Crabtree to Coffey Tree

Seth Hopkins Crabtree was the son of the physician, John Crabtree of Penobscot Co., ME and the older brother of Addison Crabtree, also a physician.  The census record shows that Seth was a "laborer."

He was born in 1830 and did not marry until he was nearly 50 years old and then only after moving across country to Humboldt Co., CA.  I do not know how he got to the west coast; maybe hitched a ride in a wagon train heading across the plains.  From birth until at least Aug. 18, 1870, the date his family was enumerated, he lived at home, first in Hancock Co., ME then in 1860 and 1870 he lived at home in Penobscot Co., ME.

It took about 7 months for a wagon train to reach the west coast from Missouri. On Mar. 20, 1871 he was a registered voter in Eureka, Humboldt Co., CA meaning it took Seth only seven months to travel from Maine to California, a distance of about 3500 miles.

That, I believe would have been his great adventure!  He would probably have seen New York, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, Utah and Nevada, albeit site-seeing from a train window.

Seth remained a bachelor for about seven more years before he married Emeline Helena Felt, born in Wisconsin in Sep., 1853.  The marriage took place in Rohnerville Twp., Humboldt Co. on Dec. 25, 1878.  The 1880 Census tells us that he was a merchant, probably dry goods.

Emeline is probably the daughter of Lysander and Martha Felt, found in the 1870 census for Cannon Falls, Lillian Twp., Goodhue Co., MN.  In later census records, Emeline reported her father was born in MA and her mother in England.  That matches information given to the enumerator in 1870.

Over the next eight to nine years, three children were born to them:  Martha Leona on Jul. 13, 1880; Mark Jestin [sic] on Sep. 26, 1884 and Seth Haskel on Apr. 23, 1887.  Seth the father died before 1900 because Emeline was enumerated in the census that year as a widow in Rohnerville Twp.  She lived there as well in 1910, and in 1920 she lived with her son Haskal in Eureka, Humboldt Co.  A death date for Seth and Emeline has not been found.  Their burial sites are also unknown.

Martha was married on Dec. 16, 1901 in Mountain View, Santa Clara Co., CA to Willis Howe Faxon, a son of Samuel and Rebecca Elizabeth Scranton Faxon.  Willis was born in Hillsdale Co., MI in 1872 and died in Albany, Linn Co., OR in 1953.  Martha died in 1966 in Lebanon, Linn Co.  Both are buried at Waverly Memorial Cemetery in Albany.

Their son, Glen Shirley Faxon was born in Vallejo, Solano Co., CA in 1903 and married Lida "Dearie" Anne Coffey on Jun. 11, 1927 in Solano Co.  Dearie was a daughter of Ernest Garfield and Ester Martina Nelson Coffey, born in Clatsop Co., OR in 1909.  Ernest was a son of James Norman and Laura Ellen Hayes; Ester a daughter of Martin and Lydia Taylor Nelson.

Both Lida and Glen died in Edinburg, Shenandoah Co., VA.  The disposition of their remains is not known to me.

Obituary, The Shenandoah Valley Herald, Mar. 29, 2007, Woodstock, Shenandoah Co., VA

Lida Anne Faxon

EDINBURG- Lida Anne Faxon, 97, died Saturday, March 24, 2007, at her home.
Mrs. Faxon was born in Hammond, Ore., daughter of the late Ernest G. and Ester Nelson Coffey. She was the wife of the late Glen S. Faxon.

Surviving are a son, Glen S. Faxon Jr. of Sacramento, Calif.; daughter, Barbara F. Stout of Edinburg; sister, Norma Johnston of Vallejo, Calif.; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.

Services will be private.

The family will received friends from 1 to 4 pm. Saturday, March 31, at the Faxon home.
Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester, VA 22601.

The Faxon children, Glen, Jr. and Barbara, were great-grandchildren of Seth and Emeline.

More information for both Crabtree and Coffey families is available.

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Sources:  CA County Marriage Records, 1850-1952, US Census and CA voter rolls

[Dearie was the second of eight children born to Ernest and Ester Coffey.  Others, in birth order, were Pearl Matina; Norma B., Laura H., Erma Louise; Nellie E., Eleanora Lorene, and Milton E.]

[Note:  Ironically, in 1940 the Faxon family live just blocks from my maternal grandparents in Baton Rouge, LA.]

Hardy Mills (perhaps) and what Coffey Woman?

Those of you who have followed this blog from the beginning know that I am not a direct descendant of any male descendant of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.  Instead, DNA shows me to be a ggg-grandson of a man named Lilburn Jackson Coffee who was a descendant of William and Sarah Ellis Mills.  My 37-marker DNA test shows a perfect match to others who also descend from this Mills family. Additionally, the DNA test result for a descendant of a brother to my gg-grandfather matches mine.

While searching for whichever of William and Sarah's descendants might be my ancestor, I have more or less concluded their son Hardy is the most likely candidate.  He was born in Halifax Co., NC c1763 and died Mar. 6, 1841 in Greencastle, Putnam Co., IN.

Hardy was found on the Wilkes Co. 1787 tax rolls in Captain Ferguson's District and, again in 1830 Hawkins Co., TN.  Other names found on the 1787 list, and pertinent to this genealogy were:  John Coffee (owned stud horse), Thomas Coffee, Reuben Coffee (two, one with note "Estate of James Coffee, dec'd.), Elender Coffee, Benjamin Coffee (owned stud horse), Jane Coffee.

Except for Ellender, these Coffey names match children of John Coffey and Jane Graves.  John Coffey died in 1775 so Jane Coffee could be his widow.  The James Coffee, dec'd would also be a son of John and Jane, who died in Wilkes Co. in 1786.

In Captain Isbell's District I found Joel Coffee, and Colbey [sic] Rucker.  Hardy appeared in the 1784-1787 (enumerated in 1785) NC State Census as a white male, age 21-60, with a white female in the household.  Families adjacent to him were John Coffey, Thomas Coffee [sic], Reubin Coffey, Elizabeth Coffey, Stephen Carpenter and, Benjamin Coffey.  Stephen Carpenter was father of Hardy's wife, Frances Carpenter.

With an age spread as required at the time by the NC census, it is impossible to accurately determine the age of any person enumerated.  Elizabeth Coffey appears in the census as head of household and likely a widow.  I believe she would have been Elizabeth Cleveland, the widow of Rev. James Coffey.  There were no males 21-60 in the household but, there were two males under 21, 1 female and 3 blacks. I don't know how old Elizabeth was, but if she was James' widow, she would been in her 50's.

James and Elizabeth had only two daughters that I know of: Elizabeth, born c1751 and Martha, born c1758.  I believe Elizabeth would have been deceased in Wayne Co., KY before my GGG Coffey was born.  Martha died in Wayne Co. in 1826 but was married and believed to be in KY before the Rev. War began.

My GGG named his first daughter Mary Elizabeth, perhaps after his own mother.  His second daughter was Margaret, apparently named for his wife's mother, Margaret Lloyd Taylor.  He named his first two sons John Fielding; John perhaps for his father-in-law, whose middle name we do not know.  His second son was, James M. for perhaps Pres. James Madison (1751-1836) or, James Mills.  James M. Coffee was my paternal g-grandfather.  Lilburn then had a son whom he named for himself and later a daughter named Ellen.

John, another son of William and Sarah, John Mills, birth unknown but probably between 1770 and 1780, married Alice "Allie" Coffey in Wilkes Co., NC on Mar. 19, 1804.  Allie was a daughter of Ambrose and Mildred "Millie" Moore Coffey, born c1788 in Burke Co.  Ambrose was a grandson of John and Jane Graves Coffey.

These bits and pieces of circumstantial evidence gives me a bit of confidence that I am somewhat justified in considering Hardy, an older brother to John, as my ancestor.

The first problem that I have is the probability that Hardy left NC before 1820.  A Hardy Mills, and the only Mills,  was in Pulaski Co., GA in 1820 and in Hawkins Co., TN in 1830.  He was in Indiana from at least 1837 to death in 1841.  Of course, he could have learned in 1819 that he had impregnated a young woman - he would have been in his late 50's by 1820 - and decided to head to a safer place.  He had married Frances Carpenter in Wilkes Co. in 1785.  I do not know when she died, but the 1820 GA census does not list a woman of the right age to have been Frances.  There was such a female in the 1830 household in Hawkins Co. which might mean a second wife.  There were no Coffey families in Pulaski Co., GA in 1820.  There was a Thomas Coffee [sic] in Wilkes Co., GA that year.

Another problem, and perhaps the one most difficult to overcome at the moment is the possibility that one of Hardy's sons could have been my ancestor.  He had at least four, three of which would have been old enough to sire children by 1820.

One son, James, was born c1782 in Wilkes Co.; Henry and William followed James in 1798 and 1799-1800 respectively.  James married in before 1804 at Tazewell in Claiborne Co., TN.  Henry married in 1820 at Rockingham Co., NC and. William married in Jefferson Co., TN in 1819.  Based purely on birth years, of his other sone, there were likely more children born to Hardy between 1782 and 1798.  Another son, Hardy, Jr. was born c1808 and would have been only about 12-14 years old when my ancestor was born.

Clearly, more census work is needed to determine what Coffey and Mills families were living in TN counties other than Hawkins in c1820 and 1830.  That will help determine if any were living within spittin' distance of any Mills related to William and Sarah Ellis Mills.  Coffey families on the tax rolls and living adjacent to Hardy in 1787 need to be studied more and time lines developed.  I see no other way to eliminate the various Coffey females until I find the one who perhaps had a liaison with Hardy.

 Jack

Ernest Arnold & Lucy Jasper Coffey Reichenbach

Ernest Arnold Reichenbach was born to Johan Samuel and Elizabeth Kubli Reichenbach on Jan. 19, 1879 in  Switzerland.  I have not yet found where he entered the US.  Lucy Jasper Coffey was a daughter of Moses and Margaret Catherine "Kate" Goode Coffey, born Oct. 11, 1881 in Lincoln Co., KY.

