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Albert John McLeod of McLeod Park, Hancock County, Mississippi
son of Alexander and Harriet Yates McLeod

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OFFICIAL PROGRAM PRINTED FOR THE "OFFICIAL CEREMONY" "LEGACY OF PARKS"
Hancock County, Mississippi, May 9, 1975.)

" The 328 acres named McLeod Memorial Park in Hancock County Mississippi, was named after Albert J and his wife Virginia, known as Aunt Gin. He was a pioneer-timberman who settled on the Hourdan River. In the early 1900's, Albert operated a large sawmill, stave mill, planer mill, turpentine plant and general mercantile store employing around 500 people. After Albert's death in 1931, Aunt Gin continued to run the store on a limited basis until her death at 95 in 1973. Albert was a member of the Board of Supervisors and a member of the original commission appointed to the Hancock County Seawall. The property itself was part of the National Space Technology Laboratories and is still within the limits of it's buffer zones. The Pearl River Basin Development District will accept possession of the deed and develope the park facilities. Phase one development has been applied for. Total development cost for all three phases will be over $1 million. The Pearl River Basin Development District is a Special Fund Agency of the State of Mississippi engaged in programs of pollution abatement, recreation development, soil conservation and other programs of development thoughout its fifteen member-county area. The McLeod Park Development is being accomplished under the District's Pearl River Boatway program. This bold plan envisions a series of water partks adjacent to and near the Pearl River and it's main tributaries from "Nanih Walya to NASA'."

McLeod Water Park Hancock County,Mississippi Area Attractions Online January 2003 http://www.hancockcountyms.org/outdoor.htm Albert
Note - it is believed that the woman with Albert in this photo is Ginny Haas, his third wife -if you have information regarding this, please email.

Albert John McLeod

born on the 21st of December in 1853 in either Kershaw or Sumter District South Carolina. The boundary lines changed frequently but it is also known that the family property crossed those boundaries despite the numerous changes. The family was enumerated in townships of Kershaw District that are presently found in Lee County. Family Bible of Alexander and Harriet Yates McLeod, formerly owned by J. Frank McLeod, deceased; present location unknown; copy of birth, marriage and death page on file at the Sumter County South Carolina Genealogical Society. Copies provided to Lori McLeod Wilke by her father, Donald Ross McLeod Jr. and Col. Purdy Belvin McLeod Jr.

Census Place: Kershaw County, South Carolina; Census Year 1860, "Electronic," page Family 578 Post Office Camden, Kershaw District South Carolina Census 1860

Alexander aged 45 Plant Real Estate Value $1524 Personal Value $1050 Born South Carolina Harriett aged 44 born South Carolina Norman aged 21 Student Martha aged 19 Student Sarah aged 15 Student Jesse aged 13 Student J.B. aged 11 Student Nancy aged 9 Albert aged 7 Mary aged 5 Katherine aged 1

1870 Census for the family of Alexander E. McLeod and Harriet Yates has not yet been found - it is believed that the image has been left out of the scanning of Kershaw County images at Ancestry. com - previous researchers have seen the census record and have referenced it in their writings however, none has the actual information.

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First Marriage of Albert John McLeod - 1875

On Jul 12, 1875 at age 22, Albert married the Widow Sarah E. McCutchen - research has not revealed the identity of Sarah's first husband. Sarah would only live for less than two years after their marriage. The cause of Sarah's death is unknown but may have been from childbirth. She wrote her will on January 12 1877 but her estate did not enter probate until March 27 1877 which may indicate a lingering illness to which she finally surrendered. Sarah's will named two daughters from her first marriage - research is ongoing to determine the identity of their father.

It is possible that Sarah E. McCutchen was older than Albert; an Annette McCutchen aged 18 is found in the 1880 Carter's Crossing, Sumter SC census married to E.F. McCutchen who was one of the appraisers of Sarah's estate. If this Annette was her daughter, Annette was born cr. 1862. Using 16 as the age of Sarah E. McCutchen's first marriage and her age at the birth of Annette, Sarah may have been 29 at her marriage to Albert. Research is ongoing.

