Lafayette Jackson Coffey

This death certificate is a tad bit difficult to read. It is for Lafayette Jackson Coffey who died in Angelina Co., TX on Jun. 10, 1950. According to the document, he was born Sep. 13, 1866 in Hope, [Hempstead Co.] AR to Lilburn Jackson and Lucindi [sic] Sutton Coffey. The informant was George J. Coffey, likely a son.

I have previously written about my GGG-grandfather, Lilburn Coffee. He brought his family from TN to Hempstead Co., AR and settled in the Hope area in about 1850. His first wife, Sarah Hannah Taylor died in March, 1860 and, in 1861 he married Lucinda Sutton. Lilburn died c1877 and I have been unable to find Lucinda in the 1880 census. She was alive however, because in 1883 she asked the county that her father William Sutton be designated a pauper and paid the sum of $10 per month.

I suspect that this Lilburn Jackson, father of Lafayette, is a previously unknown son of my ancestor Lilburn. If he is, he would likely be with his mother in the 1880 census, but neither of them can be found. Neither Lilburn Jackson nor his son Lafayette Jackson has been found in any census through the 1930 enumeration.

A death record has been found for George Jackson Coffey who died in Angelina Co., TX on Jun. 3, 1991. He is likely the George J. Coffey who was the informant on Lafayette's death certificate, and he has also not been found in any census record.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address if you have any information on any of these Coffey families.

George Washington and Mary Elizabeth Lewis Coffey

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

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

By 1910 George and Mary had relocated to Blaine Co.

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

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

1 - Lula Octavia, born Dec. 16, 1878

2 - Dovey Rosella, born Mar. 11, 1880

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

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

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

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

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

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

5 - Harry Horton, born Nov. 15, 1884

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

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

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

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

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








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

Myra Lee Coffee

Myra Lee Coffee, born Nov. 6, 1921, died Oct. 26, 1986, was the daughter of Albert Lilburn and Ora Elizabeth Braley Coffee. She was their only daughter and was a sister to my father, Frank Hurley Coffee.

[I have other photos of her, but thought this one to be rather worthy of use here]

Myra married August Edward (Gus) Howell in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA on Oct. 19, 1938. To the union was born three children: Myra Sue, Camille (Jun 1948-Sep 1948), and August (Eddie), Jr. She and Gus, Sr. divorced and Myra was briefly married to a Mr. Rea just prior to her death.

Gus, Sr. was the son of Joe John and Caroline Zoller Howell. The Howell family is first found in Alabama in 1829. John Milam Howell was born there that year and later moved into Mississippi. He married Oney Percilla Flynt in Tishomingo Co., MS on Nov. 12, 1851. She was born Nov. 29, 1831 in Madison Co., AL and died Apr. 21, 1894 in Belmont, Gonzales Co., TX. Oney was the daughter of John Halberet and Martha Roberts Flynt.

Undoubtedly, John and Oney had more than two children [they had a daughter named Margaret for whom I've found no information]. The one son that I have found was Edward Holbert Howell, born Jul., 1853 in Holly Springs, Marshall Co., MS, died Sep. 9, 1942 in Gonzales Go., TX.

I am unsure if John and Oney moved to TX with their children, but it appears that sometime before 1875 Edward moved to that part of Texas. It was here on Feb. 2, 1875 that he married Emily Feroba [sic] Justice, a daughter of Tilman D. and Mildred Ann Williams Justice. She was born in TX c1885 and died in Gonzales Co. on Oct. 26, 1927.

Emily and Edward had at least 10 children, the fourth being Joe John on May 7, 1882, died Jun. 24, 1946. Joe John married Caroline Zoller, born c1886 in Belmont, Gonzales Co., TX, and died there on Jan. 18, 1959. Caroline was the daughter of Gustav and Evaline Zoller. Gustav was born in Mexico in Apr., 1865. Evaline was a native Texan, born there in Jul., 1865.

Joe John and Caroline had at least four children: Gus, Sr., Joe M., Mildred E., and Hazel E. Gus was born in Seguin, Guadalupe Co., TX and died on Feb. 26, 1996 in Lafayette, Lafayette Parish, LA.

Most of the Edward and Emily Justice Howell children seem to have remained in Gonzales and/or Guadalupe counties all of their lives. Many are buried the Belmont cemetery in Gonzales Co.

I have additional facts on many of these, and would like to exchange information with anyone researching this Howell family.

Mary E. Coffee Ames

Mary E. Coffee was the sister of my great-grandfather, James M. Coffee and the wife of Finis E. Ames. She was born c1848 in Tennessee and died Apr. 21, 1916 in Hope, Hempstead Co., AR. She and Finis were married on Sep. 5, 1869 in Hempstead Co. in a ceremony officiated by H. D. McKennon, MG.

Finis is believed to be the son of Sylvester C. and Delila Brown Ames. He was born Apr. 27, 1844 in Mississippi and died Jan. 19, 1916 in Hope. His siblings are thought to have been: Brother O., born 1845, Mary E., born c1847; Sylvester, born 1851; George Washington, born 1856, and Jonathan Ashmore, born 1857.

Mary and Finis were found in the 1870 Hempstead Co., Ozan Twp. census. In 1880 they were in Bowie Co., TX, and were neighbors of the William Watson family. The 1900 census found them back in Hempstead Co. Finis reported that his parents were born in Michigan. Finis was also on the Hempstead Co. voter rolls for the years 1892-1893, and 1897-1898. The family apparently moved several times between Texas and Arkansas.

Of the few remaining burial sites that can be identified in the old Hanegan-Robinson cemetery near Old Washington, Hempstead Co., is that of Finis and Mary.

The newspaper, Star of Hope, the forerunner of the present day Hope Star, wrote on Jan. 19, 1916, page 4:

"AMES, F. E., one of the oldest and best known citizens of this section, died this morning at his home about 1 mile north of Hope."

The same newspaper wrote on Apr. 29, 1916, page 4:

"AMES, Mrs. F. E., at an advanced age, died at the home of her son, E. E. Ames, near this city last Friday. Her death was preceded by that of her husband only recently."

Children of Finis and Mary were:

William W. (Willie), born May., 1872. He married Emma, last name unknown, c1894. They had at least three children: Fred C., born Nov., 1896; Clara J., born Dec., 1897; and Hazel, born Jan., 1900.

Albert Alexander, born Jan. 29, 1874 in Hempstead Co., and married Marie, last name unknown, who was born in Louisiana c1887.

Everett Edward, born Jul. 5, 1876 in Hempstead Co., and died there on Sep. 29, 1930. He married Ollie Herrin c1906. She was born in Texas on Feb. 13, 1887 and died Sep. 5, 1980 in Hempstead Co.

Their children were:

- Pauline, born c1907, died Jul., 1912;

- Hernand0 (Uncle Bub), born Dec. 20, 1908, died May, 1982; Jewel Edward, born Nov. 22, 1914, died Nov., 1967; and William, who died c1943. Hernando married Cathleen G., last name unknown, c1929. She was born in Arkansas on Aug. 24, 1907 and died Nov. 20, 1999 in Sour Lake, Hardin Co., TX. There was at least one child, Jimmie D., born Sep., 1929.

