Isaac Ruddell: Difference between revisions

Isaac Ruddell
Isaac Ruddell
Born	c. 1737; Shenandoah County, Virginia Colony
Died	January 1812; Bourbon County, Kentucky, United States
Nationality	American
Other names	Isaac Ruddle
Occupation(s)	Militia officer, Revolutionary War Virginia State Line officer and landowner
Known for	Early Kentucky frontiersman and pioneer; founder of Ruddell's Station in Harrison County, Kentucky.
Spouse	Elizabeth Bowman (m1750s-1812)
Children	5 children
Relatives	George Bowman, father-in-law; Isaac Bowman, brother-in-law; Joseph Bowman, brother-in-law; John Jacob Bowman, brother-in-law; John M. Ruddell, grandson

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Captain Isaac Ruddell (1737 – January 1812) was an 18th-century American Virginia State Line officer during the American Revolutionary War and a Kentucky frontiersman. He was an officer commanding a company under BGEN George Rogers Clark (1777–1782). He was the founder of Ruddell's Station, or fort, on the Licking River in present-day Harrison County, Kentucky. In 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the settlement was destroyed by joint British Canadian and Eastern Woodlands Indian forces under British officer Captain Henry Bird. He and his family were held prisoner in Detroit for over two years before their release. Two of his sons were later taken captive by Shawnee, one of them becoming adopted brother of the famed warrior Tecumseh.

He was also a brother-in-law to Kentucky pioneers Isaac, Joseph and John Jacob Bowman. His grandson, John M. Ruddell, was a prominent Kentucky statesman and landowner.

Biography

Born in Nottingham, Pennsylvania his family moved to Virginia in the early 1740s. Ruddell became a captain in the Washington County militia; 6 March 1797 in Shenandoah Co, VA <Dodd, Jordan. Virginia, Marriages, 1660-1800> he married Elizabeth Bowman. In 1774 or 1775, he accompanied the Bowmans to Kentucky and while living in Boonesborough, Ruddell joined his brother-in-law John Bowman who was en route to Harrodsburg with two Virginia militia companies. Ruddell would later replace John Dunkin as one of Bowman's officers.^[1] He also served under General George Rogers Clark during the Illinois campaign, in charge of the Corn Island party and of the military stores left there. For his service, he was awarded 3,234 acres (13.09 km²) of Clark's Grant in the Indiana Territory.^[2]

In the Spring of 1779, he established a fortified settlement on the South fork of the Licking River known as Ruddell's Station (or Fort Liberty) in Harrison County one mile (1.6 km) from present-day Lair Station. The fort was built on the site of Hinkson's Station which was previously abandoned several years before.^[3] Along with Martin's Station, located on Stoner Creek near present-day Paris, the settlement became home to a large number of Pennsylvania German families over the next year. During the American Revolutionary War however, an Indian (including Shawnee) raiding party of 600 - 900 led by British officer Captain Henry Bird and 150 British soldiers left twenty+ settlers dead. Isaac Ruddell was captain of the fort, and was in command of the militiamen present. When the British brought out artillery to knock down the walls to enable the Indians to massacre the defending families, he decided it was better to surrender.^[4] The approx. 470 survivors, along with he and his wife (and captives from Martin's Station), were force marched to Detroit where they remained prisoners until the end of the war.^[3]^[5]

During the march to Detroit, Ruddell was separated from his wife and children. Shortly after arriving in Detroit, Ruddell protested to the commandant of Bird disregarding his agreement of safe passage in exchange for their surrender. He was reunited with his wife and two daughters, however his two sons were turned over to the Shawnee who were eventually adopted by the tribe. Stephen Ruddell, 12 years old at the time of the attack, was accepted into the family of Chief Blackfish and eventually became the adopted brother of Tecumseh. The younger son, Abraham Ruddell, when repatriated from the Indians, by the War Department in 1794 could barely speak English and later settled in Arkansas.^[6]^[7]

Shortly after their arrival in Detroit, Ruddell and his family were allowed to live on a nearby island where they grew corn and supplied food for their fellow prisoners. He also reportedly helped several men to escape from the camp. He and several other prisoners were allowed to return to Virginia in 1782. Soon after arriving, however, Ruddell was accused by several of his fellow prisoners of collaborating with the British and was charged with treason in Frederick County but was acquitted.^[8] His friendship with the commandant is thought to have been based on Byrd's poor treatment of Ruddle's party as well as both men belonging to the Masonic fraternity.^[2]

Ruddell gave a written account of the attack which began appearing in newspapers in late 1783. Returning to Bourbon County in 1784, they built a home at the head of the Licking River four years later. He also built a grist mill on the northside of Hinkston Bridge and, in 1795, a sawmill which was operated by his son Abram. The town is still in existence, known today as Ruddell's Mills. He also donated land to the Stoner Mouth Church and cemetery.^[9] He died in January 1812.^[2]

In 2008, the Ruddell and Martin Stations Historical Association dedicated a new monument for Captain Ruddell.