Possible Identity of E. F. McCutchen found in will of William Whilden - if correct, then E.F. McCutchen was the son of a William McCutchen.

WILL OF WILLIAM WHILDEN The state of South Carolina,
recorded Will Book D-1, p. 315 recorded January 20, 1834 William Potts Sen. Ordy S. D. Bundle 104 -- Package 10

I William Whilden of Sumter District and Stateaforesaid being old and infirm but of Sound and disposing mind domake and Ordain this my last Will and Testament as follows(Viz)........

The one Half of the Tract of land on which I live containing 725 Acres it being the part on which William McCutchen now lives he having purchased the said half of said tract from me and as I have never made him titles thereto I now take this method of giving his titles, and to declare that is my will that he the said William McCutchen shall have said half of said Tract of land unmolested forever, The balance of said Tract on which I live together with all the rest of my lands Consisting of 645 acres more or less I give and bequeath at the decease or Marriage of my wife Sarah Whilden to My beloved Nephew Eliah F. McCutchen ...... I also give and bequeath to my much beloved nephew Elisha F.McCutcheon four Negroes Abby, Anthony, Little Tenor Warren and shouldthe said Elisha F. McCutcheon die before he becomes 21 years of ageThen the said property willed to him I wish divided equally among theremaining Children of William McCutcheon.

I give and bequeath to my nephew William Whildon McCutcheon one Negro girl named Lovia with her future increases to be given to him at the death of my wife or should she marry then he is to receive said girl when he arrives at the age of 21 years.......

If you can provide information regarding these McCutchen's please email.

Probate Court � Probate to Will Sumter County

Probate Judge: Samuel Lee
Witnesses to Will of Sarah E. McLeod - Willis F Gaylord; John Davis; J.E. Rodgers (Willis Gaylord - brother in law of Albert/J.E. Rodgers Pastor of Antioch Baptist and family friend)

Date of Will: January 12 1877 Witnesses Oath: March 27 1877

Executor�s Oath: A.J. McLeod

Will: I Sarah E. McLeod of the above State and afore said County being of Sound and diposseing mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in the following manner:

First, I give to my youngest daughter Mary Cooper McCutchen the sofa and sewing machine.

Second I give to my eldest daughter Annett Olivia McCutchen the family bible,

Third, all the balance of my Estate both real and personal, after my lawful debts are paid, I give to my Husband A. J. McLeod and I appoint A. J. McLeod, my Husband as my Executor to this my last will and testament. And I her subscribe my name this twelfth day of January in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and Seventy Seven.

Signed in the presence of the following witnesses:

Her signature

Appraisers: E.F. McCutchen J.E. Barnwell (or Farnwell) W.F. Gaylord

Book Case valued at $25.00; Half dozen chairs valued at 5.50; 1 table and lot of books valued at 3.00; 1 sofa valued at 18.00; 1 old carpet valued at 5.00; 1 family bible valued at 10.00; 1 sewing machine valued at 5.00; 1 bed and bedstead valued at 20.00; 1 illegible valued at 2.00; 1 trunk valued at 2.50; 1 desk valued at 1.00; 1 safe valued at 2.50; 1 clock valued at 7.00; 1 buggy valued at 40.00; 1 wagon valued at 25.00; 1 sorrel mule valued at 80.00; 1 heifer calf valued at 10.00; 1 ground shovel valued at 2.00

Second Marriage of Albert John McLeod - between 1877 and 1880

The exact wedding date has not yet been found - but Albert and Nicey E. Johnston were married before the 1880 Carters Crossing Census of Sumter County. Nicey Johnston McLeod was born about 1855. Their only child was born about 1879.

