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 1781 - 1820 (~ 39 years)
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| Name |
Joshua RUCK |
| Christened |
25 Mar 1781 |
Leeds, Kent, England  |
| Gender |
Male |
| Buried |
19 Aug 1820 |
Chartham, Kent, England |
| Person ID |
I6645 |
Young Kent Ancestors |
| Last Modified |
18 Feb 2022 |
| Father |
Richard RUCK, c. 12 Feb 1750, Leeds, Kent, England |
| Mother |
Mary ELEY, b. Abt 1749, bur. 2 Jun 1815, Chartham, Kent, England (Age ~ 66 years) |
| Married |
18 Aug 1771 |
Maidstone, Kent, England [10] |
| Family ID |
F2281 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Notes |
- This Joshua Ruck had been tried during the summer assizes in 1820 at Maidstone on felony charges of cutting with intent, but no more details given, other than to note that he was executed for his crimes. See the Sources section for various newspaper accounts, including the account of his last day spent with the man he maimed, who provided Joshua Ruck with his forgiveness. This is a sad tale of how one's hasty anger can ruin two lives, his own and that of the man he maimed.
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Insolvent Debtors Court Office, No. 9, Essex Street, Strand.
Petitions of insolvent debtors, to be heard at Justice Hall, in the Old Bailey, London, on Monday the 2d day of July 1821, at nine o'clock in the forenoon. RUCK, JOSHUA, late of Maidstone, Kent, shoemaker.
Source: London Gazette Issue 17714 published on the 9 June 1821, p. 21. [SDY]
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| Sources |
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), London Gazette, Issue 17714, p. 21. , 9 Jun 1821.
Insolvent Debtors Court Office, No. 9, Essex Street, Strand.
Petitions of insolvent debtors, to be heard at Justice Hall, in the Old Bailey, London, on Monday the 2d day of July 1821, at nine o'clock in the forenoon. RUCK, JOSHUA, late of Maidstone, Kent, shoemaker. Notice of opposition to the discharge of any Prisoner must be entered in the book at this ...[continued on next page which appears to be missing.]
The inclusion of the word 'late' implies that this individual is no longer living at Maidstone, but fails also to name an alternative place of residence. Therefore, it might be concluded that the estate of Joshua Ruck had been held in bankruptcy.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, p. 4, col. 4, 20 Jun 1820.
Joshua Ruck, of the parish of Chartham, labourer, was yesterday committed to Saint Augustine's gaol, for having "wilfully, maliciously, and unlawfully cut one John Cook with a sword, with intent to maim the said John Cook, and with having therewith cut off the left hand of the said John Cook, contrary to the statute of the 43rd Geo. III. cap. 58." The serious offence of which this prisoner stands charged, arose, it is stated, from some disagreement that took place between the two men at the Artichoke public house, at Chartham, on Saturday evening, where they were assembled with several other persons regaling themselves. Ruck, it appears, left the house before the party broke up, declaring that he would "do for Cook," but as they had been drinking together nothing serious was apprehended from this threat of the prisoner. Between twelve and one o'clock on Sunday morning however as Cook, who resides at Shalmesford street, was proceeding towards his home, and had reached the road by Chartham Deanery, he was hailed by a voice which he recognized to be that of Ruck, and upon answering, a blow was made at him which he endeavoured to break off by lifting his left arm towards his head, when shocking to relate, the instrument with which he was struck severed the hand he had lifted in his defence from his arm, and wounded him slightly in the neck. Cook was not at first conscious of the mutilation he had sustained, but on discovering it he gave an alarm by calling out "Murder;" when a poor man who slept in an adjoining lodge came to his assistance, and Ruck made off.
