\n\n\n\n
David J. McNeal (alternative spellings include McNeil, McNeill and McNiel) was born in the vicinity of Fayetteville, NC, likely in Cedar Creek Township of Cumberland County, NC, on 17 September 1890.1<\/a><\/sup>Birthdate: David McNeal headstone: Geer Cemetery (800 Colonial St, Durham, NC), photographed by Nicholas Levy, 29 Jan 2020. Used by permission. James and Mary McNeal had at least three other children: James Jr (b. 1878), Josephine (b. 1880), and Martha (b. 1882) but possibly more born between 1880 and David\u2019s birth in 1890.5<\/a><\/sup>James Jr. and Josephine: 1880 US Census Cedar Creek: Year: 1880<\/em>; Census Place: Cedar Creek, Cumberland, North Carolina<\/em>; Roll: 960<\/em>; Page: 413C<\/em>; Enumeration District: 059. Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census<\/em> [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints \u00a9 Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/14407401:6742<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data: Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. At some point after 1900 his mother\u2019s marriage to Duncan Young became estranged, with Duncan marrying another woman in 1907.8<\/a><\/sup>Duncan Young marriage license: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/5041320:60548<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. Original data:North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.<\/span> Mary and her children from both marriages had relocated to Wilson, NC by the 1910 Census, but were still using the surname Young and not McNeal. David was working as a laborer in a tobacco factory.9<\/a><\/sup>1910 US Census Wilson.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Shortly after the 1910 census, it appears members of the McNeal family came to Durham, with Mary and son Charles listed in the Durham City Directory starting in 1911-12.10<\/a><\/sup>Durham, NC Directory 1911-1912<\/em> (Durham, NC: Hill Directory Company, 1911-1912) p. 203, McNeal surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https:\/\/lib.digitalnc.org\/record\/25154<\/a> : accessed 11 Jan 2023).<\/span> David first appears with his mother in the 1917 Durham City Directory at 509 Elliott Ave., where his mother ran a boarding house until her death in 1931.11<\/a><\/sup>Durham, NC Directory 1917<\/em> (Durham, NC: Hill Directory Company, 1917) p. 300, McNeal surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https:\/\/lib.digitalnc.org\/record\/25155<\/a> : accessed 11 Jan 2023). David registered for the draft for WWI in 1917 from Durham; however, much of his registration information appears inconsistent with other research findings, including a birthdate in 1887, a birth location of Chattanooga TN and his status as married.13<\/a><\/sup>Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/16196747:6482<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. Original data: United States, Selective Service System. World War I Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M1509, 4,582 rolls. Imaged from Family History Library microfilm.<\/span> This registration lists him as a short and stout man with brown eyes and black hair, working as a laborer for Dixon (the 1917 Durham City Directory lists one potential Durham employer, the Dixon Bros. grocery on Vickers Avenue).14<\/a><\/sup>Durham, NC Directory 1917<\/em> (Durham, NC: Hill Directory Company, 1917) p. 55, Dixon surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https:\/\/lib.digitalnc.org\/record\/25155<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023).<\/span> In June of 1918, David was sent to Camp Zachary Taylor in Louisville KY and placed as a private in Company 8 of the 2nd Development Battalion of the 159th Depot Brigade.15<\/a><\/sup>Camp Taylor: https:\/\/louisvillefuture.com\/archived-news\/the-history-of-camp-taylor-from-wwi-military-camp-to-working-class-neighborhood\/<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. In October of 1920, David was mentioned in an article in the Durham Morning Herald<\/em> that discussed the plight of African-American veterans of WWI, and mentioned a serious heart condition that David had developed from his service.18<\/a><\/sup>\u201cEx-Service Man Is Campaign Booster,\u201d Durham Morning Herald<\/em> (Durham, NC), 31 Oct 1920, p. 2. https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/image\/788348128\/<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023.<\/span> In November of 1920, David married Rebecca Daniel in Durham. The marriage application was made by William Young, likely David\u2019s half-brother. Rebecca was the daughter of William and Susan Daniel of Philadelphia PA.19<\/a><\/sup>Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/7279001:60548<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.<\/span> In the 1922 Durham City Directory, David and Rebecca are listed living separately on Elliott Street: David at 112 and Rebecca at 509.20<\/a><\/sup>Durham, NC Directory 1922<\/em> (Durham, NC: Hill Directory Company, 1922) p. 342, McNeal surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https:\/\/lib.digitalnc.org\/record\/25156<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n After 1920, everything we know about David is filtered through the prism of white newspapers\u2019 racially-inflected reporting on Black criminality. He faced an array of charges in the span of two years, some of which were recounted in the local papers. David died on 5 December 1922 of a gunshot wound sustained in a gun battle with Charles Arrant, editor of Durham\u2019s Standard Advertiser<\/em>, the African American newspaper that would later be purchased by Louis Austin and