McCoy Revolutionary Soldiers
Bennett and James McCoy, free men (probably
brothers) from Westmoreland County, were
among the many African Americans who
served in the Virginia militia and the United
States Army or Navy during the Revolutionary
War. Bennett McCoy served for three years
starting in 1777, participated in several major
battles, and reenlisted with the 15th Virginia
Regiment until the end of the war. James McCoy
rendered guard service on the Potomac River
from 1777 to 1778. In 1781, he was drafted and
stationed on the York River at Yorktown and
acted as a bowman to assist “his captain”
in navigating the river. Each of the McCoys
received a pension for his service.
Marker is at the intersection of Sandy Point Road (County Route 604) and Cople Highway (Virginia Route 202), on the left when traveling east on Sandy Point Road.
Courtesy hmdb.org
