| Notes |
- Mary Helen Haines notes:
Y-DNA results at familytreedna.com have shown that this Duncan McFarland/McFarlane line in America is not related to the line of Robert McFarland of Lancaster Co. PA. Instead the tests of several descendants of the Russell Co. VA line (Duncan's sons and grandsons) have shown these descendants are part of the same genetic family as the family of Daniel McFarland, immigrant to Massachusetts in 1718 who died in Worcester, MA in 1738, as well as the line of McFarlands from Orange/Granville Co. NC. who appear in the area in the 1780s. This is part of the Scots lineage: L-21>DF13>L1065>FT92329 (abt. 800 AD)>FT88395 (abt. 1600 AD)>BY214647 which begins this line.
There have been three intermarriages between the Duncan McFarland of Bath VA line and the Robert McFarland of Lancaster PA line. One is the marriage of Lucy Ann McFarlane, daughter of Anger Washington McFarlane to Finis Monroe McFarland, son of David McFarland in Texas. Another is the descendant of Rhoda McFarland (daugther of William of Wolf Creek VA) marrying a descendant of Duncan McFarland of Whitley Co. KY. Because of DNA testing we know that Duncan of Whitley is associated with the Robert of Lancaster line.
Thank you Mary T. Haines for your file on Duncan and the previous work you have done. It is nice to see that we all hit the same brick walls.
First: Duncan's birth. From Col. James McFarlane of Virginia, by Lake McFarlane Parsons, p. 1 "...and according to some reports was an immigrant from Weter, Ireland in 1718...." She does not name a source. The closest name place in Ireland to Weter, is a Witter parish, located in County Down, but there are no records available in Ireland this far back in time to verify if this is correct.
Duncan's birth year is a guess based on the 1760 record in Augusta County when he was exempt from militia duty because of old age. All men, 16 to 60, were expected to serve in the local militias, therefore he must have been over 60 in that year.
From Neel-Dickson Genealogy, Chapter 10, by Wm. Trent Neel, pp. 268, 269:
1753: March 18. James Lockhart "made oath that he was afraid Duncan McFarland and his son William would kill or injure some of his stock of creatures" Order Book 1, p. 453, or Lyman Chalkey's Chronicles, Vol. 1, p. 58.
May 1753, Duncan McFarland and James Lockhart were in the list of tithables named to assist in clearing a roadway from John Brown's bridge to the Glebe House. Chalkey, Vol 7, p. 444. (James Lockhart seems to have lived on the headwaters of Middle River of the Shenandoah some 6 to 10 miles southwest of Staunton-the Glebe house was located on the headwaters of Middle River just two miles west of Sugar Loaf mountain.) {mhh-cannot find a mountain by this name. Also, not clear if he owned land, don't have any deed documents for this.}
1755: Augusta Co. VA, AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA - CHALKLEY'S CHRONICLES; Vol 3, p. 332.
Duncan is present as early as 1755 when he is mentioned as a weaver here in the Augusta Order Book. This is an abstract, so not sure what the connection to Robert Young here:
Page 506.--18th March, 1755. Robert Young, plantationer, to William.
Hugh and Joseph Young, his sons, for their better preferment and
advancement Conveys his personal estate. Duncan McFarland, weaver,
Thomas Bradshaw, weaver; (Robert called distiller). Teste: Francis
Dame. Delivered: James Young.
1767: Duncan purchased 100 acres from William and Barbara Willson on both sides of Jackson River in 1767 (Deed Book No. 13, p. 226-7, March 18), however he was probably living there before that. In the book History of Highland County, by Morton, p. 83, talks of the Indian raid in 1764 on the home of William Wilson at the mouth of Bolar Run. The family was building a new house and "An Irishman was weaving outdoors near the old house.....In fleeing toward the house, Barbara Wilson was struck by a flying tomahawk and rendered unconscious, ...The weaver escaped with a bullet wound in his shoulder."
