Person:Elias Smith (10)

Elias Smith Notes - updated Nov. 12, 2006 Victoria Coffey

@@1845 -birth of Elias Smith. Date is derived from 1880 census. Birthplace in census is listed as Kentucky. Parents: Geor

                       Smith and Talitha Ellis.

1848 -birth of Victoria Coffey, Sept. 13 – parents: Fielding Coffey and Sarah Jane Hughes.

1850 -Census - Russell Co, KY page 248a (family #124) George A. - age 43 Talitha - 35 Reuben - 15 Mary J. - 14 Margaret E. - 12 (married John F. Eastham) Elizabeth - 10 Surilda - 8 Elias - 6 William H. – 5

1850 -Census - Russell Co, KY. - Fielding G. Coffey age 31 Also listed: Sarah J. - age 22 Victoria - age 1

1860 -Census - Russell Co, KY pg. 23 George A - age 54 Talitha - age 45 Elizabeth - age 20 Sermilda - age 18 Elias - age 16 William H. - age 15

1862 -Elias enrolls in Co. “C” 8th Cav.

Adjutant General's Report (pension packet) War Department Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D.C. May 20, 1880

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 279982, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office. It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office that Eli Smith was enrolled on the 28th day of July, 1862 at Casey County, KY in Co. "C" 8th Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry Volunteers, to serve 12 months and mustered into service as a Private on the 8th day of September, 1862, at Russelville, Ky, in Co. "C" 8th Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry Volunteers to serve one year. On the Muster Roll of Co. "C" of that Regiment to October 31st, 1862, he is reported present. November and December 1862 “absent on detached duty in Hospital”. January and February 1863 present “sick”. March and April 1863 present (without remark). May and June 1863 same. July and August 1863 not on file. Honorably mustered out with the Company September 17, 1863 at Lebanon Kentucky as Private Elias Smith with remark “left at Hospital Russelville Ky fifteen (15) days on or about December 24, 1862”. Regimental return for November 1862 not on file. Company or Regimental books are not on file. The records of this office do not furnish any evidence of Measles November 1862 as claimed. Nature of disability December 1862 not stated.

I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (can't read) Assistant Adjutant General

• Civil War General Index to Pension Files roll 436 (ACPL)

Smith, Elias Widow - Victoria J. Smith Minor - Johnson, John (Gdn) C 8th KY Cav. Date of FilingClassApp#Cert#State from which filed 1879 Apr 16Invalid279.982340.169 1885 Aug 28Widow330.235226.845KY 1890 Oct 30Minor454.430287.844KY

• Index to Compiled Military Service Recs of Volunteer Union Soldiers...roll 25 (ACPL)

Eli (Elias) Smith Co C. 8 Ky Cav. Pvt. Pvt.

1862 -Elias gets measles – Nov.

1863 -Elias musters out of the military – Sept. 17

1867 -Marriage record - Russell Co. - "Elias Smith and Victoria J. Coffey married on 22 January 1867 at the home of M. Marryfield of Russell Co. in the presence of John Hill, Louisa Marryfield and others, by S.P. Collins, J.P. permission given for Victoria J. Coffey by F. G. Coffey. Bond dated 23 Jan. 1867 and signed by Elias Smith and Spencer B. Hughes. (ACPL 976.901 R91SB, BK.3 1986)

Note -George A. Smith had a daughter named Mary J. who married a John Hill on Aug 20, 1857.

Certificate of Marriage: (handwritten) This is to certify that on the 22nd day of January 1867 the rites of marriage were legally solumnized by me between Elias Smith and Victoria J Coffey at the House of H. Maryfield in Russell Co Ky in the presence of John Hill Luesa Maryfield and others. signed S.P. Collins

Certificate – “The Commonwealth of Kentucky, be it known that we Elias Smith as principal and Spencer B. Hughs as security are jointly and ___________ bound to the Commowealth of Kentucky in the sum of One Hundred Dollars. The condition of this bond is as follows. That whereas Marriage is intended to be solemnized between the above bound Elias Smith and Victoria Coffey. Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage this bond shall be vow otherwise it shall remain in full force and effect (dated?) at Jamestown, Russell County, this 23rd day of January, 1867. Signed by Elias Smith and Spencer B. Hughes. (Copy from Marriage Book 3 page 581, obtained from Howard P. Smith)

Certificate of Marriage – This is to certify that on this 22 day of January 1867 the Rites of Marriage were legally Solemnized by me between Elias Smith and Victoria J Coffey at the house of H. Maryfields in Russell County Kentucky in the Presents of John Hill Louisa Marryfield and others. Signed S.P. Collins PJRC (Another copy obtained by H.P.S.)