The sufferer was immediately taken to the house of a medical Gentleman near, who dressed his wounds and he was the next day conveyed to the Kent and Canterbury Hospital, where we are happy to learn he is doing well. Intelligence of the sanguinary act being given in the village, a party set out in search of the delinquent, who succeeded in apprehending him, and on Sunday he was conveyed to Saint Augustine's Gaol. The instruent with which the blow was inflicted proved to be part of a scythe fixed in a straight piece of wood, as a handle, so that it could be used as dexterously as a cutlass. The poor sufferer has an afflicted wife and eight children. The conduct of the prisoner since his commitment has been very exemplary, he is become truly penitent and resigned to that fate which he expects awaits his revengeful and sanguinary act.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), New Times (London), p. 3, col. 3., 27 Jul 1820.
Among the more criminal cases the trials of Nesbet for murder, and of James Coppins and Joshua Ruck, for cutting and maiming, excite much interest.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), Morning Post, p. 2, col. 4., 28 Jul 1820.
Cutting and Maiming.
Joshua Ruck was indicted under the same Act, [43d Geo. III. c. 58] for maliciously cutting off the left hand of John Cook, with a sword, on the 17th of June last, in the parish of Chartham.
The case was this: The Prosecutor and a party of young men had been playing a cricket-match on the 17th of June. In the evening they retired to regale themselves at the Artichoke public house, at Chartham. About twelve o'clock at night the party were about to return to their homes, when they saw the Prisoner in the tap room, sitting at the table. Being inclined for some fun, they began to quiz the Prisoner by saying that "Squire Ruck's carriage stopt the way and was ready to make him up." At that moment a cart came up to the door, and a horn was blown. The Prisoner was then taken out of the house with some violence and put into the cart, which was driven away with him towards his own house. The cart passed through the River Stour, and the Prisoner, out of a joke, was thrown into the water (though this fact did not distinctly appear) and got wet. It was sworn that the Prosecutor took no part in this violent conduct; but the whole transaction was represented to be a good humoured frolic. All the party separated. The Prisoner on his way home was overtaken by a brother of the Prosecutor, to whom he said, "You are one of the three Cooks, and I'll do for you all one of these days; you work at sir John Fagg's but you shall not work there two months longer." Nothing further passed, and they separated. About half-past twelve o'clock the Prosecutor, who had occasion to pass the Prisoner's house, was pursuing his way home, and when he came to the Prisoner's house he saw a man standing on the other side of the hedge and presently the Prisoner said, "Is that you, John Cook?" The Prosecutor answered is the affirmative, and went up to the Prisoner on his saying he wanted to speak to him. Prisoner then said, "I think you are one of those men who put me into the cart." The Prosecutor assured him he was not; when the Prisoner replied, "If I was sure you were one I would run you through!" The Prisoner had a sword in his hand, and without any further observation, made a push at the prosecutor, but missed him. He then aimed at his head and shoulders, and cut him in two places. The prosecutor immediately seized a hedge-stake in his defence, and was making his way towards a wall, to get over and escape, when he was followed, and the prisoner aiming a blow at his left arm, which he held up as a guard, he struck the hand clean off at the wrist joint. The prisoner still pursued him, and aimed several blows at the prosecutor, who eventually escaped over the wall, leaving his hand behind. The prisoner then returned to his house and went to bed. It appeared that when the prisoner had returned home from the Artichoke public house, he was in a great passion, and complianed of being very ill-used by some people, and immediately took down a rifleman's sword, and said he would see himself righted. He had just gone out of his house with this weapon, when the prosecutor came up as above described. It was sworn, that when the prosecutor saw the sword, he said to the prisoner - "I don't care for you or your cutlas, and I'll pull you up for it." In the struggle the prosecutor struck the prisoner in his own defence with the hedge stake, which was very large, but decayed.
These were the principal circumstances of the case.
The prisoner received a good character from several witnesses, who, however, said, that his temper was very hasty. When told of the mischief he had done to the prosecutor, he expressed his sorrow for what had happened, and said he wished he could restore the hand to its place.
Mr. Baron Wood summed up the case for the Jury, and charged them that they must be satisfied the prisoner had acted maliciously, before they could find him guilty.
The Jury found the prisoner guity. - Death.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), Morning Herald (London), p. 3, col. 4, 28 Jul 1820.
Cutting and Maiming.
