Colonel James Wood II Chapter’s grave marking ceremony of Thomas Buck

On August 22, 2020, the Colonel James Wood II Chapter of the Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution sponsored a grave marking ceremony to honor Revolutionary War patriot Thomas Buck at the Buck Family Cemetery, in Waterlick, Virginia. The SAR honors patriots by marking their graves with a granite stone emblematic of their service in the fight for freedom during the American Revolutionary War.  This can be as a fighter, a tax payer, government service or providing goods and materials to the cause.

Art LaFlam and Marty Keesecker performing sentinel duty at the grave of Thomas Buck.

Thomas Buck was born in 1756 to Charles Buck and Letitia Sorrell, in Frederick County, Virginia.  He was one of three patriot brothers.  His brother John served as a fighter and moved to Ohio.  Charles gave patriotic service, providing materials to the cause.  He married Ann Richardson in 1774, daughter of Colonel William and Isabella Richardson.  On January 11, 1776, Thomas was commissioned a 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 chosen Captain of a company of volunteers dubbed “Buck’s Minute Men” of the 8th Virginia Regiment.  The unit was sent 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 served an additional two months.  When the British were on their march from Carolina to Virginia, he was called upon to raise a company of 70 horsemen to move prisoners from Albermarle Barracks to Winchester.  While enroute they were requested to proceed to Fredericksburg and reported to General Peter Muhlenburg.  These appointments and elections show a high regard for young Thomas Buck, then only in his early twenties.

On May 1793, he was appointed Captain of Virginia Militia by Governor Henry (Lighthorse Harry) Lee and served during the Whiskey Rebellion.  In 1797-98, he built the home “Bel Air” on Happy Creek, in Front Royal, where they raised thirteen children.  After the war, he returned to Frederick County, living in Front Royal where he was one of the original trustees and a leading citizen for a number of years.  He served as a magistrate and held the office of high sheriff.  His first wife died on April 1, 1823.  On September 21, 1823, he married Ruhamah Heath McKim.  Thomas was allowed a pension on October 1, 1833, for his military service during the Revolutionary War.  He died June 4, 1842, and is buried in the Buck Family Cemetery, in Waterlick, Virginia, next to his first wife and his brother, Charles.

The musket squad firing a salute. From left to right, compatriots saluting: Mike Weyler, Dale Corey, Ken Morris and Steve Englebright. Musket squad from left to right: Ken Bonner, Art LaFlam, Marty Keesecker, Brett Osborn, Dave Cook, Sean Carrigan, Paul Christensen, Barry Schwoerer, Mike Dennis and Bill Schwetke.

The Colonel James Wood II Chapter was joined by the Colonel William Grayson, Culpeper Minute Men, Fairfax Resolves, George Mason and General Adam Stephens Chapters of the SAR with representation from the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Shenandoah Society of the Children of the American Revolution (C.A.R.).  Dale Corey presided over the ceremony with chaplain services provided by Jim Simmons.   Ten wreaths were presented to honor the patriot by representatives of the various organizations.   A 14 man color guard presented the colors and a 10 man squad fired a three round musket salute.

Standing left to right: Leona Gill, Fred Gill, Paul Christensen, Brett Osborn, Sam Gill, Marty Keesecker, Jackie Gill, Steve Englebright, Dennis Parmeter, Mike Dennis, Eric Robinson, Clay Robinson, Ken Morris, Bill Schwetke, Dave Cook, Barry Schwoerer, Art LaFlam and Jim Simmons.  Kneeling left to right: Ken Bonner, Chip Daniel, Charles Jameson, Marc Robinson, Mike Weyler, Dale Corey and Sean Carrigan.

Compatriots participating in the ceremony included Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (VASSAR) William “Bill” Schwetke, VASSAR Color Guard Commander Ken Bonner, VASSAR Color Guard Safety Officer Paul Christensen, VASSAR Color Guardsman of the Year Brett Osborn, Colonel James Wood II President Marc Robinson, Colonel William Grayson President Mike Weyler, Culpeper Minute Men President Charles Jameson, George Mason President Ken Morris, General Adam Stephens President Marty Keesecker and Fairfax Resolves 1st Vice President Dave Cook.  Additional compatriots included Sean Carrigan, Dale Corey, Chip Daniel, Mike Dennis, Steve Englebright, Fred Gill, Art LaFlam, Dennis Parmeter, Will Reynolds, Clay Robinson, Eric Robinson and Barry Schwoerer.  Attending from the DAR were Deborah Corey and Anne Simmons.  From the C.A.R. were Leona, Samuel and Jacqueline Gill.