References

^ Hammon, Neal O. and Richard Taylor. Virginia's Western War. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2002. (pg. 62) ISBN 0-8117-1389-X
^ ^a ^b ^c Hayden, William. Conquest of the Country Northwest of the River Ohio, 1778–1783. Indianapolis: Bowen-Merrill Company, 1896. (pg. 142-143)
^ ^a ^b Kleber, John E. The Kentucky Encyclopedia. Louisville: University Press of Kentucky, 1992. (pg. 107-108) ISBN 0-8131-1772-0
^ Mahan, Russell, "The Kentucky Kidnappings and Death March: The Revolutionary War at Ruddell's Fort and Martin's Station," West Haven Utah: Historical Enterprises, 2020, pp. 49-68.
^ Randall, Emilius O. and Daniel J. Ryan. History of Ohio: The Rise and Progress of an American State. Vol. II. New York: Century History Company, 1912. (pg. 280)
^ Tucker, Glenn. Tecumseh: A Vision of Glory. New York: Cosimo, Inc., 2005. (pg. 39-40) ISBN 1-59605-207-4
^ Film: (1967)"The Last Frontiersman"
^ Dicken-Garcia, Hazel. To Western Woods: The Breckinridge Family Moves to Kentucky in 1793. Rutherford, New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 1991. (pg. 84-85) ISBN 0-8386-3342-0
^ Wells, Dianne; Melba Porter Hay and Thomas H. Appleton, ed. Roadside History: A Guide to Kentucky Highway Markers. Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 2002. (pg. 162) ISBN 0-916968-29-4

