Tuckness Family History & Genealogy

History

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Name Origin

The family name Tuckness is also often spelled Tuckniss. After years of research, I consider the spellings interchangeable. And because of the double “s” at the end and the use of the double “s” letter “ß” up until the mid-1800s it was often written as Tuckniß. Written by hand it looks more like a “p” which is often mistaken for Tucknep, Tuckney, Tuckneys, etc. Other misspellings include: Tuchness, Tucknoss, Tutness, Tucknifs, Luckness, Huckness, Jucknech, Duckness, etc. I have done extensive research over the last three decades with help from distant cousins all over the United States as well as Great Brittan and South Africa which has allowed me to assemble the following summary of Tuckness information.

I. Henry (Captain Henry) Tuckniss:
The family no doubt originated in England. The earliest records I have found were church records from Sussex, England in the mid 1500s and by the early 1600s in Kent, England. Most of these used the Tuckness spelling.

The earliest records of a Tuckness/Tuckniss in America are those of a mariner, who we call “Captain” Henry Tuckniss. The first two sightings below were from the Abstracts of New Jersey Commissions, Civil & Military, from Liber A. A. A. of Commissions in Secretary of State's Office at Trenton p. 184-186.

- On 23 March 1704, "Henry Tuckness & John Reaves (Reeve or Reeves), Watermen, Inhabitants in the towne of Burlington to have leave to make Use of the Boat or Wherry lately belonging to them & now under Seizure for her Majesties ocationes." page 31. (NOTE: A wherry is a type of boat that was traditionally used for carrying cargo or passengers on rivers and canals.)

- On 11 December 1704, "Henry Tuckness, Lycence (license) to keep the ferry betwixt the town of Burlington (New Jersey) and Citty of Philadelphia."

- In 1704 he also appeared in court in Burlington, New Jersey and appears to be the Henry Tuckniss that purchased the estate of Joseph Adams of Burlington in 1705.

- It was probably Captain Henry Tuckness' wife who was the Mary Tuckness who purchased items from the estate of John DeWildy of Salem Co, N.J., in 1706/7.

His will is found in the Burlington Wills Page: 473, Date: 23 Nov 1714 and identifies him as a mariner. Executor is identified as Manuel Smith. Witnesses: Charles Weston, James Quest and Samuel Bustill. Proved January 3, 1714-5. Lib. 2, p. 19.” Inventory of the personal estate dated 29 Nov 1714 value £39.8 and made by Richard Allison and Samuel Bustill. So, it appears that Captain Henry Tuckniss died in 1714 leaving a wife Mary and two sons, Robert and Henry.

IA. Captain Henry Tuckniss’ son, Henry (the Cordwainer):
It appears that son Henry was at least initially also a mariner, but after marriage became a Cordwainer. A cordwainer is a shoemaker/cobbler who makes fine soft leather shoes and other luxury footwear articles.

From the book Two Centuries of Life in Down 1600- 1800 By John Stevenson I found the following:

“Belfast l0th March 1723
The account of Magnus Price & Co., of Belfast, for a hogshead of claret, sent by sea, amounts to £16. By order of Dr Prince We send you pr the Lamb Schooner, Henry Tuckness Master one hogshead (238.5 liter) of Claret at i6£ wch run 23 Dozen & 5 bottles which is packed up in two casks with Directions upon them for you we hope it will please you we are Your most obed & Serves
Magnus Price & Co."

The American Weekly Mercury (Philadelphia's 1st Newspaper) June 22-29 June 1732: “Cleared for Departure. Brigt. Britain, Ja. New to Bristol, Sloop Thomas & Mary, Henry Lawrence, Scooner Lamb, Henry Tuckness to Coracoa, Scooner Francis, Rich. Lightfoot to Antigua, Sloop Speedwell……….”

Henry, the son or “the Cordwainer”, married Ann Vaughn in 1733 at the Upper Springfield Township (Quaker) Monthly Meeting and lived in Burlington, NJ. They had at least four children. Henry (the Cordwainer) died in 1759 in Burlington. After his death, his widow married Robert Caton 9 Dec 1760 in Burlington.

As we see, Henry (the Cordwainer) married into the Quaker religion. It is not know if his parents, Captain Henry and his wife Mary, were also Quakers, but they may have been. I do note that the Schooner Lamb was one of William Penn’s fleet as early as 1682. It brought merchandise and Quaker settlers to Delaware and New Jersey. The master or captain at that time was John Tench or French. In 1699 the Lamb was running between Dublin, the West Indies and the American colonies. Then the captain was Richard Murphy.

Children of Henry (the Cordwainer) and Ann (Vaughn) Tuckniss:

IA1. James Tuckniss: Little is known about James except that he was mentioned in connection with the Samuel Spenser family along with his brother, Robert (the Hatter). James Tuckniss married a woman named Phebe in Burlington in 1755.

IA2. John Tuckniss: John was born ca 1741 married Elizabeth White on 22 Jun 1769 in Pennsylvania. It appears that he lived his whole life in Philadelphia. Robert the Hatter listed on 1769 Tax list in Philadelphia with 180 acres, 1 horse, 1 cow and no slaves..........tax = 77.14.0. Next entry (next door) with no acres, horses, cows, slaves, or tax was John Tuckniss. Listed in the 1802 Philadelphia City Directory is a "John Tucknifs" at Patton’s Court as a Hatter.

So, John like his brother, Robert, below was at least for some time a hatter. However, by 1804 he was again listed at Patton’s Court as a bookbinder along with Luke Tuckniss who I have not been able to connect. These two could have been working in conjunction with Henry (the Printer) Tuckniss who was listed in the 1804 and 1805 City Directory as Printer in Church Alley (see more about him below). In the 1813 and 1814 Philadelphia City Directory is a John Tuckniss is still listed as a Bookbinder. In 1814 his business was listed at 3 North Fifth in Philadelphia. John died 28 Jun 1818.

IA3. Mary Tuckniss: Mary married Joseph Pearson 27 Jun 1767. I found them listed in the Pennsylvania marriages prior to 1790, but another source indicates they were married in Centerville, New Castle, Delaware. They were Quakers.

IA4. Robert (the Hatter) Tuckniss: He was apparently also a Quaker or at least married into the religion. He married Mary Dawes b. ca 1744 on 17 May 1764 at the Plymouth Meeting in Philadelphia.

Robert (the Hatter) must have been the same Robert Tuckniss who was appointed as an Indian agent in 1759, but after just three months he resigned. In Nov 1760 a Robert Tuckniss was in Lancaster Co, PA where he witnessed a deed and in Apr 1761 he witnessed a mortgage there.

So, why was the young Robert in Lancaster Co after he resigned as Indian agent? Robert (the Hatter) was a good bit younger than his fellow hatter and 1st cousin, Henry (the Moravian).
I highly suspect that he was there learning to be a hatter from his older cousin, Henry (the Moravian) who was already a trained hatter.

In Oct 1763 he became a member of the Quaker religion in Philadelphia just before his marriage to Mary Dawes in May of 1764. By Oct 1764 he had a textile and hat shop in Philadelphia on Third Street at the intersection with Church Alley. They had at least seven children. By May 1765 he was an established hatter in Philadelphia where “John Roberts was a hatter apprentice to Robert Tuckness”.

He also appears to be the Robert Tuckniss who signed a large number of Continental currency notes. A record of this is found in the Journal of Proceedings of Congress, held in Philadelphia, from 5 Sep 1775 to 3 Apr 1776, page 74. A fellow signer was Benjamin Fuller. Fuller was a prominent Philadelphia citizen who Robert’s son later went to work for in Philadelphia and later in South America (see Abraham Tuckniss b. ca 1765 below).

Apparently Robert Tuckniss was also serving the Pennsylvania authorities in some capacity in support of the Revolution, perhaps as a county committeeman: Robert Tuckniss--fr Minutes of Pa Provincial County 6 February, 1777: [PaCR, Vol 11, p115] "The following was wrote [sic] to Messers. Josiah Hewes, Andrew Tybout and Robert Tuckniss: 'Sir: 'You are hereby requested to supply all sick soldiers coming from N York or the Camp, who may be going Southward or Westward, with such necessaries and assistance as you may think requisite to support and enable them to return to their respective homes."

From Philadelphia Quaker records for Robert Tuckniss:

- 1777, 26 Dec--Criticized for keeping a slave "Ladd", illuminating his window as a sign
of rejoicing on a public occasion & paying fines in lieu of military service. Hugh Roberts and Owen Jones appointed to visit him and prevail on him to do what justice and humanity strongly demand in the case of the slave. (Note: Note, the slave, a young negro named Jeppo was inherited by Robert’s wife when her father died in 1776. Robert freed Jeppo in 1785.)

- 1778, 7,31--Robert Tuckness was disciplined for paying fines in lieu of military service and other disunities (Hinshaw, II, p671).

- 1790, 7, 30--disowned for "associating with others to learn the art of war" by the Philadelphia MM (Hinshaw, II, p671).

Robert (the Hatter)’s wife, Mary Dawes was the daughter of Abraham Dawes, Jr. b. 1704. He built the farm house at what became Dawesfield. It was here that George Washington had his headquarters after the battle of German town in 1777. Abraham had just died in 1776 and the farm had pasted to Mary’s sister Elizabeth and her husband James Morris. They were also Quakers and married in 1772 at the Plymouth Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia.

Children of Robert (the Hatter) Tuckniss and Mary Dawes:

IA4a. Abraham Tuckniss: Abraham was born ca 1765 and was probably named after his mother’s father and or grandfather, Abraham Dawes. Abraham was also a Quaker, but was “disowned” on 28 Dec 1787 at the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for associating to learn the art of war. He was listed as Private, Infantry in Philadelphia Militia in 1788: 2nd Co. 1st Batt., Gurney, Francis, Lt. Col. Smith, Daniel, Captain.

I obtained copies of 15 letters from Abraham Tuckniss to the above mentioned Benjamin Fuller in Philadelphia 1788–1790. Fuller, like Robert (the Hatter), was a signer of Continental Currency during the Revolution. These letters from Abraham to Benjamin Fuller relate to shipments of goods, including rum, sugar, coffee, cotton, beef, bread, yams, and fish, shipped from Cayenne (French Guiana) and Demerara in South America.

While in Demerara, Abraham met an English woman, Frances Reading, who he married 12 Apr 1796. Their son was named Benjamin Fuller Tuckniss after Abraham’s employer in Philadelphia. Benjamin Fuller Tuckniss was baptized 12 Apr 1801 at Christ Church in Philadelphia. That was his parents' 5th wedding anniversary. Source: Records of Christ Church: Baptisms, Historical Society of PA. His great-granduncle and aunt were married in that same church in 1736. The family returned to South America.

It is not clear where or when Abraham Tuckniss died, but we do know that his wife returned to England where she died in 1848. Their son, Benjamin Fuller Tuckniss, was married in Demerara to an English woman in 1822. From 1826 to 1831he was educated at Cambridge and became a minister. From then on this line of the Burlington-Philadelphia Tuckniss family resided in the United Kingdom. It also appears that all Tuckniss members living in England today are from this American line. Some descendants later emigrated from England to South Africa where many live today.

IA4b. Henry Tuckniss: This Henry who was born Nov 1766 in Philadelphia died soon after. See: Quaker Hinshaws transcripts: Page 429, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Henry, son Robert, died 3-28-1767 age 5 months.

IA4c. Lydia Ann Tuckness: She was born ca 1768: Listed in Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, Vol II, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Page 671, 31 Jan 1783 with her brother, John, and sister, Ann, "ch Robert, get Duck Creek Monthly Meeting in Delaware just north of Dover. Note that Duck Creek is just across the Delaware River from Salem County, New Jersey and down river from Philadelphia. In 1793 there was also an Isaac Tuckness in Salem County, but we do not yet know how he connects. Lydia Ann married Dr. Ebenezer Howell of Salem, NJ and after he died in 1791 she married Dr. John Rowen of Philadelphia.

IA4d. Ann or Anna Tuckniss: Ann was born ca 1770. In 1795 she married William Hopkins. They had two children Robert and Abraham.

IA4e. Mary Tuckniss: Mary was born 29 May 1778 in Philadelphia and died a few days later on 7 June as noted in the Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy: Philadelphia, p.429.

IA4f. Mary Tuckniss “#2”: Here is another case of the family wanting to maintain of Robert (the Hatter)’s wife and her mother. This Mary must have been born shortly after the death of the first Mary. We know that there was a second Mary because of the letter written to her by her brother Abraham in 1790 from Demerara.

IA4g. John Tuckniss: It is not known when he was born, but he died 25 Aug 1815 in South Abraham’s sister Ann was also living there for a while after her husband died.

IB. Captain Henry Tuckniss’ son: Robert (1st Marriage):
We do not know much about this Robert Tuckniss except that he was married twice. With his first wife (name unknown), Robert had at least one child named Henry who I call “Henry the Moravian”.

IB1. Henry (the Moravian) Tuckniss: He was born 1729 and first mentioned as "a hatter apprentice lad” the Pennsylvania Gazette of 6 Aug 1747 as a runaway from his master hatter, Isaac Dawson, a hatter in Philadelphia. So, it appears that it was from Dawson that this Henry Tuckniss learned his trade as a hatter. In addition, it is interesting to note that Isaac Dawson was Henry’s “step Uncle” as Isaac’s wife was the sister of Henry’s step mother. Henry (the Moravian) married Anna Maria (Mary) Finnis 28 May 1755 in the Old Sweds Church in Philadelphia. It is not clear when they became Moravians. Perhaps she was already associated with that religion before they married. They went to live in Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania where he went into business as a hatter. Henry and Mary had at least 10 children. One, also named Henry who I call “NC Henry” became a hatter like his father. See page 6 below. Henry (the Moravian) died in 1785.

On 1 May 1762 Henry signed a rental agreement for property in Lancaster. An interesting side note about this document is that Edward Shippen, IV was one of the witnesses. Shippen was a rich lawyer, judge and government official in colonial Philadelphia who owned property in Lancaster and Philadelphia. His daughter, Margaret (Peggy), later married a man who would forever be infamous in American Revolutionary War history, Benedict Arnold. For more information on Peggy Shippen, see “An Interesting Historical Note” at the end of this document.

IB. Captain Henry Tuckniss’ son: Robert (2nd Marriage):
Robert’s second marriage was to Mary Blackham. They married at Christ Episcopal Church, Philadelphia on 10 Jan 1736. She was born ca 1710 and died Nov 1780. Robert and Mary had at least two children and maybe more: The known daughters were Jane and Mary. There is no indication that Robert was a Quaker, but I did find this: “Many young Friends, impatient of the slow and troublesome process of passing meeting, would hasten off to "ye priest" or to a magistrate, and be married without any delay or formality. Ancient church registers, notably those of the Old Swedes' Churches of Philadelphia and Wilmington, record the marriages of many young runaway Quaker couples.” Therefore the fact that Robert and Mary were married in a non-Quaker ceremony, it appears that this does not necessarily mean that they were not Quakers. Both daughters married in the Quaker religion.

1B2. Jane Tuckniss: Daughter Jane married Samuel Durburow at the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting on 22 Feb 1759. See: Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Phila., p.671.

1B3. Mary Tuckniss: Daughter Mary married Jacob (the Chair Maker) Iden on 17 May 1759 also at the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. The mother of the bride was identified as the widow of Robert, late of Burlington. See: Philadelphia Monthly Meeting Marriage Book II (302 Arch Street E 27 pg 5. Also at the wedding were Jane Durburow (Mary’s sister) and a Henry Tuckniss. This could have been a brother, a cousin or her uncle as the name Henry was so popular in this line; however, I suspect it was her half brother, Henry (the Moravian).

IB1a. Henry (the Moravian’s) son: Henry (NC Henry) Tuckness:
His name has been found written Tuckniss, but more often Tuckness. I believe it is more than just my speculation or educated guess that this Henry was the Henry who was born ca 1760 in Philadelphia or Lancaster Co, PA to Henry (the Moravian) Tuckniss and Mary or Anna Maria Finnis. This is based on the fact that both “NC Henry” and Henry “the Moravian” were hatters and we know that Henry “the Moravian” had a son named Henry who was also hatter.

Henry “the Moravian” was listed in the 1781 Lancaster Co, PA tax list (spelled Henry "Tuckney") as hatter. Directly below listed is "Tuckney, Junior" also hatter. My guess is that Henry, Jr. must have been the first born son ca 1760 and was most likely NC Henry who later shows up in the 1790 Fed Census in Pasquotank Co, North Carolina since we know that NC Henry was also a Hatter (see below).

This Henry Aka “NC Henry” Tuckniss or Tuckness is listed in the 1790 Federal Census for Pasquotank Co, NC. Image: 0480 Roll: M637_7: 1,2,1:

1 Head of Household (Henry)
2 White males under 16
1 White Female (Henry's wife?)

Evidence that NC Henry like Henry the Moravian was a hatter is found in the following: Orphan’s Indentures & Guardianship Records in Court Minutes from Chatham Co NC Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions- 1774-1800, NC State Archives film # C.022.30001 Pg. 83 - May, 1795 “ordered that John Watts, an orphan of Thomas Watts, be bound unto Henry Tuckness until he arrives to lawful age, to learn the trade of a Hatter, he being sixteen years of age now.”

Based on the 1790 census, “NC Henry” had at least two sons b. between 1774 and 1790. I would like to assume that these were James Jordan and “TN Henry” who later appear in Tennessee seemingly from nowhere, but I have no evidence to support that. See more under “TN Henry”.

On 2 Feb 1796 a Rebekah Tuckness married John Blatchford in Pasquotank Co, NC. An IGI entry indicates that she was born at Kings Mountain, Cleveland Co, NC. She later appears in Pasquotank Co, NC so I have to assume a relationship to NC Henry.

James Jordan Tuckness:
Genealogical sightings of James Jordan are hard to follow. He is sometimes listed as James, sometimes Jordan and sometimes G. Tuckness.

The Book: “Let the Drums Roll”. Chapter on Biographical Sketches of the Soldiers p 167-68 concerning the Sims family in Mt. Pleasant, Maury Co., TN where they settled between 1808-1811. “A daughter, "Patsy [Sims] married Jordan Tuckness." Patsy was the sister of TN Henry’s wife, Sarah Sims.

He is also mentioned in the book “Century Review Maury Co, TN 1805 to 1905”, page 83 which indicates that he was a gun smith with a shop in Mt. Pleasant.

He served in the 1st Seminole War Jan to Jun 1818 from Maury Co. He served under Capt Samuel Crawford or Capt William Hunter. Maury County, Tennessee Genealogy Vol. III, p.46. He is listed here as Jordan Tuckness.

He is not found in the 1820 or 1830 census under his name and my assumption is that he was living with “TN Henry” which would give support to the theory that they were brothers.

