Where it all began
Every family carries a story, and ours begins in the lush, rolling parish of Saint Mary on Jamaica's northeast coast. Long before passports, plane tickets, and family group chats, our great-grandparents made their lives among the banana fields, breadfruit trees, and red-dirt roads of two small communities that would shape who we are: Gayle and Lucky Hill.
This is the story of how we got here — and a reminder of what we carry with us wherever we go.
A family is born
In Retreat St. Mary, Johnny Martin McLeod fathered his first child Ernest Martin with Rhoda Neal in 1902. He subsequently courted and married Lily Martin and together they bore four children Ferdine, Ida, Gervaise and Hastings. These children were raised with the name McLeod. Though Rhoda Neal went on her separate way to have three other children, Edith, Ivan and Evelyn, her first born Ernest grew up in the Martins home. Johnny Martin died prematurely and Lily Martin subsequently had her last son Wellesley Ernest Johnson. Lily Martin was the mother of the clan.
A second generation is born
Edna Coward accepted a marriage proposal from Ernest Martin who had moved to Lucky Hill in pursuit of his work. Their wedding brought together the Coward and Martin families. Edna was the daughter of Alexander Coward, and her siblings included Ruby, Claire, Daphne, Una, Lenard, Frank and Alan. Ernest and Edna bore five children Keith, Delroy, Winston, Lilly, and Ossie. Ernest Martin also fathered Newton.
Edna Martin died prematurely, and Ernest remarried to Hilda. Together they had three children Lorna, Florine and Lucille.
Ferdine had no children of his own.
Ida married Fyffe and bore Cordell and Claudine. She subsequently had Sid after Fyffe died.
Gervaise McLeod fathered children Coreen also known as Elaine, Mitsy, Teddy, Hugh, Vincent, Garth, Jennifer, Gervaise also known as Val, Barry, Bonnie and Trevor.
Hastings McLeod bore Bibbs, Grace, Bertie, Ossie and Glen.
Wellesley, with his surviving wife Mildred, fathered children Junior, Errol, Dawn, twins Janice and Janet, and Ester.
Of the other Cowards Edna was referenced above, Daphne had Joyce, Unna had Paulette and Shirley, Claire had no children, Ruby had Marcia and Charmaine. Alan had Kathleen, Keith and Sissy. Frank had Roy. Lenard had Hector, Corrine, Thelma also known as Dimples, Barbara and Angeline.
From two villages to the world
From the days of being a close-knit family in St, Mary, home to many loving memories, the families grew and spread out motivated primarily by seeking education, better opportunities for our families and even seeking adventure.
We are represented by over two hundred members collectively and we can be found around the world. Our largest contingencies are in Florida and in the surrounding areas of Toronto, Canada. We remain rooted in Jamaica, and we also reside in New Hampshire, New York, Georgia, Texas, Nebraska, Great Brittain and Australia.
From the days of being close we have become somewhat fragmented and out of touch with many of us not knowing each other. Despite this we still proudly share a great family heritage with many milestones and accomplishments within our respective communities that can inspire us all.
We come together to become reacquainted and to honor our forefathers and those that have gone on ahead. Together we share the honor and privilege of being a family.
To this end, we celebrate...
The story keeps growing
This page is a living one. As we gather more memories, photographs, names, and stories from our elders, this history will grow with us. If you have something to add — a memory of Gayle, a photograph from Lucky Hill, a story you don't want lost — bring it to the next reunion. We're listening.
One family. Two villages. Countless stories. Always coming home.