Coffey14r BGG1E L11411G3 - T21?1 MIZABETH (SUDDR.ETH) TIRONEBMG
GLUM.] BU Tia 1 (aas born, lived & diad in England. )M:
3, g
D.
His son:
G-OitG3 BWNE 11
B. (Near the City of Exeter in
0. At age of 60. -Devonshire, England*)
Their son:
GEC3GE BOOIrz 733
B; 1666 at Stoak, England.
D. 27 July, 1744 ( aged 78 Yrs.)
Their son:
SJITPF. BOCijE_ (Iie came to America be -ore 1713 )
B*25 TIov:1696( in Devonshire, England.)
D. 2 Jan.1765( Rowan Co., N.C.)
Their son:
IS_L S :L BOCIiZ - (Brother of Daniel BOOM)
B. 9 ITaf, 1726 or 20 May, 1726
D.26 June,1756 (Buried in JuP A G-:—.. Davie
Their son:
J3SZ.: BGOl1"Z ( harried about 1772 )
'3. 1748
D. ca 1830 Buried in Athens, Tenn.
Their daughter:
JUMP 3CON E
B. 26 July, 1785- in Burke Co., N.C.
D. 16 Jan. 1876 - buried in I•bore Gem. in.Cald. Co,
Their son:
IMBORN COFI'EY (iarried 2 Jan., 1832 )
D. 14 flay, 1807
D. 25 Nov. 1897 - Caldwell Go., N.C.
Their son:
F1MjZY PATTERSOII CCFFEY (married 21 Sept., 1869)
B. 30 April, 1848
D. 13 APTili 1937
Their daughter:
NATICY ALIGE COFFEY (I-Lumied 15 April, 1,920)
B. 9 Jan. 1890 - Caldwell Co., N.C.
D. 9 Feb. 1983 - Burke Co., N.C.
Their daughter:
ILL'IY ZMABETH SUDDEIZ H (Married Aug- 21, 1944)
B. 30 Nov., 1923 - Calchae7l Co., N.G.
D.
Our sons
VI.. OHARLES IAITE TIRONEBURG (mar;sed 28 Aug.,1976)
B. 3 Jan, 1948
o. JOIIN ' IAYNE THRONEBIRG (married 26 June, 1976 )
L B. 8 March, 1950
TSI. S'L7uai UPPEY
B.
D. AT ago of 80.
M. DIARY MAUG.RIDS
B. 1669 i.n Bradni.nch, Eng.
D. 2 Februarf 1740/41 (aged 72 Yrs.)
M. sAaAH nom'dl - 23 sept. 1720
B, 1700
D. 1777
M.
B.
D.
hi. S.131II iiciwwi
B.
D.
I.I. 'JILLT:III CO'F': ZY
B. NOV. 29, 1782
D. may 15, 1839
iif e l s name unknown.
- in Rowan CO. 14.0.
- lu Cut, 104
I.I. SALLIE (SIL.RAH) COT'UUIL
B. 1 May, 1812
D. 25 March, 1894
M. DIARY EISZiiBETH TUTTLE (BETTIE)
B. 11 Sept., 1851.
D. 20 April, 7931
M. IIL-IDni CCRIIINl2IG SUDLLRM
B. 8 Aug. 1886 - Cald. Co., U.C.
D. 29 July, 1967
I1. CHARLES HOPE THRONIZ7T�'RG
B. 24 April, 1920 - Burke Go., N.C.
D.
M. Th -lb -SA JAITEL T'.IPLF.TT
B. 27 Feb. 1949
I.I. PEGGY DART ZZ BANZR
B. 22 Sept. 1951
n Our grandchildren - PEGGY & JOIN TIRONIOURGIS CITILI ul.
2 JON CASEY THRONEBLRG
B. 12 Feb.11981 -in Burke Co., N.C.
JENNA DANT J.Z THRONIMURG
U ; B. 2 Jan., 1985 - in Burke Co., TI
UBmw
C0116 COOKS Bd. NC
opened to company. They had plenty of room
for everyone. Many of their grandchildren
would come to visit and often stayed the night.
It wasn't unusual for the grandchildren to
bring along a friend or two. The friends were
made just as welcome as the grandchildren.
Wash died on Nov. 9. 1912. His tombstone
shows his age as 69 years, 11 mos. 19 days.
Matilda lived until April 2, 1927. They are
buried In the Boone Fork Baptist Church Ceme-
tery.
Sources: John Preston Arthur's History of Watauga
County. Watauga County Records, Caldwell County Rec-
ords. U.S. census Recoru Boone Fork e" march
Camatery Racards.
-- Mary Silver Taylor
WILLIAM AND ANNA BOONE
COFFEY AND FAMILY
187
William Coffey was born 29 November 1782
in Wilkes County, North Carolina on the upper
waters of the Yadkin River, where his father
and mother, Thomas and Sarah Fields Coffey,
had settled with Thomas's children from his
first wife.
Anna Boone was born 26 July 1785 In Burke
County, North Carolina. She was a daughter of
Jesse Boone and Sarah McMahan Boone.
William and Anna were married 18 October
1804 in a log house a mile or more east of
present-day Boone in Watauga County,
according to tradition. They settled at the forks
of Mulberry Creek, about two miles north of,
and up the creek from, the old Dowell place.
Here they farmed, hunted and raised their
family.
Their children were: Daniel, b.12 November
1805, who married Clarissa Estes; Welborn,
b.14 May 1807, d. 25 November 1897, who
married Sally Cottrell; Gilliam, b. 21 May
1810, who married first, Polly Moore, and
second, Susan Moore: Celia, b. 29 June 1813,
d. 1899, who married Hezekian Curtis; and
Calvin, b. 30 September 1819, d. 2April 1847,
who married Mary Green.
