Martin Ruggles (1774 - 1840)

Born 2 Dec 1774 in Brookfield, Fairfield, Connecticut

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 2 Aug 1840 at age 65 in Caledonia, Washington, Missouri, United States

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Biography

Martin was selected as the leader of a new Masonic lodge that he organized. The Grand Lodge legally chartered the Masonic Lodge there under the name of Tyco Lodge No 12. The grand master at the first meeting was Nathaniel B. Tucker. Later, Martin Ruggles became the Senior Grand Warden of Grand Lodge of Missouri and served two terms. He was up for election to the grand lodge but moved to California thereby losing this honor. He would have been grand master.

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF MARTIN RUGGLES

In the name of God Amen.

I Martin Ruggles of Washington County, State of Missouri in the sixty-sixth year of my age and by the Blessings of Almighty God enjoying my usual health and strength of body and mind, considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and the certainty of death and being sound in mind do make ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:

First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Lodema Ruggles the plantation or tract of land whereon I now reside. Also one negro woman named Harriet a slave for life. Also one third of my money that I have or may have due to me at my decease for her to have and enjoy during her natural life.

Secondly I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Emeline Rogers my plantation or tract of land known by the of the McCoy tract or place containing one hundred and ninety three acres, it being a part of the tract of land confirmed by the United States to Annamas McCoy for her and her heirs by the said Rogers forever and also give my negro woman named Martha and her increase, as also one dollar in cash and no more to her and her heirs aforesaid forever having heretofore given her considerable of my property.

Thirdly I give and bequeath to my beloved grand daughter Caroline H. Hunt daughter of my daughter late widow of Daniel Hunt deceased, thirty five dollars in cash and no more having raised clothed and educated her.

Fourthly I give and bequeath to my beloved grand son Martin R. Hunt son of my daughter and late widow of Daniel Hunt deceased, my tract of land lying in Crawford County It being the Northwest quarter of Southwest quarter, section number nine, Township number thirty seven North, range four West containing forty acres. Also the Northeast quarter of Southeast quarter, section number eight, Township number thirty seven Range four West containing forty acres as also twenty five dollars in cash and no more for him and his heirs to enjoy forever.

Fifthly I give and bequeath to my beloved grand daughter Laura Alcinda Hunt daughter of my daughter late widow of Daniel Hunt deceased, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars and no more.

Sixthly I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Mary Lodema Hunt daughter of my daughter late widow of Daniel Hunt deceased, the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars and no more.

Seventhly I give and bequeath to my beloved son Elijah S. Ruggles all and singular of my estate real personal or mixed that I may be siezed of at my decease as also that portion or portions which I have above bequeathed to my beloved wife Lodema Ruggles at her decease, provided however that he is to merit it by a faithful discharge of the duties of a son to his mother.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Lodema Ruggles executrix and my beloved son Elijah S. Ruggles executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twentieth day of March in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Forty.

Signed sealed and published by Martin Ruggles the above named Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names in witness thereto

John Brickey Israel Brickey

Isaac W. Jamison I. C. Brickey

Martin Ruggles Seal

Deed Record 1837-1840 Potosi, Washington County, Missouri

Copied by Thelma McClary Sutton January 1962

Sources

• Starr, Burgis Pratt. A History of the Starr Family of New England (Case, Lockwood & Brainard Co., Hartford, Conn., 1879) Page 364.