The O'Neal Genealogy Association Newsletter

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TOGA NEWS Volume III, Issue 3, March, 2003

Through genealogy I've learned that the story didn't begin in the recent past. It has been handed down for many years, as follows:

In 1859, Bennet O'Neale wrote a letter to his nephew. In it he states,
"You wanted to know something 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......my Mother's name was Rachil Wood her foreparents was from Wales, England. So you may see we are mixed up of Irish and Welch....and from history you may see this same name....they were once some of the leading men of Ireland."

Also, in 1798 Erasmus West was born in Maryland. He grew up and married our Eleanor O'Neale. This is what has been passed down through the West family since that time regarding our O'Neal family:
"Erasmus West was the son of Thomas West. His mother was a member of a very prominent family. They appear in Charles County in the early history of Maryland, and the writer was told by one of the descendants, that they belonged to the family of Lord O’Neale of Ireland. It seems for a time that the name was shortened to Neale, but later generations replaced the "O" which had been dropped. They were also intermarried with prominent families in Prince George’s County..."

So, are the O'Neal's REALLY related to the Irish Kings of olde?

Perhaps.

The jury is still out on this question. We have not been able to find a link back past our original immigrant ancestor yet. But rest assured there are many people out there searching. Perhaps one day a member of our own O'Neal Genealogy Association will make that link and provide us with the truth of the matter. Until then, we have a great family legend. It provided this writer with many hours of entertainment as a youth, and perhaps helped shape my young character. It helped me set standards for what I wanted to become as an adult.  It continues to stimulate my thoughts nearly a half a century later.

Should we hand this family legend down to our children? 
Only you can be the judge of that. I, for one, say......

YES!

That's me in the center with my Zebra skin outfit
Between my father, John W. O'Neal, Sr and
my mother, Alice Jordan O'Neal.
May they both RIP!
John W. O'Neal, II
02/16/2003