John Buchanan (1759 - 1832)

Born 12 Jan 1759 in Cumberland, Colony of Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Kennedy) Buchanan — married 1786 in Davidson, Tennessee, United States

Husband of Sarah Vincent (Ridley) Buchanan — married 15 Oct 1791 in Nashville, Davidson, Tennessee, USA

Descendants

Died 7 Nov 1832 at age 73 in Davidson County, Tennessee, United States

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This profile is part of the Buchanan Name Study.

Biography

MY 4TH G-GRANDFATHER: Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Sons of the American Revolution (SAR membership of Patrick M. Harrison) are available on the line of Major John Buchanan. He was ordered by the Committee of the Cumberland Association on April 1, 1783 to lay off a road with Capt. Daniel Williams, from Nashborough toward Mansker's Station. Listed on the 1787 Davidson Co., tax roll with 1 taxable. Land purchase on Cedar Lick Creek, 1788. Summoned for Davidson Co., jury duty November, 1788.

The following is taken from the Bible Records-Tombstone Inscriptions records in the Mississippi Department of Archives, [929.3,T25D V2 C3.] The history of the Buchanan Family is written by Henry Buchanan There was no more eventful occasion in the life of the nation than this expedition in the year 1779 from the Watauga Valley to the new settlement on the Cumberland. The party of John Buchanan, father and son, arrived at the French Lick, where Nashville now stands, in the early spring of 1780. Less than five hundred souls, of whom one hundred and fifty were all that were able to bear arms, constituted the entire colony of the Cumberland Valley. 'The pioneer settlers were considered intruders, and a war of extermination was waged upon them by the Indians for fifteen years. Every settler became an armed occupant who held his life and his fort or block-house only by the strength of his arm. (Ellet's, The Women of the Revolution)

Davidson Co. Tenn., Deeds: Page 96, NC #135, By an act for the relief of the officers and soldiers of the Continental Line, in consideration for the bravery and zeal of Thomas Thompson, a private in said Line, granted unto John Buchanan, assignee of Thomas Thompson, a tract of land containing 640 acres in Davidson Co., on the waters of Mill Creek adjoining lands of John Tuckey, Jason Thompson, and Lardner Clark's preemption.

This 14 March 1786, surveyed 20 July 1785 by John Buchanan, by virtue of a military warrant #817, located 19 April 1785.

Four miles east of Fort Nashborough was an inviting scope of country, through which a small creek found its way to the Cumberland River, not far distant. It was on the east bank of this stream, later known as Mill Creek - because its waters furnished the power for the first grist mill in the community - that Major John Buchanan built his second station, which bore his name. The spot was a natural fortification: a bluff of rock rising perpendicular from the creek some thirty or forty feet high, so as to make it impregnable from an enemy approaching from the west. Stretching out in an eastwardly direction was a wide expanse of level land, from which the approach was protected by stockade and block-house. The creek makes a bend around the bluff which added much to its defense. It was a picturesque place for a home as well as a fort, the natural beauties of which still exist. A large spring under the bluff, whose sparkling waters once cooled the lips of the tribal hunter and quenched the thirst of the hardy pioneer, continues to flow.

John Buchanan Sr was tall, spare, blue eyed and black headed, John Jr. was a thick set man, five feet, six inches tall. They had both been soldiers in the Carolinas under Colonel Pickens. On account of his great bravery and fearlessness in continuous warfare with the Indians, Major Buchanan had become the terror of the savages as well as the pride of the Cumberland Valley. It is said that he was ever dressed in buckskin from head to foot, equipped with rifle and powder horn, ready for a scouting expedition when he courted Sarah Ridley (better known as Sally) who lived in a fort, two miles distant.(John's first wife Margaret Kennedy had died in 1789).

In the year 1792, the population of the Cumberland Valley, principally around Nashville, was seven thousand. Of these about one thousand were men of arms. Many efforts had been made to establish peace between the settlers of Tennessee and the red men of the forest. It was thought in May 1792, that amicable relations had been established and less care was taken in guarding the forts and the mounted rangers were dismissed. But the crafty Indians, professing friendship and pretending to be reconciled to peace, were busy preparing for an attack under the leadership of Colonel Watts. Some of the settlers had considered it unwise to disperse the soldiers at such a crisis and among these was Major Buchanan. His station , being four miles east of Nashville, on the farther side of Mill Creek, was the outpost toward the Indians and necessarily exposed to the first assault.

