Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Macfarlan, John
MACFARLAN, JOHN (d. 1846), Scottish advocate, elder brother of Patrick Macfarlan [q. v.], was eldest son of John Warden (1740-1788), minister of the second charge, Canongate, Edinburgh, who took the additional name of Macfarlan after marrying Anne, daughter of Hugh Macfarlan of Kirkton or Ballencleroche. John, who succeeded to the family property, was brought up to the law, and obtained a good practice as an advocate. He was one of Sir Walter Scott's friends, and studied German with him about 1788. He was intimate with Dugald Stewart and Sir Henry Moncrieff, was interested in philosophy, and a good lawyer. He is mentioned in Cockburn's 'Memorials' as 'an apostle, and worthy of the best apostolic age.' He published two pamphlets, 'Who are the Friends of Religion and the Church?' 1838; and 'The Presbyterian Empire, its Origin, Decline, and Fall,' 1842. He died 18 Dec. 1846, leaving a son,
Macfarlan, James (1800-1871), who was born in 1800, licensed by the presbytery of Glasgow in 1831, and became minister of Muiravonside, near Linlithgow, on the presentation of William IV, in 1834. He was a Hebrew scholar, and published in 1845 an English version of the 'Prophecies of Ezekiel.' He married, 31 Oct. 1837, Matilda Marianne Christie, daughter of Captain Christie of the 78th regiment, and granddaughter of William Morehead of Herbertshire. By her he left, among other children, a son,
James Macfarlan (1846-1889), who was born 6 Jan. 1845, educated at the Edinburgh Academy (1858-61) and university (1861-4}, and licensed as a minister. From 1869 till 1871 he assisted at Dundee, and was appointed minister of Ruthwell by the Earl of Mansfield in 1871. He was an archaeologist, and by his exertions in 1887 the runic cross of Ruthwell, on which he wrote a monograph, 1885, was removed to the church. He died at Foulden, Berwickshire, 7 Oct. 1889, and was buried at Ruthwell. A memorial hall has been since built in commemoration of his work in the parish. He married a daughter of Professor Allan Menzies of Edinburgh University, and left several children.
[Information kindly furnished by Dr. Douie of Sevenoaks; Cockburn's Life of Jeffrey, i. 21, 113, ii. 26, 63; C. Morehead's Mem. of R. Morehead, pp. 6 et seq.; Cockburn's Memorials, pp. 1 50, &c.; Lockhart's Scott, p. 56; Hew Scott's Fasti; Dumfries and Galloway Standard, 9 Oct., and Dumfries and Galloway Courier and Herald, 12 Oct. 1889; Memoirs of James Macfarlan (1845-1889), 1892.]