1Rollie Taylor.
Tribute of Respect by Dover Lodge No. 17, A. F. & A. M. - Again has our noble fraternity been called upon to chronicle and enter upon our minutes another sad and grievous dispensation of Providence. Our dear old friend, comrade and brother of the mystic tie, Joseph Petty, is no more. Deeply regretted and mourned by a large and extensive circle of sorrowing friends and relatives, he died at his residence in Dover, Ark., on the 17th day of March, 1893, after only a few days of prostration caused (from an already debilitated condition) by over-exertion and fatigue, while assisting and aiding other friends and the public to make better and more passable the roads and highways or earth. He was suddenly called in the 62nd year of his age to lay down his armor and travel the unknown and narrow highway which leads to (we hope for him) a better and happier resting place than the one he has just left, and where toil and fatigue, trials and tribulations we trust will never more tax his body or annoy and distract his peace or quiet of mind. Brother Joseph Petty was born in Lawrence County, Tenn., on the 16th of May, 1831. He was made a Mason in Dover Lodge No. 18, A. F. & A. M. on the __ of __ A. D. 18__. He moved with his father to Pope County, Ark., Dec. 9th, 1841, where he had continuously lived, making Dover his home until the time of his death. He had been married four times. His first wife was Miss Ann Potts, his second Miss Marzee Tillman, his third, Miss Sue Scott, all now deceased, leaving no children. His fourth wife was Mrs. Clemmie Robinson, who yet survives him. He leaves one child by this last marriage. He leaves an aged and much loved old mother, several brothers and sisters to deplore his loss. He served two terms each respectively in the offices of sheriff and treasurer of Pope County, the duties of which he discharged efficiently, faithfully and honestly. He was much respected and esteemed by all who knew him or with whom he had dealings, either in private or public life. He was a kind father, upright citizen, and the soul of honor, an unwavering and devoted friend. JOSEPH PETTY WRITES TO PARENTS IN ILLINOIS (1863) This is a copy of a letter now in the possession of Elvin ?Bob? Tripp, of Hector, Pope County, Arkansas. It was written by Joseph Petty, to his parents in Illinois, who were forced to leave Pope County because of their lack of sympathy to the Southern cause. Joseph?s father Joshua Petty died in Illinois but his mother Martha (Price) Petty, (sister to the old Allen A. Price) returned to Pope County and lived many years, and is buried in Old Lake Cemetery near Dover. The three uncles mentioned, were Allen Price, Billy Petty and Gilford Petty, the latter being Bob Tripp?s great-grandfather Tripp. Joseph Petty mentioned being back about three weeks. He had joined the Confederate Army, June 22, 1861 with John Rice Homer Scott?s Company of Pope County, Arkansas (Vol.), styled the ?Dover Mounted Riflemen?. Joseph was wounded in Mississippi, and this was the reason he had returned to Dover. Joseph stated ?Dover was peaceable and quiet: but many things were yet to happen at Dover. Joseph was later elected Pope County Sheriff, Pope County Clerk, etc. Dr. Ed Truitt and Dr. David Ruff were grandsons of Martha (Price) Petty. (Joseph?s mother also descended from the Bonds Family.) Joseph Petty was also a relative of former Governor, Jeff Davis. ?Bob? said, ?I could not duplicate the beautiful penmanship Joseph used in the letter. The letter is as follows: Dover, Ark.
"This is from a Rootsweb Worldconnect posting:
July 31, 1863 Dear Father & Mother, I am once more back in old Pope County enjoying good health. I have been back about 3 weeks I have been up to Uncle Allen, Uncle Billy and Uncle Gilfords. They are all in good health. Uncle Billy and Buck Price has moved back home and gone to work. Everybody seems to be peaceable in this County, though everything is very scarce. I am living in Dover with Dr. Harrell. I have nothing much to do, it is a bad chance to make any money here now. Dover is not like it was once it don?t hardly look like the same place all of Mrs. White?s houses have been burned. I am very anxious to know when you expect to move back and also whether Mrs. White, Robert & Henry intends moving back or not. I would be very glad to see you all back once more. I have been out two or three times to the old place. Old man Phillips is getting along very well with everything. You have hogs enough to make your meat if they get fat and nobody don?t steal them. I think that there is a good mast. Your cattle is all alive but one old cow and all the sheep but one. If you come back this winter and have the money to spare it would be a good idea to bring some provisions with you, especially flour as it will be rather scarce and high here. Corn crops looks fine, what there is planted. It has been very seasonably here this year. Mr. Evants and family wants you to come back very bad. I think that I will try and sow some wheat out at your place for you if I can. I have heard that you have all been sick but I hope that you are all well now and will be able to return home soon. All your old neighbors want to see you come. It don?t seem rite to me to go out there and find none of you there. I am sorry that you had to leave but I suppose that it was the best that could be done under the circumstances. Give my love to Mrs. White and family, Henry and Robert and tell them to write to me.
