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Table of Contents
Oney Cypress Randal
Son of John Bull and Hanna Harvey, Oney Cypress Randal (obviously named for Hannah's brother, Onesiphorus “Oney Scyprett” Harvey) was born February 5, 1796 in North Carolina; and moved to Franklin County, Georgia (prior to 1807) with his parents.
The origin on the name “Oney Cypress”
Was Oney Cypress “really” his name?
The short answer is… not exactly. Nor was “Oney Scyprett” correct. During the early 1700's, words were often spelled by “sounding” them out. But in this case, a single Biblical name had morphed into two names.
Both Oney Cypress Randal and his Uncle, “Oney Scyprett” Harvey, were named in honor of Hanna Harvey's Great Grandfather, Onesiphorus Harvey (1677-1732). Onesiphorus Harvey was the first Harvey in our line to make the journey from England to the colonies.
The name Onesiphorus may not have been as popular as other Biblical names such as Matthew, Mark, and Mary, but that’s most likely to it’s five-syllable pronunciation or the problems the spelling would cause. The Biblical Onesiphorus was a personal friend of the Apostle Paul… and a great blessing to him. Onesiphorus lived up to his name, which means “bringing profit.”
Onesiphorus is only mentioned twice in the Bible, both times in the Epistle of 2 Timothy. Early in the Epistle, Paul writes a prayer of blessing upon Onesiphorus: “May the Lord show mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me. May the Lord grant that he will find mercy from the Lord on that day! You know very well in how many ways he helped me in Ephesus” (2 Timothy 1:16–18). At the end of the letter, Paul sends greetings to “the household of Onesiphorus” (2 Timothy 4:19).
These two passages convey all we know about Onesiphorus’s background: 1) he was from Ephesus, where Paul had founded a church (Acts 19:1–10); 2) his whole family were believers; and 3) in Ephesus, he had helped Paul “in many ways.”
Paul wrote 2 Timothy from a Roman prison cell. It was a difficult time for the apostle, made more difficult by trusted friends who abandoned him in his hour of need. “You know that everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes” (2 Timothy 1:15). In stark contrast to these deserters was Onesiphorus, who stayed with Paul through thick and thin. In fact, Onesiphorus went out of his way to track Paul down and visit him in prison. In doing so, Onesiphorus showed great personal courage—it was dangerous to be called a Christian in Rome in those days—and compassion for the apostle.
According to Orthodox tradition, Onesiphorus was one of the seventy disciples chosen and sent by Jesus to preach. They were chosen some time after the selection of the Twelve Apostles (Luke 10:1-24). Saint Onesiphorus was bishop at Colophon (Asia Minor), and later at Corinth. Both the Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches hold that he died a martyr in the city of Parium (not far from Ephesus) on the shores of the Hellespont.
Ultimately, because the name Onesiphorus is relatively rare, its repetitive use (and variations of it) in our family line helps us confirm our lineage.
Records indicate that Oney C. Randal volunteered to serve in the 5th Regiment, North Carolina Militia (Commanded by Lt. Col. Richard Atkinson, 1st Major Simpson Shaw, 2nd Major Benjamin Elliott) during the “War of 1812” as a “Private” (in 1812 Oney was 16 years old, but he may have joined at a later point in the war).
U.S., War of 1812 Service Records, 1812-1815
Name: Oney C Randal
Company: 5 REG'T (ATKINSON'S) NORTH CAROLINA MIL.
Rank - Induction: PRIVATE
Rank - Discharge: PRIVATE
Roll Box: 171
Microfilm Publication: M602
Original data: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Index to the Compiled Military Service Records for the Volunteer Soldiers Who Served During the War of 1812. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration. M602, 234 rolls.
In order to confirm that Oney C. Randal was discharged by “furnishing a substitute”, one would need to examine the complete service record. However, this would explain why Oney’s name does not appear on any of the Muster Roles I’ve seen for that Regiment.
The “War of 1812” lasted from June 1812 – February 1815. It began when Oney as 16 years old and lasted until the month that he turned 19. One could speculate that Oney (who was a teenager at the time) may have volunteered without the consent of his father… who then “furnished a substitute” in order to get Oney out of the military.
In 1817, Oney Cypress Randal (approx. age 21) married Susanna(h) “Sukey” W. Wilkins (age 17) in Franklin County, Georgia. Susannah W. Wilkins, daughter of Charles Smith Wilkins and Elizabeth Puryear, was born on or about Jan. 6, 1800 in Rutherford, North Carolina.
