Diplomat and Stateswoman

Molly Degonwadonti Brant (1736-1796)

Molly Brant, the name most of us know her by, was born about 1736 at Canajoharie, in the Mohawk Valley, into a powerful family belonging to the Iroquois Confedearcy.  Her father  Tehowaghwengaraghkwin Kajirowirago, was Mohawk or Ka-nin-ke-a-ka, and her mother, Sahetagearat Onagsakearat was an Iroquois.

After her father's death, her mother married an Iroquois man, who was known to the Dutch and English traders in the area as Nicklaus Brant; and it was this name that she and her younger brother Joseph would later adopt.

At the age of 17, she met William Johnson, a  British trader who later became Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the British Indian Department's Northern District. They were married in a legal ceremony on July 7, 1752; though Johnson was already married to Catherine Weissenberg, with whom he had three children.  However, Molly moved into Johnson Hall acting as hostess at all social events; and the couple would have nine children born there.  Apparently, Catherine had been paid off to stay away.  She died in 1759. Though Molly would only ever be thought of as his mistress, she was considered his peer and in fact had more political clout than Johnson; and knew how to function well in all circles.  Her grace and dignity as a hostess made their home a favourite spot for visiting British dignitaries and she received many gifts, which she proudly displayed as a show of freindship.  However, she remained faithful to her own people, and as the head of a society of matrons, she had a great influence at councils of war and over the military ranks of the Six Nations.

William Johnson died in 1774, and in his will referred to her as a “prudent faithful housekeeper,” but she did inherit a great deal of land and money, as well as a black female slave.

She remained on in the house, entertaining many political leaders of both the Iroquois and British Nations and when the The American Revolution broke out, the Brant family, including Molly, used their influence to persuade the Six Nations to align with England.  Her home then also served as a haven for the fleeing Loyalists, until she herself was forced to abandon it in 1777, and seek refuge for herself in Canada.

Fort Johnson and Johnson Hall where Molly spent more than 20 years of her life

Sadly, this divided the once powerful Six Nations, with some supporting the Americans in their bid for freedom, and others siding with their old freinds and business partners, the British.  Yet neither group was given any consideration when the Peace Treaty signed in Paris in 1783; ended the conflict; and all were dispossessed of their lands.  Not a proud period in Euro-American history.

Molly and her family ended up in Cataraqui, and because of her loyalty to the British cause; she did not have to draw lots for land, in the way the Loyalists did;, but was given 116 acres of farm land assigned as Farm Lot A, along the northern limit of the town (now Kingston).  She arrived with few personal items, but there is mention of a "Trunk of Presents" being delivered to her by Colonel Daniel Claus, Sir William's son-in-law; and a sum of money by her brother and Governor Haldimand; as well as another trunk of necessary items.

A house was built for her on the lot, as well as one for her brother Joseph, who would prove his loyalty to the British cause time and time again. In a letter dated September 10, 1783, from Major Mathews to Governor Haldimand, he mentions approval for the house to built.  Molly stayed in the barracks until it's completion, which seems to have been taking longer than expected.  In another letter dated October 15, 1783; Major Ross wrote to Major Mathews: "I hear that Joseph Brant is exceedingly surprised that no house is as yet built for Miss Molly. I will write to him by the first opportunity that it shall be done as soon as possible" Not long after Governor Haldimand writes to Ross:  "As it is natural to suppose that Joseph Brant would wish to have a Home contiguous to His sister for the purpose of leaving His family under Her protection when called abroad by War, or Business, I would have a comfortable House built for him as near as possible (but distinct from) to Molly's - it will give them both Satisfaction, and they can be gratified without any very great Expence, as there are so many Workmen employed"

Joseph Brant

(Ross to Mathews, February 1784) "Captn Brant who is the bearer of this letter seems highly pleased with the favor shewn him by His Excellency in Causing a house to be built for him at Cataraqui which together with Miss Mollys is in great forwardness and to flatter him Still more Some little alteration has been made agreeable to his Wishes;" finally (Ross to Mathews, June 1784) "Captain Brants House 40 foot in front by 30 in depth and one storey and a half complete. Miss Molly Brants House nearly Complete"

Originally the old French fort at Cataraqui was selected for the Iroquois; but it was later decided that it would be a good place for the settlement of the other Loyalists instead; so all troops, equipment, and buildings from Carleton Island, on the American side of the new border; were relocated there.  Molly was given a military pension for her services to the King during the war, in the amount of £100 annually; and was allowed to stay on at Cataraqui; while the rest of the Iroquois were sent to Tyendinaga.  Three of her daughters also settled on land that was to become part of Kingston.

