Brooks NEAL was born abt. 1774, died 1840's in Sumner Co. TN. Brooks married on April 15, 1795 in Warren Co. NC to Elizabeth "Betsey" WRIGHT (daughter of John WRIGHT, Sr. and unknown wife -see Wright Family) who was born 1780 NC, died after 1850 Sumner Co. TN. In 1830 and 1840 Brooks NEAL lived beside Gideon WRIGHT and Colin CAMPBELL. We believe that he lived very near, if not exactly, where our house now stands. According to Aunt May WRIGHT BOLES, the child's grave was a grandchild of Brooks NEAL. This child was shown as female under 5 with the grandfather in 1840. Died about 1841. There were other graves here marked with field stones. Perhaps one if the grave of Brooks NEAL, who also died in the 1840's. There are no deeds recorded to him, so it is believed that he lived on the land of his brother-in-law, Gideon WRIGHT.

Children of Brooks NEAL and Elizabeth "Betsey" WRIGHT are :

1. Loucy J. Neal born December 13, 1797 NC.
2. Britton J. Neal born January 31, 1800 NC, died February 13, 1888 in Sumner Co. TN. Married 1st December 21, 1821 in Sumner Co. TN to Elizabeth MCNEELY, married 2nd January 25, 1839 in Sumner Co. TN to Eleanor BOWMAN.
3. Elizabeth "Betsy" Neal born September 7, 1803, died after 1870. She is buried in our yard. Elizabeth "Betsy" was dismissed from the Dry Fork C. P. Church in 1835 for having a child "born out of wedlock." At the same time John W. WRIGHT was also dismissed for "unchristian conduct towards Betsy NEAL." Her brother, Britton J. NEAL, and elder in the church was also dismissed because he knew of the conduct of his sister and kept the same concealed. However, Britton was restored to membership in November 1836.
4. Sarah "Sally" Neal born July 20, 1805. Married on February 24, 1837 Sumner Co. TN to Samuel NEEL (the 2 families spelled the names differently). Sarah is Samuel's 2nd wife, both removed by letter from the Dry Fork C. P. Church, evidently moving away.
5. Susanna Neal. Susanna testified in the church trial against her sister "Betsy" in 1835. No further information on this child.

Britton J. NEAL (son of Brooks NEAL and Elizabeth WRIGHT) was born January 31, 1800 in NC, died February 12, 1888 in Sumner Co TN. He is buried in the family cemetery at our house. He married 1st December 21, 1821 in Sumner Co. TN to Elizabeth MCNEELY born October 21, 1803, died August 5, 1833. He married 2nd on January 25, 1839 in Sumner Co. TN to Eleanor BOWMAN born 1810/1812, died June, 1880 of pneumonia.
Miss Earline Guthrie told me that her grandfather, Irving GUTHRIE, bought the house and farm from Britton J. NEAL. The deed is not recorded. The house stood just in front of Dry Fork C. P. Church until 1986 when it was torn down.

Children of Britton J. NEAL and 1st wife Elizabeth MCNEELY are:

1. Mary E. NEAL born August 17, 1824 Sumner Co. TN.
2. Robert NEAL born March 1, 1826 Sumner Co. TN, died September 22, 1842.
3. Martha A. Neal born December 20, 1827 Sumner Co. TN.
4. Susan C. Neal born April 28, 1830 Sumner Co. TN.
5. John Brooks Neal born November 20, 1831 Sumner Co. TN, died March 8, 1891. Married on November 21, 1858 in Sumner Co. TN to Sarah DENNING.

Children of Britton J. NEAL and 2nd wife Eleanor BOWMAN are:

1. Louisa C. Neal born December 25, 1839 Sumner Co. TN.
2. Sarah J. Neal born February 11, 1842 Sumner Co. TN, died June 15, 1866 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Neal Cemetery near Sengtown.
3. William M. Neal born September 21, 1843 Sumner Co. TN, died July 1, 1915 Sumner Co TN. Buried at Neal Cemetery near Sengtown. Married on January 4, 1869 in Sumner Co. TN to Sarah A. PEDEN (1851-1927).
4. James H. Neal born March 22, 1845 Sumner Co. TN. Married January 5, 1869 in Sumner Co. TN to W. W. MARTIN.
5. George Neal born 1847 Sumner Co. TN, died 1933 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Sherron Cem. Married to Mary SHERRON (1853-1927).

George NEAL (son of Britton J. NEAL and Eleanor BOWMAN) born 1847 Sumner Co. TN, died 1933 Sumner Co. TN. Buried at Sherron Cem. Married to Mary SHERRON born 1853, died 1927.

Children of George NEAL and Mary SHERRON are:

1. Jimmy Neal, died in childhood.
2. Charlie Neal, 1872-1960, buried at Sherron Cem., Sumner Co. TN.
3. Harrison "Hack" Neal, a Presby. Minister, 1879-1940, buried at Sherron Cem., Sumner Co. TN.
4. Herman Neal
5. Maggie Neal
6. Callie Neal
7. Emma Neal, 1875-1959, buried at Sherron Cem., Sumner Co. TN.
8. Nannie Neal, 1879-1917, buried at Sherron Cem., Sumner Co. TN.
9. Robert Gus Neal b. 1894, died Mary 1984.
10. Luther Neal b. 1896, died 1974, buried at Sherron Cem., Sumner Co. TN

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