John Buchanan

ID # 4317, (1821-1903)
FatherAlexander Buchanan (1796-1888)
MotherElizabeth Leece (1802-1841)
BirthJohn Buchanan was born on 15 August 1821 at Shades Mills, later Galt. 
BaptismHe was baptized on 5 November 1834 at First Church, Galt. 
MarriageHe married Isabel McPherson on 28 March 1850.
Our date for the marriage of John Buchanan and Isabel McPherson, 28 March, 1850, is taken from The History of the County of Brant, Warner, Beers & Co., 1883, Toronto, page 655 (image 331), biographical sketches.

Along with the date of marriage, the biographical sketch also provides us with dates of birth for John and Isabel. It also provides us with a date of birth for daughter Helen and mentions her marriage to Joseph Webb. The biographical sketch is taken up at least by half with an account of John's father Alexander.

The biographical sketch does not provide us with a place of marriage. The records of First Church at Galt provide a running list of 1850 marriages and they are not listed there.
 
DeathHe died on 24 April 1903 at Galt, Waterloo Co., Ontario, at age 81. 
BurialHe was buried at Section 2, Mountview Cemetery, Galt. 
NoteBaptism information for John Buchanan and several siblings is taken from microfilm LCM-30, First United Church Records, Baptisms 1833-1852.
The Buchanan siblings appear to have been baptised at First Church in Galt, at the time a Presbyterian Church, in two batches. Four were baptised on November 5th, 1834, and five on November 19th, though the date in the margin is almost obscure. This appears on microfilm LCM-30 which is to be found at the United Church of Canada Archives. (A perpetual calendar shows both of these dates as a Wednesday.)

A note here: Given the Wednesday baptisms, it's tempting to wonder if Rev. Strang performed the baptisms at the Buchanan home in Dumfries Township. Were this the case, then why do them in two batches. Probably, the baptisms were done in the church, though, being Wednesdays, it wasn't likely in the presence of a significant congregation.

At the time of the 1861 census, taken at South Dumfries, John Buchanan is with his wife Isabel and a William McPherson, age 20, is with them, possibly Isabel's brother. Also with them is Hannah Stewart, age 29. Apparently, she is the sister of Margaret Stewart. Margaret married Alexander Buchanan, the brother of John Buchanan. Hannah Stewart married Andrew Scott. (There is a age discrepancy for this Hannah and Andrew's wife that remains to be resolved.)

Family information has it that the first two or three children of Alexander Buchanan and Elizabeth Leece were born in Galt, or Shade's Mills, as it was then. John was likely born in Shade's Mills. The date of John's birth is per the bible of Theron Buchanan.

Death reg. 027127 Galt, Waterloo Co.
John Buchanan died April 21, 1903. Age 81, residence Ainslie Street. Gentleman, widower. Born Galt. Presbyterian. Attending doctor and informant D. Buchanan (John's nephew.) 

Child of John Buchanan and Isabel McPherson

Last Edited6 May 2021