John D. Coffey

John D. Coffey - the "D" may stand for David or Davis - was a son of Ananias and Jane Hindman Coffey. He was born Sep. 16, 1821* in KY and married Sarepta (var.) Chambers on Nov. 30, 1852.**  John is said to have died in 1859, but likely a bit earlier.  Sarepta married for a second time on Oct. 30, 1859 to Berry Coomer, born c1818 in Stokes Co., NC.  This couple remained in Adair Co. before moving to Cumberland Co. in 1900.

Sarepta and John D. had three children, all born in Adair Co.:

Coffey-Hurt Marriage Record #1

Coffey-Hurt Marriage Record #2

John W. was born Sep. 12, 1853, married Millie Hurt on Jan. 21, 1878 in Edmonton, Metcalfe Co., KY.  Millie was born Jan. 3, 1849 in KY and died in Cumberland Co. on Jun. 18, 1927.  John died on Aug. 1, 1935 in the Cole Camp Pct. of Cumberland Co.  Both are buried at White Hill Baptist Church Cemetery near Burkesville in Cumberland Co. The family appeared in the 1900 through the 1930 (John was then a widower) census but, I have been unable to find them in 1880.  I believe they had at least five children:  William D., born Apr., 1880, who remained unmarried and with his father until John died; James D., Jennie M., Winnie J., and Mary S.  I have not found any marriage records for the children.

Julia Coffey Marriage Record

Julia Ann, born Dec. 5, 1855, married George A. McKinney on Jan. 6, 1880 in Columbia Co.  George was born in KY in Aug., 1842.  Their children were George L., Leonard J., Sarepta P., and Lydia B.  There could also be more that I have not yet found.  They were in Columbia in 1880 and Gradyville in 1900, both places in Adair Co.

Third and last child was Lloyd M., born Mar. 21, 1857, died 1910 in Cumberland Co.  He married Julia A. Lacy c1883.  They had only one child that lived to adulthood; Ellis M., born c1895 in Cumberland Co.  Julia, born Apr., 1856 in KY, died on May 23, 1928 in that county.  Both she and Lloyd are buried at the West Fork Cemetery in Cumberland Co.






Sarah Chambers Coffey Coomer had several more children with Berry but I have not yet tracked them down.

Updates and corrections are appreciated.

Jack

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*Coffey Cousins Newsletter, Vol. 44, Sep., 1991, Page 13 citing the the Coffey-Hindman Bible then in possession of Mrs. Clara Gowen; pub. 1790 in Edinburg by Mark and Charles Kerr, His Majesty's printers. Copied by James O. Gowen, Oct. 2, 1978


**Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records, Microfilm (1852-1919), roll #994037-994058, KY Department of Libraries and Archives, Frankfort, KY; Name: John D Coffey Age: 31 Est. Birth Year: abt 1821 Residence: Russell Spouse Name: Sarpety Chambers Spouse Age: 23 Est. Spouse Birth Year: abt 1829 Spouse Birth Location: Barren Marriage Date: 30 Nov 1852 Marriage Location: Adair County of Record: Adair

Dr. Edmond Aurelius Coffey

Edmond Aurelius Coffey was a son of Lewis and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey, born Mar. 3, 1810 in North Carolina, died Aug. 28, 1895 in Aubrey, Denton Co., TX.  He is buried at Belew Cemetery in Aubrey.*

He married Dianah Bagby c1830, probably in NC where she was born on Jan. 27, 1811 to Edmond and Nancy Ann Martin Bagby.  Dianah died in 1889 in Etowah Co., AL and was buried at Union No. 3 Baptist Church Cemetery at Ballplay, Etowah Co.

Many researchers believe the family first settled in Gwinnett Co., GA where their 12 children were born.  The 1840 census for that county does show an Edmon Coffee with 2 males under 5; 1 male, age 5 to 9; 1 male, 30-39; 1 female under 5; 2 females, age 5-9; and 1 female, age 20-29.  The census also counted 8 slaves at the residence.

Census records for 1850 and 1860 show the family residing in Cherokee Co., GA.  In 1870 they were in Etowah Co and, 1880 in Blount Co.  Sometime shortly after Dianah's death, Dr. Coffey relocated to Denton Co., TX, perhaps to join number seven son, Aurelius (1842-1918) who was in the Denton Co. census of 1880 and 1900 and who died there in 1918.

There were twelve children born to Edmond and Dianah:

Their first was Edmund Bagby, born Jan. 1, 1831, died before 1870 in AL.  He married Melissa Jane Sewell, born c1831 in GA.  Their marriage was between 1850 when Melissa was living with her widowed mother in Cherokee Co., AL, and 1854 when their first child Frances was born.  Their other children were:  Sarah Malinda, born 1856 in Cherokee Co., died Sep. 4, 1918 in Blount Co., AL; Lydia Jane, born 1858 in St. Claire Co., AL, died Jan. 8, 1926 in Etowah; and Rachel B., born c1859.  There may have been others; these are all I know of.