Lucy first married Walter Terry Mobley in Lincoln Co. on Jun. 15, 1899 [1].  They were the parents of two sons, Coy Brooks, born c1901 and, Walter Terry, Jr., born c1903.  Walter, Sr. apparently died because on Aug. 30, 1904 she married Ernest in Lincoln Co.

The family left KY sometime between 1907 and 1909.  Ernest, Jr. was born c1906 and Margaret Katherine was born in 1907, both in KY.  Their next child was Bessie, born c1909 in IN.  Louise, was also born in IN c1911.  By Jan of 1924 the family was in Sumatra, Rosebud Co., MT where they remained at least through 1930.  In 1940  Lucy and Ernest were living in Benton Co., WA.

Ernest died in 1965 in Medford.  Lucy died in San Diego, CA on Dec. 31, 1967 [2].  I have not yet found either of their burial sites.

Their children, including those named above were:

Ernest Arnold, Jr., born c1906; Margaret Katherine, born Apr. 24, 1907 in Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY; Bessie, born c1909 in Indiana; Louise, born c1911 in IN, Robert, born Jan. 27, 1914 in Sumatra, died May 31, 1932 in Sumatra, Julia, born 1917, married twice.  First was to Eldon Callaway, born c1911 in MT, died before 1940.  At least one child born to that union, a daughter named Roberta Adele Calaway on Sep. 23, 1936 in Los Angeles Co., CA.  Julia's second husband is said to have been Robert Mason Buslach, but I have no further information on him.  Following Julia was Millie, born Jan. 1919 in Sumatra and, Joseph W., born Oct. 19, 1921 in Sumatra, died Sep. 19, 1995[2] in San Diego Co., CA.  He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Robert's obituary:

Obituary, The Billings Gazette, Sat., Jun. 11, 1932

Body Being Brought Here For Services

The body of Robert Reichenbach, 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Reichenbach, Sr., who died at Sumatra last Tuesday, is being brought to Billings, Friday evening.  The boy, who was born at Sumatra, July 27, 1914, died in a diabetic coma.

He is survived by his parents, two half-brothers, Coy Mobely of Billings and Walter Mobely of Beech Grove, Ind., two brothers, Ernest Reichenbach, Jr., of Billings and Joe Reichenbach of Sumatra, and by five sisters, Mrs. A. C. Taylor of Miles City, Mrs. John Ward of Meeteetse, Wyo., Mrs. Owen Witt of Kenewick, Wash. and Julia and Jane Reichenbach of Sumatra.

Services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in Smith's chapel.  Interment will be in Mountview [sic] cemetery.


Additions and corrections welcomed!

     Jack

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[1]Dodd, Jordan, comp. Kentucky Marriages, 1851-1900: Name: TERRY MOBERLY [sic] Spouse: LUCY COFFEY Marriage Date: 15 Jun 1899 County: Lincoln State: KY

[2] California Death Index, 1940-1997

Spotswood B. & Nancy (Carr?) Fitzgerald

The Fitzgerald and the Coffey families of Nelson Co., VA are forever tied to one another. Sometimes, it's very difficult to figure out which James, Elizabeth, Martha, Mary Coffey married which John, James, Mary or Elizabeth Fitzgerald. As I go back and forth between the Virginia Coffey families and those elsewhere, I invariably find some family error that I have created or a link that I didn't understand the first time around.

A friend, Wayne Coffey of Georgia, formerly of Virginia, has been a great help to me in figuring out who is who.

Working with these families is much like attempting to unravel a thousand yards of twine that has become tangled and re-tangled over a century or two and, each tangle a Gordian knot. Working on them from the disadvantage of being 800 miles from valuable sources - not otherwise available on the web - probably makes the tangled twine maybe twice as long.

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This blog is about Spotswood B. and Nancy Carr Fitzgerald. They had three children, two of which married into the Coffey families of Nelson Co. Spotswood was a few years younger than Nancy; in fact by about 10 years. He was born in Virginia c1811 and she c1801.

The marriage record for him and Nancy reports Aug. 8, 1838 in Nelson Co. and, it gives Nancy's surname as Fitzgerald. I'm lost as to whether she was originally a Carr who married a Fitzgerald and then sometime later married Spotswood. I do not have a source for the Carr surname which means somewhere back in the dawn of this project I found it "somewhere" but did not record the source.

I find them in the 1850 and 1860 census only, both times in Nelson Co. It appears they had only the three children: Joshua, born c1840; Mary Jane, born c1843 and Lewis Perkins, born Jan., 1845, each in Nelson Co.  I have not found a death record for them and do not know where they are buried.

Joshua enlisted in the Nelson Light Artillery Battery, Rives Company, on Aug. 31, 1861. The record reports that he was "mustered out" on Feb. 18, 1862, but did not survive the war.

Mary Jane married David Alfred Coffey, a son of Holloway Stewart* and Catherine Fitzgerald Coffey. I suspect that Catherine, born c1814, and Spotswood, born c1811, were brother and sister, making Mary Jane and David first cousins. But, I have no proof of that yet.

David was born in Nelson Co. in 1832 and married Mary Jane on Nov. 16, 1858 in that county. He died there in 1894 and was buried at White Rock Cemetery in Montebello, Nelson Co. Mary Jane survived until 1923 and was also buried at White Rock.

The children that I have so far located for them are: 1) Dilly Jane, born c1860; 2) Vanessa or Vernice "Nicey", born Jan., 1866, married Andrew J. Bryant on Nov. 21, 1883 in Nelson Co. One of their daughters married Wesley Robert Coffey, son of Edmund and Martha Snead Coffey. Wesley was Mary Etta's first cousin, twice removed. 3) Nancy, born c1864; 4) Eli Davis, born 1871, died 1942, married first cousin Frances Catherine Coffey, daughter of Alexander S. and Sarah Ann Fitzgerald Coffey. 5) Mary J., born c1872; 6) Malinda F., born c1874; 7) Fletcher Floyd, born May 1879, died 1934; married Mary Wyatt "Mollie" Fitzgerald on Dec. 29, 1925. Both had been previously married; Fletcher to Viola Bertha Fitzgerald with whom he had at least six children and, "Mollie" to Ernest Hope Fitzgerald in 1898, with whom she had at least five children. 8) M. Belle, born c1884, married Gilbert Thompson in Nelson Co. on Jun. 19, 1922. Belle was 38 yrs. old; Gilbert was 26. They had at least one child, Ester, born c1824.

Lewis Perkins was the third and perhaps last child born to Spotswood and Nancy. He came along in Jan., 1845. I haven't found an enlistment record for him as he was apparently too young to serve when the war began. He lived until 1926 and was buried at White Rock. He and Mary Ann Coffey were married Mar. 5, 1867 in Nelson Co. She was born in 1845 and died in 1925 and was also buried at White Rock.  Mary Ann was a daughter of Edmund and Martha Snead Coffey.

There were at least eight children born to them:

1) Nettie, born Feb. 1868, died Apr. 1965, married John Emmett Taylor in Sep, 1892. Parents of at least five children born between 1894 and 1912. 2) Jasper N. (Newton?), born 1871, died Oct., 1896. He married Elvira F. Coffey, a half-sister to David Alfred Coffey.  Elvira later married Elliot Walker Fitzgerald (1902) and died in 1960. 3) Eliza Jane, born 1873, died 1900, apparently never married; 4) Martha Elizabeth, 1876-1909, married John Cyrus Fitzgerald; 5) Mary Alice, born 1878, died 1968, married Holloway Stewart Coffey, Jr.; 6) Sally Jane (Henry?), married Mayo Cabell Fitzgerald in 1899.  He died in 1955, she in 1925.  He is buried at White Rock; I am unsure where Sally is buried.  They had at least seven children: Arthur, Savannah, Isaac Harrison; Ezra; Carrie, Waverly Ann; and Chester Martin.  7) Teressie, born 1887, died 1989 in Waynesboro, VA.  Married Charles Austin Coffey, another son of Holloway Stewart Coffey and Virginia Bryant.  Charles was born in 1878 and died in 1953.  Both are buried at White Rock.  Their children were at least four:  Eula Beatrice; Gladys Green; Woody Austin and Myrtle Virginia.

Corrections and additions welcomed!

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*Holloway Stewart Coffey was married at least four times. He had at least six children by Catherine Campbell; one by third wife Delilah Sneed and at least four by fourth wife, Virginia Bryant.

Additional information is available.

Pulaski Patterson Campbell

The Campbell, Fitzgerald and Coffey families of Virginia will forever be entangled and no more so than in Nelson Co., VA.

 Pulaski Patterson Campbell was a son of Alexander and Elizabeth Fitzgerald Campbell.

Alexander was a son of Jesse C. ( for Coffey?) and Mary Campbell. Jesse C. was a son of John and Amelia "Milley" Coffey Campbell. Amelia was a daughter of Edmond S. and Nancy Barnett Coffey. Alexander married Elizabeth J. Fitzgerald on Aug. 31, 1857* in Nelson Co. Elizabeth was a daughter of Benjamin and Malinda Fitzgerald however, I have not yet looked for them.

There are very probably more children but, I know of only four for Alexander and Elizabeth, all born in Nelson Co.:

Sophia Jane, born c1857; Pulaski Patterson, born May 22, 1860, died Jan. 1, 1944; Matilda A., born c1861; and Melvina, born c1863.

Pulaski married Luticia Campbell on Feb. 14, 1883 in Nelson Co.  Some genealogies and at least one census record refers to her as Lucy.  She was the daughter of William and Susan Ann Mawyer Campbell.  William was the son of Joel and Nancy Coffey Campbell.  Nancy was the daughter of Edmond Steward Coffey, Jr. and his wife, Matilda "Tildy" Fitzgerald.  Edmond Stewart was brother to Amelia who married  Jesse C. Campbell.

Obituary for Pulaski and and Luticia:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 4, 1944

A double funeral was held at Mt. Carmel near Steele's Tavern Sunday at 2:00 o'clock for Mr. and Mrs. Pulaski Patterson Campbell.

Mrs. Campbell died December 31st, at their home near Stuarts Draft with influenza. She was 76 years of age.

