Sixth Generation

2348. Thomas was probably born in Hancock Co., TN on 25 December 1849.

If Nelson was a son of Annie Jordan from her marriage to Caswell Coffey, this birthdate seems in error. Annie died in Dec., 1849 and Nelson was born in 1850. However, some genealogies report his birth on 25 Dec., 1849 which is coincidentally the same date given for Annie's death.
He lived with his father in Hancock Co., TN on 21 November 1850.

In this census record he was enumerated as "Mlson."

Thomas died of heart disease and was buried at on 18 December 1917 at the age of 67 in Grainger Co., TN and was buried at Rucker Cemetery in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., TN.^{8693,8694,8695}

Rev. Thomas Nelson "Nelson" Coffey and Cornelia Coffey⁸⁶⁹⁰ were married on 23 March 1868 in Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁶⁹¹ They⁸⁶⁹¹ appeared in the census on 5 June 1880 in Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁶⁹² Cornelia Coffey, daughter of Ausburn Coffey and Matilda Dalton, was born on 5 August 1849 in Grainger Co., TN.

Cornelia was not enumerated with the family in 1850. She did appear as a 13-yr old daughter in the 1860 census. She lived with her parents in Grainger Co., TN on 15 August 1860. Cornelia died on 1 September 1892 at the age of 43 in Grainger Co., TN and was buried at Rucker Cemetery in Thorn Hill, Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁶⁸⁹

Copies of letters from Cornelia and Nelson Coffey in Tennessee to her family in Rockcastle County, Kentucky:

October the 9th 1877

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

I take my pen in hand to let you know that we air all well at present hoping that these few lines may come to hand in due time and find you all well and doing well. I have nothing strange to write to yew more than times is hard in this country and money scarce and stock of all kinds low. Wee would like to hear from yew all wee have rote to you all and have not got no leter only from Fedrick Spiers. I told Uncle Jack Coffee when hee was out hear that youre fathers funeral would bee preached thee 4th Sunday 28th day of October by James Greenly, Thomas Stroud and Simeon Acuff and wee would like for you all to bee hear if yew can and if yew cant come then come as soon as yew can. I, Nelson Coffee, would like to know wheather a man can sell good young cattle out there or not, good stears and heifers about two years old and I want some of yew to write as soon as yew get this letter if none of you dont come .

A few words from Elviry, Nely and Becy to let you all now that we Air all well and wee hope thees linds may find yew all well. Mother we would like to be with you one time more and we want yew to come and see us and talke with us. Yew dont know how we miss yew, Come out and stay a year with us and we will treat yew all rite if yew will come.

Becy sayes to tell James Coffee not to think hard of her for not telling him good by for she forgot it. We want yew all to write one more long letter and let us heare from yew all . Tell mother that Uncle Jack Dalton is married again, he married Malissa Bullen, old Uncle James Bullens youngest child that he had by his first wife and Carter Dalton is ded and Uncle Davy McCoy is also ded. N.P. Dalton says to tell Ausbon Coffee to come out cause youre old sweetheart still alived and well. I want you to come and pant my beard again and we will go to Timothy Leesaus my son-in-laws and get us a turn of rosting ears. Aske James Coffee if he has forgot Tildy Daltons tail she told about Seebe Collins. He has den what he said he would. Sow we will have to close by saying write us soon as theis come to hand.

We remain yours, P.T. Nelson, N.P. Henry and famleys to all

State of Tennessee, Grainger County, Thorn Hill

August the 26, 1886

I this day seet myself in order to right you a few lines to let you not that we ari all well at this time and hoping when these few lines come to hand that they may find you all well. I have nothing strange to rite to you at present time tis tolable good here at this time. Stock of all kinds is high hear. Produce is tolable plenty here. Wheat is worth 90 cts pur bushel, corn is worth from 10 to 15 per lbs. John we could be glad to see you all and talk with you. Henry Wolfe family is as well as common also Nathan Daltons family is all well at this time and all the rest of the connections is well. Wee air having some very dry times and everything is needing rane vary bad the pastures air drying up corn crops is only tolible good land has to tolable good corn thin land the corn is vary light. I have got a vary good crop of corn. John I want you to right to me as soon as you get this letter and let us no how you all air gitting along we would bee glad to here from you all So good by for this time from Nelson Coffee and family to John Coffee and family.

A few lines from Cornelia Coffee to Mother. Mother it is with grate pleasure that I seet myself to rite you a few lines to let you no that I have not forgot you tho I have neglected to rite to you. Mother you dont know how glad I would bee to see you one more time. Mother I think you have stayed with the boys long enough. I think that you had better come out and stay with us a while. Mother I think that you have got the purtyst name sake here that you ever saw. This from Cornelia Coffee to Mother. So fair well for this time.

SOURCE: Bennie Loftin

Rev. Thomas Nelson "Nelson" Coffey and Cornelia Coffey had the following children:

Rev. Thomas Nelson "Nelson" Coffey and Margaret Jane "Jane" Hodges were married on 31 January 1894 in Claiborne Co., TN.⁸⁹⁵¹ They⁸⁹⁵¹ appeared in the census on 14 June 1900 in Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁹⁵² They⁸⁹⁵² appeared in the census on 19 April 1910 in Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁹⁵³ Margaret Jane "Jane" Hodges, daughter of Granville Hodges and Margaret Jennings, was born on 13 September 1864 in Claiborne Co., TN. She appeared in the census on 2 January 1920 in Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁹⁵⁴ She appeared in the census on 23 April 1930 in Grainger Co., TN.⁸⁹⁵⁵ Margaret died in Grainger Co., TN on 9 May 1937 and was buried at Meadow Branch Cemetery in Bean Station, Grainger Co., TN in May 1937 .^8956,8957

Obituary From the Mulberry Gap Baptist Assn., 1937

Coffey, Margaret Jane Hodges, Wife of Rev. Thomas N. Coffey, was born. September 13, 1864; d. May 9, 1837. She was united with Oak Hill Baptist Church, later moved her memebership to Barnard Grove Baptist Church and remained a member until death. She was married Rev. T. N. Coffey 1902 and to this union were born four children, 2 sons and 2 daughters. Obituary by son, Joe.

Rev. Thomas Nelson "Nelson" Coffey and Margaret Jane "Jane" Hodges had the following children: