BIOGRAPHY: Thomas Buchanan; New York co., NY
surname: Buchanan, Roberts, Goelet, Ratze, Hicxks, Pearsall

submitted by Elizabeth Burns (burns at asu.edu) 
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Submitted Date: May 31,2005
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Author: Walter Barrett

THOMAS BUCHANAN
Page 45

"The Old Merchants"
By Walter Barrett, Clerk
Pub:Thomas R. Knox and Co. 1885 NY


Thomas Buchanan was a king among merchants. He did a very large business and 
his firm must have been in existence for a full fifty five years. I know it 
was in 1766 as Walter and Thomas Buchanan.  Between that date and the close of 
the Revolution, the firm changed and it became Thomas Buchanan and Company. It 
is likely that Walter was the partner, although for some cause unknown to me, 
ninety-five years later, his name does not appear.

They separated in 1772 and Thomas then continued his mammoth business on his 
own hook at 41 Wall Street.  Walter started a separate concern in Liberty 
Street. He kept there some years and then moved to his son Walter W.'s 
residence at 4 Duane Street, where I think he must have died about the close 
of 1804. That son, Doctor Walter W. was a remarkable man. He lived in Hudson 
Street not far from Duane, No. 45 until the war. Then he moved away and was 
gone until 1825.  He came back to the city that year and lived at 114 Grand 
Street, Corner of Broadway. Again he disappeared and I have no track of him.

Thomas Buchanan became very prominent on his own account from 1792 to 1809 
when he took in his son George and the firm was Thomas Buchanan and Son. The 
firm kept at 44 Wall (just below the present Exchange) as late as 1816, when 
they removed their counting house to 4 Slote Lane (now Beaver) and his 
residence to No. 64 Broadway.  George lived at the home of his parents. In 
1819 old Thomas died. Notwithstanding the firm was kept up until 1824, the 
business being conducted by George. At that time it was not necessary to 
change the style of a mercantile firm when a partner died. That year took 
George disappeared from commercial life.  The old lady, Almy, the widow of 
Thomas, continued to reside in the old mansion, 64 Broadway (just above 
Beaver) as late as 1832. I do not know when she died.

Two sons of Peter Goelet, Peter P. and Robert Ratze married daughters of Mr. 
Buchanan and consequently Peter Goelet of 1861 that lives in Nineteenth Street 
is a grandson of both the noble old merchants.

Margaret Roberts, formerly Margaret Buchanan is still alive. His daughter Almy 
married a Mr. Hicks and his youngest, Thomas Pearsall.  Thomas Buchanan was 
buried from 64 Broadway, as Peter Goelet was from 53 Broadway when he died.