Second born was Elizabeth Ann on Aug. 27, 1832, died Aug. 8, 1877 in AL.  She married Elisha Trimble Walker c1854 and had at least seven children:  Nancy; Josephine, Benjamin; Webster; Aurelius; Martha and Elizabeth.

Next was Loany who married William Woodard. She was born 1835, died Jan. 12, 1894 in Chepultepec, Blount Co.   Her children were Dianah, born 1854; Jesse T., born c1857; Edmund, born c1859; and William M., Jr., born 1862, died 1930.

Benjamin L., born May 3, 1836, death date unknown. He married Lucy Shields, born c1852 in GA.  Their children were Elizabeth, Edmond John; Nancy Walker; and Asberry Aurelius.  Probably others that I have not yet located.  Asberry Aurelius died in Denton Co., TX in 1951.

Sarah Caroline followed c1838.  She married John W. Tidmore, born in AL c1846.

Webster Gilbert was born Jun. 20, 1840 and died in Etowah Co. in 1911.  He married Louise Evaline Tidmore, possibly brother to John, c1865.  She was born Jan. 22, 1845 in AL and died in Etowah Co. in 1935.  They were the parents of 12:  James Henry; John Adams; William Thomas; Anna Elizabeth; Webster Gernagin; Edmond Columbus; Buddy J. [who probably died an infant]; Minnie Luella; Martha Jane; Nancy Victoria; Jesse L.; Mary Evergreen; Grover Cleveland; and General.

Aurelius, born Mar. 9, 1842, died Jan. 7, 1918 in Denton Co., TX.  His wife was Grace Penelope Hodges, born Oct. 4, 1844 in AL, died shortly after her husband, on Jun. 1, 1918 in Aubrey.  Their children were:  Wm Riley; Edmund Harrison; James Madison; Francis; Kathryn; Bertha Maurine; Cora and Tommy.  The first four were born in AL, perhaps Etowah Co.; the last four in Denton Co., TX.

Child number 8 was Thomas Arvil, born Jun. 30, 1843, died Mar. 9, 1917 in Pontotoc Co., OK.  His wife was Hannah Henson, born in AL c1845, died Aug., 1914 in Pontotoc Co.  Their children were:  Nathan; Mary D., Thomas; Henry Gilbert; Mettie Ellen; James Martin; John Thomas; Aurelius; and Walter Curtis.

James Madison was next.  He was born Jun. 4, 1845, died in 1922, perhaps in TX.  His wife was Elizabeth Susan Caddell, born 1847 in AL.  They married in Etowah Co. in 1867.  Chidren:  Lewis Edmond; Lemuel A; Basil C; Amanda Evergreen; Aurelius; one unnamed son (1878-1879); Mallie Jane; Laura Valera; James R.; Barbara Elizabeth; and Dessie Victoria.

Eliza Jane, born 1847, died 1915.  She married John Boone McKinney on Sep. 19, 1868 in Etowah Co.  He was born c1847 and died c1884.  Children were:  John Thomas; Edmond James; William Webster; Benjamin Aurelius; Dinah Elizabeth; Samuel Washington; and Lorena Martha Creacy Evergreen [sic].

No. 11 was Martha, born 1850, died c1920.  Her husband was Perry E. Daily, born 1853 in AL.  They were married Aug. 4, 1872 in Blount Co., AL.  Children:  Edmond; Mary; Ellen, and William.

The last child born to Edmond and Dianah was Chaney Evergreen on Dec. 28, 1852.  No other info has been found and, she likely died in infancy.

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*Gloria B. Mayfield Project Mgr, "Cemeteries of Denton County Texas", database, Cemeteries of Texas, Cemeteries of Denton County Texas (http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/etx/denton/listdenton.html).

More information about this family and their descendants is available on the Edward Coffey Project DVD.

Samuel and Mildred "Milley" Coffey Coleman

Samuel Coleman was born c1752 in Albemarle Co., VA to James and Elizabeth Leake Coleman.  According to one Todd County Kentucky history1, Samuel was a Rev. War veteran, a Todd Co. pioneer and a grandson of Samuel Coleman and his wife Ann Mourning Christian.

James and Elizabeth had at least two other children; Maskey2, born c1750 who was married c1780 to Bartlett Fitzgerald, a native of Orange Co., Virginia.  Bartlett was the son of John Joseph and Mary Hawkins Bartlett Fitzgerald and a brother to Benjamin Hawkins Fitzgerald who married Jane Coffey, a daughter of William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey of Nelson Co., VA.  Readers may recall that Jane is considered to be the mother of Jordan Coffey, founder of "Coffeytown."

Maskey's sister was Lucy who married Evan Thomas Watson (1759 VA-1834 Bowie Co., TX) on Jan. 4, 1772 in Albemarle Co., VA.  They named a son Coleman Watson, born Jan. 23, 1800 in Logan Co., KY, died Jul. 6, 1876 in Grayson Co., TX.  There is a problem with either Evan's birth date or their marriage date.  The dates given here mean that Evan married at age 12!

