“The Cibicu Affair.”

“Lawless Character of the Blood Thirsty Cibicus.”

“Globe Silver Belt:  The actual casualties and losses arising from Indian depredations and conflicts between citizens and Indians are less harmful to the good name and interests of Arizona than are the many exaggerated, and ofttimes [sic] false, reports which emanate from press correspondents and, not infrequently from official sources.  The propensity of the irresponsible correspondent to draw the long bow is so well understood that his alarming statements are usually discounted. The case is different, however, with dispatches bearing the stamp of official authority, for the public has a right to expect reliable information, whereas dispatches from military sources often convey a wrong impression without any intention of being unfair, perhaps.

“Press dispatches of December 12 announce the receipt at the war department, Washington, D. C., and by Adjutant General Ward, at Denver, of telegrams sent by the command officer at Fort Apache, in reference to the killing of the Indian on Cibicu creek, December 5, which, to say the least, contained many inaccuracies and, b asserting that the man who killed the Indian, and two others of the posse, gave themselves up for trial on the charge of killing the Indian, leaves the impression that the officers had committed a criminal act, which is wholly at variance with the facts.

“Deputy Sheriff Benbrook and his three companions were sworn officers, bearing a warrant for the arrest of two Indians regularly indicted by the grand jury of Gila county, on the charge of burglary, and their right to enter the reservation and make the arrest can not be questioned.  They went to Cibicu peaceably, and explained the object of their visit through an interpreter, and, even after the Indians opposed the arrest of the guilty parties the officers attempted to withdraw quietly, without their prisoners, but were prevented by the overt acts of the Indians.  Deputy Voris shot the Indian in self defense, when the latter was in the act of wresting his guy from him, and not until one of the band fired upon the posse.  It was then only a question of self-preservation with the officers, and their escape from a band of forty or fifty murderous Apaches was miraculous.

“The evidence again[s]t the two Indians for whom the officers held the warrants is positive, and the burglary is not denied.  They were caught in the act, with their arms full of plunder.  They had left their guns with their horses, and were surprised by Frank Ketcherside in his cabin, who, with six-shooter in hand, compelled them to disgorge.  Had he killed them then and then [sic] he would have been justified and any jury would have exonerated him.

“The residents of Pleasant [V]alley and vicinity have been wonderfully forbearing with the Cibicu Indians, who have preyed upon the settlers for years, robbing ranches, in the absence of the occupants, and killing citizens’ cattle whenever they wanted meat.  So flagrant have these depredations grown that the business of stockraising in northern Gila county has been practically ruined.  To illustrate how extensive the stealing of cattle by the Cibicu Indians has become:  When Deputy Benbrook and posse were on their way to Cibicu they struck the fresh trail of fifteen or twenty head of cattle which they followed into the Indians’ camp, and the packer with Lieutenant Fenton’s command informed Frank Ketcherside that when they arrived at the Indian’s camp he saw cattle there of the ‘flying V’ brand, going to show the cattle from the vicinity of the Vosburg ranch.

“The recent trouble on Cibicu will not be amiss if it serves to bring to an issue the arrant lawlessness of the White Mountain Apaches. 

---

The last of the newspaper transcriptions for this incident.  See http://tinyurl.com/oepozyg and http://tw.gs/XYT4CV for context.

Next:  John William Voris and Family

---

Source: Arizona Republican. (Phoenix, Ariz.), 25 Dec. 1895, Page 8, Col. 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84020558/1895-12-25/ed-1/seq-8/>

Ernest Arnold & Lucy Jasper Coffey Reichenbach

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

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

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

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

Their children, including those named above were:

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

Robert's obituary:

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

Body Being Brought Here For Services

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

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

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


Additions and corrections welcomed!

     Jack

---

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

[2] California Death Index, 1940-1997

Garnett Odell Dudley & Leona Alberta Plogger Coffey

An obituary in my morning e-mail alerted me to the death of Nancy Virginia Plogger Graves on Oct. 15, 2011 in Roanoke City, VA.  After reading the obituary I learned that Nancy was the sister of Leona Alberta Plogger who married Garnett Coffey in Virginia on Dec. 29, 1944.