I remain Your Affectionate Son
Jo Petty."
1860 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 775b, line 5. Joseph Petty,age 30, is living in the household of Robert and Harriet White.
1870 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 337b, line 6. Joseph Petty, age 39, is living in the household of Harriet White.2Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pp 23.
Gives his Obituary and death Notices
Copy of Petty Papers available on a CD from Barb McGee.3Rollie Taylor.
1860 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 775b, line 5. Joseph Petty,
age 30, is living in the household of Robert and Harriet White.
1870 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 337b, line 6. Joseph Petty,
age 39, is living in the household of Harriet White.
1Diane Merghart, merghart at hot1.net.
Gave "Franklin" as his middle name. Lists his birth place as Henry Co., TN.2Rollie Taylor.
1850 TN census, Henry Co, Microfilm page 254, line 36. Wiatt Petty, age 31, and Sarah, age 28, have 4 children in the home. Nancy is 11; William is 9; Mary is 6; and Levi C. is 3.
1860 AR census, Pope Co, Microfilm page 807, line 36. Wyatt Petty, age 44, and Sally, age 39, have 5 children in the home. Nancy E. is 20; William is 18; Mary J. is 16; Levi C. is 12; and Wyatt F. is 5.
1Diane Merghart, merghart at hot1.net.
Gave birthplace as TN.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 7 #2 pg 9.
age 11 in 1850 census
age 20 in 1860 census Pope Co., AR b. TN.
1Diane Merghart, merghart at hot1.net.
Gave "Franklin" as his middle name. Lists his birth place as Henry Co., TN.2Rollie Taylor.
1850 TN census, Henry Co, Microfilm page 254, line 36. Wiatt Petty, age 31, and Sarah, age 28, have 4 children in the home. Nancy is 11; William is 9; Mary is 6; and Levi C. is 3.
1860 AR census, Pope Co, Microfilm page 807, line 36. Wyatt Petty, age 44, and Sally, age 39, have 5 children in the home. Nancy E. is 20; William is 18; Mary J. is 16; Levi C. is 12; and Wyatt F. is 5.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 8 #1 pg 9.
of Georgia but originally from Ireland.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 p 22, 38, 39.
2Rollie Taylor.
1840 TN census, Lawrence Co, microfilm page 124. The household of Jordan O. Straughan includes 1 FWM of 20 and under 30 (Jordan); 1 FWF under 5; and 1 FWF of 20 and under 30. On the same census page are the households of Joshua Petty (30 and under 40), William Petty (20 and under 30)
1850 TX census, Collin Co, microfilm page 8, line 7. J. O. Straughan, age 31, and Nancy E., age 32, have 3 children in the home. E. C. (f), age 10; Mary A., age 4; and Martha, age 3 months.
1860 TX census, Collin Co, microfilm page , line 3. J. O. Straughan, age 40, and Nancy E., age 40, have 4 children in the home. Martha C. is 9; William A. is 7; Nancy E. is 5; and James C. is 3.
1870 TX census, Collin Co, microfilm page 322, line 13. Jordan Straughan, age 52, and Nancy, age 51, have 4 children in the home. Martha is 20; William is 18; Elizabeth is 16; and Alice is 10
1880 TX census, Collin Co, microfilm page 15, line 20. J. O. Straughan, age 62, and N. E., age 62, have one child in the home. Alice is 18.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 7 #2 pg 9 (History).
