Pages

March 6, 2019

Reuben Coffey & Mildred "Millie" Morris


Reuben is often confused with his uncle of the same name.  His uncle married Sally Scott.

This Reuben was in the Rev. War. and received a pension.  He fought at the battle of Kings Mt. under Benjamin Cleveland, a first cousin.  Reuben lived in Wilkes Co from 1778-1797, on the north side of Warrior Gap.  He was in Burkes Co. from 1797 to 1810 on Blair's Fork, and in Wayne Co., KY from 1819 until his death on Jun. 9, 1842
.
From National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 34, 1945-1946, page 62:

(S46916, N.C. service, Ky. Agcy.; Cert. 22363 issued 31 Oct. 1833, Act 7 Jun 1832 at $40 per an.).  He apld 28 Aug 1832 from Wayne Co., KY.  B. 16 Sep 1759 in Albemarle Co., Va and lived there 15 yr.  Moved to Wilkes Co., NC near head of Adkin [sic] River where he lived for 14 yr; then to Burk [sic] Co for 22 yr.  Moved to Wayne Co Ky.  Reuben was at King's Mt.  Lewis Coffey was brother. Osborne Coffey, 1759-1840, Va. service, buried at Middleburg, Casey Co., KY with wife, Milly Nightingale (no dates).   Source: National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 34, 1945-1946, page 62

From Amherst County, Virginia in the Revolution, page 116

Coffee, Reuben, -- Wayne Co., Ky., Aug. 28, 1832: b. Albemarle Co., Va., Sept. 16, 1759.  His father moved to Amherst 1764.  He testified that he vol. under Capt. Moses Guest, Major Winston, Col. Benjamin Cleveland & was in the battle of King's Mountain.  Moved with his father to Wilkes co., N.C.; settled in Bucks Co., N.C. & after 22 years moved to Wayne Co., Ky.  His claim was allowed.  (See also DAR Patriot Index).

From A Century of Wayne County, Kentucky, page 8; 1939; Augusta Phillips Johnson
Reuben and Lewis Russell Coffey were Revolutionary soldiers.  Reuben came to Wayne County in 1800 where he settled in Elk Spring Valley.  He received a pension for his services.  His applications states that he was born in Albemarle County, Virginia, September 16, 1759.  He moved to Amherst County where, in 1777, he volunteered for "as long as my country needs my service," with Captain Moses Guess, under Major Joseph Winston, Colonel Benjamin Cleveland.  He also served with Colonel Isaac Shelby.  He was at the Battle of King's Mountain.  After the war, he went to Wilkes County, North Carolina, and thence to Wayne County, Kentucky.

This Reuben is customarily the husband of Mildred "Millie" Morris of  Albemarle Co., VA.  No marriage record has been found.

There were at least 10 children born to the union:  Eleanor, born c1783 Wilkes Co., NC, married Joel Hisaw; Sarah, born c1785 Wilkes Co., NC, married Joseph Owens; Elizabeth, born c1786 Wilkes Co., married Thomas Sumpter; James, born 1790, Burke Co., NC, married Sarah Sumpter 1810 in Burke Co.; Anna, born c1792, said to have married Simon Washington Owens; Mary, born c1793, said to have married a Mr. Giddens; Charles Oliver, born c1794 KY [sic], married Diana Blanseett; Austin, born c1776 Wilkes Co., married Salley Garner c1819; Rachel, born c1797, place not known, married Burnett or Bennett Elam 1820 Wayne Co., KY; Naomi, born c1804 Burke Co., NC, married Summers Wright, c1826 in Wayne Co., KY.

More detail for children is available.

Two years ago I and my wife, along with a son and two grandsons, climbed Kings Mountain. If you are ever in the area, do not pass up a chance to do the same. See Battle of Kings Mountain for more detail.