Reuben Dalton (1752-1801)

According to a 2006 Dalton genealogy report submitted by Jean England, Reuben Dalton was the first of his line to settle in Grainger Co., TN.¹ He settled in Thorn Hill in 1801 after having served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.² Reuben had been an Ensign in Captain Isham’s company in the Virginia State Militia.  He died prior to the passing of the law that gave veterans of that war the right to apply for a pension.

He was born in Bedford Co., VA c1752.  He arrived in “Montgomery Co., VA from Pittsylvania Co. in 1772” and bought “170 acres in the area known as Little Reed Island Creek.”  In her report, Jean tells us that Reuben was listed on Tennessee tax rolls of 1797 as owner of 200 acres but was probably still in Virginia at the time.  He sold some of the Virginia property in 1797 and the rest of it in 1801 when he relocated to Tennessee.

Reuben died in 1801 and was buried “on the Fred Davidson farm on Copper Ridge Rd. near Cedar Springs Baptist Church” in Thorn Hill.  Archie Dalton, a long time Dalton researcher, wrote to me in 2005 and reported that Reuben "is buried in the woods close to the Bluff Davidson graveyard..." near Thorn Hill.  I have been unable to locate the farm or the cemetery and, it is not clear to me how either burial site is known.

On Jan. 4, 1808 he applied for a marriage license in Grainger Co. to marry Nancy Shockley.³ Nancy was born c1757 at Pittsylvania.  Her family likely migrated along with others into Grainger Co. about the same time as Reuben.

The union between the couple produced at least nine children:  Enos; Elizabeth; Agnes Anne; William Meredith; Reuben, Jr.; Mary; Carter; Hannah Ann and Timothy.  In this paper we will try to follow Timothy, thought to have been born in 1810.⁴

Timothy is the first known Dalton known to me to marry into the Coffey family.  His wife was Delphia Coffey, a daughter of George Coffey and Margaret L. Rucker.  We can follow George back to Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through his father, Benjamin Coffey who married Mary “Polly” Hayes.  I will only touch on the descendants of Timothy who also married Coffeys.

Delphia and Timothy were married in Grainger Co. on Dec. 29, 1828.⁵ Over the next 26 years, she became the mother of at least 11 of Timothy’s children. Timothy died c1863 in Grainger Co.; neither a death record nor place of burial has been located.  In any event, Delphia, yet with young children at home, married the widower Jacob Hipshire on Mar. 23, 1863.  Jacob was age 66 years and Delphia was age 48 when they married.  There were no known children.

Jacob was a North Carolina native and son of Henry and Delphia Delamar (sic).  His first wife was Matilda Hayes, born c1810 in NC, died 1855 in Grainger Co.  Her parents were Thomas and Sarah “Sally” Rucker Hayes.  Margaret Rucker, wife of George Coffey and Sarah “Sally” were sisters, daughters of Colby and Sarah Roberts Rucker.

The 11 children of Timothy and Delphia were:  David, born c1831; George Washington, born Feb. 3, 1832, died Dec. 24, 1904;⁶ Manerva, born c1834; Thomas, born c1834; Ally (Ollie?), born c1837; William Nelson, born Dec 6, 1839;⁶ Green C., born c1840; Colby Timothy, born c1842; Hiram, born c1843; Emeline, born c1844 and Harriet, born c1854.

Son George first married Charlotte Hedrick, a daughter of John and Lucinda Hipshire Hedrick. His second wife was Sarah Ann, Charlotte’s sister. George and Charlotte’s son Lafayette, known as “Lee Fate” married Cornelia Dalton, a child of Tandy Witcher and Matilda Coffey Dalton. Lee Fate’s son James Franklin, (1880-1947), married twice, the second to Louvernie “Vernie” Coffey (1887-1978), a daughter of Lacy and Margaret Ogan Coffey. James’ first wife was Mattie Collins to whom he was married in 1903.  I know of only one child, a son Creed, born 1913.  Mattie died in 1917 at the same time as Creed; she of “pulmonary consumption,” he of “lobar pneumonia.”⁷ I know of no children born to James and Vernie.

Daughter Ally (Ollie?) married William Hedrick and their daughter married Eva (1895-1963) married Guy Willis Hedrick, her multiple second and third cousin.  Guy was the son of William Henry and Margaret Jane Coffey Hedrick.  Jane was the daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane Shockley Coffey.

Son Colby Timothy (1842-1908) married Letitia Wolfe (1842-1904), a daughter of Moses and Catherine Wolfe Wolfe.  Their son Greenberry (1868-1942) married Lula May Coffey (1869-1948).  Lula was a daughter of Austin and Elizabeth Dalton Coffey.  Austin descends from Edward through his father Elijah Coffey who married Rebecca Shockley.  Elizabeth Dalton was a daughter of Colby John and Elizabeth McGinnis Dalton.  Colby goes back to Reuben through his father William Meredith Dalton who married Delphia Rucker, the daughter of Colby and Sarah Roberts Rucker.

The death date and place of burial for Timothy and Delphia is unknown. The death dates for many of the children are known and some of their burial sites are also known.  However, more research is required to confirm and verify.

Corrections and additions welcomed.

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¹ Jean England, Thorn Hill, TN, compiler, Dalton Ancestors, an attachment to e-mail from the author  to Jack Coffee:, Sep. 25, 2006. Most of the early information about Reuben is credited to Jean.

² A monument to his memory has been placed at the Mount Pleasant Methodist Church in Thorn Hill.

³ "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/X8YZ-WJ2 : accessed 24 January 2015), Reubin Daulton and Nancy Shockley, 04 Jan 1808; citing Grainger, Grainger, Tennessee, reference ; FHL microfilm 968,583.

⁴ Birth dates and locations for all of the children are inconsistent.  Some dates are prior to Reuben and Nancy’s marriage; some in Virginia and some in Grainger Co. He may have been previously married.

⁵ "Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002", index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VNDC-3SC : accessed 05 ⁶Mar 2013), Timothy Dalton and Delpha Coffer, 1828.

