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Scotland (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Scotland => Lanarkshire => Topic started by: marp on Sunday 20 November 16 01:39 GMT (UK)
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I am looking for details of George Moses Buchanan born 26 July 1861 in Bothwell, Lanarkshire. He was the son of Alexander Macallister Buchanan and Annie McNair Macindoe who married 28 August, 1860 in Whithorn, Wigtown. I have the parents in the 1861 census for Scotland in Barony, Glasgow where Alexander was a silk merchant and draper. Annie died in 1862.
I know that the Alexander the father emigrated to Melbourne, Australia as an importer,indent and commission agent particularly for soft goods, silks etc. His son George Moses also emigrated when he was around 20 years old. However, I am unable to find much in the Scottish records either for George Moses in the 1871 census (or elsewhere)or his father (although his father might have emigrated by then). Can anyone help me find some details please?
Any information would be much appreciated. Thanks, marp
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In 1871 I think the father might well be living with his mother in Row Dumbartonshire. The actual image on Scotlands People llisted him as a Softgood Merchant, but no sign of son George
Annie Buckanan 70 Annuitant b Bonhill, Dumbartonshire
Alexander M Buckanan 45 Son - Widower Softgood Merchant b Kilmaronock, Dumbartonshire
Kay
Edit - I do wonder if George Moses might be listed as George M Fulton b 1862 Bothwell, Lanarkshire in 1871 in Govan and 1881 in the Gorbals -in both years listed as the nephew of John Fulton a Master Grocer and family.
In 1881 George is listed as Drapers Salesman. I can't see a birth for a George Fulton that would fit and a tree on Anc list John Fulton's wife as Agnes Buchanan b 1836 Kilmaronock - sister of Alexander Macallister Buchanan
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I can't see George M Fulton post 1881
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I think George was in Melbourne, Australia around 1881. His obituary in Melbourne stated he came to Melbourne when he was 20. As he was born in 1861 that makes sense.
Thanks again, marp
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You are right about Alexander residing with his mother in the 1871 census. I found that also. It all fits. Alexander had already begun importing soft goods, silks etc to Melbourne, Australia by 1870 (judging from advertisements in the local papers) and it is possible he had also set up a warehouse for his imported goods. However, I think from later information he travelled back and forth from Australia quite often and just happened to be residing at his mother's house at the time of the 1871 census.
I was intrigued by George Fulton. Agnes Buchanan (born c. 1836) was Alexander's sister and so was George's aunt.It makes sense, as his mother was dead, that he was brought up by relatives as his father was travelling a good deal.
Thank you for all of this. Any further details of George Buchanan/Fulton in the 1871 and 1881 censuses would be appreciated.
Great detective work! Thanks again, marp
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Glad it worked out
This is 1871 living at 128 St Portland St Govan. Agnes looks like a second wife -Will add 1881
John Fulton 51 Grocer b Eaglesham, Renfrewshire
Agnes Fulton 35 b Kilmarnock
James M Fulton 21 Student Divinity
Willm Fulton 18 Accountant Clerk
D M Fulton 16
Minnie C Fulton 14
Annie M Fulton 4
Alexr B Fulton 2 Mo
George M Fulton 9 Nephew b Bothwell Lanarkshire
Elizabeth Mcclymont 20 Servant
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1881 Still living at 128 South Portland St but it is now listed as in the Gorbals??
John Fulton 61 Grocer (Master) b Eaglesham, Renfrewshire
Agnes Fulton 45 b Kilmarnock
David M Fulton 26 Accountant
Minnie C Fulton 24
Alexander B Fulton 10
George M Fulton 19 Nephew Drapers Assistant b Bothwell
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Annie Buckanan 70 Annuitant b Bonhill, Dumbartonshire
Alexander M Buckanan 45 Son - Widower Softgood Merchant b Kilmaronock, Dumbartonshire
John Fulton 51 Grocer b Eaglesham, Renfrewshire
Agnes Fulton 35 b Kilmarnock
Just in case it crosses anyone's mind to wonder, Kilmarnock and Kilmaronock are two entirely different parishes - the former in Ayrshire and the latter in Dunbartonshire.
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Is this your Alexander McAllister BUCHANAN?
Mount Alexander Mail 19 Jul 1888 p3
http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198508670?
...matter involves Will of Jessie BUCHANAN (wife Of Alexander), died 20 Mar 1887, .... principal defendant infant Jessie Muirhead SMITH residing Queensland.......
