FARR




The surname Farr is identical with Farrar, some branches using one spelling, some the other. It is derived from the Latin word for iron, and it was doubtless used as a place name before it became a surname. As a family name it was first known in England from Gualkeline (or Walkeline) de Ferraris, a Norman of distinction attached to William, Duke of Normandy, before the invasion of England in 1066. From him all of the name in England and America appear to be descended.
Henry de Ferrars, his son, is on the Roll of Battle Abbey among the principal companions and commanders of the Conqueror and was the first of the family in England. When the general survey of the realm, recorded in Domesday Book, was made in the fourteenth year of the Conqueror's reign, Henry was one of the commissioners appointed to compile the work. He bore for his arms: Argent six horse shoes pierced sable.

The first of the name in New England was George Farr, who settled in Salem in 1629, coming with Higginson; was admitted freeman in 1635; settled in Lynn and left eight children. Most of this family follow the spelling Farrar. Most of the families spelling the name Farr are descended from a family that located among the first settlers of Stow, Mass., before King Philp's war. Stephen Farr, born in 1679, at Stow, married, at Concord, Sept. 28, 1708, Sarah Stone, of Groton, daughter of Simeon and Sarah (Farnsworth) Stone, granddaughter of Matthew Farnsworth; was a famous Indian fighter; his son, Stephen Farr, was father of Stephen, born 1730, died at Fort Ann, New York.
John Farr, of Stow, thought by some writers to be grandson of George Farrar, of Lynn, married May 11, 1703, Hannah, daughter of John Applin, of Watertown. Descendants are numerous of the Farr family in Stow, Littleton, Harwick, Hatfield and other sections.

Thomas Farr, son of John Farr, of Stow, removed to Hardwick before Sept. 1742; settled near Gilbertville on a farm bounded east by the Ware river; wife Elizabeth joined the Hardwick church;
children:
Ruhamah, Lydia, Hannah, Thomas, Samuel.
Samuel Farr, of Stow, born about 1710, settled in Chesterfield, New Hampshire.

(I) James Farr, descendant of the Farr family of Stow, and probably of the Hardwick branch, was living in Leicester, Vermont, in1790, and according to the federal census had in his family two males over the age of sixteen, three under that age, and three females. Salmon or Solomon Farr was also of Leicester and appears by the census to have been a younger man.

(II) James (2), son of James (1) Farr, was born in 1761. He came from Vermont to St. Lawrence county, New York, and settled at East De Kalb. He was appointed land agent of the state and sold large tracts to the early settlers. He died in 1831 and is buried in the cemetery at East De Kalb.
He married Susannah _____, born 1763, died 1835.
Children:
1. Elijah, born Sept. 17, 1776, "on Tuesday four o'clock in the morning fifth day of the moon" (family Bible).
2. Thomas, Sept. 10, 1778, "Thursday 10 o'clock in the evening and the 20th day of the moon."
3. James Jr., July 10, 1782, "Wednesday 3 o'clock P.M. first day of the moon."
4. Reuben, Aug. 5, 1784, "Friday 11 o'clock P.M. 21st day of the moon."
5. Jared P., June 27, 1786, "Thursday 11 o'clock A.M. 20th day of the moon."

(III) James (3) son of James (2) Farr, was born in Vermont, July 10, 1782, and came with his father to De Kalb, was a farmer there and died there Aug. 6, 1842. He lived for a time in the adjacent town of Hermon, but in 1826 settled on the old Farr homestead and conducted it the remainder of his life.
He married Elizabeth Ann St. Lawrence, born in the Mohawk Valley, Feb. 14, 1791, died at De Kalb, Nov. 19, 1863.
Children:
1. Melvina A., born Jan. 16, 1811, died Jan. 7, 1849.
2. James Jr., Aug. 21, 1812, died May 26, 1838.
3. John G., May 18, 1814, died Aug. 6, 1839.
4. Czarina, April 19, 1816, died Sept. 21, 1894.
5. Calista W., April 24, 1818, died Jan. 5, 1843.
6. Algernon S. S., Feb. 13, 1820, died Jan. 28, 1909.
7. Miles, Feb. 3, 1822, mentioned below.
8. Mary, Dec. 26, 1825, died July 3, 1850.
9. Sally M., Feb. 24, 1826, lives [1910] at Atlanta, Illinois.
10. Urilla, May 5, 1829, died Oct. 1, 1850.
11. Permilla (twin), May 5, 1829, died July 24, 1857.
12. Joseph, April 21, 1832, died Feb. 6, 1854.
13. Benjamin, July 6, 1836.