Having only about a dozen men living in his station, he asked several courageous young men to spend several days with him. He told no one but his wife of his fears. On Sunday, about midnight, September 30, 1792, the attack was made on Buchanan's Station. The stockade had been repaired, but its force consisted of only twenty gunmen besides Buchanan - James Bryant, Thomas Wilcox, Jacob Castleman, Abraham Castleman, James O'Connor, James Mulherrin, Thomas McCrory, Morris Shane, Wm. Kennedy, Robin Kennedy, George Findleston, Samuel Blair, Charles Herd, Sampson Williams, Samuel McCurray, Robin Turnbull, Robin Hood, Thos. Lattimer, Robin Thompson and Joe Duratt, the last named being a half-breed, but a friend of the whites. (Merritt's History of Tennessee.) (It is also indicated that James Todd was also there.)

The Indian army consisted of 280 warriors - 197 Cherokees and 83 Creeks. Shawnees living at Running Water were numbered with the Cherokees. ("American Historical Magazine," VII, p.80) The whole was under the command of Colonel John Watts.

When the Indians were close enough to hear the lowing of the cows at Buchanan's Station (the families lived within a stockade with large doors), they halted for consultation. Watts wanted to advance and fall upon Nashville, but Talotiskee, of the Creek division, insisted on destroying Buchanan's Station. After much argument, they attacked the station at midnight. The approach of the Indians was disclosed by the running of the cattle and they were discovered and fired upon when within ten yards of the gate. Thirty balls passed through a single port hole of the 'overjutting' and lodged in the roof, within the circumference of a hat.

The Indians were never more than ten yards from the block-house and large numbers tried to fire the lower walls. A young chief, Chiachatella, ascended the roof with a torch but was shot down and killed. The Creek Chief Talotiskee and the Shawnee's Warrior of Running Water were also killed. Colonel Watts fell pierced through both thighs with a rifle ball and was carried away on a stretcher. Several other warriors were wounded and later died. Toward morning the Indians withdrew. No casualties on the side of the besieged. (Moore's Tennessee, the Volunteer State).

Major Buchanan's policy during the battle was to leave the impression that the fort contained a large garrison. He had his men fire often, and occasionally in volleys. The women held men's caps to their port holes to deceive the Indians as to the number of men. But alas, the bullets gave out. Mrs. Buchanan, resourceful as usual, with Nancy [Buchanan] Mulherrin, Mrs. Shane and others, moulded 300 bullets out of pewter plates and spoons. (According to the Edmiston Family History, Thomas Edmiston and his wife Martha Buchanan - a daughter of Robert Buchanan and his wife Mary - were in the Cumberland Settlement at the same time - the history says 'His wife made bullets all night during an Indian siege.' - She may have been at Buchanan's Station during this fight!). Mrs. Buchanan also gave the tired soldiers brandy and cheered them continuously.

In order to keep up a show of good spirits, the men frequently cried out to the Indians, 'shoot bullets, you squaws! why don't you put powder in your guns?' This was understood for Watts and many others spoke good English and they replied, daring them to come out and fight like men. Mrs. Buchanan gave an Irish man named O'Connor an old blunderbuss and told him to shoot. He pulled the trigger when the rest fired three or four times, having it reloaded every time, and when he pulled trigger again, he landed under the bed. This was the first formidable invasion of the Cumberland Valley and its tide was rolled back as much by the presence of mind and heroic firmness of Sarah Buchanan and Nancy Mulherrin as by the rifles of their husbands and friends.

The fame of the gallant defense went abroad and the young wife of Major Buchanan was celebrated as the greatest heroine of the West (Ellet's, The Women of the Revolution). This victory saved the settlement but it was many years later before its inhabitants were safe from the terrors of the Tomahawk and the scalping knife. (Note: 1990 - Everything is now destroyed, except the cemetery where John Buchanan and Sarah Buchanan lie with about twenty or thirty others, with no identifying monuments.)

The present ground where the cemetery lies is on the edge of the polluted Mill creek in the middle of Nashville proper between downtown and the airport, just off Elm Hill Pike. The site is in the middle of an industrial area and a small company keeps the grass mowed in the cemetery. The Daughters of the War of 1812 have placed a border around Major John Buchanan and his wife as Major Buchanan fought for 'Andy' Jackson in that fight.

It is said that Henry Buchanan and his sister, children of Major John and Sarah, were in the woods alone one day, when they were attacked by Indians, scalped and left unconscious. They recovered but afterwards had to wear wigs. Situated only a short distance north of the old home lies the family graveyard. Many graves have long since been erased by time. For instance, it is known that the bodies of Archibald Buchanan, cousin of John, and his wife Agnes Bowen, were removed from the garden of the 'Old Blue-Brick' on Stewart's Ferry Road by their son, James, when the homestead was sold, and both placed in the same grave in the Buchanan graveyard. However, no trace can be found of same.

