My Genealogy Hound

Matthew McCoy, whose death occurred in 1882, in his 95th year, on his fine farm of 400 acres of land in section 29, Commerce township, was one of the early pioneers of Oakland County. He was born in Londonderry, Ireland, in 1787, two years prior to the time when George Washington assumed the duties of the presidency of the United States. On August 16, 1819, he landed at the city of Philadelphia, 22 years later, and through a long and useful life was a respected and valued citizen of his adopted country.

Mr. McCoy was married to Isabella Thompson, who was also born in Londonderry, Ireland, and came to the city of New York, in 1827, where she was united to Mr. McCoy, on October 10, 1830. In the same year they came to Michigan, and Matthew McCoy took up 80 acres of government land in section 29, Commerce township, while his brother-in-law, James Morrison, took up the opposite 80-acre tract. Subsequently Mr. McCoy acquired 32 additional acres, where he engaged most successfully in general farming for many years. His 10 children were as follows: Robert, born July 17, 1831, who died October 14, 1884, aged 64 years, who was the first white child born in Commerce township; John, born January 26, 1833, who died in March, 1896; Samuel, born August 18, 1835, who died at four years of age; Mary Ann, born in 1837, who died in infancy; Jennie, born April 2, 1838, who resides on the homestead farm, which she owns; Isabella, born June 14, 1841, who died in infancy; Matthew, born March 30, 1843, who died in 1899; Nancy, born March 28, 1845, who married John Gardner and died on their farm in Oxford township, Oakland County; Mary, born February 23, 1847, who is the widow of Joseph Vowels and lives in Milford; and Thomas H., born April 23, 1848, who was married to Kitty Cuthbertson of Orchard Lake, and has five children, — Isabella, wife of Mark H. Green (son of William Green, of Farmington), Bessie, Gertrude, Ruth and Esther.

Mr. McCoy always supported the Democratic party. He could have been elected to almost any township office, but he never accepted any but that of pathmaster, always contending that he had no time, in his busy life, to fill public office. He was survived by his widow seven years. In religious faith they were Presbyterians. Mr. McCoy is recalled by the older citizens, not only as an example of longevity, but also as one of the grand old army of pioneers, to whom this section owes so much, who are so fast passing away.