Seventh Generation

5745. Eliza Jane Coffey was born on 7 February 1854 in North Carolina. She appeared in the census on 9 April 1930 in Watauga Co., NC.¹⁸⁴⁶⁸ Eliza died of a stroke on 23 October 1931 at the age of 77 in Blue Ridge Twp., Watauga Co., NC and was buried at Mount Vernon Baptist Church Cemetery in Boone, Watauga Co., NC on 25 October 1931.^18469,18470

At least one family data sheet that I have gives this child's name as Lula Jane Coffey.

Eliza Jane Coffey and Anson Lafayette Harrison were married on 29 August 1871 in Watauga Co., NC. They appeared in the census on 13 June 1880 in Watauga Co., NC.¹⁸⁴⁷¹ They¹⁸⁴⁷¹ appeared in the census on 15 June 1900 in Watauga Co., NC. Eliza and Anson appeared in the census on 15 April 1910 in Watauga Co., NC.¹⁸⁴⁷² They¹⁸⁴⁷² appeared in the census on 21 January 1920 in Watauga Co., NC.¹⁸⁴⁷³
According to Heritage of Watauga County 1849-1984, p.226-227 (which cites: personal knowledge of Christine Harrison Critcher, Vital Records of Watauga County, and family Bible records):

"Anson Lafayette Harrison, son of Martin Harrison and Jane Critcher Harrison was from a family of five children. Anson Harrison was married on August 29, 1871, to Liza Jane Coffey, daughter of Calton Coffey and Nancy Reins Coffey. To this union of Anson and Jane Harrison were born fifteen children.

Anson and Jane Harrison were honest hard-working people. They were both Christian parents who taught their children to fear God and treat their fellow man right. Everyone in the family had a particular job to do. The older children took care of the younger children. As my grandfather Anson Harrison was a farmer and had horses, cows, pigs and chickens, there were chores for everyone. In addition to farming, my grandfather was also a carpenter and was often away from home building houses, so the children had the farming to do. My father, Newton Harrison, who was the oldest child in a family of fifteen, was depended upon to look out for the farming and for the caring of the cattle.

In later years my grandfather operated a store which was the only one in the community at that time. There was always much activity at my grandfather's house. He loved children and would prepare each child in the community a treat at Christmas. There would be tooth brushes, combs, candy, nuts, and fruits in each bag. We always had a large Christmas tree at our church (Mount Vernon Baptist) at Christmas time. Every child looked forward to receiving his treat.

My grandmother was also always busy; spending much time gardening, canning, and drying food for the large family, carding wool, spinning thread, and knitting socks so everyone would keep warm in the winters. Each one in the family had only one pair of shoes which had to last the year.

My grandparents were very strict disciplining their children. If they failed to obey, they were corrected with "hickory tea" as they called it. They were switched with a limb from a bush which grew near the house."
Anson Lafayette Harrison¹⁸⁴⁷⁴, son of Joseph Martin Harrison and Sarah Jane Critcher, was born on 6 July 1852 in Watauga Co., NC. Anson died in Watauga Co., NC on 28 December 1928 and was buried at Critcher Cemetery in Boone, Watauga Co., NC in December 1928 .¹⁸⁴⁷⁵

Eliza Jane Coffey and Anson Lafayette Harrison had the following children: