David BUFF / Elizabeth AIKEN

   Husband: David BUFF             (Descendant Chart)
      Born: ABT 1844               in: 
   Married:                        in: 
      Died: 4 NOV 1909             in: Cleveland County, NC
    Buried: Buff Cemetery, Casar, Cleveland County, NC
    Father:
    Mother:
      Wife: Elizabeth AIKEN        (Ancestor Chart, Descendant Chart)
      Born: ABT 1845               in: Catawba County, NC
      Died: 4 MAR 1920             in: Cleveland County, NC
    Buried: Buff Cemetery, Casar, Cleveland County, NC
    Father: Robert AIKEN
    Mother: Bettie CROTTS
  Children:
1     Name: Malinda M. BUFF
F     Born: 7 JUL 1865             in: Cleveland County, NC
      Died: 18 MAY 1938            in: Cleveland County, NC
   Married: 22 DEC 1887            in: Cleveland County, NC
    Spouse: Joseph C. COSTNER

David Buff

Civil War Records

North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster: David Buff, Jr. is listed as a Private in Co. F, 55th North Carolina Infantry Regiment. Was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting in Cleveland County at age 18, April 25, 1864, for the war. Wounded in the left shoulder at Talley's Mill, Virginia, May 10, 1864. Hospitalized at Richmond, Virginia. Furloughed for sixty days on June 14, 1864. Retired from service on October 1, 1864, by reason of disability from wounds.⁸ 

Joseph J. Hoyle Letter

May 11, 1864
   We were again engaged on the 10th (Tuesday). We charged the enemy, and drove them from two lines of their breast works. Our loss was heavy again-- The following is a list of casualties in our company-- Killed-- Jesse Cook.--1   Wounded.-- John Cline, in thigh severely; Wesley Williams in side, severely; David Buff Jr. in shoulder severely, Wm. Craige, in arm, slightly, Henry J. Willis, in mouth, slight.--6 whole loss 7.
   By God's goodness I have been spared thus far. L. S. Self came through the first day safe, so did W. B. Hoyle-- since then I have not seen them. A great deal of fighting has been done, and the battle is still going on. We have driven the enemy back in almost every case in which they have attacked us. I feel to thank God for our success thus far, and pray he will give us complete success and speedy peace. Gamewell Gantt is safe thus far, Mack Hoyle is wouuded slightly in hip. Davis came through 1st day safe. I have but little opportunity to write, and less to send off what I do write. I am as ever yours in hope and love.
Joe⁷

