About this site

Primary Research

The Ross Family of Sumter South Carolina
of Ross Farm Road Sumter County, South Carolina

The information on this page represents the combined efforts of several researchers. I have verified the information by Wills, Equity, Deeds, Census and Cemetery Records where possible. Where no source is given, the information is unproven/unverified. Additions and corrections are welcome. Proper credit is always awarded to the provider of information. Happy Researching!

!Source: Lori McLeod Wilke; "Walking with ghosts", Research 2000 - 2009

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The Research

I primarily research my McLeod line at the moment; although I do gather records on other surnames of interest on research trips, I do not as of yet seek it out. Therefore, a lot of the information contained on this page is from the memories of our elders and boxes of research notes and records from my father, Donald Ross McLeod Jr.; some of it is from the Scarborough Website including most of the photographs. Thank you to those who have given me permission to use them on this page.

Although I have done some preliminary census research using Ancestry.com On Line Census Images, I have not yet spent much time in the Sumter Courthouse or in the archives verifying information with the appropriate records; therefore, readers are strongly advised to use caution with this information unless it is specifically noted as proven. It is my belief that ALL family stories have the truth in them, but one must remember that some of it will have mutated over time and retelling.

Much of this information came from the memory of Sarah "Sally" Brown Partin who passed away in 2005 at more than 90 years old. Aunt Sally (really a cousin, but Aunt out of the respect due her) was the daughter of Catherine Ives Brown, known to all as Tanny. Sally lived all of her life with Tanny until Tanny's death. For many years, Tanny's twin sister, the widowed Mary Rosa Ives McLeod, lived with them. Tanny and Rosa were the daughters of Sarah Ann ROSS and Joseph Freeman Ives.

My grandfather, Donald Ross McLeod Sr. lived the first six years of his life with both his Ives grandparents, Joseph Freeman and Sarah Ross Ives; he grew up with the stories and relationships shown on this page.

My father, Donald Ross McLeod Jr., lived with Tanny, Rosa and Sally for the first six years of his life, hearing the stories of Confederate Service, immigration from Scotland and family relationships. It is a pity Dad's interest in genealogy didn't arise during those years as he remembers using old family photographs for target practice in the barn!

Thank you to my dad for sharing this all with me!

This page is dedicated to Aunt Sally Brown Partin -
A Ross and an Ives - but most of all, a wonderful Southern Cook and an unbeatable story teller!

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The Story
Sally Brown Partin as told to Donald Ross McLeod Jr.; reported by Donald to Lori McLeod Wilke

The Ross and Ives families have always been referred to by each generation as relations. Joseph Freeman Ives and his wife, Sarah Ann Ross, (fourth child of William and Sarah Ross), have always been referred to as first cousins. No record has been found which proves that William's second wife Sarah, was an Ives, but based on the stories of family, and based on census records which state that she was born in North Carolina, we have assumed that she, like Josiah and Penelope Ives, was an Ives of Edgecombe Co. North Carolina.

William Ross was born in Scotland, as can be seen from the 1850 and 1860 Sumter Census enumerations, and probably born around the year 1784. He and his first wife (whose name is unknown) and three or four young children set sail for North Carolina in the early part of the 1800's. The stories told by family relate that William and his first wife lost a child on board the ship which carried them from Scotland to North Carolina and that the child was buried at sea.

While still in North Carolina, William's first wife died and he remarried Sarah who was several years his junior (census records give different ages as will be seen later). The daughters who had survived the journey from Scotland to the United States apparently were married adults by this time and remained with their husbands in North Carolina after William moved to the Rafting Creek area of Sumter County, South Carolina.

The first Sumter census in which we find the family is possibly the 1840 Census which does not appear to substantiate the family story of the daughters remaining behind in NC (see below). Family lore states that William and Sarah followed Josiah and Penelope and their son Matthew Ives to Sumter, who came between 1800 and 1810 and this would appear to be bourne out. (William Ross can not yet be found in the either SC or NC 1830 Census records but all his children with Sarah Ives were born in South Carolina beginning in 1829 - see below)

The families owned Rafting Creek and Bradford Springs (today's Spring Hill), Sumter County property that adjoined or was very near each other on what is known as Ross Farm Road currently in Lee County. A road which ends with its meeting of Ross Farm Road is now known as Harvest Road but again according to family legend, was formerly known as Ives Road while the creek today known as Bracey's Creek was also once known to locals as Ives Creek.

A family cemetery is said to have existed near to what is today known as Bracey's Creek but in the middle 1900's, the property was sold and the new owner is reputed to have had the stones thrown into the Creek. A second family graveyard was located on Ross Farm Road, also on property that was sold but the new owner in this case cleared all the area around the cemetery but left a small grove of trees to shield the graves. This second cemetery is said to have held the graves of both Ross's and Ives, but this is not yet proven and unless the Ross graves are found elsewhere, unlikely to ever be dis- proven.

The Ives and the Ross children grew up together and were apparently the best of friends; when the War between the States began, this closeness can be seen in their enlistment in the same regiments and also in the post war marriage of Joseph Freeman Ives and Sarah Ann Ross. During this war, family legend states that Sarah Ann spent her time sewing uniforms for the boys in order to use the uniform monies, when provided, to keep the family farms going.

One of the most poignant stories of the Ross family can be read on this page; this story was written by my father, Donald ROSS McLeod Jr. His father Donald Sr., was named after his grandmother's brother who died in service of the Confederacy, Donald Ross (aka Daniel).

