This blog is ostensibly about James Robert Parks, born Sep. 17, 1874 in Larissa, Cherokee Co., TX to Doctor "Doc" Taylor Parks and his wife, Rebecca Ellen Brock. However, as will be seen a little further down, I concentrate more on one of his descendants.
James Robert Parks was a conductor on the Texas & Pacific (T&P) Railroad. His home was at Big Spring in Howard Co., TX. He moved there in 1892 and the following year was hired as a switchman with the T&P. Five years later he became a brakeman and promoted to conductor in 1900. James was an employee of the T&P for 56 years, 49 years as a conductor when he retired on Jul. 1, 1949 at the age of 75. On Dec. 1 of that year he suffered a debilitating stroke and died in Big Spring on Mar 28, 1950.
With him all those years was his wife, Rosa Ann Cardwell, a daughter of Sam Cardwell. Rosa was born in Frankfort, Franklin Co., KY in 1878. She arrived in Big Spring in 1895 and married James on Sep. 29 of that year. She died in 1954 at Big Spring, also of a stroke. Both buried at Big Spring in the Mount Olive Cemetery.
I am fairly confident that they had only five children, all born at Big Springs. They were Gladys Allene, born c1899; Robert M., born 1901; Mildred, born 1904, James Harold, born c1906 and Wendell, born 1920.
Daughter Gladys Allene was married c1918 in Big Spring to Roger Hammond White of Anson, Jones Co., TX. He was also born c1899. Together they had at least two children, Roger, Jr. and Shirley Jean. Roger was born in 1919 and Shirley not until 1931. There were perhaps others born in between those years who didn't live to become adults, but I have not been able to identify any.
Roger, Jr. married Frances Genevieve Wallace in 1946. Before that, however, he was a member of the 2d Battalion, 131st Field Artillery, 36th Division of the Texas National Guard. His unit was activated at the beginning of WW2 hostilities and sent to the Pacific and the Indonesian island of Java. In 1942 they were the only US forces on the ground. On Mar. 12 that year, the British, American and Dutch military on the island surrendered to the invading Japanese. All of the American forces were sent to Nagasaki where they remained prisoners for 42 months*. According to some reports, there were about 400 POWs just to the north of Nagasaki when Maj. Sweeney, flying the B-29 bomber, Bockscar dropped the second atomic bomb on that city.
Although there were reports of some prisoners in the city being killed, I have found no evidence that any of the 2d Battalion prisoners being affected by the bomb.
After his marriage to Frances, he worked for the Pet, Inc., the evaporated milk company and was later employed by Cadena Jackson Food Services until he retired in 1981.
Roger, Jr. died at San Antonio, Bexar Co., TX on Jan. 22, 2010 and was buried there at Sunset Memorial Park. Frances preceded him in death on Sep. 5, 2000 and she too is buried at Sunset Memorial Park. They were parents of two daughters, Andrea and Wendy.
Neither James Robert Parks nor any of his ancestors are related to me. His son, Robert M. Parks did marry Zou Margaret Hardy, the daughter of Abram Tyree and Lula Edna Coffee. Lula was my first cousin, 2x removed, the daughter of Lilburn Warren and Margaret Goode Coffee. Lilburn Warren was brother to my great-grandfather, James M. Coffee.
*Name Roger H White Jr Event Type Military Service Event Date 1941-1945 Event Place Asia Military Rank Staff Sergeant Service Number 20813494 Military Service Branch Field Artillery Parent Military Unit 36th Infantry Division Assigned Military Unit 131st Field Artillery Regiment Subordinate Military Unit E Btry World War II Prisoners of the Japanese Data Files, 04/2005 - 10/2007,
NAID 731002. Collection ADBC: Records of the American Defenders of
Bataan and Corregidor, 04-2005 - 2006; NARA NAID 731002, National
Archives at College Park, Maryland.
Showing posts with label White. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White. Show all posts
November 5, 2015
June 27, 2015
Coffey Books Available
Author Betty White Martin grew up in Morristown and White Pine, TN, the only child of Lonnie White. She has Coffey ancestry that extends all the way back to Edward and Ann Powell Coffey.
Her grandfather was John McHenry White, a son of Susan Isabelle Dalton White. Susan was the daughter of of Carter and Nancy Whitsett Dalton. Carter Dalton was a son of Matilda Coffey, wife of Tandy Witcher Dalton. Matilda was a daughter of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey.
Nancy Whitsett Dalton was the daughter of Elizabeth Coffey, wife of Nathan Whitsett and later, wife of George W. Hayes. Elizabeth Coffey was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Rucker Coffey.
Betty has authored at least three books containing photos and some history of these families. I have also documented them rather extensively in The Edward Coffey Project.
Our Coffey and Dalton Families In Photos, which begins with descendants of Cleveland Coffey and his wife, Susan Hayes.
Ramblings From the North Side of
A Woman of Vim and Vigor which is based loosely on the life of Nancy Whitsett Dalton Cozart. She was the daughter of Elizabeth Coffey and Nathan P. Whitsett. Nancy married twice; beginning in 1854* to Carter Coffey Dalton with whom she had at least five children: Susan who married Thomas Jefferson White; James Tandy, married Mary Emeline Jackson; Betty; Tennessee, who married Perry Singleton and, Pleasant. There may have been others because it was seven or more years between Tennessee, born 1867 and Pleasant, born c1874.
Carter and Nancy apparently divorced because they were married a second time in 1860**. When Carter died in 1877 Nancy had an affair with his uncle, Anderson Dalton and had two more children, Matilda, born c1877 and Milton, born in 1880. Nancy seems to have also had an affair with her former father-in-law, Tandy Witcher Dalton, a brother to Anderson and had another child, Charles S.
Tandy did not die until 1909 so they likely divorced as well for on Oct. 13, 1888 she married James Wiley Cozart. No children are known from that union.
These books are very reasonably priced and available on Amazon.com. They can be reviewed and purchased by clicking on the title of each book. E-mail me if you would like to discuss these books with the author.
*https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8YC-1LX
** https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X8Y8-7VH
December 19, 2014
William Noah Coffey, Bigamist & Murderer
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| William Noah Coffey (After arrest) |
William Noah Coffey was born Dec. 10, 1874 in Collettsville, Johns River Twp., Caldwell Col, NC to Israel Boone and Catherine Emma Spainhour Coffey. Catherine was born in NC in 1845 to Noah Spainhour and wife Elizabeth Ann Mason. Israel was a son of Daniel Boone and Clarissa Estes Coffey. Daniel was the son of William Coffey who married Annie Boone, daughter of Jesse and Sarah McMahan Boone.
Nothing spectacular appears to have happened in the life of William Noah to have brought him any national notoriety until 1926. In a fit of what might be described today as a "mid life crisis," he met and illegally married a 53-year old widow by the name of Hattie Hales who was described as a buyer for a department store. In 1927 he was accused of bigamy and murder of Hattie.
When he registered for the WW1 draft in 1918, he described his job as a publicly employed credit collector. He had married Alberta Ellen Winnek, born in Massachusetts in 1877, in Kansas on Jun. 24, 1903*. They had three children: Douglas Fredwill Coffey, Alberta Ellen Coffey and Miriam Martin Coffey. After her divorce from William, she and her children began using the surname Winnek.
While searching archived newspapers, I found William on the front page of the Jan. 30, 1927 edition of the Sarasota [FL] Herald-Tribune. The article was written after he had been arrested for the murder of Hattie Hales Coffey in Lancaster, WI. This article indicates that he eventually confessed to her murder and led authorities to the place where he had killed her, cut her body into pieces and buried them in shallow graves at various locations in a place known as "Ritter's Woods," aka "Bratton's Woods."
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| William Noah Coffey (in front of automobile) |
William was convicted of the murder and sentenced to prison at Wisconsin State Prison at Waupun, Dodge Co., WI. He died there in June, 1962 and was buried at the Waupun state cemetery. In 1965 his remains were relocated to the Calvary Cemetery at Waupun in Fond du Lac, WI.
He was my third cousin, twice removed.
It remains difficult to determine how Alberta Ellen spelled her maiden name. It is recorded as Minnek [sic] in the marriage record to William Coffey. In her death record her mother's maiden name was given as Martin - explaining where Martin comes from in daughter Miriam name - but a father's name was not given. Alberta's Find-A-Grave memorial tells us that her father was Frederick Gideon and Ellen Mary Martin Winnek [sic].
After she was divorced from William Noah Coffey and moved to Chicago, she became known as Alberta Ellen Winneck [sic] and her children's surname was also changed to Winneck. When her son Douglas was married, the record shows that his name was Winnek and his father was William Winnek but, a marriage record has not been found for Alberta's marriage to a Winnek of any spelling and with any given name. Perhaps she also changed the name of William N. Coffey to William Winnek to satisfy some procedural requirement for supplying a father's name.
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| Douglas Fredwill Winnek - Isabel White Marriage License |
In 1940, Alberta resided with Douglas and his wife and children at 616 Harold in Mamaroneck, Rye Twp., Westchester Co., NY. The surname was spelled Minnick [sic]. Douglas gave his occupation as "inventor." He died in 1999 and his remains were cremated and scattered into the Pacific off Point Cabrillo, Monterey, CA. His Find-A-Grave memorial spells his surname Winnek.
When Douglas married for the second time in 1935, his surname was spelled Winnek. He reported on the license application that he had been previously married and had obtained a Mexican divorce a few weeks prior to taking his second bride, Isabel White in Cuyahoga Co., OH. That and the fact that he had two years of college training are likely reasons he was not present in the 1930 household. He has not yet been found in 1930.
Daughter Alberta Ellen married Albert Rosenheck. He died in 1985, probably in NJ. She died in 2006, also probably in NJ. Both are buried at Lakeview Memorial Park in Cinnaminson, Burlington Co., NJ.
The last child, Miriam Martin, married twice. According to CA marriage records, her first husband was Jacob Anton Wassenberg and they were married on Apr. 10, 1938. He died in 1950 and was buried as Andreas Anton Wassenberg at Green Hills Memorial Park in Rancho Palos Verdes in Los Angeles Co., CA.
Her second husband was William Dennis Stoltz, born 1917 in PA, married Jun. 19, 1954 in Los Angeles Co. He died at Riverside, CA in 1997. Miriam preceded him in 1978. They too are buried at Green Hills. On the certificate of marriage to Stoltz, she named her father as William Coffey and mother as Alberta Winnek.
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| Wm Dennis Stoltz-Miriam M. Coffey Marriage Certificate |
Corrections and additions welcomed.
* "Kansas Marriages, 1840-1935", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FW21-GPB : accessed 19 December 2014), William N. Coffey and Alberta Minnek, 24 Jun 1903; citing Lawrence, Douglas, Kansas, reference p 444; FHL microfilm 1,547,792.
Photos are courtesy of an used with permission of Dennis A. Wilson
October 23, 2011
Jesse Calton & Nancy A. Raines Coffey Home Place
The photo depicts the old homeplace of Jesse Calton and Nancy A. Raines Coffey. As I understand it, the home was located on what is now Tweetsie Railroad property, near Boone, NC. The home was torn down some years ago.
Jesse was a son of Reuben and Rachel Hayes Coffey; Nancy, a daughter of Henry and Abigail White Raines. The family has been mentioned several times in this blog. One early blog can be found here. Use the search box at top right to find others, and use quotation marks around your search term.
February 22, 2011
Pittward "Pitt" & Flavonia Fletcher Coffey
I completed some additional work on Pittward this morning. Readers are invited to click on the blog title to see the original blog about this family and, which contains a few of the updates that will be included here.
Pittward, or Pitt as he seems to have been called, was the eldest child and son of Charles Edward and Sarah Jane Ogden Coffey. Charles Edward was a son of John Jack and Betsey Duff Coffey and, John Jack was the third son of Jordan and Betsey Rippetoe Coffey. By now, descendants of Jordan should know that he was actually a Talliaferro (Toliver) and not a Coffey. But, they are interesting folks and they do eventually get back together with the Coffeys through intermarriage.
Pitt was born in Virginia - and very likely Amherst Co. because his parents never left. They lived there, raised their children there and are now buried there. His first wife was Lucy Parks White, daughter of Henry A., and wife Elizabeth, born c1863. She was the fourth of six children in the White household in the 1870 Peddlar Twp., Amherst Co. census.
Lucy apparently died in childbirth, c1882. Her only child was Vernie Irvine, born Sep. 23, 1882, died Mar., 1970 in Buena Vista, VA. Vernie married Robert L. Seay on Dec. 13, 1899. He was also an Amherst Co. resident, having been born there on Oct. 25, 1875. They had at least six children: Evelyn, Vivia, John Robert, Henry Vaughn, Marion and William Lee.
Sometime between Vernie's birth and Sep., 1885, Pitt married Flavonia [sic] Fletcher, a daughter of Lucian and Maria Frances Crawford Fletcher. Flavonia was born Apr. 8, 1869 in Amherst Co. and died on Jan. 4, 1955 at Fraziers Bottom in Putnam Co., WV. Their first child was Jesse, born Sep., 1885, died unmarried on Feb. 12, 1918 at Charleston in Kanawha Co., WV. He is buried at Spring Hill in Charleston, Kanawha Co.
The second child was Janet Aurelia, born Jul. 24, 1888 in Kanawha Co., died Mar. 27, 1945 at Huntington in Cabell Co., WV. Janet died by suicide when she jumped off the 5th Ave. bridge spanning the Guyan River. She was nearly 57 years old and was Mrs. Chester L. Martin. Her first husband was T. Edward Berry to whom she was married on Nov. 19, 1908. I have not found them in the 1910 census and do not know if any children resulted from that union. Martin was her second husband, but I have not found a marriage date. Chester died on Sep. 14, 1959 in Huntington. His burial place is not known to me; Janet is buried at Spring Hill.
Third child was Alma Elizabeth, born at Jarretts Ford in Kanawha Co. on Mar. 1, 1890. She was first married there to Thomas H. Young in 1911. They divorced sometime c1921 (it says so on the license for her second marriage) after giving birth to at least three children by Thomas: Harless, c1913; Margaret, c1915; and Carroll Fletcher, c1918. Alma married her second husband Frank C. Briscoe when she was 34 and he was a 51-year old widower. They were married in West Virginia in 1924, and lived for awhile at 215 Hunt Ave. in Charleston where she gave birth to two of his children: Mary, born c1925 and Joseph H., born c1927. I haven't found a death record for James. Alma died on Dec. 12, 1969 in Charleston but not before marrying again at age 73 to the 72-year old James Marshall Lawson on Apr. 25, 1963 in Kanawha Co. Alma is buried at Spring Hill. The buial places of her three spouses are unknown.
[Update] Child number four was Harry Clarkston, born Jun. 8, 1892 at Elkview in Kanawha Co., WV; died at Fraziers Bottom, Putnam Co., WV on Mar. 14, 1969. His wife was Cecil Ann Fisher, born May, 1895 in Putnam Co. and died there in 1985. She and Harry are buried at Saint Albans, Kanawha Co. WV at the Cunningham Memorial Park cemetery. I am still searching for a marriage date and place.
Number five was Fletcher Euick (?), born Jul. 5, 1895 in Charleston, died Nov., 1980 in Kanawha Co. Also, no info on possible wife and children.
Six was Stoughton (I've seen it spelled Stephen, but it's Stoughton on his death certificate) Edward, born Feb. 27, 1897 in Kanawha Co., died of tuberculosis in Charleston on Apr. 17, 1918 at age 21, He is also buried at Spring Hill. He also was unmarried.
The last and seventh child that I have for Pitt and Flavonia was James Tinsley. He was born Sep. 21, 1901 in WV and died from heart failure at age 330years Oct. 10, 1934 in Charleston. He was also unmarried.
Pittward, or Pitt as he seems to have been called, was the eldest child and son of Charles Edward and Sarah Jane Ogden Coffey. Charles Edward was a son of John Jack and Betsey Duff Coffey and, John Jack was the third son of Jordan and Betsey Rippetoe Coffey. By now, descendants of Jordan should know that he was actually a Talliaferro (Toliver) and not a Coffey. But, they are interesting folks and they do eventually get back together with the Coffeys through intermarriage.
Pitt was born in Virginia - and very likely Amherst Co. because his parents never left. They lived there, raised their children there and are now buried there. His first wife was Lucy Parks White, daughter of Henry A., and wife Elizabeth, born c1863. She was the fourth of six children in the White household in the 1870 Peddlar Twp., Amherst Co. census.
Lucy apparently died in childbirth, c1882. Her only child was Vernie Irvine, born Sep. 23, 1882, died Mar., 1970 in Buena Vista, VA. Vernie married Robert L. Seay on Dec. 13, 1899. He was also an Amherst Co. resident, having been born there on Oct. 25, 1875. They had at least six children: Evelyn, Vivia, John Robert, Henry Vaughn, Marion and William Lee.
Sometime between Vernie's birth and Sep., 1885, Pitt married Flavonia [sic] Fletcher, a daughter of Lucian and Maria Frances Crawford Fletcher. Flavonia was born Apr. 8, 1869 in Amherst Co. and died on Jan. 4, 1955 at Fraziers Bottom in Putnam Co., WV. Their first child was Jesse, born Sep., 1885, died unmarried on Feb. 12, 1918 at Charleston in Kanawha Co., WV. He is buried at Spring Hill in Charleston, Kanawha Co.
The second child was Janet Aurelia, born Jul. 24, 1888 in Kanawha Co., died Mar. 27, 1945 at Huntington in Cabell Co., WV. Janet died by suicide when she jumped off the 5th Ave. bridge spanning the Guyan River. She was nearly 57 years old and was Mrs. Chester L. Martin. Her first husband was T. Edward Berry to whom she was married on Nov. 19, 1908. I have not found them in the 1910 census and do not know if any children resulted from that union. Martin was her second husband, but I have not found a marriage date. Chester died on Sep. 14, 1959 in Huntington. His burial place is not known to me; Janet is buried at Spring Hill.
Third child was Alma Elizabeth, born at Jarretts Ford in Kanawha Co. on Mar. 1, 1890. She was first married there to Thomas H. Young in 1911. They divorced sometime c1921 (it says so on the license for her second marriage) after giving birth to at least three children by Thomas: Harless, c1913; Margaret, c1915; and Carroll Fletcher, c1918. Alma married her second husband Frank C. Briscoe when she was 34 and he was a 51-year old widower. They were married in West Virginia in 1924, and lived for awhile at 215 Hunt Ave. in Charleston where she gave birth to two of his children: Mary, born c1925 and Joseph H., born c1927. I haven't found a death record for James. Alma died on Dec. 12, 1969 in Charleston but not before marrying again at age 73 to the 72-year old James Marshall Lawson on Apr. 25, 1963 in Kanawha Co. Alma is buried at Spring Hill. The buial places of her three spouses are unknown.
[Update] Child number four was Harry Clarkston, born Jun. 8, 1892 at Elkview in Kanawha Co., WV; died at Fraziers Bottom, Putnam Co., WV on Mar. 14, 1969. His wife was Cecil Ann Fisher, born May, 1895 in Putnam Co. and died there in 1985. She and Harry are buried at Saint Albans, Kanawha Co. WV at the Cunningham Memorial Park cemetery. I am still searching for a marriage date and place.
Number five was Fletcher Euick (?), born Jul. 5, 1895 in Charleston, died Nov., 1980 in Kanawha Co. Also, no info on possible wife and children.
Six was Stoughton (I've seen it spelled Stephen, but it's Stoughton on his death certificate) Edward, born Feb. 27, 1897 in Kanawha Co., died of tuberculosis in Charleston on Apr. 17, 1918 at age 21, He is also buried at Spring Hill. He also was unmarried.
The last and seventh child that I have for Pitt and Flavonia was James Tinsley. He was born Sep. 21, 1901 in WV and died from heart failure at age 330years Oct. 10, 1934 in Charleston. He was also unmarried.
January 21, 2011
Rice & Sarah "Sally" Bradford Coffey
This Rice Coffey was a son of the Rev. James Coffey and his wife Elizabeth Cleveland. He is thought to have been born on Apr. 17, 1766 in Amherst Co., VA and to have died on July 24, 1853 in Bedford Co., TN.
Rice wrote a letter* to his nephew Thomas Jefferson Coffey - son of Ambrose, a younger brother to Rice - from Shelbyville on Nov. 15, 1844 which reads:
She and Kendall had at least one child, a daughter named Arcena, born c1825. In 1850 when Mary appeared in the census with her widower father in Bedford Co., she was enumerated as Mary Kindle, age 42 with Hanna Kindle, age 25 and Nancy Bell Kindle, age 13. Also in the household was a physician, Dr. William Pruett, age 24, born in TN.
We know that Arcena married a Prewitt but are unsure if William was her husband. They are close in age and place and certainly had the opportunity. Prewitt apparently died or otherwise disappeared sometime after 1859 and may have died in the Civil War, although I have not found a record of his service. Mary and Arcena, along with Arcena's two chidlren, Nanny and Willis Prewitt, appear together in the 1860 and 1870 Bedford Co. census. Arcena was found there in 1880 with her still unmarried children.
I would like to know who was Arcena's husband and, who was the 13-year old Nancy Bell Kindle in the 1850 census.
*Sometimes referred to by Coffey researchers as "The Said Rice Letter."
**All information about Bennett comes from: Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinter, Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007)
***Read more about Asbury here and here.
‡Lost Links, Elizabeth Wheeler Francis, Southern Western Historical Quarterly, LXIX, 1945, pps. 98, 156, 157 and Descendants of James Bluford Coffey by Dr. Marvin Coffey
+Mary G. Kendle (Kendall) vs John Kendle for divorce. Mary G. Kendle and John Kendle were married in Bedford Co on 4 Mar 1821. Source: Page 600, Chancery Court Records 1837-1845 by Marsh; call no: 976.858 M366ch
Rice wrote a letter* to his nephew Thomas Jefferson Coffey - son of Ambrose, a younger brother to Rice - from Shelbyville on Nov. 15, 1844 which reads:
Dear Jefferson:Sarah Bradford Coffey was a daughter of Bennett** and second wife Margaret White. She is said to have been born in TN on July 22, 1770 and died on Sep. 3, 1840 in Bedford Co. A sibling to Sarah was Henry Bradford, born Dec. 24, 1766, died May 10, 1871, married Rachel McFarland on Jan. 17, 1799. Rachel was born Aug. 28, 1783 and died Aug. 26, 1852. Their daughter Mary, born Mar. 22, 1809, died Oct. 20, 1893 in MO, was the wife of Asbury Madison Coffey***, thought by me to be the son of Eli and Hannah Allen Coffey.
I received your letter of the 16th of September and have read it with entertaining interest. Indeed, it is always a source of gratification to me to hear that my friends are doing well.
You request some information respecting the history of our ancestors. I have no written biography of the Coffee family and therefore can only relate to you such facts as have come within my own recollection and such as have reached me by tradition.
