jane Barlow and they were married on Jun. 17, 1911 in Caldwell Co.  Lula was born to John Horton and Martha M. "Mattie" Grubb Barlow on Oct. 10, 1895 in Kings Creek Twp.  Their children were Nora Lee, born Nov., 1912, died May 7, 1944.  Here spouse was Lee Otis Keller, a son of Anderson and Emma Mayberry Keller, born in Yadkin Valley in 1893.  They were married c1933 in Caldwell Co.  Nora died in Lenoir in 1944, Lee in 1958. Both are buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery [KCBCC].  I know of no children.  Nora Lee was followed by Charles, c1915; Viola, c1917; Callie, c1919; Ellen, c1922; Annie, c1924 and Clara Mae, c1928.  Clara Mae married George Lincoln Smith and died on Mar. 21, 2012 at Hickory in Catawba Co.  She was buried at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens in Lenoir.  Her obituary reports that she had a son and two daughters.

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Third born was Mary Genelia in 1878.  She married Finley Green Andrews [date not known], who was born on Apr. 22, 1882 in Watauga Co., NC.  He was a son of Avery J. and Sarah Knight Andrews.  He and Mary had at least five children:  Troy Lawrence, 1907 in Caldwell Co., died 1946 in Forsyth Co.  His wife was Edna M. Mooney.  No other information.  Following Troy was Elizabeth, c1910; Roy Green, c1912; Sarah Jane, c1916 and Marvin Pershing, c1918.  Mary died in 1946 and Finley in 1961.  Both are buried at KCBCC.

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Julia Emma was fourth.  She was born in 1879 and married Rufus T. Barlow, a son of Horton and Nancy Maltba Barlow.  Rufus was born in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. on May 11, 1864 and they were married there on Dec. 8, 1901.  Their children were Nellie Mae, born 1904, died 1940.  She married James Fox on Nov. 1, 1924 in South Lenoir Twp., Caldwell Co.  James was born c1899 but I have no death information. Nellie is buried at KCBCC.  James is probably there as well.  Nellie's sister, Hattie Emma, was born c1908 and married Ralph Raymond Clippard in 1927.  He was born c1902 in NC.  I know of two children:  Richard, born c1937 and Maynard, born c1939..  I do not know where Hattie and Ralph are buried.  There were probably other children born to Rufus and Julia, but the last one I know of was Jack Christie, born 1915, died 1978 in Caldwell Co.

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Amanda Lou followed Julia in 1992.  She married Joseph Hamilton Kirby in 1906.  He was born in 1883, a son of William Jackson Kirby and Nancy Emma Nelson.  Their children were:  William Avery, 1907-1968, married Ruth Eva Montgomery, 1918-1998.  Both are buried at KCBCC.; Luther Iron, 1909-1958; Mallie Filmore, 1912-1978; and Edgar Lee, 1915-1969.  Edgar's wife was Gladys Lola Barlow, daughter of John Walter and Frances Ella Prestwood Barlow.  She was born in 1910 and died in Wilkes Co. in 1992.  They were apparently not married until 1964 and are likely to have been previously married to others.

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Robert Lee was next, born in 1885.  His wife was Bessie Church to whom he was married in Valmead, Caldwell Co. on Oct. 15, 1911.  He died in 1937 and was buried at KCBCC.  Bessie was born c1895 but I have no other information about her.

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William Henry "Will" was born in 1886.  His first wife was Naomi Genely [sic] Keller, daughter of Milas and Demaris Barlow Keller.  She was born in 1883 and died in 1933.  Her two children were Albert L., born c1907 and Mary Ethel, born 1910.  In c1938 Will, age 52, married 15 year old Annie Mae Summerow, a daughter of Joe F. and Florence Kincaide Summerow.  Annie was born in 1923 and gave Will at least five children:  Thelma Lore, 1939-2011, married James Garlen Laws; Ira Lee, 1940-?; and infant son, born 1943; Steve Wilson, born 1946 and Stanley Edward, birth date not known.  Annie died on May 2, 1989 in Hickory, Catawba Co. and was buried at Littlejohn Methodist Church cemetery in Hickory.  Will died on 1959 and was buried at KCBCC.  Sometime after Will's death, Annie married Gurner Walter Hamby, 1910-1996.

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Elisha Elmore was born in 1888 and c1919 married Fannie Bell Kirby, a daughter of William N. and Sarah G. Kirby Kirby.  Fannie was born at Kings Creek in 1898.  They were parents of Edgar Lee, born 1922; Toye Mae, born Dec., 1925, died 1987.  Toye (or Toy) married Earl Pearson in 1948; and Claude William born 1928.  Claude married Clara Dean Walker, daughter of Oscar Walker, on Mar. 26, 1954 in Granite Falls.  Claude died on Oct., 2010 at Rhodhiss, His burial place is unknown and there were no services scheduled.  Elisha is buried at KCBCC.  Fannie is likely there as well.

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Finally, we arrive at the last child, Millard Monroe, born 1889.  He married Mary A. Nelson in 1909 at Watauga Co.  She was born in 1892 to Thomas and Elizabeth Davis Nelson.  Their children were Rosa Bell, 1909-?; Mamie Bell, 1910-1993, married William Lee Turnmire in 1925, a son of John Calvin and Fannie Green(e) Turnmire.  They were parents of one unnamed, 1926-?; Grady, 1927-?; Nina, 1929-2009; Eugene, 1931-1969; Vilas, 1933-1940; Pauline, 1936-2002; William, Jr., 1938-1996; Lucille, 1940-?; and Edity, 1944-?.  Everett Turner follower Mamie in 1914, Watauga Co..  His wife was Thelma Green and they had at least one child, Lee Roy, born/died in Jan., 1937.

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So, that's what I have on this family.  There are more exact details available.

Additions and corrections welcomed!

Jack

Pulaski Patterson Campbell

The Campbell, Fitzgerald and Coffey families of Virginia will forever be entangled and no more so than in Nelson Co., VA.

 Pulaski Patterson Campbell was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Campbell.

Alexander was a son of Jesse C. ( for Coffey?) and Mary Campbell. Jesse C. was a son of John and Amelia "Milley" Coffey Campbell. Amelia was a daughter of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey. Alexander married Elizabeth J. Fitzgerald on Aug. 31, 1857* in Nelson Co. Elizabeth was a daughter of Benjamin and Malinda Fitzgerald however, I have not yet looked for them.

There are very probably more children but, I know of only four for Alexander and Elizabeth, all born in Nelson Co.:

Sophia Jane, born c1857; Pulaski Patterson, born May 22, 1860, died Jan. 1, 1944; Matilda A., born c1861; and Melvina, born c1863.

Pulaski married Luticia Campbell on Feb. 14, 1883 in Nelson Co.  Some genealogies and at least one census record refers to her as Lucy.  She was the daughter of William and Susan Ann Mawyer Campbell.  William was the son of Joel and Nancy Coffey Campbell.  Nancy was the daughter of Edmond Steward Coffey, Jr. and his wife, Matilda "Tildy" Fitzgerald.  Edmond Stewart was brother to Amelia who married  Jesse C. Campbell.

