Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette Coffey

The Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette Coffey was born Oct. 15, 1857 in Grainger Co., TN to William Wesley and Gelina E. Shouse Coffey.  William was the son of Cleveland and Susan Hayes Coffey.  Cleveland was one of the Burke Co., NC Coffey families that moved into TN in the early 1830s.  Susan was from Ashe Co., NC and their first child, Andrew Jackson Coffey was born there in Dec., 1833.

Berry Coffey married his first wife, Harriet Dalton on May 15, 1879 in Grainger Co.  She gave him at least two children:  Dewitt, birthdate unknown, and Charles "Charlie" Edward, born in Grainger Co. in Jan., 1878, died Jul. 9, 1952 in TN.  Charlie married Susan McDaniel c1904 and they became the parents of at least four children: 

Verdia Alice, born Aug. 24, 1906, died Dec. 1, 1989, married George Nelson Shockley who was born Jul. 23, 1899 in TN, died in Claiborne Co., TN on Aug. 9, 1978.  Both are believed to be buried in the Shockley cemetery in Claiborne Co.  They were parents of at least 10 children.

Laura Bell, born Nov. 29, 1909, died Dec. 29, 1983.  She married the Rev. Gus Harville on Sep. 23, 1926 in Grainger Co.  They were parents of at least two children:  Roy R., born c1928, died Apr. 4, 2007 in Bean Station, Grainger Co., and Clora N. "Sis", born Jun. 5, 1933 in Grainger Co., died Nov. 18, 2006 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co.  Clora married the Rev. Ira C. Dalton in Grainger Co. in Sep., 1965.

Cephus Henry, born Feb. 2, 1912, died Jun. 18, 1973 in Grainger Co.  He married Virgie Miller on Jun. 26, 1944 in Hamblen Co., TN.  Virgie was born Jun. 10, 1925 and died Oct. 11, 1999 in Knox Co., TN.  I know of only one child, Lonny Hugh, born Jan. 19, 1950 in Hamblen Co., died there on Dec. 30, 1966.

Enos Garfield, born Jul. 9, 1915 in Thorn Hill, died Aug., 19, 1988 in Franklin, Warren Co., OH.  He married Ophia Coffey, a daughter of Elijah and Martha Coffey Coffey and a distant cousin.  I know of no children born to this union.

I do not have a death date for Harriet but she apparently died before Nov. 5, 1887 because on that date Berry married Jincey Shockley.  Jincey was the daughter of Winright and Martha Emaline "Emily" Coffey Shockley and was born in May of 1864.

This marriage brought at least three more children to the family:

Cynthia, born in Aug., 1887

Nathaniel, born Sep. 8, 1893 in Grainger Co., died Apr. 22, 1970 in Bean Station.  Nathaniel married Pearley Dalton on Sep. 24, 1918 in Grainger Co., the daughter of Ira and Sarah Manerva Dalton Dalton.  They had at least six children: Dorsie Ellen, Stella May, Fannie Lucy, Berry, Albert and Kenneth.

George O., born Sep., 21, 1898, died Jan., 1981.  George married Buena Vista Collins on Mar 14, 1918 in Grainger Co.  Buena Vista was born c1900.  They had at least six children:  Lewis, Nelson G., J. D., Hobert, C. A., and Rufus N.

Jincey apparently died before Jan. 1, 1904 because on that date Berry took his third wife, Mary Jane Sheffield.  Mary Jane was born Aug., 25, 1870 to William and Nancy Coulson Sheffield.  She died on Jan. 17, 1956.  Their children were:

Mattie E., born Feb. 13, 1906, died Oct. 14, 1988.  Mattie married Hobart David Carpenter c1925 and had at least one child, Vina Mae, born c1926, died Nov. 3, 2005 in Bean Station.  Vina Mae married Roy Nelson Livesay who died on Sep. 11, 2001 in Grainger Co.

