William was born in the Lowlands of Scotland and came to the United States with his parents in 1772. They settled in Bladen County North Carolina to make their home.
At about the age of sixteen years, William enlisted in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the 6th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops for a term of six months early in the year 1776. It was the law that any male sixteen years of age of over had to sign up for six months.
In the month of December in the year 1779, William was drafted for a term of three months in the North Carolina Militia. He was discharged the 24th day of March 1780. In the summer of 1780 he was drafted for three months and discharged in the fall of 1780. In December 1780 he was again drafted for three months, and on or near February 1, 1781 he was taken prisoner at the battle of Cowans Ford on the Catawba River [Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] and was held in captivity until after the capture of Cornwallis [at Yorktown, Virginia] at which time he was released, thus ending the Revolutionary War.
A few years after the war, William moved to Chesterfield County, South Carolina. In the year of 1787, William married Nancy Agnes MacKay. Nancy was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and also came to the United States with her parents to make their home.
William and Nancy had three or four children born in South Carolina, before William decided to move to Kentucky. They packed their belongings in a covered wagon and along with John MacKay who was a brother to Nancy and going to travel with them as far as Goochland County, Virginia; they set out for the unknown. John left them to return home. Unknown to Nancy her brother died in Goochland County, Virginia, without having started the trip home.
William and Nancy and the children traveled on to Ohio County, Virginia, where Nancy became ill and they decided to spend the winter there and move on to Kentucky in the spring. By the time spring arrived, William and Nancy had decided to stay in Ohio County. That part of Ohio County later became Tyler County, West Virginia.
William purchased a farm on Middle Island Creek, Virginia, which was near “Next” and Archers Settlement. The land had been sealed in blood and dated 1797, (According to records this deed has been preserved by McKay heirs of John McKay, a son of William and Nancy.) This farm William had purchased was in the McKay family until 1896. At the time of the purchase there was a small log cabin located on the farm. William later added two more rooms and a porch to the cabin.
William and Nancy raised their eight children in this cabin. They had many good friends living among them.
The first term of Superior Court in this area, was held in the home of William and Nancy McKay.
William and Nancy’s children married sons and daughters of their neighbors. After the death of William, the children all left the area in which they had grown up except for John and Nancy.
Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Isabella had moved to Jackson County, Virginia, now West Virginia. Christina moved to Morgan County, Ohio. Neal and William left the area and it is believed they moved to another State.
After Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Nancy made her home with them until her death, and is buried in Great Bend, Ohio in the Bicknell Cemetery. William was buried in the Old Polly Archer Cemetery, near his home at the place called Archers Settlement, on the former Archer farm [near Sistersville, West Virginia]. – The above information was proved by Virginia (McKay) Martin.
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Affidavit of William McKay as to His Revolutionary Services
[Revolutionary War Pension files # W7429]
State of Virginia,
Tyler County.
On this 17th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the county court of Tyler County WILLIAM MCKAY, a resident of said county of Tyler and State aforesaid, aged seventy three years the 23rd day of October 1832, who being first sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he enlisted in the 6th Regiment North Carolina State troops for the term of SIX MONTHS sometime in the early part of the year 1776, with Captain John Griffin McCrea, to whose company he was attached during his service of SIX MONTHS; that at the time of his enlistment he resided in Bladen County in the State of North Carolina in which county he enlisted; that he was marched to and stationed at Wilmington in the State last aforesaid, where he was discharged after having served the term of SIX MONTHS for which he enlisted; that the officer in command at Wilmington when he was stationed there was Brigadier General Moore, who died before his 6 months expired; that attached to his company were Lieutenants, Giles, Christopher, Gooden and Ensign Richard Singletary.
That the month of December in the year 1779 he resided in Rowan County, North Carolina, when he was drafted for a tour of THREE MONTHS and rendezvoused at Charlotte Town, Mecklenburg County, that in this town he served under Captain John Sloan, in the North Carolina Militia, that from the place of rendezvous he was marched to Charleston, South Carolina; the Regiment to which he was attached was commanded by a Colonel Hamright or Hamrod; the station by General [Benjamin] Lincoln; that he only recollects of his own company officers (in addition to the Captain already named) Lieutenant Sharp, that he knew in this service Capts. Alexander and Graham or Grimes, who were also from the State of North Carolina; that he served THREE MONTHS, the time for which he was drafted and was discharged at Charleston, South Carolina, the 24th day of March 1780.
That in the summer of the year 1780 he was still residing in Rowan County aforesaid, when he was drafted for a THREE MONTH tour and served under Captain Hugh Gilmore guarding the ford on the Catwaba river, between the farms then owned by William Kyle and Samuel Huston, to prevent the British Army from passing or crossing said river; that he served THREE MONTHS the term for which he was drafted and was discharged in the fall of the year 1780 aforesaid.
That in the winter of the year 1780 in the month of December, he still resided in Rowan County aforesaid, in the State of North Carolina aforesaid, when he was again drafted for a THREE MONTH tour, that he was attached to a company commanded by Captain James Crawford and was marched to and stationed at McCowans [Cowans] ford on the Catwaba river in said State, that on 1st day of Februrary (as well as he recollected) of the year 1781, he was with the troops stationed at said Ford had and engagement with the British under Lord Cornwallis who passed the river at the ford killing General Davidson [General William Lee Davidson, born 1746, died February 1, 1781, during the battle for Cowans Ford, along the Catwaba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] his commander and making him together with others of the American Army prisoners. That at the time of this engagement, he had served out his term of THREE MONTHS within a few days. That the British kept him a prisoner until they reached Charleston, South Carolina, and afterwards detained him as a prisoner until after the capture of Lord Cornwallis; when they either set him at liberty, or he was regularly exchanged, he does not recollect which. In this tour he served THREE MONTHS within a few days aforesaid and was detained a prisoner with the enemy as aforesaid from about 1st February 1781 until after Cornwallis’capture, which was the 19th October 1871, say 8 ½ months, making in all as soldier and prisoner the last tour ELEVEN AND ONE HALF MONTHS. That for the two first named tours he received regular discharges, but which have long ago been destroyed of lost, as he considered them of no value and took no particular care of them. That while in the United States service, he was acquainted with a number of officers among other Generals [Benjamin] Lincoln, [William Lee] Davidson and one of General Davidson’s aids, Pogue.
That he cannot from the lapse of time recollect the number or names of the Continental or Militia Regiments with which he served, other than the one in which he first served – That he was born in Scotland the 23rd day of October 1759, that he has no record of his age, but has a distinct recollection of the account his parents gave him of his age, which is that before stated. That his parents migrated with him from Scotland to the State of North Carolina, about the year 1772 or 3. That since the Revolutionary War he resided in Rowan County, afterwards a short time in Iredell County [North Carolina] taken from Rowan County, afterward Richmond County [North Carolina], afterward he removed to Chesterfield County in the State of South Carolina, from where he removed near forty years ago to Ohio County [Virginia, now West Virginia], from which Tyler County was taken, where he lived for one year, when he removed to this county, which was then part of Ohio County, where he has ever since continued to reside. That he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service and knows of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify to his service. That he is acquainted with the Reverend Thomas Jones, Joseph McCoy, William Wells, John Nicklin, John McCoy, John Martin and others of his neighborhood, who can testify as to his character for the veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity but the presently declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William McKay
We Thomas Jones a clergyman, residing in the county of Tyler, State of Virginia and Robert Gorrell, residing in the same, certify that we are well acquainted with William McKay who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, having been acquainted with him one of us for upwards of Thirty six and the other Thirty three years – Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Jones
Robert Gorrell
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he stated, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Jones, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident on this county. And that Robert Gorrell, who has also signed the same is a resident of this county, and is reliable person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
I David Hickman Clerk of the Court of Tyler County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains a true copy.
~~~~
The Battle of Cowan's Ford
The Battle of Cowan's Ford was a battle in the Southern Theater of General Charles Cornwallis's 1780-1782 Campaign that eventually led to the British Army's surrender at Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. It was fought on February 1, 1781 at Cowan's ford on the Catawba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between a force of about 5,000 British and fewer than a thousand Americans who attempting to slow the British advance across the river. The American general William Lee Davidson was killed in this battle.
After the British victory at the Battle of Camden, General Nathanael Greene replaced Horatio Gates as Commander of the Southern Department of the Continental Army. Rather than attempt to confront the much larger and better equipped British Army under Cornwallis directly, Greene attempted to wear down his opponents by engaging the British in a series of small battles. Of these battles, Greene stated of the Continental Army: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
Following the vurtual annihilation of Patrick Ferguson’s forces at Kings Mountain, and of Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s troops at the Battle of Cowpens by General Daniel Morgan on January 17, 1781, Cornwallis was determined on destroying Greene's forces. Cornwallis ordered his men to burn their supplies and pursued Greene in the "Race to the Dan".
During the preceding weeks, Cornwallis's army had swung to the left and approached the swollen waters of the Catawba in late January. For three days, the British forces camped at Ramsour's Mill, where they were joined by the remains of Banastre Tarleton’s forces.
On January 28, 1781, General Daniel Morgan reported to General Nathanael Greene from his camp in Sherrills Ford that his forces had observed the British army moving towards the Catawba River. Morgan reported that he was attempting to collect the militia and delay Cornwallis's forces from crossing the river. To this end, Morgan ordered General William Lee Davidson with 500 militia (two hundred and fifty of which where without flints for their muskets) to Beatties Ford.
Cornwallis marched his forces eastward toward the river to Jacob Forney's farm, where they camped for another three days after he had determined that the Catawba river at Beatties Ford was impassable because of the raging current.
On January 31, Cornwallis began to move his army despite the heavy rain fearing any further delay would cause him to lose his chance of destroying Greene's army. Some six weeks after the engagement, Cornwallis wrote that he had ordered a detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Webster to "make every possible demonstration by cannonading and otherwise, of an intention to force a passage" at Beatties Ford while he would march down the river to Cowan's Ford.
General Greene arrived and ordered General Davidson,who had placed his men at the various fords along the eastern bank, to slow the British Army's crossing of the Catawba River. Greene and Morgan then left to accompany the bulk of their forces towards Salisbury, North Carolina.
Davidson dispatched a company of cavalry and infantry southward four miles to Cowan's Ford. The cavalry was to see that the British did not make a surprise crossing under cover of darkness. Toward nightfall Davidson joined the detachment at Cowan's Ford. Davidson evidently feared that Tarleton's troops might slip across the river in the darkness and get behind him, from which position they could attack him as the British infantry began its crossing and therefore set up camp a half mile from the river, with pickets watching from the water's edge the Cowan's Ford.
Near daybreak, after a difficult march in which the British lost some of their cannon, Cornwallis's army reached Cowan's Ford. Cowan's Ford was actually two fords; one, the horse ford, though shallower than the other, was longer, because it crossed the stream to an angle; the other, called the wagon ford, went straight across the river but was much deeper. Without hardly hesitating, the British began crossing the swollen stream straight across along the wagon ford and soon the horses were over their heads in the raging torrent.
Davidson's forces immediately began to confront the Redcoats. The militiamen were picking off many British solders as they struggled in the water. The Redcoat's return fire was heavy. Shortly after arriving on the scene, Davidson was struck form his horse by a rifle ball through the heart.
Late that evening the Davidson's naked body was found. His corpse was evidently robbed by the British solders, a fact established on July 3, 2001 when Davidson’s wallet was brought back from England where it was held in the Public Records Office in London since the Revolution.
Source: Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia website at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cowan's_Ford
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Research at the Charleston, South Carolina Historical Library revealed that William McKay was most likely held on a British prisoner of war ship, because we can find nothing mentioning any other type of detention facility being used by the British at that time [1781] in Charleston. Given what we learned over the past years about the use of such ships in New York during the Revolutionary War I can't even begin the imagine what he and his fellow prisoners went though. Those ships were typically old dilapidated and derelict vessels where prisoners were confined below deck in dark, dank, unventilated spaces that of were filthy, rat infested and deceased ridden. Many soldiers held in such conditions never survived the ordeal. However it appears Willliam McKay live through nine months in such an existance before he was released when General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781. - Harold E. Armstrong, August 1, 2010.
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Following is the last Will and Testament of William McKay
Last Will and Testament of William McKay
In the name of God Amen I William McKay of the County of Tyler being sick of body and weak but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to disposed of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following, Viz.
1st. I desire that as soon after my death as my Executors hereafter to be named may deem it advisable they shall sell as much of my personal estate (the negro girl named Fanny then to be excepted) as they may consider sufficient to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and legacies mentioned hereafter.
2nd. That after the payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and legacies I give, bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy the farm on which I now live known by the name of the home place together with all my personal estate of what nature or kind soever to be soly at her disposal during her natural life and after her death I leave the same to my children hereafter to me named in the following manner (except the negro girl above named whom I leave soly at her own disposal
3rd. As I consider that my three sons Neil, Reuben & John have already been provided for I give and bequeath to each of them two dollars to be paid by my Executors at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife.
4th. I give and bequeath to my son William at the death of his mother the farm bequeathed to my wife during her natural life known by the name of the home place and on which I now live to him the said William and to his heirs and assigns forever by him paying his sister Flora two hundred dollars at the expiration of two years after the death of his mother, also one saddle and bridle to be given him by my Executors immediately after my death.
5th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Isabella McCoy ten dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my Executors at the expiration of two years after my death.
6th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Simms Fifty Dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my executors at the expiration of two years after my death
7th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Flora two hundred dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my son William at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife
8th. I desire that at the death of my wife all the personal estate remaining in her hands may be sold by my executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my four daughters namely Christina Wells, Isabella McCoy, Nancy Simms and Flora McKay
9th. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Neil McKay and my friend Joshua Russell Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty six
William McKay (seal)
Signed Sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named William McKay in presence of us
AlexThorburn
John Pasco
John McKay
The foregoing Last Will & Testament of William McKay was presented in court & the acknowledgment of the said William McKay thereto was proven by the oaths of John Pasco & John McKay subscribing witnesses & the said will was thereupon ordered to be recorded
State of Virginia,
County of Tyler, to-wit:
I, Ray Henderson, clerk of the County Court of Tyler County, State aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last Will and Testament of William McKay, as the same appears duly of record in Will Book No. 2, at page 2.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this the 18th day of September, 1834.
Signature Clerk.
At about the age of sixteen years, William enlisted in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the 6th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops for a term of six months early in the year 1776. It was the law that any male sixteen years of age of over had to sign up for six months.
