John Gideon FERGUSON

                   THE FERGUSON FAMILY - The Argylshire, Scotland was probably the original home
of the Ferguson clan, which is now distributed over many districts of the
Highlands and Lowlands, and includes branches settled in Ireland.  It is an
ancient clan; the Kilkerran Fergusons claim descent from Fergus, son of Fergus,
who obtained a charter of lands in Ayrshire from King Robert 1. The Rt. Hon.
Sir James Ferguson, Sixth Baronet, perished in the great earthquake in Jamica
in 1907.  He was succeeded by his son, Sir Charles.
      The Fergusons of Garrett County, Robert Ferguson,(father of Gideon John Ferguson) early settler of the Flat Woods neighborhood, now Hoyes, left a memorandum, in which he states
that he was born in the year of our Lord 1783, in Parish of Sudtree, County
London Derry, Ireland.  After seven weeks at sea he landed at Newcastle,
Deleware, 29th September, 1810, a single man; twenty-seven years of age.
      Robert Ferguson appears to have moved westward to Somerset Co., Pa. where
he married Frances Little. In 1824 "Robert Furguson of Somerset Co.Pa.,bought part of "Strawberry Hill," north of Grantsville and moved to Maryland.  In 1835 he sold his tract, and it is probable that he settled at Flat Woods soon after.    In 1849 he bought 4 military lots each $15.00. Now
the farm is owned by heirs of William Callis on U.S.219 near Hoyes.  In 1869 he
sold the lots for $3,500.  Robert Ferguson and his wife are said to be buried
in the graveyard of the family cem. on old farm.  Several of the Ferguson
Children settled in Pa.   He had 11 children; Robert 1821, Elizabeth 1822,
William 1824,Joseph 1826, George 1827, MaryAnn 1829, Sarah 1830, *Gideon 1837, Nancy 1837, Francis 1841.(HOYES PIONEER FAMILIES OF GARRETT COUNTY, MD.p218) 3/25/1822
Gideon John Ferguson was a Farmer and Methodist Minister licensed to preach at Morgantown, W. Va Conference in 1879.