Nathaniel Hayes & Louisa Jane Ellis Coffey - Redux

I previously wrote about Nathaniel and Louisa however, other than children, I did not have much information for him.

A recent contact confirming the marriage of their daughter Nancy Ellen to James Perry Kelsay by descendant David Vox Mullen prompted me to take another look at Nathaniel's family by working backwards from the Kelsay family.

As a result, I found that Nathaniel was born Sep. 22, 1835 in KY and died 29 Mar 1908 in Russell Co., KY.  Louisa was born Dec. 9, 1836, also in KY and died Apr. 19, 1909 in Russell Co.  Both are buried at the Kelsay Family Cemetery near Jamestown, KY.  According to Find A Grave, this cemetery is located at 165 Cabin Creek Road at geo-coordinates latitude 36.98498, longitude 85.19971. A location services places this cemetery within the Jamestown community.

Nancy did marry James Perry Kelsay Jul. 8, 1884 in Jamestown, Russell Co. and together they had at least nine children:

William F., 1887-1975, married Sallie Bailey, daughter of Willis Bailey on Aug. 8, 1926 in Clark Co., IN.  He was 39 years old while Sallie was 19.

Joseph Butler, 1890-1974, married Sallie Bailey, daughter of Willis Bailey on Aug. 8, 1926 in Clark Co., IN.  He was twice married, first to Nora Ethel Wells, born Apr 18, 1894, died Feb. 23, 1944 and with whom he fathered at least four children:  John Vernon, Marcella, Paul P., and Otha Lerman. Paul married Alene Kimbler on Jun. 20, 1946 in Adair Co., KY. His second wife was Mrs. Fanny Elizabeth Farris O'Bannon, a daughter of Henry and Sallie Gwinn Farris. They were both aged 64 years at the time and there were no children born to the union.

Other children of Nancy and James Perry were: Mollie M., born Aug., 1892; Ruth L., born Jan., 1895; John F., born Dec., 1897; Nona, born Apr., 1899; Perry A., born c1903 and Nola D., born c1907.  

I have not yet finished collecting info on those childen but hope to very soon.

Sources:

Indiana Marriages, 1811-2007, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XXPH-Y94

Kentucky Marriages, Kentucky Census Records and Find A Grave

Colbert Larkin Coffey (c1811-1849)

I first wrote about Colbert on Aug. 2, 2007.  That blog can be found at: http://goo.gl/KAwiQ6

---

Colbert Larkin Coffey lived a tragic life.  He fathered at least seven children and lost most of them early in their childhood and, then lost his wife, probably while giving birth to one of those children.

He was born to Newton and Sarah Meridith Coffey in Adair Co., KY. He married Catherine Ellis in KY in 1829 and by 1830 they were living in Montgomery Co., IL. In Aug., 1838 they were able to purchase land in Bond Co., IL and settled on 80 acres, 40 in the SW/4 of the NE/4 of S7, TS6N, R2W and, 40 in the SE/4 of the SW/4 of S6, TS6N, R2W. He and Catherine had perhaps six children.

Catherine died n Montgomery Co., IL in 1847 and was buried there at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Coffeen.

At least four of their children died as infants, including a daughter named for her mother. Speculation is they all died of Cholera¹ and perhaps three of them did.  Catherine the mother and daughter Catherine likely died as a result of complications from childbirth.

The children were:

James W., born 1833, married a lady named Nancy, died 13 Oct 2897 in Cleveland Co., OK.  He was buried at Independence Cemetery in Norman, OK.  Nancy died in OK on Aug. 28,1899 and was also buried at Independence.

Joseph, born c1834, died c1842.

Catherine, born 1836 in IL, died in IL, Montgomery Co., in 1847.

Elizabeth J., born 1837 in IL, died in IL, Montgomery Co., Filmore Twp.  Married Edward Lynn.  She died in 1923 and was buried at Glendale Cemetery in Fillmore Twp., Montgomery Co., IL.  Edward was born in 1835 and died in 189 and is also buried at Glendale Cemetery.

Nancy, born 1842 in IL died in Montgomery Co. in 1847.

Colbert Larkin, Jr., born c1845 in IL; died there in 1848.

Several of Colbert's children with Catherine are buried at Mount Moriah.

Shortly after the death of Catherine, Colbert married Permilia "Milly" Allen in Bond Co., IL.²  She was the daughter of Hector and Nancy Miller Allen.3  Together they had a son, Andrew, born c1848 in Montgomery Co.

Following the death of Colbert in Jan., 1849, Milly married a third time, this time to the widower, Jacob Layerly [sic]. Her first husband had been Jacob Davis to whom she was married in 1840 at Rockbridge Co., VA.  Jacob died in 1846 in either Montgomery or Bond Co., IL.

Together they had several children and the family appeared in the Montgomery Co., census of 1860.4  The family remained in IL at least through 1880 but, by 1900 were residing in Eastland Co., TX.  Milly is said to have died there in 1908 but I have not found a death record for her. Neither have I been successful in locating her or Jacob's burial place.  I have also been unsuccessful in learning the proper spelling of the surname which has hampered the search.

I will continue to work on this family.

Additions and/or corrections are welcomed.

---

Sources:

¹Laudie, L. (2009). Mrs. Coffey. In Milly, Nancy, & Florie 1825-1955 of Rockbridge County, VA(No ed., pp. 30-35, 99-100). Independence, MO: Two Trails Publishing.
²16 Jul 1847. Dodd, Jordan, Liahona Research, comp. Illinois Marriages, 1790-1860, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT, Film 1317522
3Laudie, L. (2009). Mrs. Coffey. In Milly, Nancy, & Florie 1825-1955 of Rockbridge County, VA(No ed., pp. 30-35, 99-100). Independence, MO: Two Trails Publishing. [The complete book can be found at http://tinyurl.com/m3u4pz4]
4"United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MX4D-QVB : accessed 08 Aug 2014), Jacob Layerley, N 2/3 Of T 7 N R 2 W Of 3d P M, Montgomery, Illinois, United States; citing "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," Fold3.com; p. 217, household ID 1587, NARA microfilm publication M653; FHL microfilm 803214.

Hardy Mills (perhaps) and what Coffey Woman?

Those of you who have followed this blog from the beginning know that I am not a direct descendant of any male descendant of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.  Instead, DNA shows me to be a ggg-grandson of a man named Lilburn Jackson Coffee who was a descendant of William and Sarah Ellis Mills.  My 37-marker DNA test shows a perfect match to others who also descend from this Mills family. Additionally, the DNA test result for a descendant of a brother to my gg-grandfather matches mine.

While searching for whichever of William and Sarah's descendants might be my ancestor, I have more or less concluded their son Hardy is the most likely candidate.  He was born in Halifax Co., NC c1763 and died Mar. 6, 1841 in Greencastle, Putnam Co., IN.

Hardy was found on the Wilkes Co. 1787 tax rolls in Captain Ferguson's District and, again in 1830 Hawkins Co., TN.  Other names found on the 1787 list, and pertinent to this genealogy were:  John Coffee (owned stud horse), Thomas Coffee, Reuben Coffee (two, one with note "Estate of James Coffee, dec'd.), Elender Coffee, Benjamin Coffee (owned stud horse), Jane Coffee.

Except for Ellender, these Coffey names match children of John Coffey and Jane Graves.  John Coffey died in 1775 so Jane Coffee could be his widow.  The James Coffee, dec'd would also be a son of John and Jane, who died in Wilkes Co. in 1786.

In Captain Isbell's District I found Joel Coffee, and Colbey [sic] Rucker.  Hardy appeared in the 1784-1787 (enumerated in 1785) NC State Census as a white male, age 21-60, with a white female in the household.  Families adjacent to him were John Coffey, Thomas Coffee [sic], Reubin Coffey, Elizabeth Coffey, Stephen Carpenter and, Benjamin Coffey.  Stephen Carpenter was father of Hardy's wife, Frances Carpenter.

With an age spread as required at the time by the NC census, it is impossible to accurately determine the age of any person enumerated.  Elizabeth Coffey appears in the census as head of household and likely a widow.  I believe she would have been Elizabeth Cleveland, the widow of Rev. James Coffey.  There were no males 21-60 in the household but, there were two males under 21, 1 female and 3 blacks. I don't know how old Elizabeth was, but if she was James' widow, she would been in her 50's.

James and Elizabeth had only two daughters that I know of: Elizabeth, born c1751 and Martha, born c1758.  I believe Elizabeth would have been deceased in Wayne Co., KY before my GGG Coffey was born.  Martha died in Wayne Co. in 1826 but was married and believed to be in KY before the Rev. War began.

My GGG named his first daughter Mary Elizabeth, perhaps after his own mother.  His second daughter was Margaret, apparently named for his wife's mother, Margaret Lloyd Taylor.  He named his first two sons John Fielding; John perhaps for his father-in-law, whose middle name we do not know.  His second son was, James M. for perhaps Pres. James Madison (1751-1836) or, James Mills.  James M. Coffee was my paternal g-grandfather.  Lilburn then had a son whom he named for himself and later a daughter named Ellen.

John, another son of William and Sarah, John Mills, birth unknown but probably between 1770 and 1780, married Alice "Allie" Coffey in Wilkes Co., NC on Mar. 19, 1804.  Allie was a daughter of Ambrose and Mildred "Millie" Moore Coffey, born c1788 in Burke Co.  Ambrose was a grandson of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

These bits and pieces of circumstantial evidence gives me a bit of confidence that I am somewhat justified in considering Hardy, an older brother to John, as my ancestor.

The first problem that I have is the probability that Hardy left NC before 1820.  A Hardy Mills, and the only Mills,  was in Pulaski Co., GA in 1820 and in Hawkins Co., TN in 1830.  He was in Indiana from at least 1837 to death in 1841.  Of course, he could have learned in 1819 that he had impregnated a young woman - he would have been in his late 50's by 1820 - and decided to head to a safer place.  He had married Frances Carpenter in Wilkes Co. in 1785.  I do not know when she died, but the 1820 GA census does not list a woman of the right age to have been Frances.  There was such a female in the 1830 household in Hawkins Co. which might mean a second wife.  There were no Coffey families in Pulaski Co., GA in 1820.  There was a Thomas Coffee [sic] in Wilkes Co., GA that year.

Another problem, and perhaps the one most difficult to overcome at the moment is the possibility that one of Hardy's sons could have been my ancestor.  He had at least four, three of which would have been old enough to sire children by 1820.

