Memoir of the distinguished Mohawk Indian chief, sachem and warrior, Joseph Brant;

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CR.

4 2 S~ • I 2./ V- I

r

MEMOIR

OF THE DISTINGUISHED MOHAWK
INDIAN CHIEF, SAOHBM
AND WABtllOB,

CAPT. JOSEPH BRANT

COHPILBD FBOH THE MOST

RELIABLE AND AUTHENTIC RECORDS,

INCLUDING A BRIEF HISTOBT
THE PBINCIPAL EVENTS
. OF HIS LIFE. WITH
AN APPENDIX.

OF

jfijvg) (p o ii<ri(jfii<r ,

BRANTFORD, ONTARIO:

C. B. STEWART k CO-, ROOK AND JOR PRIITTBRS, OBOROK STRRKT

1872.

"V

-^ ",">• » V

-^

1

i

Entered according to Act of* Parliament of Canada, in the Tear One
Tho^isknH Bight Hnndred and Sere^t^-two. bj William E. Palkib, in the
Office of the Minister of Agricnltore.

i

22 12 1903

i

'•" l-v r-

cojtq:ej^q:s.

» » « » ♦

CHAPTER I.

Thayendanboea, bom on the Ohio River, youngest son of
Nickns Brant — Joins the expedition of Gen. Wm. Johnson
against Niagara — Is sent to Moore's School at Lebanon, Conn.—
Letter of Sir Wm. Johnson — Returns from school — Is employed
by the Rev. Charles Jeffrey Smith as Interpreter and Assistant —
Joins the Indian forces in the Pontiac War Page 7

CHAPTER II.

Capture of Fort Niajgrara by the forces under Generel (after
warde^ Sir Wm.) Johns<m — Desertion of the Western Indians
of the French cause— They join the Six Nations— Sir Wm.
Johnson takes Molly Brant as his wife, or housekeeper, and
appoints Joseph Brant to office in the Indian Department —
Death of Sir William Johnson — Col. Guy Johnson succeeds to
his office of Superintendent of Indian affairs — He appoints
Joseph Brant his Secretary — Brant's first marriage Page 13

GHAPTEE III.

Revolutionary spirit in the Mohawk Valley — The Mo-*
liawks join the English — Joseph Brant ' becomes the
leader of the Indian forces — Col. Johnson compelled to
leave the Mohawk Valley— Retreats to Montreal with Brant
at the head of two hundred and twenty Indian Warriors, by
way of Lake Ontario -Brant goes to England with Col. Johnson —
Much noticed in London— Makes a speech — Returns to New
York and is (dispatched with a message to the Six Nations-
Joins the expedition of Gen. Saint Leger against Fort Stanwix,
with three hundred Wamors of the Six Nations — Indians
suffer severely in an engagement — Depredations upon the
Oneidas-^Moily Brant and her children flee to the Onondagas —
She gives valuable information to Gen. St. Leger— Brant forms
an ambush and nearly destroys the force of the American
Gen. Herkimer — Col. Claus compliments Brant at Niagara — '
Brant offers to join the forces of Sir WilUam Howe Page 19

CHAPTER IV.

CoL Guy Johnson suggests the plan of employing the Indian^
in a " Petit 6?«crre"— Expedition against Wyoming-Campbell's
Poem, ** Gertrude of Wyoming" — John Brant visits the Poet,
who retracts certain statements in regard to his father
Page 25

V-

oojtq:ej^q:8. 3

CHAPTEE V.

Brant's humanity at Cherry Valley — Difficulty in subsisting
the loyal forces in the field — The means resorted to to obtain
tnrovisions — Letter of Joseph Brant Page 29

CHAPTER VI.

>

Cen. Sullivan's campaign against the Senecsw opposed by the
whole British forces— Brant in command of the Indians — His
distinguished valor and military skill on the occasion — Saves
the life of Lieut. Boyd, taken prisoner by the Indians- Severity
of the winter of 1779-^0— Capt. Wm. Powell marries Miss
Moore, one of the Cherry Valley prisoners — Capt. Brani being
present is married to his third wife, after the form of the
English CUhurch — Heads an expedition from Niagara into
the Mohawk Valley — Capture of Capt. Harper, who is taken
to Niagara a prisoner by tho Indians — His life saved through
the instrumentality of Brant and Capt. Wm. Powell — Capture!
of Capt. Jeremiah Snider — His description of Fort Niagara and
its officers Page 3S

CHAPTER VII:

Peace between Great Britain and the United States declared
1783— The Mohawks flee to Canada, residing temporarily on the
eastern side of the Niasrara River— A tract ot land on the
Bay of Quinte offered them — A tract of land on the Grand
Ri ver was preferred — Brant visits England „ . Page 45

4 gojtq:ejtq:8.

CHAPTEE Vin.

Brant ac:;ompame8 the expedition against Gen. St. Clair,
who is defeated near Pittsburgh — Brant's influence sought and
his ability acknowledged by the United States — He visits
Philadelphia— Notices of the visit by the newspapers — A
change in the Grovemment of Canada —Difference in regard to
the interpretation of the title to their lands on the Grand
River — Erection of a Church on their Reservation— Brant's
speech at Niagara in regard to their lands Page 55

CHAPTEE IX. \

Brant's correspondence in respect to their lands and the
settlement of a Missionary amont? his people — His wives and
children -Death of his oldest son by the hands of his father
— The education of his children — His correspondence in relation
thereto — Removes to the head of Lake Ontario — Builds a
dwelling there — His death, &c., &c Page 63

ij<rQ:iiOQ, iTOQ:ioj<r.

After the lapse of more than half a century since
the death of the famous Indian Chief and Warrior,
Captain Joseph Brant, it is thought that a brief
history of his life, character and exploits, in a cheap
and popular form, would be acceptable to the
British public, particularly that of the Dominion of
Canada.

The following memoir has been carefully com-
piled from the most reliable sources, and may be
considered entirely authentic.

Much has been written about the distinguished
Chief of the Mohawks, who, perhaps, in all the
phases of his character, was the most celebrated of
all the Aborigines who have distinguished them-
selves in the eyes of Europeans on this continent
since the work of civilization began. But in general
his history has been so mixed up with that of con-
temporaneous events, that without access to exten-
sive libraries of books, and an intelligent and
careful study and comparison of impartial authori-
ties, a true index to the character and acts of Capt.
Joseph Brant was impossible. In this brief memoir,
the proper mean between the two extremes, of too
much praise or too much blame, has been attempted,
and, it is believed, measurably attained.

Brantpord, Ontario, July, 1872.

<

]>X E M O I R

OF

CAPT. JOSEPH BBANT.

CHAPTER I.

*' Thayendanegea," or Joseph Brant,
as he was called in English, according
to tradition, was born on the banks of the
''Belle," or beautiful river, according to
the French, or ** Oh-he-oh," according to
the Indian vocabulary, about the year
1742.

He was the youngest son of a distin-
guished Mohawk Chief j mentioned in
various records and traditions, under the

S^ J^EJlOIIi OF

English or German name of ^^Nickiis
Brant," between whom and Sir William
Johnson it is said a close intimacy sub-
sisted. Three sons of ^^ Nickus Brant"
accompanied the expedition against
Crown Point in 1755, which was com-
manded by Gen. Wm. Johnson. Joseph
was the younger of the three, and could
not have been over 13 or 14 years of age
at that time.

This expedition was successful, and pro-
cured for Sir Wm. Johnson his title of
Baronet, and a gratuity of five thousand
pounds from the King. Gen. Johnson
observing the promising qualities of the
boy, procured for him a place in Moore's
Charity School, opened by the Eev. Dr.
Wheelock, of Lebanon, Conn.

The following letter of Sir William
Johnson's, sufficiently illustrates his
views in regard to the education of the
Indians at this time:

«

Gfio^o:. JOB, ^lijijTQ:.

Fort Johnson,
Nov. 17th, 1761.

