Meaning: (British) From Ferrier (Old French), "horse-shoer and iron worker".
The Farrar name has been pronounced several different ways. Some pronounce it as "far' uhr". Some pronounce it as " fuh- rahr' ". This family pronounces it "fairer".
From the beginning, the Farrar family name has had many variations: Ferris, Ferrer, Farrer, Ferrier, Farris, Farrar, and Faries. All these families claim to be from the same family, and therefore must be variations of the same name. All are descended from the deFerriers who came to England with William Conqueror in 1066, and then from the Ferris family of Leicestershire, England, descended from Henri deFerriers, son of Gwalchalme deFerriers, who was Master of Horse to the Duke of Normandy. His name is found "upon the Battle Abbey Roll". We do know that there was a Henry Ferriers who came with William the Conqueror to England from a town named Ferriers or Ferrieres in France. His descendants continue to possess the estate of Baddlesley Clinton, Warwickshire, England. The Ferriers were a distinguished family in England and France. The surname is originally Norman and means "one who works in iron", which could have been in any country.
This line begins with Henrie Farrar, Sr. He was born abt 1480 in Ewood, Halifax Parish, England, and died Nov. 6, 1549 in Yorkshire, England. He married Agnes Barcroft Horsefalls in 1513 in Halifax, England. She was born abt 1480 in Stothlay, Yorkshire, England, and died Nov. 26, 1549 in Yorkshire.
Henrie, Sr. was the second owner of the Ewood Estate in Halifax, England. In his will, he leaves Ewood to his son William and other properties to his wife and other children. He is buried at Heptonstall, a chapelry of Tormoden, near Halifax. The chapel is dedicated to Sir Thomas a'Bekett.
Henrie and Agnes Horsefalls Farrar had 5 children: (1) Edward, b. 1518; (2) Henrie Jr., b. 1520, Holinbey, England, d. April 15, 1586, Sowerby, Halifax, York, England; (3) William, b. 1522 Ewood, d. 1571; (4) John, b. 1524, Ewood, d. April 3, 1573, York County, England; AND (5) Agnes, b. 1526 in England.
Henrie Farrar, Jr., was born 1520 in Holinbey, England and died April 15, 1586 in Sowerby, England. His spouse is unknown, but he had at least two sons: (1) John, b. 1548 Halifax, d. 1610; and (2) William, b. 1550 Farengdon, England, d. June 11, 1606 Heptonstall, England.
Henrie Jr.'s brother John Farrar SR. was born 1524 in Ewood, Yorkshire, England, and died April 3, 1573. He married Margaret Lacy (b. abt 1520 in Bancroft, England) They had 7 children: (1) John, b. abt 1543 Ewood, d. 1628 Eyeland, England; (2) Henry, b. abt 1546 Ewood; (3) Hugh, b. abt 1550 Ewood; (4) Mary, b. abt 1554 Ewood; (5) Margaret, b. abt 1556 England; (6) Agnes, b. 1556 Ewood; AND (7) Elline, b. abt 1558 Ewood.
William Farrar (son of Henrie JR) was born 1550 in Farengdon, Halifax, England, and died June 11, 1606, Heptonstall, Halifax, England. He married Margaret Bannister Dec. 12, 1575. She was born abt 1560 in England and died Sept 2, 1624 in Sowerby, England. They had 3 children: (1) Abraham, b. 1579 Sowerby; (2) Isaac, b. Nov. 27, 1580, Sowerby; AND (3) Jacob, b. 1584 Sowerby, d. May 2, 1639 Sowerby.
John Farrar Jr (son of John Sr) was born abt 1543 at Ewood and died 1628 in Eyeland, England. He married Cecily Kelke Aug. 26, 1574 in London. They had 4 children: (1) Henry, b. 1576, d. 1645, married Martha Woodward; (2) John, b. 1578, married Susan Hansonn; (3) William, b. 1594, d. June 11, 1637 at Farrar's Island, Charles City, Henrico County, VA.; AND (4) Humphrey, b. 1596.
Jacob Farrar (son of William, grandson of Henrie Jr) was born 1584 in Sowerby, Halifax, England, and died May 2, 1639 in Sowerby. He married Mary Houghton April 21, 1609 in Heptonstall. She was born abt 1590. They had 2 children: (1) John, b. July 28, 1611 England, d. July 11, 1690 Woburn, MA; and (2) Jacob, b. 1615 England, d. Aug. 14, 1677, Woburn, MA.
William Farrar (son of John Jr) was born 1594 in Croxton, Lincolnshire, England, and died June 11, 1637 at Farrar's Island, Charles City, Henrico Co., VA. He married Cecily Reynolds on May 2, 1625 in Charles City, VA. She was born abt 1594 in England ,and died abt 1662 at Farrar's Island, VA.
This William Farrar was known as Councillor William Farrar. He came to Virginia at age 24 on the ship Neptune in August, 1618, becoming the founder of the American Farrar family. (See Photo of Historical Marker above.) He was the 3rd husband of Cicely Reynolds. He was a subscriber to the Third Charter of the Virginia Company and served as an appraiser, executer of estates, member of the King's Council, and justice of two counties, establishing a plantation of 2,000 acres - very large for its day - for the transportation of forty settlers. His plantation was known as Farrar's Island, was located about twelve miles south of present-day Richmond, VA, and was on the site of the first settlement of Henrico, VA. Farrar's Island has also been called "The Great Bent" because of its location on the James River. The Indians around the area thought of the "white man's" settlements as a threat, and on March 22, 1622, in what was known as "The Great Indian Massacre", they attacked and burned houses and
settlements throughout the colony of Henrico. Many survivors relocated to Jamestown, and the former
city of Henrico was abandoned, thus giving way to the land grant that was made to William Farrar.
Note: I have visited the site of old Jamestown on the James River in Virginia, and it's an awesome feeling to see the spot where your ancestors have trod.
William Farrar's wife Cecily Reynolds immigrated to Virginia on board the ship The Swan in 1610 (or 1611). She could have been born about 1600, as one source says that when she arrived in Virginia, she was ten years old and alone. The Swan was one of three ships, The Swan, The Tryall, and The Noah, owned by Sir Thomas Gate, that arrived at Jamestown near the end of August, 1611. Cicely may have been a friend of Governor Yearley and his wife, Temperance Flowerdew, who became Lady Yearley. They arrived in America about the same time as Cicely. One of Sir George
Yeardley's first acts as Governor was to grant a land patent at James City on December 10, 1620 to Samuel Jordan of Charles City, VA, and his wife Cecily. Her maiden name was Reynolds, but she was a widow to Samuel Jordan when William married her. William had served as Samuel's lawyer.
The story goes that the romance of William Farrar and Cecily Reynolds caused the first breach of promise suit in Virginia. William's land (Farrar's Island) was at the James River and near the land of Samuel Jordan and Jordan's wife Cecily. After the "Great Indian Massacre" in 1622, which caused the death of 11 people in the Farrar home, William moved in with the Samuel and Cecily Jordan. When Samuel died in 1623, William agreed to be executor of Samuel's will. Rev. Greville Pooley asked the very recent widow Cecily Jordan to marry him, and she agreed, but wanted a long engagement, because she was pregnant with Samuel's child, who was born later in 1623. (Samuel Jordan had only been in his grave one day when the Rev. Pooley popped the question!) During her engagement to Rev. Pooley, William Farrar asked her to marry him, and she said yes. Rev. Pooley felt betrayed and was so angry that he sued the wealthy widow Cecily for breach of promise. The case caused quite an uproar for the authorities at Jamestown and they referred it to London, "desiring the resolution of the civil lawyers thereon and a speedy return thereof." But the London authorities declined to make a decision and returned the suit, saying they "knew not how to decide so nice a
difference." Rev. Pooley finally withdrew his case, but he had to post bond that he would never have any claim, right, or title to Cecily or her property. She didn't marry William until the baby was about 2 years old, in 1625. Rev. Pooley soon married another woman, and he and his family were tragically attacked and
slaughtered by the Indians at their home in 1629. Because of this suit between Rev. Pooley and Cecily, it wasn't long before the Virginia Assembly enacted a law that made it illegal for a woman to be engaged to more than one man at a time.
William and Cecily Reynolds Farrar had 3 children: (1) William II, b. 1626 Farrar's Island, d. Feb. 1, 1678 VA; (2) John, b. 1631 Farrar's Island, d. 1685 VA. John was never married. He was active in the militia, serving as Lieutenant Colonel. He also served as burgess in 1680, 1683, and 1684, was justice of Henrico, and at the time of his death was serving in the high office of sheriff of the county.; AND (3) Cecily, b. abt 1628 VA.
Jacob Farrar, Jr (son of Jacob, gson of William, g-gson of Henrie Jr) was born 1615 at Heptonstall, England, and died Aug. 14, 1677 in Woburn, MA. He married Ann unknown in Lancaster, England. She was born before 1630 in England, and died April 7, 1724 MA. Jacob and his family would have immigrated from England to Massachusetts about 1648. He and Ann had 4 children: (1) John, b. England, d. Nov. 3, 1669 MA; (2) Henry, b. abt 1648 England, d. abt 1674 MA; (3) Mary, b. 1648 MA, d. April 1724 MA, married John Houghton abt 1671 in MA; AND (4) Joseph, b. Aug. 6, 1660 MA.