From George Cleek's Early Western Augusta Pioneers, 1992 (Dallas Public Library 929.20973 C6244C 1992)
p. 129 quotes from Augusta Order Book 10, p. 478 March 18, 1767 where a petition has been made for a road to be built, mentions Robert Bratton.....William Givens, Duncan Mcfarling, Robert Mcfarling, Alex McFarling......at foot of Bull Pasture to Branch near Feemsters....
p. 59 in Annals of Bath County by Oren F. Morton, 1917, make this order clearer when it says a view was ordered from William Wilson's mill on Bolar Run "into the New Layed out Road at the foot of the Bull Pastures and thence into the Branch near Feemsters" Also included in the petition was Robert Bratton, Duncan's son-in-law.
Reference to Duncan's property: May 15, 1770. Conveyance of property in Beverley Manor, corner of Duncan McFarland, George Peary's line...(L.C. VIII, p. 498) (George Peary also lived adjacent to James Lockhart) Source, p. 269 from Neel-Dickson Genealogy.
Then from Chalkey's Vol. 1: p. 153
AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS.
ORDER BOOK No. XIII.
NOVEMBER 21, 1768
Page
(45) John McCreery appointed road surveyor. John Hamilton appointed road surveyor from Warm Springs Road to Cap. Dickenson's, and to work with the tithables on Jackson's River, from Wm. Mann's to Duncan McFarland's, and tithables on Back Creek--vice John McClenachan.
This area of Augusta Co. becomes Bath County VA in 1791.
In the land tax records for Augusta Co. for years 1786-1790, Duncan McFarland owned two pieces of property, 100 acres and 119 acres.
From Augusta County Personal Property Taxes 1782-1795, microfilm R-25 at Dallas Public Library:
1782: Image 29 on roll: Duncan McFarland, 1 tithe, 5 horses, 11 cattle, next to George Bratton, near William Willson, who sold him his land
1783: Image 72: Duncan McFarland, 1 tithe, 5 horses, 11 cattle
1784: Image 73: Duncan McFarland, 1 tithe, 5 horses, 11 cattle. On same page is Thomas Neal. Is this the same Thomas Neal, married to Eleanor McFarland, Duncan's granddaughter? Probably yes because Thomas Neal does not appear in the tax list in Montgomery Co. VA in 1782, while William McFarland (father of Eleanor) does.
1785:Image 127: Alexander McFarland, 1 tithe, 7 horses, 6 cattle (So, has Duncan become too old to be taxed, and Alexander, his son, has returned home from somewhere else?)
I786: Image 177: Alexander McFarland, 2 tithes, 8 horses, 12 cattle (so is the second tithe Duncan?)
1787: Image 225: Alex Mcfarling person's name charged with tax, Alex Mcfarling name of white male tithe above 21, 15 horses, 20 cattle
1788: couldn't find them in the pages, a John McFarlin is present (and he continues in the 1790s) (Is this Duncan's grandson John?)
1789: Image 310: Alexander Mcfarland: 1 tithe, 11 horses
1790: they are absent and do not reappear
While it is often stated that Duncan McFarland died on his property near the Jackson River, the court record below would seem to refute that. Possibly his wife is buried there, and then he moved south to live with his son Alexander in Tennessee.
From Greene County, Tennessee Minutes of the Court of Common Pleas, 1783-1795, compiled by Goldene Fillers Burgner, p. 82 "A Power of Attorney from DUNCAN MCFARLAND TO ALEX MCFARLAND dated August second 1790 (giving unto the said ALEX full power and authority to ask, demand, (p. 176) sell for recover and receive all debts, dues etc) was duly acknowledged by the said DUNCAN and admitted to record.
