Other Bucks to Virginia

 

In addition to Thomas Buck I, generally assumed to be the ancestor of the Buck family of Virginia,  there were other Bucks leaving England for the New World.  In particular, land was granted in Virginia for transportation of these Bucks:

• Peter BUCK, by John Jackson, 1635
• Peter BUCK, by John Jackson, 1637, Charles River Co.
• Thos. BUCK, by William Canhooe, 1639, Charles River Co
•  Thomas BUCK, by Thomas Harvey, 1640, James City Co.
•  John BUCK, by John Bayles, 1642
•  Old BUCK, by Sr. Tho. Luntsford, Kt., and Baronett, 1650

None of these exactly matches with my ancestor Thomas Buck and 1635 although several are so close as to warrant further investigation – if only more information were available!

John Jackson was granted land for transporting two Peter Buck’s and at about the same time; these may have been the same person.  Likewise, there were two Thomas Buck’s transported about the same time.  In fact, all these may have been the same person since false claims are not unheard of.  In any case, I’ve not been able to find additional information.

The Thos. Buck transported to Charles River County, Virginia in 1639 by William Canhooe is sometimes called the “Other Thomas Buck”.  He died in 1648 in York county which was split from Charles River county.  His sister, Mary, living in England, wife of Richard Thorpe, was his sole heir.  Therefore, this “Other Thomas Buck” had no children and could not be the ancestor of the Buck family of Virginia.

It is very interesting that, at one time, there may have been these six Bucks, Thomas Buck I, and the children of the Reverend Richard Buck all living in the same general area of Virginia.

William Calmes Buck: Acrostic

(Continuing posts about William Calmes Buck)

William Calmes Buck was known for his ability to compose an acrostic.  An acrostic is a form of writing in which the first letter of each line spells out a message when read vertically.  Here is an example, written in his own hand for his future mother-in-law, Mrs. Miriam Buck Field.

The vertical message of the acrostic is “Thomas M Field” reading down from the first line and then reading up from the last line.  Wm. C. Buck has cleverly interchanged “I” and “j” in order to use “Jesus” as a first word in the upwardly read portion of the message.  His acrostic is also a poem.

Isabella Miriam Buck Field and her husband Willis Field had a son named Thomas born in 1816 but who died in 1823.  In 1825, they had another son whom they also named Thomas but gave him the middle name of McClanahan.  Thomas M. Field married Susan Mary Higbee in 1850.  He was a farmer and raised horses in Kentucky where he served in the State Legislature.  He died in 1908.

William Calmes Buck married the daughter of Willis Field and Isabella Miriam Buck, Isabella Miriam Field, on June 30, 1829.

Reverend Thomas Buck (1777-1862)

Thomas Buck, the first son of Charles Buck II and Mary Richardson was born on Nov. 15, 1777 in Frederick County, Virginia.  Instead of assigning him a number, he is usually distinguished by calling him Reverend Thomas Buck or sometimes Thomas Buck, minor.  However, he is also referred to as the “Elder” or Thomas Buck VI in some references. Reverend Thomas Buck married Amelia Lee Dawson, daughter of James Dawson and Elizabeth Carter on October 19, 1801.  Amelia Lee Dawson was born on March 27, 1783, the daughter of Reverend James Dawson.  Reverend James Dawson was a co-worker of James Ireland, and like him, was imprisoned for preaching heresy.

The Reverend Thomas Buck was a “pioneer "Old School" Baptist minister of early Virginia.  He did not go along with his younger brother, William Calmes Buck, when the latter went into the "missionary" Baptist ministry, but the two never lost their close regard for each other.”

                                                              -- notes of H. N. Buck, 1965

Thomas Buck served as pastor to the Happy Creek Church, in Front Royal.  Elders James Ireland (a native of Scotland), William Marshall, and John Taylor were instrumental in the establishment of this church in 1783 with 64 members.  It was originally called Lower South River Church, because it was located near the south branch of the Shenandoah River.  

