Ambrose Rucker was born 13 April 1735 in Orange Co, VA and died 14 December 1807 in Amherst Co, VA
AmbroseRucker was born 13 April 1735 in Orange Co, VA and died 14 December 1807 inAmherst Co, VA. He served as Captain in the French and Indian War and the Revolution.He was a very influential citizen of Amherst Co, and was said to be 6'6"tall and weighed 300 pounds
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Hisbrothers Anthony and Benjamin Rucker were inventors of the James River batteau,which superseded the double dugout canoe and rolling road for transportingtobacco hogsheads. Each hogshead weighed about two tons, and each batteau couldhaul an average of ten hogsheads. These long (about 50 or 60 feet),double-ended vessels dominated the commercial traffic on the James River andother Southern upland waterways between the 1770s and 1840s. A dispute arose in1821 when the Rucker brothers' heirs sought to patent the design. A letter fromThomas Jefferson testifying to his presence at the first batteau's launchresolved the matter in the Ruckers's favor. There is now a batteau festivalheld each year on the James River to celebrate this invention
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Rucker'sChapel was one of the first Anglican (present-day Episcopal) churches inAmherst County. Also known as Harris Creek Church and later as St. Matthew's,the church was founded by Col. Ambrose Rucker before 1751. It stood on part ofa 5,850 acre tract his father, John Rucker, patented in 1745. The church servedits congregation until 1817, when the members moved to Ascension Church, inAmherst. Logs from the chapel were later used to construct a corn crib at SweetBriar College, two miles north
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1778- served as Sheriff of Amherst Co, VA
PROBATE:WILLS OF AMHERST CO. VA, 21 DECEMBER 1807. WILL OF AMBROSE RUCKER:
IGIVE AND BEQUEATH TO MY SON AMBROSE RUCKER, THE NEW SURVEY, OR THE UPPER PARTON THE NORTH SIDE OF MY MOUNTAIN PLANTATION CONTAINING 200 ODD ACRES, WITH THEADDITION OF ONE HUNDRED ACRES TAKEN OFF THE LAND FORMERLY CONTESTED BETWEENLUCAS AND MYSELF, WHICH SAID ONE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND LAST MENTIONED IS A PARTOF TRACT LEFT MY WIFE, AND ALL THE LAND ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF THE ROADTHAT LEADS FROM THE HEAD OF HARRIS CREEK, WITH TWO NEGROES, VIZ; SARAH ANDCREASE; THE FORMER BELONGING NOW IN HIS POSSESSION; WITH ALL OTHER THINGS I HAVEGIVEN HIM HERETOFORE, OR LET HIM HAVE. EXCEPT THE ORE BANK ON THE HIGH PEAK OFTOBACCO ROW MOUNTAIN, TO HIM AND HIS HEIRS FOREVER. THE ORE BANK LANDCONTAINING 375 ACRES, WITH ONE OTHER TRACT ADJOINING IS TO BE SOLD AT THEDISCRETION OF MY EXECUTORS AND DIVIDED EQUALLY AMONG MY CHILDREN ANDGRANDCHILDREN
IGIVE MY SON , ISAAC RUCKER, THREE HUINDRED ACRES OF LAND FROM THE UPPER SIDE OFMY ROCKY CREEK PLANTATION, RUNNING QUITE ACROSS THE CREEK FROM ONE SIDE OF THECREEK TO THE OTHER. ALSO A NEGRO WOMAN NAMED ANNA AND HER CHILDREN, ALSO BETTYAND HER INCREASE. THE SAID NEGROS NOW BEING IN HIS POSSESSION, AND ALSO ALLOTHER THINGS I HAVE HERETOFORE GIVEN HIM, AND HIS HEIRS FOREVER.
IGIVE TO MY SON BENJAMIN RUCKER , THREE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND , IT BEING THETRACT OF LAND MY SON ISAAC NOW LIVES ON, SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THESTOREHOUSE AND MY BARNS. ALSO A HORSE , SADDLE AND BRIDLE AND A GOOD FEATHERBED AND FURNITURE; TWO NEGROS, VIZ; CALEB AND RHODA, TWO COWS AND CALVES, TWOSOWS AND PIGS, MY RIFLE GUN, AND THREE SHEEP, TO HIM AND HIS HEIRS FOREVER.
IGIVE AND HAVE GIVEN TO MY SON, REUBEN RUCKER,DECEASED, EQUAL TWO HUNDREDPOUNDS; ALSO FIFTY POUNDS MORE IN PROPERTY TO HIS HEIRS FOREVER.
IGIVE, AND DO GIVE UNTO THE HEIRS OF PEGGY MCDANIEL, DECEASED, ONE HUNDREDPOUNDS IN PROPERTY, AND THEY ARE TO BE PAID BY EXECUTORS FROM MY ESTATE INPROPERTY, ONE HUNDRED POUNDS MORE TO THEM AND THEIR HEIRS FOREVER.
