North Carolina Grant to Archibald Bucchanan (Buchanan)
Archibald was listed in The Preemptors Middle Tennessee's First Settlers by
Irene M. Griffey, as Archibald Robinson. It is not known if this is Ms. Griffeys,
mistake or it was listed that way in the commissioner's book. There is no doubt
in reading the description of the land that it is Archibald Buchanan. Archibald
Robinson obtained a pre emp of 640 acres of land on the West side of Stones River
to join the river and include the place called the Clover Bottom whereon the old
Station stood.
It is listed with the certificates given on March 10, 1783. We know this land was
originally claimed by John Donelson and perhaps Archibald purchased the preemption
right from the Donelson family. Son in law, Andrew Steel, received a certificate
on Jan. 18, 1783, for a 640 acre tract near the junction of the Cumberland and Stones
River. It is possible that Archibald could have come earlier than 1787 and returned
to Virginia for a few years. It is possible that he had a representative here to
claim land for him. Perhaps his son James Steele, the son in law Andrew Steele or
one of his Bowen in laws, who were here early. The land was not surveyed for Buchanan
until 1788.
There is no evidence that Archibald Buchanan was living in Davidson County, prior to 1787,
when he appears on a tax list, along with his son in law, Andrew Steele. The first mention
of Archibald in court minutes is April 10, 1788, when he and Andrew Steele are among the
hands, ordered to help lay out a road from Mansker's Station to John Walkers. On July 10,
1788, Archibald is named a juror in the county court. He was chosen as a grand juror on
October 6, 1788. On October 7, 1788, Archibald is given ferry rights on Stones River. This
was likely the same location as the Hoggett's Ferry in later times.
For many years it has been believed by descendants of Archibald Buchanan that his
home was the Blue Brick that was located in Donelson. Plats of the land of Archibald
Buchanan show the land where there old Blue Brick stood was outside of the property
lines of Buchanan. It is very sad to me to learn that this was not him home. I cannot
find any source earlier than the 20th century that said this home belonged to Archibald Buchanan. The only source I know of is Miss Anna Whitworth who was a Buchanan
descendant. She stated in 1937 that the Blue Brick was Archibald's home. She believed
his land was a Revolutionary grant but we know it was not.
 |
| Plat showing land of Archibald Buchanan. Platted by Steve Rodgers THC |
North Carolina Grant to Archibald Bucchanan (Buchanan) Clover Bottom tract.
Davidson County, TN
Deed Book B, p. 224
State of North Carolina No. 583. To all to whom these presents shall cause
greeting. Know ye that we for and in consideration of the sum of ten pounds
foe every hundred acres hereby granted paid into our treasury by Archibald
Bucchanan, have given and granted and by these presents do give and grant unto
Archibald Bucchanan a tract of land containing six hundred and forty acres
lying and bing in our County of Davidson on the waters of Stones river
including the place called clover bottom. Beginning at a double white oak and
[illegible] a bluff of the river about twelve poles above the mouth of a small
branch. Running South one hundred and twenty eight poles to a dogwood and
sugar tree, West two hundred and seventy poles to a corner in James Todds
line. Thence with his line North twenty five poles to said Todds corner at the
mouth of his spring branch, up Stones river according to it's course meanders
to the beginning. With all [illegible] waters and [illegible] minerals hereditaments
and appurtenances to the said land belonging or appurtening. To hold to the said
Archibald Bucchanan his heirs and assigns forever. Which land was surveyed for
the said Bucchanan June 6, 1788 by Daniel Smith agreeable to an entry dated Dec.
11, 1784. The grant signed Samuel Johnston with seal of the State affixed and dated
Nov. 26, 1789. Countersigned James Glasgow Sec Andrew Ewing D. R.
Notes Archibald Buchanan and the Bowens
Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia
Volume I
AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS.
ORDER BOOK No. VII.
p. 90 MAY 20, 1761.
