Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Shreveport, Shreveport, Caddo Parish, Louisiana
• Residence: 1950, Shreveport, Caddo, Louisiana, USA

Family/Spouse: Living Duncan. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Donald Duncan McFarland was born on 29 Jul 1940 in Bunkie, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana, United States of America; died in Aug 2017; was buried in Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, United States of America.
2. Living McFarland
3. Living McFarland

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Frank

Notes:

The following was added to the Ben Menees McFarland document (copy under Ben Menees McFarland)

The writer of the above history, Ben Manees McFarland, son of John McFarland who came to America from Scotland, was a brother of Rev. Arthur McFarland who moved to Louisiana from Tennessee in about 1820 to 1825. I do not know the exact date. He settled near what is now the town of Athens, Louisiana. He married a Miss Brinson and raised a good large family. The names of these children were James B. McFarland who lived and died in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. He preached the gospel, being of the Baptist faith, as were all the others, except one, so far as I am informed. John P. McFarland, was also a minister of the gospel and a Methodist. He died in Red River, La. William McFarland moved to Farmerville, La. Where he raised several children, one of whom is now a resident of Baton Rouge, La., and the State Supervisor of Public Accounts. Uncle William died several years ago. Joseph F. McFarland, my Father, spent the larger portion of his life in Claiborne Parish, near Athens, La., where he died in March, 1905. He married Miss Sallie D. Hargis, daughter of Dr. R. A. Hargis who was a practicing physician and a minister of the gospel. Grandfather Arthur McFarland and Grandfather Hargis did much toward establishing some of the pioneer churches of the Baptist faith in North Louisiana. My father and mother raised a family of eight children, four boys and four girls. There were four boys, in addition to the above mentioned, who died in infancy or early childhood. All of the eight who grew to maturity are living now except sister Hollie, who died in Shreveport in 19__. Those living are, James R. McFarland, now living in Hot Springs, Ark., Mrs. Sallie E. Hargrove, who has one son, Jos. R. Hargrove, now living in Los Angeles, Cal. Where she too, has made her home for past two or three years. Samuel H., resides in Shreveport, La., Mrs. J. H. Thurmond, whom we know as "Lillie" is living in Mount Lebanon: Mrs. E. F. Walker, the youngest girl, (Lula), is living at Waelder, Texas. Walter Menees McFarland, is living in Houston, Texas. The writer of this sketch, J. F. McFarland (Frank), is living in Mansfield, La. The othe children of my Grandfather McFarland are Ben, the father of Bro. James' wife, Jennie. He fought in the Confederate army and was wounded in one of the battles, he was a flag-bearer at the time. I think Aunt Jane, whom I saw only on one visit that she made to North La. From Missouri, where she lived, was the oldest of the girls. She married a man named Graves. Aunt Elizabeth married Aaron Hice. She was the mother of Belle who married Dr. W. W. Culpepper a much loved physician who practiced many years at Athens. Aunt Loura married James H. Sommons. She was a very lovable woman and a beautiful Christian character. Aunt Rosa, the youngest, married a man named Hardy. They moved to Texas and I never knew much of her. All of these uncles and aunts were men and women of sterling integrity. The McFarland name in the community where I grew up was a synonym of honesty and integrity of purpose that made me proud to be a member of the family.

I wish to say, that last July (1924) a party of McFarlands assembled at the home of Mrs. J. H. Thurmond (Sister Lille) composed of all the living brothers and sisters except Samuel. We enjoyed the fellowship of being together more than any of us will ever be able to tell. In addition to the brothers and sisters, Mrs. I. N. Browning, the oldest daughter of sister Hollie, who I consider one of the finest women it has ever been my good fortune to know, was with us. Also my wife, Mrs. Mary Guy McFarland and my youngest daughter, Mary, completed the party. I should not forget, too, brother James' wife was present.