The Plogger sisters were two of the children born to Sandy Jackson & Goldie Mae Overhulser Plogger of Rockbridge Co., VA.  Leona was born Nov. 22, 1928 and died Oct. 26, 1999 in Buena Vista, VA.  She and Garnett had at least one child, Randolph Jackson Coffey who married Linda Sue Clark.  Linda died on May 8, 1999 in Lexington, VA and was buried at Collierstown Presbyterian Cemetery in Rockbridge, Co.

Her obituary:

The News-Gazette, Lexington, VA, May 12, 1999

Mrs. Randolph Coffey

Linda Sue Clark Coffey, 48, of Buena Vista died Saturday, May 8, at the University of Virginia Medical Center. 

She was born Aug. 18, 1950, in Rockbridge County, daughter of Nellie Clark Knick and Roy Knick of Buena Vista.  She was married to Randolph Coffey.

In addition to her husband and her parents, she is survived by three daughters, Nancy B. Coffey, Kristi M. Floyd and Elizabeth G. Coffey, all of Buena Vista; a son, Richard W. Coffey of Buena Vista; two brothers, Delmas Clark of Collierstown and Charles McNeil of Buena Vista; a sister, Martha McNeil of Fairfield; and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be held at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, at Harrison's Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Ballard Shepherd.  Burial will follow at Collierstown Presbyterian Cemetery.

Garnett Coffey was the 10th son and last child born to Lafayette Washington and Annie Mariah Ward Coffey who, in total were parents of 14 children.  Garnett was born Jan. 6, 1922 in Rockbridge Co. and died on Dec. 26, 1991, and probably buried at Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista with Leona.

Nancy Virginia's obituary:

Obituary, Roanoke Times, Oct. 18, 2011 

Nancy Virginia Plogger Graves 

Nancy Virginia Plogger Graves, 73, of Lexington, died on Saturday, October 15, 2011, at Heritage Hall. She was born on October 25, 1937, in Rockbridge County, a daughter of the late Sandy Jackson Plogger and Goldie Mae Overhulser. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters, Leona Coffey, Mary Reynolds, Ruby Fluty; and her granddaughter, Kalli Rylie Johnson.  

Mrs. Graves was a member of the Timber Ridge ARP Church. Surviving are her husband, Charles Leo Graves, of Lexington; one son, Charles Eddie Graves and wife, Lori, of Lexington; three daughters, Debbie Mohler and husband, Odie, of Lexington, Margie Koogler and husband, David, of Montpelier, Va., and Donna Johnson and husband, Barry, of Natural Bridge; one brother, Dennis Plogger, of Rockbridge Baths; two sisters, Nellie Graves, of Rockbridge Baths, and Frances Reynolds, of Stuarts Draft; five grandchildren, Heather Mohler, Nicole Koogler Clark and husband, Jonathan, Matthew Mohler and wife, Danielle, Courtney Koogler Gilbert and husband, Jimmy, and Samantha McDougle; three great-grandchildren, Hadleigh, Will, and Alexis; and one stepgreat-grandson, Treyce McCormick.  

A Funeral Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 19, 2011, at Harrison Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Robert Gordon and the Rev William Bearden officiating. Burial will follow at Timber Ridge ARP Cemetery.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Rockbridge Area Hospice, P.O. Box 948, Lexington, VA 24450 or to the Heritage Hall Resident Aid Fund, 205 Houston Street, Lexington, VA 24450. 

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18, 2011, at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington, Va., 540-463-2912.

Sandy Jackson Plogger was a son of Samuel Jackson and Nancy Virginia Hyman Plogger and was born Oct. 25, 1890 in VA, died Mar. 1, 1949.  He and Goldie Mae Overhulser, a daughter of Isaac and Alda Overhulser, born Sep. 23, 1904 in OH, married on Aug. 14, 1928 in Lexington.  She died in Lexington, VA on Dec. 29, 1976.  Both she and Sandy are buried at the New Monmouth Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Lexington.  They lived in the Kerrs Creek area of Lexington.