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The Story plus the Research

1800 - 1840

William Ross was born in about the year 1784 in Scotland and died in 1861 in Bradford Springs, Sumter District, South Carolina and was buried probably on Family Property on/near Ross Farm Road, Bradford Springs, Sumter District, South Carolina. William was married before 1830 in North Carolina to Sarah A. Ives who was Born Abt. 1805 in what is believed to be Edgecombe County, of North Carolina Sarah died in 1875 in Bradford Springs, Sumter District South Carolina and is also buried on Family Property on/near Ross Farm Road, Bradford Springs, Sumter District, South Carolina (2nd marriage, first wife's name unknown) 1850/1860 Sumter South Carolina Census /Interviews with Sally Brown Partin and Donald Ross McLeod Jr. / Estate file of William Ross Administered by Sarah A. Ross accessed and copied June 2005 at the Sumter County Courthouse by Lori McLeod Wilke and David Jay Wilke/ Estate file of Sarah A. Ross, Administered by James Ross accessed and copied June 2005 at the Sumter County Courthouse by Lori McLeod Wilke and David Jay Wilke

William Ross was married prior to his marriage to Sarah Ives. He immigrated from Scotland to North Carolina with this first wife and three daughters in the early 1800's. One daughter perished on the voyage and was buried at sea. The other daughters were adults by the time of the mother's death and were said to have been married at the time of William's migration to South Carolina with Sarah Ann Ives.

However, the 1840 Sumter Census would appear to indicate that perhaps more children may have been born and migrated into South Carolina with their father and stepmother. In William's 1840 household, a male aged 20-30, a female aged 10-15, and a female aged 30-40 are present and unidentified - the second woman in the 30-40 age bracket is obviously his wife Sarah Ives Ross - was the first woman (aged 30-40) one of his daughters?

As stated before, no real proof that Sarah was an Ives has been found to date; this is the surname passed down through the family. Appearing to confirm this is the fact that family stated the Joseph Freeman Ives and Sarah Ann Ross were cousins; however, this could have led to the assumption that Sarah Ross was an Ives......

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Census Year 1830

No William Ross found to date in South Carolina that is of the correct age range (between forty and fifty) with the correct number of children. No Willam Ross is found in Sumter or Kershaw County to date (ancesty.com may not yet have an every name index for this year or he may have indexed incorrectly).

The following William Ross's are found in the ancestry index:

William Ross - Barnwell County, South Carolina
William Ross Edgefield County, South Carolina
Wm Ross Lancaster, Lancaster County, South Carolina
Wm Ross Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Wm Ross Spartanburg County, South Carolina
Anthony W Ross Pendleton Village, Anderson County , South Carolina
W Ross Chester County, South Carolina

Although the two eldest known children of William and his second wife Sarah, are said to have been born cr. 1830 in South Carolina - it is possible that they were still in North Carolina in 1830 therefore, the following Wm Ross's are shown in the ancestry index for that state:

William Ross District 1, Edgecombe County, North Carolina
William Ross Surry County, North Carolina
Willis Ross Anson County , North Carolina (the Ives family migrated from Anson County to Sumter County)
Wm Ross Log House, Beaufort County, North Carolina
Wm Ross Guilford County, North Carolina
Joseph w Ross Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

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Census Year: 1840; Census Place: , Sumter, South Carolina; Roll: 515; Page: 31 Enumerated by William S. Richardson, accessed using ancestry.com online subscription on August 29 2007

Wm Ross head of household - 2 males aged 5-10 (William Jr. and James), 1 male aged 20-30 (--?--), 1 aged 50-60 (William Sr.); 1 female 0-5 (Catherine), 1 female 5-10 (Sarah), 2 females 10-15 (Mariah and (--?--), 1 female 20-30 (--?--) and 2 females 30-40 (Sarah Ives Ross and (--?--), 22 slaves, 7 family members working in agriculture, 2 in maintenance and trade

Note: There are three unidentified individuals in this census record - 1 male aged 20-30, 1 female aged 10-15, and 1 female aged 30-40 - this could mean that some of William's children from his first marriage were in South Carolina for a time.

neighbors included: Bracey, James Barnes?, Wiley Wilson, Charlotte Cato, W.H. Hunt, Thos. L. Smith, Daniel Mathis, Levi Burkett, Daniel A. Weldon, John N. McLeod (see note regarding the McLeods in the 1850 Census information below)

The Ives family is enumerated on page 34 of the Sumter District Census

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1840-1850

Series Number: S165015 Year: 1849 Item: 00128 ignore: 00 Date: 1849/10

Description: INHABITANTS OF CLAREMONT COUNTY, SUMTER DISTRICT,

PETITION ASKING THAT A BALLOT BOX BE PLACED AT CAPT. RICHBOURGHS MUSTER GROUND ON RAFTING CREEK.

(4 PAGES) Names Indexed:

• ROSS, WILLIAM A.
• ROSS, WILLIAM
• CAPELL, WILLIAM H.
• CAPELL, C. A.
• CAPELL, N. H.
• CAPELL, WILLIAM H. JR.
• CAPELL, THOMAS J.
• ROSS, JAMES M.
• BELL, WILLIAM K
• WATTS, W. T.
• JONES, ROBERT
• DICKSON, JAMES
• RICHBOURG, R. L. Y.
• DICKSON, S. M.
• MCRADY, THOMAS
• RICHBOURG, B. R. A.
• DIXON, BENJAMIN
• RICHBOURG, J. A.
• RICHBOURG, JOHN JAMES T
• RICHBOURG, T. S. S.

