Hi there, I have just seen your post from 2006 concerning the trade "Buck Maker." This has now appeared in my family tree. Did you get an answer to your question? My research has produced a possible answer:
Occupation of Buck Maker might refer to the occupation of Buck Washer: A person who used to wash or soak clothes or cloth in lye (buck) - a bleaching agent, e.g. cothing manufacturer or laundry. Possibly that the Buck Maker were the persons who mixed the lye soap mixture that was used to wash clothes.
What is Lye?
Lye is a very caustic chemical capable of causing serious damage. It can burn skin, cause blindness, and even cause death if ingested. Yet, this dangerous chemical is one of the main components of handmade soaps. Extreme caution had to be taken when using lye in soap making. Protective glasses should have been worn, arms and legs should be kept covered, gloves should be worn, and an acid such as vinegar should be kept nearby to counter-act lye’s alkalinity if it should come in contact with skin. What wasn't known at the time was the vinegar would react with the lye and create more heat when it came in contact with the lye. Instead, it would have been better to run the exposed area until cold water for 15 minutes. Good ventilation is another consideration when working with lye. The other main ingredient of the soap is fat or tallow. When fat and lye are combined in proper proportions, a chemical reaction called saponification occurs. The end result is soap plus glycerin. Some made soap using lye made from wood ash. Sophisticated scales for measuring were not available and often too much lye was used. When saponification occurred, some lye was left in the soap, making it harsh on the skin. It was important to measure carefully so that the correct amount of lye is used.
