Joseph Brant Documentary Sources: Correspondence List;

Summary: Joseph Brant was born with the Mohawk name Thayendanegea in March of 1742. He entered into military service at the age of 15 in the midst of the Seven Years War. Shortly thereafter, Brant was sent by Sir William Johnson to a school in Connecticut. These two endeavours would lead him to great success in his future. Well received in Connecticut, Brant was hired to teach fellow student Samuel Kirkland the Mohawk language. Kirkland and Brant became good friends, traveling together to Iroquois areas to bring back six boys to the school. Brant himself was considered a ëSprightly Geniusí and was being prepped for college. This preparation would be interrupted, as Brantís sister called him back home, citing a disappointment with his education among his home community. His scholarly activities, however, did not come to a close. He translated the Gospel of St.Mark, wrote a concise history of the Bible, and an exposition of a catachism into the Mohawk language. He was also reportedly working on a history of the Six Nations in the later years of his life. During the difficulties in the Thirteen Colonies 1775, Brant remained loyal to the British throne. Brant was chosen to travel to England to discuss the Indian positions on the conflict, where he was promised continued support by England in the resolution of Indian grievances if they remained loyal. Loyal he remained, Brant led an undercover excursion into New York, with the goal of raising both Indian and loyalist forces against the American position. The trip was a success, bringing together a force of 300 Indians and 100 white loyalists. Brant also attempted to unify the Six Nations in order to defeat the Americans. With the end of the war, the Six Nations confederacy was finally successful. Unfortunately, the confederacy was largely ignored by government officials. Desipte being ignored and misled by both the American and British governments, Brant continued to attempt to bring fair settlements to Indian populations holding grievances. He won some pensions and moneys for those Indians who had supported and fought for the British during the war. Often, Brantís actions in negotiations with the British and American governments led to suspicious eyes on all sides. The British and American governments mistrusted his dealings with the other, while Indian leaders felt Brant was failing his people with small demands. Brant lived a priviliged life in white society. He was well taken care of with feasts prepared and served by black and white servants. The Mississauga Indians sold Brant a large tract of land at Hamilton Harbour within Burlington Bay where an impressive home was built. It was there he died in November of 1807 after leading successful careers in scholastic interests, military leadership and treaty negotiation. Saul Rich, 1998 Site created and designed by Saul Rich. Copyright 1998. Visit our credits.