- Jewel Edward, born Nov. 22, 1914, died Nov., 1967; and

- William, who died c1943

Everett Edward Ames registered for the draft in Hempstead Co. on Sep. 12, 1918. He was described as having of medium height and build with blue eyes and light colored hair. He was 41 yrs. old; born July 4, 1876. He was a self-employed farmer at RFD #4, in Hope where he resided with his wife Margaret Olive Ames.

Harry, born Nov., 1879

John, born Jun., 1885

I would really like to hear from any descendants of Sylvester and Delila Brown Ames. I can be reached at the above e-mail address.

The Watson & Courtney Families, Part I

William Watson was a son of Jerry John and Susanah Lyles Watson. He was born c1848 in Perryville, Perry Co., AR. He is thought to have first married Martha L. Stevenson but nothing is known of this union.

He became part of my Coffee family when in 1879 he married Mary Elizabeth Bowman Coffee, the widow of James M. Coffee, my GG-Grandfather. Mary was the daughter of Joseph T. and Naphania Hardin Bowman.

Joseph, and his father Jesse are well known in the history of the Texas Revolution. Jesse died at the Alamo on Mar. 6, 1836. Joseph was born in Illinois and came to Texas with his parents in 1835. He married Naphania on Jan. 26, 1843 in Hempstead Co., AR.

Mary was the third of the 10 children known to have been born to Joseph and Naphania. She was born Mar. 5, 1846 in DeKalb, Bowie Co., TX. As the wife of James M. Coffee, Mary gave birth to my grandfather, Albert Lilburn Coffee in 1873. Her first child was Sarah Ellen Coffee, born Sep. 19, 1869.

She and William were married and remained in Texas until 1883 when Mary died. She is believed to have died shortly after the birth of her second child. She and William had two daughters, Lillie Wes, born Feb. 10, 1880, and Mary Elizabeth, born Aug. 28, 1883.

William is said to have served on the Confederate side during the Civil War, and either lost an arm or had one that was severely injured.

The family was in Bowie Co., TX in 1880, and both Sarah Ellen and Albert Lilburn were enumerated as step-children of William. Next door to the Watson family was the Finis Ames family. Finis was the husband of Mary E. Coffee, sister to James M.

At the death of Mary Bowman Coffey Watson, William desired to return to NW Arkansas. The Coffee children were turned over to the Ames family and William departed with his two daughters for Crawford Co., AR. His mother was still living in the Lee Creek area of Crawford Co., and this is where he is believed to have temporarily settled. He later moved into the Sequoyah Co., OK area and died in Adair Co. c1918.

His daughter Lillie married William Joseph Courtney on Dec. 23, 1896 in Crawford Co., AR. William's various records throughout nearly his entire life spelled his name Coatney. He was the son of James George and Mary Jane (Polly) Yancey, and was born Dec. 14, 1872 in Lee Creek. He died in Crawford Co. on Apr. 10, 1946.

Lillie and William had twelve children, several of which are thought to still be living:

- Willie Mae, born Dec. 10, 1898, died 1899

- Mary Lela, born Jun. 8, 1899, died Apr. 20, 1999. Mary married Jackson S. Summerlin, a son of Leander A. and Sarah Jane Lewis Summerlin. They were the parents of nine children.

- William Herbert, born Sep. 13, 1901 in Sallisaw, Sequoyah Co., OK, died May 24, 1993 in Muskogee, Muskogee Co., OK. He married a lady by the name of Ellen, and I have no additional information.

- James Virgil, born Dec. 11, 1903, married Jan. 20, 1924 to Essie (Pete) LaBass on Jan. 20, 1924 in Vian, Sequoyah Co. Essie died on Aug. 27, 2001 in Baton Rouge, LA. They were the parents of five children.

- Frankie Mae, born Feb. 15, 1905, died Jul 20, 1934

- George Lester, born Apr. 24, 1908, died Aug. 19, 1979. George married Wilma Carol and they were parents of 10 children.

- Ethel Evelyn, born Jul. 17, 1910, married Albert Clifton Young on May 13, 1928 in Sallisaw. They were parents of six children.

- Meredith Raymond, born May 27, 1912 in Greenleaf, Seequoyah Co., and died Aug. 14, 1999 in Seminole, Seminole Co., OK. he married a lady name Florence who was born Oct. 10, 1914 and died Jan., 1986 in Seminole.

- Garland Clifford, born Jul. 21, 1914, died Jn. 25, 1917

- Cecil Leonard, born Jun. 10, 1917 in Greenlead and died Mar. 26, 1990 in Box, Sequoyah Co. He married Verna Tynes.

- Samuel Harden, born Mar. 3, 1921 in Box. Married a lady named Katherine (Katy). I have no other information.

- Verlin Lorraine, born Sep. 17, 1923, died Dec. 4, 2000 in Glendora, Los Angeles Co., GA. She married Elmer C. Murray, born Jun. 27, 1897, died May, 1974 in San Diego, San Diego Co., CA.

Check out Angela's Attic* for more photographs of this and collateral families.

*Not found in Aug., 2018

Wadsworth (Watt) Goode

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Everette M. (Jack) Coffee

Everette M. Coffee was a son of Louis Edwin and Lula Belle Nichols Coffee. He was born Jan. 15, 1918 in Texas and died on Jan. 29, 2004 in Anaheim, Orange Co., CA.

The first record in which he appears is the Jan., 1920 Eastland Co., TX census with his parents. By the time of the 1930 census his parents had divorced, and his mother had remarried. Her second husband was Floyd H. Cook to whom she was married in about 1923 or 1924. Both Everette and his brother Orval* were in the new household along with their half-sister, Betty Floydada Cook**, born c1924.

By 1946 Everette was a resident of Los Angeles Co., and believed to have been unmarried. In 1948 he was married Shirley I. Snell in Orange Co. They lived in Orange Co. at least until 1979 when Shirley and Everette divorced on Dec. 20 of that year.

When Everette died on Jan. 19, 2004 in Anaheim, his obituary named his wife Virginia and daughters, Deborah Kerns and Marsha Bugg, and a son Kyle Follars as survivors.

Please contact me if you can add to or correct any of this information.




*Orval never married.

**Betty is believed to have assumed the first name of Antonia. There is a marriage record in Broward Co., FL for Antonia Floydada Cook to Melvin H. Williams in 1945. He is thought to have been only one of her several husbands.

Virgil Coffee

Coffey Cousins lost a dear and great friend today.

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

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

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

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

Please keep Virgil and his family in your prayers!

Obituary:

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

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

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

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

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

William B. and Delilah Trentham Coffey

I received the following from Jo Ann Hatch in Arizona. Jo Ann is seeking help in locating ancestors and descendants of William and Delilah. If any reader has information that might be helpful, please contact Jo Ann at jashatch1 [@] frontiernet.net.*

Coffey family of South Carolina, Georgia and Texas

(I am searching for a Coffey male descendant of this family to submit a DNA test that we might know where to go with our search from here. I will pay for the test.)

