RucKer FanjflySociety

NEWSLETTERVolume 7 Number 2 June 1996

ROLAND AND JOYCE PITTMANSOUTHERN HOSPITALITY PERSONIFIED

by Michael P. Rucker

It was a crisp, brilliantearly December day inRuckersville, Virginia. I stoodin the cozy living room of Rolandand Joyce Pittman enchanted by abreathtaking vista. Through thewide picture window of theirbrick hillside home we observedthe pristine, first snow ofwinter covering the panoramiclandscape. The Blue RidgeMountains formed the dramaticbackdrop as they stretched as faras the eye could see from southto north.

"I never thought those Ruckergatherings would catch on as theyhave," observed Joyce. She wasreminiscing about the firstnational Rucker reunion inRuckersville in October 1988.Anna Watson (RFSN, Vol. 1, No. 3,p.1-4) had always wanted to havea "National Rucker Reunion" inRuckersville and with the help ofJoyce and Roland her dream wasfulfilled. Invitations were sentto cousins. This was onlypossible with the mailing listsof Ruckers obtained from MaryRucker Snyder, Doris W. Edwards,Frances and Beth Evans and JeanB. Robinson.

Roland and Joyce werejustifiably proud of its success— and more than pleased with theturnout at the three thatfollowed. They speculated on theturnout anticipated for the nextsuch gathering October 5 and 6,

1996, at Crabapple, Georgia, justnorth of Atlanta.

Roland is the current RuckerFamily Society president, al-though he insists that he sharesthe office equally with Joyce.And why not? They are bothRucker cousins. Joyce reports,"We had no idea we had commonRucker ancestors when we marriedin 1984. We both had an interestin genealogy. so imagine oursurprise when we learned we weredistant cousins. Our commonancestor is Blyfield Rucker(1787-1833)."

Roland and Joyce Pittman at the 1992 Reunion

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 12 Vol. 7. Mo. 2. June 1996

Arthur10 "Roland" Pittman is atenth generation descendent ofPeter Rucker: Arthur9 Harrison("Pitt") Pittman, Charles8 RobertPittman, Robert7 Calvin Pittman,John W. Pittman (m. Virginia6 JaneRucker), Blyfield5 Rucker, Joel4,John3, Thomas2, Peter1. He wasborn in nearby Charlottesville.His father, Arthur, married HelenBailes. Roland, their only son,has three younger sisters:Kathryn ("Kay") Tomlin, Jacque-line ("Jackie") Pittman, andFrances ("Frankie") Pittman.Roland married Shirley Rice andthey have three daughters:Deborah P. Delponti, Lisa P.Nuckols, and Donna P. Entezam,and six grandchildren.

Joyce11 Cordelia Deane wasborn in Greene Co., VA, and iseleventh in line of descent fromPeter Rucker: Raymond10 ClarkDeane, Willie9 Fleta Durrer, Sam8J. Durrer, Jr., Samuel JosephDurrer, (m. Mary7 Ann Rucker),Allen6 Rucker, Blyfield5, Joel4,John3, Thomas2, Peter1. Joyce isthe daughter of Raymond ClarkDeane and Pearl Elizabeth White.She has one sister and brother,Elaine Gayle Deane and RaymondClark Deane Jr.

Joyce grew up in Blackstone,Virginia, and returned with herfamily to Greene County in 1952.She married C. Louin Collier andthey have two children: MichaelR. Collier, and Carol Ann CollierDemme, and two grandchildren.

. . r and ••'••• Joyce * s [lineage was printed in;

1 Rucker'JC-:ieadkas'y.'"'."'Volx. •:^?^-<• tissue'|i4:-/-:/: ;3>i'28 2,,:'; ..;.See: t&j&o;insert; ii: included ixi •• Vdl,,:'|'?9 i;

Roland worked for a major oilcompany for 18 years until 1988.He was regional sales manager forthe southeastern division. Hefound the travel burdensome and

decided to return to his home-town. Now he holds down twodemanding jobs which keep himconstantly on the go: selling andmanaging real estate and raisingbeef cattle. He has 15 head ofhereford/angus mix cattle attheir home near Ruckersville andnearly 100 more on leased proper-ty closer in to Charlottesville.

