Thomas & Elizabeth Coffey Fields

Susan Caroline Connelly

Thomas Fields, Esq., born c1747 in Virginia, was a son of Richard Fields and Elizabeth Murrel. He married Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of John and Jane Graves Coffey probably in the late 1760's and probably in Virginia or North Carolina.

I have not researched The Fields family, relying more on existing published works, and especially that published by Dr. Marvin Coffey (dec'd) in his work on James Bluford Coffey in 1984.

Marvin wrote that he had found "no records indicating when or where she [Elizabeth Coffey] was born." She is known to have married Thomas Fields, brother of Sally who married Thomas Coffey. Thomas Fields' 1807 will lists Betty, his wife, and children: James Crumpton, William, Reuben, Betsy Penley, Winifred Humphrey, Polly Humphrey,and Sally Penley.

I have seen other work that lists children of Thomas and Elizabeth as: William who married Susan Morgan; Jane who married Hezekiah Compton; Reuben who married first a Lee and second, Leanah [sic]Pendley; Elizabeth who married Jonathan Pendley; Winfred who married John Hemphrey; Mary who married William Humphrey; and Sarah who married James Pen[d]ley.

Recent e-mail from Paul Hermann in Australia informed me that William Fields and Susan Morgan had a son named Morgan Fields, born c1797. According to Paul's research, Morgan married Catherine Humphreys on Jan. 5, 1819 in Wilkes Co., NC. Their daughter, Frances Elvira Austin Fields, born c1836 in Georgia, married James Connelly on Jan. 2, 1860 in New Orleans, La.

James was born c1826 in London, England. After their marriage he and Frances moved to Australia where they lived out their lives. Their daughter, Susan Caroline Connelly married John Berry in Smithfield in South Australia, near Adelaide.

The photo of Caroline is courtesy of Paul.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections. I can also provide contact information for Paul should anyone wish to contact him about his research.

General John E. Coffey of Georgia

Sometime ago I wrote about General John E. Coffey of Georgia. After that blog I received information from one of his descendants, Frank V. Coffey of Florida. Click here to read that blog.

Today I received additional information from Frank:

An important caveat: Gen. John E. Coffee did not take part in the War of 1812.

My ancestor, Gen. John E. Coffee of Georgia (1782-1836), is understandably often confused with his first cousin Gen. John A. Coffee of Tennessee (1792-1833). The Tennessee Coffee, by far the more famous, was Andrew Jackson's best friend, comrade in arms who is often thought to have been the strategic genius behind the Battle of New Orleans, and married (1809) Mary Donelson, Rachel Jackson's niece. Coffee, who played no role in Jackson's presidential career (although he did go to Washington during the nullification crisis in 1833, just before his death), left Nashville and, as part of a land speculation project, moved to Alabama and founded the city of Florence where he died 7 July 1833.

John E. Coffee of Georgia, just as much a Jackson partisan as his cousin, named the town where he settled Jacksonville and served in the US Congress during both terms of the Jackson administration. He fought with Jackson in the Seminole wars in Florida and was also Agent for Indian Affairs for the State of Georgia. The military supply road which he built from his home in Jacksonville, Georgia, to present-day Madison, Florida, is still known as The Old Coffee Road. Following his death in 1836 and the final clearance of the Indians in 1838 (Trail of Tears), most of his family moved down the Coffee Road and settled in Madison where many remain to this day. My grandfather Christopher Columbus Coffee, Jr., was born in Madison but lived
most of his life in Jacksonville, Florida, where I was born.

In the 1920s some ignorant busybody DAR ladies, conflating the history of the two generals, had the remains of my ancestor dug up (he was buried on his Jacksonville plantation) and re-interred in McRae, 20 miles to the north, where they erected an elaborate marker which claims that Gen. John E. Coffee of Georgia was a member of the Tennessee Volunteers and took part in the Battle of New Orleans!

William B. and Delilah Trentham Coffey

I received the following from Jo Ann Hatch in Arizona. Jo Ann is seeking help in locating ancestors and descendants of William and Delilah. If any reader has information that might be helpful, please contact Jo Ann at jashatch1 [@] frontiernet.net.*

Coffey family of South Carolina, Georgia and Texas

(I am searching for a Coffey male descendant of this family to submit a DNA test that we might know where to go with our search from here. I will pay for the test.)

In 1998 proof was found that William B. Coffey is the father of the Texas Coffey family of Rich Coffey. This and many other items have come to light, that make the correction on this Coffey line.

William B. Coffey md. Delisey (Delilah) Trentham in Hall Co. Ga. in 1822. Delilah Trentham is the daughter of Absolom Trentham, in whose family Bible the birth of Richardson "Rich" Coffey is recorded. There is also a note in that Bible that the Coffey family moved to Texas.

William appears on the 1840 U.S. Census of Campbell Co., GA.(now Fulton County). Land deed shows William B. of Fayette County buying land in Chatooga Co., GA.

William B. and Delia appear on the 1850 U.S. Census of Chatooga Co., GA. South Carolina is given as the birth place of both William and Delia.

William B. and Delia appear on the 1860 U.S. Census of Parker Co., Texas. The birth place of William is again given as South Carolina, but, Delia's birthplace is Georgia on this census.

The birth date of Delily Trentham (20 Nov, 1804) is from the family Bible of Absolom and Mary Williams Trentham This same Bible has the birth of Delily's first child, Richardson Coffey recorded as 14 Feb. 1823. It also states that Delily married M R Coffey, which I take to be Mr. Coffey and in the margin is a note (Texas) indicating to me that they moved to Texas.

There is a headstone in the Dean SW Cemetery in Parker County Texas which says: “William B. Coffey, 12/20/63. Early Pioneer Family.”

After her husband died Delila went to the Colorado River area of Llano Co., Texas with daughter Jane's family. She died 21 January 1873 and is buried in the Bluffton Cemetery in Llano County.

William B. and Delilah Coffey were the parents of five children:

Richardson (Rich) Coffey who married Sarah Greathouse and became a well known rancher in Coleman, Parker and Concho Counties in Texas.

Elizabeth Coffey who married Joseph Warren Beddo and is a widow with two children living with her parents in the 1850 Chatooga Co. Ga. Census. Her two Beddo sons went to Texas with their Uncle Rich. Elizabeth may have gone also, or remarried. I cannot find her after the 1850 census.

Clominda Jane Coffey born 4 Nov 1827. She married Solomon Geeth Maxwell.

Thursa M. Coffey married Joseph E. Sentle on 9 Oct 1851 in Chatooga Co., Ga.

John Henderson Coffey married Mary Elizabeth Gray 10 Sept. 1865 in Parker Co. Texas.

*Remove the brackets and form a proper e-mail address

A Personal Request (Updated)

Please ignore this! The information is bad. Check out later blog for more information or, visit Snopes.com

When sending Christmas cards this year, please consider sending an extra one or two to the following:

A Recovering American Soldier
c/o Walter Reed Army Medical Center
6900 Georgia Avenue, N
Washington,D.C. 20307-5001

Thanks!

Jack Coffee

SSGT, US Army 1959-1968

Sabra Coffey

Sabra Coffey was the daughter of James Knox P. and Nannie Tilford Coffey, born on Jan. 28, 1903 in Yosemite*, Casey Co., KY. Sabra never married and died by suicide - drank rat poison - on 23 Sep., 1948.**

James Knox Coffey was a son of Nathan A. and Mary Nancy Leverage Coffey. James was born Jul. 4, 1847 in Casey Co., and died there on Jan. 4, 1923. Nannie was the daughter of William and Delilah Spears Tilford and was born Feb. 5, 1870 in Casey Co. She died there on Mar. 26, 1949. James and Nannie are buried in the Middleburg Cemetery in Casey Co.

According to her obituary, which appeared in the Casey County News of Sep., 1948, Sabra was a graduate of Georgetown College and was a teacher by profession.

Obituary:

Miss Sabra Coffey died in the Danville hospital about 6:30 am on Thursday September 23,1948. She was born in Yosemite, the daughter of J.K. Coffey and Nannie Tilford Coffey. Her grade and high school work was done in Middleburg where she spent most of her life. After graduating from Georgetown College, she chose teaching as a profession and gave 21 years to this work. She taught two years in Monticello, one year in Bainbridge Georgia, fourteen years in Muhlenburg county and four years in Middleburg. Surviving relatives are her aged mother, Mrs. J.K. Coffey of Middleburg,two sisters, Mrs. Wyatt Combest of Shelby City, and Mrs. Philip Jasper of Danville. One half sister, Mrs. Nora Toms of Indianapolis, one half brother, Reid Coffey of Phil, two nephews and one niece.

Sabra was buried on Sep. 27, 1848 in the Middleburg Cemetery.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.






*Location given in obituary. Delayed death certificate named Middleburg in Casey Co. as her birthplace.
**Date given in obituary. Death certificate gives death date as Sep. 25, 1948.

Zebulon Vance and Mary Josephine Wright Dalton

Zebulon Vance (Zeb) Dalton, born Aug., 1860 in North Carolina, is thought to be a son of Bradley and Dicey A. Dalton of Rutherford Co., NC. He married Mary Josephine Wright c1894 in North Carolina, a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. Zeb died Jan. 23, 1927 in Mobscott, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Given his age (39) at the time of marriage to Mary, Zeb was apparently married at least once before. In the 1900 census, the first in which he and Mary would appear as a family, Mary reported that she and Zeb had been married for six years and, that she was the mother of five children but only four were living.

