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DIRECT ANCESTRAL LINES

McLAURIN

        In this narrative I shall, as best I can, tell the story of our McLaurin ancestors from the beginning of the seventeenth century down to the present time. The first two of these ancestors of whom I have any definite information were Daniel and John.  As other Daniels and other Johns will follow I shall number them consecutively solely for the purpose of identification and to prevent confusion.

DANIEL McLAURIN, I

All that I know of this ancestor was contained in a letter written by Grandmother McLaurin many years ago. When this letter came into my possession it was old, faded, brittle and portions of it had completely disintegrated. I am sure much valuable information was lost, but all that was legible, all that by painstaking care could be deciphered, rebuilt, reconstructed, was carefully harvested and is woven into this narrative. I have been compelled, in places, to supply a missing letter or two, or even a word here and there, but I do not think that I have taken undue liberties with the factual statements of the letter.

We are informed in this letter that this Daniel McLaurin was probably born about 1610. That he was a brilliant well‑educated preacher of distinction and influence. He married a Miss Stewart of the Appin Stewarts and they were the parents of several children. The only names of which I could be reasonably certain were Lauchlin, Duncan and John. There were others, I am sure, but I will not hazard a guess as to their names.

JOHN McLAURIN, I

This first John was probably born about 1645 but the date is not certain. The letter refers to a tradition that as a very small boy he went with his father to witness the coronation of Charles II, at Scone. Following this statement was a blank space sufficient

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to have contained several lines of writing, and then this, and I quote:

". . . he married a Miss Cameron, a sister of the mother of the great Colin McLaurin. So you see, the relationship comes from both sides of the family."

I had heard Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin) mention this John and his marriage to a Miss Cameron. Other relatives spoke of them. In fact I am sure I heard two versions of this marriage. 1. That he married a sister of Colin McLaurin's mother. 2. That he married an aunt of the mother of Colin. I had some research done in Scotland to try and determine this matter, but no records could be found, and nothing was settled. So, until something otherwise is shown, I shall accept the statement in the letter.

Since I have made the above reference to Colin McLaurin, perhaps I should digress sufficiently to state that which is universally recognized, that he was one of the greatest mathematical geniuses of his age. As an example: when twelve years of age, in a few days, and without assistance, he mastered the first six books of Euclid. When fifteen he received his Master's degree from Glasgow University. At nineteen he was teaching mathematics in Aberdeen College.

All of us have a tendency, in some measure, to associate ourselves through consanguinity, affinity, or otherwise, with those whom we greatly admire. We know, of course, that Colin McLaurin was not one of our ancestors. But we know that his inherited genius came from the McLaurins, the Camerons, or both. We know that any relationship to him is extremely remote, but the older generation firmly believed in this relationship. They believed in heredity. They believed that "the sins of the father" that were transmitted to the "third and fourth generation" were not the things that they did but what they were, and that such extended to innumerable generations. Uncle Daniel said that it was considered "shameful" if any of his generation found any difficulty with mathematical subjects. They were told that this was a science in which they should excel. And it might be noted that few, if any, of my generation found much difficulty with mathematical subjects, and there

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were a few brilliant mathematicians, including my brother Fred, and several first cousins. And the younger generation has produced outstanding representatives in this field. So, if the genealogy be correct, the lightning of genius may strike again, at any time, and at any place.

The letter states that this first John and his wife, Miss Cameron, were the parents of several named children. I am sure that four of them were Hugh, Christian, Dugald, John and a fifth was possibly Daniel. Not one of the names was complete. There were missing letters in each of them, but the parts of names remaining leave practically no doubt but that the first four names given are correct. This does not apply to the fifth name, Daniel. There was nothing of this name but the letter "D". This could be the first letter in any number of names. But I, somewhat arbitrarily, decided that since John's father was Daniel, this "D" should represent a son bearing that name.

JOHN McLARIN, II, (CULLODEN JOHN)

He was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, probably in 1680. All of the information that I have about this ancestor came to me from conversations with Uncle D. W. McLaurin, from the letter written by Grandmother McLaurin, heretofore referred to, and from John Roy McLaurin, one of his descendants. If we take excerpts from their comments and combine them into a composite picture we have a man well educated and relatively prosperous for that day. Independent, mentally alert, physically strong, of great energy and dexterity. One referred to him as being a master of the claymore. He was undoubtedly a stubborn, opinionated, individualist of great force, courage and iron will. Being the man that he was it probably surprised no one, and least of all his family, when at the age of sixty‑five he joined the Appin Regiment, fought and died at Culloden, that last tragic effort to put "Bonny Prince Charlie" on the throne.

There was, and is, nothing remarkable about Culloden Moor except it was here that Charles, on this exposed moorland, chose to pit the "fierce fighters of the glens" against the overwhelming

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forces of King George, II, and thus, foolishly, sacrifice the last chance for Scottish independence.

In all Highland history there is not a more poignant date than April 16, 1746, nor is there any past event so clear in Highland memory. For here, and then, was determined, for long years to come, the destiny of that country. In this open unprotected field the Highlanders stood for an hour, or more, receiving the full force of Cumberland's artillery fire before they were ordered to charge. Their furious onslaught broke Cumberland's first line, but there was a second and a third line waiting. It was in this sanguinary conflict that this highly revered ancestor, John McLaurin, II, (Culloden John) died. Here on "Culloden Moor" he was buried among other members of his clan who had lost their lives. His grave is not individually marked but the fallen members of each clan were buried in separate plots. A stone cairn still stands as a memorial to valor if not to wisdom.

The loss of this battle need not have been a complete disaster. It was the rape of the Highlands by Cumberland's marauding freebooters that laid waste the country, destroyed the economic, social and political system that had served well for centuries, and left an entire people on the verge of starvation. A parallel situation existed here in the South after it lost its bid for independence. Both the South and Scotland felt the crushing weight of the conqueror�s heel upon its neck. Both witnessed the destruction of its way of life. Both were "reconstructed." Both were reduced to the status of a colony. Both were ground down into a poverty that lasted for a hundred years.

Those who sacrificed their lives at Culloden were, and are, considered heroes by Scotsmen, and so they were in the eyes of Grandmother McLaurin.  But she, always direct and outspoken, but not always reverent, was not too generous in her appraisal of our John on that occasion. She said that ". . . he was old enough to have had better sense. He should have stayed home with his family where he belonged."

John was married twice. John Boy McLaurin says that he was first married in 1720. None of his descendants know who his first wife was, but they were the parents of one son, Neill, who was

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born in 1723. He was with his father at Culloden, received a severe head wound from which he eventually recovered. While Neill is not in our direct line it may be of interest to note that he was the father of two daughters. One of them married a McKenzie. They had two sons, both of whom distinguished themselves. According to John Roy McLaurin one of them was a doctor and an officer in the British Navy. He attracted the attention of the Russian Czar who conferred several honors upon him, and prevailed upon him to make his home in St. Petersburg, then the capital of Russia.

Some time after the death of his first wife, possibly around 1730, John married again. His second wife, from whom we are descended, was, in my fired opinion, a Miss Buchanan. My belief, I feel sure, rests upon a sound logical foundation. Grandmother's letter, to which I have so often referred, states that he married a

"Miss Bu     n        Len    anch        clan."

Obviously letters and words are missing from that sentence. But if we fill in the blank spaces with the only letters and words that seem to make any sense at all, we have:

"Miss Buchanan of the Leny Branch of the Clan"

It should be noted that there are several clan names that begin with the letter "B" but only one that begins with "Bu" and ends with "n" ‑ BUCHANAN. And it is a historic fact that there was a Leny branch of this clan, in fact the predominant branch, after the split or division of the clan in 1682.

John Roy McLaurin, in his memoirs, possibly written about a hundred years ago, states that this second wife of "Culloden" John was a Miss Bohanan. The words "Bohanan" and "Buchanan" are idem sonans-‑identical in sound. It is my belief that John Roy McLaurin dictated "Buchanan" and it was transcribed "Bohanan", or in the many times that this manuscript, or memoirs, have been copied someone not familiar with clan names inadvertently substituted "Bohanan" for "Buchanan". This is supported by the further fact that there is no "clan" no "sept" by the name of Boha-

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nan" and never has been. And I am informed that the name Bohanan is not known in Scotland.

John McLaurin II, (Culloden John) and his wife, Miss Buchanan, were the parents of three children, Daniel, Hugh, and Duncan. Hugh died before reaching maturity and Duncan came to thus country, lived a long life, and left many descendants. For further information see "Duncan McLaurin" elsewhere.

DANIEL MCLAURIN, II

Daniel McLaurin II, my great great grandfather, was born in Argyllshire, Scotland, the oldest of three sons born to John McLaurin II, and his wife "Miss Buchanan". When his father was killed at Culloden and his older half brother, Neill, seriously wounded, he, a lad of some fourteen or fifteen years of age was left with the responsibility of caring for his widowed mother and his two younger brothers, Hugh and Duncan.

His father had been relatively prosperous, his family comfortably situated. His responsibilities would not have been so onerous, the hardships so overwhelming, had the Highlands not been devastated after Culloden. Any one who has a knowledge of Scottish history knows that after Culloden, Cumberland with his legions, under the pretext of disarming the Highlanders, scourged the Highlands with fire and sword, burning, pillaging, killing, leaving the hills and glens a complete wasteland. As one historian recently wrote: "The memory of those months are bitterly held in the Highlands even unto this day." The last half of the eighteenth century, from Culloden until about 1800, the Highlands went through a complete revolution. The social, economic, agricultural, the clan system, all of which had endured and served well for centuries, were completely swept away, and the people of the Highlands were left destitute.

There had been some emigration prior to this time but now, tens of thousands left their country to find homes elsewhere. It was during this period of transition that Daniel McLaurin II., had to struggle for survival. He was probably in his thirties when he married Margaret McLaurine, a sister of Robert McLaurine, an Episcopal minister and the great grandfather of Colonel John S.

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Mosby of Confederate fame. I am indebted to Colonel Mosby and Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin) for the information about this marriage. They became very good friends after the War, and I may add that I had the inestimable privilege of meeting and talking with Col. Mosby on one occasion. See MOSBY, elsewhere.

Daniel McLaurin II, and his wife Margaret McLaurine, were the parents of three sons, Hugh, Daniel, and John. Hugh, known to our family and his descendants as "Piper" Hugh and to John Roy McLaurin as "Captain" Hugh, and his brother Daniel probably came to this country during the early stages of the Revolutionary War, while still in their "teens," Their younger brother, John (great grandfather), was to follow the next year but the war prevented his reaching this country until 1783 or 1784. It is believed that "Piper" Hugh and his brother, Daniel, landed in Charleston and went directly to Richmond County, North Carolina, where their uncle, Duncan McLaurin, had already settled. In referring to Richmond County it should be kept in mind that all of Scotland County was a part of Richmond County until 1890. For additional information about "Piper" Hugh and his brother, Daniel, see "Piper" Hugh McLaurin and Daniel McLaurin, elsewhere.

It is believed that Margaret, the wife of Daniel McLaurin II, died in either 1785 or 1786, and soon thereafter Daniel came to this country. The date of his arrival is not known to me, but all agree that he landed in Wilmington, N. C., went up the Cape Fear River to Fayetteville, then known as Campbelltown or Cross Creek, and from there, eventually, came to Marlboro County and settled near the home of his youngest son, John, (great grandfather).

The Rev. Thomas, in his History of Marlboro County, says

"Daniel, the head of this branch of the family, came to America when his son, John, was about twenty years old (that would have been about 1786) and settled first near Campbelltown, now Fayetteville, North Carolina. After a few years boating on Cape Fear River the old patriarch came to Marlboro and established himself where his grandson, John J. now lives."

John J. was the youngest son of John McLaurin III, a brother of Grandfather L. L. McLaurin. He inherited the old home place on the "White Oak" and lived there all of his life.

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I have been told that Daniel had so many friends and relatives in and around Fayetteville, and in the area between Cape Fear and Pee Dee, that he spent several months visiting before reaching Marlboro and Richmond counties where his brother and sons had settled. After an extended visit in this community he returned to Fayetteville and there, with several relatives or friends, entered into the "boating" business on the River. It is believed that it was around 1790 when Daniel returned to Marlboro County and settled on or near the "White Oak" and remained there the balance of his life.

John McLaurin, III (Big John‑Surly John)

John McLaurin, III                                 married                             Mary McNair

Dec. 9, 1765‑Oct. 31, 1848                                                          ‑‑‑‑ 1769‑Feb. 4, 1847

John McLaurin III (Great grandfather) was born in the home of his parents in the Highlands of Scotland, where his progenitors had made their homes for centuries. He spent his early years in that community. In 1784, according to the History of Marlboro County, and, as I recall, in 1783 as told to me by Uncle Daniel, when eighteen years of age, he landed in George Town (Georgetown), South Carolina, went up the Little Pee Dee River to what we know as Red Bluff. At one time in history this was a very important trading center and was known as Laurinton.

It is probable that upon his arrival in this country John went directly to Richmond County, North Carolina, where his uncle, Duncan, and his brothers, Hugh and Daniel, had previously settled. There is a span of some nine or ten years after his arrival in this country that I have not been able to follow with any degree of certainty. It is a known fact that he was overseeing a large plantation before he was of age. Uncle Daniel believed that this plantation was in the Shoe Heel (Maxton) section of Richmond County, North Carolina. The public records in Marlboro County show that John McLaurin bought several small tracts of land on Beaver Dam Creek in the seventeen nineties. The descriptions are vague and do not conform to present day known boundaries, but it appears almost certain that at least one of these small farms was purchased by

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our John and it is also possible that he lived there, at least a part of the nine years referred to.

It was during that decade, and the following, that thousands of Scotsmen left their homes in Scotland, came to this country, and settled in North and South Carolina, between the Cape Tear and Pee Dee. Many of them settled in what are now Richmond, Scotland, and Robeson counties in North Carolina, and Marlboro, Marion, and Chesterfield counties in South Carolina. During this time, as is well known, others of our ancestors came into this area and made their homes.

On December 4, 1794, "Piper" Hugh McLaurin bought a tract of land consisting of two hundred acres, lying on the waters of the White Oak from Wm. Powe. He soon sold fifty acres of this land, and it seems to be reasonably certain that Hugh was living in the immediate community at that time. It is also believed that his brother John was living with him, or in the same community. Our beliefs and speculations become facts when, in 1797 "Piper" Hugh McLaurin conveyed to his brother, John McLaurin, this tract of land for seven pounds, and stated in the description, that it was "the plantation on which the said John McLaurin now liveth."

This tract of land lies on both sides of the present highway leading from Clio to McColl (neither town was in existence at that time), and this present highway had not been established. It joins the Eli Willis lands on the North, extends across the creek taking in the lands on which the McColls now live. A portion of this tract of land is still owned by the McColls, descendants of John, and a portion was owned by Charlton McLaurin and his sister, Annie McL. Morrison, until their deaths.

The original house in which John lived at the time of its purchase was a rather large story and a half log house, standing back on the west side of the present highway, probably two hundred yards in the direction of the railroad. Uncle Daniel said that he remembered the house well. When I was a young man there was an old walnut tree back in this field. Uncle Daniel stated that the old house stood near this tree. I believe I could go within a hundred feet of the exact spot where the house stood.

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John lived in this house until about the time he married. He then built a frame dwelling across the creek near the present home of Sara and Jimmy McColl; there he and his wife lived the remainder of their lives.

I have had relatives tell me that they could not "visualize" this ancestor, that he was just a name. I have heard my uncles and aunts, and Grandmother McIntyre talk of him so much until I almost feel as if I knew him. Physically he was about five feet seven or eight inches tall, a broad, heavy‑set man of phenomenal strength. He was a man of great energy, force and drive.  It was said of him that he was never idle during daylight hours, that some restless force, some compulsion seemed to drive him relentlessly.

In his young, and middle years, he was, what we of this day would call a "loner" in that he attended to his own affairs, strictly and exclusively, and with equal fervor let the affairs of his friends and neighbors alone. He was direct and abrupt in speech and action, usually civil but quite often rude and seldom friendly. He was an opinionated man, firm, stubborn and unbending in his convictions. He never learned to trim a sail to catch the breeze of popularity. He who wrote:

"Obstinancy is a very Celtic trait; with the McLaurins it is predominate"

may have had in mind such men as this our John.

He was just recently out of the Highlands of Scotland where the scars of Cumberland's torch and sword were everywhere visible, where hardships and deprivation were the way of life for his people. He came to America seeking a new life in a new world. He elected to settle in what was then a primitive and sparsely settled area of the country. History records that fifty years before his arrival not one white person lived within the boundaries of what is now Marlboro County. Life to him was very real and very serious. He knew that he and he alone could shape his destiny, and determine the measure of his success. Like many of his countrymen he was almost fanatically independent. His early environment and the experiences of his childhood and early manhood no doubt contributed to his conduct in the association with his fellow men. His habit of "minding his own business" and remaining aloof from acquaint-

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ances, his abrupt manner of speech and action, did not increase his popularity with casual acquaintances. So it is easy to see why he became known as "surly" John. Uncle Daniel said that this sobriquet followed him through life, but self preservation prevented anyone from so addressing him in his presence.

In later years he "mellowed", became more socially inclined, joined in community activities and became, as one put it, "a tower of strength upon which his friends and neighbors leaned in their hours of adversity." His abundant common sense and sound judgment was made use of by his friends. Thomas, in his History of Marlboro County, spoke of him as "a kindly old man of great worth." So we may assume that in his old age the "surliness" of his youth and young manhood was no longer evident. Then, too, he had become stout, corpulent, and relatively prosperous. While these things may have contributed to his better nature, we believe that he was inherently a decent, sensitive human being, and changes always come with age.

Many stories were told of his almost Herculean strength. He was a great favorite at "house or barn raisings" (erecting log barns or houses). These were festive occasions. Al1 of the people in a community would gather to assist some neighbor in building a house or barn. The women would prepare and serve refreshments while the men worked, ate, and drank. There was much hard work, but there was also leisure time in which all enjoyed the pleasures of that day. A demonstration of John's great strength was always of tremendous interest. It is said that he would pick up a large log singlehanded, and put it in place while two other husky men struggled with a log of similar size.

Uncle Daniel enjoyed telling of our John's fist encounter with a Hickory bush. It was soon after he had bought his farm. He went to Fayetteville and purchased all of the tools usually used in clearing new ground. He started digging in a Shumac thicket. He noticed immediately that nearly all of the roots of these plants are near the surface of the ground, so he threw down his tools and started jerking them out of the ground with both hands. It was then that he encountered a Hickory. He knew nothing of the Hickory's habit of sending a tap root into the earth as deep as

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or deeper than the height of the plant above ground. He pulled but nothing happened. He braced himself and pulled again, but the Hickory failed to cooperate. He squatted, took a new hold and applied all of his powerful strength ‑and probably used language suitable to the occasion ‑ the Hickory gave way and came out of the ground. He examined it closely and muttering threw it aside. But it is said that he always recognized a Hickory after that and paid it the respect that it demanded.

I have been told that throughout his long life he never had occasion to consult a doctor. On that cool fall day, which was to be his last, he displayed his usual energy in pursuing his accustomed activities. At the close of the day he ate supper, and to all outward appearances was in perfect health. Soon thereafter he sat down before the fire, and in a matter of seconds was dead. John the immigrant boy; John the pioneer; the John of phenomenal strength; "Big" John; "Surly" John; John "the tower of strength"; John the kindly old man of great worth", was gone ‑ the book closed.

When about forty years of age our John married Miss Mary McNair of Richmond County, N. C., a young lady then in her thirties. When I was only a boy I heard uncles, aunts, and other relatives, say that our family was related to the John F. McNair family of Laurinburg. I gave the matter little, if any thought at that time, but somehow I got the impression, though I cannot say how, that the father of this our Mary was Neill McNair, and that she came to this country with other members of her family sometime in the seventeen eighties.

In my research I found that someone had written a history of the John F. McNair family. It began with two brothers, Neill and Alex, who settled in Richmond County (now Scotland) "some time prior to 1790." There is no mention of a father or other members of the family. As a pure speculation it might be suggested that Mary could have been a sister of these two brothers and came to this country with them or with other members of the family. Known pertinent dates make this hypothesis possible, but when we examine the Probate records in Richmond County we find that there are several other possibilities. There are four McNair Wills,

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all dated within a few years of each other, and all having one thing in common. Each of them had a daughter, Mary.

EDWARD McNAIR, Book 1, page 30, date 1789. He named as his heirs his wife, Mary McNair, and five children, among them a daughter, MARY.

NEILL McNAIR, Book 1, page 124‑125, dated 1805. He names his wife, Mary McNair and five children, among them a daughter, MARY.

ROGER McNAIR, Book 1, page 33‑34, dated 1796. He lists his heirs as two children, a son and a daughter, MARY.

GILBERT McNAIR, Book 1, page 205‑206, dated 1809. He names as his heirs his wife, Mary, and fourteen children, among them a daughter MARY McLAURIN. One paragraph of this Will reads as follows: "Next I bequeath to my daughter, Mary McLaurin, ten dollars and to my daughter, Margaret McKay, ten dollars."

Two of these Wills were dated some years before John and Mary were married, one about the time of their marriage, and the other some four years after their marriage. The only significance that I see in the dates of these Wills is that either of these men could have been the father of Mary. The bequest by Gilbert McNair to his daughter, MARY McLAURIN, is very persuasive that Gilbert was the father of our Mary, but it is not conclusive. There were other McLaurins in that community at that time. A case, perhaps, of equal persuasion could be made for Neill McNair. John and Mary named their first child Daniel N. I have never known what the "N" stood for, but certainly it was for Neill or Nair. If it stood for Neill it seems logical to assume that John and Mary named their first born for their fathers ‑ DANIEL for John's father NEILL for Mary's father ‑ DANIEL N. Perhaps two other straws in this wind of confusion should be mentioned. While in Florida my brother Oscar did considerable timber cruisins and land appraising for Mr. John F. McNair. On one occasion, in a general conversation, and in the presence of several other persons, Mr. McNair stated that he and Oscar were related. I gather that there was no elaboration, and Oscar made no comment. A short time before his death Clarence McLaurin stated that in a conversation with one of the descendants of Mr. John F. McNair, he was told that

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this McNair family had always known of a relationship with our family. These facts and speculations are mentioned for whatever they may be worth. I am not, and I repeat, I am not trying to tie our Mary to either of the families mentioned. She could have been a part of either of them, or, of an entirely different family. Regretfully I must admit that I don't know who her parents were. I had hoped to do additional research but have put it off too long. I must leave that to others.

I have been told that Mary was a very handsome woman of medium size, a bright mind, energetic, and domestically inclined, devoted to her home and family. It is also said that she and John lived in harmony, which would indicate that she was also "adapta�ble" if we are to believe all that we are told about John's disposition in his younger years.

John McLaurin III, (Big John-Surly John) and his wife Mary McNair, were the parents of four children, three boys and one girl.

DANIEL N. McLAURIN, Oct. 15,1808-April 10, 1886 married Anne Elizabeth Buie MARGARET McLAURIN, April 28,1811-  Died when about two years old.

LAUCHLIN LEROY McLAURIN, April 14, 1813-Sept. 25, 1888 married Effie Ellen McColl, Nov. 10, 1816-Jan. 14, 1897

JOHN J. McLAURIN, Jan. 19, 1816-July 17, 1892 married Belinda McLaurin, Apr. 5, 1828-Nov. 15, 1878

I shall continue this narrative with our direct ancestral line. Such information as I have relating to the families of Daniel N. McLaurin and John J. McLaurin will appear under Collateral Lines.

LAUCHLIN LEROY McLAURIN (Grandfather), the third child and second son of John McLaurin III, and his wife, Mary McNair, was born in the farm home of his parents on the White Oak, on April 14, 1813.

He was about sixteen or seventeen years of age when his older brother, Daniel N., left home and settled in Mississippi near the

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home of his uncle, "Piper" Hugh McLaurin. He remained with his parents until he was grown, possibly until he was married. But it is that interval of some ten or more years, from the time of his marriage until he bought the 495 1/2 acre tract of land from Sharide Leget, that no living person can say with assurance just where he made his home.

The public records indicate that his father, John McLaurin, owned a small farm on Beaver Dam Creek at that time. It would be reasonable to assume that he settled on this farm soon after his marriage and possibly remained there until he bought the Leget place. It is also quite possible that during these years, or at least some of them, he may have lived on the Leget place, above referred to, under a lease or contract to purchase. Of course all of this is pure speculation, but it seems to be generally believed and quite often asserted that all ten of his children were born on the McLaurin's Mill plantation, and this claim is tenable only on the hypothesis that he actually lived on one of these tracts of land before he bought the Leget place in 1846, as five of his children were born before that date.

These two contiguous tracts of land, the Leget place and the small farm on Beaver Dam Creek became the heart of the McLau�rin's Mill plantation, and proved to be the most important of his many land acquisitions, for it was here that he "put down roots" and began the creation of a small empire that expanded in many directions and brought him wealth and recognition as one of the most successful and progressive planters in Marlboro County.

It was probably more than half a century before he bought this Leget place that an ancestor of Sharide Leget had thrown a low dam across a spreading shallow stream, impounding a small pond of water. On this site he bad built a grist mill. The dam was low, the pond small, the power that could be generated so inadequate that the mill could operate for only a short time when the water level would fall and operations had to be discontinued until another head of water accumulated. This was the condition of the mill and its surroundings when the legal title passed from Sharide Leget to L. L. McLaurin.

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This old mill site is about a mile southwest of the Town of McColl (at that time, not in existence), and this was to become the central point, the operational headquarters for a plantation that, from this comparatively modest beginning was, over the years, to encompass many hundreds of acres, and become one of the most widely known plantations in Marlboro County. The next two de�cades were a period of growth and expansion. Adjoining farms were bought, outlying lands were purchased. Progressively this expansion continued until the War halted all such activities. For a decade or more after the War the problem was not one of buying but of holding on to that already owned. But the Captain was not one who could resist, or long ignore, that inherent compulsion that drove him into new adventures, nor was he one to permit "golden opportunities" pass him by. So, "time and chance", the urge and the opportunity, combined to push the boundaries of the plantation farther and farther from the old mill, and from the Manor House on the hill.

I was told by an uncle that after his father bought this land he devoted the greater part of his time to clearing more land and improving that already under cultivation. But it was not long before the demands on his grist mill became so great he felt that he should explore the possibility of making the improvements that would let him take care of the requirements of the community. He knew that this could be done only by raising the dam at least four feet that sufficient water might be impounded to keep the mill in opera�tion as the demands might require. This would entail backing water far up on the lands of his closest neighbor and friend, Archibald McIntyre. This problem was resolved by an agreement in which he contracted to grind all of the grain of the McIntyre plantation, so long as it was operated as a plantation as compensation for the use of the land to be covered by water. This agreement is on record in the office of the Clerk of Court of Marlboro County.

The dam was raised. Equipment was installed on the upper floor that would permit the grinding of wheat into flour. The lower floor was used entirely for grinding corn. This was the only grist mill within a radius of many miles and even with all of the ex-

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panded and improved facilities, much of the time it could not meet the demands.

It may seem strange to this, or some future generation, that a plantation of such size and renown should take its name from a lowly grist mill, but so it did. McLAURIN'S MILL plantation

became widely known, even beyond the boundaries of this state. It became, not only the hub of L. L. McLaurin's little world, but the center of community activities for several decades.

One uncle said that circumstances forced his father to keep expanding; that "one thing led to another". In the beginning the grist mill was of secondary importance, but the demands of the community forced its expansion. Building materials were necessary for plantation purposes so he bought and put into operation a saw�mill. His neighbors and friends began making use of the sawmill until it became necessary to expand that facility. Distance from the markets and unsatisfactory transportation induced him to build and stock a commissary with necessary supplies for the plantation. His neighbors took advantage of this convenience, so he expanded it into a well stocked store. And then came the Post Office. His son, Luther McLaurin, then a very young man, became Post Master and continued to serve in that capacity as long as the Post Office remained, McLaurin's Mill, and for several decades after it was moved to McColl.

I never knew Grandfather McLaurin. He died when I was an infant. But I have been told that he was a well built man of about five feet seven inches in height, black hair and blue eyes. At a very early age it was evident that he had inherited from his father much of that restless, driving energy that was so patent in later life, and when yet a young man he began displaying a canny sense of business judgment and enterprise.

In his younger years, he was, like most of our people, hot tem�pered, quick to resent an insult, and violent in his reaction to an attack on his person or honor. As he grew older he was calm, soft�spoken, gentle, unassuming and deliberate in speech and action. But it is said that even when past middle life no one insulted him with impunity.

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To illustrate this point I will tell what was told to me by Charlton McLaurin, and to him by his father, John D. McLaurin. It was during "reconstruction". There were malcontents and trouble makers among the former slaves. One, a big mulatto, seemed to have some grievance against the Captain. He went to the house and was standing, leaning against the corner of the kitchen. Grand�father was grinding an axe a short distance away. The mulatto made some remark that the Captain resented. He threw the axe at the Negro's head and would have hit the target had the 'Mulatto not ducked. The axe stuck in the corner board of the kitchen. The scar remained until the old kitchen was moved or torn down some fifty years later.

Captain Thomas, in his History of Marlboro County, says that he was :

". .. a man of uncommon energy and push, of fine mind, good judgment, and modest worth."

The following is taken from a newspaper clipping, written about the time of his death:

"He was a man of tremendous energy, unusually sound business judgment, and one of the best minds in Marlboro County, ... He was one of the most successful and progressive farmers

in the county; always trying out new methods and practices, and was one of the first in the county to experiment extensively with commercial fertilizers."

A letter shown to me by Uncle Daniel, written by a Wilmington, North Carolina firm, contained the following:

"We have done extensive business with Capt. McLaurin for many years. Some of these transactions ran into very large amounts. We have never demanded of him any note or bond.  His word is all that we have ever felt the necessity of having."

The following is one paragraph taken from an article that ap�peared about the time of the death of Grandmother -McLaurin.

"I had the pleasure, and it is still a fragrant and refreshing memory, of visiting in this home a number of times in those happy days before the War. Here was a home in which elegance, refinement, gentility were so evident and yet so subdued and unobtrusive, so combined and fused into the ordinary and accustomed activities of everyday life, that the visitor was made

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to feel, not only welcome, but that he was doing his host and hostess a favor by being their guest."

I asked Uncle Daniel where Grandfather got the title, "Cap�tain." He said that almost immediately after Fort Sumter was fired upon, his father, who was forty-eight years of age at that time, went to Charleston and offered his services. He was commissioned "Captain" and assigned to the "Home Guard," which Uncle Daniel thought existed only on paper at that time. He was not sure just what happened after that. But his father, a restless man given to quick decisions and prompt actions, probably could not reconcile himself to the thought of spending months or years around Charles�ton assisting in organizing and training old men and misfits that would never see any action. He resigned his commission as Captain and returned home. Uncle Daniel said that in later years he had searched Confederate Archives but found no record of this commis�sion. But since its issuance and probably the resignation occurred prior to the time that South Carolina actually became a part of the Confederacy, this record, like many others in those early days, was either lost or destroyed.

To his friends he was Lauch or Lock. To all others he was either Captain McLaurin or Captain Lauch.

Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin, wife of Capt. L. L. McLaurin, I am told, was a woman of great charm and of many accomplish�ments. She had a bright inquiring mind, was a student of the Bible, and read all of the literature that was available. She was interested in civic matters, but outside of her home and family her greatest interest was the Presbyterian Church. I was about ten years of age when she died. My clearest recollection of her is that of a rather small woman sitting deep in an over-sized buggy, such as were in common use in those days, driving her aged buggy horse, "Old Brag". When she would see me she would stop, call me to the side of the buggy and talk to me for five or ten minutes in�quiring about all of the family.

She knew much of the history of Marlboro County, and espe�cially of its early settlers. She knew more of the history and gen�ealogy of the McColl and McLaurin families than any other of her generation and her knowledge reached out into the families

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of her friends and neighbors. It was from her, supplemented of course by his own research, that her son, D. W. McLaurin (Uncle Daniel) received such a broad knowledge of the family and family connections. Uncle Luther told me that any time his mother began talking about members of the family, living or dead, Uncle Daniel was "all ears". He would pull up a chair and listen with rapt atten�tion to every word spoken, while he, Uncle Luther, being only mildly interested in such matters entertained himself otherwise.

Look under MISCELLANEOUS for an article written by Mr. Brown about this Grandmother, soon after her death.

Captain Lauchlin LeRoy McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin, were the parents of ten children. All of them lived until maturity, all married, and all except one was a parent of one or more children.

MARY JANE McLAURIN, June 5, 1840-Apr. 29, 1869 married Capt. John R. Parker

JOHN FRANKLIN McLAURIN, Oct. 17,1841-Nov. 26, 1906 married Kittie Hubbard, May 22, 1849-June 26, 1931

HUGH LAUCHLIN McLAURIN, Dec. 16, 1843-Nov. 18, 1926 married Flora Jane Calhoun, June 6, 1845-Apr. 1, 1914

DANIEL WASHINGTON McLAURIN, Dec. 16, 1843-July 13, 1928 married Martha Colin  (Mattie ) McLucas, Feb. 15, 1846�-March 15, 1924

MARGARET ANN ( Maggie ) McLAURIN, Dec. 10, 1845-Aug. 6, 1869 married John C. McCaskill

JAMES ALEXANDER McLAURIN, March 11, 1848-Jan. 9, 1889 married Nancy Della McIntyre, Dec. 9, 1855-Sept. 3, 1933

ALBINA McLAURIN, Jan. 27,1850-Sept. 16, 1898 married J. Furman Willis, March 17, 1849-Dec. 14, 1920

EFFIE ELLEN McLAURIN, Feb. 11, 1857-Apr. 10, 1904 married Roderick S. McLucas, March 10, 1842-March 23, 1902

LUTHER McLAURIN, Aug. 20,1857-Apr. 1, 1933 married, first - Annie McKinnon, Dec. 25, 1862-June 17, 1896

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married, second - Elizabeth ( Liza ) Covington, Oct. 11, 1872-Sept. 14, 1956

WALTER BISHOP McLAURIN, Dec. 10, 1859-Apr. 18, 1925 married Julia A. Terry, Sept. 12, 1863-July 19, 1920

I shall continue this narrative with my immediate family. I shall follow this with such history and genealogy as I have of each of the children of Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin.

JAMES ALEXANDER McLAURIN
(Son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin )

He was the sixth child and the fourth son of Capt. L. L. Mc�Laurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. He was born on the McLaurin plantation, known as McLaurin's Mill, in 1848. His early life was very much like that of any boy brought up on a large plantation in the days immediately preceding the War Be�tween the States.

Even when a small boy, when not in school, he was given regular tasks to perform and duties and responsibilities commensu�rate with his age and experience. One of my uncles said they were all brought up on hard work and the Shorter Catechism. That their father believed that physical labor was not only good for the body but a tonic for the soul. Morals and religion were not neglected. Their mother, a strict and devout Presbyterian saw to that. It was stressed that honesty was one of the greatest of virtues. That it was an unforgivable sin to rob another of that which he had honest�ly acquired, and that extended to his reputation and ideals. They were taught that industry and frugality, properly applied, made men free. That without both they became dependent on others, and to the extent of that dependency they were slaves. That one must be self-reliant, for at some time every man must stand alone.

His formal education was confined to the local private schools. He was thirteen when the War began. His older brothers, John F., Hugh L., and Daniel W., immediately volunteered. His mother stated that he insisted on going with them but was persuaded that the job of providing food for the army was of tremendous impor-

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tance and that his chance to serve would come if the War con�tinued.

Years later his mother stated that he was not satisfied to remain at home, but that he devoted himself to the required activities of the plantation. That while only a boy in years he assumed the responsibilities and did the work that previously had been done by his older brothers. That in those tragic War years, especially towards the latter part, his father leaned heavily upon him.

When Sherman's armies swept through the State they fanned out in many directions. Those that camped at the Old Mill remained for several days. They sent raiding parties throughout that entire area, seizing all foods and feed, all livestock, cattle and hogs that they could find. They burned many buildings, piled and burned farming implements and tools and burned every grist mill within a radius of many miles. The sole exception was the Old Mill, from which the plantation took its name. The courage and determination of one young lady, Aunt Mary Jane McLaurin, saved the Old Mill. It had stood through many changing years and was destined to continue standing for nearly another hundred years. But that is a story within itself.

After the army moved on, Uncle Luther said that he and my Father went into the swamp, where they had previously driven some of the cattle, and captured several young yearlings and broke them to pull plows that they had rebuilt from parts and pieces that had not been destroyed. With this equipment they began planting a garden, and making such preparations as was possible to start another farming year. As soon as it was learned that the army had left Fayetteville Grandfather went up there, bought sev�eral old mules that the army had abandoned as worthless, and with these old mules and the equipment that could be reconstructed they began the uphill struggle to plant a crop.

I shall not attempt to review the years following the War. The South, as we all know, was treated as a conquered province. Yankee soldiers were stationed in every county in the State. The carpet�bagger and scalawag had a field-day. They enacted laws and issued decrees that were executed by the soldiers, and in many instances

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the soldiers made and executed their own laws and regulations. Those who "assisted" or "sympathized" with the Confederacy were disenfranchised and in many instances their property was confis�cated. This, of course, meant that practically every responsible per�son in the South was prevented from participating in any govern�mental activity.

When the War ended Uncles John F., Hugh L., and Daniel W., returned home. They had left a large, prosperous, well or�ganized and operated plantation. They returned to this same plan�tation but found barns empty, pastures unused, fields untended. A spirit of gloom had settled over the land.

Now that the other "boys" were at home, Father decided to "get away" and try his fortunes elsewhere. About 1868 two of his first cousins, Hugh McColl, son of his aunt Margaret McColl, and John T. McColl, son of his uncle John B. McColl, went to Texas. Father decided to join them. He remained in Texas about two years, and probably would have stayed, as his cousins did, but his father was urging him to return home. His older brothers were getting married and venturing out for themselves and he was needed at home. He returned home and continued to live with his parents until he married a young lady whom he had known all of her life--Nancy Della McIntyre. They were married in the McIntyre home by the Rev. James A. Cousar, April 25, 1875.

Soon after they married they built a modest home on lands owned by Mother on the old Rockingham Road. When I was carry�ing mail I passed by this old home every day. It has long since been torn down, or otherwise destroyed. Father bought several ad�joining tracts of land, and they lived there for about eight years. Mother said they were happy in this home. Virgie, the oldest child, was born in the old McIntyre home. Mattie, Oscar and Fred were born in the home on the old Rockingham Road. I was born in Kissimmee, Florida.

Mother said they "made a living, farming". They were as pros�perous as any of their friends or neighbors. There were no wealthy people anywhere in that community at that time. Some lost their land. Others, in spite of confiscatory taxes and depressed prices

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for farm products, held on to their land. But land that could not be profitably worked was a liability. They struggled with these conditions for years, merely to keep in the same place. Their finan�cial condition changed little in those years. The future held little promise for improvement.

It was at this time that opportunity seemed to come knocking on their door. Southeast Florida was going through a period of growth and prosperity not equaled by any other section of the south, at that time. Numbers of persons from Marlboro and sur�rounding counties made trips down there, probably hoping that they might in some manner share in the prosperity that had avoided them.

