Joshua & Martha "Patsy" Coffey Stapp

A recent e-mail asking for possible documentation of the marriage between Joshua and Patsy resulted in my attempt to again locate any documentation that FamilySearch.org might now have.  Unfortunately, I found none.  But, checking for on-line books through Google I found a couple of other references to this family that might be beneficial to researchers.  I have taken the liberty of altering/correcting spelling of some verbiage in the will to allow it to be more easily read.

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Joshua, probably a son of Abraham Stapp and Dorothy Moss, appears to have been born in Essex Co., VA c1687 and married Martha, a daughter of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey, between 1718 and 1721 in Essex Co.  The earliest references to this marriage that I am aware of can be found in the Laurence H. Coffey book, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants, published by Newell Sanders, Chattanooga, 1931 and, The Stapp/Stapp Families of America by Henry P. Scalf in 1976.  Joshua died c1783 in Orange Co., VA and left a will there in Will Book 3, pages 54-55.¹

Orange County Will Book 3, Page 54-55

"In the Name of God Amen I, Joshua Stapp of the County of Orange being in perfect health and sound sense of memory and mindful of the uncertainty of this life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I give my soul to almighty God who gave it me trusting in Jesus Christ for the remission of my sins and as for what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow me I give in manner and form following Viz.

"Item my will and desire is that my Negro man and newswoman be both free and at their own disposal and if there should be any charges required by the Court towards their being legally set free from Bondage then my will is that such charges be paid out of my estate.

"Item my will is that my grandson Achillies Stapp have my Negro woman Cate.

"Item I give the residue of my Estate not already mentioned to be divided between the persons whose names I hereafter mention my Grandson Achillies Stapp my Grand daughter Lucy Willhoit (? ) my Grand daughter Sarah Creel and my Grand daughter Martha Hubbard to them and their heirs forever.

"Item my will is that my Estate not be sold but be appraised and divided according to appraisement.

"Lastly I constitute and appoint my Grandson Achillies Stapp Executor to this my last will and testament revoking all former wills byme made acknowledging this to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and Seal this 19th day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty Two.

"Signed Sealed and Published In Presence of John Dayne,John Wayt Joshua X Stapp (SS) , William Wyat Mark

"At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday 27th March 1783 This last will and testament of Joshua Stapp Dec'd being presented into Court by Achillis Stapp Executor therein named And proved by the oaths of John Wait and William Wait Two of the witnesses hereto And Ordered to be recorded And on the motion of the said Executor who made oath According to law Certificate is granted him for Obtaining Probate thereof in due form whereupon he with Robert ? MIller his Security Entered into Bond for the same in"The sum of Two thundered and fifty pounds. Teste James Taylor C.O.C."

Orange Co. VA. Deed Book 16 pg. 352-353 Aug. 13, 1773

"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving have given and granted and by these present do give grant & confirm unto my son Joshua Stapp of Said County one Negro Man named Marrick to him and his heirs forever and also one Negro Woman Named Frank Ide (?) give to the said Joshua Stapp Junior during his life and after the Decease of the said to be with their increase divided equally between the children of the said Joshua Stapp and Hannah his wife forever and by these present to be do warrant the said Negroes to the said Joshua Stapp his heirs executors Administrators or Assigns forever from any person or persons whatever Claiming any Rights or Title to the said Negroes or either of them Virtue to my hand and Seal this Thirteenth day of August Anno Dom 1773.

"William Bell his Joshua X Stapp (SS), Thomas Burbridge mark , John Stabler (?) at a Court held for Orange County the 28th of September 1773 this Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Joshua Stapp Junior was proved by the Oaths of William Bell Thomas Burbrige and John Stabler Witness thereto and Ordered to be Recorded. Test James Taylor C.O.C.”

Pg. 353:

"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye thatI the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving have given and granted and by these present do give grant & confirm unto my son Thomas Stapp of Said County During Life One Negro Man named James and One Negro Woman named Minn (?) and after the Decease to be equally divided between the Children of the Said Thomas Stapp and Ann his wife with their increase forever and by these presents do warrant the said Negroes to the said Thomas Stapp during life and after his decease to the heirs of the said Thomas and Ann his wife for ever from _____ Claims of any person or Persons to ha (?) Claiming any Rights for (?) The said Negroes or either of them. Witness my hand and Seal this fourteenth day of August Anno Dom 1773. In the presence of William Bell his Thomas Burbridge Joshua X Stapp (SS), John Stabler mark"

"At a Court held for Orange County the 28th of September, 1773 This Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Thomas Stapp was proved by the Oaths of William Bell Thomas Burbridge and John Staler Witness there and Ordered to be Recorded , Test James Tayler C.O.C. "

Pg. 393-394

"To all Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving but more Especially for the Love and good will I have unto my son James Stapp have given and granted and by these present do give grant bargain & confirm unto my son James Stapp one Negro man named Abraham and one Negro woman named Bel lone Negro boy named Abraham one Negro girl named Bell and for the above Consideration do give freely and Clearly the above said four Negroes and their Increase to my said son James Stapp and his heirs forever and by Virtue of this present writing do warrant the said Negroes with their Increase."  "Tomy said son James Stapp and his heirs Executors Administrator from the Just Claim right or title of any person or persons whatever having or lawfully claiming the same or part thereof in Witness whereof I the said Joshua Stapp Senior have here to set my hand seal this 23rd day of December Anno Dom One thousand Seven hundred and Seventy five. . Signed Sealed and Delivered his Inthe presence off Joshua X Stapp, William Sims , Thomas Stapp , Thomas X Stapp, Killes Stapp" 