Obituary for Pulaski and and Luticia:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 4, 1944

A double funeral was held at Mt. Carmel near Steele's Tavern Sunday at 2:00 o'clock for Mr. and Mrs. Pulaski Patterson Campbell.

Mrs. Campbell died December 31st, at their home near Stuarts Draft with influenza. She was 76 years of age.

Mr. Campbell who had been ill for a number of years, died at their home Saturday, January 1st. He was 85 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are survived by six sons, Burtie G. Campbell, William A. Campbell, Admiral D. Campbell, Churchill G. Campbell, Paul G. Campbell, and Hersey F. Campbell; three daughters, Sadie B. Coffey, Mattie H. Sorrells, and Lilly M. Bradley; and by 36 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Campbell is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mattie Tarry, of Stuarts Draft. Active pallbearers were: Raymond Campbell, Tinsley Campbell, Hardy Coffey, Johnnie Campbell, Eldridge Sorrells, Willie Campbell, Jerry Painter, Downie Painter, Elmer Lott, Ollie S. Lotts, Brent Coffey and Leftwick Campbell

Confused yet?  Yeah, me too!

Pulaski and Lutitia were parents of [probably] ten children:

1 - Siddie Belle, born Mar, 25, 1886 in Montebello, Nelson Co., died Jun. 9, 1973.  She married Massie Franklin Coffey on Sep. 28, 1908 in Nelson Co.  He was a son of Ryland and Martha Wyatt Fortune Coffey.  Massie was born Apr. 28, 1886 and died Sep. 22, 1973.  They are buried at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Cemetery at Steeles Tavern in Augusta Co., VA.  They were parents of at least eight children:  Dorothy, Genettie, Davis, Hugh, Sadie, Paul Hardy, Erskine, and Lorraine.  More info is available on request for some of these children.

2 - Bertie G., born Jan., 1887 in Montebello.  In at least one census he was enumerated as a female.  I believe he was male and will do more searching at a later date.

3 - Mattie Hall, born Apr. 7, 1889 in Montebello, died Jan. 27, 1977 in Waynesboro.  Mattie married Andrew Givens Sorrels, born c1874.  Andrew is said to be buried at the Pleas Taylor Family cemetery in Nelson Co.**  Mattie is buried at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro.  Andrew was a son of George D. & Bethanie Fitzgerald Sorrels.

Her obituary:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 28, 1977

Mrs. Mattie Hall Sorrells, 87, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in a local nursing home.  She was born in Montebello, April 7, 1889, a daughter of the late Pulaski P. and Luticia Campbell.  She was the widow of Andy Givens Sorrells, who died in May, 1943.

She is survived by two sons, Thurman E. Sorrells of Route 1, Grottoes, and Andy G. Sorrells Jr. of Richmond; one brother, Paul Gay Campbell of Amherst; one sister, Mrs. William H. (Lillie) Bradley of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of the Etter Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Bradford Moles, with interment in Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Thurman Sorrells Jr., Michael Sorrells, Mitchell Sorrells, Leslie Sorrells, Kenneth Bradley and Erskine Coffey.  Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews and friends attending the service.

The body will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight.

4 - Sadie R., born Jun., 1892.  In 1910 she was enumerated as a male child named Will.

5 - Churchill Gardner, born Jun. 23, 1894 in Montebello, died Jun. 8, 1954 and buried at Mount Paran Baptist Church cemetery in Nelson Co.  Churchill married Lovie Dean Sorrels on Feb. 24, 1918*** in Nelson Co.  She was the daughter of Wilda Gay "Willie" and Martha Ida Fitzgerald Sorrels.  Lovie died on Sep. 3, 1968 and is also buried at Mount Paran.  Their children were:  Gardner; Wildie, Martha, and Estie.

6 - George O., born Dec., 1896 in Montebello.  In the 1910 census this child was named Dewey.

7 - Paul Gay, born Apr. 2, 1899, died Dec. 15, 1977 and buried at Jonesboro Baptist Church cemetery at Jonesboro, Nelson Co.  Paul was married c1927 to Mazie G. Taylor, a daughter of Lafayette Givens and Lillie May Coffey Taylor.  Mazie was born on Aug. 13, 1911 in Nelson Co. and died on Jan. 31, 2005.  She is also buried at Jonesboro.  I know of one child, Paul, born c1933 in Nelson Co.

8 - Huey S., born Feb., 1900.

9 - Hercy F., born c1902.  Missing from family in 1910 census.

10 - Lillie M., born c1904.   Also missing from family in 1910 census.

Pulaski and Lutitia can be found in Massies Mill census records from 1900 through 1940.

More work needs to be done on this family.  Additions and corrections welcomed.

Jack

PS:  Re: Jonesboro cemetery.  References that I have found to this cemetery on Find-A-Grave place it at Roseland, in Nelson Co.  Searching Google maps for Roseland and Jonesboro revealed that they are more or less wide spots along the Patrick Henry Hwy. and, about a mile or so apart.  I have chosen to use Jonesboro as the home of this cemetery because that's where it's located and, Jonesboro is the name of the church.

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 *Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940; Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZB-D6T : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Alex Campbell and Eliz. J. Fitzgerald, 31 Aug 1857; citing reference pg 5 ln 18, FHL microfilm 32734.

**Lynn Coffey, editor, "Backroads," privately published newspaper, published at Love, Nelson Co., VA, 1981-2006., Vol. 18, No. 226, Nov., 2000, Page 9.

*** Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZ5-T5H : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Churchill G. Campbell and Lovey D. Sorrels, 24 Feb 1918; citing reference p 159 ln 13, FHL microfilm 32734.

Margaret Rebecca Greene

Margaret was a daughter of David and Catherine E. Smith Greene, born Jul. 3, 1857 in Caldwell Co.  She married Smith Coffey, a son of Isaac and Sarah "Sally" Estes Coffey on Aug. 14, 1872 in Caldwell Co.*

Smith had first married Martha Smith in 1868** and had one son, Charlie, born c1874.

Rebecca and Smith were the parents of at least eight children:  Katherine who married Rev. W. Roseboro Beach; Mary who married Joseph Alexander Smith; Martha who married Horace Sudderth; Henry who married Thursa Elmira "Mira" Sudderth who later married James William Coffey, son of William Luther and Mary Ann Barlow Coffey; Margaret who married Duffy Benson; Thomas Jefferson who married Bessie Beach; George Greene who married Ella Anne Barnett; and Clara who married Jay Luther Barlow.

Annual Report

Smith apparently died before 1906 because on Sep. 19th of that year Rebecca married Burton N. Lanier at Kings Creek in Caldwell Co.***  It is unclear what happened to Burton because in 1910 Rabecca [sic] Lanier and her daughter Clara were enumerated at Kings Creek without Burton.¹  By 1920, enumerated as Myra R., she was once again using the Coffey surname.  She was a widow then and ran a retail grocery business which she operated through at least 1930.²

When Smith died, Rebecca was left with minor children Thomas, Greene and Clara.  She was required to report annually her expenses in support of the children.

Margaret Rebecca died on Dec. 11, 1938 at Kings Creek and was buried at Kings Creek Baptist Church Cemetery.

As always, corrections and additions are welcomed.

