LETTER: From Marilyn M. Murphy (Ggrandaughter of James McLean Armstrong Here is a transcription of a letter in my possession from James C. McFarland to James McLean Armstrong of Clio, Ohio. The relationship of the two men is, James McF was a 1st cousin to James Armstrong's mother, Mary Campbell Patterson. This transcription is more accurate than the one that was posted. One date typo has been corrected and one date typo eliminated. -------------------- Transcription of a letter addressed to James M. Armstrong, Clio, Ohio from J.C. McFarland, Bloomington Ill. Postmarked from Bloomington on Feb 13, 1896 and back of envelope posted Clio, Ohio Feb 15, 1896. -------------- Bloomington Feby 12th 1896 ********************** James M. Armstrong Dear Sir Your letter of the 6th came to house a few days since. I was truly glad to hear from you, as I had written several letters to different places, and all have been returned "not found" ...I remember your Grandmother's [Mary McF Patterson] visit to my Fathers [Joseph McFarland] house in Penn in 1835 or 1836 - I do not think that I ever seen Uncle Jeremiah [Patterson] and never seen Aunt Mary [Patterson] except at that time. ...In regard to the McFarland family - I will make a general statement. Much of it your mother may now know. ...Uncle William she knows settled in Chillicotti, Ohio, where he died Feby 18th 1832. - His son Joseph McFarland born Sept 29, 1819, died at the house of Alexander Wilson in Monongahela City Nov 14th 1834- John McFarland, Born March 14th 1814 died in Lexington KY July 8th 1890 - His wife Mary Epps Scott McFarland died Sept 11 1895. They left two children William Campbell McFarland and Lucy Scott McFarland - William is Capt Co. B 15th U.S. Infantry now stationed somewhere in Oregon. Lucy married a man by the name of Berglanse (sp) and lives in Baltimore. ...Uncle Dougal, married Margaret Campbell, Mch 26th 1811. They have two sons James Campbell and John McFarland - Campbell was a lawyer and John a Presbyterian minister. The family lived near Pittsburgh for a great many years - finally they moved to Greenfield Mo whhere Uncle Dougal died Dec 9 1855 - Aunt Margaret died July 23rd 1859. John McFarland July 26, 1872 and Campbell July 1874. John McFarlands wife is still living in Missouri she is a most excellent worman - they have one son [John (strikeover)] Edgar W. a Dentist. ...Uncle Robert - married Ann St Clair McFarlane.[sic] They have two daughters - Mary Campbell and Eliza Cobbel McFarlaand. Eliza married Rev Saml Sparks July 16 1833 - Eliza died August 6 1837. Rev Sparks died Feby 24th 1874. They had one daughter Sarah Ann McF. Sparks who married Dr. Wm King of Monougahila City Pa June 2nd 1854. The Doctor died Nov 3 1871 leaving wife and four children now living at Sewickley Pa. ,,,Mary C McFarland the other daughter married Feb XXXX Alexander Wilson he died at Heyworth Ill June 14th 1862 ----- his wife Mary C. died at Allegheny City Pa Feby 1st 1881 leaving four children - 1st Robert McF Wilson married Dorcas Wilson dec 22nd 1859. He went into the army with me in 1862, and was drowned in Mobile Bay April 16 1865 leaving wife and two children now living at Canton Ohio. Janette Clark ----- Alexander Wilson, (2) ...children of Alexander and Mary Wilson 2nd Stephen Wilson born at Pittsburgh March 15th 1839 married Harriet Agnes? Pritchard at Osceola Wis July 1st 1877 - they have one daughter living Alberta Virginia. They all reside at Canton Ohio 3rd Ann St Clair Wilson born May 19th 1841 married Isaac N Coursin (sp) He died at Pittsburgh some few years since leaving three children all daughters - Christene - Jennie and Minnie - Christene is married to a Mr. Brown. 4th Margaret Virginia born Jany 23rd 1843 married S------- H Daft Sept 3rd 1884. He died several years since and his wife lives at Grafton Pa. ...John McFarland died at my fathers house near Mercersburg Feby 8th 1848. Joseph McFarland (my father) was born Dec 5 1780 married Nancy Clark Humphrey April 12th 1820 - My mother died near Frankfort Indiana Oct 29 1851 - My Father died at my sisters at Hanover Indiana. They left five children. (b) Mary Jane - (a) James Campbell - (d) Rowena Agnes - (c) Martha Elizabeth and (e) David Humphrey. ...A. James Campbell was born Sept 7th 1823 was married to Rebecca M Logan of McConnellsburg Pa March 25 1847. Came to Illinois in 1856 where I have resided continuously except three years I was in the army. My wife is five years younger than I am. Her hair is as black now as it ever was - the 25th of next month will be the anniversary of our Golden Wedding. We have five children living and four dead. 1 Annie St Clair born at Monongahela City PA April 5 1853 married William J Bishop Jany 17th 1872. They had two daughters Mabel St Clair and Mattie Campbell. Mabel was married to Charles Harris ----- Nov 21 1894 gave birth to a son October 14 1895 and died October 26 1895. Beloved by all who knew her. Reside at 606 S. Clayton St Bloomington. 2 Martha Elizabeth born at Monongahela City PA Mch 27th 1855 married John Lee Ru_t (a farmer) Oct 27th 1874. They have eight children five boys and three girls. 3 Alexander Wilson born at Heyworth Ill June 17th 1862 married Sarah Sarvage in Chicago. They have one daughter Edna and Reside at 225 S. California Avenue, Chicago. 4 Edgar Humphrey born at Heyworth Ill Augt 23rd 1866 married Maud Robb Sept 7th 1892 - no children reside at 4545 St Lawerence Ave Chicago. 5 Herman Elwood youngest of --- family born Feb 27 1869 at house in Bloomington. ------- (3) B Mary Jane was born at Mercersburg Pa Mch 30 1822 was married first to Joseph Scroggy (sp) by whom she had 2 children Janie and Josephine both living and ---- married Milton McCorkel who died seeveral years since leaving his wife and one daughter - Normal Ill. C Martha Elizabeth was born at Mercersburg Dec 1 1827 was married to john Houston Dunn Sept 17th 1851. He died at Hanover , Indiana Feby 24 1882 leaving wife and two daughters. Mary Agnes and Martha Caroline Dunn. D Rowena Agnes born Spet 12th 1825 was married to Moses Scott of Monongahela City Pa Feby 6 1855. He died at that place March 5 1891. Mrs Scott now resides at Normal Ill. E David Humphrey McF was born Oct 16 1831 was married to Miriam C. Dunn June 1858. She died at Heyworth Ill June 5 1891. No Children - Heyworth Ill. .....In my fathers family there was only five children they are all living at the present time and all within a radius of 12 miles. The oldest is 75 the youngest 65 a- 71-- ...I have made up this in a very hasty manner and if I have time would rewrite it. You will however I hope make out what it is intended for. .....I should be pleased to hear from you at any time. Please remember us all to your mother and all the members of your family. ...My sister Mrs. Scott called at your Grandfathers house in New Concord in 1852 with Isaac B--- and his children. I was in Zanesville from 1836 to the fall of 1838 but never got out to New Concord. If you or any members of your family should ever come to this section of the country, I want you to come and see us --- our house. ---------- All ---- -- love to all --- --nt R--- JC McFarland