Nathaniel Buchanan

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Nat Buchanan, pioneer, pastoralist and explorer.
Headstone on Nat Buchanan's grave, Walcha, NSW
Plaque commemorating Nat Buchanan, Walcha, NSW

Nathaniel Buchanan (1826 – 23 September 1901) was an Australian pioneer

pastoralist, drover
and explorer.

Early life

Buchanan was born near

California Gold Rush, but returned to Australia after a short stay to find that their station had been mismanaged and lost in their absence. During the next few years Buchanan had much experience of overlanding
.

Career

In 1859 Buchanan explored new country with William Landsborough, principally on the tributaries of the Fitzroy River, Queensland, when both suffered many privations and were found just in time by a rescue party. Buchanan then joined Landsborough and others as owners of Bowen Downs Station near Longreach, Queensland, which for a time prospered. However, a time came when cattle were almost unsaleable, and the price of wool dropped so low that the station had to be given up and Buchanan was practically penniless.

Buchanan made several explorations inland from Bowen Downs, including securing land near

Burketown, Queensland
. In October 1877, with a companion, Sam Croker, Buchanan began to investigate the country from the known regions round the Rankine to the overland telegraph line, around 800 kilometres (500 mi) away. They discovered much good new land, part of the
Tennant Creek, and then westward to Sturt's Creek. About 64 kilometres (40 mi) from Hooker's Creek he sighted the hills now named Buchanan Hills, and next day came to a branch of Hooker's Creek. Then he went to Hale's Creek and the Sturt, and then to Flora valley. Attempts were made to find a practicable stock route to the west with no success. Returning to Flora Creek he prepared a report for the South Australian government which added much to the knowledge of the country, though Buchanan had failed in his main object. In 1899 Buchanan, now 73 years of age, bought a farm on Dungowan Creek, 35 kilometres (22 mi) from Tamworth and he died there in 1901 still working. Nat was buried in the general cemetery at Walcha, New South Wales
. He married in 1863 Catherine Gordon who survived him, along with a son.

Legacy

Buchanan was a great bushman and a good explorer. He knew the country from northern Queensland to

Perth. When he died, he owned almost no land, but he made possibilities for other men who in many cases reaped where he had sown. His brother William
had also been a significant pastoralist pioneer.

References

  1. ^ Up rode the squatter Hector Holthouse p123 Rigby, 1970 - Biography & Autobiography
  2. ^ The Australian people:an encyclopedia of the nation, its people and their origins James Jupp p659 Cambridge University Press, 2001
  3. ^ Debrett's handbook of Australia and New Zealand Debrett's Peerage Limited, Suzanne Duke, Debrett's Peerage (Firm) - 1984
  4. ^ The Scots in Australia:a study of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, 1788-1900
  5. ^ "Queensland Pioneers". Morning Bulletin. Rockhampton, Queensland: National Library of Australia. 14 November 1938. p. 4. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
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