Coffman Records in Mercer County, Kentucky
Compiled by Nick Cimino, League City, Texas April 2017
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.]
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
1800- Hungate, William
and Salley Coffman, July 8, 1800
Bondsman: Job Hale, who
certifies that bride is 21.
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?]
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
1808- Brooks, Jesse and Rachel
Coffman, April 5, 1808
Bondsman: Nathan Steen
Consent: Travis C?) Coffman
Teste.: Nathan Zachery
[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:
This is the general index to
early Coffman marriages:
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.
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 25th
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 24th
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 27th
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 27th
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 26th
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 27th
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 23rd
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 25th
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]
Nick,
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing work you are doing. Thanks so much! I found the following about Minister Rice in Mercer County: http://baptisthistoryhomepage.com/rice.john.bap.encyclo.html
All the best,
Cindy (Coffman) Grinberg
P.S. There also appears to have been a Presbyterian minister named David Rice in Mercer Cnty.: http://quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa&cc=moa&view=text&rgn=main&idno=AGV9057.0001.001
Cindy- Thanks for the acknowledgment and thanks for the tip on the ministers. I am inclined to think they were Baptists as that is what William Fowler Coffman was. I did find however that Charles Hungarte is buried in a Presbyterian cemetery in Mercer County, Kentucky.
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