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Not to be confused with Joseph Brant Arseneau. Joseph Brant Arseneau (born 3 September 1967) is mainly known in finance for his ability aid banks in the development of trading and risk systems
Joseph Brant, painted in London by leading court painter George Romney in 1776
Joseph Brant, painted in London by leading court painter George Romney in 1776

Thayendanegea or Joseph Brant (c. 1743 – 24 November 1807) was a Mohawk leader and British military officer during the American Revolution. George Romney ( December 26, 1734 – November 15, 1802) Public collections of works Abbot Hall Art Gallery (Kendal Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 1807 ( MDCCCVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Mohawk ( Kanienkeh, Kanienkehaka or Kanien’Kahake, meaning "People of the Flint" are an indigenous people of North America The Kingdom of Great Britain, also known as the United Kingdom of Great Britain, was a State in northwest Europe, in existence from 1707 to 1800 In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Brant was perhaps the most well-known North American Indian of his generation. First Nations is a term of Ethnicity that refers to the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis people Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States He met many of the most significant people of the age, including George Washington and King George III. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the George III (George William Frederick 4 June 1738 George III's long reign was marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdom much of the rest of Europe and places The American folk image emphasized the atrocities his forces committed against settlers on the western frontier; in Canada, he is remembered for his effort to regain land for his people.

Contents

Early years

In March, 1743, Brant was born at Cuyahoga Ohio Country on the banks of the Cuyahoga River, near present-day Akron, Ohio. The Cuyahoga River (ˌkaɪəˈhɔgə or kuy-a-HO-ga) is located in Northeast Ohio in the United States. Akron is a city in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Summit County. [1] This was during the hunting season when Mohawks traveled to the area. He was named Thayendanegea, which can mean two wagers (sticks) bound together for strength, or possibly "he who places two bets. " He was a Mohawk of the Wolf Clan (his mother's clan). Fort Hunter church records indicate that his parents were Christians and their names were Peter and Margaret Tehonwaghkwangearahkwa[2]. Peter died before 1753. Other sources cite the father's name as Nickus Kanagaradankwa.

His mother Margaret, or Owandah, the niece of Tiaogeara, a Caughnawaga sachem, took Joseph and his older sister Mary (known as Molly) to Canajoharie, on the Mohawk River in east-central New York, where they had lived before her family moved to the Ohio River. A sachem is a title of leadership historically given to the head of some Native American tribes Koñwatsiãtsiaiéñni or Mary (Molly Brant ( c 1736 &ndash April 16, 1796) was an important Mohawk woman in New York Canajoharie is a Town in Montgomery County, New York, United States. The Mohawk River is a long River in the US state of New York. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous His mother remarried on 9 September 1753 in Fort Hunter (Church of England) a widower named Brant Canagaraduncka, who was a Mohawk sachem. Fort Hunter, New York is a hamlet in the town of Florida Montgomery County New York, on the Mohawk River at Schoharie Creek. A sachem is a title of leadership historically given to the head of some Native American tribes Her new husband's grandfather was Sagayendwarahton, or "Old Smoke," who visited England in 1710. The marriage bettered Margaret's fortunes and the family lived in the best house in Canajoharie, but it conferred little status on her children, as Mohawk titles descended through the female line. However, Brant's stepfather was also a friend of William Johnson, who was to become General Sir William Johnson, Superintendent for Northern Indian Affairs. During Johnson's frequent visits to the Mohawks he always stayed at the Brant's house. Johnson married Joseph’s sister, Molly.

Starting at about age 15, Brant took part in a number of French and Indian War expeditions, including James Abercrombie’s 1758 invasion of Canada via Lake George, William Johnson's 1759 Battle of Fort Niagara, and Jeffery Amherst's 1760 siege of Montreal via the St. Lawrence River. The French and Indian War (1754&ndash1763 was the North American chapter of the Seven Years' War. James Abercrombie or Abercromby (1706 &ndash April 23, 1781) was a British Army general and commander-in-chief of forces in North America Lake George, nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, is a long narrow Lake at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains, northern New York The Battle of Fort Niagara was one of the final battles in the French and Indian War, the North American theatre of the Seven Years' War. Field Marshal Jeffery Amherst 1st Baron Amherst of Montreal KB (sometimes spelled Geoffrey, or Jeffrey, he himself spelled his name as Montreal, or Montréal in French ( pronounced in French, in English) is the largest city in the Canadian province of Quebec Saint Lawrence River (in French: fleuve Saint-Laurent; Kahnawáˀkye in Tuscarora, Kaniatarowanenneh meaning big waterway He was one of 182 Indians who received a silver medal for good conduct.

In 1761, Johnson arranged for three Mohawks including Joseph to be educated at Eleazar Wheelock's Moor's Indian Charity School in Connecticut, the forerunner of Dartmouth College, where he studied under the guidance of the Reverend Eleazar Wheelock. Eleazar Wheelock ( April 22, 1711 &ndash April 24, 1779) was an American Congregational minister orator educator and founder of Wheelock wrote Brant was "of a sprightly genius, a manly and gentle deportment, and of a modest, courteous and benevolent temper". Brant learned to speak, read, and write English. Brant met Samuel Kirkland at the school. Rev Samuel Kirkland (1741 &ndash 1808 was a Presbyterian Missionary among the Oneida and Tuscarora people in North America In 1763, Johnson prepared to place Brant at King's College in New York City, but the outbreak of Pontiac's Rebellion upset these plans and Brant returned home. Pontiac's Rebellion was a war launched in 1763 by North American Indians who were dissatisfied with British policies in the Great Lakes region after After Pontiac's rebellion Johnson thought it was not safe for Brant to return to the school.

In March 1764, Brant participated in one of the Iroquois war parties that attacked Delaware Indian villages in the Susquehanna and Chemung valleys. The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse Delaware ( is a state located on the Atlantic Coast in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. They destroyed three good-sized towns and burned 130 houses and killed their cattle. No enemy warriors were even seen. [3]

On July 22, 1765, he married Peggie (also known as Margaret) in Canajoharie. Canajoharie may refer to Canajoharie (town New York Canajoharie (village New York Canajoharie Central School District Peggie was a white captive sent back from western Indians and said to be the daughter of a Virginia gentleman. [4] They moved into Brant's parent's house and when his father died in the mid-1760s the house became Joseph's. He owned a large and fertile farm of 80 acres near the village of Canajoharie on the south shore of the Mohawk. Canajoharie may refer to Canajoharie (town New York Canajoharie (village New York Canajoharie Central School District He raised corn, kept cattle, sheep, horses, and hogs. He also kept a small store. Brant dressed in "the English mode" wearing "a suit of blue broad cloth". With Johnson's encouragement the Mohawks made Brant a war chief and their primary spokesman. In March, 1771 his wife died from consumption. Tuberculosis (abbreviated as TB for tubercle bacillus or T u' b' erculosis Bacillus --> is a common

In the spring of 1772, he moved to Fort Hunter to live with the Reverend John Stuart. Fort Hunter, New York is a hamlet in the town of Florida Montgomery County New York, on the Mohawk River at Schoharie Creek. He became Stuart's interpreter, teacher of Mohawk, and collaborated with him in translating the Anglican catechism and the Gospel of Mark into the Mohawk language. Content Authorship The gospel itself is anonymous but as early as Papias in the early 2nd century a text was attributed to Mark, a cousin This article is about the language spoken by the Mohawk people for other uses see Mohawk. Brant became a lifelong Anglican. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs

In 1773, Brant moved back to Canajoharie and married Peggie's half-sister Susanna. Canajoharie may refer to Canajoharie (town New York Canajoharie (village New York Canajoharie Central School District

American Revolution

Brant spoke at least three and possibly all of the Six Nations languages. He was a translator for the department of Indian affairs since at least 1766 and in 1775, was appointed as departmental secretary with the rank of Captain for the new British Superintendent for Northern Indian affairs, Guy Johnson. Guy Johnson ( c 1740 &ndash 5 March 1788) was an Irish -born military officer and diplomat for the Crown during the American In May, 1775 he fled the Mohawk valley with Guy Johnson and most of the Indian warriors from Canajoharie to Canada, arriving in Montreal on July 17. Guy Johnson ( c 1740 &ndash 5 March 1788) was an Irish -born military officer and diplomat for the Crown during the American Canajoharie may refer to Canajoharie (town New York Canajoharie (village New York Canajoharie Central School District His wife and children went to Onoquaga. Onaquaga (also spelled many other ways was a large Iroquois village located on both sides of the Susquehanna River near present-day Windsor New York On November 11, 1775, Guy Johnson took Brant along with him when he traveled to London. Guy Johnson ( c 1740 &ndash 5 March 1788) was an Irish -born military officer and diplomat for the Crown during the American Brant hoped to get the Crown to address past Mohawk land grievances, and the government promised the Iroquois people land in Canada if he and the Iroquois nations would fight on the British side in the unfolding American Revolution. Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" In London, Brant became a celebrity, and was interviewed for publication by James Boswell. James Boswell 9th Laird of Auchinleck ( October 29, 1740 - May 19, 1795) was a lawyer diarist and Author born in Edinburgh While in public he carefully dressed in the Indian style. He also became a Mason, and received his apron personally from King George III. George III (George William Frederick 4 June 1738 George III's long reign was marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdom much of the rest of Europe and places

