FATHER

John McCoy

HUSBAND

1st Leonard White

Probable CHILDREN with Leonard White

Abraham White  b. 1762

John White b. Abt. 1764

Isaac White b. Bef. 1766

Lydia White  b. 1772

CHILDREN with Benjamin Brownfield

1. Mary Brownfield b. 01 Jan 1778

2. Benjamin Brownfield b. 28 Mar 1780

3. Sarah Brownfield b. 7 Jan 1782

Mary McCoy
by Susan Brooke
Aug 2022

The wife of Leonard White was Mary McCoy.  We know her name from the Recollections of Margaret White Geary who was a niece of Leonard White. (1) And, DNA matches have proven her related to her brother Archibald McCoy. (2) She was born about 1743 (3) and  probably grew up in the household of John McCoy who was either her father or grandfather. Leonard White lived about three miles away and they probably knew each other their entire lives.  In a word, he married the girl next door.  They married about 1761 and started their family. (4) They had at least four children, all born in Frederick Co. MD. (5) All of their parents had died by the time of their marriage but they did have siblings nearby.  In 1774 they sold their land in Frederick County, MD, Mary signing as her right of dower, and they moved to the Redstone Fort in the western part of Pennsylvania. (6)   Her husband, Leonard, had been a sergeant in his father's military unit in 1758 and he probably went to the fort in some military capacity.  The oral history of the family says that  her son John was kidnapped by the Indians when he was a child.  This was the frontier.  Her grandson wrote about how in the evenings they did not listen to music, but instead the howling of wolves. (7)
Leonard White died around 1776, possibly in the Revolution, and she remarried, probably in Fayette Co., PA, to Benjamin Brownfield.  He was 22 years old and she was in her mid 30's. Her sons, Abraham and John White were 15 and 13 respectively but they had grown up fast on the frontier.  Both boys were listed as "Rangers of the Frontier" between 1778-1783.  After the Revolution these brothers apparently settled on their father's land while Mary started a new family with Benjamin Brownfield.  Late 1700's early 1800's a school was conducted on the farm of Benjamin Brownfield. The schoolhouse was also used as a meeting-house by the early congregation of the Great Bethel Baptist Church of Uniontown during the decade from 1810-1820. (8)
Sometime after the death of her second husband, Benjamin Brownfield, in 1823, (9) she needed a nurse to live with her. Her son, Col. Benjamin Brownfield, had been living next door, but by 1826 she was living with her son.  At the time of the 1830 census Mary was listed as between 80-90 and living with her son, Benjamin Brownfield.  Her health and mind started to fail but her husband's will had stated that she was to be supported for the rest of her life out of his personal property. (10)
Her daughters, Mary Brown and Sarah Pritchard in 1835 were disputing the the inventory accounting made by their brother after the death of their mother. A legal battle ensued with testimony recorded below. (11) As recorded on her gravestone,  Mary McCoy died 22 Dec 1833 and was buried  in Brownfield, Cemetery, Fayette, PA.  (12)

Sources

(1) Mary, the wife of Leonard White, was named as Mary McCoy in the reminisces of Margaret White Geary. As recorded in the Testimony of Margaret White Geary, "In the year 1846 (1848), the Rev. Edward Ratchford Geary wrote as follows: 'Some account of my ancestry as obtained this evening from my Mother, Margaret White Geary. ' " Margaret White Geary was a niece of Leonard White as her father, Peter White, was a brother of Leonard White.  Her recollection as recorded by her son: "Leonard married Mary McCoy and settled in Fayette County, Pennsylvania.  His widow married Benjamin Bloomfield."

