Samuel McFarland

After leaving Washington College, in which instituion he had completed his lterary studies, he entered the offie of Thomas McFarland McKennan, Esq., under whose direction he studied law until December, 1827, when he was admitted to the bar. probably the most important case in which Maj. McFarland was counsel, during the few years which he devoted to his profession, was that of a colored man (a slave) by the name of Christions Sharp (commonly called "Kit"), who was tried, convicted, and executed fo the murder of his master, Robert Carlisle, of Woodford, Kentucky. He had associated with him for the defense in this case William Baird and John Kennedy, Esqrs. In 1829 he was appointed treasurer of Washington County, and fulfilled the duties of that office until 1832. After retiring from office purchased the farm now owned by Mr. Harry Shirls, near the town of Washington, and the remainder of his active business life he devoted mainly to sheep-raising and wool-buying.

He was for many years a member, one the chief supporters, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Washington, Pennsylvania, and after the breaking up of that organization he united with the United Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member until his death. Maj. McFarland wa prominent for many years as one of the leading temperance and anti-slavery men of Washington County. He was stong-willed, outspoken, straightforward, aggressive man, impolitic, it may be, as some have averred that his espousal of cause injured it, but, however much his methods may have been questioned, none ever doubted his sincerity of purpose. He possessed great vigor of constituion, energy of character, and marked success in business.

He was a large-hearted, generous man, and liverally aided all causes which he regarded as worthy of assistance. To all agencies having for their object the improvent of the colored race he was especially munificent. He is named by those who know him as one of Washington County's first and most fearless foes of human slavery in the days when that institution was popular, and when it was abolished he gave freely of his means for the education and encouragement of the disenthralled race. During the War of the Rebellion he was thought too old to to into the field; one of the most ardent of patriots, giving all of his moral influence and much of his time and money to the furtherance of the cause of the Union.

Source: History of Washington County, Pennsylvania, L.H. Everts & Co., Philadelphia, 1882 p. 564