Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, District 14, Weakley, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1860, District 7, Weakley, Tennessee, USA
• Death: 27 Apr 1912

Benjamin married Ester Clementine Morgan on 3 Jan 1880. Ester (daughter of Martin MCartney Morgan and Edee Ann Feagin) was born in Nov 1860 in Mississippi; died in 1922. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Laura L. McFarland was born on 1 Apr 1881 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN; died on 18 Sep 1883 in Humboldt Tn Rose hill Cem (ROSE).
2. William Irby McFarland was born on 31 Jan 1884 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN; died on 5 Aug 1967; was buried in Rose Hill Cemetary, Gibson Co., TN.
3. Martha Young McFarland was born on 25 Jan 1886 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN.
4. Bin Ester McFarland was born on 24 Dec 1888 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN; died in 1935 in Humboldt Tn Rose hill Cem (ROSE).
5. Noaa Mrogan McFarland was born on 2 Jun 1890 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN.
6. Lessie McFarland was born on 6 Aug 1892 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN.
7. Chester Franklin McFarland was born on 9 Feb 1895 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN; died in Jan 1979.
8. Joseph Russell McFarland was born on 15 Mar 1898 in Humboldt, Gibson Co., TN; died in Mar 1958 in Twin Falls, ID.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Ben Menses McFarland
• Residence: 24 Nov 1831, Cullen, Weakley, Tennessee, United States
• Residence: 1838, Weakley, Tennessee, United States
• Residence: 1850, District 14, Weakley, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1860, District 7, Weakley, Tennessee, USA

Notes:

THE McFARLAND FAMILY

Arriving at the age which admonishes me to put my house in order, and being acquainted with our ancestry for two centuries back, I feel it is a duty incumbent on me to give their history to posterity.

Our oldest ancestor that I know of traditionally was Duncan McFarland who was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the father of Walter and Tabby, and Tabby was the mother of the famous Bob (Rob Roy) McGregor. Walter had a son that he called Arthur who went to Ireland and there married Elizabeth Porter, sister of Commodore Porter of revolutionary fame. The fruit of this union was a girl, whose name I have forgotten, and three boys, Alexander, Thomas and John. The latter, who was the founder of our family, was bound for seven years to the hatter's trade. Although his boss was a tyrant, he served him several years, but when he was about seventeen his boss attempted to chastise him with a cat-o-nine-tales, whereupon the apprentice, who was cutting the fur off a coon skin with a round knife, resisted, knife in hand, and the boss had to beat a timely retreat to avoid being cut open by his incensed apprentice. This was a violation of the law and the hatter threatened a prosecution, when grandfather fitted up his son John and sent him to North America. His middle name was Porter, but he dropped it as he was charged with committing a crime, upon his arrival at America, which was before the war of Great Britian with the American colonies. He peddled about a year on dry goods with a two horse wagon.

Grandfather Arthur finally became uneasy about him and sent Uncle Thomas in search of him. Uncle Thomas found him at Charleston and the war coming on soon, they both enlisted, John as Lieutenant and Thomas as Oderly Sergeant. At Gates' defeate the Captain was wounded and your grandfather took command of the company. He ordered his men to stand and fire, which was obeyed, and this delay left them between the pursuing and retreating armies, but he conducted his men safely through.

At the siege of York, a bomb with the old fashioned fuse dropped near him and he instantly cut off the blaze before it reached the power, thus saving himself and others from its ravages. It contained nine pounds of powder, which was used to shoot back at the British. He and Uncle Thomas remained in the service until honorably discharged, when they went to French Lick, now Nashville, where father married Nancy Maneese of Virginia, and Uncle Thomas, Peggy Todd of Ireland. Dr. Felix Roberson was the first male child born at the French Lick, and James McFarland, my oldest brother, your uncle, was the second. When Buchanan's Fort was attacked by the indians, father and mother were in it. The number of Indians were five hundred, and there were only seventeen men, with their wives and children, in the fort. During the fight the bullets gave out, and Sallie Buchanan and Nancy McFarland moulded more shot while the fight was going on, and handed them hot to the men. The Indians set the fort on fire, but a shower of rain extingusihed the flames. Providence thus saved them from being massacred by the Indians or burned. There was a blunderbuss in the fort which was doubly loaded and shot with great precision, killing and wounding several of the enemy and breaking the collar bone of the man who shot it. At this junture the Indians exclaimed "Umph, a big gun" and ran off, to the great relief of all in the fort.

