Henry Moses Coffey of Rockbridge Co., VA

Henry Moses Coffey was born Sep. 20, 1869 in Nelson Co., VA to Alfred and Martha Ann Bradley Coffey. Alfred was the son of Garland and Nancy Coffey Coffey. I have not yet found a death date for Henry Moses.

Henry was married four times. His first marriage was to Julie C. Hymen on Nov. 14, 1889; second to Eva Ramsey on Oct. 26, 1898; third to Alice Ward on Jan. 9, 1904; and finally to Mary Ellena (Mollie) Oliver c1915. He fathered children by wife two through four. His first wife probably died in childbirth.

After studying census records, this is how I think the family shakes out. Please let me know at the above e-mail address of any corrections or additions.

Descendants of Henry Moses COFFEY - May 16, 2008
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First Generation

1. Henry Moses COFFEY was born in Nelson Co, VA on Sep 20, 1869. Henry was the son of Alfred and Martha Ann Bradley Coffey.

Henry Moses COFFEY and Julie C. HYMEN were married on Nov 14, 1889. Julie C. HYMEN [No further information has been found]

Henry Moses COFFEY and Eva RAMSEY were married on Oct 26, 1898. They appeared in the census on Jun 6, 1900 in Walkers Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA.1 Eva RAMSEY was born on Oct 26, 1898. Henry Moses COFFEY and Eva RAMSEY had the following children:

i. Katie L. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA in May 1900. On Jun 6, 1900 she lived in Walkers Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 28, 1910 she lived in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA as a niece in the household with the Jarvis family.
ii. David H. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1903. On Apr 28, 1910 he lived in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA as a nephew in the household with the Jarvis family. On Jan 19, 1920 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his father and step-mother.

Henry Moses COFFEY and Alice WARD were married on Jan 9, 1904. They appeared in the census on Apr 28, 1910 in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA.2 Alice WARD [No further information has been found] Henry Moses COFFEY and Alice WARD had the following children:

2 i. Etta R. COFFEY, born on Feb 21, 1910, Rockbridge Co., VA3; married John W. MEEKS; married Eddie C. GILBERT, on Jan 1, 1940; died on Jan 15, 2006, Buena Vista City, Rockbridge Co., Natural Bridge Dist., VA3.
ii. Martha C. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1912. On Jan 19, 1920 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her father and step-mother.

Henry Moses COFFEY and Mary Ellena (Mollie) OLIVER were married about 1915 in Virginia. They appeared in the census on Jan 19, 1920 in Buena Vista City, Rockbridge Co., VA.,4 and the census on Apr 14, 1930 in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.5 Mary Ellena (Mollie) OLIVER was born in Virginia about 1892. Henry Moses COFFEY and Mary Ellena (Mollie) OLIVER had the following children:

i. Maxie D. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about Feb 1916. On Jan 19, 1920 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
ii. Georgie L. COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about Feb 1919. On Jan 19, 1920 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 14, 1930 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents.
iii. Robert COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1921. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
3 iv. Hansford Samuel COFFEY, born about 1922, Rockbridge Co., VA; married Thelma KESTERSON; died on May 6, 1947, Nicholas Co., WV6.
v. Voit [?] COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1923. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
vi. Elizabeth COFFEY was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1925. On Apr 14, 1930 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents.
vii. Henry Moses COFFEY Jr. was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about May 1927. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents.
viii. Joyce J. COFFEY was born in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA on Feb 23, 1933.3 She died in Roanoke City, VA on Feb 12, 2003 .3 She was buried on Feb 15, 2003 in Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.3



Second Generation

2. Etta R. COFFEY (Henry Moses-1) was born in Rockbridge Co., VA on Feb 21, 1910.3 On Apr 28, 1910 she lived in Walker Creek, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her parents. On Jan 19, 1920 she lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with her father and step-mother. She died in Buena Vista City, Rockbridge Co., Natural Bridge Dist., VA on Jan 15, 2006 .3 She was buried on Jan 18, 2006 in Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA.3

Etta R. COFFEY and John W. MEEKS were married. John W. MEEKS [No further information has been found] Etta R. COFFEY and John W. MEEKS had the following children:

i. Mary MEEKS [No further information has been found]
ii. Della MEEKS [No further information has been found]
iii. Peggy MEEKS [No further information has been found]
iv. Barbara MEEKS [No further information has been found]

Etta R. COFFEY and Eddie C. GILBERT were married on Jan 1, 1940. Eddie C. GILBERT [No further information has been found] Etta R. COFFEY and Eddie C. GILBERT had the following children:

i. Claude E. GILBERT [No further information has been found]

3. Hansford Samuel COFFEY (Henry Moses-1) was born in Rockbridge Co., VA about 1922. On Apr 14, 1930 he lived in Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., VA in the household with his parents. He died in Nicholas Co., WV on May 6, 1947 .6

Hansford Samuel COFFEY and Thelma KESTERSON were married. Thelma KESTERSON [No further information has been found]

Sources

1. United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1900 Rockbridge Co., Walkers Creek, ED105, Sheet 3B, dwelling 50, family 52, Coffee [sic], Henry M., head, white male, born Sep 1870, age 29, single [sic], born VA, parents born VA, farmer; Eva, wife, white female, born Oct., 1876, age 23, single [sic], mother of 1, 1 living, born VA, parents born VA; Katie L., dau., white female, born May 1900, age 0 mos., born VA, parents born VA; Arthers, Walter, Servant, white male, born Jul., 1895, age 5, born VA, parents born VA; Coffee [sic] Lacy, brother, white male, born Sep. 1884, age 35, single, born VA, parents born VA.
2. Ibid., 1910 Rockbridge Co., Walker Creek, ED117, Sheet 9B, dwelling 163, family 170, Coffey, Henry M., head, male, white, age 43, married 3 times, this time for 5 yrs., born VA, parents born VA, farmer; S. Allice, wife, female, white, age 22, married once for 5 yrs., mother of 3, 1 living, born VA, parents born VA; Etta R., dau., female, white, age 2, born VA; family 171, Jarvis, Charlie N., head, male, white, age 43, married once for 22 yrs., born VA, parents born VA, farm laborer; Eliza A., wife, female, white, age 44, married once for 22 yrs., mother of 4, 4 living, born VA, parents born VA; Howard N., son, male, white, age 17, single, born VA; Lula M., dau., female, white, age 15, single, born VA; Lennie S., dau., female, white, age 10, single, born VA; Coffey, Katie E., niece, female, white, age 9, born VA; Coffey, David H., nephew, male, white, age 7, born VA.
3. Information from obituary.
4. United States Federal Census. Original data: United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1920 Rockbridge Co., Buena Vista City, Ward 2, ED74, Sheet 22B, dwelling 415, family 312, Coffey, Henry M., head, male, white, age 51, married, born VA, parents born VA, boiler engineer on ore and iron furnace; Mollie L., wife, female, white, age 28, married, born VA, parents born VA; David H., son, male, white, age 17, single, born VA; Etta R., dau., female, white, age 10, single, born VA; Martha C., dau., female, white, age 8, single, born VA; Maxie D., son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 11 mos., born VA; Georgie L., dau., female, white, age 11 mos., born VA.
5. Ibid., 1930 Rockbridge Co., Buena Vista independant city, ED2, Sheet 16A, 29th St., dwelling 308, family 341, Coffey, Henry M., head, male, white, age 60, married first at age 21, born VA, parents born VA, laborer at odd jobs; Mary, wife, female, white, age 41, married first at age 23, born VA, parents born VA, Hodges, William, son-in-law, male, white, age 19, married at age 18, born VA, parents born VA, laborer at odd jobs; Ada, dau., female, white, age 19, married at age 19, born VA, parents born VA; May, g-dau., female, white, age 10 mos., born VA, parents born VA; Coffey, Maxie, son, male, white, age 14, born VA; Robert, son, male, white, age 9, born VA; Hasford [?], son, male, white, age 8, born VA; Voit, son, male, white, age 7, born VA; Elizabeth, dau., female, white, age 5, born VA; Henry M., Jr., son, male, white, age 2 yrs., 5 mos., born VA. [The daughter Ada is probably Martha].
6. Family Search Labs Record Search, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints online [http://search.labs.familysearch.org/recordsearch/start.html?datestamp=1206010271812], accessed Various. Name : Hansford Samuel Coffey Death date : 06 May 1947 Death place : Nicholas, West Virginia Gender : Male Age at death : 25 years 9 months 3 days Birth date : 1922 Birth place : Marital status : Married Spouse name : Thelma Kesterson Father name : Henry Moses Coffey Father birth place : Mother name : Mary Ellena Oliver Film number : 1983942 Digital GS number : 4260152 Image number : 357 Reference number : 9348 Source : Statewide Collection : West Virginia Deaths 1853-1970.