Among those making this trip were Uncle Daniel and Uncle Hugh L. (together or separately, I do not know). Both brought back rather flowing accounts of what they had seen and heard. They were particularly impressed with conditions in the Kissimmee section. There was much building taking place but they were told that there was a scarcity of some building materials. Even rough lumber had to be hauled in from distant points, although, just across Lake Tohopekaliga (on which Kissimmee is situated) were vast forests of virgin pine. But it seems that no one had figured out how to get the timber across the lake economically.

Father had, for years, operated his father's saw mill and at this time owned one of his own. His brothers urged him to go to Florida and personally explore the possibilities. Uncle Hugh L. offered to join him in any undertaking that he might decide upon. And be did participate in both the Florida and Georgia enterprises, but to just what extent I am not sure, but it was probably a half interest.

Father found the business climate more favorable than he had expected. When the businessmen, and especially the builders and land developers, learned that he was interested in establishing a saw mill in that immediate community they offered to give him any assistance possible. The contractors assured him that they could use his entire output of rough lumber and they were willing to pay the premium prices that they were then paying to have such lumber brought in from distant points. Business men secured for

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him tentative options on large tracts of timber at extremely low prices. It was explained to him that these prices were possible be�cause the timber was on the opposite side of the lake and he would have to arrange to get either the timber or the manufactured lumber across the lake.

Mother said that when Father returned from Florida they had long and serious discussions. They tried to examine every facet of the situation. They knew that whatever their decision it would probably be the most far-reaching of their lives. If they should go to Florida it would mean that they would have to sell their farms to raise money with which to finance this undertaking. They would have to uproot the family from among relatives and friends and take their places among strangers in a strange community. If they succeeded all would be well. If they failed they would be homeless and practically destitute. But they, like all farmers at that time, were making a bare living on their farms, so they decided to take the venture. They bought about twenty or twenty five acres of land lying along the bank of the Lake and extending up into the southern part of the town. They built a modest residence on the edge of town and established the mill at a selected spot on the bank of the lake and on the southern part of the tract of land. Timber was cut and floated across the lake to the mill. The entire operation moved smoothly with a minimum of trouble.

The family lived in Kissimmee for several years. I was born there. This business venture had been a success far beyond expecta�tions. And as the last of the loads were being floated across the lake to the mill; what appeared to be an even more attractive op�portunity opened up in southwest Georgia. Mother said that Father spent several months investigating before deciding to dispose of his Florida holdings and move to Georgia. He finally bought large tracts of virgin pine in the Sylvester section of the state. He negotiated and closed contracts to supply sufficient lumber to keep his mill in full operation for months. He bought and installed in the heart of his timberlands the most modern milling equipment then available. He contracted with the railroad company to build a spur track into his mill.

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Mother said that during those months of planning and building Father went without sufficient food, rest and sleep. Much of the time it was cold and raining and Father exposed himself constantly to the elements. But at last the mill was in full operation. His vision and efforts began paying off. The lumber began moving, contracts were being filled, money was coming in, everyone was happy and enthusiastic. The future seemed to be extremely bright. And then, he was stricken and died.

Most men, even in this day, who start with little and accumu�late much, have, at times, found themselves over-extended finan�cially. But now one can protect his business ventures with in�surance, something unavailable at that time. One had to make his plans and trust that life and health would permit him to complete the undertaking. But almost in the beginning of this venture that held such great promise of success, the family was to feel the com�plete desolation that comes when the directing voice is hushed and the guiding hand is stilled.

Uncle Daniel said that Father had sound business judgment, a quick analytical mind that could go to the heart of a proposition almost instantly. That he would take chances but they were chances based upon his reasoned judgment. He was by nature a cautious man. He seldom ventured until he had examined every angle and calculated every risk.

He doubtless felt that he had taken all precautions in this ven�ture. He had bought and paid for large tracts of virgin timber. He had installed a modern milling plant in its midst. He had nego�tiated contracts for the sale of lumber that would keep his mill in full operation for many months, and at prices that would net a handsome profit above all calculated costs. The railroad had built a spur track into his mill and lumber was being shipped. There was just one thing that he had not provided against - his untimely death. A slight stroke was brought on, according to the doctors, by over-exertion and exposure. His complete recovery from the stroke seemed assured when pneumonia developed and the end came quickly.

Mother, a young woman with five small children and no busi�ness experience, knew that she was not capable of operating the

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mill, nor did she feel equal to the task of administering on Father's estate. So she, quite naturally I think, turned everything over to Uncle Hugh L. who, as heretofore stated, had an interest in the business. I do not know the thoughts, or the reasoning of Uncle Hugh L. but my guess is that he weighed his business interests, his home and family, his relatives and friends in Marlboro County against his business interests in Georgia and decided that he could not afford to spend the time in Georgia that would be necessary for him to successfully operate the plant, so he decided to sell everything. Transportation and communications were slow, unde�pendable and primitive at that time, and Sylvester, Georgia is sev�eral hundred miles from McColl, S. C. I have been told that Uncle Hugh L. went to Georgia possibly several times, but remained only a very short time, so it would appear that he engaged some local person, or persons, to handle the liquidation of the business and their rather extensive holdings. And it is equally apparent that everything was disposed of at a fraction of its value. The family never knew exactly what happened, but we did know that Mother received very little.

Just as a footnote to the above. About a mile from Father's plant a man (to call his name would serve no good purpose) was operating a small saw mill, it was thought, on the proverbial "shoe�string". He came into possession of all, or a large part of Father's plant and timber, and thirty years thereafter was rated by Dunn & Bradstreet as being worth more than a quarter of a million dol�lars.

I have been told that soon after the death of Father a number of articles and letters appeared in newspapers in both Georgia and South Carolina. I have several of these articles. If I decide to use them I shall let them speak for themselves.

Of all of the letters of condolence that Mother received I think one of the most cherished was a hand-written letter from Gen. John B. Gordon, then Governor of Georgia. She kept this letter until it was destroyed when our house burned. I do not recall its entire contents but do remember that he referred to Father as: "My good friend and kinsman." There was a remote relationship as will appear when we examine our McColl heritage.

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NANCY DELLA McINTYRE McLAURIN
(daughter of Archibald McIntyre, Jr.)

It would, of course, be impossible for me to write objectively of my mother. To me she was a dynamic bundle of love, under�standing, and compassion. Her name is not carved on any towering marble shaft. Her portrait does not grace the walls of any hall of fame, but her innate goodness, her love, her dedication, and sacrifices, carved themselves deep in the hearts and souls of five small children, and that seemed to be all that she asked of life.

She guided her children with a firm but gentle hand. She was not a strict disciplinarian. There were rules, of course, known to all of us and we infringed one at our peril. Retribution, while not severe, was sure and quick, and, like most children, we learned very soon just how far we could go without incurring any penal�ties.

Early in life we were taught to think and act for ourselves. She would let us make decisions even when she knew we were making mistakes. We would fall, she would help us up and point out just why we had fallen. As we grew older she left decision making strictly to each of us. She would discuss questions with us, insist that we examine the matter from all sides, and then the final judgment had to be ours, and when once made, she never questioned it or interfered.

Mother was a rather quiet unassuming person. She had a happy disposition, an optimistic outlook and a keen sense of humor. If she worried in those early days she kept it from her children. But no one could so completely hold the destiny of five children in her hands without worrying, even agonizing over what the future might hold for her and them. We were far from wealthy. In fact we were poor but not poverty-stricken. We had all of the essentials and some few of the luxuries of that day. There were many people, perhaps a majority, good, honest, hardworking, substantial, highly respected citizens who were in no better financial circumstances than we were. Wealth and poverty are relative. We can determine the level of one's affluence only by comparing with others at a stated time in a given community. No living person today is capable

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of making a just and understandable comparison of the living stan�dards of seventy-five years ago and those of today, unless he was a part of that generation.

Necessity compelled us to live within our means. We learned early of the scarcity of money and the value of a dollar. There were many deprivations and many compensations. We were not openly a demonstrative family but we were extremely "close-knit". Our feelings and affections ran deep and strong. Anything that touched one of us was felt by all of us, and that closeness continued throughout life. We were, I think, normal children and lived and acted the part. We had our differences, our disagreements, our quarrels, spats and fights, but I don't think our conduct ever caused Mother to really worry about us.

When I was about five years of age I was permitted to share a joke and a secret with Mother. The fact that only the two of us were "in on the joke" magnified its importance to me. There was a woman named Nancy who came to our house each week to wash and iron the clothes. We were having rainy weather and Nancy failed to show up. Mother began to fret about "dirty clothes piling up". One morning the sun came out. The children got off to school. Mother told me to build a fire around the pot that she was going to "wash out a few pieces of clothing". The job was completed, the clothes on the line drying and dinner on the table when the children came from school. We were eating dinner. Virgie remarked that she was glad Mother had found someone to do the washing. Then she asked - "who did it?" Without a moment's hesitation Mother said Nancy did it. I was busy eating but looked up, ready to broadcast the information that Mother had done the washing - with my help of course - but I glanced at Mother; she was smiling, but was slowly shaking her head from side to side. I said nothing.

Later I asked Mother why she had told the children that Nancy had done the washing when she knew full well that she had done it. She said that she expected them to "catch on" immediately, but since they didn't she saw no use in upsetting them. Then she added that she had misled them but had not told an untruth since Nancy had actually done the washing. I am not sure whether I grasped

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the situation, or had to have it spelled out for me. Mother was called DELLA, not NANCY, and that combined with the one fact that the "wash-woman" was named Nancy was likely to cause a little confusion. It was sometime thereafter before the other chil�dren were let in on the joke.

On Mother's seventy-fifth birthday I went up to McColl to see her. She had not been feeling well for several days. When I went into the room she was lying down, fully clothed. She started to get up. I stopped her, leaned over and asked her how she was feeling. With a broad grin she said: "I think I am feeling every one of those seventy-five years today."

When I was a small boy I heard Mrs. Walter Pate speak of Mother as follows: "She doesn't have a lazy or selfish bone in her body." It has been a long time since I have heard any one use that expression, but I believe it was an accurate description.

Clarence McLaurin was in my office a short time before he died. He was talking about conditions when he was a boy, and incidentally about some of his kin folks. In speaking of my mother he stated: "A better woman never lived". He then added: "She was my favorite aunt." He went on to say that she was always cheerful, kind, considerate, that all of the young people felt at ease in her presence, which was more than he could say about some of his aunts. Another first cousin, May McLucas, recently made the remark that "Aunt Della was a saint". She then stated that her mother always thought so much of my mother. I quote these statements, though exaggerated they may be, merely to give an idea of the respect and affection in which she was held by nieces and nephews, as well as others.

Mother was, we might say, a very busy person. Until the years began catching up with her she was always busy at some task, always "on the go". When she would sit down she was sewing, mending, darning. Only at night, usually when the children were studying, she would settle down and catch up with her reading.

JAMES ALEXANDER McLAURIN and his wife, NANCY DELLA Mc�INTYRE McLAURIN were the parents of five children.

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VIRGINIA LEE (Virgie )McLAURIN, April 6, 1876-Jan. 7, 1957, not married

MARTHA PEARL ( Mattie ) McLAURIN, April 19, 1878-Sept. 2, 1966, married Roberson S. Fletcher, Oct. 21, 1874-Oct. 4, 1949

JAMES OSCAR McLAURIN, Jan. 15,1881-Dec. 11, 1958 married Eloise Lake, Aug. 9, 1892�-

FREDERICK BAYARD McLAURIN, May 6, 1883-Nov. 6, 1956, not married

GROVER GORDON McLAURIN, Jan. 30,1887-, �married Inez Beatrice Ragsdale, July 27, 1891-�

VIRGINIA LEE (Virgie )McLAURIN, the oldest of the children of James Alexander McLaurin and his wife, Nancy Della Mc�Intyre McLaurin, was born in the home of her Grandmother, in the old McIntyre plantation home, April 6, 1876. She attended school at Beaverdam, Marlboro County, South Carolina; Kis�simmee, Florida; Sylvester, Georgia; and McColl, South Carolina. She entered Winthrop College while it was in Columbia and fol�lowed it when it moved to Rock Hill. She finished with the first class to graduate from this college.

After graduation she taught school for two years in Marion (now Dillon) County. She returned to Marlboro County and made that her home for the balance of her life. For more than forty years she taught in the schools of the county. She was a conscienti�ous, dedicated teacher. She seemed to qualify, in every way, as the "born teacher." A bright, vigorous, creative mind, a pleasing personality, firm but gentle, she not only drove home to her pupils the importance, the absolute necessity of mastering the "three R's" but she instilled in them the ambition, the determination, the desire to study, to learn, to achieve.

When she died, although she had retired years before, the schools closed. Flags were flown at half-staff. A memorial service was held in all of the schools and a brief history of her life and activities was read. It would be impossible to measure the extent of her influence on the lives of the several generations that "passed through her classes," nor even on later generations, not seen, not

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even known to her, but who were touched and influenced by those whose lives she had, in some measure, helped to mould. We could, I believe, with great validity, paraphrase and apply to her the eloquent tribute paid his brother by Robert Ingersoll - If everyone for whom she did a loving kindness would lay a bloom upon her grave, she would sleep tonight beneath a wilderness of flowers.

There were resolutions, newspaper articles, cards, letters, all expressing, each in its own way, the affection they had for her as a teacher and mentor, and their personal loss in her passing.

I had thought of reproducing a number of these letters, but shall use only one.  It is, I think, unique in its presentation, but it carries the thought that seems to flow through all of the letters. I have eliminated the formal beginning and ending. The letter, just as written, follows:

"I was a lousy student. I don't think I was exactly stupid, just dull and hated to study. Miss Virgie worked on me overtime. I know she got discouraged, and many times would have liked to kick me out of school, but she never gave up. I guess she had more faith in me than I had in myself. When I left school I drifted around from one menial job to another, interested in doing as little work as possible and getting all I could for it. But something was always nagging at me.  It was what Miss Virgie was always telling all of us, and kept trying to beat into my thick head. That if we would study, prepare ourselves, work hard and really try, we could accomplish just about any�thing we cared to undertake. After drifting around for several years I got a job with this company. It was not much of a job and paid very little. But it was about like I had been accus�tomed to. And then I got to looking at the top men in the company, and I would say to myself that they didn't look too bright, why couldn't I be holding one of those easy jobs with big pay. Then I would remember what Miss Virgie said. I started learning the business, working hard at it, and now I have one of those EASY jobs. I am vice-president in charge of sales. We do ten million dollars worth of business a year. And do you know what I tell my salesmen? If they will work hard, learn the business, and really try, they can go just as far and high as they wish. Easy Job? I work twelve to eighteen hours a day no time off for good behavior.

"All of the above leads me to just two thoughts. I am no howling success. I am no bright example to be held up before the school

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children of this day, but whatever I am, whatever I have achieved, is due to the untiring efforts of Miss Virgie to make me, all of us, feel that we had it in us to do almost anything we wanted to, if we just wanted to do it bad enough. Second, and this is what hurts, I never took the few minutes that it would have required, to write her and tell her how much her encouragement, her faith in me, had meant to me. God knows that was the least that I could have done, and I will never forgive myself for not doing it."

MARTHA PEARL (Mattie) McLAURIN, the second child, was born April 19, 1878, in the farm home on old Rockingham Road. When she was a small child the family moved to Kissimmee, Florida. It was there that she first entered school. I was born in Kissimmee, left there as an infant and had never returned to the community until a few years ago. After my visit Mattie asked me what I thought of Lake Tohopekaliga. I told her that I thought it was a very beautiful lake. She said that as a child she thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen, and that was a picture she had carried in her mind throughout the years. That she would hate, now, to have some one tell her that its beauty was only in her childish imagination.

The family moved to southwest Georgia. Mattie entered school in Sylvester. We stayed in Georgia about two years, and after the death of our Father the family came to McColl, Marlboro County, S. C. It was here that Mattie finished her formal education. After finishing High School she was appointed assistant Post Master and served in that position for a number of years. On January first, 1900, a polite businessman, who usually visited the Post Office sev�eral times a day, came in early in the morning. He said: "Good morning Mattie, I am glad to see you. This is the first time I have seen you this year." Mattie replied: "and this is the first time I have seen you this century."

She later became office manager of one of the textile manufac�turing companies of McColl. She was a very bright, efficient, at�tractive, pleasant young woman. She was very popular with the old, as well as the young people of her generation and she carried those qualities that made her respected, loved and admired throughout a long and fruitful life. She was very much interested,

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and actively participated in all church and civic activities in her community and never neglected an opportunity to render service where she saw the need. In later years her sight and hearing were somewhat impaired but her mind was clear, her memory excellent, even as she approached her eighty-ninth birthday.

As a young woman she married Robeson S. Fletcher, a native of Marlboro County, S. C., and a graduate of the University of North Carolina. A man of exemplary character, a bright mind and fine personality. He was a farmer, a businessman, who was vitally interested in his county and community and gave much of his time to the betterment of both. He stood for all of the time-honored virtues and was a tremendous influence for good in his communi�ty.

To this union were born two daughters, Sinah McLaurin (Maxie) Fletcher and Martha Fletcher, both of them unusually bright attractive young women. Maxie, after finishing High School at the Robert Fletcher Memorial High School, graduated from Co�lumbia College and taught school for a number of years. She mar�ried Brooks Usher of Bennettsville, Marlboro County, a merchant and planter. A businessman who has taken time out from his many interests to serve his city and county. Their home is in Bennettsville. They have no children.

Martha, (as was her sister Maxie), was reared in the Pine Grove or Fletcher community of Marlboro County, and like her sister stood at or near the summit in scholastic attainment through�out her school years. After finishing High School at the Robert Fletcher Memorial School she graduated from Winthrop College. Soon thereafter she accepted a position with the Tennessee Valley Authority and has continued with this company for a number of years. She married Hollis Hendrick Nichols who for years has held the responsible position of cost accountant with Cherokee Mills of Sevierville, Tenn. Their home is in Knoxville, Tenn. They have no children.

JAMES OSCAR McLAURIN, the third child and first son, was born in the farm home on the old Rockingham Road on January 15, 1881. He attended school in McColl and graduated at or near

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the head of his class. He was a very bright but restless young man. He was not studious. He studied when interested or when he saw the immediate necessity for doing so, but even so, he had little trouble keeping his standing near the top of his class. He finished high school but had no interest in college, but did graduate from a business school in Augusta, Georgia. Upon his return to McColl he established a small mercantile business. Soon thereafter his first cousin D. L. McLaurin, became a "silent-partner" and the business was enlarged and expanded and began to grow and prosper. It appeared that he had settled down to a career as a merchant, but this lasted only a few years. He disposed of his interest in the business and went to Florida. I have never known, I don't think he ever knew, whether he thought he saw "greener pastures" or it was the urge of that restless disposition that prompted him to dispose of a small but prosperous business and undertake new pur�suits in a new environment. He secured a position as bookkeeper for a large lumber company. He changed positions a number of times before going into business for himself. He began dealing in timber, timber lands and timber products. His success was pro�nounced. By 1927 he had accumulated a sizable fortune. It was about this time that his health became impaired. He sold all of his holdings and deposited the proceeds in several banks in his community. Then came the "Bank Holiday" when practically all of the banks in the Nation were closed, and the vast majority of them never opened again. His savings were practically wiped out, as was true with many others, and his health prevented him from going back into business on anything more than a very modest and limited scale. But he had married Eloise Lake, a talented and industrious young woman who pooled her energy and resources with his, and between them they began recouping their losses, and building for themselves a modest but sound and rewarding life. Like all of us he had his faults, his shortcomings, but in all of the essentials, all of the basic fundamental elements that go to make the man, he was abundantly endowed. They were living in Archer, Florida when he died, December 11, 1958. His widow continues to live in that town. They had no children.

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FREDRICK BAYARD McLAURIN, the fourth child and sec�ond son, was born in the farm home on the old Rockingham Road, May 6, 1883. He was "the baby" when the family left Marlboro County for Florida. Fred first attended school in McColl, and there graduated at or near the first in his class. He was a good student steady, dependable, and a near genius in mathematics. When grad�uating from high school the superintendent of the school stated that he was by far the most brilliant mathematical student he had ever taught. That he was not sure whether he had taught Fred or Fred had taught him the last year of their association. He entered Clemson College, now Clemson University, and continued to dis�play aptitude for mathematics, graduating among the first few of his class.

Upon graduating he accepted a position with a textile machi�nery manufacturing company in Taunton, Mass. Here he began at the bottom and worked through every phase of the manufactur�ing processes. After about two years the company sent him out to supervise the proper installing of the machinery they sold. This was what he had worked for and wanted. He was enthusiastically happy with his job. He continued in this work for several years. He had just completed the installation of machinery in a plant in Texas when he was ordered to Liberty, S. C. to install machinery that was then being shipped. Upon his arrival in Liberty he found that the machinery was not there. He had been having trouble with his eyes. He wired the company that he was going to his home in McColl and remain there until he was needed in Liberty.

His eyes grew worse. He went to a number of doctors. He finally wound up spending many months in a semi-dark room, fear�ful that he would completely lose his sight. It was more than a year before he was able to get around in a normal way. He had, in the meantime, resigned from his job. Without good eyesight he could not do the required work. The career that he had prepared himself for was gone. He was morose, discouraged, unhappy.

At this time he was urged to fill out a term of teaching in Florence County. He took this job without any enthusiasm, but soon became interested in teaching. He accepted a position as prin�cipal of a school in the lower part of the state. He stayed there

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for several years. His teaching career had begun. He taught in sev�eral schools in this state, transferred to college level teaching and spent a number of years in colleges and universities in Alabama, Louisiana, and West Virginia, both studying and teaching. He re�ceived his Master's degree from West Virginia Wesleyan and did extensive work leading to a Doctorate. He always preferred high school teaching. He said that here he could watch his pupils grow, their knowledge increase, their understanding expand. He accepted a position in the schools of Lynchburg, Virginia, and remained there until his retirement some years before his death, November 6, 1956.

While in Lynchburg he was offered a number of excellent po�sitions. He was urged to take the superintendency of at least two city schools but was happy in his work and turned them both down.

While Fred was a man with well thought out opinions and strong beliefs, he was not the aggressive type. He was calm, steady, scholarly, dependable. He seemed to have many of these qualities in his youth and they continued with him throughout his life. As a friend recently remarked, that he and his kind were truly "the salt of the earth."

Oscar used to tell of an incident that occurred when he and Fred were very small boys. They got into some mischief. Mother caught him, Oscar, and gave him a spanking. Fred ran out and under the house. He refused to come out. When Father came home he was advised of the situation. He went out, kneeled down, looked under the house at Fred and told him to come out. Fred hesitated, and then asked if he would get a spanking if he came out. Father, again, very sternly told him to come out. Fred said, "well I'll come out but I know you are going to spank me because I can see a shingle in your hand."

GROVER GORDON McLAURIN the youngest child of James Alexander McLaurin and his wife, Nancy Della McIntyre McLaurin was born in Kissimmee, Florida, January 30, 1857. Very soon there�after the family moved to southwest Georgia; Father had bought timberlands near Sylvester. He was unable to find a suitable resi-

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dence in Sylvester so he moved into a satisfactory house in the little village of Polson, two or three miles from Sylvester.

At that time there were certain persons living in that community, and elsewhere, who were called "Georgia Crackers" or just "Crackers" by their fellow Georgians. It is probable that they were very good people but were far from the top rung of the social or economic ladder. Mother said that Father would often pick me up, play with me and call me his little Georgia Cracker. My sister, Mattie, was about nine years old. It was her time to take care of me. Mother said she went into the room and found Mattie leaning over the cradle gently rocking it and repeating over and over, "you are so beautiful, I am so sorry you are a little Georgia Cracker.�

Soon after our arrival in Georgia the Governor, General John B. Gordon, paid a visit to that section of the state and while there "dined" with our family. It is probable that I had already been named (I never thought to inquire) but if not I am sure that visit would have settled the matter. We lived in that community for about two years. The children went to school in Sylvester. After the death of Father the family moved to McColl, S. C., at that time a country village hardly old enough to stand alone.

We moved into a house on what is now Church Street. The house was situated between the railroad and the Presbyterian Church. The church was on the north side of East McLaurin Avenue facing Church Street, (neither street nor avenue was named at that time.) The school house stood just across the avenue from the church. Back of our house, the church, and the school was a pine thicket. A short distance back in the woods Uncle John F. McLaurin had a turpentine still. Everything about it was exciting and intriguing and every chance I got I slipped off and paid it a visit.

"Uncle Gabe", a colored man, was the cooper. My admiration for him was boundless. I would watch him perform what to me was a miracle as he shaped, with skilled and deft motions, boards into staves, iron bands into hoops, and the combination into barrels into which was put the turpentine and resin.

We lived in that house for something more than a year. Mother bought a house and lot on Main Street (which at that time we

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called the road.) The original house burned, another was built and that was "The Home" for years, until after the death of my sister, Virgie.

We had lived in McColl a short time. I was a very small boy still wearing dresses.  I was sitting on the front steps at our home.  Oscar and Fred were in the yard close by. Uncle "Bud" McIntyre came up bringing with him a man I had never seen before. He was stout and had a very red face. I imagine he wanted to seem friendly so he leaned over me and asked my name. I gave it to him in full: Grover Gordon McLaurin. He, presumably trying to repeat after me, said "Little Gola Gustin." I was very small, very young, and I know my enunciation was not perfect, but it just couldn't have been THAT bad. The incident would have been closed then and there and immediately forgotten had it not been that those mischievous brothers of mine heard it all and wouldn't let me forget it until I was big enough to put up a fight when I was called "Little Gola Gustin."

The War between the States had been ended a little more than twenty years. The occupying armies, the carpet-baggers and scalawags had been gone about ten years, but the wreckage wrought by them was still painfully evident. There was little or no prosperity at that time but there was hope that a better day would eventually dawn. There were no rich people in that com�munity and few in the State. Probably ninety-five percent of all of the people including those whom we considered relatively "well-�to-do", could have qualified for assistance under some of the "pov�erty programs" of today. But there was one big difference in then and now. Those people still harbored a fierce spirit of pride and independence. All they asked of the Federal government, or any one, was to be let alone that they might work out their own destinies in their own ways. Those in the direst of poverty knew that they could look only to their neighbors for assistance. The Federal gov�ernment of that day, even as now, looked upon the South as con�quered territory to be exploited at will. After the second World War this country poured billions of dollars into various war-torn foreign countries to relieve suffering and rehabilitate them. After the War between the States, instead of offering help, or even a

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kind word, it applied to the entire South, in its most virulent form, that portion of the parable of the talents which says "FROM HIM WHO HATH NOT SHALL BE TAKEN AWAY EVEN THAT WHICH HE HATH."

Conditions just at this time, compared with those of today were rather bleak and primitive. I think some of my grandchildren really believe that I lived in "the dark ages." They cannot understand how any one could exist in a country or a society in which there were no electric lights, screened houses, running water, inside plumbing. No telephones, radios, televisions, or automobiles. Those were the "horse and buggy days". But it seems to me that we had something that is not so evident today - the closeness of the family relations. There were relatives, friends, acquaintances. Time to visit, to make and keep friends. There was much hard unrewarding work, but life moved at a slower pace and the leisure time was spent with congenial friends and neighbors.

My life as a small boy was much like that of any boy at that time and in similar circumstances. I worked, played, went to school; at that time we had two or three months "free school". After that we paid or quit. When very small I picked cotton in a field just across the road in front of our house. My greatest achievement was that of picking 110 pounds of cotton in one day, and that never happened but once. As I recall there were a number of people picking, both white and colored. There was a half grown colored boy who talked incessantly. I realize now that he was something of a nuisance, but I liked him and enjoyed hearing his wild tales. He evidently appreciated this for he would always get the row of cotton next to mine, and for a time this created quite a mystery. We would pick cotton along together, come out at the end of the row at the same time, but when the cotton was weighed up in the afternoon I would have from fifty to seventy-five pounds and he would have twice that amount. It finally dawned on me that he was picking his row and getting half the cotton from my row, in order to keep me along with him.

When I was a small boy, hardly tall enough to see over the counter, I began my clerking career. I worked on Saturdays and some parts of the summer. I worked for Lane and Bristow for twen�-

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ty-five cents a day. I worked for my brother, Oscar, who was op�erating a small store. I gradually moved up the scale to a dollar a day and finally to top wages of forty or forty-five dollars a month.

I was working for Mr. Joe Bennett. He came in the store one morning, called his clerks together and advised us that he expected his business to be closed in a short time and suggested that we start looking for jobs. I asked how much notice he wanted. He said none. I put on my hat, crossed the street walked into the store of  Mr. Bob Bennett. I told him I wanted a job. His only remark was "hang up your hat." I worked for him for some time. I then transferred to Keels Department Store, owned by Mr. E. C. Keels (the best salesman I ever knew.) I worked for him, off and on, until I began the practice of law.

My first cousin, Arch Bunch, was rural mail carrier. He had me appointed as his substitute. I served as substitute for some months. Arch resigned and went to Florida. I was appointed "acting carrier." This proved to be a regular job for nearly a year before examinations were held to select a permanent carrier. I was not advised, but possibly should have known, that one under age could not get the appointment.

Possibly I thought that since I had been doing an acceptable job for all those months that I might be able to continue doing so. There were seven or eight of us who stood the examination. I, possibly, had a slight advantage as some of the questions dealt with matters that I was having to contend with almost daily. This was reflected in our marks or grades. I was notified that I stood first on the list but the fact that I was not of age prevented me from receiving the appointment. My first cousin, David C. McLau�rin, was appointed.

A rural mail carrier received a hundred dollars a month. He had to furnish his own transportation. But that was a good salary in those days and the job much sought after. I admit that driving a horse and buggy or riding horseback twenty-five miles a day in all kinds of weather was no picnic, but I wanted the job for two years. I thought that in that time I could save sufficient money, with what I had, and what I could earn in other jobs, to see me

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through college. But when I look back upon the realities of the times and situation I rather believe that had I received the ap�pointment I would have continued with it until old age retired me.

During this time I had another part-time job. Our telephone exchange had two operators. A lady in the day, a man at night. The lady served until five o'clock in the afternoon. My friend, Ben�ton Stubbs, was the night operator, but he had a regular job with McColl Sash & Door Mfg. Co., so he couldn't get to the office until seven p.m. I filled in those two or more hours. I might mention that the night operator had practically nothing to do after about ten o'clock at night.  He could count on getting a good night�s sleep.

I entered the University of South Carolina. I graduated from law school, LL.B. the first of June, 1909. On the 9th day of June 1909, I was admitted to the Bar, licensed by the Supreme Court to practice in all of the Courts of the State. I left Columbia, arrived in McColl about eleven o'clock at night, helped open up Keels De�partment Store the following morning. I worked there until the late fall or early winter.

Dillon County was in the process of being launched. Even be�fore leaving college I had investigated, to some extent, the prospects for a young lawyer in that new county and had about decided that it would be an acceptable place for me to "try my wings.�  Uncle Daniel, who had made his home in the upper part of Marion County the greater part of his adult life, urged me to thoroughly investigate the prospects. He felt sure that I could do no better than launch my career in this new county.

Soon after leaving college I visited the town of Dillon. There were three resident lawyers, but Dillon County was taken entirely from Marion County, and the greater part of the legal work was being done by Marion lawyers. But the county was new, the town of Dillon, busy, progressive, growing; I made up my mind promptly that I would make this my home.

A month or two after leaving college I received an offer of a co-partnership from Congressman Finley of York. He stated that

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he was making the offer on the basis of a recommendation received from Mr. Herndon Moore, Dean of the Law School at the Universi�ty. I appreciated the offer and would have given it more considera�tion had it not come shortly after I had decided to settle in Dillon.

In the late fall or early winter I entered the law offices of Townsend & Rogers in Bennettsville. I was anxious to get some exposure to the practical side of the law before venturing out on my own. C. P. Townsend, a former Circuit Judge, and a very able lawyer, and Mr. T. I. Rogers, at that time Senator from Marlboro County, an able lawyer and unusually effective advocate, made up the firm. During the winter Judge Townsend received a letter from a Mr. Moore, an old friend, a former native of Marlboro County, who had been practicing law in Oklahoma for more than twenty years. He wanted to add a young lawyer to his firm and told the Judge that he would prefer getting one from his old home county.

His offer seemed fabulous to me. He would pay a salary the first year, an amount much larger than I expected to be making after years of practice. At the end of the year if the relationship had proven satisfactory the newcomer would become a partner. The Judge recommended me without even asking me, and then urged me to accept. That was a new country and held unlimited opportunities. He even stated if he were a young man he would go out there himself. That was the hardest decision I had to make. I had already committed myself to Dillon in a number of ways, but I pondered it for some time. I talked with my Mother. She told me to do what was best for me, but she added that she then had one son in Florida, another in Massachusetts and if the other was in Oklahoma she would get to see very little of any of them.

In the early spring of 1910 I was offered a place with the firm of Townsend & Rogers. That I thought was the most flattering offer I had received, not because of the money I would make, but that two such distinguished lawyers thought that I might bring, something of value to the firm. I refused this offer for two reasons. First, I had, by that time rented office space in Dillon and arranged for a boarding place. I had bought certain furniture and books that I would need. Second, I was a little afraid that I might become something like a glorified office boy in that office. That I might

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grow too dependent and rely too much on my abler and more ex�perienced partners. When that was settled they suggested that we open the Dillon office as a co-partnership. That suited me fine. I would have their prestige to help bring in clients and their assistance when I needed it. Our agreement was verbal and very simple. I should be responsible for all office expenses and have all of the fees earned by me without their assistance or participation. When they assisted the fees were divided.

With that agreement I "hung out my shingle" in Dillon on the 22nd day of March, 1910. Offices over McLaurin Drug Store, on the corner of Harrison Street and Railroad Avenue. Townsend, Rogers & McLaurin.

That arrangement lasted for years and was dissolved by mutual consent. I continued in the practice as G. G. McLaurin until I was joined by my son, G. Gordon McLaurin, Jr., and the firm name became McLaurin & McLaurin and has continued until this time.

After graduation and before leaving Columbia I ran up with Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin ) on the State House grounds. We had met and talked many times, but on this occasion he delivered what might be termed his first and only lecture. He said in effect that I was going out on my own. That I would have to make my living from the public. That I should really know the public that I wished to serve. He stated that some people would hire a lawyer whom they didn't like for a specific job if they thought he was the best available. But the majority of the people would go to a lawyer they liked. That I should make it a point to meet and mingle with people, all kinds of people. He said I am telling you to do something that will come hard for you. For generations our people have had a tendency to go their own way, making little effort to mingle with or please others. And then he added the clincher. "In our family your father was the worst in that respect, and they tell me that in yours you are the worst."

He was right and I knew it. I had always been too independent, too diffident for my own good, just one illustration, my last year in law school: It was Christmas, the entire family was at home. I announced that I was going to work, I would not return to college

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after Christmas, but would go back later. There was a silence and then all wanted to know why. It was simple, I had run out of money.  Oscar, who was working in Florida said he would lend me the money. After considerable discussion it was agreed that he would send me a check for an agreed amount on the first of each month. Then he added that he might forget it some times, but for me to remind him. I told him I would never remind him. As long as the checks came I would stay, if they stopped I would leave. Ima�gine any one taking a position like that with a brother who was offering to help.

I opened my office. I had ample opportunities to put into prac�tice what Uncle Daniel had told me, and what I knew I must do. But it was a difficult assignment. It may have been partly timidity, but I must admit that there was something in my nature which recoiled at approaching people, engaging in small talk, merely for the sake of saying something, acting free and friendly when I didn't feel that way. I had always been civil and polite, I was brought up that way. But it was hard for me to go beyond that. But looking back from the vantage point of more than four score years, I flat�tered myself that I haven't done so bad in the public relations de�partment, considering the "raw material" I had to work with.

When I came to Dillon I had one hundred dollars which I deposited in the old Bank of Dillon. I had borrowed money for college expenses from my sister, Virgie, my brother, Oscar, and Uncle Daniel McLaurin had advanced money for some books that I felt I must have. The combined indebtedness, although owed to those who would not press me for payment, looked almost like the national debt to me. But I applied every dollar I earned, over and above living expenses, to those debts until the last dollar with interest was paid.

Since I have been in Dillon I have, in addition to practicing law and operating my farms, served as Mayor of the City, School Trustee, Chairman County Board of Education for many years, County Supt. of Schools, President and executive officer of Dillon Mutual Building and Loan Assn. for seventeen years, Director, Vice President and President of The Federal Savings & Loan Association

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for twenty-five years, President Dillon County Bar Association for more than twenty-five years.

On November l2, 1919, I married Inez Beatrice Ragsdale of Winnsboro, South Carolina, the daughter of Glenn W. Ragsdale, one of the outstanding lawyers of his day, and his wife, Inez Mc�-Meekin Ragsdale.

When fourteen years of age she went with her older sister to Columbia College. She was accepted as a student. After one year there she and her sister transferred to Greenville Female Col�lege (later a part of Furman University) from which she graduated with an A.B. Degree two months before her eighteenth birthday. She taught school until our marriage. Since then she has unselfishly devoted her time to being a wife and mother, the focal, the pivotal influence, the mentor and guide of a profoundly appreciative fami�ly. We are the parents of five children:

1. GROVER GORDON McLAURIN, JR., born September 10, 1922. Graduated from Dillon High School. A. B. Degree from the University of South Carolina. Volunteered. Entered Army Air Corps, World War Two. Fighter Pilot, "P-51". First Lieutenant. Decorated twice: "For exceptionally meritorious achievement in aerial flights over Germany". At end of war returned to University of S.C. Entered Law School. Graduated, highest honors, LL.B. Was offered Rhodes Scholarship, but decided to immediately enter the practice of his profession. A young man of many interests and sev�eral hobbies, the most enduring being tennis. Since his graduation has been practicing with his father under the firm of McLaurin & McLaurin.

2. NANCY DELLA McLAURIN born February 5, 1924. A.B., M.A., PH.D., Phi Beta Kappa. Graduated from Dillon High School. A.B. from Coker College. M.A. from University of North Carolina. PH.D. from University of South Carolina where she taught English for some time. Now head of the English Department at Pfeiffer College. Has done post doctorate work at Duke University. But nothing, (absolutely nothing) is permitted to interfere with her present hobby - needlepoint.

3. INEZ GLENN McLAURIN, born January 29, 1926.  Graduated from Dillon High School. A.B. Degree, majoring in elemen-

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tary education, Furman University. Taught school for several years. Married Louis Blanding Fowler, born August 16, 1924. Graduate Fountain Inn High School, A.B. Degree from Presbyterian College. Air Force World War II, Gunner on Bomber. For some years one of top salesman, Nation-wide, I.B.M. "Glennie" is, possibly, my most versatile child. She has many capabilities. In addition to being a homemaker and taking care of social and civic activities she is an expert seamstress, interior decorator, electrician, carpenter, painter, and says she could do plumbing if the necessity should arise. She and her husband are the parents of three children:

a. Louis Blanding Fowler, Jr., born October 9, 1950. Now a Pre. Med. student at Wofford College.

b. Edith McMeekin Fowler, born August 15, 1952. Now in College.

c. Glennie McLaurin Fowler, born April 21, 1956. High School.

