The Coffee Pioneers of the Texas Panhandle

In the last blog, I transcribed the death report for Woodson "Woods" Coffee, a native Texan, from the Amarillo Daily News of June 13, 1953.  That information defined how Woodson became a pioneer in the Texas Panhandle.  With this blog, and perhaps a few later, I will attempt to show how Woodson came to be one of those pioneers.

This particular line of Coffee families comes from what we Coffee/y researchers often refer to as "the Chesley line." Because there was a Chesley, Jr., researchers have long believed that a Chesley Sr. must have existed. So far, however, no record of Sr. has ever been found. Current thinking has some leaning more towards Edward Coffey, Jr., son of Edward Sr., and his wife Anne Powell. As more sophisticated DNA testing methods become available, we learn more about our ancestry.

We can begin here with the mythical Chesley and his supposed wife, Jane Cleveland.  Their supposed son, Joel, married Martha Stepp or Stapp and had about nine children; namely Joseph; Cleveland; Catherine, Joel, Jr., James, Jane, Celia, Nathaniel (Nathan?) and Nebuzaradan.

Dr. Marvin Coffey in his book about his ancestor, James Bluford Coffey, cited years-old information from Mrs. C. R. Porter of El Reno, OK.  She repeated the story of Chesley and Jane, stating that it came from a daughter of Nathan and Sarah Eliza Emeline Coffey Porter c1895 and presumably from older records which she had access to.

Another source, a Mr. Lee Robert wrote in 1998 "that Joel, born 1780, m Martha 'Patsy'?.  They had 6 children: Nathaniel, m1 Louisa Durham, m2 Nancy Clark; Alvina (Elvira), b 1811, m Martin Wright, Mar 27, 1828.  She died Sep 7, 1869; Caroline, m Unk Summers; Martha L., m Perry M. Stacy; Francis m Jackson Jones; Henry B., m Sara Ann Isbele."  Seems doubtful this is the same Joel, however.

Joel was b. late 1740's and d. 1789.  Married Martha in 1753. Martha was b. 1737.  Joel was son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffee. Their children were Jesse Cleveland; James, Joel, Nathan, Katy, Frances Jane, Sealey, Nebuzarren, Cleveland.  

Source:  Revolutionary Ancestors, 1976; Wood Coffee Will and Inventory. [Joel's 1789 names his children and there is present a comma between Jane and Sealy; e.g. Jane, Sealy]

"Joel and Martha are also mentioned in The Georgians, Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers, by J. H. Austin.  [As pertains to the Coffey families, this book is of doubtful accuracy]

"Joel's will (probate) dated 1789 Wilkes Co., NC.  Children listed as James, Joel, Cleveland, Nathan, Katy, Jane and Celia.  See North Carolina will book C, page 321.

A Joel Coffey was named as one of the buyers from the estate sale of Robert Patrick in Surry Co., NC in Feb., 1778.  Robert Patrick apparently died between 1774 and 1777.  He was on the 1774 tax list of Benjamin Cleveland and again in 1775.  He was not listed on the 1777 tax list.

Marvin Coffey wrote in his work that "A DAR record has always listed Joel as born 1730, and married in 1753 to Martha Sealy, born 1737.  However, their youngest son Nebuzaradon was born posthumously in 1780 would thus have been born when Martha was 52 years old."[1]

A number of researchers have theorized that Joel married Martha Sealey who died, and he then married Martha Step.  Others have the opinion that Joel married a widow by the name of Mrs. Martha Step Sealey while another group has said that Sealey was a nickname for Celia which was the middle name of Martha.  Another thought is that Joel was born much earlier, about 1750.

Joseph is not listed in Joel's 1789 will (Wilkes Co., NC Will Book I, p260) but does appear in other researcher's works.  He could have been born to Joel's first wife and died before the will was made.  Joseph has also been reported to have gone to Kentucky quite early, and already otherwise provided for by his father thereby not making the will.  And, even if Joel had only one wife, Joseph could still have died quite young.  Marvin noted that there was a Joseph Coffey on early tax records of Adair Co., KY.

Martha Step's father was named Joseph so it would have been customary for Joel and Martha to have given a son that name.  A daughter Celia was referred to as Sealy in Joel's will.  Marvin's research did not uncover any Sealy families in the same county that the Coffeys lived in Virginia or North Carolina.

Continuing our trek to Woods and eventually his descendants, we begin with Joel and Martha's son James and Elizabeth Coffey Coffey.  James and "Betty" were cousins. Her father Nathan and James's father Joel were brothers.

Of the nine known children of James and Betsy, seven were male and two were female.  We'll concentrate on only one son, he being Logan McMillon Coffee [sic] thought to have been born Dec. 7, 1809 in Adair Co., KY. James and Betsy were married there on Mar. 4, 1804 [from descendants but no independent confirmation.] Logan was born in that County on Dec. 7, 1809 [no independent confirmation.]

When he was nearing age 30 he wandered off to Alabama where he met Mary Elizabeth Ragland. The two were married in Jackson County, AL c1837. Mary was a native of Jackson Co., TN. In 1840 the family was living in Marshall Co., AL but by the 1850 census, they were in Colorado Co., TX; in 1860 they were in Lavaca Co., TX. Perhaps they headed to far northwest Texas when the sabers began to rattle loudly in AL.

Logan's death was somewhat mysterious in that his body was never recovered.  He is said to have been hauling freight from Brownsville, TX back to Lavaca Co., when he was probably murdered in June of 1865; perhaps by Indians or maybe Confederate raiders.  In the book - On the Headwaters of the Lavaca and Navidad, by Paul Boethel, the author indicates that the circumstances of his death were "fraught with suspicions, possibly murder by his companions from the same neighborhood."

After Logan's murder, his widow Mary petitioned the court under date of Aug. 20, 1865 for administration of the property, saying her husband died about June 20th, 1865. (Probate records, November term, Lavaca Co., TX). 

Logan and Mary had eight children, 5 sons and 3 daughters.  The eldest child was Mansel Matthews Coffee [2]

Mansel was born in 1839, Jackson Co., AL where he met and married Georgiana Frances Reynolds on Jun. 4, 1861.  They were parents of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Woodson "Woods" Coffee was their eldest, born Mar 1, 1862 in Gonzales Co., TX.

Woodson married Ollie Pickens Stribling, daughter of Cornelius Kinchelo Stribling and Nancy Carolina Stribling, presumed cousins. Their children also numbered nine.  They had six sons and three daughters. 

[1]Interesting to note that John M. Porter of Lincoln Co., MO married Eliza Emeline Coffey, daughter of Nathan and Sarah Meredith Coffee in 1850 Pike Co., IL. They resided there a very long time with John dying there in 1895.  Eliza died there in 1901. Further, Martha Coffee, a daughter of Nebuzaradan married William Porter, brother to John and they named one of their sons Joseph Woods Porter.

[2]No idea why they began spelling their name this way, but speculation says it happened in Alabama where General John Coffee of Battle of New Orleans fame had settled and became quite prominent in the state.

Judge Silas DeMarcus Coffey

Contributed by
Kevin Coffey

"Silas D. Coffey was born on a farm in Owen County, Ind. on February 23, 1839.  His parents were Hodge R. [Rayburn] and Hannah [Wilson] Coffey, the former a native of Tennessee*, and the latter of North Carolina.

"Our subject's early education was acquired through the medium of common schools of that day, until, in the year 1860, he entered the State University at Bloomington, where he remained until the breaking-out of the late rebellion, when he enlisted, first in the three months' service, and then for a year.  When President Lincoln issued his 75,000 call, his regiment, the Fourteenth Indiana Infantry, responded, and was mustered in for three years, or during [sic] the war.  He remained on active duty until June, 1863, when he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, serving with it until the term of his enlistment expired the next year.

Judge Silas DeMarcus Coffey

"The Fourteenth Indiana Infantry won an enviable reputation in the field, and of its number none were more deserving that Mr. Coffey.  When he reached home, he determined to enter into the practice of the law, and for that purpose formed a partnership with Allen T. Rose, a prominent and influential member of the bar at Bowling Green.  In the autumn of 1868, this connection was dissolved by mutual consent, and another one formed with Maj. W. W. Carter, which continued until after Mr. Coffey was appointed Judge of the Circuit Court.

"In 1866, he was the candidate on the Republican ticket for Prosecuting Attorney for the district composed of the counties of Owen, Greene, Clay and Putnam, Ind., making the race against Hon. John C. Robinson, but the district being largely Democratic, he was of course defeated.  In 1873, he was candidate for Circuit Judge in Clay and Putnam Counties, and the same reason operated to prevent his election, although running far in advance of his ticket.  His opponent was Judge Solon Turman, of Greencastle, Ind.