The list of children's names was written In
the Bible of Anna Coffey. Fallowing the list,
Anna had left a message: "Transcribed in this
large Bible this 24th day of August, 1831.
Whoever see this please let It remain in the big
Bible and oblige — Anna Coffee." Note the
spelling of Coffey.
William Coffey died 15 May 1839, age 56
years, 5 months and 16 days. Anna lived thir-
ty-seven years after his death and remained a
widow. She died 16 January 1876. They are
buried on the hillside in the Rufus Moore Cem-
etery, Mulberry Township, Caldwell County,
near the Daniel Boone Camp Ground. (See the
Finley P. Coffey story In The Heritage of Cald-
well County, North Carolina.)
Anna Coffey's obituary in The Caldwell Mes-
senger, Thursday, January 20, 1876 stated,
"Deaths of Two Old Citizens --- Old Mrs. Cof-
fey. a near relative of Daalel Boone, and the
oldest lady In the county, died at her residence
on Mulberry Creek last Sunday morning, aged
about ninety years. About five years ago she
visited Lenoir, and this was the first time she
had ever been out of her immediate neighbor-
140
Tombstone of OWN Coffey.
Tombstone of Anna, wife of William Coffey.
hood. — Mr. George Hartley, another old and
respected citizen of the county died at his
home near this place last Tuesday morning."
Sources: The Descendants of Israel Boone by Alice H.
Boone; Gravestone Inscriptions; The History of Watauga
County by �John Preston Arthur, Thp CaldwsU btessenper,
Jawuy 7A,1876.
— Mary Elizabeth Suddreth Throneburg
THE ANCESTRY OF WILLIAM
COFFEY AND ANNA BOONE
188
The father of William Coffey was Thomas
Coffey, born In Essex County, Virginia. He died
In North Carolina on the waters of the Upper
Yadkin River In 1825, aged 83 years. He was
buried in the Hull Hill graveyard, but sometime
after the death of his second wife, Sarah Fields
Coffey, the graves were moved to Harper's
Chapel Cemetery, where a suitable monument
was placed above them. The monument states
that the birth and death dates for Sarah are
unknown.
As corroborated by the records In Albemarle
County, Virginia, Thomas was the son of John
Coffey and his wife, Jane Graves Coffey. John
Coffey's will, recorded In Volume 2, page 321,
Wills of Albemarle County, was written the
31st day of March, 1774. In the will are listed
nine Children: James, William, Thomas, John,
Edmond, Reuben, Benjamin, Winifred Moran
and Betty Field. Betty, or Elizabeth, had mar-
ried Thomas Fields, and Winifred had married
Nicholas Moran. To James Coffey and to Wil-
liam Coffey he left five shillings sterling each;
the rest of his property was left for his wife to
the end of her widowhood, then to be equally
divided among the rest of his children.
According to the best available information,
it was the father of this John Coffey who origi-
nally went from Ireland to Liverpool, and then
to Essex County, Virginia about the year 1690.
Thomas Coffey married first, Elizabeth
Smith. They had six children: Betsy, who mar-
ried David Allen; John, who married Hannah
Wilson; Thomas, who married first a Coffey,
then after her death, Nancy Pendley; James,
who married Delilah Ferguson; Polly, who
married William Coffey; Smith, who married
Hannah Boone, sister of Anna. These children
were born In Virginia. When their mother died,
he married Sarah Fields and they, together
with the six children, moved to Wilkes County,
North Carolina sometime between 1775 and
1780. They settled on the waters of the Upper
Yadkin River and remained there the rest of
their lives.
The children of this marriage were: Martha,
who married the Rev. James Dowell; William,
b. Nov. 1782--d.15 May 1839, who married
Anna Boone; Reuben, b.15 Sept. 1785 — d.
Feb., 1854; who married Polly Dowell, b.1788
— d. 1867; Elijah, b. 1788 -- d. 1865, who
married Polly Hull; Sally, who married Samuel
Stewart; Jesse, who died single; Lewis, who
married Harriet Powell; Larkin, b. 18 Feb.
1800—d. 12 Jan. 1881, who married Cather-
ine Wilson; and McCaleb, b. 22 Aug. 1803 --
d. 17 Feb. 1881, who married Elizabeth Cui-
lett.
Anna Boone was born 26 July 1785 in Old
Burke County and died 16 January 1876 In
Caldwell County. She was the daughter of
Sarah McMahan Boone and Jesse Boone.
The will of Jesse Boone states: "In the name
of God, Amen. I, Jesse Boon -of the County of
McMinn and State of Tennessee, of sound and
disposive mind and memury du make and
ordain this my last Will and Testament.
1st, I commit my soul to God who gave it,
and my body to my friends that it may be
decently buried.
"All my property, both real and personal,
that may remain after my debts are paid I lend
to my beloved wife, Sarah Boon, for her use
during her natural life and widowhood. After
her death I wish my negro woman. Dinah, be
freed and set at liberty.
"My lana lying on Middle Creek to be di•
vided between my sons Israel and Jonithan
(sic) according to lines thereto agreed afore,
-- viz. the parts laid off for Israel and Daniel
Boone to belong to Israel and the parts laid off
for Jonithan Boon and Marvel Coffey to belong
to Jonithan, the whole to be valued at seven
hundred dollars; out of the property which may
then remain, I give to the amount of two hun.
dred dollars to Jonithan Wilson, Smith Colley,
William Coffey and William Gragg, which with
a Negro man named Martin heretofore given to
them and valued at five hundred dollars Is
intended as equivalent to the land already dis-
posed of --- then the remainder, if any, to be
equally divided between Daniel Boon, Israel
Boon, Jonithan Boon, Marvel Coffey, Jonithan
Wilson, Smith Coffey, William Gragg and Wil-
liam Coffey.
.,Lastly I appoint Israel Boon and Asbury M.
