In a message dated 1/12/2010 3:11:25 A.M. Eastern Standard Time, pacumber-request@rootsweb.com writes: Ryan, I guess that Samuel Blunston and George Donehoo (former state librarian) were smarter than both of us. They simply spelled it John McFarlan (without a D or an E) when referring to the first McFarlan to cross the river and settle north of the creek near Newville. You are correct in stating that Rev. Swaim used an E in praising the many good things the McFarlanes did for the Big Spring Church. The Big Spring history lists only two 1786 members as John and Margaret McFarlanD. The history goes on to state that there were 20 McFarlanE members, 10 births or baptisms, 11 marriages, and 18 burial in all, And just to muddy the waters, Rev. Nevin, in his 1852 "Churches of the Valley", spells the name with an E.. One last bit of data: Patrick McFarland got warrant #580 for 300 acres next to the United Presbyterian Church property and near current-day Green Ridge Village, Newville.......Max