In 1998 proof was found that William B. Coffey is the father of the Texas Coffey family of Rich Coffey. This and many other items have come to light, that make the correction on this Coffey line.

William B. Coffey md. Delisey (Delilah) Trentham in Hall Co. Ga. in 1822. Delilah Trentham is the daughter of Absolom Trentham, in whose family Bible the birth of Richardson "Rich" Coffey is recorded. There is also a note in that Bible that the Coffey family moved to Texas.

William appears on the 1840 U.S. Census of Campbell Co., GA.(now Fulton County). Land deed shows William B. of Fayette County buying land in Chatooga Co., GA.

William B. and Delia appear on the 1850 U.S. Census of Chatooga Co., GA. South Carolina is given as the birth place of both William and Delia.

William B. and Delia appear on the 1860 U.S. Census of Parker Co., Texas. The birth place of William is again given as South Carolina, but, Delia's birthplace is Georgia on this census.

The birth date of Delily Trentham (20 Nov, 1804) is from the family Bible of Absolom and Mary Williams Trentham This same Bible has the birth of Delily's first child, Richardson Coffey recorded as 14 Feb. 1823. It also states that Delily married M R Coffey, which I take to be Mr. Coffey and in the margin is a note (Texas) indicating to me that they moved to Texas.

There is a headstone in the Dean SW Cemetery in Parker County Texas which says: “William B. Coffey, 12/20/63. Early Pioneer Family.”

After her husband died Delila went to the Colorado River area of Llano Co., Texas with daughter Jane's family. She died 21 January 1873 and is buried in the Bluffton Cemetery in Llano County.

William B. and Delilah Coffey were the parents of five children:

Richardson (Rich) Coffey who married Sarah Greathouse and became a well known rancher in Coleman, Parker and Concho Counties in Texas.

Elizabeth Coffey who married Joseph Warren Beddo and is a widow with two children living with her parents in the 1850 Chatooga Co. Ga. Census. Her two Beddo sons went to Texas with their Uncle Rich. Elizabeth may have gone also, or remarried. I cannot find her after the 1850 census.

Clominda Jane Coffey born 4 Nov 1827. She married Solomon Geeth Maxwell.

Thursa M. Coffey married Joseph E. Sentle on 9 Oct 1851 in Chatooga Co., Ga.

John Henderson Coffey married Mary Elizabeth Gray 10 Sept. 1865 in Parker Co. Texas.

*Remove the brackets and form a proper e-mail address

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin Blaine Coffey was a son of David Nathaniel and Caroline Levinia Coffey Coffey. He was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jan. 14, 1887 and died there on Aug. 28, 1970. He is buried alongside his first wife, Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris Coffey, at Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co.

Blaine represented Watauga Co. in the NC House of Representatives for several years, beginning in about 1917. He was still seated in The House in 1923 when his mother died.

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin married Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris in Caldwell Co. on mar. 1, 1914. Hailey was the only child of Anderson Perkins and Frances Catherine Ennis Harris. Hailey had given birth to a son, Ralph A. Harris on Nov. 22, 1911. Ralph enlisted in the US Army in 1929 and subsequently killed in an automobile accident while stationed in Pensacola, Escambia Co., FL.

Hailey Harris

His obituary appeared in the Watuage Democrat on May 19, 1932:

Funeral Services Held for Ralph A. Harris

The body of Ralph A. Harris, 20, a private in the U.S. Army who was killed in an automobile accident near Pensacola, Fla., on May 7th, arrived at Lenoir on May 11th, in charge of Private Floyd Burkett, who was a friend and comrade of the deceased. Funeral services were held at Blue Ridge Advent Church on Thursday, May 12th by the Rev. S. E. Gragg, in the presence of the largest congregation ever assembled for a burial in this section.

Young Harris was a well liked by all who knew him. He completed his high school education at Crossnore, N.C., enlisted in the US Army in 1929, served three years, reenlisted and was serving his second term when the accident occurred. His death has caused widespread sorrow.

Pallbearers were Spencer Collins, Archie Simms, Spencer Henderson, Staple Collins, Mayrel Gragg, Frank Jones, Cecil Critcher, Jesse Coffey, Randel Pyatte, Melvin Calloway, J. C. Church, Ernest Simms and Seldon Wright.

Flower girls were led by little Ernestine Collins and Norma Collins, were as follows: Ruby Richards, Irene Jenkins, Sally Collins, Ruby Dula, Hailey Harris, Ruby Henderson, Rosetta Hollifield, Bessie Wooten, Jessie Hollifield, Ruby Byers, Ophelia Teague, Verdola Coffey, Fay Rupurd, Edith Calloway.

Burial took place at Boone's Fork graveyard.

Hailey died less than a year following the death of her son Ralph.

Ralph A. Harris

Hailey and Austin's children were:

Murray Harris Coffey, born May 9, 1915, died Apr. 5, 2003. He married Ruby Evelyn Dula on Nov. 19, 1938 in Watauga Co. Ruby was born Jan. 10, 1910 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 13, 1999 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. She was the daughter of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.

Murray's obituary appeared in the Watauga Democrat on Apr. 7, 2003.

Rev. Murray Coffey

Rev. Murray H. Coffey, 87, of 157 Murray Coffey Road, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, April 5, 2003, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born May 9, 1915, in Hudson, Caldwell County, to the late Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey.

Rev. Coffey was a retired stone mason and a minister. He was a member of Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church where he formerly served as pastor.

Both Rev. Coffey and his father, Blaine Coffey, served in the North Carolina Legislature as representatives from Watauga County.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Imogene Poteat of Davidson; and one son, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock; one granddaughter, Kimberly Coffey of Asheville; three grandsons, Paul Poteat Jr. of Coppers Cove, Texas, Mike Poteat and family of Charlotte, and Lynn Solesbee and wife, Melissa, of Mauldin, S.C.; one great-granddaughter, Anna Solesbee and one great-grandson, Ben Solesbee, both of Mauldin.

He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Dula Coffey; a son, Vern Coffey; a sister, Mrs. Gwyn Dula; and a brother, Hardin Coffey.

Services were conducted Monday morning at the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church in Blowing Rock, officiated by the Rev. Gordon Noble.

Entombment followed in the Coffey Family Mausoleum in Boone Fork Community Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boone Advent Christian Church, in care of Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Catherine G. Coffey

Katherine Gwendolyn Coffey, born Aug. 1, 1919 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 19, 1997 in North Carolina. She married Clyde Lester Dula on Jul. 4, 1939. Clyde was brother to Ruby who married Murray.

Hardin Blaine Coffey

Hardin Blaine Coffey, born Apr. 23, 1923 in Watauga Co., died Oct. 7, 2000 in North Carolina. He married Beulah Mae Coffey, born Mar. 24, 1924 to Joseph Merritt and Susan Augustus Childs Coffey. Joseph Merritt and Austin Blaine were distant cousins.

Hardin's obituary:

Mr. Hardin Blaine Coffey, 77, of Ransom Street, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, Oct. 7, 2000, at his home.