Locations: RAFTING CREEK/SUMTER DISTRICT/CLAREMONT COUNTY

Type: PETITION/ Topics: POLLS/MUSTER GROUNDS

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Year: 1850; Census Place: Sumter, Sumter, South Carolina; Roll: M432_859; Page: 384; Image: 153. Enumerated on the 9th day of October 1850 by J.M. Stuckey accessed using ancestry.com online subscription on August 29 2007

Wm. Ross aged 66 Planter born in Scotland Household 1215
Sarah Ross aged 50 born in North Carolina
Wm Ross aged 21 Laborer born in South Carolina property value $1000
Mariah Ross aged 23 born in South Carolina (birth year 1827)
J.L. Ross aged 17 born in South Carolina
Sarah Ross aged 15 born in South Carolina
Catherine aged 13 born in South Carolina
Daniel aged 10 or 11 born in South Carolina

neighbors included: Bracey, Hester E. Dixon, Charles A. Gaylord, L or S. J. Bradley (with an Elizabeth McLeod aged 31, a John N. McLeod aged 12, Francis H. McLeod aged 10, Mary C. McLeod aged 8, Margaret McLeod aged 4, Elizabeth aged 2 - the identities of these McLeods is unknown to date - however, in the 1840 Sumter Census a John N. McLeod was shown as a neighbor of Wm. Ross - Elizabeth McLeod may have been his widow in 1850. 1840 Sumter Census enumeration for John N. McLeod aged 20-30, 1 male aged 0-5 (Francis H.), 1 males aged 5-10 (John N. McLeod Jr.), 1 female aged 0-5 (not represented in 1850), 1 female aged 20 - 30 Elizabeth)

Note: the Ives Family was enumerated two days later (household 1264)- their homestead was located on Harvest Road which connects with Ross Farm Road - so it is surprising just how many families were enumerated in between the two families. It appears that on the 10th of October, Mr. Stuckey was enumerating merchants, taylors and other "town" occupations indicating that perhaps he traveled to the Ross Farm Road and Harvest Road area of Sumter on two separate days and so the enumerations are somewhat out of order.

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1860-1870

The 1860 Bradford Springs Sumter County Census shows that 2 of the children had married between 1850 and 1860, but that both those children remained living on either side of William and Sarah on family property. William, the eldest son remained at home along with Daniel (Donald) Sarah Ann and Katherine. Sarah's age appears to be correct in this census, it is shown as age 55 (confirmed by the 1870 in which she is shown as aged 65)

dwelling number 542 The enumeration date was 23 Aug 1860. 1860 U.S. Federal Census Roll: M653_1227 State: South Carolina Page: 124 County: Sumter Year: 1860 Twp.: Bradford Springs

William age 76 Farmer Scotland;
Sarah age 55;
Wm. A. age 30 Overseer;
Daniel J. age 18;
Sarah A age 23;
Katherine (Catherine) age 21

neighbors: Daughter Mariah Ross Richburg at house 541; son James M. Ross at house 542, Matthew W. Ives at house 543; Charles J. Ives at house 544;

Henry and Sarah Catoe at house 545, Mary E. Boykin at house 546; J.H or N. McLeod and mother? Mary at house 547 (no known relationship to our McLeods) and Washington Bracy at house 548, William and Amanda Ives at house 568, George Washington and Margaret Brown

Mariah Ross married William Richburg about 1855; their first child Katherine was born in that year and is present in their household in 1860 along with Henry and Timmy.

James Ross married Mary P. Jones sometime during 1855. Their first child, Lara Ann was born in 1856 according to the census; a second child named Alice was aged 3 months. James and his family would appear to have built a house on the property of his parents at his marriage as his parents are shown at household 542 while James is shown at 543.

It is apparent that the township line passed between the area where the Ives and the Ross's lived respectively. In the 1860 Census, the Ross's are enumerated in the Bradford Springs Township while the Ives family is in Rafting Creek Township. I have been to the homestead properties of both families and the properties lie very close in proximity to each other, which confirms the family stories of the children of both families growing up together and being all the closest of friends.

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Death of William Ross

During a research trip to Sumter County and the subsequent Sumter Courthouse visit, the estate file of William Ross was found. William died in October of 1861 without leaving a Will. This fact was testified to in Probate Court by the widowed Sarah Ives Ross and their eldest son, William A. Ross, their youngest son Daniel Ross and a gentleman by the name of Levi Burkett whose association with the family is unknown at this time. Estate File of William A. Ross, accessed and copied at the Sumter County Courthouse, SC by Lori McLeod Wilke June 2005

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The Children of Willam Ross and Sarah Ann Ross Ives

1. Mariah Ross born Abt. 1829 on Ross Farm Road in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died unknown in unknown buried unknown married to William H.M. Richburg born Abt. 1829 died between 1860 and 1870 - likely killed in Confederate Service.

Year 1860 - at dwelling no. 541; The enumeration date was 23 Aug 1860. 1860 U.S. Federal Census Roll: M653_1227 State: South Carolina Page: 124 County: Sumter Year: 1860 Twp.: Bradford Springs

William H.A. Richburg age 32 Taylor;
Mariah B age 32; (birth year 1828)
Katherine L age 5;
Henry W age 2;
Infant age 4 months (Timmy)

Year: 1870 Census Bradford Springs Sumter South Carolina, img 1, line 18 family 6

William Ross is deceased and the farm is being run by his son William A. Ross - Mariah's husband was apparently killed in the War Between the States and she is found living with her brother and mother.

