Nancy Caroline Gragg 1837-1919

Watauga Democrat, May 27, 1920, Vol. XXXI, No. 32, Page 1, Col. 1

Mrs. Nancy Caroline Gragg

Born June 14, 1837; Fell Asleep December 28, 1919

(E. N. Joyner in Lenoir News-Topic.)

There passed out, from the home of Mr. and Mrs. Kelley Coffey, in the Rosborough Settlement, Avery county, on the Lord’s Day, December 28, 1919, the soul of one of “Our Fathers” most faithful daughters.  This was Mrs. Nancy Caroline Gragg.  She was the mother, and grandmother and the great-grandmother of the whole settlement.  A life like hers deserves more than a passing notice, by reason of its own quality, and as a guide-post to other way-farers.

Mrs. Gragg was born June 14, 1837, in the neighborhood of what is now Pineola.  At sixteen she was married to Madison Gragg twenty years her senior who died in November 1893.  With him she came to his home, within a few hundred yards of where she fell asleep in her 83^rd birthday.  She was the mother of thirteen children of whom four are living:  N. Madison, Mary wife of Mr. T. C. Gragg, Mrs. Norah Philyaw, and L. Carroll, all except Mrs. Philyaw in the same neighborhood of their birthplace.

She was a true and faithful member of the Baptist Church.  But she was even more than that for her Christian heart was as wide as the compass of all the churches, for she tried to follow in the footsteps of her Lord Jesus the Christ, Whose greatest distinction was that “He went about doing good.”  She gave her busy years to her children as long as they needed her, helping them to live and showing them how; she was always ready for any kind of service, as far as she knew of its need; and could go.  She was never idle.  Whatever her hands found to do, for her own support or the benefit of others, she did it with her might.  There has scarcely been a child born in all that region for many years whose coming she did not welcome with a tender skillfulness.  Everywhere she was affectionately known as “Granny Gregg.” [sic].  She was an example in all robust virtues, as well as denying herself some of the most common vices, for, among other things, she never used tobacco in any form, and she felt contempt for liquor, and for those who let them come under its slavery.  Industry was a habit with her; in one chief thing she ever rejoiced, and that was to “sow and reap.”  Every year, even the very last, she “made a garden.”  No one could keep her from it, and now some are enjoying the fruit of her planting after her spirit has fruited in the Paradise of God.

Under the burden of her years she had grown more and more feeble until last summer she had a sudden and very serious attack.  This, to the surprise of all, she survived, and was able to go around again, even to dig in her old garden at the house where she lived so many years; and it was according to the spirit and custom of her life that the day before she found rest she compelled them to put her on horseback that she might go several miles to minister to one of her friends in trouble, whom she had promised.  She returned on Sunday afternoon from this “Good Samaritan” visit, and was tired, ate a bit of lunch, laid down to rest, and went to sleep.  Yes, “asleep in Jesus, blessed sleep,: and the more blessed because it came to her wearied old body, and on the Sabbath Day, just after she had forces it in spirit to take a hard journey that she might be “going about doing good.”

She had made her home with her grandson, Mr. Kelly Coffey, who, with his wife, left nothing undone for his comfort.  Her funeral was conducted by her good friend, the Rev. Oscar Dellinger, according to the rites of her own church.

He who writes this incomplete record of her noble live regards it a sacred privilege to have known her, to have rejoiced in her cherished friendship, and to have had again and again the assurance of her prayers.  He thinks it an hour [sic] to thus bear sincere testimony to the beauty of her character, and to those who stand nearest to her in ties of blood, nor to any, could he wish a greater fortune that to find and to follow in the path she trod, of which the Book says:  “The path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more until the perfect day.”

Mrs. Caroline Gragg died December 28, 1919, and her obituary written by Rev. E. N. Joyner for the Lenoir News-Topic, is as true, I believe, as could be written.  Mrs. Gragg was a daughter of John Gragg, Sr. he being a son of William Gragg, a soldier of the Revolutionary war.  Wm. Gragg, with his family, came to North Carolina soon after the Revolutionary war, and settled on John’s River, Caldwell county.  John was born in Appleton county, Va., in 1781.  He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Mayns and second to Susan Barrier.  To the first marriage were born 7 boys and one girl, Nicey, mother of ex-Sheriff W. H. Calaway, of Watauga.  To the second marriage were born seven girls and four boys, making in all nineteen children.  John Gragg, Sr., died in 1852, sitting in a chair in the house where Jack Smith now lives at Vilas.  Mrs. N. C. Gragg left surviving her two brothers and a sister, Empsie Gragg, of Watauga, W. W. Gragg of Farmington, Wash., and Mrs. Margaret D. Qualls, of Overton, Tennessee, mother of J. Lee Qualls, of Boone.  Mrs. N. C. Gragg was a twin sister of Mrs. Adeline Presnell, wife of W. W. Presnell, who died Feb. 12, 1907.  She was the aunt of the Rev. E. M. Gragg, Mrs. Will Henson and others.

by: W. W. Presnell [same source as above]

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Who Was Who?

James Madison Gragg was born Jul. 1824 in Caldwell Co., to David Obediah Gragg and Elizabeth Webb.  He died in Nov., 1893.  Both he and Granny Gragg are buried at the Gragg Cemetery in Gragg, Avery Co., NC.  It was David Obediah who was the son of William Obediah Gragg, known as “Revolutionary Bill” Gragg.  His wife was Elizabeth Pulliam.  Parents of Elizabeth Webb were James Crittenden Webb, Jr. and wife Jane Hight.

N. Madison Gragg was Newton Madison, born July 1869, died 1936 in Linville, NC.  His wife was Mary Jane Crump, born 1872, died 1968 in Banner Elk, Avery Co.  Her parents were David and Mahulda Jane Clarke Crump.

Mary Gragg, wife of Thomas C. Gragg.  Mary was born in 1871 and died in 1938.  Her husband Thomas was born in 1867 and died in 1944.  He was a son of Jesse Gragg and wife Matilda Shull.  Thomas and Mary are undoubtedly related but I have not made that connection.

Nora, born in 1880, married a Philyaw but I have not yet made that connection.

L. Carroll was Leason Carroll, born 1882, died 1951.  He married Dora Belle Beane in 1900.  She was a daughter of John Locke Beane and Alice C. Philyaw, born 1882, died 1966 at Crossnore in Avery Co.  Rhona Gragg, a daughter of Leason and Dora, married Aaron Paul Blalock, son of the infamous William McKesson “Keith” Blalock.  A son, Daniel Windom Gragg married Lavinia Viola “Vinnie” Coffey in 1926.  She was a daughter of David Columbus and Julia N. Baird Coffey.  And, another son, Shelby Delon Gragg married Esslene Coffey, she being the daughter of Grover Cleveland and Cora E. Gragg Coffey.

A friend of mine, Margaret Coffey Farley, now deceased, was born in Mercer Co., WV but raised around Coffey’s Gap in the shadow of Grandfather Mountain once told me “…if you scratch a Gragg you’ll find a Coffey.”  She didn't stretch the truth. 

The Rev. Oscar C. Dellinger was a son of Martha Ann Dellinger, a daughter of Elkanna and Elizabeth Godsey Dellinger.  I do not know who his father was.  He was born in 1882 and died in 1966 at Collettsville in Caldwell Co.  He was married twice, first to Minnie Dellinger, daughter of Thomas R. and Eveline McKinney and his first cousin. She died in 1922 and he married Annie Mae Crisp in 1930.

William Kelly Coffey was a son of Thomas M. & Martha Cordelia Gragg Coffey  Martha was Granny Gragg’s child, born c1867 in her marriage to James Madison Gragg.  The wife of William Kelly was Bessie May Philyaw to whom he was married on Mar. 17, 1907 in Caldwell Co.

Granny's Find A Grave Memorial can be viewed here; her husband's memorial here.

Edmund Paza Gragg

Updated 6.16.2014 - See footnote 1
Updated same date - See footnote 2


I touched on Edmund Paza Gragg and his family in an earlier blog.

According to his death certificate¹, his father was William E. Philyaw, a son of Moses and Lucinda Ann "Lucy" Holden Philyaw.  His mother was Nancy "Nicey" Coffey, a daughter of Joseph and Isabella Lindsay Coffey.  At Edmund's birth, Nancy was the widow of William Obediah Gragg, often referred to as "Revolutionary Bill" Gragg.

Edmund Paza Gragg Family
Photo contributor unknown*

Edmund was born on Mar. 5, 1850 in Caldwell Co., NC and died in Rabun Co., GA on Dec. 21, 1920.  He married Mahuldah Vasty, maiden name unknown, c1870.  She was born Feb. 9, 1952 in NC and was likely married to Edmund there.  She died on Dec. 22, 1925, five years and one day after the death of Edmund.  Both are buried at Flat Creek Baptist Church Cemetery at Clayton in Rabun Co.

