Showing posts with label Cottrell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cottrell. Show all posts
December 12, 2014
Robert Shearer (1823-1895) of Watauga Co., NC
“In Memory of Robert Shearer.
“The subject of this sketch was too well known in this and adjoining counties to need eulogy from any pen to introduce his worth to family, state or church. His life so pure and gentle, yet firm and dignified, is the best encomium.
“Robert Shearer was born July 24, 1823, lived and died in Watauga county, N. C. He professed a hope in Jesus and joined the Baptist church at Three Forks, by experience, on the first Saturday in Jan., 1853. He ever lived a member of the church he joined till death took him away. He lived the religion he professed; his hope was an anchor to his soul, both sure and steadfast, and entered within the vale whither Jesus the forerunner has gone. He loved the cause of his Master dearly and his interest never abated in his old days; although feeble in health ever ready he stood to do his part in everything. He esteemed it not only a duty but a high privilege to do all he could to advance the cause of Jesus.Truly it can be said of him:
“I love thy church O God,
Her walls before thee stand,
Dear as the apple of thine eye,
Engraven on thy hand.
“For her his tears did fall,
For her his prayers ascend,
To her be given my toils and cares
Till toils and cares did end.
“He was a kind husband, father, and friend to all, and gave liberally of his means to the cause of God and humanity. One aim of his life was to fill his seat in the church which he always did unless sick, and a part of his last day on earth was spent in Three Forks church attending the funeral of Bro. Jonathan Horton. When he came home Sunday evening from the church, he said to his family: ‘I will be the next member of Three Forks church to go.’ And he did go that night; ate a hearty supper with his family on earth, and took his morning repast in heaven with loved ones who had gone before.
“He had been married twice – first to Myra Coffey on the 26 day of Nov. 1854. By this marriage two children were born, Mr. M. G. Shearer now living and Jane Shearer, who died six years ago. His wife, Myra, died Mar 39th [sic] [Mar.30], 1857 [sic] [1859]. He was again married to Martha M. Estes Feb. 18, 1860, and became the father of three more children. One departed this life in infancy, the other two yet living, Mary F. Perkins and Myra H. Pulliam. He struggled against the trials of life but never murmured, looking to the great reward. The battle or life is fought and bravely too, by our brother. The victory is won. Death came softly and silently Dec. 2nd,1895, as a servant to carry him over the river, and without a struggle he breathed his last.
“He walked so close with God that he had nothing to do but die and go home. His death was so sudden that he had no time to tell loved ones good-bye. He was 72 years, 4 months and 7 days old when the summons came, and found him on the borderland of heaven waiting for heaven’s game to swing open and let him in. The world had lost its charms to him. He had his business all fixed up, therefore was ready. He had talked to death often to his family,and gave directions about his coffin and other things pertaining to his burial,which were strictly carried out by his family and friends. He had often said he hoped he would not have to linger and suffer long here to be a burden to any one. The Lord granted his desire. At the usual bedtime he was bright and cheerful, retired and slept soundly for two or three hours, the awoke and said to his wife: ‘A sharp pain is hurting in my heart,’ but got up, sat by the fire an hour after taking some remedies, said he was better and would lie down again, which he did. His wife went to the bed to see that he was well covered, wiped the perspiration from his face and asked if he was better. ‘Yes, a little,’ he replied, and in a moment he was gone. The chariots of God came after him, he stepped on and went home twenty minutes after twelve.
“His funeral was preached by elders J. J. L. Sherwood and E.F. Jones to a large concourse of neighbors and friends, who mourn his departure and who will miss his generous hand which was always open to the wants of all worthy objects. Yes, ‘thon [sic] [thou] hast gone to the grave, but we will not deplore thee.’
“His remains were interred in the family burial ground near his house to await the glorious resurrection, when they shall come forth fashioned like the glorious body of Jesus. ‘Asleep in Jesuus [sic], blessed sleep from which none ever wakes to weep.’
“His devoted pastor, S.”
Myra Emeline Coffey was born Feb. 20, 1836 in NC and died in Yadkin Valley on Mar. 30, 1859. She was a daughter of Welborn and Sarah "Sallie" Cottrell Coffey; Welborn was a son of William and Anna Boone Coffey, Sallie a daughter of William and Lucy Day Cottrell. She, Robert (death date Dec. 2, 1895) and second wife Martha Estes are buried at the Shearer Family Cemetery at Perkinsville, Watauga Co., NC.