Brant returned to Staten Island, New York, in July 1776 and immediately became involved with Howe's forces as they prepared to retake New York. The New York and New Jersey campaign was a series of battles in the American Revolutionary War between British forces under General Sir William Howe Although the details of his service that summer and fall were not officially recorded, he was said to have distinguished himself for bravery, and it has been deduced that he was with Clinton, Cornwallis, and Percy in the flanking movement at Jamaica Pass in the Battle of Long Island in August 1776. Background On March 17 1776 the British fleet retreated to Halifax Nova Scotia to refit after the end of the year-long Siege of Boston. [5] It was at this time that he embarked on a lifelong relationship with Lord Percy, later Duke of Northumberland, the only lasting friendship he shared with a white man.

In November, Brant left New York City travelling northwest through American held territory. Disguised, traveling at night and sleeping during the day, he reached Onoquaga where he met up with his family. At the end of December he was at Fort Niagara. Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. He traveled from village to village in the confederacy urging the Iroquois to abandon neutrality and to enter the war on the side of the British. The Iroquois balked at Brant's plans because the full council of the Six Nations had previously decided on a policy of neutrality and had signed a treaty of neutrality at Albany in 1775, and also because they considered Brant a minor war chief from a relatively weak people, the Mohawks. The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse Frustrated, Brant freelanced by heading in the spring to Onoquaga to conduct war his way. Few Onoquaga villagers joined him, but in May he was successful in recruiting Loyalists who wished to strike back. This group became known as Brant's Volunteers. Brant's Volunteers was an irregular corp raised in spring of 1777 during the American Revolutionary War by Joseph Brant which fought on the British side in the In June, he led them to Unadilla to obtain supplies. Unadilla is a Village located in the Town of Unadilla in Otsego County, New York, USA At Unadilla, he was confronted by 380 men of the Tryon County militia led by Nicholas Herkimer. Unadilla is a Village located in the Town of Unadilla in Otsego County, New York, USA Militia Regiments On March 8 1772 The Province of New York passed a bill for the establishment of organized militia in each county Nicholas Herkimer (Ergheimer (c 1728&ndash August 16, 1777) was a militia general in the American Revolutionary War, who died of wounds after the Herkimer requested that the Iroquois remain neutral while Brant said the Indians owed their loyalty to the King.

Northern Campaign

In July, 1777 the Six Nations council decided to abandon neutrality and to enter the war on the British side. Brant was not present at this council. Sayenqueraghta and Cornplanter were named to be the war chiefs of the confederacy. Sayenqueraghta (c1707 &ndash 1786 was the war chief of the eastern Seneca tribe in the mid 18th century Gaiänt'wakê (c 1750&ndash1836 or Kaintwakon generally known as Cornplanter, was a Seneca war-chief Brant had previous been made a war chief of the Mohawks; the other major Mohawk war chief was John Deseronto. Captain John Deseronto (alt Deserontyon (Odeserundiye UE (c1740's - 1811 was a prominent Mohawk war chief during the American Revolutionary War.

In July, Brant led his Volunteers north to link up with St. Leger at Fort Oswego. Fort Oswego was an important Frontier post for British traders in the 18th century In August 1777, Brant played a major role at the Battle of Oriskany in support of a major offensive led by General John Burgoyne. Background See also [[Battle of Saratoga]] [[Battle of Bennington]] A two-pronged attack known as the Saratoga Campaign of 1777, was launched by the British strategy As the year's campaigns were winding down in the autumn of 1776 the British began to plan operations for the next year General John Burgoyne ( February 24, 1722 &ndash August 4, 1792) was a British army officer Politician After St. Leger's retreat, Brant travelled to Burgoyne's main army and told him the news of St. Leger's retreat from Fort Stanwix. [6] Burgoyne's restrictions on native warfare caused Brant to depart for Fort Niagara where he spent the winter planning the next year's campaign. Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. His wife Susanna likely died at Fort Niagara that winter.