Oney Cypress Randal and Susannah W. Wilkins had the following children:
- Elizabeth M. Randal (January 28, 1818 - May 6, 1881) Born in Franklin County, Georgia, died in Grubb Springs, Monroe, Mississippi.1)
- James Ronald Randal (August 7, 1819 - May 27, 1887)2)
- William (Billy) Randal (Dec. 22, 1820 - 1894)3)
- Martha Patsy Randal (Oct. 26, 1822 - 1885)
- Eliza B. Randal (November 06, 1824 - 1906) Born in Franklin Co., GA. Eliza married John Robinson Smith on Sept. 21, 1843 in Franklin, Co., GA.
- Sina “Sinie” Bethel Randal (Nov. 13, 1826 - May 22, 1876)
- Leonard Randle (born October 19, 1828 in Franklin Co., GA. He died between 1850-1854).
- Albert Gallatin Randle (September 2, 1831 - February 21, 1906)
- Anderson Smith Randal was born April 1, 1833 in Franklin Co., GA. He was likely named in honor of Susannah's brother, Anderson Smith Wilkins. Anderson Smith Randal married Sophia Mitchell on August 26, 1852 in Franklin Co., GA. Sophia died July 20, 1900.
- Lewis (or Louis) H. Randal was born April 11, 1835 in Franklin Co., GA. Lewis married Louisa T. Rickey on May 3, 1857 in Franklin, Co., GA.
- Charles W. Randal was born May 12, 1837 in Franklin Co., GA. And moved to Alabama.
- Ira Wilbur Randal (May 4, 1839 - May 15, 1898)
- Susanna(h) Jane Randal (October 5, 1842 - November 5, 1883)
- Hannah N. Randal (March 3, 1845 - March 23, ????)
- Oney (Onie) Pickney Randal (October 14, 1847 - June 1, 1896).
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Because rapid transportation was still in its infancy during the early 1800s, most Southerners ate what they grew or hunted locally. Corn, beans and vegetables were common, along with pork. In the north, cows provided milk, butter, and beef, while in the south, where cattle were less common, venison and other game provided meat. Preserving food at that time, before the era of refrigeration, required smoking, drying, or salting meat. Vegetables were kept in a root cellar or pickled.
In 1812, American author Washington Irving refers to St. Nicholas as “— riding over the tops of the trees, in that self-same wagon wherein he brings his yearly presents to children” in the revised version of “A Complete History of New York” written under the pseudonym Diedrich Knickerbocker. Yet no mention is made of what propels the wagon. So where did the story of flying reindeer originate?The first known written account of reindeer in association with Santa Claus occurred in 1821. That year, New York printer William Gilley published a sixteen page booklet titled “A New Year's Present, to the Little Ones from Five to Twelve Number III : The Children's Friend” by an anonymous author. In the book, flying reindeer are introduced into the Santa Claus narrative (although the image in the booklet depicts only ONE reindeer) as well as cementing the idea of a “sleigh” (rather than a wagon) through an image appearing in the book:
Old Santeclaus with much delight
His reindeer drives this frosty night.
O'er chimneytops, and tracks of snow,
To bring his yearly gifts to you.
During an 1822 interview, New York's Troy Sentinel editor Orville L. Holley questioned Mr. Gilley regarding the booklet's author and the topic of reindeer. Though he did not identify the author, Mr. Gilley responded:
“Dear Sir, the idea of Santeclaus was not mine nor was the idea of a reindeer. The author of the tale but submitted the piece, with little added information. However, it should be noted that he did mention the reindeer in a subsequent correspondence. He stated that far in the north near the Arctic lands a series of animals exist, these hooven and antlered animals resemble the reindeer and are feared and honored by those around, as you see he claims to have heard they could fly from his mother. His mother being an Indian of the area.”
Also in 1822, Clement Clarke Moore wrote “A Visit From St. Nicholas,” commonly known as “The Night Before Christmas,” for his six children, with no intention of adding to the Santa Claus phenomenon. It was published anonymously the following year (1823) in the “Troy Sentinel”. The poem features, for the first time, EIGHT flying reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh… and they're all identified by name:
When what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled and shouted and called them by name;
“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Dunder and Blixem!
To the top of the porch, to the top of the wall!
Now, dash away, dash away, dash away all!”
Though originally called 'Dunder and Blixem' in the 1823 publication, Santa's seventh and eighth reindeer are commonly known as 'Donner and Blitzen' today. Dunder and Blixem are Dutch words that translate to thunder and lightning. Some 19th and 20th century publications of the poem substituted the names 'Donder and Blitzen', which are German for thunder and lightning, and in other articles during the 20th century, 'Donner' replaced the name 'Donder'.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer was not added to Santa's sleigh team until 1939… bringing the total number of reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh to nine.