(9) Lilley Bowen qualifies admx. of Moses Bowen.
p. 159 OCTOBER 19, 1769
(32) George and William Mathews and John Maury appointed guardians
of John, Moses, William, Ann and Elizabeth, orphans of John Bowen.
ORDER BOOK No. VII.
Page 89 MAY 19, 1761.
(3) Agnes Buchanan qualifies admx. of her late husband, James
McFarron, decd., now wife of Archibald Buchanan.
page 91 AUGUST 18, 1761.
(53.2) John McFarron qualified admr. of his son, John, Jr.
Archd. Buchanan appointed guardian to John McFarron, orphan
of James McFarron. In consideration of this appointment Archd.
agrees to educate, clothe and bring up at his own expense the
orphan, and when of age pay him the estate with lawful interest.
[most people list May 19, 1761 as a marriage date for Agnes and
Archibald but it just the earliest known reference to them as a
married couple. I have not found the actual marriage date.]
Page 239.--18th
August, 1761. Archibald Buchanan's bond (with Jno. Maxwell, Chas. Hays), as
guardian (appointed) to Jno. McFerrin, orphan of James McFerrin.
MARCH, 1769 (B).
Buchanan's Administrator vs. Sayers.—Bill filed 14th January, 1767.
Archibald Buchanan, administrator of Walter Buchanan, late of County of
Chesterfield, merchant, orator. In 1764 Alexander Sayers, now deceased,
owned land in Dunkar's Bottom, on New River, and on Red Creek, at Fort
Chiswell, and mortgaged the same to Walter Buchanan on 21st January, 1764.
Alexander died 1765 intestate, leaving son Robert, eldest son and
heir. Walter Buchanan died 1766. Archibald is brother of Walter. Robert
Breckinridge was guardian of Robert Sayers, May 1767. The mortgage was
proved before the General Court, 28th April, 1764, by John Skelton, Robert
Donald and Marty Handly, witnesses. John Fleming and Joseph Maynard were
also witnesses.
Page 154.--19th March, 1753. Borden, etc.,
to John Walker, Jr., 302 acres of 92100. (Back Creek?); corner Joseph Culton,
Moffets Cr., Robert Culton. Delivered: Alexander Walker, October 2d, 1775,
Archibald Buchanan. Teste: James and Wm. McCoskry, Alexander McMullen.
Page
134.--7th November, 1762. Borden's executors, to Archibald Buchanan, £5, 406
acres, part of 92,100, crossing McCowns Run; Robert Christian'scorner; white
oak by a warm spring, on Hays' (Nays?) Creek. Teste: Robert King, John Lawrance,
John Lawrance, Jr. Delivered: Wm. Buchanan, August, 1769.
Page 119.--18th May, 1768. James Rutherford's will was presented by Wm. Buchanan,
one of the executors, who refused to execute. It is proved that Margaret, the
widow, likewise refuses. Will is proved, by William Buchanan (another witness,
James Buchanan, being dead). The other witness, Archibald Buchanan, is ordered
summoned. Administration granted Alex. Walker.
Page 379.--9th June, 1761. James Buchanan's will--To son Alexander Buchanan;
to son Archibald Buchanan; to son John Buchanan; to sons Wm. and Robt. Buchanan;
to wife Mary Buchanan; to sons Geo. and David Buchanan; to daughter Rebecky
Buchanan. Executors, wife Mary and son Alexander. Teste: Daniel Nerrity, Jas.
McCown, Wm. Scott. Proved, 19th March, 1765, by Daniel Harrison and Wm. Scott.
Executors qualified, with Jno. Wallace, Jno. Buchanan. (Mary's mark).
Page 35.--18th August, 1769. Archibald Buchanan and Agness to William Buchanan,
£45, 406 acres, part of Borden's 92,100 acres, crossing McCason's Run; Robert
Christian's Corner, oak by a Warm Spring, north branch of Hays' Creek.
