Coffman Records in Mercer County, Kentucky

Coffman Records in Mercer County, Kentucky

Compiled by Nick Cimino, League City, Texas April 2017

DRAFT DOCUMENT FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT

Many other genealogists have subscribed to the theory that the father of Jacob Coffman 1780-1852 (buried in McDonough County, Illinois) is Christian Coffman AKA Christopher Coffman who appears to have died in Mercer County, Kentucky in the 1780s.  There is a profile for Christian Coffman in the Family Search family tree at the following URL: https://familysearch.org/tree/person/MQTC-T18/details

According to the Family Search Wiki: Mercer County was created 17 October 1785 as a Virginia county from Lincoln County. County seat: Harrodsburg. Mercer County became a county in the state of Kentucky upon the formation of that state in 1792.

Lincoln County was created on 1 May 1780 as a Virginia county when Kentucky County (Virginia) was abolished to form Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln counties.

Kentucky County, Virginia was created in 1776 from Fincastle County.

Fincastle County was created in 1772 from Botetourt County.

Botetourt County was created 7 November 1769 from Augusta County.

Augusta County was created 1 August 1738 from Orange County.

The following records were transcribed by Nick Cimino, in April 2017, League City, Texas ancestorpuzzles[at]gmail.com; Transcriber's notes in brackets [ ]. Underlining was added for emphasis of key names and phrases.

[The following transcription of a deed was received from David Coffman in April 2017, DJmodem[at]hotmail.com]

Mercer County, Kentucky, Deeds, Book 2, Page 446 - The deposition of Edward Davis taken this 8th day of February 1796 at the house now occupied by Isaac Coffman in Mercer County for the purpose of establishing the place whereon the improvement was made in the year 1774 that was claimed by Isaac Taylor deceased which deposition was taken by virtue of an order of the Court of Mercer County between the heirs of said Isaac Taylor deceased of the one party and James Speed, John Lillard and Henry French of the other part, the said James Speed, John Lillard and Henry French having acknowledged legal notice of the taking the deposition aforesaid, before us Thomas Freeman and Garrett Darland Commissioners appointed by the Court aforesaid for the purpose of taking the said deposition and the said Edward Davis having been duly sworn saith: That in February 1780 he was in company with Silas Harlan and they went by the place where Isaac Coffman now lives and the said Harlan showed this Deponent an Improvement which stood near the Spring now used by the said Isaac Coffman and told him it was an Improvement belonging to Isaac Taylor and that him the said Harlan had made it for the said Taylor. This deponent further saith that he was afterwards directed by the said Harlan to purchase the same improvement above said from the said Isaac Taylor and told this deponent that he expected the claim could begot cheap as the improvement had cost Taylor only 3 pounds which he had paid to him the said Harlan for the making of the improvement. This deponent further saith that he was a near neighbor to aforesaid Isaac Taylor and is well satisfied that he the said Taylor never was in this state either before or since the making of the improvement. Question by James Speed: when did you understand this aforesaid sum of 3 pounds was paid by Isaac Taylor to Harlan? Answer: I understand (but cannot tell by whom) that the money was not paid by Harlan until after the battle at the Point [Pleasant], which was the fall of 1774, and further the deponent saith not.

SOURCE: Virginia tax payers, 1782-87, other than those published by the United Stated Census Bureau By Augusta B. Fothergill and John Mark Naugle 1940; reprint, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., 1978. This book is online at Family Search Books but I had to visit a Family History Center to download my PDF copy.

Name of Tax Payer, Poll, Slave, County

Coffman, Abraham, 1, 0, Hardy

Coffman, Christopher 1, 0 Berkeley

Coffman, Isaac, 1, 1, Berkeley

Coffman, John, 1, 0, Montgomery

Hungate, John, 1, 0, Botetourt

Hungate, William, 1, 0, Botetourt

[It is notable that Isaac Coffman was the only slave holder but he only had one slave. The proximity of Isaac Coffman and Christopher Coffman in Berkeley County, Virginia may indicate relationship. Christopher and Isaac are also found in proximity in Mercer County, Kentucky records. The original tax records should be reviewed to see if they appear to pay their taxes at the same time.]

SOURCE: The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Vol. 20, No. 58, 1922 Frankfort, Kentucky [Google Books]; Early Marriage Records of Mercer County, Kentucky

SURNAME: COFFMAN

page 10, 20 Jun 1788 Wm. Veatch and Elizabeth Coffman, Minister: Rice

page 14, 12 Nov 1794 John Hungate and Mary Coffman, Minister: Rice

page 15, 8 Jan 1795 John Hungate and Polly Coffman, Minister: Rice

page 16, 3 Aug 1796 Isaac Coffman and Mary Calvert, Minister: Rice

page 20, 8 Jul 1800 Wm. Hungate and Sally Coffman, Minister: Rice

SURNAME: HUNGATE see the three above; no more found

[It is notable that the name of the minister is identified in this version of the Mercer marriage records. This minister should be researched further to find out what his role was in the Mercer County community.]

SOURCE: Marriage Bonds And Consents, 1786-1810, Mercer County, Kentucky; Compiled and Published by: Alma Ray Sanders Ison and Rebecca Wilson Conover, Harrodsburg, Kentucky, July, 1970; digitized book at FamilySearch.org. This book is online at Family Search Books but I had to visit a Family History Center to download my PDF copy.  I have added a few hyperlinks to the original records referenced in these transcriptions by Ison and Conover.

1787- Veitch, William and Elizabeth Coffman, June 19, 1787

Bondsman: Isaac Coffman

Consent: The bride writes consent for the license to be issued

Teste: Vincent Wren and Dan Veitch

[Some researchers have theorized that Elizabeth Coffman is the widow of Christian Coffman and that Isaac Coffman is her brother-in-law.  One can also make the assumption that Dan. Veitch is a close relative of William Veitch. See the full transcription of the consent granted by Elizabeth Coffman transcribed below.]

Bond URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YXSH-RJ?i=64&cc=1804888

The consent follows two images beyond the bond.]

1792- Stilts, Frederick and Racheal Goldman, May 30, 1792

Bondsman: John Goodnight

Bride's guardian: Henry Goldman

Teste: James Coffman

1795- Hungate, John and Polley Coffman, January 25, 1795

Bondsman: Charles Hungate

Bride's mother: Elizabeth Coffman, who certifies bride's age is 21. [It is notable that the bride’s mother is described as Elizabeth Coffman rather than Elizabeth Veitch.

 Teste: Major Farris

Bond URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-Y6SM-R1?mode=g&i=125&cc=1804888

Consent URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-Y6S9-W9?i=126&cc=1804888

1800- Hungate, William and Salley Coffman, July 8, 1800

Bondsman: Job Hale, who certifies that bride is 21.

Bond URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YJLC-X?mode=g&i=565&cc=1804888

Consent URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YJG1-5?i=564&cc=1804888

Stoghill, John and Mary Coffman, April 22, 1801

Bondsman: Nicholas Myres

Consent: Isaac Kaufman and Anne Kaufman

Teste: Henry Kaufman

[The parents of Mary Coffman appear to be Isaac Coffman and his wife, Anne. Is this Annie French?]

Bond URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YJLW-3?mode=g&i=657&cc=1804888

Consent URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YJ29-G?mode=g&i=658&cc=1804888

Steen, Nathan and Sally Hale, April 15, 1807 [Nathan Steen later marries Anne Coffman daughter of Isaac Coffman. Nathan Steen is also a bondsman in 1808 marriage bond of Rachel Coffman below.]

Bondsman: John Hayes

Bride's mother: Hannah Hale

Teste: Elias Passmore

Steen, Nathan and Anne Coffman, March 12, 1808

Bondsman: Isaac Coffman

Bride's father: Isaac Coffman

Teste: Henry Coffman

Bond URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YX9Y-ZN?i=842&cc=1804888

Consent URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YX9B-3M?i=843&cc=1804888

1808- Brooks, Jesse and Rachel Coffman, April 5, 1808

Bondsman: Nathan Steen

Consent: Travis C?) Coffman

Teste.: Nathan Zachery

Bond URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z6-X36

Consent URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YX9Y-P4?i=875&cc=1804888

[Ison and Conover made an error in transcription as Isaac Coffman also signed this consent.]

SOURCE: Mercer County Loose Marriage Papers

A table of contents of the Mercer County Loose Marriage Papers is found here:

https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/135068?availability=Family%20History%20Library

This is the general index to early Coffman marriages:

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YF3N-C7?i=54&cat=135068

Consent granted by Elizabeth Coffman is at the following URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939K-YXSC-5J?mode=g&i=66&cc=1804888

Citation: Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954  Microfilm # 004705523 ; Image  67 of 1177

[Transcription of permission to marry by Elizabeth Coffman, June 19, 1787]

This is to certify that you have my approbation in granting a license to Mr. Wm. Veitch the bearer hereof to Marry me. Given under my hand this 10th day of June 1787 signed Elizabeth Coffman [no mark so she was apparently able to write her signature.]

Mr. Tho. Allen Clk. ----sp?

Test. Vincent Wren

Dan. Veith x his mark

[The original image was attached to Family Search profile for Elizabeth Clarke  9N3V-XBN by Nicholas Cimino1]

Reason This Source Is Attached:

Per Ison and Conover, 1970 [See full citation above]: No official approval to marry was given to those under twenty—one years of age unless they had the consent of their parents, grandparents or guardians. Most often these consents were in written form, in the handwriting of the individual giving consent or, if he was unable to write, in the handwriting of a relative or neighbor. A prospective bride who wrote her own note of consent for the license to be issued was either a widow or a woman who was above twenty-one years of age. [It appears that most genealogists are presuming that Elizabeth Coffman was a widow rather than a woman over the age of consent.  It is notable that other consents by the prospective bride actually include an explicit statement that she is a widow and this consent by Elizabeth Coffman does not state that she is a widow.]

Some additional marriages in the loose papers that Ison and Conover appeared to miss are the following as evidenced by the Family Search citations which are copied below:

Bond: "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z6-HF3  : accessed 24 April 2017), Isaac Coffman and Mary Calbert, 02 Aug 1796; citing Mercer, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 191,842. No consent was found.

Bond: "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z6-ZT9  : accessed 24 April 2017), Henry Coffman and Sarah Neals, 08 Oct 1802; citing Mercer, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 191,842.

Consent: "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z6-ZT3  : accessed 24 April 2017), W Henry Coffman and Sarah Neale, 08 Oct 1802; citing Mercer, Kentucky, United States, Madison County Courthouse, Richmond; FHL microfilm 191,842.

 [Note that the Madison County Courthouse is referenced as the location of these records. This appears to be an error in transcription.]

THE ESTATE OF CHRISTIAN COFFMAN AKA CHRISTIAN KAUFFMAN

An original Minute Book record has been attached to the Family Search Tree for the profile of Christian Kauffman, 1750 – 20 June 1787 • Person ID: MQTC-T18 by Nick Cimino.

URL: https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4T-6W53

The source of this minute book is Family Search microfilm #007901429; Image # 72 of 1150. The date of the record looks like it could be 1791 but the number 1 is written very strangely.

A transcription was made as follows: [From Image 71] At a Court held for Mercer county on Tuesday the 23rd Aug. 1791; Present: John Irvine, Samuel McDowell, James Speed and Robert Mosly, Gentlemen;  [here begins transcription of Image 72 from the upper left hand corner] Administration on the Estate of Christian Coffman Dec'd Granted to Martha Veatch, William Veatch and Isaac Coffman they giving bond with Ab'm Banta, ----- [sp?] McClure Sec'y in the Penalty of 100 lbs. [sp?] Cond'r --[sp?] Whereupon they took the Oath --[sp?]