More Green Hill Cemetery Headstones

Green Hill Cemetery,  Buena Vista, VA

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 Please contact me at the above e-mail address is you can identify these folks and their ancestors. Click on the image to see a larger image.

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Updated Jan 8, 2011

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Son of John Robey & Mamie Womack Coffey

Mary, w/o Nelson McKinley Coffey

Who were/are Philip's parents?

Still need her husband & family

Daughter of Nelson McKinley & Mary
Thompson Coffey.  Who was her husband?

Wife of Finley Houston Coffey
Her maiden name was Tomlin

Hilda Marie Coffey 1939-1940

Hilda Marie is another Coffey buried at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, VA. She may be the daughter of Fermin H. Coffey. He is the only male Coffey that I find in my file from that area with a name that fits the initials on the headstone.

Fermin was born c1900 in Rockbridge Co., VA to Matthew D. and Willie Jane Ramsey Coffey. I have not found a wife for him.

Anyone who can help may contact me at the above e-mail address.

Hilda A. Coffey 1944-1948

This is another Coffey gravesite found in Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, VA that I need help identifying.

According to the headstone, Hilda was born on Aug. 30, 1944 and died Apr. 25, 1988. I do not know if she married a Coffey, or was born and died a Coffey.

Anyone who can help can contact me via the above e-mail address.

Gilmer Clinton and Catherine Wiseman Coffey

This couple is buried at the Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, Virginia.

According to the headstone, Gilmer was born Nov. 27, 1909 and died Jun. 23, 1951. Catherine was born Apr. 17, 1919. There is no death date for Catherine on the stone.

I need help finding his parents. A search of the census record for 1910 failed to find him.

Anyone with information can contact me at the above e-mail address.

Dawson Henry Coffey 1875-1934

Dawson Henry (or, Henry Dawson on WW1 draft registration and Henry D. on his headstone) was born on Jul. 4, 1875 in Nelson Co., VA. He died on Aug. 13, 1934 and was buried in the Green Hill Cemetery at Buena Vista in Rockbridge Co., VA.


When he registered for the draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Rockbridge Co., he was described as being short and slender with blue eyes and brown hair. He was at the time 43 years old, and gave his birthdate as Jul. 4, 1875. Henry was then a farmer who resided at Buena Vista with his wife, Katie.

He and Katie appeared in the census record from 1900 through 1930 in Buena Vista. In 1900 he gave his occupation as "laborer." In 1920 and 1930 he gave his occupation as "teamster." In those days and that place, being a teamster had nothing to do with driving a truck. However, the jobs were the same. A teamster in those days generally had their own team of horses and, hired out to move or haul furniture, equipment, etc.

Katie was Katherine Davidson, born in Aug., 1879 in Amherst Co., VA. She died on Jul. 12, 1937, probably in Rockbridge Co. She too is buried at Green Hill.

There were eight children born to the marriage:

Littie, born Aug. 12, 1900, died Sep. 7, 1958.

Walker Lee, born Mar. 3, 1904, died Sep. 11, 1947. Walker married Sarah Montgomery on May 24, 1924 in Buena Vista. She was born Jan. 12, 1908 in Buena Vista and died there on Sep. 24, 1990. They had at least one child, Thurman L., born Oct. 13, 1929, died Feb. 21, 1991. Thurman is buried at Green Hill. I do not yet know where Walker and Sarah are buried.

Eva Lena, born Aug. 30,1908 in Nelson Co., and died Mar. 28, 1963 in Lexington, VA. She married Horace Orey Pugh on Mar. 16, 1936 in Buena Vista. Horace ws born there on Oct. 3, 1894 and died there on mar. 14, 1958. Both are buried at Green Hill.

Eva's obituary:

Obituary, Roanoke Times

Mrs. Eva Coffey Pugh, 55, died last Thursday morning in a Lexington hospital. Surviving are one daughter, Mrs. Edward Potter, Buena Vista; one son, Marshall Ray Pugh, Buena Vista; three sisters, Mrs. James Fitzgerald, Miss Myrtle Coffey, both of Buena Vista, Mrs. Jewel Everett, Maryland; one brother, Russell Coffey, Glasgow; four grandchildren. funeral services were held at 4 PM Saturday at the Pentecostal Holiness Church by the Rev. B. L. Underwood. Burial was in Green Hill Cemetery.

William McKenley, born Jan. 26, 1909 in Nelson Co., and died Aug. 30, 1998 in Buena Vista. He married Annie Burley in Buena Vista on Sep. 27, 1926. Annie was born May 22, 1907 in Amherst Co., and died on Aug. 30, 1998 in Buena Vista. Both are buried in Green Hill.

Annie's Obituary:

Chittum, Annie Burley, 91 of Buena Vista, died Sunday, August 20, 1998 [sic] at Shenandoah Valley Health Care Center. She was born May 22, 1907 in Amherst County, daughter of the late James Burley and Sarah Lawhorne Burley. She was preceded in death by two husbands, William Coffey and George T. Chittum. She is survived by two sisters-in-law, Frances Burley and Blanch Burley, both of Covington, several nieces and nephews, a stepson, Thomas Chittum of Covington, many stepgrandchildren and a special friend, Ruby Humphries of Buena Vista. Graveside services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday in Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service.

Myrtle Idell, born Dec. 14, 1911, died Sep. 8, 1988

Mabel L., born Sep. 15, 1912, died May 16, 1989

Mamie Virginia, born May 6, 1915 in Rockbridge Co., died Feb. 24, 1973 in Lexington. Mamie was married on May 23, 1942 in Lynchburg, VA to James Henry Fitzgerald, born in Rockbridge Co. on Jan. 12, 1897. James passed away on Jan. 27, 1972 in Lexington.

