GEN. JOHN R. COFFEE Photos at Find-A-Grave from Tom Todd --- Pam Wright --- Anonymous General John R Coffee son of Captain Joshua and Elizabeth (Graves) Coffee married Mary Donalson Madding 3 Oct 1809 in Davidson Co., TN. There were ten known children born of this union: Mary, John Donalson, Elizabeth, Andrew Jackson, Rachel Jackson, Alexander Donalson, Catherine Harriet, Emily, William Donalson and Joshua Coffee. General John R Coffee fought in the War of 1812 under the command of Andrew Jackson. He raised the 2nd Regiment of Volunteer Mounted Riflemen, that was made up of primarily Tennessee militiamen and a few Alabamians. On 4 Sep 1814 he was involved in the Andrew Jackson - Benton Brothers duel. He married Mary Donalson daughter of John and Mary (Purnell) Donalson and relative of Andrew Jackson's wife Rachel Donalson Robards Jackson. His father Captain Joshua Coffee is believed to have served in the Revoltionary War. He was a merchant, a partner in land speculation with Andrew Jackson and worked as a surveyor in Florence, Lauderdale Co., AL. Surveying the boundary line between Alabama and Mississippi. Coffee Counties Alabama and Tennessee; Coffeeville Mississippi were named after him. Mary (Donelson) Coffee Children of John R. and Mary (Donelson) Coffee John Donelson Coffee (1815 - 1837) Elizabeth Graves Coffee (1817 - 1838) Alexander Donelson Coffee (3 Jun 1821 - 9 May 1901) Catherine Harriett Coffee (1826 - 1881) Emily Coffee (1828 - 1829) William Donelson Coffee (1830 - 1903) Joshua Coffee (1832 - 1879) ALEXANDER DONELSON COFFEE Manufacturer and planter, was born June 3, 1821, at "Hickory Hill," near Florence, and died there, May 12, 1901 (s/b May 9, 1901); son of Gen. John and Mary (Donelson) Coffee. He was fitted for college in tbe Lorance school of Florence; entered the University of Nashville in 1837, and in 1840 returned home to take charge of his family estates. In 1849 be became a manufacturer, entering the cotton-mill business as a member of the Arm of Martin, Weakly and Company. These mills, on Cypres Creek, were destroyed by tbe Federal army In 1865. He entered the Confederate Army as a member of Co. C, 16th Alabama Infantry regiment, but early in the war was discharged from service, on account of his health. After the close of tbe war be engaged extensively in cotton planting, but also setting the example of diversifying crops and in using improved farm machinery. He was an advocate of good roads, and built at his own expense the fine turnpike leading north from Florence to his home on Cypress Creek. He was a Democrat; and a Presbyterian. Married; (1) May 16, 1844 at Florence, to Ann Eliza, daughter of James Long and Letitia Van Dyke (Campbell) Sloss; (2) October 18, 1876 at Leighton, to Mrs. Camilla (Madding) Jones, daughter of Elisha and Eliza (Croom) Madding. Children, by the first wife: Mary. M. (1) - O'Neal, (2) W. P. Campbell; by the second wife: Eliza Croom. d. 1904. Last residence: Florence. Buried at Florence Cemetery