In April 1778, Brant returned to Onoquaga, becoming the most active partisan commander engaging in raids mostly with his Volunteers on the Americans, stealing their cattle, burning their houses, and killing many. Onaquaga (also spelled many other ways was a large Iroquois village located on both sides of the Susquehanna River near present-day Windsor New York On May 30, he led an attack on Cobleskill (Battle of Cobleskill) and in September, along with Captain William Caldwell, he led a mixed force of Indians and Loyalists in a raid on German Flatts. William Caldwell (c 1750 &ndash 20 February 1822) was an Irish immigrant to North America who arrived in America in 1773 and who fought in several conflicts as a See also Herkimer New York German Flatts is a Town in Herkimer County, New York, United States.

In October, 1778, Continental soldiers and local militia attacked Brant's base of Onoquaga while Brant's Volunteers were away on a raid. The American commander described Onoquaga as "the finest Indian town I ever saw; on both sides [of] the river there was about 40 good houses, square logs, shingles & stone chimneys, good floors, glass windows". The soldiers burned the houses, killed the cattle, chopped down the apple trees, spoiled the growing corn crop, and killed some native children they found in the corn fields. On November 11, 1778 Brant was a leader in the attack in the Cherry Valley massacre. Aftermath Butler purchased the captured officers from the Indians and arranged for some of the women and children prisoners to be freed

In February, 1779, he traveled to Montreal to meet with Frederick Haldimand who had replaced Carleton as Commander and Governor in Canada. Sir Frederick Haldimand, KB ( August 11, 1718 &ndash June 5, 1791) was a British army officer and governor Haldimand gave Brant a commission of Captain of the Northern Confederated Indians. He also promised provisions, but no pay, for his Volunteers. Haldimand also pledged that after the war had ended the Mohawks would be restored, at the expense of the government, to the state they were before the conflict started.

In May, Brant returned to Fort Niagara where, with his new salary and plunder from his raids, he acquired a farm on the Niagara River, six miles from the fort. Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. The Niagara River flows to the north from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario. To work the farm and to serve the household, he used slaves he had captured on his raids. Brant bought a black slave, a seven year old African American girl named Sophia Burthen Pooley; she travelled with him and his family for many years before he sold her to an Englishman for $100. African Americans or Black Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have origins in any of the black populations of Africa [7] He built a small chapel for the Indians who started living nearby. He started living with Catherine Adonwentishon Croghan, whom he married in the winter of 1780. She was the daughter of the prominent American colonist and Indian agent, George Croghan and a Mohawk mother, Catharine Tekarihoga. George Croghan ( c 1720 - August 31, 1782) was a prominent American Colonist and early advocate of westward expansion Through her mother, Catharine Adonwentishon was head of the Turtle clan, the first in rank in the Mohawk Nation. Her birthright was to name the Tekarihoga, the principal sachem of the Mohawk nation.

Brant's honors and gifts caused jealousy from rival chiefs, in particular Sayenqueraghta. Sayenqueraghta (c1707 &ndash 1786 was the war chief of the eastern Seneca tribe in the mid 18th century A British general said that Brant "would be much happier and would have more weight with the Indians, which he in some measure forfeits by their knowing that he receives pay". In late 1779, Haldimand decided, when a commission for Brant as a colonel arrived from Lord Germain, to pocket it and not tell Brant. George Germain 1st Viscount Sackville PC ( 26 January 1716 &ndash 26 August 1785) also known previously first as Lord George

In early July, 1779, the British learned of plans for a major American expedition into Seneca country. In an attempt to disrupt the Americans' plans John Butler sent Brant and his Volunteers on a quest for provisions and to gather intelligence on the Delaware in the vicinity of Minisink. John Butler may refer to John Butler (American Football (d2003 General Manager in the National Football League John Butler (baseball After stopping at Onaquaga Brant attacked and defeated the Americans at the Battle of Minisink on July 22, 1779. Onaquaga (also spelled many other ways was a large Iroquois village located on both sides of the Susquehanna River near present-day Windsor New York Brant's raid Although British forces were largely concentrated on Manhattan Island Joseph Brant, a Mohawk war chief and a Captain in the British Brant's raid failed to disrupt the American expedition.

