John Buchanan1

b. 1784, d. 14 September 1858
FatherJohn Buchanan2,1 b. 21 Aug 1745 or 22 Aug 1745, d. 19 Nov 1824
MotherAnn Ryburn3,1 b. 25 Apr 1756, d. 24 Aug 1829
Birth1784 John Buchanan was born in Washington County, Virginia, in the spring or summer of 1784, although the exact date is not clear.4,5,3 
Marriage19 Feb 1807 He and Mary Ryburn, daughter of William Ryburn and Mary (?), were married by Rev. Edward Crawford on 19 Feb 1807 in Washington County, Virginia.6,7 
Guardian16 Jan 1821 John was named guardian of Peggy Ryburn, his wife's younger sister, on January 16, 1821, four days before Peggy married John's younger brother William.8 
1832  John and Mary lived in that part of Washington County which became Smyth County in 1832. 
  John built a house for his sister Mary who married Andrew Fullen. Andrew died in 1828 and Mary died in 1834. The house was known for many years as the Andy Fullen house. John's daughter Margaret lived in the house after her marriage to George Crenshaw in 1844. The house stood through the 1950s in Quarry, Smyth County.9 
Cens-185022 Jul 1850 The 1850 census for Smyth County listed John and Mary, both age 65, with their four adult, unmarried children: Ann, Jane, Sarah and Alexander. Also in the home were three grandchildren: Mary, Sarah and James Ward. The children's parents were not present.10 
  Records left by John's descendants note that he was greatly respected and was given the nickname of "Good Johnny" which he well deserved.9 
Will20 Jun 1858 John wrote his will on 20 Jun 1858 in Smyth County, Virginia. In it he remembered his unmarried children Ann, Jane, Sally and John Alexander and directed that they should be made equal to what he had already given his married children. He left Ann and Jane his farming utinsels and 100 acres of land to be held jointly. Ninety acres was to be laid off to include the dwelling house and ten acres to include timber land. The balance of the land was to be sold. John left one sixth of the proceeds to be divided equally amongst his daughter Polly Ward's six children. He also instructed that $50 was to be held by his executor for the sole benefit of Polly. Another one sixth part was bequeathed to John's two granddaughters in Illinois, daughters of his son William. The remaining money arising from the sale of the land was to be divided between four of his children: Margaret Crenshaw, Rosanna Whitten, Sally Buchanan and John Alexander Buchanan. John appointed Capt. Charles Shannon as his executor.11 
Death14 Sep 1858 John died on 14 Sep 1858 in Rich Valley, Smyth County, Virginia, of cancer.3,5 
Will-Recd21 Sep 1858 John's will was recorded on 21 Sep 1858.11 
Burial He was buried in Buchanan Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia, next to his wife Mary. Their stones are also of similiar design.5 
Probate Recd18 Jan 1859 On 18 Jan 1859 Capt. J. Shannon sold 192 acres of John's land to Alexander Buchanan for $18 per acre.12 

Related Links and Images:

John's will
John's headstone (overview and close-up)
Other interments in Buchanan Cemetery

Family

Mary Ryburn b. 2 Apr 1785, d. 5 May 1858
Children
ChartsDescendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Last Edited25 Mar 2011

Citations

  1. [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.
  2. [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.
  3. [S17] "Smyth Co. Deaths with Washington Co. Births", p. 9. John Buchanan d. 14 Sep. 1858, Rich Valley, cancer, 74y 26d, s/o John and Ann Buchanan, b. WCV, "Mary Ryburn", wife; John A.M. Buchanan, son. This data calculates to a birthdate of 19 Aug. 1784.
  4. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 208. This source states that John was born 17 Aug. 1784.
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 150. Stone reported to read: John Buchanan, d. 14 Sept. 1858, age 44y 3m 2d. John's was misread as his death record states that he died at age 74. A photo taken in 2010, although not clear, suggests "74", not "44". The photo also reveals that his age in days was 27, or 21, but not 2 as reported in the reading. In that case his date of birth was May 18 or 24, 1784.
  6. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 4. John Buchanan and Mary Ryburn, 19 Feb. 1807; minister Edward Crawford [confirmed on Family History Library mf #0034389].
  7. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 209. Mr. Trimble states this couple married on 19 Feb. 1809 however that disagrees with the Washington Co. marriage record. Since John and Mary's first child was born in Dec. 1807 it is unlikely the 1809 date is correct.
  8. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 17. John Buchanan named guardian of Peggy Ryburn, orphan of William Ryburn, deceased. Bond $500. Surety: David Campbell.
  9. [S928] Peggy Lester, "America Crenshaw Booth," e-mail to D. Powell, 11 Oct. 2006. Peggy cites a collection of notes written by Mary (Booth) Smyth (1877-1969) later in her life, which include both her own memories as well as memories from conversations with her mother America (Crenshaw) Booth, daughter of George and Margaret (Buchanan) Crenshaw, and granddaughter of John and Mary (Ryburn) Buchanan.
  10. [S465] John Buchanan household, 1850 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., VA, pop. sched., p. 165b, dwelling 132, family 134, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2002, image 20 of 169. Enumeration records: John Buchanan 65 farmer, real estate $3,000; Mary 65; Ann 42; Jane 36; Sarah 34; Alexander 22; Mary I or J. Ward 10; Sarah F. Ward 8; James F. Ward 7; Jesse Davis 50 Black; all born Virginia.
  11. [S849] John Buchanan will (recorded 1858), Smyth Co., Virginia Will Book 3: 123. John's will was dated 20 June 1858 and recorded 21 Sept. 1858.
  12. [S849] John Buchanan sale of real estate (1859), Smyth Co., Virginia Will Book 3: 135. J. Shannon, exc reported the sale in Dec. 1858 to Alexander Buchanan.
  13. [S1985] Polly B. Ward entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 99 (1892).