Ambrose
Rucker was born 13 April 1735 in Orange Co, VA and died 14 December 1807 in
Amherst 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
.
His
brothers Anthony and Benjamin Rucker were inventors of the James River batteau,
which superseded the double dugout canoe and rolling road for transporting
tobacco hogsheads. Each hogshead weighed about two tons, and each batteau could
haul an average of ten hogsheads. These long (about 50 or 60 feet),
double-ended vessels dominated the commercial traffic on the James River and
other Southern upland waterways between the 1770s and 1840s. A dispute arose in
1821 when the Rucker brothers' heirs sought to patent the design. A letter from
Thomas Jefferson testifying to his presence at the first batteau's launch
resolved the matter in the Ruckers's favor. There is now a batteau festival
held each year on the James River to celebrate this invention
.
Rucker's
Chapel was one of the first Anglican (present-day Episcopal) churches in
Amherst 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 of
a 5,850 acre tract his father, John Rucker, patented in 1745. The church served
its congregation until 1817, when the members moved to Ascension Church, in
Amherst. Logs from the chapel were later used to construct a corn crib at Sweet
Briar College, two miles north
.
1778
- served as Sheriff of Amherst Co, VA
PROBATE:
WILLS OF AMHERST CO. VA, 21 DECEMBER 1807. WILL OF AMBROSE RUCKER:
I
GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO MY SON AMBROSE RUCKER, THE NEW SURVEY, OR THE UPPER PART
ON THE NORTH SIDE OF MY MOUNTAIN PLANTATION CONTAINING 200 ODD ACRES, WITH THE
ADDITION OF ONE HUNDRED ACRES TAKEN OFF THE LAND FORMERLY CONTESTED BETWEEN
LUCAS AND MYSELF, WHICH SAID ONE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND LAST MENTIONED IS A PART
OF TRACT LEFT MY WIFE, AND ALL THE LAND ON THE SOUTH AND WEST SIDE OF THE ROAD
THAT LEADS FROM THE HEAD OF HARRIS CREEK, WITH TWO NEGROES, VIZ; SARAH AND
CREASE; THE FORMER BELONGING NOW IN HIS POSSESSION; WITH ALL OTHER THINGS I HAVE
GIVEN HIM HERETOFORE, OR LET HIM HAVE. EXCEPT THE ORE BANK ON THE HIGH PEAK OF
TOBACCO ROW MOUNTAIN, TO HIM AND HIS HEIRS FOREVER. THE ORE BANK LAND
CONTAINING 375 ACRES, WITH ONE OTHER TRACT ADJOINING IS TO BE SOLD AT THE
DISCRETION OF MY EXECUTORS AND DIVIDED EQUALLY AMONG MY CHILDREN AND
GRANDCHILDREN
I
GIVE MY SON , ISAAC RUCKER, THREE HUINDRED ACRES OF LAND FROM THE UPPER SIDE OF
MY ROCKY CREEK PLANTATION, RUNNING QUITE ACROSS THE CREEK FROM ONE SIDE OF THE
CREEK TO THE OTHER. ALSO A NEGRO WOMAN NAMED ANNA AND HER CHILDREN, ALSO BETTY
AND HER INCREASE. THE SAID NEGROS NOW BEING IN HIS POSSESSION, AND ALSO ALL
OTHER THINGS I HAVE HERETOFORE GIVEN HIM, AND HIS HEIRS FOREVER.
I
GIVE TO MY SON BENJAMIN RUCKER , THREE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND , IT BEING THE
TRACT OF LAND MY SON ISAAC NOW LIVES ON, SO AS NOT TO INTERFERE WITH THE
STOREHOUSE AND MY BARNS. ALSO A HORSE , SADDLE AND BRIDLE AND A GOOD FEATHER
BED AND FURNITURE; TWO NEGROS, VIZ; CALEB AND RHODA, TWO COWS AND CALVES, TWO
SOWS AND PIGS, MY RIFLE GUN, AND THREE SHEEP, TO HIM AND HIS HEIRS FOREVER.
I
GIVE AND HAVE GIVEN TO MY SON, REUBEN RUCKER,DECEASED, EQUAL TWO HUNDRED
POUNDS; ALSO FIFTY POUNDS MORE IN PROPERTY TO HIS HEIRS FOREVER.
