Dr. Robert Calvin Coffey

Dr. Robert Calvin Coffey

"Dr. R. C. Coffey, an eminent surgeon of the northwest who has followed his profession in Portland since March, 1900, having now well equipped offices in the Corbett building, is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine of the class of 1892.  A native of North Carolina, he is a representation of one of the old southern families.  Determining upon the practice of medicine as a life work in early manhood, he supplemented his literary course by study in the Kentucky School of Medicine at Louisville, and was graduated in 1892, after which he sought the opportunities of the northwest, locating for practice in Moscow, Idaho, where he remained for five years.  He then removed to Colfax, Washington, where he spent two years and afterward came to Portland, where he has practiced through a decade, giving his attention exclusively to surgery.  He is fast becoming a recognized authority on this subject.  A master of the construction and functions of the component parts of the human body, of the changes induced in them by the onslaughts of disease, of the defects cast upon them as a legacy by progenitors, of the vital capacity remaining in the throughout all vicissitudes of existence, Dr. Coffey is well equipped for the onerous and responsible duties that devolve upon him as a surgeon and his work has received the endorsement not only of the general public, but also of the profession.

"He is an ex-president of the Idaho State Medical Society, an ex-secretary of the Washington State Medical Society and in 1908 was honored with election to the presidency of the Oregon State Medical Society.  He is also a member of the Western Surgical Association and Southern Surgical Association, and thus keeps in close touch with the advancement that is being made of the profession as research and investigation broaden knowledge and bring to light the hitherto hidden truths of science.

"Dr. Coffey married Miss Clarissa Ellen Coffey, and they have three children, Jay R., Wilson Boone and Robert Mayo.  The Doctor belongs to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and the Royal Arcanum.  Of him it has been said 'he is wise in human nature, wise in the laws of general science, wise in social amenities.'"¹

Unfortunately, the life of Dr. Coffey came to a tragic end on Nov. 9, 1933 when he and many others aboard a multi-engine United Air Lines plane they were taking to San Francisco crashed at Portland, OR in dense fog as the plane was taking off.  It crashed into a hillside and the pilot and three passengers were killed.  Time magazine described the incident thusly:

"With fearful vengeance the Law of Averages proceeded last week to settle its score against United Air Lines. In 40 million miles of flying, no passenger had been killed in a multi-motored plane of United until last month when a ship was blown up on the New York-Chicago route (TIME, Oct. 23).* Last week near Portland, Ore. another United plane of the same new type crashed into a hillside in a fog. Pilot and three passengers were killed. Copilot, stewardess and four passengers survived.

"Fog lay thick around the Portland airport, situated on an island in the Willamette River, when the ship took off for its run down the coast to San Francisco. Among the passengers was Dr. Robert Calvin Coffey, Portland surgeon famed for his work with cancer. Across from him sat his assistant, Dr. John Straumfjord, with whom he was flying to Medford, Ore. to operate on a colleague. Leaving the airport the pilot circled gingerly up through the fog, edging perilously near the hills which rise abruptly to the west. Suddenly a wing tip gouged a tree on the hilltop. Down the ship crashed. It broke apart, caught fire. In an instant Stewardess Libby Wurgaft had the cabin door open. Four times she entered the blazing cabin, each time helped bring out an injured passenger. But nobody could save Dr. Coffey and the other two passengers on his side of the cabin. All three were killed by the crash.

"Fortnight ago Department of Justice agents said they were convinced that an underworldling had traveled in the plane several days before the crash, had concealed an explosive among the blankets in the plane's lavatory, for fear he would be searched at his destination. The explosive lay among the blankets until it fell to the floor.

"No kin of San Francisco's Dr. Walter Bernard Coffey, he addressed the American College of Surgeons last month on his method of draining the kidneys through the intestines in cases of cancerous bladder, and on his "surgical quarantine" of healthy tissue during treatment." 

 Dr. Coffey was a native son of North Carolina and the Yadkin Valley of Caldwell Co..  He was the eldest child of Patterson Vance Coffey and his wife, Nancy Martisha Estes.  His siblings were:

Judge James A. Coffey

James Alexander, born in 1872, received his BA from the Univ. of Idaho and an LLB from the Univ. of Minnesota. He practiced law in North Dakota from 1902 to 1910 when he was appointed by then Gov. John Burke to serve as a Judge on the bench of the 5th Judicial Districe where he served until 1919.  That year, the judicial districts were revised and he became a Judge on the bench of the 4th district.  He served there until 1928 when he returned to private practice. He died and was buried in Jamestown, ND in 1957.² 

Third born was Rose Ella Coffey in c1879.  In 1908 she married Harry Eyre Powell who was "a relative of the celebrated Baden Powell who held Mafeking during the British-Boer War.

Vanda was born c1888 but I have lost her.

The last child was Ada Boone Coffey, born Aug. 3, 1887 and died May 8, 1936 in Oregon.  She never married.  Her obituary tells of her accomplishments, both scholarly and professionally.

"Funeral services for Ada Boone Coffey, sister of the late Dr. Robert C. Coffey, were held Saturday with Rev. R. A. Simmonds of St. Mark's Episcopal church officiating. Interment was in Drain, Or., yesterday at 1:20 P. M.

"Miss Coffey was born in North Carolina in 1887 and came west with her family to Drain the following year.  She attended the University of Oregon and graduated from the Presbyterian Hospital Training School for Nurses in New York in 1913.

Her first professional work as a nurse was done in San Francisco.  She served in the Presbyterian hospital unit overseas during the war and later was sent to Serbia with the American Red Cross.  She was also connected with the public health department of New York state and Boston, Mass.

"Miss Coffey is survived by J. A. Coffey, Jamestown, N. D., and Mrs. Rose Powell of Portland."

Ada was buried at the Drain Cemetery, in Drain, Douglas Co., OR.

Dr. Coffey married his second cousin, Clarissa Ellen Coffey on Aug. 9, 1893.  They were in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR by 1910.  They were world travelers.  In 1932 they spend some time in Hong Kong as evidenced by their appearance on the passenger list of the SS President Taft arriving in Seattle, WA on Mar 5 of that year.³  Later that year they were on the passenger list of the SS Leviathan arriving from Cherbourg, France in October, 1932.