She and Edmund were parents of seven boys and one girl.  Margaret was born in Feb., 1872 and appeared with her parents in Rabun Co. through the 1910 census.  In 1910 she appeared as a widow.  Two children with surname Jones appeared in the Edmund household as "grandsons."  In 1920 both grandsons were still with Edmund but, no mention of their mother.

John Newton Gragg was the eldest son, born Jan. 19, 1873 and died Jun. 22, 1961.  John married Della Gosnell on Feb. 11, 1906 in Rabun Co.  She was born Jun. 18, 1878 in GA and died there on Mar. 31, 1962.  She and John are also buried at Flat Creek.  They had at least two sons, Elbert, born c1907 and Gordon H., born Sep. 13, 1909, died May 18, 1999 and buried at Flat Creek.

Edmund Paza Gragg Family Identified
Click on images to enlarge

Daniel L., next eldest, was born in Jul., 1877.  He married Texie Shed on Mar. 31, 1901 in Habersham Co., GA.  She is likely a sister to Missouri Shed, below.

Elijah L., born Feb., 1879, died Mar. 18, 1958 in GA and buried at Flat Creek.  His wife was Missouri Shed, born in Habersham Co., GA in 1881.  They were married in that county on Dec. 17, 1902.  I haven't yet found a death date or place for Missouri.  Their children were:  Winona, Harley, Chester, Roy and Ora M.

Albert J., born Apr., 1882, married Sarah Benfield on Dec. 24, 1905 in Rabun Co.  One known child, Lee, a son, born c1908 in Rabun Co.

Miles McKinney, born Jun. 15, 1884, died Dec.22, 1949 in Clayton, Rabun Co. He is also buried at Flat Creek**.

Burgess Greenville, born Apr. 16, 1888, died Jun. 24, 1970 in Clayton.  He married Alpha Omie Smith, date not yet known, who was born Jul. 10, 1887, probably in GA, died Sep. 21, 1965 in GA.  Both are also buried at Flat Creek.  They had at least one child, a son, Burgess Ray, born Aug. 21, 1922, died Sep. 13, 1922 in Habersham Co.  He was buried at Clarkesville, Habersham Co. at the Macedonia Cemetery.

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¹I have not personally seen the death certificate. The info was told to me by another researcher.  There is a copy of the certificate and an obituary on Ancestry.au but they are too small to read and access is prohibited without additional subscription fees.  I do not believe anyone can read the parents of Edmund on the certificate displayed on Ancestry.au.

²The Gene & Gale McCoy Family Tree at Ancestry.com provided a readable death certificate as well as the surname and parents of Edmund's wife, Mahuldah Vasty Gragg, daughter of Ellis and Margaret Gragg.

*For proper credit, please notify me if you are the owner/contributor of this photograph.

**See Flat Creek Cemetery at Find A Grave

Edmund Paza Gragg Death Certificate
Thanks to Gene & Gale McCoy Family Tree
at Ancestry.com

Columbus Iverson Philyaw

Columbus, born Aug, 16, 1867 in Caldwell Co., NC, was a son of Gideon and Martha M. Teague Philyaw.

According to North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979, Columbus married Hanna J. Vance on Aug. 2, 1888 in Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co., NC.  That record names her parents as Wesley and Elizabeth Vance.

Hannah was born in Jul., 1873 in NC and died May 5, 1915 in Collettsville, Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co.  She died on May 4, 1915 in Globe Twp. and, her death certificate names her parents as John Hicks, a native of Tow River Twp. in Avery Co., and Betty Vance, a native of Mitchell Co., NC.

The part about her parents is a bit confusing to me.  Those who know which is accurate are invited to contact me.

There were at least 11 children born to this couple, a few of whom married into the Coffey family:

Edward W, born Apr., 1891, married Etta Baker on Nov. 28, 1920 at Mortimer, Wilson Creek Twp., Caldwell Co.  They were in the 1930 census at Mortimer and there were no children in the household.  Death records have not been found.

Martha Elizabeth, born Jan., 1893, married John S. Crisp on Aug. 4, 1912 in Johns River Twp., Caldwell Co. John was born Jul. 4, 1888 in NC and died in John River Twp. on Nov. 7, 1936.  I have not found another marriage record or a death record for Martha.  They had at least six children:  Loucile [sic]; Joseph; Morris; Forest Columbus; Jewel; and John Vernon.  John is buried at the Crisp Family Cemetery at Collettsville.  Martha is probably there as well but I have found no record of her death.