In the month of December in the year 1779, William was drafted for a term of three months in the North Carolina Militia. He was discharged the 24th day of March 1780. In the summer of 1780 he was drafted for three months and discharged in the fall of 1780. In December 1780 he was again drafted for three months, and on or near February 1, 1781 he was taken prisoner at the battle of Cowans Ford on the Catawba River [Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] and was held in captivity until after the capture of Cornwallis [at Yorktown, Virginia] at which time he was released, thus ending the Revolutionary War.
A few years after the war, William moved to Chesterfield County, South Carolina. In the year of 1787, William married Nancy Agnes MacKay. Nancy was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and also came to the United States with her parents to make their home.
William and Nancy had three or four children born in South Carolina, before William decided to move to Kentucky. They packed their belongings in a covered wagon and along with John MacKay who was a brother to Nancy and going to travel with them as far as Goochland County, Virginia; they set out for the unknown. John left them to return home. Unknown to Nancy her brother died in Goochland County, Virginia, without having started the trip home.
William and Nancy and the children traveled on to Ohio County, Virginia, where Nancy became ill and they decided to spend the winter there and move on to Kentucky in the spring. By the time spring arrived, William and Nancy had decided to stay in Ohio County. That part of Ohio County later became Tyler County, West Virginia.
William purchased a farm on Middle Island Creek, Virginia, which was near “Next” and Archers Settlement. The land had been sealed in blood and dated 1797, (According to records this deed has been preserved by McKay heirs of John McKay, a son of William and Nancy.) This farm William had purchased was in the McKay family until 1896. At the time of the purchase there was a small log cabin located on the farm. William later added two more rooms and a porch to the cabin.
William and Nancy raised their eight children in this cabin. They had many good friends living among them.
The first term of Superior Court in this area, was held in the home of William and Nancy McKay.
William and Nancy’s children married sons and daughters of their neighbors. After the death of William, the children all left the area in which they had grown up except for John and Nancy.
Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Isabella had moved to Jackson County, Virginia, now West Virginia. Christina moved to Morgan County, Ohio. Neal and William left the area and it is believed they moved to another State.
After Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Nancy made her home with them until her death, and is buried in Great Bend, Ohio in the Bicknell Cemetery. William was buried in the Old Polly Archer Cemetery, near his home at the place called Archers Settlement, on the former Archer farm [near Sistersville, West Virginia]. – The above information was proved by Virginia (McKay) Martin.
~~~~
Affidavit of William McKay as to His Revolutionary Services
[Revolutionary War Pension files # W7429]
State of Virginia,
Tyler County.
On this 17th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the county court of Tyler County WILLIAM MCKAY, a resident of said county of Tyler and State aforesaid, aged seventy three years the 23rd day of October 1832, who being first sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he enlisted in the 6th Regiment North Carolina State troops for the term of SIX MONTHS sometime in the early part of the year 1776, with Captain John Griffin McCrea, to whose company he was attached during his service of SIX MONTHS; that at the time of his enlistment he resided in Bladen County in the State of North Carolina in which county he enlisted; that he was marched to and stationed at Wilmington in the State last aforesaid, where he was discharged after having served the term of SIX MONTHS for which he enlisted; that the officer in command at Wilmington when he was stationed there was Brigadier General Moore, who died before his 6 months expired; that attached to his company were Lieutenants, Giles, Christopher, Gooden and Ensign Richard Singletary.
That the month of December in the year 1779 he resided in Rowan County, North Carolina, when he was drafted for a tour of THREE MONTHS and rendezvoused at Charlotte Town, Mecklenburg County, that in this town he served under Captain John Sloan, in the North Carolina Militia, that from the place of rendezvous he was marched to Charleston, South Carolina; the Regiment to which he was attached was commanded by a Colonel Hamright or Hamrod; the station by General [Benjamin] Lincoln; that he only recollects of his own company officers (in addition to the Captain already named) Lieutenant Sharp, that he knew in this service Capts. Alexander and Graham or Grimes, who were also from the State of North Carolina; that he served THREE MONTHS, the time for which he was drafted and was discharged at Charleston, South Carolina, the 24th day of March 1780.
That in the summer of the year 1780 he was still residing in Rowan County aforesaid, when he was drafted for a THREE MONTH tour and served under Captain Hugh Gilmore guarding the ford on the Catwaba river, between the farms then owned by William Kyle and Samuel Huston, to prevent the British Army from passing or crossing said river; that he served THREE MONTHS the term for which he was drafted and was discharged in the fall of the year 1780 aforesaid.
That in the winter of the year 1780 in the month of December, he still resided in Rowan County aforesaid, in the State of North Carolina aforesaid, when he was again drafted for a THREE MONTH tour, that he was attached to a company commanded by Captain James Crawford and was marched to and stationed at McCowans [Cowans] ford on the Catwaba river in said State, that on 1st day of Februrary (as well as he recollected) of the year 1781, he was with the troops stationed at said Ford had and engagement with the British under Lord Cornwallis who passed the river at the ford killing General Davidson [General William Lee Davidson, born 1746, died February 1, 1781, during the battle for Cowans Ford, along the Catwaba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] his commander and making him together with others of the American Army prisoners. That at the time of this engagement, he had served out his term of THREE MONTHS within a few days. That the British kept him a prisoner until they reached Charleston, South Carolina, and afterwards detained him as a prisoner until after the capture of Lord Cornwallis; when they either set him at liberty, or he was regularly exchanged, he does not recollect which. In this tour he served THREE MONTHS within a few days aforesaid and was detained a prisoner with the enemy as aforesaid from about 1st February 1781 until after Cornwallis’capture, which was the 19th October 1871, say 8 ½ months, making in all as soldier and prisoner the last tour ELEVEN AND ONE HALF MONTHS. That for the two first named tours he received regular discharges, but which have long ago been destroyed of lost, as he considered them of no value and took no particular care of them. That while in the United States service, he was acquainted with a number of officers among other Generals [Benjamin] Lincoln, [William Lee] Davidson and one of General Davidson’s aids, Pogue.
That he cannot from the lapse of time recollect the number or names of the Continental or Militia Regiments with which he served, other than the one in which he first served – That he was born in Scotland the 23rd day of October 1759, that he has no record of his age, but has a distinct recollection of the account his parents gave him of his age, which is that before stated. That his parents migrated with him from Scotland to the State of North Carolina, about the year 1772 or 3. That since the Revolutionary War he resided in Rowan County, afterwards a short time in Iredell County [North Carolina] taken from Rowan County, afterward Richmond County [North Carolina], afterward he removed to Chesterfield County in the State of South Carolina, from where he removed near forty years ago to Ohio County [Virginia, now West Virginia], from which Tyler County was taken, where he lived for one year, when he removed to this county, which was then part of Ohio County, where he has ever since continued to reside. That he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service and knows of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify to his service. That he is acquainted with the Reverend Thomas Jones, Joseph McCoy, William Wells, John Nicklin, John McCoy, John Martin and others of his neighborhood, who can testify as to his character for the veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity but the presently declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William McKay
We Thomas Jones a clergyman, residing in the county of Tyler, State of Virginia and Robert Gorrell, residing in the same, certify that we are well acquainted with William McKay who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, having been acquainted with him one of us for upwards of Thirty six and the other Thirty three years – Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Jones
Robert Gorrell
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he stated, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Jones, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident on this county. And that Robert Gorrell, who has also signed the same is a resident of this county, and is reliable person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
I David Hickman Clerk of the Court of Tyler County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains a true copy.
