Our Coffey (Coffee) Family of Virginia and Southern Illinois - Our Coffey Genealogy at Ancestry.com http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=SHOW&db=my_genealogy2&recno=646 - Genealogy - http://maxpages.com/clayton/Notes_on_Coffey

Descendants of John COFFEY

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN1 COFFEY was born 1620 in Ireland, and died 1717 in Elizabeth City, Essex, VA.. He married MARY JOLIFFEE 1680 in VA. She was born 1620 in VA.

Notes for JOHN COFFEY:
From book "Leaves from the Family Tree", Southern Historical Press.
The Coffey family,...who emigrated from Ireland to Virginia in 1637, and the ancient Irish family from which John Coffey came is said to be descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of Heremon, his eighth son. The founder of the family was Eros, son of Olliol Molt, king of Ireland, A. D. 463. The ancient name was Cathmhoghas and signifies "leader in battle."

The Coffee Name
The surname COFFEE, in it's present form was not recorded in England until 1704, when one Thomas Coffee was married to Winifred Hillman at St. Jame's church in Clerkenwell. This late appearance is not surprising, given that the surname is in fact ultimately of Irish derivation, being an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Cohhthaigh, which literally signifies "The descendant of Cohhthach", the personal name being from the Irish term for "Victorious". There were three main septs of this name in Ireland, these being located in Corca Laoidhe (West Cork), Ui Maine (Galway and Roscommon) and in Westmeach. The Westmeach O Cohhthaigh were an important hardic family, of whom the most distinguished was Dermac O'Coffey, a Renowned Gaelic poetic who flourished circa 1580, and the Ui Maine Sept wasa branch of the great O'Madden clan. By far, the most important of the three, however, was that of the Corca Laoidhe, where it's influence is perpetuated today in the place names of Dunacowhey and Rathcoffey. It was prominent in early medieval times when Murragh O Cohhthaigh was an eminent Bishop.

Child of JOHN COFFEY and MARY JOLIFFEE is:
2. i. EDWARD2 COFFEY, b. 1670, Elizabeth City, Essex, VA.; d. November 1716, Will in Essex, Va. 10/20/1716.

Generation No. 2

2. EDWARD2 COFFEY (JOHN1) was born 1670 in Elizabeth City, Essex, VA., and died November 1716 in Will in Essex, Va. 10/20/1716. He married ANN ESTER POWELL 1700 in Essex County, VA, daughter of THOMAS POWELL and MARY PLACE. She was born 1686 in Essex County, VA, and died 1744 in St. Annes Parish, Albamarle, Va..

Notes for EDWARD COFFEY:
Fact 1: June 15, 1747, Sold remainder of farm to John Garnett.
Fact 2: July 15, 1745, Sold old homestead located at St. Anne's.
More About JEAN (JANE) GRAVES:
Fact 3: Abt. 1774, After the death of John, moved to NC to be closer to her children.

MARTHA PATSY COFFEY, b. 1690, Essex Co. Virginia; d. Abt. 1772, Orange Co., VA.

Essex County, Virginia Records
Deeds & Wills No. 14, Page 669
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Edward Coffey being in bedd of sickness but in perfett sense & emmbrey thanks bee to God; I Edward Cofey do bequeath this to bee my Last Will & Testament, - I leave all my Land to my two Suns John Cofey and Edward Cofey Equall to be divided at Sixten Ears of age if the mother of them be ded otherwayes att Eighten Years of Ages. I also give one Cowe & her increase
to my daughter Marther Cofey at years of Sixten or at her mothers deth allso one Cowe yerlen to my Sun John Coffey & her increase All the tenebles Stock & Bock I give to my wife Ann Cofey till her deth but if she marys then every one of my Children to have their parts as they come of age, and after ye Deces of my wife all tenables to be Equall devided between my Six children John, Edward Cofey, Marther Cofey, Ann Cofey, Austes Cofey, Elisabeth Cofey.
As witness my hand & Seall this 14th day of Febry 1715/16
Samel. Edmondson
Themety (mark) Selemon
Edward Cofey (his mark) Cofey

The will of Edward Coffey is in Essex Co. Deed and Will book 14 1711-1716, dated 14 Feb 1715-16 and provided for bequests to wife Ann Coffey: to my six children; John and Edward the land; to Martha one
cow; to Ann, Austos?, and Elizbeth (all surnames spelled Cofey) no bequests. Abraham Stapp was a witness and the will was signed Edward Coffey.

