Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1888-07-14


the buckskin coat Of the celebrated Mo
hawk war chief, Joseph Brant, whose In.
dian name was Thayendanega, regarding
whose accomplishments rs warrior,
chief and courtier many legends abound
In western New York and Canada, and
whose influence during the latter half of
the past century is unprecedented in the
annals of the Indian race.
.*X
According TO tradition, Joseph Brant
first drew the breath of life in 1742, on the
wooded banks of the Ohio river, where his
people were temporarily sojourning. The
home of his family was at the Cana joharic
castle, in the Mohawk valley, and his
mother returned there while Joseph was
quite young. His ancestry and the origin
Of his name are mooted questions, but
Brnnt himself declared that he was o full
blooded Indian. 1t would appear from the
rather legendary evidence presented that
Thayendanega's father was distin-
guished warrior, sometimes called Aro-
ghyadagha and at others Nickus Brant.
who became sachem of the Mohawks on
the death of King Hendrick in 1855 Aro-
ghyadagha had three sons In tho English
army, and his daughter. Mollie, became
the Indian wife Of Sir William johnson,
the British superintendent of Indian
affairs in North America.
There are no accounts of the early youth
of Thayendanega, but from all that is
known he must have been lad of un-
common enterprise. When but 13 years
Of age he Joined the Mohawk warriors
under Sir William Johnson, and received
his baptismal fire at the battle of Lake
George, where the brave King Ilcndrici;
wns killed In the English expedition OF
1855 against Fort Niagara. then occupied
by the French, Brant, then about II yearG
Of age, was in the Mohawk contingent
that took part in the campaign, and is
said to have acquitted himself with n
bravery almost rash in its reckless fero.
ciousness. Brant received an English
education through the libcrality Of Sir
William Johnson. who employed him in
public business for several years, and con.
tributed to his advancement until ho be.
came a leading man of the Mohawk nation.
So
At the beginning of the revolutionary
war Tryon county included all of the
colony of New York west and southwest
Of Schenectady, with tho county seat al
Johnstown. the residence of Sir William
johnson, who died suddenly on June "a
l774. The official positions OF superin
fcndcnt of the Indian department ant
major GENERAL of militia held Inv Sir viii
lam were conferred on bis son. in. law
Coi Gnv Johnson and ;Josenb Bront wn,
made secretary 20 Guy johnson. The
Ieadipp men of Tryon colnty Mt that dat,
were all In some way connected with In,
British government, and all bitter parti
sans Of the kinr They looked upon TN,
spirit Of independence. which was then be
rinuipr 10 manifest itself in the colonies
with ewes of hatred and nv dint of man,
roseate promises. false tales and renera
,,or.,osion ona tnod,,;sno tbo,, bo3 Ionr
before succeeded I'm ;nfusinp somethjnp q
this hatred into tho minds of tbc Indians
For many years these Indians bod roceivef
their sunnIies tbrouph Sir William John
son, gone to him for advice and co,nsc
and looked upon him ms an oracle. Al hi,
death their Affections were transferred I,
his family and successors. They had beer
taught to reverence the name OF the king
believed him all powerful and considered
the officers of the crown their best friends
Hence IL was but natural that thov sboul,
side with the British in the contest he
tween king and coIonists Al tho tirs,
mutterinrs of the colonists Guv Johnso,
orranized his forces, composed Of Engl,sl
adierents and Tho Indians. az WHOM
joseph Brant was the leader. and rayape,
Tryon county with relentless fury durin,
the war. Brant was commissioned n car,
tain In the British service and visit a.