James Lyle Coff Death Certificate (1844-1922)

Taken from WV Culture--www.wvculture.org

West Virginia Deaths, 1853-1970 for James L. Coff

Name: James L. Coff

Death Date: 25 Jun 1922

Death Place: Mingo, Mingo District, Randolph County, West Virginia

Gender: Male

Age: 77,8,16

Birth Year: 8 Oct 1845

Birth Place: Bath County, VA

Marital Status: Married

Spouse's Name:

Father's Name: Patrick Coff

Father's Birthplace: Ireland

Mother's Name: Martha Lyle

Mother's Birthplace: Bath Co., VA

Occupation: Carpenter

Cause: partial paralysis of stomach

Cemetery: Mingo Cemetery

Burial Place:

Burial Date: Jun 27, 1922

Film Number: 1953048

Digital Folder Number: 4257651

Image Number: 2039

Source: County Records

Reference Number: 7931 [Death Certificate No.]

Diana Frances (Jordan) Coff Death Certificate (1843-1928)

Transcription of text in document

Name: Diana Frances Coff
Death Date: 15 Oct 1929
Death Place: Randolph, West Virginia
District: Mingo
Town: Mingo
Gender: Female
Age: 86,5,0
Birth Year: 15 May 1843
Birth Place: Virginia
Marital Status: Widowed
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name: George Jordan
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Name: Frances Hess
Mother's Birthplace: Penn
Occupation: None
Street Address:
Residence:
Informant: C M Coff, Elkins, WVa
Cemetery: Mingo Cem
Burial Place:
Burial Date: 16 Oct 1929
Cause: Senile Decay
Contributing: Colitis
Film Number: 1953474
Digital Folder Number: 4256278
Image Number: 2802
Source: County Records
Reference Number: 14763

Rev. Wiley P. Warwick's Ministry (born 1771 VA- died 1856 GA)

EARLY METHODISM IN THE CAROLINAS, by Rev. Abel McKee Chreitzberg, D.D., Publishing House of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Nashville, Tenn., 1897, p. 123, found on Google Books

CHAPTER XIV.

Song of Deborah—Zebulun and Naphtali—Wiley Warwick—Great Revival —A Moving Witness—Parson's Saddlebags — James H. Mellard—The Ascetic Nelson—George Dougherty.

THE religious condition of America, before, during, and after the Revolution, was not far from that of the Israelitish commonwealth in Deborah's day. "The inhabitants of the villages ceased," "the highways were unoccupied," and "travelers walked through byways." New gods were chosen; there "was war in the gates," and "not a shield or spear," of heavenly temper keen, "was seen among forty thousand in Israel." Reuben clung to his sheepfolds, Gideon dwelt beyond Jordan, Asher was on the seashore, and Dan abode in ships; and all the while Sisera was at hand. Deborah (see Barbara Heck snatching the cards from the hands of a renegade) "arose, a mother in Israel"; she called to Barak, and bade him take ten thousand of Zebulun and Naphtali and fight; even then, if help came not from heaven, all was lost; but " the stars in their courses fought against Sisera. The river Kishon swept them away." Then sang Deborah: "O my soul, thou hast trodden down strength. Then were the horsehoofs broken by the means of the prancings, the prancings of their mighty ones." No wonder the universal cry was: "Awake, awake, Deborah; awake, awake, utter a song; arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam!" We of this day, who rejoice in the victories won by our fathers, should never forget that "Zebulun and Naphtali jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high places of the field."

We call attention to these veterans who, though little known on earth, have abundant record on high. The very first we notice is the man, as you read back awhile, who was wrongly and maliciously accused of false swearing. From George Bright, in the Southern Christian Advocate, we learn that Wiley Warwick was born in Virginia in 1771. He was a moral though irreligious youth, remaining unregenerate until his twenty-sixth year. His marriage at twenty-one to a pious girl brought him under Methodistic influence. In 1796 he was powerfully converted inAnson county, North Carolina, where he then resided. He was licensed to preach in 1799, and labored as a local preacher until 1804. By persuasion of Bishop Asbury and other preachers he was admitted into the connection. While a local preacher he attended a camp meeting, the first ever held in that section. It was a union meeting, under direction of Dr. Brown, afterwards president of Franklin College, Georgia. Mr. Warwick walked the entire distance, arriving at the three o'clock service. When the sermon was finished, anyone was invited to exhort. Mr. Warwick arose, and under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, exhorted. The power of God was manifest; people fell in all directions, crying aloud for mercy. From then until Monday morning the good work went on, and eternity will reveal great results.