Other Notes

• My interest in David Buff is as the father of Malinda Buff who married Joseph C. Costner. The estate papers of David Buff, Jr.⁶ confirm that Malinda Costner, wife of J. C. Costner, was the daughter of David Buff, Jr. The papers, dated 1909 and 1910, also indicate that David Buff, Jr. was survived by his wife Elizabeth. The full list of his surviving children was as follows:
  • Robert Buff and wife Nancy Buff
  • Malinda Costner and husband J. C. Costner
  • Mary Hudson and husband Joseph Hudson
  • S. N. Buff and wife D. F. Buff
  • Caroline Self and husband John Self
  • John Buff and wife Bertha Buff
• While David Buff was often referred to as David Buff, Junior, it appears that the individual known as David Buff, Senior was someone other than his father. During this time it was common for two individuals having same name in the same community to be distinguished as Senior and Junior even though they may not have been father and son. The census records of 1850 and 1860 reflect that there were two David Buffs who were being raised as children in different households in the same community. Both went on to serve during the Civil War in Company F of the 55th North Carolina Regiment. According to Confederate compiled service records, David Buff, Sr. enlisted at the age of 22 on February 10, 1863, while David Buff, Jr. enlisted at the age of 18 on April 25, 1864. Other records such as census and death records are not always conisistent with respect to their exact age. But in no case does it appear that either David Buff was old enough to be the father of the other. I have not found any original record such as a will, deed, or estate record that directly states how David Buff, Sr. and David Buff, Jr. were related, or if they were related at all.
• The following is an attempt to distinguish the census entries that list David Buff, Jr. and David Buff, Sr. It is often difficult to distinguish the two as they both married an Elizabeth, and both appear to have named their oldest son Robert:
  • The following census entries are thought to list David Buff, Jr:
    • The 1850 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Phillip Buff (age 50, farmer, pauper) as head of household for family #1336 which includes Mary (40), Zylpha (15), Henry (13), Chrysty (11), Malinda (9), David (7), Margaret ([? 5]), and John (6 months). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1860 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Philip Buff (age 59, miller) as head of household for family #803 which includes Mary (34), Zylpha (25), Christy (21, day laborer), Malinda (17), David (15, day laborer), Margaret E. (13), John (10), All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1870 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 19, farm laborer) as head of household in family #47 in Township #10 with Elizabeth (25, keeping house), Robert (6), Malinda (5), Mary (3), and Henry (1). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1880 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 30, farmer) as head of household in family #37 in Township #10 with Elisabeth (35, keeps house), Robert (18, works on farm), Matha (17, works on farm), Mary Elisabeth (13, works on farm), Samuel (9), Margaret (7), John (6), and Thomas (2). All are listed as born in North Carolina. The next entry in the census is family #38 which lists Elisabeth Akins (65, widowed) as head of household with William Crotts (18, works on farm). [Note: This Elisabeth Akins is likely the mother of David's wife Elisabeth.]
    • The 1900 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 54, farmer, b.Jan 1846) as head of family #184 in Township #10 with Elizabeth (55, wife, b.Apr 1845) and Lucy (13, granddaughter, b.Feb 1887). David and Elizabeth are listed as having been married 37 years. Elizabeth is listed as having had 9 children of which 6 are surviving. All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1910 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Samuel Buff (age 39, farmer) as head of household in family #51 in Township #10 with Fidelia A. (wife, 41), Amanda B. E. (daughter, 16), M. Docia M. (daughter, 12), Margaret E. C. J. (daughter, 10), and Elizabeth (mother, 69, widowed). All are listed as born in North Carolina. Samuel and Fidelia are listed as having been married 18 years. Fidelia is listed as having had 3 children of which 3 survive. Elizabeth is listed as having had 9 children of which 6 survive.
  • The following census entries are thought to list David Buff, Sr:
    • The 1850 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Ailey Buff (age 42, female, pauper) as head of household in family #1337 with Peter (12), Aaron (10), David (8), and Phillip (6). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1860 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Abby Buff (age 50) as head of housholed in family #797 with Peter (23, day laborer), David (19), Philip (17), and Agness (12). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1870 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 27, farm laborer) as head of household in family #46 in Township #10 with Elizabeth (23), Robert (2), and Naomi (1). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1880 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 40, farmer) as head of household in family #22 in Township #10 with Elisabeth (36, keeping house ), Robert (19, son, works on farm), [? Meaoma Elen] (female, 11, helps keep house), Margaret (10, works on farm), William (8), [? Susen] (female, 7), [? Flo] (female, 3), and Marton (male, 1). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1900 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff, Sr (age 61, farmer, b.Feb 1839) as head of household in family #189 in Township #10 with Elizabeth (44, wife, b.May 1856), Martin (20, son, b.Mar 1880), Frank (18, son, b.Mar 1882), Aaron (15, son, b.Jun 1884), and Fancy (13, daughter, b.Dec 1887). David and Elizabeth are listed as having been married 34 years. Elizabeth is listed as having had 11 children of which 9 are surviving. All are listed as born in North Carolina.
    • The 1910 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 75, farmer) as head of household in family #43 in Township #10 with Elizabeth (wife, 64). Both are listed as born in North Carolina. David and Elizabeth are listed as having been married 44 years. Elizabeth is listed as having had 13 children of which 9 survive.
    • The 1920 census of Cleveland County, NC lists David Buff (age 82, farmer, widowed) as head of household in family #91 in Township #10 with Lizzie (granddaughter, 22, single) Both are listed as born in North Carolina.
• A Cleveland County, NC death certificate exists for Elizabeth Buff. She is listed as the widow of David Buff Jr. Her parents are listed as Robert Akins and Bettie Crotts.
• The "Grandfather Clause Voter Registration, Cleveland County, N.C., 1902-1908"⁵ extracted by Virginia Greene DePriest includes an entry for David Buff, Jr. Under the rules of the grandfather clause voter registration, voters listed the name of their ancestor who voted in NC in 1867. David Buff, Jr., age 64, registered on 10-19-1908 and listed his ancestor as "Philip Buff". A John Buff, age 32, registered on 10-25-1908 and also listed his ancestor as Philip Buff. The exact relationship of David Jr & John to Philip isn't stated.

