More Information:
About John Caffey:
Revolutionary War Service of John Caffey is briefly covered in the application of his great-great-grandson,
Eugene M. Caffey for membership in the Sons of the American Revolution in 1934. "The muster rolls
of Captain Thomas Woolford's 6th Independent Maryland Company (Dorchester Co.), published in the archives
of Maryland, Volume 18, pages 27 and 643, show that John Caffey enlisted in that company as private
at Cambridge, Maryland, on February 23, 1776. Tradition says that he was wounded at Bunker Hill and
took part in the battles of Germantown, Monmouth, and other engagements in the north and also that he
subsequently served in North Carolina militia, taking part in the battle at Eutaw Springs and other
battles and skirmishes in the south, including the siege and surrender at Yorktown.
His grave
in the Woodley Road, six miles from , Montgomery Co, Al, is marked with a War Department stone showing
that he was a Revolutionary soldier. His name is borne on a memorial tablet to the soldiers of the Revolution
on the Federal Building at Montgomery. His history notices and other local publications concerning him
at Montgomery likewise contain accounts of his services in the Revolution." Buried, first, in the
family burial ground on Wooley Rd. near , Montgomery Co, Al Later remains were moved to Oakwood, Cemetery
in Montgomery. Grave has a DAR marker, and is located in the Masonic Section, near Rosemont Garden.
From
the AL Archives and History Department: "CAFFEY, JOHN, soldier of the American Revolution, was born
in 1751 OR 1752, on the eastern shores of Maryland, and died August 19, 1828, in Montgomery, his remains
interred in a family burying ground on the Woodly (sic) Road; son of Michael and Mary (Hooper) Caffey,
both natives of Ireland, who emigrated to America about 1740, located in New Jersey, later removing
to the eastern shores of Maryland; grandson of John Caffey, a linen merchant of Ulster, Ireland, and
of Bishop Hooper of Ireland. At an early period of the Revolution he enlisted under the command of Washington
and La Fayette. After the struggle for independence was over, he settled in Guilford Co, N.C. but later
removed to Montgomery in 1817 and "was esteemed for his peaceful and neighborly conduct." He was the
friend of La Fayette, and when that distinguished patriot visited Montgomery in 1825, was among the
old veterans to greet him. Married: Mary Buchanan of Virginia. Children: 1. Thomas (q.v.); 2 John (q.v.);
3. Hooper m. Mary Shelcott; 4. Henry; 5. Michael, m. five times, (4) Miss Merritt, (5) Miss Nixon;
6. Charles, m. Nancy Lewis; 7. Nancy, m. ---- Bell. Last residence: Montgomery.
He was the son
of Michael Caffey of North Ireland, who migrated to New Jersey early in the 18th century. His wife was
Mary Buchanan of Virginia.
He was wounded at Bunker's Hill and was in the battle of Eutaw Springs.
After
the struggle for independence was over, John married Mary Buchanan in 1778. After living in Maryland
for awhile, in 1795 they moved to Guilford Co, North Carolina. He moved to , Montgomery Co, Al in 1817,
(town called Ramer) and was esteemed for his peaceful and neighborly conduct. John Caffey had long
been an exemplary member of the church, was sensible until his last moments, when he surrendered his
spirit with praises of GOD on his lips and an entire possession of his understanding. He died on his
plantation on August 19, 1826. He was buried in the old family burying ground on the Woodley road. Several
years ago, when the Woodley road was being developed, veterans remains were moved to Oakwood Cemetery-
Masonic Section. A DAR marker was placed at his grave.
He was a friend of General LaFayette and
when that distinguised patriot visited Montgomery in 1825, one of the old veterans to greet him was
John Caffey. The reunion between the two men was said to be truly moving.
His will is on record.
At time of death, he owned 3 slaves. Wife Mary died in 1817, in Guilford Court House, North Carolina,
leaving behind 6 sons and 1 daughter. It was then that John, aged 66, left North Carolina with 4 of
his sons to pioneer in newly opened indian lands in AL and Ms. One son Michael and the daughter Nancie,
remained behind, both settling in Maryland where their descendants live today. Henry Caffey by-passed
AL to homestead in Ms. Charles Caffey chose to locate in , Autauga Co, Al Hooper and John Caffey, with
their father joined Thomas Caffey in what is now , Montgomery Co, Al In 1826, John Caffey Sr. died
on the plantation of his son HOOPER Caffey and was buried there in the family graveyard. This burying
plot later became part of the nursery of Rosemont Gardens, florist and flower growers of Montgomery.
When Rosemont requested the area for planting some years ago, John's remains were removed to Oakwood
cemetery in Montgomery.
Battles in:: Germantown, Monmouth, Guliford Court house, Eutaw Springs3 Burial:
Oakwood Cemetery, Montgomery,AL Cause of Death: bilious fever, 75 years old Military service:
February 23, 1776, 6th Independent Maryland Line4 Moved: 1795, Guilford Court House, North Carolina5
Mrs.