Russell Henry Coffey was born Apr. 11, 1920 in Rockbridge Co., and died on Jan. 23, 1998 in Roanoke, VA. He married Elizabeth (Nettie) Wheeler. Russell is buried in the Glasgow Cemetery in Rockbridge Co. I have no further information on Nettie.

Russell's Obituary

Obituary, Roanoke Times, Roanoke, VA

Coffey, Russell Henry, 77, of Natural Bridge Station, died Friday, January 23, 1998 at Roanoke Community Hospital, Roanoke, Va. Born August 11, 1920 he was the son of the late Henry D. and Catherine Davis Coffey. He was a farmer and retired from the N & W Railroad after 31 years service. He was a veteran of WW II. He was preceded in death by a son, Russell "Boona" Coffey. Surviving are his wife, Myrtle Campbell Coffey, eight children, Joyce Pugh, Buena Vista, Kenneth Coffey, Buena Vista, Hazel Link, Natural Bridge, Kathy Walters, Timber Ridge, Darrell Coffey, Clifton "Chuck" Coffey, Tammy Coffey, and Daniel Coffey, all of Natural Bridge, sixteen grandchildren and nine great-granschildren. funeral services will be conducted 2 p.m. Monday, January 26, 1998 at the Lomax Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Ralph VanNess officiating. Burial will follow in the Glasgow Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lomax Funeral Home.

More information on this family is available from Marshall Pugh, who contributed the photograph and his family history.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address for additions or corrections.

Andrew J. and Rebecca Campbell Coffey

I received e-mail on Dec. 5, 2009 from Paul Hill in Suffolk, Virginia in which he corrected an error.

Paul wrote that Andrew "...actually died in Lynchburg and his son H.D. had him shipped via train to Arrington Station, Nelson County and then by wagon to the H.B. Coffey cemetery on their old homeplace."

Paul also passed this along:

"Andrew J. Coffey was conscripted into the Confederate Army but deserted when Robert E. Lee entered Maryland before the battle of Antietam in September 1862. He went to Philadelphia and enlisted with the Union and fought the Confederacy for three years before being sent to N. Dakota in 1865 to fight Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. He was discharged in Iowa in 1865 and sent home to live amongst his kin all of whom fought for the south!"

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Andrew J. (Jackson?) Coffey was born in Oct., 1836 in Nelson Co., VA. He was the eldest son of the Rev. Henry Benjamin Coffey and his wife Mary (Polly) Campbell.

In addition to Andrew, Henry and Polly were parents of Nancy Jane, born 1843, married her first cousin, Joseph C. Coffey, Jr.; and Benjamin Franklin, born 1847, died 1926, married Elizabeth Fitzgerald. Elizabeth was the daughter of Moses and Mary Ann (Polly) Coffey. Elizabeth Fitzgerald and Ben were likely cousins, but I have not yet made a connection between her mother and other Coffey families in that area of Virginia.

Andrew married Rebecca Feb. 5, 1861 in Nelson Co.1 Rebecca was born in Virginia c1841. She is very likely some relation to Henry's wife, Polly, but again, no connection has been made.

The couple lived their early life together in Nelson Co. They were married there and resided in the county until after 1880 when they relocated to Louisa Co., and later, in 1910, to Campbell Co. Andrew died in Nelson Co. in 1911 and was buried there in the Henry B. Coffey Family cemetery.

I have not yet found Rebecca's death date. At the time of the Feb., 1920 census, she was 79 yrs. old, and residing in the Brookville Dist., Campbell Co., VA. In the household with her then was Bessie Campbell, a grand-daughter, and Shelby H. Coffey, a grand-son.

The children of Andrew and Rebecca were:

Henry Davis, born Nov., 1861, died Sep. 6, 1947. He married Lydia Susan A. Campbell. She was born c1868 in Virginia and died Oct. 24, 1918 in Lynchburg, Campbell Co. Their children were: Leonard, Pearl, Ray, Lester, Clyde, Raymond and Shelby.

Minettei E., (Lettie) born c1867 in Nelson Co., married G. L. Campbell, born c1872, on Jan. 8, 1890. His parents were Francis Jefferson and Catherine Stover Campbell. I do not have any children for them.

Francis Marion, born c1869 in Nelson Co., died Mar. 26, 1956. He married Emma D. Campbell, born c1874, died Jan. 12, 1942. I do not have any children or them.

Mary M., born Oct. 12, 1871, Nelson Co., died Dec. 8, 1893, in Nelson Co. She married Joseph T. Campbell Jan. 22, 1885 in Nelson Co. He was born c1874 but date of death is not known. He is buried in the Henry B. Coffey Family Cemetery in Nelson Co.2

Arthur T., born Dec., 1873 in Nelson Co., married Essie Fitzgerald Jan. 27, 1895 in Nelson Co. Their children were Clement D., Warren L., Eugene K., and Luther. There may have been others. Luther is said to be buried in the Martin L. Fitzgerald Family Cemetery in Nelson Co.3

Edgar R., born 1874 in Nelson Co., married c1900 to a lady named Lucy, born c1880 in Virginia. No other information.

Charles C., born c1877 in Nelson Co., married c1909 to a lady named Mae, born c1891 in Virginia. No other information.

Annie L., born Sep., 1879. No other information.



Horace Justin, born Feb. 27, 1882 in Nelson Co., died Feb. 18, 1953 in Goochland Co., VA. He married Maggie M. Haden, born Jan. 6, 1882, died Dec. 17, 1961 in Goochland Co. Their children were: Adell Hallie, born Jan, 6, 1905, died Oct. 2, 1977; Virginia Rebecca, born Feb. 20, 1908; Jackson Nelson., born Oct. 26, 1909, died Apr. 15, 1976; Horace, Jr., born May 1, 1911; Teddie Rosevelt, born Oct. 4, 1912; Wilber Haden, born Nov. 22, 1913*; Madge, born Oct. 6, 1918; and Helen, born Jan. 27, 1920. Horace and Maggie are buried in the Sandy Hook Cemetery in Goochland Co.**


Gracy, born c1888. This may not be a child of this family. She is not found in any census record.

I have some additional information on this family. Please contact me with additions and corrections, or to get more information.

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Update: Sep. 13, 2010

Reader Denise Risch recently forwarded this  scan of a page from a Bible that belonged to her great aunt Madge. The first five names are in one hand while six through eight are in another.  The entry for child nine was likely made by a third hand.

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Sources:
1 Marriage Reg, Nelson Co.; 5 Feb 1861, A. J. Coffey, age 24 yrs., to Rebecca Campbell, age 20 yrs.; parents of groom: Henry B. and Mary Coffey; parents of bride: Jesse C. and Polly Campbell
2 White Rock Rd. on left going towards Rt. 56, just before Evergreen Church, enclosed in a stone wall. [Description from Rootsweb]
3 This cemetery can be reached from Rt. 56 turn onto Fork Mt. Road, go about a mile take a right onto a logging road, 4X4 a must from here, go more than a mile around the mountain, when you can look across the mountain range and see directly into the head of Crabtree Falls you are close to this cemetery. Very well maintained and fenced, about 1/2 mile from Snead Cemetery. [Description from Rootsweb]
US Census Records

*Wilber had a twin that died at birth. 

