Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, District 13, Jefferson, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 1860, Jefferson, Tennessee, USA

Notes:

McFarland, Benjamin F. (1815-1876)

SENATE, 31st General Assembly, 1855-57, representing Hancock, Jefferson, and Hawkins counties; political affiliation not given. Born in Jefferson County in 1815, son of Colonel Robert and Mrs. Mary (Neal) Cox McFarland. Studied medicine; practicing physician at Bell Springs, Jefferson County. Married to Sarah Cox; one daughter: Virginia (Mrs. Robert M. Barton, Jr.). In 1846 he was living in Grainger County, where he was on courthouse and county jail committees. Removed to Chattanooga, Hamilton County, in March 1876, where he died on August 8, 1876. Buried at Mossy Creek (now Jefferson City), Jefferson County. Half-brother of Robert McFarland and John McFarland, father-in-law of Robert M. Barton, Jr., sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.

Sources: Goodspeed, History of Grainger County, 855; Armstrong, Some Tennessee Heroes, pamphlet 4; D. A. R. Lineage Book, No. 77, p. 46; Jefferson County Will Book, No. 3, 1826-40, pp. 432-34; Chattanooga Times, August 12, 1876.

McFarland, Benjamin F. (1815-1876)

SENATE, 31st General Assembly, 1855-57, representing Hancock, Jefferson, and Hawkins counties; political affiliation not given. Born in Jefferson County in 1815, son of Colonel Robert and Mrs. Mary (Neal) Cox McFarland. Studied medicine; practicing physician at Bell Springs, Jefferson County. Married to Sarah Cox; one daughter: Virginia (Mrs. Robert M. Barton, Jr.). In 1846 he was living in Grainger County, where he was on courthouse and county jail committees. Removed to Chattanooga, Hamilton County, in March 1876, where he died on August 8, 1876. Buried at Mossy Creek (now Jefferson City), Jefferson County. Half-brother of Robert McFarland and John McFarland, father-in-law of Robert M. Barton, Jr., sometime members Tennessee General Assembly.

Sources: Goodspeed, History of Grainger County, 855; Armstrong, Some Tennessee Heroes, pamphlet 4; D. A. R. Lineage Book, No. 77, p. 46; Jefferson County Will Book, No. 3, 1826-40, pp. 432-34; Chattanooga Times, August 12, 1876.

Benjamin married Sarah L. Cox in 1836 in Lincoln, MO. Sarah was born in 1820 in Mill Spring, Jefferson County, Tennessee; died in 1869 in Tennessee, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Nancy Juliet McFarland was born on 21 Oct 1843 in Mill Spring, Jefferson, Tennessee, USA; died on 9 Mar 1902 in Azusa, Los Angeles, California.
2. William Lafayette McFarland was born on 19 Dec 1846 in Tennessee; died on 18 Feb 1919 in Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee; was buried in Bristol, Sullivan County, Tennessee, United States of America.
3. H McFarland was born in 1850 in Jefferson Co., TN.
4. H McFarland was born in 1853 in Jefferson Co., TN.
5. Virginia McFarland was born on 6 Oct 1855 in Mill Spring, Grainger, Tennessee; died on 19 Jan 1925 in Memphis, Tennessee.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: Abt 1760, ,,Virginia of
• Possessions: 7 Jun 1784, Greene County, Tennessee; Greene Co. Deed Book 1, p. 76. 200 acres on Long Creek.
• Possessions: 23 Aug 1788; North Carolina Grant #641 for 400 acres on south side of Sinking Creek, including John Crouch Cabin. Paid 10 pounds for every 100 acres. (In 1804 he sells 2 acres from this grant to Wm. Jones in Jefferson Co. deeds Bk.G. p. 19
• Residence: 1790, Jefferson Co.Tenn, Ohio Territory, OH
• Death: Aft 1791, ,Greene of, Tennessee
• _MILT: 11 Jun 1793, Jefferson County, TN
• Possessions: 1799, Jefferson County, Tennessee, USA; Book D, p. 304. Robert purchases 250 acres from Charles Hodges on Bent Creek. Wit. John McFarland
• Residence: 1800, Jefferson, Tennessee, United States
• Residence: 1822, Jefferson County, Tennessee, USA
• Possessions: 12 Aug 1828, Sinking Creek, Jefferson County, TN; Book T, p. 118. Robert McF. Sr. sells to John McF. a tract of land on Sinking Cr. where he and Robert Jr. live.
• Residence: 1830, Jefferson, Tennessee, USA
• Residence: 4 Mar 1831, Jefferson, Tennessee, USA
• Probate: 15 Sep 1836, Jefferson, Tennessee, USA

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines notes:

In the 1800 tax list for Jefferson Co. Robert McFarland is in Capt McDonald's list, with 400 acres, 1 white poll, 3 black polls. In the same list is Alexander Outlaw with 1040 acres and 8 black polls. Also a George Webb with one white poll.

In a 1921 letter written by Katie McNutt Johnson about her family's lineage, she states that this Robert McFarland, born in March 1758/9, married Margaret Dibberty in Botetort Co and enlisted in 1776 in that county. This would conflict with the statements about him marrying Margaret McNutt, daughter of George McNutt. This needs to be checked. We do know that two of Robert's sons married McNutt daughters of a George McNutt. (See my notes on Margaret Dibberty)

There are two McFarland Cemeteries in Hamblen County. The first is the Col. Robert McFarland Cemetery (described below) located on Fish Hatchery Rd. (Hwy. 113) on the north east quadrant just above where Chucky River Rd. meets Hwy. 113. It appears to be at the edge of the woods that surround Turkey Creek. GPS coordinates are: Latitude: 36.20026, Longitude: -83.20290 according to Find A Grave.

36.20026 -83.20290

The other McFarland Cemetery in Hamblen County is located on Nelson School Rd. The oldest visible grave stone is that of John McFarland, born May 17, 1780, died June 9, 1851 son of Robert and Margaret McFarland.

The information below is what exists at the Jefferson County website concerning Robert McFarland. There is much that is factually in error, from the location of his birth, to what battles he participated in and even the location of the cemetery. It seems the author did not read his pension statement.

COL. ROBERT McFARLAND CEMETERY

LOCATION: ABOUT 6 AND ONE- HALF MILES SOUTHEAST OF MORRISTOWN ON SPRINGVALE PIKE.
THE FARM FOR MANY YEARS BELONGED TO THE McFARLANDS.

ROBERT McFARLAND MAR 15,1759-FEB 5, 1837

B.F. RICHARDSON MAR 1,1851-AUG 20,1880

THOMAS M. JONES AUG 3,1817-DEC 26,1890
ERECTED TO HIS MEMORY BY HIS CHILDREN, R. M. JONES AND E.M. SPECK (husband of Lavinia McFarland Jones)

PENELOPE WEST DIED APR 24,1826 AGE 18Y 11M 5 D (Penelope Hill West is the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth McFarland Hill)

ELIZABETH HILL, W/O ROBERT HILL DIED MAY 9,1833 AGE 54Y 5M 28 D (daug. of Robert McFarland and Margaret McNutt-the tombstone actually says died May 9, 1838, AGE 51Y)

ROBERT HILL DIED FEB 26,1832 AGE 81Y 4M 1D

ANNE RAMSEY HILL, W/O JOHN W. HILL DIED AUG 22,1834 AGE 20Y 10M 3D (John West Hill is the son of Elizabeth McF. Hill and Robert Hill)

ABRAM WADE MASKALL, S/O WILLIAM & PHEBE MASKALL OCT 23,1824-DEC 14,1841
PHEBE MASKALL, W/O WILLIAM MASKALL OCT 17,1794-OCT 20,1845
WILLIAM MASKALL DEC 21,1790-JUN 23,1869
ALVINZI ALONZO ANDRUSS, S/O HARVEY & MARY ANDRUSS DEC 16,1830-DEC 1,1857
JACOB HOBACK APR 22,1773-OCT 23,1845

JAMES CUNNINGHAM MAR 31,1818-JAN 21,1885
ELIZABETH CUNNINGHAM DIED JUN 26,1860 (1850?) AGE 29Y 4M 2D
W/O JAMES CUNNINGHAM

MARY A. MCFARLAND W/O ROBERT McFARLAND FEB 11,1799-FEB 23,1866
MEMORIAL STONE, BURIED AT WHITE HALL, MADISON CO, KY (this is the wife of Robert McF. Jr. who died in 1844 on the Kentucky Rd. according to family history)

LEVINIA M. JONES W/O THOMAS M. JONES DIED APR 17,1850
AGE 24 Y 1 M 2D D/O ROBERT & MARY McFARLAND (Levinia is gdaug. to Col. Robert, daug. of Robert McF. Jr.)

THE ROBERT MCFARLAND CHAPTER, SONS OF THE REVOLUTION, AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING MARCH 25TH, 1918 VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DESIGNATE MARCH 15TH, WHICH IS THE
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF COL. ROBERT MCFARLAND, AS THE ANNUAL MEETING DATE OF THIS
CHAPTER, IN MEMORY OF THE ONLY OFFICER OF THE REVOLUTION WHOSE REMAINS REST IN
HAMBLEN COUNTY SOIL, HE HAVING BEEN BURIED ON THE OLD PLANTATION NEAR SPRINGVALE, TENNESSEE.

COL. ROBERT MCFARLAND WAS A BOY OF SEVENTEEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND RODE BY HIS FATHER'S SIDE TO THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN. (this is not what his pension says)

HE WAS BORN IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY IN VIRGINIA, MARCH 15TH, 1759 AND
DIED FEBRUARY 5TH, 1837. HE MARRIED MARGARET MCNUTT, THE FIRST WHITE
CHILD BORN SOUTH OF THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER. HIS FATHER WAS AN OFFICER
IN THE COLONIAL ARMY AND FATHER AND SON WERE PIONEERS IN THE WATAUGA
SETTLEMENT. HE WAS THE FATHER OF COL. ROBERT MCFARLAND THE THIRD, WHO
SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE WAR OF 1812. HIS GRANDSON, COL. ROBERT
MCFARLAND THE FOURTH, SERVED WITH THE CONFEDERATE ARMY IN THE CIVIL
WAR AND WAS AFTERWARD JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE AND LIVED IN MORRISTOWN.

SIR JOHN MCFARLAND, OF ARROUQUAH, SCOTLAND, BORN THERE IN 1708 AND WHO
CAME TO VIRGINIA IN 1746, WAS THE AMERICAN HEAD OF THIS FAMILY AND THE
GRANDFATHER OF ROBERT MCFARLAND, THE SECOND.

WILLIAM CALLOWAY'S LIST OF LOYAL AMERICANS GIVES HIS NAME AND OATH OF
ALLEGIANCE TO VIRGINIA.

THE OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA, IN WHICH SR.
JOHN WAS AN ELDER, IS STANDING TODAY.

THIS HISTORY IS GIVEN AS THE REASON WHY THIS CHAPTER IS NAMED THE
ROBERT MCFARLAND CHAPTER, SONS OF THE REVOLUTION.

TAKEN FROM THE MINUTE BOOK OF ROBERT MCFARLAND CHAPTER.

COPIED DECEMBER 29,1936 - ADA RUTH NOE

Mary Helen Haines notes: As far as I can tell, there are many errors in the above statement. If you read his actual sworn words given in 1832 to receive his Revolutionary War pension it states he was born in Orange County North Carolina. At age 8, he moved to Bedford Co. VA, and then in 1771 moved to Botetourt Co. where he stayed for 10 years. This area is today Wythe Co., and his father lived where the courthouse presently is in Wytheville. He joined the military in Nov. 1776. While living there he married, and shortly after moved to Washington County in 1781 and appears on the tax list at that time. When the war ended, 1783, he moved to what became Greene Co. (Jefferson Co., later Hamblen Co.) Tennessee, where he remained.

1782: Tax List for Washington County VA:
In Col. Arthur Campbell's District: Robert McFarland with 2 tithes (therefore most likely father Robert and son Robert), 5 horses, 8 cattle, next to James McFarland with one tithe, four horses, six cattle, (probable brother to Robert Jr.) and nearby is John McFarland with one tithe, 3 horses, 5 cattle (other brother?). Also present in this district is Andrew Evans, one tithe, 2 horses, 3 cattle. Since there are no Robert McFarlands left in Montgomery Co. this must be Robert Sr, with Jr. in one house, eldest son James, and not sure about the John. Col. Arthur Campbell lives in his district, and land deeds describe it as being on the middle fork of the Holston, Mill Creek, south of Abington. Others in this tax list include Michael Montgomery, Samuel Ward, Alex. Caldwell.

