This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: GregPaulay Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.virginia.counties.frederick/1641.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi David, It's been a long time, let's catch up. Hope you and the family are doing well. I received this information from Barbara on John Montgomery which states he was born in Jefferson County, Virginia at the ancestoral home of Washington build by Charles Washington. Is there any supporting documentation on this? Might be helpful to track down his parents. "JOHN MONTGOMERY MACFARLAND John M. Macfarland, was born January 14, 1856 (and is now 83 years old), in Jefferson County, Virginia, now West Virginia, at the ancestoral home of Washington in the house built by Charles Washington. For three generations prior to the birth of the subject of this sketch all the Macfarlands were born and raised in the same county. John M. got his early education like the other boys at what was known as the subscription schools and afterwards at the free school. He attended the Military Academy of Virginia and Princeton College and the University of Virginia where he graduated specializing in constitutional and international law and received the highest grade given to any student in the school. Regardless of his graduation in the law department of the University it was necessary for him to take an examination which, was successful, and he was admitted to practice in all the courts of West Viriginia. In 1878, soon after his marriage, he got the western fever and moved to Omaha, Nebraska, where he opened a law office after being admitted to the supreme court in Nebraska on Jan. 10, 1879. In May 1879 he moved to Columbus, where he practiced law until Nov. 1889 when he was elected Grand Chancellor of the Knights of Pythias and moved back to Omaha, where he formed a co-partnership with a Mr. Saunders and the firm became known as Saunders and Macfarland, where he practiced law for 40 years. Then he went to California and from there back to New York City, where he now resides. Mr. Macfarland, was one of the most energetic lawyers we ever had at the bar and he was a money 50. b. maker and nobody enjoyed spending it more than he did. In fact, he was a good scout. It is said that he made more money in the two or three years after the machine companies commenced selling their machinery in this county and elsewhere around, than all of the other lawyers combined. He was a sort of a general attorney for several manufacturing companies and had an immense commercial business. It was a period when hand tools were disappearing for manufactured machinery and the farmers took the new machinery very readily and the agents were of the highest class of sellers, so that Mac had plenty of business. He was one of the smoothest politicians we ever had in the city. He was elected as Mayor for one term and was an official in nearly all of the enterprises of the city. While Mayor of the city he took great pride in trying to improve the city park now located in the heart of the city and it was through his influence largely, that most of the trees were planted and the old fence, that used to be around the park, was removed. He was one of the best dressers of the bar. He was a good business getter and a very smooth attorney and was often selected by the older attorneys on account of his acquaintance and influence with the jury. He was local attorney for several years of the U.P.R.R.Co. and was elected State Senator from Douglas County and he ran for Lieutenant Governor and also for Supreme Judge, but was defeated. 51." I have traced back to Thomas Truxton and then back to the Scottish royalty in the Bruce Clan going back to the Kings of Finland. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.