Coffey Executors of this my last Will and Testa-
ment, Signed, sealed and published in pres-
ence of us this 23 day of November, 1829.
Witnesses: A.M. Coffey, Jonithan Allen —
Jesse Boon (Seal)"
Although this will does not state that the
coneys, Wilson and Gragg are his sons-in-
law, there seems no other reason for their
being included and his daughters not.
Alice H. Boone states in her book, The De-
scendants of Israel Boom. that Jesse was a
son of Israel, brother of Daniel Boone. Quaker
records show that Isarel was born 20 May,
1726. At the Exeter Meeting, Berks County,
Pennsylvania, Israel was testified against for
"marrying out". His wife's name is not given.
The date was December 31, 1747. His four
children, reportedly, were Jesse, born 1748,
Jonathan, born 1750 — d. 1826; Elizabeth,
born 1752 — d. 1817; and Sarah, born 1754.
These children were left orphans when Israel
died in 1756. They were brought up In the
home of his brother Daniel, who married that
year.
Apparently Jesse and Jonathan did not ac-
company the Boones who went to Kentucky
around 1779. Both appear on the 1790 Census
for Morgan District, Burke County, North
Carolina. Jesse heads a household of a male
over sixteen, three under sixteen, and live
females, which would include his wife.
Jonathan's household has the same distribu-
tion. The 1805 Tax List for Burke County lists
Jonithan. Esq who has 615 acres and one poll,
Captain David Chesters Company, and Jesse
Boone with over 600 acres in Coleman's Com-
pany. The list seems to be listed geographical-
ly. If so near Jesse are Smith Coffey, William
Coffey, Israel Boone. In the same company but
not as close are Jonathan and Daniel Boone.
The similarity of given names and the fore-
going circumstantial evidence points clearly to
the descent of Anna Boone Coffey from Squire,
father of Daniel Boone.
sources: The Descendants of Israel Boone by Alice N.
Boone: Gravestone Inscriptions, Burke County Tac Ust of
1605, First Census of the U.S. North CarolW.
Mary Elizabeth Suddreth Throneburg
COOK
189
Millard Clinton Cook married Geneva Fran-
cis Critcher In 1905. He and his wife lived in
Bamboo. He did mostly grass farming for his
cattle and, of course, had a vegetable garden.
To this family were born five children, three
boys and two girls.
The first son, Vance Henkel Cook and his
wife Rena Hampton Cook have two sons,
Jason and Vance Hardin. At this time all live
6sneva Crltcher Cook.
Clinton Cook.
near Statesville, N.C., where Vance is engaged
In cattle farming.
Frank Jones Cook, the second son. Is mar-
ried to Ellen Christian and they have a family of
all girls: Mary Francis Cook, Betty Sue Greene,
Linda Gail Hampton and Becky Jane Wilcox.
They all live In Watauga County. Frank was a
mechanic for several years, and now does
some surveying as sort of a hobby. He lives on
Brown Chapel Road near Boone.
Rom McNealy Cook the third son is married
to lona Ruppard and they have one son, Olen
Cook, and two daughters, Carolyn Svedellus,
who lives near Greensboro, and Stella Mae
Sellers, who lives at Key West, Florida. Rom
did work at the tool plant in Boone, but retired
a few years back. Now he has a big vegetable
garden as well as a flower garden.
Eddie Ree, first daughter, died at a very
young age.
Genevieve Cook Winkler, last child, is mar-
ried to Roby Gardner Winkler and they have
three children. Dennis Winkler Is married to
Susan Dotson and they have one child. Linda
Winkler lives at home with parents at this time.
Donald Winkler is married to Mary Helen Greer
and they have one child. Genevieve does
housework and loves to dabble in oil paint.
Clinton Cook was the son of David and Eliza-
beth Brown Cook. He had four brothers and
two sisters, Dillard, Roey, William Patrick and
Thomas May and Minnie Cook and Vertie
McGhee. All lived In Watauga County except
Dillard, he moved to Yakama Washington and
Pat lived In Shady Valley. Tennessee.
Clinton Cook, along with his brothers and
sisters, was born and reared in a log cabin built
by their father. They had a fireplace where their
meals were cooked, corn pone on the hearth
cooked by. hot coals. A hook swung the old
black pot low over the fire to cook their stews,
soup, etc. The mother of the crowd did her
own weaving of their clothes. My daddy often
said he went to sleep to the tune from the hum
of the old spinning wheel.
Clinton's grandfather was John Cook, a
Baptist Clergyman, and his grandmother was
Salty Hodge Cook.
His great-grandfather was Michael Cook
(the first sheriff of Watauga County). His
great-grandmother was Elizabeth Arney Cook.
His great -.great-grandfather was Adam
Cook. He and his family came from the Rhine
Valley in Germany and were Dutch. They ar-
rived In Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Septem-
ber, 1751 and came over on the ship "The
Duke of Bedford"
Sources: Personal knowledge, family records, intar-
vim with !fiends and relatives.
— Genevieve Cook Winkler
ABNER COOK FAMILY
190
Abner Cook was born on October 2, 1862
and died on October 5, 1927. He was the son
of Jacob 'and Myra Norris Cook. He married
Sallie Alzina love, and to this union eight chil-
dren were born: Will, George, Grover, Flor-
ence, Fallah, Rosie, Annie and Luta.
Will Cook was born August 2, 1889. He
married Jessie Shore and they had HIM chil-
dren: Anna Mae, who married Georkje Reid;
Virginia, who married Ray Ward; and Hal, who
married Catherine Taylor Henderson.
George Cook was born April 18, 1904 and
died August 18, 1974. He married Ruth Farth-
ing, and to this union were born four children:
Houston, born July 6, 1928, married Louise
Norris, and they had ten children; Burl, born
May 20, 1932, married Betty Oliver, and they
had four children; Lavola, born April 25, 1944,
married Hugh Henson, and they had three
childien; Lola, born July 7, 1937, had one
child.