"On March 25, 1882, Mr. Coffey was appointed by Gov. Porter to fill the unexpired term of Judge Turman.  In June, 1882, he was nominated, by acclamation of the Republican Judicial Convention for the same position.  The counties of Clay and Putnam being intensely Democratic, it was at the time supposed to be impossible to elect a Republican nominee, but in the fall he was elected over the Democratic candidate, James J. Smiley, by a majority of 655, carrying his own county (which gave a Democratic majority of 190 on the State ticket) by a majority of 128.

"November 1, 1864, Judge Coffey married Miss Caroline L. Byles, daughter of William and Sarah Byles, of Baltimore, Md., and to this union have been born one son and three daughters.  As an attorney he is possessed of find social qualities, is quiet and unobtrusive, and of undoubted integrity.  He also stands high as a member of the Masonic fraternity."

[Judge Coffey and Caroline Byles Coffey were parents of Ida L., born c1867 in IN; Emma J., born c1871 in Clay Co., who married Dr. Renos Harlan Richards in Clay Co. in 1898; and Nettie, born c1874 in Clay Co.  The were also parents of one son, Robert Wallace Coffey, born 1878 in Brazil, Clay Co.  Robert married first to Alice Louise Wright, in 1907 Clay Co. and, second to Hallie Audrey Steuerwald in Owen Co. in 1945.]

---

Source: Charles Blanchard, Editor, Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Illustrated. (Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884), Page 345.

*In census records he always reported his birth in NC.

See earlier blog announcing death of Judge Coffey at http://tinyurl.com/nntajp5

John Cleveland & Elizabeth Coffey

The Cleveland family is neither short on research nor controversy.  Very little of what I will write here has been personally researched.  Instead, I have depended on several sources that many readers will very likely recognize.

I'll begin with at controversy I faced when I wrote on 2004 that Alexander Cleveland, born c1670 in Orange Co., VA, married Mildred "Milly" Presly [sic] in that county c1694.  According to the source, Alexander may have married twice.  A grandson, Henry Wilson Cleveland, Alexander married "Margaret Doolittle, of Irish descent."

Shortly afterward I received email from a reader that Alexander did not marry Mildred.  That reader assured me that they "have thoroughly researched that family and come to the conclusion that it is simply impossible. Presley researchers do not include her in their genealogies and there is nothing to tie that family to Gloucester Co."  After a couple of exchanges the writer refused to continue with the contact.

So, for what it is worth, this is what I have recorded in the Edward Coffey Project about Alexander and Mildred Presly Cleveland:

The couple married c1694 in Orange Co., VA and very likely had several children.  I have recorded only two:  John, born Jul. 31, 1714 in Gloucester Co., died Nov., 1778 at Blue Run in Orange Co., VA and, Grace, born Sep. 1, 1716 in Gloucester Co.

John Married Elizabeth Coffey in 1734.  She was the daughter of Edward and Anne Powell Coffey, born c1714 in Essex Co., VA, died 1770 in Orange Co.

They were parents of at least nine children:

Mary, born c1736 - no further information

Benjamin, born May 26, 1738 in Prince William Co., VA, died Oct. 15, 1806 in Tugalo Valley, Oconee Co., SC.  This is "the" Benjamin Cleveland of King's Mountain fame.  Marvin Coffey wrote that Benjamin was "probably the oldest son," and that he "spent some time in Pittsylvania co., VA where he became known as a mighty hunter."  in about 1768 the family moved to NC, first to Surry Co. (created from Rowan Co. in 1770) and later settled on the upper Yadkin River in Wilkes Co.  Benjamin married Mary Graves c1761 and they were parents of at least two sons, Absalom and John.

Pages upon pages could be written - and have in numerous books - about Cleveland.  Check the following sources for further research:

New River Notes at http://tinyurl.com/mmpgkns; Cleveland Family Chronicles at http://tinyurl.com/n55brot; Ashe, Samuel, Biographical History of North Carolina, 1906; Crouch, John, Historical Sketches of Wilkes County., Wilkesboro, NC, 1902 and, Kings Mountain Men, White, K.K (Katherine Keogh), Gen. Pub. Co., Baltimore, 1977

Rev. John Cleveland, born c1740 in Orange Co., said to have married Mary McCann.  No further information.

Elizabeth "Betty," Cleveland, born 1742, died 1828 in Scott Co., KY, married David Gillaspy between 1760 and 1765. The family moved to Madison Co., KY c1802. No further information.

Robert Cleveland, born 1744 at Blue Run, died 1812 in Lewis Fork Twp., Wilkes Co., NC.  Married in KY to Alice "Aley" Mathis, born 1750 died 1791.  At least two sons:  Jesse, married Mary Blassingame and parents of Dr. Jesse F. Cleveland who married Caro [sic] Zimmerman.  Robert and Alice's second child was Capt. Jeremiah Cleveland.  Robert may be the same that was in Pittsylvania Co., VA before arriving in Wilkes Co.  There is a 1799 land entry in that county for a Robert Cleveland as well.  Source cited is Deed Book 5, page 91.  Robert was a captain in the Revolutionary War, and was at King's Mountain.  He is said to have sired 17 children by two wives.

Jeremiah Cleveland, born 1746 at Blue Rn, died 1806 in VA.  No further information.

Photo by Vanessa Neal

Photo by Vanessa Neal

Larkin Cleveland, born 1748 in Orange Co., died 1814 in Giles Co., TN.  Larkin was probably as "famous" as his older brother, Benjamin.  He married Frances Wright, born 1756, died 1836 in Dallas Co., AL.  Larkin has a DAR monument at Buford Station Cemetery [aka Lane Cemetery] in Lynnville, Giles Co., TN which gives his rank as a Lieutenant.  An older headstone, likely placed shortly after his death, records his rank as Colonel.  Frances is said to have been buried at the Old Govan Cemetery at Selma in Dallas Co., AL.  A message found in a genealogy forum reads:  "The 1989 version of the Central Alabama Genealogical Society's book, Vital Data from Cemeteries of Dallas County, Alabama shows the following: Frances Cleveland, wife of Larkin Cleveland, b. 6 Aug 1756, d. 26 Mar 1836, bd. in the abandoned Govan family cemetery, located west of route no. 41 near Sardis, east of the intersection of county Rd 77 and Co. Rd. 30, Township 16, Range 11, Section 31."

Martha "Patsy" Cleveland, born c1759 in Orange Co., VA, married James Smith in that county in 1775.  No further information.

The last child of John and Elizabeth Coffey Cleveland is said to be Reuben, born 1752 in Blue Run, Orange Co.  Little or nothing is known of Reuben.  He was mentioned in his father will and may have died prior to 1792.  He is thought to have had a son named John.

Please note that many of the birth dates given for these children are - as far as I am concerned - speculative at best.  Most are from the compilation of data by Edmund West and found mostly on Ancestry.com as part of the "Family Data Collection - Births."  As I understand those records, they are compiled from information given in what are often termed "controversial" family histories found on Ancestry.  Personally, I have little faith in those histories unless more reliable sources are provided to back up given claims.

  Jack

---

Sources:

Cleveland, Edmund James, The genealogy of the Cleveland and Cleaveland families , Page 3_2056.

George A. Martin, Virginia Cleveland Ancestor Discovered, National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 46, Sept., 1958)

Men of Mark in South Carolina, Vol. III, a collection of biographies edited by J. C. Hemphill and published in Washington, D.C. in 1908.  This collection contains the biography of Dr. Jesse Franklin Cleveland of Spartanburg, SC.

Original Immigrant of Southern Clevelands, Vikki L. Jeanne Cleveland, http://tinyurl.com/ljpwksn

Three Centuries in America: Thomas Machel of Middlesex County, Virginia, L. C. Edwards, 1999

King's Mountain and Its Heroes: History of the Battle of King's Mountain, October 7, 1780 and the Events which led to it, Peter G. Thomson, 1881; Lyman C. Draper LL.D., Editor

The Long Journey: A Family History 1687 to 1991, Thomas Lee Hair, Ft. Walton Beach, FL, 1992
http://tinyurl.com/o3oanrd

James Bluford Coffey: His Ancestors and Descendants in America, Vol I and II, Coffey, Marvin Dale, privately printed, 1984.  See also http://tinyurl.com/nfwfkro This book likely available on microfilm from the Family History Library at Salt Lake City.