When the soldiers were in want of salt your grandfather, John McFarland, drove a lot of pack horses to the Saline salt works in Kentucky and brought back as much salt as the horses could carry. The savages were prowling along his path and he did not dare kindle a fire, though he stood in much need of it as it was winter and the weather cold. After the battle of Nickajack the Indians were subdued and father moved to a farm near Haysborough and cultivated the soil, attending strictly upon the ministry of the distinguished Thomas Craighead, a presbyterian minister of much talent. In 1803 he moved to the six hundred and forty acre tract granted him by North Carolina for his services in the Revolutionary war. It lies eighteen miles east of Nashville and eleven miles west of Lebanon, in Wilson County, Tennessee. There I was born, being the youngest one of nine children.

My father raised nine children, all of whom he lived to see grown and married, but two, myself and youngest sister Jane. After father's death Jane married Lewis Lindsay a talented Baptist minister and ripe scholar. My father held an honorable and lucrative office of years, and in 1824 he was confined to his room by a disease that had been preying upon him for years. He calmly and peacefully passed away on the 24th of May, aged seventy four year and four months.

My mother lived twenty one years after father's death. She died in 1845, aged eighty eight years. Her goodness is fresh in the memory of all who knew her. Two of my brothers aided to maintain that independence which a patriotic father assisted to gain under the immortal Hero of New Orleans.

Having finished a sketch of my father's life, I will name a few of his distinguished sons and grandsons. John B. McFarland, M. D., was a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical School. He practiced in Paris, Tenn. Where he married Miss Cook, daughter of Judge Cook of Paris. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1845, but died before he took his seat. His only son, John P. McFarland, is graduate of the Philadelphia Medical School.

James P. McFarland, another son of your Uncle James, who was born in the fort is graduate of the same school and practiced successfully in California and was twice elected by the people to the State Senate. He now lives near Lebanon on the six hundred and forty acre tract granted to your grandfather by the state of Tennessee for defending helpless women and children from tomahawk and scalping knife of the ruthless savages. James H. McFarland, M. D., has retired from the profession and given it to his son, William W., a young man of intellect and fine promise. Dr. Berriman Bilbrow practiced twenty years at Milton and laid down his labors in this life at the age of fifty years. Dr. James Somers of Dresden, Tenn., is a graduate of Nashville Medical College and stands at the head of the profession , beloved and respected by all who meet him. Dr. John Curd, a noble man and respected physician, lives in Green Hill, Tenn. John Somerts, a graduate of the Lebanon Law School, is now chanceller in the district where he lives. I let those who know him decide as to his moral rectitude and his unyielding integrity and ability as a Judge. James M. Lindsay, a graduate of the Lebanon Law School emigrated to Texas is respected for his talents and high moral worth.

Dr. John P. and William W. McFarland and ---Curd are great great grandsons, and all the other named are grandsons of my father, except Dr. H. H. Bethshares who married my youngest daughter. William W. Whitsett, grandson of my father, is now in Germany completing his education as a Baptist minister. He was born and raised near Nashville and is know by many.

I have no son living but Ben F. a youth. I have two daughters, the youngest of whom is the wife of Dr. H. H. Bethshares, a man honored and respected as a gentleman and eminent physician.

(Signed) Ben Manees McFarland
THE McFARLAND FAMILY

Arriving at the age which admonishes me to put my house in order, and being acquainted with our ancestry for two centuries back, I feel it is a duty incumbent on me to give their history to posterity.

Our oldest ancestor that I know of traditionally was Duncan McFarland who was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the father of Walter and Tabby, and Tabby was the mother of the famous Bob (Rob Roy) McGregor. Walter had a son that he called Arthur who went to Ireland and there married Elizabeth Porter, sister of Commodore Porter of revolutionary fame. The fruit of this union was a girl, whose name I have forgotten, and three boys, Alexander, Thomas and John. The latter, who was the founder of our family, was bound for seven years to the hatter's trade. Although his boss was a tyrant, he served him several years, but when he was about seventeen his boss attempted to chastise him with a cat-o-nine-tales, whereupon the apprentice, who was cutting the fur off a coon skin with a round knife, resisted, knife in hand, and the boss had to beat a timely retreat to avoid being cut open by his incensed apprentice. This was a violation of the law and the hatter threatened a prosecution, when grandfather fitted up his son John and sent him to North America. His middle name was Porter, but he dropped it as he was charged with committing a crime, upon his arrival at America, which was before the war of Great Britian with the American colonies. He peddled about a year on dry goods with a two horse wagon.