Testimony of Margaret White Geary from Ancestors of Kentucky, Vol 5 pg 82 click to enlarge

(2)

McCoy DNA Match
suggesting Mary McCoy is sister to Archibald McCoy

I have several DNA matches to Archibald McCoy of Washington County, MD, born 1732 and married to Elizabeth Blair, and two of them are rated "good."  The DNA tree named D.S.(bobbyschrull) takes me to the right family and has a match of 30 centimorgans.  The B.B. DNA tree (Morrison Family Tree) takes me to John Ward McCoy, a grandson of Archibald McCoy, and that match is 24 centimorgans. 
When I check these trees for "shared matches," I find that they are all sharing with each other, which leads me to believe, the intended match is indeed a McCoy match.
On the tree below, again there is a match with Archibald McCoy.  This tree only give me a "moderate" match of 9.7 centimorgans, but when I go to shared matches I find, D.W, D.S., B.A. and Whitedve, the same matches I find in the trees listed above.
I therefore conclude that Mary McCoy married to Leonard White is indeed the sister of Archibald McCoy.

(3) Excerpts from "Two Hundred and Fifty Years Of the History Of One Branch Of The Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1990 by Todd Alan Brownfield  (no preview available)

"-- Her age was listed as between 80 and 90 in the 1830 Census (when she was living with her son, Col. Benjamin Brownfield, Jr.) which would put her birth between 1740 and 1750. Further, in a deposition made in 1836 in connection with the settling of her second husband Benjamin Brownfield, Sr.'s estate, an Elizabeth Williams who stated that she was "well acquainted" with Mary White Brownfield maintained that she was between 90 and 100 years of age when she died in 1833, placing her birth between 1733 and 1743.  If these two records are accurate, Mary White Brownfield's birth can be placed sometime between 1740 and 1743."

(4) Her first husband, Leonard White, was alive in 1775 and her first child with Benjamin Brownfield was born in 1778.

 (5) Excerpts from "Two Hundred and Fifty Years Of the History Of One Branch Of The Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1990 by Todd Alan Brownfield  (no preview available)

"Benjamin Brownfield, Sr. and the widow Mary White were probably married in 1777.  Benjamin was about 22 years old, while Mary was in her mid-thirties.  As mentioned above, she had several children already by her first husband Leonard White.  All of their names are not known at this time.  Besides John White, it is thought that another of Mary White Brownfield's children by her first marriage was Lydia White, who married Jacob Beeson in 1790.  Lydia White Beeson died in 1801.  She was the mother of General Henry White Beeson, a prominent citizen of Uniontown in the early 19t century.  It is recorded that Mary White Brownfield often visited General Henry White Beeson and referred to him as a relative.  It seems possible that he was, in fact, her grandson.
On January 1, 1778, Benjamin Brownfield, Sr., and Mary White Brownfield had their own first child, named Mary Brownfield.  Benjamin Sr. and Mary's next child was a son, named Benjamin Brownfield, Jr.  He was born March 28, 1780.   -- The youngest child of Benjamin Brownfield, Sr. and Mary was their daughter Sarah Beeson Brownfield, born January 7, 1782.  ----"

Additional children were Abraham White, who lived on land adjoining John White and  in 1801 transferred land to John White.  Isaac White was on the tax list of 1787 and the tax list of 1789 where he was listed next to Abraham White.

(6) Frederick Co MD Deed BK V page 542 30 May 1774 Leonard White and his wife Mary are selling their land to Moses Rawlings for £65.

(7) Excerpts from "Two Hundred and Fifty Years Of the History Of One Branch Of The Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1990 by Todd Alan Brownfield  (no preview available)
Benjamin Brownfield, Sr.'s son, Col.  Benjamin Brownfield, was born in 1780 and died in 1880.  His recollections of stories told by his father are useful in reminding us today of the dangers faced by the early settlers. 

.  Col. Benjamin Brownfield:

"often talked of the changes he and his father had seen; described the dense tangled forest, alive with game, that had covered his own farm and all the county; only dotted her and there with little cleared spaces and the attendant cabin; pictured the stampede caused by an Indian alarm, when all the scattered families of South Union snatched up their babes, seized whatever else they prized most, and dreading momentarily the sound of the war-whoop, fled to Gaddis' Fort. Or he told of the wild beast, bears and other kinds, then infesting the mountains; when, instead of the music of silver cornets, parlor organs, and pianos, the settlers had listened nightly to the howling of wolves and the screaming of wild-cats and panthers.  And sometimes, if driven by hunger, these grim neighbors had descended (as his father had witnessed), under the cover of night, to prowl around the cabins of the lone pioneers.