State of Kentucky Russell County I L.G. Bernard, Clerk of the Russell County Court hereby certify that that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Certificate of Marriage of Elias Smith and Victoria I Coffey as shown by the records of my office. I further certify that upon an examination of the records I find that the Clerk of Russell County at that time made a mistake in Recording the Certificate of marriage and Recorded the name Victoria J Coffey instead of Victoria I Coffey. Given under my hand and seal of office this February 27- 1917.

LG Bernard Clerk 

Russell County Court. (Included on above copy)

1868 -Birth of Laura (Leona) Smith

1869 -Birth of Abtilla (Artilla) Smith (died Sept. 30, 1882)

1870 -Census - Russell Co, KY. page 195b line 11 Charles Smith - age 27 - farmer born in Ky Victora J - age 22 - born in Ky Leona C. - age 2 - born in Ky Artilla E. - age 8/12 - born in Ky Note - on page 195a - census listings for Fielding G Coffey, (father of Victoria) Spencer B Hughs (signed Victoria's marriage bond - cousin?) and John Hill (present at marriage and married to Mary J. Smith – sister of Elias.)

1872 -Birth of Oliver Houstin Smith – Feb. 4

1875 -Birth of Emma J. Smith – date approx. based on census info. (I have a date of Sept. 11, 1872 – where did this come from?)

1876 -Birth of Ida M. Smith

1880 -Census - Russell Co, KY. E.D. 103 sheet 20 Elias Smith - age 35, married. Farmer. Birthplace of father and mother - Kentucky. Also listed: Victoria J. - age 31 born in Ky. Laura C? - age 12 born in Ky. (as all sibs) Artitle - age 11 Oliver - age 9 Emma J. - age 6 Ida M. - age 2

1880 -Birth of Addie Melvin - Oct. 14, 1880

1882 – Birth of Bertha A. – Feb. 25 (Pension Packet for Elias Smith)

1885 -June 7, 1885 - Death of Elias Smith - Jamestown, KY (As stated in the Declaration for Widows Pension, 1920)

• Elias' tombstone says "Troop C 8th Ky. Cav." Buried in Coffey Cem ono road 4 miles South of Eli, KY. Buried with

              Victoria J, Abtilla E and Eddie L.  Also in Cemetery - F.G. Coffey, Sarah Jane Coffey.  No date on tombstone. Russell C
              Cemetery Records - page 50 - 976.901 R91sh (ACPL) 

Email dated June 29, 2002 from Susan Fritz (sfritz1@@cinci.rr.com) to Rita (RussellCoGirl@@hotmail.com) (R.C. Historical Society)

Hi Rita,

I really enjoyed attending the Historical Society meeting earlier this month. You were all so friendly and helpful. I gained a lot of valuable information.

I found the cemetery that I was going out to look for the following day and thought it would be of interest to you since you are of Coffey descent. It is on an individual’s property (handwritten notation: These are on Jeff and Vicki Hill’s property.) on Hwy 1611 a couple of miles past the turn for the Square Oak Cemetery. The property owner said that he has four cemeteries on his property, but that only one has any markers so he took us to that one. It is extremely overgrown with sticker bushes and his cows congregate there, so we were unable to find/see all of the markers. We were able to find 4 of the 9 individuals listed as being buried there together, so I am confident that when we go back to clear the sticker bushes, we will find the others.

The listing of the cemetery goes as follows: Smith: Abtilla E. (Sept. 16, 1869 – Sept. 30, 1882) Eddie L. (Age 16 months) Elias (Troop C 8th Ky Cav) Victoria (Sept. 13, 1848 – May 20, 1931)

Coffey: F.G. (Jan 3, 1819 – June 8, 1889) Mollie M. (Dec 5, 1870 – May 8, 1893) Sarah Jane (Feb. 22, 1828 – May 14, 1896 w/o F.G.) Rev. Siegel (June 6, 1862 – Oct. 11, 1892) Zora (June 7, 1862 – Mar 5, 1947 w/o Siegel)

The markers we were able to see were Elias Smith, Mollie M. Coffey, Rev Siegel Coffey and his wife Zora Coffey.

The property owner, Mr. Hill, was very helpful and agreed to let us come back and clear the area so that we can find the other markers but was less than enthusiastic about letting us fence and maintain the cemetery. He said that he was concerned that if we maintained the cemetery, other family members might want to be buried there. I tried to reassure him that we only wanted to preserve the gravesites of our family members already buried there, but then let it go because I didn’t want to upset or offend him.

We understand that is our responsibility to absorb the cost of labor of cleaning and maintaining the cemetery. But before I approach Mr. Hill again about beginning this process, I was hoping you could give me some advise on the best way to approach him and what rights we might have with respect to the cemetery. I certainly don’t want to offend Mr. Hill, but his cows are roaming on and around the graves and one was even using my great, great grandfather’s headstone as a scratching post.