William A. Ross agd 40 farmer
Sarah A Ross aged 65 $1000 $400
Maria Richbourg aged 32 (should have been 42 according to previous census records)
Catherine Richburg aged 12
Henry Richburg aged 10 (should be twelve)
Timmy Richburg aged 8 (should be ten)
Donald Richburg aged 6

Children of Mariah Ross and William H. Richburg

1. Katherine L Richburg born abt 1855 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina United States of America died unknown in unknown
2. Henry W Richbourgh born abt 1858 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina United States of America died unknown in unknown in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died unknown in unknown
3. Timmy Richburg born abt 1860 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina United States of America died unknown in unknown
4. Smith Richburg born abot 1862 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina Confederate States of America died unknown in unknown
5. Donald Richburg born about 1864 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina Confederate States of America died unknown in unknown

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2. William A. Ross born Abt. 1830 on Ross Farm Road in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died after 1870

Year: 1870 Census Bradford Springs Sumter South Carolina, , , img 1, line 18 family 6

William A. Ross agd 40 farmer
Sarah A Ross aged 65 $1000 $400
Maria Richbourg aged 32 (should have been 42 according to previous census records)
Catherine Richburg aged 12
Henry Richburg aged 10
Smith Richburg aged 8
Donald Richburg aged 6

William A. Ross has not been found in the 1880 Sumter or Kershaw county census in which he would have been around the age of 50; a William N. Ross has been found in Charleston with an occupation of Blacksmith there is no proof that this was our Wiliam. The census shows him as aged 55 (five years too old) and married to a woman named Sarah who was aged 45. The census also states that this Wiiliam Ross' father was born in Scotland however we cannot claim this with any certainty as our William. Further researching should bear in mind however, that the younger son, James M. Ross was the administrator of the estate of Sarah Ann Ross in 1875 - this could indicate that William was no longer living locally and administration was given to the son who remained local.

Possible Census: Wm. N. ROSS Self M

Male W 55 SC Blacksmith SCOT SC Sarah ROSS Wife M Female W 45 SC Keeping House SC SC 1880 Source Information: Census Place Charleston, Charleston, South Carolina Family History Library Film 1255221 NA Film Number T9-1221 Page Number 37B

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3. James Ross aka Captain Jimmy Ross born May 03, 1832 Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died December 26, 1906 buried Tirzah Presbyterian Church married to Mary P. Jones

Military - 1st Lt. , Nelson's Battalion (Enfield Rifles) General Johnston American War between the States - Survived - James enlisted on January 14 1862 along with Charles, James and William Ives. Charles never served and James and William Ives were K.I.A. at Fort Wagner and Adams Run.

7th SC Nelsons Battalion Company E (Enfield Rifles) - Had men from Kershaw, Sumter, Richland, Clarendon, Barnwell, Edgefield, Fairfield, Colleton, Lexington, Chesterfield and Orangeburg Districts. Its commander was Captain B. E. Boykin. Because all the companies of the battalion had been raised directly for Confederate service "for the war," they were designated to be equipped with Enfield Rifles, which were in short supply at the time. Thus, the battalion is often referred to as the 7th SC Battalion (Enfield Rifles). The battalion itself is also frequently referred to as Nelson's Battalion or Rion's Battalion as those men were its only commanders. Source: James A Gabel

Year: 1870 Census Place Bradford Springs, Sumter, South Carolina Post Office: Spring Hill Roll:M593_1509 Page: 23 Image: 45 (1)

James Ross, aged 37 S C White Male
Mary Ross aged 32 b. 1837 S C White Female
Laura Ross aged 14 b. 1855 S C White Female
Salmon Ross aged 4 b. 1865 S C White Male
Sarah Ross aged 9 b. 1860 S C White Female
Sarah A Ross aged 65 b. 1804 South Carolina White Female (note mother Sarah is also found in William's household in this census- see above)
Wallace Ross aged 2 b. 1867 South Carolina White Male

Year 1880 Census Place Spring Hill, Sumter, South Carolina Family History Library Film 1255241 NA Film Number T9-1241 Page Number 261A

James M. ROSS Self M Male W 47 SC Farmer SC SC;
Mary P. ROSS Wife M Female W 44 SC Kpg House SC SC;
Laura E. ROSS Dau S Female W 23 SC At Home SC SC;
Sarah A. ROSS Dau S Female W 16 SC At Home SC SC;
Thomas Salmond ROSS Son Male W 14 SC At Home SC SC;
William W. ROSS Son S Male W 11 SC At Home SC SC;
Susan E. ROSS Dau S Female W 9 SC SC SC;
Katie F(lorence). ROSS Dau S Female W 6 SC SC SC;
Wade Hampton ROSS Son S Male W 4 SC SC SC

neighbor: three doors down - Charles J. Ives

Children of Captain Jimmy and Mary P. Jones Ross

1. Lara A. Ross born Abt. 1856 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died unknown married after 1880 to T.M. Bradley
   1. One known child – Malcolm Bradley
2. Alice Ross born Abt. 1860 in Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died unknown - not present in household in 1870
3. Sarah Ann Ross born July 9, 1861 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died July 12, 1938 in Sumter South Carolina buried Tirzah Presbyterian Church

