Ambrose Coffee, Irish Emigrant c1767

This Ambrose has often been confused with Ambrose Coffey, a son of the Rev. James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  James was the eldest son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

A timeline produced by an unknown author, appeared in the March, 1993 issue of the Coffey Cousins' Newsletter, provided the following:

The subject Ambrose was an Irish emigrant who was sent to the Virginia Colony in c1767/68 to work for John Hough (Huff), probably in Loudon Co.

1775/76 Came to Kentucky to Herrodsburg.

1776      Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol. 30, page 127:  "The tide of emmigration [sic] to the Madison portion of Fincastle was slow but perceptible.  Among the arrivals of 1776, who were to become permanent settlers were --- Ambrose Coffee ---"

1775/76 Was a soldier stationed at Fincastle Co. (now Kentucky) Virginia.  The specific site was most certainly Ft. Boonesboro.  By 1888 Fincastle became Ky. Co. & in 1780 it was divided into 3 counties - Jefferson, Lincoln & Fayette & became a state in 1792.  Ambrose lived in Herrodsburg.

1775/84 Lived in Boonesboro.

1779      10 Oct. Gave deposition regarding lad title at Ft. Boonesboro, Ky.

1780/83 Marriage.

1783      First child, Sarah, was born.  She married James Mcguire.

1785/87 Moved to Ruskes Settlement & stayed a year. or two.

1785       Second child, William was born.  He married Elizabeth Lacy.

1786       Signed petition for division of Lincoln Co., Ky into Mercer, Lincoln, and Madison counties.  Madison Co., Ky. was organized Aug.22, 1786.

1787       Third child, Ambrose Jr., was born.  He mar. 1st. Lucinda Day, 2nd Margaret Norman, a widow.

1789/91 Mill bought by Col. Holder.  Stayed two more yrs.

1791      Moved to Spencer Creek.

1792/1809 Moved to Slate Creek.

1793      Fourth Child, Ailsey, born.  She married Elijah Brown.

1795      Sept. 17, Daniel Williams & wife, Violet (Couch), of Clark Co., Ky. to Ambrose Coffey of same --- for ten pounds --- 20 acrs [sic] on Spencer's Creek, being part of Edward Williams' 400 acres pre-emptioned [sic] and adjoining same. (Daniel and Ambrose were Jim Sparks'* 3rd G-Grandfathers.)

17 Aug 1797     Fifth child, Rebecca Jane, born.  She mar. Wm. S. Lykins.

2 Jan 1799         Ambrose Coffee, deposed, at a spring near Joel Estill's fence, that "about 17 or 18" years ago, he, Ambrose Coffee had camped near this spelling. (1781/82)

1799     Sixth child, Elijah, born.  He mar. 1st Margaret Patrick 2nd Elizabeth Bowen.

1801     Seventh child, Raleigh, born.  He mar. Annis Anne Anderson.

1803     Eighth child, Jesse, Born.

21 Nov 1809  Kentucky Historical Society Register, Vol. 30, p136.  One of the most noted cases (of land disputes) was that of Green Clay vs. Henry Banta.... The depositions taken embrace the name of nearly all the early prominant [sic] settlers of the county.  The positions of the various localities named called into requisition the knowledge of such old hunters, fort builders and Indian scouts, including --- Ambrose Coffee...

1809     In his deposition in the Clay/Banta land dispute, Ambrose Coffee deposed that he first became acquainted with Muddy Creek in the year 1777 as he had come to Kentucky in 1776.  He claimed he had been sold to John Huff/Hough for passage money to America from over the "High Seas."  Ambrose Coffee was referred to as that "Irish Convict" from Ireland in other dispositions in the Clay/Banta dispute.

1810     Census of Montgomery County, Kentucky.

             363 Coffee, Ambrose  1M under 10  1 F 10-26 1 M 16-26  2 F 16-26 1 M over 45  1 F over 45

1820     Death in Montgomery County, Kentucky

Footnote 1:  The above Ambrose Coffee, is in no way to be confused with the Ambrose Coffee [sic] who came later to Kentucky from North Carolina.  They are two separate individuals and as far as cam [sic] be ascertained had no immediate relationship.  Our Ambrose Coffee, having come directly from Ireland to Kentucky [sic] spelled the mane [sic] Coffee, whereas the other often used Coffey/Coffy as the spelling.**

Footnote 2:  County changes in Kentucky during the 1700 and 1800's.

1772...Virginia Colony created Fincastle County which included all of Kentucky.

