Children of Hugh McCoy and Jemima Franklin:
1. John McCoy WFT Est/ 1788-1879
2. Martha McCoy Est. 1784-1791. d. Est/ 1788-1883
3. Daniel McCoy Abt. 1787 NC; died after 1850 in Jackson, Al
4. David McCoy born 2 MAY, 1790, Burke County, NC
5. Phebe McCoy b. Abt. 1791 Burke Co., NC; died aft. 1870 in Richland Co., IL; married John Brown
6. Hannah McCoy, born 11 FEB, 1798; died 27 SEP 1888 in Bell Co., Texas.
It is said that Hugh McCoy was injured at the scene of Borgoyne's defeat (Battle of Saratoga). It had to have been then that he was taken to the home of John Franklin to recover from his wounds. See Bio of William T. Morris, David McCoy's son in law, husband of Lucinthia McCoy.
Below are transcribed newspaper stories from the scrap book of Emma McCoy 1895 about my 3rd great grandfather David McCoy and his father Hugh McCoy. The clips did not indicate the newspaper they were published in. If anyone knows, I would appreciate that information.
Thursday, May 8, 1890 From San Bernardino, California Newspaper.
IN HIS SECOND CENTURY.
David McCoy Closes His Centennial Year in Good Mental and Bodily Health
On May 2, 1790, David McCoy was born in Burke county, North Carolina. His father Hugh McCoy, was a Scotch-man by birth, having been born and raised in the highland district of "bonny Scotland."
It was during the Revolutionary war that, when on a business trip to one of the sea coast cities of his native land, he was conscripted as a British soldier and sent to America to assist in subjugating the Americans who were so noble struggling for independence.
Soon after reaching America, in one of the first engagements in which he took part, he was wounded and his commanding officer had him taken to the home of John Franklin in New Jersey who, through a patriot, with sons fighting for freedom, was compelled to care for the wounded British soldier. After his recovery he declined to re-enter the army, and shortly afterward rewarded his benefactor by asking for the hand of one of his daughters – Jemima Franklin. The old gentleman favoring the suit, the couple was married. Shortly after that they moved to North Carolina, where six children – three sons and three daughters were born to them.
When David, the fourth child and the subject of this sketch – was some 4 or five years old, his father concluded to make a trip to Scotland, in hopes of obtaining property there that belonged to him, and which would assist in making comfortable and happy the wife and bairns in his Western home. Accordingly he started, but the facilities for travelling were poor and news was not carried on the wings of lightening, as at present. Ships did not leave port every day as they do now, and those that did venture upon the waves were small sailing-vessels that were greatly at the mercy of the wind and waves. No tiding of him ever came back to the watching and waiting wife and little ones, and they never knew whether he perished on the way to the seaport or was lost at sea.
Left there in the new country, with limited means and six children to support, the mother could not indulge them in luxuries, and the boys were taught the importance of self-reliance, industry and economy. David did not have shoes till he was 12 years of age – old enough to ride a horse to the old water mill of the neighborhood, and such a luxury a hat was not indulged in till he was old enough to set muskrat traps and exchange skins for one.
Although a century has passed, it is still a measure for him to remember and relate the boyish experiences, the anxious watching, and work necessary to secure the requisite number of skins required in exchange for that article of apparel always so dear to a boyish heart. With what eager haste and pride did young David go to his uncle, who was a hatter by trade, and exchange six skins for his first head covering. We may be sure that so highly prized an article was not rudely used as a plaything or football, as is too often the case with careless and indulged youngsters of today, and we doubt if mothers and sisters were as often called upon to find a lost or misplaced hat.
During his early boyhood he received six months schooling, and was a schoolmate of Washington Irving and his cousin, Irving McDowel. When he was 14 years old his mother married William Griffin and they moved to Pulaski County, Ky., where he lived with his stepfather for four years.
Obedient and dutiful, he was the subject to his orders, but when Mr. Griffin attempted to administer a chastisement for some fancied neglect of duty, the youth unceremoniously left his root and lived for six months with a relative near by.
When making a Christmas visit to his mother a reconciliation was effected and he decided to remain longer at home. At the end of two years he went again to his uncle's and enjoyed the advantages of a country school for four months.
Not far away in Casey county, Kentucky, on the Green River, lived Martin Smith, a well to do farmer, who was advanced in years and whose family consisted entirely of girls, and who needed the services of just such a youth as young David. They entered into an agreement by which David was to become a member of the old gentleman's family and work for him till he was 21 years of age -- about three years – and was to receive for his services a horse valued at $60, six month's schooling and two suits of homespun clothes.
Thus equipped, he started out, a free man to battle the world. Endowed with a good constitution, unswerving courage and a liberal share of Scotch patience and perserverence, he was prepared for any, and all, work before him.
Sturdiest manhood is not nurtured in the lap of luxury and ease, and the subject of our sketch shirked not hardships, nor waited for some sudden good luck or fortune to overtake him, but took advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself to assist him in the world. Steamboats and cars were unknown at that time and produce and lumber were carried principally on rafts or flat bottomed boats down the river.
About five miles below Frankfort he engaged himself to go on such an expedition. They floated down the Kentucky river, hence on the Ohio, and on down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where the cargo was sold. On each boat four men were employed, who watched by turns and kept the raft in the current of the stream. At night the watcher would determine his distance from shore by calling out, and the echo would indicate the nearness of the land and let him know which way to steer. The journey home made alone, a distance of 1,000 miles via Natchez, Miss. and Nashville, Tenn., then little more than hamlets. The lonely traveler carried blankets for a bed, and when nightfall overtook him, stopped, and camped beneath the trees, with the twinkling stars and silvery moon as silent watchers during his slumbering hours. His food consisted of corn bread, bacon, sometimes hominy and jerked meat, or venison that was bought from friendly Indians by the way, who kept such things for sale. Such things as matches were unknown and fires made with flint and steel and a cotton match. The latter consisted of a roll of cotton fastened in a corn stalk. A trip of this kind required from three to five months, and the wages received were $65, the traveler paying his own expenses. Mr. McCoy made three such trips – in 1812, 1815 and 1821, respectively.
In 1813 he went to Clay county, Kentucky, and engaged in the production of saltpeter. In the fall of that year, when America was engaged in another contest with England, and when volunteers were called for to take Fort Malden, he shouldered his rifle, mounted his horse and rode to Canada, and enlisted in the army. He was in the battle of the Thames, when Isaac Shelby, Dick Johnson, and W.H. Harrison were commanders. In this battle the great Indian warrior, Tecumseh, was killed, and left upon the field. When seen, several hours after death, his entire scalp was gone, and pieces of skin, several inches wide, were taken from his limbs, from his thighs to his knees, as trophies of war. The special service for which this call for troops had been accomplished, he returned home, to the mountainous districts of Clay county, Kentucky. For the services thus rendered in the war he received $1 per day (amounting to $87) and 160 acres of land, for which he received a warrant in 1850, and since 1871 he has received a pension of $8 a month.
Shortly after returning home he built a flatboat, loaded it with stonecoal and started to Lexington Ky., but had gone only about seven miles when a large rock was struck which broke through the boat, sinking it and losing both boat and cargo, valued at $250. Undiscouraged, he returned home, sawed the lumber by hand, made another boat, loaded it, and reached Lexington in safety. There he sold boat and cargo, and hired to the purchaser to take the same down to New Orleans – returning, as usual, on foot.
On the 21st of December, 1815, he was married to Lucinthia Davis, a granddaughter of Martin Smith, the farmer for whom he had formerly worked. She was a handsome, noble woman, and well performed her part as companion and helpmeet. To them seven children were born – five sons and two daughters.
They continued to live in Casey county for about three years after they were married, and then went to Monroe county, Indiana, and engaged in farming for two years. He then made his third and last trip to New Orleans and was gone five months. Indiana was at that time sparsely settled, and most of the settlers were friendly, partly civilized Indians and a few Quakers. In 1821, he and his family moved about 40 miles north, to Putnam County, where he bought 80 acres of land and lived there till 1834. In 1834, he moved to Gasconade county, Missouri, near Lynn, and soon after this, the county was divided and the western half called Osage county. He was living here when Jefferson City then a hamlet, was made the seat of government, and rode on horseback about 40 miles to that place and carried the petition to have the county divided. The horse he rode was without shoes and the weather turned very cold it was thought best have have him shod and he was taken to the penitentiary for that purpose, there being no other blacksmith shop in the place.