He was born April 23, 1923 in Blowing Rock. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Mr. Coffey was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a 56 year charter member of the Blowing Rock American Legion Post 256. He retired with 30 years service at Tweetsie Railroad as a steam locomotive engineer. A snow making pioneer, he installed the first snow making equipment at Blowing Rock Ski Lodge and Hound Ears Club.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah C. Coffey; one daughter, Judith Wesson of Boone; one son, Joe Coffey and wife, Cathy, of Snowmass Village, Colo.; three grandchildren, Michael Jason Wesson of Boone and Samuel Ryan Coffey and Joanna Haley Coffey, both of Snowmass Village, Colo.; a brother, Rev. Murray Coffey of Blowing Rock; and three nieces, Gail Pitts of Blowing Rock, Cathy Wilson of Boone and Linda McCullach of Millers Creek; and one nephew, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey; one sister, Gwyn Dula and a nephew, Vern Coffey.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Dean Coffey.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-1:45 p.m., prior to the services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Austin Blaine Coffey's second wife is said to have been Sally Phillips of West Virginia. Sally had been married previously to Doctor [given name] Hill Wright, a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright.

Update 2/11/2012:  There is another marriage record in Watauga Co. for Blaine Coffey, age 47, to Anna Lee Phillips on 20 Mar. 1934.  A Nov. 13, 1951 marriage record has also been found for Austin Blaine Coffey to Sally Phillips Wright.  The marriage register put together by Appalachian State University at Boone and published in 1995, notes that this "marriage lasted 4 days."

Victor Hugo Coffey (1858-1953)

Victor Hugo Coffey



Victor Hugo Coffey was born to James Wilson and Louisa T. Norman Coffey on May 30, 1858 in Morgan Co., IN. He died on April 25, 1953 in Astoria, Clatsop Co., OR. He married Anna Mary Brandt, a daughter of Phillip J. and Mary Raisner Brandt on Dec. 18, 1881 in Washington Co., IA. Anna was born Aug. 7, 1862 in Trenton, Mercer Co., NJ and died Jun. 7, 1941 in Astoria.

Their children were:

Phillip Henry, born Nov. 30, 1880. He married Edna Titus on Aug. 23, 19031 in Clatsop Co. However, in 1910 he was enumerated in Clatsop Co. as a single man in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Clatsop Co. He described himself as being of medium build and height with brown eyes and dark colored hair. Phillip was then employed by the Warrenton Water Co. in Clatsop Co. He named his mother, Anna M. Coffey of Warrenton as his nearest relative. In 1920 he was enumerated as a divorced man in the household with his parents. He has not yet been found in the 1930 census, or other records that might indicate when and where he died.

Katie M., born Jan., 1883. No other information.

Charles, born Mar. 5, 1887, died Jul. 28, 1887.

Mary Louise, born Apr., 1888 in Astoria, Clatsop Co. She married George Elliot Cobb in Clatsop Co. in 1911.2 George was born Oct. 20, 1882 in Texas and died in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR in 1930. Mary died in 1926 in Seaside, Clatsop Co. Together they had at least four children: Georgana, born c1915; Mary E., born c1917; Margaret E., born c1925; and Joseph B., born c1926. They can be found as a couple in the 1920 Clatsop Co. census. In 1930 George was found as a widower residing with his four children in a boarding house in Portland, OR.

Nellie Hazel, born Apr. 9, 1892 in Astoria, OR and died there on Aug. 20, 1960. She married Lester Wilson Kindred in Clatsop Co. in 1912.3 They were the parents of at least two children: James L., born c1914, and Phillip P., born c1918. The family can be found in the 1920 and 1930 Clatsop Co. census records.

Jay (Java?) H., born May 31, 1896 in OR, died Mar. 9, 19854 in Multnomah Co. He married Helen Nur - which may be a middle or surname - c1922 in OR. Helen was born Aug. 8, 1905 in MO and died Jun. 28, 1980 in Multnomah Co. I have found only one child for them, a son named Charles V., born c1925. The family is in the 1930 Clatsop Co. census.

Victor Hugo, Jr., born Jun. 15, 1899 in Oregon, died Jun., 19645 in that state. He married there to Delores, last name unknown, c1927. She was born c1907 in Oregon. I have one child for them, a daughter named Elvana [sic], born c1929. They can be found in the Douglas Co., OR census of 1930.

Click on the title link to read the Victor, Sr. biography.





1"Clatsop County Oregon Marriage Records Index 1851-1915" by Norma Hunsinger" COFFEY, Philip to TITUS, Edna Bk 6 Pg 329 Year 1903
2 Oregon Marriage Records, 1906-1920, Oregon Health Division
3"Clatsop County Oregon Marriage Records Index 1851-1915 by Norma Hunsinger"
Coffey, Nellie H to Kindred, Lester Bk 10 Pg 11 Yr 1912
4Oregon Death Index, 1903-98. Salem, Oregon: Filmed by the Oregon State Archives and Records Center, [1998-]
5 ibid

Lilburn Warren Coffee, Jr.

This photo is of the 1911 graduating class of Central Ward High School in Big Spring, Howard Co., TX. Not all names were provided. Standing at upper left is Lilburn Warren Coffee, Jr.

The school was built shortly after 1902. Fifteen years later it was replaced by what became Runnels Junior High. The old school stood on the corner of Fourth and Surry in Big Spring, where the Howard County Library now stands.

When Lilburn Warren Coffee, Jr. registered for the draft in 1917 he was described as being of medium height and build with blue eyes and light brown hair. At the time he was employed as a bookkeeper for the West Texas National Bank in Big Spring. He was also unmarried.

After graduating high school, "Lib" continued his education at the Westman Business College in Poughkeepsie, NY. When he left his job at the West Texas Bank he worked for awhile with the Cattle Loan Company before heading off to WW1 where he served with the 90th Div. in Germany. On his return he spent 20 years in the life insurance business. Over the years he served as general solicitor, district manager and vice president of the Texas Association of Life Underwriters.

On April 20, 1920 he married Miss Gladys Opal McNew, a daughter of George Edmund and Fannie Laura Kennedy McNew. Opal was born Jun. 13, 1896 in Bowie, Montague Co., TX and died Jan. 4, 1967 in San Angelo, Tom Greene Co., TX.

In 1941 "Lib" became office manager for a drilling contractor in Lubbock, TX. In 1944 he went into the drilling business for himself and continued until his death in 1948. Opal continued to run the business but finally sold it in 1952.

Only one child was born to "Lib" and Opal: Marjorie Frances, born Sep. 28, 1929, died Mar. 31, 1988. Marjorie married Elmo Eugene Marable on Aug. 16, 1952 at Fort Stockton, Pecos Co., TX. Elmo died there in 1997; Marjorie in 1988.

Lilburn Warren Coffee

In a previous blog about Lilburn Warren Coffee, son of my 3G-grandfather Lilburn Coffee, I did not have any information about the family of his wife, Margaret Goode.