Land in Tennessee:

1783: Greene County Oct 27 Joseph Alexander entered 200 acres in Greene County, on Long Creek (#7 on map), Warrant 7 June 1784; granted to Robert McFarland (Book 1, page 76).(There is a Long Creek south of the McFarland Cemetery, flows into Nolichucky from north side, west of Flat Creek. Historians say Robert Jr. was present in 1783, however, his father could have been here also.) This would be the first land ownership of the John McFarland family in Tennessee.

1788: Aug. 23. P. 593. North Carolina grant #641 to Robert McFarland for 400 acres on south side of Sinking Creek including John Crouch Cabbin. Paid 10 pounds for every 100 acres. There are several Sinking Creeks. One is in present day Greene Co. and one is in present day Jefferson Co., north of the Nolichucky and south of the John McFarland Cemetery. This seems to be the grant of Sheriff Robert McFarland.

1789: Aug. 11. North Carolina grant #818 to Robert McFarland for 200 acres on south side of Nolachucky, beside Robert Armstrong. Paid 10 pounds for every 100 acres. Roll 13, Book 2, Image 299/329. (This is not Robert Jr. from our line because he sells this grant in 1792 and his wife is named Jane. However, it could be Robert Sr. with a wife named Jane we know nothing about. The Robert Henry McFarland from the Duncan line has a wife named Annie Walkup. Is there another Robert from that line?)

1804: March 3. Robert McFarland deed to William Jones, 2 acres at the head of Sinking Creek, called Rock Spring, adj. William Cox, part of 400 acres grant to Robert #641, by North Carolina. Witness: John McFarland (We know that William Cox was his adjacent neighbor in the 1830 census and from a reference in his 1836 will.) His granddaughter Lavinia marries a Thomas Jones in

This Robert McFarland was involved in a lot of the Indian fights that took place in settling this land. From The Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish by Chalkey: p. 277, he made his crop at the Bend of the Chucky in 1782, and the next year moved his family to the place, which was Greene Co. TN. Then in 1792 there was a report on an attack by the Creek Indians and McFarland was wounded. In 1793 Major McFarland was ordered to form regiments to protect from the Indians by Gov. Blount of TN (p. 569), and p. 576, Robert McFarland is the sheriff from Jefferson Co. records. p. 578, Col. McFarland raised 180 mounted men to go after Indians against orders, and p. 582 the 2 oldest citizens of the fort protecting Knoxville is John McFarland and Robert Williams. (Hard to know who this John McFarland is)

1830 census in Jefferson Co. TN: p. 281, living next to William Cox. Near John Inman (married to Catherine McFarland), Joseph Hays, James Alexander.

Transcription of Robert McFarland Revolutionary War Pension statements S2004

By Mary Helen Haines, 2010 (question marks are by words not sure of, and orange dates and spelling are my additions)

Robert McFarland Sr. of Jefferson Co. in State of E. Ten who was a Lieut.___(?) in the Company commanded by Captain Russell of the Regiment commanded by Col. Hill in the N.C. line for
6 mo. Lieut,
2 mo. Ensign,
16 mo. Private
Virginia Line Records corrected. Included in the Roll of East Tennessee at the rate of 153 dollars 33 cents per annum to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

State of Tennessee
Jefferson County
August 25, 1832

On this twenty fifth day of August personally appeared before me Alexander McDonald, one of the justices of the peace for the county of Jefferson and State of Tennessee, Colonel Robert McFarland Senior, a resident of said County and State, aged seventy-three, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress, passed June 7th 1832.

That the Deponent Colonel Robert McFarland Senior was born on the fifteenth day of March, seventeen hundred and fifty nine in Orange County North Carolina. At eight years of age he removed with his father to Bedford County, State of Virginia. (1767) Four years thereafter he removed to Boutetourt. Remained ten years in Boutetourt (1771-1781), when he married and moved with his wife to Washington where he remained till the close of the war of the Revolution. He then moved into what was then called Greene County (1783) -now Jefferson County State of Tennessee and has lived in Jefferson ever since. This deponent served about four months under Captain William Russell, afterwards General Russell. Two of the Lieutenants of Captain R’s company came to his father’s house near Reed Creek, where Wythe Court House now stands, and this deponent agreed with them to join the company in November 1776. William Bowen was another Lieutenant and James Kagon (?) the Ensign of this Company. This company was raised to guard the Frontier Garrisons. Captain Russell marched with his company from Reed Creek to Ramsay’s Fort five miles above Long island. (Kingsport, TN. today) Remained in the Fort until the latter part of February 1777 when discharged. The Company got no written discharge, but received certificates of service, upon which they got their pay which was forty shillings per month. In the following March 1777 Captain John Mongomery came to Deponents’ Father’s home and got Deponent to join his company. Michael Dougherty Lieutenant John Simpson Ensign. Marched from Reed Creek to Blackamond’s Station on Clinch River-rangn? to Houston’s Station on Moccasin Creek-Bledsoe’s Station and Shelby’s Station-returned to Long Island in the first of October, There joined General William Christian’s army consisting of upwards of two thousand men. Captain Mongomery’s (Montgomery) company was annexed to Major Evan Shelby’s Batallion. Colonel Hill and Major Winston of North Carolina was on this expedition. This deponent served throughout this expedition against the Cherokee Indians. Marched through Greene County, east Tennessee by the Bend of the Chucky-along the Indian War-path to the Tennessee River, crossed said River at the Town of Tomatlaw (Tomotley) -thence to Isand Town below the mouth of Tilico-four miles-which town was burnt-thence through Toco, Chota, and Citico (Sittiquo) (beloved town of the Indians and our commander Gen’l Christian would not permit the men to burn them) to Tuskega (Tuskegee), where a young white man had been burned by the Indians. We burned Tuskega-The Indians fled before our Army and deserted their towns-so that we had no fighting on this expedition. Returned in the month of December with our respective Captains to our homes-Our company got no written discharge. Our Captain returned a pay Roll and the men must have received their pay upon that evidence. This Deponent was but eighteen years and nine months old at this time, and his father may have received his pay, thought this Deponent does not know-He did not received it himself but thinks his father did, Though even then it had begun to be worth much less that the first year of the war. In the following September 1778 volunteered under Captain James Mongomery at Wythe Court House. Wm Doke Lieutenant-Robert Davis Ensign-Marched to the head of the Clinch. Maxwell’s fort was detached as one of a guard for Major Robertson to Alpo? Valley on Blew Stone Creek-again as a spy down the Tug fork of Sandy River on to the Levil (?) Country, to ascertain whether the Indians were disturbing or about to disturb the border settlement-Returned to Maxwell’s Fort the first of December after having ascertained that the Indians were quiet on Sandy and beyond that war? From Maxwell’s fort Captain Mongomerys Company returned home in the month of December 1778. Received no written discharge. In 1779 removed with his wife to Washington County Virginia Shortly after that was appointed as Ensign in Captain John Campbell’s company (recommended on Nov. 23, 1780) -received no commission but was appointed by Colonel Arthur Campbell the commander of our regiment. Arthur Bowin Lieutenant. In 1779 this Deponent volunteered and marched in the expediton under Col Arthur Campbell against Col Roberts of North Carolina, who had come over into Virginia to plunder the Whigs and recruit Tories. This deponent acted as the Ensign under Captain William Edmonson, Robin Edmonson and David Beattie Lieutenant, Col Campbell and Col Crocket and Major Edmonson-with 500 men started on this expedition-Rendevous at the head of Cripple Creek-thence through Elk Creek Settlement, up to Baker’s settlement-there learned that Roberts had recrossed the mountain and been defeated at Ram-Sower’s Mill The main body of the men turned back. Captain Edmonson and his company, of which this deponent was Ensign was ordered to the three forks of New River into Perkins Settlement to quell the Tories in that section-took two tories gave them up to Colonel Cleveland(?) and returned in the latter part of July after an absence of two months. This deponent was prevented from marching with his company to the Battle of King’s Mountain by receiving orders from Col. Arthur Campbell to return and collect a force to march against the Tories at New River. He was with his Company at the Rendevous, James Thompson’s Ebbing Spring-whence the troops marched to King’s Mountain-Then this deponent received orders to return and at the same time was promoted to a Lieutenancy. This Deponent returned, collected some men, was joined by Lieutenant Davis at the Blue Springs, and marched to Elk Creek. At Clem Lea’s took sixteen of the tories and sent them to the lead mines, there to be guarded and kept from mischief-pursued the Tories into the edge of North Carolina returned home in ten or twelve days. In two or three days started again with 30 men-passed over the mountain, higher up--Punished severely the Tories that had been destroying and carrying off the property of our citizens-and returned in three weeks, the same day the men returned from King’s Mountain. On Saturday after our return, the first or second Saturday in December 1780 mustered at Captain Bowen’s home and there received orders that every man who had not been wounded at the battle of King’s Mountain should be ready on Monday to start on an Indian expedition under Col. Arthur Campbell. Captain Bowen (who had now become Captain of the Company in place of Captain Campbell resigned) remained at home and this Deponent with part of Bowen’s company, joined Captain Crabtree of Washington, who had not a full company-George Finly Ensign. The Rendevous was at Honeycutt’s 3 miles west of Rogersville-300 men rendevous at Honeycutt’s Col. A Campbell of Washington-Commander-Col. Clark of Sullivan Commander and the regiment from that Section. Marched from Honeycutt’s by the bend of Chucky-thence down to Tennessee River-crossed said River at the Virginia Ford; to Chota-burned it-to Chilhowah burned part of it-But Captain Clark retreating through a panic (hearing that some Indians were on the Heights above the town) left Crabtree with only 30 men. The Indians retreated after loosing three men-and Crabtree retired to the main body at Chota-Returned to Chilhowah the next day-burned it-back to Chota-thence to little Tilico-burnt it-Lost Captain Ellit at Tillico-Captain Ellit was in front crossing Tillico River-as he rose? The opposite bank, one of the Indians who lay concealed shot Captain Ellit who fell from his horse-The Indian seized Ellit’s gun (?) immediately snapped (?) at the next man who ascended the Bank. The Indian fell dead before he could snapp (?) a second time. After a little firing the Indians retreated-burnt Tillico. The troops now divided-part went to old Hywassee the balance to Big Tillico-From Old Hywassee went to Chistiwah burnt it-marched back to Tillico-After return to Tilllico made preparations for home-We killed forty or fifty Indians in this expedition and cost but one man Capt. Ellit-a brave and gallant officer. Returned to our homes about the first of March. This deponent served four months under Captain Russell from the first of November 1776 to the latter part of February 1777, nine months under Capt. John Mongomery from March 1777 to December 1777, three months under Captain James Mongomery from September 1778 to December 1778; This deponent served as an Ensign in expeditions against the Tories two months in 1779-as a Lieutenant he was in constant service from just before the battle of King’s Mountain until the first of March following, about six months. This Deponent after passing the meridian of his life in prosperity and enjoying the confidence of his fellow citizens in various public trusts and honourable employments has been reduced by misfortunes to a want of many of those comforts with which he had hoped the industry and exertions of earlier years would have crowned the evening of his days. The last act of Congress for the relief of soldiers and officers of the revolution he hopes will be found to reach his care and he places the facts of his service before the Honorable Secretary at War in the confident hope that they will be comprehended within the meaning and intention of that act. The Deponent has no documentary evidence in regard to his service nor does he know of any person living from when he could procur the testimony as to his service. He was very young, when he entered the service, and there were none younger than himself in his company-he believes there are very few survivors of the services in which he was engaged. This Deponent hereby relinquishes any claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present, and declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any State.
Sworn to and subscribed before me.
Alexander McDonald Justice of Peace

Commission Book of Governor John Sevier
April 2, 1796 - June 16, 1801
State of Tennessee
p. 26
Robert McFarland commissioned First Major of the regiment of Jefferson County, during good behaviour October 22nd 1799.

Robert McFarland's DAR #A076834.

Last Will and Testament of Robert McFarland of Jefferson Co. TN --Jefferson County TN Will Book 4, pp. 433, 434

ROBERT MCFARLAND SENR'S WILL

I Robert McFarland Senr of the County of Jefferson and State of Tennessee having become old and weak of Boddy but of sound mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make, ordain, publish and declare this my last Will and Testament as follows,

First to my son James McFarland, my son John McFarland, my daughter Jane who intermarried with John Hogan Bean, my daughter Elizabeth who intermarried with Robert Hill, my daughter Margaret who intermarried with Benjamin McFarland, my daughter Sarah who intermarried with William George . . . . . .ONE OR MORE LINES SEEM TO BE MISSING......., my daughter Catie who intermarried with John Inman, my son William McFarland, my daughter Rachel who intermarried with Jessee George, I confirm all former gifts as they have personally received from me that portion of my estate that I desired for them at the time they left me.

