Third Generation

18. Elizabeth "Betty" Coffey was born circa 1749 in Albemarle Co., VA. Elizabeth probably died after 1807 in Wilkes Co., NC.

When John Coffey's will was appraised some nineteen years after his death, Elizabeth and her "lawfull husband Thom. Fields" were named in the report of the appraisers .

Some sources claim a birth date of 1749 for Elizabeth Coffey. It is known from census records that Elizabeth Coffey Fields was born before 1755.

Elizabeth "Betty" Coffey and Thomas Fields Esq. were married.

Elizabeth is known to have maried Thomas Fields, brother of Sally, and son of Richard Fields and Elizabeth Murrel.

Elizabeth and Thomas moved to Wilkes Co., NC where Thomas was active in the Yadkin Baptist church. He held the office of clerk, and later that of a deacon. The will of Thomas Fields in 180 lists his wife Betty, and children Jane Crumpton, William Fields, Reuben Fields, Betsy Penley, Winifred Humphrey, Polly Humphrey, and Sally Penley.

Thomas Fields Esq., son of Richard Fields and Elizabeth Murrell, was born circa 1747 in Virginia. He appeared in the census in 1800 in Morgan, Wilkes Co., NC.⁶⁴ Thomas died in Wilkes Co., NC in 1807.
No birth record has been located for Thomas Fields at this time. Census records indicate that he was born prior to 1755.

He was active in the Yadkin Grove Baptist Church, holding the office of clerk and later that of deacon. Jesse Boone, a brother of Daniel Boone took over the clerk duties from Thomas.

In 1790 Thomas Fields and one son are indicated that they are over 16 years of age. This would indicate that Thomas' oldest son, William was born before 1774. There was also one son under 16, which would be Reuben and 5 females which would include wife Betty and four daughters.

The 1800 census indicates 2 free white males between 16 and 25 (only Reuben was known to be in this age group) years old and 1 free white male 25 to 44 years old. This would indicate that Thomas was born after 1756. It also showed 1 free white female 16 to 25 years of age., 1 free white female 26 to 44 years of age and one free white female over 45 years of age. If we assume that Betty was the free white female over 45 years of age she would have been born prior to 1755. This would leave Polly and Winnie (one over 25 and one 25 or under) still at home.

Thomas left a will dated 10 January 1807 and probated February term 1807 which named his wife Betty and children, William Fields, Jane Compton, Reuben Fields, Betsy Pendley, Winnifred Humphrey, Polly Humphrey, and Sally Pendley. Executors were wife Betty Fields, sons William Fields and Reuben Fields and trusty friend Eli Coffey. Witnesses were William Lenoir, Lewis Coffey, and Jonathan Boone .

The trusty friend Eli Coffey was Betty's nephew. Witness Lewis Coffey was also a relative of Betty. Jonathan Boone was a brother of Daniel Boone. He and another brother, Jesse Boone were members of the Yadkin Grove Baptist Church, as were several members of the Fields and Coffey families. Daniel Boone himself had lived in Wilkes Co., North Carolina but had already moved away, moving first into Kentucky and later to Missouri.

It has been shown (as follows) through Wilkes Co., NC court minutes dated Feb. 2, 1797 that the following citizens of Wilkes Co. were close neighbors and relatives: Thomas Fields, John Coffey, Sr., Eli Coffey, William Hulme, Robert Epperson, Michael Israel, Mastin Durham, Hezekiah Strutton, Reuben Coffey, Benjamin Coffey, George Hulme, Ambrose Coffee [sic], Thomas Coffey, Sr., Owen Humphrey, David Yarnell, Robert Bryan, John Mills, and Charles Gordon.

Wilkes County Court Minutes 1789 - 1797 Volumes III & IV Compiled by Mrs. W. O. Absher, Vol IV p 43

2 February 1797 - Ordered Thomas Fields, John Coffey Senr, Eli Coffey, William Hulme, Robert Epperson, Michael Israel, Mastin Durham, Hezekiah Strutton, Reuben Coffey, Benjamin Coffey, George Hulme, Ambrose Coffee, Thomas Coffey Senr, Owen Humphrey, Daniel Yarnell, Robert Bryan, John Mills, Charles Gordon view road from Mr. Eppersons branch by Maj. Gordons Mill to Solomons branch.

Thomas Fields was the son-in-law of John Coffey. Thomas married John's daughter Elizabeth Coffey.

It is not clear which Eli Coffey is mentioned above. It is likely Eli, the son of James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey. He was born in 1763.

William Hulme does not seem to yet have a connection to the Coffey family of the area.

There are a number of Eppersons who married Coffeys, but none were named Robert.

There is a Michael Israel, Jr. who married Sarah Coffey, dau of John Coffey and Mary Hall. John was a son of James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey.

Mastin Durham was another son-in-law of James and Elizabeth Cleveland Coffey. He married their daughter Martha.

Hezekiah Strutton was the father of Sarah Strutton who married William Mills. One of William's male descendants was the father of Lilburn Coffee.

Reuben Coffey was likely Reuben, Jr., who married Naomi Hayes in 1797, Wilkes Co., or his father, Reuben, Sr. who was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves.

Benjamin Coffey was a brother to Reuben, Sr.,

George Hulme - ditto William Hulme

Ambrose Coffey was a son of James Coffey and Elizabeth Cleveland.

Thomas Coffey, Sr. was a son of John Coffey and Jane Graves

Owen Humphrey was the father of William who married Mary Fields, dau of Thomas Fields and Elizabeth Coffey. Owen's son, John, married Mary's sister, Winfred Fields.

Daniel Yarnell - no known connection.

Robert Bryan - ditto

John Mills - too young in 1797 to be son of William Mills and Sarah Ellis. This John is likely to be a brother to William.

Charles Gordon - no known connection.

Elizabeth "Betty" Coffey and Thomas Fields Esq. had the following children: