James O'Neal of the 1810 Logan Co Ky census seems to be the most likely candidate.....but to my knowledge, no one has been able to find records that prove that, to any reasonable level of certainty. (The census includes 2 males, age 10-15, which "could" be John b.1799 and his brother, Abijah b.1797/98)

Other candidates that have been discussed among descendents as "possibilities" are Charles O'Neal and Mitchell O'Neal of Warren Co (they are listed in 1800 Tax records, and Warren was formed from Logan during the 1790's).

If you can clearly define John's father, you would be a hero among a LOT of descendents of this O'Neal line .....the search has been ongoing for quite a long time.