Sheridan L. "Sherd" & Sarah "Sally" Coffey Dobbs

Readers can find earlier blogs about this family here and here.

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Photo courtesy of Darryl Dobbs

Photo:  Benjamin Franklin Coffey was a son of Nelson and Keziah and married Martha Cecilia Dobbs, daughter of George Washington and Lurany Strunk Dobbs.  Thomas "Tom" Dobbs, was Sherd and Sally's son and married Julia Jones.  The others are discussed more fully below.  The photo is said to have been taken c1920.  However, Luraney died before 1910 and her child Roxy was born c1901.  I suspect it was taken in the Spring or early Summer of 1902.

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Short recap:

Sheridan L. "Sherd" Dobbs was born Sep. 4, 1844 in Wayne Co., KY to George Washington and Lurany H. Strunk Dobbbs.  He married Sarah "Sally" Coffey, born c1846 in KY, c1869.  Sally was a daughter of Nelson N. & Keziah "Kizzie" Watters Coffey.  Sally died Jan. 23, 1910 in McCreary Co., KY and Sherd died there on Dec. 17, 1941.  Both are buried in the Dobbs family cemetery in Stearns, McCreary Co.*

Their children, as I have them, were Benjamin Franklin, born ca Feb. 1870; Ollie, a daughter, born c1872; Emeline, born c1874; Angelina, born Nov. 7, 1876, died Jan. 29, 1958; Thomas, born Dec. 14, 1877, died Sep. 6, 1950, and Eli, born Nov., 1881.

Benjamin married Luraney Coffey, his mothers niece and a daughter of Henry Baker and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs Coffey.  Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs and Sherd Dobbs were sister and brother, making Benjamin and Luraney double first cousins.

Luraney died before the 1910 census and probably at the birth of her fourth child.  Their children were Alice, born c1898, Roxie, born c1901, Florida, born Aug. 19, 1903, died Apr. 5, 1963 in Fayette Co., KY, and Esther Loraine, born Feb. 14, 1910, died Oct. 7, 1911.  Florida married Edgar Dobbs, her 4x second cousin.  Edgar was the son of Joseph and Polly Ann Coffey Dobbs.  Joseph was a son of James Shelby "Jim Frett" and Prudence Ann "Prudie" Coffey Dobbs.  Jim Frett and Sherd Dobbs were brothers.  Polly Ann Coffey was a daughter of Joseph & Louisa J. Jones Coffey, and Joseph was brother to Prudence.

Esther Loraine died at the age of 1 year, 7 mos., and 23 days.  Her death certificate lists "cause unknown."  She is buried at Rock Creek in Wayne Co.

I have no information on Ollie and Emeline Dobbs.

Angelina also married a Coffey.  He was James C. "Jim" Coffey, born Jun. 6, 1879 to Richard Henderson & Catherine C. Jones Coffey.  Richard was brother to Sarah "Sally" Coffey who married Sherd Dobbs.  Catherine, born Mar. 27, 1840 in Wayne Co., was a daughter of William McKinley and Mary Jane "Polly" Baker Jones.  Catherine died in McCreary Co. on Oct. 16, 1901; Richard on Aug. 6, 1920.

Jim and Angelina had at least eight children:  Twins, Ollie and India, born Dec. 7, 1903; Saphronia Katherine, Apr. 7, 1906; Marie, Aug. 31, 1910; James Beecher, born Mar. 8, 1911; Roberta, born May 7, 1913; Raymond R., born Jan. 29, 1915 and Lillie, born c1918.  More information is available on these children.

Thomas Dobbs married Julia Jones, thought to be a daughter of Charlie and Lizzie Jones.  She was born in Slavans, McCreary Co. on Feb. 19, 1879 and died in Cooperative, McCreary Co. on Feb. 21, 1940.  Thomas and Julia are buried at the James C. Coffey family cemetery in Stearns.  Their children were Lillie, born 1910, Parker, born 1913, Ester, born 1918, Dora, born 1920 and Edith, born 1929.  More info is also available on these children.

Sherd and Sally's last child was Eli, born Nov., 1881.  No death info has been found for him or his wife Lettie, maiden name unknown.  They had children Willer, born c1913, Austin, born c1918, Arthur, born 1920, Myrtle, born c1925 and Clifford, born c1929.  This family went to Florida sometime between 1920 and 1925 because the last two children were born in that state.

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*Please contact me if you have geocoordinates for this cemetery.

Perkins & Coffey in Kentucky

Lewis Perkins married Rhoda "Rodie" Coffey, the daughter of Nelson N. and Keziah Watters Coffey, c1861 and probably in Wayne Co., KY.

