250th Birth Anniversary of Molly Brant (1736-1796)

Molly Brant [Mary Brant, Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk), 1736-1796] was an indigenous Iroquois leader, loyalist, activist, diplomat, and one of the most important women in the history of Canada. She exerted great influence in the Six Nations and was a powerful ally of the British forces.

During the American Revolutionary War (1775-1783), Brant sided with the British and proved valuable in their negotiations with the Iroquois. She kept the clans together in the support of the King and prevented rebellions using her influence.

In the words of Commander Fraser, “Miss Molly Brant’s Influence over them, which is far superior to that of all their Chiefs put together.”

Post-war, her family fled to Canada, where the Crown granted them large tracts of land for their services. She remained a prominent figure in the society till her death.

A plaque in Kingston was dedicated to the memory of Molly Brant, that read, “A Mohawk woman of great diplomatic skill, Molly Brant exerted an extraordinary influence on the powerful Iroquois Confederacy. During the American Revolutionary War, she passed valuable information to British troops and in 1777 was forced by the rebels to flee her homeland in the colony of New York. Living at military posts, she emerged as a persuasive speaker, exhorting the Iroquois to maintain their traditional alliance with the British Crown. After the war, this remarkable Loyalist settled near here. Molly Brant’s tireless efforts helped preserve Canada from American conquest.”