In the memorandum from the old family Bible, it states that David built a rambling two story log dwelling and raised a family. So well was this house built that it still stands. It is in what is now Hamlen County, TN, about a mile above Russellville and is listed as a Historical site.

An article printed on Old Homes of Hamblen several years ago had this to say of David's home in Tenn. "Coffman liked the quiet serenity of this section and despite the fact that the land was infested with Indians, decided to erect a home. He chose for the site a plot of ground near Russellville surrounded by primeval forest and in the distance could be seen great mountains looming against the sky. Here, after months of weary toil, he built a rambling two-story dwelling and reared a family of noble sons and daughters."

His house, built of hewn logs two centuries ago, still stands one mile above the village by the old stagecoach road. Nearby stood the old log church house which was the second Baptist church to be organized in what is now Tennessee, and was pastored by Tydence Lane in 1785. This sturdy old church has long since been torn down. There was a gallery built in the back of the house for the benefit of slaves of that day. (The above was sent to me by the Morristown-Hamblen Library and states the house does still exist and is in the Russellville vicinity in Hamblen County. The above was taken from a publication, Historic Hamblen, celebrating the Hamblen County Centennial in 1970). This house was built in 1783 and is now a historical site but is no longer open to the public.

One of the sons of the builder of this home was named Andrew Coffman. He was born, reared and died in this home, passing away in 1864, and his grave is in the Bent Creek cemetery. This descendent married and English girl in 1812 and they too gave to this section a number of noble sons and daughters. Andrew Coffman was a man of considerable influence in his community, prominent in church and civic affairs. He was licensed to preach and frequently would walk many miles through the wild section to preach the Gospel and conduct funerals. He was likewise a soldier, and when Andrew Jackson call for army to settle the English, Coffman walked to Nashville and joined Jackson's forces, and was with Jackson at New Orleans, where he learned to love and respect this old warrior. Jackson later came to visit Coffman and spent a day and night with him at the old home near Russellville.

Equally as interesting and historic as the old home is the building now used by the Coffman family as a barn. This was at one time the church of the community, and in it Andrew coffman preached many a sermon. the church was founded in 1785, is built of logs, like the old home, and is in perfect condition. It was used as the community church until it became too small for the growing community, and it was then laboriously moved to the rear of the Coffman home, where it still stands.

Here can be found many interesting antiques, sufficient to stasrt a real museum. There are, of course, old spinning wheels, early tools used in the erection of the home and church, but the most interesting and historic is an old iron chest which belonged to General Longstreet, Confederate lieutenant-general, who abandoned it after taking out the contents following his encounter with federal troops in a skirmish between Bulls Gap and Russellville, and in direct line of the Coffman house. General Longstreet spent the night at the Coffman home before the battle. After the battle, James Edward Coffman, owner of the home at that time, and his daughter, Nannie, then a small child, discovered a wounded soldier near the scene of the battle, took him to their home, cared for him until he died, and then later, through a blue home-spun coverlet, located his relatives in North Carolina. This soldier was buried in the Coffman lot, and his grave is still cared for by members of the family.

Other relics to be found there are a compass used by Andrew Coffman in surveying plots of land in the surrounding country. There is also an old threshing machine, the first brought to this section, and it is still suitable for use.

Many interesting stories could be related about the old home and the former old church building. Both have stood the test of time, both have gone through many severe winters and blasts of hot weather, served as shelter and protectioin against hostile Indians, and enemies of war, but with it all, they still stand a monument and interesting addition to historic Hamblen County and East Tennessee.

Sources

North Carolina Land Grant within the State of Tennessee Warrant
#331 dated 9-23-1787 Book 65 pg. 452, Grant #278 Green Co.

North Carolina Land Grant within the State of Tennessee Warrant
#1069 dated 11-18-1795 Grant #1362, Book 89 pg. 140 Green Co.

Heads of Families - Virginia 1785

Virginia Military Records - Montgomery County, Virginia

Deed of Gift to Andrew, Jefferson Co., Tenn. Vol Q p. 341-342

Deed to Jacob Coffman, Hawkins Co., Tenn. Book 3 pg. 488-489.

David's Will, Limestone Co., Alabama Will Book 4 pg. 475 7-12-1833

Old Huntsville Land Office Records and Military Warrants-Alabama land.

Alabama Archives Book - Alabama Soldiers Vol. I 1975.

History Around Russellville p. 74

Newspaper article - Old Homes in Hamblen Co., Tenn.

Book "From Across the River"

Boddie Historical Southern Families, Vol I (Lovel Family of Westmoreland)

Virginia Historical Magazine Vol 12, pgs. 332-333.

Citizen Tribune newspaper, July 11, 1986, Russellville article.