Fifth Generation

251. Alice "Alley" Coffey was born circa 1788 in Burke Co., NC. The 1850 Hancock Co. census lists Ally's age as 62 years indicating a birth year of around 1788 She appeared in the census on 14 November 1850 in Hancock Co., TN.⁸²⁵ Alice died in Tennessee after 1850.

Bond was posted on 19 March 1804 in Wilkes Co., NC^826,827 Alice "Alley" Coffey and John Mills^826,827 were married in March 1804 in Wilkes Co., NC. John Mills, son of William Mills and Sarah Ellis, was born between 1770 and 1780. He appeared in the census on 1 June 1830 in Hawkins Co., TN.⁸²⁸ John died intestate between 1844–1845 at the age of 74 in Hawkins Co., TN, now Hancock Co.

The joint ______ of Hiram Mills and Alley Mills to the bill of complaint filed against them by John A. Simpson and Rutha Tucker in the Chancery Court at Rogersville, Tennessee.

These respondents, now and at all times hereafter having and ____ the usual benefits of exceptions for answers to the complainant bill say that John Mills departed this life intestate in Hawkins, now Hancock County in the year 1844 or 1845; that, at the time of his death, he was signed in fee of the tract of land described in the bill; that he left respondent Ally, as his widow and eleven children, to wit, William, Hiram, Elizabeth (who intermarried with Barnet Cantwell), America (who intermarried with Henry Mitchell), Ambrose, John, Simon, Perry, Jefferson, Ally, and Holland Mills, all whom were then of age except Jefferson and Holland; and perhaps Ally, that since the death of the said John Mills, the said Simon, Ally, Holland and Ambrose each departed this life, intestate, unmarried and without issue, except Ambrose, who died leaving two minor children, Ellen and Susan Josephine, whose mother has died in his lifetime; that Simon departed this life first, Holland next, Ally next and Ambrose last; and that the said Ambrose as respondents are informed and believe, acquired by descent and purchase nine and one fourth of the eleven undivided shares, and that this respondent Hiram, by descent and purchase is the owner of the remaining one and three fourth shares as alleged in the bill. Respondents admit that the whole of undivided shares, or the entire tract of land was subject to that encumbrance of the respondent Ally’s claim to dower, and that dower was assigned to this respondent Ally pursuant to certain proceedings had in the County Court of Hancock County, which respondents have not now in their procession but a copy of which they will file before final hearing. Respondents states that the complainant John A. Simpson, before he became interested in any part of said lands, was one of the commissioners appointed to assign said dower; that he acted in that capacity and as they are informed and believe, he has no right to contact the validity. [Larry Mills, lempga@bellsouth.net]

From Wilkes Co., NC Deeds and Grants, 1782-1815, Deed Book G-H:

24 Sep 1807 - Between John Mills of Burke Co., NC, and William Mills, 20 lbs, 25 acres, NW corner of Hezekiah Stratton tract that William Jines formerly lived on, N side fork of Yadkin River, signed John Mills; witnesses, Eli Coffey and George Hughes. [nb: Eli brother of Ambrose, born 1 Mar 1763]

24 Sep 1807 - Between John Mills of Burke Co., NC and William Mills, 20 lbs., 50 acres at fork of Wolf Pen Branch, signed John Mills; witnesses Eli Coffey and George Hughes.

24 Sep 1807 - Between Isham Mills and Hardy Mills of the State of Tennessee and John Mills of Burke Co., NC, of the first part, and William Mills, 25 lbs, 50 acres on Yadkin River in Upper Dark Bottom .. side mountain, signed Isham Mills, Hardy Mills, John Mills; witnesses, Eli Coffey and George Hughes.

Alice "Alley" Coffey and John Mills had the following children: