The David Buck, Sr. Family
of Bedford County, PA
By
Lionel Nebeker
2012
Background—
Our story for this Buck family begins with the marriage of David’s parents, Thomas Buck and Elizabeth Scott, on 4 May 1738 in Glastonbury, Connecticut [see Glastonbury Vital Records by Barbour, available on the Internet.] The record of this marriage does not provide any additional information about the ancestry of Thomas Buck, but it does tell us that Elizabeth was the daughter of Thomas Scott. In other places within the same record, we learn that Elizabeth was born on 30 July, 1717 in Glastonbury, to Thomas Scott and Marcy Goodale, and that Marcy was born on 28 Oct. 1681 to Richard & Mary Goodale in Middletown, CT.
We know that these were the parents of our David Buck as his daughter, Elizabeth Buck Garlick (who we will frequently refer to as “EBG”) left a record in 1841 (in Nauvoo, Illinois) and again in 1872 (in Salt Lake City in the Endowment House). EBG had joined the LDS Church in 1837 and had ‘temple work’ performed for her ancestors in these two instances. In those records she specifically gave their names and said that she (EBG) was the grand-daughter of Thomas Buck and Elizabeth Scott, and the daughter of David Buck and Catherine Cashman. She further stated that she was also the grand-daughter of Martin Kirschman (Cashman) and Agnes Schwartz, who were her mother’s parents [FHL Film # 183384 pp. 368, 396; film # 183398 p. 217].
Following their wedding in 1738, Thomas and Elizabeth Buck completely disappear from the local records. We are not sure where they moved but we suspect they continually chose to live on the expanding frontier of the American colonies where few records were kept, and even fewer have been preserved. We have not been successful in finding any additional documentation for this family until their arrival in Bedford County, Pennsylvania in 1775 after a gap of about 37 years, during which time all of their children were born and raised.
Fortunately their grand-daughter, Elizabeth Buck Garlick (EBG), lived long enough to be listed in the 1880 US Federal census for Springville, Utah. She was 85 years old at that time and told the census taker that her father had been born in New Jersey, and her mother in Holland.
Unfortunately, that record does not give the birth years or ages of her parents. We do know from other sources [see Our Kirschman Heritage in America, by this author, available on my web-site at Nebekerfamilyhistory.com] that EBG’s mother, Catherine Cashman, was born in 1752 (in Holland) and David Buck was probably of a similar age. In the 1800 US Census for Bedford Co., PA, David was listed as being over 45 years old, which would mean that he was born some time prior to 1755. We also know that he had a brother, Jonathan, who wrote in his own family Bible that he was born on 12 Jan. 1755. So David was probably born sometime by, or before, 1753. We have pegged his birth at ‘abt. 1752’ which again matches with his wife’s but this is only our best calculated estimate.
On 16 March 1775, David’s brother, Jonathan Buck married Zuriah Covalt. She was the daughter of Abraham Covalt and Elizabeth Gustin—who also moved to Bedford County, PA at about the same time as our Buck family. Zuriah was born 24 Feb. 1756 in Sussex County, New Jersey [from Jonathan’s family Bible]. This county was located in the NW corner of that colony, and prior to the Revolutionary War this was very much on the American frontier. In that wilderness it seems that few records were kept by local authorities. We have not been able to find anything relating to our Buck family. Still, this wedding may be significant for our family research. Note that this marriage occurred fairly early in 1775 (but we don’t know where). This was just about the time that our Buck family first moved to Bedford County, PA. If Jonathan and Zuriah first met in Bedford County, in about 1775, then that would make for a very quick romance and marriage. Might it make more sense that this young couple would have known and courted one another for a longer period of time before their move to Bedford County; and perhaps the wedding even took place in their old home prior to their move? If so, then our Buck and Covalt families may have come to this area together from Sussex Co., N.J. in about 1775. Remember though that this is just deductive thinking and we have no proof and no
documents to support this possibility, but it does give us a place to search for additional information in the future. This county could possibly be the location for the birth of our David Buck, but all we know for sure is that he was born somewhere in New Jersey.
Wherever and whenever the children of Thomas Buck and Elizabeth Scott were born, we have evidence that the family included the following:
Thomas b. 1740-1 Spouse: 1.__?__; 2. Mrs. Margaret Long; 3. Eleanor Lindsey
Marsa (Massa) b. abt 1744 Spouse: Thomas Ferguson
Elizabeth Spouse: Mr. Castway
David b. abt 1752 Spouse: Catherine Cashman (Kirschman)
Jonathan b. 1755 Spouse: Zuriah Covalt
Ichabod b. ?
{Note: I have not included in the above list, two “daughters” (Sarah & Margaret) who have often been included in this family, nor have I included either John or Joseph Buck. It is possible that some of these could have been children of this family, but the best source we have for the above is the ‘temple work’ done by David’s daughter, Elizabeth Buck Garlick (EBG), for her Grandparents, Aunts and Uncles. She completed this work twice for some of her relatives (1841 in Nauvoo, Ill., and again in 1872 in The Endowment House in SLC, UT--a transcript of both of those records will be given at the end of this presentation). In neither of those records did EBG do any work for, or even list as relatives: Sarah, John or Joseph Buck. Therefore, I have chosen to not list them either. EBG did do work for a Margaret Buck, and said she (EBG) was a “niece” of that woman. However, her Uncle, Captain Thomas Buck, lived close by and she knew him well. His second wife was a “Mrs. Margaret Long” and well known by EBG. I believe the Margaret Buck listed in the temple records in SLC was this wife, an aunt to EBG by marriage, but not by blood. Therefore, I have not listed her above as one of the children of Thomas and Elizabeth Scott Buck.}
The birth-dates are unknown for several of these children, but since there was such a large gap between Thomas, Jr. and David, we have elected to place the two known daughters into that range of dates. The span of known births from Thomas Jr. to Jonathan is about 15 years and Elizabeth would have been 38 years old when Jonathan was born—and perhaps 40 when Ichabod was born, if this last boy listed was the baby of the family.
The list of the children (above) was provided by EBG and her children in their temple records as mentioned earlier [1841 Nauvoo, IL; 1872 SLC, UT; 1892 Manti, UT]. Jonathan’s name was not contained in the original records listed above by EBG, but was included by her son in the Manti temple records of a later date.]
There was also a John Buck and a Joseph Buck who were closely associated with this family in Bedford County, but we have no document that establishes their relationship to the rest of this family. It is possible that they were cousins of our David and traveling with our family. As mentioned above, EBG does not list them and so neither will we.
Early tax lists 1775-1780
With all of the above as foundation for our story we will now present the documented history for our David Buck, Sr. and his family.
The very first item we can find for our Bucks in Bedford County is in the 1775 tax list where a Thomas Buck was listed as paying 7 pounds, 6, as a resident of Colerain Township in Bedford Co., PA. (He was not listed in the prior tax list of 1773—and no tax list was found for the year 1774.) Thomas was the only “Buck” listed in that county at that time and we believe this was the father of our David Buck. Thomas would have been about 60 years old (plus or minus 3-4 years; and his wife would have been 58. Based upon our estimated birth for David, he would have been about 23 years old. It is possible that this man was Thomas Buck, Jr. (the
oldest brother of our David) but we don’t think so. It seems much more likely that an entire family, including the daughters, would have moved to this wild frontier as a larger family group if their parents were still living and leading the migration. If the parents had died then it seems less likely that all of their children would have come to the same spot together.
In the next year’s tax record—1776, we again find Thomas Buck, along with Jonathan Buck listed in Colerain Township of Bedford County. Remember that Jonathan had married in the prior year, and it appears he and his wife had made their own claim of land and had their own household, probably adjacent to his father’s land. We suspect that David was still living in his parent’s home.