"At a court held for Orange County on Thursday the 22nd of February 1776. This Deed of gift from Joshua Stapp to James Stapp proved by the oaths of Wm. Sims Tho. Stapp and Tho. Stapp junior thereof the Witnesses hereto and Ordered to be recorded. Test James Taylor C.O.C. " 

Deed Book 16 pg. 394 

"Toll Christian People to whom this presents writing Shall Come I Joshua Stapp Sener of Orange County Sendeth Greeting Know ye that I the said Joshua Stapp Sener for Divers good Causes and valuable considerations me hereunto moving but Especially for the Love and good will I bare unto my Granddaughter Elizabeth Sims of Albemarle County have given and Granted and by these presents do give grant bargain and Confirm unto my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Sims one Negro boy named Ben and for the above Consideration do give freely and Clearly the above said Negro boy to my said Grand daughter Elizabeth Sims to her and her heirs forever and by Virtue of this present Writing do warrant the said Negro boy tomy said Grand Daughter Elizabeth Sims and her heirs Executors Administrators from the Just Claim Right or Title of any person or persons whatever having or Lawfully Claiming the same in Witness whereof I the said Joshua Stapp Sener have hereunto my hand and Seal this 3 of December Anee Dom One thousand Seven hundred and seventy five . In the presence off : Joshua Stapp, William Sims ,Tho. Stapp , Tho's Stapp , Killes Stapp"

 "At a Court held for Orange County on Thursday the 25th of February 1776 This Deed of Gift from Joshua Stapp to Elizabeth Sims was proved by the Oaths of William Sims Tho's Stapp and Tho's Stapp Junr. Three of the Witnesses hereto and Ordered to be Recorded , Test James Taylor C.O.C." 

Researchers believe that Joshua and Martha had at least eight children, they being:

Joseph who married Elizabeth Lucas and had (at least) Joshua, Elizabeth and Sally and died after 1775.

John, born between 1720 and 1722, died at Culpepper, VA in 1751.  He married Ann Salmon, born c1710 in Spotsylvania Co., VA.

Joshua, Jr., born c1724, died in Jun., 1814; married Hannah Durham and had children Achilles, Thomas, Lucy and James.  Achilles married Margaret Vawter on Nov. 27, 1782 in Orange Co.² Thomas married Elizabeth "Betsy" Barbridge or Burbridge on Jan. 4, 1779 in Orange Co.³  Lucy married John Wilhite.

Eve Stapp married Anthred Salmon.

Anester, born c1728 married Capt. William Sims and had at least one child, Elizabeth, born in Albemarle Co., VA. [Scalf].

Elizabeth, born c1729 in VA, married William Morris c1746, [Scalf]

Thomas married Ann Lucas. [Scalf]  Thomas came into possession of 200 acres of land from his brother Joseph of Orange Co. Joseph had married Elizabeth, the daughter of William Lucas and the land was her inheritance. It is said to have been "lying on both sides of Marsh Run." See Orange Co. deed book 13, page 331. The relationship between Ann and Elizabeth is not known.

Scalf also reports that a son named James was born c1731 but offers no other information. James is mentioned in his father's will.

Some researchers claim an additional three daughters were born to the union but, no documentation has been produced.

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Sources:

¹ See also Orange Co., VA Deed Book 16, pages 352-353 dated Aug. 13, 1773
² "Virginia, Orange County Marriage Records, 1757-1938" at FamilySearch.org
³ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940" at FamilySearch.org.  See also Virginia County Records: Miscellaneous County Records, Wm Armstrong Crozier, p169 as well as Johnston, Stapp and Allied Families, Jennie F. Downing Crow, 1979, Page 18

James Bert "Jim" Blunt, Jr.

This photo is from my personal family collection.[1]  He is James Bert "Jim" Blunt, Jr., son of Jim, Sr. and his wife Alpha Anne Delafield.  Jim, Jr. was born Oct. 18, 1882 in Sarepta, Webster Parish, LA and died on Aug. 24,1933 in Rush Springs, Grady Co., OK.

He married Miss Isabelle Allison in Rush Springs on Mar. 12, 1911.  She was born Nov. 14, 1892 in Chockie, Atoka Co. OK to Charles Edward and Irene E. Glossup Allison.  She died in Jacksonville, Cherokee Co., TX on May 12, 1967.  Both are buried at Rush Springs Cemetery.

Jim, Jr. was to me both a first cousin, twice removed and, a second cousin, twice removed.  On the Blunt side, he descended from Hugh R. Blunt (1822-1877) and his wife Mary Ann Bishop.  Hugh was also married to Mary Ann's younger sister, Bonita Bishop from whom I descend.  And, we both descend from James R. and Peninah Walker Bishop of Lawrence Co., MS.

My descent from Hugh and Beneta is through their daughter, Amanda (1859-1936).  She married James Monroe Braley and their daughter, Ora (1884-1984) married A. L. Coffee and were my paternal grandparents.

I like this photo for a several reasons.  First, it is large, in focus and without defect (spots, folds, etc.).  Another reason is his clothing.  He is wearing a conventional necktie, white shirt and suit.  His hat sits back on his head, giving full exposure to his face.  It was probably taken in the mid-to-late 1920's.

He is wearing leather wrist cuffs and gloves.  The flashlight, along with his watch and fob must have been prized possessions. I have seen portrait-like period photos in which the men were displaying pistols or rifles but, I have never seen one with the subject holding a flashlight.  The mustache was de rigueur.

Jim, Jr and Isabelle had four children:

Myrtle (1912-1999) who married Verdie Hiram Morris and had children James Vernor and Joyce.

Hazel Relura (1913-1994) who married Clarence David Roberts and had children James Bert and Clarence David.