I remember to have seen my paternal grandfather. His name was John Coffee, and he was raised in one of the lower counties of Virginia and died in Albemarle. My grandmother's maiden name was Jane Graves, and my father's name was James Coffee. He also was raised in the lower part of Essex and from thence to Albemarle, where your father Ambrose Coffee was born in the year 1762. From this county my father (James) removed to Amherst and here his children grew up to manhood. My mother's maiden name was Elizabeth Cleveland. My maternal grandfathers's name was Alexander Cleveland. He was a descendant of the English and was an own cousin of Oliver Cromwell, a gentleman who figured conspicuously in the sixteenth century. He was raised in Virginia and born in the year 1663 and died in 1775, at the age of 112 years.
My father was born in 1729 and died in 1786. His children were nine sons and two daughters. My brothers names were John, Archelaus, James, Reuben, Ambrose, Eli, Joel and Lewis Coffee. They are all dead save Eli and Lewis, the first of whom resides in Missouri and the other in Kentucky.
I became acquainted with your maternal grandfather Jesse Moore about the close of the revolutionary war. He then lived in Burke County, N.C., where you were born. He was born in Virginia, and many of his descendants now live in Kentucky.
I am still living at the same place you last saw me, but cannot expect, in the course of nature to remain much longer. I am now in my 80th year.
May God bless you.
Rice Coffee
Rice appears in very few North Carolina records meaning that he and Sarah moved to TN quite early in their marriage. Their homeplace was near Wartrace, and he is on the 1788 and 1789 tax lists, and again from 1796 to 1799. He has not been found in the 1790 or 1800 census. This could indicated that he was gone during the period 1790-95, and that they moved permanently around 1800, or soon thereafter.Mary, a daughter of Rice and Sally, was born c1798 in NC and died Oct. 22, 1878 in TN, probably Bedford Co. She is said to have married John Kendall on Mar. 4, 1821 in that county and to have divorced him before 1850.+
The first tax list in TN in which he appears in 1812 in Bedford Co. A short account of the family written about 1890 by Rice Abner Coffey, a grandson, says that Rice moved from NC to Bedford Co. in 1808. It also says that all of the children, except the last three were born in NC. That would put the migration date a bit earlier.
He and Sally had 9 children. Some discrepancy exists in various lists. The 1820 census lists 5 male children and 3 female, which would be correct because Jerusha died in 1810.
Source‡ names children of Rice and Sarah as: Jurusha, d. age 16; Elvira; Henry B., m. Sarah Edmondson; Mary G., d. 1878, m. __ Kendall; Weightress (1801-1837), unmarried; Alexander Hamilton, d. 1864, m. Nancy Matherly; Martha (1805-1845), m. A. Yell; Benjamin B., (1809-1864), m. Mrs. Mary E. Beach; John R. (1815-1896), m. Mary A. Cross (Benjamin was Gen. in Mexican War). Marvin Coffee reports birth date for Sarah as Jul. 22, 1770 and death date as Sep. 3, 1840 in Bedford Co., TN.
She and Kendall had at least one child, a daughter named Arcena, born c1825. In 1850 when Mary appeared in the census with her widower father in Bedford Co., she was enumerated as Mary Kindle, age 42 with Hanna Kindle, age 25 and Nancy Bell Kindle, age 13. Also in the household was a physician, Dr. William Pruett, age 24, born in TN.
We know that Arcena married a Prewitt but are unsure if William was her husband. They are close in age and place and certainly had the opportunity. Prewitt apparently died or otherwise disappeared sometime after 1859 and may have died in the Civil War, although I have not found a record of his service. Mary and Arcena, along with Arcena's two chidlren, Nanny and Willis Prewitt, appear together in the 1860 and 1870 Bedford Co. census. Arcena was found there in 1880 with her still unmarried children.
I would like to know who was Arcena's husband and, who was the 13-year old Nancy Bell Kindle in the 1850 census.
*Sometimes referred to by Coffey researchers as "The Said Rice Letter."
**All information about Bennett comes from: Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinter, Genealogies of Virginia Families: From Tyler's Quarterly Historical and Genealogical Magazine (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 2007)
***Read more about Asbury here and here.
‡Lost Links, Elizabeth Wheeler Francis, Southern Western Historical Quarterly, LXIX, 1945, pps. 98, 156, 157 and Descendants of James Bluford Coffey by Dr. Marvin Coffey
+Mary G. Kendle (Kendall) vs John Kendle for divorce. Mary G. Kendle and John Kendle were married in Bedford Co on 4 Mar 1821. Source: Page 600, Chancery Court Records 1837-1845 by Marsh; call no: 976.858 M366ch
December 5, 2010
Caveat Emptor
I have been forwarded a few extracts from a book by Jim White who I believe lives in Missouri. The book is ostensibly about the Boone family but contains some undocumented Coffey family lineage.
The author writes that Edward Coffey Sr. was the son of John Coffey, born in 1611, in Dublin, Leinster, Ireland, and died in 1674 in Essex Co., VA at age 63. Instead of the usual Mary Joliffee or Rebecca Ireland spouse, author White names a new spouse for John: Mary Julian, a daughter of William.
In another place, the author reports that descendants of Edward have ignored his eldest son and heir apparent, Edward Coffey, Jr. who White states was one full year older than his brother John who married Jane Graves.
Mr. White also seems to have ignored them.
The author also seems to have mixed descendants of Peter Coffee and Edward Coffey when he writes - without evidence except for the "sheer number of [Coffey] records in South Carolina" - that Edward Jr.'s wife, Grace Cleveland, moved from Caroline Co., VA to Charleston, SC. He further states that other Coffey/Coffee families, all descendants of the North Carolina branch, moved to SC some 15 years after Grace and began using Coffee as their surname.
One reason that Edward, Jr.'s children have been somewhat ignored is that no proof of who they were has ever been found. Marvin Coffey speculated that Cleveland, husband of Elizabeth Coffey, residing in Orange and Albemarle counties from 1762 to 1774 is one of his sons.
Benjamin, born in VA in 1763, in the Burke Co., NC census from 1790 to 1850 (Caldwell Co. in 1850) was possibly a son. Marvin pointed out that Grace would be been closing in on age 50 when Benjamin was born and that was somewhat late for a woman of that era to have been giving birth.
The possibility exists that other thus far unconnected Coffeys of the period could be Edward, Jr.'s children; e.g., James in the 1785 Botetourt Co. census; William in 1781-1785 Montgomery Co., VA and William of 1783 to 1797 Buckingham Co., VA. The possibility is equally likely that they were sons of Peter.
Another possible son of Edward, Jr. was Jesse, found in Wilkes Co. from 1779-1786. There was also an Isaac in Wilkes Co. from 1782-1796. Jesse could be the one found in South Carolina in the 1790 and 1800 census. He named his sons Cleveland, Edward, Joel, Elijah, Elisha and John. All of these are common names among the descendants of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey so Jesse could be an Edward, Jr. son.
Mr. White offers no bibliography for his book. He does post a warning on his website however, that readers should first consider his reasons for omitting it:
I'll try to summarize his "top three" reasons:
Whether Mr. White desires it or not, his book may become a "source of data...," and one more publication with probably well meaning but unsourced and often incorrect data.
The author writes that Edward Coffey Sr. was the son of John Coffey, born in 1611, in Dublin, Leinster, Ireland, and died in 1674 in Essex Co., VA at age 63. Instead of the usual Mary Joliffee or Rebecca Ireland spouse, author White names a new spouse for John: Mary Julian, a daughter of William.
In another place, the author reports that descendants of Edward have ignored his eldest son and heir apparent, Edward Coffey, Jr. who White states was one full year older than his brother John who married Jane Graves.
Mr. White also seems to have ignored them.
The author also seems to have mixed descendants of Peter Coffee and Edward Coffey when he writes - without evidence except for the "sheer number of [Coffey] records in South Carolina" - that Edward Jr.'s wife, Grace Cleveland, moved from Caroline Co., VA to Charleston, SC. He further states that other Coffey/Coffee families, all descendants of the North Carolina branch, moved to SC some 15 years after Grace and began using Coffee as their surname.
One reason that Edward, Jr.'s children have been somewhat ignored is that no proof of who they were has ever been found. Marvin Coffey speculated that Cleveland, husband of Elizabeth Coffey, residing in Orange and Albemarle counties from 1762 to 1774 is one of his sons.
Benjamin, born in VA in 1763, in the Burke Co., NC census from 1790 to 1850 (Caldwell Co. in 1850) was possibly a son. Marvin pointed out that Grace would be been closing in on age 50 when Benjamin was born and that was somewhat late for a woman of that era to have been giving birth.
The possibility exists that other thus far unconnected Coffeys of the period could be Edward, Jr.'s children; e.g., James in the 1785 Botetourt Co. census; William in 1781-1785 Montgomery Co., VA and William of 1783 to 1797 Buckingham Co., VA. The possibility is equally likely that they were sons of Peter.
Another possible son of Edward, Jr. was Jesse, found in Wilkes Co. from 1779-1786. There was also an Isaac in Wilkes Co. from 1782-1796. Jesse could be the one found in South Carolina in the 1790 and 1800 census. He named his sons Cleveland, Edward, Joel, Elijah, Elisha and John. All of these are common names among the descendants of Edward and Ann Powell Coffey so Jesse could be an Edward, Jr. son.
Mr. White offers no bibliography for his book. He does post a warning on his website however, that readers should first consider his reasons for omitting it:
I'll try to summarize his "top three" reasons:
- It is his opinion "that family historians need to provoke their own research." By not providing sources, the author hopes to promote his book as a guide and, "not become the source of data, in and of itself."To be fair, I have not read more of this book that the extracts sent to me for review. I have looked at his website, and that of his publisher and Mr. White appears to be a prolific "author" with probably a dozen or more books, none of which will likely be on my list of books buys this Christmas season.
- When he states that an event is "documented" in his book, such as a marriage for some couple and a place is given, the reader should go to the place given to locate the record.
- His "final point" states that owners of personal documents, with whom he consulted, did not want their names and personal contact information shared with others. Makes one wonder how Mr. White came to meet them!?
Whether Mr. White desires it or not, his book may become a "source of data...," and one more publication with probably well meaning but unsourced and often incorrect data.
December 1, 2009
Thomas Reed Crawford of Amherst Co., VA
Update 12/03/2009: The bottom photo was taken c1902 and shows Tom Crawford and his wife, Mary Frances "Fannie" Ogden. The top photo is Tom Crawford in his later years.
The child between the couple is Van who married Estelle Crist. Children behind Tom and Fannie are, l-r: Thomas Powell, who married Alma Gertrude Coffey; Lawrence and Houston. Houston married Hallie Coffey, daughter of Arthur and Jenny Davis Coffey. Lawrence is believed to have never married.
The older children, l-r, are: Massie, wife of "Fed" Coffey; Walter who married Beatrice Coffey; Christina who married a Wright; Ora who married Hugh Nelson Coffey; Zack Coffey and his wife, Catherine.
I believe this is the Thomas Reed Crawford family of Amherst Co., VA. Several of their childred married into the Coffey family.
Thomas married Mary Frances Ogden c1873 and subsequently fathered at least 10 children.
The problem with the photo being of this Crawford family is, not withstanding how young the [apparent] wife appears, the age difference between the four younger children and the six older children.
My files show that Thomas Reed was born Jan. 20, 1847 in Virginia and died Feb. 5, 1926 in Amherst Co. Mary Frances Ogden, a daughter of Zachariah Ogden, Jr. and his wife Mary Elizabeth White, was born Feb., 1860 in Amherst Co. Thomas was a son of Mansfield and Catherine [maiden name unknown] Crawford.
