William Calmes Buck's Children: Giddings Judson Buck (1840-1912)

Gideon Judson Buck, usually known as “Giddings”, was born on April 4, 1840 in Louisville, Kentucky "at 7 1/2 p.m." according to the notes of his father, William Calmes Buck.  His mother was Isabella Miriam Field.  Giddings was an educator, soldier, lawyer and author. 

Giddings would have received his early education in Louisville.  From around 1850 to 1853 he and his brother Charles attended Georgetown College in Georgetown, Kentucky while their father moved to Nashville.  After the death of his mother in 1852, Giddings’ father, enrolled him, his brother, Charles, and his sister, Emma, in Union College in Murfeesboro, Tennessee.  They boarded with the college president, Dr. Joseph H. Eaton, a personal friend of their father.  Giddings graduated from Union College with an A.M. (Master of Arts) degree.   Giddings was a member of Phi Delta Gamma at Union College.  He also was an instructor at Union College before graduation.  Giddings is sometimes said to have graduated from Union College in 1858; however, the Union College catalog includes his name in the class of 1857. 

By December 18, 1857 Giddings’ sister, Emma, was in Greensboro, Alabama where her father was pastor of the Greensboro Baptist Church.  Emma noted in her diary that Giddings and much of her family, including her brother, Charles Willis Buck were there.  Apparently, Giddings and Charles were planning to open a school nearby.

Instead of opening his own school, in 1859, Giddings Buck became a teacher at Madison College, Spring Creek, Madison County, Tennessee.   That college was destroyed by fire in 1876.

Giddings was said to be Professor of Ancient Languages at Mississippi College in Clinton during 1859-1860; however, that source cannot be found.  From Mississippi College, he went to Salado College in Texas.

Although some researchers have stated that Giddings Buck was a founder and the first president of Salado College, Salado Springs, Texas, this is not correct.  Salado College was created in 1859 through the efforts of three men:  Carroll Kendrick, Hermon Aiken and Elijah Sterling Clack Robertson.  E. S. C. Robertson, President of the first Board of Trustees, was probably the first “president” of Salado College.  Salado College was incorporated on February 8, 1860 by Texas Senate Bill #40 but it existed in 1859.

Giddings J. Buck became the third principal of Salado College and was serving in 1862.  Giddings taught higher mathematics, ancient languages, and German.   Miss Mary C. Halbert (future wife of Giddings) also was a teacher at Salado College.

As the Civil War progressed, Giddings formed a cavalry company and left Salado College in March, 1962.   Later he joined the 13th Texas Cavalry of the CSA.  Other Civil War records show G. J. Buck in the 30^th Regiment, Texas Cavalry (Gurley’s) (1^st Texas Partisan Rangers).  Although Giddings is often referred to as “Colonel” in genealogy studies, the records actually show that he enlisted as a private and was discharged as a private.  He did not like military life, writing

“March 2, 1863

One year ago to-day I closed up my business for the purpose of joining the army.  Then every ambition and glowing anticipation was awake, hopes for my own humble efforts in helping to win its freedom … And here I am now – what?  A driveling private in a despicable company under an imbecile Capt & Lieuts, in a conscript regt.“

Giddings situation and attitude with respect to the Army did not improve and he wrote on April 21, 1863

“Well, the truth, if I must confess to myself, is, I’m getting woefully tired of living among these ruffians.”

After the war, Giddings returned to Texas in 1865.  Gideon Judson Buck and Mary Cottingham Halbert, daughter of Isaac Newton Halbert and Ermina Slater Willson, were married on July 3, 1865 in Coryell County, Texas – probably in Gatesville. Mary Cottingham Halbert was born on January 20, 1844 in Lewis County, Kentucky.  Like her husband, she was well-educated.  After marrying, they lived three miles south of Waco where he studied Law and became an attorney.

Giddings father, William Calmes Buck, and other family members moved to the Waco area in 1866.

Giddings may have had a problem with his temper.  On March 26, 1875, Giddings shot Dr. J. H. Caldwell in the head during an altercation in Giddings’ office.  The reason for the altercation is not known.  Giddings immediately turned himself in and was freed after placing a $2500 bond.  The details and ramifications of the legal judgements and settlements remain unknown.  Dr. J. H. Caldwell survived and continued to practice medicine.  Apparently Giddings was not jailed or disbarred as he was still a practicing attorney in 1876 when he again got into trouble.  In Federal Court on February 10, 1876, there was some sort of physical altercation between Giddings and Judge A. J. Evans.  Both were seized, both apologized and both were fined $100.

In 1880, Giddings gave his occupation as Lawyer + Farmer in the Census.  By 1881, Giddings had moved to Laredo and lived there for several years.  In 1881, he established the Gate City, a Laredo newspaper. 

In a very complimentary article, the Waco News Tribune paid tribute to Giddings daughters, Miriam and Nellie on October 1, 1932.  The article noted that Miriam graduated from Baylor in 1886 and began to teach in Pleasanton, Texas along with her father.  After a few months at Pleasanton, Miriam and Giddings opened a private school at Buda – a small town 15 miles southwest of Austin.  Giddings youngest son, Harrison, was born in Buda, Texas in 1887.

The Census of 1900 does not show Giddings in Laredo or Waco; however, his wife, daughter Nellie and son Harry lived in Waco at 1600 South 9th Street. His wife, Mary, is shown as head of the household.  The children were in school.  The city directory for Waco in 1900 shows Giddings J. Buck to live at 1600 South 9th Street and occupied as a journalist.

The census of 1910 shows Giddings as head of household in Waco at 1824 South 9th Street -- the same street as the census of 1900.  His wife and children also live in the house.  His occupation is “Own Income”.

Giddings wrote for various Texas newspapers including the Waco Examiner, San Antonio Express and the Houston Chronicle.  In the late 1890s, Giddings was travelling about and lecturing, especially on the subject “The Creation of Man”. He put many of these ideas into his book "The Free Christian" which he described as "the result of sixty years of study and observation and written with the object of serving God and mankind". This five hundred and eighty page book, published in 1906, addressed conflicts between science and religion and cost $2.18 in 1907.

Gideon Judson Buck and Mary Cottingham Halbert had the following children, all born in Texas:

·        Ermine Field Buck (1866-1944); married Offa S. Lattimore in 1890.  They lived in Fort Worth and then in Austin.  Ermine Field Buck was a teacher; before her marriage, she was the first professor of mathematics at Baylor College for women in Belton and also professor of mathematics at Baylor University in Waco.  O. S. Lattimore was a teacher, an attorney, a member of the Texas state senate and became a judge.  He was a deacon in the Baptist church, a Sunday School teacher and president of the Texas Baptist General Convention.  He was a trustee of Baylor University and recipient of many honors and awards.

·        Miriam Olive Buck (1868-1951); lived in Waco, Texas.  Miriam received a Ph. D. degree from Waco University, Waco, Texas.   In addition to her degrees from Waco University, Miriam Buck did post graduate work at Yale, the University of Virginia and the University of Chicago.  She also taught at Stranger, Reagan and Temple before returning to Baylor where she taught English for twenty-one years. 

·        Raymond Halbert Buck (1870-1932); married Eula E. Blackmore.  Buried in Fort Worth, Texas.  Served in WWI. He was a rancher, a lawyer and a judge.  He also taught law at the old Fort Worth University.

·        Mary Davidge Buck (1872-1876).

·        Gideon Judson Buck Jr. (1877-1895).

·        Oliver Halbert Buck (1879-1936); married Hilda Smissen; lived in Kokomo, Indiana.  Was manager in a wire manufacturing factory.

·        Nellie Faulkner Buck (1881-1964); graduated in 1903 from Baylor University.  After graduation from Baylor, Nellie Buck attended graduate school at Yale University.  In 1904, she returned to Waco and taught her first student -- a young girl who could not attend the Waco public schools because she lived outside the city limits.  Later, she founded Waco Academy which eventually had six teachers and sixty students.  From 1904 to 1921 she taught at their home on South Ninth Street and then moved the school to North Seventeenth Street.

·        Harrison Davidge Buck (1887-1959); married his first cousin, Mary Susan Buck, daughter of Silas C. Buck and Georgia Rebecca Titus. They lived in Fabens, El Paso County, Texas.  He served in WWI.  Usually called Harry, he was a merchant.  In 1920, he was a grocery clerk; his wife was a teacher.  In 1930, he was an auditor for a petroleum company.  In 1942, he worked at Westex Auto Parts.

Giddings developed throat cancer late in life.  At the age of 71, while visiting his son Harrison in El Paso, he died on March 25, 1912.  He was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, McLennan County, Texas.  Mary Cottingham Halbert Buck died on February 5, 1915 at the age of 71 in Texas. She was also buried in Oakwood Cemetery.

