Dudley Neal

Dudley S Neal

The only document that connects John L. Neal, my two times great grandfather, to Dudley S. Neal, is the sale of Edward Neal's property for back taxes. I have been unable to find probate records for Dudley and the last time he appears in records is 1840. So, I have to use the tax document for proof of parent. This tax document lists Dudley S. Neal's children as Edward's heirs; John L, Dudley, William and Angie. Edward would have been John's brother. Edward married Sallie Pittman and they did not have children.

Dudley's son, Dudley House Neal, also married a Pittman; Alice Pittman. Alice and Sallie were sisters and daughters of Thomas Pittman and Sarah Elizabeth Kearney of Warren County, North Carolina.

Dudley House Neal, John L. Neal and William Neal had property next to each other in the 1860 census, as seen below.

1860 Federal Census

Joseph Neal, another brother, is living in Grove Hill with his wife and children. They are living near the Pittman and Kearney families. (Dudley H. and Edward L.'s wives' families)

Joseph is living a few homes away from the Powell and Pearson families. If I read this correctly, Wake Powell's occupation is a Gambler  with quite a nice amount of property. What do you think this says?

1860 Federal Census

The Kearney's are living near by and has also listed his occupation as "Gambler".... just an interesting note.

William, Joseph, Dudley and Edward fought in the Civil War, sadly Joseph died in 1863 either from injuries or disease.

Dudley had injuries that prevented him from fighting. See the document below.

Dudley had a rough time in the war. He had typhoid in 1862. He was wounded at Richmond on 7 Jul 1862 in his leg and was sent home on furlough. He returned in 1863 but appears to be on furlough again around the time that Joseph died. On 24 May 1864 he was back in the hospital in Richmond with a mini ball in his left leg and was sent home for a 60 day furlough to heal. But on 25 Feb 1865 he was once again wounded, this time in both legs which resulted in the discharge that the paper above addresses.

William applied for soldier's pension when he was 72 years old. The document indicates that he was unable to use his right leg as a result of the war and Dr. Perry's note  dated 29 Jun 1901 states that William is unable to leave his room.

Edward also spent time in the hospital for typhoid in Aug of 1862. Edward was also on furlough about the time that Joseph died. Maybe the boys took their brother home.  On 17 May 1864 he was wounded by a mini ball in his right thigh and was sent home on furlough for 60 days. He and Dudley were wounded about the same time.

There does not appear to be any record of John L fighting in the Civil War. Did he remain home to help take care of his family? He was the oldest son and his mother was still living but his father had passed away, did he stay home to take care of his mama? I guess we will never know the answer to that question.

BACK TO DUDLEY S. NEAL

In 1820 Dudley first appears in the records that I currently have collected. It is the census record and the information on it is:

Dudley is pretty young, probably closer to the age of 16 at this time. He and one male slave are farming. His father dies in 1827, did he give him the land before he died? Dudley is a man with many unanswered questions. His father, John, left him one dollar in his will. John left most of his land and property to Dudley's brother William. .....

More to come...

Thanks for stopping by!
Pattie