149
Q�
Page 2 JESSE BOONE
At one time, it was said that he went to Kentucky, as evidenced by a deed on record in
Fayette county from him to his brother Daniel.
I obtained a photostat copy of this deed, and other information regarding it, and find '
that this deed is related to Col. Panics Boone's'son, Israel, who was killed in the battle
of Blue Licks.
In 1823, Jesse Boone left North ' Carolina and settled down for the last time in Mc-
Minn county, Tennessee, I located some of his descendants there and visited them in
June 1952. Mars. Walter Copeland, a great -great-granddaughter of Jesse Boone, who -lives
on a portion of the land entered by .Jesse in • 1824, told me she had always beets .taught;= .:
that their family descended from Israel Boone and not from Daniel, the'old hunter... Mrs., .
Copeland knew her grandmother, the wife of ,Allen Boone, who wa* a young girl when
Jesse died,' and was familiar the family � This lady,:taught
with ; old her ;4d -d, ren
"history.
and grandchildren that they `were descendants of Israel Boone.
The following, unless otherwise noted, is from the Draper Mss., in possession of the
State Historical Society of Wisconsin, photoatat.copies of which are in my possession.'
DR. DRAPER ENTIRELY CONVINCED'
After -a long and painstaking investigation in which he'interviewed dozens ofBoones.
!; and Bryans, closely related to Israel Boone, only a few of which we quote herein, 'Dr.
Draper heads. his ."Notes on Jesse Boone" with :.this direct, unmodifiod: statement . of. his
'►'., own: ,
"Jesse Boone was a son of -Israel Boone, a brother of Col. Daniel Boone." .
The evidence he collected through the years convinced him of the, parentage of Jesse .
Boone beyond the least doubt.
Statement of Daniel Bryan, son o Wtlltam Bryan and .Mary Bpctne.:,Bryan, sand a"
nephew of. Israel Boone:,
"When Squire Boone returned to Kentuc , Jesse Boone and Alexander Neoly camp
L, with him. Jesse Boone was a son Qf Daniel�
oone's brother,, Israel."
:a Another statement by Bryan in Appendix -sketches No. 4:
E "Israel Boone -born Ma 90 1728, married in Exeter out of order in 1747, went to
North Carolina with his father where he died early of consumpption, which he was su
posed to have from his died that di$ease' befora hind.`: left �
r
caught wito who ,of They
sonJesse. t
Samuel -Boone, Son of ,George Boone','',ano'ther. brother of Dapiel ,and, Israel, told Dr.
Draper: -
"Israel Boone, brother of Col. Daniel Boone, never came! to KentuckX, but ,died ut``.: �"'
North Carolina He had four A
- children,. two sons and two daughters."
Dr. Drapers notes on Jesse Boone, page 497: v
"Jesse Boone was a son of Israel Boone, an older brother', of Col.: Daniel Boone.
Israel Boone was born Ma 9th, 1728, died and :. was . buried';',near . Mocksville,,: formerly.'
Rowan, now Davie coupy, N; C. and C. i'iarbip'� letter iansa. the Bryan Pa }�� dhows. G.•'
p
. that he died June 26, 175$, a8e 30 years." ,;
"Capt. Samuel Boone says, `Israel Boone. died in North Carolina when • about 30 '
v
years old,leaving four children two sons and *two daughters.'' Israel Boone . was mar t
in born
O
ried 1747, one child 1748, one 1750 one in 1752 and one in 1754. The two da
fere may. have taken the consumption , trom their mother and died early t
"If Jesse was the oldest and barn in 1748 that would have made him 22 m 177p, '
when he went to Kentucky with Squire Boone with supplies,for• Daniel Boome, If he
died in 1829, he -would have .been 01 yeaxa of age" j
t will.be seen that Je$se made his will No. mbar 23 .1828 thou h,: 'ma (, !
ye ' . g hQ �! not hate
.
died till in' 1830.
i A bit of additional evidence is contained in the Moravian Records as to' the..i use of
Ursa Raw=*% euly death.
Q�
I
From;. THE DESCENDANTS OF ISRAEL BOONE by ALICE BOONE -1969
THE COFFEY FAMILY
Three of Israel Boone's granddaughters married Coffeys, hence the
Coffeys are the most numerous of all his descendants, next to the Boones
themselves.
The earliest known ancestor of these Coffeys (according to information
received), was Edward Coffey, who went from Ireland to Liverpool, and
thence to Essex County, Virginia, about the year 1690, where his son
John was born sometime between 1700 and 1710. Another son was Joshua,
who was the grandfather of Gen. James Coffey, friend and Military Lieut.
of Gen. Andrew Jackson. Edward Coffey's wife was Ann Powell.
John Coffey was married before 1729, to Jane Graves, daughter of
John Graves of Spotsylvania County, where they lived for a time. The on-
ly information on the background of this Graves family is that they came
from England, and were members of the Established Church. John and Jane
Coffey moved to Albemarle County, Va., where he died in 1774, his Will
being dated 31 Max. 1774. The Will refers to his wife and lists their
nine children, of whom Thomas was the fourth child.
Thomas Coffey was born in Essex County, Va., 7 March 1742. Be mar —
ried let, about 1762, in Albemarle Co., Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Tho-
mas Smith, Sr., whose Will was probated in Albemarle Co., in 1783.
Thomas and Elizabeth Coffey had six children, of whom Smith, the sixth
and youngest, married Hannah, daughter of Jesse and Sarah McMahan Boone.
Elizabeth died shortly after 1776. Thomas Coffey married 2nd, Sally
Fields, and they removed to Wilkes County, North Carolina, and settled on
the upper Yadkin River where he remained until his death in 1825, his Will
having been signed on Jan. 29 of that year. One account states that he
had six children by this second marriage, another that they had nine, but
it is known that their second child was William, who married Anna Coffey,
another daughter of Jesse and Sarah Boone.