After farming here for 12 years he moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained for about 18 months, and then moved to Lewis County, Missouri, in 1849, entered about 160 acres of land and settled on a farm about 15 miles from Canton. He petitioned Congress and got a post office established here, which he named Bunker Hill – a name it still bears. Here he acted in the capacity of postmaster, kept private hotel and stage stand, and carried on farming for about seven years. While here he received a land warrant from Congress for 160 acres of land, which he located near his home.
In 1862, he sold his farm and the following year moved to California, going overland in wagons drawn by horses. It required four months to make this trip. Although it was no infrequent thing for the travelers on that lonely road to be attacked by Indians, this party were fortunate enough to escape unmolested. At one time they reached a fort about two hours after the Indians had attacked it and killed two white men, and this party assisted in guarding the fort till reinforcements could be obtained. They reached Marysville, Cal. August 4, 1863. Mr. McCoy engaged in farming in Sutter county for about three years, then moved south and spent a few months in San Bernardino and bought a piece of rich, well-watered land, a part of what was known as the Carpenter ranch, on the zanja, about two miles east of the present city of Redlands. In 1871, he returned to Missouri and bought land near the old home at Bunker Hill. Here, in 1877, death robbed him of his life companion who had been a stay and help-through the changes and vicissitudes of more than 60 years. Since that time he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, and in 1884 moved with her and her family back to the Golden State, and in this land of sunshine and flowers he expects to spend the remainder of his days.
On the 2nd day of this May, 1890, his friends and relatives met with him to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of his birth. To very few has so long a lease on life been given. He has lived through every Presidential administration our county has known, and has been a Democrat since the establishment of the party, and has always been loyal to its principles, deploring its mistakes and defeats and rejoicing in it successes. He has lived through three wars, and notes with pride the progress of his country and countrymen. An upright peaceable, honorable citizen, he has always been content to live a quiet, home life, and never sought any public position. He has always lived a strictly temperate life, and has never given to the use of tobacco or intoxicants and only of late has used coffee, and through his hair is whitened with the frosts of 100 years, he boasts a steady nerve, remarkably preserved faculties, both physical and mental, and takes an interest in the events
of the day. Possessed of strong convictions, great charity toward others honesty and integrity, he has always merited and obtained the confidence and respect of those with whom he associated. He yet takes an interest and pleasure in life, and having a strong and abiding faith in the goodness, power and mercy of the Maker, he waits with patience for the summons of "Him who doeth all things well."
David McCoy celebrated his one-hundredth birthday at the home of W.T. Morris near Redlands, May the 2d. A number of friends and relatives were present to partake of a turkey dinner prepared by his daughter, Mrs. Morris, at whose home he has lived for the last 20 years. The old gentlemen is hale and hearty for one ho his years, and stood up to have his photograph taken Mr. Wesner of San Bernardino. A number of callers in the afternoon kept him busy signing his autograph as souvenirs.
Published in 1894 in a San Bernardino, California newspaper.
ATRIARCH'S LIFE-YARN.
An Interesting Sketch of a Centenarian Solider.
David McCoy of San Bernardino, and His Life Work.
Left at an Early Age to Support His Widowed Mother –
He was "in at the Death of Tecunmseh" – His Peaceful Life's Twilight.
David McCoy was born May 2, 1790, in Burke county, North Carolina, his parents being of Scotch descent. He was the eldest of a family of five children. When young David was 10 years of age his father took passage on a sailing vessel bound for the port of Glasgow, Scotland, where he had business interests. The vessel was never heard from again, but it was supposed to have been taken by pirates and all on baord put to death. Left at an early age without a father's care, young David worked manfully, early and late, to support his widowed mother and his younger brothers and sisters. When David was 21 years of age he emigrated to Frankfort, Kentucky. The war between the United States and England breaking out shortly after his arrival, he enlisted in the First Kentucky Regiment United States volunteers, commanded by Col. Dick Johnson, furnishing his own horse, saddle and rifle. They marched across the State of Ohio, which was at that early date a dense wilderness to!
where the city of Sandusky now stands, and were ferried across Lake Erie to Malden in Upper Canada. The British and Indians under General Proctor fell back to a more advantageous position on the river Thames. Col. Dick Johnson with his mounted Kentuckians were ordered to charge the redcoats under Proctor, who held the first line of battle. The Kentucky horsemen obeyed the order and dashing through the forest they broke the enemy's line. Forming his men in the English rear, Colonel Johnson attacked the Indians under Tecumseh, who held the right and left flanks, defeating them and putting them to flight, and their chief, Tecumseh, was killed. This battle, which occurred October 5, 1813, and Perry's victory on Lake Erie a short time before, gave the United States the State of Michigan and made all the other states bordering on the great lakes safe from Indian attacks and depredations.
Mr. McCoy participated in nearly all of the battles of the war that his regiment was engaged in and returned safe to Clay county, Kentucky, where he married Miss Lucy Davis. There he settled down to farm, working hard through the summer season and in the fall he would go to New Orleans by flat boat with a load of his farm produce, selling it for cash. He returned home on foot a dangerous journey of nearly 1000 miles. In the year 1840, Mr. McCoy emigrated to Green Castle, Indiana. In the year 1856, he sold out his fine farm in Indiana and moved to Rolla, Osage county, Mo., where he lived till 1863. when he emigrated to Colusa county, Cal. In the year 1866 he moved to San Bernardino.
He remained until 1877, when he returned to Canton, Mo. There his beloved partner of his life left him for the spirit land. Shortly after the death of his wife he returned to the Golden State to spend the balance of his remaining years with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, who lives on Brookside avenue near Redlands.
David McCoy raised a family of seven children and four of them are alive and live in this state. They are: G.L. McCoy of Humbolt county, W.W. McCoy of San Bernardino, John M. McCoy of Sutter county, Mrs. W.T. Morris of Redlands. He has also 30 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 11 great great-grandchildren, making a total of over 80 descendants, and counting a genealogy of four generations.
Mr. McCoy's eyesight did not fail him until he was 95 years of age, for up to that period he could read without glasses, work in the garden and was nimbler on his feet than most men at 60. Although he has passed his 102nd milestone his memory is perfect on any and all great events that happened 80 years ago. He was an intimate friend and acquaintance of Andrew Jackson and Col. Tom Benton. He had also listened many times to the speeches of Clay, Calhoun and Webster.
On being asked the question if he had much sickness in his long and eventful life, he said: No; only once, when he had typhoid fever; he sent for the doctor and he was satisfied the doctor did him more harm than good, and he has not had any use for any since. He also stated that he had attributed his remarkable long life and good health to the fact that he never used spirituous liquors or tobacco in his life, and always voted the straight Democratic ticket without a scratch.
On being asked the question which ones of the great leaders of his party he liked the best, he quickly replied: Andrew Jackson, Stephen A. Douglass and Grover Cleveland. David McCoy never belonged to any secret order, but he has high honor of belonging to the order of veterans of the war of 1812 and wears that badge, the only one, so far as known, worn in the entire state of California. He is also an honorary member of the Pioneer society of San Bernardino.
HE WILL VOTE
The Oldest Man in the State will Cast his Ballot
Grandfather David McCoy of Mission, who was 102 years old last May, will vote at the coming election in Mission precinct. He is still hale and hearty, able to walk about and do light work and converses not only intelligently but with great interest upon the topics of the day which he refreshes with anecdotes and reminiscences of the past. It is really a great pleasure to talk with him. He was born in the far east and in early days came to California in search of gold. He has been a farmer all of his life.
Moore Bros., the jewelers, received a telegram today instructing them to send the handsomest gold-head cans in their store by 2 p.m. motor to Idlewild. The can was presented this afternoon to David McCoy, the oldest voter in California by the Mission people. It will be remembered that we published a few days ago a brief biography of this venerable patriot.
