Andrew Jackson & Sarah Louise Hagaman Critcher

Captain Andrew Jackson Critcher was a son of Nathaniel & Cynthia A. Clark Critcher.  Nathaniel was born in Granville Co., NC in 1803 and settled in Watauga Co. in c1840.  Cynthia was born in Orange Co., NC in 1804 and, it was likely in that county they married in 1822.

Andrew was born in Orange Co. in Sep., 1834.  He was the fourth of what I believe to be seven children born to Nathaniel and Cynthia.

Nathaniel and his family were in Watauga Co. by 1840 and most remained there for the remainder of their lives.

Andrew married Sarah Louise Hagaman c1868.  She was a daughter of Thomas Andrew and Sarah Reece Hagaman.  Their children numbered four and included Meta Belle, born Jan. 24, 1871, who married Charles Daniel Coffey.  Click on the title of this blog to see photos and to read more about that couple.

Andrew had a remarkable career during the Civil War.

His record reports that on Dec. 25, 1861, shortly after enlistment, Andrew was promoted to second lieutenant and shortly thereafter to first lieutenant.  He was wounded at Ox Hill in Fairfax Co., VA, part of the Northern Virginia campaign from June to Sept., 1862.

He was returned to duty sometime in Nov., 1862 and promoted to captain in Dec. of that year.  Capt. Critcher was captured in May, 1864 and confined to the Old Capital Prison in Washington, D.C. and, later moved to Fort Delaware in June, 1864.  Later that summer he and other prisoners were moved to Charleston, SC where they were used as human shields against the south's bombardment of that Federally occupied city.

Having survived that, Critcher was moved to Hilton Head in Dec., 1864 where he was released sometime shortly thereafter in a prisoner exchange.  He was captured again at Boone in Watauga Co., NC in Mar., 1865 and sent to Camp Chase in OH where he was released on Jun. 14, 1865.

Andrew returned to Watauga Co., and to Boone where he met and married Sarah. They settled there and the 1870 census shows that he was a retail merchant and somewhat wealthy. By 1880 he was a farmer.

In addition to Meta Bell (second oldest), he and Sarah were parents of Maury P., born Jun., 1869; L. Frank, born Jan., 1879 and M. Ethel, born Sep. 1885.

Andrew died in Watauga Co. on Jul. 7, 1904 and was buried at Lovill in the Greer Cemetery. I do not have a death date or burial place for Sarah and would appreciate that input.

I know that Andrew had at least one brother who served during the Civil War. He had four brothers, all of the right age at the time of the war to have served. The one that I know of was John Calvin.

John was born c1841 and died Aug. 13, 1863 in Orange Co., VA. He had enlisted on Nov. 5, 1862 at Boone in Co. D., 1st NC Cavalry Regiment. Some genealogies report that he is also buried at Lovill, but a headstone as not been found.

A source was: Michael C. Hardy, Author, A Short History of Old Watauga County (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Parkway Publishers, Inc., 2005).

Sarah Frances Stewart Maddox

Sarah was my second cousin and the daughter of William Lafayette and Lucia Edna Coffee.  An earlier blog about William and Lucia can be read here.

She was born on Jan. 29, 1898 in Hope, Hempstead Co., AR and died on Mar. 28, 1986 in Erath Co., TX.   Sarah married Emmit Carl Maddox c1920 in Texas.  He was born Aug. 8, 1897 in Karnes Co., TX to Phillip Berry and Lucy C. Reece Maddox.  He died on Feb. 1, 1962* in Big Spring, Howard Co., TX.  He and Sarah were divorced sometime after 1938 following the birth and death of twins.

Emmit was working as a heavy equipment operator in Big Spring at the time of his death, and was buried there in the City Cemetery. 

Their known children were:

Carl Allen, born c1922, died Aug. 11, 1986 in Harris Co., TX

Clyde, born c1923

George W., born c1927

Robert Francis, born Jul. 28, 1929

Charles Phillip, born Oct. 12, 1935, died Sep. 3, 1949.  This child was born in Sonora, Sutton Co., TX and died in Strawn, Palo Pinto Co.  His death resulted from injuries received in an automobile accident.  He was buried at the cemetery in Gordon, Palo Pinto Co.*

Tiny Ann and Emmit Carl, Jr. were twins, born prematurely.  Tiny was born on Nov. 24, 1938 and died Dec. 1, 1938.  Her twin was born on Nov. 25 and died after a few hours.  Both of these children are buried at Bakersfield in Pecos Co., TX.*

Based on his occupation at time of death, I suspect that Emmit and Sarah moved around Texas quite a bit, following work.