OLD TIMES IN TENNESSEE WITH HISTORICAL, PERSONAL, AND POLITICAL SCRAPS AND SKETCHES. BY Jo. C. Guild, Judge of the Law Court of Nashville. Nashville, Travel, Eastman & Howell, 1878, Start P.300 XIII. EXPLOITS OF MAJ. BUCHANAN, FOUNDER OF BUCHANAN'S STATION. Major John Buchanan was born at Harrisburg, Pa., (across the river from Harrisburg, in Cumberland Co., Pa.), January 12, 1759. His father was of Scotch·Irish descent. His mother's maiden name was Jane Trindle. The family consisted of three sons, John, Samuel, and Alexander; and two daughter, Sally, who married James Todd, and Nancy, who married James Mulherrin.

This family removed from Harrisburg to North Carolina, but remained only a few years in that State. Then they went to Kentucky, and settled where the town of Danville now stands. After remaining there four years, they, in company with friends, came to Tennessee, making the trip through the wilderness to the Cumberland river opposite the mouth of Lick Branch. It was in the early part of December, during a very cold season, and they found the river frozen over, but were compelled to wait until the ice was sufficiently hard to bear their weight before they could cross, which was finally effected on 14th of December, 1778.

They found Gen. James Robertson and family and one other family living in humble log·cabins on the bluff near where the county jail now stands, then called the Spout Spring, from which Spring (Church) street took its name. Gen. Robertson and Maj. Buchanan found in each other the elements for a confidence that ripened into a lasting friendship. The third log- cabin was soon erected for Maj. Buchanan, whilst accommodations were provided for the other members of the new accession to the settlement. Maj. Buchanan was a surveyor and hunter, and these pursuits constantly called him into the woods, thus enabling him to gain a thorough knowledge of the Indian character, their sagacity, their treachery. and their bloodthirsty purposes against the white settlers.

Robertson and Buchanan immediately set about erecting a fort for protection and defense against the depredations and attacks of the Indians, and shortly after its completion, Indian "signs" were reported to have been seen near the fort. On the 2nd day of April, 1781, a desperate effort was made by the Indians to take this fort. A numerous body of Cherokee warriors came in the night and lay around in ambush. In the morning three of them came in sight, and fired at the fort and immediately retreated. Nineteen horsemen in the fort at once mounted their horses and, under the lead of Maj. Buchanan, followed them in a southerly direction.

When they reached the steep and abrupt banks of the branch emptying into the river above the present city wharf (now known as Wilson's Spring branch), a few Indians were seen on the opposite side of that stream hiding behind trees and making demonstrations as if preparing to give battle. It appears that this was only a ruse to decoy the men from the fort, for a considerable body arose from their concealment and fired upon the horsemen. The latter dismounted and gave them battle, and returned their fire with great alacrity. Another party of Indians lay concealed in the cedars ready when the fighting should commence at the branch to rush into the fort in the rear of the combatants. The horses ran back toward the fort, leaving their riders on foot to fight their way out as best they could.

To guard against the expected assault from the Indians against those in the fort, its gates were closed, and preparations made for defense. Meantime the battle raged without. Retreat was cut off by the party concealed in the cedars, and the position of Maj. Buchanan and his men was extremely critical. The Indians were advancing upon them rapidly on either side, and there was no time for consultation and concert of action in whatever course it might have been thought best to pursue. It was a crisis when each man had to act upon his own judgment.

Emptying the contents of his rifle in the breast of an advancing Indian, Maj. Buchanan rushed to the bluff at the river for the purpose of gaining shelter while reloading his gun. An Indian having discovered his place of retreat, approached very cautiously to the edge of the bluff, and began peer about in the hope of discovering the Major's hiding place. While thus engaged, Buchanan sent a ball crashing through his brain. Loading his gun again quickly, he started for the fort, but before reaching the brow of the bluff he discovered an Indian coming bounding like a frightened antelope in the direction where he stood, but apparently having his attention fixed in an opposite direction. The trusty rifle was leveled and another red-skin fell before his unerring aim.

While the Major was thus engaged, his companions were fighting with equal desperation, and quite a number of Indians fell before their deadly aim. In this engagement five of Buchanan's men were killed, his brother Alexander being of the number, and two badly wounded. One of them (Isaac Luas) had his thigh broken by a ball. His comrades had gotten within the fort, and the Indians rushed upon him to take his scalp. One of them running toward him and being but a short distance from the victim of his barbarous revenge was fired upon and shot through the body by Lucas, who with his rifle well charged, was lying unable to rise from the ground. The Indian died instantly. Those in the fort in order to save Lucas, kept up brisk fire upon the pursuing Indians, and finally drove them off when Lucas was brought into the fort.

