John Coffee
Encyclopedia
John Coffee was an American planter and military leader. He was considered the most even-tempered and least selfish of Andrew Jackson
's lifelong friends. He was described as a big awkward man, careless of dress, slow of speech, but kindly, tactful and wise.
, Coffee the son of Lieutenant Joshua Coffee (January 26, 1745-September 8, 1797) and Elizabeth Graves (January 28, 1742-December 13, 1804), and the grandson of Peter Coffee, Sr. (1716-November 1771) and Susannah Mathews (1701–1796). John Coffee married Mary Donelson, who was the daughter of Captain John Donelson III and Mary Purnell, on October 3, 1809. John Donelson III was one of the elder brothers of Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel.
had been partners in Nashville merchandising just before Coffee married Jackson's niece. Jackson sold his partnership to Coffee before the wedding, taking notes for the sale. After the wedding, Jackson gave Coffee the notes as his wedding present to the couple.
He challenged Nathaniel A. McNairy for publishing derogatory statements about Jackson. The duel took place on March 1, 1806, over the Tennessee line in Kentucky. During the course of the duel, McNairy unintentionally fired before the word, wounding Coffee in the thigh. In reparation, McNairy offered to lay down his pistol and give Coffee an extra shot. The weapons used in this duel were later used in the Jackson-Dickinson
duel on May 30, 1806.
At the beginning of the War of 1812
, Coffee raised the 2nd Regiment
of Volunteer Mounted Riflemen, composed mostly of Tennessee militiamen (and a few Alabamians). In December 1812, Governor Willie Blount
had called out the Tennessee militia
in response to a request from General John Wilkinson
and the U.S. Secretary of War. Under Jackson's command, Coffee led 600 men in January 1813 to Natchez, Mississippi Territory, via the Natchez Trace, in advance of the rest of the rest of the troops, who traveled via flatboats. After the two groups reunited in Natchez, Wilkinson and the U.S. government disbanded Jackson's troops. All marched back to Nashville to disband, on the march during which Jackson earned the nickname Old Hickory. They arrived in Nashville on May 18, 1813.
On September 4, 1813 Coffee was involved in the Andrew Jackson
-Benton Brothers duel in Nashville, knocking Thomas Benton down a flight of stairs after Benton's failed assassination attempt on Jackson.
In October 1813, the 2nd was combined with Col. Cannon's Mounted Regiment and the 1st Regiment of Volunteer Mounted Gunmen to form a militia
brigade
of mounted infantry. Coffee was promoted to brigadier-general and placed in command.
Coffee then led his brigade, which consisted largely of Indians and freed blacks, at the Battle of New Orleans
, where they played a key role in holding the woods to the east of the redcoats' column. Coffee's brigade was the first to engage the British, firing from behind the trees and brush.
General Coffee was again Jackson's chosen advance commander in the Creek War
. Under Jackson's command, he led his brigade at: the Battle of Tallushatchee
, the Battle of Talladega
, and the Battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek
, where he was seriously wounded, and the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
, and in 1816 he surveyed the boundary line between Alabama and Mississippi.
He later moved to and died near Florence, Alabama.
Coffee County, Alabama
, Coffeeville, Alabama
, Coffeeville, Mississippi
and Coffee County, Tennessee
are named in his honor.
the U.S. Congressman from Georgia. This John, also known as "Tennessee John" and John E. were first cousins. The two Find-a-Grave Memorials linked below, with additional state and spouse information, are for both Generals to help more clearly distinguish the two men. General John R. Coffee is buried in the Coffee Cemetery off SR 157 northwest of Florence, Alabama.
This John Coffee is sometimes referred to as John R. Coffee. Some researchers are attempting to document the use of this middle initial in original sources. John signed his name John Coffee in original papers examined to date. The use of this middle initial must be assumed to be in doubt.
Legendary Texas Ranger, John Coffee Hays was his nephew. " Jack " John Coffee Hays became the greatest Texas Ranger in history leading them in battle against the Mexican Army and Comanche Tribe from 1836-1848. He then surveyed the southwest founding Oakland California and becoming the first Sheriff of San Fransisco in 1850. Jack Hays was born in Tennessee and raised at The Hermitage where Andrew Jackson resided.
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
's lifelong friends. He was described as a big awkward man, careless of dress, slow of speech, but kindly, tactful and wise.
Family
Born in Prince Edward County, VirginiaPrince Edward County, Virginia
Prince Edward County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of 2010, the population was 23,368. Its county seat is Farmville.-Formation and County Seats:...
, Coffee the son of Lieutenant Joshua Coffee (January 26, 1745-September 8, 1797) and Elizabeth Graves (January 28, 1742-December 13, 1804), and the grandson of Peter Coffee, Sr. (1716-November 1771) and Susannah Mathews (1701–1796). John Coffee married Mary Donelson, who was the daughter of Captain John Donelson III and Mary Purnell, on October 3, 1809. John Donelson III was one of the elder brothers of Andrew Jackson's wife, Rachel.
Career
Coffee was a merchant and land speculator. He and Andrew JacksonAndrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
had been partners in Nashville merchandising just before Coffee married Jackson's niece. Jackson sold his partnership to Coffee before the wedding, taking notes for the sale. After the wedding, Jackson gave Coffee the notes as his wedding present to the couple.
He challenged Nathaniel A. McNairy for publishing derogatory statements about Jackson. The duel took place on March 1, 1806, over the Tennessee line in Kentucky. During the course of the duel, McNairy unintentionally fired before the word, wounding Coffee in the thigh. In reparation, McNairy offered to lay down his pistol and give Coffee an extra shot. The weapons used in this duel were later used in the Jackson-Dickinson
Charles Dickinson (historical figure)
Charles Dickinson was an American attorney, and a famous duelist. An expert marksman, Dickinson's died from injuries sustained in a duel with Andrew Jackson, who later became President of the United States.-Life:...
duel on May 30, 1806.