Copy of Last Will and Testament is also in Johnson/Stapp and Allied
Lines, by Jennie F, Downing Crow, page 55.

Edward is first found mentioned in the 1699 will of William Mosely. The will was proved in Essex Co., VA on April 16, 1700, and in September, 1700 Edward received his "freedom, corn, and clothes" from
the Mosely estate. Mosley transported many indentured persons to Virginia from about 1660 until the 1690's. Edward was likely one of his servants.

From Web site - Wilkes County, NC
The first record of Edward Coffey in VA appears in the will of Edward Mosely, dated January 6, 1699 in which he gives to his "servant Ed. Coffe one heifer of 2 years old." On September 10, 1700, Edward Coffey received a judgment from the Mosely estate for his freedom, corn, and clothes. Edward Coffey was probably transported to America during the Williamite Confiscation by Edward Mosely. Edward Coffey is a witness to Thomas Powell's will of Sittingbourne Parish, Essex County, VA. in which Thomas bequeathed 1 shilling to his daughter Ann Coffey.

Edward Coffey (1670, probably in Ireland - 1716, Essex County, VA) lived in St. Ann's Parish, Essex County, VA. In Nov., 1714, Edward Coffey sold part of his land (bought from Augustine Smith) on Occupation Creek to Thomas Warren. His wife, Ann Ester Powell, is a witness to this transaction. Edward died in 1716 and Ann died in 1744. After Edward's death in 1716 his widow, Ann, married Robert Dulin
(Dula?) and they had two sons. (Ann Powell was the dau. of Thomas Powell and Mary Place of Dinsdale.)

Coffey Family of Wilkes County Documents

EDWARD COFFEY, M. ANN POWELL Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. 9, Essex Co VA Wills & Deeds 1714-1717 Page 339, Deed of Lease, dated 11 Nov. 1710 (sic) Place Powell of St. Anne's Parish, Planter, leases for 99 years to Augustine Smith, Gentleman, 300 in the Parish of St. Marion in the County of Richmond, whereon George and William Procters now liveth. This land in the freshes of Pappa. River in the fork of Lambs Creek, and was formerly granted to Francis Place by patent dated the 7: br 1654. Signed Place Powell, Witnessed by John Golding (his mark), Casandrey Golding (her mark) John Weed (his mark). Proved by oaths of the three witnesses on 13 Jan. 1714/15 and recorded

Ex 9 3
Page 311, Lease and release, dated 10 and 11 Nov. 1714. Edward Coffey of St. Ann's Parish, Planter, sells John Barbee of the same parish for 5000 lbs. of "lawful sweet scented tobacco" 118 acres, which land Coffee bought of Augustine Smith and is on branches of Occupation Creek, adj. to land of Thomas Warren, on E. side of Chickahomony Path, the land of Col. Francis Gouldman "to corner red oak and white oak corner to Mr. Severley his Great Tract", etc. Signed Edward Coffey, Witnessed by Tho. Ramsey, Saml. Stallord, Robert Parker. Ann Coffey, wife of Edward, relinq. her dower rights. Rec. 11 Nov. 1714.

Ex 9 88
Page 669, Will of Edward Coffey - "being in bedd of sickness". Dated 14 Feb. 1715/16 - Probated 20 Nov. 1716. To two sons, John Coffey and Edward Coffey, all land to be divided equally, at 16 if their mother is dead, otherwise at 18 yrs. To daughter, Marther Coffey a cow at 16 or her mother's death. To son John a cow. To wife Ann Coffey the balance of personal property. At her death to be divided equally
between "my six children-John Coffey, Edward Coffey, Marther Coffey, Ann Coffey, Austes Coffey, Elizabeth Coffey." Signed Edward Coffey, Witnessed by Sam'll Edmondson and Thomety Seleven. Rec. 20 Nov 1716. Inventory of Edward Coffey, was witnessed by James Edmonton, Will
Taylor, Nicholas Faulconer.

Ex 9 79 Page 621, Deed 16 July 1716. John Moseley, Planter, of St. Anns Parish sells John Coffee and Edward Coffee, Planters, of same Parish, for 6000 lbs. of tobacco, 200 acres commonly called Moseleys
Quarters, in St. Anns Parish, on E. side of a branch of Occupation, a small branch of Gilsons, adj. land belonging to Mr. Matrum Wright and land formerly belonging to Tho Button. Signed John Moseley. Witnessed by Salvator Muscoe, John Staton, Peter Holland. Rec. 18 July 1716.

These documents furnished by Sharon Jung

Children of EDWARD COFFEY and ANN POWELL are:
3. i. ANNISTERS "ANN"3 COFFEY.
4. ii. EDWARD JOSHUA COFFEY, b. Abt. 1700, Essex, VA; d. Aft. 1774, Albemarle County, Colony of VA.
5. iii. MARTHA ELIZABETH COFFEY, b. 1700, Essex County, VA.
6. iv. MARTHA PATSY COFFEY, b. 1702, Essex County, VA; d. 1772, Orange County, VA.
7. v. JOHN COFFEY, b. 1704, Essex County, VA; d. March 31, 1774, Albemarle County, VA.
vi. AUSTIN "AUSTES" COFFEY, b. 1712; m. MISS SHUNAULT.

Generation No. 3

3. ANNISTERS "ANN"3 COFFEY (EDWARD2, JOHN1) She married (2) JAMES COFFEY.

Notes for ANNISTERS "ANN" COFFEY:
From Web site - Wilkes County, NC.
Annister "Ann" Coffey was indicted by a Grand Jury in Essex Co, VA on November 17, 1736 for "having a base born child." She named this child, James Coffey. (My note: illegitimate offspring)

Child of ANNISTERS "ANN" COFFEY is:
i. JAMES4 COFFEY.

4. EDWARD JOSHUA3 COFFEY (EDWARD2, JOHN1) was born Abt. 1700 in Essex, VA, and died Aft. 1774 in Albemarle County, Colony of VA. He married (1) UNKNOWN MARTIN. He married (2) GRACE CLEVELAND Abt. 1738 in Orange, VA, daughter of ALEXANDER CLEVELAND and MILLIE PRESLEY. She was born September 01, 1716 in Gloucester Co., VA.

Notes for EDWARD JOSHUA COFFEY:
Moved ot Orange County, VA.

More About GRACE CLEVELAND:
Christening: September 30, 1716, Abington Parish, Gloucester, VA

Child of EDWARD COFFEY and UNKNOWN MARTIN is:
i. CHESLEY4 COFFEY, b. 1720, VA; d. Aft. 1760, Caswell County, North Carolina; m. JANE CLEVELAND; b. 1725, Prince William / Blue Run, Orange, Va.; d. 1760, Wilkes County, NC.

Notes for CHESLEY COFFEY:
"The Chesley Coffey Family", an essay by Timothy E. Peterson, December 1981, page as 11-13.

Children of EDWARD COFFEY and GRACE CLEVELAND are:
ii. CLEVELAND4 COFFEY.
iii. JOEL COFFEY.
iv. WILLIAM COFFEY.
v. ISAAC COFFEY.
vi. JESSY CLEVELAND COFFEY.
vii. BENJAMIN COFFEY.
viii. JAMES COFFEY.

5. MARTHA ELIZABETH3 COFFEY (EDWARD2, JOHN1) was born 1700 in Essex County, VA. She married JOHN CLEVELAND April 24, 1734, son of ALEXANDER CLEVELAND and MILLIE PRESLEY. He was born July 31, 1714 in Gloucester Co. / Orange Co., VA, and died November 01, 1778 in Prince William / Blue Run, Orange, VA.

Notes for JOHN CLEVELAND:
He came of an old and fine English family, whose tract, named Cleveland, lay in North Riding of Yorkshire, England. The Clevelands derive their name from a tract of country in the north Riding of Yorkshire England, still called Cleveland. John Cleveland was one of the early migrants to Virginia. He settled on the since famous Bull Run, and his occupation was that of house joiner. His son, Benjamin Cleveland, the subject of this sketch was born there on the 26th day of May, 1738; and while yet very young his father moved some sixty miles to the south-west, located in a border settlement on Blue Run, some six or eight miles above its junction with the Rapidan near the line of Albemarle.

