Filmore Garfield & Martha Blanche Coffey Ford

Filmore Garfield Ford was a son of John Squire and Cenia Cook Ford, born Dec. 18, 1880 in Watauga Co.  Martha Blanche Coffey was a daughter of Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey, born Dec. 25, 1886 in Watauga Co.  The Cook ladies are probably related, but I have not investigated that connection.

Filmore and Martha Blanche was married on Nov. 13, 1904 in Watauga Co.*  They were parents of at least 12, seven of which I know to have lived and raised their own families.  I have found no info on sons Thomas Blaine Ford, born Mar. 4, 1918 or Farthing Gordon, born Jan. 3, 1930.  Son Herman was born Nov. 16, 1920 and died on the following day.

Update:  Farthing Gordon Ford died Jan. 7, 2002 in Davidson Co., NC.  Still searching for his wife's name.

Thomas Blaine Ford died Apr. 15, 1995 in Boone, Watauga Co.  His wife was Mary Rachel Herman, born 1923 in Alexander Co., NC.

The first born was William Stewart on Oct. 11, 1905 in Aho, Watauga Co.  He died Jan. 15, 1995 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. and was buried at Baileys Camp Baptist Church Cemetery in Lenoir.  His wife was Lillie May Ford, likely a cousin, but I have not found her parents.

His obituary:

Mr. William Stewart Ford

Mr. William Stewart Ford, 89, of Route 1, Hudson, a former resident of Route 8, Lenoir, died Sunday, Jan. 15, at Caldwell Memorial Hospital in Lenoir.

He was born Oct. 11, 1905, in the Aho community of Watauga County, a son of the late Filmore and Blanche Coffey Ford.  He was a retired farmer and a former employee of Broyhill Furniture Company.  He was a member of Bailey's Camp Baptist Church.

Survivors include six sons, Alfred Ford of Newton, Frank Ford and Walter Fork [sic] [Ford], both of Black Mountain, Ray Ford of Morganton, James Ford of Hudson and Paul Ford of Lenoir; one daughter, Lucy Smith of Morganton; three sisters, Mary Belle Hampton and Ella Richardson, both of Lenoir, and Sadie Church of Fleetwood; and three brothers, Glenn Ford and Blaine Ford, both of Boone, and Farthing Ford of Lexington.  He is also survived by 20 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mrs. Lillie Mae Ford Ford, one sister, Mrs. Pansy Jackson; and three brothers, Mr. Ralph Ford, Mr. Frank Ford and Mr. Ingle Ford.

Services were Wednesday afternoon at Bailey's Camp Baptist Church, officiated by the Rev. Max West and the Rev. Edgar Ford.  Burial followed in the church cemetery.

Ralph Allen was second, born May 25, 1906 in Watauga Co.  He died Aug. 1, 1972 and was buried at Reform Church Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.  His death certificate tells us that he was a widower at time of death, but I have not found his spouse.

Third born was David Frank on Jan. 21, 1909.  Caldwell Co. records report his death in 1981 in that county, but so far I have found nothing else.

Update:  David Frank Ford married Ida Greene, born 1911 in NC, on Apr. 22, 1933 in Blowing Rock Twp., Watauga Co., NC

Fourth was Pansy Ellen, born Jun. 18, 1910 in Watauga Co., died Jun. 16, 1975 in Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co.  Her spouse was Clyde Jackson.  Pansy is buried at Old Mount Pleasant-Bethany Luthern Church Cemetery in Boone.

Julia Ella was next, born May 6, 1913 in Watauga Co.  She married Lonnie Curtis Harrison, son of Shuford Edward (Emanuel?) and Sarah Malinda Bradshaw Harrison.  The marriage took place in Boone on Dec. 24, 1942.**  Lonnie died in Caldwell Co. in 2005; Julia in Blowing Rock on Apr. 22, 2007.  She is buried at Bethany Baptist Church in Finley, Caldwell Co.  Lonnie is probably also there.