Second to my son Robert McFarland I give and grant all the rights that I already have to that tract or parcel of land that he now lives on to be designated by a line running from the beginning corner of my North Carolina grant to where the two creeks meet in my meadow running there with the &lt____sic___&gt Creek on Spring Branch until it comes near to where an apple tree stands on the West Side of Side of Branch, thence so as to include the whole of the branch on my side until it comes to some Rooks above my springs above to my S. Son until the head spring therof leaving him the use of S. head Spring thence in a direct line so as to inter-sect the old line near a field of mine known by the name of the hollow field thence with S. line to where it corners with William Cox Sen'rs land.

3rd to my daughter Malinda McFarland I give and bequeath the horse ____ I formerly gave to her also one cow and calf, a bed and furniture and whatever else she may have acquired since she has kept house for me.

4th to my son Benjamin McFarland I give the tract of land whereon I now live provided he should return home from Missouri by the First day of January or at a reasonable time after and live with me and supply me with all the necessaries of life and do all things necessary to tender me comfortable as long as I may live but in case he should, fail, refuse or neglect to attend to me as above stated my will is that or then my daughter Malinda or my daughter Dorcas either of them that may comply with the conditions of this bequest should be entitled to S. lands giving to the oldest the first offer of same.

5th to my daughter Kitturah who interemarried with Zophar Layne I confirm all the gifts that I once made to her and she has received that portion intended for her except what may be hereinafter named.

6th to my daughter Dorcas who is now intermarried with Beverly Talley I give the Sorrell mare now in her possession also a bedstead and furniture and one cow and calf.

7th my will is that the negro Clark that was left to me by my father in law Benjamine Neal now deceased shall when myself or my heirs m(a)y be sold to the best advantage and the monies arrising therefrom be equally divided between my daughter Malinda and my daughter Kitturah my son Benjamin and my daughter Dorcas.

8th my will is my aged slave Delila who has become almost blind shall remain on and have her maintenance off the land I now live on.

9th my will is my faithful servant Elias shall be emancipated provided the laws of the state shall permit the same be done and if he cannot be lawfully emancipated I will that he shall hae the liberty of living with whom be may choose either my heirs or anyone else and in case he should live to be unable to support himself my will is that he shall have his support off the land I now live.

10th my will is that whatever property I do possess of not mentioned above shall be sold and proceeds applied to the payment of my last debts and should a surplus remain my son Benjamin shall have the same.

Lastly I constitute and appoint my two sons John McFarland and Robert McFarland executors to this my last will and testament whereof I have herunto made my mark and affixed my sseal this 15th day of September 1836.

Signed Sealed published and declared.

In presence of
his
Rueben Wyatt Robert x McFarland (seal)
Beverly Tally mark
William Hill

State of Tennessee )
Jefferson County )
March Session 1837

The last Will and Testament of Robert McFarland Snr. was presented in open Court for probate and thereupon came Reuben Wyatt and William Hill two of the sub-Witnessess to the same, who being duly sworn depose and say they were personally acquainted with Robert McFarland Snr they saw him make his mark to his said signature and acknowledge the same to be his last Will and Testament for teh purposes therein expressed and at the time of signing the same he was of sound and disposing mine and memory and at his request and in his presence they signed their names as subscribing witnesses to said will. It is therefore considered by the Court that said will be admitted to ___________ and therefore come John McFarland and Robert McFarland the executors therin named and was qualified for the faithful discharge of their duty thence they be exempted by the will from giving security.

Attach copy from the records of my office

Joseph Hamilton, Clerk

From Jefferson Co. Tennessee Will Book 4 and Sale Book 1833-1840 p. 30-31, an abstraction of the records on p. 434
"Witnesses, John McFarland and Robt. McFarland sworn say that Robert McFarland Sr., who departed this life on 10th of Feb. 1837, is the identical Robert McFArland Sr. who is named in the Pension certificate shown in court bearing date the day said dec'd departed this life leaving widow by the name of ?. She has not lived with him for more than six years and she is a citizen of Alabama. He died leaving the following chidren: James McFarland, a citizen of Carroll County, Georgia, John McFarland of Jefferson County, Tennessee, Jane McFarland who married John H. Bean, their residence unknown and reported to be dead, Elizabeth Hill widow of Jefferson County, Tennessee, the late Elizabeth McFarland, Margaret, who married Benj. McFarland, living in Missouri, Sarah who married Wm George living in Missouri, Robert McFarland of Jefferson County, Tennessee, Polly, who married Rolin Lawrence, living in McMinn County, Tennessee, Wm. McFarland residence unknown, Catherine, who married John Inman, of Jefferson County Tennessee, Rachel who married Jesse George, living in Missouri, Malinda Mcfarland of Jefferson County, Tennessee, Kitturah, who married Zophar Jayne, living in Illinois, Benj. McFarland, living in Jefferson County, Tennessee.

The following are notes from the McFarland genealogy website of Gary Morris: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/8143/genealogy/mcfarland/rbtlanc.txt --

*************************
FOURTH GENERATION
*************************

***** 33 ***** Robert McFARLAND, son of Robert McFARLAND and Martha _____, was
born 15 Mar 1759 in Orange County, North Carolina, died 10 Feb 1837 in Jefferson
County, Tennessee, buried in McFarland Cem, Hamblen County, Tennessee. Robert
married (1) 5 Apr 1778 in Bedford County, Virginia to Margaret McNUTT daughter
of George MC NUTT, born 13 Dec 1759 in Knox County, Tennessee, died 25 Jul 1804
in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Robert married (2) 31 Aug 1805 in Jefferson
County, Tennessee to Mary NEAL daughter of Benj, born about 1775 in Virginia,
died 1820 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Robert married (3) 8 Mar 1821 in
Jefferson County, Tennessee to Mary WEAVER born about 1760 in Virginia(?).

----- NOTES FOR Robert McFARLAND:
MILITARY: Revolutionary War; Dar Patriotic Index; Lieutenant and Captain in
North Carolina Militia.
CONFLICT-DEATH: 10 Feb 1837 from IGI at FHC; DAR Patriotic Index says 20 May
1834. World Family Tree #5 has died 20 may 1834 and 16 Feb 1837.
NOTES: One source is DAR Magazine No.76, 122; DAR No 83, 391.
RESIDENCE: Robert move to Washington County, Virginia and then to Greene
County, and lived in the Bend of the Nolichucky River, a short distance west of
John McFarland, his uncle. Robert became the first sheriff of Jefferson County.
Mentioned in THE MYTH OF SIR JOHN MACFARLANE 1997,1998 by James A. McFarland
(C)ole Creek Productions, Inc. Tulsa, OK, copy at Houston Public Library (Clayton
Branch).
BIOGRAPHY: From Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Applications, Seattle
Public Library; Robert McFarland born 15 Mar 1759 Orange Co, VA; about age 8 with
father to Bedford County, VA, for about 4 years, thence to Botetourt County, VA,
where entered Rev War 1776, moved to Washington Co, VA 1779, moved to Jefferson
Co, TN. Had son Robert, Jr, Carl&lt?&gt. Died 20 May 1834. Married Margaret McNutt
of Jefferson County, TN; Son Robert born 17 Apr 1791, died 11 Aug 1844 &ltwho
married (1) Hannah BARTON, and (2) Mary Ann SCOTT [1800-1866]&gt.
CONFLICT-MARRIAGE: Note similarity of Marriage dates of Robert MC Farland and
Mary Jones 3 Apr 1778 Bedford county. "Marriage Bonds of Bedford County, VA
1755-1800" by Earle S. Dennis 1932 at Bellingham Library R929.3755 Marriage.
RESIDENCE: 1779-(&lt=) 1783 Washington County, VA.
RESIDENCE: He was among the pioneer settlers on the Wataga Settlement,
entering claim to a tract of land at Springvale, now Jefferson County, in 1783,
at the close of the Revolutionary War.
LAND: 1783 TENNESSEE, Greene County Oct 22 William T. Lewis entered 640 acres
including improvements by Samuel King in great bend of Nolichucky River, below
mouth of Lick River. Caveat by Robert McFarland 17 Jan 1784; caveat withdrawn
& grant to James M. Lewis. Warrant 2 Dec 1784; (Book 1, page 22).
LAND: 1783 TENNESSEE, Greene County Oct 27 Joseph Alexander entered 200 acres
in Greene County, on Long Creek, Warrant 7 June 1784; granted to Robert McFarland
(Book 1, page 76).
COURT: 1790 TENNESSEE, Greene County May Common Pleas. Robert McFarland,
overseer of road from William McFarland's place, to river road near Long Creek;
Jesse Hopkins overseer of road from Lick Creek to William McFarlands (Page 158).
TAXLIST: 1785 VIRGINIA, Washington County: Robert Jr (est born 1755-1760).
PLACE: Russell County formed 1785 from Washington County.
TAXLIST: 1790 VIRGINIA, Russell County: Robert.
RESIDENCE: Lived abt 1790 in Greene County, Tn, after his uncle John had moved
there. Robert lived in the Bend of the Nolichucky River, a short distance west
of John McFarland, his uncle.
TAXLIST: 1791/2 TENNESSEE, Greene County Robert McFarland, Benj. Mcfarland.
TAXLIST: 1797 TENNESSEE, Greene County Robert McFarling, 1 white, no acreage.
TAXLIST: 1800 TENNESSEE, Jefferson County"Early Tennessee Tax Lists" Byron
Sistler 1977 Bellingham Library 929.3768 Robert McFarland.
MARRIAGE: 1820 TENNESSEE, Jefferson County. Robert McFarland and Mary Weaver.
March 8, 1820, St. Pauls Presbyterian Church. SOURCE: IGI. [*** NOTE: Elsewhere
have marriage as March 8, 1821 ***]
First Sheriff of Jefferson County, TN.
DEATH: Pension book shows Robert died May 20, 1834, but the old family bible
states it as February 5, 1837.
PROBATE: 1836 Jefferson Co, TN.
SOURCE: World Family Tree Disk #5 has family and childrens dates, and also LDS
Ancestral File.
CEMETERY: TENNESSEE, Hamblen County, Col. Robert McFarland Cemetery (6 1/2
miles SE of Morristown). Robert McFarland March 15, 1759 -Feb 5, 1837. Elizabeth
Hill w/o Robert d. May 9, 1833, age 54y, 5m, 28d. Robert Hill d. Feb 26, 1832,
age 81y, 4m, 1d. Mary A. McFarland w/o Robert McFarland Feb 11, 1799 - Feb 23,
1866. SOURCE: USGENWEB, Hamblen County, INTERNET.

----- NOTES FOR Margaret McNUTT:
PARENTS: George MC NUTT.
BIRTH: First white child born south of the French Broad River.

----- NOTES FOR Mary NEAL:
PARENTS: Benjamin NEAL and Elizabeth _____.
MARRIAGE: Married (1) ______ COX.

===CHILDREN of Robert McFARLAND and Margaret McNUTT

+ 101 James M. McFARLAND b 2 Nov 1778 Botetourt County,
Virginia. M Elizabeth CARMICHAEL.
+ 102 John McFARLAND b 17 May 1780 Washington County,
Virginia. M Virginia (Jane) (Jenny) McNUTT.
+ 103 Jane (Jean) McFARLAND b 12 Mar 1782 Washington County,
Virginia. M John Hogan BEAN.
+ 104 Elizabeth (Betsy) McFARLAND b 11 Nov 1784/1788
Washington County, Virginia. M Robert HILL.
+ 105 Margaret (Peggy) McFARLAND b 27 Jan 1787 Washington
County, Virginia. M Benjamin A. McFARLAND.
+ 106 Sarah (Lucy) McFARLAND b 13 Dec 1788 Washington County,
Virginia. M William GEORGE.
+ 107 Robert McFARLAND b 17 Apr 1791 Greene County, Tennessee.
M (1) Hannah BARTON. M (2) Mary Ann SCOTT.
+ 108 Mary (Polly) McFARLAND b 28 May 1793 Greene County,
Tennessee. M Rowland LARRIMORE.
+ 109 William McFARLAND b 4 Oct 1795 Greene County, Tennessee.
M Mary McNUTT.
+ 110 Catherine McFARLAND b 26 Jan 1799 Jefferson County,
Tennessee. M John INMAN.
+ 111 Rachel McFARLAND b 23 Dec 1802 Jefferson County,
Tennessee. M Jessie GEORGE.