Their children were:
Mary Katherine, born c1874, married Zachariah Coffey c1897. Zach was the son of Frederick and Catherine H. Ogden Coffey.
Christianna, born Oct., 1874. No other information.
Susie Massie, born Apr. 6, 1876 in Amherst Co., and died there on Dec. 8, 1938. Susie married Frederick "Fed" Coffey, Jr. He was a brother to Zach who married Mary Katherine.
Walter J., born Oct. 5, 1878 in Amherst Co., died in VA on Jul. 13, 1943. He married Beatrice Coffey on Jan. 13, 1909. Beatrice was a daughter of George Washington and Sarah Frances Coffey Coffey.
Thomas Powell, born Jul. 12, 1884 in VA, married c1907 to Alma Gertrude Coffey, born May, 1890 to Arthur and Virginia Ann "Jenny" Davis Coffey.
John Houston, born Nov. 14, 1886 in Alto, Amherst Co., died Mar. 28, 1973 in VA. He married Hallie Pearl Coffey, born Feb. 21, 1892 in Amherst Co., died Oct. 2, 1973. Hallie Pearl was sister to Alma Gertrude.
Lawrence DeWitt, born Aug. 28, 1890 in Alto. No other information.
Lucy, born May, 1893 in Amherst Co., married John E. Cash c1915.
Van Talmage, born Jun, 6, 1898 in Amherst Co., married Estelle Crist c1923.
Please contact me if you can confirm that the photo is this family. It would be extremely helpful if you can also assign names to the children.
The older children, l-r, are: Massie, wife of "Fed" Coffey; Walter who married Beatrice Coffey; Christina who married a Wright; Ora who married Hugh Nelson Coffey; Zack Coffey and his wife, Catherine.
I believe this is the Thomas Reed Crawford family of Amherst Co., VA. Several of their childred married into the Coffey family.
Thomas married Mary Frances Ogden c1873 and subsequently fathered at least 10 children.
My files show that Thomas Reed was born Jan. 20, 1847 in Virginia and died Feb. 5, 1926 in Amherst Co. Mary Frances Ogden, a daughter of Zachariah Ogden, Jr. and his wife Mary Elizabeth White, was born Feb., 1860 in Amherst Co. Thomas was a son of Mansfield and Catherine [maiden name unknown] Crawford.
Their children were:
Mary Katherine, born c1874, married Zachariah Coffey c1897. Zach was the son of Frederick and Catherine H. Ogden Coffey.
Christianna, born Oct., 1874. No other information.
Susie Massie, born Apr. 6, 1876 in Amherst Co., and died there on Dec. 8, 1938. Susie married Frederick "Fed" Coffey, Jr. He was a brother to Zach who married Mary Katherine.
Walter J., born Oct. 5, 1878 in Amherst Co., died in VA on Jul. 13, 1943. He married Beatrice Coffey on Jan. 13, 1909. Beatrice was a daughter of George Washington and Sarah Frances Coffey Coffey.
George was born Sep. 16, 1853 to Reuben Wetzel and Sarah Jane Wood Coffey. He died May 31, 1928 in Amherst Co. Sarah Frances was born Sep. 2, 1856 to William "Billy" and Sarah G. (Ann?) Crawford Coffey. Reuben and "Billy" were distant cousins, and "Billy" was a son of Jordan and Elizabeth Rippetoe Coffey, founders of "Coffeytown" in Amherst Co.Ora Wills, born Jul. 28, 1881 in Amherst Co., died there on Dec. 20, 1976. She married Hugh Nelson Coffey, a son of Harden and Elizabeth "Bettie" Crawford. Hugh was born Jul. 4, 1876 in Amherst Co. and died there on Dec. 20, 1957.
Thomas Powell, born Jul. 12, 1884 in VA, married c1907 to Alma Gertrude Coffey, born May, 1890 to Arthur and Virginia Ann "Jenny" Davis Coffey.
John Houston, born Nov. 14, 1886 in Alto, Amherst Co., died Mar. 28, 1973 in VA. He married Hallie Pearl Coffey, born Feb. 21, 1892 in Amherst Co., died Oct. 2, 1973. Hallie Pearl was sister to Alma Gertrude.
Lawrence DeWitt, born Aug. 28, 1890 in Alto. No other information.
Lucy, born May, 1893 in Amherst Co., married John E. Cash c1915.
Van Talmage, born Jun, 6, 1898 in Amherst Co., married Estelle Crist c1923.
Please contact me if you can confirm that the photo is this family. It would be extremely helpful if you can also assign names to the children.
November 22, 2009
Coffey in Beckham Co., OK
Some children of Calvin and Serena White Coffey left NC in the late 1800's and moved into TX and OK. Henry Milton Coffey was one of those.
Henry, along with his wife Margaret Lucinda Pennell and five children left Catawba Co. between the middle of 1886 and the middle of 1888 and moved into St. Jo, Montague Co., TX. From there the family moved into OK, finally settling in Buffalo Twp. in Beckham Co. Many of Henry's children and grand-children are buried in the Buffalo cemetery at Sayre.
Except for the following, I have identified most of the Coffeys buried in that cemetery, but need help in identifying the remaining. If you can help, please contact me.
Cleta J. Price Coffey, wife of Harold W. Coffey, born 1916, died unknown
Cynthia Coffey, wife of H. M. Coffey, born 1851, died 1919
Harold W. Coffey, born Feb. 1, 1916, died Aug. 26, 1979
J. L. Coffey, born 1917, died Apr. 2, 1978
Ina Oletia Campbell Coffey, w/o J. L. Coffey, born/died unknown
J. W. Coffey, born May 23, 1925, died Sep. 1, 1925
Josie Coffey, born 1911, died 1913
Ora A. Coffey, w/o Joe L. Coffey, born Jun. 26, 1887, died Jul. 25, 1951
Orville A. Coffey, born Dec. 1914, died Mar 12, 1916, son of Thos. T. Coffey
Ruth B. Coffey, born Oct. 8, 1908, died Nov. 5, 1908
Thomas Clifford Coffey, born Jul. 22, 1927, died Jan. 12, 1975
Verlin Coffey, born 1920, died 1920
Rosetta Joy Coffey Dorsey, born May 17, 1938, died Mar 27, 1977 w/o Luther Conway Dorsey
Henry, along with his wife Margaret Lucinda Pennell and five children left Catawba Co. between the middle of 1886 and the middle of 1888 and moved into St. Jo, Montague Co., TX. From there the family moved into OK, finally settling in Buffalo Twp. in Beckham Co. Many of Henry's children and grand-children are buried in the Buffalo cemetery at Sayre.
Except for the following, I have identified most of the Coffeys buried in that cemetery, but need help in identifying the remaining. If you can help, please contact me.
Cleta J. Price Coffey, wife of Harold W. Coffey, born 1916, died unknown
Cynthia Coffey, wife of H. M. Coffey, born 1851, died 1919
Harold W. Coffey, born Feb. 1, 1916, died Aug. 26, 1979
J. L. Coffey, born 1917, died Apr. 2, 1978
Ina Oletia Campbell Coffey, w/o J. L. Coffey, born/died unknown
J. W. Coffey, born May 23, 1925, died Sep. 1, 1925
Josie Coffey, born 1911, died 1913
Ora A. Coffey, w/o Joe L. Coffey, born Jun. 26, 1887, died Jul. 25, 1951
Orville A. Coffey, born Dec. 1914, died Mar 12, 1916, son of Thos. T. Coffey
Ruth B. Coffey, born Oct. 8, 1908, died Nov. 5, 1908
Thomas Clifford Coffey, born Jul. 22, 1927, died Jan. 12, 1975
Verlin Coffey, born 1920, died 1920
Rosetta Joy Coffey Dorsey, born May 17, 1938, died Mar 27, 1977 w/o Luther Conway Dorsey
August 9, 2009
John C. Coffey
John C. Coffey was a son of Richardson "Richard" Coffey and his wife Orenna (var.) Coffey who married on May 3, 1860 in Grainger Co. Richardson was a son of Benjamin Coffey and Nancy Hayes while Orenna, or Renie in some genealogies, was the daughter of Caswell Coffey and his wife Annie Jordan.
A recent e-mail exchange with a descendant of John C. Coffey, born Jul. 14, 1861, died Aug. 27, 1931, raised some questions. Some genealogies name his wife as Martha Wyatt while others name her as Martha White.
John and Martha were married about 1883. Their first child, Evaline was born in March, 1885.
1900 census:
This particular family is a little difficult to read on the census page that I consulted. However, it seems pretty clear that the couple had been married 17 years (i.e., married in 1883), that their eldest child was born in March 1885, and that Martha was born in August, 1861.
There was only one Martha Wyatt in the 1870 Grainger Co. census, and she resided in Bean Station. She was 22 years old meaning that she was born c1848. There were none in 1880 Grainger Co. This appears to eliminate her as a potential wife for John C. Coffey.
There was a Martha White of the correct age (age 9, born 1861) in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co in the 1870 census. She was the daughter of Peter White and his wife Mary. Others in the household with Peter were: John, age 21; William, age 19; Meredith, age 17; Bettie Ann, age 15, and Wiley, age 13.
We know that Orenna, or Renie, married the Rev. John W. White, born Apr. 23, 1843, on Sep. 24, 1871 in Grainger Co., some six years following the death of Richardson. Richardson is said to have died that year from wounds received while serving with the 12th TN Cav. Regiment. *
A recent e-mail exchange with a descendant of John C. Coffey, born Jul. 14, 1861, died Aug. 27, 1931, raised some questions. Some genealogies name his wife as Martha Wyatt while others name her as Martha White.
John and Martha were married about 1883. Their first child, Evaline was born in March, 1885.
1900 census:
This particular family is a little difficult to read on the census page that I consulted. However, it seems pretty clear that the couple had been married 17 years (i.e., married in 1883), that their eldest child was born in March 1885, and that Martha was born in August, 1861.
1900 Grainger Co., Dist. 10, ED25, Sheet 1B, dwelling/family 17, Coffey, John, head, white male, born Jul. 1861, age 38, married 17 yrs., born TN, parents born TN, farmer; Martha, wife, white female, born Aug., 1861, age 38, married 17 yrs., mother of 8, 7 living, born TN, parents born TN; Em(?)aline, dau., white male [sic], born Mar 1885 (?), age 15 (?), born TN; James Monroe, son, male, white, Jan. 1888, age 12, born TN; Coria [sic], dau., white female, born 1890, July, age 9, born TN; E?aline, dau., white female, born 1892, Aug., age 7, born TN; Charles, son, male, white, born 1895, May, age 5, born TN; Orrena [sic], dau., white female, born 1897, Dec., age 2, born TN; William Brownlo [sic], son, white female [sic], born 1900, Mar (?), age 2 mos., born TN
There was only one Martha Wyatt in the 1870 Grainger Co. census, and she resided in Bean Station. She was 22 years old meaning that she was born c1848. There were none in 1880 Grainger Co. This appears to eliminate her as a potential wife for John C. Coffey.
There was a Martha White of the correct age (age 9, born 1861) in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co in the 1870 census. She was the daughter of Peter White and his wife Mary. Others in the household with Peter were: John, age 21; William, age 19; Meredith, age 17; Bettie Ann, age 15, and Wiley, age 13.
