An Account of the Coffey Family, by Rice Abner Coffey

This data in the form presented here is Š1998-1999 by Jack Coffee, and Coffey Cousins' Clearinghouse. It may not be copied or reproduced for presentation in any other form intended for sale, profit or for display at any location on the World Wide Web. From a paper found at the Tennessee Historical Society, State Library & Archives, Nashville, Tennessee

This is a copy of an account of the Coffey family written about 1890 by Mr. Rice Abner Coffey - this manuscript belongs to his daughter, Miss Annie Coffey, of Scottsboro, Alabama. June 5, 1915

John Coffey was raised in one of the lower Counties of Virginia, was born about the year 1660 - married Jane Graves - born to them three (3) sons; James, John and Thomas. James Coffey was born 1728 and died 1786, - married Elizabeth Cleveland, daughter of Alexander Cleveland of Virginia, who was a close descendant of Oliver Cromwell of English notoriety, who was born 1663, died 1775 age 112, - born to James and Elizabth Coffey nine (9) sons and two (2) daughters: Elizabeth married Whitesides, of a prominent family : Martha married Martin Durham - I have no knowledge of latter's descendants.:

Some of the Whitesides are now in Chattanooga, wealthy. Names of the nine sons: Rubin, oldest; 1759, Ambrose; Achilles; James; Joel; Eli; John; Lewis; Rice. James and John died without families it seems. Rice and Lewis were youngest boys. Rice was born 1766, moved from North Carolina 1808 to Bedford County, Tennessee.

He married Sarah Bradford, daughter of Bennett Bradford, of Wilkes County, N.C. Born to them: Jerusha; Mary; Henry; Weightstill; Elvira; Benjamin; Alexander Hamilton (my father) ; Martha; John R.; last still living 82 years of age. All their children born in North Carolina except three youngest.

Rubin, Ambrose, Joel, Eli, and Lewis all moved to Kentucky in early part of 19th century. Lewis and Rice were the two youngest.

Lewis also married in North Carolina - dont know who he married; their children were; - James Henderson; Shelby Cullom Coleman (is still living in Lincoln County, Ky.) and Franklin. Three daughters; - Elizabeth; Rachel; Polly. Rubin had two sons - one, Oliver and the other Cromwell. Ambrose had a large family; - Jesse; Jefferson; Washington; I dont know the other names.

Rice and Lewis were both too young for the Revolutionary War. Rubin, I understand, and two brothers were in the Revolutionary War; dont know which two. It seems the Coffeys have come from the old Country, long ago. The original Coffeys, we think, are Irish. The English part comes through the Clevelands direct from Oliver Cromwell.

/s/ R. A. Coffey..