A party composed of Sisters Sallie Hargrove, Lillie, (Mrs. Thurmond), Lula (Mrs. Walker), Mrs. Browning (Minnie), Walter, and myself, made a pilgrimage to the old New Hope Baptist Church in Old Athens, to the Cemetery where our Father, Mother and many other loved ones are sleeping, and down to the old spring where we found the old baptistery still in a fair state of preservation. All of the scenes brought to our minds and hearts memories that are dear and sweet. In the old church house (there is no church organization left to hold services there) we sang some of the old sweet songs, read some of the wonderful promises in God's book from the old pulpit bible and tried to picture in our minds the dear folks of long ago who used to sit in those pews and worship God in the simplicity of the "faith of our fathers." From the church house we wended our way through the famous old Athens sand to the old home place. We found the old house still standing and in a fair state of repair, but unoccupied. The doors and windows were nailed shut so that we did not go inside. Of course there were but few things left to remind us of what the place had been to us-HOME, but some trees in the yard and near by looked somewhat familiar. We looked with tenderness on some parts of the old house that we know was put in place by our dear Father. We went fown to the spring, but the bushis and briars have grown up so thickly around it that it was with some difficulty that we were able to get to it. We scooped out a small bowl in the bottom, and when the water had cleared up we each took a drink of sweet water, where many times in the days long gone by we slaked our thirst. As we turned our backs on the old place where we grew up around which are clustered so many sweet memories of childhood and Mother's and Father's loving care for us, I am sure that each heart was lifted in thanksgiving to our heavenly Father for the many blessings that He has given us all along down the years since we went out from the dear old home.

J. Frank McFarland.

Josephus married Mary Elizabeth Guy on 23 Aug 1899 in Mansfield, Desoto Parish, LA. Mary (daughter of Thomas Augustus Guy and Sallie Hawkins Roberts) was born on 7 Nov 1877; died in Mansfield, Desoto Parish, Louisana; was buried in Old Mansfield Cemetery, Desoto Parish, Louisana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Served in the Confederate Army 19th Louisiana Infantry, Company "C" as a private
Film number M378 roll 19

McFarland, J. F., Pvt. Co. C, 19th La. Inf. Roll Feb. 23 to April 25, 1863 (only Roll on which
borne), En. March 16, 1863, Athens, La. Roll states present. with remarks: Rejected

J. F. McFARLAND, Pvt., Co. C, enlisted 16 Mar 1863 at Athens, LA,
born Jackson Parish, LA, age 38, blue eyes, light hair, fair
complexion, occupation farmer & was 5’ 10” tall. Discharged 7 May 1863
because of heart disease.
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/la/state/military/wbts/units/19th00lz.txt

Joseph married Sarah Delzira Hargis on 14 Jan 1851. Sarah (daughter of Richard Allen Hargis and Pennicia Mitchell) was born on 6 Feb 1830 in , Lawrence, MS; died on 28 Jan 1887 in Athens, Claiborne Parish, LA; was buried in Jan 1887 in Athens, Claiborne Parish, LA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Sallie Hawkins Roberts on 29 Jan 1873 in Desoto Parish, LA. Sallie (daughter of Wiley Roberts and Lydia) was born in 1843; died in 1930; was buried in Old Mansfield Cemetery, Desoto Parish, Louisana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: 21 Mar 1793, TN
• Residence: 1820, Ouachita, Louisiana, United States
• Residence: 1830, Claiborne, Louisiana, USA
• Residence: 18 Nov 1847, Athens, Claiborne, Louisiana, United States
• Residence: 1850, Township 19 Ward 5, Claiborne, Louisiana, USA
• Residence: 1860, Ward 5, Claiborne, Louisiana, USA
• Residence: 1870, Ward 5, Claiborne, Louisiana, USA
• Death: Aug 1878, Athens LA

Notes:

From the History of Claiborne Parish, Louisiana
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/3724/claiborne_parish.html

It was about this time, too, that Mr. James Brinson of Ouachita parish, commenced his monthly preaching at John Murrell’s house. Assisted by Mr. Arthur McFarland, they soon established a church (Baptist of course) and kept up regular services for many years. These were the first Baptist preachers in the parish. To show how our section was improving, and what notoriety it was gaining, sometime in this year, 1822, Harrison & Hopkins of Natchitoches, sent up a small stock of goods in charge of a Frenchman by the name of Forshe, who opened up in a small cabin close to Murrells. But he went off on whiskey, and in a year or two lost his stock in trade and ran away.