The cattle had proved part-icularly obstreperous on the dayof my visit. Roland told me "Thesnow caused them to be unusuallyfrisky. When I brought them aroll bale of hay with the tract-or, they all decided to attack itand rip it apart before I couldget it into place. Then, theyall romped out the gate, whichwas still open, and began attack-ing all the bales I have in stor-age. They were leaping andskidding about in the snow. Itwas awful trying to get them allback into their pasture."

Despite romping with thecattle, Roland had managed to getto his real estate office by 7:00A.M. to prepare letters todelinquent real estate tenants."He' s always on the go," Joycereports.

Somehow, Roland finds time tobe involved in the Young Men'sBusiness Club, Ducks Unlimited,the National Wild Turkey Club andthe Red Lands Club of Charlottes-ville, which dates its membershipback to Thomas Jefferson andothers of that generation.

Both deer and wild turkeyvisit their farm. "The turkeypopulation has quadrupled withinthe past several years," Rolandreports with pride, "But, we havejust too many deer. They arebecoming a real nuisance"

Roland enjoys his annual deerhunting. He is an outdoors man.When I asked if he has someoneelse dress his deer kills, heresponded, "Heck no. I'm tooparticular to let someone else doit. I have my own way of cuttingup the meat. I want to make cer-

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 13 Vol. 7. No. 2. June 1996

tain it's done right." This istypical of his drive to see eachjob done thoroughly and correct-ly.

His bow hunting almost endedin tragedy in 1981. Whilehunting he stumbled on some oldbarbed wire in the brush and fellforward onto the arrow that wasin the bow. The arrow went intothe right side of his head justbehind the right eye. He wasalone and had to get back to hisvehicle to go home. Fortunatelythe arrow "missed his optic nerveby only a few millimeters."

Joyce is as tireless a workeras Roland. She has been employedby the Department of the Army forthe past eighteen years. Joyceis also the secretary of theRuckersville Baptist Church. Sheis proud that "this is the churchorganized by our Rucker ancestorsmany years ago, and numerousRucker descendants still belongthere. This is the third build-ing [and second location] tohouse the church over the years."

Joyce also has her share ofchores to handle around the farmand household. They love totravel, although they report itis difficult to find the timewith all their activities. Overrecent years they have visited anumber of European countries, theCaribbean and Hawaii.

Both Joyce and Roland put ina significant amount of timekeeping up with the duties ofRucker Family Society president.They take particular pride in theRuckersville Historical Marker(see RFSN, Vol. 1, No. 3, p.4).The Pittmans led a coalition con-sisting of themselves, Mrs. AnnaWatson, the Greene CountyHistorical Society, the countyhighway department, and others toobtain and place the sign. Theythank each of you who contributedto the cause.

The five offspring of Rolandand Joyce have provided them awealth of grandchildren; seven,

thus far. According to Joyce,"Every month there is a birthdayparty or event of some sort. Itis such fun being a grandparent.They are trying to keep us youngor maybe xyoung at heart."1

A visit with Joyce and Rolandwill guickly convince you thatthey truly are "young at-heart."If you happen to pass throughRuckersville, They invite you todrop by. I can attest that youwill be met by the world'sfriendliest dachshunds, Koko andBrandy, who will advise Rolandand Joyce of your arrival. Youwill depart with a feeling ofcontentment that can be producedonly by Southern hospitality aspracticed by convivial expertssuch as our cousins Roland andJoyce.

In parting, Roland and Joyceadmonished me to blank out thedates of the next Rucker FamilySociety Reunion, October 5 and 6,1996, and urge that each of youdo the same. [End]

* * * * *

Michael P. Rucker, author theabove article, was the subject ofthe family profile in RFSN, Vol.2, No. 1, p.l.

If you have a suggestion fora family profile article, writeto Mike at 1003 W, CentennialDrive, Peoria, IL 61614.

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11TH ANNUAL JAMES RIVERBATTEAU FESTIVAL, June 15-22,1996. Batteaux are launched fromLynchburg, VA, Sat. June 15, andarrive at Maiden's landing, nearRichmond on the 22nd.

Come out and be a part of thefestivities and greet your Ruckercousins who man the Amherst Co.batteau, "The Anthony Rucker."

