Documented History
Victor Thomas Buchanan was born 9 March 1816 according to Find A Grave Memorial # 75925054. He was born in Trimble, Kentucky.
Victor likely married America Stewart shortly after receiving a handwritten authorization for a marriage license to be issued for him to marry her on 29 August 1841 in Trimble, Kentucky.
The authorization was written by her father, W. D. Stewart and signed by two witnesses.
Victor married Nancy J Singleton on 15 August 1847 in Lawrence County, Illinois according to Illinois Marriages to 1850. Victor was 31 years old when he married Nancy J.
There is a fourth marriage record, Illinois, Marriage Index, 1860-1920, that I think was transcribed wrong because it lists her name as Nancy I. Singleton instead of Nancy J and the date of marriage is 18 August 1846 instead of 15 August 1847.
In 1850, Victor lived with his wife Nancy and their 3 children in Lawrence County, Illinois according to the Census. Victor was 34 and Nancy was 21 years old.
Their children were Priscilla age 8, Mary C age 3, and William age 1. Victor was born in Kentucky.
In 1860, Victor and Nancy lived in Lawrence County, Denison, Illinois according to the Census.
Victor was 43 and Nancy were 30 years old. Their children were Priscilla age 18, Mary C age 12, William age 10, and Serelda A. age 8.
Victor was a Farmer, his real estate value was $2600 and his personal estate value was $850 at this time.
In 1870, Victor and Nancy D. were living in Lawrence County, Denison, Illinois with their children according to the Census.
Victor was 55 and Nancy was 47 years old. Their children were Mary age 22, William age 20, Serelda age 18, Emma age 8, Nelly age 6, and John Caughran age 8.
Victor’s real estate value dropped to $2500 and personal estate value to $700 during this decade. Victor was still a Farmer and William was a worker on the farm.
In 1880, Victor and Nancy D. were still on a farm in Lawrence County, Denison, Illinois with their children according to the Census.
Victor was 63 and Nancy was 54 years old. Their children living with them still were Mary C. age 32, Emma J. age 19, J. Nellie age 15, John Cauthorn age 18 (Victor’s step son), and George Fisher age 20 (Victor’s Laborer).
Both John and George worked on Victor’s farm. Nancy D. was in Kentucky at the time visiting.
Death
Victor died on 6 May 1897 according to Find A Grave Memorial # 75925054. He died at 81 years old. He had been married twice. His first wife was Nancy J. Singleton 1829-1866.
His second wife was Nancy Dillin Cochran 1824-1909. Victor was buried at the Buchanan Cemetery in Lawrence County, Illinois. His children are listed as Priscilla Adams, Emma Jett, William Buchanan, and Nellie Sheridan.
It seems like a lot, but there is so much I want to know about Victor Thomas Buchanan. The Census records and marriage records did give me a great deal of information about him, enough to make it easy to verify facts in most cases. But there is still so much more I want to know.
Did you know his children? Hear stories about he and his family? If so, I would love for you to share them in the Comments section so that we can keep his memory alive. As always, I will come back and update this page as I find additional information about him.
Take care and hug your loved ones!
~Kris