4. ETHEL LOUISE McLAURIN, born July 3 1927. Graduate Dillon High School, A.B. Degree from Agnes Scott College, graduate work at Vanderbilt University, majoring in history. Married James Tate Stewart, born April 20, 1923, A.B., M.A., Ph.D., Phi Beta Kappa. Veteran U. S. Army World War II in which he was awarded Bronze Star Medal. Head of the English Department Furman University. In addition to her responsibilities for her home, the care of five children and the performance of certain church and civic activities her chief hobby is pen and ink artistry, all of which is enhanced and enlivened by a charming personality and a delightfully unique sense of humor. They are the parents of six children, one of whom, Gordon McLaurin Stewart, died in in�fancy.

a. Nancy Louise Stewart, born February 22, 1952. Student in music at Pfeiffer College.

b. James Tate Stewart, Jr., born August 10, 1955.

c. Gordon McLaurin Stewart, born August 15, 1957, died August 18, 1957.

d. Eleanor Ragsdale Stewart, born November 19, 1958.

e. Bain McLaurin Stewart, born September 10, 1962.

f. Grover Glenn Stewart, born November 4, 1963.

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5. MARIANNE McLAURIN, born May 27, 1930. Graduated from Dillon High School, attended Limestone College and Coker College. Before graduation left college and married Douglas Jen�nings Hubbard, born November 11, 1928, a farmer and automobile salesman. Marianne is a bright young woman whose talents are many and varied. In addition to doing an excellent job rearing her five children she served for some time as secretary to the manager of a large Manufacturing Co., with the special and multiple duties of keeping daily, weekly, monthly production records by percen�tages. Confidential wage records, policies, and company regulations and the preparation of periodic payroll audits for the hundreds of employees. They are the parents of five children:

a. 'Marianne McLaurin Hubbard, born May 16, 1949.  Graduate Clio High School. Attended University of S. C, at Florence. Now doing legal secretarial work. Married James Loy.

b. Inez Ragsdale Hubbard, born March 28, 1952. Now in College.

c. Susan Dee Hubbard, born May 17, 1953. Now in Col�lege.

d. Diane Jennings Hubbard, born October 3, 1955.

e. Douglas Jennings Hubbard, Jr. born March 25, 1960.

The following are the other nine children of Capt. L. L. Mc�Laurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. I shall name them in sequence, according to date of birth, and give some infor�mation about each of them and their families.

MARY JANE McLAURIN PARKER

(daughter of Capt. L. L. McLaurin )

The oldest child, and if we are to believe her brothers and sisters, a very bright and beautiful young woman. Photographs of her give some evidence of this.

In those days all school teachers were male. During the War this changed. There were no male teachers available so the women took over the job. Aunt Mary Jane taught in the school that was

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situated on what was known as the Jackson Place. Uncle Daniel pointed out to me what he believed was the exact spot where this school house stood. It was, perhaps, half mile from the Old Mill. Going from the Mill toward McColl the road takes a sharp turn to the left, going straight into the Main Street of McColl. Where this turn is made a road (at that time) went straight on to (what we called) the Grove Place. I believe Uncle John F. lived there soon after his marriage. Angus McGregor and his family lived there for several years when I was a boy. On the left side of this road, perhaps two hundred yards from the present highway, stood this school building.

The Yankees were camped at the Old Mill. On her way home from school Aunt Mary Jane saw the Yankees putting fire to the Old Mill. She dismounted and put the fire out. The soldiers lighted the fire time after time and each time she would put it out. The officer in charge called the soldiers off. He probably expected to return to the task when there would be less interference but for some reason he never got back to it and the Old Mill was to con�tinue serving the community for another century.

That is a very brief outline of the story that has been told many times. It was written up in a book published by the U. D. C., and appeared in various publications. There were some slight variations in the way the story has been told, but essentially it was, I believe, as I have outlined it.

After the War she married Captain John R. Parker. A Confed�erate veteran, wounded several times in the War. A large planter, and still considered one of the most accurate surveyors ever pro�duced by Marlboro County. They had one child that died in in�fancy. Aunt Mary Jane died young.

JOHN FRANKLIN McLAURIN

(son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin)

When the War Between the States erupted he was one of the first to volunteer. He served, first in the infantry, later in the caval�ry. I understand that as a young man and even in middle life, he was an extremely active energetic man and had already evidenced that business acumen that was so evident in later years.

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When I knew him best he had already attained the status of a comparatively wealthy man. He was a large successful planter. He was one of the "big three" in the mercantile business in McColl, and was actively engaged in many other pursuits. He served for a time in the State House of Representatives.

Through the eyes of a small boy (he died when I was about nine years old) he was a man, slightly under medium-size. His hair and beard were gray. He dressed in a black suit and a large black hat such as were commonly worn at that time. His vest was buttoned only near the bottom showing a broad expanse of the "stiff bosom" shirt. A heavy gold chain hung from the vest pocket to a button-hole in the vest. His movements were slow, measured, deliberate. I don't think I ever saw him in a hurry.

He and his wife, Kitty Hubbard, were the parents of eight children. Their first born, Ethel, died when very young. Their other children were:

MARY JANE (Molly) McLAURIN, Apr. 22, 1869-Dec. 13, 1950 married, Angus Malloy McGregor, Feb. 22, 1864-July 22, 1942

CLARENCE McLAURIN, Nov. 13,1871-Feb. 25, 1959 married, Sallie McLean, Apr. 6, 1872-May 13, 1957

DANIEL LEE ( Donnie ) McLAURIN, Sept. 4, 1874-July 19, 1948 married, Effie Lee Willis, Nov. 8, 1876-May 17, 1953

CHARLES SIMPSON (Simmie) McLAURIN, Aug. 8,1877-Nov. 22, 1943 married, Lalla Martin, Jan. 21, 1877-March 23, 1952

LULA McLAURIN, June 23, 1881-Aug. 7, 1963 married, Calvin Cornelius Stokes, Apr. 15, 1882-Apr. 8, 1942

JOHN MELVIN McLAURIN, June 7,1883-May 17, 1962 married, Florence Pipkin, Sept. 4, 1887-Apr. 6, 1957

LAUCHLIN LeROY McLAURIN, Sept. 13, 1890-Nov. 13, 1949 married, Harriet Harris

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MARY JANE (MOLLY) McLaurin, and her husband, Angus Malloy McGregor, were the parents of eight children:

1. Ola Mae, born, March 12, 1890, married William F. Breeden, a widower with one daughter, Margaret, who married A. P. Salley. They are the parents of two sons, Wm. B. and A. P. Jr. Ola, and her husband Wm. F. Breeden have two daugh�ters:

a. Mary Gordon, b. 3/11/1921, married Malcolm M. Abzug, two sons, M. David and Mark McGregor.

b. Elizabeth McGregor, born 8/31/1923. Married William Duncan McLaurin, one son, Greg William.

2. John Rupert, born 10/30/1891. Presbyterian minister. Mar�ried Mary Gertrude Wilson; no children.

3. Ernest Lamar, born 12/25/1893, married Edith Salley. Two children:

a. Mary Edith, b. 9/30/1920. Married W. Ed. Clary. Four children: Wm. Ed. Jr.,; Kittye Jane; Edith Shelladonna, and George McGregor, who died in infancy.

b. Nina Salley, born 10/11/1922. Married H. Edward Brown. Two children: H. Edward Jr.; and Shelladonna.

4. Murettus ( Rhett) M., born 10/14/1895. Married Kate Mc�Rae Evans. Four children:

a. Jane Anne. b. 5/25/1926;

b. Samuel Evans, b. 9/4/1929, married Jean Betty Ulmer. Five children: Elizabeth; Jean; Anne; James Rhett; John Ulmer.

c. Catherine Evans, born 10/17/1933. Married Wm. R. Faver, Jr. Two children: Catherine Lee; Wm. Rhett.

d. Angus Walker, born 4/26/1939. Married Wynn Horton. Two children. Angus Walker, Jr.; Harriett.  

5. Lula Vernon, born 7/10/1897. Married Irving W. Bingham. They are the parents of one child:

a. Anita McGregor, b. 7/11/1919. married, first, Harry McGee. They had two children: Anita Vernon and Thomas Bingham. Married second time, Marsden Smith, they had two children: Charles Marsden, Jr.; Martha Jane. (Smith adopted first two)

6. Kittye Belle, born June 27, 1900. Not married.

7. Angus Malloy, born May 29, 1903. Not married.

8. Clarence Hugh, born 5/23/1905, married Sarah Brown. They are the parents of three children:

a. Clarence Hugh, Jr. b. 1/10/193?, married Sarah Brown.  They are the parents of three children:

a.  Clarence Hugh, Jr. b. 1/10/1932, married Betty Koon.

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b. Humphrey Brown, b. 3/3/1934, married Jeannette McCullough.

c. Sarah Ann, b. 9/12/1939, married Larry Flinkingshelt.

d. William David, b. 5/26/1944.

CLARENCE McLAURIN. As a young man he began farming on a plan�tation owned by his father, John F. McLaurin, in the upper part of Marion (now Dillon ) County, and he continued living in that community the remainder of his life. He applied himself diligently to his farming interests, and through industry, thrift, and the application of sound busi�ness practices became one of the largest and most successful planters and businessmen in Dillon County. He married Sally McLean, the daughter of a doctor. There were no children; however, they reared, as their own, Thomas C. McSwain, who became, in his own right, a very successful farmer and businessman. He died recently, leaving a widow, Evelyn Vereen McSwain, and three children: T. C. Jr., Sally McLean (married a Mr. Lanford ) and Laurin McCallum.

DANIEL LEE ( Donnie ) McLAURIN. Home, McColl, S. C. Planter; wholesale mercantile business, and other business interests. 25 years mayor of McColl; 8 years member State legislature; 20 years chairman school board; Elder Presbyterian Church. A well rounded, very successful man, in all of his undertakings. Married Effie Lee Willis. Six children:

1. Eugene Bertram (Bert) McLaurin. Born 11/25/1901. Home Rockingham, N. C. Grad. Clemson College. Mfgr. ice and ferti�lizer. Pres. Richmond S&L Assn. Pres. Richmond Finance Co. 12 years city council; 24 years airplane pilot; 15 years chm. local Airport; past pres. Civitan and Rotary Clubs; Sr. Warden Episcopal Church. Married Bernice C. Fountain, b. 12/28/1901. Parents of two children:

a. Robert Fountain, b. 7/25/1924, not married.

b. Joe Mack. b. 7/1/1926. Business man, extensive oil dealer. Married Louise Love Porter. Four children: Eugene Bertram, II, b. 6/21/1956; Mary Bernice, b. 10/5/1957; Elizabeth Porter, b. 3/26/1961, d. 9/14/1967; John Daniel, b. 6/19/1962

2. Clarissa McLaurin, b. 7/16/1909. Home McColl, S. C. Grad. Converse. Married Martin David McQueen, b. 10/15/1908. d. 5/10/1962. One child:

a. Winifred, b. 2/10/1935. Married John Thomans Hild�reth; b. 7/25/1933. Three children: Cynthia Ann b. 10/7/1953; Michael McQueen, b. 1/10/1956; James Daniel, b. 2/2/1958.

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3. Winifred McLaurin, b. 8/20/1911. Grad. Winthrop College. Married Johnnie Tompkins Goff, b. 7/6/1910. Home Saluda, N. C. Parents of three children;

a. Johnnie McLaurin Goff, b. 3/27/1938. Grad. Clemson and S. C. University Married Tanya Floride Taylor. Home Camden, S. C. Two children: John McLaurin Goff, Jr., b. 8/26/1966. name of other not known.

b. David Willis Goff, b. 10/25/1941 Grad. Clemson and Duke Universities. Married Kristen Jane Wolfe

c. Elsie Claire Goff, b. 5/27/1944. A registered nurse.

4. James Willis McLaurin, b. 6/29/1913. d. 11/4/1966. Two terms Mayor of McColl, S. C. First Lieut. second World War. Successful businessman. Married Nan Elizabeth Moore, b. 10/4/1914. Parents of three children:

a. Nancy McLaurin, b. 3/12/1936. Married Kenneth Ronald Martin. Two children: Cheryl Lane, b. 10/23/1957; Kenneth Roland, Jr. b. 5/7/1960

b. Linda Lee McLaurin, b. 9/18/1948.

c. James Willis McLaurin Jr., b. 9/28/1950

5. Daniel Leon McLaurin, b. 9/16/1915. A successful busi�nessman at Myrtle Beach, S. C. Married Mary Kathryn Barnes, b. 6/22/1917. Two children:

a. Susan Ann McLaurin, b. 1/28/1940. Married Richard Eugene Hunt. Two children: Kathryn Elaine, b. 4/18/1965; Hichard Eugene, Jr. b. 4/11/1967.

b. Daniel Leon, Jr., Grad. Universities S. C. and Ten�nessee.

6. An infant daughter, b. 4/5/1908. d. 4/5/1905.

CHARLES SIMPSON ( Simmie ) McLAURIN. I am informed that as boy and man his paramount interest was farming, and in that field he was very successful. Other businesses demanded some of his time and efforts, but the greater part of his energy was directed to the promotion and development of his large farming operations. He and his wife, Lalla Martin McLaurin, were the parents of three children:

1. John Franklin (Skeet) McLaurin, born Sept. 13, 1901. Died Sept. 20, 1959. His home, Bennettsville, S. C. His keen business judgment and applied energy to his extensive farming opera�tions and enterrelated businesses brought him substantial fi�nancial success. He married Marion Lucile Kirkpatrick, born Oct. 22, 1904. To this union was born one child, a son:

a. John Franklin McLaurin, Jr., b. 3/10/1929. Married Mary Louise Mattison. They are the parents of four children:

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Mary Louise; John Franklin, III.; Grace Lucile; Richard Mat�tison.

2. Harriett Catherine McLaurin, born, 5/2/1903. Married Charles Harris Welborn, b. 1/22/1903. They are the parents of one child.

a. Betty Brooke Welborn, b. 11/14/1928. Married William Ray Alexander, Jr. b. 4/8/1928. Home, Lee County, S. C. They are the parents of one child: William Ray Alexander, III., b. 11/24/1955

3. Charles Simpson McLaurin, Jr., b. 4/8/1910. Home McColl, S. C. Like his father his vocation and paramount interests are tied up in farming and related businesses, in all of which he has been extremely successful. He married Virginia Manning, b. 11/18/1910. They are the parents of one child, a son:

a. Charles Simpson McLaurin, III. b. 9/13/1938. Home Dillon, S. C. Vice President Citizens Bank of S. C. He married Julia Durham Adams, b. 1/26/1941. They are the parents of one child: Charles Stevens McLaurin, b. 4/17/1968.

LULA McLAURIN, lived practically all of her life in the town of Mc�Coll.  She and her husband, Calvin Cornelius Stokes were the parents of one child:

1. Catherine Stokes, born Apr. 14, 1909. Married Edward Hamer Smith, b. 2/11/1907. He is a farmer. Their home is in Clio, S. C. They are the parents of two children:

a. Catherine Mouzon Smith. b. 7/23/1931. Married Charles Philip Hamer, b. 12/29/1927. Home Clio, S. C. They are the parents of one child: Edward Lewis Hamer, b. 10/31/1957

b. Edward Stokes Smith, b. 4/9/1934. Married Nancy Cottingham. They are the parents of four children: David Mi�chael Smith. b. 9/3/1957; Louanna Stokes Smith. b. 5/21/1959; Richard Douglas Smith. b. 9/21/1963; Edward Stephen Smith, b. 5/16/1968

JOHN MELVIN McLAURIN. He was born, reared and lived in McColl. His business activities reached into many fields; however, he directed his main efforts to establishing and developing a mercantile business that, through sound business management and attention to details, he built into one of the most successful establishments in the community. He and his wife, Florence Pipkin McLaurin, were the parents of one child, a son:

1. John Franklin McLaurin (John F. ).His home is in McColl. Born. Oct. 10, 1907. At an early age he became associated with his father in business. His business judgment and managerial

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skills were soon evident. And since the death of his father he has amply demonstrated that those qualities, combined with dedication to the task in hand, always bring success. He and his wife, Elizabeth Gibson McLaurin, b. 7/29/1913, are the parents of two children:

a. John Melvin McLaurin, II, b. 5/25/1936. Married Martha Finch, b. 8/71/1938. Parents of four children: Alfred Franklin McLaurin, b. 3/13/1959; Elizabeth Rebecca Mc�Laurin, b. 2/26/1960; John Melvin McLaurin, III, b. 5/30/1962; Lee Finch McLaurin, b. 1/29/1969.

b. Henry Franklin McLaurin, b. 6/2/1940. Married Catherine Quick, b. 12/4/1937. Parents of two children: Henry Franklin McLaurin, Jr., b. 1/16/1967; Boyd Gibson McLaurin, b. 11/3/1968.

JOHN MELVIN McLAURIN. After the death of his first wife, Florence Pipkin, he married Mrs. Clara Morrison Pate. There were no children.

LAUCHLIN LeROY McLAURIN, known as Roy, was born and spent practically all his life in the town of McColl. He was a World War I veteran. He owned and operated a farm near the town of McCo11; owned and managed a large and successful insurance business, and was interested in and participated in various local activities. He married Harriet Harris. They had no children.

HUGH LAUCHLIN McLAURIN

(son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin )

I am told that as a boy and a young man he was smart, energetic and very active. As soon as the War Between the States erupted he and his twin brother, Daniel V., volunteered. They served

throughout the four years of hostilities in Company G., S.C. Volun�teers, 23rd Regiment. They were both wounded at the Battle of the Crater.

After the War, through inheritance and possibly purchase, he became the owner of a large and very productive plantation, lying about two miles southeast of McColl, between said town and the

North Carolina State line. There he lived through the productive years of his life, a prominent and prosperous planter.

When I knew him best his life seemed to move at a slow even pace. There seemed to be nothing in his life demanding any hurry or rush. At that time, I am told, his oldest son, John, had largely

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taken over the management of the plantation, leaving plenty of time for him to serve the McColl community as magistrate. He served in that capacity for many years, and when not engaged in his office duties he could usually be seen playing checkers or chess with some of his friends. He was a man of medium size. His hair and beard were a medium brown. His voice quiet, low, well modu�lated. In later years he moved from his plantation to the town of McColl and remained there the balance of his life.

He and his wife, Flora Jane Calhoun were the parents of seven children. One, LeRoy, died an infant. The others were:

JOHN CALHOUN McLAURIN, Jan. 6, 1869-Nov. 26, 1936 not married

LAUCHLIN ALEXANDER (Cap.) McLAURIN, Oct. 9, 1870-�1961 married, first, Mildred Cornelia Hill, 1879-1903; married, second, Lillian Hunter, 1879-1952

CHARLES HOWARD McLAURIN, Aug. 10, 1873-Jan. 14, 1942 married, first, Pattie Pearl Pearce, Mar. 6, 1880-May 5, 1907; married, second, Mary Woodley Moore, July 5, 1886-Mar. 7, 1953

MARGERY (Margy) McLAURIN, June 12, 1877-Jan. 8, 1964 not married

ALA McLAURIN, June 3, 1882-1960 not married

RALPH E. McLAURIN, May 23, 1885-Feb. 11, 1943 not married

JOHN CALHOUN McLAURIN, for years, made his home on his planta�tion. He later moved into the town of McColl. He spent his entire life as a planter and as a surveyor. He never married.

LAUCHLIN ALEXANDER (CAP) McLAURIN was a highly educated man, a Presbyterian minister. He was a dedicated, forceful preacher who proclaimed the way of life and death as laid down in "The Book". He not only preached, but lived his entire life according to its precepts. A genial, charming, talented man who contributed greatly to his genera�tion. He was married twice. He and his first wife, Mildred Cornelia Hill, were the parents of one child:

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1. James LeRoy: Residence, Route 1, Bath, N. C. Born, Dec. 8, 1901, married Mary Southall Shelburne. He is a retired sur�veyor. Both living. No children.

After the death of his first wife, Lauchlin A. married Lillian Hunter. They were the parents of three children:

1. Alice; her husband, Richard Simpson Lennon. Residence Kings Mountain, N. C. Parents of two children:

a. Richard Simpson, Jr., married.

b. Sara Rose, not married.

2. Hugh Lauchlin, married Hazel Lewis; three children:

a. Hugh Lauchlin, Jr.,

b. Ann,

c. Jane,

3. Jean; married Robert McCoy. They are the parents of three children:

a. Robert McCoy, Jr., married

b. Lynn, not married

c. Alan, not married

I regret that I have been unable to secure additional information about the descendants of this highly esteemed cousin.

CHARLES HOWARD McLAURIN. Home, Clio, S. C. Graduate S. C. College (University). A brilliant mathematician; an educator; Supt. of several schools. A surveyor. He married twice. He and his first wife, Pattie Pearl Pearce, were the parents of two daughters:

1. Ida Outlaw; b. 10/10/1902. Married Harold Holyoake Jones, b. 8/5/1902. Home, New Bern, N. C. Two sons:

a. Harold Holyoake, Jr., b. 2/2/1936; married Gertrude Noami Sworey, b. 8/18/1942; two sons, Harold Holyoake III; Walter David.

b. John Tucker, b. 10/10/1939. Married Shirley Ann Tip�pett. b. 2/3/1942.

2. Flora McLaurin, not married.

After the death of his first wife he married Mary Woodley Moore. They were the parents of six children, as follows:

1. Floride. b. 10/29/1910. Married Stanley John Bernat, b. 8/28/1906. one child, a daughter;

a. Phoebe Ellen, b. 9/15/1940. Married Richard Edward Hoffman, b. 5/6/1942. Home, Flagstaff, Arizona.

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2. Charles Howard, Jr. b. 11/7/1912. Capt. U. S. Army. Mar�ried twice. First wife, Julia Ammons, three children:

a. Charles Thomas, b. 11/23/38. Married, has son and daughter; no additional information.

b. Charles Howard, III. b. 9/13/1940; married Patty Sue Johnson. Three children. No additional information.

c. Julia LeRoy, b. 2/-/1943. married -- Johnson; one child; no additional information.

His second wife, Mia Ellermann; no children.

3. Mary Alma. Born 3/28/1915. Married Hampton H. Hubbard, b. 9/20/1911; three children:

a. Mary Alice. b. 12/10/1952.

b. Llarl-ery. b. 12/28/1954.

c. Hampton H. Jr., b. 3/9/1956.

4. Clelon Moore, b. 8/6/1917. Married Robert Lee Daniel, b. 2/10/1898. No children.

5. William Moore, b. 12/23/1919. Married Alice Winburne House, b. 11/4/1920; one son:

a. William Moore, Jr. b. 12/2/1943. Married Margaret Alice Handy; b. 9/23/1945, one son, William Moore III.

6. Betty John, b. 10/12/1924 Married Alvin Glenn Wallace, b. 2/7/1921. They have five children:

a. Barbara Jeanne. b. 10/4/1946. Married Billy Lewis Barlow, b. 8/-/1945.

b. Alvin Glenn Jr. b. 3/10/1949.

c. Benjamin, b. 7/21/1950.

d. Linda, b. 2/13/1952.

e. David, b. 6/28/1956.

MARGERY ( MARGY )McLAURIN. She was a trained nurse and spent all of her active years, throughout a long life, practicing that profession. She never married.

ALMA McLAURIN. She was the "home maker". After the death of her mother she "kept house" for her father as long as he lived, and continued with her bachelor brothers throughout their lives. She never married.

RALPH E. McLAURIN. Ralph was a farmer and a professional base ball player. He "played ball" from the time he was a mere youngster until well along in years. He played locally, went into the minor league and graduated into the majors. He played with St. Louis and Detroit and possibly others. After retirement he coached the McColl High School ball team for a number of years.

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DANIEL WASHINGTON McLAURIN
(son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin )

He was reared on the McLaurin's Mill plantation. At the out�break of the War he and his twin brother, Hugh L. McLaurin im�mediately volunteered. They served throughout the War in Com�pany G., 23rd Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers. Both of them were wounded at the Battle of the Crater near Petersburg, Vir�ginia.

He was captured as the War was drawing to a close. He bad just reached home on a furlough when he was told that the Yankees were approaching Bennettsville from Cheraw. He said that no one was certain that this was true, so he decided to ride to Bennettsville and get first hand news. He was wearing a new Yankee uniform that he had recently captured. It was much better than his old discarded Confederate uniform which was ragged and worn. When approaching Bennettsville he almost ran into a Yankee patrol. When he realized his danger of being captured, he said his one thought was to get rid of his Yankee uniform or he would probably be treated as a spy. He spurred his horse into a wooded area and when out of sight jerked off the uniform, threw it away and rode hard in the opposite direction. But the Yankees had surrounded the area and he was soon captured - dressed only in his long underwear.

They carried him to Bennettsville. He said that was the most embarrassing situation he was ever in - moving through Bennetts�ville in his underwear. But his apprehension about the uniform was greater than his embarrassment. This was soon relieved, how�ever, when they began questioning him. He soon learned that they were never close enough to him to identify the Yankee uniform. It seems that all they knew was that they saw him approaching at a distance and when he started to run, they gave chase. They were very curious about his dress or lack of dress, and never were quite satisfied with the several stories he told them about why he was riding on a public road in his underwear.

Soon after his marriage he started farming near the town of Tatum. Later he bought about nine hundred acres of land in upper

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Marion (now Dillon ) County and there established his home. He soon built a grist mill on the property. He stated that it required two six mule teams to haul the millstones from Fayetteville to his millsite. I am not sure but I seem to recall that he said it took them nearly a week to make that fifty mile trip. He lived for many years in Columbia but it was here in Dillon County that he always called home.

For many years he represented Marion County in the House of Representatives. He always considered his greatest achievement as a legislator, the writing and piloting through the House the Bill creating Winthrop College. This college was started in a brick bug�gy house in Columbia, and then moved to Rock Hill, and it stands today as a magnificent monument to those who participated in its founding. He was a trustee of the college from its beginning until his death, except for about two years. McLaurin Hall is named for him.

He was State Land Agent for many years. He was living in Columbia when I was attending the University. It was during this time that we became not only Uncle and Nephew, but close under�standing friends. This close relationship continued through his life. He often visited in Dillon. We would take trips into Marlboro County and he would point out places of interest and tell me about the places, the people and the times before and after the War. Much of what he told me is reflected in the things that I have written.

Uncle Daniel was slightly larger, physically, than his older brother or his twin. In his younger years he wore a mustache and long sideburns (whiskers), but the greater part of his life he was clean shaven. His black hair was turning gray the latter part of his life. He was a man of strong convictions and had the moral and physical courage to stand openly with the few or with the many for the things in which he believed. He was never "on the fence".  He was for or against always open to reason and reacdy to go that "second mile" with friend or foe, but no one ever "pushed him around". Some thought him rather stern, some did not feel altogether at ease with him, but to those who really knew him

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he was sensitive, responsive, a man who had real affection for his friends.

Early in life he married Martha Colin McLucas, a sister of Uncle Rod S. McLucas. They had no children.

MARGARET ANN (Maggie) McLAURIN McCASKILL
(daughter of Capt. L. L. McLaurin )

She was the second daughter and fifth child of Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. I have been told, many times by her brothers and others, that she was a very bright, vivacious, fun-loving, young woman of great charm. A short time after the War she married John C. McCaskill. They were the parents of one child. Both the mother and child died soon after the birth of the child. She was twenty four years of age.

JAMES ALEXANDER McLAURIN
(son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin )

He was the sixth child and fourth son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. He and his wife, Nancy Della McIntyre McLaurin, were the parents of five children.

Covered fully in the McLaurin narratives.

ALBINA McLAURIN WILLIS
(daughter of Capt. L. L. McLaurin)

She was the seventh child and third daughter of Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. She married J. Furman Willis. Their farm adjoined the McLaurin plantation and their home was only a short distance away. Uncle Furman was a successful farmer, a highly esteemed citizen. They didn't have any boys my age so I seldom visited in their home. But both of them must have had an unusual love for children or they could not have inspired the love that the younger children of Uncle Wal�ter McLaurin had for them. They almost worshipped "Uncle Fur�man and Aunt Bina." They were the parents of four children:

MARGARET JANE WILLIS, Aug. 10, 1873-Apr. 5, 1908 married William Luther Fletcher, July 29, 1873-Dec. 3, 1940

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EFFIE LEE WILLIS, Nov. 8, 1878-May 17, 1953 married Daniel Lee (Donnie) McLaurin, Sept. 4, 1874-July 19, 1948

JAMES COUSAR WILLIS, July 10, 1876-March 21, 1914 married Alice Fletcher, Sept. 13, 1879-Sept 18, 1909

CLARA WILLIS, Oct. 17, 1882-March 13, 1953 married W. T. Snyder, May 10, 1870-Jan. 29, 1947

MARGARET JANE WILLIS and her husband William Luther Fletcher were the parents of five children, as follows:

1. Marguerite McLean Fletcher, b. 3/31/1897, d. 3/20/1945. Married Frederick Griffith Allen. They were the parents of six children:

a. Frederick Griffith Allen, Jr.

b. Margaret Jane Allen

c. Lutie Allen

d. David Lewis Allen

e. Elsie Allen

f. William Fletcher Allen.

2. Furman Willis Fletcher, b. 12/2l/1899. Married Ruby Ful�ler. Parents of two children:

a. Elizabeth Fletcher

b. Margaret Fletcher

3. Lewis Arrowood Fletcher, b. 2/1/1901. Married Miss Kohn.

4. Albina Fletcher, b. 9/15/1902. Married John Kidd. One child:

a. John Kidd, Jr.

5. John Luther Fletcher, b. 7/18/1905. Married Vivian Barn�hill.

EFFIE LEE WILLIS, and her husband, Daniel Lee (Donnie) McLaurin were the parents of six children. See McLaurin.

JAMES COUSAR WILLIS, married Alice Fletcher, a beautiful young woman from the Pine Grove, or Fletcher section of Marlboro County. They settled on his farm a short distance from that of his parents. They lived there until his health became impaired and he was forced to give up his farming operations. He was a handsome, genial, friendly, cheerful man. He and his wife were the parents of two children: Lucille who died in infancy; James Cousar Willis, Jr.

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1. James Cousar (J. C.) Willis, Jr., born July 19, 1907. Home, Chesterfield, S. C. A graduate of Clemson College (now Uni�versity) and has been County Agent in Chesterfield County for many years. I am told that he is one of the best informed and most popular County Agents in the state. He is married to Myrtle Lee Purser and they are the parents of three chil�dren:

a. James Cousar Willis, III. b. 9/2/1935. Warden Maxi�mum Security Correctional Institution, Columbia, S. C. Married Rebecca Ann Hardee.

b. Carolyn Elizabeth Willis. b. 4/19/1939. Married James P. Creel. Home, Conway and Myrtle Beach. Two children:  James P. Creel, Jr. b. 3/2/1964; Carolyn Alicia Creel, b. 3/13/1968

c. Glynn Furman Willis. b. 7/4/1949.

CLARA WILLIS, married W. T. Snyder. They made their home in Asheville, N. C. They were the parents of one child:

1. Dorothy, b. 8/8/1915-d. 1/19/1963.

EFFIE ELLEN McLAURIN McLUCAS

Born on the McLaurin's Mill plantation, the eighth child of Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. Aunt Effie had a bright mind and retentive memory. As a small boy she impressed me as being rather stern in demeanor. I think I was a bit afraid of her. I don't know just why as she was always kind enough to me, and certainly was never harsh or overdemanding of her children. She married Roderick S. McLucas, a veteran C.S.A. First Sgt. Co. D, 3rd., Reg. S. C. State Troops. They were living on a farm lying along the outskirts of McColl when I was a small boy. Uncle Rod owned several rather large productive farms, one near Clio, another about two miles from McColl, on Gum Swamp. The family lived for a time in Clinton, S.C., and in Clio, or on the Clio plantation. Later they built a large rather imposing home on the place near McColl and spent the remainder of their lives there. Uncle Rod was a good farmer and manager and a highly respected citizen. They were the parents of eight children.

MARY LEE McLUCAS, May 26, 1874-Nov. 22, 1878

JOHN LUTHER McLUCAS, July 18, 1877-April 30, 1922 married Flora Viola Conley, - 1900 - 1940

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EFFIE ELLEN McLUCAS, Feb. 12, 1880-May 29, 1962 not married

RODERICK McRAE McLUCAS, Oct. 25,1882-Dec. 21, 1922 married Willia Ann McCormick

MARGARET McLAURIN McLUCAS, Oct. 18, 1885-March 18, 1959 married I. W. Barber

LESLIE MORRIS McLUCAS, Oct. 14,1887-Sept. 21, 1914 not married

HUGH McLUCAS, June 3, 1890-Dec. 17, 1956 married Willie Ann McCormick McLucas

MAY DOUGLAS McLUCAS, June 3, 1890 not married

JEAN GILLESPIE McLUCAS, Oct. 9, 1894 married Donald T. Townsend

JOHN LUTHER McLUCAS. Luther was ten years my senior. As a boy I looked upon him as a handsome, clean-cut, rather quiet, suave, well dressed and well mannered young man of great popularity. As I grew up our paths crossed at rare intervals and I knew practically nothing of his later activities. He died in the prime of life. He and his wife, Flora Viola Conley, were the parents of two children:

1. Jean Douglas McLucas, b. 5/30/1919. Married Julian Mc�Gilvray Hamer, b.11/8/1911. Home-Clio, S.C. Parents of three children:

a. Julian M. Hamer, Jr. b. 10/24/1941. Home-New York.

b. Mary Ellen McLucas Hamer, b. l/2/1943. Married James T. Eckhoff, b. 5/16/1943. Home-Charlotte, N.C. Parents of one child-James T. Eckhoff, Jr., b.5/30/1965.

c. John Conley Hamer, b. 2/2/1944. Married Elizabeth Midg�ley, b.3/26/1945. Home-Dallas, Texas. Parents of one child. John Conley Hamer, Jr., b.5/14/1965.

2. John Luther McLucas, Jr., b.8/22/1920. Home-Washington, D.C. Under Secy. Air Force. Married Patricia Knapp, b.12/6/1923. Parents of four children:

a. Pamela McLucas, b.7/25/1947.

b. Susan McLucas, b.1/7/1949.

c. John Cousar McLucas, b.6/28/1952.

d. Roderick Knapp McLucas, b.11/8/1955.

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EFFIE ELLEN McLUCAS. Effie never married. She was a woman of many fine qualities. After the death of her parents, I believe, she was the stabilizing influence that held the family together and gave it direc�tion.

RODERICK McRAE McLUCAS. Rod was one of those unusual young men who seemed to have everything necessary for an outstandingly suc�cessful life. Bright, handsome, talented, a fine personality that drew peo�ple to him. He and his wife, Willie Ann McCormick McColl, were the parents of three children:

1. Leslie Eleanor McLucas, b.3/24/1919. Married M. H. Cogburn Gaillard. Home-Eutaville, S.C. Parents of three chil�dren:

a. Azile Carrol, b.6/7 /1946.

b. Cogburn, Jr., b.3/5/1949.

c. Margaret McCormick, b12/15/1950.

2. Effie McColl McLucas, b.1/26/1921. d.9/18/1962. 3 yrs. WAC World W.II.

3. Margaret Krysteen McLucas, b.9/27/1923. Married Stanley Thurman Hoolcy. Home-Glendo, Wyoming. Both served U.S. Navy 3 years. Parents of one child:

a. Alex Spenser Hooley, b.4/7/1953.

MARGARET McLAURIN McLUCAS. I saw practically nothing of Margaret after the rather early days of our childhood. But I am informed that she was a woman of great charm, kind and always considerate. She and her husband, I. W. Barber, made their home in Mt. Airy, N. C. They had no children.

LESLIE MORRIS McLUCAS. Leslie was cousin, friend, pal. We were about the same age and for several years we were as close as brothers. He was the kind of friend that all boys want and need, but few find. Loyal, dependable, always ready for wholesome fun and adventure, but never carrying anything to excess. Honest, decent, clean-cut and straightforward. His untimely death brought to a close a life of great promise. Leslie never married.

HUGH McLUCAS. I saw but little of Hugh until rather late in his life. We were brought together by our common interest in family history and genealogy. He was doing research when his health failed and ended his pursuits in that direction. He urged me, time and again, to continue my efforts until I had gathered all of the available

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information about our common heritage. Hugh and his wife Willie Ann McCormick McLucas, were the parents of two children:

1. Willie Lynn McLucas, b.9/14/1927. Married Ray Kenneth Rowe, b. - d.10/1/1960. They were parents of two children:

a. Malinda Lynn, b.l/1/I954.

b. Leslie Ann Ellen, b.4/17/1956.

Willie Lynn McLucas Rowe, married a second time. James Dal�ton Beckton, Sr. They are the parents of one child:

a. Mary Krysteen, b.7/3/1968.

2. Hugh Roderick McLucas, b.6/24/1929. Twenty years in U.S. Navy. Retired Chief Boatswain Mate. Married Brenda Gail Cheek. Parents of one child:

a. Hugh McLucas, b.3/23/1967.

MAY DOUGLAS McLUCAS. May was the twin sister of her brother, Hugh. As a young woman she became a trained nurse and spent all of her adult life, until her retirement a few years ago, in the practice of her profession. I am told that she was extremely efficient and very successful over a period of many years. She never married.

JEAN GILLESPIE McLUCAS. Jean, the youngest of the children, was a very attractive young girl. I have seen practically nothing of her in many years. She married Donald T. Townsend and they have made their home in Clarkton, N.C. They are the parents of two children:

1. Mary Margaret Townsend, b.12/9/1922. Married Alfred Fisher Heathcote. She lives in New York City.

2. Jean McLucas Townsend, b.2/29/1928. Married Edmund Morris Bleich. Home-Pearl River, N.Y. Parents of two chil�dren:

a. Jean Townsend, b.6/12/1956.

b. Edmund Mackey, b1/24/1960.

LUTHER McLAURIN

(son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin)

When a post office was established at McLaurin's Mill, although not of age he was appointed post master. He served in that capacity as long as the post office remained at McLaurin's Mill. Around 1886, when the railroad came through what is now McColl, McCallum and Morrison built a store about a hundred yards from the railroad on what is now Main Street. Uncle Luther - I assume

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with ample authority - moved the post office to that building. The name of the post office was changed from McLaurin's Mill to McColl. He built a residence, the first in the town, on the lot where the Presbyterian Church now stands. He later built a home on his farm in the southern outskirts of the town.

When I knew him best he was supervising the operation of the farm. He owned and managed a small fancy grocery store. In this building, which he owned, the post office occupied a prominent part. Uncle Luther was not only an honest man, but extremely careful and exact in all of his dealings with his fellow man. It was said that in all of the years that he was post master the inspec�tors never found anything to criticize in his handling of the office. To my personal knowledge (I was rural mail carrier for a time and had to deal personally with him daily) he was meticulously careful and demanding in everything that pertained to that office.

He was a man of exemplary character. A highly respected citi�zen. Always ready to do his full share in any undertaking that he believed would be for the betterment of the town or community. He was a lifelong active member of the Presbyterian Church.

I think he wore a mustache all of his life. He smoked cigars incessantly. Like most of the family (then and now) he had a quick explosive temper, but he seldom let it get out of control. For years I saw him almost daily. He had a good sense of humor, was not openly demonstrative, but his treatment of me over those years, as child, as boy and young man was all that I could have asked.

He married twice. His first wife, Annie McKinnon, had no children. Some years after the death of his first wife he married Elizabeth (Liza) Covington of Rockingham, N.C. They were the parents of two children:

1. Thomas Covington McLaurin, born Sept. 29, 1899. Died Apr. 28, 1952. I saw little of Thomas after I came to Dillon. I know practically nothing of his activities and pursuits. He did not marry.

