Dillard Greene Coffey (1912-1988)

Dillard Greene Coffey was a son of David William and Martha Etta Destimona "Dessie" Crump Coffey, born in Avery Co., NC on Dec. 7, 1912.  In 1935 he was married to Maude Dellinger, a daughter of Raymond D. and Melvina "Vina" Jennings Dellinger.

Within a few months following the union, Dillard confessed to and was arrested for the murder of  his father-in-law.  Included in the indictment was Austin Blaine Coffey, multiple times cousin to Dillard and a son of David Nathaniel and Caroline Lavinia Coffey Coffey.

The Greensboro [NC] Daily News of Dec. 29, 1936 reported Dillard's surrender and confession to the murder to Watauga Co. Sheriff Edmundson. Neither Coffey nor the Sheriff made a statement as to why he committed the murder.

In a subsequent press report by the Greensboro Record on Apr. 28, 1937, it was reported that former state representative Blaine Coffey and Dillard Coffey had been denied bail at a habeas corpus hearing before Judge A. Hall Johnston.  A trial date was not announced.

I have not found a newspaper follow-up reporting on the disposition of the two. It can be supposed they were exonerated because Austin Blaine Coffey was enumerated as a widower on Apr. 23, 1940 in Watauga Twp., Watauga Co.  That same year, in October*, Dillard registered for the WW2 draft and, in 1941, married in Johnson Co., TN, a distant cousin, Nancy Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of William Carlton and Bessie Mae Townsend Coffey.

Dillard died on Aug. 10, 1988 in Watauga Co. and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock. Nancy died on Apr. 30, 2001 and was also buried at White Springs.

*He did spend nearly three years in the state prison in Stanly Co., NC.  He was enumerated there on Apr. 20, 1940.  The May 30, 1940 edition of the Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, reported his parole on May 29 after serving about 2 yrs., 8 mos. of a 10 to 15 year sentence for 2d degree murder.

Tragedy in the life of Hiram Dalton

Hiram Dalton, born Mar. 4, 1843 at Idol in Grainger Co., TN, was a son of Timothy Dalton and Delphia Coffey.  Delphia was the daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey, natives of North Carolina, and Timothy was a son of Reuben and Elizabeth Shockley Dalton, Virginia natives.

In order of birth, Hiram was the seventh of at least 11 children born to Timothy and Delphia. Others were, in order of birth, George Washington, David, Thomas, Ollie or Ally, William Nelson, Green C., [Hiram], Colby Timothy, Manerva, Emeline and Harriet.  A couple of these children were married at least twice but, Hiram seems to have had an abundance of misfortune with his spouses.  He was married at least four times.

His first wife was Catherine Howerton, born c1843, died c1870.  They were married on Nov. 11, 1861[1] in Grainger Co.  Catherine was the mother of at least two children which survived to adulthood: Pleasant "Pleas" Dalton, born Aug. 5, 1865, died Aug. 14, 1942, and Mary Elizabeth Dalton, born c1866, died 1947.

Hiram's second wife was his first cousin, Mahala Jane Dalton, a daughter of Carter J. and Mary A. Coffey Dalton.  Mary was a sister to Delphia, wife of Timothy.  Timothy and Carter J. were likely very close kin but I haven't determined that yet.  This marriage occurred on Jul. 6, 1871 in Grainger Co.[1]

Mahala and Hiram had at least four children:  George, born c1874; Abner B., born 1875, died 1949; Rev. Carter J., born 1876, died 1939 and, Mary Margaret, born 1882, died 1968.

Mahala apparently died at the birth of Mary in 1882 because Hiram took his third wife, the widow Myra Mallicoat on Dec. 24, 1882[1] in Grainger Co.  Myra was about 37 years old when she married Hiram.  I do not know if she bore any children for Hiram but, in 1900 Hancock Co., a son by the name of Farnee or Tarnee, born in Apr., 1888 and then 12 years old, was in the household with Hiram.  In this census Hiram reported that he had been married for six years but a wife was not enumerated.

The excluded wife Hiram claimed to have in the 1900 census was likely C. J. Roberts [given names not found].  They were married on May 14, 1894[1] in Grainger Co.  I have not been able to locate Hiram in the 1910 census.  He died of unknown causes in Hancock Co. on Jun. 14, 1915 and was buried at the Wolfenbarger Cemetery in that county.

Perhaps some of Hiram's poor record with wives was passed along to Pleasant, his son with Catherine Howerton.  Pleas, as he was called, was born on Aug. 5, 1865 in KY and died on Aug. 14, 1942 in Hamblen Co., TN.  He is buried in that county at the Emma Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown.