We have no tax records for 1777 & 1778, but in 1779 there was no Thomas Buck in Colerain Township. We think that he may have died during that interval. He would have been in his early 60’s and life was very challenging claiming and clearing forest land. In his stead, we find taxes were paid (probably for the same piece of property) by: John Buck – 100 acres; and David Buck – 50 acres. There is a Thomas Buck paying taxes on 200 acres of land in Hopewell Township of Bedford Co, PA, but we know from later records that this was, in fact, David’s oldest brother, Thomas Buck, Jr. (also known as “Captain Thomas Buck”). [It is possible that the “John Buck” listed in this tax list could have been the same man as “Jonathan” but it is not likely. There are additional records for a John Buck separate from our Jonathan. Instead, we believe that Jonathan moved, at about this time, to another wilderness area that was, as yet, still unclaimed. This area, located on Brush Creek, later became known as Providence Township in Bedford County. We know that when this area was first surveyed, a few years later, Jonathan Buck was one of the persons already situated on land there and was allowed to hold his land by paying the back taxes for it. [Bedford Co. Archives Vol. 4 – Original Warrants, Patents, and Drafts—Brush Creek twp – Jonathan Buck; file box #7; and Township unknown—Jonathan Buck, file box #1.] Since that land was not yet registered, neither do we find Jonathan paying any taxes during those early years.
In 1780 we still find David Buck and John Buck paying taxes in Colerain Twp., and David’s brother, Thomas Buck, Jr. paying taxes again in Hopewell Twp.
Military Records
The American Revolutionary War began in 1775 in Lexington, MA. Our Buck family had just arrived in southwestern Pennsylvania. It does not appear that they enlisted in the Continental Army, but as the English began sending their Indian allies against the frontier villages, militias were formed in many of the colonies to protect the local residents from such attacks. David’s older brother, Thomas Buck, Jr. was elected Captain of a company formed in Hopewell Township. As Captain he enlisted for a three-year tour of duty from 1777-1780. This also seems to indicate that this Thomas was already residing in Hopewell sometime prior to 1777 as the local men were allowed to elect their own Captains and typically selected someone they already knew and trusted. If he first arrived there in about 1775-76, then that gives more support to the belief that the Thomas Buck still paying taxes in Colerain Twp., in 1776 was most likely his father, our Thomas Buck, Sr.
The 6th Company, 1st Battalion of the PA militia was formed from the men of Providence Township in 1781, with George Enslow as Captain. In this company both David Buck and Jonathan Buck enlisted to fight together. David was assigned to the 7th class (a “class” being about the equivalent of a platoon in today’s terminology—with about ten men to a class) and Jonathan was in the 4th class. Their initial enlistments were for a single year in 1780. It appears that Jonathan later re-enlisted but David served as a Private for only one term. David’s service was certified on 12 July 1781. [Bedford Co. in the American Revolution by Jams B. Whisker, p.67, 1985.; also PA State Archives – Revolutionary War Military Abstracts Card File Series
#13.50; Pennsylvania Archives (5) at 93.]
We do not know any details about David’s military service but we do know there were many British inspired Indian-attacks within the county where settlers were killed and their homes burned. The local militia companies were called out to fight from time to time, and it seems most likely that David’s service may have consisted of respondes to these kinds of depredations.
Tax lists after the Revolutionary War
We have another gap in the tax records from 1781 through 1783. In 1784, towards the end of
the war, we find the following in the tax list for Bedford County:
Buck, Jonathan Providence 5 whites in household
Buck, David Providence Single freeman, with 4 whites in household
Buck, Joseph Cumberland Valley 300 acres, 1 house, 1 white
Buck, John Cumberland Valley 1 house, 4 whites
Buck, Thomas Hopewell 1 house, 4 whites
Note that there is a definite difference between John Buck and Jonathan Buck. By 1784 all of the Bucks had moved away from Colerain Township. Both John and Joseph Buck had moved south to Cumberland Valley Township near the Maryland boarder. Later the two of them moved west to the next county over and eventually left this area entirely, perhaps going to Ohio.
By 1784 both David and Jonathan were located in Providence Township in Bedford Co., PA, and their brother Thomas was still in Hopewell, just a few miles north of Providence. Notice that David, who by then would have been about 32 years old, was still “single”, but there were four white people living in his house. We can only speculate on this but one could have been his mother, and two others were probably siblings.
In the 1785 tax list we find the following:
Name Land owned Township
Buck, Thomas 300 acres Hopewell
Buck, Jonathan 200 acres Providence
Buck, Joseph 100 acres Quemahoning
Buck, William ----- Quemahoning
Buck, John Sr. ----- Quemahoning
Buck, John Jr. 5 acres Quemahoning
Notice that David Buck is missing from the list. More on this later.
Land records
First of all, we need a little geography lesson. Providence Township is located towards the east-central portion of Bedford County. It was created in 1780. In 1854 it was divided into East and West Providence, and the land where the Bucks lived fell just on the west side of that line making it a part of what is now West Providence Township. Brush Creek generally flows from the eastern part of this township to the west and then turns north to empty into the Raystown Branch of the Juniata River. Our Buck families lived along both sides of Brush Creek, beginning first with Jonathan Buck who, as mentioned above, was one of the original occupants of this area, and was already there when the land was first surveyed in 1780. Here are some references to our Bucks in the land records of Bedford County beyond the tax lists given above.
1785 – [from Bedford County Archives – Vol. 3]
Buck, Thomas owned 300 acres in Hopewell Twp. P. 86
Buck, Thomas 300 acres 22 Feb. 1785 p. 457
Buck, Jonathan owned 200 acres in Providence Twp. P. 94
Surely the following items are a repeat of the above, but from a different source with slightly different information [Warrantees of Land, County of Bedford 1771-1893.]
Buck, Thomas 300 acres on 22 Feb. 1785 p.457
Buck, Jonathan 200 acres on 28 Oct. 1785 p.457
{David Buck is not mentioned in the land records between 1785-1789. It seems that he departed this area during that period, after which he returned with a new wife, Catherine Cashman (Kirschman) and her four children by a previous marriage to Adam Bumgartner.}
28 Feb. 1787 – Thomas Buck applied for 400 acres including an improvement (house or barn) on the south side of Raystown Branch of the Juniata River on both sides of Brush Creek, adjoining Alison’s Survey, in Providence. Forum Deeds in Bedford Co. [p.66].
In 1789 Jonathan Buck sold his land in Providence Township and moved to the western side of the County, and from there (in 1793) he moved to Tennessee. From the records it appears that Captain Thomas Buck purchased at least some land from his brother, Jonathan, at this time.
16 Feb. 1789 – Thomas Buck applied for 100 acres on the southeast side of Warrior Ridge, adjoining a survey of James Hunter on the north and by a survey of Barnard Dougherty esq. on the south in Hopewell. [Forum Deeds—Bedford p.67]
Again, we see these entries in the Warrantees of Land, County of Bedford 1771-1893] as follows:
Buck, Thomas 400 acres 28 Feb 1787 p.458
Buck, Thomas, Jr. 100 acres 28 Feb 1787 p.458
Buck, Thomas 100 acres 16 Feb 1789 p.459
Buck, Thomas 25 acres 24 July 1795 p.469
Buck, Thomas 100 acres 27 June 1806 p.469
Buck, Thomas 20 acres 20 Sep 1806 p.469
Buck, David, EX 28 acres 3 June 1845 p.473
The David Buck listed above was David Buck Jr., the son of our David Buck, Sr. He had inherited the land from his father’s estate after 1816.
Note that most of the purchases above naming Thomas Buck were surely for the Captain Thomas Buck of Hopewell Twp., the brother of our David, Sr. But at least one of these appears to be for his son, “Thomas Jr.” It seems that the Captain was encouraging his son to get started with some land of his own in about 1787. And, it appears that Thomas Jr. may have purchased land in Providence Twp, perhaps a portion of the land of his uncle, Jonathan Buck. It is clear (as will be shown later) that David’s brother, Captain Thomas Buck of Hopewell Twp., was also one of the purchasers of at least some land in Providence Twp.