rebranded as The Carolina Times<\/em>. The gun battle was reportedly over a woman that Arrant had raised and whom David was courting, a Miss Rosa Lee Walters. Arrant died on site, and David died two days later in Lincoln Hospital.21<\/a><\/sup>Gunfight: \u201cNegro Editor Killed in Gun Duel; Dave M\u2019Neill Injured,\u201d Durham Morning Herald<\/em> (Durham NC), 4 Dec 1922, p. 7. https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/image\/788345604\/<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. David\u2019s death certificate lists him as buried in Fayetteville in his native Cumberland County.22<\/a><\/sup>David McNeal death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Deaths, 1906-1930 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/997555:60090<\/a> : accessed 18 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina, Deaths, 1906-1930. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.<\/span> However, his remains must have been relocated to Geer Cemetery at some later point in time and the headstone erected. His headstone incorrectly lists his death a year (to the day) later than it occurred.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rebecca lived in Durham through at least 1926, but it is uncertain what became of her after that.23<\/a><\/sup>Hill Directory Co.’s (Incorporated) Durham, NC City Directory 1926<\/em> (Durham, NC: Hill Directory Company, 1926) p.360, McNeal surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https:\/\/lib.digitalnc.org\/record\/25133<\/a> : accessed 18 Jan 2023).<\/span> David\u2019s mother Mary lived in Durham until her death in 1931 from stomach cancer. Her death certificate lists her as buried in Fayetteville, NC, with the informant listed as Clara Johnson of Fayetteville, likely David\u2019s half-sister.24<\/a><\/sup>Mary McNeal death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/1276734:1121<\/a> : accessed 18 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.<\/span> David\u2019s half-brother Charles died in Durham in 1936, leaving a son, Charles McNeal Jr.25<\/a><\/sup>Charles Young Sr. death certificate (corrected): Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/1216516:1121<\/a> : accessed 20 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n BORN<\/strong>: 17 September 1890.27<\/a><\/sup>David McNeal headstone.<\/span> <\/p>\n
\n\n\n\nCedar Creek: 1900 US Census Cedar Creek: Year:\u00a01900<\/em>; Census Place:\u00a0Cedar Creek, Cumberland, North Carolina<\/em>; Roll:\u00a01191<\/em>; Page:\u00a012<\/em>; Enumeration District:\u00a00020<\/em>; FHL microfilm:\u00a01241191. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.<\/em> https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/56944386:7602<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data:\u00a0United States of America, Bureau of the Census.\u00a0Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.<\/span> His parents were James McNeal (b. ~1858) and Mary Hatwood McNeal (b. ~1861).2<\/a><\/sup>Parents\u2019 names: David McNeal marriage license: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/7279001:60548<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.<\/span> James was the son of Aaron McNeal and Hester McCall.3<\/a><\/sup>James McNeill marriage license: Ancestry.com.\u00a0North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011<\/em>\u00a0[database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/7258037:60548<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.<\/span> Aaron had died before the marriage of James and Mary in 1875 in Cedar Creek, Cumberland County, but Hester was still living. Mary was the daughter of Charles (Jim) Hatwood and Kate Edwards. Charles had died before the marriage of James and Mary in 1875, but Kate was still living as late as 1891, the date of Mary\u2019s second marriage.4<\/a><\/sup>James Young marriage license: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/4563039:60548<\/a> : accessed 9 Jan 2023. <\/em>Original data:\u00a0North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMartha: 1900 US Census Cedar Creek: Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedar Creek, Cumberland, North Carolina; Roll: 1191; Page: 12; Enumeration District: 0020; FHL microfilm: 1241191. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/56944386:7602<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data:\u00a0United States of America, Bureau of the Census.\u00a0Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.<\/span> David\u2019s father passed away before David\u2019s first birthday, and his mother remarried, to a man named James (a.k.a. Duncan) Young, on 30 May 1891 in Cumberland County.6<\/a><\/sup>Duncan Young marriage license: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/9702218:60548<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.<\/span> David\u2019s mother had at least four more children with Duncan Young: Clara (b. 1893), Charles (b. 1895), William (b. 1896) and Pattie\/Elizabeth (b. 1903). This blended family can be found in the 1900 Census living in Cedar Creek Township of Cumberland County under the surname Young.7<\/a><\/sup>Pattie can be found in the 1910 US Census Wilson: Year:\u00a01910; Census Place:\u00a0Wilson Ward 1, Wilson, North Carolina<\/em>; Roll:\u00a0T624_1137<\/em>; Page:\u00a018A<\/em>; Enumeration District:\u00a00117<\/em>; FHL microfilm:\u00a01375150. Ancestry.com.\u00a01910 United States Federal Census<\/em>\u00a0[database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/175889598:7884<\/a> : accessed 9 Jan 2023. Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page:\u00a0https:\/\/www.archives.gov\/research\/census<\/a>.
