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Article by Heather Conn. Brant was one of the most important Indigenous women in Canadian history. From her influential position as head of a society of Six Nations matrons, she enjoyed a much greater status within the Mohawk nation than her more colourful, younger brother, Mohawk leader Joseph Brant.
Consulted by Indigenous people on matters of importance, she was a powerful ally to the British forces and served as their highly effective intermediary with the Iroquois in the American Revolutionary War — Early Life Historians generally accept that Mary Brant was born in During those early years, she was under constant harassment from the local Patriots. Turning point came two years into the war in , when Molly found out the plan of the siege of the Fort Stanwix.
She alerted the Mohawks and British of this fact, and their army successfully defeated Patriot militia at the Battle of Oriskany. To retaliate for her actions, American army attacked the Canajoharie and pillaged it, but Molly managed to flee in Iroquois capitalOnondaga with her children. After the battle, members of Iroquois tribes held a meeting where they discussed what course to take.
Old French Fort At Cataraqui. The government built a large house for Molly that was described as being 40 by 30 feet with one and one-half stories, and a house for her brother Joseph was built next door. She was also granted a pension of pounds per year and a supplement of twelve hundred pounds for property losses in the American Revolution. Historical records and recent writings present Molly Brant as a strong individual who retained her native heritage throughout her life.
She insisted on speaking Mohawk, she dressed in Mohawk style throughout her life, and she encouraged her children to do the same. In , Molly traveled to Schenectady in the Mohawk Valley, apparently to sign legal documents. It is reported that the Americans wanted her and her family to return, and went so far as to offer financial compensation.
On April 16, , Molly Brant died at the age of She was laid to rest in the burial ground of St. A plaque was erected in her memory; another is on an interior wall of St.
Molly Brant c. I hope that helps. In general through history, women tend to have a few names. My best guess is these are based on familiarity with the person. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Heather Huyck. November 7, at pm Reply. Mary Brant and her family, who had lost most of their possessions in the attack, took refuge at Onondaga near Syracuse , the capital of the Six Nations Confederacy, where she submitted her grievances to the confederacy council and was promised satisfaction.
She then moved to Cayuga south of present Cayuga, N. Her entreaties won over the whole council. As head of a society of Six Nations matrons, which was particularly influential among the young warriors, she was highly esteemed in the confederacy. She arrived at Fort Niagara in the late fall of and for the next several months was of inestimable assistance there as a diplomat and stateswoman.
She was consulted by the Indians on all issues of importance and often cautioned them against making unwise proposals to the commander of the fort. In July , at the suggestion of the commander, who found his facilities at the fort strained, she reluctantly left her elderly mother behind and went with her family to Montreal, where she placed two of her daughters in a boarding school. But she never reached Niagara, for she agreed instead to remain at Carleton Island, N. In , at the end of the war, she moved to Cataraqui Kingston, Ont.
She lived the remainder of her life at Kingston, highly respected by her neighbours. In addition she received compensation from the British government for her losses during the war. She made a trip back to the Mohawk valley in and visited Schenectady, where the Americans attempted to persuade her to return with her family. Little is known of her later years, though reports of travellers afford the occasional glimpse.
On 13 Sept. All her daughters, save one who remained single, married white men of distinction in Upper Canada. Her son George Johnson, known among the Indians as Big George, farmed and taught a day school not far from Brantford for many years. Peter died in in Philadelphia while serving with the 26th Foot.
A woman of high intelligence and remarkable ability who was at ease in two cultures, Mary Brant personified the dignity and influence accorded to respected mothers among the Iroquois people.
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