Jasper Pink and Mary Jane Minton Coffey

Jasper Pink and Mary Jane Minton Coffey



Ben Coffey is looking for his ancestors. He descends from Jasper Pink and Mary Jane Minton Coffey. Jasper's death certificate reveals that he was a son of Joseph and Lucinda Coffey Coffey. The only problem seems to be that there was not a Joseph Coffey around at the time of Jasper's conception.

The problem is compounded by the fact that Ben's DNA markers match those of an Estes. There was a Joseph Estes residing in the area not far from the Johns River area where Lucinda and her family resided in Caldwell Co.

Lucinda was born c1832 to Enoch and Prudence Gragg Coffey. Enoch was a son of Joseph and Isabella Lindsay Coffey. Joseph was a grandson of John Coffey and Jane Graves through their son Reuben Coffey and his wife,Sarah Scott. Enoch and Prudence likely had more than one child, but so far only Lucinda has been found.

Joseph Coffey, father of Enoch, is thought to have died in 1835, but he could have died much later. It is possible that the Joseph Coffey who died in 1849, and whose estate was handled by Enoch, was Enoch's father.

Jasper and Mary Jane left North Carolina sometime after their marriage on Aug. 21, 1873 in Boone Twp., Watauga Co.* I have not found them in the 1880 census record. All nine of their children were born in Caldwell Co., the last on Mar. 8, 1893. So, sometime between that date and Jun. 7, 1900 they left North Carolina and moved to Geary Co., KS where they appeared in the Jun. 7 census of that year. Ben writes that soon after Jasper and Mary Jane moved to Kansas, Joseph Estes also relocated there.

In 1910 the family was still living in Geary Co. I have not found them in 1920, but on Apr. 3, 1928 they were residing at 1221 Monroe St. in Topeka, Shawnee Co., KS. It was on that date that Jasper Pink died due to "mitral insufficiency." His death certificates reveals that he was buried at Junction City in Geary Co.

Mary Jane lived until Oct. 6, 1925 and died on that date in Macon Co., MO. She is also buried at Junction City.

Jasper and Mary's children were:

George Alexander, born May 27, 1874, died Dec. 28, 1928. George married Grace Percy Armitage on Aug. 21, 1900. George and Grace both died in San Bernardino Co., CA.

Jonathon Horton, born Mar. 30, 1876 in Lenoir, died Oct. 21, 1961 in Norton Co., KS. He married Maude B. Ayers on May 14, 1903 in Junction City, Geary Co., KS. Maude was born Jan. 25, 1885 in Oklahoma and died Oct. 10, 1969.

Malinda Lucinda, born Jul. 26, 1878 in Lenoir, died Nov. 1, 1925 in Chapman, Dickinson Co., KS. She married James Joseph Cullen on Aug. 16, 1905 in Junction City.

James Washington, born Feb. 26, 1881 in Lenoir, married Mae Switzer.

William Finley, born Apr. 17, 1883 in Lenoir, died Sep. 13, 1946 in Rossville, Shawnee Co., KS.

Enoch Thomas, born May 31, 1885 in Lenoir, died Apr. 15, 1921 in Junction City.

Ellis LaFayette, born Jul. 3, 1888 in Lenoir.

Jennie Etta, born Dec. 27, 1890 in Caldwell Co., and died Sep. 8, 1987 in Rossville, Shawnee Co. She married Harry Gutshall on Oct. 11, 1936.

Joseph Richard, born Mar. 8, 1893 in Lenoir, died in Jun., 1963 at Rossville, Shawnee Co. He married Mary Bell Bledso on Nov. 23, 1932.

Drop me e-mail at the above address if you would like to contact Ben, or to add to or correct any of this information.

















*Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995)

Photos are courtesy of Ben Coffey

Benjamin Franklin and Louisa Caroline Coffey Green

Benjamin Franklin Green was born Mar. 14, 1857 in Missouri to Levi and Mary Elizabeth Russell Green. He was the fifth of at least seven children born to Levi and Mary. Mary was born Nov. 20, 1827 in Kentucky and died Jan. 13, 1854 in Camden Co., MO. Based on family information found in the 1860 census for that area, Levi likely married the widow Eliza Hart shortly after the death of Mary. Levi died Dec. 29, 1862 in Camden Co.

1860 Camden Co., Russell Twp., Greendale PO, Page 52, dwelling 353, family 347, Levi Green, age 34, male, farmer, $4000, $1020, born NC; Eliza A., age 34, female, born KY; William A., age 12, male, born MO; Susan E., age 10, female, born MO; Racheal, age 8, female, born MO; Mary E., age 6, female, born MO; George W., age 5, male, born MO; Franklin, age 3, male, born MO; Mathew D., age 1, male, born MO; Thomas M. Hart, age 14, male, born MO; Joseph W. Hart, age 11, male, born MO; Page 53: Joseph Hart, age 8, male, born MO; John A. Hart, age 6, male, born MO

Benjamin married Louisa Caroline Coffey, a daughter of Eli and Louisa Caroline Storie Coffey. Both Eli and Louisa were natives of North Carolina and can be found in the 1860 Caldwell Co. census.

1860 Caldwell Col, Buffalo Twp., Fort Defiance PO, Page 147, dwelling 1125, family 1055, Eli Coffey, age 47, male, farmer, $525, $400, born NC; Caroline, age 29, female, born NC; James, age 7, male, born NC; Joshua, age 6, male, born NC; Louisa, age 4, female, born NC; Milton, age 2, male, born NC

Louisa was born Sep. 12, 1856 in Caldwell Co., and died Feb. 19, 1942 in Russell Twp., Camden Co. Her death is recorded on Missouri Death Certificate No. 6149, showing that she died of kidney disease. Benjamin's death is recorded on Missouri Death Certificate No. 33694, showing that he died of liver cirrhosis.

Both are buried in the Green Cemetery at Climax Springs, Camden Co.

There are some differences of opinion about the exact number and names of children born to Ben and Louisa. The children that I found with the family in the 1900 census record are:

Millie, born Aug., 1881
Charles Edward, born Dec. 31, 1884, died Mar. 19, 1942 of acute gastritis. His death is recorded on Missouri Death Certificate 10421.
Sarah Jane, born May, 1887
Fred A., born Nov., 1889
Eliza R., born Aug., 1892
Chester Levi, born Jun., 1895
William M. (or, Mc), born Aug., 1897
Lula E., born Jun., 1900

I have seen one other genealogy that adds Delia Frances to the family. She was born Nov., 1883 and died in Jan., 1884. However, in 1900, Louisa reported that she was the mother of eight children, and that eight were living.

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

I do not have a source for the photo. If you are the source, please let me know.