2. Effie Ellen McLaurin. After the death of her father, and while yet a very young woman, she devoted her time, almost exclu�sively, to caring for her semi-invalid mother. Her mature years have been successfully employed in teaching school.

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WALTER BISHOP McLAURIN

(son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin)

He was the youngest child. He inherited the "home" part of the old McLaurin's Mill plantation, and lived there all of his life. He was a slightly larger man than either of his brothers. He was clean-shaven the greater part of his life. A man of great energy; he moved rapidly and was seldom idle. His interests were many. He supervised his farm, operated a sawmill, and a cotton gin in season. Both of which stood close by the old grist mill which, during his lifetime, was in constant operation. Close by, also, was the cane mill where the old time ribbon cane (now completely disappeared) was ground, the juice cooked into syrup, the like of which in my considered opinion, has never been equaled. And he maintained a small store, stocking basic groceries, entirely for the convenience of the plantation. Across the road from the home, in a grove, were scores of bee-hives, and when time for "taking honey" arrived, that was no place for a barefoot boy to loiter. He was a good man, honest, compassionate.

He and his wife, Julia Terry, were the parents of ten children; three died in infancy:

Maggie b. 3/1/1857. d. 3/9/1888, Julia, b. 4/13/1895. d. 3/30/1896; An infant, b. 10/21/1907. d. 10/24/1907.

DAVID CLIFTON McLAURIN, 1882-1945 married, first - Nan Martin married, second - Ruth Edwards

CLEVELAND McLAURIN, Nov. 29,1884-Dec. 5, 1913 not married

EDWIN BISHOP McLAURIN, May 30, 1890-March 30, 1931 married Agnes Louise Moore, Jan. 12, 1892-July 19, 1959

JAMES HILTON McLAURIN, 1894-Dec. 25, 1918 married Ruth Funderburk

VERA McLAURIN, July 29, 1897-July 17, 1936 married J. Ernest Haywood, March 4, 1894-Sept. 8, 1964

WALTER BISHOP McLAURIN, JR., 1899-1918 not married

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LELIA McLAURIN, Aug. 6,1902-Aug. 4, 1909

DAVID CLIFTON McLAURIN. While "Dave" was five years my senior I knew him well when we were boys, but know little of his activities in later years. I know that he was rural mail carrier in McColl and for a time operated a livery stable. He was in the lumber business in Columbia, and also worked for one or more mercantile establishments in that city. He was married twice. He and his first wife, Nan Martin (sister of Lalla Martin, wife of C. S. McLaurin, Sr.) were the parents of two children. A daughter who died young and a son:

1. Clifton L. McLaurin, b.1/12/1912. Married -Mary Belle McMurray. They are the parents of three children:

a. Clifton L. McLaurin, Jr., b.11/1/1938. He is married and has three children.

b. Douglas Clarence McLaurin. He is married and has two children.

c. David Gordon McLaurin. Married. No children.

Some time after the death of his first wife, David Clifton Mc�Laurin, Sr. married Ruth Edwards. They had no children.

EDWIN BISHOP McLAURIN. First Lieut. First World War. Lived in Marlboro County and in Texas. Was living in Texas at time of his death. Buried Houston, Texas. He married Agnes Louise Moore of Marl�boro County. They were the parents of three children. The first two were twins:

1. Billie Moore, b.12/27/1917. d.l2/27/1917.

2. Edwin Bishop, Jr., b.12/27/1917. In the U.S. Navy. Married Mildred Babb. They have two children:

a. Edwin Bishop III, b.----1939.

b. Albert LeRoy, b.----1940.

3. William Duncan, b.12/1/1921. Married his cousin, Eliza�beth McGregor Breeden. They are the parents of one son:

a. Greg William, b.2/2/1956.

JAMES HILTON McLAURIN. First Lieut. First World War. Killed in troop train wreck during War. Married Ruth Funderburk, daughter, I believe of a Lancaster, S. C. Physician. They were the parents of one child, a daughter:

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1. Julia McLaurin. She married John Brabson, who, I am in�formed is a distinguished physician in Charlotte, N. C. their home.  They were the parents of four children:

a. John Brabson, Jr.

b. Tod Brabson

c. William Wiley Brabson

d. David McLaurin Brabson

VERA McLAURIN, married Ernest Haywood. They spent the greater part of their married life in Florida. They were the parents of two children:

1. Walter Russell Haywood, b.11/29/1920. d.1/28/1927.

2. Ernest Hilton Haywood, b.7/30/1922. Married Catherine Jean Williams, b.12/23/1922. They have one son, Trevar Hil�ton Haywood, b.2/7/1952.

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McINTYRE

Before discussing well known persons and facts I should like to take a very brief journey into, shall we say, the - probable - or the possible.

Grandmother McIntyre often spoke with admiration of Duncan McIntyre who she said was a scholar, a writer, a poet. He was a brother of my great-great Grandfather, Daniel McIntyre. Duncan and Daniel fought under the Stewart colors at Culloden, and some�time thereafter Duncan wrote articles and poems that so infuriated the British they had him thrown in prison and kept him there for more than a year.

Sometime ago, while reading about some of the great men of Scotland, I came upon the following:

"One of the most famous Gaelic poets was Duncan McIntyre, Donnacha Ban Oran, born in Glenorchy in 1724. He was �out� in the rising of 1745 and was later imprisoned for a poem he wrote against the Act proscribing the Highland dress."

In reading Scottish history and the many books relating to the clans, one finds that the McIntyre clan, as a whole, was noted for its versatility. It supplied many famous scholars, preachers, writers, poets, musicians, as well as many fine artisans, especially in the weaving industry. This being true, no one can draw a firm conclusion that the Duncan McIntyre of whom Grandmother spoke, the brother of my great-great Grandfather, was the same Duncan McIntyre mentioned in the above quotation however snugly they may fit into the same niche. But if they were not one and the same we have a coincidence of unusual magnitude worthy of fur�ther investigation for Grandmother was always extremely careful and accurate in her factual statements as well as in quoting fixed traditions.

DANIEL McINTYRE, married CHRISTIAN MUNRO

Firm, accepted, unquestioned tradition tells us that Daniel McIntyre and his wife, Christian Munro McIntyre, were born, lived and died in Scotland. That as a young man he joined the Stewarts of Appin and fought at Culloden. Thereafter he married Christian Munro and they were the parents of five children, four boys and

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one girl: Duncan, Daniel, Archibald, Hugh and Christian. I am not sure of the order of their births but it is probably as stated. All five of the children, at one time or another, emigrated to Ameri�ca. I have no additional information about the brothers or the sister of  Great Grandfather Archibald.

ARCHIBALD McINTYRE, SR., married CATHERINE McKAY

It is believed that Archibald McIntyre, Sr., was born about 1762. It is known that he died December 19, 1836. Catherine, his wife, was probably born around 1765. She died December 12, 1835.

Archibald McIntyre, Sr., emigrated to America in 1794, prob�ably in the late spring, or early summer. He brought with him his family, consisting of his wife, Catherine McKay McIntyre and cer�tainly four, and probably all five of his children: Daniel, Duncan, Hugh, Christian, and Archibald, Jr.

One of his descendants suggested that since Archibald, Jr., was born April 23, 1794, about the time the family is believed to have arrived in America, that he may have been born after the family's arrival. This, I admit, is a bare possibility but I reject it outright. I have heard it said so many times by so many of our people that Archibald, Jr., arrived in this country, "a babe-in-arms", until I have accepted this as a fact.

Another false impression that some of the family harbored was that Archibald, Sr., had only four children, all sons. That one, an old bachelor, lived in Marlboro County, one moved to Georgia, one died young, the other, of course, being Grandfather Archibald Jr.

On April 15, 1842, Daniel McIntyre, the oldest son - the old bachelor above mentioned - made his Will, which is recorded in the office of the Probate judge for Marlboro County. In this Will he provides, among other things:

"I give to my beloved brother, Duncan McIntyre, five dollars, and to my beloved brother, Hugh McIntyre, five dollars, and to my sister Christian McIntyre, six hundred dollars, and all of my household and kitchen furniture or so much thereof as she may care to have."

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The remainder of his estate he gave to his brother, Archibald McIntyre, Jr. This Will proves that all five of the children of Archi�bald McIntyre, Sr., were living at that time or they would not have been mentioned in the Will. It also proves that neither of the five children "died young", as Grandfather Archibald, Jr., was forty�-eight years of age at that time, and he was the youngest of the children.

The Will of Archibald Sr., also recorded in the office of the Judge of Probate for Marlboro County, may be of interest. After making what he considered ample provision for his wife, he stated that he was making no devise to his sons, Daniel, Duncan, and Hugh, nor to his daughter, Christian, the wife of Angus McIntyre, as "I have previously given them such portion of my estate as I deem sufficient for them". He then gave the balance of his estate to his son, Archibald McIntyre Jr., but stated: "I enjoin my son, Archibald, that should my wife reasonably require a greater share of my estate for her comfortable support, he shall furnish her re�quirements out of my personal estate."

We do not know the exact date of the birth of either of these great-grandparents, nor do we know as an absolute certainty where they were buried. The general belief has always been that they were buried in Stewartsville Cemetery. This belief seems to be somewhat fortified by the known fact that Grandfather Archibald, Jr., asked that he be buried there. He was probably laid to rest by the side of his parents, but I have found no markers to their graves. A rather imposing monument stood at the grave of Archi�bald, Jr.; I have seen it there many times. It was destroyed when the Cemetery was being cleaned up.

Archibald McIntyre, Sr., was a many-sided man. The fact that he uprooted his family a wife and five small children from the home of their fathers, and brought them into a country of which he knew little or nothing, indicates that he had something of the adventurer in him. The remarkable success that he attained in this country, in the forty-two years of his life here, proves beyond a doubt that he was an enterprising man of sound business judgment. The fact that he spent months, after his arrival, visiting, traveling,

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investigating, before finally deciding on a location for a home, is clear proof that he was a cautious man.

In 1795 he bought 300 acres of land from Jesse Bethea, and an adjoining tract of 264 acres from James B. Legette all on the waters of Beaver Dam Creek and White Oak Creek. Here he estab�lished his home, and here he lived out the remainder of his life. These two purchases became the nucleus, the heart, of a plantation that grew into many hundreds of acres, and in its day was con�sidered one of the best managed and most productive in that com�munity.

When we, of this generation, think of the McIntyre plantation home, we visualize the large two-storied house, sitting six or seven feet off the ground, that was built by Archibald, Jr., (not senior) about the middle of the eighteen hundreds. This house was built by Archibald Jr., about the time he was married, and stood until destroyed by fire a few years ago.

The original house, constructed and occupied by Archibald, Sr., and referred to by Grandmother McIntyre as "the old house" was in all probability close by. No living person knows exactly where this "old house" stood. It has been suggested that it was near the old Rockingham Road, at the point where it is intersected by the road leading by the Jim McIntyre place. I admit that this is a possibility, but in my judgment, not at all probable. These old pioneers wanted access to the lanes of traffic, roads and rivers, but they never built their homes "by the side of the road". This could encourage, in fact be an invitation, to the idle, the unwanted wayfarer, and other disruptive forces to interfere with the orderly processes of plantation life.

I have spent many days searching records, visiting cemeteries, talking with relatives and friends, trying to secure some definite information about the brothers and sister of Grandfather Archibald, Jr. We know that his brother Daniel never married. We know that he lived on his farm on the White Oak, a portion of which was given to him by his father. We also know that Archibald, Sr., con�veyed lands to his other two sons, Duncan and Hugh, and to his daughter Christian. Angus McIntyre, the husband of Christian bought additional lands from John L. McLaurin (the first). All

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of these lands were in that general area lying between the McIntyre home place and in the direction of Red Bluff and Clio. I have been told that Angus and Christian were the parents of several children, but all of my efforts have failed to find any of them or any of their descendants. Of Duncan and Hugh I know even less. It is believed that Hugh moved to Georgia, and there raised a fami�ly, and that Duncan married, had children, and spent his life in Marlboro County. I have been unable to prove this.

ARCHIBALD McINTYRE, JR.

(son of Archibald McIntyre, Sr. )

Much of the information that I have about this grandparent came to me through the many conversations that I had with Grandmother McIntyre. I must admit that she was not a completely "impartial" witness, but I always found her extremely accurate in stating fact.

Archibald McIntyre, Jr., lived with his parents as long as they lived. For several years before the death of his father he was in complete charge of all of the activities of the plantation. Grand�mother said that she had been told many times that as a young man he was very handsome and very popular with the young people of his day, and always in great peril from the older women who had marriageable daughters and looked upon this young, handsome, and wealthy bachelor as a splendid "catch." He felt that he must devote his time to his aging parents, so he remained with them, drifting on into old bachelorhood. When fifty years of age he mar�ried a young woman of twenty, Martha Jane Turnage, who had two years before lost her prosperous and prominent father, John Turnage.

I have always been interested in that period of history covering several decades before, during, and after the War. Even now I am often asked questions about conditions on these plantations before the War. Usually the interest centers around the treatment of the slaves. I don't believe that anyone really thinks that I lived in those times, but when I was a boy I am sure more than half of the entire population, certainly in this section of the country, were born in those antebellum days. I talked with a number of former slave

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owners and with a number of former slaves, but the most enlightening conversations were with my Grandmother McIntyre.

She was in an excellent position to observe the treatment of slaves in at least three sections of Marlboro County. As a young girl she lived on her father's plantation near the North Carolina

State line. Later her father moved north of Bennettsville in the old Beauty Spot section, and after her marriage she lived on the McIntyre plantation. Her husband inherited the slaves owned by his brother, Daniel, as well as those owned by his father. There were from twenty to thirty slaves on the plantation at all times. She said that Grandfather never bought or sold a slave.

She thought that their treatment of the slaves was typical of the treatment they received throughout Marlboro and surrounding counties. They laid no restrictions on the slaves that were not required by law. A slave traveling alone away from his home planta�tion was required to have a pass or he might be picked up by the patrol. She said they issued passes when requested; however, the slaves were at liberty to visit other plantations without a pass if they were willing to take the chance of being caught. They were never watched or guarded. They had their separate houses, well built, comfortable, cabins, away from the "Big House." If they wanted to leave or "run away" there was nothing to hold them. They were comfortably clothed. They had substantially the same food that the Master had, and the same medical attention. They never had a "run awav" slave and she couldn't recall hearing of one anywhere in her community.

Sweets were not abundant in those days. They had brown sugar and syrup made from sugar cane. All were issued their ration of sugar, but Grandmother thought the children entitled to more. She had a long table set up in the yard under the trees. Once a week all of the children would gather around that table, and she would give each of them all of the sugar he or she could eat.

"Uncle Bill", one of her former slaves, visited us as long as he lived. I was always glad to see him because he would sit and talk to me for hours about the times before the War. He said he liked the idea of being free, but he had more and lived better, and had to work less when he was a slave. He said that as a young

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man he often slipped off at night to visit in the community. Some�times several of them would go together. They avoided roads as much as possible, and when on a road kept a sharp lookout for the patrol. He would sing a song for me. I only remember one line: "Run nigger run or the pat-a-roll (patrol) will get you." When I was a young man several of the slave cabins still stood on this place. I can testify to the fact that these were well built, warm, comfortable, clean.

After the Yankee army came and was gone, she called all of them together. She explained as best she could about their freedom. She told them that they were now free. They could go and come as they pleased. They could live anywhere they wanted to and work for anyone. That they did not have to report to her or obey her. She said several of the women began to cry and all of them started telling her that they belonged to her as much as they always had; that this was their home and they were going to stay there.

She told them, that which they already knew, that she had very little to eat, but anyone who wished to stay could do so, and as long as she had a "crust of bread" she would share it with them. She said that for two years or more, not one left the place. When one was offered some work elsewhere he would consult with her before taking the job. Some of them stayed on the place for years. I believe that "Uncle Heck" stayed all of his life. He was living there when I was nearly grown.

When the Yankee soldiers were gathering up everything mov�able, one of them caught Uncle Hugh's pet hen. Uncle Hugh was about four years old. He took after the soldier, grabbed him, held on, screaming that he wanted his hen, until the soldier gave him the hen. Grandmother said he ran in the house, crawled under the bed, with his hen, and wouldn't come out until the last soldier was gone.

Before leaving they emptied hogsheads of rice, peas, meal, flour, in a pile on the ground. They then ripped open feather beds and emptied the feathers on this pile and stirred it all together. As soon as they were gone men and women gathered around this pile with sifters and containers and began painstakingly picking out the feathers and sifting the remainder. Grandmother said they�

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had two combinations - rice and peas, and meal and flour. Tasty and sustaining meals were made of these mixtures.

"Uncle Heck", a ten year old boy when the War ended, became quite a hero. There were some forty or fifty hills of potatoes near the barn, surrounded by a rail fence to keep out the hogs. After the soldiers had helped themselves to all they wanted, they took down a portion of the fence so that any stray hogs could get in and eat what was left. When the soldiers would move away from the fence "Uncle Heck" would slip out and start putting the rails in place. A soldier would take after him. He would run for the barn and when about five or six feet away he would hit the dirt and slide under. Grandmother said this was repeated over and over until the soldiers had gone. The result was that many of the potatoes were saved.

When I was a very small boy, Mother, Virgie and I went down to Uncle Hugh's - the old McIntyre place. We had been there a short time when Aunt Salley (Uncle Hugh's wife) suggested that we go to the grape vines and eat grapes. She carried along a bucket or pan so that we might pick some to take home with us. In a few minutes "Uncle Heck" came along and started picking. He called to one of his children to tell Dinah (his wife) to come help. I was sitting up on the grape arbor and when I heard the name Dinah I burst into loud song - "Old aunt Dinah, hard to find her tell her the ships gonna sail." About that time, "Uncle Heck" a very religious man, told me in no uncertain language that I had better be praying instead of singing that "reel." The concert ended immediately.

Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin ) said that Grandfather McIntyre was one of the best men he ever knew. That he was kind, considerate, and always accommodating. That his plantation was very large, very productive, and always kept in excellent condition. But he was not as aggressive and progressive as was Grandfather McLaurin, who was always buying additional land, trying out new methods and experiments with new products. He said that when he was a boy his father sent him over to the home of Mr. McIntyre many times to borrow a hundred or so dollars. And later he would send him back to re-pay the money. Always the same amount bor-

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rowed. Never any interest offered or accepted. I jokingly asked Uncle Daniel just how it was that the dynamic, progressive, go-get�ter, had to send to the less progressive to borrow money. It seemed to me that it should be the other way around. He smiled and said well, that is the way it was. The only explanation he could offer was that at that time Grandfather McIntyre was a comparatively old man. He had no ambition to expand or accumulate anything beyond what he had, while his father (Grandfather McLaurin ) was in his prime, was buying lands and expanding operations.

That explanation is, I think, largely correct. Grandfather Mc�Intyre had managed a large plantation nearly all of his life and was at that time the owner. He was probably in his sixties. He was "well-fixed" financially, and had no desire to add to his holdings or responsibilities. On the contrary Grandfather McLaurin received only a small inheritance. Practically everything he had was the result of his efforts. This was a period in which he was constantly expanding and would need ready cash from time to time. There was possibly another explanation. Capt. L. L. McLaurin was, by all accounts, a man of tremendous drive, energy, ambition, and determination while Archibald McIntyre was more of the calm, deliberate, even tempered type. Their backgrounds and tempera�ments were different, so it was natural that they should act dif�ferently.

Grandmother McIntyre lived with our family from the time I was a very small child until her death when I was about sixteen. I had many long talks with her. My great regret is that I left so many things unasked that she could have told me, and now, perhaps are lost forever. She had a very retentive memory. I have in later years checked many things that she told me and without exception I have found them accurate. She gave me much of the information (not taken from public records) about McIntyres and Turnages. And having lived in the midst of my McLaurin people she filled me in on many of their activities.

When I was a very small child and the other members of the family planned to go out at night, for any reason, I, quite naturally felt that I should tag along - and probably made quite a scene. But Grandmother would say: "now you stay with me and we will

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talk about old times." That was sufficient. She would sit in the corner by the fire and talk to me until time for me to go to bed.  Many of the things that she told me even in those early days of my life are as clear in my memory as they ever were.

ARCHIBALD McINTYRE, JR., and his wife, Martha Jane Turnage were the parents of seven children:

JOHN TURNAGE McINTYRE, Jan. 19, 1845-March 6, 1865 not married. He was wounded, captured, died in Elmira Prison, Elmira, N. Y.

CATHERINE (Katy) McINTYRE, Aug. 9, 1846-Oct. 21, 1885 married J. P. Bunch, Aug. 7, 1839-May 24, 1919.

DANIEL LUKE McINTYRE, Sept. 12, 1848-Jan. 31,1899 not married

JAMES M. McINTYRE, Feb. 2, 1851-March 5, 1920 married Mary Ellen (Molly) McLaurin, Feb. 11, 1847-Oct. 20, 1913

ARCHIBALD KAY McINTYRE, Feb. 1, 1853-July 18, 1927 married Eliza Jane Fletcher, Aug. 25, 1855-Apr. 15, 1939

NANCY DELLA McINTYRE, Dec. 9,1855-Sept. 3, 1933 married James Alexander McLaurin, March 11, 1848 -Jan. 9, 1899

HUGH BARTOW McINTYRE, Apr. 26,1862-Oct. 16, 1946 married, first - Sally McKinnon, Feb. 16, 1868-May 13, 1899 married, second-Valeria Welch, May 20, 1882-Sept. 26, 1955

JOHN TURNAGE McINTYRE

(son of Archibald McIntyre, Jr. )

At the beginning of the War Between the States he was sixteen years of age. He immediately volunteered, became Sergeant-Major in Company F. 21st Regiment, S.C. Volunteers. He was wounded but re�covered from his wound. He was captured near the end of the War and died in Elmira Prison Camp, Elmira, N. Y. I have had several of my uncles and aunts tell me that he was one of the brightest, most attractive young men in the community.

THE YANKEE OFFICER'S SWORD

After a battle or some sanguinary engagement there were many dead and wounded. Uncle John heard someone calling for water. He

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found a badly wounded Yankee officer. He gave the officer water and rendered such "first aid" as he could and saw that he was taken, as promptly as possible, to the field hospital. The officer was so grateful to him, for the unexpected kindness, attention and help, he insisted on giving Uncle John his sword as a token of his gratitude. Some time later, while on furlough, Uncle John brought the sword home with him. Grandmother gave it to my brother Fred when he was a "teen-age" boy and Fred gave it to my son, Gordon, who still owns it.

CATHERINE (Katy) McINTYRE BUNCH
(daughter of Archibald McIntyre, Jr. )

I have been told by numbers of people that she was a very beautiful and accomplished young woman. She was the only one of the seven children who received a college education. The War denied that oppor�tunity to the others. She married J. P. Bunch, who was originally from North Carolina. He was a good farmer. He served several terms in the S. C. House of Representatives. He was an excellent speaker, and had an unusual memory for dates. Any date that ever impressed itself upon his mind seemed to be properly filed and readily available any time he wished to call it forth. They lived on their farm a short distance from McColl They were the parents of three children. One died in infancy, the others were:

JOHN LeROY (Roy) BUNCH, July 26, 1880-Apr. 4, 1956 married Cora Annie Livingston, Apr. 7, 1886-Oct. 26, 1955

ARCHIE WILLIAM BUNCH, Dec. 9,1882-Apr. 1, 1908 not married

JOHN LeROY BUNCH, lived the greater part of his life in the old Bunch home near McColl. His interests and activities extended into sev�eral fields; however, he devoted the greater part of his time and energy to his farming interests. He was a man worthy of the respect in which he was held. His entire life was an exemplification of the highest tradi�tions of a gentleman. It is doubtful if any other family in that entire community gave as much of themselves, their time and their substance to brighten the lives of others. That is a monument not eroded by time and elements. He and his wife, Cora, were the parents of eleven children. Four, Katie, Annie, Floride, and Doris died when very young. The others are:

1. Archie William Bunch, b.10/24/1909, married Katie Ra�chels, b.11/10/1911. Farmer, County Commissioner, home Laurel Hill, N. C. They are the parents of four children:

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a. Archie William Bunch, Jr., b.9/12/1933. Married Catherine Morrison Gibson, b.6/18/1933. Parents of two children: Ar�chie William Bunch III, b.7/3/1960. Ralph Laurence Bunch, b.2/18/1963.

b. James LeRoy Bunch, b.12/12/1936. Married Lillian Estelle McRae, b.1/4/1937. They are parents of four children: Roy McRae Bunch, b.11/1/1956; Robbin Estelle Bunch, b.11/1/1958; James Christopher Bunch, b. 2/1/1960; Margaret Dixon Bunch, b.3/27/1963).

c. Thomas Edwin Bunch, b.8/20/1942. Married Myra Elaine Simpson, b.7/26/1942. Two children: Karin Ellison Bunch, b.11/1/1963; a baby girl, b.2/7/1966.

d. Judith Catherine Bunch, b.9/4/1947. Married Woodrow Thurman, Jr. One child, Woodrow Thurman III, b. 6/28/1969.

2. Ethel Lee Bunch b.3/4/1912, married Claude McRuffin Huey, b.4/1/1911. Parents of three children:

a. Robert Bunch Huey, b.3/22/1932. Married Alice Kneece. Two children: Robert Bunch Huey, Jr., b.11/2/1959; Audrey Elizabeth Huey, b.5/16/1963.

b. Ethel Lee Huey, b.8/30/1940. d.4/3/1942.

c. Claudia Ruth Huey, b.6/4/1945. Married Ronald Connal�ly.

3. Cora Ruth Bunch, b.l2/1/1913. Married Henry Ellis Pearce. They are the parents of three children:

a. Henry Ellis Pearce, Jr., b.l/28/1936. Married Margaret Jo Moore, b.5/27/1937. They have three children: Margaret Ann Pearce, b.3/17/1959; Bonner Elizabeth Pearce, b.11/21/1961; Ruth Livingston Pearce, b.2/18/1964.

b. John Bunch Pearce, b.l/l7/1943. Married Paula Jannette Tyree, b.4/15/1947. One child: John Paul Pearce, b.3/26/1968.

c. Kathy Ruth Pearce, b.6/26/1949.

4. Rowena Bunch, b.7/5/1917. Married Carrel J. Dore, b.8/1/1919. They are the parents of two children:

a. Darrel James Dore, b.2/10/1947. Married Frances God�win.

b. David James Dore, b.9/3/1950.

5. John LeRoy (Jack) Bunch, Jr., b.2/28/1913. Married Cor�nelia Kimball, b.2/28/1913. Parents of one child:

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a. Jacklyn Bunch, b.7/4/1942. Married Grady Atkinson. They are parents of two children: James LeRoy Atkinson, born 4/29/1965 (adopted); Christy Atkinson, b. 10/30/1968 (adopted).

6. Dorothy Bunch, b.4/8/1921. Married Ferrel Brown Varner, b.7/9/19L5. They are the parents of four children:

a. Dorothy Ann Varner, b.5/16/1943. Married Edward Bryan Michaux. They are the parents of one child: Edward Bryan Michaux Ill.

b. Michael Brown Varner, b.11/20/1946.

c. Elizabeth Bunch Varner, b.6/7/1951.

d. Rowena Lucille Varner, b.7/5/1954.

7. Emily Lucile Bunch, b.2/7/1924. Married James L. Catlett, b.8/21/1923. They are the parents of three children:

a. Cassandra Jean Catlett, b.2/17/1948.

b. James Stephen Catlett, b.9/12/1952.

c. Sylvia Ruth Catlett, b.12/18/1960.

ARCHIE WILLIAM BUNCH. Arch, as he was called, was a bright handsome, attractive, and very popular young man. In his short life he was engaged in several undertakings; farming, U. S. Rural Mail Carrier, working with a lumber company in Florida. Few men made so many friends in such a short life. He was not married.

DANIEL LUKE (Bud) McINTYRE
(son of Archibald McIntyre, Jr.)

He was a "public accountant", but I am sure he never heard himself described as such. In those days there were no public accountants, or auditors, by those names, but auditing books and assisting bookkeepers was his business, and his services were in constant demand by the larger businesses in that community. Uncle Bud, as we knew him, was a kind considerate man and was very popular with those of his generation. The few words on his tomb stone indicate the man that he was: "Those who knew him best loved him most." He never married.

JAMES M. McINTYRE
(son of Archibald McIntyre, Jr. )

He was given a tract of land lying along the road leading from the old McIntyre home to the Rockingham Road. Near McIntyre Creek he built his home, in the midst of some of the best land on the entire McIntyre plantation, and there he lived, not in opulence but certainly in comfort, the remainder of his life. He married Mary Ellen (Molly)

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McLaurin, daughter of John J. McLaurin. To me they were an ideal couple. Kind, considerate, friendly. They envied no one nor did they covet any thing possessed by others.

The "M" in his name stood for "Martha". Grandmother said when a small child he realized that his brothers had two names and he had only one. He insisted that she give him another name. She told him to select any name he liked and he should have it. He said he wanted to be named for her, "Martha". She told him he could have that name. She expected that to be the last of it. But for awhile he called himself James Martha, and later merely used the "M" as a part of his name. They were the parents of three children, all daughters:

MATTIE LYNN McINTYRE, June 30, 1874-Apr. 26, 1946 never married

LULA McINTYRE, July 13, 1877-Sept. 23, 1950 married Hugh C. McColl, July 2, 1876-Oct. 4, 1952

DAISY E. McINTYRE, Sept. 16, 1880-Aug. 24, 1945 not married

LULA McINTYRE, great granddaughter of John McLaurin III, and her husband, Hugh C. McColl, great grandson of "Steady" Hugh McColl, owned and lived on a portion of the old homestead of John McLaurin III, on "The White Oak". They were the parents of eight children:

1. Dera McColl, b.4/12/1906. Not married. Home, Florence, S. C.

2. Mary Lou McColl, b.2/6/1908. Married Edward P. Hodges, b.11/17/1908. Home, Walterboro, S. C.

3. Nell McColl, b.4/7/1910. Married John Robert Schell, b.7/10/1914. Home, Red Springs, N. C. Parents of two children:

a. Barbara Ellen Schell, b.2/21/1946.

b. Bobby Lou Schell, b.12/18/1948.

4. Edna McColl, b.7/10/1912. Married Woodrow W. Thomp�son, b.2/5/1914. Home, Laurinburg, N. C. Parents of three children:

a. Hugh Richard Thompson, b.4/21/1941.

b. Robert Samuel Thompson, b.3/21/1945.

c. Sara Ellen Thompson, b.12/19/1955.

5. Sara McColl, b.5/28/1914. Home, McColl, S. C. Not mar�ried.

6. Louise McColl, b.5/11/1916. Not married.

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7. James Spencer McColl, b.9/30/1917. Home, McColl, S. C. Not married.

8. Martha Ellen McColl, b.3/15/1919. Married Mitchell James Humphry, b.11/7/1915. Parents of two children:

a. Hugh Archie Humphry, b.10/5/1953.

b. James Michael Humphry, b.9/6/1956.

ARCHIBALD KAY McINTYRE

(son of Archibald McIntyre, Jr. )

He built his home on lands laid off to him from his father's estate. It is situated almost directly in front of the old McIntyre Homestead. Here he lived the greater part of his life, engaged almost exclusively in farming. Later in life he built a home in McColl. He was a successful farmer, a "pillar" in the Methodist Church in McColl, a pleasant "out�going" man who was well liked by all who knew him. He married Eliza Jane Fletcher. Aunt Jane, as we called her, had the reputation of being one of the most meticulous housekeepers in the county. Everything in her house was spotless, all of the time. In fact her son, John, and I were constantly admonished to wipe off our feet before coming into the house. They were the parents of two children, as follows:

LEON LESLIE ( Lonnie ) McINTYRE, Oct. 4, 1874-Oct. 9, 1944 married Margaret Davis Walker, June 2, 1878-June 19, 1950.

JOHN ARCHIBALD McINTYRE, May 10, 1883-Jan. 31, 1962 married Louise Dunlap, Oct. 14, 1888-May 28, 1944

LEON LESLIE (Lonnie )McINTYRE, for years assistant general man�ager of the Clinchfield Railroad. A Mason, Shriner, influential leader in Democratic Party. Director Erwin National Bank. Leader in building first Methodist Church, trustee and steward for life. In 1891 he was station helper and studying telegraphy in McColl. In 1893 transferred to Norfolk & Western Ry., as telegrapher. From there to the Clinchfield where his business judgment and administrative ability carried him rapidly to the top. He and his wife were the parents of four children:

1. Mary Fletcher McIntyre, b.5/30/1903. Married Charles Guilford Walker. Parents of two children:

a. Margaret Bryant Walker, b. 9/18/1930. Married Richard Lindsey Hay. Parents of four children: Barbara Fletcher, b.8/31/1953; Richard L., Jr., b.3/13/1956; James Guilford, b.5/3/1956; Duncan Sebres, b.5/10/1963.

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b. Emily Guilford Walker, b.3/2l/1936. Married Robert D. Freena. Parents of two children: Deborah Jeanne, b. 5/25/1963; Cynthia Lynn, b.l/30/1969.

2. Harry Walker McIntyre, b.8/30/1906, d. 12/18/1967.

3. Leon Leslie McIntyre, Jr., b.2/10/1909, d.1/16/1964. Married Maud J. Shull. Parents of one child: a. Leon Leslie III, b.6/26/1940. Capt. Vietnam.

4. Archibald Kay McIntyre, b.10/10/1913. Legal counsel Clinch�field Ry. Married Ellen E. Spargur. Parents of four children:

a. John Guilford, b.8/30/1945. Helicopter pilot, Vietnam.

b. Alan Fletcher, b.5/4/1947. Sgt. Army. Married Rebecca Rice. Parents of one child: Kristi Kay, b.10/16/1969.

c. Ann, Kay, b.6/6/1946. Married Martin Miller.

d. Mary Ellen, b.7/16/1949.

JOHN ARCHIBALD McINTYRE, finished High School in McColl, graduated from Wofford College. He started his career as bookkeeper for Fletcher Brothers, in McColl.  He soon left McColl for a position in a bank in Hartsville. He continued in the banking business for many years. John was a pleasant, attractive young man. He was several years my senior but we were very good friends. He married Louise Dunlap, the beautiful daughter of a Methodist preacher. They were the parents of one child:

John Archibald (Jack) McIntyre, Jr., born Nov. 3, 1908. Married Lucile Williams, born Oct. 14, 1909. Their home is in Rocking�ham, N. C. They are the parents of three children:

1. John Williams McIntyre, born June 11, 1931. Married Joan Williams, born June 12, __. They are the parents of three chil�dren:

a. Paul McIntyre, b.11/22/1959.

b. Betsy McIntyre, b.1/25/1961.

c. Robert Archibald McIntyre, b.9/24/1968.

2. Louise Kay McIntyre, b.1/7/1938. Married David Nelson Wendt, b.10/__. They are parents of three children:

a. Trudy Jo Wendt, b.7/11/1963.

b. Michael David Wendt, b.9/15/1964.

c. Leslie Kay Wendt, b.5/19/1966.

3. Lucy Williams McIntyre, born July 20, 1944. Married Robert LeRoy Phillips, Jr., born May 4, 1940.

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NANCY DELLA McINTYRE
(daughter of Archibald McIntyre, Jr. )

Nancy Della McIntyre married James Alexander McLaurin (my parents). They were the parents of five children. For detailed information see McLaurin.

HUGH BISHOP McINTYRE (corrected name Hugh Bartow McIntyre)

(son of Archibald McIntyre, Jr. )

He was the youngest child; born about four months after the death of his father. He lived for many years in the old McIntyre plantation home, built by his father. In those days he devoted his entire time to his farming operations. Later in life he moved to McColl where he en�gaged in business and continued to operate his farm. Uncle Hugh, called by his friends and associates, "Mac" was a man of many talents. He was of a genial, happy, disposition, a splendid conversationalist, very witty and always entertaining. When well up in years he lost his sight, but he continued to take interest in everything around him. His sparkling conversations, his keen sense of humor, and his popularity with all who knew him, continued to the end. He was married twice. His first wife, Sally (corrected, Sallie) McKinnon, died when I was a small boy. I remember her as a very handsome and a very kind woman. They were the parents of one child that grew to maturity:

ANNIE McINTYRE, Nov. 21,1887 married McQueen Westbury, May 15, 1886-Feb. 17, 1940

ANNIE McINTYRE was a beautiful, talented, accomplished young lady. She was very popular with the young people of our generation, and I am sure that those qualities that inspired the respect and admiration of that day continue until the present time. She married McQueen West�bury, a successful businessman and farmer. They were the parents of two children:

1. Sarah Frances Westbury, born Feb. 12, 1926. She married Chris Evens, born May 14, 1923.

2. Hugh McQueen Westbury, born Apr. 13, 1927. Married Lida Ruth McNei11, born Mar. 11, 1931. Two children:

a. Hugh McQueen Westbury, Jr., b. 10/3/1953.

b. Janie Louise, b.9/1956.

Some years after the death of his first wife he married Valeria Welch, the attractive and accomplished daughter of a Methodist minister. They had no children.

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McCOLL-PATERNAL-MATERNAL

In so far as we know the first, in direct line, of our McColl ancestors to come to this country was Daniel and his family. It is a known fact that they emigrated to America in the early part of 1790. I have heard that they landed in Georgetown, came up Little Pee Dee River to Red Bluff in Marlboro County. It was said that they visited with David McColl, a friend or distant rela�tive, who lived at what we knew as the Daniel Graham place, situ�ated near the North Carolina state line and only about two miles from Red Bluff. That after a short visit they moved on to the Little Mountain Creek section of Richmond County, North Carolina, where they settled among relatives and friends.

It might be well to mention here, although I have gone into the matter at some length elsewhere, that what we know as Red Bluff was at one time Laurinton. This was the head of navigation on Little Pee Dee, and here was a prominent and prosperous trading post, boasting of several places of business including a Post Office. And in those early days this River was a rather busy traffic high�way, carrying cotton, corn, and other produce from the community down river to the coast and bringing back supplies for the settlers.

Mr. Brown, editor of the Marlboro newspaper, in writing about Grandmother McLaurin soon after her death, stated: "Steady Hugh McColl, her father, came to this country in 1792." I am reproducing that article under "Miscellaneous", but the date given is not correct. It is well established that they arrived in 1790. The census of that year reports this family as follows: "Daniel McColl and his wife, both above thirty. Three sons all under sixteen. One daughter under one year of age." Grandmother McLaurin, in writing and otherwise, stated that her grandparents came to this country in 1790 and that her father "Steady" Hugh was thirteen years of age at that time. Uncle Daniel told me the same thing. The tomb in Stewartsville Cemetery gives the birth of "Steady" Hugh as 1777 and his death 1845. It may be that I am unnecessarily belaboring this point, but the newspaper article was given wide circulation and I think it well to definitely fix this date.

Daniel bought several tracts of land in 1791 and later, as can be seen by reference to the public records in Rockingham. I know

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the general area in which Daniel and his family settled, but I have not been able to determine the exact location of his home. It was probably in what is still Richmond County; however, there is a possibility that it was in what is now Scotland County. The several tracts of land that he bought were in the same general area but not contiguous. The only permanent boundaries given would seem to indicate this. For instance: "On the south side of Little Mountain Creek." "On the south side of Little Beaver Dam Creek." "On the province line." "On Thomas Branch."

