William Buchanan1

b. April 1777, d. 9 November 1845
FatherSamuel Buchanan1 d. 1802
BirthApr 1777 William Buchanan was born in Apr 1777 in Chester County, Pennsylvania.2,3,4 
Marriage26 Feb 1801 He married first Sarah Ryburn, daughter of William Ryburn and Mary (?), on 26 Feb 1801 in Washington County, Virginia, with Rev. Edward Crawford officiating.5,6 
 He was 23 and she was 20. 
1807 Correspondence with another researcher suggests William and Sarah may have had two other children in addition to those listed below: Nelson Buchanan, b. 30 June 1807 and Brandon Buchanan, born 22 Sept. 1809.7 
  If this is correct Brandon must have been a twin to William's daughter Mary, born on the same date. 
Cens-18101810  The appearance of one additional son is suggested by the 1810 census which lists three males and one female under the age of ten.8 
Widowed15 Aug 1814 William was widowed by Sarah's death in the Summer of 1814, leaving him with children ranging from two weeks to twelve years of age. 
Marriage14 May 1816 He married second Margaret Buchanan, daughter of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn, on 14 May 1816 in Washington County, Virginia, with Rev Edward Crawford presiding.9,10 
 He was 39 and she was 34. 
  Together they would have two additional daughters. 
Cens-18201820  The 1820 census suggests the presence of 5 males in addition to William, again suggesting there may have been other sons than those listed below.11 
  If so they appear to have died before reaching adulthood. 
Will20 May 1844 William wrote his will on May 20th, 1844 leaving his wife Margaret one third of his land as well as all his household furniture which included 4 beds, 2 "falling" leaf tables, 6 windsor chairs, 1 clock and assorted other items. He also left his plantation and all his farming tools to his son Russell M. Buchanan with the stipulation that Russell was to pay $50.00 each to William's son William Ryburn Buchanan, and his 4 daughters Polly Stewart, Sally Stewart, Mgt J.B. Edmondson and Rosan R. Edmondson. He was also to pay a like sum to William's grandson William, son of Samuel Buchanan, deceased. Russel M. Buchanan and Andrew Edmondson Jr. were named executors with Wm Buchanan and Elijah Widener as witnesses.12 
Death9 Nov 1845 William died on 9 Nov 1845 at age 68.2 
Burial He was buried at Rock Spring Cemetery in Washington County, Virginia.2 
Will-Recd23 Mar 1846 William's will was recorded on 23 Mar 1846 in Washington County.12 

Related Links and Images:

William's will
Other interments in Rock Spring Cemetery

Family 1

Sarah Ryburn b. 30 Oct 1780, d. 15 Aug 1814
Children

Family 2

Margaret Buchanan b. 11 Oct 1781, d. 25 Mar 1855
Children
Last Edited13 Feb 2013

Citations

  1. [S616] Samuel Buchanan will (1802), Washington Co., Virginia Will Bk 2: 361. The will was written 3 Oct. 1802 and recorded 21 Dec. 1802. Samuel left bonds owed to him by Phillip Grinder and Jacob Miller of Chester Co., PA to his wife Sarah, his daughter Martha, and his sons John, Andrew, Isaac, Alexander and Samuel. Mathew Buchanan Sr. and Samuel's sons Mathew and William were appointed executors with John Edmiston and Samuel and John Kelly security.
  2. [S2] Catherine McConnell, High On A Windy Hill, p. 206. William Buchanan, d. 9 Nov. 1845, age 68y 6m 27d.
  3. [S1005] Deitz, "Descendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn", report dated Sept. 2004. Steve reports birth data as 25 Apr. 1777 in Chester Co. PA.
  4. [S165] M.J. Edmondson household, 1880 U.S. Census, Washington Co., VA, pop. sched., Abingdon District, ED 93, page 30D (stamped), dwelling 106, family 106, viewed online at www.Ancestry.com, Nov. 2004, image 36 of 56. Enumeration includes: M.J. Edmondson, 55, wid; M.R., 37, son; Rose, 35, dau; Hettie, 22, dau; Isabella, 18; all b. VA; all parents b. VA except M.J,'s father b. PA.
  5. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 4. William Buchanan and Sarah Ryburn, 26 Feb. 1801; minister Edward Crawford.
  6. [S116] Stan Bean, "Ryburn families of Washington Co. VA," e-mail to Diana Powell, 26 May 1998. Steve has this marriage recorded on 26 July 1801.
  7. [S116] Stan Bean, "Ryburn families of Washington Co. VA," e-mail to Diana Powell, 26 May 1998.
  8. [S1004] William Buchanan household, 1810 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 701 (added script), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2004, image 13 of 73. The enumeration lists: William Buchanan, 3m (1-10) 0 0 1 (26-45) 0.
  9. [S4] D.E. Brown, Marriages of Washington Co., VA 1781-1853, p. 5. William Buchanan and Peggy Buchanan, 14 May 1816; minister Edward Crawford [verified on Family History Library microfilm #0034389].
  10. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 208. Mr. Trimble states this couple married on 14 May 1814 however that disagrees with the Washington Co. marriage record and with the fact that William's first wife was still alive in May 1814.
  11. [S621] William Buchanan Sr, household, 1820 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 195 (stamped), viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2004, image 2 of 48. The enumeration lists: William Buchanan Sr.: 2m (0-10) 2m (10-16) 1m (16-18) 1 or 2m (16-26) 1 (26-45) 0 (45+).
  12. [S701] William Buchanan will (1846), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 10: 92. The will was dated 20 May 1844 and recorded in court 27 Apr. 1846. Russell M. Buchanan and Andrew Edmondson were the executors with Wm Buchanan ad Elijah Widener as witnesses.