Sarah had at least two siblings: 

Edna Ellen Stewart who was born Nov. 23, 1899 in Hope, and died Jul. 26, 1901 in Stephenville, Erath Co.  I do not believe that Edna ever married.  She is buried under her maiden name at West End Cemetery in Stephenville.

William Ellery (Willie) Stewart, born Jul. 29, 1901 in Stephenville, and died there on Nov. 18, 1976.  William was a veteran of both WW1 and WW2.  He is buried at East memorial Cemetery in Stephenville. 

Please contact me if you have more information on this Stewart family.


*Death certificates in my files

Norma Joan Coffey

Norma Joan Coffey, born May 11, 1916 in Grainger Co., TN was the daughter of Amos and Faun McGinnis Coffey. Amos was the son of Coby Willis and Malissa "Lizzie" Reece Coffey. Amos was born May 23, 1915 in TN. I have found no information on Faun.

Norma Joan married her very distant cousin, Ethridge H. Coffey, who was born Aug., 10, 1934 to Benjamin Adam and Birdie Mae Singleton Coffey. Ethridge died on Oct. 14, 1976 in Knox Co., TN. Norma Joan died Mar. 5, 2008 in Washburn, Grainger Co. Benjamin Adam was the son of Thomas and Martha Simmerman [Cinnamom?] Coffey.

Norma Joan's obituary:

Norma Joan Coffey Age 71 Of Washburn, TN was born May 11, 1936 and went to be with The Lord March 5, 2008 at her home. She was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church and attended Dotson Campground United Methodist Church. She worked At C & M Cabinet Company as a secretary from 1977 for about 25 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ethridge Coffey; parents, Amos "Bud" & Faun Mcginnis Coffey; brother, Danny "Dick" Coffey; brother-in-iaw and wife, Everett and Betty Coffey.

She is survived by her sons: Mike & Charles Coffey of Washburn, TN, daughter & son-in-law: Glenda & Steve Blanken of Rutledge, TN; grandchildren; Ashley & Christy Coffey, Dustin Coffey, Holly & Matthew Elmore, Zack Blanken, brothers & sisters-in-law: Joe & Diane Coffey, Ronnie & Ruby Coffey, Steve & Betty Coffey; sisters & brothers-in-law: Thelma & Collier Atkins, Judy & Ermal Fredrick, Ruby & James Nicely, Ann & Chuck Jahnke, Eva Coffey, half brother: John Paul, Idol; half sister: Jay Dee Edgell; several nieces, nephews and numerous of special friends and neighbors.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 9 P.M. Friday night at the Coffey Funeral Home in Tazewell. Funeral service 11;00 A.M. Saturday March 7, 2008 at the Coffey Funeral Home Chapel. Burial in the Mcginnis-Harrell Cemetery.

Ministers; Rev. Denver Davidson, Rev, Lyndall Welch, Rev. Ronnie Maness, Singers: J.W. Mcginnis Family.

I would like to know more about the McGinnis family. Readers with information to share can contact me at the e-mail address above.

Update 3/26/08: According to a "public member tree" at Ancestry, created by Crystal Phillips, Faun was Tressie Faun McGinnis, daughter of James Wilkerson and Sara E. Wolfenbarger McGinnis. Faun was born Mar. 9, 1920 in Grainger Co., TN and died there on Dec. 14, 1998.

Malissa was probably called "Lissie" rather than Lizzie, and Colby is likely to be the correct name, but called Coby in local parlance. Between 1920 and 1930 I find only six children born to Colby (Coby) and Malissa: Amos in 1915; Dorcas c1917; Walter c1918; Bobbie c1920; Noel c1922 and Colby Jr., in about Oct. 1927. There was however, room for one or two more between Noel and Colby, Jr.

Henley Clay Coffey (1891-1922)

Henley Clay Coffey was a son of John Alfred and Cynthia P. Monk Coffey. He was born Oct. 12, 1891 in Tazewell, Claiborne Co., TN and died there on Nov. 13, 1922.