We know that Orenna, or Renie, married the Rev. John W. White, born Apr. 23, 1843, on Sep. 24, 1871 in Grainger Co., some six years following the death of Richardson. Richardson is said to have died that year from wounds received while serving with the 12th TN Cav. Regiment. *The 1880 census of Grainger Co. shows the family thusly:
1880 Grainger Co., ED102, 10th Civil Dist., Page 15, dwelling/family 137, White, John W., white male, age 33, married, farmer, born TN, parents born NC; Lorena [sic], M., white female, age 34, wife, married, keep house, born TN, parents born TN; John C., white male, age 18, son, single, laborer, born TN, parents born TN; Margaret, white female, age 7, daughter, single, born TN, parents born TN; Willey [sic] P., white male, age 4, son, single, born TN, parents born TN
We can deduce that John C., age 18 (born 1861), was not a White because John W. White and Renie had not been married long enough to have a son his age. We know that she did have a son with Richardson who was born in 1861. I think it safe to say that in the 1880 census, he was John C. Coffey.
Next door to John W. and his family that same year is the family of Peter White and two of his children, Wiley and Martha J., age 18. So, it's safe to assume that Martha and John C. Coffey knew each other. The only thing that we do not know is when they were married. It must have been sometime around 1883 or 1884 because their first child was born in 1885 (see 1900 above).
Based on all this, it appears that John C. Coffey married Martha White and not Martha Wyatt.
Hopefully, this has been presented in a somewhat cogent manner. If not, drop me an e-mail at the above address.
*I've looked for info on this Regiment, but haven't been successful. He doesn't appear in any of the scant info that I have found on the 12th.
August 1, 2008
Ernest Webster and Ethel McClung Stratton Coffey
Ernest Webster Coffey was a son of Arthur and Virginia Anne (Jenny) Davis Coffey and, was born Feb. 5, 1888 in Amherst Co. He was married on Feb. 16, 1910* to Ethel McClung Stratton, a distant cousin, in Hagerstown, Washington Co., MD. Ethel was the daughter of George Baxter and Elianna Coffey Stratton. Ethel was born 1892 in VA, and died there in 1965. Ernest died in VA in 1982.In Feb. 1910 the couple resided with Ernest's cousin, Robert L. Seay in Amherst Co. Robert was the husband of Vernie Coffey, a daughter of Pitt and Lucy Parks White Coffey.
When Ernest called to register for the draft in WWI on Jun. 4, 1917, he was a farmer in Alto, VA and claimed exemption based having a wife and two children, as well as on an unnamed physical disability.
Their child Ernest Webster, Jr. was born Nov. 7, 1912 and died Jan. 13, 1913. The two children living at the time were Doris, born Dec. 9, 1913 and Audrey, born c1917, and before Jun. 4.
On Jan. 21, 1920 the family was in the Pedlar Dist. of Amherst Co. where Ernest was farming. In addition to Doris and Audrey, a third child, Juanita, had been born on Aug., 6, 1918. A fourth child, Ray, was born later in 1920.
By 1930 the family was in Lexington, Rockbridge Co. The children Doris, Audrey, Juanita, and Ray were still living with them, and two more had been born after Ray: Clayton Webster in 1923 and Norman Elwood in 1929.
Ernest was once again called upon to make himself available to the military draft. He registered in Rockbridge Co. on Apr. 27, 1942 at the age of 54. The record indicates that he was 5' 11" tall, had brown hair and eyes.
Upon their deaths, both Ernest and Ethel were buried in the Green Hill Cemetery in Buena Vista, VA.Children:
Doris, born Dec. 9, 1913, died Jul. 31, 2005 in Frederick Co., MD. She married Donald Hafle, born Jun. 1, 1914, died Jan., 1985 in Frederick Co.
Audrey, born c1917, married a Mr. Holtzbach.
Juanita, born Aug. 6, 1918 in Amherst Co., died Oct. 5, 2006 in Lexington. She married Henry V. Blosser.
Her obituary:
BLOSSER, Juanita CoffeyRay Stratton, born c1920. No other information.
Juanita Coffey Blosser, 88, of Lexington, died Thursday, October 5, 2006, at The Mayflower of Lexington.
Born August 6, 1918 in Amherst, she was the daughter of Ernest W. and Ethel Stratton Coffey.
She was a member of St. John's United Methodist Church.
Her husband, Henry V. Blosser preceded her in death. Also preceding her in death were her daughter, Sherry Blosser Fry; two sisters, Audrey Holzbach and Doris Hafle, and two brothers, Clayton Coffey and Norman Coffey.
Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn and Edmund Cox of Blacksburg; grandchildren, Torrie Ruther, Leslie Knutson, Vaughn Cox, and Jill Burnett; five great-grandchildren; a brother and sister-in-law, Stratton and Evelyn Coffey of Lexington; two sisters-in-law, Rita Coffey of Lexington and Dorothy Blosser of Lynchburg; and ten nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be 11 a.m. Monday, October 9, 2006, at Green Hill Cemetery with the Rev. Deborah A. Koontz officiating. There will be no visitation at the funeral home. The family wishes to thank the wonderful staff at The Mayflower, Lexington and the Rockbridge Area Hospice.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rockbridge Area Hospice. Lomax Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Clayton Webster, born Jul. 13, 1923 in Amherst Co., died Jan. 30, 2001 in Lexington. He married Gladys H., last name unknown.
His obituary:
The Roanoke Times, Feb. 1, 2001Norman Elwood, born Dec. 31, 1929 in Rockbridge Co., died Dec. 11, 1999 in Lexington. He married Rita Garrett.
Coffey, Clayton Webster, 77, of Lexington, died Tuesday, January 30, 2001.
Mr. Coffey was born July 13, 1923 in Amherst County, son of the late Ernest W. Coffey and Ethel Stratton Coffey. He was a member of New Monmouth Presbyterian Church. He was a retired construction worker. He was a veteran of WW II and served in the Pacific and European Theaters.
Mr. Coffey was preceded in death by a brother, Norman E. Coffey and a sister, Audrey Holtzbach. He is survived by his wife, Gladys H. Coffey; one son, Arthur David Coffey and wife, Mary Ann of Owingsville, Ky.; two stepsons, Edgar Hamilton of Peters Burg and Ralph Hamilton of Buena Vista; two sisters, Juanita Blosser of Lexington and Doris Hafle of Frederick, Md.; one brother, Ray Stratton Coffey, Sr. and wife, Evelyn of Lexington; sister-in-law, Rita Coffey of Lexington; five grandchildren, Shannon Ann Maria Coffey, Alphonzo Coffey, Bartholomew Coffey, Rosita May Sutton, Arthur Clayton Coffey; ten great-grandchildren.
Funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2001 at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel, Buena Vista with the Reverend Martin Stokes officiating. Interment will be at Green Hill Mausoleum.
The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home.
His obituary:
The News-Gazette, Lexington, VA, Dec. 15, 1999Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or to correct any of this information.
Norman Coffey, Longtime Store Owner, Dies
Norman Elwood Coffey, 69, of Lexington, owner of a Lexington furniture store for almost 25 years, died Saturday, Dec. 11.
Mr. Coffey bought the furniture business he was to become known for, Norman Coffey Furniture, from Blosser Furniture Co. in the '70s and ran the store in two locations until 1981 when he consolidated the store into its location on South Jefferson Street. He operated the store, with the familiar oak rockers out front, until he closed the business and retired in late 1996.
Before entering the furniture business, he was a farmer, running one farm outside of Lexington and a cattle farm on Plank Road. He grew up working at his family's business, Coffey's Amoco Station on U.S. 60, later buying the business and running it until the 60s. He also worked for a time as a carpet inspector at Lees Carpets.
He was born Dec. 31, 1929, in Rockbridge County, son of the late Ernest Webster Coffey and Ethel Stratton Coffey. He was married to Rita Garrett Coffey and was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church. In the past few years he has been a door greeter at Wal-Mart.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four children, Pam A. Coffey and Tracy L. Coffey, both of Roanoke, Victor A. Coffey of Bedford and Melodie Hoy of Wake Forest, N.C.; two brother, Stratton Coffey and Clayton Coffey, both of Lexington; two sisters, Juanita Blosser of Buena Vista and Doric C. Haffle of Fredrick, Md.; and four grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. today, Wednesday, at Trinity United Methodist Church by the Rev. Mark Reuter and the Rev. Fred Arndt. Memorial contributions may be made to the Goshen Rescue Squad, the Rockbridge County Sheriff's Department D.A.R.E. program or Trinity United Methodist Church. Arrangements are by Harrison;s Funeral Home.
*Handwritten note by Doris Coffey Hafle on the newspaper clipping announcing the elopement reports 1901 as marriage year. It appears that she transposed the 0 and 1. Otherwise, Ernest would have been 13 yrs old at the time and Ethel only 9 yrs old.
July 28, 2008
Charles Edward Coffey, Jr.
Another son of Charles Edward Coffey, Sr. was Charles, Jr., born Nov. 9, 1859 in Amherst Co., VA. Junior married Sallie M. White on Nov. 6, 1880 in Amherst and with her fathered five children:
Lottie Jasper, born Dec. 21, 1883, died May 7, 1939. She married Moses Hill Trevey c1902. Moses was born Jan. 22, 1878 in VA., and died May. 23, 1954 in Amherst Co. Both are buried at Allwood Cemetery at El Bethel Church in Amherst Co. Their children were Norman; Harry Andrew; Helen Audrey; Hesper D.; and Hill.
Ashby Darmon, born Feb. 20, 1884, and died Jul 23, 1929. Ashby never married and had no known children. He is also buried at Allwood.
Inez, born Apr. 13, 1885 - no further information.
Hettie, born Feb. 9, 1887, died Mar. 13, 1974 in Temple City, Los Angeles Co., CA. Hettie first married Henry L. Harlow, born Apr. 1883 in VA, c1907. She is thought to have had three children with Henry, but I have found only two: Mayo C., born c1908 and Robert C., born c1914. In 1910 Henry and Hettie lived in the Pedlar Dist. of Amherst Co. where Henry was employed as an engine fireman, presumably on the railroad. By 1920, Henry was living with his two sons in the household with his mother, Amanda, and his step-father, Marshall P. Gatewood, in the Pedlar Dist. I have not located him after 1920. Hettie is said to have married a second time to a Mr. Thompson and then a third time to Chauncey Lucas. In 1960 Hettie was living alone in Los Angeles Co., CA and died in Temple City, LA Co., CA on Mar. 13, 1974.
The last child of Charles, Jr. with Sallie White was Beulah, born Oct. 25, 1889. She married Leonard Tyree Mason on Jan. 7, 1910 in Lynchburg, VA. I know of only one child, a son Thomas B., born Jan. 12, 1919, died Mar. 8, 2007.
His obituary:
Charles, Jr's second wife was Mary Lou (Mollie) Downey to whom he was married c1891. They had at least one son, Robert Ward, born Jun. 12, 1893, died Oct. 13, 1974 in Lynchburg, VA. He was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery at Lynchburg.
Left to right, is Beulah, Robert Ward and Hettie.
Robert married Edna Miller Breeden on Dec. 24, 1924 in VA. She was born Jun. 7, 1898 to Charles W. and Maggie Breeden, and died Jun. 8, 1995. I have two children for them: Mary Anne, born Oct. 25, 1925 and Charles Ward, born Jul. 17, 1927, died May 3, 1993.
Junior married a third time. That wife was Eunice Sales, born Dec. 27, 1894, died Feb. 17, 1983. There were no known children born to this union.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.
Photo courtesy John Taylor
Lottie Jasper, born Dec. 21, 1883, died May 7, 1939. She married Moses Hill Trevey c1902. Moses was born Jan. 22, 1878 in VA., and died May. 23, 1954 in Amherst Co. Both are buried at Allwood Cemetery at El Bethel Church in Amherst Co. Their children were Norman; Harry Andrew; Helen Audrey; Hesper D.; and Hill.
