The McCoy Family
Several members of the McCoy family came to Wetipquin, Maryland from Washington, DC when folk traveled from the Western Shore to the Eastern Shore of Maryland during the steamboat era. The boats went weekly from Baltimore, Maryland to the Nanticoke and Wicomico Rivers. Located in Sandy Hill Landing in Wetipquin was a Steamboat wharf where the boats would bring and carry passengers to several places.
Among the residents of Wetipquin listed in 1900 census of the Tyaskin District in Wicomico County were members of the McCoy family: Charles Henry McCoy, Head of the household, was born March 1867 in Washington, DC. His wife Mary Moore McCoy was born February 1872 in Wetipquin, Maryland. Lillian McCoy was born April 1891 in Washington, DC; Elaine McCoy was born March 1894 in Washington, DC; Noah E McCoy was born January 1896 in Washington, DC and Nettie McCoy was born February 1900 in Washington, DC. Mary’s parents were James H Moore and Sarah Raleigh Moore of Wetipquin. The marriage record of Wicomico County shows that Charles H McCoy and Mary Moore were joined in holy matrimony September 29, 1890 in Wetipquin, Maryland.
The McCoy’s had four new members listed in the 1910 census of the Tyaskin District of Wicomico County. They were the following: Wade McCoy born circa l902 in Wetipquin; James Ross McCoy born circa 1905 in Wetipquin, Vinson McCoy born circa 1907 and Martha McCoy born circa 1910. Scott McCoy who was the youngest sibling was not listed in that census. In the Register of Wills of the Orphan’s Court in Wicomico County, Maryland are Debts and bond records dated 1910 of Phillip E McCoy who was born October 15, 1877 in Washington, DC. His wife was Martha McCoy. Phillip had passed away by 1910. Charles H McCoy was the administrator of Phillip McCoy’s Estate. There is no further information on this couple.
Another family member was Bessie McCoy. She was born February 1882 in Washington, DC. December 16, 1899 Bessie was joined in holy matrimony to Samuel Brewston Lankford of Wetipquin. This marriage took place at White Haven, Maryland. Samuel Brewston Lankford was born March 1887 in Wetipquin. His parents were Arnold Freeborn Lankford and Mary Ann Wright Lankford. His family called him Bruce. Bruce and Bessie had two daughters: Ethel Lankford born May 17, 1901 in Wetipquin and Julia Lankford born April 8, 1904 in Wetipquin. Bessie McCoy Lankford lived three years after the birth of Julia. She passed away May 9, 1907 in Wetipquin, Maryland. Bruce was remarried to Mary Marguerite Jones of Wetipquin in 1910.
Second Generation. Lillian McCoy married Howard Holbrook of Tyaskin, Maryland, circa 1909. Howard, a minister, was born March 1889 in Tyaskin. His father was Robert Holbrook of Tyaskin. Their son was Clarence Holbrook born circa 1911 in Tyaskin. Clarence passed away May 1985 in Salisbury, Maryland and was buried in Freedmen Methodist Church in Tyaskin, Maryland. Elaine McCoy married Wesley J Waters of Clara, Maryland January 1, 1912 in Wetipquin. Wesley was born circa 1884 in Clara. He passed away July 1975 in New York and was buried in Grace United Methodist Church cemetery in Newtown, Maryland. Elaine McCoy Waters passed away 1968 in Salisbury, Maryland and was buried in Grace United Methodist Church cemetery in Newtown. Their children were Charles Waters, Lockwood Waters, Virgie Water, Mable Waters and Ida Mae Waters.
Noah Elijah McCoy married Minnie Ray Robinson March 30, 1918 in Wetipquin, Maryland. She was born March 7, 1901. Her parents were James Arthur Mitchell and Leola Robinson Mitchell of Wetipquin. Their children were Lillian Dorene McCoy, Mary Elsie McCoy and Charles Henry McCoy. Noah Elijah McCoy passed away in 1943 at forty-seven years of age and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery in Wetipquin. After his death Minnie Ray Robinson McCoy was remarried to Richard Doughty of Virginia.