Mr. Campbell who had been ill for a number of years, died at their home Saturday, January 1st. He was 85 years of age.

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are survived by six sons, Burtie G. Campbell, William A. Campbell, Admiral D. Campbell, Churchill G. Campbell, Paul G. Campbell, and Hersey F. Campbell; three daughters, Sadie B. Coffey, Mattie H. Sorrells, and Lilly M. Bradley; and by 36 grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren. Mrs. Campbell is survived by one sister, Mrs. Mattie Tarry, of Stuarts Draft. Active pallbearers were: Raymond Campbell, Tinsley Campbell, Hardy Coffey, Johnnie Campbell, Eldridge Sorrells, Willie Campbell, Jerry Painter, Downie Painter, Elmer Lott, Ollie S. Lotts, Brent Coffey and Leftwick Campbell

Confused yet?  Yeah, me too!

Pulaski and Lutitia were parents of [probably] ten children:

1 - Siddie Belle, born Mar, 25, 1886 in Montebello, Nelson Co., died Jun. 9, 1973.  She married Massie Franklin Coffey on Sep. 28, 1908 in Nelson Co.  He was a son of Ryland and Martha Wyatt Fortune Coffey.  Massie was born Apr. 28, 1886 and died Sep. 22, 1973.  They are buried at Mount Carmel Presbyterian Cemetery at Steeles Tavern in Augusta Co., VA.  They were parents of at least eight children:  Dorothy, Genettie, Davis, Hugh, Sadie, Paul Hardy, Erskine, and Lorraine.  More info is available on request for some of these children.

2 - Bertie G., born Jan., 1887 in Montebello.  In at least one census he was enumerated as a female.  I believe he was male and will do more searching at a later date.

3 - Mattie Hall, born Apr. 7, 1889 in Montebello, died Jan. 27, 1977 in Waynesboro.  Mattie married Andrew Givens Sorrels, born c1874.  Andrew is said to be buried at the Pleas Taylor Family cemetery in Nelson Co.**  Mattie is buried at Augusta Memorial Park in Waynesboro.  Andrew was a son of George D. & Bethanie Fitzgerald Sorrels.

Her obituary:

Obituary, The News-Virginian, Jan. 28, 1977

Mrs. Mattie Hall Sorrells, 87, died at 8:30 a.m. Thursday in a local nursing home.  She was born in Montebello, April 7, 1889, a daughter of the late Pulaski P. and Luticia Campbell.  She was the widow of Andy Givens Sorrells, who died in May, 1943.

She is survived by two sons, Thurman E. Sorrells of Route 1, Grottoes, and Andy G. Sorrells Jr. of Richmond; one brother, Paul Gay Campbell of Amherst; one sister, Mrs. William H. (Lillie) Bradley of Waynesboro; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held at 4 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of the Etter Funeral Home, conducted by Rev. Bradford Moles, with interment in Augusta Memorial Park.

Active pallbearers will be Thurman Sorrells Jr., Michael Sorrells, Mitchell Sorrells, Leslie Sorrells, Kenneth Bradley and Erskine Coffey.  Honorary pallbearers will be nieces and nephews and friends attending the service.

The body will remain at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 7 to 8 tonight.

4 - Sadie R., born Jun., 1892.  In 1910 she was enumerated as a male child named Will.

5 - Churchill Gardner, born Jun. 23, 1894 in Montebello, died Jun. 8, 1954 and buried at Mount Paran Baptist Church cemetery in Nelson Co.  Churchill married Lovie Dean Sorrels on Feb. 24, 1918*** in Nelson Co.  She was the daughter of Wilda Gay "Willie" and Martha Ida Fitzgerald Sorrels.  Lovie died on Sep. 3, 1968 and is also buried at Mount Paran.  Their children were:  Gardner; Wildie, Martha, and Estie.

6 - George O., born Dec., 1896 in Montebello.  In the 1910 census this child was named Dewey.

7 - Paul Gay, born Apr. 2, 1899, died Dec. 15, 1977 and buried at Jonesboro Baptist Church cemetery at Jonesboro, Nelson Co.  Paul was married c1927 to Mazie G. Taylor, a daughter of Lafayette Givens and Lillie May Coffey Taylor.  Mazie was born on Aug. 13, 1911 in Nelson Co. and died on Jan. 31, 2005.  She is also buried at Jonesboro.  I know of one child, Paul, born c1933 in Nelson Co.

8 - Huey S., born Feb., 1900.

9 - Hercy F., born c1902.  Missing from family in 1910 census.

10 - Lillie M., born c1904.   Also missing from family in 1910 census.

Pulaski and Lutitia can be found in Massies Mill census records from 1900 through 1940.

More work needs to be done on this family.  Additions and corrections welcomed.

Jack

PS:  Re: Jonesboro cemetery.  References that I have found to this cemetery on Find-A-Grave place it at Roseland, in Nelson Co.  Searching Google maps for Roseland and Jonesboro revealed that they are more or less wide spots along the Patrick Henry Hwy. and, about a mile or so apart.  I have chosen to use Jonesboro as the home of this cemetery because that's where it's located and, Jonesboro is the name of the church.

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 *Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940; Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZB-D6T : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Alex Campbell and Eliz. J. Fitzgerald, 31 Aug 1857; citing reference pg 5 ln 18, FHL microfilm 32734.

**Lynn Coffey, editor, "Backroads," privately published newspaper, published at Love, Nelson Co., VA, 1981-2006., Vol. 18, No. 226, Nov., 2000, Page 9.

*** Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, Index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XRZ5-T5H : accessed 19 Sep 2012), Churchill G. Campbell and Lovey D. Sorrels, 24 Feb 1918; citing reference p 159 ln 13, FHL microfilm 32734.

Roy Chester & Cora Viola Coffey Wilkerson

I've been neglectful of this blog over the past few weeks because of the 1940 census. I've spent a lot of time researching my own family lines and, catching up on marriages and births that occurred after 1930. I'm finding it somewhat suspicious however, that much of my maternal line missed that census. In some cases, entire families with the same surname and living in the same general area were skipped or, failed to respond to the enumerator's knock.

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Roy, a son of John Russell and Mary Mae Box Wilkerson*, was born in Laurel Co., KY on Mar. 4, 1890.**  He first married Cora Viola Coffey, the daughter of Linville and Mary Jane Stansbury Coffey, born Dec. 15, 1887 in KY, died of Pellagra on Sep. 19, 1919 in Whitley Co., KY.***  She was buried at Campground Cemetery near London, KY on Sep. 20, 1919.

When he registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Whitley Co., he was described as being tall, medium build, blue eyes and red hair and, was employed by the L & N Railroad as a "car repairer" in Corbin, KY.  He gave his age as 29 years and birth date as Mar. 4, 1888 in London, KY.  It was noted on the draft card that he was married and the father of five children.

Their children were Fred, born 1908; Gladys, born May 10, 1909, died May 3, 1997, married a Mr. Taylor; Lester R., born Sep. 1, 1911; Allie, born c1914 and an unnamed daughter born Aug. 3, 1918 in Whitley Co.

The only census that this family appeared in was the 1910 census for McHargue, Laurel Co., KY.  Chester was a farmer.  By 1920 Roy had married a lady with given name of Mary Mae¹ but, I have not found them in the 1920 census.  In 1930 the family was in Corbin, Whitley Co. where Roy was employed as a city policeman.  Mary was born Feb. 10. 1897 in KY and died there on Aug. 12, 1982.  I know of two children: Warren G., born 1920, died 1992 and Ruth, born c1923, both in Whitley Co.

Sometime over the next 20+ years, Roy was named, or elected, to the job of Chief of Police in Corbin.  He died on Aug. 5, 1952 in Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY.  He and others were involved in an automobile accident outside of Somerset on Jul. 26, 1952 and Roy died in the Somerset City Hospital 10 days [death certificate reports 13 days] later of cardiac failure.

According to a record found on-line at Find A Case [VersusLaw, Inc.], Roy was not only responsible for the accident that ultimately killed him but, for the death and injury of others.

April 30, 1954
Court of Appeals of Kentucky
Wilkerson's Adm'x
v.
KING
Combs
The car of Roy Chester Wilkerson collided head-on with the car of Delmer Turner at the intersection of Highways 80 and 461 in Pulaski County. The appellee, T. H. King, a passenger in Wilkerson's car, was injured. Nancy Ann Lawson, a passenger in the Turner Car, was killed. Wilkerson later died from injuries received by him. In the trial of a suit by the administrator of Nancy Ann Lawson against both Turner and Wilkerson, the appellee was called as a witness by Wilkerson and testified that the accident occurred on Wilkerson's side of the road. In the present suit by appellee to recover for his injuries against Wilkerson's administratrix, he recovered judgment based on a jury's verdict in the amount of $5,000.

The appellant argues two grounds for reversal: (1) There is a conflict between appellee's testimony in this case and his testimony in the Lawson case and he is bound by his previous testimony; (2) the physical facts show that the accident occurred on Wilkerson's side of the road.

We find no material conflict between appellee's testimony in the two cases. He testified in the Lawson case that the accident occurred on Wilkerson's side of the road. On cross-examination in this case he testified to the same effect. But that is not the decisive question before us. It has been Turner's contention all along, and is the contention of appellee now, that just prior to the collision Wilkerson cut his vehicle to the left as if he intended to turn off of Highway 80 and enter Highway 461; that Turner thereupon turned his vehicle to his left in order to avoid the Wilkerson car; and that Wilkerson apparently having decided not to turn off of Highway 80 then cut his car back to his right, and into the path of the Turner car. The jury apparently believed the accident occurred in this manner, and the evidence supports its verdict.

Judgment affirmed.

Both Roy and Mary are buried at the Locust Grove Cemetery in Keavy, Laurel Co., KY.  Their son Warren, born 1920, died 1992, is also buried there.  At least one child, Gladys, from his marriage to Cora is also buried there as Gladys Wilkerson Taylor.  Her death date is May. 3, 1997.

