MEMORANDA OF THE HISTORY AND FAMILY OF PETER McEACHIN
(KNOWN AS PARA BAN - PETER THE FAIR)

Para Ban <given name: Patrick, also referred to as Peter> came from Kintyre, Scotland, about 1765, and purchased considerable lands in Robeson County, North Carolina. He had been reared in the school that taught fidelity to principle was the brand of true manhood, and his life adorned that doctrine; he was a man of sterling worth and of recognized ability.

He married Mary Fairley, and they had four children who lived to be grown and married, namely: Archibald, John, Hector, and Margaret.<Note: no mention of Mary, who is listed in his will>

It was Para Ban's custom to hold a weekly debate on the leading questions of the day, with his sons, always taking a side himself, pairing with the odd son. He was a firm believer in education, and gave his family the best advantages that the times afforded. He lived to be 90 years old, had never lost a tooth and took his first dose of medicine on his deathbed.

Children of Para Ban McEachin:

Col. Archibald McEachin, oldest son of Para Ban, was a man of political prominence. He was twice married; his first wife was Sallie, daughter of Col. James McQueen; they had four daughters, Mary Jane, Ann Eliza, Annabelle, and Sallie.

Mary Jane married Dr. Angus McLean; a distinguished physician and cherished friend in many households in that part of the state.

Ann Eliza married Neill Archie McLean, a cousin of Dr. Angus McLean, and a distinguished lawyer and very popular and beloved man.

Annabelle married Joseph McCallum, who was a teacher for many years in Robeson County, removing later to Texas.

Sallie died unmarried.

After the death of his first wife, Col. McEachin married Annabell, another daughter of Col. James McQueen. The had two children, Peter Archibald and Flora MacDonald.

 

John, the second son of Para Ban, married Flora Graham. They had two children, Mary and Peter. John accompanied a party of men from Robeson who started out to Alabama, on horseback, to buy land. After reaching Georgia they became uncertain, at the fork of a road, as to the nearest route to a point in the state toward which they were heading, and John McEachin proposed to take the route that he believed to be the nearest, by way of testing the distance, while the balance of the party proceeded on their first route. The road chosen by John McEachin lead through an Indian settlement, and when the other party reached their destination John had not arrived. A search was instituted along the route he was to have taken, and it was finally discovered that he had been murdered, in the Indian settlement. He was a noted wrestler which was a popular sport with the young men of his day, and upon arriving at the Indian settlement he was challenged by a young Indian, who was famous among his own people as a wrestler; he easily vanquished the Indian, which so enraged the other Indians that they murdered him, and after robbing the body buried it. When the searching party came to the Indian settlement, by bribing one of the young Indians they heard the story, recovered his horse and clothing, and were shown the place where he was buried, and the bank of the Suwanee River.

After his death his wife went into a rapid decline and soon died. The two small children, Mary and Peter, were taken in by their grandfather, Para Ban, and after his death their uncle, Col. Archibald McEachin, became their guardian.

Mary married James McLean; they had twelve children: John Hectorson, Archimedes, Ann Maria, Daniel Patrick, Flora Graham, Advil, Sallie Elizabeth Thomas, Margaret James Nichelson, Effie Mary. <JDM: either there are some missing commas or three children died in infancy - I'd appreciate knowing which>

Peter married Maria, daughter of Col. James McQueen, in 1828. In her younger days she was known as "Pretty Maria". She was a well-read woman, fond of books and always kept reading of a high order in her family. To them were born twelve children, six sons and six daughters, namely: John Edmund, Ann Margaret, Hector Graham, Flora Amanda, Archibald Bruce, James Hugh McQueen, Chattie Annabella, Mary Queen, Patrick Henry, Maria Henrietta, William Preston, Sallie.

In 1859 Peter McEachin with his family moved to Marion, Alabama, and after the war they moved to West Point, Mississippi, where both died. Maria McEachin in her 84th year, and Peter McEachin some years later in his 90th year.

Children of Maria and Peter McEachin:

John Edmund married Mary Ann Smith, of Alabama, a distant cousin on the father's side. He was a physician, and when in his prime was called the handsomest man in the state. His "kingly hearing" was often remarked upon at the same time, he was one of the most genial and lovable of men, there was a magnetism about him that attracted a host of devoted friends. He and his wife are both dead. They had nine children: John Edmund, Robert Bruce, Patrick, Mary, Chattie, Minnie, Maggie, Ann Eliza Bunting, and Daisy. The living children are:

Mary, who married Mr. Wiley Keyes, a business man at West Point, Mississippi, where they now reside; they have no children, but have a little adopted daughter to whom they are strongly attached.

John Edmund married Rachel Lenoir, a very beautiful girl of Lowndes County, Mississippi, and they with their family of small children live at West Point, where he is engaged in the mercantile business.

Minnie is a very handsome woman, she married Mr. Chelsey King, a cotton buyer, and they live at New Orleans; they have one son, John Edmund. Maggie, the youngest daughter, married Sid A. Deanes, of West Point; he is beautiful and much loved by all the family.

