BIO: Peter O'NEAL, 1754 - October 5 1832

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John W. O'Neal, II johnoneal@onealwebsite.com September 13, 2004, 2:20 pm

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Author: John W. O'Neal, II

A Biography of Peter O'Neal

Peter O'Neal was born in 1754, in Saint Mary's, Frederick County, Maryland to
John O'Neale and Margaret Barton. Peter moved his family from Maryland to
Pennsylvania where he married Sarah Sparks and they raised twelve children,
namely, John, Chloe, Joseph, James, Solomon, William, Mary, Margaret, Samuel,
Elizabeth, Susannah and David. We'll probably never know why, but this is where
the ending e was dropped from O'Neale. All of Peter's descendants were
henceforth known as O'Neal.

Some of the O'Neale's who remained in Maryland carried the e for another
generation or two before dropping it.

Kenneth O'Neal wrote an excellent biography of Peter, which is reprinted with
permission below.

September 2, 1776 Peter was living in Fredrick Co. Maryland on Sugar Land
Hundred Plantation.

Peter and three of his brothers left Southern Maryland at the time of the
Revolutionary War. They were born in St. Mary's Co. 1749-1766. The family moved
to "Sugar Land Hundred" west of present day Rockville, MD.

Peter went to Bedford Co. PA about 1779 where he is listed in a Return of
Property for Colerain Twp. as a "single freeman" and a "single freeman in
Providence Twp. in 1783. He paid One pound, 18 shillings" Federal Supply Tax
on his 200 acres, one horse and two sheep.

He is listed in the census of 1784 as a single freeman in Providence Twp. He is
listed as a Warrantee of Land in Bedford Co. called 'Hibernia' in 1786, 1793, 1813.

He probably followed or traveled with the Sparks and McDaniels families, who
were also from Fredrick County, Maryland. Sarah Sparks (his future wife)
possibly traveled with her brothers, Solomon, James, and Joseph Sparks, who were
all in Bedford Co. during the Revolutionary War and were soldiers.

Tax records for 1796 Bedford Co. show Peter owned 650 acres of land in Bedford
County, Pennsylvania. Peter and family show on census records for Bedford County
For the years 1790, 1800, 1810. Peter was the first O'Neal of OUR ancestors to
live in Pennsylvania.

His name is found spelled as follows, Peter Neel, Peter Neil, Peter Neal, Peter
O'Neal From 1810 he is found as Peter O'Neal.

He received pay for service in the Pennsylvania Continental Line Co. PA. in the
Revolutionary War as Pvt. Peter O'Neil PA Archives PA. 5 S V 4 P 247. He is
listed on DAR list as Peter O'Neal

Peter was also a member of The Frontier Rangers, a group who fought Indians and
recovered captives from the Indians. Peter apparently lived a very active life.

His will was probated May 10, 1832. Peter is buried in a family cemetery on a
farm near Clearville, Bedford Co. PA, which was his first homestead.

On July 25,1998 a marker from the Veterans Administration for his service in The
Revolutionary War was dedicated by his descendents, at the O'Neal reunion at his
grave site.

Information on Peter also from "The O'Neals of Bedford Co." by Harry E.
Smith, Genealogy report by William Robert O'Neal, and census and courthouse
records found in Bedford Co., and Peters Will Bedford Co Courthouse, Book # 3
page # 20.

This information from Barbara Haney of Florida. Barbara Haney E-mail Address:
balamberthaney@earthlink.net
Pvt in Cpt Enslow's Militia Co. in 1781 during Am Rev War, Montgomery Co. 8th
Co. Maryland Militia

On Theresa Diehl's DAR application: Soldiers of the Revolution who received pay
for service taken from manuscript having neither date or title but under
"Rangers of Frontiers, 1778-1783," Peter Neil Penna Arch 5 Series Vol 4 Page
597 & 611. Put in Ensign Thomas McGaugheys Co., Bedford Co. Militia (Penna)

4/29/1783: Joseph Chapman of Colerain Twp. sells to Peter of Providence Twp. 100
acres on the head waters of Brush Creek for Five Pounds lawful money.

Above by Kenneth O'Neal, Internet Addy: kon@hhs.net

Peter died October 05, 1832, in Clearville, Bedford County, Pennsylvania.
 

