Buck Family of Chemung, New York
William Buck was born March 23, 1722 in New Milford, Litchfield, Connecticut, to parents: Enoch and Mary (Beebe) Buck. He was married to Deborah Ferrand (1721-1795) (first wife), about 1744 in New Milford. Their children: Asahel, b 1745 - d 1779, Mary Buck b 1746, Elijah Buck, Sr. b 1749 - d 1830, Aholiab Buck b 1751 d 1778, Deborah Buck b 1757. Second wife was Rebecca (unknown) married after 1795, she died May 30, 1798.
In the spring of 1786, William Buck and son Elijah, settled in the area of the current Town of Chemung. Known at that time as Buckville, it became a town on March 22, 1788, within the County of Montgomery.
-----------------------------------------------------
Taken from History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler Counties, with Illustrations, 1879. (below)
William Buck, with his sons Aholiab, Asahel, and Elijah, emigrated from New Milford, Litchfield Co., Conn., and settled first at Wyoming,PA. The sons were all in the Continental army. Captain Aholiab Buck, with his nephew William (a son of Asahel, and a lad but thirteen years of age), were in the fort at the massacre. William was killed before the garrison surrendered. Captain Buck was one of the ill-fated fourteen who met their death by the hands of murderous Queen Esther. Lieutenant Asahel Buck was killed in an encounter with the Indians in February, 1779. During these years of savage warfare, Sergeant Elijah Buck was serving with the Continental army, in New Jersey. After the war closed he returned to Wyoming, and remained there until 1786, when he journeyed up the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers, and settled on lot No. 3 (the site of Chemung Village). His father (William Buck) came up from Wyoming soon after, and died there in 1799. Esquire Elijah Buck was a very prominent citizen during the early settlement of the valley. He filled many positions of trust and honor in his town, county, and for the government, and, after a long life of usefulness, died in 1830, at the age of eighty-one years. The Post Office was established in 1801, with Sgt. Elijah Buck as Postmaster. He also operated the town's first general store and hotel.
His son, Asahel, was also a gentleman of superior attainments, and as a lawyer, citizen, and friend, was universally respected. Asahel was a revolutionary war soldier. The Buck's also owned Chemung Village cemetery land (later some of Charles Everett's land was added).
George W. Buck, a son of Asahel, represented his county (Chemung) in the State Legislature in 1840 and 1867, and was an active participant in all matters relating to the advancement and prosperity of his town and county.
Mr. A. H. Buck, the only surviving son of Asahel, is a resident of the town at the present time, and is justly esteemed as a surveyor, farmer, and worthy citizen.
--------------------------------------------
Credit goes to Ausburn Towner for this earliest information on the Buck Family in Chemung, New York. This excerpt was taken from History of Chemung County, New York 1836-1892 (below)
In the spring of 1786, William Buck and son Elijah, settled in the area of the current Town of Chemung. Known at that time as Buckville, it became a town on March 22, 1788, within the County of Montgomery.
--------------------------------------
More can be read at this link: First Pioneer Settlers of the Chemung Area
Also, did you know? G.W. Buck, (George Washington Buck) a son of Asahel Buck was known as "Wash" Buck of Chemung. It is said he was prominently connected with the old Erie, when it was completed in 1849. He being an appraiser of damaged in the "right of way".
In the spring of 1786, William Buck and son Elijah, settled in the area of the current Town of Chemung. Known at that time as Buckville, it became a town on March 22, 1788, within the County of Montgomery.
-----------------------------------------------------
Taken from History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler Counties, with Illustrations, 1879. (below)
William Buck, with his sons Aholiab, Asahel, and Elijah, emigrated from New Milford, Litchfield Co., Conn., and settled first at Wyoming,PA. The sons were all in the Continental army. Captain Aholiab Buck, with his nephew William (a son of Asahel, and a lad but thirteen years of age), were in the fort at the massacre. William was killed before the garrison surrendered. Captain Buck was one of the ill-fated fourteen who met their death by the hands of murderous Queen Esther. Lieutenant Asahel Buck was killed in an encounter with the Indians in February, 1779. During these years of savage warfare, Sergeant Elijah Buck was serving with the Continental army, in New Jersey. After the war closed he returned to Wyoming, and remained there until 1786, when he journeyed up the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers, and settled on lot No. 3 (the site of Chemung Village). His father (William Buck) came up from Wyoming soon after, and died there in 1799. Esquire Elijah Buck was a very prominent citizen during the early settlement of the valley. He filled many positions of trust and honor in his town, county, and for the government, and, after a long life of usefulness, died in 1830, at the age of eighty-one years. The Post Office was established in 1801, with Sgt. Elijah Buck as Postmaster. He also operated the town's first general store and hotel.
