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STEPHEN DECATUR CHAPTER
NATIONAL SOCIETY DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
Decatur, Macon County, IL

This page updated November 14, 2017

MARKING OF GRAVE FOR JANE ANN (RUSSELL)McCOY

REAL DAUGHTER

Marked 1927




Jane A. (Russell) Mc Coy died Jan 22, 1916
aged 95 years 9 months 27 days

Jane Mc Coy is buried in Cross Cemetery
Oakley Township, Macon County, IL

From Decatur Herald,Sunday January 23, 1916 p3

DECATUR D.A.R. HAS MADE LAST PILGRIMAGE
MRS. JANE McCOY, 95,
ONLY REAL DAUGHTER OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION
on ITS LIST DIES SATURDAY AFTERNOON,
LEAVING but THREE STILL ALIVE IN ILLINOIS

Mrs. Jane McCoy of Oakley, one of the four remaining daughters of the American revolution in Illinois, died in the home of her niece, Mrs. E.B. Smith, in Oakley, at 4:30 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Mrs. McCoy would have been 96 years old had she lived until March 25. Death was caused by the infirmities of old age, after a short illness.

Made Annual Pilgrimages For years, members of the D.A.R., delighted in honoring Mrs. McCoy in her Oakley home. On each birthday, a large delegation of members of the patriotic organization went to call on their one member who was a real Daughter. At each of these meetings, Mrs. McCoy, despite her advanced age, took an active part in all discussions, including remarks on the latest film play, the tendency toward parasitism of the modern woman, the Russian maid, and any other subjects that would come up for consideration between the pauses in the crocheting work, which she did vigorously while the discussions continued. The "Real Daughter" always was found happy, and glad to welcome her friends. On the last pilgrimage made by the Decatur D.A.R. members on March 25, 1915, Mrs. McCoy was given a beautiful blooming "Baby Rambler" rose bush by Mrs. H.S. McNulta. The pilgrimage to Mrs. McCoy's home was the 10th that Mrs. McNulta had made.

Recalled Bouquets of Childhood Mrs. McCoy was not at that time very robust, and for three weeks during the winter of 1915, had been confined to her bed. But she was able to receive her guests sitting in her arm chair, and was very happy to see them. When the rose bush was placed beside her, she said, "They used to say I could make prettier bouquets than anybody when I was a young girl." Had she been 20 years younger, Mrs. McCoy would have considered a beautiful old lady. She had clear whie skin. Her hair, still thick, was silky, snowy white. For a woman 95 years old she was remarkable. Friends who had known her for ten years - it has been that long since the annual pilgrimages to her home was begun by the D.A.R. said that she looked but little older a year ago than when they first saw her. At that time she was asked to sit for a picture, and did so gladly. When one of her visitors remarked that she hoped she would be half as good looking in 10 years - when she was 95 years old, Mrs. McCoy replied with the reminiscent look that distinguished her that, "I used to be called rather good looking."
Pensioned by Society For several years previous to her death, Mrs. McCoy received a pension which the national society of the D.A.R. allows to all the real daughters of the American revolution.
There were 44 real Daughters in the United States. The four in Illinois are Mrs. Josephine D. Wodeski of Lincoln, Mrs. John Henry Kimery of Neoga, and Miss Clarissa McManners of Henry. Although it is now 129 years since the declaration of independence, these are still able to narrate the incidents of that great struggle for liberty as told by their fathers who shouldered muskets and endured the privation of Valley Forge that their country might be free.

In Harper's Ferry Raid Mrs. Jane McCoy was one of the most remarkable of the quartet, being especially distinguished because of the fact that she lived at Harper's Ferry, Va., when the famous John Brown raid was made before the Civil war. Mrs. McCoy knew John Brown, and many other principals in that dramatic episode. After the raid, troops were encamped upon her home farm, and all the buildings except the home were destroyed. Mrs. Jane McCoy lived at Harper's Ferry, Va. Mrs. McCoy knew John Brown, and many other principals in that dramatic episode. After the raid, troops were encamped upon her home farm, and all the buildings except the home were destroyed. Mrs. McCoy was born in Virginia, and was married to Hamilton McCoy in 1857. Shortly before the Civil War they moved to Oakley, where they have since lived.

Was Father of 21 Her father, James Russell, fought throughout the entire Revolution. He participated in the battle of Yorktown, which ended the war. Mr. Russell was twice married and became the father of 21 children, eight by the first marriage and 13 by the second. He was 49 years old when he married the second time. Mrs. McCoy was the 19th child, and was the last one to die.
Her father died when he was 77 years old. He was fond of relating his adventures to his children, and told of many experiences encountered while he was a soldier of the colonies. Mrs. McCoy remembered until her death, many of the incidents narrated by her father.
Went to Log School House Mrs. McCoy attended school in Loudon county, W. Va. The school house was constructed of logs, and the desks of clapboards, resting upon pegs driven in the walls. Her studies were limited to reading and writing, spelling, arithmetic and geography. In her girlhood days tailors went from house to house, taking the measure of men for clothes. The shoemakers secured their orders in the same manner. Mrs. McCoy recalled often in her conversation with friends that her father wore knee breaches, with knee buckles.
Mrs. McCoy had no children. Her *husband died many years ago, and since then she has lived with her nieces and nephews, including Mrs. E.V. Trainer, of Decatur, and Jacob N. Nisewaner, of Mt. Auburn. Funeral arrangements have not yet been arranged. Members of Stephen Decatur chapter D.A.R., will attend in a body, and are asked to watch the newspapers for announcements concerning the funeral.
   
