John C. McFarland – Memorial Marker Correction
Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient
John C. McFarland
Captain of the Forecastle, U. S. S. Hartford
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John C. McFarland entered the Navy at Boston, Massachusetts on December 24, 1861.
Rated captain of the forecastle, he had the wheel in every engagement in which the Hartford participated. During the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 4th and 5th, 1864 McFarland left his sickbed to take up his station, keeping the wheel of Admiral David Farragut’s flagship throughout the storm of shell and shot. He was commended by his commanding officers for his fortitude and intelligence and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his gallant and meritorious service. McFarland died on October 3, 1881 at the age of 41.
Initially, Captain McFarland was interred in Strangers Row in the Edson Cemetery in Lowell. In May of 1885, McFarland and three other Civil War Veterans were transferred to the new Grand Army of the Republic Lot in the Lowell Cemetery. Approximately 30 years ago, the G.A.R. Lot was re-graded and new marble markers were installed for the veterans interred in this lot.
Due to a typographical error, McFarland’s name was changed from John to William. A local resident brought this to the attention of the Cemetery Trustees who then engaged local historian, Walter Hickey to conduct the necessary research required to officially have McFarland’s marker corrected. After a year and a half of work, Mr. Hickey had discovered everything that was needed to have the marker changed.
In October of 2017, a new marble marker was installed in the Grand Army of the Republic Lot.
We will be honoring this Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient at our Memorial Day Event on May 20th.