**The name of this cemetery is questionable (12/01/2009)

'We're related in history'

The following is an excerpt from an article which appears in today's on-line edition of the News-Record in Greensboro, NC. It was authored by staff writer, Myla Barnhardt:

EIDSVILLE — They are two men whose only connection would seemingly be the name they share — David Wilson.

One is black. One is white.

One lives in New York City. The other lives in Reidsville.

One is 30. One is 65.

But venture back several generations and you'll find an intersection in their heritages: Sunrise Plantation in northern Caswell County.

In the 1800s, the tobacco farm was one of the largest in the region, stretching along the Dan River near the North Carolina state line, 10 miles into Virginia.

And it's there, on that once massive estate, that one David Wilson's great-great-granddaddy owned the other's great-great-granddaddy.

Click on the News-Record link above to read the entire article.

Kentucky Military Registers & Land Records

The Kentucky Secretary of State Land Office website overview describes the site as "...the place to start when researching Kentucky land acquisitions. All chain of title in the Commonwealth traces back to Virginia land patents and Kentucky land patents."

Although other resources on this site may be of interest, the one most interesting to me are Military Registers & Land Records. Information on the site reads, in part, "The Military District for Virginia rested in southwestern Kentucky and south-central Ohio. The Military Registers and Land Records site includes information regarding Military Warrants issued to Virginia veterans prior to 1792, and all Kentucky patents authorized by those warrants." This link will allow searches to begin without wading through the website.

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.

James Madison Coffey (VA, 1836-1923)

James Madison Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA on Sep 15, 1836* to Charles B. and Theodora Everette Coffey. He was the eldest of nine children born to Charles and Theodora. [The obituary for his brother Peter Virgil names their mother as Ophelia]

On Feb 3, 1920 he was found as a widower in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his son Robert. He died in Virginia on Aug 15, 1923, and was buried in the James M. Coffey/ Cox's Creek Cemetery, Nelson Co., VA.

James and Esther Jane Smith were married on Nov 2, 1865** in Nelson Co, VA. They appeared in the census on Jun 14, 1880, the census on Jun 23, 1900, and the census on May 2, 1910, in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA. Esther Jane, a daughter of John Smith, was born in Virginia on Feb 9, 1843, and died in Nelson Co, VA on May 11, 1917.

A source*** for Esther's death indicates that her birth date was in Oct., 1884. This is unlikely, since she appears in the 1880 census as James' wife in Nelson Co., VA.

She was buried in May 1917 in Cox's Creek Cemetery in Nelson Co., VA.

Her headstone indicates that she was the mother of 11 children.

Her name is spelled Easter in most census records, but spelled Ester in 1910.

James Madison and Esther Jane Smith Coffey had the following children:

- Lucy Alice Coffey, born about 1867, Nelson Co, VA; married James Sterling Claiborne Snead, on Jan 5, 1888 ; died in 1931, Nelson Co, VA.
- Robert J. Cofffey, born on Jan 18, 1869, Nelson Co, VA; married Mary S. Wood, on Oct 30, 1895, Nelson Co, VA ; died in 1948, Virginia.
- Mary Elizabeth Coffey, born in Mar 1871, Nelson Co, VA; married King Daniel Nash, on Jan 30, 1890, Nelson Co, VA ; died in 1952, Nelson Co, VA.
- James Alexander Coffey, born in Jan 1872, Nelson Co, VA; married Selina B. (Lina) Fitzgerald, on Jan 12, 1893, Nelson Co, VA ; died on Apr 3, 1959, Virginia.
- Henry Lafayette Coffey born in Oct 1873, Nelson Co, VA; married Ethel M. Ramsey, on Jul 26, 1914, Nelson Co, VA; died on Jul 22, 1943, Virginia.
- Easter (Jennie) Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1876. On Jun 14, 1880 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents.
- Charles Franklin Coffey, born on Jul 27, 1878, Nelson Co, VA; married Lacy M. Campbell; died on Feb 3, 1966.
- William Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA in Feb 1880. On Jun 14, 1880 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. On Jun 23, 1900 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents.
- Odius V. (Ody) Coffey, born on May 5, 1882, Nelson Co, VA; married Ester Line Coffey+; died on Oct 1, 1954, Virginia.
- Lacy M. Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA on Jun 6, 1884. On Jun 23, 1900 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. She died on Jan 23, 1976 .

- Lucy Alice Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1867. On Jun 14, 1880 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. On Jun 2, 1900 she lived in Rockfish Dist., Nelson Co., VA.

In 1900 Lucy had two Snead children and was a widow. In 1910 her husband was back, they had been married for 22 years and there were eight more children in the family.

She died in Nelson Co, VA in 1931, and was buried in 1931 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

Lucy Alice and James Sterling Claiborne Snead were married on Jan 5, 1888. They appeared in the census on Apr 19, 1910 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA.

[This family needs additional research. Lucy is found in the 1900 Nelson Co., Rockfish dist. as a widow with Walter O., age 19, and Woody, age 8 in the household.]

James Sterling Claiborne Snead (son of John M. Snead and Lucinda __________) was born in Virginia about 1857. On Aug 12, 1870 he lived in Augusta Co., VA in the household with his parents. He died in Nelson Co, VA in 1937, and was buried in the Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

Lucy Alice and James Sterling Claiborne Snead had the following children:

- Walter Operton Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA on Jul 18, 1880. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 12, 1880 in Nelson Co, VA. [Update:  Walter was a son by James' first wife, Margaret, last name unknown]
- Woody Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA in Dec 1891. On Jun 2, 1900 he lived in Rockfish Dist., Nelson Co., VA in the household with his mother. He registered for the WWI draft on Jan 5, 1918 in Nelson Co, VA.< br /> - Mary J. Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1892. Married Linday O. Evans, Dec. 6, 1911, Nelson Co.
- Matty A. Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1894.
- Oda Snead, born Dec., 1892 - Robert Luther Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA Nov., 1896.
- Otha Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA on Aug 15, 1897. He registered for the WWI draft on Aug 24, 1918 in Nelson Co, VA.
- Willis Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1900.
- John Mason Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1901.
- Lacy P. Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1902.
- Caskie G. Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1903.
- Juanita N. Snead was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1906.

- Robert J. Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA on Jan 18, 1869. On Jun 14, 1880 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. He died in Virginia in 1948, and was buried in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

Robert J. Coffey and Mary S. Wood were married on Oct 30, 1895 in Nelson Co, VA. They appeared in the census on Jan 30, 1920 in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA. Mary S. (daughter of R. D. WOOD and Sarah __________) was born about 1873.

[Is this the correct name for Robert's wife?]

Robert J. and Mary S. Wood Coffey had the following children:

- Jesse Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1900.
- Elizabeth Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1904.
- Myrtle M. Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1906.
- Charley Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1908.
- Jenny Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1910.
- Cedcey[?] Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1915.

