Descendants of William Buck

The earliest known member of the Buck Family was William Buck who was born in 1585 maybe in Hingham, County Norfolk,England. William Buck was a “plowrite”,i.e., a maker of plows/ ploughs which are used for breaking up the soil. William with his son Roger came to America on the ship “Increase”, Robert Lea-Master from London on 15 April 1635. It should be noted that there were others of the name “Buck” that came to America in this time period. We have Thomas Buck, age 17, coming in the ship “George”, Jo Severance-Master, arriving in Virginia 21 Aug 1635; Isaac, age 23, in the ship “Amitee”, George Downs-Master, to St. Christopher 13 October 1635; Richard age 24 in the ship “Expedition” to Barbados 25 Nov 1635; Francis, age 20, in the ship “Falcon” to Barbados 19 Dec 1635 and Christian, age 26, in the ship “Blessing”, John Leicester-Master, to New England 13 July 1635. We further have James and John Buck coming over on the Diligent, John Martin- Master, arriving at Boston 10 August 1638. Finally, we have Susan (–) Buck coming over in 1637 on ship “Hercules”, John Witherly-Master. Of these various persons, it is most likely that William Buck’s immediate family were sons were Isaac, James, John, and Roger Buck. Susan (–) Buck is believed to be the wife of John Buck.

Rev. Mr. Shephard came with a company, i.e., congregation, in 1635 and settled in New Town, now Cambridge. Among the names in this congregation we find our William Buck and son Roger Buck. Among those to whom land was granted we find “Roger Buck, Lot #5 containing 10 acres and William Buck, Lot #91 containing 20 acres. The original grant to New Town, or Cambridge included what is now Cambridge, Brighton, Newton, Arlington, Lexington, Bedford and Billerica. This accounts for the fact that the old Buck Farm(still so called} which it is clained that our William Buck settled when he came to New England was at first in Cambridge, then in Billerica, then in Woburn and finally in what is now called North Wilmington. William Buck died 24 Jan 1658 aged 73. The name of his wife is unknown and it is assumed that she had passed on prior to William’s departure from England. Roger Buck, son of William, inherited all of his father’s property.

There is no documentation relative to the other children of William Buck. There is evidence of the relationships of Isaac, James and John Buck. The fact that they did not come to together to New England is not relevant; the other sons were of age and their decisions to come over when they did could be due to personal reasons, financial considerations, etc. It is possible that there was not harmony in the family.

John Buck, assumed son of William Buck, came to New England probably with his brother James on the ship “Diligent” in 1638.