Family History

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McGrail/McNary/McCoy/Cox

Civil War

Military Ancestors and Kin of Kathryn Cox

The following information was provided by chapter member, Kathryn Cox, 7920 San Felipe Blvd., #1902, Austin, TX 78729-7903, kathryn_cox@sbcglobal,net) as Jan. 2008.

WESLEY COX

Wesley Cox, my great-great grandfather, served in Co. F, 157th Reg’t of the Ohio National Infantry from 2 May 1864 to 2 Sep. 1864 as a private. Wesley was born Nov. 1834 in Smithfield Twp., Jefferson County and died there 14 Jul. 1902. Although I have no death certificate, his pension papers list many health problems including disease of the heart, rheumatism, disease of the kidneys, and deafness of both ears. He worked as a day laborer and farmer during his younger years.

Wesley was the son of Jacob and Julia Seals Cox. Wesley married Margaret A. Davis on 23 Apr. 1863 in Jefferson County. Margaret died 18 Dec. 1881 and Wesley later married Jennie Blackwell who preceded him in death. Wesley, Margaret, and Jennie are buried in Smithfield Cemetery.

Siblings of Wesley are as follows:

  • Elizabeth married Grafton Coyle. One daughter Mary Ann Coyle Watkins probably has descendants.
  • Elisha married Nancy Dunlap. Probably have descendants from son William S. and daughter Georgeanna Marie Barcus.
  • William married Elvira Wineman.
  • Mary Ann who married Ebenezer Crippen. May have descendants from son Alfred. Daughter Violet died unmarried but with many relatives listed on estate settlement.
  • Henry B. Grafton, never married. He died in a fire in 1918.
  • John Jackson, never married. I have not been able to locate “Jack” after the 1900 census.
  • Thomas B. married Sarah Cope. No children.

Descendants of Wesley are as follows:

  • Charles Wesley married Elizabeth Ann “Lizzie” McGrail. I am the only living descendant of this family.
  • Anna Barbara married William W. Hicks. There are living descendants including a granddaughter in Bloomingdale.
  • Mary Elizabeth married John Jones Merryman. There are many living descendants including some in Jefferson County.
  • Sarah Kate never married.
  • Walter B. married Ella Keneval in Henry Co., IL and moved to California.
  • Daisy Lillie married Fred L. Hooper and lived in Steubenville. I am currently trying to trace the descendants of their only son Paul.
  • Oscar Henry Cox never married. For many years he was a partner in Cox & Strickler Grocery Store in Smithfield.
  • Edward, who apparently died young, as I’ve only found him, mentioned as deceased on obituaries for Daisy and Oscar.

Photo below: Front Row – Kate (never married), Charles Wesley (my ancestor, no other descendants), Mary Cox Merryman (many descendants).

Back Row – Daisy Cox Hooper, Walter, Anna Cox Hicks (many descendants), and Oscar (never married).

BROTHER OF WESLEY COX, ELISHA

Elisha Cox served in Co. F, 157th reg’t of the Ohio Infantry from 15 May, 1864 to 24 Sep., 1864 as a private. Elisha was born about 1835 in Wells Twp., Jefferson County to Jacob and Julia Ann Seals Cox. He died 11 Jan., 1898 in Smithfield Twp., Jefferson County and is buried in Smithfield with his wife Nancy K. Dunlap Cox and young son Fred M. Pension papers indicate that he was in poor health with crippled hand, heart trouble, stomach trouble, and impared (sic) sight listed. Elisha and Nancy were married 26 Mar., 1862 in Jefferson County. His pension papers state that he was a miner. Two children, William S. Cox and Maria Georgiana Cox Barcus have descendants.

AMOS COX

According to military papers, Amos Cox served in Co. G, 71 Reg’t of Ohio Infantry Volunteers from 11 Oct. 1864 to 16 Oct. 1865 as a private. He was married to Lucinda Brooks and had Ernest Elvin, Dale Collier and Eva May. According to the papers Amos contracted lung disease which led to his death 26 May 1889 in Jefferson County. He was buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. According to the 1880 census he was a farm laborer born about 1848. According to the Mt. Moriah obituary he was an active member in the church being baptized 8 Jan. 1876. (This in one of my unsolved mysteries. Although I am inclined to think he ties to the family, I cannot make a connection yet.)

GEORGE EARNSHAW MCGRAIL

George Earnshaw McGrail was in the 157th Reg’t, Co G, Ohio National Guard Infantry as a sergeant. He was born 16 Aug., 1833 in Jefferson County to James W. and Mary Earnshaw McGrail and died 17 Jul., 1888 in Richmond, Jefferson County. He married Harriet Winters on 25 Sep., 1857 in Wintersville, Jefferson County.

George had a variety of occupations including carpenter, farmer, lumber dealer, and wagon manufacturer. George and Harriet had eight children: William Pickard, James Standley, Alice M., Eva E. (who died as a child), John Fredric, Harry Winters, Edward E. and Stewart. Both George and Harriet are buried in the Richmond Quaker Cemetery.

LINDLEY HOGUE MCGRAIL

Lindley served in Co. G., 157th Reg’t of Ohio National Guard Infantry as a first corporal. He was born 2 Apr., 1842 in Jefferson County to James W. and Mary Earnshaw McGrail and died 3 Nov., 1918, Smithfield Twp. Jefferson County. He married Martha E. Thompson on 12 Apr., 1866.

According to the census Lindley was a farmer, carpenter, and printer. Their children were; William Henry, James Ross, Mary Jennie, Edith Odessa, and Elizabeth Winifred. Both Lindley and Martha are buried at Mt. Moriah Cemetery in Jefferson County.

PINEY FORK BURIALS – KIN OF K. COX

    1. John McNary (ancestor)
    2. Ann Moore McNary
    3. Harriet Isabelle McNary
    4. Eliza Ann McNary
    5. Samuel McNary
    6. Mary Anderson McNary
    7. James Kerr McNary
    8. John Jamison McNary
    9. Daughter, McNary
    10. Cassender Merryman McCoy
    11. Nancy McCoy