1789, Feb. 10 – Providence Twp.
Jonathan Buck sold some of his property to Robert Ackers. Land granted to Jonathan Buck December 6, 1788 by patent in Providence Twp., Bedford Co., PA on Brush Creek and Roaring Run (near Ackersville, Brush Creek Twp., Fulton, PA)
It is clear that our David Buck, Sr. owned land in Providence Twp. prior to 1785, but then he suddenly disappeared from all land and tax records. We have not found any record of him selling his land. When he returned he was again living on Brush Creek in Providence Twp. in the 1790 Federal census, indicating that he probably did not sell his land. In fact, he bought additional land in 1796.
1796, Jan. 9 – Providence Twp.
David Buck, land deeded to him by Benjamin Ferguson and Zilah, his wife, for 45 pounds, that tract of land called Oxford Situate on the waters of Brush Creek also running by the land of Thomas Buck, Esq. Thence by land of Andrew Sebastian? 247 acres & 20 perches. Signed Benjamin Ferguson, his signature & Zilah Ferguson, her mark. [This Benjamin Ferguson was David Buck’s nephew, the son of his sister, Marsa (Mercy, or Massa) Buck Ferguson. This document also helps us to establish a potential age for David’s sister, Mercy Buck Ferguson. For her son to be old enough to sell this parcel to David, she must have been quite a bit older than David. If we estimate her birth to have occurred about 1744 (in a very rough estimate) then she could have married her husband, Thomas Ferguson, by about 1763-65, and had a son, Benjamin Ferguson by about 1766. He in turn, could then have been old enough to own property (by age 21) in about 1787, and then resold it to his uncle, David Buck, in 1796. Benjamin Ferguson owned this parcel by “patent” which means he was the first “white man” to claim this land from the government. We’re not exactly sure how long Benjamin owned the land before selling it, but this at least shows that this could work if Mercy Buck was of an approximate age as we have shown here.]
1798 assessment – Providence Twp.
David Burke (sic): Cabbin 18 X 18, 267 acres, neighbor Thomas Burke (sic)
Thomas Burke (sic): Log House 20 X 18, 409 acres. Neighbor John Williams.
[Probably both of these should have been listed as “Buck” instead of Burke.]
1808 tax list for Providence Twp. Thomas Buck no land, tax $ .10
David Buck 247 acres, tax $1.00
This Thomas, with “no land” was probably the 18 year old son of our David Sr. rather than any of the Thomas Bucks previously mentioned. Although he owned no land he did have the privilege of paying taxes that year.
1815, Mar. 29 – Providence Twp.
Thomas Buck and wife Margaret, sold to George Myers, land in Providence Twp being rented by William Conners for $2,400., on Brush Creek joining John Allison’s survey and running by David Buck’s property. Granted to Thomas by warrant 28 Feb. 1787 plus the patent dated 29 July 1795. Patent book 26 p.191, 31 July 1795. It was south of Juniata River and on both sides of Brush Creek, 409 acres & 50 perches. Signed by Thomas Buck, his signature, and Margaret Buck, her mark.
This is a very interesting entry as we know that the Captain, Thomas Buck (brother of our David Sr.) was the man who was married to Mrs. Margaret Long. It also makes it clear that this Thomas owned land right next to our David Buck until the date of this sale… which occurred just shortly before the death of our David Buck, Sr. (1816). This may also be the same parcel of land originally owned by their other brother, Jonathan Buck.
1816, Feb. – David Buck made his will and died shortly thereafter.
1818, Sep 12 – Providence Twp.
Two years after his father (David Buck, Sr) died and left him this land, David Buck, Jr. sold to Peter Weaverline (Weaverling) 81 acres of land situate along both sides of Brush Creek, Providence Twp. Signed by his mark. Land obtained by patent 10 Jan. 1795 to Benjamin Ferguson.
Cashman (Kirschman) & Bumgardner
Before we continue with the Buck family, we need to take a sideways step to briefly discuss the Cashman family, as that brings in the wife of David Buck, Sr. For greater detail on this family please refer to The Kirschman Family in America, by this author and posted in this web-site.
Hans Martin Kirschenmann was born on 5 Feb. 1732 in Pfalzgrafenweiler, Wuerttemberg, in what is now the southwest corner of Germany. He grew up there and sometime about 1751 he married Agnes Schwartz, who was born on 27 April 1832 in Goettelfingen, Wuerttemberg. This young couple left almost immediately and immigrated to America. Their journey began in the spring of 1752 by floating down the Rhine River to Amsterdam. In the short time they were there awaiting a ship to take them to England, Agnes gave birth to her first child, probably in June 1752, who they named Catherine Kirschenmann. Their wait was not long and they sailed next for Cowles, Isle of Wight, England and then to Philadelphia, PA, where they arrived safely on 19 Sept. 1752. We won’t try to recount all of the documentation for this family in this short space as it can be found in the Kirschman article, but Hans Martin’s name can be found on the ships passenger list on the date of their arrival in Philadelphia, which list contained only the names of the heads of families, and not all of the passengers.
This family lived for many years in Berks County, PA, and then in York Co., PA, before moving to Washington County, Maryland in 1777. The Revolutionary War was in its early stages and “Martin” as he was usually called by this time, enlisted in the Maryland Militia, along with his oldest son, George. Martin also seems to have operated a ferry boat service on the Potomac River just south of Hagerstown, MD.
We should mention here that by this time the old Germanic family name had seen a number of changes that show up in many of the documents. The original Kirschenmann (found in the records in Pfalzgrafenweiler) initially changed to Kirschman on the passenger’s list on the ship that brought them to America. It later changed to such things as Kershman, Keshman, and finally to Cashman, and each of these needs to be searched when looking for records of this family.
Martin’s oldest daughter, Catherine grew up in Pennsylvania and moved with her parents to Maryland when she was about 25 years old. Not long after that, she met a man by the name of Adam Baumgartner (various spellings). We find the following entry in the records of Rev. George Young for the marriages he performed. He was the first minister in St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Hagerstown, MD:
Boumgartner, Adam and Cath. Kershman. Oct. 11, 1779, performed by Rev. George Young.
[Maryland Records--Colonial, Revolutionary, Church, County, Vol II, by Gaius Marcus
Brumbaugh, published by Lancaster Press, Lancaster, PA in 1928. p.530]
We find no more mention of Adam Baumgartner/Bumgardner, nor of his family, but EBG tells us that they had four children, for whom EBG did their temple work in the Endowment House in 1872. No dates of birth have been found for any of them, but we can make a reasonable estimate. If Adam and Catherine were married in late 1779, then we will assume their children may have been born in 1780, ’82, ’84, & ’86. It is likely that Adam died there in about 1786-87. Catherine probably stayed in Washington County to be near her parents who could help her in raising her four young children.
Remember that we previously noted that our David Buck, Sr. suddenly disappeared from Bedford County, PA in 1785, when he was about 33 years old, and was gone until 1789. It is likely that when he left his home and farm that he went south perhaps looking to find a wife. He probably met Catherine in about 1788, shortly after she became a widow. We can find no record of it, but we suspect that they married in 1789 and probably near the residence of her parents in Washington Co., Maryland.