One son, James, was born c1782 in Wilkes Co.; Henry and William followed James in 1798 and 1799-1800 respectively.  James married in before 1804 at Tazewell in Claiborne Co., TN.  Henry married in 1820 at Rockingham Co., NC and. William married in Jefferson Co., TN in 1819.  Based purely on birth years, of his other sone, there were likely more children born to Hardy between 1782 and 1798.  Another son, Hardy, Jr. was born c1808 and would have been only about 12-14 years old when my ancestor was born.

Clearly, more census work is needed to determine what Coffey and Mills families were living in TN counties other than Hawkins in c1820 and 1830.  That will help determine if any were living within spittin' distance of any Mills related to William and Sarah Ellis Mills.  Coffey families on the tax rolls and living adjacent to Hardy in 1787 need to be studied more and time lines developed.  I see no other way to eliminate the various Coffey females until I find the one who perhaps had a liaison with Hardy.

 Jack

William Coffey and the Whitecaps!

The St. Louis Republic, November 03, 1901

William Coffey Is Again In Jail

This Time a Young Woman Prefers a Charge of Assault, Which He Denies

Before Courts Ten Years

First Gained Notoriety for His Prosecution of Whitecaps*, Who Beat Himself and Wife Unmercifully

William Coffey
from St. Louis Republic article

Evansville, Ind., Nov. 2, -- William Coffey of whitecap fame is again in jail at Jasper, having been arrested a few days ago at a small station on the Southern road near Huntingburg, on a charge of attempted assault, preferred by Miss Ella Smith of Ireland.

It is said that to try all the cases in which Coffey has been plaintiff or defendant would take a continuous session of court for a solid year.

Coffey first came into prominence when he as whipped by whitecaps in December, 1890.  He was living with his wife, Mary, in a little log hut near Ellsworth, sixteen miles east of here, near the Crawford County line.

Just what the whitecaps had against him will never be known, as no one would own up to being one of the crowd.

About midnight on December 4, 1890, while he was at home asleep with his wife and 4-years-old girl, a noise of running men was heard, and his door was broken in by a cross-tie.  A dozen masked men rushed into the room and, without allowing him to dress, dragged him out into the cold night.  He was taken about 200 feet from the house and tied to a tree, after being blindfolded.  His shirt was stripped off his back, and the leader, whom Coffey always maintained was John H. Brown, a prominent and well-to-do farmer of the neighborhood, gave the order for “No. 1” to proceed.

Beaten by Whitecaps.

“No. 1” stepped forward, picked up a strong hickory with, and gave Coffey five vigorous blows on the back.  Coffey claimed that “No. 1: was Thomas Higfill.  “No. 1,: at the command of the leader, was followed by “No. 2.” “No. 3,” “No. 4” and “No. 5,” who each gave him five hard lashes as “No. 1” had done.  Not a word was spoken by anyone except the leader.  No names were spoken, each member being designated by number.  About twenty-five were present, all disguised and masked.  Coffey did not pretend to know all the crowd, but insisted that “No. 2: was Henry Sutton and “No 3” William Highfill.  Among others he

claimed to recognize were James Ellis, Levi Ellis, Levi Jacobs and John and Wesley Kellams.  All these were prominent and well-respected men.

At the January term of court Judge Oscar M. Welborn gave pointed instructions to the Grand Jury and directed them to return bills against all the whitecappers if any evidence could be secured against them.  Both Coffey and his wife appeared before the Grand Jury and identified each of the suspected men and several others, but the Grand Jury refused to return any bills.

Again Beaten.

During the following spring and summer there were numerous whitecap outrages along the Dubois and Crawford County line, about twenty people being whipped. Excitement was at fever heat.  Coffey publicly announced that he would give the gang $10 if they would come back and try to whip him again.  In August, 1891, both he and his wife were taken out of bed, stripped, tired to trees and given a fearful beating.  The whitecaps told Coffey that they wanted the $10 that he had promised, and that if he did not keep his mouth shut this was only half what he would get next time.  They then mounted their horses and left a top speed, going toward Birdseye.

Coffey and his wife made their way to his mother’s house, a quarter of a mile distant, where Coffey fell fainting in her door from loss of blood.  His life was despaired of for more than three weeks.  He finally recovered and he and his wife appeared before the September Grand Jury and testified that the same men whipped him who had whipped him the year before.  Though Judge Welborn gave charge after charge and time and again sent them back to their rooms, the jurors refused to return any whitecap indictments.  John H. Brown, whom Coffey identified as leader, was foreman of the Grand Jury.  They did, however, return two or three bills against Coffey for provoke [sic] and assault and battery.

Alleged Whitecaps Tried.

During all this time the newspapers all over the country were urging the prosecution of the whitecappers and were wanting to know why it was not done.  As soon as court was over Coffey was sent for by Deputy Prosecutor Richard M. Milburn and affidavits were made against all the parties whom Coffey claimed to recognize.

All were arrested and demanded a change from Judge Welborn.  This was granted and Thomas Duncan of Princeton was appointed special Judge to try the cases.  The first case to be tried was that of John H. Brown.  The trial lasted a week.  More than fifty witnesses testified that Coffey’s reputation for truth was bad.

After being out twenty-four hours the jury brought in a verdict of guilty, fixing Brown’s punishment at two years in the penitentiary.  Brown escaped and has never been seen in the county since.  He is said to be in Texas.