1774...James Harrod settled Harrodsburg.

1775...Boonesboro, Marison County settled.

1776...All of Kentucky designated as Kentucky County, VA.

1780---Kentucky County, VA. was divided into 3 counties--Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln.

1790...There were nine counties---Mason..1789; Bourbon...1786; Woodford..1789; Fayette..1780; Madison..1786; Jefferson..1780; Mercer..1786; Nelson..1785; and Lincoln..1780

1792...Kentucky became a state.

* No idea who Jim Sparks is/was of date this timeline was created.  Punctuation, spacing, etc. is not consistent in the original.  Reproduced here as close to original as possible. I have made no effort to verify the accuracy of this information..

Through the magic of DNA, Edward researchers know this Ambrose was not related to Edward.

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

Balis Jackson Kilpatrick-Mary E. Hunter

Some previous Kilpatrick family blogs can be read here and here.

---

Balis Jackson Kilpatrick, born Aug. 2, 1796 in the Greenville district of South Carolina, married c1820 Mary E. Hunter, born Aug. 18, 1802 in Buncombe Co., NC.  Together they had at least five children, all of whom married into North Carolina Coffey families. Balis died in Sep., 1872 and was buried at the Liberty community cemetery at Liberty in Cherokee Co., NC.  See his memorial on Find-A-Grave for a discussion of his genealogy.

The children of Balis and Mary that I have found are:

Catherine, born Nov. 24, 1839 in Haywood Co., NC, died sometime between 1910 and 1920* at Shoal Creek in Cherokee Co., NC.  Catherine married Levi Coffey, a son of Rice and Dorotha [sic] Jane Medaris Coffey c1852* in Cherokee Co.

Elias, born Oct. 9, 1832 in NC, died 1891 in Clay Co., NC.  He married Sarah Jane "Sallie" Coffey, a daughter of John Morgan and Elizabeth Day Coffey, on May 25, 1865*** in Town Co., GA.  Elias died in Clay Co. NC in 1891 and is buried at Old Brasstown Baptist Church cemetery in Young Harris, Towns Co.  I have no death or burial info for Sarah Jane.

John Abner, born Nov., 1834 in NC, died Sep. 3, 1912 in Cherokee Co., NC.  He married Dorotha [sic] A. Coffey, daughter of Rice and Dorotha Jane Medaris Coffey, in 1873.*  He was close to 40 at the time of marriage and was likely married prior to Dorotha. She and John appeared in the 1870 census at Shoal Creek making the marriage year probably incorrect.  Dorotha died on Nov. 29, 1922 and was buried at Shady Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Murphy, Cherokee Co., NC.  John died in Sep., 1912 and is also buried there.

Balis Jackson, Jr., born Dec. 16, 1838 in NC, died in that state on Mar. 25, 1906.  He is buried at Moss Cemetery in Marble Valley Twp., Cherokee Co.  He married Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of John Morgan and Elizabeth Day Coffey and sister to Sarah who married Elias, sometime in the early 1870's.  Elizabeth was born Apr. 7, 1842 in Burke Co., NC and died in NC on Jan. 27, 1914.  She is also buried at Moss.

Elijah, born Sep. 14, 1841 in Union Co., GA, died Jan. 6, 1910 in NC and buried at Liberty Community Cemetery at Liberty in Cherokee Co., NC.  His first wife was Vina Jones.*  He married second Mary Melinda "Polly" Coffey, daughter of Rice and Dorotha, on Sep. 6, 1877* in Shoal Creek.  Polly died c1899.

The Balis Jackson discussion at Find-A-Grave makes the case that Elias and Elijah were twins, born Sep. 15, 1841 in Union Co., GA.

---

*Janine Ramsey, "Descendants of Rice Coffey," Janine Ramsey (jeders2@fuse.net) (jaineology.com), Aug. 13, 2008.
**Miller, Diane Ramsey. "[Each Western NC county is represented]." Database. Privately owned by Author. Western North Carolina Genealogy Resource Center. http://www.goldenbranches.com/nc-state/westnc.html.  The marriage date may be incorrect.  The 1870 Shoal Creek, Cherokee Co., NC census places her (unmarried) in the household with her mother on July 23 of that year.
***Source needed

David & Nancy Coffey Ernest

Nancy was a daughter of Thomas and Nancy Barlow Coffey, and was born in Caldwell Co., NC in 1836.  She married David Ernest*, born c1835 in North Carolina, on Oct. 17, 1858** in Caldwell Co.  He died in 1885 and she in 1879.  Both are buried at Lower Creek Baptist Church cemetery in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC.