Margaret A. "Maggie," born May 1895 in Caldwell Co., died there in Feb., 1977.  She married William Pope on Dec. 18, 1914 in Globe Twp.  Their children were at least five:  May E.; Fred W.; Arlie T.; Hannah; and Wayne G.  Margaret is buried at Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Collettsville.  William is probably buried there as well but I have found no record of his death.

Gideon Fred, born Sep. 20, 1897 in Caldwell Co., died in Morganton, Burke Co. on Nov. 24, 1970.  He married Ida Jane Coffey, a daughter of Finley Carroll and Connie Rebecca Tolbert.  Ida was born in Caldwell Co. on Aug. 6, 1902 and died Nov. 16, 1972 in Valdese, Burke Co.  Their children were at least six:  Leona Mae; Connie; Louise; Lucille; Noma [sic]; and Ransom (?).  Gideon and Ida are buried at the Tolbert Family Cemetery in Mortimer.

Daniel Wesley, born Dec. 21, 1899, died in Lenoir on Jan. 22, 1981.  He married Emma Rich on Nov. 21, 1920 in Wilson Creek Twp., she the daughter of John Robert and Sarah Cordelia Taylor Rich, and born c1905.  Her death record has not been found.  His burial place is not known to me.  Their children were at least four:  Lois, Edith, Coleen and Margaret.

Oscar R., born c1903.  No other information.

Rooney N. was the name of the child who occupied this place in the birth order in 1910.  She was age 5.  In  1920 her name appears to be Veller, and in 1930 her name was Velma.  Velma is said to have married Arvil Harden Coffey but, I have not found a marriage record.  She died on Apr. 20, 1993 in Caldwell Co., and was buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock.  Arvil, born Jul. 12, 1914 to George Wiley and Ida Belle Norman Coffey, died Aug. 25, 1987 and is also at White Springs.  I have not located them in the 1930 census and have no children for them.

Dewey George, born Feb. 10, 1907, probably in Caldwell Co., married Lucy Mae Coffey, sister to Ida Jane who married Dewey's brother Gideon.  They were married on Jun. 19,1828 in Lenoir and had at least three children:  Claude Wilson; Ma Gene and Sherl [sic] Allen.  Dewey died Apr., 1980 and Lucy on Mar. 23, 1985 in Lincolnton, Lincoln Co., NC.  Dewey is buried at the Tolbert Family Cemetery in Upton, Caldwell Co.  Lucy is probably there as well.

Arley A., born c1909.  No other information.  I wonder if his name was Early or Orlie?

Torrance Iverson, born 1911, died Dec. 24, 1966 at Black Mountain in Buncombe Co.  He married Cora Lee Shoe, daughter of Mansfield Hoover and Hattie Mae Belle Shoe.  She was born Oct. 25, 1920 in NC and tied in Newton, Catawba Co. on Oct. 15, 2011.  Both are buried at Rocky Springs Baptist Church Cemetery in Collettsville.  I have no children for them.

The last child known to me to be born to Columbus and Hannah was Irene, c1914.  She married Ira Roosevelt Bristol, a son of James Greenberry "Jim" and Elsie Jane Bell(e), on Oct. 30, 1934 in Caldwell Co.  Ira was born May 11, 1911 in NC and died in Valdese on Feb. 22, 1969.  He is buried at the Bristol Family Cemetery at Collettsville.  Irene died on Nov. 4, 2002 in Blowing Rock and is probably also buried at the family cemetery.

In just a few days the 1940 census will available and I will hopefully, be able to expand my research on all of the NC Coffey and allied families.

Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw

I have not put a lot of research effort into this family except as pertains to the marriage of several of their children to members of the Coffey family. Please contact me if you are the source for the photos or, would like to add to or correct any of this information.

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Gideon was a son of Jackson Philyaw and his wife Kate - who also may have been a Philyaw. He was born Jun. 23, 1839 in Caldwell Co. and died there on Feb. 23, 1925. He married Martha on Mar. 26, 1862 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. She was born c1845 in North Carolina and died there c1900.

The first child that I have for them was Alice, born Dec. 23, 1869 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., and died there on Nov. 11, 1930.  She married John L. Bean [Beane?] who was born Dec. 7, 1858 in NC and died there on Sep. 23, 1931.

Docia Malinda was born Feb. 2, 1873 and died in Lenoir on May 26, 1957.  She married George Penley.  Docia is buried at Maple Grove Cemetery in Globe Twp.

