Notebook:James Buchanan

Will of James Buchanan 42

MySource:Will of James Buchanan 1760

Taken from Ancestry---original source needed

In the name of God, Amen, I, James Buchanan of the Parish of Augusta and Colony of Virginia, farmer, being sick and weak of body but of sound disposing memory, blessed be God for his mercy and seeing it is appointed for all men to die, have made this ninth day of June, and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty ^[1]

1. I first do commit my soul to Almighty God the giver and my body to be buried in such decent manner as my executors shall cause and to what worldly goods it pleased God to bestow upon me I dispose of them in the following manner and first my will is that all my lawful debts by me contracted be hastily paid by my estate as also that all debts due me may be collected by my executor and

Secondly, I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Buchanan one two-year old heifer to be paid him of my estate also my silver sleeve button.

Thirdly I give and bequeath unto my son Archibald Buchanan twenty shillings current money to be paid of my estate.

Fourthly I give and bequeath to my John Buchanan my blue strait coat and the jacket belonging to said coat and

Fifthly I give and bequeath to my sons William and Robert Buchanan to each of them 100 acres of land I now dwell on to be surveyed off the estate and of my said tract not to take any of the new cleared grassland that is farmed to them and their heirs and assigns forever and I order my executors to make them a deed for all said land and

Sixthly I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife 'Marey Buchanan the house I now dwell in and the one third the new cleared land and wood land; all her life if she does not marry if she marrys I order her to clear said place and have no further claim to said land as also I give to my well beloved wife the bed I now lie on with what cloath belongs to said bed and

Seventhly I give and bequeath to my sons George Buchanan and David Buchanan two hundred fifteen acres where I now dwell with all the improvements thereunto belonging that is to each of them one hundred seven acres and a half reserving their mother’s right to the one third during her life and I order my executors to make them a deed forever for said lands and

Eighthly I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecky Buchanan two cows and two calves and one two year old and one yearling.

One bed and the chair belonging to said bed also I give to my dearly beloved wife Marey Buchanan my sorrel mare.

I also give unto my son George Buchanan my black horse and as to the rest of my cows and sheep I order them to be equally divided between my well beloved wife Marey Buchanan and my sons George Buchanan and David Buchanan also my sheep equally devided between the said three persons also my great pot to my wife and the rest of my household goods to be devided as my wife shall see proper and

Ninthly and lastly I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife and my son Alexander to be my executors to execute this last will and testament and hereby disannul and make void all other wills and testaments made by me and do publish and declare this to be my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Signed James Buchanan.

Signed, sealed and delivered to us Daniel Harmon, James McCown and William Scott.”

Family Bible

From: Ancestry

"The following was taken from an old Bible written by Alexander Buchanan, one of the sons of John Buchanan. The Bible belonged to Grundy Buchanan of Rich Valley, Virginia. This copy was sent by children of Judge John A. Buchanan to William Buchanan of Glade Spring, Virginia." (Obvious typos corrected).

Alexander Buchanan, native of Ireland, had two sons who came to America about the beginning of the 18th century, settled in Chester County, Nottingham Township, Pennsylvania. Their names were James and Archibald.

"James Buchanan came to Augusta County, Virginia, and married Martha Allison of the same county. Their children were:

1. Alexander, never married;
2. Archibald, married Nancy Bowen, went to Kentucky
3. John, married Martha Buchanan, sister of John (old) John Buchanan and Margaret Buchanan, wife of Charles Campbell.
4. James--killed by Indians in Tennessee, I have heard
5. Robert, married Margaret McCutchan (Polly’s line)
6. George, married Margaret McAfee--half brother
7. David, married Susanna Wares--half brother
8. Rebecca, married William Hall
9. ninth died young^[2]

George and David were the children of James Buchanan’s second wife, Mary Resido, ^[3] and I have heard they went to Tennessee.

My great-grandfather Robert Buchanan came to Wythe County as an early settler of this part of the state. My grandfather was a son of Robert and Magaret McCutchan Buchanan; his name was Alexander. His wife was Margaret Walker, both of Wythe, but died in Smyth.

My father was James Augustus Buchanan and my mother Mary Glenn Thomas. Father thought your family and his were the same but could not race the relationship. I send you this paper. You may find something in your old Bible that will throw some light on it.

Footnotes

1. ↑ One source gives: Will made on June 9, 1761. He died 1764 in Abingdon, Virginia and his Will probated March 19, 1765.
2. ↑ This listing does not include William who is mentioned in James will of 1760/61. Possibly William is the child here described as having "died young".
3. ↑ Most genealogist's identify her as "Mary Resides, or even "Rerides". Work is needed to confirm the spelling of her name.