Lillie Neal Scott talks on her first telephone in 1948. Ephraim Neal and his family left the Neal Plantation in Kingsville after the mid- 1800s. Approximately 150 years later, there has been a cyber- connection between a descendant of the plantation owner, Jackie Neal, and a descendant of once- enslaved Ephraim (b. 1844). Both families agree the connection is a wonderful encounter.

One wonders what feelings were exchanged between Ephraim and Jackie Neal upon Emancipation, upon departure. It is said the plantation owner was a kind person. Perhaps because Jackie Neal was orphaned at an early age, his pain created a heart with great empathy.

Descendants of both families wondered why Ephraim Neal migrated to Hopkins while his brother, Joshua DeVeaux (b. 1840), remained and eventually purchased a large portion of what was once the 900- acre plantation. The handed- down story of the area between the Wateree and Congaree Rivers has missing links, but those who are now gone cannot be asked about it. Even if we could ask, the ancestors might still have a policy of "Don't ask; don't tell."

Lillie Neal Scott talks on her first telephone in 1948. Cyber connections were highly essential in making a DeVeaux- Neal family reunion possible on October 26, 2008. Computerized ancestry searches and emails brought almost 200 kinfolks between the ages of six months to 103 years together. There was the usual "Hugs & Kisses" session but also opportunities to discuss the importance of knowing family health history as possible preventive measures.

A cyber communication with a Kingsville activist provided information that was relayed at the reunion regarding an environmental issue which now threatens the health of residents as well as the preservation of our history. Cousin J.P. Neal Jr. stated, "As terrible as that part of our history was, it is our heritage. Our kin and our land in the area is now being threatened by what is considered unsafe industrial practices."

Perhaps the explanation of Ephraim's migration may be somewhere in Cousin Johnny Neal's emails. His information spurs the drive to conduct more research via the World Wide Web or by viewing microfilm at the archives. There is that one fact which would finally complete the connection of some dots that are more than just coincidental.

Dots - - A recent Columbia Star article referenced a slave, Heger, being left $5 annually in Hicks Chappell's will. Cousin Johnny often refers to Aunt Hagar (b. 1835) in his emails. Now, the land on which the Hicks Chappell plantation house once stood adjoins land where the house of Aunt Hagar (Heger) Alston once stood. Within a few feet of Aunt Hagar's house is where Big Mamma Charlotte Sumter Carter's (b. 1855) house was located.

Family members have passed down that both Hagar and Charlotte came from the Hicks Chappell plantation, and many strongly believe there is a kin connection between these two mulattoes. If one proceeds eastward from the Hagar/Charlotte houses, along the trail along that known creek, there lies the land belonging to Ephraim Neal.

If one proceeds westward from those houses, there still sits the historic Harriet Barber (b. 1831) house. Ephraim Neal's son, Jesse (b. 1870), married Charlotte's daughter, Minnie, and Sam Barber's (b. 1806) son, John (1872- 1957), married Charlotte's daughter, Mamie. Sam Barber and Ephraim Neal both have a Virginia connection and a Kingsville connection.

Plantation owners Threewits/Hicks Chappell and Stephen DeVeaux had business associations - - end of dots.

It would not be surprising if a business transaction between these plantation owners involved our ancestors, or maybe Aunt Hagar sent word to Kingsville that Ephraim and Sam should come and reunite in Hopkins - - - "Blessed be the ties that bind."