ATTACHMENT I

ANNESTER: The Mother of James Coffey of Surry County, NC

MEMO: The following information is transcribed from the book "James Bluford Coffey: His Ancestors and Descendants in America" written by Marvin D. Coffey in 1984 (with supplement published in 1994). It focuses on the information therein related to James Coffey of Surry County, and his probable mother Annester Coffey. References are also included to Austes/Austin (who was either a brother or a sister of Annester), because of certain common ties (and confusion) related to Annester.

(NOTE: There is another note (Attachment II) written by John Chenault, that reaches a different conclusion on some issues. It should also be read.)

The children of Edward Coffey (born about 1670, probably in Ireland, and who died before 16 Jul 1716) and his wife Ann Powell were as follows:

John Coffey (bef 16 Jul 1700, Essex Co., VA, died 1775)

Edward Coffey (bef 16 Jul 1700, twin of John (?), died after 1774)

Martha (Patsy) Coffey)

Annester (Ann) Coffey (abt 1708)

Austin (or Austes) Coffey (abt 1710)

Elizabeth Coffey (abt 1714)

EDWARD COFFEY:

"Edward Coffey was a tobacco planter and had land on branches of Occupatia Creek (or swamp) in Essex county. (In his will He) leaves all of his land to his 2 sons John and Edward… He then names his 6 children as John, Edward, Marther, Ann, Austes (we think this should be Austin), and Elizabeth. Since Edward didn't leave anything to Ann, Austin and Elizabeth it is probable that they were quite young and Edward only thought of leaving something to his older children who would soon be out on their own."

ANN POWELL:

"… after her husband Edward Coffey died in 1716 she married Robert Dooling (or Dulin) (on March 19, 1717). They had two children… In Ann's will, made October 30, 1744 in St. Ann's Parish, Essex county, she leaves all her possessions to the two "Dooling" boys and her daughter Annisters (Ann) Coffey and Annister's son, James Coffey. It would seem, from the language of the will, that Annisters was living with her mother. We know of no marriage of Annisters and unless she did marry some unknown Coffey the likelihood exists that her son James was illegitimate. From the date of birth of Ann's last child it would appear that she was probably born about 1685, or a few years earlier."

ANNISTER(S) AND AUSTIN COFFEY: "Dr. Laurence H. Coffey in his early work on the Coffeys lists the spouse of Anister (his spelling) as _____ Shenalt, but in his list of the children of Edward and Ann Coffey he doesn't mention the son Austin (Austes in Edward's will). Since Dr. Coffey's study of the family, others have listed Austin as marrying a Miss Shenalt. Not having other proof I am also listing Austin this was, and assuming that Annister was not married. As was mentioned in connection with the will of Ann Powell Coffey Dooling, Annister had a son named James Coffey, but no Coffey or other husband is known for her. James may be the one who later turns up in Surry and Stokes counties North Carolina after a brief time in Pittsylvania County Virginia. Or he may be the James Coffey in Botetourt county Virginia in 1785, which we have tentatively listed as a son of Edward. We really do not have enough information to be certain one way or the other."

"(Regarding) Austin, one reason to believe this was his true name is that some of John and Jane (Graves) Coffey's descendants used the name Austin. Where Edward and Ann Coffey got the name we do not know but there was a Daniel and Susannah Austin family in Essex county contemporary with Edward, and others before 1700. Of course the name might really be Austes and the person be a female (<<NOTE: This is indeed the opinion of Rev. Chenault, see Attachment II). However I do not believe the weight of what little evidence we have is in favor of this idea. Assuming then that this child was a male named Austin and married a Miss Chenault (this is the correct spelling) what happened to him? We really haven't a trace in the records as far as I am aware. A Stephen Chenault family occurs in the early 1700s in Essex county and is later in Orange county (1750). When John and Jane (Graves) Coffey sold their land in Essex county it was sold in 2 parcels, 1 in 1745 and the other in 1747. In the first instance the witnesses included William Duling and William Chenault, in the second instance William Duling and Stephen Chenault Jr. Thus we see the closeness of the Duling (or Dulin), Chenault, and Coffey families in Essex county. Presumably Austin would have been there too, but if so he apparently failed to create any records. He may have died as a young man or perhaps he did move out of the area. It has been suggested that he might have been the father of Chesley Coffey who probably was early in Albemarle county and may have gone to North Carolina, but of whom we also have no records. However, Austin may have been too young to be the father of Chesley."

"It is of course possible that without creating public records he did manage to have several children and if so, some of those which I have suggested as children of Edward might be his."

JAMES COFFEY OF SURRY/STOKES NORTH CAROLINA:

"In the early records of Surry county North Carolina (about 1779 or early 1780s) we find several references to a James Coffey who was a constable. After Stokes county was formed from Surry in 1789 further references are found there. Others in Stokes county at this time include a Micajah Coffey and a Sarah Coffey. James apparently had a son James who had a son Lewis M. (born 1798 in Stokes county). The latter went to Pulaski county Kentucky where he married Delilah Turpin January 11, 1818 (name is Levi in marriage records). Among Lewis' children was a son James Wilson, born in 1822. In 1827 the family moved to Morgan county Indiana. A descendant, Leonard Coffey, lives in Martinsville, Morgan county Indiana today and has a great deal more information on this line."

"The original James of Surry county, N.C. came from Pittsylvania county Virginia according to both Surry and Pittsylvania county records. Since he has not been connected otherwise a possibility exists that he may be the son of Annister Coffey of Essex county Virginia. This possibility is strengthened by the fact that the 1820 census of Stokes county, N.C. has an Anis Coffey who could be named for a grandmother, Annister. All the Coffeys of Stokes are apparently descended from or closely related to the first James."