Hugh R. Blunt

Hugh R. Blunt was born Sep. 11, 1822 in Louisiana to Nelson and Elizabeth Blunt.

There are two inconvenient facts lacking in this family's research.  First, Hugh is not a proven son of Nelson, and second, Nelson is a not a proven son of James Blunt and Pembroke Powers.  It is only their proximity in time and place that makes me believe they are closely related.

James' son Hugh R. Blunt, born c1776 in North Carolina, married Euphemie "Pheme" Powers on Aug. 21, 1806¹ in Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, LA. Hugh Blunt died Feb., 1827 in Iberville Parish.  By 1830 his widow is found on the tax rolls of St. Helena Parish.²

A Nelson Blount [sic] disappeared from St. Helena Parish in c1812³ and a family with Nelson as head appeared in the Natchitoches Parish, LA census of 1820, "age to 45." Given the birth year of Hugh R., Nelson's age would have him born in the late 1770s, close enough for me to suspect them of being brothers.  By 1830, Nelson lived in Claiborne Parish, LA which had been cut from Natchitoches Parish in 1828.  He likely died before 1840 because he does not appear in that or any later census record.

The names Hugh and Nelson often appear in a number of my North Louisiana Blunt families.

Back to Hugh R.

James R. Bishop and his wife Peninah Walker had eight children, all daughters.  Hugh R. married two of them.  His first wife was fourth born, Mary Ann Bishop.  They married on Feb. 11, 1850 in Claiborne Parish.4

That union resulted in the birth of two children, the first being James Bert "Jim" Blunt on Mar. 11, 1851 in Columbia Co., AR.  The second born was Frances "Fanny: on Apr. 22, 1852 in Bossier Parish, LA.  Mary Ann is known to have died around that period and it seems reasonable to believe that she died giving birth to Fanny.

Living with Hugh and Mary Ann then was Beneta [sic], James and Peninah's youngest daughter, born Jan. 5, 1839.  Beneta continued to care for Hugh's children over the years until on Jan. 25, 1857 she married Hugh in Lafayette Co., AR.5

Together they had three children:

Martha Ann, born 1858, died 1927, married James C. "Tiny" Johnson in 1881.

Amanda M. "Manda", born 1859 in Rusk, Cherokee Co., TX, died 1936 in Minden, Webster Parish, LA.  She married James Monroe Braley on Aug. 19, 1881.

Hughriah Nelson "Hugh" Blunt, born 1863 in Bossier Parish, LA, died 1939 in Bossier. Married Labicey Etta "Et" Leonard on Jan. 8, 1883 in Louisiana.6

Amanda and Hugh

James Monroe Braley was the son of the German emigrant Johan Frederick Braley.  Braley appears to be an Anglicized spelling; I believe the original surname was Brahle.  He arrived in Sag Harbor, Suffolk, NY on board the vessel Markus in May, 1832, having embarked at Amsterdam.7

Johan Frederick, or Meckie as he was known to his family, wandered around somewhere in the US until 1850.  That is when he first appears in Claiborne Parish, LA, married to the widow, Elizabeth Edwards who had two daughters of her own, Sarah, born ca 1833 and Elizabeth, born c1835, both in Louisiana.

Meckie and Elizabeth had five children of their own, all boys!

James Monroe Braley

Amanda Blount Braley &
Ora Elizabeth Braley Coffee

James Monroe was the second born.  He arrived on Aug. 19, 1849 in Claiborne Parish and married Amanda on Aug. 19, 1881.  They settled down in Webster Parish, formed from parts of Bienville, Bossier and Claiborne Parishes in 1871. All of these Parishes were once part of Natchitoches Parish.

On Jan. 7, 1893 James homesteaded 159.97 acres in Twp. 23N, Range 10W in Webster Parish.  They remained in that area for the remainder of their lives.  Six of their seven children survived to adulthood including a daughter that would eventually become my maternal grandmother,

Ora Elizabeth Braley was born second on Jan. 14, 1884, one year to the day after the first child, also a daughter, was born and which died in Aug., 1884.

J. M. Braley Homestead

Ora, content to remain single, did not marry until she was 25 years old.  She was very likely of considerable help to her mother Mandy who had five younger children.

Ora was the third wife of my grandfather, Albert Lilburn "A. L." Coffee.  He was 11 years older than Ora when they married and had lost his first two wives to death.

Della was his first wife and she gave birth to two children; Ora May West Coffee in 1894 and Carl Glenn Coffee in 1896, both in De Ann, Hempstead Co., AR.  Della died in 1898 and A. L. married Ida Lee Timberlake in 1899 at De Ann.  They had two children as well:  John Timberlake "Jack", Coffee - for whom I was named, my real name being Jack rather than John - born Mar. 5, 1900 and Ruby EcElvy Coffey, born 1902, both in Hempstead Co.