The land was sold in 1792, so Duncan probably died around this time. The two documents selling the land are in Bath County, Deed Book 1, pp. 66-69. Dated Feb. 20, 1792, Alexander McFarland of Green County North Carolina (TN), as power of attorney for Duncan McFarland, is selling to Jacob Cleek, two parcels of land that adjoin each other on Jackson's River, below William Givens. The 100 acre parcel sold for 200 lbs. Virginia money, and the 119 acre parcel also for 200 lbs.
Notes from Gary Morris site abt. Duncan McFarland:
DEATH: Jackson River area.
HISTORY: From the "Annals of Bath County" by Oren F. Morten 1917 Staunton, VA
found at Staunton Public Library, Staunton, VA Page 198 under chapter "Families
of Greater Bath" - Duncan Mc Farland seems to have come from Lunenburg County.
Alexander and William were sons. The first was a soldier of the Revolution. He
sold to Jacob Cleek and went to North Carolina. The other absconded about
1775, leaving his father-in-law to care for the wife and her seven children."
RESIDENCE: (PRE 1738) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
RESIDENCE: (1742-1745) Probably first moved from Philadelphia to Virginia about
this time.
RESIDENCE: 1753-1767 VIRGINIA, Augusta County, Middle River headwaters.
"Duncan McFarland and family were in Beverly Patent, Augusta County, VA by at
least 1753 on the headwaters of Middle River, 6 to 10 miles SW of present
Staunton, and in 1767 moved to Jackson River in present Bath County, VA."
SOURCE: From Mary T. Haines. (not the same as Mary Helen Haines)
MIGRATION: 1767 VIRGINIA, Augusta County, Jackson River. "Duncan McFarland and
family moved in 1767 to Jackson River in present Bath County, VA." SOURCE:
From Mary T. Haines.
NOTES: The McFarlands of Tennessee appear to be of a different family. (Which now we know to be true!! MHH)
RESIDENCE: 1782-1787 Augusta County Tax Payers.
CHILDREN: 1753 VIRGINIA, Augusta County. Duncan McFarland and son William,
March 18, 1753. SOURCE: "CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTCH IRISH SETTLEMENT IN
VIRGINIA" Vol I, page 58.
PROBATE-LINKS: 1755 VIRGINIA, Augusta County. Duncan McFarland, March 18,
1755. WILL of Robert Young, plantaioneer, converys to personal estate. [One
of which...] Duncan McFarland, weaver. SOURCE: "Chronicles of the Scotch
Irish Settlement in Virginia" 1958 by Lyman Chalkley vol 3 LDS Microfilm
#0162044.
LAND: 1767 VIRGINIA, Augusta County. Daniel McFarland, 18 March 1767, from
William Willson and Barbara, 100 acres on Jackson River for 30 pounds. SOURCE:
Chalkley Vol 3:450; Augusta County Will page 227.
BOOK: Referenced in book on grandson, James McFarlane of Virginia
(1766/1767); Duncan Mc Farland immigrated from Weter, Ireland in 1718 and
married daughter of a Sea Captain, Anne Porter, in Augusta County, VA before
1750; was possibly from Lancaster Co, Pa, settled on the Jackson River, near
Warm Springs, Augusta County (soon that part in Bath County); buried in
unmarked graves in the George W. Cleek Cemetery, 13 miles North of Warm Springs
on US Route 220. (note: noone has found a place in Ireland called Weter)
MILITARY: 1760 VIRGINIA, Augusta County. Duncan McFarland. Too old. Court
martial of Duncan McFarland Augusta County, VA 24 Sep 1760. Conclusion:
exempted from Military Service due to old age. SOURCE: "Virginia Colonial
Soldiers" by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck 1988, page 329.
LAND: 1792 VIRGINIA, Bath County. Alexander, son of Duncan McFarland, Feb
20, 1792. "On February 20, 1792, Alexander McFarland of Green County, North
Carolina [[now Greene county, TN]], by virtue of a power of attorney from his
father, Duncan McFarland, sold 319 acres of land on Jackson River, Bath County,
Virginia to Jacob Cleek. SOURCE: Bath County Deed Book 1, pages 66 and 68.