Her obituary:

The Watauga Democrat, Boone, Watauga Co., NC, Apr. 26, 2007

Julia Ella Ford Harrison

Mrs. Julia Ford Harrison, 93, of Richland Road, Lenoir, died Sunday, April 22, 2007, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

She was born May 6, 1913 in Watauga County to the late Filmore Garfield and Martha Blanche Coffey Ford.

Mrs. Harrison was a homemaker and a member of Unity Baptist Church.

Survivors include two sons, Eric Anthony Harrison of Lenoir and Shuford Edward Harrison of Wilkesboro; three daughters, Ms. Adairn Elaine Harrison of Hickory, Mrs. Joe (Evelyn Annette) Snyder of Hudson and Mrs. Gwyn (A. Elizabeth) Icenhour of Lenoir; a brother, Marion Glenn Ford of Boone; two sisters, Mrs. Mary Belle Hampton of Whitnel and Mrs. Sadie Blanche Church of Fleetwood; ten grandchildren; and 14 great-grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie C. Harrison; a daughter, Aleda Eva Burress; seven brothers, Ralph, Frank, Stewart, Blaine, Ingle, Hooker, and Farthing Ford; a sister, Pansy Jackson; and a grandchild, Curtis Snyder.

Services were conducted Wednesday morning, April 25, at 11 a.m. at Greer-McElveen Funeral Home Chapel conducted by the Rev. Paul Dula and the Rev. Gary Waters. Interment followed at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Bethany Baptist Church, 6777 Richland Rd., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; The Eva Harrison Burress Scholarship Fund, c/o Appalachian State University Foundation, P.O. Box 32014, Boone, N.C. 28608-2014; Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood St., Lenoir, N.C. 28645; and Alzheimers Association, 31 College Place, Suite D320, Asheville, N.C. 28801-2644.

Online condolences may be left at www.greer-mcelveenfuneralhome.com.

Greer-McElveen Funeral Home and Crematory was in charge of the arrangements.

Child number six was John Ingle, born Aug. 1, 1915 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 6, 1973 at Boone.  John married Rhonda R. Greene, date unknown.  She was born May 19,1918 and died Apr. 12, 2009 at Boone.  Both are buried at Friendship United Methodist Church Cemetery at Boone.

Seven and eight, Thomas Blaine and Herman are mentioned above.

Number nine was Marion Glenn, born May 10, 1922 in Watauga Co., died in Boone on Oct. 28, 2009.  Glenn's spouse was Brook Stanbury to whom he was married on Mar 16, 1947** at New River Twp., in Watauga Co.  He is buried at Laurel Springs Baptist Church cemetery at Deep Gap, Watauga Co.

His obituary:

The Watauga Democrat, Nov. 2, 2009

Mr. Glenn Ford, 87, of 560 Pine Branch Road, Boone, died Wednesday evening, Oct. 28, 2009, at his home.

Mr. Ford was born May 10, 1922 in Watauga County, a son of the late  Filmore and Martha Blanche Coffey Ford. He was a retired salesman and supervisor for Coca Cola Bottling Company, and a member of Laurel Springs Baptist Church.

Obituary Photo

Glenn served in the United States Army during World War II.

Mr. Ford is survived by his wife, Brooke Stanbery Ford of the home; two daughters, Rebecca Barkley and husband, H.E, of Columbia, S.C., and Marian Ford of Hickory; one son, Mark Ford and wife, Gail, of Boone; one sister, Mary Belle Hampton of Lenoir; two granddaughters, Erin Ford Patterson and husband, John, of Boone, and Meredith Barkley Murphy and husband, Andy, of Columbia; one grandson, Michael Barkley of Columbia; and one great-granddaughter, Lauren Patterson of Boone.  He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters,  Pansy Jackson, Ellen Harrison and Sadie Church, and six brothers, Stewart, Ralph, Frank, Ingle, Blaine and Farthing Ford.