Eev. Sib :

Yours of the second instant I had
the pleasure of receiving by the hands of
Mr. Kirkland. I am pleased to find the
lads I sent have merited your good
opinion of them. I have given it in
charge to Joseph (Brant) to speak in my
name, to any good boys he may ^j^e, and
encourage them to accept the generous
offers now made them, which he promises
to do, and return as soon as possible. I
will, on return of the Indians from hunt-
ing, advise them to send as many as is
required. I expect they will return, and
hope they will make such progress in the .
English language, and their learning, as
may prove to your satisfaction and the
benefit of those who are really much to be
pitied. My absence these four months
has prevented my design of encouraging
some more lads going to you, and since
my return, which is but lately, I have not
had an opportunity of seeing old or young.

10 JIEJIOIII OF

being all on their hunt. When they come
back I shall talk and advise their parents
to embrace this favorable opportunity of
having their children instructed, and
doubt not of their readiness to lay hold
of so kind and charitable an affair.

Mr. Kirkland's intention of learning
the Mohawk language I most approve of,
as after acquiring it, he could be of vast
service to them as a clergyman, which
they much want and are desirous of
having.

The present laudable design of instruct-
ing a number of Indian boys will, I doubt
not, when more known, lead several
gentlemen to contribute towards it, and
enable you thereby to increase the number
of schoUars, with whom I shall not be
backward to contribute my mite.

I wish you all success in this under-
tjaking, and am with truth and : sincerity,

Eev. Sir,

Your most humble servant,

Wm. Johnson.

{

^

oficpo:. JOS. ^itjajTo:. ii

The Moore's Charity School was es-
tablished with the philanthropic design
of educating Indian boys, and was con-
tinued for a length of time, but with in-
different success, so far as the original
object was concerned.

It was originated and principally sup-
ported by the patronage of English phil-
anthropists, where ^^ Joseph" remained a
sufficient time to acquire some knowledge
of the English language, and of reading
and writing.

The confinement proved irksome to him,
however, and he soon returned to his
native home and pursuits. On his retmn
from school, Joseph was employed by Sir
WiUiam Johnson in public business, par-
ticularly that relating to the Indians. He
was also employed by the Kev. Charles
Jeffrey Smith, a missionary to the Indi-
ans, as an interpreter and assistant, in
which he exhibited both zeal and effi-

12 MEJlOIIi OF

eiency. The Pontiao War breaking out
about this time, he left his studies and
joined the forces as an officer, and was
active in the war, '' in which he behaved
so much like the Christian and solftier,
that he gained great esteem/'

<

Oii(pQ:jos.^iij3:jTQ:. IS

CHAPTEK II.

The expedition against Niagara in
1759, which was then in possession of the
French, was organized under the com-
mand of Gen. Prideaux, consisting of a
little over two thousand men, left Oswego
for Niagara, 1st September, of that year.
Sir William Johnson joined the expedition
with about six hundred warriors of the
Six Nations. This number was increased
to about one thousand before reaching
the vicinity of the Fort. The youthful
warrior accompanied Sir William in this
expedition. The French had drawn all
their available forces of every description
from their western posts for the defence
of Niagara.

14 MEJIOIII OF

A large detachment arrived in the
vicinity during the siege, consisting of
both French and Indians. These Indians
were friends and allies of the Six Nations.
A parley- between the Indians was held.
The Western Indians declaring they did
not come to fight their brethren of the
Six Nations, but the English.

The result was they detached themsel-
ves and joined their brethren. In the
early part of the siege Gen. Prideaux was
killed by the accidental discharge of a
'^ cohom," and the command devolved
upon Sir William Johnson. Upon the
withdrawal of the Western Indians, the
French were attacked, and all either
killed, taken prisoners, or put to flight.

Upon learning the fate of this rein-
forcement, the French commandant sur-
rendered the Fort, himself, and all his
forces prisoners of war. On the death of

Lady Johnson, Sir William took to his
home '^ Miss Molly' as she was called,
the daughter of his distinguished friend
'* Nickus Brant," sister of Joseph Brant,
as his wife, which proved to be a judicious
choice and a happy union. This circum-
stance contributed greatly to the advance-
ment of her young brother, who resided
with the family of Sir William, and he
was appointed to office by him in the
Indian Department.

The first mutterings of discontent of
the American Colonists against the parent
government of Great Britain, found our
young hero just merging into manhood.

He was allied to the leader and repre-
sentative of the Crown in the Mohawk
Valley, and henceforward acted with him
up to the time of Sir ' William's death,
which occurred suddenly in Jun©, 1774.
Col. Guy Johnson, the nephew of Sir

16 JAE}lOIIi OF

William, and also son-in-law, by virtue of
marrying his daughter, succeeded to his
office as Superintendent of the Six
Nations of Indians, and appointed Joseph
Brant his secretary. Joseph Brant was
married quite young, probably about
1767. His first wife was the daughter
of a Chief of the Oneidas. By her he had
two children, a son and a daughter. On
the death of this wife, which occurred
about 1771 or 2, he resumed his studies
under Eev. Dr. Stewart at Fort Hunter,
who was then engaged in a revision
of the translation of the Prayer
Book and portions of the Scriptures
into the Mohawk language, iu which
Joseph was of great assistance to him.
It is stated that during this sojcurn with
the Eev. Dr. Stewart, Brant applied to
the Dr. to marry him to the sister of his
deceased wife ; but the service was de-
clined on account of the '^ forbidden re-

ofi (pq:. JOS. ^it -fijTQ:. ' 1 7

lationship." But the ceremony was sub-
sequently performed by a less scrupulous
German Ecclesiastic. It was about this
period that Brant became the subject of
serious religious impressions, attaching
himself to the English Church, of which
he continued a member until his death.

CHAPTEE III.

The discontent of the Colonists which
had hitherto been confined to Boston and
the New England Colonies, now began to
manifest itself in the Mohawk Valley.
The Johnsons and other loyalists in the
Valley, were active in counteracting the
revolutionary spirit, which led to great
excitement and nearly culminated in open
hostilities between the opposing parties.
Of course the Mohawks sympathized with
their friends the English, and Joseph
Brant, almost by force of circumstances,
became the military leader of the loyal
Indians, who constituted a majority of the
military force with which the loyalists
took the field. The vigorous measures of

^0 JslBJlOIIi OF

the Colonists soon compelled Col. John-
son to leave the Mohawk Valley for Cana-
da. He arrived in Montreal July 14th,
1775, accompanied by Joseph Brant with
two hundred and twenty Indians, by way
of Lake Ontario, expecting soon to orga-
nize a force sufficient to return and take
possession of the homes and property he
and his retainers had left behind. But,
failing in these endeavors, and finding
his official standing and powers were
interfered with to some extent, by
the appointment of Major Campbell as
Indian Agent for Canada, Col. Johnson
decided to go to England to get the
question of his powers and jurisdiction
settled.

He proceeded to Quebec and sailed
for England, November 11th, taking
Joseph Brant and a Mohawk War Chief
named Oteroughyanente with him. Brant
was much noticed and courted in London,

•

Oj^rpo:. JOB. B^JiJ^^^' ^1

and made a speeoh before Lord George
Germain, setting forth the grievances of
the Six Nations in general, and of the
Mohawks, his own nation, in particular.
To which Lord Germain made a brief
reply. This speech, which is the first of
Brant's we have on record, seems to have
been delivered in London, March, 1776.

The sojourn of Col. Johnson, with his
Indian deputies, in England appears to have
been short, as they arrived in New York
on their return, July 29th,' of the following
year.

Soon after their return to New York,
Joseph Brant was dispatched by Col.
Johnson to the Six Nations with a mes-
sage, and returned with their answer,
saying *^ they were all ready to engage in
the service, except the Oneidas, and
ready to join Gen. Howe's army, and to
act as one man."

^Q MEJ\lOIIi OF

The next we bear of Brant is at the
head of three hundred warriors at Oswego,
1777, to join the expedition of Gen. St.
Leger against Fort Stanwix. The Indians
under Brant met with a severe loss in an
engagement, and on their way home, com-
mitted some depredations upon the
Oneidas, whom they considered rebels for
their refusal to join the expedition. In
retaliation, the Oneidas plimdered Brant's ^

sister, '^ Molly Brant", who resided with
her family at the Upper Mohawk Town,
together with others of the Mohawks who
accompanied Brant in this expedition.