I have spent numbers of days in the section of Richmond County formerly known as the Little Mountain Creek section trying to gather information about this worthy ancestor and his family, but I found very little authentic information. I was told, by some of the older people, that a large area in this section was at one time known as "McColl Country" as it was largely settled by McColls. Many of the families were undoubtedly related. With the help of others I found an old abandoned cemetery a few miles from Ellerbe, in which Daniel, his wife and possibly several other members of the family were buried. See Cemeteries.

My information, stated briefly, is this: Daniel McColl, his wife Nancy Gordon McColl, and their four children came to this country from Appin Scotland in 1790. They settled in the Little Mountain Creek section of Richmond County, North Carolina. At that time both Daniel and his wife were more than thirty years of age. Daniel died June 22, 1805. His widow died before 1817, possibly about a year before. They had a son, Daniel, Jr., who married a Miss Calhoun. Daniel, Jr. and his wife both died prior to 1817 leaving a son, Calhoun McColl. The other three children, Hugh, Dugald and Christian were living in 1817. Daniel's estate was settled in 1817. The "Homestead" was sold to Neill McLarren. The deed was signed by Hugh McColl also by Hugh McColl as guardian for Calhoun McColl, and by Dougald McColl and Christain McColl.

I do not know what became of Dougald and Christian. It is known that they both lived to maturity. Uncle Daniel and other members of the family were of the opinion that they married and left descendants, but I failed to locate any one in that community, or elsewhere, who knew anything about them.

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"STEADY" HUGH McCOLL

 (oldest son of Daniel McColl)

As a young man Hugh McColl married Mary McColl, who some of their descendants have always claimed was a distant cousin. At the time of their marriage they both lived in the Little Mountain Creek section of Richmond County, North Carolina. Soon after their marriage they moved to the upper part of Marion (now Dillon ) County. They leased a large plantation from Dr. Vampill, a German who was interested only in his vineyard and the manufacture of wine. This plantation, or a part of it, was at one time owned by A. J. C. Cottingham, later by Admiral Carter, and portions of it may still be owned by the Carters.

This plantation is about two or three miles west of Little Rock and lies along both sides of State Highway Number 9. The old home in which Hugh and his wife lived and in which all four of his children, Margaret ( Peggy ), Nancy, John B. and Effie Ellen, were born, stood, perhaps, a thousand feet to the south of the Highway, between Hasty and Manning lands.

Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin ) bought this plantation, pay�ing seventeen dollars an acre for it. He later sold it for twenty two dollars an acre. He said that when he bought this land there were many acres in grapevines, the vineyard of Dr. Vampill, cover�ing some of the best land on the place. He pointed out to me the place where the home of his Grandfather "Steady" Hugh, stood. The house was there when he owned the place, but has since dis�appeared. I am told by May McLucas that her father, Roderick S. McLucas (Uncle Rod) also owned this plantation at one time though I do not believe he lived on it.

In 1816 a devastating storm struck that community. For years it was called "The Great Storm." I have read a letter in which the writer said that, "I could have walked for five miles on fallen trees without my foot one time touching the ground." I do not know what effect, if any, this storm had on Hugh and his plans for the future, but soon thereafter, in the same year, he moved to Marlboro County.

He bought a tract of land known as "The Scott Place." It lies a few miles north of Clio, and touches the McIntyre and Roper

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lands. Hugh and his family lived there for a number of years. His children went to school at what is now Clio, possibly at that time known as Hawleyville. According to Grandmother there was noth�ing there except the crossroads, a school house, and a blacksmith shop. Hugh purchased 358 acres of land in what we called "The Neck," that triangle formed by the runs of Beaverdam Creek and Gum Swamp. I don't think he ever lived on this land, but he kept it until it passed into the possession of his son, John B. McColl. Some of the descendants of John B. owned and lived on this land when I was a boy.

This Scott place was later given by Hugh to his daughter Nancy, and her husband, Solomon L. McColl. At their death it went to their son, James W. McColl, and at his death to his sister, Mary C. McColl. A few acres of this land was deeded to the Red Bluff Presbyterian Church and a house of worship was erected thereon. This was the second Red Bluff Presbyterian Church, the first having been situated near the old Red Bluff Cemetery. All that now marks the location of this second church is a small ceme�tery. Among the graves are those of my great uncle, Luke Turnage and his wife, Elizabeth McDaniel Turnage. It could hardly be said that the McColl Presbyterian Church is the third Red Bluff Church, but it was organized, largely by former members of that church, and when this second Red Bluff Church was abandoned nearly all of its members transferred to McColl.

The following may be of interest to some. When the meeting was held in this Church to determine its disposition, L.A. (Cap) McLaurin, a young boy, said he was sitting right behind Grand�father L. L. McLaurin. The question was whether to disband the Church and move the membership to McColl or elsewhere. There was much discussion. He said that Grandfather got up and told the congregation that when the church was built he contributed more than any other one person. That he loved the Church. That he had previously opposed any suggestion of abandoning it, but now he had changed his mind. That the membership had dwindled until they didn't have sufficient members to properly support it. That numbers were withdrawing and connecting with the Church in McColl and elsewhere. That nearly all of the members lived

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closer to McColl than they did to this Church, so he was voting to abandon it.

Hugh bought a large plantation along the North Carolina State line; some of the land probably extended over into North Carolina, not far from Smyrna Church, where he and his family had their membership. I am told that his home, which was already on the plantation when he bought it, was a large two-story dwelling, situ�ated in an oak grove, reached by an avenue leading off from the main road. Here Hugh spent the remainder of his life. His widow continued to live here after his death, until the house was destroyed by fire. I have been told that they were living here when their youngest daughter, Effie Ellen, married a young man by the name of Lauchlin L. McLaurin.

This plantation, through inheritance, purchase, or both came into the possession of their son, John B. McColl. He had built a modest home some distance from the home of his parents. This house was still standing a few years ago when his grandson, Allen Willis, went with me to view the premises. The descendants of John B. own this land, or at least some of it until this day. It might not be amiss to mention that Hugh, over a period of twenty years after his arrival in Marlboro County, bought a number of tracts of land, several of considerable acreage, on or in the general area of Hagins Prong not far from the present town of Clio. He also owned large acreage in the Maxton section of North Caro�lina.

I have been asked many times how, where, or why, the "Steady" was attached to his name. I have been unable to answer the ques�tion. We all know that it was at that time, and still is, a custom to distinguish in some manner persons of the same name living in the same community. These added or gratuitous names usually described some habit, looks, or characteristic of the individual to whom they are attached. Perhaps, after reading the following quo�tations, you can determine this matter to your own satisfaction.

The following are taken from newspaper clippings. Mr. Brown of the Marlboro Democrat wrote:

"Soon after the birth of Effie Ellen, the youngest daughter of "Steady Hugh", the family moved to Marlboro County in the

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Red Bluff section where the girlhood of Effie was spent amid surroundings as conducive to refinement and education as those times could command. The careful strict business methods of "Steady Hugh" had been rewarded by the accumulation of what

was considered a fine fortune in those days."

***

"He was an honest man, upright and conscientious in all of his relationships with his fellowman. He was ready at all times to lend a helping hand to those less fortunate ****the appli�cation of sound business principles to all of his indeavors, his unerring judgment, combined with industry and frugality pro�duced for him a very sizable fortune before he had reached middle life."

The "Steady" seems to have been attached to his name after he moved to Marlboro County. All of the documents that I have found that were signed by him before he was forty or more years of age, were signed simply "Hugh McCo11." We find documents written by others in which they identify him as : "Hugh McColl (Steady)." "Hugh (Steady) McColl." "Hugh McColl. S" About this time he began signing his name "Hugh S. McColl." I have never known whether he had any given name other than "Hugh." I rather believe that after the "Steady" became so firmly attached to him that he adopted the "S" as a part of his name. I suggest that the "Steady" properly described the man. One of his descendants, how�ever, Mrs. Fannie McNeill, rather facetiously remarked that the "Steady" might have indicated only that he didn't get drunk, ca�rouse, and spend his substance in riotous living.

McCOLL � MATERNAL

We are descended from two ancestral lines of McColls. This results from the marriage of "Steady" Hugh McColl and Mary Mc�Coll (See McColl - Paternal). Some of our cousins, and possibly others, always contended that Hugh and Mary were distant cousins. This is quite possible, For, as Captain Thomas said, in his History of Marlboro County:

"- the intermarriage of Scot with Scot has been especially characteristic of the McColls. Attached to the old "clan," proud of their pure blood, they have married and intermarried until they are all kin, more or less."

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In my research I have found that statement to be true. It was noticeable in this family. Hugh McColl married Mary McColl, They had three daughters and one son. The oldest daughter, Margaret married David McColl (and David's parents were both McColls ). Nancy, the second daughter, married Solomon L. McColl. Effie Ellen, for some reason, broke the "chain" and married Lauchlin L. McLaurin, and John B., the only son, married three times but neither wife was a McColl.

It has been a disappointment to me that in all of my research I have failed to find any definite provable facts about the fore�bearers of this great Grandmother, Mary. We know that she came to this country with her parents from Appin Scotland in 1790. We know that she was five years of age at that time. That the family settled in the Little Mountain Creek section of Richmond County, North Carolina, and she lived there until after she married Hugh McColl, later known as "Steady" Hugh.

I have talked with many relatives and not one could give me any definite information. Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin ) a grand�son, was of the opinion that her father was James Alexander Mc�Coll, known as "Alex", but I don't believe that he was any too sure of this, and he seemed to have no definite idea who her mother was. I might mention that there are a few rather fragile circum�stances pointing in this direction. Alex, or Alexander is not a "family name" among the McLaurins. Yet my father was named James Alexander, and a careful check of the descendants of Hugh and Mary shows the name Alex or Alexander cropping up here and there. The public records in Rockingham reveal that there were a number of persons in that county at that time signing themselves as "Alex" McColl, but I found nothing definite tying any of them to our Mary.

Some fifteen years ago I employed Mr. D. S. King, a profes�sional genealogist to do some research for me. It has always been a fixed tradition in our family that through the paternal side of our McColl ancestry we were related to the General John B. Gordon family. That my great-great Grandfather, Daniel McColl married Nancy Gordon who was of this family. The relationship, though remote, appears to have been recognized by General Gordon, as

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will appear elsewhere. I was hoping that this genealogist might establish, or disprove this family connection, and possibly throw some light, not then available, upon the ancestors of my great Grandmother, Mary McColl.

His report, rather long and involved carried both of our McColl ancestral line back into this Gordon family. My first reaction was surprise and perhaps, disbelief. But the fact that I actually knew nothing about the ancestors of my great Grandmother, Mary, con�vinced me that I should look upon his report with more tolerance. Without vouching for the accuracy of the chart or tree prepared by him, I will reproduce it here.

CHART

I am sure that the middle line of this chart is correct. My investigation, independently of the Genealogist, confirms this, at least back through the John Gordon first mentioned. I know that this John Gordon arrived in Charles Towne (Charleston, South

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Carolina) in 1724. He lived there for a time and then went to Maryland, where he married Sarah Chapman, daughter of a very prominent physician. The marriage was not very popular with her parents so the young couple hurriedly moved to Virginia and there raised a large family. Their oldest son, Charles, settled in western North Carolina. When forty years of age he joined the Continental Army and rose to the rank of Major. Two of his sons, Charles, Jr., and Chapman both distinguished themselves at Kings Moun�tain.

The first line of the chart, that on the left, is that of our pater�nal McColl ancestry. This I am sure is correct. I know it is accurate back through my great-great Grandfather, Daniel McColl. That is as far as my independent research was able to carry this line. But since it seems to be an established fact that Daniel McColl married Nancy Gordon and that it is through her that our family is distantly related to the General John B. Gordon family, the Genealogist's finding, appears to be accurate and I accept it.

It is the third line, the last line on the right that created the surprise. I had never heard anyone suggest that great Grandmother Mary had a Gordon ancestry. But since no one seemed to know who her ancestors were, there was no real reason for surprise. My research, as stated, carried me back no farther than Mary, but the Genealogist, a professional in his field, was certainly in better posi�tion to do a more thorough job than I could do. So with some slight reservations I also accept this part of the report, until some�one can establish something more convincing.

As long as I can remember I have heard that our family was distantly related to General John B. Gordon. It would appear that General Gordon recognized, or had some knowledge of this rela�tionship when he wrote Mother soon after the death of Father. He referred to Father as "My good friend and kinsman". There were other indications that there was a relationship, connection, or at least a rather close friendship, as he visited and was enter�tained in the home of Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McLaurin on one of his visits to South Carolina. General Gordon came into South Carolina and made speeches in behalf of the candidacy of Gen. Wade Hampton when he was running

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for governor. It was on one of these trips that he was entertained by my Grandparents. Then, too, as heretofore mentioned he visited with our family when I was an infant and we were living in Georgia. Without attaching too much importance to these remote relation�ships, I feel that I should record the information I have that it may be made use of, should any one so desire, in any future re�search.

"STEADY� HUGH McCOLL, the oldest son of Daniel and Nancy Gordon McColl, was born in Appin Scotland in 1777. He died in Marlboro County, South Carolina, August 9, 1845. His wife, MARY McCOLL McCOLL, was born in Appin Scotland in 1785. She died in Marlboro County, South Carolina, December 22, 1853. Both are buried in Stewartsville Cemetery. They were the parents of four children:

MARGARET ( Peggy ) McCOLL, June 15, 1809-Jan. 20, 1886 married David McColl, Oct. 22, 1813-Jan. 17, 1899

NANCY McCOLL, Apr. 15,1811-May 29, 1857 married Solomon L. McColl, Apr. 3, 1811-Dec. 25, 1857

JOHN B. McCOLL, 1814-1894 married, first - Mary Ann Crawford, Jan. 15, 1816-Sept. 14, 1845 married, second - Katherine Shaw, July 16, 1825-Apr. 9, 1857 married, third - Jo Anne Salmon, 1837-1921

EFFIE ELLEN McCOLL, Nov. 10, 1816-Jan. 14, 1897 married Lauchlin LeRoy McLaurin, Apr. 14, 1813-Sept. 25, 1888

The descendants of Margaret McColl and her husband David McCo1l, Nancy McColl and her husband Solomon L. McColl, John B. McColl and his wives Mary Ann Crawford and Jo Anne Salmon are listed under COLLATERAL LINES

The descendants of Effie Ellen McCo11 and her husband Lauch�lin L. McLaurin appear under McLaurin.

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TURNAGE-McKAY

The name "Turnage" is English. Our Turnage ancestors lived for several generations in Scotland before coming to America.

Grandmother McIntyre (Martha Jane Turnage McIntyre ) used to say that the Turnages were originally English, but all of the Turnage men married Scottish women, so about all that was left of the English heritage was the Turnage name.

I accepted this and in those early days it never occurred to me to doubt what she said. It was later, when I began trying to sort out and properly arrange my Turnage progenitors that I let myself become confused. Just about every where I turned I ran into something, or some one, who claimed that Turnage was Scot�tish. Some relatives thought so. Mr. Wade Turnage of Chesterfield, a well-read man of eighty, told me that he had always been told that he was of Scottish descent and he had never doubted it. Bishop Gregg in his History of the Old Cheraws said: "With the Turnages came the Ruthvens." Everyone knows that Ruthven is as Scottish as Loch Lomond, so if the Ruthvens came with the Turnages it would appear that they were all from Scotland.

I had permitted myself to become confused because I had come to doubt what Grandmother had stated many times. I should have remembered that when it came to a factual statement I never knew her to be wrong. Then one Richard Turnage of Hartsville, S. C., in tracing his ancestry found a book THE TRAIL BLAZERS, writ�ten by Mrs. Martha Turnage Hamot. Among other things she said:

"The Turnages moved from England to Scotland some time after 1663. William Turnage and his wife, Elizabeth, lived in Scot�land, and he was a brother of George Turnage who went to America in 1714. They had several sons who migrated to North Ireland, Four of these sons were William, James, John, Luke."

That seemed to relieve my confusion. We are, I feel sure, de�scendants of that William and Elizabeth Turnage who settled in Scotland in those early days. As I recall, the first Turnage ancestor of whom Grandmother talked was James. I remember him because she would remark that she had "heard it said" that his wife, who was a Miss MacAlphine was a direct descendant of an early Scottish

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king of that name. I don't think she gave too much credence to that "heard it said."

This James and his wife were the parents of several children, among them a son John who married a Miss Murray. This first John fought with the Murrays at Culloden. Soon thereafter he and his young wife crossed the channel to North Ireland on their way to America. It was some time, possibly as long as a year, before they were able to get passage to this country. They arrived in Wilmington, went up the Cape Fear River, and settled among rela�tives, who had preceded them to this country.

I recall that Grandmother mentioned the names of brothers and sisters of her grandfather, James Luke, but I remember only one, William. She always mentioned William as he and her grandfather, James Luke, were together during the Revolution. I do not know what became of William or any of the other members of the family.

JAMES LUKE TURNAGE

Grandmother talked about her grandfather, James Luke Turn�age, more than any of her other ancestors. She said that as a child she was told many stories of his escapades before and adventures during the Revolutionary War. They made a lasting impression on her, as they did on me, as she told and retold them at my urging.  In my mature years I have tried to picture this ancestor as boy and man, in his time and in his environment. I see a country boy somewhat above the average in intelligence and imagination - a man before his years proclaimed him such. Restless, impatient of controls and restraints, a bit wild, a bit reckless, not too sensitive to the canons of conduct proclaimed by the elders of his day. Never going far beyond established and accepted standards, yet, always ready to take that one additional step beyond that which bound his compatriots to the conventions of his day. But even now, in my efforts to provide an objective assessment of the man I find myself still somewhat entangled in the hero worship of my child�hood. He is still a hero in my eyes though his deeds of valor, in the passage of time, may not have the same romantic luster that they did when seen through the eyes of a child. But, withal,

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we do know that he was a man of distinction, a man eminently worthy of the respect and admiration of his descendants.

I find the following in some old notes of mine, written at least fifty years ago. I quote:

As I recall Grandma told me that her Grandfather, James Luke Turnage, married a Miss Mary McLaurin in 1774. That she was a young lady who had only recently come to this country from Scotland. I am sure of the date as their first child, my great Grandfather, John Turnage, was born in 1775. I am almost as sure of the name Mary McLaurin, as that name has stood firm in my memory over the years, and only names, dates, places that I heard repeated many times, have found a firm resting place in my memory. But I must admit that when a youngster I was much more interested in James Luke and his exploits and adventures than I was in the name of his wife.

I regretfully admit that I know nothing more today about the wife of James Luke, or about her family, than I did when I wrote that note.

James Luke and his wife lived on a small farm. At that time he and his brother, William, were members of a local military com�pany. As I recall both of them were officers in the militia company. Almost immediately after the war for independence began this company saw action. I recall none of the details other than that James Luke was seriously wounded. Grandmother said that for a long time it was feared that his wounds would prove fatal. His recovery was very slow and those wounds continued to give him trouble as long as he lived.

He thought that, for him, the war was over and he settled down to make a living on his farm. And then, unexpectedly, he was catapulted back into the thick of it. He was away from home for the day. A band of Tories came through his community on their way to South Carolina. When he returned his wife, child, livestock, and just about everything movable was gone. He began a frantic search for his family. They were found unharmed at the home of a neighbor.

The following day James Luke and several other men decided to follow the Tories, hoping to recover their livestock. They fol-

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lowed stealthily at a safe distance behind the Tories. As they moved along, others who had suffered at the hands of the marauders joined them. Their little band grew to ten or twelve. They were all poorly mounted and had practically no firearms or ammunition. Each night they would cautiously scout the enemy camp, watching and waiting for a favorable time to strike. They knew they would have only one chance for a surprise attack.

The Tories evidently felt secure, as they stationed no sentinels. James Luke and his little band slipped into the camp, Indian fash�ion, collected horses, firearms and ammunition and quietly slipped away without being detected. They went deep into the forest that night knowing that they would be pursued the following day. They had succeeded far beyond their expectation. They now had good mounts, extra horses, and plenty of firearms and ammunition. Some of them were ready to return home as they now had recovered more than they had lost. But they were jubilant, they had tasted the heady wine of success. They were now in position to harass the enemy, so they followed on, deep into South Carolina. They would, when things looked favorable, strike the enemy camp at night, do all of the damage they could in a few minutes and then rapidly fade into the woods.

One night James Luke and a companion were scouting the Tory camp. They stumbled upon an outpost and were captured. They were securely tied up and put in an old barn and a half grown boy placed over them as guard. They were sure their friends would attempt to rescue them sometime during the night, but James Luke, noted for a glib tongue and fertile imagination, began working on the young guard. When the camp was sound asleep the boy released them and guided them out of the camp.

I do not know just when or how it occurred but a number of this little band including James Luke, joined Gen. Francis Mari�on, "The Swamp Fox," the others returned to their homes. At that time Gen. Marion's command was loosely organized. They would strike the enemy a hard blow, disband, return to their homes until they received the signal to meet again.

It was not long after James Luke joined the forces of Gen. Marion that the incident occurred upon which Grandmother based

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the story that kept me wide-eyed and wide-awake many times as I had her tell it over and over. I remember the general outlines of that story as clearly today as when she told it to me nearly eighty years ago. A few details, such as the name of the river and the officer rescued, were, I think, always a bit hazy in my mind.

The salient facts of the story were that Gen. Marion was camped on one side of a river, the British and Tories on the other. Gen. Marion wanted to cross the river and surprise them with a night attack. They went some miles up river to a crossing. It had been raining. The river was at flood stage. They started to cross. Horses and men were swept down the river. James Luke was riding a fine horse he had captured from the Tories. He crossed the river without trouble. On the other side he heard some one down river screaming and calling for help. He rode back in and found this officer hanging from a limb almost exhausted. He brought the offi�cer to safety.

Until five or six years ago I had never heard, nor had I seen in print, anything remotely resembling the story that Grandmother told me so many times. I had, of course, read much about Gen. Marion, and incidentally about Peter Horry, his right hand man. But until a few years ago, I didn't know that Peter Horry had written "The Life Of General Francis Marion" or any other book. Professor Bass of Furman University wrote a book "The Swamp Fox". I was given a copy. In this hook he related a story very much like that which Grandmother had told me long before Bass was born. He referred to "The Life of General Francis Marion" by Peter Horry, as his authority for the story. I began looking for that book, now long out of print. I finally found a copy. The follow�ing is taken verbatim from this book.

"Soon as night came on we mounted, and took the swamps of Lynchc's creek, though swimming deep, and after a long time spent in plunging and splashing through the dark floods, we got over, at least about two-thirds of us. The rest, driven down by the force of the current, were cast a shore on hills and high banks, which by the freshet were converted into is�lands; and there they continued whooping and hallooing to each other all night. When the welcome light returned, they plunged again into the furious stream, and though swept down a good

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way by the force of the current, arrived safely on our side where we had prepared some large fires to dry their clothes and musk�ets, and plenty of roasted roots and Indian cakes for break�fast.

"As God was pleased to have it, none of us lost our lives, though many did their great coats, blankets, and saddles, and some few their pieces. As to myself, I must needs say, I was never so near the other world in my life. For, as we were borne along down the steam in the dark, my horse and I were carried under the limb of a tree hung thick with wild vines, which soon caught me by the head like Absalom, and there held me fast, dangling in the furious flood, while my horse was swept from under me. I hallooed for some time like a lusty fellow, without getting any answer, which made me begin to think my chance was bad. And, God forgive me for it, I could not help thinking it a sad thing, that after so many fierce frays and hard knocks with the British and Tories, I should come at last to be choked like a blind puppy, in this dirty swamp; but God be praised for his good angel, who had brought me through six dangers, and now took me out of the seventh. For, as I was near giving out, a bold young fellow of the company overheard me bawling, and having the advantage of a stout horse dashed in and took me safely off.

"I was afraid at first that my horse was drowned; but saga�ciously following the rest of the horses, he made his way good, but lost my saddle, great-coat, and clothes. But what grieved me most of all was the loss of my holsters, with a pair of elegant silver-mounted pistols, a present from MacDonald, and which had taken from a British officer whom he killed near George�town.

"Soon as our fire-arms were dried, and ourselves and horses were refreshed, we mounted and rode hard all that day, to surprise Colonel Doyle."

A short time after this experience James Luke returned to his home in North Carolina. He was still slightly crippled and con�tinued to suffer from his wounds, but Grandmother said that by hard work, good management and frugality he succeeded in build�ing a comfortable fortune that permitted him to live the life of a "country gentleman" in his old age.

James Luke Turnage had several children but I do not remem�ber anything about any of them except his son, John Turnage, my great Grandfather.

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As an afterthought it might be worth mentioning that James Luke was actually a part of the fighting forces in the Revolution for less than a year. His military company was engaged in combat and he was severely wounded in the very beginning of hostilities. He was disabled for a long time (he never completely recovered from his wounds). He served under General Marion for only a few months, but in those brief periods of service, "time and chance" seemed to conspire, in a rather dramatic manner, to make of him an heroic legend in family lore.

JOHN TURNAGE
(son of James Luke Turnage )

John Turnage was the oldest of the children of James Luke Turnage and his wife Mary McLaurin. He was born in 1775 and died in the early part of 1843. He married Nancy McKay, daughter of John McKay and his wife Mary McLaurin McKay. As many times as I heard Grandmother speak of her father I know practically nothing of him, where he lived, or what he did, if anything, except farm, until 1818 when he bought a plantation consisting of about fifteen hundred acres of land from Daniel McLaurin. This tract of land fit into that rather obtuse triangle formed by Beaver Dam Creek and Gum Swamp. It started at Red Bluff, followed Gum Swamp well up toward the North Carolina line, and lay along Bea�ver Dam Creek well beyond the McLucas place. He added to this, by grant and purchase, until he had created quite an empire in that community. When I was a boy this general area was known as "The Neck", and possibly still is by some of the older inhabitants. He paid more than three thousand dollars in cash for the original tract of land. When I was a boy I heard some of the old folks say that in those early days anyone who had as much as two thousand dol�lars in cash, or readily available assets, was considered rather wealthy or at least "well fixed" financially.

One might speculate that John was influenced, at least to some extent, by his wife, in purchasing this particular tract of land. It is only a short distance from her old home, the John McKay planta�tion on Bear and Panther Creeks. (see McKay).

John Turnage and his wife, Nancy McKay Turnage, had one

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child when they moved on this plantation. James, the oldest, born January 14, 1817, died when a young man, not married. Mary the second child was born December 27, 1818. She married Joel Easter�ling, Sheriff of Marlboro County for a number of years. They had a number of children and I am informed that they have descendants in Florida and in several other states. Luke, the third child was born on this place on August 21, 1821. He married Elizabeth Mc�Daniel. They had no children. Martha Jane, (Grandmother) was born January 24, 1824. She married Archibald McIntyre. The family lived on this plantation for almost twenty years.

Around 1837 John Turnage sold this plantation and bought the old Hicks place, consisting of five hundred acres, in "The Beau�ty Spot". Soon thereafter he bought an additional five hundred acres from Aaron Breeden. This land lies along both Crooked Creek and Beverly Creek and in pre-Revolutionary War days was the home of Gen. Hicks who distinguished himself in that War. John and his family lived on this place until his death in the early spring of 1843.

It might be worth noting here that years later a portion of the land previously owned by John Turnage in "The Neck" was bought by another great Grandfather, "Steady" Hugh McColl, and still later another part was owned by Grandfather, Capt. L. L. Mc�Laurin, who sold it to Uncle Rod McLucas and at least some of this McLucas farm is still owned by his descendants. Another fact that intrigued me was that more than twenty-five years before this land was purchased by John Turnage, eight hundred acres of it was owned by Luke Turnage. I believe he was of the Chesterfield line, as Mr. Wade Turnage told me that he had a great uncle who owned land and lived in Marlboro County many years ago.

There seems to be no doubt that John Turnage, after middle age, was considered a man of means. At the time of his death a newspaper article referred to him as: "a successful planter, a good business man, an upright and highly respected citizen who will be greatly missed". His affluence is indicated by the fact that at the time of his death he was holding promissory notes of many prominent citizens of the community. Among them was Capt. L. L. McLaurin who owed him something more than sixteen hundred

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dollars. I might add that this was paid when due. At that time there was not a bank in Marlboro County. There was, I believe, one in Cheraw, but anyone needing a temporary loan had to find a friend or acquaintance able and willing to supply his needs.

When I was a boy I knew there was a Methodist Church on the road from McColl to Bennettsville, called Beauty Spot. That was the only "Beauty Spot" that I had any knowledge of at that time. When I began assembling information about John Turnage I went to the public records in Bennettsville. I knew that they had lived in "The Neck" for about twenty years. I also knew that he had sold this land and invested in "The Beauty Spot". The deed to his land gave two permanent boundaries, Crooked Creek and Beverly Creek, and there my confusion began. Both of these creeks are miles from the only "Beauty Spot" of which I had any knowl�edge. I finally found an old plat that showed an area of the county, above Bennettsville, called "The Beauty Spot". A gentleman with a broad knowledge of the history of the county directed me to this area. Captain Thomas had stated that the first Methodist Church established in Marlboro County was in The Beauty Spot. He also said that there were four churches built at different loca�tions, having the same name. I found where this original church had been situated, and the cemetery established by the church.

This original church was just off the old Adamsville road (the road leading from Bennettsville to the Adamsville section of the county) where it makes a sharp turn to the right, almost at right angles. Here a road branches off to the left and goes over to the Cheraw road. Down this road, perhaps a hundred or so yards, is the old cemetery, abandoned and neglected for a hundred or more years. It has grown up in bushes, briars, and trees. Graves are sunk�en, tombstones broken and scattered. Only a few markers at the intersection of the roads still stand. It is here, I am sure, that these great Grandparents, John Turnage and his wife, Nancy McKay Turnage were buried. They were members of this church and lived within less than a mile of it. I do not recall ever hearing Grand�mother say her parents were buried here, but my sister was quite positive that she mentioned it numbers of times. So far as I know none of our family ever visited that cemetery, or in that community.

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But it must he remembered that those were horse and buggy days and this cemetery is more than fifteen miles from McColl, where we lived, and that was quite a trip in those days.

I remember Grandmother telling about the "camp meetings" held at this church when she was a young girl. People would come from many miles away and camp out in and around the church and remain through the extended meetings. Some of the preachers were masters in comparing the glories of Heaven with the tortures of Hell and would move their congregations to enthusiastic re�sponses.

I never saw Mary, the oldest daughter, who married Joel East�erling, and I have been unable to secure any definite information about their descendants except that heretofore mentioned. As a child I remember seeing Luke (whom we called Uncle Luke) the only son to reach maturity. He was a small man physically, not much above five feet in height. He was forty years old and married when the War began. He volunteered and served in Company F, Twenty First Regiment, S. C. Volunteers until he was captured near the end of the War.

My brother Fred told me of an interesting incident that oc�curred following the death of Uncle Luke. He owned a little mule that was a pet. The mule followed him over the farm like a dog. Before his death he stated that he wanted that mule, hitched to a wagon or cart, to carry him to his grave. A number of men went to the lot to hitch up the mule as Uncle Luke had requested. The mule was as gentle as a cat when bridled, but no one but Uncle Luke had ever put a bridle on him, and he was not ready to permit it now. Fred said that after many attempts to bridle him the men were about ready to give up. One man, more persistent than the others said that if Luke wanted that mule to carry him to his grave, that mule was going to do just that. He crawled up on the roof of the stalls, tore off the shingles from a section and dropped a lasso down in the stall. After some maneuvering he slipped it over the mule's head and tightened up on it. Others rushed into the stall and put a bridle on him. Fred said that the mule was no further trouble, and, as had been requested, he pulled Uncle Luke to his last resting place.

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He and his wife lived on their small farm near the McIntyre place. They were far from wealthy but seemed to make a comforta�ble living on their farm. I know that Grandmother considered him a rather poor business man. When he would make some sale, pur�chase, or trade of which she didn't approve, she would say, "Luke is no manager." But he was a good man, an honest man, and I have been told by many people that he was one of the best liked men anywhere in that community.

McKAY

My great Grandfather, Archibald McIntyre, Sr., married CATHERINE McKAY. My great Grandfather John Turnage married NANCY McKAY. So it is apparent that we are descended from two ancestral lines of McKays.

We know little of the antecedents of Catherine McKay. She and her husband, Archibald McIntyre were born in Scotland, mar�ried there, and continued living there for ten or twelve years after marriage. I have heard that some of her people, a brother and other relatives came to this country with the McIntyres and bought land in the same community. The public records in Bennettsville show that a number of tracts of land were owned by McKays in that community.

Nancy McKay, wife of John Turnage, was a daughter of John McKay and his wife, Mary McLaurin McKay.

We do not know just when John McKay (the name was sometimes spelled McCoy) was born, nor do we know when he came to this country from Scotland. He evidently was an energetic, enterprising man of good business judgment as he accumulated large land holdings, some of which he conveyed to his children in his lifetime. He settled in Marlboro County, in that rather acute trian�gle formed by Bear Creek and Panther Creek. His home plantation lay along the waters of both creeks and extended nearly to the North Carolina state line. It is known that he owned rather large tracts of land along the State line and possibly in the McLaurin-�McIntyre section of the county.

His will, on record in Marlboro County, dated July 8, 1826,

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probated March 19, 1829, contained a number of gifts, devises and bequests to children and grandchildren. Among them was men�tioned his daughter, "NANCY, wife of JOHN TURNAGE". There were five or more children and most, if not all of them, married and left children. Their descendants spread out over North and South Carolina, Mississippi and Texas. They are prominently repre�sented in many occupations, businesses and professions.

The wife of John McKay was Mary McLaurin McKay. She was a daughter of Daniel (Donald) McLaurin and his wife who was probably a Miss McColl. They were born, lived and died in Scotland. They were the parents of a number of children, most of whom came to America. Among their children was Neill who married Catherine McMillan; Laughlin who married Sarah Annie McColl; John D. married, first, Sallie Cameron, second, Mary Catherine McIntyre; "Major" Duncan married Nancy Carmichael; Hector; Hugh R. married his cousin Nancy Calhoun; MARY mar�ried JOHN MCKAY; Effie married Alexander Fairly.

Banks McLaurin is convinced, and I am inclined to agree with him, that John McKay and his brother, Daniel McKay came to this country together. John, as we know, settled in Marlboro County near the North Carolina state line and according to Sellers History of Marion County, page 292, Daniel settled in upper Marion (now Dillon ) County, near the state line.

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COLLATERAL LINES

McCOLL

MARGARET (Peggy) McCOLL
(daughter of "Steady" Hugh McColl)

Margaret (Peggy) McColl, oldest daughter of "Steady" Hugh McColl and his wife, Mary McColl McColl, and her husband, David McColl (son of Long Hugh and Christian McColl McColl ) were the parents of four children: Penelope, Duncan Donald, Hugh W., John M.

A. Penelope McColl married A. A. McLean. They were the parents of six children:

1.  Maggie Murettees McLean, b. 3/1/1866, d. 9/16/1896.  Married Adoniram Judson David. They were the parents of three children:

Thomas Waldo David, b. 12/7/1890. d. 10/19/1953

Duncan Donald David, b. 8/10/1892. d. 1/17/1931

Nina Judson David, b. 12/10/1894. Married Bond Robert Sedberry, b. 6/23/1889, d. 12/12/1955. Their children: Bond Robert Jr., b. 8/2/1921, Married Eloise Liserby; David Waldo, b. 3/7/1931; Donald Duncan, b. 3/7/1931, Married Frances Sanders, two children: Keith David, b. 8/21/1961: Bond San�ders, b. 9/22/1963.

2. Lucius Adelphus, b. 10/20/1867. Married Eliza Gibson.

3. Mary Hugh, b.4/6/1870. Married a Mr. Thomas.

4. David McColl, b. 12/25/1873. Married a Miss Floyd.

5. Duncan Daniel, b. 3/21/1875.

6. Nellie Lula, b. 8/14/1877.

B. Duncan Donald McColl, b. 4/23/1842, d. 3/10/1911. Survived War. Lawyer, planter, banker. Married Nellie Deborah Thomas, b. 4/29/1846, d. 12/6/1917. Daughter of  J. A. W. Thomas. They were the parents of seven children:

1. Margaret (Pearl) McColl, b. 8/4/1871, d. 12/2/1936. Mar�ried Bunyan MacLeod, D. D. No children.

2. Alexa Thomas McColl, b. 8/13/1872, d. 7/27/1946. Mar�ried Hesikiah Windol Carroll. Parents of ten children:

a. Alexander Thomas, b. 3/1/1894, d. 8/30/1956. Mar�ried Eugenia Lipscomb.

b. Nellie Thomas, b. 9/2/1895. Married (1) Rickey L. Furman (2) Clifford Lore Miller.

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c. Duncan McColl, b. 2/20/1897, d. 10/14/1944. Mar�ried Winifred Mannix.

d. Hesekiah W. Jr., b. 1/14/1899. Married (1) Gladys Dowsey (2) Dorothy -

e. Dorothy,

f. John Murdoch,

g. Evan Alexa, b. 2/4/1904, d. 1968. Married Henry Steen Commiger.

h. David Donald, b. 6/18/1907. Married (1) Irene Broughton (2) Lorraine Graves (3) Billy Price Daniels.

i. Margaret (Pearl) McColl, b. 10/18/1908, d. 2/2/1951.

j. Lydia Wise, b. 6/13/1911, d. 1/1/1959. Married Noah F. Gibson.

3. Hugh Leon McColl, b. 5/26/1874, d. 4/11/1931. Married Gabrielle Palmer Drake, 3/1/1882, d. 12/17/1964. They were the parents of three children:

a. Marjorie Elexa, b. 12/29/1902. Married Thomas Mar�shall Uzzelle.

b. Hugh Leon, Jr., b. 10/29/1905. Married Frances Pratt Carroll

c. Gabrielle Palmer, b. 3/9/1911. Married Robert Wilson, M.D.

4. Nellie Evans, b. 1875, d. 1877.

5. Duncan Donald, Jr., b. 3/17/1877, d. 4/11/1930. Married Henrietta Sheppard. They were the parents of four children:

a. Helen Wallace, 8/31/1910.Married Jack Chesney, M.D.

b. Eleanor Thomas, b. 10/15/1913.

c. Frances Maxwell, b. 8/13/1915. Married Herndon Moore Fair, d. 5/24/1964.

d. Duncan Donald III, b. 3/30/1918. Married Emma Elizabeth Hendricks Powers, d. 2/11/1961

6. Nell Ora, b. 9/7/1879, d. 5/20/1936. Married Ernest Hen�ry Pringle, Jr. They were the parents of six children:

a. Mary Ford, b. 4/10/1907. Married (1) George E. C. Corner (2) Charles R. Anderson.

b. Dorothy Duncan, b. 2/14/1910.

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c. Eleanor Evand Thomas, b. 2/14/1910. Married Walter Tillman Hart.

d. Clara Margaretta, b. 9/29/1912. Married St. Julien Ravenel Childs.

e. Ernest Henry III, b. 3/16/1914, d. 5/26/1938.

f. McColl, b. 9/20/1915. Married Agnes Clay.