I have found seven children for this couple, all born in Caldwell Co.:

Thomas Levi, born Apr. 9, 1859.  He married Mary Clippard, who was apparently previously married to a Clippard, in Caldwell Co. on Apr. 26, 1888.**  The marriage record for her and Levi tells us that she was the daughter of Crump and Louisa Barlow.  However, I have been unable to find a Crump Barlow in a North Carolina census record.  Neither have I been able to find a death record for Mary.  Levi died Nov. 11, 1921*** and is buried as "Lee T." at the Lower Creek cemetery.

Mary Selena, born May 19, 1862, married John P. Sherrill on Jan. 9, 1890** in Lower Creek Twp.  John was a son of Milton and Caroline Barlow Sherrill and was born Sep. 16, 1863 in Caldwell Co.  He died there in Lower Creek Twp. on Oct. 20, 1945 and was buried at the Tabernacle Advent Church Cemetery in Lenoir.  Mary died on Jun. 14, 1954 and is also buried at the Tabernacle cemetery.

Eveline or Eva E., was born in 1871 and married August Felt, born 1869, on May 2, 1897** in Lower Creek.  No other information has been found.

John was born Dec. 12, 1868 and died unmarried on Feb. 2, 1936 in Lenoir.  He is buried at the Lower Creek cemetery.

William Calvin was born on Apr. 16, 1871 and died in Lenoir on Apr. 7, 1946.  His spouse was Mary Day, daughter of D. T. & Jerusha R. Day, who was born in 1877, probably in Caldwell Co.  She and William married on Apr. 16, 1896** in Lower Creek Twp.  He is buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.  Mary's death information has not been found.

Julia A., born in 1875, married John H. Thompson of Feb. 16, 1892** in Lower Creek.  No other information has been found.

The last child was Samuel H., born Mar. 3, 1875, died Mar. 26, 1926 in Lenoir.  His spouse was Bertha Hall to whom he was married on Aug. 25, 1898** in Lenoir.  Bertha's death information has not been found.  Samuel is buried at the Lower Creek cemetery.

Please contact me if you can connect the Barlow women.

---

*David's surname, as well as some of his descendants has also been found as Earnest
**North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).
***All complete birth and death dates for this family were taken from NC Death Certificates.  Those death dates consisting of year only were taken from the respective headstones found at Find-A-Grave.

Henry and Sarah A. Coffey Steele

Sarah A. Coffey was born to Leland and Myra Coffey.  Myra's maiden name is said to have been Day.  Sarah's exact birth date given in some genealogies as Apr. 27,1834 in Burke Co., NC has not been confirmed by me.  She is known to have married Henry Steele on Dec. 16, 1866 in Caldwell Co., NC.*

The only known child born to Sarah and Henry was John Finley, born May 26, 1867 in Caldwell Co., died Oct. 14, 1958 in Roxboro, Person Co., NC.**

Sarah died c1869 and was buried at the Thompson-Steel Family Cemetery† in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

John Finley married Martha E. Whitener, a daughter of Sidney M. and Eliza Elvira Haas‡ Whitener on Mar. 9,1892 in Lower Creek Twp., Caldwell Co.  Martha died Aug. 20, 1947 in Roxboro.  The only child that I am aware of was Henry W., born in Oct.,1899 at Little River.

Henry remarried sometime after Sarah's death but I have not followed the line.  Henry does appear in the  1900 census at Lower Creek  with his wife Mary, and were the parents of the head of the household, James D. Steele.

Leland Coffey was a son of Smith and Hannah Boone Coffey.  Smith was a son of Thomas and Elizabeth Smith Coffey‡

---

*North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).

**Death Certificate for John Finley Steele, death certificate No. 28190 (14 October 1958), Bureau of Vital Statistics, North Carolina State Board of Health, Caldwell Co., NC and familysearch.org


†I believe this cemetery is more commonly referred to by locals as the Steel Family Cemetery.  Correction requested.


‡Sidney and Eliza were married 8 Mar. 1860 in Caldwell Co.  However, the bride's maiden name was given as Lee.  Could be a name from a previous marriage or, a mistake/omission by the clerk who issued the license. This family is mentioned in the Laurence H. Coffey compilation of Thomas Coffey and His Descendants (Chattanooga, TN; N. Sanders, pub.)