'* Molly Brant'' and her family tied to the
Onondagas, the council-place of the Six
Nations, and laid her grievances before ;

that body. The information given to Gen.
St. Leger of the approach of the reinforce-
ments of the rebels under Gen. Herkimer,
was through the instrumentality of ^^ Molly

Brant," and led to the surprise and al-
most defeat of the entire party under Gen.
Herkimer. Capt. Brant with a strong
force of Indians, with true Indian
sagacity, formed an ambuscade in a posi-
tion admirably fitted for the purpose. The
whole rebel army, with the exception of
the Irear guard, fell into the trap, and
would have been destroyed had not a
severe storm of thunder, lightning and
rain, put a stop to the work of death.
Col. Glaus in a letter to Secretary Cox,
dated, November 6th, 1777, compliments
Joseph Brant for his distinguished servi-
ces, and that of his party on this occasion.
In November, 1777, Cols. Bolton and
Butler wrote to Sir William Howe from
Niagara, that Joseph Brant was there,
and with themselves, waiting his orders,

wishing to know when and where they
can be of use, saying ^they only wish to
know the time and place, as they were
confident of being well supported.

i

CHAPTER IV.

Early in 1778 Col. Guy Johnson^
writing to Lord Germain from New York^
suggests the plan of employing the
Indians in a '^ Petit Guerre*^ in their
own way. The first expedition under
this new mode of warfare was organized,
at Niagara under Col. John Butler, con-
sisting of Loyalists and Indians, and was
directed against Wyoming. In after
years a poem entitled *^ Gertrude of
Wyoming," written by Campbell, the
Poet, made Brant the leader in this ex-
pedition, and heaped great obloquy upon
his good name and character) for hid^

S6 JIEJlOIIt OF

more than savage barbarity on that occa-
sion; whereas, he was not present. This
was abundantly and satisfactorily proved
by his son John Brant, while on a visit to
the Poet, who promised to retract the
statement, which he did in the next
edition of his work, soon after published.*

* I took the character of Brant in the Poem of ** Gertrude
of Wyoming/' from the commmon histories of England; all of f

which represented him as a bloody and had man eren among
saYages, and chief agent in the horrible desolation of
Wyoming.

Some years after this poem appeared, the son of Brant, a
most interesting and intelligent youth, came oyer to England,
and I formed an acqiiaintance with him, on which I still look
back with pleasure. - He appealed to my sense of honor and
justice, on his own part. and that of his sister, to retract the
unfair aspersions, which, unconscious of their unfairness, I
had cast on his father's memory. He then referred me to
documents which completely satisfied me that the common ^

accounts of Brant's cruelties at Wyoming, which I found in
books of travels, and in Adolpns's and similar histories of
England, were gross errors, and that in point of fact, Brant
was not eyen present at that scene of desolation. It is, un-
happily, to Britons and Anglo-Americans that we must refer

^

cfi(PQ:. JOB. ^lifij^o:. S7

the chief blame in this horrible business. I published a letter
expressing this belief in the tfew Monthly Magzine, in the
year 1822, to which I must refer the reader if he has any
curiosity on the subject, for an antidote to my fanciful descrip-
tion of Brant. Among other expressions to young ^Brant, I
made use of the following words : Had I learned all this of
your father, when I was writing my poem, he should not have
figured in it as the hero of mischief.

It was but bare justice to say thus much of a Mohawk
Indian who spoke English eloquently, and was thought capable
of haying written a history of the Six Nations. I also learned
that he often strove to mitigate the cruelty of Indian warfare.
The name of Brant, therefore, remains in my poem a pure
and declared character of fiction, — Campbell,

tiv

CHAPTER V.

Brant's humanity was conspicuously
displayed the same year in the attack
upon Cherry Valley, at which he was
present, but was not in command.

This expedition, too, was organized at
Niagara, at the instigation of Walter
Butler, son of Col. John Butler, and was
placed under command of Walter Butler.
Capti Brant, who, with his Indian warriors,
had been employed on the Susquehanna
during most of the summer, was on his
return to wintel! quarters at Niagarfe.
Meeting Butler witibi hii^ forces, bearing
an order for Brant to join the expedition
with his force. Brant was reluctant to
do so, displeased at being placed under

30 J\£EJIOIIi OF

command of Walter Butler ; but he was
too much a soldier to refuse to obey
orders. History has recorded to the
credit of Joseph Brant that on this occa-
sion he exhibited traits of humanity
which seemed to be wanting in sovie at
least of the white men present. ^' In a
house which he entered he found a woman
engaged in her usual avocations,'^ Why
are you thus'ongaged T said Brant to her,
*while your neighbors are being murdered
all around you ?' 'We • are king's peo-
ple," she replied. ' That plea will not
avail you to-day. They have murdered
Mr. Well's family who are as dear to me
as my own.' * There is one Joseph
Brant,' she said, ' if he is with the
Indians he will save us.'- ' I am Joseph
Brant,' said he, ^ but I have not the
command, and* I know not whether I can
save you. But I will do what I can.'
While speaking, several Senecals were

ojirpo:, JOB. ^ii:fijTQ:. 31

observed approaching . the house. ^ Get
into bed and. feign yourself sick/ said
Brant, hastily. When the Senecas came
in, he told them there was no person there
but. a s,ick Wioman.and her children, and
bespught them to leave the house, which
after a short consultation, they did. As
soon as they were out of sight, Brant
went to the corner of the house and gave
a long shrill yell. Soon a small band of
Mohawks were seen crossing an adjoining
field. with great- speed. As they came up,
he addressed them : '^ Where' is your paint ?
Here, put my mark on: this woman.' As
soon as it was done, he added, ' You
are now probably saf e . ' " *

Great embarassment in subsisting the
loyal forces in the field was felt by Col.
Guy Johnson, immediately on their or-
ganization, which was assigned by him as

* '

•*History of Ttyoii Co.

32 JlE}lOIIi OF

a reason why he removed westward ; first
to the Upper Settlements of the Mohawk
Valley, and then to Fort Stannix. The
same difficulty existed throughout the
'* Petit Guerre*' which was carried on by
the Indians under Brant. The fact was,
that for the most part, they had to pro-
cure their own subsistence as best they
could ; from friends, by purchase or giffcj
from foes, by stratagem or force. Of
course, Brant and his Indians became the
terror of the whole country, and the sotirce
of frightful stories, of bloody massacres of
helpless women and children.

The following letter of Brant will best
exhibit his humanity, his loyalty and his
necessities :

TuNmiLLA, July 6th, 1777.
Mb. Cabb,

Sib, — I understand that^you are a
friend to governmenti with some of the

Gfirpo:. JOB. ^it-fij^ro:. 33

setiilers at the Butternuts, is tlie reason
of my applying to you and those people
for some provisions, aiid shall be glad if you
will send me what you can spare, no
matter of what sort, for which you shall be
paid, you. keeping an account of the whole.

From your Mend

and humble servant,

Joseph Brants*.
To Mr. Persofer Carr.

Under the circumstances in which
Brant was placed it is not surprising if he
did many things — or at least permitted
them to be done — which under other cir-
cumstances he would not have permitted.

In a number of cases, which are well
authenticated, he saved the lives of indi-
viduals upon recognizing them as members
of the Masonic Fraternity, to which he
belonged. But as he was the recognized

'History of Tryon Co.

§4 MEJlOIIt OF

leader of the ludiaiis in all tbe ciSiKffiots: J

in the Mohawk Vallejr and its vi^itoity, he
was held responsible for all the exaggera-
ted stories of devastation and cruelty
which the excited state of the pitblic
mind attributed to him, and which became
incorporated into the current history of
the period, and have to some extent been
perpetuated to the present day.

i

1

Gfi<pQ:. JOB. ^jEtfij^Qi. as

CHAPTEB VI.