===CHILDREN of Robert McFARLAND and Mary NEAL

112 Melinda McFARLAND b 20 Jun 1806 Jefferson County,
Tennessee.
+ 113 Keturah McFARLAND b 22 Sep 1808 Jefferson County,
Tennessee. M Zopher JAYNE.
114 Dorcas McFARLAND b 24 Oct 1811 Jefferson County,
Tennessee, d abt 1811/1817 Jefferson County, Tennessee.
115 Ibbie McFARLAND b 26 Jun 1813 Jefferson County,
Tennessee, d 1820 Jefferson County, Tennessee.
+ 116 Benjamin McFARLAND b 3 May 1815 Jefferson County,
Tennessee. M Sarah COX.
+ 117 Dorcas McFARLAND b 11 Jul 1818 Jefferson County,
Tennessee. M Beverly Burl TALLEY.
**** MOST RECENT UPDATE **** MUCH OF THIS ROBERT LAND WARRANTS IS FOR
ROBERT, SON OF ROBERT OF JEFFERSON CO, TN. (NOTE ESPECIALLY THE FIRST NEAR THE
GREAT BEND OF NOLICHUCKY). The others at Sinking Creek, north side, do relate
to the descendants of Duncan, though (perhaps?).
questionable link: Most or all of Robert in Greene Co, TN is from other
families, not descent from Duncan.
DELETE THIS INFORMATION FROM THIS RECORD LATER.
QUESTIONABLE LINK: Very weak link to this family, but a strong link with
family of William, (cousin), William Lewis, and cousin Alexander McFarland of
Greene County, Tennessee. Am including him here for now, as he must be
grandson of Duncan McFarland.
JEFFERSON CO.
LAND: 1783 TENNESSEE, Greene County Oct 22 William T. Lewis entered 640 acres
including improvements by Samuel King in great bend of Nolichucky River, below
mouth of Lick River. Caveat by Robert McFarland 17 Jan 1784; caveat withdrawn
& grant to James M. Lewis. Warrant 2 Dec 1784; (Book 1, page 22).
LAND: 1783 TENNESSEE, Greene County Oct 23 Thomas Jonakin entered 400 acres in
Greene Co, at head of south fork of Sinking Creek, on north side of Nolichucky
River, below Bent Creek; warrant 7 June 1784; granted to Robert McFarlin. (Book
1, page 46).
LINKS: Oct 22 1783 same date for Alexander McFarland, and area of Sinking
Creek same place as Alexander.
LAND: 1783 TENNESSEE, Greene County Oct 27 Joseph Alexander entered 200 acres
in Greene County, on Long Creek, Warrant 7 June 1784; granted to Robert
McFarland (Book 1, page 76).
LAND: 1786 TENNESSE, Greene County Nov 1 Robert Armstrong entered 300 acres in
Greene County, on south side of Nolichucky River, adj. Robert McFarland. (Page
101. #72.).
LAND: 1788 TENNESSEE, Greene County Aug 23 Robert McFarland entered 400 acres
on south side of Sinking Creek, including John Crouch Cabin. (Page 43, grant
#641).
LAND: 1789 TENNESSEE, Greene County Aug 22 grant to Robert McFarland 331 acres
on south side of Nolachucky River (Grant #818).
COURT: 1790 TENNESSEE, Greene County May Common Pleas. Robert McFarland,
overseer of road from William McFarland's place, to river road near Long Creek;
Jesse Hopkins overseer of road from Lick Creek to William McFarlands (Page
158).
LAND: 1791 TENNESSEE, Greene County Nov 28 deed, Robert McFarland to Stephen
Pate, for 78 acres (Part of 200), on south side of Nolachucky River, grant #818
on 22 Aug 1789; signed Robert, Jane McFarland; witness, Benjamin McFarland.
(Book 2, page 197).
LAND: 1792 TENNESSEE, Greene County Aug 26, deed Robert McFarland to Benjamin
Armstrong, for 121 acres on south side of Nolachucky River, part of Grant
#818, in 1789. Witness, Alexander McFarland. (Book 2, page 217).
COL. ROBERT McFARLAND CEMETERY

LOCATION: ABOUT 6 AND ONE- HALF MILES SOUTHEAST OF MORRISTOWN ON SPRINGVALE PIKE.
THE FARM FOR MANY YEARS BELONGED TO THE McFARLANDS.

ROBERT McFARLAND MAR 15,1759-FEB 5, 1837

THE ROBERT MCFARLAND CHAPTER, SONS OF THE REVOLUTION, AT THE ANNUAL
MEETING MARCH 25TH, 1918 VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO DESIGNATE MARCH 15TH, WHICH IS THE
BIRTHDAY ANNIVERSARY OF COL. ROBERT MCFARLAND, AS THE ANNUAL MEETING DATE OF THIS
CHAPTER, IN MEMORY OF THE ONLY OFFICER OF THE REVOLUTION WHOSE REMAINS REST IN
HAMBLEN COUNTY SOIL, HE HAVING BEEN BURIED ON THE OLD PLANTATION NEAR SPRINGVALE, TENNESSEE.

COL. ROBERT MCFARLAND WAS A BOY OF SEVENTEEN AT THE BEGINNING OF THE
REVOLUTIONARY WAR AND RODE BY HIS FATHER'S SIDE TO THE BATTLE OF KING'S MOUNTAIN.

HE WAS BORN IN THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY IN VIRGINIA, MARCH 15TH, 1759 AND
DIED FEBRUARY 5TH, 1837. HE MARRIED MARGARET MCNUTT, THE FIRST WHITE
CHILD BORN SOUTH OF THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER. HIS FATHER WAS AN OFFICER
IN THE COLONIAL ARMY AND FATHER AND SON WERE PIONEERS IN THE WATAUGA
SETTLEMENT. HE WAS THE FATHER OF COL. ROBERT MCFARLAND THE THIRD, WHO
SERVED HIS COUNTRY IN THE WAR OF 1812. HIS GRANDSON, COL. ROBERT
MCFARLAND THE FOURTH, SERVED WITH THE CONFEDERATE ARMY IN THE CIVIL
WAR AND WAS AFTERWARD JUDGE OF THE SUPREME COURT OF TENNESSEE AND LIVED IN MORRISTOWN.

SIR JOHN MCFARLAND, OF ARROUQUAH, SCOTLAND, BORN THERE IN 1708 AND WHO
CAME TO VIRGINIA IN 1746, WAS THE AMERICAN HEAD OF THIS FAMILY AND THE
GRANDFATHER OF ROBERT MCFARLAND, THE SECOND.

WILLIAM CALLOWAY'S LIST OF LOYAL AMERICANS GIVES HIS NAME AND OATH OF
ALLEGIANCE TO VIRGINIA.

THE OLD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA, IN WHICH SR.
JOHN WAS AN ELDER, IS STANDING TODAY.

THIS HISTORY IS GIVEN AS THE REASON WHY THIS CHAPTER IS NAMED THE
ROBERT MCFARLAND CHAPTER, SONS OF THE REVOLUTION.

TAKEN FROM THE MINUTE BOOK OF ROBERT MCFARLAND CHAPTER.

COPIED DECEMBER 29,1936 - ADA RUTH NOE

Robert McFarland: Lieutenant-Captain, North Carolina Militia, $153.00 Annual Allowance $459.00 Amount Received April 24 1833 Pension Started Age 75 (1835 TN Pension Roll)

Commission Book of Governor John Sevier
April 2, 1796 - June 16, 1801
State of Tennessee
p. 26
Robert McFarland commissioned First Major of the regiment of Jefferson County, during good behaviour October 22nd 1799.

Robert married Mary Neal on 31 Aug 1805 in Jefferson Co., TN. Mary was born on 26 Dec 1775 in Virginia, United States; died in 1820 in Jefferson City, Jefferson, Tennessee, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Is this the same person as Nancy Neal Cox that other people have in their family tree?

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Robert McFarlin
• Residence: 1755-56, Bedford Co., VA
• Birth: Abt 1730, Lancaster Co., PA
• Birth: 1730
• Residence: 1747, Black Lick, Wythe, Virginia, USA
• Possessions: 1749, Augusta Co. VA, now Wythe; Survey of 248 acres on Stony Fork, Laurel Run, granted 1753, sold to John Downing in 1754.
• _MILT: 16 Nov 1752, Augusta County, VA (now Wythe Co.)
• Possessions: 1757, Lancaster County, PA; Robert, son of John, is selling property he inherited from his deceased brother James, who had inherited it from his uncle James. Robert is selling it to the husband of James (brother of John) widow Margaret who has now remarried.
• Residence: 1766, Orange Co.NC
• Possessions: 1768, Botetourt Virginia; Augusta
• Residence: 1768, Orange County, North Carolina, USA
• Possessions: 1771, Bedford County, Virginia; Robert, and Jane his wife, sells his 354 acres near the great Otter R. in two sales. Deed book 4, p. 131 and 144.
• Residence: Between 1772 and 1780, Cedar Run, branch of Reed Creek, 85 acres
• _MILT: 1774, Fincastle Co., Virginia
• Possessions: 6 Dec 1774, Montgomery County, Virginia (Wythe Co. now); Montgomery Deed Book A, p. 142. 116 acres on both sides of Reed Creek.
• _MILT: 1776, Virginia
• Residence: Between 1782 and 1783, Washington Co. VA, on the waters of the Middle Fork of the Holstein.
• Possessions: 4 Jun 1782, Montgomery County, VA; "John Davis, assignee of Robert Mcfarland, assignee of Alexander Neely, 200 acres on both sides of Reed Cr." Mary Kegley's Vol. 2, p. 40.
• Possessions: 1789, Greene County, Tennessee, USA; North Carolina grant #818 on south side of Nolachucky for 200 a. next to Robert Armstrong. Roll 13, Book 2, Image 299/329. He sells this in 2 deeds in 1791 and 1792. Wife Jane signs in 91, not 92. Alex. McF. witness.

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines notes:
This first paragraph contains unproven speculation meant to stir up further research:
Too little is known about this Robert McFarland. He must have had several children, but the only two we really know about is Robert Jr. and Benjamin because their descendants kept records that made the connections. I feel sure that Robert had a son named James, probably the eldest son, because he appears in the Montgomery records with him. He also probably had a son named John, because the Washington Co. VA 1782 tax list puts a John near Robert and James. (However, that John maybe John Stewart MacFarlane.) I think there is a good chance that he has a daughter named Mary, and it probably is the Mary that marries Samuel Montgomery. There is an unexplained William in the Jefferson Co. records that may belong to this family. Also, it is possible that the Joseph in Jefferson Co. is another son, or at least a cousin. Lastly, while I am speculating, I think that Robert's wife could be a Crockett. I don't know how, but why would Samuel Crockett leave Robert the 85 acres on Cedar Run?

Now for the facts:
Robert moved with his father John to Augusta County in 1747 and was enrolled in the militia in 1752. He purchased land with his father (1020 acres at Black Buffalo Lick, in 1747, and then separately, in 1749, 248 acres on Stony Fork, at Laurel Run. This he sold to John Downing in 1754. This land is in present day Wythe County, in the foothills east of the Appalachian Mts. and the Jefferson National Forest.

In Lancaster Co. PA Deed Book D, pp. 415-417, Microfilm #21383, there is a very convoluted deed that basically states that the original patent from 1739 to Robert McFarland (grandfather of this Robert who died in 1751) for 286 acres, went first to Robert Sr's son James, who died in 1752 leaving behind a wife Margaret. James' will left 1/2 of the estate to his nephew James (son of his elder brother John). Widow Margaret McF. then married Thomas Clingan shortly after and they lived on the 1/2 estate that she inherited from her dead husband James McFarland, brother to John, Robert, Joseph. The nephew James (son of John) was killed by Indians in Virginia in 1755 and died without heirs or a will, so his inheritance passed to his oldest brother Robert (also son of John). So, this Robert, now living in Bedford County, sells the land to his aunt's husband Thomas Clingan for 143 pounds. Robert McFarland came to Lancaster County and entered the deed June 22, 1757.

He moved with father John to Bedford Co. Va. in 1755/6 during the French and Indian War, probably shortly after the death of James.

In 1756 John and Robert McFarland are present in Bedford County serving in a jury (p. 178). In 1757 Robert McFarland is a plaintiff ag. Jason Meadows (p. 193), issue resolved, in the Sept. court 1757, Robert McFarland is a juror along with Wm. Boyd, Joseph and Walter Crockett, and Andrew Evans (p. 138) Source: Bedford County Virginia Order Book 1, 1754-1761, by TLC Genealogy, 929.37556 B411 2000, Dallas Public Library This shows that all the Reed Creek neighbors moved to Bedford Co. from their patents.

Then Robert married and moved to Orange Co. North Carolina, which we know because of his son Robert's birth there in 1759 (Robert Jr.'s 1832 pension statement). He could have already been married, and Margaret is his second wife-we know nothing about his wife's full name.)

While still in Orange Co. NC Robert and Margaret sold the Black Lick land along with with his father John and Mary Montgomery McFarland in 1766 to the Doak family. It is through this sale that we know his wife's first name and that he was living in Orange Co. NC in 1766.