They had:

Louvenia, born c1863
Nelson, born c1864
William, born c1866
Rachel, born Nov., 1873, married Elisha Slaven
John M., born Jan., 1876, married Gertrude Toby

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James B. Perkins married Nancy Rue Coffey on Aug. 1, 1859 in Wayne Co.

They had:

Rebecca, born 1859
Minerva Jane, born 1862
Sally, born 1865
William, born 1866
Keziah E., born 1868
Fannie B., born 1871
James Z. (?), born 1873
Hardin, born 1873
Mary A., born 1875
Elijah, born 1891; Louis, born 1881 (twins)
Nettie, born unk., died 1943 Monticello, Wayne Co.
Kizzie, born unk., died 1948, Nicholasville, Jessamine Co., KY

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A William Perkins, born in Mar., 1866 in KY married Nancy, last name unknown, c1888 in KY, probably Wayne Co.  Nancy was born in KY in Apr., 1870.

They had (at least two):

Sallie O., born Nov. 9, 1888, married Obie Alexander
Linnie, born Feb., 1891 in Wayne Co.

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My question to readers:  Is this last William either of the first two?

Henry S. & Sarah “Sallie” Coffey Roberts

Sallie was a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth “Betty” Watters Coffey.  Lewis was a son of James and Sarah Emeline Sumpter Coffey.  Sallie was born Mar. 17, 1834 in Pulaski Co.

Henry, in the 1900 census for the Sinking Pct., Wayne Co., KY tells us that he was born in Apr., 1832 in North Carolina.  The census also tell us that he and Sallie had been married for 43 years and that Sallie was the mother of eight children, seven still living.  Unconfirmed sources tell me that their marriage date was Dec. 3, 1856 in Wayne Co.

In 1860, the first census after their marriage, the family received mail at the Monticello Post Office in Wayne Co.  Two children had been born:  Lewis, c1858 and Jesse, c1860.  In 1870 they were enumerated in the Texas District of Pulaski Co.  Lewis was then 12 and Jesse was 10.  In the interim, four additional children had been born:  Manassas, age 8 (born Dec. 1, 1861 in Pulaski Co.); Silas, age 5 (born Sep. 4, 1864); Elijah, age 3 (born c1867) and James, age 6 mos.  It was sometime after the birth of Manassas that the family moved back to Wayne Co. where they lived out the remainder of their lives.

When the census was taken in 1880, the family consisted of mother and father a children Silas, age 16; Elijah, age 12; James C., age 10; Thomas F., age 8; and Williams S., age 3.  Also in the household was Jane Clark, a 22-year old servant girl and her son, William, age 1 mo., all born in KY.

By 1880, the three oldest sons, Lewis, Jesse and Manassas had taken brides.  Lewis and Jesse lived close to their parents with their wives and young children.  Lewis married a young woman by the name of Rebecca and they had one child in 1880, a daughter named Eliza.  Jesse married c1880 to a young woman named Emma who shortly had a son, Tilford.  About the same year, Manassas married Hettie Godsey and they also lived nearby.  Their first child, Sarah came on Jan. 22, 1882; the second that I know of was William, date of birth unknown, died in Ritner, Wayne Co. in 1948.

Hettie Godsey was a daughter of Zebulon and Mahala Jane Thompson and was born Aug. 13, 1862.  Her sister Ruth was born in Nov., 1864 and married Marion Sellers c1885 in KY.  One of Ruth’s children, Ollie Sellers, born Jan. 31, 1898 in Whitley, Pulaski Co., married John William Coffey, a son of James Shelby and Melissa Malvina Holloway Coffey.  James Shelby Coffey was Lewis Coffey’s nephew and also a double-fourth cousin.

By 1900, Henry and Ruth were up in age and the only child remaining at home was Thomas, age 28.

Henry’s headstone in the Martha Coffey cemetery near Ritner tells us that he died on Jun. 1, 1909.  However, he appeared in the Ritner, Wayne Co. census taken on May 10, 1910.  He was 78 then and reported that he had been twice married.  Sally was 76 and 53 years into her first marriage.  Henry was 24 when he and Sarah were married.  Since young men tended to marry by age 20 it seems likely that he had been previously married but, outside this census I have found nothing to substantiate that.

Sarah died on Sep. 8, 1923 in McCreary Co., KY and was buried the next day in the Martha Coffey cemetery.  I have not found her in the 1920 census.

Silas, born Sep. 4, 1864, died Oct. 7, 1937 in Kidder, Wayne Co. and was buried at Martha Coffey Cemetery.