For additional information onthe Batteau Festival, search theInternet Home Page:http://www.inmind.com/batteau

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 14 Vol. 7. No. 2, June 1996

THE ROCKER MANSION, LYNCHBURG, VA

Lewis M. ("Jack") White,Vienna, VA, sent an article fromLynchburg. A History in Architec-ture , by S. Allen Chambers Jr.,page 211, describing a fabulousLynchburg mansion. When mostpeople were barely eking out anexistence after the Civil War,Ambrose B. Rucker, listed in the1860 census as a merchant, with$28,000 in real estate, wasbuilding his dream home.

"[The] mansion [was] erectedin 1867 by Ambrose B. Rucker onthe west corner of Seventh andClay Streets. Rucker was one ofthe city's most public-minded men.He was a member of the first boardof Stewards of Court StreetMethodist Church, first treasurerof the Spring Hill CemeteryAssociation, first president ofthe Lynchburg MercantileAssociation, first president ofthe Lynchburg Orphan Asylum, and amember of the Board of Education."

Unfortunately, no illustrationof his house, which was demolishedca. 1890 for the new St. Paul'sEpiscopal Church, exists. How-ever, a complete verbal descrip-tion given by the editor of theLynchburg Virginian indicates thatit was quite elaborate. Havingaccepted an invitation to visitthe nearly completed building onTuesday, April 2, 1867, the editorfound it one of the finest, mostelegantly furnished and conven-iently arranged residences inLynchburg. He described it as anornament to the city.

"The Style is Ionic, and thematerial brick, covered with theGrecian Mastic Stuccoing, whichgives a beautiful style and finishto the exterior. The color is adark green, in imitation of NovaScotia green stone, and thesurface smooth and firm as marble.The heavy hanging cornice and theforty windows, set in ornamentaliron frames, give a very showy

aspect to the structure. Thiswill be greatly added to by theporches, which have not yet beenerected, and are to be of Ionicstyle, in keeping with the archi-tecture of the building.

"The editor also found theinterior to be in good taste, withan eye to convenience and comfortas well as ornament. On thefirst, or basement floor are thekitchen, dining rooms, store room,servants' room, wash room and aspare chamber. These are fittedup with all the modern improve-ments which experience has taughtto be desirable. The diningrooms, which are separated byfolding doors and can be throwninto one, are spacious and capableof entertaining a very largecompany. On the second floor arethe parlors (double), the library,chamber, bath room etc. Theparlors are beautiful rooms, as isthe library. The third floor isreached by a broad flight ofstairs, and here are four fine andairy chambers, a bath room andlinen room."

Like the John William Murrellhouse, the Rucker mansion combinedbeauty with the latest mechanicalcontrivances. "On top of the houseis a reservoir from which water isconveyed to every room in thehouse. There are arrangements forsupplying each room in the housewith hot water also. The systemof speaking tubes and bell wiresthrough the house is perfect andworks admirably . . . There are inall twenty-one rooms in thebuilding, thirteen of which havefireplaces."

Ambrose* Barnes Rucker(Ambrose5, Reuben4, Ambrose3, John2,Peter1) was born 11 Nov 1813,Amherst Co., VA, and died 22 Mar1872, Lynchburg, VA. He wasmarried 13 Mar 1851, to SarahBenagh. See Sudie Rucker Wood'sRucker Family Genealocrv. p.89.

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 15 Vol. 7. No. 2. June 1996

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Letter fromLurana RyanT r u e s d e l l ,Somers, NY:"My Grandmotherwas very proudof her Ruckerbackground andtold us about

Peter Rucker. She said thatanyone who had not heard of PeterRucker was no relative of ours.My curiosity about the connectionovercame me after I was grown, andso the genealogy bug bit me andyou know the rest of the story."

Lurana and her niece, DorothyHendrix Waldman, have just joinedthe RFS. They descend fromSUSANNAH5 RUCKER (El1iott4,Mordecai3, William2, Peter1) andJacob Byler (Wood, p.248, Whitley,p.159). Elliott Rucker and wifeStacy Wheeler's 14 children arelisted in Whitley's book. Luranasaid the information was from "anold family Bible found in Missouriand an old letter written fromTennessee to a relative telling ofthe recent marriages in thefamily."

Query: Lurana Ryan Truesdell,376D Heritage Hills, Somers, NY10589, is requesting informationon Stacy Wheeler, wife of Elliott4Rucker, and her family.

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Does anyone have the names(and any other information) of theparents of MARY YOUNG — SECONDWIFE OF JOHN5 RUCKER (James4, John3,John2, Peter1, Wood, p.18). Shewas born 17 Jun 1787 in Virginia,died 9 Dec 1858 Caldwell Co., KY,and had 12 children.

