Jane McGuffin Neal Recknor

Was born in Ireland in 1811. She was Scotch-Irish. She was considered the Matriarch of the families. She was first married to Joseph Neal until he was killed in a hold-up trying to protect his family and property from outlaws.

Joseph had been married before and had five children, Joe born about 1825, Jesse born about 1826, William (Willis) Benjamin born about 1829, Thomas Franklin born about 1831 and George Washington Neal born about 1833.

Jane McGuffin and Joseph Neal were married Nov 13, 1845. Witnesses were: S.A. Eason and A. Nabours.

According to their court recorded marriage papers (Many, Sabine Parish, LA. Deed Book A pg 258 filed 13/11/1845) on this Nov.13,1845 they wished to officially celebrate their marriage by Judge W.R.D. Speight and they acknowledged Menerva Evalina Neal and William Neal as their children. Jane was pregnant with their third child, Susan Frances Neal, born June 18, 1846, when Joseph was killed on December 9, 1845.

December 12,1845, Jane McGuffin Neal had to petition the courts for permission to keep and raise her own children and Joseph’s from a previous marriage.

On December 12, 1845 an inventory was ordered of all properties, land and personal. Lists were also made of all personal properties. Some of which are listed below:

31 head of cattle............................$ 170.50

Roane mare....................................30.00

1 gray colt.....................................10.00

6 head of sheep..................................9.00

1 Sorrell mare..................................55.00

1 brown mare....................................40.00

35 hogs.........................................61.00

4 goats..........................................7.00

100 bushels of corn............................100.00

300 lbs of fodder................................3.00

1 wagon & 2 chains..............................50.00

2 yokes of oxen.................................60.00

800 lbs of fodder................................4.00

10 acres of land................................20.00

20 acres of land................................40.00                                                 Home plantation of 25 acres....................100.00

3 pairs if geers & 3 plows......................10.00

3000 bales of cotton........................... 37.50

100 bushels of sweet potatoes...................25.00

Household furnishings and cooking utensils.....140.00

3 guns..........................................18.00

2saddles.........................................3.00

600 planks...................................    9.00  

                                             $1012.20

On January 12, 1846 the courts held what they called a “family meeting”. Notifications were sent out by Sabine Parish Judge W.R.D. Speight (husband of Amanda McGuffin) The “family meeting” was composed of, Alexander Biles, John Ford, Patrick Dillon, William Phillips and Samuel J. McCurdy. It is unknown at this time how Amanda McGuffin (Speight Lightfoot) was related to Jane McGuffin. Others mentioned in the “family meeting” succession papers were the local justices, or prominent citizens which consisted of, Judge William R.D. Speight, William E. Phillips, appraiser Samuel McCurdy, William Herring, Patrick Dillon, S.A. Eason, John Ford, Francis Marion Eldridge (husband of Susan Frances McGuffin) deed recorder John Baldwin, Thomas Hargrove, James Gray, A. Nabors (Neighbors) appraiser A. Burke and Jane’s court appointed attorney A. Biles.

Jane McGuffin and Joseph Neal could neither read nor write.

According to the succession papers there were no female family members notified to attend the “family meeting”.

It was strictly business. This was “man’s work.” These were the ones that would tell Jane McGuffin Neal what she could or could not do with her and Joseph’s property. They told her that it would be “advantageous” for, and in the best interest of, her and the children to sell all properties.

The property was then used for the few outstanding debts. Some of the property went to the people that “advised” her to sell; A. Nabors, S.A. Eason, John Herring and John Baldwin among others.

Jane sold the commissary (store) that she and Joseph had owned, in Many, Sabine Parish, Louisiana. The earliest record I have of him owning the commissary is 1843. He was also listed in the 1840 Natchitoches Parish, (Sabine Parish, Many, was established in 1843) Louisiana census. Joseph never changed his location. The parish (county) lines changed. After Jane and Joseph were married they ran the store together. The very same store he was killed in on December 9, 1845.

Joseph and Jane had sold off the other properties before he died. It is important to note that when searching through the old Deed and Platt records at the Sabine Parish, Many, Louisiana Courthouse there were many Deed and Platt records were missing. I was told by both, the tax office and the county clerk’s office that many of the deeds and Platt records had been stolen in the 1800's.

In 1848 Jane McGuffin Neal married David Recknor, the owner of the saloon across the street from the Neal Commissary. They had three more children, Robert J. born about 1850, Josephine (JE) born about 1853 and J.W. Recknor born about 1859.

In 1861 David sold his saloon, and others properties to John Baldwin and others, and moved to Keechi, Leon County, Texas. He took barrels of whiskey from his saloon to Texas to trade for land. 

Jane McGuffin Neal Recknor was a hard working, fun loving and well liked woman.

Quote from Jane McGuffin Neal Recknor: “Bury me in a Mulberry coffin so I can go through hell a poppin”. (Mulberries pop when thrown into a fire) She lived to be almost 100 years of age.

Note: Joseph Neal had eight living children.

Note: Jane McGuffin Neal Recknor had eleven living children including step-children.

Note: Jane McGuffin Neal Recknor had a brother named John Hugh McGuffin.