~~~~
The Battle of Cowan's Ford
The Battle of Cowan's Ford was a battle in the Southern Theater of General Charles Cornwallis's 1780-1782 Campaign that eventually led to the British Army's surrender at Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. It was fought on February 1, 1781 at Cowan's ford on the Catawba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between a force of about 5,000 British and fewer than a thousand Americans who attempting to slow the British advance across the river. The American general William Lee Davidson was killed in this battle.
After the British victory at the Battle of Camden, General Nathanael Greene replaced Horatio Gates as Commander of the Southern Department of the Continental Army. Rather than attempt to confront the much larger and better equipped British Army under Cornwallis directly, Greene attempted to wear down his opponents by engaging the British in a series of small battles. Of these battles, Greene stated of the Continental Army: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
Following the vurtual annihilation of Patrick Ferguson’s forces at Kings Mountain, and of Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s troops at the Battle of Cowpens by General Daniel Morgan on January 17, 1781, Cornwallis was determined on destroying Greene's forces. Cornwallis ordered his men to burn their supplies and pursued Greene in the "Race to the Dan".
During the preceding weeks, Cornwallis's army had swung to the left and approached the swollen waters of the Catawba in late January. For three days, the British forces camped at Ramsour's Mill, where they were joined by the remains of Banastre Tarleton’s forces.
On January 28, 1781, General Daniel Morgan reported to General Nathanael Greene from his camp in Sherrills Ford that his forces had observed the British army moving towards the Catawba River. Morgan reported that he was attempting to collect the militia and delay Cornwallis's forces from crossing the river. To this end, Morgan ordered General William Lee Davidson with 500 militia (two hundred and fifty of which where without flints for their muskets) to Beatties Ford.
Cornwallis marched his forces eastward toward the river to Jacob Forney's farm, where they camped for another three days after he had determined that the Catawba river at Beatties Ford was impassable because of the raging current.
On January 31, Cornwallis began to move his army despite the heavy rain fearing any further delay would cause him to lose his chance of destroying Greene's army. Some six weeks after the engagement, Cornwallis wrote that he had ordered a detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Webster to "make every possible demonstration by cannonading and otherwise, of an intention to force a passage" at Beatties Ford while he would march down the river to Cowan's Ford.
General Greene arrived and ordered General Davidson,who had placed his men at the various fords along the eastern bank, to slow the British Army's crossing of the Catawba River. Greene and Morgan then left to accompany the bulk of their forces towards Salisbury, North Carolina.
Davidson dispatched a company of cavalry and infantry southward four miles to Cowan's Ford. The cavalry was to see that the British did not make a surprise crossing under cover of darkness. Toward nightfall Davidson joined the detachment at Cowan's Ford. Davidson evidently feared that Tarleton's troops might slip across the river in the darkness and get behind him, from which position they could attack him as the British infantry began its crossing and therefore set up camp a half mile from the river, with pickets watching from the water's edge the Cowan's Ford.
Near daybreak, after a difficult march in which the British lost some of their cannon, Cornwallis's army reached Cowan's Ford. Cowan's Ford was actually two fords; one, the horse ford, though shallower than the other, was longer, because it crossed the stream to an angle; the other, called the wagon ford, went straight across the river but was much deeper. Without hardly hesitating, the British began crossing the swollen stream straight across along the wagon ford and soon the horses were over their heads in the raging torrent.
Davidson's forces immediately began to confront the Redcoats. The militiamen were picking off many British solders as they struggled in the water. The Redcoat's return fire was heavy. Shortly after arriving on the scene, Davidson was struck form his horse by a rifle ball through the heart.
Late that evening the Davidson's naked body was found. His corpse was evidently robbed by the British solders, a fact established on July 3, 2001 when Davidson’s wallet was brought back from England where it was held in the Public Records Office in London since the Revolution.
Source: Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia website at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cowan's_Ford
~~~~
Research at the Charleston, South Carolina Historical Library revealed that William McKay was most likely held on a British prisoner of war ship, because we can find nothing mentioning any other type of detention facility being used by the British at that time [1781] in Charleston. Given what we learned over the past years about the use of such ships in New York during the Revolutionary War I can't even begin the imagine what he and his fellow prisoners went though. Those ships were typically old dilapidated and derelict vessels where prisoners were confined below deck in dark, dank, unventilated spaces that of were filthy, rat infested and deceased ridden. Many soldiers held in such conditions never survived the ordeal. However it appears Willliam McKay live through nine months in such an existance before he was released when General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781. - Harold E. Armstrong, August 1, 2010.
~~~~
Following is the last Will and Testament of William McKay
Last Will and Testament of William McKay
In the name of God Amen I William McKay of the County of Tyler being sick of body and weak but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to disposed of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following, Viz.
1st. I desire that as soon after my death as my Executors hereafter to be named may deem it advisable they shall sell as much of my personal estate (the negro girl named Fanny then to be excepted) as they may consider sufficient to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and legacies mentioned hereafter.
2nd. That after the payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and legacies I give, bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy the farm on which I now live known by the name of the home place together with all my personal estate of what nature or kind soever to be soly at her disposal during her natural life and after her death I leave the same to my children hereafter to me named in the following manner (except the negro girl above named whom I leave soly at her own disposal
3rd. As I consider that my three sons Neil, Reuben & John have already been provided for I give and bequeath to each of them two dollars to be paid by my Executors at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife.
4th. I give and bequeath to my son William at the death of his mother the farm bequeathed to my wife during her natural life known by the name of the home place and on which I now live to him the said William and to his heirs and assigns forever by him paying his sister Flora two hundred dollars at the expiration of two years after the death of his mother, also one saddle and bridle to be given him by my Executors immediately after my death.
5th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Isabella McCoy ten dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my Executors at the expiration of two years after my death.
6th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Simms Fifty Dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my executors at the expiration of two years after my death
7th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Flora two hundred dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my son William at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife
8th. I desire that at the death of my wife all the personal estate remaining in her hands may be sold by my executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my four daughters namely Christina Wells, Isabella McCoy, Nancy Simms and Flora McKay
9th. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Neil McKay and my friend Joshua Russell Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty six
William McKay (seal)
Signed Sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named William McKay in presence of us
AlexThorburn
John Pasco
John McKay
The foregoing Last Will & Testament of William McKay was presented in court & the acknowledgment of the said William McKay thereto was proven by the oaths of John Pasco & John McKay subscribing witnesses & the said will was thereupon ordered to be recorded
State of Virginia,
County of Tyler, to-wit:
I, Ray Henderson, clerk of the County Court of Tyler County, State aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last Will and Testament of William McKay, as the same appears duly of record in Will Book No. 2, at page 2.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this the 18th day of September, 1834.
Signature Clerk.
William was born in the Lowlands of Scotland and came to the United States with his parents in 1772. They settled in Bladen County North Carolina to make their home.
At about the age of sixteen years, William enlisted in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the 6th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops for a term of six months early in the year 1776. It was the law that any male sixteen years of age of over had to sign up for six months.
In the month of December in the year 1779, William was drafted for a term of three months in the North Carolina Militia. He was discharged the 24th day of March 1780. In the summer of 1780 he was drafted for three months and discharged in the fall of 1780. In December 1780 he was again drafted for three months, and on or near February 1, 1781 he was taken prisoner at the battle of Cowans Ford on the Catawba River [Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] and was held in captivity until after the capture of Cornwallis [at Yorktown, Virginia] at which time he was released, thus ending the Revolutionary War.