Hodge R. & Hannah Wilson Coffey

Hodge was a son of William Henderson[1] and Mary Faulkner (var.) Coffey and was born about 1812 in North Carolina.  I have been told that his middle name was Rayburn but, it could also have been Raymond.

This family was in Owen Co., IN where Hodge married Hannah Wilson on Nov. 13, 1831.[2] Hodge and Hannah appeared in the Washington Twp., Owen Co. census in 1850.  Sometime between 1855 and 1858 Hannah attempted [apparently] to divorce Hodge.  The following appears in Owen Co. divorce proceedings[3]:

[Plaintiff] Coffey, Hannah Coffey, [Defendant] Hodge R.  [Complete record, including order book and pages] (6) 270 48/116 1855/1858 [Remarks] Dismissed. Plaintiff to recover costs  

Apparently there was a reconciliation because they were found living together in the 1860 census.  I have not found them in 1870 or later.  The death dates and places for the couple have also not been found.

Their children as given in the 1850 and 1860 census records were:

Oliver N., born Dec. 2, 1832; James L. R., born Jun. 9, 1835; Silas D. M., born Feb. 23, 1839; Mar A. R., born c1841; Serena, born c1847; and Laura, born c1852.  Another child, Silas, is said to be their son, born c1843 and who apparently was deceased by 1850.

Oliver married Lydia Susan Litton, born c1828 in NC, on Jan. 30, 1851 in Owen Co. and died Dec. 30, 1901.  He is buried at Jennings Cemetery in Alanthus Grove, Gentry Co., MO.  I do not have a death date or burial place for Lydia.  Both last appeared in the census record on Jun. 18, 1900 in Gentry Co.  Their children were:  Harrison, Rebecca, Edgar, Martha, Joshua Benton, Francis M., and Charles E.  Charles is said to have been born in Douglas Co., KS; the rest in Indiana.

James Leander "Lee" married Elizabeth Caroline Litton, a daughter of Joel and Sarah Bridges Litton,[4] on Sep. 30, 1855 in Owen Co.  Elizabeth died in 1876 at Alanthus Grove and is buried at Jennings Cemetery in Alanthus Grove.  She and Lee were parents of at least six children:  Martha Ann, Laura, Joel, Eliza, Sarah K. and Silas Hinkley.  Following the death of Elizabeth, Lee married Sarah J. Matthews in Albany, Gentry Co., MO on Apr. 2, 1885.  No children are known to have been born to this union.  Lee died on Nov. 6, 1890 in Gentry Co. and was buried at Jennings Cemetery.  Sarah died in 1917 at Stanberry in Gentry Co. and was buried at High Ridge Cemetery in Stanberry.

Silas married Carolina Laura Byles on Nov. 1, 1864.[5]  Their children as I know then were Ida, Emma, Nettie and Robert Wallace.  Robert was born Nov. 27, 1878 in Brazil, Clay Co., IN and married Alice Louise Wright in that county on Aug. 17, 1907[6].  Alice was a native of Terre Haute in Vigo Co., IN, born there on Jun. 24, 1891.  Silas had a unique life.  His bio can be found in source identified in footnote 5.  He died on Mar. 6, 1904 in Manatee Co., FL and was buried at Cottage Hill Cemetery in Brazil, Clay Co., IN. Caroline died on Apr. 9, 1915 in Brazil and was also buried at Cottage Hill.

Hodge and Hannah also had a daughter named Mary Ann, born on Jan. 24, 1841 in Indiana. A public family tree on Ancestry.com identifies this Mary Ann as a daughter of William H. [Henderson] and Mary Falkner [sic] [Faulkner].

William H. died on Oct. 17, 1844 in Owen Co.  Mary did not die until 1851.  In 1850 she lived with her son Silas K. Coffey in Owen Co.  In the household with Silas and his mother was a 16-year old Mary Coffey. Some researchers apparently conclude that this Mary was Silas' sister.

However, I believe that she was Silas' wife, Mary Parrish to whom he was married on Aug. 12, 1859 in Owen Co.[7]

Mary, daughter of Hodge, married David H. Allen on May 9, 1858 in Owen Co.[8]  In 1860 the couple resided with their daughter Maranda, age 9 mos., in Owen Co.  In 1870[9] a David Allen of the correct age was enumerated in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN.  His occupation was painter.  In 1880 a 47-year old David Allen was an inmate in the Owen Co., Asylum.  The Ancestry genealogies report that Maranda died in 1862 but I cannot confirm that.  There are other reports, yet unconfirmed that Mary Ann married a Mr. James and, that she died on Jun. 30, 1903.  There is a Mary Ann Coffey James buried at the Ellettsville Methodist Church Cemetery in Monroe Co., IN.[10]  But, it is not confirmed that she was the daughter of Hodge and Hannah Wilson Coffey.

Additions and/or corrections welcomed.

  Jack

---

Footnotes:
[1]William is said to be a son of Reuben and Sarah Scott Coffey, born 1789 in Caldwell Co., then Burke Co., NC.  Reuben and Sarah's children are not entirely agreed upon by researchers.
[2]Owen County, Indiana: Marriages before 1850, Owen County Historical and Genealogical Society online [http://www.owen.in.us/owenhist/bks123a.htm], accessed Jan. 6, 2005.
[3]Divorces for Owen Co., IN 1819-1871, Owen Co. Historical and Genealogical Society online [http://www.owen.in.us/owenhist/divorces.htm], accessed Various.
[4] She is likely to be a sister to Susan, wife of Oliver, but I have not investigated the possibility.
[5] Charles Blanchard, Editor, Counties of Clay and Owen, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. Illustrated. (Chicago, IL: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, 1884), p345
[6]Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXR9-SPT : accessed 21 Feb 2013)
[7]"Indiana, Marriages, 1811-1959", index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XXFF-X65 : accessed 30 Mar 2013), Silas K Coffey and Mary Parrish, 1849.
[8]Ancestry.com. Indiana, Marriage Collection, 1800-1941 [database on-line], indexed by Indiana Works Progress Administration, 1938-1940.
[9]The 1870 census record in which David is found is rather odd.  The enumerator tallied females and males separately, making it impossible for me to determine who was in a family.  For 1880, see https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-266-11829-43603-85?cc=1438024&wc=M9SM-J17:n2115918512 and http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=6742&iid=4240636-00249&o_iid=48558&o_lid=48558&o_sch=Web+Property
[10]Find A Grave Memorial No. 74411333

Ambrose Rucker Coffey Family at Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista, VA

Ambrose Rucker Coffey, born Dec. 20, 1879 to John Jack, Jr. and Patricia F. "Patra" Tyler Coffey.  Married May 25, 1903 Mattie Miles Higginbothan, daughter of Kuihn and Ada Birch Higgingbotham, born May 3, 1886, died Nov. 3, 1954 in Amherst Co., VA

A son, Wendell Holmes Coffey, was born Mar. 6, 1904 and died Mar. 27, 1980.  His wife was Virginia E. Crawford, born Oct. 18, 1911, died Dec. 19, 2011.  They were married c1927.


Obituary, Roanoke Times, Dec. 20, 2011


Virginia Crawford Coffey, 100, of Lexington, died Monday, December 19, 2011, at Golden Living Center in Buena Vista. Born October 18, 1911, in Amherst, she was a daughter of the late Houston Crawford and Hallie Coffey Crawford. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Wendell H. Coffey; and a son, Lewis Dean Coffey. Mrs. Coffey was a member of the Mt. Zion Methodist Church. 

Surviving are one son, Edward C. Coffey and wife, Edith H. Coffey; one daughter, Betty Wilson Jablonka; one sister, Edna Berry; 13 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren. 

A funeral service will be conducted 2 p.m. Thursday, December 22, 2011, at Harrison Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Sarah Payne officiating. Burial to follow at Green Hill Cemetery. Family will receive friends 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2011, at Harrison Funeral Home & Crematory, Lexington.

Joyce Lee Lynch

Lewis Dean Coffey, son of Wendell and Virginia, born Dec. 3, 1929 at Alto (Coffeytown) in Amherst Co., died Oct. 25, 2004 in Roanoke, VA.  His wife was Joyce Lee Lynch, born Oct. 14, 1933 at Herd, VA, died at Glasgow, Rockbridge Co.