David returned to his farm in Bedford County, PA with a new wife and four little step-children. His daughter, Elizabeth (EBG), is the one who stated that she had four half-siblings named: John Bumgardner, Jacob Bumgardner, Barbara Bumgardner, and Elizabeth Bumgardner. EBG was baptized for the two females listed here while in the Endowment House in SLC on 25 July 1872. In that record [FHL film # 183384 p.268] she said that she was the “half sister” of Barbara and Elizabeth Bumgardner. EBG’s son, Joseph G. Garlick was then baptized for John and Jacob Bumgardner and the record calls him a “half nephew” of those two men. Note that no temple work was done for Adam Bumgardner, and perhaps that was because EBG, on the previous day, had sealed her mother to her own father, David Buck, Sr., and may not have wanted to seal her to her first husband instead.
While we are talking about close family members showing up in the temple records, there is one more that we should discuss at this point. In those records (1841 in Nauvoo, IL) [Nauvoo Baptismal Records of the Dead, Book A201] there is an entry for a “Barbary May.” EBG was baptized for this woman with the note that she was a “sister” of Barbary May, but she also says that “May” was the “surname” for this woman. This entry has caused a lot of confusion in our family records. By many, she has been listed as “Barbary May Buck” a daughter of David Buck and Catherine Cashman—as if “May” were her middle name. But the record never lists her as a Barbara Buck, and specifically states that her surname was May. So, she should be deleted as a child of this family. But, that still leaves two possibilities for how she fits into this family as a
“sister” of EBG. She could have either had “May” as a maiden surname and married one of EBG’s brothers, thus making her technically a “sister-in-law”, or she could have been a true sister and “May” could have been her married surname. We remember that EBG had a sister (half-sister) named Barbara Bumgardner. Could this be the same person and her name, after her marriage, could have then been: Barbara Bumgardner May? Or, it is also possible that her maiden name was “May” and that she could have married one of EBG’s Bumgardner half-brothers—making her name then, Barbara May Bumgardner. At this time we cannot answer this question. We have searched for a “May” family in the area but have not been successful.
Neither do we know the names of the wives of her two Bumgardner brothers. We know that EBG had two full brothers—Thomas Buck, who married Elizabeth Blue, and David Buck, Jr., who married Charity Clark, so neither of these married a “Barbara May.” It should also be mentioned that David Buck did not mention a daughter by the name of “Barbara” in his 1816 will. All we can say for sure is that she was NOT the daughter of David Buck, and “May” was not just a middle name for this woman.
Children of David Buck
We show the following children born to David and Catherine Buck (not including her four Bumgardner children) all born in Providence Twp, Bedford Co., PA [This comes from the temple work performed by EBG in 1841 in Nauvoo, and again in 1872 in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City, augmented by the various census records, and David’s 1816 will.]:
1. Thomas Buck b. 20 Mar 1790
2. Elizabeth Buck b. 2 May 1795
3. Susannah Buck b. abt 1798
4. David Buck, Jr. b. 1800 (perhaps 10 Oct.)
5. Mary Buck b. 1800 (10 Oct.)
We think these last two were probably twins. We have seen a specific birth date for Mary of 10 Oct. 1800, but not for David Jr. However, in every census record they were always shown as being the exact same age, and also of an age that they were either born early in 1800, or late in 1799. For example, in the 1850 census (normally taken in the summer) they both indicated they were by then, already 50 years old; 60 in 1860, although she did say she was just 69 in the 1870 census, which is the last one that has her listed. And they were always very closely asociated with Mary actually living in David’s home in their adult years.
Census records
The first U.S. census was conducted in 1790, just a few years after the Revolutionary War ended and a new government established in this land. By the time this census was taken, David and Catherine (Cashman) Buck were back at his home on Brush Creek in Providence Twp., Bedford Co., PA. [p.20]
Buck, David 2 males > age 16; 2 males < 16; 3 total females
This entry is both helpful and confusing. We would expect that there were four males and three females in the household—David, Catherine, her two Bumgardner boys and two Bumgardner girls, and then they had just barely had their first Buck son, Thomas Buck, who was born 20 March 1790. But, each of those three little boys would have been under age 16. It is possible that one of her sons could have died early, or perhaps the census taker came by prior to March of that year, and before the birth of their little Thomas Buck. If so, we still wonder who the other male was who was over the age of 16. Perhaps it was David’s brother, Ichabod Buck, about whom we know virtually nothing.
The 1800 federal census is also a bit bewildering (but then census records are not known for their accuracy). David Buck’s family was still residing in Bedford County, PA, and we find them on page 399. This record tells us that there were two little boys under age 10, one between 10-16 years of age, and one over age 45 (with this latter being David Buck, Sr.). On the female side there were 3 under age 10, and then just the mother, who they show as being between 26-45 years of age. They either flattered Catherine, or else she slightly understated her age, which was very common back then, as she was actually 48 years old at that time.
This entry make sense if there was only one Bumgardner boy still living in David’s home and if he was between the ages of 10-16—which would be about right. His older brother, who by this time could have been in his late teens and may have moved out onto his own, was not listed. This leaves two little boys under the age of 10, which could be Thomas and David Buck, Jr. (if David was born in early 1800, or late 1799). The record also shows that besides the mother, Catherine Cashman Buck, there were only three little girls, all under age 10. Again, if Mary and David Jr. were born in early 1800, or late 1799, then they would have three little girls under that age: Elizabeth, Susannah & Mary Buck. But, what is difficult to explain is that there are no girls in the home over age 10. Both of Catherine’s Bumgardner daughters, if still alive, would
have been somewhere around ages 15-20. It is possible that both girls married very young and were gone from the home by this time, or they may have died prior to this date.
In 1808 there was another tax list which shows David with 247 acres in Providence Twp, with 1 horse and 2 cows. Near him, also in Providence Twp, is a Thomas Buck with no mention of owning any land, but he did pay taxes on his 1 horse and the $20 he owned. This would likely be the 18 year old son of David Buck, Sr. It is not David’s older brother, as he was listed in the same tax list as being in Hopewell Twp., and owning 201 acres in 4 locations within that twp., and also having 2 horses and 1 cow.
The 1810 federal census is the last one that lists our David Buck, Sr. At that time he was the 108th family enumerated in the Township. He had one son, David Jr. still living at home. His older son, Thomas was married about 1809 and was out of his parent’s home. In addition to David’s wife, Catherine, there were two other females in the home, one a teenager and the other listed as being very young. There should have been another daughter in the home—Susannah, and the ages do not match as well as we would expect. Additionally, there is no accounting for any of the Bumgardner children, although they would all be in their twenties by this time and were probably in their own homes.
The 1820 federal census for Providence Twp., Bedford Co., PA is also a bit bewildering. By this time David, Sr. had died but Catherine was still in the home and listed as being over age 45 (which was the highest category enumerated). There were two females between 16-26—who might have been our Elizabeth (age 25) and Mary (age 20) but again, Susannah seems to be missing. There was one male between ages 16-26 (David, Jr. – age 20), so most of that fits. But, then there was another young boy between the ages of 10-16; and a younger girl not yet 10 years old. We cannot tell who these younger children were and we are left wondering what became of Susannah Buck.
Will of David Buck – 1816
Our David Buck, Sr. wrote the following will on 25 Feb. 1816. It was proven on 28 March 1816, indicating that he died during that interval.
Will of David Buck:
25 February, 1816
“In the name of God, Amen. O be it remembered that I David Buck of Providence Township,
Bedford County, State of Pennsylvania, being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and
memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and
testament in manner and form following:
That is to say—first it is my will that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid by my
executor herein after mentioned as soon after my decease as it may be convenient.
Secondly I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catherine Buck the third of my real and
personal estate while she remains my widow.
I do also give and bequeath unto my eldest son Thomas Buck the sum of twenty dollars, this sum
to be paid in five years after my decease.
I do also give and bequeath to my youngest sone David Buck, all my land and personal property
by paying the rest of the heirs the sums that I shall and have mentioned.
I also give and bequeath to my eldest daughter Elizabeth Buck the sum of twenty dollars bed and
cow.
I also give and bequeath to my next daughter Susannah Buck the sum of twenty dollars.
