John was born in McNairy County, TN on New Years Day of 1830, son of Abner and Polly Ann Ferrell Mecoy. He was named after his Grandfather John Mecoy who died while in service with Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812, with his middle name being his mother's maiden name. John moved with his parents and siblings to Tippah County near the village of Ruckerville when they purchased a land patent during the Choctaw Cession.
On December 31, 1851, he married Winnie Mahala Taylor, daughter of William Alford and Winnie Stanley Taylor who was also born in Tennessee. The couple eventually owned 80 acres which they farmed and raised their family. By the time the War began Mahalia and John had three living children. On December 9, 1861, John traveled to Corinth, MS and signed up with the 60-day troops as private with Captain Rucker's (Tippah Tigers) which eventually became known as Company C. of Davidson's Calvary Mississippi Infantry. He was discharged and he returned home in January 1865, his 60 day service turning into over four years. Two of his brother's, William Carroll Mecoy and Charles Walter Mecoy also served for the Confederacy and survived the War.
He and Mahalia returned to farming and over the next few years continued to add to their growing family producing three more children. He passed away on December 8, 1910. Mahalia lived on and managed to outlive most of her children. She died on April 22, 1917 at the ripe of age of 84, forty three years after the War ended. They are both buried at New Salem Cemetery, west of Walnut, MS. Submitted by Melissa McCoy-Be
John was born in McNairy County, TN on New Years Day of 1830, son of Abner and Polly Ann Ferrell Mecoy. He was named after his Grandfather John Mecoy who died while in service with Andrew Jackson during the War of 1812, with his middle name being his mother's maiden name. John moved with his parents and siblings to Tippah County near the village of Ruckerville when they purchased a land patent during the Choctaw Cession.
On December 31, 1851, he married Winnie Mahala Taylor, daughter of William Alford and Winnie Stanley Taylor who was also born in Tennessee. The couple eventually owned 80 acres which they farmed and raised their family. By the time the War began Mahalia and John had three living children. On December 9, 1861, John traveled to Corinth, MS and signed up with the 60-day troops as private with Captain Rucker's (Tippah Tigers) which eventually became known as Company C. of Davidson's Calvary Mississippi Infantry. He was discharged and he returned home in January 1865, his 60 day service turning into over four years. Two of his brother's, William Carroll Mecoy and Charles Walter Mecoy also served for the Confederacy and survived the War.
He and Mahalia returned to farming and over the next few years continued to add to their growing family producing three more children. He passed away on December 8, 1910. Mahalia lived on and managed to outlive most of her children. She died on April 22, 1917 at the ripe of age of 84, forty three years after the War ended. They are both buried at New Salem Cemetery, west of Walnut, MS. Submitted by Melissa McCoy-Be
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