(8) Excerpts from "Two Hundred and Fifty Years Of the History Of One Branch Of The Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1990 by Todd Alan Brownfield  (no preview available)

"In the late 1700's and early 1800's, one of the earliest schools in South Union Township was conducted for many years on Benjamin Brownfield's farm.  --  Whether the school was owned and operated by Benjamin Brownfield, Sr. for profit, or whether it was managed by some association which merely rented the schoolhouse from him is unknown.  --  The schoolhouse was also used as a meeting=house by the early congregation of the Great Bethel Baptist Church of Uniontown during the decade from 1810 to 1820.  --"

(9) Excerpts from "Two Hundred and Fifty Years Of the History Of One Branch Of The Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1990 by Todd Alan Brownfield  (no preview available)

Benjamin Brownfield, Sr. died on December 21, 1823,, aged 68.  He was buried in a family cemetery on a hillside overlooking the home farm.  His gravestone was standing until several decades ago, when it was shattered into small pieces, perhaps by vandals. Miss Margaret Brownfield of Uniontown, a great-great-great granddaughter of Benjamin Brownfield, Sr. made a photograph of the stone before it was destroyed, and it is from this photo that we are able to ascertain the exact date of his death. ---

(10) Will of Benjamin Brownfield

Will Book, Volume I, Page 246
Dated 8 August 1821, Proven 5 Jan 1824

BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD Senior of Union Township, Fayette County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being at present of sound and disposing mind and reflecting on the Uncertainty of this Mortal life, have thought it prudent to make my last will and Testament. In the first place I order all my just debts to be fully paid - Secondly I direct my Executor to cause my Body to be decently intered - Thirdly I allow my affectionate and beloved wife the full use of my houses and furniture now in my occupancy, together with the use of the Garden now used by her with uninterrupted regress and regress too and from the same at all times also the like privilege and use of the water during her life - also two Cows of her choice and her riding mare saddle and Bridle - Fourthly I allow the interest of all the monies that may be on hand," and my own property," and as well the interest of all monies already put to interest or that may be before my decease" to be at my wifes disposal for her support and Comfort during her life (should she survive me) - In case she should survive me - At her Decease, my Executor is hereby directed to pay unto my Grandson BENJAMIN PRITCHET one hundred Dollars - also to my Grandson CHARLES BROWNFIELD Son of my Son BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD on Hundred Dollars - But if both or either of my aforesaid Grandsons should die without lawful issue, their or either of their bequests is to be equally divided amongst my three surviving children, or in case of the death of either - among their or either of the deceased lawful heirs. - I devise and bequeath to my Son BENJAMIN all my real Estate, my Clock and large bible - (My Silver Spoons to be Equally divided between my two Daughters MARY BROWN and SARAH PRITCHET, or their rightful representatives - The residue of my Personal Estate Considering of money or what other property that may be or remain at the death of my wife (should she survive me) or at my death, (should I survive her) is to be Equally divided between my three Children viz. MARY, BENJAMIN & SARAH before mentioned or their respective legal heirs. It is my further will and desire that when the amount of the residue of my personal Estate before mentioned shall be fully ascertained after the decease of my wife should She Survive me or after my death "should I Survive" shall be equally divided between my three Children "viz" - MARY, BENJAMIN, and SARAH, or their Respective heirs - And if my three before named Children or their legal representatives can and do agree upon an equal distribution of the residue of my personal property before mentioned after the same shall have been valued and appraised. It would be most agreeable to my wishes otherwise to be sold at public Vendue and the monies arising therefrom to be equally divided as aforesaid - And it is my further will and desire that should my said wife survive me as aforesaid, that she shall have pasture sufficient for the Creatures before mentioned in the season of Pasture and also to be sufficiently provided for through the winter - Also suitable firewood laid convenient sufficient for her use at all seasons. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Son BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD to be sole Executor of this my will, setting aside my former or other will or wills heretofore by me made. Witness my hand and Seal the eight day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty one. Signed BENJAMIN (x) BROWNFIELD (his mark)

