Oakland
- Jay Brothers
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
9 Oakhurst Dr. Natchez, MS
Circa 1838-1844. 1.5 story Greek Revival home of brick and stucco
Hentry Chotard gave his daughter Catherine Chotard Eustis (1820-=1877) and her husband Horatio Sprague Eustis (1811-1858) land, and they built Oakland. She was the granddaughter of Maj. Stephen Minor, a member of the Spanish government in the Natchez territory, was the last governor under Spanish rule and held vast lands in the area. A native of Rhode Island, Eustis started as a tutor to Charlotte and ended up marrying her in 1838. He was the son of U.S. Army Brevet General Abraham Eustis and Rebecca S. Eustis. Gen. Eustis served much time in the Florida area, helped with settlement in Central Florida and was honored with the naming of Eustis, FL and Eustis Lake. The mansion is in the midst of a stand of Oak trees on 22.5 acres.
After Eustis' death, in 1857, Catherine's cousin John Duncan Minor (1760-1869) purchased the estate. He wed Rebeca Ann Gustine Minor (1813-1887) in 1829. Her parents were James and Mary Ann Gustine of Pennsylvania and the niece of Stephen Duncan, the very wealthy planter of Natchez. After marriage, the couple returned to Natchez and owned Oakland and Concord estates. Minor was a major cotton planter as well as an important figure in horse breeding and racing with up to 60 thoroughbreds. Then descendants resided on property until 1949.
Then sold to Alan Ward Graning (1931-2018). He was married twice: Loretta "Honee" Stempley Defoe Graning (1932-2020)(m.1951) and Rose Kelly Junkin Graning (1936-1997)(m.1958). He subdivided land and kept 3.5 acres about Oakland.
In 1940, the Minor's daughter Jeanne Marie Minor McDowell (1868-1949) and Seaborn Hyde McDowell (1855-1928)(m.1914) owned it. In 1907, McDowell as Postmaster in Natchez.
In 1949, the home was sold out of the Minor family to Alan W. Granning. He subdivided the property leaving 3.5 acres around the home.
From 1960- 1976, (George) Lawrence Adams (1914-1994) and Kate Doniphan Brandon Adams Green (1924-2020) owned Oakland. It still retains 3.5 acres. He was a lawyer and Adams Co. state senator from 1948-1960. Kate was a member of the Pilgrimage Garden Club, Daughters of the American Revolution, and First Families of Mississippi. The Adams restored the home.
The next owners in 2021 were Dr. Thomas and Doris LeMay. They continued the restoration. Dr. LeMay is a cardiologist in Natchez. They also owned Arrighi mansion. NR 1976
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