This tribute was published Dec. 19, 1895 in the Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Page 2, Cols. 1 & 2; transcribed by Jack Coffee, Dec. 11-12, 2014
December 9, 2011
William and Annie Boone Coffey at Rufus Cemetery in Caldwell Co., NC
William was a son of Thomas and Sarah Fields Coffey, born Nov. 29, 1782 in Wilkes Co., NC and died there on May 15, 1839. That part of Wilkes Co. later became part of Caldwell Co. Anna "Annie" Boone was a daughter of Jese and Sarah McMahan Boone, born Jul. 26, 1785 in Burke Co., died Jan. 16, 1876 in Caldwell Co. Both are buried at the Rufus Baptist Church cemetery in Lenoir, Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co
In fact, a number of William and Anna's descendants are buried at Rufus. At first examination of this cemetery, most appear to be from son Wilborn, born May 14, 1807 in Burke Co., died in Caldwell Nov. 27, 1897; and from son Calvin, born Sep. 30, 1819, died Apr. 2, 1847, also in Caldwell Co..
Harriet Minerva Moore, wife of James Altimon Bradshaw, and daughter of Jesse Richmond Moore and Charlotte Caroline Coffey, born Oct. 7, 1878, died Jan. 22, 1970. Charlotte Caroline was a daughter of Wilborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey and a granddaughter of William and Annie, marking Harriet a great-granddaughter.
Thelma Erin Bradshaw, daughter of James Altimon and Harriet Minerva Moore Bradshaw, born Mar. 31, 1911 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 4, 1969. Thelma was a great great granddaughter of William and Annie.
Beulah Evelyn, daughter of Robert Finley Coffey and Crettie May Rich and, wife of George Wesley Nichols. She was born Aug. 22, 1923, Caldwell Co., died Sep. 8, 2009 at Lenoir. Beulah was a first cousin to William, 5x removed.
Bruce Glen, son of Julius Pinkney and Louise Ann Edwards Coffey and, husband of Amy Moore. He was born Dec. 24, 1908 in Caldwell Co., died Sep. 2, 1971 at Lenoir. Julius was a great grandson of William and Annie, making Bruce a great great grandson. Amy was the daughter of Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore. She was born Apr. 12, 1910 in Caldwell Co., died Jan. 25, 1987.
Mabel Marie, wife of Forrest Moore Green and daughter of Bruce Glen and Amy Moore Coffey. She was born Nov. 21, 1937 in Caldwell Co. and died there on Jul. 10, 2002. She was a great great great grand daughter of William and Annie. Forrest Moore Greene, a son of W. Buster and Wilma Victoria. Moore Greene. Forest was a third great grandson of William and Annie. He was born Feb. 14, 1937 in Caldwell Co. and died there on Aug. 23, 1999.
Calvin, son of William and Annie, husband of Mary Greene. He was born Sep. 30, 1819 in NC and died Apr. 2, 1847 in Caldwell Co. Mary, parents unknown, was born Feb. 2, 1820 in NC and died Jun. 23, 1871 in Caldwell Co.
Wilborn, son of William and Annie, husband of Sarah "Sallie" Cottrell, born May 14, 1807 in Burke Co., died Nov. 27, 1897 in Caldwell Co. Sallie was the daughter of William and Lucy Day Cottrell, born May 1, 1812 in Wilkes Co., died Mar. 25, 1894 in Caldwell Co.
William Rufus, son of Wilborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey and, husband of Harriet E. Moore. He was born Nov. 17, 1832 in Caldwell Co., died Dec. 7, 1902. He was a grandson of William and Anna. Harriet was born May 3, 1835 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 2, 1918. Harriet was a daughter of David and Sarah Caroline Moore Moore, born May 3, 1835 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 2, 1918.
Charlotte Caroline, wife of Jesse Richmond Moore, daughter of Wilborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey, born Dec. 2, 1851 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 18, 1944 in Caldwell. She was a grand daughter of William and Annie. Jesse was a son of David and Sarah Caroline Moore Moore. He was born Mar. 16, 1849 in Caldwell Co., died there on Sep. 13, 1921.
Stella Victoria Gragg, wife of Lawrence Hill Moore, was a daughter of John Boone Gragg and Cordelia Adaline Coffey. Cordelia was a grand daughter of William and Annie, making Stella a great grand daughter. Stella was born Jul. 10, 1882 in Caldwell Co., died Aug. 30, 1943. Lawrence Hill was a great grandson of William and Annie. He was the son of Jesse Richmond and Charlotte Caroline Coffey Moore.