Obituary, The Rockbridge Weekly, Jun. 14, 2005


Joyce Lee Lynch Coffey

Glasgow Resident Was Known For Cooking, Love Of Family

Joyce Lee Lynch Coffey, 71, of Glasgow died Tuesday, June 14, 2005, at her home.  Born October 14, 1933 in Herd, VA, she was the daughter of the late Spurgeon and Elsie Toms Lynch.  She was a member of the Mt. Zion United Methodist Church. She was a homemaker who helped on the family farm.  She was a graduate of Fairfield High School.  Her husband, Lewis Dean Coffey, Sr.,  son, Michael Dean Coffey, grandson, Michael David Morgan and sister, Katherine Duffy, preceded her in death.

Left to cherish her memories are her eight children: Wanda Coffey of Rochester, NY; Virginia Morgan of Buena Vista; Deanie McDonald and husband Barry of Glasgow; Mary Ann Burgdorf and husband Steve of Lexington; Lewis Dean Coffey, Jr. and wife Pat of Lexington; John Lynn Coffey and wife Sonya of Buena Vista; Barbara Ramsey and husband Mack of Natural Bridge Station; and Ronald Coffey of Lexington; grandchildren: Alethia Bailey, Autumn Bailey Visgar and husband Danny, Heidi Burgdorf, Heather Burgdorf, Harley Burgdorf, Travis Coffey, Skyler Coffey, Johnny Coffey, Colton Coffey, Masie Coffey, Zachary Ramsey and Jacob Dawson.

Joyce loved her family, friends, and church and was well known for her cooking.  She enjoyed her flowers, her visits with friends and her church.  It is with great love and pride we return her to God’s care.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 16, 2005 at the Lomax Funeral Chapel with Rev. Bill Thomas officiating.  Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery where she will be laid to rest next to her husband and son. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 15, 2005 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lomax  Funeral Home.  The Lomax Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Obituary, The Rockbridge Weekly, Oct. 26, 2004

Lewis Dean Coffey, Sr.

Local Farmer Was Mt. Zion Methodist Church Member

Lewis Dean Coffey, Sr., of Glasgow, died Monday, October 25, 2004 in the Roanoke Memorial Hospital.  Born December 3, 1929 in the Coffeytown section in Amherst County, he was the son of Virginia Crawford Coffey and the late Wendell Holmes Coffey.  He was a member of Mt. Zion Methodist Church.  He previously worked at Bernson Silk Mill and was a farmer.  He was preceded in death by a son, Michael Dean Coffey and grandson, Michael David Morgan.

John Robey Coffey, another son of Ambrose, was born Nov. 26, 1908 and died Mar 8, 1966.  His wife was Mamie Womack, born Jan. 20, 1910, died Jun. 20, 1983.

Their son, William Lewis "Willie" Coffey was born May 1, 1932 and died Oct. 14, 1999.  His wife was Martha Cropp, born Aug. 19, 1936, died Sep. 25, 1991.

Obituary, The News-Gazette, Lexington, VA, Oct. 20, 1999

William Lewis Coffey, 67, of Buena Vista died Thursday, Oct. 14, at his home.

He was born May 1, 1932, in Amherst County, and was married to the late Martha Cropp Coffey.  He attended St. John's United Methodist Church and was a lifetime member of the Buena Vista Rescue Squad.  He was on the board of directors for the Macedonia Community Association and retired from Georgia Bonded Fibers.

He is survived by two daughters, Gayle Sellars of Roanoke and Joan Dalton of Mooresville, N.C.; a son, Pike Coffey of Coffeytown; a brother, David M. Coffey of Coffeytown; three sisters, Jeanie Thomas of Anniston, Ala., Shirley Humphries of Vesuvius and Patsy Wingfield of Charlottesville; and four grandchildren.

The funeral was held Saturday at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel by the Rev. Rebekah Johns Glass and David Coffey.  Burial followed at Green Hill Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Macedonia Community Association, 1408 Coffeytown Road, Vesuvius.

Ambrose's son Kyle Brown Coffey and his wife, Marcella Leila Wright are also buried here.  Kyle was born Apr. 20, 1920 and died Dec. 13, 1999.  Marcella was born Feb. 15, 1922 in Richmond, Wayne Co., IN and died in Amherst Co., on Apr. 30, 2007.

Obituary, Lynchburg The News & Advance , Wednesday, December 15, 1999.

Kyle Brown Coffey

Kyle Brown Coffey, 79, of Madison Heights, died Monday, Dec. 13, 1999 at Lynchburg General Hospital.

He was born April 20, 1920 in the Coffey Town Section of Amherst County, son of the late Ambrose R. Coffey and Mattie Higginbotham Coffey. He was retired from Reeves Brothers in Buena Vista. He was a member of Midway Baptist Church at the Forks of Buffalo. Mr. Coffey served in the U.S. Navy during WWII.

He is survived by his wife, Marcella Wright Coffey; three sons, Roger D. Coffey of Southern Pines, N.C., Jerry B. Coffey of Monroe and Morris R. Coffey of Lexington; three daughters, Judy R. Wimmer of Charlottesville, Linda C. May of Madison Heights and Karen C. Trent of Roanoke; five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Thursday at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Hugh Bumgarner officiating. Burial will follow in Green Hill Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 7-8 p.m. today at Bolling, Grose & Lotts Funeral Service, Buena Vista.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Monelison Rescue Squad.

Obituary, The News Advance, May 1, 2007, Lynchburg, VA

Marcella Leila Wright Coffey

Marcella Leila Wright Coffey, 85, of Madison Heights, died Monday, April 30, 2007. She was the wife of the late Kyle Brown Coffey.

Mrs. Coffey was born Feb. 15, 1922, in Richmond, Ind., a daughter of the late Morris Conway and Bessie Starkey Wright. She was a faithful member of Sandy Bottom Christian Church.

She is survived by her children, Roger Coffey and wife, Pat, of Southern Pines, N.C., Judy Wimmer of Monroe, Linda May and husband, Joey, of Madison Heights, Jerry Coffey of Monroe, Morris Coffey and wife, Brenda, of Lexington, and Karen Dooley and husband, Al, of Buchanan; her grandchildren, Randy May and wife, Lori, Paul May and wife, Mara, Scott Coffey and wife, Tracey, Drew Coffey and wife, Stacey, and Amy Trent; one step-grandchild, Brian Claytor, and wife, Katie, four great-grandchildren, Kayla May, Kyle May, Mackenzie Coffey and Avery Coffey; and two step-great-grandchildren. The oldest of eleven children, Marcella is survived by six siblings, Rena Tolley, Norma Friend, Ester Martin, Chester Wright, Willie Wright, and Hamid Wright.

The family will receive friends at from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 2007, at Sandy Bottom Christian Church.

A funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, May 4, 2007, at Sandy Bottom Christian Church, with the Rev. Jim Freeman officiating. Interment will follow at 3:30 p.m. In Green Hill Cemetery, Buena Vista.

Memorials may be sent to Sandy Bottom Christian Church, P.O. Box 159, Madison Heights, VA 24572.

Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, 434-237-9424.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.tharpfuneralhome.com.

And last, Ambrose's daughter Nellie Rucker Coffey. She was born Feb. 10, 1912 and died Nov. 19, 1988 in Lynchburg, VA.  No headstone photo available to me.

Obituary, Lynchburg The News & Advance, Friday, November 20, 1998

Nellie Rucker Coffey

AMHERST — Nellie Rucker Coffey, 86, died Thursday, Nov. 19, 1998 at Lynchburg General Hospital. She was the wife of the late Harvey Pryor Coffey.

Born Feb. 10, 1912 in Amherst County, she was a daughter of the late Ambrose and Mattie Higginbotham Coffey. She was a member of the Emmanuel United Methodist Church.

She is survived by her daughter, Patricia Cain of Charlottesville; one brother, Kyle Coffey and wife, Marcella of Madison Heights; two sisters-in-law, Virginia Coffey of Lexington and Bessie Fennell of Richmond; and several nieces, nephews and many dear friends.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Driskill Funeral Chapel in Amherst with the Rev. James Drapper officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhill Cemetery in Buena Vista.

Friends may call at Driskill Funeral Chapel from 2-8:30 p.m. today.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Amherst Rescue Squad.

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There are many more Coffey families buried here and, I will attempt to present as many as possible. These families had been on Find-A-Grave but, someone with more ignorance than a Jackass at pasture [FAG is a wonderful resource but, I have no love for the heavily commercial aspect of FAG nor for the self-appointed grave robbers who patrol and administer the site], deleted not only the headstone photos but all of the information presented above. Readers who need specific information on any of the families can write to me or, leave a comment outlining needs and I will attempt to find the information.

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Robert Reaves "Little Mac" Wright

Robert was a grandson of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright.  Margaret was the daughter of Austin and Mary Blalock Coffey.  Before her marriage to Austin, Mary Blalock had given birth to the infamous William McKesson "Keith" Blalock.

