Colby & Sarah Roberts Rucker

In 1927 Edyth Johns Rucker Whitley put together a rather comprehensive account of the Ruckers in American. By her own admission, Edyth did not set out to provide "a complete history of the family" before they began to arrive on the shores of this country.*

She emphatically states that the origin of the Ruckers was "no doubt a very historical family" and was German. She descended into a short description of when the family originated when a "Sir Knight crusader, John Von Rucker, was granted in 1096 AD¹ a coat-of-arms, dating from the first Crusade."

This book is available to read and download at Ancestry.com.  I will borrow only slightly from it in this outline of the family and their intermarriage with the Coffey and Dalton families of Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. I have not relied on it entirely for Colby's descendants; instead I have relied on several contemporaries who have assisted me over the years while I researched my own Coffee/y ancestry.

Edyth tells us that Colby Rucker was a son of Peter and Sarah Rucker of Culpepper Co., VA. She found no exact date of marriage for Peter and Sarah but speculated that it "must have been about 1759." In 1775 Peter sold his land in Virginia and relocated with Sarah and his children to Mississippi. Through an investigative process Edyth speculates that although no official record has been found that provides Sarah's maiden name, she pretty much convinces researchers that her name was Sarah Cowherd, a daughter of Colby Cowherd whose property adjoined the Ruckers in Culpepper Co.

Colby Rucker was born Oct. 10, 1760 and died on Jan. 20, 1852 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., TN and was buried there at the Rucker Cemetery. He married Sarah Roberts** c1784 and she died c1844, but we do not know where or, the location of her burial.

They had at least eight children; seven of which are believed born in Wilkes Co., and the last in Grainger Co., TN.

The first was Elizabeth. An un-sourced contribution to Coffey Cousins' tells us that she was born  born Jan. 6, 1787 and died Mar. 22, 1855.  She married John Coffey, a son of Benjamin and Polly Hayes Coffey on Mar. 1, 1804 in Wilkes Co.  It is said that 12 children were born to the union but likely there were only ten.  We have no data on two of them:  Jesse T. and George.

The others were Ausburn (var.) who was born on Jan. 11, 1805 and died on Dec. 30, 1876 in Grainger Co. He was married c1830 to Matilda "Tildy" Dalton, a daughter of Enos and Rebecca Williams Dalton. Tildy was born Jan. 30, 1799 in Grayson Co., VA and died in Rockcastle Co., KY on Jan. 30, 1899. Ausburn is buried at the Rucker Cemetery in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., while Tilda died in Rockcastle Co. and was buried in Roundstone, KY at the Scaffold Cane Cemetery. Thirteen children.

Colby, born Aug. 23, 1806 in Wilkes Co., died in Estill Co., KY on Jun. 17, 1888. He was married to Mary Ann "Polly" Adams on May 22, 1830 in Grainger Co., TN. She was born Oct. 6, 1807 in VA, died Sep. 26, 1887 in Estill Co. Both buried at Garrett Cemetery in Jinks, Estill Co. Ten children.

Benjamin, born Feb. 8, 1808 in Wilkes Co., died May 8, 1867 in Rockcastle Co. He married Nancy Hayes c1872 in Hawkins Co., TN.  Nancy was born Jul. 23, 1802 in NC and died in Rockcastle Co. on Feb. 14, 1874.  Both are buried at the Maret Cemetery in Wildie, Rockcastle Co. Ten children

Elizabeth Coffey Whitsett Hayes
Photo via S. Phelps

Elizabeth was born Oct. 14, 1810 in TN and died in Cass Co., MO on Aug. 30, 1883. Her first husband was Nathan P. Whitsett to whom she was married on Dec. 1, 1839. He died in Jan., 1842 in Grainger Co. and she then married her first cousin, George W. Hayes, a son of Thomas and Sarah "Sally" Rucker Hayes. Sally was the daughter of Colby and Sarah Roberts. The marriage occurred on Feb. 23, 1845 in Grainger Co. Both George and Elizabeth are buried at Pleasant Hill in Cass County's Union Baptist Church Cemetery. At least five children.

Nancy, born Jan. 12, 1811 in Grainger Co., died Nov. 20, 1896 in Rockcastle Co.  She never married and in the 1860 census she was enumerated as "insane."  She is buried at the Thomas Jefferson Coffey cemetery near Lake Linville in Rockcastle Co.