   1900 Providence, Sumter South Carolina, enumerated June 26th, 27th, 28th 1900 Roll T623_1543 page 13B Enumeration District 120

   Allen Creighton aged 36
   Katie F. Crieghton aged 38 (should be aged 27 or 28)
   Mary E. Creighton aged 8
   James A.M. Creighton aged 3
   Eva L. aged 10 months
   SARAH ANN ROSS Aged 37 Sister in law

1910 United States Federal Census Providence, Sumter, South Carolina

Hampton Ross 33
Susan Emma Ross 48 Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Female - this is probably Sarah Ann Ross - see mystery section below
Florence Creyton 36
Allen Creyton 13

South Carolina Death Index - Department of Health 1915-1949 Ancestry.com Historical Records subscription accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke on August 31st 2007

Sarah Ross died July 12 1938 aged 78 years - Volume 47 Death Certificate Number 20197

4. Thomas Salmond Ross born 1866 married in 1885 to Sarah J. Burgiss buried at Providence South Methodist

   Sarah's sister Celia Burgis married William McLeod Gaylord - William was the son of Sarah "Sally" McLeod and Willis Gaylord - Sally McLeod Gaylord was the sister of my great great grandfather Jesse Lazarus McLeod (children of Harriet Yates and Alexander E. McLeod)

Year: 1900; Census Place: Raften Creek, Sumter, South Carolina; Roll: T623 1543; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 121 accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com subscripton on line August 30th 2007

Thomas S Ross 34 married 15 years
Sarah J Ross 31
Mary A Ross 14 b. 1886
Raudall c Ross 11 b. 1889
Maud L Ross 8 b. 1892
Livy E Ross 6 b. 1894
Emina L Ross 3 b. 1897
Ethel J Ross 1 b. 1899

Year: 1910; Census Place: Raften Creek, Sumter, South Carolina; Roll: T624 1465; Page: 4B; Enumeration District: 113 image 701 accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com subscripton on line August 30th 2007

Salmon Ross aged 44
Sarah Ross aged 41
Maud Ross aged 18
Edna Ross aged 16
Lena Ross aged 13
Ethel Ross aged 11
Britton Ross aged 9
Robert Ross aged 7
James T. Ross aged 10 months

neighbors - Sarah J. Ross's parents, Paul and Mary Burgess

Year 1920 Providence Sumter, South Carolina Roll T625_1712 pg 12B Emuration District 139 image 927 enumearted January 27th and 28th 1920 accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com subscripton on line August 31st 2007

T.S. Ross aged 53 Farmer owns property
Sarah Ross aged 50
Robert Dalton Ross aged 16
James T. Ross aged 10

Children of Thomas and Sarah:

1. Mary Alice Ross (June 15, 1886 - ????) + Frank Caughman (???? - ????)
2. Randall Clinton Ross (October 18, 1888 - ????) + Attie Hawkins (???? - ????)
3. Maud Louise Ross (1891 - 1945) + William Carl Scarborough (1892 - 1961) buried at Providence South Methodist
4. Livie Edna Ross (November 23, 1894 - ?, 1977) + John Albert McLeod (1881 - 1976)
5. Emma Lena Ross (June 7, 1896 - July 23, 1978) + James Robert Yates (Sept. 26, 1880 - June 7, 1957) buried at Providence South Methodist
6. Ethel Irene Ross (Sept. 22, 1898 - ????) + Walter Weldon
7. Thomas Britton Ross (July 24, 1900 - ????) left home in 1923, whereabouts unknown
8. Robert Dalton Ross (April 6, 1903 - September 12, 1978) + Katie Boykin (September 22, 1903 - April 3, 1985)
9. Hattie Leola Ross (November 26, 1905 - ????) (twin died in infancy)
10. Leonard Hay Ross (November 26, 1905 - ????) (twin died in infancy)
11. James Thornwell Ross (June 22, 1908 - August 13, 1987) + Leila Lewis (January 15, 1908 - February 15, 1984)

Children of Captain Jimmy and Mary P. Jones Continued

5. William W. Ross born 1869
6. Susan Emma Ross born cr. 1871 married to Jesse F. Smith -

The 1880 Census shows her age as 9 giving her a birth year of 1871 which certainly fits in with the ages of her siblings.

She is named as a household member of her brother Hampton's 1910 home AGED 48 - in 1910, she would have been about 38 or 39 years old. It appears that someone in the household gave the wrong sister's name for the woman living there in 1910.

The following is likely to be Susan Emma's actual 1910 Census enumeration:

1910 DeKalb Kershaw South Carolina Census accessed August 31st 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com census subscription online

Jesse F. Smith aged
Susan E. Smith aged 37
James C. Smith aged 4 (birth year 1896)
Mary A. aged 18 months (birth year 1898)

Note: A circa 1910 photo shows Susan Emma Ross and Jesse Smith with 4 children but this census enumeration allows for the birth of Jesse F. Smith Jr. about 1910 which corresponds with his age (13) at his death in the Cleveland School Fire - I believe the wrong child was labeled as Jesse Smith Jr. in the photo in light of the discovery of this census. See below:

Jesse F. Smith Jr. (not shown in this census born shortly after it was taken) died on May 17th 1923 in the Cleveland School Fire (Death Certificate 7879 - SC Death Index accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke on August 31st 2007 at ancestry.com historical records - subscription)