The eldest child in the 1900 household was Corah* [sic], age 11, born 1888. Mary was still married to Tilmon Gragg at that time. Other children in the 1900 household was Clyde V., born May, 1895 and, Nola Frenise [sic], born Aug. 7, 1903. I have not yet determined the location of Mary's other three children in 1900.

Mary was born Oct. 18, 1867 in Kelsey**, Watauga Co., NC, near Coffey's Gap and died Jan. 31, 1944, also in Mobscott. She and Zeb are buried at the Sunset Memorial Park in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WVa.

Prior to her marriage to Zeb, Mary had married Tilmon Monroe Gragg on Mar. 3, 1888 in Caldwell Co. Tilmon was born Feb. 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died Dec. 12, 1928 in Camden Co., NC. he was a son of Edmond and Indiana Isabelle Gragg Gragg.

Their children were: William Henderson, born Jan. 14, 1884, died Oct. 28, 1946, married Mary Etta Coffey, a daughter of George Washington (Wash) and Matilda (Tilda) Coffey Coffey. The second child was Rhett, born May, 1886; the third Alverdia, born Mar., 1893.

After Zeb's death, Mary married Ed Foster. There are no known children from this union. I have not yet been able to find additional information about Ed.

Henderson, Mary's son by Tilmon Gragg, fathered at least 10 children by Mary Etta Coffey and, will be the subject of a future blog.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections at the e-mail address below.





*I have just learned that Corah [Cora] was actually the daughter of Mary and Tilmon.

**The old home-store sat beside what is now the Collins Road and NC Hwy 221, the old Foscoe Road. Some locals referred to that area as Coffey's Gap. Mary's parents, Thomas and Margaret Coffey Wright, later sold the place to William Washington Collins, a native of Georgia.

Cleveland Coffey (c1810 - Apr. 1862)

Updated and corrected Jul. 18, 2007
2nd Update Oct. 20, 2011


Cleveland was a son of Jesse and Margaret Edmiston Coffey. He married three times: 1) Susan Hayes with whom he father at least three children:

Andrew Jackson, born Dec. 1, 1833, died Dec. 3, 1903, married Rachel Imes

William Wesley, born c1834, died Jul. 11, 1864, married Gelina Shouse (see previous blog on John Cleveland Coffey)

Susan Elizabeth, born Mar. 31, 1839, died Sep. 1, 1925, married 1) James C. Webb, c1858 in Caldwell Co., NC.; 2) Aaron McGinnis

Cleveland's second wife was Malinda Coffey, a daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey. Malinda was born c1823 in Tennessee. They were married Nov. 11, 1839 in Grainger Co. There were at least six children born to Cleveland in this union:

George Holland, born Jul. 1841, married Samantha Ann Ridgeway. Children were Marvin, Henry William, Clara Bell, Cora Duffie, Willadene, and Thomas Hardy.

Margaret Elvira, born c1842

Nancy Mahala, born c1844

Frances L., birth unknown, married Cicero McAmy Prestwood, parents of John Cleveland Prestwood, born Oct. 14, 1851.

Daniel P.M., born c1849

Perry L., born c1853, died Jun. 8, 1885, married Sally Sanders and was father of Nancy Ann, born Nov. 1876, Viola Virginia, born Sep. 1879, Noah Monroe, born Mar., 1883, and Georgia Alexandria, born Dec. 1885.

Cleveland's third trip to the altar was with Mary Ann Miles on Jan. 8, 1854. They had three children: Sarah A., born c1857, married Tilmond Gurley on Sep. 28, 1879 in Watauga Co., NC; Napoleon Austin, born Mar. 1858 in NC, married Oct. 14, 1895 in Caldwell Co., NC to Mary Ellen Adams. Mary was born in Aug., 1878 in NC. Their children were: Cleveland Napoleon, born c1883; Elmo, born c1883; Lillie A., born May. 1886; Rosa B., born Oct. 1888; Perry Elmore, born mar. 25, 1892; William McKinley, born Feb. 1898; Dollie, born c1903; and Lona, born Jun. 25, 1910.

Their third child was Jesse Cleveland "Red Eye" Coffey who married Lucinda Louise Coffey, a daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. Jesse and Lou had seven children: Mary Elizabeth, born 1877, died 1956, married Haywood Hatley and, had 11 children; Sarah, born 1879, died 1957, married first to James W. Gragg, had 10 children, married second to John Robert Joshua Gragg; William Calton (Will), born Jan. 1880, died 1957, married Bessie Mae Townsend and had 11 children; Jesse Cleveland born 1888, married 1910 to Eliza Loudermilt and had 6 children, died 1923; Thomas Newton "Black Tom", born May 1890, died 1940, married Ella Mae Loudermilt and had 11 children; James Perry*, born c1891, died 1971, married Bertha Noblett, and had 6 children;  and Rosa Bell (Rosie), born Sep 1893, married Joseph Townsend and had three children.

Question for researchers: Was Cleveland's third wife Mary Ann Miles or Mary Ann Mills? I have seen both surnames applied to her, but never a source.

---

*James Perry's headstone reports a birth date of Dec.25, 1878. Lloyd Coffey of Taylorsville, NC wrote "James Perry Coffey and Bertha Noblett Coffey's gravestone is located at Cedar Rock Baptist Church in Lenoir, Caldwell County, North Carolina. Note the date of birth for James on the stone. One of his greatest exaggerations was his age. He always claimed to be much older than he really was. My mom always said that if you believed Windy Jim when he told you his age, he would soon have you believing that he was older than his father. Mom knew him quite well from having grown up as his neighbor. His children were some of her best friends throughout her life."

Milton Wolford and Amanda Virginia Lewis Coffey

The following appeared in The Lone Grove Ledger, Lone Grove, OK on Jun. 26, 1985, and was authored by Sue Miller:

Milton Wolford "Mint" Coffey and Amanda Virginia Coffey were married in 1869 at Colbert Station, south of what is now Durant, and moved to the Lone Grove area shortly afterward, although their descendants have been unable to establish the exact date.

It is believed by family members that all of their eleven children - William,Taylor, Ivy, Myrtle, Merrit, Ernest, Mary, Anderson, Salathial, Walter and Gertrude - were born after the couple moved to this area.

Research done by the family indicates that Mint and Amanda settled two miles south of (now) Highway 70 on (now) Brock Road. In 1903, Amanda, who was a Chickasaw Indian, was allotted their homestead, which has never left the family.

Three of the many Coffey cousins - Leona Coffey Sanders, Cleo Coffey Jones, both of Lone Grove, and Stella Lee Coffey Stogsdill, Duncan, - shared memories of their grandparents recently.

Mint Coffey was a farmer and rancher and is remembered by his granddaughters as a handsome man. Amanda is recalled as a very small, extremely clean woman, and an excellent cook.

Mint died in 1922 at the age of 76, and Amanda was 73 at the time of her death in 1924. Both are buried in the Lone Grove Cemetery, as are most of their 11 children. None of their children are living and all are buried in Carter County.

William Lee Coffey married Lillie Cannon. He was a farmer-rancher, as were his two sons, Dorris O. and Joyce, who owned and operated ranches in Carter and Love County. They also had one daughter Lillian Idell.

Dorris was married to Wail Wilkerson.

Lillian and her husband, T. J. Kennedy, make their home in Norman, where he retired as a division manager for General Motors.

Taylor Otis "Odie" Coffey never married. He was a deputy U.S. Marshal in Lone Grove for many years.

Ivy Coffey was a farmer in this area for some time before he moved to Duncan, where he later served as a city commissioner.

He and his first wife, Stella Masterson had three children, Stella Lee, Finis, and Eulis.
Stella died when Stella Lee was just hours old, and Stella Lee lived with her grandmother, until Amanda's death when Stella Lee was 14.

StellaLee and her husband Gilbert Stogsdill now make their home in Duncan.

Finis also lives in Duncan. Eulis died in 1923 at the age of 18.

Ivy Joseph and his second wife, Nellie, had one daughter, Ivy, who is a retired feature writer for the Daily Oklahoman.

Myrtle Gayle Coffey married Wood Herndon, who was a farmer-rancher. They had three sons, Milton, Ono, and Clyde.

Milton, a farmer-rancher near Ardmore, married Carmen Byrd.

Otto, who ran a store in Ardmore, was married to Betty Davis.

Clyde was a rancher in Wyoming.

Merritt Price "Doc" Coffey married Willie Ann Byrd. They had one daughter, Virginia Catherine, who died as a youth.

Doc was a pecan producer in the Lone Grove area, and we well-known for developing a process to graft paper shell pecans.

Ernest Wilson "Ern" Coffey and his wife, Ninnie Cannon, had one daughter, Cleo Ernestine. Cleo was married to Ray Richards, and later to Warren Jones.

Ern was a farmer, and later worked for the county and state in a supervisory position. He and the [sic] Jones also operated a mercantile store in Lone Grove at the time the highway was built through town. The store was located on the corner that is now home to Lone Grove Hardware, recalls Cleo.

Anderson Wolford "Wolf" Coffey also ran a mercantile in Lone Grove for many years, that was located on what is now the northwest corner of Newport Road and Highway 70, where Holt's Grocery stands.

It is interesting that his grandson, John Sanders, now owns a similar modern-day store in Lone Grove.

Wolf was married to Louella Carroll. They had six children, Jewell, Leo W., Ivy Jerome, Leona, Kathleen and James Glenn.