So, Robert and Margaret were living in Orange County North Carolina from at least 1758/9 to 1766/7.
However, the records for Robert McFarland in Orange County NC in the 1760s are not clearly his as far as I can tell, considering there is another Robert McFarland present at this time it seems. The other Robert in Orange Co. is the Robert who wrote a will in 1780 and died the next year in Caswell County, with wife Margaret (unfortunately the same name). DNA testing on a descendant of this other Robert puts that family in the Cadet lineage, but there is one different marker that makes this lineage not a part of our descendants from Robert and Jennet.

In 1766 Robert purchased land on the Great Otter River in Bedford Co. VA, (Deed Book 2, p. 312, 254 acres on the Otter River) while he still was in Orange Co. NC according to the Bedford Co. records.

Also, he must have moved back to the Black Lick area in 1766 because Kegley records in Vol. 3 of Early Adventurers on the Western Waters: "Gasper (Kinder) may have been living on Reed Creek as early as 1766 as he was in company with Robert McFarland (McFarlin) for a tract of land on the north side of Pine Ridge at that time. This fact is recorded in an unusual document filed in 1785 in the will book of Montgomery County (Will Book B. p. 78)."

Robert sold the land in Bedford Co. in 1771 (Book 4, p. 131 and 144) and by 1772 he was back in the Reed Creek area. In the 1771 deed his wife is named Jane.

In 1772 he received 85 acres of land on Cedar Run, a branch of Reed Creek from the will of Samuel Crockett. He moved to this land, and lived here for 10 years. In 1772 this land was in Botetourt Co, but it is the same area that they first settled in. This land was never recorded as a deed, but is recorded in the Augusta County Will Book 3, p. 506, when Joseph Crockett willed it to his son Samuel, and then Samuel willed it to Robert in 1772. No deed was ever recorded, but the title transferred to Christopher Simmerman in 1791, who then donated it to create the town of Evansham, which was renamed Wytheville. (Kegley, Vol. IV, Early Adventurers in the Town of Evansham, 1998)

In 1774 a Robert McFarland served 108 days in the militia under Captain Walter Crockat as part of the call-up of men who were to travel to Point Pleasant as part of Governor Dunmore's war. Also in this company was James Mcfarland, serving 108 days. This is most likely Robert Sr. (b. 1730) and his son James. Source: Soldiers of Fincastle Co. Virginia 1774, Mary B. Kegley, R929.37558 K26S 1974, p. 30.

In 1776 Robert was living at the Cedar Run acreage, and his son Robert Jr. (age 17) enlisted in Capt. Russell's company in the Rev. War. at his father's house, which is described as being at the present location of the Wytheville court house, Source: Robert Jr.'s 1832 Pension statement. The acreage of future Wytheville was transferred to Christopher Simmerman and recorded in 1791 in the Wythe Deed Book 1, p. 35. In the 1782 tax list for Montgomery Co. there are no Robert McFarlands present, however, a John McFarlane is living next to Christopher Simmerman. It seems that Robert Sr. and Jr. are now living in Washington Co. VA, where they appear on that tax list, and John is living in their place in what becomes the town. (What is unknown at this time is who is this John McFarlane in 1782. Is it a son of Robert's or is it Robert's brother John who was married to Mary Kinder.)

All of this is verified by various tax and militia lists:
From New River Tithables 1770-1773 by Mary Kegley, p. 14 and 15, includes Captain Doacks and Walter Crockett's list of tax payers and lists McFarland, John, and Mackfarland, Robert and his son James. (This would indicate John McFarland jr., his brother, had also moved back)
From Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, Vol III, Mary B. Kegley: p. 258, In 1774, a list of Captain Walter Crockat's Co. of men who served 108 days included Robert Mcfarland and James Mcfarland.

So, Robert had an older son named James who was old enough to pay taxes in 1771, and serve in the militia in 1774. What happened to him? Is he the James who purchased 1/2 of Joseph McFarland's land grant in Greene Co. in 1792? Is he the same James who moved to Christian Co. KY where he died in 1811?

I now believe that the Mary McFarland, who married Samuel Montgomery, a neighbor in the Cedar Run area of Reed Creek, was the daughter of this Robert McFarland. I have no absolute proof, but the time and place is right for this to be the case.

(There are no Roberts or James of the right age in the Duncan line to have served in the militia or paid these taxes, so these records must be attributed to the correct family)

Regarding Robert's wife's name. There are two deeds a couple of years apart where Robert is selling his land and his wife is signing. In the first deed, the wife is named Margaret. In the second deed 2 years later, the wife is named Jane. Ramsey mistakenly wrote her name as Martha, which is why so many trees have that name listed, but the original deed image is quite clearly Margaret.

The following are notes from the McFarland genealogy website of Gary Morris: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/8143/genealogy/mcfarland/rbtlanc.txt --
***** 8 ***** Robert McFARLAND, son of John McFARLAND and Mary MONTGOMERY, was
born 7 Apr 1730 in Donegal Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, died 1798
in Kentucky. Married about 1758 in Virginia to Martha _____ born about 1734 in
Orange(?) County, N.Carolina(?).

----- NOTES FOR Robert McFARLAND:
QUESTION-COMMENT: From the Annuals of Bath County "Families of Greater Bath";
page 187 Colonels Robert and John McFarland, early pioneers of Jefferson County,
TN, are descendants of Duncan McFarland. (See Duncan McFarland Records).
MILITARY: 1752 Augusta County. Robert McFarland qualified a Lieutenant on
November 16, 1752 (Abstracts from the Records of Augusta County, VA, Lyman
Chalkley, Vol. II page 55).
MILITARY: "Virginia Colonial Soldiers" by Lloyd D. Bockstruck 1988;
Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD; page 4 Augusta County 16 Nov 1752 John
McFarland, ensign, and Robert McFarland, Lieutenant.
RESIDENCE: Soon after marriage, in 1758 had gone south to Orange County, North
Carolina.
RESIDENCE: From Abstracts of Revolutionary War Applications of son, Robert;
Lived in Orange County, North Carolina, and about 1768 moved to Bedford County
until about 1771 to Botetourt County, Virginia. Moved 1779 to Washington county,
Virginia, and then later to Jefferson County, Tennessee.
LAND: Robert inherited one-half of a farm from his uncle James. Jame's wife,
Margret inherited the other one-half. Later Robert sold his one-half to Margaret
and her new husband, Thomas Clingan. Source: James A. McFarland.
LAND: 1757 Thomas Clingan (husband of Margaret, who first married uncle James
McFarland) bought land from Robert McFarland, who was living in Bedford Co, VA
at time of transaction, 20 June 1757. From Mary Haines@Juno.com Bedford Co, VA
Queeries Aug 1998.
RESEARCHER-EMAIL: Mary Haines Maryhaines@juno.com.
LAND: 1754. 6 Aug 1754 Robert McFarland sold 248 acres on Stoney Fork of Reed
Creek for 20.14 pounds to John Downing. Teste: Abraham Dunkleberry, Nathaniel
Wilshire. (Chalkley Vol 3:330; Augusta County Will page 442).
QUESTION: Last transaction mentions John Downing, who was related to James
McFarland. However, James McFarland, brother of this Robert, died in 1750's. Do
I have James McFarlands mixed up?
LAND: 1766 Although Robert was still in Orange County, NC, he bought property
in Bedford County. In 1766 he bought 254 acres on the Otter River in Bedford
County from Giles Williams, property that was near to his father, John. Mentioned
in THE MYTH OF SIR JOHN MACFARLANE 1997,1998 by James A. McFarland (C)ole Creek
Productions, Inc. Tulsa, OK, copy at Houston Public Library (Clayton Branch).
LAND: 1768 Botetourt County: John and Mary McFarland of Bedford county,
Virginia and Robert and Martha McFarland of County of Orange, North Carolina, to
David Doak for L156, 1,020 acres at Black Buffalo Lick on water of Wood (New)
River. Annals of Southwest Virginia 1769-1800, by Lewis C. Summers, Kingsport
Press, Kingsport, Tn, 1927 Vol 2, page 531.
RESIDENCE: In 1768 or 1769 Robert returned from Orange County with his family,
but sold his land in 1771.
LAND: Oct 30, 1772 VIRGINIA, Montgomery County. Robert McFarland received 85
acres on Cedar Run, a branch of Reed Creek, from the will of Samuel Crockett
dated this date. This tract was approximately two miles southeast of Fort
Chiswell. Will Book B, page 3.
LAND: 1773. VIRGINIA, Fincastle County. Robert McFarland received 166 acres
in Fincastle County, on Reed Creek, 16 Dec 1773 (Reed Creek now in Montgomery
County). (VA State Library, Record of Plotts, reel 33, Book A, page 79).
LAND: 1776 lived on a tract located in the present town of Wytheville, Wythe
County.
RESIDENCE: Moved 1779 to Washington County, Virginia (mentioned in personal
records of son Robert).
COURT: 1780 TENNESSEE, Greene County. Alexander Outlaw, 1780, complains of
Robert McFarland Sr. and Robert McFarland Jr., that they on ... at Green County
took away fifty head of cattle belonging to said Outlaw. SOURCE: Morgan
District Court Civil Action Papers Found in Bulletin of Genealogical Society of
Old Tyrone County, North Carolina 10:3:135 1982.
TAXLIST: 1785 VIRGINIA, Washington County: Robert Sr. (NOTE: Robert Jr. would
have been Robert Henry McFarlane of Russell County).
PLACE: Russell County formed 1785 from Washington County.
NOTE: Not listed in Russell County, VA Taxlists (1787-on). Must have lived
1786-1788 in that part now Washington County.
LAND: 1788
HISTORY: "Families of Jefferson Conty, Tennessee" 1992 found at Seattle
Genealogical Society. Robert McFarland moved from Virginia to Kentucky in 1788
and to the Watauga Settlement in 1799.
DEATH: Last record of Robert McFarland is in Montgomery County on Sept 7,
1779.
DEATH: According to the Morristown Bible record, Robert Sr. is suppossed to
have gone to Kentucky circa 1788. See "The Myth of Sir John McFarlane" by James
A. McFarlane.

===CHILDREN of Robert McFARLAND and Martha _____

+ 33 Robert McFARLAND b 15 Mar 1759 Orange County, North
Carolina. M (1) Margaret McNUTT. M (2) Mary NEAL. M
(3) Mary WEAVER.
+ 34 Benjamin McFARLAND b abt Oct 1769 Bedford County,
Virginia. M (1) Martha STINSON. M (2) Mary RATCLIFFE.
Robert moved with his father John to Augusta County in 1747 and was enrolled in the militia in 1752. He moved with father John to Bedford Co. Va. in 1757. Then he married and moved to Orange Co. North Carolina. In 1768 Robert moved back to Virginia to Bedford Co. and then four years later to Botetourt Co. for 10 years, where in 1772 he received 85 acres on Reed Creek from will of Samuel Crockett (two miles southeast of Fort Chiswell). In 1776 Robert is living in what is the present town of Wytheville, and his son Robert Jr. enlists in Capt. Russell's company in the Rev. Wa

Robert married Margaret Jane about 1747 in Virginia. Margaret was born in 1734; died about 1792 in Jefferson County, TN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines notes:Her name appears in two deeds selling Robert's property. The first deed is the sale of the Black Lick property he co-owned with father John, and her name is listed as Margaret. The second deed is selling the Bedford property and her name is listed as Jane. It could be two different wives.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: John McFarlin
• Religion: Elder in the Presbyterian Church in Bedford Co.
• Religion: Elder in the Presbyterian Church in Bedford Co.
• Birth: Abt 1708, Ireland; He is the eldest son. He signed a legal petition for the formation of Lancaster County in 1729.
• DNA: 1708
• Residence: 1729, Chester Co., Penn. adjacent to Robert, this becomes Lancaster Co.
• Possessions: 1738, Adams Co., PA; There were two warrants made to John McFarlan and John McFarland in Cumberland township (one is now Butler township) that were then passed on to others. One property was adjacent to Andrew Mayes property. Near present-day Goldenville.
• Possessions: 1747, Augusta Co. VA, now Wythe; Survey for 1020 acres to John and Robert McF. at Black Buffalo Lick. Patent in 1752. Survey to John McFarland for 106 acres on Reed Creek, Patent in 1752. See Gallery for details.
• Possessions: 1749, Augusta Co. VA, now Wythe; 327 acres on Sally Run, branch of Reed Creek. Patent issued 1753. Sold to John Finley in 1773.
• Occupation: 1750, Surveyor for road to property in Augusta Co.
• Occupation: 1750; Surveyor for road to property in Augusta Co.
• Possessions: 1751, Augusta Co. VA, now Wythe; Survey 98 acres on branch of Reed Creek, between land he lives on (Sally Run) and the Cove. Sold to James Hollis in 1767 while living in Bedford Co.
• _MILT: 1752
• Possessions: 1763, Augusta Co. VA, now Wythe; Sale of his 106 acres on Reed Creek to Hugh Montgomery, while living in Bedford Co. VA
• Possessions: 1778, Reed Cr. area of Montgomery Co. VA; John McFarland Sr. of Bedford Co. sells to John McFarland Jr. of Montgomery Co. 367 acres on Meadow Run, granted to John McFarland Sr. in 1753. Montgomery Co. Deed Book A, p. 234
• Death: Aft. 1785, prob. Greene County, Tennessee territory; John signed a deed with his son Benjamin selling his Bedford Co. VA property.