Wilma Victoria Moore, daughter of Lawrence Hill and Stella Victoria Gragg Moore and wife of W. (Willie or William) Buster Greene, was born Apr. 15, 1909 and died Feb. 14, 2004. She was a double great granddaughter of William and Annie.
Sarah Ellen was a daughter of Jesse Richmond and Charlotte Caroline Coffey Moore and a great grand daughter of William and Annie. She was the wife of Adolphus Monroe Mast, son of John Allen Mast and Martha Elizabeth Moore. He was born Jul. 22, 1865 in Watauga Co., and died in Caldwell Co. on Dec. 20, 1923.
Ruth Mast, daughter of Adolphus and Sarah, was born Dec. 24, 1898 in Caldwell Co. and died on Oct. 28, 1973. Ruth was a second great granddaughter of William and Annie.
Addie Caroline Moore, daughter of Lawrence Hill and Stella Victoria Gragg Moore, and the wife of Waitsel Coy Greene. Addie was second great granddaughter of William and Annie. I have not yet found info on Waitsel except that he was born Feb. 8, 1909.
Lex Wilburn Mast, Jr., son of Lex, Sr. and Annie Lenoir Greene Mast, was born Apr. 14, 1944 in Caldwell Co. and died Sep. 6, 1974. He was a third great grandson of William and Annie.
Dermont Richmond Moore, a son of Lawrence Hill and Stella Victoria Gragg Moore, was born Apr. 12, 1917 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Jun. 2, 2003. He was a second great grandson of William and Annie.
The Rufus Cemetery is located off the Mulberry Creek Road but, it appears from Google Maps that the entrance to it is located on the Boone Fork Park Road. Geo Coordinates for that entrance are: Latitude: 36° 0' 0.74" N, Longitude: 81° 38' 26.51" W. Click on the "Show on Google Maps" below and the link will take you to a very good satellite view of the area.
Hopefully, I've made the correct kinship calculations. Please let me know of any errors.
In fact, a number of William and Anna's descendants are buried at Rufus. At first examination of this cemetery, most appear to be from son Wilborn, born May 14, 1807 in Burke Co., died in Caldwell Nov. 27, 1897; and from son Calvin, born Sep. 30, 1819, died Apr. 2, 1847, also in Caldwell Co..
Harriet Minerva Moore, wife of James Altimon Bradshaw, and daughter of Jesse Richmond Moore and Charlotte Caroline Coffey, born Oct. 7, 1878, died Jan. 22, 1970. Charlotte Caroline was a daughter of Wilborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey and a granddaughter of William and Annie, marking Harriet a great-granddaughter.
Thelma Erin Bradshaw, daughter of James Altimon and Harriet Minerva Moore Bradshaw, born Mar. 31, 1911 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 4, 1969. Thelma was a great great granddaughter of William and Annie.
Beulah Evelyn, daughter of Robert Finley Coffey and Crettie May Rich and, wife of George Wesley Nichols. She was born Aug. 22, 1923, Caldwell Co., died Sep. 8, 2009 at Lenoir. Beulah was a first cousin to William, 5x removed.
Bruce Glen, son of Julius Pinkney and Louise Ann Edwards Coffey and, husband of Amy Moore. He was born Dec. 24, 1908 in Caldwell Co., died Sep. 2, 1971 at Lenoir. Julius was a great grandson of William and Annie, making Bruce a great great grandson. Amy was the daughter of Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore. She was born Apr. 12, 1910 in Caldwell Co., died Jan. 25, 1987.
Mabel Marie, wife of Forrest Moore Green and daughter of Bruce Glen and Amy Moore Coffey. She was born Nov. 21, 1937 in Caldwell Co. and died there on Jul. 10, 2002. She was a great great great grand daughter of William and Annie. Forrest Moore Greene, a son of W. Buster and Wilma Victoria. Moore Greene. Forest was a third great grandson of William and Annie. He was born Feb. 14, 1937 in Caldwell Co. and died there on Aug. 23, 1999.
Calvin, son of William and Annie, husband of Mary Greene. He was born Sep. 30, 1819 in NC and died Apr. 2, 1847 in Caldwell Co. Mary, parents unknown, was born Feb. 2, 1820 in NC and died Jun. 23, 1871 in Caldwell Co.
Wilborn, son of William and Annie, husband of Sarah "Sallie" Cottrell, born May 14, 1807 in Burke Co., died Nov. 27, 1897 in Caldwell Co. Sallie was the daughter of William and Lucy Day Cottrell, born May 1, 1812 in Wilkes Co., died Mar. 25, 1894 in Caldwell Co.