Clifford Edward "Cliff," (1916-1997) who married Mary Louise Fausett.  No known children.

DeAlva (1928-living) who married Robert Eugene Eitelman (1926-1986).  Four chidlren, three still living.  Their first, James Robert was born Oct. 19, 1947 and died the next day.

Jack

[1] I received the photo through a cousin who received it from Jim Jr's daughter, DeAlva.

Liston Pancoast Coffey

Liston Pancoast - an odd combination of names - was born to Albert G. and Elizabeth F. Goodhue Coffey on Feb. 7, 1869 in Russell Co., KY, a descendant of the alleged-to-be-mythical Chesley Coffey.  About 1885 in KY he married Jennie Louise Morris, the daughter of Elijah P. Morris.

Elijah's wife and Jennie's mother was Nancy Coffey[1], a daughter of George W. Coffey of Russell Co., KY.  George is also believed to be descended from Chesley through Chesley's alleged (there's that word again) son, Joel who married Martha Stepp, or Sealey.[2]  Joel and Martha's son Cleveland, who married Jane Witherspoon was George's father.

Liston and Jennie moved to the Oklahoma Territory sometime before 1900 and can be found in the McElroy Twp, Pawnee Co. census that year.  I haven't located them in 1910 but, in 1920 they were in Idabel, McCurtain Co., OK.  Liston is said to have died in Paris, Lamar Co., TX on Dec. 15, 1930.  According to Harris[1] he was a resident of Idabel at the time of his death.  I have not been successful in locating his burial site but, he is likely buried with Jennie.

Jennie was born in KY in 1861 and died in Antlers, Pushmataha Co., OK on Feb. 20, 1958.  She is buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Antlers.

There were at least four children born to the union of Jennie and Liston:

Edith[1], born Mar. 5, 1891 in Burnside, Wayne Co., KY, died Nov. 26, 1949 at Antlers.  She married John J. Ledford of Bucktown, Hardin Co., TN is about 1914. Children were Lenore, James Morris and Kenneth Thurman.

Ruth[1], born Sep. 22, 1895 in Pawnee, Indian Territory, OK.  She married Walter Henry Baker, born 1894 in Carter Co., OK, on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  He died in Logan Co., OK in 1988.  Ruth died in Paris, TX in 1939.  Children:  Kathryn Elizabeth and Gwendolyn, both born in Carter Co., OK.

George Leighton[1]. born 1899 in Pawnee, died in Idabel in 1927.  He married Vida Valerian Russell of Bodcaw, Nevada Co., AR on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  George is buried at Greenhill Cemetery at Muskogee, OK. Sometime before 1940 Vida remarried.  Her second husband was George R. Orenbaum of TX.  Children with George were:  George, Jr., 1921-2006; Bessie Jeanne, born 1923, married Homer Cantwell and Vida Lucille, married Jack Ernest Collier.

The fourth child born to Liston and Jennie was Liston, Jr.[1] on Oct. 133, 1902 at Pawnee.  He married Mildred Vera McDonald on May 17, 1928 at Idabel.  She was born to Elmer and Florence McDonald in 1908 at Octavia in Le Flore Co., OK.  Liston, Jr. died on Dec. 12, 1976 in Bryan Co., OK; she on Oct. 7, 1884 at Pittsburg Co., OK.  Both are buried at the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Antlers, OK.

According to Mildred's obituary, she and Liston owned and operated the Coffey Funeral homes in several counties in SE Oklahoma.  Apparently, the family moved from time to time to the towns where the businesses were located, not staying long in any town.  In 1948 they moved to Antlers where they remained until death.  Their children were Wallace, Liston Ray, Frances, Patsy Ruth and Charlotte Kay.

Corrections and/or additions welcomed!

Jack

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[1]Descendant Report, Jan. 3, 2005, Cheryl Harris to Fred Coffey (FredCoffey@aol.com), cc: Jack Coffee.  Cheryl wrote:  "I haven't had success tracking siblings and half-siblings of Liston Pancoast Coffey. There is a family photo circa 1910 with a man reported as 'Uncle Fred' who has a strong resemblance to Liston. But, except for a James F. brother, no explanation for 'Fred' and only vague reference to him moving to Eddy, Texas (although there was an Eddy, Oklahoma very close to where the family was living in Pawnee, Oklahoma at that time)."  Cheryl also commented that Liston, Sr. may have been married prior to Jennie.  She reported that he had sired an unnamed child about 1875 in KY and cited a 1918 death date for the child.

[2]Joel and Martha are mentioned in The Georgians, Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers, by J. H. Austin.

Joel's will (probate) dated 1789 Wilkes Co., NC.  Children listed as James, Joel, Cleveland, Nathan, Katy, Jane and Celia.  See North Carolina will book C, page 321.

A Joel Coffey was named as one of the buyers from the estate sale of Robert Patrick in Surry Co., NC in Feb., 1778.  Robert Patrick apparently died between 1774 and 1777.  He was on the 1774 tax list of Benjamin Cleveland and again in 1775.  He was not listed on the 1777 tax list.

Marvin Coffey wrote in his work that DAR has always listed Joel as born 1730, and married in 1753 to Martha Sealy, born 1737.  Nebuzaradon, their youngest son, was born in 1780 meaning that Martha would have been aged 52 at his birth.

A number of researchers have theorized that Joel married Martha Sealey who died, and he then married Martha Step.  Others have the opinion that Joel married a widow by the name of Mrs. Martha Step Sealey while another group has said that Sealey was a nickname for Celia which was the middle name of Martha.  Another thought is that Joel was born much earlier, about 1750.

