Clan MacFarlane Worldwide, Inc.

Pioneering McFarlands

By Mary Helen Haines ©2016

Many of our McFarland forefathers who came to North America in the eighteenth century made their homes at the very edge of English settlements. These new settlers were amazed by the abundance of land compared to their previous homes, as well as the fact they could own, not just rent. The first wave of English settlers in the 1600s were now living in settled areas; the new Scots-Irish and Germans in the 1700s were pushed to the frontiers if they wanted to patent their own land. This was risky business because it often led to confrontations with Native-Americans who were beginning to understand the insatiable appetite Europeans had for land and more land.

Several McFarland men died in Indian fights in the 1700s and early 1800s, while others served as scouts and “spyes” in the service of traders, settlers, and local militias. In 1755, just as the French-Indian war was heating up, Native-American raids increased on the New River settlements in Augusta County, Virginia. From May through August families were attacked in their new homes with many people killed or wounded, while others were captured and taken away.*  One of those killed was James McFarland (Chalkey, Vol. 2, p. 510), age 22, son of John and Mary Montgomery McFarland. The attacks caused most of the settlers to abandon their new homes and retreat behind the Blue Ridge Mountains to more protected territory until the war came to an end. However, as soon as the peace treaty was signed in 1763, the settlements were repopulated, which led to more conflicts.

In 1764 an Indian raid attacked the home of William and Barbara Willson, which was located on the banks of the Jackson River in what became Bath County Virginia in 1791. 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." (Morton, p. 83) The weaver was Duncan McFarland (b. abt. 1700) who eventually purchased this land from the Willsons in 1767. Duncan continued to live here with his sons William (b. abt. 1732), Robert (b. abt. 1725), and Alexander (b. 1750), who are discussed below.

Did you miss the live event on the history of the Church at Luss?  No problem!  If you are a paying member, you can use the link below (visible only to paying members) to enjoy it at your leisure.  So if you are a paying member, get comfy, make sure you sign in, then go to the publications ink on the top of this page, select the Diaspora, and it will take you to  the link. 

If you are NOT a paying member, that's SAD!  So consider joining so that you can enjoy all the benefits of membership.  To join, use the link at the menu bar above for Your Membership and join.  It is soooo inexpensive!

Paying Members can now view the recorded webinar.  (WARNING!!!  This is a very large video so it takes time to load.  Press the link and then walk away and get yourself a cup of tea, a glass of whisky, and some cookies.)

The Fall 2020 issue of the CASSOC (Clans and Scottish Societies of Canada) is now available for our members to enjoy. Just follow the link to the Publications above on the Menu, then select Diaspora  Although the Diaspora is normally available to everyone, and not just our paying members, our membership in CASSOC requires that only our paying members may have access.  So.... join us!  Us the links on the menu to become a member.  Then you will be able to enjoy all that CMW has to offer.

Read the latest issue.

It's Our Birthday!!

Clan MacFarlane Worldwide is now 10 years old.  We have had quite the ride.  For some of you, you have been there with us every step of the way.  We started as an idea in Scotland, and by July 4th, 2010, a group of like-minded worker bees decided we should strike out on our own.  And so here we are years 10 years later.

In 10 years' time, we have received our letter of determination from the IRS to be a U.S. 501c3,  taken a large tour group to Scotland and Ireland.  We have hosted a Digital Gathering featuring the Lord Lyon, hosted countless Highland Games from New Zealand to California, New England, Florida, Texas, Canada, and all points in-between.  We have a small store where friends and families can purchase t-shirts and tartan ribbon.  We have sponsored archeological digs and muniment projects.  To say it simply...WE'VE BEEN BUSY!

So, today we release the September Loch Sloy! which is our quarterly magazine.  Within this issue are photos and thoughts from the days of "thinkin' about starting" to links to our own Clan MacFarlane Worldwide YouTube(tm) channel.  Are we boasting?  Perhaps we are, but in 10 years' time, we are here and we don't see an end to our MacFarlane Journey.

We hope you are a paying member.  There is much on the horizon to do and experience.  Next year, we hope to take our second group to visit Scotland (as long as this year comes to an end).  So Steve and I lift our cup to toast Clan MacFarlane Worldwide, Inc., its founders, its current Board of Directors, our tent Delegates, our Advisory Board, and all those who have become a part of the MacFarlane Journey.

Sla'inte!

Marie Robb