Elijah, born c1868, died in Wayne Co. in 1937.

Thomas was born Feb. 23, 1872 and died Jul. 20, 1956 in Wayne Co.  He is also buried at Martha Coffey Cemetery.

William was born Apr. 17, 1877 and died Jul. 17, 1962 in Wayne Co.  Like the others, he is also at Martha Coffey Cemetery.

I have found nothing about James C. since his appearance in the 1880 census.

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This cemetery is difficult to locate.  It is near Ritner and off the Jones Hollow Road at a fork with a gravel road.  I am told there is a cemetery sign at the fork.

My thanks to Theresa/Thunderbird584 at Find-A-Grave (FAG) for locating this cemetery and providing researchers with headstone photos.

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I do not believe the "search also for" function at the very bottom of each blog is working properly. I suggest using the upper right search window and enclose your search terms in quotes; e.g., "Sumpter"

Aaron & Susan Chrisman Barrier

Aaron and Susan of Wayne Co., KY had at least three children that eventually married into the Coffey family of that county.

The first was Richard, born Dec. 17, 1822, died Oct. 4, 1907 in Wayne Co.  Richard married Permelia Ann Loveall on Nov. 4, 1842.  Permelia was born May 7, 1826 in Wayne Co., and died there on Mar. 17, 1889.  Their daughter, Sarah Margaret Barrier was born Jan. 14, 1844 and died in Oil Valley, Wayne Co. on Dec. 2, 1932.

Sarah married James Nelson Coffey, a son of Nelson N. and Keziah "Kizzie" Watters Coffey.  James was born Mar. 23, 1835, perhaps in Eadsville, Wayne Co.  He died Feb. 20, 1915 in Oil Valley.  He and Sarah were married on May 9, 1861.  Both are buried at the Ingram Cemetery in Monticello, Wayne Co.

Sarah gave birth to at least 12 children:

Jane, born 1862, died 1927 in Wayne Co.,  Married Emerson Lafayette Foster on Jan. 15, 1885.  He was born May 11, 1863, died Apr. 21, 1937.  They too are buried at Ingram Cemetery.

Nelson C., born 1864, died 1934.  He married Sarah Emerine Worley, daughter of Willis and Rachel Jones Worley.  She was born Jan. 4, 1867 and died Oct. 10, 1957.  Both are buried at Ingram.  Children were: Rachel, Emmerine, James Nelson, Albert, Wilbern, Alice, Sarah Margaret and Kizzie Elizabeth.

Richard, born Apr., 1865, died Mar. 12, 1958.  He married Roseanna Foster c1889 in KY.  She was born in Aug., 1866 and died May 27, 1958 in Wayne Co.  Their children were Thomas, Martha L., Bertie, and Oliver.

Next in 1866 was Keziah.  No further information.

Amelia, born Mar. 15, 1868, died Jan. 24, 1943.  She apparently died unmarried and is buried at Ingram.

Henderson, born Oct., 1870, died Jan. 31, 1960.  He married Margaret Coffey, a daughter of Richard Henderson and Catherine C. Jones Coffey on Feb. 27, 1902.  Margaret was born Nov. 6, 1870 and died on Nov. 9, 1946.  They are also buried at Ingram.  Their children were Ida, Garnett, Walter, Lexie and Everett.

Pruda, born Mar. 15, 1873, died Jan. 14, 1965 in Monticello.  She married Calvin Koger, son of John and Elizabeth Gregory Koger on Apr. 7, 1898.  Both are buried at Ingram.  Children were Elbert G., Indie, Mack (?), Edgar and Fronia.

Adinna, born Jan. 24, 1876, married Cooper Burnett on Dec. 30, 1903.  No further information.

Mary Melvina, born Jun. 22, 1878, died Nov. 18, 1947, married John D. Cooper on Jan. 11, 1900 in Wayne Co.  John is buried at Ingram.  Best info I have on Mary is that she was buried at Oil Valley.  Children were Stella P. and Wilfred F.

Nancy, born Mar., 4 1881. No further information.

Burl, born Jan. 14, 1884, died May 15, 1971.  He married Camely Steele on Mar. 7, 1903.  She was the daughter of John M. and Eliza Steele and was born Dec., 1884.  Both are buried at Elk Spring Cemetery in Monticello.  Children were Mabel, Earnie, Oscar, Mayme, Mary Jane, Leslie, Frederic, Woodroe, Dortha, and Shoff G.

The last child was Susanna who married John Messer.  No further information.

Another of Aaron and Susan's children was Rachael, born c1824.  She married John Coffey, a son of James and Sarah Emerline Sumpter Coffey on Jan. 28, 1848 in Wayne Co.  Their children were Sarah Jane, Elizabeth, Shelby "Shelly," James A., Joseph and Francis M.

