Winright Shockley & Martha Emaline Coffey

The Coffey, Dalton, Harville, Rucker, and Shockley families have close family ties in Grainger Co., TN.  A researcher cannot concentrate on one of those families without also considering each of the others.  

It's impossible!  

Don't believe that?

Consider the following:

Winright Shockley, a son of Booker and Hannah Ann Dalton Shockley, married Martha Emaline Coffey, daughter of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey.  Winright and "Emily" were married on Feb. 20, 1851 in Grainger Co. and had at least eight¹ children:

Martha Jane Shockley married Thomas Coffey.  Their daughter Viola married Pleasant Dalton in 1912

George Winright Shockley married Harried Harville and they had a son, James Henry who married Cora Dalton in 1895. Their son James Nathan married Mayme Harville, daughter of Hugh Harville and Lillie M. Coffey.

Wyatt W. Shockley married Virginia Rucker, daughter of Perry Rucker and Minerva Latham.  They had at least six children and of those found to date, none are known to have married any of the above surnames.  Wyatt and family remained in Grainger Co. thru 1900 but by 1910 they were living in Bailey, Fannin Co., TX.  Wyatt died thee in 1910; Virginia in 1939.

Mahala Shockley married Collins Calvin Coffey, son of Caswell and Martha Campbell Coffey in 1883.  Their daughter married Buford Enderson Shockley in 1912.  Buford's parents are unknown to me.

William Berry Shockley married Eliza Jane Coffey in 1885.  She was the daughter of Thomas Nelson and Cornelia Coffey Coffey.

Jincey Shockley married Berry Wisdom Coffey in 1887. Their son Nathaniel married Pearly Dalton, daughter of Ira and Sarah Manerva Dalton Dalton. Nathaniel's daughter Dorsie Ellen Coffey married Esco Dalton, son of Hugh and Minnie Dalton Dalton. Stella May, another daughter of Nathaniel married Thea Coffey, son of Everett Elbert and Leva Lois Dalton Coffey.

Winright's last child, Elizabeth "Bettie" Shockley married Pleasant Dalton in 1888.  "Pleas" was a son of Hiram and Catherine Howerton Dalton. Hiram was a son of Timothy and Delphia Coffey Dalton. Timothy was a son of Reuben and Nancy Elizabeth Shockley Dalton and Delphia was a daughter of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey.

This is just one such family.  It is a small sampling of how these families joined with and shared their families over the years.  

I'm certain had I chosen to go back a few more generations, or had come forward one or two more, I would have found many examples within this select group where ancestors and/or descendants intermarried with the same family of surnames.

There are perhaps a few hundred examples in my Edward Coffey Project of how these families intermarried and how, until today, they still cherish each other.

Want to know more?  Contact me!

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¹They also had a daughter named Rutha, born c1865.  I have not yet found info about her.

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"

Children of William Brownloe and Mary Young Coffey

A couple of days ago I wrote about this family. William was a son of John C. & Martha White Coffey of which I wrote about earlier today. Mary "Mollie" was the daughter of George and Sarah "Sallie" Lee Young.

Today I decided to add a little more info about the children:

Walter Chandler, born c1920 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., died Aug., 28, 2001 in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN.

His obituary:

Chandler Coffey, 82, 700 Milligan Highway, Johnson City, died unexpectedly Tuesday, August 28, 2001, at Johnson City Medical Center.

Mr. Coffey was a native of Grainger County, Tenn. He was of the Protestant faith and was a retired worker from the Dawn of Hope Workshop.

Survivors include a sister, Bonnie Coffey, Greeneville, and a niece, Vickie Smith, Greeneville.

Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, (423) 543-4917, is in charge of arrangements. Visit our Web site at www.Funeral-Plans.com/Tetrick

COFFEY -- Graveside services for Chandler Coffey, 82, 700 Milligan Highway, Johnson City, who died Tuesday, August 28, 2001, will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, August 31, at Coffey Ridge Cemetery, Unicoi, with the Rev. Ross Lindley officiating. Active pallbearers will be selected from family and friends. Honorary pallbearers will be Jerry Correll and David Morrison. Everyone will meet at the cemetery at 10:55 a.m. Friday for the graveside service. Friends may call from noon until 8 p.m. Thursday, August 30, at Tetrick Funeral Home, Riverside Chapel. Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to ARC of Washington County, 2700 S. Roan Street, Suite 300 B, Johnson City, Tenn. 37601, Attn: Lorie Copas. Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, is in charge of arrangements.

Cecil G., born c1922, died young.  No other information.

John Henry, born c1924 in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN, died Mar.  1, 2008 in Grainger Co.

His obituary:

John H. Coffey, age 84, of Bean Station,Tennessee went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 1, 2008. He was a member of Yellow Springs Baptist Church. He was a good husband and father and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Mollie Coffey; brothers, Kyle and Chandler; and sisters, Viola (Rick) (Ralph) Hatfield and Martha Sloan.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Susie Howerton Coffey; sons, Danny Coffey and Earl (Charlotte) Coffey; brother, Rhisteen of Morristown; sisters, Vioma McKinney of Indiana, and Fern Manning of Ohio; four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one great great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at Westside Chapel Funeral Home, Morristown,Tennessee with the Rev. Vance Dennis Johnson, the Rev. Bill Johnson, and the Rev. Ray Seal officiating. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 5, at First Independent Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the services at the funeral home. Arrangements by Westside Chapel Funeral Home in Morristown, Tennessee.