A few years after the war, William moved to Chesterfield County, South Carolina. In the year of 1787, William married Nancy Agnes MacKay. Nancy was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and also came to the United States with her parents to make their home.
William and Nancy had three or four children born in South Carolina, before William decided to move to Kentucky. They packed their belongings in a covered wagon and along with John MacKay who was a brother to Nancy and going to travel with them as far as Goochland County, Virginia; they set out for the unknown. John left them to return home. Unknown to Nancy her brother died in Goochland County, Virginia, without having started the trip home.
William and Nancy and the children traveled on to Ohio County, Virginia, where Nancy became ill and they decided to spend the winter there and move on to Kentucky in the spring. By the time spring arrived, William and Nancy had decided to stay in Ohio County. That part of Ohio County later became Tyler County, West Virginia.
William purchased a farm on Middle Island Creek, Virginia, which was near “Next” and Archers Settlement. The land had been sealed in blood and dated 1797, (According to records this deed has been preserved by McKay heirs of John McKay, a son of William and Nancy.) This farm William had purchased was in the McKay family until 1896. At the time of the purchase there was a small log cabin located on the farm. William later added two more rooms and a porch to the cabin.
William and Nancy raised their eight children in this cabin. They had many good friends living among them.
The first term of Superior Court in this area, was held in the home of William and Nancy McKay.
William and Nancy’s children married sons and daughters of their neighbors. After the death of William, the children all left the area in which they had grown up except for John and Nancy.
Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Isabella had moved to Jackson County, Virginia, now West Virginia. Christina moved to Morgan County, Ohio. Neal and William left the area and it is believed they moved to another State.
After Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Nancy made her home with them until her death, and is buried in Great Bend, Ohio in the Bicknell Cemetery. William was buried in the Old Polly Archer Cemetery, near his home at the place called Archers Settlement, on the former Archer farm [near Sistersville, West Virginia]. – The above information was proved by Virginia (McKay) Martin.
~~~~
Affidavit of William McKay as to His Revolutionary Services
[Revolutionary War Pension files # W7429]
State of Virginia,
Tyler County.
On this 17th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the county court of Tyler County WILLIAM MCKAY, a resident of said county of Tyler and State aforesaid, aged seventy three years the 23rd day of October 1832, who being first sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he enlisted in the 6th Regiment North Carolina State troops for the term of SIX MONTHS sometime in the early part of the year 1776, with Captain John Griffin McCrea, to whose company he was attached during his service of SIX MONTHS; that at the time of his enlistment he resided in Bladen County in the State of North Carolina in which county he enlisted; that he was marched to and stationed at Wilmington in the State last aforesaid, where he was discharged after having served the term of SIX MONTHS for which he enlisted; that the officer in command at Wilmington when he was stationed there was Brigadier General Moore, who died before his 6 months expired; that attached to his company were Lieutenants, Giles, Christopher, Gooden and Ensign Richard Singletary.
That the month of December in the year 1779 he resided in Rowan County, North Carolina, when he was drafted for a tour of THREE MONTHS and rendezvoused at Charlotte Town, Mecklenburg County, that in this town he served under Captain John Sloan, in the North Carolina Militia, that from the place of rendezvous he was marched to Charleston, South Carolina; the Regiment to which he was attached was commanded by a Colonel Hamright or Hamrod; the station by General [Benjamin] Lincoln; that he only recollects of his own company officers (in addition to the Captain already named) Lieutenant Sharp, that he knew in this service Capts. Alexander and Graham or Grimes, who were also from the State of North Carolina; that he served THREE MONTHS, the time for which he was drafted and was discharged at Charleston, South Carolina, the 24th day of March 1780.
That in the summer of the year 1780 he was still residing in Rowan County aforesaid, when he was drafted for a THREE MONTH tour and served under Captain Hugh Gilmore guarding the ford on the Catwaba river, between the farms then owned by William Kyle and Samuel Huston, to prevent the British Army from passing or crossing said river; that he served THREE MONTHS the term for which he was drafted and was discharged in the fall of the year 1780 aforesaid.
That in the winter of the year 1780 in the month of December, he still resided in Rowan County aforesaid, in the State of North Carolina aforesaid, when he was again drafted for a THREE MONTH tour, that he was attached to a company commanded by Captain James Crawford and was marched to and stationed at McCowans [Cowans] ford on the Catwaba river in said State, that on 1st day of Februrary (as well as he recollected) of the year 1781, he was with the troops stationed at said Ford had and engagement with the British under Lord Cornwallis who passed the river at the ford killing General Davidson [General William Lee Davidson, born 1746, died February 1, 1781, during the battle for Cowans Ford, along the Catwaba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] his commander and making him together with others of the American Army prisoners. That at the time of this engagement, he had served out his term of THREE MONTHS within a few days. That the British kept him a prisoner until they reached Charleston, South Carolina, and afterwards detained him as a prisoner until after the capture of Lord Cornwallis; when they either set him at liberty, or he was regularly exchanged, he does not recollect which. In this tour he served THREE MONTHS within a few days aforesaid and was detained a prisoner with the enemy as aforesaid from about 1st February 1781 until after Cornwallis’capture, which was the 19th October 1871, say 8 ½ months, making in all as soldier and prisoner the last tour ELEVEN AND ONE HALF MONTHS. That for the two first named tours he received regular discharges, but which have long ago been destroyed of lost, as he considered them of no value and took no particular care of them. That while in the United States service, he was acquainted with a number of officers among other Generals [Benjamin] Lincoln, [William Lee] Davidson and one of General Davidson’s aids, Pogue.
That he cannot from the lapse of time recollect the number or names of the Continental or Militia Regiments with which he served, other than the one in which he first served – That he was born in Scotland the 23rd day of October 1759, that he has no record of his age, but has a distinct recollection of the account his parents gave him of his age, which is that before stated. That his parents migrated with him from Scotland to the State of North Carolina, about the year 1772 or 3. That since the Revolutionary War he resided in Rowan County, afterwards a short time in Iredell County [North Carolina] taken from Rowan County, afterward Richmond County [North Carolina], afterward he removed to Chesterfield County in the State of South Carolina, from where he removed near forty years ago to Ohio County [Virginia, now West Virginia], from which Tyler County was taken, where he lived for one year, when he removed to this county, which was then part of Ohio County, where he has ever since continued to reside. That he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service and knows of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify to his service. That he is acquainted with the Reverend Thomas Jones, Joseph McCoy, William Wells, John Nicklin, John McCoy, John Martin and others of his neighborhood, who can testify as to his character for the veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity but the presently declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William McKay
We Thomas Jones a clergyman, residing in the county of Tyler, State of Virginia and Robert Gorrell, residing in the same, certify that we are well acquainted with William McKay who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, having been acquainted with him one of us for upwards of Thirty six and the other Thirty three years – Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Jones
Robert Gorrell
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he stated, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Jones, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident on this county. And that Robert Gorrell, who has also signed the same is a resident of this county, and is reliable person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
I David Hickman Clerk of the Court of Tyler County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains a true copy.
~~~~
The Battle of Cowan's Ford
The Battle of Cowan's Ford was a battle in the Southern Theater of General Charles Cornwallis's 1780-1782 Campaign that eventually led to the British Army's surrender at Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. It was fought on February 1, 1781 at Cowan's ford on the Catawba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between a force of about 5,000 British and fewer than a thousand Americans who attempting to slow the British advance across the river. The American general William Lee Davidson was killed in this battle.
