Interior of J Plater’s Cart, Van and Carriage Works, Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, 1903. The interior of the workshop with the craftsmen grouped together with their equipment. Two of the apprentices are young boys. (Photo by English Heritage/Heritage Images/Getty Images)
Robert Emmett Cofer, my third great-grandfather, was born over 187 years ago in the heart of Surry County, Virginia. Though much about his life remains shrouded in mystery, a few key details paint a vivid picture of his existence.
As the fifth child in a family of ten, Robert experienced the challenges and dynamics of a large household, especially after his father remarried and added four more children to the family. Growing up during a tumultuous time in American history, he was raised in a household that included enslaved individuals, an experience that would shape his perspectives and values.
At the tender age of 16, Robert embarked on a journey of apprenticeship, learning the intricate craft of carriage making alongside two of his brothers. By 1860, he had established himself as a “mechanic,” but his skills would eventually earn him the title of “wheelwright” in future census records. This profession required a remarkable blend of woodworking and metalworking expertise, and skilled tradesmen like Robert were invaluable to the Confederate army, assisting in the war effort much like soldiers wielding muskets.
Robert lived through the Civil War, a time marked by significant events such as President Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, as well as the fierce and pivotal Battle of Chancellorsville. After 43 devoted years of marriage to his beloved wife, Martha, Robert faced a tragic end at the age of 67. He spent the last three years of his life battling dysentery, which ultimately claimed him.
Martha, resilient in her own right, lived to the age of 78, passing away from heart disease. Both are lovingly interred in Cedar Grove Cemetery in Norfolk City, Virginia, where their legacies continue to rest.
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