In the Federal Census of 1850, the Reverend Thomas Buck, age 73, identified his occupation as “Minister (O.S. Baptist)” meaning “Old School” as opposed to “Missionary”.  In the 1860 census, his occupation was “Preacher O.S.B”.  In early censuses, occupation was not recorded; however, the “Old School” ministers were not paid for their services so Thomas Buck was a farmer and apparently a good one.

Whereas his younger brother, William Calmes Buck, travelled widely and was an author and publisher, it appears that Thomas remained near Buckton and did not author any publications.  There is, however, there is a letter from his father as well as a letter from his uncle, Thomas Buck, to him.   

                              

Reverend Thomas Buck and Amelia Lee Dawson Buck had the following children:

• Annis C. Buck (1801-1827); married John Lovell Buck; died in Kentucky.
• Samuel Dawson Buck (1801-1863); married (1) his second cousin Martha Ann Buck, (2) married Miriam Guthrie; died in Kentucky.  He was a druggist.
• Mary R. Buck (1810-1846); married her second cousin Meredith Helm Jr. whose mother was Anne Buck (1775-1860).  Died in Virginia.
• John Gill Buck (1814-1862); married Elizabeth Ellen McKay; died in Virginia.  He remained in the old Buck homestead where he was a farmer.
• Thomas Calmes Buck (1817-1878); married Sarah Catherine Gatewood; died in Fulton County, Kentucky.  In 1860, he was a farmer in Missouri; in 1870 he was an “agt sewing machines” in Kentucky.

Reverend Thomas Buck died on December 10, 1862 at the age of 85 in Front Royal, Warren County, Virginia.  Amelia L. Dawson died on January 20, 1857 at the age of 73.They are buried in Buckton Cemetery, Virginia.

It appears that the original headstone for the Reverend Thomas Buck’s grave was damaged and replaced.  This must have happened before 1998 when I saw it.

A Letter from Thomas Buck V

.
A letter from Thomas Buck V to his nephew, Thomas Buck son of Charles Buck II. (Notice that the nephew is called “Junior” and “cousin” in contrast to current naming and relationship conventions.) This is the same Thomas Buck who was the recipient of a letter, previously posted, from his father. The letter below was delivered by a Mr. English.
.

Mr. Thomas Buck, Jun.,
Rocking County
Belle Air
Jan 16th, 1812

My dear cousin & full namesake:

