Lewis Neil

This Lewis Neal has often been confused with another Lewis Neill (1760-1835) of Henry Co., Ky. The other Lewis Neill was a revolutionary war veteran. Some descendants of this Lewis Neal have incorrectly used their descent to join the DAR. It has also been repeatedly stated that our Lewis Neal was much older than Amelia Cox, but the 1820 census reveals that he is not significantly older. His origins have yet to be identified. The most reliable clue to date is the fact that his son, William Neal, twice (in 1880 and 1900) reported on the census that his father (i.e., Lewis) was born in Scotland. His divorce from Amelia was finalized in 1829, but other family stories indicate that they separated around 1820. The biography of William Neal states that the only memory he had of his father was when he (William) was about 5 years old, as his father rode off on a larger-than-life horse. Again, that would be consistent with a separation of around 1820 (although a date after Mary Neal's birth seems likely). No records have yet been identified for him after about 1829. It is notable that he does not appear on the 1809 tax list of Knox Co., Kentucky, while many of my other Bartholomew Co., IN ancestors do appear on that list. However, it is likely that he was not an adult yet, and the family of Arthur Neil did live in Knox Co., Ky -- that is one possibility. There is an unconfirmed story that he died in an Indian War in or mustered from Jackson Co., Indiana. Date unknown. A quote from the Neal family history: In 1816, Lewis Neal married Pamelia (Millie) Cox, only daughter of Joseph and Mary Serginer Cox. (Early papers tell of the marriage of the beautiful daughter of Joseph Cox to Lewis Neal in considerable detail.) There is a reasonable chance that he might be the son of William Neal who appears on the 1785 Halifax Co., Virginia heads of households listing. That William Neal is adjacent to a Daniel Parker. On that listing, Wiliam Neal is listed with 8 white soles, 1 dwelling, and 0 other buildings. Another candidate father: On the 1810 Census of Knox Co., Kentucky, there is an Arthur Neill 21201-21010-02 [RIN=40270]. Many of his contemporaries (i.e., Rains, Cox, Parker families) were in Knox Co., Ky at that time, so perhaps there is a connection. Linda Lee of Heidelberg, Germany (email correspondence on 26 Apr 2003) is a descendant of a James Neill who married Dorcas Hopper in Knox Co., Ky in 1815, who she thinks is probably a son of this Arthur. According to her, this family (with the exception of a John Neill) had moved to the Orange/Greene Co., IN area by 1820. Another web site, http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/a/l/Christine-Y-Walters/GENE9-0013.html?Welcome=1051501411, identifies James Neil (b. c1792 Va) who m. 2 Mar 1815 Knox Co., KY Dorcas Hopper as the son of Arthur and Rhoda Neill and lists their children. Yet another candidate is a John Neill, also on the 1810 census of Knox Co., Ky, 31101-01110-00 There is also an Albert T. Neill of New Madrid Co., Missouri, profiled in Goodspeed's History of Southeast Missouri, who was born in 1842 in Hardin Co. Ky, a son of Lewis Neill, a native of Virginia who moved to Kentucky when a child and married Latecia Torrence. [Courtesy of Linda Lee for making me aware of this biography]. More research is necessary to determine if that father could be my Lewis Neal. Census 1850: Hardin Co., Ky, dist 1, enum 21 Nov 1850, roll 203 p. HA-346, household 594: Neill, Lewis, 46 VA, farmer, $1500 --, Letitia, 32 Ky --, Albert, 7 Ky --, Thomas, 6 Ky --, Sally, 4 Ky --, Phebe L., 1 Ky Also found nearby in Hardin Co., 1850, on p. HA-347, household 600: Neill, Phebe, 74 b. Va ("Ky" is crossed out and "Va" written) She is residing in the household of William Hays, 37 Ky, and Nancy Hays, 39 Ky. Also found on the next page in Hardin Co., HA-348 household 615, enum 28 nov 1850, is the household of Randall P. Hays, 51 or 57 KY, $4000, and Sarah 45 Ky, with various Hays children listed, but also with Gertrude Neill, 4 Ky, Randall Neill, 2 Ky, and James Neill 5/12, Ky. Abert T. Neill is found on the 1880 census of Big Prairie, New Madrid Co., Mo, married age 38 b. Ky, farmer, parents b. Va/Ky. Annie Neill, wife, 24 Mo (Mo/Mo), dau Ida 4 Mo, dau Nora 2 Mo, dau ___ 4 months Mo, and