The eampaigQ of Gen. SuUivau ^gauaat.
the Seneoas in the fall of 177Qt proved
very disastrous to the Indians. Although
vigorously opposed by all the available
British force^ both English* and X]34ian,.
Sullivan penetrated into the Sieneoas^
country, destroying their towns, and all
their property} and provisions, and driving
tlia Indians under the protection of the
guns of Fort Niagara. Capt. Brant ac^
companjed the expedition hom Niagara
s^ainst Gen. Sullivan ^having the imme-
diate command of the Indians, and dm-
tinguished himself by his valor, activity

36 JIEJIOIIi OF

-" - - — 1 — ■ — ■ — - — - — —

and military skill. He also signalized
his humanity in saving the life of Lieut.
Boyd, of the American army, who fell
into the hands of the Indians at Beards-
town on the Genesee river. Lieut. Boyd
was subsequently executed after the
Indian fashion, by order of one of the
Butlers during the absence of Brant on
other duty. The winter of 1779-80 was
one of extraordinary severity. The snow ^

fell to the depth of eight feet over all
Western New York and in Canada. The
Indians suffered greatly by sickness and
destitution. Numbers died from exposure
and starvation, and the carcasses of dead
animals were so numerous in the forests
the next summer, as to fill the atmosphere
with the pestiferous odor of their decaying ^

bodies. Captain Brant returned to Ni- j

agara, and took up his winter quarters
with Col. Guy Johnson, the Butlers-
father and son — and other officers of the

afi(pQ:jOB.^ii:fijTQ:. 37

Indian Department. An incident occurred
during the winter which may be mentioned
as an illustration of the character cf the
Mohawk Chief.

Among the prisoners captured by the
Indians at Cheiry Valley the year before,
and brought to the Senecas' country, was
Miss Jane Moore, who had been redeemed
from the Indians by Col. Butler, and was
then residing in his family at Niagara.
Capt. Wm. Powell, a son of Col. Powell
(whose widow married Col. Guy Johnson
after the death of his wife), becoming ac-
quainted with her, courted and married
her. Capt. Brant was present at the
wedding, and although he had been for
some time living with his third wife, bound
only by the ties of Indian marriage, he
nevertheless embraced the opportunity of
having the English marriage ceremony
p^ormed, whicla was accordingly done

SS^ MBJIOIIi OF

by Col. Butler acting as one of. the King's
Commission of the Peace for Tyron
County, N.Y.

Early in the Spring of 1780, we find
Brant again on the war-path. He headed
a small party composed partly of ^^Butler's
Eangers" and partly of Indian Warrior^,
into the Mohawk Valley. The Oneida
Indians, who had remained upon their
lands in the Mohawk Valley, suffered
some by thii expedition, and Capt.
Harper, of Harpersfield, with a small
party were captured and carried prisoners
to Niagara. Capt. Brant knew Capt.
Harper well, and *on recognizing him
among the. prisoners, rushed up to him,
tomahawk in hand, and said, '^Harper,
I am sorry to find you her.e." ^' Why
are .you sorry, Capt. Brant?" ^'Be-
cause," rejoined Brant, 'VI must kill
you, although we were school mates when
we were boys." As scalps were much

cjicpo:. JOB, ^iijfij^Q:, S9

easier carried to Niagara than prisoners,
the Indians were for putting the prisoners
to death, but Brant's influence was exerted
successfully to prevent the massacre.
When they arrived at the Genessee
Eiver and encamped for the night, Capt.
Brant dispatched a runner to Niagara
with information of his approach, and
the number of his prisoners. His friend,
Capt. Powell, who married Miss Moore,
the Cherry Valley captive, was at the
Fort.- Capt. Brant knew that Capt. Harper
was uncle to Miss Moore, now Mrs.
Powell, and it had been agreed in con-
sideration of sparing their lives, that on
arrival at the Fort the prisoners should
go through the customary Indian ordeal
of running the gauntlet. Before arriving
at the Fort two Indian encampments had
to be passed ; but on emerging from the
woods and approaching the first, what
was the surprise of the prisoners and the

40 J\£EMOIIi OF

chagrin of their captors, at finding the
warriors absent, and their place filled by
a regiment of British soldiers. A few
Indian boys, and some old women, only
were visible and offered little violence to
the prisoners, which was qtiickly sup-
pressed by the soldiers. At the second
encampment nearest the Fort, they found
the warriors absent also, and their place
occupied by another regiment of troops.
Capt. Brant led his prisoners directly
through the dreaded encampments and
brought them in safety into the Fort.
The solution of this escape from the
gauntlet was, that Oapti Powell had, at
the suggestion of Capt. Brant, enticed
the warriors away to the ** nine mile
landing** for a frolic, the means for hold-
ing it being furnished from the public
stores. Col. Harper was most agreeably
surprised at escaping the gauntlet with
his party, and at being met by his niece.

Q:0:(pct. JOS. B:EIj1JJQ^. 41

the wife of one of the principal officers
in command of the post. Harper knew
nothing of her marriage, or even of her
being at Niagara, Capt. Brant having
kept it a secret from Harper.

Capt. Alexander Harper was the
ancestor of the " Harper Brothers'* of
Harper^s Magazine notoriety, of New
York city. Brant headed some other ex-
peditions into the settlements in the
Mohawk Valley, in one of which Capt»
Jeremiah Snider and his son, of Saugerties^
N. Y., with others were taken prisoners.
Those prisoners were taken over the same
route as Capt. Harper and his party^ but
did not escape as fortunately when they
arrived at Niagara, as they had to run
the gauntlet between long lines of Indian
warriors, women and children. But their
captors interposed to prevent injury.
Capt. Snider, in his narrative of this

4^ J\lEJ\lOIIi OF

event, describes Fort Niagara as a ^^struc-
ture of considerable magnitude, and
great strength, enclosing an area of from
six to eight acres. Within the enclosure
was a handsome dwelling house for the
residence of the Superintendant of Indi-
ans. It was then occupied by Col. Guy-
Johnson, before whom the Capt. and his
son were brought for examination. Col.
John Butler with his rangers lay upon i

the opposite side of the river." Capt.
Snider describes Gen. Johnson as being
''a short, pussy man, about forty years of
age, of a stern, haughty demeanor, dressed
in a British uniform, powdered locks and
cocked hat, his voice harsh, and his
brogue that of a gentleman of Irish ex-
traction.'' While in the guardhouse the ^
prisoners were visited by Capt. Brant, of
whom Capt. Snider says, '* He was a
likely fellow of fierce aspect, tall and
rather spare, well spoken, and apparently

Gfi(PQ:. JOB. ^liiijrQ:. 43

about thirty years of age." (He was
actually thirty-seven.) ^' He wore moc-
cassins elegantly trimmed with beads,
leggins and breech-cloth, of superfine
blue ; short green coat, with two silver
epaulets, and a small laced, round hat.
By his side hung an elegant silver-mounted
cutlass, and his blanket of blue cloth,
purposely dropped in the chair on which
he sat to display his epaulets, was gor-
geously decorated with a border of red.
He asked the prisoners many questions.
Indeed the object of their capture seems
to have been principally for the purpose
of obtaining information." Upon being
informed where they were from, Capt.
Brant replied, '^ That is my old fighting
ground." In the course of the conversa-
tion Brant said to the younger Snider,
^' You are young, and I pity you, but for
that old villain there," pointing to the
father, '' I have no pity."

i

CHAPTBK VII.

The close of the season of 1780 found
Capt. Brant in his old winter quarters at
Fort Niagara, with Col. Butler and Col.
Guy Johnson. The forces at Niagara
were stated at this time to consist of
sixty British regulars, commanded by a
captain ; four hundred loyalists, com-
manded by Col. John Butler ; twelve
hundred Indians, including women and
children, commanded by Guy Johnson
and Capt. Joseph Brant. In the spring
of 1781, an expedition against the re-
volted Oneidas, in the Mohawk Valley,
was planned under the approbation of

4,6 J^EXOIIi OF

Gen. Haldimand to be commanded by
Brant, but for some unexplained reason
was never executed. Vigorous incursions
were kept up by small parties of loyalists
and Indians during the season, sometimes
under Capt. Brant, but often under the
command of others. This state of things
continued with varying fortunes, until
the news of an agreement for the cessa-
tion of hostilities between the United
States and Great Britain was received,
and in March 1783 a general peace was
announced.

