| Notes |
- Mary Helen Haines notes:
There could possibly be more than one Alexander who have been mixed together in various records. There is the Alexander McFarland, living next to William McFarland in the 1782 tax list in Montgomery Co. VA. on the property at Wolf Creek. This should be William's son Alexander. Next door is Robert Crawford who married Isabella McFarland, Alexander's sister. Their daughter Mary Crawford married an Alexander McFarland in 1802 in Greene Co. TN, but no one knows how that Alex. is related. There is also the Alexander McFarland, uncle to this Alexander.
Concerning his time in Kentucky:
The area of Indian Creek where the McFarland men settled is in present day Clinton Co. Cumberland Co. was formed in 1798 from Green, and Clinton was formed in 1823 from Cumberland. There is a real problem finding any records here. There are no tax books for Cumberland Co. from 1806-1832. There is no tax lists before 1837 for Clinton. There are no deed records at all for McFarlands in Cumberland Co.There are many references to McFarlands Creek however. The book of deed abstracts mentions that in the early years they just sold their surveys and didn't file deeds. It does seem that Alexander and his family moved out to Arkansas, John is uncertain, and Daniel moved north to Perry Co. KY.
From Early Times in Clinton County, by Jack Ferguson, 1986 p. 137
"the McFarland's were another family that came to Indian Creek very early. Maj. Alexander McFarland had a cabin on Indian Creek as early as 1798. Daniel, John, and a James McFarland were probably also settled on Indian Creek by that date. James McFarland entered 200 acres with the Greene County commissioners on December 17, 1798. On May 13 of the next year Blossom Jane Harvey McFarland, John McFarland, and Alexander McFarland each entered 200 acre tracts. Alexander, Daniel, and John McFarland are listed as settled on this Creek on the May, 1799 tax list; oddly enough James is not listed. Alexander McFarland is listed with 400 acres of land; it is possible that he had purchased James McFarland's grant. The entries for Blossom Jane Harvey McFarland, Robert Young, and Solomon Skaggs on May 13, 1799 for 200 acres each on Indian Creek and Edward Atkins for 200 acres on Willis Creek the same day all bear the notation: "withdrawn and delivered to Lydia McFarland." At this moment we have no definite information as to who Lydia McFarland was." {mhh, his wife, Lydia Priest McFarland}
Footnote: the act of the Gen. assembly on December 13, 1800 creating the County of Wayne mentions "Maj. Alexander McFarland's on Indian Creek." The adjutant Gen.'s office at Washington has no record of Revolutionary war service under this name, but it shows an Alexander McFarlin serving in Major John Ashe's Company, first North Carolina Regiment. He enlisted November 4, 1777 for three years. The State Department of archives and history at Raleigh North Carolina has two vouchers for revolutionary service, bearing the name of Alexander McFarland, both paid by the auditors of Washington and Sullivan counties. Only one family of McFarland is listed in the 1850 census of the County, that of William (1825) and Mary (1820) McFarland. They are shown with three children: Martha 1845, Nancy J 1847, and James L 1849
(It seems that brother James might have traveled with Alexander, John, and Daniel to KY, but decided to returned to VA where he settled in Russell Co. and the 200 acres that he surveyed went to Alexander possibly, which would explain Alexander having 400 acres on the tax list.)
Timeline and research from Mary T. Haines:
His name appears in 1775 when his grandfather Alexander Gibson goes to court saying the children are uncared for because the father is not present.
In 1782 he is on the tax list for Montgomery Co. next to his father William. It appears that at least some of the children left Augusta and moved south. (Alexander would be 18 years old)
In 1785 he married Lydia Priest in Washington Co. VA (that part that became Russell Co.) There are two dates: May 20 1785 by minister John Frost, and May 19, 1785 by minister Simon Cockrell
In 1787 he is on the tax list in Russell Co. VA with Solomon Skaggs, David Priest {brother of Lydia} (people who later move to KY with him)
1787 in Augusta Co., court case Carlisle vs Alexander McFarling, nephew of Alexander Gibson. March Session. Chalkley-Augusta Co. VA Court Records, p. 386
1788: Alexander McFarland on Muddy Fork, Wolf Creek, tax list-so who is this, if not his son?