In the Sullivan Campaign the Americans sent a large force deep into Iroquois territory to defeat the Iroquois and to destroy their villages. Background When the American Revolutionary War began British officials as well as the colonial Continental Congress sought the allegiance (or at least the neutrality The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse The Iroquois were defeated on August 29, 1779 at the Battle of Newtown. The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse Events 708 - Copper coins are minted in Japan for the first time (Traditional Japanese date: August 10, 708) Year 1779 ( MDCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Battle This battle which was the most significant military engagement of the Sullivan Campaign of 1779 and played a crucial role in America’s Revolutionary War took place The Americans swept away all Indian resistance in New York, burned their villages, and forced the Iroquois to fall back to Fort Niagara. Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. Brant was wintering at Fort Niagara in 1779-80.

Brant resumed small-scale attacks on the Mohawk Valley. The Mohawk Valley ( Yenęˀná•ˀna•č in Tuscarora) region of the U In February, 1780, he and his party set out, and in April attacked Harpersfield. See also Harpersfield Township Ashtabula County, Ohio. Harpersfield is a Town in Delaware County, New York, In mid-July, 1780 Brant led an attack on the Oneida village of Kanonwalohale. Some of the Oneida surrendered, but most took refuge at Fort Stanwix. Fort Stanwix was a colonial fort whose construction was started on August 26[[ 758]] by British General John Stanwix, at the location of present-day Brant's raiders destroyed the Oneida houses, horses, and crops. They then went to the lower Mohawk where they attacked Canajoharie and Fort Plank. Canajoharie may refer to Canajoharie (town New York Canajoharie (village New York Canajoharie Central School District On their return they divided into small parties to attack Schoharie, Cherry Valley, and German Flatts. Cherry Valley is a town in Otsego County, New York, USA. The population was 1266 at the 2000 census See also Herkimer New York German Flatts is a Town in Herkimer County, New York, United States. They then took part in a third raid major raid on the Mohawk Valley with Butler's Rangers and King's Royal Regiment of New York. Butler's Rangers (1777–1784 was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists (or "Tories" in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist The King's Royal Regiment of New York was one of the first Loyalist regiments raised ( June 19 1776) in Canada during the American Brant was wounded in the heel at the Battle of Klock's Field. He burned his former hometown of Canajoharie because it had become inhabited by American settlers. Canajoharie may refer to Canajoharie (town New York Canajoharie (village New York Canajoharie Central School District

In April, 1781 Brant was sent west to Fort Detroit to help defend against an expedition into the Ohio Country to be led by the Virginian George Rogers Clark. Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or Fort Détroit was a Fort established by the French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701 The Ohio Country (sometimes called the Ohio Territory) was the name used in the 18th century for the regions of North America west of the Appalachian Mountains George Rogers Clark (November 19 1752 – February 13 1818 was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during This change of theater may have been because there were few settlements left to destroy in the Mohawk Valley or because Brant had just gotten into a drunken brawl. In August 1781, Brant completely defeated a detachment of Clark's army, ending the threat to Detroit. Background In the Ohio River valley the American Revolutionary War was fought primarily between American colonists south and west of the Ohio River (in present-day Western Pennsylvania He was wounded in the leg and spent the winter 1781-1782 at Fort Detroit. Fort Pontchartrain du Détroit or Fort Détroit was a Fort established by the French officer Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac in 1701 From 1781 to 1782, Brant tried to keep the disaffected western tribes loyal to the Crown before and after the British surrender at Yorktown.

In June, 1782 he and his Indians went to Fort Oswego where they helped rebuild the fort. Fort Oswego was an important Frontier post for British traders in the 18th century In July, 1782 he and 460 Iroquois left for a raid on Fort Herkimer and Fort Dayton, but did not accomplish much. Sometime during this raid a letter from Frederick Haldimand arrived recalling the party and asking for a cessation of hostilities. Sir Frederick Haldimand, KB ( August 11, 1718 &ndash June 5, 1791) was a British army officer and governor Brant denounced the defensive policy as a betrayal of the Iroquois and urged the Indians to continue the war, but they were unable without British supplies. The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse

In the Treaty of Paris (1783) that ended the war, Britain and the United States ignored the sovereignty of the Indians, and sovereign Six Nations lands were agreed to be part of the United States. The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, and approved by the Congress of the Confederation on January 14, 1784, formally Promises of protection of their domain had been an important factor in inducing the Iroquois to fight on the side of the British. The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse The Treaty of Fort Stanwix (1784) served as a peace treaty between the Americans and the Iroquois. The Treaty of Fort Stanwix was a Treaty signed in October 1784 at Fort Stanwix, located in present-day Rome New York, between the United States The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse

"Monster Brant"

Brant became infamous for the Wyoming Valley massacre of 1778, which it was widely believed he led, although he was not present at the battle. Background In 1777 after a British Army surrendered at Saratoga in Upstate New York, Loyalists and their Iroquois allies in the region During the war, he was known as the Monster Brant and stories of his massacres and atrocities added to a hatred of Indians that soured relations for 50 years. In later years historians have argued that he actually had been a force for restraint in the violence that characterized many of the actions in which he was involved; they have discovered times when he displayed his compassion and humanity, especially towards women, children, and non-combatants. Colonel Ichabod Alden said that he "should much rather fall into the hands of Brant than either of them [Loyalists and Tories]". Ichabod Alden ( August 11, 1739 - November 11, 1778) was an American Revolutionary War officer and commanding officer during the [8] As an example, Lt. Col. William Stacy of the Continental Army was the highest ranking officer captured during the Cherry Valley massacre. William Stacy (February 15 1734 – August 1802 was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and a pioneer to the Ohio The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Several accounts indicate that during the fighting, or shortly thereafter, Col. Stacy was stripped naked, tied to a stake, and was about to be tortured and killed, but was spared by Brant. Stacy, like Brant, was a Freemason. It is reported that Stacy made an appeal as one Freemason to another, and Brant intervened. [9][10][11][12]

In 1797, when Brant traveled through New York, the governor provided him with a bodyguard because Brant's life had been threatened.

After War Years

Joseph Brant, painted in London by Gilbert Stuart in 1786
Joseph Brant, painted in London by Gilbert Stuart in 1786

In 1783, he was sent to Montreal for discussion with Haldimand in order to get him away from Fort Niagara. Gilbert Charles Stuart (born Stewart) (December 3 1755 &ndash July 9 1828 was an American painter from Rhode Island. Fort Niagara is a fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in North America. At Brant's urging, British General Sir Frederick Haldimand made a grant of land for a Mohawk reserve on the Grand River in Ontario in October, 1784. Sir Frederick Haldimand, KB ( August 11, 1718 &ndash June 5, 1791) was a British army officer and governor For other rivers of the same name please see Grand River. The Grand River is a large Ontario (ɒnˈtɛrioʊ is a province located in the central part of Canada, the largest by population and second largest after Quebec (Haldimand Proclamation, see also Six Nations of the Grand River). On October 25, 1784, the Governor General of Quebec Frederick Haldimand granted land to the Iroquois, who had served on the British side during the Six Nations of the Grand River is the name applied to two contiguous Indian reserves southeast of Brantford Ontario, Canada &ndash Six Nations reserve In the fall of 1784, at a meeting at Buffalo Creek, the clan matrons decided that the Six Nations should divide with half going to the Haldimand grant and the other half staying in New York. Brant built his own house at Brant's Town which was described as "a handsome two story house, built after the manner of the white people. Compared with the other houses, it may be called a palace. " He had about twenty white and black servants and slaves. Joseph thought the government made a ridiculous fuss over the keeping of slaves. He had a good farm and did extensive farming, and kept cattle, sheep, and hogs.

In the summer of 1783, Brant initiated the formation of the Western Confederacy consisting of the Iroquois and twenty-nine other Indian nations to defend the Fort Stanwix Treaty line of 1768 by denying any nation the ability to cede any land without the common consent. The Western Confederacy, also known as Western Indian Confederacy, was a loose confederacy of North American Indians in the Great Lakes region The Iroquois Confederacy (also known as the "League of Peace and Power" the "Five Nations" the "Six Nations" or the "People of the Longhouse The Treaty of Fort Stanwix was an important Treaty between North American Indians and the British Empire. In November, 1785 he traveled to London to ask for assistance in defending the Indian confederacy from attack by the Americans. Brant was granted a generous pension and an agreement to fully compensate the Mohawk for their loses (this in contrast to the Loyalists, who only received a fraction of their losses) but no promises of support for the Western Confederacy. He also took a trip to Paris, returning to Canada in June, 1786.