The third of Aaron and Susan's children to figure into the Coffey families of Wayne Co. was Elizabeth, born c1830.  She married Josiah Dodson c1850 in Wayne Co.  Their daughter Susan Ann, born Apr., 1855, married Leander T. Denney c1880.  Leander was born to Cyrus and Betsey Littrell Denney on Jan. 2, 1857 in Wayne Co.  He and Susan had several children including Lottie Susan Denney who married Albert Coffey.

Albert was another son of Nelson and Sarah Emerine Worley Coffey.  He was born Apr. 7, 1891 in Wayne Co. and died on Nov. 13, 1966 in Cincinnati, Hamilton Co., OH.  Lottie was born Nov. 11, 1893 and died in Cincinnati on May 7, 1969.  Their children were Earl Edison, Roy Lee, Clarence Nelson, James C., Ruby, James O'Dell, Wendell Albert, Susie O., Milus (?) E., Sarah Doris, Wallace Ernest and Ann M.

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I have some descendants of most of their children and, of course, their ancestors.  Drop me a note to add to or correct any of this information.

Note:  I have seen references to Ingram Cemetery as Ingram-Coffey and Ingram-Vickery-Goddard Cemetery.  It is located about 5 miles SE of Monticello on the Ingram Coffey Cemetery Road.  A map link is included below.

Sheridan L. "Sherd" Dobbs & Sarah "Sally" Coffey

Sherd Dobbs

Sarah Coffey Dobbs

Sherd Dobbs was born Sep. 4, 1844 in Wayne Co., KY and died in McCreary Co. on Dec. 17, 1941.  He and Sarah Coffey were married and were parents of at least four children.  Sarah was the daughter of Nelson N. and Keziah "Kizzie" Watters.  She was born c1846 in Wayne Co., and died Jan. 23, 1910 in McCreary Co.

Their children were:

Benjamin Franklin, born about Feb., 1870, married Luraney Coffey, born c1878 to Henry Baker and Sarah Elizabeth Dobbs Coffey.  Sarah Elizabeth was sister to Sherd and therefore, an aunt to Benjamin and, Benjamin a double first cousin to Luraney.

Ben and Luraney's children were:

Alice, born c1898; Katie (or Roxie?), born c1901; Florida, born Aug. 19, 1903 in Wayne Co., died Apr. 5, 1963 in Fayette Co., KY.  Florida kept it in the family and married Edgar Dobbs, Benjamin's triple first cousin, once removed and double sixth cousin, once removed.  Edgar's parents were Joseph Dobbs and Polly Ann Coffey, a daughter of Joseph and Louisa J. Jones Coffey.  I know of one child born to Edgar and Florida, a son Howard, born 1927, died Dec. 21, 1984 in Pulaski Co.  The last Ben-Luraney child that I am aware of was Ester Loraine, born Feb. 14, 1910, died Oct. 7, 1911.

Eli Dobbs

Eli, born c1872, married c1912 to Lettie (LNU), born c1894. Their children were Willer, born c1913; Austin, born c1918; Arthur, born c1920; Myrtle, born c1925 and Clifford, born c1929. Myrtle and Clifford may have been born in Florida.

Angelina, born Nov. 7, 1876 in Wayne Co., died Jan. 28, 1958 in McCreary Co. She married on Dec. 20, 1900 James C. "Jim" Coffey, born Jun. 6, 1879 in Wayne Co. Jim was the son of Richard Henderson and Catherine C. Jones Coffey. Jim and Angelina were first cousins; his father was her uncle.

Angelina and Jim were parents to at least eight children:

James Beecher Coffey

Ollie, born Oct. 16, 1901, Wayne Co., died Jan. 4, 1988 in McCreary Co.; India, born Dec. 7, 1902 in Wayne Co., died Jan. 1, 1987 in Kentucky; Saphronia Katherine "Frona" born Apr. 7, 1906 in Wayne Co., died Oct. 6, 1978 in McCreary Co.  She married George Washington Worley, born Mar. 11, 1901 in Wayne Co., died Jul. 24, 1974 in Scott Co., TN.  Their children known to me were Lona, Carrie and Lonzo.  Following Saphronia was Marie, born Aug. 31, 1910, died Apr. 11, 1976; James Beecher, born Mar. 8, 1911 in Wayne Co., died Aug. 6, 1971 in Kentucky.  He married Anna Young on Dec. 23, 1940 in McCreary Co.  Roberta, born May 7, 1913, died Mar. 22, 1914, McCreary Co.; Raymond R., born Jan. 29, 1915 in McCreary Co., died Oct. 15, 1937 in Danville, Boyle Co.; and finally, Lillie, born c1918 in Kentucky.