BDM VIC death
1887 / 401 BUCHNAN Jessie Muirhead parents Robt MUIRHEAD / Janet (Jeanet)
@ Balwyn 52yrs
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Yes, this is 'my' Alexander Macallister Buchanan. He married a wealthy widow Janet Muirhead Smith in September 1879 and she died in 1887. The reference you gave is to the dispute regarding her will which went to the Equity Court. The Judge was caustic in his remarks in terms of the will being badly drawn up by the lawyer and the fact that he suspected much of it was in Janet's own words which were unclear. Firstly, Janet had left bequests which exceeded her personal estate and secondly if these bequests were to be made her two executors and trustees ie Alexander and her adopted daughter Jessie Muirhead Smith (technically I think we would term her a minor rather than an infant as she was born in 1870 in Brisbane, Queensland to Alexander Low Smith and his wife Margaret Street) would have to forgo some of their own bequests in order for these payments to be made ie land would have to be sold. Basically, problems with her will continued for years until after Alexander's death in 1910.
Just as a matter of interest, my research into Alexander Buchanan is because I am writing about the families who gave their name to streets in Balwyn North, a suburb in Melbourne. Janet Muirhead married William Smith in Barony, Lanarkshire in April 1854. William Smith acquired land in Balwyn, Victoria in 1871. There was a Smith St and a Muirhead St in the same area but they have undergone a name change. Buchanan Avenue is a lovely tree lined avenue in a leafy eastern suburb of Melbourne, Australia.
Thank you all for the information, it all helps. marp
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I have just been looking at my notes. The wife of Alexander Macallister Buchanan died in 1887. In her will Janet/Jessie Buchanan's made many bequests. George Moses Buchanan her stepson was left £100 pounds. Thanks to your help, I now see other connections. I had not realised that the Fultons were in any way related to the Buchanans until today.
In the will bequests were made to the family who had raised George Moses Buchanan. George's aunt Agnes Fulton wife of John Fulton of Abbotsford Place Glasgow was left £500; an income of £200 left to Maggie Fulton wife of the Reverend William Fulton (cousin of George Moses Buchanan?) of Victoria Place, Airdre, Scotland and £200 plus interest and yearly income to Janet Anderson of Victoria Place, Airdre, Scotland.
Thanks again, marp
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Hi just seen your post. My husbands 2x great grand father was the brother of Alexander mcallister Buchanan who was the father of George Moses Buchanan. I have been trying to do the family tree but have not found much on George. I know he moved to Australia and married there. Would love to know what info yoy have
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Hi, George Moses Buchanan was born 26 July 1861 in Bothwell. He emigrated to Melbourne. Australia when he was about 20 years old and joined his father's business A.M Buchanan & Co which imported softgoods, silks, etc to Australia. The business was thriving.
His father Alexander had married Janet (later called Jessie) Smith in 1879. Jessie was a wealthy widow, but left a will which was so full of problems in that she left more bequests than money that the estate was not settled until 26 years after her death and 3 years after Alexander Buchanan's death in 1910.
George became well known in business circles in Melbourne in the 1900s and obviously was doing well financially!In 1907 George bought In 1907 George bought Dulquhurn (later named Ardoch), East St Kilda, Victoria. The house, built in 1864, was 13-roomed in Italianate style. The house was known for its lush gardens, tennis court, conservatory, sweeping paths, horse stables and paddocks.
George was a successful business man and married in his 40s Margaret Gordon Robertson daughter of Scottish migrants and pastoralists on 23 February 1909. They were married at Mt Mitchell, Lexton, Victoria (http://www.mountmitchell.com.au). The family home of the Robertson family is heritage listed and very lovely. Margaret was well known in racing circles as she was the first female owner of the Derby winner 'Alawa' in 1908.
From the time of their marriage in 1909 George and Margaret were mentioned frequently in the social pages of local newspapers. They entertained in their beautiful home and if local papers are to be believed were part of the fashionable elite of Melbourne. They had no children.Both were involved in local charities particularly the Red Cross, raising money for abandoned and neglected children and sponsoring scholarships for boys at one of Melbourne's prestigious private schools.
George died at home on 20 January 1920. His wife Margaret returned to live with her sister and brother and died 11 November 1933 at East Mt Mitchell.
My interest is not a family one, I was researching street names. Buchanan Avenue is a rather lovely street in Balwyn North, Victoria, Australia.
good hunting! marp