William Farrar II (son of William, gson of John Jr) was born 1626 at Farrar's Island, Henrico Co., VA, and died Feb. 1, 1678 in Charles City, VA. He married Mary Piggot Baugh abt 1653 VA. She was born abt 1627 VA, and died 1676 VA. This William Farrar was known as Colonel William Farrar. He served Henrico County, VA, as justice and as burgess. He and Mary had 6 children: (1) William III, b. 1656 Farrar's Island, VA, d. April 3, 1721 Farrar's Island.; (2) Martha, b. 1664 Farrar's Island, married Walter Shipley; (3) Thomas, b. 1665 Farrar's Island, d. 1742, St. James Northan, VA, married first to Mary Ligon and then to Katherine Perrin in 1686.; (4) John, b. abt 1670 VA, d. bef 1729 Farrar's Island, married Temprance Brown; (5) Cecily, b. abt 1672 Farrar's Island; AND (6) Martha, b. abt 1672, VA.
William Farrar III was born 1656 in Farrar's Island, VA, and died April 3, 1721 at Farrar's Island. He married first to Mary Tanner, and then to Priscilla Baugh in 1680. Priscilla was born abt 1657 and died 1706. This William Farrar was known as Major William Farrar. In 1678, he inherited Farrar's Island
from his father. He served Henrico County, VA, as sheriff, justice, captain of the militia, and as burgess. William and Priscilla had 5 children: (1) Thomas, b. 1685 VA; (2) Abel, b. 1687 VA, d. 1761; (3) William IV, b. abt 1691 Farrar's Island, d. Nov. 14, 1743 VA; (4) Priscilla, b. abt 1693 VA, died 1768 VA; AND (5) George Sr., b. 1692 Farrar's Island, d. March 16, 1772 VA.
George Farrar Sr. (son of William III) was born 1692 at Farrar's Island, VA, and died March 16, 1772 in St. James Parish, Mecklenburg, VA. He married three times. His first wife was Catherine Howard. The second was Diana Hilsman. The third (and most important for this line) was Judith Jefferson. He married her in 1717 in Henrico Co, VA. Judith was born August 30, 1698 at Monticello, Henrico Co, VA, and died abt 1786 in St. James Parish, VA. She was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson and Virginia Field. If you follow her Jefferson, you find that she was the aunt of President Thomas Jefferson. (The President was the son of Judith's brother Peter.) George and Judith Jefferson Farrar had 9 children: (1) William, b. 1714 VA, d. Jan. 3, 1788 NC; (2) Abel, b. abt 1716 VA. He was a Lieutenant in the French and Indian Wars, in which he is believed to have died.; (3) George, b. 1720 VA, d. 1761 VA; (4) Mary Moore, b. 1722 VA, d. 1792 VA, married Thomas Moore Sr.; (5) Field, b. abt 1724 VA; (6) Thomas Jefferson, b. Aug. 10, 1726 Farrar's Island, d. Aug. 20, 1809 Carnesville, GA; (7) John, b. 1728 VA, d. Feb. 11, 1808 NC, married Rebecca Puryear 1756 VA. This John Farrar served in the Revolutionary War and was on the Muster Roll of Capt. Reuben Vaughan's Company.; (8) Priscilla, b. June 9, 1729 VA, d. Nov. 8, 1808 GA, married Henry Howard April 4, 1762 VA.; AND (9) Peter, b. June 6, 1730 Farrar's Island, d. Oct. 1, 1815 SC.
William Farrar (son of George, gson of William III) was born 1714 Chesterfield Co, VA, and died Jan. 3, 1788 Granville Co., NC. He married first to Winifred Clark (b. abt 1724 VA), and then to Lucy Medley on July 24, 1780. This William Farrar served as a Sergeant in the French and Indian War from Mecklenburg
County, under Major William Caldwell. William's first 5 children were by Winifred. The other 7 were by Lucy. All 12 children were: (1) John William, b. Aug. 1, 1758 VA, d. 1830 TN; (2) Able, b. 1760 VA; (3) Richason, b. abt 1762 VA; (4) Chesley, b. abt 1764 VA; (5) Peterfield (or Peter Field), b. abt 1766 VA, d. 1806; (6) George, v. abt 1780 VA; (7) Susanna, b. abt 1782 VA; (8) Sarah, b. abt 1784 VA; (9) Judith, b. abt 1786 VA; (10) Duancy, b. abt 1788 VA; (11) Tater, b. abt 1790 VA; AND (12) Lucy, b. abt 1792 VA.
