Looking for George Moses Buchanan

[marp]

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

[marp]

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

[mtfhayes]

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

[marp]

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