John Cleveland died on his estate on Blue Run. He and his parents removed, prior to 1734 or 1738, to Orange County, and located on Blue Run, house joiner or builder. Records of County Court Office, Orange County Deeds: - 1734, Prince Curtis conveys to John Cleveland about 600 acres of land.

More About JOHN CLEVELAND:
Christening: August 24, 1714, Abington Parish, Gloucester, VA
Occupation: Builder

Children of MARTHA COFFEY and JOHN CLEVELAND are:
i. MARY4 CLEVELAND.
ii. BETTY CLEVELAND, b. 1734, Blue Run, Orange County, Va.; m. DAVID GILLASPY, 1754, VA.
iii. JOHN CLEVELAND REV., b. 1738, Blue Run, Orange County, Va.; d. March 25, 1825, Tugaloo River S.C.; m. MARY (MOLLIE) MCCANN, 1759, VA.

More About JOHN CLEVELAND REV.:
Burial: Tugaloo Baptist Church, S.C.
Occupation: Reverend

iv. BENJAMIN CLEVELAND COL, b. March 26, 1738, Orange County, Va. Near Bull Run; d. October 1806, Tugalo Balley Oconee, S.C.; m. MARY GRAVES, Bef. 1764; b. 1738; d. 1800.

Notes for BENJAMIN CLEVELAND COL:
Research by: Anthony Wayne Clayton. Colorado Springs, Co. 1998
From simple book "Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography", Prominent Persons. Lyon Gardiner Tyler.

Averse to farm work, Benjamin became a hunter for pelts, and was fond of horse-racing. He married Mary Graves, of a well-to-do family, and fought in the French and Indian war. About 1769 he moved with his wife's father to North Carolina, near the Blue Ridge, on Roarin Creek, an arm of the Yadlkin, in Rowan, then Surry (now Wilkes) county, and later move to "Round-About", fifteen miles below Wilesboro.

From Daniel Boone he learned of the Kentucky hunting grounds, and in 1771 went there, but the Cherokees drove him back without horses, and he ate dog meat to escape starving. When the revolution began in 1775, refusing to be ensign, be served in the militia. In February, 1776, as Capt. Cleveland, with riflemen by broke up the Highland tories, and did good service against them and the Indians. In 1777 he was active in forming the new Wilkes county, and in 1778 was head of the justices' commission, militia colonel, commissioner of confiscated estates, election superintendent, county ranger, or stray master, and member of the house of commons. In 1778-79 his regiment shared in
the campaign in Georgia, and on his return he was elected state senator... His next service, now historic, as settling the revolution in the South in spite of English successes, was his vital part in the fateful victory of King's Mountain. The British had 1,103 men under Ferguson, and the Americans 923, mostly Scotch-Irish Presbyterians... The battle raged all around the mountain; Cleveland's horse was
disabled, but he fought on foot until remounted... The British finally surrendered, having lost 157 killed, 153 wounded and 706 prisoners... The Americans had 28 killed and 62 wounded. It was a complete victory, and crushed the English cause in the South... His riflemen became famous as "Cleveland's Heroes," "Cleveland's Bull Dogs," and by the stories as "Cleveland's Devils." He was called "Old Round About" and was noted for his warm heart, sound sense and firm will... He was many years judge in old Pendleton county. His weight increased to 450 pounds, and he died from dropsy, in his ixty-ninth year... One of Ben's granddaughters married Senator Thomas J Rusk, and another Gov. C. J. McDonald of Georgia, and a great-niece, Judge Underwood of Rome, Georgia. His sister's son was Gov. Franklin, of North Carolina. A monument to the memory of him and the other heroes stands on the historic King's Mountain, consecrated by patriotic valor, while his family have erected one at Ben Cleveland, Oconee County, South Carolina. He died in Tugalo valley, Oconee, South Carolina, October,
1806.