My main problem with trying to connect TN Henry and James Jordan to NC Henry is best shown below:

- 1790 census NC Henry with two males under 16: (Born 1779– 1790)
- 1820 census Henry and James Jordan 18 to 26: (Born 1794–1802)
- 1830 census TN Henry and James Jordan 30 to 39: (Born 1791 – 1800)

TN Henry and James Jordan still could be sons of NC Henry. Either there is a mistake in the age given in 1790 or 1820 or both or those listed in the 1790 census are in fact older brothers of TN Henry and James Jordan.

Henry (TN Henry) Tuckness:
This Henry does indeed seem to appear from nowhere, but according to DNA testing he is related to the Philadelphia Tuckniss line. My direct Tuckness line can be traced to him. I had DNA testing done on my uncle, Paul Eugene Tuckness and Stewart J. W. Tuckniss who lives in London. Stewart has been traced back to Captain Henry Tuckniss via Abraham b. ca 1765. Stewart is the 7 X great-grandson of Captain Henry. My uncle and Stewart had a 100% match.

The first record of this Henry is found in documents received from the National Archives when he enlisted in Clarksville, TN for seven months on 28 Sep 1814 as a Private in Captain Robert Edmonson's Company, 1st Regiment Mounted Gunmen, (Col Robert H. Dyer's) Tennessee Volunteers. The documents state that the men of this company marched 130 miles from Clarksville to Fayetteville, Lincoln County, Tennessee, where they were mustered into service. He was actually mustered out on 5 May 1815 in Nashville. “TN Henry’s” regiment under General John Coffee took part in the Battle of New Orleans on 8 Jan 1815.

By Sep 1815, Henry was in Williamson County, Tennessee which is just south of Nashville and just north of Maury County. There, on 2 Sep, he signed a Power of Attorney giving a lawyer, Joseph Coleman, the right to collect all money due him for his seven months service in the War of 1812.

“TN Henry” reportedly died 5 Oct 1834 “on his way to the Indian Nation”. This could have been in Polk or Dallas Co, Missouri where his children all lived for the next several years. Some of my Tuckness line still lives there today.

Here is a summary for “TN Henry”:

1814: 28 Sep, Enlisted at Clarksville Montgomery, TN for 7 months in TN Militia
1815: 2 Sep, Signed power of attorney at Williamson Co, TN
1820: Census Maury Co, TN Henery Tuckney, M: 1 < 10; 2 18-26, F: 1 16-26; 1 45+
1821: 22 Jan, James White, deceased, holds note on Henry Tuckniss
1821: 21 Mar, Henry Tucknis purchases 1/4 acre from Joseph Coe, $125 near Columbia
1823: 15 Oct, Henry Tucknis sold 1/4 acre for $425
1827: 15 Oct, Henry Tucknis purchased lot of 1 acre on Main St, Mt Pleasant for $162.50
1828: 19 Dec, Henry Tucknis purchased items from estate of Nathanial Williams
1829: 10 Sept, Henry Harris, deceased with open account: Henry Tucknis and James Tucknis
1830: Census Maury Co, Henry Tucknoss, M: 2 5-9; 1 10-14, 2 20-29; 2 30-39 F: 1 20-29
1830: Census Co, TN lists Henry Tucknoss
1831: 1 June, Estate of A.G. Youngblood holds note on Henry Tuckness
1832: Census Henry Tucknoss Maury Co, TN
1832: 27 Dec Henry Tuckness sold 1 acre town lot in Mt. Pleasant for $475
1834: 4 Oct “About this time departed this life on his way to the Indian Nation”
1835: Henry’s widow, Sarah, provided with 1 year’s provisions by Maury Co, TN Court
1836: Sarah Tuckness married Isaiah Holden. He had 4 children by previous marriage.
1846: All 7 of TN Henry’s children: Sarah Jane, William James, Elizabeth Jane, Thomas Henry, Harriet, Francis Asbury and John Wesley were in Polk Co, Missouri.
1870: Sarah (Tuckness) Holden age 70 was listed in the 1870 in the household of Thomas James Tuckness and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Hilliard. Her husband, Isaiah Holden was not listed.

Thomas James Tuckness:
He was born in Maury Co, TN ca. 1819. It is not clear who his father was, but TN Henry and James Jordan Tuckness are of course prime candidates. Since Sarah (Tuckness) was listed in the household of Thomas James Tuckness in the 1870 Federal Census I have to believe that she was either his mother or aunt.

Thomas James and his wife, Sarah Elizabeth Hilliard, could also be the key to connecting TN Henry and James Jordan to NC Henry and the rest of the Tuckness line in Pennsylvania. They married in Maury Co, TN 15 Nov 1840.

In the book, Century Review of Maury Co TN, pub. 1907, we find the following: "A.T. Hillard who resides 5m W. of Columbia on the Hamphire Pike was born near here, 1842, son of John Hillard, who was born in Chatham Co, NC in 1807 and died here 1889. He came first to Hickman Co and then to Maury in 1831. A.T. Hilliard marred Laura Tuckness (in 1884) dau of T.J. and S.E. Tuckness of Fayette Co. Mr Tuckness was born near Mt. Pleasant, 1819 and married Sallie, dau of Epps and Sallie (Lewis) Hilliard of NC.” What this quote does not tell us is that A. T. or Alvis Thomas Hilliard was previously married to Laura Tuckness’ sister, Virginia B. Tuckness who he married in 1866.

So, now we know that the Hilliards were in North Carolina before coming to Maury Co, TN and the birth place John Hillard was Chatham Co, NC. At this time it is unknown just how John Hilliard is related to Thomas James Tuckness’s wife, Sarah Elizabeth Hillard.

I believe that it is important to note first that NC Henry Tuckness was in Chatham Co, NC in 1795 where he was given & guardianship of John Watts and to teach him the hatter’s trade. And Epps Hilliard and his family were also there in 1807. And secondly, that both the Hilliard and Tuckness families are in Maury Co, TN by the 1820s and closely associated.

When we look at the other children of Thomas James Tuckness and John Hilliard we find another marriage. In Nov 1864 McKinney W. Hilliard b. 1837, son of John and older brother of Alvis Thomas, married Louetta W. Tuckness b. 1841, also the daughter of Thomas James Tuckness and Sarah Hilliard and sister of A. T. Hilliard’s wife.

One more interesting thing about Thomas James Tuckness is that in the 1880 census, Thomas James indicated the birth place of his father was Pennsylvania. Also, the death certificate of his daughter, Laura (Tuckness) Hilliard lists the place of her father’s birth as Pennsylvania. While several other documents indicate that Thomas James Tuckness was born in Tennessee. This could be an indication that his ancestors came from Pennsylvania……..perhaps his father or grandfather.

A Few More Mystery Tuckness Members Not Yet Connected:

1. Henry (the Printer) Tuckniss: Still another Henry Tuckniss in Philadelphia was a printer. A Google search for the name Henry Tuckniss will turn up a great number of books printed by this Henry Tuckniss starting about 1794. Many of these books were printed for Mathew Carey (1760-1839) an Irish born, publisher, bookseller, and economist who worked for Benjamin Franklin in his printing shop in France before immigrating to Philadelphia.

I have found almost nothing of Henry (the Printer) other than reference to books he printed. He is listed in the 1804-1805 City Directory as Printer at 25 Church Alley. Perhaps associated with Henry (the Printer) are John and Luke Tuckniss who are listed as Bookbinders at Patton’s Court. Luke was born ca 1775 in Burlington and married Susan Lloyd 15 Dec 1798 at the 1st Baptist or Sweds Church in Philadelphia.

It would appear that Henry (the Printer) is the Henry Tuckniss who is found in the Quaker Hinshaws trancripts: Page 429, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting buried 12-26-1805, age 35. This would explain why his printings trailed off in 1804 and completely stopped in 1805 and why there is no listing in the city directory after 1805. This would make the date of his birth ca 1771.

