Three Rivers
Hudson~Mohawk~Schoharie
History From America's Most Famous Valleys
The
History of Montgomery Classis, R.C.A.
by W.N.P. Dailey,
Recorder Press, Amsterdam, NY 1916
To which is added sketches of Mohawk Valley men and events of early days, the
Iroquois, Palatines, Indian Missions, Tryon County, committee of Safety, Sir
Wm. Johnson, Joseph Brant, Arendt Van Curler, Gen. Herkimer, Reformed Church
in America, Doctrine and Progress, Revolutionary Residences, Etc.
Joseph Brant
Joseph Brant was born about 1742, but whether, as some historians say, on the banks of the Ohio, a pure native Indian, or at Canajoharie, where the mother of Joseph and Mollie Brant lived, after the death of her first husband in the west, and where Sir William Johnson spent much of his time, it is difficult to say. Sparks and other annalists of that day do not hesitate to attribute his birth to Sir William Johnson, and refer to the unusual attachment and personal concern of the baronet to the youth because of this paternity. His Indian name was "Thay-en-da-ne-ge-a" which means a "bundle of sticks," that is, "strength," An Indian named "Carrihoga" had married the mother of Joseph, to whom the settlers gave the name of Barent (Brant). Elsewhere Molly Brant is referred to as the Mistress of Mount Johnson. Joseph was sent to the Indian school of Dr. Eleazer Wheelock at Lebanon, Ct. (which ensued in Dartmouth College) with the purpose of training him for a missionary among the Mohawks. He served in this capacity for a few years under Kirkland, who sought to get him to remain neutral as the Revolution approached. But Sir William Johnson's relationship and influence overcame this. Joseph Brant visited England in 1775 and 1783, and entered into certain agreements with the Crown. He held a Colonel's commission from the king. Brant married a daughter of Colonel Croghan in 1779, the ceremony being performed by former Justice of the Crown, John Butler, father of Walter Butler. An Eric county town is called after him. He died November 24, 1807, aged sixty-five. One of his sons was in the British army in the war of 1812, and a daughter niarried W. J. Kerr of Niagara in 1824. He lies buried in the Mohawk churchyard near Brantford, Can. After Brant's death efforts were made to "better" his character, principally because English aristocracy had feted him, the crown had honored him, and, because he had not always killed. But such wanton murder as that of Lieut. Wormwood at Cherry Valley, an intimate friend of Brant, whom the latter himself tomahawked, and many other like incidents stand in the way of this.
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