David Buchanan
Posted by Bob Scott
Surname: BUCHANAN, WHITTAKER, TAGUE, STEWART, MCKINNISTER
David BUCHANAN in one of four pioneering brothers who came to the border of Jefferson and Ripley Counties in 1809 and whose family name is linked to Buchanan Station, the fort built in Brown Twp.
Less is known about David than his brothers Wilson, who lived in Brown Twp., William, who lived in Shelby Twp., Jefferson Co., and John, who lived in Decatur, Jefferson, and Switzerland Cos. The four were sons of Revolutionary War soldier George BUCHANAN. John purchased land on the county border in 1809 and sold sections to his brothers.
David was born about 1785/86 in Pennsylvania. This is based in the 1850 census for Brown Twp., which lists his age as 64. However, the DAR has historically listed him as born about 1777. Although the 1830 and 1840 censuses do not list ages, they show the oldest male in David's household as being younger than the oldest male in his brother's household by one age category, consistent with the age given in the 1850 census. He died by 1860 and Violet Toph's cemetery transcriptions speculate that a stone marked "D.B" in Salem Cemetery in Brown Twp. is the soldier's stone.
Given the age of his children, David had a first marriage, which has not yet been discovered. In 1814, he married Nancy BUCHANAN in Jefferson Co. Her relationship, if any, is unknown. Some descendants report she is daughter of an Alexander BUCHANAN, but proof has not been supplied to this writer. Nancy was born 1786/87 according to her age in the 1850 census. She was alive in 1880 Brown Twp., age 96, (hence born 1773/74 by this report) born Virginia. She living with George W. Buchanan, who was son of Joshua BUCHANAN, born ca. 1802. Joshua was possibly Nancy's brother. Joshua had married Rebecca McLAUGHLIN, a niece of David's.
As Nancy was at least 27 when she married David the possibility she may have been previously married. She was one of six original members of Brushy Fork Baptist Church in Sept. 1819 and received a letter of dismission on the 3rd Saturday in December 1861. David does not appear Brushy Fork records. Membership lists for Salem Christian Church (now called Cross Plains Church of Christ) do not exist for this period.
David purchased 65 acres from brother John in Ripley Co. on 16 Oct. 1829. This land was in Brown Township in the East part of the SE1/4 Section 31 Twp. 6N Range 11E for $165. He is probably the David who sold the land to son, William, on 6 March 1854 and may be the David who sold another 25 acres to William on 31 Jan. 1859.
Of David's children only one, William W., is truly documented. Family traditions list six children. Three of these--John, William W. and Hannah--are buried at Salem Cem. There is a Henry Buchanan buried next to John at Salem. Some believe he is also David's son, but family traditions do not list him.
Children of David Buchanan and first wife
1. JOHN BUCHANAN 1802/03-27 Nov. 1878 (age 75) He m. 15 Feb. 1825 in Ripley Co., Elizabeth Whittaker 1808-26 Sept. 1877, both buried Salem Cem. They lived 1850-70 census in Switzerland Co. His sister Rebecca lived with him in 1870.
2. JANE BUCHANAN 21 Sept. 1802-21 Feb. 1833 She appears to be the Jane Buchanan who m. 24 Mar. 1819 in Ripley Co., William H. Buchanan, her first cousin.
3. ANNA BUCHANAN 7 May 1811-27 Nov. 1881 died Gibbon, Neb. She m. 27 Feb. 1829 in Ripley Co., Lemuel Tague b. 25 Nov. 1810 They lived 1870 Brown Twp.
Children of David Buchanan and Nancy Buchanan
4. REBECCA BUCHANAN b. 1814/15 She m. 23 Sept. 1829 in Ripley Co., John Stewart. They divorced after 1850 when they lived together in Pleasant Twp., Switzerland Co. Rebecca lived 1870 in Pleasant Twp. with brother John Buchanan.
5. WILLIAM WILSON BUCHANAN 2 June 1816-1 Oct. 1883 He m. 21 June 1838 in Jefferson Co., Margaret McKinnister 4 Jan. 1819-24 Feb. 1908, both buried Salem Cem. William W.'s tombstone contains a family history. It lists him as son of David and names his wife Margaret and all of their children.
6. HANNAH BUCHANAN 1818-19 March 1855, buried Salem Cem. She m. 13 July 1838 in Ripley Co., Simeon Tague.
Copyright, Robert W. Scott, 1999.