James Milton was born Oct. 30, 1878 and died in Mulberry Twp., Caldwell Co. on May. 20, 1923.  He married Sarah Jane Coffey, a daughter of Joseph Burgess and Margaret Lagustia Gragg Coffey on Feb. 5, 1905 in Caldwell Co.  Sarah was born Apr. 24, 1881 in Caldwell Co., and died in Lenoir on Nov. 27, 1957.  Joseph Burgess was a son of Bryce Brisco and Susannah "Sookie" Gragg Coffey.  Susannah was Margaret's aunt as well as her first cousin.

Pinkney David "Pink" was born May 31 1880 and died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC on Jun. 24, 1945.  Pink married Ilar Jane Coffey, a daughter of John Carroll and Nancy Evelyn Hartley Coffey.  Ilar Jane was born in June, 1888 and died in 1981.

Margaret Caroline "Maggie", born 1889 in Caldwell and died there on Sep. 16, 1976.  She was married to Silas Milton Coffey, a brother to Ilar Jane. on Nov. 5, 1905.  He was born Jun. 16, 1886 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., and died there on Nov. 4, 1961.  Additional information on Silas' family can be found here.

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Update: June 2, 2011

Gideon and Martha's first child was John, born in 1864, died 1930 in VA.  Their second was Columbus Iverson, born Aug. 16, 1867 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 26, 1949.  He married Hannah Jane Hicks c1890 and had children:  Martha Elizabeth who married John Crisp; Margaret; Fred, born Sep. 20, 1897, died Nov. 24, 1970; Dan Wesley, born Dec. 21, 1899, died Jan. 22, 1981; Velma Mae, born Apr. 27, 1905, died Apr. 20, 1993.  Velma married Arvil Harden Coffey, son of George Wiley and Ida Belle Norman Coffey; and Torrence Iverson, born 1911, died Dec. 24, 1966 at Black Mountain in Buncombe Co.

Following Alice [see above], was Anna, born, c1871.  No further info.


Susan Jane, born 1872, followed Anna.  She married Edward G. Pendley on Sep. 2, 1890 in Globe, Caldwell Co.

Following Docia [see above], came Leonard D., born 1876.  He married Nora Gragg on Sep. 23, 1898 in Globe.

Roy Virgil was born after Pink.  He came along in Mar. 1885 and died Aug. 23, 1964 in Lenoir.  Roy married Mary Ann Austin, born May 1, 1886, died Sep. 8, 1954.

According to the 1900 census, Martha reported being the mother of 12 with 11 living children.  I haven't found the 12th child yet.

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John Carroll Coffey

John Carroll Coffey was a son of William Clayton and Sarah Greene Coffey. He married Nancy Evelyn Hartley on Sep. 18, 1873 in Watauga Co., NC.

John's death certificate reports his death from pneumonia on April 5, 1926 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co.

Given that, the child in the photo must be incorrectly identified. The child appears to be between one and two years old. According to birth records, Millie was born in 1929. I would think that the child is likely to be Floyd Pinkney, born May, 1924. It could even be Pink and Iler's first child, James, born 1922.

Iler Jane was born Jun., 1888 in NC and died in 1981 in Caldwell Co. Pinkney David, a son of Gideon and Martha Teague Philyaw, was born May 31, 1880 in NC and died in Forsyth Co., NC on Jun. 24, 1945. They were married in 1921.

Other children were:

James Thomas, born May 23, 1922. He married Toye Becler Green, born in 1918 in Caldwell Co.

Floyd Pinkney, born May 17, 1924, died May 7, 1993 in Hudson, Caldwell Co.

His obituary:

Floyd Philyaw

Floyd Pinkney Philyaw, 68, of 670 Hillcrest St., Hudson, died Friday May 7, 1993, at his residence following an extended illness.

He was born May 17, 1924, in Caldwell County to the late Pinkney David Philyaw and Ila Coffey Philyaw.

A member of Hudson Church of God, Philyaw was preceded in death by an infant daughter; two brothers, Herman and James Philyaw, a half-brother, David Philyaw; and a half-sister, Jesse Tickle.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Coleen Philyaw, of the home; six sons, Doug Philyaw of Ocean Springs, Miss., Carroll Philyaw of Lenoir, Burl Philyaw of Canton, N.C., and Malvin Philyaw, Malcolm Philyaw, and Byron Philyaw, all of Granite Falls; five daughters, Mrs. Rover (Doris) Summerlin of Lenoir, Mrs. Scott (Sarah) Lankford of Blowing Rock, Gail Philyaw of Hudson, Karen Philyaw of Lenoir, Ms. Harriet Philyaw of Lenoir; a sister, Millie Bowman of Lenoir; a half-sister, Allie Coffey of Lenoir; 17 grandchildren; and nine great grandchildren.