Robert Bruce is unmarried; he is engaged in business at Okolona, Mississippi.

Chattie, a beautiful and greatly beloved young woman, died soon after her marriage.

Ann Eliza Bunting, and Daisy died in childhood.

Pat, the youngest child died last year. <If you know when this happened, please let me know, as it fixes the date that this document was written.>

Hector, second son of Peter and Maria McEachin, was a physician. Dr. Hector was noted for his irrepressible love of fun, and keen sense of humor, which gave him the reputation for being a wit and a wag. He married Nancy Inman of Robeson County, North Carolina, and moved to Mayhew, Mississippi, and afterwards to Texas, where both died. They had eight children, four sons, and four daughters.

The oldest boys Pat and Allen and James Archibald, died in young manhood.

Edmund married Miss Henri Bills, of Mississippi, and died some years ago; his widow and their two children, Edmund and Maria, live now in Corinth Mississippi.

Hector, the only living son, lives in El Paso, Texas. He is the editor of the El Morning Times; he is a brilliant writer.

The daughters of Hector McEachin were Annie, Chattie, Flora, and Ruby. Chattie died when just reaching womanhood, the others married and are all now living in Texas.

Archibald Bruce, third son of Peter and Maria McEachin, was a brilliant lawyer in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. For several years after the war, he was associated with Duncan K. McRae, in the publication of a noted law journal in Memphis Tennessee. He married Eudora Somerville, of Tuscaloosa, and it was said that his success at the bar was phenomenal, and that their was no office in the gift of the state that he could not have commanded, but he never cared for political preferment. His wife, Eudora, was the daughter of a proud descendant of the Duke of Argyll, and was known for her beauty. He died about three years ago <in 1909>, and his wife died last year. They had six children, two sons and four daughters:

The oldest son, Judge James Somerville McEachin, he who now lives at Richmond Texas, where he practiced law, inherited his father's legal mind, and has been very successful at the bar; he is also the author of some law books which are regarded as authorities.

The younger son, Archibald Bruce, is also a lawyer, and was associated with his father at the time of his death; he still lives at Tuscaloosa, and continues the practice of law. He is a man of fine character, and much loved by all the members of the family. He married Miss Katie Melton, a splendid young woman of Tuscaloosa, and they have one child, Archibald Bruce the third.

Helen, the oldest daughter, married Mr. Bailey and they live in Chicago; she is a very handsome and brilliant woman, and a great social favorite.

Maebelle, the second daughter, was a noted beauty throughout the South. Her features were almost perfect, and her queenly and gracious bearing won admiration and love for her wherever she went. She married Mr. Woods, of Meridian, Mississippi, and died some few years ago, leaving one little son, William Wallace Woods.

Dora <Eudora Mcqueen Somerville McEachin>, the third daughter, married Lee Otis <Lelius McCrary Otts>, of Greenboro, Alabama. She is also quite handsome, and her lively mischievous disposition makes her a great favorite.

The youngest girl, Nannette, married Dr. Sid Leech, a prominent young physician of Tuscaloosa. She is bright, and possesses and unusually gentle and lovable disposition.

James Hugh McEachin, fourth son of Peter and Maria McEachin was also a physician. He married Mary Ruby Mullins of West Point, Mississippi. He was the only one of the sons who was small of stature, but was noted as being one of the bravest of mortal men, and noble and true in every relation of life. He lost his own life in answering a most pathetic appeal from a friend, whose life had been despaired of in a serious illness, when he arose from his own sick bed, swam his horse across a swollen stream, reached the friend in time to save him, but returned home in a dying condition from double pneumonia. His widow and two daughters now reside in Los Angeles, California, where the oldest daughter married Will Rodes, the younger daughter now resides with her mother, and is a young woman of noble character and sunny, lovable disposition, and exceptionally bright mind.

William Preston, fifth son of Peter and Maria McEachin, died in childhood.

Patrick Henry, the younger son, is a very handsome man, and is a splendid and greatly loved character. He married Janie Gallup, a beautiful woman of Mobile, Alabama. To them were born three sons and three daughters:

The oldest daughter, Cecile, and the youngest daughter, Chattie Beall (who is a twin of Charles B.), are at home with their parents, in Birmingham, Alabama, where their father is engaged in the insurance business.

The two eldest sons, John Edmund and Eugene, died in early manhood. Eugene having married Miss Lillian Keeton, of Meridian, Mississippi, who survives him, and lives with their two children, John Edmund and Margaret in Meridian.

The youngest son, Charles B., is a young businessman of Birmingham, Alabama, where his sterling character and fine business sense are enabling him to rapidly forge to the front.

Mary, the middle daughter, married Mr. Griffith, and resides in Mississippi.