Grandfather Arthur finally became uneasy about him and sent Uncle Thomas in search of him. Uncle Thomas found him at Charleston and the war coming on soon, they both enlisted, John as Lieutenant and Thomas as Oderly Sergeant. At Gates' defeate the Captain was wounded and your grandfather took command of the company. He ordered his men to stand and fire, which was obeyed, and this delay left them between the pursuing and retreating armies, but he conducted his men safely through.

At the siege of York, a bomb with the old fashioned fuse dropped near him and he instantly cut off the blaze before it reached the power, thus saving himself and others from its ravages. It contained nine pounds of powder, which was used to shoot back at the British. He and Uncle thomas remained in the service until honorably discharged, when they went to French Lick, now Nashville, where father married Nancy Maneese of Virginia, and Uncle Thomas, Peggy Todd of Ireland. Dr. Felix Roberson was the first male child born at the French Lick, and James McFarland, my oldest brother, your uncle, was the second. When Buchanan's Fort was attacked by the indians, father and mother were in it. The number of Indians were five hundred, and there were only seventeen men, with their wives and children, in the fort. During the fight the bullets gave out, and Sallie Buchanan and Nancy McFarland moulded more shot while the fight was going on, and handed them hot to the men. The Indians set the fort on fire, but a shower of rain extingusihed the flames. Providence thus saved them from being massacred by the Indians or burned. There was a blunderbuss in the fort which was doubly loaded and shot with great precision, killing and wounding several of the enemy and breaking the collar bone of the man who shot it. At this junture the Indians exclaimed "Umph, a big gun" and ran off, to the great relief of all in the fort.

When the soldiers were in want of salt your grandfather, John McFarland, drove a lot of pack horses to the Saline salt works in Kentucky and brought back as much salt as the horses could carry. The savages were prowling along his path and he did not dare kindle a fire, though he stood in much need of it as it was winter and the weather cold. After the battle of Nickajack the Indians were subdued and father moved to a farm near Haysborough and cultivated the soil, attending strictly upon the ministry of the distinguished Thomas Craighead, a presbyterian minister of much talent. In 1803 he moved to the six hundred and forty acre tract granted him by North Carolina for his services in the Revolutionary war. It lies eighteen miles east of Nashville and eleven miles west of Lebanon, in Wilson County, Tennessee. There I was born, being the youngest one of nine children.

My father raised nine children, all of whom he lived to see grown and married, but two, myself and youngest sister Jane. After father's death Jane married Lewis Lindsay a talented Baptist minister and ripe scholar. My father held an honorable and lucrative office of years, and in 1824 he was confined to his room by a disease that had been preying upon him for years. He calmly and peacefully passed away on the 24th of May, aged seventy four year and four months.

My mother lived twenty one years after father's death. She died in 1845, aged eighty eight years. Her goodness is fresh in the memory of all who knew her. Two of my brothers aided to maintain that independence which a patriotic father assisted to gain under the immortal Hero of New Orleans.

Having finished a sketch of my father's life, I will name a few of his distinguished sons and grandsons. John B. McFarland, M. D., was a graduate of the Philadelphia Medical School. He practiced in Paris, Tenn. Where he married Miss Cook, daughter of Judge Cook of Paris. He was elected to the State Legislature in 1845, but died before he took his seat. His only son, John P. McFarland, is graduate of the Philadelphia Medical School.

James P. McFarland, another son of your Uncle James, who was born in the fort is graduate of the same school and practiced successfully in California and was twice elected by the people to the State Senate. He now lives near Lebanon on the sex hundred and forty acre tract granted to your grandfather by the state of Tennessee for defending helpless women and children from tomahawk and scalping knife of the ruthless savages. James H. McFarland, M. D., has retired from the profession and given it to his son, William W., a young man of intellect and fine promise. Dr. Berriman Bilbrow practiced twenty years at Milton and laid down his labors in this life at the age of fifty years. Dr. James Somers of Dresden, Tenn., is a graduate of Nashville Medical College and stands at the head of the profession , beloved and respected by all who meet him. Dr. John Curd, a noble man and respected physician, lives in Green Hill, Tenn. John Somerts, a graduate of the Lebanon Law School, is now chanceller in the district where he lives. I let those who know him decide as to his moral rectitude and his unyielding integrity and ability as a Judge. James M. Lindsay, a graduate of the Lebanon Law School emigrated to Texas is respected for his talents and high moral worth.