- Mary Elizabeth Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA in Mar 1871. On Jun 14, 1880 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. She died in Nelson Co, VA in 1952, and was buried in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

Mary Elizabeth Coffey and King Daniel Nash were married on Jan 30, 1890 in Nelson Co, VA. They appeared in the census on Jun 15, 1900, the census on May 2, 1910, the census on Jan 29, 1920,. And the census on May 1, 1930, all in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA. King Daniel,(son of Daniel NASH and Ann M. __________) was born in Virginia about 1867. He died in Nelson Co, VA in 1953, and was buried in 1953 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

- James Alexander Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA in Jan 1872. On Jun 14, 1880 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. He died in Virginia on Apr 3, 1959, and was buried in Apr 1959 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

James Alexander and Selina B. (Lina) Fitzgerald Coffey were married on Jan 12, 1893 in Nelson Co, VA. They appeared in the census on Jun 12, 1900, the census on Apr 25, 1910, the census on Jan 12, 1920, and in the census on Apr 2, 1930, all in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA. Selina B. (Lina) FITZGERALD (daughter of Reuben P. FITZGERALD and Amelia __________) was born in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA about 1873. She died in Lynchburg, Campbell Co., VA on Oct 24, 1968 .

Her Obituary, Lynchburg News, Lynchburg, VA, Oct. 26, 1968

Mrs. J. A. Coffey MASSIES MILL-Mrs. Selina Fitzgerald Coffey, 95, of Massies Mill died Friday morning at Liberty House Nursing Home in Lynchburg. Born in Nelson County, she was a daughter of Rueben P. Fitzgerald and Emelia Campbell Fitzgerald. She was a member of Jonesboro Baptist church and the widow of James Alexander Coffey. Surviving are two sons, J. K. Coffey of Lynchburg, and Robert B. Coffey of Detroit; four daughters, Mrs. Frank Williams and Mrs. Frances Kemp, of Roanoke Rapids, N. C., Mrs. H. H. Good of Richmond, Mrs. Leo C. Frank of Laurel, Md.; a brother, Conrad D. Fitzgerald of Staunton; six grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Sunday in Preston-Parr Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Hugh Boyd. Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery.

She was buried on Oct 26, 1968 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA. James Alexander COFFEY and Selina B. (Lina) FITZGERALD had the following children:

- James Kimbro Coffey was born in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in Apr 1893. On Jun 12, 1900 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. On Apr 25, 1910 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Jun 5, 1917 in Nelson Co, VA. On Jan 12, 1920 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents.
- Ruby L. Coffey was born in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in May 1895. On Jun 12, 1900 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 25, 1910 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents.
- Ora A. Coffey was born in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in Sep 1896. On Jun 12, 1900 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 25, 1910 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents.
- Jincy M. Coffey was born in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in Sep 1898. On Jun 12, 1900 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. On Apr 25, 1910 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents.
- Robert Bruce Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1902. On Apr 25, 1910 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. On Jan 12, 1920 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents.
- Mary S. Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA about 1906. On Apr 25, 1910 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents. On Jan 12, 1920 she lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with her parents.
- William K. Coffey was born in Nelson Co, VA on Dec 1, 1908. On Apr 25, 1910 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. On Jan 12, 1920 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents.

- Henry Lafayette Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA in Oct 1873. On Jun 14, 1880, and on Jun 23, 1900 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 2, 1917 in Amherst Co., VA. He died in Virginia on Jul 22, 1943, and was buried in Jul 1943 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

Henry Lafayette Coffey and Ethel M. Ramsey were married on Jul 26, 1914 in Nelson Co, VA. Ethel M. was born in Nelson Co, VA on Oct 15, 1888, and died in Nelson Co, VA on Oct 22, 1918 . She was buried in Oct 1918 in Mt. Paran Baptist Church Cemetery, Montebello, Nelson Co., VA.


- Charles Franklin Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA on Jul 27, 1878. On Jun 14, 1880, and on Jun 23, 1900 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 17, 1918 in Albemarle Co., VA. He also registered for the WWII draft on Apr 27, 1942 in Nelson Co, VA. He died on Feb 3, 1966.

Charles Franklin and Lacy M. Campbell were married. Lacy was born in Nelson Co, VA on Jun 6, 1884, and died there on Jan 23, 1976.


- Odius V. (Ody) Coffey (James Madison-1) was born in Nelson Co, VA on May 5, 1882. On Jun 23, 1900 he lived in Massies Mill, Nelson Co, VA in the household with his parents. He registered for the WWI draft on Sep 12, 1918 in Nelson Co, VA. He died in Virginia on Oct 1, 1954, and was buried in Oct 1954 in Jonesboro Baptist Church, Roseland, Nelson Co., VA.

Odius V. (Ody) and Ester Line Coffey appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in Nelson Co, VA. They were married. Ester Line (daughter of John COFFEY and Roxanna J. (Roxie) NASH) [No further information is known]

Odius V. (Ody) and Ester Line Coffey had the following children:

- Flossie A. (Flo) Coffey, born about 1910, Woodson, Amherst Co., VA; married Byron Roman, in 1928; died on Jan 19, 2005, Lynchburg, VA.
- Bernice R. Coffey was born in Virginia about 1913.

- Flossie A. (Flo) Coffey (Odius V.-2, James Madison-1) was born in Woodson, Amherst Co., VA about 1910. She died in Lynchburg, VA on Jan 19, 2005 .

Her Obituary, News Advance, Lynchburg, VA, Jan. 20, 2005

Flossie (Flo) Coffey Roman

Flossie (Flo) Coffey Roman, 95, of Lynchburg, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2005.

Born in Woodson, she was the eldest of four children born to O.V. and Ester Coffey.

She was a resident of Nelson County, and was the oldest surviving member of the Fleetwood School System. In 1928 she married Byron Roman of Sidney, Ohio. He was supervisor of the Southern Minerals Plant in Piney River. From 1943 until 1998 she and her family resided in Lewiston, N.Y. She moved to Virginia in 1998 and since October 2004 had lived at the Summit in Lynchburg.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Byron and brother, Ody William Coffey of Massies Mill.

She is survived by a son, Donald Coffey Roman and his wife, Jill, of Indianapolis, Ind.; and six grandchildren, Kimberly Krakower of Centerville, Blair Roman of Sausalito, Calif., Wendy Conner of Quincy, Mass., John Roman of Quincy, Mass., Michael Roman of Plymouth, England, Scott Roman of Newport, R.I.; and one great-granddaughter, Chelsea Walsh of Sausalito, Calif. Also surviving are her two sisters, Bernice Taylor of Monroe and Kathleen Taylor of Springfield; and five wonderful nieces she adored.

Flossie loved fishing, camping, gardening and was a proud member of the NRA. She was fearless in her approach to life’s challenges. She was well known for her culinary skills and loved to entertain with dinner parties. Mrs. Roman was a lifelong antique collector, dealer and appraiser. She and her husband were active members of the Lasalle Yacht Club in Niagara Falls, N.Y. They were competitive bridge players and active in several historical societies. Flossie reached out with energy for every life experience within her power; if you ever met her you would never forget her.

Mrs. Roman elected to be cremated with a memorial service to be held at a later date. Her remains will be interred at the Jonesboro Cemetery in Nelson County.

Heritage Funeral Service & Crematory, 427 Graves Mill Rd., (434) 239-2405.

Flossie A. (Flo) and Byron Roman were married in 1928.