The above clearly shows, that the (Wagonmaster) William Petty, was a brother to Guilford Petty. Here is another related side to the above story, from a Coffman descendant, that is posted on the website, Ancient Faces, with a picture of the Coffman children. Source: Ancient Faces Children of Wm Herman COFFMAN and Rebecca PETTY who travelled by Wagon Train from Giles Co., TN to Pope Co., AR. Frances Jane Coffman Dixon (1848-1908) Rineheart G. Coffman (1849-1910) John Ferdinand Coffman (1851-1902) Tabetha Letha Coffman Churchill (1853-1923) William Ambers Coffman (1855-1925) Marion Edward Coffman (1857-1925), father of Iva Elizabeth Coffman who m. Horace Rufus CONDLEY. William Petty - Elizabeth (mnu) Source: 1840 Henry County, Tennessee Image 127. William Petty 40-50 Female Petty 40-50 Note: No children listed. Next household was Allen Price 20-30, Female Price 20-30, male 0-5, female 0-5. Source: October 27, 1850 Pope County, Arkansas page 261, family 292. Image 43. William Petty 52 NC., Elizabeth 55 NC. Note: by John Petty - Living in household 285 was his brother, Joshua Petty with family, in household 286, was Allen A. Price and family. Source: August 16, 1860 Census Liberty, Pope County, Arkansas page 807b, family 708. Image 106. William Petty 63 NC., Betsy 66 NC., and Nancy Cooper 21 TN. (No relationship recorded) Note: by John Petty - Living in household 707 was the family of Allen Price. Also, living in household 703 was Wyatt Petty , the son of Guilford Petty, who was living in household 693. Source: August 30, 1870 Liberty, Pope County, Arkansas page 407, family 1249. William Petty 73 NC., W.L. Price 31 TN., Rebecca Price 31 AR., Martha E. 4 AR. 1880 Census: Liberty, Pope County, Arkansas Page Number 15A. W. L. PRICE Self M Male W 40 TN Farmer TN TN (son of Allen A. Price) Rebecca PRICE Wife M Female W 41 AR Housekeeper TN TN Mattie E. PRICE Dau S Female W 13 AR TN AR Allen PRICE Son S Male W 6 AR TN AR Robt PRICE Son S Male W 4 AR TN AR Jennie PRICE Dau S Female W 2 AR TN AR William PETTY Uncle W Male W 84 NC Farmer (His sister was Elizabeth Petty who married Lindsey Price, and his brother, Joshua, married Martha Price. Martha Price and Allen A. Price were brother and sister). Also, it is my belief that William's wife, could have been a "Price", possible sister to Joshua Petty's wife. That is just speculation on my part. No proof. I also can find no evidence that this William and Elizabeth Petty, ever had children. It would appear that Joshua Petty, William Petty, Allen Price, and probably others left Henry County, Tennessee prior to 1850 and went to Arkansas. Guilford, another brother, was still in Henry County, Tennessee in 1850, but were in Pope County, AR by 1860. Source: 12 December 1850 District 8, Henry County, Tennessee page 309b, family 80. Image 12. Guilford Petty 59 NC., Polly 54 NC., Susan 21 NC., Rachel 18 NC., Catherine 16 TN., Polly 12 TN. Source: August 15, 1860 Liberty, Pope County, Arkansas page 805b, family 693. Image 10. Guilford Petty 68 NC., Susan 29 NC., Rachel 27 NC., Catherine 24 TN., and Mary 21 TN. Note: by John Petty - Living next household was Rebecca (Petty) Coffman 37 NC., Harriet 15 TN., Herman 13 TN., Jane 12 TN., Rhinehart 11 TN., Ferdinand 9 TN., Tiletha 7 TN., William 5 TN., Marion E. 3 TN., and Mary A. H. Petty 4 TN. (No relationship recorded) When you compare this excerpt (from the Will of Isaac Petty) "I also give to my oldest set of children to with: Raford Petty, Guliford Petty, William Petty, Joseph Petty, Elizabeth Price, Sarah Brewer , and Kesiah Hatch, a certain amount of money when collected it being eight hundred dollars. It is the amount of money that I sold eighty acres of land for to my son, James Petty, more or less." implies to me that the above William Petty was the same William Petty, as given in Isaac's Will. Note: The above census records, when compared with Isaac Petty's Will, seems to show that the above William Petty, and the William Petty shown in the above census records, to be one and the same person. Since I can find no evidence that this William Petty had any children, that may explain why he was the one to return to Tennessee, for Rebecca Petty Coffman, and her children. He certainly would have been familar with where to go, and where to return to. However, that is just my judgement, and certainly open for debate. One last bit of information: Dover, Arkansas, July 31, 1863. Dear Father & Mother, I am once more back in old Pope County enjoying good health. I have been back about 3 weeks. I have been up to Uncle Allen, Uncle Billy, and Uncle Gilfords. They are all in good health. Uncle Bill and Buck Price has moved back home and gone to work. Every body seems to be peaceable in the county, though every thing is very scarce. I am living in Dover with Dr. Harrell. I have nothing much to do, it is a bad chance to make any money here now. Dover is not like it was once, it don't hardly