The next cases to be tried were those of Thomas Highfil [sic] and his son, William.  Each occupied a week.  Thomas was found not guilty and William was given two years in State Prison.  He served his time and is now living in the eastern part of this county.  Henry Sutton pleaded illness and his case was continued.

It is now seen that the back of the defense was broken and that unless something desperate was done that all of the defendants would go to the Penitentiary, as there were three cases against each defendant, two for whipping Coffey and one for whipping his wife.

Charged with Perjury.

A change of venue was granted and the cases sent to Pike County.  At this state of the game, it is said one of the accused men offered Coffey $7,000 is he would make an affidavit that he had nothing to do with the whipping and was not present.  Coffey agreed to this.  The money was to be placed in a hollow oak tree and as soon as he had signed the affidavits he was to go and get the money.  However, when he signed the papers and went to look for the money he found nothing bu some strips of brown paper.

Shortly afterwards, Sutton’s case was called and these affidavits introduced in evidence.  Sutton was acquitted and the prosecution in disgust quashed the remaining cases.

Coffey was indicted for perjury, but escaped.  He wandered around and was arrested at Vincennes for stealing a turkey and sent to the penitentiary for a year.  Upon the expiration of his sentence he was arrested on an old charge of perjury at Petersburg.  The jury, after hearing the evidence for a week, were out for three days and failed to agree.  After this the case was continued a time or two and, after Coffey had been in jail for nearly a year, he was released by the Judge on his own bond.  The officers hoped he would leave and never come back for trial, but on the first day of the next court he was on hand.  After an attempt to get the witnesses, the case was nolled. [sic]

Trouble With His Wife.

Coffee [sic] had three cases for damages against each of the parties charged with taking part in whitecapping him, but never recovered anything.  He and his wife separated, and he was arrested on the charge of sending a letter containing obscene matter through the mails to her.  He was taken to Evansville and lodged in jail, and after an examination by Commissioner Wartmen was bound over to the United States District Court at Indianapolis and sent to the Marion County jail to await trial.  After laying in jail for about three months he was found not guilty.  Returning to Dubois County, he had his wife arrested on the change of kidnapping and sued her for divorce.  She beat him in both cases.  A second application for divorce was more successful, but he was prohibited from marrying again for two years.  Notwithstanding this order he married again inside of ten days.  He was arrested for contempt of court, but beat the case on a technicality.

Since then he has figured in two or three cases of some sort at every term of court.  He is about 35 years old, is a hard worker and can do as much manual labor in a day as any man in the county.  A few nights ago Miss Ella Smith of Ireland claims he broke into her room where she was sleeping with some younger brothers and sisters and attempted to assault her.  An outcry from the children, however, frightened him and he fled.  Her father and mother were both away and this was about midnight.  She swore out a warrant against him.  He is now in jail awaiting trial on this charge and denies that he is guilty.

*Whitecaps were also known as Night Riders

Please write if you know who William's parents were!

  Jack

Margaret Josephine Coffey Farley (1936-2012)

Margaret Josephine Coffey

I first met Margaret when she wrote to me some years ago, offering information about her Coffey family of western North Carolina.  I soon learned that Margaret knew more about Coffey families in that part of the state than just her immediate ancestry.  She once sent to me a large box of newspaper articles, and some very old and yellowed obituaries and photos that she had collected over the years. She included photos of her family and stories that only someone who had lived them could relate.  Margaret was very proud of her family and never missed an opportunity to tell me about her brothers who had served so proudly in the Marine Corps, and her several sisters who had preceded her in death.

She loved North Carolina and especially the western part in Watauga and Caldwell counties. She often talked of Coffeys Gap, the people who lived there and, their old home places that no longer exist.

She was the third of seven children born to Clayton McDonald "Mack" and Lany Esther McCroskey Coffey, born Apr. 27, 1936 in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV.  She married twice, first to Kinney Eugene Ellis and second to Vivian Edward Farley, Jr. in 1972.  Mr. Farley died in Princeton in 1976 and Margaret never remarried.

A few years ago my wife and I were returning to Louisiana from a Coffey Cousins' reunion in VA and decided to go visit with Margaret in Winston-Salem.  She welcomed us with a home cooked meal and we got to meet Steve.  She gave us a tour of her modest home, filled with antiques and other treasures that she had collected over her lifetime.

We had remained in contact on Facebook and e-mail.  Now and again she would send me obituaries that she had found on line about Coffeys and related families in western NC.

I will miss her very much.

Her obituary:

Margaret C. Farley Posted Date: December 13, 2012

(April 27, 1936 - December 13, 2012)

Margaret Coffey Farley, age 76, of West Acadia Avenue, Winston-Salem, and formerly of Blowing Rock, went to be with her Lord and Savior Thursday, December 13, 2012.

Born April 27, 1936 in Princeton, WV, she was the daughter of the late Clayton McDonald and Esther McCroskey Coffey. Margaret was a devoted and loving wife, a good sister, and a wonderful aunt and friend to everyone.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Farley; sisters, Bertha Mae Akers, Nellie Aileen Coffey; and brothers, James Edward, Lonnie Ray, and Clayton Coffey.

Mrs. Farley is survived by survived by her special nephew, Steve Coffey; sister, Gladys Virginia Coffey Bailey; six step-children; eleven step-grandchildren; four step-great grandchildren; and sisters-in-law, Dorothy McBride, and Jewell Nelson and husband, Charles. A number of nephews, nieces, great nephews and nieces, and special little ones 'Waylon' and Justin.