⁶ Betty White Martin, "Descendants of Timothy Dalton". Grainger Co., TN, Jul. 18, 2005

⁷ "Tennessee Death Records, 1914-1955", index and images, FamilySearch.org

James Madison & Lydia Ann Wolfe Coffey

James was a son of Ausburn (var.) and Matilda "Tildy" Dalton Coffey.  Lydia "Liddy" was the daughter of Adam and Jemima McCoy Wolfe.  James, born in 1834, Tennessee, married Liddy in Grainger Co., TN in 1857.[1]  She was born in Grainger Co. in 1836.[2]

By 1860 the couple was residing in Rockcastle Co., KY where they remained for the rest of their lives.[3]

Between 1858 and 1882 James and Liddy had at least 12 children; three sons, the remainder were daughters.  There was one unnamed child that was born and died in Feb., 1882, sex also unknown.

First child born was Thomas Jefferson in 1858, Grainger Co., died 1934 in Jessamine Co., KY.  Thomas married Mary Alice McGuire in 1883, Rockcastle Co.   She was born in KY in 1865 and died in Madison Co., KY in 1940.  Their children were: Beulah, Martha, Lydia, Minnie and Willie, all daughters.  Thomas' burial place is not known to me.  Mary Alice is buried at the Richmond Cemetery in Richmond, Madison Co.

John Henry, born in May, 1861 at Rockcastle Co., married Eliza Margaret Langford in 1891, Rockcastle Co.  She was born in that county i 1856 and died in Mercer Co., KY in 1931.  John Henry died at Mt. Vernon, KY in 1951.  Their children were Minnie L., James Madison and Jessie.  Both John and Eliza are buried at the Maret Cemetery in Wildie, Rockcastle Co., KY.

The first daughter born to James and Liddy was Margaret Angeline on Aug. 16, 1863 in Rockcastle Co.  She died there in Oct., 1863 and was buried at Maret.

Glathia Jane, born Oct., 1865, married Joseph Love Ramsey in 1898, Rockcastle Co.  Joseph was born in KY in 1842 and died in Rockcastle Co. in 1901.  Glathia Jane died in Madison Co. in 1939.  Joseph's first wife was Martha Jane Bryant, born 1843, died 1895.  They had at least two children; Ella, c1866 and Gatie, 1881 in Renfro Valley, Rockcastle Co.  Gatie married Arthur A. Coffey in 1897, Rockcastle Co.  He was the son of Lee and Isabelle "Belle" Hiatt Coffey.  Lee and Glathia Jane were first cousins.  Glathia is buried at the Berea Cemetery while Joseph was buried at the Hiatt Cemetery in Renfro Valley.

Gemima "Mimmia" follower Glathia in Dec., 1866 at Rockcastle Co.  She never married and died at Rockcastle Co. in 1967.  She is also buried at Maret.

Matilda was next, born in 1868 at Wildie.  She married John R. Dotson on Oct. 5, 1893 at Rockcastle Co.  He was born in TN in Jun., 1872 and died in Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH in 1965.  Matilda, whose middle name was either Addison or Aderson - nicknamed Addie - died in Preble Co., OH in 1953.  They had Orla, Ila, Dewey, Margaret, Earnest, Honest John [sic] and Argie.  Orla married Walker Blanton, born c1884, died 1962.  Orla died in 1981.  Both are buried at Berea.  Honest John was born in 1903 and died in 1914 at Wildie.  He was buried at Rockcastle Co., but cenetery is not given on his death certificate.

Hulda was one of two daughters of James and Liddy that married a Ketron.  Her husband was George Nelson, born 1867 in KY to Allen and Bettie Hatfield Ketron.  He and Hulda married in 1897, Rockcastle Co and had children William Allen; James B.; John C.; Freeman D.; Lydia Loretta; and George Conley.  George was their only child not born in KY.  He was born in Indiana, and probably in Randolph Co.  Hulda died in Eaton, OH in 1951; George in Winchester, Randolph Co., IN in 1945.  Hulda is buried at Fountain Park Cemetery in Winchester.  George's resting place in unknown to me but likely also at Fountain Park.

William Ausbon was the last known son born to James and Liddy.  He was born in Rockcastle Co. in 1873 and died there in 1964.  He married Cordelia T. Reynolds in 1895.  She was born to Tandy and Sarah Parsons Reynolds in KY in 1871 and died in Rockcastle Co. in 1913.  The name given on her death certificate as well as her headstone is Cordelia Tea Coffey.  Both she and William are buried at Maret.  Their children were Casper; Della J.; Grace; Vesta; John Clay; Unnamed male; William R.; and James Jefferson "Jepp."

Eliza Brannaman, born 1875 in Rockcastle Co., died in 1971 and was buried at Maret.  She never married.

MarionVictoria Ketron Reese

Cordelia "Delia" was the other daughter of James and Liddy to marry a Ketron.  He husband was Freeman, brother to Hulda's husband, George Ketron.  They were married in Rockcastle Co. in 1897.  Freeman was born in KY in 1875; Delia in 1878, Rockcastle Co.  He died there in 1928; she in Berea in 1952.  Both are buried at Scaffold Cane Cemetery in Round Stone, Rockcastle Co.  Their children were:  Johnny Love; Benton, Allen A; Daisy B.; Hagie  (?) M.; Thurman H.; Floy T.; and Marion Victoria.  Floy married Brandley Powell in 1937.  Marion Victoria married Leonard Reese.

The last named child of James and Liddy was Sallie, born c1879.  No other information.  An unnamed child was born Feb. 1, 1882,  It died that same month in Wildie and was buried at Maret.

More details are available in the Edward Coffey Project.  Corrections and additions are welcomed.

 Jack

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[1]David B. Trimble, Wolfe and Hickman of East Tennessee (Microfilmed by Brigham Young University: David B. Trimble, 2506 Hartford Rd., Austin, TX 78703, 2006), Page 189.
[2] 1900 Rockcastle Co., KY census, Round Stone Pct., ED 65, Sheet 13A
[3] 1860 thru 1930 census records for Rockcastle Co.

Elijah & Martha Coffey Coffey

Elijah Coffey Family

This Elijah was a son of Samuel "Sam" and Martha Wolfe Coffey, born April, 1881 in Grainger Co., TN.  Martha was the daughter of Jasper Newton and Lucy Jane Shell Coffey.  Jasper and Sam were second cousins with their common ancestor being Revolutionary War veteran Benjamin and Mary "Polly" Hayes Coffey.  Benjamin was a son of John and Jane Graves Coffey.  Martha was born in Hancock Co., TN in May of 1883.