Berry Snyder, born c1909

Rufus Kyle, born May 14, 1912, died Oct. 5, 1994.  Rufus married Cecil Dalton in Sep., 1940.  She was born Jun. 9, 1924 to Simeon and Lula Dalton Dalton, and died Oct. 22, 2007 in Thorn Hill.

The Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette Coffey died on Jan. 1, 1936.  The following is his obituary as it appeared in the Mulberry Gap Association minutes for that year:

Coffey, Berry W. was born October 15, 1857; d. January 1, 1936, age 78 years 2 months 16 days. He professed faith in Christ Feb 10, 1877 and joined the Methodist church later joined the Missionary Baptist at Oak Hill Baptist Church where he remained a member until death. He was ordained to ministry, April 4, 1893. He was a great lover of the church and Sunday School and great friend to the young ministers. He always told them to stand for the cause of Christ. He leaves to mourn his loss his , wife, 6 children 5 boys sons, 1 daughter, 3 half brothers, 19 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends, but our is his eternal gain. When we will meet where will be no more sad parting. Written by Children.

He was buried in the Coffey Family cemetery in Thorn Hill along with Mary Jane.

Photo and most of this family information is courtesy of Bernice Mullins, Hancock Co., TN

John Reuben and Malida Narcissa "Sis" Coffey Hayes

Just browsing my Ed Coffey Project files this morning and stumbled upon this family.  Reuben and "Sis" had at least 12 children, all born between 1876 and 1899, and from Tennessee to Missouri.

One of the children that I was digging around for was Agnes, born Jan. 12, 1895.   She was the tenth of the twelve.  Depending on which census record you believe, she was either born  in Arkansas or Missouri.  She died Jul. 10, 1978 in Snohomish Co., WA. 

Agnes married Andrew Jackson Franks, born Jan. 31, 1885 in Arkansas.  I have not found a marriage date for them, but they probably wed around 1915 or so.  As best as I can determine, they had only one child, Geraldine R., born c1918 in Washington state, and died there in 2007.  According to one report that I found, she was married to a Mr. Tackett.

Andrew registered for the draft in Everett, Snohomish Co. on Sep. 12, 1918.  At that time he described himself as having a slender build and of medium height.  He had blue eyes and black hair.  Andrew was employed as a laborer by the Wearhouser [sic] [Weyerhauser] mill in Everett.  He and Agnes resided at 3121 Broadway in that town.  In the 1920 and 1930 census records they were still residing in Snohomish Co.  In 1930 Andrew as a hod carrier* for a plaster company.

John Reuben Hayes was the son of Harmon and Martha Long Hayes.  "Sis" was the daughter of William Wesley and Gelina E. Shouse Coffey.  The Coffey line goes back to Edward through Cleveland and his wife Susan Hayes; Jesse and Margaret Edmisten Coffey;  Reuben and Sally Scott Coffey; John and Jane Graves Coffey.

Please leave a comment, or e-mail me with any corrections or additions.

*Most readers will know what a Hod is but, for those who don't, it is a three sided box used to haul bricks and/or mortar to bricklayers.  If Andrew worked for a company applying plaster he would likely have carried that material in a hod box.  A hod carrier is usually referred to as a "hoddie."  The term may be somewhat obsolete today.

Booker and Hannah Ann Dalton Shockley

Booker was born c1795 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. He married Hannah Ann Dalton, a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Shockley Dalton, on Dec. 22, 1819 in Grainger Co., TN. There is likely a relationship between Booker and Elizabeth but I have not yet found it.

Hannah was born c1802 in Grainger Co. and died there in 1880. Booker died prior to the 1870 census, and probably in Grainger Co.

I have found six children for them, most of which married Coffeys.