Services were conducted, Oct. 31, at 2 p.m. at Laurel Springs Baptist Church. Officiating were the Rev. Brent Bolick and Dr. Matt Brown.  Burial followed in Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Laurel Springs Baptist Church Building Fund, or to the Laurel Springs Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, 7504 U.S. Highway 421 South, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

Online condolences may be sent to the Ford family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The tenth born was Mary Belle on Mar. 28, 1925.  She married Rhonda Gerald Hampton on Aug. 1, 1947 at Zionville in Watauga Co.**  He was born in 1918.  Their death dates and burial sites have not found.

Update: Rhonda Gerald Hampton was born Mar. 31, 1918 in NC and died Sep. 14, 1977 in Asheville, Buncombe Co., NC.  Mary Belle passed away on Feb. 1, 2012 in Lenoir.  She was buried at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir.  Rhonda's burial site has not been found.

Next born was Sadie Blanche Ford on Apr. 8,1927 in Watauga Co.  She married Elster Brown Church, date unknown, who was born in North Carolina on Oct. 26, 1918 and died Jul. 14, 1985 in Watauga Co.  Sadie died Dec. 12, 2007.  She is buried at Liberty Grove Baptist Church cemetery at Deep Gap where Elster is probably also buried.

Her obituary:

The Watauga Democrat, Boone, NC, Dec. 17, 2007

Sadie Ford Church

Mrs. Sadie Ford Church, 80, of Fleetwood, N.C., died Wednesday morning, Dec. 12, 2007, at Ashe Memorial Hospital in Jefferson.

Obituary Photo

She was born in Watauga County, Friday, April 8, 1927, to the late Filmora and Blanche Coffey Ford.

Survivors include a son, Kenneth Church and wife, Debbie, of Fleetwood; a brother, Glenn “Brook” Ford of Boone, N.C.; a sister, Mary Bell Hampton of Lenoir, N.C.; two grandchildren, Becky Howell and husband, Gene, of Sparta, and Alicia Howell and husband, Richard Lee, of Walnut Cove, N.C.; two great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Elster Church; seven brothers; and two sisters.

Services were held at 2 p.m., Friday, Dec. 14, 2007, at Liberty Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. John Elledge and the Rev. David Long officiating. Burial followed in the church cemetery.
Memorials may be made to: Liberty Grove Baptist Church, PO Box 400, Deep Gap, N.C. 28618.

You may give the family your condolences at our Web site www.boonefuneralhome.com.

Boone Family Funeral Home of West Jefferson is in charge of these arrangements.

Farthing Gordon Ford was their last child.  See above.

Update:  Farthing Gordon Ford was born Jan. 3, 1930 in Watauga Co. and died on Jan. 7, 2002 in Davidson Co., NC.  His burial site is not known.

---

*Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995).  Officiated by A. J. Shull.


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

Jordan & Rachel Lorinda Coffey Hampton

Rachel Lorinda "Rinda" Coffey was a daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey.  She was born on Nov. 14, 1856 in Haywood Co., NC and died Oct. 14, 1934 in the Blue Ridge Twp. of Watauga Co., NC.*  She was probably buried alongside Jordan in the Hampton Family cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Jordan was a son of Emanuel and Sarah Orilla Moreland Hampton and was born Sep. 10, 1856 in Watauga Co.  He and Rachel were married there on Nov. 7, 1875.**  Over the next 30 years, Rachel became the mother of at least 15 children.  The family appeared in every Watauga Co. census from 1880 until 1930, the last available.

The children as I have them:

Martha L., born Sep. 6, 1875, died Nov. 16, 1940 at Blowing Rock.  Her spouse was James Carey Ashley, born Feb. 2, 1868 in Wilkes Co. to Benjamin and Sarah Brown Ashley.  They were married on May 10, 1899 in Watauga Co.  James died Jun. 30, 1955 in Blowing Rock.  Both are buried at Middle Fork Cemetery in Boone.

Emanuel Arkie "Arkie", born Dec. 26, 1879, died Dec. 19, 1963 in Boone.  He married Mary Ann Storie on Nov. 19, 1905 in Patterson, Caldwell Co.  She was born in NC c1883.  Their daughter, Adda Leona Hampton, born Oct. 14, 1918, died Sep. 23, 1968 in Blowing Rock, married Rhonda Lester Coffey, a son of Rufus Monroe and Emma Eliza Robbins Coffey.  Arkie is buried at Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery at Boone.  I have found no other info on Mary Ann.