I have not yet found a marriage record for Elijah and Martha.  The birth years of their 12 - at least - children, all born in Grainger Co., change from census to census making it difficult to document their birth order.

Their first child is thought to have been Martha, born c1899.  No further info

George Washington "Washie", born Dec. 29 1902, died Jan. 1, 1978 in Grainger Co.  Washie was twice married, first to Mandy or Manda Atkins (1903-1924) who likely died at or shortly after the birth of their only child, George Washington "Jessie" Coffey, born Jan. 1, 1924, died Mar, 1969 in Grainger Co.  His second wife was Gelina Atkins, a cousin to Manda.  I haven't found this couple in 1930 but, in 1940 they had a son, James, age 14.

Dexter Coffey Hedrick

Dexter, a daughter, is said to have been born in 1907 and married on May 5, 1928, Robert William Hedrick.  Robert appears to have died before the 1930 census because Dexter was a widow, living with her parents in Grainger Co.  They had one son, Robert William Hedrick, Jr.

Vara, fourth born, May 19, 1909, married Oscar Wallace on Oct. 3, 1926 in Hamblen Co., TN.  Oscar was born Jul. 21, 1901 in Grainger Co.  He died on Mar. 22, 1983 at Bean Station, Grainger Co.; she on Jan. 20, 1995 at Bean Station.  Their children were Minnie Ruth; Henry P. (Paul Earl?), Ruby Lee; twins Jerry and Perry, Charles Elmer and Oscar Lee.  Oscar and Vara as well as sons Jerry and Perry are buried at Bean Station Cemetery which I believe is also known as the Bean Station Baptist Church Cemetery.[1]

Samuel, born c1911.  No other information.

Walter Preston, born c1913.  No other information

Newton, Jul. 19, 1914, died Jun. 22, 1915 at Tate Springs in Grainger Co.

Thomas, born c1917.  No other information.

Ophia Coffey Coffey

Ophia "Ophie", born c1918, married Enos Garfield Coffey on Apr. 12, 1937 in Grainger Co.  She and Enos were related at least seven different ways as 3d, 4th, and 5th cousins.  Enos was the son of Charles Edward and Susan McDaniel Coffey.  Charles and Elijah were 4th cousins, once removed.  Enos and Ophie had at least two children, daughter Dussie (?) and son Charles W.

Irene, born c1920.  No other information.

Clint, born c1926.  No other information.

Henry, born Aug. 28, 1928, died Mar. 10, 2006 at Bean Station.

Washie, Newton, and Henry [perhaps other siblings as well] are said to be buried at the Atkins Cemetery in Thorn Hill.  In particular, they are said to be buried at the Atkins Cemetery in "Poor Valley" or, along "Poor Valley" Ridge.  There are several Atkins cemeteries in Grainger Co., found on Find-A-Grave including one with the name "Poor Valley" attached.  An internet search for this particular cemetery shows it in a densely wooded area.  At Find-A-Grave, this hidden cemetery is referred to as "Atkins Cemetery (Dixie Highway)" but, does not show any Coffey Graves.

Please contact me if you know exactly which Atkins Cemetery at which these Coffey families are buried.

Additions and corrections welcomed.

Jack





[1]This cemetery is located off US11W at the end of Lake Cove Lane on the south side of US11W about 5 miles west of Bean Station, on the north side of Cherokee Lake. Take the Old, or New Lee Hwy. from Bean Station, past the Dixie Highway turn all the way to a right turn onto the Bean Station Cemetery Road. Follow this road all the way to the cemetery.

Joel Hamilton Malicoat

Joel Hamilton Malicoat is said to have been born on Feb. 6, 1818 in TN to Dedman and Levina Thacker Malicoat. I cannot verify that through any record that I have found. Neither can I verify that his middle name was Hamilton. Middle names were not all that common in the era of his birth.

An extract of a Bible record sent to me in 1995 e-mail reads:

Grainger County Bible Records - Mallicoat Bible

Original owner Joel Mallicoat, present owner, Adam Mallicoat, Bean Station, Tn. Copied by Johnny Atkins, Bean Station, Tn Oct 1, 1937

Joel Mallicoat born Feb 6, 1818

Family Record: Joel Mallicoat was born in the year 1818, Feb 6th, and Margaret Wolfe, his last wife was born in the year 1832 November 3rd. and we were married in the year 1850. Martha Allen, my first wife was born in the year 1822 June 7th, and was married Dec 3, 1840. James L. Mallicoat born Dec 10, 1841

William Sheaddie born Oct 15, 1843 Nancy Jane born May 19th 1845 Wiley Mc. Henderson born Jan 23, 1848 Martha Mallicoat died Feb 12, 1848 Nathaniel N. Mallicoat died June 18, 1854 John Mallicoat died 10th May 1857 The little girl died April 29, 1859 L. Mallicoat was killed Jan 21, 1865 Margaret Mallicoat my last wife died May 21, 1883 William Mallicoat died Feb 23, 1908 Joel Mallicoat went into the Civil War in 1861 and came out in 1866; he was the father of 12 children.

I know that a Joel Malicoat married Margaret Wolfe in Grainger Co., TN on Aug. 14, 1850.  He and Margaret appeared in the Grainger Co., TN federal census record from 1860 until 1880.  According to the above Bible record, Margaret died on May 21, 1883.  children from this marriage were: Eliza; Mary L., Henry L., married Hannah Dalton; Martha E., Adam W., Lydia, married John Timothy Dalton and Harley who married Ethel Malena Coffey, daughter of Asbury and Martha Corder Coffey.


Joel married again on Sep. 2, 1883, this time to Julia A. Hipshire Coffey.  I know of no children born to this union.

