| Notes |
- Mary Helen Haines notes:
Based on the DNA testing that many currently living descendants of this line have done (22 men have done the Big Y 700 as of 2024), Robert and his descendants are part of a large sub-group in the MacFarlane study. This group includes people from Scotland, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. Some in the group who have more recent ties to Scotland, trace their heritage back to the chief's line through the several branches in Scotland. Many in the group came to America by way of Northern Ireland. Because of DNA testing we now know that the McFarland lines in Knox, Whitley, Clinton, and Christian Counties in Kentucky, as well as Rockingham Co. NC that moved to Rutherford/Bedford Co. TN, all descend from this Robert.
So, the SNP BY3019 defines the Robert line. BY3019 appeared about 1650 in northern Ireland, so it probably came about first in Robert's father. BY3019 is the "son" of BY7792, which goes back to Scotland from around 1550 AD, where descendants who carry that SNP, but not BY3019, lived in the area of Balmaha, which is the Buchanan Parish in Stirlingshire.
Other lines that descend from BY7792 include the lines of John McFarland, b. 1750, d. abt. 1796 in Washington Co. PA; Thomas McFarlan, b. ca. 1780 in Ireland, whose descendants are in Australia; and Andrew McFarland b. 1757 in Ireland, died 1844 in Ohio.
The family of James McF. who settled in Pennsboro twn. Cumberland Co. PA in the 1730s is not closely related to the BY3019 line. The connection goes back to the 1400s.
Back in Time in Ireland :
According to history, when King James I of England (James VI of Scotland) decided to settle plantations in northern Ireland, he chose 59 Scots, five of them nobles- and two of those five represented the Stewart family from Stirlingshire: the Duke of Lennox and his brother Lord D'Aubigny. The Duke of Lennox territory was in Donegal. While it was once believed that MacFarlanes came to Ulster with these nobles (pp. 94,95 of History of Clan MacFarlane by James MacFarlane, 1922, Glasgow), other research shows that Ludovic, the Duke of Lennox, did not settle anyone; but that the land he acquired was already settled with Scotsmen brought over in the 1580s as men at arms (Redshanks). (Barry McCain, A Short History of the Laggan Redshanks) In fact, the King's inspectors saw little evidence of plantation building or settlement in 1611; and in 1619 the Royal Inspector found the area fully inhabited but with no evidence that they were leaseholders. (Rev. George Hill, An Historical Account of the Plantation in Ulster....p. 505, 506)
From the Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 36, "The Scotch Settlers in Raphoe, County Donegal, Ireland" by William M. Mervine, pp. 257 to 263. Dallas Public Library R 974.8005 P415, V. 36: The Duke of Lennox was granted 4000 acres and all undertakers who received grants promised to bring 48 men for each 2000 acre grant. The tenants would be given leases and be supplied with muskets and hand weapons. The Duke of Lennox was Ludovic Stuart. On the muster roll for 1630, under the "Lord Duke of Lynox undertaker of 4000 acres his men & armes" are listed a John mcffarlan with Sword and Callener, and a John mcffarlan with no weapon. Another grant was made to Sire James Conningham for 2000 acres, and serving under the Lady Conningham, his widow, is listed Dunkan mcffarlan, with a sword and snaphance.
Pennsylvania:
From The Scotch-Irish of Colonial Pennsylvania by Wayland F. Dunaway, 1979: The earliest settlers of Scotch Irish in Pennsylvania probably landed at Newcastle Delaware, rather than Philadelphia or Maryland. They came up the Susquehanna, and the first settlement in the county was made in 1714 along Chickies Creek. The Donegal Presbyterian Church was organized at Donegal Spring in 1719-1720. They acquired deeds to their land in the 1730s.
From History of Lancaster County Pennsylvania, by Ellis and Evans, pub. in Philadelphia in 1883: P. 757, the Donegal township was organized in 1722, named for the county in northern Ireland where the pioneers settlers came from, and they located near Chikis Creek in the year 1716. Robert McFarland was on the tax list for East Donegal in 1722 (p. 759). P. 767: "Robert McFarland settled on the right bank of Little Chikis Creek, about one mile south of Mount Joy, in 1720. He died in 1750, and left the following named children: John, Joseph, Robert, Rachel, and Rebecca." (James was mistakenly left out of this account.) In 1726, Robert McFarland signed a petition along with his neighbors to allow a tavern to be established in their neighborhood because it is on a great road and the inhabitants of Donegal and Conestogoe do not have such an establishment (p. 778).
