Alexander McCOY was born in Sutherlandshire, on the estate of the Earl of Angus, Scotland, about the year 1752, and emigrated to America before the American Revolution, leaving his native land and sailing for America, August 15, 1772, landing at Philadelphia the 7th of October following. He was accompanied on the voyage by others of his countrymen, including the family of Angus SUTHERLAND and wife and seven of his sons and daughters. This the writer learns from papers now in the possession of Hannah B. TOOL, of Lowpoint, Ill., granddaughter of Alexander McCOY. She has a diary kept by her grandfather. In his pocket Calendar, published in New York, 1777, is found the following memoranda, which the writer has copied verbatim. It reads as follows:

"An account of the birth of Angus SUTHERLAND and of his isshew maide in and from the yr. of our Lord 1756. My first born, Robert SUTHERLAND, was born January 22 in the yr. 1756. Catherine SUTHERLAND was born the first day of May in the yr. 1758. Christina Sutherland was born July 15 in the year 1760. Robert Sutherland was born March 27 in the year 1762. Catherine SUTHERLAND was born Aprile 1sth in the year 1765. George and John SUTHERLAND was born March I5th in the year 1769. Elizabeth SUTHERLAND was born September the 1 5th in the year 1771.

"I took my voiage for America with this my family the I5th day of August in the yr. 1772, and wee landed at the city of Philadelphia on the following October the 7th. Then Ebenezer SUTHERLAND was born Aprile the 24th in the yr. 1774. John SUTHERLAND was born November the 24th in the yr. 1776."

Thus ten children were born to them; and it will be noticed that there are two sons named Robert, two daughters named Catherine, and two sons named John. This, we learn, was not uncommon in that day where some of the children died and others were born. In this case, however, there were two Roberts and two Catherines came across to America. Two children were born to them after arriving in America.

It is also a well-authenticated fact that Alexander McCOY joined the army of General WASHINGTON, and served until the close of the war. He was seriously wounded by a saber thrust through the body, and was taken prisoner and carried to Halifax; and at the close of the war returned to his home. On December 20, 1787, he was joined in marriage with Frances Catherine SUTHERLAND, eldest daughter of Angus SUTHERLAND, above noted. She was born May 1, 1758, Sutherlandshire, Scotland, coming with her father's family to America, Oct. 7. 1772. She was a sister to Christina SUTHERLAND, who married Daniel McCOY, first cousin of Alexander.

Alexander and his wife were probably married in Philadelphia, and afterward settled in Wyoming Valley, Pa., and later in Mason Co., Ky., near South Ripley, where some of their first children were born. Afterward they settled in Brown Co., Ohio, near Ripley and Georgetown. Alexander died on the old farm in Brown Co., Ohio, August 12, 1837. His wife, Frances Catherine, died Oct. 6, 1848, at her daughter's, in Ripley, Ohio. They had ten (sic) children.

1) John McCOY
    born 04 Jan 1789, Washington Co. PA; died 08 May 1851, Lowpoint IL
2) George McCOY, born 12 Mar 1791
3) William McCOY, born 18 Apr 1793
4) Jane McCOY, born 12 Mar 1786; died Tonica IL; married John JOHNS
5) Angus McCOY, born 01 Dec 1799
6) Priscilla McCOY, born 16 Jul 1801, Brown Co. OH; died 13 Dec 1871, Lacon IL
    married Alexander THORN (1801-1877); seven children
7) James McCOY (1804-1884)
8) Alexander McCOY (1806-?)
9) Rosanna McCOY, twin
    born 15 1808, Brown Co. OH; died 21 Jul 1891, Princeton IL
    married 1853 James E. HAMILTON
10) Rebecca McCOY, twin
      born 15 Nov 1808, Brown Co. OH; died 11 Sep 1867, Decatur OH; unmarried

11) Jane McCOY (1814-1897)

John McCOY, son of Alexander and Frances Catherine (SUTHERLAND) McCOY, was born January 4, 1789, Washington Co., Pa.; d. May 8, 1851, at Lowpoint, Ill., of cancer of the eyes. He was a soldier of the War of 1812. Married July 25, 1812, to Isabelle BAIRD, daughter of John BAIRD, b. near Kings Mountain, N. C, July 13, 1791. She removed with her parents to Brown Co., Ohio, when she was nineteen years of age. After her husband's death she was granted a land warrant on account of his service in the War of 1812, and sold same for $460. When her parents moved from North Carolina to Ohio, they drove their sheep and cattle with them, and Isabelle, the eldest of the family, rode a pacing mare, and carried her one-year-old sister (her mother being dead) in her lap. She became the foster-mother of her father's family, and right well did she perform the duty. She was a strong, handsome woman, and lived to ripe age, dying July 9, 1874, Champaign Co., Ill.

This family were noted for their strong anti-slavery sentiments, were always friendly to the fugitive slaves traveling northward, and the latch-string of their home was always out for the dusky traveler seeking for liberty. They, together with George McCOY, and their sisters, Priscilla THORN and Jane JOHNS, emigrated to Woodford Co., Ill., about 1843.

A granddaughter writes that about the first remembrance she has, was to be startled upon rising in the morning, and seeing the floor of her grandfather's home covered with runaway slaves who had come in during the night, and were sleeping on the floor. This, she says, occurred frequently. These old Scotch families had the courage to do what they thought was right, regardless of the consequences. They removed with their family to Woodford Co., Ill., in 1841. Seven children lived to maturity; several died in infancy, of which there is no record.

James McCOY, son of Alexander and Frances Catherine (SUTHERLAND) McCOY, was born January 15, 1804, Brown County, Ohio; died March 1, 1884, Minonk, Illinois. He was in his usual health in the morning of the day he died; but he said, "This is my last day on earth." He died the same day at evening, without any apparent cause.

James was noted for his excellent memory of current events, and readiness to recall and give very correctly the date and circumstances of any event of importance transpiring in Congress, from the adoption of the Constitution for a period of three fourths of a century, giving the name of the author of any bill or act, with names of parties favoring or opposing the same. He was a walking encyclopedia of the political history of the United States for his time.

James and his brothers were all rabid abolitionists, and all voted the Free Soil ticket. They were born and reared near the border line of slavery, and were taught to detest human slavery. They were on the alert for the fleeing fugitives, and gladly did they render assistance to all such. The floors of their houses were frequently strewn with the dusky sleepers, weary and footsore on their flight toward the north star.

James, John, William, and George pushed westward to Illinois about 1843. Mrs. Mary E. WHEAT, a granddaughter of John McCOY, [wrote] that she remembered very distinctly awaking in the morning, at the homes of her father and grandfather, and seeing the floor covered with runaway slaves. Not once only, but many times. And often her father and his brothers, armed with rifle and side arms, would escort the black friends by night and by day to the next station. Their moral and physical courage were simply heroic. They did what they conceived to be right, and feared neither men nor devils. James McCOY, at his death, bequeathed a handsome legacy for the support of orphans.

Jane McCOY, daughter of Alexander and Frances Catherine (SUTHERLAND) McCOY, was born July 2, 1814 (1813 according to cemetery transcription and her obituary), Brown Co., Ohio; died January 31, 1897, at Mt. Ayr, Iowa. She was a noble, beautiful woman, with fine intellect and a great motherly heart; a most beautiful type of motherhood. She married on March 23, 1835, in Brown Co., Ohio, to William SNEDAKER. William was born April 7, 1811 (April 1, according to William's obituary), near Wheeling, Va., and died at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, Nov. 28, 1891. Jane and William lived at several places in Illinois, and finally settled at Mt. Ayr, Iowa, where they died. Jane and William were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County. They were farmers and had eleven (ten according to Jane's obituary) children:

1) Dr. James SNEDAKER, born July 1, 1836, at Brown Co., Ohio; died about January. 1, 1863; married about 1860, at Lasalle, Ill., to Emma THURSTON. He attended Granville Seminary at Palatine, Cook Co., Ill., and College at Galesburg, Ill., graduating in dental surgery. Also attended medical lectures at Cincinnati, Ohio, graduated as physician and surgeon, and was a physician of some note. He enlisted, with his brother George, in the Union Army, Co. D, 104th Illinois Regiment Vo1. Infantry, and was chosen second lieutenant of his company. His health soon failed, and he resigned, returned home, and died three months later of chronic diarrhea and typhoid fever. He left no children. His widow married Eli WALTON, and they lived in Huron, South Dakokta.

2) John W. SNEDAKER, born May 31, 1838, Brown Co., OH; died August 3, 1839, Brown Co. OH

3) Eliza Jane SNEDAKER, born February 25, 1840, Brown Co. OH; died Aug. 2, 1841, Brown Co. OH

4) George Harris SNEDAKER, born Feb. 16, 1842, Brown Co., OH; removed with parents to Putnam Co., Ill., 1843. Enlisted in Co. D, 104th Ill. Infantry, August 20, 1862. Captured by the enemy at Hartsville, Tennessee, December, 1862, and after long confinement and inhuman treatment and exposure, was discharged. George married in December of 1864, to Melissa BREWER, at Camargo, Ill. They resided at Hennessey, Okla. They were the parents of five children, all of them finely educated:
    1) James SNEDAKER, born in Douglas Co., Ill.
    2) Ethel E. SNEDAKER, born in Douglas Co., Ill.
    3) Charles B. SNEDAKER, born in Douglas Co., Ill.
    4) Ida M. SNEDAKER, born in Ringgold Co., Iowa
    5) W. W. SNEDAKER, born in Ringgold Co., Iowa

5) Katherine SNEDAKER, born May 16, 1844, near Hennepin, Putnam Co., Ill.; married March 9, 1869, to Malcolm T. McINTYRE. Malcom was born in Middlesex, Ontario, Canada. They resided at Ladd, Ill. where he was postmaster there (1904). They were the parents of two sons and three daughters:
    1) Laura Alice McINTYRE, born December 30, 1869; married on Sept. 18, 1895, to Edward L. WROTEN, who was born January 31, 1870. Edward was a railroad agent at Sandwich, Ill. Laura and Edward had one child; Alice Katherine WROTEN, born September 25, 1901
    2) James William McINTYRE, born Febraury 7, 1871, Douglas Co., Ill.
        Cashier of the C. B. and Q. Railroad at Aurora, Ill.
    3) Mary Edith McINTYRE, born August 12, 1872; died Dec. 9, 1873, at Mt. Ayr IA
    4) Lois Edna McINTYRE, born September 25, 1877, Mt. Ayr, Iowa
        Teacher at Sandwich, Ill.
    5) Angus Evart McINTYRE, born June 29, 1880, Mt. Ayr, Iowa
        Carpenter at Ladd, Ill.

6) Emelline SNEDAKER, born March 16, 1847, Putnam Co., Ill.; married March 16, 1866, to George WINGFIELD, who was born December 3, 1843. Emelline and George resided near Allerton, III. where he is a prosperous farmer owning some six hundred acres of the best farm and stock land. Emellin and George were the parents of seven children:
    1) Effie May WINGFIELD, born May 25, 1867; married July 8, 1887 to C. J. STUTLER, a railroad agent at Metcalf, Ill. Effie and C. J. resided at Springfield, Missouri, and were the parents of five children:
        (1) Alice Anna STUTLER, born May 23, 1888
        (2) Emma May STUTLER, born April 2, 1894
        (3) James Joyce STUTLER, born November 7, 1896
        (4) George W. STUTLER, born May 17, 1899
        (5) Roy Sanford STUTLER, born Jan., 1904
    2) William Etson WINGFIELD, born Nov. 26, 1869; married November 15, 1899 to Carrie May CLEEK, Hot Springs, Va. William was a farmer of Allerton, Ill.
    3) James Everett WINGFIELD, born Sept. 13, 1872. Farmer, near Allerton, Ill.
    4) Harry Leoland WINGFIELD, born June 24, 1876. Graduate of Bloomingdale, Indiana, Academy and Draughon's Business College, Nashville, Tenn. Also a student in Lincoln University, Lincoln, Ill. A machinist, Harry resided at Allerton, Ill.
    5) Jessie Isabelle WINGFIELD, born Dec. 1, 1878; married James OWNBY, bank cashier at Allerton for a time, then, a banker at Coulee City, Wash. Jessie and James were the parents of two daughters:
        (1) Mary Genevieve WINGFIELD, born April 10, 1900
        (2) Portia Aileen WINGFIELD, born Aug. 1, 1902
    6) Portia Jane WINGFIELD, born March 27, 1883. Living near Allerton, Ill.
    7) Naoma Aileen WINGFIELD, born October of 1889.

7) William Harvey SNEDAKER, born October 8, 1852, near Tonica, Ill.
    William was a contractor and builder.
    married 1st in 1881 Rebecca SKIDMORE who died November 1, 1891
    married 2nd unknown
    residence: Chariton, Lucas County, Iowa
    3 children, oldest daughter was deputy auditor of Lucas County, Chariton, IA

8) Jesse Evertt SNEDAKER, born Dec. 27, 1854, (December 28 according to Jesse's obituary and cemetery transcription) near Tonica, Ill.; auditor of Ringgold County, Iowa; died December 19, 1922, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Jesse married October 23, 1884, Chariton IA to Martha "Elizabeth CULBERTSON", born March 20, 1858, Zanesville OH; died March 29, 1933, Iowa City, Iowa. Jesse and Elizabeth were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. They were the parents of three children:
    (1) Mabel Izetta SNEDAKER, born October 31, 1888, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa; did not marry; professor of Education at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa. On April 6, 1930, Professor Martin Johan NELSON, director of research at Iowa State Teachers College [present-day University of Northern Iowa] appointe Mabel SNEDAKER of the University of Iowa to a committe on teacher training at junior colleges.
    (2) Howard Evertt SNEDAKER, born November 29, 1890, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
    (3) Mary "Marguerite" (SNEDAKER) HUMPHREY, born March 18, 1896, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa

9) Amanda Alvaretta SNEDAKER
    born March 14, 1857, Lasalle County, Illinois
    married April 8, 1889, Newell Wardner CLARK, born Sept. 26, 1843
Amanda and Newell lived near Clearfield in Taylor County, Iowa, where they were prosperous and influential farmers. They later moved into town to provide better educational opportunities for their children. Newell served during the Civil War for three years and was severely wounded at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. Amanda was a teacher and an ardent temperance worker. Her hair, when braided, measured four feet long. Amanda and Newell were the parents of four daughters:
    (1) Hattie McCoy CLARK, born in February of 1890; died June 23, 1891
    (2) Florence May CLARK, born May 10, 1892
    (3) Anna Laura CLARK, born April 25, 1896; died January 26, 1899
    (4) Helen Mary CLARK (adopted), born October 30, 1894

10) Nettie Alma SNEDAKER, born June 23, 1859, near Tonica, Illinois; died 1912. Nettie married September 4, 1884 Joseph BENNETT, born April 18, 1861, Galva, Illinois; died 1944. Joseph, a prosperous farmer, owned 580 acres of land located Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. The BENNETT farm was finely improved and stocked. Nettie and Joseph were interred at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Nettie and Joseph were the parents of four children:
    (1) Bessie Irene BENNETT, born July 6, 1885, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
    (2) Ray Talmage BENNETT, born September 28, 1889, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
    (3) Clarence Fred BENNETT, born June 14, 1894, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA
    (4) Joseph Lyman BENNETT, born March 23, 1899, Mount Ayr, Ringgold Co. IA

SOURCE:
McCOY, Lycurgus William McCOY and His Descendants Pp. 153-65. Kessinger Publ. Chicago. 1904.
WPA Grave Surveys
American Civil War Soldiers, ancestry.com
www.library.uni.edu/indexuni/full_record.php?id=245554

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, May of 2009