John Buchanan

b. 21 August 1745 or 22 August 1745, d. 19 November 1824
FatherJohn Buchanan1 b. say 1715, d. 1790
MotherMargaret (?)2
Birth21 Aug 1745 or 22 Aug 1745 John Buchanan was born on 21 Aug 1745 or 22 Aug 1745.3,4 
Marriage He married Ann Ryburn, daughter of Mathew Ryburn and Mary Galbreath, in Washington County, Virginia.5 
 Mary Jane Beaty Davis Moffett recorded in her journal, with the help of her mother who was a niece of Ann Ryburn Buchanan, that Ann and John Buchanan "had a large family of children, 11 in number". She listed their names as: Mathew, Margaret, John, Mary, Wm, James, Ann, Robert, Jane, Rosanna, and Ryburn.6 
 In the same journal, Mary Jane Beaty Davis Moffett commented that her mother, Sarah (Ryburn) Davis knew "nothing of the old stock of Buchanons, only old Uncle Johnny that married her only Aunt on her father's side, he married, Ann Ryburn grandfather Ryburn's only sister." She also stated that "there were several families of Buchanons but they were not all connected, the same name but not related." And later in the journal she added, "Mother thinks that Grand Mother's first husband [Robert Buchanan, first husband of Jane Beattie] and Uncle Johnny [John Buchanan, husband of Ann Ryburn] were brothers."7 
  John and Ann were devout Presbyterians whose home was always open to ministers of the gospel. The Rev. Charles Cummings, who was instrumental in the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in southwest Virginia, routinely spend Saturday night with the family as he moved between the churches under his direction.8 
Will29 Aug 1817 John wrote his will on 29 Aug 1817. He left his "beloved" wife Anna one third of all his lands, to include the dwelling house. At her death all the land was to descend to John's four youngest sons: William, James, Robert and Ryburn. He noted that he had provided for his two oldest sons, Mathew and John in the purchase of a tract of land from John Shannon. The younger boys were to pay $50 each to John's daughters Peggy, Polly, Anna and Rosey. John also instructed that "Matty Ryburn Buchanan who now lives with me" was to receive a horse of $50 value, a saddle and bridle, and a cow when she arrived at the age of eighteen.9,10 
Death19 Nov 1824 John died on 19 Nov 1824.3 
Burial He was buried at Buchanan Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Research Comment:

John Buchanan (son of John and Margaret) is believed to be the same John Buchanan who married Ann Ryburn based on the journal cited above and based on the will of John Buchanan Sr. However, the Buchanan name was common in Southwest Virginia and additional research is adviseable.
Ann and John had a large number of twins among their descendants (36 at present count). Two of their grandchildren (William C.P. Buchanan, Rosanna Witten) were parents of twins. Eight of their great grandchildren (Mary Jane Durell, America Booth, America Buchanan, Robert Wm McSpadden, William R. Buchanan, Rosa Miriam Clark, Ryburn Clark and Isabella J. Preston) were parents of twins. Five of their 2nd great grandchildren (William Durell, Julia Henderson, James Booth, Beattie Crenshaw, Marion Grant Edmondson) were parents of twins. And at least one of their 3rd great grandchildren (Clyde Stringer) was also the parent of twins. In addition, a 4th great granddaughter gave birth to twins in 1959 and a 5th great granddaughter gave birth to twins in 2006. It is likely there were other, unrecorded twin births before county registration was required and there are probably additional twins in recent generations.

Related Links and Images:

More information on Mattie Ryburn Buchanan
John's will
To read Mary Jane B. (Davis) Moffett's journal see Mary Jane's Journal and in particular note pages 2, 3 and 7
John's headstone
Other interments in Buchanan Cemetery

Family

Ann Ryburn b. 25 Apr 1756, d. 24 Aug 1829
Children
ChartsDescendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Last Edited1 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S2108] John Buchanan will (recorded 1790), Augusta County, Virginia Will Book 7: 217. The will was dated 22 Oct. 1776 and recorded 20 April 1790. It was witnessed by Elijah McClenahan and Moses Williams.
  2. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 208.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 150. Stone reported to read: "John Buchanan, d. 19 Nov. 1824, age 79y 2m 28d". This information computes to a birthdate of 22 Aug. 1745.
  4. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 208. This source states that John was born August 21, 1745.
  5. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 7. Date not reported.
  6. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 2.
  7. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 2, 3.
  8. [S2280] "Robert Buchanan", undated memorial article written by H[enry] M. W[hite] [pastor of Glade Spring Presbyterian Church from 1866-1875] and published in an unidentified newspaper.
  9. [S618] John Buchanan will (recorded 1825), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 5: 219. John's will, dated 29 Aug. 1817 with Joseph Miller, James Henderson, Alexander Buchanan and Rosy G. Buchanan as witnesses, was recorded on 15 March 1825 on the oath of Joseph Miller. James Henderson was deceased; Sons John and Mathew Buchanan took oath of executors.
  10. [S16] The identify of Mattie Ryburn Buchanan has not been determined. She does not appear to have been John's daughter, but was clearly someone he felt a kinship towards. She appears to be the same person as the Martha R. Buchanan who died 4 June, 1833 at 30 years of age, and who is buried in the Buchanan family Cemetery (High On A Windy Hill, p. 150).
  11. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1855 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30; entry states: Margaret Buchanan, d. 25 Mar 1855, age 74y, cause unknown, d/o John & Ann Buchanan, consort of William Buchanan, reported by son in law, Andrew Edmundson.
  12. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 2. Mary Jane Beaty Davis Moffett stated in her journal that Ann and John Buchanan "had a large family of children, 11 in number." She provided the following names: Mathew, Margaret, John, Mary, William, James, Ann, Robert, Jane, Rosanna, and Ryburn.