The Mohawks, with their loyalist neigh-
bors in the valley of the Mohawk, had
fled to Canada. Their beautiful country,
together with that of their brethren of
the Six Nations, had been desolated by
the ravages of fire and sword. Upon the
first espousal of the loyal cause by the
Mohawks, Sir Guy Carleton had given a

;

pledge that they should be re-established
at the expense of the Government in
their former homes andpossessions. This
promise had been ratified in 1779 by
Gen. Haldimand, then Capt. General and
Commander-in-Chief in Canada. At the
close of the war the Mohawks were
temporarily residing on the American
side of the Niagara river at what was
then called ^^ The Landing," (now called
Lewiston.)

Their brethren, the Senecas oflfered
them a portion of their lands upon
Genesee river. But as Capt. Brant said
^^ The Mohawks were determined to sink
or swim with the English," the generous
offer of the Senecas was declined; and
the Mohawk Chief proceeded to Quebec
to arrange for the settlement of his people
in the Eoyal Dominions. A tract of land
upon the Bay of Quinte was designated

4.S JlEJlOIIi OF

for their settlement. But upon the return
of Capt. Brant to his people, the location
was so unsatisfactory to their brethren,
the SenecaSjWho, apprehending that their
troubles with the United States were not
at an end, desired their settlement nearei
the Senecas' territory. Under these cir-
cumstances Capt. Brant convened a coun-
cil of his people, and the country upon
the ^^Ouse/' or Grand Eiver, was selected,
lying upon both sides of that stream from
its mouth upon Lake Erie to its head ;
which was conveyed to the Mohawks and
others of the Six Nations who chose to
settle there by a formal grant from
the Crown. It was at this period (1783)
that Capt. Brant had been charged with
entertaining ambitious views similar to /

those of Pontiac — of combining all the '

principal Indian nations into one con-
federacy, of which he was to be Chief ;
and it has been suggested that his visit

Gficpo:, JOB, S^jijTo:. 49

to England in the fall of this year was
partly for the purpose of seeing how far
he coTild depend upon the countenance
or assistance of the British Government
in his enterprise.

Notwithstanding he was strongly dis-
suaded hy Sir John Johnson from this
visit to England, he immediately emharked
and arrived in that country early in De-
cember.

A notice of his arrival in Salisbury was
published in London, December 12, 1775:
" Monday last, Capt, Joseph Brant, the
celebrated king of the Mohawks, arrived
in this city £rom America ; and after
dining with Colonel De Peister at the
headquarters here, proceeded immediately
to London. This extraordinary personage
is said to have presided at the late grand
congress of confederate Chiefs of the
Indian nations in America, and to be by

80 JlEJlOIIi OF

them appointed to the co^iduct, and chief
command in the war which they now
meditate against the United States of
America. He took his departure for Eng-
land immediately as that assembly broke
up, and it is conjectured that his embassy
to the British Court is of great importance.
This country owes much to the services of
Capt. Brant during the late war in Ameri-
ca. He was educated at Philadelphia ; is
a very shrewd,intelligent person, possesses
great courage and abilities as a warrior,
and is inviolably attached to the British
nation."

His reception at the British capital was
all that he could wish. He was treated
with the highest consideration and dis-
tinction. Many officers of the army
whom he had met in America recognized
him with great cordiality.

Preliminary to his introduction to the

Ojiri>CL, JOB. ^ItjiJ^o:. Bl

King, lie was. receiving instructions in re-
gard to the customary ceremonies to be
observed. When he was informed that
he was to salute his Majesty by dropping
on the knee and kissing the King's hand,
Brant objected to this part of the cere-
mony, saying if it was a lady it would be
a pleasant and proper thing to do ; but
that he being himself a king in his own
country thought it derogatory to his
dignity and contrary to his sense of pro-
priety to perforni such a servile act. .

The Baroness Eiedesel thus speaks of
him, having met him at the provincial
court : **I saw at times the famous Indian
Chief, Capt. Brant. His manners were
polished, he expressed himself with

m

fluency, and was much esteemed by Gen.
Haldimand. I dined once with him at
the General' s. In his dress he showed
off to advantage in the half-military and

&S }lBj\iOIIi OF

half-savage costume. His countenance
was manly and intelligent, and his dispo-
sition mild . " C ap t . B rant returne d from
England early in the year 1786, having
accomplished much for his people with
the Government, and enjoyed much
social intercourse with the most dis-
tinguished society in London. In the
grant of the land to the Mohawks, such
other of the Six Nations as were inclined
to make their settlement upon it were in-
cluded. This led to some difficulty and
dissatisfaction, by the intrusion of indi-
viduals of t^e Six Nations who did not
fully sympathize with the Mohawks in
their loyalty to the British Government.
The whole weight of these difficulties
seemed to fall upon Capt. Brant; and
his friends were at 'one time anxious
not only for his personal safety, hut also
for his popularity and influence. But he
ably sustained and defended himself,

Q:fi:(PQ:. JOB. SIi:^}T<X. 58

■ II ■■ I I I I ■■»■!■ .1 — ■[■■■■■I ■■■M ..ll^ ■■■»■ — ^— ■ ■ ■■■ 11 I ■

justifying the acts for which he had been
censured, and his conduct was approved
at a full Council of the Six Nations at
Niagara, in presence of the agent and
commanding officer.

i

CHAPTEE VIII.

Although a treaty of peace be-
tween Great Britain and the United
States had been signed, hostilities
between the United States and the
Indians had not ceased, and Capt. Brant,
with one hundred and fifty of his Mohawk
warriors, joined the forces, mostly
Indians, which so signally defeated Gen.
St. Clair, at or near what is now Pitts-
burgh.

A pacification of the Indian troubles
seemed to be an object greatly de-
sired both by the Government of Great
Britain and that of the United States,

56 J^BJIOIII OF

and the acknowledged ability and influ-
ence of Capt. Brant was sought by both,
and led to an active and extensive cor-
respondence with the officers and agents
of both Governments.

Early in 1792 Capt. Brant was in-
vited to visit the city of Phila-
delphia, the then seat of Government
of the United States. The news-
papers in New York announced his arrival
in that city in the following terms : ^^ On
Monday last arrived in this city from his
settlement on the Grand Kiver, on a visit
to some of his friends in this quarter,
Capt. Joseph Brant, of the British Army,
the famous Mohawk Chief, who so emi-
nently distinguished himself during the
late war, as the military leader of the Six
Nations. We are informed that he in-
tends to visit the city of Philadelphia;"
which he did in June, 1792, and was re-
ceived by the President of the United

^

1

0:^(PQ:jOB.^Iti3:JT<3:. 57

States with cordiality and respect. There
is no dQubt that strenuous efforts were
made at this time to engage his active
interposition with the Indians to bring
about peace, and also to conciliate his
friendship to the United States. Although
nothing could divert him from his loyalty
to the Government of his choice, yet the
visit seams to have given mutual satis-
faction to himself and the President.

The Secretary of War wrote to Gen.
ChapiQ, U. S. Superintendent of Indian
affairs, as follows: ^* Capt. Brant's visit
will, I flatter myself, be productive of
great satisfaction to himself, by being
made acquainted with the humane views
of the President of the United States."

The Secretary also wrote to Gen.
Clinton : *^ Capt. Brant appears to be a
judicious and sensible man. I flatter my-
seKhis journey will be satisfactory to
himself and beneficial to the United

6& J^EJiOIIi OF

states." A change in the Government
of Canada about this time, creating a
separate Government for the Upper
Province, brought new men and new
measures upon the stage of action. Col. J .
G. Simcoewas appointed Lieut.-Governor
of the newly organized territory. The *
new Governor brought out from England
letters of introduction to the Mohawk
Chief. They became fast friends, and in
all the peace negotiations with the
Western Indians, Capt. Brant became an
active participant in the interests of the
Government of Great Britain.

