One of the family lines that merges with the Weatherford family of last week's column is that of John Coe. John was married to Elizabeth Weatherford in Covington County in 1863 during the war.

John Coe was born November 11, 1846, in Benton County. He was the son of William and Permilla (Hastings) Coe, who were original pioneers in Alabama. William had been born in Edgefield District, S.C., in 1803.

Before the outbreak of the War for Southern Independence, John had resided with his parents in Butler County. He was named when his family was enumerated in the 1850 and 1860 censuses of that county.

On July 5, 1861, at the age of 20 years, John enlisted in the Confederate Army. He reported to the recruitment center in Greenville and was assigned as a private. He served with Company G, 13th Alabama Infantry Regiment, known as the Yancey Guards. This regiment was organized in Montgomery during July 1861.

As a result of some serious injuries, John's tour of service did not last throughout the war. On September 26, 1862, he was admitted to the General Hospital in Richmond, Va. On May 5, 1863, he reported to the 4th Division General Hospital at Camp Winder in Richmond. He was listed as being severely wounded in the thigh during the Battle of Chancellorville. On May 30 he was transferred to the 2nd Alabama Hospital and was treated for chronic diarrhea. On June 5, he received a 30 day furlough, and on Sept. 25, 1863, he was released from service.

During that year of 1863, John was married to Elizabeth Prudence Mae Weatherford in Covington County. Prudence was the daughter of Seaborne J. and Frances (Dozier) Weatherford. She was born on Nov. 11, 1846, in Covington County.

John and Prudence continued to live for a few years in the northern part of this county. They farmed and lived as most families of the area. They attended the Good Hope Primitive Baptist Church (one of historical interest) during these years. The last known year of their residence was 1866. By the recording of the 1870 census, they had moved to neighboring Butler County, probably to be near John's relatives.

By 1880, they had moved to Franklin County, Texas, where many of the Weatherford families had moved. While there is some uncertainty regarding Prudence's death date, her last child was born in 1883. It is likely that she died around this time and was buried in Franklin County, Texas.

John and Prudence had the following children: John Seaborne, b. 1865, d. 1870; William Green (twin), b. 1865, 1939, m. (1) Emma Talley (2) Sallie Jackson (3) Alice Steinkark; Lance, b. ? 1865, d. 1869; Viola "Sissie," b. 1867, m. John F. Jackson; Eugenia, b. 1868; Daniel, b. 1875, d. 1896 when thrown from a horse; James Thomas "Tommy," b. 1878, d. 1920, m. Willie Myrtle Barrett; Elias, b. 1879; W. Lafayette "Fate," b. 1883, m. Eva Jones; and Dozier L, b. 1888, m. Fannie Morgan.

After Prudence's death, John was married a second time during 1886 to Martha "Mattie" K. Creacy Lewis in Franklin County. She was originally from Barbour County. They had the following children: Lucy A. "Kreasy," b. 1888; Charles C., b. 1889; Jiles C., b. 1891; Jessie A., b. 1894; and Edgar Clary, b. 1895. Their children grew up and reared their families in the Franklin County area.

The next generation of descendants in this family begins with the children of John and Prudence's oldest son, William Green, and his wife, Emma Talley. They are: Ora Lee, b. 1888, m. Murph Rhodes; Perry Clinton, b. 1890, d. 1970, m. Annie Mae Cane; Carrie Ethel, b. 1892, m. Clinton Keith; Prudence Evaline, b. 1894, d. 1930, m. William Cline; Rosetta Viola, b. 1898, m. J.W. Bryars; William David, b. 1898, d. possibly as infant; Thornton Garland, b. 1900, d. 1978, m. Lela Marie Bacon; and infant, b.&d. 1901.

William Green and his second wife, Sally Jackson, had the following three children: Pinkie Lou, b. 1903, d. 1933, m. Harry Bass; Fanny Mae, b. 1905, m. (1) Luther Lee Barker (2) Perry Griffith; and Roscoe Lee, b. ca 1906.

William Green and his third wife, Alice Steinkark, had the following five children: Syble, b. 1908, m. (1) Buck Asbelle (2) Jim Karnes; Cecil, b. 1909, d. 1998, m. Samuel Jackson; Jonas Leland, b. 1911, m. Edna Dickens; William Henry, b. 1913, d. 1965, m. Frances Seay; and Iona Gertrude, b. 1915, d. 1978, m. (1) Hosie B. Rhoades (2) Ed Jones.

Viola "Sissie" and her husband, John Jackson, reared the following children: James Thomas, b. 1894, m. Maggie Pierce; Joel Dempsey, b. 1896, d. 1981 Clanton, Ala.; Fadie (twin), b. 1901, d. 1987, m. Crawford Jordan; Vadie (twin), b. 1901, d. 1978, m Tom Hill; Madie Lee, b. 1904; and John B., b. 1907, d. 1978.

James Thomas and his wife, Willie Myrtle Barrett, daughter of Kenneth and Elizabeth (Long) McBarrett, had the following children: Melba, b. 1912; Mozelle, b. 1913, m. T. Landon Ramsey; Mabel Jancie, b. 1915; Mary Evelyn, b. 1916, m. L.C. Rouse, Jr.; and James Thomas Jr., b. 1920, m. Dorothy Maurine Hagar. James Thomas served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.

W. Lafayette and his wife, Eva, had the following children: Mertie, b. 1903, m. J.P. Harrison; Grady, b. 1905, m. Irene Benton; Infant, b.&d. 1908; W. Lafayette Jr., b. 1911, m. Lois Hull; and Eloise, b. after 1910.

Dozier and his wife, Fannie, reared the following three children: R.V., b. 1906, d. 1979, m. Emmie Zimmerman; Ray, b. 1909, m. Maude Barnett; and D.L. b. 1922, d. 1998.

Most members of this Coe family resided in Franklin County, Texas, or some nearby by area; however, they are able to trace their ancestry back to Covington County.

Appreciation is expressed to Kenneth Shackleford of Woodstock, Ga., for sharing his family history records for the development of this story. He has credited much of his data on the Coe family to Carl Robert Coe who has done extensive research and has published several books from his work.

Anyone who might have corrections or additional information to the above is requested to contact Curtis Thomasson at Route 9, Box 97, Andalusia, AL 36420 or Email: chthom@alaweb.com

QUERY:

Seeking information on Arland R. Beck who married Jimima Elizabeth Rogers in Limestone County, Texas. Parents came from Alabama. and Georgia. He had a brother, John Edward, and sisters, Emma and Ella. Also researching Clem Watts, believed to have been born in 1880 in Ala. and married Fanny Roark in Texas and had two sons, Emmett Edward and Johnny Watts. Contact Carol Beck Abeita of Roscoe, Texas: 915-766-2706 or Email: Abeitam1@cs.com.