1. John McCoy WFT Est/ 1788-1879
2. Martha McCoy Est. 1784-1791. d. Est/ 1788-1883
3. Daniel McCoy Abt. 1787 NC; died after 1850 in Jackson, Al
4. David McCoy born 2 MAY, 1790, Burke County, NC
5. Phebe McCoy b. Abt. 1791 Burke Co., NC; died aft. 1870 in Richland Co., IL; married John Brown
6. Hannah McCoy, born 11 FEB, 1798; died 27 SEP 1888 in Bell Co., Texas.
It is said that Hugh McCoy was injured at the scene of Borgoyne's defeat (Battle of Saratoga). It had to have been then that he was taken to the home of John Franklin to recover from his wounds. See Bio of William T. Morris, David McCoy's son in law, husband of Lucinthia McCoy.
Below are transcribed newspaper stories from the scrap book of Emma McCoy 1895 about my 3rd great grandfather David McCoy and his father Hugh McCoy. The clips did not indicate the newspaper they were published in. If anyone knows, I would appreciate that information.
Thursday, May 8, 1890 From San Bernardino, California Newspaper.
IN HIS SECOND CENTURY.
David McCoy Closes His Centennial Year in Good Mental and Bodily Health
On May 2, 1790, David McCoy was born in Burke county, North Carolina. His father Hugh McCoy, was a Scotch-man by birth, having been born and raised in the highland district of "bonny Scotland."
It was during the Revolutionary war that, when on a business trip to one of the sea coast cities of his native land, he was conscripted as a British soldier and sent to America to assist in subjugating the Americans who were so noble struggling for independence.
Soon after reaching America, in one of the first engagements in which he took part, he was wounded and his commanding officer had him taken to the home of John Franklin in New Jersey who, through a patriot, with sons fighting for freedom, was compelled to care for the wounded British soldier. After his recovery he declined to re-enter the army, and shortly afterward rewarded his benefactor by asking for the hand of one of his daughters – Jemima Franklin. The old gentleman favoring the suit, the couple was married. Shortly after that they moved to North Carolina, where six children – three sons and three daughters were born to them.
When David, the fourth child and the subject of this sketch – was some 4 or five years old, his father concluded to make a trip to Scotland, in hopes of obtaining property there that belonged to him, and which would assist in making comfortable and happy the wife and bairns in his Western home. Accordingly he started, but the facilities for travelling were poor and news was not carried on the wings of lightening, as at present. Ships did not leave port every day as they do now, and those that did venture upon the waves were small sailing-vessels that were greatly at the mercy of the wind and waves. No tiding of him ever came back to the watching and waiting wife and little ones, and they never knew whether he perished on the way to the seaport or was lost at sea.
Left there in the new country, with limited means and six children to support, the mother could not indulge them in luxuries, and the boys were taught the importance of self-reliance, industry and economy. David did not have shoes till he was 12 years of age – old enough to ride a horse to the old water mill of the neighborhood, and such a luxury a hat was not indulged in till he was old enough to set muskrat traps and exchange skins for one.
Although a century has passed, it is still a measure for him to remember and relate the boyish experiences, the anxious watching, and work necessary to secure the requisite number of skins required in exchange for that article of apparel always so dear to a boyish heart. With what eager haste and pride did young David go to his uncle, who was a hatter by trade, and exchange six skins for his first head covering. We may be sure that so highly prized an article was not rudely used as a plaything or football, as is too often the case with careless and indulged youngsters of today, and we doubt if mothers and sisters were as often called upon to find a lost or misplaced hat.
During his early boyhood he received six months schooling, and was a schoolmate of Washington Irving and his cousin, Irving McDowel. When he was 14 years old his mother married William Griffin and they moved to Pulaski County, Ky., where he lived with his stepfather for four years.
Obedient and dutiful, he was the subject to his orders, but when Mr. Griffin attempted to administer a chastisement for some fancied neglect of duty, the youth unceremoniously left his root and lived for six months with a relative near by.
When making a Christmas visit to his mother a reconciliation was effected and he decided to remain longer at home. At the end of two years he went again to his uncle's and enjoyed the advantages of a country school for four months.
Not far away in Casey county, Kentucky, on the Green River, lived Martin Smith, a well to do farmer, who was advanced in years and whose family consisted entirely of girls, and who needed the services of just such a youth as young David. They entered into an agreement by which David was to become a member of the old gentleman's family and work for him till he was 21 years of age -- about three years – and was to receive for his services a horse valued at $60, six month's schooling and two suits of homespun clothes.
Thus equipped, he started out, a free man to battle the world. Endowed with a good constitution, unswerving courage and a liberal share of Scotch patience and perserverence, he was prepared for any, and all, work before him.
Sturdiest manhood is not nurtured in the lap of luxury and ease, and the subject of our sketch shirked not hardships, nor waited for some sudden good luck or fortune to overtake him, but took advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself to assist him in the world. Steamboats and cars were unknown at that time and produce and lumber were carried principally on rafts or flat bottomed boats down the river.
About five miles below Frankfort he engaged himself to go on such an expedition. They floated down the Kentucky river, hence on the Ohio, and on down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where the cargo was sold. On each boat four men were employed, who watched by turns and kept the raft in the current of the stream. At night the watcher would determine his distance from shore by calling out, and the echo would indicate the nearness of the land and let him know which way to steer. The journey home made alone, a distance of 1,000 miles via Natchez, Miss. and Nashville, Tenn., then little more than hamlets. The lonely traveler carried blankets for a bed, and when nightfall overtook him, stopped, and camped beneath the trees, with the twinkling stars and silvery moon as silent watchers during his slumbering hours. His food consisted of corn bread, bacon, sometimes hominy and jerked meat, or venison that was bought from friendly Indians by the way, who kept such things for sale. Such things as matches were unknown and fires made with flint and steel and a cotton match. The latter consisted of a roll of cotton fastened in a corn stalk. A trip of this kind required from three to five months, and the wages received were $65, the traveler paying his own expenses. Mr. McCoy made three such trips – in 1812, 1815 and 1821, respectively.
In 1813 he went to Clay county, Kentucky, and engaged in the production of saltpeter. In the fall of that year, when America was engaged in another contest with England, and when volunteers were called for to take Fort Malden, he shouldered his rifle, mounted his horse and rode to Canada, and enlisted in the army. He was in the battle of the Thames, when Isaac Shelby, Dick Johnson, and W.H. Harrison were commanders. In this battle the great Indian warrior, Tecumseh, was killed, and left upon the field. When seen, several hours after death, his entire scalp was gone, and pieces of skin, several inches wide, were taken from his limbs, from his thighs to his knees, as trophies of war. The special service for which this call for troops had been accomplished, he returned home, to the mountainous districts of Clay county, Kentucky. For the services thus rendered in the war he received $1 per day (amounting to $87) and 160 acres of land, for which he received a warrant in 1850, and since 1871 he has received a pension of $8 a month.
Shortly after returning home he built a flatboat, loaded it with stonecoal and started to Lexington Ky., but had gone only about seven miles when a large rock was struck which broke through the boat, sinking it and losing both boat and cargo, valued at $250. Undiscouraged, he returned home, sawed the lumber by hand, made another boat, loaded it, and reached Lexington in safety. There he sold boat and cargo, and hired to the purchaser to take the same down to New Orleans – returning, as usual, on foot.
On the 21st of December, 1815, he was married to Lucinthia Davis, a granddaughter of Martin Smith, the farmer for whom he had formerly worked. She was a handsome, noble woman, and well performed her part as companion and helpmeet. To them seven children were born – five sons and two daughters.
They continued to live in Casey county for about three years after they were married, and then went to Monroe county, Indiana, and engaged in farming for two years. He then made his third and last trip to New Orleans and was gone five months. Indiana was at that time sparsely settled, and most of the settlers were friendly, partly civilized Indians and a few Quakers. In 1821, he and his family moved about 40 miles north, to Putnam County, where he bought 80 acres of land and lived there till 1834. In 1834, he moved to Gasconade county, Missouri, near Lynn, and soon after this, the county was divided and the western half called Osage county. He was living here when Jefferson City then a hamlet, was made the seat of government, and rode on horseback about 40 miles to that place and carried the petition to have the county divided. The horse he rode was without shoes and the weather turned very cold it was thought best have have him shod and he was taken to the penitentiary for that purpose, there being no other blacksmith shop in the place.