That tavern petition provides another bit of proof about who were settlers in the area. Also it gives us a clue about eldest son John's age. The petition was in 1726, and John did not sign. However, he did sign another petition in 1729 to form a new county (Lancaster from Chester). The legal age for signing documents was 21, so John was born between 1706 and 1708.
Judging from the names chosen by the inhabitants in Lancaster County that established the township called Donegal, it is likely that the Robert McFarland family came from County Donegal in northern Ireland, near the town of Raphoe. Raphoe was a parish with Presbyterian churches, however, there are no records that survive from the early 1700s in Northern Ireland. Another possibility is Mountjoy in Tyrone County, four miles north of Omagh. Raphoe and Mountjoy are only 20 miles away from each other in Ireland, and Robert's homestead in Pennsylvania was 1 mile from a town named Mount Joy. Mountjoy has several possible meanings. The title Lord Mountjoy was held by one of the greatest Stuart patriots and leader of the Ulster settlers. During the siege of Londonderry in 1689 it was a ship named Mountjoy who broke through the barriers to relieve the distressed people inside the city walls. The village of Mount Joy in Penn. claims it was named after the ship.
Before Donegal was established in 1722, Robert and sons Robert and James were listed as inhabitants of this area. Therefore it is possible that Robert with wife Jennet had a brother James, who is not identified, and his father passed away before 1722. There supposedly is a Chester County record that lists a Robert McFarland, Indian trader, in 1719. I have not found that record personally, so cannot verify its accuracy. He is not listed as a trader in other records I have read. On the first tax lists in 1722 for Donegal township only one Robert is listed. Just recently discovered is a Joseph McFarland who was married to Catherine who died in 1750 in Cumberland Co. PA. No more is known, however he could be a brother of Robert who died in 1751.
Robert McFarlan acquired legal title to 286 acres in Donegal township in 1739. His survey is found in patent Book A9, p. 110, 111.
Below is the gist of the document:
Pennsylvania Patent Book A9, p. 110, 111. FHL microfilm #1028831
Transcribed and edited by Mary Helen Haines
Patent to Robt McFarlan
John Penn Thomas Penn and Richard Penn
Esquires true and absolute Proprietaries and Governors in Chief
of the Province of Pennsylvania and Counties of New Castle Kent
and Sussex on Delaware. To all unto whom these presents
shall come Greeting Whereas in pursuance and by virtue
of a Warrant under the Seal of our Land Office bearing Date
the third day of May last past there was surveyed and laid
out on the eleventh Day of the same month unto__
Robert MacFarlan of the County of Lancaster a certain Tract
of Land situate in Donegal Township in the said County__
Begining at a post by little Shickaselungo Creek in a Line of
Andrew Mayes’s Land and extending thence by the
same. North fifty Degrees West twenty eight Perches to a
Hickery Tree and North fifteen Degrees east fifty Perches
to a Hickery Tree thence by Land of Hugh White North
West by West two hundred Perches to a Hickery Tree thence
by vacant Land South sixty Degrees West one hundred forty
four Perches to a white Oak and South thirty Degrees West….
containing two hundred and eighty six acres and the allowance of six acres ---
for roads and Highways….
in Consideration of the Sum of forty four pounds six
shillings lawful Money of Pennsylvania to our ….
Affixed at Philadelphia this Tenth Day of October in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and
thirty nine the thirteenth Year of the reign of King
George the Second over Great Britain and the twenty second Year
of our Government Tho: Penn---Seal---Recorded October16th, 1739
He was sworn in on grand juries for Lancaster County on May 1, 1733 (Robert Mcffairlamb), May 6, 1735 (Robert Mcfarlan), and August 2, 1737 (Robert Mcffarlam) in the Quarter Abstracts Book #1, 1729 to 1742. The last could be his son.