William Calmes Buck's Children: Mary Elizabeth Buck (1819-1901)

Mary Elizabeth Buck was the daughter of William Calmes Buck and Maria Lewright.  She was born in Virginia on September 11, 1819.  Her mother died in Kentucky when Mary was only three years old.

Mary married Rezin Davidge Jr. (1813-1902), a Kentucky merchant, on June 3, 1839.  Rezin was the son of Rezin Davidge Sr. and his wife, Betsey Bell.  Rezin Sr. was a noted attorney in Christian County, Hopkinsville, Kentucky having been a midshipman in the navy and a Circuit Court Judge.

Mary and Rezin moved to Richmond, Southfield Township, New York about 1853 where Rezin continued as a merchant and also became an importer.  They were very successful.  Mary and Rezin were very supportive of her father, William Calmes Buck, and her siblings during and after the Civil War.  In her diary of 1862-1864, Mary’s half-sister, Emma Buck, while living in McKinley, Alabama, wrote of receiving letters from Mary that had been brought to them by returning prisoners.

In 1868, Mary and Rezin were visited by Giddings and Field Buck in Staton Island, New York.  Apparently, they were attempting to find a publisher for a book by their father, William Calmes Buck, and stayed in New York for several months.  The (proposed?) book was rejected by Scribners and perhaps others.  In his letter of April 29 to his wife, Mary, Giddings wrote “The half of Sister’s troubles with Yankees during the war was not told us.”  He also noted that Mary would like to visit Texas.

By 1900, Rezin had retired and they moved to Washington D.C. to live with their nephew Charles Davidge.

Mary Elizabeth Buck and Rezin Davidge had no children.

Mary Elizabeth Buck Davidge died September 19, 1901 in Washington, D.C. In his own will, Rezin Davidge noted that his wife wanted to bequeath funds to her whole and half siblings and that he was fulfilling her wishes.  He therefore bequeathed the sum of $2100 each to those siblings or their families. Mary Elizabeth Buck Davidge is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery, Washington, D.C.  near her husband.

Mary Richardson Buck (1792-1823)

Mary Richardson Buck was born on December 10, 1792 in Virginia to Charles Buck II and Mary Richardson.  She married William Mountjoy Bayly on May 25, 1814.  He was a doctor, the son of Pierce Bayly and Mary Payne born October 10, 1796.

Apparently, Mary was called “Polly”.  Sometimes “Bayly” is spelled “Bayley”.

William Mountjoy Bayly and Mary Richardson Buck had the following children:

• Richard Beverage Bayly (1817- 1844); married Elizabeth Mauzey Blakemore; died in Virginia. 
• Charles B. Bayly (1818-1880); married Matilda Russell; died in Missouri.  A farmer.
• Jane Letitia Bayly (1820-1898); married Marcus Blakemore Buck; died in Virginia. A farmer.

Mary Richardson Buck Bayly died in Virginia in 1823 at the age of 31.  William Mountjoy Bayly died in 1830.

Charles Buck III (1788-1870)

Charles Buck III was born on February 18, 1788 to Charles Buck II and Mary Richardson.  Charles Buck III and Lucy Chilton Bayliss were married in 1817 in Virginia. Lucy Chilton Bayliss, daughter of William Bayliss and Elizabeth Turner was born on April 10, 1798 in Virginia.

He called himself "the third" and so he was in direct lineage, although his cousin Charles, the son of John Buck I, was older. 

                                                               -- notes of H. N. Buck

Sometimes Charles Buck III is referred to as Charles Bayly Buck III but this is probably not correct.  Charles Bayly Buck (1808-1858) was the son of Samuel Buck whose wife was Mary Bayly.  The surname of Lucy Chilton Bayliss is sometimes spelled Baylis, Bayles or Bayless.

Charles Buck III appears to have travelled from his birthplace in Virginia to Kentucky then Mississippi then Louisiana and then returned to Vicksburg, Mississippi.

At the time of the 1850 census, Charles Buck III was a merchant in Vicksburg, Mississippi.   Lucy C. Buck was included in the household.  Their son, Richard Buck, age 17, lived with them and was a clerk – probably in their store.   In a nearby house, another of their sons, John W. Buck, lived with his wife Mary, age 26.  She was born in Kentucky and their son, also named Charles, age 1, was born in Mississippi.  John W. Buck was also shown to be a merchant. 