Signed and Sealed in our presence after the same having been distinctly read to him by the latter signer in the presence of the former. Signed ALEXANDER McCLEAN SENIOR, MOSES McCLEAN

(11) Excerpts from "Two Hundred and Fifty Years Of the History Of One Branch Of The Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania, 1990 by Todd Alan Brownfield  (no preview available)

Affidavits were filed regarding the state of Mary's health at the time of her husband's death and deponents were asked to testify about anything being taken from the home.

Deposition of Hezekiah Reinier May 30, 1835 (Source: Two Hundred and Fifty Years of the History of One Branch of the Brownfield Family of Fayette County, Pennsylvania by Todd Alan Brownfield, 1990)
      1. Hezekiah Reiner says he was acquainted with Mary Brownfield widow of Benjamin Brownfield dec'd until he moved out to the state of Ohio on September 23, 1833.  He thinks from twenty to thirty years.

       2. He says the state of her health after the death of her husband was sometimes tolerable good and sometimes very bad, was not able to take care of herself.  He says when he came to the state of Ohio she was not able to take of herself & was not in her right senses.  He thinks she was not in her right mind for several years.

       3. He says she always eats with the family of her son Col. Brownfield.

       4. He says she was able about half the time she lived with Col. Brownfield to walk about.  He thinks she did not know where she was going nor know one neighbor from another & was not able when she would fall down to get up without help.  Says they had a great deal of trouble with her.

       5. He says he was at the residence of Benjamin Brownfield on the evening of his death had no knowledge of anything  being taken from thence to the house of his son Col. Brownfield.

       6. He says he don't know how much money Benjamin Brownfield dec'd had on hand, says said Brownfield told him sometime before his death while he was in good health that he intended to give his daughters one thousand dollars each and would give his son the farm."

Three more affidavits were made on March 4, 1836.

         Elizabeth Williams
         "Personally appeared before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County of Fayette, Elizabeth Williams, who being duly sworn according to law saith, that she was well acquainted with Mary Brownfield the mother of Benjamin Brownfield, that the said Benjamin Brownfield took care and provided for sd. Mary from the death of her husband until her death, that she was a very aged person between ninety and one hundred years before her death, that she prior to her death for several years, say three years, she had to be nursed, dressed, and washed as a child.  I heard Mrs. Mary Brown her daughter say that she would not take care of her for any money, that no money could hire her to take care of her.  She lived about a year after the death of her husband in a house separated by an entry of four or five yrds. from that of Benjamin Brownfield, the residue of the time she lived with C. Benjamin Brownfield.  She at all times required considerable attendance, even before the years spoken of.  I was before the Auditors but not examined by them or sworn."

 This Elizabeth Williams appears to be the Elizabeth Chipps who was born 31 Mar 1799 in New Jersey, daughter of Matthias Chipps  and Rachel Sutton.  She married Charles Williams.   

          Sarah White
          "Also came Sarah White, who being duly qualified according to law saith that she heard Mrs. Mary Brown the daughter of Mary Brownfield say that her mother was a great deal of trouble, that if Benjamin & Ruth had came forward & told them she would not have believed them, that she would not take care of her for any money.  I was before the Auditors but not examined by them--or sworn."

This Sarah White could be the Sarah Moser born March 2, 1805 who married Absalom White, a grandson of the widow Mary Brownfield.