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*North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).  Groom's Name: Smith Coffey Groom's Birth Date: Groom's Birthplace: Groom's Age: Bride's Name: Rebecca Greene Bride's Birth Date: Bride's Birthplace: Bride's Age: Marriage Date: 14 Aug 1872 Marriage Place: Caldwell, North Carolina Groom's Father's Name: Lic Isaac Coffey Groom's Mother's Name: Bride's Father's Name: Bride's Mother's Name: Groom's Race: Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M74468-7 System Origin: North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number: 590345 Reference Number: bk 3 


**Ancestry.com. North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA.  Name: Smith Coffey Gender: Male Spouse: Martha Smith Spouse Gender: Female Marriage Date: 12 Jan 1868 Marriage County: Caldwell Marriage State: North Carolina Source Vendor: FHL microfilm # ????? Source: Record of this marriage may be found at the Family Notes: Smith Coffey married Martha Smith on Jan 12, 1868 in Caldwell, NC


***North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).  groom's name:Burton N. Lanier groom's birth date:1850 groom's birthplace: groom's age:56 bride's name:M. R. Coffey bride's birth date:1858 bride's birthplace: bride's age:48 marriage date:19 Sep 1906 marriage place:Kings River [sic] [Creek], Caldwell, North Carolina groom's father's name:Edmund Lanier groom's mother's name:Susanna Lanier bride's father's name:David Greene bride's mother's name:Mrs. David Greene groom's race:White groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race:White bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M74462-1 system origin:North Carolina-EASy source film number:590348 reference number:


¹1910 NC, Caldwell Co., Kings Creek Twp., ED56, Sheet 4B, dwelling/family 50, Lanier, Rabecca [sic], head, female, white, age 52, married this time for 4 yrs., born NC, parents born NC; Coffey, Clara, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born NC, parents born NC, farm laborer


²1920 Caldwell Co., Kings Creek Twp., ED64, Sheet 9B, Pennell Road, dwelling/family 170, Coffey, Myra [sic] R., head, female, white, age 62, widow, born NC, parents born NC, retail merchant, groceries; 1930 NC, Caldwell Co., Kings Creek Twp., ED 14-6, Sheet 4B, dwelling 64, family 65, Coffey, Rebecca, head, female, white, age 73, widow, married at age 14, born NC, parents born NC, retail merchant, groceries

James & Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey Bridge

Descendants of Jordan Coffey know that Jane Coffey, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey, is considered by many to be the mother of Jordan*.  His father is known through DNA testing of descendants to have been a Taliaferro.

Some, interested only in Jane do not realize that she had a younger sister, Elizabeth, born c1775 in either Amherst or Nelson Co., VA who married James Bridge.  James' birth date is not known but speculatively it was c1775.  He and Elizabeth were married on Sep. 15, 1795 in Amherst Co.

My research shows their first child, William, wasn't born until 1801 in Nelson Co.  There were probably some born earlier but I have found no record.  William died on Mar. 22, 1879 in Back Creek, Augusta Co.  Nothing is known by me of his life between birth and death.

Edmond C., born c1802 was next.  He married Martha W. Tyler of Apr. 29, 1824 in Amherst Co.  Like William, I know nothing of his life with Martha.

Elizabeth was third born c1805.  She married Spotswood Padgett on Nov. 24, 1824 in Amherst Co. and together they were parents to at least seven children:  Frances Jane, c1826; Elizabeth, c1828; Reuben Beverly, b1829; James, c1833; Catharine, c1837; Mary A., c1839 and, Martha W., c1844.

Elizabeth married Leonard S. S. Farnsworth, a son of Nathaniel and Pamela Simonder [sic] Farnsworth, on Jul. 3, 1856.

Reuben Beverly married Minerva J. Rankin, a daughter of John B. and Elizabeth Sheets Rankin, on Aug. 30, 1854 in Augusta Co.

James S. followed Elizabeth in 1808.  He married Nancy Lee on Jun. 27, 1832 in Nelson Co.  Nancy was born in VA in 1803 and died at Back Creek Augusta Co. on Aug. 6, 1855.  James died Nov. 28, 1870 in Augusta C.  Their children were Violetta, born c1833; Alexander, c1834; Mary Jane, c1837; Jefferson, born c1839 and Jesse Richardson, born May 30, 1844.

Violetta married Joseph Cabell Campbell, a son of Francis Jefferson Campbell II and his wife, Nancy Coffey.  Nancy was a daughter of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey.  Joseph and Violetta were parents of at least two children:  Lawson J., born Nov. 1851, died Jan. 23, 1928.  Lawson married Susan Mildred Truslow on Dec. 15, 1873 in Nelson Co.  

She and Lawson had a number of children, one of which married Grace M. Coffey, daughter of Andrew Jackson and Rebecca Campbell Coffey.  His name was Grover Cleveland Campbell, born Aug. 18, 1886, died Apr. 16, 1955 in Lynchburg, VA.  He and Grace were married on Dec. 25, 1904 in Nelson Co.

Jesse Odom followed James S.  He was born in 1810 and died on Sep. 2, 1859 at Back Creek.  I know nothing of his life between those dates.

Mary Ann was the last of James and Elizabeth's children.  She was born c1815 and married Nicholas Demastus, a son of John and Martha "Patsy" Moran Demastus.  Nicholas was born of Feb. 18, 1788 and married Mary Ann on Jan. 23, 1837 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co.

There are a lot of unknowns for James and Elizabeth; e.g., when and where were they born, who were his parents and, when/where did they die?

*James Bridge provided the surety bond when Jordan married Elizabeth Rippetoe in 1803.

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Sources:  Amherst Co. Marriage Records, 1763-1821; Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940; Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1902; US Federal Census, 1850-1880; Dodd, Jordan R., et al.. Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850

Coffey & Campbell in Nelson Co., VA

According to his Oct. 1, 1823 will*, Francis J. and Isabell Catlett Campbell had four children.

IN THE NAME OF GOD! AMEN.  I FRANCIS CAMPBELL in the County of Nelson.  Being weak in  body but sound in mind and memory, and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, do make  and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)  principally and first.

I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and my body to the Earth to be buried  in a Christian like manner, at the discretion of my Executors here and after named and first,  I request that all my just debts shall be paid; and as touching the residue of my worldly  estate as God hath blest me with.  I do leave in the manner and form following ______:

I leave and bequeath to my beloved wife Is(a)bell Campbell the third of my Estate during her  natural life at the discretion of my Executors.  The residue of my estate to be equally  divided between my two sons and two daughters viz. Francis Campbell; Polley Gregory, Joel  Campbell, and Rachel Gregory, share and share alike, only I give and bequeath to my son Joel  Campbell my house existing nary all which is to them and their heirs forever; - and further  it is my will and desire that the line made by myself and John Masters (between him and myself)  to stand forever.  And lastly I do appoint my sons Francis and Joel my sole Executors of this  my last will and Testament, hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills by me made and  declare this my last will and testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and  seal this first day of October eighteen hundred and twenty-three.

                                              His
                                     Francis   X   Campbell (Seal)
                                             Mark

Signed, sealed and delivered by the above named Francis Campbell to be his Last Will and Testament

Benjamin Hatter
John Coffey
Edmund F. Coffey

Francis J. Campbell II appears to be the eldest, born c1780 in VA, died 1855 in Nelson Co.  He married Nancy Coffey, said to be a daughter of Edmond S., Sr. and Nancy Barnett Coffey, on Feb. 26, 1806 in Amherst Co.**  He was followed by Mary "Polly" Campbell, Joel, born c1790, and Rachel.

