Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Brant, Joseph

BRANT, JOSEPH, a Mohawk chief, born in Ohio in 1742. He participated in the campaign of 1755, and held the post of secretary to Col. Johnson, superintendent-general of Indian affairs. On the outbreak of the American Revolution, Brant raised an Indian force to oppose the colonists, and was present at the action of Cherry Valley. He tried to prevent the confederation of the Indian tribes, previous to Gen. Wayne's expedition, and opposed peace between them and the United States. Brant was, however, a brave and intelligent chief. In 1786 he visited England, there published the “Book of Common Prayer,” and the “Gospel of St. Mark,” in Mohawk and English, and collected funds for an Anglican Church, the first erected in Canada West. He passed his last years at Burlington Bay, on an estate granted him by the British Government. One of Brant's sons commanded a mixed Canadian and Indian force during the War of 1812. He died in Canada, Nov. 29, 1807.