John McNeel Jr.
Birth 1745
Frederick County, Virginia, USA
Death 1825 (aged 79–80)
Pocahontas County, West Virginia, USA
Burial McNeel Cemetery
Hillsboro, Pocahontas County, West Virginia, USA
John McNeel, Jr. was the son of Lt. John McNeel and his wife Elizabeth Van Meter. He is said to have been born, in the year 1745, in Frederick County, Virginia and died, in Lobelia, Pocahontas County, Virginia (now West Virginia). Although he was born in Frederick County, Virginia he spent much of his early life in Cumberland, Maryland.
He was said to have been an athletic person and as a young man became involved in a boxing match with someone whom he injured so badly he assumed he was dead. Fearing being jailed for murder he fled his home and traveled over the Alleghenies. Traveling deeper and deeper into the wilderness he arrived at the Levels, at the age of twenty, in 1765. This area became Pocahontas County, Virginia and later West Virginia. It was here he built his cabin.
Fortunately, one day while out hunting he met up with two old friends, Charles and Edward Kinnison. They gave him the good news that his boxing opponent did not die and wasn't even seriously hurt. This lifted a heavy weight from his mind and made it possible for him to return to his previous home with his friends, without fear of molestation.
When he returned home he married a Welsh woman, by the name of Martha Davis (about 1766). She was the daughter of Thomas Davis and Anne Meredith. She is said to have been born 28 January 1743, in St. Mary, Haverfordwest, Pembroke, Wales and had twin sister, by the name of Sarah. Her father, Thomas Davis was born in Carmarthen, Wales, 1718. He married Anne Meredith 3 June 1742, in Radnor, Wales. She was born about 1721. They came to America some time after 1753. We know they had three more children: Mary born in 1745; Ann 1747; and Elijah 1753. Thomas died in Bridgewater, Rockingham, Virginia, in 1778 and Anne in Hampshire County, West Virginia--date unknown.
John returned to his home in the Levels, with his bride, Martha. He cleared land and raised his crops, as well as built a house of worship, the White Pole church.
In a few years the Dunmore War opened up and the three friends: John McNeel and the two Kinnisons went into camp, at Lewisburg, and joined the expedition to Point Pleasant, 10 October 1774. They survived, returned home, but did not remain long, as they went across the eastern mountains and enlisted in Frederick County, Virginia to serve during the Revolutionary War.
John died at the age of eighty years. His great-grandson related years later his father, Paul McNeel, went to live with his grandparents at an early age, as his mother died. In the 27 years he knew his father, he never heard him mention the name John McNeel, but with the words of praise upon his lips. What impressed him most was the sense of his wonderful sincerity of character and strength of purpose, in his daily life.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/27528171/john_mcneel