George Washington and Mary Elizabeth Lewis Coffey

George Washington Coffey was born May 22, 18611 in Alexander Co., NC to Calvin and Serena White Coffey. He married Mary Elizabeth Lewis on Feb. 21, 18781, probably in Alexander Co. George died on May 12, 1918 in Raton, Colfax Co., NM.1 Mary died c1935 in Blaine Co., OK.

In the 1880 census George and Mary were in Alexander Co., NC, residing in the household with his widowed mother. In the 1900 Garfield Co., OK census, Mary gave her birth date as Nov., 1860. However, on Jul. 6, 1860 she was enumerated as a 5 year old child in the household with her parents, Jackson and Lucinda Maltba Lewis, making her birth year closer to 1855.

By 1910 George and Mary had relocated to Blaine Co.

If these dates are correct, George was 16 years old and Mary was 22 when they married on Feb. 21, 18781

There were at least nine children born to George and Mary, with at least eight of them born in North Carolina. One child was born in Texas.

1 - Lula Octavia, born Dec. 16, 1878

2 - Dovey Rosella, born Mar. 11, 1880

3 - James Avery, born Jun. 1, 1882, died Nov. 28, 1954. James married Ethel Mae Noah in Blaine Co., OK on Dec. 28, 1906.2

Their children numbered at least 13: Everett Lee, born 1908, died 1972; Mamie M., born c1909; Alva James, born 1911, died 1959; Amey [Amy] L., born c1912; Oscar G., born c1916; Clara, born c1918; Hazel L., born c1919; Frank, born c1922; Orville, born c1923; Erma, born c1924; Elza E.3, born c1926; Elmo, born c 1927; and Earl, born c1928. Ethel died in Jul., 1981 in Okeene, Blaine Co., OK. Both she and James are buried in the Canton Cemetery, Canton, Blaine Co., OK.

Her obituary as printed in the Watonga Republican, Thur., Jul. 23, 1981, Watonga, Blaine County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. - 73772.4

In Memory of Ethel May (Noah) Coffey 1890-1981

Ethel May Coffey died Wednesday, July 15th, 1981 in Okeene hospital at the age of 90, leaving 166 descendents. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 18th, 1981 in the First Christian Church at Canton, Oklahoma with Duane Cowan and David Derr as officiating ministers. Burial was in the Canton Cemetery, Canton, Oklahoma with arrangements under the direction of Haigler Funeral Home. Mrs. Coffey was born November 11th, 1890 in Beloit, Kansas. She and James Avery Coffey were married in 1906 in Watonga, Oklahoma. She was a member of the Woodward Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion Auxiliary and the First Christian Church. Mrs. Coffey is survived by 11 childre: Mamie Wimer, Oscar Coffey and Clara Otwell of Fairview, Oklahoma; Frank Coffey of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Amy Sturgeon of Oakwood, Oklahoma; Elza Coffey, Earl Coffey, Hazel McDowell, and Erma Daugherty of Canton, Oklahoma; LaVonta Miller of Shawnee, Oklahoma and Burl Coffey of Springfield, Massachuesetts; three sisters: Gladys Grecian of Palco, Kansas, Inez MaDavitt of Akron, Colorado; and Lavina Logan of Wendell, Idaho; two brothers: Homer Noah of Orifina, Idaho; and Wilbur (Pat) Noah of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 49 grandchildren; 101 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on November 28th, 1954; five sons; two daughters; four brothers; and two sisters.

4 - Texas, a daughter, born Oct. 12, 1883

5 - Harry Horton, born Nov. 15, 1884

6 - Smith Allen, born Mar. 16, 1886. Smith married Elizabeth A. (Lizzie) Carter c1910. Elizabeth was born c1892 in Kansas. Their children were Harley W., born 1911, died 1976; Rosa V., born c1914; Leonard Lee, born 1916, died 1994; Inez W., born c1918; Clarence, born c1920; Raymond, born c1923; Homer, born c1925; and Virgie, born c1928. This family and their children were in Blaine Co., OK through the 1930 census. However, Smith registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Dead Man, Union Co., NM. He gave his birth date as above, and was a farmer who lived with his wife at Dead Man. He described himself as being short with medium build, gray eyes and light brown hair.

7 - George Washington (Wash), born Feb. 18, 1887

8 - William Crantford, born Aug., 17 18895, died Jun., 1973.5 "Crant" married Rosa c1909, probably in OK. She ws born c1890 in Arkansas. Their children were: Gladys, born c1915; Lue Vada, born c1921; Floyd, born c1924; and Sanford, born c1929. William registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Blaine Co. He gave his age as 32, and birthdate as Aug. 15, 1888. He was a farmer in Carlton, OK where he resided with his wife and one child. He was described as being tall with medium built, blue eyes and brown hair.

9 - Bertha Viola Coffey, born in TX on Aug. 21, 1893.

Please contact me with corrections or, if you can fill in any of the blanks; e.g., spouses for the other six children. My e-mail address is above, right.








1 Coffey Family from Virginia to Oklahoma, Darlene Margaret Carignan Coffey online [http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/f/Darlene-M-Coffey/], accessed Jan 18, 2005 (coffey@childresstx.com)
2 Obituary for Ethel Mae Noah Coffey
3 Elza E. Coffey was a Sergeant First Class assigned to the Infantry. He was a Light Weapons Infantry Leader in the 1st Inf Div. during the Korean War. He was wounded on Oct. 9, 1951 in the North Korean sector and, returned to duty on Dec. 3, 1951.
4 Rootsweb obituary contributed by Robert Nusz
5 Social Security Death Index, Master File
Other sources are the 1880-1930 Federal Census Records

'We're related in history'

The following is an excerpt from an article which appears in today's on-line edition of the News-Record in Greensboro, NC. It was authored by staff writer, Myla Barnhardt:

EIDSVILLE — They are two men whose only connection would seemingly be the name they share — David Wilson.

One is black. One is white.

One lives in New York City. The other lives in Reidsville.

One is 30. One is 65.

But venture back several generations and you'll find an intersection in their heritages: Sunrise Plantation in northern Caswell County.

In the 1800s, the tobacco farm was one of the largest in the region, stretching along the Dan River near the North Carolina state line, 10 miles into Virginia.

And it's there, on that once massive estate, that one David Wilson's great-great-granddaddy owned the other's great-great-granddaddy.

Click on the News-Record link above to read the entire article.

Jesse H. Buchanan Coffey

Jesse was the son of Joel Benjamin [perhaps just Benjamin] and Exea [sic] Saphronia Stepp [var] Coffey, both natives of North Carolina. Joel was born in the Globe, Caldwell Co. c1790 to Reuben and Sally Scott Coffey. He died in Owen Co., IN c1843. Exea was born in NC c1805, and died in Alanthus Grove, Gentry Co., MO in Jun., 1876.