Joshua Ruck was indicted under the same Act, [43d Geo. III. c. 58] for maliciously cutting off the left hand of John Cook, with a sword, on the 17th of June last, in the parish of Chartham.
Mr. Bolland conducted the prosecution, and Mr. Common Serjeant and Mr. Adolphus the defence.
The case was this: The Prosecutor and a party of young men had been playing a cricket-match on the 17th of June. In the evening they retired to regale themselves at the Artichoke public house, at Chartham. About twelve o'clock at night the party were about to return to their homes, when they saw the Prisoner in the tap room, sitting at the table. Being inclined for some fun, they began to quiz the Prisoner by saying that "Squire Ruck's carriage stopt the way and was ready to make him up." At that moment a cart came up to the door, and a horn was blown. The Prisoner was then taken out of the house with some violence and put into the cart, which was driven away with him towards his own house. The cart passed through the River Stour, and the Prisoner, out of a joke, was thrown into the water (though this fact did not distinctly appear) and got wet. It was sworn that the Prosecutor took no part in this violent conduct; but the whole transaction was represented to be a good humoured frolic. All the party separated. The Prisoner on his way home was overtaken by a brother of the Prosecutor, to whom he said, "You are one of the three Cooks, and I'll do for you all one of these days; you work at sir John Fagg's but you shall not work there two months longer." Nothing further passed, and they separated. About half-past twelve o'clock the Prosecutor, who had occasion to pass the Prisoner's house, was pursuing his way home, and when he came to the Prisoner's house he saw a man standing on the other side of the hedge and presently the Prisoner said, "Is that you, John Cook?" The Prosecutor answered is the affirmative, and went up to the Prisoner on his saying he wanted to speak to him. Prisoner then said, "I think you are one of those men who put me into the cart." The Prosecutor assured him he was not; when the Prisoner replied, "If I was sure you were one I would run you through!" The Prisoner had a sword in his hand, and without any further observation, made a push at the prosecutor, but missed him. He then aimed at his head and shoulders, and cut him in two places. The prosecutor immediately seized a hedge-stake in his defence, and was making his way towards a wall, to get over and escape, when he was followed, and the prisoner aiming a blow at his left arm, which he held up as a guard, he struck the hand clean off at the wrist joint. The prisoner still pursued him, and aimed several blows at the prosecutor, who eventually escaped over the wall, leaving his hand behind. The prisoner then returned to his house and went to bed. It appeared that when the prisoner had returned home from the Artichoke public house, he was in a great passion, and complianed of being very ill-used by some people, and immediately took down a rifleman's sword, and said he would see himself righted. He had just gone out of his house with this weapon, when the prosecutor came up as above described. It was sworn, that when the prosecutor saw the sword, he said to the prisoner - "I don't care for you or your cutlas, and I'll pull you up for it." In the struggle the prosecutor struck the prisoner in his own defence with the hedge stake, which was very large, but decayed.
These were the principal circumstances of the case.
The prisoner received a good character from several witnesses, who, however, said, that his temper was very hasty. When told of the mischief he had done to the prosecutor, he expressed his sorrow for what had happened, and said he wished he could restore the hand to its place.
Mr. Baron Wood summed up the case for the Jury, and charged them that they must be satisfied the prisoner had acted maliciously, before they could find him guilty.
The Jury found the prisoner guity. - Death.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal, p. 4, col. 2., 28 Jul 1820.
Joshua Ruck, charged with having, at the parish of Chartham, wilfully and maliciously cut one John Cook, with a sword, with intent to maim the said John Cook, and with having therewith cut off the left hand of the said John Cook.
