Sixth Generation

1547. John Drury Coffey⁵⁶⁴⁶ was born circa 1848 in Reddies River, Wilkes Co., NC. John died in Wilkes Co., NC in December 1894 murdered by his brother Perry and was buried at Reddies River Baptist Church Cemetery in Wilbar, Wilkes Co., NC in December 1894 .^{5647,5648,5649}

Accused - The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, NC, Tue., Jan. 8, 1895, Vol. VII, Issue 8, Page 3

North Wilkesboro, Jan. 7. - Two fatal blows dealt Drewy [sic] Coffey, supposed to have been done by his brother while in a drunken condition, caused his death two days later. One of the wounds was above the ear; the other an indentation above the temple. The difficulty occurred near Mulberry. Coffey was unconscious after he received the wounds.

Guilty - The Progressive Farmer, Winston, NC, 1886-1904, Page 3, Col. 3

"Perry Coffey, of Wilkes county, has been found guilty of killing his brother, Drury Coffey, in December last and sentenced to 20 years in the penitentiary."

Levi Absher noted in his Ledger that "Druvra Coffy" died January 5, 1895. The "Yadkin Valley News" reported on January 17, 1895 that on Saturday December 29 two brothers, Perry and Drury Coffee, got in a fight and Drury died as a result of the fight. The "Wilkesboro Chronicle" reported the case in detail. The January 10, 1895 issue reported that Perry Coffey was in jail awaiting a preliminary hearing on the charge of killing his brother. Coroner Bumgarner and Dr. White held a post mortem and determined "the said Drury Coffey came to his death by two blows, one on his head and one on his left temple, done by Perry Coffey." According to the article, Perry and Drewery were on their way home together after arguing earlier about some notices Drewery had put up ordering Perry to stay off his land. The wives heard something like a fall and Perry then called them to come at once claiming Drewery had fallen on some rocks and had injured himself. They found Drewery almost unconscious. The January 31, 1895 "Wilkesboro Chronicle" reported that Perry Coffey had been bound over in a preliminary hearing before R.M. Staley without bail. Benbow and Benbow defended him and Solicitor Mott appeared for the State. A large crowd was present and the following witnesses testified: Dr. White, Zack Roberts, A.F. Tedder and Drewery's wife. Dr. White's testimony was that a fall on rocks could not have caused such injury and something like a club would have been required. However, all the evidence was circumstantial. The Thursday March 14, 1895 "Wilkesboro Chronicle" then reported the outcome in a long article. Perry was found guilty and was convicted of second degree murder. Trial had begun Friday morning and was completed that day. The jury took until Sunday to reach a verdict. Perry appeared erect and unmoved. He was sentenced Monday afternoon to 20 years in the penitentiary. Benbow and Benbow had defended him and Finley and Greene had assisted Solicitor Mott.

To close the story, the Wednesday June 4, 1902 edition of Wilkesboro, N.C.'s "The Chronicle" contained the following article:

"Perry Coffey died last week in Mulberry Township. He died of consumption. Coffey is the man (sic) was convicted and sent to the penitentiary in 1895 of the charge of killing his brother Drury. He escaped the pen some 18 months later and was never re-taken. We understand that he denied to the last that he killed his brother."

John Drury Coffey and Sarah Ann Wyatt were married. They appeared in the census on 8 June 1880 in Wilkes Co., NC.⁵⁶⁵⁰ Sarah Ann Wyatt, daughter of James Wilborn Wyatt and Leanna Abshire, was born on 17 August 1840 in Reddies River, Wilkes Co., NC. She appeared in the census on 20 June 1900 in Wilkes Co., NC.⁵⁶⁵¹ She appeared in the census on 18 April 1910 in Wilkes Co., NC.⁵⁶⁵² Sarah lived with her son Joshua T. in Wilkes Co., NC on 14 January 1920. Sarah died of paralysis on 9 July 1924 at the age of 83 in Wilkes Co., NC and was buried at Wilbar, Wilkes Co., NC on 11 July 1924.^5653,5654

John Drury Coffey and Sarah Ann Wyatt had the following children: