Washington DC - Genealogy Trails - James Tucker, Master Blacksmith

Washington District of Columbia
Biographies

James Tucker, Master Blacksmith
1786 - August 7, 1865
Furnished by : John G. Sharp

James Tucker and his wife Genifer Tucker
Tombstones
located in the Congressional Cemetery
Washington D. C.

James Tucker: Master Blacksmith (1786-1865 ) James Tucker is buried at the Congressional Cemetery he died 7 August 1865 R 51/145. His wife Genifer is buried along side him.
The 1850 US Census for the District of Columbia enumerates James Tucker as age 64 years of age and lists that he was born in England. He lived in the 6th Ward. His wife Genifer Tucker was 58 years of age their daughter Emma Tucker age 25 years of age is living with them. James Tucker through his long life trained numerous apprentices, the apprentice indentures for some his young blacksmiths are located at :
http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/apprentice.html
Listed are Thomas Mitchell, John Moss and William America.
James Tucker was active politically and seems to have been a prominent in the Washington DC Whig Party see Commodore John Aulick's May 1845 letter regarding James Tucker and other Master Mechanics at Washington Navy Yard.
http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny_letter_may1845.html
Note
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States. The Whigs operated from 1833 to 1856, their party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and the Democratic Party. In particular, the Whigs supported the supremacy of Congress over the Executive Branch and favored a program of modernization and economic protectionism.

James Tucker was a Master Blacksmith at the Washington Navy Yard and during his career trained apprentices in this trade.
James Tucker, Master Blacksmith: is listed on the 1819 -1820 WNY Pay Roll as Blacksmith
at the rate of $ 1.80 per day.
http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny_payroll1819-1820.html
and is listed on the April 1829 Pay Roll for the Washington Navy Yard as Anchor Smith, [Foremen]
at the rate of $ 3.00 per day
http://www.genealogytrails.com/washdc/wny1829.html
The same document lists Striker, William Brown, a slave, of James Tucker who Tucker leased to the Yard at 80 cents per day. John Farrar apprentice listed as James Tucker's apprentice and is paid 52 cents per day.

Transcription
This transcription was made from a copy of the holographic manuscript of the Last Will and Testament of James Tucker, 1865 Box 34, filed in the District of Columbia Orphan's Court (Probate Court). The spelling, capitalization, punctuation e.g. dash instead of periods and use of ampersands are those of the original document. My thanks once again to Mr. Ali Rahmann Archivist, District of Columbia Archives, for generously providing a copy of the James Tucker's last will and testament for this transcription. John G. Sharp November 20, 2008

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of MASTER BLACKSMITH, JAMES TUCKER 1786 -1865