The beautiful tract of country
upon the Grand Eiver which had
been designated for the settlement
of the Mohawks, attracted the cupidity
of white men, as their equally beautiful
country in the valley of the Mohawk and
Western New York had done before; and
Capt Brant exerted his influence with his

GfiCPO:. JOB. 'S^j3:J^^. b9

people to induce them to exchange their
hunting for agriculture. In furtherance
of this idea, ho conceived the plan of
making sales and leases of land to skilled
white agriculturists. But the Colonial
Government interposed objections, claim-
ing that the donation from Government
was only a right of occupancy, and not of
sale. Capt. Brant combatted this idea,
but Was overuled by the oflficers of the
Government, including his friend, Gov»
Simcoe. Very general dissatisfaction
seems to have prevailed among the Indi-
ans in regard to the legal construction of
the title to their lands, and attempts
were made to negotiate a peaceful settle-
ment of the difficulty but with indifferent
success. Capt. Brant was anxious to en-
courage and promote the civilization of
his people ; and, in his negotiations with
Gen. Haldimand, stipulatedfor the erection
of a church, which was built upon their

60 JlEJlOIIi OF

lands upon the Grand Biver, and furnished
with a bell and communion service, brought
from their former home in the valley of
the Mohawk, and is believed to be the
first temple erected to the worship of
Almighty God in the Province of Upper
Canada.

Capt. Brant continued to be the
unyielding advocate of the rights of
his people as an independent nation to
their lands, to the end of his life. His
views, and the arguments by which he
sustained them, may be gathered from an
extract of a speech which he delivered at
a meeting of Chiefs and Warriors at
Niagara, before Col. Sheafe, Col. Claus
and others, on the occasion of a govern-
ment proclamation forbidding the sale and
leasing of any of their lands by the
Indians. ^^ In the year 1776," said he,
** Lord Dorchester, then Sir Guy Carlton,
at a numerous council, gave us every en-

J

Gficpo:, JOS. ^lijij^o:. 6i

oouragement, and requested us to assist
in defending their country, and to take
an active part in defending His Majesty's
possessions, stating that when the happy
day of peace should arrive, and should
we not prove successful in the contest,
that he would put us on the same footing
in which we stood previous to joining
him. This flattering promise was pleas-
ing to us, and gave us spirit to embark
heartily in his Majesty's cause. We took
it for granted that the word of so great a
man, or any promise of a public nature,
would ever be held sacred. We were
promised our lands for our services, and
these lands we were to hold on the same
footing with those we fled from at the
commencement of the American war ;
when we joined, fought and bled in your
cause. Now is published a proclamation
forbidding us leasing those very lands,
that were positively given us in lieu of

6^ JlEJlOIIt OF

^ ^ u ^_mi-_ii.u_ ■_ ■!■ .MTi j_jtij ii»_jr I _

those of which we were the sovereigns of
the soil, of those lands we have forsaken,
we sold, we leased, and we gave away,
when, and as often as we saw fit, without
hindrance on the part of your Govern-
ment, for your Government well knew
we were the lawful sovereigns of the soil,
and they had no right to interfere with us
as independent nations."

QfiCpcCJOB. ^liiiJTQ:, 63

CHAPTEE IX.

Capt. Brant entered into an extensive
correspondence with his friends. Men
of distinction, both in the United States
and England, principally in regard to the
title of the lands of his people, and their
settlement and civilization, an object
which seemed to lie very near his heart.
His correspondence, in relation to the
settlement of a missionary at Grand
Eiver, shows that he considered it of
great importance to the realization of his
wishes, in regard to the moral and spirit-
ual interests of his people. He was op-
posed in this matter, but finally succeeded

tJr

64 }lB}lOlIi OF

in procuring the settlement of the Eev.
Davenport Phelps, who had married a
daughter of the Eev. Dr. Wheelock, the
early friend and preceptor of Capt. Brant.
Mr. Phelps was a graduate of Yale Col-
lege, and became a missionary of the
Episcopal Chucrh in Western New York.
He was ordained in Trinity Church, New
York, in December, 1801, and immedi-
ately entered upon the active duties of a
missionary. He had settled in the
Province of Upper Canada; his residence
being upon a farm near Burlington Bay,
at the head of Lake Ontario. In 1806
he removed his family from Canada to
Onondaga, N.Y.

It has been already stated that Capt.
Brant was thrice married. He had two
children by his first wife, none by
the second, and seven by the third.
Isaac Brant, his eldest child, be-
came the source of the greatest trou-

GiiCpQl. JOB. SIiJlJ<[Q:: 65

ble to bim through a love of strong
drink, and while under its influence at-
tempted the murder of his father; but in
the assault, which was made in the
presence of a large number of persons at
a public gathering, the son received a
wound, which though not dangerous,
proved fatal, by reason of excitement and
intoxication. Capt. Brant immediately
surrendered himself to the civil autho-
rities, and resigned his commission, which
he yet retained in the British service. It
was not accepted, however. A council
of the principal Sachems and Warriors
was held ; all the facts and circumstances
were considered with great deliberation ;
when the following certificate of opinion
was signed unanimously and a copy de-
livered to Capfc. Brant.

^^ Brother^ — We have heard and con-
sidered your case ; we sympathize with
you. You are bereaved of a beloved son.

66 J^EXOIIi OF

But that son raised his parricidal hand
against the kindest of fathers. His death
was occasioned by his own crime. With
one voice we acquit yon. of all blame. We
tender you our hearty condolence, and
may the Great Spirit above bestow upon
you consolation and comfort under your
affliction."

The names of his children by his third
wife, in the order of their birth, were
Joseph, Jacob, John, Margaret, Catharine,
Mary and Elizabeth.

The education of his children seems
never to have been lost sight of amid all
the cares and perplexities of his public
life. The following letter written by
Capt. Brant to James Wheelock, son of
the early President of Dartmouth College,
his former preceptor in the '^ Moor's
Charity School," will best illustrate his
views on that subject :

Gjicpo:. JOB. J^ii:fijTQ:, 67

Niagara, 3rd October, 1800.
Dear Sir, —

Although it is a long time since I
have had the pleasure of seeing you, still
I have not forgot there is such a person
in being, and now embrace the kind offer
you once made me in offering to take
charge of my son Joseph, whom I cer-
tainly at that time should have sent out,
had it not been that there was apparently
a jealousy existing between the British
and Americans ; however, I hope it is not
yet too late. I send both my sons, Joseph
and Jacob, who I doubt not will be par-
ticularly attended to by my friends.

I could wish them to be studiously at-
tended to, not only as to their education,
but likewise to their morals in particular.
This is, no doubt, needless mentioning, as
I know of old, and from personal expe-
rience at your seminary, that these things
are paid strict attention to. Let my sons
be at what schools soever, your overseeing
them will be highly flattering to me. I
should, by this opportunity, have wrote

68 J\£EJlOIIi OF

Mr. John Wheelock on the same subject,
but a hurry of business at this time pre-
vents me. I shall hereafter take the
first opportunity of dropping him a few
lines. Until then, please make my best
respects to him, and earnestly solicit his
friendship and attention to my boys, which,
be assured of, I shall ever gratefully ac-
knowledge.

I am, Dear Sir, wishing you and
your family health and happiness,

Your friend and well-wisher,

Joseph Bbant.

To Mr. James Wheelock.

The two boys, Jacob and Jaseph, weie
sent to school at Hanover, and prosecuted
their studies quite to the satisfaction of
their teachers, exhibiting not only excel-
lent capacity and diligence, but good de-
portment, and great amiability of charac-
ter. Unfortunately a difficulty sprung up
between the boys, which resulted in
Joseph leaving the school and returning

Gji<PQ:. JOB. SliJiJ^Q:. 69

to his parents. Jacob remained a while
longer, when he too visited home ; but
subsequently returned to the school to
resume his studies. On the occasion of
his sons return, Capt. Brant writes to his
friend, Mr. James Wheelock, the follow-
ing letter :

'' NiAGABA, 14th December, 1802.