*Hamilton McCoy died March 21, 1876 aged 58 years 10 months 27 days.
At that time DAR was separated by periods.

From Decatur Herald Wednesday January 26, 1916 p3

REAL DAUGHTER OF REVOLUTION BURIED
Decatur Chapter D.A.R. Well Represented
at Funeral of Mrs. Jane McCoy
"She lived as an inspiration to me, and to all the other persons who knew her," said Rev. E. M. Antrim of First Methodist church, at the funeral services of Mrs. Jane Ann Russell McCoy, daughter of a soldier in the American revolution, in the Oakley United Brethren church in Oakley. Rev. Mr. Antrim conducted the services, and was assisted by Rev. Mr. Watts of the United Brethren church.
"Her life was intimately bound up with the American revolution" continued Mr. Antrim. "It stands as an illustration of all the best things in life which the American people are for."

Oakley Church Crowded The Oakley church was not large enough to hold the mourners, and many stood outside while the services were being conducted and then went to the cemetery, where burial was held. Among those who attended was a large delegation from Stephen Decatur chapter, D.A.R. of Decatur, of which Mrs. McCoy was a member. During the last years of her life the Decatur D.A.R. honored Mrs. McCoy by visiting her on her birthdays. A large American flag, was draped about the casket by the Decatur D.A.R. At the conclusion of services in the church, the hundreds of persons who attended walked past the casket to get a last look at the body.

Holcomb salutes Flag Among them was T. O. Holcomb of Milmine, a venerable veteran of the Civil war. Despite the years which have steadily piled on him, causing him to stoop and lose some of his vigor, the old man, when he walked past the casket, straightened to attention, clicked his heels together as he learned to do on parade after battles of a dozen fields, and raised his right hand in salute. Then he again became a little stooped, and moved on. The act caused a thrill of patriotism to run through the crowd. Mr. Holcomb, veteran of a dozen battles fought for the ideals that flag stood for, saluted the memory of the women whose father had also fought that the ideals for which it stood might be perpetuated.

D.A.R. Represented Mrs. W.E. Doane and Mrs. H.S. McNulta of Stephen Decatur chapter, D.A.R. sang, and Mrs. Harry Crea accompanied them. A number attended from out of the city including Mrs. E.L. Pegram, Mrs. Henrietta S. McNulta, Mrs. Jeanette Crea, Mrs. W.W. Doane, Mrs. J.L. Drake, Mrs. W.A. Cash, Miss Lida Coleman and Mrs. Arch Ryan of Niantic, members of the Decatur chapter of the D.A.R., W.R. Shull, Mrs. Elmer Major, Mrs. Emily Trainer, Miss Emma Davis, Mrs. H.F. Gibson of Decatur; Mrs. Fred Mann of Boston; Mrs. C.S. Lewis of Blue Mound, Jacob Nisewarner of Niantic; Mr. and Mrs. John Kirby, Charles F. Mansfield, Mrs. Ed Johnson of Monticello. Miss Annie Smith, Mrs. John Hefner, of Monticello; and Mrs. Elmer Major, Decatur, all great-great nieces of Mrs. McCoy, and daughters of Mrs. E.B. Smith, a niece of Mrs. McCoy, with whom she made her home in Oakley. Judge J.H. McCoy, Charles T. Pope, Elmer Major, of Decatur, Charles Russell of Champaign, D.A. Merris and John Hogan of Mt. Auburn, all nephews of Mrs. McCoy, were bearers. Burial was in the Cross cemetery near Oakley.

From Decatur Herald Monday January 24, 1916 p3

M'COY SERVICES IN OAKLEY U.B.CHURCH
Daughter of Revolution Soldier to be Buried Tuesday Morning
Arrangements for the funeral of Mrs. Jane Ann Russel McCoy, daughter of a soldier in the American Revolution, were made Sunday. Following a brief service for the family, public services will be held in the United Brethren church of Oakley at 11 o'clock Tuesday morning. Members of the Decatur chapter, D.A.R. many of whom are planning to attend the services, will leave on the 9:30 Interurban, over the Champaign division.

From Decatur Herald Wednesday January 26, 1916 p11

PERSONALS
Mr. and Mrs. John Kirby were in Oakley Tuesday morning to attend the funeral of Mrs. Jane McCoy, who had been a foster mother to Mr. Kirby in his boyhood. She was also the *grandmother of Mrs. J.R. Heffner, of this city, who has been in Oakley the past few weeks.

*Believe she was a great-great niece as Jane Mc Coy had no children.