Ruth (Shires) Mackfarson (abt. 1689 - abt. 1747)

Born about 1689 in Grindleton,Yorkshire, England

Ancestors

Wife of Daniel McPherson — married 1712 in Kennett Township, Chester, Pennsylvania [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 1747 at about age 58 in Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania [uncertain]

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Biography

Based on being a witness to a Quaker marriage in 1708, Ruth was born about 1689. ^{[See Footnote 1]} She is the daughter of John Shiers. The birth record of her brother, John Shires, as well as the marriage certificate of her sister, Ellen Shires, corroborates that her mother's first name was Jennet.^[1][2]

Her mother, Jennet, was documented in the Women's Quarterly Meeting records in 1679 as part of the Women Friends within Bolland's particular meeting.^[3] The Bolland meeting was 10 miles southwest of the Settle monthly meeting. The area of the meeting was bordering the Bowland Forest where the small villages of Bolton by Bowland, Grindleton, Bradford and Waddington lies within the Parish of Mitton.

Shires' family residence in Yorkshire

On 8th day of the eleventh month called ffebruary 170_ [1701] Issabell Bailey of Sawley in the county of Yorke, Widow [wife of Henry Bayley ], set her hand and seal to her Last Will and Testament making special bequests, among others, to her Son in law, James Tennant, to her daughter Ann Tennant twenty shillings, I give a "fieled" chest to Ann Tennant, I give a "feiled" seate to Margrett Tennant and a ceiled chaire to Issabell Tennant my grandaughters, which are all at John Shiers house in Sawley. Item I give unto John Shiers of Sawley the sum of fortey shillings, Item I give unto Jenet Shiers twenty shillings. Item I give unto George Shiers, and Ruth Shiers either of them ten sillings.^[4]

Ruth "Shires" was one of the witnesses to the marriage of her sister, Sarah Shires, one of the daughters of Jno. Shires late of Lawley in ye sd county [of Yorkshire], to Jeremy Shackleton at ye meeting house in Bradford on the 10th of the 7th mo. 1708.^[5]

The author of McPherson of Virginia and North Carolina stated that Ruth Shires had recently emigrated to America with a married sister when she married Daniel "McPherson" in 1712. ^[6] The author, David B. Tremble, used the information concerning Ruth's name and emigration that he had found in the unpublished and unsourced "MacPherson" notes of John Calvin McPherson, a descendant. He apparently estimated the marriage year based on the children's birth years. John Calvin's notes claimed that he had received his information from "the family tradition" as recounted by his grandfather, Joseph McPherson (1748-1835), who was the son of Daniel's son, John McPherson.^[7]

"The family tradition" passed down was that Ruth came to this continent with a married sister whose husband's name was Pemberton.^[7] Regrettably after a thorough search of the Quaker records for a person named Pemberton, no relationship can be established between this Ruth Shiers and any Pemberton. If she was in fact the daughter of John Shiers, the married sister who she emigrated with was perhaps Ann Shiers who married Joseph Bond in 1706 at a Brighouse monthly meeting in Yorkshire, England, and emigrated to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1709, arriving in 1710. According to the Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography of Joseph Bond, he married Ann Shires, daughter of John Shires, of Grindleton, of Lawley County, Yorkshire, who came to America in 1715.^[8] This Joseph Bond also presented a certificate in behalf of his brother-in-law, John Shires, at a Falls monthly meeting, in Bucks County, on the 30th of the 3rd month 1712.^[9] Grindleton was in the county of Yorkshire, and there was a "Sawley" within the village of Grindleton. On the 1695 Map of the County Palatine of Lancaster and part of "York Shire" between Longitude IX and VII, "Marshden" is shown at Latitude 50, and "Grinleton" and Sawley on the Ribble River are shown at Latitude 55. It should also be noted that the Marsdon monthly meeting and the Brighouse monthly meeting were both in West Riding where Lancashire bounded on Yorkshire at that time.

Ruth's nephew and niece, Thomas Parke and Jennett Parke, children of her then deceased eldest sister, Ellen Shires, emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1711 with their widower father, Richard Parke, then referred to in the Quaker records as Parks.^[10] Richard Parks remarried and moved to Chester County, Pennsylvania.

On the 5th day of the second month 1716, Daniel "MacFarsan" as well as her sister, Ann Bond, and Jos. Bond were some of the witnesses who signed the marriage certificate for her brother, George Shiers, in Philadelphia.^[11] Ruth did not sign the certificate.

