Descendants of Jane Jackson and James McFarland gathered Sunday, May 30th, at Oak Ridge Church of Christ to begin a day of reunion and dedication of the Historic Texas Cemetery marker for the nearby McFarland Cemetery where James and Jane Jackson McFarland are buried along with sons William McFarland and A. Jackson McFarland, his wife Artemissa Pence McFarland, and other family members.
Granddaughter of Lola McFarland Hill, Mary Helen Hill Haines, organizer of the event, presented a history of the migrations of the McFarlands from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1719, through Virginia, Missouri, and eventually to Fannin County, Texas in 1837. Each family group represented at the gathering was introduced with special recognition given to Agnes Breedlove, Robert Wayne Milton, and Rhonda Kay Shinpaugh for their part in the upkeep of the cemetery and the local arrangements of the event. Among those attending were descendants of James Franklin McFarland: John S. McFarland Sr. and wife Linda Brach, John S. McFarland Jr. and wife Reggie Bell, Betsi Anne Hill, Cynthia Jane Hill, Anne Hill McMahan, Nancy McMahan Schweers, Louis McMahan, Sally Thaggard Drews, Mary Helen Hill and Michael Haines. Also connected to this family through marriage were Eli Robert Cox, Jr., Bill and Jan Reynolds, Mary Ann Reynolds, Marilyn Reynolds Paa with husband Dante and son Jonathan. Descendants of John Ewing McFarland included Al and Dorothy Bartley, Marilyn Mills Robertson and husband Larry, Mischa Angel and Kayleigh Burt. Newton Jackson McFarland's descendants who were present were Agnes Churchwell Breedlove, Nancy Breedlove Ballard and husband David with children Jennie and Joey Ballard, Virginia Breedlove Degnan, Sue Scott Woodfield and husband, Jim. Also Nancy Araminta Hanks Van Lente, Pamela Dee Brannon, Kathryn Ann Brannon Mitchell, Melba Elizabeth Brannon, Chelsea Elizabeth Prinz, and Emily Araminta Prinz . The descendants of Nancy Jane McFarland Cunningham present were David and Stephen Cunningham, their mother Dortha Cunningham and sister Rhonda Kay Shinpaugh with her husband John Ed and son Landon. Those attending from James and Arthur McFarland were Loma Scroggins Ferdig Patton and her son Phillip James Ferdig, Nobel D. Scroggins and wife Mary, Cindy Scroggins Mollnow and husband Marvin, with Spencer Merrill Mollnow, Amanda Mollnow Kline with husband Scott and child Merlin Kline. Also James and Iva Scroggins, Willie Mae Scroggins Simmons, Avis Parker, Debra Ann Scroggins Hall with husband Bill and children David Mason and Amanda Gail Hall. Other attendees included Joan Snider who works for the Texas Historical Commission in Bonham, family friends and relations Joe and Sylvia Wishard, H. L. Milton, Sam Byron and Burl Hulsey, Karen and Phil Wiggins, Sharline Freeman, Muriel Burleson and Debby Crofford.
After taking a group photograph, the family proceeded to the McFarland cemetery where Mary Helen unveiled and read the official monument which states, “James M. McFarland moved to this area from Missouri in 1837 with his wife, Jane Jackson McFarland, and eleven children. He received 1,280 acres of land. Son A. Jackson McFarland, age 20, was given his own 320 acres, with an additional 320 acres when the two men formally received their land grants in 1845. Family lore holds that during an Indian raid on the McFarland property, the family and the Native Americans suffered casualties. When members of the Indian party returned to retrieve their dead, they found the McFarlands had buried them alongside their own, so they called for a truce. These were reportedly the first burials at the McFarland cemetery. The earliest marked grave is that of William McFarland, a son of James and Jane who died in 1852. There are possibly other unmarked graves at the cemetery, which lies in the southeast corner of the McFarland land grant. McFarland was a founder of the town of Ladonia, where Jackson opened a store in 1877. Jackson and his wife Artemissa were charter members of the Oak Ridge Church of Christ. The family name, significant in area history, is preserved and commemorated in this cemetery, maintained by a trust and descendants.” The family read together portions of Psalm 90 and Bishop Sam Hulsey, friend of the family, led a prayer recalling the gifts of the Spirit and in thanksgiving for family and service. Accompanied by bagpipes, played by Don Shannon, flowers were placed on the graves of loved ones. At the conclusion “Taps” was played.
The family visited other local cemeteries and gathered again at Gloria's Kitchen for dinner and sharing of family photos and stories. A good time was had by all.
The Signs at the Entrance to the Cemetery
Agnes Churchwell Breedlove with the Historic Designation
Bagpiper Don Shannon
Mary Helen Haines reading the Historical Marker