Repeating a bit of that earlier blog, Lilburn Warren was born Sep. 1, 1850 in Hempstead Co., AR and died in Big Spring, Howard Co., TX on Mar. 30, 1918. He married Margaret Goode on Oct. 26, 1876 in Hays Co., TX

Margaret was born May 7, 1855 in TX, and died Mar. 16, 1946 in Big Spring. She was the daughter of Wadsworth F. "Watt" Goode and Nancy Emeline Moose. "Watt" was born in Jan., 1825 in Alabama; Nancy was born Mar., 1834 in either Mississippi or North Carolina. She listed both places in various census records.

According to his Civil War Pension Application dated Aug. 2, 1899, and approved Dec. 22, 1899, "Watt" served in Capt. Clay Davis' Co. from Apr., 1864 to Apr. 1865 in Rancho Davis, TX.

[According to the Handbook of Texas Online Rancho Davis was a town "on the Rio Grande near the site of the former Carnestolendos Ranch." At the end of the Mexican War in 1848, it because part of Nueces Co. "Camp Ringgold, later Fort Ringgold, was established at Rancho Davis on Oct. 26, 1848, the year the county was organized and named for James Harper Starr, Rancho Davis was renamed Rio Grande City and made county seat."]

"Watt" married Nancy Emeline Moose on Aug. 15, 1851 in Fayette Co., TX. They are found later in the 1860 and 1870 census record in Austin Co.; 1880 in Hays Co., and finally in Yoakum, DeWitt Co. According to the Texas Death Index (1902-2000), "Watt" died in Lavaca Co. on Nov. 20, 1914. He was buried in Yoakum Co. in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

I have not found a death date for Nancy Emeline.

Please contact me at the e-mail address above with additions and/or corrections.

Sophia Suttenfield Porter (1815-1897)

Sophia Porter, North Texas pioneer, was born on December 3, 1815, in Fort Wayne, Indiana, the second child of William and Laura (Taylor) Suttenfield (or Suttonfield). Little is known of her childhood, but many stories exist about her adult life and her four marriages. In 1833 she married Jesse Augustine Aughinbaugh (or Auginbaugh), a druggist and teacher. In 1835 the couple arrived in Nacogdoches, where she said Aughinbaugh deserted her. As a participant in the Runaway Scrape, Sophia claimed to have arrived at the battle of San Jacinto and to have nursed Sam Houston there. Holland Coffee, a member of the House of Representatives and an Indian trader, successfully lobbied the Texas Congress to pass a bill granting Sophia Aughinbaugh a divorce from her missing husband, and on January 19, 1839, she and Coffee were married at Independence in Washington County. From there the couple traveled over 600 miles to Coffee's Station on the Red River in Grayson County. There they developed Glen Eden Plantation and the town of Preston until Coffee was killed in 1846. In December 1847 Sophia married Maj. George N. Butt (or Butts), who helped her run Glen Eden until he was killed in 1863. Butt reportedly was ambushed by a member of William C. Quantrill's gang. The sobriquet "Confederate Paul Revere" was given Sophia during the Civil War, when she is said to have ridden her mount across the Red River to warn Col. James G. Bourland and his men that Union troops were at her plantation. The story continues that Mrs. Butt supplied the enemy with enough wine that they remained unaware of her departure. One account claims she locked the inebriated men in her wine cellar while she rode off. Other variants say either that Bourland escaped the Unionists or that he came to Glen Eden and captured them. On August 2, 1865, Sophia Butt married Judge James Porter, and they lived together at Glen Eden until his death in 1886. Sophia joined the Methodist church in Sherman in 1869. She had no children, but she raised two of Holland Coffee's nieces. She died on August 27, 1897, and was buried near Glen Eden. When the area was to be inundated to form Lake Texoma, her home was dismantled with the intention that it be reassembled as a museum of Grayson County history, but the wood was mistakenly burned.

BIBLIOGRAPHY: Holland Coffee Papers, Sherman Public Library, Sherman, Texas. Mary Daggett Lake, "Glen Eden, Red River Valley Landmark," Southern Home and Garden, March 1936. Graham Landrum and Allen Smith, Grayson County (Fort Worth, 1960; 2d ed., Fort Worth: Historical Publishers, 1967). Sherrie McLeRoy, Mistress of Glen Eden: The Life and Times of Texas Pioneer Sophia Porter (Sherman, Texas: White Stone, 1990). Audy J. and Glenna P. Middlebrooks, "Holland Coffee of Red River," Southwestern Historical Quarterly 69 (October 1965). Glenna Parker Middlebrooks, "Sophia Coffee, History's Firefly," True West, October 1973. Sophia Porter Papers, Sherman Public Library, Sherman, Texas.

Descendants of Jackson Lafayette Coffey

Updated Sep. 2, 2010
Jackson Lafayette Coffey was a son of Alfred Alphonso and Julia Ann Dawkins Coffey.

The following represents what I know about this family. Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

First Generation

1. Jackson Lafayette COFFEY was born in Georgia in Jan 28, 1862. He died on Nov 24, 1946 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.,1 and was buried in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.2

Jackson Lafayette COFFEY and Ella Mahle "Ellie" HORTON were married about 1886. They appeared in the census on Jun 4, 1900 in Marion Co., TN.;3 the census on Apr 21, 1910 in Navarro Co., TX.;4 the census on Jan 29, 1920 in Henderson Co., TX.;5 and the census on Apr 9, 1930 in Navarro Co., TX.6,7

Ella (Etta?) HORTON was born in Georgia on Jan 30, 1868, and died on Dec 22, 1956 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX. She was buried in Dec 1956 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

Jackson Lafayette COFFEY and Ella (Etta?) HORTON had the following children:

Clara Coffey Dill

i. Clara COFFEY was born in Georgia in Dec 1885.  Clara married Orand Edwin Dill c1902. He was born Jun. 22, 1875 in TX and died May 11, 1951 in Terrell, Kaufman Co., TX. She died Sep. 6, 1956 at Hermann Hospital in Houston, Harris Co., TX. He is buried at the Dresden Cemetery in Navarro Co.; she at Forest Park Cemetery in Houston.
ii. Charles Clifton COFFEY was born in Tennessee in Dec 1887. He registered for the WWI draft on Jun 5, 1917 in Navarro Co., TX.8
2 iii. George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY, born on Dec 1, 1889, in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN; married Ella M. COVINGTON, on Dec 28, 1913 in Jester, Navarro Co., TX; died on May 12, 1965, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX and was buried in Retreat at Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery.  Ella is also at Retreat.9
3 iv. Lillie Mae COFFEY, born on May 2, 1892; married James A. COVINGTON; died on Apr 1, 1990, Navarro Co., TX.
v. Nellie G. COFFEY was born in Tennessee in Sep 1895.
vi. William Dewey COFFEY was born in Tennessee in May 1898. He was died in 1974 and was buried in the Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.
vii. Dewey COFFEY was born in Tennessee about 1899.
4 viii. Julia COFFEY, born about 1901, Tennessee; married Esthar DUKE.
5 ix. Robert Lee COFFEY, born about 1904, Texas; married Newel {?} __________.
x. Cornelius COFFEY was born about 1908.
xi. DeWitt C. COFFEY was born in Texas on Apr 5, 1911. He died on Mar 6, 1982 in Navarro Co., TX.,10 and was buried in Mar 1982 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

An adjacent headstone decorates the grave of "Mrs. D. C. Coffey," born Jun. 20, 1913, died May 5, 1970. There was no indication of Mrs. Coffey's given or maiden name.