"Among those who escaped toward the fort" says Ramsey "was Edward Swanson who was so closely pursued by an Indian warrior as to be overtaken by him. The Indian punched him with the muzzle of his gun, and pulled trigger, when the gun snapped. Swanson laid hold of the muzzle, and wringing the lock one side, spilled the priming from the pan. The Indian looked into the pan, and finding no powder in it, struck him with the gun -barrel, the muzzle foremost; the stroke not bringing him to the ground, the Indian clubbed his gun, and striking Swanson with it near the lock, knocked him down. At this moment Maj. Buchanan, seeing the certain death that impended his comrade, gallantly rushed from the fort to the rescue of Swanson.

Coming near enough to fire, he discharged his rifle at the Indian, who gritting his teeth at receiving its contents, retired to a stump near at hand. Buchanan brought Swanson off', and they both got into the fort without further injury. From the stump to which the wounded warrior retired, was found after the Indian forces had withdrawn, a trail made by the body dragged along the ground much marked with blood. When the Indians fired upon the horsemen at the branch, the party of them lying in ambush in the cedars, rose and marched toward the river, forming a line between the combatants and the fort.

Meantime, when the firing between the dismounted horsemen and the enemy had commenced, the horses took fright, and ran in full speed on the South side of the Indian line toward the French Lick passing by the fort on the bluff. Seeing this, a number of Indians .in the line, eager to get possession of the horses, left their ranks and went in pursuit of them. At this instant the dogs in the fort, seeing the confusion and hearing the firing ran toward the branch, and came to that part of the Indian line that remained yet unbroken, and having been trained to hostilities against the Indians, made a most furious onset upon them, and disabled them from doing anything more than defending themselves.

Whilst thus engaged the whites passed near them, through the interval in the Indian line made by those who had gone in pursuit of the horses. Had it not been for these fortunate circumstances, the white men could never have succeeded in reaching the fort through the Indian line which had taken post between it and them." The Indians finally retired, and although their loss could never be ascertained, it must have been considerable.

Shortly after this incident, Maj. Buchanan went out hunting" on Richland creek, several miles west of Nashville. Having the luck to kill a young doe, after skinning and selecting the choice pieces to take home with him, he converted the hide into a knap- sack in which he placed his venison. Throwing this knap- sack over his neck and shoulders, he commenced to retrace his steps toward home. The country was covered with a heavy growth of cane and pea- vine, through which the buffalo had beaten a track from Richland creek to the French Lick, now called the Sulphur Spring.

Maj. Buchanan was returning by this path, and at a point some distance out, he came to where a tree had fallen across the path, and the buffalo had made a path around the top as well as the root of this tree. As he approached the spot, he turned to the left, and just at that moment he heard the voices of Indians coming around by the right. To his astonishment there were seven Indian warriors within twenty feet of him, who had that day stolen two boys from the fort, and had these boys with them. Before the Indians discovered him, Maj. Buchanan shot the leader dead, which so frightened the others that they took to their heels in a wild scamper through the brush, cane, and pea- vines, the two boys running with their Indian captors, fearing that they would be killed if they attempted to escape. The Major retreated in a different direction.

On his arrival at home the next morning a company of men started out in pursuit of the Indians to recover the boys if possible. They found Maj. Buchanan's venison where he had thrown it off at the fallen tree, the camp where the Indians had spent the night, and a new~made grave where they had buried their companion who had been killed by Maj. Buchanan, but they did not succeed in recovering the boys. Several years afterward the younger of the boys came home and reported that the night after Buchanan had killed the Indian, his brother made his escape and ran down Richland creek. One of the Indians followed him, and returned about daybreak bringing his brother's scalp with him, which he showed. to the younger brother, and told him that if he attempted to run off, he would kill and scalp him.

The boy remained with the Indians a long time before he succeeded in getting away. They treated him very kindly, but made him stay with the squaws and children and work. These boys were named Clayton. After his return from captivity, young Clayton and another young man, named Gee, were out all a scouting tour in the direction of the Big Black Fox camp, a noted Indian camping ground, near where Murfreesboro now stands, and as they were riding through a dense cedar forest about two miles East of the present site of Lavergne, they were fired on by a party of Indians and killed. They were not found until several days afterward, and then by attention having been attracted by the hovering of buzzards about the spot where their bodies were lying.