Pleas' first wife was Elizabeth "Bettie" Shockley.  They were married in Grainger Co. on Feb. 24, 1888.  She was the mother of at least three children:  Effie, born c880, James Carter, born 1896, died 1958 and, Neil, born c1902.  Bettie died on May 11, 1911 and was laid to rest at Emma Jarnagin.

A little more than a year later, Pleas married Viola Coffey on Aug. 10, 1912 in Grainger Co.  Viola was the daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane Shockley.  Martha Jane was the sister to Elizabeth Shockley, Pleas' first wife.  Their common ancestors were George and Margaret Rucker Coffey, Reuben Dalton and Elizabeth Shockley and Colby and Sarah Roberts Rucker.

Viola was the mother of at least six children: Claude Wilson, Lee Boyd, Lloyd Oliver, Paul Edam, Clifford and P. Henderson, all born between 1913 and 1926 in Hamblen Co.

The life that would eventually turn to tragedy for Pleas and Viola began with the birth of their first child, Claude Wilson.  He married Virgie Newman on Jan. 20, 1940[1] in Hamblen Co.  He was 26 then and perhaps had been previously married, but I find no record.  Neither do I know who their children were, if any.  Claude ended his life by gunshot on Jun.1, 1953[2] and was buried at Emma Jarnagin.

Their next son was Lee Boyd, born Nov. 17, 1917.  Lee died of "infantile paralysis" [known as poliomyelitis or, polio today] at the age of 10.[2]  He was buried at Emma Jarnagin.

Lloyd Oliver was next, born Aug. 30, 1919.  He died on Dec. 11, 1921[2] of burns when his clothing was ignited by the fireplace.

Paul Edam came next, born Feb. 1, 1922.  Paul died at age 12 on Mar. 23, 1934[2] of bronchial pneumonia.

Clifford survived to married Mary Lois Hall on Aug. 16, 1953 in Hamblen Co.  I have not found a death record for him or Mary.

Their last child was P. Henderson (Henderson), born Sep. 30, 1926.  Henderson died of pneumonia on Mar. 28 1939 at age 12.

It appears then that all of their children, with the possible exception of Clifford died before Viola passed on in 1969.  And, most died before Pleas' death in 1942.  All but Clifford are to be found buried at the Emma Jarnagin Cemetery in Morristown.

The Tennessee Daltons and Coffeys have a history of intermarriage.  Other of Hiram's children married into the Coffey family and I have information on those.  Additions and corrections welcomed.  Contact me via e-mail for more info.

  Jack

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Sources:
[1]"Tennessee County Marriages, 1790-1950"
[2]"Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1915"

David & Nancy Coffey Ernest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please contact me if you can connect the Barlow women.

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

Harley Pinkney Coffey

Harley was a son of John A. and Emaline Jones Coffey and was born Feb. 14, 1866 in Buncombe Co., NC.  His first wife was Edith Rhodes to whom he was married on July 25, 1886 in Buncombe Co.  Edith was born May 17, 1870, probably in Buncombe Co., and died there on Feb. 10, 1895.  She was buried at the Mount Zion Missionary Church Cemetery in Leicester, Buncombe Co.

Edith gave birth to four children:

Hillard Floyd, born Jun., 1887, died Sep. 21, 1952 in Oteen, Asheville Twp., Buncombe Co.  He is buried at Grace Methodist Chapel Cemetery in Asheville.  Hillard married Jenny Hall and had at least two children:  Joseph Harley and Hillard, Jr.

Goldie Pearl, born Jul. 28, 1888, died Mar. 21, 1968 in Morganton, Burke Co., NC.  She married Wells Green on Jun. 15, 1909 in Buncombe Co.  Wells was born to Hillard and Betty Wilson Green on Apr. 3, 1882 in Buncombe Co.  He died Mar. 27, 1967, also in Morganton.  Both are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Ashville, NC.  They had at least two children:  Hillard and Olive.

Maude, born Feb. 5, 1890 in Buncombe Co., died there on Feb. 14, 1896.  She is buried at Zion Hill cemetery at Leicester.

Talmadge DeWitt, born Feb. 8, 1894 in Buncombe Co., died Jan. 4, 1960 in Asheville.  He is buried at Grace Methodist Church cemetery in Asheville.

About a year after Edith died, Harley married Allie F. Brooks on Sep. 20, 1896.  She was born in Aug., 1876 and died Apr. 17, 1933, either in Buncombe or Bladen Co., NC.  Allie is also buried at Zion Hill.

Allie gave birth to at least seven children:

Kenneth LeCosta, born Aug. 11, 1898, died Mar. 21, 1975 in Buncombe Co.  He married Altha Ingle on Feb. 14, 1921 in Buncombe Co. and became the parents of Kenneth, born 1922; Charles William, born 1924; Betty L., born 1927; and Richard, born 1930.  Kenneth is buried at Forest Lawn in Asheville, Buncombe Co.  He and Altha were divorced in Buncombe Co. on Feb. 11, 1958.  She may have remarried and, her burial site has not yet been found.