Being the daughter of John Shiers, a documented Quaker, Ruth had a Birthright among the Society of Friends. Unfortunately no Pennsylvania Quaker meeting record has been found in the counties of Philadelphia, Bucks, or Chester documenting that Ruth Shiers, or Shires, MackFarson, McFarson, McFerson, McPherson continued to be under the care of the Society of Friends after emigrating to America. [As of 9 December 2021]

Location of Daniel's land in Chester County, Pennsylvania

At the time of their marriage, Daniel "Mackfarson" was documented owning land in Kennett Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania that the lower part of the eastern boundary line, thereof, bordered on the circular line dividing the counties of Chester and New Castle.^[12] In 1718, another 125 acres was granted to Daniel "Mackfarson" in Kennett adjoining his lands.^[13] In 1728, Lancaster County was formed from Chester County where Daniel purchased land in 1731 that was noted as lying in "Salsbury [Salisbury] (formerly reputed in the county of Chester aforesaid)."^[14] The Chester County Tax List through 1740 for Daniel "McFarson" helps to confirm that Chester County was where Ruth and Daniel reared their six children.^[15] Given the fact that a document after Daniel's death stated "Daniel McFarson deced. late of Salisbury Township in the county of Lancaster and sometimes residing in the Township of Kennet in the County of Chester," it has not been proven if Ruth and Daniel lived in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania before her death.^[16]

Her daughter, Ann Mackfarson, married Nathaniel Carter at the Old Swedes Church in Wilmington Delaware in 1733.^[17] The Old Swedes Church called Christina was on the Christen (Christiana) Creek off the Delaware River on the Pennsylvania side of the River. It was originally a Lutheran Church, and was not connected with the Quakers. Her son, William McFarson, was also married at the Old Swedes Church in Wilmington, Delaware on the 6th of July 1747 .^[18]

According to a Find a Grave memorial created based on "the family tradition," presumably presented in John Calvin McPherson's notes, Ruth died in 1747 and was buried in the Kennett Friends Burial Ground in Chester County, Pennsylvania ^[19] In the notes concerning the death and burial of Ruth, John Calvin McPherson actually stated:

1. "Ruth died before her husband. It was told of him that, after her death, and in his old age, he would walk -- such was his great strength of body -- some seven miles to attend meeting at the place where she buried. One account is that her grave was his place of prayer."^[7]
2. "No events in the middle life of Daniel, or in the life of his wife Ruth, have been brought down to our time. There is some confusion as to their places of residence and burial."^[7]
3. "The meeting attended by Daniel, and the place of his wife's burial, is reported as "Kent" or "Kennett." If the meeting at Kennett Square is meant, the locality would be in Chester county, Pennsylvania." ^[7]

It has, therefore, been presumed that Ruth was buried in the Kennett Friends Burial Ground in Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania. No record has been retrieved that attests to when or where Ruth Shiers Mackfarson died or was buried. The memorial created for Ruth also does not offer details of interment or a photograph of the grave-site to prove the contributor's assertion that Ruth was actually buried there.

Children

Children of Daniel Mackfarson [McPherson] born to Ruth Shiers were:

1. Ann Mcfarson (born c1714 - died 1795) married Nathaniel Carter^[20][21]
2. Daniel McFarson (born c1716 - died 1789)^[20][21]
3. John McFarson (born 6 Nov 1718 - died 1798)^[20][21]
4. Stephen McFarson (born c1724 - died 1799)^[20][21]
5. William McFarson (born c1726 - died 1817)^[20][21]
6. Othniel McFarson (born c1729 - died 1742)^[6]

The spelling of their children's last name at birth later evolved into McPherson.

Footnotes

1. Witnesses to Quaker marriages had to be over 18 years of age. Ruth was not a witness on the 1706 marriage of her sister, Ann Shiers, but she was a witness on the 1708 marriage of her sister, Sarah "Shires".

Research Notes

Disputed Mother: Anna Maria Meister

• The linked mother, Anna Maria Meister is more than likely incorrect given the fact her profile shows she was born in Germany and died in Germany in 1708. No documents have been found for the family living in Germany.
• 1 February 2022 - The linked mother has been removed. The marriage of a daughter of John Shires in 1708 stated that John Shires was late of Lawley in ye sd county [of Yorkshire]. He could not have had a wife who died in 1708 in Germany and be at a daughter's marriage in 1708 in Bradford, Yorkshire, England.^[22]
• 4 February 2022 - Anna Maria Meister was removed as the spouse of John Shires. Sources prove she could not have been his spouse.

Place of death and burial

• A document is needed to prove her death and burial place.

Sources

1. ↑ England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:CJRH-H6MM : 10 April 2021), John Shires and Jannet Shires in entry for John Shires. Accessed 28 April 2022.
2. ↑ The National Archives; Kew, England; General Register Office: Society of Friends' Registers, Notes and Certificates of Births, Marriages and Burials; Class: RG 6; Piece: 1616A, Lancashire, Quarterly Meeting of Lancashire (1776-1794, 1644-1775), Page 359, citing marriage of Richard Parke & Ellen Shires. Digital images: Ancestry.com, England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837, [database on-line], image 336 of 418. Accessed 29 April 2022.
3. ↑ Yorkshire Minutes of Women's Quarterly Meetings 1678-1785, Page 28, The Testimoney of Women Friends w'thin Bollands particular meeting 1679, entry 14, Jennet Shires. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images], Film #008474960,image 322 of 568. Accessed 8 May 2022.
4. ↑ England, Yorkshire Wills & Probate, 1702, citing will of Issabell Bailey, late of Sawley. Copyright images available at Borthwick Institute for Archives.
5. ↑ England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837, Yorkshire, Piece 1090: Monthly Meeting of Brighouse (1641-1776), Page 293, citing Jeremy Shackleton and Sarah Shires. Digital images: Ancestry.com [database with images] image 253 of 485.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Trimble, David B. (David Buchanan), McPherson of Virginia and North Carolina, Austin, Texas, self-published. 1995 Page 3, citing Ruth Shires. Digital images: Internet Archives. Accessed 19 August 2021.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4} McPherson, John Calvin. "MacPherson." Chapter I, Pages 1-3, citing Daniel M. and Ruth Shiers. Unpublished and undated notes, compiled and typewritten, held in the Family Files (closed stacks) of the Library at the Chester County History Center. Copies available at the Chester County History Center.
8. ↑ Godcharles, Frederic Antes, Encyclopedia of Pennsylvania Biography, Volume 13. New York, Lewis Historical Publishing Company. 1914. Page 16, citing John Shires in biography of Joseph Bond, son of James. Digital images: Penn State University Libraries. Accessed 25 April 2022.
9. ↑ Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes, Pennsylvania, Bucks, Falls Monthly Meeting, Minutes, 1683-1730, page 151, citing Joseph Bond Certificate brother in law John Shires. Digital images: Ancestry.com. image 172 of 255.
10. ↑ Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Minutes, 1681-1758, Page 80, citing Richard Parks. Digital images: Ancestry.com U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, [database with images] image 87 of 276.
11. ↑ Haverford College; Haverford, Pennsylvania; Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Marriages, 1672-1759, Page 87, citing Daniel MacFarsan witness to marriage of George Shiers and Deborah Painter. Digital images: Ancestry. com, U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935. image 95 of 294
12. ↑ Chester County, Pennsylvania Deeds 1688-1903. Book B, Volume 2, 1706-1712; page 66, 67,68, citing John Guest to Daniel Mackfarson; Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images], Film # 008035083. image 350- 351 of 505. Accessed 16 August 2021.
13. ↑ Chester County, Pennsylvania Warrants and Surveys, letters H-T, 1701-1727, Chester County Pennsylvania, County Surveyor, page 306, 307, Film 20886, Familysearch.org [database with images], image 40, 41, citing Daniel Mackfarson.
14. ↑ Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book N, 1767-1776. Page 67-69, citing Daniel Mackfarson from Robert Hoare & his wife. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images], Film #00788856830, Images 623-624 of 917. Accessed 8 December 2021.
15. ↑ Chester County, Pennsylvania 1715-1764 Chester County Tax Index Page 539 of 835, citing McFarson, Daniel. Digital images: Chester County Archives, West Chester, Pennsylvania.
16. ↑ Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Deed Book N, 1767-1776, (Pages 69-71), citing John McFarson, William McFarson, Stephen McFarson, Nathaniel Carter and Ann Carter to Daniel McFarson. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images], Film #007856830, Images 624-625 of 917. Accessed 16 August 2021.
17. ↑ Delaware Vital Records, Marriage Records 1714-1893, Volume 36, p. 001-200, p. 11, citing Nathniel Carter and Ann Mackfarson. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Film #005099424, image 22 of 759. Accessed 9 Feb 2022.
18. ↑ Delaware Vital Records, Marriage Records 1714-1893, Volume 36, p. 001-200, p. 15, citing 1747, July, Wm. McFarson and Margret Trego. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Film #005099424, image 38 of 759. Accessed 9 Feb 2022.
19. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images, memorial page for Ruth Shiers McPherson] (1696–1747), Find a Grave Memorial ID 144411842; Maintained by Christie Cirone (contributor 47106285). Accessed 19 August 2021.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4} Pennsylvania Probate Records 1683-1994, Lancaster County, Wills 1730-1773, William Book A, Page 104-105, citing will of Daniel Mcferson. Digital images: Familysearch.org [database with images] Image 265 of 589. Accessed 8 December 2021.
21. ↑ ^{21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 21.4} Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Deed Book N, 1767-1776, Page 69-71, citing John McFarson, William McFarson, Stephen McFarson, Nathaniel Carter and Ann Carter to Daniel McFarson. Digital images: Familysearch.org, [database with images], Film #007856830, Images 624-625 of 917. Accessed 8 December 2021.
22. ↑ England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837, Yorkshire, Piece 1090: Monthly Meeting of Brighouse (1641-1776), Page 293, citing Jeremy Sharkleton and Sarah Shires. Digital images: Ancestry.com [database with images] image 253 of 485.