Second Generation

2. George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Tennessee on Dec 1, 1889. He registered for the WWI draft on Jun 5, 1917 in Navarro Co., TX.11 He died on May 12, 1965 in Navarro Co., TX.,9 and was buried in May 1965 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY and Ella M. COVINGTON were married on Dec 28, 1913 in Texas. They appeared in the census on Jan 27, 1920 in Navarro Co., TX.,12 and the census on Apr 9, 1930 in Navarro Co., TX.13

Ella M. COVINGTON was born in Georgia on Mar 6, 1889, and died on Jun 22, 1983 in Navarro Co., TX.14 She was buried in Jun 1983 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

George Clinton (Clint) COFFEY and Ella M. COVINGTON had the following children:

6 i. Beauford Clinton COFFEY, born on Jun 14, 1917, Navarro Co., TX; married Miriam __________; died on Feb 8, 1982, Montgomery Co., PA.15
7 ii. Ellen Margaret COFFEY, born on Jun 13, 1919, Navarro Co., TX; married Charles Willie COOPER, on May 1, 1942, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.
8 iii. Gracie M. COFFEY, born about 1923, Texas; married Joe Pierce WOODARD.
iv. Alford G. COFFEY16 was born in Navarro Co., TX on Feb 19, 1925. He enlisted in the armed forces at Dallas, Dallas Co., TX on Jun 23, 1943.17 He died on Nov 3, 1967 in San Angelo, Tom Green Co., TX.
v. Oneta Mae COFFEY was born in Wood Co., TX on Nov 10, 1926.18 She died on Nov 3, 1999 in Garland, Dallas Co., TX.
9 vi. Betty Jo COFFEY, born on Feb 10, 1931, Texas; married Willie Pete THOMPSON; died on Nov 13, 1958, Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

3. Lillie Mae COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born on May 2, 1892. She died on Apr 1, 1990 in Navarro Co., TX. She was buried in Apr 1990 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.

Lillie Mae COFFEY and James A. COVINGTON were married. James A. COVINGTON was born on Feb 25, 1886, and died on Sep 26, 1972 in Navarro Co., TX. He was buried in Sep 1972 in Hamilton-Beeman Cemetery, Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.


4. Julia COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Tennessee about 1901.

Julia COFFEY and Esthar DUKE were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 29, 1920 in Henderson Co., TX. Esthar DUKE was born in Texas about 1894.


5. Robert Lee COFFEY (Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Texas about 1904.

Robert Lee COFFEY and Newel {?} __________ were married. They appeared in the census on Apr 10, 1930 in Navarro Co., TX.19 Newel {?} __________ was born in Texas about 1909. Robert Lee COFFEY and Newel {?} __________ had the following children:

i. Robert E. COFFEY was born in Texas about 1927.

Third Generation

6. Beauford Clinton COFFEY16 (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Navarro Co., TX on Jun 14, 1917. He enlisted in the armed forces at Camp Wolters, TX on Mar 12, 1942.20 He died on Feb 8, 1982 in Montgomery Co., PA.15

Beauford Clinton COFFEY and Miriam __________ were married. Miriam __________ was born on Sep 15, 1924. She died in Apr 1979 in Montgomery Co., PA.21


7. Ellen Margaret COFFEY (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Navarro Co., TX on Jun 13, 1919.

Ellen Margaret COFFEY and Charles Willie COOPER were married on May 1, 1942 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX. Charles Willie COOPER was born in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX on Jun 18, 1918. He died on May 3, 2002 in Corsicana, Navarro Co., TX.


8. Gracie M. COFFEY (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Texas about 1923.

Gracie M. COFFEY and Joe Pierce WOODARD were married. Joe Pierce WOODARD was born on Mar 2, 1918. He died on Feb 26, 1979 in Fort Worth, Tarrant Co., TX.

9. Betty Jo COFFEY (George Clinton-2, Jackson Lafayette-1) was born in Texas on Feb 10, 1931. She died on Nov 13, 1958 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

Betty Jo COFFEY and Willie Pete THOMPSON were married. Willie Pete THOMPSON was born on Jan 31, 1930. He died on Dec 25, 1983 in Dallas, Dallas Co., TX.

