Montgomery County was formed from Anson in 1779. Sampson Oneal first appears in early Anson County records likely living on land that later became montgomery County. In the "1763 Anson County List of Taxables", Sampson Oneal and William Crittenden are enumerated together. The list names "William Crittenden & Sampson Oneal ----2[poles]". Dated 25 May 1757, William Crittenton received Anson grant numbers 431 and 2201 situated on the northeast side of the Pee Dee on the north side of Little River on the Banks of Dyson's Creek. Dyson's Creek crosses Hwy-731 about five miles east of Mt Gilead and near Town Creek Indian Burial Mound. On 1 Jan 1761, Benjamin Smith of Anson sold to William Crittenden 100 acres (6-1, Anson NC) on the south west side of the Pee Dee adjoining lands of Youngs, Robert Parks, Thomas George, and William Yearly. Witnesses were Robert Lee, William Yearly and Zachariah Phillips. William Crittendon married Sarah, the daughter of Robert Lee. Robert Lee wrote his last will and testament on 29 Nov 1766 and mentioned daughter Sarah Crittenden. It was likely during this time that Sampson Oneal was enumerated with William Crittendon in the Anson County tax list. William died and Sarah married second Thomas Presley [Sr.]
In his 1808 last will and testament, Thomas Presley [Sr] mentioned his wife Sarah Presley. In the closing paragraph of this 1808 will, Thomas Presley appoints "my true and trusty friend William Crittendon & my son Richard Presley Executors and my beloved wife Sarah Presley Executrix to this my last will and testament". It appears that this named William Crittendon was Thomas Presley's stepson.
One other land record for William Crittendon contains valuable information. Dated 14 Dec 1815, William Crittendon (of Montgomery) sold to Thomas Vann 56 1/2 acres (R-142, Anson NC) "being part of & undivided tract of land formerly the property of Charles Harrington, Decd. on Richardsons Creek now in possession of sd. Vann, which piece of undivided - the sd. Crittendon purchases of William Harrington heir of said dec'd". The witnesses were Benjamin Oneal and Thos. Vann Junr.
Receiving the following land grant, Sampson Oneal is again documented as interacting with the Presley Family
Grant # 4065, Anson NC, to Sampson Oneals. Ent 10 Sep 1778, Sur 25 Nov 1778, Iss 3 Sep 1779. For 100 acres on both sides of Lanes Creek and adjoining John Preslar land. The chain bearers were John Preslar and Salathiel Clifton. Dated 10 Feb 1786, Sampson Oneal now of "Montgomery County NC" sold his grant to Richard Hanks also of Montgomery (H-241, Anson). Witnesses were Thomas Megginson and John Hill. Though Sampson received land in Anson County, other records indicate that he lived or maintained relations nearby in Montgomery County NC.The Montgomery Courthouse burned in 1835 and destroyed nearly all of the early records. From the state level land grant records and a few remaining deeds, we know that Sampson was active in Montgomery County prior to his selling of land in Anson. Dated 3 Oct 1785, Sampson Oneal and Alexr Smith were chain bearers for Thomas Megginson's Montgomery County land grant # 365. The land adjoined James Butler land and Clark's Creek which is situated in Montgomery County between the Yadkin River and Mt. Gilead.
From the land records, Sampson Oneal was in now Montgomery County NC by 1765 and interacted with William Crittendon. Sampson moved to the Burnsville District of Anson County ca. 1778. It appears he did not stay long. Sampson maintained involvement in Montgomery County through his involvement with Thomas Megginson. In 1787, Sampson Oneal is mentioned in the Anson County land grant of Isham Oneal. The record for his grant is as follows:
Grant # ????, Anson NC, to Isham Oneal. Ent 20 Oct 178_, Sur 19 Sep 1787, Iss 16 Nov 1790. "Surveyed for Isham Oneal son of Samson Oneal", 100 acres adjoining Anthony Preslar land on Swon's Branch. Chain bearers were Josiah and Zachariah White.The records for Wake and Johnston County NC mention Isham, Benjamin, and William Oneal. There is no mention of Sampson Oneal. Is there any relation between the Oneals of Johnston County and Sampson Oneal that apperaed early in Anson County?
Sampson Oneal does not appear in the 1790 census and possibly died by that time.