Liston Jeffery, born Jul., 1899, died Apr. 3, 1965 in Asheville.  He married Emma Foster c1928 and they had at least one child, Virginia, born c1929 in Buncombe Co.  Liston is buried at Zion Baptist Church cemetery in Morganton, Burke Co.  Liston was divorced by the 1940 census and was residing with daughter Virginia in the household with his sister, Bonnie Howington and her family.

Gertrude, born Aug. 12, 1901 in Buncombe Co., died Jun. 21, 1968 at Burlington in Almance Co., NC.  She married Donald Walton Hamilton on Jun. 20, 1934 in Buncombe Co.  He was born Jul. 7, 1902 and died Nov. 28, 1858.  Both are buried at Green Hills cemetery in Asheville.

Update Jan. 16, 2013:  Gracie, child no. 4 for Harley and Allie, was born Aug. 12, 1903 and died Jun. 15, 1909.  She too is buried at Zion Hill.

Forest Andrew, born Apr. 12, 1906, died Nov. 1, 1920 in Buncombe Co.  Forest is buried at Zion Hill.

John, born c1908; no other information.

Bonnie, born Dec. 20, 1910, died Dec. 16, 1988 at Asheville.  She married the Rev. Bud Howington, a son of C. H. and Isabell Stewart Howington, on Jun. 24, 1933 in Buncombe Co.  Bud was born Jan. 23, 1910 in Asheville and died there on Jun. 23, 1952.  Both Bud and Bonnie are buried at the Mount Olive Baptist Church cemetery in Asheville.  I have found only two children:  Helen C., born Feb. 18, 1934 in Asheville, died there on Jul. 31, 1937.  The second was born and died in Oct., 1942 at Asheville.  Both chidlren are buried at Mount Olive.

The last child was Geneva, born c1914.  She appeared in the family census record in 1920 but not in later records.

Jesse and Eleanor Coffey Compton

According to some sources, Eleanor Coffey was born Jan. 9, 1793 in Wilkes Co., NC to John Coffey and Mary Hall.  Mary's maiden name has also not been agreed upon,  Some research shows it as Hull or Harbord.  I do not know which is correct.

John, born c1753, probably in Albemarle Co., VA, was a son of James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  He died Dec. 27, 1825 in Wilkes Co.  Mary was born Dec. 18, 1755, location unknown.

James Coffey, born Jul 4, 1729 in Essex Co., VA, was a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.  Elizabeth Cleveland is said by some to be the illegitimate daughter of Grace Cleveland who may have been a daughter of Alexander Cleveland.  Some researchers believe that Elizabeth was the daughter of Edward Coffey, a son of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey, because he eventually married Grace.

By tradition, Alexander's wife has been named Mildred (Milly) Presly.  Her name is also the subject of some controversy.

In my opinion, and to my knowledge, this family arrangement has not been satisfactorily researched.

Eleanor is believed to be the ninth of 11 children born to John and Mary.  Jesse was the son of Hezekiah and Jane Fields Compton.  Jane Fields was the daughter of Thomas Fields and Elizabeth Coffey.  Eleanor is in the fourth generation of descendants of John and Jane Graves Coffey.  Jane Fields is in the third genereation of descendants.

Jesse Compton and Eleanor Coffey are said to have married in Feb., 1819.  They were in Forsyth Co., GA in 1840 and remained there at least through the 1850 census.  Eleanor seems to have died before 1860.  That year found Jesse in the household with his son Marshal in Polk Co., TN.

In addition to Marshall, born c1835, Jesse and Eleanor had at least three other children:  Jane Elvira, born c1821; Mary, born c1825; and Sarah, born c1832.  There were likely others.

Marshal is the only child for whom I have found descendants.  He married Jane, born c1829 in Kentucky, c1856.  Their first two children were Henry, born c1858 and Georgia, born c1859 and were born in TN.  The next child was Lovedy [sic], born c1862 in GA.  In 1870 Jane appeared as a widow in the 1870 Whitfield Co., GA census with those three children as well as a son Caswell [?], born c1867 in GA. 

Marshal enlisted in Co. H., 36th Inf. Regt., GA on Apr. 24, 1862.  He died on May 16, 1863 at Bakers Creek in MS from wounds received there.

Bakers Creek was a battle fought between Union and Confederates as part of the battle at Champion Hill in Hinds Co., MS.  The Raymond Road forded Bakers Creek, and was a Confederate escape route to the Vicksburg road and, of course, into Vicksburg.  The Confederates lost some 4,300 men in the campaign.

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