After farming here for 12 years he moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained for about 18 months, and then moved to Lewis County, Missouri, in 1849, entered about 160 acres of land and settled on a farm about 15 miles from Canton. He petitioned Congress and got a post office established here, which he named Bunker Hill – a name it still bears. Here he acted in the capacity of postmaster, kept private hotel and stage stand, and carried on farming for about seven years. While here he received a land warrant from Congress for 160 acres of land, which he located near his home.
In 1862, he sold his farm and the following year moved to California, going overland in wagons drawn by horses. It required four months to make this trip. Although it was no infrequent thing for the travelers on that lonely road to be attacked by Indians, this party were fortunate enough to escape unmolested. At one time they reached a fort about two hours after the Indians had attacked it and killed two white men, and this party assisted in guarding the fort till reinforcements could be obtained. They reached Marysville, Cal. August 4, 1863. Mr. McCoy engaged in farming in Sutter county for about three years, then moved south and spent a few months in San Bernardino and bought a piece of rich, well-watered land, a part of what was known as the Carpenter ranch, on the zanja, about two miles east of the present city of Redlands. In 1871, he returned to Missouri and bought land near the old home at Bunker Hill. Here, in 1877, death robbed him of his life companion who had been a stay and help-through the changes and vicissitudes of more than 60 years. Since that time he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, and in 1884 moved with her and her family back to the Golden State, and in this land of sunshine and flowers he expects to spend the remainder of his days.
On the 2nd day of this May, 1890, his friends and relatives met with him to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of his birth. To very few has so long a lease on life been given. He has lived through every Presidential administration our county has known, and has been a Democrat since the establishment of the party, and has always been loyal to its principles, deploring its mistakes and defeats and rejoicing in it successes. He has lived through three wars, and notes with pride the progress of his country and countrymen. An upright peaceable, honorable citizen, he has always been content to live a quiet, home life, and never sought any public position. He has always lived a strictly temperate life, and has never given to the use of tobacco or intoxicants and only of late has used coffee, and through his hair is whitened with the frosts of 100 years, he boasts a steady nerve, remarkably preserved faculties, both physical and mental, and takes an interest in the events
of the day. Possessed of strong convictions, great charity toward others honesty and integrity, he has always merited and obtained the confidence and respect of those with whom he associated. He yet takes an interest and pleasure in life, and having a strong and abiding faith in the goodness, power and mercy of the Maker, he waits with patience for the summons of "Him who doeth all things well."
David McCoy celebrated his one-hundredth birthday at the home of W.T. Morris near Redlands, May the 2d. A number of friends and relatives were present to partake of a turkey dinner prepared by his daughter, Mrs. Morris, at whose home he has lived for the last 20 years. The old gentlemen is hale and hearty for one ho his years, and stood up to have his photograph taken Mr. Wesner of San Bernardino. A number of callers in the afternoon kept him busy signing his autograph as souvenirs.
Published in 1894 in a San Bernardino, California newspaper.
ATRIARCH'S LIFE-YARN.
An Interesting Sketch of a Centenarian Solider.
David McCoy of San Bernardino, and His Life Work.
Left at an Early Age to Support His Widowed Mother –
He was "in at the Death of Tecunmseh" – His Peaceful Life's Twilight.
David McCoy was born May 2, 1790, in Burke county, North Carolina, his parents being of Scotch descent. He was the eldest of a family of five children. When young David was 10 years of age his father took passage on a sailing vessel bound for the port of Glasgow, Scotland, where he had business interests. The vessel was never heard from again, but it was supposed to have been taken by pirates and all on baord put to death. Left at an early age without a father's care, young David worked manfully, early and late, to support his widowed mother and his younger brothers and sisters. When David was 21 years of age he emigrated to Frankfort, Kentucky. The war between the United States and England breaking out shortly after his arrival, he enlisted in the First Kentucky Regiment United States volunteers, commanded by Col. Dick Johnson, furnishing his own horse, saddle and rifle. They marched across the State of Ohio, which was at that early date a dense wilderness to!
where the city of Sandusky now stands, and were ferried across Lake Erie to Malden in Upper Canada. The British and Indians under General Proctor fell back to a more advantageous position on the river Thames. Col. Dick Johnson with his mounted Kentuckians were ordered to charge the redcoats under Proctor, who held the first line of battle. The Kentucky horsemen obeyed the order and dashing through the forest they broke the enemy's line. Forming his men in the English rear, Colonel Johnson attacked the Indians under Tecumseh, who held the right and left flanks, defeating them and putting them to flight, and their chief, Tecumseh, was killed. This battle, which occurred October 5, 1813, and Perry's victory on Lake Erie a short time before, gave the United States the State of Michigan and made all the other states bordering on the great lakes safe from Indian attacks and depredations.
Mr. McCoy participated in nearly all of the battles of the war that his regiment was engaged in and returned safe to Clay county, Kentucky, where he married Miss Lucy Davis. There he settled down to farm, working hard through the summer season and in the fall he would go to New Orleans by flat boat with a load of his farm produce, selling it for cash. He returned home on foot a dangerous journey of nearly 1000 miles. In the year 1840, Mr. McCoy emigrated to Green Castle, Indiana. In the year 1856, he sold out his fine farm in Indiana and moved to Rolla, Osage county, Mo., where he lived till 1863. when he emigrated to Colusa county, Cal. In the year 1866 he moved to San Bernardino.
He remained until 1877, when he returned to Canton, Mo. There his beloved partner of his life left him for the spirit land. Shortly after the death of his wife he returned to the Golden State to spend the balance of his remaining years with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, who lives on Brookside avenue near Redlands.
David McCoy raised a family of seven children and four of them are alive and live in this state. They are: G.L. McCoy of Humbolt county, W.W. McCoy of San Bernardino, John M. McCoy of Sutter county, Mrs. W.T. Morris of Redlands. He has also 30 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 11 great great-grandchildren, making a total of over 80 descendants, and counting a genealogy of four generations.
Mr. McCoy's eyesight did not fail him until he was 95 years of age, for up to that period he could read without glasses, work in the garden and was nimbler on his feet than most men at 60. Although he has passed his 102nd milestone his memory is perfect on any and all great events that happened 80 years ago. He was an intimate friend and acquaintance of Andrew Jackson and Col. Tom Benton. He had also listened many times to the speeches of Clay, Calhoun and Webster.
On being asked the question if he had much sickness in his long and eventful life, he said: No; only once, when he had typhoid fever; he sent for the doctor and he was satisfied the doctor did him more harm than good, and he has not had any use for any since. He also stated that he had attributed his remarkable long life and good health to the fact that he never used spirituous liquors or tobacco in his life, and always voted the straight Democratic ticket without a scratch.
On being asked the question which ones of the great leaders of his party he liked the best, he quickly replied: Andrew Jackson, Stephen A. Douglass and Grover Cleveland. David McCoy never belonged to any secret order, but he has high honor of belonging to the order of veterans of the war of 1812 and wears that badge, the only one, so far as known, worn in the entire state of California. He is also an honorary member of the Pioneer society of San Bernardino.
HE WILL VOTE
The Oldest Man in the State will Cast his Ballot
Grandfather David McCoy of Mission, who was 102 years old last May, will vote at the coming election in Mission precinct. He is still hale and hearty, able to walk about and do light work and converses not only intelligently but with great interest upon the topics of the day which he refreshes with anecdotes and reminiscences of the past. It is really a great pleasure to talk with him. He was born in the far east and in early days came to California in search of gold. He has been a farmer all of his life.
Moore Bros., the jewelers, received a telegram today instructing them to send the handsomest gold-head cans in their store by 2 p.m. motor to Idlewild. The can was presented this afternoon to David McCoy, the oldest voter in California by the Mission people. It will be remembered that we published a few days ago a brief biography of this venerable patriot.
Children of Hugh McCoy and Jemima Franklin:
1. John McCoy WFT Est/ 1788-1879
2. Martha McCoy Est. 1784-1791. d. Est/ 1788-1883
3. Daniel McCoy Abt. 1787 NC; died after 1850 in Jackson, Al
4. David McCoy born 2 MAY, 1790, Burke County, NC
5. Phebe McCoy b. Abt. 1791 Burke Co., NC; died aft. 1870 in Richland Co., IL; married John Brown
6. Hannah McCoy, born 11 FEB, 1798; died 27 SEP 1888 in Bell Co., Texas.
It is said that Hugh McCoy was injured at the scene of Borgoyne's defeat (Battle of Saratoga). It had to have been then that he was taken to the home of John Franklin to recover from his wounds. See Bio of William T. Morris, David McCoy's son in law, husband of Lucinthia McCoy.
Below are transcribed newspaper stories from the scrap book of Emma McCoy 1895 about my 3rd great grandfather David McCoy and his father Hugh McCoy. The clips did not indicate the newspaper they were published in. If anyone knows, I would appreciate that information.
Thursday, May 8, 1890 From San Bernardino, California Newspaper.
IN HIS SECOND CENTURY.
David McCoy Closes His Centennial Year in Good Mental and Bodily Health
On May 2, 1790, David McCoy was born in Burke county, North Carolina. His father Hugh McCoy, was a Scotch-man by birth, having been born and raised in the highland district of "bonny Scotland."
It was during the Revolutionary war that, when on a business trip to one of the sea coast cities of his native land, he was conscripted as a British soldier and sent to America to assist in subjugating the Americans who were so noble struggling for independence.
Soon after reaching America, in one of the first engagements in which he took part, he was wounded and his commanding officer had him taken to the home of John Franklin in New Jersey who, through a patriot, with sons fighting for freedom, was compelled to care for the wounded British soldier. After his recovery he declined to re-enter the army, and shortly afterward rewarded his benefactor by asking for the hand of one of his daughters – Jemima Franklin. The old gentleman favoring the suit, the couple was married. Shortly after that they moved to North Carolina, where six children – three sons and three daughters were born to them.
When David, the fourth child and the subject of this sketch – was some 4 or five years old, his father concluded to make a trip to Scotland, in hopes of obtaining property there that belonged to him, and which would assist in making comfortable and happy the wife and bairns in his Western home. Accordingly he started, but the facilities for travelling were poor and news was not carried on the wings of lightening, as at present. Ships did not leave port every day as they do now, and those that did venture upon the waves were small sailing-vessels that were greatly at the mercy of the wind and waves. No tiding of him ever came back to the watching and waiting wife and little ones, and they never knew whether he perished on the way to the seaport or was lost at sea.
Left there in the new country, with limited means and six children to support, the mother could not indulge them in luxuries, and the boys were taught the importance of self-reliance, industry and economy. David did not have shoes till he was 12 years of age – old enough to ride a horse to the old water mill of the neighborhood, and such a luxury a hat was not indulged in till he was old enough to set muskrat traps and exchange skins for one.
Although a century has passed, it is still a measure for him to remember and relate the boyish experiences, the anxious watching, and work necessary to secure the requisite number of skins required in exchange for that article of apparel always so dear to a boyish heart. With what eager haste and pride did young David go to his uncle, who was a hatter by trade, and exchange six skins for his first head covering. We may be sure that so highly prized an article was not rudely used as a plaything or football, as is too often the case with careless and indulged youngsters of today, and we doubt if mothers and sisters were as often called upon to find a lost or misplaced hat.
During his early boyhood he received six months schooling, and was a schoolmate of Washington Irving and his cousin, Irving McDowel. When he was 14 years old his mother married William Griffin and they moved to Pulaski County, Ky., where he lived with his stepfather for four years.
Obedient and dutiful, he was the subject to his orders, but when Mr. Griffin attempted to administer a chastisement for some fancied neglect of duty, the youth unceremoniously left his root and lived for six months with a relative near by.
When making a Christmas visit to his mother a reconciliation was effected and he decided to remain longer at home. At the end of two years he went again to his uncle's and enjoyed the advantages of a country school for four months.
Not far away in Casey county, Kentucky, on the Green River, lived Martin Smith, a well to do farmer, who was advanced in years and whose family consisted entirely of girls, and who needed the services of just such a youth as young David. They entered into an agreement by which David was to become a member of the old gentleman's family and work for him till he was 21 years of age -- about three years – and was to receive for his services a horse valued at $60, six month's schooling and two suits of homespun clothes.
Thus equipped, he started out, a free man to battle the world. Endowed with a good constitution, unswerving courage and a liberal share of Scotch patience and perserverence, he was prepared for any, and all, work before him.
Sturdiest manhood is not nurtured in the lap of luxury and ease, and the subject of our sketch shirked not hardships, nor waited for some sudden good luck or fortune to overtake him, but took advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself to assist him in the world. Steamboats and cars were unknown at that time and produce and lumber were carried principally on rafts or flat bottomed boats down the river.
About five miles below Frankfort he engaged himself to go on such an expedition. They floated down the Kentucky river, hence on the Ohio, and on down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where the cargo was sold. On each boat four men were employed, who watched by turns and kept the raft in the current of the stream. At night the watcher would determine his distance from shore by calling out, and the echo would indicate the nearness of the land and let him know which way to steer. The journey home made alone, a distance of 1,000 miles via Natchez, Miss. and Nashville, Tenn., then little more than hamlets. The lonely traveler carried blankets for a bed, and when nightfall overtook him, stopped, and camped beneath the trees, with the twinkling stars and silvery moon as silent watchers during his slumbering hours. His food consisted of corn bread, bacon, sometimes hominy and jerked meat, or venison that was bought from friendly Indians by the way, who kept such things for sale. Such things as matches were unknown and fires made with flint and steel and a cotton match. The latter consisted of a roll of cotton fastened in a corn stalk. A trip of this kind required from three to five months, and the wages received were $65, the traveler paying his own expenses. Mr. McCoy made three such trips – in 1812, 1815 and 1821, respectively.
In 1813 he went to Clay county, Kentucky, and engaged in the production of saltpeter. In the fall of that year, when America was engaged in another contest with England, and when volunteers were called for to take Fort Malden, he shouldered his rifle, mounted his horse and rode to Canada, and enlisted in the army. He was in the battle of the Thames, when Isaac Shelby, Dick Johnson, and W.H. Harrison were commanders. In this battle the great Indian warrior, Tecumseh, was killed, and left upon the field. When seen, several hours after death, his entire scalp was gone, and pieces of skin, several inches wide, were taken from his limbs, from his thighs to his knees, as trophies of war. The special service for which this call for troops had been accomplished, he returned home, to the mountainous districts of Clay county, Kentucky. For the services thus rendered in the war he received $1 per day (amounting to $87) and 160 acres of land, for which he received a warrant in 1850, and since 1871 he has received a pension of $8 a month.
Shortly after returning home he built a flatboat, loaded it with stonecoal and started to Lexington Ky., but had gone only about seven miles when a large rock was struck which broke through the boat, sinking it and losing both boat and cargo, valued at $250. Undiscouraged, he returned home, sawed the lumber by hand, made another boat, loaded it, and reached Lexington in safety. There he sold boat and cargo, and hired to the purchaser to take the same down to New Orleans – returning, as usual, on foot.
On the 21st of December, 1815, he was married to Lucinthia Davis, a granddaughter of Martin Smith, the farmer for whom he had formerly worked. She was a handsome, noble woman, and well performed her part as companion and helpmeet. To them seven children were born – five sons and two daughters.
They continued to live in Casey county for about three years after they were married, and then went to Monroe county, Indiana, and engaged in farming for two years. He then made his third and last trip to New Orleans and was gone five months. Indiana was at that time sparsely settled, and most of the settlers were friendly, partly civilized Indians and a few Quakers. In 1821, he and his family moved about 40 miles north, to Putnam County, where he bought 80 acres of land and lived there till 1834. In 1834, he moved to Gasconade county, Missouri, near Lynn, and soon after this, the county was divided and the western half called Osage county. He was living here when Jefferson City then a hamlet, was made the seat of government, and rode on horseback about 40 miles to that place and carried the petition to have the county divided. The horse he rode was without shoes and the weather turned very cold it was thought best have have him shod and he was taken to the penitentiary for that purpose, there being no other blacksmith shop in the place.
