Andrew Buchanan was born about 1855 in Newarthill to Mary Clarkson (c1814 - 1889) and Charles Buchanan (c1817 - 1888). [See Section BN-5-1 for family background.]
Elizabeth Lafferty was born on Tuesday, April 21, 1857 at Ravenshall near Cleland to Ellen Allen (c1838 - 1919) and James Lafferty, Coal Miner (c1817 - 1868). [See Section LY-5-1 for family background.]
1876 On Friday, February 4, Andrew Buchanan and Elizabeth Lafferty were married at Newarthill, Parish of Bothwell after Banns according to the forms of the United Presbyterian Church. The marriage was registered No.7 at Holytown on February 7.
Andrew was a Bachelor, gave his age as 21, occupation Ironstone Miner and usual residence Newarthill and he made "his X mark" on the documents. His parents are recorded as Charles Buchanan, Coalminer, and Mary Buchanan, m.s. Clarkson.
Elizabeth was a Spinster, aged 18, Lately Domestic Servant, resident at Metal Row, Newarthill and she too made "her X mark" on the official documents. Her parents are recorded as James Lafferty, Ironstone Drawer (deceased) and Helen Nicol, formerly Lafferty, m.s. Allan.
The officiating minister was David Laughland, U.P. Church, Newarthill (he appears as the occupant of the U.P. Manse in the censuses of 1861 and 1881) and the witnesses were John Gilmour and Christina Miller, both of whom could sign their name.
Andrew is believed to have become an affluent farmer and allegedly turned up in top hat and claw-hammer jaiket at Dick Reynolds's funeral in 1945 (when he would have been about 90?).
Andrew and Elizabeth had the following children ( as far as I know), all born in Newarthill unless otherwise stated —
Charles born in 1876, last sighting 1911. James (1) born in 1878 at Windyedge, Cleland and died in 1880. Jane born in 1880 at Windyedge, Cleland, last sighting 1911. Helen born in 1882 at Watson's Square, last sighting 1911. Mary born in 1885 at Watson's Square, married James Waddell in 1910, last sighting 1910. James (2) born in 1888 at Watson's Square, last sighting 1911. Andrew born in 1891 at Watson's Square, last sighting 1911. Elizabeth (1) born in 1893 at Watson's Square and died in 1894. Elizabeth (2) born in 1895 at Watson's Square, last sighting 1911. Samuel born in 1899 at Jack's Land, last sighting 1911. which tallies with the 1911 census count.
1876 Charles Buchanan was born at 3h30m a.m. on Saturday, March 11 at Newarthill, Parish of Bothwell to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferdy [sic] and Andrew Buchanan, Ironstoneminer who married on January [sic] 4, 1876 at Newarthill. His birth was registered No.144 at Holytown on March 30 by Andrew Buchanan, "his X mark", Father.
1878 James Buchanan was born at 8h50m a.m. on Wednesday, July 31 at Wyndedge, Shotts Parish to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 at Newarthill, Holytown. His birth was registered No.83 at Cleland on August 20 by Andrew Buchanan, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Sadly, James died 2 years later.
1880 James Buchanan, Single, died at 2h25m a.m. on Thursday, October 7 at Wyndedge Farm, Shotts Parish, age 2 years 2 months, of Burns after 2 days as certified by John Taylor, Physician and Surgeon. His parents are recorded as Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer and Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty. His death was registered No.34 at Cleland on the same day by Andrew Buchanan, "his X mark", Father, Present.
There is further information in the Register of Corrected Entries for the West District of Shotts Parish in the County of Lanark, Vol. I, Page 13.
"The following report of result of a Precognition [Scots Law - preliminary examination of witnesses as to whether there is ground for prosecution] has been received touching the death of James Buchanan registered under No.34 in the Registration Book of Deaths for the year 1880:-
Name, Age and Sex When and Where died Cause of Death James
Buchanan
Two years
Male1880
October
Seventh 2h30m a.m.
In the house of his father
Andrew Buchanan, Miner
at Windyedge near Cleland
in the Parish of Shotts
Accidental burning
about 2 o'clock p.m.
on 5th October 1880
About 35½ hours.
1880 Jeanie Buchanan was born at 5h30m a.m. on Monday, December 6 at Wyndedge, Shotts Parish to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 at Newarthill, Holytown. Her birth was registered No.99 at Cleland on December 20 by Andrew Buchanan, "his X mark", Father.
1881 April 3 The family were living in the hamlet of Gowkhall, not far from Metal Row.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Andrew Buchanan Head Mar 26 Coal Miner Lanarks., Newarthill Elisabeth do. Wife Mar 23 do., Shotts Charles do. Son 5 do., Newarthill Jeannie do. Daur 4 mo do., Shotts
1883 Helen Buchanan was born at 6h30m a.m. on Saturday, January 20 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferdy [sic] and Andrew Buchanan, Ironstoneminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. Her birth was registered No.51 at Holytown on February 8 by Andrew Buchanan, "his X mark", Father.
1904 William Elliot was born at 8h35m p.m. on Monday, January 11 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Helen Buchanan, Farm Servant and William Elliot, Carter. His birth was registered No.40 at Holytown on January 22 by Helen Buchanan, Mother and William Elliot, Father, Willowbank, Newton Mearns.