Jewell was married to Clarence O. Bigbie, a Baptist preacher, who preached in Long Grove and Southern Oklahoma, and later was chaplain at the state penitentiary in McAlister.

Leo and Irene Coffey and Ivy Jerome and Georgia Lou Coffey operated a Freight bus in this area for many years.

Leona and Newt Sanders live south of Lone Grove, and Newt manages Sanders' A & M Feeds here.  They are planning to build a home on the property where Mint and Amanda Coffee [sic] made their home and raised their children. The property has been named "The Wolf Coffey Ranch," bearing the name of both Leona's father and grandfather.

Kathleen Walker is a retired beautician and lives in Lone Grove.

James Glenn and Angie Coffey live in Phoenix, where he is a realtor.

Cleo and Leona recalled the stores operated by their fathers during the depression.

The Coffey-Jones Mercantile boasted a filling station, clothing, dry goods, and groceries,. Cleo said. Leona remembered her father selling pickles and crackers from barrels, thread and ribbon, and groceries.

When the highway came through Lone Grove, he expanded the store to feed the men who were building the road. Papa made chili and stew and sold beef he had raised. He also served ham and eggs to the workers," Leona stated.

When Wolf died in 1927, Louella sold the store to Marion Fowler.

It was about this time that Ern Coffey bought a circus wagon from the Ringling Brothers Circus and converted it to a chuck wagon, Cleo said.

Ern took Wolf's sons, Leo and Ivy, with him, and the three followed the highway construction, living and cooking in the wagon, and feeding the construction workers.

Salathial "Sale" Coffey married Selma Baker. He was a pecan producer, a butcher, and an oil landman, and, for awhile, a deputy U.S. Marshal. They made their home in the Lone Grove area.

Sale and Selma had one daughter, Bernice, who married Dale Montgomery. They make their home in Lone Grove, where Dale is a dairyman and carpenter.

Walter Jerome Coffey was a deputy sheriff under Buck Garrett. He told family members that the famous lawman deputized him when he was 18. Walter "always" had a gun on him, the family remembers.

A niece, Patty Coker, remembers Walter and Sale as being fun-loving. She recalls when she was small, that the two came to visit the family and "cooked little biscuits on a toy stove" for her and her sisters.

Patty said that every Christmas, Santa Claus in his red and white suit would come to visit their house loaded down with toys for the girls. As she grew older, Patty recognized the shoes worn by "Santa" as those of her Uncle Walter.

Gertrude Coffey, the youngest child of Mint and Amanda, died as an infant.

---

Update 2/15/2013

Salathial or Salathiel, known as Sale, was born on Dec. 6, 1889 in the Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory.  He was married first to Ida L. Elvira Yell on Feb. 23, 1908 in Ardmore, Carter Co., OK.  Ida was born c1889 in TN and died before 1910 in Carter Co.  I do not know of any children.

His second wife was Selma Estelle Baber, born in GA in 1889, died in Carter Co. in 1923.  They were married in Carter Co. on May 7, 1914. and had at least three children, only one of which survived.  The son Billy Milton died an infant in 1923.  Lucille died in 1916.  Bernice was born in 1917 and was still alive at age 12 and living with her widower father in 1930.  Sale has not been found in the 1940 census.

Sale's WWI draft registration card is extremely difficult to read.  It does seem to report on line 10, Race, that he was Indian.  Or perhaps, it merely reports that he was born in Indian Terr.  What do you see?

In the 1920 census he was enumerated as "Indian;" his wife as "white."  Bernice was also recorded as "Indian."  In earlier and subsequent census records he was recorded as "white."  His siblings as well as his parents were always enumerated as being "white."

Sale died on Feb. 17, 1957 in Carter Co. and was buried there with Selma at the Lone Grove Cemetery.

Descendants of Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Updated Sep. 2, 2010
Jackson Lafayette Coffey was a son of Alfred Alphonso and Julia Ann Dawkins Coffey.

The following represents what I know about this family. Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

First Generation

1. Jackson Lafayette COFFEY was born in Georgia in Jan 28, 1862. He died on Nov 24, 1946 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.,1 and was buried in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.2

Jackson Lafayette COFFEY and Ella Mahle "Ellie" HORTON were married about 1886. They appeared in the census on Jun 4, 1900 in Marion Co., TN.;3 the census on Apr 21, 1910 in Navarro Co., TX.;4 the census on Jan 29, 1920 in Henderson Co., TX.;5 and the census on Apr 9, 1930 in Navarro Co., TX.6,7

Ella (Etta?) HORTON was born in Georgia on Jan 30, 1868, and died on Dec 22, 1956 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX. She was buried in Dec 1956 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

Jackson Lafayette COFFEY and Ella (Etta?) HORTON had the following children:

Clara Coffey Dill

i. Clara COFFEY was born in Georgia in Dec 1885.  Clara married Orand Edwin Dill c1902. He was born Jun. 22, 1875 in TX and died May 11, 1951 in Terrell, Kaufman Co., TX. She died Sep. 6, 1956 at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Harris Co., TX. He is buried at the Dresden Cemetery in Navarro Co.; she at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.
ii. Charles Clifton COFFEY was born in Tennessee in Dec 1887. He registered for the WWI draft on Jun 5, 1917 in Navarro Co., TX.8
2 iii. George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY, born on Dec 1, 1889, in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN; married Ella M. COVINGTON, on Dec 28, 1913 in Jester, Navarro Co., TX; died on May 12, 1965, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX and was buried in Retreat at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery.  Ella is also at Retreat.9
3 iv. Lillie Mae COFFEY, born on May 2, 1892; married James A. COVINGTON; died on Apr 1, 1990, Navarro Co., TX.
v. Nellie G. COFFEY was born in Tennessee in Sep 1895.
vi. William Dewey COFFEY was born in Tennessee in May 1898. He was died in 1974 and was buried in the Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.
vii. Dewey COFFEY was born in Tennessee about 1899.
4 viii. Julia COFFEY, born about 1901, Tennessee; married Esthar DUKE.
5 ix. Robert Lee COFFEY, born about 1904, Texas; married Newel {?} __________.
x. Cornelius COFFEY was born about 1908.
xi. DeWitt C. COFFEY was born in Texas on Apr 5, 1911. He died on Mar 6, 1982 in Navarro Co., TX.,10 and was buried in Mar 1982 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

An adjacent headstone decorates the grave of "Mrs. D. C. Coffey," born Jun. 20, 1913, died May 5, 1970. There was no indication of Mrs. Coffey's given or maiden name.


Second Generation

2. George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Tennessee on Dec 1, 1889. He registered for the WWI draft on Jun 5, 1917 in Navarro Co., TX.11 He died on May 12, 1965 in Navarro Co., TX.,9 and was buried in May 1965 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY and Ella M. COVINGTON were married on Dec 28, 1913 in Texas. They appeared in the census on Jan 27, 1920 in Navarro Co., TX.,12 and the census on Apr 9, 1930 in Navarro Co., TX.13

Ella M. COVINGTON was born in Georgia on Mar 6, 1889, and died on Jun 22, 1983 in Navarro Co., TX.14 She was buried in Jun 1983 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY and Ella M. COVINGTON had the following children:

6 i. Beauford Clinton COFFEY, born on Jun 14, 1917, Navarro Co., TX; married Miriam __________; died on Feb 8, 1982, Montgomery Co., PA.15
7 ii. Ellen Margaret COFFEY, born on Jun 13, 1919, Navarro Co., TX; married Charles Willie COOPER, on May 1, 1942, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.
8 iii. Gracie M. COFFEY, born about 1923, Texas; married Joe Pierce WOODARD.
iv. Alford G. COFFEY16 was born in Navarro Co., TX on Feb 19, 1925. He enlisted in the armed forces at Dallas, Dallas Co., TX on Jun 23, 1943.17 He died on Nov 3, 1967 in San Angelo, Tom Green Co., TX.
v. Oneta Mae COFFEY was born in Wood Co., TX on Nov 10, 1926.18 She died on Nov 3, 1999 in Garland, Dallas Co., TX.
9 vi. Betty Jo COFFEY, born on Feb 10, 1931, Texas; married Willie Pete THOMPSON; died on Nov 13, 1958, Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

3. Lillie Mae COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born on May 2, 1892. She died on Apr 1, 1990 in Navarro Co., TX. She was buried in Apr 1990 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

Lillie Mae COFFEY and James A. COVINGTON were married. James A. COVINGTON was born on Feb 25, 1886, and died on Sep 26, 1972 in Navarro Co., TX. He was buried in Sep 1972 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.


4. Julia COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Tennessee about 1901.

Julia COFFEY and Esthar DUKE were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 29, 1920 in Henderson Co., TX. Esthar DUKE was born in Texas about 1894.


5. Robert Lee COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Texas about 1904.

Robert Lee COFFEY and Newel {?} __________ were married. They appeared in the census on Apr 10, 1930 in Navarro Co., TX.19 Newel {?} __________ was born in Texas about 1909. Robert Lee COFFEY and Newel {?} __________ had the following children:

i. Robert E. COFFEY was born in Texas about 1927.