Services to celebrate the life of Margaret Coffey Farley will be conducted Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 2 PM at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by Rev. Max West. The family will receive friends Sunday from 1 until 2 o'clock at Austin & Barnes.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at the website austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Farley family.

Rest in peace Margaret.  Your earthly work is over and it is now time to rejoice in that place which Jesus has prepared for you.

Jack

Nathaniel Hayes & Louisa Jane Ellis Coffey

Nathaniel Hayes & Louisa Jane Ellis were married on Feb. 28, 1854* in Rowan Co., KY.  His marriage records his name as Hays and omitted Nathaniel.  In a few census records he was enumerated as Hays, or a variant thereof, and in others he was Nathaniel H.  In 1860 he was enumerated as Hayse Coffey, Jr.

His father was John Hayes Coffey and his mother was Mary "Polly" Burkett who were married on Feb. 7, 1815 in Staunton, VA.**  John was born in Wilkes Co., NC in 1793 and Polly was a native of VA, born there c1798.

Louisa was born in Dec., 1836 in KY to Clayton and Martha Ellis.

Hayes and Louisa became parents of 14 children, all born in Russell Co.***  It appears that less than half of them lived to adulthood.   Their first four children, all daughters, failed to survive.  Mary J. was born on Aug. 1, 1855; Emma E., born Apr. 22, 1857; and Martha A., born Dec. 16, 1858, did not appear in the 1860 census.  Amanda Frances, born Jul. 20, 1860 died on Oct. 3, 1861.

The first to survive to adulthood was Francis Wolford "Frank," born Mar. 11, 1862, died Dec. 18, 1940 at St. Joseph, Buchanan Co., MO.  His wife was Hannah Frances Sharp and they were married c1883.  He is buried at St. Joseph Memorial Park Cemetery in Buchanan Co.  Frances was born Jul. 24, 1859 in Russell Co., and died Nov. 9,1936 in Washington Twp., Buchanan Co.  She is also buried at St. Joseph.

Elijah Grant Coffey

Elijah Grant was born Aug. 27, 1864 and died on Oct. 10,1940 in Russell Co.  He married three times, first to Martha Shearer in about 1884.  She was born c1867, died c1889.  Two children, Florence Jane (1887-1951) and Ella (1889-1924) were born to this union.  It appears from death dates that Martha died giving birth to Ella, or shortly thereafter.

The second wife was Marticia Kimber, daughter of William and Martha Kimber.  She was born in Nov.,1867 and died c1904 in Russell Co.  They were married c1891.  Five additional children were born:  John B., born Jun., 1892; Bertha, born Mar. 17, 1894, died Feb. 4, 1942 at Creelsboro; Exra, born Sep., 1895; Warren, born Sep., 1899 and Thadeus, born c1903.  It appears that Marticia also died shortly after giving birth to the last child.

Elijah's third wife was Ida A. Antle, born Jul., 1873 to Jacob and Elizabeth Hammond Antle.  They were married very shortly after Marticia died but the first child I find for them wasn't born until c1910.  Perhaps there were earlier births that did not survive.  Those I know of were Lizzie, born c1910; Nettie, born c1912; Bessie, born c1913 and Josie, born c1915.

Elijah is buried at Kerns Cemetery in Russell Springs, Russell Co.  I have not found death dates or burial sites for his three wives.

Following Elijah was Nancy Ellen, born Feb. 8,1866, died Mar 8, 1918 in Russell Springs.  I do not believe she ever married and at death was buried at Crocus in Adair Co.  Two more daughters followed Nancy:  Ruth J., born c1868 and Rosetta, born c1870.  I have found no additional information on these two girls.

Josephus was next born on Jul. 2, 1870.  He died on Oct. 18, 1936 in Russell Co. and was buried at the Holt Cemetery in Russell Springs.  I know only that his wife was Bertha, as given on his death certificate.

Fielding followed Josephus on Jun. 21, 1873, died Jun. 2, 1957 in Berea, Madison Co., KY.  His wife was Delia, born Jun. 2, 1877, died Oct. 17, 1910.  Both are buried at Kerns.

There are birth records for two unnamed males born to "N. H. Coffey" and "L. J. Ellis."  The first record reports the birth of an unnamed male on Dec. 5, 1875 in Russell Co. and, the second of an unnamed male on Dec. 8, 1875 in Adair Co.  This is somewhat confusing for me because I can't imagine that the family would move at such a time in their life.  Louisa reported in 1910 that she had given birth to 14 children and, without both of these unnamed children, her total would have instead been 12 births.

The 14th child born to Hays and Louisa was Harlan on Mar. 15, 1877.  His wife was Larcy or Lorcy E., last name unknown, who was born on Jun. 18, 1882 in KY.  They were married there c1898.  Children I have for them are: Frank, c1902; Sammy, c1905; Alma, c1906; Ruth, c1908; Rufus, c1915 and Carrie, c1917, all in Russell Co.  Harlan died on Jun. 27, 1945 in Jamestown, Russell Co.  Larcy's death date has not been found.  Harlan and his wife are buried at the Lawless Cemetery, just outside of Jamestown.