William Rufus, son of Wilborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey and, husband of Harriet E. Moore. He was born Nov. 17, 1832 in Caldwell Co., died Dec. 7, 1902. He was a grandson of William and Anna. Harriet was born May 3, 1835 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 2, 1918. Harriet was a daughter of David and Sarah Caroline Moore Moore, born May 3, 1835 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 2, 1918.
Charlotte Caroline, wife of Jesse Richmond Moore, daughter of Wilborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey, born Dec. 2, 1851 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 18, 1944 in Caldwell. She was a grand daughter of William and Annie. Jesse was a son of David and Sarah Caroline Moore Moore. He was born Mar. 16, 1849 in Caldwell Co., died there on Sep. 13, 1921.
Stella Victoria Gragg, wife of Lawrence Hill Moore, was a daughter of John Boone Gragg and Cordelia Adaline Coffey. Cordelia was a grand daughter of William and Annie, making Stella a great grand daughter. Stella was born Jul. 10, 1882 in Caldwell Co., died Aug. 30, 1943. Lawrence Hill was a great grandson of William and Annie. He was the son of Jesse Richmond and Charlotte Caroline Coffey Moore.
Wilma Victoria Moore, daughter of Lawrence Hill and Stella Victoria Gragg Moore and wife of W. (Willie or William) Buster Greene, was born Apr. 15, 1909 and died Feb. 14, 2004. She was a double great granddaughter of William and Annie.
Sarah Ellen was a daughter of Jesse Richmond and Charlotte Caroline Coffey Moore and a great grand daughter of William and Annie. She was the wife of Adolphus Monroe Mast, son of John Allen Mast and Martha Elizabeth Moore. He was born Jul. 22, 1865 in Watauga Co., and died in Caldwell Co. on Dec. 20, 1923.
Ruth Mast, daughter of Adolphus and Sarah, was born Dec. 24, 1898 in Caldwell Co. and died on Oct. 28, 1973. Ruth was a second great granddaughter of William and Annie.
Addie Caroline Moore, daughter of Lawrence Hill and Stella Victoria Gragg Moore, and the wife of Waitsel Coy Greene. Addie was second great granddaughter of William and Annie. I have not yet found info on Waitsel except that he was born Feb. 8, 1909.
Lex Wilburn Mast, Jr., son of Lex, Sr. and Annie Lenoir Greene Mast, was born Apr. 14, 1944 in Caldwell Co. and died Sep. 6, 1974. He was a third great grandson of William and Annie.
Dermont Richmond Moore, a son of Lawrence Hill and Stella Victoria Gragg Moore, was born Apr. 12, 1917 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Jun. 2, 2003. He was a second great grandson of William and Annie.
The Rufus Cemetery is located off the Mulberry Creek Road but, it appears from Google Maps that the entrance to it is located on the Boone Fork Park Road. Geo Coordinates for that entrance are: Latitude: 36° 0' 0.74" N, Longitude: 81° 38' 26.51" W. Click on the "Show on Google Maps" below and the link will take you to a very good satellite view of the area.
Hopefully, I've made the correct kinship calculations. Please let me know of any errors.
October 17, 2011
Rev. John H. & Minerva Jane Coffey Nelson
John, sometimes referred to as "Rev. John Nelson," was a farmer in Caldwell Co. when he married Minerva Jane Coffey in that county in 1865. He was a son of John M. & Elizabeth Penley Nelson*, born in Caldwell Co. on May 19, 1841. Minerva, a daughter of Wilborn & Sarah Cottrell Coffey, was born there on Dec. 20, 1844. John likely served the Confederacy during the Civil War. There were at least three with the name from NC who enlisted.** Which if any, is this John has not been determined.
Minerva gave John at least 11 children, all born in Caldwell Co. between 1869 and 1890. They were:
Nora Cornelia, born Sep. 25, 1869, died May 22, 1953 at Belmont in South Point Twp., Gaston Co., NC. Her spouse was Seth J. Setzer, a son of Larkin and Julia Holsclaw Setzer, born c1862. They were married at Patterson on Mar. 20, 1888. Seth died on Sep. 5, 1937 at Reidsville in Rockingham Co. and Nora on May 22, 1953 at Belmont. Seth was buried at Mount Holly city cemetery in Gaston Co. while Nora was buried at Greenwood cemetery in Belmont.
Sarah, born Sep., 1870. No further information.