Joel also married a Nancy Coffey, said to be a sister to Edmond S., Jr. whose parents were Edmond Sr. and Tildy Fitzgerald Coffey.

It gets more confusing!

Joel and Nancy had a number of children, believed to be as follows:

Rachel A., born c1821, died Dec. 1881, Nelson Co.
Reuben Lee, born c1828
Joel, also born c1828
Matilda, born c1830
Nancy, born c1832
Francis Vanvert, born c1836
Henry, born c1837
William, born c1841

The family appeared in the 1850 Nelson Co census as follows:

1850 Nelson Co., Page 560, dwelling/family 915, Joel Campbell, age 60, male, farmer, $700, born VA; Nancy, age 40, female, born VA; Joel, age 22, male, born VA; Lilly, age 17, female, born VA; Nancy, age 18, female, born VA; Rachel, age 25, female, born VA; Matilda, age 20, female, born VA; Reuben, age 18, male, born VA; Henry, age 16, male, born VA; Francis, age 14, male, born VA

The placement of children makes it appears to me, at least, that either Joel or Nancy had been previously married.  First clue is that Joel is 20+ years older than Nancy.  Further, the daughter Rachel is said to have married Washington "Wash" Coffey in 1842 yet she is still at home in 1850.  A marriage record for Wash names his wife as Rhoda.¹

Interesting to note that the marriage record for Francis J. Campbell names his bride as Nancy Campbell, not Nancy Coffey.***

The Nancy Coffey, daughter of Edmond, Jr. and Tildy, is said to have been born c1779; her spouse Joel in 1790.

Francis and his Nancy Coffey wife are said to have had a number of children, some of which were named Joel, and Rachel, born last in that family.  Two of the first three children born to Joel and his Nancy Coffey wife were named Rachel and Joel.

I am thinking that the two Nancy's might be the same people.  She may have first married a Campbell, perhaps Francis and, when he died she married his brother Joel.  Because dates are so inconclusive, we cannot be sure when any of the Campbell sons or either of their Coffey wives was born.  At least I cannot be certain!

In any event, there are enough inconsistencies and lack of source data about this Campbell-Coffey family for us to be suspicious of any genealogy that includes them with any implication that it is accurate.

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*Lynn Vanderherchen, http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/wills/w-cam01.txt
**Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, database, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org), index entries derived from copies of originals housed in various repositories throughout Virginia. [n.b. According to another source Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850 (Dodd, Jordan R.) the marriage too place on 28 Feb., 1806.  Perhaps 26 Feb. was the license date. This source names the bride as Nancy Campbell.
***Marriage Register, Nelson Co., VA - Part 1 is from Marriage Register, Book No. 2, 1854 - 1926 and and only includes entries for Coffey surnames thru 1899. See the files located at: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/vitals/marr0001.txt, Part 2, Page 33, Line 2.

¹groom's name: Washington Coffey groom's birth date: groom's birthplace: groom's age: bride's name: Rhoda [sic] Campbell bride's birth date: bride's birthplace: bride's age: marriage date: 20 Nov 1842 marriage place: Nelson County, Virginia groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M86879-0 system origin: Virginia-EASy source film number:32734 reference number :p 44

Reuben G. & Nancy Giles Coffey

Originally published 2006; revised 9/7/2011. More information on Reuben and his descendants can be found on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.

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Reuben G. Coffey, a son of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey, was likely born in VA c1777. He died Nov. 24, 1845 in Nelson Co., VA. His wife was Nancy Giles, a daughter of William & Margaret (LNU) Giles on Sep. 5, 1801* in Amherst Co., VA. I have not found any dates for Nancy and their grave sites remain unknown to me.

There were at least 11 children born to this union:

Mildred Ray, born Dec. 20, 1803, died Mar. 14, 1883 in VA. She married John Everitt, born c1806, died Oct. 18, 1892 in Nelson Co. I know of one child, Elias, born Dec. 12, 1842, died Sep. 13, 1931 in Nelson Co. Mildred has a headstone at the Everitt cemetery in Love, Nelson Co. John is probably there as well.

Nancy, born c1808, married Garland G. Coffey, her double first cousin, on Mar. 17, 1825 in Nelson Co. Garland was the son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey, William being brother to Reuben and Betsy, sister to Nancy. There were at least nice children born to this union: William, Nancy, Reuben Wetzel; Jesse C., Elizabeth A., John W., Moses, Harrison, and Alfred James.

Margaret Susanna married her first cousin, John W. Coffey, a son of Edmond and Tildy Fitzgerald Coffey. Edmond was brother to William and Reuben. John was born at White Rock in Nelson Co. c1805 and died there in Mar., 1864. Margaret was born c1810 in Nelson and died there c1877. They had at least four children: Nancy J., Mildred Annister, John Henry, and Colston Harrison.

Winnie, born c1812, married Silas M. Ramsey on May 3, 1834 in Nelson Co. No other information.

Sarah Jane, born c1812, married William W. Coffey, her double-first cousin and son of her uncle William and Aunt Betsy Giles Coffey, on Feb. 18, 1832 in Nelson Co. Their children were James H., Peter Jordan, William Montebello, Robert W., Marvel Maurice, James Rodney, Elizabeth N., Zachariah, and Mary S.

Frances C., born 1813 in Nelson Co., died Nov. 27, 1886 at Massies Mill in Nelson Co. She married Robert Woodson Fitzgerald on Aug. 23, 1830. He was born Oct. 31, 1807 in Nelson Co., died there on Jun. 7, 1886. Both are said to be buried at the Fitzgerald "burying grounds" in Nelson Co. Their children were: Mary Jane, Edward Addison, Philander Hersey; Sarah Ann; Napoleon Dewey, and Josephine.

Reuben C., born c1816 in Nelson Co., died Dec. 16, 1883 in Amherst Co. His spouse was Margaret Bowling, a daughter of William and Martha J. Bowling. Margaret was born c1816 and died Dec. 12, 1883 in Amherst Co. Their children were Marcellus B., and Augustus.

Elizabeth, born c1816, married Joshua Madison Ramsey on Sep. 13, 1850 in Nelson Co. He was a son of William and Catherine Campbell Ramsey, born Oct. 16, 1820 in Rockbridge Co., died Jan. 21, 1897 in VA. I know of one child, Editha, born c1860 in Nelson. Joshua's first wife was Nancy C. Steele, a daughter of John Steele, and Mary Coffey. Mary was a daughter of Edmond and Nancy Barnett Coffey and sister to William and Reuben. Joshua's children with Nancy were: Melvina, Delilah, Dabney Coleman, Andrew Jackson, Mary Susan and Susan Virginia.

Mary, born c1820 in Nelson Co., married Zephaniah Fitzgerald on Aug. 27, 1833 in Nelson Co. He was born c1818 in VA. I know of one child, Achilles Washington, born Aug. 8, 1844, died Feb. 5, 1917 in Nelson Co.

Emily, born c1821 in Nelson Co. No further information.