Addie Viola "Rick" Coffey Hatfield, born Mar 25, 1925, died Jun. 2, 1989.

Her obituary:

Addie Viola (Coffey) Hatfield, 64 of 7923 Shartz Road, Franklin, died June 2 at her home. She was a native of Thornhill, Tennessee. Born in 1925 to William and Molly (Young) Coffey. Survivors include two daughters, Lisa Hatfield, Springboro, and Sharon Seabald, Dayton; two brothers, Chandler, Knoxville, TN; John, Bean Station, TN; three sisters: Cecil, Knoxville, TN; Vioma (Oma) (Floyd) Mckinney, Marion,Indiana and Martha Sloan, Bellefontaine, Ohio; one half-sister, Fern McQueary, Franklin; four grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her son Dale Hatfield in 1970 and her husband, Ralph in April 1988.

Services were June 5 at the Eaton-Anderson Funeral Home, Franklin with the Rev. Delbert Dawes officiating. Burial was in Woodhill Cemetery, Franklin, Warren County, Ohio.

 Martha Vioma "Oma" Coffey, born c1927.  No other info.

Martha Jean "Marty" Coffey Sloan, Jul. 27, 1929, Harlan Co., KY, died Dec. 5, 1989 in Bellfonatine, Logan Co., OH.

Her obituary:

Martha J. Sloan,1177 Erie St.was born on July 27th,1929 to Bill Coffey and Mollie Young Coffey in Harlan County, Kentucky.

Mrs.Sloan died Tuesday, Dec. 5th,1989 in Bellefontaine,Ohio,at age 60.

She married John M. "Hank" Sloan on June 11, 1966 in Bellefontaine,Ohio.

Funeral services will be conducted at Eichholtz Funeral Home Friday at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Keith McNeill will officiate and burial will be at the Rushsylvania Cemetery.

Friends may call at the funeral home from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.

Mrs. Sloan was a former employee of Westinghouse Corporation in Bellefontaine. She was a member of the BPOElks 132 and the auxiliaries of F.O.E. 2166 and Frank Castle Post 1066, VFW.

She was the sister of Walter Chandler Coffey, Cecil G.Coffey, John Henry (Susie) Coffey, Viola (Rick) (Ralph) Hatfield ,Vioma (Oma) Coffey (Floyd) McKinney, Fern Young (Bill) McCeary (George) Manning, Mary Francis Young (Ben) Scearce, Paul Bunch and Ruth Bunch.

Survivors include two sons, Richard Dearwester of DeGraff and Craig Dearwester of Bellefontaine; two daughters, Mrs. Donald (Connie) Cardwell of Marysville and Mrs. Joseph (Valerie) Wise of Bellefontaine; and eight grandchildren.

Thanks to Barbara Rushing of Bradenton, FL for permission to use these.

William Brownloe Coffey

The following family information and photographs are courtesy of Barbara Hutchinson, Bradenton, FL

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William Brownloe Coffey was a son of John C. & Martha Wyatt Coffey.  John was a son of Richardson, and he a son of Benjamin and Nancy Hayes Coffey.  William was born on March 7, 1900 at Bean Station in Grainger Co., TN and died in Mooresburg, Hawkins Co., TN on Mar. 31, 1977.  He is buried at Meadow Branch Cemetery in Bean Station.

His wife, Mary "Mollie" Young, a daughter of George and Sarah "Sallie" Lee Young, was born March 14, 1905 in Tazewell, Claiborne Co., TN and died in Middletown, Butler Co., OH on Feb. 19, 1944.  She is buried at Woodhill Cemetery in Franklin, Warren Co., OH.

I do not have a marriage date for William and Mollie, but probably around 1918 to 1919.

Together they had six children:

Walter Chandler, born 1920 in Thorn Hill, died Sep. 28, 2001 at Johnson City in Washington Co., TN.  He is buried at Coffey Ridge Cemetery in Unicoi, Unicoi Co., TN.

Cecil G. - no information

John Henry, born 1924 in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN, died Mar. 1, 2008 in Grainger Co.  He is buried at the First Independent Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery in Bean Station.  His wife was Susie Howerton.

Martha Vioma "Oma" - no information.

Addie Viola "Rick", born May 25, 1925 in Thorn Hill, died Jun. 2, 1989 in Franklin, Warren Co., OH.  She married Ralph Hatfield and had two children, Paul and Ruth.  "Rick" is buried at Franklin, Warren Co., OH in the Woodhill Cemetery.

Martha Jean "Marty", born Jul. 27, 1929 in Harlan Co., KY, died Dec. 5, 1989 at Bellefontaine, Logan Co., OH.  She is buried in the Rushsylvania cemetery in Logan Co.  "Marty" married John M. "Hank" Sloan.

More on this family in a later blog.