look like the same place, all of Mrs. White's houses have been burned. I am very anxious to know when you expect to move back and also whether Mrs. White, Robert and Henry intends moving back or not. I would be very glad to see you all back once more. I have been out two or three times to the old place. Old man Phillips is getting along very well with everything. You have hogs enough to make your meat if they get fat and nobody don't steal them. I think that there is a mast. Out cattle is all alive but one old cow and all the sheep but one. If you come back this winter and have the money to spare it would be a good idea to bring some provisions with you, especially flour as it will be rather scarce and high here. Corn crops looks fine, what there is planted. It has been very seasonably here this year. Mr. Evants and family want you to come back very bad. I think that I will try and sow some wheat out at your place for you if I can. I have heard that you have all been sick but I hope that you are all well now and will be able to return home soon. All your old neighgors want to see you come. It don't seem rite to me to go out there and find none of you there. I am sorry that you had to leave but I suppose that it was the best that could be done under the circumstances. Give my love to Mrs. White and family, Henry& Robt and tell them to write to me. I remain your affectionate son Jo Petty NOTE: This is a typed copy of a letter that was in the possession of Elvin 'Bob' Trip, of Hector, Pope Co., Arkansas in June 1972. It was written by Joseph Petty, to his parents in Illinois. They were forced to leave Pope County because of their lack of sympathy to the Southern cause. Joseph's father, Joshua Petty died in Illinois, but his mother, Martha Price Petty (sister to Allen A. Price) returned to Pope County and lived many years, and is buried in Old Lake Cemetery near Dover, Pope County. The three uncles mentioned were Allen Price, Billy Petty and Guilford Petty. Allen Price was Bob Tripp's great-great grandfather. ------------
son of Rinehart H. Coffman and Elizabeth Wilson
shot to death, left 8 children, the youngest of which was less than 1
Elizabeth M. Petty (b. 1820 NC), a daughter of William and Rachel Petty (of NC and later Mt. Vernon, Titus Co., TX.,) was first married to Richard Wade Nowlin (b. 1807 Pittsylvania Co., VA., and died 1843 Henry Co., TN.) This can be proven from the 1850 census which shows their son, Samuel Peyton Nowlin, living with his grandparents, William and Rachel Petty. (See below) Source: 17 December 1850 District 9, Henry, Tennessee page 321b, family 126. Image 18. William Petty 60 North Carolina Rachel Petty 62 North Carolina Samuel P Nowlin 12 Tennessee (Living with grandparents) Samuel Peyton Nowlin's paternal grandfather, also named Richard Wade Nowlin, had a brother David Nowlin whose daughter married, Joseph Petty (b. 1813 VA - d. 1863 MO). Her name was Frances A. Nowlin (b. ca. 1810 VA ). This Joseph Petty is a son of Joel and Anna Dickson Petty, of Northern District, Halifax County, VA.2Steve Krantz.
also called "Willie".3Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pg 38,40.
4Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 7 #2 pg 9 (History).
son of Rinehart H. Coffman and Elizabeth Wilson
shot to death, left 8 children, the youngest of which was less than 1.
1Dick Zieman.
gave birthplace as Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN.2Rollie Taylor.
1850 TN census, Giles Co, microfilm page 374. William H. Coffman, age 26, and Rebecca, age 27, have 4 children in the home. Harriet is 5; Franklin is 3; Frances J. is 2; and Rinehart G. is 7 months.
1860 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 806. Rebecca Caufman, age 37, has 8 chidren. Harriet is 15; Herman is 13; Jane is 12; Rhinehart is 11; Ferdinand is 9; Tabitha is 7; William is 5; and Marion E. is 3. Also counted in the household is Mary A. H. Petty, age 4.
1870 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 406. Rebecca Kaufman, age 46, has 5 children in the home. Jane is 22; John is 19; Letha C. is 17; Ambrose is 14; and Marion is 13.
1880 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 16. Rebecca Coffman, age 58, has 3 children remaining in the home. Jane is 32; Letha C. is 27; and Ned is 23.3Ancestry.com, http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=repgmaxey&id=I029672.
In 1857, Rebecca's husband, William Herman Coffman, was shot to death leaving Rebecca with eight children, the youngest being less than a year old. Soon after her husband's death, Rebecca went to Arkansas to join her father, Guilford Petty.
Rebecca and her children traveled in a cart pulled by oxen. She traveled in a wagontrain that her uncle, William Petty, was the wagon master of. She moved to an area about three miles east of Hector, Near Walnut Grove. Her father had moved to Pope county in the 1850's and settled near Hector.
