My Alexander is my 6th great grandfather (Thomas S. Neeley(me), Thomas Neeley, Thomas D. Neeley, William T. Neely, Alexander C. Neely, James Neely, John Neely, Alexander Neely).
I believe my Alexander to have been born in the 1740’s. I believe he was married in 1765 to Margaret Montgomery born between 1742-1748 in Augusta (Botetourt) VA. Maragret had a sister Mary who married Hugh Bell.
Draper writes in “The Life of Daniel Boone”. “Daniel Boone and his brother left the Cumberland Valley in March 1771 and, with horses laden with furs, set their faces homeward. On the ordinary occurrences of such a journey through a howling, inhospitable wilderness, it is not necessary to dwell. Reaching Powell’s Valley perhaps in May, and tarrying to obtain a supply of meat, Squire Boone went out alone on horseback, as hunters often go, and espied at a distance a singular appearing being. Approaching him with caution, Boone recognized in him his old friend Alexander Neely. But how changed, how haggard his appearance! His simple story explained it all. He had come out with a party of hunters who camping in Powell’s Valley, near Cumberland Gap, to hunt awhile, he had strayed off and got lost,…..”
.”this narrative of Neely’s getting lost in Powell’s Valley has been derived from the late Hugh F. Bell, who was a brother-in-law of Neely’s: Gen. William Hall, who had the facts from Neely himself, and from the venerable Isaiah Boone, a surviving son of Squire Boone. After his trip with the Long Hunters, Neely returned to New River, from which, in 1785 he removed to the Cumberland country. “
Another reason I believe my Alexander to be the hunter with the Boones is:
“Pike County History” by Jess M. Thompson records that “Among the early comers to Boone settlement in the Detroit township were the Neeleys (or Neelys) native to the Yadkin region of North Carolina. Joseph Neeley (Alexander’s son) and his wife Elizabeth wer in what is now Detroit Township as early as 1825….. These Neeley’s were old friends of the Boone Family. They had been like one family on the Yadkin. It was Samuel Alexander Neeley, kinsman of the Pike county Neeley’s, who, in the winter of 1769-1770 accompanied Squire Boone into the Wilderness of Kentucky in search for Squire’s brother Daniel…” “Joseph Neeley’s a son, Samuel A., named for the kinsman who accompanied Squire Boone…”
My Alexander who may be named Samuel Alexander was killed in 1790 near Bledsoes Lick TN (now Castleton Springs).
Given these and other stories I believe my Alexander to be the Boone hunting companion. I have been searching for Alexander’s ancestors for quite some time. At one time I wondered if my Alexander was the son of your Richard but have not been able to make the link. However if you have proof of Richards Alexander’s death or other family information then that would end that line of speculation.
I have also wondered if my Alexander is the off spring of one of these brothers, children of Robert Neely and Isabel.
1. James Neely b abt 1713 Ireland d 1772 Va married Jane Grimes
2. Alexander Neely b abt 1702 Ireland d 1768? possibly buried in Goodwill Church Montgomery NY
3. Samuel Neely b abt 1704 Ireland
4. John Neely b abt 1715 Ireland d 1778 Botetourt Va.
These brothers were listed as Freeholders for Shawengongh (Neelytown NY) and obtained grants in Botetourt County VA (Augusta) in the 1750’s.