Joseph is not listed in Joel's 1789 will (Wilkes Co., NC Will Book I, p260) but does appear in other researcher's work.  He could have been born to Joel's first wife and died before the will was made.  Joseph has also been reported to have gone to Kentucky quite early, and already otherwise provided for by his father thereby not making the will.  And, even if Joel had only one wife, Joseph could still have died quite young.  Marvin noted that there was a Joseph Coffey on early tax records of Adair Co., KY.

Martha Step's father was named Joseph so it appears logical that Joel and Martha would have given a son that name.  A daughter Celia was referred to as Sealy in Joel's will.  Marvin's research did not uncover any Sealy families in the same county that the Coffeys lived in Virginia or North Carolina.

As far as can be determined, a record of Chesley and Jane Cleveland has never been found.  Researchers should be aware that much controversy exists over the existence of Chesley and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.  Additional controversy surrounds their child Joel.  Family information contained here should be taken lightly, and independent research used to confirm or refute connections.

James & Sarah Emerline Sumpter Coffey

James, a son of Reuben and Mildred Morris* Coffey was born Aug. 27, 1790 in Burke Co., NC and died in Pulaski Co., KY on Jun. 4, 1892.  He is thought to be buried in an unmarked grave at Wiborg Cemetery in Flat Rock, McCreary Co., KY.  The part of Pulaski Co. that this family lived in later became part of McCreary Co.

Sarah Sumpter, parents yet unknown, was born on Jul. 7, 1792 in Burke Co., and died in KY in 1869.  Her burial place is also thought to be at Wiborg.  She and James were married on Jul. 7, 1810** in Burke Co.

It is believed by many researchers that the family left North Carolina before 1815 and settled in Pulaski Co., KY where eight of their known 10 children were born.  James, and his son James, Jr. patented land in that county on Mar. 28, 1851.  The 100 acres was described as being on "Big Creek, South Fork of Cumberland River" in the Joseph Porter survey.¹  Whether or not the family left this land at some future date is not known by me, but they remained in the county until death.

James and Sarah had at least 10 children.  The one I will concentrate on here is James, Jr., born c1820, died Nov. 16, 1862 in Perry Co., MO.³ James, Jr. appears to have left Pulaski Co. less than a year following the property patent with his father.  A record in Adair Co., MO shows that he married Sophia Giebear there on Mar. 4, 1852².  Sophia was the daughter of French born Nicholas Giebear and Ann Marie Drouard.  She was born May 22, 1834 in MO and died Aug. 8, 1880 in Perry Co.  Both she and James are buried at Mount Hope Cemetery in Perryville.

James and Sophia had at least four children:

James Henry, born Feb. 14, 1853, died Jun. 11, 1940 in Saline Twp., Perry Co.  James married Matilda Ann Moore, born Apr. 14, 1853 in Perry Co.  I know of one child, James Edward, born Aug. 25, 1895 in Perry Co., died Aug. 14,1961 in Perry Co.  He married Mary Zilpha Layton and had at least five children:  Mary Ann, James Henry, Orma Mary, Leo, and Joseph John.  Orma is said to have married Lester William Eichholz of Wisconsin on Nov. 2, 1941 in Wisconsin.  There is some confusion with this family as well.  James Henry is thought to have also married Mary Emma Dickerson, born c1866 in MO.  It is not yet clear to me whether Mary or Matilda was the mother of James Edward.  Based on birth year of Matilda (1853) and birth year of James Edward (1895) I rather lean towards Mary Emma as his mother.

William Austin, born Mar. 18, 1855 in Perry Co., and died there on Dec. 7, 1923.  He married Margaret Adaline Fowler and had at least 10 children:  Robert, Florence, James Austin, Rosalie, John Edward, Maude, Jesse, Everett, Charles H., and Lillie. Charles H. married Alice Mary Staelens.  She and Charles at buried near his parents at Mount Hope in Perryville.

Mary Jane, born Feb. 12, 1857, married John D. Red, c1885 in MO.  John was born Sep. 17, 1842 in IL and died in Perryville on Jan. 30, 1908.  Mary Jane died Jun. 24, 1954 in Perryville. They too are at Mount Hope.  I know of three children:  Mary S., born 1886 in IL;  Julia, born Apr., 1888 in CA; and Charles, born in Mar., 1894 in MO.

John Calvin Welker

Lucinda E. Coffey Welker

Lucinda Elizabeth¨, born Sep. 10, 1859 in Adair Co., MO, died in Perryville on Aug. 7, 1937.  She married John Calvin Welker on Sep. 24, 1877 in Perry Co.˜  John was born Jul. 9, 1858 in Cinque Homme Twp., Perry Co. to Louis and Mary Salina Will Welker.  He died on Nov. 6, 1931 in Perryville.  They are also buried at Mount Hope.  Their children were:  William E., Victoria Edith, Ola Elma, Jesse Clarenton, Glenton O., Mary Ethel, Annie Della, and Reath Rose.



I am very interested in learning if this James, Jr. is indeed the son James & Sally Sumpter Coffey!

