Dr. Benjamin F. Zimmerman1,2

b. 26 February 1821, d. 11 November 1854
Dr. Benjamin Zimmerman and Martha (Buchanan) Zimmerman
FatherAbram Zimmerman2
MotherMary (?)2
Birth26 Feb 1821 Dr. Benjamin F. Zimmerman was born on 26 Feb 1821 in Virginia.3 
Marriage12 May 1847 He married Martha R. Buchanan, daughter of James Buchanan and Nancy Ryburn, on 12 May 1847 in Washington County, Virginia.4 
Cens-185020 Sep 1850 Three years after their marriage Martha and Benjamin were recorded on the 1850 census for Washington County with their two year old daughter, Mary. Benjamin owned real estate valued at $1,524.5 
Occupation Benjamin was referred to as Dr. Zimmerman in his wife's obituary, but the 1850 census recorded his occupation as "farmer."5,1 
Residence1854  Benjamin was the owner of the first house in Bristol, Virginia (called Sapling Grove to 1865, then Goodson to 1890), which he had built in 1854. It stood in the 400 block of present State Street and was of solid brick construction. The property also held a detached brick kitchen and a two room, brick office building with slave quarters in the rear. Benjamin was the town's first physician and used the smaller brick building as his office. The house itself fronted on the sidewalk and as a result of a survey error the front wall of the house sat in Tennessee, while the remainder of the building was in Virginia. Dr. Zimmerman was reported to find this quite humerous.6 
Death11 Nov 1854 Benjamin died from fever on 11 Nov 1854 in Washington County, Virginia, at age 33.2,3 
Burial He was buried at East Hill Cemetery in Bristol, Virginia-Tennessee.7 

Related Links and Images:

The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Benjamin as the head of household number 1515. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Martha R. Buchanan b. 20 Jan 1826, d. 8 Nov 1900
Children
Last Edited2 Jan 2013

Citations

  1. [S632] Shelby Ireson Edwards, "Births, Deaths, Marriages From Bristol Newspapers", Holston Pastfinder, Volume 21, Number 82: p. 49. This record contains a transcription of Martha Buchanan Zimmerman Key's obituary from the Bristol News, dated Friday, 9 Nov. 1900.
  2. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1854 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30; entry states: B. F. Zimmerman, d. 11 Nov 1854, age 33y, fever, s/o Abram & Mary Zimmerman, doctor, consort of Martha Zimmerman, reported by wife.
  3. [S1059] Lineage application of Nannie Zimmerman Carter, national no 77,392, Daughters of the American Revolution (John Buchanan), dated 2 Feb. 1910. Mrs. Carter, a daughter of Benjamim F. Zimmerman, recorded his birth as 26 Feb. 1821 and death as 1854.
  4. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 68. Abstract reads: Benjamin Zimmerman and Martha R. Buchanan, 12 May 1847 by James King.
  5. [S367] Benjamin Zimmerman household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th district, p. 171b (stamped), dwelling 1515, family 1515, viewed online at Ancestry.com, June 2003, image 208 of 289. Recorded data includes: Benjamin Zimmerman 28, farmer, owns real estate valued at $1,524; Martha 23; Mary 2; all b. VA.
  6. [S1341] "First House stood on State Street", Bristol Herald-Courier, April 2, 2006, page 5. Article authored by Bud Phillips, local historian who contributes a column titled Pioneers in Paradise.
  7. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 356. B.F. Zimmerman, 1821-1854.
  8. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 51. George L. Worley named guardian of Mary M. and Nancy B. Zimmerman, orphans of Benjamin F. Zimmerman, deceased. Bond: $7,000. Sureties: William King Heiskell and Jacob H. Susong.
  9. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 230. Abram C. Zimerman, 4 yrs old, d. 23 Apr. 1853 of inflammation of the brain, child of Benj. F. & M. Zimerman. The date and age on this death record suggest that Abram should have been born prior to the 1850 census, however, he does not appear on that record. Either his age or date of death was likely misread from the original record.
  10. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 52. George Worley named guardian of Benjamin F. Zimmerman, orphan of Benjamin F. Zimmerman, deceased. Bond: $4,000. Sureties: William R. Rhea and Charles S. Bekem.
  11. [S3] Moore and Stephens, Washington Co., VA Birth and Death Records, p. 163. Benjamin F. Zimerman, b. 29 May 1855; parents: Benj. F. & Martha Zimerman.