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Volume  2
  TOGA NEWS 
Issue1, January, 2002
 
First Two Generations Proved? 

For years we have been trying to prove that our John O'Neale, born 1719 was indeed the son of Peter. Recently I found the 1790 Census of Montgomery County, Maryland. It shows the descendants of our John, born in 1719, living in Mont. Co, next to the descendants of William O'Neal. Since William and Peter were brothers and their descendants are all living in close proximity in Mont. Co, I feel this makes a compelling argument that our John is the son of Peter, especially when combined with the info in the Bennet letter.
In a letter from Bennet O'Neal to his nephew, written in Edmunton, Barren County, Kentucky on May 9, 1859, Bennet wrote the following. "You wanted to know some things about our family. I will give you the best information I can. My Father's name was John. He was born in St. Marys County Maryland the 9th day of Oct. 1749. His father's name was John and I think from Ireland."
I believe Bennet was wrong about his Grandfathers birthplace. Bennet also said, my father... had three brothers Barton, Peter & Joseph.
The will of John O'Neal shows that this John had sons, Joseph and Barton. This agrees with the letter from Bennet. I believe that Peter was not mentioned in the will, because Peter was not around at the time. Peter joined the Revolutionary Army in 1776. Shortly after being mustered out Peter moved to Pennsylvania. Why would a father leave land in Montgomery County Maryland to a son living in Bedford County, Pennsylvania?
In addition, we have the Census of Sugar Land Hundred, Frederick County,
Maryland, taken September 2, 1776. The Census shows:

Name                Age     Calculated Birthdate
John O'Neal     57         1719
Peter                 22         1754
Barton              16         1758
Joseph             10          1766
Margaret          49         1727
Margaret          18         1758
Phebe               16         1760
Janet                 14         1762
Mary                 10         1766

 In addition we have the Montgomery County, Maryland census for 1790.
Census_Year    1790, Microfilm #       M637-3
State                 MD, County              Montgomery
---------------------Begin Actual Transcription-------------------------------
Nm of Head of Family          Males   Males  Free   All other
                                              inc. head     |    White       Free
                                              of family     |     Females  Persons   Slaves
                                                16 &      under  inc.head
Pg# Ln# Last Name  First Nm up        16    of family
85  47   O Neill          Bernard      3          0        4           0         18
86  237 O Neill          William       2          0        2           0         18
86  238 O Neale        Wm, Junr    1          0        1           0          0
87  79   O Neale        David          2          1        5           0          0
90  268 O Neall         Lawrence    1          2        6           0         20
90  274 O Neale        Henry          1          0        0           0          5
89  201 Neill              Barton         2          0        6           0          0

Looking at the names above we can see that Peter's descendants were living in the same county as William's Descendants.  (Peter & William were brothers.) David, Henry and Barton were sons of John O'Neale, while Bernard, William, Jr and Lawrence were the children of William O'Neale. (Actually William is Will Jr and Will Jr is Will, III.)
So, in conclusion, while we still have no CONCRETE evidence that John O'Neale, born in 1719 is indeed the son of Peter, we have VERY compelling evidence that he was.
If you look at the Bennet letter, John's will, and the census evidence provided above,  I feel that we have proven that our John O'Neale was indeed the same John O'Neale who was the son of Peter O'Neale.
What do you think? Send us a mail and let us know your thoughts on this.