In any event, Coleman Watson married his first cousin Lucy Mildred Coleman, the daughter of Samuel and Mildred Coffey Coleman, in Kentucky on Sep. 23, 1821.  They were parents to at least nine children:  Morton Price; Emily E.; Mary Susan; Samuel, Jr.; Evan Thomas; Lucy Ann; Louisa Jane; Nancy Margaret and Edward A.

Another daughter of Samuel and Mildred Coffey Coleman was Elizabeth Leake Coleman - obviously named for her paternal grandmother.  Elizabeth was born on May 6, 1786, probably in Virginia, and died Aug. 2, 1862, probably in Texas.  She married Collin McKinney, a man who was destined to become a Texas legend.  An article in a Daughters of the Republic of Texas source on Collin3, submitted by member Maryln Jones Cherry, reads:

Collin McKinney (1766-1861) was born in New Jersey, the second of 10 children born to Daniel McKinney (1735-1809) and Mercy Blatchley (1745-1825).  He married twice and had 10 children.  Proor to 1824, his adult life was spent in Tennessee and Kentucky, where he owned a trading post and managed the vast Nashville estates of George W. Campbell, who had been appointed by President Madison as Minister to Russia.

In 1824, Collin, with his brother, Daniel and their families, began the long trek down the Southwest Trail, first settling in Arkansas, believing themselves to be in Texas, later moving to present Bowie and Red River counties.  On Aug. 4, 1830, Collin McKinney took the oath and signed the Register of the Wavell Red River Colony, Aug. 4, 1830 [sic].

He became the close confidant of Benjamin Rush Milam, a fellow Kentuckian, and the first survey Milam ran from his new land office was for Collin McKinney in present Bowie County.  Collin's youngest daughter, Elizabeth, married Milam's nephew, Jefferson Milam, a surveyor for Wavell County.  In 1835, when Ben Milam journeyed to Moncolva, Mexico with the colonists' land petitions, he left his business and personal papers in care of his friend, Collin McKinney.  (The original document signed by the Red River colonists each pledging $5 toward Milam's expenses is the McKinney-Milam Papers at the University of Texas at Arlington.)  By December of that year, Santa Anna's invasion of Texas was well underway; the Red River Colony was asked to raise $200 to equip a company of riflemen to join Sam Houston's army.

In January 1836, a mass meeting was held at Collin McKinney's plantation to elect five delegates to attend the general convention 300 miles away at Washington-on-the-Brazos on March 1, 1836.  Collin, age 70, was the oldest elected delegate and was destined to outlive most of his colleagues.  He traveled with Richard Ellis, who was elected president of the convention.

Collin McKinney was one of five men to draft the Texas Declaration of Independence, and as the oldest of the 59 signers, was presented the signing pen.  He represented Red River settlements in four congresses of the Republic of Texas.  During his 95 years, he was a planter, land surveyor, developer, merchant, deacon, lay preacher, politician and a citizen of eight different governments - born a subject of King George III of England; a citizen of the Thirteen colonies; a citizen of the United States; a citizen of Mexico; a citizen of the Provisional Government established by Texans in 1835; a citizen of the Texas Republic; after annexation, again a citizen of the U.S.; and when death came in 1861, it found him (against his will) a citizen of the Southern Confederacy.

Along with his nephew, H. C. McKinney, he was active in establishment of the Disciples of Christ Church in his last home community.  The Rev. G. Gates, a visiting minister from Indiana, in a letter to his church journal, wrote:  "Brother McKinney, an old disciple from Kentucky...noted for his integrity, hospitality and good works as a Christian, is the natural elder to preside over his flock...The old gentleman had a number of slaves who are, I believe, members of the church and love their master as they would a father."  Archibald Burton, a cousin back in Lincoln County, KY, wrote to Collin, "Collin McKinney, I want to see you more than any man alive."  The town of McKinney and Collin County are name for this remarkable Texas Pioneer.

Collin and Elizabeth Leake Coleman McKinney had a number of children, including:  William C., Annie, Amy, Peggy, Elisa and Younger Scott.

I believe some of the Colemans, McKinneys, Coffeys and Watsons must have known some of my own Coffee family members.  Some of them must have moved together into Arkansas down the Southwest Trail into Hempstead Co., AR, as well as into Bowie and Red River Counties in TX.  My paternal great-grandmother, Mary Elizabeth Bowman Coffee married a Watson in Bowie Co. following the loss of her first husband, James M. Coffee.  Her father and grand-father (Joseph and Jesse Bowman, respectively) are known to have been in those counties in the same period, and were active in the battle for Texas independence.

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1Todd County Kentucky Family History, Vol. 1, Turner Publishing Co., Paducah, KY 1995, p161
2Apparently named for her maternal grandmother, Judith Mask or, perhaps her uncle, Mask Coleman
3Daughters of the Republic of Texas, Compilers, Daughters of the Republic of Texas: Texas History, Vol. 1 of many (New York & Nashville: Turner Publishing Co., n.d.), Page 192.

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.