other Andrew McKay, farm laborer, 19 OH (Ire/Ire). Several other Neills are also in the county, including a Louis Neill, 27 Ky (par Ky/Ky) with niece Ida Neill 18 Mo (par Ky/Ky), nephew Edward Neill (5 months Mo, par Mo/Mo) and Eddie Neill, niece 10 Mo (par Ky/Ky), living in New Madrid Twp. Namesake and Ky birthplace suggest a likely relationship. I searched (by hand, without an index) and on-line compendium of images of the Douglas Co., 1860 census (at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mo/douglas/census/1880/), but found only these Neills: P.O. Falling Spring http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/mo/douglas/census/1860/886.jpg James Neill, 68 b. Va Darcy, 65 Tn John J., 21, Mo Manerva, 18 Mo Mary A.,. 13 Mo Emaline, 8 Mo James, 7 Mo Daniel N, 6 Mo In adjacent household of Josiah Wheat is Tillman Neill, 19 Ind I am not confident that this list of census images represents the whole of Douglas Co., Mo though, since all the images seemed to be from the Falling Spring P.O. (Note that Albert T. Neill was in the Big Prairie P.O. in 1880). There is another candidate, Lewis Neal (b. 1790/1800) found on the 1830 census of Shelby Co., Ky, Southeastern District, roll 41 p. 231: 2M(<5), 1M(30-39), 1F(<5), 1F(5-10), 1F(20-29). The other Lewis Neal found in the 1830 census in Henry Co. has been established not to be him. Another candidate is a Lewis Neal b. c1797 b. Va, found on the 1850 census of Scott Co., Ky. This is probably the same one found in 1830 in Shelby Co. In 1850 he is in household of William Isbell, roll 218 p. 459 dist 2, enum 10 Aug 1850 by Mr. Paine, household 186: Willis Isbell, 32 Ky, Gatekeeper Emily --, 32 Ky Laurn --, F, 4 Ky Frances --, F, 2 Ky Lewis Neal, 63 Va, Wagonmaker David Strous, 31 Bavaria, Merchant Fanny --, 26 Bavaria Louis --, 5 Louisiana Gustavus --, 1 Ky There is another Lewis Neal b. 1819/20 Va, found in Dist 39 Being, Monroe Co., Missouri in 1850, enum 23 Nov 1850 roll 407 p. 157, household 164. Clearly too young to be my Lewis Neal, the name coincidence could still be useful in researching him. His father appears to be with him. (Note: Monroe Co. Mo is in the northeast region of the state, not near Douglas Co.) Lewis Neal, 30 Va, farmer Jane, 40 Ky Elizabeth, 21 Ky James, 19 Ky farming $800 Emily G., 16 Ky Samuel, 14 Ky Francis M., male, 70 Ky Mary A., 8 Ky Then adjacent in household 165: Thomas B. Neal, 26 Ky, Farming Martha A., 25 Ky John M., 3 Ky William, 2 Ky It is also notable that a niece of Amelia Cox, Melissa Matilda Cox, dau. of James Cox and Juliatha Parker, married 11 Jun 1865 a Louis Neal. She was from Adair Co., Missouri, but her parents had just moved to Silverton, Marion Co., Oregon by that marriage date. -------- Research Note: In Nov 2001, while doing research on Mary (Neal) Edwards, Sharon Proctor discovered a deed in Doniphan Co., Kansas dated 28 Nov 1868 involving a Lewis C. Neal and Allen G. Neal. We originally hypothesized that the Lewis C. Neal of this deed might be our Lewis Neal. Consider: Daniel Neal (son of Lewis Neal) was nearby in Nemaha Co., Kansas by 1870, and Mary (Neal) Edwards (dau. of Lewis Neal) was in Doniphan Co., and Daniel later moved to Troy, Doniphan Co., Kansas. The Lewis C. Neal of the deed acquired the land in 1858. However, census records have now shown this not to be the case. I will leave these records here in these notes for future reference. A full transcription of this deed follows. Note the following open questions: * Is this our Lewis Neal? Ans: NO * How old is the Lewis Neal of the deed? Ans: 35 (to be our's he would need to be about 70) * Who is Allen G. Neal & what is the relationship? Since the land was a giveaway, the implication is that Allen G. Neal is a close relative, possibly son. Could this be a son from a second marriage after the divorce from Amelia? Ans: Not a son -- possibly a brother. * Allen is of Monroe Co., West Virginia. Why? Did Lewis have roots there? Ans: Apparently so - he was b. Va. Deed abstract: Dated 28 Nov 1868. Signed & authenticated in Sweet Springs, Monroe Co., West Virginia for 160 acres in Doniphan Co., Kansas, given for $1 from Lewis C. Neil of Saline Co., Missouri to Allen G. Neil of West Virginia. Filed in Doniphan Co, KS on 5 Jan 1869. Lewis C. Neal originally acquired the land