                                          In the name of God Amen
                                                               I James Tucker of the City of Washington, and District of Columbia being in good bodily health, and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and being desirous of Settling my worldly affairs, and thereby better prepared to leave this earth when it shall please God to Call me hence, do therefore make, publish and declare this is my last will and testament in the manner following that is to say.
                     First and principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body tot he earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named.
Items: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jenifer C. Tucker, if she shall be living at the time of my death One Thousand dollars then due from the Baltimore Life Insurance Company of Baltimore and all Household furniture and plate to her own use, to be disposed of, at or before her death as she may think proper.
                     I give and bequeath unto my said wife for and during her life time, or widowhood, all the rents, profits and income of my Estate both real and personal, ( except as hereinbefore deposed of) and no longer. Provided my said wife shall marry after my death, then, and in that case all my said property shall be divided as hereinafter mentioned.
                     I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth wife of John W. Martin that certain frame house, or tenement, Situated on the corner of 8^th St. East & L St South in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, with the ground thereunto attached, and also a certain brick house, or tenement; adjoining on L Street, east of the frame house aforesaid; with the ground belonging thereunto, all of which I now am the owner of - Also to my daughter Elizabeth I give and bequeath Five Hundred dollars of Washington City Cooperation Stock, to have and possess the Same, to her own use and benefit, and her heirs and assigns Forever after the death or marriage of my Said wife, and not until then.
                     I give and bequeath to my Son in law John W. Martin a certain house, or tenement, now occupied by Mr. Barry on L Street South between 8^th & 9^th Strs East, and the lot on which it stands; and also the lot adjoining said house, running through from L Street to Virginia Avenue, now belonging to, and owed by me, all in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, to have and possess the Same to his own use and benefit and his heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my Said wife and not until then.
                     I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Wife of William Thomas a certain house, or tenement, and the ground appertaining Situated on Massachusetts Avenue between 11^th & 12^th streets west adjoining the late Nicholas Van Gaunts estate in the City of Washington and the District of Columbia, now owned by me, to have and possess the same to her own use and benefit and her heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my Said wife, and not until then.
                     I give and bequeath to my daughter Emma the house we have so long resided in, Situated on Virginia Avenue between 7^th & 8^th Streets East and the ground tenement appertaining, including the lot adjoining running from Virginia Avenue to I St with stable thereon belonging to me and situated in the City of Washington, District of Columbia. Also Two Thousand dollars in Washington City Corporation Stock, to have and possess the same to her use and benefit and her heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my said wife and not until then. Provided the Said daughter Emma shall marry before the death of my said wife, then and in that case, she shall divide the Two Thousand dollars of Corporation Stock aforesaid, share and share alike between her sisters then living.
                     I give and bequeath to my daughter Eliza wife of Charles K. Stellwagon the sum of Two Thousand dollars in Washington Cooperation Stock to have and possess the same to her own use and benefit and her heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my Said wife and not until then.
                     Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Jenifer C. Tucker and my son in law William Thomas to be my Executors in this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, and hereby investing my said Executors with full power to do, and perform all things to be done, or performed by the terms of this instrument.
                     In witness whereof i have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twentieth day of October in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Sixty three
Interlining on the 18^th line done            (signed)            James Tucker       ({SEAL}
previous to Signing
Signed Sealed Published, and declared, by the above named and signed James Tucker, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, and his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our names as witnesses hereto
Alex Forrest      }
R.M. Combs     }Witnesses
Geo F. Gulick }

DISTRICT of COLUMBIA }                      ORPHAN'S COURT
                                               }to wit
County of Washington          }
September 19^th 1865

This day appeared Alexander Forrest, R. M. Combs and George F. Gulick
the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of
   James Tucker late of Washington County aforesaid deceased and made oath on the Holy
Evangels of Almighty God, that they did see the Testator therein named, sign and seal this
will; that he published, pronounced and declared the same to be his last will and
testament; that at the time of so doing he was to the best of their apprehension, of sound
and disposing mind, memory, and understanding , and capable of executing a valid deed
or contract, and that their names as witness to the aforesaid will, was signed in the presence
and at the request of the Testator and in the presence of each other. TEST: Z.C. Robbins
                     Register of Wills