January 1, 1804, he was admitted into the Conference, held that year in Augusta, Ga. He traveled thirteen years, and failing health induced location. His last year on the Enoree Circuit was nominal, as supernumerary. He remained local until 1821, when he was employed by Bishop George to supply the Union Circuit. At the thirty-sixth session, held in Augusta, Ga., he was readmitted, traveling several years. In 1826 he suffered greatly from a pine splinter in one of the muscles of the thigh; medical skill declined its removal. Having a pad for his saddle, to relieve the pressiu'e, he traveled for years in pain. In 1822, having removed to Habersham county, Georgia, during the journey he got his little finger mashed, forcing amputation. Suffering greatly, he lost two rounds of appointments. At the Conference the presiding elder complained that he had neglected his work. He simply arose and drew forth his inflamed and mutilated hand. It was enough.

Wlule on the Bladen Circuit, in 1806, he was much annoyed by an immersionist named Lindsey. He was very bigoted, and a great enemy to Methodist "circuit riders." Once Mr. Warwick, passing through a low or swampy place, fished out of the mud and water a pair of saddlebags. They were marked with Mr. Lindsey's name in full, and a junk bottle well filled with liquor was first drawn out. At the next house he call for lodgings, but was told that circuit riders could not stay there. He delivered the saddlebags, asking the landlady to inform the parson that they were safe. She began to excuse her preacher, say

ing he had happened to pass a store that day, and fasting, had taken a little too much liquor, and had thus lost his saddlebags—begging Mr. Warwick not to tell of the little accident. The rides on this circuit were long. On one stretch there was no house, and necessity compelled him to sleep in the woods, supperless, the earth for a bed, his saddle for a pillow, and the heavens for a covering.

During the thirty years of his efficiency he traveled near 70,000 miles, preached 5,938 sermons, exhorting numberless times, and received $6,392 all told—an average of $110 per annum; rearing a family of five children, and giving them a moderate education. The last years of his life were spent in Dahlonega, Georgia, in a state of sad decrepitude. He was made perfect through suffering. His agony was often so excessive that even morphine gave no aid. No murmur escaped his lips. He died in the eighty-sixth year of his age, the fifty-seventh of his ministry, and the fifty-third of his connection with the itinerancy.

The Capture and Escape of Peter Lewney (Looney)

This is an article published in the London Chronicle, September 8-10, 1757. It gived details about the experiences of Peter Looney (1724-1760), who was captured in the French and Indian War from Fort Vause, VA, taken to Fort Detroit and escaped from Fort Niagra. Peter was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Looney.

The London Chronicle
or
Universal Evening Post

Thursday Sept 8 to Saturday Sep. 10, 1757

Foreign Transactions
America
Philadelphia, July 28.

Since I last came to Town one Peter Lewney, who, for about a Year past has been among the French and Indians at Fort Detroit, and informs us as follows, viz. That he was an Ensign of a Company of Ranges in the back Parts of Virginia, consisting of 70 Men, commanded by Capt. John Smith. That last Summer the Frontier Inhabitants being greatly distressed by the incursions of the Enemy, their whole company went out in different Parties to their Assistance, except the Captain, himself, and nine private Men, whoe were in the Blockhouse, and had with them six Women and five Children.

That on the 25th of June, 1756, they were attacked by a Body of Indians and some French, and defended themselves the best Part of a Day; in which Time he says, they killed 32 Indians and three Frenchmen, lost two of their own People, and another Man and himself were wounded; but were forced to surrender at last, the House they were in being set on Fire.

That they were then carried off, and after travelling some Time, the Indians belonging to Four different Tribes divided the Prisoners, and parted; that before they came to the lower Shawneses Town (where he supposes there were about 300 Indians) the Shawnese made a Sacrifice of one Cole, whom they roasted alive, and tormented for a whole Night before he expired; and this they did in Sight of the French, who seemed unconcerned at their horrid Barbarity, and did not endeavor to restrain them, notwithstanding the moving Intreaties and bitter Complaints of the poor Man; that they also killed and scalped another Man on the Road, he being old and not able to travel.

That he (Lewney) was the only one that was carried to Detroit, where there were about 300 French Families settled, and in what is called the Town, they have about 100 Houses; that they have Plenty of Fish; the Land is rich, on which they raise Wheat and Pease and have very good Crops; and the Indians, of two or three Nations, were numerous.

That while he was at Detroit, and Indian King adopted him for his Brother, on which account he was very well used, and was often with them at their Councils with the French, being dressed and painted as the Indians were, and not known by the French but as an Indian, living in every Respect as they did; and that at one Time in particular, at a Conference, he heard the French Commander order the Indian to go to first Fort Duquesnem then to Fort Cumberland, and afterwards to destroy all the English Inhabitants; that about the Beginning of April last a great Body of Indians set off for Duquesne, in Parties, each Party having some Frenchmen with them.