Dr. Jay Russell Coffey

He and Clarissa became parents of four children, all sons: Herbert Spencer was born before 1894 and apparently died at or shortly after birth.  Nothing else is known of him.  Jay Russell, born in 1894 at Moscow, Latah Co., ID also became a medical doctor.  He died of apparently natural causes in 1943 at the young age of 49.  Wilson Bryan Coffey was next, born in ID in 1898.  He later became the business manager for his father's hospital in Portland.  Their last child was Robert Mayo, born in OR in 1906, died in Lincoln Co., OR in 1972.  He also helped his father build and operate the Coffey Memorial Clinic.

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¹Joseph Gaston, editor, Portland, Oregon, Its History and Builders in Connection with the Antecedent Explorations, Discoveries and Movements of the Pioneers that Selected the site for the Great City of the Pacific (Chicago, IL and Portland, OR: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., 1911), Page 135.

²Biographical Sketches of North Dakota District Court Judges

³Seattle Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1957 ; Micropublication M1383. RG085. 357 rolls. National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Hospital photo from http://bit.ly/1GX3cAA

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Links to previous blogs on this family:  Clarissa Ellen Coffey; Patterson Vance Coffey; Doctors Coffey; John Calvin Coffey

Willard Duane Coffey

Jasper Pink Coffey*

George Alexander Coffey was a son of Jasper Pink¹ and Mary Jane Minton Coffey.  George left Caldwell Co., NC sometime in early 1900 and relocated to Kenesaw, Adams Co. in Nebraska.  He was 26 years old, having been born on May. 27, 1874.  For a while, he resided with the Alvin B. Mechan family but, by August he was married to Grace Percy Armitage.

Census records of 1910 and 1920 (George died in Dec., 1928) show that they had but one child, a son named Willard Duane Coffey, born in 1903.  On Christmas Day, 1906, Willard Duane was alleged to have been kidnapped by his Uncle Enoch Coffey.

Apparently Uncle Enoch, thought then to be a resident of Kansas², wanted to take the child for a Christmas ride on the train.  Or, at least that was the excuse for taking the child.  Apparently, Duane's parents knew nothing of that plan.

At almost the same time Uncle Enoch was absconding with the child, Grace began to search for help in preventing the kidnap. 

The Evening Statesman of Walla Walla, WA³ carried a short piece on the attempted kidnap with dateline of Jan., 6, 1906 at Hastings, NE in which Dr. J. S. Latta of Kenesaw was credited with rescuing the child.

I'm certain many readers have seen movies in which an automobile is racing to cut off a train.  This was one of those scenes.  Dr. Latta began chasing the train as it left the Kenesaw Depot on Christmas afternoon of 1905.  The touring car that Dr. Latta was driving kept up pretty much with the train but fell behind a little and the rescue was not successful at the first train stop.  But they each arrived at the Hastings depot at the same time and the child was removed from the train.

Uncle Enoch insisted that he "merely meant to take the child down the road a short distance and return with him on a later train."  Lending some credence to Uncle Enoch's story is the distance covered by the chase was about 15 miles.

Enoch is not known to have married and died at age 35 on Apr. 15,1921 at Geary Co., KS.  He is buried near his parents at Highland Cemetery in Junction City.

Willard, in his early 20's, relocated to Los Angeles Co., CA where he met and married Rosalie F. Markovetz, a Minnesota girl born to parents from Bohemia.  They apparently divorced sometime after 1930 and he married Winifred M. Bussler, born in IA, in Los Angeles.  Rosalie later married a Mr. Norgard and died in 1987 at San Mateo, CA.  Willard, who was a long time US Postal employee died in Orange Co., CA in 1988.

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¹Jasper, born Sep. 16, 1851 in Mortimer Twp., Caldwell Co., NC, died Apr. 3, 1928 in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, was a son of Lucinda and a previously supposed spouse, Joseph Coffey.  That Joseph Coffey has not been found has made Jasper's ancestry somewhat suspicious.

Jasper married Mary Jane Minton on Apr. 21, 1873 in Boone Twp., Watauga Co., NC and by 1900 was in Geary Co., KS with his family.  They did not leave for Kansas until after Jul., 1888 (and probably not before 1900) when their seventh child of nine, Ellis La Fayette Coffey was born in Caldwell Co.  This birth is confirmed by record found in Caldwell Co. birth index, Vol. 12, Page 62.  The 1900 census for Geary Co. lists the whole family, except for eldest son George who was already married.  All of the children are shown with birth place in North Carolina.

Just recently, through DNA testing of a descendant of Jasper, it has been determined that Jasper's father was an Estes.

Anyone familiar with North Carolina Coffey families knows that there has been a long relationship between these two families.  It is sort of like some have told me: "scratch a Gragg, find a Coffey."  That could also be said for the Estes families in that state.

If the researcher looks at the 1850 census for the Johns River district in Caldwell county, the Enoch Coffey family (Lucinda was his daughter) will be found on Page 8, dwelling/family 111.  Langston Estes, age 64 is found at family 113.  Family 114 is Joseph Estes, married to Dicey with one child, Loretta age 1.

Could this Joseph Estes be the "Joseph Coffey" who fathered Jasper?  Very likely!

²Except for a short period when Jasper and Mary Jane lived in Macon Co., MO, Jasper and Mary Minton Coffey resided from at least 1900 through about 1928, in Geary and Shawnee Counties, KS.  Sometime just prior to Mary Jane's death, she and Jasper relocated to Macon Co., MO where she died.  Her Missouri death certificate names her as her own mother and Jasper as her father.

³http://1.usa.gov/1GHdJn4, Page 4, Col. 4

*Are you the owner of this photo?

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.”

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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

Pvt. James F. Ayers

Awarded for actions during the Indian Campaigns

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private James F. Ayers, United States Army, for rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians on 23 April 1875, while serving with Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Sappa Creek, Kansas.

General Orders: Date of Issue: November 16, 1876

Action Date: April 23, 1875

Service: Army

Rank: Private

Company: Company H

Division: 6th U.S. Cavalry


James F. Ayers is thought to have been born c1849 in OH.  He married Matilda R. Shiller on Apr. 28, 1883 at Junction City in Geary Co., KS.*

In what has become a controversial battle, Sappa Creek has been described by some authors** as a "massacre."