It would be hard to find a family where each and every member was more splendid of character, and theirs is truly a home "where each lives for the other and all for God." The twins Charles and Chattie are a strikingly handsome couple, Charles being a tall well-formed young man, of most attractive manner and bearing, and Chattie is beautiful in her queenly and gracious winsomeness. They possess for each other the peculiar fondness which is so often noticed in twins and are inseparable companions and comrades.

Ann Margaret, the oldest daughter of Peter and Maria McEachin, was a handsome woman, black hair and eyes, and fine complexion. She was a classical scholar and taught for several years before marrying Angus R. Kelly, a distinguished lawyer of Carthage, Moore County, North Carolina, who succeeded to the title of "Black Hawk" by which his distinguished uncle, John B. Kelley, was known throughout the state. They moved to Marion, Alabama, with the family of Peter McEachin, and there Ann Margaret died, leaving one child, who married Prof. Lewis T. Gwanthmey of Virginia, who was a professor in Howard College in Marion. She died a few years later, leaving one daughter, Mary Lewis, who is now Mrs. Louis of Richmond, Virginia. She has two bright handsome children, Louis F. Jr., and Eleanor Gwanthmey. After the death of Ann Margaret, Mr. Kelley married Mary McRae, sister of Gov. John J. McRae of Mississippi.

Flora McDonald, the next daughter of Peter and Maria McEachin, died in childhood.

Chattie Belle, the next daughter, married Fred Beall of West Point, Mississippi, now a practicing attorney in Washington, DC. Her oldest child, Fred, died in childhood, also a little daughter, Chattie Belle. Zoe, the only living child is with her parents in Washington.

Mary McQueen, the next daughter, married first Junius E. Cunningham of South Carolina, but who was living in Alabama at the time of their marriage. He was killed in the Civil War, leaving a little son who had never seen his father. Junius E., Jr. He grew up to be a splendid man, widely known and loved for his noble character and bright social disposition. At the time of his death he was an official of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. He made his home at West Point, MS where his widow, who was Rennie Cannon of that place, now resides with her two sons, the elder of whom, Junius E., married Annie Cox, and they had two little children, a little daughter Ivy, and a baby son, Junius E., the fourth. The younger son, Clark resided with his mother and is employed in the Railroad business at West Point.

After the death of her first husband, Mary married Warren Ware of West Point, MS. He was mayor of the town at the time of the second election of Cleveland, and during a celebration of that event, was killed by the explosion of the cannon.

They had one daughter who lived to be grown, Lucy. She is a very beautiful woman and has been twice married. Her first husband was Edmund M. Powell, a wealthy planter of Lowndes County, MS, and a very handsome man. He died soon after the marriage, leaving one child, Edward M., who is now a student at the University of Texas. After the death of Mr. Powell, Lucy married Mr. Spencer C. Russell, a lawyer of Richmond, TX. She now makes her home at Richmond, and her son Edward Powell and her mother reside with her.

Mary was the mischief loving member of the McEachin family, and her pranks and escapades have furnished fun and entertainment for all the younger members of the family. In spite of all the sorrows and tragedies which have come into her life, she has retained her bright disposition, and is a woman of extraordinary personal magnetism, and counts her friends by the host, everybody, man, woman, and children, black and white, and in all stations of life, lover her and call her friend.

Sallie, the youngest daughter of Maria and Peter McEachin, was beautiful, and one of the loveliest of created beings. She married Luther Bradshaw, a very fine lawyer of West Point, MS, and died in early womanhood, leaving no children, and her husband died soon after. Among other beautiful things written in her life was the following:

"The eulogies of no epitaph ever written in marvel portrayed a life so pure, lovelier, and holier than hers. She was the impersonation of so much that is beautiful and lovely in female character; and in her was found one of the best living examples of the Christian religion. In fact, it seems to us that few if any, ever approached nearer the climax of an ideal womanhood. She was a woman of superior intellectual gifts, cultured and refined - beautiful in person, elegant and winsome in manners; cordial, hospitable and generous; kind, sympathetic, self-denying and charitable; she was a deserved favorite with all the classes, and was a model in every relation of life."

A lily sent her from Florida by her Aunt Chattie McCallum's daughter, Maria, bloomed for the first time the night she died. When her mother lay on her death bed, her father pulled the only lily then in bloom, and laid it on her pillow, as the most precious thing he could bring her.

The following poem dedicated to Peter McEachin was written by J.D.Lynch, a poet of Mississippi and Texas and a native of North Carolina:

TO FATHER McEACHIN

"Tis of thy ripened virtues I would sing,
O noble patriarch; and I would string
Glory beams upon the silvery head
Of one whose every hair is a living thread
Of purity and piety and truth
Descending to old age from early youth.

For with two generations thou has moved
And now art by the third esteemed and loved;
Thus like the Grecian saga, thy lengthy span
Has blessed, and threefold blessed, thy fellow man
Enrobing virtue in its purest dress,
Religion in the robes of holiness."

 

Hector McEachin <Hector married Sallie Malloy.>

 

Margaret McEachin <Margaret married James Stewart.>

 

Mary McEachin <Mary married John Carmichael.>