Coffy Johnny and John Oliver (c. 1829 – 7 April 1900) was immortalised in the 6th verse George Ridley's song 'The Blaydon Races'.
Local history archives contain anecdotal evidence that he was nicknamed Coffy because he always used to have a cup before school.
[4] 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.