JACOB and CATHERINE (COOPER) RUCKMAN
JACOB RUCKMAN, the son of Thomas and Susannah Ruckman,
was born about 1777-78, probably in New Jersey. His family moved to
Hampshire County, Virginia sometime about 1786.
Jacob Ruckman was about 26 years old when he married Catherine Cooper,
daughter of George Cooper. It is estimated that they married sometime
about 1805, probably in Hampshire County.
George Cooper wrote his will on 29 June 1808 and it was proved in Hampshire County court on 19 June 1809. George Cooper left his wife Mary all the furniture and a 1/3 interest in both of his farms for the remainder of her life. He left the place he "now lives on, on the waters of Tearcoat to son Christian." Christian Cooper was also to have the wagon, two horses and gears. Son John Cooper was to receive "the place where he now lives" that George Cooper had bought from Jacob Pugh. George's son Adam Cooper was to receive 300 bushels of wheat to be paid out within four years in four annual payments to be paid equally by his two sons John and Christian. Daughter Elizabeth Millslagel was to have $100 and one cow or the value thereof, which son Christian was to pay her within four years after George's death. Daughter "Caty" [Catherine] was to receive $133 plus one cow or the value thereof. Son John was to pay her this sum within five years of George's death. George Cooper’s will stated: "I will that if there should be any lots of land of any of the two tracts of land that these my sons and daughters shall go in equal lots according to their several legacies? George Cooper appointed his son Christian Cooper and "his son Jacob Rutman" as executors of his estate. George Cooper signed with his mark, which was witnessed by John Malick, John Wolford and Phillip Malick. This will was presented in Hampshire County Court on 19 June 1809 and ordered to be recorded. Louise? Parke and Jacob? Poston were securities for the administrators.
George Cooper referred to "my son Jacob Rutman" as one of his administrators. It appears very certain that he meant Jacob Ruckman, who was his "son-in-law."
Jacob Ruckman's father had died prior to 1805 in Hampshire County
and his heirs divided the land belonging to their father Thomas Ruckman
in 1807. Jacob Ruckman had received 100 acres of land from the estate
for his part. He had previously acquired a land grant on 13 October 1800
from the state of Virginia for 100 acres. It is assumed that Jacob was
at least 21 years old at the time he acquired the land grant, which would
mean he was born prior to 1779.
The 1810 Federal census, Hampshire County, VA:
Jacob Ruckman one male 26-45; one female 26-45; one male und. 10;
one female und. 10
Jacob Ruckman was probably about 31 to 33 years of age in 1810. Catherine (Cooper) Ruckman was born ca1780, so she was about 30 years old in 1810. Based on the two children’s ages, Jacob and Catherine probably married between 1800 and 1805. Their son Samuel C. Ruckman was born in August 1807 according to his death record.
Jacob Ruckman died just prior to 1814 as he last appeared on the county tax list in 1813. His widow Catherine Ruckman is listed on the 1814 personal property tax list for Hampshire County, Virginia. This record shows there were no males in the household 16 years of age and older and that Catherine owned one horse.
1820 Federal Census, Hampshire Co., VA
Catherine Ruckman one male 10-16 one female 45 and over one male und. 10 one female 26-45 two females 10-16
Catherine was about 40 years old in 1820, so some older woman is living with Catherine and family in this census. Perhaps this older woman was her mother Mary Cooper?
1830 Federal census, Hampshire Co., WV:
p. 49 Catherine Ruckman one male 15-20; one female 80-90; one female 50-60; one female 15-20
Catherine (Cooper) Ruckman was about 50 years old in 1830. The male 15-20 is Thomas, born ca1812.
The female age 15-20 is probably Mary, who was born ca1809.
Living in the next house:
p. 49 Samuel Ruckman one male 20-30 one female 20-30 one female und. 5
This is Samuel C. Ruckman who married Elizabeth Watkins on 8 September 1828.Norman C. Emerick mentions Hampshire County Deed Book 18, pg. 300, shows a deed dated on 16 May 1814 where Samuel Park, Sr. and wife Anna [Susanna?] sold 83 acres of land on Little Cacapehon to the heirs of Jacob Ruckman, dec'd. The consideration was $300. This tract of land was originally granted to Daniel Corbin by the state of Virginia on 8 Nov. 1805, and Corbin conveyed to Samuel Park, Sr. by deed, and Park conveyed the same to the heirs of Jacob Ruckman, dec'd.
Deed Book 44, page 405, dated on 22 July 1850.
Mary Ruckman of Hampshire County, VA conveyed all her rights,
title and interest in one hundred acres of land on Little Cacapon in
Hampshire County to Samuel C. Ruckman. The consideration paid by
Samuel C. to Mary Ruckman was $150 for her share in this tract of land.
