TEGANAKOA, Stephen, Indian convert, died in
Onondaga, New York, in 1690. While still a pagan he was noted for the innocence
of his life and manners and his attachment to his wife and children. He went
with his family to the mission of Caughnawaga, or Sault Ste. Louis, when he was
about thirty-five years old, applied for baptism, and after the usual probation
was received with his wife and six children. He was afterward considered a model
of every virtue.
In August, 1790, he went on a hunting expedition with
his wife and another Indian. In the following September the party was attacked
by a band of seventeen Cayugas and brought to Onondaga. One of his captors said
to Stephen that he might attribute his death to his having left his tribe to
live among "the dogs of Christians at the Sault." Stephen replied: "Do what you
will with me; I fear neither your outrages nor your fires. I willingly give my
life for a God who shed his blood for me." The savages then put him to death
with slow tortures. He bore his sufferings calmly, and died praying for his
murderers.
Edited by John Looby Appletons
Encyclopedia, Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.comTM