Maj. Buchanan was married twice -first, in 1786, to Miss Margaret Kennedy, who bore him one son and the second time in 1791, to Miss Sally Ridley, daughter of Capt. George Ridley, who bore him nine sons and four daughters. After remaining four years in Nashville, he located on Mill Creek, where the Tennessee and Pacific Railroad crosses that stream, four miles from the city. The place is known in tradition and history as Buchanan's Station, and is memorable on account of having been attacked about midnight on the 30th of September, 1792 by about nine hundred Cherokee, Creek, and Choctaw warriors, who were held at bay and finally repulsed by twenty -one in the fort. This repulse has been pronounced a feat of bravery which has scarcely been surpassed in all the annals of border warfare." The following are the names of the men who were in the fort, and who acted with such conspicuous bravery on that occasion: Maj. John Buchanan, James Bryant. Thomas Wilcox, James O'Connor, Robin Castleman, James Mulherrin, Thos. McCrory, Morris Shane, William Kennedy, Robin Kennedy, Samuel Blair, Jo DuRat, George Finalson, Charles Herd, Sampson Williams, John Castleman, Samuel McMurry, Robin Turnbull, Thomas Latimore, Robin Hood, and Robin Thompson.

Some three or four months before this battle, George Finalson, a Frenchman, and Jo. DuRat, a half-breed, who were on terms of intimacy with the Indians as well as the white settlers, and entertaining the warmest sympathies for Maj. Buchanan, determined to communicate to him the purpose of the Cherokee, Creek, and Choctaw Indians to unite their forces, attack and destroy his fort, and after murdering those who had taken refuge in that place, march on to Nashville and capture the town, and then divide the plunder they might secure. On learning the purpose of the Indians, Maj. Buchanan set about repairing and strengthening his feeble fortification. About five hundred State troops had been ordered to Buchanan's Fort to meet and repel the Indians.

The time at which the Indians were to have attacked the fort having passed, and no sign of their coming, the matter was looked upon as a ruse on the part of Finalson and DuRat Rat to get up a little excitement, or that they were themselves unduly excited, if not frightened, the troops were disbanded the Friday previous to the attack on Sunday night. Maj. Buchanan, however, prevailed on a number of his friends remain with him having the fullest confidence in the information given him by Finalson and Du Rat touching the purpose of the Indians, which was fully verified within three days.

The moon was full the night of September 30, and was fully unobscured the smallest cloud. As the clock struck the hour of twelve, two faithful sentinels at the entrance gate desired in the distance the approach of the Indians. The sentinels awaited their coming until they were within easy range, when the sharp report of two rifles rung out upon the still air of that bright moonlight night, the one killing the Cherokee chief and the other severely wounding the celebrated Choctaw chief John Watts, who was shot through one thigh while the ball lodged in the other. The Indians returned the fire, and continued a constant and very heavy fire upon the fort for an hour.

A few yards from the fort a cellar had been dug out over which a house was soon to be built. The Indians took refuge in this as a safe retreat, from which they hoped to he able to pick off the men in the fort as opportunity should present. The block-houses were so constructed as to give the whites a decided advantage, which was improved with telling effect by some expert riflemen from the upper port-holes. Whenever an Indian raised his head above the ground sufficiently high to be seen, he was sure to be picked off by one of the expert shots in the fort.

Many were the bloody traces made by hurriedly dragging the bodies of dead Indians down the rough, rocky declivity from that fatal spot. The principal burying ground of the Indians was at the lower extremity of Todd's Knob, near the mouth of Stone's river, on the farm now owned by Maj. David H. McGavock, and numerous are the graves yet to be seen containing the bones of red men who fell in the sanguinary attempt to take the fort on that memorable night of Sept. 30, 1792.

Prior this attack, Maj. Buchanan's sagacity and apprehension of the purpose of overriding and destroying him put him actively on his guard against surprise and he was at all times fully prepared to meet any emergency. The fort was repaired and strengthened, block-houses built, guns cleaned up and placed in position for use at a moment's warning, powder-horns filled, bullets moulded and stored in convenient places; and although the spring was but a few yards distant from the fort, to guard against a siege, all vessels for holding water were carefully filled and conveniently arranged for use should necessity require. So that when the Indians came he was fully prepared for them.

The attack being made at midnight, the inmates were all in bed and asleep, except the two sentinels on guard at the outer gate, and when these faithful sentinels discharged their guns at the advancing Indians, every man and woman in the fort was soon at the post of duty. The attach was so sudden and the emergency so great that no time was lost by the inmates of the fort in dressing, and they commenced the fight with only the clothes on-many in only their under garments- in which they had retired for the night. One lady fearing capture, and believing the women and children would not be killed but carried off, dressed herself and children ready for the fate that awaited them.