7. David Kenneth, b. 4/9/1883, d. 1/22/1952. Married Kath�erine McColl Newton. They were the parents of four children:

a. Eleanor Katherine, b. 12/8/1913, d. 6/11/1941

b. Mary Deborah, b. 9/5/1917. Married Charles Edward Lynch.

c. Alexa Thomas, b. 9/1/1919. Married George Bigger Keer.

d. Nancy Margaret, b. 6/24/1926. Married Stanley Co�hen

C. Hugh W. McColl, b. 1844, d. 1870. Survived War. Made his home in Hornsby or Webberville, Texas. Not married.

D.  John M. McColl, b. 3/26/1846, d. 5/4/1907. Married Mary Louise Roberts, b. 8/28/1848, d. 4/4/1935. They were the parents of one child:

1. Fannie D. McColl, b. 7/18/1872, d. 8/3/1962. Married Duncan Campbell McNeill, b. 1/6/1859, d. 2/2/1934. They were the parents of two children.

a. John Marion McNeill, b. 5/1/1897. Married Katie Groves Northrop, b. 8/28/1899.

b. Duncan Campbell McNeill, Jr., b. 12/4/1900. Married Emily Q. Zellars, b. 5/16/1904.

NANCY McCOLL
( daughter of "Steady" Hugh McColl )

Nancy was the second child, the second daughter of "Steady� Hugh McColl and his wife Mary McColl. She married Solomon L. McColl and they were the parents of eight children: James W., Mary C., Martha J., John H., Hugh Spencer, Lucy E., Narcissa, Menardie.

A.. James W. McColl, b. 12/2/1835, d. 12/4/1866. Survived War. Killed in Bennettsville. Not married.

B. Mary C. McCo11, b. 1/20/1838, d. 5/15/1911. Her parents died in 1857.  Her older brother entered Army and died in 1866. She was left

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in charge of six younger brothers and sisters. She devoted her entire life to them. A very remarkable woman.

C. Martha J. McColl, b. 9/19/1841, d. 5/30/1901. Married Silas Mc�Coll, b. 3/7/1838, d. 3/10/1908. They were the parents of six chil�dren:

1. Mary Spencer McColl, b. 7/26/1868-9, d. 11/25/1896. Not married.

2. Elizabeth Ann McColl, b. 9/14/1870, d. 10/13/1934. Not married.

3. Archie Cousar McColl, b. 10/18/1872, d. 8/25/1940. Not married.

4. Loretta Lile McColl, b. 3/22/1879, d. 11/23/1939. Not married.

5. Hugh C. McColl, b. 7/2/1876, d. 10/4/1952. Married Lula McIntyre, b. 7/13/1877, d. 10/23/1950. They were the par�ents of eight children. See McIntyre.

6. Silas Napier McColl, b. 5/22/1881, d. 5/18/1958. Married Carrie McLaurin, daughter of John D. McLaurin. They were the parents of ten children:

a. Mrs. J. R. Crawford.

b. Mrs. Clinton Robertson.

c. Mrs. H. N. Forbes.

d. Mrs. Homer Terry.

e. Miss Jean McColl.

f. Silas McLaurin McColl.

g. H. Thomas McColl.

h. Worth A. McColl.

i. John L. McLaurin McColl.

j. Robert L. McColl.

I have been unable to secure any additional information about this family.

D. John H. McColl, b. 8/22/1843, d. 4/4/1860. Not married.

E. Hugh Spencer McColl, b. 11/19/1845, d. 10/10/1864. Wounded Maryland Heights, captured, died in Elmira, N. Y. prison camp.

F. Lucy E. McColl, b. 10/23/1848, d. - 1917. Married John Wesley Roper, b. 4/15/1830, d. 7/23/1894. She was his second wife. They were the parents of seven children:

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1. Dell W. Roper, b. 10/17/1879, d. 7/26/1962. Married Jesse Benton McColl, b. 8/13/1877, d. 11/24/1955. They were the parents of several children. I do not have the names.

2. Eula Roper, b. 1/12/1887, d. 11/13/1946. Married Hugh Gibson McColl, b. 12/27/1874, d. 1/10/1944. I do not have the names of their children.

3. Helen Roper. Married a Mr. Williams.

4. Delerois Roper.

5. Richard M. Roper. Married a Miss Grier.

6. Thomas Wesley Roper, b. 1/24/1886, d. 10/14/1934. Mar�ried Tree Ortmann, b. 2/16/1894, d. 4/27/1933.

7. John Wesley (Jack) Roper, Jr.

After the death of her husband, John Wesley Roper, Lucy mar�ried a Mr. Alston. There were no children.

G. Narcissa McColl, b. 9/9/1852, d. 12/10/1929. Married Alfred Har�grove. They were the parents of one child, a son:

1. Alvin Hargrove, b. 1/29/1886, d. 4/23/1964. He married Carrie Lee Prevette. They were the parents of three children:

a. Hugh Hargrove

b. Sara Hargrove.

c. Margaret Hargrove.

H. Menardie McColl, b. 2/18/1857, d. 12/10/1929. Not married.

JOHN B. McCOLL
(son of "Steady" Hugh McColl)

John B. McColl, the only son of "Steady" Hugh McColl and his wife Mary McColl McColl, was married three times. He and his first wife, Mary Ann Crawford, were the parents of four children: Flora Mc�Coll, Hugh S. McColl, Crawford McColl, John T. McColl.

A. Flora McColl, b. 5/18/1843, d. 7/22/1913. Married Eli Willis, b. 5/25/1839, d. 9/28/1923. Veteran C. S. A. Sgt. Company K, 8th Regi�ment, S. C. Volunteers. Wounded Battle Cold Harbor. They were the parents of eight children. Two died before reaching maturity.

1. Mary Willis, b. 10/9/1866, d. 11/14/1950. Married John Benton Pipkin, b. 2/6/1857, d. 4/1/1943. They were the par�ents of two children: Home Reidsville, N. C.

a. Willis Benton Pipkin, married Ruth Pringle. Parents of two children: John Benton Pipkin II, married Anne Hunter Baker; Ashmeal Pringle Pipkin, married Marjorie Anderson.

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2. John Elliott Willis, b. 1/4/1869, d. 11/29/1944. A merchant and farmer. Married Molly McLaurin, b. 1/10/1869, d. 3/26/1950. Parents of two children who lived to maturity.

a. James Laurin Willis, b. 10/15/1897, d. 1/8/1960. Married Lee Kilpatrick, b. 3/21/1908. Parents of three chil�dren: Harry Elliott, b. 5/26/1929, married Dana Evelyn Hin�son, b. 7/26/1932; James Kirby, b. 2/22/1932, married Mar�jory W. Carter, b. 5/22/1934; Rachel Lee, b. 2/27/1937, mar�ried Francis D. Eveleigh, b. 1/9/1937.

b. Lillian Willis, b. 4/15/1900. Married Osborne Fletcher Covington, b. 8/18/1898. Parents of three children. One died an infant. John Fletcher Covington, b. 3/12/1928, married Maria Luisa Fuente, b. 9/2/1935; James Lewis Covington, b. 12/12/1934, married Clydette Gaddy, b. 6/9/1936.

3. Alice Willis, b. 7/11/1871, d. 8/6/1956. Not married.

4. Stella Willis, b. 8/9/1880, d. 6/9/1927. Not married.

5. James Bennett Willis, b. 12/4/1882. He was married twice. He and his first wife, Marie Thornton, were the parents of one child:

a. Mirian Willis.

He and his second wife, Margaret Hudnall, have no children.

6. Hugh Allen Willis, b. 12/4/1882. Married Cornelia McClain, b. 7/9/1884, d. 12/30/1953. They were the parents of five children, only two lived to maturity:

a. Martha Evelyn Willis, b. 5/5/1911. Not married.

b. James Nelson Willis, b. 11/18/1912. Married, first, Wilhemina Waldrop. Parents of two children: James Nelson Willis, Jr., b. 1/30/1940, married Barbara Holmes, b. 1/2/1941; William Allen Willis, b. 8/23/1942, married Dara Davies.

He and his second wife, Dixie Bacot, were the parents of four children: Michall Willis, b. 8/1/1951; Patricia Willis, b. 10/15/1952; Rebecca Willis, b. 11/6/1954; Melessa Willis, b. 11/21/1963.

B. Hugh S. McColl, born in 1840. First Sgt. Company K, 8th Regiment S. C. Volunteers. Wounded Maryland Heights. Captured. Died in Fed�eral prison.

C. Crawford McColl, born in 1841. First Corporal, Co. K, 8th Regiment S. C. Volunteers. Killed Gettysburg, July 1863.

D. John T. McColl, born in 1844. Settled in or near Webberville, Texas. Married Ella Dawson. They had no children. He died in 1916.

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John B. McCo11 married a second time. He and his wife, Katherine Shaw, had no children.

John B. McCo11 married a third time. He and his third wife, Jo Anne Salmon, were the parents of eight children. The only information that I have about this family was given to me by my cousin, Hugh McLucas. I have not been able to get additional information. The children:

1. Mary Ruth McColl, born 1860, died 1945. Not married.

2. Margaret McColl, born 1862. Married Kirk York.

3. Hugh C. McColl, born 1864, died 1936. Married Lorena Merietta McQueen.

4. Belle McCo11, born 1866. Married William Wright. Several children.

5. Anna C. McColl, born 1868. Married Dennis Dew. Four children: a. Mary; b. Anna; c. John Hugh; d. Dell. Lived on farm in "Neck". Later moved to Alachua, Fla.

6. John B. McColl, Jr., married Lonie McCormick. Six children: a. Myrtle; b. Carl; c. Douglas; d. Mary Thelma; e. Ophelia; f. Gus.

7. Ellial McColl. Married and had a number of children.

8. Lois V. McColl. Married J. B. Newberry. Parents of several children.

EFFIE ELLEN McCOLL
(daughter of "Steady" Hugh McColl)

Effie Ellen McColl, the youngest of the children of "Steady" Hugh McColl, and his wife, Mary McColl McColl, married Lauchlin LeRoy McLaurin. They were the parents of ten children. See McLaurin.

DANIEL N. McLAURIN
(son of John McLaurin, III)
(brother of Lauchlin L. McLaurin )

Daniel N. McLaurin, the oldest son of John McLaurin, III, and his wife, Mary McNair McLaurin, was born on "The White Oak" plantation of his parents on October 15, 1808. He spent his youth and young manhood on this plantation, and while still a young man settled in the Union Church section of Mississippi where his uncle, "Piper" Hugh McLaurin, had previously settled.

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He married Ann Elizabeth Buie and continued to live in this community the greater part of his life. He acquired considerable farming lands in that area and was regarded as a prosperous and substantial citizen. John Roy McLaurin said that he was a religious man, an industrious man, genial and well-liked by everyone. By all accounts he was a man of great physical strength and energy.

Around 1850 he bought a plantation about two and a half miles north of Brookhaven. He and his family lived there for a number of years. He helped organize the first Presbyterian Church in that village. He, his wife, and their children were charter mem�bers. This Church celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in 1957. Later he and his family returned to McComb where they made their home the remainder of his life.

In 1886 his granddaughter, Ella Hoskins, her husband, Ike Hoskins, and their children were living on the Brookhaven place. He paid them a visit, and died while there. Soon after his death Jennie McLaurin, daughter of Daniel N., wrote her uncle, L. L. McLaurin, McLaurin's Mill, S.C., a long letter. I will quote from the letter.

"He left home on Tuesday. He was well and in excellent spirits. He stopped off with my Ma's half brother, Uncle Tom McNair, and spent two nights with him. Thursday he went on to Brook�haven, to Ella's. Ella said that she had never seen him when he looked better or felt better. She said he seemed so happy to see all of them, and that they were delighted to see him and have him visit them. He had to see everything. He walked all over the plantation."

That night at supper he had what appeared to be a heart at�tack. They called in a doctor. He died April 10, 1886, and was buried at Brookhaven. I will again quote from a letter.

��the Church was crowded and people were standing in the aisles and they say there were more people outside of the church than were inside�.

� the preacher said that he had never known a better man or one who had more friends. That he had never heard anyone speak an unkind word about him�.

�Ma's health is not good and this has put her in bed.  It was so sudden. It was such a shock. He was so strong and

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�healthy when he left home, and then, just a few days he was gone."

Soon after this the widow and unmarried children moved to Brookhaven and remained there the balance of their lives. They are buried there.

DANIEL N. McLAURIN, Oct. 15,1808-Apr. 10, 1886 married Ann Elizabeth Buie, Nov. 9, 1819�-

Daniel N. McLaurin and his wife, Ann Elizabeth Buie McLau�rin, were the parents of five children.

Only Nancy Carolin, of the five children married. Hugh Archi�bald (called Archie ) was killed in the War Between the States. Daniel (called Dutch) died a comparatively young man, unmarried. Mary and Jennie both lived long lives. Jennie was a teacher. She taught for years in Whitworth College.

NANCY CAROLIN, b. 11/21/1837 d. 3/5/1854. She married William McLean. During the War he operated a "tannery" and manufactured shoes for the Confederacy. It is said that the old vats can still be seen back of the Church at Union Church. They were the parents of four

children.

1. George who was not married.

2. Daniel who married Belle     . They had four daughters.

a. Fannie

b. Laurin

c. Rosalie

d. Name not known. They lived in Greenville, Miss.

3. Ella who married Ike Hoskins. They lived in Brookhaven, Miss. They were the parents of three children.

a. McLean, called Mac.

b. Cassidy

c. Mamie who married Maxcy Magee. They were the par�ents of one child. a. Elizabeth who married Walter Winchell, prominent television and radio commentator and columnist. I have been told that they have three children.

4. Archie. Do not know name of wife. They had one daughter.

a. Elizabeth. She married a Mr. Wood. I understand that there were several children. They lived in Florida.

The above information is far from complete, but I would have had nothing about the descendants of Daniel N. McLaurin had

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it not been for the assistance of Miss Lottie Warren, a descendant of "Piper" Hugh McLaurin, and, I believe, a niece of the wife of Daniel N. And Mr. G. R. Allred went to much trouble to render assistance.

The following quotations are taken from church records, Union Church, Jefferson County, Miss.

"Daniel N. McLaurin, upon profession of faith, was admitted into membership this 25th day of April, 1836"

"Installed as deacon of the Church, Daniel N. McLaurin, this 28th day of February 1841."

"Daniel N. McLaurin was dismissed to become a member of Bensalem Presbyterian Church (Caseyville) this 5th day of April, 1856."

"Nancy C. McLean, upon profession of faith, was admitted to membership this 28th day of August, 1859, daughter of Anne E. Buie and Daniel N. McLaurin."

"Nancy C. McLean died March 4, 1884, the wife of William McLean."

JOHN J. McLAURIN

(son of John McLaurin, III )

(brother of Capt. L. L. McLaurin)

JOHN J. McLAURIN, Jan. 19, 1816-July 17, 1892 married Belinda McLaurin, Apr. 5, 1828-Nov. 15, 1878

John J. McLaurin was the third son and fourth child of John McLaurin, III, and his wife, Mary McNair McLaurin. He was born on his parents' plantation on "The White Oak." He was the youngest child and inherited the home place and lived there his entire life. He married Belinda McLaurin, daughter of Daniel C. McLaurin.

When the War Between the States began it is said he promptly volunteered, although he was nearly forty-four years of age and had a wife and several children. Captain Thomas in his history recites: "J. J. McLaurin, Company G. 23rd, Regiment, S.C. Volun�teers, died in 1892." It appears certain that this was our John J. I have tried to amplify this information but have failed.

It is interesting to note the similarities and the differences in those three brothers, Daniel N. McLaurin, Capt. L. L. McLaurin,

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and John J. McLaurin. Their personalities differed and yet some of their predominant characteristics were very much the same. For instance:

Daniel N. and John J. were very much alike in one respect. They were both genial, good mixers, well liked by people in all walks of life.

Daniel N. and Capt. L. L. were much alike in that they were both physically restless. They seemed to have boundless energy, force, drive.

Capt. L. L. was not a good mixer. He was more withdrawn, diffident, did not make friends easily and seemed to make little effort in that direction.

John J. was more the easy-going type. From all accounts he did not rush or force himself or those around him. His life seemed to move in a smoother pattern. If he did much worrying about anything he kept it rather well concealed.

A Mr. Jackson who lived in that community the greater part of his life, spent the last eight or ten years of his life in Dillon. I talked with him many times. He told me many things about "The

Captain" and "Mr. John J." and others in that community. He lived in the Millers' House, in fact was living there when my parents were married. I will quote from my notes.

"Mr. John J. would bring corn to the mill, usually several bags. He would want part of it in meal, the balance in hominy. He was never in a hurry. If others were ahead of him he would sit down and talk with any one who happened to be there. He never asked to be put ahead of any one. He would take his turn. In fact he seemed to enjoy himself however long it would take to get his corn ground. He was one fine man. He owned a good farm, made a good living and didn't seem to worry about his own affairs or what his friends and neighbors were doing."

The Rev. Thomas in his History of Marlboro County said of him: "One of the best of men, a universal favorite as a young man, as an old one, cheerful kindhearted, venerated and loved."

In those few words Capt. Thomas drew a picture of a sound, solid, highly respected citizen.

John J. McLaurin and his wife, Belinda McLaurin, were the parents of ten children. Three died when very young. Only three

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of the others married. The following information came to me from a number of sources. It is far from complete. I hope that what I have been able to collect is accurate.

1. Mary Ellen (Molly) McLaurin, b. Feb. 11, 1847. d. Oct. 20, 1913.

2. Eliza McLaurin, b. Dec. 11, 1848. d. Sept. 28, 1921.

3. Sidney McLaurin, b. July 21, 1850. d. March 13, 1898.

4. John D. McLaurin, b. May 15, 1854. d. April 18, 1909.

5. Atalia McLaurin, b. April 2, 1856. d. July 5, 1857.

6. D. J. McLaurin, b. June 3, 1858. d. Sept. 14, 1858.

7. Cary McLaurin, b. Sept. 29, 1859. d. March 16, 1896

8. Hugh T. McLaurin, b. March 21, 1865. d. May 17, 1936.

9. Lauchlin McLaurin, b. March 6, 1868. d. Feb. 12, 1891.

10. William G. McLaurin, b. Aug. 24, 1882. d. Ang 6, 1885.

1. MARY ELLEN (Molly) McLAURIN (Feb. 11, 1847-Oct. 20, 1913), married James M. McIntyre, (Feb. 2, 1851-March 5, 1920). They were the parents of three children, (See McIn�tyre )

2. SIDNEY CAMERON McLAURIN (July 21, 1850-March 13, 1898), married Flora Willie Henderson. They were the parents of three children.

a. Sidney Cameron McLaurin, Jr., b. 6/2/1898. Married, first - Ruby L. Bates, No children. Married, second - Louise Walters. No children.

b. Margaret Belinda ( Lennie ) b. - d. 1927. Not married.

c. Dora, died in infancy.

3. JOHN D. McLAURIN (May 15, 1854-Apr. 18, 1909), married Flora E. Willis (Jan. 14, 186?-Dec. 31, 1885). They were the parents of two children:

a. Charlton Willis McLaurin, b. Feb. 14, 1881 d. Aug. 21, 1957. I do not know the name of his wife. They had no chil�dren.

b. Annie McLaurin, b. Nov. 4, 1884. d. - She married Jef�ferson Davis Morrison. No children.

John D. McLaurin, married a second time - Cattie Parker (Oct. 6, 1863-Aug. 12, 1940). They were the parents of seven children:

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a. James McLaurin, married Loma Easterling. Two chil�dren - Loma who married a McQueen, and James.

b. Flora McLaurin, not married.

c. Carrie McLaurin, married Napier McColl. They were the parents of ten children. (See McColl)

d. Eva McLaurin, married Clinton Whetstone.

e. John D. McLaurin, married Elizabeth Edwards. Two children.

f. Ruth McLaurin, married Herbert Martin.

g. Ola McLaurin, married Rudolph Koniegay.

"Piper" HUGH McLAURIN AND DANIEL McLAURIN, III
(brothers of great-grandfather John McLaurin, III )

Hugh McLaurin was born sometime around 1760 and his brother, Daniel, about two years later. They were born in Argyl�shire, Scotland, the first and second sons of Daniel McLaurin, II, and his wife, Margaret McLaurine. They came to this country, while yet in their "teens," sometime during the first stages of the Revolutionary War. The exact time when they arrived is not known. It is believed that they landed either in Georgetown or Charleston, South Carolina, and went directly to Richmond County, North Carolina, where their uncle, Duncan McLaurin, had already set�tled.

There is a period of several years in which we know nothing definite about their activities. It is known that their uncle, Duncan McLaurin, fought for the independence of his new home, (See Duncan McLaurin), and it has been said that both Hugh and Dan�iel also joined the fight for freedom. Sometime after the Revolution Daniel left home to join a whaling expedition out of Portsmouth, Me. None of the family ever heard from him so they assumed that he was lost at sea.

That has been, and still is, the popular belief. But there was another theory but as far as I can learn it was given little or no credence by his closest relatives. That after engaging in the whaling business for a time he settled in New England, or in Canada, mar�ried and raised a family. All of the speculation was brought about because no one actually knew what happened to him. But since

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we are speculating, however far-fetched it may be, I will add some�thing of modern days.

Hugh McLucas (a first cousin) had some correspondence with a Dr. McLaurin. They exchanged a number of letters. Hugh gave the Doctor his McLaurin antecedents, and told him about this Daniel. A few months thereafter the Doctor wrote Hugh that he had visited a relative by the name of Hamish McLaurin, in Canada. That he showed Hamish Hugh's letter. Hamish was intrigued. He said that his great-grandfather was named Daniel. That he came to America during the Revolution. Settled in "the Carolinas" and later went north. Coincidence? Do your own figuring. Personally I have heard so often that Daniel was "lost at sea," until, although I know it can only be an assumption, I will stick to that theory.

We know much more about Hugh. We know that after the Revolution he married Miss Mary McColl of Richmond County, N.C., and for a time lived in that state. We also know that he lived for some years in Marlboro County, S.C. Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin) in writing to one of the descendants of Hugh said that he had heard his father (Capt. L. L. McLauriri) say that Hugh lived on an adjoining plantation. This is also supported by the pub�lic records in Marlboro County, showing that Hugh McLaurin bought several tracts of land in that community.

I should mention that our branch of the family and all of the descendants of Hugh with whom I have had any contact, always called him "Piper" Hugh. John Roy McLaurin called him "Captain" Hugh. I have heard the story many times, and many of his de�scendants have repeated it to me, that as a small boy, twelve years of age, he had so completely mastered "the pipes" that a Scottish Lord, bearing him "on the pipes" invited him to become his chief "piper." The boy accepted but soon became homesick and quit his job.

All seven of "Piper" Hugh's children, unless it was the youngest, were born in Richmond County, N.C. or Marlboro Coun�ty, S.C. About 1806, it is said, Piper Hugh sold everything he owned except his slaves. He took his family and slaves and moved to the Caseyville section of Mississippi. He established his home in that

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community and lived there until he was well up into his nineties. He is buried in the McLaurin or Blue Cemetery near Caseyville.

I am told by one of his descendants that when his wife, Mary McColl McLaurin, died, that he brought her back to North Carolina for burial. It is believed that she was buried at Stewartsville. Hugh visited in North and South Carolina several times after the death of his wife. He was here in 1820. He returned to Mississippi with his son, Daniel, and his family that year. He returned to Carolina the following year and stayed until 1824. That was probably his last visit to Carolina as he was not a young man then. Uncle Daniel said to me and many others, that his father (Capt. L. L. McLaurin ) visited his brother, Daniel N., at Brookhaven, Miss. and his uncle, Piper Hugh, in 1855 or 1856. That Piper Hugh was well up in his nineties at that time and died soon thereafter.

According to some of his descendants Piper Hugh was a very energetic man and evidently a man of good business judgment as he started with nothing and accumulated considerable property and left a sizable fortune to his descendants. He and his wife, Mary McColl McLaurin, were the parents of seven children. Several of them left large families and he now has many descendants in Mis�sissippi and elsewhere, many of them prominent and successful in many fields.

"Piper" Hugh McLaurin and his wife, Mary McColl, were the par�ents of seven children. The information about their children and grand�children was given me by Miss Mary Buie, Miss Lottie Warren and Mrs. Jennie Fairley Sarrazine, descendants of Piper Hugh, and from the manuscript of John Roy McLaurin.

1. DANIEL McLAURIN, b. 1793, d. 9/6/1950. Married Mary McLaurin (called Polly), b. 6/28/1793, d. 1/17/1893. She was daughter of Lauchlin McLaurin and his wife Sarah Anne Mc�Coll of Marlboro County, S. C. They were the parents of seven children, as follows:

a. Sarah Ann McLaurin, married Emery Godbolt.

b. Jane McLaurin, b. 12/21/1821, d. 5/28/1940. Married Davie Buie.

c. Mariah McLaurin, b. 5/20/1825. Married Calvin Blue.

d. Alexander McLaurin, b. 11/27/1827.

e. Caroline McLaurin, married John Scott.

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f. William Wallace McLaurin. Married Martha Gilman.

g. Margaret McLaurin, b. 4/18/18-, d. 9/10/1842.

2. MARY McLAURIN, b. 1794, d. 1860. married Peter Fairless. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters, as fol�lows: Archibald, Hugh, Alexander, John, Daniel, Euphemia and Catherine.

3. PETER McLAURIN b. ll/1/1795, d. 3/27/1545. Married Margaret (Peggy) ylcLaurin, b. 6/2/1790. Born enroute to America. She and wife of Daniel (above) were sisters. Descend�ants say they were not related to husbands. John Roy McLaurin says distantly related. They were the parents of two children:

a. Mary Jane. Married William Shaw.

b. Eliza. Married Dr. Newman.

4. LAUCHLIN McLAURIN, b. 1796, d. 1858. Married Miss Pittman. They were the parents of several children. I have no names.

5. ANN McLAURIN, (called Nancy) b. 1797. d. 1842. Married Archibald Cameron, or Daniel Cameron. Parents of two sons and two daughters:

a. Daniel,

b. Archibald.

c. Annie Jane, married Joseph Warren.

d. a daughter who married Dave Terry.

6. JOHN McLAURIN, b. 1802. Not married. In shipping busi�ness out of Mobile, Ala. Possibly lost at sea.

7. DUNCAN McLAURIN, b. 1806. Married Rebecca Gillis. They had a daughter who married a Mr. Cates.

This is all of the information I have. It is far from complete. I hope it is reasonably accurate.

DUNCAN McLAURIN

Duncan McLaurin was the youngest son of John McLaurin, II, (Culloden John) and his wife, a Miss Buchanan. He was the brother of my great-great grandfather Daniel McLaurin. Duncan was born in Argyllshire, Scotland in 1740.

All of the information that I have about Duncan McLaurin and his descendants came to me from two sources. 1. Nearly a hundred years ago Duncan's grandson, John Roy McLaurin, wrote or had written what he called the "Genealogy of McLAURIN fami�ly descendants of Old John of Culloden." Much of the following information was taken from that manuscript. 2. A great-great

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granddaughter of Duncan's, Mrs. Mary M. Blanks, supplied the information about the later generations.

Duncan McLaurin, the youngest son of John McLaurin, II, (Culloden John), was about five years old when his father was killed at Culloden. He grew up under the oppressive laws enacted by the British Parliament after Culloden. In 1770 he came to Amer�ica, landed in Charleston (Charles Towne ) and went directly to Richmond County, N.C. (which at that time comprised all of what is now Scotland County.)

Upon landing in Charleston he was required to take an oath of allegiance and never to take up arms against the Crown. When the Revolutionary War broke out he immediately joined the com�pany of Captain William Meer.  He fought in a number of engage�ments including Camden, South Carolina. In an engagement with the Tories under Major Lasig at Casey Creek at Slippery Bridge, he received two musket balls in his left shoulder. He suffered from these wounds the remainder of his life.

After his discharge from the army he married a Miss McPhater who lived only a short time, leaving one daughter, Catherine, called Katy. A very remarkable woman. She never married. About 1790 Duncan married a Miss Catherine McLaurin, who had only recently arrived from Glasgow, Scotland. (She was a sister of "Ballehalis� Hugh McLaurin.)

Duncan and his second wife, Catherine McLaurin, were the parents of four sons and one daughter:

Neill McLaurin, born 1792, died 1856.  Married Jane McColl.

Duncan McLaurin, 1794-1845, a doctor. Not married.

John McLaurin, died very young

Hugh McLaurin, 1800-1856. Not married.

Christian McLaurin, married Henry Howard.

Neill McLaurin and his wife, Jane McColl, were the parents of five daughters and one son:

Mary McLaurin, 1817-1868. Married John Keaton.

Annie McLaurin. Not married.

Catherine McLaurin. Not married.

Carolina McLaurin, married Thomas Simmons.

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Christiana McLaurin, married James L. Simmons.

John Roy McLaurin

John Roy McLaurin, born April 19, 1819. Married Amanda Simmons. There were no children. He later married Minerva Ann Ramsey. They were the parents of two sons and one daughter.

John Ramsey McLaurin, 1861-1915, married Arrie Ella Collier, 1865-1948.

Dnncan Campbell McLaurin, August 10, 1863.

Minerva ( Minnie ) Jane McLaurin, October 6, 1865.

I quote from the manuscript of John Roy McLaurin, heretofore referred to:

"John Roy McLaurin of Toomsuba, only son of Neill, son of Duncan, youngest son of Old John of Culloden. Was born in Richmond County, N. C. on the 19th day of April, 1819. His

father moved from there to south Alabama in March 1821. -�In January, 1835, his father settled in Toomsuba, Lauderdale County, Mississippi."

Here John Roy lived the remainder of his life. He states that he had little formal education, but was a "book-worm" and read everything he could get his hands on. He accumulated considerable property. He was a member of the Mississippi general assembly before and during the War Between the States and for his activities in behalf of the Confederacy was disenfranchised and thousands of dollars worth of his property confiscated. He was a man of strong convictions, a leader who was respected.

John Ramsey McLaurin, a medical doctor, and his wife, Arrie Collier, were the parents of seven children, as follows:

John Duncan McLaurin, 1887-1932, married Anna Bancroft.

Mary Minerva, 1890, married Floyd O. Blanks, 1871-1937.

Julia O. Zelle, 1892, married Oscar Thomas.

Robert Linwood, 1894, married Myra Wilson.

Adrian, 1898, married Ray Jefferson McAllister.

Susan Mildred, 1901, married Harmon Price.

Benjamin Collier, 1902-1942, not married.

Mary Minerva McLaurin and her husband, Floyd Oliver Blanks, were the parents of one child:

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Mary Eleanor, b. 1915, married Clinton L. Sumrall, Jr. Their children: Clinton, III; John Massey; Robert McLaurin.

Adrian McLaurin and her husband, Ray Jefferson McAllister, were the parents of four children:

Ray Jefferson, Jr. b. 1916, married Dorothy Thompson.

Robert Adrian;

John Buchanan;

James.

Julia O. Zelle McLaurin and her husband, Oscar Thomas, were the parents of three children:

Melba, b. 1914, married Brooks Stewart, one child-Barbara.

Robert, married Gladys Cole, children: Robert, Richard.

Frances Zelle, married Keith Yonker, children Bobby, Keith, Rene.

Robert Linwood McLaurin and his wife, Myra Wilson, parents of one child. Bobby Ruth, married W. J. Graham, three children �Nan Marie, Stene, Becky.

Minerva ( Minnie ) McLaurin (sister of Ramsey McLaurin ) and her husband, Samuel H. Shannon, were the parents of three children:

Julian; Ray; Sam.

Duncan Campbell McLaurin (brother of Ramsey McLaurin) and his wife, Rosa Mitchell, were the parents of four children:

Rosa; Anna; Duncan; James.

Caroline McLaurin, the fourth daughter of Neill McLaurin and his wife, Jane McColl, and her husband, Thomas Simmons, were the parents of nine children.

John Duncan, killed in battle of  Wilderness Way. 1863;

Sidney R;

Neill McLaurin;

Sarah Jane-married Jas. Delk;

Mary S., married Alexander Millard;

Kitty;

Ozelle.

Two died as infants.

Christiana, the fifth daughter of Neill McLaurin and his wife, Jane McColl, married James L. Simmons. They were the parents of four children:

James; Sorintha; Jane E.; Martha.

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JOHN SINGLETON MOSBY

In my McLaurin sketches I mentioned that Colonel John S. Mosby and Uncle Daniel (D. W. McLaurin ) supplied the informa�tion that Col. Mosby's great grandfather, Robert McLaurin, and my great-great grandmother, Margaret McLaurine, were brother and sister.

It is well known that as a "teen age" boy Uncle Daniel fought for four years for the Southern Confederacy.  He stated that for years, while he was in the Army, the mere mention of the name, Mosby, created great interest, excitement and enthusiasm. No name was better known or more revered, not only in the Army but throughout the South. His daring, venturesome, almost unbelievable exploits added a bit of romance to the bloody business of grim war. The Northern Press accused him of just about all of the crimes known to man, but it is recorded in history that he received more compli�ments, more commendations, from General Robert E. Lee, than any other officer in the entire Confederate Army.

For some time after the War Uncle Daniel was primarily oc�cupied with the mundane pursuits of survival, but in later years he became very much interested in the welfare of the "old soldiers" and devoted much of his time to their betterment. He joined Veteran and other organizations, eventually rising to the rank of Lieutenant General. His duties and responsibilities carried him to all parts of the South. He rarely missed a reunion wherever held.

At a reunion, I believe it was in Richmond, Va., he heard that Colonel Mosby was in attendance, and he immediately started out to find him. He was walking rapidly in the direction pointed out to him when he heard someone calling "Colonel, Colonel." He paid no attention, and the call continued, "Colonel, Colonel Mosby, Colonel Mosby." He stopped and began looking around for Col. Mosby. The man who was calling was rapidly approaching him but when twenty or thirty feet away he stopped abruptly, hesitated, and then began apologizing. He had thought that Uncle Daniel was Col. Mosby. He said that something about Uncle Daniel's quick, rapid, movements made him think of Col. Mosby. They both sought out Col. Mosby and had a very pleasant and interesting

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meeting with him, but it was at a subsequent meeting that the question of a possible relationship arose.

Col. Mosby remarked that his mother was a McLaurine, spelled with an "e". Uncle Daniel stated that his great grandmother, Mar�garet McLaurine, spelled her name with an "e". Col. Mosby con�tinued, stating that the first of his McLaurine ancestors to come to Virginia was his great grandfather, Robert McLaurine, an Epis�copal minister. That he had a son, James, who fought in the Revo�lution and he was the father of his (Mosby's) mother. Uncle Daniel outlined his family history back to the marriage of his great grand�father, Daniel McLaurin, to Margaret McLaurine.

Some time after this Uncle Daniel received a letter from Col. Mosby stating that he had learned that his great grandfather Robert McLaurine had a sister Margaret who had married a Daniel Mc-Laurin. That they had several children who came to America. That sometime after the Revolution Daniel and Margaret planned to come over, but she died, and he had never heard any thing more about the family. Uncle Daniel said that he immediately wrote Col. Mosby telling him that was exactly what happened to his great grandparents, Daniel and Margaret. They were making their plans to join their sons in America when Margaret died. Daniel came on a short time thereafter.

There was additional correspondence which I shall not attempt to follow. But Uncle Daniel said that both he and Col. Mosby were convinced beyond any reasonable doubt that the Margaret McLaurine who married my great-great grandfather, Daniel McLaurin, was the sister of Robert McLaurine, the great grandfather of Col. Mosby.

Perhaps, some day, the following may be of interest. I was in Washington, D.C., as I recall in the spring of 1913. By pure accident I met Col. Mosby and talked with him, or rather, listened to him talk, for possibly half an hour. Over a period of time I had several letters from him. In one letter, probably replying to some question of mine, he stated that when a child it was thought that he would not live to maturity but he was now an old man and had outlived all of the prophets. He stated that, in so far as he knew, all of his McLaurine ancestors had lived beyond the al‑

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loted "three score and ten years", and some much longer. His grandfather, James McLaurine, had lived to be a very old man, and then he added:

"Since you are, in part, of the same stock there is no reason why you should not look forward to a long, and I hope, happy and successful life."

On several occasions he sent me newspapers containing articles describing some of his spectacular war activities. Anyone even slight�ly interested in this period of our history should read Col. Mosby's Memoirs, or one or more of the several books written about him. I have found nothing in all history � and I have read quite a bit � to compare in interest and excitement with his rule over "Mosby's Confederacy" during several years of the War. Nowhere else can we find such raw courage, such daring adventures, so in�credible that they would challenge the belief of anyone were they not so well, so historically authenticated.

RAGSDALE

IN THE FOLLOWING SEVERAL PAGES MAY BE FOUND ALL OF THE PERTINENT INFORMATION THAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER THAT DIRECTLY RELATES TO THE ANCESTORS, AND OTHER CLOSE RELATIVES OF MY WIFE, INEZ RAGSDALE MCLAURIN.

JOHN RAGSDALE. The first of the Ragsdale ancestors of whom we have any definite knowledge was John Ragsdale. He came to this country from England some years before the Revolutionary War and settled in Virginia. The given name of his wife was Mary, the surname, probably Harrison. We were not able to prove this, but there are facts, circumstances and tradition that are very per�suasive. G. W. Ragsdale, in 1906, wrote some sketches and made a number of notations relating to some of his ancestors and other kindred. He stated that he had been told, by those in whom he had confidence that the wife of John Ragsdale was of the Harrison Family of Virginia that had given the United States two of its presi�dents. This was supported by an incident that occurred some years later. His brother, E. B. Ragsdale, while attending Court in New�berry was told by the Honorable Silas Johnstone (son of Chancellor Johnstone, and half-brother of George Johnstone, one of South Carolina's most able and distinguished lawyers) that the Johnstone and Ragsdale families were related. He produced documentary proof that carried the family back, in a direct line, through the maternal side, to this famous Harrison family.

There is very little authentic information covering the life and activities of this John Ragsdale. It is known that in 1770 or soon thereafter he moved to South Carolina from Virginia, and settled in Fairfield County. Tradition says that he fought in the Revolu�tionary War but the name (apparently his) is improperly spelled in the Historical Society records in Columbia and it would be diffi�cult to prove that which tradition says is true. None of his descend�ants seem to know the number of children this couple had, however, all know that there was one son, SAMUEL RAGSDALE.

Rather late in life John Ragsdale left South Carolina and settled in Alabama. His son, Samuel Ragsdale, followed him to Alabama some years later, as will be noted hereafter.

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SAMUEL RAGSDALE was born in Fairfield County, South Carolina, and lived there until middle-life. As a young man he mar�ried Hannah Estes, a daughter of William Estes, one of Fairfield's larger land and slave owners. They were the parents of a son whom they named Robert. When Robert was only a small child his mother, Hannah Estes Ragsdale, died and sometime thereafter his father married again and with his new wife moved to Alabama. So far as is known he never returned to South Carolina. Mr. G. W. Rags�dale, his grandson, in the sketches heretofore referred to, was far from complimentary in his remarks about the conduct of his Grand�father. He stated that Samuel Ragsdale and his new wife turned his son, Robert Ragsdale, a boy nine years old, over to the care of the Rev. Joseph Holmes, a Methodist minister, and so far as is known never saw him again. This boy was given the name Robert by his mother. The preacher with whom he lived thought that he should have a Biblical name, so he called him Elisha. The boy accepted this new given name but retained that given name by his mother and always signed himself Elisha Robert Ragsdale.