(IV) Miles, son of James (3) Farr, was born in Hermon, New York, Feb. 3, 1822, died at De Kalb, Aug. 3, 1905. He came to De Kalb with his father's family when he was only four years old, and was educated there in the common schools. He worked on the farm of his father in his youth, and continued a farmer all his active life. He had a place of four hundred and fifty acres and also a farm of three hundred acres. In 1886 he built large barns and in 1898 erected a handseom brick dwelling house. He always carried on a large diary business, and in his later years was a delaer in Holstein cattle, of which he had a large herd.
He was a Presbyterian in religion and a Republican in politics.
He married, Oct. 18, 1859, Martha, born at Goshen, Mass., Oct. 18, 1832, died Feb. 3, 1899, daughter of Moses and Vesta (Cushman) Dresser. Vesta Cushman was a descendant of Robert Cushman, one of the Pilgrim fathers who came in the ship "Fortune" to Plymouth in 1621. (See Cushman VII).
Children:
1. Alerton Cushman, born Jan. 18, 1863, mentioned below.
2. Atherton Winfield, Dec. 31, 1864, mentioned below.
3. Allena May, May 14, 1866; married Dr. Edwin M. Cole, of De Kalb.
4. Leon Permilla, March 1, 1868, died Feb. 16, 1869.
5. Cleora Luraine, Jan. 30, 1874; graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Boston; lives in Springfield, Illinois.

(V) Allerton Cushman, son of Miles Farr, was born in De Kalb, N.Y., Jan. 18, 1863. He attended the public schools of his native town and Eastman Business College of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. He followed farming until 1904, when he was appointed postmaster for the town of De Kalb. He was reappointed in 1908, and hold the office at the present time [1910]. In politics he is a Republican. He is a member of Hermon Lodge, No. 500, Free and Accepted Masons, Canton Chapter, No. 132, Royal Arch Masons, of Canton; St. Lawrence Commandery, No. 28 Knights Templar, of Canton; Media Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Watertown, and was charter memer of the Odd Fellows Lodge of De Kalb.
He married, April 3, 1901, Harriet, daughter of Martin Saunders of Colton, N.Y.
Children:
1. Kenneth Miles, born Sept. 17, 1902.
2. Kermit Richardson, May 4, 1907.
[transcriber's note: since this material was published in 1910, they may have had other chldren].

(V) Atherton Winfield, son of Miles Farr, was born at De Kalb, Dec. 31, 1864. He was educated in the common schools and in the Richville high school. He worked on the farm with his father in his youth, and since the death of his father has conducted the homestead for the estate. He has a model dairy and keeps a large herd of cattle. He is superintendent of the cemetery at East De Kalb, where his father, grandfather and great-grandfather are buried.
In politics he is a Republican. He is a memer of Hermon Lodge, No. 500, Free and Accepted Masons; St. Lawrence Chapter, N0. 132, Royal Arch Masons of Canton; St. Lawrence Commandery, No. 28, Knights Templar, of Canton: Media Temple, Mystic Shrine, of Watertown; De Kalb Lodge, No. 67, Odd Fellows of which he was a charter member.
He married, Nov. 23, 1898, Margaret, daughter of Arnold V. and Martha (Green) Huntress.
Children:
1. Althea Correnne, born Aug. 4, 1899.
2. Mildred Frances, Dec. 23, 1900.
3. Donald Ashley, June 17, 1902.
4. Marion Jessie, July 20, 1903.
5. Dorothy, June 19, 1905, died June 27, 1905.
6. Clifford Curtis, Aug.2 3, 1906.

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