Huntersville in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
McCoy Slave Cemetery
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023
1. McCoy Slave Cemetery Marker
In my anguish I cried to the Lord, and he answered by setting me free. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can a man do to me? The Lord is with me; he is my helper. – Psalm 118:5-7
Within the rough boundaries of this site lie the remains of the slaves and former slaves of the Albert McCoy (1843-1925) family. Scant historical documentation prevents any reliable names and dates of burials save for those mentioned on the memorial marker placed by the McCoy descendants in 1928. Rough dates of burials extend from the antebellum era through the post-Emancipation period (1840's-1880's). Given the size of the cemetery, it is estimated that 25 50 plots may exist on the site.
The McCoy Slave Cemetery bears many of the indicators common to slave cemeteries in the United States. These include cultural practices that mix remnants of African traditions with those of Christian beliefs. First, notice the use of periwinkle as ground cover, it was relatively easy to sow and easier to maintain than grass. Next, notice the stones that make up the center memorial; permanent grave markers were not typical to slave cemeteries – often, fieldstones were placed by relatives to designate gravesites. Finally, although not noticeable, most slave cemeteries follow an east-west burial pattern; two explanations
this page online
Thomas McCoy (1873-1949), son of Albert McCoy and member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, established a perpetual trust to the parish in the 1940's for the care and upkeep of the cemetery at St. Mark's as well as this slave cemetery. His bequest has been dutifully maintained by the members of the church since his death.
Erected 2007 by St. Mark's Episcopal Church.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.
Location. 35° 21.547′ N, 80° 53.014′ W. Marker is in Huntersville, North Carolina, in Mecklenburg County. Marker can be reached from McCoy Road (State Road 2120) half a mile north of Overhill Road (State Road 2122), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 9641 McCoy Rd, Huntersville NC 28078, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Oldest Cemetery and the Walls (approx. 0.9 miles away); William Bain Alexander (approx. one mile away); John McKnitt Alexander
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023
2. McCoy Slave Cemetery Marker
Also see . . .
1. McCoy Slave Cemetery. Photo gallery of the cemetery, as well as stories told by Lizzie, a McCoy slave, that have been passed down generations of the McCoy family. (St. Mark's Episcopal Church) (Submitted on December 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)
2. Disciple: Unburied History. Elizabeth McCoy — not her family surname, but the one she received from the people who once owned her — was better known as Lizzie. She might have been married to a man named Jim, or he might have been her older male relative. She had three children who preceded her in death, but there is no record either of her birth and death dates or her children’s. What we do know about Lizzie is filtered through the memories of Albert McCoy’s 12 children. (Summerlee
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, November 11, 2023
3. Earlier McCoy Slave Cemetery Marker
Mentioned in the featured marker, this marker was placed by McCoy descendants in 1928.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 7, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