Thomas was the last child that I am aware of that was born to Sherd and Sally.  He was born Dec. 14, 1877 in TN and died Sep. 6, 1950 in Cooperative, McCreary Co., KY.  He married Julia Jones, a daughter of Charlie and Lizzie Jones, on Jan. 28, 1900.  Julia was born Feb. 19, 1879 in Slavans, McCreary Co., and died Feb. 21, 1940 in Cooperative.

Their children were:

Lillie, born Nov. 20, 1910 in Whitley Co., died Sep. 19, 2000 in Stearns, McCreary Co.  Lillie married  John Herbert Coffey, a son of Reuben and Mary Alice Vaughn Coffey on Nov. 23, 1933 in McCreary Co.  Lillie and Reuben were first cousins, once removed and second cousin to here husband, John Herbert.  I know of one child for Lillie, a son Dallas, born Nov. 1, 1944, died Oct. 4, 1947.

Following Lillie was Parker, born Jul. 10, 1913 in McCreary Co.  No further info.

Ester was next.  She was born Sep. 4, 1918 in McCreary Co., died Nov. 24, 2003 in KY.  She continued the family tradition by marrying Sterling E. Coffey, another son of Reuben and Mary Alive Vaughn Coffey.

The fourth child of Thomas and Julia was another daughter whose name I believe to also be Ester, or Dora Ester and have possibly confused the same child as two different people.  Whether or not they are the same, Dora Ester married Clyde Estill Coffey, still another son of Reuben and Mary Alice Vaughn Coffey.  Clyde was born Dec. 26, 1918 and died Dec. 22, 1968 in McCreary Co.  He and Dora were married on Jun. 11, 1941 in Stearns.

I plan to further check the "case of the two Esters."

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Unless otherwise indicated, photos are courtesy of Theresa/Thunderbird584

Lewis Coffey, Jr.

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

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

I have found at least eight children for them:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eligah Columbus & Vina Jane Keith Coffey

Updated Nov. 28, 2010

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


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

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


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


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

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


These are the children of Elijah and Vina:

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


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


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


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


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


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


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


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

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


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

Benjamin Franklin & Martha Cecelia Dobbs Coffey

Benjamin was born Feb. 10, 1851 in Wayne Co., KY to Nelson N. & Kissie Watters Coffey. His wife, Martha Cecelia Dobbs, was born Mar. 18, 1850 in Wayne Co. to George Washington & Lurany H. Strunk Dobbs. They were married on Dec. 5, 1872 in Whitley Co., KY.

Martha Cecelia Dobbs Coffey with unidentified grandchildren
Photo Courtesy Charles Gilbreath 

Benjamin died of nephritis on on Apr. 6, 1918 in McCreary Co. and is buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Yamacraw. Martha died there of pneumonia on Mar. 5, 1938 and is also buried in the Coffey cemetery.

Their children were:

Nelson, born c1874

Benjamin, Jr., born Wayne Co. on Feb. 16, 1876, died McCreary Co. on Nov. 15, 1855. He married Sallie Belle [?] [May?] Clark on Nov. 11, 1902 in Kentucky. Both are buried in the Coffey cemetery. They were parents of at least 11 children. Some additional information is available.

Tolbert Nelson, born Feb. 5, 1878, died Jul. 15, 1907. He married Sarah Roberts c1899 in Wayne Co. After Tolbert died, Sarah married Andrew Cader Worley on Feb. 9, 1914.

Nettie, born Jun. 10, 1881, died Feb. 20, 1973 in McCreary Co. She married George Phillips on Jan. 24, 1906. He was born c1884 in Wayne Co., and died Jul. 25, 1974 in McCreary Co.

L. Henderson, born Mar. 29, 1886 in Kentucky, died Jan. 5, 1909 in McCreary Co. He married Alice Sims Clark c1905 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of Henry and Rebecca Morrow Clark, born Dec. 5, 1887 in Kentucky, doed Oct. 26, 1979 in Wayne Co. She married second to Alex Blane Tucker in Jan., 1911.

America Florence, born Mar. 11, 1889 in Wayne Co., died Nov. 29, 1993 in Stearns, McCreary Co. Her husband was Sherman L. Corder, born c1891 in Kentucky, died Dec. 25, 1981 in McCreary Co. They were married c1922.

Maggie, born 1893, married James E. Keith.