Led by Lt. Austin Henely, who had immigrated from Ireland to the US and later graduated from the US Military Academy at West Point, his Co. H of the 6th Cavalry and a detachment of troops from Co. K of the 19th US Infantry, attacked on Apr. 23, 1875 a band of Cheyennes on Sappa Creek in Kansas.  Reports indicate that between 19 and 27 Cheyenne were killed while only two soldiers were killed.  Eight Medals of Honor were awarded to members of the military for their actions on that date.

The following citation was provided by the Museum of the Kansas National Guard found at http://www.kansasguardmuseum.org/mohrks.html

PVT JAMES F. AYERS


Organization: Company H, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Sappa Creek, Kans., 23 April 1875. Entered service at: ------. Birth: Collinstown, Va. Date of issue: 16 November 1876. Citation: Rapid pursuit, gallantry, energy, and enterprise in an engagement with Indians.

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Ayers and Matilda had at least three children during their marriage; he died on Jan. 18, 1895, probably in Junction City, and was buried at Fort Riley Post Cemetery, Fort Riley, KS.  One of the children was a daughter, Maude, born Jan. 25, 1885 in OK.

Maude's mother married a second time on Nov. 5, 1896 at Junction City to William G. Leithoff, a native of Rhode Island, born there in 1866.  They also had several children.

Maude was married on May 14, 1903 to Jonathon Horton Coffey (Estes***) and they had three children:  Lawrence A., born Feb. 19, 1904 in KS, died Dec. 10, 1975 in Wyandotte Co., KS, and was buried at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS; Hellen, born c1907, said to have married a Mr. Bodagllalacqua+; and, Walter John, born Feb. 5, 1912, died Jun. 19, 1964 in Kansas City, MO.  He is buried at Leavenworth National Cemetery at Leavenworth, KS.

Jonathon and Maude lived at least 15 years in Geary Co. and was in Shawnee Co. before 1930.++  He died on Oct. 31, 1961 in Norton, Norton Co., KS.  Maude died Oct. 10, 1969 in Topeka.  Both are buried at Penwell-Gabel.

Additions and corrections welcomed!

 Jack

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Footnotes:

* "Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FW2B-VBW : accessed 19 May 2014), James F. Ayres and Matilda R. Schiller, 28 Apr 1883; citing Junction City, Geary, Kansas, reference p 62; FHL microfilm 1685972.

** John H. Monnett, Author, Massacre at Cheyenne Hole: Lieutenant Austin Heneley and the Sappa Creek Controversy (Boulder, CO: University Press of Colorado, 1999), Book Review.

*** See blog posts http://tinyurl.com/n8gara4 and http://tinyurl.com/lfag63r

+ This surname not yet found by me in any Kansas record.

++ They appeared in the 1910 and 1920 Geary Co., census, the 1930 Shawnee Co., census and in 1940 were recorded in Pawnee Co., KS

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.

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*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..

William & Anna "Annie" Boone Coffey

William was one of the sons of Thomas and Sarah "Sally" Fields Coffey.  He was the second of 10 children born to that couple and the first of eight sons.  Bible records provided in 1990 by Mary E. Thornburg, tells us that William was born "November 29th in the year of our Lord 1782," and died May 22, 1839 in Wilkes Co., NC.  He was buried there at the Rufus Baptist Church Cemetery in the Mulberry Community, now part of Caldwell Co. (Lat: 36.00080, Lon: -81.64390).

Mary's Bible records tell us that William married Annie Boone on Oct. 16, 1804 in Boone, Watauga Co., the daughter of Jesse Boone and his wife Sarah McMahan.  Annie appears to be the sixth of at least eight children born to Jesse and Sarah.  She was born Jul. 26, 1785 in Burke Co. and died in Caldwell on Jan. 16, 1876.  She is also buried at the Rufus cemetery.

At least six children were born to William and Annie, the first being Daniel Boone Coffey, born Nov. 12, 1805 in Burke Co., died Jan. 21, 1862 in Caldwell Co.  Daniel married Clarissa Estes on Sep. 11, 1834.  She was born Jul. 18, 1817 in Burke Co., died Jul. 17, 1884, probably in Caldwell Co.  They were parents of at least nine children:  1) Emily who married her first cousin (once removed) Charles Lewis Coffey, a son of McCaleb and Elizabeth "Betsy" Collett Coffey; 2) Drury Dobbins who married Harriet Elizabeth Collett on Aug. 25, 1859; 3) Martha Ellen who married Elijah L. Moore on Oct. 12, 1858 in Caldwell Co.; 4) Sophronia Tate who married Henry Clay Coffey, brother to Charles Lewis; 5) Jonah, born May 9, 1843 in Caldwell Co.  He may have died in infancy; 6) Israel Boone, born Apr. 19, 1845 in Caldwell Co., died Jul. 10, 1920 in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, married Catherine Emma Spainhour of North Carolina on Sep. 19, 1867 in Caldwell Co. 7) Julia, born Aug. 3, 1847; 8) Hezekiah, born 1852; 9) Celia, born Nov. 7, 1855, died Apr. 15, 1858.

Second born to William and Annie was Wilborn on May 14, 1807 in  Burke Co.  He married Sarah "Sallie" Cottrell on Jan. 2, 1832 in Caldwell Co.  Sallie was born May 1, 1812 in Wilkes Co. and died in Caldwell Co. on Mar. 25, 1894.  Wilborn died on Nov. 27, 1897.  Both are buried at the Rufus cemetery.  They were parents of at least eight children:  1) William Rufus, who married Harriet E. Moore on Dec. 4, 1856; 2) Thomas Milton, born c1835, died Aug. 12, 1863 on the Gettysburg battlefield; 3) Myra Emeline, born c1836, died before 1860; 4) James Grayson, born 1839, died Aug. 24, 1863 at the Union POW camp, Davis Island, New York Harbor, NY; 5) Minerva Jane, born Dec. 20, 1844, died Oct. 10,1934 and who married the Rev. John H. Nelson, born May 19, 1841 in Caldwell Co., died May 22, 1915; 6) John Calvin, born Apr. 30, 1848 in Caldwell Co., died in Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co. on Feb. 27, 1930.  He married Nancy Caroline Tuttle, born Jan. 10,1854 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 10, 1939 at Lenoir, Caldwell Co.; 7) Finley Patterson, born Apr. 30, 1848 in Mulberry Twp., died in Lenoir on Apr. 13, 1937.  His wife was Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Tuttle, born Sep. 11, 1851 in Caldwell Co, died Apr. 20, 1931 in Lenoir.  Nancy Caroline and Mary Elizabeth Tuttle were sisters, daughters of Robert G. & Lucinda Puett Tuttle. 8) Charlotte Caroline, born Dec. 2, 1851 in Caldwell Co., died Mar. 18, 1944.  She married Jesse Richmond Moore on Oct. 21, 1869 in Caldwell Co.  He was born Mar. 16, 1849 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co. and died in the Mulberry Twp. on Sep. 13, 1921