I also give and bequeath to my youngest daughter Mary Buck the sum of twenty dollars which
said several legacies or sums of money I will and order shall be paid to the said respective
legatee within five years after my decease, whom I hereby appoint Peter Morgard sole executor
of this my last [will] and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of February in the year of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
Signed sealed published and delivered by the above named David Buck to be his last will and
testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto subscribed
our names as witnesses to the same.
his
Henry Deal David X Buck
Abraham Shafer mark
George Hymes
Bedford County, personally appeared before me the subscriber Registers for the probate of wills
and granting letters of administration in and for said County, Henry Deal and Abraham Shafer
two of the subscribing witnesses to the within instrument in writing who being duly sworn do
depose and say that they were personally present and heard and saw David Buck, the testator
within named sign by making his mark, seal publish and declare the within instrument in writing
as and for his last will and testament, that at the time of so doing the testator was of sound and
disposing mind, memory and understanding according to the best of said deponents knowledge
and beliefs and that the same "Henry Deal" and "araham Shafer" (saw?) the hand writing of the
the deponent--sworn and subscribed the 28th day of March 1816.
Coram T. Mann Register Henry Deal
Abraham Shafer
Be it remembered that on the 28th day of March A.D. 1816 Letter testamentary was granted to
Peter Norgard(?) executor in the foregoing will named, he having been first duly affirmed
according to law.”
Filed & Registered 28th March A.D. 1816.
[Copy of the actual will of David Buck, Sr. – 1816 Bedford Co., PA Will Book – Vol. 1, p.454]
A couple of observations should be made from this will. First, his wife, Catherine Cashman Buck, (age 64) was still living at the time of David’s death. Second, he listed his children in their proper birth order: Thomas, Elizabeth, Susannah, David & Mary—and all of them were still living at that time—including Susannah. Third, he made provisions for each of his physical children, without any mention of Catherine’s Bumgardner children. Fourth, he specifically stated that Elizabeth was his “eldest daughter,” that Susannah was his “next” daughter, and that Mary was his “youngest daughter.” This becomes important in addressing Susannah’s age and a supposed, but erroneous, spouse, which we will discuss later.
His oldest son, Thomas, was already married and had been out of the house for about seven years before his father died. In fact, Thomas had moved his family to Miami County, Ohio before this date. David’s oldest daughter, Elizabeth (EBG) would marry in just a few months (on 1 Oct. 1816). His youngest children, David, Jr. and Mary, were only 16 years old at that time so his aging widow still had to operate the farm for a few more years until young David, Jr. was old enough to take over that responsibility.
We don’t know how long Catherine Cashman Buck lived after the death of her husband but it appears she was still alive during the 1820 census as discussed above.
This concludes our presentation of the documented life of David Buck, Sr. In the remaining sections we will present brief explanations of what became of each of his five children.
1. Thomas Buck—
The oldest child of our David Buck and Catherine Cashman (after her Bumgardner children) was Thomas Buck. He was born on 20 March 1790 in Providence Twp, Bedford Co., PA and named after his paternal grandfather. He also had an uncle by the same name, and a cousin, so the records can be rather confusing. He grew up on Brush Creek in Providence working on his father’s farm. We have previously mentioned that he was paying taxes by the time he was 18 years old for a horse and the $20 he owned.
Very nearby lived the family of Michael Blue, who had a daughter, Elizabeth Blue, born 30 March 1788, in Providence Twp, making her just about two years older than Thomas. They courted and married in about 1809 but did not stay in this area very long thereafter.
The Blue family migrated to Miami County, Ohio and Thomas and his bride went with them. We believe they had seven children, probably all were born in Miami County, Ohio, although one record for their second child, says that she was born in New York State. This is unlikely as the child just older, as well as the one just younger, were both born in Miami County; and at no time is there any indication that this family ever lived in New York. Their children included the following:
11 Ruth Buck b. abt 1810 d. bef 1872
12 Orpha Buck b. abt 1812
13 James Buck* b. abt 1815 d. bef 1872
14 John Buck b. 10 Oct. 1817 d. 8 Jan. 1864 Van Buren Twp, Pulaski, IN
15 Nancy Buck b. abt 1819 d. bef 1872
16 Mary Buck b. abt 1821
17 Lucretia Buck b. 31 Dec. 1823 d. bef 1858 Miami Co., Ohio
*The “James Buck” listed above has been assigned to this family, but with less proof than we wish we had. We know that EBG had temple work performed for her extended family in the Endowment House in SLC on 25 July 1872. One of the persons for whom that work was done, was a “James Buck” and he was listed as a “cousin” of EBG’s son, Joseph G. Garlick. That would mean that he was either a son of this Thomas Buck, or of his brother, David Buck, Jr. We could not find him listed with either family. However, in Thomas’s family there were only two boys (as presented above). We think James was a part of this family and that he died without having a family of his own. The John Buck listed above had a son, whom he named “James” and we
think that was likely a gesture to remember his deceased brother of that name. So, with some level of confidence, but without any proof, we believe he was a son of this Thomas and Elizabeth Blue Buck.
Shortly after the birth of their youngest child the family moved to Van Buren, Pulaski Co., Indiana, where they were living in the 1860 census, and where Thomas died on 27 Feb. 1863; and Elizabeth Blue Buck died on 23 Mar. 1864. In viewing the Buck children in Pulaski County, IN, one can follow Thomas’s descendants for several generations, almost to the current time period. For more details on this family, see an article entitled “Blue Bucks” by this author posted in my web-site in the “Buck” book in the “Library”.
2. Elizabeth Buck Garlick (EBG)—
Elizabeth Buck was born 2 May 1795 in Providence Twp., Bedford Co., PA. She was the second child, five years younger than her older brother, and five years older than the youngest children—the twins. With them, she grew up on the banks of Brush Creek. She was 21 years old when her father died in 1816. Later that same year she married a neighbor, David Garlick, on 1 Oct. 1816. Her husband was born on 12 Oct. 1780 in Lebanon, Hunterdon, New Jersey—making him fifteen years older than Elizabeth. He was the son of Stephen Garlick and Eva Young.
David and Elizabeth Garlick had the following children, all in Providence Twp.
21. Hannah Garlick b. 1 June 1818
22. Susannah Garlick b. 14 June 1820 md. John Fleming Wakefield
23. Mary Jane Garlick b. 12 Aug, 1822
24. Talitha Cumi Garlick b. 22 Sep. 1824
25. Joseph Gaston Garlick b. 2 May 1828
26. Sarah Elizabeth Garlick b. 12 Oct. 1830
27. Elizabeth Grace Garlick b. 13 Apr. 1835
David owned a sawmill in Providence and sold lumber. He was also a great hunter and sold hides from the many animals he shot or trapped—mostly bears. They were religious and belonged to the Cambelite Faith. Just about two years after the birth of their youngest child this family was visited by two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. One of the Elders was John Fleming Wakefield who lived in Indiana County, PA to the northwest of Bedford County. The family listened to his message and most of those old enough, but not including David Garlick, were baptized on 5 Oct. 1837. The following year, after his mission was completed, Elder Wakefield returned and married Elizabeth’s daughter, Susannah Garlick on 5 Aug. 1838.
A number of local residents joined the Church at that same time which resulted in a backlash of hard feelings and persecution ensued, inducing many of them to sell their homes and move to Nauvoo, Illinois where the “Saints” were gathering. Even though David was not a member of the Church, he could not stand to see his wife and family persecuted, and so on 11 Oct. 1839 they packed their goods and left their home in Providence. From a short distance away they watched as the mob burned down their home.
The family made their way across western Pennsylvania and Ohio. It is likely that they would have stopped in Miami Co., Ohio to visit her brother, Thomas Buck, who they had not seen for many years. His home was not far off of the “National Road” that crossed that state and right along their trail.