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Infobox Person
+{{Infobox person
 |name          = Isaac Ruddell
 |image         =
-|image_size    =
 |caption       =
 |birth_name    =
-|birth_date    = c. [[1737]]
+|birth_date    = c. 1737
 |birth_place   = [[Shenandoah County]], [[Virginia Colony]]
-|death_date    = [[January]] [[1812]]
+|death_date    = January 1812
 |death_place   = [[Bourbon County, Kentucky]], [[United States]]
 |death_cause   =
 |resting_place =
 |resting_place_coordinates =
+|nationality   = [[United States|American]]
-|residence     =
-|nationality   = [[American]]
 |other_names   = Isaac Ruddle
-|known_for     = Early Kentucky frontiersman and pioneer; founder of [[Ruddell's Station]] in [[Bourbon County, Kentucky]].
+|known_for     = Early Kentucky frontiersman and pioneer; founder of [[Ruddell's Station]] in [[Harrison County, Kentucky]].
 |education     =
 |alma_mater    =
 |employer      =
-|occupation    = Militia officer and landowner
+|occupation    = Militia officer, Revolutionary War Virginia State Line officer and landowner
-|home_town     =
 |title         =
-|salary        =
-|networth      =
 |height        =
-|weight        =
 |term          =
 |predecessor   =
 |successor     =
 |party         =
-|religion      = [[Presbyterian]]
+|spouse        = Elizabeth Bowman (m1750s-1812)
-|spouse        = Elizabeth Bowman (c. 1765-1809)
 |partner       =
 |children      = 5 children
 |parents       =
-|relations     = [[George Bowman (pioneer)|George Bowman]], father-in-law<br>[[Isaac Bowman]], brother-in-law<br>[[Joseph Bowman]], brother-in-law<br>[[John Bowman (pioneer)|John Jacob Bowman]], brother-in-law<br>[[John M. Ruddell]], grandson
+|relations     = [[George Bowman (pioneer)|George Bowman]], father-in-law<br />[[Isaac Bowman]], brother-in-law<br />[[Joseph Bowman]], brother-in-law<br />[[John Bowman (pioneer)|John Jacob Bowman]], brother-in-law<br />[[John M. Ruddell]], grandson
 |signature     =
 |website       =
@@ Line 41: / Line 34: @@
 }}
-Captain '''Isaac Ruddell''' ([[1837]]-[[January]] [[1812]]) was a 18th century American militia officer and Kentucky frontiersman. He was the founder of [[Ruddell's Station]], one of the earliest settlements in [[Bourbon County, Kentucky]]. During the [[American Revolutionary War]], the settlement was destroyed by a joint Canadian and Shawnee party under British officer Captain [[Henry Byrd]] in 1780. He and his family were held prisoner in [[Detroit]] for over two years before their release.
+Captain '''Isaac Ruddell''' (1737 – January 1812) was an 18th-century American Virginia State Line officer during the [[American Revolutionary War]] and a [[Kentucky]] frontiersman. He was an officer commanding a company under BGEN George Rogers Clark (1777–1782). He was the founder of [[Ruddell's Station]], or fort, on the Licking River in present-day [[Harrison County, Kentucky|Harrison County]], [[Kentucky]]. In 1780, during the Revolutionary War, the settlement was destroyed by joint British Canadian and Eastern Woodlands Indian forces under British officer [[Captain Henry Bird]]. He and his family were held prisoner in [[Detroit]] for over two years before their release. Two of his sons were later taken captive by [[Shawnee]], one of them becoming adopted brother of the famed warrior [[Tecumseh]].
 He was also a brother-in-law to Kentucky pioneers [[Isaac Bowman|Isaac]], [[Joseph Bowman|Joseph]] and [[John Bowman (pioneer)|John Jacob Bowman]]. His grandson, John M. Ruddell, was a prominent Kentucky statesman and landowner.
 ==Biography==
-Born in the [[Colony of Virginia]], Ruddell was a [[captain]] in the [[Washington County, Virginia|Washington County]] militia and, in 1750 or 1765, he married Elizabeth Bowman. In 1774 or 1775, he accompanied the Bowmans to Kentucky and, while living in [[Boonesborough]], Ruddell joined his brother-in-law John Bowman who was en route to [[Harrodsburg]] with two Virginia militia companies. Ruddell would later replace John Dunkin as one of Bowman's officers. <ref>Hammon, Neal O. and Richard Taylor. ''Virginia's Western War''. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2002. (pg. 62) ISBN 0-8117-1389-X</ref> He also served under General [[George Rogers Clark]] during the [[Illinois campaign]], in charge of the [[Corn Island]] party and of the military stores left there. For his service, he was awarded 3,234 acres of Clark's Grant in the [[Indiana Territory]]. <ref name="Hayden">Hayden, William. ''Conquest of the Country Northwest of the River Ohio, 1778-1783''. Indianapolis: Bowen-Merrill Company, 1896. (pg. 142-143)</ref>
+Born in Nottingham, Pennsylvania his family moved to Virginia in the early 1740s. Ruddell became a [[Captain (United States)|captain]] in the [[Washington County, Virginia|Washington County]] militia; 6 March 1797 in Shenandoah Co, VA <Dodd, Jordan. Virginia, Marriages, 1660-1800> he married Elizabeth Bowman. In 1774 or 1775, he accompanied the Bowmans to Kentucky and while living in [[Boonesborough, Kentucky|Boonesborough]], Ruddell joined his brother-in-law John Bowman who was en route to [[Harrodsburg]] with two Virginia militia companies. Ruddell would later replace John Dunkin as one of Bowman's officers.<ref>Hammon, Neal O. and Richard Taylor. ''Virginia's Western War''. Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania: Stackpole Books, 2002. (pg. 62) {{ISBN|0-8117-1389-X}}</ref> He also served under General [[George Rogers Clark]] during the [[Illinois campaign]], in charge of the [[Corn Island (Kentucky)|Corn Island]] party and of the military stores left there. For his service, he was awarded {{convert|3234|acre|km2}} of Clark's Grant in the [[Indiana Territory]].<ref name="Hayden">Hayden, William. ''Conquest of the Country Northwest of the River Ohio, 1778–1783''. Indianapolis: Bowen-Merrill Company, 1896. (pg. 142-143)</ref>
-In 1779, he established a fortified settlement known as Ruddell's Station in [[Bourbon County]] one mile from present-day Lair Station. The fort was built on the site of [[Hinkston's Station]] which was previously abandoned several years before. <ref name="Kleber">Kleber, John E. ''The Kentucky Encyclopedia''. Louisville: University Press of Kentucky, 1992. (pg. 107-108) ISBN 0-8131-1772-0</ref> Along with Martin's Station, the settlement became home to a large number of [[Pennsylvania German]] families over the next year. During the [[American Revolutionary War]] however, an [[Shawnee]] raiding party led by British officer Captain [[Henry Byrd]] left twenty settlers dead. The survivors, along with he and his wife, were force marched to [[Detroit]] where they remained prisoners until the end of the war. <ref name="Kleber"/> <ref>Randall, Emilius O. and Daniel J. Ryan. ''History of Ohio: The Rise and Progress of an American State''. Vol. II. New York: Century History Company, 1912. (pg. 280)</ref>
+In the Spring of 1779, he established a fortified settlement on the South fork of the Licking River known as Ruddell's Station (or Fort Liberty) in Harrison County one mile (1.6&nbsp;km) from present-day Lair Station. The fort was built on the site of [[Hinkson's Station]] which was previously abandoned several years before.<ref name="Kleber">Kleber, John E. ''The Kentucky Encyclopedia''. Louisville: University Press of Kentucky, 1992. (pg. 107-108) {{ISBN|0-8131-1772-0}}</ref> Along with Martin's Station, located on Stoner Creek near present-day Paris, the settlement became home to a large number of [[Pennsylvania German]] families over the next year. During the [[American Revolutionary War]] however, an Indian (including [[Shawnee]]) raiding party of 600 - 900 led by British officer [[Captain Henry Bird]] and 150 British soldiers left twenty+ settlers dead. Isaac Ruddell was captain of the fort, and was in command of the militiamen present. When the British brought out artillery to knock down the walls to enable the Indians to massacre the defending families, he decided it was better to surrender.<ref>Mahan, Russell, "The Kentucky Kidnappings and Death March: The Revolutionary War at Ruddell's Fort and Martin's Station," West Haven Utah: Historical Enterprises, 2020, pp. 49-68.</ref> The approx. 470 survivors, along with he and his wife (and captives from Martin's Station), were force marched to [[Detroit]] where they remained prisoners until the end of the war.<ref name="Kleber"/><ref>Randall, Emilius O. and Daniel J. Ryan. ''History of Ohio: The Rise and Progress of an American State''. Vol. II. New York: Century History Company, 1912. (pg. 280)</ref>
-During the march to Detroit, Ruddell was separated from is wife and children. Shortly after arriving in Detroit, Ruddell protested to the commandant of Byrd disregarding his agreement of safe passage in exchange for their surrender. He was reunited with his wife and two daughters, however his two sons were turned over to the Shawnee who were eventually adopted by the tribe. Stephen Ruddell, 12-years-old at the time of the attack, was accepted into the family of [[Chief Blackfish]] and eventually became the adopted brother of [[Tecumseh]]. <ref>Tucker, Glenn. ''Tecumseh: A Vision of Glory''. New York: Cosimo, Inc., 2005. (pg. 39-40) ISBN 1-59605-207-4</ref>
+During the march to Detroit, Ruddell was separated from his wife and children. Shortly after arriving in Detroit, Ruddell protested to the commandant of Bird disregarding his agreement of safe passage in exchange for their surrender. He was reunited with his wife and two daughters, however his two sons were turned over to the Shawnee who were eventually adopted by the tribe. Stephen Ruddell, 12 years old at the time of the attack, was accepted into the family of [[Chief Blackfish]] and eventually became the adopted brother of [[Tecumseh]]. The younger son, Abraham Ruddell, when repatriated from the Indians, by the War Department in 1794 could barely speak English and later settled in Arkansas.<ref>Tucker, Glenn. ''Tecumseh: A Vision of Glory''. New York: Cosimo, Inc., 2005. (pg. 39-40) {{ISBN|1-59605-207-4}}</ref><ref>Film: (1967)"The Last Frontiersman"</ref>