Nettie McCoy’s first marriage was to Wade H Bailey in Tyaskin, Maryland. He was born circa 1895 in Onancock, Virginia. Wade passed away August 1974 in Salisbury, Maryland and was buried in Freeman Chapel in Tyaskin, Maryland. The children of this marriage are Isabelle Bailey, Louise Bailey, Julia Bailey, Minnie Bailey, Lillian Bailey, Dorothy Bailey and Foster Harmon. Nettie McCoy Bailey’s second marriage was to Sgt Oliver Handy, a veteran of the Spanish American War and World War I. He was born circa 1879 in Tyaskin, Maryland. Oliver Handy passed away April 1959 in Princess Anne, Maryland and was buried in Freedman Chapel in Tyaskin, Maryland. Nettie McCoy Bailey Handy passed away September 25, 1990 in Princess Anne, Maryland and was buried in Spring Hill Memorial Garden in Hebron, Maryland.
Scott McCoy’s wife was named Dorothy. James Ross McCoy’s wife was named Edna. There has not been extensive research done on the younger sons of Charles and Mary McCoy. Martha McCoy first marriage was to Coulbourne Cannon June 23, 1929 in Salisbury, Maryland. Her second marriage was to Martin Hall. Martha McCoy passed away July 1978 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Third Generation. Lillian Dorene McCoy, oldest daughter of Elijah and Minnie Ray McCoy, was born November 12, 1917 in Wetipquin, Maryland. Her family called her “Lill”. She attended Wetipquin Elementary School. She became a member of Friendship Church at a very young age. April 28, 1934, she was joined in holy matrimony to William Ennis Smith in Wetipquin. He was born September 15, 1914 in Bridgeville, Delaware. His parents were William Smith and Lottie Handy Smith of White Haven. Their children are James Warner Smith, Milbourne Smith, Orjetta Ray Smith and Donald Smith.
Two siblings, William Ennis Smith Jr. and Roscoe Smith, are deceased. Lill served in many capacities in the Church. She was president of the Usher Board for many years. She sang with the Young Adult choir and the Starlight Gospel Singers. Lill participated in young adult bible studies. She read and studied the bible at home daily. She was a member of the communion stewards. Lill was a member of the Household of Ruth Lodge in Wetipquin. Her husband “Bill” loved to fish and there were not many weeks that he didn’t go fishing. They lived to see five generations in their family. William Ennis Smith passed away August 1992 and was buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Wetipquin. Lillian Dorene McCoy Smith passed away.
Charles Henry McCoy was born circa 1920 in Wetipquin. He was the only son of Noah Elijah McCoy and Minnie Ray Robinson McCoy. He was joined in holy matrimony to Edith Williams of Newark, New Jersey. Henry and Edith made their home in New Jersey. Six children were born to this union: Leroy and others. Henry never forgot his people in Wetipquin and came home every opportunity to visit. His oldest son, Leroy became a Bishop in the Baptist Church where he is a member. Leroy often came to preach in Wetipquin for family reunions. Sometimes Henry would say, “I have to go Washington, DC for the McCoy family reunion and then I will be home to Wetipquin for the Mitchell family reunion.” Both reunions were the third weekend in August. Charles Henry McCoy passed away in1994 in Newark, New Jersey. His widow Edith McCoy lives in Newark, New Jersey.
Mary Elsie McCoy, the youngest daughter of Elijah and Minnie McCoy, was born March 24, 1921 in Wetipquin, Maryland. The family called her Elsie. Elsie had a quiet spirit and was soft spoken. She attended Wetipquin Elementary School and graduated from Salisbury High School. She was very active in the Church. She was a member of a young people organization in the Church was called “The Men and Women of Tomorrow”. The group kept the young people busy doing different projects for the Church. May 25, 1940 she was joined in holy matrimony to Robert Lee Nutter in Wetipquin. He was born June 20, 1917 in Jesterville, Maryland. His parents were Eli P. Nutter and Ethel Mae Barclay Nutter of Jesterville. Robert and Elsie made their home in Jesterville.
The children of this union are Ethel Lee Nutter, Elijah Nutter, Launia Nutter, Bernard Nutter, Ivy Nutter and Otis Jerome Nutter. Robert Lee Nutter Jr. was the youngest son of Robert and Elsie Nutter, born October 20, 1952, he passed away May 10, 1988 in Manhattan, New York. He was buried in Elsey United Methodist Church cemetery in Jesterville, Maryland. She became a member of Elsey United Methodist Church in Jesterville. She sang with the Choral Singers for over 50 years. She was the president of the United Methodist Women. She also was one of the presidents of the Choral Singers. Through these organizations she led in making several improvements to the Church. She was a hard worker and reared her children do the very best in their endeavors. Mary Elsie McCoy Nutter passed away in 1995 in Salisbury, Maryland and was buried in Elsey United Methodist Church cemetery in Jesterville, Maryland.