Lucy Ann, born c1824 in Nelson Co. Lucy married Robert Alexander Fitzgerald on Dec. 17, 1850 in Lovingston, Nelson Co. I do not have their death dates but, both are buried at the Pleas Taylor Family cemetery in Nelson Co.** Lucy and Robert had at least two children: Alexander Robert and Susan Massie.

Nancy Giles Coffey died sometime between 1824 and c1830. It was around 1830 when Reuben G. married Margaret Snead of Nelson Co. They had at least four children: Meredith J., born c1832; James Solomon, born c1835; Missouri A., born c1836 and Amanda Jane, born c1849.

---

The Will of Reuben G. Coffey:

Will: Reuben G. Coffey Source: Nelson Co., VA Will Book G, Page 173.

Contributor: Shirley Houk

I Reuben G. Coffey, of the County of Nelson & State of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory, but weak in body, do make and constitute this to be my last will and testament revoking all will or wills made by me.
1st. My desire is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid in the most convenient way that my executors may think proper, whom I shall hereafter name

2nd. I give to my daughters Betsey and Lucy and my son Reuben C. Coffey my tract of land on the Fork Mountain where Forbesh formerly lived, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike.

3rd. I give to my Reuben C. Coffey, my Cupboard and Bureau extra for past favors he had done for me which he shall not be accountable to my estate for in any future division. I also deem it unnecessary to say anything about the disposition of the negro girl Daskus which I formerly owned as I have heretofore sold and she is now the property of my son Reuben C. Coffey for which he has the bill of sale.

4th. I heretofore sold a tract of land lying on the Fork Mountain known by Clarks place to William W. Coffey for the payment of Six Thousand pounds of Toba which is hereafter to be paid and my desire is that the said sale shall stand good by one third of the payment or bond for said payment to be given to my wife, Margaret on the condition that she joins my executor or legal representative in making right of said to the said William W. Coffey.

5th. I give to my beloved wife, Margaret during her natural life or second marriage the one third part of all my estate of every description, which is not before disposed of to be enjoyed by her and her three children Meredith, Soloman and ____ and at the death of my wife Margaret, or second Marriage, she is at liberty to dispose of ?? childrens part between all my children in any that she may think proper, of the third part left to her.

6th. The other two thirds of my estate, at my death, my desire is that it shall be equally divided between all my children Milly, Polly, Nancy, Susan, Jane, Betsey, Fanny, Reuben, Winny, Lucy, Emily, Meredith, Solomon and ____ share and share alike taking into consideration what I have heretofore advanced to them which advancement I have made in writing.

7th. The One third part of my estate which I gave to my beloved wife Margaret during her natural life or second marriage after the childrens part, I gave her the liberty to take out at her death or second marriage my will is that the balance be also equally divided between all my children as before named share and share
alike.

Lastly I do hereby appoint my son Reuben C. Coffey my executor of this my last will and testament. Given under my hand this 22nd day of September 1825.

Reuben G. (X) Coffey
Witness:
Joseph B. Coffey
Nancy Campbell
Nancy Parrish
Sylvanus Meeks

At a Court held for Nelson County the 2_th day of November 1845 This last will and testament of Reuben G. Coffey decd, was this day presented in said Court and proved by the oaths of Sylvanus Meeks and Joseph B. Coffey, two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Reuben C. Coffey the executor named in said Will, who made oath thereto and together with Nelson Clarkson his security entered in and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of Six hundred dollars conditioned according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of said Will in due form of law. Teste Sp. Garland, Ck.

---

Elizabeth N. J. Coffey Martin

Update: Mar. 26, 2012

William W. and Sarah Jane Coffey Coffey were parents of at least nine children, one of which was Elizabeth Nancy Jane Coffey, born Jun. 21, 1845.  On Jan. 27, 1870 she was married to John N. Martin in Nelson Co.

Yesterday, I received this photo of Elizabeth N. J. from Jinni Kerdi, a great-granddaughter.

---

*Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 at www.familysearch.org. See also "My Virginia Kin", 1958,Press-Journal Pub. Co., p64.

**This cemetery is located off the Mill Creek School Road on private land owned by Larry and Nancy Long of Richmond, VA. Source notes about this cemetery indicate that it is "In very sad state of disrepair."

---

William Richard & Maude Matilda Coffey Dodd

William Richard was a son of Alexander and Mary Alice Anderson Dodd and was born at Massies Mill, Nelson Co., VA in 1874.  He married Maude Matilda Coffey, a daughter of Ryland and Martha Wyatt Fortune Coffey on Nov. 26, 1899* in Nelson Co.  William died there on Nov. 4, 1965; Mary on Apr. 22, 1963.  Both are buried at Hebron Baptist Church cemetery** in Afton, Nelson Co.

William and Maude had at least four children, two of whom married into the Farrar family, also of Nelson Co.

Clark Hampton Dodd, born Oct. 15, 1902 married Russie Farrar on Dec. 22, 1929* in Staunton, VA.  Russie was born Aug. 28, 1912 and died Sep. 6, 2005.  Clark died Nov. 27, 1986.  Both are also buried at Hebron.

Russie was the daughter of Samuel Thomas and Lillie Myrtle Critzer Farrar.  Samuel was the son of Seaton and Mary M. Orfliter Farrar.  The Farrars are buried at Rodes United Methodist Church*** in Afton.

William and Maude's daughter Roxie, born Apr. 30, 1904, married Russie's brother, Henry Thomas Farrar (date not known).  Henry was born Mar. 28, 1904 in Nelson Co. and died Sep. 19, 1959 in Washington, DC.  Roxie died in Nelson Co. on Dec. 31, 1968.  They too are buried at Hebron.

---

Ryland Coffey, Maude's father was a son of George Washington and Rachel A. Campbell Coffey.  I have not been able to locate details on George or Rachel, but believe he was born c1814 in VA, she c1821 in Nelson Co.

George goes back to Edward through William and Elizabeth "Betsy" Giles Coffey; Edmond S. & Nancy Barnett Coffey; to Edward's son, John and wife Jane Graves.

Seaton Farrar was a son of William H. & Esther Farrar.  Mary Orfliter was the daughter of Thomas and Mary Orfliter. Seaton and Mary were married Dec. 31, 1856* in Lovingston, Nelson Co.  In the 1850 census, The Farrar and Orfliter families were neighbors in Nelson Co.

---

* https://www.familysearch.org, Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940,
**Cut and past coordinates into maps.google.com to locate this cemetery: 37 59 19.02, -78 50 3.37
***Use these coordinates to locate Rodes:  37 59 14.08, -78 50 5.68

William Montebello & Cynthia T. Wood Coffey

William and Cynthia's children have a history with those of James Ramsey, Sr. and his wife, Mary Sneed.

---

William Montebello was born Apr. 15, 1834 in Nelson Co., VA to William W. & Sarah Jane Coffey Coffey.  William and Sarah were double first cousins, descendants of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett and William Giles and his wife, Margaret.  Cynthia Wood Coffey was the daughter of George W. & Martha Ann Coffey Wood.  Martha Ann was the daughter of William Benjamin and Mary F. "Molly" Demasters Coffey. 

~~~~~

Another daughter of George and Martha Ann Coffey Wood was Elvira, born 1840 in Nelson Co.  She married Peter Jordan Coffey in 1859, Rockbridge Co., a younger brother to William Montebello.

