yeovil people
norman buchanan
Draper and four-times Mayor of Yeovil
Norman
Buchanan was
born in 1858 at
Uig on the
Island of Lewis,
in
the Outer
Hebrides. His
name in the
local dialect
was Tormod Iain
Saighdear. He
was the eldest
child of John
Buchannan and
Ann née Smith.
His father had
intended that he
should follow an
educational
career but
Norman preferred
a career in the
drapery trade.
He moved to
Yeovil in 1880
and in the 1881 census he was
listed as a
boarder in
Middle Street at
the home of John
Dunlop, a draper
also from
Scotland.
Norman's
occupation was
described as
traveller.
By the time of the 1891 census Norman, aged 32 and still unmarried, was living in Wyndham Street with his 22-year old brother Alexander. Norman was described as a travelling draper and Alexander was listed as a travelling draper's assistant.
On 30 December 1891 he married Yeovil-born Emily Rose Denmead, known as Rose, the 22-year old daughter of Ambrose Denmead and his wife Martha née Stuckey, in Yeovil. By 1901 Norman and Rose were living at 10 Sherborne Road with two of Rose's sisters, Ada and Mabel, and a credit draper's assistant. Norman was described as a 'credit draper', Ada as a dressmaker and Mabel as a milliner. His business slowly grew and he gradually became more prosperous.
Norman was a Freemason and was initiated into Yeovil's Lodge of Brotherly Love on 5 June 1895. He served as Worshipful Master of the Lodge in 1904.
In 1905 he made his first attempts to enter into public affairs and contested for a seat on the Town Council in the east ward but was defeated. A vacancy occurred in the north ward during 1906 and he was elected at a by-election, representing that ward for the rest of his political career. He was chairman of the Allotments Committee from its formation and a member of the Finance, Housing, and Sanitary Committees. He was vice-chairman of the Education Committee and was one of the Town Council's representatives on the Board of Management of the County School and the governing body of the Girls' High School. He was a member of the Burial Committee, an ex-officio governor of Woborn's Almshouse and an Overseer of the Poor. He was also a member of the Board of Guardians for about seven years.
In 1913 Norman was listed on the Bridport register of electors by virtue of his property in West Bay, even though his residence was listed as Osborne House in Yeovil.
He served four consecutive terms as mayor of Yeovil from 1912 to 1916 and when war broke out in 1914 his normal heavy duties increased to a very large extent. He was chairman of all the numerous War Committees that sprang up, campaigned on behalf of refugee Belgians, presided at many different meetings, opened various functions, and so forth.
Sadly he died in office. He was killed falling down the stairs in his home, Osborne House, on New Year's Eve 1915 after attending a civic function, although he didn't die until 17 January 1916. He was 58 years old. He left his estate of £6,959 15s 1d (over £500,000 at today's value) to his widow, Rose.
Norman
Buchanan's
signature on the
1911 census
gallery
Norman Buchanan's advertisement in Whitby's Yeovil Almanack Advertiser.
Norman Buchanan's mayoral portrait, painted in 1916 the year in which he died in office.
Norman Buchanan's grave in Yeovil Cemetery. Photographed on 4 November 2021.
A close-up of the headstone inscription. Photographed on 4 November 2021.