LAST WILL & TESTAMENT of MASTER BLACKSMITH, JAMES TUCKER 1786 -1865
In the name of God Amen I James Tucker of the City of Washington, and District of Columbia being in good bodily health, and of sound and disposing mind, memory and understanding, and being desirous of Settling my worldly affairs, and thereby better prepared to leave this earth when it shall please God to Call me hence, do therefore make, publish and declare this is my last will and testament in the manner following that is to say. First and principally I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body tot he earth, to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executor hereinafter named. Items: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jenifer C. Tucker, if she shall be living at the time of my death One Thousand dollars then due from the Baltimore Life Insurance Company of Baltimore and all Household furniture and plate to her own use, to be disposed of, at or before her death as she may think proper. I give and bequeath unto my said wife for and during her life time, or widowhood, all the rents, profits and income of my Estate both real and personal, ( except as hereinbefore deposed of) and no longer. Provided my said wife shall marry after my death, then, and in that case all my said property shall be divided as hereinafter mentioned. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth wife of John W. Martin that certain frame house, or tenement, Situated on the corner of 8^th St. East & L St South in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, with the ground thereunto attached, and also a certain brick house, or tenement; adjoining on L Street, east of the frame house aforesaid; with the ground belonging thereunto, all of which I now am the owner of - Also to my daughter Elizabeth I give and bequeath Five Hundred dollars of Washington City Cooperation Stock, to have and possess the Same, to her own use and benefit, and her heirs and assigns Forever after the death or marriage of my Said wife, and not until then. I give and bequeath to my Son in law John W. Martin a certain house, or tenement, now occupied by Mr. Barry on L Street South between 8^th & 9^th Strs East, and the lot on which it stands; and also the lot adjoining said house, running through from L Street to Virginia Avenue, now belonging to, and owed by me, all in the City of Washington, District of Columbia, to have and possess the Same to his own use and benefit and his heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my Said wife and not until then. I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Wife of William Thomas a certain house, or tenement, and the ground appertaining Situated on Massachusetts Avenue between 11^th & 12^th streets west adjoining the late Nicholas Van Gaunts estate in the City of Washington and the District of Columbia, now owned by me, to have and possess the same to her own use and benefit and her heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my Said wife, and not until then. I give and bequeath to my daughter Emma the house we have so long resided in, Situated on Virginia Avenue between 7^th & 8^th Streets East and the ground tenement appertaining, including the lot adjoining running from Virginia Avenue to I St with stable thereon belonging to me and situated in the City of Washington, District of Columbia. Also Two Thousand dollars in Washington City Corporation Stock, to have and possess the same to her use and benefit and her heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my said wife and not until then. Provided the Said daughter Emma shall marry before the death of my said wife, then and in that case, she shall divide the Two Thousand dollars of Corporation Stock aforesaid, share and share alike between her sisters then living. I give and bequeath to my daughter Eliza wife of Charles K. Stellwagon the sum of Two Thousand dollars in Washington Cooperation Stock to have and possess the same to her own use and benefit and her heirs and assigns forever, after the death or marriage of my Said wife and not until then. Lastly, I hereby nominate and appoint my beloved wife Jenifer C. Tucker and my son in law William Thomas to be my Executors in this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made, and hereby investing my said Executors with full power to do, and perform all things to be done, or performed by the terms of this instrument. In witness whereof i have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Twentieth day of October in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Sixty three Interlining on the 18^th line done (signed) James Tucker ({SEAL} previous to Signing Signed Sealed Published, and declared, by the above named and signed James Tucker, as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us, and his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have Subscribed our names as witnesses hereto Alex Forrest } R.M. Combs }Witnesses Geo F. Gulick } DISTRICT of COLUMBIA } ORPHAN'S COURT }to wit County of Washington } September 19^th 1865 This day appeared Alexander Forrest, R. M. Combs and George F. Gulick the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing last will and testament of James Tucker late of Washington County aforesaid deceased and made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, that they did see the Testator therein named, sign and seal this will; that he published, pronounced and declared the same to be his last will and testament; that at the time of so doing he was to the best of their apprehension, of sound and disposing mind, memory, and understanding , and capable of executing a valid deed or contract, and that their names as witness to the aforesaid will, was signed in the presence and at the request of the Testator and in the presence of each other. TEST: Z.C. Robbins Register of Wills

END NOTES

Description of James Tucker
Harper's Weekly
April 20, 1861
page 246
In April 1861 a reporter for Harpers Weekly visited the Washington Navy Yard and wrote a brief description of the yard and it's Commandant John A. Dahlgren. The reporter noted "All the anchor and chain cable for the Navy are made under the eye of that faithful old Vulcan, James Tucker. This has been his province for nearly half a century, and though scarcely as active as he has been he is yet to be seen early and late in the active performance of his business in the vigor of a green old age."

James Tucker's wife Jenifer Tucker's name is also spelled Jennifer & Genifer

Return to :
Genealogy Trails - Washington D. C.