Thomas Coffey was a prominent member of the Yadkin Grove Baptist
Church, which was built on his plantation, as was also a school for the
education of his children. He owned the land for 3 miles up the river.
The Coffey plantation has since been divided into many small farms. The
QAVIE CO. PUBLIC LIBRARY
577 MOCKSVtLLE. NO
THE COFFEY FAMILY
(continued)
estate is now in Caldwell County.
Marvel Coffey, who -married Jesse Boone's youngest daughter, Rachel,
is not listed among the Thomas Coffey descendants, and to date, there
seems to be no record of his ancestors. The Coffeys were very numerous in
western North Carolina, and many Coffeys married other Coffeys. They
thought they were not related, but these first Coffeys who settled in Va.,
had large families, so the ancestral lines of the others may yet be de-
termined.
These Coffeys have constantly been people of substance and prominence.
The Coffeys, Boones, Bryan and other Yadkin Valley families were a close-
knit community, and many Coffey and Boone descendants have intermarried
through the generations.
Refs.:•
(1)"Thomas Coffey and His Descendants; by Lawrence $. Coffey.
(2) "The Nichols Family of North aeorgia"'and the Related Cansler,
Black, Puett, Coffey and Boone Families" by Bevan, Meredith
and McBride.
THE JOPLING FAMILY
None of the descendants of Israel Boone bear the name Jopling, but
several hundred of then are descended from Benjamin and Dicey (Smith) Jop-
ling, whose two daughters. Mary Ann And Harriet, married Joel -N. and
William W. Boone, respectively.
A few years ago, a man from Washington D.C. was doing research on the
Jopling family in England, and was told by.an elderly man there, that the
Joplings are descended from a Flemish Knight who had been compelled to
leave Flanders (Belgium) during the Protestant Reformation in the lath cen-
tury. He had fled to England, and his descendants are now scattered
throughout soot of the English-speaking countries. As Is the casae with
Many of the early surnames, the name which was originally Jopling, has come
to be spelled Joplin, Joblin, and possibly other wars.
DAVIE- CO. PUBLIC UBRARY
578 M.00KSVtLLFx NC
THE ARNIE PATTERSON
SHOEMAKE
Arnie Patterson Shoemake was born Apr]
27, 1890, to John Lee Shoemake (Decembei
1, 1870—January 23, 1950) and Mary Jan(
Moore Shoemake (5-21-1871 — 4-5-1960).
He was born in Caldwell County in the home of
Gilliam and Susan Gragg Moore Green Coffey
on the bank of JoHns`"River, which is now
where J.B. Greene lives.
John Lee Shoemake was a son of Burrell
Shoemake (1-5-1838 — 6-27-1913) and
Bethana Victoria Shoemaker Shoemake (7-8-
1852 — 3-2-1943). John Lee was born in
Iredell County and moved to Caldwell County
when he was a young boy. He lived in Caldwell
County until his death in 1950. He married
Mary Jane Moore July 7, 1889. Mary Jane
Shoemake was the daughter of A. Patterson
(Pat) Moore and Susan Gragg. Mary Jane was
born and raised in Caldwell County. She lived
here until her death in 1960.
Arnie was the oldest of seven children. He
had three sisters and three brothers. His sis-
ters were: Lear May Shoemake (6-11-1892)
married Charles McLean; Susie Victoria
Shoemake (11-3-1896) married Beelar Brown
Greene (8-6-1893 — 6-5-1975); and Drusilla
Shoemake (8-26-1900) married Henry Huds-
peth. Arnie's brothers were: Donald Beeler
Shoemake (3-6-1903) married Margaret
Greene Shoemake (8-3-1910) marc ed aWilmard a Cath•
leen McLean (9-18-1913); and Jonah Wilson
Shoemake (12-20-1914-5-8-1947) married
Hattie Green (April —1910). The Shoemakes
have all married and lived in Caldwell County
all their lives.
At the age of 19, Arnie Shoemake met Flor-
ence Estes (6-18-1894 — 7-15-1916) and
married her November 5, 1909. They had one
son, Ralph V. Shoemake (9-10-1912 — 7-15-
1916).
On July 14
the
rain began to fall. It rai edlall day the fol, late atlllowing
Saturday and Saturday night. No one living at
the time will ever forget this horrible flood. All
the bridges, roads, and even the train trestle
across the Catawba River near Hickory were
washed away. All telegraph and telephone
lines were out of commission, and for
thirty -
4
was
borA L : H'ifiie Coqul Susan G azg Coffey, Gilliam Coffey. ,.
was alone for two or three days, before any of
his family could get to him. They would call
across the raging waters to him.
v, Mr. A. Monroe Mast, a school teacher and
"F friend of Mr. Shoemake, from Rufus, N.C.,
f wrote this poem about Arnie and his escape.
This sad, sad story I'll relate,
As it was told to me;
,y GI the great flood all o'er the State,
And it spread from mount to sea.
We did not think or did we dream,
That landslides had such power,
To strike our home by that small stream
Mary Jane Moore Shoemake, and son, Arnie Patterson
Shoemake.
three days, Lenoir was isolated without even
mail reaching the town. $50,000 was quickly
raised by the town to restore bridges and facili-
ties. Great damage was done all over the coun-
ty, but the Mortimer section suffered the
greatest when thirty homes and a store were
swept out of existence.