IDO AND HAVE GIVEN TO FRANKY LEE TWO NEGROES, VIZ; LYDIA AND CREASY, AND SIXTYPOUNDS IN PROPERTY, MAKING IN THE WHOLE TO HER TWO HUNDRED POUNDS, TO HER ANDHER HEIRS FOREVER.
IHAVE GIVEN TO MOLLY BURFORD ONE NEGRO WOMAN NAMED SOLELIN, AND OTHER THINGS TOTHE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, AND MY EXECUTORS ARE TO PAY HER FROM MYESTATE ONE HUNDRED POUNDS MORE IN PROPERTY, SO THAT HER FIRST PORTION WILL BEMADE TWO HUNDRED POUNDS TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER.
IGIVE TO ELIZABETH MARR AND HAVE GIVEN TO HER TWO NEGROES VIZ; DILSEY AND TILLERNOW IN HER POSSESSION, AND OTHER THINGS TO THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTYPOUNDS, AND MY EXECUTORS OF MY ESTATE ARE TO PAY HER IN PROPERTY, FORTY POUNDSMORE TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER.
ILEND TO SOPHIA RUCKER, NOW SOPHIA JENNINGS, FIVE NEGROES, VIZ; LELIA, DOLL,CREASY, BETSA, AND DANIEL, DURING THE PLEASURE OF HER LIFETIME AND AT HER DEATHTHEY ARE TO GO TO THE HEIRS OF HER BODY FOREVER
.ALSO I GIVE TO MY DAUGHTER, SOPHIA, FIFTY POUNDS CASH. WHICH SAID SUM I DESIREMY EXECUTORS TO PAY HER PERSONALLY
IGIVE TO MY DAUGHTER CAROLINE HANSFORD, TWO NEGROES, VIZ; JANE AND NANCY, ANDOTHER THINGS TO THE VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS, AND MY EXCUTORS ARETO PAY FROM THE ESTATE AND PROPERTY FIFTY POUNDS MORE, TO HER AND HER HEIRSFOREVER.
IGIVE MATILDA MARR TWO NEGORES, VIZ; ANNA AND CLARLIE, AND OTHER THINGS TO THEVALUE OF ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY POUNDS MORE, TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER
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IGIVE TO CHARLOTTE RUCKER TWO NEGORES, VIZ; CAROLINE AND DICEY, A GOOD FEATHERBED AND FURNITURE; A HORSE, SADDLE AND BRIDLE WORTH TWENTY POUNDS, AND THE SAIDNEGROES VALUED AT ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY POUNDS, AND THE BED AND FURNITUREVALUED AT FIFTEEN POUNDS, MAKING IT ALL ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS, AND MYEXECUTORS ARE TO PAY HER OUT OF THE ESTATE FORTY FIVE POUNDS IN PROPERTY TOMAKE HER LEGACY TWO HUNDRED POUNDS TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER. WHICH SAIDLEGACY IS TO BE PAID HER AT THE DESCREATION OF MY EXECUTORS .
IGIVE TO MY DAUGHTER SALLY MARR, TWO NEGROES VIZ; DELPHIA AND LITTLE LUCY, ORYELLOW LUCY, AT THE QUARTER VALUED AT ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS; A HORSE,SADDLE AND BRIDLE VALUED AT TWENTY POUNDS; A FEATHER BED AND FURNITURE VALUEDAT FIFTEEN POUNDS AND OTHER THINGS AMOUNTING TO ONE HUNDRED AND NINTY NINEPOUNDS AND NINETEEN SHILLING AND MY EXECUTORS ARE TO PAY HER ONE SHILLING TOMAKE HER LEGACY TWO HUNDRED POUNDS IN ALL TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER.
ANDFINALLY ALL MY LAND AND OTHER THINGS NOT HEREIN WILLED ARE TO BE SOLD AND PUTTO VALUE TO PAY THE LEGACIES. AFTER THEY ARE PAID THE REMAINDER OF MY ESTATEBOTH REAL AND PERSONAL, THAT IS NOT WILLED AWAY IS TO BE EQUALLY DIVIDEDBETWEEN MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, VIZ; THE ONE SHARE; THE CHILDREN OFMARGARET MC DANIEL ONE SHARE, THE CHILDREN OF RUEBEN RUCKER ONE SHARE, THECHILDREN OF WINIFRED PLUNKET ONE SHARE, MOLLIE BURFORD ONE SHARE, AMBROSERUCKER ONE SHARE, ISAAC RUCKER ONE SHARE, SOPHIA JENNINGS ONE SHARE, CAROLINEHANSFORD ONE SHARE, BETSY MARR ONE SHARE, SALLY MARR ONE SHARE, CHARLOTTERUCKER ONE SHARE, BENJAMIN RUCKER ONE SHARE, AND THEIR HEIRS FOREVER.