In 1790, after the Western Confederacy had been attacked in the Northwest Indian War, they asked Brant and the Six Nations to enter the war on their side. The Northwest Indian War (1785&ndash1795 also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names was a war fought between the United States and Brant refused, he instead asked Lord Dorchester for British assistance for the Western Confederacy. Guy Carleton 1st Baron Dorchester, KB ( Strabane, Co Tyrone Ireland September 3, 1722 &ndash November 10, 1808 Stubbings Dorchester also refused, but later, in 1794, did provide the Indians with arms and provisions. In 1792, Brant was invited to Philadelphia where he met the President and his cabinet. The Americans offered him a large pension, and a reservation in the United States for the Mohawks to lure them to the United States. Brant refused, but Pickering said the Brant did take some cash payments. George Washington told Knox in 1794, "to buy Captain Brant off at almost any price". [13] Brant attempted a compromise peace settlement between the Western Confederacy and the Americans, but he failed. The war continued, and the Indians were defeated in 1794 at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. The Battle of Fallen Timbers ( August 20, 1794) was the final battle of the Northwest Indian War, a struggle between American Indians and The unity of the Western Confederacy was broken with the peace Treaty of Greenville in 1795. The Treaty of Greenville was signed at Fort Greenville (now Greenville Ohio) on August 3, 1795, between a coalition of Native Americans

In early 1797, he traveled to Philadelphia where he met the British Minister, Robert Liston and United States government officials. He assured the Americans that he "would never again take up the tomahawk against the United States". At this time the British were at war with France and Spain, and while Brant was meeting with the French minister, Pierre August Adet, Brant stated: "he would offer his services to the French Minister Adet, and march his Mohawks to assist in effecting a revolution & overturning the British government in the province". [14] When he returned home, there were fears of a French attack. Russell wrote: "the present alarming aspect of affairs - when we are threatened with an invasion by the French and Spaniards from the Mississippi, and the information we have received of emissaries being dispersed among the Indian tribes to incite them to take up the hatchet against the King's subjects". He also wrote Brant "only seeks a feasible excuse for joining the French, should they invade this province. " London ordered Russell to not allow the Indians to alienate their land, but with the prospects of war to appease Brant, Russell confirmed Brant's land sales. Brant then declared: "they would now all fight for the King to the last drop of their blood".

In late 1800 and early 1801 Brant wrote to Governor George Clinton to secure a large tract of land near Sandusky which could serve as a refuge should the Grand River Indians rebel, but suffer defeat. This page is for the US Vice President For others of that name see George Clinton. In September, 1801 Brant is reported as saying: "He says he will go away, yet the Grand River Lands will [still] be in his hands, that no man shall meddle with it amongst us. He says the British Government shall not get it, but the Americans shall and will have it, the Grand River Lands, because the war is very close to break out. "[15] In January, 1802, the Executive Council of Upper Canada learned of this plot which was lead by Aaron Burr and George Clinton to overthrow British rule in cooperation with some inhabitants and to create a republican state to join the United States. This article discusses Aaron Burr (1756-1836 the US politician September, 1802, the planned date of invasion, passed uneventfully and the plot evaporated.

Brant bought about 3,500 acres from the Mississauga Indians at the head of Burlington Bay. Simcoe would not allow such a sale between Indians, so he bought this track of land from the Mississauga and then gave the land to Brant. Around 1802, Brant moved there and built a mansion that was intended to be a half-scale version of Johnson Hall. Johnson Hall State Historic Site was the home of Sir William Johnson, 1715-1774 an Irish pioneer and British Major General in the Province of New York. He had a prosperous farm in the colonial style with 100 acres of crops.

1830s lithograph based on the last portrait of Brant, an 1806 oil on canvas painting by Ezra Ames.
1830s lithograph based on the last portrait of Brant, an 1806 oil on canvas painting by Ezra Ames. Lithography is a method for Printing using a plate or stone with a completely smooth surface Oil painting is the process of painting with Pigments that are bound with a medium of Drying oil — especially in early modern Europe Linseed oil Ezra Ames ( May 5, 1768 - February 23, 1836) was a popular Portrait painter in Albany New York during the late 18th and

Death

Joseph Brant died in his house at the head of Lake Ontario (site of what would become the city of Burlington, Ontario) on November 24, 1807. Burlington ( 2006 population 164415 is a city located at the western end of Lake Ontario Events 380 - Theodosius I makes his adventus, or formal Year 1807 ( MDCCCVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common His last words, spoken to his adopted nephew John Norton, reflect his life-long commitment to his people: "Have pity on the poor Indians. The Mohawk chief Major John Norton (Teyoninhokovrawen played a prominent role in the War of 1812, leading Iroquois (Haudenosaunee warriors from Grand If you have any influence with the great, endeavor to use it for their good. " In 1850, his remains were carried 34 miles (55 km) in relays on the shoulders of young men of Grand River to a tomb at Her Majesty's Chapel of the Mohawks in Brantford. Her Majesty's Royal Chapel of the Mohawks, the oldest church in Ontario is one of six Royal chapels outside of the United Kingdom, and one of two in Canada.

