Individual Details

James Ruddell was at Ruddell's Station in June of 1780 when many of the citizens were massacred by the English & Indian forces under Capt. Henry Bird. James was part of the garrison of the fort, serving under his uncle Isaac Ruddell. He was among those taken prisoner along with his brother John and younger sister Sarah. John was killed during captivity. In May of 1780, James had obtained a preemption near Ruddell's Station, adjacent some 1900 acres entered in the name of his older brother John. The Indians killed John, likely soon after departing with the prisoners and his property apparently rescinded to his father. When his father Archibald died, he then willed his lands in Kentucky to James and his brother Isaac.

James married his cousin Cornelius' widow in December of 1788. They remained at Ruddell's Station until 1814, when the moved to Boone County.

8 May 1833, James Ruddell, resident of Boone Co KY, aged 75 next August, applied for his Revolutionary pension. He had volunteered in Shenandoah Co, VA in a company of Riflemen under Capt. Rader in 1777, for six months and was discharged at Wheeling. In 1779, in was one of the Volunteers to come to what is now Kentucky to defend the frontiers. He served under immediate command of Capt Isaac Ruddell, John Bowman was the Colonel [his older brother]. He served until about 24 Jun 1780, when the British and Indians made an attack on Ruddell's Station. The Station was taken and he became a Prisoner of War. He was taken by the Indians to Detroit, given up to the British and carried through Canada. He was a prisoner for more than two and half years. At the conclusion of the war, he was returned to Virginia. He moved to Kentucky in the fall of 1783 and settled in Fayette Co - in 1814 he moved to Boone Co and has resided ever since.

James wrote his will, 20 Aug 1835. Jane was not named, but she was living on 6 Mar 1834 when her name appears in a deed - apparently she died in the interim. Son Cornelius received the home tract, the other eight surviving children were given $630 in equal value of the homestead. A son Archibald had died, and his heirs received his share. The will was proved, Jan 1840.

Birth	20 Aug 1758	Frederick County, Virginia
Marriage	29 Dec 1788	Ruddell's Station, Kentucky - Jane Mulherin
Death	Ca 1840	Boone County, Kentucky

Spouse

Jane Mulherin (1761 - 1835)

Father	Archibald Ruddell (1727 - 1787)
Mother	Elizabeth Beggs (1735 - 1792)
Sibling	John Ruddell ( - 1781)
Sibling	Isaac Ruddell ( - 1833)
Sibling	Sarah Ruddell (1768 - 1865)