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*traditional
**Name: James Coffey Spouse: Salley Sumter Marriage Date: 7 Jul 1810 Marriage County: Burke Marriage State: North Carolina Source Vendor: Liahona Research.  Source: County Court Records at Morganton, NC and, North Carolina Marriage Bonds 1741-1868; Original data: State of North Carolina.
¹Land Office, Kentucky Secretary of State, online, Patent No. 16563, Book 32, Page 310.
²State of Missouri County of Adair} I do hereby certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony between James Coffee and Sophia Gibarror (?) the 4 - Day of March 1852 - Nicholas W. Turner J. P. - Transcribed by order of the County Court March 11th AD 1856 - E M C Morelock
³There are enough inconsistencies in this genealogy to cause pause.  More research is needed to assure that this James Coffey, Jr. was indeed the son of James & Sarah Sumpter Coffey.  The best info that I have at the moment says he is, but I remain skeptical.
˜Missouri Marriage Records. Jefferson City, MO, USA: Missouri State Archives. Microfilm.  "State of Missouri, County of Perry } SS: I, the Undersigned, a Catholic Priest, do hereby certify that on the twenty fourth day of September 1877, I joined in marriage John C. Welker and Lucinda E. Coffee, in Perry county, Mo. Given under my hand, this twenty eighth day of March, A. D. 1878 W. (?)T. Moore"
¨John Calvin Welker photo source:  http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/3302962/person/-1664895378; Lucinda's from http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/6681171/person/-1248885440

Isaac J. Coffey

Isaac was a son of Elias Henry "Eli" and Hannah Bullen Coffey.  He was born in Kentucky, probably Rockcastle or Madison Co., in April, 1854.  He first married Mary Florence Hayes on Feb. 5, 1878 in Rockcastle Co. and by her fathered one child Julia Florence Coffey born in Rockcastle Co. in Feb., 1880.

Julia married Jesse B. Waller on Feb. 10, 1897 in Rockcastle Co.  He was born c1868 in TN.  With Jesse, Julia gave birth to at least two children:  Bessie in Dec., 1897 and Laura in Feb., 1900, both in Rockcastle Co.

Mary Hayes Coffey apparently died at the birth, or shortly thereafter, of Julia for Isaac married a second time on Nov. 18, 1880, in Rockcastle Co., to Lamina A. Morris, born Jul. 1861 in KY.  I have seen her named as Minnia and Minnie.  A death date for her or Isaac has not been found.  However, Isaac was alive in 1920 when he appeared as a widower and head of household in the Lexington, Fayette Co. census.  Another occupant of the household was enumerated as Minnie but named as his mother.*  In 1930, Minnie Coffey, age 68, was enumerated as a widow and the mother-in-law of Will Shelton, husband of her daughter Florida [sometimes Cora or Flora].

Isaac and Lamina had at least six children:

Thomas J., born Oct., 1880, married Mrs. Elizabeth Fathergill in KY, c1908.  Elizabeth's first husband has not been found but, she brought three Fathergill children to her marriage with Thomas:  Flossy, born c1898, Lucas, born c1900 and Mildren, born c1906, all in KY.  They all appeared in the 1910 census at Valley View, Madison Co., KY but not in subsequent years.  I have found [potentially] Mildred in 1920 as a ward of Cordelia Kendall in the Court House Pct., Franklin Co., KY.  Flossie Fathergill was a roomer in the household of John P. Ashworth in 1920, Fayette Co.  Lucas was not found in 1920, but there exists a gravesite for a Lucas Fatheregill in the Camp Nelson National Cemetery at Nicholasville in Jessamine Co., KY.  This Lucas was born in 1898 and died in 1977.  The corresponding birth years for all three of these Fathergills closely correspond to those that Elizabeth brought to her marriage with Thomas.  I have found no children born to Thomas and Elizabeth.

Isaac's next child was Florida, born Feb., 1882.  She first married William May and gave birth to a son, Cecil E. May, born Mar. 24, 1905 in St. Clair Twp., Butler Co., OH.  In 1910 he lived with Isaac and Lamina in Madison Co., KY.  In 1920 he lived with Isaac, who claimed to be a widower, in Fayette Co. and, in 1930 lived in Fayette Co. with his mother.  By this time, Florida had remarried, this time to Will Shelton, born c1880 in KY.  The family appeared in the 1930 census for Lexington, Fayette Co.  I know of no children born to Will and Florida.

Following Florida was Cleo, born Sep., 1885.  She married Charles R. Spurlock, born in OH in 1885.  They were married on Sep. 6, 1904 in Madison Co., KY where they stayed until at least 1913.  Their first four children were born there:  Lonie, b1906; Katherine, c1908; Arnold, c1910 andVoline, c1913.  A fifth child, Marie, was born c1919 in OH.

Hattie was the fourth child, born c1887 in KY.  No further information.

Lillie, born Sep., 1891, married a Mr. Sauers and had at least two children:  Ralph, born c1911 and Lucille, born c1914, both in KY.  Lillie was a widow by 1930 and was residing with her two children in her father's residence in Lexington.

The last child that I have for Isaac and Lamina is Lucinda, born Mar., 1894 in Rockcastle Co., died there in Sept., 1894.

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*Isaac was age 63; Minnie was 59 and was probably his wife.

Sources: Kentucky Marriages, 1785-1979 and 1839-1960 and 1851-1900; Federal Census records, 1880-1930; and Ohio Births and Christenings, 1821-1962

N. B. The 1920 census for this family includes a 59-yr old Minnie Coffey whose entry appears to be "daughter" but could be "mother," indicating perhaps the "mother of the household."  If not Lamina, then who is this person?  Also included is "daughter" Flora, age 36.  Is she  Florida or Cleo?

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Lawrence Lasenby Coffey (1841-1912)

Lawrence was the ninth child and third son of Archelaus and Jane Dean Coffey.  His middle name is a puzzle - at least to me.  He was born in Gallatin Co., IL on Aug. 20, 1841 so I looked in that state for someone of prominence with that surname.  The only one that shows up in IL was Jeremiah Lasenby in the 1840 Johnson Co., IL census.  Jeremiah was a slave holder and probably was not the model Archelaus wished to honor when he named his son.  So, the mystery remains as one that I'll look at out of curiosity sometime in the future.

