Joseph Tayadaneega called the Brant, the Great Captain of the Six Nations (1779) by John Raphael Smith and George RomneySmithsonian's National Portrait Gallery
Joseph Brant was born a Mohawk, but his life was defined by his position between two worlds.
Through his sister Molly’s relationship with Sir William Johnson, the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Brant was immersed in English culture while remaining fiercely tied to his Mohawk heritage.
Beaded bandolier or sash (Mid-19th century - Late 19th century) by unknownRoyal Ontario Museum
As the American Revolution loomed, Brant sought to protect his people's lands. In 1776, he traveled to England to meet King George III, who promised to resolve ongoing land disputes once the war with the colonies was over.
Reassured, Brant accepted the "war belt," officially pledging his allegiance to the British in this "family dispute". This was a decision that ultimately contributed to the fracturing of the historic Six Nations Confederacy.
Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant) (c. 1807) by Berczy, WilliamNational Gallery of Canada
Back in America, Brant mobilized a formidable force of Loyalists and Native warriors. Despite two days of pleas from his former neighbor, American General Nicholas Herkimer, Brant refused to remain neutral.
On August 6, 1777, the tragic reality of the war became violently clear when Brant's forces ambushed Herkimer’s militia at the Battle of Oriskany.
Colonel Guy Johnson and Karonghyontye (Captain David Hill) (1776) by Benjamin WestNational Gallery of Art, Washington DC
After the war, the British granted Brant's people a tract of land in Canada that became known as Brant's Town (modern-day Brantford). He continued his diplomatic work, maintaining ties with former American foes and even undertaking a 1793 peace mission on behalf of Washington.
Speech of the United Indian Nations at their Confederate Council (copy attested by Joseph Brant) Speech of the United Indian Nations at their Confederate Council (copy attested by Joseph Brant) (18 December 1786)U.S. National Archives
Despite his lifelong dedication, Brant’s final years were fraught with hardship. He died estranged from both the British and his own people, having made enemies over his attempts to resolve land disputes and generate income.
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Yet, his legacy endured; forty-three years after his death, his body was carried back to Brant's Town and laid to rest beside the Mohawk church.
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