Rachel Craig Buchanan

b. 7 September 1832, d. 27 November 1906
FatherWilson Buchanan1,2 b. 8 May 1797, d. 9 Oct 1873
MotherEliza Friel Graham1 d. 14 Aug 1868
Birth7 Sep 1832 Rachel Craig Buchanan was born on 7 Sep 1832 in Smyth County, Virginia.3,4 
Marriage20 Sep 1854 She married Lillburn Breckenridge Porterfield, son of James Porterfield and Jeannette Clark, on 20 Sep 1854 in Smyth County.1 
Residence  Lilburn's brother John moved to Missouri, and his brother James resided southwest of Glade Spring, on land on Indian Run. However Lilburn and Rachel spent their married life living on the old family homestead, about a mile northwest of the Glade Spring Depot.5 
Cens-18607 Jul 1860 Six years after their marriage they were enumerated on the Washington County census. Lilburn owned real estate valued at $7,500 and personal property of $1,200. Three children: Wilson (4), James (3) and George (10 mos) were also present, along with Jane Porterfield (66) and Amanda Buchanan (26) who was listed as a seamstress.6 
ChildDeathJan 1863  Rachel and Lillburn lost 3 children during the early 1860s. An infant son, Charles, died in 1861. And their young sons James and George both died in January 1863. 
Cens-18703 Oct 1870  By 1870 Lilburn estimated his land was valued at $6,000 and his personal property at $6,000. He was 40 years old and Rachel was 38. The household now included Eliza (8), Emet L. (6) Thomas B. (4), Jeannette (2) and [James's mother] Jeannette (76).7 
Cens-1880Jun 1880  They were enumerated again in 1880 by which time the record was specific enough to describe the location as "Glade Spring district". The couple's seven youngest children, ranging in age from Marge [Margaret] (18) to John (2) were also recorded as was a servant.8 
Cens-19007 Jun 1900  Twenty years later, when the census was again recorded, Lilburn and Rachel reported that they had been married 46 years. In addition, Rachel listed that she was the mother of 11 children, of whom 8 were still living. Three children were still at home: Jennie, age 30, Albert, age 27, and John, age 22. Two grandsons, Kent (13) and John D. Porterfield (9) were also living with them.9 
Death27 Nov 1906 Rachel died on 27 Nov 1906 at age 74.3 
Burial She was buried at Old Glade Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.3 

Research Comment:

John Dickey Porterfield was the son of Lilburn and Rachel's son Graham and his first wife, Almetta Louise Dickey. Almetta died in 1895 and Graham remarried in 1898. It appears that John Dickey Porterfield then lived with Lilburn and Rachel as he was enumerated in their household in 1900. However Graham and Almetta are reported to have also had a daughter, Stella L., born in 1886, who married William Gibson in 1903. Is it possible she was also living with Lilburn and Rachel in 1900 and was erroneously recorded as Kent Porterfield, age 13, born 1886? If that is not the case I cannot identify the father of the grandson "Kent" recorded on the 1900 census.

Related Links and Images:

Rachel's headstone
Other interments in Old Glade Spring Cemetery

Family

Lillburn Breckenridge Porterfield b. 26 Sep 1830, d. 19 Jul 1905
Children
Last Edited15 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 129. Lil B. Porterfield, 24, b. & resid Washington Co. VA, s/o Jas & Janett AND R. C. Buchanan, 22, d/o Wilson & Eliza [Graham]; 20 Sept. 1854.
  2. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 53. Peggie Shugart or Margaret Breckenridge Ryburn may have contributed the following: Jane or Jeanette married James Porterfield; their son Lilburn Porterfield's wife was Rachel Buchanan whose father was Wilson Buchanan.
  3. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Stone reported to read: Rachel C. Porterfield, w/o L.B. Porterfield, 7 Sep 1832, d. 27 Nov 1906.
  4. [S2273] Research of Jack Hockett, Montreal, Canada; Mr. Hockett cites Wythe Co. VA death records as viewed on microfilm (reel 276) at the Library of Virginia, Richmond: John Lilburn Porterfield entry states mother, Rachel Buchanan, was born in Smyth Co. Virginia.
  5. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Lilburn Porterfield were first cousins, once removed. J. B. states that Rachel was the daughter of Wilson Buchanan.
  6. [S234] Lilburn B. Porterfield household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Western District, p. 453 (added script), dwelling 639, family 624, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 91 of 361. Reported data includes: Lilburn Porterfield, 29, farmer, owns real estate valued at $7,500, personal property of $1,200; Rachel 27; Wilson 4; James 3; George 10/12; Jane Porterfield 66; Amanda Buchanan, 26, seamstress; all b. VA.
  7. [S635] Lilburn Porterfield household, 1870 U.S. cens, Washington Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 1st Division, p. 10 (original script), dwelling 72, family 79, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2006, image 10 of 44. Enumeration includes: Lilburn Porterfield, 40, farmer, owns land: $6,000, pers prop: $1,200; Rachel, 38; Graham, 14, at school; Eliza M. 8; Ennet L. 6; Thomas B, 4; Jeannette, 2; Jeannette, 76; all b. VA.
  8. [S165] Lilburn Porterfield household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Glade Spring District, ED 94, page 25 (65A stamped), dwelling 180, family 181, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, April 2003, image 25 of 54. Lilburn Porterfield, 49, farmer; Rachel, 47, wife; Marge, 18, dau; Lee E., son, 16; Thomas B., 14, son; Jennie, dau, 11; Albert, son, 8; William, 5, son; John, 2, son, Rebecca Johnson, servant, 23, black; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  9. [S13] Aleta Spicer, Smyth, Lilburn B. Porterfield.
  10. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Graham Porterfield were second cousins.
  11. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: James S. Porterfield, s/o L.B. & R.C. Porterfield, d. 15 Jan 1863, age 5y 7m 5d.
  12. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: George D. Porterfield, s/o L.B. & R.C. Porterfield, d. 30 Jan 1863, age 3y 5m 4d.
  13. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Transcription reads: Charles Porterfield, s/o L.B. & R.C. Porterfield, d. 25 March 1861, age 1m 5d.
  14. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 156.
  15. [S123] William R. Wheeler, Washington Co., VA Marriage Licenses 1881-1890, p. 54, 86. Edward J. Hutton, 24, sgl, b. & resid Washington Co., VA, stock dealer, s/o Dr. A.D. & Sarah B. Hutton AND Maggie E. Porterfield, 25, sgl, L.B. & R.C. Porterfield; 21 Mar 1888.
  16. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 157.
  17. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Lee Porterfield were second cousins.
  18. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 185. Stone reported to read: Lee Porterfield, s/o L.B. & Rachel Porterfield, 1864-1933.
  19. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Thomas B. Porterfield were second cousins.
  20. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 158.
  21. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Jennie Porterfield were second cousins.
  22. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and Albert Porterfield were second cousins.
  23. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and William Porterfield were second cousins.
  24. [S9] Frank B. Porterfield, The Porterfields, p. 160.
  25. [S537] Hutton Family Data, authored by Dr. J. B. Hutton. J. B. Hutton and John Porterfield were second cousins.