Please write — Mrs. JuliaWaedemon, 4315 36th Street, PortArthur, TX 77642.

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GOLDSON RUCKER (GA), familylegend said he went to Virginiawhen he was young. He does notappear in any Virginia censusrecords.

If anyone has any informationon Goldson, please write Linda M.Dean, 2675 Rosebud Road, Grayson,GA 30221, or call (404) 963-8856.

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CORRECTION TO VOL. 7, NO. 1,P.8: Marsha Richins of Columbia,MO, pointed out that the JonathanM. Rucker who married Mary AnnD (1850 Caldwell Co., KY,census), was the son of James'Rucker (James4, John3, John2,Peter1) who married Mildred5 Rucker(John4, John3, John2, Peter1).There is no evidence of a marriageof the son of Abner Rucker andNancy Morton, who was also namedJonathan M. Rucker. Wood, p.157,said he died in 1832, making himabout 25 years old.

THE SPIRITS AT WORK: The dayafter I wrote the above noticefrom Marsha Richins, I received aletter from Herman and DorothyRucker of Brentwood, TN. Hermandescends from Benjamin5 AsburyRucker (John4, John3, John2, Peter1)whose 1st wife was Malinda5 Rucker(William4, John3, John2, Peter1).Benj. by his 2nd wife had a dau.Martha6 Elizabeth Rucker, b. 9 May1838; who married Jonathan M.Rucker of KY (Wood, p. 36). Itsuddenly connected — this was the2nd marriage of Jonathan M. Ruckerlisted above (Wood, p.27).Williamson Co., TN, marriage bondsgive their marriage date as 11 Dec1856.

Jonathan appears in the 1850Caldwell Co., KY, census with wifeMary Ann D. (married within theyear). In the 1860 census he islisted with wife Betty (age 21)and dau. Mary Ann, age 9. Whit-ley, p. 25, said he died 15 Dec1858, but census records show hewas living in 1860.

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 16 Vol. 7. No. 2. June 1996

CORRECTIONS IN VOL. 7, NO. 1,p. 6 (from Doris Edwards, GrandRapids, MI): Jeanette Pittman'saddress is Rt. 3, Box 353 (not753), Jasper, TX 75951. Pleasewrite Jeanette if you have anyinformation about the Whitefamily. Her great-great-greatgrandparents were Catherine DiggesHerndon and Eppy White.

Page 7: The death of AltheaPoston Hamm wife of Morris Hammwas reported in the lastnewsletter. Their name wasmistakenly written as Ham.

Please let the Editor know ofany past or future mistakes.

NOTES FROM DORIS EDWARDS:Could William Bowling White(father of Tinsley Rucker Whiteand grandfather of Cora (White)Harris be a brother of David Whitewho married Catherine6 Rucker(Joseph5, John4, Cornelius3,Thomas2, Peter1)? David S. White,b. 1817, GA, was the son ofShelton White and Mildred Clark.William Bowling White was b. 13Dec 1811 (family Bible).

"In another book by Cora(White) Harris, p.3, My Book andHeart. she wrote, xMy father, onthe other hand, never referred tohis ancestors.' That is unusual,isn't it? Tinsley's mother wasMildred Rucker (John4, John3,Thomas2, Peter1). "

There were three descendantsof Thomas2 Rucker that intermarriedwith the White family. If anyoneis working on the White family,please contact the Editor.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FAMILY GROUP SHEETS (FGS):Have you sent in your line ofdescent from Peter1 Rucker and FGSon each family? Doris Edwards andJean B. Robinson are collectingall Rucker descendants. Even ifyou can't trace back to Peter1Rucker, we are still interested incollecting your family data.

Doris Edwards is placing FGSat the Virginia Historical Societyfor future generations to findtheir ancestors and cousins.

Jeannie Robinson is collectingdata for a future update of SudieRucker Wood's Rucker Family Gen-ealogy.

One benefit of collecting datais putting many families in touchwith each other. The Editor hasbeen contacted by many beginninggenealogists who are trying tofind out more about their Ruckerancestors. It very rewarding toboth of us when data can be sentto them about their lineage.