In June 17, 1751 arrangements are made by all the children to transfer Robert Sr.' title to his son James. John was already in Virginia, Robert Jr. was living on 206 acres next to Robert Sr. Joseph was alive, but not in Lancaster Co. However, it is likely that the Joseph McFarland in Bucks Co. is the missing son. The tax list for 1751 lists Robert and James McFarland. Rebecca and Rachel are alive and married. Son James dies the next year and his wife Margaret marries Thomas Clingan and they end up living on the land it seems. Robert Jr. and his wife Esther sells his 206 acres to Ludwick Lyndemote in 1752, and move to Cumberland Co PA (now Franklin Co.). In the 1757 tax list, Thomas Clingan is next to Ludwick Lyndemote.
Below is the transcription made by Mary Helen Haines of the will filed by Samuel Scott and Arthur Patterson, that reflected the desires expressed by Robert McFarland five years prior to this time in 1752.
Robert McFarland, Sr. Will Book I, pp. 340-341, FHL microfilm #21358
Robert McFarland, deceased. Lancaster County. Samuel Scott and Arther Patterson both of the township of Rapho in the County of Lancaster came this day before me and made oath that Robert McFarland late of Donegal township in the said County deceased having in his lifetime about five years ago sent for these deponents to advise with and assist him in settling his affairs, being then in a sick and weak condition, he then requested this deponent Samuel Scott to write his will, and expressed himself to the said Samuel Scott and Arther Patterson, to this or the like effect, viz, That his son James had joined with him in taking up the land he lived upon and in the improving it, and in all the charges thereon and paying the propriotories, but that to save the charge of two pattents, the whole was taken in a pattent to him the said Robert and that he had not conveyed his son James’s moiety or half part to him, and on consulting with these deponents what should be done, they advised him not to divide the land, but by his will to give his moiety likewise to his said son James, and charge it with the payment of what he thought it was worth to his other children allowing to him his equal share, to which he consented. Being unwilling to have the tract divided, and thereupon desired this deponent Samuel Scott to proceed to draw his will accordingly and gave his moiety of the whole tract to his son James. Charged with yc payment of one hundred and fifty pounds to his other children and allowing twenty pounds to his son James as his share thereof, which, which said will was then drawn and duly executed in substance as above declared and these deponents further say that the said Robert Mcfarland recovered that indisposition, but never expressed any inclination to them to alter that will_
Sworn at Lancaster the 25th day of Saml Scott
March 1752 Before Tho. Cookson Arthur Patterson
Robert McFarland's burial site is not known. While one person listed it as being in the Presbyterian Donegal church burial grounds, the records for that site do not have him there. I checked with the person who put him there on Find-a-Grave, and found out that he had no factual reason for including him there.
Concerning the parents of this Robert:
Some sources believe that Robert and Jennet came from Scotland and have found some parish marriage records in Scotland that they link to Robert of Lancaster; however, no proof has been offered to connect our Robert's line to the Scottish Roberts. If there could be one birth in Scotland, say John's birth, that fit with Robert and Jennet, then a case could be made. However, that has not been found.
These are the Scottish records for a Robert and a Jannet: These records are available through www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk which is a paid site.
Robert MCFARLANE (M).................. M: 7 Nov 1708 Ba: M114992
Spouse: Jannet MCFARLANE Luss, Dunbarton, Scotland So: 1041998
Then there is a possible birth record for Robert:
Robert MCFARLANE (M).................. C: 26 Jan 1680 Ba: C113972
Father: John MCFARLANE Tulliallan, Perth, Scotland So: 1040141
Mother: Jannet HORN
However, a subsequent search of birth records for a John, born to these parents in the possible time frame to fit our family has shown nothing. The only child that shows up born to these parents is a Duncan McFarlane, born April 14, 1706 to Robert McFarlane and Jannet McFarlane of Luss, which appears to be the couple above that married in 1708. I looked also for a death record for Robert McFarlane from this area. There are MANY Robert McFarlanes that died in Scotland. The only Robert, son of John, that I found who died in the Dunbarton area was one Robert from Arrochar who died, or was buried Feb. 11, 1711.
This search has left me more convinced that our line of Robert and Jannet came from Ireland, not Scotland. Also, an autobiography written by John Wilkins, son of John Wilkins and Rachel McFarland, he mentions his mother's family as being from Ireland. I also am not convinced that Jennet is the mother of all the children. Naming patterns really favor a Rachel.