A quote from History of the Baptists of Louisiana, by William Edward Paxton: "In 1820 James Brinson, an ordained minister from Tennessee, settled not far from the present town of Vienna at a place called Upper Pine Hills which was then in Natchitoches Parish later Claiborne Parish, and now in Lincoln Parish. In the same company came his son-in-law, Arthur McFarland, who afterwards became a preacher, Christopher Koonce, James Whitson, and his brother-in-law A. F. Nelson and their wives. Most of these were Baptists, and in 1821 constituted the Pine Hills Church which joined the Louisiana Association in 1822. James Brinson and John Dapson extended their labors westward into the northern part of what was then Natchitoches Parish. Near the present town of Minden they found a few Baptists among whom were John Murrell and Hewitt Drew, the father of Governor Drew of Arkansas and of Judge H. Drew and Harrison A. Drew. Here they gathered a small church in 1823 called Black Lake from a bayou of that name near which it was located. Black Bayou heads near where the John Murrell home was built about seven miles west of Homer and it flows into what is now Black Lake near Campi."

Athens was selected as the seat of justice in 1846. Charles L. Hay settled on the present Keener farm in 1825. Thomas Leatherman, the Butlers, Crows and others hitherto named, were identified with this section. In 1832 the first camp-ground was established close by. In 1846 the school building and a large area of ground were donated for parish seat purposes by John Wilson. The flowing spring was a consideration in adopting this site. Kiser kept a small general store, Saunders P. Day was tavern-keeper, Arthur McFarland filled the dual position of postmaster and Baptist preacher, John Kimball lived on the Frazier lands. Col. Lewis was also here and all the parish officers. A Methodist Church, known as Ashbrooks, was erected in 1830; in 1839 the Missionary Baptists held meetings in the schoolhouse; in 1851 the first Presbyterian society of the parish was organized near here at old Midway, but soon after moved to Athens. On November 7, 1849, the academy of school building, in which were the offices of the parish, was burned with all the valuable records and documents-the only things of value destroyed. In 1850 the grounds were reconveyed to Wilson, and he was also granted a sum of money in consideration for the burning of his school-house. The fire was considered at the time to be carried out by conspirators, who desired the destruction of part of the records, and to carry out their desire destroyed all. New Athens is east of the old town on the Louisville & Northwestern Railroad.

80 Arthur Meenes MC FARLAND. 21 March 1793. "Arthur McFarlin married Hallen Brinson, 7 Oct 1815. Sponsor John McFarlin." ("Wilson County, Tennessee Marriage Bonds," found in ANSEARCHIN NEWS, Periodical of Tennessee Genealogical Society 1977:42.) - (1830 Claiborne Parish, Louisiana census, page 242: Arthur McFarland). Birth: 21 MAR 1793 in Wilson County, Tennessee , Death: AUG 1878 in Athens, Claiborne Parish, Louisianna
81 Holland BRINSON. Hollen Brinson Hallen

Arthur married Helen (Holland) Brinson on 7 Oct 1815 in ,Wilson Co., TN. Helen (daughter of Rev James Jesse Brinson and Patience Elizabeth Purser) was born on 10 Apr 1795 in Craven County NC; died in Athens LA; was buried in 1859 in Old Athens Cemetary, Claiborne Parish, LA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Holland Brinson
• Birth: 10 Apr 1795, Craven Co., NC
• Death: 1859, Athens, Claiborne Parish, LA

Notes:

Dr. Richard Allen Hargis is buried in the Upper Old Athens Cemetery behind the New Hope Baptist CBios: Richard Allen Hargis, Claiborne Parish, LA

Submitted by: Quincy Lee Hargis, 2601 W. Magna Carta Place, Baton Rouge, LA
70815-5523