James O'Conner, who was one of the inmates of the fort, was a gallant son of the Emerald Isle, as his Irish brogue clearly indicated, but was much addicted to strong drink. He had that day been to Nashville, and had imbibed just enough make him quite lively. He had returned to the fort only about an hour before the attack by the Indians. While the battle was at its hottest, Jimmy O'Conner appeared before Maj. Buchanan and asked permission to use an old long pistol owned by the mother of the Major, and usually kept loaded and laid away under the old lady's pillow. His request was granted and Jimmy was soon at an upper port- hole, which was reached by means of a ladder, and thrusting his blunderbuss, which was known as "My Grandmammy's Pocket Piece," through the port-hole, pulled trigger, and supposing that he had fired, and that at least one Indian had been made to "bite the dust," returned to the Major for another load. This" pocket piece" required just four times the quantity of powder that an ordinary rifle did.

Jimmy repeated his visit to the Major for "another load" for the fourth time, thinking he had fired each time. At the fifth trial his blunderbuss went off, with a report , akin to that made by a six-pounder, and sending poor Jimmy backward from the top of the ladder to the floor, a distance of eight feet, and inflicting a severe bruise on his shoulder. No sooner had he reached the floor than he was up and on his feet again, and going the Major, he exclaimed with all the enthusiasm of his nature, "Be jabbers, I give it to 'em; but she give me a tremendous pounce!"

The night was quite cool, especially to those who were dressed only in their nightclothes. Mrs. Sally Buchanan was kept busy in furnishing the men with powder and bullets, and occasionally she warmed up their spirits with a "drop" of Jimmy O'Conner's favorite beverage. Mrs. Buchanan was large, active, cheerful, brave, and daring, knowing no fear and shunning no responsibility; with a strong mind, generous impulses, and sensitive to the wants of the suffering. She was well calculated to encourage the little band then defending the fort to deeds of great bravery.

During the fight Mrs. Buchanan observed one man shirking duty. She approached him and asked resolutely, "What are you doing there, Tom? Why are you not fighting?" And then she added with emphasis "I would rather be killed fighting like a man than crouching in a corner like a coward." Go to your gun this instant for your own credit's sale." Of course such a speech had its desired effect. The lady who had dressed herself and children, was so completely the victim of fear that she left her room and advanced. toward the gate of the fort. Mrs. Buchanan seeing her leading her children along, hastened to her side and inquired, "What the world are you going to do, Phoebe?" "To surrender was her reply. Never, explained Mrs. Buchanan, as long as there is life in this body! Go back to your room and keep out of the way; we will whip the Indians!" And back Phoebe went with her children.

Mrs. Buchanan was frequently by the Major's side during the to see that his orders were promptly executed while she occasionally visited every part of the fort to encourage the brave men upon whose coolness and intrepidity so much depended. Never were husband and wife better suited to each other or possessed in a greater degree the traits which lead to heroic daring - even in those days when those traits were so conspicuously developed in men and women -than were John and Sally Buchanan. It is a memorable incident that eleven days after this engagement Mrs. Buchanan gave birth to her first child.

In an account of the attack on Buchanan's Station in a letter to the Secretary of War, Gov. Blount says: Their (the Indian's) approach was suspected by the running in of cattle that had taken fright at them, and upon examination, they were found rapidly advancing within ten yards of the gate; from this place and distance they received the first fire from the man who discovered them (John McRoy). They immediately returned the fire, and continued a very heavy and constant firing upon the station (block-houses surrounded with a stockade) for an hour, and were repulsed with considerable loss, without injuring man, woman, or child in the station.

During the whole time of attack the Indians were not more distant than ten yards from block-house, and often in large numbers around the lower wall, attempting to put fire to it. One ascended the roof with a torch where he was shot, and falling to the ground renewed his attempts to fire the bottom logs, and was killed. The Indians fired thirty balls through a port- hole of the over jutting, which lodged in the roof in the circumference of a hat, and those sticking in the walls on the side were very numerous. Upon viewing the ground next morning, it appeared that the fellow who was shot from the roof was Cherokee half-breed, and there was much blood, and signs that many dead had been dragged off, and litters having been made to carry their wounded to their horses, which they had left a mile from the station." The loud report of "My Grandmammy's Pocket Piece," in the hands of Jimmy O Connor impressed the Indians with the belief that the whites had a cannon in the fort, and caused them to retreat sooner perhaps than they otherwise would have done. So much for the part the "Pocket Piece" played in this memorable engagement.

For sixteen years after his settlement on Mill creek, Maj. Buchanan was compelled to keep a guard constantly on watch for the protection of those who cultivated his farm. His brother Samuel was cut of from the guard whilst plowing, and wounded. His old father was shot down in his own house by a band of Indians while the men were out at work.