I
GIVE, AND DO GIVE UNTO THE HEIRS OF PEGGY MCDANIEL, DECEASED, ONE HUNDRED
POUNDS IN PROPERTY, AND THEY ARE TO BE PAID BY EXECUTORS FROM MY ESTATE IN
PROPERTY, ONE HUNDRED POUNDS MORE TO THEM AND THEIR HEIRS FOREVER.
I
DO AND HAVE GIVEN TO FRANKY LEE TWO NEGROES, VIZ; LYDIA AND CREASY, AND SIXTY
POUNDS IN PROPERTY, MAKING IN THE WHOLE TO HER TWO HUNDRED POUNDS, TO HER AND
HER HEIRS FOREVER.
I
HAVE GIVEN TO MOLLY BURFORD ONE NEGRO WOMAN NAMED SOLELIN, AND OTHER THINGS TO
THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED POUNDS, AND MY EXECUTORS ARE TO PAY HER FROM MY
ESTATE ONE HUNDRED POUNDS MORE IN PROPERTY, SO THAT HER FIRST PORTION WILL BE
MADE TWO HUNDRED POUNDS TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER.
I
GIVE TO ELIZABETH MARR AND HAVE GIVEN TO HER TWO NEGROES VIZ; DILSEY AND TILLER
NOW IN HER POSSESSION, AND OTHER THINGS TO THE AMOUNT OF ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY
POUNDS, AND MY EXECUTORS OF MY ESTATE ARE TO PAY HER IN PROPERTY, FORTY POUNDS
MORE TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER.
I
LEND TO SOPHIA RUCKER, NOW SOPHIA JENNINGS, FIVE NEGROES, VIZ; LELIA, DOLL,
CREASY, BETSA, AND DANIEL, DURING THE PLEASURE OF HER LIFETIME AND AT HER DEATH
THEY ARE TO GO TO THE HEIRS OF HER BODY FOREVER
.
ALSO I GIVE TO MY DAUGHTER, SOPHIA, FIFTY POUNDS CASH. WHICH SAID SUM I DESIRE
MY EXECUTORS TO PAY HER PERSONALLY
I
GIVE TO MY DAUGHTER CAROLINE HANSFORD, TWO NEGROES, VIZ; JANE AND NANCY, AND
OTHER THINGS TO THE VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS, AND MY EXCUTORS ARE
TO PAY FROM THE ESTATE AND PROPERTY FIFTY POUNDS MORE, TO HER AND HER HEIRS
FOREVER.
I
GIVE MATILDA MARR TWO NEGORES, VIZ; ANNA AND CLARLIE, AND OTHER THINGS TO THE
VALUE OF ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY POUNDS MORE, TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER
.
I
GIVE TO CHARLOTTE RUCKER TWO NEGORES, VIZ; CAROLINE AND DICEY, A GOOD FEATHER
BED AND FURNITURE; A HORSE, SADDLE AND BRIDLE WORTH TWENTY POUNDS, AND THE SAID
NEGROES VALUED AT ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY POUNDS, AND THE BED AND FURNITURE
VALUED AT FIFTEEN POUNDS, MAKING IT ALL ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY POUNDS, AND MY
EXECUTORS ARE TO PAY HER OUT OF THE ESTATE FORTY FIVE POUNDS IN PROPERTY TO
MAKE HER LEGACY TWO HUNDRED POUNDS TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER. WHICH SAID
LEGACY IS TO BE PAID HER AT THE DESCREATION OF MY EXECUTORS .
I
GIVE TO MY DAUGHTER SALLY MARR, TWO NEGROES VIZ; DELPHIA AND LITTLE LUCY, OR
YELLOW 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 VALUED
AT FIFTEEN POUNDS AND OTHER THINGS AMOUNTING TO ONE HUNDRED AND NINTY NINE
POUNDS AND NINETEEN SHILLING AND MY EXECUTORS ARE TO PAY HER ONE SHILLING TO
MAKE HER LEGACY TWO HUNDRED POUNDS IN ALL TO HER AND HER HEIRS FOREVER.