Third Generation

6. Beauford Clinton COFFEY16 (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Navarro Co., TX on Jun 14, 1917. He enlisted in the armed forces at Camp Wolters, TX on Mar 12, 1942.20 He died on Feb 8, 1982 in Montgomery Co., PA.15

Beauford Clinton COFFEY and Miriam __________ were married. Miriam __________ was born on Sep 15, 1924. She died in Apr 1979 in Montgomery Co., PA.21


7. Ellen Margaret COFFEY (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Navarro Co., TX on Jun 13, 1919.

Ellen Margaret COFFEY and Charles Willie COOPER were married on May 1, 1942 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX. Charles Willie COOPER was born in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX on Jun 18, 1918. He died on May 3, 2002 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.


8. Gracie M. COFFEY (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Texas about 1923.

Gracie M. COFFEY and Joe Pierce WOODARD were married. Joe Pierce WOODARD was born on Mar 2, 1918. He died on Feb 26, 1979 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX.

9. Betty Jo COFFEY (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Texas on Feb 10, 1931. She died on Nov 13, 1958 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

Betty Jo COFFEY and Willie Pete THOMPSON were married. Willie Pete THOMPSON was born on Jan 31, 1930. He died on Dec 25, 1983 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

---

Sources

1. Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1964-1998. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original electronic data from:Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1964-1998. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-. Name: Jackson Lafayette Coffey Death Date: 24 Nov 1946 Death County: Navarro Certificate: 51665.
2. Webshots, online [www.webshots.com], accessed Various. [http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/1036742535001089934KtWSbJ].
3. United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1900 Marion Co., Dist. 9, ED97, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 37, Coffey, Jackson L., head, white male, born Jan. 1862, age 38, married 14 yrs., born GA, parents born GA, farmer; Ella M., wife, white female, born Jan. 1879, age 29, married 14 yrs., mother of 6, 6 living, parents born GA; Clara, dau., white female, born Dec. 1885, age 14, born GA, parents born GA; Clifton, son, white male, born Dec., 1897, age 12, born TN, parents born GA; George C., son, white male, born Dec.. 1890, age 9, born TN, parents born GA; Lily M., dau., white female, born May, 1893, age 7, born GA, parents born GA; Nellie G., dau., white female, born Sep. 1895, age 4, born TN, parents born GA; Wm. D., son, white male, born May 1898, age 2, born TN, parents born GA; Burke, George, laborer, white male, born Dec., 1879, age 20, single, born AL, parents born AL.
4. Ibid., 1910 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED24, Sheet 5A, dwelling/family 85, Coffey, J. L., head, male, white, age 45, married once, born TN, father born NC, mother born TN, farmer; Ella, wife, female, white, age 40, married once for 23 yrs., mother of 9, 9 living, born TN, parents born TN; Clinton, son, male, white, age 19, single, born TN, parents born TN; Lily, dau., female, white, age 16, born GA, parents born TN; Nellie, dau., female, white, age 14, born TN, parents born TN; Dewey, son, male, white, age 12, born TN, parents born TN; Julia, dau., female, white, age 10, born TN, parents born TN; Robert, son, male, white, age 6, born TX, parents born TN; Cornelius, son, male, white, age 2, born TN, parents born TN.
5. Ibid., 1920 Henderson Co., Pct. 8, ED27, Sheet 12A, dwelling 239, family 241, Coffey, J. L., head, male, white, age 54, married, born GA, parents born GA, farm operator; Ella, wife, female, white, age 51, married, born GA, father born GA, mother born TN; Dewey, son, male, white, age 21, single, born TN, parents born GA; farm laborer; Robert, son, age 16, born TX, parents born GA, farm laborer; Cornelius, son, male, white, age 12, born TN, parents born GA, farm laborer; De Witt, son, male, white, age 9, born TX, parents born GA; Duke, Julia, dau., female, white, age 19, married, born TN, parents born GA; Duke, Esthar, son-in-law, male, white, age 26, married, born TX, father born AL, mother born MS, farm laborer.
6. Ibid., 1930 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED28, Sheet 6B, dwelling/family 121, Coffey, Jackson L., head, male, white, age 63, married at age 20, born GA, parents born GA [sic], farmer; Etta [sic], wife, female, white, age 61, married at age 16, born GA, parents born GA [sic]; William D., son, male, white, age 31, single, born TN, parents born GA; James C., son, male, white, age 27, single, born TN, parents born GA; DeWitt, son, male, white, age 19, single, born TX, parents born GA.
7. Coffey, Laurence H., editor, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants (Chattanooga, TN: N. Sanders, 1931).
8. National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Charles Clifton Coffey registered for the draft in Navarro Co. on Jun 5, 1917. He was a resident of Purdon, TX, and was a self-employed farmer with a wife and three children. He was age 30, and listed his birthday at Dec. 26, 1886 in Chatanooga, TN. He was described as being of medium height and build, gray eyes and light colored hair. He reported his right arm broken at the elbow.
9. Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1964-1998. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original electronic data from:Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1964-1998. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-. Name: George Coffey Death Date: 12 May 1965 Death County: Navarro Gender: Male Marital Status: Single.
10. Ibid., Name: Dewitt Coffey Death Date: 6 Mar 1982 Death County: Navarro Gender: Male.
11. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. George Clinton Coffey registered for the draft in Navarro Co., TX on Jun. 5, 1917. He was 27 yrs. old, and gave his birthdate as Dec. 1, 1890 in Chatanooga, TN. He was a farmer employed by [ Landlord in Purdon, TX. He was married, and described as being tall and slender with hazel brown eyes, and brown hair. He reported as having a rupture and lung trouble. It was noted on the registration form that the rupture and lung problems were from his statement only.
12. United States Federal Census. 1920 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED164, Sheet 14A, Corsicana Road., dwelling 230, family 231, Coffey, George C., head, male, white, age 30, married, born TN, father born TN, mother born GA, retail merchant (groceries); Ella, wife, female, white, age 30, married, born GA, parents born GA; Deeford [sic], son, male, white, age 2 yrs., 6 mos., born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Marguerite [sic], dau., female, white, age 6 mos., born TX, father born TN, mother born GA.
13. Ibid., 1930 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED38, Sheet 6B, dwelling/family 122, Coffey, George C., head, male, white, age 40, married at age 24, born TN, parents born GA, farm laborer; Ella, female, white, age 41, married at age 25, born GA, parents born GA; Buford, son, male, white, age 13, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Ella M., dau., female, white, age 11, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Gracie M., dau., female, whtie, age 7, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Alford G., son, male, white, age 5, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Anita M., dau., female, white, age 3, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA.
14. Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1964-1998. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original electronic data from:Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1964-1998. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-. Name: Ella Coffey Death Date: 22 Jun 1983 Death County: Navarro Gender: Female.
15. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: Beauford Coffey SSN: 466-12-4236 Last Residence: 19040 Hatboro, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America Born: 14 Jun 1917 Died: Feb 1982 State (Year) SSN issued: Texas (Before 1951 ).
16. Website - Misc. [Photos and information from World War II Index Navarro County, Texas; Navarro County TXGenWeb, © Copyright 2001 Edward L. Williams & Barbara Knox].
17. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. Name: Alfred Coffey Birth Year: 1925 Race: White, citizen Nativity State or Country: Texas State: Texas County or City: Navarro Enlistment Date: 23 Jun 1943 Enlistment State: Texas Enlistment City: Dallas Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 1 year of high school Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 40 Weight: 444.

COFFEY, ALFORD Pvt. Alford Coffey, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Coffey, Corsicana, attended Petty's Chapel School. Entered service, 1943, trained with Army Medical Corps at Camp Barkley. Has served in Australia, New Guinea and now on duty in Philippines. [Source of some information from the website "The Men and Women in World War II from Navarro County, Texas."].
18. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997. Microfiche. Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas. Name: Oneta Mae Coffey Date of Birth: 10 Nov 1926 Gender: Female Birth County: Wood Father's Name: George Clinton Coffey Mother's Name: Ella Covington Roll Number: 1926_0001.
19. United States Federal Census. 1930 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED38, Sheet 7A, dwelling/family 124, Coffey, Robert L., head, male, white, age 26, married at age 22, born TX, parents born GA, farmer; Neuel[?], wife, female, white, age 21, married at age 18, born TX, parents born TX; Robert E., son, male, white, age 3, born TX, parents born TX.
20. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946. Name: Beauford C Coffey Birth Year: 1917 Race: White, citizen Nativity State or Country: Texas State: Texas County or City: Navarro Enlistment Date: 12 Mar 1942 Enlistment State: Texas Enlistment City: Camp Wolters Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 2 years of high school Civil Occupation: Gas And Oil Man Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 76 Weight: 182

COFFEY, BEAUFORD C. Pfc. Beauford C. Coffey, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Coffey, Corsicana, attended Purdon School School. Entered service, 1942, trained with Army Signal Corps at Camp Bowie. Has served in North Africa, Italy, France and now on duty in Germany. [Source of some information from the website "The Men and Women in World War II from Navarro County, Texas."].
21. Social Security Death Index, Master File, Name: Miriam Coffey SSN: 203-14-2197 Last Residence: 19040 Hatboro, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America Born: 15 Sep 1924 Last Benefit: 19040 Hatboro, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America Died: Apr 1979 State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951 ).

General John E. Coffee of Georgia

Back in Jan., 2006 I wrote about the two generals Coffee, one a son of Peter Coffey, Jr., and wife Sarah Smith. John is recorded in the History of Dodge County [GA, Cobb, Addiie Davis : Atlanta, Foote & Davies Co., 1932, pgs 271] as having fought in the War of 1812.

Today I received the following from Frank V. Coffee, a descendant of General John E. Coffey:

"Gen. John E. Coffee is believed to have fought with Jackson in the 1817-18 Seminole War in Florida and he was active in the numerous skirmishes designed to ultimately drive the Indians from Georgia.

