John J. O'Neal John O'Neal was born in Cocke County, Tennessee September 8, 1821. He was married in Decatur, Meigs County, Tennessee July 30, 1844 to Mary Ann Moore who was born March 3, 1823 in Cocke County. She was the daughter of Daniel Moore and Catherine. The O'Neals had the following children: Tennessee Jane, America Ann, Harrison Napoleon, Francis Cass, Mary Serena, Emily, James A. Buchanan and Louiza. The O'Neals moved to Washington County, Arkansas sometime between April 10, 1849 and April 12, 1851 since the first three children were born in Meigs County, Tennessee. Harrison Napoleon O'Neal was born in Meigs County April 10, 1849 and the next child was born in Washington County, Arkansas April, 1851. The other children were born in Arkansas. John O'Neal was a farmer. He had land patent for 40 acres and 3 hundredths of an acre signed by President Buchanan the first day of July in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine. A granddaughter who is now 100 years of age said the O'Neal family moved around during the Civil War so that John O'Neal would not have to fight in the war. That is possible since a child died in March of 1864 in Johnson County and another child died in Madison County July 31, 1864. One of the terrible tragedies in the family was the death on May 9, 1880 by accident of C. C. Cawood, ~on of W. H. and Emily Cawood. He was 3 months and 21 days old. He was thrown from his mother's lap when the horse ran away. It was told that the mother said she would never wear kid gloves again. She thought she could have held onto the baby if she hadn't had the gloves on. Many descendants of John and Mary Ann O'Neal still live in Washington and Benton County. Among them are Ada Kennan Reis, Robert Eidson, Neva Eidson Buchanan, Agnes (Peggy) O'Neal Mason, Gertrude High Sherman, Hazel High Cooper, Montez High Nail, Harold High, Wilma Webb Samuel, Thelma Webb Harris, Vera Lou Goree Fowler and Mabel Goree Bell. There are many others of the next generation and the next. By: Mabel Goree Bell