Will of Thomas Rucker, June 11, 1763, Oct. 20, 1763.
"In the Name of God, Amen. June the eleventh day in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred sixty three.
I, Thomas Rucker of Blumfield Parish in the County of Culpeper, having my sound and Perfect Sense of mind, and memory Thanks to the Almighty God for the same, and Calling to mind the mortality of mankind and that all men must die, Therefore as Touching such Worldly Estate that it hath Pleased God to Bless me in this world with I do give and Bequeath in manner and form following.
Imprimis. First and Principally I Bequeth my soul to the almighty God that gave it to me, and my Body to be Buried in a christian like manner at the Direction of my Executors.
Item: I give and Bequeth unto my well beloved son John Rucker all that Tract or Parcel of Land situate, lying and Being in Culpeper County and Bound between Cornelius Ruckers line, his line, and the road that now parts it from the Land I now live on to him and his heirs forever
Item: I give and bequeth unto my beloved son George Rucker the Land and Plantation I now live on, it being Bounded by the Road that now is Thomas Rucker Jun. his line, the river and William Craford's line which said land and plantation I give to my son George and his heirs for ever.
Item: But and in case my son John Rucker should die without heir then his Part as above mentioned shall be and I give the same unto my son William Rucker and if in the like case my son George Rucker should die without heir that the part laid off for him above mentioned shall be and I give the same to my son Muldin Rucker, the above two Parcels of Land shall be to my two said sons William and Muldin and their heirs for Ever if Either of the forementioned John Rucker and George Rucker should die without heirs as above mentioned.
Item: I will and Desire that my wife, Elizabeth Rucker shall have the work and I do lend her the two negroes, as shall be here mentioned (viz) Jack and Hannah which said negroes I do lend to my Elisabeth for and during her Natural Life and no Longer and After the Decease of my said wife Elisabeth then the said Negroes and future increase of the said Negroes Hannah if any shall be at the Decease of my said wife shall return to my Estate and shall be as I shall hereafter mention.
I lend unto my wife Elisabeth my manner Plantation I now live on For and During her Natural Life and no Longer and at the Decease of my said Wife Elisabeth then the said Lands and Plantation to return to my son George as above mentioned.
Item: I lend to my wife Elisabeth all and Every of my Estate that Remaineth and Every of my Estate Personal and all and Every Negro shall be sold and then the money arising thereby shall be Equally Divided Between my Children as shall be hereafter named, Thomas, Peter, Mary, John, Elisabeth, Martha, William, Muldin, Isaac, Easter, Franky, George.
Item: I constitute Nominate and appoint my Two sons Peter and John to be the Executors of this my last Will and Testament, utterly Revoking, Disallowing and Disannuling all former and other Wills, testaments, Bequests, Legacies by me formerly made and Done and allowing this and only this to be my last will and Testament. In Testimony whereof I do hereunto set my hand and Seal the Day and Year above written. Signed Thomas Rucker (W. B. A, p. 350), Culpeper Co.
Thomas Rucker estate was appraised: Included 8 Negroes valued at £465. Total valuation £647.8.6. (Will Book A, p.359, 20 15 Dec 1763, Culpeper Co., VA). The estate was sold at public auction 2 Jan 1764. Other property was sold 13 Mar 1764 by Peter and John Rucker (Will Book, A, p.362).
Above from Sudie Rucker Wood, The Rucker Family Genealogy, reprinted 1992, p. 176 and from Jeannie Brydon, personal communication, 1 October 2015.