Dr. John P. and William W. McFarland and ---Curd are great great grandsons, and all the other named are grandsons of my father, except Dr. H. H. Bethshares who married my youngest daughter. William W. Whitsett, grandson of my father, is now in Germany completing his education as a Baptist minister. He was born and raised near Nashville and is know by many.

I have no son living but Ben F. a youth. I have two daughters, the youngest of whom is the wife of Dr. H. H. Bethshares, a man honored and respected as a gentleman and eminent physician.

(Signed) Ben Manees McFarland

Benjamin married Martha Susan Young on 11 Jul 1847 in Wilson, Tennessee, USA. Martha (daughter of Charles Young) was born on 10 May 1810 in Jonesborough, England; died on 9 Dec 1857 in Weakley Co., Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Susan Martha Young
• Birth: 19 Jan 1805, England
• Birth: Abt 1810

Other Events and Attributes:

• Possessions: 1784, Nashville; Purchased Lot #78 in Nashville. Sold same lot in 1791. Deed Book A, p. 34, and 164.
• Possessions: 13 Oct 1791, Davidson Co., Tennessee; Purchased 113 acres adj. John Walker from Joseph Shaw
• Possessions: Mar 1792, Davidson County (now Wilson); Preemption claim 640 acres on Stoner's Creek adj. James Harris. Becomes Grant #397. This creek runs from the Cumberland R. near the Old Lebanon Rd. to below Mt. Juliet
• Possessions: 1796, Davidson County (now Wilson); 640 acres between Cedar Lick Creek and Spencer's Creek adj. Martin Armstrong, North Carolina Grant #1089 to John McFarlin as assignee from Alexander McFarlin #1089
• Residence: 1820, Wilson, Tennessee, United States
• Residence: Abt 1824, Wilson County, Tennessee
• Death: 24 May 1824
• Probate: 8 Aug 1824, Wilson, Tennessee, USA

Notes:

John PORTER McFARLAND 1784 John Porter McFarland - b. abt 1750 Ireland d. 5-24-1824, Wilson Co. TN; served from N.C.troops as a pvt; served at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 and fought with Gates at his defeat (DAR Nat'l #'s 355108 & 332408);
received three land grants from N.C.: #1090 Davidson Co,TN, 640 acres btw Cedar Creek and Spencer Creek (now in Wilson Co), as the heir of his brother Alexnder McFarland;
#397 640 acres, Book #80, p. 341;
entry #826, issued 6-26-1793 on the head of Stones Creek; married Nancy Menees in Fort Nashboro (Davidson County) in 1783. His first son, James Menees was the second white male born in Middle TN, 1-10-1784. John and Nancy raised 9 children in Wilson Co. TN, current Mt. Juliet area. (Florence Parman)

Tennessee Land Grants, p. 68:
McFarlin, John (Davidson Co.) 640 acres, N. dist, bk C-3, p. 17-18, g#1089, Warrant #3364 assignee of Alexander McFarland, soldier
McFarlin, John (Davidson Co.,) 640 acres, N dist. Bk G-7, p. 190, g#397, Warrant #826

160 John Porter MC FARLAND. b. abt 1750 Ireland d. 5-24-1824, Wilson Co. TN; served from N.C.troops as a pvt; served at the Siege of Yorktown in 1781 and fought with Gates at his defeat (DAR Nat'l #'s 355108 & 332408); received three land grants from N.C.: #1090 Davidson Co,TN, 640 acres btw Cedar Creek and Spencer Creek (now in Wilson Co), as the heir of his brother Alexnder McFarland; #397 640 acres, Book #80, p. 341; entry #826, issued 6-26-1793 on the head of Stones Creek; married Nancy Menees in Fort Nashboro (Davidson County) in 1783. His first son, James Menees was the second white male born in Middle TN, 1-10-1784. John and Nancy raised 9 children in Wilson Co. TN, current Mt. Juliet area. (Born Paris, TN, resided in French Lick (now Nashville) TN, married Nancy Mennes.)The following information from Gary Morris , November 2000.

SOURCE: DAR Patriotic Index North Carolina, and LDS Ancestral File.

LAND: 1781 TENNESSEE, Davidson County. Jno McFarland, 7 Dec 1781, bought land
from William Ellis of Cumberland District.

TAXLIST: 1788 TENNESSEE, Davidson County. John McFarland.

PLACE: Probably lived in Davidson County, that part which later became Wilson
County.

