Isaac Karakundye Brant

Mohawk

Isaac died from the effects of a wound received at the hands of his father, whose life he had attempted to take while in a fit of drunken frenzy at Beasley's Inn.

"Joseph Brant kills his son, Isaac ©1998 Jerod Rosman http://www2.whidbey.net/jerod/killson.htm

"Isaac Brant, Joseph's oldest child by his first wife, created problems for his father and family most of his life. Isaac's birth mother died of consumption when he was very young. His first step-mother was his aunt -- his mother's sister -- and she died shortly after she married Joseph. Joseph's third wife, Catherine Crogan, gave him seven children and outlived him by 30 years, dying in November of 1837.

"From an early age, Isaac developed an irascible attitude which grew worse as he grew older. Isaac showed no respect for his father, and was especially disrespectful to his second

step-mother. As the seven children of Joseph and his third wife grew up, Isaac became intensely jealous of all of them. He imagined they received a larger share of attention than he and his sister,

the second child of their deceased mother.

"Reverend John Stuart, who knew the young Joseph when he returned to Canajoharie from Rev. Wheelock's School in Massachusetts. According to James Stracham 1819, Rev John Stuart said of Isaac, "I knew the young man, He was the son of Captain Brant's first wife. No pains or expense were spared for his education. But he seemed to be of a sullen, morose, savage disposition. When he returned from Montreal, where he was educated, he came up with me. I remember well he avoided all society and intercourse with the white people whose houses we happened to stop; and after he went to his father at Grand River, he was remarked for a ferocious and unfriendly temper, sometimes maliciously and wantonly shooting horses belonging to white people; and, when intoxicated, which often happened, endangering the lives of persons also."

"He was given an good education for the times, but was a less than mediocre student. He first attended a school in the Mohawk Valley.

"As a soldier in the Revolutionary War Isaac was posted at Fort Niagara. Many of the English officers on the post were loose living, and Isaac fell in with them. Another problem surfaced - Isaac

became addicted to alcohol. When in his cups, Isaac was always quarrelsome with everyone, even his parents. He grew into an angry man with dangerous mental problems.

"The Brants were conscientious parents. Historians and 'original documents tell us no couple was more scrupulous in impartial affection for their children. An example of his concern for Isaac

was evident when Joseph arranged that he marry a beautiful girl, a daughter of a chief of the Turtle clan. He also appointed him as his secretary, hoping to keep him close and possibly reclaim him

to the family. It was all to no avail. Jealousy possessed him, and during his drunken sprees with his Indian friends, he often threatened to kill his father. His step-mother treated him with calm

kindness, keeping silent during his fits of rage and abuse.

"Isaac was once riding on the King's Highway when he met a young man riding in the opposite direction. An argument ensued, and Isaac killed the man's horse and seriously maimed the youth.

Joseph had to pay a large sum of money to compensate the family of the youth.

"In another incident at the Mohawk (Grand River) village, Isaac killed a man, outright, in cold blood. The victim's name was Lowell, and he was a harness-maker. He was at work in his shop when

Isaac Brant entered and said, "Lowell, I am going to kill you!"

"Lowell laughed, certain he was joking. He said, "Why should you kill me? I have never injured you, neither have we ever quarreled." Isaac then deliberately drew and fired his pistol, killing Lowell

instantly.

"Isaac's final outrage took place during a council of the Six Nations at Burlington Heights, near the home of Colonel Beasley on Burlington Bay. They were meeting to receive their annual bounty

from the government, -- presents of clothing and other articles. Many traded their gifts for whiskey, which was plentiful and easily available.

"Isaac was drinking heavily with his Indian friends and drank himself into a stupor, cursing and swearing that this was the night he was going to kill his father.

" Chief Brant had visited Colonel Beasley's house that evening and afterwards walked up a hill to a small Inn not far from the Beasley home to stay the night. Isaac followed him to the Inn and took

a room adjoining his father's. He cursed and abused his father to his friends, knowing Joseph could hear what he was saying through the thin plank walls dividing the rooms. As Joseph entered his

son's room, hoping to quiet the ranting, Isaac sprang at him waving a sharp pointed knife. He cut his father seriously on the back of his hand. Joseph pulled a large dirk from a sheath on his thigh

where he always carried it and staved off Isaac's attack. In the scuffle, he struck his son on the head, inflicting a small wound. Isaac's companions grabbed him around the waist and pulled him

away from his father. Others pulled Joseph back from his son. Isaac was so enraged he would not let them put a dressing on his head wound, although it bled heavily. They finally had to subdue

and tie him until he could sober up.

"The next day, Isaac's temper had not softened and he resumed his drinking. Again in a rage, kept tearing off the bandages friends put on his head causing his wound to again bleed heavily.

"Isaac continued to drink over the next several days. Not surprisingly, he developed an infection with a high fever which soon caused his death.

"Joseph Brant was grief stricken.He immediately surrendered to the local authorities, and resigned his commission as Captain which he still retained in the British military. However, Lord

Dorchester would not accept his resignation as everyone knew the injury was accidental, and a case of self-defense.

"Brant then called a council of the elderly Mohawk sachems and warriors at which he explained the incident to them. After great deliberation - Mohawk Indians never decide hastily on any subject

- the council delivered an opinion in the following words:

"BROTHER: We have heard and considered your case. We sympathize with you. You are bereaved of a beloved son. But that son raised his parricidal hand against the kindest of fathers. His death was occasioned by his own crime. With one voice we acquit you of all blame. We tender you our heartiest condolence. And may the Great Spirit above, bestow upon you consolation and comfort under your affliction."

"From W.L.Stone, Isabel Thompson Kelsay, Draper Manuscripts. "

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=erikj&id=...

ID: I28524

Name: Isaac BRANT

Name: Karaguantier

Sex: M

Change Date: 11 Jul 2005 1

Birth: ABT 1767 in Canajoharie Castle, New York

Death: NOV 1795 in Grand River, Ontario, Canada

Event: Oneida Nation/Tribe

Father: Joseph BRANT b: MAR 1743 in Ohio

Mother: Margaret

Marriage 1 Mary HILL

Married: ABT 1784

Children

Isaac BRANT

Ellen BRANT b: 1793 in Brantford, Brant, Ontario, Canada
Margaret BRANT b: in Brantford, Brant, Ontario, Canada
Sources:

Abbrev: Joseph Brant

Title: Isabel Thompson Kelsay, Joseph Brant

1743-1807, Man of Two Worlds (Syracuse University Press, 1984.)

1743-1807, Man of Two Worlds (Syracuse University Press, 1984.)

1743-1807, Man of Two Worlds (Syracuse University Press, 1984.).

Page: Pages 114, 362, 529 & 564.