I'm pretty sure he didn't fight in the War of 1812 because during that time he was engaged in moving his family from Powelton, Georgia, to the banks of the Ocmulgee and establishing his plantation there.

In 1838, for reasons I have never been able to ascertain, almost all the Coffees remaining in Jacksonville, Georgia, following the General's death moved en masse to Madison County, Florida, via the so-called Old Coffee Road."

William Luther and Mary Salome Moretz Coffey (Corrected)

William Luther Coffey was a son of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. He was born Mar. 6, 1850 in TN, and died Mar. 5, 1925 in Watauga Co., NC. He married Mary Salome (Sallie) Moretz, a daughter of Daniel and Catharine Bolick Moretz. Sallie was born Aug. 20, 1850 in Watauga Co., and died Mar. 20, 1940 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC. I have not found a marriage date for them.

The following information was received from Brenda Trivette, a GG-Granddaughter:

"Although in the 1870 and 1880 census records for Watauga County Sally Coffey is said to be one year older than her husband William and the couple's tombstone in the Old Mount Pleasant Cemetery reads: William L. Coffey, March 6, 1850--March 5, 1925 and Salome Moretz Coffey, August 20, 1850-- March 20, 1940. These dates agree with those in the family Bible.

William Luther Coffey was the son of Jesse Calton Coffey (April 21, 1821--Aug.28, 1904) and Nancy Raines Coffey (Sept. 30, 1822--Jan. 14, 1899), who lived below where Tweetsie Railroad now runs and are buried in the Middle Fork Cemetery above the railroad...William and Sally had 12 children...

Will and Sally Coffey lived in the Big Hill section of Meat Camp Township on land given to Sally by her parents. Will was a nursery-man who grew, grafted and sold all kinds of fruit trees and grape vines. He is remembered by his granddaughter Georgia Bodenheimer Norris (born June 10, 1908, daughter of Lizzie) as a kind, strict man who would stand for no cutting up at the table. ("He'd give you one look and you knew what he meant.") He worked hard and provided well for his family. He would get up early and go out to work awhile before breakfast, (Georgia recalls her mother saying), but would never ask his children to go out and help him before breakfast.

He did not use tobacco in any form, but Sally chewed. She kept the habit a secret at first but finally told her husband, deciding "if he killed me he couldn't eat me". He did neither and after that she could chew with a clear conscience.

Around 1912 Will built a new house near the old one in which he and Sally had raised their family. The new house had a unique double staircase so you didn't have to go down the way you went up.

Will is said to have been a man of medium height who walked with a limp. He suffered from high blood pressure and heart dropsy. After he died, Sally stayed on in the house for eight years with her daughters Maud and Edna and her granddaughter Rose (Victor's daughter, who had come to live with her grandparents after her mother died). In 1923 the four of them moved to Lenoir where Sally died."

There were at least 12 children born to this union:

Arthur A., born Oct. 17, 1870

Victor Judson, born Oct. 29, 1872, died Feb. 1863. He married Frances Adeline Moretz on Aug. 3, 1899 in Watauga Co. Frances was born Apr. 15, 1873, and died May 11, 1913. They had at least four children: Hernando LeRoy, born Feb. 13, 1900, died Dec. 7, 1969; Frances Leona, born Mar. 6, 1902; Doris Winona, born Nov. 9, 1904; and Charles Raymond, born Apr. 2, 1907, died Apr. 28, 1987. Victor is also said to have been married to Emma Moretz, born Jun. 6, 1897, died Aug. 28, 1963. I have not found a record of this marriage.

Dell Carlton, born Jul. 1, 1875 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 4, 1963 in Watauga Co. He married Mary Jane Bodenheimer on Nov. 6, 1895. She was born Apr. 18, 1876 in Yadkin Co., NC, and died Nov. 7, 1974 in Watauga Co. There were 13 children born to this union: Robert Leroy, born Oct. 28, 1896, died May 13, 1974; Ora Estella, born Aug. 1, 1898, died Nov. 27, 1985; William Edgar, born Feb. 5, 1900, died Oct. 3, 1906; Mamie, born Nov. 15, 1901, died Dec. 22, 1901; Emma Edith, born Nov. 11, 1902, died Dec. 19, 1902; Addie Lee, born Jan. 10, 1904, died Feb. 15, 1964; David Glenn, born Feb. 27, 1906, died Apr. 17, 1996; Ira Calton, born Jul. 15, 1908, died Jan. 30, 2000; Paul Alfred, born Dec. 30, 1909; Walter Murray, born Jul. 22, 1912, died Mar. 3, 1985; anna Belle, born Jan. 28, 1915; Ray Albert, born Sep. 20, 1918, died Oct. 29, 1929; and Viola Mary, born Oct. 31, 1920, died Mar. 20, 1921.

Norman Oran, born Aug. 27, 1877 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 18, 1937 in Port Henry, Essex Co., NY. He married Carrie Norris, a daughter of John H. and Miriam Loretta Crowell Norris on Jan. 5, 1898 in Watauga Co. Carrie was born May 22, 1879 in Watauga Co., and died Feb. 15, 1968 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., NC. They had at least 6 children: Mabel Loretta, born Oct. 23, 1897, died Sep. 30, 1932; John Bynum, born Feb. 23, 1899, died Sep. 6, 1959; Clyde D., born c1903; Wilson H., born c1905; Virginia Clara, born Apr. 26, 1906, died Apr. 27, 1977; and Lorena, born c1912.

Nora Ellen, born Jan. 8, 1880, died Jun. 14, 1966

Kenneth P., born Oct. 21, 1881, died Aug. 19, 1886

Frances Elizabeth, born Mar. 23, 1884, died Oct. 31, 1961. She married Will A. Bodenheimer, born Jul. 31, 1885, died May 11, 1977. At least four children were born: Georgia Sallie, born Jun. 10, 1908; Earl McCoy, born May 22, 1912; Lillian, born c1917; and Ruby Helen, born Mar. 27, 1922.

Rachel Ada, born Mar. 31, 1886 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 14, 1975. She married W. Johnson Green, born Apr. 20, 1883, died Apr. 4, 1967. They had at least two children: Jodie Velma, born Feb. 23, 1914, and William Dale, born Mar. 1, 1915.

Margaret Alberta, born Jul. 4, 1888 in Watauga Co., died Jan. 31, 1918 in Watauga Co. She married Elbert Solomon Norris, born Aug. 1884, died Oct. 1933. At least six children were born to their union: Nina Beular, born Jan. 31, 1910; Walter Denver, born Mar. 27, 1911, died Oct. 24, 1987; Clara E., born Nov. 14, 1912; Unnamed, born Jul. 7, 1914; Nancy S., born Sep. 4, 1915; and Lola Maude, born Aug. 28, 1917.

William Leon, born Jul. 29, 1893 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 11, 1963. He married Marion Edna Norris, born Oct. 7, 1895 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 10, 1987. They had at least nine children: Homer Leon, born Jun. 29, 1913; Thelma Edna, born Feb. 28, 1915, died May, 26, 1995; Arthur Wade, born Jun. 29, 1917; Ida Irene, born Feb. 23, 1919; Jewel Salome, born c1920; Marion Helen, born Jun. 16, 1924; Rena Marie, born Jul. 21, 1926; Waymon Wayne, born Jan. 7, 1929; and Stanley Owen, born Apr. 26, 1931, died Oct. 4, 2005.

Maude Estella, born Aug. 29, 1894, died Mar. 27, 1949

Edna Mae, born May. 6, 1898, died Oct. 14, 1964.

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

Granville Spencer Coffey

Granville was a son of Hiram and Charlotte Stansbury Coffey, born Jan., 1832 in Indiana. He married Mary Elizabeth Stansbury on May 25, 1856 in Clarke Co., IA. Granville died Oct. 1, 1902 in Clarke Co. Mary Elizabeth was born Oct. 20, 1839.

Their children were:

Lydia, born Aug., 1859
Hugh S., born Aug., 1867
Cora Belle, born Oct., 1875
Charlie H., born Nov. 1877

With the exception of Cora Belle, and with the possible exception of Hugh, I have been unable to find much information about their children.

Hugh appeared in the 1900 census in Knox Twp., Clarke Co. as a widower in the household with his parents. He was there again in 1920 as a divorced man in the household with his widowed mother. Hugh was likely too old to be required to register for the WW1 draft. In any event, he was not found in the draft registration files.

He was enumerated twice in the 1900 census. He is also found in Elm Twp., Allen Co. with children: Agnes, born Nov. 1889; Russell [sic], born Aug., 1893; and Ellis, born Jun. 1896. Also in the household was Elizabeth Fesler, Hugh's mother-in-law. There were 11 days between the time he was enumerated in Allen Co., and the enumeration in Clarke Co., apparently giving him enough time to make the trip, and to be recorded twice.

The May, 1910 census for Geneva Twp., Allen Co., KS contains an entry for Hugh Coffey, widower, age 43, born in Indiana. With him are two children: Reuben C., age 16, and Ellis, age 12, born born in KS.
Cora Belle married a Mr. Brown c1897 in IA. A child, Georgia was born in Jan., 1898. I have not yet found Mr. Brown but, because Cora was enumerated as a widow in the 1900 census with her parents, it seems likely that Mr. Brown died shortly after they were married.