Fenn Caffey Alexander. DAR ID Number: 113416 Born in Pittsburg, Kans. Wife of D. B. Alexander. Descendant
of John Caffey, as follows: 1. Thomas W. Caffey (b. 1862) m. 1887 Laura Josephine (b. 1865). 2.
Hugh Madison Caffey (1812-76) m. 2nd 1852 Matilda Jane Fenn (1822-73). 3. John Caffey, Jr. (1786-1873),
m. Elizabeth Patrick (d. 1846). 4. John Caffey m. Mary Buchanan. John Caffey (1751-1826) enlisted,
1776, in the 6th company, Maryland Line. He was born in Maryland; died in , Montgomery Co, Ala.
January
2002 Will of John Caffey Montgomery, Will Book Volume 2, pages 35 - 36
In the name of
God, Amen. I, John Caffey, of the Co. of Montgomery and State of AL being in perfect health and
through infinite mercy of sound mind and memory considering the certainty of Death and yet the uncertainty
of the time I may be Called upon to Lay this mortal body down do make this my last will and testament
in manner and form following (viz.)
First: I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body
to the dust to be buried in hope of a joyful resurrection and as to my worldly estate where with
it has pleased God to bless me, I give unto my loving wife, Sarah Caffey, the quarter section of
land whereon I now live being the northwest quarter of number twenty eight in Township Sixteen and
Range Eighteen. Also I give to my said wife my Negro man named Jordan and my Negro woman named Rachael
with her son named EMs and her choice of three cows with their calves and one horse. All the foregoing
I give unto my said wife only during her natural life and I also give unto my said wife and her heirs
forever all my household and kitchen furniture of every description and her choice of twelve hogs
and it is also my will that my said wife shall be allowed out of my estate sufficient support of
meat and corn for her and her family for twelve months from the time of my death and after the death
of my said wife I give and bequeath unto my son Hooper Caffey and to his heirs forever the aforesaid
quarter section of land hereby given to my wife during her natural life. But, if any money should
remain due on unpaid to government for the purchase of said quarter section of land at the time of
my death, it is to be paid by my said son Hooper and not become a charge against my estate. And
after my decease all my personal estate not otherwise disposed of is to be sold and the proceeds
thereafter deducting my just debts and funeral expenses shall be equally divided amongst my seven
children (viz.) Thomas Caffey, Elizabeth Caffey, Henry Caffey, Michael Caffey, John Caffey, Charles
Caffey and Hooper Caffey and after the death of my said wife the cows and horse to given to her during
her natural life are to be sold and the proceeds thereof equally divided amongst my aforesaid seven
children. But, the negroes given to my wife during her natural life with their increase are to be
sold and the proceeds there of to be disposed of as follows to wit: one hundred dollars is given
to my son Hooper Caffey and whatever balance remains to be equally divided amongst five of my sons
(viz.) Henry Caffey, Michael Caffey, John Caffey, Charles Caffey and Hooper Caffey. And lastly I
do hereby appoint and Constitute my son John Caffey and my son Hooper Caffey to be Executors of this
my Last Will and testament hereby revoking any will OR wills by me heretofore made.
In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of August in the year of our lord one
thousand eight hundred and twenty one 1821
John Caffey (SEAL)
Signed sealed and Acknowledged
by the Testator to be his last Will and Testament In presence of
Hance Baker Hance
Baker, Jr. Moseley Baker
CAFFEY, JOHN, The Alabama Journal, Montgomery, August 28, 1826, contains
the obituary of John Caffey: "Died, at his plantation, in the vicinity of Montgomery, on Saturday,
the 19th, inst. (Aug. 19, 1826), of bilious fever, Mr. John Caffey, in seventy-fifth year of his age. "Mr.
Caffey was born on the eastern shore of Maryland. At an early period of the revolution he enlisted under
the command of Washington and La Fayette. After the struggle for independence was over he settled in
Guilford County, N.C., where he had the confidence of his fellow citizens. He moved to this town in
1817 and was esteemed for his peaceful and neighborly conduct. Mr. Caffey had long been an exemplary
member of the church, and when sensible his last moments were approaching, he surrendered his spirit
with praises of God on his lips and an entire possession of his understanding." He was the son of
Michael Caffey of North Ireland, who migrated to New Jersey early in the 18th century. His wife was
Mary Buchanan of Virginia. Mr. William Hardwick Ruth, a great-great-grandson now (1910) resides in Montgomery. His
remains lie in an old family burying ground on the Woodley road, near the city of Montgomery. He was
the friend of Lafayette, and when that distinguished patriot visited Montgomery in 1825, one of the
old veterans to greet him was John Caffey.-See Blue's Montgomery Directory, 1878; and Archives of Maryland,
Vol. 18, p. 27 and 643.
From The Gindrat family: a supplement to Some Huguenot families of South
Carolina and Georgia In 1825 on the visit of General Lafayette we learn from newspaper of the date
. . . . "The reunion between him (lafayette) and John Caffey, Sr., Issac Landale, John Griffin , Robert
Ware, Sr., and other revoluntionary soldiers was truly affecting . . . . General Lafayette retired
form the ballroom at 11 o'clock and spend his last hour in the town at the residence of John Gindrat."
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