WILLIAM BUCKNER of "The Neck," Caroline County, was a son of Richard and Elizabeth (Cooke) Buckner of Essex, and afterwards of Caroline County. He is believed to have married a widow—Judith Hawes, who was the daughter of William Aylett of King William County.
William Buckner may be considered as the founder of the branch of the family located at "The Neck," but owing to the destruction of family records, little can be ascertained as to his life, or even the date of his death. It is possible he may have been the William who is mentioned in the court records as a Justice of Caroline County in June, 1768. His son, William, was a Justice, and in August, 1768, we find a record of William Buckner, Jr., serving in that capacity.
Judith Hawes Buckner was noted for her ungovernable temper, . and family pride. It was no unusual occurrence for her to horsewhip her negro coachman, when she thought the occasion demanded such treatment; in consequence of which, she was "universally known as—Lady Buckner. Her dying request was, that she be buried beneath the pavement of the aisle of the old wing of Rappahannock church—of which she had become a member—which was occupied by the poor; as an act of selfabasement for the pride she had manifested, and the contempt she had exhibited towards the common people during her life, alleging that—"she wanted those she had looked down upon, to walk over her when she was dead."
William and Judith Hawes Buckner had known issue:
:I. William Buckner.
:II. Francis Buckner.
:III. Richard Buckner, afterwards of "Albany," Westmoreland County.
:IV. George Buckner.
:V. Thomas Buckner.
Although William Buckner has been placed first amongst the above named children, no authority can be given for his right of priority. He is known, however, to have inherited his father's estate at "The Neck," although that fact alone, is not to be considered as conclusive evidence of his primogeniture; as it was of frequent occurrence in those days for a younger son to inherit the family estate. If he was the eldest son, he must have married rather late in life, as his first child was not born until 1766.
William Buckner, 2nd, married Dolly Roy, who is said to have been of the Roy family of Spottsylvania County. In the records of this county we find a Dolly Roy, who was the wife of John Roy of St. Mary's Parish, Caroline County, m 1733. but there is no mention of a daughter by that name. William and Dollie Roy Buckner of the "The Neck," had issue:
:1. William Aylett Buckner.
:2. Colin Buckner.
:3. Roy Buckner.
:4. Richard Buckner.
:5. Judith Buckner.
:6. Lucy Buckner.
:7. Elizabeth Buckner.
:8. Anne Roy Buckner.