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines research notes:
This John is sometimes referred to as "Old Scotland" John; however, he was probably not from Scotland, was not a "Sir" and not a lord from Arrochar, fleeing to the colonies after his estate was confiscated after the battle of Colloden, which is commonly reported, without any documentation. That story was published in a family manuscript in 1955 and has been repeated so many times that it has taken on a life of its own. That story is completely contrary to real events, repeating the belief that the last laird of Arrochar fled to the colonies. However, the laird of Arrochar, the chief Walter MacFarlane was alive and well in Edinburgh and he did not lead any MacFarlanes into the battle at Colloden. There are conflicting reports of 300 MacFarlanes either participating, or not participating, in this battle siding with Bonnie Prince Charlie. Most sources believe they stayed out of the conflict, certainly the chief did. Chief Walter, was followed by William, who sold the Arrochar lands in 1767 to pay debts; they were not confiscated. William was followed by John, the 22nd Chief, and so on till the last Chief, the 25th, William, who died in 1866. There has been no Chief since then. Source: History of Clan MacFarlane, by James MacFarlane, published in Glasgow in 1922 under the auspices of the Clan MacFarlane Society.

Our John McFarland was only about 13 when his father Robert and family came to Pennsylvania in abt. 1719, so it is highly unlikely that he stayed behind. It is possible that he could have been born in Scotland if his parents had been traveling there at the time. However, there is no John McFarland son of Robert and Janet, that appears in Scottish parish records for this time period.

This would also indicate that our John McFarland was not in Scotland participating in the Jacobite wars, unless he was tranversing the ocean a couple of times, which seems unlikely. Sticking to the records pertaining to this family, we know that father Robert came from Ireland, and that John was in America in all the years shown by the records below.

Lancaster County records:

In 1729, John signs a petition with his father Robert asking for the creation of a new county, Lancaster, out of the present Chester Co. PA. Twenty-one was considered the legal age, so about 1708 would be his birth year.

In 1732 John Mcffarlen was sworn into a grand jury in Lancaster Co. P. 16, Lancaster Co. Quarter Abstracts from 1729-1742

In May 29, 1740 John McFarlin warranted 188 acres, but decided not to patent it. The land ended up being patented by Philip Brenner/Brenar on January 27, 1761, Patent Book AA2, p. 288, Survey Book A, p. 82-93. (Early Landowners of Pennsylvania: Atlas of Township Warrantee Maps of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, by Sharon McInnes, Closson Press, July 2008)

In the will of John Ramsay, husband of John's sister Rachel, John McFarland is named to be an executor of his estate on Jan. 21, 1747. The will is proved on Feb. 21, 1747. Was John present in Lancaster Co. then? He is filing for a survey of property in Virginia in March, 1747.

It is not clear if John traveled with all his family to VA in 1747, or just his oldest son Robert, when he went to survey his land. I assume he left his family in PA until the documents had been filed in 1747 and 1749. Since he returned home in 1751 to take care of his father's estate, he probably then returned to the Reed Creek area with everyone, when he filed for more land in 1753.

John is referred to as the eldest son in the property transfer to James in Lancaster Deed Book C, p. 95 dated June 17, 1751.

A booklet by John A. McFarland, "The Myth of Sir John MacFarlane" written in 1997 by James A. McFarland of Tulsa, Oklahoma documents the mix-up that has occurred in the history of this John McFarland.

1740s and 50s:
Our John McFarland took advantage of the opportunity to acquire cheap and abundant land from the Woods River Company which had secured land on the waters of the New, Holston, and Clinch rivers, if settled on before 1748. John and his family moved quickly, carving out new surveys of land in the recently opened territory in the western part of Virginia (then Augusta County, later subdivided, and today it is Wythe County). This land was 1020 acres on Black Buffalo Lick, and was surveyed for John and his son Robert on March 5, 1747. Then John recorded another survey for 106 acres on a branch of Reed Creek, and in 1749, 347 acres on Sally Run, another branch. Then in 1753, another 367 acres on Meadow Run, another branch of Reed Creek, and lastly 98 acres on a branch of Reed Creek between the land he lives on and the Cove. John moved here with his wife and children, as well as some of his neighbors from Lancaster County.

When his father died back in Pennsylvania in the early part of 1751, John returned to Lancaster Co. PA to help settle the estate and provide for his mother Jennet. He signed these documents in March, 1751. Documents in Lancaster Co. refer to the death of James (John's son) in Augusta County Virginia in 1755, and John's eldest son Robert travels back to Lancaster to clear up his brother's estate. John A. McFarland's booklet "The Myth of Sir John Macfarlane" does an excellent job of clarifying these records. In Mary B. Kegley's 2004 book "Early Adventurers On the Western Waters" are maps of the settlements on pp. 473 and 474.

Virginia:
Tithables for Virginia included every white male 16 and over.
On p. 4 of Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, 1988 gives the information that on Nov. 16, 1752, John McFarland, Ensign and Robert McFarland Lieutenant, took their oath of allegience to the crown for their service with the Augusta County Militia. This would be referring to this John and his son Robert I assume. This is found originally in Chalkey.

Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia
Volume I
AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS.
ORDER BOOK No. II. (cont.)

MAY 23, 1750.
(371) Road ordered from Ezekiel Calhoun's to Wood's River thence to Top of Ridge between Wood's River and the South Fork of Roanoke. John McFarland and Joseph Crockett to be surveyors of former, and Wm. Crisp and Wm. Pellam, of latter part, with tithables, and the following: Henry Batton, Mordecai Early, John McFarland, Jacob Goldman, John Downing, John Goldman, Charles Sinclair, Nathaniel Wilshire, Wm. Sayers, Jacob Goldman, Wm. Hamilton, Humbertson Lyon, Frederick Carlock, Robert Norris, James Miller, James Cave, Saml. Montgomerie, Steven Lyon, John Conley, Andrew Linam, James Willbey, Saml. Stanlick, James Maies, Robert McFarlin, James Harris, John Vance, John Stride, Robert Miller, Alexr. Sayers, John Miller, Jacob Castle, Robert Alcorn, John Forman, Wm. Miller.

AUGUST 21, 1752.
(321) Peter Scholl, qualified Colonel of Foot; Low Todd, qualified Lieut. of Horse; John Dunbar, qualified Capn. of Horse; John Fitzwater, qualified Ensign; Francis McBride, qualified Cornet; Ro. McFarland, qualified Lieut.; Ro. Young, qualified Capn. of Horse.
NOVEMBER 16, 1752.
(365) John Walker, on So. Branch of Potomack, is exempted from levy on acct. of great age, infirmity and poverty.
(365) County Levy--116 wolf heads.
(365) Levied for finishing the new Co. Ho. 2317 tithables. (See this for list of names.)
(366) John McFarland, qualified Ensign; Joseph Crocket, qualified Captain Co. of Foot; Ro. McFarland, qualified Lieutenant.

The land they lived on prior to 1757 was located along the Reed Creek (present Wythe County) It is in the eastern foothills of the Appalachian Mts. near the present day Jefferson National Forest and the town of Wytheville. This home was referred to during the French and Indian War as being about 19 miles from Burke's Garden, which is in present Tazewell Co. VA.

During the Indian attacks that were part of the French and Indian War, the John McFarland settlement was referred to:
Source: A History of The Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory. By David E. Johnston (1906).Chapter II. 1753 - 1766

Captain William Preston records in his journal the movement of his militia:

"Monday 16, 40 Indians and 60 white men under command of Capt. Smith and Woodston marched from fort in order to range the woods about Reed Creek; they are to march to Burke's Garden.

"Tuesday 17, Mr. Paul returned from the horse guard (This guard had been left to protect the crossing of New River.)

"Wednesday 18, Capt. Hog's company and Major Lewis march in afternoon.

"Thursday 19, Left Fort Frederick at 10 o'clock: 27 loaded pack horses, got to William Sawyer's: Camped on his barn floor.

"Friday 20, Switched one of the soldiers for swearing, which very much incensed the Indian chiefs then present. Advanced to Alex Sawyers, met the Indians who went out with the first division, and Lieutenant Ingles who informed us of the burial of Robt. Looney. Some of our Indians deserted.

"Sat. 21, Major Lewis, Capt. Pearis and the interpreter went to Col. Buchanan's place, where they met the Indians who had deserted us, and induced them to return, which they did.

"Sunday 22, Marched to John McFarland's.

"Monday 23, Marched over the mountain to Bear Garden, on North Fork of Holston's river. Lost sundry horses.

Miles

"From F. P. George to Cyphers' 15
2nd day to R. Hall's 15
3rd day to F. A. Frederick 15
19th Feb. to Wm. Sawyers 20
20th Feb. to McCaul's 13
Sunday 22, to McFarland's 7
Monday 23 to Bear Garden 10
Tuesday 24 to Burke's Garden 9
Thursday 26, to head of Clinch 10
Saturday 28, to head of Sandy Creek 10

Preston's Journal shows that several settlements had been made along Peak, Reed and other Creeks West of New River prior to 1756. Among the parties he names are William Sawyers, Alexander Sawyers, and John McFarland, and Dr. Walker mentions Samuel Stalnaker as on the Holston on the 24th of March, 1750, when he and Mr. Powell helped him to raise a house."

Because of new counties being created as population increased, land and other records can be found in various counties. In 1770 Botetourt County was formed from Augusta Co. The county seat was Fincastle, which existed as a county from 1772 to 1777 when it was dissolved and divided into Montgomery Co. and Washington Co. The Reed Creek area was then part of Montgomery Co. This area becomes Wyeth County in 1790, but our McFarlands were in Tennessee by this time.

Toward the end of the French and Indian War, John McFarland Sr. and his family moved north east, over the Blue Ridge Mountains, to Bedford Co. Virginia, an area more protected from Indian attacks. John's son James was killed by the Indians in 1755, as shown in court records in Lancaster Co. PA. In fact, most of the Reed Creek community evacuated the area until peace treaties were signed with the Indian tribes in 1770. John Sr. stayed living in Bedford County with his son Benjamin until 1785.

Augusta County purchases and sales (Reed Creek area-Wythe Co. today)

1. 1747 Survey to John and Robert McFarland, 1020 acres lying on the waters of Woods (New) River at a place called Black Buffalo Lick, granted in Patent Book 31 Augusta Co., p. 248 on Oct. 31, 1752. Sold to David Doak on Aug. 1, 1768 for 300 pounds, described as at Black Buffalo Lick, on the waters of Woods (New) River, by John and Mary McFarland in Bedford Co. VA, and Robert and Martha McFarland in Orange Co., NC. Botetourt County Deeds: Fincastle, VA. (Summers, Annals, p. 531)

2. 1747 Survey to John McFarland, 106 acres on Reed Creek, granted in Augusta Co. Patent Book 30, p. 30 on Oct. 30, 1752. Sold to Hugh Montgomery in 1763. (Augusta Co. Deed Book 11, pp. 328, 329)

3. 1749 Survey to John McFarland, 327 acres on Sally Run, a branch of Reed Creek. Patent issued as 327 acres in Augusta Co. Patent Book 32, p. 167 on June 20, 1753. Sold 327 acres to John Finley in Nov. 1773. (Montgomery Co. Order Book 1, p. 142)

4. 1749 Survey to John McFarland, 367 acres on Meadow Run, a branch of Reed Creek, granted in Augusta Co. Patent Book 32, p. 149 on June 20, 1753. Sold to John McFareland, Jr. for 55 pounds lawful money in 1778 from John McFareland, Sr. of Russell Parish, Bedford Co. (Montgomery Co. Will Book A, p. 234) Sold in 1786 to Jacob Bruner (Pruner) from John McFarland, Jr. of County Casewell, State of Franklan (Montgomery Co. Deed Book A, p. 478).

5. 1751 Survey to John McFarland, 98 acres on a branch of Reed Creek between the land he lives on and the Cove, granted in Augusta Co. Patent Book 32, p. 166 on June 20, 1753. Sold to James Hollis in 1767 by John and Mary McFarland in Bedford Co.