---

Sources

1. Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1964-1998. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original electronic data from:Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1964-1998. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-. Name: Jackson Lafayette Coffey Death Date: 24 Nov 1946 Death County: Navarro Certificate: 51665.
2. Webshots, online [www.webshots.com], accessed Various. [http://good-times.webshots.com/photo/1036742535001089934KtWSbJ].
3. United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1900 Marion Co., Dist. 9, ED97, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 37, Coffey, Jackson L., head, white male, born Jan. 1862, age 38, married 14 yrs., born GA, parents born GA, farmer; Ella M., wife, white female, born Jan. 1879, age 29, married 14 yrs., mother of 6, 6 living, parents born GA; Clara, dau., white female, born Dec. 1885, age 14, born GA, parents born GA; Clifton, son, white male, born Dec., 1897, age 12, born TN, parents born GA; George C., son, white male, born Dec.. 1890, age 9, born TN, parents born GA; Lily M., dau., white female, born May, 1893, age 7, born GA, parents born GA; Nellie G., dau., white female, born Sep. 1895, age 4, born TN, parents born GA; Wm. D., son, white male, born May 1898, age 2, born TN, parents born GA; Burke, George, laborer, white male, born Dec., 1879, age 20, single, born AL, parents born AL.
4. Ibid., 1910 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED24, Sheet 5A, dwelling/family 85, Coffey, J. L., head, male, white, age 45, married once, born TN, father born NC, mother born TN, farmer; Ella, wife, female, white, age 40, married once for 23 yrs., mother of 9, 9 living, born TN, parents born TN; Clinton, son, male, white, age 19, single, born TN, parents born TN; Lily, dau., female, white, age 16, born GA, parents born TN; Nellie, dau., female, white, age 14, born TN, parents born TN; Dewey, son, male, white, age 12, born TN, parents born TN; Julia, dau., female, white, age 10, born TN, parents born TN; Robert, son, male, white, age 6, born TX, parents born TN; Cornelius, son, male, white, age 2, born TN, parents born TN.
5. Ibid., 1920 Henderson Co., Pct. 8, ED27, Sheet 12A, dwelling 239, family 241, Coffey, J. L., head, male, white, age 54, married, born GA, parents born GA, farm operator; Ella, wife, female, white, age 51, married, born GA, father born GA, mother born TN; Dewey, son, male, white, age 21, single, born TN, parents born GA; farm laborer; Robert, son, age 16, born TX, parents born GA, farm laborer; Cornelius, son, male, white, age 12, born TN, parents born GA, farm laborer; De Witt, son, male, white, age 9, born TX, parents born GA; Duke, Julia, dau., female, white, age 19, married, born TN, parents born GA; Duke, Esthar, son-in-law, male, white, age 26, married, born TX, father born AL, mother born MS, farm laborer.
6. Ibid., 1930 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED28, Sheet 6B, dwelling/family 121, Coffey, Jackson L., head, male, white, age 63, married at age 20, born GA, parents born GA [sic], farmer; Etta [sic], wife, female, white, age 61, married at age 16, born GA, parents born GA [sic]; William D., son, male, white, age 31, single, born TN, parents born GA; James C., son, male, white, age 27, single, born TN, parents born GA; DeWitt, son, male, white, age 19, single, born TX, parents born GA.
7. Coffey, Laurence H., editor, Thomas Coffey and His Descendants (Chattanooga, TN: N. Sanders, 1931).
8. National Archives and Records Administration. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. M1509, 20,243 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. Charles Clifton Coffey registered for the draft in Navarro Co. on Jun 5, 1917. He was a resident of Purdon, TX, and was a self-employed farmer with a wife and three children. He was age 30, and listed his birthday at Dec. 26, 1886 in Chatanooga, TN. He was described as being of medium height and build, gray eyes and light colored hair. He reported his right arm broken at the elbow.
9. Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1964-1998. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original electronic data from:Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1964-1998. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-. Name: George Coffey Death Date: 12 May 1965 Death County: Navarro Gender: Male Marital Status: Single.
10. Ibid., Name: Dewitt Coffey Death Date: 6 Mar 1982 Death County: Navarro Gender: Male.
11. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. George Clinton Coffey registered for the draft in Navarro Co., TX on Jun. 5, 1917. He was 27 yrs. old, and gave his birthdate as Dec. 1, 1890 in Chatanooga, TN. He was a farmer employed by [ Landlord in Purdon, TX. He was married, and described as being tall and slender with hazel brown eyes, and brown hair. He reported as having a rupture and lung trouble. It was noted on the registration form that the rupture and lung problems were from his statement only.
12. United States Federal Census. 1920 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED164, Sheet 14A, Corsicana Road., dwelling 230, family 231, Coffey, George C., head, male, white, age 30, married, born TN, father born TN, mother born GA, retail merchant (groceries); Ella, wife, female, white, age 30, married, born GA, parents born GA; Deeford [sic], son, male, white, age 2 yrs., 6 mos., born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Marguerite [sic], dau., female, white, age 6 mos., born TX, father born TN, mother born GA.
13. Ibid., 1930 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED38, Sheet 6B, dwelling/family 122, Coffey, George C., head, male, white, age 40, married at age 24, born TN, parents born GA, farm laborer; Ella, female, white, age 41, married at age 25, born GA, parents born GA; Buford, son, male, white, age 13, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Ella M., dau., female, white, age 11, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Gracie M., dau., female, whtie, age 7, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Alford G., son, male, white, age 5, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA; Anita M., dau., female, white, age 3, born TX, father born TN, mother born GA.
14. Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Index, 1964-1998. [database on-line] Provo, UT: Ancestry.com, 2000-. Original electronic data from:Texas Department of Health. Texas Death Indexes, 1964-1998. Austin, TX. Texas Department of Health. State Vital Statistics Unit, 19xx-. Name: Ella Coffey Death Date: 22 Jun 1983 Death County: Navarro Gender: Female.
15. Social Security Administration. Social Security Death Index, Master File. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc. Name: Beauford Coffey SSN: 466-12-4236 Last Residence: 19040 Hatboro, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America Born: 14 Jun 1917 Died: Feb 1982 State (Year) SSN issued: Texas (Before 1951 ).
16. Website - Misc. [Photos and information from World War II Index Navarro County, Texas; Navarro County TXGenWeb, © Copyright 2001 Edward L. Williams & Barbara Knox].
17. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database online]. Provo, Utah: MyFamily.com, Inc., 2005. Original data: Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946 [Archival Database]; World War II Army Enlistment Records; Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, Record Group 64; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. Name: Alfred Coffey Birth Year: 1925 Race: White, citizen Nativity State or Country: Texas State: Texas County or City: Navarro Enlistment Date: 23 Jun 1943 Enlistment State: Texas Enlistment City: Dallas Branch: No branch assignment Branch Code: No branch assignment Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 1 year of high school Civil Occupation: Automobile Serviceman Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 40 Weight: 444.

COFFEY, ALFORD Pvt. Alford Coffey, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Coffey, Corsicana, attended Petty's Chapel School. Entered service, 1943, trained with Army Medical Corps at Camp Barkley. Has served in Australia, New Guinea and now on duty in Philippines. [Source of some information from the website "The Men and Women in World War II from Navarro County, Texas."].
18. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997. Microfiche. Texas Department of State Health Services, Texas. Name: Oneta Mae Coffey Date of Birth: 10 Nov 1926 Gender: Female Birth County: Wood Father's Name: George Clinton Coffey Mother's Name: Ella Covington Roll Number: 1926_0001.
19. United States Federal Census. 1930 Navarro Co., Pct. 5, ED38, Sheet 7A, dwelling/family 124, Coffey, Robert L., head, male, white, age 26, married at age 22, born TX, parents born GA, farmer; Neuel[?], wife, female, white, age 21, married at age 18, born TX, parents born TX; Robert E., son, male, white, age 3, born TX, parents born TX.
20. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946. Name: Beauford C Coffey Birth Year: 1917 Race: White, citizen Nativity State or Country: Texas State: Texas County or City: Navarro Enlistment Date: 12 Mar 1942 Enlistment State: Texas Enlistment City: Camp Wolters Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 2 years of high school Civil Occupation: Gas And Oil Man Marital Status: Single, without dependents Height: 76 Weight: 182

COFFEY, BEAUFORD C. Pfc. Beauford C. Coffey, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. C. Coffey, Corsicana, attended Purdon School School. Entered service, 1942, trained with Army Signal Corps at Camp Bowie. Has served in North Africa, Italy, France and now on duty in Germany. [Source of some information from the website "The Men and Women in World War II from Navarro County, Texas."].
21. Social Security Death Index, Master File, Name: Miriam Coffey SSN: 203-14-2197 Last Residence: 19040 Hatboro, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America Born: 15 Sep 1924 Last Benefit: 19040 Hatboro, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, United States of America Died: Apr 1979 State (Year) SSN issued: Pennsylvania (Before 1951 ).

Hugh Coffey and Agnes Montgomery

I received news from Bill Love this morning that he has succeeded in having his ancestor Hugh Coffey recognized as a Patriot by the Sons of the American Revolution.

Bill wrote:

Hugh Coffey, Sr., born 13 May 1750, Harper's Ferry, Jefferson, VA; married Agnes Montgomery in 1769 in Lancaster Co. SC. Hugh Sr. was a soldier in the SC militia 1780, 1781, 1782 under Lt. Col. Henry Hampton at Blackstock's Plantation. From 23 Apr to 11 May and 4 Jul to 31 Jul 1781 was in cavalry under Lt. Col Frederick Kimball at Camden. Tories took all his property.