IGIVE TO BENJAMIN RUCKER, SR.; ANTHONY RUCKER AND THEIR HEIRS AND THEREPRESENTATIVES OF ISAAC RUCKER, DECEASED, THEIR DUE SHARE IN ALL LANDSPATENTED IN MY NAME IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, AGREEABLE TO CONTRACT TO THEM ANDTHEIR HEIRS FOREVER
ITIS TO BE OBSERVED THAT I RESERVE HALF AN ACRE FOR A GRAVE YARD IS NOW FIXED TOBELONG TO MY FAMILY FOREVER.
AND LASTLY I DO APPOINT MY BELOVED WIFE MARYRUCKER, AND BELOVED SONS AMBROSE RUCKER AND ISAAC RUCKER WHOLE EXECTRIX ANDEXECUTORS OF THIS MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVEHEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND AFFIXED MY SEAL THIS 3RD DAY OF DECEMBER ONE THOUSANDEIGHT HUNDRED AND THREE.
SIGNED AMBROSE RUCKER (SEAL)
SIGNEDSEALED AND ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE PRESENCE OF:
JOHN COONEY, HENRY A. CHRISTIAN,
ANTHONY RUCKER, AND TINSLEY RUCKER
MEMORANDUM:TIS ORDERED IN MY WILL THAT THE LAND WHEREON I NOW RESIDE BE SOLD TO THEHIGHTEST BIDDER. I HEREBY DIRECT THAT IT IS TO BE SOLD ON CREDIT, THREE ANNUALPAYMENTS, AND THE MONEY TO BE DIVIDED AGREEABLE TO MY WILL.
Hemarried Mary Tinsley 1754 in VA. She was born about 1739 in VA and died 26 July1806 in Amherst Co, VA. She was the daughter of Edward Tinsley and MargaretTaylor.
Theirchildren were:
ReubenRucker (born 26 December 1755 in VA); married Margaret McDaniel
Margaret"Peggy" Rucker (born 1756 in VA); married John McDaniel
Mary"Molly" Rucker (born 1758 in Amherst Co, VA); married James Burford
CharlotteRucker (born 1759 in VA)
Frances"Frankey" Rucker (born 1761 in Orange Co, VA); married James Lea
AmbroseRucker (born 6 December 1763 in Amherst Co, VA); married Margaret McDaniel,Elizabeth Lucas
WinnifredRucker (born 1765 in VA); married Benjamin Plunkett
IsaacRucker (born 1770 in Amherst Co, VA); married Mary Higginbotham, Mary AnnChristian, Mary Wingfield
ElizabethRucker (born 1771 in Amherst Co, VA); married James Marr
CarolineRucker (born 1773 in VA); married John Hansard
MatildaRucker (born 1776 in Amherst Co, VA); married Alexander Marr
SophiaRucker (born about 1780 in VA); married Paschal T. Robert Jennings
Sarah"Sallie" Rucker (born 1782 in Amherst Co, VA); married John Marr
BenjaminRucker (born 1790 in VA); married Sallie Harris
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Rucker Wills
Will of John Rucker
Orange County, Virginia
Will Book 1, p. 248,
Probated Jan. 28, 1742
In the Name of God Amen.
I John Rucker of Saint Marks Parish in theCounty of Orange A Planter being weak
in Body, but of Perfect Mind & MemoryAnd knowing that it is appointed for all
men once to Dye, Do make and Ordain thismy last Will & Testament in manner and
form following. IMPRIMIS I do order thatall my just Debts & funeral Charges be
paid & satisfied
Item. I give to my well beloved Wife, Susanah Rucker, four negrosname by Bristol, Tony, Doll & Sue, and one third part of my houshold &Furniture & Stock, horses Excepted one horse I give to my wife named Roger,the four mentioned Negroes to remain my Wifes no Longer than her Widowhoodafter to be sold & divided as the rest of my Estate hereafter mentioned.
Item I give to my son Peter Rucker one black horse, called Jockey& his Choice of my guns.
Item I give to my Son John Rucker one greyhorse alled Oglesby and a gun the
next choice after his Brother.
Item I give to Thomas Wright Belfield one lot in Fred K urg No. 5to him and his Heirs for ever.
Mydesire is that the one half of my land on the Branches of James's River may besold by my Excr. for six months credit to the highest bidder Likewise my Waggonand five horses & horse kinds in the same manor in order to pay my debts, Ilikewise leave my Dwelling house and Land thereunto adjoining to be sold at theDirection of my Exec if my Debts cant be complyed with if they can the dwellinghouse and Land to Remain my wifes, dureing her Widowhood & If she marrys tobe sold by way of auction.