Margaret Ann Coffey was born on Aug. 22, 1845 in Caldwell Co., NC and died there on Dec. 4, 1931.  She married Thomas A. Wright on Feb. 22, 1865 in that county.  Thomas was born Nov. 11, 1834 in Georgia and died Apr. 5, 1906 in NC, probably also in Caldwell Co.  Both Thomas and Margaret are buried at the Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery at Shulls Mill, Watauga Co., NC.

Thomas and Margaret's son, Robert Arthur Wright was born c1875 in NC and married Jul. 14, 1894 to Lurenie Holloway, a daughter of Reede D. and Martha Andrews Holloway.  Lurenie was born c1879 and died Dec. 9, 1959 in Clermont Co., OH.  She is buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Withamsville, Union Twp., Clermont Co.  Apparently, Robert died shortly after their marriage because Lurenie was married c1896 to William Wiley Church with whom she had several children.

The only known child of Robert Arthur and Lurenie was Robert Reaves "Little Mac" Wright.  He was born Jun. 18, 1895 at Foscoe in Watauga Co., and died in Caroline Co., VA on Jan. 18, 1944.  He was married to Nettie L. McAlister, a daughter of Walter L. and Betty P. Mcalister, on Jun. 17, 1917 in Washington, D.C.

In September of 1917 Robert Reaves enlisted in the 318th Infantry of the 80th Division at Bowling Green, Caroline Co. and was discharged on Jun. 5, 1919.

He was initially assigned to Co. B, 318th Regt., 80th Div., at Camp Lee, VA, and trained there from Sep. 19, 1917 to May 20, 1918.  He was promoted to Private First Class on Oct. 5, 1918.  The 80th was known as "The Blue Ridge Division" because it was made up of men mostly from VA, WVa, PA and DE.

The unit embarked from Hoboken, NJ on the ship Leviathan on May 22, 1918 and arrived at Brest, France on May 30, 1918.  From there they proceeded to Calais on Jun. 2, 1918.

Robert went into action for the first time on Aug. 10, 1918 in the Artois section and was engaged in the  St. Mihiel offensive at Meuse-Argonne.

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was the final offensive by the Americans and took place between Sep. 26 and Nov. 11, 1918, when the war officially ended.  Over one and a quarter million Americans took part in the battle against what would eventually total nearly 450,000 Germans.

He arrived at New Port News aboard the USS Maui on May 27, 1919 and discharged at Camp Lee on Jun. 5, 1919.  He returned to civilian life and worked as a farmer for the remainder of his life.

Robert Reaves Wright

When asked about his attitude toward military service in general, and his call to service, he responded that "when I first entered I thought it unnecessary but after I learned the state of affairs, I thought it very essential for boys to go and help their country."*  He believed that he did not suffer any poor effects, either mentally of physically due to "camp experiences" in the United States.  Neither did his military experience overseas have any affect upon his person or affect his religious beliefs.  He was appalled by seeing men around him die in battle.**

He and Nettie were the parents of at least three children:  Robert Reaves, Jr., Mack A., and Lotus Frances.

Robert Reaves and Nettie

Both are buried at the County Line Baptist Church cemetery at Ruther Glen in Caroline Co.


*Virginia War History Commission, Lynchburg, Virginia, Individual Service Records (Questionnaires), 1919-1921. Accession 33311, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

**In the War History Commission report he gave date of marriage to Nettie McAlister as Jul 17, 1917 in Washington, DC and birth date of son Robert Wright, Jr. as Jun 6, 1918 at Chilesburg, VA. He was a farmer employed by W. H. Holloway in Chilisburg, Caroline Co., VA. W. H. Holloway was his uncle, brother to his mother.

Newell and Corinne Dodds Sanders

"Newell Sanders, manufacturer and United States Senator, 1912, 1913, was born in Owen County, Indiana, July 12, 1850, the son of John Sanders and Miriam Coffey Sanders, grandson of John Sanders and Nancy Briscoe Sanders and great grandson of Henry Sanders and Dicey Blake Sanders, South Carolina. Henry Sanders was a Baptist preacher and a Revolutionary soldier. Mr. Sanders' maternal grandfather, Reuben Coffey was a pioneer Baptist preacher and in 1834 was one of the founders of Franklin College, the Baptist college of Indiana. Mr. Sanders' parents and grandparents were among the numbers of Southerners who settled in southern Indiana about 1830.

"Newell Sanders entered Indiana State University at Bloomington where he graduated in 1873 with a degree of B.S. After conducting a book store in Bloomington from 1873 to 1878 he decided to enter the manufacturing field. He spent a year in northern shops gaining experience and settled in Chattanooga on the advice of Gen. John T. Wilder in 1878. He opened a factory to manufacture plows. This was the first factory in the South to make improved plows. In 1883 the business was incorporated as the Chattanooga Plow Company with Newell Sanders as president and general manager. Under his management it developed rapidly, doing a large domestic business and enjoying an extensive export trade. In 1901 he established the Newell Sanders Plow Company of which he was sole owner. In 1915 he again became president of the Chattanooga Plow Company, a position he retained until 1919 when he sold the company to the Internal Harvester Company. He sold the Newell Sanders Plow Company in 1927 and retired from business after having manufactured plows in Chattanooga for fifty years.

"His business interests, however, have not been confined to plow manufacturing. He organized the Chattanooga Steamboat Company in 1891 for the purpose of operating a line of boats on the Tennessee River to St. Louis and served as its first president. He was the first president of the Tennessee River Improvement Association and appeared many times before Congress in that interest. He was president of the National Association of Agriculture Implement and Vehicle Manufacturers from 1907 to 1909 and vice president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers 1927, 1929. He is a director of the Hamilton National Bank and of the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railway.

"Mr. Sanders served as chairman of the Tennessee Republican State Committee 1894-1896 and again in 1906-1912. In both these periods Republican governors of Tennessee were elected. He was a member of the Republican National Committee, 1912-1916, and a delegate to the Republican National Conventions of 1900, 1904, 1908, 1912, 1916, 1920 and 1924. He was appointed by the Governor of Tennessee to the United States Senate and was the first Republican Senator from Tennessee in forty years. He took his seat April 8, 1912, his successor taking his seat in February, 1913. He led the prohibition movement in Tennessee which became a dry state before the national prohibition amendment was passed. In the Senate he was the leader in the passage of a law against the shipment of intoxicating liquor from 'wet' states into 'dry' states.

"Mrs. Newell Sanders was Miss Corinne Dodds of Bloomington before her marriage. The marriage took place October 28, 1873. She was a graduate of the Indiana State University of the Class of 1873. She was active in church and Red Cross work and was president of the Chattanooga Free Kindergarten Association during its long existence. She was the first woman in the Southern states to vote**. Mr. and Mrs. Sanders traveled together extensively in this country and abroad. They were four years in the same class in college, receiving the same training and acquiring the same ideals and success has been result of their joint efforts. The credit is due as much to one as to the other. Mrs. Sanders died in 1929. Their children are Norinne who married James Harvey Anderson; Mildred who married Walter Blair Wright; Pansy who married Ben Matthews Allison; Wendell who died at the age of seventeen; Dot who died young and Sherman who died in 1927 at the age of forty-six.

"Mr. Sanders home is on the east brow of Lookout Mountain next to the Lookout Mountain Incline. Since his retirement from business Mr. Sanders has given his time to the development of the Chattanooga-Lookout Mountain Park, on the sides of Lookout Mountain, and to other public affairs"

[Newell Sanders was the son of John and Miriam Coffey Sanders. Mirian was a daughter of the Rev. Reuben A. and Martha "Polly" Dowell Coffey.  Newell was born Jul. 12, 1850 and died Jan. 26, 1939 in Chattanooga.  Corinne died in 1929.  He is buried at Forest Hills Cemetery in Chattanooga and Corinne is probably there with him.]

**Interesting!  I wonder how this is known?

---

Thanks to Richard Beu for providing this news article and photo, proving that Mrs. Sanders was the first woman to vote in the state of TN.  His GG-grandfather was I.E. Ireland, also pictured. Unfortunately, the date this was published in this Chattanooga newspaper was not preserved on the clipping I received.