An entry at Find-A-Grave (FAG) for a Joel Hamilton Malicoat, born 1837 in TN, died in Ellettsville, Monroe Co., IN in 1927, says he was the husband of Martha Allen.  Information included with his FAG memorial says that he came to MO when a year old.  The creator of the memorial page also reports that Joel Hamilton and Martha A. were parents of:

"Florabelle (b. Dec. 14, 1859), Hester Evelyn (b. Feb. 8, 1861), Horace Hamilton (b. Feb. 28, 1863), Fred (b. Aug. 2, 1865), Rilla (b. March 8, 1869), Maude (b. June 24, 1871), Anna (b. March 22, 1874), and Charlie (b. Dec. 15, 1875); enlisted as a CPL in Co. G, 38TH IND INF on Sept. 18, 1861; discharged for disability, April 1862"

Joel's obituary, also posted on his FAG memorial, reads in part:

"He is survived by the widow, two sons, H. H. of this city, and Harley of Ellettsville, three daughters, Mrs. Flora Campbell, Detroit, Mrs. Rilla Stevenson, Hammond, and Mrs. Maude Koss, this city."

Their children, as I have them and all born in TN were:  James L., born 1841; William L., born 1843; Nancy Jane, born 1845 and Wiley, born 1848.  These children appeared in the 1860 census with Joel and wife Margaret Wolfe.  Because they married in 1850, the children are apparently Joel's by a previous union.  Joel and Margaret's children were:  Eliza, Mary, born c1853; Henry L., born 1854; Martha, born c1856; Adam, born May, 1860, Lydia, born Dec., 1862 and Harley, born Dec. 15, 1875.  I have not found a son named Harley in any household with Joel and his three wives and have to conclude that he must belong to the Joel Hamilton Malicoat buried at Ellettsville.  Harley was born in that town and married Ethel Malena Coffey in Owen Co., IN on Jan. 30, 1913.

In 1870 children remaining in the household with Joel and Margaret were:  Henry, Martha, Adam, Liddie and Eliza.  In 1880 only Adam, Lida [sic] and Eliza remained at home.

I tend to believe that Joel Malicoat in TN was not named Joel Hamilton Malicoat.  None of his marriage records or census records even hint at a middle name or initial.  I do not know what to believe about his marriage to Martha Allen as given in the above Bible record.  Perhaps Joel's marriage to Martha Allen was coincidental to the marriage of Joel Hamilton Malicoat to Martha Evelyn Allen!?

Austin Coffey and His Several Wives

It has been somewhat of a struggle to sort out the life and death of Austin Coffey, born c1840 in TN to Elijah and Rebecca Shockley Coffey.  Even now I am not certain that I have his genealogy correct.

Elijah was born on Feb. 23, 1819 (not proven) and married Rebecca Shockley on Jan. 11, 1840.*  They appear in the 1850 Grainger Co. census with Austin, age 10; Molly, age 9; Mira(?), age 7; George, age 2; and Wyatt, age 14.  Wyatt was a Coffey but not, apparently, a son.

Austin was out of his parents house by 1860.  The Grainger Co. census for that year enumerated the family with children Milah (Mira?), age 18; George, age 12; Ambrose, age 9; Samuel, age 4; and Martha E., age 3.

In 1870 we find Mila (Mira?), age 27; Grove (George), age 22; Samuel, age 15; Lacy, male, age 12; Elijah, age 10; and Martin, age 4.

I have not found them in 1880.  Elijah is said to have died in Grainger Co. on July 13, 1890 at age "71 years, 4 months and 20 days."**  Rebecca died Aug. 11, 1890 (unsourced) in Grainger.

Austin married Elvira Wolfe in Grainger Co. on Jan. 7, 1856#.  Some genealogies that I have seen report their divorce on Jan. 24, 1858, but I have not seen a record document.  This would mean that he and Elvira married when he was about 15 years old.  Austin then married Elizabeth Dalton on 20 May 1860 in Grainger Co.†  They appeared in the Aug. 13, 1860 Grainger Co. census as "tenants" in the household with the Colby Dalton family.  He was 18 and Elizabeth was 19.

Elizabeth can be found in the 1870 census at Thorn Hill in Grainger Co. with children Hulda, age 9 and Ida, age 6.  Austin was not in the household and cannot be found elsewhere that year.  Perhaps, as it has been suggested, he hid from the census taker! 

There is another marriage record for Austin Coffey to Laura Ambrose on Oct. 19, 1875.‡ He apparently died before 1880 because Laura appeared in the 1880 census of Grainger Co. as a widow.  With her were children Mary A., age 5 and Adie, age 2.

Elvira is said to have given birth to Martha Emeline c1856.  Given that she and Austin married in Jan of that year, perhaps it was a "shotgun" arrangement!?  With Elizabeth Dalton he was the father of Hulda and Ida.  Another source¢ reports that they were also the parents of Lula May, born May 5, 1869.  She married Greenberry Dalton on Oct. 10, 1886 in Grainger Co. and had at least twelve children.  Unfortunately, she never appears in any census record with any of Austin's wives.

The California Death index contains a record for Lula Dalton [Lula Coffee], born 1 May 1868 in VA, died 17 Jun 1948 in Los Angeles in which her mothers maiden name was given as Ambrose and mother's surname as Coffee.  Since Lula was born in 1869, some 5 years prior to Austin and Laura's marriage, it is doubtful her mother's name is correct in this record.  I suppose that she could have been Laura's daughter from a prior marriage and given the Coffey surname.

Laura also appears in the 1890 Veterans Schedule for Grainger Co. as a widow of Austin Coffey.

Hopefully, someone can offer additional information that will help sort out this family a bit more.

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*Marriage Bonds and Licenses, 1835-1866, Grainger Co., Tennessee, Book 2, Billie Wyrick Kennerly, Houston, TX

**The graves of Elijah and Rebecca can be found on the north side of Clinch Mountain, Grainger County, Tennessee on property once owned by William Coffey.  The property is one and one-half miles east of Fair View Church and School which was in existence in May, 1938.

Other names transcribed at the time from headstones were Lacy Coffey, born March 30, 1861, died Oct. 27, 1888; William Coffey, born Sept. 3, 1888, Died Oct. 5, 1888; Charley Coffey, no dates; Bettie Coffey, no dates; Oma Coffey, no dates.

The following is the obituary of Elijah Coffey, son of George and Margaret Rucker Coffey from church records.