Thomas, born c1873, married Mary Ingle, daughter of Mark & Nancy Ingle on Jul. 24, 1898 in Patterson Twp. Mary was born c1876 in NC.
Minnie J., born Dec., 1874, married William "Willie" Estes on Feb. 15, 1903 in Johns River Twp. He was born in 1880 in NC.
Robert Lee, born Feb. 1, 1875, married Junie Mae Phillips on Jun. 28, 1913 in Caldwell Co. Robert died Jun. 6, 1955 in Lenoir; Junie there on Mar. 9, 1962. Both are buried at Lenoir in Harpers Chapel cemetery.
William Rufus was born Dec. 6, 1879 and married Kate Pearl Suddreth, a daughter of Toliver Suddreth, on Oct. 4, 1913 in Caldwell Co.Kate was born c1890. Rufus died Jun. 23, 1954 and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir. No info on Kate's death date and burial location. They had at least two children: Albert Lee and Edna Minerva.
Henry L. & Mary C. were born in Dec., 1880 and Aug., 1883, respectively. No further information.
George W. was born Mar., 1885 and married China Carlton on Feb. 14, 1910 in Burke Co., NC. Children that I know of were: Rubie, born c1917, Lorrane, born c1919, one unnamed, born c1926 and Willis Ester, a male?, born c1935.
Milton League, born Aug. 2, 1887, died in Lenoir on Feb. 18, 1966. Milton married Cora Lee Kirby, born Sep. 3, 1894 in Caldwell Co. on Jun. 29, 1917. Cora died Oct. 31, 1971 in Lenoir. Both are buried at the Nelson Chapel in Lenoir.
The last child born to John and Minerva was Albert J., born in Apr., 1890. He married Lucy B. Greene in 1919. She died Oct. 4, 1938 and he followed her on Apr. 22, 1939. I'm still looking for their burial places. Chidlren: Hattie Belle, born 1920; Mattie, born 1921; Annie Mae, born 1923; and Willie Wilson, born 1924.
*John H. was not the only child of John M and Elizabeth to marry a Coffey. Their son George W., born 1837, married Mary Lou Coffey on Jun. 9, 1859 in Caldwell Co. Mary Lou was a daughter of McCaleb and Elizabeth Collett Coffey. George died on Jun. 8, 1860 in Lenoir; Mary Lou on Sep. 24, 1863. They are both buried at Nelson's Chapel in Lenoir. Another of the Nelson children, a daughter named Mary Ann, married Elijah L. Coffey on Jun. 20, 1867 in Caldwell Co. Elijah was a son of William Coffey, Jr., and his wife Margaret Robbins.
**One John H. enlisted in Co. F, 6th Regiment, NC Infantry. Another enlisted in Co. D, 52d Regiment, NC Infantry and a third [John H. D.] enlisted in the 33d Regiment, NC Infantry.
Other sources used: 1850, 1870, 1880, 1900 US Federal Census; NC Death Certificates; Various cemetery records; NC Registrar of Deeds web service; familysearch.org
All of the surnames in this blog represent some very old Caldwell and Watauga Co. NC families, some pre-Revolutionary. Many of the ancestors of these herein named were pioneer hunters, explorers and settlers in those counties..
Minerva gave John at least 11 children, all born in Caldwell Co. between 1869 and 1890. They were:
Nora Cornelia, born Sep. 25, 1869, died May 22, 1953 at Belmont in South Point Twp., Gaston Co., NC. Her spouse was Seth J. Setzer, a son of Larkin and Julia Holsclaw Setzer, born c1862. They were married at Patterson on Mar. 20, 1888. Seth died on Sep. 5, 1937 at Reidsville in Rockingham Co. and Nora on May 22, 1953 at Belmont. Seth was buried at Mount Holly city cemetery in Gaston Co. while Nora was buried at Greenwood cemetery in Belmont.
Sarah, born Sep., 1870. No further information.
Thomas, born c1873, married Mary Ingle, daughter of Mark & Nancy Ingle on Jul. 24, 1898 in Patterson Twp. Mary was born c1876 in NC.
Minnie J., born Dec., 1874, married William "Willie" Estes on Feb. 15, 1903 in Johns River Twp. He was born in 1880 in NC.
Robert Lee, born Feb. 1, 1875, married Junie Mae Phillips on Jun. 28, 1913 in Caldwell Co. Robert died Jun. 6, 1955 in Lenoir; Junie there on Mar. 9, 1962. Both are buried at Lenoir in Harpers Chapel cemetery.