Source:  Zella Armstrong, Author, The history of Hamilton County and Chattanooga, Tennessee: Vol I, 2 volumes (Johnson City, TN: The Overmountain Press, 1992), .  Photos from the source credited to Judd.  The book is available at Amazon.com, as well as other on-line book sellers.  It can probably be found on Amazon at this link:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0932807917

Summers and Naomi N. Coffey Wright

Summers Wright was born c1804 in Wayne Co., KY and died Jul. 7, 1887 in Macon Co., MO.  I have found no record of their marriage, but he and Naomi Coffey, daughter of Reuben and Millie Morris Coffey, were having children as early as 1834.

Naomi was born Aug. 26, 1804 in Burke Co., NC and died 1904 in Macon Co., MO.

Both Summers and Naomi are thought to be buried in the Bethel Christian Church Cemetery in Anabel, Macon Co.  However, the death record for Summers, found in the Missouri Birth and Death Records Database* reports his burial in Mt. Tabor Cemetery.  His death record reports that he died of "old age" complicated by "disease of the bowels."

The children that I have for Summers and Naomi are:

Reuben A. C., born c1834; Matilda, born c1837; Nancy E., born c1840; Melissa J., born c1842, and May, born c1842.

Please leave a comment, or contact me at the above e-mail address if you can add to or correct any of this information.

*Missouri Birth & Death Records Database, Missouri Secretary of State online [http://www.sos.mo.gov]

John and Nancy Snyder Coffey

This John was a son of James M. and Frances Lane Coffey.  He was born Apr. 22, 1810 in Wayne Co., KY and died Apr. 8, 1879 in Lookingglass, Douglas Co., OR.  Nancy was born Dec. 1, 1815 in Virginia and died Feb. 28, 1893 in Lexington, Morrow Co., OR.

He descends from Edward and Ann Powell Coffey through their son John and wife Jane Graves; their son, James and Elizabeth Cleveland; their son Archelus and Eleanor Wade.  Archelus and Eleanor were parents of James M.

John and Nancy were married on Sep. 13, 1832 in Gallatin Co., IL.  They settled there, and received a 40-acre land grand in 1835.  They sold this land on Sept. 20, 1841 and went to Missouri.  They were back in Illinois by 1848, and were on the Hamilton County, IL census for 1850.

By December 1852 the family was back in Missouri, probably preparing for their westward trek.  A family record cited by Marvin Coffey in his family genealogy says only  that "they moved from southern Illinois to Missouri joining a wagon train and crossing the plains in 1853."

The Coffey family arrived in Oregon on August 12, 1853.

Their children were at least 12:

Vandexer Lee, born Oct. 26, 1833 in Gallatin Co., IL, and died May 2, 1909.  He married Rebecca J. Wright, born Jan., 1854 in Indiana, on Jan. 5, 1871 in Marion Co., OR.  Vandexer died in Beech Creek, Grant Co., OR.

Miles, born c1835 in Gallatin Co.

James Bluford, born Oct. 11, 1837 in Gallatin Co., IL, died Jul. 3, 1924 in Adams, Umatilla Co., OR.  James married first to Mary Ann McCorkle on Oct. 19, 1862 in Marion Co., OR.  Mary Ann was born Nov. 26, 1847 in Marion Co., and died there on Jan. 30, 1853.  They had one child, George F., born Jan. 20, 1864, died Jul. 3, 1912 in Canada.  Mary Ann died 10 days after George was born.  He married second to Mary Elizabeth Bolin of Jul. 16, 1866 in Salem, Marion Co., OR.  Mary was born Jul. 24, 1848 in Indiana and died in Oregon on Apr. 26, 1927.  They raised at least 13 children.  This is the family of Dr. Marvin Coffey (dec'd).

Martha Ellen, born c1839 in Gallatin Co., IL and died (probably) in 1861 in Clackamas Co., OR.  She married William Arthur, Jr., born c1831 in Missouri.  They were married on May 8, 1856 in Clackamas Co.  Their known children were Mildred A., born 1857; Martha Josephine, born 1859 and William C., born c1861.

Julia Ann, born Oct. 10, 1841 in MO, died Nov. 25, 1928 in Portland, Multnomah Co., OR.  She was married to Joseph A. Hugh on Dec. 24, 1861 in Clackamas Co.  Their children were John L., born 1868, died 1960; Minnie V., born c1877; Sam J., born c1879; and Richard D., born c1881.

Eli D., born c1844 in Missouri, died between 1860 and 1879.

Infant daughter, born c1846.

Winfield W., born c Nov. 1848 in Illinois, died Nov., 1849.

Mary Jane, born c1850 in Hamilton Co., IL, died before 1900 in Morrow Co., OR.  She was married first to John Sloan in July 1874 in Douglas Co., OR.  They had at least one child, Nancy E., born c1875.    Her second husband was Arthur McCarty to whom she was married on Jan. 24, 1877 in Douglas Co., OR.  They had at least one child, Eli Howard, born Nov. 13, 1877, died Dec. 18, 1918.  Mary Jane's third husband was William W. Kirk, to whom she was married on Apr. 14, 1899 in Morrow Co.

John Achilles Winfield, born Dec., 1852, died Mar. 10, 1931.

Thomas Wesley, born Sep. 27, 1854 in Coos Co., OR, died in Portland on Sep. 2, 1939.  He married Amanda E. Coon on Jun. 27, 1878 in Douglas Co.  She was born to Jacob L. and Sarah Miller Coon on May 18, 1854 in Linn Co., OR.  Amanda died Sep. 27, 1903 in Camas Valley, Douglas Co., OR.  Thomas may have married again, but I had no information.  Their children were at least four:  Lillian L., born Jul., 1879 in Douglas Co., died 1956; Fred L., born c1881; Sarah; and Mildred V., born Oct., 1886, died Oct., 1870.

The last known child born to John and Nancy was Louisa, born and died in 1857.

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

Thomas A. & Margaret Ann Coffey Wright Update

Some corrections as well as new information has been added to this blog.  Clich here, or on the title link to review.

Virgie Evaline Coffey

Virgie was born Jun. 14, 1915 in Caldwell Co., NC to Joel Partee and Lillie Mamie Pearl Tolbert. Joel was the son of John Caroll and Nancy Evalyn Hartley Coffey and, Lillie was the daughter of Edward Alexander Tolbert and Martha Mahalia Smith.

Virgie first married Collis Monroe Sumlin, who was born Jul. 2, 1899 in Caldwell Co., and died there on Apr. 27, 1960. I have not found a marriage date for them. However, the first of their six children was born in March, 1932 making it likely they married c1930.

All of their children seem to have been born in Caldwell Co. Two sons, Monroe and Roy, are mentioned in her obituary and whose birth place and dates have not been found.

This is what I have found on their children:

Ira Dallas, born Mar. 4, 1932, married Ethel Elizabeth Foster, born Aug. 8, 1930, daughter of Charles and Flossie Hudson Foster. Ira and Ethel had at least two children: Paul and Betty.

Tracy Glenn, born Aug. 16, 1934, died Aug. 3, 2007 in Hudson, Caldwell Co. He married Ruby Alice Davis and they were the parents of at least one child, Glenn Dennis.

Monroe married Marline Oliver and, they were the parents of at least one child, Charles David.

Vergie Mary Lee, born 1939, married Charlie Dewey Arnett. They had at least two children, Lorrena Lee and Marty Lane.

Mildred Elizabeth, born 1941, married Henry William Pitts, born Nov. 2, 1937. They were the parents of at least five children: Treva Jean, Debra Anne, Rebecca Lea, Janice Kay, and Betty Sue. I have not yet found a death record for Henry or a marriage record for Mildred's later marriage to the Mr. Wright mentioned in Virgie's obituary.

Roy married Lona Dare Oliver and had at least five children: Melinda Denise, Anthony, Joseph Dwayne, Amanda Ione and Hugh Rex.

Virgie died Feb. 28, 1998 in Caldwell Co., and was buried at Mountain View Cemetery in Lenoir.

Her obituary:

Vergie Sumlin Carpenter, 82, of Gateway Nursing Center, Lenoir, Died Saturday, Feb. 28, 1998, at the center.

She was born June 4, 1915, in Caldwell County to the late Partee Coffey and Pearl Tolbert Coffey. She was also preceded in death by her first husband, Collis Monroe Sumlin; her second husband, Spurgeon Carpenter; and one son, Monroe Sumlin.

Mrs. Carpenter was a homemaker.