CENSUS: 1820 TENNESSEE, Wilson County. John McFarland 001011 - 01101. Page
385.

SOURCE: LDS Ancestral File says son of Duncan McFarland and Elizabeth PORTER
(which probably is incorrect, since this couple lived in Augusta County, VA,
and probably did not have a son born as late as 1768). Indicates John had a
brother Thomas, born about 1770 in Scotland.

SOURCE: Mrs. Parman of TN says son of Arthur (b. Scotland) and Elizabeth
Porter. Also that Arthur was son of Duncan McFarland, born about 1700 in
Scotland.
John and his brother Thomas landed in USA in Charleston, SC "in time to
sign up and fight in American Revolution". He was made a Leiutenant. All
this information from her grandfather who did research about 1930.

RESEARCHER: (1999) Florence L. PARMAN Mt. Juliet,
TN.

HISTORY: John McFarland arrived in Charleston, SC about 1765. His brother
Thomas joined him in this country.

RESEARCHER-EMAIL: (2000) James McFarland

NOTES: (FROM JAMES MCFARLAND) John Porter McFarland's son Ben Menees McFarland( b April 4 1803, d July 19 1878 Wilson C. TN) left a manuscript that tells the McFarland family history to John and James Sommers (his Somers Grandchildren). The second paragraph begins; "Our oldest ancestor, that I know of traditionally was Duncan McFarland who was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. He was the father of Walter and Tabby, and Tabby was the mother of the famous Rob McGregor. Walter had a son that he called Arthur who went to ireland and there married Elizabeth Porter, sister of Commodore Porter of Revolutionary fame." Ben Menees continues; "The fruit of this union was a girl whose name I have forgotten and three boys - Alexander , Thomas and John(My GGGrandfather John Porter McFarland)." ***( Note: My aunt said that they always said "Alexander the one they called Arthur".)**** _______There were two John McFarlands that were listed in most early Tennessee documentation (North Carolina till 1796). One was John Porter McFarland, listed in Claytons History of Davidson County Tennessee 1780-1880 p 58. "Names of persons who were in Davidson county in 1787, being the first year in which the tax of land and polls was taken---" The second lived in Knoxville. In fact there is a park in the older part of town that is named after him. He is mentioned in many of Nolechukie Jacks(Gov. Severe)papers. _______John Porter McFarland is listed in "Membership Roster and Soldiers the Tennessee Society of the DAR 1970-1984 Vol 3 p 505 gives his birth date as 1750. His wife and 11 children are listed, and who they married. Where this document gets confusing is that his son Benjamin Menees m Susy Young but it fails to say that Susy m 1847 is his second wife, His first was Penia Dun who died 1845. Susy and Ben had a son Ben Franklin McFarland who is my Grandfather.
Birth: ABT 1750 in Scotland or Ireland
Death: 24 MAY 1824 in Lebanon, Wilson County, Tennessee

Father: Arthur Walter McFarland b: ABT 1725 in probably near Edinburgh, Scotland
Mother: Elizabeth Porter b: ABT 1725 in Ireland

Marriage 1 Nancy Menees b: ABT 1766 in North Carolina
Married: 1783 in Fort Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee

161 Nancy MENESS; MANESS; Mennes. of Virginia. b: ABT 1766 in North Carolina

There is also the John Porter McFarland who immigrated to America 1774 on the ship Commerce which landed at NY on February 1774, served in the Rev. War and met and married his wife Nancy Menees in Fort Nashboro (now Nashville). He received a land grant for 660 acres from N. C. for his Rev. War service and when it was safe to leave the fort settled his land grand in what is now Wilson Co., TN and raised his family.

Birth:
Parent's names have been passed down by tradition. No documents.

DNA:
Cadet. BY674>BY7798>BY7799. Because there is no FT64717, it means this line descends from the earliest chiefs before the 1400s.

John married Nancy Menees in 1783 in Fort Nashboro, TN. Nancy (daughter of James Manees, daughter of James Menees) was born in 1762 in Virginia; died in 1835. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Nancy Maneese
• Birth: 1758
• Residence: 1830, Wilson, Tennessee, USA
• Death: 1835, Wilson County, TN

Notes:

Methodist minister, came to Penn. in 1810 with family, moved to Wilson Co. in 1819.

Arthur married Elizabeth Porter in 1747 in Ireland. Elizabeth was born in 1725 in Ireland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Ellizabeth Porter

Notes:

Sister of Commodore Porter. this does not seem likely--the years do not work for his life and her life.