Benjamin Cleveland came to then Rowan County (later Surry-Wilkes) just before the creation of Surry in 1771, where he was tax collector for the part of Surry that became Wilkes County. He was by trade a house carpenter and builder. After the Revolution he was the Surveyor of Wilkes County, NC. He was very corpulent. An impediment in his speech prevented his entering political life. He owned several
hundred acres of land in Wilkes County, living near the present town of Ronda.

From simple book The Heritage of Wilkes County 1982. Sources: Cleveland Genelogy, Vol. III, by E.J. & H. G. Cleveland (1899), Surry- Wilkes County deed, court minutes, marriage bonds, church minutes, census. Mrs. W. O.

TENNESSEE - The Volunteer State - 1769--1923
BY JOHN TROTWOOD MOORE, Editor State Librarian and Archivist
"We reached the Cowpens on the Broad River in South Carolina where we were joined by Col. James Williams, on the evening of the 6th of October, who informed us that the enemy lay encamped somewhere near the Cherokee Ford of Broad River, about thirty miles distant from us. By a council of the principal officers, it was then thought advisable to pursue the enemy that night with 900 of the best horsemen, and leave the weak horses and footmen to follow as fast as possible. We began our march with 900 of the best men about eight o'clock the same evening, marched all night, and came up with the enemy about three o'clock, p. m. of the 7th, who lay encamped on the top of King's Mountain, twelve miles north of the Cherokee Ford, in the confidence that they could not be forced from so advantageous a post. Previous to the attack in our march the following disposition was made: "Colonel Shelby's regiment formed a column in the center on the left; Colonel Campbell's another on the right; part of Colonel Cleaveland's headed by Major Winston and Colonel Sevier's formed a large column on the right wing. In this order we advanced, and got within a quarter of a mile of the enemy before we were discovered. Colonel Shelby's and Colonel Campbell's regiment began the attack, and kept up a fire on the enemy while the right and

Page 97
left wings were advancing forward to surround them. The engagement lasted an hour and five minutes, the greater part of which time a heavy and incessant fire was kept up on both sides. Our men in some
parts where the regulars fought, were obliged to give way a small distance two or three times, but rallied and returned with additional ardour to the attack. The troops upon the right having gained the summit of the eminence, obliged the enemy to retreat along the top of the ridge where Colonel Cleaveland commanded, and were there stopped by his brave men. A flag was immediately hoisted by Captain Dupoister, the commanding officer (Major Ferguson having been killed a little before), for a surrender. Our fire immediately ceased, and the enemy laid down their arms...
"Given under our hands at camp.
"WILLIAM CAMPBELL,
"ISAAC SHELBY,
"BENJAMIN CLEAVELAND.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF WILKES COUNTY - Published by John Crouch in 1902
INTRODUCTION
Wilkes County has been the scene of many historic occurrences. From the time that the Moravians first made their appearance within her borders her inhabitants have boon making history by the wholesale. During the Revolutionary struggle I dare say there was not another county throughout the colonies that f'igured so prominently as Wilkes. At Kings Mountain the turning point of the Revolution, about one-half
the American forces were from Wilkes. And gallantly they did their country's service until the enemy's commander, who swore he had found a place "where God Almighty could not drive him from," lay dead upon the battle field and his forces either killed or taken prisoners. And when the Tories and Indians needed attention, "Cleveland's Devil's, as the Tories called them, were always equal to the occasion, and there always had to be some tamest "cleaning up" on the part of the Tories and Indians or some of their party would dangle from a limb.... Wilkesboro, the capital, is a beautiful town of about 800 population, situated on the south bank of the Yadkin near the center of the county. It was founded in 1778 by John Parks, John Barton, George Morris and John Witherspoon, who were appointed by the General Assembly to select a county seat for Wilkes County. It is about 175 miles north-west of Raleigh....

Boyhood
When little Benjamin was about twelve years old, some drunken rowdie came to Cleveland's home one day when both parents were away from home. The rowdies commencd throwing the steels in the fire when little Ben snatched his father's rifle from the racks and simply said, "gentlemen - do not you see this?" They saw the gun and the determined attitude of the youth, which led them to think discretion the better part of valor, when one of the party said to his follows: "we'd bet

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