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Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm
http://usgwarchives.org/la/lafiles.htm
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RICHARD ALLEN HARGIS OF CLAIBORNE PARISH, LOUISIANA
HIS TIME by Quincy Lee Hargis

Richard Allen Hargis spent his early years in Tennessee, where according to
family tradition, he was born to John and Sarah Douglass Hargis. John and
Sarah who were married in Caswell County, North Carolina, 4 February 1795,
moved to Smith County, Tennessee, within the next five or six years. County
records verify this by listing him and his wife among a group of pioneer
residents from 1801. Land transactions were made by John and recorded along
with other legal documents. These are on file in the Smith County Court House.
There are two documents that would be helpful to unravel the mystery
surrounding this family. These are the last will and testament of John Hargis
and the probate of his estate. Neither has been located after many years of
searching. Even though written evidence is lacking, research by several
genealogists supports a claim that John and Sarah Douglass Hargis were the
parents of Richard Allen Hargis.

Upon reaching the age of eighteen or nineteen, Richard Allen Hargis moved to
Lawrence County, in the state of Mississippi. We do not know why he left
Tennessee at such a young age, leaving the home of his mother and father.
However, living near him in this southern Mississippi county was Aaron Hargis,
an uncle, who also migrated, and probably provided the influence that Richard
Allen needed to make such a decision. Evidence of these two Hargis men living
in Lawrence County is provided by the 1820 Census.

Marriage Book I, Page 149, State of Mississippi, Lawrence County, reads as
follows:

"Know all men by these presents that we Richard Hargis and Aaron Hargis are
here and firmly bound unto Walter Leak, Governor of the State Aforesaid for
the time being and his successor in office in the sum of $200.00 and for which
payment will and truly to be paid. We bind ourselves, our heirs, executors,
administrators and signers firmly by these presents 5 June 1823.
The conditions of the above obligation is such that if the above bound
Richard Hargis does bound in marriage Pennicia Mitchell provided there shall
be no lawful cause to obstruct the said marriage, then the above obligation is
to be void of no effect or otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
R.A. Hargis (Seal)
A. Hargis (Seal)"

Richard A. Hargis and Pennicia Mitchell were married, 8 June 1823. At the
present time Pennicia Mitchell's parents are not known. Two Mitchell families
lived in Lawrence County and one of these is most likely to be her parents.
Edward and Wright Mitchell are listed in the 1820 U.S. Census. Wright Mitchell
is in the correct age group to be the father of Pennicia, while Edward fits
the category of being her grandfather.

From the "History Of Mississippi" by Lowry, we find that Richard A. Hargis
served as Senator. Also, the Mississippi Senate Journal of the Called Session
of 1835 shows Richard A. Hargis, "Senator from the Senatorial District,
composed of the Counties of Lawrence, Simpson and Covington". This book being
95 pages in length, mentions his name many times. He also served as Justice of
the Peace for Lawrence County.

Born to Richard and Pennicia Mitchell Hargis were two sons and three
daughters. The eldest child, a daughter, Launcey Ann was born in 1824 followed
by a son Quincy Anson, born 16 October 1825; daughter Angelina Dilra was born
about 1827; daughter Sarah Delzira about 1830; and son John D. about 1831.
Sometime after the birth of John, Richard's wife Pennicia died leaving him
with five small children.

On 20 February 1834 Richard took as his second wife Susannah Neyland. After
the birth of their first child, a son, Alphons O. P. (Alfins) Hargis, Richard
and Susannah moved to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, as evidenced by the 1840
U.S. Census for that Parish. Family tradition indicates they moved first to
Arkansas before settling in Louisiana. This may be an accurate assumption
since one daughter, Fary Vensina, is listed in the 1860 U.S. Census of
Claiborne Parish, as having been born in Arkansas. In any case their home in
Louisiana was located near the Arkansas line. Determining an accurate
boundary between the two states, may have posed a problem during the early
days in the year of 1840.