Other Buff Family Records

The following are some other Buff family records I have found. I suspect many of these families may be related to each other, but I do not have any evidence to prove it. Please contact me if you understand how these families are related.

• The following is a listing of all the Buff family members that I have found in the 1850 census for the entire state of North Carolina:
  • The 1850 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Phillip Buff (age 50, farmer, pauper) as head of household for family #1336 which includes Mary (40), Zylpha (15), Henry (13), Chrysty (11), Malinda (9), David (7), Margaret ([? 5]), and John (6 months).
  • The 1850 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Ailey Buff (age 42, female, pauper) as head of household for family #1337 which includes Peter (12), Aaron (10), David (8), and Phillip (6). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
  • The 1850 census of Cleveland County, NC lists John Buff (age 30, farmer) as head of household for family #1338 which includes Margaret (22), and William (10 months) All are listed as born in North Carolina.
  • The 1850 census of Cleveland County, NC lists Peter Buff (age 49, blacksmith) as head of household for family #1347 which includes Margaret (48), Mary (24), Sally (22), Nancy (19), William (18), Barbry (16), Catherine (14), Margaret (12), Peter (10), and Lydia (5). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
  • The 1850 census of Cleveand County, NC lists Joseph Buff (age 24, "B & Farmer") as head of household for family #1351 with Robert Chapman (24), Elizabeth Chapman (26), Peter Chapman (2), and William Chapman (10 months). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
  • The 1850 census of Lincoln County, NC lists a David Buff (age 43, laborer) in the household of family #907 headed by Henry Havner (age 45, farmer).
  • The 1850 census of Lincoln County, NC lists Elizabeth Buff (age 74) and Mary M. Buff (36) in the household of family #855 headed by George Seagle (age 25, laborer).
  • The 1850 census of Rutherford County, NC lists Henry Buff (age 46, laborer) as head of household for family #1681 in the Whiteside Settlement community with Susan (37), Sarah (13), Daniel (7), Abram (5), Joseph (3), and Susan (1). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
  • The 1850 census of Haywood County, NC lists Susan Buff (age 70) in the household of family #1019 headed by Mary Allison (age 30).
  • The 1850 census of Haywood County, NC lists Daniel Buff (age 32) as head of household for family #748 which includes Vianna (32), John (8), Angaline (4), Charly (2), Western (male, 1 month), and Mary E. (60). All are listed as born in North Carolina.
  • The 1850 census of Haywood County, NC lists James M. Buff (age 32, farmer), Elizabeth Buff (32), Sarah J. Buff (10), B. N. Buff (female, 9), Delitha Buff (6), Elizabeth Buff (3), and James M. Buff (5 months) in the household of family #137 headed by William Gillet (age 44, blacksmith). Elizabeth Buff (32) is listed as born in South Carolina. Delitha Buff and Elizabeth Buff (3) are listed as born in Tennessee. The others are listed as born in North Carolina.
• Buff marriages from Cleveland County, North Carolina Marriages, 1851-1865 by S. Arnold Ramey (1971):
  • Joseph Buff m. Fanny Cook, March 8, 1853, by John Cook, Reg. June 24, 1853, S. Williams Clk., p.31.
  • Soloman Buff m. Anny Britten, March 4, 1852, by John Cook, JP., Reg. May 25, 1852, S. Williams, Clk., p.17.
• Buff wills in the North Carolina State Archives:
  • Martin Buff, Haywood County, c1829.
  • Joseph Buff, Burke/Cleveland County, 1878.
  • William Buff, Burke County, 1890.
  • Catherine Buff, Cleveland County, 1891.
• Buff civil war pension applications in the North Carolina state Archives:
  • David Buff, Jr., Cleveland County, 1885, 1901, 1910.
  • David Buff, Sr., Cleveland County, 1910, 1919.
  • Christopher Buff, Gaston & Lincoln County, 1904, 1912, 1915.
  • Henry Buff, Catawba County, 1901.
  • Joseph Buff, Burke County, 1901, 1905.
  • Peter Buff, Sr., Cleveland County, 1901.
• Buff land grants in the North Carolina State Archives (these land grants are probably located on Indian Creek in present day Lincoln or Gaston county, and Muddy Fork Creek in present day Gaston or Cleveland county):
  • John Buff, Indian Creek, 1787, 1791.
  • Michael Buff, Indian Creek, 1789, 1791.
  • George Buff, Indian Creek, 1794, 1797.
  • John Buff, Indian Creek, 1806.
  • Mary Buff, Muddy Fork, 1811.
  • John Buff, Indian Creek, 1836, 1837.