Harley E., born 1881, died unknown.  He married Estella Lay on Jul. 28, 1901 in Deerfield, Watauga Co.***

William Spencer, born Jul. 21, 1882, died Sep. 7, 1964 at Boone.¹

Sarah Elizabeth, born Nov. 11, 1883.  No further information.

Eliza Jane, born Jul 30, 1886, died Jan. 23, 1972 in Watauga Co.  Her spouse was Roby Luther Storie, a son of J. L. & Martha Caroline Curtis Storie.  He was born Sep. 9, 1879 in Caldwell Co. and died at Boone on Oct. 12, 1952.¹  They were married on May 31, 1908 in Watauga Co.***  Both are buried at Mount Lawn Memorial Park in Boone.

Rev. Jesse Amos, born Jul. 30, 1886, married Verta Harrison, daughter of Jeremiah William and Delphia Melinda Cook Harrison on Aug. 13, 1911 in Watauga Co.  Rev. Hampton died a horrible death on Jan. 12, 1927 when he was crushed in his mill while removing ice from the wheel.  He is buried at the Hampton Cemetery in Boone.¹  Verta was born Aug. 15, 1884 and died Aug. 14, 1966 at Blowing Rock.  She is also buried at the Hampton Cemetery.  Another daughter of Jeremiah and Delphia married Newton Leonard Harrison, a son of Anson Lafayette and Eliza Jane Coffey Harrison.  Eliza was also a daughter of Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey.
Walter, born Feb. 3, 1889 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 10, 1956 in Statesville, Iredell Co., NC. He was buried at Mount Lawn in Boone.

Finimore Lindley, born Dec. 5, 1890, died Apr. 18, 1970 at Boone.  He married Nevada Bowles on Jun. 29, 1913 in Watauga Co.***  Nevada was born Jul. 1, 1894 in Watauga Co., died at Boone on Jan. 23, 1994.  Both are buried at Mount Vernon.

Constance "Connie" Geneva, born Oct. 12, 1992, died Mar. 3, 1984 at Boone.  She married Joseph William "Joe" Wheeler on Jan. 31, 1915 in Watauga Co.***  Joe was born May 1, 1892 in that county and died at Triplett, Elk Twp., Watauga Co. on May 9, 1951.  Joe's death certificate reports his burial in the "family cemetery" at Triplett.  Connie is probably also buried there.

Birdie, born Oct. 25, 1894.  No further information.

Oliver Estes, born Aug. 1, 1898 at Blowing Rock, died on Oct. 15, 1937 at Statesville.  He married Inez Day, born 1899 in NC, on Feb. 14, 1918 in Watauga Co.***  Oliver is buried at Boone in the Hampton Cemetery.

Elzy (Elsie?) Caroline was born Dec. 21, 1898, married Mar. 2, 1919*** to J. W. Johnson, born in NC c1895.

Jeremiah Russell, born May 8, 1902, died Dec. 21, 1954 in Watauga Co.  He married Fannie Lee Herman, a daughter of Carroll Marvin and Essie Loaney Coffey Herman on Dec. 25, 1921** in Watauga Co.  Essie was a daughter of John Nelson "Nels" and Laura Ann Henley Coffey.  Jeremiah is buried at Mount Lawn.  Fannie died Jul. 18, 1990 at Boone and is probably also buried at Mount Lawn.

Child number 15 was Theodore Augustus "Gus," born May 30, 1904, died Jun. 12, 1956 at Boone.  He married Edna Serena Green, daughter of Albert and Bertha Triplett Greer on Feb. 1, 1926 at Bamboo in Watauga Co.***  Edna was born Sep. 25, 1906 in Watauga Co. and died Jun. 6, 2008 at Boone.

Obituary, The Watauga Democrat, Jun. 10, 2008

Mrs. Edna Serena Greer Hampton, 101, of 206 Ridgewood Road, Deep Gap, died Friday, June 6, 2008, at Glenbridge Health Care Center.