1791: William McFarland dies at Wolf Creek
1791: Aug., Nelson Co. VA (KY) Alexander McFarland in Tithables of Capt. Wm. Skaggs Company -Pitman and Brush Creek on n. of Green River-2 tithables- (Source: 1785-1791 Residents of Nelson County Virginia (now Kentucky) Recorded in Tithable and Tax Lists, Vol. 1, compiled by Margaret and Carl Schroeder, 1988, p113-114
1792: Nelson Co. KY Tax Records in James McMahon Dist. Alex McFarlin 1 tithable, 3 horses, 12 cattle, no acres
1793, Green Co. formed from Nelson Co.
1793, April 28: Ordered into service by Kentucky Governor, Isaac Shelby, as a scout frontier of Green Co. KY to Dec. 93, 208 days of service, paid $173.33 1/3 cents. He is age 29. The records are part of the military National Archives under Alexander Mcfarlan, called Scouts and Spies, Kentucky
1793, May 15, Captain Cornstalk Militia, 16th Regiment, Green Co. KY. Was called by the President and served 136 days, from June 13, 1794 with his company, to serve under Major Price's Battalion against an expected Indian assault into Kentucky. The company was released Oct. 26, 1794. Source: Letter to Mary T. Haines from historian Brandon K. Slone, with the Department of Military Affairs, Frankfort, KY, dated July 21, 1994, also book The "Cornstalk" Militia 1792-1811 by G. Glenn Clift
1795: Green Co. KY Tax List, shows Alexander as one male over 16, 2 adults, 5 horses, 9 cows
1795: Green Co. KY Tax List from Box 57, Film 730143 shows on Sept 1 a John McFarland, one male over 16, on Sept 2 Alexander McFarland, one male over 16, 3 horses, 7 cows, Joseph McFarland, one male over 16, then under Green River, Robert McFarland at Brush Creek. (so who is the Joseph and Robert?)
1796: Bondsman on marriage of Ann McFarlin to Robert Young (who is she?)
1798: Claim on Indian Creek, Green Co. Entry Book
Green Co. KY Land Entries 1796-1834, by Smith, 1975 pp. 103, 70
No. 732: Alexander McFarland 200 acres second rate land begining at a poplar, white oak & dogwood trees thence extending N60W, N30E, S60E, S30W for quantity.
No. 716: John McFarland 200 acres second rate land on the headwaters
No. 1284: James McFarland is entitled to 200 acres of second rate land....on the south side of Cumberland River waters of Indian Creek adjoining Simeon Biggs on the N & John Lurney on the E & to include his improvement on the N Side in Green County. (not sure who this James is since brother James is back in Russell Co.)
No. 1055: May 13, 1799: Blossom Game Harvey McFarland 200 acres second rate land on the head waters of Indian Creek waters of Cumberland River begining at the white oak & dogwood ....Withdrawn & delivered to Lidda McFarland.
NO. 1278: Solomon Skaggs 200 acres second rate land on the south side of Cumberland River upon a branch of Indian Creek....& with his line to Daniel McFarling, Henry Lewis & Alexander McFarlin for quantity to include him improvement. Withdrawn & certificate delivered to Lidda McFarland.
No. 1316: Edward Atkins 200 acres second rate land on the head waters of Willin's Creek the waters of Cumberland River begining at a black oak....Withdrawn and certificate delivered to Lidda McFarland.
Cumberland County was created out of Green County in Dec. 1798, and at its first session, July 2, 1799, Alexander McFarland was appointed one of the Justices of the Peace while he was absent pursuing the Harpe brothers. See below.
