ROBERT McFARLAND Photos by Dennis Yerbey at Find-A-Grave Robert McFarland, Attorney-at-law, was born in County Londonderry, Ireland, August 6, 1836. His parents were William and Jane (McCulley) McFarland. Robert McFarland was educated at the best schools in Ireland, and was there prepared for the army, but, failing to get into the Crimean War, he left the old country in May, 1854, landed in New York, and soon afterward entered Washington College (now Washington and Lee), from which institution he was graduated third in the class of 1858. At Lexington, VA he studied law under John W. Brockenborough, and was graduated as a Bachelor of Law in 1860. He came to Florence in April of that year, and, forming a partnership with James B. Irvine, entered at once into the practice of his chosen profession. April 28, 1861, as Captain of the Lauderdale Volunteers, he entered the Confederate service. His company was subsequently organized into the Fourth Alabama Infantry, and at Harper's Ferry the command joined Stonewall Jackson's Corps, and participated in the first battle of Manassas. Born in Ireland, Came to America 1854. He was educated in Lexington, VA. Came to Florence, Alabama in 1853. Distinguished as a lawyer and soldier, reared a Presbyterian He died fully trusting in the covenant mercy of God in Christ. Major McFarland knew General Jackson personally, having frequently met him while in Lexington. At Manassas the Major was watching the progress of the fight, and heard General Bee refer to Jacksons command in the memorable words attaching themselves forever thereafter to the great hero of Manassas, to-wit: " See Jackson's men standing like a stone wall." General Lee was killed on that day. The twelve months for which Captain McFarland had entered service having expired, he was authorized to recruit a cavalry regiment, which he did, and with a portion of it joined Gen. John H. Morgan at Knoxville,Tenn., and remained with the redoubtable Morgan until after the Ohio raid. He accompanied Morgan across the Ohio River and was the first man in the command to leap on to Indiana's soil. After Morgan's capture, McFarland was assigned by the Secretary of War to General Cleburne's command, and was with him to the close, he led the famous charge at Dug Gap, and for gallantry was complimented by the commander. At Villa Rica, Ga., he was wounded by having his horse killed under him, the horse falling upon him and injuring him to such an extent that he has never fully recovered from it. In December, 1S64, he was in command at Huntsville, and remained there until the Federals drove him out in January, 1865. He was finally paroled at Pond Springs and came to Florence. He had no money, and as he expressed it, "no home." and the only clothing that he had was his much worn Confederate uniform. This he continued to wear until a Federal officer issued a peremptory order that the Confederate uniform be taken off. Having nothing else to wear, the Major was in a pretty bad fix until a friend who was clerking for a Jew volunteered to go his security for a linen duster. In October, 1865, he opened an office at Florence and began the practice of law, and here he has remained. He at once stepped into a good paying practice; became popular with his clients and rapidly made a reputation as one of the most successful lawyers of the North Alabama bar. He was married in March, 1868, to Miss Kate Armestead, daughter of Fontaine Armestead, Esq., then of Franklin, now of Colbert, County, and has had born to him seven children, six of whom are living. Major McFarland, since the close of the hostilities in which he took such a prominent part, has openly and at all times, advocated a loyal support of the General Government. He was a Douglas man before the war, and a Union man up to the time his State had withdrawn, when he gave his services freely, and laid his life, as it were, upon the altar of his convictions. No man in any part of the State was more loyal to the South than Robert McFarland. He is an active Democratic worker: takes part in all the National and State campaigns: is a speaker of rare force, has a ready command of language. Quick of repartee, and possessed of the ready wit so characteristic of his race. He was a delegate to the Baltimore Convention that nominated Greeley. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias. Northern Alabama Historical & Biographical by T.A. DeLand and A. Davis Smith 1888 Birmingham AL OBITUARY: CATHERINE WINSTON (ARMISTEAD) McFARLAND At 5 o'clock on Friday morning, September 10, 1920, Mrs. Kate W. McFarland, peacefully passed from the shadows of a tedious and painful illness into the presence of the Prince of Peace. Mrs. McFarland was the daughter of Mr. Fontaine Armistead, a prominent planter of Colbert County, Alabama, and a granddaughter of Isaac Winston, also a wealthy planter of the Tennessee Valley and a resident of Colbert County, so that she was truly descended from an ancestry that was typical of the Old South and was in her person a representative of that bower of civilization of which we of the South are so justly proud. She was born on her father's plantation on the 19th day of February, 1853, and was on the 19th day, February, 1868 married to Captain Robert McFarland, whose life and character are so well known to the older citizens of this county. She is survived by four children, two sons, W. F. and Albert McFarland, and two daughters, Miss Mary McFarland and Mrs. Lucien Brown of Birmingham, and two brothers, Messrs. George and Cole Armistead of Colbert County. Mrs. McFarland was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. The funeral services, conducted by Rev. D. W. Hollingsworth, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, and Rev. C. L. Price, rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, were held at the beautiful old homestead overlooking the Tennessee River. A large concourse of people assembled to pay the last tribute of respect and followed the cortege covered with most beautiful floral offerings. For 52 years, Mrs. McFarland was a resident of Florence and by her refinement, her gentle courtesty, her unselfish and constant kindness, as well as by the strength of her character, she was, and held the friendships of all with whom she had any close contact. A good woman, one who held the respect and esteem of all who knew her, has passed beyond our vision, but the influence of her life and character, will long be felt in the circles of which she was a member. Source: Vicki Rice (World Connect-Rootsweb) The Florence Times, Sep. 17, 1920 I have her birth date as Dec 19, 1843, but I'm not sure of the source. The Winstons of Hanover County, Sheet 142 has her birth date as 18 Dec 1843 with marriage date as 19 Feb 1867. If the obituary birthdate is right, then she married at 13 years of age and had her first child that same year, which seems very young.