from Oliver W. Cathin with a deed dated 13 May 1858, recorded in Doniphan Co., KS on 10 May 1860 in Book G pages 165-66. Transcription (original capitalization & spelling preserved): [R-46] This Deed Made this 28th day of November In the year of our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Sixty eight Between Allen G. Neil of the County of Monroe and State of West Virginia of the first and Lewis C. Neil of the County of Saline and State of Missouri of the second part. Witneseth that the party of the first for and In consideration of the sum of one dollar whom in hand paid the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged has granted and by these presents does grant to the party of the second part and his heirs and assigns forever the following described [pial] estate lying and being In the County of Doniphan and State of Kansas, Conveyed to him by Oliver W. Cathin by deed dated the 13th day of May 1858, recorded in the Clerk's and Recorder's office In the County of Doniphan and State of Kansas on the 10th day of May A.D. 1860 In record Book G at pages 165-66. to wit: The South West Quarter of section N. Seventeen (17) in Township No. three (3) South of Range No. Nineteen (19) East, Containing one hundred and Sixty acres of land more or less. In the Delaware District of land subject to sale at Kickapool leity State of Kansas. And the said party of the first part for himself and his heirs will warrant, spically [sic] from himself and his heirs the title to the above described and herein conveyed Real estate to the party of the second part. Witness the following signature and seal: [Transcription note: At this point there is a small box with a few partially legible words inside, something like "Nls RivStamp 50 / cancelled". Handwriting appears to be the same as the rest of deed, but it kind of looks like the box might have been added at a later time.] Allen G. Neil (Seal) I Clemens I. Campbell [Ou] Justice of the Peace for County aforesaid In the State of West Virginia, do certify that Allen G. Neil whose name is signed to the writing above, bearing date on the 28th day of November 1868, acknowledged the same before me In my township aforesaid. Given Under My hand this 28th day of November 1868, Clemens J. Campbell J.P. State of West Virginia Monroe County to wit I Lewis Calloway Recorder of Monroe County In the State aforesaid do hereby certify that Clemens J. Campbell whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate of acknowledgement dated the 28th day of November 1868 was at such time and is now an acting Justice of the Peace for teh Township of Sweet Springs, In the County and State aforesaid duly elected and qualified as such, and that the full faith and credit are due to all his official acts as such Justice and that his certificate is In due form. Given under my hand and official seal this 30th day of November In the Eighteen hundred and Sixty Eight. Lewis Callaway, Recorder of Monroe County State of West Virginia (seal) Filed for record 5th Jany 1869 [atg] A.D. 1870 Census Elmwood Twp., Saline Co., Missouri, Roll 804 p. 75, enum 4 Aug 1870 Neel, Lewis C., age 37, b. Virginia, Physician, $5950, $835 --, Sophia S., 27, b. Mo --, Samuel A., 9, b. Mo Smith, Austin P., 28, b. Va Mack, Jesse, black female, 29, b. Ky --, Relda, bf, 8, b.Mo --, Emaline, bf, 3, b. Mo 1870 Census for Sweet Springs Twp., Monroe Co., West Virginia, household 228 Neel, Allen G., 36, b. WV, married, Farmer, $7100, $1000 --, Mary S., 26, WV, Housekeeping, Taylor, Samuel, 56, farmhand, b. Va and nearby at household 230: Neel, Owen, 72, WV, farmer, $7500, $2300 --, Mary, 59, WV, housekeepr Leach, Abner, 37, WV, farmhand ---- 1850 Monroe Co., [W] Virginia census turned up these: 25 313 320 NEEL JOHN 70 M CARPENTER 100 VA 26 313 320 NEEL MARY K 43 F VA 27 313 320 NEEL JOHN 38 M FARMER 700 VA 28 313 320 NEEL ISABEL 25 F VA 29 313 320 NEEL ELIZABETH 25 F VA 30 313 320 NEEL MARGT 18 F VA 31 313 320 NEEL MILINDA 16 F VA X 32 313 320 NEEL MARTHA 14 F VA X 33 313 320 NEEL OASER 13 M VA X 34 313 320 NEEL VIRGINIA 9 F VA X 35 313 320 NEEL INDINA 6 F VA 18 318 325 NEEL THOMAS 57 M FARMER 5,000 VA 19 318 325 NEEL MARY 53 F VA 20 318 325 NEEL HENRY 21 M LABORER VA X 21 318 325 NEEL WM F 20 M LABORER VA X 22 318 325 NEEL SUSAN 16 F VA X