On Saturday night July 15, 1916, five miles
above Collettsville, a landslide demolished the
home of Arnie Shoemake. He had been watch-
ing the little creek and was preparing to leave
his home when the landslide hit. He wentto the
door with a sack of groceries and Florence, his
wife, was holding the baby. He tried to force
the door open when suddenly the house began
breaking apart. It knocked the lantern and food
from his hand. He grabbed his wife and baby,
but the force swept them out of his arms. It
knocked him unconscious. When he came to,
he was against a bed mattress; without realiz-
Ing it, he had crawled onto it while floating
down Johns River. About one-half mile down
the river below his home he reached up and
clung to a bending tree. He then swam out to
the ground. He had no clothes on; they had
been ripped from his body except for his right
shoe. His wife and baby were never found. He
<a`
And wash us down that hour_
thanks to God, I caught a tree.
hung up in the air.
er, I stretch my hands to thee
here else then to go.
then I left this "tree of life".
swam out to the ground;
where oh where's my babe an
hey have not been found.
tore on earth their feet shall or
nut nope we'll meet above,
To dwell with Christ in that sweet home,
Who.gave his life in love.
On July 20,1920, Arnie married Nora Crisp.
They had six children: Clifton, Olen, Mildred,
Sylvia, and Goldie, and one child who died at
birth.
On April 2, 1966, Arnie was visiting at the
home of J.B. Greene. He had gone to see his
son Olen, who was terminally ill at Lenoir. He
returned to the Greene home Only to step into
the path of a car and was killed. Arnie had died
with his right shoe on. His left shoe had been
knocked off by the impact of the car. Mr.
Shoemake was laid to rest in the Greene ceme-
tery on the hill behind the place he was born.
His son, Olen, died eight days later.
He served two years in the army during
World War 1. He lived in Watauga County for
about 25 years before his death. He was a
farmer and,a saw -mill worker.
Within a half mile radius his life began, grew
Into manhood, and survived the 1916 flood,
later to meet his death and to be laid to rest.
Sources: Family Bibles; personal accounts; Lenoir
News — Topic; (Nancy Alexander).
— Mrs. J.B. (Judy) Greene
FINL,.Y PATTERSON COFFEY
117
Mary Elizabeth Tuttle, 'Bettie", and Finley
Patterson Coffey were married the 23 Sept.
1869. This union proved to be a most long and
happy one broken only by the death of Bettie
after 61 years, six months and 28 days of
married life. Few couples in our country have
lived together longer or set higher standards of
Christian and family relationships than they.
Bettie and Finley were married by Rev. G.W.
Ivey who was serving the Lenoir Circuit of the
South Carolina Conference at Littlejohn
Church. Their marriage certificate is registered
in the Lenoir Courthouse.
L
Their children were: Rufus Gamewell
Game) (15 Dec. 1870-9 April 1939) m. first
o florence Houck (19 Feb. 1876 — 5 Apr.
1943) and second, Minnie Welch; Robert Cal-
vin (Bob) (14 May 1872 — 8 July 1936) m.
Palestine (Pallie) McHan (30 Nov. 1883 — 25
Apr. 1922); Sarah Lucinda (Lula) (3 Dec. 1873
— 25 Nov. 1948) m. Thomas Jefferson Lof-
tain; Wilbom Haywood (Woodie) (9 Feb. 1876
— 25 June 1891) died young with walking
typhoid; John Hill (Hill) (8 Nov. 1877 — 15
Mar. 1965) m. Dess (Dessie) Cunningham (25
May 1899-9 Jan.1979); Cora Estelle (Telle)
(16 July 1879 — 20 Feb. 1971) m. George
Avery Link (27 Feb. 1876 —19 Mar. 1955);
William Finley (Will) (10 Mar. 1881 — 23
Sept. 1972) m. Annie Mae Smith (8 Feb. 1886
— 22 Oct. 1975); Lannese Tuttle (Lannie) (1
July 1884 — 4 Apr. 1964) m. Ethel R. Love-
lace (6 Dec. 1894— 2 Jan. 1935); Nancy Alice
(9 Jan. 1890 — 9 Feb. 1983) m. Hardin
Corpening Suddreth (8 Aug. 1886 — 29 July
1967); Mary Vestal (10 Sept. 1892 — 8 Feb.
1981) m. Henry Ward Beecher Anderson (7
May 1898 —i fi>7); and Davis Eugene (Gene)
(15 May 1896-6 Dec. 1935) m. Etoy Green.
Mary Elizabeth Tuttle was a daughter of
Lucinda Puett (2 Oct. 1819 —17 Mar. 1910)
and Robert Gaius Tuttle (15 May 1817 — 22
July 1884).
R.G. Tuttle served as DeputySheriff of Cald-
well Co. from 1841 until 1852 when he became
Sheriff, an office he held until 1866.
Lucinda and R.G. Tuttle's children were:
William Anson (Billy) (5 Jan. 1842 — 27 Sept.
1879); John A. Tuttle (1844 —14 Oct. 1863);
Marcus Gamewell (1846 — 20 Oct. 1870);
Robert Murchison (8 Mar. 1849 — 1923);
Mary Elizabeth (11 Sept. 1851 — 20 Apr.
1931); Nancy Carolina (10 Jan. 1854 — 10
Mar. 1939); Lucius Haywood (1857 — 23
Mar. 1930); Magruder Hill (7 Apr. 1859-27
June 1934); and Davis Beauregard (29 Oct.
1861 — 11 June 1947). Lucinda and R.G.
Tuttle are buried in Littlejohn Church Cemetery
in Caldwell Co., N.C.
Finley P. Coffey was a son of Sarah Cottrell,
"Sally", (1 May 1812 — 25 Mar. 1894) and
Welborn Coffey (14 May 1807 — 27 Nov.
1897). (The name Sally is found in herfather's
will and on her gravestone.) Sally and Welborn
were married Jan. 2, 1832.
Their children were: William Rufus (17 Nov.
1832 — 7 Dec. 1920), m. Harriet Moore (3
May 1835 — 2 Feb. 1918); Myra Emeline
V0351 -18s9) m. Robert Shearer Waj -199,9);
Thomas Milton (1835-12 Aug. 1863), a private
resided in Caldwell Co. where he enlisted at
age 27, Mar. 20, 1862.
