New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-09

Johnson Hall near Jamestown. Sir Williams
home in his later years is fine place even at thS
day. and is Of the type of the best buildings erected
in other parts of the country just before the Revo
luton Johnson allowed the Indians free access to
his homes. He allowed them TO find shelter from
the enemy behind his walls. and took OF their
squaws and children when they went off TO war
He distributed every year the presents which the
King gave the RED men preserve their friend
ship. Although his name is identified with Johns
town. 1t at Fort Johnson that the best twenty
years of his life were spent.
It was in Fort Johnson that Sir William made
his by trading in land there that he ruled
over Five Nations; there that he became super
intendent of Indian affairs and chief OF the Mo-
hawks there that his two daughters were born.
Its leaden roof was moulded into bullets in the
Revolution and afterward replaced with shingles,
and then with slate. Johnson brought a gov
erness from London to teach his daughters the
literature and social accomplishments OF their
fathers native land.
1t was through his uncle. Sir Peter Warren an
English admiral. who married the sister of James
De Lancey. Chief Justice Of the province that
Johnson was brought to America from his home in
Ireland Sir Peter had purchased a large tract Of
land in the Mohawk Valley about twenty miles
west of Schenectady, and sent to Ireland for his
nephew. then twenty-three years old. to superin-
tend it. The young man had fallen in love with
pretty Irish girl. whom his parents would not per-
nit him to marry, and this partly induced his
uncle to offer him the position in America As
soon the youth had settled upon his uncle's
tract he opened a store in Warrensbush, now Am
sterdam and traded with the natives. Later the
government made him superintendent of Indian
affairs. major general commanding the frontier
militia and a baronet of Great Britain.
Soon after his arrival. Johnson bought a pretty
German girl of neighbOr. whose name was said
TO be Catherine Weisenberg and took her his
home. She was the mother Of Sir John Johnson and
OF two daughters. who became Mrs. Guy Johnson
She is said to have been an IMMIGRANT girl who
sold NeW-NOFk
her passage from Germany AS then the
bound themselves to the saptaih before they
sailed 10 be sold for one two three or four years
purchaser. Purchasers We're bound their part
at the expiration of their time. So the young
Eoman who was to preside over the hospitality Of
Philips. who lived on the Mohawk. Sir William
Her tsG successor zee was Molly BTant. the sister Of
Joseph BTa1t Bundle OF sticks the redqa6ta6ie
the hearts of the patriots from one end OF the
at this day is impressed by its grim and dismal ex-
terror half concealed by trees The The, windows are
gray light within carries the visitor back TO other
iy panelied in Wood and give every evidence of the
refinement of an English country seat The room m
the twilight by his hearth tells It's own story of the
large affairs Lords and ladies' cavaliers with
clanking spurs and flashing sa6reS, would nave
been In place in those spacious halls. but instead
the eye must fancy the presence Of Molly Brant.
handsome. stately and remarkably able. though she
II is said that Sir William married Molly &C
cordiug the rites of the Episcopal Church a rev
years before his death. She considered by the
white visitors Fort Johnson and 70 Johnson
Hall. at Jamestown exemplary woman She
was commandment In the Episcopal Church and
We respected by the early settlers. The care tIat
she took of the education of her children and the
manner in which she brought them up was re-
Rnrded as a demonstration Of her deep moral
sense Sir William himself appears 70 have re-
spected her greatly and he was offended II his
guests whether De Peysters or Van Rensselaers
did not paw her homage The baronet was eN-
travaEantly fond OF witnessing athletic eats Mhen
ne had trinkets and other presents TO distribute
among the Indians they assembled around Fort
johnson. and the festive occasion was improved
by arranging foot races and wrestling matches
between young Indians and whites for a gaudy
trinket or article OF apparel Sometimes TAT
pig with creased tail given To the person who
could hold II by the tail and on one occasion an old
woman is said to have seized amid the jeers
OF the crowd after II had escaped many strong
men and 10 have held IT, she h3d prepared He'
self with handful OF sand ,,,,- =,
HtndTiCk. the great sachem OK tute Ndo'ldWA ~
dams one OF the Five Nations in alliance with ana
the most sagacious Indians OF his time he was was
horn about 1850 and lived near the present 1oSts
for long time. He stood high In the conndeHge
OF Sir William Johnson. with whom ne was en-
gagged In many perilous enterprises against me
Canadian French. lie was killed while serving
under Sir William In the battle OF Lake George
September s. 100 90 ,,.,,,,- g, ,,,,
fhe tract Of land owned by Sir William Johnson