John Cook deposed that he resided at Chartham; on the 17th of June last, in the afternoon, he went to a match of cricket; in the evening he was at the Artichoke public house where there was a large party, and they went into an upstairs room. He recollected seeing the prisoner at the bar, the same evening, sitting in the tap room below. About 20 minutes after twelve, he left the public house to go home. Prisoner had gone at twelve. On his way home near Prisoners house, he saw something behind the hedge, and immediately heard him (the prisoner) say "Is that Cook." He replied "yes". He said "are you alone> I want to speak to you, stop a minute" Prisoner then came up to him and said "you are one that ill used me this evening." Witness said "I was not." Prisoner said if he was sure of it he would run him through. Prisoner then took a sword from under his coat and chopped at him, but missed him. Witness ran to the hedge and pulled out a stick, with which he struck either the prisoner or his sword. Prisoner knocked the stick out of his hand, and kept cutting, wounded his shoulder and neck, and bruised him with the back of the sword. Witness was getting away when the prisoner chopped again, and cut his hand clean off. Witness cried "murder," and then got over a wall.
Cross-examined - Said that was not his nearest way home, but his usual way. Witness had heard some people say they had run Ruck into the river - did not see them do it - always had considered the prisoner and himself on good terms.
John Irons lodged at Chartham, where the transaction took place on the above night Witness heard a cry of "murder," got up, dressed, and went out. Saw Ruck go into some pollards with a sword, then heard Cook call, and went to him; he said "help me he has cut my hand off." He did not leave him till he saw him to the hospital.
Pettit lived servant with Ruck: he came home between twelve and one o'clock, and said he had been ill used, and would see himself righted; then went out again with the sword. Witness told him he had better not: he then heard Cook and the prisoner talk: heard Cook say he had nothing to do with it, and that he did not care for the cutlass or him. Witness then heard blows for about two minutes: got up and saw Cook's hand, and some blood in the road.
John Pullen, servant to Mr. Sutton, heard a cry of murder; got up and looked out of the window, and saw the prisoner standing in a field, in a great passion, cutting about with his sword. Witness asked him what was the matter, he said he had been hadly used; upon being asked where Cook was, witness having heard his voice, the prisoner said "d---n him, I don't know - I will kill him and cut him up."
Edward Denton heard the last witness ask where Cook was, and corroborated his evidence.
Stephen Cook, brother to John Cook, said he also was at the public house and went home about twelve o'clock, or a little after: saw Ruck, who charged witness with ill-using him: upon witness denying it, he said "You are one of the Cooks; I'll do for one of you; you shall not work long at sir John Fagg's." Witness did not see Ruck run into the river, although he heard it mentioned.
Wm. Spillett saw them take Ruck away to the river, and heard them say "Squire Ruck's carriage is waiting;" did not think the Cooks assisted.
The Learned Judge summed up the evidence; and the Jury found the prisoner Guilty - Death.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), The Ipswich Journal, p. 4, col. 4, 19 Aug 1820.
Two of the three unfortunate men left for execution at the last Assizes for Kent, viz. Thomas Saunders and Joseph Wilkes, for uttering forged Bank of English notes, suffered the sentence of the law on Thursday, at Penenden heath. ...A reprieve was on Wednesday received for Joshua Ruck, the other unfortunate man who was left for execution at the same time with the above, for cutting off the hand of John Cook, at Chartham.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), Mirror of the Times, p. 4, col. 4, 26 Aug 1820.
On Thursday week last, Joshua Ruck, for cutting off the hand of John Cook, at Chartham, suffered the sentence of the law on Penenden heath.
- [S132] Newspaper, Various, (Various), Hampshire Chronicle, p. 4, col. 3, 28 Aug 1820.
Last week, Joshua Ruck, convicted at the Maidstone assizes of cutting off the hand of John Cook, at Chartham, suffered the sentence of the law, on Penenden Heath. Cook, the prosecutor, spent nearly the whole of the preceeding day with Ruck, and assuring him of his entire forgiveness, administered all the consolation to him that his melancholy circumstances would admit of.
- [S34] Parish Register, England, Kent: Church of England, Canterbury Cathedral Archives, (U.S.A., Salt Lake City: Genealogical Society of Utah), Maidstone, Kent, England, 1771.
Banns of marriage read on 18 and 25 August and on 1 September 1771 for the intended marriage of Richard Ruck bachelor of this parish and Mary Eley, a spinster of Leeds
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