AND
FINALLY ALL MY LAND AND OTHER THINGS NOT HEREIN WILLED ARE TO BE SOLD AND PUT
TO VALUE TO PAY THE LEGACIES. AFTER THEY ARE PAID THE REMAINDER OF MY ESTATE
BOTH REAL AND PERSONAL, THAT IS NOT WILLED AWAY IS TO BE EQUALLY DIVIDED
BETWEEN MY CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN, VIZ; THE ONE SHARE; THE CHILDREN OF
MARGARET MC DANIEL ONE SHARE, THE CHILDREN OF RUEBEN RUCKER ONE SHARE, THE
CHILDREN OF WINIFRED PLUNKET ONE SHARE, MOLLIE BURFORD ONE SHARE, AMBROSE
RUCKER ONE SHARE, ISAAC RUCKER ONE SHARE, SOPHIA JENNINGS ONE SHARE, CAROLINE
HANSFORD ONE SHARE, BETSY MARR ONE SHARE, SALLY MARR ONE SHARE, CHARLOTTE
RUCKER ONE SHARE, BENJAMIN RUCKER ONE SHARE, AND THEIR HEIRS FOREVER.
I
GIVE TO BENJAMIN RUCKER, SR.; ANTHONY RUCKER AND THEIR HEIRS AND THE
REPRESENTATIVES OF ISAAC RUCKER, DECEASED, THEIR DUE SHARE IN ALL LANDS
PATENTED IN MY NAME IN THE STATE OF KENTUCKY, AGREEABLE TO CONTRACT TO THEM AND
THEIR HEIRS FOREVER
IT
IS TO BE OBSERVED THAT I RESERVE HALF AN ACRE FOR A GRAVE YARD IS NOW FIXED TO
BELONG TO MY FAMILY FOREVER.
AND LASTLY I DO APPOINT MY BELOVED WIFE MARY
RUCKER, AND BELOVED SONS AMBROSE RUCKER AND ISAAC RUCKER WHOLE EXECTRIX AND
EXECUTORS OF THIS MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVE
HEREUNTO SET MY HAND AND AFFIXED MY SEAL THIS 3RD DAY OF DECEMBER ONE THOUSAND
EIGHT HUNDRED AND THREE.
SIGNED AMBROSE RUCKER (SEAL)
SIGNED
SEALED 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 THE
HIGHTEST BIDDER. I HEREBY DIRECT THAT IT IS TO BE SOLD ON CREDIT, THREE ANNUAL
PAYMENTS, AND THE MONEY TO BE DIVIDED AGREEABLE TO MY WILL.
He
married Mary Tinsley 1754 in VA. She was born about 1739 in VA and died 26 July
1806 in Amherst Co, VA. She was the daughter of Edward Tinsley and Margaret
Taylor.
Their
children were:
Reuben
Rucker (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
Charlotte
Rucker (born 1759 in VA)
Frances
"Frankey" Rucker (born 1761 in Orange Co, VA); married James Lea
Ambrose
Rucker (born 6 December 1763 in Amherst Co, VA); married Margaret McDaniel,
Elizabeth Lucas
Winnifred
Rucker (born 1765 in VA); married Benjamin Plunkett
Isaac
Rucker (born 1770 in Amherst Co, VA); married Mary Higginbotham, Mary Ann
Christian, Mary Wingfield
Elizabeth
Rucker (born 1771 in Amherst Co, VA); married James Marr
Caroline
Rucker (born 1773 in VA); married John Hansard
Matilda
Rucker (born 1776 in Amherst Co, VA); married Alexander Marr
Sophia
Rucker (born about 1780 in VA); married Paschal T. Robert Jennings
Sarah
"Sallie" Rucker (born 1782 in Amherst Co, VA); married John Marr
Benjamin
Rucker (born 1790 in VA); married Sallie Harris
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 the
County of Orange A Planter being weak
in Body, but of Perfect Mind & Memory
And knowing that it is appointed for all
men once to Dye, Do make and Ordain this
my last Will & Testament in manner and
form following. IMPRIMIS I do order that
all my just Debts & funeral Charges be
paid & satisfied
Item. I give to my well beloved Wife, Susanah Rucker, four negros
name 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 Widowhood
after 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 grey
horse 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. 5
to him and his Heirs for ever.