Children from the first union lived to adult hood and have a considerable number of descendants.  Jack did not marry until 1927 when he married Katie Louise Johnson, a native of Newton Co., MS, on Aug. 4, 1927 in Natchez, Adams Co., MS.  Katie lived in Natches with her family.  Jack was employed repairing levees along the Mississippi.  In 1928 Jack died of pneumonia without having produced any children.  Ironically, Katie later married a Mr. Blount and moved to Wood Co., TX where she died in 1966.  I have not yet learned who Mr. Blount was.

Ruby never married and died in Minden, Webster Parish in 1985.

By marrying A. L., Ora took on the task of raising his motherless children while giving birth to six of her own.  Her first born was my father, Frank Hurley Coffee (Frank to me, Hurley to his nieces and nephews).

Frank was born in De Ann in 1910 and died in Jefferson, Marion Co., TX in 1976.  I never knew him as anything more than the man that had sired me.  I had met him on several occasions, the last time right after I took my discharge from the US Army in 1968.  He never impressed me in any way other than an alcoholic and an "old five and dimer."  My mother was his second wife.  By the time he had passed away in 1976, he had been married at least six times.  Fortunately, he sired only two of us; the second by his fourth wife.

I have photographs of  him that I refuse to publish.

Sources:

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¹Diocese of Baton Rouge Catholic Church Records, 1804-1819, Vol. 3, Page 114.  Although non-Catholic, Spanish rule demanded all residents of the territory to record births, marriages and deaths with the Catholic church

²Ernest Russ Williams, Jr., Genealogical and Historical Abstracts of Legal Records of St. Helena Parish, LA, 1804-1870 (1995), p171. The document shows she was farming 160 acres along the Amite River in the parish of St. Helena, and owned 3 slaves. Total state and parish tax for the year was $4.80. Phamy's property was described as being "east of the Seuttfield Tract." Next door to her was James Blount [sic] who was farming 640 acres, owned no slaves, and paid $1.25 tax in 1830.

³Conveyance Book B, St. Helena Parish, LA, April 9, 1812; James Norton deputy Sheriff, sold property of Nelson Blount [sic], "lying on Spring Creek, above where William Wells now lives", to A.L. Osborne for $100; to satisfy a judgment against Blount in favor of William Boykin. Wit.: Matthew Steward.

4Dodd, Jordan R, et. al. Early American Marriages: Louisiana to 1850. Bountiful, UT: Precision Indexing Publishers, 19xx.  Spouse 1: Bishop, Mary Ann Spouse 2: Blunt, Hugh Marriage Date: 11 Feb 1850 Marriage Location: Louisiana Claiborne Parish

5"Arkansas County Marriages, 1837-1944,", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FQLC-6WT : accessed 24 Oct 2013), Hugh Blunt and Benetia Bishop, 25 Jan 1857.

6 Etta Leonard Blunt Family Bible (Thomas Nelson & Sons, 381-385 Fourth Avenue, New York, NY). Etta's Bible has been an invaluable source for dates and places.

7"United States Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874" , index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1942-22118-3356-49?cc=1921756 : accessed 13 Aug 2014), Boyl-Bran > image 4740 of 6297; citing NARA microfilm publication M334.

James Bert "Jim" Blunt, Jr.

This photo is from my personal family collection.[1]  He is James Bert "Jim" Blunt, Jr., son of Jim, Sr. and his wife Alpha Anne Delafield.  Jim, Jr. was born Oct. 18, 1882 in Sarepta, Webster Parish, LA and died on Aug. 24,1933 in Rush Springs, Grady Co., OK.

He married Miss Isabelle Allison in Rush Springs on Mar. 12, 1911.  She was born Nov. 14, 1892 in Chockie, Atoka Co. OK to Charles Edward and Irene E. Glossup Allison.  She died in Jacksonville, Cherokee Co., TX on May 12, 1967.  Both are buried at Rush Springs Cemetery.

Jim, Jr. was to me both a first cousin, twice removed and, a second cousin, twice removed.  On the Blunt side, he descended from Hugh R. Blunt (1822-1877) and his wife Mary Ann Bishop.  Hugh was also married to Mary Ann's younger sister, Bonita Bishop from whom I descend.  And, we both descend from James R. and Peninah Walker Bishop of Lawrence Co., MS.

My descent from Hugh and Beneta is through their daughter, Amanda (1859-1936).  She married James Monroe Braley and their daughter, Ora (1884-1984) married A. L. Coffee and were my paternal grandparents.

