| Notes |
- According to tradition, history and old records, the McCoys came to
the area known as Craven Co. in the early 1700s. In the year of 1736,
Alexander McCoy...and several others came from Scotland to explore the
region of the Cape Fear. They returned to Scotland, and in Sep of
1739 they came back with ships bringing to America the first Scotish
immigrants numbering more than 300 persons. These Scots settled along
the rivers and streams in the Craven Precinct (now known as the
Piedmont section). In 1746, after the Battle of Culloden in Scotland,
thousands more came to the "Plantations beyond the sea." Scot
migration continued into the area until the outbreak of the
Revolutionary War.
Land grants are recorded for Ellijah, William and Willis McCoy in the
year 1740. William and Willis were serving in the home guard (known
as the Militia) as early as 1758. Elijah and William served in the
"Troop Horse" in 1758. John McCoy was killed by the British in 1787
in the Battle of Eutaw Springs in SC.
Willis had a deed consisting of 100 acres of land in Craven Co. on the
west side of Core Creek joining the line of Solomon Beckley and
William McCoy beginning near the Poley Bridge Branch - 28 Oct 1783, DB
60, page 8.
Willis was listed in the home guard of NC as early as 1754 along with
William McCoy, Solomon Beasley and Owen Daugherty. According to
Melissa McCoy Bell (mbell@netten.net) and her genealogy on
www.angelfire.com, Willis changed the spelling of his name from McCoy
to Mecoy during the Revolutionary War as a result of an argument
between him and his brother. The brother served for Britian and
Willis served for the American Colonies. Most of Willis's offspring
reverted to the original spelling during the next few generations
though some continued to spell it Mecoy until the middle of the 20th
century.
Willis McCoy's Will was made 9 Oct 1800. He was deceased Mar 1801
(page 112 in the early register of Willis in Craven Co.). Executors
of his will were John Hardy and wife Kesiah.
|
1732 - 1801 (69 years)