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




*Rootsweb [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/cemeteries/c-cof05.txt]
**ibid [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/vitals/marr0001.txt]
***ibid [http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/cemeteries/c-cof05.txt]
+Esther was the daughter of John and Roxanna J. Roxie Nash Coffey

King Daniel and Mary Elizabeth Coffey Nash

King Daniel Nash

Margaret Coffey Nash

King was born c1867 in Virginia and died in Nelson Co. in 1953. He was a son of Daniel Webster and Ann Marie Hatter Nash. Daniel was born c1826 in Virginia and died before the 1920 census. Ann was born c1833 in Virginia.

King married Mary Elizabeth, the daughter of James Madison and Esther Jane Smith Coffey, on Jan. 30, 1890 in Nelson Co. James was born Sep. 15, 1836 in Nelson Co., and died Aug. 15, 1923 in Virginia. Esther was born Feb. 9, 1843 in Virginia and died May 11, 1917 in Nelson Co. Elizabeth was the third of their 10 children.

Their children, as I have them, were:

Daniel Webster Nash

Mildred, born Jul., 1890. This is the name of the first child enumerated in the 1900 census. In 1910 the child in this position was named Salome E., age 19.

Lottie L., born Jul., 1892. She was second born in both the 1900 and 1910 census.

Esther Salome. She first appeared with this name among the children in the 1910 census at age 19.

Delia A., born Feb., 1897. She appeared fourth in 1900 and fourth in 1920. In 1920 she was enumerated as Dilly A., age 13.

In 1910 there appeared a male child by the name of Boson [sic], age 8.

Leland appeared for the first time in 1920 at age 15. At this age, he should have appeared in the 1910 census.

There were no children with King and Mary in the 1930 census.

King and Elizabeth remained in Massies Mill, Nelson Co. their entire lives, and all of their children were born there. Both are buried at the Jonesboro Baptist Church Cemetery at Roseland in Nelson Co.

Please contact me to correct or add to this information.

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.

The Will of Nancy R. Monroe Coffey

Peter C. Coffey was the son of Edmund and Elizabeth Burgher Coffey, and was born c1802 in Nelson Co., VA.

I Nancy R. Coffey, wife of Peter C. Coffey, being of disposing mind and memory, do make, ordain, and declare this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all previous wills, testaments and codicils of every description whatsoever. I leave to my Executor, named in this will, all of my personal and real property upon the following trusts and for no other purpose whatsoever, namely -

1st. I direct that my Executor - (with the exception of a good bed and bedding, and a horse known as "the Blue Horse" and called "Barny," the title to both of which I desire that shall be held in trust, but the possession of which I desire to be turned over to my husband Peter C. Coffey) sell all of my personal property, and at this discretion as to suitable time. My whole real estate paying first all just debts that may be justly chargeable against me or my estate.

2nd. Out of the proceeds of the sale of my property, I direct that my Executor apply such amount to the comfortable support of my husband Peter C. Coffey as the court may deem sufficient. The remainder to be invested by my said Executor in Richmond City Bonds. The interest as well as the principal under the guidance of the court to be subjected to the support and suitable maintenance of my said husband as far as _____ - the remainder to continue in trust.

3rd. If not inconsistent with the above support of my husband after all debts above indicated are paid, I direct that my Executor pay as soon as practical after my death to my faithful servants Elizabeth Brown the sum of twenty dollars, and to William Monroe fifteen dollars current money of the United States, and in any court. I direct that my said Executor shall each ____ charge against my estate the sum of twenty dollars for the said Elizabeth Brown and fifteen dollars for the said William, the said annual charges to continue at interest against the trust fund, and at the death of the said Peter C. Coffey, my husband, the said charges annually made with accumulated interest to be paid over in fee simple to the said Elizabeth Brown, and the said William Monroe respectively or to their heirs.

4th. All the rest and residue of my property thus placed in trust, that may be remaining at the death of the aforesaid Peter C. Coffey and after the above requirements are complied with, and the funeral expenses of Peter C. Coffey are paid out of the same, I direct my Executor to convey by proper instrument of writing to such officer, officers, trustee, or trustees, as may be designated by the authorities of the "Church House" of the City of Richmond Virginia (an organization, institution __ _____ recently established by the Protestant Episcopal Church or portion of such community in the city of Richmond Virginia) as proper to receive the same, to the end that the aforesaid remainder of the trust from my estate may continue forever as an interest bearing fund and in trust for the benefit of the said "Church House" aforesaid.

5th. I hereby appoint James L. Hubard of the County of Nelson Virginia my executor and request that he execute the trusts of this will.

6th. This will has been written at my usual place of residence in the County of Nelson. Witness my hand and seal this twenty third day of January eighteen hundred and seventy seven. Jan 23rd 1877 -

Nancy R. Coffey (Seal)

This is to certify that the above will was duly acknowledged to us by the Testatrix in accordance with law. We being present at the same time and in the presence of each other.

25th day of January 1877.

C. N. Patteson x
John H. Hight x


In Nelson County Court Jany 22, 1883. This instrument of writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Nancy R. Coffey decd, was this day produced into Court and partly proved by the oath of John H Hight one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be held for further proof - and in Nelson County Court Feby 26th 1883. This instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Nancy R. Coffey, was this day again produced into Court for further proof and was thereupon fully proved by the oath of C. N. Patteson the other subscribing witness thereto, and thereupon ordered to be recorded as the true last will and testament of said Nancy R. Coffey decd, and on the motion of James L. Hubard the Executor therein named, who made oath as the law directs, entered into bond in the penalty of $4000.00 conditioned according to law, with T. P. Fitzpatrick his security therein, who justified as to his sufficiency, and which said bond being acknowledged by the obligation therein is ordered to be recorded. Certificate is granted the said James L. Hubard for obtaining probate of said will in due form.

Teste W. M. Hill, Clk

Source: Nelson Co., VA Will Book N, Page 246

Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Redmond Coffey

Some time ago I wrote about Smith and Elizabeth and wondered if her name was Charity Elizabeth. Besides census information, another researcher has confirmed to me that her name was indeed Charity Elizabeth.

Smith was born May, 1832 in Burke Co., NC and died Jan. 11, 1916 in Carter Co., TN. Charity was born Jun. 25, 1836 in Caldwell Co., and died May 20, 1912, perhaps in Carter Co., or Caldwell Co., NC. They were married in Caldwell Co. on Jun. 25, 1854.

Both are buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mills in Watauga Co., NC. That cemetery is located on the Old Turnpike Road, NC road 1568, near the Hounds Ears Club at Shulls Mill. For GPS users, I have those coordinates as N:36:10:40, W:081:44:43.

In 1850 Smith was still in the household with his widowed mother, Ella or Alley Webb Coffey. After he married Charity they remained in Caldwell Co. for awhile then relocated to Cherokee Co. where they are found in the 1860 census. In 1861 Smith entered the Civil War on the Confederate side when he enlisted in Co. A, 2nd Cav. Regt., NC.

I do not know when he was released, and have not found the family in the 1870 census. By 1880 they were back in Watauga Co where I believe they remained until after the 1910 census when they relocated to Carter Co. Charity is thought to have died in NC so Smith may have moved to Carter Co. to be near or, perhaps to live with one of his children. In any event, he was returned to Watauga Co. and his final resting place.