After the British victory at the Battle of Camden, General Nathanael Greene replaced Horatio Gates as Commander of the Southern Department of the Continental Army. Rather than attempt to confront the much larger and better equipped British Army under Cornwallis directly, Greene attempted to wear down his opponents by engaging the British in a series of small battles. Of these battles, Greene stated of the Continental Army: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
Following the vurtual annihilation of Patrick Ferguson’s forces at Kings Mountain, and of Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s troops at the Battle of Cowpens by General Daniel Morgan on January 17, 1781, Cornwallis was determined on destroying Greene's forces. Cornwallis ordered his men to burn their supplies and pursued Greene in the "Race to the Dan".
During the preceding weeks, Cornwallis's army had swung to the left and approached the swollen waters of the Catawba in late January. For three days, the British forces camped at Ramsour's Mill, where they were joined by the remains of Banastre Tarleton’s forces.
On January 28, 1781, General Daniel Morgan reported to General Nathanael Greene from his camp in Sherrills Ford that his forces had observed the British army moving towards the Catawba River. Morgan reported that he was attempting to collect the militia and delay Cornwallis's forces from crossing the river. To this end, Morgan ordered General William Lee Davidson with 500 militia (two hundred and fifty of which where without flints for their muskets) to Beatties Ford.
Cornwallis marched his forces eastward toward the river to Jacob Forney's farm, where they camped for another three days after he had determined that the Catawba river at Beatties Ford was impassable because of the raging current.
On January 31, Cornwallis began to move his army despite the heavy rain fearing any further delay would cause him to lose his chance of destroying Greene's army. Some six weeks after the engagement, Cornwallis wrote that he had ordered a detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Webster to "make every possible demonstration by cannonading and otherwise, of an intention to force a passage" at Beatties Ford while he would march down the river to Cowan's Ford.
General Greene arrived and ordered General Davidson,who had placed his men at the various fords along the eastern bank, to slow the British Army's crossing of the Catawba River. Greene and Morgan then left to accompany the bulk of their forces towards Salisbury, North Carolina.
Davidson dispatched a company of cavalry and infantry southward four miles to Cowan's Ford. The cavalry was to see that the British did not make a surprise crossing under cover of darkness. Toward nightfall Davidson joined the detachment at Cowan's Ford. Davidson evidently feared that Tarleton's troops might slip across the river in the darkness and get behind him, from which position they could attack him as the British infantry began its crossing and therefore set up camp a half mile from the river, with pickets watching from the water's edge the Cowan's Ford.
Near daybreak, after a difficult march in which the British lost some of their cannon, Cornwallis's army reached Cowan's Ford. Cowan's Ford was actually two fords; one, the horse ford, though shallower than the other, was longer, because it crossed the stream to an angle; the other, called the wagon ford, went straight across the river but was much deeper. Without hardly hesitating, the British began crossing the swollen stream straight across along the wagon ford and soon the horses were over their heads in the raging torrent.
Davidson's forces immediately began to confront the Redcoats. The militiamen were picking off many British solders as they struggled in the water. The Redcoat's return fire was heavy. Shortly after arriving on the scene, Davidson was struck form his horse by a rifle ball through the heart.
Late that evening the Davidson's naked body was found. His corpse was evidently robbed by the British solders, a fact established on July 3, 2001 when Davidson’s wallet was brought back from England where it was held in the Public Records Office in London since the Revolution.
Source: Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia website at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cowan's_Ford
~~~~
Research at the Charleston, South Carolina Historical Library revealed that William McKay was most likely held on a British prisoner of war ship, because we can find nothing mentioning any other type of detention facility being used by the British at that time [1781] in Charleston. Given what we learned over the past years about the use of such ships in New York during the Revolutionary War I can't even begin the imagine what he and his fellow prisoners went though. Those ships were typically old dilapidated and derelict vessels where prisoners were confined below deck in dark, dank, unventilated spaces that of were filthy, rat infested and deceased ridden. Many soldiers held in such conditions never survived the ordeal. However it appears Willliam McKay live through nine months in such an existance before he was released when General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781. - Harold E. Armstrong, August 1, 2010.
~~~~
Following is the last Will and Testament of William McKay
Last Will and Testament of William McKay
In the name of God Amen I William McKay of the County of Tyler being sick of body and weak but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to disposed of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following, Viz.
1st. I desire that as soon after my death as my Executors hereafter to be named may deem it advisable they shall sell as much of my personal estate (the negro girl named Fanny then to be excepted) as they may consider sufficient to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and legacies mentioned hereafter.
2nd. That after the payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and legacies I give, bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy the farm on which I now live known by the name of the home place together with all my personal estate of what nature or kind soever to be soly at her disposal during her natural life and after her death I leave the same to my children hereafter to me named in the following manner (except the negro girl above named whom I leave soly at her own disposal
3rd. As I consider that my three sons Neil, Reuben & John have already been provided for I give and bequeath to each of them two dollars to be paid by my Executors at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife.
4th. I give and bequeath to my son William at the death of his mother the farm bequeathed to my wife during her natural life known by the name of the home place and on which I now live to him the said William and to his heirs and assigns forever by him paying his sister Flora two hundred dollars at the expiration of two years after the death of his mother, also one saddle and bridle to be given him by my Executors immediately after my death.
5th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Isabella McCoy ten dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my Executors at the expiration of two years after my death.
6th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Simms Fifty Dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my executors at the expiration of two years after my death
7th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Flora two hundred dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my son William at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife
8th. I desire that at the death of my wife all the personal estate remaining in her hands may be sold by my executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my four daughters namely Christina Wells, Isabella McCoy, Nancy Simms and Flora McKay
9th. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Neil McKay and my friend Joshua Russell Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty six
William McKay (seal)
Signed Sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named William McKay in presence of us
AlexThorburn
John Pasco
John McKay
The foregoing Last Will & Testament of William McKay was presented in court & the acknowledgment of the said William McKay thereto was proven by the oaths of John Pasco & John McKay subscribing witnesses & the said will was thereupon ordered to be recorded
State of Virginia,
County of Tyler, to-wit:
I, Ray Henderson, clerk of the County Court of Tyler County, State aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last Will and Testament of William McKay, as the same appears duly of record in Will Book No. 2, at page 2.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this the 18th day of September, 1834.
Signature Clerk.
At about the age of sixteen years, William enlisted in the Revolutionary War. He enlisted in the 6th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops for a term of six months early in the year 1776. It was the law that any male sixteen years of age of over had to sign up for six months.
In the month of December in the year 1779, William was drafted for a term of three months in the North Carolina Militia. He was discharged the 24th day of March 1780. In the summer of 1780 he was drafted for three months and discharged in the fall of 1780. In December 1780 he was again drafted for three months, and on or near February 1, 1781 he was taken prisoner at the battle of Cowans Ford on the Catawba River [Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] and was held in captivity until after the capture of Cornwallis [at Yorktown, Virginia] at which time he was released, thus ending the Revolutionary War.
A few years after the war, William moved to Chesterfield County, South Carolina. In the year of 1787, William married Nancy Agnes MacKay. Nancy was born in the Highlands of Scotland, and also came to the United States with her parents to make their home.