In c1903 Cora married Andrew Bishop in IA. This was the first marriage for the 40+ year old farmer. Cora was 28 years old, and bore born Mr. Bishop at least three children: Raymond, born c1904; Beatrice, born c1906, and Leota, born c1908.

This family was found in the 1910 Madison Co., IA, Walnut Twp., census.

Charlie should have registered for the WW1 draft, but he has not been found in those files.

Nothing is known of Lydia.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.

Singing on the (Grandfather) Mountain

The 83d Annual Singing on the Mountain will be held Jun. 24, 2007 at the base of Grandfather Mountain near Boone, NC.

The event website - click on title link to visit - describes this as a "...day-long gathering held out-of-doors in a meadow at the base of Grandfather Mountain" where "...some of the top Southern Gospel groups will perform."

In the photo is John Wesley "Happy John" Coffey and was taken in 1963 at the 39th Singing on the Mountain.

Happy John was born Aug. 6, 1877 in Watauga Co., a son of Joseph R. Coffey and Martha Elizabeth Gragg. He married Ella Adelaide Henderson on Feb. 9, 1901 in Watauga Co., NC.

Their children numbered five:

Charlie Edward Coffey, born Oct. 10, 1900, died unknown; married Georgia Missouri Coffey, daughter of George Calvin and Louisa Elizabeth "Lou" Curtis.

Cordie Myrtle Coffey, born Feb. 25, 1902, died Jun. 17, 1978; married Lloyd Edgar Coffey, born Jun. 26, 1899 in North Carolina, died Jan. 23, 1988. Lloyd was a son of Walter Gwyn and Julia Hayes Coffey.

Zadia Elizabeth Coffey, born May 24, 1903, died Feb. 23, 1996; married William McKinley Bolick. He was born Apr. 17, 1895 in Rufus, Caldwell Co., NC and died Jul. 5, 1977 in Watauga County.

James Herman Coffey, born Dec. 5, 1904 in the Globe community of Watauga Co., died Mar. 14, 1979 in Boone. He married Hildred Myrt Church, born Aug. 4, 1907. She was the daughter of Joseph Commodore and Nora Rebecca Hollifield Church.

Dolphus Sylvester Coffey, born Aug. 8, 1906 in the Globe, died Dec. 13, 1981 in Blowing Rock. He married Bessie Downs, born Aug. 19, 1907, died May. 14, 1997 in Blowing Rock.

Some vital information is still missing but I hope to have more research completed shortly.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections.

Clipping and photograph courtest Margaret Coffey Farley

Lee Ella Coffey (Corrected Info)

William Washington and Lee Ella Coffey Collins

Lee Ella Coffey was born Nov., 1881 in Caldwell Co., NC to Thomas Avery Coffey and Louisa E. Gragg. She was a grand-daughter of Austin Coffey and Mary A. Blaylock, and half-niece to the infamous Keith Blaylock.

Lee Ella is shown here with her second husband, William Washington Collins, born c1867 in Georgia. They were married c1903 in North Carolina.

She and William had at least three children:

• E. Spencer Halton, born Oct. 9, 1903
• De Estia Sylvia*, born Dec. 14, 1905
• Thomas William Staple, born Sep. 6, 1915

Lee and William also adopted Norma Pauline Coffey, the daughter of Olin James Coffey.
Lee Ella's first husband was Joseph Commodore Church, born Jul. 1878 in North Carolina. They had one child, a daughter Alma who married Orville Johnson of Tennessee.

*Some comments to me indicate that her given name was Deatte but was called Sally. The NC Birth Index lists her as De Estia Sylvia Collins**.

Her obituary reads:

Miss Sally Collins, age 92, of 112 Collins Store Road, Blowing Rock, died Thursday morning, January 15 [1997], at Watauga Medical Center.

A retired motel owner and operator and former merchant, Miss Collis was born at Shulls Mills on December 14, 1905, a daughter of the late W.W. and LeElla Coffey Collins. She was a member of the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church.

Miss Collins is survived by one sister, Norma Hodges*** and husband, Rev. Howard Hodges of Morganton, N.C.; one sister-in-law, Mrs. Edna Hampton of Boone, two nephews, William S. Collins, Jr. of Conway, South Carolina and Roy Johnson of Kingsport, Tennessee; four nieces, Sharon Dowdy of Altamont Springs, Florida, Ernestine Nanny of Marion, S.C., Rebecca Parsons, of Lexington, N.C. and Susan Ballard of Charlotte, N.C.; several great nieces and nephews also survive.

She was preceded in death by her parents, W.W. and LeElla Coffey Collins, two brothers, Staple Collins and Spencer Collins, two half brothers and two half sisters.

Funeral services for Miss Collins were conducted Saturday, January 18 at The Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church. Officiating was the Rev. Ronnie Jones and the Rev. Gordon Nobles. Interment followed in the Boone Fork Cemetery.

Memorials may be considered to the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church, in care of Susan Coffey, 146, Wilson Coffey Road, Blowing Rock, NC 25605.

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

**Name: De Estia Sylvia Collins Date of Birth: 14 Dec 1905 Gender: Female Race: White Birth County: Watauga Parent1 Name: William Washington Collins Parent2 Name: Lee Ella Coffey Roll Number: B_C102_66001 Volume: 18 Page: 53

***Norma Pauline Coffey Hodges died on Nov. 9, 2003 in Denton, Davidson Co., NC. Her obituary reads:

DENTON--Mrs. Norma C. Hodges, 79, of Denton, died Sunday, Nov. 9, 2003, at her home. Born in Watauga County on June 3, 1924, she was a daughter of the late Olin J. and Estie Coffey Coffey and was a homemaker and a member of Zion Baptist Church in Morganton. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, the Rev. Howard Thomas Hodges, who died April 20, 2001. She also was preceded in death by her foster family, Mr. and Mrs. W.W. Collins, Sally Collins, Spencer and Staple Collins.

She is survived by daughters, Rebecca Parsons and husband, Lloyd, of Denton, and Susan Bullard of Fort Mill, S.C.; grandchildren, Jessica, Caitlin and Robb Bullard of Fort Mill, S.C. and Jen Parsons of Richlands and Amanda Perez of High Point.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Zion Baptist Church in Morganton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Cedar Grove Baptist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 1048, Linwood, N.C. 27299.

Briggs Funeral Home in Denton is assisting the family.

Photo courtesy of Margaret Coffey Farley

Larkin D. Coffey (1824 GA - 1887 AL)

Larkin was the second of seven sons born to Jesse and Winifred Compton Coffey. He was born Oct. 18, 1824 in Georgia (maybe Gilmer Co.) and died Oct. 10, 1887 in Lawrence Co., AL. he married Temperence Elaine (Tempi) Gravitt on Nov. 19, 1846 in Forsyth Co., GA. She was born Jun. 2, 1827 and died one week after Larkin, on Oct. 17, 1887 in Lawrence Co., AL. Both are buried in the Montgomery Cemetery at Wren in Lawrence Co., AL.

The family appears in every census from 1850 to 1880. The 1870 census names Larkin's wife as Frances, but this is probably an error by the enumerator.

In 1850 they are found in Gilmer Co., Subdivision 33, page 427, dwelling/family 1118: Larkin Coffee [sic], age 25, married, farmer, $200, born GA; Tempa Coffee, age 19, female, born GA; John Coffee, age 4, male, born GA; William Coffee, age 2, male, born GA. Neighbors of Larkin are Jasper Gravet [sic], age 19 and wife Selina with dau. Mary J. Next to Jasper is Thomas Gravet, age 45, and family.

By 1860 the family has left GA and settled in AL: 1860 Blount Co., Western Div., Summit PO, Page 32, dwelling/family 369, L. D. Coffee [sic], age 36, male, white, farmer, $350, $350, born GA; Tempy, age 30, female, born GA; John, age 12, male, born GA; William, age 11, born GA; Martha, age 10, female, born GA; Nancy, age 9, female, born GA; Martha V., age 5, female, born GA; Thomas, age 4, male, born GA; Jesse, age 2, male, born AL

In 1870 they have reached Lawrence Co. in AL, the place where they will live out their lives: 1870 Lawrence Co., TS7, R7W, Moulton PO, Page 16, dwelling/family 129, Coffee [sic], Larkin, age 46, male, white, farmer, $1080, $475, born GA; Francis, age 40, female, white, keeps house, born GA; W. R., age 20, male, white, farm laborer, born GA; Mary, age 17, female, white, at home, born GA; Van Buren, age 15, male, white, farm hand, born GA; Thos., age 19, male, white, at home, born GA; Jesse, age 13, male, white, at home, born AL; Sarah A., age 8, female, white, at home, born AL; Georgiann, age 5, female, white, at home, born AL; Susan, age 2, female, white, at home, born AL

1880 Lawrence Co., Pen Hook, Twp. 7, Page 410C, Coffey, Larkin, male, white, age 55, born GA, parents born SC, farming; Coffey, Tempy, wife, female, white, age 49, born GA, parents born GA, keeling house; S. A. Coffey, dau., single, female, white, age 17, born AL, parents born GA; G. A. Coffey, dau., female, white, age 15, single, born AL, parents born GA; Susan Coffey, dau., female, white, age 12, single, born AL, parents born GA; M.V. Coffey, son, single, male, white, age 24, born GA, parents born GA, farming; T. J. Coffey, son, male, white, age 23, single, born GA, parents born GA, farming; R. Mayfield, male, white, age 17, born AL, parents born AL, laborer

Contact me for more information.

Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright (Update)

Updated Sep. 15, 2008.

Thos. & Margaret Coffey Wright

Margaret was a daughter of Austin and Mary A. Blaylock Coffey. She was born Aug 22, 1847 in Caldwell Co., NC and died there on Dec. 1, 1931. Thomas was born c1834 in Georgia and died Apr. 5, 1906 in North Carolina.

Both are buried in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery in Watauga Co.

They had nine children:

Mary Josephine

- Mary Josephine, born Oct., 18, 1867, died Jan 31, 1944 in Mabscott, Raleigh Co., WV. Mary married Tilmon Monroe Gragg, a son of Edmond and Indiana Gragg Gragg on Mar 3, 1883 [Marriage Book 6, Page 24] in Caldwell Co. Tilmon was born Feb., 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died in Camden Co., NC [North Carolina Death Records, 1968-1996 on Dec. 12, 1928. I know of three children: William Henderson, Rhett and Alverdia.

[Two additional children have been reported to me: Cora E. and Bina. No other information provided]

- Sarah Jane, born c1870, married Edmund G. Haupt in Caldwell Co., 1893. No other info.  [A child, Maude, born Apr. 1892, married Frank Baker. Both families were in Knox Co., TN census records for 1910]

- Robert Arthur, born c1875, married Lurenie Holloway, a daughter of Reid D. and Martha Andrews Holloway, on Jul. 14, 1894 in Watauga. Robert disappeared shortly after marriage but fathered a son with Lurenie.  Robert Reaves Wright was born Jun., 18, 1895.  Robert married Nettie McAlister on Jun. 17, 1917 in Watauga Co.  He died on Jan. 18, 1944.  Lurenie later married William Wiley Church c1896.

Sarah Ellanora

- Sarah Ellanora (Ellie), born Jan. 26, 1877, died Dec. 18, 1942. Sarah married Samuel Wiley McCroskey in Nov. 1900 in Knox Co., TN. Sarah had been previously married on Oct. 16, 1896 to Henderson Phillips. Samuel was a son of William and Mira Johnson McCroskey and was born Apr. 10, 1869 in Bluff City, Sullivan Co., TN and died Apr. 14, 1926 in Burke Co., NC. Their children were: Raymond, 1902-1926, Mae, 1904-1983, Lula Nevada, 1907-?, Earl Lemuel, 1909-1967; Lany Esther, 1910-1978, Edward Lawrence, 1915-?, Virgie Edith, 1917-1970, and Roy Lois, 1921-1970.

More information is available on the McCroskey-Wright family.

- Sarah L., born c1879. No other info.

- Emmerette [born c1876, died 1897] married Thomas Coleman May 17, 1892, Caldwell Co.  [Marriage Book 9, Page 209].  I know of two children: Robert Lawrence, born Feb. 19, 1891 and Lloyd Ziniman, born Aug. 10, 1895.  [There was a third, Ora, born 1897. She married Boyd Ragan.]

Thomas Lemuel

- Thomas Lemuel, born Mar. 22, 1884, died Mar. 23, 1946. He married Sarah Emeline Bragg, daughter of James Jackson and Rhoda Cox Bragg. Sarah was born Mar. 18, 1893 in Summers Co., WVa., and died Sep. 10, 1979 in Caldwell Co., NC. I have found three children for them: Thomas Jackson, born 1915; Rexford Lemuel, born 1922, and Vadis Graham, born 1927.

[Three other children have been found: James Selden, born Jan. 9, 1917, died May 13, 1990; Margaret Marcella, born 1919, died 1979; and Theodore Frank, born Nov. 5, 1924, died Jan. 19, 1982.]

  - Annie Lee, born Jul. 27, 1885, died Dec. 11, 1951, married Roby Monroe Coffey on Mar. 19, 1903 in Watauga Co. Roby was son of George Washington and Matilda Coffey Coffey, and was born Mar. 20, 1881 in Caldwell Co., and died in Lenoir, NC on Oct. 1, 1955. There were at least nine children born to this union and will be a subject of a later blog.

- Doctor Hill, born Apr. 1, 1889, died Oct. 4, 1949 in Watauga Co. He married Virgie Nona Gragg, daughter of Leonard L. and Alva Sims Gragg on May 20, 1913 in NC. Virgie was born Oct. 18, 1897 in NC and died in Watauga Co. on Nov. 13, 1945. At least four children were born to them: Meda Geneva Virginia, born May 22, 1914; William Paul, born Jun. 19, 1918; Agnes Adele (Addie), born Aug. 15, 1921, died Jan. 25, 1988; and Thomas Hill, born Dec. 20, 1930. "Addie" married James Bynum Coffey on Jul. 5, 1939 in NC. James was a son of James Hardy and Lillian Mae Gray Coffey. James died Apr. 26, 1986 in Watauga Co. Their children were Patricia Joe Ann, born Mar. 21, 1941, died c1996, and James Robert, born Sep. 27, 1942, died Nov. 11, 1999.

I am uncertain whether Sarah Ellenora and Sarah L. are the same person. It seems unlikely to me that there would be two, much less three children born to the same parents who gave their children the same first name.

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Photo courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley

Jesse S. Coffey

The following appeared in the June 1997 issue of Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse newsletter. It contains information gathered from several researchers by J.C. and Mary Coffey. Others providing data to the article were: Lucille Seaman Coffey, James Coffey, Jr., Marvis Dilbeck, W. W. Coffey and Joan Hudgins.

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Little in known about this Jesse (one of many Jesses)[.] [S]ome sources say that he died young and some say he never married. According to census and marriage records, these claims are in error.

The Jesse S. Coffey of this line was born 19 July 1799 in N.C. The most probably parents of Jesse are Thomas Coffey and his second wife Sara (Sally) Fields. Thomas Coffey was born in 1742 in Essex Co. VA and died 1825 in Wilkes Co., NC.

Thomas and Sara Coffey did have a son Jesse, but no Jesse was mentioned in the will of Thomas Coffey. For this reason some feel that Jesse died single before 1825 or left the area and never was heard from again, or that Thomas Coffey gave Jesse his inheritance before he moved from Wilkes Co. N.C. to Georgia.

Jesse Coffey did marry Winnefred Crumppton, 22 Dec. 1821 in Wilkes Co. N.C. A Larkin Coffey was one of the bondsmen. Thomas Coffey had a son, Larkin that would have been a younger brother of Jesse but old enough to be a bondsman. Also, Jesse's first son was named Thomas (which was a custom for a man to name his first son after his father). Another custom was to name children the same as his father's children. Thomas Coffey had sons with similar names to the sons of Jesse Coffey.

Jesse S. Coffey is buried in the Long Swamp Cemetery, in Marble Hill, Pickens Co., GA. His tombstone indicates that he was born 19 July 1799 and died 18 Oct. 1858.

Jesse Coffey and Winneford Crumpton (or Compton) were married in Wilkes Co. N.C. 22 Dec. 1821. [B]oth Jesse and Winneford were born in N.C.

Winneford Crumpton was born 20 Nov. 1801 and died 11 Nov. 1863. She is buried beside Jesse in Long Swamp Church Cemetery. Her parents were Jane and Hezekiah Crumpton.

Hezekiah died after 1818 in Wilkes Co. N.C. and Jane Crumpton still lived in 1853. (In May 1853 she withdrew her letter from the old Suawnee Baptist Church, Gwinnette Co).

The Jesse Coffey family was in GA by 1824 therefore this probably could be another clue that Thomas Coffey who died in 1825 gave his son Jesse his inheritance before he died and before Jesse moved from N.C. to GA.

The 1830 Federal census shows Jesse Coffey family in Gwinnett Co. GA. In the 1832 Cherokee land lottery, Jesse S. Coffey, Lewis and Edmond Coffey all were awarded 160 acres of land.

Jesse Coffey and family were listed in Forsyth Co. GA's 1832 Census. He was listed as a member of the Petit Jury of Forsyth Co. several times.

The 1860 Pickens Co. GA Federal Census list Jesse's wife Winneford living with her son, John Gordon Coffey and his wife Mary. (Jesse died in 1858).

Rev. Willie W. Coffey of Alabama gave further info on Jesse S. Coffey and his marriage. He states Jesse's wife's name as Winneford Crumpton Broom and it was assumed she was a widow. Joan Hudgins also gave similar info, stating that name [was]either Crumpton Broom or Broom Crumpton however, the marriage record only gave Winneford Crumpton. (Marriage Record, grooms List Film #8 county 104. Wilkes Co. N.C. read by Mary Coffey, at the Dallas Library, Dallas, TX July 16, 1981).


Note: Brackets indicate my edits to make the document read more smoothly.

Jesse and Fannie (Coffey) Walker

The following is a continuation of the Families of Kimble County [Texas] blog.

Jesse and Fannie (Coffey) Walker
by Mary Ellen Walker Thornton

In 1896, Jess Allen Walker, son of Seth B. and Sarah Walker, decided to quit working on the Schreiner Ranch and purchase his own land. Born Jan. 31, 1869, Jess had made numerous trail drives to Dodge City, St. Joseph and Chicago. Interviewed in 1941 by J. Evetts Haley, author of Charles Schreiner General Merchandise, Jess stated: "The hardest day's work I ever did in my life was quit working for the Schreiners." With their backing, he bought a section of land in the White Bluff Community in Kimble County. On Sep. 1, 1897, he married Fannie Josephine Coffey, a descendant of the first permanent white settler in Concho Co. The Coffey ancestry has been traced for ten generations and has been published in several historical papers. The late Dr. D. D. Tidwell of Waco was particularly instrumental in collecting the Coffey family history.