2. As mentioned above, Isaac Tuckness was in Salem Co, NJ. He is listed on a 1793 tax list there, but we have no idea how he connects. I do note that Lydia Ann Tuckness and her brother John (children of Robert (the hatter) were in Salem

2. A tombstone stands in the Greenwood Cemetery in Columbia, Maury Co, TN. The stone looks like F. E. Tuckness b. 24 Sep 1819, d. 23 Sep 1839, but in the Find a Grave web site identifies it as R. E. or T. F. Tuckness. Either way, I have no clue who this might be. A photo of the tomb stone can be seen at:

.
3. Middle Tennessee's Forgotten Children: Apprentices from 1784 to 1902 provides the following: “7 Nov 1836, Gilbert Tuckness ca. 14 years of age as a saddler apprentice to John B. Bond. Cancelled 1 Oct 1938. Green Graham appointed administrator of estate of Felix F. Tuckness 1 Oct 1938.” I am not sure what exactly this means. It could be that Felix F. died after his son started the apprenticeship in 1836 and his son, Gilbert, was adopted by Graham Green, but that is just a guess. It appears that Felix died about the same time as F. E. Tuckness above. I can find nothing else on F. E, Felix F. or Gilbert Tuckness.

4. A Jeremiah Tuckniss is listed in the 1826 Maury Co, TN Tax List along with James (no doubt James Jordan Tuckniss), but no further record of a Jeremiah has been found.

An Interesting Historical Note on Edward Shippen, IV’s daughter, Peggy Shippen:

As we know, the British spy, Major John Andre, was instrumental in persuading the American General Arnold to switch his loyalty and Peggy Shippen also played no small role. Peggy met then Captain Arnold while he was being held as a prisoner of war in Lancaster in 1776.

Later, on 18 May 1778, the country estate, Walnut Grove, outside of Philadelphia owned by Joseph Wharton was the site of an extravagant ball given for the British General, William Howe during the occupation of Philadelphia. Howe who commanded the British forces in America during the early years of the Revolution had resigned his post and was returning to England. Twenty-two of his officers threw the ball which was organized by then Captain John Andre, the future British spy. A parade of 15 decorated boats transported over 400 invited guest up the Delaware River. The guests included Admiral of the Fleet, Richard Howe, the general’s brother, General Henry Clinton, Howe’s replacement, Peggy Chew, daughter of a prominent Quaker lawyer, Benjamin Chew and none other than Peggy Shippen. The fest included a 17 gun salute by British warships, tournament of jousting knights, three bands, a banquet and a fireworks display.

One month after the 14 hour affair, some 17,000 British troops evacuated Philadelphia having accomplished little except throwing a big party. Following the British withdrawal, the American military commander was General Benedict Arnold. It was during this time that he met Peggy Shippen. Less than a year later they were married in Philadelphia.

Major Andre’s role as a spy was exposed when he was captured in September 1780 with document in his possession concerning the planned surrender of the fortification at West Point. Andre was executed and Arnold fled to New York and ultimately to England with his new bride.

It is also interesting to note that while the British occupied Philadelphia, Andre lived in Benjamin Franklin’s house. Franklin of course had fled the city. As the British were withdrawing, Andre looted Franklin’s belonging taken books, musical instruments, scientific apparatus, and a portrait of Franklin.

The search continues…………………………

Jerry Rogers
[contact link]
Thalkirchdorf, Germany

Spellings & Pronunciations

Duckness
Duckeney
Duckneyness
Duskeney
Hucksis
Jucknech
Luckness
Tuckmes
Tucknego
Tuchness
Tucknep
Tucknes
Tuckness
Tuckney
Tucknifs
Tucknis
Tuckniss
Tucknos
Turkney
Tutness
Truckness
Tuckueys
Tuckneß
Tuckniß

Nationality & Ethnicity

England

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Early Tucknesses

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