-Shortly after their arrival in Detroit, Ruddell and his family were allowed to live on a nearby island where they grew corn and supplied food for their fellow prisoners. He also reportedly helped several men to escape from the camp. He and several other prisoners were allowed to return to Virginia in 1872. Soon after arriving however, Ruddell was accused by several of his fellow prisoners to collaborating with the British and was charged with [[treason]] in [[Frederick County]] but was acquitted. <ref>Dicken-Garcia, Hazel. ''To Western Woods: The Breckinridge Family Moves to Kentucky in 1793''. Rutherford, New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 1991. (pg. 84-85) ISBN 0-8386-3342-0</ref> His friendship with the commandant is thought to have been based on Byrd's poor treatment of Ruddle's party as well as both men belonging to the [[Masonic]] [[fraternity]]. <ref name="Hayden"/>
+Shortly after their arrival in Detroit, Ruddell and his family were allowed to live on a nearby island where they grew corn and supplied food for their fellow prisoners. He also reportedly helped several men to escape from the camp. He and several other prisoners were allowed to return to Virginia in 1782. Soon after arriving, however, Ruddell was accused by several of his fellow prisoners of collaborating with the British and was charged with [[treason]] in [[Frederick County, Virginia|Frederick County]] but was acquitted.<ref>Dicken-Garcia, Hazel. ''To Western Woods: The Breckinridge Family Moves to Kentucky in 1793''. Rutherford, New Jersey: Fairleigh Dickinson Press, 1991. (pg. 84-85) {{ISBN|0-8386-3342-0}}</ref> His friendship with the commandant is thought to have been based on Byrd's poor treatment of Ruddle's party as well as both men belonging to the [[Masonic]] [[Fraternal and service organizations|fraternity]].<ref name="Hayden"/>
-Ruddell gave a written account of the attack which began appearing in newspapers in late-1783. Returning to Bourbon County in 1784, they built a home on a branch of the [[Licking River]] four years later. He also built a [[grist mill]] on the northside of Hinkston Bridge and, in 1795, a [[saw mill]] which was operated by his son Abram. The mills are still in existence, known today as Ruddell's Mills. He also donated land to the Stoner Mouth Church and cemetery. <ref>Wells, Dianne; Melba Porter Hay and Thomas H. Appleton, ed. ''Roadside History: A Guide to Kentucky Highway Markers''. Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 2002. (pg. 162) ISBN 0-916968-29-4</ref> He died in January 1812, only three years after his wife. <ref name="Hayden"/>
+Ruddell gave a written account of the attack which began appearing in newspapers in late 1783. Returning to Bourbon County in 1784, they built a home at the head of the [[Licking River (Kentucky)|Licking River]] four years later. He also built a [[grist mill]] on the northside of Hinkston Bridge and, in 1795, a [[sawmill]] which was operated by his son Abram. The town is still in existence, known today as Ruddell's Mills. He also donated land to the Stoner Mouth Church and cemetery.<ref>Wells, Dianne; Melba Porter Hay and Thomas H. Appleton, ed. ''Roadside History: A Guide to Kentucky Highway Markers''. Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 2002. (pg. 162) {{ISBN|0-916968-29-4}}</ref> He died in January 1812.<ref name="Hayden"/>
+In 2008, the [http://ramsha1780.org/ Ruddell and Martin Stations Historical Association] dedicated a new monument for Captain Ruddell.
 ==References==
@@ Line 60: / Line 55: @@
 ==Further reading==
-*Drake, Louise Carson. ''Kentucky in Retrospect: Noteworthy Personages and Events in Kentucky History, 1792-1967''. Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 1967. ISBN 0916968006
+*Drake, Louise Carson. ''Kentucky in Retrospect: Noteworthy Personages and Events in Kentucky History, 1792–1967''. Frankfort: Kentucky Historical Society, 1967. {{ISBN|0-916968-00-6}}
-*Eckert, Allan W. ''The Frontiersmen''. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1967. ISBN 0-553-25799-4
+*Eckert, Allan W. ''The Frontiersmen''. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1967. {{ISBN|0-553-25799-4}}
-*Hoeman, Andree Sieverin. '' Partial History of the Riddle--Beavers Families of Botetourt County''. Beavers-Riddle Family Association, 1981.
+*Hoeman, Andree Sieverin. '' Partial History of the Riddle—Beavers Families of Botetourt County''. Beavers-Riddle Family Association, 1981.
 *Wayland, John W. ''The Bowmans: A Pioneering Family in Virginia, Kentucky and the Northwest Territory''. Staunton, Virginia: McClure Co., 1943
+*Mahan, Russell, "The Kentucky Kidnappings and Death March: The Revolutionary War at Ruddell's Fort and Martin's Station," West Haven Utah: Historical Enterprises, 2020.
-<!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] -->
-{{Persondata
-|NAME              = Isaac Ruddell
-|ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
-|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Kentucky pioneer, militia officer and landowner
-|DATE OF BIRTH     = c. [[1737]]
-|PLACE OF BIRTH    = [[Shenandoah County]], [[Virginia Colony]]
-|DATE OF DEATH     = [[Bourbon County, Kentucky]], [[United States]]
-|PLACE OF DEATH    = [[January]] [[1812]]
-}}
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Ruddell, Isaac}}
 [[Category:1737 births]]
@@ Line 83: / Line 68: @@
 [[Category:American people of the Indian Wars]]
 [[Category:American pioneers]]
-[[Category:American farmers]]
+[[Category:American Presbyterians]]
-[[Category:Presbyterians]]
+[[Category:People acquitted of treason]]