| Notes |
Mary Helen Haines notes:
From George Cleek's Early Western Augusta Pioneers, from DallasPublicLibrary 929.20973 C6244C 1992
He is quoting Augusta Order Book X, p. 478, March 18, 1767 where there is a petition to build a road and the signers include Robert Bratton, William Givens, Duncan Mcfarling, Robert Mcfarling, Alex Mcfarling...at foot of Bull Pasture to Branch near Feemsters
This tends to support the idea of a relationship between Duncan and Robert and Alexander.
There are three documents for a Robert McFarland in Augusta County during the Revolutionary War period. They could be for this Robert McFarland, or they could be referring to the Robert Henry McFarland, born abt. 1740, supposed son of Alexander McFarland, son of Duncan.
First: in 1775 Robert McFarland was paid for his service during the Dunmore Expedition time period. He was paid for 13 days as a scout, and also for 25 days hired...it seems to read something about horses. This is from p. 23 of Dunmore's Expedition: Payrolls and Public Service Claims 1775, pub. 1930, Library of Virginia. Also, on p. 105, Robert McFarland is paid for 112 days duty with Capt. John Lewis's company, on the same payroll as Alexander McFarland.
A Robert McFarland also appears in Staunton court in October, 1776 where he is called as a witness against Alexander Miller, a Rev. who has refused to be disloyal to the King. Robert is also being paid for travel accompanying said Miller, and the distance he travels to Staunton indicates he is coming from Duncan's area, not Reed Creek area. Found this is Vol. 1 Abstracts from the Records of Augusta County,
Virginia, by Lyman Chalkley, on-line:
"To Robt. McFarland, summoned by the officer; to assist, for going 50
miles, at 4 pence per mile. To the witnesses for attending one day each, 25
pounds of tobacco, or two shillings and one penny, viz: William Ewing,
Silas Hart, Mary Erwin, James Montgomery, William Givens, Robert McFarland,
Thomas Smith, and James Hill.
Notice William Givens in both articles. William Givens (Givins) owned the land adjacent (north) of Duncan's land.
I feel confident that this event is attached to this Robert McFarland, not the Robert of Montgomery Co. VA, son of John McFarland (so-called Scotland John), nor the later Robert McFarland of Rockbridge Co. VA, who was still in PA at this time. I have seen this record mistakenly attributed to the Robert of Rockbridge in DAR records.
I have not run across any land deeds for Robert. Did he live with Duncan?
One source has his wife as Esther Houston, and his death as Jan. 20, 1775 in Fincastle. I have not been able to find a source for this death date. If this is true then some of the records above are probably referring to the younger Robert "Henry"
Another record I found is the Muster Roll of Capt. Joseph Crockett's Co. of the 7th Regiment, made Nov. 1777, by Col. Alex McClennahan (from Augusta Co.) where Robert McFarlane enlisted for 3 years, and is on furlough in Nov. 1777. Some of the names include Richard Scaggs, Robert Sayers as 1st Lt. and Thomas Quirk as 2nd Lt. Don't know for sure who this is.
Some sources believe that this Robert moved to Rockbridge County and is the Robert who died there in 1798. That has proved to be incorrect, verified by Y-DNA tests from each of these family's descendants.
Older notes on Robert McFarland, Duncan's son?:
QUESTIONABLE LINK: It is purely hypothetical that he is the son of Duncan.
There appears to be some connection, and I am placing him as the son of Duncan.
Since there is listed only daughters and no spouses for the daughters, I am
here assuming that he died during mid life, rather than of old age. Assuming
age of 40-50 years.
SOURCE: FHC Ancestral File. Lists Robert (as born 1710) as a brother of
Duncan (of Augusta County) and John (born ca 1720, died Wythe Co, VA).
Robert, born 1710, Mary born 1700. Children: Mary born 1725, Hannah born
1727, and Jane born 1729. All listed as from Scotland. (mhh: This is obviously erroneous. This comes from the Cleek book it seems.)
PLACE: Fincastle was discontinued as a county in 1777. Botetourt, Montgomery,
and Washington were formed from it.
TO-DO: Find source of this family. Perhaps a will in Washington County?
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Abt 1725 -
