HISTORY | buchananloghouse

• History 16 CHILDREN | LEGACY | CEMETERY | ADDISON HOUSE

Historical Timeline of Buchanan Events

1780 to today

By 1780

James Buchanan is living at the Cumberland settlement, and he signs the Cumberland Compact. His parents, Archibald and Agnes, settle close by at 'Clover Bottom Farm' a year later.*

*In 1784, Archibald and Agnes buy 640 acres for £10 per hundred. [The U.S. economy remains on the British pound until 1792]).

Life was not easy for the early settlers that lived in the Cumberland settlement, and later, Davidson County, in the 1770s and 1780s. Although no Native American nation specifically lived on this land, the Cherokees, Creeks, and Chickasaws all used the land on which the pioneers settled. The threat of attacks was a persistent fear among the early settlers which were often justified, as the Chickasaws and Chickamaugans attacked several of the Cumberland settlements, resulting in loss of life, as well as settlers choosing to relocate, in the early-1780s.

1790

James Buchanan is assessed as living in Davidson County and owning 50 acres.

1807

Inheriting 320 acres the year before - the only son with 6 sisters - James buys another 310 acres from his cousin and Revolutionary War veteran, Thomas Gillespy, and builds the log house we know today. [ early map ]

1810

James Buchanan brings his bride, Lucinda East, to the log house. (See Myths)

1812

James Buchanan is active in Davidson County Militia Company during War of 1812.

1820
Original log house is expanded by a one-and-a-half story addition.

1832

Sixteenth and last child, Sara Ann, is born to Lucinda and James.

1841

James Buchanan dies at the age of 74, and is buried in the family cemetery. Estate papers show he left 261 acres, cattle, horses,hogs, and more.

1847

Addison is married and builds his log house on 50 acres inherited from his father.

1863

As the Federal occupation of Nashville continued throughout the early-1860s, the lives of Nashvillians were profoundly impacted. Public schools and many private schools were closed during Federal occupation. Nashville families faced physical threats from marauders, thieves, and killers who drove them from their homes, stole from them, or physically harmed them. Epidemic diseases, such as smallpox, broke out throughout the city. There were shortages of food and labor. [Reluctant Partners; Nashville and Union, 1987]

1865

Matriarch Lucinda Buchanan dies at the age of 75, and is buried in the family cemetery.

Events after James and Lucinda passed away:

1867-1927

Descendants set aside plot for family cemetery. Buchanan Log House and 146 acres became the teenage home of a future Tennessee governor, James Beriah Frazier. Buchanans occupied the log house for sixty years; and the Fraziers for another 60 years.

1900

Rear board-batton addition is added to the Buchanan Log House.

1920s-1930s

Original house front porch replaced and concrete steps added.

1940s-1980s

The Buchanan Log House logs are covered in white sideboard.

1984

Buchanan Log House officially listed on National Register of Historic Places.

1989

Buchanan Log House becomes the property of Metro Nashville Airport Authority. (1)

1992
Metro Nashville Airport Authority transfers Buchanan Log House property to the care of the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities (APTA).

1998

Addison log house to relocated to its present location on Buchanan Log Complex.

Today
Buchanan Log House shares its living history with Donelson and surrounding communities through its annual Fish Fry, Appraisal Fairs, and as a premier historical venue for private events.

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(1) MTSU TCWNHA Assessment 2011