After arriving safely in Nauvoo, David was eventually baptized in 1841. Their youngest daughter died in Nauvoo in April 1841 at the age of six. Two years later, on 4 Nov. 1843, David Garlick also passed away at the age of 63 and was buried in the old Pioneer Cemetery on the SE corner of that city.
With the other Saints, the Garlicks were forced to evacuate Nauvoo in 1846 and make their way across the state of Iowa to Council Bluffs. Due to sickness, death and privations the various members of Elizabeth’s family moved to Utah at different times. We believe that Elizabeth probably came in a wagon train in 1852 and settled with most of her children in Springville, Utah. She was living with her daughter, Susannah Garlick Wakefield, in the 1870 census, and living on her own, at age 85, in the 1880 census. This is the one in which she was asked about the birth place of each of her parents and she related that her father was born in New Jersey and her mother in Holland. We are fortunate that she lived so long and was able to preserve this vital information for our family.
At age 90 Elizabeth was photographed for the only time that we know of. She lived to be 93 and died at her daughter’s home in Spanish Fork, Utah on 5 Sep. 1888, but was brought back to Springville to be buried.
Elizabeth Buck Garlick
1795 – 1888
Grave marker of
Elizabeth Buck Garlick
Springville, Utah
3. Susannah Buck—
We are not sure when Susannah was born, but her father’s will makes it clear that she was younger than Elizabeth (who was born in 1795—according to her own record) and older than Mary, who was born in 1800 (as found in several census records). We have therefore estimated her birth to be in about 1797-98. The LDS Ancestral File contains numerous submissions showing this woman married to a Mr. Solomon Sparks, but this is an error. There was a Solomon Sparks in Providence Twp. living near our family, but a closer review of this man shows that he was not the husband of our Susannah Buck. First of all, in the 1860 census he was only
50 years old (making him about 12-13 years younger than Susannah, and his wife, “Susan” was five years younger than Solomon—born about 1815. The Susan that this man married was Susan Black (see New Family Search).
Whether Susannah died young, or married and changed her last name, is unknown to us at this time. We have not been able to locate her in any of the census records by name. She died sometime prior to 1872, when her sister, EBG had her temple work completed as a deceased person at that time. And, in those records she is never listed with a married name, but only as “Susannah Buck”. With only that information about her we are not able to identify any spouse or children for this woman.
4. David Buck, Jr.—
David was born in either late 1799, or in early 1800. He was probably a twin with his sister, Mary Buck. Both of them said they were aged 50 in 1850, and 60 in 1860 in the census records. He was only about 16 years old at the time of his father’s death and he eventually inherited the family farm in Providence Twp.
He married a neighbor girl, Charity Clark, in about 1824 and from the census records we have been able to identify the following children for this couple, all born in Providence Twp, Bedford Co., PA:
41. Sarah Buck b. abt 1825
42. Catherine Buck b. 1833
43. Jonathan Buck b. 1834
44. Diana Buck b. 1838
With a large gap between the first two children there could, and probably were, other children unknown to us at this time. We do not know what became of the oldest daughter, Sarah, but we should mention that EBG had temple work done in SLC on 25 July 1872 for many of her close relatives. One of those persons was a “Sarah Morris” and EBG said that she was an “Aunt” to this Sarah. That could easily fit for this daughter of David’s but we are not yet able to prove it, nor have we been able to find any record, in the census or otherwise, for a Sarah Morris that would fit this family.
In the 1870 census we do find David Jr.’s daughter, Catherine Buck living in Providence with her Aunt Mary Buck (both of her parents had died prior to that year). Catherine’s last name is still “Buck” but she has a three year old daughter living with her by the name of Amanda Buck. Ten years later, in 1880, Catherine and Amanda are living in a home together. Catherine’s last name is still showing as “Buck” but Amanda’s (now 12) is listed as “Rodabaugh”, and the record clearly states that she is the “daughter” of Catherine. We have searched other records for a potential father for Amanda by the name of Mr. Rodabaugh but so far have been unsuccessful. We have not been able to find either Catherine or Amanda after the 1880 census, but it
appears Catherine had not married anyone prior to that date.
Jonathan Buck, named after his uncle of the same name, was born in 1834 in Providence. He married a Catherine ________ and according to the various census records they had the following children, with the first six born in Providence Twp, and the last two born in Shade Twp, Somerset Co., PA:
431. David H. Buck b. 1855
432. William L. Buck b. 1857
433. Cyrus (or Silas) Buck b. 1860
434. Christopher Buck b. 1863
435. Annie Buck b. 1865
436. George Buck b. 1867
437. Daley J. Buck b. 1869
438. John Buck b. 1872
After the birth of this last child the family moved to Columbus, Franklin Co., Ohio where we find them in the 1880 census—except for their son, George, who would have been 13 in that census but does not appear with the family at that time. He may have been working away from home already, but it is more likely that he died young. We have not been able to find him anywhere after the 1870 census.
This Jonathan Buck remained close to his extended family and traveled back and forth between Pennsylvania and Ohio on various occasions. He also corresponded with his Aunt Elizabeth Buck Garlick and her children out in Utah. We have transcripts of some interesting letters from him that tell a great deal about their family relationships and the sentiment they shared. We will attach copies of those letters in an appendix at the end of this article. Jonathan died sometime after 1895, presumable in Columbus, Ohio, at least that is the last
known residence for him.
Diana Buck was born in 1838 in Providence Twp. She was 21 years old and still living with her parents in the 1860 census. She was the youngest known child of David Buck, Jr. and Charity Clark. We cannot find Diana in the 1870 census, and in 1872, EBG did her temple work in SLC indicating that Diana had died prior to that date. We have no information about any spouse or children for Diana.
5. Mary Buck—
The youngest daughter of David Buck, Sr. & Catherine Cashman, was Mary Buck, the twin of David Buck, Jr. She was born in about 1800. We show a date of birth of 10 Oct. 1800, but as mentioned above, she may have been a few months older than this.
Mary never married but lived with her brother, David Jr. on their old farm for much of her life. In the 1850 census Mary was living with David’s family, but listed after each of his children along with her daughter as follows:
Buck, David age 50 Male Farmer Value of land $1000
“ Charity 53 Female
“ Catherine 19 Female
“ Jonathan 16 Male
“ Diana 12 Female
“ Mary 50 Female
“ Sarah 25 Female
Note that this particular record does not say that Sarah was the daughter of Mary, but we learn that later on. Both Mary and Sarah were going by the surname of “Buck” with no indication that she had ever married.
In the Ancestral File (LDS FHC) Mary has been sealed numerous times to a man by the name of Amos Jones. We cannot find any support for such a marriage and she is never listed as a “Jones” in any record, but always as a “Buck” till her death.
Mary’s only child, (#51) Sarah Buck, married a man by the name of Jacob I. Foore (or sometimes spelled: Foor) about 1853 in Providence. They had two little girls:
511. Diana E. Foore b. 1854 d. after 1879
512. Mary C. Foore b. 1856 d. before 1879
Sarah then died sometime between 1856 – 1860.
In the 1860 census, we find Sarah’s mother, Mary Buck, living with her son-in-law and his two little girls—Mary’s grand-daughters. It is evident that their mother (Sarah) had passed away and Mary was there to help with the raising of her little grand-children, as well as to have a place for her to live.
Within the next decade (per the 1870 census) Jacob Foore had remarried and begun an additional family, so Mary moved into a home of her own and also took in her niece, Catherine Buck, with her little daughter, Amanda, who we have discussed above. Mary did not survive to the 1880 census. She was still alive in 1872 when EBG performed temple work for most of her family, but EBG did not do any work for her youngest sister, Mary, as she was still living at that time.
