A Tinner & A Tobacco Man

The Peter Johnson Clan is a bit of a mystery and I wish I could get my hand on more records but given that they were Quakers, it's difficult. 

We start with Peter Johnson, the son of George 'Jeremiah' Johnson & Phebe Rogers. He married Mary C Velie, the daughter of Minard P Velie & Lovina Flagler and had 4 children - Jeremiah, Mary E, Abraham & Peter Jr.  Peter was a Tinner & after he died in 1934, Mary relocated to Ohio with her daughter Mary E and died some time after 1870.

Peter Jr married an English girl by the name of Mary Ann Woodhurst and they had 4 children - Arabella, Walter, Clara & Stella.

Arabella married Samuel M Buckley and had 2 children - Rex & Helen.   

Palladium-Item, Mon, 14 Dec 1925

Samuel M Buckley, Pioneer Tobacco Merchant, Is Dead

Samuel M Buckley, 77 years old, a retail and wholesale tobacco merchant here for 55 years, died at Reid Memorial Hospital Sunday morning at 6:30 o'clock from heart trouble. Mr Buckley had been in failing health for about a year, and was taken to Reid Memorial Hospital last Monday evening following an attack of heart trouble which he suffered while in his store. Mr Buckley had resided in Richmond since he was 19 years old, conducting first a retail cigar and tobacco store and later a wholesale store of these products in which he was actively engaged until a week ago. His first store in the retail business was opened in the old Tremont Hotel at Eight and Main streets where the Dickinson Trust Company is now located. Later, Mr Buckley moved his business across the street to the place now occupied by the Union National Bank. About 25 years ago, Mr Buckley opened his wholesale store at 515 Main Street, which he was operating just before his death. Born on Sept 2, 1848 in Lancashire, England, Mr Buckley had come to America when he was six years old settling in Philadelphia, Pa where he received his education in the public schools. Mr Buckley's career as a tobacconist began with his first occupation at Philadelphia where he became connected with the Pennsylvania railroad in the capacity as overseer of the 'news butchers' on the trains.

Opened Store Here

When he was 19 years old, he was sent in this capacity to Richmond where he was in charge of the news boys for the succeeding two years. AT the expiration of the two years, he went into business for himself opening a tobacco store at Eight and Main streets. Before coming to Richmond, he had enlisted in the Canadian Army when 16 years old and served in the army about a year. He was a member of the First Presbyterian church and a former member of the Knights of Pythias and the Light Guards. Surviving members of the family are the widow, Mrs Belle B Buckley; one daughter, Miss Helen Buckley; one son, Rex R Buckley; and two grandchildren, Muriel and Raymond Buckley. the funeral services will be held at the home, 200 South Eleventh Street, Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, Dr J J Rae, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, will have charge of the services. Burial will be made at Earlham Cemetery. Friends may call any time.