The existence of Chesley Coffey and Jane Cleveland has never been proved by public records, Bible records, or any other standard means of genealogical proof. The only scrap of evidence that hints of their existence was a note left by Eliza (Coffey) Porter during the 1890's. She wrote of her father, Nathan's family:

"Nathan Coffey was the son of Joel Coffey and Matha Step Coffey, was grandson of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey, natives of Virginia. But the grandparents removed to North Carolina in an early day and settled on the Yadkin river where the parents of our subject was born and raised and married..."

Mrs. Porter's knowledge of her family's background was good, as evidenced by the fact that the names of the children of Joel and Martha Coffey, listed in his will of April, 1789, were identified to those named in her recollection of the children of Joel Coffey and Martha Step.

Joel Coffey was part of a Coffey family that moved from Wilkes Co., N.C. to what is now Russell Co., Ky. during the 1790's. Family members usually lived in close proximity and frequently used Joel, Nathan, Salathiel, Cleveland, and Nebuzaraden as given names.

Joel Coffey was, according to D.A.R. records, born in 1730 and married Martha Sealey. According to Mrs. Porter's notes, Martha Sealey was actually Martha Step. She was expecting a baby in 1789, as mentioned in the will of Joel Coffey, and was therefore probably born no earlier than 1744. Joel Coffey was probably born much later than 1730. He died in Wilkes Co., N.C. in July, 1789. Joel Coffey was not the father of Nathan Coffey (ca. 1760-1823). Joel Coffey's children were: Joseph (probably died before 1789), Cleveland (born 1765-8, died 1814), James (1774-1826), Joel, Nathaniel (1788-1834), Nebuzaraden (ca. 1757-1797), and Nathan (ca. 1760-1823).

Information on Salathiel Coffey can be found in the story on Eli and Mary Coffey.

Chesley Coffey was born on Nov. 19, 1755. He married Margaret Baldwin. They moved to near Knoxville, Tenn. during the 1780's. They moved to Adair Co., Ky. between 1800 and 1802. In about 1812, they moved to Maury Co., Tenn., where Chesley died on Sep. 18, 1818. Their children were: Nathan (born 1780), Poilly, Isaac (murdered 1799), Gracie (ca. 1782-1859), John, Joel, Felicia (1787-1865), Jake and Landon (born 1794).

Nebuzaraden Coffey was born in 1757 or earlier. In 1780 or earlier, he married Elizabeth Hayes. In 1794, he moved to Madison Co., Ky., where he died before March, 1797. His children were: Joel, Sarah, Pilly, Fielding, Salathiel, Amanias (1785-1828), Hayes (1793-1860), Betsey, Ruth, and possibly Louis and James.

Information on Nathan Coffey can be found in the story on Nathan and Mary (Saunders) Coffey.

Sources: Eliza Porter's notes, wills of Joel and Nebuzaraden Coffey, letter written by Isaac J. Ross.

This work was prepared for Wilkes County Heritage by Timothy E. Peterman