William and Annie's third was Gilliam, born May 21, 1810, died Jan. 8,1910 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co.  He married Mary "Polly" Moore on Jan. 2, 1832.  She was born c1820 in Burke Co. and died in Caldwell Co. on May 26, 1871.  They were parents of at least six:  1) Harvey N., born 1837, died 1912, married Jane Cochran; 2) William Elbert, born 1839, died 1912 at Morganton, Burke Co.  His wife was Margaret Anne Kinkaid, born 1837 in Burke Co., died Dec. 22, 1921 in Morganton.  Margaret had a child after William died and whose father is not known to me.  She and William Elbert had at least six children:  Mary, William Alvin, Lula Eloise; Annie Jane, Harvey Macan, and Maggie Lee. 3) Harriet E., born Sep. 6, 1843 in Cedar Valley, Caldwell Co., died Dec. 12, 1937 in Elizabethton, Carter Co., TN.  Harriet's spouse was James Brown Blair to whom she was married on Oct. 7, 1866 in Caldwell Co.  James was born in Cedar Valley on May 1, 1844 and died in Carter Co. on May 24, 1920.  They had at least eight children:  Henry Lee, Gilliam Colbert, Harvey, John Caldwell, Job W., Mary E., Hatibel, and Lillie M. 4) Celia Adeline, born c1847, died before 1910.  Her husband was John Wesley Estes and they were married on Dec. 2, 1868 in Caldwell Co.  Their children were at least eight:  Benjamin G., Albert Lafayette, Horace Herndon; John C., Victor Scotland, Emma E., Homer Roy, and May C.  This family left NC sometime after 1880 and journeyed west to Iowa where Emma was born and then to Idaho where May was born.  5) Cordelia Adaline, born Jan. 10, 1853, died Jul. 9,1918.  She married John Boone Gragg on Dec. 17,1 877 in Caldwell Co.  He was born Feb. 15, 1856 in Caldwell Co., and died in Globe Twp., on May 23, 1937.  Both are buried at the Job Moore cemetery in the Globe.  Their children were at least seven:  William Hardie, Charlie, Stella Victoria, John Vernon, Laurance Dillard, Mamie, and Horace Milton.  Child 6) was Emma, born c1855.  Unfortunately, nothing else has been found for her.

The fourth child of William and Annie was Celia, Jun. 29, 1813 in Burke Co., died in Wilkes Co. on Jul. 12, 1899.  She married Hezekiah Curtis, a son of Samuel and Susanna Cottrell Curtis, on Dec. 26, 1833 in Wilkes Co.  Hezekiah was born May 16, 1810 in Wilkes Co., and died there on Jan. 20, 1901.  Both are buried at Mountain Park Cemetery in Wilkesboro, Wilkes Co.  Their children were Darcus, Judson, Larkin Junius, Julia, Finley Patterson, Caroline L., and Martha Gertrude.

The fifth and last child born to William and Annie was Calvin on Sep. 30, 1819.  He died Apr. 2, 1847 after a short marriage to Mary Greene in about 1839-40.  Four children were born to Calvin and Mary:  Harrison, Alexander, William and Patterson Vance.  William also died on the battlefield at Gettysburg.

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This is quite a long blog and I hope that I have not made it too complicated to follow.  Many of these folks have been written about in previous blogs.  Use the search window in the sidebar to look for them.  To assure accuracy, place "quotation marks" around the name your are searching for.  All of these, plus all of their known (to me) ancestors and descendants are present on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.  Readers can also use the "Search Also For" links at the bottom of each blog.

Jasper Pink Coffey

Jasper, born Sep. 16, 1851 in Mortimer Twp., Caldwell Co., NC, died Apr. 3, 1928 in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS, was a son of Lucinda and a previously supposed spouse, Joseph Coffey whose lineage has not been discovered.  Lucinda was the daughter of Enoch and Prudence Gragg Coffey.

Jasper Pink Coffey

Jasper married Mary Jane Minton on Apr. 21, 1873 in Boone Twp., Watauga Co., NC and by 1900 was in Geary Co., KS with his family.  They did not leave for Kansas until after Jul., 1888 (and probably not before 1900) when their seventh child of nine, Ellis La Fayette Coffey was born in Caldwell Co.  This birth is confirmed by record found in Caldwell Co. birth index, Vol. 12, Page 62.  The 1900 census for Geary Co. lists the whole family, except for eldest son George who was already married.  All of the children are shown with birth place in North Carolina.

Because no one could find the elusive Joseph, Jasper's paternity has long been suspect.  Just recently, through DNA testing of a descendant of Jasper, it has been determined that Jasper's father was an Estes.

Anyone familiar with North Carolina Coffey families knows that there has been a long relationship between these two families.  It is like some have told me: "scratch a Gragg, find a Coffey."  That could also be said for the Estes families in that state.

If the researcher looks at the 1850 census for the Johns River district in Caldwell county, the Enoch Coffey family (Lucinda was his daughter) will be found on Page 8, dwelling/family 111.  Langston Estes, age 64 is found at family 113.  Family 114 is Joseph Estes, married to Dicey with one child, Loretta age 1.

Mary Jane Minton

Could this Joseph Estes be the "Joseph Coffey" who fathered Jasper?  Probably yes!  Coincidental that Joseph Estes had the same first name as the alleged Joseph Coffey?  Probably no!