Sources: The History of Santa's Reindeer & St. Nicholas to Santa: The Surprising Origins of Mr. Claus
The following records exist:
Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892
Name: Oney Randal
Year: 1821
District: Captain Eddins
Place: Franklin, Georgia, USA
Original data: Georgia Tax Digests [1890]. 140 volumes. Morrow, Georgia: Georgia Archives.
1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Oney Randal
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Franklin, Georgia
2 - Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39
1 - Free White Persons - Females - Under 5
2 - Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39
8 - Free White Persons - Under 20
2 - Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
10 - Total Free White Persons
10 - Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored)
Source Citation: 1830 US Census; Census Place: Franklin, Georgia; Page: 249; NARA Series: M19; Roll Number: 17; Family History Film: 0007037.
Below is a scan of the actual (original) 1840 United States Federal Census, “Oney Randall” (two “L”s – was probably a misunderstanding by the Census taker) appears on the 4th line from the top.
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1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Oney Randall
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): District 213, Franklin, Georgia
2 - Free White Persons - Males - Under 5
3 - Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29
1 - Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49
2 - Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29
1 - Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49
2 - Persons Employed in Agriculture
1 - No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write
10 - Free White Persons - Under 20
4 - Free White Persons - 20 thru 49
14 - Total Free White Persons \ 14 - Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves
Source Citation: Year: 1840; Census Place: District 213, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: 41; Page: 305; Image: 637; Family History Library Film: 0007043.
Below is a scan of the actual (original) 1850 U.S. Federal Census. Line 15 begins by listing “O. C. Randal”, Age: 55, Occupation: Farmer, Place of birth: N. Carolina.
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1850 United States Federal Census
State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Free Inhabitants in: District No. 39
Date: Oct. 2, 1850
Dwelling Number: 610
| Name | Age | Gender | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| O.C. Randal | 55 | M | North Carolina | Farmer |
| Susannah Randal | 50 | F | North Carolina | Keeping House |
| Leonard Randal | 21 | M | Georgia | Farmer |
| Sina B. Randal | 22 | F | Georgia | |
| Albert G. Randal | 19 | M | Georgia | |
| Anderson Randal | 17 | M | Georgia | |
| Lewis Randal | 15 | M | Georgia | |
| Charles W. Randal | 13 | M | Georgia | |
| Ira Randal | 9 | M | Georgia | |
| Jane Randal | 7 | F | Georgia | |
| Hannah Randal | 5 | F | Georgia | |
| Pinkney Randal | 3 | M | Georgia |
Note: The 1850 United States Federal Census form indicates that all of the children from Jane (age 7) to Sina (age 22) were indicated to have been in school during the past year.
Source: “United States Census” Year: 1850; Census Place: District 32, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: M432_70; Page: 281B; Image: 93.
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1870 United States Federal Census
State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Post Office: Goodwill
Date: July 19, 1870
| Name | Gender | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Susan Randall | F | 70 | Georgia | Keeping House |
| Sina Randall | F | 35 | Georgia | At Home |
| Ona P. Randall | M | 22 | Georgia | Farm Laborer |
| Elizabeth Randall | F | 19 | Georgia | At Home |
| Alace Randall | F | 9/12 | Georgia | |
| Harriet Randall | F | 28 | Georgia | Domestic Servant |
| Lucy Randall | F | 13 | Georgia | At Home |
| Mary Randall | F | 11 | Georgia | At Home |
| Elizabeth Randall | F | 3 | Georgia |
Note: While the 1870 census does not indicate the relationships, Susan was actually Susannah (widow of Oney Cypress Randall). Ona was actually her son, Oney Pickney Randall. Elizabeth Randall (age 19) was Oney's new wife… and Alace Randall was their 9 month old daughter. While Harriet Randall, the domestic servant, was indicated as having been white, her relationship with Susannah is not known. And we can only speculate that the three youngest girls, Lucy, Mary & Elizabeth, were Harriet's daughters.
Source: “United States Census” Year: 1870; Census Place: Subdivision 51, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: M593_150; Page: 25B; Image: 269; Family History Library Film: 545649
Death and Will
Oney Cypress Randal died March 12, 1854 (at age 58) in Franklin County Georgia. (Ref: Find A Grave Memorial# 36072614) 4)
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Transcript:
Oney Randals Will
State of Georgia
Franklin County
In the name of God. Amen. I, Oney Randal of said State and County aforesaid being of advanced age and knowing that I must shortly depart this life, deem it right and proper both as respecting my family and myself that I should make a disposition of the property with which a kind Provence has blessed me. I do therefore make this my last will testament hereby revoking all others here to fore made by me.
Item 1st I desire and direct that my body be buried in a decent and Christian like manner suitable to my circumstances and condition in life. My soul I trust shall return to rest with God who made it.