By the 1860 census, Charles and Lucy are living in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana with J. R. McEvers who was age 27 and born in Louisiana.  His wife was E. J. McEvers who was age 22 and born in Louisiana in Terrebonne Parish.  In the same house was H. R. Buck, age 33, born in Kentucky, a physician, his daughter Annie, age 4 and Lucy C. age 2 both born in Mississippi.

Charles Buck and Lucy Chilton Bayliss Buck had the following children:

• John William Buck (1819-1916); born in Virginia; married Mary Sutton, Kentucky; died of “hypostatic pneumonia” in Kentucky.  A farmer.
• Charles Lundsford Buck (1824-1862); born in Kentucky; married Maria Isabel Barnett, 1852; died in Mississippi.  He was a prominent attorney in Vicksburg and a legislator in the Mississippi Senate.
• Horace Richardson Buck, (1826-1912); married (1) Ellen Herbert, 1855; (2) married Mary Easton, 1859.  Died in Louisiana.  A physician.
• Richard Sutton Buck (1833-1892); born in Virginia; married Juliana Scott Randolph; died in Mississippi.  An attorney and District Attorney in Vicksburg.
• Marion Buck (1840-1847); a son born and died in Mississippi.

Charles Buck III died on October 12, 1870 at the age of 82 in Vicksburg, Mississippi only a few days after his wife, Lucy Chilton Bayliss died on October 5, 1870 at the age of 72 in Vicksburg.

The Richardson Sisters

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In 1774, the three sons of Charles Buck I married three daughters of William Richardson and Isabella Calmes. Charles II married Mary; Thomas V married Anne and John married Miriam. These three families had thirty-two children. Not surprisingly, Bucks were said to have a certain “look” for many generations!

William Richardson was born on December 26, 1712 in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He died in 1768 in Frederick County, Maryland. William Richardson was a Quaker and was educated by private tutors according to the teachings of the Society of Friends. About 1751, he settled in western Maryland near Frederick City. He was wealthy and his home was a social center as well as a meeting place for religious services. William Richardson and Isabella Calmes were married in August 1746. Isabella Calmes was the daughter of Marquis Calmes II and Winnifred Waller. She was born in 1728 and died on June 10, 1796. She was buried in Buckton Cemetery, Virginia – the oldest grave there.

Very little is known about Mary, Anne and Miriam Richardson Buck. They were loved and respected by their children but mentioned only briefly in a few memoirs. Although their father was a Quaker, it seems that Mary, Ann and Miriam joined the Baptist Church with their husbands and their children were raised as Baptists.

Prior to the generation of the Richardson-Buck children, most people used only a given name and surname. Many of the Richardson-Buck children had middle names as well. The Richardson and Calmes families were highly regarded and those surnames were given as middle names to several of the Buck children.
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The Death of Charles Buck II

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Charles Buck II died August 2, 1823. In his will, he divided his land into parcels of equal value and distributed them to his children. The house, household possessions and land immediately surrounding the house were left to his wife, Mary Richardson Buck, who survived him.

Charles and Mary Buck were buried in the Buck cemetery near their house. His brother, Thomas, and Thomas’ first wife, Ann, are buried alongside them.

Charles Buck II had inherited the old homestead from his father. His son Thomas bought it from the other heirs after the death of his father and mother. Later the house was owned by John Gill Buck, William A. Buck and Meredeth Helm Buck. The house surrounding land was sold in 1917 and a new house was built. The original chimney remained and was part of the new house.

His son, William Calmes Buck, wrote "My father was an extensive farmer and both of my parents were members of the Baptist Church, having united with the church when young, in the times when Baptists were sorely persecuted in Virginia; and they were models of Christian excellence during their lives.”
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Silhouettes of Charles and Mary Buck

In 1996, my dad, my son and I visited Front Royal, Virginia to research our roots there. The Warren Heritage Society was one of the main resources that we wanted to investigate. Unfortunately, we were only able to be there a few hours. Even so, we were able to learn a lot about the early Buck family in the Front Royal, Virginia area.

While browsing through some files, I came across one labeled simply “Charles Buck and Mary Richardson” and peeked into it. The file contained only these two silhouettes – no references, no sources, no notes. No one at the Society had any additional information. I took these photos of the silhouettes.

I have no idea whether these silhouettes are authentic or not but I’ve decided to use them to represent Charles and Mary Buck – my great, great, great, great grandfather and grandmother.

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