Stephen "Sinnanatha" Ruddell

he Virginia Genealogist, Vol 27, No. 4.

Local Notices From the Virginia Gazette, Richmond, 1783. pg 296-297

"The Rev. Stephen Ruddle was born (in Frederick County, Va.) in 1768. He met Tecumseh when both were 12 years of age and grew up in the same village with him. Stephen was with the Indians in several fights against the whites. After his return (from Indian captivity in 1795), he was converted to Christianity, given some education, and became a Baptist preacher. From 1805 to 1811 he made yearly missionary visits to the Shawnees and Delawares and introduced Christianity among them. He acted as interpreter for John Johnson, Indian agent at Upper Piqua, during the War of 1812. He preached in Kentucky, Ohio, Missouri, Indiana, and Illinois, dying in the last named state in 1845. Rev. Stephen Ruddle's son, John M. Ruddell, represented Adams County, in the Illinois House of Representatives, 1846-48. The people of Bourbon County, Kentucky, remembered with respect Rev. Stephen Ruddle."

Eckert, in his book The Frontiersmen writes:

"Sinnanatha - Big Fish - was in actuality Stephen Ruddell. It was in 1780 that he was taken and adopted into the Shawnee tribe. Since he was only 12 at the time, the same age as Tecumseh, they became extremely close companions. Ruddell adapted to Indian life well. A bright, cheerful youngster, he held his own with the other boys in the tribe. Stephen and Tecumseh taught each the others language and by the end of their first year together Tecumseh could speak English unusually well and Sinnanatha was nearly as good in the Indian tongue."