Jasper and Mary Jane's children were:

George Alexander, born 1874, died 1928, married  Grace Percy Armitage; lived in Nebraska and died in California in 1928.  Grace died there in 1958.  They had at least one son, Willard Duane, born 1903.

Jonathon Horton, born 1876, died 1961 in Norton Co., KS.  Married Maude B. Ayers and had at least two sons, Lawrence, born c1905 and Walter John, born c1912.

Malinda Lucinda, born 1878, died 1925 in Dickinson Co., KS, married James Joseph Cullen in Geary Co., KS in 1905.

James Washington, born 1881, married Mae Switzer.  They had at least two sons, Jesse and Bud.

William Finley, born 1883, died 1946 in Shwanee Co., KS.

Enoch Thomas, born 1885, died 1921 in Geary Co.

Ellis La Fayette, born 1888.  Nothing else known.

Jennie Etta, born 1890, died 1987 in Shawnee Co.  She married Harry Gutshall in 1936.

Joseph Richard, born 1893, married Mary Bell Bledso in 1932; died in 1963 in Shawnee Co.  They had at least one son, Frederick.

By birth then, all of these children and their descendants are member of the Estes clan with their only connection to the Coffey family back through Lucinda to Enoch, but the males will not have Coffey DNA.

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Photos courtesy of Ben Coffey

James Alexander and Josephine Andrews Coffey

In an earlier blog [click on title link to read] I wrote about the descendants of Patterson Vance and Nancy Martisha Estes Coffey from Caldwell Co., NC.  At the time I had no information about their second son, James Alexander. Since then I have discovered the following about him:

Patterson and his family moved to Douglas Co., OR sometime around 1900. Their second son, James Alexander, born Jul. 4, 1872 in Lenoir, died in Jamestown, Stutsman Co., ND on Nov. 27, 1957. A short biography of the professional life of James appears on the website of the North Dakota Supreme Court:

Judge Coffey was born in Lenoir, North Carolina, on July 4, 1872. He attended school at Lenoir, until moving to Portland, Oregon, where he graduated from high school. He received his B. A. degree from the University of Idaho, and L. L. B. degree from the University of Minnesota. He came to Courtenay, North Dakota in 1902, where he practiced law until 1910. In 1911 he was appointed Judge of the Fifth Judicial District by Governor John Burke, he served in that capacity until 1919, when the judicial districts were revised he became Judge of the Fourth Judicial District from 1919 until 1928. He returned to private practice, and was briefly associated with Alvin C. Strutz, and later headed the firm of Coffey, Mackenzie and Jungroth in Jamestown, North Dakota. Judge Coffey died on November 27, 1957.

James married Josephine Andrews, a Minnesota school teacher in about 1903.  Shortly after their marriage - as indicated by his arrival in ND in 1902 - the family settled into life and raised two children:  Robert Andrews, born c1904 and Eleanore, born c1906. 

The family appeared in the 1910 through 1930 census records in Jamestown, Stutsman Co., ND.  Josephine appeared as the head of household in the 1900 census for Fairbault, Rice Co., MN where she taught school and lived with her brother, Stanley, age 15.

I have been unable to find a death record for Josephine, or a burial site for her or James.  Neither have I found any record of Robert and Eleanore after 1920. 

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.

Drury Dobbins & Harriet Elizabeth Collett Coffey

Drury was the son of Daniel Boone and Clarissa Estes Coffey, and was born Apr. 23, 1838 in Burke Co., NC.  Harriet was the daughter of James Hamilton and Jane Stewart Collett [photo], and was born Nov. 25, 1840 in Caldwell Co.

She and Drury were married in Caldwell Co. on Aug. 15, 1859.  Drury died in Caldwell Co. on Aug. 16, 1913 and Harriet on Jan. 13, 1921.  Both are buried in Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.

Her obituary:

MRS. HARRIET COFFEY OF LENOIR, DIES AT AGE OF 80

Lenoir, Jan. 16 -- Mrs. Harriet Coffey died at the home of her son, F. H. Coffey, Thursday evening, being 80 years old, and was buried Friday afternoon at 3 o'clock in Bellview cemetery, Rev. A. A. McLean conducting the funeral services.

Mrs. Coffey, whose maiden name was Miss Harriet Collett, was born at Collettsville November 25, 1840, and on August 24, 1859, was married to D. D. Coffey. To this union two sons, F. H. and D. S. Coffey, and one daughter, Ellen Coffey, were born. Mr. and Mrs. Coffey continued to live at Collettsville for a number of years, following which time they went west and lived 14 years. At the end of that time, their son, F. H. Coffey and his family, who were also living in Junction City, decided to return to North Carolina, and Mr. and Mrs. Coffey returned with them to Lenoir where they lived until August, 1913, when Mr. Coffey died. Four years ago last October Mrs. Coffey fell and broke her hip. Since that time she had been confined to her bed.

She was a life long member of the Adventist church, and a professed Christian. Hers was a life of loving service and she will be greatly missed. She did not complain at her lot, but bore with courageous patience her affliction. During the war she knitted sweaters and socks for the soldiers, and seemed so glad to do that much for the boys.  [Courtesy of Nancy Stonebreaker]

His obituary:

August 13, 1913 – Mr. Drury Coffey Passes.

Useful and Valued Citizen and Brave Confederate Veteran Answers Final Roll Call.

Mr. Drury D. Coffey died at the home of his son, Mr. F.H. Coffey Saturday evening at 6 o'clock after an illness of only a few weeks. For several months Mr. Coffey had been in declining health, but not till recently did his friends and relatives become alarmed about his condition and realize that the end was near. He was one of the old landmarks of Caldwell county, and the announcement of his death will bring sorrow to many homes, especially among the older citizens, who love and honored him, as their comrade and leader.

Drury D. Coffey was born in the Mulberry section of the county in 1838, and was soon recognized as a leader among his people in both social and political life. He was honest as a citizen and always spoke his convictions. As a public servant, he was the champion of the rights of his people and always guarded their interest most zealously. When the Civil War came on, he immediately volunteered and went to the front as a member of Company E, 58th North Carolina Regiment. He was made Sergeant Major of this company and distinguished himself for his prowess and devotion to the cause. He was in many engagements, but was only wounded slightly one time, having a finger shot off.

