• From "History of James Buchanan" by Blakemore: In or before 1702 James came with his father Alexander, and his brothers Archibald and (Samuel?) from Ireland, arriving in Nottingham, Chester County, PA. They later moved to Lancaster Co., PA.

    In "Buchanan & Gillespie" by Trimble, he states: On February 2, 1726 he and his father-in-law, Alexander Allison, asked the colony of PA for a grant of 200 acres each on Octoraro Creek. About 1743 he moved to Augusta Co., VA where his wife soon died. He was bondsman or surety on numerous estates between 1749-1759 and was a justice of the Augusta Co Court for many years. On 14 Nov 1757 he bought 415 acres crossing Hays Creek on the Borden Patent line from the executors of Benjamin Borden for 10 pounds. He devised this property to several of his sons in his will made 9 Jun 1761, and probated 19 Mar 1765.

    In "Buchanan" by Blakemore: Came from Ireland to Chester, Nottingham Twp, PA. Married first in 1722 in PA to Martha Allison. Issue: Alexander, Archibald, John, James Jr., William, Robert, Rebecca and Janet. He and his family moved to Walker's Creek, Orange County, later Augusta County, VA. Married second in 1742 to Mary Reside. Issue: George and David. The most often found record of the order of birth of the children showed Archibald as being the second son. On 7 Nov 1808 William Patton deposed in Rockbridge County, VA that the very early settlers were James Walker, Alexander Walker, Samuel Walker, James Moore, Samuel Coulter, John Wallace, Archibald Rhea, James Rutherford, James Buchanan, Andrew Hays and Charles Hays. Augusta County District Court papers, Ch II 269. He was a colonial soldier. Was made a Justice of the Peace on 21 Jun 1763. On 19 March 1765 his will was proven by Daniel Harrison and William Scott. His wife, Mary (Reside) Buchanan and his son, Alexander Buchanan qualified as executors with John Wallace and John Buchanan as their sureties. WB 3-379. Ch III 88. Gordon Aronhime 1963. On 10 Aug 1765 David Hays, John Wallace and Archibald Reagh filed an appraisal of his estate. WB 3-407. Ch III 90.
    His will was as follows:
    "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. 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 Burchanan twenty shillings current money to be paid of my estate. Fourthly I give and bequeath to my son 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 the 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 Bechanan 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 divided 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." James presided as Justice of the Peace of 30 years. He was known as a merchant.

    2d November, 1782. William Buchanan, of Augusta, Robert Buchanan and Margaret, of Montgomery, George Buchanan and Margaret, of Washington, to David Buchanan, of Augusta. James Buchanan, father of grantors, died seised of a tract on Walker's Creek, 415 acres, and devised same to the grantors and grantee. Teste: James Weir, William Walker, Joseph Wear.
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