1799: Cumberland Co. Surveyer's Book for Indian Creek land:
Book A, p. 5, Ja. McFarlin listed as a chain carrier, 9/6/1799
Book A, p. 10, John McFarland is marker on survey for James Despain, 200 acres on Indian Creek where it joins John McFarland
Book A, p. 12, 8/11/1799, John Turney, joins Daniel McFarland, ...Robert Young, James McFarland is a chain carrier
1799, survey for Solomon Skaggs for 200 acres on Indian Creek, joins land of Alexander McFarland, Daniel McFarland, Blossom G. H. McFarland and others.
Book A, p. 24, Blossom Gane Henry McFarland, 200 acres on Indian Creek joining Alex McFarland. 10/21/1799
Robert Young, 200 acres on Indian Creek, 7/29/1800. Alex McFarland and Solomon Brunts, chain carriers.
1799: April thru Fall sent to pursue Harpe Gang into the Chicksaw Nation--From book, Westward into Kentucky: A Narrative of Daniel Trabue, ed. by Chester Raymond Young, Univ. Press of KY, 1981. Ch. 12, Violence on the Kentucky Frontier, p. 146 "And on the day appointed they come. I Furnished them with Mony for thier expences and ammonition, etc., and they set out. Ther persued Down the River and often heard of them (the Harpes), and when they was in the Checkeesaw Nation 2 of the McFarlins was took with Ague and fever. Remained their some time and in the fall they Returned but had Done nothing. The legislater passed a law in their favour and gave them $150, which sume nearly satisfyed them includeing what I have them at ther start."
The footnotes on p. 195 that accompany this primary-source narrative explain that Daniel Trabue's son had been murdered by the Harpe brothers. The three McFarlins were Alexander, John, and Daniel McFarland, brothers, and a Robert White. The McFarlands were appointed by Gov. James Garrard on June 7, 1799 to take the outlaws into custody if they were found in an adjoining state. The posse probably went down the Green River into western Tennessee where the Chickasaw Nation resided. The reward was $300.
1799: Cumberland County Order Book A, p. 1, July 2 Alexander McFarland appointed to be a Justice of the Peace while absent
1800: Alexander on the Cumberland Co. tax list from 1799, as is Daniel and John
1801, July 13: Colonel for the Cornstalk Militia, 46th Regiment, Justice of Peace
1802: Contracted with Alexander Sprowl (Sproul) to sell land called Glade Spring (Indian Creek). Alexander McF. moves to Lincoln Co. KY
1803: Alex. Sprowl Civil Suit in Lincoln Co. KY. Alexander McFarland was accused of also selling 400 acres to Arthur Frogge and 30 acres to Samuel McKee/McBee. Depositions mention John McFarlane, the brother of David (Daniel?) and Alexander McFarlane. Alexander McFarland arrested and escaped. Lawsuit dismissed.
1803: in New Madrid, MO
Concerning his death from : https://www.accessgenealogy.com/arkansas/earliest-known-traders-arkansas-river.htm
"In the summer of 1812 a trading party under the leadership of Alexander McFarland left Cadron on the Arkansas to trade with the Indians on upper Red River for their horses and mules.5 Though they endeavored to avoid the Osage Indians, the latter entered their camp near the Wichita villages, August 13, and killed McFarland while his companions were absent. Subsequently, in 1813, a claim was filed with the government by the widow, Lydia McFarland, for the loss of her husband and his property. In 1814 depositions were given by John Lemmons, who was with McFarland's party, by William Ingles, Robert Kuyrkendall and Benjamin Murphy. The latter three stated that in October 1812 they were at the mouth of the Verdigris, where the Osage had collected to trade and there were present the band of Osage who had just returned from Red River bearing with them some of the property taken from McFarland. The Cherokee Chief Tallantusky was there in quest of merchandise he had confided to McFarland for trade to the western Indians. Recognizing in the possession of the Osage some of his property including two short swords, he demanded their possession and the Osage gave them up and through Ingles as interpreter admitted to Tallantusky that they had killed and robbed McFarland. From this it appears that there were traders at the mouth of the Verdigris as early as 1812."