After the close of the war, he returned to his home, and began life anew as a farmer. He was soon honored by his people by being elected County Commissioner, and so successful and wise was he in handling the affairs of the county, that he was re-elected seven consecutive terms, serving in all sixteen years. In 1857 he represented Caldwell county in the General Assembly of North Carolina, and here he distinguished himself for the boldness and aggressiveness with which he championed the rights and cause of the common people. He moved from this county to the State of Kansas in 1892, where he lived 15 years. In his old days he felt the longing to return to his native county, and in 1907 he returned and took up his residence in Lenoir, where he lived till his death.

In 1868, Mr. Coffey was married to Miss H. E. Collett of this county. She together with two sons, Mr. D. S. Coffey of St. Paul, Minn., and Mr. F. H. Coffey of Lenoir; one daughter, the wife of Dr. Robert Coffey of Portland, Ore., one of the most noted surgeons on the Pacific Coast; and three sisters, Mesdames Charley Coffey and H. C. Coffey of Lenoir, and Mrs. M. E. Moore of Manhattan, Kan., survive him.

He was a member of the Masonic Fraternity and until his death was the oldest living member of Hibriten Lodge, A. F. & A. M. No 262. The burial was with Masonic honors, the funeral services being conducted from the residence of Mr. F. H. Coffey Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by Rev. C. T. Squires. The body was laid to rest in Belleview Cemetery. The pallbearers were Major G. W. F. Harper, Capt. Edmond Jones and Messrs J. L. Nelson, H. L. Houck, E. F. Reid, C. A. Tuttle, M. N. Harshaw and F. P. Moore.  [Courtesy of Nancy Stonebreaker]

Their children were:

Finley Hezekiah, born Apr. 20, 1861, died Aug. 4, 1943

Daniel Silvester, born May 20, 1866, died Apr. 16, 1945

Clarissa Ellen, born Sep. 24, 1868, died Mar. 1, 1939

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

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.

Tracey Jack & Nellie Juanita Estes Coffey

Tracey Jack Coffey was a son of Columbus (Lum) Alexander and Mary Alice Woodruff Coffey. He was born Jul. 7, 1923 in Newland, Avery Co., NC and died on Aug. 30, 1994 in Caldwell Co. He was buried on Sep. 4, 1994 in the Blue Ridge Memorial Park at Kings Creek in Caldwell Co.

He married Nellie Juanita Estes, a daughter of Theodore and Laura Bean Estes in 1962. Given the age of both at the time of marriage (he as 39, she was 34) it is likely that both were previously married. I have not found any record of children born to this union.

Laura was born Jun. 1, 1928 in Caldwell Co. and died on Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Her obituary:

News Topic Lenoir N C May 10, 2009

Nellie Coffey

Nellie Juanita Coffey, 80, of Lower Creek Drive, Lenoir, died Saturday, May 9, 2009 at Gateway Nursing Center. She was born June 1, 1928 in Caldwell County to the late Theodore Estes and Laura Bean. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Coffey, four brothers, and four sisters.

She attended Crossroads Community Church and was a prayer warrior who was very active in church and her community.

Survivors include a brother, Stephen Bean of Charlotte; a loyal and faithful niece, Ms. Camilla "Sissy" Coffey, and special friend, Mike Triplett, both of Lenoir.

Funeral services will be Monday, May 11, 2009 at 2 p.m, at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Pastor Rick Bowman. Interment will follow in Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends Sunday from 7-8:30 p.m. at the funeral home.

Serving as pallbearers will be Odell Watson, Jesse Suddreth, Joe Hoyle, Ross Winkler, James Wilfong and Donnie Kiefer. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Willis, Carroll Clontz and H.C. Ledbetter.

Memorial contributions may be made to Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care at 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Crossroads Community Church at 1509 SW Norwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com. Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory is in charge of arrangements.

Theodore Estes was born in North Carolina in 1857 and died in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co. on Jul. 30, 1937. Death was caused by uremia. He was buried on Jul. 31 in Confidence Church Cemetery at Lenoir in Caldwell Co.

I have been unable to find any birth or death information for Laura.

Columbus Alexander Coffey was a son of Eldelano (Lano) and Mary E. Austin Coffey. Mary Alice Woodruff was a daughter of James and Minerva (LNU) Woodruff.

Henry Clay and Sophronia Tate Coffey Coffey

Sophronia Tate Coffey

Henry Clay Coffey

Henry Clay Coffey, born Dec., 1841 in Caldwell Co., NC was a son of McCaleb and Elizabeth Collett Coffey.  He married his second cousin, Sophronia Tate Coffey on Jan. 28, 1864 in Caldwell Co.

"Henry Clay Coffey was in Co. F of the 26th NC CSA Infantry of Lee's army and took part in the July 1, 1863 attack at Gettysburg where he was the 86th of 87 wounded or killed of a total of 88 men. 

"Company F directly attacked the Minnesota Iron Brigade on McPherson's Ridge and ultimately broke the Iron Brigade on the left side of the Union line about the same time CSA's Jubal Early attacked the Union right side and crushed the Union flank. These two actions sent the Union forces running through the town of Gettysburg en route to Cemetery Hill where they would regroup with the rest of Meade's Union army for the next two day's Confederate disaster. Henry Clay Coffey was captured on July 1, 1863 and exchanged later that year. He married Sephronia on 1/28/1864 and then rejoined Lee's army by 3/1/1864 and was present at Petersburg siege in 1865

"According to later family stories Sephronia ruled the home roost with an iron hand probably because she was still miffed (my opinion) at his leaving so soon after they were married."

Sophronia was the daughter of Daniel Boone and Clarissa Estes Coffey.  She was born Oct. 20, 1841 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Nov. 23, 1928.  She is buried in the Coffey Cemetery in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

I do not have a death date for Henry, or his burial location, but suspect that he is also in the Coffey Cemetery, adjacent to Sophronia.

Charles McDaniel Coffey

Meta Belle Critcher

Henry and Sophronia were the parents of two children:  Charles Daniel, born Mar. 5, 1869, died Jul. 8, 1950, and Dr. Laurence Henry Coffey, born Dec. 23, 1875, died Sep. 3, 1944.