James Perke, born Aug. 24, 1895 in McCreary Co., and died there on Feb. 14, 1929. He married Clara May Correll, a daughter of William and Rose M. Simpson Correll. They were married Jan. 16, 1924. Both are buried in the Coffey Cemetery at Yamacraw.  Clara died on Sep. 25, 1995 in Sidney, Shelby Co., OH.

Contact me for additional information on ancestors and descendants of this family or, to make corrections.

Benjamin Franklin Coffey (KY 1851 - KY 1918)

Benjamin Franklin Coffey, Jr. was the son of Ben, Sr. and Martha Lorilla Dobbs. Ben, Sr. was born Feb. 10, 1851 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY and died in McCreary Co., KY on Apr. 6, 1918. Martha was born Mar. 18, 1850 in Wayne Co., and died in McCreary Co. on Mar. 5, 1938. Ben, Sr. was a son of Nelson and Keziah Watters Coffey.

1. Benjamin Franklin COFFEY was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Feb 10, 1851. He died on Apr 6, 1918 in McCreary Co., KY.

Benjamin Franklin COFFEY and Martha Lorilla DOBBS were married on Dec 5, 1872 in Whitley Co., KY. They appeared in the census on Jun 22, 1880 in Wayne Co., KY.1 Martha Lorilla DOBBS was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 18, 1850. She appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY as a widow.2 Martha died on Mar 5, 1938 in McCreary Co., KY. Benjamin and Martha had the following children:

i. Nelson COFFEY was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY about 1874.
2 ii. Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr., born on Feb 16, 1876, Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY; married Sallie Belle CLARK, on Nov 11, 1902, KY.
3 iii. Tolbert M. COFFEY, born on Feb 5, 1878, Wayne Co., KY; married Sarah LNU, about 1899, Wayne Co., KY.
4 iv. Nettie COFFEY, born on Jun 10, 1881, Kentucky; married George PHILLIPS, on Jan 24, 1906, Kentucky; died on Feb 20, 1973, McCreary Co., KY.
v. Gertie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1883, and died about 1886 in KY.
5 vi. Henderson COFFEY, born on Mar 29, 1886, Kentucky; married Alice CLARK; died on Jan 5, 1909, KY.
6 vii. America COFFEY, born on Mar 11, 1890, Wayne Co., KY; married Litten KEITH; died on Nov 29, 1993, KY.
7 viii. Maggie COFFEY, born in 1893, Kentucky; married James KEITH.
8 ix. James Perkins COFFEY, born on Aug 24, 1896, Kentucky; married Clara CORRELL, on Jan 16, 1924, Kentucky; died on Feb 14, 1929, KY.


Second Generation

2. Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr. (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY on Feb 16, 1876.

Benjamin F. COFFEY Jr. and Sallie Belle CLARK were married on Nov 11, 1902 in Kentucky. They appeared in the census on Jan 17, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY,3 and the census on Apr 3, 1930 in McCreary Co., KY.4 Sallie Belle CLARK was born in Kentucky on May 3, 1884, and died on Nov 20, 1966 in McCreary Co., KY. Benjamin Jr. and Sallie had the following children:

i. Martha COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1905.
ii. Benjamin Franklin COFFEY Jr. was born in Kentucky about 1907.
9 iii. Rebecca F. COFFEY, born on Sep 12, 1908, Wayne Co., KY; married John H. COFFEY, on Nov 15, 1928, McCreary Co., KY; died on Aug 9, 2000, McCreary Co., KY. John was the son of William and Laura Belle Jones Coffey.
iv. Tony M. COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1911.
v. Leroy COFFEY was born in North Carolina about 1913.
vi. Henry O. (A.?) COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1914.
vii. James H. COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1917.
viii. Dovie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1920.
ix. Delphia COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1926.
x. Vianie COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1927.
xi. Grover COFFEY was born in Kentucky about 1928.

3. Tolbert M. COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Feb 5, 1878.

Tolbert M. COFFEY and Sarah LNU were married about 1899 in Wayne Co., KY. They appeared in the census on Jun 14, 1900 in Wayne Co., KY.5 Sarah LNU was born in Kentucky in Jan 1883. Tolbert M. COFFEY and Sarah LNU had the following children:

i. Martha COFFEY was born in Wayne Co., KY in Oct 1899.

4. Nettie COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Jun 10, 1881. She died on Feb 20, 1973 in McCreary Co., KY.