 In his family book describing the ancestors and descendants of James Bluford Coffey, Dr. Marvin Coffey wrote that Lawrence married Susan Melvina Barker in Hamilton Co., IL on Nov. 20, 1862.  In 1870 they appeared in the Montgomery Co., KS census with only initials for first names.  This fact has created a lot of confusion over the true names of his children born in those early years of his marriage.

1870 Montgomery Co., Fawn Creek Dist., Montgomery city PO, Page 3, dwelling/family 28, Coffey, L., age 29, male, white, farmer, $400, born IL; S., age 24, female, white, keeping house, born IL; J., age 6, female, white, born IL; A., age 4, male, white, born IL; J. S., age 3, female, white, born KS; A., age 1, male, white, born KS.

We don't fare much better in 1880:

1880 Saline Co., Long Branch Dist., ED109, Page 41, dwelling/family 383, Coffee, Lesenly [sic], white male, age 39, married, farming, born IL, parents born IL; Melvina, white female, age 35, wife, married, keeping house, born IL, parents born IL; Riley, white male, age 16, son, single, born IL; Harmon, white male, age 14, son, born IL; Ethen, white female [sic], age 12, son [sic], born IL; Edith, white female, age 7, dau., born IL; Alley, white female, age 4, dau., born IL; Maude, white female, age 6 mos., born IL; Barker, Emit, white male, age 17, single, hired hand, born IL, parents born IL

 Emit Barker was a hired hand in the census but likely related to Melvina.

If we chart out the children from the available census records, ages of the entire family progress as expected but, there are some missing or mis-identified:

• Lawrence: 29 in 1870, 39 in 1880 and 58 in 1900
• Susan:      24              35                   54
• J.               6              16 (Riley)        Gone
• A.               4              14 (Harmon)   Gone
• J.S.            3              12 (Ethen)      Gone
• A.               1               Gone
• Edith                          7                     Gone
• Alley                          4                      Gone
• Maude                         6/12              Gone
• Eva E.                                               14

In addition to these eight, there was Orilla Jane, born Sep., 1863 and is the 6-year old female in 1870.  She married William Ezell in 1884 so should have been but was not included in the 1880 census  Shelby Carr was born in 1882 and may have died young.  He would have been old enough in 1900 to have married but I have not found him in a census record for any year.  And, we are missing Ollie or Clemma Grace, born in 1871 who should have but did not show up as a 9-or-10-year old in 1880.

L-R Four Generations

A descendant of Clemma, who recently contacted me, reports that Clemma married Grigg or Gregg Madison Morris c1906.  Their children were Albert Amon (there's Amon again), born Jan. 27, 1908, died Jun. 17, 1995; E. S., a son and J. D., a daughter. The oval photo is thought to be one of Grigg/Gregg on the left, baby Albert and Clemma.  The elder gentleman in the rear may be Grigg/Gregg's father; otherwise he is unknown.


Updated 9-14-2010: L-R in the photo is Amon Hume Coffey (1865-1953), Lawrence Lasenby Coffey (1841-1912), Baby Albert Amon Morris (1908-1995) and Grace Coffey Morris, daughter of Amon Hume. Note that Amon Hume has not been positively identified as the man on the left in this photo, but all indications are that he is. It appears then that Lawrence did not have a daughter named Clemma Grace - perhaps why there isn't one with the family in 1880 - but that he did have a grand-daughter by that name.

Albert Amon Morris Family

Albert, according to my contact, married Katie Lee Elam and had sons Douglas, Robert and Morris.  They were married in OK on Dec. 4, 1927 and appeared for the first time as a family in the 1930 South Cimarron Twp. of Logan Co., OK. He was buried at the Duncan Municipal Cemetery in Stephens Co., OK. Katie was born Nov. 17, 1909 in Coleman Co., TX and died in Ardmore, Carter Co., OK on Apr. 18, 2000.  She is buried next to Albert in Duncan.

Albert & Katie Headstone

 As always, corrections and/or additions are welcomed!

Chesley Shelton Coffey Revisited

My first blog about Chesley Shelton Coffey can be read by clicking on the title link.

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Hardly any information has been found to document the ancestry of Chesley Shelton Coffey.

One source* describes him as a son of Joel Coffey and his wife Sarah Mackey.  It is difficult finding this particular Joel in the US census record.  He is believed to have been born in TN in 1789 and married Sarah Mackey in Maury Co., TN on Apr. 9, 1818.1

This Joel - a son of Chesley and Margaret Baldwin Coffey - made the trek from Cooper Co., MO to the Oregon Territory c1850, and after he reached age 60. He was in Vancouver [Oregon Territory, now in Clark Co., WA] as early as 1855.  Sarah died in Cooper Co., MO,  Joel Died Dec. 10, 1855 and was buried at Fern Prairie Cemetery in Camas, Clark Co., WA.  Joel and Sarah are said to have had at least eight children, including Chesley Shelton, particulars unknown.

Headstone Chesley S. Coffey

I have often wondered if their Chesley Shelton was the same Chesley born in Maury Co., TN in 1816 and died in Fayette, Jefferson Co., MS in 1869.  That Chesley married Miss. Mississippi Davis of Oct. 20, 1850 in Jefferson Co.  Their children were:

Chesley Shelton, Jr.; no particulars
Charles Clark, born c1853, married Olive S. Bullen and had children Anna and Sidney.
Jane Elizabeth, born Jan. 28, 1859, died Jul. 8, 1860, buried Jefferson Co.
John Mott, born Oct. 31, 1861, died Sep. 9, 1915, buried Jefferson Co.
Edgar Nathan, born May 14, 1869, died Nov. 28, 1922

Edgar married Carrie Watkins (or, Watson?) Campbell, born in MS on Jun. 24, 1869, died Nov. 18, 1955.   He was in the US Army when I found the family in the 1910 census; he reported his occupation as Lt., US Army.