Item I give to my well beloved Sons PeterRucker, John Rucker, Ambrose Rucker ,
Benj a Rucker, Reuben Rucker, IsaacRucker, Anthony Rucker & to their Heirs for
ever, half the Land I hold ln the Branchesof James River to be equally divided
between the seven brothers, the rest of myEstate I desire may be Equally
divided among my beloved Children asfollows, Peter Rucker, John Rucker, Sarah
Rucker, Winniford Rucker, Ambrose Rucker,Benja Rucker, Reuben Rucker, Isaac
Rucker, Anthony Rucker, Mildred Rucker,Pheby Rucker, to them and their Heirs
forever,
Item I give my Daughter Margaret Smith oneshilling Sterl
and lastly I do constitute and appoint mybeloved wife Susanah Rucker my Exr and my beloved Son Peter Rucker, and mybeloved friend George Taylor my whole and sole Exs of this my Last will &Testament, hereby Revoking and Disallowing all other Testament and Wills by memade Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and
Testament. In witness whereof I have nowunto set my hand & seal this XI day Jan
1742
Signed Sealed Published John Rucker (SEAL)
In the Presence of
Robt Seagre/Seayre ?
Joseph Hawkins
Richd Cross
At a Court continued & held for OrangeCounty on Friday the 28th day of Jan
1742 This Last Will & Testament ofJohn Rucker Gent. Decd. being Produced into
Court by Susanah Rucker his Widow &Relict & Peter Rucker his son two of the
Execr therein named who made oath theretoaccording to Law and being proved by
the Oaths of Robert Seagre/Seayre? andRichd Cross two of the Evidences thereto
who also made Oath that they saw JosephHawkins sign the same as an Evidence the
said will is admitted to Record on motionof the said Exec and their performing
what is usual in such cases Certificate isgranted them for obtaining a Probate
thereof in due form and the sd Susanah andPeter Rucker together with Anthony
Head, Michael Holt and James Picket theirsecurities acknowledged their bond for
the said Susanah and Peter Rucker -faithful & true Admin. of the Estate of John
Rucker Decd which Bond is admitted toRecord.
JonathGibson Ct. Clr.
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Will of Peter Rucker Immigrant
Orange County, Virginia
Will Book 1, p. 299
Probated Feb. 23, 1743
In the name of God amen
I Peter Rucker of Saint Marks Parish in theCounty of Orange planter being weak
in body but of perfect mind and memoryknowing that it is appointed for all men
once to die do make and ordain this myLast will and Testament in manner
following:
Imprimis I do order that all my Just Debts and funeral charges bepaid and satisfied.
Item I lend unto my beloved wife ElizabethRucker all my Estate both real and
Personal During her natural life and afterher Decease to be Devided in the
following manner.
Item I give and bequeath unto my belovedDaughter Margaret Tinsley and my Son
In-law Isaac Tinsley a negro boy namedYorkshire to them and their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved SonEphraim Rucker a negro Girl named
Fillis to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my belovedDaughter Ann Cook and my son in law Shem
Cook a negro girl named Jeney to her andher increase to them and their heirs
forever.
Item I do Desire that all the Remainder ofmy Estate both real and personal
after my wifes Decease as aforesaid to besold by my Exr. hereafter named at
public auction to the highest bidder onsix months credit for Current Money the
Buyer giving Good Security and the moneyarising by Sale to be Equally Devided
amongst my beloved Children by name as followethThomas Rucker, Elizabeth
Pierce, William Rucker, Mary Offell, JamesRucker, Ephraim Rucker and ann Cook
and to their heirs forever,
and lastly I do Constitute and appoint my beloved Sons JamesRucker and Ephraim
Rucker to be my Whole and sole Executorsof this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and Disannuling all otherTestaments and wills by me made Confirming this and no other to be my Last willand Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal thiseighteen day of January 1742/43.
Signed sealed. Published in the presenceof
Wm. Jacksonhis
Wm. Offell Peter X Rucker
Mich. Holtmark
At a Court held for Orange County onThursday ye 23 Day of Febry. 1743. The Last
Will and Testament of Peter Rucker Dec'd.being presented into Court by James
Rucker and Ephraim Rucker Exrs. Thereinnamed and proved by the oaths of Wm.
Jackson and Mich. Holt two of theWitnesses Thereto who also made Oath that they
saw William Offell sign the same as anEvidence and the sd Exrs. having severally Taken the Oath of an Exr. and havingEntered into bond with Mic. Holt,
George Holt and Richard Mauldin Junr.,Their Securities, before their due
Execution thereof, Probate is Granted themand the said will together with the
Bond was admitted to record.
Test:
Jonath Gibson
Transcribed and posted Sept. 1996 by JoThiessen . Contact her for more
information.