Congrats on the find! I am green with envy. My mother's side came from Ireland, Co. Down, Rathfriland and Balleyroney. With the surname being M'Neilly, McNeilly, and Macneilly on the same document. Although I have only proven back to 1838, the graveyard at the church in Balleyroney yielded a lot of related names and the "right" naming patterns for the MacNeils. I have basically a two generation gap that I hope to close sometime in the future. ( Another fortnight In Down and at PRONI, plus a few days at Edinburgh (sp) Scotland.
I have one ancestor who was accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts 4 April 1692. I also have an ancestor from Scotland sold at auction in York, Maine for 3 quid. The value of the pound sterling was different back then. I am not certain of where he was captured, or have really reliable information on his clan. My Spouse is a MacLucas from Ireland, (Derry, Donegal) we believe to be Clan Lamont. When I was about fifteen I was given a family kilt in MacNeil of Barra Ancient. ( A REAL Tank ) I have since vastly outgrown it horizontally. When my body figures out what it is up to in old age, I will bespoke another MacNeil of Barra Ancient.
I also have courtesy of my father Mayflower, Colonial Clergy, Us Revolutionary Patriots and Loyalists. Still like being kilted no matter how diluted the Scottish blood is.
Again congrats for the martial arts chop at the Brick Wall.
--- Steve Brown