He married Etta C. Reece, probably in Tennessee around 1910. Etta was born in Dec., 1893 and died Mar. 17, 1982 in Hamblen Co., TN.

When Henley registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Claiborne Co., TN, he gave his age as 26 years, born Oct., 12, 1891. He was a self-employed farmer in Claiborne Co., and was married with four children. He described himself as being of medium build with gray eyes and black hair.

He and Etta were found in Claiborne Co. in the Feb., 1920 census.

1920 Claiborne Co., Dist. 1, ED20, Sheet 19A, dwelling 313, family 315, Coffee [sic], Henly C., head, male, white, age 28, married, born TN, father born TN, mother born unk.; Etta, wife, female, white, age 26, married, born TN, parents born TN; Morgan, son, male, white, age 7, born TN, parents born TN; Clayton, son, male, white, age 6, born TN, parents born TN; Caywood, son, male, white, age 4 yrs, 10 mos., born TN, parents born TN; Alice, dau., female, white, age 3 yrs, 1 mos., born TN, parents born TN; unnamed dau., female, white, age 1 mo., born TN, parents born TN

Although Etta did not die until 1982 I have been unable to find her in the 1930 census record.

Their children were:

Morgan David, born c1913, married Lucy McGinnis, a daughter of Edward Jackson and Dora Coffey McGinnis. Dora was a daughter of Thomas Coffey and Martha Simmerman (Cinnemon?), and was born Nov. 19, 1882 and died Jun. 26, 1963.

Clayton, born c1914, married Bonnie Kate McGinnis. Bonnie is likely of some relation to Edward Jackson, but a link has not been found. Sh was born Mar. 3, 1922 in Grainger Co., and died Feb. 16, 2007 in Hamblen Co.

Her obituary:

COFFEY, BONNIE KATE, age 83, of Morristown, passed away Friday, Feb. 16, 2007, at Morristown-Hamblen Healthcare System. She was of the Baptist faith and was a member of Beech Grove Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, David Juette and Flossie McGinnis, husband, Clayton (Poodle) Coffey, brothers, Porter McGinnis, Sam McGinnis and Robert (Bob) McGinnis, sister-in-law, Trula McGinnis, nephew David (Pete) McGinnis, great-nephew, Robbie Moore, great niece Danielle June McGinnis. She was a loving aunt to nieces and nephews, Linda Collins and husband Raymond, Kathy Rucker and husband, Claiborne, Cindy Hazeltine and husband Jack, Scotty McGinnis, Portia Russell, Debbie Welch and husband Jerry, Jabo McGinnis and wife, Linda, Rick McGinnis and wife, Cindy, Pam Beeler, Peanut McGinnis and wife Lori, Priscilla McGinnis and T.J. Whitt, Jane McGinnis, Robert (Bo) McGinnis and wife Crystal, Andy McGinnis and wife Jean, sister-in –laws, June McGinnis, Billie Faye Satterfield, several great nieces and nephews and great-great nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 19, 2007, at Stubblefield Funeral Home with the Rev. Delmer Welch and Rev. Bobby Helton. Interment will follow at Hamblen memory Gardens. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 6-9 p.m. at the funeral home. Family will receive friends after the services at Statem Gap Baptist Church Fellowship Hall. Arrangements by Stubblefield Funeral Home in Morristown.

Caywood, born Dec. 27, 1915, died Apr. 7, 1940

Alice, born about Jan., 1917, married Rev. George Estle Hopson

Pauline, born about Dec., 1922, died Dec. 29, 1990 in Bean Station, Grainger Co., TN. She married Clarence Coffman.

Her obituary:

Pauline Coffey Coffman, 68, of Bean Station, died Saturday, Dec 29, 1990 at Columbia Health Care. She was the daughter of the late Henley and Ettie Reece Coffey; the widow of the late Clarence Coffman and the mother of the late Gillis Coffman. She was a member of Long Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Survivors include her son, G. Howard Coffman of Spring Hill; sister, Mrs. Jewell Reece of Tazewell; brother, Clayton Coffey of Morristown; grandchildren, Ricky, Pamela and Vicky Coffman and Kimberly Rutherford. Services were 1 p.m. today at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Rutledge with the Rev. Andy Smith and Brother Shelby Mone officiating. Burial was in Dalton Cemetery.

Amos - no further information.

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