Fannie was the daughter of John Wright Coffey and Mary Brown Coffey and the granddaughter of Richard Coffey and Sarah Greathouse Coffey who came to Parker County from Georgia in 1855 and settled in Concho Co. in 1862. John Wright Coffey and his family also owned land and lived in the White Bluff Community.

Two children Hattie Adline (b. April 7, 1905) and John William (b. June 17, 1909) were born to Jess and Fannie while they lived at White Bluff.

Fannie's Bible contains the following information: "Fannie Walker and Jess Walker were baptized June 7, 1908 by Bro. P. D. Swift and were both sanctified and joined the Congregational Methodist Church under Br. J. W. Taylor's preaching, Sept. 20, 1909."

The Walkers sold their land at White Bluff and purchased land near London. Two more children, Radie May (b. Mar 27, 1913) and Charlie George (b. Nov. 8, 1916) were born. Fannie died Nov. 12, 1920 and is buried in the Little Saline Cemetery. Jess later married Ethel Ford Parker, a widow with four children. Jess died June 17, 1953 and Ethel was killed in a train accident near San Angelo in 1958. Both are buried at Little Saline.

Hattie married Robert Lee Dodd Sept. 9, 1923 and they lived in Kimble Co. until she died in Sept. 1947. Robert died in 1975 and they are both buried in Saline Cemetery. They had no children.

John married Minnie Elizabeth Jacoby in Junction on Nov. 25, 1932. They lived near Junction for several years before moving to Hext and later near London, where Minnie still lives. [as of Sept. 1996] John died Dec. 4, 1970 and is also buried at Saline. They had one son, Charles William (Cracker) who with his wife, Elleen, live in Bossier City, LA. Cracker has four children living in or near Austin.

Charley, the youngest son of Jess and Fannie, married Augusta Leigh Hull at the First Presbyterian Church, Kerrville, on Oct. 9, 1938. Augusta is the daughter of Melvin Custer Hull and Mary Matilda Apelt Hull, who were Kimble Co. residents. Charley and Augusta purchased the Jess Walker homeplace near London and lived there until they moved to Fredericksburg in Sept., 1962. They have 3 children: Mary Ellen (b. Mar. 9, 1942), George Allen (b. Oct. 21, 1947), and John Lee (b. Sept. 6, 1953). Mary Ellen married Dr. Joe Frank Thornton & they had 1 son, Robert, & live in Houston. George married Pamela Pratt Walker & they have 1 daughter, Elizabeth & live in Colorado City. Dr. John Walker D.D.S. married Regina Brown and lives in Houston. Charley & Augusta still live in Fredericksburg. Radie the youngest daughter of Jesse & Fannie Walker, married Jack Ryan. Jack is dead & is buried in California. They have 1 son, Jack Dalton, who with his wife, Linda & 2 children live in Santa Ana, CA. Radie is in a hursing home in Santa Ana.

Martin Coffey

This Martin is thought to be a son of Andrew Jackson and Martha J. Spann Coffey. He was born c1846 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY. In 1880 he is found in Melcalfe Co., KY, Edmonton precinct, ED142, page 27. With him was wife Lisabeth, age 29, son Walter, age 8, and brother George Coffey, age 22. The presence of George, born c1858 offers some evidence that they are sons of of Andrew.

There was another Martin Coffey in KY. He is believed to be a son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey. This Martin was born Dec. 15, 1762 in Essex Co., VA and died Nov. 27, 1867 in Wayne Co., KY and married Nancy Heriford Dec. 1, 1817 in Wayne Co. My data show only one child, James, born Sep. 7, 1818 in Russell Co., and died Jul 27, 1897 in Lincoln Co., KY.

James is said to have married Martha (Patsy) Tucker Jun. 30, 1836 in Wayne Co. She was born Dec. 7, 1818 in Wayne Co., and died Mar. 7, 1877 in Lincoln Co. They had at least one child, a son Francis Marion Coffey, born Mar. 27, 1840, died Jan. 13, 1933 in Jackson Co., KS. Francis married Permelia Jane Hughes on May 26, 1865 in Lincoln Co. Permelia was born May 11, 1846 in Lincoln Co., and died Oct. 28, 1950 in Jackson Co., KS.

Francis and Permelia had at least 10 children:

- Charles H., born Feb. 8,. 1867
- Annie C., born Aug. 13, 1869, died Dec. 3, 1962
- Belle, born Sep. 7, 1871, died 1933
- Margaret G., born Jan. 15, 1874
- Minnie E., born Jan. 17, 1876, died Jan. 15, 1974
- Francis Timothy, born Aug. 7, 1878, died Aug. 14, 1947
- Pearl D., born May 11, 1880
- Mary A., born c1882, died Jun. 16, 1968
- James Gabriel, born Aug. 23, 1895, died Aug. 20, 1974
- Arthur K., born Dec. 8, 1885

Other Martins found in the Edward Coffey line are:

- Martin, born 1866 in Grainger Co., TN, son of Elijah and Rebecca Shockley Coffey
- Martin, born c1906 in Missouri, son of Arthur E. and Nora B. Coffey
- Martin Dewitt, born Nov. 15, 1881 in Georgia, son of John Gordon and Mary Monroe Pettit Coffey
- Martin Marcellus, born c1857 in Nelson Co., VA (probably), son of Hezekiah and Mary Jane Fitzgerald Coffey
- Martin Van Buren, born Sep. 1834 in GA, son of Jesse and Winifred Comption Coffey
- Martin Van Buren, born c1854 in GA, son of Larkin D. and Temperance Elaine Gravitt

I have some additional information on these Martins. Anyone with, or needing additional data is invited to contact me.

Alfred Alonzo Coffee

I was borned in Wilkes County, N.C. May 10th, 1831. My father's name was Elijah, a native of N.C. My mother was reared near Nashville in West Tenn. Her maiden name was Heulme. My Father moved to Georgia about the last of 1839 and settled on what is known as Little Betties Creek in Raburn Co., 7 miles north of Clayton. I lived there on the farm until I was 21 years of age, going to school a few months each year at which time I commenced going to school to Philon P. Brown's at the Academy at Clayton at which time I went 4 times through arithmetic, 4 times through English, 4 times through dictionary, and partly geography. After this, I worked in dry goods store for John Wyley for a time. After this, I went to Atlanta and clerked in the Records office in the State Depot for the W & A RR. Also the Depot at Resaca for a while at which time I went to Running on the Road in the capacity of Conductor. This was in 1854. Continued on the Road until the first of 1856, at which time I left the Road and went West and was in the Kansas Trouble. Was in the Battle at Hickory Point against old John Brown by whom I was captured but afterward relieved by Summers commanding US Troops. I am the only living man I have any knowledge of that was in that battle. Brown kept up his deviltry until captured at Harpers Ferry and was executed. I returned from Kansas the latter part of 1856. In 1857 I married Julia Dawkins, daughter of John Dawkins of N.C. Her mother was Mary Wheeler. They resided in Habershal County, 4 miles south of Tallulah Falls on Panther Creek. In 1858 and 1859 I clerked in the GA Legislature, one session in the House and one in the Senate. In March, 1862, I enlisted in the Confederate cause. I was mustered in to service at Big Shanty. I was standing nearby when Andrews and his followers stole the engine from Bill Fuller. In the fall of 1866, I came to Walker Co. GA and remained there and Catossa County until 1879, at which time I came to Chattanooga. I have lived here ever since. I haven't gone into detail as I might have done.

P.S. I was discharged from service on account of disability. I went home and was appointed tax assessor of tax in kind for 3 counties by quartermaster Bacon of Georgia. I taught in the first colored school ever taught in GA.

The above is a partial autobiography of Alfred Alonzo Coffee. It appeared in the Sep., 1994 edition of the Coffey Cousins' newsletter, and was submitted by Katie Taggart Dunn, a great-granddaughter of Alfred. Alfred Alonzo was a son of Elijah and Polly Hull Coffey. Elijah descended from John and Jane Graves Coffey through their son Thomas, and his wife, Sarah (Sally) Fields.

The report of Andrews and his followers stealing an engine from Bill Fuller created a bit of curiosity for me. I recalled the story from one of the several books that I have read about the Civil War, and did a bit of research.

The steam engine was a locomotive named "The General." In April, 1862 as the train neared Kennesaw, GA. The conductor announced that the train would stop at "Big Shanty" for 20 minutes so the passengers could have breakfast.

Union spies commanded by James Andrews had sneaked into town with a plan to destroy the Western & Atlantic RR. The men made their way towards "The General," and uncoupled it and three boxcars from the other cars. As the spies sped away with the locomotive the conductor, William A. Fuller gave chase. The story goes that he commandeered handcars and three different locomotives in an effort to catch up with the stolen train.

The pursuit continued on rail until the Union spies tore up some track near Adairsville, GA. Fuller and his men had to abandon the train and pursue on foot until they could find another locomotive which they had to drive in reverse in order to continue the chase.

"The General" ran out of steam just north of Ringgold, GA, where it was abandoned as the thieves scattered through the nearby woods. All were eventually caught.

Today, "The General" in on exhibit at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History, not far from where it had been stolen in 1862.

Other Links to "The General"

The Great Locomotive Chase

The Andrews Raid

Tennessee and the Andrews Raid