John Jackson, born Jan. 12, 1812 in Hancock Co., TN, died Oct. 15, 1877 in Rockcastle Co. His spouse was Elsie Nash, born 1810 in TN and died in Grainger Co. on Jan. 7, 1867. They were married Jul. 7, 1839 in Grainger Co. He is buried at Maret Cemetery in Wildie; she at the Condry Cemetery in Thorn Hill. Elsie was a daughter of Thomas and Dicy Mallicoat Nash. They also had a son named Marvel Nash who married Louisa Wells. Their daughter, Sarah Nash later married Wiley Coffey, son of Ausburn and Tildy Dalton Coffey. A son, Parrot Leon Nash also married Martha Matilda Coffey, a daughter of Wiley and Sarah Nash Coffey. John Jackson and Elsie had seven children.

The Coffey's loved their cousins!

John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey's daughter, Sarah Lucinda, born c1822 in Grainger Co., married William E. (or H.) Coffey on Mar. 21, 1840.  William was the son of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey.  Margaret Rucker and Sarah's mother, Elizabeth Rucker were sisters and, John and George Coffey were brothers.  So, Sarah and William were double first cousins!  Sarah and William had seven children.

Margaret Elizabeth Coffey, born Feb. 28, 1823, probably in Grainger Co., married Isaac Bullen on May 9, 1844 in that county.  He was born Apr. 23, 1802 in TN and died in Rockcastle Co. on Nov. 28, 1896.  Margaret also died in Rockcastle Co.  Margaret was Isaac's second wife.  His first wife was Mary Dotson to whom he was married on Nov. 3, 1829 in Grainger Co.  They had five children, one of which (Hannah) married Elias Henry "Eli" Coffey in 1851 Grainger Co.  He was another son of Ausburn and Tildy Dalton Coffey.  Both Margaret and Isaac are buried at the Thomas Jefferson Coffey Cemetery.  Mary Dotson is buried at the Dotson Cemetery in Grainger Co.

Catherine Coffey, born Apr. 29, 1827 in TN, died Sep. 27, 1914 in Howell Co., MO.  She married a Mr. Sweet in Cass Co., MO.  We know that Catherine is buried at the Langston Cemetery in West Plains, Howell Co. MO, but no clues yet on Mr. Sweet.

William M. Coffey, born Oct. 31, 1828 in TN is the last known child of John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey.  He married Ellen Nash on Jun. 10, 1849 in Rutledge, Grainger Co.  He died on Aug. 9, 1893 in that county; she on Jan. 19,1884.  Unfortunately, I have not yet found where they are buried.

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2/16/2015 Update:

The following is from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application made for the Colby's children.  His pension was denied as no proof existed that he actually served:

United States Department of Interior***

Bureau of Pensions

Rev. and 1812 Wars.         Washington, Nov. 6, 1925

Section R-9061

In response to your letter [presumed to be Whitley] of the second instant, I have the honor to advise you, that from the records of this Bureau it appears that Colby, or Colley Rucker was born October 10, 1760, place not stated.  During the Revolution he lived with his parents, whose names are not on record, on the Mississippi River, near Natchez.  He married soon after the Revolution in Wilkes County, North Carolina, date not given, Sarah Roberts.  He died in Grainger County, Tennessee, January 20, 1852.  His wife died about eight years before he died.  In 1852, their surviving children were:

Mrs. Margaret Coffee, aged sixty-five years.

Mrs. Elizabeth Coffee, aged sixty-seven years.

William Rucker, aged sixty-three years.

Mrs. Sarah Hayes, aged sixty-one years.

Mrs. Nancy Pain or Payne, aged fifty-eight years.

Mrs. Delphia Dalton, aged fifty-six years.

John Rucker, aged fifty-four years.

Mrs. Jane Hayes, aged fifty-one years.

On December 27, 1852, William Hays, or Hayes, soldier's administrator, a resident of Rockcastle County, Kentucky, applied for pension in behalf of the surviving children.  He was also soldier's son-in-law, but it is not stated which daughter was his wife.

It is stated that Colby, or Colley Rucker, enlisted in 1778, or 1770 and served under Captain Alston and Colonel Blunt, ranging up and down the Mississippi River near Natchez, for eighteen months.  After this, while going to North Carolina, he was captured by the British and confined in Savannah between four and six months, before he escaped.

He then went to Wilkes County, North Carolina, where he enlisted and served for three months under Captain John Keyes and Colonel Benjamin Harrald and Colonel Charles McDowell against the Cherokees.  Dates of service not given.

The claim was not allowed as soldier did not render six months service, in an embodied military corps as required by the pension laws.

Very truly yours,

Winfield Scott, Commissioner

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Sources:

¹ The People's Crusade; see http://tinyurl.com/l6b244m

*Neither do I plan to create here a complete descendant list of children and other descendants of Colby.  I will however, be glad to discuss and provide information, including sources, to any researcher who would like to know more about this very large family.