Jesse was born Oct. 13, 1817 in Burke Co., NC, and married Lucinda Dorcas Burpo on Feb. 14, 1840 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN.1 Lucinda was born May 10, 1825 in Burke Co., NC and died Sep. 16, 1897 in Alanthus Grove. Jesse died Oct. 16, 18852 in Alanthus Grove. Both are buried in the Jennings Cemetery at Alanthus Grove.

In 1850 Jesse and his family was in Jefferson Twp., Morgan Co., IN where Jesse was a farmer.

At last count, Jesse and Lucinda were parents of 17 children! The first was born in 1840, the last in 1867. Lucinda lived about 30 more years after the birth of her last child.

By 1860 the family had moved to Gentry Co., MO. Mary, their first child died sometime after 1850 but before 1860.

The family was still in Gentry Co. in 1870. James, Sarah and John as well as Catherine (Kate} were still at home.

Their children were:

Mary Elizabeth, born Dec. 1, 1840, died after 1850

Matilda Jane, born Jan. 12, 1842 in Morgan Co., IN, died Jun. 26, 1910; married Benjamin Franklin Routh. Ben died May 16, 1944

William Wiley, born Oct. 3, 1843 in Jefferson Twp., Morgan Co., IN, died Jun. 6, 1924 in Kansas City, Jackson Co., MO. He married Eliza Anderson, born Jun. 17, 1847, died Oct. 29, 1921 in Kansas City. I have not yet searched for their children, but this appears to be the entire family, all buried together at High Ridge Cemetery in Stanberry, Gentry Co, MO:

• Coffey, William W. 1843 - 1924;
• Coffey, Eliza A. 1847 - 1921; wife of William W.
• Coffey, Emma A. 15 Feb. 1869 - 11 Mar. 1948; possible dau. of Wm. & Eliza.
• Coffey, Myrtle 03 Aug. 1877 - 14 Apr. 1908; possible dau. of Wm. & Eliza.
• Coffey, William R. 1881 - 1943; possible son of Wm. & Eliza
• Coffey, Leora (no dates); possible dau of Wm. & Eliza.
• Coffey, Walter (no dates); possible son of Wm. & Eliza
• Coffey, Sarah J. 15 May 1835 - 17 Nov. 1917

Andy Milton, born Oct. 3, 1843

Louise Amanda, born Nov. 3, 1845

Jesse H., Jr., born May 2, 1847

James Lawson, born Mar. 14, 1849 in Jefferson Twp., died Apr. 25, 1918 in Alanthus Grove. He married Leah Meadows in Alanthus Grove in 1871. Leah was born Jul. 25, 1861 in Russell Co., KY, and died Feb. 24, 1926 in Wilson Twp., Gentry Co., MO. They were the parents of at least eight children [names and info on request]. Both are buried in the Jennings Cemetery at Alanthus Grove.

Martha Anne, born Feb. 18, 1851, Morgan Co., IN

Jasper Parks, born Apr. 12, 1853, Morgan Co., died May 22, 1940

Sarah Caroline, born Apr. 13, 1855 in Jefferson Twp., died Apr. 12, 1923 in Buchanan Co., MO. She married Milton Morris. There is evidence of at least six children, but birth record for only one has been found.3

John Benton, born Feb. 19, 1857 in Morgan Co., died Oct. 11, 1940. He married Emma J. Libby who died in 1907. Both are buried in the Jennings cemetery. In know of one son, Ray O., born Mar. 20, 1887, died Apr. 1969.

Lucinda Catherine, born Sep. 30, 1859 in Alanthus Grove, died Jan. 3, 1947. She married Augustus Joshua Door in 1879.

Malinda Emmeline, born Apr. 2, 1861 in Alanthus Grove, died Jul. 27, 1887.

Colonel R., born Alanthus Grove, Jan. 26, 1863.

Ruphus K., born Alanthus Grove, Mar. 15, 1864

Lincoln Sherman, born Apr. 2, 1865, Alanthus Grove, died Jan. 28, 1933 in Fair Twp., Platte Co., MO. He married Emma A. (Coot) Gunter c1889. She was born in MO in Feb., 1871 and died Feb., 1941 in Platte Co. They were parents of at least eight children [names and info on request].

The last child was Elijah Melvin, born Apr. 22, 1867 in Alanthus Grove and died Jun. 4, 1940. He married Elizabeth, last name unknown. Elijah is thought to be buried in Minot, Ward Co., ND.

Please contact me to add to or correct any of this information!

1Indiana State Library Genealogy Database: Marriages through 1850, Indiana State Library online [http://199.8.200.229/db/marriages_search.asp], accessed Sep.,2005 Coffey, Jesse [to] Burpo, Lucinda, Morgan Co., 2-16-1840

2[http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/mo/gentry/cemeteries/c1000001.txt]

3MO birth & Death Records, Gentry Co., Roll No. C 8987, Number 1697, Date of return: 6 May 1891, Morris [no first name given], male, sixth child; born May 2, 1891 in Alanthus, MO; Nat. of Father: American, born Gentry Co., age 38; Nat. of Mother: American, born Morgan Co., IN, age 35; Full name of Mother: Sarah C. Morris, maiden name: Coffey, residence: Gentry Co., Full name of Father: Milton Morris, farmer; J.C. Farr, MD

Born 18 Nov 1818, died 7 Aug 1904. Married Dorcas, born 10 May 1825, on 16 Sep 1897 in Owen Co. IN. Lott records show death of Jesse 16 Oct 1885 in Alanthus Grove, Gentry Co. MO. Dorcas also died there, 16 Sep 1897. She was born in Burke Co. Her father was John Burpo, born 1790 in NC and died about 1860 in Morgan Co. IN. Her mother was Leanna Guy, born 1790 in NC and died 1867 near Gosport, but in Morgan Co. Jesse was son of Benj. and Exa [sic] Stepp Coffey. Benjamin was born about 1790/1800 in NC, died about 1840/1849 in Monroe Co. IN. Exa was born 1790/1800 in NC and died April, 1856 (perhaps 1880) in Alanthus Grove, Gentry Co. MO. Matilda Janey, their daughter, was born 12 Jan 1842 in Morgan Co. IN and married Benj. Franklin Routh (b1840, d1921) on 16 May 1864 in Gentry Co & d 26 Jun 1910 in Perry, OK. Source: Deloris M. Ward, Stanberry, MO (deceased). Additional information on this family was provided to Coffey Cousins' newsletter by Betty Ann VanderWegen of Union, WA.

*Not all sources have been cited

Sandra Cloer Coffey (1945-2008)

Sandra was a co-founder of the Collettsville (North Carolina) Historical Society. She passed away on Mar. 7, 2008 in Caldwell Co., NC.

Her obituary can be found by clicking on the title link.

Coffey Video Service - North Carolina

Steve Coffey is a videographer in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

His company is available to document life events that should be made a part of your family posterity.