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*KY death certificate 17560
**The year in conflict with WW1 draft registration which gives birth year of 1888.
***Ky death certificate 26605
¹His mother's given name was also Mary Mae.

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.

James Granville & Lois Ann Dancy Coffey

James was the eldest child of Marvel and Nancy E. Pendley Coffey.  Marvel was a son of James and Delilah Ferguson Coffey.

James is said to have been born on Jul. 4, 1845 in North Carolina and to have died on Feb. 19, 1915 in McDowell Co., WV.  I have not yet been able to confirm either date.

He married Lois Ann Dancy, a daughter of Neal and Rilda Cox Dancy, natives of Ashe Co., NC.  Lois was born Dec. 19, 1858 in that county and died on Sep. 28,1938 in Welch, McDowell Co., WV.  Her death certificate reports cause of death as hypostatic pneumonia.  Lois is buried at the Premier Cemetery in Premier, Welch Co., WV.  In 1920 Lois was a widow in McDowell Co., more of less confirming that James died after he appeared last in the 1910 census.

James and Lois had at least nine children, the eldest three born in NC, the others in WV.

Alice E., born Jul. 23, 1881 in Asheville, Buncombe Co., married William S. Taylor on Nov. 19,1894 in Mercer Co. William was a native of GA, born there c1868.  At least 10 children were born to this union:  Laura A., c1899; Cora E., c1901; Luther, c1903; James A., born c1906; Mary B., born c1909; William, Jr., born c1912; Daisy V., born c1914; Elizabeth M., born c1917; Charley F., born c1919 and, Evaline B., born c1924.  I have not found death date and burial sites for William and Alice.

Daniel Alexander, born Jun. 4, 1882, Ashe Co., NC, died Jun. 19,1960 in Welch, McDowell Co.  Daniel married Belle Bunn c1907 in WV.  She was a daughter of John P. and Mary J. "Mollie" Havens Bunn, born Apr. 17, 1892 in Pulaski Co., VA, died Nov. 13, 1984 in Ravenna, Portage Co., OH.  Their children were:  James G. P., born c Jul 1909 in WV, married a lady by the name of Mary A. c1929 in McDowell Co.  Howard Clinton, Feb. 25, 1911-Mar 23,1992; Clarence E., Sep. 14, 1914-Dec. 13, 1983; Bessie C., c1917; Albert Preston, Jun. 22, 1919-Nov. 11, 1994 in Jefferson Co., WV.  Albert married Lyda Louvernia Stumbo, daughter of Christopher Columbus and Minnie Ramsey Stumbo.  Lyda was born Mar 31, 1921 in Yukon, McDowell Co., and died in Ranson, Jefferson Co., WV on Apr. 29, 2010.  Hazel was next, born c1922; Effie A., born c1925 and Hellen M., born c1928.

Mary E., born Feb., 1883 in NC, married J. E. Ferguson on Dec. 20, 1905 in Coalwood, McDowell Co.  Mr. Ferguson was a native of Smyth Co., VA, having been born there c1876.

James Henry, born Mar. 20, 1889 in WV, died Jul. 6, 1958 in Welch, McDowell Co.  He married Hattie Pearl Woods.  A marriage date has not been found.  Hattie was born Apr. 20, 1892 in KY and died in Laurel Co., KY on Jan. 22, 1973.  Their children were Myrtle, born c1915, Beatrice I., Mar. 4, 1918 in WV-Nov. 24, 1971 in KY; Clifford L., born Apr. 4, 1920 in WV, died Feb. 1, 1984 in KY; and Rev. William Kelcie Coffey, born Jul. 14, 1923, died Jul. 6, 1997 in Laurel Co., KY.  Rev. Coffey married Gloria Edna Rogers and were parents of at least one child, James Roger, born Oct. 27, 1948 in Yukon, died in Corbin, Whitley Co., KY on Apr. 20, 2008.

George Lee, born Jun. 24, 1891 in Welch, died in Columbus, Franklin Co., OH on Jun. 17, 1961.  His wife was Elizabeth Mae Steele, born Mar. 21, 1903 in Ashland, Boyd Co., KY.  She died on Aug. 8, 1968 in Wilmington, New Castle Co., DE.  Children were Helen Kathleen, Raymond Scott and Charles L.

Elizabeth Jane, born Apr. 29, 1895 in WV, died Apr. 23, 1939 in Big Creek Dist., McDowell Co.  She married a Mr. Branhorn.

William Luther, born Apr. 29, 1895 in WV, died Jul. 27, 1977 in WV.  Married Lillian Banfield, born Jul. 28, 1909 in Williamson, Mingo Co., WV, died in Cherry Run, Morgan Co., WV in Sep., 1973.  They had at least one child, a son named Donald, born c1932 in WV.

Charles Earnest, born Apr. 17, 1897 in Freeman, Mercer Co., WV, died in Beckley, Raleigh Co., WV on Oct. 1, 1923.  His spouse was Lockie Quesenbury, born c1902 in VA.  They married on Jul. 28, 1921 in Coalwood, McDowell Co.

The last child born to James and Lois was Jesse Franklin on Jan. 18, 1900 in WV.  He married Virgie Sizemore on Jan. 4, 1923 in McDowell Co.  She was born c1905 in Wyoming Co., WV.  Their children were Charles, born c1924; James, born c1926; and Sidney A., born c1928.  There was also a stillborn male child on May 15, 1940 in North Welch, McDowell Co.

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Additions and corrections welcomed. Sources available on request.

Jefferson (Jeff) and Margie M. King Coffey

Jefferson was born on Jan. 24, 1866 in Scott Co., TN to Joseph and Beth Ada (Bethada?) Strunk Coffey.  He died in Whitley Co., KY on Jul. 7, 1899.  Joseph was a son of James and Sarah "Sally" Sumpter Coffey and Beth Ada was the daughter of William and Charlotta Sellers Strunk.  Ada was born Feb. 28, 1835 in KY - perhaps Pulaski Co., where she and Joseph were married on Dec. 8, 1853.  Both Joseph and Ada died in Oneida, Scott Co., TN; he on Jun. 4, 1882, she on Jun. 3, 1920 and were buried there in the Coffey cemetery.* 

Margie M. King was born Mar. 25, 1870 in KY and died there in McCreary Co. on Aug. 16, 1921.  A marriage date for her and Jefferson has not been found.  They were however, likely married in McCreary Co. in early 1889.  Their first child was born there in Mar., 1890.  Margie was a daughter of Burrell (var.) and Margie M. Foster King.  Burrell was born Feb. 11, 1826 in KY and died in McCreary Co. on Jan. 26, 1917.  Margie was born May 26, 1835 in KY and died there on Oct. 16, 1884.  Both are buried in the Burrell King Family Cemetery at Pine Knot in McCreary Co.

Following the death of Margie, and of Joseph Coffey, Burrell married Beth Ada on May 17, 1885 in Scott Co.  She is however, buried with Joseph in Oneida while Burrell is buried with Margie at his family cemetery in Pine Knot.  Her death certificate reads "Mrs. Ada Coffey or (King)" and her headstone reads "Ada Coffey."  There are no known children born to Burrell and Ada.

Children of Jefferson "Jeff" Coffey and Margie M. King

The first child was William Oscar Coffey, born Mar. 6, 1890 at Pine Knot, died Feb. 18, 1955 in McCreary Co.  His wife was Martha Angeline Trammell (var.), born Oct. 10, 1884 in KY and died there on Jul. 7, 1962.

Their children were:

Ada Bell, born Jul. 4, 1912 in McCreary Co., died Aug. 31, 1995 in Oneida, Scott Co.  Ada's spouse was William Clark, born Sep. 23, 1915, died Mar. 23, 1989.  Both are buried at the Smith Cemetery in Stearns, McCreary Co.

Edith Mae, born May 25, 1917 in McCreary Co., died there on Dec. 28, 1961.  Her spouse was Roscoe Bowling, born Jun. 6, 1916 and died Dec. 18, 1997.  They too are buried at the Smith Cemetery.

Their last child (as I know them) was Margie Marie, born Aug. 30, 1921, died Jul. 4, 2002 in KY.  She married George Arnold Taylor, born Mar. 31, 1921 in McCreary Co., died in Pulaski Co. on Mar. 2, 2003.  They share the Smith Cemetery.

Cole is believed to be on left

The second child born to Jefferson and Margie was Charles Coleman "Cole" Coffey, born Dec. 10, 1891 in TN - probably Scott Co. - and died May 10, 1920 in McCreary Co.  On his WW1 draft registration card, Coleman was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and red hair.  He was a veteran of "The Great War," having served as a Private in the 112 AM, Tn., 37th Div.  I believe the 112th AM was an ammo supply unit that trained at Camp Sheridan in Montgomery Co., AL with the Ohio National Guard's 37th Infantry Division.

Cole is said to have "drank excessively" after he came back home and soon found himself in trouble with one George Staley.  Having heard that George was out to kill him, Cole went to the man's home where he shot and killed George.  He was released when the court decided that it was "self defense."  Some time later, on May 14, 1920, Cole was accused of peddling whiskey and arrested by Oliver Slaven, a deputy sheriff in Somerset, KY.  Cole was able to escape and later that same day was discovered hiding in a nearby home where Slaven, while attempting to again arrest him, was shot and killed.  A few days later, with officers approaching his hideout, Cole fired a bullet into his own head and died instantly.  He was buried at the King Cemetery in Pine Knot.

An article in the Somerset Herald on May 10, 1920 reads:

(Special to the Herald) Somerset, Ky., May 10-- The town of Stearns, near Somerset, was thrown in turmoil this afternoon when Cole Coffey, a miner, shot to death Deputy Sheriff Oliver Slavens, who was attempting to arrest him and a companion named West and afterwards killed himself by shooting through the head with the same revolver with which he had killed the deputy sheriff. Coffey had been accused of having some whisky and when Slavens went to the place where he and West were stopping, Coffey opened fire on Slavens, shooting at him three times, three of the shots taking effect, from which Slavens died a few hours later. When the sheriff went to the home of Coffey to arrest him for the crime Coffey placed a revolver to his head and blew his brains out.