At the beginning of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Coffee raised the 2nd Regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
of Volunteer Mounted Riflemen, composed mostly of Tennessee militiamen (and a few Alabamians). In December 1812, Governor Willie Blount
Willie Blount
Willie Blount served as Governor of Tennessee from 1809 to 1815. He was the younger half-brother of William Blount, representative of North Carolina to the Continental Congress and governor of the Southwest Territory....
had called out the Tennessee militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
in response to a request from General John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson
John Wilkinson may refer to:* John Wilkinson * John Wilkinson , British industrialist who suggested the use of iron for many roles where other materials had previously been used...
and the U.S. Secretary of War. Under Jackson's command, Coffee led 600 men in January 1813 to Natchez, Mississippi Territory, via the Natchez Trace, in advance of the rest of the rest of the troops, who traveled via flatboats. After the two groups reunited in Natchez, Wilkinson and the U.S. government disbanded Jackson's troops. All marched back to Nashville to disband, on the march during which Jackson earned the nickname Old Hickory. They arrived in Nashville on May 18, 1813.
On September 4, 1813 Coffee was involved in the Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
-Benton Brothers duel in Nashville, knocking Thomas Benton down a flight of stairs after Benton's failed assassination attempt on Jackson.
In October 1813, the 2nd was combined with Col. Cannon's Mounted Regiment and the 1st Regiment of Volunteer Mounted Gunmen to form a militia
Militia
The term militia is commonly used today to refer to a military force composed of ordinary citizens to provide defense, emergency law enforcement, or paramilitary service, in times of emergency without being paid a regular salary or committed to a fixed term of service. It is a polyseme with...
brigade
Brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military formation that is typically composed of two to five battalions, plus supporting elements depending on the era and nationality of a given army and could be perceived as an enlarged/reinforced regiment...
of mounted infantry. Coffee was promoted to brigadier-general and placed in command.
Coffee then led his brigade, which consisted largely of Indians and freed blacks, at the Battle of New Orleans
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815 and was the final major battle of the War of 1812. American forces, commanded by Major General Andrew Jackson, defeated an invading British Army intent on seizing New Orleans and the vast territory the United States had acquired with the...
, where they played a key role in holding the woods to the east of the redcoats' column. Coffee's brigade was the first to engage the British, firing from behind the trees and brush.
General Coffee was again Jackson's chosen advance commander in the Creek War
Creek War
The Creek War , also known as the Red Stick War and the Creek Civil War, began as a civil war within the Creek nation...
. Under Jackson's command, he led his brigade at: the Battle of Tallushatchee
Battle of Tallushatchee
The Battle of Tallushatchee was a battle fought during the Creek War on November 3, 1813, in Alabama. Between Red Stick Creeks native Americans and United States dragoons.-Background:...
, the Battle of Talladega
Battle of Talladega
The Battle of Talladega was a battle fought between the Tennessee militia and the Red Stick Creek Indians during the Creek War, in the vicinity of the present-day county and city of Talladega, Alabama.-Background:...
, and the Battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek
Battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek
The battles of Emuckfaw and Enotachopo Creek are part of Andrew Jackson's campaign in the Creek War. They took place in January 1814 approximately 20 to 50 miles northeast of Horseshoe Bend.-Background:...
, where he was seriously wounded, and the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.
Later life
After the war and some failed investments, he began work as a surveyor, laying down the town of Florence, AlabamaFlorence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
, and in 1816 he surveyed the boundary line between Alabama and Mississippi.
He later moved to and died near Florence, Alabama.
Coffee County, Alabama
Coffee County, Alabama
Coffee County is a county of the U.S. state of Alabama. Its name is in honor of General John Coffee. As of 2010 the population was 49,948. Its county seats are Elba and Enterprise....
, Coffeeville, Alabama
Coffeeville, Alabama
Coffeeville is a town in Clarke County, Alabama, United States. At the 2000 census the population was 360.-Geography:Coffeeville is located at 31°45'40.543" North, 88°5'20.940" West .According to the U.S...
, Coffeeville, Mississippi
Coffeeville, Mississippi
Coffeeville is a town in Yalobusha County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 930 at the 2000 census. It is named after John Coffee , a planter and military leader.-Geography:Coffeeville is located at ....
and Coffee County, Tennessee
Coffee County, Tennessee
Coffee County is a county located in south-central portion of the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is one of the counties of Middle Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 52,796. Its county seat is Manchester....
are named in his honor.
Research Notes
Researchers often confuse this General John Coffee with General John E. CoffeeJohn E. Coffee
John E. Coffee was a military leader and a United States Congressman for the state of Georgia.-Early life:...
the U.S. Congressman from Georgia. This John, also known as "Tennessee John" and John E. were first cousins. The two Find-a-Grave Memorials linked below, with additional state and spouse information, are for both Generals to help more clearly distinguish the two men. General John R. Coffee is buried in the Coffee Cemetery off SR 157 northwest of Florence, Alabama.
This John Coffee is sometimes referred to as John R. Coffee. Some researchers are attempting to document the use of this middle initial in original sources. John signed his name John Coffee in original papers examined to date. The use of this middle initial must be assumed to be in doubt.
Legendary Texas Ranger, John Coffee Hays was his nephew. " Jack " John Coffee Hays became the greatest Texas Ranger in history leading them in battle against the Mexican Army and Comanche Tribe from 1836-1848. He then surveyed the southwest founding Oakland California and becoming the first Sheriff of San Fransisco in 1850. Jack Hays was born in Tennessee and raised at The Hermitage where Andrew Jackson resided.