If you are in that area and interested in obtaining more information for your event, give him a call at the telephone number shown on the graphic, or visit his website.

Joyce Coffey (KY1934-2008)

The link to Joyce Coffey in the sidebar will take you to her obituary.

Joyce was the daughter of Walter Othel and Mamie Matilda Baltimore. Walter was born Mar. 26, 1913 in Scott Co., TN and died in Lexington, Fayette Co., KY on Dec. 5, 1974. I have not yet searched for information on Mamie.

Walter was the son of Captain Dick and Lettie J. McBride Coffey. Captain was born Jan. 19, 1872 in Flat Rock, McCreary Co., KY, and died Oct. 25, 1950 in Scott Co. He married Lettie on Mar. 19, 1901 in Scott Co. She was born c1881 in Oneida, Scott Co., and died there in Jan., 1926.

In addition to Walter, Captain and Lettie were parents of Maude, born 1901, died 1974; Ada, born 1903, died 1984; Jeff, born 1907, died 1930; John, born 1907, died 1976; Emily, born 1911, died 1930; and Ome, born 1916, died 1937. Walter is the only one for whom I have descendant info.

Captain was the ninth of 12 children born to Joseph and Bethada Strunk Coffey. Joseph and his family arrived in Kentucky - probably Wayne Co. - sometime before 1816. His father, James, and mother, Sarah Sumpter, both natives of North Carolina, were married in Burke Co. in 1810. The first two of their 10 (at least) children were born in North Carolina. The third child, Elizabeth, and all subsequent children, was born in Kentucky. Some of their children were born in Pulaski Co.

Corrections and/or updated info can be sent to me at the above e-mail address.

William J. and Mary Lou Coffey Austin

Mary Lou was the fifth child and second daughter of Thomas and Rachel M. Coffey Coffey. She was born in Feb., 1882 in North Carolina, and probably in Caldwell Co. Her father was the son of William and Margaret Robbins Coffey while her mother was the daughter of McCaleb and Elizabeth Collett Coffey. William was a nephew of McCaleb as well as a first cousins, once removed.*

Siblings to Mary Lou were:

- Louis McWill, born Apr. 27, 1874, died Apr., 1960; married Annie Pernell. There were no children born to this union.

His obituary:

Unknown, undated newspaper

Caldwell Native Buried Today

Funeral Services for Dr. L. M. Coffey, 86, retired Lincolnton dentist and a native of Caldwell county, were conducted at Warlick Funderal Home chapel at Lincolnton this afternoon. He had been a dentist in Lincolnton for more than 50 years.

A member of an early Caldwell county family, he was the son of Thomas and Rachel Coffey. His father operated the toll gate on the Lenoir - Blowing Rock road for many years.

He passed away on Sunday night. His widow, Mrs. Annie Coffey survives.

Nephews serving as pallbearers were Clarence P. Coffey, Collett Coffey, Bill Martin, James Mills, and Louis and Carl Wellborn.

In addition to the pallbearers local nephews and nieces are Mrs. Bill Martin, Mrs. T. Hamp Robbins, Mrs. Hugh Edmisten, Mrs. James Mills, Earl J. Austin and Ed Austin.

- James Larkin

- Carrie Elizabeth, born c1878, married Joseph Harrison Wellborn. He was born c1873 and died before 1920. They were married in Caldwell Co. in 1896. Eight children were born to this union. Jennie Beatrice, born 1900, died 1978; Carl Coffey, born Aug. 6, 1902, died May 15, 1986; Alma M., born c1904; Annie L., born c1906; Robert Louis, born Dec. 11, 1908, died Dec. 29, 1990; Carrie, born Sep. 13, 1910, died Feb. 28, 1985; Joseph Dale, born May 14, 1913; and Blanche Gertrude, born Nov. 19, 1914, died Mar. 8, 2004.

- Columbus Clarence, born Mar. 29, 1879, married Mitty Jane Davis, born c1875. Their children were Minnie, born c1905; Velma, born c1906; Haskel, born c1907; Donald, born c1909; Howard, born c1911; Maggie, born c1913; and Bessie Templeton, born Mar. 19, 1915.

Mary Lou died sometime before 1920, and most likely closer to 1913 when her last child was born.

Sometime later William remarried to Rosie LNU.

According to this WW1 draft registration, William Jefferson Austin was born Apr. 4, 1874. He was the son of Julius J. and Celia I. Harris Austin. Julius was born in Caldwell Co. in 1850 and died there on Mar. 3, 1947. Celia was born in 1852 and died Aug. 16, 1946 in Caldwell Co. They were Married Jun. 24, 1871 in that county.

William died in Morganton, NC in about 1960. I have his obituary but not a date for the publication therefore I do not know the exact date of death.

Two versions of his obituary:

Austin Rites are Conducted

Funeral services for William Jefferson Austin, 86, retired farmer of 215 Spruce Street, who passed away Wednesday morning in a Morganton hospital were conducted at 11 o'clock this morning at Greer Funeral Home Chapel. Rev. H. R. Crocker, pastor of First Advent Christian Church, was in charge, and burial was in the Austin family plot at Harper's Chapel Cemetery at Patterson.

Pallbearers were Ben Eller, Lex Hartley, Sam Hartley, Collett Coffey, Louis Welborn and Clarence Coffey.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Roxie Barlow Austin, four sons, a daughter, a brother, three sisters ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

News Item, unknown publication, unknown date

W. J. Austin Taken By Death

William Jefferson Austin, 86, well-known retired farmer who has made his residence at 215 Spruce Street for a number of months, passed away in a Morganton hospital at four o'clock this morning. He had been seriously ill for the last four months and had been in failing health for the last several years.

Funeral services will be conducted at Greer Funeral Home Chapel at 11 o'clock Thursday morning with Rev. H. R. Crocker, pastor of First Advent Christian Church, in charge. Interment will be in the Austin Family plot at Harper's Chapel cemetery at Patterson.

A member of an early Caldwell county family, Austin had spent most of his life farming in the Patterson section of the county. He was born at Patterson on April 4, 1874, the son of Julius Jefferson Austin and Celia Harris Austin. He was a member of the First Advent Christian church.

Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Roxie Barlow Austin, and the following children by a former marriage to Mary Coffey: Thomas Lester Austin of Hickory, Herbert William Austin of Morganton, Earl Jefferson and Ned Austin, born ot Lenoir, and Mrs. Lawrence McMillan of Lenoir.

Also surviving are a brother, George Austin of Lenoir, and three sisters, Mrs. Nell Hartley, Mrs. Rose Bean and Mrs. Jennie McGhinnis, also of Lenoir. There are ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

The children of Mary Lou and William Jefferson were:

Thomas Lester, born May 24, 1906, died Apr. 30, 2000. Thomas married Katherine Arminta Earney. They had at least one child, a son Thomas Earney Austin, botn c1932.

