CLERGYMAN AS SLAVE OWNER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1011, 17 October 1912, Page 4

CLERGYMAN AS SLAVE OWNER.

DIES A MILLIONAIRE

The Scottish descendants of Donald Macleod, a minister who emigrated to America at the close ol the eighteenth century, aie prosecuting a claim to a huge fortune. They declare that the money is now being enjoyed by those who have no right to it. Donald Macleod, who was the son ot an Invernessshire larmer, won the hand and lortune of a beautiful heiress in South Carolina. In addition to his pastoral duties, he became a successful planter and slave owner and died a millionaire.

According to Mr Allan Macleod, a descendant, who now resides in Birmingham, old Donald Macleod left the bulk ot his property in trust for his only daughter, a girl of eight or nine. A clause in the will provided that if she died childless the estates should pass to his sisters and brothers or their heirs. In due course the heiress married, but died without children. The estate should have devolved on the Scottish Macleods, but for some obscure reason it did not, and it is supposed that it is now being enjoyed by those who have no right to it. Thirty years ago, when the estate was valued at ,£i,ooo,uco, a lawyer was sent to America to investigate, but his quest was cut short by a refusal of his Scottish patrons, the Macleods ot Glenelg, to provide more money for expenses.

The estate still exists, and has appreciated in value, so that although the descendants ot Donald Macleod’s brothers and sisters now number from thirty to loily, the claim, if successful, may mean a fortune to each of anything trom ,£40,000 upwards. Old Donald Macleod, besides being a planter, was also a minister ot the Presbyterian Kirk ot Charleston. He was at once a saviour ot souls and an owner of bodies, and his will contains a number ot caretnl provisions as to the disposal of his slaves.