Other children of Jeff and Margie were Ada, born Nov., 1893 in TN; Gertrude M., born 1895 in McCreary Co., died there in 1899; and Fanny, born 1897 in McCreary Co., died there in 1898.  Both Gertrude and Fanny are buried at the King Cemetery.  The disposition of Ada is unknown to me.

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*This cemetery is north of the intersection of US27 (Depot St.) via W. 3d Ave. to Stanley St. Geo-coordinates are Lat. 36 deg., 29 min., 43.02 sec.; Lon. 84 deg., 30 min., 46.01 sec.
After Jeff died, Margie remained a widow for sometime before finally marrying Jess Crabtree of McCreary Co.
Photo and other information about Cole is courtesy of William Jones.

Cornelius & Ailsy Elizabeth Greenfield Coffey

Betty Greenfield Coffey

Cornelius Coffey

Cornelius Coffey was the fifth child of at least 11 born to William Coffey, Jr. and his wife Margaret Robbins.  William, Jr. was a native of Yadkin Valley, born May 5, 1812 in that part of Wilkes Co., NC that later became part of Caldwell Co.  Margaret was born c1816 in North Carolina, the exact area is unknown.  He died May 8, 1893 in Buffalo Twp., Caldwell Co..  Margaret preceded him in death on Apr 26,1882.

Obituary, Lenoir Topic, Lenoir, Caldwell Co., NC, May 28, 1893

To the Editor of the Lenoir Topic:  Died at his home on Buffalo, in Caldwell county, May the 8th, 1893, William Coffey, aged 81 years and 8 days.  His wife, Margaret, also departed this life April 26th, 1882, in the 66th year of her age.  The Lord blessed them with a family of twelve children of which seven remain to mourn their loss.  Brother and Sister Coffey joined the Baptist church in 1847; was soon ordained in the office of Deacon and Deaconess, which office they executed well.  They both lived consistent Christian lives.  We were present at the funeral of Sister Coffey, and remember hearing Brother Coffey express his desire to be asleep in Jesus with his companion.  Since that time his greatest delight has been in the worship and service of the house of the Lord, often expressing a strong desire to be freed from the temptations and perplexities of this, and after an illness of about 6 months he fell asleep in the full triumphs of faith and was gathered to his loved ones that had gone before.  Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.  M.C. and J.H.J.

 Cornelius was born Jul. 27, 1844 at Buffalo Creek in Wilkes Co. and died Jun. 2, 1906 in Morganton, Burke Co.  He was enumerated as a a patient at the Broughton State Hospital in Morganton in 1900.  He is buried in the cemetery on the hospital grounds, his grave marked by a simple funeral home marker.  I have not yet found his wife's final resting place.

He married Ailsy Elizabeth "Betty" Greenfield on Feb. 20, 1868 in Caldwell Co.  She was born Sep. 7, 1850 and died Jun. 11, 1928, presumably in North Carolina.

Their children, all born in Caldwell Co., were:

William Larkin, born Jun. 19, 1870, died Jan. 5, 1953 in Granite Falls, Caldwell Co.  His wife was Alice Selma Setzer, daughter of Paul and Jemina Simmons Setzer, and was born Sep. 9, 1865 in NC, died Aug. 22, 1941 in Granite Falls.  Both are buried there at Pinecrest Cemetery.  Their children were Charles Mozer; Fannie C.; Claude Augustus; Ada M.; Walter Victor; Garland Cecil; Ethel; and Lucy Jane.

Elbert Finley, born Mar. 1, 1872, died Apr. 29, 1959 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC.  His wife was Mary Louise Lentz, born Jul. 19, 1903 in NC, died Dec. 25, 1990 in Salisbury.  Elbert is buried at Westlawn Memorial Park in China Grove, Rowan Co.  Mary Louise is probably there as well but, I have found no record of that.  Their children were at least two:  Jack Nolan and Robert J. "Bob" Coffey.

Martha Louisa, born c1874.  Her spouse was Roy Abernathy.  No other information on either.  Their children were also at least two:  Collis Odell and Julia.

John Oliver, born c1876, died May 19, 1947 in Hinesville, Liberty Co., GA.  His wife was Eva Broce, born Jan. 4, 1881 in Bristol, Sullivan Co., TN, died Jan. 20, 1946 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH.  After John's death, Eva married Berch E. Scott of Highland Co., OK.  He was born Aug. 12, 1872 and died in Cincinnati on Aug. 4, 1943.  Both are buried at Vine Street Cemetery in Cincinnati.  John's children with Eva were:  Bruce, born c1899 in TN; Ethel, born c1902 in TN; Fred Howard, born c1905 in TN and Edna Lucille, born c1907 in NC.

Mary Etta, born Jun. 10, 1878, died Apr. 24, 1952 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co.  She married on Aug. 25, 1900 in Watauga Co. to Larkin Solomon Presnell, born Feb. 10, 1870 in Watauga Co., NC to James H. and Rebecca Green Presnell.  Larkin died Jun. 24, 1941 in Caldwell Co.  He is buried at Howell Cemetery in Vilas, Watauga Co. while Mary Etta rests at Blue Ridge Memorial Park in Lenoir.  Their children were also at least two:  Clarence Haskel, born 1901 and Roy Lee, born 1903, both in Watauga Co.

Annie Elizabeth, born Aug. 22, 1881, died Sep. 14, 1946 in Lenoir.  She married Aug. 25, 1901 in Yadkin Valley, Caldwell Co., to Jesse Steele Johnson, a son of James Harvel and Zelphia Almida Sloan Johnson.  Jesse was born Jan. 24, 1881 in NC and died Sep. 12, 1965 in Lenoir.  They are buried at Belleview Cemetery in Lenoir.  They were also parents of at least two children:  Nellie Clyde, born 1903 and Lewis Albert.

The last child was George T., born Jul., 1883, married Jul. 27, 1902 to Nellie Taylor in Burke Co., NC.  I have only one child for them:  Billie, a daughter, born May 28, 1908 in Lenoir.

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Photos of Cornelius and Betty courtesy of Donna Schultz

Burl & Camely Steele Coffey

Burl was a son of James Nelson and Sarah Margaret Barrier Coffey.  He was born on Jan. 14, 1884 in Kentucky - probably Wayne Co. - and died May 15, 1971 in that county.  He is buried at Elk Spring Cemetery at Monticello, KY.  Burl married Camely Steele, a daughter of John M. and Eliza Steele on Mar 7, 1903. Camely was born in Dec., 1884 in Wayne Co..  Her death date is unknown but, she is also buried at Elk Spring Cemetery.

Burl shares his headstone with his second wife, Emma Lee Gregory who he married c1941.  Emma was born Sep. 25, 1897 to George Washington and Gemima Elizabeth Worley Gregory.  She died Dec. 5, 1986.

Burl registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 at the age of 34 years.  He and Camely lived in Barrier, Wayne Co. at the time where he was a farmer.  The record describes him as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and light brown hair. Twenty-four years later, on Apr. 27, 1942 and at age 58, he registered for the WW2 draft in Benton Co., IN.  He was described then as weighing 160 lbs and 5' 9" tall.  He eyes were still blue but his hair was gray.  Rather than Emma, he named Shoff Coffey of Oxford, IN as someone who would always know his address.  Perhaps he and Emma married later than 1941?

Burl and Camely were the parents of at least 10 children, all born in Wayne Co.:

Mabel, born c1905
Earnie, born c1907
Oscar, born c1909
Mayme, born Aug. 6, 1911
Mary Jane, born c1912
Leslie, born Aug. 24, 1913
Frederic, born c1915
Woodrow, born May 31, 1918
Dortha, born Feb. 13, 1921
Shoff G., born Jul. 29, 1925

Mayme married Addir R. Tuggle c1927 in KY.  He was born c1904 to James Wyatt and Rice Ellen Brown Tuggle.  Addie died Aug. 18, 1977 in Pulaski Co.  He was a resident of Lincoln Co. at the time of death and, is probably buried in that county.  There were at least two children born to this union:  Eugene (?) R., born c1927 and Lula Mae, born Nov. 14, 1929 in Wayne Co.

Cullem Leonard Coffey

Lula Mae married Cullem Leonard Coffey on Feb. 14, 1948, in KY and probably in Wayne Co.  Cullem died on Dec. 2, 2010 in Monticello, Wayne Co. and, was likely buried at Elk Spring.  Lula Mae died May 24, 2007 and, she is buried at Elk Spring.  Cullem was the son of Edward Cullem and Gertie Evana Taylor Coffey.

Shoff G. married Eva Mae Rainwater on Jan. 7, 1942 in Indiana.  She was born Feb. 12, 1923 in Liberty, Casey Co., KY to parents Louis F. and Grace "Gracie" Wilson Rainwater.

Death records for Shoff and Eva have not been found.  However, an obituary has been found for (second wife?) Adela L. Coffey, wife of Shoff G. Coffey.  She died in Fuquay-Varina, Wake Co., NC and, her obituary appeared in the The (Asheboro, N.C.) Courier-Tribune

FUQUAY-VARINA - Adela Laster Coffey, 59, died Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1999.  Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday at Trinity Baptist Church, Angier.  Burial will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens, Fuquay-Varina.

Surviving are husband, Shoff G. Coffey; daughters, Sandra Betts of Asheboro, Sharon Inman of Archdale; son, Karl Haper of Fuquay-Varina; brothers, Haywood Laster of Chesapeake, Va., Donald Laster and David Laster, both of Portsmouth, Va., Robert Adams of Sophia; granddaughter, Amber Haper of the home; five other grandchildren; one great-grandchild.

The family will be at the church noon-2 p.m. on Thursday.

Thomas Funeral Home, Fuquay-Varina, is in charge of the arrangements.

Drop a comment or e-mail to add to or to correct any of this info.

