Col. Robert Buchanan Edmondson1

b. 24 October 1801, d. 15 July 1862
FatherThomas Edmiston2,3 b. 4 Aug 1773, d. 25 Oct 1822
MotherMargaret Buchanan2,4 b. 29 Dec 1778, d. 19 Feb 1853
Birth24 Oct 1801 Col. Robert Buchanan Edmondson was born on 24 Oct 1801 in Virginia.5,6,7 
Name Other  The spelling of Robert's surname transitioned during his lifetime. The early generations of the family spelled the surname Edmiston which was still in use at the time of Robert's birth. However records created around 1825 began to show the name spelled either as Edmiston or Edmondson; by Robert's death his branch of the family was using Edmondson almost exclusively. A letter written by Robert's future brother-in-law in 1826 referred to Robert as "Buchanan."8,9,10 
Devisee19 Nov 1822 When Robert's father died in 1822 he left Robert the tract of land on which the family lived (except for a portion on the north side set aside for his sisters Jane and Eliza), as well as two Negroes named Sam and Bob, a silver watch, his rifle, a horse, saddle and bridle and a bed and assorted furniture.3 
Guardian21 Sep 1824 Two years later, on 21 Sep 1824, Robert was named guardian of his three younger sisters. Robert himself was only 22 years old at the time.8 
Marriage11 Apr 1826 He married Nancy Dysart Beattie, daughter of William Beattie and Mary Allison, on 11 Apr 1826 in Washington County, Virginia.9,1 
  They were first cousins, once removed (Robert's grandmother, Jane Beattie, and Nancy's father, William Beattie, were siblings).  
Cens-18501850  Twenty-four years after their marriage Robert and Nancy were recorded on the first federal census to name all household members. Besides Robert, age 49 (enumerated as "R.B.") and Nancy, age 42, the household included 72 year old Margaret (Buchanan) Edmiston [Robert's mother; she had been widowed for 27 years]. Robert and Nancy's children, ranging in age from 20 to 10 were also listed, with the exception of Mary Elizabeth who had married a few years earlier.11 
1 Mar 1853  Robert served with the 70th Regiment of the Virginia Militia. He was commissioned Colonel on 1 Mar 1853.12 
Cens-18604 Jul 1860  In 1860, on the eve of the Civil War, Robert and Nancy were again enumerated with their family. Robert's mother had died 3 years after the previous census. His daughter Margaret had married James Stewart Buchanan; the young couple were recorded as the adjacent household. However, Thomas (30), William (22) Martin (18) and Virginia (24) were all still at home. Interestingly, only Robert and his youngest son Martin listed themselves as farmers despite Robert owning land valued at $20,000 (also personal property of $12,000); son Thomas was a merchant who owned $10,000 in personal property himself; son William was a clerk and daughter Virginia was a seamstress.13 
Cens-1860- Slave16 Jul 1860  The household also included 12 slaves.14 
Cens-1860- Agric  They were no doubt primarily responsible for working the large, 800 acre farm, which included 300 acres under cultivation.15 
Death15 Jul 1862 Robert died on 15 Jul 1862 at age 60.5 
Burial He was buried with his wife and several of their children in the Edmondson family section at the Old Baptist Cemetery Annex in Washington County.5 
Residence Robert and Nancy's home sat in a field near the Baptist Cemetery, just northwest of present day Glade Spring. 

Related Links and Images:

Click here for more information (and pictures) of the home Robert built for his family16
Robert and Nancy's grandson and wife were photographed on the porch of Robert and Nancy's home in 1907. Note the wood structure on the far left side of the photo. Could it be the original Thomas Edmiston and Margaret Buchanan home?17
Robert's headstone
Other interments in Old Baptist Annex
The 1850 Washington Co., Virginia census listed Robert as the head of household number 2023. Follow the link to see who lived nearby.

Family

Nancy Dysart Beattie b. 21 Sep 1808, d. 29 Aug 1872
Children
Last Edited4 Dec 2013

