Mary Brandon Buchanan1

b. circa 1810, d. 6 March 1892
FatherJohn Buchanan2,3 b. 1784, d. 14 Sep 1858
MotherMary Ryburn4,3 b. 2 Apr 1785, d. 5 May 1858
BirthCircacirca 1810 Mary Brandon Buchanan was born in Virginia circa 1810.5 
Marriage11 Apr 1833 She married Alexander Ward, son of William Ward, on 11 Apr 1833 in Smyth County, Virginia.1 
1850 Three of Alexander and Mary's children were living with Mary's parents in 1850 in Smyth County.6 
  Alexander and Mary's whereabouts on the same census (and that of their other three children) has not been determined. 
Legatee20 Jun 1858 Mary's father wrote his will on 20 Jun 1858 in Smyth County. In it he left one sixth of the proceeds from the sale of his land to Polly's six children. He also left $50 for his executors to make available for Polly's needs. John was clear that the money was for her use only.2 
23 Jun 1858  Three days later Polly's husband, Alexander Ward, was killed by his brother-in-law, George Crenshaw. The shooting was later deemed self-defense.7 
Court Record7 Aug 1858 On 7 Aug 1858 Alexander's personal property was sold. Mary Ward bought the beds, paying $6 for each. She also purchased a brown mare for $10. The books went unsold.8 
Cens-18609 Jun 1860 Two years later the 1860 census recorded Mary, age 50, with 4 of her children: Mary Jane, age 21, Sarah, age 20, James, age 18, and Mathew, age thirteen.5 
  Her 2 older sons, John and Ballard, had recently married; son John would remain in Smyth County but son Ballard headed to Texas. Daughter Mary would marry Thompson Shepherd in Sept. 1860 and also remain in Smyth County. Mary's son James was in Missouri by 1867, moving to Utah by 1877. And daughter Sarah would marry Hannabel Hackney in 1865 and move to Kentucky. 
Cens-187015 Jun 1870  In 1870 Mary was enumerated in the home of H. Hackney in Menifee County, Kentucky. Sarah [enumerated by her middle name: Frances] was also present as were 2 small children.9 
Cens-188011 Jun 1880  However, 10 years later Sarah Frances was no longer part of the household. Hannabel was listed as widowed or divorced. Mary was keeping house for he and the two children: Mathew (13) and Mary (11).10 
Heir1881 Mary inherited, over a period of approximately ten years, $750 dollars from the estate of her uncles, Mathew, James and Robert Buchanan.11 
  This was slightly more than the amount received by her siblings, who all inherited in right of their deceased father, John Buchanan.12 
Death6 Mar 1892 Mary died of rheumatism on 6 Mar 1892 in Rich Valley, Smyth County, Virginia.3 

Related Links and Images:

Newspaper article about shooting incident between George Crenshaw and Alexander Ward. Click camera icon for larger image13

Family

Alexander Ward b. 19 Apr 1805, d. 23 Jun 1858
Children
ChartsDescendants of John Buchanan and Ann Ryburn
Descendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited24 May 2009

Citations

  1. [S943] Smyth Co., Virginia Marriage Register 1832-1853: 2. The marriage register entry states that Alexander Ward and Polly Brandon Buchanan received a license on April 1, 1833 and were married on the 11th by Alex. McEwen.
  2. [S849] John Buchanan will (recorded 1858), Smyth Co., Virginia Will Book 3: 123. John's will was dated 20 June 1858 and recorded 21 Sept. 1858.
  3. [S1985] Polly B. Ward entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 99 (1892).
  4. [S124] David Trimble, Buchanan and Gillespie, p. 209. Trimble cites records belonging to Miss Mary Sewell Helvey as his source for information on the family of John Buchanan and Mary Ryburn.
  5. [S576] Mary B. Ward household, 1860 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., 7 Mile Ford post office, p. 876 (following 875 script), dwelling 85, family 85, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jul 2004, image 16 of 201. Enumeration reads: Mary B. Ward, 50, personal property $600; Mary Jane, 21; Sarah F., 20; James F., 18; Mathew T., 13; all born VA.
  6. [S465] John Buchanan household, 1850 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., VA, pop. sched., p. 165b, dwelling 132, family 134, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Oct. 2002, image 20 of 169. Enumeration records: John Buchanan 65 farmer, real estate $3,000; Mary 65; Ann 42; Jane 36; Sarah 34; Alexander 22; Mary I or J. Ward 10; Sarah F. Ward 8; James F. Ward 7; Jesse Davis 50 Black; all born Virginia.
  7. [S932] Lester, "Descendants of Alexander Ward and Mary Buchanan". Peggy cites as her source for the information about Alexander's death "The Richmond Whig and Public Advisor", dated July 2, 1858, a copy of which she obtained from the Virginia State Library.
  8. [S849] Alexander Ward sale bill (1858), Smyth Co., Virginia Will Book 3: 171. The personal property was sold on August 7, 1858. The document was recorded in court on August 17th.
  9. [S1613] H. Hackney household, 1870 U.S. cens, Menifee Co., Kentucky, pop. sched., Frenchburg precinct, p. 426 (stamped), dwelling 21, family 17, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Dec. 2006, image 3 of 14. Enumeration includes: H. Hackney, 30, carpenter, owns real estate of $800 and pers. prop of $150, b. KY; Francis, 30, (f), b. VA; Math__ (m), 3, b. KY; infant, 3/12 (f), b. Ma[rch], b. KY; Mary Ward, 60, ___ occupation, b. VA.
  10. [S1614] Hanible Hackney household, 1880 U.S. cens, Menifee Co., Kentucky, pop. sched., Frenchburg precinct, ED 661 (B stamped), page 207, dwelling 223, family Dec. 2006, image 26 of 28. Enumeration includes: Hanible Hackney, 41, widowed or divorced, general merchant, b, KY, father b. TN, mother b. KY; Mathew T., 13, son; Marry [sic] E., 11, dau; both children b. KY, father b. KY, mother b. VA; Marry B. Ward, 68, mother-in-law, widwed or divorced, keeping house, b. VA, parents b. VA, viewed online at Ancestry.com.
  11. [S1015] Washington Co., Virginia probate records for James, Mathew and Robert Buchanan.
  12. [S7] Conclusions based on analysis of James Buchanan probate papers.
  13. [S1376] Image courtesy of Peggy (Stringer) Lester.
  14. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 173. Abstract states: John D. Ward, 25, s/o Alex & Mary AND Margaret McCrady; 07 Dec. 1859 (author of book annotated entry to add that John Ward's mother was "Polly" Brandon Buchanan).
  15. [S1144] Pauline Haga, Tazewell Co., Virginia Marriage Book 3, p. 19. Record states that W.B.P. Ward, 23, b. Tazewell Co., son of Alexander and Mary B. Ward, resident Smyth Co. married Sally Thompson, 19, b. Tazewell Co., dau of Stephen and L.M. Thompson on 28 Sept. 1858.
  16. [S60] Thomas Hockett and Shelia Steele Hunt, Smyth Co. VA Marriages 1851-1891 & 1860 Census, p. 149. Record abstracted as: Thompson R. Shepord [Shepherd], 26, s/o Frances AND Mary J. Ward, 22, d/o Alex and Mary B., marr: 16 Sept. 1860.