~~~~~

William and Cynthia had at least seven children, four of which married directly into the James Ramsey, Sr. & Mary Sneed family.  Another son waited a generation.

The following are not all of the children of William and Cynthia; only those that married into the Ramsey clan:

 - Sarah Jane, born c1860, married James M. Ramsey, Jr. Aug. 16, 1883 in Amherst Co.

Children:

Leonard, born Mar., 1884 m. Ella Blanche Nicely, a daughter of William Edward and Indiana Leighton Nicely.

Lemuel C., born Mar. 17, 1889 in Amherst Co., died Dec. 14, 1943 in Rockbridge Co.  Lemuel was married on Mar. 5, 1913 in Buena Vista, VA to Lora Cornelia Steele, a daughter of Henry B. Steele and Willie Jane Ramsey.  Willie Jane was a daughter of James M., Sr. and Mary Sneed Ramsey.

The remaining children of James, Jr. and Sarah Jane Coffey Ramsey were:  Annie, born Jul., 1891; Clarence, born Mar., 1893; Learns (?), born Mar., 1894; Grace M., born Mar., 1896 and Samuel E., born Apr., 1900

- Matthew D., born c1867, married Jun. 2, 1898 to Willie Jane Ramsey.  Willie's first husband was Henry B. Steele.  Her and Matthew's children were:

Walter Lee, born Mar. 7, 1891 in Buena Vista; died unknown.

O'Coner Jackson, born Jun. 18, 1893, died May 9, 1950 in Buena Vista.

Lessie M., born c1896.

Finley Houston, born Oct. 17, 1897 in Rockbridge Co., died Sep. 24, 1946.

Edward F. "Buck," born Feb. 16, 1900 in Rockbridge Co., died Mar. 19, 1967.

Ferman H., born c1900.

Hattie B., born c1906.

[Spouses and descendants for most of these children are available if needed.]

- Delilah, born c1867, married Mathew Henry Ramsey on Aug. 21, 1887 in Amherst Co.  I have no further information on this family.

- Annie Lee, born c1878, married Stuart Lee Ramsey on Sep. 9, 1895 in Rockbridge Co.  I have no further information on this family.

- Reubin Wood Coffey was the youngest son of William and Cynthia Wood Coffey, not born until mid-1882.  His nephew, son of sister Sarah and husband James, Jr. Ramsey (see above), married Ella Blanche Nicely, a daughter of William and Indiana.  Blache's sister, Nettie Belle became the wife of Reubin on Dec. 18, 1901 in Rockbridge Co.

Reubin and Nettie Belle are buried at Neriah Baptist Church Cemetery in Buena Vista. Also buried there are:  Lemuel and his wife Lora; O'Coner Jackson Coffey, a son of Matthew and Willie Jane Ramsey Coffey, and his wife Lucy Frances Tomin.

 

 

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

Eddie Walton Coffey

Eddie was the son of James William and Lillian Gertrude Robertson Coffey.  He was born Oct. 30, 1927 in Augusta Co., VA and died on Dec. 20, 1990 at Staunton, Augusta Co.

Obituary, The Staunton News Leader, Staunton, VA, 21 Dec. 1990

Eddie Walton Coffey, 63, of Route 1 Box 159, Mt. Solon, died Thursday  morning (December 20, 1990) in King's Daughters' Hospital.

He was born October 30, 1927 in Augusta County, a son of the late  James William and Lillian Gertrude Robertson Coffey Sr.

He served with the U.S. Navy during World War II and was a member of  Clemmer-McGuffin Post No. 13, American Legion. Mr. Coffey was retired  from Staunton Frozen Foods, Inc. and was a former baseball player with  the Staunton Presidents Team and had been an umpire in the Valley Baseball  League. He was a member of Spring Hill Presbyterian Church. He was also a  retired farmer and member of the American Angus Association.

Surviving are his wife, Jane Mohler Coffey; two sons, Thomas Webster  "Tink" Coffey, Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Russell Mohler Coffey, Mt. Solon;  a daughter, Jan Ellen Lee Coffey, at home; three brothers, James W. Coffey Jr.,  Weyers Cave, Robert L. Coffey, West Augusta, and John C. Coffey, Cheyenne,  Wyo.; and 5 grandchildren, Amanda Laine Coffey, Thomas Drew Coffey, Alice  Margaret Coffey, Jordan Margaret Peters and Matthew Russell Coffey.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Hamrick Funeral  Home, conducted by the Rev. Herbert T. Lewis. Burial will be in Thornrose  Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Greg Lam, Wilson F. Vellines, Jr., Randal  M. Stover, Chad Barnett, William A. Simmons and H. Eugene Harman.    Honorary pallbearers will be, Hunter Baber, Leo Argenbright, Paul J.  Kivlighan, Russell W. Miller, Raymond E. Miller, Joseph Viglione, J.  Rawley Collins, Carlton D.  Newlen, Wesley T. Rhodecap and Douglas  Livesay.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home this evening  from 7 to 8 p.m. and at other times at the residence.

It is suggested that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be  made to the Mt. Solon branch of the Bridgewater Rescue Squad, Mt. Solon,  Virginia 22843.

This morning I had an e-mail from the daughter of Roger A. Norton asking if this Eddie was the same one who served with her father aboard the amphibious assault ship, the USS Kersarge during WW2.  Unfortunately, I have no way to determine that except to ask for reader input.  If you are related to or know the family of Eddie Walton Coffey and whether or not he did serve on the Kersarge, please let me know so I can forward the information to Roger Norton's daughter.

Lewis Coffey, Jr.

Lewis, born Aug. 23, 1850 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY, was a son of Lewis and Elizabeth Watters Coffey.  He married Permelia Ann Tucker, a daughter of William, on Nov. 7, 1870 in Pulaski Co.  Permelia was born in KY on Mar. 8, 1851 and died of Grippe in Berea Valley, Wayne Co., on Nov. 6, 1932. 

Lewis died of Cholera on July 25, 1928 in Beech Valley, Wayne Co.  Both are buried at Spann Hill Cemetery in Monticello, Wayne Co.

I have found at least eight children for them:

Eliza, born Feb., 1874, died May 10, 1963.  She married William B. Dodson on Oct. 12, 1898.  He was born in Mar., 1869 in KY and died in Wayne Co. on Nov. 30, 1958.  I have one child for them a son Carmil, born Aug., 1899 in Wayne Co.  Eliza and William are buried at Ross-Rhoda Dodson Cemetery, Monticello, in Wayne Co.

Martha, born Nov. 27, 1875 in Wayne Co., and died there died on May 25, 1956.  She married Jacob Cosby Koontz on Feb. 16, 1905 in Wayne Co.  He was born Mar. 7, 1885 in Wayne Co. and died there on Apr. 24, 1962.  Their children were Elba, born c1906; Delbie, born c1908; Bertha, born Nov. 14, 1911, died Apr. 4, 1935; and Cosby, born Oct. 25, 1915, died Jan. 7, 1983.  Martha is buried at Spann Hill where Jacob is also likely buried.