Elijah Coffey was born February the 23rd 1819 and died July the 13th 1890,  aged 71 years, 4 months and 20 days. He professed faith in Christ in March  1852 and joined the Baptist Church at Cedar Springs. He married Miss  Rebecca Shockley, a member of the same church. He was ordained a deacon  of his church April the 2nd Saturday 1873 and lived a consistent Christian and working member of his church, visiting the sick and administering to  their wants. He was sick about two weeks, bearing his suffering with patience and fortitude. He called his family around him, bade them  farewell, asked the blessings of God and quietly passed away, leaving an affectionate wife and six children to mourn the loss of a good husband and father and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his loss. But his wife ceased her mourning in four weeks and one day and followed on over the turbid waters where husband and wife meet to part no more.  But the livings's [sic] loss is the dead's eternal gain. "Asleep in Jesus,  blessed sleep from which none ever wake to weep." Wm. N. Dalton, Church  minutes.

Sources for above include: Virginia L. Peterson, Dorothy Dalton Johns, Bessie H. Johnson, Julia Dalton Harrell, Ella Coffey Carpenter, Wanda Hamblin Deck, R.B. Coffey and Grace McGinnis, Morristown TN (mcginnis@planetc.com), and Bennie Coffey Loftin in her compilation of the family of George Coffey and Margaret Rucker.

Coffey, Elijah – b. February 23, 1819; d. July 13, 1890. Married Rebecca Shockley. Member of Cedar Springs Baptist Church. Ordained Deacon the 2nd Saturday , 1873. Leaves wife, and 6 children. She died 4 weeks and 1 day later. [E-mail from Bernice Mullins to Jack Coffee, subject: Obits, Jul. 16, 2005]

#Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.

†"Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950," database, FamilySearch (http://familysearch.org/)

‡Tennessee State Marriages, 1780-2002. Nashville, TN, USA: Tennessee State Library and Archives. Microfilm.

¢David B. Trimble, Wolfe and Hickman of East Tennessee (Microfilmed by Brigham Young University: David B. Trimble, 2506 Hartford Rd., Austin, TX 78703, 2006), Page 216.

James Coffey, bc1862

The James Coffey I am searching for was born c1862 in Hancock Co., TN.  His father may have been William Coffey, born c1831 in TN to Caswell and Annie Jordan Coffey. I do not yet know who William married and I do not know all of his children.

James is said by some researchers to have been married at least four times.  By one he was the father of Tilmon, born c1883 in TN, died Nov. 27, 1970 in Claiborne Co., TN.

Tilmon married twice.  His took his first wife Bealey Ferguson, c1904.  She was born Jun. 4, 1890 in TN, died July 21, 1989 in Hancock Co.  Following Tilmon's death in 1970, Bealey married Tilmon's brother Matthew with whom she had at least one child, a daughter named Laura.  I find this difficult to believe because Bealey would have been close to 80 years old when Tilmon died.

If Tilmon did not die until 1970, then he and Bealey must have divorced because Tilmon married Susan Parker c1918.  If there was a divorce then Bealey could have married Matthew early in the century and been the mother of several more children.*

The marriage by Tilmon to Susan produced at least four children:

Stella, born Jul., 1918; Clester or Cluster, born 1919; Ethel M., born c1925 and Joseph, born Feb., 1927.

His obituary, which appeared in the Claiborne Progress on Nov. 26, 1970 related that he was survived by half-brothers Clint Barnard, Kyle Coffey, Meb Coffey, Ott Coffey and Nan Coffey, all half-siblings.  I does not mention living or deceased full siblings.  He was also survived by children Lonnie, Floyd, Cluster, Joe, Lloyd, Carson, Lee, Harrison, Pearl, Ethel, Bertha and Adra.

So, from this we know that one of James' marriages - probably the second - was to Nancy Barnard with whom he had at least one child Hamilton, born Apr. 2, 1870, died Dec. 30, 1953.  In fact, Hamilton's death certificate from Middleboro, Bell Co., KY, tells us that his parents were James and Nancy.  It also appears that Nancy was not born Barnard but was previously married to one with whom she had Clint.

I cannot find  the first wife of James.  She would, as I calculate, have been the mother of Tilmon, Matthew, Charles H. "Charlie", William Caswell and Laura.  Charles married Emily Dalton on Jun 16, 1906 in Grainger Co. and they had at least two children:  Dovie, born c1907 and Herman, born c1909, both in Grainger Co.

The 1951 obituary for William Caswell tells us that he had one brother, Tilmon and two half-sisters, Cordy and Nan Coffey, and half-brothers Kyle, Albert, and Arthur Coffey, Clint Barnard, Milburn, Mat, and Hamilton Coffey.

Coffey-Wolfe Marriage License

The TN State Archives tells us that a James Coffey married Mattie Wolfe in Grainger Co. on Aug. 13, 1898.  The 1900 census found this family in Hancock Co.  Mattie and John had been married for two years.  Mattie was 21 and James was 40.  They had two children: Charley, born Jun., 1888 and Laura, born Feb., 1892, neither of which was Mattie's.  The only child she had until then was lost at birth.

The 1920 enumeration for Hancock Co. reports that Mattie and James had been married 13 years and that she was the mother of four, three living.  Children were Nan, age 6, Rena, age 3 and Elbert, age 1 year, 6 mos.

So, we have a Nan that could be the half-sister from William Caswell's obituary.  Was Elbert really Albert? Was Charles H. really Charles Hamilton?

Charles Coffey-Emily Dalton Marriage License

The problem with Charles H. and Hamilton being the same person arises when we remember that Charles "Charlie" married Emily Dalton in 1906.  This does not eliminate the possibility that Emily died and he then re-married.  They did appear together in the 1910 and 1920 census.  In the latter enumeration they had children Dovie, age 13, Herman, age 10, Lillard, age 10, Louie (?), age 8 and Ruby, age 4 mos.

The problem is compounded when we learn that Hamilton married Sarah Purkey c1900, and had two children, John and Viola.  Sarah apparently died because Hamilton then married Louisa Howerton and they had at least one child, Martha born June, 1919.