William Paxton Plogger and Sarah Frances Reid were the parents of Samuel Jackson.  Samuel's sister, Alice Baker Plogger is known to have had at least two children, Rosa Lillie and Reid Franklin, but their father is unknown.  Rosa married John William Riley on Dec. 6, 1906 in Lexington and had a number of children, including Alice Baker Riley on Oct. 17, 1907, who married Harry L. Falls; and Margaret Lee Riley who married Saylor Marshall Coffey.  Saylor was a son of Jacob Morris and Mary Jane Lotts Coffey.  Jacob and Garnett were cousins many times over.

Thomas Franklin Coffey

Thomas was a son of Bartlett "Bart" and Mary Hicks Coffey.  This relatively modern family has been difficult to follow through the census years.  I know that Thomas was born on Mar. 13, 1877 in Buffalo Twp., Caldwell Co. and died in that county in 1942.  He married Mary Kathryn Lingerfelt c1895.  She was born in Dec., 1877 in North Carolina.

I have found them in the 1910 census living in Patterson Twp., Caldwell Co. and Thomas' WW1 draft registration in 1918, but after that...no trace!  I know Thomas' death year from the Caldwell County Register of Deed's website.

There were at least seven children born to their union:

Robert Gaither, born Jul., 1897, married Bertha Lillian Herman.  I know of only one child, Robert Ivey, born 1917, died Jul. 15, 1977.  In 1943, Robert Ivey married Mabel Margaret Lackey, a daughter of Carl and Bertha Ward Lackey.  She was born Feb. 12, 1926 in Caldwell County and died there on Oct. 3, 2005. I know of only two children for them:  Duke Delano, born and died in 1949 and, Robert Anthony, born 1963, died 1977.

Frank Bynum, born 1900, died 1960 in Caldwell Co.

Mattie May, born Jun. 1900.

Henry Columbus, born Oct. 23, 1903, died Jul. 18, 1949 in Catawba Co.  He married Ruth Ann Carter, born Dec. 3, 1904, died Dec. 9, 1994 in Caldwell Co.  They had children:  Annie May, born 1922, died 2009 in Seattle, King Co., WA. Annie May married Kenneth Jefferson Holverstott on Apr. 29, 1950 in King Co.  He was born Oct. 5, 1925 in OR and died in King Co. on Oct. 6, 1982.  Their other children were Lois, Van, Marilyn Miller, Harold Thomas, Gary Cooper, Frances Irene, and Billy Joe, born Mar. 2, 1940, in Caldwell Co., died May 2, 2010 in Burke Co.

Annie Lee.

Cloyd Finley, born Jun. 30, 1912 in Caldwell Co.

Thomas Howard, born 1921 in Caldwell Co.

Please drop me an e-mail if you can fill in the blanks.

Elisha "Lish" and Anna Harmon Moody Coffey

I touched a bit on Elisha and Anna Coffey in the Aldridge & Coffey blog of May 1.  Elisha was a son of Joseph and Isabella Lindsay Coffey and was born c1814 and almost certainly in North Carolina.

Anna was a daughter of Edward and Frances Carter Moody and was born c1814 in NC.  She died before 1880 and probably in Watauga Co.  Elisha appeared in that county's 1880 census as a widower.

There are at least two other sons of Lish and Anna for whom I have very little information.  They were all born early enough to have been strong candidates for service during the Civil War and, may have been killed.  Those sons were Jacob, born c1838 and, DeKalb, born c1839.  Some genealogies that I have seen also names another Levi, born c1844 as their son.