\n\n\n\nThe rest of the family is shown in the 1900 US Census Cedar Creek.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMary\u2019s death: North Carolina State Archives; Raleigh, North Carolina; North Carolina Death Certificates. Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976<\/em> [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/1276734:1121<\/a> : accessed 11 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.<\/span> Subsequent directories and census records show that David\u2019s brother James, sister Martha, half-siblings William and Elizabeth, and possibly other family members were also in the Durham area at some point. Much of the neighborhood the family lived in, known as Johnson\u2019s Bottom, has since been paved over with the Durham Freeway (Hwy 147). It was located roughly between Mangum and Roxboro Streets, underneath and just south of the freeway, and had some notoriety in the white newspapers of the time.12<\/a><\/sup>\u201cA bad section,\u201d according to the local newspaper: \u201cBig Raid Is Made by City Police on Whiskey Dealers,\u201d The Herald-Sun<\/em> (Durham, NC), 18 Nov 1928, p. 1. https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/image\/788434864<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nAssignment: “United States, Veterans Administration Master Index, 1917-1940,” database, FamilySearch (https:\/\/familysearch.org\/ark:\/61903\/3:1:3Q9M-CS1Y-KS1R-4?cc=2968245<\/a> : 8 August 2019), > image 1 of 1; citing NARA microfilm publication 76193916 (St. Louis: National Archives and Records Administration, 1985).<\/span> The Development Battalions of WW1 were \u201ca combination of a remedial physical training battalion and a \u2018medical holding\u2019 unit and a general training unit for service members who were not currently fit for full military service.”16<\/a><\/sup>https:\/\/www.reddit.com\/r\/AskHistorians\/comments\/540pxe\/does_anyone_have_information_on_the_7th\/<\/a> ; accessed 17 Jan 2023.<\/span> David was honorably discharged in September 1918 after only 2 months due to 10% disability, and returned to Durham.17<\/a><\/sup>Ancestry.com. North Carolina, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2019. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/49028:61958<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023. Original data: North Carolina, World War I Service Cards, 1917-1919. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: FamilySearch, 2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDeath: \u201cFamily Troubles Were Ironed Out,\u201d Durham Morning Herald<\/em> (Durham NC), 6 Dec 1922, p. 8. https:\/\/www.newspapers.com\/image\/788345840\/<\/a> : accessed 17 Jan 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nCharles Jr.: 1930 US Census: Year: 1930<\/em>; Census Place: Durham, Durham, North Carolina<\/em>; Page: 21B<\/em>; Enumeration District: 0010<\/em>; FHL microfilm: 2341421. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census<\/em> [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/77190211:6224<\/a> : accessed 18 Jan 2023. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.<\/span> Charles Sr. was also buried in Fayetteville. There is no indication that David had any children or direct descendants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/friendsofgeercemetery.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/david_mcneal_headstone-1024x1024.jpg\")
DIED<\/strong>: 5 December 1922.28<\/a><\/sup>David McNeal death certificate.<\/span>
BIRTH PLACE<\/strong>: Cedar Creek Township of Cumberland County, NC.29<\/a><\/sup>1900 US Census Cedar Creek.<\/span>
DEATH PLACE<\/strong>: Durham NC.30<\/a><\/sup>David McNeal death certificate.<\/span>
SPOUSE<\/strong>: Rebecca Daniel.31<\/a><\/sup>1930 US Census.<\/span>
PARENTS<\/strong>: James McNeal and Mary Hatwood.32<\/a><\/sup>David McNeal marriage license.<\/span>
CHILDREN<\/strong>: N\/A
OTHER FAMILY<\/strong>: \u00a0Half-brother Charles Young Sr.33<\/a><\/sup>Charles Young Sr. death certificate.<\/span>
FAMILY BURIED IN GEER CEMETERY<\/strong>: N\/A
OCCUPATION<\/strong>: Laborer.34<\/a><\/sup>David McNeal death certificate.<\/span>
CHURCH<\/strong>: N\/A
AFFILIATIONS<\/strong>: N\/A
ADDRESS<\/strong>: 112 Elliott.35<\/a><\/sup>Durham City Directory 1922.<\/span>
MILITARY SERVICE<\/strong>: Honorable discharge, 1918.36<\/a><\/sup>World War I Service Cards.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nNotes<\/h3>
\n\n\n\nCedar Creek: 1900 US Census Cedar Creek: Year:\u00a01900<\/em>; Census Place:\u00a0Cedar Creek, Cumberland, North Carolina<\/em>; Roll:\u00a01191<\/em>; Page:\u00a012<\/em>; Enumeration District:\u00a00020<\/em>; FHL microfilm:\u00a01241191. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.<\/em> https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/56944386:7602<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data:\u00a0United States of America, Bureau of the Census.\u00a0Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.<\/div><\/li>
\n\n\n\nMartha: 1900 US Census Cedar Creek: Year: 1900; Census Place: Cedar Creek, Cumberland, North Carolina; Roll: 1191; Page: 12; Enumeration District: 0020; FHL microfilm: 1241191. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. https:\/\/www.ancestry.com\/discoveryui-content\/view\/56944386:7602<\/a> : accessed 8 Jan 2023. Original data:\u00a0United States of America, Bureau of the Census.\u00a0Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900<\/em>. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.<\/div><\/li>