Coffee Johnny

Coffee Johnny a.k.a. Coffy Johnny and John Oliver (c. 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]