Earl Jefferson, born Jun. 12, 1908, died Aug. 24, 1944. Married Mildred Doris Earney - probably a sister to Katherine. They had at least two children: William David, born c1929 and Earl, Jr., born c1934.

William Herbert, born May 10, 1911, died Jan. 2, 1997

Ned, born Apr. 15, 1913, died Aug. 25, 2002

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





*http://blog.eogn.com/eastmans_online_genealogy/2008/02/
what-is-second.html

[Readers may have to cut and past this url]

James Larkin Coffey

James was born in Nov., 1875 to Thomas and Rachel M. Coffey in North Carolina. He married Rachel Elizabeth Robbins on Apr. 22, 1896, a daughter of John Pickens and Sarah Louise Pipes Robbins. She was born Mar. 19, 1878 in Caldwell Co., NC and died in 1958 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL.

Her obituary:

Lenoir News-Topic, date unknown

Coffey Rites Set Friday

Funeral services for Mrs. Rachel Elizabeth Robbins Coffey, 80, of Chicago, Ill., and Lenoir, who died Tuesday in Chicago following an extended illness, will be held Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at Central Advent Christian Church. Officiating will be the pastor, the Rev. W. F. Preslar, and interment will be in Belleview Cemetery. The body will not lay in state.

Serving as active pallbearers will be Bernard Olson, Robert Olson, Grayson Annas, Hal Sherill, Wallace Clontz and Deitz Rudisill.

Born March 19, 1878 in Caldwell County, Mrs. Coffey was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John Pickens Robbins. Her husband, James L. Coffey, died in 1941. She was a charter member of Central Advent Christian Church and a member of the local chapter of the Order of Eastern Star.

Surviving are a daughter, three sons, nine grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren, four brothers and two sisters.

James and Rachel spent their first 15 years or so in Caldwell Co. before moving to Cleveland, Cuyahoga Co., OH. James worked for sometime at the Willard Storage Co. as a "battery worker." Most of their children also went to work at an early age to help support the family. In 1920 Collet, age 21, reported that he was unemployed. Fred, age 17, worked as a deliveryman for a retail grocer; Clarence, age 16, worked as a stenographer in an auto factory while Frances, age 23, worked as a general clerk in an advertising office.

I'm not sure that the census taker didn't make a mistake and transpose the occupations of Clarence and Frances.

In 1930 James was still in the watchman business but worked for a hardware company in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. Collett was married by then and was an accountant at Nut and Boles - whatever that might be. Frances Reid Coffey, his wife, was also a member of the family. Also in the family was William P. Frye, the husband of Frances Amelia, and their two children, Helen and Mary. Frances Amelia was not enumerated and perhaps was deceased.

Collett Columbus died in Jan., 1917 in Catawba Co.

His obituary:

Unnamed, undated newspaper

Collet C. Coffey, 80, formerly of Lenoir, died today in a Hickory hospital.

He was born Nov. 30, 1899, in Caldwell County, a son of the late James and Rachel Robbins Coffey.

He was the retired office administrator at Appalachian State University, a deacon and elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Boone, and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Lenoir.

Survivors include his wife, two daughters, 11 grand-children, a great-grandchild, plus two aunts and many cousins in Lenoir.

A memorial service will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in Boone.

I have not found any further information on Fred and Clarence.

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

Wadsworth (Watt) Goode

Wadsworth ties into my Coffee family through Margaret, his daughter who married Lilburn Warren Coffee.

Wadsworth F. (Watt) Goode was born Jan. 1825 in Alabama. His parents were born in South Carolina. He married Nancy Emmeline Moore in Fayette Co., TX on Aug. 15, 1851. She was born in Mar. 1834 in Mississippi. Her parents were natives of North Carolina.

In 1860 Watt and Nancy were residing in Austin Co., TX where Watt gave his profession as "trader." They were already parents of five children:

- Josephine, born c1852
- Frances (Fannie), born c1854
- Margaret, born May, 7, 1855, died Mar. 16, 1946, married Lilburn Warren Coffee
- Unnamed male, born c1857. The 1860 census referred to him by the initial R. He apparently did not survive to the 1870 census.
- Madison, born c1859

Watt's application for pension shows that he enlisted on the Confedrate side at Yoakum, TX in Apr., 1864 with Capt. Clay Davis' company and was stationed at Rancho Davis, TX. He was discharged in Apr., 1865.

According to the Handbook of Texas Online, Rancho Davis was established on the Rio Grande in 1847 by Henry Clay Davis. After the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ended the Mexican War in 1848, the area became part of Nueces Co. It is now part of Starr Co., and is known as Rio Grande City.

The family relocated to Travis Co. after the Civil War, and then to Hays Co. by 1880. By then, four additional children had been born into the family:

- H. Richard (Dick), born Aug., 1865
- Louisa, born c1866
- Jeremiah (Jerry), born c1868
- Joseph, born c1871

In 1870 Watt had given up trading because he was listed as retired from the grocery business, and worked as a farmer. The family once again relocated, this time to Yoakum in DeWitt Co., TX. Watt was 75 years old by then. Emmeline must have died in DeWitt Co., because she is missing in the 1910 census. By the time of that census Watt was a widower and was found living in the household with his widowed daughter, Frances Goode Wilson in DeWitt Co.

Watt died in 1914 in Lavaca Co., and was buried in the Oak Grove Cemetery at Yoakum. I presume that Emmeline was also buried there, but I have no first hand knowledge of that.

In addition to Margaret, I have found a few of Watt's other children:

Frances married Jason Antonio Wilson in about 1875. He was born in Jan., 1845 and died before the census in 1910. They had 12 children, 10 of which survived to become adults. They were: Frances, born c1879; Jason, Jr., born Oct. 1880; W. Sam, born Aug., 1882; H. Joseph, born Aug., 1884; Clyde, born Apr. 1887; William, born Mar. 1889; Nancy, born Nov., 1891; Thomas, born Jul., 1892; Rosa, born Aug., 1894; and Dixie, born Dec., 1896.

Jason Jr. is the only person that I have ever found in any record who gave his occupation as "cowboy." He listed that as his occupation when he registered for the WW1 draft in Hallettsville, Lavaca Co. on Sep. 5, 1918. by 1920 he was a "hired hand" on a ranch in Coconino Co., AZ.

Madison married but I have not yet found his wife's name. He was a widower in the household with his parents at the time of the 1900 census. With him were his children: Olga, born May., 1884; Nate or Wate, a daughter, born Apr. 1885; Nellie, born Aug., 1889; and Jeremiah (Jerry), born Jun., 1891.

