DR. WILLIAM FELIX McFARLAND
Dr. William Felix McFarland was born in Dixon Springs, Smith County Tennessee but moved to, and lived in, Dancyville, Tennessee from 1840 until his death.
Dr. McFarland was a pioneer physician, traveling many miles to practice his profession. He was also a professor at the Memphis Medical College.
In addition to medicine, Dr. McFarland managed a 1200 acre farm and a mercantile business, in the Dancyville Village.
Early Dancyville maps show Dr. McFarland’s home across the road from the entrance to the United Methodist Church Road. His home was originally a two story log that was later weather boarded, with additions of a front porch and a dining room on the rear of the home. The home contained six rooms and was in the style of the 1846 - 1860 period. To help manage the home, three servants; cook, maid and stable man were engaged, and the farm had 25 to 30 slaves in residence.
Dr. McFarland married Martha Douglas. Martha’s father was Burchette Douglas, who lived in Wilson County for many years, then Somerville. He served both communities in the Senate for 25 years and was also a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1834.
Both Dr. McFarland and wife Martha were of Scotch heritage, and in the words of one son, Louis Burchette McFarland, were clanish. In clan tradition the oldest member of the family was the head of both family clans.
Bib.: Most of the information contained in this profile
is from the Tennessee Civil War Questionnaire completed by Louis Burchette McFarland, son
of Dr. McFarland.
PHOTO OF DR. WILLIAM FELIX MCFARLAND
THE LOUIS B. MCFARLAND BOOK (Louis was the son of Dr. McFarland)