Calling All Kin
By Deborah Scott Brooks dsb1020@comcast.net

DeVeaux- Neal descendants from Columbia, Eastover, Hopkins, and Sumter are "Calling All Kin" to the DeVeaux- Neal Reunion Rally on Sunday, October 26, 2008. This Reunion Rally will begin with the family's participation in the 11 am Worship Services at First Nazareth Baptist Church, 2351 Gervais Street, Columbia, SC 29204, followed by a meet & greet dinner in the church's fellowship hall. The pastor, Rev. Dr. Blakely Scott, is also a member of the DeVeaux- Neal family.

The name of "Rally" is given to this activity because the DeVeaux- Neal family has not held a family reunion since 1996 and a "rallying call" is being sent forth to all kindred to re- unite. The hope is that family members will relish this opportunity to take a nostalgic look at the past and celebrate their heritage through this gathering. During the Meet & Greet, a charge will be made to locate all known kin. Also, discussions will begin about planning for a three- day DeVeaux- Neal Family Reunion to be held in Columbia in 2009.

The written history that goes back to the early 1800s tells that Jim and Tina DeVeaux were first brought from a French possession in Africa to Charleston. The family, including eight children, was purchased by plantation owner, John Neal, who lived in what was then called Kingville (now Eastover, SC). After Emancipation, six of the eight children kept the DeVeaux name and two sons assumed the Neal name.

There are clear records for three of Jim and Tina's sons: Josh DeVeaux purchased land and remained in the Eastover, SC area; Caleb Neal purchased a large amount of land after migrating to Sumter, SC; and Ephraim Neal migrated to Hopkins, SC, becoming a large landowner.

Family descendants have and are making contributions to society in several fields. Some of the names that are locally recognized are

• Columbia City Council member Tameka Isaac Devine • S.C. State Representative Joe Neal • Rev. Dr.'s Albert A. Neal • Blakely Scott III • Choatte R. Neal Sr. (late) • Jesse W. Neal Sr. (late) • J.P. Neal, Sr. (late) • J.P. Neal, Jr. and • Westbury H. Neal (late) • Drs. Green B. Neal • Dr. Sarah Prioleau Montgomery • Attorney Vicki Baldwin •Attorney Oscar Prioleau, Jr. • Katie Neal Briggs • Joshua DeVeaux, Jr. • John Furgess • Linda Neal Jones • Gene Neal • Mina Scott Barnes • Enoch DeVeaux • Josh W. Neal, III • Oscar Prioleau, Sr.