Richard (Dick) married Julia c1894 in Texas and in the 1900 census was the father of Mamie, born Sep., 1895; Emma, born Sep., 1897; and a then unnamed daughter, born Mar., 1900.

I would like to hear from anyone researching the Watt Goode family and his ancestors. Please write to me at the above e-mail address.

Homer Ernest Coffey

Homer Ernest Coffey was a son of Adolphus and Susan H. Miller Coffey. He was born in Oct., 1863 in Illinois and died May 21, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA. Somewhere between Illinois and California he married Ina Sproul, a daughter of Henry and Melissa Jane Grainger Sproul. The marriage probably occurred in California because their first child was born there.

Adolphus was a native of North Carolina where he was born Sep. 16, 1836 to Larkin and Catherine H. Wilson Coffey. Adolphus married Susan H. Miller on Sep. 16, 1860 in Owen Co., IN. Susan was born on Jan. 26, 1838 in New York and died in Owen Co. on Oct. 10, 1873. They were the parents of five children. Adolphus was married a second time to Susan F. Stoneman on Mar. 12, 1874 and fathered three additional children.

Homer was the second of the five children born to Adolphus and Susan. In 1880 he was a resident in the Owen Co., IN household of his cousin Asbury Coffey. By 1900 he and Ina had been married for 11 years, and resided in Ventura Co., CA where Homer worked as a carpenter. By 1910 they had moved to Los Angeles where Homer continued to work as a carpenter, and by 1920 the family was living in Orange Co. where Homer went to work in the oil fields. Ina died on Dec. 7 of that year in Placentia, Orange Co. and was buried on Dec. 9, 1920 in Loma Vista Cemetery at Fullerton.

Homer had apparently retired by 1930 because he did not provide an occupation in the census taken in April of that year. He died on May 21, 1941 in Los Angeles and was buried on May 24, 1941 in Loma Vista.

There were eight children born to the union of Homer and Ina:

- Walter Floyd, born Oct. 27, 1889 in Santa Paula, Ventura Co., and died in San Francisco on May. 20, 1947. He was buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery at San Bruno in San Mateo Co. Walter married Bernice Alameda Holbert who was born Jul. 6, 1898 in Terre Haute, Vigo Co., IN. She died on Nov. 23, 1958 in San Francisco and was also buried at Golden Gate.

In 1930 he and Bernice resided in Orange Co. where he worked as a warehouseman for an oil company. By 1936 they had relocated to Los Angeles where Walter worked as a carpenter.

Their children were: Walter Keith, born Jun. 14, 1929, died Feb. 22, 1978; Mary Ellen - no dates; and Robert Sidney, born Jul. 17, 1936, died Aug. 21, 1961.

- Fred Everett, born Mar., 1891, died Apr. 21, 1947. He apparently remained a bachelor for sometime. He was employed in the motion picture business in Santa Monica in 1920.

- Harley Adolphus, born Apr. 12, 1893 in Santa Paula, and died Jun. 14, 1973 in Medina Co., OH. He married a Hungarian born lady by the name of Christine. She emigrated to the US in 1900 and was naturalized in 1917. In 1928 they resided in Los Angeles. According to voter rolls, they remained in Los Angeles as a couple until about 1937 or 1938. From 1938 until about 1945 they resided at different addresses in Los Angeles Co. By 1946 however, they were again living as man and wife in Los Angeles Co. I believe they had only one child, a daughter named Evelyn J., born c1921. When Harley registered for the WW1 draft in Orange Co. on Jun. 5, 1917, he described himself as being of medium height with slender build, blue eyes and light colored hair.

- Leonard O., born Jul., 1895. By 1930 Leonard was a prisoner in the state penal farm at Angola, Louisiana.

- Agnes R., born Aug. 26, 1898. Agnes married George Walter Bowen, born Dec., 1898 in Louisiana to Samuel and Victoria A. Bowen. George was an oil field hand in 1920 Orange Co. By 1930 the family resided in Huntington Beach, Orange Co. where George worked as an oil field draftsman. I know of one child, a daughter Beverley Agnes, born Oct. 12, 1925 in Los Angeles Co. Prior to her marriage Agnes was a stenographer in Fullerton, Orange Co.

- Avis, born Jul. 6, 1901. In 1922 she was also a stenographer in Fullerton.

- Donald Keith, born Jul. 6, 1904, died Apr. 23, 1984 in Ventural Co. He married Ora P. c1928 in California. Their children were Donald Homer, born Jun. 28, 1928 and, Edith Lorraine, born Oct. 6, 1929.

Additions and/or corrections can be sent to me at the above e-mail address.

Virgil Coffee

Coffey Cousins lost a dear and great friend today.

Virgil Coffee died this morning at about 7:30MST in Albuquerque, NM where he lived with his son Dale and his family. Another son, Ed Coffee of Dale City, VA also survives. There are other children and grandchildren who survive but I do not know all of them. Ed is current "president" of Coffey Cousins'.

Anyone who ever met Virgil at one of the Coffey Cousins' reunions knows how knowledgeable he was about his genealogy. He could recite more lineages from memory than most people can store on computers.

Arrangements were incomplete when I spoke to the family this afternoon.

I have expressed my condolences to the family and have notified those Coffey Cousins' for whom I have an e-mail address. Please forward a link to this entry to anyone who you believe may have known Virgil, and who may not know about his death.

Please keep Virgil and his family in your prayers!

Obituary:

Virgil Oren Coffee, 94, of McIntosh, passed away January 13, 2008, at the home of his son Dale in Rio Rancho. Born October 5, 1913, in Hugo, Oklahoma, to James Carroll and Lelia Jane Kendrick Coffee. He was the fourth of their six children.

Virgil lived in Hugo and attended public schools there. During the late 1920's and early 1930's he worked a variety of agriculture related jobs until he finally became a short-order cook. He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps as a cook in camps in California. In 1935 he enlisted in the United States Army; becoming an officer during World War II. He served in the Medical Service Corps performing medical evacuation during combat operations in Europe. When conflict began in Korea in 1950 he saw action again as an officer conducting medical evacuation during combat operations. He retired from the Army in 1956, with the rank of Major, while serving as medical supply officer of the station hospital, Sandia Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. After working for the New Mexico National Guard in supply operations in the late 1950's, he worked as a weapons management specialist for the Defense Nuclear Agency in Albuquerque, 1960-73. During this period he was detached to work with the State Department's AID mission in Vietnam, 1967-68. He was in Saigon during the Tet Offensive.

Virgil married a young widow, Iva Fern Wingfield Green, June 3, 1938, in Las Cruces, New Mexico. They had seven children. The family lived in California, Arizona, New Mexico (Alamogordo), Florida, North Carolina, New Jersey, Colorado, Kansas and New Mexico (Albuquerque, 1953-61; McIntosh, 1961-2008).