Older Notes from the McFarland genealogy website of Gary Morris:
----- NOTES FOR Robert McFARLAND:
IMMIGRATION: 1719-1722 PENNSYLVANIA, Chester County, Donegal Township. 1719
immigration to Chester County, Pennsylvania. On record in 1722 in Donegal
Township: Robert McFarland and sons Robert and James (Presbyterian). Also
families recorded were: Robert Wilkins and his sons Thomas, William, Peter, and
John; Gordon Howard and his sons Thomas and Joseph; Hugh, Henry and Moses White.
Came from lands west of River Foyle (Tyrone County?), Ireland. SOURCE: "Scotch
Irish Pioneers in Ulster and America" by Charles Knowles Bolton 1910. Page 271.
COMMENT: Concerning the 1722 record in Donegal Township. Why does this list
Robert and sons Robert and James. Robert who died 1752 would have had sons John,
age about 14, James age about 12, Joseph about 10, and Robert age about 5. Does
this record mean that Robert (died 1752) is listed with father Robert, and
brother James (who moved to Pennsboro, Cumberland County ???
BAPTISM: 1720 PENNSYLVANIA, Philadelphia County, First Presbyterian Church of
Philadelphia. Rebekah McFarland, 14 Apr 1720, daughter of Robert and Jennet
McFarland. SOURCE: Records of First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia
"Pennsylvania Vital Records"; 1983; Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore,
Maryland; Vol I.
TAXLIST: 1724 PENNSYLVANIA, Chester County, Donegal Township. Robert
McFarlan. Lived next to Hugh White, William Hay, John Taylor, William Maybee,
Ephraim Moore, Thomas Ballie. SOURCE: INTERNET, USGENWEB, Pennsylvania.
TAXLIST: 1724-1726 PENNSYLVANIA, Chester County, Donegal Township. 1724
Robert M'Farlan Donnegall 1/6. 1725 Robt MacFarlan Donnegall 2/0. 1726 Robert
McFarlan Donegall 2/0. (Note: this record is an index: does not show
neighbors). SOURCE: Chester County Tax Lists 1718-1726 (LDS Microfilm 383296).
PLACE: Donegal Township formed from a portion of Conestoga Township, Lancaster
County in 1723.
QUESTION: Concerning the Robert McFarland of Lancaster County. The IGI and
Ancestral File at FHC suggest him and wife born in Dunbarton, Scotland. THIS IS
INCORRECT.
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.
LAND: 1733 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Donegal Township. Robert Donegal
Township 1733. SOURCE: Land Warrants Chester & Lancaster County, PA (FHC
microfilm 1003197). In book of Walter McFarland.
DEATH: Died sometime during late 1749 or 1750. 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).
TAXLIST: 1751 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Donegal Township: James and
Robert McFarland. Living Next to Christian Marlin, Philip Branard, James Mayes,
James Plank, Widow McClure, William Petters, Charles Glap, Michael McClellan, and
Michael Gross. Also listed in Donegal Township were Gordon Howard, Thomas
Howard, Joseph Howard and Lenard May. SOURCE: Pennsylvania Traveler (Magazine)
Vol 1 No. 2 1965 Found at Bellingham Public Library.
LAND: 1751 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Donegal Township. From children
of Robert McFarland of Donegal Township, dec'd, June 17, 1751, release to James
McFarland, for 286 acres in Donegal Township., being a patent dated 10 Oct 1739
of 268 acres to Robert Mcfarland on Little Schickaselungo Creek, adjacent to
Andrew Mayes and Hugh White; Since Robert the father failed to insert name of
James McFarlan for one moiety, the land described to all his children equally:
release by eldest son John, with other children, being, Joseph, Robert, Rachel
(wife of Gordon Howard), Rebecca (wife of Andrew Mayes), and they are willing in
justice to convey the proper moiety to their brother James McFarland; witnesses,
John Wilson, James Bickham, Josiah Jackson. SOURCE: Lancaster County DEED BOOK
C, page 95. Lancaster County Deed Abstracts 1729-1770 (LDS Fiche 6049244).
PROBATE: 1752 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Rapho Township. WILL OF Robert
McFarland Probated March 25, 1752. Executors Samuel Scott and Arthur Patterson.
Rapho Township. Children: James (there were other names & numbers not given).
SOURCE: Lancaster County Abstracts of Wills 1721-1820. FHC microfilm #383292.
COURT: 1752 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Rapho Township. Robert McFarland
decd, about Sept 1752 (Page 84). Jas. McFarland, second son of Robert McFarland,
deceased; page 348, Undated Will of Robert McFarland of Rapho township, probated
25 March 1752, named as executors Samuel Scott and Arthur Patterson. Only child
named was James Mc Farland, Will Book I-1, 340:1752. Page 350, Application of
Jannet McFarland, widowed mother of James McFarland (and mentions James
McFarland, nephew of said James McFarland, deceased). SOURCE: Orphans Court
Records of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. "Pennsylvania Vital Records"; 1983;
Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, Maryland; Vol I.
LAND: 1757 PENNSYLVANIA, Lancaster County, Donegal Township. Robert McFarland
of Bedford County, VA, June 1757, release to Thomas Clingan of Donegal Township
143 pounds l/2 moiety of 286 acres Donegal Township. Patent 10 Oct 1739 to
Robert McFarland of Lancaster, adjoining land owners: late of Andrew Mayes, Hugh
White, on Little Checkisalungo Creek, yet James McFarland, late of Donnegal, had
advanced half of the original purchase money and right to half of the estate and
Robert McFarland died leaving 3 sons and 2 daughters: John, Joseph, Robert,
Rachel, wife of Gordon Howard, Rebecca, wife of Andrew Mayes, and their heirs.
19 June 1751 released to James McFarland. James McFarland died and in Will
devised half of the 286 acres to James McFarland, the younger subject to 10
pounds to be paid to support Jennet McFarland, widow of Robert, deceased, during
her life. Margaret McFarland, widow of James, deceased, and now wife of Thomas
Clingan. James McFarland Jr. likewise died, intestate without issue and half
money went to Robert McFarland, his oldest brother. SOURCE: Lancaster County
Deed Abstracts 1729-1770 (LDS Fiche 6049244). Deed Book D, page 415.
LINKS: He must be the brother of Margaret McFarland of Chester County, PA (who
married Abraham Scott). When Robert's will was probated, Samuel Scott and Arthur
Patterson were executors. These must be the child and son in law of Margaret.
QUESTIONABLE LINK: Have not fully verified that Robert who settled in Donegal,
Lancaster County, PA is the brother of James of Cumberland County. So far, much
of the evidence would suggest so.
LINKS: Internet, Family Tree Maker User Home Pages: Hugh White, born about
1671 in Ireland, died 1741 Chester Co, PA. Children: Hugh, John, Henry, Moses
(b.Ireland, d. 1757 Rapho Twp, Lancaster, PA. md [1] Elizabeth Cochran, and [2]
Mary Campbell, b. ca 1700). Children moved to North and South Carolina.
BOOK: 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). This book explains in expicit detail the false claims of a Scottish
origin for Robert McFarland, and goes on to give details of the Bedford County,
Virginia branch (son John McFarland).
RESEARCHER-EMAIL: Tom Caulley, of O'Fallen, MO, found on Internet May 1997
(EMail tcaulley@mail.win.org), in Lancaster County, PA Queeries. Researching
Robert McFarland who died Lancaster County in 1752. Also Robert Wilkins who died
1765 Lancaster County (Wilkins had wife, Elizabeth Ross). Also, John H.
Kirkpatrick born Scotland 1741.
RESEARCHER-EMAIL: James A. McFarland at macroute@juno.com Has documented
most every aspect of this family, and that of John and Mary Montgomery McFarland.
Writing a history on his side of the family.
===CHILDREN of Robert McFARLAND and Janet _____
+ 2 John McFARLAND b 1706/1708 Ireland. M Mary MONTGOMERY.
+ 3 James McFARLAND b abt 1710 Ireland. M Margaret GREER.
+ 4 Rachel McFARLAND b abt 1713 Ireland. M (1) John
WILKINS. M (2) John RAMSEY. M (3) Gordon HOWARD.
+ 5 Joseph McFARLAND b abt 1715 Ireland.
+ 6 Robert McFARLAND b abt 1717 Ireland. M Esther DUNN.
+ 7 Rebecca McFARLAND b 14 Apr 1720 Philadelphia,
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. M (1) Andrew MAYE
M (2) Samuel McELHENNY.
|
1685 - Abt 1751 (76 years)