Having so good an opportunity, I cannot forbear sending you this small token of my regard, though I don’t expect I can be lengthy, as we had a little meeting here tonight its very late, my pen bad, and I can’t see to mend it, and am very clumsy at best. However I want to tell you, I was exceedingly glad to hear from you, and that you were all well, and that Amelia was well satisfied, and expecially that you are not backward in speaking occasionally in behalf of your Master’s cause, for so shall your light shine before men and they wil thereby be made to glorify your father which is in Heaven. I have wished frequently since I parted with you to have an opportunity to enlarge on the hint I then gave you, i.e. that peradventure providence had some wise end in sending you into that place, it may the Lord has much people there, and you may be the instrument designed for calling them into the fold. I must tell you my dear cousin that it was with pleasure, I observed your growth in devine knowledge, since your public profession, and your usefulness in the church became more and more conspicuous, which gave not only myself, but others great hopes concerning you, and I felt very unwilling to part with you on that, as well as other accounts, but when the thought was suggested that peradventure the Lord had wise ends in removing you I submitted cheerfully. I can assure you that these observations are not intended to raise vanity, but to impress on your mind, a sense of duty. That you have talents is evident, and if improved I have no doubt will become useful, and if neglected, or buried in the rubbish of this world, as your poor old useless uncles have been, you will probably repent as he has done when it is too late. But least Satan should seek advantage of you, attempt to make proud, let me remind you, that these talents are not your own, but your Lord’s; and that he will certainly call you to account for them. And now as I am old and you are young, and have never experienced the conflicts, I have, take piece of fatherly advice, after asking you a few questions. 1st – When the plan of salvation through Christ was first revealed to you and indeed at all subsequent times, when faith has been in lively exercise, did not you think it was so plain that you could convince the whole world? And did not your bowels yearn after your fellow creatures? 2ndly – Has not the worth of souls, at times lay heavy on you? And have you not felt as if the Lord would require them at your hands if you did not warn them of their danger? 3rd – Have you not felt convicted for neglecting to reprove sin? 4thly – Does not the loose and untender walk of prossprous grieve you? And do you not wish to see all that name the name of God depart from iniquity? I could ask many more questions, but I find short as I intended to be at first, I shall not have room, I must therefore desist and proceed to the advice I promised and 1st. If you can answer the foregoing introgatories in the affirmative; quench not the spirit, but indulge, and cherish its motions, and follow its dictates, praying to God for assistance and relying on him for support. The enemy of souls will not doubt magnify the office of an ambassador for God and tell you it is too great for you, but tell him hes’ a liar, for if he could qualify a Matthew the publican, a Simon Peter the fisherman etc., etc. in so eminent a manner and could qualify a Fristoe & Mason and the plowmen & a Henderson the tanner in these latter times and can raise up children to Abraham out of stones, he is able to qualify the meanest of his people for any office he is pleased to call them to. But perhaps he’ll try the same temptations he did with Christ, then repulse him in the same manner. If he should persuade you that are qualified for some dignified station in the world tell him your master is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and one the greatest Kings that ever filled a temporal throne, chose rather to be a door keeper to his house than to dwell in the tents of wickedness.

But I must desist, my paper, fire and time forbids enlarging. I could now fill another sheet, but perhaps this may suffice at present. Theres no room nor time for news. This leaves in common health, except colds, of which myself and your aunt shares largely. Harry is also sick, Marcus was poorly last letter. Tell cousin Amelia her father was here last Sunday, his wife poorly & the news of Mrs. Wilsons being burnt in theatre afflicts her very much, which you have no doubt heard. The children are also poorly with the hooping cough. Old Mrs. King is here and begs to be remembered to you all. My family are all in bed or I expect they would all send their loves to you. I have turned the back of my pen and must say farewell.
.
Tho. Buck
.

The known characters are:

Thomas Buck -- born 1777, the first born son of Charles Buck II. He was called “Junior” to differentiate him from his uncle Thomas Buck V but will be assigned “VI” to differentiate from all the other Thomas Bucks. He is often referred to as the “Rev. Thomas Buck”.

Amelia – Thomas’ wife, Amelia Dawson Buck, born 1783.

Amelia’s father - Rev. James Dawson.

Marcus – probably Marcus Calmes Buck, son of Thomas Buck V
.

Thomas Buck V – Captain of Virginia Militia

.
A Lieutenant of Virginia Militia and county Magistrate at the age of 21, Thomas Buck V was Captain in the 8th Virginia Regiment during the Revolution.

On January 11, 1776 Thomas Buck V was commissioned Lieutenant of a company of militia while a resident of Dunmore County (now Shenandoah). In 1777 he was Adjutant under Colonel Joseph Pugh, Commandant of the Dunmore militia. On September 5, 1777, at Woodstock, he was unanimously chosen Captain of a company of volunteers dubbed “Buck’s Minute Men” of the 8th Virginia Regiment and went to Fort Pitt where he served for about four months. In 1778, by then a resident of Frederick County, he raised a company of volunteers and was elected Captain for about two months. These appointments and elections show a high regard for young Thomas Buck V, then only in his early twenties.

On May 8, 1793 Thomas Buck V was appointed Captain of Virginia militia by Governor Henry Lee (Lighthorse Harry Lee) and served during the Whiskey Rebellion.

