Bucklin was born on 26 July 1801, in a part of Rehoboth that is now part of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, to James and Lorania (Pearce) Bucklin. His father died 6 December 1802, and his widow moved to Providence with her son. Bucklin attended the town's public schools. At the age of 14 he was apprenticed to early architect-builder John Holden Greene, working there for seven years. In 1822, at the age of 21, he established a partnership with William Tallman (d.1862). The firm of Tallman & Bucklin was a design-build firm, similar to Greene's business.[1] in 1846, 20-year-old Thomas A. Tefft began working for Tallman & Bucklin. Before long, Tefft was doing most of the firm's design work. This continued until 1851, when Tefft finished his studies at Brown University and established his own office.[2] Also at this time, Tallman & Bucklin's partnership was dissolved. Bucklin worked alone for many years. By 1880 he had taken his son, James A. Bucklin (1840-1901),[3] as a partner in J. C. Bucklin & Son. Although son James largely took over the practice, he remained active until his death in September 1890.[1] The office was succeeded by J. A. Bucklin & Company.[4]
In 1829 Bucklin married Lucy Dailey of Providence. They had five surviving children, including son James. Lucy Bucklin died in November, 1888.[1]
Bucklin was a member of the Squantum Association and the Providence Athenaeum, and was considered "a great reader of good books".[1] He was a member of the Providence common council from the fifth ward for the years 1839-41 and 1842-43.[5] He was a member of the First Light Infantry.
Legacy
Despite having fallen into relative obscurity, Bucklin was a very prominent designer in Providence from the 1840s to the 1870s. He designed at least half a dozen Westminster Street office buildings, as well as several more in other parts of downtown. From 1839 to 1844 Tallman & Bucklin had charge of the city's first major period of school-building, designing 12 buildings citywide.[6] Bucklin also was the designer of several other municipal structures.
Works
Earl Pearce Duplex, 42-44 Benefit St., Providence, RI (1827)[7]
Enoch W. Clarke House, 66 Benefit St., Providence, RI (1828)[7]