John Buchanan Dec'd, WILL, Recorded June 3, 1833: The last will and testament of John Buchanan of Davidson County in the State of Tennessee. I give and bequeath to my wife Mrs. Sally Buchanan the tract of land on which I now live, to wit; Grant #83 for 640 acres of land on Hamiltons Creek settled by George Wright being part of grant #2159 conveyed to me by John White to have and to hold during her natural life and no longer and at her death, I give and bequeath said lands to my son Richard A. Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever.

I also devise to my said wife all my personal estate of every description including money, bonds, stock, Negroes & out of which she must first pay all my just debts. And I desire that in her good judgment and description she will when any of our younger children get married, out of said personal estate, endeavor to do as good a part by him or her as we have done by our other children when they married. This however, I design to a simple request and an appeal to her judgment, she can do it or not as she thinks best.

I give and bequeath to my son John Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever the tract of land whereupon he now lives in Williamson to being 600[A] Grant #1797, also 436 acres of land lying in said county of Williamson on McCrory's Creek where Mr. McGuire now lives, being the same land that is specified in grant #1945.

I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever, the following tracts of land all adjoining and lying in a body to wit; 640 acres and specified in grant #2244, 458 acres contained and specified in grant #2405 and 100 acres conveyed to me by Robert Searcy, John H. Smith, and Jesse Blackfran, all lying in the County of Davidson and Williamson and on Mill Creek.

I give and bequeath to my son William Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever, the following tracts or parcels of land, situate and lying in Wilson County on Jennings Fork of Round Lick Creek to wit grant #1 for 640 acres (240 acres of which has been taken away by a better claim and grant #7 for 640 acres.)

I give and bequeath to my son in law Thomas H. Everett his heirs and assigns forever, the following tract of land in Davidson County and McCrory's Creek to wit; 600 acres of land whereon he now lives and also 50 acres of land where Semley now lives; grant #643.

I give and bequeath to my son in law George Goodwin and his wife Jane (my daughter) their heirs and assigns forever the following tracts of land lying in Davidson County to wit; 640 acres where said Goodwin now lives. Grant #135 and also 192 acres, 72 poles of grant #2406.

I give and bequeath to my son James B. Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever the following tracts of land lying in the County of Rutherford and Waters of Hurricane Creek to wit; 640 acres of land contained and specified in grant #2756 which calls also calls for 640 acres but 108 of which has been taken by a better claim - and grant #11.682 for 66 acres and 64 poles. All of said lands are contained in one body and adjoin each other.

I give and bequeath to my son Moses R. Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever the following tracts or parcels of land lying in Rutherford County and on Stones River at a place called the Narrows where Moses Ridley and myself have builded mills, all the lands specified and contained in grant #1030 for 640 acres land specified and set out in grant #14152 for 127 acres adjoining Elisha Sanders and my undivided half of 274 acres specified and set out in grant #655, the other half of which belongs to Moses Ridley.

I give and bequeath to Thomas H. Everett and John Buchanan my son, to the survivor of them and the heirs of such survivor the following tracts or parcels of land lying in Davidson County and on Stones River to wit; all the lands specified and described in Grant #370 called the Jennings preemption, whereon James B. Williams now lives containing by survey 774 acres, adjoining said tract on the North forty two acres part of Grant #41 and adjoining the same five acres and seventy poles grant #17.784. In trust never the less, that the said Everett and my said son John the survivor of them and the heirs of such survivor shall hold said lands for the undisturbed use and benefit of my daughter Sally Williams wife of said James B. Williams during her natural life and at her death, it is my will that the lands here mentioned shall go in fee forever to her next of kin whoever it may be in descent from her body or in default of such heirs, then to her next of kin in descent from my body.

I give and bequeath to my son Charles Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever, the following tracts or parcels of land, lying in the County of Wilson to wit; 640 acres of land on Cedar Lick Creek adjoining Capt. F. McGregor on the east, no. of grant 944 adjoining said last tract, 107 acres of land no. of grant 56. Also 320 acres of land on Spring Creek being the remaining half of grant #1239 for 640 acres; one half of which I have heretofore deeded to James Chapple - adjoining said last tract on the south 40 acres of land specified in grant #3032 and being 110 acres conveyed by me by Wm. Hay being part of grant #2708.