The last wife of James' may be Margaret, who we find in the 1910 Grainger Co. census, a 52 year old widow with daughters Vernie, age 21, Bettie, age 19, and Oma, age 17.  Next door was Charles and Emily Dalton Coffey with their children, Dovie and Herman.  Margaret and Charles were also neighbors in the 1920 Grainger Co. census.  The same three daughters were in the home with Margaret and were joined by Stella Shockley, Margaret's eight year old granddaughter.  Charlie and Emily's children were Dovie, Herman, Lillard, Louis (?) and Ruby.

So, was Margaret really Mattie [Margaret Martha?] and, was she James' last wife, or was she one somewhere in between the others?  Were the 1910-20 women with Margaret her daughters or, one of his other wives?

I will send a free Edward Coffey Project DVD to the first** researcher who can satisfactorily sort this out for me while also providing sources to backup their conclusions.

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*I can imagine how reunions went if both families showed up!
**You do not have to be the first to submit information; just the first with the most accurate information that can be substantiated.  If your information is substantial, with photos, etc., then contact me before sending anything via e-mail.  Of course, I will be the judge of what is satisfactory. This offer ends at midnight, Sep. 30,2010.

Emanuel E. Bullen

Some genealogies report his name as Emanuel while others report it as Manuel.  I would suspect that given his heritage his name was probably Emanuel.  However, his death certificate records him as M. E. Bullen.  I have also seen his family surname spellen Bullens, Bullins, etc.  The spelling here was taken from his death certificate.  Some genealogies also report his death due to pneumonia following a dowsing in a creek as part of his wedding celebration.  His death certificate however, reports that he died of typhoid fever.  In any event, it appears that he did die within a few weeks of his marriage to Miss Orla Dotson.

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Emanuel, or Manuel if you choose, was born Aug. 3, 1891 in Wildie, Rockcastle Co., KY to James Chalton and Elvira Coffey Bullen.  He died on Jan. 31, 1915 in Rockcastle Co. and was buried in Scaffold Cane cemetery at Roundstone.

James and Elvira, a daughter of Elias Henry "Eli" and Hannan Bullen Coffey, was born Dec. 10, 1863 in Wildie and died there on Mar. 18, 1913 and was buried at Scaffold Cane cemetery.  James was born Apr. 12, 1866 in TN and died in Madison Co., KY on Nov. 10. 1948.  He is probably also buried at Scaffold Cane, but I have no record of that. 

He and Elvira married on Aug. 20, 1885 in Rockcastle Co. and were the parents of at least eight children; Emanuel the third born.

Joseph M., born May 15, 1886; Willie, born May 9, 1890, died May 28, 1896; Unnamed chld, born and died May 14, 1892; Matilda Pearl, born 1896, died 1983; Thomas J., born Oct. 4, 1895, died May 26, 1933; Dewey Bryant, born Jul., 1899, died 1983; and apparently another son named Willie, born Dec. 7, 1906.

Matilda married Thomas H. Wolfe and both are buried at Berea cemetery, Madison Co., KY.

Contact me to correct or add to any of this information.

The Edward Coffey Project (Update 2)

This project is active again on the Coffey Cousins' website.

I have not included photographs or sources in this upload. Rather than ask for a CD, a few "researchers" have been spending hours downloading thousands of pages. They are not only stealing my work, and the work of those that have contributed to the project, but are also monopolizing my server, effectively denying access to others. I am certain that they will continue to download the file, but at least it will not take them hours to do it because they will not be able to download the documentation.

A CD containing all of the information that I have compiled on Edward and his descendants is available. The CD will include photographs, obituaries, complete source citations (when available), and other family and/or individual facts. It represents several years of personal research plus the time and effort of everyone who has contributed their family information to assure an accurate as possible picture of the family.

Besides 7000+ Coffeys, the compilation contains such surnames Campbell, Dalton, Fitzgerald, Gragg, Hayes, Wolfe, Shockley, and others. The CD will also now contain the descendants of Jordan Coffey.

I have attempted to remove everyone from the CD who was born after 1930 and for whom I have no death information. Please contact me ASAP should you find yourself, or your immediate family (father, mother, siblings, spouses and their children) in this compilation, and would like to have them removed.

The CD is free. I now charge $10.00 for postage and materials. It can be ordered from me, Jack Coffee, 110 Lydia Road, St. Joseph, LA 71366. CDs are burned when an order is received thereby assuring every CD is the most up to date available.

Della Maude Coffey

Della is another unknown in my files. She was born c1927 in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., TN and married Daugherty D. Harville on Jul. 7, 1953 in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN. He was born Jun. 3, 1924 in Thorn Hill to George Jarvis and Laura Coffey Harville, and died Feb. 26, 1995.

Laura was the daughter of John Cleveland and Margaret Jane Wolfe Coffey. She was born Mar. 2, 1884 in Grainger Co., and died there on Mar 13, 1962. George Jarvis was born Nov. 22, 1882 in Grainger Co., and died there on Mar. 1, 1966.

I have not been able to find Della in the 1930 Grainger Co. census. Please contact me if you can identify her parents.

Booker and Hannah Ann Dalton Shockley

Booker was born c1795 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. He married Hannah Ann Dalton, a daughter of Reuben and Elizabeth Shockley Dalton, on Dec. 22, 1819 in Grainger Co., TN. There is likely a relationship between Booker and Elizabeth but I have not yet found it.

Hannah was born c1802 in Grainger Co. and died there in 1880. Booker died prior to the 1870 census, and probably in Grainger Co.

I have found six children for them, most of which married Coffeys.

First born was Rebecca, born Oct., 1820 and died Aug. 11, 1890. She married Elijah Coffey, a son of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey, on Jan. 11, 1840 in Grainger Co. Elijah was born Feb. 23, 1819, probably in Grainger Co., and died there on Jul. 13, 1890. Rebecca and Elijah were parents of at least 10 children:

Austin, born c1840, died before 1880; married Elvira Wolfe Jan. 8, 1856 in Grainger Co. Elvira was the daughter of William and Maleta (Lette) Hipsher. I have one child for them: Martha Emeline, born c1856.