6. 1749 Survey to Robert McFarlane, 248 acres on Stony Fork, Laurel Run, granted in Augusta Co. Patent Book 32, p. 168 on June 20, 1753. (Sold to John Downing in 1754, Augusta Co. Will Book, p. 442)

7. 1772, Robert McFarland received 85 acres on Cedar Run of Reed Creek from the will of Samuel Crockett (Will Book B, p. 3). This was never formally recorded in a deed book, and was where Robert was living in 1776. This became the town of Evansham (Wytheville)

Bedford Co. Va Deeds and Records:

Although the McFarland family left the Reed Creek area after the Indian attacks in 1755, they did not purchase any land in Bedford until 1763. They must have been living on the land they later purchased.

1756: John and Robert McFarland are present in Bedford County, serving on a jury. (Source: Bedford County Virginia Order Book 1, 1754-1761, by TLC Genealogy, 929.37556 B411 2000, Dallas Public Library p. 178)

1757: In the Sept. court in Bedford Co., Robert McFarland is a juror along with Wm. Boyd, Joseph and Walter Crockett, and Andrew Evans (Order Book p. 138)

1758: In March court, John McFarland is serving on a jury. (Order Book p. 145)

1761: John Mcfarlin Jr. is serving in a jury (p. 249). Source: Bedford County Virginia Order Book 1, 1754-1761, by TLC Genealogy, 929.37556 B411 2000, Dallas Public Library

1763: the earliest McFarland deed in Bedford Co. is in Deed Book 2, p. 228 on June 30th, 1763, where John McFarland Sr. purchases 100 acres from Edmond Manion for 20 pounds Virginia money. The 100 acres are described as being on the north side of the Otter River. This land is sold by John and Benjamin McFarland in Oct. 1785 in Deed Book 7, p. 581. This indicates that John Sr. was still alive in 1785 when the land was sold and the McFarlands vacate Bedford Co. completely. (FHL #1940776)

1764: Deed Book 2, p. 433-434, Aug. 28. John McFarland (this would be John McFarland Jr.) purchased 212.5 acres from Joshua Early, both of the Parish of Russell, for 50 pounds current money. It is described as being at the head of Medoes's Creek. When this plat is sold May 25, 1778 in Deed Book 6, p. 48, John McFarland Jr. of County of Montgomery is selling it to Lyonell Brown for 100 pounds current money and the land is described as being at the head of Medow's Creek. In researching this plot of land further back in time, it was originally a patent belonging to Richard Randolph in Aug. 30, 1744, part of 3233 acres on the north side of the Otter River, at head of branches of Buffalo Creek and Elk Creek. The name Medoes's Creek, or any variation, has not been discovered so far. The estate of Richard Randolph of Henrico Co. sold this 212.5 plot to Joshua Early on July 24, 1764 for 50 pounds before Joshua sold it to John McFarland shortly after for the same amount. (FHL #1940776)

1766: Deed Book 3, p. 12. Aug. 9, Robert McFarland purchases 254 acres from Giles Williams Jr. for 50 pounds current money. The land was originally patented to Giles Williams Jr. Sept. 25, 1762. The land is described as being on the south side of the Otter River on both sides of a branch (not named), adjacent to William Callaway, Sherwood Walton. Witness: George Grundy, Charles C. McGlaughlin, John McFarland. (FHL#194077)

1770: Deed Book 3, pp. 498, 499. Oct. 23, John McFarland purchases 318 acres on both sides of Mountain Creek for 17 pounds current money. This land was sold to John by Richard Stith, acting as attorney for the executors of Richard Randolph of Henrico, deceased. This was conveyed to Stith in 1761. (FHL#194077)

1771: Robert McFarland divides his 1766 purchase, and sells it in 1771 to John Rogers (238 acres Great Otter River. Deed Book 4, p. 131) and Henry Lowry (15.5 acres, south side Otter River, adj. Walton Grundy, Deed Book 4, p.144). He then moves to Montgomery County.

1772: Joseph McFarland sells the 318 acres on Mounts Creek to John Gallaway. This is the land previously acquired by John McFarland in 1770. Joseph then moves to Montgomery Co. (Deed Book 4, p. 394).

1773: Deed Book 4, p. 468. Benjamin McFarland purchased 375 acres on the Otter River adjacent Simon Miller from John Christopher Lainheart and wife. This land is sold in 1785 as part of a package with his father's 100 acres to Cornelius Noell in Deed Book 7, p. 581. It is then described as being adjacent Cornelius Noell, William Miller, John Miller, and John Christ. Lainhart. (FHL# 194078)

1774: John McFarland signed a petition presented to the Virginia House of Burgesses along with the other members of the congregation of the Presbyterian church known as the Peaks of Otter, in Bedford Co. for approval to purchase land and slaves to support a minister, rather than the usual method of supporting a minister. (This file was found at the Library of Virginia, Virginia History and Culture, Early Virginia Religious Petitions, 1774-1802. This image of this petition is available through their Digital Library Program.The whole petition was Transcribed by Teresa Lee-Coker on April 28, 2002 and available on the internet.)

1777: Bedford County: On Sept. 6, John McFarland and Benjamin McFarland signed an "Oath of Affirmation directed by an Act of General Assembly" to Wm. Callaway.(Copies can be purchased from the Bedford Co. Historical Society).

1777: Deed Book 5, p. 516. Oct. 7, 1777, John McFarland sells to Benjamin McFarland his 100 acres on the branch of the Otter River for 100 pounds current money, as well as "a Negro wench named Aggy and her four children, Harry and Achilles-boys and Jude and Abbigail-girls" plus all the stock of horses, black cattle, sheep and hogs. It is stipulated that John and Mary McFarland are to live on this land and work the slaves as long as they live, and if Mary outlives John, she can stay, but if she chooses to live elsewhere Benjamin will pay 10 pounds a year for her upkeep. Also, in December of the year of John McFarland's decease, Benjamin will pay to John McFarland Junior, or his heirs, 70 pounds current money. (FHL #1940779)

1778: Deed Book 6, p. 48, May 25, 1778, John McFarland Jr. of County of Montgomery sells to Lyonell Brown of Bedford his 212.5 acres at head of Medow's Creek, for 100 pounds current money. (FHL #1940779) John Jr. had not lived there since 1771.

1782: John and Benjamin McFarland filed for compensation for supplies furnished troops during the Revolution. Source: Bedford County Virginia Publick Claims, Abercrombie. R929.37556 A144B 1991, Dallas Public Library. His DAR number is A076825. The designation Patriot is based on this record, and also the Oath of Affirmation above,

1785: Deed Book 7, p. 581, Oct. 1785, John McFarland, Benjamin McFarland and Mary his wife of Bedford Co. sell 475 acres total to Cornelius Noell for 250 pounds current money on the north side of Otter River. Their neighbors are Cornelius Noell, William Miller, John Miller, John Christopher Lainhart. So, John Sr. is still alive, however his wife Mary Montgomery must be deceased. (FHL #1940780)

Personal Property Tax List for Bedford Co. 1782-1805: FHL #2024472

The assessors noted holders of tavern licenses, covering horses (stud). Often older men were exempt from being counted in the tithe, as were women. John McFarland was living with his son Benjamin and was mentioned as father in the 1782 tax, and listed as a tithe. He is also included in the 1783 tithe, but by 1784 he is either dead, or must have reached an age that he is no longer taxed. Most researchers have assumed he was dead, but that doesn't explain how he signed the deed transfer in 1785.

1782 Personal Property Tax List
Benjamin Mcfarland & father:
Free males above 21: 2
Slaves: 7
Horses: 6
Cattle: 20
White tithes above 16: 2
Black tithe above 16: 1

1783 Personal Property Tax List
Benjamin Mcfarland:
No. of Tithes: 3
Tax on Covering Horses: ? Q_ (a covering horse is a Stud horse)
Whites over 21: 2
Blacks over 16: 1
Blacks under 16: 6
Total Blacks: 7
Horses: 5
Cattle: 7
No wheels and Carriages
No Ordinary Licence (tavern license)

1784 Personal Property Tax List
Benjamin Mcfarland:
No. of Tithes: 2
Tax on Covering Horses: 20
Whites over 21: 1
Blacks over 16: 1
Blacks under 16: 6
Total Blacks: 7
Horses: 7
Cattle: 20

1785 Personal Property Tax List
Benjamin McFarland:
No. of Tithes: 2
Tax on Covering Horses: 15
Whites over 21: 1
Blacks over 16: 1
Blacks under 16: 6
Total Blacks: 7
Horses: 2
Cattle: 24

No McFarlands present in 1786 tax list in Bedford Co.

Montgomery Co. VA Records:

In 1767, John and Mary of Bedford Co. sold 98 acres on a branch of Reed Creek, part of his patent dated 1753 to James Hollis.

In 1768, John and Mary McFarland of Bedford Co. VA, with Robert and Martha McFarland of Orange Co. NC, sold to David Doak their 1020 acre plot along the New River at Black Buffalo Lick.

The 327 acre tract was sold to John Finley in 1773, and lastly, in 1778, the last tract of land, the 367 acres was sold to John McFarland Jr., who seems to have been living there at least since 1772. (Deed Book A, Montgomery Co. p. 234)

Greene Co. TN

If John McFarland was alive in 1785, and it seems he was, he would have moved with his son Benjamin to Greene Co. TN. Another bit of proof for John Sr. being alive could be the sale of land in 1786 in Montgomery Co. when John McFarland Junior sells his 367 acres to Jacob Brooner (Montgomery Deed Book A, p. 386-387) and he is referred to as Junior.

Another reference that I have found that could be referring to John McFarland Sr. is testimony about the Indian Wars that took place in 1793.

Ramsey's Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century (1853)
[Ramsey's Annals Home] - Chapter VII: Territory of the United States South of the Ohio River - Page 582

"But to provide for the worst, it was settled beforehand, that each man, on discharging his piece, without stopping to watch the flight of the Indians, should make the best of his way to Knoxville, lodge himself in the block-house, where three hundred muskets had been deposited by the United States, and where the two oldest citizens of the forty, John McFarland and Robert Williams were left behind to run bullets and load." Robert McFarland Jr. (b. 1759) was a Colonel of the militia that fought against this Indian raid, so this could well have been his grandfather, but it also could be referring to uncle John. John Sr. would be abt. 87, John Jr. would be 56.

The descendants of this couple (John and Mary Montgomery) are many, and are scattered across the United States. Now, through DNA testing, many of our families have been identified, and we have DNA cousins that trace this line back to the Gartartan branch of the MacFarlane line. From Ireland, these families emigrated to Canada, New Zealand, and America.

The dates of birth for John and Mary's children come from the "Morristown Bible" a McFarland Bible owned by Mrs. John Holms of Morristown, TN, a descendant of John's son Robert.