First born was Rebecca, born Oct., 1820 and died Aug. 11, 1890. She married Elijah Coffey, a son of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey, on Jan. 11, 1840 in Grainger Co. Elijah was born Feb. 23, 1819, probably in Grainger Co., and died there on Jul. 13, 1890. Rebecca and Elijah were parents of at least 10 children:

Austin, born c1840, died before 1880; married Elvira Wolfe Jan. 8, 1856 in Grainger Co. Elvira was the daughter of William and Maleta (Lette) Hipsher. I have one child for them: Martha Emeline, born c1856.

Millie, born c1841

Mira, born c1843

George, born Feb. 24, 1847 in TN, died in Grainger Co., c1946. George married Martha M. Johnson, born Apr. 27, 1846, died Jun. 4, 1922 in Grainger Co. Their children were James H., born Dec. 22, 1871, died Nov. 7, 1907; Samuel B., born Feb. 25, 1873, died Jun. 28, 1961; John Henry, born Aug. 2, 1874, died Oct. 10, 1920; Hattie M., born c1878, died Aug. 31, 1945; Pleasant (Ples), born Aug. 2, 1879; Elijah, born abt Dec. 1884; and Cordelia (Cordie), born Feb. 1887.

Ambrose, born c1851 in TN, married Louisa Blake, born c1854 in TN. The children that I have for them are: Mary, born c1870; Martha Matilda, born c1873; and Simeon, born Dec., 1879.

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Update: Mar 1, 2013:  Ambrose was born in Nov., 1846 in Grainger Co., TN and died in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN on Dec. 18, 1915.  He and Louisa Blake, born Oct., 1850 in TN, were married on Sep. 12, 1869 in Grainger Co.[1].  I haven't found a death date/place for Louisa.  Ambrose is buried at Liberty Hill Methodist Church Cemetery at Morristown, Hamblen Co.

Their children numbered at least eight:  Mary, born c1870; Matilda, born 1872, died 1930, married William Henry Coffey, son of Collins and Nancy "Hulda" Wolfe on Sep. 14, 1895 in Hamblen Co.  Their closest blood relationship was 3rd cousin.  Third child was Henry, 1878; Simeon, 1879; Arthur, 1884; Columbus, 1886; John Littleton, 1896, died 1964 in Buncombe Co., NC.  He married Dora Meadows on Feb. 23, 1919 in Hamblen Co.  I have no birth/death info for Dora.  The last child was Frank, born 1896.

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Samuel (Sam), born Jun., 1855 in TN, died Aug. 20, 1910 in Hamblen Co., TN. Married Martha Wolfe, a daughter of Henry and Elvira Coffey Wolfe, on Dec. 25, 1876 in Grainger Co. I have found only two children: Henry (Pat), born Oct. 18, 1878, died Dec. 3, 1964; and Elijah, born Apr. 1881. Sam later married Mary Hipshire, born Mar. 2, 1869 in TN, died Dec. 29, 1921 in Hamblen Co. I have found nine children for them: Evey, born Aug., 1890; James Archie, born Oct. 22, 1892; Ralph, born Aug. 28, 1895; Daniel (Dan), born c1898; Angie, born c1899; Arkie, born c1901; Lucy, born c1904; Rosie, born c1906; and Myrtle, born c1908.

Martha E., born c1857

Lacy, born Mar. 30, 1861, married first to Elizabeth LNU; married second to Margaret Ogan who died in 1942.

Elijah Jr., born Jan. 4, 1864 in Grainger Co. and, died there on May 14, 1923. He married Rosa Shockley, a daughter of Enos (or, Enoch) Shockley and Mahalia Coffey. Rosa was born Nov. 29, 1864 in Grainger Co. and, died in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., on jan. 26, 1952. Their children were Lillie M., born Dec. 25, 1885, died Oct. 23, 1923; Etta, born c1890, died Jul. 31, 1969; Lula, born Feb. 4, 1892, died May 4, 1951; James Oscar, born Mar. 20, 1894, died May 31, 1949; and Walter Preston, born Feb. 17, 1908, died Sep. 14, 1984.