William Rufus was born Dec. 6, 1879 and married Kate Pearl Suddreth, a daughter of Toliver Suddreth, on Oct. 4, 1913 in Caldwell Co.Kate was born c1890. Rufus died Jun. 23, 1954 and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir. No info on Kate's death date and burial location. They had at least two children: Albert Lee and Edna Minerva.
Henry L. & Mary C. were born in Dec., 1880 and Aug., 1883, respectively. No further information.
George W. was born Mar., 1885 and married China Carlton on Feb. 14, 1910 in Burke Co., NC. Children that I know of were: Rubie, born c1917, Lorrane, born c1919, one unnamed, born c1926 and Willis Ester, a male?, born c1935.
Milton League, born Aug. 2, 1887, died in Lenoir on Feb. 18, 1966. Milton married Cora Lee Kirby, born Sep. 3, 1894 in Caldwell Co. on Jun. 29, 1917. Cora died Oct. 31, 1971 in Lenoir. Both are buried at the Nelson Chapel in Lenoir.
The last child born to John and Minerva was Albert J., born in Apr., 1890. He married Lucy B. Greene in 1919. She died Oct. 4, 1938 and he followed her on Apr. 22, 1939. I'm still looking for their burial places. Chidlren: Hattie Belle, born 1920; Mattie, born 1921; Annie Mae, born 1923; and Willie Wilson, born 1924.
*John H. was not the only child of John M and Elizabeth to marry a Coffey. Their son George W., born 1837, married Mary Lou Coffey on Jun. 9, 1859 in Caldwell Co. Mary Lou was a daughter of McCaleb and Elizabeth Collett Coffey. George died on Jun. 8, 1860 in Lenoir; Mary Lou on Sep. 24, 1863. They are both buried at Nelson's Chapel in Lenoir. Another of the Nelson children, a daughter named Mary Ann, married Elijah L. Coffey on Jun. 20, 1867 in Caldwell Co. Elijah was a son of William Coffey, Jr., and his wife Margaret Robbins.
**One John H. enlisted in Co. F, 6th Regiment, NC Infantry. Another enlisted in Co. D, 52d Regiment, NC Infantry and a third [John H. D.] enlisted in the 33d Regiment, NC Infantry.
Other sources used: 1850, 1870, 1880, 1900 US Federal Census; NC Death Certificates; Various cemetery records; NC Registrar of Deeds web service; familysearch.org
All of the surnames in this blog represent some very old Caldwell and Watauga Co. NC families, some pre-Revolutionary. Many of the ancestors of these herein named were pioneer hunters, explorers and settlers in those counties..
September 11, 2011
William Rufus & Harriet E. Moore Coffey
William Rufus, a son of Wilborn and Sallie Cottrell Coffey, was born Nov. 17, 1832 in Caldwell Co., NC and died there on Dec. 7, 1902. He married Harriet E. Moore, born May 3, 1835 to David and Sarah Caroline Moore Moore, on Dec. 4, 1856. Both are buried at the Rufus Baptist Church Cemetery in the Mulberry community of Caldwell Co.
There were at least three children born to this couple. The first I know of was Julius Pinkney, born Aug. 24, 1858, died Feb. 11, 1933 in Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co. Julius married Louise Ann Edwards on Mar. 30, 1913 in Rowan Co., NC. She was a daughter of William Dudley and Eunity [sic] Emeline Whitley Edwards. Julius and Louise are buried at the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Marshville, Union Co., NC.
In the on-line death records index in Caldwell Co., Julius is recorded as Julius Penley Coffey. His death certificate also provides Penley as his middle name. His marriage to Louise is recorded as Julius Pinkney and, his headstone is also engraved with that name. Julius' death certificate reports him buried at "Philadelphia," which I presume to be the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir. He may indeed be there, but his headstones, shared with Louise, is at Pleasant Grove.
Other genealogical difficulties with this couple include the birth of their children. The first was Bruce Glen, which according to his death certificate was born Dec. 24, 1908 in Caldwell Co., some five plus years before his parents marriage. The certificate also names his parents as Julius and Louise. Bruce married Amy Moore, a daughter of Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore in 1928, Caldwell Co. Bruce died in Lenoir on Sep. 2, 1971 and Amy on Jan. 25, 1987. Both are buried at Rufus Baptist Church cemetery.
Hazel Eugenia is the only other child known to me. According to her death certificate, she was born on Feb. 28, 1913, just about a month before her parents marriage. She married Thomas Carl Jones, date and place not known. She died Nov. 14, 1964 at home in Lenoir and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in that city.
