Thomas Buchan

Thomas Buchan (c.1641–1724) was a Scottish Jacobite.^[1]

Life

He was the third son of James Buchan of Auchmacoy and Margaret, daughter of Alexander Seton of Pitmedden. A soldier from an early age, he served with subordinate rank in France and Holland, and in 1682 was appointed lieutenant-colonel in the Earl of Mar's regiment of foot in Scotland. In 1684 and 1685 he was actively engaged against the Covenanters. In 1686 he was made colonel of the regiment.^[2]

While serving in Ireland in 1689 Buchan was promoted by James II to the rank of major-general, and after the death of Claverhouse at the battle of Killiecrankie was appointed commander-in-chief of the Jacobite forces in Scotland. At a meeting of the highland chiefs held after his arrival from Ireland, it was resolved to continue the war; and that Buchan with 1,200 men, should employ himself in harassing the enemy along the Highland line. On 1 May 1690 he was surprised and totally defeated by Sir Thomas Livingstone at the Battle of Cromdale.^[2]

Reinforced by a body of 600 Braemar highlanders, Buchan entered Aberdeenshire, and the Master of Forbes fell back on Aberdeen. Buchan marched southward till threatened by the advance of General Hugh Mackay, He then retreated northwards, with the purpose of attacking Inverness; but the surrender of Kenneth Mackenzie, 4th Earl of Seaforth to the government meant he couldn't continue fighting. For a time he retained a number of followers with him in Lochaber, but finally dismissed them and retired, along with Sir George Barclay and other officers, to Macdonald of Glengarry.^[2]

After the submission of the highland chiefs, Buchan and other officers were, on 23 March 1692, transported to France. He continued a correspondence with Mary of Modena after the death of James II.^[2] In 1707 he was commissioned by Nathaniel Hooke in the service of the Old Pretender, on a mission to survey the defences of Inverness. It led to his arrest and transport to London.^[1]

Buchan took part in the 1715 Jacobite rebellion, accompanying Alexander Gordon, 2nd Duke of Gordon, and escaped to Bordeaux in 1716. He died at Ardlogie in Fyvie, and was buried in Logie-Buchan, in 1724.^[1]

Notes

1. Hopkins, Paul. "Buchan, Thomas". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/3827. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
2.  Henderson, Thomas Finlayson (1886). "Buchan, Thomas". In Stephen, Leslie. Dictionary of National Biography. 7. London: Smith, Elder & Co.

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1886). "Buchan, Thomas". Dictionary of National Biography. 7. London: Smith, Elder & Co.