APRIL 16, 1796

MOHAWK DIPLOMAT, COUNSELLOR KOÑWATSIˀTSIAIÉÑNI (MOLLY BRANT) DIED

Born around 1736 either at Canajoharie, or, like brother Joseph, in Ohio, Brant’s grandfather was Mohawk leader King Hendrick [see July 9].  Molly, whose name meant “Someone lends her a flower,” accompanied Hendrick and other Mohawk leaders in 1754–55 to meet with Pennsylvania officials about a fraudulent sale of lands.  Later, with Sir William Johnson, she had eight children who survived infancy.  A loyalist during the Revolutionary War, in August 1777, Molly sent Indian runners to warn British troops besieging Fort Stanwix of approaching American militia.  The result was the British victory in the Battle of Oriskany.  Later, at Cayuga, she rebuked a venerable chief for counselling peace with the Americans.  As head of a society of Six Nations matrons, she served as diplomat and stateswoman.  In 1783, Molly moved to Cataraqui (now Kingston, Ont.), where she spent the remainder of her life.  In Canada, she is honored on this date annually by the Anglican Church of which she was a member.

Source:  Barbara Graymont, "Mary Brant," Dictionary of Canadian Biography (1771–1800), Vol. 4., 1979.  Retrieved 6/27/2019, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/konwatsitsiaienni_4E.html
Painting:  Edward Lawson Henry (1841–1919), 1903.  Johnson Hall, Molly Brant’s home from 1763-1774.  Canadian Museum of Civilization.  Public Domain in U.S.:  Pre 1/1/1925.  Public Domain elsewhere where copyright term is author’s life plus 70 years or less.