Mary, born Apr. 4, 1878, died Dec. 19, 1883.

Elitha "Litha", born Apr. 15, 1881, died Apr. 6, 1969.  She married Joseph F. "Joe" Lair on May 15, 1902.  He was born in 1870 and died Jan. 20, 1968.

Jefferson, born Jun. 14, 1884, died Aug. 30, 1969.  He married c1922 Lina Mae Barnett.  She was born Oct. 24, 1884 and died Oct. 7, 1961 in Somerset, Pulaski Co.  Their children were Oscar H., born c1907; Eva J., born Jan. 24, 1909, died Mar. 30, 1975; Alfred Wilborn, born Jul. 29, 1911; Leonard C., born Nov. 8, 1913, died Nov. 22, 1917; Orso William, born Apr. 1, 1916, died Jul. 9, 1986; Valda L., born Feb. 27, 1919; Alma E., born Jul. 27, 1921; and Hugh Henderson "Huey", born Jun. 20, 1923, died Dec. 14, 1985.  Jefferson and Lina are buried at Elk Spring cemetery in Monticello.

Mitt, born Mar. 16, 1887 in Wayne Co., died Sep. 22, 1970.  He married Flossie Linnie Taylor on May 29, 1913.  Flossie was born Nov. 17, 1894.  Their children were: Mat; Herman T., Ruby O.; Earl A.; Will Roe [?]; Odie W.; Flora Pearl; Flossie Glenna; and Harley.

Flora Delia, born Jul. 26, 1889 in Wayne Co., died there on Jan. 12, 1936.  She married Fredrick L. Ingels on Jul. 24, 1915.  He was born Mar. 18, 1881 and died in Wayne Co. on Oct. 24, 1939.  I have one child, Lora H., born Sep. 22, 1916.  Flora and Fredrick are buried at Spann Hill.

William, born Oct. 6, 1893 in Wayne Co., died there on May 3, 1986.  He married a distant cousin, Lexie Coffey on Feb. 15, 1936, a daughter of Henderson and Margaret Coffey Coffey.  Lexie was born Jan. 9, 1909 in Oil Valley and died on Sep. 16, 1967.  Both are buried at Elk Spring.

More information is available.  Contact me at the above e-mail address to request more info, or to add to or correct any of this information.

James Francis & Hilah Pendleton Reid Coffey

Connie Coffey Dorsey was making a visit to the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery in Lexington, VA when she found these headstones.  Knowing that I collect headstone photos for the Edward Coffey Project, she send these and a couple of others a few days ago. 

James Francis Coffey was a son of Walton Wilmuth and Lula Elizabeth McCormick Coffey.  I know of only one other child of in that family:  Ruth E., born c1921.

Going backwards, Walton descends from Edward through:  William and Martha Jane Davis Coffey; William Montebello and Cynthia T. Wood Coffey; William W and Sarah Jane Coffey Coffey. Sarah descends from Edward via Reuben G. and Nancy Giles Coffey.  Reuben G. descends from Edward through Edmond Stewart and Nancy Barnett Coffey

These stones mark the graves of James Francis' grandparents and are also found in the Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetery.

Orso William and Opal Taylor Coffey

Orso William Coffey was the fifth child of Jefferson and Lina Mae Barnett Coffey. he was born Apr. 1, 1916 in Wayne Co., KY and died in Monticello, Wayne Co. on Jul. 9, 1986. He married Opal Taylor (or Tucker?), born Jun. 11, 1912 in Monticello, and died oct. 28, 1986 in Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY.

Orso and Opal had at least three children, none of which lived beyond infancy.

They were:

Roy Thurman, born Apr. 26, 1942, died Apr. 26, 1942

Henderson, born Mar. 21, 1953, died Mar. 31, 1953

Preston L., born Apr. 4, 1957, died Jan. 6, 1958

This family is buried at Lockett Chapel in Monticello.

Jefferson & Lina Mae Barnett Coffey

Jefferson Coffey, born Jun. 25, 1884 in Wayne Co., KY, was the first son and fifth child of Lewis Jr., and Permelia Ann Tucker Coffey. He married Lina Mae Barnett, born Oct. 24, 1884 in Wayne Co., c1906.


Their children were:

Oscar H., born c1907

Eva J., born Jan. 24, 1909, died Mar. 30, 1975.  Eva married Sheard Martin, born Jul. 25, 1903, died Feb. 28, 1981 in Wayne Co. Both are buried at the Dodson Cemetery in Steubenville, Wayne Co.


Alfred Wilborn, born Jul. 29, 1911

Leonard C., born Nov. 8, 1913, died of tuberculoses and pneumonia on Nov. 22, 1917. According to Wayne County, Kentucky Cemeteries Book by B.B. Coffey, he was buried at Ross-Rhoda Dodson Cemetery in Montecello, Wayne Co. His death certificate reports only that he was buried at Dodson Cemetery.

Osro William, born Apr. 1, 1916, died Jul. 9, 1986 in Wayne Co. He married Opal Tucker [Taylor?], born Jun. 11, 1912, died Oct. 28, 1983 in Wayne Co. Both are buried at Lockett Chapel in Monticello.

Valda L., born Feb. 27, 1919

Alma E., born Jul. 27, 1921

Huey H., born Jun. 20, 1923. Huey appears with his parents in the photograph.

Separating cemeteries with similar names in the same general location is difficult. Please drop me an e-mail, or leave a comment, if you have more up to date information for any of these family members.

Hazel Evelyn Barnett Coffey

Hazel, born Jan. 29, 1912 in Leavenworth, KS died Jan. 2, 2008 at the Golden Living Center in Edwardsville, KS. She was the daughter of Harvey and Louella Mae Kimball Barnett. She was married on Sep. 5, 1933 to Walter Michael Coffey.

Please contact me if you know anything about Walter Michael Coffey and who his parents were.

Update Jan. 6, 2008:

I found Walter in the 1930 Leavenworth, KS census where he was a lodger in a boarding house and employed as a baker. He was 21 years old. Hazel, age 18, was still in her mother's home in Leavenworth.

I found Walter in Leavenworth in 1920 in the household with his widower father, James. James was born in Kansas in about 1849. He reported that his father and mother were born in Ireland.

Update Sep. 18, 2009

Hazel's obituary and photo have disappeared from the Leavenworth Times website. Please contact me if you have either and would like to share.

Looking for help!

I have the following Coffey families from Caldwell Co., NC that I am unable to place with their parents.

• Finley C. Coffey, m. Verdie Corpening - a child was Francis Nadine, born 5.18.1840


• Finley C. Coffey, m. Sarah Pearson - a child was Magalener, born 3.1.1910


• Henry C. Coffey, m. Ruth Ann Carter - a child was Frances Irene, born 7.27.1937


• Jasper P. Coffey, m. Mary Jane Minton - a child was Ellis Lafayette, born 7.3.1888


• Clarence M. Coffey, m. Bessie Simmons - a child was Peggy Jean, born 10.24.1930


• Wm. H. Coffey, m. Mattie Maltba - a child was Albert Lee, born 6.9.1906 [Mattie could be d/o Wm. Zacharia and Mary Ann Maltba Coffey!?]


