Robert McFarland was the son of Robert and Janet McFarland. He was born in Ireland about 1717. He died on December 25, 1797 in Rockbridge County, Virginia and was buried there at the Falling Springs Church. His will was probated on February 6, 1798.
It is unknown whom Robert's first wife was. They married about 1737 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and had the following children (referred to in his will by name, and given each five shillings sterling):

Jean (abt 1741 - ) m. James Wilkins
Robert (abt 1743 - ) m. Elizabeth Irwin
Martha (abt 1745 - )
James (abt 1747 - ) m. Mary Campbell
Benjamin (abt 1749 - ) m. _____

Robert McFarland married Esther Dunn had the following children:

Joseph (abt 1752 - 17 Jul 1794)
Abraham (abt 1754 - ) never married
William (10 Jun 1755 - ) m. 17 Oct 1779, Rebecca White
Letitia (abt 1757 - ) m. William Moore
Esther (abt 1759 - ) m. Alexander/James McConnell
Thomas (bef 1761 - 1820) never married
Rachel (1768 - 4 Jun 1825) m. 25 Apr 1793, David Willock
Rebecca (abt Aug 1771 - ) m. 27 Aug 1787, Robert Roach

The 1750-1777 taxlist records for Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania (FHC microfilm # 21087, 21088, 21089) show the following for Robert (Peters Township and Cumberland County, Pennsylvania were formed in 1751 from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. This area would in 1784 become Franklin County, Pennsylvania):

1753 Robert McFarlan (living next to the Widow McFarland, who was presumably his mother)
1763 " (owned 200 acres).
1765 " (owned 135 acres).
1766 " (owned 135 acres, 1 negro, 3 horses, 2 cows).
1767 " (owned 200 acres, 50 cleared, 1 negro, 3 horses, 3 cows).
1768 " (owned 200 acres, 1 negro, 4 horses, 9 cows).
1770 " (owned 200 acres, 60 cleared, 1 negro, 4 horses, 8 cows, 6 sheep).
1771 " Sr. (owned 200 acres, 50 cleared, 8 horses, 4 cows, 8 sheep).
1773 " (owned 200 acres, 50 cleared, 3 horses, 5 cows, 12 sheep).
1774 " (owned 200 acres, 50 cleared, 3 horses, 5 cows, 10 sheep).
1775 " (owned 150 acres, 40 cleared, 2 horses, 4 cows, 6 sheep).

On December 5, 1769, 'Robert McFarland Sr.' purchased land in Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania from Thomas and Richard Penn known as 'McFarlan's Delight'. This purchase was for 248 1/4 acres and cost 38 pounds, 9 shillings.
On September 1, 1777, 'Robert Mcfarland Sr.' sold this same portion of land to his eldest son Robert Mcfarland Jr. of Tinicum Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania for 1400 pounds. Robert McFarland's son Thomas is listed as a witness. Soon after Robert, Esther, and their younger children moved from Peters Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to Rockbridge County, Virginia.
On December 1, 1778, 'Robert McFarland' purchased 289 3/4 acres of land on Mill Creek in Rockbridge County, Virginia, from James and Franky Grigsby for 1250 pounds.
In 1783, 'Robert McFarland' is listed in the taxlist for Rockbridge County, Virginia, and being taxed for himself, 1 slave under 16 years old, 8 horses and 10 cows.

The taxlist records for Rockbridge County, Virginia show the following for Robert.

1783 Robert McFarland 1 Free White Male age 16-up, 1 slave under 16, 8 horses, and 10 cows.
1785 Robert McFarlin 1 slave over 16, 1 slave under 16, 6 horse, 8 cattle.
1786 Robert McFarlin 2 slaves (Sall and Dinah) 4 horses and 11 cattle.

On February 16, 1792, Robert McFarland made his will in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He refers to his wife as 'Easter'. He leaves Esther only a female slave and children, furniture, and a feather bed. He mentions his children by his first marriage by name and leaves them each 5 shillings sterling, as he does Letitia and Esther from his second marriage whom he refers to as 'Lettis' and 'Easter'. To his son William, he leaves a portion of his land, and a male slave. To his youngest son, Thomas, he leaves the remainder of his land, a male slave, and a mare. Rachel receives, a female slave and children, a horse and saddle, 2 cows, 6 sheep, furniture, a feather bed, a chest, 2 dishes and 6 plates, a set of knives and forks. His youngest daughter, Rebecca, receives a female slave and children. His sons William and Thomas were his executors.
On December 3, 1793, and then again on December 1, 1795, Robert McFarland sold land to his son William McFarland.