Robert James Coffey letters
Scope and Contents
Two letters from Coffey to Nora M. Brown during his service in the Civil War at Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, and Alexandria, Virginia. Includes a poem by Coffey titled "To Miss N.M.B." Dated 1864-1865.
Dates
- 1864-1865
Creator
- Coffey, Robert James, 1839-1910 (author, Person)
Conditions Governing Access
Originals restricted due to condition. Photocopy of 1864 letter open for public research.
Conditions Governing Use
It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain any necessary copyright clearances. Permission to publish material from the Robert James Coffey letters must be obtained from the Supervisor of Reference Services and/or the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Coordinating Committee.
Biographical History
Robert James Coffey (1839-1910) was a sergeant in the Civil War and later a journalist.
Robert James Coffey was born April 14, 1839 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to James Coffey and Elizabeth Savage Coffey. He enlisted for the Civil War on September 1, 1864, and served as a sergeant with the Co. G, 202nd Pennsylvania Infantry. He was honorably discharged August 3, 1865. He enjoyed writing poetry, and wrote many verses during his time in the war. He married Nora Mary Brown on September 12, 1865, and they had four daughters. He went on to become a journalist and revived the Shippensburg Sentinel and founded the Shippensburg Democratic Safeguard. He continued to found and purchase other newspapers in other states. Robert James Coffey passed away March 11, 1910 in Delta, Colorado.
Extent
2 folders (0.2 linear ft.)
Language of Materials
English
Custodial History
Charlie Potter found these letters during a move in an envelope addressed to Constance L. Harre, a descendant of Coffey in Renton, WA, from Jean Coffey Row in Dover, DE. Charlie Potter donated these letters to the L. Tom Perry Special Collections in October 2017.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated; Charlie Potter; October 2017.
Appraisal
Orphaned Manuscripts collecting policy (February 2014).
Existence and Location of Copies
Photocopy of 1864 letter available in folder 2.
Processing Information
Processed; Maddi Stanley, student manuscript processor; November 2017.
- Title
- Register of Robert James Coffey letters
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Maddi Stanley
- Date
- 2017 November 14
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English in Latin script.
Repository Details
Part of the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Repository
1130 HBLL
Brigham Young University
Provo Utah 84602 United States