Waterloo Region Generations
A record of the people of Waterloo Region, Ontario.
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Reeve Alexander Buchanan

Male Cal 1796 - 1888  (~ 92 years)


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  • Name Alexander Buchanan 
    Prefix Reeve 
    Born CALC 20 May 1796  , New York State, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3, 4] 
    Gender Male 
    Residence 1821  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Land 1834  North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 02, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Land 1834  North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 03, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Occupation 1851  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Farmer 
    Residence 1851  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [2] 
    Presbyterian 
    Elected Office 1852  North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    councillor, Reeve 
    • Municipality Dumfries NYears on local council: 1852 Councillor; 1853 Reeve
      Years on Waterloo County Council: 1853
    Elected Office 1853  , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 
    Councillor - Waterloo County 
    FindAGrave https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/141449171 
    Historic Building 44 Wellington St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location 
    • Constructed in 1855, possibly by William Leslie (carpenter) house known as the "William Leslie House" historic listed property city of Cambridge. Former Residence of Alexander Baird and family, murals were painted in this home by "Jack" Baird. Also the former home of R.P. SLater and family. Galt councillor and Mayor of Niagara Falls, Canada.
    Cambridge-WellingtonSt.N.004-WilliamLeslieHouse.jpg    		 Cambridge-WellingtonSt.N.004-WilliamLeslieHouse.jpg
    44 Wellington St. N., Cambridge, Ontario, Canada
    Residence 1871  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [4] 
    U. P. Presbyterian 
    Retired 1881  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [1] 
    Eby ID Number Waterloo-103088 
    Died 28 Jul 1888  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Cause: infirmities of age (four years) 
    Buried Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [3] 
    Person ID I103088  Generations
    Last Modified 7 Nov 2024 

    Father John Buchanan,   b. 4 Jul 1773, , Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 4 Jul 1829  (Age 56 years) 
    Mother Margaret McArthur,   b. 1780, , Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 13 Mar 1844  (Age 64 years) 
    Family ID F16113  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Elizabeth "Betsy" Leese,   b. CALC 18 Jan 1802, of, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Apr 1841, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 39 years) 
    Children 
     1. Augustus Buchanan,   b. Abt 1818, Of, Dumfries Township, Gore District, Ontario Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     2. John Buchanan,   b. 15 Aug 1821, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Apr 1903, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 81 years)
     3. Margaret Buchanan,   b. CALC 15 Jan 1823, , Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 16 Jun 1899, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 76 years)
     4. Jane Maria Buchanan,   b. Abt 1826, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     5. William Buchanan,   b. 3 Sep 1826, Branchton, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 21 Mar 1905, Glen Morris, South Dumfries Twp., Brant Co., Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 78 years)
     6. Susan Buchanan,   b. CALC 28 Sep 1828, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 18 Sep 1873, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age ~ 45 years)
     7. Elizabeth Buchanan,   b. 1829, Branchton, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Feb 1917  (Age 88 years)
     8. Alexander T. Buchanan,   b. 18 Jul 1830, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1 Jan 1916, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 85 years)
     9. James Buchanan,   b. 1833, , Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown
     10. Henrietta Buchanan,   b. 1836, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 23 Jan 1892, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 56 years)
     11. Theron Buchanan,   b. 18 Sep 1836, Branchton, North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 29 Jul 1912, Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 75 years)
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F37912  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 Mary Allan,   b. 1813, , Scotland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown 
    Married 27 Sep 1842  Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Find all individuals with events at this location  [6] 
    Last Modified 12 Nov 2024 
    Family ID F26441  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • Alexander was the eldest son of John Buchanan who arrived in the Branchton area in 1817. Alexander described as a man of "magnificent physique" came to Galt in 1819. First operated Absalom Shade's distillery for about 4 years. Later farmer in Branchton and was appointed the assessor of the Township of Dumfries in 1827. He served as a councilor of Township of Dumfries and as a councilor of North Dumfries. He did in 1881 with a estate valued at $300,000.

      Cambridge Mosiac, Jim Quantrell, 1998, City of Cambridge [snippet from original text in book]

      _______________________

      Galt was almost hemmed in - a place without an outlet. The natural route was eastwards to the head of Lake Ontario at Dundas, but between the two points was a literal slough of despond in the shape of the far famed Beverly swamp, whose bottomless mud-holes and almost impassible " corduroys: were the terror of travellers for many a year thereafter.

      This benighted region had a most unenviable reputation. It blocked the way between the head of navigation at Dundas and Hamilton, and the fertile lands of Dumfries and Waterloo. It could not be avoided, therefore, and the blazed road (A term in common use, indicating chips chopped off the sides of trees in the early settlements to show travellers the road.) through its long desolate morasses, was seldom passed without accidents and delays innumerable. A dozen teams all "stuck" (to use the expressive term of the period) within a few miles of each other, was no uncommon occurrence, and only the marines could believe the stories of the size and depth of the mud-holes which have been handed down to us.