Thomas Jefferson Farrar (son of Goerge, gson of William III) was born August 10, 1726 Farrar's Island, VA, and died August 20, 1809 GA. He married Elizabeth Howard (b. Dec. 3, 1736 VA, d. 1776 VA). They had 8 children: (1) Francis; (2) Thursza; (3) Absolom, b. abt 1766 Farrar's Island, d. GA; (4) Abel; (5) Thomas; (6) George; (7) Hollie; AND (8) Diana.
Peter Farrar (son of George, gson of William III) was born June 6, 1730 Farrar's Island, VA, and died Oct 1, 1815 in Edgefield District, SC. He married Mary Magdalene Chastain on June 17, 1754 in Lynchburg, VA. She was born abt Aug. 23, 1726. They had one son, George.
John William Farrar (son of William, gson of George, g-gson of William III) was born Aug. 1, 1758 in Mecklenburg, VA, and died 1830 in TN. He married first to Elizabeth Abernathy May 3, 1783 in NC. She was born abt 1766 in NC, and was the mother of the first 11 of his 19 children. He then married Elizabeth Williams in 1804. She was the mother of his other 8 children.
This John William Farrar, in 1771, prior to the Revolutionary War, is enlisted by Captain Leondard Bullock to fight the Regulators in a State Militia Company commanded by Captain Nathaniel Hart. John served for 78 days. Then in 1775, he accompanied Nathaniel Hart and Richardson Henderson to Watauga where he represented the Cherokee Indians in the Treaty of Watauga, after which he traveled to Boonesborough, Kentucky, where he obtained a land grant for 400 acres at Otter Creek. While he was in Kentucky, the Revolutionary War began and he returned to Granville County, NC, probably in 1776. On May 25, 1778, John enlisted in the North Carolina Militia, and on June 6, 1778, is elected Captain by his company and recommended for a commission, which was granted by Governor Richard Caswell on June 13, 1778. He served in the Battle of Guilford Court House on March 15, 1781, and on July 14, 1781, was appointed by the North Carolina House as Captain of the 5th Company.
John William Farrar's 19 children are: (1) William, b. April 22, 1784 VA, d. 1845; (2) Robert, b. abt 1786 VA; (3) Miles, b. Dec. 6, 1787 VA, d. Aug. 13, 1854; (4) James, b. 1790 VA, d. 1841 TX; (5) John, b. Feb. 5, 1790 VA; (6) Mary, b. abt 1792 VA; (7) Sarah Ann, b. abt 1793 VA, d. after 1826; (8) Moses, b. 1794 VA; (9) Aaron W., b. Sept. 10, 1799 VA, d. 1834; (10) Franklin, b. abt 1801 VA; (11) David, b. abt 1803 TN; (12) Lucy, b. abt 1805 TN; (13) Nancy, b. abt 1807 TN; (14) Francis, b. abt 1809 TN; (15) Nathaniel James, b. Feb. 11, 1809 NC, d. March 25, 1870 Itawamba Co., MS; (16) Joseph, b. June 11, 1811 TN, d. April 29, 1890 TN; (17) Betsy, b. abt 1813 TN; (18) Daniel, b. abt 1815 TN; AND (19) Jane, b. abt 1817 TN.
Nathaniel James Farrar (15th child of John William) was born February 11, 1809 NC, and died March 25, 1870 Itawamba County, Mississippi. He married Malinda Thompson (d. 1886). Nathaniel and his family came to Itawamba County, MS, from Lincoln County, TN, about 1838. He and Malinda had 10 children: (1) Cicero, b. Dec. 15, 1829, d. Jan. 18, 1915; (2) Mary Elizabeth, b. July 7, 1835 TN, married Hezekiah Ables March 29, 1849; (3) Martha Jane, b. May 3, 1838 Itawamba Co, MS, d. June 16, 1929, married James McNeece and had one son; (4) Lucy Ann, b. May 3, 1841 Itawamba Co, MS, married Thomas Mattox Dec. 19, 1866.; (5) Joseph Leonidas, b. Aug. 18, 1844, Itawamba Co., MS, d. May 22, 1917 Itawamba Co.; (6) Delia Oma Josephine, b. Oct. 15, 1847 Itawamba, d. Sept. 17, 1907, TX, married Rufus K. Bailey and had two sons; (7) John Boswell, b. Oct. 28, 1850 Itawamba Co., d. Dec. 13, 1862 Itawamba Co.; (8) William Pinkney, b. May 21, 1854 Itawamba Co., d. April 19, 1938 Itawamba Co., married Samantha McGadden Jan. 15, 1874; (9) Lodusca Eldora, b. April 6, 1857 Itawamba Co., d. March 29, 1956, married Madison L. Reed; AND (10) Mary T., b. Oct. 6, 1859 Itawamba Co., d. Dec. 29, 1862 Itawamba Co.
Cicero Farrar (son of Nathaniel James) was born Dec. 15, 1829 TN, d. Jan. 18, 1915 in Guntown, Lee County, MS. He married Margaret Scott Oct. 10, 1850 Itawamba Co., MS. She was born abt 1835 in AL, and was a full-blooded Cherokee Indian. They had 7 children: (1) William Andrew, b. Dec. 23, 1851 Guntown, MS, d. July 8, 1933 Itawamba Co., MS; (2) Trally Asberrie, married Parett Woolbright; (3) Mary Margaret Matilda, married Stephen Raper; (4) John Leonard, married Clara Desdemona Jones; (5) Elizabeth "Lillie", married Lackey Hush; (6) James "Gem" Bradford, b. 1870, d. 1924, married 1st Dovie Ann Ellis, and then Susan Raper Malone on Sept. 2, 1888; AND (7) Robert "Rob" F., married Mamie unknown.
Joseph Leonidas Farrar (son of Nathaniel James) was born Aug. 18, 1844 in Itawamba Co., MS, and died May 22, 1917 in Itawamba Co. He married Tabitha Elizabeth "Bithy" Ford Dec. 20, 1868. They had 6 children: (1) Lula, b. March 4, 1870, d. OK, married Pedro Henderson; (2) Charlie O'Conner, b. Sept. 27, 1872 Itawamba Co., d. Dec. 12, 1953 TN; (3) Emma Tula, b. July 15, 1875 Itawamba Co., d. Nov. 29, 1931 Itawamba Co.; (4) Trannie B., b. Feb. 21, 1879 Itawamba Co., d. 1949 Itawamba Co., married Sarah "Sallie" Booker Jan. 26, 1902.; (5) Mary Kate, b. Jan. 1, 1881 Itawamba Co., d. Dec. 16, 1973, Monroe Co., MS, married Ernest Murff.; AND (6) Gertrude B., b. Aug. 12, 1891, married Cornelius Clayton.
William Andrew Farrar was born in Guntown, Lee County, MS on Dec. 23, 1851, and died July 8, 1933 in Itawamba Co., MS. He married Sarahann Tabitha "Sally" Hodges (b. Oct. 23, 1851, d. July 22, 1923) on Feb. 10, 1870 Itawamba County. She was the daughter of William Hodges and Mary Nanney. She and William Andrew had 5 children: (1) Milburn, b. abt 1871 Itawamba Co., MS; (2) John Frank (see below); (3) Victor, b. abt 1875 Itawamba Co.; (4) Nora Etta, b. abt 1879, married Franklin Gus Pippin; AND (5) Hubert Samuel, b. Jan. 7, 1881, d. July 5, 1962.
John Frank Farrar (son of William Andrew) was born Oct. 30, 1874, and died July 9, 1951. He married Emma Bell Lester (born Aug. 18, 1875, died April 25, 1951). They are both buried at Young Memorial Garden in Smithville, Monroe County, MS.
John Frank and Emma Bell Lester Farrar had 6 children: (1) Margrette Elector, born 10-29-1899, died 7-20-1972. She married Claude Polk Nanney (see my Nanney link) on 11-22-1914. (2) Mary Ova, born 7-15-1896, died 4-8-1969 in Booneville, Prentiss Co., MS. She married a Mr. Smith. (3) Ernie May, born 5-19-1898, died 12-24-1989. She married a Mr. McCrory, and then a Mr. Parker. (4) John David, born 6-10-1901, died 9-1902. (5) Elbert Raymond, born 2-25-1906, died 5-24-1979. He married Corria Watts (pronounced "Cahree", born 1-10-1901, died 9-19-1989). They had no children. AND (6) Zelmon Berdine, born 4-25-1908, died 5-26-1994 in Amory, Monroe Co., MS. He married Lela unknown (born 11-3-1901, died 7-25-1983), and they are both buried at Young Memorial Garden in Smithville, Monroe Co., MS. They had one child, Catherine, who was born in 1931 and died in 1938. She is buried by her parents.
