William Bucklin's Family

submitted JFK Library - Dearborn Hts, MI
THIS IS NOT Verified information: it is to be used as a guide to BUCKLIN family descendants

William BUCKLIN was born __________
and died November 15, 1829, in Bucklin Township, Wayne County, Michigan.
He married ____________________
and had possibly 3 sons; James Bucklin, Calvin Bucklin and Daniel Bucklin; who was appointed Lt. in the Michigan Militia on July 6, 1819 by Lewis Cass.

Bucklin's second marriage was to: Margaret Tompkins on December 3, 1826 at River Rouge. Margaret Tompkins was a land owner recieved from United States for service by William Bucklin in the War of 1812, which she later sold.

William Bucklin's will was filed in probate in 1829 which states his beneficieries as Elizabeth Stacy and children. (Book of Early Wayne County, Michigan Wills in the Michigan State Library)
History recorded William Bucklin as the first white settler in the township which bore his name, however there are recordings of possibly a A.J. Bucklin and/or a James Cessne settling in 1795.
Early Wayne County Land transactions records William Bucklin purchasing 400 acres of land on the River Rouge from William Murphy of Detroit, on March 5, 1809.

Bucklin was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the County of Wayne on March 13, 1824, by commission signed by Lewis Cass.

Territorial Papers of US vol XI S 1.36 According to the minutes of the township meeting held in the Michigan State Library,in naming the township, which was essentially a French-Canadian settlement, Lewis Cass, honored William Bucklin, an American who earlier the same year has also been appointed Justice of the Peace. This man earned civic recognition in the community, and was owner of a large tract of land in the River Rouge basin and tavern keeper on the Chicago Turnpike (now Michigan Avenue) by an act of the Legislative Council on April 12, 1827 the township was organized and its bounderies defined to be T1S and T2S, R9E and fractional T2S, R10E.

William Bucklin also volunteered at River Rouge, near Detroit, Wayne County, Michigan; May 15, 1812 under Captain Francis Chowin, and after a few weeks joined Captain Stephen Meeks of the Michigan Militia and was with General Hull's army on August 16, 1812, when he surrendered at Detroit. (Pioneer Society of Michigan Vol 3)

*There is a small hand-written note stating in part "there's a William Bucklin that was born in Rhode Island in 1776. He married a Phebe Hopkins born 1778, and moved West. He later fought at the Battle of River Rising. (this could be River Raisen) This may be the same William Bucklin* This note was not verified information, but a possible lead for decendents.

James BUCKLIN, son of William Bucklin was born __________ and died February 17, 1848 in Dearborn Township, Wayne County, Michigan.
He married _____________________ and had the following children:
William M. Bucklin born abt 1826
Almira Bucklin born abt 1828 (she married Ephraim Priest, Jr in 1848 in Nankin Township, Wayne County, MI) died 1912 in Clinton, Michigan
Charles Bucklin born 1833 died July 1, 1863 Killed in action at Gettysburg, PA age: 30
Jane A. Bucklin
Caroline Bucklin
James H. Bucklin born 1839. Enlisted April 1, 1863 age 24 in St Clair, Michigan as Corporal (Comp H 8th Mich. Cal), transferred July 20, 1865 to Comp L, mustered out Nashville TN September 22, 1865. Died August 6, 1865 aged: 26 Burial: Oak Grove Cemetery, Manchester Township, Wastenaw County, Michigan.

James BUCKLIN second wife: Sarah Cole married December 22, 1839.
Had the following children:
Andrew J. Bucklin a Lt. in the 24th Michigan Inf
Harriet A. Bucklin
Lymen D. Bucklin; enlisted Comp C 1st Mich Cal at age 18; died of wounds in Detroit, Michigan May 13, 1863
John H. Bucklin

According to history book by Silas Farmer William Bucklin's son, James held some town offices and served as Major in the "Bloodless War", between Michigan and Ohio in 1838. He also served as a deligate for Wayne County in 1836, to the special State Convention that made Michigan a state. He was also a carpenter, and helped build the Schwarzburg School in 1827.

This BUCKLIN Family information is transcribed in part from a SUBMISSION from decendent family to the John F. Kennedy Library in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. This has NOT been verified by me. It is here to serve as a guide to other BUCKLIN decendents who are seeking information. In other words; please check out the sources yourself for proper documentation.

Return to the History of Dearborn Heights (previously Bucklin Township)

To contact other BUCKLIN family members, please contact the Bucklin Family Association at Bucklin Association.