Coffee Johnny

Coffee Johnny a.k.a. Coffy Johnny and John Oliver (1829 – 7 April 1900) was immortalised in the 6th verse George Ridley's song 'The Blaydon Races'.[1] Coffee Johnny was a blacksmith in the village of Winlaton, a trumpeter in the Winlaton Brass Band, a bare-knuckle boxer[2] and Geordie celebrity.[3] He was well known for his tall height and for wearing a white top hat.

Origins of the name

Although George Ridley's original manuscript gives the spelling "Coffy"[1] all later publications spell it in the usual way. Local history archives contain anecdotal evidence that he was nicknamed Coffy because he always used to have a cup before school.[4]

Family

Coffee Johnny was adopted by Thomas and Margery Oliver about 1840.

Coffee Johnny married Elizabeth Greener, and they had nine children: Katherine, Mary, Elizabeth, Margery, Sarah, Margaret, Tom, Joseph and Hannah. He also had a son, Robert, with Anne Hurst after the death of his wife, who was adopted by Coffee Johnny's daughter Sarah and her husband Miles Batey.[5]

Coffee Johnny is buried in St. Paul's churchyard, Winlaton.[4]

References
  1. 'Blaydon Races' by Joan Gale (oriel 1970)
  2. Gateshead Book of Days ISBN 9780750951920
  3. 'Blaydon Races' pub. Tyne and Wear Archive Service
  4. "Genuki: The Life and Times of Coffee Johnny - Died April 5th , 1900, aged 72, Durham". www.genuki.org.uk.
  5. St paul's Church, Winlaton Parish Records/Tyne and Wear Archives

Sources
  • Wayback Machine
  • Sunniside Local History Society
  • 'Under His Hat' by Robert Batey (Eloquent Books 2009)ISBN 978-1606934623
  • St. Pauls, Winlaton, England Parish Records
  • 'Blaydon Races' by Joan Gale (oriel 1970) ISBN 978-0-85362-077-8
  • 'Blaydon Races' pub. Tyne and Wear Archive Service
  • 'Gateshead Book Of Days' Jo Bath ISBN 978-0-750951920
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