Ashby Darmon, born Feb. 20, 1884, and died Jul 23, 1929. Ashby never married and had no known children. He is also buried at Allwood.
Inez, born Apr. 13, 1885 - no further information.
Hettie, born Feb. 9, 1887, died Mar. 13, 1974 in Temple City, Los Angeles Co., CA. Hettie first married Henry L. Harlow, born Apr. 1883 in VA, c1907. She is thought to have had three children with Henry, but I have found only two: Mayo C., born c1908 and Robert C., born c1914. In 1910 Henry and Hettie lived in the Pedlar Dist. of Amherst Co. where Henry was employed as an engine fireman, presumably on the railroad. By 1920, Henry was living with his two sons in the household with his mother, Amanda, and his step-father, Marshall P. Gatewood, in the Pedlar Dist. I have not located him after 1920. Hettie is said to have married a second time to a Mr. Thompson and then a third time to Chauncey Lucas. In 1960 Hettie was living alone in Los Angeles Co., CA and died in Temple City, LA Co., CA on Mar. 13, 1974.
[Update 7/29/08: Hettie's children with Henry were: 1) Mayo Carrington Harlow, born Jul. 8, 1907 in Amherst Co., VA, and died Jan. 4, 1983 in Bedford City, Bedford Co., VA. 2) Margaret Victoria, born May 21, 1910 in Amherst Co., died Feb. 15, 1995 in Otero Co., NM; 3) Charles Robert, born 2 Nov., 1913, died Dec. 6, 1972 in Los Angeles Co., CA]
The last child of Charles, Jr. with Sallie White was Beulah, born Oct. 25, 1889. She married Leonard Tyree Mason on Jan. 7, 1910 in Lynchburg, VA. I know of only one child, a son Thomas B., born Jan. 12, 1919, died Mar. 8, 2007.
His obituary:
The News & Advance, Lynchburg, VA, Mar. 8, 2007
Thomas B. Mason, 88, of Roanoke, died Thursday, March 8, 2007. Born in Lynchburg, Jan. 12, 1919, he was the son of the late Leonard Tyree Mason and Beulah Coffey Mason. He was married to Emily Ann Wilkins Mason for 58 years.
He attended public schools in Lynchburg, graduating from E.C. Glass High School in 1936. He attended Hampden-Sydney College and received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1941. He was associated with a law firm in Arlington, from June 1941 until January 1942.
He served as a Naval Officer in World War II from 1942 to 1946, two years of which were in the South Pacific (Solomon Islands) and Philippine areas where he commanded PT Boat 179. He participated in the landings at Leyte, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 1944.
He engaged in the private practice of law in Lynchburg from 1946 to 1956, then became a trust officer with the Peoples National Bank and Trust Company of Lynchburg (now Bank of America). He was appointed by President Kennedy as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia in 1961, with offices in Roanoke. His family moved to Roanoke in 1962. He was re-appointed by President Johnson in 1965 and served in that office until 1969. The present U.S. Attorney's offices are located in the Thomas B. Mason Building at 105 Franklin Road.
He then became associated with the Law Department of Norfolk and Western Railway Company (now Norfolk Southern Corporation) from which he retired in 1983. He held memberships in the American Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association, Lynchburg and Roanoke Bar Associations and the Judicial Conference for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Appeals Courts.
Tom had a long-time interest in theater and was a member of the company at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, during the summer of 1937 (its fifth season), when the late Robert Porterfield, its founder, was executive and artistic director. Tom was then 18-years old and appeared in six plays. While in Lynchburg, he performed in numerous plays at Lynchburg Little Theatre, one of the oldest Community Theaters in the nation. In Roanoke, he appeared in plays at Mill Mountain Playhouse, where some may remember his performance as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey". Following his retirement he acted professionally at regional, summer and dinner theaters in several other states; playing Norman Thayer in "On Golden Pond" among other roles. Tom appeared in three feature films, (Crimes of the Heart, Mississippi Burning and Gods and Generals) and seven television films. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actor's Equity Association.
Tom was active in his church, having served as deacon, elder and trustee of First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, and previously as a member and officer of First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Martha Mason Malloy and husband, Joe Malloy, of Vesuvius, and Polly Mason Dunn of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren, Luke Malloy, Courtney Dunn and Mason Dunn; nephew, Thomas R. Mason and wife, Karen, of Alpharetta, Ga.; nieces, Anne Leadbetter and husband, Gig, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Marsha M. Matter and husband, Kevin, of Aurora, Colo.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, with the Rev. Robert D. Smith officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, in the Presbyterian Cemetery, 907 Bailey Street, Lynchburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, P.O. Box 8538, Roanoke, VA 24014; your own church; or a charity or organization of your choice.
Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel and Crematory, (540) 982-2100.
Charles, Jr's second wife was Mary Lou (Mollie) Downey to whom he was married c1891. They had at least one son, Robert Ward, born Jun. 12, 1893, died Oct. 13, 1974 in Lynchburg, VA. He was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery at Lynchburg.Left to right, is Beulah, Robert Ward and Hettie.
Robert married Edna Miller Breeden on Dec. 24, 1924 in VA. She was born Jun. 7, 1898 to Charles W. and Maggie Breeden, and died Jun. 8, 1995. I have two children for them: Mary Anne, born Oct. 25, 1925 and Charles Ward, born Jul. 17, 1927, died May 3, 1993.
Junior married a third time. That wife was Eunice Sales, born Dec. 27, 1894, died Feb. 17, 1983. There were no known children born to this union.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.
Photo courtesy John Taylor
July 21, 2008
Charles Edward and Sarah Jane Ogden Coffey - Update 2-22-2011
If you live anywhere in the US where the humidity and ambient temperature typically try to out do each other in the summer, you'll understand when I write that not much physical activity has been going on at my house for the past couple of days!
The outside cooling unit went down on Sunday. A friend knowledgeable about such things came over and changed out a capacitor and the compressor started. That lasted about an hour and we spent last night with every fan in the house, and one outside, running!
Today, I moved the wireless laptop out onto the deck and set up office in front of that large fan where I remained for most of the day. Heat doesn't seem to bother my wife as much as me, so she rarely ventured out unless it was to refill my empty iced tea glass!
By the time my friend got back this afternoon with the new outside unit, temps were 91F inside and 90F outside! Humidity inside and out was at about 49%. But, it didn't take long to install the new unit and temps inside are steadily dropping. We can look forward to a cool nights rest once again!
I didn't waste all of my time just sitting in front of that fan. With the help of my friend John Taylor, I decided to update some of the information on Charles Edward Coffey, a son of John Jack and Elizabeth Susan Duff Coffey in the Jordan Coffey line.
<--Charles Edward Coffey
Charles was born on Nov. 30, 1882 in Amherst Co., VA and died there on Feb. 13, 1924. He is buried at Bridge Hill Cemetery in Amherst Co.
He and Sarah Jane Ogden were married Feb. 14, 1854 somewhere - probably Amherst Co. - in Virginia. Sarah was born Oct. 22, 1833 in Virginia, the daughter of Zachariah and Elizabeth McDaniel Ogden. She died Jan. 17, 1904 and is also buried at Bridge Hill (note headstone).
One of their sons, Pittward (Pitt) Coffey (I've see his name in some genealogies as Pitt Woodford) was married to Lucy White on Oct. 3, 1881 in Amherst Co. The entry reads that Lucy, age 18 and a widow, was the daughter of Henry and Eliza White. She was also sister to Sallie M. White who married Pitt's younger brother, Charles Edward Coffey.
I have seen at least one unsourced genealogy that gives her name as Lucy Parks White. I wonder if she could have been previously married to a Parks who died, and then to Pitt!?
Lucy gave birth to a daughter named Vernie some 10 months later, on Sep. 23, 1882. Within a very short time - probably around 1885 - Pitt absconded with Flavona Fletcher, a daughter of Lucian and Marie Frances Crawford Fletcher. Lucian had some interest in Sweet Brian College in Amherst Co., and in 1901 Flovona received a portion of his share, some $5000.
Pitt and Flavona had already relocated to Kanawha Co. in West Virginia where Pitt farmed a little and eventually went into the grocery business. In 1900 he was a farmer. In 1910 he was a grocer. The extra cash that Flavona brought home probably helped him get started in the retail business.
By 1920 Pitt was retired. Too bad he didn't live longer to enjoy his retirement. He died on Jan. 9, 1922 of stomach cancer, and was buried on Jan. 10 at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston, Kanawha Co.
I do not yet know where Flavona went after 1920. But, she died on Nov. 5, 1955 in Putney, Kanawha Co.
In 1930 Flavonia was living with her daughter Alma and Alma's second husband, Frank C. Briscoe in Charles, WV.
Vernie, Pitt's daughter with Lucy married Robert L. Seay, who was born Oct. 25, 1875 (not yet sure where). He and Vernie had at least six children:
Evelyn, born Nov. 10, 1900, died Aug. 16, 1966
Vivian, born Sep. 25, 1903, died Nov. 1, 1973
John Robert, born Jun. 25, 1906, died apr. 2, 1984
Henry Vaughn, born Apr. 7, 1908, died Nov. 16, 1940
Marion, born Oct. 16, 1910, died May 23, 1975
William Lee, born Sep. 3, 1913, died Mar. 20, 1940
Pitt's children with Flavona were:
Jesse, born Sep., 1885, died Feb. 12, 1918 of "probably typhoid fever" and, was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston, Kanawha Co. Jesse died unmarried.
Janet Aurelia, born Jul. 1888, died Mar. 27, 1945. She married first T. Edward Berry on Nov. 19, 1908 in Lexington, Rockbridge Co., VA. She later married Chester L. Martin, born 1886, died Sep. 14, 1959 in Huntington, Cabell Co., WV. She is also buried at Spring Hill Cemetery.
Alma, born Mar., 1890. Alma married first to Thomas H. Young in 1911, Kanawha Co., WV. She gave him at least three children: Harless, born c1913; Margaret, born c1915; and Carroll Cletcher, born c1918, each in WV. She last appeared with Young in the 1920 census in Charleston. In 1924 she married a widower, Frank C. Briscoe and gave him at least two children: Mary, born c1925 and Joseph H., born c1927. That marriage license shows that Alma was divorced. Briscoe was 17 years senior to Alma and seemingly preceded her in death because, in 1963, at the age of 73, Alma married for the third time. This husband was 72-year old James Marshall Lawson. Alma is buried at Spring Hill. I have not discovered Mr. Lawson's burial place.
Harry Clarkston, born Jun. 8, 1892, died Mar., 1969. Buried at Putnam Co., WV.
Fletcher, born Jul. 5, 1895, died Nov., 1980 in Kanawha Co.
Stoughton Edward, born Feb., 1897, died Apr. 17, 1918. I've seen some genealogies who named this child Steven. However, Stoughton is how it is spelled on his death certificate. He died very young (age 21) from Tuberculosis. He was also buried at Spring Hill.
James Tinsley, born Sep. 21, 1901, died Oct. 10, 1934. James died early as well. He was deceased from a heart attack by the time he was 33 years old. He is also buried at Spring Hill.
More to come on the remainder of Charles' children with Sarah Jane Ogden.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.
Photos courtesy of John Taylor
The outside cooling unit went down on Sunday. A friend knowledgeable about such things came over and changed out a capacitor and the compressor started. That lasted about an hour and we spent last night with every fan in the house, and one outside, running!
Today, I moved the wireless laptop out onto the deck and set up office in front of that large fan where I remained for most of the day. Heat doesn't seem to bother my wife as much as me, so she rarely ventured out unless it was to refill my empty iced tea glass!