This land was the same tract patented to Jacob Ruckman by the
Commonwealth of Virginia bearing the date of 13 October 1800.
"the said Mary Ruckman being entitled to an interest as
one of the children, heirs & legal representatives of said
Jacob Ruckman, dec'd, and she is entitled to one half of the
interest of Thomas Ruckman who is also a child & heir of said Jacob
Ruckman, dec'd, by deed to her & said Samuel C. Ruckman, of
record in Hampshire County Clerk's office." William Armstrong and
William Vance, Justices of the Peace, certified that "Mary Ruckman
personally appeared before them and acknowledged this to be her own
free act and deed and desired to have them certify the said deed" on
25 July 1850. This deed was recorded in Hampshire County on 23
March 1852.
Hampshire Co., VA Deed Book 44, page 407:
This deed made this 23rd day of March 1852 between Thomas Ruckman and Nancy his wife of the county of Richland and State of Ohio of the one part and Samuel C. Ruckman, Catherine Ruckman and Rhoda Doman, wife of James Doman, heirs of Mary Ruckman, dec'd of the other part: Witnesseth: That whereas the said Thomas Ruckman did in the lifetime of the said Mary Ruckman bargain & sell unto the said Mary all his interest, right and title of in and to the real estate of Jacob Ruckman, dec'd, except one tract of fifty-two acres and whereas a deed was prepared in the lifetime of said Mary Ruckman to be executed but was not executed and which is the deed referred to in a deed from said Mary Ruckman to said Samuel C. Ruckman dated the 22nd day of July 1850 of record in the county court of Hampshire County and whereas the said Mary Ruckman has departed this life without said conveyance having been executed by the said Thomas Ruckman leaving the said Samuel C. Ruckman, Catherine Ruckman and Rhoda Doman & said Thomas Ruckman her heirs. Now Therefore the said Thomas Ruckman and wife in consideration of the promises --- now to carry out the agreement with the said Mary Ruckman has granted, bargained and sold and by these presents does grant bargain sell and convey unto the said Samuel C. Ruckman, Catherine Ruckman and Rhoda Doman, wife of James Doman, his, the said Thomas Ruckman's interest as one of the heirs of Jacob Ruckman, dec'd in all the real estate of said Jacob Ruckman, dec'd lying and being in the county of Hampshire Virginia except his interest in the tract of 52 acres and except his interest as one of Mary Ruckman's heirs, the said Mary Ruckman having died without heirs. The said Thomas Ruckman is entitled to one fourth of the interest left? to her in her life time as one of her heirs which remain unsold at the time of her death, etc.
Mary Ruckman was deceased prior to 25 March 1852. She is evidently the unmarried daughter, shown in the 1850 census as age 41, living with her mother Catherine Ruckman. The deed above shows that Mary Ruckman died without heirs. Her estate was inherited by her mother Catherine and her two brothers Samuel C. and Thomas Ruckman, plus one sister, Rhoda Doman, wife of James Doman.
Samuel [C.] Ruckman and Elizabeth Watkins were married in Hampshire County on 8 September 1828. [need to verify this date, but it appears 1828 is correct.] John Timbrook was the bondsman for Samuel Ruckman and Zachariah Piles was the bondsman for Elizabeth Watkins when they married. [It would appear that the father of both parties was deceased at the time of their marriage?]
Hampshire Co., VA, DB 30, p. 69. Deed of Trust dated 19 November 1834 .1860 Federal census, living in the next house:p. 119
Ruckman, James T. 25 farmer $400 VA
Caroline 22 [Fahs]
Frances E. 2
Watkins, Benjamin 10
Marriage Records: 14 May 1857 - James Ruckman and Miss Caroline Fahs,
dau. of Phillip Fahs, Esq.
next house:
p. 119 Ruckman, Samuel C. 53 farmer $3000 $690 VA
Julia R. 27
Rhoda E. 22
Watkins, Henry M. 14
Hampshire County, VA Guardian Bonds:
23 February 1857 - Samuel C. Ruckman and Benjamin Pugh posted $300 bond
for Benjamin Watkins, orphan of Henry Watkins.
1850 Federal census, Hampshire Co., VA, p. 156:
#225 Cooper, Adam 70 farmer $1,800 VA
Charles 35 " "
Samuel 25 " "
Adam Cooper, brother of Catherine (Cooper) Ruckman, wrote his will
on 10 January 1854 and it was presented in court on 26 March 1855.
In his will, Adam Cooper named Samuel C. Ruckman of Catherine as
one of the executors of his estate. [Emerick file]
Samuel C. Ruckman, widower, died on 21 September 1869, age 62y 1m 15d.