The Burrell Family
In a community called piney Point located in St Mary County Maryland listed in the 1910 census of St George Island District No. 9 was members of the Burrell Family. The following names are recorded in this census record: William Burrell age 54 born circa 1856 in Virginia; his wife Alace (Alice) Burrell age 46 born circa 1864 in Maryland; Issue – Edgar Burrell age 17 born 1893; George Burrell age 15 born circa 1895; Mildred Burrell age 13 born circa 1897; Lottie Burrell age 12 born circa 1898; Harry Burrell age 11 born circa 1899; Robert Burrell age 6 born circa 1904; Walter Burrell age 5 born circa 1905 and Julia Burrell age 4 born circa 1906.
In the 1920 census of St. George Island District No. 9 in St Mary County, Maryland, Robert Burrell age 16 was the only member of the Burrell family found living in Piney Point. He was living with an uncle Named John A. Tarlton age 39- head of the household and his father George Tarlton age 70. Another sibling George Burrell had moved to Somerset County, Maryland. In the 1920 census he was living in Lawson District in Crisfield, Maryland on Railroad Avenue. Listed in his household was his wife- Etta Burrell age 36; his grandmother Amelia Blunner age 65 who was a widow; a nephew Raymond Burrell age 5 and a brother Harry Burrell.
George Burrell and his wife Etta reared his nephew Raymond Burrell. George was a waterman by trade working in the seafood plants and on the workboats in the Crisfield area. Listed in Salisbury Daily times is an obituary of George Burrell who passed away January 1989 in Salisbury, Maryland. He was buried in Green Acres in Salisbury. The news article stated that he was born in Piney Point, Maryland. The survivors at the time of death was Raymond Burrell, a foster son; sisters- Lottie Burrell Opher and Julia Burrell Wright; brothers – Walter Burrell, Harry Burrell and Robert Burrell.
Third Generation. Raymond Burrell was born circa 1914 in Piney Point, Maryland. His parents were Frank Wilson and Mildred Burrell. Raymond grew up in Somerset County, Maryland in the household of his uncle George Burrell. He worked in tomato canning factories and seafood factories. Raymond also was a waterman who worked on dredge boats. He was joined in holy matrimony to Reba Lankford, a local resident of Wetipquin, Maryland circa 1932. She was born August 7, 1915 in Wetipquin. Her parents were James Asbury Lankford and Rebecca Jones Lankford. From this union there were four children, three of them reaching adulthood: George Warren Rudolph Burrell. Mason Malcon Campbell Burrell and Mildred Inez Burrell.
Reba passed away at 23 years of age December 11, 1938 in Wetipquin and was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery in Wetipquin. Raymond became a widower with three small children that he left in care of Reba’s parents. Raymond was later joined in holy matrimony to Janie Bivens of Chance, Maryland in Somerset County. They lived in Chance, Maryland. There were seven children born of this marriage: Rosa Lee Burrell, Diane Burrell, Margo Burrell, Denise Burrell, Raymond Burrell, Jr., Dean Burrell and David Burrell. Raymond Burrell became a member of St Charles United Methodist Church in Chance, Maryland. He also was a member of the Knights of Phthises. His only sibling was Bertha Johnson who lived in New York. He passed away June 1970 in Salisbury, Maryland and was buried in St Charles Church cemetery in Chance. Rosa Lee, David, and Raymond Jr are deceased.
The fourth Generation. The fourth generation of the Burrell Family living in Wetipquin began with George Warren Rudolph Burrell, the oldest son of Raymond and Reba Lankford Burrell. His family called him Warren. He was born November 9, 1933 in Wetipquin, Maryland. Warren had a very pleasant personality, always smiling. He attended Wetipquin Elementary and Salisbury High School. His friends in high school were Alvin Shepherd of Sharptown, Maryland and Everett Wilson of Delmar, Maryland. In his senior year of high school he entered the United States Arm Forces serving nine years. He received Medals of Honor during his tour in the South Pacific, Korea and Germany.