Morgan M. & Nancy Day Mays

Morgan M. Mays was born c1819 in North Carolina and died in that state c1849.  His spouse, Nancy Day, was born there in Mar., 1818  and died there c1900.  In 1880 and 1900 she lived with her children; first with daughter Sarah and her husband, James Bartlett Robbins in the Blue Ridge Twp., and later with her daughter Martha, widow of Wiley Hamby.

Nancy and Morgan were parents of at least five children (per 1900 census) but I have only three:  Martha J., John Larkin and Sarah.

Martha married Wiley Hamby, born c1836 in NC and had at least one child, a daughter named Lucinda, born c1859 in Caldwell Co.  In 1860¹, Wiley and his family lived at Fort Defiance in the Buffalo District of Caldwell Co.  He apparently died during the Civil War because he never appears again in any census.

John Larkin was born in Caldwell Co. in 1843² and married Nancy Jane Cozart on May 23, 1866³ in that county.  Nancy was born Dec. 7, 1843 and died Feb. 17, 1915 in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co.  Both she and John are buried at the now abandoned Mays Cemetery at Buffalo Cove.†

Their children were:

William M., born c1866
John Larkin, Jr., born May 22, 1869, died Feb. 29, 1936 at Neva in Johnson Co., TN
Columbus F., born c May 1870, at Patterson, Buffalo Twp.
Sarah C., born there c1873
Mary J., also born there in c1876; Julia, born there c1878, and
Burton, born Jun., 1881

John, Jr. is the only one for whom I have descendants.  He married Margaret V. (Virginia?) "Maggie" Coffey in Caldwell Co. in 1891‡.  Maggie was a daughter of Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Redmond.

Laurence Coffey in his book gave her name as Elizabeth Baker Redmond.  However, in an e-mail to me in 2007, Carolyn Curtis wrote:

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

So, we still do not know where the Redmond surname came from, but I have "heard" speculation that she could have been Indian, hence "Red man."  In any event, Maggie was their fifth child and third daughter.

Maggie and John Larkin had at least six children:

Nancy E., born Oct., 1892
James Thomas, born Apr. 29, 1894, died Nov. 17, 1961 in Asheville, Buncombe Co., NC
An unnamed child born Dec. 21, 1897, died Dec. 25, 1897
Winford John, born Dec., 1898
Pearl M., born c1901
Oscar L., born c1904

John Thomas married Waudie Brazil Brewer, a daughter of Emanuel (or Manuel, found both ways) Brewer and Lydia A. "Liddy" Shook.  They were married in Watauga Co. on Dec. 22, 1917.  James Died Nov. 17, 1961 in Asheville and Waudie died there on Oct. 12, 1989.  They are buried at the Mars Hill cemetery in Madison Co., NC.  I know of one child, a daughter Helen Bonita, born Jul. 23, 1922.

John and Maggie are buried at the Coffey Cemetery in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co.   Coffey Cemeteries in NC and especially in Caldwell Co. are numerous.  I believe this one is located on the Old Turnpike Road (State Road 1568) near the present day Hounds Ears Club.

I would be interested in learning who the other children of John and Maggie married.

---

¹1860 Caldwell Co., Buffalo Dist., Fort Defiance PO, Page 138, dwelling 1049, family 979, W. A. Hamby, age 24, male, farmer, $20, born NC; Jane, age 19, female, born NC; Lucinda, age 1, female, born NC
²Caldwell Co. Birth Register, Book 13, Page 252
³Caldwell Co. Marriage Register, Book 3, Page 169
†Copies of death certificates in my possession
‡Caldwell Co. Marriage Register, Book 9, Page 57
Other sources: Headstone photographs and census records

John Nelson & Laura Ann Finley Coffey

---

The following information about the John Nelson Coffey Family was found in an undated document titled The John Nelson Coffey Family, prepared by Mr. Howard M. Day, 3532 28th Parkway, Temple Hills, MD 20748.

---

The John  Nelson  Coffey Family

The John Nelson Coffey Family

John Nelson Coffey was born 7 Aug 1858 in the  Kings Creek  District of Caldwell County, N.C.  He was the son of Larkin Coffey (b1830, d.1863) and Sibby Wyatt (1831- ). His progenitors can be traced through his grandfather, Thomas Coffey, Jr. (b1804) who on 22 Sept 1823 in Wilkes Co., N.C. married Nancy Barlow (b1804). Thomas Coffey Sr. is thought to be the son of Thomas Coffey from Essex Co., Va. (b7 Mar 1742, d 1825) and his first wife, Elizabeth Smith. He in turn was the grandson of the Coffey who immigrated from Ireland to Virginia about the year 1690 according to a compilation by Laurence H. Coffey.*

*"Thomas Coffey (b7 Mar 1742) and his second wife Sally Field along with six children moved to the area of present day Wilkes County sometime between 1775 and 1780 settling on the Upper Waters of the Yadkin River where he died in 1825 at the age of 33”.