SOURCE: United States, Kentucky, Mercer - Court records; Order books, v. 1-2, 1786-1793; Film #7899116; Transcriptions were made from handwritten Order Book which is available as digitized microfilm images at FamilySearch.org.

[Volume 1] URL: https://familysearch.org/search/film/007899116?cat=434368

[Index page Image 9 of 555. This index is alphabetized by Plaintiff.  There is not a separate Defendant index. Other names in the orders are not indexed.]

[Plaintiff Index] Caughian v. Jennings 216; Coffman v. Campbell 299

[Index page Image 12 of 555] Hungate Charles 472;

 [Page 216 is on Image 126]; May the 27th 1788;

John Jouett came into Court and undertook for Jonathan Jinnings at the suit of John Coughran in an Action of Trespass...

[Page 299 is on Image 167] [From Top of Page] March the 25th 1789 - Present Alexander Robertson and Samuel Taylor Gentlemen

[Towards Bottom of Page]

Isaac Coffman......Plt}    against   John Campbell….Deft} Upon a Petition

   The Defendant though solemnly called came [not] Judgement [sic] is therefore Granted the Plaintiff against the said Defendant for one pound eighteen shillings Current money and also his Costs by him in this behalf expended and the said Defendant in Mercy etc.

[Page 472 is on Image 261] February the 23rd 1790

On the motion of Margaret Divine Widow and relict of John Divine Deceased who made Oath as the Law directs certificate is granted her for obtaining Letters of administration on her late husbands Estate in due form she giving Securety [sic] whereupon She with John Brown her securety [sic] (who was Sworn touching his personal estate) entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of two hundred pounds Conditioned as the Law directs ~

   Ordered that John Kirkland, Charles Hungate, Joseph McCollister and John Hale or any three of them being first sworn do appraise in Current Money the personal Estate (and Slaves if any) of John Divine Deceased and that the Administratrix return an Inventory thereof to the Court as the Law directs ~

[Other items of interest] [Not yet viewed]

Deeds 2, 7, 18, 22, 26, 27, 32, 58, 59, 63, 70, 97, 99, 104, 140, 150, 155, 162, 166, 184-188, 288-291, 308, 309, 313, 349-353, 358, 359, 362, 363, 405, 406, 408, 409, 446, 449, 450, 454, 458, 459, 462, 463, 467, 470, 471, 473, 506, 507, 510, 511, 515-517

Rodes [Roads sp?] 127-129, 140, 184, 186, 191, 154, 403, 404, 409, 411, 415, 451, 471, 473-475, 509, 510

Sheriff 2, 102, 138, 303, 307, 321, 330, 439, 477

Surveyor Record etc. 3, 58, 194

Surveyor Road 20, 21, 22, 91?, 106, 134, 137, 138, 139

[Defendants of interest] French vs. Coffman 296, 306, 330, 331, 375; Hall vs Veaytch 224; Martin vs. Coffman 53, 91, 103; McForse[sp?] vs. Coffman 175, 183; Sheels Ex’r vs. Coffman 124 [Not yet viewed]

[Volume 2 begins on Image 289]

[Index page for “C” surnames begins on Image 293 but there were no Coffman listings. This appears to be an index of plaintiffs only.]

[Index page for “H” surnames begins on Image 295] Hungate vs. Higgins 369

[Page 369 appears on Image 486 of 555]

John Hungate…Plt. against Robert Higgins and Jacob Tucker… Deft.] In Debt

This day came the Defendant Jacob by his Attorney and acknowledges the Plaintiffs demand against him for Seventy five pounds Current money. It is therefore considered by the Court that the Plaintiff recover against the said Defendant Jacob Seventy five pounds Current money and also his Costs by him in this behalf expended and the said Defendant in Mercy etc.

