McCoy Revolutionary War Soldiers
Historical highway marker JT-20 · Westmoreland County
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.
Department of Historic Resources, 2001