7. Katherine Florence Ross born February 12, 1873 1861 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died February 5, 1973 Sumter County South Carolina buried Tirzah Presbyterian Church married to Unknown Creighton who was deceased by 1910 when Florence and her son Allen are found living with her brother, Hampton and sister Susan Emma (see below)

One known Child - Allen Creighton

1900 Providence, Sumter South Carolina, enumerated June 26th, 27th, 28th 1900 Roll T623_1543 page 13B Enumeration District 120

Allen Creighton aged 36
Katie F. Crieghton aged 38 (should be aged 27 or 28)
Mary E. Creighton aged 8
James A.M. Creighton aged 3
Eva L. aged 10 months
SARAH ANN ROSS Aged 37 Sister in law

1910 United States Federal Census Providence, Sumter, South Carolina

Hampton Ross 33
Susan Emma Ross 48 Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Female - this is probably Sarah Ann Ross - see below
Florence Creyton 36
Allen Creyton 13

8. Wade Hampton Ross born June 27, 1876 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died November 5, 1951 Sumter County South Carolina buried Tirzah Presbyterian Church

   1910 United States Federal Census Providence, Sumter, South Carolina

   Hampton Ross aged 33
   Susan Emma Ross aged 48 Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Female
   Florence Creyton (Creighten) aged 36
   Allen Creyton aged 13

   1918 WWI Draft Registration accessed August 31 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com historical records search, subscription

   Serial number 2379 Order number 1446
   Wade Hampton Ross
   Address: Rt. 4 Sumter Sumter South Carolina
   Birthday: June 27 1876
   Occupation: Farmer Employer Self
   Employment address: Rt 4 Sumter, Sumter South Carolina
   nearest relative: T.S. Ross Providence LEE County SC
   Tall, Eyes Gray, Hair Light Black
   4 pieces of bone missing in right leg
   Witness: illegible McLeod (John Albert McLeod was a brother in law but it doesn't appear to his signature or that of Edna - it almost looks like Twenty H. McLeod)

   1920 Providence, Sumter, South Carolina Roll T625_1712 page 27 B Enumeration District 138 Image 889 accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com census on line subscription August 31 2007

   Ross Hampton aged 44 Farmer Single

   1930 Sumter, Sumter South Carolina Census Red Road Household #50 Enumeration District 33, Image 4840, Roll2214 page 3B accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com census on line subscription August 31 2007

   W.N. McLeod Renting age 57 (cousin by marriage to Hampton)
   Peelee McLeod age 56
   Cecil McLeod age 23
   Sarah M. McLeod age 16
   Hampton Ross aged 52 Single Boarding Farm Laborer (Cousin of Stepmother Rosa Ives McLeod)

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4. Sarah Ann Ross born Abt. 1835 Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died April 01, 1902 Sumter District Sumter South Carolina buried at Tirzah Presbyterian Church married aft 1865 to Joseph Freeman Ives born Abt. 1834Rafting Creek, Sumter District, South Carolina died December 12, 1909 Sumter District Sumter South Carolina buried Tirzah Presbyterian Church

Census Year 1870, Rafting Creek, Sumter County, South Carolina

Joseph F. Ives aged 35 - personal property value was $165.00;
Sarah Ann (Ross), aged 32;
James W., aged 2,
Mary aged 1/2, and
Catherine age 1/2.

Next Door dwelling no. 270

Ives, Julia A aged 64 Keeping house; real estate $500.00 personal $100
Eugenia aged 24 without occupation;
Mary aged 21 without occupation ( note: Eugenia should have been 30 and Mary 24)

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5. Catherine Ross born Abt. 1837 Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died unknown Sumter District Sumter South Carolina

Catherine is not present in any of her family's 1870 census enumerations - it is unknown whether she had passed away between 1860 and 1870 or had been married during that decade.

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6. Daniel aka Donald J Ross Abt. 1840 Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina furloughed November 28, 1862 died December 1862 while serving in Co D. 2nd South Carolina Infantry of Typhoid/dysentry.

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The War Between The States
From the notes of Donald Ross McLeod Jr., namesake of Donald Ross

January 7, 1861, Captain John S. Richardson, had organized a militia under the Act of the General Assembly of South Carolina which allowed the state to raise a military force (passed in December 1860). Both Donald Ross and Joseph Freeman Ives had joined this militia, and on April 8 1861, they, along with other boys and men from Sumter and Sumter County, would be mustered in Confederate Service as Company D., of the 2nd South Carolina Infantry (The Sumter Volunteers).

They left for Morris Island soon after muster, near Charleston. The Company, along with other units of the 2nd South Carolina were there when Ft Sumter was shelled on the 12th of April 1861.

Company D and the 2nd SC Infantry remained at Morris Island until the 26th of April 1861 when Gov. Pickens ordered the unit to Virginia under Colonel Joseph B. Kershaw.

Donald and Joe fought side by side as Infantry men. They fought gallantly at 1st Manassas, Sharpsburg and Antietam. At the end of the first year of enlistment, Donald re-enlisted with the Infantry while, on March 22 1862, Joe Ives had joined with Sgt. Hugh Garden of Sumter to form an artillery unit. On April 8 1862, the unit became known as Garden's Battery of the Palmetto Light Artillery. The unit was formed of seasoned veterans of the 2nd SC and new recruits.

