Matthew Neely

7) Matthew Neely (~1631) - The Matthew Neely records seem to indicate two Matthew Neelys. One was born about 1631 and the other about 1640 according to LDS records. This seems to be corroborated by the Derry Cathedral record of Matthew Neely's marriage to Kathrine Rankin (15) on October 28, 1665 and the LDS record of Matthew Neely's marriage to Catherine Lyon (16) on November 14, 1665. There is also a LDS record of Matthew Neely (14) being married about 1662, but without listing the wife's name. The 1666 Hearth Money Roll records show a Matthew Neely of Templemore, Donegal. I have a theory which fits these records, but no way to know if it is correct. It is that the earliest Matthew (7) born in 1631 was the son of William (1) and was first married in 1662. There is a Derry Cathedral record that William Neely (named for grandfather ?) was born to Matthew and christened 8 July, 1663. My theory is that his wife died and he married Kathrine Rankin on 3 December, 1665 according to Derry Cathedral. Of course he could have married Catherine Lyon instead, but I am betting since his son's christening was registered in the Derry Cathedral, he would have done the same for his second marriage. The other Matthew Neely (13), was born about 1640 according to LDS records and married Catherine Lyon on 14 November, 1665 (LDS record) as a matter of elimination. The unanswered question is where did he come from, which I will speculate on in the section on James Neely (10).