_Alexander Alisdair_Crotach MACLEOD _
_Tormod [Norman] MACLEOD _|_[youngest_dau] CAMERON _____________
_Sir_Roderick Ruairidh_Mor MACLEOD _|
| | _Hector Mor MACLEAN _________________
| |_Giles Julia MACLEAN _____|_____________________________________
_Sir Norman MACLEOD __|
| | _____________________________________
| | _Donald MACDONALD ________|_____________________________________
| |_Isabel MACDONALD __________________|
| | _Allan MACDONALD ____________________
| |_Margaret MACDONALD ______|_[Daughter] MACLEOD _________________
|
|--William MACLEOD
|
| _Archibald MACDONALD ________________
| _Donald MACDONALD ________|_Margaret MACDONALD _________________
| _Sir James MACDONALD _______________|
| | | _____________________________________
| | |_Janet MACKENZIE _________|_____________________________________
|_Catharine MACDONALD _|
| _____________________________________
| __________________________|_____________________________________
|_Margaret MACKENZIE ________________|
| _____________________________________
|__________________________|_____________________________________
!BIOGRAPHY: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS--THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society, 1968, pp. 30, 31-32, 36. Progenitor of the MacLeods of Luskintyre. William was born in the island of Berneray in 1661. On the death of his father, Sir Norman MacLeod on the 3rd March 1705, he should have been succeeded by his only son, from the first wife, John MacLeod of Contullich. At the time, no chief resided in Dunvegan, and John MacLeod of Contullich, at the time was Factor of the Estate and shortly afterwards Tutor for the Chief, Norman MacLeod XXII. Circumstances therefore made it necessary for Contullich to reside in close proximity to Dunvegan Castle and for this reason he took possession of two convenient farms at Claiginn and Scor. The tack of Berneray (it ceased to be a liferent with the death of Sir Norman) came into the possession of his widow, Catherine MacDonald of Sleat for one year only (1705-1706). She handed over the tack to her eldest son, William, but she still continued to hold the "Lady's wadset" of lands bought by Sir Norman in Harris in 1698. These included Luskintyre, Hushinish, Shellibost, Taransay, Horgabost, Malaig, Scarp and Fladay. She seems to have retired to Duntuilm Castle for she died there in 1722, and Donald MacLeod of Unish (the Old Trojan) was at the funeral conveying her body to St. Clement's Churchyard in Rodel, Harris. In that year, therefore, William MacLeod fell heir to the "Lady's wadset" (not renounced until 23rd May 1735). He also occupied the farm of Kylis in North Uist from MacDonald of Sleat. He married Margaret, daughter of Captain Kenneth MacKenzie of Suddie. His family, which included Margaret, Lady Clanranald of the '45, the great friend of Flora MacDonald, were born in Berneray. We know that the youngest daughter, Alice, was fostered in the household of Alexander MacRory (MacLeod), tenant in that island. William continued in the tradition of his father, so that the "golden age of Berneray" lasted from 1633 to 1730. Extant classi Gaelic poetry in the Advocates' Library, leaves no doubt that he was a good Patron of the Gaelic bards. In one of their compositions, occur the following verses (translated into English): He occupies the hospitable island, Berneray of the fertile fields, The haunt of bard and heroes Where people with poems trail.
Oft in the mansion of the heir of Norman Is heard the lilt of harps and heavy goblets, And every kind of music playing softly With deftly proportioned tunes to every melody.
Scholars discoure expertly on books In the mansion most welcoming of poetry, Where every legal case is given a right decision By gentlemen expert in the law. For some years, he and his eldest son, Alexander "Younger of Berneray", were the chamberlain and factor of Harris for the Young Chief, Norman 22nd. In 2730, the Chief decided to raise the rent of Berneray, and this increase, William MacLeod "did not undergo to pay". Accordingly he decided to give up his tack, but, of course, he still continue to possess the "Lady's wadset", for which MacLeod was claiming a "superplus", owing to the increase in the value of land. In 1730, William left Berneray and settled in Luskintyre, where he died at the age of 77 in 1738. He was buried in the Churchyard of St. Clement's, Rodel, where his son, Alexander, built a lair for him, with a tombstone, on which is inscribed the following interesting inscription, "Here lieth William MacLeod, eldest son to Sr. N. McLeod of Berneray by K. McDonald daur. to to Sr. J. MacDonald of Slate, who dyed upon ye 18th Febr. 1738 in ye 77th year of his age. he was married to M. McKenzie, eldest daur. to Capt. K. McKenzie of Suddie and by her had sevL. children, 4 of which survived him viz A. his eldest son . . . . R. MacLeod. Wr. to the Signet, his 2d son married to a daur. of Bannatyne of Kiemes in Bute. Margt. married to ye Capt. of Clanranald & Alice to MacNeil of Barray. He was a good husband, a kind parent & master & a sincere friend, remarkable for Charity, Piety, Integrity of life, which made his death much regretted by all his friends and dependents. This Chappel was built by ye said, A. McL and this stone therein by ye said A. McL in honour of his father." William MacLeod I of Luskintyre and Margaret MacKenzie had issue. There were other children born to William MacLeod of Berneray and I of Luskintyre but they died in infancy and their names are not known. He died on the 8th February 1738 and was buried at Rodel in Harris. He was succeeded at Luskintyre by his elder son.
!SOURCE: Rev. Dr. Donald MacKinnon and Alick Morrison, THE MACLEODS -- THE GENEALOGY OF A CLAN, Section II, Edinburgh, The Clan MacLeod Society, 1968, p. 95.