The part of Botetourt County that John was born in may have been Augusta County at the time. John was the son of James Neely and Jane Grimes. He married Susanna Evans, daughter of Daniel Evans and Rhoda Griffith/Griffin c. 1770. Susanna was also born in Botetourt County, VA. John had a patent of 1,883 acres of land in Botetourt County. He and brothers were road builders as well as farmers. He, family, some neighbors and relatives moved to Williamson County, Tennessee where he purchased Lot # 85 & Lot # 95 in City of Franklin on February 8, 1806. In 1808 and 1810, he purchased farm land and lived there until his death. That area was later named Thompsons Station. The Martin-Critz Cemetery is on what was once that farm. It was originally named Drake-Neely Cemetery. The area is now named Burwood. John and Susanna were buried on their farm, but no tombstones or markers have been found. Their double grave was said to have been outlined with bricks. John had a Will and his Estate Settlement is dated July 1821. His Will is listed in Williamson County, TN Wills, 1812-1819.

Known children of John and Susanna
James Neely
Rhoda Neely
Jane Neely
John H. Neely
Sophia Neely
William Neely
Charles Lynch Neely

Marriages of children
James m. Sarah Sanders Feb. 18, 1798 Wythe Co., VA

Rhoda m. Zachariah Drake c. 1800 in VA
Not sure where they are buried. He died Dec. 11, 1821 and she died Aug. 1, 1839. Both died in Williamson Co., TN. Rhoda petitioned the Williamson County Court for her Widow's Dower in 1822. Their son, James Love Drake petitioned the Williamson County Court to sell his mother's slaves in 1839. Some of their children are buried in this cemetery.

Jane m. James Neely (a cousin)

John m. Susie Wooldridge in Williamson Co., TN in 1832, #2 Jennet A. Dobbins in Maury Co., TN, October 1842.

Sophia never married

William m. Elizabeth Reid Jan. 15, 1818 Rutherford Co., TN, #2 Elizabeth Priest June 9, 1827 Williamson Co., TN.

Charles m. Sarah Elizabeth Wells/Wills Dec. 23, 1819 Williamson County, TN.