Macneil, Macneal, MacNeil, McNeill and many other ways of spelling the name, are one and the same family. Due to lack of education, officials and census takers spelled the names of people in their own fashion. Siice McNeill is the most used spelling today by most families, I will use it in this record when referring to Neill McNeill and others.

The first McNeill in North Carolina was Neill McNeill of Jura, Scotland, according to Robert H. McNeill of Washington, D, C., past President of the Clan McNeill Association. Old records have proven this true. The line started with Neil of the Nine Hostages in Ireland about 400 A.D. The Isle of Barra, Outer Hebrides, Scotland, was the ancient seat of Macneil of Barra, Chief of the Clan Macneil. The Castle Kissmul on Castle Bay was built in the 9th Century by Murdiacdh Roderic MacNeil, the first one designated Macneil of Barra, in the old Scottish Archives. The old watchtower on the Isle of Erisga was built in the 2th Century during the last war with the King of Norway. The castle and tower still stand on the rocky and stormy coast of Scotland. Neill McNeill is the one we will treat with in this book, not only because he was the colonizer, but because so many families of Smith, Blue, Graham and McKeithen married into the McNeill families. The Highlanders, as they have been called, were mostly island people who came over with Neil McNeil and founded their settlement long before the battle of Culloden. In fact the village at Cross Creek was founded 15 years before that battle. They did not leave Scotland because they were driven out, but because of hardships at home and the differerences they had with the crown. These people were proud, self contained and conservative people. They were sheep and cattle raisers. Neill McNeill came to North Carolina under the patronage of the Duke of Ar gyle, under whose banners his people fought. Much has been written about the settlement of the area. Several books have been written about the McNeill family. Malcolm Fowler has done extensive research on the McNeills and he said to sort them out would soon put one in a mental institution —  so many and named the same. His book "History of Harnett County" or "They Passed this Way" makes very entertaining and good reading, for his wit and keen sense of humor shows throughout the book.

Another writer has "done herself proud" with her books. She is Inglis Fletcher. She has written much on the Scotch Settlement and stayed with facts and people to a certain degree. While most of her books are pure fiction, they make very entertaining reading. The delightful play "Highland Call" written by Paul Green of Chapel Hill, about Jennet Smith, known as Jennie Bahn McNeill, is outstanding.

Jennie Bahn McNeill was the daughter of John Smith and a sister of Malcom Smith, She married Archibald "Scrubblin" McNeill grandson of Neill McNeill the colonizer.

In 1729 the King of England purchased the Province of North Carolina, except for one share owned by the Earl of Granville. Just prior to this purchase settlement was made on the Cape Fear River.

There is a plaque to the NcNeills in Red Springs, N.C. placed there May 20 1928. "McNei1ls of Macneil of Barra - 46th hereditary Chief of Clan McNeiil and laird of Kissmul Castle. Malcolm McEeill present Chief of Clan McNeill of America; Neill NcNeill editor of New York Times; Governor Angus W. McLean, descendant. 1735 — Scotch gentleman, Neil explored as early as 1720. First settlement in area said to be Choeffenington (near Linden), Cumberland Co. Bladen became peopled with NcNeills. Across the river from the legendary town another settlement arose with in the valley of N. C. True that Flora McDonald was there for a while, but Jennie Bahn was to N. C. what Flora had been to Scotland.

Some of her land was on both sides of Little River. The plantation house was not far from where Barbeaue Church was to be established, near a place that was to be called later, McCormick's Bridge. Jennie Bahn was educated to a degree equal with the men of her time. Had beauty and charm. Surveyed her own land in her own manner and fashion. Was head of the aristocracy of Cape Fear area, being the richest and most influencial woman in the settlement. Her favorite son, if she had one, was Malcom, he accompanied her on her trips to Philadelphia. She was a good friend of Benjamin Franklin. Once she was settled at the tavern, it is said that he always came to call. He adrnired her wit and good humor.

As a power in the valley she did about as she pleased. Riding astride the finest horse in the area, she drove her cattle to market with the help of her Sons and slaves. She was not only ambitious about her cattle, but in the acquiring of land. She bought Sproul Ferry property, later called McNeill’s Ferry. She tricked the Sprouls into selling. When she wanted something she used any means available to get it. Her estate covered 20,000 acres more or less - after her death it took years to settle the boundries of her land.

A description of Jerinie Bahn - bahn meaning bonnie or fair one in Gaelic —  from all accounts deserved the name for she was reported to have had very fair skin, red hair, pretty and petite. She must have been adored by her sons, otherwise they would not have gone to so much trouble to get her tombstone.

From all indications Jennie Bahn remained neutral during the war, or It may have been that her son, Malcom, who was the only Whig among her sons, and her brother, Malcom Smith and his family who were also Whigs, came to her aid. She was too good a businesswoman and loved her possessons too much to jepoardize loosing an acre of her land. Which ever way the war went she was safe - one son for the Whigs and the others were Tories holding various ranks in the British Army.

When Jennje Bahn died her sons looked around for a suitable marker for her grave, finding none that would please them, they sent to Scotland for one. After five years it finally arrived. It was a ten foot shaft of stone surmounting a triple base. The first stone being eight feet square and three feet thick. During the unloading it was dropped overoard. The only way to and from the water level of the river was by steps cut into the clay of the steep banks. There was no way to hoist this heavy load up the steep bank, so it lay for a century in the mud, embedded by its weight. It was finally found and has been placed in its proper place. There are so many amusing stories about the McNeills and Jennie Bahn, but I cannot tell them in this book. They are not mine -they belong to those who have searched for them. I would suggest that if you can find a copy, read "Highland Call" by Paul Green, the Pulitzer prize winner.

Children were:

Neill McNeill b N. C, m Grisella Stewart dau of Robert and Neglina McNeill Stewart. He was a Tory Captain.