The following are notes from the McFarland genealogy website of Gary Morris: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Hollow/8143/genealogy/mcfarland/rbtlanc.txt --
----- NOTES FOR John McFARLAND:
NOTE: Documentation gives clear evidence that John McFarland of
Montgomery/Bedford County, Virginia is the son of Robert McFarland of Lancaster
County, Pennsylvania. Some researchers in the past have indicated that John was
born in Scotland, with no documentation. Primary evidence is contained in the
Lancaster Deed Book D, page 415, denoting son Robert McFarland of Bedford County,
VA releases his land in Donegal township, Lancaster County to relatives. (See
Notes of Robert 1675-1752).
RESIDENCE: 1729 PENNSYLVANIA, Chester County, Northern part. John McFarland
and Robert McFarland (adjacent) signed petition in 1729 that another county be
formed from the Northern Part of Chester (that part now Lancaster). Appears in
a book on the John McFarland family of Lancaster/Dauphin County.
PROBATE-LINKS: 1747: PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Donegal Township. John
McFarland. John Ramsey Jan 21, 1747 to Feb 21, 1747. Executors Rachel Ramsey &
John McFarland. Donegal Township. Wife Rachel Ramsey. Children John and
Rebecca. SOURCE: Lancaster County Abstracts of Wills 1721-1820, page 832. FHC
microfilm #383292.
RESIDENCE: Family moved to Virginia about 1747. They moved to that part of
Augusta County which later became known as Montgomery, and now is Wythe County.
He later moved to Bedford County, VA and died there.
RESIDENCE: 1748 Augusta County: John McFarlin, a criminal."CHRONICLES OF THE
SCOTCH IRISH SETTLEMENT IN VIRGINIA"
RESIDENCE: 1749. Appeared in 1749 as a petitioner to open a road from
Zachariah Calhouns, on Reed Creek to Buffalo Lick and then to Woods River below
mouth of Little River, towards forks of Meadow Creek between Woods River and
South fork of Roanoke. (Chalkley Vol 1: 434).
RESIDENCE: Family lived 1750 in the southern section of Augusta County
(location of later Bedford ). "CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTCH IRISH SETTLEMENT IN
VIRGINIA" May 23, 1750 John McFarland and Joseph Crockett, surveyors. Road
ordered from Ezekiel Calhoun's to Wood's River thence to Top of Ridge between
Wood's River and the South Fork of Roanoke (near present Botetourt and Bedford
Counties) Tithables (persons in area paying for road): Henry Batton, Mordecai
Early, John McFarland, Jacob Goldman, John Downing, John Goldman, Charles
Sinclair, Nathaniel Wilshire, Wm. Sayers, William Hamilton, Humbertson Lyon,
Frederick Carlock, Robert Norris, James Miller, James Cave, Saml. Montgomerie,
Steven Lyon, John Conley, Andrew Linam, James Willbey, Saml. Stanlick, James
Maies, Robert McFarlin, James Harris, John Vance, John Stride, Robert Miller,
Jacob Castle, Robert Alcorn, John Forman, William Miller. Note the listing of
John McFarland, Samuel Montgomery, Robert McFarlin, John Downing.
MILITARY: 1752 Ensign. Qualified as Ensign on November 16, 1752 (Abstracts
from the Records of Augusta County, Virginia, Lyman Chalkley, Vol. II, page 55).
MILITARY: "Virginia Colonial Soldiers" by Lloyd D. Bockstruck 1988;
Genealogical Publishing Co, Baltimore, MD; page 4 Augusta County 16 Nov 1752 John
McFarland, ensign, and Robert McFarland, Lieutenant.
COURT: 1752 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County. James McFarland, son of John
McFarland, and devicee named in will of James McFarland, his uncle, deceased in
1752 (being about age of 21), chooses the said John McFarland, his father, as
Guardian. Ordered that the said John McFarland give sufficient Security to Janet
McFarland, mother of said James McFarland. SOURCE: "Pennsylvania Vital
Records"; 1983; Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, MD; page 353.
LAND: 1763. On May 4, 1763 John McFarland and Mary of Bedford County sold 106
acres, patent on Branch of Reed Creek to Hugh Montgomery for 52.10 pounds, by
patent, 30 Oct 1752 on a branch of Reed Creek. Teste: Robert Mountgomery.
Delivered H. Montgomerie May 1765 (Chalkley Vol 3:401; Augusta County Deed Book
11:329).
LAND: 1767. On 29 October 1767 John and Mary of Bedford County sold 98 acres
on a branch of Reed Creek, a branch of New River, to James Holles for 40 pounds.
Land lying between said John McFarland ad the cove, patented to John 20 Jun 1753.
Teste: Israel and William Christian, Daniel McNeill, Robert Breckenridge, Samuel
Black, William Wright, William Bates, and George Dair. (Chalkley vol 3:461;
Augusta County Deed Book 14:88).
LAND: 1768 Botetourt County: John and Mary McFarland of Bedford county,
Virginia and Robert and Martha McFarland of County of Orange, North Carolina, to
David Doak for L156, 1,020 acres at Black Buffalo Lick on water of Wood (New)
River. Annals of Southwest Virginia 1769-1800, by Lewis C. Summers, Kingsport
Press, Kingsport, Tn, 1927 Vol 2, page 531.
MILITARY: Revolutionary War; DAR Patriotic Index.
LAND: 1778 Sale, 20 Oct 1778 from John McFarland Sr. of Russell Parish,
Bedford County to John McFarland Jr. of Montgomery County, 367 acres on Reedy
Creek (Montgomery County Deed Book A:234).
DEATH: 1784 OR EARLY 1785.
SOURCE: WFT Disk #1 (Most land records, and notes on family). WFT Disk #10. In
Dunbarton, Scotland, John and Mary's marriage is recorded along with the birth
of Robert. WFT #1 lists source as Bobby Ray McFarland P.O.Box 287, Locust Grove,
OH 74352 in 1990. NOTE: THESE RECORDS MUST BE IN REFERENCE TO A DIFFERENT
FAMILY
SOURCE: East Tennessee Genealogies -- MC FARLAND -- On Internet. John was an
elder in the Presbyterian Church, the old stone church in Bedford County he
attended is still standing. John was too old for military service, but was an
ardent patriot and had several sons who fought for America's freedom, and one
son, James Mc Farland, was killed by Indians.
COMMENT: World Family Tree Lists John McFarland who married Mary Montgomery
as son of John McFarland (1688 Arrochar, Scotland) and Mary, and brother of
Duncan born 1712 (perhaps the Duncan who lived in Augusta (that part now in Bath)
county, Virginia. See elsewhere. THIS IS INCORRECT.
RESEARCHER-EMAIL: James A. McFarland. An indepth researcher. Has the wills,
estates, and land records proving the Lancaster Co, PA and Bedford Co, VA
connection. &ltmacroute@juno.com&gt
HISTORY: "Families of Jefferson Conty, Tennessee" 1992 found at Seattle
Genealogical Society. Includes the birth dates of all children, and their deaths
and marriages.
RESEARCHER-EMAIL: Phil Gerou gerou@dimensional.com Descent from Mary
McFarland (1742/1743) and James Hunter, their daughter Nancy Hunter who married
Rice W. Whiteacre (and their son, Joseph Whiteaker, born 1808).
RESEARCHER-EMAIL: 1999Judy A. Walters, Portland, ME &ltwalters@nlis.net&gt.
Descent from John McFarland and Rebecca Bell.

----- NOTES FOR Mary MONTGOMERY:
PARENTS: John MONTGOMERY.
LINKS: Father John was a neighbor of the McFarland family at time of marriage.

===CHILDREN of John McFARLAND and Mary MONTGOMERY

+ 8 Robert McFARLAND b 7 Apr 1730 Donegal Township,
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. M Martha _____.
+ 9 Nancy McFARLAND b 26 Nov 1731 Donegal Township,
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. M Andrew EVANS.
+ 10 James McFARLAND b 10 Feb 1732/1733 Donegal Township,
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
+ 11 Rachel McFARLAND b 17 Mar 1737 Donegal Township,
Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. M John HUNTER.
+ 12 John McFARLAND b 4 Feb 1739 Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania. M Mary KINDER.
+ 13 Arthur McFARLAND b 19 Jan 1741 Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania.
+ 14 Mary McFARLAND b 11 Feb 1743 Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania. M James HUNTER.
+ 15 Joseph McFARLAND b 30 Mar 1745 Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania.
+ 16 Benjamin Anderson McFARLAND b 16 Apr 1747 Virginia. M
Mary BLACKBURN.

This John is sometimes referred to as "Old Scotland" John. He resided during the American Revolution in Bedford Co., Virginia. He took an oath of Allegiance in Bedford Co. and his descendants have been accepted into the DAR based on him being a "Patriot." A booklet by John A. McFarland, "Stitches in Time" written in 1997 by James A. McFarland of Tulsa, Oklahoma documents the mix-up that has occurred in the history of this John McFarland. This John McFarland, after first living next to father Robert in what becomes Lancaster Co., PA, moves to the newly opened territory in Virginia, what was then Augusta County and surveys a tract of land in present Wythe County in 1747. John moved here with his family and sons Robert and James. When his father died around 1750, John returned to Lancaster Co. PA to help settle the estate and provide for his mother Jennet. Documents in Lancaster Co. refer to the death of James (John's son) in Augusta County Virginia, and his brother Robert travels back to Lancaster to clear up his estate. Because of Indian trouble, (the same that killed James), the McFarlands sell their land in Augusta County and move across the Blue Ridge Mts. to Bedford County in 1757.

The land they lived on prior to 1757 was located along the Reed Creek (present Wythe County) This home was referred to during the French and Indian War as being about 19 miles from Burke's Garden in present Tazewell Co. VA.
It is referred to here in:
A History of The Middle New River Settlements and Contiguous Territory. By David E. Johnston (1906).Chapter II. 1753 - 1766 Captain William Preston records in his journal the movement of his militia:

"Monday 16, 40 Indians and 60 white men under command of Capt. Smith and Woodston marched from fort in order to range the woods about Reed Creek; they are to march to Burke's Garden.

"Tuesday 17, Mr. Paul returned from the horse guard (This guard had been left to protect the crossing of New River.)

"Wednesday 18, Capt. Hog's company and Major Lewis march in afternoon.

"Thursday 19, Left Fort Frederick at 10 o'clock: 27 loaded pack horses, got to William Sawyer's: Camped on his barn floor.

"Friday 20, Switched one of the soldiers for swearing, which very much incensed the Indian chiefs then present. Advanced to Alex Sawyers, met the Indians who went out with the first division, and Lieutenant Ingles who informed us of the burial of Robt. Looney. Some of our Indians deserted.

"Sat. 21, Major Lewis, Capt. Pearis and the interpreter went to Col. Buchanan's place, where they met the Indians who had deserted us, and induced them to return, which they did.

"Sunday 22, Marched to John McFarland's.

"Monday 23, Marched over the mountain to Bear Garden, on North Fork of Holston's river. Lost sundry horses.

Miles

"From F. P. George to Cyphers' 15
2nd day to R. Hall's 15
3rd day to F. A. Frederick 15
19th Feb. to Wm. Sawyers 20
20th Feb. to McCaul's 13
Sunday 22, to McFarland's 7
Monday 23 to Bear Garden 10
Tuesday 24 to Burke's Garden 9
Thursday 26, to head of Clinch 10
Saturday 28, to head of Sandy Creek 10

Preston's Journal shows that several settlements had been made along Peak, Reed and other Creeks West of New River prior to 1756. Among the parties he names are William Sawyers, Alexander Sawyers, and John McFarland, and Dr. Walker mentions Samuel Stalnaker as on the Holston on the 24th of March, 1750, when he and Mr. Powell helped him to raise a house."

Because of new counties being created as population increased, land and other records can be found in various counties. In 1770 Botetourt County was formed from Augusta Co. The county seat was Fincastle, which existed as a county from 1772 to 1777 when it was dissolved and divided into Montgomery Co. and Washington Co. The Reed Creek area was then part of Montgomery Co. This area becomes Wyeth County in 1790, but our McFarlands are in Tennessee by this time.

During the French and Indian War, John McFarland and his family moved north east, over the Blue Ridge Mountains, to Bedford Co. Virginia, an area more protected from Indian attacks. In 1763, John purchased 100 acres on a branch of the Otter River in Bedford Co., and in 1764 purchased 212 acres more. In 1767, John and Mary of Bedford Co. sold 98 acres on a branch of Reed Creek, part of his patent dated 1753. In 1768, John and Mary McFarland of Bedford Co. VA, with Robert and Martha McFarland of Orange Co. NC, sell to David Doak their 1020 acre plot along the New River at Black Buffalo Lick. John and Mary spend the remainder of their lives at this home in Bedford County, however, they transfer part of their acreage to son John Jr. in 1778.

John married Mary Montgomery in 1728 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. Mary was born about 1712; died in 1782 in Bedford Co., Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth: Abt 1706, Northern Ireland

Notes:

Mary Helen Haines notes:

Mary Montgomery is a mystery woman. There are neither marriage records or proven parentage, other than the passed down name John Montgomery.

Among the early Montgomery families:

Using Charles Bolton's Scotch-Irish Pioneers:

There is a James Montgomery, master of the ship William and Mary, who brought over many of the first settlers from Northern Ireland, including the pastor William Boyd in 1718. He arrived on July 25 to Boston and then was cleared to return to Dublin. (p. 132, 319)

There is another ship master, Robert Montgomery, who arrived on an unnamed ship in Sept. 1717 to Boston. (p. 319)

Thre is a Hugh Montgomery, who married Jane Cargill in 1715 in Ballymena (p. 127) and was on the list of early settlers in Londonderry, New Hampshire (p. 264)

There is a John Montgomery in Middleboro, Massachusetts. (p. 156) in 1718-19.

There is a William Montgomery who settled in Kennebec Maine in 1719 (p. 219) and then was among the Merrymeeting Bay settlers. (p. 236)

None of those above seem to be possible.

To look closer to home, here are the Montgomery listings who had surveys made for warrents of land in Lancaster County in the early years:

Alexander Montgomery, warrent #796, for 200 acres in 1734 in Octorara (near Quarryville).

James Montgomery, #30, 30 acres on Fishing Creek (Drumore township), 1736.

John Montgomery, #119, 150 acres in Derry township (present day Dauphin Co), 1737.

Thomas Montgomery, #125, 250 acres in Paxtang, 1737.

William Montgomery, #, 250 acres in L. Britain in 1743.

All of the above are in close enough range to Donegal township, and close enough in years.

There is a James Montgomery with wife Ann Thomson who moved from County Donegal to Pennsylvania, Lancaster County. Then in 1746 he moved to Augusta County, near present day town of Fincastle. Could John be a brother of James, or is John incorrect?

The naming pattern of John and Mary's children support a James and Ann (Nancy) as parents; however none of the family histories for this couple have included a daughter Mary.