There were at least nine children born to Smith and Charity.

- Emma Irene, born Oct., 1855. She married James Cozart, born c1864 in NC. Children born to Emma and James were: Thomas; Walter Smith; Mary Etta; Charles L.; Luna Maggie; James Hill; Henry B.; and Nancy Elizabeth.

- Thomas Clingman, born Nov. 17, 1858 in Caldwell Co., and died Feb., 1932 in NC. He married
his cousin, Margaret Coffey on Mar. 28, 1875 in Caldwell Co. Margaret was the daughter of William Coffey, Jr., and Margaret Robbins. Margaret and Thomas has at least four children: Lula V., born Jul. 1883; Finley Houck, born Aug. 22, 1886; Jesse C., born Dec. 15, 1890, died Jan. 22, 1982; and Margaret Elizabeth, born Aug., 1893. Lula had at least two children whose father is not named in the birth record: Collis Hill, born 1904, died 1975; and Jessie M., born c1912.

Finley married Effie Turnmire and has at least 10 children. Jessie married Martha Hawkins and had at least two children: Ruth J., born c1920 and Jesse Alvis, born Aug. 26, 1926, died Apr. 17, 1972. Margaret Elizabeth married a distant cousin, James Franklin Coffey, a son of Elijah and Caroline Dobbins Coffey.

- William M. Coffey, born Mar. 15, 1861 in NC, died Jun. 28, 1928. He married Emma Coffey, a distant cousin and daughter of Levi and Temperance Calloway Coffey. William and Mary had at least three children: Hardie Lee, born Apr. 14, 1884, died Jan. 29, 1937; William Cloyd, born Oct., 1886, died May 28, 1950; and Myrtle Virginia, born Jun,, 3, 1893. Hardy married his distant cousin, Anna Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of George Calvin and Louisa Curtis Coffey. They had at least two children: Carlos Dean, born 1911 and Beulah, born 1914. William Cloyd married Ella Belle Honeycutt on mar. 15, 1908 in Watauga Co. Ella was born c1892 in NC and died Dec. 18, 1978 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC. Their children were: Bertha Mae, born Jan. 28, 1909, died Jul. 17, 1993; Cora Lee, born May 25, 1911; and William Frank, born Sep. 14, 1915.

- Mary Ella, born Oct, 1865, married Levi L. Coffey, a son of Elisha Coffey and Anna Harmon Moody. Mary Ella and Levi were married Jan. 1, 1892 in Watauga Co. I have only one child for them, Henry Olivar, born Jul. 25, 1889. Henry married Zettie Chloe Honeycutt on Mar. 23, 1913 in Watauga Co. Zettie may be related to Ella Belle, wife of William Cloyd (above) but, I have not looked.

- Margaret V. (Virginia?), born c1867 in NC, married John L. Mays, a son of John Larkin Mays and Nancy Jane Cozart.  Again, there is likely some relation between Nancy Jane and James who married Emma Irene, but I have not looked. Margaret and John had at least one child, James Thomas, born Apr. 29, 1894.

Virginia Brown

Henry Boone Coffey

- Henry Boone, born Jun. 20, 1872 in NC, died Sep. 16, 1938 in Watauga Co. He married Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown on Oct. 8, 1905 in Watauga Co. Jennie had been previously married to Leroy Starnes (no known children) . Her second husband was Archie Coffey, a son of Levi and Temperance Calloway Coffey. Henry was her third marriage. She had at least one child by Archie, Paul Arch, born Aug. 30, 1901, died Mar. 25, 1957. Children by Henry were Ray Plez, born 1907, died 1960; Beatrice Franced, born 1908, died 1995; Lillian Jessie, born 1910, died 1988; and Glenn Hinkle, born 1918.

- Charles (Charlie), born Aug. 20, 1872 in Watauga Co., and died there on Dec. 21, 1944. He married Saphronia Phills on Nov. 5, 1893 in Watauga Co. She was born Oct. 6, 1870 in Ashe Co., NC and died Apr. 30, 1928 in Caldwell Co. Their children were nine: Vance Stevenson, born 1894, died 1967; Ruia Ellen, born 1896, died 1924; Lillie Emmaline, born 1899, died 1988; Arthur Edward, born 1901, died 1025; Charles Frederick, born 1903, died 1981; Parker Olton (Alton?), born 1905, died 1979; Nancy Marie, born 1908, died 1928; Alverda Caudis, born 1910, died 1992; and Addie Berthella, born 1913.

- Susie Annie, born c1875 in NC, married William Henderson Calloway or Halloway. No other information.

- Lee Nelson, born Jun. 10, 1878 in NC, died Aug. 23, 1960 in NC. He married another of the Honeycutt girls, Ada B., born c1877. I know of only one child, Stewart Horton, born Jan. 6, 1908, died Jan. 23, 1990.

I have more ancestral as well as descendant information for some of this family.

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

The Candy Kitchen

The Candy Kitchen had been owed by a Mr. Anthony Cory. He was, I believe, the second of the three husbands of Olive Manila Dula. Olive was the daughter of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.

Cory was born in the Syrian Arabic Republic and immigrated to the United States about 1901. The original spelling of his name may have been Khouri.

He appeared in the 1920 and 1930 Winston-Salem, NC census as Anthony Cory. In 1930 he was a 49-year old divorced man living in the household with his widowed mother, Rosa Jakayre [sic], He listed his occupation as owner of the Candy Kitchen.

Sometime later Mr. Cory sold the store to Zenobian Michael Koontz.

In this photo of the interior, the lady in the white top is Cleta (or Cleda) Dula who married J. T. Nicholson. The lady in black is Ruth Virginia Dula Koontz. Next to her is her husband, Mr. Zenobian Michael Koontz. Ruth and Mr. Koontz were owners of the store. Both ladies were children of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula, and sisters to Olive Manila.

Ruth was born Aug. 5, 1904 and Cleda was born on Sep. 17, 1917. Ruth and Zenobian married on Nov. 12, 1927 in Forsyth Co. He was born Jul. 12, 1902 in Davidson Co., NC and, died in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co. in May, 1981. I have found only one child for them: Ramona Jane, born May 3, 1929 in Watauga Co.

I have not found any children that were born to Cleda and Mr. Nicholson.

Mary Jane Coffey Dula was the daughter of Thomas Avery and Louisa E. Gragg Coffey. She was born in Aug., 1874 in Caldwell Co., NC and died on May 26, 1955. Arthur Hill Dula was born Jan., 1867 and died on Sep. 7, 1948. They were married on Oct. 11, 1892 in Watauga Co. Arthur Hill Dula was brother to Mary Laura Dula who married John Wesley Coffey, brother to Mary Jane.


This photo is Mr. Cory at the store front before selling to Koontz. The store was located on the east side of Winston-Salem in Forsyth Co., NC. I have heard that the building is still standing.

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

Thomas & Elizabeth Coffey Fields

Susan Caroline Connelly

Thomas Fields, Esq., born c1747 in Virginia, was a son of Richard Fields and Elizabeth Murrel. He married Elizabeth Coffey, a daughter of John and Jane Graves Coffey probably in the late 1760's and probably in Virginia or North Carolina.