Thomas Milton was present or accounted
for until wounded in the breast and captured at
Gettysburg, Penn., July 1, 1863. There he was
hospitalized where he died of wounds Aug. 12,
1863.
Minerva Jane (20 Dec. 1844 — 10 Oct.
1934) m. Rev. John Nelson (19 May 1841-
22 May 1915); James Grayson (1839 — 24
Aug. 1863) resided in Caldwell Co. where he
enlisted at age 22 on July 15, 1861.
James Grayson was present or accounted
for until wounded in the left arm and captured
at Gettysburg, Penn., July 1-4, 1863. His left
arm was amputated and he was hospitalized at
Gettysburg until his transfer to Davis Island,
New York Harbor, July 17-19, 1863 where he
died of his wounds on Aug. 24, 1863.
John Calvin, a twin, (30 Apr. 1848 — 27
Feb. 1930) m. Nancy Caroline Tuttle (10 Jan.
1854 — 10 Mar. 1939); Finley Patterson, a
twin, (30 Apr. 1848 —13 Apr.1937) m. Mary
Elizabeth Tuttle (11 Sept. 1851 — 20 Apr.
1931); and Charlotte Caroline (2 Dec. 1851-
18 Mar. 1944) m. J. Richmond Moore (16
Mar. 1849 —13 Sept. 1921).
The twins, Finley P. and John C. were very
much alike in appearance, and their identity
was often mistaken. Their wives, the Tuttle
sisters, also looked a lot alike.
Finley P. and John C. were both farmers.
John C. was noted all over the county for his
fine farms on Mulberry.
Finley P. Coffey's farm was in Gamewell,
N.C. He was born and reared in the Mulberry
community, where he attended the public
school of the county. He completed his educa-
tion at the Boone Academy in Boone, N.C. and
later took a short course at Wake Forest Col-
lege. He studied for the ministry and did some
supply preaching along with visiting the public
schools in the area for devotional talks to the
students.
Along with numerous others in the county,
Gamewell had a Post Office in the community,
established Oct. 17, 1881, with Finley P. Cof-
fey appointed the first Postmaster. He served
until Jan. 29, 1887 when Lucius H. Tuttle was
appointed.
The house Mary Elizabeth and Finley Coffey
raised their family in has recently been torn
down and replaced with a new housing devel-
opment. The house was located in Gamewell,
N.C. on Highway 18 between Morganton and
Lenoir, N.C. and was an old landmark from
another century. The house was built by John
Puett for him and his wife Mary Vestal, the
parents of Lucinda Puett Tuttle. The logs were
iii
hand hewd and the house was built with slave
labor many years before the War between the
States.
Mary Elizabeth was brought up in the Meth-
odist denomination and remained a Methodist,
even though Finley P. was a Baptist. She is
listed as a member of Littlejohn Church in a
�1
register which began in 1872.
On 27 Oct. 1912, Mary Vestal and Eugene
were joined by Baptism and vows, adminis
tered by Rev. J.J. Eads. On the same register
are the names of Cora Estelle and Alice Coffey
who had joined earlier.
John Hill Coffey joined the Littlejohn Church
in 1883. Finley P. Coffey remained a Baptist all
his life.
The Lenoir Baptist Church, now the First
Baptist Church, was organized Aug. 18, 1889.
"Eleven persons presented letters, becoming
charter members. Also F. P. Coffey, R.G. Cof-
fey, R.C. Coffey and Sarah L. Coffey gave their
names as desiring to join the organization as
soon as they could get their letters from their
respective churches."
Lanese Coffey joined a Baptist Church in
Swain Co. 7 Sept. 1910. In 1959 he and Will F.
joined Gamewell Methodist Church, by trans-
fer of their letter.
Mary Elizabeth died at her home in
Gamewell, surrounded by all 10 of her chil-
dren. Services were conducted by her pastor,
Rev. Roy Houts and Rev. R.E. Hardaway, her
husband's pastor.
Finley P. died at the home of a daughter,
Estelle Link, on Virginia St., Lenoir, N.C. Ser-
vices were conducted by Rev. R.E. Hardaway,
his pastor, and he was buried in the Little -
john's Church Cemetery, where he had buried,, of
his wife in 1931.
h
Sources: Marriage certificate, Thomas Colley and his
MOCKSVILLE. NO 'P,01 %%
Homeplace of Finely P. and Bettie Coffey — 1900. L -R Will, Eugene. Vestal, Alice. Bettie, Estelle. Lonnie.
h
L
_ �s ae,cnr „
..�. ,., na �r:Ls o., i;c._._ c.��o.
Location: Follow Mghway 90 Northwest of Lenoir N.C, to Olivet Methodist Church. Turn
right on Mulberry Road. Go pass Rufva Baptist AIIu h; turn right at first road toy goon
Fork Camp Ground. The Cemetery is visible on the left.
i;C�i iTCv ., 29
1782
=D IVY 15,
1839
AGED 56 YRS.
5 i•C=.. '' 16 D.
ITC72E: Amv was, before
her marriage, _Enna Poone,
daughter of, Jesse Boone.
Jesse i:*as a nerhei:* of ,
Damn�.el Boone.
AI T-7
ZLIS .1 00ITZ!
BORN JULY 26
1785
rrrr n ? . 16
10-76
D 90 "ms . 5 mos . ?: 20 D1YS .
'Zre - rre•_e the
-eat grand-
r;arents of,
Timoneburg.
TBESE CRAVES ARE IN THE RUFUS-MDORE GE«TERY ABOVE MUIB= IN OALLVIEM COUNTY, N. O.