          Sylvia Anderson
          "Also came before the subscriber a justice of the peace in and for the County of Fayette, Sylvia Anderson, who being duly sworn according to law saith that she lived with Benjamin Brownfield seven years after the death of Benjamin's father and before the death of his mother, that she the old lady Benjamin's mother became very childish and required constant attention and troublesome and had to be attended to as a child, and her cloaths and bed often to be attended to as a child.  That she with family attended to the old lady but she cannot tell what sum of money could have induced to attend to her.  The old lady was very fond of her and any services were rendered for pity sake and I was in the employ of Mr. Benjamin Brownfield.  I was before the Auditors but not examined."

(11) WILL of BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD

Will Book, Volume I, Page 246
Dated 8 August 1821, Proven 5 Jan 1824

BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD Senior of Union Township, Fayette County and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania being at present of sound and disposing mind and reflecting on the Uncertainty of this Mortal life, have thought it prudent to make my last will and Testament. In the first place I order all my just debts to be fully paid - Secondly I direct my Executor to cause my Body to be decently intered - Thirdly I allow my affectionate and beloved wife the full use of my houses and furniture now in my occupancy, together with the use of the Garden now used by her with uninterrupted regress and regress too and from the same at all times also the like privilege and use of the water during her life - also two Cows of her choice and her riding mare saddle and Bridle - Fourthly I allow the interest of all the monies that may be on hand," and my own property," and as well the interest of all monies already put to interest or that may be before my decease" to be at my wifes disposal for her support and Comfort during her life (should she survive me) - In case she should survive me - At her Decease, my Executor is hereby directed to pay unto my Grandson BENJAMIN PRITCHET one hundred Dollars - also to my Grandson CHARLES BROWNFIELD Son of my Son BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD on Hundred Dollars - But if both or either of my aforesaid Grandsons should die without lawful issue, their or either of their bequests is to be equally divided amongst my three surviving children, or in case of the death of either - among their or either of the deceased lawful heirs. - I devise and bequeath to my Son BENJAMIN all my real Estate, my Clock and large bible - (My Silver Spoons to be Equally divided between my two Daughters MARY BROWN and SARAH PRITCHET, or their rightful representatives - The residue of my Personal Estate Considering of money or what other property that may be or remain at the death of my wife (should she survive me) or at my death, (should I survive her) is to be Equally divided between my three Children viz. MARY, BENJAMIN & SARAH before mentioned or their respective legal heirs. It is my further will and desire that when the amount of the residue of my personal Estate before mentioned shall be fully ascertained after the decease of my wife should She Survive me or after my death "should I Survive" shall be equally divided between my three Children "viz" - MARY, BENJAMIN, and SARAH, or their Respective heirs - And if my three before named Children or their legal representatives can and do agree upon an equal distribution of the residue of my personal property before mentioned after the same shall have been valued and appraised. It would be most agreeable to my wishes otherwise to be sold at public Vendue and the monies arising therefrom to be equally divided as aforesaid - And it is my further will and desire that should my said wife survive me as aforesaid, that she shall have pasture sufficient for the Creatures before mentioned in the season of Pasture and also to be sufficiently provided for through the winter - Also suitable firewood laid convenient sufficient for her use at all seasons. Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my Son BENJAMIN BROWNFIELD to be sole Executor of this my will, setting aside my former or other will or wills heretofore by me made. Witness my hand and Seal the eight day of August one thousand eight hundred and twenty one. Signed BENJAMIN (x) BROWNFIELD (his mark)

Signed and Sealed in our presence after the same having been distinctly read to him by the latter signer in the presence of the former. Signed ALEXANDER McCLEAN SENIOR, MOSES McCLEAN
 

(12) Brownfield Cemetery

Brownfield Cemetery, Fayette Co. PA "In South Union Township, Fayette County, about one fourth of a mile southwest of Brownfield Station, is the ancient home of Benjamin Brownfield, Sr." photo from US Gen Web project click to enlarge

Brownfield Cemetery, Fayette Co. PA photo from US GenWeb project click to enlarge