Lewis C. Buckner

Other Events:

• Census: 1880, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee
• Census: 1900, District 5, Sevier County, Tennessee
• Census: 1910, Sevierville, Sevier County, Tennessee
• Census: 1920, Sevier County, Tennessee

Notes:

Perhaps the most significant African-American builder in Sevier County’s history was not a brick mason, but a highly-skilled carpenter, cabinetmaker, and house builder. Lewis C. Buckner (1856-1924), who was born a slave, had a white father and an African-American mother.

During the years following the Civil War, Buckner most likely learned his trade in Sevierville as an apprentice to Christian H. Stump, a white furniture and cabinetmaker originally from Michigan. It was in Sevierville that he began his cabinetmaking business in the 1870s. By the late nineteenth century, the African-American artisan was building houses throughout Sevier County that featured robust Italianate and Queen Anne style architectural elements. Using his unique interpretation of national architectural styles acquired from pattern books and published journals, Buckner’s original work is extremely creative. Rarely were two pieces rendered exactly alike. The country artisan’s well-crafted architectural detailing features vernacular renditions of Victorian patterns that include naturalistic elements such as a unique flower motif that became his signature trademark.

Nearly twenty examples of dwellings exhibiting Buckner’s extraordinary craftsmanship still exist in the county. Buckner built these houses between 1880 and 1921, and he embellished them with the flamboyant architectural elements indicative of Victorian-era ebullience. Buckner usually built an entire dwelling and lived at the building site during its construction; however, he also traveled the countryside in order to construct decorative details, such as porches, staircases, and mantels for otherwise ordinary farmhouses.

Buckner also crafted elaborate and ornate furniture, such as bedroom suites, cupboards, bureaus, washstands, cabinets, and even picture frames. Many of his works are prized family heirlooms. Buckner’s own house, which he built in 1894 outside Sevierville, still stands. He was buried in an unmarked grave at the Union Hill Cemetery nearby.

The dozens of examples of well-crafted buildings and the extraordinary furniture, crafted by talented black brick masons and carpenters serve as historic reminders of the exceptional impact that African Americans had on the rural communities of East Tennessee, especially Sevier county.

Robbie D. Jones

Lewis married Jane Bryant 29 Dec 1875, Sevier County, Tennessee. Jane was born Abt 1857, Tennessee; died 1896; was buried Union Hill Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. Mary R. Buckner was born 1877, Tennessee.
2. Elnora Buckner was born Aug 1884, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 7 Mar 1939, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee; was buried 10 Mar 1939, Crestview Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee.
3. Porter Buckner was born Aug 1886, Tennessee.
4. Artist H. Buckner was born Aug 1894, Tennessee.
5. William Buckner
6. Reece Buckner

Lewis married Eliza Jane Chandler 2 Mar 1898, Blount County, Tennessee. Eliza (daughter of William N. "Will" Chandler and Uphrasia Holland) was born 19 Mar 1879, Tennessee; died 5 Sep 1958, Knox County, Tennessee; was buried 7 Sep 1958, Union Hill Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee. [Group Sheet]

1. Winsted Henry Buckner was born 5 Mar 1899, Tennessee; died 12 Jul 1921, Sevier County, Tennessee; was buried 13 Jul 1921, Union Hill Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
2. Chandler Buckner was born 25 Oct 1902, Tennessee; died 6 May 1961, Knox County, Tennessee; was buried 10 May 1961, Union Hill Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
3. Oliver Buckner was born 30 Nov 1906, Tennessee; died 18 Oct 1949, Knox County, Tennessee; was buried 21 Oct 1949, Sevierville Cemetery, Sevier County, Tennessee.
4. Icafene Buckner was born 15 Feb 1910, Sevier County, Tennessee; died 7 Apr 1969, Knox County, Tennessee.