I give, bequeath and devise to my beloved wife Susannah all my lands, one negro girl, Harriet, and Stocks of all kinds, horses, Cattle, Hogs, and sheep and all my plantation tools and Blacksmith tools, my house hold & Kitchen furniture, during her natural life or widowhood. I have give to seven of my children.
1st William I give one horse saddle and bridle, one cow and calf, one sow and pigs, two sheep, one bed and furniture. 2. James 3. Elizabeth 4. Eliza 5. Martha 6. Anderson. 7 Albert.
I to the names above the same as William, and servant my beloved wife Susannah to give to the rest of my children as they leave her the same I have give those above mentioned if she has it to spare, and at her death I want a Equal division of what property is left with all my children. And I appoint James Randal and Albert Randal my Executors - Signed, Sealed in the presence of:
Oliver Harrison
James N. Payne
Thomas Anderson Yow
Oney Randall
This February 22nd, 1854,
State of Georgia
Franklin County
Court of Ordinary
April Term 1854
Personally appeared in open court Oliver Harrison, James N. Payne Thomas A. Yow and being Sworn diposeth and Saith that they deponents saw Oney Randal, deceased, when in his proper mind and of disposing memory, sign and seal the within will for the purposes herein contained and that they deponents Subscribed the same as witnessed at the Special request of said testator and in his presence.
Sworn to and subscribed in Open Court this 3rd day of April 1854.
John G. York, Ordinary
Recorded April 3rd 1854
Susannah W. Wilkins Randal died Oct. 4, 1874 (at age 74) in Franklin County Georgia. (Ref: Find A Grave Memorial# 52743225)5) According to a letter from Mary Lou Randle Roberts (dated August 9, 2003 letter_from_mary_lou_randle_roberts_-_re_oney_cypress_randal_grave.jpg), Susannah's tomb is inscribed: “In Memory of Susanah (Wife of ??) Oney Randal. How died aged 74 Years.”
Both are buried in the “Randal Family Cemetery”, near Avalon (Stephens County) Georgia.6)
Also according to the letter from Mary Lou Randle Roberts (dated August 9, 2003 letter_from_mary_lou_randle_roberts_-_re_oney_cypress_randal_grave.jpg), Oney's tomb is inscribed: “In Memory of Oney Randal. How died March 12, 1851. Aged ?? Years.”
“Randal Family Cemetery” GPS Coordinates 7)
Latitude N 34° 32' 14.9“
Longitude W 83° 08' 42.5”
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Similar, but incorrect GPS coordinates are listed at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/stephens/cemeteries/stephensgps.txt and http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~scoconee/Cemetery_GPS/georgia/stephens-ga.htm
Photo Gallery
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Lineage
| Name | Line Manager | Job Title | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oney Cypress Randal | |||
| John Bull | Oney Cypress Randal | Father | |
| Hanna Harvey | Oney Cypress Randal | Mother | |
| Thomas Bull Jr. | John Bull | Grandfather | |
| Sarah Randal | John Bull | Grandmother | |
| Col. Thomas Peyton Harvey, Sr. | Hanna Harvey | Grandfather | |
| Sarahann Williams | Hanna Harvey | Grandmother | |
| Thomas Bull, Sr. | Thomas Bull Jr. | Great Grandfather |  |
| Susanna Harwell | Thomas Bull Jr. | Great Grandmother | |
| Ambrose Harwell | Susanna Harwell | Great, Great Grandfather | |
| Elizabeth Browne | Susanna Harwell | Great, Great Grandmother | |
| William Harvey | Col. Thomas Peyton Harvey, Sr. | (1713-1745) Great Grand Father | |
| Elizabeth Roebuck | Col. Thomas Peyton Harvey, Sr. | (1715-1745) Great Grand Mother | |
| Onesiphorus Harvey | William Harvey | (1677-1732) Great, Great Grand Father | |
| Dorothy Gaskins | William Harvey | (1678-1726) Great, Great Grand Mother | |
| Robert Roebuck | Elizabeth Roebuck | (1688-1750) Great, Great Grand Father | |
| Elizabeth Flowers | Elizabeth Roebuck | (1693-1751) Great, Great Grand Mother | |
| Robert Roebuck, Sr. | Robert Roebuck | (1653-1709) Great, Great, Great Grand Father | |
| Elizabeth Jones | Robert Roebuck | (1650-1751) Great, Great, Great Grand Mother | |
| Josias Gaskins | Dorothy Gaskins | Great, Great, Great Grand Father | |
| Dorothy Dameron | Dorothy Gaskins | Great, Great, Great Grand Mother |