Deed (Trs 1-303, Johnston NC) 12 Aug 1771. John Moore of Johnston NC to William Oneal of Johnston, being 50 acres on Little River adjoining John Moore and William Oneal. Witnesses were Charles Wilkerson, John Hayles, and Absolum Holimon.
Deed (Trs 2-230, Johnston NC) 30 Jan 1787. William Oneal Junr. Planter of Johnston NC to Benjamin Thomas of Johnston NC. Being 50 acres on the east side of the Little River adjoining John Moore. Witnesses were Ross Oneal and John Stancil.
Deed (Q-506, Wake NC) 11 Feb 1801. Benjamin Oneal of Wake to Lemuel Cook of Wake. For 193 acres on the west side of Poplar Creek adjoining John Duck's Spring Branch, Banners land, Robert Traywicks Spring Branch and a line that was formery Thomas Young Hood's. Witnesses were Balt Fowler, Jo Fowler, and Thomas Mial.
Deed (N,O-196, Anson NC) 9 Dec 1802. Isaac Little and Richard Lee to Ross Oneal, being 200 acres on Gourdvine Creek. Witnesses were Benj. Oneil and Jacob Little.
Deed (N-286, Anson NC) 12 Mar 1807. Ross Oneal of Anson County to John Holland of Anson. 200 acres on both sides of Gourdvine Creek adjoining Isaac Little's land. This being two tracts... the first granted to Richard Lee and the other granted to Isaac Little on 20 Dec 1799. Witnesses were E. Williams and Reuben Williams.
Deed (V-323, Anson) 27 Sep 1809. Benjamin Oneal to Jacob Thomas, 130 acres situated on the eastside of Big Pine Log Branch at the mouth of Jesse's Branch. Wit: Samuel Kennedy.
Deed (G2-96, Johnston NC) 3 Oct 1810. Benjamin Oneal of Anson County to William Evans of Johnston County NC. Being 150 acres of land situated on the west side of Little River near the Long Branch running to Jernagan's land. Witnesses were Chatman Hayles and William Horn.
Deed (??-210, Anson NC) 20 Apr 1813, filed Jan 1836. Benjamin Oneil to Benjamin Oneil Jr. "For the Love and affection which I have and bear and unto my beloved son Benjamin Oneil"... "do give .... the first thing is 1000 acres of land and all my stock of horses cattle hogs and sheep of every kind and also my household furniture of every kind and plantation tools and all other kinds of property that I Pocess at my death. Witnesses were John Broadway, Sallie Broadway, Mary Richardson, and Rowland Wilkerson.
Deed (U-14, Anson NC) 13 Jan 1814, filed 1822. Benjamin Oneal to John Hyatt. Being 500 acres on the Watery Branch joining Berryman Traywick and Crave's land and Pine Log Branch. The witnesses were Richard Austin and Ruby Hyatt.
Deed (U-28, Anson NC) 7 Oct 1821. Benjamin OnealSr. and Benjamin Oneal Jr to Willie Baucom. For land on Richardson's Creek adjoining Thomas Lecy. Witnesses were Asa Baucom and Myick Harward.
Deed (??-188, Anson NC) 8 Jan 1822. William Hatcher and Charity Hatcher his wife and Kindred Oneal and William Oneal of the State of North Carolina and Anson County and Right Oneal of Madoun County Georgia (heirs of Charity Oneal dec'd of the one part and Benjamin Clenny of Anson of the other part. Being 100 acres on the Big Branch of Lanes Creek granted to Roland Williams Esq. 18 Dec 1799. Witnesses were B. A. Austin, and Albert Jonathan Duck.
Deed (U-297, Anson NC) 9 Dec 1822. Sampson Caudle of Anson NC to Wright O'Neal of Franklin Georgia, being 375 acres adjoining Benjamin Clenny, Sampson Caudle, and Woodard lands. Witnesses were Absolum Caudle and Elizabeth Caudle.
Deed (12-317, Anson NC) __ Nov 1847. William Hatcher to William Oneal, 210 1/2 acres on Cribbs Creek adjoining lands of Hatcher, Woodward, and Tucker. Witnesse were Wm Currin and H. A. Bradshaw.
Benjamin Oneal died in Anson County ca. 1840. A last will and testamnent was written, in October of 1840, the court ruled that Benjamin Oneal was not of sound mind or memory. The will does provide good information verifying family relations.
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