• James C. Coffey, m. Etta Ann Barnette - a child was John Parlier, born 3.13.1896


• Wm. Monroe Coffey, m. Polly Ann S. Coffey - a child was John Lee, born 9.23.1898 [Wm. Monroe Coffey and Mary Chandler Coffey also had a son named John Lee]


• Margaret A. Coffey, no husband given - a child was Collis Ray, born 4.4.1911


• Robert Lee Coffey, m. Jennie Celia Carlton - a child was Fanry [?] Isabell, born 12.18.1911


• Amanda Coffey, no husband given - a child was Mattie Mae, born 1.9.1900


• James William Coffey, m. Myra Sudderth - a child was Pearl Lucille, born 6.10.1912 [A Myra Sudderth also married Henry Coffey]


• Geo. Wash. Coffey, m. Emma Rice - two children: Sidney Thomas, born 6.30.1914 and Auburn Zale, born 9.4.1927


• Harrison Coffey, m. Wincie R. Teague - two children: Earl H., born 10.28.1907 and Grace Bell, born 11.1.1906


• George G. Coffey, m. Ella Barnette - a child was Vernon Smith, born 11.17.1912


• Thos. W. Coffey, m. Mary Lou E. Robbins - a child was Charlie Lee, born 6.14.1907


• Robert Finley Coffey, m. Crettie Ritch - three children: Beulah Evelyn, born 8.22.1923; Lena Faye, born 5.26.1932, and Beadie Owen, born 2.27.1934*

Please contact me at the e-mail address below if you can help identify any of these people.

*Identified: Robert Finley was a son of Thomas Hall and Cora Ellen Tolbert Coffey. I have five children for them: Beulah Evelyn, born 8.22.1923; Thomas Henry, born 1925, died 1999; Lena Faye, born 5.26.1932; Beadie Oden, born 2.27.1934, and Robert Claude, born 1936. I have not found them in the 1930 census schedule.

George Washington Coffey (1870-1940)

I recently found a death certificate for George Washington Coffey, born Dec. 15, 1870, died Nov. 10, 1940 in West Virginia. The certificate lists his father as Marval [sic] Coffey, and his mother as Mary Ann Coffey.

In my files I have Mary Ann Coffey, daughter of Marvel and Nancy E. Pendley Coffey, born Jun. 10, 1850 in Caldwell Co., NC, died Jan. 15, 1910, also in Caldwell Co. Until now I did not know who her husband, and father of her children was: John Kelley, born c1869; George Washington, and Elizabeth G., born Oct. 6, 1873.

But, now I'm confused [not unusual at all!]. Who was Marvel descended from? Did the informant for George's death certificate make a mistake and give his grandfather's name instead?

Please contact me if you can help!

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Update Mar. 31, 2012

Marvel and Nancy Pendley Coffey were enumerated in the 1850 and 1860 Kings Creek Twp., Caldwell Co., NC census with a daughter named Mary. In 1850 she was 11 months old and in 1860 she was 12 years old.  In 1870 the family was still in Kings Creek Twp., and Mary, now aged 20, was enumerated as a "domestic servant."

Mary "the daughter" is said to be the mother of three children without benefit of marriage: John Kelly, born c1869; George Washington, born Dec. 15, 1870, died Nov. 10, 1940 in Williamson, Mingo Co., WV; and Elizabeth Jeanette "Lizzie," born Oct. 6, 1873 died May 18, 1958 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

There is a marriage record in Mingo Co., WV for John K. Coffey to Mary Crotts on which John names his parents as "Marvel & Mary Ann Coffey."

Elizabeth "Lizzie" Jeanette was married first to Julius F. Barnett* on Nov. 18, 1893 at Kings Creek. On Nov. 8, 1911 she married Frank Wilson** at Granite Falls in Lovelady Twp., Caldwell Co.  Elizabeth died on May 18, 1958 at Lenoir.  The informant named on her death certificate was Mrs. Nellie Triplett, Lizzie's daughter, born to the Julius Barnett marriage.  The certificate names Lizzie's mother as Mary Ann Coffey but the father's name was "Not Obtainable."

So, I now have two of Mary's children who claim Marvel and Mary Ann Coffey as their father.  The third child only names Mary Ann as the mother.

Now, when Mary, the "domestic servant," appeared in the 1870 census, she was apparently the mother of the child John Kelly, age 1 year in that census.   Four years later, Mary "the daughter" married William Zachariah Maltba*** and lived with him until her death in 1910.

In the 1880 Caldwell Co. census, Zacariah [sic] Maltba and wife Mary A., had children (among others): John K., age 11; George, age 9 and Elizabeth, age 6, all of which appear to be the same children attributed to Mary Ann by documents mentioned herein.  Although not enumerated with the Coffey surname, they were much too old to have been children resulting from the Zachariah and Mary Ann union.

So, what are we to make from all this?  Mary who married Zachariah Maltba named Marvel Coffey as her father.  Was Mary's father also the father of her first three children?  Was there another Marvel?  Was Mary "the domestic servant" another Mary Coffey?  Was Mary "the daughter" also Mary "the domestic servant?"

The Maltba family remained in Kings Creek the remainder of their lives.  Elizabeth "Lizzie" remained in the Kings Creek area during her marriages to Barnett and Wilson while the two boys, John K. and George Washington moved on to West Virginia.

Anyone have this figured out?

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 *Groom's Name: Julius F. Barnett Groom's Birth Date: 1866 Groom's Birthplace: Groom's Age: 27 Bride's Name: Lizzie Coffey Bride's Birth Date: 1873 Bride's Birthplace: Bride's Age: 20 Marriage Date: 18 Nov 1893 Marriage Place: Kings Creek Twp, Caldwell, North Carolina Groom's Father's Name: Thos. H. Barnett Groom's Mother's Name: Sarah Barnett Bride's Father's Name: Bride's Mother's Name: Mary Ann Maltba Groom's Race: White Groom's Marital Status: Groom's Previous Wife's Name: Bride's Race: White Bride's Marital Status: Bride's Previous Husband's Name: Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M74468-8 System Origin: North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number: 590346 Reference Number 

 **groom's name:N. F. Wilson groom's birth date:1862 groom's birthplace: groom's age:49 bride's name:Lizzie Barnett bride's birth date:1874 bride's birthplace: bride's age:37 marriage date:08 Nov 1911 marriage place:Granite Falls, Lovelady Twp, North Carolina groom's father's name:Jacob Wilson groom's mother's name:Margaret Wilson bride's father's name: bride's mother's name: groom's race:White groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race:White bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M74461-8 system origin:North Carolina-EASy source film number:590349 reference number


***groom's name:Wm. Z. Maltba groom's birth date:1853 groom's birthplace: groom's age:21 bride's name:Mary A. Coffey bride's birth date:1849 bride's birthplace: bride's age:25 marriage date:25 Nov 1874 marriage place:Caldwell, North Carolina groom's father's name:Jonathan Maltba groom's mother's name:Sarah Maltba bride's father's name:Marvel Coffey bride's mother's name:Nancy Coffey groom's race: groom's marital status: groom's previous wife's name: bride's race: bride's marital status: bride's previous husband's name: indexing project (batch) number:M74468-7 system origin:North Carolina-EASy source film number:590345 reference number:bk 3