I have not researched The Fields family, relying more on existing published works, and especially that published by Dr. Marvin Coffey (dec'd) in his work on James Bluford Coffey in 1984.

Marvin wrote that he had found "no records indicating when or where she [Elizabeth Coffey] was born." She is known to have married Thomas Fields, brother of Sally who married Thomas Coffey. Thomas Fields' 1807 will lists Betty, his wife, and children: James Crumpton, William, Reuben, Betsy Penley, Winifred Humphrey, Polly Humphrey,and Sally Penley.

I have seen other work that lists children of Thomas and Elizabeth as: William who married Susan Morgan; Jane who married Hezekiah Compton; Reuben who married first a Lee and second, Leanah [sic]Pendley; Elizabeth who married Jonathan Pendley; Winfred who married John Hemphrey; Mary who married William Humphrey; and Sarah who married James Pen[d]ley.

Recent e-mail from Paul Hermann in Australia informed me that William Fields and Susan Morgan had a son named Morgan Fields, born c1797. According to Paul's research, Morgan married Catherine Humphreys on Jan. 5, 1819 in Wilkes Co., NC. Their daughter, Frances Elvira Austin Fields, born c1836 in Georgia, married James Connelly on Jan. 2, 1860 in New Orleans, La.

James was born c1826 in London, England. After their marriage he and Frances moved to Australia where they lived out their lives. Their daughter, Susan Caroline Connelly married John Berry in Smithfield in South Australia, near Adelaide.

The photo of Caroline is courtesy of Paul.

Please contact me with additions and/or corrections. I can also provide contact information for Paul should anyone wish to contact him about his research.

Reuben Finley and Flora Ellen Hollifield Coffey

I have previously written about Reuben and Flora Ellen and their descendants. I have just received photographs of them and some of their descendants.

This photo was accompanied by one of their sons, Wiley Earl and another of Wiley Earl, Jr. All of the photographs are courtesy of Steve Coffey Schmidt, a son of Wiley Earl, Jr. who was subsequently adopted by his mother's second husband.



This is a photo of Wiley Earl and his wife Edna Mae Story. Wiley was born on Jul. 11, 1902 in Globe Twp., Caldwell Co., NC and died Mar. 9, 1972 in Watauga Co., NC. Edna Mae was born Jul. 14, 1904 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co., and died Aug. 21, 1980 in Shelby, Cleveland Co., NC. She was the daughter of Joshua Clingman and Martha Anne Day Story. Wiley and Edna are buried at the Catawba Memorial Park in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC. Edna was a school teacher and also worked for the US Postal Service.



This photograph is of Wiley Earl Coffey, Jr. and wife Lee Ann Wagner on their wedding day. Wiley began his naval career as an enlisted man and rose to the rank of Lt. Commander with 30 years of service. After retirement from the Navy, Wiley, Jr. joined the Merchant Marine and served for another 20 years, rising to the rank of Captain. Quite a remarkable career!

Wiley died on Aug. 14, 2004 at Virginia Beach, VA. and is buried in that city.

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

Coffey Cemeteries in Watauga Co., NC

As might be imagined, it is quite difficult for someone in Louisiana to determine official vs local names of the various Coffey cemeteries in Watauga Co.

Burial information is available on various websites listing individuals buried in "Coffey Family Cemetery" but, I am unsure if they are all in the same cemetery.

Please contact me if you can provide "official" names and locations and/or, accurate GPS coordinates for any of the Watauga Co. cemeteries where the following are buried:

Thomas Carlton and Martha Ellen Cook Coffey Family:

Thomas Carlton Coffey, born Jan. 1, 1853, died Dec. 17, 1915
Martha Ellen Cook Coffey, born Jul. 3, 1858, died Mar. 25, 1939
Emma L. Coffey, born Jan. 21, 1880, died Jul. 10, 1885
Franklin M. Coffey, born Jan. 6, 1890, died 10 Feb. 1890
James Burton Coffey, born Feb. 11, 1878, died Nov. 2, 1900
Thomas Carlton Coffey, Jr., born May 1, 1895, died May 1, 1895

Children of Marion Oliver and Lydia Ruth Edmisten Coffey:

John Robert Coffey, born Aug. 12, 1922, died Oct. 11, 1923
Marion Audra Coffey, born Oct. 6, 1924, died Jan. 8, 1925
Sadie Ruth Coffey, born Mar. 4, 1926, died Feb. 15, 1927
William Ray Coffey, born May 27, 1920, died Nov. 10, 1996

Millard Winfield Day Family:

Nancy Isabelle Coffey, wife of Millard Winfield Day, born Oct. 3, 1876, died Dec. 12, 1834
Anna Selma Day, daughter of Millard, born Jan. 17, 1906, died Jun. 8, 1908

George Hamilton Hayes Family:

Rosa Ethel (Rosie) Coffey, wife of George Hamilton Hayes, born Jan. 15, 1883, died Jan. 2, 1940
Joseph Ransom Hayes, son of George and Rosa, born Sep. 10, 1912, died Feb. 13, 2005

Smith W. Coffey Family:

Smith W. Coffey, born May 1832, died Jan. 11, 1916 in Carter Co., TN, buried in Coffey Cemetery at Shull Mills, NC. Son of Squire and Ella (Alley?) Webb Coffey.
Elizabeth Redmond [sic], wife of Smith, born Jun. 25, 1836, died May 20, 1912

Henry Boone Coffey Family:

Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown, born Sep. 25, 1878, died Jul. 1, 1962, buried at Shulls Mill.

I can be reached at the above e-mail address.

Joseph and Mary Jane Coffey Fitzgerald

Joseph was the son of Moses W. and Mary Ann (Polly) Coffey Fitzgerald of Virginia, and probably Nelson Co. He was born Dec. 31, 1861 and died in Nelson Co. in 1937. He married Mary Jane Coffey, a daughter of Robert Wesley and Elizabeth A. Coffey Coffey on Jan. 4, 1884* in Nelson Co.

I have three children for Joseph and Mary: Minnie, born 1870, died Jun. 8, 1930, married J. Elmer Taylor, born 1900 in Virginia; Leona (Lonie), born 1898, died Mar. 15, 1924 in Nelson Co. She married Arthur N. Fitzgerald; and Nancy B., born 1902, died 1931.

Joe, Mary Jane, Minnie and Nancy are buried in the White Rock Cemetery in Nelson Co.**

Lonie is buried in the Andy Allen Family Cemetery in Nelson Co.***

I am searching for information about this cemetery. I would like to know exactly where it is and perhaps who else from this family is buried there.

Please contact me at the e-mail address above to add to or correct any of this information, or to help with information on the Allen cemetery.




*Nelson Co. Marriage Register, Book 1, Page 55, Line 3: "4 Jan 1884, Josiah Fitzgerald, age 22 yrs., to Mary Jane Coffey, age 18 yrs; parents of groom: Moses and Mary A. Fitzgerald; parents of bride: Wesley R. and Elizabeth Coffey"
**http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/cemeteries/c-whtrk.txt
***http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/va/nelson/cemeteries/c-all01.txt; source indicates that grave is unmarked