I found the following article which makes for interesting reading. It's from the
letters of George Washington.  I'm not sure if this is our Peter mentioned in
the missive below. The letter is dated 1777. That would make our Peter about 23
years old at the time it was written. Peter did not get married until 1785 at
the age of 31, so it could very well be.

The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources,
1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--Vol. 08
Head-Quarters, Middle-Brook, June 7, 1777. Parole Tacenton. Countersigns Truro,
Tunbridge.

As the army is now on a permanent and honorable footing, and as the General has
the credit of it very much at heart--He expects that every officer, on whom the
importance of the contest, and a regard to his own honor, or duty are
sufficiently impressed will lend their aid to support the character of it--To
this end, nothing can be more effectual, than a close attention to discipline
and subordination; and particularly in an exact obedience to all General orders;
which is the life of an
army.

Officers should consider that a repetition of orders, is the highest reflection
upon those who are the cause of it--An orderly book is a record in the hands of
thousands, of the transactions of an army; and consequently of the disgrace of
those, whose insensibility to the obligations they are under, and whose want of
a manly emulation of temper, OBLIGE the Commander in Chief to publish their
misconduct, by repeating his calls upon them to discharge their duty.

The General appeals to the understanding of every officer; and earnestly
recommends a serious consideration of these matters--Their engagements with the
public;--their own honor--and the salvation of their country demand it.--The
General wishes it on these accounts, and for his own ease and satisfaction; for
as nothing is more easy than to conduct an army, where a chearful and ready
obedience is paid to every order; so nothing is more difficult and embarrassing,
where a careless, licentious and disorderly spirit prevails. Thus much is said
to lead Gentlemen into a proper train of thinking on the subject, and to engage
their judgment and feelings on the side of their duty; but it is at the same
time necessary to subjoin, that a punishment and disgrace will attend those, who
will not be influenced by more honorable means.

Captains should make a point of seeing that every order affecting their
companies is complied with--Colonels should do the same in their regiments--
Brigadiers in their brigades, and Major Generals in their divisions.  No officer
should implicitly trust to another, but each perform his own part, and see that
those under him do theirs. This being the case, every thing would go on 
smoothly and well; but while the contrary is practiced, and every officer is
glad to throw the irksome drudgery of obedience, upon his inferior, nothing but
disorder and ruin can ensue.

No officer to be absent from camp, without a furlough from his Brigadier, nor in
that case, for more than ten days, at a time--The Adjutant General will furnish
each Brigadier applying, with printed furloughs for the purpose, which alone are
to be made use of.  Deserters to be immediately sent to the Major General of the
day--The person conducting them, not to permit them to stop any where, to answer
any questions, that shall be made them.

The Commander in Chief approves the following sentences of a Court Martial, held
the 4th. Instant; and orders their immediate execution.

Lieut. Shannon9 of the 1st. Virginia regiment tried for "Putting the Pay-Master
of said regiment in the guard-house."

[Note 9: Lieut. William Shannon. He resigned in July, 1777.] Sentence to ask
pardon in the presence of the officers of his regiment.

Andrew Spalding of Col Patton's regt. for "Disobedience of orders, and
threatening to shoot an officer"--sentenced to receive 100 lashes.

Peter O'Neal, Corporal in the 7th. Pennsylvania, for "Having threatened to
desert"--to receive 50 lashes.

As far as receiving 50 lashes for  "Having threatened to desert" it must be
noted that this was a particularly trying time. The French and English were
trying to take control of North America, Indian uprisings were not uncommon and
the army was not exactly what we think of today as an army. There was no such
thing as boot camp, where an enlistee would go and learn the art of being a
soldier. Volunteers pretty much just showed up, were sworn in, given some basic
equipment and training and sent out into the wilderness to do battle.
Also, 50 lashes seemed to be a quite common form of punishment in those days. It
was common to see people receiving this punishment for a whole host of sins,
such as adultery, swearing an oath, swearing an oath and taking the Lord's name
in vain, owing money and not paying it, but to name a few."

Will of Peter O'NEAL:  http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/bedford/wills/oneal-peter.txt

Additional Comments:
For more info about Peter and his descendants (and ancestors) visit The O'Neal
Genealogy Association website at http://www.onealwebsite.com/

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