Joseph Brant

Joseph Brant (1742-1807), celebrated Mohawk chief and friend of the British; his Native American name was Thayendanegea. When young he was sent to an Indian school at Lebanon, Connecticut, by Sir William Johnson, a British colonial official. Brant became a member of the Church of England and for some time was a missionary among the Mohawk, translating the Book of Common Prayer and parts of the New Testament into the Mohawk language. He aided the British both in the French and Indian War and in the wars against the Ottawa chieftain Pontiac. In 1774 Brant became secretary to Guy Johnson, superintendent of Indian affairs and Sir William's son-in-law. Throughout the American Revolution he fought against the Americans, leading Native Americans in many raids. In 1775 he went to England, was presented at court, and was painted in full Native American dress by the painters Benjamin West and George Romney. While in England in 1785, he collected funds to build the first Episcopal church in Upper Canada, now in Brantford, Ontario.