MOLLY BRANT'S LETTER TO COL. CLAUS dated Carleton Island 12 April 1781

(Haldimand Papers, Add MSS 21774, p. 180)

It touches me very sore to hear from Niagara how my younger Brother Joseph Brant was used the 6th of April, by being almost murdered by Col. Johnsons people,[*] what adds to my Grief and Vexation is, that being scarce returned safe from the rebel Country, he must be thus treated by these of the Kings people who always stay quietly at home & in the Fort, while my Brother Continually exposes his Life in going against the Enemy taking prisrs as far as in his power. For which reason I beg you will speedily let His Excellency General Haldimand hear of it, who alone can heal this Breach of peace & friendship, by his order & reprimand As Commander in Chief. This usage of my Brother makes me dread the Consequences, as some of the six Nations were Spectators of it, and well remember what Genl. Schuyler told them that they would be ill used and despised by the Kings people for their Services, of which they have now a proof, for which reason I entreat His Excellency General Haldimand to use his Authority and settle this Matter, as it is hard for me to have an only Bror. whom I dearly love to see him thus treated, but what I am most concerned about is that it may affect the Kings Indn. Interest. The whole Matter is, that the Officers at Niagara are so haughty & proud, not knowing or considering that the Kings Interest is so nearly connected with that of the Indians.  Wherefore I beg you will acquaint His Excellency with this, and let me know His Sentiment thereupon signed Mary (Molly) Brant

[* Note: Joseph Brant exhibited unusual behavior and was involved in a drunken brawl on April 6, 1781. Molly Brant's letter to Claus caused him to consult Haldimand who in turn ordered Guy Johnson at Fort Niagara to repair the situation. Indications are that Guy Johnson actually had supported Joseph Brant when the event occurred and that the incident may have been blown out of proportion. Meanwhile, Joseph Brant left Fort Niagara on April 8 for Detroit.]

Molly Brant The Woman

(Gonwatsijayenni, Degonwadonti or Tekonwatonti)

Molly Brant was a strong individual; a genius in diplomacy, she could hold her own in any English Parlour, but never gave up her heritage.  She insisted on speaking Mohawk, always dressed in Mohawk style and encouraged her children to do the same.  When the invading American Army ransacked her home, they found barrels of gowns and trimmings buried in the backyard, all gifts from well meaning British friends, hoping she would adopt the European fashions. She argued constantly on behalf of the Iroquois before, during, and after the American Revolution and many times offered food and shelter to those in need.  Though after the war, the female role diminished somewhat in Iroquois Society, her esteemed position was never in question. In 1785, when she travelled to Schenectady in the Mohawk Valley, to sign legal documents, the Americans wanted her and her family to return, and even offered financial compensation. It is said that she  rejected the offer "with the utmost contempt"

Instead Molly chose to remain in Canada, using her influence with the British to see that her people were well cared for. In times of disagreement, she would travel herself, into the villages to meet with the Sachems (chiefs), urging their continued loyalty to the Crown. She proved to be such an asset that provisions were made by the British to support her financially for her entire life, with a yearly pension that exceeded that of her famous brother.  Before her husband's death, he had set out political appointments for their children and Molly's brother, Joseph, so she knew that they would be well taken of.  However, her family would later adopt European customs and manner of dress.

On June 4, 1793; General Lincoln gives his impression of Molly's daughters; in his private journal: (Massachusetts Historical Collections, Vol. V., 3rd Series) "The King's birthday. At eleven o'clock the governor had a levee at his house, at which the officers of government, the members of the legislature, the officers of the army, and a number of strangers attended. ...In the evening there was quite a splendid ball, about twenty well~dressed and handsome ladies, and about three times that number of gentlemen present. They danced from seven o'clock till eleven, when supper was announced and served in very pretty taste. The music and dancing were good, and everything was conducted with propriety. What excited the best feelings of my heart was the ease and affection with whiich the ladies met each other, although there were a number present whose mothers sprang from the aborigines of the country. They appeared as well dressed as the company in general, and intermixed with them in a measure which evinced at once the dignity of their own minds, and the good sense of the others.  These ladies possessed great ingenuity and industry, and have great merit; for the education they have acquired is owing principally to their own industry, as their father, Sir William Johnson, was dead and the mother retained the manners and dress of her tribe".

His comments show a typical arrogance, finding it astonishing the the girls were so refined when their "gentleman' father was dead and their mother no help at all because she chose to retain her native heritage.  Mrs. Simcoe also comments on Molly, meeting her for the first time in 1794, when she allowed her to board a private excusrsion from Mississauga to Kingston:  "Orders were given for my accommodation that no person should have a passage to Kingston in the "Mississaga," but I relented in favour of Brant's sister, who was ill and very desirous to go. She speaks English well, and is a civil and very sensible old woman. Sir William connected himself with the daughter of an Indian sachem, who possessed an uncommonly agreeable person and good understanding and whether ever formally married to him according to our usage or not, continued to live with him in great union and affection all his life."

She would have the good fortune of meeting her again the following year:  "Fri. April 24th-The Governor has been so ill since the 21st of March that I have not left his room since that day. He has had such a cough that some nights he could not lie down, but sat in a chair, total loss of appetite, and such headaches that he could not bear any person but me to walk across the room or speak loud. There was no medical advice but that of a horse doctor who pretended to be an apothecary. The Governor, out of consideration for the convenience of the staff-surgeon, had allowed him to remain at Niagara, and his not being made to attend his dutv has caused me a great deal of anxiety to see the Governor so ill without having proper attendance. Capt. Brant's sister prescribed a root,it is, I believe, calamus, a genus of palm, one species of which yields a resin called dragon's blood, the root of which is the sweet fiag-whieh really relieved his cough in a very short time."

Molly Brant died on April 16, 1796, at the age of 60, and was laid to rest in the burial ground of St. George's Church, located at the corner of Queen Street and Montreal Street, where St. Paul's Church now stands (though the exact location of her plot is unknown)  The results of her loyalty to the British is sometimes in question; when it comes to Iroquois history; but her motives were always pure and she should be held in high esteem by all Canadians.

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