Send your lineage and familygroups sheets to:

Doris W. Edwards2017 43rd SE U-2Grand Rapids, MI 49508

andJean B. Robinson304 Charmian RoadRichmond, VA 23226

COMPUTER DISC - Do you haveyour genealogy on computer disc?If you are using PAF (the programof the Church of Latter DaySaints), please send a copy ofyour disc to:

Ruth McBride9104 Timberlake RoadLynchburg, VA 24502

Ruth has collected quite a fewfamilies and is integrating themtogether.

We will be discussing moreabout this at the reunion.

FAMILY CEMETERIES - Pleasesend information about Ruckerfamily cemeteries to:

James M. RuckerRt. 1, Box 56-BGladys, VA 24554.

Jim would like to have the name ofthe graveyard, its location andlistings of people burial there.

ON LINE? If you would like tohave your E-Mail address printedin a future issue, please send itto the Editor.

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 17 Vol. 7. No. 2. June 1996

IN MEMORIAM - Col. JAMES ("JIMMIE11) STITT CORBITT

Col. JAMES ("JIMMIE") STITTCORBITT born July 2, 1908, diedJuly 30, 1995, in Martin, TN. Heearned a bachelor of sciencedegree in civil engineering fromthe Univ. of Tenn. (UT) atKnoxville in 1931 and taught at UTJunior College at Martin for twoyears. He recently was named afounding member of the univer-sity's Academy of Engineering, anorganization created to honor themost outstanding former studentsof the UT Martin School of Engi-neering Technology. As an engi-neer he worked with the TN StateHighway Dept. and the U.S. Bureauof Public Roads. During 1930 heworked at Wilson Dam in Alabamawith the Corps of Engineers.

He worked with the TennesseeState Forestry Service for twoyears then joined the SoilConservation Service of the U.S.Dept. of Agriculture where heworked from 1935 until 1962.

Col. Corbitt served in themilitary joining the ROTC while incollege. He entered the NationalGuard in 1929 and rose through theranks to colonel and retired in1962. During WWII he served withthe 30th Infantry (Old Hickory)Division with ski troops at CampHale, CO, then with the 77thInfantry Div. in the SouthwestPacific in the Philippines andnorth Japan during occupation.After the war, he organized thefirst National Guard tactical unitin Tennessee.

Corbitt's community serviceincluded the West Tenn. AreaCouncil of Boy scouts of America,the Board of Governors of the UTAlumni Assoc. and vice Pres. ofthe general Alumni Assoc. Heserved with the UT Martin Dev.Council and the UT Martin AlumniCouncil. He was a member of his-

torical societies in TN, KY, NC,and IN and several patrioticsocieties. His membership in theSociety of the Cincinnati wasthrough Angus Rucker. Jimmie wasa member of Rotary Internationaland was honored for 48 yearsperfect attendance of the MartinRotary Club.

Before he died, he donated hishistorical papers and photographsto the Paul Meek Library. Lookfor them in the Alliene and JimmieCorbitt Special Collections Area.

Jimmie was born in Plant, TN,son of the late Rena McCrary andPleasant9 Stribling Corbitt (Allen8T., Pleasant7, Sarah6 Vawter,Jesse5, David4, Mary3 Of fill, MaryRucker, Peter1).

His wife of almost 60 years,Alliene Elizabeth Jenkins, died 9Mar 1993. He is survived by oneson Jim Corbitt of NewJohnsonville; one dau. Betty AnnCallis of Martin; one brother P.S. Corbitt of New Johnsonville;and one sister Juanita Crockett ofNew Johnsonville. Also fivegrand-children, Laura Webb, StanCallis and Jennifer Corbitt, allof Nashville, Chuck Callis ofJackson and Jay Corbitt of NewJohnsonville; and three greatgrandchildren, Meredith Callis andBlake Callis of Jackson, and LoganCallis of Nashville.

He was a member of the FirstUnited Methodist Church, inMartin, TN.

Jimmie attended the firstnational Rucker Reunion inRuckersville, VA, 1988.

(Martin. TN. County Press,submitted by son and dau.-in-law,Jim and Paula Corbitt, New John-sonville, TN, via Doris Edwards.)