His son, Asahel, was also a gentleman of superior attainments, and as a lawyer, citizen, and friend, was universally respected. Asahel was a revolutionary war soldier. The Buck's also owned Chemung Village cemetery land (later some of Charles Everett's land was added).
George W. Buck, a son of Asahel, represented his county (Chemung) in the State Legislature in 1840 and 1867, and was an active participant in all matters relating to the advancement and prosperity of his town and county.
Mr. A. H. Buck, the only surviving son of Asahel, is a resident of the town at the present time, and is justly esteemed as a surveyor, farmer, and worthy citizen.
--------------------------------------------
Credit goes to Ausburn Towner for this earliest information on the Buck Family in Chemung, New York. This excerpt was taken from History of Chemung County, New York 1836-1892 (below)
In the spring of 1786, William Buck and son Elijah, settled in the area of the current Town of Chemung. Known at that time as Buckville, it became a town on March 22, 1788, within the County of Montgomery.
--------------------------------------
More can be read at this link: First Pioneer Settlers of the Chemung Area
Also, did you know? G.W. Buck, (George Washington Buck) a son of Asahel Buck was known as "Wash" Buck of Chemung. It is said he was prominently connected with the old Erie, when it was completed in 1849. He being an appraiser of damaged in the "right of way".
Click on photos to enlarge
Credit: Chicago Historical Society
Best known as an illustrator of historical books, Alonzo Chappel (1828-1887) in 1858 painted this scene of the Massacre at Wyoming, the infamous slaughter of Pennsylvania militiamen that became the rallying cry for Sullivan Clinton Campaign of 1780. (ExplorePAHistory.com) Note: It was at the New Indian (Iroquois) War Village in Chemung, located several miles west of the Town of Chemung, on County Rt. 60, where the attacks and raids on the Wyoming Valley were planned. British, Tories and Iroquois loaded in canoes and made their way down the Chemung and Susquehanna River to Wyoming Valley where they executed their plans. |
William Buck Homestead 1789, Chemung, NY
This article was a newspaper clipping from the Elmira Sunday Telegram with an unknown date, taken from the Town of Chemung's historian files.
2020
Buck’s Hotel, was built in 1828 by Asahel Buck. He and his son George Washington Buck were proprietors of this magnificent hotel, known as the “Great Western”. This lithograph depicts the hotel in the year 1853. It was located on the south-east corner of Washington St and Main St in the Town of Chemung, New York. The imposing structure covered nearly a quarter acre of ground and had several additions added to the original structure. George W. Buck died in 1871 and the Hotel changed hands to C. DeWitt. He and his family barely escaped the flames in the late hours of Tuesday, May 5, 1874 when the structure burned to the ground, due to a defective chimney. The present day Chemung House/Morley Hotel/Chemung Hotel sits on the site of the Buck’s Hotel.
The G. W. Buck Residence.
A perfect example of Federal Style, built in the early years of the town. Located on Main St. Chemung, NY
Lithograph 1853.
A perfect example of Federal Style, built in the early years of the town. Located on Main St. Chemung, NY
Lithograph 1853.
Green Dress owned by Mrs. George Washington Buck, Town of Chemung, New York on display (2015) at the Chemung County Historical Society, Elmira, NY
Grave Markers in the Buck Burial Plot, Chemung Village Cemetery, Chemung, NY Click on photos to enlarge
1796 Deed between 3 parties: William Buck, Mattheus Hollenback to Avery Gore.
(Original is located at the Tioga Point Museum, Athens, PA. ) Click to enlarge.
(Original is located at the Tioga Point Museum, Athens, PA. ) Click to enlarge.