---

*"Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979, 1839-1960," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/.
**Lyman Chalkley, Compiler, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia: Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, 3 Vols (Rosslyn, VA: The Commonwealth Printing Co., 1912), [Chalkley is probably incorrect.  There is a marriage record for this couple in Botetourt Co. for same date.  See Virginia Historic Marriage Register by John Vogt and T. William Kethley, Jr., 1984]
***The Family appeared in every available Federal census for Russell Co. from 1860-1900

"Nute" Gragg

This genealogy may be way off base, but appears to be somewhat accurate.  Readers with better knowledge of "Nute" are invited to submit corrections.

Updated Oct. 20, 2011

---

Newton "Nute" Gragg, sometimes referred to as Isaac Newton Gragg, was born May. 13, 1879 in Caldwell Co., NC to William "Billie" and Phoebe Shell Gragg.  He died May 26, 1956 in Bob White, Boone Co., WV and was buried at White Cemetery in Julian, Boone Co., WV.*

It is believed that Newton married and fathered a child, perhaps two, with Ada Coffey, a daughter of Eldelano "Lano" and Mary E. Austin Coffey.  One child is thought to have been Lloyd Gragg, perhaps sometimes referred to as Lloyd Coffey.  He was born c1909 in Caldwell Co., and died there in 1979**. Ada's death certificate does give her name as Ada Gragg and the widow of the late Newton Gragg.

In 1930, Ada, age 44, was enumerated as a Coffey in the Walter Adams household in Catawba Co. Walter's wife was Sarah Jane Coffey, a daughter of Rabon Scott and Margaret E. Hollander Coffey and Ada's cousin. With "Ader" in this census were two Coffey men, Foy [sic] [Floyd], age 25 and Loyd [sic], age 23.  If Nute was the father of Lloyd then this entry may suggest that he fathered both boys.  Floyd was born Dec. 16, 1907 in Caldwell Co.**

Lloyd married Epsey or Epsie Magdelene Coffey on Aug. 16, 1936 in Wilson Creek Twp., Avery Co.***  Epsie was the daughter of Thomas Newton "Black Tom" and Ella Mae Loudermelt Coffey, born Jun. 21, 1916 in Caldwell Co., died Feb. 25, 1989 in Lenoir and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  Lloyd died in 1979 and was likely to have been laid to rest at White Springs as well.  Lloyd and Epsie were divorced in July, 1964 in Caldwell Co.¹

Update 10/20/2011:  Lloyd Coffey of Taylorsville, NC sent me a photo of Lloyd's grave marker.  He is buried in the Globe Community Cemetery at Globe Baptist Church, Caldwell Co.³

"Nute," as he seemed to be popularly known, appeared as a boarder in the Nannie Young boarding house, Wilsons Creek Twp., Avery Co. in 1910. He married Della V. Hall, a daughter of Franklin Ellis & Alia Louella Greer Hall on Oct. 12, 1915 in Mortimer, Wilson Creek Twp.² Della was born Jun. 10, 1890 in Granite Falls, Caldwell Co., and died Sep. 3, 1959 in Bim, Boone Co., WV. She is believed to have been buried at the White Cemetery as well. I am aware of one child, Bonnie, was born c1918.

In 1918, Nute was in Bryson City, Swain Co., NC where he was registered for the WW1 draft. His registration card describes him as short and stout with blue eyes and bald. In 1920 he and Della were in Forneys Creek, Swain Co. and in 1930 they were in Boone Co., WV.  Nute's death certificate reports cause of death as a "cerebral hemorrhage" and Della's as a "cerebro vascular accident."  I guess both are the same cause and more commonly known as strokes.

---

*"West Virginia Deaths, 1853-1970." Index, FamilySearch, 2009. Digital copies of originals housed in County Courthouses throughout West Virginia. www/familysearch.org. name: Nute Gragg death date: 26 May 1956 death place: Bob White, Boone, West Virginia gender: Male age: estimated birth year: 13 May 1879 birth place: Globe, N. C. marital status: spouse's name: father's name: Billy Gragg father's birthplace: mother's name: Phoebe Shell mother's birthplace: occupation: Logging street address: residence: cemetery: White Cemetery burial place: burial date: 28 May 1956 film number: 571246 digital folder number: 4228482 image number: 58 source: County Records reference number: v 4


**Caldwell County, North Carolina Register of Deed's Index Search, Wayne L. Rash, Register of Deeds online [http://rod.co.caldwell.nc.us/Resolution/search_menu.asp], accessed variously, Lloyd Coffey, Death Register, Book 66, Page 100, parents Ada Coffey Gragg and Newtin Gragg.  Floyd Phillip Gragg Date of Birth: 16 Dec 1907 Gender: Male Race: White Birth County: Caldwell Parent1 Name: Newton Gragg Parent2 Name: Adar Coffey Roll Number: B_C017_68001 Volume: 4 Page: 114


***North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979, digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).  Groom's Name: Lloyd Gragg  Groom's Birth Date: 1909  Groom's Birthplace:  Groom's Age: 27  Bride's Name: Epsey Coffey  Bride's Birth Date: 1916  Bride's Birthplace:  Bride's Age: 20  Marriage Date: 16 Aug 1936  Marriage Place: Wilson Creek Twp., Avery, North Carolina Groom's Father's Name:  Nute Gragg  Groom's Mother's Name:   Ader Gragg Bride's Father's Name: Tom Coffey Bride's Mother's Name: Eller Coffey 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: M75218-2 System Origin: North Carolina-EASy Source Film Number: 1689135 Reference Number: No. 94