ITEIBCRN COFFEY
was a son of ANNA
BOONE & IMLIAM
COFFEY. TEIBCR.N
COFFEY was a grandson
WEIBOM COFFEY
BORN
MAY 149 18M
DIED
NOV. 25, 1897
A® 90 Y. 6 M. ll D.
of, JESSE BOONE.
SALLY OCFFEY
BORN
MAY 19 1832
DIED
MAR. 25, 1894
AGED 81 Y. 10 M. 24 D.
NOTE: This couple
was the great grand
parents of, Mary E.
Suddreth Throneburg.
JAS. Z., 1832 - i
Dear Mr. Howe11. Boone#
I was delighted iTith the# BOONE material, especiaUv the three more gener-
ations of earlier Booms Bolan & Bohaan; SARAH BOONE & JOIN M NAHAN family chart
and the booklets JESSE BOONE HIS ANCESTCRS & DESCENDANTS by IR, J.E. HODGES in
1953, as I didnot have this information, Thank you so much for sending- it to me,
I noticed that GEOFFRE' BOHUN/ BORN I didd 71Ws 3.472 in Pezrqmydd Wales
before GEOFFREY BOBN?BOON 1.1 was born in 151.7 in Wales# evidentlly not a ;wn.
I have read that ISRAEL BOONES t wife could have been an Indian girl but no
proof has ever been found.
I am sendbig, you pictures of ANNA BOONE COFFEY tS and WILLTAX CCFFEY tS graves.
stones that I took in 3,982, Welborn, and SALLY CCFFEY are also buried in the
same cemetery near by, Sallyt stone was broken and I propped it up to get the
picture. It seems that WEIBQ stone was part gone and the remaining part had
been glued tothe bases but the Cemetery is very well kept. I am sending a copy
of their gravestones.
I have read that ANNA BOONE & WILLIAM GOFFEY were married in BurkeCounty., N.C.
18 Qat. 1804 bar WM Moksons J.P. I have been unable to get ar r marriage certificate
for them,, I had a search made in the Ardhives in Ral egh without arq * results.
Records in. Burke Oa e# N',C, were burned in 1865 by the Uniml, SQ9. im I am
sending a copy of the picture ofs WELBORN CCFFEY son of ANNA & WILLIAM_ CCFFEY,
The children of ANNA & Wim: w o 0- DANIEL 180 1862 m. LSSA ESTES;
WEIBCRN 1807.41.897 m, SARAH (SA=) ; GIT.LUM OCFF'EY 18104910. m. Ism.
POL1Z MOORE & 2nd. SMAN GRA.GG NOME Com; CELTA 1813.1899 m. WNCEAH CtRTiS
and CAL1TM 1W_1847 m. NARY' GREEN
I found a story, in TBE HERITAGE OF CALDWELL COENTY N:C►;, Titled: THE ARNIE
PATT.ER<SON SHOENAKE by MS, J, B, GREENE which has a picture of GIJUM COFFET
on it and I am sending it along as - he was 3 child of ANNA & WILLIAM CCFFEY. I
= sending a copy of another storks THE JESSE AND JONATHAN BOONE FAE.ILY by
PRS. GRANT MOORE along with my article of.. FINLET PLTTERSON CCFFEY.
The book THE DESCENDIANTS OF ISRAEL BOONE by ALICE BOONS - 1969 had an article
on THE CCFFEY FAMILY' which I thought you may not have# so I am sending it along.
Thank you again, for the information you sent to me. I rea.Uy appreciated it
very much.
Sincere
Nara. Co Dope Tbroneburg
Rt. 7s Box 713,#
Mwganton9 N,C, 28655
Q�aia 1319*
County Public
Mo�'Swle, NC
H 0 W E L L B 0 0 N E Hunting Creek @ Boone Farm Road
Route 1 Box 365A Mocksville,NC 27028
30 April 1986
Dear Mrs Throneburga
(1) There is no marker for grave of Israel Boone (1726-1756). Perhaps
he was buried with a wooden grave marker which "disappeared" long ago.
As I've written you, it is most likely that his parents chose to be
buried near/along side their firstborn son, and the first of their
eleven children to die.
(2) No researcher has located the
would seem likely that Israel and
ever church she belonged to - but
church records list this marriages
name of Israel Boone's wife. I,t
his spouse were married in what
no published early Pennslyvania
(3) I enclose x:erox copy of Jesse Boone His Ancestors and Descendants
(1953) by Dr J.E. Hodges,,Maiden, North Carolina. It is possible
that you have a copy of this 6 page booklet with a photo of Allen and
Ann [Hardy] Boone. I've enclosed it to ensure that you have a copy.
�4) Noting that you have visited the graves of William and Anna
Boone] Coffey - are there inscribed tombstones?
(5) I enclose (1) chart of children of Israel Boone(1726-1756) and
his unknown s ouse, (2) chart of the 4 children of John and Sallie
/Sarah [Boone McMahan and (3) chart of 10 children of Daniel and
Rebecca [Bryan] Boone (general information) and (4) chart tracing
Anna Boone to George Boone 3,2,1 to earlier Boon(e) Bohn and de Bohun
ancestors. In my opinion this is a very "iffy" chart, but it is
interesting?
(6) Your chart tracing Boone descent to your Throneburg grandchildren
is filed in the Boone Collection of the Davie County Library in
Mocksville, together with your William and Anna [Boone] Coffey ar-
ticles xeroxed from the Heritage Book of Wilkes County.
(7) I was thrilled to note that John McMahan(Jr) (1777-1843) a son
of Sallie [Boone] McMahan was born within the walls of Boonesborough.
His mother however died that year; 1777 was a year filled with hard-
ship and terror for those in the fort - known as the "year of the
triple sevens". Interestingly, Daniel Boone's son Nathan Boone (1781-
1856) was not born inside Boonesborough, but at distant Boone's Sta-
tion, in Fayette County, Kentucky.
Hoping that I have answered your questions,
0
II
public lth