In recognition of the Semiquincentennial of America’s Independence on July 4, 2026, the Thomas Rodney Chapter National Society Daughters of the American Revolution continues its yearlong celebration to honor our patriot ancestors. During the weeks and months leading to America’s 250th Birthday, chapter members are spotlighting the service of our Revolutionary War Ancestors. This week, we honor the service of Captain James Farquhar, Revolutionary Ancestor of chapter member Betty Bowen Brower.
James Farquhar was a resident of Hillsborough District North Carolina during the War for American Independence. He served as a Captain in the North Carolina Militia between 1775 and 1778. His service began in a company organized in the Hillsborough District under field officers Colonel Ramsey and Colonel William Moore. Lieutenant Shadarach Hargis and Sergeant Thomas Hargis also served in his company. From the fall of 1775 through April 1776, James served as a captain in the Hillsborough District Minutemen, seeing action at the Battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge. After this group was disbanded, Captain Farquhar joined the Northern Orange County Militia. The regiment split in April 1777, and James became part of the Caswell County Militia once again serving as captain. The Caswell County Militia saw action at many battles, including the Battle of King’s Mountain and Battle of Cowpens.
According to state and federal census records, James lived in present-day Person County, North Carolina, from 1777 through 1800. He appears in deed book entries in the Bushy Fork community throughout the late 1700s. Farquhar acquired a large amount of land and was a prominent planter and millwright in the St. Luke's District of Person County, North Carolina. He also served as bondsman on numerous county documents.
The proof of James Farquhar’s service is found in Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Volume II: F-M Abstracted by Virgil D. White, National Historical Publishing Co. 1991. The Pension Application of Thomas Hargis, #58663, and the Pension application of Elizabeth Hargis written by Kindle Vanhook, Person County, North Carolina, dated January 24, 1841 offer additional proof of Farquhar’s service in the cause of American Independence.
James was born before 1755. His birth date and place are not known. The dates used here are approximate and based on events in his life. He married Elizabeth Lockhart in Hillsborough, North Carolina, about 1779. She was born January 21, 1748, in Augusta County, Virginia, British Colonial America. James died before February 14, 1814, in Person County, New Carolina. His will was processed in the February Court of 1814. His burial site is likely in a family cemetery on his own property and is apparently unmarked. Elizabeth also died in Person County, North Carolina in 1814.
