O'Neal Family Papers, PC.5158
Abstract
The O'Neal Family historically resided in the Chicamacomico Banks settlement of North Carolina, in the same area as present-day Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo. Materials in this collection primarily relate to Rinaldo O'Neal (1826-1866), who served as commissioner of wrecks for the Chicamacomico Banks/northern Cape Hatteras area starting in 1861. The O'Neal Family Papers, 1831-1885 and undated, documents multiple members of the O'Neal Family. The papers primarily consist of financial records and official records, such as deeds and surveys, but a small amount of correspondence is included.
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- O'Neal Family Papers
- Call Number
- PC.5158
- Creator
- O'Neal family
- Date
- 1831-1885 and undated
- Extent
- 0.300 cubic feet, 0.200 cubic feet
- Language
- English
- Repository
- Outer Banks History Center
Restrictions on Access & Use
Access Restrictions
Available for research.
Use Restrictions
Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as
stipulated by the United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers
are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well
as any donor restrictions accompanying these materials.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], PC.5158, O'Neal Family Papers, Outer Banks History Center,
Manteo, NC, U.S.A.
Collection Overview
The O'Neal Family Papers, 1831-1885 and undated, documents multiple members of the
O'Neal Family of Chicamacomico Banks, N.C. The papers primarily consist of financial
records and official records, such as deeds and surveys, but a small amount of correspondence
is also included.
The shipwreck records, 1831-1880, relate to claims and disputes lodged in cases of
shipwrecks in the Chicamacomico Banks area. These include official protests filed
by Captain Jacob Smith (1831) and Captain Albury (1842) regarding wrecks north of
Cape Hatteras; surveys of wrecks of the Cordelia Johnson of New York (1857), the Harmony of Scarborough, England (1859), the B.F. Martin (1861), and the Xiphias of St. John, New Brunswick (1862); an adjudication regarding a salvage claim filed
by Ezekiel Hooper for lumber washed ashore; and an 1861 certificate of appointment
naming Rinaldo M. O'Neal commissioner of wrecks.
Financial records, receipts, and invoices, 1849-1883 and undated, largely comprise
receipts and inventories for goods purchased by members of the O'Neal family, including
trades (such as a circa 1855 trade by Rinaldo O'Neal for hardware and supplies in
exchange for six barrels of bluefish). Also included is a statement to Aaron O'Neal
(1870) for 36 days work at $18 per month.
Deeds and land records, 1853-1885, document land purchased or inherited by members
of the O'Neal family. All land purchased was located in Chicamacomico Banks, and most
of the land was deeded to Rinaldo O'Neal.
Tax Receipts, 1857-1883, were issued to members of the O'Neal family to reflect payment
of their taxes in a given year. Most of the receipts were issued to Eliza O'Neal,
but receipts for Jacob and Daily O'Neal are also included.
Vital Records, circa 1866-1881, comprise a statement of Rinaldo O'Neal's birth and
death dates, a Dare County Superior Court adoption order naming William Rebecca M.
Pugh Midgett (daughter of Calenda A.S. Midgett) daughter of S.M. Pugh and Wm. R.M.
Pugh, and a will of S.M. Pugh naming his wife Wm. R.M. Pugh and niece Wm. Rebecca
Pugh Midgett his wife's namesake.
Correspondence, 1871-1883 and undated, contains letters received by various members
of the O'Neal family, including an 1871 letter fragment addressed to Daily O'Neal,
a notice to Mariah O'Neal regarding public school in Chicamacomico Banks, an 1875
verse written by Daily O'Neal, a jury summons for Jacob O'Neal, a letter from D.S.
Meekins of Kinnakeet to B.S. Pugh requesting a berth for his station, a letter from
Tilman F. Smith of Hatteras to Jacob O'Neal requesting use of O'Neal's boat, a letter
from Phebe O. Midgett at W.S. Lifesaving Station No. 20 to her mother, a letter from
the U.S. Department of the Interior to the widow of George W. Midget (late Private
Co. H 1st N.C. Infantry) denying her pension due to her remarriage, and several undated calling
cards.
Arrangement Note
Chronological by content
Chronological.
Biographical/Historical
Contents of the Collection
Subject Headings
Acquisitions Information
Donated by William C. Woolridge on behalf of Helen Spivey O'Neal, August 2004.