1880 Census Carters Crossing, Sumter, South Carolina Source Information: Census Place Carters Crossing, Sumter, South Carolina Family History Library Film 1255241 NA Film Number T9-1241 Page Number 30C

A. J. MCLEOD Relation - Self; Gender - Male; Race - W; age - 26; POB - SC; Occupation - Farmer; father's POB - SC; mother's POB - SC; Nisey MCLEOD Relation -Wife; Gender - Female; Race -W; age - 25; POB - SC; Occupation - Keeps House; father's POB - SC; mother's POB - SC; Minney MCLEOD Relation -Dau; Gender - Female; Race -W; age - 1 month; POB - SC; Occupation - At Home; father's POB - SC; mother's POB - SC; Nansey MCLEOD Relation - Sister in Law; Gender - Female; Race -W; age - 28 POB - SC; Occupation - At Home; father's POB - SC; mother's POB - SC;

The identity of Nancy McLeod aged 28 (birth year of 1852) is actually Nancy JOHNSTON, the sister of Nicey E. Johnston - the last name was mis-written in this enumeration - the 1910 Census enumeration of Minnie McLeod Joyner in Hancock County Mississippi shows a NANCY JOHNSTON living with Minnie and her relationship is shown as AUNT which would have made her Albert John's sister in law. Nancy Johnston is shown aged 45 in 1910 but the 1920 Hancock County Census gives her age as 67 - for a birth year of 1853 making her the Nancy McLeod shown in Albert's 1880 household.

Prior to the 1900 Census, Albert, Nicey and their daughter Minnie moved to the Jordon River in Hancock County Mississippi where Albert purchased 328 acres and began a a turpentine business and lumber mill. This endeavor grew to include several mills and a general store.

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Jordan River, Hancock, Mississippi; Roll: T623 808; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 26. accessed at Ancestry.com subscription online by Lori McLeod Wilke on July 9 2007

Name: Albert McLeod Home in 1900: Jordan River, Hancock, Mississippi Age: 45 Birthplace: South Carolina Relationship to head-of-house: Head occupation Turpentine Master Owns home
Name: Nicey E McLeod Home in 1900: Jordan River, Hancock, Mississippi Age: 45 Estimated birth year: abt 1855 Birthplace: South Carolina Relationship to head-of-house: Wife
Name: Minnie McLeod Home in 1900: Jordan River, Hancock, Mississippi Age: 17 Estimated birth year: abt 1883 Birthplace: South Carolina Relationship to head-of-house: Daughter Father's name: Albert Mother's name: Nicey E

Nicey Johnston McLeod died sometime between the taking of the 1900 census and the taking of the 1910 census most likely around 1905. The 1910 Census shows that Albert had remarried to Virginia Bass of Mississippi and they had a 3 year old nephew living with them.

Third Marriage of Albert John McLeod between 1906 and 1910

Albert married Virginia Haas of Mississippi about 1906.

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Beat 4, Hancock, Mississippi; Roll: T624_739; Page: 24A; Enumeration District: 28; Image: 1143. Name: Allin F McLeod incorrectly indexed on Ancestry.com - research by Lori McLeod Wilke July 2007

Albert John Age in 1910: 54 Estimated birth year: abt 1856 Birthplace: South Carolina Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birth Place: South Carolina Mother's Birth Place: South Carolina Marital Status: Married Race: White Gender: Male Occupation: Turpentine Owns home

Name: Virginia McLeod Age in 1910: 25 Estimated birth year: abt 1885 Birthplace: Mississippi Relation to Head of House: Wife Father's Birth Place: Mississippi (should be France -see next census and first lanquage) Mother's Birth Place: Mississippi Marital Status: Married Race: White (index on ancestry incorrectly states she was black) Gender: Female

Living near her father was Minnie, aged 27 and now married to Cuthbert J. Joyner for seven years. Minnie and Cuthbert had no children in this census - as stated above, an Aunt, named Nancy Johnston was living with them aged 45 and born in South Carolina. Cuthbert, aged 28 and born in Georgia, is shown as being in the Turpentine business, he likely worked for his father in law.

Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Beat 4, Hancock, Mississippi; Image: 422 research by Lori McLeod Wilke July 2007

(note: the index on ancestry.com contains several errors in birth place of parents, race etc. The actual images provide the correct information).