From the research of James A. McFarland in a communication to Mary T. Haines, abt. 1996, comes the information about Alexander and his family after they left Kentucky:
"He is not on the 1810 Kentucky census because he traveled west to Missouri just after Jefferson completed the Louisiana Purchase and put in a claim (#289) of 750 arpens in Tywapity Bottom, in later New Madrid County. He possession and apparently put in crops from 1803 through the spring of 1805. (Unites States, American State Papers, vol. 3, p. 326) In 1809 the New Madrid earthquake struck the bootheel of Missouri, and many lost their farms through actual subsidence of the land, while others left, fearing another or greater earthquake. Alexander and Lydia may have moved farther west, along the Arkansas River to Cadron Bayou shortly before the earthquake, since Arkansas records show that he led a party of settlers to Cadron Bayou in 1808. (Morgan, James Logan, Arkansas Newspaper Abstracts, 1819-1845, vol. 1, p. 41, Morgan Books, Newport AR, 1981. 2 vol.)
This excursion was, in 1808, deep into territory claimed by the Osage Indians who claimed all lands drained by the Arkansas River north of the Cimmaron River. Little Rock was the westward limit of the white man, and anyone west of that settlement and fort was fair game for the Osage. Alexander's party was some 16 to 20 miles upriver from Little Rock.
Early in 1814, disaster struck. The Osage raided the settlement, and Col. Alexander McFarland and a R. Gelerin were mentioned as two of the casualties. (mhh note: this is an incorrect interpretation of events and date. It was 1812 and Alexander McFarland and others were part of a trading party to the Red River, looking to trade goods with other Indians. The Osage attacked Alexander while he was alone in his camp and killed him and stole his goods.)
(United States, Territorial Papers of Louisiana, Missouri Territories, 1815-1821, p. 52ff.)
On 27 May 1826, a claim was allowed to Lydia McFarland for $248 against the Osage Indians. (United States, Territorial Papers of the United States, Arkansas territory, 1825-1829, vol. 20, p. 257.) On 27 July 1827, Lydia died."
***************
The statement below that James C. McFarland is related, is wrong based on Y-DNA tests. James C. McFarland is of the same lineage as Robert, born 1675 in northern Ireland, died 1751 Lancaster Co. PA.
Older notes:
CHILDREN: Alexander may perhaps have had son James C. McFarland, born about
1786 -- later evidence seems this is unlikely.
RESIDENCE: 1770-1785 on Muddy Fork of Wolf Creek, Wythe County.
RESIDENCE: 1784 VIRGINIA, Wythe County "Early Adventures on the Western
Waters" LDS microfiche 6125902 Page 19 (OLD 70) May 1, 1784 LAND: John Smith
250 acres on Muddy Fork of Wolf Creek, above Christian Birkman's to include
McDoffet's improvements and to join Alexr. McFarlands and Birkman (50 acres
withdrawn).
RESIDENCE: 1785 Washington County, VA (in a petition to form that part of the
County into Russel County): Alexander, Robert, Robert Jr., Joseph. (So, who are the Robert's here, and the Joseph?)
COURT: 1787 VIRGINIA, Augusta County March 1787 Augusta Chronicles. Carlisle
vs Alexander McFarling -- Chancery answer 1787. Defendant was nephew of
Alexander Gibson. (so this should be this Alexander)
RESIDENCE-LINKS: 1787 VIRGINIA, Augusta County. Alexander McFarland was
surety at marriage of James Gray and Elizabeth Doran. One of their children
was named Alexander McFarland ("Alex") Gray, born 1788. They later settled in
Russell Couty, VA about 1790.
RESIDENCE: 1788 Augusta County (see MILITARY, above).
TAXLIST: 1788 VIRGINIA, Montgomery County, Wolf Creek, Muddy Fork.
MILITARY: Commisioned 15 May 1793 Captain, 16th Reg, Cornstalk Militia, Greene
Co, KY.
