General Notes

Some sources claim that Peter was a french huguenot who emmigrated about
1690, while other sources claim that is country of origin was Germany.
The name Rucker does seem to be of German or Dutch origins. Peter immigrated
before his father did, coming to America aboard a ship called The Rising Son (a
French ship taken by the British during the war was one of four ships sailing from
Gravesend, England with 700 passengers for America) that wrecked off the Virginia coasts outside of Jamestown near the mouth of the James River, Peter and a few others were able to swim to shore, and was naturalized along wirth a number of Frenchmen on April 24, 1704.

One source lists his fathers name as John while another lists it as
Ambrose.

Peter Rucker, wife of Elizabeth Fielding, of German birth, was issued naturalization papers April 24, 1704, House of Burgess records of Virginia.

Peter & Elizabeth both were members of St. Marks Parish which was est.
1730 in Spotsylvania County and eventually included Orange and Culpeper County.
Orange County, Virginia was formed from Spotsylvania County in 1734.

The first Coat of Arms of the Rucker name was used by Johan Von Rucker, of
Vienna, a crusader A.D. 1096. In the records, he is called "Sir Knight Crusader."
The name then branches off to Livonia, Bavaria, Holland, France, England, and
America. From the beginning of the 17th century, the Ruckers were famous for
making exquisite hapsichords, decorated by such artists as Rubens. The first
Rucker was said by tradition to have swam the ocean with a bag of gold.
We do know they were fabulously wealthy.

Peter was named as an executor in Timothy Crosthwait's will (dated 15 June 1756,
and appears on page 229 of Orange County Will Book 2.)

His will is dated 1-18-1743 (Will Book Ledger, p. 299). The estate was settled in
1752 (Deed book 1, p.400, 2-21-1752, Culpepper Co., VA). A copy of his will found
in The Rucker Family Genealogy by Sudie Rucker Wood. He married Elizabeth Fielding in Germany, she died in 1752.
**********************************************************
Will of Peter Rucker (Immigrant) dated 18 Jan 1743
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 pursued 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 yerkshire to them and their heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath to my beloved Son Ephraim Rucker a negro Girl named Phillis 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 18 day of January 1743.
Signed sealed. Published in the presence of
Wm. Jackson
his
Wm. Offell
Peter X Rucker
Mich. Holt
mark

****************************************************************
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.