Thomas Coffey (b 1777) was married first to a Coffey and second to Nancy Pend1ey .

Larkin Coffey died of diphtheria while serving in the Confederate Army and is buried in Lafollette, Tennessee, His widow raised their family in the old home place, and on 14 Nov 1875 at the age of 44 married Joseph Isenhour of Wilkes Co. who was then 60 years of age and had a family of his own. In fact on 10 Jan 1875, just 11 months prior to their marriage, her first son, Gilum W. Coffey (b1855), was  married to Sarah Jane Isenhour ( b1853) . To the union of Joseph and Sibby Isenhour was born one son Solomon Tilden Isenhour.  .

The children of Larkin Coffey and Sibby Wyatt were: Gilum W. (bl855); John Nelson (1853); Candus who married Lee Cook; Cordey who married Larkin Cook; Mary Ann who married William West; and Lue who married John West.

John Nelson Coffey came to Watauqa County around the year 1880 probably to work on the Moses H. Cone estate. In Blowing Rock he soon met Laura Ann Henley (10 Apr 1863, 2 June 1936) who 1ived with her mother, Loany Greene Henley (5 Feb 1836, 14 Nov 1917), the widow of Henry Henley (2 June 1821, 5 May 1865).  Henry Henley was a member of the Home Guard who was killed in the raid on Hamby's Fort at the end of the Civil War (2). Laura and John Nelson were married 23 Sept 1881 and took up residence at the old Tom Henley place near where Loany Henley 1ived.

John Nelson Coffey was described as a strong willed man, a little stubborn you might say, but he was known to take great pleasure in his work and his family. He was, of necessity, a subsistence farmer, but he also made shoes and worked on the Cone Estate to fill in. Like many of the local farmers in those days he grew more produce than necessary for his family and hauled it down the mountain with horse and wagon to markets in Lenoir. Members of his family often spoke of taking turns living with and taking care of Grandma Henley since she lived alone until her death in 1917. Soon thereafter Nelson and Laura moved to their last home which was at Cook's Gap east of Boone near the Mt. Vernon Church community.

Apparently Nelson and Laura Coffey were musically inclined because several of their [children] played string instruments and loved to dance. My mother, Bertha, knew many traditional mountain songs which she often sang while accompanying herself on the guitar or banjo.

The progeny of John Nelson Coffey and Laura Ann Henley together with the spouse and children of each are as follows: Henry Edward (23 June 1832, 20 Sept 1960) m. 20 Dec 1903 to Elizabeth Foster with whom he raised three children: Malory James, Marjorie and Edward, George F. (23 Oct 1334, 10 Dec 1941) m. 23 April 1905 to Emma Greene with whom  he raised two boys: Arnold (-) and William Franklin (4 Sept 1923); Essie (9 Jan 1837, 5Feb 1972) m. 25 Dec 1904 to Carol Herman with whom she raised 8 children: Fannie Lee, George Alton, Tracy, Bonnie, Marvin, Edith, Phylis and Dessie; Delia (9 Oct 1889, 10 Now 1973) m. 22 July 1909 to Jacob Dillinger (12 Oct 1833, 14 April 1945) with whom she raised six children: Earl, Margaret, Inez, Jay, Wi11iam R. and Robert L. ; Stella (30 April 1393, 21 Oct 1965) m. 3 July 1914 to Grover Walters with whom she raised 5 children: Elizabeth, Verdola, Clifford, Norman and Robert; C1ara (31 Oct 1896, 3 Dec 1977) m. 18 Jan 1914 to George Danner with no children;,Bertha R. (24 Sept 1899) m. 23 Dec 1917 to Howard Day and they had 3 children: Obed, Dorothy and Howard Jr.; Bernice (29 May 1903) m. 29 June 1921 to Charlie Watson, they raised 6 children: Mary Helen, Kathleen, Carma Lee, Bobby, Clemmon and Harold, (three additional children: Laura Mildred, Charles W. and Claude Wayne died in infancy; Milton (1904..,) m. 9 May 1924 to Bell Gilley (1906), who raised one child, Harvey Edward (27 May 1925). After the death of her husband Bertha married Charlie Cook in 1932 with whom she had one child, Kenneth (b 1 Jan 1933). On 22 Feb 1959, after the death of her husband, Delia married Robert Bratton (1904,1960).