I like this photo for a several reasons.  First, it is large, in focus and without defect (spots, folds, etc.).  Another reason is his clothing.  He is wearing a conventional necktie, white shirt and suit.  His hat sits back on his head, giving full exposure to his face.  It was probably taken in the mid-to-late 1920's.

He is wearing leather wrist cuffs and gloves.  The flashlight, along with his watch and fob must have been prized possessions. I have seen portrait-like period photos in which the men were displaying pistols or rifles but, I have never seen one with the subject holding a flashlight.  The mustache was de rigueur.

Jim, Jr and Isabelle had four children:

Myrtle (1912-1999) who married Verdie Hiram Morris and had children James Vernor and Joyce.

Hazel Relura (1913-1994) who married Clarence David Roberts and had children James Bert and Clarence David.

Clifford Edward "Cliff," (1916-1997) who married Mary Louise Fausett.  No known children.

DeAlva (1928-living) who married Robert Eugene Eitelman (1926-1986).  Four chidlren, three still living.  Their first, James Robert was born Oct. 19, 1947 and died the next day.

Jack

[1] I received the photo through a cousin who received it from Jim Jr's daughter, DeAlva.

Just a Few of My Family's WW2 Vets

Memorial day is tomorrow and  I want to honor just a few of my family's WW2 veterans.  This is by no means all of them, but they are representative of the patriotism that existed in all branches of my kin, as it did in nearly all families across America in those days.  This is my small way of saying "Thank you for your service and sacrifice."*  

A couple of the photos do not reproduce well because they are copies of very small photos which appeared in a yearbook-style book published by The American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars shortly after the war was over.

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Richard Lilburn Samuel

Richard Lilburn Samuel, first cousin.  He was born in De Ann, Hempstead Co., AR on Oct. 28, 1918 to Sidney Bedford and Ora West Coffee Samuel; died Aug. 8, 1968 in Cotton Valley, Webster Parish, LA.  He entered the Army in 1941, trained in Camp Croft, S.C., Panama and Camp Pariso, C.Z.   He served in Pacific Theater - New Guinea. Awarded Good Conduct Medal and the American Theater Service Medal. Discharged in 1945.  Notice that he is wearing only the Combat Infantry Badge (CIB).

Lilburn Monroe Braley

Lilburn Monroe Braley, first cousin once removed, was born in Sarepta, Webster Parish, LA on Nov. 3, 1925.  Known as "Dude" to his family, he died on Nov. 2, 2007 in Shongaloo, Webster Parish.  He joined the US Marine Corps in 1945 and served in the Pacific on Guam and later in China.

Harry D. Coffee

Harry Devohn Coffee, uncle, born Nov. 6, 1912 in DeAnn, died Feb. 8, 1989 in Baton Rouge, LA.  Harry enlisted in the US Coast Guard in 1942 and served in the European Theater earning air medals and numerous citations as a radioman.  He was discharged in 1945.

Charles Calvin Samuel

Charles was a brother to Richard.  He joined the US Army in 1941 and was discharged in 1942 after serving at Fort Knox in KY.  Charles died on Jul. 2, 1957 in New Orleans, LA.

Frank Hurley Coffee

Frank Hurley Coffee, father and brother to Harry, was born Mar. 8, 1910 in DeAnn and died Sep. 4, 1976 in Jefferson, Marion Co., TX.  He joined the USAAF in 1942 and trained at Lamesa Army Flying School and at Dalhart, TX.  He served in the US and was discharged in 1944.






Clifford Edward Blunt, second cousin once removed, born Jul. 23, 1916 in Grady Co., OK, died Apr. 26, 1997 in Gregg Co., TX.  She served in the USAAF, discharged as a Master Sgt.  His enlistment record is inaccurate in that his birthdate is given as 1845 and place of enlistment as Georgia.  (No photo available)

James Elton Braley

James Elton Braley, first cousin once removed, born Sarepta on Dec. 9, 1909, died Sep. 24, 1974 in Monroe, Ouachita Parish, LA.  He enlisted in the USAAF on Oct. 13, 1942 and served in the US.  He was discharged in 1945.







*See also:

http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2010/05/capt-loy-grady-coffey-usaaf-wwii.html and
http://coffeycousins.blogspot.com/2010/05/red-ryder.html

No. 995

James Bert Blunt

James Bert Blunt

James Bert Blunt was a son of Hugh R. and Mary Ann Bishop Blunt.  Hugh was my second great grandfather on my paternal side.  James Bert was not only my great-uncle, he was also my first cousin, three times removed.

"Jim" moved from Louisiana to Texas in 1880, then back to Louisiana in 1890.  He finally settled in Rush Springs, Indian Territory.  In his later years, he often said that were he a younger man he would go to Canada, a "land of opportunity."  He is said to have owned a number of very fine farms, but would always sell out and move on.