Donald continued fighting with Co. D, 2nd SC Infantry. On October 31, 1862, enroute with the 2nd, the men came to the Shenandoah River. Donald and several other young men, stripped to their B.V.D's, removed their boots and proceeded to brave the sharp rocks and icy water to cross the river. A few days later, Donald was hospitalized with pneumonia. In late fall of 1862, after a "time out" from the war at Centerville, Virginia, where many of the men became sick with measles, diphtheria and typhoid-dysentery, the 2nd was furloughed back to South Carolina. Many men died of disease at Centerville. Donald , stricken with typhoid-dysentery, was able to return to South Carolina where he was placed in hospital at Charleston.

On November 22, 1862, Donald’s sister, Sarah Ann Ross, hitched the mule to the wagon for the long trip to Charleston from Sumter. The family had received word that Donald would be granted sick furlough to recover at home. Taking several blankets and a quilt and laying out a straw mattress in the back of the wagon, Sarah Ann began the journey.

Donald received his furlough on November 23, 1862. After two days on the road, he and Sarah Ann arrived home where Sarah (Sallie) Ross fed him, and put him to bed. Donald Ross died in his own bed on November 28 1862.

 

Donald Ross is listed on the Sumter Monument to the Confederate Dead.

Sarah Ann, Donald's sister, married Joe Ives after the war. Their daughter, Mary Rosa Ives McLeod, named her only child after Donald Ross. He, in turn, named his only son the same. Donald Ross McLeod Jr., named his eldest son, Kevin Ross in honor of Donald and the Ross family

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The Death of Sarah Ann Ives Ross
Sumter County Probate/General Index B 170 pkg 7 dated March 8 1873 - James M. Ross, son, Administrative Bond

The Estate of Sarah Ann Ross entered probate on March 8th 1873 and was administered by James Ross.

The warrantors of her estate were

James M. Ross, (son)
William A. Ross (son)
Joseph Freeman Ives (son in law) and
Issaic H. Bracey (neighbor)

Appraisers were

J.J. Leitner,
Charles Ives (brother of Joseph Freeman Ives),
Mr. Capell, Jr.
John Cato and
Sebastian James.

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1890 - 1900's

In December of 1894, Mary Rosa Ives, the daughter of Saran Ann Ross and Joseph Freeman Ives (see child number 4 in William and Sarah's children) married Jesse Lazarus McLeod. Jesse's first wife, Maggie Josey had died earlier that year in giving birth to twin boys. The twins were fostered at three weeks of age but there were 6 children remaining at home at Whites Mill for Mary Rosa to stepmother. In February of 1896, Mary Rosa and Jesse had their only child, a son named Donald Ross McLeod; Donald was named after Donald Ross (aka Daniel) who had died in the War between the States (see War Between the States above).

Mary Rosa had a difficult pregnancy and delivery, perhaps explaining why only one child was born of her marriage to Jesse. After Donald's birth, the survival of both was in doubt. The two were sent to Sarah Ann and Joseph's home to recover but when Jesse went to bring them home, the grandparents refused to allow Donald to return to Whites Mill with his parents. The story goes that they were afraid that Rosa would be unable to care for the infant along with the duties of a miller's wife with several other children. Donald Ross McLeod would spent the first 9 years of his life with his grandparents, even past his grandmother's death in 1902.

From 1902 until Joseph's death in 1909, Donald and his grandfather would divide their time between their home in Sumter and the Ives Dairy in Florida where Joseph and Sarah's only son, James William, had migrated with the railroad. After Joseph's death, Donald would continue to live between the two states and various relatives; this pattern of constantly changing residency would continue until Donald was a married man with four children of his own.

In 1904, Mary Rosa's stepson, Angus Robert McLeod, married her first cousin Betty Ives, who was the daughter of Rosa's uncle Charles J. Ives (one of the appraisors of Sarah Ann Ross's 1873 estate (see just above).

In 1907, a second stepson, James Ervin McLeod, married Betty's sister, Della Blanding Ives.

In 1917, another stepson, John Albert McLeod, married Rosa's 1st cousin 1 generation removed Edna Ross. Edna was the daughter of Thomas Salmond Ross and the granddaughter of Capt. Jimmy Ross (see child number 3 in William and Sarah Ross's children).

John and Edna Ross McLeod would remain in Sumter for the balance of their lives, while Angus and Betty moved to Charleston along with James and Dellah.

On May 17 1923, 300 people, many our family members, attended a play at the Cleveland School in Sandy Mill, Kershaw County. Tragically, a lamp fell from the ceiling onto the stage of the second floor hall where the play was being held, causing the burning oil to ignite the straw and oilcloth used as set decorations.

The Ross and McLeod families suffered losses on that dreadful day, those killed included:

Mannius Baum McLeod, first cousin of Jesse Lazarus McLeod
Miller McLeod and his family, first cousin 1 x removed from Jesse Lazarus McLeod
Bernell McLeod and his family, first cousin 1 x removed from Jesse Lazarus McLeod
Jesse Smith aged 13, son of S. Ross and J. Smith (see notes below) first cousin 2 x removed of Mary Rosa Ives McLeod

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Some Family Mysteries

Susan Emma Ross Smith or Sara Ann Ross Smith - Just who exactly was the mother of JESSIE SMITH?

In October of 2000, I was given the family photograph below by my father, Donald Ross McLeod Jr.