'' My Dear Sir —

^' I received your very polite and
friendly letter by my son Jacob, and am
very much obliged to you, your brother,
and all friends, for the great attentions
that have been paid to both of my sons,
and to Capt. Dunham for the great care
he took of Jacob on the journey.

^^ My son would have returned to you
long before this but for a continued sick-
ness in the family, which brought Mrs.
Brant very low.

'^My son Jacob and several of the
children were very ill. My son returns
to be under the care of the President, and

70 ]\lEJ\l01Ii OF

I sincerely hope he will pay such attention
to his studies as will do credit to himself,
and be a comfort to his friends. The
horse that Jacob rides out, I wish to be
got in good order, after he arrives, and
sold, as an attentive scholar has no time
to ride about. Mrs. Brant joins me in
most affectionate respects to you and Mrs.
Wheolock.

^^ I am, Dear Sir, with great respect,
^* Your sincere friend

^' And humble servant,

^^ Joseph Beant."
To James Wheelock, Esq.

The correspondence of Brant, after his
retirement from military to civil life, be-
sides that pertaining to the current busi-
ness which engaged much of his attention
with literary and scientific men, was con-
siderable. His replies to letters of this
class show him to have been a man of

OjirpccjOB. ^liiiJfQ:. 71

deep reflection, independent thought, and
of intelligence above most of the white
men of his time, and are characterized by
good common sense.

None of the sons of Capt. Brant seem
to have achieved distinction, if we
except John, the youngest, who succeeded
to his father's title. He received, it is
said, a good English education, and im-
proved his mind by study a,nd travel;
became distinguished for his literary ac-
quirements, fine commanding presence
and polished address. His society was
sought by gentlemen of the first distinc-
tion, both in Europe and America.

A few years before his death, Capt.
Joseph Brant built a fine dwelling on a
tract of land presented him by the British
Government, at the head of Lake Ontario,
occupying a fine commanding eminence,
affording an extensive view of the lake

7^ Jl^MOIIi OF

and surrounding country, now called
Wellington Square. Here he removed
with his family, and here he closed his
extraordinary and eventful life, on the
24th of November, 1807, at the age of
nearly sixty-five years. His remains
were interred at the Mohawk Village, on
the Grand Kiver, by the side of the
Church built through his instrumentality,
together with the other deceased members
of his family, where a monument marks
the spot, on which is inscribed the follow-
ing epitaph :

^' This Tomb is erected to the memory
of Thayendanegea, or Copt. Joseph Brants
principal Chief and Warrior of the Six
Nations Indians^ hy his fellow -subjects^
admirers of his fidelity and attachment to
the British Grown. Born on the ianJcs of
the Ohio river y 1742. Died at Wellington
Square, U.G., 1807.

Oj3:(PQ:jOB.J^Iii3:JsrQ:. 7S

^^It also contains the remains of his son,
AhyouwaighSy or Gapt. John Brant ^ who
succeeded his father as TeJcarihogea, and
distinguished himself in the war of 1812
and 15. Born at the MohawJc village,
U.G.J 1794. Died at the same place y 1832.
Erected 1850."

-j3:a^(PEJT(^lX.

The English historian, Weld, in his ** Travels
through the States of North America, and the
Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada, during the
years 1795, 1796 and 1797," has the following
notice of Capt. Brandt, page 485

'Brandt, at a very early age, was s^nt to a college
in New England, where, being possessed of a good
capacity, he soon made very considerable progress
in the Gre^k and Latin languages.

'^Uncommonpains were taken to instill into his
mind the truths of the Gospel. He professed him-
self to be a warm admirer of the principles of
Christianity, and in hopes of being able to convert

76 :^(P(PEJTQIX.

his nation on returning to them he absolutely trans-
lated the Gospel of St. Matthew into the Mohawk
language ; he also translated the established form of
prayer of the Church of England.

** Before Brandt, however, had finished his course
of studies, the American war broke out, and fired
with that spirit of glory which seems to have been
implanted by nature in the breast of the Indian, he
immediately quitted the college, repaired to his
native village, and shortly afterwards, with a con-
siderable body of his nation, joined some British
troops under the command of Sir John Johnstou.

** Here he distinguished himself by his valor in
many different engagements, and was soon raised,
not only to the rank of a war chief, but also to that
of a war chief in His Majesty's service.

"It was not long, however, before Brandt sullied*
his reputation in the British army. A skirmish
took place with a body of American troops ; the
action was warm, and Brandt was shot by a musket
ball in the heel; but the Americans, in the en^, were

defeated, and an officer with abont sixty men were
taken prisoners. The officer, after having delivered
up his sword, had entered into conversation with
Col. Johnston, who commanded the British troops,
and they were talking together in the most friendly
manner, when Brandt, having stolen slily behind
them, laid the American officer lifeless on the ground
with a blow of his tomahawk. The indignation of
Sir John Johnston, as may readily be supposed,
was roused by such an act of treachery, and he re-
sented it in the warmest language. Brandt listened
Unconcernedly, and when he had finished, told him
that he was sorry what he had done had caused his
displeasure, but that indeed his heel was extremely
painful at the moment, and he could not help re«
venging himself on the only chief of the party he
saw taken. Since he had killed the officer, his heel^
he added, was much less painful to him than it had
been before.

When the war broke out the Mohawks resided on
the Mohawk river, in the State of New York, but on
peace being made, they emigrated into Uppelr

7& j3:(P(PBjr(^IX.

Canada, and their principal village is now situated
on the Grand Eiver, which falls into Lake Erie on
the north side, about sixty miles from the town of
Newark, or Niagara. There Brandt at present re-
sides. He has built a comfortable habitation for
himself, and any stranger that visits him may rest
assured of being well received, and of finding a
plentiful table well served every day. He has no
less than thirty or forty negroes, who attend to his
horses, cultivate his grounds, &c., &c. These poor
creatures are kept in the greatest subjection, and
they dare not attempt to make their escape, for he
has assured them, that, if they did so, he would follow
them himself, though it were to the confines of
Georgia, and would tomahawk them wherever he
met them. They know his disposition too well not
to think that he would adhere strictly to his word.

Brandt receives from Government half-pay as
Captain, besides annual presents, &c., which in all
amounts, it is said, to five hundred pounds per
annum. We had no small curiosity, as you may
Tf:ell imagine, to see this Brandt, aad we procured

i3:(P(PEJT(^IX. 79

letters of introduction to him from the Governor's
Secretary, and from different officers and gentlemen
of his acquaintance, with an intention of proceed-
ing from Newark to his village.

Most unluckily, however, on the day before that of
our arrival at the town of Newark, he had embarked
on board a vessel for Kingston at the opposite end
of the lake. You may judge of Brandt's conse-
quence, when I tell you that a lawyer of Niagara,
who crossed Lake Ontario with us from Kingston,
where he had been detained for some time by con-
trary winds, informed us the day after our arrival
at Niagara, that by his not having reached that
place m time to transact some law business for Mr.
Brandt, and which had consequently been given to
another person, he should be the loser of one
hundred pounds at least.

Brandt's sagacity led him early in life to discover
that the Indians had been made the dupe of every
foreign power that had gained footing in America,
and indeed could he have had any doubts on the
subject they would have been removed when be

&0 ^(p(PEj<r(^ix.

—

saw the British after haying demanded and received

the assistance of the Indians in the American war,

so unjustly and ungenerously yield up the whole of

the Indian territories east of the Mississippi and

south of the lakes, to the people of the United

States, the very enemies, in short, they had made

to themselves at the request of the British. He

perceived with regret that the Indians, by espousing

the quarrels of the whites, and espousing different

interests were weakening themselves, whereas, if

they remained aloof, guided by one policy, they I

would soon become formidable, and treated with

more respect. He formed the bold scheme there^

fore of uniting the Indians together in one grand

confederacy, and for this purpose he sent messengers

to different Chiefs, proposing that a general meeting

should be held of the heads of every tribe to take

the subject into consideration. But certain of the

tribes suspicious of Brandt's designs, and fearful

that he was bent upon acquiring power for himself

by this measure, opposed it with all their influence.

