Thomas Buck V and the Baptist Movement

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Thomas Buck V was very active in the Baptist movement in early Virginia. Like others in his family, he too, had been strongly influenced by the Rev. James Ireland. Thomas wrote, “I used to go to church with my father and mother, but never understood the sermon. My father was a great sportsman, and used to carry me off to horse races, etc., of which I became very fond, and in all probability would have followed his example had not the Lord arrested both him and myself in our mad career.”

Thomas was baptised in the waters of the Shenandoah River and into the South River Church about 1770 by Samuel Harris. At various times in his life, Thomas was a member of the South River Church, the Waterlick Church and the Happy Creek Church. Thomas and his older brother Charles II were messengers from the Water Lick Church to the Ketoctin Association in 1795.

Thomas Buck V donated land in Front Royal for the Happy Creek Church on December 4, 1835 and was named lifetime trustee for it. In donating the land, Thomas Buck wrote that it was to be used by the “Regular Baptist and for the religious association now called the Happy Creek Church”. At the same time, he noted that “at other times the property is for the use of other Baptists”. Thomas Buck probably specified these terms because, at the time, there was a great disagreement among the Baptists with respect to doctrine. Some of Thomas’ friends and family members belonged to the “Old School” or “Primitive Baptist” group but others belonged to the “New School” or “Missionary Baptist” group. Thomas was more associated with the Missionary Baptists and the tension between the two groups undoubtedly caused him grief. When Thomas felt that the terms of his donation were not being followed, he changed the locks on the church door. On April 28, 1835, Thomas and his (second) wife Ruhama were excommunicated from Old School Happy Creek Church. Eventually the two congregations compromised with the Happy Creek Church and the Front Royal Church alternating their use of the facilities.
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A Letter from Charles Buck II

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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.

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Buck Cemetery

The Buck Cemetery is sometimes described as being in Waterlick, sometimes in Buckton and sometimes near Front Royal. This cemetery dates to the late 1700’s and is located on land originally owned by Charles Buck I. It may include the grave of Charles Buck I. The cemetery is actually easy to find although I was very confused the first time I attempted to find it.

The cemetery is located on SR-610 which turns off of Hwy 55 at Waterlick (near a small, old store) as "Buck's Mill Rd". Shortly after getting on SR-610, SR-678 "Richardson Road" joins it from the left. Keep to the right on SR-610. You'll be sort of following the railroad which will be on your left. When SR-610 crosses the railroad and turns sharply to the right (otherwise running into the river), find a place to park on the side of the road. Then go back to the railroad tracks and follow the tracks up the hill. The cemetery is between the tracks and the river. (Alternatively, you can walk up the hill between the tracks and the river.) It is a beautiful old cemetery surrounded by a stone fence.

Going back to the directions, the house on the left just before crossing the railroad tracks is supposed to be the site of the Charles Buck II house. The chimney is said to be the original chimney but I've not seen any documentation of that fact.