Father: Jacob Ruckman. This death date and age shows Samuel C. Ruckman
was born on 6 August 1807. His daughter Rhoda E. Ruckman was the
informant. She died on 4 Feb. 1899.
In summary: Jacob Ruckman, born ca1778 and died about 1813-14. Burial
place unknown. Catherine (Cooper) Ruckman was born ca1780 and died on 6
August 1866, having outlived her husband by about 52 years.
THE CHILDREN OF JACOB and CATHERINE (COOPER) RUCKMAN:
1. Samuel C. Ruckman, b. 6 Aug. 1807, d. 21 Sept. 1869, m. Elizabeth
Watkins, 8 Sept. 1828?
2. Mary Ruckman, b. ca1809, d. prior to 25 Mar. 1852?, never married.
3. Rhoda Ruckman, b. ca1810, d. _______, m. James Doman, ________
4. Thomas Ruckman, b. ca1812, d. _______, m. Nancy ______. In Ohio by
March 1852.
Sources: All Federal census records for the area.
Hampshire Co., WV, DB 15, p. 247, 248. See section on Thomas and Susannah
Ruckman.
Photocopy. Hampshire Co., WV Will Book 1-22, p. 84? Also marked Book 5,
p. 42."
Norman Cooper Emerick, 1323 Glendale Rd., Baltimore, MD 21239. (Dec.
1986) Source - Hampshire Co., WV DB 44, p. 405.
Hampshire Co., WV Death Record Bk. 1, p. 78. Harriett A. Parks died on
25 Dec. 1902, age 72 yrs. Her father was Samuel Ruckman, and her mother
was "Betsy" Ruckman.
Hampshire Co., WV, DR Bk. 1, p. 2.
V. Horton. Hampshire Co. Marriages, page 145. Source given, Newspaper
abstracts.
V. Horton. Early Records of Hampshire Co., WV, p. _____.
Hampshire Co., WV DR Bk. 1, p. 4.
Hampshire Co., WV DR Bk. 1, p. 104.
Glenn Smith
P.O. Box 1332
Muskogee, OK 74402-1332
IDENTIFY THE SAMUEL RUCKMAN WHO MARRIED ELIZABETH WATKINS:
Early Marriage Records - Hampshire Co., VA
8 September 1828:* Samuel Ruckman married Elizabeth Watkins.
John Timbrook was the bondsman for Samuel Ruckman and Zachariah Piles was the bondsman for Elizabeth Watkins.*[Sage & Jones gives 1824! V. Horton's book of marriages gives 1828! It appears that the 1828 date is correct, but the original records need to be checked ]
1830 Federal census, Hampshire Co., VA:
p. 49 Ruckman, Samuel one 20-30 one 20-30
one und. 5
1840 Federal Census - Samuel Ruckman and Elizabeth would have been married about 12 years. There is only one possible match in 1840 and shown below. This was Samuel "C", son of Jacob and Catherine Ruckman as shown in the 1840 Federal Census:
males females
p. 160 Ruckman, Samuel one 30-40 one 30-40; one 5-10 one 10-15: one und. 5 one 5-10 one und. 5
Samuel C. Ruckman is on page 144B of the 1850 census, #69/69. He was a widower at that date. His wife Elizabeth (Watkins) evidently died between 1840 and 1850. [Her death date is believed 18 May 1845]
The 1850 census of Hampshire County does not show Samuel and Elizabeth (Watkins) Ruckman! Other researchers have mixed these two up in their family research. Samuel and Elizabeth (Watkins) would have been married about 22 years. This Samuel "of S" would have been 13 years old when they married! This cannot be Elizabeth Watkins in 1850, page 141, #19.
The Samuel Ruckman of S, is believed to have married Elizabeth Piles! Note her birth place, and the birth place of Francis Piles. Again, the 1860 Federal census shows the family above in Hampshire County, page 121: Ten years later, he was 45 years old in 1860 and Elizabeth was shown as 47 years old, with children Mary, Hannah, George, Thomas and Abraham all shown about 10 years older.
This is a different Samuel and Elizabeth Ruckman. This Samuel Ruckman was born about 1815 and Elizabeth was born about 1812. This family above is Samuel Ruckman, son of Samuel and Susannah Ruckman. This Samuel married Elizabeth (Piles?), and he was the grandson of Thomas and Susannah (Ent?) Ruckman. His wife Elizabeth was born ca1812-1813 in Maryland.
Elizabeth (Watkins) Ruckman, the wife of Samuel C., was apparently deceased prior to the 1850 census. [Harlow Adams sent a record that Elizabeth (Watkins) Ruckman died on 18 May 1843, but should prob. be 1845.] Samuel "C" Ruckman had other connections to the Watkins and Cooper families as shown by other records in Hampshire County, WV.