Born Thayendanegea on the banks of the Ohio River in 1742, Joseph Brant was a Mohawk war chief. This is different from a tribal chief as a president is different from a general. A great commander who won many battles for his allies, the British. His exploits are reknowned, but less known are his acts which spared the lives of several Patriots, despite his being their enemy on the field of battle. He was actually a twin, with his sister, Mary (aka Molly) became the common law wife of Sir William Johnson who became Crown Superintendent for Indian Affairs in North America.
Because of Johnson’s influence, Brant was sent to Dr. Wheelock’s school in Lebanon, Connecticut. Eventually he was employed as the baronet’s secretary. He served as his tribe’s interpreter and religious instructor. He possessed both great ability and energies in all of his duties.
At around the time of the breakout of hostilities between Britain and its American colonies, Brant traveled to England where he mingled freely among the nobility. He also had his portrait painted by the great artist of the day, Romney. It was at this time Joseph Brant became a Free Mason and raised to the third degree in London, England on April 26 1776. It was due to his Masonic affiliation that his honor to his brother Masons served to save their lives.
After the Revolution and the subsequent removal of the Mohawks to Canada, he became master of Lodge number 11 at Brantford, Ontario (which is now extinct). He later became a member of Barton Lodge number 10 (now number 6 and still in existence).
He was sent from England back to America with a colonel’s commission, Brant then became recognized as the leader of the Iroquois in their Army in their border war against the Americans. Undoubtedly a rugged fighter, he displayed more compassion than his contemporaries the British officers such as Johnson, Butler, and MacDonald. This is exemplified by the five separate occasions he spared the lives of captured American officers who were sentenced to be executed. On one occasion he captured a Lieutenant Maynard from West Point who was out on a foraging mission with a small contingent. Although his command were all executed, the lieutenant gave the sign of a Mason in distress just as he was to be burned at the stake. Brant observed this and immediately put a stop to it. He was taken into Brant's personal protection and escorted to Quebec where he sat out the remainder of the war at which time he was exchanged for a captured British officer.
During the failed American campaign, in May 1776 a great disaster befell the Americans. Benedict Arnold had stationed a garrison on the north side of the St. Lawrence River under Colonel Bedell at a spot called “The Cedars”. A force of 650 regular British Army, Canadians, and militia under Captain Foster and Colonel Brant approached this post and captured it. Among those to be burned alive was Captain John McKinistry, another Mason. It is unlikely that he knew Brant to be a Mason, but he may have supposed that some of his command had been. As the flames were rising he gave the sign of a Mason in distress. Brant rushed forward ckicked away the burning wood and released him. Years after the way Brant and McKinistry visited at the captain’s home in Greendale, N.Y.
Brant's greatest reputation was that of a military commander. One instance in particular is worthy of note. He took his force southward into Pennsylvania to inform the settlers that unless they renounced their patriotism and declared their allegiance to the king, he would destroy their farms. Washington knew of Brant's activities in the area so he sent Colonel Hawthorne to search for him and engage him.
This was the summer of 1779 and while he was on this expedition throughout the upper Susquehanna to the Delaware, he invaded the region known as the Minisink, the chief town therein being Port Jervis. After some skirmishing Brant moved toward the Delaware Valley pursued by Hawthorne’s Goshen and Warwick Militia.
Near what is now Warwick, N.Y. Hawthorne caught up with Brant and opened fire. Brant was taken by surprise and fled with the American in hot pursuit. Brant made it up to around present day Sullivan County near the Neversink. In the hamlet of Lackawaxen near the confluence of the Delaware, he paused for a brief rest. It was there that Hawkins force caught up with Brant’s. Hawthorne decided to ascend a hillside to get ahead of Brant, but in this valley Brant turned the tables on his pursuers. He swung around and doubled back coming in behind Hawthorne’s small force. Hawthorne was shocked and thrown into disarray. His command crumbled and they fled in all directions into the night. Brant had once again turned adversity into a great victory.
It was here when Major John Wood paused exhausted at a creek for a drink. The major was set upon by several Indians including Brant himself. Brant informed the Major that he was to be executed. He plead for humanity’s sake that he be spared and showed that he was unarmed. An Indian thrust at him with a spear cutting his forehead. The Indian was about to strike again when Wood raised his hands to defend himself. On this occasion the American accidentally made the sign of a Mason in distress and then reached out to grab Brant and accidentally gave him a Masonic grip. Brant once again stepped in and announced that he was to be spared. Thereafter it became known that the captured man was not a brother Mason, which angered Brant. Enraged, Brant accused him of being a hypocrite and interloper, but Wood insisted that he knew nothing of Masonry and if he had given any Masonic signs it was totally by accident. Brant believed him and nonetheless, as a man of his word the Patriot's life was indeed spared and he was escorted back to his friendly lines.
After this debacle, Washington decided to send a force large enough to put the Mohawks out of the conflict. In the Genesee Valley the Indians captured a Lieutenant Thomas Boyd with a Sergeant Parker. They were prepared for torture but as Brant approached, Boyd gave the sign which Brant immediately acknowledged and guaranteed their protection. Unfortunately for them, Brant was called away and they were turned over to the Senecas, who in his absence executed the two. Brant was saddened when he heard about it, and punished the Seneca leaders who had done the deed.
As a military leader he commanded groups who seldom showed mercy. Yet he never forgot his Masonic vows to respect his fellow men of the Craft.

REFERENCES

Baigent, M. 1989. Temple and Lodge. London, England, Jonathan cape Inc.

Bateman, R. Spring 1999. Native American: A Prince Among MY Own People. Volume I. Empire State Mason, NY, NY.

Bateman, R. Summer 1999. Native American: A Prince Among My Own People. Volume II. Empire State Mason, NY, NY.

Brett, G. 1953. Life and Masonic Career of Joseph Brant. Canadian Masonic History Association. Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Mackey, A.G. 1898. History of Free Masonry. Masonic Historical Society. NY, NY.

Stone, W.M. 1844. Life of Joseph Brant. H.E. Phinney Inc. Cooperstown, NY.