Thomas Buck V was allowed a pension on October 1, 1833 (Claim S. 16,672) for his military service during the Revolutionary War. In all he had served six months duty in the Virginia militia. He explained “I, being a minuteman, did not enter the regular service, for I had a big family I could not well leave for lengthy service. I was always ready for emergency.” At the time, it was acceptable to furnish a substitute for military service but only the wealthy could afford to do so.
.

Thomas Buck V (1756 – 1842)

.
Thomas Buck V, the third and youngest son of Charles Buck I, was born on June 10, 1756; his mother was Letitia Sorrell Buck. Thomas was full brother to Charles Buck II and half brother of John Buck. He was born in Frederick County, Virginia and lived all his life in Virginia. At a young age he moved across the river from the family farm in Buckton to Front Royal where he lived most of his life. His home in Front Royal, Bel Air, still exists although extensively remodeled and no longer owned by a member of the Buck family.

Thomas Buck V was a member of the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War and received a pension for his service. He was a strong civic, business and Baptist leader. He became wealthy and his descendants were prominent in the area for many years.

Like his brothers John and Charles, Thomas married one of the Richardson sisters. Both Thomas and Anne were only eighteen when they married in 1774. With three Buck brothers having married three Richardson sisters, it’s no wonder that there was said to be a certain “look “ to the thirty-two grandchildren of Charles Buck I !

As will be seen from the next series of postings, much more is known of Thomas Buck V than of his father or brothers.
.

A Letter from Charles Buck II

.
This is a letter from Charles Buck II to his son, Thomas Buck VI (Junior in the letter).

Mr. Thomas Buck, Jwr.
Rockingham County
Two miles from Kezeltown

August 12th, 1812

Dear Tommy:

I have been waiting for a favorable opportunity to forward your Dismissions to you, but fearing I might detain them too long, have enclosed them herein and left them with your Brother Sammy to be sent on in the most direct manner he can.

I have the happiness of informing you that we are in usual health as are our connections in this place also, as far as I know of. I heard from Mr. Dawson’s a few days past, at which time nothing uncommon appeared with them.

Br. Hiter has returned to our neighborhood, he preached at Water Lick on Tuesday last, and is to be there again tomorrow, together with Br. Brice and an other Minister.

Charley has been from home better than a week, he went with a young man of the name of Brady, who has been lately Baptized at Bethel. They went towards Dumfries, I suppose the young man was going to be married. William has been talking of going to see you, but I suppose it will not be till after the association, as I have some expectation of going there, If I should be spared.

As I have nothing of a particular nature to write you (tho’ were I to employ my pen which perhaps I ought to do I might find many things necessary) I therefore recommend you and family, to the care of him who is able to protect you from harm, and abundantly to supply all your wants.

Your Mother and sister desires most affectionately to be remembered to you all and I likewise present to yourself, Amelia and the children, my sincere love and affection.

From your Father,


The known characters are:

Thomas Buck -- born 1777, the first born son of Charles Buck II. He was called “Junior” to differentiate him from his uncle Thomas Buck V but will be assigned “VI” to differentiate from all the other Thomas Bucks. He is often referred to as the “Rev. Thomas Buck”.

Sammy – Samuel Mountjoy Buck, brother to Thomas, born 1783.

Mr. Dawson – probably Thomas’s father-in-law, Rev. James Dawson.

Charley – Charles Buck III, brother to Thomas, born 1788

William – William Calmes Buck, brother to Thomas, born 1790. He was licensed to preach only a few days after this letter was written.

Amelia – Thomas’ wife, Amelia Dawson Buck, born 1783.

Children – In 1812, Thomas had three children: Annice, Mary and Samuel.


Places are:

Water Lick – land donated by Charles Buck II for a church, approximately one mile from his house.

Dumfries – the oldest chartered town in Virginia. It dates to 1690 and includes a harbor on Quantico Creek. Charles Buck I owned land there. Dumfries is probably near the land originally owned by Thomas Buck I.

.