The remaining children of Richard and Susannah Neyland Hargis were all born in
Claiborne Parish, Louisiana as shown in census records. Following behind
Alphons O.P. and Fary Vensina (born abt. 1834 and 1840 respectively) comes
Susan H., born about 1842; Richard D. about 1844; Franklin Courtney, 1 January
1848; and Balus S., about 1849.

Eleven children, lacking in questionable identity, were produced by Richard
Allen Hargis and his two wives. They had husbands and/or wives with names such
as Havard, Moore, Wroten, McFarland, Pratt, Nolan, Hargis and Rogers. Quincy
Anson Hargis married Clementine Havard, 4 October 1849, in Caldwell Parish,
Louisiana. To this union fourteen children were born resulting in many
grandchildren and great grandchildren, one of whom is this writer. Launcey
Ann's husband was William T. Moore, Angelina Dilra married Joel H. Wroten,
Sarah Delzira married Joseph Friend McFarland, and son John D. was killed in
the Civil War without marrying. This completes the children from his first
marriage to Pennicia Mitchell.

Children by Susannah Neyland include Alphons O.P. who married Elizabeth Pratt.
He died at Law Hospital, La Grange, Georgia, 13 December 1863, as a result of
wounds received in the Civil War while enlisted in Co. C, 19th La. Infantry.
His widow and children lived in the household with Richard and Susannah for a
while. The next child after Alphons is Far Vensina who first married John
Nolan and later took as her second husband Frank M. Hargis, a war veteran from
the State of Missouri. The third child is Susan H., who remained single and
lived with her parents until they were deceased. She may have died in 1900
while living in the home of a Williams family located near Junction City,
Arkansas/Louisiana. Richard D., another son, was killed in the Civil War
without marrying. Franklin Courtney married Millie Rogers and their daughter
Carrie married Arlanzo Jackson Gates. Mrs. W.T. Hayes of Mer Rouge, Louisiana,
a granddaughter of Franklin Courtney and Millie, was most helpful by allowing
access to the family bible. Much of the information on this family came from
this bible. Another child and son of Richard Allen and Susannah Hargis, Balus
S., appeared on the 1850 census record of Claiborne Parish as one year of age.
On the 1860 census he is not listed. Two other children enumerated on the 1860
census as living in the household are: Jas. S., whose age was recorded as nine
years and Elizabeth G., a female at the age of six years. Nothing more is
known about these children. The 1860 census also shows the age of Richard
Allen as fifty eight and Susannah as fifty one, not too old to have children
but questionable.

Following Richard and family to Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, was a sister,
Lucinda N. Hargis. Using the 1830 census of Lawrence County, Mississippi, it
is believed she resided in his household and is enumerated along with his wife
Pennicia, in the 15 to 20 age category. Later that same year Richard gave
written permission for her to marry Josiah Wilson. Eight children were
produced by this couple with all but the youngest born in Lawrence County,
Mississippi. The residence of Josiah and Lucinda while living in Claiborne
Parish, was near the community of Summerfield where they were members of
Hebron Baptist Church. The church cemetery has headstones for them along with
some of their children. A great great granddaughter, Iva Allgood Almond, who
lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a fellow genealogy researcher and helps in
gathering family information.

Being busy and productive was important to the everyday life of Richard Allen
Hargis. From Senator and Justice of the Peace in Mississippi, he broadened his
scope to include Baptist Minister and Medical Doctor as well as farming and
merchandising after he moved to Arkansas/Louisiana. In Deed Book "A" page 217
for the records of Union County, Arkansas, Circuit Clerk's Office we find:

"To all whome it may concern these are to certify that the bearer herof
R.A. Hargis was at Call of Holly Grove Baptist Church, solemnly set apart this
day by the imposition of hands and ordained by us to the Gospel Ministry. And
he is fully Authorized to minister as an evangelist in the Vineyards of the
Lord wherever divine Providence may direct his course and to administer the
Special as well as more common ordinances of the Gospel on every proper
occasion and we do hereby Recommend him to the affectionate regards,
confidence and respect of all Christian People but more especially of those
who pertain to the Baptist denomination and Recorded in Office Decm. 23rd,
1842. Given under our hands this second day of November A.D. 1842. Signed,
Elder John Meeks, Elder Sam'l J. Larkins, J.W.R. Moore, Clerk and Exofficio
Recorder, Union County, Arkansas."

