PETER RUCKER, IMMIGRANT

by Jean B. Robinson February 1995

Peter [1] Rucker, Immigrant to America, circa 1700(1), settled in Essex Co., VA. He married shortly thereafter and began the Rucker dynasty. b. ca 1675, in Europe(2) d. ca 1744, Orange Co., VA(3) m. ca 1700, to Elizabeth ______ (maiden name unknown)(4) birth date and place unknown d. ca 1752, Culpeper Co., VA, when Peter Rucker's estate was divided (D. B. 1, p.400, 21 Feb 1752, Culpeper Co., VA). The Ruckers lived in Essex County, later moving to Spotsylvania Co., where John Rucker purchased land for them(5). In 1734 Spotsylvania Co. became Orange, in 1848 it became Culpeper, and in 1793, Madison.

Issue (probably born in Essex Co., VA, birth dates are estimated)(6):
1. John Rucker, b. ca 1701; m. Susannah _______.
2. Peter Rucker, b. ca 1703, probably died young(7).
3. Thomas Rucker, b. ca 1705; m. Elizabeth Reynolds.
4. Elizabeth Rucker, b. ca 1708; m. James Pierce.
5. Margaret Rucker, b. ca 1710; m. Isaac Tinsley.
6. William Rucker, b. ca 1713; m. Honar _____.
7. Mary Rucker, b. ca 1720; m. William Offill.
8. James Rucker, b. ca 1723; m. Margaret _____.
9. Ephraim Rucker, b. ca 1725; m. Margaret Vawter.
10. Ann Rucker, b. ca 1727; m. Shem Cook.

Footnotes:
1. It was previously thought that Peter arrived in 1690, but that was taking into consideration that immigrants had to be in the country fourteen years to be naturalized. However, the law now believed applicable in the early 1700s required only a four-year residency, and the fourteen-year residency requirement for aliens was a late 1700s law. Final approval of Peter's petition for naturalization was granted on 8 May 1704, leading us to believe he arrived in the year 1700.

2. No evidence has been found as to Peter Rucker's origin. His name is Germanic, yet he was naturalized with several French refugees, leading historians to believe he came from Alsace-Lorraine, an area that was part French, part German. In 1700 many French Huguenots arrived in Virginia. Peter Rucker's birth date is pure speculation.

3. Peter Rucker's Will was dated 18 Jan 1742/1743, and proved 23 Feb 1743/1744 (Will Book 1, p.299, Orange Co., VA). 4. The surname Fielding came from Whitley's book and she has since admitted she was mistaken and that Fielding was not Elizabeth's maiden name. There is no evidence of a Fielding living near the Ruckers in Essex Co. The family Coghill has been researched and no evidence exists of a female named Elizabeth Coghill. Frederick Coghill's wife's maiden name was Goss, but we can find no Elizabeth Goss.

5. Deed Book B, p.493, 5 Feb 1733/34, Spotsylvania Co., VA, 420 acres was deeded to Peter and Elizabeth Rucker from son, John Rucker.

6. Names of children are from Will of Peter Rucker, except for sons John, who predeceased his father by one year, and Peter (see #7).

7. The only record of son, Peter Rucker, was in the Frederick Coghill deed, dated 28 Jan 1707/8 (Deed Book 13, p. 91, Essex Co., VA): ". . . for the kind love and affection I owe unto John, Peter, and Thomas Rucker, sons of said Peter Rucker . . .."

Many thanks to Alice Rucker Allen, Austin, TX, for her research and advice on this paper.

Peter came to Virginia in 1690 from Bavaria or France. The ship he came in on was said to have sunk and Peter had to swim ashore. He was naturalized in 1704. He first settled in Essex Co., VA.966

Will of Peter Rucker, The Immigrant (Transcribed from Will Book 1, pages 299-302, Orange County, Virginia)

In the name of God amen I Peter Rucker of Saints Mark Parish in the county of Orange planter being weak in body but of persued [?] mind & Memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make & ordain this my Last will and Testament in manner & forms following Imprimis I do order that all my Just Debts and funeral charges be paid & Satisfied, Item I lend unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Rucker all my Estate both real and Personal During hur nateral life and after hur Decease to my Son Inlaw Isack Tinsley a negro boy named yorkshier to them & Their heirs for Ever. Item I give & bequeath to my beloved son Ephraim Rucker a negro Girl named Fillis to him and his heirs for Ever, Item I Give & bequath to my beloved Daughter Ann Cook & my son in Law Shem Cook a negroro girl namen Jeney her & her incries to them & theirs heirs for ever, Item I do d-ier that all the Remainder of my estate both real and personall after my wifes deceis as foresaid to be sold by my Ex--rs hereafter named at publick uction to the highest bidder on six months Cridet for Current Money the Buyer giving good Security and the money arising by sale to be Equally Devided amongst my Beloved Children name as foloweth Thomas Rucker Elisabeth Pearce William Rucker Mary Offell james Rucker Epharim ucker and ann Cook and To their heirs for ever and lastly I do Constitute and apoint my beloved Sons james Rucker & Ephrim rucker to be my whole and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament hearby revoking and Disanuling all other Testaments & wills by me made Confirming this & no other to be Last will and Testament In witnes where I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal this 18 Day of january 1742/43

Signed and Published in the presence of Wm Jackson, Wm Offill, Micl Holt

His Mark
Peter R. Rucker