Fonds - Thomas Ruck fonds

Thomas Ruck Jr. (1659-172-), New England shipowner and merchant, was born on 9 July 1659 in Salem, Massachusetts, son of Damaris (Buffum) and Thomas Ruck (d. 1704), and one of seven children. Thomas Ruck Jr. married Mary Clark on 18 September 1708. His death date is not currently known.

Ruck was a mariner and a vessel owner. He was listed as master of the brig Fraternity (1706), part-owner of the brig Dolphin (1710) and master of the brig Swallow (1711). His firm, Thomas Ruck & Company, was extensively involved in the Newfoundland trade during the period 1713-22. Ruck dealt with Newfoundland planters (settlers) and English migratory fishing crews in harbours and coves along the English Shore, from Ferryland to Bonavista. Most of his dealings, however, were concentrated in St. John's and adjacent outports, including Petty Harbour, Bay Bulls, Quidi Vidi and Torbay. Ruck specialized in bartering West Indian products, rum and molasses, and New England produce, foodstuffs, hardware and lumber, for salted cod. He also sold supplies for bills of exchange.

Ruck was one of many New England traders (or, as they were sometimes called, " hucksters" or "interlopers") involved in the Newfoundland trade in the early eighteenth century, playing an important role in supplying early settlers.