Legacy

Brant acted as a tireless negotiator for the Six Nations to control their land without crown oversight or control. He used British fears of his dealings with the Americans and the French to extract concessions. His conflicts with British administrators in Canada regarding tribal land claims were exacerbated by his relations with the American leaders.

Brant was a war chief, and not a hereditary Mohawk sachem. His decisions could and were sometimes overruled by the sachems and clan matrons. However, his natural ability, his early education, and the connections he was able to form made him one of the great leaders of his people and of his time. The situation of the Six Nations on the Grand River was better than that of the Iroquois who remained in New York. His lifelong mission was to help the Indian to survive the transition from one culture to another, transcending the political, social and economic challenges of one the most volatile, dynamic periods of American history. He put his loyalty to the Six Nations before loyalty to the British. His life cannot be summed up in terms of success or failure, although he had known both. More than anything, Brant's life was marked by frustration and struggle.

His attempt to create pan-tribal unity proved unsuccessful, though his efforts would be taken up a generation later by the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. The Shawnee, or Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are a people native to North America. Tecumseh (March 1768 – October 5, 1813) also Tecumtha or Tekamthi, was a famous Native American leader of the Shawnee

Statue of Joseph Brant at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa
Statue of Joseph Brant at the Valiants Memorial in Ottawa

During his lifetime, Brant was the subject of many portrait artists. The Valiants Memorial ( Monument aux Valeureux) is a military monument located in the Canadian capital of Ottawa, commemorating fourteen signal figures Two in particular signify his place in American, Canadian, and British history. George Romney's portrait, painted during the first trip to England in 1775-1776, hangs in the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa. George Romney ( December 26, 1734 – November 15, 1802) Public collections of works Abbot Hall Art Gallery (Kendal The Charles Willson Peale portrait was painted during his visit to Philadelphia in 1797, and hangs in Independence Hall. Charles Willson Peale ( April 15, 1741 – February 22, 1827) was an American painter, soldier and naturalist Brant always changed from his regular clothes to dress in Indian fashion for the portraits.

Brant's house in Burlington was demolished in 1932. The present Joseph Brant Museum was constructed on land Brant once owned.

Children

With Christine he had two children:

With Catherine Crogan he had seven children:

By this marriage to Catherine, Brant was also related to John Smoke Johnson, a grandson of Sir William Johnson and relative of Chief Hendrick. Chief John Smoke Johnson ( December 2 or 14 1792 &ndash August 26, 1886) or Sakayengwaraton (also known as Smoke Johnson) was a Sir William Johnson 1st Baronet (1715 &ndash 11 July 1774) founder of Johnstown, New York, was an Irish pioneer and army Theyanoguin or King Hendrick (c1680 &ndash 8 September 1755) was an important Mohawk leader and orator in the Mohawk Valley

Notable Descendants

Alternate spellings

Brant signed his name in various ways, including:

Footnotes

  1. ^ Kelsay pg. 43
  2. ^ Kelsay, pg. 40
  3. ^ Kelsay pg. 102
  4. ^ Kelsay pg. 110
  5. ^ Kelsay pp. 182-184
  6. ^ Watt, pg. 269
  7. ^ Drew, p. 192-195
  8. ^ Kelsay pg. 227
  9. ^ Barker, Recollections of the First Settlement of Ohio, 35.
  10. ^ Edes and Darlington, Journal and Letters of Col. John May, 70–1.
  11. ^ Drake, Memorials of the Society of Cincinnati, 465–67.
  12. ^ Beardsley, Reminiscences, 463.
  13. ^ Kelsey pg. 509
  14. ^ Taylor, pg. 336
  15. ^ Taylor, pg. 356
  16. ^ Kelsey pg. 564
  17. ^ Memorial record at Commonwealth War Graves Commission site.

References


External links

[3]

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