I think the Elisha Coffee [sic] and wife Hannah in the 1850 Watauga Co. census is this couple.  In addition to the parents, there was Levi, age 16; De Calb [sic], age 11 and Mary Cannon, age 7.  I am not certain who Mary Cannon was, but there is at least one Cannon female (not Mary) who married into a Coffey family in Burke Co., NC.

In 1860 Watauga co., Jacob, age 21 appeared with the family.  Another child, May A. Harmon [sic] age 2, was enumerated with the family. Although named as a child of Elisha, it isn't clear to me yet that he was.

The 1870 Watauga co. census shows that May Harmon was then Mary Harmon, age 13.  Except for a black male, age 14, named John Adges [?], the only others in the household were Elisha and Ann.

As mentioned earlier, Elisha appeared as a widower in the 1880 census for Watauga Co.

Levi Lafayette, who appears to be the eldest child of Elisha's, was born May 30, 1833 in Burke Co., and died Feb. 11, 1925 in Watauga Co.  He married "Tempie" Calloway, a daughter of James and Nicey Gragg Calloway, c1859 in Watauga Co.

To them were born at least seven children:

1 - Caroline Lavinia Coffey, born Mar. 6, 1860, died Feb. 13, 1923.  Caroline married her cousin David Nathaniel Coffey c1886.  David and Caroline are mentioned in several blogs.  If you are interested in more about them, search the blog archives [use search window in upper left corner and surround search term with quotes; e.g., "David Nathaniel Coffey."]  You can view a photo of David and read a bit of info about him in this blog.

2 - Joseph DeCalb Coffey, born Jan. 24, 1863 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co., and died there on Dec. 30, 1930.  He married Lutittia [sic] F. Walters, a daughter of Johnathan and Emeline Long Walters, on Apr. 9, 1899 in Watauga Co.  Both are buried at the Byrd Cemetery in Foscoe, Watauga Co.

3 - Judith Coffey, born c1866 - no further information.

4 - Emma Coffey, born Oct. 19, 1869 in Watauga, died Jan. 3, 1938 in Hickory, Catawba Co., NC.  Emma also married a cousin, William M. Coffey c1896.  William was a son of Smith W. and his wife Charity Elizabeth Redmond.

Laurence Coffey gives this name as Elizabeth Baker Redmond, indicating to me that she was probably married previous to her marriage to Smith.  However, in an e-mail to me dated Aug. 23, 2007, Carolyn Curtis wrote this:

"Elizabeth was born 6/25/1836 and died 5/20/1912. She was not married prior to her marriage to Smith Coffey on June 25, 1854 (that was her 18th Birthday). According to the Caldwell County Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, Volume II – January Term 1848, Elizabeth, an orphan child of 11 years of age, was bound to Lucinda Baker (that is where the Baker name originated) until age 18, at which time she was give her freedom, $6.00, a new suit of clothes, a bible and she was to be taught to read and write."


I seem to recall some speculation that Elizabeth was full or part Indian and the Redmond might have something to do with that part of her heritage.  But, that is something that I have not pursued.

Both Charity and Smith are said to be buried in a Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mill.

5 - James Wesley Coffey, born May 2, 1873 in Watauga Co., died in Boone on Dec. 6, 1960.  He married Donnie Brewer c1906.  A subsequent spouse was Callie Ward, born Mar. 30, 1898, daughter of James Ward and Mary Hicks.  Callie died Aug. 25, 1975 in Boone.  They are also said to be buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mill.

6 - Archie E. Coffey, born Mar 23, 1876, died Apr. 11, 1903.  He married Virginia Frances Brown on Sep. 30, 1900.  "Jennie" was a daughter of Samuel Walker and Nancy Jane Joyce Brown.  See the other Levi Lafayette Coffey blog for more.

7 - Oscar Lee Coffey, born Sep. 7, 1878, died Jul. 1, 1977 in Davidson Co., NC.  Oscar married Ollie Belle Calloway, born Mar. 10, 1886 in Watauga Co., died Apr. 23, 1943 in Boone.  She was the daughter of William Henderson Calloway and his wife Almirah M. "Myra" Johnson.  Ollie is buried at Foscoe in the Community Cemetery.  I have not located Oscar's burial site.