      Once upon a time a reckless rider attempted, contrary to advice, to pass through on horseback in the middle of the spring floods. A few hours afterwards a pedestrian found what at first glance he took to be a blue Scotch bonnet floating in the middle of a treacherous-looking pool. On attempting to recover the bonnet, he was horrified to find it covered the head of the reckless rider, who had plunged into the fatal morass, and, astride of his horse, had gradually sunk down, until arms, neck, mouth, and eyes, had been engulphed in the oozy, treacherous, almost fathomless abyss. Before assistance could be obtained, horse and rider had entirely disappeared!

      How far this and similar stories can be relied upon, the reader can judge for himself, but certain it is, that the passage through Beverly swamp was greatly and justly dreaded. These feelings were increased by current rumours of an old peddler and even of other benighted travellers who had undertaken to pass through the swamp after dark, having mysteriously disappeared. These rumours became crimes of blood to the active imaginations of those days, and so widespread and strong had they become, that when Mr. Alexander Buchanan, a man certainly not deficient in courage, came in from New York State in 1819, he started through the wild and trackless woods after dark to his father's clearance near Branchton, rather than linger in Beverly swamp, with its dismal surroundings and evil reputation.

      Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young , pg 56-57

      ___________________

      JOHN BUCHANAN, farmer, Township of South Dumfries, was born in Galt, County of Waterloo, Ontario, 15th August, 1821, and is a son of Alexander and Betsy Buchanan, natives of the United States, from which country they emigrated to Canada about the year 1817, and first settled in Galt, where they remained four years. They then moved to the farm in South Dumfries Township, on which Mr. Buchanan resided till sixteen years ago, when he returned to Galt and retired into private life. He is living there now with his second wife, hale and hearty, in his eighty-seventh year. His first wife died on the farm in 1842, and his second was Mary Wylie, still living. Mr. Buchanan had eleven children, ten of whom, six sons and four daughters, are still living. John Buchanan, the subject of this biography, was married 28th March, 1850, to Isabella McPherson, who was born in New York State 17th November, 1826. They are both members of the United Presbyterian Church at Galt. Their only child, Helen, was born 19th August, 1851, and is the wife of Dr. Webb, Town of Waterloo, Ontario. When Mr. Buchanan commenced life for himself, he purchased 100 acres of land, on which he at present resides, and to this he has since added 184 acres, making in all 284 acres of highly cultivated and improved land, bearing proofs of undoubted prosperity and industry.

      The history of the county of Brant, Ontario: containing a history of the county: its township, cities, towns, schools, J. H. Beers & Co. Warner, Beers & Co.

      ____________________________________

      One of the most pressing necessities before the township could be brought into occupancy, was to have it properly surveyed. Mr. Adrian Marlett, of Ancaster, Provincial Deputy Surveyor, was promptly engaged by Mr. Dickson for the purpose, and surveyed a considerable portion of the lands in the neighbourhood of Galt during the fall of 1816. He commenced his work again early the following year, and continued it until it was completed.

      The first building erected was near the corner of Main and Water Streets, where Mr. Alexander Buchanan's residence now is. It was constructed of logs, two stories high in front, with a one-storey kitchen attached. The front was enclosed by a log fence. This was deemed quite an ornament in those days, but would hardly be esteemed so highly at the present time. For many years afterwards one end of this building was used as a rude store by Mr. Shade, and the other as a dwelling for him-self and wife.

      Reminiscences of the Early History of Galt and the Settlement of Dumfries in the Province of Ontario, by James Young, 1880 Toronto: Hunter, Rose Pg. 30, 31

  • Sources 
    1. [S336] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1881, Galt Division 2 Page 1.

    2. [S233] Census - ON, Waterloo, North Dumfries - 1852, Div. 1, Pg. 31.

    3. [S122] Cemetery - ON, Waterloo, Cambridge - Mount View CC#4495 Internet Link .
      Betsy Leese/ wife of/ A. Buchanan/ died 21st April 1841/ aged 39 years, 3 mo/ and 3 days/ Alexander Buchanan/ died 28th July 1888/ aged 92 years, 2 mo's/ and 8 days/

    4. [S570] Census - ON, Waterloo, Galt - 1871, Div. 2, Pg. 5.

    5. [S1450] Waterloo County Councillors A Collective Biography.

    6. [S507] Church Records - ON, Waterloo, Galt - First United Presbyterian.

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBorn - CALC 20 May 1796 - , New York State, USA Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - 1821 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLand - 1834 - North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 02, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLand - 1834 - North Dumfries Concession 07 Lot 03, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarried - 27 Sep 1842 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsOccupation - Farmer - 1851 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - Presbyterian - 1851 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - councillor, Reeve - 1852 - North Dumfries Twp., Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElected Office - Councillor - Waterloo County - 1853 - , Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsHistoric Building - - 44 Wellington St., Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsResidence - U. P. Presbyterian - 1871 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsRetired - 1881 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDied - Cause: infirmities of age (four years) - 28 Jul 1888 - Galt (Cambridge), Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsBuried - - Mount View Cemetery, Cambridge, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 


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