Their children, with the exception of one, were born in MS.  The names are as copied from the 1910 Jackson, Hinds Co., MS census record:

Edgar N., Jr., born c1890
Mamie, born, born c1892
Chesley S., III, born c1893
Ruth, born c1898
Robert (William), born c1899
Carroll E., born c1908 in IA

The only child that I have searched for to date is Ruth.  She married Lew Morris c19223 and in 1930 resided in Spokane, Spokane Co., WA with her husband and one child, Robert, born c1828 in WA.  Lew was a native of Washington but his parents were born in Oregon.

With the family that year was Carrie, Ruth's mother.  She was age 60, a widow and worked as a dressmaker.

Carrie, Edgar Nathan and his younger brother, Chesley III are buried at Fort George Wright in Spokane.  I am told that this is now part of Fairchild AFB.

Chesley III was also a military man, having entered the US Navy prior to WW1.  He died Oct. 1, 1918 and I have found no information yet about where he died or otherwise indicates he perished as a result of military action.  His marker is inscribed "Gunners Mate 2CL."  The family is in cemetery section 2, site 15.

Caroline's parents were Robert W. and Anna Cordelia Girault.  Anna was first married to James Davenport c1857 in MS, then married Robert Wickham Campbell on 28 Feb. 1860 at Port Gibson, Claiborne Co., MS.  Robert was first married to Nannie P. Burch of MS on Jan. 22, 1852.  She was born in Jefferson Co. in 1836 and died there in 1858.

There are several instances of Campbell-Wickham unions in Richmond and in Powhatan Co., VA.  The Watkins name appears among the first settlers of VA after Jamestown.  Some of the later generations moved into the MS Territory prior to the Civil War.  Robert and probably also Caroline are descended from those Virginia families that came into that territory.

Corrections and/or additions welcomed!

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Request for Leave of Absence

May 25, 2011:  The original of this document is privately owned by and available for purchase from Shawn Harrington.  Anyone wishing to purchase the document can contact him at harrington.shawn@gmail.com.  I understand that it will soon be placed for sale on E-bay.

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*Dr. Marvin Coffey book, James Bluford Coffey his Ancestors and Descendants in America

1 Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.  Name: Joel Coffee Spouse: Sarah Mackey Marriage Date: 9 Apr 1818 Marriage County: Maury Marriage State: Tennessee:

2 Lewis, Wm. Terrell, Genealogy of the Lewis family in America (Louisville, KY: Courier-Journal Job. Print Co., 1893), Page 122: Sarah Mackey, daughter of Wm. L. Mackey, was born in Rutherford county, N. C., in 1795. She married Joel Coffey, had three children, and died in Missouri. The names of her children are as follows: William; Chesley and Derrindia.

3 The Crescent of Gamma Phi Beta, (Univ. of Idaho Chapter) Vol. 21, No. 1, edited by Lindsey Barbee, pub. Geo. Banta, Mehasha, WI, Jan., 1921, p75, "Engagements: Ruth Coffey, ex-'22 to Lew Morris, Sigma Nu."

Albert G. & Elizabeth F. Goodhue Coffey

There was an e-mail in my in-box this morning from a Coffey researcher and correspondent of a few years back.  She is researching this family line and has Coffey information but was concerned that she did not know Elizabeth's parents.

Elizabeth F. Goodhue was born c1835 in Wayne Co., KY and died in that county c1865.  She was the daughter of James Goodhue of New Hampshire and Jane Morris of Cumberland Co., KY.1  Elizabeth's spouse Albert, was born c1825 in Wayne Co. to George W. and Nancy (LNU) Coffey and died sometime after 1893 in Pawnee, Indian Territory, OK.

In 1850 Albert was a constable in Russell Co. and roomed in a home just doors away from the widow Jane Goodhue and her daughters, Mumzella Malvina and Elizabeth.  Mumzella married Isaac G. Scholl c1860 in KY.  He was a native of Merry Oaks in Barren Co., KY.  Her children, all born in Russell Co., were Isadora, born c1862; Dr. Joel B., born Mar 1868; Asa H., born c1869 and Luther F., born Oct., 1872.  Joel, a physician, married Nancy (LNU) c1897 and in the 1900 census had one child, a daughter named "Baby" born Apr., 1898 in Russell Co.

Albert and Elizabeth were parents of at least five children:

Amanda M., born Aug. 19, 1852 in Jamestown, Russell Co., and died after 1920.  She married John McKnight Grider on Dec. 14, 1870 in Russell Co.  They had at least two chidren, Lizzie, born c1872 and Virgil M., born Mar. 6, 1874.  John was born Jun. 19, 1852 in Monroe, Hart Co., KY.  According to my correspondent, Amanda probably died in North Dakota.  I do not have death/burial information of John.

Second child of Albert was Robert B., born Jun. 16, 1855 in Jamestown.  No further info.

Third was an infant, born May 15, 1857, died Jun. 15 of that year.

Fourth was a son, Liston Pancoast, born Feb. 7, 1860, and is said to have died on Dec. 15, 1930 in Paris, Lamar Co., TX.  Liston married Jennie Louise Morris c1885 in Wayne Co.  She was the daughter of Elijah P. M. and Nancy C. Coffey Morris, born Nov. 20, 1861 in Wayne Co., died Feb. 20, 1958 in Antlers, Pushmataha Co., OK.  Jennie is buried at the Odd Fellows cemetery in Antlers.  I have not yet discovered Liston's burial site.

Their children were: 

Edith, born Mar. 5, 1891 in Wayne Co., died Nov. 26, 1959 in Antlers.  She married John J. Ledford c1914.  He was born c1876 in Bucktown, Hardin Co., TN.. Their children were Lenore, James Morris and Kenneth Thurman.