I would really love to know if the Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mill is actually known locally by that name and where it is located.

Albert Sampson & Mary E. Johnson Calloway

Albert was a son of Larkin and Sarah Coffey Calloway.  He was born in April, 1846, probably in Watauga Co., NC.  His death date and place is not yet known.  He married Mary E. Johnson c1868.  Mary was born Nov., 1851 and her death date and place is also yet unknown.

Albert and Mary had eight children, four sons and four daughters:

Albert Sampson Calloway Family

- William Clingman Calloway was born Jan. 26, 1870 in Watauga Co. and died Jan. 2, 1954 in that county.  He married Minerva Victori[a?] Aldridge, a daughter of James and Sallie Gragg Aldridge.  Minerva was born Nov. 24, 1874 in Watauga Co. and died there on Oct. 21, 1948.  Both she and William are buried at the Coleman cemetery in Foscoe, Watauga Co.

 - Julius Monroe Calloway, born Mar. 30, 1872 in Watauga Co. and died on Feb. 4, 1951.  He married Sabert "Sabra" Caroline Ward c1928.  Julius died on Feb. 4, 1951 in Shulls Mill, Watauga Co. and Sabert died Dec. 30, 1966 in Avery Co., NC.  After Julius died in 1951, Sabra married Joe Presnell but when she died, her children buried her at Calloway Cemetery in Foscoe with their father.

Julius and Sabra had 13 children:  May Belle, Goldie, Albert Johnson, Ivey June, Mary Sadie, Frank Wesley, William Cling, Stephen Monroe, Denver (died in infancy), Robert James (died at age 17), Norma Jean, Jimmy "J.C." Carol and Wanda Sue.

 - Sarah, born Dec., 1875

 - Ella, born May., 1882

 - Larkin Alberton, born Apr. 1, 1885 in Watauga Co., died Jan. 27, 1960 at Boone.  Larkin married his distant cousin, Nettie Louise Coffey, a daughter of Francis Richmond and Etta May Hayes Coffey.  Their children were DeEtte, born 1914; Nellie M., born 1917, died 1923; MacDonald, born 1919, died 1935 and Claude Coolidge, born 1922.

 - Lilly Jane, born 1887, died 1964, married Robert Eli Long.  I know of one child, Bruce Calloway Long, born 1912 in Watauga Co.  Lillie, and probably Robert as well, is buried at Calloway Cemetery in Foscoe.

 - Sherley Blaine, born Jan. 24, 1890.  He married Nettie G. Byers, born c1895 in NC.  They had children: Asia, born 1915; Mary Alice, born 1917; John Henry, born 1919; Della Mae, born 1921; Wanda Lee, born 1924; and Lola Bell, born 1927, all in Watauga Co.

 - Connie Dora, born Apr. 27, 1893 in Watauga Co., married Walter H. Maupin.  They are thought to have settled in Tennessee after their marriage.

In the photo are, sitting, Mary E. Johnson Calloway, Albert C Sampson Calloway, From left to right 1st row Lillie/Lula J, Connie Dora (in Marys lap), Sherley Blaine 1886 (in Sampson's lap), Larkin Alberton.  Second row left to right: Ella, Julius Monroe, Sarah, and William Clingman. The small picture in the corner under Mary is of Albert Calloway and his Aunt Lillie (the baby in Marys lap) [Photo courtesy of Wendy Calloway Lindsey, Jan., 2010].

Thomas Jefferson Coffey

Thomas Jefferson Coffey was born on Feb. 16, 1805 in Burke Co., NC to Ambrose and Mildred (Millie) Moore Coffey.  He died Nov. 1, 1858 in Brazoria Co., TX and was buried in the Sandy Point Cemetery in that county.