She was born Sept. 25, 1906 in Watauga County, a daughter of the late Albert and Bertha Triplett Greer.

Mrs. Hampton was one of the original 43 charter members of Trinity Baptist Church in Deep Gap, N.C., where she attended for many years and also taught Sunday School.

A life well lived, Edna is fondly remembered by her family and friends as a maker of beautiful quilts, fine embroidery, good cooking, love of family, and a gentle spirit. As a descendant of some of the first settlers in this area (as well as Daniel Boone’s sister and Benjamin Greer, a soldier of the Revolutionary War) she is one of the last of a pioneering breed of true Americans. She enjoyed most of all family get-togethers, always featuring loads of good food. Edna enjoyed gathering and preserving food when in season. She is remembered best sitting at her quilting frames, or holding an embroidery hoop and needle, peeling and paring vegetables and fruits for canning, drying, freezing or preserving.

Survivors include four daughters, Rosella (Kay) Nolte of Millersville, Md., Evalee Stone of Lenoir, Bonnie Steelman and husband, Harold, of Deep Gap, and Margaret Jewell of Raleigh; two sons, Dale Hampton and wife, Marie, of Boone, and Kenneth Hampton and wife, Hazel, of Bowling Brook, Ill.; one sister, Maude Clawson of Boone; and four half-sisters, Bernice Cox of Lenoir, Ruth Miller of Boone, Gladys Gilbert and Melba Hayes, both of Boomer. She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

Obituary Photo

She was preceded in death by her husband, Theodore Augustus Hampton (Gus); two daughters, Reba Rourke; and an infant, Shelby Jean Hampton; one grandson, Claude Nolte; three sons-in-law, Robert Rourke, Bernard G. Stone and Joseph Jewell; three sisters, Mrs. Lawrence "Maggie" Green, Mrs. Walter "Lily" Triplette and Mrs. Willard "Ora" Watson; two brothers, Virgil Greer and Sherman Greer; two half-brothers, Bynum Greer and Vaughan Greer; and one half-sister, Chloe Greer.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon, June 9, 2008, at 2:00 o'clock, at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state, at the chapel, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock. Officiating will be Dr. Wayne Brown. Burial will follow in Mount Lawn Memorial Park and Gardens.

The family will receive friends, Monday afternoon, from 12:30 until 2:00 o'clock, at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the home of Bonnie and Harold Steelman, 206 Ridgewood Road, Deep Gap.

Online condolences may be sent to the Hampton family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

---

*Racheal L. Hampton, death certificate No. 442 (14 October 1934), Bureau of Vital Statistics, North Carolina State Board of Health, Caldwell Co., NC. (familysearch.org)
**Historical Studies, Appalachian State University, Department of History (Editors Evelyn G. Shepherd and Brenda M. Greene), compiler, Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995).
***North Carolina County Marriages, 1759-1979 , digital images, FamilySearch.Org (www.familysearch.org).
¹Source available on request 

Note:  Someone appears to have been cropped out of the family photo.  A shoulder and arm appears to the far right. Source of photo unknown; appears to be from a publication.

Bailey Eliphalet Chaney

I know...this is a Coffee/Coffey blog!  But, sometimes I like to write about other families that appear in my own family line.  So, please bear with me while I ramble a little on Bailey Eliphalet Chaney, an early Baptist preacher in the Mississippi and Louisiana Territories.

According to the Cyclopaedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature (John McClintock, pub. Harper and Brothers, 1889) Bailey was a Baptist minister, born in South Carolina.  He was in the Natchez area of Mississippi around 1790 and found himself - along with other non-Catholic religious leaders - subject to Spanish persecution as well as prosecution. 

When the area "came under the protection of the government of the United States, the people assembled in large numbers, a brush arbor was constructed, and he was sent for; and, while the flag of the United States floated over him, he preached the Gospel of Christ unawed by the minions of Rome."