Sources:

1. [Civil War Compiled Service Record of David Buff, Jr.]. National Archives, Washington D.C., 15 p. (PDF Copy (9.2 Mbytes)).
2. [Civil War Pension File of David Buff, Jr. - 1901, 1909]. North Carolina loose Civil War pension files, Pension Acts of 1901, 1909, Box 6.232, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, 12p. (Photographs of original made 13 May 2011 (8.8 Mbytes)).
3. [Civil War Pension File of David Buff, Jr.- 1885]. North Carolina loose Civil War pension files, Pension Act of 1885, Box 6.121, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC, 3 p. (Scanned copy of original (1.0 Mbytes)).
4. [Civil War Pension File of David Buff, Sr. - 1907]. North Carolina loose Civil War pension files, Pension Act of 1907, Box 6.232, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, 14p. (Photographs of original made 13 May 2011 (8.4 Mbytes)).
5. DePriest, Virginia Greene. Grandfather Clause Voter Registration, Cleveland County, N.C., 1902-1908. Shelby, NC, 1986. [ p.133: David Buff, Jr., age 64, listed his ancestor as Philip Buff when he registered to vote on 10-19-1908. ]
6. [Estate Papers of David Buff, Jr. (1910)]. Cleveland County loose estate papers, file C.R.026.508.10, North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, 10p. (Scanned copy of original made 16 Aug 2006 (3.7 Mbytes)).
7. Hoyle, Joseph J., Edited by Jeffrey M. Girvan. Deliver Us from This Cruel War, The Civil War Letters of Lieutenant Joseph J. Hoyle, 55th North Carolina Infantry. McFarland and Company, Inc., Jefferson, N.C., 2010. ISBN: 978-0-7864-4757-2. [ p.177: Joseph J. Hoyle's letter to his wife dated 11 May 1864 indicates David Buff, Jr. was wounded severely in the shoulder. ]
8. Manarin, Louis H., and Weymouth T Jordan. North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster. North Carolina State Dept. of Archives and History, Raleigh, 1963, 15 vols. ISBN 0865260052. [ Vol. 13: Lists David Buff, Jr., Private, Co. F, 55th North Carolina Regiment. ]
9. Mull, Peter M. Pay and Clothing and Descriptive Book of Company "F", (Capt. Mull) 55th Regt. N.C. Troops. Private Collection No. 1131, North Carolina Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC. [ p.129: David Buff, Jr. entry in company book maintained by Captain Peter Mull. (Photographs of selected pages made from original document on 13 May 2011 (10.1 Mbytes)). ]
10. [Death Certificate of Elizabeth Buff]. North Carolina Death Certificates, North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. (Image (410.1 Kbytes)).