Donald Buchanan (1850 - 1881)

Born 1850 in Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Husband of Sarah Ann (Harrip) Buchanan — married 1874 (to 1881) in Victoria, Australia

Died 7 Jan 1881 at about age 31 in Coleraine, Victoria, Australia

Biography

Donald Buchanan was born about 1850 at Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of John Buchanan and Annie Cameron. ^[1]

Emigration to Australia. By 1874, when he was in the British Colony of Victoria getting married.

Marriage. In 1874, he married Sarah Ann Harrip, in Victoria. Sarah said she was born at Grassdale. ^[2]

Donald and Sarah had at least three children together:

• Annie Agnes Buchanan (1876- )
• William John Charles (1879-1884)
• Donald James Buchanan (1881- )

Death. Donald died 7th January 1881 after falling from his heavily laden dray and a wheel passed over him. His death was registered in Victoria, giving Greenock Scotland as his birthplace. ^[3]

Hamilton Spectator, Thursday 13 January 1881 - page 2

COUNTRY INTELLIGENCE.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT)

COLERAINE, JANUARY 7.

Donald Buchanan, farmer, an old resident, was found dead near the bridge in town this evening. It is believed his dray, which was loaded with bricks, passed over his body. An inquest will be held to-morrow. ^[4]

Inquest. The inquest was held at the Criterion Hotel, Coleraine, on 8th January 1881. His wife Sarah had officially identified his body. ^[5]

Hamilton Spectator, Thursday 13 January 1881 - page 2

COLERAINE

A magisterial enquiry was held at the Court House, Coleraine, on Saturday last before A. Lesser, Esq., J.P., in re the death of Donald Buchanan, farmer, whose dead body was found an the road near the bridge on the preceding evening. It appeared from the evidence that the deceased had left the town early in the evening driving his bullock team, loaded with about three tons of bricks. The supposition is that he sat on the pole of the dray to drive, and fell accidentally on the off side, when the wheel passed over the side of his body and left shoulder, completely smashing the bones. The body was found close beyond the bridge, lying on the road, and was afterwards removed to the Criterion Hotel. The presiding magistrate had no doubt from the evidence before him that death had resulted accidentally, and recorded his opinion to that effect. The funeral, which took place on Sunday was largely attended by all classes, showing that deceased was well respected. Buchanan was a well known resident of the Coleraine district, and lately lived on the Koonongwotong station, about six miles from Coleraine. He leaves a young widow and two children to mourn their untimely loss.^[6]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth calculated from death registration information, as sourced
2. ↑ Marriage Pioneer Index. Victoria 1836-1888 (cdrom); citing 1874 marriage Registration # 3745; marriage of Sarah Ann HARRIP (born Grassdale) & Donald BUCHANAN
3. ↑ Death Victoria Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages. Search Your Family History (Online index accessed 16 Apr 2024): 1881 Death Registration 816/1881, Donald BUCHANAN (Mother: Annie CAMERON ; Father: John BUCHANAN) born GREENOCK SCOTLAND; died COLERAINE, age 31; SPOUSE: Sarah HARRIP
4. ↑ Death 1881 'COUNTRY INTELLIGENCE.', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 8 January, p. 3. , viewed 17 Apr 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225487049
5. ↑ Inquest "Public Record Office Victoria" Inquest Deposition Files (VPRS24) VPRS 24/P0000, 1881/19 permalink to digital file 1881/19 Donald Buchanan: Inquest (accessed 17 Apr 2024): Cause of death : Fall from dray and wheel passing over him; Location of hearing : Coleraine; Date of hearing: 8 Jan 1881
6. ↑ Inquest & Funeral 1881 'COLERAINE.', Hamilton Spectator (Vic. : 1870 - 1918), 13 January, p. 2. , viewed 17 Apr 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article225487271