James Thomas McCoy (abt. 1720 - 1801)

Born about 1720 in Ireland

Ancestors

Husband of Ann (Bruce) McCoy — married about 1747 in Frederick County, Virginia

Descendants

Died 30 Sep 1801 at about age 81 in Uniontown, Fayette, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

James McCoy was born in Ireland.

James McCoy migrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania.

James McCoy served with Washington County Militia, Pennsylvania Militia during the American Revolution.

Birth

John was born about 1720^[1] in Ireland and orphaned early. He passed away in 1801. (Alternative death dates are 1810 and 1803.) When he was about fifteen years of age, he ran away from home, stowed away on a ship, and came to the Americas.

Imigration

Immigration Story – version 1 - He probably descended from one of the Scotch Presbyterian families of the lowlands of Scotland, driven from their homes by James I during the 17th century. At about 14 years of age, James was responsible for an injury to one of his uncle's (or father's) prized horses and afraid of what would happen to him decided to stowaway on a ship bound to America. During the trip, he was discovered, however, and was given to a horse trader as an indentured servant for the price of James' passage. He proved to be a kind master. After a few years, James was allowed to leave and lived for a time with an innkeeper and his wife, who taught him to read and write.^[2]

Immigration Story – version 2 - James was a native of Ireland, and when about fifteen years of age (1754) ran away from home and came to America. He had been attending the races with his father, who had entered a favorite colt, and which, at the close of the races, James had been sent home with. On the way he and some other boys ran the horses, when by some mishap the colt stumbled and fell, breaking one of its legs. This so frightened him that instead of going home he started for the coast, where he shipped on board a vessel and worked his passage to America. He remained in the East until twenty-four years of age.^[3]

Settles in South Union

James McCoy settled in South Union in 1769, when, with many others, he made application for a tract of land in the valley east of Uniontown. He was a native of Ireland, and when about fifteen years of age ran away from home and came to America... He remained in the East until twenty-four years of age, when he came to this county... Before leaving the East, Mr. McCoy had married Ann Bruce, who was like himself born in Ireland, and who came to this country when but twelve years old. Upon locating in South Union, he built a log cabin, which was situated at the foot of the Bailey orchard. Very soon, however, this cabin was reconstructed and made into "McCoy Fort", which was the rendezvous for all the immediate neighbors in times of danger, the "Col. Thomas Gaddis Fort" being two miles away to the southwest. "McCoy's Fort", erected on the land of James McCoy stood where now stands the barn of William C Dixon, the present owner (formerly Eli Bailey), in South Union township."^[4]

Land Warrants

Original Land Warrants, Surveyed 23 Sep 1769 on order #3463 dated 14 Jun 1769^[5]:

1. James McCoy - 305 acres called "Flint Hill" located on Redstone Creek, in the New Purchase, Cumberland County, This tract of land is recorded as adjoining those of Thomas Brownfield and Isaac Sutton. An allowance of six per cent, was made for roads.
2. James McCoy - 221 acres located in the Redstone settlement, in the New Purchase, Cumberland County, adjoining lands of James Hamilton. Surveyed 23 Sep 1769.

Military Experience

He was in Crawford Sandusky's Expedition (1782). The claims for losses of those who served in the expedition were adjusted by its officers from time to time and promptly paid. Horses, guns, blankets, pack-saddles, bags, and many other things, were, when proven to have been lost, paid for at a fair valuation. The volunteers who furnished their own supplies were compensated for the provisions taken with them, as were those who advanced them rations. In 1785, James McCoy was paid fourteen pounds.^[6]

Children

"The children of James and Ann McCoy were William, George, Isaac, John, Rachel, Ann, Sarah, and Mary. John married and lived on the old homestead, dying there when 52 years of age. His wife was a daughter of Col. Thomas Gaddis. Of their several children, John, the eldest, is still living on the old place and is 83 years old. George who never married went to Ohio to live and died there. Isaac married, lived and died near his father's home and left a family of 5 children. Rachel and Ann married and removed from the state. Sarah became the wife of Samuel Sutton, son of Moses Sutton. They lived on the farm one mi. SW of the Redstone Coke-Works which has since been owned by John Hagan. Mary McCoy married Charles Brownfield."^[7]

Estate

"James McCoy of Union Twp. Letters granted 12 Oct 1801 to George McCoy and John McCoy. Bond: $400. Sureties: Jacob Beeson and Jeremiah Gard. Witnesses: William Norris, Hugh Finley. Ann (X) McCoy, widow, renounces her right and appoints sons George and John. Witnessed by Jeremiah Gard, John Reace.^[8]

James estate was settled as follows:^[9]

1. "2nd Monday of June 1802, the Sheriff returns on the Inquest awarded to make partition or valuation of the estate of James McCoy of Union township that the said estate can not be divided without spoiling the whole, and the jury value the whole at the sum of $14.50 per acre, amounting to $4,118. It appearing to the Court that the daughters and all the surviving sons have by deeds disposed of their interest in this land to the second and third sons, and George (the second son) being ready to accept the land at the valuation, subject to the deeds between the same, it is awarded to him. George is to enter into recognizance for the payment of all persons concerned.
2. "2nd Monday of September 1802. Before Alexander Addison Esq and his Associate Justices of the same court. George McCoy, Dennis Springer, and Levi Springer, all of Union Twp, bind themselves in the sum of $8,236 to Ann McCoy (widow), William McCoy, the heirs of Isaac McCoy, Thomas Brownfield and Mary his wife, Samuel Sutton and sure if thisSarah his wife, Lambert Flowers and Rachel his wife, and Daved Askins (?) and Ann his wife, that the said George McCoy shall pay to all those concerned their respective shares of said estate, according to the deeds and agreements existing between and among the said parties, and according to the true intent and meaning of the order of Court of last June term. Acknowledged 16 Sep 1802 in open Court."

Sources

1. ↑ DAR Ancestor #A075739
2. ↑ John M’Coy, His Life and His Diaries. By Elizabeth Hayward. New York, The American Historical Company, 1948, pp. xvi, 493.
3. ↑ History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co, 1882, Page 681-2
4. ↑ Hist. of Fayette County, Pub. Everts & Co., Phila., 1882, p. 681
5. ↑ Early Land Warrants, Fayette County, Original Warrants Book 1, p 57
6. ↑ An Historical Account of the Expedition Against Sandusky Under Col. William Crawford in 1782, by C. W. Butterfield, Cincinnati, Robert Clarke & Co. 1873
7. ↑ History of Fayette County, Pennsylvania with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men Ellis, Franklin, 1828-1885 Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co, 1882, Page 681-2
8. ↑ Orphan's court Abstracts, Fayette County, Docket 1 (page 44): found in La Fayette, publication of the Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical
9. ↑ La Fayette, publication of the Southwest Pennsylvania Genealogical

See also:

• PENSION OF THOMAS GADDIS, *S4292; PA HIST & MUS COMM, RG 4.61, ROLL #341
• "United States Census, 1790", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKJ-5K3 : 29 May 2015), James Mccoy, 1790.
• "United States Census, 1800", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRD-13Q : 10 June 2015), James Mccoy, 1800
• Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4; Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762-1794; Microfilm Roll: 327
• United States Direct Tax of 1798: Tax Lists for the State of Pennsylvania. M372, microfilm, 24 rolls. Records of the Internal Revenue Service, 1791-2006, Record Group 58. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.
• Yates Publishing. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.
• National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Soldiers Who Served from 1784 to 1811; Record Group: 94, Records of the Adjutant General's Office, 1762 - 1984; Series Number: M905; Roll Number: 32
• Find a Grave, database and images (: accessed 05 July 2021), memorial page for James Thomas McCoy (1720–30 Sep 1801), Find A Grave: Memorial #13384046, citing Oak Grove Cemetery, South Union Township, Fayette County, Pennsylvania, USA.
• FamilySearch record - not sure if this is correct person