Millie, born c1841

Mira, born c1843

George, born Feb. 24, 1847 in TN, died in Grainger Co., c1946. George married Martha M. Johnson, born Apr. 27, 1846, died Jun. 4, 1922 in Grainger Co. Their children were James H., born Dec. 22, 1871, died Nov. 7, 1907; Samuel B., born Feb. 25, 1873, died Jun. 28, 1961; John Henry, born Aug. 2, 1874, died Oct. 10, 1920; Hattie M., born c1878, died Aug. 31, 1945; Pleasant (Ples), born Aug. 2, 1879; Elijah, born abt Dec. 1884; and Cordelia (Cordie), born Feb. 1887.

Ambrose, born c1851 in TN, married Louisa Blake, born c1854 in TN. The children that I have for them are: Mary, born c1870; Martha Matilda, born c1873; and Simeon, born Dec., 1879.

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Update: Mar 1, 2013:  Ambrose was born in Nov., 1846 in Grainger Co., TN and died in Morristown, Hamblen Co., TN on Dec. 18, 1915.  He and Louisa Blake, born Oct., 1850 in TN, were married on Sep. 12, 1869 in Grainger Co.[1].  I haven't found a death date/place for Louisa.  Ambrose is buried at Liberty Hill Methodist Church Cemetery at Morristown, Hamblen Co.

Their children numbered at least eight:  Mary, born c1870; Matilda, born 1872, died 1930, married William Henry Coffey, son of Collins and Nancy "Hulda" Wolfe on Sep. 14, 1895 in Hamblen Co.  Their closest blood relationship was 3rd cousin.  Third child was Henry, 1878; Simeon, 1879; Arthur, 1884; Columbus, 1886; John Littleton, 1896, died 1964 in Buncombe Co., NC.  He married Dora Meadows on Feb. 23, 1919 in Hamblen Co.  I have no birth/death info for Dora.  The last child was Frank, born 1896.

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Samuel (Sam), born Jun., 1855 in TN, died Aug. 20, 1910 in Hamblen Co., TN. Married Martha Wolfe, a daughter of Henry and Elvira Coffey Wolfe, on Dec. 25, 1876 in Grainger Co. I have found only two children: Henry (Pat), born Oct. 18, 1878, died Dec. 3, 1964; and Elijah, born Apr. 1881. Sam later married Mary Hipshire, born Mar. 2, 1869 in TN, died Dec. 29, 1921 in Hamblen Co. I have found nine children for them: Evey, born Aug., 1890; James Archie, born Oct. 22, 1892; Ralph, born Aug. 28, 1895; Daniel (Dan), born c1898; Angie, born c1899; Arkie, born c1901; Lucy, born c1904; Rosie, born c1906; and Myrtle, born c1908.

Martha E., born c1857

Lacy, born Mar. 30, 1861, married first to Elizabeth LNU; married second to Margaret Ogan who died in 1942.

Elijah Jr., born Jan. 4, 1864 in Grainger Co. and, died there on May 14, 1923. He married Rosa Shockley, a daughter of Enos (or, Enoch) Shockley and Mahalia Coffey. Rosa was born Nov. 29, 1864 in Grainger Co. and, died in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., on jan. 26, 1952. Their children were Lillie M., born Dec. 25, 1885, died Oct. 23, 1923; Etta, born c1890, died Jul. 31, 1969; Lula, born Feb. 4, 1892, died May 4, 1951; James Oscar, born Mar. 20, 1894, died May 31, 1949; and Walter Preston, born Feb. 17, 1908, died Sep. 14, 1984.

Martin, born c1866

Second born was Enos (Enoch?), born Jan. 1, 1822 in Grainger Co. and, died there on Jul. 4, 1901. He married Mahalia Coffey on Jan. 21, 1846 in Grainger Co. She was born Oct. 20, 1827 in Grainger Co., and died there on Jul. 10, 1900. She was the daughter of George and Margaret L. Rucker Coffey.

I have 11 children for them:

Perry Wilson, born Jan. 13, 1847, died Nov. 5, 1923, married Harriet A. LNU.

Alice (Ally), born Oct. 24, 1848 in Grainger Co. and, died there on Aug. 12, 1909. She married Perry Harville. I have one child for them: Lemuel Harville.

Martha Louise, born c1851

William Gilbert, born Dec. 2, 1852 in Grainger Co., and died Mar. 13, 1901. He married Sarah P. Dalton on Jul. 24, 1872 in Grainger Co. I have found three children: Minnie, born c1875; Loretta, born Nov. 11, 1877, died Aug. 13, 1906; and Hattie, born Apr. 1880.

John, born May 22, 1855, died Jul. 28, 1875

Malinda (Matilda?), born Apr. 6, 1856, died Mar. 12, 1922

Harriet, born Sep, 13, 1859, died Jul. 9, 1940

Cornelia, born May 15, 1863, died Oct. 8, 1887

Rosa, born Nov. 29, 1864, died Jan. 26, 1952, married Elijah Coffey, Jr.

Hannah Elizabeth, born c1868

Lucinda, born Dec. 13, 1869, died Dec. 18, 1887

Third born was Ephraim who married Lucretia Hipsher

Fourth born was Thomas who married Perlina Wolfe

Fifth born was Winright who married Martha Emaline (Emily) Coffey on Feb. 20, 1851 in Grainger Co. Winright was born c1827 in TN; Martha c1831.

Their children were:

Martha Jane, born Dec. 2, 1852, died Aug. 30, 1930. She married Thomas Coffey, born Dec. 7, 1852 in Grainger Co. and, died there on Jan. 3, 1925. He was a son of William Ira Coffey and Sarah Jane Hipshire.

George Winright, born Dec. 2, 1852 (apparently a twin to Martha), died Mar. 13, 1901. He married Harriet Harville, a daughter of R. W. and Mary Harville.

Wyatt, born c1855

Mahala, born c1858

William Berry, born Aug. 2, 1862, died Jan. 15, 1910. He married Eliza Jane Coffey on Jun. 5, 1885 in Grainger Co. Eliza was the daughter of Thomas Nelson and Cornelia Coffey Coffey. Eliza was born Sep. 8, 1868 and died Dec. 6, 1927 in Mooresburg, Hawkins Co., TN.

Rutha, born c1865

Jincey, born May, 1864. She married Rev. Berry Wisdom Lafette (Lafayette?) Coffey, a son of William Wesley and Gelina E. Shouse Coffey. Berry Wisdom was born Oct. 15, 1857 in Grainger Co., and died in TN on Jan. 1, 1936.