Martin, born c1866

Second born was Enos (Enoch?), born Jan. 1, 1822 in Grainger Co. and, died there on Jul. 4, 1901. He married Mahalia Coffey on Jan. 21, 1846 in Grainger Co. She was born Oct. 20, 1827 in Grainger Co., and died there on Jul. 10, 1900. She was the daughter of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey.

I have 11 children for them:

Perry Wilson, born Jan. 13, 1847, died Nov. 5, 1923, married Harriet A. LNU.

Alice (Ally), born Oct. 24, 1848 in Grainger Co. and, died there on Aug. 12, 1909. She married Perry Harville. I have one child for them: Lemuel Harville.

Martha Louise, born c1851

William Gilbert, born Dec. 2, 1852 in Grainger Co., and died Mar. 13, 1901. He married Sarah P. Dalton on Jul. 24, 1872 in Grainger Co. I have found three children: Minnie, born c1875; Loretta, born Nov. 11, 1877, died Aug. 13, 1906; and Hattie, born Apr. 1880.

John, born May 22, 1855, died Jul. 28, 1875

Malinda (Matilda?), born Apr. 6, 1856, died Mar. 12, 1922

Harriet, born Sep, 13, 1859, died Jul. 9, 1940

Cornelia, born May 15, 1863, died Oct. 8, 1887

Rosa, born Nov. 29, 1864, died Jan. 26, 1952, married Elijah Coffey, Jr.

Hannah Elizabeth, born c1868

Lucinda, born Dec. 13, 1869, died Dec. 18, 1887

Third born was Ephraim who married Lucretia Hipsher

Fourth born was Thomas who married Perlina Wolfe

Fifth born was Winright who married Martha Emaline (Emily) Coffey on Feb. 20, 1851 in Grainger Co. Winright was born c1827 in TN; Martha c1831.

Their children were:

Martha Jane, born Dec. 2, 1852, died Aug. 30, 1930. She married Thomas Coffey, born Dec. 7, 1852 in Grainger Co. and, died there on Jan. 3, 1925. He was a son of William Ira Coffey and Sarah Jane Hipshire.

George Winright, born Dec. 2, 1852 (apparently a twin to Martha), died Mar. 13, 1901. He married Harriet Harville, a daughter of R. W. and Mary Harville.

Wyatt, born c1855

Mahala, born c1858

William Berry, born Aug. 2, 1862, died Jan. 15, 1910. He married Eliza Jane Coffey on Jun. 5, 1885 in Grainger Co. Eliza was the daughter of Thomas Nelson and Cornelia Coffey Coffey. Eliza was born Sep. 8, 1868 and died Dec. 6, 1927 in Mooresburg, Hawkins Co., TN.

Rutha, born c1865

Jincey, born May, 1864. She married Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette (Lafayette?) Coffey, a son of William Wesley and Gelina E. Shouse Coffey. Berry Wisdom was born Oct. 15, 1857 in Grainger Co., and died in TN on Jan. 1, 1936.

Elizabeth (Betsy), born c1869 in TN, died May 11, 1911 in Grainger Co. She married Pleasant Dalton c1888 in TN. He was the son of Hiram and Catherine Howerton Dalton. Pleasant later married Viola Coffey, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane Shockley Coffey.

The last child that I have for Booker and Hannah is William, born Mar. 12, 1833 in TN and, died in Grainger Co. on Oct. 22, 1871. He married Louisa Jane Coffey on Mar. 21, 1851 in Grainger Co. She was born Jul. 27, 1833 and died Jun. 1, 1910 in Grainger Co. Louisa Jane was also married to Berry Dalton.

These families tended to marry back and forth into each of the same families. Care must be taken when compiling them. This is especially true since many were given the same names. I believe the above to be mostly accurate and, would appreciate comments adding to or correcting any of it. I also have additional descendant as well as ancestral information for most of these families.

I can be reached at the e-mail address on the right.


[1] index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD92-K5M : accessed 01 Mar 2013), Ambrose Coffee and Louis Blake, 12 Sep 1869.