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Photo of Cullem Leonard Coffey is courtesy of Jacqueline Coffee Daffrin

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1910 Wayne Co., Elk Creek Pct., ED222, Sheet 13A, dwelling/family 240, Coffey, Burl, head, male, white, age 26, married once for 7 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Comely, wife, female, white, age 25, married once for 7 yrs., mother of 3, 3 living, born KY, parents born KY; Mabel, dau., female, white, age 5, born KY; Earnie, son, male, white, age 3, born KY; Oscar, son, male, white, age 6 mos., born KY.

1920 Wayne Co., Oil Valley Pct., ED258, Sheet 5B, Cooper Road, dwelling 96, family 100, Coffey, Burl, head, female, white, age 35, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Camely [sic], wife, female, white, age 35, married, born KY, parents born KY; Mabvel, dau., female, white, age 15, single, born KY; Ernie, dau [sic], female, white, age 13, born KY; Oscar, son, male, white, age 11, born KY; Mary Jane, dau., female, white, age 8, born KY; Leslie, son, male, white, age 7, born KY; Frederic, son, male, white, age 4 yrs., 6 [?] mos., born KY; Woodrow, son, male, white, age 1 yr., 7 mos., born KY.

1930 Benton Co., Otterbein, ED1, Sheet 3A, dwelling 65, family 67, Coffey, Burl, head, male, white, age 46, married at age 18, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Camely, wife, female, white, age 45, married at age 17, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Oscar, son, male, white, age 20, single, born KY, farm laborer; Lulie (?), son, male, white, age 18, single, born KY; Frederick, son, male, white, age 15, born KY; Woodrow, son, male, white, age 12, born KY; Dorothy, dau., female, white, age 10, born KY; Shoff, son, male, white, age 4, born KY.

Children of Francis Marion & Martha Jane Coffey Clark

Continuing with the information received from Jerry Dickinson

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2nd Generation

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Lola Elzora Clark married William Alexander Gragg, a son of John Riley and Nancy Elvira Taylor Gragg.  William was born on Jul. 14, 1879 in Watauga Co., and died on Jan. 3, 1974 in San Francisco, CA.  A child was Savoy Jack Carl Carlton [sic] Gragg, born Mar. 13, 1912, died Nov. 8, 1974.

Harrison Austin "Harry" married Mary Jane Cable on Jan. 5, 1906 in Pullman, Whitman Co., WA.  Mary was born in Elkmills, Carter Co., TN on Nov. 9, 1880, died in Weiser, Washington Co., ID on Oct. 12, 1954.  Children were:  Russell Burnett, born Sep. 29, 1906 in Chambers, Whitman Co., died Dec. 9, 1922; Cecil Raymond, born May 29, 1908, died Jun. 22, 1981; and an unnamed female.

David Clingman (Jerry thinks middle name may be Clinton) married but wife is unnamed.  Children were Clint, born Jun., 1920, died Jan., 1931; James McDonald, born May 23, 1924, died Sep. 12, 1980.

Millard Ray, married Nellie L. Shawgo on Jun. 1, 1913 in St. John, Washington.  Children were: Joe Edward, born Dec. 30, 1915 in St. John, died Aug. 9, 1997 in Spokane.  Joe married Evelyn Florence Marquardt on Apr. 8, 1939 in Spokane.  Evelyn was born Oct. 27, 1912 and died Jul. 15, 1998 in Eugene, OR.; Lois Nellie, born Dec. 11, 1917, died May, 1962.

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3d Generation

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Lola Clark Gragg's son, Savoy Jack Carl Carlton Gragg, born Mar. 13, 1912 in North Carolina, died Nov. 8, 1974 in San Jose, Santa Clara Co., CA.  He married Erla Armina Rathvon, a daughter of Lloyd Ashton and Edith Gertrude Walton Rathvon.  Erla was born Feb. 4, 1914 in Penticton, BC, Canada and died on Mar. 27, 1987 in Longview, Cowlitz Co., WA.  Children were: Jacquelynn [sic] Marie "Jackie" Gragg, born Jan. 25, 1932 in Longview, died Oct. 6, 2008 in Gig Harbor, Pierce Co., WA.  She was also known as Jackie Sorrensen.  Her husband was Stanley M. Thurman, born Sep. 26, 1923, died Jun. 30, 2001 in Bothel, King Co., WA.  They were married on Nov. 12, 1965. [Sorenson may have been a previous spouse]

Harrison's son Cecil Raymond, was born May 29, 1908 in Midvale, Washington Co., ID and died on Jun. 22, 1981.  He married Rose Erikson on Aug. 19, 1929 in Clarkston, Asotin Co., WA.  Rose was born Mar. 18, 1912 in Weston, Oneida Co., ID and died Dec. 13, 1994.  Children were: Dennis Cecil, born Feb. 25, 1930 in Lewiston, Nez Perce Co., ID, died in June 19, 1995 at Payette, Payette Co., ID.  He married Barbara Lee Adams on Mar. 6, 1952 in Winnemucca, Humboldt Co., NV.  She was born on Dec. 30, 1932 in Wendell, Gooding Co., ID and died Feb. 18, 1988 in Milton-Freewater, Umatilla Co., OR; Norman Harry, born Sep. 18, 1940 in Weiser, died Mar. 2, 1965.

The unnamed daughter, child of Harrison in previous blog, was the mother of Carol Ann Bledsoe, now Carol Ann Van Voorde.

Lois Nellie was a daughter of Millard Ray.  She was born Dec. 11, 1917 in St. John, Whitman Co., WA and died in May, 1962.  She married Lee Hemingway, born Nov. 4, 1909, died Dec. 25, 1989.  A son was Jack Edward Hemingway, born Sep. 30, 1940, died Oct., 1977 in Spokane, WA.

Taylor and Coffey of Massies Mill, Nelson Co., VA

John H. [probably Henry] Taylor, was born c1834 in Nelson Co. and died there on May 12, 1896. He was married c1853 to Sarah E. Wood, a daughter of Arthur and Sarah A. Wood. Sarah Wood Taylor was born c1836, death date unknown. Both are buried in the Pleasant [Pleas] Taylor cemetery in Nelson Co.

They were the parents of at least 10 children:

1 - William Henry "Billy" Taylor was born Apr. 10, 1954 at Massies Mill and died in Nelson Co. on Apr. 8, 1928. Billie married Martha Jane Coffey on Jan. 20, 1873 in Nelson Co. Martha Jane was born in Jan., 1856 at Massies Mill and died in Nelson Co. on Feb. 5, 1935. They too are buried in the Pleas Taylor cemetery. Martha Jane was the daughter and ninth child of Edmund and Martha Snead Coffey.

The children of Billy and Martha Jane were:

Emma Jane, born Jan. 1, 1874 at Montebello in Nelson Co., died Apr. 7, 1960 in Waynesboro, VA and was buried at White Rock cemetery near Montebello. Emma Jane married Robert Alexander Coffey, born May 25, 1883 at Montebello, died Mar. 13, 1959 at Waynesboro. He too is buried at White Rock. I do not believe they had any children. Because of their ages at marriage, (Robert was 45 and Emma was 54) they may have been previously married to others.

Lafayette G. was born Mar., 1875 and married Rose Painter. Rose is buried at Pleas Taylor. No other information.

The next three children were Ida or Ada Bell, born Mar., 1879; Estella, born Sep., 1881, died 1934, buried Pleas Taylor; and Dandridge, born Feb., 1884.

Rosa Y. "Rosie" was child number six, born Oct. 11, 1885, died Aug., 1982 in Augusta Co. Rosie married Earnest Drummond Coffey on Jul. 26, 1904 in Nelson Co. He was a son of J. H. Vanvert and Mary Ann "Polly" Coffey Coffey, born Sep. 16, 1882 at Massies Mill, died 1968 in Augusta Co. Both are buried at the Springdale Mennonite Church cemetery in Waynesboro. Their childen were Herbert Less, Gilbert; William Van; Nellie; Perry Dodge; Davis Lee; Wilson Monroe; Earl Drummond; Mary A. and an unlikely Polly. She may be the same child as Mary A.

The seventh and last child was Henry M., born Mar., 1891. No further information.

2 - Mary Jane married Robert Lee Coffey, born c1870 to William and Mary C. Ramsey Coffey.  The marriage took place on Jan. 9, 1902 in Nelson Co.  Mary Jane was born c1859 in Nelson Co., and was buried in the Rob Coffey family cemetery in Nelson Co.  Robert apparently died before 1920 (He was 43 when they married) because Mary Jane lived with her brother Pleas when the 1920 and 1930 census was enumerated.  Mary was 43 when they married and I know of no children.

3 - James Lucien, born c1860 in Nelson Co., married Rose Ella Coffey on Jan. 2, 1896 in Nelson Co.  Rose Ella was the daughter of Floyd Lee and Mary Jane Weaver [previously married to a Mr. Weaver].  I know of no children.

4 - John Emmet, born c1863.  No further information.

5 - McPleasant "Pleas", born Mar., 1865, buried in the family cemetery.  He married Elizabeth G. "Lizzie" Sorrels, a daughter of George D. and Bethanie Fitzgerald Sorrels,  Lizzie was born in Apr., 1872, Nelson Co., and is buried near Pleas.   I know of two children:  Bernice W., born c1915 and Matthew G., born c Mar., 1917.

6, 7 & 8 - Martha A., born c1869, Etta F., born c1872, and Emma L., born Jun., 1873.  No further information.

9 - Nancy B. "Nannie", born Jun., 1873, married  James E. Coffey, born May 1871, a son of Robert Wesley and Elizabeth A. Coffey Coffey.  In 1900 they had been married for 10 years and had no children.

10 - Howard M., born c1878.  No further information.

The title of this blog could also include Giles and Fitzgerald.  All of these families intermarried and many of their children followed suit.

If I have calculated correctly:

Martha Jane and Robert Lee were first cousins, once removed and double second cousins, once removed.

Rose Ella and Robert Lee were second cousins and 2x third cousins.

Rose Ella was Martha Jane's niece; James E. was Martha Jane's nephew.

James E. and Rose Ella were first cousins.