RESIDENCE: 1793 VIRGINIA, Wythe County "Early Adventures on the Western
Waters" LDS microfiche 6125902 Page 163 (163) Sep 10, 1793 Wm Coneway and Roda
(Rhoda) of Washington co to Zaccheus Elkins, 60 acres of Wolf Creek, waters of
New River, granted Coneway Dec 26, 1792, corner to Alexander McFarland's land.
CENSUS: 1795 KENTUCKY, Greene County, Indian Creek. Alexander McFarland.
RESIDENCE: 1796-1800 Russell County, Virginia?? This has to be a different Alexander.
TAXLIST: 1799 KENTUCKY, Cumberland County, Indian Creek. Alexander McFarland
(3 cattle, 400 acres), Daniel McFarland (200 acres), John McFarland (1 cattle,
200 acres). SOURCE: "History of Cumberland County" by Joseph W. Wells 1947
Bell FHC.
COURT: 1799 KENTUCKY, Cumberland County. Alexander McFarland appointed one of
the Justices of the Peace for Cumberland County. SOURCE: "History of
Cumberland County" by Joseph W. Wells 1947 Bell FHC.
LAND: 1800 KENTUCKY, Cumberland County. BOUNDS OF WAYNE COUNTY, FORMED 1800:
Beginning at the Mouth of Indian Creek on the Cumberland River, and running by
James Sanduskys cabin to the road that leads from Capt Thomas Johnson's to
Major Alexander McFarlands on Indian Creek. SOURCE: "History of Cumberland
County" by Joseph W. Wells 1947 Bell FHC.
LAND-LINKS: 1807 KENTUCKY, Cumberland County, Indian Creek. To the Trustees
of Cumberland Seminary, by the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Nov 17, 1807, 150
acres of land on the head of Indian Creek adjoining Alexander McFarland.
SOURCE: "History of Cumberland County" by Joseph W. Wells 1947 Bell FHC.
LAND-LINKS: 1815 KENTUCKY, Cumberland County, Indian Creek. Alexander
McFarland. William Goodson, Oct 9, 1815, of Cumberland County, waters if Indian
Creek, originally granted in the names of Wm Goodson, assignee of Alexander
McFarland, who was assignee of Solomon Skeggs.
RESIDENCE: Alexander McFarland, Lydia, James, Blassingame Harvey McFarland,
John and Daniel all lived for awhile in the Cumberland of Kentucky (Clinton
County) in the 1790's, before Alexander and Lydia and Blassingame Harvey
McFarland moved to New Madrid Missouri by 1803 and then to the Arkansas
territory.
RESIDENCE: Settled New Madrid County, MO -- Tywapity bottom 1803- 1805.
Settled Cadron 1808 640 acres Arkansas Territory.
DEATH: Alexander was killed in 1812 by the Osage Indians, west of Arkansas.
SOURCE: Much information from Mary Haines.
HISTORY: Alexander McFarland born ca. 1755 Augusta County, VA son of Wm.
Lived with father, William in Montgomery and Washington Co, VA in 1780's.
Married 20 May 1785 Washington Co, VA Lydia Priest, dau of William and Mary.
With Lydia he had Maranda b.1794 and Liddia b. 1798. Alexander also lived in
Cumberland (clinton CO), Ky, near Danville, Ky, New Madrid, MO and Conway Co,
Arkansas (from Mary Haines).
HISTORY: Alexander McFarland led an 1812 trading party that left Cadron on the
Arkansas River to trade with villages on the upper Red River. Although he
endeavored to avoid the Osages, the latter entered his camp on 13 August 1812
and killed McFarland while his companions were absent. Later, in August 1812
Lydia McFarland filed for loss of property taken from her husband, Alexander
McFarland. In "White Claims for Indian Depredations: Illinois - Missouri -
Arkansas Frontier" by Marsha Hoffman Rising in National Genealogical Society
Quarterly Vol. 84, No. 4 Dec 1996.
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1764 - 1812 (48 years)