¹North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics. North Carolina Divorce Index, 1958-2004. Raleigh, NC, USA: North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics, 2004.  Primary Name: Epsie Gragg Spouse's Name: Lloyd Gragg Divorce Date:13 Jul 1964 Divorce County:Caldwell


²North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).  groom's name: Newton Gragg groom's birth date: 1880 groom's birthplace: groom's age: 35 bride's name: Della Hall bride's birth date: 1895 bride's birthplace: bride's age: 20 marriage date: 12 Oct 1915 marriage place: Mortimer, Wilson Creek, Nc groom's father's name: groom's mother's name: Phoeba Gragg bride's father's name: Ellis Hall bride's mother's name: Hall 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: M74476-1 system origin: North Carolina-EASy source film number: 590350 reference number: Cn 165


³"Lloyd Gragg's grave marker is located in the Globe Community Cemetery at Globe Baptist Church in Caldwell County, North Carolina. This information should help with your blog about 'Nute' Gragg. Lloyd caddied during the summer months at Blowing Rock Country Club in Watauga County, North Carolina during the middle 1960's. I also caddied there during those summers and spent many hours talking with and getting to know Lloyd on those occasions that we caddied together. At that time he used the name Lloyd Gragg. I was also aware at that time that Lloyd was married to my father's double first cousin Epsey Coffey Gragg." [Lloyd Coffey, Taylorsville, NC, 10/20/2011]

Jesse C. & Nancy F. Allen Coffey

I recently wrote a blog about their son Allen F. Sherman Coffey and his wife Susan Virginia Hamilton.  But, Jesse and Nancy had 11 other children (10 lived to become adults) and Susan Houk, a descendant of Allen's brother Joshua has assembled a fantastic collection of photos, which she inherited from her mother.  She has also documented her findings not only on the Coffey family but also collateral lines.

---

Jesse and Nancy's first child was Mary Jane, born Feb. 8, 1855 in Nelson Co., VA and died in Greenville, Augusta Co., VA on Jan. 13, 1901.  She married Virginian John Abraham Harris, born in Dec., 1842 to Henry and Angeline Hardbarger Harris on Feb. 26, 1874 in Sherando, Augusta Co.  He died in that county on Oct. 17, 1909 and buried with his wife at Pines Chapel Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Greenville.

Their children were:

Eric H., born Jan. 17, 1878 in Lyndhurst, Augusta Co., died there on Aug. 15, 1913.  Eric was married in Augusta Co. to Callie C. Nuckols, a daughter of Henry Juett and Georgianna Miller Nuckols on Aug. 29, 1902.  Eric died Aug. 15, 1913.  They had at least two children:  Nannie, born c1904 and Herman, born c1906.

Peachy Priscilla, born Sep. 6, 1880 in Lyndhurst, married c1899 to Marcellus S. Harris.  He was the son of Andrew A. and Elizabeth Painter Harris.  Marcellus died Oct. 9, 1950 in Augusta Co. and Priscilla died Feb. 20, 1964 in Waynesboro, VA.  They also had at least two children: Roy Baxter, born Jan., 1900 in Greenville, married Grace Catherine Dewall, daughter of Charles and Katie Chapman Dewall; and Virginia M, born 1910 in Charleston, WVa., married Willard Franklin Bell Sep. 5, 1928 in Berryville, Clarke Co., VA.  Her second husband was Frank O. Bellinger who she married in Staunton, VA on Feb. 27, 1934.

Anzy or Anzey, born Jul. 8, 1886 in Virgina, died Dec. 6, 1930 in Augusta Co.  She married Andrew Cleveland Lotts on Mar. 23, 1905 in Augusta Co.  Their children were Walter F., Jessie J., Bessie A., Margaret P. and Harry T.

George Hansford, born Jun. 18, 1891 at Vesuvius in Rockbridge Co., VA, died Nov. 9, 1968 in Waynesboro.  He married Gertrude Lyons, born Sep. 16, 1899 and died Jan. 25, 1969 in Augusta Co.  George and Gertrude are buried at Lyndhurst United Methodist Church Cemetery.

Their last child was Edgar Herman, born Jul. 8, 1894 in Augusta Co. and died there on Sep. 13, 1967.  He married Della Marie Hanger, born Oct. 17, 1907 to John A. and Sarah C. Kennedy Hanger.  She died in May, 1977 at Greenville.  Della was actually the grand-daughter of John and Sarah (her parents are unknown to me).  She appeared as their granddaughter in the 1920 census and as their "adopted daughter" in the 1930 census at Rivershead in Augusta Co.

The second child born to Jesse and Nancy was Joshua Elmo "Jerry", born May 3, 1857 in Staunton, VA, died Oct. 23, 1934 in Lima, Allen Co., OH.

Joshua married Emma Bridenbaugh* on Mar. 18, 1881 in Pike Co., OH.  Emma was the daughter of Valentine "Felty" and Elizabeth Loney Bridenbaugh.  Valentine was born in Lützel, Germany, then in Kassell-Hesse, now in Rhineland-Pfalz.  Elizabeth was born in Ohio c1827.  They were married in Pike Co. on Mar. 30, 1845.  Valentine died in June, 1896 but his exact burial place has not yet been located.


