| Home Surname List Name Index Sources Email Us | Fourth Generation43. Joel95 was probably born in Virginia circa 1730.96 According to Marvin Coffey, Joel was more likely born 1745-48 in Virginia. He was found In Capt Isbell's Dist. in Wilkes Co., NC in 1784–1787 NC State Census. A neighbor was John Stapp.97 He owned on 10 April 1787 in Wilkes Co., NC.98 Joel owned on 27 May 1788 in Wilkes Co., NC.99 Joel died between 27 April 1789 and 27 July 1789, probably in Burke Co., NC. He signed a will on 27 April 1789 in Wilkes Co., NC.100 ----- In the name of God amen - I, Joel Coffee, of North Carolina and the County of Wilkes tho weak in body yet perfect in mind and memory constitute this my last will and testiment [sic], I give my soul to God my redeemer and my body to be buried in a decent manner and after my just debts are paid I didpose of my worldly goods as follow, to wit, I give to my wife Martha, the plantation whereon I now live and all my household furniture, two Negroes namely, Harry and Teg, and all my stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs enduring her natural life or widowhood. I also will that as much of my land be sold by my Executor to pay my debts. The remainder of my land to be equally divided among all my children to wit, Cleaveland, James, Joel, Nathan, Cathy, Jane, Sealy, and if my wife is at present with child, for it if it live to share an equal part with the rest and at death or marriage of my wife for what I give her to be equally divided among all my children my present estate to be improved and kept together till my youngest child come of age or marry. Nebuzaraden Coffee and my son Cleaveland Coffee Executors. I acknowledge this my last will and testiment [sic] made this 27th day of April 1789. Joel Coffee (his mark)
Marvin Coffey, citing Mrs. C. R. Porter of El Reno, OK, tells us that Joel was a son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffey. Marvin goes on to write that "the material on Joel Coffey-Martha Step and Chesley Coffey - Jane Cleveland was written down by a daughter of Nathan and Sarah (Eliza Emeline Coffey Porter) about 1895, presumably from older records which she had." Joel, born 1780, m Martha "Patsy"?. They had 6 children: Nathaniel, m1 Louisa Durham, m2 Nancy Clark; Alvina (Elvira), b 1811, m Martin Wright, Mar 27, 1828. She died Sep 7, 1869; Caroline, m Unk Summers; Martha L., m Perry M. Stacy; Francis m Jackson Jones; Henry B., m Sara Ann Isbele. Source: Lee Robert, Nov., 1998 (lrobert@webtv.net). [Doubtful this is Joel, subject of this genealogy] Joel was b. late 1740's and d. 1789. Married Martha in 1753. Martha was b. 1737. Joel was son of Chesley and Jane Cleveland Coffee. Their children were Jesse Cleveland; James, Joel, Nathan, Caty, Frances Jane, Sealey, Nebuzarren, Cleveland. Source: Revolutionary Ancestors, 1976; Wood Coffee Will and Inventory. [Joel's 1789 names his children and there is present a comma between Jane and Sealy; e.g. Jane, Sealy] Joel and Martha are mentioned in The Georgians, Genealogies of Pioneer Settlers, by J. H. Austin. [As pertains to the Coffey families, this book is not accurate] Joel's will (probate) dated 1789 Wilkes Co., NC. Children listed as James, Joel, Cleveland, Nathan, Katy, Jane and Celia. See North Carolina will book C, page 321. A Joel Coffey was named as one of the buyers from the estate sale of Robert Patrick in Surry Co., NC in Feb., 1778. Robert Patrick apparently died between 1774 and 1777. He was on the 1774 tax list of Benjamin Cleveland and again in 1775. He was not listed on the 1777 tax list. Marvin Coffey wrote in his work that "A DAR record has always listed Joel as born 1730, and married in 1753 to Martha Sealy, born 1737. However, their youngest son Nebuzaradon was born posthumously in 1780 would thus have been born when Martha was 52 years old." A number of researchers as theorized that Joel married Martha Sealey who died, and he then married Martha Step. Others have the opinion that Joel married a widow by the name of Mrs. Martha Step Sealey while another group has said that Sealey was a nickname for Celia which was the middle name of Martha. Another thought is that Joel was born much earlier, about 1750. Martha Step's father was named Joseph so it appears logical that Joel and Martha would have given a son that name. A daughter Celia was referred to as Sealy in Joel's will. Marvin's research did not uncover any Sealy families in the same county that the Coffeys lived in Virginia or North Carolina. As far as can be determined, a record of Chesley and Jane Cleveland has never been found. Researchers should be aware that much controversy exists over the existence of Chesley and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey. Additional controversy surrounds their child Joel. Family information contained here should be taken lightly, and independent research used to confirm or refute connections. Joel Coffey and Martha Stepp (Stapp)101 were married in 1753.96 Martha Stepp (Stapp), daughter of Joseph Stepp and Katherine Spoon, was born circa 1737. After Joel died Martha and her children moved to Kentucky. They settled in Madison Co. then moved to Green Co. That part of Green Co. later became Adair Co. and sometime later became part of Russell Co. Some of their children moved to Illinois. Nebuzaradon and his family were pioneer migrants to Oregon. Joel Coffey and Martha Stepp (Stapp) had the following children:
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