After farming here for 12 years he moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained for about 18 months, and then moved to Lewis County, Missouri, in 1849, entered about 160 acres of land and settled on a farm about 15 miles from Canton. He petitioned Congress and got a post office established here, which he named Bunker Hill – a name it still bears. Here he acted in the capacity of postmaster, kept private hotel and stage stand, and carried on farming for about seven years. While here he received a land warrant from Congress for 160 acres of land, which he located near his home.
In 1862, he sold his farm and the following year moved to California, going overland in wagons drawn by horses. It required four months to make this trip. Although it was no infrequent thing for the travelers on that lonely road to be attacked by Indians, this party were fortunate enough to escape unmolested. At one time they reached a fort about two hours after the Indians had attacked it and killed two white men, and this party assisted in guarding the fort till reinforcements could be obtained. They reached Marysville, Cal. August 4, 1863. Mr. McCoy engaged in farming in Sutter county for about three years, then moved south and spent a few months in San Bernardino and bought a piece of rich, well-watered land, a part of what was known as the Carpenter ranch, on the zanja, about two miles east of the present city of Redlands. In 1871, he returned to Missouri and bought land near the old home at Bunker Hill. Here, in 1877, death robbed him of his life companion who had been a stay and help-through the changes and vicissitudes of more than 60 years. Since that time he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, and in 1884 moved with her and her family back to the Golden State, and in this land of sunshine and flowers he expects to spend the remainder of his days.
On the 2nd day of this May, 1890, his friends and relatives met with him to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of his birth. To very few has so long a lease on life been given. He has lived through every Presidential administration our county has known, and has been a Democrat since the establishment of the party, and has always been loyal to its principles, deploring its mistakes and defeats and rejoicing in it successes. He has lived through three wars, and notes with pride the progress of his country and countrymen. An upright peaceable, honorable citizen, he has always been content to live a quiet, home life, and never sought any public position. He has always lived a strictly temperate life, and has never given to the use of tobacco or intoxicants and only of late has used coffee, and through his hair is whitened with the frosts of 100 years, he boasts a steady nerve, remarkably preserved faculties, both physical and mental, and takes an interest in the events
of the day. Possessed of strong convictions, great charity toward others honesty and integrity, he has always merited and obtained the confidence and respect of those with whom he associated. He yet takes an interest and pleasure in life, and having a strong and abiding faith in the goodness, power and mercy of the Maker, he waits with patience for the summons of "Him who doeth all things well."
David McCoy celebrated his one-hundredth birthday at the home of W.T. Morris near Redlands, May the 2d. A number of friends and relatives were present to partake of a turkey dinner prepared by his daughter, Mrs. Morris, at whose home he has lived for the last 20 years. The old gentlemen is hale and hearty for one ho his years, and stood up to have his photograph taken Mr. Wesner of San Bernardino. A number of callers in the afternoon kept him busy signing his autograph as souvenirs.
Published in 1894 in a San Bernardino, California newspaper.
ATRIARCH'S LIFE-YARN.
An Interesting Sketch of a Centenarian Solider.
David McCoy of San Bernardino, and His Life Work.
Left at an Early Age to Support His Widowed Mother –
He was "in at the Death of Tecunmseh" – His Peaceful Life's Twilight.
David McCoy was born May 2, 1790, in Burke county, North Carolina, his parents being of Scotch descent. He was the eldest of a family of five children. When young David was 10 years of age his father took passage on a sailing vessel bound for the port of Glasgow, Scotland, where he had business interests. The vessel was never heard from again, but it was supposed to have been taken by pirates and all on baord put to death. Left at an early age without a father's care, young David worked manfully, early and late, to support his widowed mother and his younger brothers and sisters. When David was 21 years of age he emigrated to Frankfort, Kentucky. The war between the United States and England breaking out shortly after his arrival, he enlisted in the First Kentucky Regiment United States volunteers, commanded by Col. Dick Johnson, furnishing his own horse, saddle and rifle. They marched across the State of Ohio, which was at that early date a dense wilderness to!
where the city of Sandusky now stands, and were ferried across Lake Erie to Malden in Upper Canada. The British and Indians under General Proctor fell back to a more advantageous position on the river Thames. Col. Dick Johnson with his mounted Kentuckians were ordered to charge the redcoats under Proctor, who held the first line of battle. The Kentucky horsemen obeyed the order and dashing through the forest they broke the enemy's line. Forming his men in the English rear, Colonel Johnson attacked the Indians under Tecumseh, who held the right and left flanks, defeating them and putting them to flight, and their chief, Tecumseh, was killed. This battle, which occurred October 5, 1813, and Perry's victory on Lake Erie a short time before, gave the United States the State of Michigan and made all the other states bordering on the great lakes safe from Indian attacks and depredations.
Mr. McCoy participated in nearly all of the battles of the war that his regiment was engaged in and returned safe to Clay county, Kentucky, where he married Miss Lucy Davis. There he settled down to farm, working hard through the summer season and in the fall he would go to New Orleans by flat boat with a load of his farm produce, selling it for cash. He returned home on foot a dangerous journey of nearly 1000 miles. In the year 1840, Mr. McCoy emigrated to Green Castle, Indiana. In the year 1856, he sold out his fine farm in Indiana and moved to Rolla, Osage county, Mo., where he lived till 1863. when he emigrated to Colusa county, Cal. In the year 1866 he moved to San Bernardino.
He remained until 1877, when he returned to Canton, Mo. There his beloved partner of his life left him for the spirit land. Shortly after the death of his wife he returned to the Golden State to spend the balance of his remaining years with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, who lives on Brookside avenue near Redlands.
David McCoy raised a family of seven children and four of them are alive and live in this state. They are: G.L. McCoy of Humbolt county, W.W. McCoy of San Bernardino, John M. McCoy of Sutter county, Mrs. W.T. Morris of Redlands. He has also 30 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 11 great great-grandchildren, making a total of over 80 descendants, and counting a genealogy of four generations.
Mr. McCoy's eyesight did not fail him until he was 95 years of age, for up to that period he could read without glasses, work in the garden and was nimbler on his feet than most men at 60. Although he has passed his 102nd milestone his memory is perfect on any and all great events that happened 80 years ago. He was an intimate friend and acquaintance of Andrew Jackson and Col. Tom Benton. He had also listened many times to the speeches of Clay, Calhoun and Webster.
On being asked the question if he had much sickness in his long and eventful life, he said: No; only once, when he had typhoid fever; he sent for the doctor and he was satisfied the doctor did him more harm than good, and he has not had any use for any since. He also stated that he had attributed his remarkable long life and good health to the fact that he never used spirituous liquors or tobacco in his life, and always voted the straight Democratic ticket without a scratch.
On being asked the question which ones of the great leaders of his party he liked the best, he quickly replied: Andrew Jackson, Stephen A. Douglass and Grover Cleveland. David McCoy never belonged to any secret order, but he has high honor of belonging to the order of veterans of the war of 1812 and wears that badge, the only one, so far as known, worn in the entire state of California. He is also an honorary member of the Pioneer society of San Bernardino.
HE WILL VOTE
The Oldest Man in the State will Cast his Ballot
Grandfather David McCoy of Mission, who was 102 years old last May, will vote at the coming election in Mission precinct. He is still hale and hearty, able to walk about and do light work and converses not only intelligently but with great interest upon the topics of the day which he refreshes with anecdotes and reminiscences of the past. It is really a great pleasure to talk with him. He was born in the far east and in early days came to California in search of gold. He has been a farmer all of his life.
Moore Bros., the jewelers, received a telegram today instructing them to send the handsomest gold-head cans in their store by 2 p.m. motor to Idlewild. The can was presented this afternoon to David McCoy, the oldest voter in California by the Mission people. It will be remembered that we published a few days ago a brief biography of this venerable patriot.
1. John McCoy WFT Est/ 1788-1879
2. Martha McCoy Est. 1784-1791. d. Est/ 1788-1883
3. Daniel McCoy Abt. 1787 NC; died after 1850 in Jackson, Al
4. David McCoy born 2 MAY, 1790, Burke County, NC
5. Phebe McCoy b. Abt. 1791 Burke Co., NC; died aft. 1870 in Richland Co., IL; married John Brown
6. Hannah McCoy, born 11 FEB, 1798; died 27 SEP 1888 in Bell Co., Texas.
It is said that Hugh McCoy was injured at the scene of Borgoyne's defeat (Battle of Saratoga). It had to have been then that he was taken to the home of John Franklin to recover from his wounds. See Bio of William T. Morris, David McCoy's son in law, husband of Lucinthia McCoy.
Below are transcribed newspaper stories from the scrap book of Emma McCoy 1895 about my 3rd great grandfather David McCoy and his father Hugh McCoy. The clips did not indicate the newspaper they were published in. If anyone knows, I would appreciate that information.
Thursday, May 8, 1890 From San Bernardino, California Newspaper.
IN HIS SECOND CENTURY.
David McCoy Closes His Centennial Year in Good Mental and Bodily Health
On May 2, 1790, David McCoy was born in Burke county, North Carolina. His father Hugh McCoy, was a Scotch-man by birth, having been born and raised in the highland district of "bonny Scotland."
It was during the Revolutionary war that, when on a business trip to one of the sea coast cities of his native land, he was conscripted as a British soldier and sent to America to assist in subjugating the Americans who were so noble struggling for independence.
Soon after reaching America, in one of the first engagements in which he took part, he was wounded and his commanding officer had him taken to the home of John Franklin in New Jersey who, through a patriot, with sons fighting for freedom, was compelled to care for the wounded British soldier. After his recovery he declined to re-enter the army, and shortly afterward rewarded his benefactor by asking for the hand of one of his daughters – Jemima Franklin. The old gentleman favoring the suit, the couple was married. Shortly after that they moved to North Carolina, where six children – three sons and three daughters were born to them.
When David, the fourth child and the subject of this sketch – was some 4 or five years old, his father concluded to make a trip to Scotland, in hopes of obtaining property there that belonged to him, and which would assist in making comfortable and happy the wife and bairns in his Western home. Accordingly he started, but the facilities for travelling were poor and news was not carried on the wings of lightening, as at present. Ships did not leave port every day as they do now, and those that did venture upon the waves were small sailing-vessels that were greatly at the mercy of the wind and waves. No tiding of him ever came back to the watching and waiting wife and little ones, and they never knew whether he perished on the way to the seaport or was lost at sea.
Left there in the new country, with limited means and six children to support, the mother could not indulge them in luxuries, and the boys were taught the importance of self-reliance, industry and economy. David did not have shoes till he was 12 years of age – old enough to ride a horse to the old water mill of the neighborhood, and such a luxury a hat was not indulged in till he was old enough to set muskrat traps and exchange skins for one.
Although a century has passed, it is still a measure for him to remember and relate the boyish experiences, the anxious watching, and work necessary to secure the requisite number of skins required in exchange for that article of apparel always so dear to a boyish heart. With what eager haste and pride did young David go to his uncle, who was a hatter by trade, and exchange six skins for his first head covering. We may be sure that so highly prized an article was not rudely used as a plaything or football, as is too often the case with careless and indulged youngsters of today, and we doubt if mothers and sisters were as often called upon to find a lost or misplaced hat.
During his early boyhood he received six months schooling, and was a schoolmate of Washington Irving and his cousin, Irving McDowel. When he was 14 years old his mother married William Griffin and they moved to Pulaski County, Ky., where he lived with his stepfather for four years.
Obedient and dutiful, he was the subject to his orders, but when Mr. Griffin attempted to administer a chastisement for some fancied neglect of duty, the youth unceremoniously left his root and lived for six months with a relative near by.
When making a Christmas visit to his mother a reconciliation was effected and he decided to remain longer at home. At the end of two years he went again to his uncle's and enjoyed the advantages of a country school for four months.
Not far away in Casey county, Kentucky, on the Green River, lived Martin Smith, a well to do farmer, who was advanced in years and whose family consisted entirely of girls, and who needed the services of just such a youth as young David. They entered into an agreement by which David was to become a member of the old gentleman's family and work for him till he was 21 years of age -- about three years – and was to receive for his services a horse valued at $60, six month's schooling and two suits of homespun clothes.
Thus equipped, he started out, a free man to battle the world. Endowed with a good constitution, unswerving courage and a liberal share of Scotch patience and perserverence, he was prepared for any, and all, work before him.
Sturdiest manhood is not nurtured in the lap of luxury and ease, and the subject of our sketch shirked not hardships, nor waited for some sudden good luck or fortune to overtake him, but took advantage of the first opportunity that presented itself to assist him in the world. Steamboats and cars were unknown at that time and produce and lumber were carried principally on rafts or flat bottomed boats down the river.
About five miles below Frankfort he engaged himself to go on such an expedition. They floated down the Kentucky river, hence on the Ohio, and on down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where the cargo was sold. On each boat four men were employed, who watched by turns and kept the raft in the current of the stream. At night the watcher would determine his distance from shore by calling out, and the echo would indicate the nearness of the land and let him know which way to steer. The journey home made alone, a distance of 1,000 miles via Natchez, Miss. and Nashville, Tenn., then little more than hamlets. The lonely traveler carried blankets for a bed, and when nightfall overtook him, stopped, and camped beneath the trees, with the twinkling stars and silvery moon as silent watchers during his slumbering hours. His food consisted of corn bread, bacon, sometimes hominy and jerked meat, or venison that was bought from friendly Indians by the way, who kept such things for sale. Such things as matches were unknown and fires made with flint and steel and a cotton match. The latter consisted of a roll of cotton fastened in a corn stalk. A trip of this kind required from three to five months, and the wages received were $65, the traveler paying his own expenses. Mr. McCoy made three such trips – in 1812, 1815 and 1821, respectively.
In 1813 he went to Clay county, Kentucky, and engaged in the production of saltpeter. In the fall of that year, when America was engaged in another contest with England, and when volunteers were called for to take Fort Malden, he shouldered his rifle, mounted his horse and rode to Canada, and enlisted in the army. He was in the battle of the Thames, when Isaac Shelby, Dick Johnson, and W.H. Harrison were commanders. In this battle the great Indian warrior, Tecumseh, was killed, and left upon the field. When seen, several hours after death, his entire scalp was gone, and pieces of skin, several inches wide, were taken from his limbs, from his thighs to his knees, as trophies of war. The special service for which this call for troops had been accomplished, he returned home, to the mountainous districts of Clay county, Kentucky. For the services thus rendered in the war he received $1 per day (amounting to $87) and 160 acres of land, for which he received a warrant in 1850, and since 1871 he has received a pension of $8 a month.
Shortly after returning home he built a flatboat, loaded it with stonecoal and started to Lexington Ky., but had gone only about seven miles when a large rock was struck which broke through the boat, sinking it and losing both boat and cargo, valued at $250. Undiscouraged, he returned home, sawed the lumber by hand, made another boat, loaded it, and reached Lexington in safety. There he sold boat and cargo, and hired to the purchaser to take the same down to New Orleans – returning, as usual, on foot.
On the 21st of December, 1815, he was married to Lucinthia Davis, a granddaughter of Martin Smith, the farmer for whom he had formerly worked. She was a handsome, noble woman, and well performed her part as companion and helpmeet. To them seven children were born – five sons and two daughters.
They continued to live in Casey county for about three years after they were married, and then went to Monroe county, Indiana, and engaged in farming for two years. He then made his third and last trip to New Orleans and was gone five months. Indiana was at that time sparsely settled, and most of the settlers were friendly, partly civilized Indians and a few Quakers. In 1821, he and his family moved about 40 miles north, to Putnam County, where he bought 80 acres of land and lived there till 1834. In 1834, he moved to Gasconade county, Missouri, near Lynn, and soon after this, the county was divided and the western half called Osage county. He was living here when Jefferson City then a hamlet, was made the seat of government, and rode on horseback about 40 miles to that place and carried the petition to have the county divided. The horse he rode was without shoes and the weather turned very cold it was thought best have have him shod and he was taken to the penitentiary for that purpose, there being no other blacksmith shop in the place.