Emma gave birth to at least six children:

Elmer Coffey

Grace Ellis

Elmer J., born Mar. 28, 1833 in Waverly, Pike Co., died Dec. 16, 1929 in Springfield, Clark Co., OH.  He married Grace Ellis, born Feb. 12, 1886 in Monroe Co., MI, died Sep. 30, 1961 in Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., MI.  Elmer is buried at Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh. 

Grace died on Sep. 30, 1961 and is also buried at Brookside.  Their children were:  Vera; Thelma; Elmer, Jr.; Vivian A.; Wenonah; Jack; and Robert E.

Edythe Beryl Coffey

Ben'j Hartman

Edythe Beryl, born Jun. 27, 1885 in Waverly, died Dec. 10, 1960 at Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH.  She married first Benjamin David Henry Hartman on Jul. 27, 1905 in Alma, Wabaunsee Co., KS.  He was born Jul. 9, 1886 in Clark Co. and died in Detroit, Wayne Co., MI on May. 19, 1948. 

Carmen Arlita Hartman Houk

They had at least two children:  Cecil Forest, born Dec. 17, 1906, died Feb. 2, 1955 and Carmen Arlita, born Jan. 23, 1912 in Troy, Miami Co., OH, died Oct. 25, 2004 in Akron, Summit Co., OH.  Carmen was the mother of Shirley Houk.  Her father was Arthur J. Houk, born Jul. 5, 1905 in Barberton, Summit Co., OH and, died there on Feb. 20, 1980.  Edythe and Benjamin were divorced sometime between 1910 and 1920.  Later in life, Edythe married Guy Harlow.  Edythe is buried at East Cairo Cemetery in Cairo, Allen Co., OH.  Mr. Hartman is buried at New Carlisle Cemetery in Clark Co., OH.

Asa Coffey

Patrick Coffey

Asa, born Mar. 1, 1889 in Rushtown, Scioto Co., OH, died Nov. 4, 1929 in Lenawee Co., MI.  He married first Wilda Sterling on Feb. 1, 1918 in Allen Co.  She was born Mar. 2, 1895 in Allen Co., IN and died in Auglaise, Camden Co., MO on May. 9, 1963.  Asa's second wife was Mable, born c1925.  Asa was the father of at least one child but at the moment I am unsure which of his wives was her mother.  Asa is buried at Cairo East.

Following Asa was Patrick, born Sep. 10, 1890 in Rushtown.  He married Cora Smith-Roush on Apr. 3, 1935 in Lima and died there on Aug. 6, 1958.  He is also at Cairo East.

Grover Coffey

Phronia Grafton

Grover followed on Aug. 22, 1892 in Rushtown, died Apr. 2, 1959 in Lima.  His wife was Phronia Grafton, born Feb. 4, 1896 in OH, died Jul. 12, 1988.  Both are buried at Cairo East in Allen Co.  Phronia was the daughter of Arthur Park and Mary Ballard Grafton.  She married her first husband Floyd L. Foreman  on Apr. 9, 1914 in Lima.  She had a daughter, Elsie, born c1916.  She and Foreman were divorced before 1920 when Phronia and Elsie were found living with her parents in Lima.  Shortly after that she and Grover were married and had at least two children, Glen, born c1924 and Gene, born c1929

Hazel Coffey

Their last child was Hazel, born Mar. 29, 1897 in Pike Co., died May 19, 1975 in Lima.  She married Gurney C. Spurlock on Apr. 9, 1917 in Hardin Co., OH.  He was born Aug. 14, 1892 in OH, died in Allen Co. on Jul. 22, 1971.  Hazel is buried at Cairo East cemetery in Cairo, Allen Co., OH.

---

I will continue with family in later blogs.  Corrections and additions are welcomed.

---

*The Bridenbaugh name has been spelled various ways including Breidenbaugh, Bridenbach,  and Brightenback.  I believe the more common spelling today is Breitenbach.

---

Update Aug 28, 2011 - I have been reminded by e-mail from Jack Coffey, a grandson of Elmer J. and Grace Ellis Coffey, that Elmer and Grace had 12 children. There were five more born after Robert Ellis.

Mariella Coffey Lockwood

Betty G., born Feb. 15, 1921, died Jun. 23, 1982 in Howell, Livingston Co., MI. She married Earl Melvin Spangler, born Apr. 29, 1916 in OH, died Dec. 2, 1996 in Howell.

Mariella, born Jun. 23, 1922, died May 1, 2001 in CO. She married Emil Lockwood, born Sep. 29, 1919 in IL, died in Monroe Co., MO on Aug. 2, 2002.

Jerry Wayne Coffey

Charles Gillette, born Sep. 28, 1024 in Toledo, Lucas Co., OH, died May 3, 2003 in Tecumseh, Lenawee Co., MI. He married Dolores Jean McKenzie on Nov. 27, 1947 in Angola, Steuben Co., IN. She was born May 31, 1929 in LaSalle, Monroe Co., MI and died Dec. 14, 2003 in Lansing, Ingham Co., MI. Both are buried at Brookside Cemetery in Tecumseh.

Lee P., born Jun. 9, 1926 in MI, married Louise Smith. Lee was still living as of this date.

Jerry W., born Jan. 29, 1930 in Tecumseh and died there on Jun. 23, 1971. Jerry married Mary Patricia Spohr on Apr. 1, 1949 in Tecumseh. She was born Dec. 27, 1928 in MI and died in Tecumseh on Apr. 19, 2002. Both are buried at Brookside.

Elmer J. Coffey Death Certificate