John Macleod was from 2 Newvalley and became a plasterer.

On the 18th of December 1849 John married Jessie Mackay of 16 Old North Tolsta. It is not clear where the couple lived immediately after their marriage; they may have lived in one of the couple's parental homes. His mother and father in law obtained 16 North Tolsta in 1853.

Jessie had a daughter in 1853 and another in 1856.

The couple had twins, two boys, on the 27th of March 1870. By the time of the twins birth the family were living at 2 Newvalley.  It is not certain how many children the couple had in total, but there were at least four.

In 1891 the couple and some of their children emigrated to Manitoba, Canada.