---

Jesse Calton & Julia Elizabeth Hollifield Coffey

Jesse Calton was born Mar. 27, 1867 at Coffey's Gap in Watauga Co., NC to George Washington "Wash" and Matilda "Tilda" Coffey Coffey.  Wash was the son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey while Tilda was the daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  William was uncle to Jesse, their common ancestor being Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey.

Julia Hollifield was born Mar. 31, 1873 in Watauga Co. and died Jul. 11, 1957 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  She and Jesse were married May 7, 1892 in Watauga Co.  Her parents were Wiley and Mary Ann "Annie" Reid Hollifield.  Another daughter, Flora Ellen Hollifield married Reuben Finley Coffey on Dec. 14, 1893 in Caldwell Co.

Jesse and Julia were parents of at least nine children:

George Wiley, born Mar. 20, 1890, died Jan. 25, 1948 in Wilkes Co.  He married Ida Belle Norman on Apr. 11, 1912 and they were parents of at least nine children.  Ida was born in 1886 in Lenoir and died there in 1974.

Charles Alexander "Charlie" was born Jul. 2, 1894 in Caldwell Co., and died May 17, 1966 in Lenoir.  He married Julia Evelyn Knight on Sep. 4, 1915 in Watauga Co.  Julia was born Sep. 13, 1896 and died Jan. 21, 1981.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Annie, born Feb. 16, 1896, died Jul. 4, 1976. No other information.

Thomas Leroy "Tom", born Oct. 13, 1898, died Feb. 11, 1974 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Tom married Alice Sanders on Jul 19, 1919 in Watauga Co.  She was the daughter of Eve and Emma Sumlin Sanders of Caldwell Co.  Alice died Feb. 24, 1962 in Blowing Rock.  They were also parents of at least nine children.

Ella, born Feb. 22, 1901, died Jul. 15, 1983 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC.  Ella married a Mr. Smith.  No other information.

Rev. Harley Clint, born Jul. 11, 1903 in Upton, Caldwell Co., died Mar. 5, 1972 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC.  He married twice, first to Dovie "Texie" Bolick on May 8, 1927 in Watauga Co., and second to Myrtle Thelma Andrews on Nov. 20, 1930 in Winston-Salem.  I know of only one child, a daughter Claudine, born to his union with Myrtle.  Texie died of dysentery after a little over a year of marriage, on Jun. 16, 1928.  Myrtle, a daughter of William M. and Manarky Victoria Shook Andrews died Nov. 13, 1979 in Valdese, Burke Co., NC.

Pearl Nevada, born Feb. 8, 1906, died Feb. 25, 1993.  She married first James Samuel Day on Apr. 22, 1923 in Watauga Co.  James, a son of James Mordichi and Annie Marie Reid Day, was born Aug. 5, 1899 in Watauga Co. and died there on Mar. 13, 1956.  She later married James' brother Spencer who died in Caldwell Co. in 1965.  Pearl died Feb. 25, 1993.

William Glenn, born Apr. 11, 1909, died Feb. 24, 1977 in Alexander Co., NC.  He married Annie Rivers "Nannie" Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Cleveland and Eliza Loudermelt Coffey.  Nannie was born Jan. 1, 1910 in Avery Co., NC and died Apr. 15, 1952 in Boone, Watauga Co.  I know of one child, Jerry Guy Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1933, died Jan. 25, 1998.  Jesse Cleveland and Jesse Calton were first cousins.

Bertha Vienna, born Sep. 2, 1912, died Jan. 14, 1970 in Blowing Rock.  She was the second wife of Adren Reece Moody, born Dec. 6, 1909 in Watauga Co., died Sep. 12, 1968 in Blowing Rock.  Adren was the son of Arthur C. and Rota Marticia Estes Moody.  He and Bertha were the parents of at least two children:  Teresa Geraldine, born May 7, 1932, died Jan. 8, 1994 and Catherine Elizabeth, born May 7, 1935, died Jan. 23, 1993.  Adren's first wife was Edna Porter with whom he had at least one child, Louise born Nov. 15, 1928.

Please contact me to add to or correct any of this information.