Read my earlier blog for my views on using death certificates and headstones as source data.
Second child born to William Rufus and Harriet was Sarah Ellen, born Apr. 14, 1861 in Caldwell Co., died Jul. 2, 1942 in Butler, Johnson Co., TN. Her spouse is said to have been Davis S. Vaught.* No further information.
Their third child was David Milton, born June, 1865 in Caldwell Co. He married Ida Susan Vaught,** likely a sister to David, on May 15, 1893 in Johnson Co., TN. I know of two children: David Duke Coffey, born May 22, 1897 and Broady Bailey, born Feb. 22, 1898. Both were born in Watauga Co., NC.
*Tennessee Deaths and Burials, 1874-1955, from FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: various dates).
**Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.
There were at least three children born to this couple. The first I know of was Julius Pinkney, born Aug. 24, 1858, died Feb. 11, 1933 in Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co. Julius married Louise Ann Edwards on Mar. 30, 1913 in Rowan Co., NC. She was a daughter of William Dudley and Eunity [sic] Emeline Whitley Edwards. Julius and Louise are buried at the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Marshville, Union Co., NC.
In the on-line death records index in Caldwell Co., Julius is recorded as Julius Penley Coffey. His death certificate also provides Penley as his middle name. His marriage to Louise is recorded as Julius Pinkney and, his headstone is also engraved with that name. Julius' death certificate reports him buried at "Philadelphia," which I presume to be the Philadelphia Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir. He may indeed be there, but his headstones, shared with Louise, is at Pleasant Grove.
Other genealogical difficulties with this couple include the birth of their children. The first was Bruce Glen, which according to his death certificate was born Dec. 24, 1908 in Caldwell Co., some five plus years before his parents marriage. The certificate also names his parents as Julius and Louise. Bruce married Amy Moore, a daughter of Wiley Hill and Ellen Hodges Moore in 1928, Caldwell Co. Bruce died in Lenoir on Sep. 2, 1971 and Amy on Jan. 25, 1987. Both are buried at Rufus Baptist Church cemetery.
Hazel Eugenia is the only other child known to me. According to her death certificate, she was born on Feb. 28, 1913, just about a month before her parents marriage. She married Thomas Carl Jones, date and place not known. She died Nov. 14, 1964 at home in Lenoir and was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in that city.
Read my earlier blog for my views on using death certificates and headstones as source data.
Second child born to William Rufus and Harriet was Sarah Ellen, born Apr. 14, 1861 in Caldwell Co., died Jul. 2, 1942 in Butler, Johnson Co., TN. Her spouse is said to have been Davis S. Vaught.* No further information.
Their third child was David Milton, born June, 1865 in Caldwell Co. He married Ida Susan Vaught,** likely a sister to David, on May 15, 1893 in Johnson Co., TN. I know of two children: David Duke Coffey, born May 22, 1897 and Broady Bailey, born Feb. 22, 1898. Both were born in Watauga Co., NC.
*Tennessee Deaths and Burials, 1874-1955, from FamilySearch Internet (www.familysearch.org: various dates).
**Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.
March 1, 2006
John Calvin Coffey (1848-1930)
John Calvin Coffey was the sixth child and fourth son born to Welborn and Sarah Cottrell Coffey. He was born Apr. 30, 1848. 1 He married Nancy Caroline Tuttle, born Jan. 10, 1854 in Caldwell Co., but I have been unable to find a marriage date. Their first son, Horace Grayson Coffey was born in Dec., 1886, so they probably married in late 1885 or early 1886. John died in Caldwell Co. on Feb. 27, 1930, and Nancy died there on Mar. 10, 1939.
The children born after Horace were:
- Nora E., born c1874 Caldwell Co., married James Laxton
- W. Lemuel, born c1879 Caldwell Co., married 1) Fauna Lamberth; 2) Mamie Neff
- Ida V., born Oct. 1881 Caldwell Co., married David Glass
- Davis Finley, born Oct. 3, 1883 2 Caldwell Co., married Rose Amanda Grant
- Bessie M., no info
- Rufus Anson, born Jul 21, 1888 3 Caldwell Co., married Beatrice Chloe Moore
- John Ross, born May 1890 Caldwell Co., married Mary Woods
- Wellborn Cary, born Oct. 5, 1892 4 Caldwell Co., married Jennie Woods
- Clarence T., born Dec., 1895, Caldwell Co., married Nancy Caroline Tuttle
Horace left Caldwell Co. before 1900, and headed west. He was found in Whitman Co., WA in the 1900 census. By 1902 he was married to Brintie Wilkie. In 1910 they were still in Whitman Co., and the parents of two children: Albert, born c1907, and La Verne, born c1908. Horace registered for the WW1 draft in Colfax, Whitman Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was a farmer living at Colfax and was 41-yrs old. He listed his two sons as his nearest relatives. Horace was described as being tall with slender build, blue eyes and sandy colored hair. I have not found Horace in any later census records, but he is said to have married a second time to Pearl Jaynes. Their children are unknown to me.