Ruth, born Sep. 22, 1895 in Pawnee, IT, OK, died Aug 28, 1939 in Paris, TX.  She married Walter Henry Baker on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel, McCurtin Co., OK.  He was born Oct. 20, 1894 in Ardmore, Carter Co., OK and died in Guthrie, Local Co., OK on Feb. 22, 1988.  Ruth and Walter had at least two children:  Kathryn, born 1921 and Gwendolyn, born 1922, both in Healdton, Carter Co.  Kathryn is said to have died on Jul. 22, 2001 in Fargo, Cass Co., ND. 

George Leighton, born Jul. 12, 1899 in Pawnee, died Jul. 18, 1927 in Muskogee Co., OK.  He married Vida Valerian Russell on Nov. 8, 1920 in Idabel.  Vida was born Jan. 5, 1902 in Bodcaw, Nevada Co., AR and died Sep. 26, 1968 in Santee, San Diego Co., CA.  Their children were:  George, Jr.; Bessie Jeanne and Vida Lucille.

Their last known child was James, apparently a "surprise baby," born c1915.  No further info.

The fifth child of Albert and Elizabeth was Thomas V., born 1863.  No further info
 has been found.

Elizabeth's sister, Mumzella Malvina was born Dec., 1830 in Russell Co. and, married Isaac G. Scholl.  The Russell Co. history revealed this:

"Isaac G. Scholl was born in Merry Oaks in Barren County, Kentucky, and moved to Jamestown in October 1850.  He followed his aunt, Sally (Hodge) Satterfield, and her husband Archabald Satterfield, who had come to this area from Scottsville, Allen County, Kentucky, in 1822.  Isaac Scholl served as jailer of Russell County for many years after being appointed to the position in August of 1853.  He was also the town marshal and a blacksmith.  During the Civil War, Isaac was a 3rd lieutenant in the 94th Regiment, 2nd Battalion of the Russell County Militia.  Isaac's grandfather, Abraham Scholl, had been a Revolutionary War soldier.  Abraham was in the Battle of Blue Licks in northern Kentucky when Daniel Boone's son, Israel, was killed."

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Update, Aug. 17, 2011

Albert was married a second time and then to Matilda D. Grider c1865 in [perhaps] Clinton Co., KY but, more likely in Russell Co. because Matilda was born there c1832.  She also appeared there in the 1850 census with her parents, James and Ann Grider.

Some genealogies that I have viewed reports that Matilda first married Vespusian T. Bristow c1851 in Russell Co.  He apparently died before 1860 because she later married William Marlow and moved to Missouri.  The Marlow's appeared in the 1860 census of Miles Point, Carroll Co., MO.2

William was apparently dead by 1865 when Matilda married Albert.  They appeared in the 18703 Jamestown, Russell Co., KY census with two Marlow children: Hiram B., age 9 ["deaf and dumb"] and, Mary W., age 7, both born in MO.

Albert died in 1903 [some genealogies report his death in Oklahoma] and was buried in the Eddy Cemetery at  McLennan Co., TX.  His three sons with Matilda, George Fred, Joseph Frank and James C. are also buried at Eddy.4

An unresolved issue is the report in the1870 and 1880 census record of Albert's birth in Alabama.

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1 Russell County Historical Society, Russell County, Kentucky: History and Families (Nashville, TN: Turner Publishing Co., 1996), Page 19.
2 1860 Carroll Co., Sugar Tree Bottom Twp., Miles Point PO, Sheet 13, dwelling 1019, family 6 [sic], William Marlow, age 48, male, farmer, $8000, $3295, born KY; Matilda, age 25, female, born KY; Saml Marlow, age 22, male, laborer, born KY; John Marlow, age 18, male, born KY; Allice D., age 14, female, born KY; Wm., age 12, male, born KY; Geo., age 10, male, born KY; Malchum [sic] D., age 3, male, birth not given
3 1870 Russell Co., Jamestown PO, Pct. 1, Page 11, dwelling/family 74, Coffey, Albert G., age 45, male, white, farmer, $5000, $2000, born AL; Matilda D., age 36, female, white, keeping house, born KY; Amanda M., age 17, female, white, born KY; Robert B., age 14, male, white, born KY; Liston P., age 10, male, white, born KY; Thomas V., age 6, male, white, born KY; George F., age 4, male, white, born KY; Joseph F., age 11 mos., male, white, born KY; Marlow, Hiram B., age 9, male, white, born Missourie [sic], dumb; Marlow, Mary W., age 7, female, white, born Missourie 
4 His entry on Find A Grave incorrectly places this cemetery in Falls Co., TX

Summers and Naomi N. Coffey Wright

Summers Wright was born c1804 in Wayne Co., KY and died Jul. 7, 1887 in Macon Co., MO.  I have found no record of their marriage, but he and Naomi Coffey, daughter of Reuben and Millie Morris Coffey, were having children as early as 1834.

Naomi was born Aug. 26, 1804 in Burke Co., NC and died 1904 in Macon Co., MO.

Both Summers and Naomi are thought to be buried in the Bethel Christian Church Cemetery in Anabel, Macon Co.  However, the death record for Summers, found in the Missouri Birth and Death Records Database* reports his burial in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.  His death record reports that he died of "old age" complicated by "disease of the bowels."

The children that I have for Summers and Naomi are:

Reuben A. C., born c1834; Matilda, born c1837; Nancy E., born c1840; Melissa J., born c1842, and May, born c1842.

Please leave a comment, or contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.

*Missouri Birth & Death Records Database, Missouri Secretary of State online [http://www.sos.mo.gov]