By the time my friend got back this afternoon with the new outside unit, temps were 91F inside and 90F outside! Humidity inside and out was at about 49%. But, it didn't take long to install the new unit and temps inside are steadily dropping. We can look forward to a cool nights rest once again!
I didn't waste all of my time just sitting in front of that fan. With the help of my friend John Taylor, I decided to update some of the information on Charles Edward Coffey, a son of John Jack and Elizabeth Susan Duff Coffey in the Jordan Coffey line.<--Charles Edward Coffey
Charles was born on Nov. 30, 1882 in Amherst Co., VA and died there on Feb. 13, 1924. He is buried at Bridge Hill Cemetery in Amherst Co.
He and Sarah Jane Ogden were married Feb. 14, 1854 somewhere - probably Amherst Co. - in Virginia. Sarah was born Oct. 22, 1833 in Virginia, the daughter of Zachariah and Elizabeth McDaniel Ogden. She died Jan. 17, 1904 and is also buried at Bridge Hill (note headstone).
One of their sons, Pittward (Pitt) Coffey (I've see his name in some genealogies as Pitt Woodford) was married to Lucy White on Oct. 3, 1881 in Amherst Co. The entry reads that Lucy, age 18 and a widow, was the daughter of Henry and Eliza White. She was also sister to Sallie M. White who married Pitt's younger brother, Charles Edward Coffey.
I have seen at least one unsourced genealogy that gives her name as Lucy Parks White. I wonder if she could have been previously married to a Parks who died, and then to Pitt!?
Lucy gave birth to a daughter named Vernie some 10 months later, on Sep. 23, 1882. Within a very short time - probably around 1885 - Pitt absconded with Flavona Fletcher, a daughter of Lucian and Marie Frances Crawford Fletcher. Lucian had some interest in Sweet Brian College in Amherst Co., and in 1901 Flovona received a portion of his share, some $5000.
Pitt and Flavona had already relocated to Kanawha Co. in West Virginia where Pitt farmed a little and eventually went into the grocery business. In 1900 he was a farmer. In 1910 he was a grocer. The extra cash that Flavona brought home probably helped him get started in the retail business.
By 1920 Pitt was retired. Too bad he didn't live longer to enjoy his retirement. He died on Jan. 9, 1922 of stomach cancer, and was buried on Jan. 10 at the Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston, Kanawha Co.
In 1930 Flavonia was living with her daughter Alma and Alma's second husband, Frank C. Briscoe in Charles, WV.
Vernie, Pitt's daughter with Lucy married Robert L. Seay, who was born Oct. 25, 1875 (not yet sure where). He and Vernie had at least six children:
Evelyn, born Nov. 10, 1900, died Aug. 16, 1966
Vivian, born Sep. 25, 1903, died Nov. 1, 1973
John Robert, born Jun. 25, 1906, died apr. 2, 1984
Henry Vaughn, born Apr. 7, 1908, died Nov. 16, 1940
Marion, born Oct. 16, 1910, died May 23, 1975
William Lee, born Sep. 3, 1913, died Mar. 20, 1940
Pitt's children with Flavona were:
Jesse, born Sep., 1885, died Feb. 12, 1918 of "probably typhoid fever" and, was buried at Spring Hill Cemetery in Charleston, Kanawha Co. Jesse died unmarried.
Janet Aurelia, born Jul. 1888, died Mar. 27, 1945. She married first T. Edward Berry on Nov. 19, 1908 in Lexington, Rockbridge Co., VA. She later married Chester L. Martin, born 1886, died Sep. 14, 1959 in Huntington, Cabell Co., WV. She is also buried at Spring Hill Cemetery.
Alma, born Mar., 1890. Alma married first to Thomas H. Young in 1911, Kanawha Co., WV. She gave him at least three children: Harless, born c1913; Margaret, born c1915; and Carroll Cletcher, born c1918, each in WV. She last appeared with Young in the 1920 census in Charleston. In 1924 she married a widower, Frank C. Briscoe and gave him at least two children: Mary, born c1925 and Joseph H., born c1927. That marriage license shows that Alma was divorced. Briscoe was 17 years senior to Alma and seemingly preceded her in death because, in 1963, at the age of 73, Alma married for the third time. This husband was 72-year old James Marshall Lawson. Alma is buried at Spring Hill. I have not discovered Mr. Lawson's burial place.
Harry Clarkston, born Jun. 8, 1892, died Mar., 1969. Buried at Putnam Co., WV.
Fletcher, born Jul. 5, 1895, died Nov., 1980 in Kanawha Co.
Stoughton Edward, born Feb., 1897, died Apr. 17, 1918. I've seen some genealogies who named this child Steven. However, Stoughton is how it is spelled on his death certificate. He died very young (age 21) from Tuberculosis. He was also buried at Spring Hill.
James Tinsley, born Sep. 21, 1901, died Oct. 10, 1934. James died early as well. He was deceased from a heart attack by the time he was 33 years old. He is also buried at Spring Hill.
More to come on the remainder of Charles' children with Sarah Jane Ogden.
Please contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.
Photos courtesy of John Taylor
June 21, 2008
Joseph Joshua and Rosa Belle Coffey Pennell
According to his death certificate, Joseph was born Jul. 1, 1878. In 1900 he reported to the census taker that he was born in August, 1880, was 19 years old and had been married for three years. Rosa reported that she too was age 19 and was born in September, 1880. Her death certificate reports only that she was born in 1879.
Joseph was the son of John and Susan Adeline Reid Pennell. Rosa was the daughter of William Franklin and Sarah (Sally) Holsclaw Coffey. William Franklin from Alexander Co., NC and was a son of Calvin and Serena White Coffey. Joseph died on Jan. 28, 1970 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC and Rosa on Nov. 12, 1949 in Taylorsville, Alexander Co.
Their children were:
William Arthur, born Jun., 1898, married Mary Lola Earp.
[Update May 6, 2010: Mary Lola, born Aug., 1894 in Little River Twp., was the daughter of James and Jane Earp. See 1900 Little River Twp., Alexander Co., NC census]
Lola, born c1901, married Thomas M. Farrell
John Robert, born 1905
Sallie Emma, born Sep. 11, 1908, died Aug. 27, 1994. She married Glenn A. Payne, born 1905, died 1980.
Luther V., born 1910
Samuel B., born c1911
Hershell george, born Jul. 16, 1915, died Sep. 6, 2005, married Mary JoAnn Spencer
Edna Hessie, born Sep. 29, 1915, died Jan. 5, 2001. She married a James, last name unknown
Perry Conly, born Sep. 26, 1923, married Mary Lou Hubbard. Perry died on Jul. 21, 2003
Other children of John and Susan Adeline Reid Pennell were:
Mary Salina, born c1863
Susan C., born c1864
Samuel Leroy, born 1866, died Dec. 15, 1942, married Nancy M. Caldwell.
Lawson William, born 1863, married Lena Hollar, daughter of David A. and Ellen Bentley Hollar.
Lavina E., born c1871, died Nov. 6, 1963
Michel Andrew, born 1872, died Nov. 23, 1956. He married Nora Ainer Coffey, sister to Rosa who married Joseph Pennell.
Frances E., born 1875, died Apr. 15, 1937, married Lark Pope.
Elsie, born Mar., 1882
Readers can contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.
Joseph was the son of John and Susan Adeline Reid Pennell. Rosa was the daughter of William Franklin and Sarah (Sally) Holsclaw Coffey. William Franklin from Alexander Co., NC and was a son of Calvin and Serena White Coffey. Joseph died on Jan. 28, 1970 in Winston-Salem, Forsyth Co., NC and Rosa on Nov. 12, 1949 in Taylorsville, Alexander Co.
Their children were:
William Arthur, born Jun., 1898, married Mary Lola Earp.
[Update May 6, 2010: Mary Lola, born Aug., 1894 in Little River Twp., was the daughter of James and Jane Earp. See 1900 Little River Twp., Alexander Co., NC census]
Lola, born c1901, married Thomas M. Farrell
John Robert, born 1905
Sallie Emma, born Sep. 11, 1908, died Aug. 27, 1994. She married Glenn A. Payne, born 1905, died 1980.
Luther V., born 1910
Samuel B., born c1911
Hershell george, born Jul. 16, 1915, died Sep. 6, 2005, married Mary JoAnn Spencer
Edna Hessie, born Sep. 29, 1915, died Jan. 5, 2001. She married a James, last name unknown
Perry Conly, born Sep. 26, 1923, married Mary Lou Hubbard. Perry died on Jul. 21, 2003
Other children of John and Susan Adeline Reid Pennell were:
Mary Salina, born c1863
Susan C., born c1864
Samuel Leroy, born 1866, died Dec. 15, 1942, married Nancy M. Caldwell.
Lawson William, born 1863, married Lena Hollar, daughter of David A. and Ellen Bentley Hollar.
Lavina E., born c1871, died Nov. 6, 1963
Michel Andrew, born 1872, died Nov. 23, 1956. He married Nora Ainer Coffey, sister to Rosa who married Joseph Pennell.
Frances E., born 1875, died Apr. 15, 1937, married Lark Pope.
Elsie, born Mar., 1882
Readers can contact me at the above e-mail address to add to or correct any of this information.
April 6, 2008
George Washington and Mary Elizabeth Lewis Coffey
George Washington Coffey was born May 22, 18611 in Alexander Co., NC to Calvin and Serena White Coffey. He married Mary Elizabeth Lewis on Feb. 21, 18781, probably in Alexander Co. George died on May 12, 1918 in Raton, Colfax Co., NM.1 Mary died c1935 in Blaine Co., OK.
In the 1880 census George and Mary were in Alexander Co., NC, residing in the household with his widowed mother. In the 1900 Garfield Co., OK census, Mary gave her birth date as Nov., 1860. However, on Jul. 6, 1860 she was enumerated as a 5 year old child in the household with her parents, Jackson and Lucinda Maltba Lewis, making her birth year closer to 1855.
By 1910 George and Mary had relocated to Blaine Co.
If these dates are correct, George was 16 years old and Mary was 22 when they married on Feb. 21, 18781
There were at least nine children born to George and Mary, with at least eight of them born in North Carolina. One child was born in Texas.
1 - Lula Octavia, born Dec. 16, 1878
2 - Dovey Rosella, born Mar. 11, 1880
3 - James Avery, born Jun. 1, 1882, died Nov. 28, 1954. James married Ethel Mae Noah in Blaine Co., OK on Dec. 28, 1906.2
Their children numbered at least 13: Everett Lee, born 1908, died 1972; Mamie M., born c1909; Alva James, born 1911, died 1959; Amey [Amy] L., born c1912; Oscar G., born c1916; Clara, born c1918; Hazel L., born c1919; Frank, born c1922; Orville, born c1923; Erma, born c1924; Elza E.3, born c1926; Elmo, born c 1927; and Earl, born c1928. Ethel died in Jul., 1981 in Okeene, Blaine Co., OK. Both she and James are buried in the Canton Cemetery, Canton, Blaine Co., OK.
Her obituary as printed in the Watonga Republican, Thur., Jul. 23, 1981, Watonga, Blaine County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. - 73772.4
4 - Texas, a daughter, born Oct. 12, 1883
5 - Harry Horton, born Nov. 15, 1884
6 - Smith Allen, born Mar. 16, 1886. Smith married Elizabeth A. (Lizzie) Carter c1910. Elizabeth was born c1892 in Kansas. Their children were Harley W., born 1911, died 1976; Rosa V., born c1914; Leonard Lee, born 1916, died 1994; Inez W., born c1918; Clarence, born c1920; Raymond, born c1923; Homer, born c1925; and Virgie, born c1928. This family and their children were in Blaine Co., OK through the 1930 census. However, Smith registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Dead Man, Union Co., NM. He gave his birth date as above, and was a farmer who lived with his wife at Dead Man. He described himself as being short with medium build, gray eyes and light brown hair.
