Evening journal., 1888-07-14

timepiece was "7'-, =, :, ~, -
once worn within vain
the bucxsliis coat of the celebrated Mo
hawk war chief, Joseph Brant. whose In
dian name was Thayendanega, regarding
whose accomplishments as a warrior,
chief and courtier many legends abound
in western New York and Canada, and
whose influence during the latter half Of
tho 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 tho Ohio river, where his
people were temporarily soiourning. The
home Of his family was at the Canajoharie
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
Grant himself declared that he was a full
blooded Indian 1t would appear from the
rather legendary evidence presented that
Thayendanega's father was distin-
guished warrior, sometimes called AFRO.
ghyadagha and at others Nickus Brant,
who became eachem Of the Mohswks on
the death of King Hendricz in 1755 Aro-
ghyadagha had three sons in the English
army, and his daughter, Molbe, became
the Indian Wife Of Sir William Johnson.
tho British superintendent Of Indian
asairs iu North America.
There are no accounts of the early youth
ST Thayendanega. but from al that is
known be must have been a lad Of nm
common enterprise. When but B years
of aga he joined tho Mohawk warriors
under Sir William johnson, and received
bis haptismal fire at the battle IF Lake
George, whore the brave King HendriclS
was killed. lii the English expedition Of
1859 against Fort Niagara, then occupied
by the French, Brant, then about III years
OF age was in the Mohawk contingent
that took part in the campaign, and is
said to have acquitted himself with a
bravery almost rash in it's reckless fero-
ciousness. Brant received an English
education through the libernlity of Sir
William Johnson who employed him in
public business for several years. and con-
tributed to his advancement until he be-
came a leading man of the Mohawk nation.
-
at the beginning Of the revolutionary
war Iryon county included all of the
colony OF New York west and southwest
Of Schenectady, with the county seat at
Johnstown, the residence of Sir William
Johnson. who died suddenly on June "a,
l774. The official positions of superin-
tendent of tho Indian department and
major general Of militia, held by Sir Will
lam, were conferred on his son-in-law,
Col. Guy Johnson, and Joseph Brant was
made secretary to Guy johnson. The
leading men Of Tryon county at that date
were all in some way connected with the
British government and all bitter parti-
sans of the king. They looked upon the
spirit Of independence, which was then be-
ginning to manifest itself in the colonies,
with eyes Of hatred. and by dint of many
roseate promises, false tales and general
persuasion and toadyism, they had long
before succeeded in infusing something Of
this hatred into the minds Of the Indians.
For many years these Indians had received
their supplies through Sir William John
son, gone to him for advice and counsel
and looked upon him as an oracle. At his
death their affections were transferred TO
his family and successors. They had been
taught 20 reverence the name Of the king.
believed him all powerful and considered
the officers Of the crown their best friends.
| Hence it was but natural that they should
side with the British "a the contest be-
| tween king and colonists. At the FIRST
mutterings Of the colonists Guy johnson
organized his forces, composed Of English
adherents and the Indians. of whom
Joseph Brant was the leader, and ravaged
Tryon county with relentless fury during
the war. Brant was commissioned cap.
tain in tho British service. and visited
England in 1915. Returning to America
in 1916, he entered into the conflict with
all the force Of his fiery nature, and was
speedily recognized as the principal wal
| chief and master spirit of the British In
dim allies. His name was associated with
| every affair in which Indians were en-.
gaged-often unjustly. it is said-and be
came the terror of the American border
-
The atrocities committed at Wyoming
| Cherry Valley and other frontier settle
ments induced congress to attempt tn,
destruction Of all the towns Of the ST,
Nations in the British interest. in 177I