THE THREE SAMUEL RUCKMANS
OF HAMPSHIRE COUNTY, VIRGINIA
Compiled by:
GLENN SMITH
P.O. BOX 1332
MUSKOGEE, OK 74402-1332
Several family researchers have had difficulty separating the three Samuel Ruckmans who lived in the same time period in Hampshire County, [West] Virginia. To add to the confusion, all three of these men married young ladies named Elizabeth. The following data should help others to identify which one of these Samuels belong in their family history.
The three Samuel Ruckmans were:
1. Samuel C. Ruckman, the son of Jacob and Catherine (Cooper) Ruckman, was born ca 1807 in Hampshire County, VA. He married Elizabeth Watkins on 8 September 1828. Most of the records in Hampshire County list him as Samuel C. Ruckman.
Sage and Jones in their book, Early Records of Hampshire County, shows this marriage as 8 September 1824, but Vicki Horton’s book, Hampshire County Marriages gives the year as 1828. The original marriage record needs to be checked, but it appears that 1828 was the correct year.
2. Samuel Ruckman, the son of Samuel and Susan ( ? ) Ruckman, was born about 1815 in Hampshire County, VA. He married Elizabeth (possibly Pyles/Piles?), about 1836. This couple appears in the 1850 and 1860 Federal census with their children. He was usually shown in the Hampshire County records as Samuel S. or Samuel of S. Ruckman.
3. Samuel Ruckman, the son of John and Jane (Slack) Ruckman, was born about 1814 in Hampshire County, VA. He married Elizabeth McBride according to several family records. This man was the one who became known in Hampshire County as Samuel Ruckman, the County Assessor.
A study of the Federal census records of Hampshire County will help confirm and separate the above.
1840 Federal census, Hampshire County, VA:
males females
p. 17 Ruckman, Samuel one 30-40 one 30-40
(3 & 4) one 5-10 one 10-15
one und. 5 one 5-10
one und. 5
[This is Samuel, son of Jacob and Catherine, and he is the one who married Elizabeth Watkins]
p. 18 Ruckman, Samuel S. one 20-30 one 20-30
(1 & 4) three und. 5
[This is Samuel, the son of Samuel and Susan Ruckman. He married Elizabeth (Piles?).
1840 Federal census, con’t-
p. 19 Ruckman, John one 60-70 one 50-60 [wife Jane]
(1 & 1)
next house:
p. 19 Ruckman, Samuel one 20-30 one 20-30
(2 & 1) of John one und. 5
[This is Samuel, the son of John and Jane Ruckman. He married Elizabeth McBride.]
1850 Federal census, Hampshire Co., VA:
p. 141, #19 Ruckman, Samuel of S. 35 farmer $700 VA
, Elizabeth 38 [Piles?] born MD
Susan 14
Mary 12
Hannah 9
George 8
Thomas 6
Abraham 4
John 2
Margaret 4/12
Piles, Francis 68 m. laborer born MD
[Note that the census taker listed him as "Samuel of S." He was the son of Samuel and Susanna Ruckman. What relationship was Francis Piles to this family? Was he her father? He is about the right age. Note that Elizabeth and Francis both gave their birthplace as Maryland.]
1850 Federal census, Con’t:
p. 144 #62
Ruckman, Samuel 36 farmer $1000 VAElizabeth 34 [McBride]- D. Oates
James [J.] 10 [see p. 115 in 1860 census]
Ruth 8
John 6
Stephen 5
Martha 2
Granville 3/4
p. 144B, #69 Ruckman, Samuel C. 42 farmer $1500 VA
Harriett 20 [She is his daughter.]
Juliett 18
James [T.] 15
Rhoda 11
[Samuel C. Ruckman’s wife Elizabeth (Watkins) died ca1845. His mother Catherine (Cooper) Ruckman was living in the next house to him in 1850.]
p. 144B #70 Ruckman, Catherine 65 $500 VA
Mary 41
Park, Samuel 30 laborer
[Samuel Park above, later married Harriett Ruckman, in house #69 above. Samuel Park was counted twice in the 1850 Federal census . See page #159 for his other listing.]
1860 Federal census, Hampshire Co., VA:
p. 115 Ruckman, Samuel 46 farmer $1500 $1010 VA [Samuel, son of John and Jane}
Elizabeth 44 [McBride]
James J. 20
Ruth J. 18
John W. 16
Stephen L 15
Martha E. 13
Granville 9
Edward M. 5
Sarah V. 3
p. 119 Ruckman, Samuel C. 53 farmer $3000 $ 690 VA
Julia R. 27
Rhoda E. 22
Watkins, Henry M. 14
[Samuel C. Ruckman, widower, died on 21 Sept. 1869, age 62y 1m 15d. Father: Jacob Ruckman.]
Samuel’s daughter, Rhoda E. Ruckman, died on 4 Feb. 1899. Book 1/104. Note the Watkins family members living with this branch of the Ruckman family. Mother Catherine Ruckman, w/Elizabeth Watkins; James T. Ruckman, son of Samuel C., with Benjamin Watkins in his home; then Samuel C. Ruckman w/ Henry M. Watkins in his home.
1860 Federal census, con’t:
p. 121 Ruckman, Samuel S. 45 farmer $1,200 $460 VA
Elizabeth 47 [Piles? see 1850 census info-]
Mary 23
Hannah 20
George 18
Thomas 16
Abraham 14
Sarah A. 9
This data should help identify the three Samuel Ruckmans who all married ladies named Elizabeth. Any additional information on these related families would be appreciated.
Glenn Smith
P.O. Box 1332
Muskogee, OK 74402-1332