Gerald Alston was born at the Wedge Plantation, and at age four moved to Germantown. In his childhood, he, his brother, and friends would cut and split firewood, used for both cooking and heating. Like his father and grandfather, Gerald went to work for Herman “Duff” Holbrook, who taught him about plantation and wildlife habitat management. He recounted one incident when Holbrook had grabbed a rattlesnake by hand, and had Alston drive the truck while Holbrook held the rattlesnake and relocated it. Another memorable story was a canoe trip out to Six Mile, a property in the middle of the Delta. The trip took place the day before the arrival of Hurricane Hugo (1989). It was raining and rough on the water, and Holbrook wanted to protect the property by opening up a trunk. Alston was frightened, but successfully helped Holbrook with this mission; they arrived safely back on land. After Hugo there was extensive work to do on these lands. Holbrook purchased a backhoe that Alston ran for 25 years, operated now by his son. He recalled taking rides from Will Alston in a wagon trailed behind a tractor, going from Germantown to Hampton Plantation. Will Alston would stop by Gerald Alston’s grandmother, Ella Alston, and give him a ride back home. Alston also talked about visiting with Sue Alston in her later years. He remembered Archibald Rutledge as a friendly man. Alston recalled times when the mosquitoes and biting flies were “terrible”. He remembered a trip to Cat Island to purchase an old Pontiac just for the engine. He described an annual event put on by the South Santee community. Alston continues to enjoy his job with While Oak Forestry working for Mike Prevost, and having his sons, Errol and Gerald Jr., working with him.
Over the course of two interviews delivered in August and September of 2013, Senator Arthur Ravenel discusses his memories of growing up in Charleston and his many personal and professional accomplishments.
Color image depicting south facade of McLeod Plantation. Writing on back of image reads, "1991 McLeod Plantation (James Island) South facade; originally the front of the house until 1925 when the portico was added to the north side."
Color image depicting east facade of McLeod Plantation. Writing on back of image reads, "1991 McLeod Plantation (James Is.) East Facade with kitchen ext. showing in left corner (added in 1925)."
Color image depicting north facade of McLeod Plantation. Writing on back of image reads, "1991 McLeod Plantation (James Is.) North facade. Taken from Country Club Road."
Color image depicting north facade of McLeod Plantation. Writing on back of image reads, "1991 McLeod Plantation 1991 (James Island) North Facade close-up."
Color photograph of Willie McLeod and two women. Writing on back of image reads, "Mr. Willie McLeod, Lady was his house keeper, Mrs. Pope. Marjorie O'Keefe, Clark Grimball's daughter. Approx - 1988."
