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William H. Keeland
 1805 - 1851

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History of William H. Keeland



William H. Keeland was born around 1805 in Georgia. He married Elizabeth Easley on January 28, 1830 at the age of 25.

From 1830 to 1851 William bought and sold land extensively in Alabama and Mississippi. These many land purchases suggest that his occupation may have been that of a broker of some nature, rather than a farmer. One such property that he owned and developed was in Pass Christian, Mississippi. In 1849, and in 1850, for a total of $1,000, William purchased two adjoining land lots that, when combined, made up a 128-foot frontage along the Mississippi Sound. This stretch of land progressed northward for 1 mile. On this property he began the development of a hotel and named it the Sans Souci Hotel. It was in direct competition with the Pass Christian Hotel, which was located just a very short distance away. The Pass Christian Hotel had just recently been taken over by a man named Robert Montgomery. Montgomery used his location to promote the first Sailing Regatta in the area. He patterned it after the larger one based out of New York City, New York. This new sailing regatta in Mississippi yielded the second Yacht Club in the United States. However, it seems as though William Keeland never lived to see the completion of his vision, the Sans Souci Hotel.

Once William’s hotel was under construction, he leased the beach property on the south end. This shore to ridge property became known as Keeland’s Embankment. William also leased another portion to Samuel Hooks who used it to build a storehouse, most likely for retail purposes. Yet another adjoining piece of his land was leased out to A.G. Mallet for the construction of a commercial wharf. This wharf would serve as a place to dock for mail boats and schooners traveling the New Orleans, Louisiana to Mobile, Alabama route. Mallet was also permitted to construct both a saloon and billiard’s hall along side the wharf. Mr. Mallet’s business ventures proved quite lucrative. In 1851, he sold the balance of his 7-year lease to Jet Gammell for $1,300. (That amount was considered to be a “high money investment” for the times)

Other portions of William’s land were sold to Collom Ferry and to Josephine and Charles Brevis to build residences. The largest most northern segment of land was sold to a bachelor by the name of William Ashley. He also built a residence.

It has been said that William Keeland developed an illness of sorts before his death in 1853. On May 24th, 1853, after the death of her husband, Widow Elizabeth Easley Keeland sold the Sans Souci Hotel for $8,700 to Mrs. Aurelia Smith (later Woodward) of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana. This sale was subject to the lease that was previously allotted to Samuel Hooks for his store location, as well as the wharf lease of both Hooks and Phelps that had been transferred from Jet Gammell. Mrs. Smith’s newly purchased land included all 128 feet fronting the Gulf.

Elizabeth Keeland also re-married around this time. She married Mr. William Ashley. Elizabeth, her new husband and her children, as well as members of both her family and Mr. Ashley’s, all moved to Texas.

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