[Aug. 17, 2009] Brintie is buried in the Hay Cemetery in Whitman Co., WA. Horace's gravesite has not been discovered yet.
Thanks to John Coffey for photo of Brintie's headstone and location of her gravesite.
Davis followed Horace westward. The first record that I find for him is the Mar., 1912 5 marriage to Rose Amanda Grant in Ritzville, Adams Co., WA. They remained in Adams Co. through the 1920 census, but in 1920 were in Yakima Co. Davis died on Dec. 17, 1970 in Klickitat Co. 6 Rose died Apr. 24, 1972 7 in Spokane Co., WA. Together they had at least eight children: Helen, born c1913; Vera Pearl, born Jan., 1915; Byron W., born c1917; Ralph Calvin, born Nov., 1918; Gladys, born c1921; Edith, born c1923; Robert, born c1925, and Barbara, born c1929.
I have limited information on the remainder of the children. Please contact me if anyone needs more information, or can add to or correct any of the above.
1 Book 17, Page 174, Caldwell Co., NC Register of Deeds at
http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp [book 17, p174]
2 ibid [book 10, p161]
3 ibid [book 15, p41]
4 Civilian Draft Registration WW1
5 IGI
6 SSDI and Washington Death Index, 1940-1996
The children born after Horace were:
- Nora E., born c1874 Caldwell Co., married James Laxton
- W. Lemuel, born c1879 Caldwell Co., married 1) Fauna Lamberth; 2) Mamie Neff
- Ida V., born Oct. 1881 Caldwell Co., married David Glass
- Davis Finley, born Oct. 3, 1883 2 Caldwell Co., married Rose Amanda Grant
- Bessie M., no info
- Rufus Anson, born Jul 21, 1888 3 Caldwell Co., married Beatrice Chloe Moore
- John Ross, born May 1890 Caldwell Co., married Mary Woods
- Wellborn Cary, born Oct. 5, 1892 4 Caldwell Co., married Jennie Woods
- Clarence T., born Dec., 1895, Caldwell Co., married Nancy Caroline Tuttle
Horace left Caldwell Co. before 1900, and headed west. He was found in Whitman Co., WA in the 1900 census. By 1902 he was married to Brintie Wilkie. In 1910 they were still in Whitman Co., and the parents of two children: Albert, born c1907, and La Verne, born c1908. Horace registered for the WW1 draft in Colfax, Whitman Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was a farmer living at Colfax and was 41-yrs old. He listed his two sons as his nearest relatives. Horace was described as being tall with slender build, blue eyes and sandy colored hair. I have not found Horace in any later census records, but he is said to have married a second time to Pearl Jaynes. Their children are unknown to me.
[Aug. 17, 2009] Brintie is buried in the Hay Cemetery in Whitman Co., WA. Horace's gravesite has not been discovered yet.
Thanks to John Coffey for photo of Brintie's headstone and location of her gravesite.Davis followed Horace westward. The first record that I find for him is the Mar., 1912 5 marriage to Rose Amanda Grant in Ritzville, Adams Co., WA. They remained in Adams Co. through the 1920 census, but in 1920 were in Yakima Co. Davis died on Dec. 17, 1970 in Klickitat Co. 6 Rose died Apr. 24, 1972 7 in Spokane Co., WA. Together they had at least eight children: Helen, born c1913; Vera Pearl, born Jan., 1915; Byron W., born c1917; Ralph Calvin, born Nov., 1918; Gladys, born c1921; Edith, born c1923; Robert, born c1925, and Barbara, born c1929.
I have limited information on the remainder of the children. Please contact me if anyone needs more information, or can add to or correct any of the above.
1 Book 17, Page 174, Caldwell Co., NC Register of Deeds at
http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp [book 17, p174]
2 ibid [book 10, p161]
3 ibid [book 15, p41]
4 Civilian Draft Registration WW1
5 IGI
6 SSDI and Washington Death Index, 1940-1996
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