He was married to Malinda Graves Haley on Jul. 17, 1827* in Hinds Co., MS.  Malinda was born Nov. 17, 1808 in TN and died in Brazoria Co. on Dec. 24, 1857.  She is also buried at Sandy Point.  I have wondered if perhaps Malinda had been previously married to a Mr. Haley and, if Graves was her maiden name!?

According to several genealogies that I have seen, Thomas and Malinda were parents to at least eight children.  I have been unable to confirm the first two; America and Eugenia.

Their third child was Minerva who married Thomas Lobdell.  They had at least one child, Henry Lee, born Sep. 5, 1850 and died Aug. 23, 1852 in Brazoria Co.  Henry is buried at Sandy Point.

Their next child ws Aaron, born 1832, died 1912.  Aaron is said to have married Mary Summerville Smith on Mar. 28, 1860 in Galveston Co., TX.  I know of two children:  Julia Summerville Coffey, born Dec. 8, 1864.  She is said to have married a Mr. Ridgeway.  The second child was a daughter, Cassie Kyle.  Aaron died in 1912 and was buried at Pecan Grove Cemetery in McKinney, Collin Co., TX.**

Ellen came after Aaron.  She was born Jun. 17, 1835 in MS and died Apr. 1, 1866*** in Brazoria Co.  She is also buried at Sandy Point.  Ellen married a Mr. Tankersley, and may have been married more than once.

Ambrose, born c1838 and Henry, born Nov. 24, 1840 followed Ellen.  I have no information on Ambrose.  Henry died Nov. 9, 1857 in Brazoria Co. and is buried at Sandy Point.

The last child was Roxanna, born Oct. 28, 1842 in MS and died aug. 22, 1860 in Brazoria Co.  Given her age at time of death, she likely died in child birth.  Her husband was William Ward, born c1838 in AL.  Roxanna is buried at Sandy Point.

I would like to know more about these children and their descendants.  Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.




*Dodd, Jordan, Mississippi Marriages 1826-1900
** Burial & Memorial Locator, Dept. of Vet. Affairs:  COFFEY, AARON      US ARMY  CONFEDERATE STATES DATE OF BIRTH:  1832 DATE OF DEATH: 1912 BURIED AT: PECAN GROVE CEMETERY MCKINNEY, TX 75069 (972) 542-2601
***An inventory of the Sandy Point cemetery can be found at http://files.usgwarchives.org/tx/brazoria/cemetery/sandypt.txt

Levi Lafayette Coffey

Levi Lafayette Coffey was a son of Elisha and Anna Harmon Moody Coffey. He was born May 30, 1833 in Burke Co., NC and died Feb. 11, 1925 in Watauga Co., NC. At the time of death he was a retired farmer.

Temperance (Tempie) Calloway was the daughter of James and Nicey Gragg Calloway, and was born c1844 in North Carolina, and died there in c1890. She and Levi were married c1859.

In 1860 they were in the Valle Crucis district of Watauga Co. With them was their first child, Lavina, age 5 months. They remained in Watauga county through the 1880 census. Tempie apparently died sometime between June 7, 1880 and Jan. 1, 1882 when Levi married his distant cousin, Mary Ella Coffey.

Children of Levi and Tempie were:

Caroline Lavinia, born Mar. 6, 1860 in Watauga Co., died Feb. 13, 1923. She married David Nathaniel Coffey, a son of Austin Coffey and Mary A. Blalock.

Joseph DeKalb, born 1863 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jan. 24, 1939. He married Letitia Walters on Apr. 9, 1899 in Watauga Co. She was born Sep., 1879 in North Carolina and died in Watauga Co. in 1960. Joseph apparently had a wife before Letitia, but she is yet unidentified.

Judith, born c1866 - no further information.

Emma, born Oct. 19, 1869 in Watauga Co., and died in Hickory, Catawba Co. on Jan. 3, 1938. She married William M. Coffey, a son of Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Redmond.