** Was Sarah's surname Roberts or Robins?  According to the website "Robins [Ro-Bynes] Robbins - Clan?" Colby Rucker married Sarah Robins, daughter of John Robins, Jr., and Margaret Strother.

See the wewbsite  http://jimrobins.cherokee-online.com/robins.php as source of following information:

Children of John Robins, Jr. and Margaret Strother:

William Robins, born c. 1745 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died c. 1774 in Orange Cty., Virginia. He was married c. 1766 to Ann Foster, born c. 1744, died 14 June 1833.

Capt. Thomas Robins, born c. 1748 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died bef. 1824 Coffey Cty., Tennessee. He was married on the 24 December 1775 to Mary Foster, she was born abt 1747, died 4 December 1807 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina.

NOTE: Check this link for a surname history for the Foster line: Foster Link

[http://www.fmoran.com/foster.html]

John Robins, born c. 1750 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died (?) in Franklin Cty., Tennessee. He married Elizabeth Dogan in c. 1771 in Orange Cty., Virginia.

NOTE: Check this link for a surname history for the Jones line

[http://www.fmoran.com/wilkes/jones.html]

Reuben Robins, born bet. 1750-1755 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died in 1833 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. He was married on the 29 April 1782 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina to Jane Turner, born c. 1760-70, died c. 1850-60

Mary Robins, born c. 1760 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died (?) in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. She married Joseph Roberts c. 1781.

Ann Robins, born (?) in Orange Cty., Virginia. She married James Sartin c. 1786.

Lucy Robins, born bet. 1755-60 in Orange Cty., Virginia, died bef. 1787 in Wilkes Cty., North Carolina. She married (Benjamin) Brown

Sarah Robins, born (?). She married Colby Rucker c. 1786.

***Microfilm publication M804 (Washington, D.C.: NARA, ), M804, Pension No. R.9061.

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"

Wyatt Coffey

A recent query in the Coffey Ancestry forum wondered about Wyatt Coffey, found in the 1860 Plumas Co., CA census.  After checking my files I found that there was a Wyatt Coffey, born c1835 in TN to Thomas and Mary S. (Polly) Hipshire Coffey for whom I had little information.  I also found a note from a researcher who reported this Wyatt had moved to CA before 1860.  Except for that, she had not provided any additional information.

Other researchers had reported the marriage of Wyatt to Julia A. Hipsher on Oct. 4, 1854 in Grainger Co., TN.  She was the daughter of Colbert and Jane Hayes Hipsher.  Wyatt appears to have abandoned or divorced Julia to head west.  Some years later (Aug. 30, 1883) Julia married Joel Mallicoat in Grainger Co.

A quick search of the census records found Wyatt Coffee, age 25, in the 1860 record for Indian Valley, Quincy PO, Plumas Co., CA.  He was unmarried, living alone, and employed as a "packer."

By 1870 he was married and had two children.  His wife was enumerated as Polly, age 30, an "Indian" born in CA.  Their children were Thomas, age 9, and Martha, age 4, both born in CA and enumerated as "Indian."

The family was still in Plumas Co. in 1880.  Children were Jeff, age 17; Martha, age 15; Ira, age 12; Harry, age 9; Rosa, age 4; and Eda [sic], age 1.  Polly and the children were enumerated as "Indian."

Polly apparently died before 1885 when Wyatt was enumerated in the Clark Co., WA  Terr. census.  W. Coffey, age 45 (or, 49?), born in TN, was a saloon keeper.  In the household was Ira, age 18; Harry, age 14; and Rosa, age 10.

I have not found any further information about Wyatt or any of the children except Rosa.  The 1900 census for Salmon Creek, Clark Co., WA enumerated Rosie E. Coffee [sic], born July 1876 in CA, as a servant in the Andrew Belongia household.  Rosie reported that her father was born in TN and her mother in CA.

A check of the WW1 draft registration cards found an Ira Coffey, age 24, in Vancouver, WA.  He was born Jun. 26, 1892 in Vancouver, and was probably not the son of Wyatt and Polly.

Note that in The Edward Coffey Project I have mis-identified this Wyatt as having enlisted in the CSA on Sep. 15, 1862 at Richmond, VA.  The Wyatt that enlisted was the son of Edmund and Martha Snead of Nelson Co., VA.  The correction will be made in the next update of that project.

Anyone with additional information or corrections can contact me at the above e-mail address, or leave a comment in the space below.