After farming here for 12 years he moved to Keokuk, Iowa, where he remained for about 18 months, and then moved to Lewis County, Missouri, in 1849, entered about 160 acres of land and settled on a farm about 15 miles from Canton. He petitioned Congress and got a post office established here, which he named Bunker Hill – a name it still bears. Here he acted in the capacity of postmaster, kept private hotel and stage stand, and carried on farming for about seven years. While here he received a land warrant from Congress for 160 acres of land, which he located near his home.
In 1862, he sold his farm and the following year moved to California, going overland in wagons drawn by horses. It required four months to make this trip. Although it was no infrequent thing for the travelers on that lonely road to be attacked by Indians, this party were fortunate enough to escape unmolested. At one time they reached a fort about two hours after the Indians had attacked it and killed two white men, and this party assisted in guarding the fort till reinforcements could be obtained. They reached Marysville, Cal. August 4, 1863. Mr. McCoy engaged in farming in Sutter county for about three years, then moved south and spent a few months in San Bernardino and bought a piece of rich, well-watered land, a part of what was known as the Carpenter ranch, on the zanja, about two miles east of the present city of Redlands. In 1871, he returned to Missouri and bought land near the old home at Bunker Hill. Here, in 1877, death robbed him of his life companion who had been a stay and help-through the changes and vicissitudes of more than 60 years. Since that time he has made his home with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, and in 1884 moved with her and her family back to the Golden State, and in this land of sunshine and flowers he expects to spend the remainder of his days.
On the 2nd day of this May, 1890, his friends and relatives met with him to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of his birth. To very few has so long a lease on life been given. He has lived through every Presidential administration our county has known, and has been a Democrat since the establishment of the party, and has always been loyal to its principles, deploring its mistakes and defeats and rejoicing in it successes. He has lived through three wars, and notes with pride the progress of his country and countrymen. An upright peaceable, honorable citizen, he has always been content to live a quiet, home life, and never sought any public position. He has always lived a strictly temperate life, and has never given to the use of tobacco or intoxicants and only of late has used coffee, and through his hair is whitened with the frosts of 100 years, he boasts a steady nerve, remarkably preserved faculties, both physical and mental, and takes an interest in the events
of the day. Possessed of strong convictions, great charity toward others honesty and integrity, he has always merited and obtained the confidence and respect of those with whom he associated. He yet takes an interest and pleasure in life, and having a strong and abiding faith in the goodness, power and mercy of the Maker, he waits with patience for the summons of "Him who doeth all things well."
David McCoy celebrated his one-hundredth birthday at the home of W.T. Morris near Redlands, May the 2d. A number of friends and relatives were present to partake of a turkey dinner prepared by his daughter, Mrs. Morris, at whose home he has lived for the last 20 years. The old gentlemen is hale and hearty for one ho his years, and stood up to have his photograph taken Mr. Wesner of San Bernardino. A number of callers in the afternoon kept him busy signing his autograph as souvenirs.
Published in 1894 in a San Bernardino, California newspaper.
ATRIARCH'S LIFE-YARN.
An Interesting Sketch of a Centenarian Solider.
David McCoy of San Bernardino, and His Life Work.
Left at an Early Age to Support His Widowed Mother –
He was "in at the Death of Tecunmseh" – His Peaceful Life's Twilight.
David McCoy was born May 2, 1790, in Burke county, North Carolina, his parents being of Scotch descent. He was the eldest of a family of five children. When young David was 10 years of age his father took passage on a sailing vessel bound for the port of Glasgow, Scotland, where he had business interests. The vessel was never heard from again, but it was supposed to have been taken by pirates and all on baord put to death. Left at an early age without a father's care, young David worked manfully, early and late, to support his widowed mother and his younger brothers and sisters. When David was 21 years of age he emigrated to Frankfort, Kentucky. The war between the United States and England breaking out shortly after his arrival, he enlisted in the First Kentucky Regiment United States volunteers, commanded by Col. Dick Johnson, furnishing his own horse, saddle and rifle. They marched across the State of Ohio, which was at that early date a dense wilderness to!
where the city of Sandusky now stands, and were ferried across Lake Erie to Malden in Upper Canada. The British and Indians under General Proctor fell back to a more advantageous position on the river Thames. Col. Dick Johnson with his mounted Kentuckians were ordered to charge the redcoats under Proctor, who held the first line of battle. The Kentucky horsemen obeyed the order and dashing through the forest they broke the enemy's line. Forming his men in the English rear, Colonel Johnson attacked the Indians under Tecumseh, who held the right and left flanks, defeating them and putting them to flight, and their chief, Tecumseh, was killed. This battle, which occurred October 5, 1813, and Perry's victory on Lake Erie a short time before, gave the United States the State of Michigan and made all the other states bordering on the great lakes safe from Indian attacks and depredations.
Mr. McCoy participated in nearly all of the battles of the war that his regiment was engaged in and returned safe to Clay county, Kentucky, where he married Miss Lucy Davis. There he settled down to farm, working hard through the summer season and in the fall he would go to New Orleans by flat boat with a load of his farm produce, selling it for cash. He returned home on foot a dangerous journey of nearly 1000 miles. In the year 1840, Mr. McCoy emigrated to Green Castle, Indiana. In the year 1856, he sold out his fine farm in Indiana and moved to Rolla, Osage county, Mo., where he lived till 1863. when he emigrated to Colusa county, Cal. In the year 1866 he moved to San Bernardino.
He remained until 1877, when he returned to Canton, Mo. There his beloved partner of his life left him for the spirit land. Shortly after the death of his wife he returned to the Golden State to spend the balance of his remaining years with his daughter, Mrs. W.T. Morris, who lives on Brookside avenue near Redlands.
David McCoy raised a family of seven children and four of them are alive and live in this state. They are: G.L. McCoy of Humbolt county, W.W. McCoy of San Bernardino, John M. McCoy of Sutter county, Mrs. W.T. Morris of Redlands. He has also 30 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 11 great great-grandchildren, making a total of over 80 descendants, and counting a genealogy of four generations.
Mr. McCoy's eyesight did not fail him until he was 95 years of age, for up to that period he could read without glasses, work in the garden and was nimbler on his feet than most men at 60. Although he has passed his 102nd milestone his memory is perfect on any and all great events that happened 80 years ago. He was an intimate friend and acquaintance of Andrew Jackson and Col. Tom Benton. He had also listened many times to the speeches of Clay, Calhoun and Webster.
On being asked the question if he had much sickness in his long and eventful life, he said: No; only once, when he had typhoid fever; he sent for the doctor and he was satisfied the doctor did him more harm than good, and he has not had any use for any since. He also stated that he had attributed his remarkable long life and good health to the fact that he never used spirituous liquors or tobacco in his life, and always voted the straight Democratic ticket without a scratch.
On being asked the question which ones of the great leaders of his party he liked the best, he quickly replied: Andrew Jackson, Stephen A. Douglass and Grover Cleveland. David McCoy never belonged to any secret order, but he has high honor of belonging to the order of veterans of the war of 1812 and wears that badge, the only one, so far as known, worn in the entire state of California. He is also an honorary member of the Pioneer society of San Bernardino.
HE WILL VOTE
The Oldest Man in the State will Cast his Ballot
Grandfather David McCoy of Mission, who was 102 years old last May, will vote at the coming election in Mission precinct. He is still hale and hearty, able to walk about and do light work and converses not only intelligently but with great interest upon the topics of the day which he refreshes with anecdotes and reminiscences of the past. It is really a great pleasure to talk with him. He was born in the far east and in early days came to California in search of gold. He has been a farmer all of his life.
Moore Bros., the jewelers, received a telegram today instructing them to send the handsomest gold-head cans in their store by 2 p.m. motor to Idlewild. The can was presented this afternoon to David McCoy, the oldest voter in California by the Mission people. It will be remembered that we published a few days ago a brief biography of this venerable patriot.
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