Some Descendants of Duncan McFarland of MA

SOME DESCENDANTS OF DUNCAN McFARLAND
OF MASSACHUSETTS
© Copyright 2000 by Virginia Deagan. However material on these pages may be freely used for personal research. Please contact me before using the material on other web pages.

This is the line from Duncan McFarland that I descend from. I do not have much information on the other families in this file but will be glad to share anything I have with others who are interested in this family. Feel free to let me know of any corrections or additions to this family. I have placed some of my sources at the end of this page. E-mail to Ginny Deagan (NEW E-MAIL:[email protected])


1. Duncan McFarland came to America with his brother, Daniel with a group of Scotch-Irish immigrants that arrived in Boston 4 August 1718. The family was originally from Argylshire, Scotland but had lived in Ulster County, Ireland for almost one hundred years. Duncan's wife was named Christian. Her maiden name is unknown. They settled in Rutland, Worcester County, MA. Duncan died on 4 September 1747 and his will was probated in Worcester County, Case #39923. His son, Daniel was appointed Executor.

Children of Duncan and Christian McFarland:

  1. (#2)Alexander McFarland, b. abt. 1716 in Ulster County, Ireland. Marr. Jane Harper. Died 1776.

  2. Elizabeth McFarland , b. 4 Nov 1719 in Rutland, MA. Marr. 24 Oct 1746, William McFarland at Rutland.

  3. Janet McFarland , b. 5 Jan 1722 in Rutland, MA.

  4. Daniel McFarland , b. 13 Feb 1723/24 in Rutland, MA. Marr. (1) 14 Dec 1745 Elizabeth Harper (intention), (2)30 May 1747, Margaret Dun of Uxbridge, (intention).

  5. Nancy McFarland

  6. Christian McFarland? - mentioned in will - not sure this is a child.

2. Alexander McFarland was born before 1718, probably in Ulster County, Ireland. . He married Jean Harper, daughter of William and Rachel Harper, probably at Rutland, Worcester County, MA.

Alexander was one of the first ten settlers of Oakham, MA. In 1742, he bought 200 acres of land for 250 Pounds. It has been said that Alexander enlisted as a Private during the Revolution and was killed 1775 at the battle of Bunker Hill. If this is true, he would have been in his late 50's. It is more likely that he may have had a son, Alexander, Jr. who was the soldier of the Revolution. Alexander is listed in the DAR records with service as a Private in Capt. Seth Washburn's company, Colonel Ward's regiment, Massachusett troops. His will was probated 1 January 1776, recorded in Worcester County MA. His wife, Jean was appointed executrix.

Children of Alexander and Jean (Harper) McFarland:

  1. Christian McFarland . Marr. William Bell 13 Sep 1759. Had two children, Jean and Christian. Died before 1776.

  2. Rachel McFarland, b. 4 Sep 1739. Married James Henderson 19 Jan 1758. Died Salem NY 16 Nov 1791. Buried in Salem Revolutionary War Cemetery. (See Descendants of James Henderson for information on their family.

  3. Isabel McFarland Had child by Robert Green

  4. Sarah McFarland , b. 26 Aug 1750. Marr. Robert Harper at Oakham, MA (intention) 13 Oct 1766. Had a son, Alexander Harper.

  5. Susannah McFarland , b. 25 Feb 1753. Marr. Moses Young .

  6. Rebeckah McFarland , b. 25 Aug 1756. Marr. John Bothwell

  7. (#3) Reuben McFarland , b. 4 Dec 1759. Marr. Margaret McFarland .

3. Reuben McFarland was born 4 December 1759. He was the youngest son of Alexander and Jean (Harper) McFarland. He married Margaret McFarland of Adams, MA (intention) on 15 June 1782 at Oakham, MA. Reuben was a Revolutionary soldier. He was a Private in Capt. Newell's Company which joined Col. Gerrish's regiment of escort troops of the Saratoga Confention from Rutland to Enfield, CT. He was living in Oakham, MA in 1790. He sold his homestead in 1797.

Children of Reuben and Margaret McFarland:

  1. Daniel McFarland. Marr. Patty Bell 19 May 1807. Went to Guildhall, Essex Co. VT (Stark, NH). Had child, Daniel C. McFarland , b. 1827. Marr. Eunice Miles of Stark, NH, 4 Dec 1849. Lived in Lunenburg, Essex Co. VT.

  2. Walter McFarland . Marr. Polly Bell 27 May 1817.

SOURCES

Soldiers of Oakham, Massachusetts, Henry Parks Wright. 1914. p.99-100.

History of Oakham, Massachusetts pp. 781 - 785.

Oakham, MA Vital Records to 1850

Rutland, MA Vital Records to 1850

Probate Records of Worcester County,MA FHL Film#859181: File 39923, Duncan McFarland of Rutland, file 39905, Alexander McFarland of Oakham.