Rebecca died March 14, 1894 and is buried in the old Baptist cemetery, near Hector.41860 Federal Census, August 15, 1860 Liberty, Pope County, Arkansas page 805b, family 693.
Living next household to Guilford Petty was Rebecca (Petty) Coffman 37 NC., Harriet 15 TN., Herman 13 TN., Jane 12 TN., Rhinehart 11 TN., Ferdinand 9 TN., Tiletha 7 TN., William 5 TN., Marion E. 3 TN., and Mary A. H. Petty 4 TN. (No relationship recorded).
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pg 39.
1Dick Zieman.
gave birthplace as Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN.2Rollie Taylor.
1850 TN census, Henry Co, microfilm page 308. Joseph Petty, age 26, and Susanna, age 24, have no children.
1860 TN census, Henry Co, microfilm page 387. Joseph Petty, age 35, and Susan A., age 33, have 3 children in the home. George W. is 8; John G. is 6; and Nancy E. is 2.
1880 TN census, Henry Co, microfilm page 157, line 24. Joseph Petty, age 54, and Susie A., age 52, have 3 children in the home. Lizabeth is 21; Mary is 17; and Harmon is 14.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pg 40.
age 8 in 1860 census Henry Co., TN b. TN.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pg 40.
age 2 in 1860 census Henry Co., TN b. TN.2Rollie Taylor.
1900 TN census, Henry Co, microfilm page 167b, line 92. Beth Petty, age 37, is living in the household of her brother, Harmon Petty.
1John C Head (jw-enterprises at worldnet.att.net).
in 1850 census of Henry Co., TN: age 22 with wife age 16 born TN
in 1870 was in Obion Co., TN: age 42 with wife Irabella, age 27, with child age 5 named Don Francisco born in TN.2John Petty, jpetty2000 at msn.com (as of 2005).
gave full name: Samuel Harmon Petty.3Rollie Taylor.
1850 TN census, Henry Co, microfilm page 254. Harmon Petty, age 22, and Maria, age 16, have no children. Also counted in the household is Eliz. Carthcart, age 14.
1860 TN census, Obion Co, microfilm page 2. Samuel Petty, age 33,and Isabella, age 25, have no children. Also counted in the household is Elizabeth Cathcart.
1870 TN census, Obion Co, microfilm page 51. Harmon Petty, age 43, and Isabella, age 37, have one child, Dan Francisco, age 5.
1880 MS census, Itawamba Co, microfilm page 474. Harmen Petty, age 52, and Isabella, age 46, have one child in the home. Don F. is 15.4John Petty, Jpetty at ken-tennwireless dot com as if 8/28/10.
gave full name: Samuel Harmon Petty.
1John Petty, jpetty2000 at msn.com (as of 2005).
gave full name: Maria Isabella Cathcart.
1John C Head (jw-enterprises at worldnet.att.net).
never married.2Rollie Taylor.
1880 AR census, Pope Co, microfilm page 16, line 46. Catherine
Petty, age 44, lives with two of her spinster sisters.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pg 39.
age 9 in 1860 census Pope Co., AR b. TN.2Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 7 #2 pg 9.
History:
age 7 in 1858
had 4 brothers, 3 sisters.3Rollie Taylor.
1880 AR census, Pope Co, ED133/SH06/LN34. John Coffman, age 29, and E. A., age 24, have 2 children in the home. Blake is 4; and Iva B. is 1.
1900 AR census, Pope Co, ED182SH05B/LN70. John H. Coffman, age 49, and Esper Ann, age 44, have been married 24 years. Esper Ann is the mother of 12 children. Seven of the 8 surviving children remain in the home. Josephine is 18; John C. is 16; May E. is 12; George is 10; Daniel is 7; Walter G. is 4; and Robert L. is 3.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 7 #2 pg 9.
1Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 9 #1 pg 39.
age 9 in 1860 census Pope Co., AR b. TN.2Barbara McGee, editor, Petty Papers, Vol 7 #2 pg 9.
History:
age 7 in 1858
had 4 brothers, 3 sisters.3Rollie Taylor.
1880 AR census, Pope Co, ED133/SH06/LN34. John Coffman, age 29, and E. A., age 24, have 2 children in the home. Blake is 4; and Iva B. is 1.
1900 AR census, Pope Co, ED182SH05B/LN70. John H. Coffman, age 49, and Esper Ann, age 44, have been married 24 years. Esper Ann is the mother of 12 children. Seven of the 8 surviving children remain in the home. Josephine is 18; John C. is 16; May E. is 12; George is 10; Daniel is 7; Walter G. is 4; and Robert L. is 3.