Charles married Meta Belle Critcher on Oct. 5, 1892 in Watauga Co., NC.  She was born c1871 in North Carolina and died Feb. 25, 1958 in Wilkes Co., NC.  Their children were Charles McDonald Coffey, born Jun. 5, 1894, died Jun. 7, 1967, and Carl Sylvester Coffey, born Jun. 5, 1899, died in 1939.

Charles McD & Lura Finley Coffey

Charles McDonald married Martha Lura Finley on Feb. 28, 1917 in Wilkes Co.  Martha was born Jun. 25, 1894 in Wilkes Co., and died there on May 22, 1967.  She was the daughter of Thomas B. and Caroline Elizabeth Cowles Finley.  Their children were Lura Finley Coffey, born Apr. 17, 1918, died Apr. 15, 1988, and Charles McDonald Jr., born Nov. 16, 1927.

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The quoted text and photos are courtesy of Jim Deans, a descendant of Henry Clay Coffey.  

Lorenzo Dow

A friend, after reading my blog about Bailey Eliphalet Chaney, wrote to me about the eccentric preacher Lorenzo Dow who labored in the continental wilds shortly after the Revolutionary War.  Lorenzo Dow  lived from 1777-1834.  At one time his autobiography was second only to the Bible in sales.   According to Wikipedia, Lorenzo was one of the most popular names in America in the 1850 census.

Looking through my Edward Coffey Project files, I found only one Coffey with given name of Lorenzo Dow.  This Lorenzo was a son of William Wiley and Mailnda Emeline Little Coffey, born Sep. 12, 1852 in Indiana.  He married Martha J. Wilson, born Oct. 28, 1854 in Gentry Co., and died May 13, 1938 in Stanberry, Gentry Co.  Lorenzo died on Mar. 20, 1920 in Cooper Twp., Gentry Co. 

Martha was the daughter of Sidney and Mary Cooper Wilson.  She and Lorenzo are both buried in the High Ridge Cemetery at Stanberry.

There is another Lorenzo Coffey in my file, but I do not have a middle name for him.  He was born in 1832 in North Carolina, a son of Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey.  He married Eliza Corder and had at least two children; Wayland and Nora.

Lorenzo Dow Carr, born c1832 in Virginia, married a lady by the name of Margaret who produced at least three sons, one named Alexander D. Carr, born Feb., 1861.  He married Alice E. Coffey on Apr. 17, 1884 in Nelson Co., VA.  Alice was the daughter of Joseph C., Jr. and Nancy Jane Coffey Coffey.

Then, there's Langston Lorenzo Estes, a son of Elijah and Zebiah Walker Wentworth Estes.  Langston was born in Nov., 1839 in North Carolina.  Langston received his name - at least the Langston part - from his grandfather, Langston Estes who married Mary "Polly" Moore.  The only reason these Estes families are in my file is because of a marriage between Lance Estes, a son of Reuben and Delphia Atkins Estes and Elizabeth Coffey c1803 in North Carolina.  Elizabeth was the daughter of James Coffey, Jr., and Mary "Mollie" Moore.

Lorenzo does not seem to be a popular name in a population of nearly 4000 Coffey men in my file, plus a few thousand other male given names in colateral lines.

The Estes and Moore families, along with the Coffeys were some of the earliest settlers in the Globe Valley of western North Carolina, in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain.

Jack Coffey

Today's on-line edition of the News-Topic in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, announced the death of Jack Coffey, age 87 of that city.  He passed away on Sunday, June 29, 2008 at Blowing Rock.

Jack was the son of Monroe and Dovie Jane Clark Coffey.  Monroe was the son of Thomas M. and Martha Cordelia Gragg Coffey.  He was born Jan. 26, 1883 in Avery Co., and died Nov. 3, 1955 in Caldwell Co.  He and Dovie were married in Caldwell Co. in 1910.

Jack was married to Sadie Alice Huffman, born Feb. 3, 1923 in NC, died Oct. 10, 1984 in Winston-Salem.  She was the daughter of James Granville, a son of James and Betty Roberts Huffman,  and Grace Genelia Austin, a daughter of Harvie Austin and Alice G. Poarch [sic].

Dovie, born c1890 in NC, was the daughter of William Harvey and Martha L. Coffey Clark.

Martha Coffey and Thomas M. were first cousins.

The children of Monroe and Dovie are:

Ruby, born Jul 28, 1911 in Avery Co., and died Sep. 1, 1967 in Lenoir.  She married Oscar Frye.

Ruth, born Feb. 10, 1913 in Avery Co., and died Feb. 5, 2008 in Caldwell Co.  Her first husband was Jay Greene; her second was George Pappas.

Ruth's obituary, The News-Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, Feb. 7, 2008

Ruth Pappas

Ruth Coffey Pappas, 94, of Morganton, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2008 at Grace Hospital.

Mrs. Pappas was born Feb. 10, 1913 in Caldwell County to the late Monroe and Dovie Clark Coffey. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Jay Greene and second husband, George Pappas; a daughter, Mary Lou Williams; a son, Nolan Greene; two brothers, Bruce and Clyde Coffey and a sister, Ruby Frye.

Mrs. Pappas was a loving grandmother and well respected as a beautician. She was of Methodist faith.

Survivors include a brother, Jack Coffey of Collettsville; three sisters, Nell Mize of Georgia, Blanche Garren of Lenoir and Louise Steele of Lenoir; nine grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

The family will receive friends Friday, Feb. 8, 2008 from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at Pendry's Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date.

The funeral service will follow at 7:30 p.m. with the Rev. Terry Adams officiating.

The family requests memorials to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, PO Box 1029, Valdese, NC 28690.

Condolences may be placed online at www.mem.com.

Pendry's Funeral Home and Crematory, Lenoir, N.C. is assisting the family with arrangements.

Sarah Nell Coffey, born Jan. 21, 1919 in Caldwell Co., married a Mr. Mize.

The fourth child of Monroe and Dovie was Jack.

Blanche, born 1923 in Caldwell Co., married Bill Garren.