Many Baptist churches in the area of Arkansas and Louisiana owe their
beginnings to Richard A. Hargis. In each state you will find records showing
the establishment of churches and records of many marriages performed by this
Baptist Minister. From a book, "History of the Missionary Baptist Church in
Claiborne Parish", by N.S. Copeland, page 134, comes the following:

"Friendship Church was constituted December 26, 1847, in the dwelling
house of James Wise, about one mile north of present residence of Hon. W.F.
Moreland, with three male and five female members. Elder R.A. Hargis was the
first pastor and served the church acceptably".

On page 137 is found:

"In 1848 Elder R.A. Hargis and deacon Richard Young constituted Hebron
Church near Summerfield. Elder R.A. Hargis was the first pastor of the church.
Hebron has since been served by a number of pastors."

And on page 168:

"Elder R.A. Hargis a man of more than ordinary ability, of genial
disposition, and popular manners, and for a number of years was an acceptable
and useful minister, and honored with the confidence and esteem of the
denomination. In the later years of his life he engaged in farming and
merchandising, and preached only an occasional sermon. He died a few years ago
(23 May 1883, QLH) at Athens, La., after an eventful life".

The foregoing examples are just a few of the churches Rev. R.A. Hargis
established. He also served as first minister at many of these churches.

Richard Allen Hargis was born on Saturday, 2 May 1801 and died Wednesday, 23
May 1883, 21 days past his 82nd birthday. He is buried in New Hope Baptist
Church Cemetery, Old Athens, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana. A new marker was
placed on his grave by great great grandson Quincy Lee Hargis after a visit to
the cemetery revealed an old crumbling white marble tombstone that had broken
into two pieces. Repairing this marker was out of the question so a
replacement was made using a more durable material. The inscription on the old
marker read, Dr. R.A. Hargis, but a decision was made to use his full name,
Dr. Richard Allen Hargis with the hope that future generations may recognize
the person interred here with greater accuracy.

During Richard's time in Claiborne Parish, Louisiana, there also lived tow
other Hargis families. William Napoleon Bonaparte Hargis and Joseph Felix
Grundy Hargis resided and owned land in the same general area of Richard Allen
Hargis. No official relationship has been established, however speculation
supports the idea they may very well have been brothers. Too many coincidental
points exist to overlook this possibility.

Richard Allen Hargis can be considered a pioneer to the Claiborne Parish area
of North Louisiana. He also represents the entry of my branch of the Hargis
family into Louisiana.

ADDENDUM

Since writing this short biography of Richard Allen Hargis, I have found that
John, the youngest child of Richard Allen and Pennicia Mitchell Hargis, did
marry a Mary Deville and lived in Catahoula Parish, Louisiana, before
enlisting in the war. Evidence is found in the 1860 U.S. Census for Catahoula
Parish, Louisiana.

Also, sufficient information has been received to state that the father of
Pennicia Mitchell was Wright Mitchell. At the time of the marriage between
Richard and Pennicia, the Mitchell family lived in Lawrence County,
Mississippi. At a later time Wright Mitchell moved to Caldwell Parish,
Louisiana.

Quincy Lee Hargis

October, 1998hurch on the Old Athens Road, Claiborne Parish, Louisiana

Richard married Pennicia Mitchell on 8 Jun 1823 in Monticello, Lawrence County, MS. Pennicia (daughter of Wright Mitchell and Celia Stevens) was born about 1802 in KY; died about 1831. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Thomas married Mary Whitehead Greening in 1827. Mary (daughter of John Greening and Mary Whitehead) was born in 1811 in Sumter, SC; died on 16 May 1862 in Mansfield, Desoto Parish, LA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Wiley + Lydia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]