Name: Albert J Mc Leod Home in 1920: Beat 4, Hancock, Mississippi Age: 60 years Estimated birth year: abt 1860 Birthplace: South Carolina Relation to Head of House: Head Father's Birth Place: South Carolina Mother's Birth Place: South Carolina Marital Status: Married Race: White Sex: Male Home owned: Own Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes Occupation Operator of SawMill and Turpentine

Name: Virginia A Mc Leod Home in 1920: Beat 4, Hancock, Mississippi Age: 40 years Estimated birth year: abt 1880 Birthplace: Mississippi Relation to Head of House: Wife Father's Birth Place: France Mother's Birth Place: Mississippi Marital Status: Married Race: White Sex: Female Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes First Lanquage French

Name: Norton Haas Home in 1920: Beat 4, Hancock, Mississippi Age: 13 years Estimated birth year: abt 1907 Birthplace: Mississippi Relation to Head of House: Nephew Father's Birth Place: Mississippi Mother's Birth Place: Louisiana (should be Mississippi) Marital Status: Single Race: White Sex: Male Able to read: Yes Able to Write: Yes

Neighbor Samuel J. Haas and his daugher - possibly Virginia's brother

Albert's daughter, Minnie McLeod Joyner is living near him, now aged 37. Still living with her is her Aunt Nancy Johnston and a neice Pearl Colden or Holden aged 8

Emails from Travis McLeod Joyner -March 2008 "Greetings, I am the great great grandson of Albert J. McLeod. I was in Mississippi this last week and learned a great deal about my heritage so I randomly googled the McLeod name and was lead to your site. I have a great deal of information regarding Albert J. McLeod's line. Albert McLeod had a daughter, Minnie McLeod, w/ his second wife. Minnie married Cuthbert Joyner. Joyner was also in the terpentine business and became a partner in the mill w/ McLeod.

Minnie and Cuthbert had a son, Albert McLeod Joyner, my grandfather. Albert McLeod Joyner had three children,

i. Albert Rex Joyner,

ii Jacque Drane, and

iii. Jay McLeod Joyner, my father.

My grandfather, Albert McLeod Joyner, is alive and still owns a portion of Albert J. McLeod's land in Mississippi. I also have information about McLeod's third marriage.

McLeod was in fact married to Virginia Bass, or Aunt Ginn. She operated a store in Kiln, Mississippi. McLeod married her when she was 18. I have McLeod's will, which designates Aunt Ginn, and my Grandfather as his beneficiaries.

From what my grandfather remembers, McLeod moved to Mississippi from South Carolina w/ his second wife, who died during the family's travel to Mississippi.

McLeod plowed a road and layed telephone lines to Kiln, Mississippi and started a terpentine business, sawmill, and pecan farm. His business was very successful.

His daughter, Minnie McLeod, met Cuthbert Joyner in Kiln and they married. 20 years later, when Minnie was 40, they had my grandfather, Albert McLeod Joyner. Sometime during, or before my grandfather's childhood, Albert McLeod met and married 18 year old Virginia Bass, known as "Aunt Ginn." Aunt Ginn's nephew, Norton Haas, may have lived w/ McLeod and Aunt Ginn, but I'm not positive. Haas, however, is not the progeny of McLeod.

When my grandfather was 12, in 1931, Albert McLeod died. Minnie, at that time, was a ward of the state, so McLeod left a 1/2 interest of his estate to my grandfather, and a 1/2 interest to "Aunt Ginn."

McLeod was a prominent landowner in Kiln, and leased thousands more acres for his terpentine business. Several years after McLeod's death, during the depression, all of McLeod's land was lost due to tax foreclosure. Ten years later, in 1944, an attorney successfully represented Aunt Ginn and my grandfather to recover the property, but at an extremely high contingency fee.

My grandfather still owns some of McLeod's original property. Preserving McLeod's land is one of the most important things to him. McLeod's portrait still hangs from my grandfather's wall to this day.

The 1930 Census on ancestry.com has yet to have an Every Name Index completed; searches have yet to return results for Albert J. McLeod, Virginia Haas McLeod, Haas McLeod, Minnie McLeod Joyner or her husband Cutbert Joyner. August 2007