Nettie COFFEY and George PHILLIPS were married on Jan 24, 1906 in Kentucky. They appeared in the census on May 2, 1910 in Wayne Co., KY,6 and in the census on Mar 10, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY.7 George PHILLIPS was born in Wayne Co., KY about 1884, and died on Jul 25, 1974 in McCreary Co., KY. Nettie COFFEY and George PHILLIPS had the following children:

i. Flonnie PHILLIPS was born in Kentucky on Oct 22, 1906.
ii. Mattie PHILLIPS was born in Whitley Co., KY on Aug 13, 1908.
iii. Otto PHILLIPS was born in Whitley Co., KY on Jul 3, 1910.

5. Henderson COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Mar 29, 1886, and died on Jan 5, 1909 in Kentucky.

Henderson COFFEY and Alice CLARK were married. Alice CLARK [Still being researched]


6. America COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 11, 1890, and died on Nov 29, 1993 in Kentucky.

America COFFEY and Litten KEITH were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 16, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY.8 Litten KEITH was born in Kentucky about 1891.


7. Maggie COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky in 1893.

Maggie COFFEY and James KEITH were married. They appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in McCreary Co., KY in the household with Maggie's widowed mother. James KEITH was born in Kentucky about 1887.


8. James Perkins COFFEY (Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Kentucky on Aug 24, 1896. He appeared in the census on Jan 15, 1920 in Slavans, McCreary Co., KY as a single man in the household with his widowed mother. He died on Feb 14, 1929 in Kentucky.

James Perkins COFFEY and Clara CORRELL were married on Jan 16, 1924 in Kentucky. Clara CORRELL was born in Kentucky in 1905, and died on Sep 25, 1995.




Third Generation

9. Rebecca F. COFFEY (Benjamin F.-2, Benjamin Franklin-1) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Sep 12, 1908, and died on Aug 9, 2000 in McCreary Co., KY.

Rebecca F. COFFEY and John H. COFFEY were married on Nov 15, 1928 in McCreary Co., KY. John H. COFFEY (son of William COFFEY and Laura Belle JONES) was born in Wayne Co., KY on Mar 29, 1910. He died on Oct 1, 2002 in McCreary Co., KY.

Sources

1. United States Federal Census for years indicated. 1880 Wayne Co., Dist. 5, ED110, Page 24, dwelling/family 212, Coffey, Benjamin F., white male, age 29, married, farmer, born KY, father born NC, mother born KY; Martha Z., white female, age 30, wife, married, keeping house, born KY, father born KY, mother born NC; Nelson, white male, age 6, son, single, born KY, parents born KY; Benjamin F., white male, age 4, son, single, born KY, parents born KY; Bonapart, white male, age 2, son, single, born KY, parents born KY.
2. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans, Dist 179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 29, Coffey, Martha, head, female, white, age 69, widow, born KY, parents born KY; James, son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Keith, James, son-in-law, male, white, age 33, married, born KY, parents born KY, farm laborer; Keith, Maggie, dau., female, white, age 26, married, born KY, parents born KY.
3. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans Twp., ED179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 30, Coffey, Benjamine F., head, male, white, age 43, married, born KY, parents born KY, coal miner; Sally B.,wife, female, white, age 36, married, born KY, parents born KY; Martha, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Benjamine F., son, male, white, age 13, single, born KY; Rececca F., dau., female, white, age 11, single, born KY; Tony M., dau., female, white, age 9, born KY; Lee R. [sic], son, male, white, age 7, born KY; Henry A., son, male, white, age 5, born KY;James H., son, male, white, age 3 yrs., 5 mos.
4. Ibid., 1930 McCreary Co., Whitehead Twp., ED6, Sheet 2A, Wolf Creek Road, dwelling/family 19, Coffey, Benjamin F., head, male, white, age 54, married at age 26, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sallie B., wife, female, white, age 44, married at age 17, born KY, parents born KY; Benjamin F., son, male, white, age 23, single, born KY; Tony M., dau., female, white, age 19, single, born KY; Leroy, son, male, white, age 17, single, born KY; Henry O., son, male, white, age 16, single, born KY; James, son, male, white, age 13, born KY; Docie, dau., female,white, age 10, born KY; Dorothy, dau., female, white, age 7, born KY; Delphia, dau., female, white, age 4 [?], born KY; Vianie, dau., female, white, age 3, born KY; Grover, son, male, white, age [?], born KY.
5. Ibid., 1900 Wayne Co., Pct. 6, ED130, Sheet 9B, dwelling 162, family 163, Coffey, Talbert [sic], head, white male, born Feb. 1878, age 22, married 1 yr., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Sarah, wife, white female, born Jan. [?], 1883, age 17, married 1 yr., born KY, parents born KY; Marthy, dau., white female, born Oct. 1899, age 7 mos., born KY.
6. Ibid., 1910 Wayne Co., Rock Creek Pct., ED229, Sheet 3B, dwelling 97, family 101, Philips, George, head, male, white, age 25, married once for 4 yrs., born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Nettie, wife, female, white, age 24, married once for 4 yrs., born KY, parents born KY; Flonnie, dau., female, white, age 3, born KY; Mattie, dau., ffemale, white, age 1 yr., 4 mos. [Census is light and difficult to read].
7. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., White Head Pct., ED178, Sheet 1A, Alum Creek Road, dwelling/family 4, Phillips, George, head, male, white, age 36, married born KY, parents born KY, farmer; Nettie, wife, female, white, age 40, married, born KY, parents born KY; Flonna, dau., female, white, age 14, single, born KY; Mattie, dau., female,whtie, age 12, single, born KY; Otto, son, male, white, age 9, single, born KY.
8. Ibid., 1920 McCreary Co., Slavans, Pct. 16, ED179, Sheet 2B, dwelling/family 31, Keith, Litten, head, male, white, age 28, married, born KY, parents born KY, farmer; America, wife, female, white, age 29, married, born KY, parents born KY.