James E. and Robert Lee were first cousins, second cousins and 4x third cousins

They* all go back to Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through brothers William Coffey who married Elizabeth Giles and Reuben who married her sister, Nancy.  Reuben and William were sons of Edmond Steward and Nancy Barnett Coffey.  Edmond was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves.  John was the eldest and best researched son of Edward and Ann.


Corrections and/or additions welcomed.

---

*Including Earnest Drummond Coffey whose father was J. H. Vanvert Coffey and mother was Mary Ann Coffey.  Vanvert was a son of Wayett [sic] Wesley Coffey and Nancy Coffey.  Wyaett was a son of William Coffey and Betsy Giles.  Nancy's parents are not known to me.  Vanvert's wife Mary Ann was a daughter of George Washington Coffey and Mary Catherine Demastus [sic].  George was a son of Edmund and Martha Snead Coffey while Mary Catherine was a daughter of John Demastus and Mary Ann Coffey.  Edmund, of course, was a son of William and Betsy Giles Coffey.  Mary Ann was a daughter of Edmund F. and Elizabeth Burger Coffey who goes back to Edward and Ann through William and Elizabeth Osborne Coffey.  Readers may remember that Jane Coffey, a daughter of William and Elizabeth is believed to be the mother of Jordan Coffey who has been shown by DNA testing to be a Taliaferro and not a Coffey.

Salathiel & Nancy Dunbar Coffey - Continued

The fourth child of Salathiel and Nancy was Harriet, born Jul. 28, 1845 in KY, died Jan. 19, 1891 in Collin Co., TX.  She married Robert Benton Whisenant on Sep. 3, 1865 in Collin Co.  He was born Jan. 18, 1843 in Newton Co., MO and died Jan. 9, 1937 in Allen, Collin Co.  Robert is buried at the Allen Cemetery while Harriet was buried in Plano at the Bowman Family Cemetery.

There were at least 10 children born to this union:  Mary Ann; John Milton; Virginia E.; Maude Franklin, died young; Edgar L., died young; Sarah Frances, died young; Forest B., Henry; Walter S.; and Antha.  John married Ola Stancell and died in Collin Co. in 1935.  Forest married Sarah A. Bryan and died in 1917.

Next born was Milton Wolford "Mint" Coffey who married Amanda Virginia "Jennie Lewis.  You can read about his family here and here.

Following Mint was Zachariah Taylor, born Oct. 20, 1848 in Russell Co., KY, died Jun. 21, 1922 in McKinney, Collin Co., TX.  He married Mary Elizabeth Snider c1873.  She was born Mar 12, 1855, and died Apr. 9, 1898 in Collin Co.

They had at least 12 children:

1 - James Allen, died young

2 - Unnamed infant, died young

3 - Atha Ann, died in her ver early 20s.

4 - Lucy Jane, born 1878 in Collin Co., died in Fort Worth on Aug 1, 1962.  Lucy married Luther T. Hunter, born Jun. 24, 1878, died Aug. 8, 1970 in Montague Co., TX.  Both are buried at Forest Grove.

5 - Zithia Ellen, born Jan. 22, 1880, died Mar. 9, 1969 in McKinney.  She married William Ambers Dungan, born Aug. 16, 1880 in Copiah Co., MS and died in McKinney on Jan. 21, 1967.  They too are buried at Forest Grove.  Children were:  Eustace, Arvel, William, Mary Lou and Joe D.

6 - Mellie Missouri, born 1883, died c1924.

7 - Salathiel Snider, born 1885, died 1889 in Collin Co. and was buried at Forest Grove.

8 - Josephine Alice "Josie", born 1887, died 1975 in Garland, Dallas Co., TX.  Josie married Claude Cecil Martin, born Jan. 28, 1877 in DeKalb Co., TN, died Apr. 22, 1923 in Childress Co., TX.

9 - Edith Eudora, born 1890, married George M. Martin, born c1885 in TN and possible brother to Claude.

10 - Myrtle Harriet, born 1893 in Collin Co., died 1971 in McKinney as was buried at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney.  She married a Mr. Orr. 

11 - Jesse Wolford, born 1896 in Collin Co., died 194 in McKinney.  He married Mildred Elizabeth Joplin on Feb. 26, 1927 in Collin Co., the daughter of Robert Alfred and Katie L. McEntire Joplin.  Mildred was born in 1903 and died Oct. 9, 1989 in McKinney.  Both are buried at Pecan Grove.

12 - America Leta, born 1897.  No other information.

The last child of Salathiel and Nancy was Nancy Jane, born 1851 in Russell Co., KY, died Mar. 16, 1946 in Vashti, Clay Co., TX.  Nancy married  Joseph F. "Joe" Liggett on Feb. 1, 1870.  He was born Dec. 15, 1846 and died Oct. 25, 1921 in Clay Co.  Both are buried at the Vashti cemetery.

There were at least nine children born to them:

1 - America - no information

2 - Sales - no information

3 - Theodocia Ellen, born 1870 in Allen, died Dec. 13, 1954 in Dallas and was buried in the Allen cemetery in Collin Co.  Her husband was a Mr. Richards.

4 - Mary Florence was born in 1878 and died in 1972 at Henrietta in Clay Co., TX and was buried at Vashti.  Her husband was a Mr. Bragg.

5 - Robert Leslie, born 1882, died 1969 in Bowie, Montague Co.

6 - Birdie Ettaroe, born 1884, died 1969 in Irvin, Dallas Co.  She is also buried at Vashti.  Her husband was a Mr. Barker.

7 - Charles S., born 1887.  No other information.

8 - Valaria Jessie, born 1889, died 1927.  No other information.

9 - Elmer Scales, born 1891 in Bowie Co., died 1972 in Wichita Falls, Wichita Co., TX and was buried at Vashti.  His wife was Ruby Lee, born 1900, died 1985 in Collin Co.  They were married Mar. 16, 1919.

This family information as presented here is not complete.  I have more definitive dates and places.  Send e-mail for more information.

Corrections and/or additions are welcomed.



 No. 993

Lewis Coffey, Jr.

Lewis, born Aug. 23, 1850 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY, was a son of Lewis and Elizabeth Watters Coffey.  He married Permelia Ann Tucker, a daughter of William, on Nov. 7, 1870 in Pulaski Co.  Permelia was born in KY on Mar. 8, 1851 and died of Grippe in Berea Valley, Wayne Co., on Nov. 6, 1932. 

Lewis died of Cholera on July 25, 1928 in Beech Valley, Wayne Co.  Both are buried at Spann Hill Cemetery in Monticello, Wayne Co.

I have found at least eight children for them:

Eliza, born Feb., 1874, died May 10, 1963.  She married William B. Dodson on Oct. 12, 1898.  He was born in Mar., 1869 in KY and died in Wayne Co. on Nov. 30, 1958.  I have one child for them a son Carmil, born Aug., 1899 in Wayne Co.  Eliza and William are buried at Ross-Rhoda Dodson Cemetery, Monticello, in Wayne Co.

Martha, born Nov. 27, 1875 in Wayne Co., and died there died on May 25, 1956.  She married Jacob Cosby Koontz on Feb. 16, 1905 in Wayne Co.  He was born Mar. 7, 1885 in Wayne Co. and died there on Apr. 24, 1962.  Their children were Elba, born c1906; Delbie, born c1908; Bertha, born Nov. 14, 1911, died Apr. 4, 1935; and Cosby, born Oct. 25, 1915, died Jan. 7, 1983.  Martha is buried at Spann Hill where Jacob is also likely buried.

Mary, born Apr. 4, 1878, died Dec. 19, 1883.

Elitha "Litha", born Apr. 15, 1881, died Apr. 6, 1969.  She married Joseph F. "Joe" Lair on May 15, 1902.  He was born in 1870 and died Jan. 20, 1968.

Jefferson, born Jun. 14, 1884, died Aug. 30, 1969.  He married c1922 Lina Mae Barnett.  She was born Oct. 24, 1884 and died Oct. 7, 1961 in Somerset, Pulaski Co.  Their children were Oscar H., born c1907; Eva J., born Jan. 24, 1909, died Mar. 30, 1975; Alfred Wilborn, born Jul. 29, 1911; Leonard C., born Nov. 8, 1913, died Nov. 22, 1917; Orso William, born Apr. 1, 1916, died Jul. 9, 1986; Valda L., born Feb. 27, 1919; Alma E., born Jul. 27, 1921; and Hugh Henderson "Huey", born Jun. 20, 1923, died Dec. 14, 1985.  Jefferson and Lina are buried at Elk Spring cemetery in Monticello.

Mitt, born Mar. 16, 1887 in Wayne Co., died Sep. 22, 1970.  He married Flossie Linnie Taylor on May 29, 1913.  Flossie was born Nov. 17, 1894.  Their children were: Mat; Herman T., Ruby O.; Earl A.; Will Roe [?]; Odie W.; Flora Pearl; Flossie Glenna; and Harley.

Flora Delia, born Jul. 26, 1889 in Wayne Co., died there on Jan. 12, 1936.  She married Fredrick L. Ingels on Jul. 24, 1915.  He was born Mar. 18, 1881 and died in Wayne Co. on Oct. 24, 1939.  I have one child, Lora H., born Sep. 22, 1916.  Flora and Fredrick are buried at Spann Hill.

William, born Oct. 6, 1893 in Wayne Co., died there on May 3, 1986.  He married a distant cousin, Lexie Coffey on Feb. 15, 1936, a daughter of Henderson and Margaret Coffey Coffey.  Lexie was born Jan. 9, 1909 in Oil Valley and died on Sep. 16, 1967.  Both are buried at Elk Spring.

More information is available.  Contact me at the above e-mail address to request more info, or to add to or correct any of this information.

Eligah Columbus & Vina Jane Keith Coffey

Updated Nov. 28, 2010

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Eligah Columbus Coffey was a son of Lewis and Elizabeth "Betty" Watters Coffey.  These are Kentuckians who came out of North Carolina sometime in the early-to-mid 1800s.  Lewis was born in NC c1813 and was married in KY to Betty c1831.  Elijah was born in Wayne Co. (probably Eadsville) on Dec. 12, 1843.  My records show that he was the seventh of ten children; the first born in 1832, the last in 1850.  Photo, L-R Front: Roxie Amanda, Eligah Henry, Eligah Columbus & Sally Kate; L-R Rear: Nannie Sophie and Mary Lucy.