Although it cannot be seen in this scanned image, the photograph is labeled - The mother is labeled as "Susan Emma Ross Smith" and the father is labeled "Jesse Smith". The only child named in the photo was the infant seated in the lap of its mother - "Jesse Smith, burned to death in the Cleveland School Fire" is what is written about this child and then pointed out with an arrow (the line of which can be seen in the scanned image).

The Cleveland School Fire occurred on May 17th 1923 and the memorial plaque placed at the site of the school stated that Jesse Smith died at age thirteen - therefore if the child in the mother's lap was Jesse Smith Jr. , this photograph was taken cr. 1910.

So, what is the mystery? In 1910, Susan Emma Ross is single aged 48 and said to be living in the home of her also single brother Hampton Ross and her widowed sister Florence Ross Creighton and a child, Allen Creighton.

How then is Susan Emma Ross the woman in this cr. 1910 photograph with four children?

Despite the 1910 census enumeration of Wade Hampton Ross and his household, which states that Susan Emma was living with him, unmarried and aged 48, all the other records indicate that the woman living with him was SARAH ANN ROSS, another sister who never married and spent most of her adult life living with her younger sister, Katherine Florience Ross Creighton.

The following are the records of Sarah Ann Ross according research in August 2007:

1. Sarah Ann Ross born July 9, 1861 in Bradford Springs Sumter District Sumter South Carolina died July 12, 1938 in Sumter South Carolina buried Tirzah Presbyterian Church

   1900 Providence, Sumter South Carolina, enumerated June 26th, 27th, 28th 1900 Roll T623_1543 page 13B Enumeration District 120

   Allen Creighton aged 36
   Katie F. Crieghton aged 38 (should be aged 27 or 28) (FLORENCE ROSS CREIGHTON)
   Mary E. Creighton aged 8
   James A.M. Creighton aged 3
   Eva L. aged 10 months
   SARAH ANN ROSS Aged 37 Sister in law

Note that in the next census, Florence is widowed and she and one child are living with their brother Hampton and maiden sister - since that maiden sister was Sarah Ann in 1900 in stands to reason that it was she who was aged 48 in 1910 and still living with the now widowed or divorced Florence.

1910 United States Federal Census Providence, Sumter, South Carolina

Hampton Ross 33
Susan Emma Ross 48 Marital Status: Single Race: White Gender: Female - this is probably Sarah Ann Ross - see mystery section below
Florence Creyton 36
Allen Creyton 13

South Carolina Death Index - Department of Health 1915-1949 Ancestry.com Historical Records subscription accessed by Lori McLeod Wilke on August 31st 2007

Sarah Ross died July 12 1938 aged 78 years - Volume 47 Death Certificate Number 20197

Note that the tombstone of Sarah Ann Ross, which lies near to her brother Hampton at Tirzah Presbyterian shows the same age and death date as the Death Certificate.

Is the photograph of the Smith Family labeled incorrectly?

Upon finding the 1910 census enumeration of Hampton's household showing SUSAN EMMA as unmarried and aged 48, I at first believed that we had the two woman confused completely - yet as shown above - the records bear out the fact that it was Sarah Ann who was in that household and not Susan Emma.

So, that begs the question..........if Jesse Smith Jr. was aged 13 at this death on May 17 1923 in the Cleveland School fire and therefore was born in 1910 but that years census for Susan Emma and her husband Jesse F. Smith shows only TWO children alive in 1910 - then how could he be the youngest child in the photo?

I believe that Jesse Smith Jr. was the child in his FATHER's lap and not the infant in the mother's lap - dating the photograph then would be cr. 1912 and not 1910. This belief is based upon the following census record:

1910 DeKalb Kershaw South Carolina Census accessed August 31st 2007 by Lori McLeod Wilke ancestry.com census subscription online

Jesse F. Smith aged
Susan E. Smith aged 37
James C. Smith aged 4 (birth year 1896)
Mary A. aged 18 months (birth year 1898)

Look at the photograph again:

The oldest child is likely to be James C. Smith aged 4 in 1910

The little girl to the right is likely to be Mary A. Smith who was 18 months in 1910

The boy in the father's lap looks to be about 2 years of age - so he is likely to be Jesse F. Smith born after the 1910 census - therefore, Susan was probably expecting him while the census was being taken...

The infant in Susan's lap is unidentified - perhaps we will learn that identity upon finding the 1920 census enumeration for this family.

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Are all the photos on the right correctly labeled?

I am grateful to Harvey Scarborough for allowing me to use the photographs from his site here on this page to help us all get a clear idea of who every one else is - yet, comparing a few of his photographs with those in my collection have caused me some questioning.....have we labeled some of the older photos correctly?

My own collection includes a photograph of Livie Edna Ross McLeod and another of her husband, my grand uncle John Albert McLeod:

Harvey Scarborough's collection includes a family photograph believed to have been taken at Thomas Salmon Ross and Sarah J. Burgess' 50th wedding celebration cr. 1935:

The woman standing first on the left of the photo is labeled as Edna Ross McLeod - Edna would have been 41 years old in 1935 - this woman appears to be much older than 41 - compare with the photo below in which Edna's husband John Albert is said to be the first man standing on the left of the photo - he appears much younger than the woman described as his wife in the above photo which appears from the clothing of Salmon and Sarah to have been taken on the same day - I believe the woman on the far right may be Edna Ross McLeod.

If you can verify the labeling on these photos, please email:

If you'd like to help us identify additional photos: please visit our Mystery Photographs - page.

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