[Searching the index for defendant names found the following:] Bull vs Coffman 139; Clever vs. Coffman 233, 322; Logan vs. Coffman 251, 383;

[Page 139 appears on Image 370 of 555] January the 25^th 1792

Bennett Bull… Pltf} against Isaac Coffman…Deft} Upon Petition

By consent of the parties It is ordered that the Suit be Dismissed each party paying their own costs ~

[Page 233 appears on Image 417 of 555] August the 24^th 1791

On the motion of Benjamin Clever by his Attorney legal notice being proved for a Judgment upon a bond for the Delivery of property against Isaac Coffman and Thomas Allin, upon hearing the parties by their Attornies. It is the opinion of the Court that the said Bond is illegal, that the motion of the said Benjamin be quashed and that he pay to the Defendants Isaac and Thomas their costs by them in this behalf expended etc.

[Page 322 appears on Image 463 of 555] March the 27^th 1792

On the motion of Benjamin Clever by his Attorney It is ordered that the Clerk when Execution is Ordered by the said Benjamin against Daniel Veach, Isaac Coffman and Thomas Walker upon a judgment obtained on the rules by the said Benjamin against them that he issue the same with Interest to be computed after the rate of five PrCentum PrAnnum from the first day of March 1787 until paid and the Costs ~

[Searching the index for defendant names found the following:] Burke v. Veach 9;

 [Page 9 appears on Image  303 of 555] May the 27^th 1790

George Berks…Pltf} against Daniel Veach…Deft} In Case

This day came the parties aforesaid by their attornies and thereupon came also a Jury To wit William Morrow, Samuel Gibb, Bernard Gains, Edward Worthington, Henry Higgins, Peter Kenney, James Robinson, Claborn Harlow, Matthew Rice, Timothy Corn, Charles Chatwell and George Hart who being Elected and Sworn well and truly to Inquire what damages the Plaintiff had Sustained by reason of the Premises upon their oath do Say that the Plaintiff hath Sustained Damages by reason thereof to Six [continued on Image 304] Pounds Twelve Shillings Current Money besides his Costs~~ It is therefore considered by the Court that the Plaintiff do recover against the Defendant the damages aforesaid by the Jurors in their Verdict aforesaid assessed and also his Costs by him in this behalf expended and the said Defendant in mercy etc.

[Searching the index for defendant names found the following:] Ohare vs. Veach 261, 272, 293

[Page 261 appears on Image 432 of 555] August the 26^th 1791

Michael Ohare…Pltf} against Daniel Veach} Upon a Petition

   On the motion of Plaintiff by his Attorney an Alias Summons is awarded him against the Defendant returnable here etc. ~~

 [Page 272 appears on Image  438 of 555] September the 27^th 1791

Michael Ohare…Pltf} against Daniel Veach} Upon a Petition

Ordered that the suit be continued until the next Court for the return of the Plaintiffs summons ~~

 [Page 293 appears on Image  448 of 555] November the 23^rd 1791

Michael Ohare…Pltf} against Daniel Veach} Upon a Petition

Judgment herein is granted the Plaintiff against the Defendant for four pounds ten shillings Current money and his Costs~~

Wills 16, 75, 116, 134, 144, 164, 176, 199, 226; [Not yet viewed]

 Boon vs. Harrod 50, 102, 120, 137, 186, 198, 213, 255, 25, 264, 278, 291, 311, 359, 394; [Not yet viewed except one transcription below. It is interesting to note that these two famous fellows were involved in a legal dispute.  A Google search failed to return any articles explaining the nature of this legal dispute between Daniel Boone and James Harrod.]

[Vol. 2, Page 50 is found on Image 326 of 555] August the 25^th 1790

Daniel Boon…Pltf} against James Harrod} Upon a Petition

Ordered that these suits be continued until the next session

Bulger vs. Rice 51, 1102, 120, 138, 186, 199, 210-215; [Not yet viewed]

Berks vs Rice 56, 58, 85, 122, 140, 187, 199; [Not yet viewed]

Guardian 392 [Not yet viewed]

United States, Kentucky, Mercer - Court records; Order books, v. 3, 1793-1801; Film # 007899117 [Not yet viewed]