Moses Hastin Buchanan1

b. 5 November 1837, d. 11 January 1914
FatherJohn P. Buchanan1,2,3 b. 27 Jul 1812, d. 16 Apr 1889
MotherElizabeth Reid1,2 b. 20 Feb 1815, d. 26 Oct 1892
Birth5 Nov 1837 Moses Hastin Buchanan was born on 5 Nov 1837 in Washington County, Virginia.4,2 
Childhood  He was the eldest son in a family that eventually included at least 10 children. 
Military24 Mar 1862  Moses enlisted in Co. F. of the 37th Virginia Infantry on March 24, 1862 under Capt. George Graham. He served throughout the war. George sent letters home on a regular basis, writing in some detail to his father and brother Arthur about the difficult conditions. He spoke of the great loss of life during the fighting of Sept. 17, 1862 [Battle of Antietam], and how he had been detailed to go for water and hence missed the worst of the fighting.

Eventually Moses' luck ran out and on May 12, 1864 he was captured by Union forces at Spottsylvania Courthouse. He was held at the Union prison at Ft. Delaware until Oct. 31, 1864 when he was part of a prisoner exchange. However Moses was captured a second time near Petersburg, Virginia on March 25, 1865 [final days of the Siege of Petersburg] and sent to Pt. Lookout Maryland. He was relased on May 12, 1865 after taking the oath of allegiance.5  
Cens-187028 Jun 1870  After the war Moses returned to his parent's home at Goodson Township in Washington County. Moses' father owned land valued at almost $6,000. Moses and his brothers Thomas and Philip helped farm the acreage. Also at home were two sisters: 30 year old Nancy and 14 year old Mary.6 
  Moses' brother, Samuel, the only sibling to marry, headed west to Illinois prior to 1870. 
Cens-190023 Jun 1900  In June 1900 Moses, age 62 and single, was enumerated farming the Buchanan land. A cousin, 32 year old Hettie Bishop was part of the household, along with Annie Owens (28) and Robert Owens (13).7 
  What the census entry does not reveal is that Moses was the only living member of his immedate family. Death records exist for his siblings Lucretia, Nancy, Arthur and Philip; they all died of consumption. Thomas and Mary, who died within two months of each other in 1882, probably suffered from the same condition.8 
Death11 Jan 1914 Moses died on 11 Jan 1914 at age 76.4,2 
Burial He was buried at Walnut Grove Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.4 

Related Links and Images:

Read 5 Civil War letters written by Moses Buchanan to family members in Washington County; also 1 letter written to John P. Buchanan by Capt. George Graham
See Confederate paper bills found in Moses' letters
Other interments in Walnut Grove Cemetery
Last Edited4 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S23] Mark Reid Buchanan, "John P. Buchanan"" in Families of Washington Co. and Bristol, VA, p. 97.
  2. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington Co. Virginia death register entry for Moses Hasten Buchanan: white male, single, b. 05 Nov 1837; d. 11 Jan 1914, WCV, s/o John P. Buchanan, WCV & Elizabeth Reed, WCV; bur Walnut Grove, VA.
  3. [S163] John P. Buchanan household, 1880 U.S. Cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Goodson District, ED 95, p. 54B, dwelling 350, family 391. Feb 2010. Household includes: John P. Buchanan, 67, farmer; Elizabeth 65, wife; Moses H., 43, son; Nancy E., 40, dau; Arthur R., 38, son; Thomas E., 33, son; Mary E., 25, dau; Esther Keys, 55, cousin; all b. VA/VA/VA.
  4. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 372. Stone reported to say: Moses H. Buchanan, 5 Nov. 1887 [1837]-11 Jan. 1914.
  5. [S2729] "Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Belonging to Units From Virginia," digital images, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : accessed March 2012); Moses H. Buchanan, private, Co. F., 37th Virginia Infantry.
  6. [S635] John Buckhanan household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Goodson township, p. 95 (stamped), dwelling 220, family 243, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2012. Household includes: John Buckhanan, 57, farmer, owns land worth $5,780, pers. prop. of $1,000; Elizabeth, 55; Moses H., 33, farming; Nancy E., 30; Thomas E., 22, farming; Philip C., 19, farming; Mary I., 14; all b. VA.
  7. [S634] Moses H. Buchanan household, 1900 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., Goodson District, ED 112, sheet 11A (p. 132 stamped), dwelling 203, family 206, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Nov 2010. Household includes: Moses H. Buchanan, 62, sgl, b. Nov. 1837, farmer, owns farm, b. VA/VA/VA; Hettie M. Bishop, cousin, 32, sgl, b. Oct. 1867, b. VA; Nannie L. Owens, 28, sgl, b. Jul 1892, b. VA; Robert L. Owens, 13, b. Jan. 1887, b. VA.
  8. [S237] Moses Buchanan household, 1910 U.S. cens., Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Goodson District, ED 128, sheet 11B), dwelling 203, family 206, viewed online at Ancestry.com, March 2012. Household includes: Moses Buchanan, 72, sgl, farmer, owns farm, b. VA/VA/VA; Sallie Colr [Cole?], cousin, 38, sgl, b. VA, housekeeper; Emma Garnes, servant, 12, b. VA.