Brandt has, in consequence, become extremely

obnoxious to many of the most warlike, and with

msj I ______ _ ■ ■ I ■ - ,■ -jif ^

such a jealous eye do they now regard him that it
would not be perfectly safe for him to return to the
Upper country.

He has managed the affairs of his own people
with great ability, and leased out their superfluous
lands for them for long terms of years, by which
measure a certain annual revenue is ensured to the
nation. He wisely judged that it was much better
to do so than to suffer the Mohawks, as me-ny
other tribes had done, to sell their possessions by
piecemeal, the sums of money they received for
which, however great, would soon be dissipated if
paid to them at once. Whenever the 'affairs of his
nation shall permit him to do so, Brandt declares it
to be his intention to sit down to the study of the
Greek language, of which he professes himself a
great admirer, and to translate from the original
into the Mohawk la^iguage more of the New Testa-
ment ; yet this same man, shortly before we arrived
at Niagara, kUled his own son with his own hand. The
son it seems was a drunken, good-for-nothing fellow,
who had often avowed his intention of destroying

f

his father. One evening he absolutely entered the
apartment of his father and had begun to grapple
with him, perhaps with a view to put his unnatural
threats into execution, wh«^n Brandt drew a short
sword and felled him to the ground. Brandt speaks
of this affair with regret, but at the same time
without any of that emotion which another person
than an Indian might be supposed to feel. He con-
soled himself for the act by thinking that he has
benefitted the nation by ridding them of a rascal.
Brandt wears his hair in the Indian style, and also
the Indian dress. Instead of the wrapper or blanket
he wears a short coat such as I have described,
similar to a hunting frock."

\

The following is an extract from the history of
Schohorie County, page 220 :

It appears that in July 1778, Joseph Brant had
then with some eighty warriors commenced his
marauding enterprises on the settlements at Unadilla,
by appropriating their cattle, sheep and swine to
his own benefit. To obtain satisfaction for those
cattlfe, and if possible to get the Indians to remain
neutral in the approaching contest. Gen. Herkimer
in the latter part of June, with three hundred and
eighty of the Try on County militia proceeded to
Unadilla (an Indian settlement on the Susquehanna
Eiver) to hold an interview with Brant. That
celebrated Chief then at Oquago, was sent for by
Gen. Herkimer, and arrived on the 27th, after the
Americans had been there about eight days waiting.

&4 ji(P(p:e.j<1(^ix.

Col. John Harper who attended Gen. Herkimer '

at this time, made an affidavit on the 16th of July
followilig the interview, showing the principal
grievances of which the Indians complained, as also
the fact that they were in covenant with the King,
whose belts were yet lodged with them, and whose
service they intended to enter.

The instrument farther testified that Brant in-
stead of returning to Oswego as he had informed
Gen. Herkimer was his intention, had remained in \

the neighborhood on the withdrawal of the Ameri
can Militia, and was proposing to destroy the frontier
settlements.

The following relating to the interview between
Gen. Herkimer and Brant is obtained from the
venerable Joseph Wagner, of Fort Plain. He states
that at the first meeting of Gen. Herkimer with
Brant, the latter was attended by three other Chiefs,
William Johnson, a son of Sir William Johnson by
Molly Brant, which son was killed at the battle of
Oriskany the same year. But, a smart looking
fellow, with curly hair, supposed to be part Indian
and part Negro, and a short dark skinned Indian.

The four were encircled by a body guard of some
twenty noble looking warriors. When in hig presence
Brant rather haughtily asked Gen. Herkimer the
object of his visit, which was readily made known.
But seeing so many att6ndants, the Chief suspected
the interview was sought for another purpose.

Said Brant to Gen. Herkimer, I have five hundred
warriors at my command, and can in an instant
destroy you and your party ; but we are old neigh-
bors and friends, and I will not do it. Col. Cox, a
young ofl&cer who accompanied Gen. Herkimer ex-
changed several sarcastic remarks with Brant,
which served not a little to irritate him and his
followers. The two had a quarrel a few years
previous about lands around the upper Indian Castle.
Provoked to anger. Brant asked Cox if he was not
the ** son-in-law of old George dlock ?" ** Yes,"
replied Cox in a tone of malignity, ** and what is
that to you, you d — d Indian."

At the close of this dialogue, Brant's guard ran
off to their camp firing ' several guns and making
ihe hills echo back their savage yells. Gen. Herki-

36 :^(P(PEJ<f(^lX.

mer assured Brant that he intended his visit for
one of a pacific character and urged him to inter-
pose to prevent anything of a hostile nature.. A
word from Brant hushed the tumult of passion,
which a moment before threatened serious conse-
quences. The parties, however, were too much ex-
cited to proceed with the business which had
convened them. Brant, addressing Gen. Herkimer,
said, it is needless to multiply words at this time ;
I will meet you here at precisely nine o'clock to-
m6rrow morning. The parties then separated to
occupy their former position in camp. They again
met on the 28th of June. Brant was the first to
speak. ** Gen. Herkimer,'* said he, ** I now fully
comprehend the object of your visit ; but you are
too late, I am engaged to serve the King. We are
old friends, and I can do no less than to let you re-
turn unmolested, although you are in my power."
After a little more conversation, of a friendly nature,
the parties agreed to separate amicably. Tho con-
ference ended, Gen. Herkimer presented to Brant
seven or eight fat cattle that had just arrived, owing
to obstructions on the outlet of Otsego lake, down

— • - - ■ - 1 1 . .

ivhich stream they were driven or transported. For
three days before the arrival of the cattle, the
Americans were on short allowance. It is said that
at this second interview of Brant with Gen. Herki-
mer, the latter had taken the precaution to privately
select four reliable men, in case any symptoms of
treachery should be exhibited, to shoot down Brant
and his Chiefs at a given signal, but no occasion to
execute these precautionary measures occurred.

The following anecdote is related of Brant as
occurring in connection with the capture of prisoners
Q(t Cherry Valley. Among the captures made by
him at that place was a man named Vrooman with
whom he had been formerly acquainted. He con-
cluded to give Vrooman his liberty, and after they
had proceeded several miles, he sent Vrooman back
about two miles alone, ostensibly to procure some
birch bark, expecting, of course, to see no more of
him. After several hours Vrooman came hurrying
back with the bark, which the Captain no more
wanted than he did a pair of goggles. Brant said
ie sent his prisoner back on purpose to afford him

1^8 j3:(P(PEJsf(XIX.

an opportunity to escape, but he was so big a fool
he did not know it, and that consequently he was
compelled to take him along to Canada.

The history of Schoharie County, page 884, con-
tains the following note :

*^ In person Brant was about middling size, of a
square, stout build, fitted rather for enduring hard-
ships than for quick movements. His complexion
was lighter than that of most Indians, which re-
sulted perhaps from his less exposed manner of
living. This circumstance probably gave rise to a
statement which has been often repeated, that he
was of mixed origin. The old people in the
Mohawk Valley, to whom he was known generally,
agree that he was not a full blood Indian, but was
part white.

** He was married in the winter of 1779 to a
daughter of Col. Croghan, by an Indian woman.
The circumstances of this marriage are somewhat
singular. He was present at the wedding of Miss
Moore, from Cherry Valley, who had been brought
away a prisoner, and who married an officer of the

:0:(P(PEJT(^IX. &9

garrison of Fort Niagara. Brant had lived with
his wife for some time previous according to the
Indian custom without marriage, hut now insisted
that the marriage ceremony should be performed.
This was accordingly done by Col. Butler who was
still considered a Magistrate. After the war he re-
moved with his nation to Canada. There he was
employed in transacting important business for his
tribe. He went out to England after the war, and
was honorably received there. Joieph Brant died
on the 24th November, 1807, at his residence near
the head of Lake Ontario, in the 65th year of his
age. Not long before that event the British Govern-
ment refused for the first time to confirm a sale of
lands made by him, which mortified him exceedingly.
The sale was afterwards confirmed, at which he was
so much elated that he got into an excitement that
is said to have laid the foundation of his sickness.

** The wife of Brant who was very dignified in her
appearance, would not converse in English before
strangers, notwithstanding she could speak it
fluently."

r