That about the Middle of June he left Detroit in Company with a small Party of Indians, who were going to Niagra with some Furs, in order to purchase Indian Goods; that from Detroit to Niagra it is about 280 Miles, and that on the Falls of the latter the French have a small Fort, in which they keep 30 Men; and at Niagra there is a Fort of 24 Guns, Six, Nine, and Twelve-pounders, and it is about 300 Men.

That while he was at Niagra, he met with William Philips, of New York, who was taken at Oswego, and they agreed to make their Escape together; that the Night before they left it, 280 French arrived there from Cadaraqui, destined, it was said, for Fort Dusquene, who encamped that Night, and were to set our again the same Day, but he and Philips went off before them; that they travelled about 200 Miles (the Land bad, and mostly drowned) when they came to Oswego, without seeing an Indian; which Place, and Fort Ontario, they found entirely destroyed; that they then came to the Mohawk River, where they were kindly reeieved by the Indians, who gave them Victuals, of which they were in great Want; and that they got to Albany the 12th inst. from whence he proceeded to this City, and is now gone to Virginia, where his Parents live. He was born in this Town and is about 23 Years of Age. Capt. Smith, he said, was given to the French, and sent to Canada in the Spring.

Excerpt from the book Most Distinguished Characters on the American Frontier, Vol II, by Phillip and Madge Looney Crane, Closson Press, Appollo, PA, 2008, pp. 330-332, Transcribed 23 Apr 2011 by Teresa McVeigh

Christain and Martha (MCMULLEN) RUSMISEL graves

These are pictures of the headstones on Christain and Martha (McMULLEN) RUSMISEL's graves.

Johann Christian RUSMISEL was born 14 Feb. 1787 in Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, PA. He died 7 Sep 1860 near Mount Solon, Augusta County, VA.  He as the son of Adam and Rachel (SCHUMACHER) RUSMISEL. Christian married (1) Anny SHELLY, daughter of Christian and Fanny SHELLY, Jr.

Christian Rusmisel Headstone

He is buried at Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery, near Parnassus, Augusta County, Virginia.
Inscription:
Christain Rusmisel
Departed this life
Sept. 7, 1860
Aged
73 Years 6 months 29
days
"Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord"



Martha  A McMULLEN [McMULLEN]  was the daughter of James and Mary (HENDERSON) McMULLEN. She was born 11 Feb 1805 in Augusta County, VA and died 29 Jun 1887 near Mount Solon, Augusta County, VA. She married (1) James W. TAYLOR , 7 Jan 1874 in Augusta County, VA  and was widowed when he died in Ohio in 1827. She married (2) Christian RUSMISEL 6 Oct 1831 in Augusta County, VA.

Martha McMullen Rusmisel headstone

                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
Martha McMULLEN RUSMISEL is buried at Union Presbyterian Church Cemetery, near Parnassus, Augusta County, VA.

Obituary of Christian RUSMISEL (1787-1860)

Obituary of Johann Christian Rusmisel, born 14 Feb 1787 Tulpehocken Township, Berks County, PA, died 7 Sep 1860 near Mount Solon, Bath County, VA. He was the son of Adam and Rachel (Schumacher) Rusmisel.

Transcription:
September 14, 1860 issue of the Staunton Vindicator: Near Mt. Solon, on the 7th inst., Christian Rusmisel, in the 74th year of his age. In the death of Mr. Rusmisel, Augusta County has lost another of her aged and valued citizens. He was born in the county, and never had even a temporary residence out of it. He was a good man in all the relations of life - affectionate and devoted as a husband and father - warm as a friend and neighbor; he was also a christian. Since early life he had been a consistent member of the German Reformed church. He died in the full hope of a glorious resurrection. P.

Note errors: (1) He was born in Pennsylvania and 2) he was a soldier in the War of 1812, and most likely went outside the county then.

All Rights Reserved
Teresa McVeigh, 2010

George W. SPORTS Obituary (1838-1899)

The State (newspaper), Columbia, SC, 6 Feb. 1899
Special to The State

Orangeburg, Feb. 4--Mr. George Sports of the Limestone section of the county died very suddenly here today on the streets, being stricken while attending to business. He was about 60 years of age, but was in fairly good health, leaving his home this morning without any feeling to indicate the fearful and fatal attack which overcame him.

An inquest was at once held, and a verdict of death from natural causes rendered, after which his remains were taken in charge by friends.