My
desire is that the one half of my land on the Branches of James's River may be
sold by my Excr. for six months credit to the highest bidder Likewise my Waggon
and five horses & horse kinds in the same manor in order to pay my debts, I
likewise leave my Dwelling house and Land thereunto adjoining to be sold at the
Direction of my Exec if my Debts cant be complyed with if they can the dwelling
house and Land to Remain my wifes, dureing her Widowhood & If she marrys to
be sold by way of auction.
Item I give to my well beloved Sons Peter
Rucker, John Rucker, Ambrose Rucker ,
Benj a Rucker, Reuben Rucker, Isaac
Rucker, Anthony Rucker & to their Heirs for
ever, half the Land I hold ln the Branches
of James River to be equally divided
between the seven brothers, the rest of my
Estate I desire may be Equally
divided among my beloved Children as
follows, 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 one
shilling Sterl
and lastly I do constitute and appoint my
beloved wife Susanah Rucker my Exr and my beloved Son Peter Rucker, and my
beloved friend George Taylor my whole and sole Exs of this my Last will &
Testament, hereby Revoking and Disallowing all other Testament and Wills by me
made Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and
Testament. In witness whereof I have now
unto 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 Orange
County on Friday the 28th day of Jan
1742 This Last Will & Testament of
John 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 thereto
according to Law and being proved by
the Oaths of Robert Seagre/Seayre? and
Richd Cross two of the Evidences thereto
who also made Oath that they saw Joseph
Hawkins sign the same as an Evidence the
said will is admitted to Record on motion
of the said Exec and their performing
what is usual in such cases Certificate is
granted them for obtaining a Probate
thereof in due form and the sd Susanah and
Peter Rucker together with Anthony
Head, Michael Holt and James Picket their
securities acknowledged their bond for
the said Susanah and Peter Rucker -
faithful & true Admin. of the Estate of John
Rucker Decd which Bond is admitted to
Record.
Jonath
Gibson Ct. Clr.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 the
County of Orange planter being weak
in body but of perfect mind and memory
knowing that it is appointed for all men
once to die do make and ordain this my
Last will and Testament in manner
following:
Imprimis I do order that all my Just Debts and funeral charges be
paid and satisfied.
Item I lend unto my beloved wife Elizabeth
Rucker all my Estate both real and
Personal During her natural life and after
her Decease to be Devided in the
following manner.
Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved
Daughter Margaret Tinsley and my Son
In-law Isaac Tinsley a negro boy named
Yorkshire to them and their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved Son
Ephraim Rucker a negro Girl named
Fillis to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved
Daughter Ann Cook and my son in law Shem
Cook a negro girl named Jeney to her and
her increase to them and their heirs
forever.
Item I do Desire that all the Remainder of
my Estate both real and personal
after my wifes Decease as aforesaid to be
sold by my Exr. hereafter named at
public auction to the highest bidder on
six months credit for Current Money the
Buyer giving Good Security and the money
arising by Sale to be Equally Devided
amongst my beloved Children by name as followeth
Thomas Rucker, Elizabeth
Pierce, William Rucker, Mary Offell, James
Rucker, Ephraim Rucker and ann Cook
and to their heirs forever,
and lastly I do Constitute and appoint my beloved Sons James
Rucker and Ephraim
Rucker to be my Whole and sole Executors
of this my last will and Testament hereby revoking and Disannuling all other
Testaments and wills by me made Confirming this and no other to be my Last will
and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this
eighteen day of January 1742/43.
Signed sealed. Published in the presence
of
Wm. Jacksonhis
Wm. Offell Peter X Rucker
Mich. Holtmark
At a Court held for Orange County on
Thursday 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. Therein
named and proved by the oaths of Wm.
Jackson and Mich. Holt two of the
Witnesses Thereto who also made Oath that they
saw William Offell sign the same as an
Evidence and the sd Exrs. having severally Taken the Oath of an Exr. and having
Entered into bond with Mic. Holt,
George Holt and Richard Mauldin Junr.,
Their Securities, before their due
Execution thereof, Probate is Granted them
and the said will together with the
Bond was admitted to record.
Test:
Jonath Gibson
Transcribed and posted Sept. 1996 by Jo
Thiessen . Contact her for more
information.