My lineage to Hugh Coffey, Sr. is:

Gen. 1. Joseph William Love, Jr.
Gen. 2. Joseph William Love and Eva Elizabeth Henderson
Gen. 3. John Blake Love and Lucy Peace Caskey
Gen. 4. William Jefferson Caskey and Sarah Rebecca Chapman
Gen. 5. John Coffey Caskey and Adaline Tomlinson
Gen. 6. Samuel Caskey and Nancy Agnes Coffey
Gen. 7. John Coffey and Esther Givens
Gen. 8. Hugh Coffey, Sr. and Agnes Montgomery

Also serving in the Rev. War in this line that I have approved supplementals for are Samuel Henderson, NJ; John Caskey, SC; Allen Chapman, VA; and Thomas Powe, SC. I would be happy to help anyone with info on these lines who are applying to DAR or SAR. I am sure that some of Hugh Coffey's brothers also were in the Rev. War in SC.

Anyone wishing to contact Bill about his lineage can contact me for his address. His national SAR number is 139830; Texas state number is 7055.

Mary (Polly) Coffey

Mary (Polly) Coffey was the second child of Jesse and Elizabeth Riffe Coffey. She was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Apr. 25, 1808, and died May 29, 1842 in Casey Co. She married Jeremiah Vardaman on Mar. 12, 1829 in Casey Co. Jeremiah was born May 10, 1797 in Lincoln Co., KY, and died Mar. 28, 1854 in Collin Co., TX.

According to Peter Bim Riff's Celestes, Mary's real name was Tabitha, and referred to as "Polly."

Polly and Jeremiah were parents to at least seven children:

Mary Elizabeth, born Aug. 1, 1832 in Lincoln Co., died May 1, 1877 in
Texas
Lucy Ann, born Nov. 13, 1834 in Lincoln Co., died Feb. 22, 1901 in Grayson
Co., TX
Ephriam Pennington, born Jan. 9, 1837 in KY, died Mar. 6, 1901 in Collin
Co., TX
Patsy Jane, born Jan. 29, 1838 in Lincoln Co., died Oct. 18, 1926
Jesse Morgan, born Feb. 3, 1839 in Lincoln Co., died May 17, 1903 in Denton
Co., TX.
Jeremiah, born Jan., 1840, died May, 1863 in TN
John, born and died in 1846

Sources:

W. M. Watkins, editor, The Men, Women, Events, Institutions & Lore of Casey County, Kentucky (Louisville, KY : 236 pgs: Standard Print Co., 1939)

US Federal Census Records

Leslie James Coffee (1916-1944)

Leslie James Coffee was a son of Jerry and Martha Elizabeth Olive Coffee. He was born Mar. 17, 1884 in Texas and died Jun. 1944. He was killed in a plane crash while ferrying an aircract from the US to the war zone in Europe. He was never married.

Jerry and Martha's other children were:

- Jerry, Jr., born Jan. 23, 1919, died May 15, 1988; married first to Helen Lorayne Donnis and had one son, Jerry Earl, born 1947. He married second to Fleta Rose Whitmore, born Dec. 22, 1928 in Bell Co., TX, died Mar. 17, 2000 in Fort Worth. There were no children born to this marriage.

- Mary Coffee, born Sep. 12, 1920 in Palo Pinto Co., TX. Married Louis Lee Robertson May. 20, 1942. He died Mar. 13, 1978 in Tom Green Co., TX. Their children were: Sherry Diane; Leslie Lee; David Charles and Kathleen Sue.

- Olive, born Apr. 2, 1925, married Vaudell Preather Dec. 26, 1942. Their children were Larry Edward and Gary Leon.

Cemetery Records

Included with the Coffey information provided by Frederica Burt Wyatt of Junction, TX, were some cemetery records:

Junction Cemetery

Sam Coffey - died 12-28-1950

Mary Coffey - buried 9-3-1966

Noxville Cemetery

J.W. [John Wright] Coffey, June 21, 1856 - Aug. 30, 1934 [Masonic Emblem]

M. [Mary] A. Coffey [Mrs. J. W.], Jan. 30, 1858 - Dec. 20, 1919 [O.E.S. Emblem]

Walter L. Coffey, Aug. 17, 1880 - Oct. 21, 1931 r[Masonic Emblem]

Jess Coffey, Aug. 11, 1897 - Mar. 6, 1936 [Masonic Emblem]

Susie [Coffey] Whetstone, June 16, 1884 - Mar 28, 1945

Dee H. Whetstone, May 19, 1871 - [blank]

George Nathan Walker, Jan. 27, 1877 - July 10, 1951

Lillie [Belle] Coffey Walker, July 15, 1881 - Dec. 28, 1965

Coffey Family Cemetery

Charley R. Coffey, 1890 - June 13, 1958

Mary B. Thurman Coffey, 1896-1967

London Cemetery

Arzela E. Rush Coffey, 12-21-1875 - 11-9-1953

George Nathan & Lillie Belle (Coffey) Walker

The following is a continuation of the Families of Kimble County [Texas] blog.

George Nathan & Lillie Bell (Coffey) Walker
by Lilburn Walker

George Nathan "Nath" Walker, son of Seth B. Walker & Sarah H. Harrell, was born Jan. 27, 1877 in Erath Co. TX. He was the youngest of 9 children, 5 boys and 4 girls. His father, Seth B. Walker, served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War with Co. F, 11 Regt, TVI [TN Vol. Inf.?].

On Oct. 24, 1899 in Noxville, TX, George Nathan married Lillie Belle Coffey, daughter of John Wright & Mary Adeline (Brown) Coffey. Lillie Belle was born Jul. 15, 1861 in Concho Co., TX. Nath & Lillie had 12 children b. in Kimble Co., TX except Wm. & Susie, b. Menard Co.

Clabe [Claiborne?] Wright, b. Oct. 26, 1900, d. Mar 19, 1981, Kimble Co., TX, m.1) Pearl Seal, m. 2) Cleora Aridia Dodd.

Iva Maude, b. Jul 25, 1903, m. William Oilver "Bill" McKinney.

Simon, b. Jul. 15, 1905 m. Ruth Johnson.

Arthur Holland, b. Oct. 31, 1907, m. 1) Nettie Schmidt, 2) Ollie Davis.

Walter Edd, b. Dec. 21, 1909, m. Jessie Cowsert [Cowert?].

Ola, b. Jan. 26, 1912, m. Paul Foster.

William Henry, b. May 19, 1914, m. 1) Evelyn Nochols, 2) Murdell Rowlett

Susie, b. Dec. 21, 1916, m. 1) George Ivy, 2) Colman Solursh [Solrush?].

Earl, b. Oct. 29, 1919 m. Margie Harper.

Verda Fannie, b. Feb. 21, 1921, m. Phillip Braden.

Myrtle, b. May 13, 1924, married John Lewis Weaver.

Lillie John, b. Apr. 2, 1927 m. Edward Wm. Brown.

Nath and Lillie spent most of their married life on a ranch in Kimble Co. near Noxville, then lived for a few years in Harper. Nath died July 10, 1951 in Harper. Lillie died Dec. 28, 1965 in Menard. Both are buried in Noxville Cemetery.


[Note: In all three of the Families of Kimble County blogs, remarks contained in [brackets] are mine. The authors of the articles were not consistent in grammar, punctuation and syntax. I have added some corrections [not in brackets] to improve the flow.]