Martha Louise, born 1925 in Caldwell Co., married Robert Haywood Steele, Jr.  He was born Oct. 6, 1920 in Lower Creek, Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 30, 2003.  He is buried at the Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Kings Creek, Caldwell Co.

The last child of Clyde and Dovie was Clyde Hedrick, born May 26, 1928 in Wilsons Creek, Avery Co.  He died Apr. 1, 2001 in Guilford Co..  He was married in 1956 to Rebecca Jeanette Estes, a daughter of Fredrick Caleb and Annie Rader Estes.  She was born in Caldwell Co. in 1928.  Clyde was a veteran of the Korean War and is also buried at the Blue Ridge Memorial Park Cemetery.

Click on the title link to read Jack's obituary.

Contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.

Elijah L. and Martha Ellen Coffey Moore

Elijah L. Moore was born Jan. 22, 1839* in the Globe, Caldwell Co., NC to David and Sarah Caroline Moore Moore. he died on Mar. 1, 1903.* He married on Oct. 12, 1858 in Caldwell Co. to Martha Ellen Coffey, a daughter of Daniel Boone and Clarissa Estes Coffey. Martha was born Sep. 5, 1839 in Burke Co., NC.

Elijah and Martha appeared in the Caldwell Co. census records from 1860 through 1900. From 1860 to 1880 they resided in Patterson Township; in 1900 they were in Johns River.

Their children were:

- Israel Willard, born c1867 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co. He married there in 1884 to Eliza Callie Greene. Their children were Martha Alley, born Jul. 29, 1890, Helen Joyce, born 1896, and Amos Brawley, born 1899. No other records have been found.

- Charles Leonard, born c1869 in Patterson Twp., married Alice Drusilla Green. Their children were Charles B., born 1889 and Jack1 (Jay?) Shula, born 1895. This family moved to Riley Co., KS sometime before 1905 when they appeared there in the Kansas state census for that year.2

The family was also in the May 1910 Federal census and the 1925 Kansas state census.3 Charles apparently owned a department store in Manhattan. No further information has been found.

- Walter E., born Sep. 24, 1879 in Caldwell Co., married in 1899 to Mary Elizabeth (Bettie) Moore. No further information has been found.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can fill in any of the blanks.




















*no source available
1Caldwell Co. birth records give his name as Jack; subsequent census records give his name as Jay.
2Name: Charles Leonard Moore Township/City: Manhattan City Age: 36 Gender: M (Male) Race: White Birth Place: NC Previous Residence: NC Occupation: Merchant
3Kansas, Riley Co., Manhattan PO, dwelling 112, family 122, Charles Leonard Moore, age 36, male, white; Alice Drucilla Moore, age 36, female, white; Charles B. Moore, age 16, male, white; Jay S. Moore, age 9, male, white

Asbury Coffey

Update 2-29-2012:  I have been unable to determine who the Asbury (var.) Coffey was who married Malinda Rash or Sarah Winkler.  I believe these families were mostly Burke Co. natives and perhaps not related to the James Asbury Coffey who married Chany Gragg.  As a result, I have removed the Coffey-Rash-Winkler family from the Edward Coffey Project until I can accurately determine who they are.

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James Asbury died in ca April, 1866 leaving a widow, Chaney [sic] and four minor children; e.g., Leroy (Levy?), Mary, Martha and Henry, "...infants and heirs at law of the said Jas. L. [sic] Coffee [sic].

In an action brought before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in the April 1866 session, Chaney declared that her husband died intestate in Caldwell Co., "seized & possessed of one tract of land lying in our said county whereon he formerly lived on the waters of Johns River adjoining the land of Daniel Moore & others..."  She claimed that she was entitled to the land by dower.  She also asked that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent the interest of the children.

In Sept. of 1866 she was allotted what appears to me to be the entire household, including farming equipment, crops and animals.  I haven't found a document specifically granting her the real estate.

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I believe the Asbury Coffey in the census records below might be James Asbury son of Thomas Coffey, Jr and Nancy Pendley. If I am correct, then he and the Marvel Coffey living next door to Nancy and Asbury in 1850 are first cousins.

The James Asbury that I have as Marvel's cousin was married in 1858* to Chainey Gragg1, the daughter of Enoch and Rebecca Estes Gragg, in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co. They had at least four children: William, born Jan., 1859; Mary Louise, born Nov., 1859; Henry Kelly (Caleb), born Aug., 1861; and Martha R., born Aug., 1861. If, as the two census records indicate, he was born in 1830 then it is likely that he was married at least once before Chainey.

The kicker in all of this is that a James Asbury Coffey enlisted in Co. F., 26th NC Troops in Caldwell Co. on Mar. 20, 1862 and, died c1866.2

Chainey's death record** gives her name as Mrs. Chaney Davis and her parents as Enoch and Beckey Estes. She married Alexander Davis on Sep. 13, 1865*** indicating that she and Asbury apparently divorced sometime prior to that, giving him the opportunity to marry again and father the children listed in the 1880 census.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can positively identify him or, can provide additional information that might place him him in the correct family.

Jun 3, 1880
ED208, Page 4
Mulberry, Wilkes Co., NC
dwelling 43/family 46

Coffey, Asberry, white male, age 50, married, farmer, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Sarah, white female, age 38, wife, married, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, William, white male, age 17, son, single, works on farm, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Mary, white female, age 13, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Martha C., white female, age 11, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Racheal L. [?], white female, age 5, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Laura E., white female, age 3, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC


Sep. 4, 1850
Kings Creek District
Caldwell Co., NC
dwelling 606/family 607

Marvel Coffey, age 30, male, white, farmer, $600, born NC
Nancy Coffey, age 30, female, white, born NC
Granville, age 5, male, born NC
Laura, age 2, female, born NC
Mary, age 11 mos., born NC
James Coffey, age 78, male, born VA

dwelling 607/family 608

Nancy Coffey, age 50, female, born NC
Asbury Coffey, age 19, male, born NC




1 Chaney is said to have had a child in 1857 out of wedlock, fathered by Elisha Gragg
2 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, 26th NCT [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm]* Caldwell Co. Marriage Records, Book 1, Page 249
** Caldwell Co. Death Records, Book 10, Page 17
***North Carolina Marriages, 1741-2004