(Paragraph on her Wilson ancestors)

I would also appreciate any additional info you could give me about my g, g grandmother’s (Victoria Coffey) third marriage to Cornelius Popplewell that you mentiond. (Personal note, I do not have this info.)

Thanks so much for all of your help! Hope to see you again at a future meeting, Susan Fritz

1890 -Victoria marries Andrew J. Stephens – Feb. 16 (Pension Packet for Elias Smith)

Handwritten certificate – This is to certify that on the 16 day of February 1890 the rites of marriage were legally solemnized by me between Andrew J. Stephens and Victoria Smith at Isham Bolin’s in the county of Russell in the presence of Ishaim Bolin and Joel Bolin and others. (Can’t read signature) (Obtained from Howard P. Smith)

1890 -Guardianship of Ada M and Bertha A. given to John Johnson – July 21. (Pension packet)

1900 -Census - Russell Co, KY. ED 158 sheet 7 line 4 Andrew J. Stephens - 53, Oct. 1846 married 10 years Victoria - 51 - May 1848 Almarine (son) - 24 - Apr. 1876 Lucy A. - 22 - May 1878 Ferdinand - 17 - Sept. 1882 Luly E. - 15 - June 1885 Pearl I. - 9 - Feb. 1891

1900 – Andrew Stephens divorces Victoria.

Andrew J. Stephens, Plaintiff. Vs - - - - - - Petition in Equity. Victoria I. Stephens, Defendant. The plaintiff, Andrew J. Stephens, says that he and defendant were duly and legally married in Russell County Ky, on the ____ day of Jan. 1890; he says that he and the defendant resides in Russell County, Kentucky and have continuously so resided for more than one year next before the filing of this suit; he says that after he and defendant were married, she abandoned him without any fault upon his part and since said abandonment she has continuously failed and refused to return to plaintiff home and live with him as his wife. He says that defendant, without fault on his part, abandoned him and left him and has lived separate and apart from him for more than one year next before the filing of this suit; He says that they have lived separate and apart with without any cohabitation for five consecutive years next before the filing of this suit. He says there has been born to them one daughter, Ina Pearl who has for some time stayed with either plaintiff or defendant at her pleasure and he desires that she still do so. He says that the cause of divorce herein relied on occurred and existed in this state and that the residence of both parties has been continuously in this state and Russell County since their marriage, and that said cause of divorce occurred and existed within five years next before the filing of this suit: He received no property from Deft. Wherefore he pays judgment for a divorce from the bonds of matrimony and for all proper relief. Andrew J. Stephens, By Aaron & Garnett, Attys.

(“Sheriffs Return on summon”) Executed on the within named V.I. Stephens by delivering to her a copy of this summons, Sept. 25th 1900. V. Dockery, J.R.C. (Typed document obtained from Howard P. Smith)

Oct. term, 18 day of Oct. 1900

Andrew J. Stephens, Plff. Vs - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Judgment. Victoria I. Stephens, Deft.

This day this cause came on to be heard upon all the proof and pleadings on file and it appearing that the defendant, Victoria I Stephens has been in Russell County served with a summons for more than ten days before the first day of this term of court and has failed to answer or plead and the court being sufficiently advised doth adjudge that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief sought in his petition and that he be and is hereby divorced from the Deft. Victoria I. Stephens and restored to all the rights and privileges of an unmarried man and if is further adjudged that the plaintiff pay the cost of this action and this action is ordered to be stricken from the docket. W.W. Jones, Judge. (typed document obtained from Howard P. Smith)

1910 -Census - Russell Co, KY. Miracode 80 215 104 Victoria J. Smith - age 61 Pearl Stephens - age 19 (listed as daughter)

1920 -Declaration for Widow's Pension - act of May 1, 1920 - states that the marriage between Elias and Victoria was the first marriage for both of them and that Elias died on June 7, 1885 at Jamestown, KY. Signed on Oct. 2, 1920

1930 -Census - Russell Co, 1st Dist (East) living with Addie (son) E.D. 104-3 sheet 5A (C://Genealogy Pictures/Lisa's Side) Addie M. Smith - age 49 Coloda - age 43 Murphy - age 15 Oval - age 13 Versie? - age 11 Orbin - age 9 Orlin - age 7 Olgan - age 2 6/12 Victoria - age 82 - widow

1931 – Death of Victoria Coffey - May 20

1. ↑ Declaration for Widow's Pension.
2. ↑ Irma Miller Shepherd. Russell County, Kentucky, Cemetery Records
   page 50.

   Coffey, Ono road 4 miles South of Eli, Kentucky
   Elias Smith Troop C 8th Ky. Cav.