William and Nancy had three or four children born in South Carolina, before William decided to move to Kentucky. They packed their belongings in a covered wagon and along with John MacKay who was a brother to Nancy and going to travel with them as far as Goochland County, Virginia; they set out for the unknown. John left them to return home. Unknown to Nancy her brother died in Goochland County, Virginia, without having started the trip home.
William and Nancy and the children traveled on to Ohio County, Virginia, where Nancy became ill and they decided to spend the winter there and move on to Kentucky in the spring. By the time spring arrived, William and Nancy had decided to stay in Ohio County. That part of Ohio County later became Tyler County, West Virginia.
William purchased a farm on Middle Island Creek, Virginia, which was near “Next” and Archers Settlement. The land had been sealed in blood and dated 1797, (According to records this deed has been preserved by McKay heirs of John McKay, a son of William and Nancy.) This farm William had purchased was in the McKay family until 1896. At the time of the purchase there was a small log cabin located on the farm. William later added two more rooms and a porch to the cabin.
William and Nancy raised their eight children in this cabin. They had many good friends living among them.
The first term of Superior Court in this area, was held in the home of William and Nancy McKay.
William and Nancy’s children married sons and daughters of their neighbors. After the death of William, the children all left the area in which they had grown up except for John and Nancy.
Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Isabella had moved to Jackson County, Virginia, now West Virginia. Christina moved to Morgan County, Ohio. Neal and William left the area and it is believed they moved to another State.
After Reuben and Flora moved to Meigs County, Ohio, Nancy made her home with them until her death, and is buried in Great Bend, Ohio in the Bicknell Cemetery. William was buried in the Old Polly Archer Cemetery, near his home at the place called Archers Settlement, on the former Archer farm [near Sistersville, West Virginia]. – The above information was proved by Virginia (McKay) Martin.
~~~~
Affidavit of William McKay as to His Revolutionary Services
[Revolutionary War Pension files # W7429]
State of Virginia,
Tyler County.
On this 17th day of August 1833 personally appeared before the county court of Tyler County WILLIAM MCKAY, a resident of said county of Tyler and State aforesaid, aged seventy three years the 23rd day of October 1832, who being first sworn according to the law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress passed June 7th 1832.
That he enlisted in the 6th Regiment North Carolina State troops for the term of SIX MONTHS sometime in the early part of the year 1776, with Captain John Griffin McCrea, to whose company he was attached during his service of SIX MONTHS; that at the time of his enlistment he resided in Bladen County in the State of North Carolina in which county he enlisted; that he was marched to and stationed at Wilmington in the State last aforesaid, where he was discharged after having served the term of SIX MONTHS for which he enlisted; that the officer in command at Wilmington when he was stationed there was Brigadier General Moore, who died before his 6 months expired; that attached to his company were Lieutenants, Giles, Christopher, Gooden and Ensign Richard Singletary.
That the month of December in the year 1779 he resided in Rowan County, North Carolina, when he was drafted for a tour of THREE MONTHS and rendezvoused at Charlotte Town, Mecklenburg County, that in this town he served under Captain John Sloan, in the North Carolina Militia, that from the place of rendezvous he was marched to Charleston, South Carolina; the Regiment to which he was attached was commanded by a Colonel Hamright or Hamrod; the station by General [Benjamin] Lincoln; that he only recollects of his own company officers (in addition to the Captain already named) Lieutenant Sharp, that he knew in this service Capts. Alexander and Graham or Grimes, who were also from the State of North Carolina; that he served THREE MONTHS, the time for which he was drafted and was discharged at Charleston, South Carolina, the 24th day of March 1780.
That in the summer of the year 1780 he was still residing in Rowan County aforesaid, when he was drafted for a THREE MONTH tour and served under Captain Hugh Gilmore guarding the ford on the Catwaba river, between the farms then owned by William Kyle and Samuel Huston, to prevent the British Army from passing or crossing said river; that he served THREE MONTHS the term for which he was drafted and was discharged in the fall of the year 1780 aforesaid.
That in the winter of the year 1780 in the month of December, he still resided in Rowan County aforesaid, in the State of North Carolina aforesaid, when he was again drafted for a THREE MONTH tour, that he was attached to a company commanded by Captain James Crawford and was marched to and stationed at McCowans [Cowans] ford on the Catwaba river in said State, that on 1st day of Februrary (as well as he recollected) of the year 1781, he was with the troops stationed at said Ford had and engagement with the British under Lord Cornwallis who passed the river at the ford killing General Davidson [General William Lee Davidson, born 1746, died February 1, 1781, during the battle for Cowans Ford, along the Catwaba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina] his commander and making him together with others of the American Army prisoners. That at the time of this engagement, he had served out his term of THREE MONTHS within a few days. That the British kept him a prisoner until they reached Charleston, South Carolina, and afterwards detained him as a prisoner until after the capture of Lord Cornwallis; when they either set him at liberty, or he was regularly exchanged, he does not recollect which. In this tour he served THREE MONTHS within a few days aforesaid and was detained a prisoner with the enemy as aforesaid from about 1st February 1781 until after Cornwallis’capture, which was the 19th October 1871, say 8 ½ months, making in all as soldier and prisoner the last tour ELEVEN AND ONE HALF MONTHS. That for the two first named tours he received regular discharges, but which have long ago been destroyed of lost, as he considered them of no value and took no particular care of them. That while in the United States service, he was acquainted with a number of officers among other Generals [Benjamin] Lincoln, [William Lee] Davidson and one of General Davidson’s aids, Pogue.
That he cannot from the lapse of time recollect the number or names of the Continental or Militia Regiments with which he served, other than the one in which he first served – That he was born in Scotland the 23rd day of October 1759, that he has no record of his age, but has a distinct recollection of the account his parents gave him of his age, which is that before stated. That his parents migrated with him from Scotland to the State of North Carolina, about the year 1772 or 3. That since the Revolutionary War he resided in Rowan County, afterwards a short time in Iredell County [North Carolina] taken from Rowan County, afterward Richmond County [North Carolina], afterward he removed to Chesterfield County in the State of South Carolina, from where he removed near forty years ago to Ohio County [Virginia, now West Virginia], from which Tyler County was taken, where he lived for one year, when he removed to this county, which was then part of Ohio County, where he has ever since continued to reside. That he has no documentary evidence by which he can prove his service and knows of no person whose testimony he can produce who can testify to his service. That he is acquainted with the Reverend Thomas Jones, Joseph McCoy, William Wells, John Nicklin, John McCoy, John Martin and others of his neighborhood, who can testify as to his character for the veracity and their belief of his services in the Revolution.
He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity but the presently declared that his name is not on the pension roll of any state.
Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
William McKay
We Thomas Jones a clergyman, residing in the county of Tyler, State of Virginia and Robert Gorrell, residing in the same, certify that we are well acquainted with William McKay who has subscribed and sworn to the forgoing declaration, that we believe him to be Seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution, and that we concur in that opinion, having been acquainted with him one of us for upwards of Thirty six and the other Thirty three years – Sworn and subscribed the day and year aforesaid.
Thomas Jones
Robert Gorrell
And the said court do hereby declare their opinion after the investigation of the matter, and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department, that the above named applicant was a Revolutionary soldier, and served as he stated, and the court further certifies that it appears to them that Thomas Jones, who has signed the preceding certificate, is a clergyman, resident on this county. And that Robert Gorrell, who has also signed the same is a resident of this county, and is reliable person, and that their statements is entitled to credit.