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 18 Vol. 7, No. 2, June 1996

IN MEMORIAM, con't

HARK STEPHEN RUCKER, born May4, 1957, Hollywood, CA, diedOctober 4, 1995, Bakersfield, CA.He was the son of Harold8 RobertRucker (Thomas7 L., Richard6 M.,Julius5, Abner4, Anthony3, John2,Peter1) and Kathryn "Lorraine"McCaskill. He was married toCarol Ann Williams (later div.),and had one child, Jason AndrewHarold Rucker. Burial was atAlhalla Cemetery, North Hollywood.(Submitted by his sister-in-law,Alice J. Rucker, of Sylmar, CA.)

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HARRY KIRK WHITE died December4, 1995, at Louisville, JeffersonCo., KY. He was born July 10,1935, in Louisville, and marriedCarol Jean McGinnis. They had twodaughters, Lauren and Erin. He isburied at Cave Hill Cemetery,Louisville.

Harry was the son of DavidKirk White and Ocia8 Lee Payne(Chesley7, William6, Nancy5 Rucker,Colby4, Peter3, Thomas2, Peter1).

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The following two obituariesfrom the News and Advance.Lynchburg, VA, were submitted byLaurie Giudice, Bedford Co., VA:

CLARENCE RUCKER CHEEK, age 94,of Route 4, Maple Shade Farm,Bedford, died Sunday, December 10,1995, in Woodlawn Nursing Home.He was born February 1, 1901,Bedford Co., VA, son of JohnElisha Cheek and Annie Robertson.He is survived by his wife, HettieSims; two daughters, Regina C.Gross and Mildred C. Adkins; foursons, John Henry Cheek, Lyle C.Cheek, Cicero (C.T.) Cheek, andBobby R. Cheek; nine grandchildrenand nine great grandchildren.Buried in VA Memorial Park,Forest, VA.

*****

QUENTIN BERNARD CLINE, age 73,of 202 Honeydew Circle, LakeNorman Troutman, NC, died onFriday, Nov. 24, 1995, at hishome. He was born October 7,1922, in Scarboro, WV, son ofELMER RUCKER CLINE and BeatriceClare Murdock and was raised inLynchburg, VA. He was married toCatherine George. He is survivedby one son, Quentin Bernard("Barney") Cline Jr.; threedaughters, Mrs. Christy C. Smith,Mrs. Peggy C. Davis and Mrs. GaleC. Campbell; seven grandchildrenand one great grandchild.

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MARGARET LUCILLE WOODROOFDAVIS died July 15, 1994, atChar lottesvi lie, VA. She was bornOct. 26, 1894 at her family home,Pedlar Farm, near Pleasant View,VA. Her parents were Ambrose6Pleasants Woodroof and EmilyBright Brockenbrough. Hergrandparents were Alfred7 McDanielWoodroof and Margaret NavarrePleasants of Amherst Co., VA.Alfred is found on p.89 of Wood'sbook. Alfred's parents were bothRucker descendants: Margaret6McDaniel Rucker (Ambrose5, Reuben4,Ambrose3, John2, Peter1) and Pitt6Woodroof (Judith5 McDaniel,Margaret4 Rucker, Ambrose3, John2,Peter1, Wood, p.414-415).

Margaret married Samuel EmmettDavis of Amherst County, Nov. 26,1916. He died April 5, 1953.They had six children, five ofwhom survived. She is alsosurvived by 16 grandchildren and20 great grandchildren.

Her grandson, the Rev. Dr.William Ambrose Davis Jr. con-ducted her funeral services. Shewas buried at Spring Hill Ceme-tery , Lynchburg, VA.

Obituary from The News & DailyAdvance. Lynchburg, VA, July 17,1994, submitted by her daughterMary Margaret Shelton of NorthGarden, VA.

The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 19 Vol. 7. No. 2. June 1996

JEANNIE - ALOGYRUCKERS OF GEORGIA

Researching in the NSDARLibrary in Washington D.C.: Mygenealogy group (GRIVA) inRichmond took a bus load ofresearch-hungry genealogists toWashington for the day. I foundmany interesting things, butmainly I found a new GeorgiaRucker family and tentativelytraced them back to Peter1 Rucker!The Stewarts and Allied Families.contained a family that descendedfrom John T. Rucker of Pike Co.,GA. Pike Co. is below Atlanta,nowhere close to the Ruckers ofElbert Co. and Crabapple. Was herelated to Peter the immigrant?