There is an entry in the Register of Corrected Entries for Bothwell (625 Volume 1 Page 144) dated March 19, 1968 pertaining to the Register of Births for Holytown (625.2), County of Lanark 1904 Entry No.40 to record a new name and surname – William Buchanan.
There must be a story behind that.
1885 Mary Buchanan was born at 10h30m p.m. on Wednesday, June 17 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. Her birth was registered No.215 at Holytown on July 7 by Andrew Buchanan, "his X mark", Father, Present.
Mary married James Waddell in 1910.
1888 A second James Buchanan was born at 0h30m a.m. on Thursday, April 26 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. His birth was registered No.144 at Holytown on May 5 by Andrew Buchanan, Father (who is now able to sign his name).
1891 Andrew Buchanan was born at 5h50m a.m. on Sunday, February 1 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. His birth was registered No.64 at Holytown on February 14 by Andrew Buchanan, Father, Present.
1891 April 5 The family were living at Watson's Land, Newarthill in a house with one windowed room.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Andrew Buchanan Head Mar 36 Coal Miner Lanarkshire, Greenhill Elizabeth do. Wife Mar 34 do., Cleland Charles do. Son 15 Coal Miner do., Newarthill Jane do. Daur 10 Scholar do., Shotts Helen do. Daur 8 do. do., Newarthill Mary do. Daur 5 do., do. James do. Son 2 do., do. Andrew do. do. 2 mo do., do.
1893 Elizabeth Buchanan was born at 3h p.m. on Friday, September 1 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. Her birth was registered No.398 at Holytown on September 14 by Andrew Buchanan, Father.
Sadly, Elizabeth lived only 4 months.
1894 Elizabeth Buchanan, Single, died at 6h55m a.m. on Saturday, January 13 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown, age 4 months, of Acute Bronchitis after 14 days as certified by J.P. Wilson, M.B.C.M. Her parents are recorded as Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer and Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferdy [sic]. Her death was registered No.7 at Holytown on the same day by Andrew Buchanan, Father, Present.
1895 A second Elizabeth Buchanan was born at 2h30m p.m. on Friday, January 18 at Watson's Square, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. Her birth was registered No.60 at Holytown on February 4 by Andrew Buchanan, Father.
1899 Samuel Buchanan was born at 9h a.m. on Thursday, August 17 at Jack's Land, Newarthill, District of Holytown to Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty and Andrew Buchanan, Coalminer who married on February 4, 1876 in the District of Holytown. His birth was registered No.414 at Holytown on September 5 by Andrew Buchanan, Father, Present.
1901 March 31 The family were living on North Road, Newarthill in a house with two windowed rooms.
Rel. Mar. Age Occupation Birthplace Andrew Buchanan Head Mar 46 Coal Miner & Dairyman Lanarkshire, Newarthill Elizabeth do. Wife do. 43 do., Cleland Charles do. Son S 25 Coal Miner do., Newarthill Jane do. Daur S 20 Dairymaid do., Cleland Mary do. do. S 15 do. do. do., Newarthill James do. Son S 12 Coal Miner do., do. Andrew do. do. 10 Scholar do., do. Elizabeth do. Daur 6 do. do., do. Samuel do. Son 1 do., do. Jane and Mary were working "at home", presumably for their father. We've lost Helen (18), probably working elsewhere.
1910 On Friday, June 3, James Waddell and Mary Buchanan were married at North Road, Newarthill, District of Holytown after Banns According to the Forms of the United Free Church. The marriage was registered No.43 at Holytown on June 6.
James was a Bachelor, gave his age as 29, occupation Blacksmith (Journeyman) and usual residence Newhouse, Holytown. His parents are recorded as John Waddell, Coal Miner and Isabella Waddell m.s. MacKenzie.
Mary was a Spinster, gave her age as 25 [she was 2 weeks short of her 25th birthday], occupation Domestic Servant and usual residence North Road, Newarthill. Her parents are recorded as Andrew Buchanan, Dairyman and Elizabeth Buchanan m.s. Lafferty.
The minister was G. Goodfellow and the witnesses were John Waddell and Helen Buchanan [probably Mary's sister].
1911 April 2 The family were living at Buchanan's Land, Church Street, Newarthill in a house with two windowed rooms. Three families share this address: one might infer that the Buchanans have a financial interest in the building but the next address, Wyper's Land contains a household named Wyper. It may just be that the building is known for the principal tenant.
Rel. Age Mar. Occupation Status Birthplace Andrew Buchanan Head 56 Mar Dairyman Own Account Lanarkshire, Newarthill 2 Lizzie [Lafferty] Wife 53 Mar 35 - 10 - 8 Lanarkshire, Cleland Charles do. Son 35 S Coal Miner (Hewer) Worker Lanarkshire, Newarthill Jeanie do. Daur 30 S Lanarkshire, Cleland Helen do. Daur 28 S Lanarkshire, Newarthill James do. Son 22 S Coal Miner (Hewer) Worker Lanarkshire, Newarthill Andrew do. Son 20 S Coal Miner (Hewer) Worker Lanarkshire, Newarthill Lizzie do. Daur 16 S Lanarkshire, Newarthill Samuel do. Son 11 School Lanarkshire, Newarthill William Elliot Grandson 7 School Lanarkshire, Newarthill Andrew & Lizzie have been married for 35 years and produced 10 children of whom 8 are still living, the exceptions being James (1) (1878 - 1880) and Elizabeth (1) (1893 - 1894).