Virgil was predeceased by his parents; his wife; one son, Daniel Lee Coffee; one great-grandson, Damon Coffee; two brothers, Robert Lee and James Haskell Coffee; and two sisters, Margaret and Nadine Coffee.

He is survived by three sons, Edwin Russell Coffee and wife Phyllis of Woodbridge, VA; Virgil Oren Coffee, Jr. of Albuquerque; Dale Scott Coffee and wife Nola of Rio Rancho; three daughters, Iva Fern Barclay and husband Ernest of Moriarity; Barbara Jean Gonzales and husband Tommy of Blue Water Lake; Patricia Laverne Britt of Odessa, Texas; brother Edwin Russell Coffee of Bakersfield, California; sixteen grandchildren; twenty-four great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.

Squire Coffey

Squire Coffey, born c1803 in Burke Co., NC, was a son of Smith Coffey and Hannah Boone. One genealogy that I have seen indicates that he married Nancy Moore on Dec. 29, 1824 in Burke Co. Nancy, is it said, was born Jan. 13, 1806 in Caldwell Co., and died there in 1826. Apparently there were no live children born to their union.

A Burke Co. marriage bond by Daniel Moore - perhaps some kin to Nancy - shows the marriage of Squire on Dec. 29, 1824 to Nancy. A History of Watauga County and, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868 show that Squire married Alley Webb with bond dated Oct. 2, 1828 in Burke Co. Daniel Moore was a witness. Another genealogy report submitted by Charles Crabtree for inclusion in the Edward Coffey Project contains this information:

Smith W. Coffey's father, Squire Coffey was born about 1802\3 in Burke County North Carolina and died after 1840 in Cherokee County North Carolina, reportedly buried in the Peachtree Cemetery in the same county.

Squire and Alley (Ella?) had at least four children:

Margaret, born c1833, died May, 29, 1899. Margaret married Joseph Baker c1835 in North Carolina. I have found only two children for them: William, born c1847 and Mary, born c1849.

Smith, born May 1832, died Jan. 11, 1916.

Henry, born c1837 in Burke Co. He married Elizabeth Kendall, a daughter of William and Sarah D. Kendall around 1860. Elizabeth was born c1847 in North Carolina. Henry apparently died before 1870 - perhaps in the Civil War - because Elizabeth appears in the 1870 census with her parents in Caldwell Co. With her was her daughter, Laura, born in Aug., 1861.

I have one other child for Squire and Alley. She was Mary, born c1838 but I have not found her after 1850 when she was in the household with her widowed mother in Caldwell Co.

Squire died after 1840 and is thought to be buried somewhere in Cherokee Co., NC. I have not yet found a death date or place for Alley.

Please contact me with additions or corrections.

Asbury Coffey

Update 2-29-2012:  I have been unable to determine who the Asbury (var.) Coffey was who married Malinda Rash or Sarah Winkler.  I believe these families were mostly Burke Co. natives and perhaps not related to the James Asbury Coffey who married Chany Gragg.  As a result, I have removed the Coffey-Rash-Winkler family from the Edward Coffey Project until I can accurately determine who they are.

---

James Asbury died in ca April, 1866 leaving a widow, Chaney [sic] and four minor children; e.g., Leroy (Levy?), Mary, Martha and Henry, "...infants and heirs at law of the said Jas. L. [sic] Coffee [sic].

In an action brought before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions in the April 1866 session, Chaney declared that her husband died intestate in Caldwell Co., "seized & possessed of one tract of land lying in our said county whereon he formerly lived on the waters of Johns River adjoining the land of Daniel Moore & others..."  She claimed that she was entitled to the land by dower.  She also asked that a guardian ad litem be appointed to represent the interest of the children.

In Sept. of 1866 she was allotted what appears to me to be the entire household, including farming equipment, crops and animals.  I haven't found a document specifically granting her the real estate.

---

I believe the Asbury Coffey in the census records below might be James Asbury son of Thomas Coffey, Jr and Nancy Pendley. If I am correct, then he and the Marvel Coffey living next door to Nancy and Asbury in 1850 are first cousins.

The James Asbury that I have as Marvel's cousin was married in 1858* to Chainey Gragg1, the daughter of Enoch and Rebecca Estes Gragg, in the Globe Twp., Caldwell Co. They had at least four children: William, born Jan., 1859; Mary Louise, born Nov., 1859; Henry Kelly (Caleb), born Aug., 1861; and Martha R., born Aug., 1861. If, as the two census records indicate, he was born in 1830 then it is likely that he was married at least once before Chainey.

The kicker in all of this is that a James Asbury Coffey enlisted in Co. F., 26th NC Troops in Caldwell Co. on Mar. 20, 1862 and, died c1866.2

Chainey's death record** gives her name as Mrs. Chaney Davis and her parents as Enoch and Beckey Estes. She married Alexander Davis on Sep. 13, 1865*** indicating that she and Asbury apparently divorced sometime prior to that, giving him the opportunity to marry again and father the children listed in the 1880 census.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you can positively identify him or, can provide additional information that might place him him in the correct family.

Jun 3, 1880
ED208, Page 4
Mulberry, Wilkes Co., NC
dwelling 43/family 46

Coffey, Asberry, white male, age 50, married, farmer, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Sarah, white female, age 38, wife, married, keeping house, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, William, white male, age 17, son, single, works on farm, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Mary, white female, age 13, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Martha C., white female, age 11, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Racheal L. [?], white female, age 5, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC
Coffey, Laura E., white female, age 3, dau, single, born NC, parents born NC


Sep. 4, 1850
Kings Creek District
Caldwell Co., NC
dwelling 606/family 607

Marvel Coffey, age 30, male, white, farmer, $600, born NC
Nancy Coffey, age 30, female, white, born NC
Granville, age 5, male, born NC
Laura, age 2, female, born NC
Mary, age 11 mos., born NC
James Coffey, age 78, male, born VA

dwelling 607/family 608

Nancy Coffey, age 50, female, born NC
Asbury Coffey, age 19, male, born NC




1 Chaney is said to have had a child in 1857 out of wedlock, fathered by Elisha Gragg
2 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, 26th NCT [http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.cfm]* Caldwell Co. Marriage Records, Book 1, Page 249
** Caldwell Co. Death Records, Book 10, Page 17
***North Carolina Marriages, 1741-2004

Rickey Allen Coffey

[Update Apr. 18, 2008: The link to this article in the Morganton paper is dead. This one leads to the Burke Co., NC Sheriff's website containing information about Rickey Allen Coffey.]

According to a Sep. 2006 article in the Morganton News Herald, Rickey Allen Coffey shot and killed his father-in-law, Maynard Memory Reece in Dec. 2001. Coffey then attempted to take his own life by shooting himself in the face. The attempt failed, and now after five years of rehabilitation, Coffey finally faces justice.

