Page 132 - WPA Book
P. 132
Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Davy Coffman Home.
2. LOCATION:
East side of Main Street, Dayton, Virginia.
3. DATES:
1836, approximately.
4. OWNERS:
Davy Coffman was an early settler in Virginia and builder of the “original” log and frame house. The present
owner is Joe Shrum, who built and lives in a modern brick house on the site.
5. DESCRIPTION:
None.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Davy Coffman was a first settler in these parts, a large landowner and also a slaveholder.
The site of the original slave cabins is in the back yard of the Coffman home.
Davy Coffman’s sons, Hiram and Joseph, inherited large plantations in and near Dayton.
Joseph Coffman was distantly connected by marriage with Abraham Lincoln’s family.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informant: Mr. Joe Shrum, present owner.
Court Records of Rockingham County, at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
June 10, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 131 of 482
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Davy Coffman Home.
2. LOCATION:
East side of Main Street, Dayton, Virginia.
3. DATES:
1836, approximately.
4. OWNERS:
Davy Coffman was an early settler in Virginia and builder of the “original” log and frame house. The present
owner is Joe Shrum, who built and lives in a modern brick house on the site.
5. DESCRIPTION:
None.
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
Davy Coffman was a first settler in these parts, a large landowner and also a slaveholder.
The site of the original slave cabins is in the back yard of the Coffman home.
Davy Coffman’s sons, Hiram and Joseph, inherited large plantations in and near Dayton.
Joseph Coffman was distantly connected by marriage with Abraham Lincoln’s family.
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Informant: Mr. Joe Shrum, present owner.
Court Records of Rockingham County, at Harrisonburg, Virginia.
June 10, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 131 of 482