Please send additions and/or corrections to me at the e-mail address below.

Henderson Coffey

Henderson was not too popular a name in some Coffey families. I think there are four or five with that name in my files. Many Coffey families were not too imaginative when it came time to name a child. Of course, some families ventured outside the norm and named their daughers something other than Sarah, Elizabeth, Jane, Margaret or Martha. Boys fared somewhat better, but it's often difficult to find a Coffey family without a James, Jesse, John, Benjamin or Joseph.

I've often wondered how it must have been in town on Saturday when everone came out of the woods to do their weekly shopping, or to attend church on Sunday. It must have been as difficult for the preachers and store keepers to keep everyone straight in their minds as it is for us today. I suppose that's how nicknames such as "Black Tom," and "Red Eye" evolved.

My paternal grandmother had three male first cousins with the same surname and all named Jesse. To keep them separate, the family referred to them as "Wild Jess", "Black Jess," and "Cripple Jess," who had been injured in a sawmill accident.

Nicknames were a convenient way for everyone to sort out men with the same name. Still it must have been a problem with many of the women having one of the more popular nicknames such as Halie, Mattie, Polly, and Molly!

Back to Henderson: He was a son of Nelson and Keziah Watters Coffey, born c1844 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., KY. He married Catherine C. Jones on Nov. 25, 1867 in Wayne Co. Catherine was the daughter of William McKinley and Mary Jane (Polly) Baker Jones. She was born Mar. 27, 1840 in Wayne Co., and died Oct. 16, 1901 in McCreary Co., KY. I do not have a death date for Henderson.

Catherine bore at least six children:

Mary Ann (Polly), born c1868, died Jun. 2, 1944. She married Elisha E. Roberts on Mar. 12, 1891 in Kentucky. He was born in Wayne Co. in 1856, and died Apr. 29, 1947 in that county. Polly also died in Wayne Co. on Jun. 2, 1944. I have no children for them.

Kizzie, born Sep. 17, 1869 in Eadsville, Wayne Co., died Oct. 2, 1959 in McCreary Co. She married John Coffey, son of Shelby and Sarah "Sally" Perkins.

Margaret, third child and third daughter of Henderson and Catherine, married a Henderson Coffey whose first name may have been Richard. They were married on Feb. 27, 1902 in (probably) Wayne Co., KY. Children were:

Ida, born c1902, died Jan. 26, 1934, married William Coffey, son of Lewis Coffey, Jr., and wife, Permelia Ann Tucker. Ida and William had at least two children: Leonard, born c1923 and Eugene, born c1924. When Ida died in 1936, William married her sister Lexie.

Garnett, born Nov. 24, 1903, died Mar. 6, 1975. I don't have any family information on him. There is a KY born Garnett Coffey in Fulton Co., IL in 1930 who is of the correct age to be the son of of Richard and Margaret.

Walter, born Oct. 29, 1906, married Zula Effie Lair in KY in c1929.

Lexie, born Jan. 9, 1909, died Sep. 16, 1967. She married William Coffey, widower of her sister Ida.

Everett, born Sep. 22, 1911, died Jul. 10, 1970 in Wayne Co. He married Sally Belle Coffey, daughter of James Aaron and Canzada Foster Coffey.

Nelson, born Jul. 28, 1874 - no additional information

William, born Feb. 20, 1879 - no additional information

James C., born Jun. 6, 1879 - no additional information


Please contact me with updates and/or corrections.