Mary Buck passed away on 12 July 1879 in West Providence Twp., Bedford Co., PA. She was 79 years old at that time leaving her sister Elizabeth as the last living member of the family of David Buck, Sr. Because she owned property, Mary left the following will. Notice that even on her deathbed she was still going by the surname of “Buck” and not a married name.
Buck, Mary – Will:
The last will and testament of Mary Buck of the township of West Providence Township and the
County of Bedford and State of Pennsylvania. I Mary Buck considering the uncertainty of this
mortal life and being of sound mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and
testament in manner and form following, that is to say, First I direct that my body be decently
interred and (_________) able conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and
(______) and situation in life, And as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to entrust me
with I dispose of the same as follows, first I desire that all my debts and funeral expenses be
paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands
of my executor from any portion of my estate real or personal, also I direct that a fair valuation
or appraisement by two judicious of any neighbors of all my estate including my household
furniture, and after being signed with their names that a copy of the same should be given by
them to my executor.
Also I direct my grand dotter, Diana E. Foor should have all that I possess after all the above is
paid and settled off. I do hereby make and ordain esteemed neighbor Henry H. Seader executor
of this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I Mary Buck the Testator leave to this my last will and testament written on
one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this 16th day of April A.D. 1879.
Mary Buck (seal)
Signed, sealed and delivered by the above named Mary Buck to be her last will and testament in
the presence of us who at her request and in (her) presence have subscribed our names as
witnesses hereunto.
John P. Weaverling
Barlley Hughes
This will was proved on (2nd?) day of August, 1879 in Bedford Co., PA.
A couple short notes from this will. First, it is clear that Mary Buck was still using her “Buck” surname. She never did marry. Second, she clearly states that Diana E. Foor(e) was her “grand dotter” confirming the relationships we pointed out above. Her only other grand-daughter, Mary C. Foore had previously died without issue.
This concludes the presentation of the documented life of David Buck, Sr., his wife, Catherine Cashman, and their family. We hope it has been helpful to our extended family and other researchers of the Buck genealogy.
Lionel Nebeker
10-31-12
Appendix A:
Letters of (#43) Jonathan (John) Buck [son of David Buck, Jr.] to his Aunt (#2) Elizabeth Buck Garlick (EBG) and to his Cousin (#26) Sarah Garlick Kerswell
(First part missing) dated March 6, 1875 from John Buck, Bedford Co., PA to Elizabeth Buck and Sarah Garlick Kerswell
...well. You ask how it come that I did not come to see you when stated. The reason is that the man that was to buy my farm, backed out and I had made sale on the 27th day of March and sold everything to come and then after that man backed out I was to sell to another man and his wife died just two days before the time was for us to start and that knocked me all wrong all that I had and the balance of the company before I could rent again.
It just seemed as if I was not to go and I bought up again and went to farming. And since the times have got so hard in the West I am glad I did not go, but I will come and see you all yet if all goes right but I can't say when.
Money here is very dull, grain is very plenty. Flour is $5.50 per barell. Corn 75¢ per bushel. Pork very low. We have the coldest winter here that has been for 35 years, river ice 4 ½ feet thick.
Aunt Mary Buck is well, Catharine too, neather one of them lives with me now since last spring. Catharine lives with Assa Williams, Aunt lives with Jacob Foor, no other change in our family. Been very healthy this winter.
Yours truly, write to me again and tell me all the news and I will give you all the news then. To all my cousins and Aunt.
John Buck.
_____________________
March the 6th, 1875 (letter from Delilah Clark inserted in letter from John Buck to Elizabeth Garlick)
Dear Aunt and Cousins;
It is with pleasure that I drop you a few lines to inform you we are all well at the present time and hope and trust these few lines may find you the same.
I must tell you where we live, we live near Gapsvill and I thought I would write a few lines to you all. I am a stranger to you I suppose. I am Catharine Garlick's oldest daughter, she was married to Wesley Clark. There is just seven children living and two dead.
I want you to be sure and write just as soon as this comes to hand.
Mr. John Buck told me I could write a piece in his letter and I am very thankful to write with him as we have not your address. I am paying Mr. Buck a visit now, so must bring these few lines to a close by asking you to please write soon as this reaches you.
From yours truly, Della E. Clark to Mrs. Sarah Kerswell. When you write, direct it to Gapsville, Bedford Co. Pa or to Mother or to Della E. Clark or to Mother, Catharine Clark.
____________________
London (Madison Co.), Ohio, Sept 10, 1877 (Letter from John Buck to Sarah Kerswell and Elizabeth Garlick)
Dear Cousin and Aunt;
I seat myself to say I received a letter from you some months ago. I would have answered before now but was still thinking of being closer to you before this time but am about fixing to move back again to the old home place in Pennsylvania. My wife has been sick nearly ever since we have been in Ohio and is not sadis ficte [sic satisfied] to go any farther west and she now has the agure [ague] and two of my children has got it and I have concluded to take them where the Agure seldom comes any more, that is in Pennsylvania where they was born. The rest of my family is all well and I hope these few lines find you all well.
Times is very dull here now all though there is plenty of everything but fruit, there is none at tale, only what is shipped here. Hay is only three dollars per ton, wheat $1.00 per bushel, rye 45¢ per bushel, potatoes 30¢ per bushel, butter 10¢ lb. & 12¢, eggs 8 & 10¢ a dozen. Work by the day 50 to 75¢ and none hardly to do at that. Corn up here, the folks that has corn is just pulling the ears off leaving the foder so that stops the work from off the farms hands so there is no work to do. I have two teams hauling and can only get $5.00 per day for both and you aught to get that for one.
I can't tell how Aunt or Catharine is gitting along for I have not had a letter from either one for five months or more, I can't tell why it is as I have written to both of them and got no answer. We intend starting back 16th of November. I am going through on the railroad, so if you write so I can get it direct it to Everett, Bedford County, PA. To John Buck in care of Mary Buck.
One of my boys married a girl here and they have gone to keeping house here, so if my letter does not come to hand in time he can lift it and remail. His name is William L. Buck, he married a girl by name of Any (Annie?) Rit Chenny. She is a millener and mantel maker and still works at her trade. William is clerking in a grocery store and drives a delivery wagon for the store part of his time. He gets $28.00 per month and boards himself. The crops have been very good here this year.
I guess I must close by asking you to write soon.
Yours truly, John Buck
Tell Aunt we all send our love and to all "Good By," It is raining the ground is covered like a river.
_________________
Columbus (Franklin Co.), Ohio, March 17, 1895 (letter from John Buck to Sarah Kerswell)
Dear Cousins;
I received your very welcome letter a few days ago. It found me well and my family is well as are my family. The boys and girls and their families is well.
I am boarding, I don't keep house anymore and I received your picture and I thought I had thanked you for it in my letter long ago, if not I am very much obliged to you for it.
I did not see Dasey Garlick when I was East, she was away from home the day I went to see her and I had so many places t go I did not get around again. I sen Mrs. Walis (Elizabeth Garlick Wallace) and Evey Price (Eve Garlick Price). She is married to another man by the name of Joseph Weaverling. Maybe you can mind old Peter Weaverling that used to live east of my father, it is one of his boys she married, sister to Daisy Garlick.
I seen Telitha (Catharine) Garlick two but only to speak to her as met her on the road one day she is married to Wesley Clark, one of Elias Clark's boys. If you would wish to write to her direct it to Telitha Clark Bedford County, PA. Mench Post Office in care of her boy (William) Clark Sr. Well you spoke of the cold winter we have had, the most snow and cold weather I ever saw in Ohio. No deep snow, but snowed for two months right along. It is nice here now.
Time is dull here but every thing plenty and very cheap. I have had work all winter in a wholesale house where it is heated with gas, as warm as wood care. The themometer was at one time 14 degrees below zero, that was perty cold, but they have had two feet of snow on the level back at our old home place this winter.