I David Hickman Clerk of the Court of Tyler County do hereby certify that the forgoing contains a true copy.
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The Battle of Cowan's Ford
The Battle of Cowan's Ford was a battle in the Southern Theater of General Charles Cornwallis's 1780-1782 Campaign that eventually led to the British Army's surrender at Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War. It was fought on February 1, 1781 at Cowan's ford on the Catawba River in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, between a force of about 5,000 British and fewer than a thousand Americans who attempting to slow the British advance across the river. The American general William Lee Davidson was killed in this battle.
After the British victory at the Battle of Camden, General Nathanael Greene replaced Horatio Gates as Commander of the Southern Department of the Continental Army. Rather than attempt to confront the much larger and better equipped British Army under Cornwallis directly, Greene attempted to wear down his opponents by engaging the British in a series of small battles. Of these battles, Greene stated of the Continental Army: "We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again."
Following the vurtual annihilation of Patrick Ferguson’s forces at Kings Mountain, and of Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton’s troops at the Battle of Cowpens by General Daniel Morgan on January 17, 1781, Cornwallis was determined on destroying Greene's forces. Cornwallis ordered his men to burn their supplies and pursued Greene in the "Race to the Dan".
During the preceding weeks, Cornwallis's army had swung to the left and approached the swollen waters of the Catawba in late January. For three days, the British forces camped at Ramsour's Mill, where they were joined by the remains of Banastre Tarleton’s forces.
On January 28, 1781, General Daniel Morgan reported to General Nathanael Greene from his camp in Sherrills Ford that his forces had observed the British army moving towards the Catawba River. Morgan reported that he was attempting to collect the militia and delay Cornwallis's forces from crossing the river. To this end, Morgan ordered General William Lee Davidson with 500 militia (two hundred and fifty of which where without flints for their muskets) to Beatties Ford.
Cornwallis marched his forces eastward toward the river to Jacob Forney's farm, where they camped for another three days after he had determined that the Catawba river at Beatties Ford was impassable because of the raging current.
On January 31, Cornwallis began to move his army despite the heavy rain fearing any further delay would cause him to lose his chance of destroying Greene's army. Some six weeks after the engagement, Cornwallis wrote that he had ordered a detachment under Lieutenant Colonel Webster to "make every possible demonstration by cannonading and otherwise, of an intention to force a passage" at Beatties Ford while he would march down the river to Cowan's Ford.
General Greene arrived and ordered General Davidson,who had placed his men at the various fords along the eastern bank, to slow the British Army's crossing of the Catawba River. Greene and Morgan then left to accompany the bulk of their forces towards Salisbury, North Carolina.
Davidson dispatched a company of cavalry and infantry southward four miles to Cowan's Ford. The cavalry was to see that the British did not make a surprise crossing under cover of darkness. Toward nightfall Davidson joined the detachment at Cowan's Ford. Davidson evidently feared that Tarleton's troops might slip across the river in the darkness and get behind him, from which position they could attack him as the British infantry began its crossing and therefore set up camp a half mile from the river, with pickets watching from the water's edge the Cowan's Ford.
Near daybreak, after a difficult march in which the British lost some of their cannon, Cornwallis's army reached Cowan's Ford. Cowan's Ford was actually two fords; one, the horse ford, though shallower than the other, was longer, because it crossed the stream to an angle; the other, called the wagon ford, went straight across the river but was much deeper. Without hardly hesitating, the British began crossing the swollen stream straight across along the wagon ford and soon the horses were over their heads in the raging torrent.
Davidson's forces immediately began to confront the Redcoats. The militiamen were picking off many British solders as they struggled in the water. The Redcoat's return fire was heavy. Shortly after arriving on the scene, Davidson was struck form his horse by a rifle ball through the heart.
Late that evening the Davidson's naked body was found. His corpse was evidently robbed by the British solders, a fact established on July 3, 2001 when Davidson’s wallet was brought back from England where it was held in the Public Records Office in London since the Revolution.
Source: Wikipedia Free Encyclopedia website at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cowan's_Ford
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Research at the Charleston, South Carolina Historical Library revealed that William McKay was most likely held on a British prisoner of war ship, because we can find nothing mentioning any other type of detention facility being used by the British at that time [1781] in Charleston. Given what we learned over the past years about the use of such ships in New York during the Revolutionary War I can't even begin the imagine what he and his fellow prisoners went though. Those ships were typically old dilapidated and derelict vessels where prisoners were confined below deck in dark, dank, unventilated spaces that of were filthy, rat infested and deceased ridden. Many soldiers held in such conditions never survived the ordeal. However it appears Willliam McKay live through nine months in such an existance before he was released when General Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown in October 1781. - Harold E. Armstrong, August 1, 2010.
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Following is the last Will and Testament of William McKay
Last Will and Testament of William McKay
In the name of God Amen I William McKay of the County of Tyler being sick of body and weak but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God) and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to disposed of all such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following, Viz.
1st. I desire that as soon after my death as my Executors hereafter to be named may deem it advisable they shall sell as much of my personal estate (the negro girl named Fanny then to be excepted) as they may consider sufficient to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and legacies mentioned hereafter.
2nd. That after the payment of all my just debts funeral expenses and legacies I give, bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy the farm on which I now live known by the name of the home place together with all my personal estate of what nature or kind soever to be soly at her disposal during her natural life and after her death I leave the same to my children hereafter to me named in the following manner (except the negro girl above named whom I leave soly at her own disposal
3rd. As I consider that my three sons Neil, Reuben & John have already been provided for I give and bequeath to each of them two dollars to be paid by my Executors at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife.
4th. I give and bequeath to my son William at the death of his mother the farm bequeathed to my wife during her natural life known by the name of the home place and on which I now live to him the said William and to his heirs and assigns forever by him paying his sister Flora two hundred dollars at the expiration of two years after the death of his mother, also one saddle and bridle to be given him by my Executors immediately after my death.
5th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Isabella McCoy ten dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my Executors at the expiration of two years after my death.
6th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Simms Fifty Dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my executors at the expiration of two years after my death
7th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Flora two hundred dollars to be paid to her or her heirs by my son William at the expiration of two years after the death of my wife
8th. I desire that at the death of my wife all the personal estate remaining in her hands may be sold by my executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my four daughters namely Christina Wells, Isabella McCoy, Nancy Simms and Flora McKay
9th. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son Neil McKay and my friend Joshua Russell Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of November in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty six
William McKay (seal)
Signed Sealed published and declared as and for the last will and testament of the above named William McKay in presence of us
AlexThorburn
John Pasco
John McKay
The foregoing Last Will & Testament of William McKay was presented in court & the acknowledgment of the said William McKay thereto was proven by the oaths of John Pasco & John McKay subscribing witnesses & the said will was thereupon ordered to be recorded
State of Virginia,
County of Tyler, to-wit:
I, Ray Henderson, clerk of the County Court of Tyler County, State aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the last Will and Testament of William McKay, as the same appears duly of record in Will Book No. 2, at page 2.
Given under my hand and the seal of said County Court, this the 18th day of September, 1834.
Signature Clerk.
Bio by: H. Armstrong
Inscription
76y
Gravesite Details
July 22, 2006 - William McKay broken tombstone was finally found under a heavy mat of dense weeds where it was photographed and left in place. William McKay is my 4th great grandfather.
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