I looked in my computer fileof Ruckers who went to Georgia, ofwhich there were quite a few:A. TAVNER4 AND HARDEN4 RUCKER

(William3, William2, Peter1)B. GEORGE3 RUCKER (Thomas2,

Peter1)C. JOHN4, JAMES4, WILLIS4, AND

BURTON4 RUCKER (John3, Thomas2,Peter1)D. JOHN4 AND JOSEPH4 RUCKER

(Cornelius3, Thomas2, Peter1)^> <rxE. ? 3 RUCKER (Thomas2,

Peter1, Wood, p.193)

In checking the 1830 Georgiacensus records, I found John T.,Master [sic], Richard S., andOrdain [sic] S. living in the areaof Pike Co. On p.211 of Wood'sbook is found Arden and Richard,children of Fielding5 (John4,Cornelius3, Thomas2, Peter1). Theirgrandparents, John4 Rucker andBetsy Tins ley (dau. of JohnTinsley), had 12 children. Onewas Joseph Rucker who founded thetown of Ruckersville, GA. Anotherwas John, about whom nothing hadbeen written in Wood's book. WasJohn T. Rucker of Pike Co., GA,the son of John4 and grandson andnamesake of John Tinsley?

Consider the following:

JOHN5 T. [TINSLEY?] ROCKER(John4, Cornelius3, Thomas2,Peter1), b. §1794, GA; m. MaryHines, b. 1800, dau. of John Hinesand Mason Potter. In 1828, Johnwas a local preacher in theMethodist church, Barnesville, GA.He was listed in the 1870 PikeCo., GA, census with son Maston.

1. Maston6 H. Rucker, b. §1817,GA; m. 24 Dec 1844, PikeCo., GA, Martha Chambers, b.1824, GA.

2. Francis6 Marion Rucker, b.§1820, d. 1856-1860, GA; m.11 Dec 1839, Pike Co., GA,Harriet Culpepper.

3. Leonidas6 H. Rucker, b.§1844, GA.

(Source: The Stewarts and AlliedFamilies. by James Douglas StewartJr., p.154.)

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PRESLEY RUCKER — In the lastnewsletter I reported that Presleywas the brother of Willis (Wood,p. 194). In the early records ofWilkes Co., GA, I found evidencethat Presley was a school teacher.He married 26 May 1813, WilkesCo., GA (p.618) ELIZABETH YOUNG.Presley 1st began appearing incourt records in 1783 (age 18-21),which means he was about 50 yearsold at his marriage. Many schoolteachers never married, so wasthis, possibly, a first marriage?

Lastly, I found evidence ofhis death: 2 May 1814, PresleyRucker, dec'd, Elizabeth Ruckerappointed admx. (Minutes of In-ferior Court 1811, 1817, in EarlyRecords of GA. Vol. 1, Wilkes Co.,GA, 1932, by Grace G. Davidson,p.186, DAR Library.)

Next step: Search the recordsfor the Young family.

PRESSLY [SIC] RUCKER, age 14,died May 1850, DeKalb Co., GA.(From the 1850 Georgia MortalitySchedule, Wood, p.194, son of Fielding3.)

^The Rucker Family Society Newsletter Page 20 Vol. 7. No. ZjJune 1996

MEMBERSHIP

Dues are $7.00 annually and include the quarterly newsletter andnotice of biennial reunions. Currently we have over 400 active members.

Reprint of Sudie Rucker Wood's Rucker Family Genealogy, is availablefor §20.00 from the treasurer.

Check should be made out to The Rucker Society and mailed to:Mr. Lewis M. ("Jack") White, TreasurerRucker Family Society9751 Firth CourtVienna, VA 22181

Suggestions and Newsletter articles should be sent to Jean B.Robinson, newsletter editor, address below.

Volunteers are needed to serve as board members and to help with thenewsletter. Please contact the Editor if you can help.

F5 ami ly Prof ile - Roland ;aridv:lJoy el::::::P i|:tmanr p. II— 13' ' 1

|lii||:;>^ 15-16 :

lllill-'-: ' •• Illll ^ . / ; . '.•.;-. ' ' '•' " '•••.Jeannie-aiogy — — Ruckers of Georgia, • p.19:;

REGISTRATION ENCLOSED

USA

FIRST CLASS MAIL

THE RUCKER FAMILY SOCIETY

Jean B. Robinson, Editor304 Charmian RoadRichmond, VA 23226

97 176Mrs. Alice J. Rucker13331 Gridley St.Sylmar, CA 91342-4529

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED