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| An advertisement for Buck's salon from the early 1990s. |
I didn’t have time to include a bit of Buck’s family history that mirrors his own struggles and successes. In christening the salon with his name, he was also calling forth the wanderlust and enterprise of his ancestor Antonio Giannini who, like buck, took a leap of faith at the age of 27. Antonio Giannini was one of several Italian laborers recruited by the merchant, Filipo Mazzei who had grand designs for establishing wine, silk, and olive oil business in Virginia.
Mazzei met Thomas Jefferson and with their shared interest in agricultural experimentation, Jefferson convinced Mazzei to try growing vineyards on land adjoining Monticello. Antonio Giannini went with him, arriving in Charlottesville in 1773.
At the end of his contracted 5 years of indentured service, Antonio was ready to enjoy some independence. When Mazzei left America for Europe to drum up support for the revolutionary cause in 1778, Antonio began working for Jefferson. Antonio then bought land in Albemarle county but when he was denied rights to build a mill on that land, he yearned to return to his home in Italy. His contract with Mazzei included a return passage at the end of his service. But with Mazzei back in Europe, Antonio sued Jefferson for indemnification for this promised return. He lost the suit. In his 50s Antonio became an ordained Baptist minister. Among his duties were officiating marriages in Albemarle, Louisa and Nelson counties. He was trapped in Charlottesville, just as Buck would be 200 years later. Both adapted to the situation—building the community they so yearned to be part of.
At the end of his contracted 5 years of indentured service, Antonio was ready to enjoy some independence. When Mazzei left America for Europe to drum up support for the revolutionary cause in 1778, Antonio began working for Jefferson. Antonio then bought land in Albemarle county but when he was denied rights to build a mill on that land, he yearned to return to his home in Italy. His contract with Mazzei included a return passage at the end of his service. But with Mazzei back in Europe, Antonio sued Jefferson for indemnification for this promised return. He lost the suit. In his 50s Antonio became an ordained Baptist minister. Among his duties were officiating marriages in Albemarle, Louisa and Nelson counties. He was trapped in Charlottesville, just as Buck would be 200 years later. Both adapted to the situation—building the community they so yearned to be part of.