Elizabeth (Betsy), born c1869 in TN, died May 11, 1911 in Grainger Co. She married Pleasant Dalton c1888 in TN. He was the son of Hiram and Catherine Howerton Dalton. Pleasant later married Viola Coffey, a daughter of Thomas and Martha Jane Shockley Coffey.

The last child that I have for Booker and Hannah is William, born Mar. 12, 1833 in TN and, died in Grainger Co. on Oct. 22, 1871. He married Louisa Jane Coffey on Mar. 21, 1851 in Grainger Co. She was born Jul. 27, 1833 and died Jun. 1, 1910 in Grainger Co. Louisa Jane was also married to Berry Dalton.

These families tended to marry back and forth into each of the same families. Care must be taken when compiling them. This is especially true since many were given the same names. I believe the above to be mostly accurate and, would appreciate comments adding to or correcting any of it. I also have additional descendant as well as ancestral information for most of these families.

I can be reached at the e-mail address on the right.


[1] index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XD92-K5M : accessed 01 Mar 2013), Ambrose Coffee and Louis Blake, 12 Sep 1869.

Arthur A. & Gatie Ramsey Coffey

Arthur, born Nov. 25, 1876 in Rockcastle Co., KY, was the first child and son of Lee and Isabelle Hiatt [var.] Coffey. Lee was a son of Thomas Jefferson and Perlina Hayes Coffey. Arthur married Gatie [sic] Ramsey on Jan. 28, 1897 in Rockcastle Co.

Gatie is said to have been a daughter of Joseph Love and Martha Jane Bryant Ramsey., born in May, 1881. The 1870 census names only one child, Elly [sic], born c1896 in Rockcastle Co. In 1880 Ella was still the only child in the household. There isn't a census record for 1890, and according to marriage records, Gatie was married by 1897, therefore there is not a way to verify by census that she was born to Joseph and Martha.

After Martha died in 1895, Joseph married Galathia Jane Coffey on Feb. 28, 1898 in Rockcastle Co. Galathia was the second daughter and fourth child born to James Madison and Lydia Ann Wolfe Coffey. She was born in Oct. 1865 and died Jun. 24, 1939 in Madison Co., KY. James was a son of Ausburn and Tildy Dalton Coffey.

There was one known child born to this marriage, a daughter named Janie Lydia Ramsey, born Apr. 8, 1899 in Rockcastle Co., and died there on Apr. 12, 1998. Her headstone stands in the Berea Cemetery, Madison Co. She apparently never married.

The Rockcastle Co. census of 1900 shows Joseph and Galathia in the household with Ella Baker, Joseph's daughter by Mary Jane Bryant.

Children all born in Rockcastle Co. to Arthur A. and Gatie Ramsey Coffey were:

Ella Mae, born Apr. 24, 1898, died Dec. 29, 1983

William Mat, born Nov. 26, 1899, died Sep. 6, 1975. He married Anna Lee Adams on Sep. 28, 1924 in Kenton Co., KY. They were parents of twins, Dorothy and Doris, born Aug. 6, 1927. He and Anna are buried in the Elmwood Cemetery at Mt. Vernon in Rockcastle Co.

Bud, or "Little Buddy", born Apr. 1, 1902, died Apr. 8, 1902. He was buried in the Hiatt Cemetery in Renfro Valley, Rockcastle Co.

Anna Wright, born Apr. 12, 1903, died Mar. 16, 1984.

Robert Lee, born Jul. 7, 1905, died Jul. 8, 1985 in Rockcastle Co. He married Sallie Minerva Livesay, born Nov. 17, 1905, died Jan. 12, 1997. Both are buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery at Brodhead in Rockcastle Co.

Arthur Earl, born Mar. 16, 1907, died Jul. 14, 2000. He married Norma Nollen Beck on Feb. 4, 1934.

Colonel Ramsey, born Apr. 26, 1911, died Jan. 8, 1912. He is buried in the Hiatt Cemetery in Renfro Valley.

Pearl Givens, born Nov. 15, 1912, married Thelma Lillian Green on Feb. 11, 1940.

Jesse James, born Sep. 17, 1915, married Katherine L. Croddy on Mar. 21, 1935.

Edna Ruth, born Dec. 8, 1917, died Oct. 11, 1919.

Bradford Lewis, born Jul. 30, 1922, died Apr. 23, 1996. He married Blanche Marie Snipes on Dec. 13, 1947. Blanche was born Jan. 20, 1927 in Dayton, Campbell Co., KY and died Jul. 14, 2007 in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA. Both are buried in the Elmwood Cemetery at Mt. Vernon, Rockcastle Co.

This obituary appeared in The Shreveport Times, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, LA on Jul. 16, 2007:

SHREVEPORT, LA - Blanche Marie Coffey died July 14, 2007 at Willis-Knighton Pierremont Hospital in Shreveport, LA. She was born January 20, 1927 in Dayton, Kentucky, the daughter of Ruth Snipe Schmolt and Robert Lee Snipe. She was the beloved wife of Bradford Lewis Coffey. She served faithfully in gospel ministry with her husband for 45 years.

Blanche's family will receive friends Monday, July 16, 2007 at Rose-Neath Southside Chapel from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.

Survivors include four daughters, Patricia Boswell and husband Gary of Shreveport, Louisiana, Deborah Baker of Memphis, Tennessee, Rebecca Brenner and husband John of Tacoma, Washington, and Martha Harris of Enid, Oklahoma; one sister Mary Carroll of Hamilton, Ohio; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends. Her husband and two infant sons preceded her in death.

Burial will be at 1:00 p.m. on July 19, 2007 at Elmwood Cemetery in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. The services will be under the direction of Dowell-Martin Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky.Memorials may be made to the building fund of Westview Christian Church of Shreveport, Louisiana. Rose-Neath Funeral Home.

Update 8/20/07: A reader has notified me that there was another child born to Arthur and Gatie: Vearl Hyatt Coffey, b.23 May 1909, Renfro Valley, Rockcastle, Kentucky d.12 Sep 1972 Married Lou Ceil Cross on 15 Jun 1933.