Caught between two worlds

HURLEYVILLE, NY — Joseph Brant, a Native American of Revolutionary times, will be the subject of a presentation by Frank Salvati of Port Jervis at the next meeting of the Sullivan County Historical Society at 7:30 p.m. on October 9 in the county museum.

Though Brant was born into the Mohawk tribe of the Iroquois Federation, as an adult he visited England and met King George III, was lionized by London Society and translated some Anglican prayer books into the Mohawk language. But Brant also had a reputation as an implacable and cruel Indian warrior who was responsible for massacres of white settlers on the frontier in New York State. At the same time, he was admired in Canada as a great leader.

Brant was first and foremost a Mohawk Indian and a leader in that tribe. But because of his close association with Sir William Johnson (Brant’s sister, Molly, was Sir Williams’ wife), he was also a British subject who remained loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution, despite efforts by the colonists to persuade him and his tribe to join them during the Revolution. Salvati will discuss different aspects of this complex man.

For more information call 845/434-8044.