In 1798 he was run out of Louisiana after being arrested for preaching.  He was forced to leave that state and return to Mississippi, where he died in 1816.  However, in 1818 there was a Bailey E. Chaney in Franklin Co., MS who had been elected by the legislature to be a "chief justice."*

Another source, A History of the Baptist Churches in the United States (Albert Henry Newman, Christian Literature, 1894) Bailey and his family moved from Cole's Creek, MS to East Feliciana Parish in Louisiana in 1798 and began to preach.  He was arrested and released on his promise to cease preaching in that jurisdiction, and seems to have returned to Mississippi.

Elizabeth Ratliff

It is a good bet that Bailey is the ancestor of most of the Chaney families who still reside in the parishes of East Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, Saint Helena and perhaps other surrounding parishes.  He married Elizabeth Ratliff in Franklin Co., MS in 1798.  She was born on Aug. 14,1779 in that county and died on Jul. 4, 1855 in East Feliciana Parish.  Elizabeth is buried at the Bluff Creek Community Cemetery in East Feliciana Parish.  There are other Chaney and Chaney relatives resting in this old burial ground and Bailey may be there as well, but in an unmarked grave.

I know of at least ten children born to Bailey and Elizabeth between 1700 and 1816.

Sarah, born Apr. 27, 1799, died Oct. 30, 1843.  She married Joshua Howell Rollins.

Mary Ryan, born Feb. 19, 1801, died Feb. 21, 1852.  She married first James Hope Allison but I do not believe there were any children from that union.  She married second to Hugh Pinkney Montgomery on Sep. 28, 1821.  He was born on Feb. 3, 1792 in South Carolina, died Feb. 18, 1836 in East Baton Rouge Parish.  She and Hugh had at least six children.

Elizabeth Norris, born May 26, 1802.

William, born Feb. 14, 1804.

Bailey Franklin, born Feb. 16, 1896, died May 8, 1844.  He married Sarah Ann Hooper on Feb. 2, 1833 in Saint Helena Parish.  she was born Apr. 17, 1816 and died Nov. 19, 1897.  She and Bailey may have had as many as six children, but I have found only three.  After Bailey Franklin died, Sarah married Hiram Williams on Nov. 4, 1877 in East Baton Rouge Parish.

James Eliphalet, born Mar. 10, 1808.

David Madison Chaney

David Madison, born May 19, 1809, died Feb. 5, 1859.  David married first to Margaret Newson on Sep. 10, 1829 in East Feliciana Parish.  She was born May 6, 1815, a daughter of Abraham and Lowanzy [sic] Kirby.  At least four children were born to that union.  He married for a second time to Mrs. Winnifred Watson (Winnie) Vincent on Aug. 29, 1837 in Livingston Parish, La.  Winnie died Aug. 23, 1846 but not before presenting David with at least three additional children.  His third wife was Susan Bankston who he married on Oct. 13, 1846 in East Feliciana Parish.  Susan presented David with an additional five children.  David is also buried at Bluff Creek.  I do not know where his three wives are buried.

Olivia Jemima, born Sep. 27, 1812, married John Harrison of Feb. 4, 1834 in East Feliciana Parish.  John died prior to 1860 when Olivia appeared as head of household in the East Feliciana Parish census for that year.  I believe they were parents of at least eight children.

Roxana Mariah, born Sep. 27, 1812.

Olympus Octavia, born Apr. 27, 1816.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.  I also have additional information on some of the grandchildren of Bailey and Elizabeth.


*Mississippi: Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions, and Persons, Arranged in Cyclopedic Form, Southern Historical Publishing Association, 1907, p986

Ellis Empsey Marshall Coffey

In this photo, L-R, is: Herman Herbert Coffey, born Apr. 3, 1902, died c1919; Ellis Empsey Coffey, and Josie Ella Coffey, children of Henry and Sarah Jane.

I have previously written about the parents of Ellis, Henry Kelly (Caleb) and Sarah Jane Gragg Coffey. Ellis was the seventh of 10 children of Henry and Sarah, and was born Sep. 18, 1895 in the Globe township of Caldwell Co., NC.

