Letters from Lewis Buckner

Lewis Buckner was an American house builder, carpenter and furniture maker. Born and raised a slave as a child, Buckner was freed in 1865 and later apprenticed to a furniture maker. He became one of several successful African-American construction entrepreneurs in late-19th century Sevier County, Tennessee. At least fifteen homes that were either built by Buckner or are believed to have been built by Buckner are still standing, two of which are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.