The Buck Stops Here

Reverend Edwin Augustus Buck* (1824-1903), who lived at 114 Prospect Street, was the Pastor of Central Congregational Church on Rock Street, a “missionary of the Pleasant Street Mission in 1867,” and the President of the Boys Club.

The Buck residence was built circa 1875 and was located on “the Hill,” which was the more fashionable area of the city. Look closely, as this photograph, taken circa 1900, tells a story. Here, we see a carefully curated sitting room with accoutrements that depict a modest style of living.

The bookshelves are full and in the room two book stands are present, one of them in use, indicative of a well-read family. Walls are adorned with framed pictures, a mixture of family and religious images. Among them, a Raphael print of Madonna della Seggiola, hanging to the left of the family’s goldfish bowl.

The fireplace screen looks thoughtfully placed, as well as the neat arrangement of books atop the purposefully covered table. The wall mirror and the table directly below are decades older than the time the picture was taken, suggesting that those items were family heirlooms, from either husband or wife.

Imagine the family passing the time pleasantly while reading and sharing polite conversation about the events of the day.

*Rev. Buck was a spiritual advisor to the parishioners of Central Congregational Church. He was particularly helpful to Emma L. Borden and Lizzie A. Borden, daughters of the murdered Andrew and Abby Borden, in 1892. Buck, in fact, escorted Lizzie to Taunton jail and brought her reading material while she was incarcerated. Before his death in 1903, he also advised Emma to move out of the French Street home that she shared with her sister.

Emma resided with the late Rev. Buck’s five unmarried daughters in this Prospect Street home for many years after moving out of French Street.