William Nelson Buchanan1,2

b. 1841, d. 22 November 1888
FatherWilliam Ryburn Buchanan1,3 b. 28 Feb 1805, d. 20 Oct 1866
MotherMary Catherine Keesling1 b. 6 Sep 1809, d. 27 Oct 1878
Birth1841 William Nelson Buchanan was born in 1841 in Virginia, either in Smyth County (marriage record) or Rural Retreat, Wythe County (wife's obit).1,4,5 
Marriage24 Oct 1865 He married his second cousin America Jackson Graham Ryburn, daughter of William McNeal Ryburn and Jane Beattie B. Fullen, on 24 Oct 1865 in Washington County, Virginia.1,6,7 
Cens-18706 Sep 1870 Following their marriage William and America lived with Mary C. Buchanan [William's widowed mother] in St. Clair township, Smyth County, Virginia. The 1870 census captured a snapshot of the household, which also included 23 year old James [William's brother]. In addition, two Buchanan children, Julian, age 4, and William R., age 2, were present.8,9 
  The 1870 census entry is confusing. William and America did not have a child named Julian, however they did have a son named Wiley Fuller, born in 1866. Is "Julian" a census error?

The young William R. Buchanan also presents a problem. The Smyth County death records list a William R. Buchanan, son of W.N. and A.J. Buchanan who died of bronchitis at age 2 months and 6 days on April 19th, 1869. As such he should not have been enumerated in 1870.10 
Cens-18801880  William's mother died in 1878 so she was not present when the 1880 census was enumerated. However, William and America had added several more children to their family, whose members were identified in 1880 as: Fullen or Fuller [was this Julian?] 13, John P. 10, James O. 8, Carrie 4, William R. and Minnie S., both three.11 
  William and America appear to have named their youngest son in memory of his older brother who had no doubt been named in honor of William's father. 
Migration1885 About 1885 William and America migrated to Atchison County, Missouri, with their children. William's brother James had settled there several years earlier.5 
Death22 Nov 1888 William died on 22 Nov 1888 in Atchison County from injuries he received 2 weeks earlier when he helped load a saw log.12 
Burial He appears to be buried in Sheridan Cemetery, Auburn, Nemaha County, Nebraska.4 

Research Comment:

Aug. 2008: Previous versions of this webpage noted that there was some confusion as to William's date of death. His wife's obituary stated that he died in 1888 in Missouri, but William was enumerated with her on the 1900 census for Nemaha Co., Nebraska. However I recently located a death announcement for William in an Atchison County newspaper which proved both his date and cause of death. The same article stated that William left 7 living children.12

Related Links and Images:

Buchanan stone in Sheridan Cemetery - note smaller stone on far right that says "Father"; also close up of smaller stone
Where was Atchison County located? Find it on the Missouri map (also accessible via the Misc. Locations link in the menu bar at the top of any page). The map also shows the location of other Washington Co., Virginia families who migrated to Missouri.

Family

America Jackson Graham Ryburn b. 9 Feb 1842, d. 8 Jan 1904
Children
ChartsDescendants of William Ryburn and Mary (?)
Last Edited7 May 2012

Citations

  1. [S6] Thomas Colley, Washington Co. VA Marriages 1853-1880, p. 41- 42. William N. Buchanan, 22y, sgl, b. Smyth Co. VA, res Washington Co. VA, farmer, s/o Ryburn and Catherine Buchanan AND America J.G. Ryburn, 22y, sgl, b. & resid WCV, d/o William M. & Jane Ryburn; 20 Oct. 1865.
  2. [S1191] Clara Gardner Miller, Gardiner-Gardner Genealogy, p. 138. Source provides full middle name.
  3. [S465] William R. Buchanan household, 1850 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., VA, pop. sched., 60th District, p. 235b (stamped), dwelling 1081, family 1092, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Jan. 2003, image 160 of 169. The census enumerated reported: William R. Ryburn, 45, b. VA, farmer, owns real estate valued at $1,500; Mary C., 40; Sarah A., 14 [?]; William N., 8; James W., 3; all born VA.
  4. [S1017] Norvell, "Nemaha Co. Research," e-mail to D. Powell, 5 Jul 2004. Mr. Norvell cites tombstone records for Sheridan Cemetery at Auburn, Nebraska. Stone states, "Father Buchanan, 1841-1904". Note: this date of death may not be accurate.
  5. [S1017] Norvell, "Nemaha Co. Research," e-mail to D. Powell, 18 Nov. 2004. Mr. Norvell located 2 obituaries for America Buchanan in unidentified Nemaha Co. newspapers.
  6. [S52] Letter, Carolyn Ryburn to Diana Powell, 10 May 2001. Washington Co. marriage register lists date as 24 Oct. 1865.
  7. [S831] William Mc Ryburn Bible. "America J. G. Ryburn & Wm N. Buchanan were married Oct. 24, 1865."
  8. [S579] Mary C. Buchanan household, 1870 U.S. cens, Smyth Co., Virginia, pop. sched., St. Clair Township, p. 110 (stamped), dwelling 220, family 218, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Jan. 2003, image 31 of 40. The census taker enumerated: Mary C. Buchan [sic] 61, widowed, $700 real estate, $300 personal property; William N. 29, farmer; America J. G. 23; James W. 23; Juliam W. 4; William R. 2; all born Virginia.
  9. [S16] The presence and naming of William and America's two children on the 1870 census is confusing. The eldest child on the 1880 census, born abt 1867 was Fuller or Fullen who appears to be the same person as "Julian" on the 1870 census.
  10. [S1985] William R. Buchanan entry, Smyth Co., Virginia Death Register Vol. 1: 21 (1869).
  11. [S580] Wm N. Buckhanan household, 1880 U.S. cens., Smyth Co., Virginia, pop sched., St. Clair District, ED ED 85, page 110b (stamped), dwelling 113, family 113, viewed online at Genealogy.com, Jan 2003. The census enumerator reported: Wm N. Buckhanan, 39; America J. wife, 37; Fullen son 13; John P. son 10; James O, son 8; Mary J. dau, 6; Carrie dau 4; Wm R. and Minnie S, son and dau, both 3; all b. VA; all parents b. VA.
  12. [S2107] William Buchanan death notice, Atchison County (Missouri) Mail, Nov. 30, 1888.
  13. [S1191] Clara Gardner Miller, Gardiner-Gardner Genealogy, p. 138.
  14. [S126] John Wilson Buchanan, California state death certificate no. 53-105971 (1953); information provided by wife, Caroline Buchanan.
  15. [S2854] "Virginia Deaths and Burials, 1853-1912", index, Family Search (https:/www.familysearch.org : accessed Feb. 2012), Index based in the International Genealogical Index. entry for female (unnamed) Buchanan; b. 1875, d 5 Jan. 1875 at Blue Springs, Smyth Co., VA; parents: Wm N. Buchanan and America Buchanan. Note: the same index included an entry for a male (unnamed) Buchanan, no age, d. 5 June 1875 at Blue Springs, Smyth Co., VA; parents: Wm Buchanan and Anna Buchanan. The underlying Family History Library film numbers are different (33991 and 2048585). The first entry (and film #) are for death register entries held by the clerk of the Smyth Co. court. The second entry (and film #) are for abstracts sent by the clerk to the Virginia State auditor. Therefore the two entries can be presumed to represent the same child. Although impossible to know for sure, it is likely the first entry is the more accurate of the two.
  16. [S126] Carrie Lavinia Beach, California state death certificate no. 56-095821 (1956); information provided by Alma M. Beach.