Survivors include three sons, Ira Sumlin and Tracy Sumlin, both of Lenoir, and Roy Sumlin of Spruce Pine; two daughters, Virgie Arnett of Banner Elk and Mildred Wright of Granite Falls; five stepdaughters, Blanche Huffman, Grace Lowman, Ruby Sigmon, ruth Hollar and Rita Franklin, all of Valdese; 24 grandchildren; 11 step grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; 14 step great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

The funeral is 2 p.m. today at Joyceton Baptist Church with the Revs. Ed. Ford, Bill Dyson and Herman Tester officiating. The body will be placed in the church 30 minutes prior to the funeral. Burial will be in Mt. View Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be: Allen Sumlin, Dennis Sumlin, Kelly Arnett, Paul Sumlin, Joe Sumlin and Buddy Detter. Honorary pallbearers will be Tony Arnett and Brian Smith.

Virgie's second marriage was to Spurgeon Carpenter. I do not believe there were any children born to this union.

Please contact me at the above e-mail address with additions and/or corrections.

Samuel and Ella Nore (Noria) Wright McCroskey

Noria was a daughter of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. According to the Caldwell Co., NC Register of Deeds, she was born c1879 in that county. She died there on Dec. 18, 1942.1

Sarah first married Henderson Phillips in Watauga Co., NC on Oct. 16, 1896.2 I have no information on Henderson but, do not believe any children were born to this union. Sarah's second husband was Samuel Wiley McCroskey, born Apr. 10, 1869 in Bluff City, Sullivan Co., TN, died Apr. 14, 1926 in Caldwell Co., NC.

Samuel had been previously married to Eva Trique3 [sic] on Mar. 7, 1896 in Knox Co., TN. I have no information of Eva and, to my knowledge there were no children.

In the June 1900 Knox Co., TN census Noria was found in the household with the Ed. Haupt family, her sister and brother-in-law. She was enumerated as 21 years old and single. She married Samuel, and by 1910 they are in Caldwell Co. where they lived out the remainder of their lives.

Noria died Dec. 18, 1942 and was buried in the Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co. Sam died well before that, on Apr. 14, 1926. He too is buried at Boone Fork.

Sam and Noria had at least eight children:

1 - Raymond R., born May, 1902, died Feb. 16, 1926

2 - Mae, born Jul. 11, 1904, died Jul. 17, 1983. She married Samuel Woodie (date unk) and gave birth to at least five children: Wyley, Odis Eugene, Esta, Roy and Ernest, all born between c1922 and c1928, and probably all in Avery Co. Sam died in Jul., 1966 and May in Jul., 1983.

3 - Lula Nevada, born Apr. 15, 1907, died May 2, 1987 in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co. She apparently married very late in life to Floyd Whisenant. She is buried at Boone Fork.

Her obituary:

Mrs. Lula McCroskey Whisenant, 80, of Route 1, Blowing rock, a former resident
of Colletsville, died Saturday evening, May 2, at Blowing Rock Hospital after a long illness. Mrs. Whisenant was the widow of Floyd Whisenant and was a member of the Boone Form Baptist Church. She was born April 15, 1907 in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Wiley and Ella Nora Wright McCroskey. Surviving are several nieces and nephews, including the Mae Woodie family of Jonas Ridge, the Ester and Mack Coffey family and the Earl and Mary Lois McCroskey family of Blowing Rock and the Edith Townsend family and Lawrence McCroskey family of Lenoir. Services will be conducted Tuesday afternoon at 2 at the Boone Form Baptist Church. The body will lie in state at the church from 11:30 until 2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Everett Little. Burial will follow in the Boone Fork Cemetery. The family will receive friends this evening from 7 until 9 at Reins-Sturdivant. Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

4 - Earl Lemuel, born Feb., 1909, died Jan., 19675 in Caldwell Co. Earl married Gladis [sic] L. Hatley in 1929 at Shulls Mill in Watauga Co. Gladis was the daughter of Jackson Sidney (Jack) and Drusilla Phillips Hatley. I am not yet certain whether Gladis died or, if they were divorced. Together, they had at least four children: Dorothy Louise, Roger, Daniel and David. Earl married for a second time to Mary Lois Coffey, a daughter of Thomas Leroy (Tom) and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mary was born Mar. 10, 19264 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 16, 2005 in Blowing Rock. Mary and Earl are buried at White Springs Cemetery in Watauga Co.

Mary's obituary:

Mrs. Mary Lois McCroskey, 79, of 6130 Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock, died
Saturday night, April 16, 2005, at Blowing Rock Hospital. She was born March 10, 1926, in Caldwell County, a daughter of the late Thomas LeRoy and Alice Sanders Coffey. Mrs. McCroskey was a member of First Independent Baptist Church in Blowing Rock. Survivors include two daughters, Estie Ruppard and husband, Dwight, of Blowing Rock, and Joy Martinez and husband, Tony, of Granite Falls; one son, Mitchell Coffey of Blowing Rock; two step-sons, Roger McCroskey and Daniel McCroskey, both of Hudson. She is also survived by 13 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl McCroskey; one daughter, Jessie Price; one step-daughter, Louise Harrison; one step-son, David McCroskey; two granddaughters, Lisa and Tammy Coffey; four sisters; and four brothers. Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock at Hampton Funeral Home Chapel. The body will lie in state from 1-2 p.m. Officiating will be the Rev. Darrell Miller and the Rev. Vance Triplett. Burial will follow in White Springs Cemetery. The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-2 p.m. at the funeral home, prior to the service. At other times, friends may call at the McCroskey residence, 6130 Highway 221 South, Blowing Rock. Hampton Funeral Service is in charge of the arrangements.

The children of Earl and Mary Lois were three:

Jesse Irene, born Feb. 6, 1946, died Jul. 30, 1997; Estie Rosie, born Feb. 23, 1952; and Joy Lela, born Feb. 8, 1962.

5 - Lany Esther married Clayton McDonald (Mack) Coffey in Mountain City, Johnson Co., TN. Lany was born Dec. 13, 1910 in Watauga Co., and died there on Jun. 7, 1978. She is buried at Boone Fork. She and Mack had eight children. More info can be found by clicking on Lany's link.

6 - Edward Lawrence, born Mar. 15, 19156 in Caldwell Co., died Apr. 11, 1941 in Bluefield, Mercer Co., WV. He married Jackie [or perhaps Lockie] Delana Hatley, another daughter of Jack and Drusilla Phillips Hatley. They had at least two children: Edward Dean and Pansy.

7 - Virgia Edith, born Apr. 10, 1917 in Caldwell Co., died Nov. 12, 1970 in Lenoir, Caldwell Co. She was first married to Wilburn Clarence (Web) Townsend c1937. Their children were at least seven: Ethel Delana, born 1937, died 1964, married Forest Columbus Crisp; Wilburn Eugene, born Aug. 1939, died Mar. 2007; James Robert, born Jan., 1941, died 2000; Thomas Earl, born Sep., 1942, died 1944; Frances Mae, born Dec. 1944, married Robert Rash; Murray, born Jul., 1946; and Jerry Wilson, born Apr., 1952, married Wanda Hatley. Web had been previously married to Bessie Bennett.

8 - Roy Lois, born Oct. 27, 19217, died Jul. 15, 1970

Sources:

1 North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

2 Marriage Register of Watauga County, North Carolina 1873-1954 (Boone, Watauga Co., NC: Dept. of Hist., Appalachian State Univ., Boone, NC, 1995)

3 As spelled on marriage license; copy in my possession

4 Register of Deeds. North Carolina Birth Indexes; Roll Number: B_C017_66001 Volume: 13 Page: 103

5 ibid, Death Index, Book 54, Page 190

6 ibid, Birth Index, Roll B_C017_66001 Volume: 2 Page: 4

7 ibid, Birth Index, Book 8, Page 121

8 North Carolina Vital Records, Raleigh, North Carolina. and North Carolina Archives and Records Section. North Carolina County Records, 1908-1967. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

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

Doctor Hill Wright

Doctor was a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright. He was born April 1, 1889 in North Carolina and died Oct. 4, 1949 in Watauga Co., NC. He married twice, first to Virgie Nona Gragg, a daughter of Leonard L. and Alva Sims Gragg. She was born Oct. 18, 1897 in North Carolina and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. They were married May 13, 1913 in Watauga Co.

They had at least four children:

Meda Virginia*, born May 22, 1914

William Paul, born Jun. 19, 1918

Agnes Adele, born Aug. 15, 1921, died Jan. 15, 1988. Addie married James Bynum Coffey, a son of James Hardy and Lillian Mae Gray Coffey on Jul. 5, 1939 in North Carolina. James was born Apr. 28, 1912 in Watauga Co., and died there on Apr. 26, 1986. There were at least two children born to this union: Patricia Joe Ann, born Mar. 21, 1941, died c1996, and James Robert, born Sep. 27, 1942, died Nov. 11, 1999.

