William Buchanan
Posted by Bob Scott
Surname: Buchanan, Yount, O'Neal, Means, Cowen, Shepherd
William BUCHANAN was a pioneering farmer, who came to the border area of Jefferson and Ripley Counties in 1809. He was one of four sons of Rev. War Soldier George BUCHANAN.
William died in February 1845, aged 73 years 11 months, according to his tombstone. He is buried in a small family cemetery several hundred feet southwest of Buchanan Station. However, his tombstone and one for a granddaughter were moved to the nearby Buchanan Family Cemetery between 1972 and 1984.
It is likely that he is the William BUCHANAN who is on the 1795 tax list for Scott Co., Ky. Brother-in-law George BENEFIEL is also on that list. William was married before1796 as his oldest son, William H. Buchanan, was born in Kentucky that year. He may have been the William who married Fanny Buchanan in 1801 in Franklin Co., Ky.
Two Wilson Buchanans are listed 22 May 1797 on the Woodford Co., tax list, but this probably should have been William and Wilson. In 1801, William and his three brothers are all listed on the Franklin Co. tax list with William owning three horses. The four disappear from Kentucky records by 1802 and had probably moved to the area of modern Florence, Switzerland Co., where brother John purchased land in 1804. John then purchased land in Ripley Co. on the Jefferson Co., border in 1809.
William and brother Wilson were fined in Jefferson Co. for assaults occurring in that county in 1812. William then purchased 60 acres in Section 34 Twp. 6N Range 11E in Ripley Co. from brother John on 25 Feb. 1819.
His marriages have not been resolved. A William Buchanan, presumably this one, married Catherine Yount 1813 in Jefferson Co. However, William's widow as listed in Ripley Co. probate records is listed in Elizabeth and her probate record in 1848 in Jefferson Co. lists the same five children.
One record says that William married Elizabeth Barber, but offers no proof. The Yount family, of German origin, may have followed the German custom in children had a saints name as first name and a middle name for everyday use. So his widow may have been Catherine Elizabeth YOUNT.
The probate of William's estate in Ripley Co. includes a map that shows the division of his land. His estate was probated in Ripley Co.; his widow's will was probated in 1848 in Jefferson. Both estates name the same six children.
Children of William Buchanan
1. WILLIAM H. BUCHANAN 22 Aug. 1796-8 May 1877, buried Jefferson Church Cem. He was born in Kentucky according to the 1850 census. He m. 1st Jane Buchanan, his cousin, on 24 Mar. 1819 in Ripley Co. She lived 21 Sept. 1802-21 Feb. 1833 He m. 2nd on 10 Oct. 1833 in Ripley Co., Nancy O'Neill 25 Nov. 1816/17-28 Dec. 1862, buried Jefferson Church. William owned land in the Barbersville area in Jefferson Co.
2. MARGARET BUCHANAN ca. 1801-ca. 1886 (age 49, 185 census) She m. 15 Dec. 1825 in Ripley Co., William Cowen, ca. 1801-18 Oct. 1882 They lived 1850 Brown Twp., 1860 Otter Creek Twp. In 1880 both were listed in the Ripley Co. infirmary.
3. ELIZABETH BUCHANAN 31 July 1810-27 Feb. 1889 She m. John Cowen March 1807-27 Jan. 1887, born Bourbon Co., died Wells Twp., Rice Co., Minn., both buried Maple Lawn Cem., Faribault, Minn. His biography in the History of Rice Co., published in 1882, gives birth dates. It says he came to Indiana in 1833, so he may not be William Cowen's brother. The family lived in winter of 1854/55 in Des Moines Co., Iowa, then moved to Minnesota. They lived 1870 Wells Twp. Rice Co., Minn
4. MARY BUCHANAN 1814-18 Mar. 1841, buried Jefferson Church Cem. She m. 27 Aug. 1835 in Ripley Co., Robert Means He lived 1850 Brown Twp. (age 36) His second wife was named Elizabeth. This is probably Elizabeth Bales. She and Robert received a license in Jefferson Co. on 21 Apr. 1842.
5. MARTHA BUCHANAN died May 1847 She m. 23 Sept. 1826 in Ripley Co., John Hamilton, who died in May 1846. He was clerk and recorder in Jackson Co., Ind.
6. NANCY BUCHANAN b. 1815/16 She m. 15 Nov. 1834 in Ripley Co., William Shepherd. They lived 1850 Shelby Twp., Ripley Co. A group of minor heirs of a Nancy Shepherd are listed 8 Sept. 1876 in Ripley Co. This Nancy owned land in NE1/4 NE/14 Section 15 Twp. 6N Range 12E.
Copyright: Robert W. Scott, 1999