After the military he did construction work and drove long distance trucks all over the east coast. Warren was an excellent swimmer and swam in the Nanticoke River near Wetipquin with his friends. It was during one of the times when the young people were gathered at a picnic that he met Joyce Mitchell, another resident of Wetipquin and they became romantic involved. They were joined in holy matrimony January 22, 1960 at the Parsonage in Wetipquin. Joyce Priscilla Mitchell was born January 18, 1942 in Wetipquin. Her parents are Pearline Mitchell and the Late James Lober Mitchell of Wetipquin, Maryland. The Burrell’s lived in Salisbury, Maryland for a brief period and later moved back home to Wetipquin. The children of this marriage are Sylvester Douglas Mitchell, Rebecca Myrella Burrell, Warren George Burrell Jr. and Christopher Dwight Burrell who was born two month after his father died. The marriage lasted for three years when Warren became terminally ill. George Warren Rudolph Burrell passed away December 20, 1963 in Elsmere Veteran Hospital in Wilmington, Delaware and was buried in Odd Fellows cemetery in Wetipquin.
Mason Malcon Campbell Burrell was born circa 1935 in Wetipquin. Mason attend Wetipquin Elementary School and Salisbury High School. Mason and his siblings were reared by their grandparents. He was pleasant but mischievous. He liked play and tease his family and friends. Once when he was driving by his Aunt Media Jones Moore’s house, he would go faster as he got closer to the house to kill one of her chickens so he could carry it home to cook. He would call her and say, “Aunt Media I got one of your chickens.” Then he would laugh knowing that he didn’t kill one. He was joined in holy matrimony December 2, 1954 to Rose Ann Cornish formerly of Rockawalkin, Maryland. The marriage took place in Head A Creek, Maryland. She was born circa 1936 in Rockawalkin. Mason also was a construction worker. He served three years in the United States Arm Forces. The children of this marriage are Elizabeth Burrell, Shelia Burrell, Wendell Burrell and Mason Burrell Jr. who passed away in 1990. Mason Sr. moved to Baltimore to live and did construction work for many years. He passed away September 30, 1990 in Baltimore, Maryland and was buried in Odd Fellows cemetery in Wetipquin.
Mildred Inez Burrell was born June 1937 in Wetipquin. She was the youngest and only daughter of Raymond and Reba Lankford Burrell. Her mother passed away when she was a toddler. She was once again left without a woman in the family when her grandmother passed away in December 1949. She was reared by her grandfather and aunts who gave her advice. In spite of the fact that all of the women close to her were deceased she was determined to make the best of her life. Her grandfather nicknamed her “Ping” and she thought it really was her name. When she began the first grade at Wetipquin Elementary School, the teacher had called the roll and she didn’t answer to her name “Mildred Burrell”. So the teacher approached her and said. “Little girl isn’t your name Mildred Burrell” and Ping answered her and said. “No! My name is Ping.” After that incident she made up her mind that she would never give her children a nickname and she never did.
Mildred was joined in holy matrimony to Andrew Cottman from Crisfield, Maryland September 20, 1958 in Wetipquin. The children of this marriage are Timothy Cottman, Towanda Louise Cottman, Tonia Karee Cottman and Tyrone O’Neill Burrell. Tonia and Tyrone are deceased. Mildred graduated from Salisbury High School in 1957. In 1970 she graduated from the School of Practical Nursing in Cambridge Hospital located in Dorchester County, Maryland. She worked in PRMC and Deer Head Center. She retired from Deer Head Center in 1982 because of a disability. Her hobbies were reading and crocheting. Whenever she got tickled her laughter would make everyone around her laugh even though it was not funny to them.
Once when she was at a gospel song service at Friendship and her great niece Katrina who was three years of age came into the Church with her mother Rebecca Burrell Brinson. Katrina said to her grandmother Joyce Burrell who was sitting next to Mildred. “Grand Mom! Where have you been? I thought us’s were going to bed.” Mildred laughed for days and every time she thought of Katrina. Rebecca didn’t think it was funny at all. Mildred joined Friendship United Church, served as the treasurer and financial secretary. While she was the treasurer she formed a committee of women who sold dinners to raise financial funds for the Church. She also was a member of the United Methodist Women of Friendship. She was an active member of Wetipquin Community Development Club, Inc. and served on the Board of Directors. Mildred was responsible for the fundraising and getting the resident that owned land near Lankford Road to sign a petition to have the road improved for safe travel. The road was named “Lankford Road” in memory of her ancestors. Mildred Inez Burrell Cottman passed away March 13, 1992 and was buried in Odd Fellows cemetery. The road was completed after she passed away.