It appears that there is going to be plenty work to do this summer, lots of large buildings to go up this summer.
I will give you a few of the market prices; Hay $10.00 per ton; Corn 50¢ per bushel; Flour potatoes 65¢ per bushel; Beef 5¢ to 10¢ per lb.; Pork 8¢ to 10¢ per lb.; Butter 23¢ lb.; Large eggs 12 1/2¢ dozen; No price for days wages, get what ever you can. Muslin 3 to 5¢ per yd. and calico 3 to 6¢ per yd. Sugar 21¢ lb. And coffee 18 to 23¢ lb.
Well I must close for this time, hoping to hear from you soon.
Direct to John Buck, Columbus, Ohio. Galloway Ave. No. 522.
Appendix B:
Temple work completed by Elizabeth Buck Garlick, daughter of David Buck, Sr. in 1841 in Nauvoo, Illinois -- Baptisms for the Dead. (FHC SLC film # 183,376) transcribed by
Lionel Nebeker (10-5-12):
Page # Deceased Proxy being baptized Relationship
A9 Buck, David Elizabeth Garlick daughter
A55 Ferguson, Mercy “ “ niece
A55 Ferguson, Thomas “ “ cousin
A55 Ferguson, Benjamin “ “ cousin
A65 Garlick, Eve David Garlick son
A66 Garlick, Stephen “ “ son
A85 Jones, Abigail Elizabeth Garlick cousin
A128 Poor, (sic) Elizabeth “ “ cousin
A191 Buck, Thomas “ “ niece
A191 Buck, Elizabeth “ “ niece
A191 Buck, Ichabod “ “ niece
A191 Buck, Margaret “ “ niece
A192 Buck, Elizabeth “ “ grt dotter (sic)
A193 Buck, Thomas “ “ grt dotter (sic)
A207 Cashman, Martin “ “ grt dotter (sic)
A207 Cashman, Agness “ “ grt dotter (sic)
A208 Cashman, George “ “ niece
A208 Cashman, Elizabeth “ “ niece
{Note: In 1841 the concept of performing baptisms for one’s deceased relatives was a reintroduction of an ancient practice. Church members were eager to do this work for their family, and most particularly for their direct ancestors. Notice that EBG’s husband, David Garlick, was the proxy for his own parents. These ordinances were first performed in the Mississippi River as there was not yet a temple in which such ordinances could be performed. Shortly thereafter, the Church halted these baptisms until a temple could be built and dedicated. It was also clarified that males must stand as proxies for other males, and females for females. Consequently, many years later, after the Saints had moved to Salt Lake City, but before the
Temple there was completed, an Endowment House was erected in which sacred ordinances could be performed. Even then, for the dead, the only ordinances that were performed were baptisms and the sealings of spouses, but not the sealing of children to parents until they could go to an actual temple. So, in 1872 Elizabeth Buck Garlick, with some of her children, went to the Endowment House in SLC to re-do the above, and to add additional ordinances for more of her family. It is also interesting to see that the following ordinances were performed for this family by an Apostle, Elder Joseph F. Smith, later one of the Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.}
Endowment House Ordinances -- Sealings of husbands and wives
(FHC SLC film # 183,398 p.217) 24 July 1872. Comments regarding family relationships, noted to the right have been added by me to help clarify relationships and were not a part of the
actual record.
David Buck dead 24 July 1872 {father of EBG}
Catherine Cashman dead “ {mother of EBG}
Thomas Buck dead “ {grandfather of EBG}
Elizabeth Scott dead “ {grandmother of EBG}
Thomas Buck dead “ {brother of EBG}
Elizabeth Blue dead “ {sister-in-law of EBG}
David Buck dead “ {brother of EBG}
Charity Clark dead “ {sister-in-law of EBG}
Joseph Garlic heir (born) 2 May 1827 Providence, Bedford, PA
Elizabeth Buck Garlic heiress & proxy (born) 2 May 1795 Providence, Bedford, PA
The “Joseph Garlic” listed as “heir” and proxy for the males above, was EBG’s son. And,
Elizabeth Buck Garlic(k) acted as the proxy for the females in these ordinances.
On the following day, Elizabeth Buck Garlick returned to the Endowment House with her son,
Joseph G. Garlick, and her daughter, Hannah Garlick Shepard to perform the following baptisms.
Endowment House Ordinances -- Baptisms
(FHC SLC film # 183,384 p.368) 25 July 1872. {Comments to the right are mine}
Elizabeth Buck Garlic (sic) was proxy for the following:
Name Relationship of proxy to deceased My comments
Elizabeth Buck granddaughter {This woman was Elizabeth Scott Buck}
Catherine Cashman Buck daughter
Barbara Bumgardner half-sister
Elizabeth Bumgardner half-sister
Mary Bumgardner friend
Susannah Buck sister
Elizabeth Buck sister-in-law {Elizabeth Blue, wife of EBG’s brother Thomas}
Sarah Morris aunt {Not totally certain who this niece is}
Massa Ferguson niece {Massa Buck, wife of Thomas Ferguson}
Massa Ferguson cousin {Daughter of above. Both may have been Marcy}
Elizabeth Castaway niece {Probably Elizabeth Buck Castaway}
Agnes Cashman granddaughter
Hannah Garlic Shepard was proxy for the following (remember that she was one generation later):
Name Relationship of proxy to deceased My comments
Mary Cashman grand niece
Elizabeth Cashman grand niece
Susannah Cashman 2nd cousin {*}
Mary Cashman 2nd cousin
Elizabeth Cashman 2nd cousin
Ruth Buck cousin {Daughter of EBG’s brother, Thomas}
Nancy Buck cousin “
Lucretia Buck cousin “
Diana Buck cousin {Daughter of EBG’s brother, David Jr}
Abigail Jones 2nd cousin {Daughter of Capt. Thomas Buck}
Zillah Ferguson 2nd cousin {Wife of Benjamin Ferguson, EBG’s cousin}
Eve Garlic granddaughter
continued on p.395:
Ann Garlic niece
Sarah Garlic niece
continuing on p.395 but for the males with Joseph G. Garlic as proxy:
Name Relationship of proxy to deceased My comments
Thomas Buck nephew {EBG’s brother, Thomas, md. Eliz. Blue}
David Buck nephew {EBG’s brother, David, Jr. md. Charity Clark}
Thomas Buck g. grandson {EBG’s grandfather, husband of Eliz. Scott}
Ichabod Buck grand nephew
Thomas Buck nephew {Is this a duplication or an error in relationship?}
David Buck grandson {David Buck, Sr.}
David Buck nephew {Is this a duplication or an error in relationship?}
Richard Buck 2nd cousin {Son of Capt. Thomas Buck}
John Bumgardner half-nephew {Half-brother of EBG}
Jacob Bumgardner half-nephew {Half-brother of EBG}
James Buck cousin {Probably the son of Thomas Buck & Eliz Blue}
John Buck cousin {Son Thomas Buck & ELiz. Blue}
Thomas Ferguson cousin {Probably the husband of Massa Buck}
Benjamin Ferguson 2nd cousin {Son of Massa Buck & Thomas Ferguson}
Stephen Garlic grandson
Adam Garlic nephew
Jacob Garlic nephew
John Garlic cousin
Mathias Garlic nephew
continuing on p.396
Abraham Garlic nephew
This concludes the record of temple ordinances performed in the EH in SLC in 1872. Do not be surprised by the spelling of Garlick or Garlic. The family spelled it both ways in different records and at different times. We have elected to spell it with the “k” in our records. Either way, we will be correct about half of the time.
{*Note: the term “2nd cousin” didn’t necessarily mean the same then as it does today. It could be used for about any relationship that was not a “1st cousin”. Very often it was used for a “1st cousin once removed” or a “2nd cousin one removed”.}