ELISHA ROBERT RAGSDALE was born in Fairfield County on April 12, 1825. He died November 17, 1862. He married Nancy Angeline (Nannie) Stanton, born October 29, 1834, died November 25, 1922. They lived for a time in Richland County, South Carolina. It was there that their first child, Edward Bernard Ragsdale was born. Soon thereafter they bought a farm or plantation in Fairfield County, "above and below the confluence of Little River and Jack�son Creek". It was on this plantation that the other two children, Glenn Walker Ragsdale and John Knox Ragsdale, were born.

South Carolina seceded. Elisha Robert Ragsdale, although he had a wife and three small sons, immediately volunteered (3rd. Batallion, S.C. Volunteers). He died of pneumonia in a Confederate Hospital in Richmond, Virginia, and was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in that city.

When her husband went off to the War "Nannie" Stanton Ragsdale with her three small sons moved into the home of her father, John D. Stanton who was then a widower living alone on a large plantation. John D. Stanton, by all accounts, was a man of high ideas and exemplary character and contributed much to

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the upbringing and training of his three small grandsons. He was a highly respected citizen and up until the end of the War Between the States was a relatively wealthy man. Mr. Ragsdale ( Glenn W. ), a small boy at that time, watched Sherman's soldiers set fire to the plantation buildings and destroy more than a hundred bales of cotton that were stored in the gin-house and other buildings. He said this was the biggest, the most awe-inspring fire that he had ever seen, up until that time. After the army moved on little was left other than the scorched land. He quoted, as applying to his Grandfather, what Ben Hill had said about others: "He stood neck deep in the ashes of his own poverty".

The early lives of these three boys, Edward B. Ragsdale, Glenn W. Ragsdale and John K. Ragsdale was much like that of other farm boys in that community following the War. They attended school, at Shiloh Academy, worked on the farm, and each in turn attended Furman College, later Furman University.

Edward, the oldest, after leaving Furman taught school for two years. He studied law under Col. Ryan and Judge Melton. After being admitted to the Bar he opened an office in Winnsboro, South Carolina. He was becoming reasonably well established in his profession when he was joined by his brother, Glenn who had followed the same pattern set by his older brother. After he left Furman, Glenn also taught school for two years, in the meantime studying law under the direction of Col. Ryan and Judge Melton and upon being admitted to the Bar joined his brother under the firm name of RAGSDALE & RAGSDALE. John broke the pattern set by his two older brothers. He farmed for a time and then entered the mercantile business at Blairs, South Carolina.

EDWARD B. RAGSDALE AND GLENN W. RAGSDALE

They were young men, young lawyers, ambitious to succeed in their chosen profession. They possessed in abundance the essen�tials for success. Character, ability, integrity, personality and the energy, drive and determination that carried them to their objective. They made an excellent, well balanced, team. I am told that Ed was the more gregarious, the more loquacious, the speaker, the advocate, the "mixer". He was undoubtedly an extrovert with un‑

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bounded confidence in himself and his ability to achieve. Glenn bordered on the introvert. Though equally able, talented and popu�lar he was more at ease in the office doing the essential research and preparing the cases for trial. Their success was almost immedi�ate. Their reputation spread throughout Fairfield County and into adjoining counties, and ultimately throughout the state. As was well said: "In the multiplicity of affairs the firm attained fame through�out the state � Glenn for his pleading, Ed for his advocacy."

Ed, the advocate, the orator, played the more spectacular role. It was he who stood before the Courts, the juries, the public as a living symbol of law and justice. But it was Glenn who did the more mundane, the unseen, but the absolutely essential task of pre�paring the cases for trial with meticulous care, and ever sitting by the eloquent advocate to make sure that not one essential fact or point of law was overlooked in the presentation. Both tasks were equally important if there was to be any outstanding success.

Until the death of Ed, he and his brother Glenn were so closely associated in their personal relations, their profession, their business ventures and activities until I have found it next to impossible to write of one without mentioning the other, during the years of their association. It is seldom one finds brothers, or other business associates, who so completely trusted each other and had such re�spect for and admiration of the ability and integrity of the other.

In talking with Mr. Ragsdale ( Glenn) in later years I got the distinct impression that he considered his brother one of the ablest lawyers of his day, and I am informed that many others, lawyers and laymen, shared that opinion. But I am firmly convinced that Ed was no more accomplished, no more erudite, no abler, and cer�tainly no more broadly grounded in the fundamentals of the law, than was his brother Glenn. We may praise either one without detracting from the other � there was talent enough to go around.

I believe it was in 1896 that Ed was first elected to the State House of Representatives, and at the same time his brother, Glenn, was elected to the State Senate. Ed served two terms of two years each and was elected to a third term but died before taking his seat. Glenn served two terms of four years each and refused to

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stand for re-election. He did, however, serve in the Senate again in the nineteen twenties.

While serving in the Senate, in the dawn of the twentieth cen�tury, I am told that he wrote, sponsored and against great opposi�tion, drove through an Act of far-reaching importance, not only to the legal profession, but to the entire public. It revolutionized court pleadings and procedure by abolishing the complicated and antiquated system of court pleadings required at that time. Under the old system a lawyer must not only be learned in the law but had to be a craftsman of unusual technical skill to prepare, for instance, a complaint that could not be thrown out of court on an unimportant technicality. Mr. Ragsdale was such a skilled tech�nician, but he saw the necessity for simplification.

He was a member of the constitutional convention of 1895. Mr. W. W. Dixon told a story that he said created much amusement at the time. Senator Tillman and Senator Earle were members of the convention. John Gary Evans was elected chairman and he ruled that each member must take an oath of office before taking his seat. For some reason, or for no apparent reason, Mr. Ragsdale objected to the members taking the oath. This brought on heated debate. Mr. Ragsdale sat back in amused silence. But when it ap�peared that the ruling of the Chair would stand, Mr. Ragsdale again got the floor, and, Mr. Dixon said, "with a twinkle in his eyes", said, "Mr. Chairman, there are two United States Senators in this convention. If they take the oath of office here, will that not vacate their offices as United States Senators?" Senator Tillman, who it was believed had favored the oath, immediately got the floor and announced, in effect, that he saw no reason for taking any oath and he had no intention of doing so. That ended the matter of the oath, but brought broad smiles to the faces of many of the convention members.

I knew Mr. Ragsdale from 1919 until his death. I had ample opportunity to assess, as my capacity to judge would permit, the profundity of his legal knowledge, the unusually broad scope of his reading, his familiarity with history and the classics. It was said of him that: "He was the same commanding figure whether in the Constitutional Convention, the State Senate, presiding over

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the Circuit Court, or consulting with clients in his office."  But I knew him best as a rather gentle, compassionate, friendly man of great charm. A dignified man without being "stiff" or "stuffy". A man of firm convictions who expressed his opinions freely but di�plomatically. A man who, as one said: "had a perfervid hatred of shame and hypocrisy." Perhaps a few words written by Mr. W. W. Dixon soon after his death expressed well what many felt.

"When night draws down its curtain it is not to conceal but to reveal the great stars. When death lays its pall on a great man it brings out the strength and the beauty of that life."

EDWARD BERNARD RAGSDALE, March 16, 1856-Sept. 18, 1901, not married.

GLENN WALKER RAGSDALE, June 3, 1858-Sept. 11, 1931 married Inez Eppes McMeekin, Nov. 1, 1866-March 10, 1932.

JOHN KNOX RAGSDALE, Feb. 21, 1860-Jan. 8, 1915 married Minnie Calhoun McMeekin, Sept. 30, 1861-Jan. 20, 1952.

Glenn Walker Ragsdale and his wife, Inez Eppes McMeekin were the parents of five children: Ethel Louise, Inez Beatrice, William Glenn, Robert Walker, and Edith McMeekin.

1. ETHEL LOUISE RAGSDALE, b. 4/16/1889. After finish�ing High School in Winnsboro she attended Columbia College, transferred to Greenville Female College (Furman University ) where she graduated with an A.B. Degree. She taught school for several years before marrying John Hugh ( Jack) McLaurin, b. 3/29/1883, d. 1/3/1950. Jack was a son of Duncan McLaurin, a large planter and the first settler, the first merchant, the first mayor and the first postmaster of Dillon. Jack attended The Citadel. Was graduated from a Pharmaceutical College. In addition to his large farming operations he, for years, owned and operated the largest and most prosperous drug store in the county. He was a prominent and highly respected citizen. They were the parents of five children: Ethel Craig, John Hugh ( Jack) Jr., Inez, Sara and Glenn Duncan.

a. Ethel Craig McLaurin, b. 9/23/1916. Married Lt. Colonel Daniel Townsend Rogers, b. 5/18/1915. They are the parents of three children; Daniel Townsend Rogers, Jr., b. 9/18/1945

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(married Geannine Gaines, b. 10/2/1947). Ethel Louise Rogers, b. 7/5/1948, Glenn Duncan McLaurin Rogers, b. 7/10/1956.

b. John Hugh ( Jack) McLaurin,  Jr., b. 1/24/1918. World War Two Veteran. A successful farmer and business man. A worthy son of worthy parents. A man who in his own right has earned for himself, and highly deserves, the respect and affection in which he is held. He married Virginia McKiever, b. 12/5/1920. They are the parents of three children: John Hugh McLaurin, III, b. 5/30/1946 (married Susan Jane War�ren, b. 9/26/1948), Virginia McLaurin, b. 4/26/1949, David Duncan McLaurin, b. 2/22/1954.

c. Inez McLaurin, b. 5/14/1921, d. March 1922.

d. Sara McLaurin, b. 1/21/1923. Married Morgan Todd Milford, a distinguished physician and surgeon, b. 4/30/1920. They are the parents of four children: Morgan Todd Milford, Jr., b. 9/15/1945 (married Jane Ellison, b. 9/17/1948) Jack McLaurin Milford, b. 3/14/1948, Robert Charles Milford, b. 5/21/1951, d. 12/14/1969, Jane Milford, b. 8/11/1955.

e. Glenn Duncan McLaurin, b. 3/29/1928, d. July 1954. A bright, attractive, popular young man of great promise.

2. INEZ BEATRICE RAGSDALE, b. 7/27/1891. Married Grover Gordon McLaurin, b. 1/30/1887. They are the parents of five children. See McLAURIN.

3. WILLIAM GLENN RAGSDALE, b. 12/29/1894. A grad�uate of Clemson College (now University). A World War One Veteran. A rural mail carrier, a lawyer, a business man. Ex�tremely bright and intelligent and one of those rare individuals with the charm, personality, and magnetism that, throughout the years, has provided him with innumerable devoted friends. He and his wife, Ella Little Smith, b. 5/15/1905, are the par�ents of two children, Virginia Little Ragsdale and Elinor Glenn (Bob) Ragsdale.

a. Virginia Little Ragsdale, b. 11/20/1923. A graduate of Columbia College. She married Jacob Coleman Stevenson, b. 2/26/1923. They are the parents of three children: Jacob Coleman Stevenson, Jr., b. 12/23/1946 (married Emily Merrell Grice, b. 4/25/1951), William Glenn Stevenson, b. 2/20/1949, Virginia Ragsdale Stevenson, b. 11/26/1951.

b. Elinor Glenn (Bob) Ragsdale, b. 2/17/1926. A graduate of Converse College. She married William Lindsay Wylie, b. 4/26/1926. They are the parents of two children: William

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Lindsay Wylie, Jr., b. 5/20/1951, Elinor Ragsdale Wylie, b. 1/29/1953.

4. ROBERT. WALKER RAGSDALE, b. 1/6/1897. After at�tending Furman College ( University) he entered the business world. A keen incisive mind with unusual business acumen and managerial skill guaranteed the success that he attained in the several business fields that he entered. He married Hazel Ellis, b. 7/14/1916. They have no living children.

5. EDITH McMEEKIN RAGSDALE, b. 11/2/1899. After graduating from High School she attended Winthrop, was graduated from Peabody with an A.B. Degree. She has devoted the greater part of her life to teaching, and in that field she has been eminently successful. Not married. Now retired, living in Durham, N. C.

JOHN KNOX RAGSDALE, Feb. 21, 1860-Jan. 8, 1915, married Minnie Calhoun McMeekin, Sept. 30, 1861-Jan. 20, 1952

John Knox Ragsdale, the youngest member of that trio, Ed., Glenn, and John, did not follow in the footsteps of his older brothers and enter the legal profession. He chose a business career and by the exercise of sound business judgment proved the wisdom of his choice. As a farmer on the plantation of his maternal grandparents, which plantation he later owned. As the owner and operator of a large and successful mercantile business at Blairs, in Fairfield County, and his later outstanding success in business in the city of Greenville bear witness to his business perspi�cacity. He and his wife, Minnie Calhoun McMeekin were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. The others:

1. Ruby Lucille, b. 2/4/1883. Married Claude Mauldin Gra�ham. They were the parents of one son, Laurens Ragsdale Gra�ham, b. 5/7/1923.

2. Claude Hunter Ragsdale, b. 5/23/1887, d. 1/10/1961. Married Alice Ruth Coward. They were the parents of eight children:

a. Claude Hunter, Jr., b. 8/8/1910. Married Eileen Coleman. Their children: A son, Claude Hunter III. (Pete) and two adopted daughters, Linda and Dianne.

b. Marjorie Calhoun, b. 5/11/1912, d. 4/6/1946. Married Chester Arthur Weeks. They had two sons (names not given).

c. Virginia Burrell, b. 1914. Married Daniel Beasley Davis. They had three daughters (names not given).

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d. John Knox, b. 11/5/1918. Married Dorothy Cromer. They were the parents of 2 sons and a daughter ( names not known).

e. Beverley Burrell, b. 6/17/1916. Married Graham F. Rice.

f. Edward Vernon, b. 6/29/1921. Married Antoinette Sease. They had one son ( name not known).

g. Helen Cubbison, b. 11/7/1923. Married James W. Counts. They had two daughters ( do not have names ).

h. James William, b. 9/30/1926. Married Sylvia Boozer. They have four daughters ( do not have names ).

3. John Rogers Ragsdale, b. 7/17/1890. Married Mary Cather�ine Ladd, b. 11/19/1890. They had one child, Dorothy Elise who married James U. Watts, Jr. They were the parents of John, James, Catherine.

4. Helen Elise, b. 8/1/1893. Not married.

5. Edward Stanton Ragsdale, b. 12/27/1895. Married Wynette Adamson, b. 5/22/1944. They have one son, Edward Stanton, Jr., b. 2/3/1948.

6. Nancy Elizabeth, b. 4/19/1899. Married John Dean Isbell, b. 11/3/1897. They were parents of three daughters:

a. Martha Elizabeth ( Betty ) b. 12/12/1923. Married Allen Dotson Steele, b. 1/1/1914. They had two children, Elizabeth Dotson, b. 3/2/1959 and Allen Dean, b. 2/13/1961.

b. Carolyn, b. 6/18/1927. Married Glenn Herbert Hen�derson, b. 11/25/1950. They have three children: John Glenn, b. 8/19/1952. Carey Elizabeth, b. 10/27/1954. Judith Ann, b. 9/18/1957.

c. Frances, b. 4/20/1929 d. 12/16/1965. Married George Beaver III. They had one son, George Beaver IV., b . 2/17/1964.

McMEEKIN

JAMES DEXTER McMEEKIN, the first of this McMeekin line of whom we have any knowledge, and his wife, Elizabeth Parker, came to this country from Antrim County, Ireland, in 1787, bringing with them their two year old son, Andrew McMeekin. They settled in the Jenkinsville section of Fairfield County, S. C. where many of their descendants made their homes.

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ANDREW McMEEKIN, married Clarissa Priscilla Gibson, daughter of Jacob Gibson, a distinguished teacher and Baptist preacher. Family records indicate that there were at least twelve, possibly fourteen or more children born to this couple. Several died in infancy. Four boys, Robert, Thomas, Andrew and William lost their lives while serving in the Confederate Army, possibly in the company of Capt. Haynes McMeekin. Three of the others who reached maturity, Joel, Elizabeth and Albert did not marry. Eddie married Salley Wallace but they had no children. The other four, and their families are as follows:

1. Dr. Jacob married Henrietta Jones. They had three children, Ida, Allie, and Talley. Ida did not marry.

a. Allie married Miss Thommie ( Tom) Hayden. They had four children: Maude, Mary, Bess and Bruce.

b. Talley married a Miss Bell. They had three children. Henrietta, Alice and Edwin. Henrietta married A. Lee Scruggs; they had one child, Etta Lee. She married Gus Mason and had two children, Henrietta, who married Fred Gantt and Au�gusta who married King Dixon. Alice married John Wallace. No children. Edwin probably not married.

2. Joseph, or Joe, married Rebecca Douglas. Their children were Lula, Eloise, Evelyn, Willie, Florence, Raymond, Maxie, Jodie and Emma May.

3. James married Sallie Douglas. Their children: James, Lucius and probably several others.

4. John Wesley, b. 8/5/1828. He was an enterprising, energet�ic, industrious man of sound judgment who accumulated what was considered a fine fortune in those days. He owned a large plantation in the Jenkinsville section of Fairfield County and was known throughout that entire area as "Mars John". He mar�ried Elizabeth Louise Hunter, b. 3/8/1835. She was a grand�daughter of Gen. Burrell, chief surgeon on the staff of Gen. Lafayette, in the Revolutionary War. It is interesting to note the number of their descendants bearing the name Burrell or Lafayette. They were the parents of at least eleven children. Ella Alberta, Alice Gertrude and Carrie died as infants. James Hunter died a young man. The other seven and their families were as follows:

a. Mary Aurelia, b. 12/8/1853. Married P. M. Butler Hol�ley. They had three children, Ernest who did not marry. Essie

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who married Leroy Hollaway. Their children, Ernest, Carl, Inez, Coralie who married Hamilton Carl ( Hal) Bland. They had two children, Coralie who married George Miller and Ray who was killed in an airplane accident.

b. Minnie Calhoun married John Knox Ragsdale. For their descendants see Ragsdale.

c. Inez Eppes married Glenn Walker Ragsdale. For their descendants see Ragsdale.

d. John Calhoun, b. 6/12/1869, married Bessie Glenn. Their children: Glenn, Clara, John (called Dick), Willie, Roy, Jeremiah, Kitty and Margaret. Clara married Everett Pool. They had two children, Elizabeth who married Ralph Fuller and Margaret who married a Mr. Littlejohn. Kitty was married twice. Do not have names of husbands.

e. Thomas Lafayette married Ida Eloise Ruff. Their chil�dren: Thomas Lafayette, Jr., Silas Calhoun, Mamie, Louise, Ruby, Robert Plexico. Thomas Lafayette, Jr. married first, Nell Wemberly, second, Helen May Hesse. Silas Calhoun married Mattie Tidwell. Their children: Ann who married Ladson Hunter Boyle and had two children, Ann McMeekin and Lad-son Hunter, Jr. Silas Calhoun, Jr., married Frances Simril. They had two children: Silas Calhoun III and Thomas Preston. Mamie married Paul Durham. They had one child, Paul Jr., Louise married Douglas Chappell. They had three girls, Doug�las who married Gene Miller, Louise who married George Mosely, and Judy, probably not married. Ruby married John Stone. They had one child, Ida Ruff. Robert Plexico probably not married.

f. Carrie Owens married David L. Glenn. They had seven children: Annie Bell married Charles Lee Brooks, Arthur mar�ried Letitia ***, Douglas married a Miss Aiken, Katherine married Jack Meadors Cooper, Hunter, Tommy, Edward, prob�ably not married.

g. Ida May married William Thompson Glenn. They had three children: William Thompson, Jr., married Jessie Dunlap; Elizabeth married Walker Chappell; Vivian Eugene married Flo. Hollingsworth.

OWENS

BENJAMIN OWENS. The family records disclose practically nothing about this ancestor. The name of his wife is not known.  It is possible that he was born in Fairfield County, S. C. but even

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this is not certain. We do know that he was living in this county in 1747 when his son, Benjamin Owens, Jr., was born.

BENJAMIN OWENS, JR., born in 1747, died in 1823. It might be mentioned that it is through this ancestor that members of the family have qualified for membership in the D.A.R. The records in the Historical Commission show that Benjamin Owens, Jr., was paid "four pounds fifteen shillings and eight pence, half penny" for 67 days service "Footmans duty. General Sumter�s Brigade at Orange Burg and Four Holes." A notation in handwriting on this record is as follows: "Date July 26 � 1785. Benj. Owens, Junr. for 67 days private in Malitia, amount ₤. .4 � 15 � 8 1/2" Benjamin Owens, Jr., married Elizabeth Dunkley who died in 1815. They were the parents of two sons, Thomas and William.

WILLIAM OWENS, born, 1773, died 1839. He married Mary Oxner who died in 1842. They were the parents of at least one child, Elizabeth Owens who was born in 1798 and died in 1845.

ELIZABETH OWENS married John D. Stanton, born in 1799, died in 1886. They were the parents of Nancy Angeline (Nannie) Stanton, born Oct. 29, 1834, died Nov. 25, 1922 . . She married Elisha Robert Ragsdale, born April 12, 1825, died Nov. 17, 1862. They were the parents of three sons Edward B. Ragsdale, Glenn W. Ragsdale and John K. Ragsdale. See RAGSDALE.

STANTON

This ancestral line came to Pennsylvania from England some�time before the Revolutionary War. The first of this name to appear in the family records is John Dunkley Stanton. The name of his wife is not given. They came to Fairfield County, South Carolina from Chester Pennsylvania in 1790. In 1799 their son, John Dunkley, Jr., was born. It is entirely possible that there were other chil�dren, but we find no record suggesting this.

JOHN DUNKLEY STANTON, Jr., was born in Fairfield County, S. C. August 18, 1799. He died July 7, 1886. He married Elizabeth Owens born in 1788, died in 1845 ( one record states that she died Sept. 13, 1852 ). They were the parents of two chil�dren, a son William and a daughter Nancy Angeline.

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NANCY ANGELINE (Nannie) STANTON was born in the Jenkinsville section of Fairfield County October 29, 1834, died in Winnsboro November 25, 1922. She married Elisha Robert Rags�dale, born April 12, 1825, died November 17, 1862. They were the parents of three sons, Edward Bernard Ragsdale, Glenn Walker Ragsdale and John Knox Ragsdale. Soon after her husband entered the Confederate Army she left her plantation home and lived with her parents. Her father, John Dunkley Stanton, Jr., was an industri�ous man of high moral character and by precept and example as�sisted in moulding the characters of his three grandsons. See RAGSDALE.

MISCELLANEOUS�ODDS AND ENDS
MAC LAURIN

There are many variations in the spelling of this name. I have counted at least seven in the public records of Marlboro County. In this country I believe the name is usually spelled McLaurin. This may not be true elsewhere. How one spells his name seems to be a matter of choice but I suggest that the following be closely studied.

THIS ANCIENT PATRONYMICK EVIDENTLY DERIVED FROM THE DALRIADIC CHIEF LAURIN OF LAURIN IN ARGYLL, WHOSE DESCENDANTS AND KINDRED AT AN EARLY PERIOD OF OUR SCOTTISH HISTORY WERE NUMEROUS AND POWERFUL IN THE DISTRICTS OF MONTEITH, LENNOX, STRATHERN AND BALQUHID�DER, HAS OF LATE ( BY SCOTO-SAXON TRANSCRIBERS IGNORANT ALIKE OF GAILIC ORTHOGRAPHY AND ITS PROPER PRONUNCIATION) BEEN CORRUPTED TO MAC LAREN AND MAC LARIN, AND THUS BY THE MERE OMISSION OF THE SINGLE VOWEL u EQUIVALENT TO bh IN THE GAELIC FOUND IN THE ORIGINAL SPELL�ING OF THE PROPER NAME, THE IDENTITY OF THIS MODERN NAME WITH THE ANCIENT AND EUPHONICK NAME OF MAC LAURIN IS ALMOST ENTIRELY DE�STROYED. TO THE GAEL, THIS MODERN CORRUPTION OF AN OLD CLAN NAME IS ENTIRELY UNKNOWN, WHEREAS THE PROPER NAME IS WELL KNOWN AND NEVER PRONOUNCED OTHERWISE IN THE GAELIC THAN "MAC LABHRAIN" AND IN THE ENGLISH "MAC LAURIN."

The above is copied from a photograph made by Bert McLaurin in 1952.

Some centuries ago a stone or monument with the above in�scription carved on it was erected near the old Kirk, Balquhidder Perthshire, Scotland. Time and the elements took their toll and by 1860 it was badly eroded. The letters were retraced and it stands today for all who share this heritage to read.

It might be worth noting that our ancestors, until some time after they arrived in this country, always used the "Mac", never the contraction "Mc" which is used almost universally now. In my

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judgment this is to be regretted. "Mac" means "son or, while it may take a little stretching of the imagination to make "Mc" mean the same thing.

"In those days it was the pride of the individual that he stood alone with his God seeking his way of life according to his will and conscience."

Should we attempt to evaluate the lives and attainments of our early ancestors we must consider the times and the condition of the country in which they settled. Before the Revolutionary War and for some ten or more years thereafter, the area of the Carolinas along the state line was sparsely settled. It was said that one could travel through this country for days without finding one permanent settler. It was in this largely uninhabited wilderness where most of our ancestors first settled. The McLaurins, Mclntyres and McKays in South Carolina, the McColls, McNairs and Turnages in North Carolina.

Until sometime after 1730 there was not one white person liv�ing within the boundaries of what is now Marlboro County. Sixty years later, in 1790 there were less than 2500 persons, men, women, children, white and colored, in what is now Marlboro County, and nearly all of them lived along the Great Pee Dee River and in the upper part of the County. In the next ten years the population more than doubled. There was a tremendous influx of Scottish people settling in the area from the Cape Fear River in North Carolina to the Great Pee Dee River in South Carolina, and many of them made their homes along the State line.

In 1800 the population of Marlboro County had grown to 5273 persons, divided as follows: White male, under ten-839; from ten to sixteen-334; from sixteen to twenty six-299; from twenty six to forty five-341; over 45-184. White female, under ten-700; ten to sixteen-270; sixteen to twenty six-427; twenty six to forty five-328; over forty five-154. Total colored-1393.

One of our historians wrote as follows:

"In the building period of this country's history strong men walked off on their own, through woods, across rivers and mountains to open the land to farming. Maybe the young fellow took with him his young woman, a horse, a cow, a dog, and

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from that came a civilization and a heritage of which we can be justly proud."

He could have added with equal validity that many of these young men and young women had not only crossed rivers and mountains but thousands of miles of ocean in fragile sailing boats and contributed in full measure their brawn and their brains to hewing this nation out of the wilderness, and establishing on its every frontier that civilization to which he alludes. Some had no horse, no cow, no dog, but they did have an ingrained belief that man is and must be the architect of his own destiny. And their vision, their strength, their determination helped to weave into the very warp and woof of the tapestry of this government the concept that man must be free to build for himself and his family, in his own way, such a life as the farthermost reach of his mind may envisage, and the strength, vitality, and endurance of his body may permit.

McCOLL � THE TOWN

Many of my people were born, lived and died in the area around what is now the town of McColl. It was more than eighty years ago when I first saw this embryonic city. I was two years old � it was five years old. For the next twenty years the town and I lived, struggled and grew together. Those formative years of my life were spent in that community among relatives, friends and acquaintances, all, or nearly all of whom have long since passed away. So I feel that it will not be amiss for me to recall something of those early days as they were seen, heard, and lived by a child, a boy, a young man.

Old records seem to establish that around 1881-1882 the Cape Fear and Yadkin Valley Railroad Company was planning to extend its road from Fayetteville to Bennettsville. It organized a subsidiary corporation known as the South Carolina and Pacific Railroad Company charged with securing rights of way and building the railroad. This was designed to save the parent company from in�volvement in the many unpleasant incidents that are sure to arise in such an undertaking. D. D. McColl of Bennettsville was made

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president of this new company, and building operations were begun.

When the surveys and acquisition of rights of way indicated that the railroad would pass through some portion of what is now McColl, there was, I was told, considerable interest but no real excitement. A railroad through the community, as such, meant little to the farmers and planters, but when the possibility arose of secur�ing a station or depot in that community that would facilitate the handling of their produce and save a long haul from some distant point, the interest mounted. Two rather far-sighted and enterprising men, T. B. Gibson and John F. McLaurin, envisioned not only a depot, a station, but a town spreading out over their lands, which of course would benefit the entire community and, incidentally, do them no harm.

So these two men were put in charge, or assumed the leader�ship, in negotiating with the officers of the railroad. I do not know how long or involved these negotiations were but they resulted in an offer being made to the railroad that if it would establish a station on its right of way in the area which is now McColl, that a depot would be built for the railroad, according to its specifi�cations, and without cost to the company. This offer was accepted. The depot was completed in 1884. I do not know just who contri�buted to the cost of the depot, but it is a good guess that those two men who stood to gain most bore the greatest part of that burden.

The depot was the first building erected in what is now the town of McColl. Streets were laid out, and what was then only a dream or a hope, was named McColl. Almost immediately Mc�Callum & Morrison built a store, perhaps two hundred feet from the railroad on the west side of Main Street. Soon thereafter Luther McLaurin, post master at McLAURIN'S MILL, moved the post office to this store.

The third building and the first residence was built by Uncle Luther McLaurin on the lot where the Presbyterian Church now stands. Uncle John F. McLaurin soon built a residence across the street almost directly in front of this residence. The next was the house later bought by Mother in which we lived until it was de‑

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stroyed by fire. Then came the Tukesbury residence, later bought and overhauled by Mr. Ellie Bristow and now occupied by his daughter. Soon thereafter some one built a residence on north Main Street opposite where the Methodist Church was later built.

That was the beginning. The little village began trying to struggle out of its swaddling clothes, and in ten years had succeeded beyond any dream of its founders. There were three churches, a school, and the only textile manufacturing company in the county. Residences were scattered over what had recently been corn and cotton fields, and there were probably a dozen or more business establishments on Main Street and along the railroad. The "big three" in the mercantile field were T. B. Gibson, F. P. Tatum, and John F. McLaurin, but they had no monopoly on the business of the community. Among those doing a thriving business at that time were John E. Willin, groceries, P. Mangum, gen. mdse., A. W. Mor�rison & Co., hardware, Luther McLaurin, fancy groceries, Lane Bristow, gen. mdse., Lester Sisters, millinery, J. I. Vick, leather goods, shoes and harness, J. F. Stubbs, blacksmith and carriage shop, and others. In those first ten years the town had grown to such an extent that Capt. Thomas said of it:

"In proportion to its size and age the town of McColl has, perhaps, more strikingly handsome and well appointed houses than any town in the state."

I was a very small boy, still in dresses, when I made my first remembered visit to the "business section" of the town. I recall that Mother went to the T. B. Gibson store, a frame building situ�ated a hundred or so feet from the railroad on the west side of Main Street. It had a porch extending across its front. I was prob�ably in Mother's way so she told me that I could stay out in front of the store but not to get off the porch. There was no need for me to leave the porch for out there was a big new interesting world. In front of this store, in the middle of Main Street was a well. It had a roof or cover over it. On its south side was a long watering trough. Two men were drawing water, pouring it in the trough and two mules, hitched to a wagon, were drinking. Several men gathered around the well. Some were drinking water from the well bucket, others were talking and laughing. A man came on the porch

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where I was standing. He asked me for some of my candy. I held out the bag to him. He smiled, thanked me, but refused to take any.

Soon the frame business buildings began giving way to hand�some brick structures and the town began taking on the ap�pearances of permanency and prosperity. Other businesses and in�dustries appeared. The McColl Sash & Door Mfg. Co. flourished for a time. A bakery served the community for a short time and disappeared. Other textile manufacturing companies appeared. The growth was steady, the future of the town seemed assured. I could follow its growth, its changes, its development, step by step for those twenty years, but this is not an attempt to write a history of the town, but rather a touch of nostalgia as I look back over those two decades at the town and its people, the community of which I was a part, and which, for years, I considered the garden spot of the world � and in fact it was my world � and even to this day, although new generations now shape and control its destiny, it still holds a very special place in my memory.

THE MARLBORO DEMOCRAT

* * * * * * *

S. A. BROWN---------            Editor

* * * * * * *
Wednesday, January 20, 1897

* * * * *

Mrs. Effie McLaurin

 * * *

Mrs. Effie McLaurin died on January 14, 1897. She was the daughter of "Steady Hugh" McColl, who came with his father, Daniel McColl, from Scotland in the year 1792. Hugh McColl was thirteen years old at this time. The family settled at Mountain Creek in Richmond County, N. C. After the marriage of Hugh McColl to Miss Mary McColl, who also came from the island of Appin in Scotland, they moved to Marion County, S. C., where were born their children, Margaret, the mother of D. D. McColl, Nancy, the late John B. McColl, and Effie, the subject of this sketch. Soon after her birth the family moved to Marlboro in the Red Bluff section, where the girlhood of Effie was spent, amid sur�roundings as conducive to refinement and education as those times could command. The careful, strict business methods of "Steady Hugh" had been rewarded by the accumulation of what was considered a fine for�tune in those days. Local tradition tells that the youngest daughter,

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Effie, was a famous beauty in her day, and the possessor of many graces and accomplishments, and truly she carried them to the day of her death. It naturally followed that she early gave her heart and hand to a neigh�boring young Scotchman, Laughlin McLaurin. With gentle grace, firm dignity and unerring judgment, she presided as wife, mistress and mother over a home where order, law and love were ruling influences. This was a home where visitors loved to go. Many a benighted traveler and weary minister could testify to the charming hospitality of this couple, and to the rare skill of Mrs. McLaurin as a housekeeper. By their syste�matic management they had accumulated much wealth before the war. Ten children were born and raised in the old home by the mill. Seven of whom are still living and doing well. Three of the sons are elders in the church, and two have occupied honored seats in the Legislative halls. Capt. McLaurin died a few years ago.

At the death of Mrs. McLaurin, one generation of a stanch old Scotch family has passed away, she being the last survivor of "Steady Hugh" McColl's family. Upon a later generation now devolves the duty of fostering the virtues and principles instilled into this sturdy clan in the days of Auld Lang Syne. Will they prove worthy of the blood they inherited from the rugged sons of Scotia?

Mrs. McLaurin's eightieth birthday was in last November. When we add that she had retained all the faculties of a remarkably bright mind, and well stored, retentive memory, we acknowledge Marlboro's loss. She was an undoubted authority on local history, and her rare conversational gifts were turned frequently to reminiscent subjects. On her last visit to the writer an incidental conversation led her to speak of her school days at Clio, when the town consisted of a blacksmith shop and a school house. For the last ten years of her life, especially, companionship with Mrs. McLaurin has been a privilege and delight. Marlboro has produced but few women her equal intellectually, and being a constant reader and close observer, she had but to draw from the store house of memory to entertain and instruct all who were brought within the reach of her charming personality. And these were not a few, for the vivacity and cheerfulness of her early years were her charac�teristics to the last. Her brightness, sociability and wide awake concern for all people and every cause kept her an up to date woman and won the admiration and love of all.

But not only as woman, wife, mother and friend can we praise Mrs. McLaurin. The grand total of her estimate lay in her as a Christian, a Presbyterian Christian. At an early age she became a member of the old Red Bluff Church under the charge of Rev. Alex McQueen. Later the family worshipped at Smyrna, N. C., then at the new Red Bluff. For the last ten years her efforts have been largely instrumental in the

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building up of the church at McColl, where she was laid to rest, after more than fifty years of religious service.

We use this phrase in no latter day sense: She was the strictest type of a Presbyterian. As a fact the second generation of ancestors before her went in and out the auld kirk in Scotland just in the manner Ian McLaren has described, feeling that "Ilka man is bund tae obey his conscience, accordin tae his lichts," and "ilka man maun gae by that, as he sall answer at the judgment."

The fervor and earnestness of the free kirk worship descended to Mrs. McLaurin by right of inheritance. Her life was an epitome of "shorter catechism." She glorified God "accordin to her lichts," rigidly practising self denials, and adhering to the full letter of the law, yet deeming it no austerity. Her children were taught in the strictest Sabbath observances and sacramental duties, and the prefectly consecrated Chris�tian life she led was the result of a well nigh perfect obedienec to her Master's will.

Few Presbyterians in the bounds of South Carolina took more inter�est in the cause than did Mrs. McLaurin, or were more strongly grounded on doctrinal points. While she deplored the heat of the discussions that have arisen in the Presbyterian Church within the last few years, yet she followed them with a keen intelligent interest, and ever sided with the cause that held to the strictest observances. Like the auld Free Kirk�ers, she founded her belief on the most literal obedience to the command, "Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy."

Truly was Mrs. McLaurin a woman of remarkable gifts, well nigh perfect character and with a piety that shone with a heavenly light, more and more perfect unto the end. What a privilege to have called her friend, mother, grandmother. What a fragrant influence she leaves behind, while she is sleeping. Sleeping, and waiting the call, "I am the Resurrection and the Life."

ONE WHO LOVED HER

January 18, 1897.

The following is copied from a newspaper clipping given to me many years ago.

A FRIEND'S TRIBUTE TO THE LATE
JAMES A. McLAURIN

Permit me, while still in deep shock and sorrow, to lay a verbal wreath upon the grave of my closest and dearest friend. Death is a tragedy at all times, but especially to family, relatives and friends whether it strikes in youth, young manhood or old age. When one with wide family connections and hosts of friends is taken the whole commu‑

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nity feels the shock. We deplore the passing, we sympathize with the family. We may even weep at the grave, and then, human nature being what it is � we forget. It is only those presons bound by the unbreakable threads of many memories who continue, on into the future, to shed tears in the dark of the night.

James McLaurin was descended from a long line of Scottish High�landers, a heritage of which he was justly proud. Yet, no one who knew him, could say that he ever looked down upon or patronized any one less fortunate in heritage or fortune. He was born and reared in a planta�tion home where, before the War, he had all of the necessities and comforts, and most, if not all of the luxuries enjoyed by the prosperous planters of that day. He was still only a boy when the society, the civilization to which he had been born was swept away, and there in its stead stood the ugly, repulsive, greedy, destructive form of "recon�struction". Those were days that broke the spirit of many strong men and left them weak and helpless. Others rose above those destructive forces, the weltering chaos and became men of iron will and purpose. If adversities are the fires that temper the souls of men, it had in James McLaurin, good material upon which to work, for he was a man of purpose and determination long before he reached his majority.

James McLaurin was not, by any standard, a public figure. He was no politician hailed and applauded throughout the land, but he had within him all of the elements of true greatness. Character, without a blemish, a mind and vision clean, clear and incisive. He was a man of gentle disposition but with strong feelings and opinions. He was re�ceptive to new ideas, new thoughts, and sympathetic to some, but where a matter of principal was at stake he was an unbending as steel.

He was a modest man, quiet and unassuming. Some thought him cold, diffident, unresponsive to offers of friendship, but that was not true. He was a warm responsive man, but it was his firmness, his dignity that restrained all men, friends and foes, from taking liberties with him or his affairs, nor did he project himself into the personal lives or busi�nesses of others. It could well have been said of him, as it was of another long ago, that he "fawned upon no one. He sought no favors of or contacts with the great, the near great, or those `drest in a little brief authority��. He knew who he was, what he was, and that was for him "sufficient unto the day". His whole life could well be epito�mized in the words of that ancient epitaph: "He stood erect be�fore all men and bowed his head to none but God".