7 - George Washington (Wash), born Feb. 18, 1887
8 - William Crantford, born Aug., 17 18895, died Jun., 1973.5 "Crant" married Rosa c1909, probably in OK. She ws born c1890 in Arkansas. Their children were: Gladys, born c1915; Lue Vada, born c1921; Floyd, born c1924; and Sanford, born c1929. William registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Blaine Co. He gave his age as 32, and birthdate as Aug. 15, 1888. He was a farmer in Carlton, OK where he resided with his wife and one child. He was described as being tall with medium built, blue eyes and brown hair.
9 - Bertha Viola Coffey, born in TX on Aug. 21, 1893.
Please contact me with corrections or, if you can fill in any of the blanks; e.g., spouses for the other six children. My e-mail address is above, right.
1 Coffey Family from Virginia to Oklahoma, Darlene Margaret Carignan Coffey online [http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/f/Darlene-M-Coffey/], accessed Jan 18, 2005 (coffey@childresstx.com)
2 Obituary for Ethel Mae Noah Coffey
3 Elza E. Coffey was a Sergeant First Class assigned to the Infantry. He was a Light Weapons Infantry Leader in the 1st Inf Div. during the Korean War. He was wounded on Oct. 9, 1951 in the North Korean sector and, returned to duty on Dec. 3, 1951.
4 Rootsweb obituary contributed by Robert Nusz
5 Social Security Death Index, Master File
Other sources are the 1880-1930 Federal Census Records
In the 1880 census George and Mary were in Alexander Co., NC, residing in the household with his widowed mother. In the 1900 Garfield Co., OK census, Mary gave her birth date as Nov., 1860. However, on Jul. 6, 1860 she was enumerated as a 5 year old child in the household with her parents, Jackson and Lucinda Maltba Lewis, making her birth year closer to 1855.
By 1910 George and Mary had relocated to Blaine Co.
If these dates are correct, George was 16 years old and Mary was 22 when they married on Feb. 21, 18781
There were at least nine children born to George and Mary, with at least eight of them born in North Carolina. One child was born in Texas.
1 - Lula Octavia, born Dec. 16, 1878
2 - Dovey Rosella, born Mar. 11, 1880
3 - James Avery, born Jun. 1, 1882, died Nov. 28, 1954. James married Ethel Mae Noah in Blaine Co., OK on Dec. 28, 1906.2
Their children numbered at least 13: Everett Lee, born 1908, died 1972; Mamie M., born c1909; Alva James, born 1911, died 1959; Amey [Amy] L., born c1912; Oscar G., born c1916; Clara, born c1918; Hazel L., born c1919; Frank, born c1922; Orville, born c1923; Erma, born c1924; Elza E.3, born c1926; Elmo, born c 1927; and Earl, born c1928. Ethel died in Jul., 1981 in Okeene, Blaine Co., OK. Both she and James are buried in the Canton Cemetery, Canton, Blaine Co., OK.
Her obituary as printed in the Watonga Republican, Thur., Jul. 23, 1981, Watonga, Blaine County, Oklahoma, U.S.A. - 73772.4
In Memory of Ethel May (Noah) Coffey 1890-1981
Ethel May Coffey died Wednesday, July 15th, 1981 in Okeene hospital at the age of 90, leaving 166 descendents. Funeral services were held Saturday, July 18th, 1981 in the First Christian Church at Canton, Oklahoma with Duane Cowan and David Derr as officiating ministers. Burial was in the Canton Cemetery, Canton, Oklahoma with arrangements under the direction of Haigler Funeral Home. Mrs. Coffey was born November 11th, 1890 in Beloit, Kansas. She and James Avery Coffey were married in 1906 in Watonga, Oklahoma. She was a member of the Woodward Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the American Legion Auxiliary and the First Christian Church. Mrs. Coffey is survived by 11 childre: Mamie Wimer, Oscar Coffey and Clara Otwell of Fairview, Oklahoma; Frank Coffey of Blackwell, Oklahoma; Amy Sturgeon of Oakwood, Oklahoma; Elza Coffey, Earl Coffey, Hazel McDowell, and Erma Daugherty of Canton, Oklahoma; LaVonta Miller of Shawnee, Oklahoma and Burl Coffey of Springfield, Massachuesetts; three sisters: Gladys Grecian of Palco, Kansas, Inez MaDavitt of Akron, Colorado; and Lavina Logan of Wendell, Idaho; two brothers: Homer Noah of Orifina, Idaho; and Wilbur (Pat) Noah of Tulsa, Oklahoma; 49 grandchildren; 101 great-grandchildren and five great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband on November 28th, 1954; five sons; two daughters; four brothers; and two sisters.
4 - Texas, a daughter, born Oct. 12, 1883
5 - Harry Horton, born Nov. 15, 1884
6 - Smith Allen, born Mar. 16, 1886. Smith married Elizabeth A. (Lizzie) Carter c1910. Elizabeth was born c1892 in Kansas. Their children were Harley W., born 1911, died 1976; Rosa V., born c1914; Leonard Lee, born 1916, died 1994; Inez W., born c1918; Clarence, born c1920; Raymond, born c1923; Homer, born c1925; and Virgie, born c1928. This family and their children were in Blaine Co., OK through the 1930 census. However, Smith registered for the WW1 draft on Sep. 12, 1918 in Dead Man, Union Co., NM. He gave his birth date as above, and was a farmer who lived with his wife at Dead Man. He described himself as being short with medium build, gray eyes and light brown hair.
7 - George Washington (Wash), born Feb. 18, 1887
8 - William Crantford, born Aug., 17 18895, died Jun., 1973.5 "Crant" married Rosa c1909, probably in OK. She ws born c1890 in Arkansas. Their children were: Gladys, born c1915; Lue Vada, born c1921; Floyd, born c1924; and Sanford, born c1929. William registered for the WW1 draft on Jun. 5, 1917 in Blaine Co. He gave his age as 32, and birthdate as Aug. 15, 1888. He was a farmer in Carlton, OK where he resided with his wife and one child. He was described as being tall with medium built, blue eyes and brown hair.
9 - Bertha Viola Coffey, born in TX on Aug. 21, 1893.
Please contact me with corrections or, if you can fill in any of the blanks; e.g., spouses for the other six children. My e-mail address is above, right.
1 Coffey Family from Virginia to Oklahoma, Darlene Margaret Carignan Coffey online [http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/o/f/Darlene-M-Coffey/], accessed Jan 18, 2005 (coffey@childresstx.com)
2 Obituary for Ethel Mae Noah Coffey
3 Elza E. Coffey was a Sergeant First Class assigned to the Infantry. He was a Light Weapons Infantry Leader in the 1st Inf Div. during the Korean War. He was wounded on Oct. 9, 1951 in the North Korean sector and, returned to duty on Dec. 3, 1951.
4 Rootsweb obituary contributed by Robert Nusz
5 Social Security Death Index, Master File
Other sources are the 1880-1930 Federal Census Records
June 11, 2007
Lottie J. Coffey Trevey
 |
| Lottie J. Coffey Trevey |
Lottie J. Coffey was the daughter of Charles Edward Coffey, Jr., and his wife Sallie M. White. Charles is in the Jordan Coffey line.
She was born Dec. 21, 1883 in Virginia, and probably in Amherst Co., and died there on May 7, 1939. She married Moses Hill Trevey c1902. Moses was born Jan. 22, 1878 in (probably) Amherst Co., VA and died there on May 23, 1954.
There were five children born to the marriage: Norman, born c1906; Harry Andrew, born May 18, 1908, died Apr. 24, 1924; Helen Audrey, borm May 18, 1908; Hesper D., born c1915, and Hill, born Jun. 12, 1923, died Jun. 9, 1926.
Lottie's sisters and brothers were Hester; Ashby Darmon, born Feb. 20, 1884, died Jul. 23, 1929; Inez, born Apr. 13, 1885; Hattie, born Apr. 2, 1888; and Beulah, born Oct. 25, 1889.
Beulah married Leonard Tyree Mason Jan. 7, 1910 in Lynchburg, VA. He was born Jul. 7, 1888 in Campbell Co. I know of only one child: Thomas B., born Jan. 12, 1919, died Mar. 8, 2007:
Obituary, The News & Advance, Lynchburg, VA, Mar. 8, 2007
Thomas B. Mason, 88, of Roanoke, died Thursday, March 8, 2007. Born in Lynchburg, Jan. 12, 1919, he was the son of the late Leonard Tyree Mason and Beulah Coffey Mason. He was married to Emily Ann Wilkins Mason for 58 years.
He attended public schools in Lynchburg, graduating from E.C. Glass High School in 1936. He attended Hampden-Sydney College and received his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1941. He was associated with a law firm in Arlington, from June 1941 until January 1942.
He served as a Naval Officer in World War II from 1942 to 1946, two years of which were in the South Pacific (Solomon Islands) and Philippine areas where he commanded PT Boat 179. He participated in the landings at Leyte, Philippines, on Oct. 20, 1944.
He engaged in the private practice of law in Lynchburg from 1946 to 1956, then became a trust officer with the Peoples National Bank and Trust Company of Lynchburg (now Bank of America). He was appointed by President Kennedy as United States Attorney for the Western District of Virginia in 1961, with offices in Roanoke. His family moved to Roanoke in 1962. He was re-appointed by President Johnson in 1965 and served in that office until 1969. The present U.S. Attorney's offices are located in the Thomas B. Mason Building at 105 Franklin Road.
He then became associated with the Law Department of Norfolk and Western Railway Company (now Norfolk Southern Corporation) from which he retired in 1983. He held memberships in the American Bar Association, Virginia Bar Association, Lynchburg and Roanoke Bar Associations and the Judicial Conference for the Fourth Judicial Circuit of Appeals Courts.
Tom had a long-time interest in theater and was a member of the company at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, during the summer of 1937 (its fifth season), when the late Robert Porterfield, its founder, was executive and artistic director. Tom was then 18-years old and appeared in six plays. While in Lynchburg, he performed in numerous plays at Lynchburg Little Theatre, one of the oldest Community Theaters in the nation. In Roanoke, he appeared in plays at Mill Mountain Playhouse, where some may remember his performance as Elwood P. Dowd in "Harvey". Following his retirement he acted professionally at regional, summer and dinner theaters in several other states; playing Norman Thayer in "On Golden Pond" among other roles. Tom appeared in three feature films, (Crimes of the Heart, Mississippi Burning and Gods and Generals) and seven television films. He was a member of the Screen Actors Guild and Actor's Equity Association.
Tom was active in his church, having served as deacon, elder and trustee of First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, and previously as a member and officer of First Presbyterian Church of Lynchburg.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Martha Mason Malloy and husband, Joe Malloy, of Vesuvius, and Polly Mason Dunn of Greenville, N.C.; grandchildren, Luke Malloy, Courtney Dunn and Mason Dunn; nephew, Thomas R. Mason and wife, Karen, of Alpharetta, Ga.; nieces, Anne Leadbetter and husband, Gig, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Marsha M. Matter and husband, Kevin, of Aurora, Colo.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 10, 2007, at First Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, with the Rev. Robert D. Smith officiating. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, in the Presbyterian Cemetery, 907 Bailey Street, Lynchburg.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Roanoke, P.O. Box 8538, Roanoke, VA 24014; your own church; or a charity or organization of your choice.
Arrangements by Oakey's Roanoke Chapel and Crematory, (540) 982-2100.
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