Fifth Generation

297. Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey was born circa 1787 in Virginia. She lived with her son-in-law Jesse C. Portman in Casey Co., KY on 13 August 1850.

Gen. Christopher Riffe^1050,1060 was born in 1765 in Maryland. He appeared in the census on 6 August 1810 in Casey Co., KY.¹⁰⁶¹ Christopher died in Middleburg, Casey Co., KY on 19 January 1850. Middleburg Cemetery in Middleburg, Casey Co., KY in January 1850 .¹⁰⁶²

"According to Collins' History of Kentucky, the first white male to settle in Casey County was Christopher, who in 1793 built a cabin about one-half mile southwest of the present town of Middleburg. He is said to have killed a deer, across the river from his home, and upon looking around he saw five or six Indians, coming toward him. He fled from them and went for help to Carpenter's Station about two miles west of Hustonville. Upon returning with some men from Carpenter's, he found that the savages had already left, after having pilfered through his cabin.

"Christopher Riffe was buried near the old sugar tree in the Middleburg cemetery. Mention of this aged tree recalls to mind the story of a burial which took place near it, long ago. The writer's father had a great-aunt named Polly Sims. She stated that when she was a little girl she bent the tree aside while the coffin was lowered into the grave. The tree has grown to such huge proportions that its gnarled roots have overgrown several of the graves of the pioneers. Thus it stands, keeping vigil over their last resting place."

(Page 205)
"About 1781, Christopher Riffe, who was of German parentage, left Maryland and went to Rockingham County, Virginia, where he met and married Agnes Spears, daughter of George Spears. to this union were born John, Christopher, Jr., Annie, Sallie, Mary, George. Agnes died when George was a baby, about 1792. On May 9, 1806, he married Elizabeth Coffey, sister to Colonel Jesse Coffey and Osborn. To this union were born Peter Bim, and Lehannah (mentioned in the book "Celeste" by Peter Bim Riffe, 1876).

"Of the above children, John and Christopher went to Missouri; Annie [married] Thomas Blain; Sallie [married] a Coffey; Mary [married] a Watson; George [married] Bettie Anderson, and to this union were born John, George C., Crit, Clay, Jennie, Mary, Emily, Susan, Martha, and Jesse.

"Peter Bim [married] Julianna Watkins February 2, 1832, had the following children: George, John, Betsey, Lee Anna, Rose Anna, Florence, and Docie. Lehanna, full sister to Peter Bim [married] Jesse Portman, uncle to Duff Portman (living in 1938)."

Elizabeth "Betsy" Coffey and Gen. Christopher Riffe had the following children: