Updated 06/20/98. Name count approximately 1200.
The Smyth Co. VA Buchanans descended from John Buchanan Sr. of Scotland thru Alexander Buchanan of Ireland to James Buchanan who immigrated to Chester Co. PA abt 1725. He married Martha Allison of Chester Co. PA. and moved to Augusta Co. VA Abt 1743. His son John married Martha Buchanan (apparently a different Buchanan line in Augusta Co. as I can find no connection) and moved to Locust Cove in Rich Valley, Smyth Co. which starts the Smyth Co. line of Buchanans documented in these reports. Note that generations 10 and 11 of the report detailing my ancestors repeat. As far as I can tell, this is due to the Bowen family sisters, Margaret and Nancy, connecting the Ward and Gillespie families by marriage early in the tree. Levisa Ward connected the Barns and Gillespie families with her marriage to William Barns and later Clinton Barns and Sarah Jane Gillespie connected the Bowen lines back together with their marriage. Some other marriage connections like this also occured, all of which makes me my own sixth cousin. What a mess!
This work stems from a history done by my grandfather, Raymond Madison Buchanan, Sr. I am continuing to expand it using "Southwest Virginia Families" by David B. Trimble, as well as "Smyth County History and Traditions" by Goodridge Wilson.
Visit http://www.serve.com/smythgen/SmythGEN.htm for more Smyth Co. VA information.
Also included in this site is the descendant tree of George Buchanan, an ancestor of President James Buchanan, Jr. The President is #54 in this report. My family is not related to this group. I have included it because of the numerous e-mails that I have received seeking info on this family. Hope this helps some of you. This tree was published in the Summer 1997 issue of "The Buchanan Banner" Vol XXV #3. Click on the link below to visit the Clan Buchanan Society in America where you can join the organization and receive the magazine.
I am always interested in hearing from long lost relatives. E-mail me if you have info to share or if I can help you with the above mentioned reference books. I am also beginning to work on my mother's tree, the Jacksons and Faggs of Pulaski Co. VA.
|
Southwest VA Smyth Co. Buchanan Families