The funeral is Monday at 11 a.m. at the church with the Revs. Rick Brackett and Stoy Lankford officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the service.

Burial will be in Rich Cemetery in the Maple Grove Community.

The family will receive friends from 7 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. Sunday at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hudson Church of God, 333 Cedar Valley Rd., Hudson, N.C. 28638

Herman Lee, born in 1927, and died in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. on May 7, 1975.

Millie died in 2000. The NC Death Index lists her name as Millie Evelyn Phillyaw Bowman.

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

Photo courtesy Margaret Coffey Farley

Thomas Hall Coffey

Thomas Hall Coffey was the son of John Caroll and Nancy Evalyn Hartley Coffey and, the older brother of Joel Partee Coffey who was the father of Virgie Evaline, subject of a previous blog.

Thomas, born Jul. 25, 1879, married Cora Ellen Tolbert, the sister of Joel's wife, Lillie Mamie Pearl Tolbert on Jan. 15, 1899 in Caldwell Co. Cora was born Jan. 1, 1875 and died Jan. 28, 1952. Thomas died in Caldwell Co. in 1961.

When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 he was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and black hair. He gave his age as 39 years, born Jul. 25, 1879 and, was was a self-employed farmer in Globe Twp. He named Cora Coffey of Globe as his nearest relative and, signed the registration card with his mark.

Their children were:

Nancy R., born Aug., 1899 - no further information

Martha Eveline, born Nov. 1, 1900 - no further information

Robert Finley, born c1902, married Crettie May Rich.

Their children were:

Beulah Evelyn, born Aug. 22, 1923
Thomas Henry, born 1925, died 1999
Lena Faye, born May 26, 1932
Beadie Oden, born Fe.b 27, 1934
Robert Claude, born 1936.

Wesley Partee, born Nov. 19, 1903, died Feb. 13, 1983 in Caldwell Co. He married Alice Mae (Allie) Philyaw, daughter of Pinkney David and Mary Lillie Phillips Philyaw, in 1923 in Caldwell Co.

Their children were:

William Thomas, born Jan. 22, 1925, married Ruby Lee Dellinger, born Jun. 4, 1933 in Caldwell Co. She was the daughter of Rev. Oscar and Annie Mae Crisp Dellinger. In addition to William, Ruby was also married to Lewis A. Craig (1969) and, to Albert Wesley, another son of Wesley and Alice.

The second child of Wesley and Alice was stillborn and unnamed, born and died in 1926. Third was Albert Wesley, born Aug. 7, 1927, died May 21, 1950; Ira Edwin, born Dec. 15, 1929, died Jun. 12, 1993; Cora Lee; Claude; and Carrie.

Hattie Belle, born Sep., 13 1907, married Robert B. Crump in 1928.

Their children were:

Rosa Lea, born Oct. 23, 1929
James Howard (Doug), born Mar. 24, 1932, died Apr. 18, 1992.

Mary C., born c1909 - no further information

Lester Claude, born Oct. 19, 1911, died Sep., 1983. He married Alice Elizabeth Philyaw, a daughter of Lawrence and Martha Ann Bean Philyaw.

Their children were:

Rachel, who married James Lo Philyaw in 1955
Jewel Katherine, born Dec., 1938, married Lawrence Abernathy in 1983
Mary Alice, born c1940
unnamed child, born c1940
Mary Ellen, born Nov. 30, 1943, married in 1961 to James Orel Philyaw
Clarence J., born 1945, married in 1964 to Peggy Ann Setzer
Etta Mae, born Nov. 7, 1948, married Raymond Steve Hamby
Cloyd Dale, born Mar. 20, 1952, married in 1971 to 1)Karen Elizabeth Suddreth, 2) Rosa Lee Garrett, and 3) Phyllis Angela Mitchell
Linda Fay, born Feb. 4, 1958, married Barry Eugene Triplett.

Sallie Minerva, born Dec. 26, 1913, died May 31, 1999. She married Charlie Franklin Bradshaw. They were the parents of at least three children:

Frank Garland
Gordon Ransom
Agnes Loree

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