Alpha Anna Delafield

His first wife was Georgia Ann Slack who he married on Aug. 25, 1872.  Georgia died a year later and on Jan. 20, 1876, he married Alpha Anna Delafield.   He and Anna raised eight children:  Joel Edgar, Mildred Irene, Rosie Relura, James Bert, Jr., Nova Arizona, Pierce, Albert Batron, and Alpha Anna.

Alpha Anna descended from Thomas Delafield, Vicar of Great Milton.  His son Nicholas Delafield was born c1720 in England.  A Texas Historical Marker erected in 1972 near Hallsville in Harrison Co., describes Nicholas as a cooper in the English navy in the 1740's and an artisan who lived in Mecklenburg Co., VA in the 1760s.  According to Bonded Passengers to America*, Nicholas was sentenced to transport to the American Colonies for a period of seven years in the summer of 1752 for "stealing at Stoke Church."

Nicholas' son, William, served as a private in 1779 in the Mecklenburg Co., VA militia commanded by Catp. Reuben Vaught.  William's son, John Glass Delafield was Alpha's grandfather, and John's son, William Jasper was her father by his wife, Cynthia Moore.  Both William and Cynthia died and are buried in Sarepta, Webster Parish, LA.

The story is that when the Delafield family arrived in Louisiana from Tennessee, one or more of their oxen refused to go any further, and wandered back to Tennessee, leaving the family stranded on somewhat poor farm land.

James "Jim" Bert Blunt died on Apr. 19, 1928 in Rush Springs, Grady Co., OK and is buried in the local cemetery:

His obituary:

James B. Blunt was born in Columbia County Arkansas, March 11, 1851. He became a member of the Missionary Baptist Church and lived a devoted Christian life until his death which came April 19, 1928.

He was married to Georgia Ann Slack August 25, 1872 but this union was broken one year later by her death.  He was again married January 20, 1876 to Alpha Anna Delafield.  Born to this union were eight children, four girls and four boys, of whom only one has passed away, Joel Edgar who was buried in 1909.  This wife died April 11 1893 and was put to rest in the Cromwell Cemetery at Cromwell, Texas.

James B. was well known in and around Rush Springs as he had made this his home since 1901.  He had a score of friends and all who knew him loved him for what he was, a good citizen and a worthy gentleman always. He is mourned by his many friends and relatives but God knew best and took him home where he will suffer and sorrow no more. Everything that loving hands could do was done but God wanted that he should be in Heaven with him and sent his angels for him.  Weep not dear kinsmen for he left with the hopes to meet you in a better world above.

He leaves seven children:

Millie Irene Barksdale, James B. Blunt, Jr., Nova Carson, Albert Blunt of Rush Springs, Rosie Lulu Caudill of Cal., Pierce Blunt of Arizona, Anna Buford of Arkansas.

A sister Amanda Braley, of La. A brother Nelson of Arkansas, several grandchildren, and a host of friends.

The funeral services were held at the First Baptist Church at 2:30 o'clock, April 20, 1928 after which his body was placed in its final resting place, in the Rush Springs cemetery, to await the Judgement Day.

The Lord preserves the going out.
The Lord preserves the coming in.
His Angels guard the round about
To keep thy soul from every sin,
And when the going out is done
And when the coming in is o'er
When in the dear and followed place,
Thy feet can come and go no more,
The Lord preserves they going out
From this fair world, from friends and kin,
While angels stand (the rest is unreadable)

Alpha Anne died on Apr. 11, 1893 in Vernon, Wilbarger Co., TX and is buried at Crowell in Foard Co., TX.

*Peter Wilson Coldham, Gen. Pub. Co., Baltimore, 1983, Vol. IX,

Ben W. Duke Headstone

There are Blunts on my paternal side. Exie Marie (Jackie) Blunt was a second cousin, and descends from my GG-grandparents, Hugh R. and Beneta Bishop Blunt.

Jackie married Charlie Henry Duke, Sr. of Alberta, Bienville Parish, LA on Nov. 29, 1945 in Taylor, Columbia Co., AR. They became the parents of Margie Marie, Charlie, Jr., and Lonnie Gene.

Charlie, Jr. married Linda Ann Alison of Shongaloo in Webster Parish. Their children were Kimberley Renee (Kim) Duke and Benjamin Wayne (Ben) Duke.

Kim was born Aug. 19, 1972 and died Jul 24, 1987. Ben was born Mar. 2, 1975 and died Jun. 25, 2000.

I do not know what tragedies befell this family, but surely it was heartbreaking.

I think the headstone for Ben is remarkable.  It is not only a memorial to a dear son, it is also a work of art.