He apparently did not come to trial until 2005 when, after a plea agreement, he was sentenced to 11-15 years in prison. He was expected to report to prison on Oct. 1, 2006 to begin serving his sentence.

Click on the title link to read more about Rickey Allen Coffey.

If any reader can identify the parents and/or grandparents of Coffey, please write to me at the above e-mail address.

Rufus Anson Coffey

Rufus was another child of John Calvin and Nancy Caroline Tuttle Coffey. He was born on Jul. 21, 1888 in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co., NC and, did Sep. 5, 1981 in Greensboro, Guilford Co., NC.

Rusus married Beatrice Chloe Moore in 1910 and, in Caldwell Co. He registered there for the draft on Jun. 5, 1917. He was described then as being tall with medium build, grey eyes and black hair. He resided in Gastonia with his wife and two children and, was in the insurance business. I am unable to read the name of his company on the card. In 1920 the family resided in Hendersonville, Henderson Co.

Beatrice was born in May, 1894 in Caldwell Co., the daughter of John B. and Olive Moore. She and Rufus were the parents of at least three children:

James Cecil, born Jul. 22, 1912

Ivan Moore, born 1916

Dr. Robert (Bob), born Oct. 19, 1921, died Mar. 12, 2004

His obituary:

Obituary, News-Record, Greensboro, NC, Mar. 16, 2004

ROBERT "BOB" TUTTLE COFFEY

03-14-2004

MOORESVILLE — Dr. Robert "Bob" Tuttle Coffey, died Friday, March 12, 2004, at his residence.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2004, at the Cavin-Cook Funeral Home Chapel, Mooresville.

He was born in Hendersonville, N.C., and was a son of the late Rufus Anson and Beatrice Chloe Moore Coffey. Dr. Coffey earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Wake Forest University, Medical degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and did his internship at George Washington University. He practiced family medicine in Greensboro for several years before specializing in psychiatry at Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Upon completing his residency in 1969, Dr. Coffey opened a private practice in Greensboro before joining Tri-County Mental Health as clinical director. After retiring from Tri-County Mental Health, he joined the staff of Broughton Hospital in Morganton. Dr. Coffey was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity and the elite and prestigious Society of the Quiet Birdman. He was a U.S. Army veteran having served in World War II. Dr. Coffey was preceded in death by brothers, Dr. James Cecil Coffey and Ivan Moore Coffey.

He is survived by his children, Leigh Coffey Byers and husband, Marty, and Robert Anson Coffey; and former wife, Nancy Koontz Coffey, all of Mooresville.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, c/o Lib Cooke, 129 Pampas Lane, Mooresville, N.C. 28117, and/or Williamson's Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, 575 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, N.C. 28117, and/or the charity of donor's choice.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, 494 E. Plaza Drive, Mooresville, is serving the family of Dr. Coffey.

I have some information on the remainder of John and Nancy's children that I will share via e-mail.

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

Bessie Maude Coffey

Bessie was a daughter of John Calvin and Nancy Caroline Tuttle Coffey. She was born in Nov., 1885 and in North Carolina, probably Caldwell Co. She died Feb. 28, 1972 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.

Bessie married John Hill Lee in Caldwell Co. in 1907. Census records from 1910 to 1930 show them as residents of first, Patterson Twp., then 20 years in Mulberry Twp.

There were at least five children born to John and Bessie:

Rose Helen, born Jun. 12, 1909, died Mar. 28, 1995. She married Hal Pettigrew Presnell, a son of Jefferson Pettigrew and Ella Gertrude Tuttle Presnell. They had at least one child, Linda Jean, born Feb. 5, 1942.

Horace Randolph, born Mar. 10, 1912, died Sep. 23, 1997.

Walton Hill, born Apr. 29, 1914, died Nov. 8, 2003. Walton married Hazel Hayes and, they were the parents of at least two sons: Clarence (Toney), born Feb. 27, 1945, died Apr. 24, 2004; and Douglas.

Edith C., born 1916, died 2002

Robert, born c1922

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

Thomas & Elizabeth Coffey Fields

Susan Caroline Connelly

Thomas Fields, Esq., born c1747 in Virginia, was a son of Richard Fields and Elizabeth Murrel. He married Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of John and Jane Graves Coffey probably in the late 1760's and probably in Virginia or North Carolina.

I have not researched The Fields family, relying more on existing published works, and especially that published by Dr. Marvin Coffey (dec'd) in his work on James Bluford Coffey in 1984.

Marvin wrote that he had found "no records indicating when or where she [Elizabeth Coffey] was born." She is known to have married Thomas Fields, brother of Sally who married Thomas Coffey. Thomas Fields' 1807 will lists Betty, his wife, and children: James Crumpton, William, Reuben, Betsy Penley, Winifred Humphrey, Polly Humphrey,and Sally Penley.

I have seen other work that lists children of Thomas and Elizabeth as: William who married Susan Morgan; Jane who married Hezekiah Compton; Reuben who married first a Lee and second, Leanah [sic]Pendley; Elizabeth who married Jonathan Pendley; Winfred who married John Hemphrey; Mary who married William Humphrey; and Sarah who married James Pen[d]ley.

Recent e-mail from Paul Hermann in Australia informed me that William Fields and Susan Morgan had a son named Morgan Fields, born c1797. According to Paul's research, Morgan married Catherine Humphreys on Jan. 5, 1819 in Wilkes Co., NC. Their daughter, Frances Elvira Austin Fields, born c1836 in Georgia, married James Connelly on Jan. 2, 1860 in New Orleans, La.

James was born c1826 in London, England. After their marriage he and Frances moved to Australia where they lived out their lives. Their daughter, Susan Caroline Connelly married John Berry in Smithfield in South Australia, near Adelaide.

The photo of Caroline is courtesy of Paul.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections. I can also provide contact information for Paul should anyone wish to contact him about his research.

Other NC Cemeteries With Coffey Burials

I am searching for accurate GPS coordinates and/or driving directions to the following:

Sam Coffey Cemetery near Lenoir in Caldwell County: Is this cemetery also known as Leonard Coffey Cemetery? There is a Leno [sic] Coffey buried there, born 1857, died 1927.

Coffey Family Cemetery, Roseborough, Avery Co., NC: Buried here, among others, is Buena Vista Coffey, daughter of Raban Scott and Margaret E. Hollander Coffey. She was born Aug. 27, 1891, died Apr. 6, 1987 and was the wife of John Sherman Coffey. Who else is buried here?

Coffey Family Cemetery, Andrews, Cherokee Co., NC: James Louis Coffey, born Aug. 8, 1943, died May 21, 2002, son of Leason Herman and Lucille Mae Rector Coffey, is buried here. Who else is buried here?

I can be reached at the above e-mail address.