Richard Buckner

Richard Buckner (born after 1662, died in late 1733 or early 1734) was a Virginia attorney and land speculator who served many years as the clerk of Essex County and for three years served as clerk of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1712–1715). When Caroline County was created from Essex County (and included Buckner's home plantation), he held many offices in the new county, including winning election to represent it in the House of Burgesses.

Early and family life

Richard Buckner was a son of John Buckner, who had earlier represented Gloucester County in the House for two terms. His father patented more than 26,000 acres of land in the Virginia colony between 1667 and 1691. Historians disagree as to whether Richard was the eldest or youngest of his father's sons, but he received an education appropriate to his class.

Richard Buckner served probably from 1703 until 1712 as clerk of Essex County.

Caroline County voters in a 1729 special election elected him as a burgess to represent them in Williamsburg (part-time) and re-elected him in the 1730–2 session, as well as in 1733. However, he never was seated at that assembly, having died before taking office.

A lawsuit in which he (or his son of the same name) was a party, Thornton v. Buckner, was decided in April 1730.

Death and legacy The last record indicating Buckner was alive was filed on October 18, 1733, concerning a land sale in Spotsylvania County. His will was admitted to probate in Caroline County on March 14, 1733/4.