James Buchanan1

b. 27 August 1789, d. 21 June 1876
FatherJohn Buchanan1,2 b. 21 Aug 1745 or 22 Aug 1745, d. 19 Nov 1824
MotherAnn Ryburn1 b. 25 Apr 1756, d. 24 Aug 1829
Birth27 Aug 1789 James Buchanan was born on 27 Aug 1789.3 
 James did not marry.4,5 
  He and his brothers Robert and Mathew (who also did not marry) remained in the family home and farmed the large tract of land that had been left to them by their father in Washington County.2 
Cens-Sum  As they grew older their household came to include several nieces who "kept house" for them.6,7,8 
Description  The 1870 census indicated that James was blind. It is not known if this was a lifelong condition or something that developed as he grew older.7  
Death21 Jun 1876 James died 21 Jun 1876 at age 86.3 
Burial He was buried in Buchanan Cemetery, Washington County, Virginia, next to his brothers Robert and Mathew.3 
Will-Recd26 Jun 1876 On January 12, 1871 James and his brothers Mathew and Robert executed identical wills, each leaving his estate to whichever of the brothers survived him. On the death of the last brother specific legacies were to be paid. The boys' nieces, Mrs. Sally Page, Miss Jane Buchanan and Miss Susan F.C. Buchanan were to each receive $1,000 if they continued to care for the brothers. And John B. Reddick was to receive $200. The balance of the estate was to be divided among the legal heirs. James's will was recorded on 26 Jun 1876. The brothers' appointed "their friend" Benjamin Keys Buchanan as their executor.9 

Related Links and Images:

Article written following the death of Robert Buchanan (describes brothers)
James's will
James's headstone (2002 and 2010)
Other interments in Buchanan Cemetery
Mary Jane B. (Davis) Moffett (James's first cousin, once removed) left behind a journal in which she recorded a few recollections about the Buchanon family. Visit Mary Jane's Journal and in particular read pages 2 and 3
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed James as a member of household number 234. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.
ChartsDescendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Last Edited1 Dec 2013

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. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 150. James Buchanan, 27 Aug 1789-1 Jun 1873, age 86y 9m 24d. Note: this date of death was misread. A photo of his stone, taken in the Summer of 2002 clearly shows the date of death as June 21, 1876.
  4. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 3.
  5. [S16] David Trimble in his book on the Buchanan Family (p. 208) states that James married Nancy Ryburn on 1 Jul 1813. Although Nancy Ryburn, daughter of Mathew Ryburn and Jane Beattie, did marry a James Buchanan on that date, it was not James, son of John and Ann Ryburn Buchanan. Part of the confusion may lie in the fact that the mother of one James, and the wife of the other were Ryburns. Also both men are buried in a Buchanan Cemetery, however, not in the same one.
  6. [S234] Mathew Buchanan household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Saltville Post Office, p. 451 (added script), dwelling 622, family 608, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2004, image 89 of 361. Enumeration reads: Mathew Buchanan, 77; James Buchanan, 71; Robert Buchanan 67; all farmers, all b. VA, each claims $10,000 real estate and $6,000 personal property; cont. p. 452: Jane P.B. Buchanan, 39, housekeeper, personal property of $1,600, b. VA.
  7. [S635] Mathew Buckhanon household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., District 1, Abingdon post office, p. 184b (stamped), dwelling 27, family 29, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2004, image 4 of 44. Enumeration reads Mathew Buckhanon (?), 88, retired farmer, owns land valued at $13,800; James, 81, retired farmer; Robert, 78, retired farmer; Jane B., 44, keeping house; Sallie P. Page, 42, asst housekeeper; Susan R (middle initial not clear and last name not stipulated), 35, asst housekeeper; all b. VA; Note: James is described as "blind."
  8. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 3. Mary Jane Beaty Davis Moffett, writing in her journal on April 13, 1871, stated that Mathew, James and Robert were still living in the same house that their father built. She continued that they were"good farmers and lived well, until their mother died and two sisters (that never married). The sisters died and left the boys alone, but they have had some of their nieces to keep house for them".
  9. [S707] James Buchanan will (recorded 1876), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 19: 105. James wrote his will on 12 Jan. 1871, naming his friend Benjamin K. Buchanan as his executor. The will was witnessed by Isaac Miller and David B. Clark. It was recorded in court 26 June 1876 on a bond of $12,000.