Citations

  1. [S140] "Ryburn History," compiled by P. Shugart, p. 34. Peggie states that Nancy married Col. Robert Buchanan Edmondson and cites an interview conducted in 1948 with Margaret Breckenridge Ryburn, a great granddaughter of John Beattie and Ellen Gilmore.
  2. [S10] "Journal of Mary Jane Beaty (Davis) Moffett", p. 8.
  3. [S858] Thomas Edmiston will (recorded 1822), Washington Co., VA Will Book 5: 70. The will was dated 23 Oct. 1822 and recorded on the 19th of November. Witnesses were Samuel Logan, Nickerson Snead and Samuel Dunn; Andrew Edmiston and Robert Buchanan took the oath of executors with a bond in the amount of $20,000.
  4. [S2268] Research of Tom Colley, Hanceville, Alabama; Mr. Colley cites the Washington County Death Register for the year 1853 originally held by the Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics and viewed as Library of Virginia microfilm reel #30; entry states: Margaret Edmondson, d. 19 Feb 1853, age 74y 2m 15d, cause not given, d/o Robert & Jane Buchanan, consort of Thomas Edmondson, reported by son, Robert B. Edmondson.
  5. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 164. Robert B. Edmondson, 24 Oct. 1801 - 15 Jul 1862, age 60y 8m 21d.
  6. [S2981] Ellen Eliza (Lansdown) and Thomas Edmondson Gardner Family Bible, The New Testament (Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott & Co., 1859); held in 2012 by the Smyth-Bland Regional Library, Marion, VA. The Bible included a page with family information apparently copied from other sources. The entries include: "Robert Buchanan Edmondson (son of above [Thomas Edmondson]) Oct. 4, 1801."
  7. [S2352] Document containing names and dates of birth for children of Robert Buchanan Edmiston and Nancy Dysart Beattie; entries in handwriting of their daughter, Mary Elizabeth Beattie (Edmondson) Dickenson (1827-1896); also information on other family members. The entry reads: "Robert Buchanan Edmondson was born Oct 24th 1801."
  8. [S28] Gerald H. Clark, Guardian Bonds Washington Co., VA, p. 20. Robert B. Edmiston named guardian of Jane B.R., Elizabeth Edmiston and Margaret M. Edmiston, orphans of Thomas Edmiston, deceased. Bond $6,000. Sureties: Mathew Ryburn, Beatie Ryburn, and James Clark.
  9. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, P. 19. Edmondson, [Col] Robert B. and Nancy [D.] Beattie, 11 Apr 1826; minister: Stephen Bovell.
  10. [S2217] Letter from Josiah Beatie (7 Mile Ford, Virginia) to Samuel Beatie (Boone Co., Missouri), 27 Mar 1826.
  11. [S367] R.B. Edmondson household, 1850 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., 67th District, p. 207 (stamped), dwelling 2023, family 2023, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2005, image 279 of 289. Enumeration includes: R. B. Edmondson, 49, farmer; Thos B. E., 20, farmer; William B., 12; Margaret, 72; Nancy D. 42; Margaret B. 16; Virginia 14; Martin V. 10; Patterson Mountain, 21, blacksmith; all b. VA.
  12. [S2830] 70th Virginia Militia - List of Officers, 1853, digital image, Historical Society of Washington County.
  13. [S234] Robert B. Edmondson household, 1860 U.S. cens, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., The Western District, p. 82 (orig entry), dwelling 577, family 564, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Aug. 2005, image 84 of 361. Enumeration includes: Robt. B. Edmondson, 58, farmer, owns land val: $20,000 and pers. prop.: $12,200; Nancy 52; Thomas, 30, merchant, pers. prop: $10,000; William, 22, clerk; Martin, farmer; Virginia, seamstress; Emory Hughes, 30, farm laborer; all b. VA.
  14. [S1308] Robert B. Buchanan, owner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, slave schedule, p. 7 (original script), line 9, viewed online at Ancestry.com. 12 slaves including 7 males and 5 females; 3 slave houses.
  15. [S1311] Robert B. Edmondson landowner, 1860 U.S. census, Washington Co., Virginia, agricultural sched., Gladespring Post Office, p. 9, line 40.
  16. [S1376] Photo courtesy of Carolyn Ryburn.
  17. [S1376] The photo is from the collection of Cindy Gilman, a descendant of Col. Robert B. Edmondson through the line of his grandson, Robert B. Edmondson [2]. The back of the photo reads "RB Edmondson and wife at his birthplace in Glade Springs, Va 1907". The entry is in the handwriting of Fannie Edmondson (b. 1900), daughter of Robert B.Edmondson [2].
  18. [S5] Elizabeth Kelly Allison, Early Southwest Virginia Families, p. 102-6.
  19. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 218. Trimble cites records belonging to Howard V. Jones as his source for information on the family of Robert Buchanan Edmondson and Nancy Dysart Beattie.
  20. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 41. James Stewart Buchanan, 29y, sgl, b. & resid WC Va, merchant, s/o William & Jane Buchanan AND Margaret Buchanan Edmondson, 22y, sgl, b. & resid WC Va, d/o Robert B. & Nancy D. Edmondson; 15 May 1855.
  21. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 219. Trimble cites records belonging to Howard V. Jones as his source for information on the family of Robert Buchanan Edmondson and Nancy Dysart Beattie.
  22. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 164. Stone reported to read: William Beattie Edmondson, s/o Col. R.B. & N.D. Edmondson, 7 Feb. 1838 - 10 Dec. 1874.