He is gone. The world will soon forget. The memories of friends and acquaintances will grow dim as the days go by. But as for me, the woven fabric of memory that stretches over the years of a cherished friendship will forever bind me to that past, for I never expect to look

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upon his like again. May God rest his soul and comfort his bereaved family.

A FRIEND.

Grandmother McLaurin was interviewed by the local newspaper sometime after the death of her son, James A. McLaurin. The article covered a rather wide range of subjects, I have lifted therefrom the references to my Father. The quotations are not in sequence and are out of context so there is no continuity.

"James was always conscientious. He was dependable and responsi�ble. When he was given something to do we knew it would be done well �".

"He was energetic, a hard worker. He always seemed to be busy. During the War years he drove himself so hard, trying to do the work of his three brothers who were in the army, until his father would have to stop him and put him at some easy task so he would get some rest."

"Yes, he was quiet. He was not talkative. He could always entertain himself. He had a good mind, was quick to learn and remembered every�thing. He was a great reader. He read everything he could get his hands on.

He was always foolish about horses. He could ride almost as soon as he could walk � he had some of the fastest and finest horses in the county. He had a big black mare named Molly. She was fast and wild. She ran away with him one day, jumped off the bridge at the pond, and James had to swim around and cut her out of the buggy to keep her from drowning."

�� oh, yes, we had quite a time with him for awhile. He was only thirteen but when his brothers volunteered he insisted on going with them. � at one time we were afraid he would run off and join the cavalry � his father promised him that if he would wait until he was seventeen he could take his pick of the horses and join the cavalry."

"Yes, he spent nearly two years in Texas. He had two first cousins out there, sons of my sister, Margaret McColl and my brother, John B. McColl. � he might have stayed but his brothers were going out for themselves and he was needed at home. � we persuaded him to come home." "� we were delighted when he got married. As you know he married the daughter of our closest neighbor and friend � Della was a sweet, attractive, charming girl � she has made James a perfect wife."

"We all hated to see James and Della sell their farm and move to Florida, but it turned out all right. They were very successful. �

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yes, he died in Georgia. I am sure he would have made a greater success in Georgia than he did in Florida if he had lived. James was level�headed. He always planned everything ahead. He knew exactly what he wanted to do and how he was going to do it before he started. � he had spent a lot of money but he had a lot of valuable property and he was shipping lumber when he died. Some said that he would have been a wealthy man if he had lived, but there was no one who could run the business. Hugh L. took charge but he couldn't run it. I don't think he ever planned on trying. � he had his family and his farm to look after � I understand that everything was disposed of, I don't know just how � Della and the children got very little."

McLAURIN'S MILL
FACTS AND FANTASY

The picture of the Old Mill (page F) was made by Allen Willis, possibly forty years ago. You see the back of the building and the old swimming hole. In front are the dam, the pond reaching out into the distance and the road across the dam, in those early days just broad enough for one buggy or wagon at a time.

Time dealt gently with this Old Mill for nearly two centuries. It was built in the formative years of our history in a wilderness astride a narrow stream to perform an appointed simple task. Even Leget, the builder, could have had no thought that his creation would someday give its name to a plantation, to a post office, and become the center of community activities for decades � before passing into history.

In its early days it stood tall, proud, imposing, the one unchal�lenged indispensable necessity, the uncrowned king of an era. A symbol of the past, a beacon in its day, a monument of hope for the future. But it must have known � if things inanimate can ever know � that time relentlessly moves and the necessities of one age become the discards of the next � a law as immutable as time itself.

But even then, while yet in its ascendency � though no one seemed to know � it hung balanced between two worlds, and like Janus of old it could look with prophetic eye to the dawning of another day while still contemplating the long dead past' when strong men, pioneers, pathfinders, blazed a trail that opened the

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way for the birth, the growth, the fruition of a society, a social order that developed and nurtured a race of men and women the like of whom the world shall never see again.

I visited the Old Mill a short time before it was destroyed by fire � then long in alien hands � and looked upon its weathered boards, its barred doors, and shuttered windows and I could see how the stranger � or he whose yesterdays contained no dreams � or even one whose feet had trod its boards but who had never felt the magic of its spell � could pass it by with but a look. For it had served its day, and time had passed it by. Neglected, abandoned, almost forgotten, with cobwebs hanging like Spanish moss from every beam and rafter, and silence, a depressing quiet�ness hung over it like a pall. Its days of usefulness, of necessity, of glory � all gone. Lonesome, forlorn � an anachronism in a rushing changing world.

And then I stood with bowed head and heavy heart, and looked upon its blackened ruins, its charred sills and broken rafters, and time stood still, turned back, and I was a barefoot boy again. The Old Mill stood before me in all of its pristine glory. The dusty miller, happy in his work, poured the corn into the hopper and tested the hot meal as it trickled into the receiving bin. The sound of the rushing waters was muffled and muted by the lazy hum of the turning stones as I moved at ease across the glass-slick floors, worn and polished by the tread of feet for a hundred years. It lived again, as in the long dead years, a breathing, viable, pulsating thing, a mystery and a challenge to any venturesome boy brave enough to work his way from floor to floor through a maze of bins and stalls and discarded implements of that and former years. The dream passed as all dreams do. The mists of memory cleared from my eyes and stark reality spread its mantle everywhere. The Old Mill was gone, dead � as dead as the age it served.

But even in my day, that second on the horologe of time, it stood so proud, so erect, so busy, so useful, still unbowed by the weight of time, undaunted by an unknown future, beautiful in its rugged majesty, as its slowly turning stones ground the corn into meal and its many soothing voices recounted the past and foretold

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the future to all whose ears were attuned to its many dulcet sounds.

But time moves. Symbols lose their luster. Beacons cease to shine. Monuments crumble and fall, and even kings must die, and that which the fantasies of youth proclaim immortal becomes a useless pile. All things must pass away and fade from the memory of man, but while memories do linger and old men dream dreams, the Old Mill will continue to grind the corn, and the warm waters from the pond will flood through the open gates into the old swimming hole, and naked boys will dive from its topmost windows and swim and play, as the billowing waters move on to eternity.

The following petition for naturalization contains the signatures of my great Grandfather, Archibald Maclntyre, my great Grand�father, John McLaurin, and a great Uncle Daniel Maclntyre. It is on file in the office of the Clerk of Court for Marlboro County.

SOUTH CAROLINA

MARLBORO DISTRICT

To the Honorable Court of Common Pleas in and for the District of Marlboro in this state.

The petition of us whose names are underwritten Inhabitants of the Sd District respectfully Showeth:

That your petitioners was resident in the District of Marlboro in the State of South Carolina, under the jurisdiction of the United States before the twenty nineth day of February in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Five and has been continuously since, and now is there so resident, and hast resided in the District of Marlboro for ten years last past.

Your petitioners therefore prays to be admitted citizens of the Sd United States according to the provisions of the several Acts of the Con�gress of the United States of America and your Petitioners will pray

                                                    Archd McIntyre

Daniel Maclntyre

his

Lauchlin x McColl

mark

John McLaurin

Be it so

Theo Wabis

18th March 1805

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The above petitioners being duly sworn maketh oath that the sub�stance and matters of Fact in the above Petition is true. Sworn to before me this 18th March 1805

Wm. Bristow, JP.

SOUTH CAROLINA

MARLBORO DISTRICT

We do hereby certify that Archibald Maclntyre, Daniel MacIntyre, Lauchlin McColl and John McLaurin hath ever been esteemed as Honest and Industrious Citizens of the Sd District during their residence there�in.

18th March 1805

Jas Feagin

Wm. Bristow, J.P.

STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA

MARLBOROUGH DISTRICT         IN THE CIRCUIT COURT

 

March Term 1805 �

This is to certify that John McLaurin as alien has appeared in open Court the present term, and taken the oath of naturalization agreeable to an Act of Congress passed the twenty ninth day of January Anno Domini 1795 in that case made and provided �

Given under my hand and seal of office at Marlboro Court House the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five.

M. 0. Winfield

NOTE: To the left, and above the signature of M. 0. Winfield is a dark smudge. The new citizen was required to prick his thumb and leave an impression in his blood.

ODDS AND ENDS

The following are condensed stories, as I remember them, cur�rent when I was a boy. Also several "headlines" as they appeared in newspapers, and excerpts from the stories following the head�lines.

THE YANKEES AND THE LIVESTOCK

Uncle Luther McLaurin told me that when it was learned that the Yankees were approaching Bennettsville they began hiding some of their valuables as everyone was doing. He said that he was only eight years old and knew in a general way what was going on but was not given all of the details.

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He said that his father was anxious to save some of the best horses and mules. He knew of an island or ridge in the swamp a mile or more from the house. His father, my father, and a Negro boy fenced in this island and before the Yankees arrived put some of the stock in the inclosure. Only these three knew where the stock was concealed. The Achilles heel of the plan was that the stock had to be cared for.

It seems that the Yankees immediately became suspicious. They knew that a plantation of this size could not be operated with the horses and mules that they found, so they began looking and asking questions but to no avail. The answers were always the same � no one knew anything about any other horses and mules. Uncle Luther said that my father took over the task of caring for the stock. This required slipping away from the premises when he was not being watched. Soon, however, it became apparent that both my father and Grandfather were under constant surveillance so they would have the Negro boy slip away and take care of this chore.

Uncle Luther was not entirely clear as to what happened, whether the Negro boy was seen going or coming from the place where the stock was concealed, or the Yankees decided that he knew something that he had not told them. They took him in charge and gave him the third degree but he continued denying that he knew anything about horses or mules. Finally they put a rope around the boy's neck, threw it over the limb of a tree and tightened up on it. They assured him that unless he told what he knew they would hang him. The boy talked. No one blamed him. While it is not likely that the Yankees would have carried out their threat, the boy didn't know that, nor did any one else, except perhaps the officer who was conducting the inquisition. When the Yankees left there was not a horse or mule left on the plantation.

JOHN MCLAURIN, III. (Big John-Surly John)

This, our John, was not famous for his diplomacy or his pa�tience. He believed in plain talk and direct methods, so it is easy to imagine how the following situation may have been something more than frustrating.

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Grandmother McIntyre told this story many times, always with a chuckle. She said that it was often mentioned in the community.

There was a family who lived a few miles away. They were constant visitors in the community. They would spend a day and night with one family and then move on to another until they had done the rounds, and by that time they were ready to start all over again. A nice way to save board and lodging, but they had long since worn out their welcome.

It is said that John would grow furious every time the family appeared. He wanted to tell them in plain language that they were not welcome, but Mary, gentle, diplomatic, firmly grounded in the hospitality of the day, would have none of John's harsh measures. So John would fume and fret and outwardly submit while, probably, all the time trying to think of some way to get rid of this nuisance.

This family arrived one morning for their usual visit. It is said that John was so furious he left the house, but he soon returned and when not observed locked the pantry and the smokehouse, put the keys in his pocket, mounted his horse, rode away, and didn't return until nightfall.

One can readily surmise the surprise, the embarrassment, of Mary when she started to prepare the noon meal and found all of the provisions locked up. She apologized and tried to explain to her guests that John, absentmindedly had carried the keys off with him. The guests, possibly, had already sensed that they were not welcome. They left and never returned. In fact all visits in that community stopped. The entire community openly sympa�thized with Mary but covertly applauded John.

But it is probable that the best part of the story has never been told � what Mary said to John when he returned home.

THE LOWERY GANG

Henry Berry Lowery.

Many of this generation never heard of the Lowery Gang, but when I was a boy this gang was talked about more than any of the notorious gangs of the West.

Henry Berry Lowery was, from all accounts, a ruthless des�perado, cunning, wily, vicious. He gathered a group of wanted men

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around him and roamed the area along the state line, robbing, and on occasions killing those who opposed him. The country was sparsely settled and it was not too difficult for him and his gang to commit a crime and then fade into the swamps and get lost.

The following incidents were general talk when I was a boy. I will relate them in substance as I recall them.

UNCLE DANIEL MCLAURIN was keeping store at the old mill. He told me that he was sitting about half way between the front and back doors of the store, reading. That suddenly armed men were coming in both doors. He was bound and gagged. They took everything they wanted and quietly disappeared. It was around noon and no one came in for about an hour.

The alarm went out and soon a group on horseback gathered and started in pursuit of the outlaws but they had a long start and it was not likely that they would be found. Uncle Daniel said it was dark and they were returning home. They met a man on the road who told them he saw several men entering the woods a short distance away. It was dark but they decided to investigate. His group divided into four groups of two each and spread out over the woods. They were instructed to move quietly and if any thing that needed investigating was found to report back for help.

UNCLE HUGH L. MCLAURIN and his companion pene�trated deep into the thicket. They saw a flickering fire. They moved closer and occasionally saw a shadowy figure pass in the firelight. And then old Henry Berry appeared in full firelight. It is said that Uncle Hugh L. raised his rifle to take a shot at the outlaw but his companion, more cautious, and in this instance rightly so, grabbed the gun and said "don't shoot Hugh L., they will shoot back. We will be surrounded and killed. Let's report back as we were instructed." By the time the group gathered, the quarry had fled.

SEQUEL. Some time after this incident a number of persons were sitting around the old mill. A duck flew in and lighted on the pond a short distance away. Uncle Hugh L. ran into the mill, got a gun and started to shoot the duck. Grandfather, very quietly said; "I wouldn't shoot, Hugh L., he might shoot back at you."

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I have heard this story many times. Some thought that Grandfather never quite forgave Hugh L. for not shooting old Henry Berry when he had that chance and thus saving lives and property. Others at�tributed the remark to the Captain's sense of dry humor.

UNCLE JOHN F. MCLAURIN. His son Clarence told this story. Henry Berry had a home, one of many, on the state line in a thick wooded area and within fifty feet of a deep ravine. Word got out that the outlaw was in that community. Men were dis�patched to watch the house. They saw Henry Berry ride up, dis�mount and enter the house. Some watched the house, others went for help. The house was surrounded and men rushed in from all sides. They broke in the doors. There were women and children but no man. Every inch of the house was searched. Henry Berry's horse was still hitched in front of the house. The watchers swore that no one had left the house. And then, someone, discovered a trap door in the floor of one of the rooms. It was raised revealing a hole about five or six feet deep. Uncle John F. immediately dropped into the hole and followed a tunnel that led out into a well concealed place in the ravine. Clarence said he asked his father what he would have done if old Henry Berry had been standing in the tunnel with a gun when he entered. He never got an answer to his question.

This gang was gradually stamped out. Some were killed, some captured and sent to prison for long terms, but Henry Berry es�caped. Years later it was reported that he went to Texas and when on his deathbed confessed that he was Henry Berry Lowery, who had lived in that community for years under another name.

WHERE IS, OR WHERE WAS, LAURINTON, S. C.

That headline appeared in the Columbia State in 1919. The article in part stated:

"In South Carolina there was such a place 100 years ago and it was a post office village important enough indeed to have a deputy postmaster as well as a postmaster."

The article stated that The State had a copy of a letter in the possession of D. T. Cronly, in part as follows:

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Laurinton, S. C., January 24, 1819

Messrs, McColl and McLaurin

Wilmington, North Carolina

"This morning I sent seven hundred dollars to Mr. John McLaurin to be sent to you per first opportunity." The letter stated that he was paying twenty cents for cotton, on account. That he expected to collect additional money. He did not expect any debts to be lost, but a few might have to go over until the next year. The letter was signed, John McCollum, Deputy Postmaster.

This article was picked up by papers all over the state. They asked that any person who could give any information about the location of Laurinton send in the information. I read a number of letters. Without exception the writers stated that they believed Laurinton was at Red Bluff near Clio, in Marlboro County. There was at least one letter written by Uncle D. W. McLaurin.

The facts and speculations set out in the letters can be summed up as follows. It is an historic fact that at one time there was a thriving trading center at Red Bluff. That this was the head of navigation on Little Pee Dee River. That at that time this River was a very important and busy artery of traffic for boats and flats of shallow draft that carried cotton, corn, and other produce down river to the coast and brought back supplies for the settlers. That the community around Red Bluff was settled, primarily, by Mc�Laurins and they owned nearly all of the land in that area. Uncle Daniel, after reciting facts and opinions concluded his letter: "I am fully convinced that Laurinton was at Red Bluff in Marlboro County."

BATTLE OF THE CRATER

Any one who has read any history of the War Between the States is familiar with the seige of Richmond and the Battle of the Crater. This battle which lasted throughout the greater part of a day was not one in which great numbers of troops were en�gaged. It was not a turning point in the War but it was one of the most spectacular and sanguinary conflicts of the entire War.

Uncle D. W. McLaurin and his twin brother, Uncle Hugh L. McLaurin, were members of the 23rd., Regiment, S. C. Volunteers. This Regiment had been stationed, for days, over the exact spot

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of the explosion before it occurred. These Uncles told me that they could see great activities down the hill and they suspected that the Yankees were tunneling under their works. They sank pipes down in a number of places trying to detect any such tunneling, but found nothing. Just before the explosion this Regiment was withdrawn from the trenches and moved back for rest. Uncle Daniel said that the explosion, which occurred almost immediately after his regiment was withdrawn, was so great that it shook the earth Men, timbers, guns and cannons were blown into the air and all over the place. The Yankees began pouring through the breech. This Regiment was rushed back into action. Gen. Bushrod Johnson said:

"In the events of the 30th of July (1864) there will perhaps be found nothing more heroic or worthy of higher admiration than the conduct of the 22 and 23 South Carolina Regiments which maintained their position within thirty yards of the Crater for about five hours during which the enemy never drove them a foot though they made several assaults � and attempts to flank this gallant little band."

THE FIRST SUBMARINE � THE HUNLEY or LITTLE

DAVID.

When the German submarines were raiding the shipping along the Atlantic Coast in World War II, there was much discussion in the newspapers about the Confederate submarine, Hunley, or Little David, as it was called. At that time, it was found, that Uncle Daniel was the only living person who had been aboard this sub�marine. He was interviewed many times and his story carried in many papers. He described the Hunley in detail but since the de�tails of its construction are a matter of history I will not go into that, but he said: "It came through the creek beween Sullivans Island and Long Island (now Isle of Palms ). It was having trouble with some of the machinery and stopped to make repairs. "Uncle Daniel and another soldier volunteered to assist with the repairs. They worked in the submarine all afternoon. About sundown ev�erything was working perfectly and "Little David" moved out to seek its prey.

Sometime after dark there was a terrific explosion. Uncle

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Daniel said they could see the Yankee war vessels flashing signals but they didn't know what had happened until the following morn�ing. They could then see the masts of the U.S.S. Housatonic above' water. They learned that "Little David had killed Goliath". This was the first successful attack ever made by a submarine, but the submarine, with its crew, was lost.

"McLAURIN FAMILY REUNION"

December 1924.

"Mr. Daniel W. McLaurin of Columbia is the guest of his twin brother, Hugh L. McLaurin. All of the Hugh L. McLaurin family was present except Miss Alma who is a home missionary in the mountains of Virginia. They were celebrating the eighty-first birthday of the twin brothers. May God's blessings rest on these honorable and upright men."

"GOVERNOR RICHARDS HONORS HON. D. W. McLAURIN"

Governor Richards entertained at a dinner at the Governor's Mansion in honor of Gen. D. W. McLaurin. A number of distin�guished guests, friends of Mr. McLaurin, were present . ."

"HON. D. W. McLAURIN IS HEARD IN CHAPEL"

"Veteran Trustee Urges Students to Use Their Influence in Col�lege's Behalf"

"In chapel Friday morning President Johnson presented the Hon. D. W. McLaurin, charter member of the board of trustees, and characterized him as a good citizen, a brave soldier of the Confederacy, a leader in behalf of education for women in South Carolina and a charter member of the board of trustees. Mr. McLaurin spoke briefly � he told of his interest in Winthrop College from its inception, saying that the Winthrop of today far surpassed any expectations he ever had for the college when he, and others, were working for its establishment."

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CEMETERIES

"On yon lovely spot on the banks of Lochean,

Where the sun shines in beauty with varied array,

Their last resting place; the clansmen of Laurin,

Lie moundering in dust till the great judgment day."

STEWARTSVILLE CEMETERY

This cemetery is situated within a triangle formed by running a line from Laurinburg to Maxton, to Johns Station and back to Laurinburg. Four or five miles from Maxton and Laurinburg, and perhaps three from Johns Station.

I am informed that many years ago a Presbyterian Church stood near this Cemetery, and at that time it was considered one of the best kept burying grounds in that part of North Carolina. It was here that nearly all Scotsmen, for many miles around, were carried to be buried.

Many years ago this Cemetery was abandoned. It was per�mitted to grow up in trees, vines, undergrowth so thick until it was very difficult for one to get around when searching for the graves of his ancestors. I found this to be true on the several visits that I paid to this cemetery.

Recently an organization took over the care of this cemetery. They did a thorough job of cleaning it up, but in the process de�stroyed a number of tombstones, monuments, and other grave markers. Among those destroyed was that of my grandfather Archi�bald McIntyre. His monument stood on the first or second row, slightly to the left of the main gate as one enters from the main road. It stood there for some seventy-five years, but disappeared when they were cleaning up and no trace of it has been found. But an even greater tragedy is the fact that I have not been able to establish the exact spot where he was buried. He was buried there at his request and it is believed that he was buried beside his Mother and Father.

In this cemetery are buried my great grandparents, John McLaurin and his wife, Mary McNair McLaurin. "Steady" Hugh Mc�Coll and his wife, Mary McColl McColl. Their daughters, Margaret McColl and her husband, David McColl, Nancy McColl and her

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husband, Solomon L. McColl. James W. McColl, a son of Nancy. Here are buried two of the wives of John B. McColl ( son of "Steady" Hugh and Mary McColl) Mary Ann Crawford McColl and Katherine Shaw McColl.

Many members of the family have always believed that great-great grandfather, Daniel McLaurin, was buried in this cemetery but I have no definite proof of this. There is an old discolored marker. It has "D. McLaurin", carved on it. Nothing else. This could be his grave; however, as stated, no one can be sure of this.

It might be of interest to note that there are at least sixty-six McLaurins buried here. This many graves that are marked.

McLAURIN ( McCOLL ) CEMETERY

This cemetery is situated in the town of McColl, just off East McLaurin Avenue, two or three blocks from Main Street.

In this cemetery are buried many of our people.

My grandparents, Capt. L. L. McLaurin and his wife, Effie Ellen McColl McLaurin. My parents, James A. McLaurin and his wife, Nancy Della McIntyre McLaurin. My brother, Fred B. McLaurin and my two sisters, Virginia Lee (Virgie ) McLaurin and Martha P. ( Mattie ) McLaurin Fletcher and her husband, Roberson S. Fletcher.

My uncle, John F. McLaurin and his wife, Kitty Hubbard McLaurin, and all of their children, except two. Their daughter Mary Jane ( Molly) McLaurin McGregor is buried near Columbia, S.C. and their son, Clarence McLaurin is buried in the Alford Cemetery in Dillon County.

My uncle, Hugh L. McLaurin and his wife, Flora Calhoun McLaurin, and all of their children except two. Their son, L. A. (Cap) McLaurin is buried in Rowland, N.C. and their son, Charles Howard, is buried in Hebron, near Clio, S.C.

My uncle, Walter B. McLaurin and his wife, Julia Terry McLaurin, and all of their children except three. David C. McLaurin is buried in or near Laurens, S.C., Edwin B. McLaurin is buried in Texas and Vera McLaurin Haywood is buried in Florida.

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My aunt, Albina McLaurin Willis and her husband, Furman J. Willis and one or more of their children. Several of their children are buried in Beaver Dam Cemetery.

Aunt Mary Jane McL. Parker and Aunt Margaret Ann McL. McCaskill, Aunt Annie McKinnon McLaurin, first wife of Uncle Luther McLaurin.

BEAVER DAM CEMETERY

This cemetery is situated on Beaver Dam Creek in the edge of the town of McColl, S.C. Here, many years ago, were a church, a store, a school, a post office. Many grave markers bear silent witness to the fact that some of the pioneers of this part of the county are buried here. This is a comparatively large cemetery and is well taken care of. Here are buried many of my relatives and connections. I cannot name all of them.

My grandmother, Martha Jane Turnage McIntyre and several of her children. Uncle Daniel Luke (Bud) McIntyre, Uncle Archi�bald Kay McIntyre and his wife, Jane Fletcher McIntyre, Uncle Hugh Bishop McIntyre and both of his wives, Sally McKinnon Mc�Intyre and Valeria Welch McIntyre, Aunt Catherine (Katie) Mc�Intyre Bunch and her husband, J. P. Bunch, and their two sons, John LeRoy and Archie William, and several of John LeRoy's chil�dren. Uncle Luther McLaurin and his second wife, Eliza Covington McLaurin and their son, Thomas Covington McLaurin.

While Aunt Albina McLaurin Willis and her husband, Furman Willis, are buried in the McLaurin cemetery, several of their chil�dren and grandchildren are buried here, including their daughter, Margaret and her husband, W. Luther Fletcher, and possibly one or more of their children. Their son, Cousar Willis, and his wife, Alice Fletcher Willis.

Cousin Flora McColl Willis ( daughter of John B. McColl and his first wife) and her husband, Eli Willis, and two of their daugh�ters, Alice and Stella, and other relatives and connections.

RED BLUFF CEMETERY ( 1 )

Many years ago a Presbyterian Church stood near this ceme�tery which is situated near the old Red Bluff Pond, a few miles

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from Clio, S.C. It is a rather large and relatively well cared for cemetery.

Here are buried many of my relatives. Uncle James M. McIn�tyre and his wife, Mary Ellen ( Molly) McLaurin McIntyre, and their three daughters, Mattie, Daisy and Lula, and Lula's husband, Hugh C. McColl.

I believe that all of the children of Nancy McColl (daughter of "Steady" Hugh McColl) and her husband, Solomon L. McColl, except two, are buried here, as well as many of their grandchildren. Nancy and her husband and one of her sons are buried at Stewarts�ville; one son died a War prisoner.

John J. McLaurin, his wife, Belinda McLaurin, and probably all of their children and a number of their grandchildren are buried in this cemetery.

John Elliott Willis (grandson of John B. McColl) and his wife, Molly McLaurin Willis, and a son and possibly other members of the family.

It would require a long list to name each of my relatives who have their last resting place in this cemetery.

RED BLUFF CEMETERY (2)

When the Red Bluff Presbyterian Church was rebuilt it was located a few miles north of Clio, S.C. on lands formerly owned by "Steady" Hugh McColl and later owned by his daughter, Nancy, and by his granddaughter.

This is a small cemetery and not too well kept. Here are buried my great uncle, Luke Turnage, and his wife, Elizabeth McDaniel Turnage.

ARCHER CEMETERY (Archer, Fla.)

This is a beautifully kept cemetery in this small town in Flori�da. My brother, James Oscar McLaurin, spent the greater part of his life within a radius of fifty miles of this town and it seems well that he should find his last resting place here among his many friends.

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SMYRNA CHURCH CEMETERY

This cemetery is on the premises of the Smyrna Presbyterian Church which is situated just across the state line in Robeson County, North Carolina. It was in this church where "Steady" Hugh McColl and his family worshipped when they were living in that community.

Here are buried John B. McColl, the only son of "Steady" Hugh McColl and his wife, Mary McColl. Here, also, are buried Jo Ann Salmon McColl, the third wife of John B. McColl, and several of their children.

ALFORD CEMETERY

This cemetery is situated in the Reedy Creek section of Dillon County, some eight or nine miles from Dillon. Here Uncle Daniel W. McLaurin and his wife, Martha ( Mattie ) Colin McLucas McLaurin are buried. Here Clarence McLaurin and his wife, Sally McLean McLaurin are buried.

McLUCAS CEMETERY

Situated two or three miles from Clio, in Marlboro County, this cemetery is maintained in very good condition.

Aunt Effie Ellen McLaurin McLucas and her husband, Rode�rick S. McLucas, are buried here, as are a number of their children. Mary Lee, John Luther, Effie Ellen, Roderick McRae, Leslie Mor�ris, and Hugh.

OLD BEAUTY SPOT CEMETERY

"Oh, dreary desolation, thy name is country graveyard."

There were four Beauty Spot Methodist Churches, and certainly two and probably three Beauty Spot Cemeteries. The first Methodist Church established in Marlboro County was situated here. This original cemetery is just off the old Adamsville Road, leading from Bennettsville to the Adamsville section of the county, near Crooked Creek and Beverly Creek.

In this immediate community my great grandfather, John Turnage, owned a thousand acres of as fine land as there is in Marlboro County. It touched on both Beverly and Crooked Creeks,

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and extended very close to this old Beauty Spot Church and cemetery. Here John Turnage and his wife, Nancy McKay Turnage spent a number of the years of their lives and in this cemetery I am sure they were buried.

This cemetery has been abandoned to nature for more than a hundred years. Graves sunken, gravestones broken and scattered, large trees, vines, undergrowth have taken over. There are few markers near the road that still stand, all others are gone beyond any hope of recognition.

I am sure that Grandmother McIntyre told members of our family that her parents were buried here. I made diligent search but could find nothing to indicate just where they were buried.

McCOLL CEMETERY ( Near Ellerbe, N. C.)

This is another burying ground that has been abandoned for more than a century. It is situated some three of four miles from Ellerbe and about three miles in a direct line from the run of Little Mountain Creek. At one time this general area was largely settled by McColls, and was known, so I am told, as McColl country.

I went into this community a number of times looking for this old cemetery that I knew existed. A friend of mine began inquiring and doing some searching for himself. He found a man who knew where an old abandoned cemetery was situated and agreed to guide us to it.

It had grown up in trees, undergrowth, vines, and the accumulated debris of a hundred years made moving around difficult. There were many marked graves, possibly twenty-five or fifty or more. But nearly all of the markers are of slate (or so I was told) and all identifying marks had so eroded until no names could be identified. There were several, however, of marble or sandstone. The clearest was that of Hugh R. McColl and his wife, Catherine McColl. Near by were five or six graves in a row, all marked but without identification, except for the first stone. We could clearly distinguish a part of the inscription: "DANIEL McCOLL, DIED JUNE 22, 1805." The remainder of the inscription consisted of only a few hairline marks. The adjoining grave was, I am sure, the wife

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of Daniel, and the other graves in that row were probably other members of the family.

In this forsaken, forgotten, abandoned cemetery that at one time, no doubt, was cared for by those who cherished the memory of their loved ones, are buried these great-great grandparents that came to this country in its formative years and contributed the full measure of their efforts to its development and prosperity. They deserve better than to be abandoned and forgotten.

I REMEMBER

THE OLD CAPT. L. L. McLAURIN HOME. When I was a small boy this large, two story frame dwelling, sitting on its hill a thousand or more feet to the south of the Old Mill, surrounded by giant oaks, etched a picture in my mind that still remains. As I recall it had twelve large rooms. The house sat on a brick founda�tion about four feet from the ground in front and possibly five feet in the rear. To me the distinctive feature of the house was the front. There was a porch extending across the entire front, per�haps fifty or more feet. It was very broad, possibly fourteen feet, and had the usual banisters. The roof over the porch extended about five feet beyond the outer edge of the porch. It was supported by large columns from the roof to within about four feet of the ground where they rested on large brick pillars. These columns were about four feet in front of the porch and not connected with it. I have seen a few houses, and a number of pictures of houses similarly constructed, but not in that community. In later years Uncle Walter McLaurin remodeled this home. He made a number of changes in the appearance of the exterior but I do not think the floor plans were greatly altered. The entire house was torn down by subsequent owners. That, I could never understand.

Out in front of the house, a hundred or more yards, was the largest scuppernong grape vine that I have ever seen. It extended from the road to the old buggy or carriage house a distance of some three hundred feet. It must have been forty feet wide. These vines furnished the wine for the Presbyterian Church for at least two generations. Beyond the carriage house were the lot, and six or eight other buildings. One of these was unusual and was possibly

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one of the first built. It was built of logs, handhewn, well fitted and tight, about sixty feet long. The roof in front extended about five feet as an over-hang. Along the entire front was a four foot porch or walk-way. It was used as the grain house. To the south of these buildings were James and Thomas grapes, and farther back was the "new orchard". It seemed to me that they had every fruit that could be grown in that community, and some of it was ripening all through the spring, summer and fall. The "old orchard" was over near the "miller's house". It was not so large and not so well cared for when I was a boy, but it still produced good apples and peaches.

THE ARCHIBALD McINTYRE HOME. This large, tall, two story frame dwelling stood six or seven feet off the ground, resting on a brick foundation. A huge chimney stood at each end of the main dwelling. A broad porch extended across the entire front of the house. The columns supporting the roof rested on the porch. It had the usual banisters. The front steps were very broad and it was quite a trip up those many steps from the ground to the porch. One entered the front door into a hall that extended through the house. To the left was a large living room. It must have been twenty feet broad and possibly twenty five or more feet long. At the far end was the fireplace. It was at least six feet broad, as they burned four and five foot logs in it. In the coldest weather one could sit in the rear of that room and remain quite comfortable. Around the walls, as I recall, were still some of the old candle holders that were probably put there when the house was built, but, of course, no longer in use. Passing through the hall to the rear one came out on a back porch that led to the kitchen and dining room. I must mention the "dark room". It was a large upstairs room that had no windows, or, if there were windows they had shutters that must have stayed closed all of the time. It was used primarily for storage purposes but it created a very intriguing situ�ation for a small boy who was always curious and enjoyed exploring. Grandmother said the Yankees searched that room several times, evidently believing that she had hidden some of her valuables there.

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To the left of the house, as one entered from the front, were the barns, stalls and other farm buildings. � I crawled all over the interior of those buildings. The sills, plates and other heavy timbers were hand hewn, mortised and fastened together with large wooden pins or pegs. On the other side of the dwelling, in a grove, the slave quarters had been situated. There were at least two of the old slave homes still standing when I was a small boy. I remember the old gin, at that time long out of use. The press was operated by mule power. That old gin would compare with those of these days about like the buggy would compare with the auto�mobile. The dwelling was destroyed by fire about twenty five years ago. The other buildings have disappeared. There is an open field where they stood. I am not sure but believe this land is now owned by my cousin C. S. McLaurin of McColl.

AN OLD BOX OF PAPERS

In 1926, after the death of Uncle Walter B. McLaurin (youngest son of Capt. L. L. McLaurin) his daughter, Vera McLaurin Haywood, gave my sister Virgie McLaurin, a box of old papers, a Bible and a few other items. In this box I found a largely disintegrated letter written by Grandmother McLaurin to which I referred a number of times in the McLaurin sketches. The only other papers of any particular interest were the following.

A bill or statement from Robt. and D. W. Johnson, addressed to Capt. L. L. McLaurin for school tuition for the second session;

Sons Jno. & Jas. $14.90. Sons D. W. & H. L. $14.54.

Daughters M. A. & Albina $7.22. Books $3.27.

The bill was marked paid Feb. 15th, 1858.

There was a paid promissory note given to Arch McIntyre (Grandfather) by Hugh McColl ( Great Grandfather) for sixty dol�lars, Date Dec. 11, 1843.

A receipt given Hugh McColl (Steady) for $5.00 subscription for building church at Angus Fairleys. Signed Danl. Stewart ( Commissioner ).

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THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE FROM THE FILES OF

BERT McLAURIN

Bert has a large collection of notes, receipts, account books and other papers that were the property of Capt. L. L. McLaurin. He generously gave me a long list of many of the items contained in his collection. I record several that I believe reflects the times and conditions.

Capt. McLaurin sold lumber to James Lytch for $3.00 a thou�sand board feet.

In 1878 he paid Eliza Pipkin 75c for frailing 6 1/4 acres of cotton stalks at 12c an acre. Also $1.30 for chopping 26 acres of corn stalks at 5c an acre.

Notation: John Patterson started work 5-25-1876 at $6.00 a month.

Charge: John Patterson one pair of shoes $1.75, one plug of tobacco 50c

MARY McCOLL

(Wife of "Steady" Hugh McColl)

I have been unable to trace this ancestral line back beyond this Great Grandmother. In my book I copied a chart that carries this Ancestress back into a Gordon family, (page 95). I expressed doubts as to its accuracy. I still have these doubts.

Recently O. J. McColl gave me a chart, or tree, dated 1930, copied by him from a chart made by Hugh G. McColl, a Scots�man who, I am told, made numbers of charts of McColl famil�ies. He visited this country in the Nineteen Twenties.

This chart starts with John McColl and his wife Margaret McColl (another chart gives her name as Margaret Cameron). They came to the U. S. in 1775, landed in Wilmington, went up river to Fayetteville, settled near Pee Dee River in Richmond County, N. C. Their children were, John, Paul, DANIEL, Duncan, Dougald, Alexander, Catherine. Their son, DANIEL, married NELLIE McRAE, daughter of Farquar McRae. Their children were, MARY, Catherine, Nancy, Hugh, John, Margaret. Their daughter, MARY, married HUGH McCOLL. The chart indicates that this was "Steady" Hugh McColl.

If this chart is factually accurate this is our ancestral line. It is rather persuasive and since I have no con�vincing information about the ancestors of this Great Grand�mother, I tentatively accept it. But more research seems indicated. This chart, any chart, any genealogical record is only as valid as the information upon which it is based. None of the information of the chart could have been within the personal knowledge of Hugh G. McColl. It was, probably, gathered from many sources. It may be entirely accurate, or accurate in only parts. It leaves many questions un�answered. The vital one: Was the Mary of the chart the Mary who married "Steady" Hugh McColl? There were numbers of Mary and Hugh McColls in that area at that time.

Notwithstanding the unanswered questions, this chart has more appeal than that appearing in my book. I shall accept it, with reservations, until something more compelling develops. All unresolved questions, and there are many, should be a challenge to anyone dedicated to knowing the truth.

"STEADY" HUGH McCOLL

Another Hugh G. McColl chart purports to reflect the ancestry of "Steady" Hugh McColl. It begins with a Hugh. His wife is not named. They had a son Daniel who married Effie McColl, daughter of Angus McColl (his wife is not named).

This Daniel and his family emigrated to the U. S. in 1790. Landed in Wilmington. Went up river to Fayetteville. Settled in Little Mountain Creek section of Richmond County, N. C. Their children were, John, drowned soon after landing; Duncan, not married; Angus, went to Tenne�ssee; Mary, stayed in Scotland; HUGH, supposedly "Steady" Hugh; Nancy, married Archibald McLucas.

Doubtless, there was such a family and a son Hugh. I am not convinced that this Hugh was my Great Grandfather, "Steady" Hugh. I believe that my book correctly shows the immediate ancestral lines of "Steady" Hugh. This conviction is fortified by information gathered over the years, and the public records of Richmond County, N. C. lend support to this conclusion.

The lapse of many years, the loss or destruction of records, renders it difficult, sometimes impossible, to gather facts relating to persons long dead. We examine everything available. If possible we reconcile and put it together. Sometimes it is necessary to make assump�tions, to draw conclusions based on the information in hand. Such judgments are usually correct. They can be wrong. This chart may, possibly, reflect the truth. I don't think so. My opinion, the declaration of the chart, both undoubtedly represent honest convictions. But no mere opinion is a valid substitute for facts. The facts exist. They may be elusive but intensive research should reveal them. It is too late for me, but I hope someone, younger and abler will pursue the matter.

JOHN B. McCOLL

My book states that his first wife was Mary Ann Crawford. All information then available to me proclaimed this to be a fact. A Hugh G. McColl chart indicates that she was a McColl, a daughter of Hugh and Ann Thompson McColl.