James Wesley, born May 2, 1873 in Watauga Co., and died Dec. 6, 1960 in Boone, Watauga Co. He married Callie Ward, a daughter of James Ward and Mary Hicks. Callie was born Mar. 30, 1898 in Watauga Co., and died there on Aug. 25, 1975. James had also been previously married to Donnie Brewer. She was the daughter of Marvel Brower, and was born Dec. 15, 1883 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 22, 1924.

Archie E., born c1875 in North Carolina and died there on Apr. 11, 1903. He married Virginia Frances (Jennie) Brown on Sep. 30, 1900 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Samuel Walker and Nancy Jane Joyce Brown. Jennie died Jul. 1, 1962 in Taylorsville in Alexander Co., NC. Virginia had been previously married to Leroy Starnes, and after the death of Archie, she married Henry Boone Coffey, a son of Smith and Charity.

[Note: A reader has reported that Leroy Starnes was Jennie's third husband]





A child of Jennie and Archie was Paul Arch Coffey, born Aug. 30, 1902, and died Mar. 25, 1957. He married Margaret Allen Linney on Dec. 6, 1926 in Watauga Co. She was born Apr. 27, 1906 in Boone and died there on un. 10, 1994. Their son, Paul Armfield Coffey married Rachel Ann Rivers, a daughter
of Robert Campbell and Bonnie Jean Lewis Rivers. Rachel's grandfather acquired the Watauga Democrat in 1889, a year after it was founded. Rachel took over the paper in 1975 after the death of her father and sold it in 1999.



Oscar Lee, born Sep. 7, 1878 in North Carolina and died Jul 1, 1977 in Davidson Co., NC. He married Ollie Belle Calloway, a daughter of William Henderson and Almirah M. Johnson Calloway. Ollie was born Mar. 10, 1886 in Watauga Co., and died on Apr. 23, 1943 in North Carolina.

More information is available on the children and their descendants.

According to her death certificate, Mary Ella Coffey was born in 1865 in North Carolina and died on Mar. 27, 1949 at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Smith W. and Charity Elizabeth Baker* Redmond Coffey. She is buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Shulls Mill.

The only child that I have for them is Henry Oliver Coffey, born Jul. 25, 1889. Henry married Zettie Chloe Honeycutt on Mar. 23, 1913 in Watauga Co. She was the daughter of Luke Jackson Honeycutt and Lithia Rotenberry. Luke was born in Alexander Co. in 1860 and died at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co. on Jul 4, 1939. Lithia was born in Mt. Airy, Surry Co., NC in 1860 and died at Shulls Mill on Oct. 7, 1930. Zettie was sister to Ada who married Lee Nelson Coffey, a son of Smith and Charity.

Children of Henry and Zettie were:

Unnamed female, born and died on Dec. 28, 1913

Henry Clay, born Mar. 31, 1916

Mary Helen, born Jan. 30, 1918

Litha Louise, born Jan. 24, 1920

Ruth Odena, born Nov. 25, 1921, died Aug. 27, 1931

Betty Lee, born Jul 26, 1927

Drop me a note at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information. I will also be happy to provide more information on this famiy to anyone who needs it.




*Laurence Coffey gives this name as Elizabeth Baker Redmond, indicating that she was probably married previous to her marriage to Smith. However, in an e-mail dated Aug. 23, 2007, a family researcher wrote this to me:

"Elizabeth was born 6/25/1836 and died 5/20/1912. She was not married prior to her marriage to Smith Coffey on June 25, 1854 (that was her 18th Birthday). According to the Caldwell County Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, Volume II – January Term 1848, Elizabeth, an orphan child of 11 years of age, was bound to Lucinda Baker (that is where the Baker name originated) until age 18, at which time she was give[n] her freedom, $6.00, a new suit of clothes, a bible and she was to be taught to read and write."

Another reader has recently informed me that "She was also a Cherokee. We never learned her Native-American name. "Chariety" which is from her headstone) is the only nickname we know of. (Sounds a lot like Cherokee) Redmond or Redman could refer to "a red Man" (Indian) this , of course, is family speculation. She needed a Surname for marriage."

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.