"Early Western Augusta County Pioneers" 1957 by George W. Cleek [page 22].
Deed Book 1, pages 66 and 68). NOTE: The land which Jacob Cleek purchased is
approximately ten miles north of Warm Springs, Virginia, on U.S. Route 220.
LINKS: From "History of Woodford County, Kentucky" by Wm E. Railey 1938 at
Bellingham Library R929.3R: Duncan McFarland's daughter, Ann McFarland
descendant of Calan McFarland.
HISTORY: VIRGINIA, Bath County. Page 397-398. MCFARLAND FAMILY. The
Macfarlane Clan was one of the Highland Clans in Scotland. They moved from
Aryleshire, Scotland to Ireland about 1601, where the name changed from
Macfarlane to McFarland. There have been no fewer than 23 Lairds of
Macfarlane, the last of whom came to America early in the 18th century.
_____1. Duncan McFarland (1), died in Bath County, Virginia; married Anne
Porter, daughter of a sea captain. Duncan McFarland was a weaver and was in
Augusta County before 1750. He settled on Jackson River in what is now Bath
County, Virginia. Both are buried near the George Cleek Cemetery in Bath
County, Virginia in unmarked graves. The McFarland family abandoned their
cabin cave on the east side of Jackson River just opposite their cabin. From
the cave they saw their home and personal belongings destroyed and their
livestock tortured and killed. After several years of discouragement by being
continually harassed by the cunning Indians, descendants of Duncan McFarland
sold their real estate to Jacob Cleek in February 1792 and settled in that part
of North Carolina which is now included in the state of Tennessee.
_____Children: 4 (others?)
_____2. i. Robert McFArland (2), died in 1798; married Esther Houston,
daughter of John Houston (1669-1755) and Margaret Crawford. He qualified a
Lieutenant on November 16, 1752 (Abstracts from the Records of Augusta County,
Virginia, Lyman Chalkley, Vol. II, page 55). Their daughter, Anne McFarland
(3), born 1723; married (1) in 1738, Captain Alexander Dunlap, born 1716; died
1744; married (2) in 1745, Robert Bratton, born May 20, 1712; died in 1785.
(See Bratton Family). (the family of John McFarland below, claims the Lieutenant above was to the Robert from their line) (MHH notes: The Robert who lived in Rockbridge Co. is not the same Robert connected to the Bratton family.)
_____3. ii. John McFarland (2), called "Old Scotland John", married Mary
Montgomery. He was one of the first Elders in the Old Stone Church in Augusta
County, Virginia. Two of his grandsons were active in the early settlement of
the Tennessee border territory. They were Colonel Robert McFArland (son of
Robert McFarland) and Colonel John McFarland (son of Benjamin McFarland).
Colonel John McFarland represented Jefferson County, Tennessee in the
Legislature at Nashville in 1824. John McFarland (2) qualified as Ensign on
November 16, 1752. (Abstracts from the Records of Augusta County, Virginia,
Lyman Chalkley, Vol. II, page 55). (Mary Helen Haines notes: This is NOT a son of Duncan. John is a son of Robert McFarland who died in Lancaster Co. PA in 1751)
_____4. iii. William McFarland (2), married _____ Gibson, daughter of
Alexander Gibson and Mary _____. William McFarland served in the Revolution.
_____5. iv. Alexander McFarland (2). He was wounded in the Battle of Point
Pleasant, October 10, 1774. (Ibid, Vol. I, page 254).
SOURCE: "EARLY WESTERN AUGUSTA PIONEERS" by George W. Cleek, Staunton,
Virginia 1957. Page 397-398. Copy obtained from Staunton Public Library,
Virginia.
ERRORS: Note that Robert (2) and John (2) were not children of Duncan (Actually, Duncan does have a son named Robert MHH notes)
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Abt 1700 - Abt 1792 (92 years)