I give and bequeath to my son Henry R. Buchanan his heirs and assigns forever the following described tracts or parcels of land, lying in the counties of Davidson and Rutherford and Williamson to wit: 640 acres of land now in the occupation of Walter Keeble specified in grant #2758. 320 acres of land where A. Long, now lives, being the same that is set out and specified in grant #38. 28 acres adjoining Leeper and Hendersons preemptions grant #92 and 132 acres and one half adjoining Alex. Smith and specified and set out in grant #2407.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy M. N. Buchanan her heirs and assigns forever the two following tracts of land in Rutherford County, to wit; 611 acres adjoining John Bowen including the big cave spring, grant #37 and 558 acres of land specified in grant #5168 on Stewarts Creek, adjoining Howells Mills.

And lastly it is my will and desire and I so bequeath that all the rest and residue of my lands and real estate that I may own at my death, and which is not herein devised or intended to be devised, shall be divided share and share alike among the Children of Thomas H. Everett that may be living at my death, to have and to hold to them their heirs and assigns forever. In testimony of all which, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of Jany. 1828. Signed, executed and published in presence of the undersigned this being the 5th page of the will John Buchanan (seal). Ephraim H. Foster, James Ridley.

As a codicil to the above will, it is my desire and I so now appoint my wife Mrs. Buchanan and my son in law Thos. Everett, Executrix and executor of the this will, expressly directing that they permitted to quality and act without giving security. Witness my hand and seal, Jany 22d. 1828. John Buchanan (seal) Test: Ephraim H. Foster, F. B. Fogg

I John Buchanan do on this 7th day of February 1829 alter and publish the following as another codicil to this my last will (dated 10th Jany. 1828) to wit; I do hereby revoke and disannul so much of my said will aforesaid (being the last clause thereof) as gives all the rest and œ,] of my lands and real estate that I may own at my death and which is not herein devised or intended to be devised to the children of Thos. Everett, and I do hereby declare that so far as respects the rest and residue of my real estate not devised in said will. I intend no civise whatever but I leave the same (if not otherwise disposed of by me before my death) to descend by law as in case of my intestacy. And I do hereby also revoke and disannul and set aside that clause of my will which devises the lands specified in grant #370 whereon my son in law James B. Williams now lives. Also 42 acres part of grant #41 and grant #17.784 to Thomas H. Everett and John Buchanan in trust for the use of my daughter Sally Y. Williams and I hereby give and bequeath all said three several parcels or tracts of land to my said son in law James B. Williams and his wife said Sally Y. Williams to them their heirs and assigns forever.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal Feby. 7th 1829. Signed, sealed published and declared in presence of Ephraim H. Foster, James Redley. John Buchanan, (seal)

Second Codicil - I have this 13th day of August 1829, conveyed by deed to James B. Williams and Sally Y. his wife, to George Goodwin and Jane T. his wife and to Thos. H. Everett and Elizabeth his wife as follows to wit: James B. Williams and his wife the lands herein willed to them, to George Goodwin and wife the lands herein willed to them and to Thos. H. Everett and his wife, the fifty acres willed to them, which I declare is to be in lieu of all their interest in my real estate except of the undivided residue which may be on hands at my death. Test: Ephraim H. Foster, James Redley. Signed: John Buchanan (seal)

State of Tennessee, Davidson County Court January sessions 1833. A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Buchanan decd. was produced in open court for probate and proved thus. Ephraim H. Foster and James Ridley the subscribing witnesses to said paper being duly sworn depose and say that they became such in the presence of the said John and at his request and that they verily believe he was of sound and disposing mind and memory at the time of executing said paper.

And two paper writings purporting to be codicils to said last will were produced in court for probate and proved by the same subscribing witnesses in the same manner and form as the above will. Also another paper writing purporting to be a codicil to said will was produced in open court and proved thus. Ephraim H. Foster and Francis B. Fogg the subscribing witnesses to said paper being duly sworn depose and say that they became such in the presence of the said John and at his request. And that they verily believe he was of sound mind and memory at the time of executing said paper. It is therefore ordered by the court that said several paper writing be admitted to record as such will and codicils to the will of John Buchanan deceased. Test: Henry Ewing, clerk of said court. Signed: Patrick Morgan Harrison

Sources

• Biography of Major John Buchanan, housed at Middle Tennessee State University

• http://digital.mtsu.edu/cdm/ref/collection/buchanan/id/14

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 April 2020), memorial page for Maj John Buchanan (12 Jan 1759–7 Nov 1832), Find A Grave: Memorial #9046852, citing John Buchanan Cemetery, Nashville, Davidson County, Tennessee, USA ; Maintained by Mary Jane Hobbs Pattillo (contributor 46969778) .

Acknowledgments

Thanks to Tom Knowles for starting this profile. Click the Changes tab for the details of contributions by Tom and others.