Thomas Hill, born Dec. 20, 1930

Doctor's second wife was Sally Phillips, but I have no information on her except that she also married Austin Blaine Coffey on Nov. 13, 1951 in Watauga Co. Doctor and Austin were first cousins.

Hill Wright registered for the draft in Watauga Co., NC on Jun., 5 1917, and was described as being tall and slender with gray eyes and black hair. He gave his age as 28 yrs. old, born Apr. 1, 1889. He farmed and lived with his wife and one child in Shulls Mill at the time of registration. He also claimed support of his mother.

He and Virgie appear in the 1920 and 1930 census in Watauga Co. They divorced sometime after the 1930 census was enumerated and Hill Married Sally Phillips.

By 1942 Hill and Sally were living in Talbot Co., MD. Hill was employed by and gave his address as George Jopp's Restaurant on Philadelphia Road. He described himself as being 52 yrs. old and, 5' 9.5" tall with blue eyes, gray hair and ruddy complexion. He weighed 160 lbs.

He and Sally returned to Watauga Co sometime after 1942 where he died on Oct. 4, 1949 and was buried there in the Boone Fork Baptist Church Cemetery. Virgie apparently never remarried and died Nov. 13, 1945 in Watauga Co. Virgie is buried at White Springs Cemetery in Blowing Rock, Watauga Co.

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 *Meda's birth record lists her name as Meda Virginia, born May 22, 1914. I have been told however that her middle name was Geneva and perhaps her birthyear was 1913.

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin Blaine Coffey was a son of David Nathaniel and Caroline Levinia Coffey Coffey. He was born in Watauga Co., NC on Jan. 14, 1887 and died there on Aug. 28, 1970. He is buried alongside his first wife, Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris Coffey, at Boone Fork Baptist Church cemetery in Watauga Co.

Blaine represented Watauga Co. in the NC House of Representatives for several years, beginning in about 1917. He was still seated in The House in 1923 when his mother died.

Austin Blaine Coffey

Austin married Emma Mahalia (Hailey) Harris in Caldwell Co. on mar. 1, 1914. Hailey was the only child of Anderson Perkins and Frances Catherine Ennis Harris. Hailey had given birth to a son, Ralph A. Harris on Nov. 22, 1911. Ralph enlisted in the US Army in 1929 and subsequently killed in an automobile accident while stationed in Pensacola, Escambia Co., FL.

Hailey Harris

His obituary appeared in the Watuage Democrat on May 19, 1932:

Funeral Services Held for Ralph A. Harris

The body of Ralph A. Harris, 20, a private in the U.S. Army who was killed in an automobile accident near Pensacola, Fla., on May 7th, arrived at Lenoir on May 11th, in charge of Private Floyd Burkett, who was a friend and comrade of the deceased. Funeral services were held at Blue Ridge Advent Church on Thursday, May 12th by the Rev. S. E. Gragg, in the presence of the largest congregation ever assembled for a burial in this section.

Young Harris was a well liked by all who knew him. He completed his high school education at Crossnore, N.C., enlisted in the US Army in 1929, served three years, reenlisted and was serving his second term when the accident occurred. His death has caused widespread sorrow.

Pallbearers were Spencer Collins, Archie Simms, Spencer Henderson, Staple Collins, Mayrel Gragg, Frank Jones, Cecil Critcher, Jesse Coffey, Randel Pyatte, Melvin Calloway, J. C. Church, Ernest Simms and Seldon Wright.

Flower girls were led by little Ernestine Collins and Norma Collins, were as follows: Ruby Richards, Irene Jenkins, Sally Collins, Ruby Dula, Hailey Harris, Ruby Henderson, Rosetta Hollifield, Bessie Wooten, Jessie Hollifield, Ruby Byers, Ophelia Teague, Verdola Coffey, Fay Rupurd, Edith Calloway.

Burial took place at Boone's Fork graveyard.

Hailey died less than a year following the death of her son Ralph.

Ralph A. Harris

Hailey and Austin's children were:

Murray Harris Coffey, born May 9, 1915, died Apr. 5, 2003. He married Ruby Evelyn Dula on Nov. 19, 1938 in Watauga Co. Ruby was born Jan. 10, 1910 in Caldwell Co., and died Apr. 13, 1999 in Mecklenburg Co., NC. She was the daughter of Arthur Hill and Mary Jane Coffey Dula.

Murray's obituary appeared in the Watauga Democrat on Apr. 7, 2003.

Rev. Murray Coffey

Rev. Murray H. Coffey, 87, of 157 Murray Coffey Road, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, April 5, 2003, at Blowing Rock Hospital.

He was born May 9, 1915, in Hudson, Caldwell County, to the late Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey.

Rev. Coffey was a retired stone mason and a minister. He was a member of Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church where he formerly served as pastor.

Both Rev. Coffey and his father, Blaine Coffey, served in the North Carolina Legislature as representatives from Watauga County.

Survivors include one daughter, Mrs. Imogene Poteat of Davidson; and one son, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock; one granddaughter, Kimberly Coffey of Asheville; three grandsons, Paul Poteat Jr. of Coppers Cove, Texas, Mike Poteat and family of Charlotte, and Lynn Solesbee and wife, Melissa, of Mauldin, S.C.; one great-granddaughter, Anna Solesbee and one great-grandson, Ben Solesbee, both of Mauldin.

He is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Dula Coffey; a son, Vern Coffey; a sister, Mrs. Gwyn Dula; and a brother, Hardin Coffey.

Services were conducted Monday morning at the Blue Ridge Advent Christian Church in Blowing Rock, officiated by the Rev. Gordon Noble.

Entombment followed in the Coffey Family Mausoleum in Boone Fork Community Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Boone Advent Christian Church, in care of Joyce Sherrill, 375 Shady Bark Lane, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Hampton Funeral Service was in charge of the arrangements.

Catherine G. Coffey

Katherine Gwendolyn Coffey, born Aug. 1, 1919 in Watauga Co., died Aug. 19, 1997 in North Carolina. She married Clyde Lester Dula on Jul. 4, 1939. Clyde was brother to Ruby who married Murray.

Hardin Blaine Coffey

Hardin Blaine Coffey, born Apr. 23, 1923 in Watauga Co., died Oct. 7, 2000 in North Carolina. He married Beulah Mae Coffey, born Mar. 24, 1924 to Joseph Merritt and Susan Augustus Childs Coffey. Joseph Merritt and Austin Blaine were distant cousins.

Hardin's obituary:

Mr. Hardin Blaine Coffey, 77, of Ransom Street, Blowing Rock, died Saturday morning, Oct. 7, 2000, at his home.

He was born April 23, 1923 in Blowing Rock. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Blowing Rock.

Mr. Coffey was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Army and a 56 year charter member of the Blowing Rock American Legion Post 256. He retired with 30 years service at Tweetsie Railroad as a steam locomotive engineer. A snow making pioneer, he installed the first snow making equipment at Blowing Rock Ski Lodge and Hound Ears Club.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah C. Coffey; one daughter, Judith Wesson of Boone; one son, Joe Coffey and wife, Cathy, of Snowmass Village, Colo.; three grandchildren, Michael Jason Wesson of Boone and Samuel Ryan Coffey and Joanna Haley Coffey, both of Snowmass Village, Colo.; a brother, Rev. Murray Coffey of Blowing Rock; and three nieces, Gail Pitts of Blowing Rock, Cathy Wilson of Boone and Linda McCullach of Millers Creek; and one nephew, Terry Coffey of Blowing Rock.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Austin Blaine and Hailey Harris Coffey; one sister, Gwyn Dula and a nephew, Vern Coffey.

Services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Austin & Barnes Funeral Home Chapel, officiated by the Rev. Dean Coffey.

The family will receive friends Monday afternoon from 1-1:45 p.m., prior to the services, at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Blowing Rock.

Flowers are appreciated or memorials may be made to Hospice of Watauga County, 136 Furman Road, Boone, N.C. 28607.

Austin & Barnes Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Austin Blaine Coffey's second wife is said to have been Sally Phillips of West Virginia. Sally had been married previously to Doctor [given name] Hill Wright, a son of Thomas A. and Margaret Ann Coffey Wright.

Update 2/11/2012:  There is another marriage record in Watauga Co. for Blaine Coffey, age 47, to Anna Lee Phillips on 20 Mar. 1934.  A Nov. 13, 1951 marriage record has also been found for Austin Blaine Coffey to Sally Phillips Wright.  The marriage register put together by Appalachian State University at Boone and published in 1995, notes that this "marriage lasted 4 days."