The first wife of Elijah was Mirah Emarine Freeman, born in KY on Jan. 9, 1852, died Oct. 15, 1877 in Wayne Co.  She gave him at least three children: 

Elizabeth Jane, born Jun. 8, 1870 in Pulaski Co., died Jan. 8, 1941 in Wayne Co.  She married Rolly Stewart Lair c1895.  Elizabeth was the mother of at least three children.


John Lewis, born Dec. 12, 1872 in Wayne Co.  He died there on Apr. 10, 1948.  His wife was Geneva E. Lair - probably some relation to Rolly - on Apr. 23, 1898.  She gave him at least nine children.


The last child that I have for Elijah and Mirah is Hiram Tolbert Coffey, born Jul. 27, 1876, died 1941.  He married Cordie Thomas, born Apr. 27, 1878, died Sep. 2, 1919.  She was the mother of at least six children.

Elijah took a second wife on Apr. 29, 1881 in Wayne Co.  She was Vina Jane Keith, a daughter of Joshua, and was born Dec. 8, 1863 in that county.  Before she died Vina had produced at least eight more children for Elijah.  She gave birth to her last child in Nov., 1897 and died at age 33 on Dec. 6, of that year.


These are the children of Elijah and Vina:

Edward Cullem, born 1881, died 1966; married Gertie Evana Taylor in 1903.  She was born in 1884 and died in 1955.  They were the parents of at least eight children.


James Hardin, born 1882, died 1942.  He married Lillie Abbie Mounce, born in 1889.  They were parents of at least nine children.


Joseph Joel "Joe", born 1885, died 1953.  He married Rutha Mae Lair in 1907.  She was the daughter of George and Jemima Dodson Lair.  Before she died in 1976, she had given Joseph at least eight children.


Nannie Sophie, born 1887, married William Zackary Lair, born 1908, died 1970.  The age difference is suspect.  I have no children for them.


Mary Lucy, born 1889, died 1972.  She married George Roberts in 1920 and was the mother of at least two children.


Roxie Amanda, born 1893, died 1920.  She married Joseph McClain in 1914.  I have no children for them.


Sally Kate, born 1895, died 1966.  I don't believe she ever married.


Elijah Henry "Lige", born 1897, married Mary J., maiden name unknown.  I have no children for them.

I haven't connected all of the Lairs and do not know if they were all from the same family.  I do have some additional information on the children and grandchildren of Elijah and Vina Jane that I will share. 


Contact me at the above e-mail address for more info or, to correct or add to this information.

Orso William and Opal Taylor Coffey

Orso William Coffey was the fifth child of Jefferson and Lina Mae Barnett Coffey. he was born Apr. 1, 1916 in Wayne Co., KY and died in Monticello, Wayne Co. on Jul. 9, 1986. He married Opal Taylor (or Tucker?), born Jun. 11, 1912 in Monticello, and died oct. 28, 1986 in Somerset, Pulaski Co., KY.

Orso and Opal had at least three children, none of which lived beyond infancy.

They were:

Roy Thurman, born Apr. 26, 1942, died Apr. 26, 1942

Henderson, born Mar. 21, 1953, died Mar. 31, 1953

Preston L., born Apr. 4, 1957, died Jan. 6, 1958

This family is buried at Lockett Chapel in Monticello.

Herbert Wagner

The following is a report taken from the front page of The Watauga Democrat, dated Dec. 30, 1926. It is a description of the events surrounding the murder of Earl Moody and Deck Byrd by Herbert Wagner, husband of Minnie Lee Ella Coffey. Filmore Coffey was the son of Austin and Mary Blalock Coffey:

Earl Moody and Deck Byrd Slain by Herbert Wagner

Christmas Day Tragedy at Foscoe in Which Two Young Men Meet Tragic Deaths Shocks Whole County; Slayer Held in Greensboro Jail; County's First Double Homicide

For the first time in the history of the county of Watauga, a double murder occurred on Christmas Day, when Earl Moody, 22, and Deck Byrd, 40, met their death at the hands of Hubert [sic] Wagner at Foscoe, in the vicinity of Shulls' Mills. The young men were all natives of that section.

According to the best available information, Herbert Wagner (familiarly known as "Hub") had just returned from West Virginia where he had been employed for some time, in order, that he could be with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Judson Wagner, during the holiday season. He arrived at the home on Friday night and on Saturday morning in company with some of the good citizens of the community enjoyed target practice nearby for a short time and the friendly Christmas spirit was manifest. According to witnesses, Wager had taken a few drinks of whiskey but apparently was not intoxicated. However, his friends noted that before they had finished their sport he drifted away, going on the railway to a point a short distance away where Mr. Filmore Coffey conducts a mercantile business. There he met Earl Moody. A few words were passed between the two, after which Wagner is alleged to have said, "I'll shoot you, d__ you." And he did, firing five shots all with deadly effect. Then the assailant walked to the side of the little store building, dropped the empty shells from the still smoking revolver, reloaded and proceeded a short distance up the railroad tracks, where he met Deck Byrd, who was starting for a rabbit hunt. Byrd inquired of Wagner what had happened at the store. Wagner is said to have told him he would kill him, too, and shot him down. After he fell two more bullets were sent crashing through his brain.

The killer then proceeded to the home of his father. Mr. Harrison Byrd, father of the last boy slain, demanded that he be held until it was possible to move him to the jail at Boone. A party of citizens of that section, led by Mr. Filmore Coffey, surrounded the Wagner home and finally succeeded in capturing Wagner, who was held in the depot at Foscoe. Deputy Sheriffs A. L. Gross and P. C. Wyke hurried to the scene and brought Wagner to Boone and lodged him in jail, where he was guarded during the night. Sunday afternoon he was taken to the Guilford county jail at Greensboro for safe keeping, where he will be held, awaiting the next term of Watauga superior court which convenes the last Monday in March.

The slain men were interred at Foscoe Sunday afternoon, many friends and relatives being present. They were known as good citizens, thoroughly honorable and their death brings sadness to many friends throughout the county. Moody is survived by a wife and one child, while Byrd leaves a wife and three children.

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Update. May 15. 2020

Herbert Spencer "Hub" Wagner was born 29 Mar 1896 at Shulls Mill to William Judson and Myra Ann Aldridge Wagner. Not much is known of his early life but he married for the first time on 5 Aug. 1915 (1) to Ruia Ellen Coffey, a daughter of Charles C. "Charlie" and Sophronia Phipps Coffey. Ruia died on 17 Jun. 1924 at Foscoe, Watauga Co. and was buried at the Foscoe community cemetery. (2) Together, they had a daughter, Mary Helen, born 9 Nov. 1918 in Watauga Co. Nothing more is know of her.

He married for a second time to Minnie Lee Ella Coffey, a daughter of William Pinkney and Nancy Caroline Gragg Coffey.  A marriage record hasn't been found but they are thought to have married c1926. 

Together, they had a son, Herbert "Buck", Jr., born 28 May 1927 (3) in Watauga Co., and died 30 Jan 1979.  The son married Ruby Carver, date and place not yet found, She died in 1994 and both are buried at Monte Vista Memorial Park in Johnson City, Washington Co., TN. 

The double murders occurred at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC on Dec. 30, 1926 but Herbert's trial did not begin until 15 Aug 1927.(4) The venue was changed from Watauga Co. to Wilkesboro in Wilkes Co. before the trial got underway.

I have not been successful in finding newspaper reports on that trial but he was convicted for the murder of Moody some five days later. The second trial began in Wilkesboro in March, 1928 and Wagner was again found guilty of 2d degree murder of Dexter Byrd and was sentenced to 25 to 30 years with sentences for both killings to run concurrently. (5)  He was found in the North Carolina State Prison at Raleigh, Wake Co., in the 1930 census.

By 1940 he was free and working as a "drilling contractor" in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV. (6) With him was his third "wife," Ruby Leona Taylor to whom he claimed to be married.  He didn't actually marry Ruby until 15 Feb. 1950 in Tazewell, VA. (7)

He registered for the WW2 draft on 27 Apr 1942 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., VA. (8) Eight years later on 15 Mar 1958, Wagner died on heart failure at home in Banner Elk, Watauga Co., NC and was buried at Foscoe Community cemetery in Watauga Co.

I have copies of several newspaper reports that I will share on request.

Sources:

(1) index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F8QL-MMG : accessed 01 Feb 2013), Hub Wagner and Ruia Coffey, 05 Aug 1915; citing reference 7, FHL microfilm 812534.

(2) Find a Grave Memorial No. 37540991

(3) database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VH1B-CCK : 8 December 2014), Herbert Spencer Wagner Jr., 28 May 1927; from "North Carolina, Birth and Death Indexes, 1800-2000," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing vol. 13, p. 15, Watauga, North Carolina, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

(4) Newspaper - The Greensboro Record, Greensboro, NC, Sat., Aug. 13, 1927, Page 1

(5) Newspaper - The Greensboro Daily News, Greensboro, NC, Sat. Mar 17, 1928, Page 1

(6) United States Federal Census. Princeton, Mercer Co., WV, for year 1940

(7) Virginia Marriage Certificates, 1936-1988; database with images, Herbert Spencer Wagner and Ruby Leona Taylor, 15 Feb 1950; from "Virginia, Marriage Records, 1700-1850," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2012); citing , Tazewell, Virginia, United States, certificate 4360, Virginia Department of Health, Richmond.

(8) WW2 Draft Registration Cards, 1942 Herbert Spencer Wagner registered for the draft on Apr. 27, 1942 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV. He was 46 yrs. old, born Mar. 29, 1896 in Shulls Mills, NC. He was 5' 10" tall and weighed 142 lbs. He had brown eyes, gray hair and a light brown complexion. He was missing the third finger on left hand. He was a self-employed well driller who lived at 312 Front St. in Princeton, Mercer Co., WV with his wife Ruby.