Ellis married Zora Alice Phillips (marriage date not found, but probably c1920). She was born Dec. 8, 1896 in Ashe Co., NC and died Dec. 24, 1928 in Watauga Co. Her death occurred just about eight months following the birth of Edna Faye, leaving Ellis alone with five children, all under seven years. Zora was buried at Brown's Chapel in Watauga Co.

Sometime shortly after Zora's death he married Hettie Taylor, born Mar. 7, 1907, died Jul. 29, 1972. She is also buried at Browns Chapel.

There were three known children born to this union: John Thomas, born Mar. 4, 1933; Dorothy Louise, born May 1, 1937; and Dan Graham, born Apr. 13, 1939.

The birth record for the first child gives Hettie's surname as Taylor. The records of the next two gives her name as Hettie Harrison. She may have been previously married.

I did find a birth record for a male child born to Hettie Taylor and Ellis Harrison in 1933. This is likely a name entry error because their son John Thomas, was born that year. The given name Ellis for Mr. Harrison is also a bit too coincidental.

Ellis died Apr. 7, 1965 in Watauga Co. His headstone reveals that he was a WW1 veteran and recipient of the Purple Heart medal.

Ellis and Zora were parents of at least five children:

Arthur Henry, born Feb. 8, 1921, died Jul. 16, 1993 in Jefferson Davis Parish, La. In 1930 he was still living with his parents in Watauga Co. I have no further information.

Herman Eugene, born Jun. 20, 1922 in Watauga Co., died Mar. 6, 1989 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC. He married Sally Kate Greer (marriage date not found, but probably late 1940s). Together they were the parents of at least three children: Sam Curtis Coffey, born Oct. 10, 1950; William Ellis Coffey, born Oct. 27, 1952; and Martha Jean Coffey, born Jul. 24, 1957, all in Watauga Co. Sally Kate was the daughter of Arnet and Hazel Snow Eggers Greer and was born Jul. 24, 1930 in Watauga Co.

Twins Ida Mae and Ella May, born Mar. 1, 1924. [Larry Williams, in an e-mail on Nov. 7, 2010, informed me that Ida and Ella were the same person: "Mama disliked Ila (or Ida) so much that when she was grown she listed her name as Ella."

Edna Faye, born Apr. 20, 1928. Edna married Quinton Jones Wheeler on Dec. 6, 1947 in Watauga Co. I have found only one child for them: Mary Adinia Wheeler, born Jul. 17, 1950 in Watauga Co.

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

Photos courtesy Mary Ann Sherfey Westerman

Anson Lafayette and Eliza Jane Coffey Harrison

Anson Lafayette Harrison was born Jul. 6, 1852 in Watauga Co., NC to the union of Joseph Martin and Sarah Jane Critcher Harrison. He married Eliza Jane Coffey, born Feb. 6, 1854 in Watauga Co. to Jesse Calton and Nancy Raines Coffey. She died Oct. 23, 1931 in Watauga Co.

This marriage eventually produced 15 children, only four of which were males. They were:

Newton Leonard, born May 9, 1873, died Jan. 11, 1966
Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 14, 1878, died Oct. 20, 1949
Martha Cal Donnie, born Oct Oct. 18, 1876, died May 8, 1961
James Monroe (Roe), born Apr. 22, 1878, died Jan. 29, 1952
Sarah Elmira Queen, born Jan. 18, 1880, died Feb. 20, 1956
Julia Emma, born Mar. 14, 1882, died Nov. 19, 1946
Zora Lena, born Sep. 18, 1883, died 1952
Doshie Estie, born May 16, 1885, died Mar. 16, 1974
Vettie Vesta, born Feb. 17, 1887, died Feb. 14, 1967
Benjamin Martin, born Oct. 4, 1889, died Jan. 26, 1932
Nomie Bessie, born Jun. 3, 1891, died 1991
Lula Jane, born May 27, 1892, died Oct. 12, 1977
Roxie Belle, born May 23, 1894, died Jul. 9, 1978
Tommie Calton, born Jan. 21, 1896, died Feb. 25, 1896
Lettie Vertia, born Jul. 9, 1898, died Jan. 2, 1912

Please send additions and corrections to me at the e-mail address below.