Guy Johnson facts for kids
Guy Johnson (around 1740 – 5 March 1788) was an Irish officer and diplomat. He worked for the British during the American Revolution. He moved to the New York colony when he was young. There, he helped his uncle, Sir William Johnson. His uncle was the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the northern colonies.
Guy took over his uncle's job in 1774. The next year, Johnson moved to Canada with other British loyalists. This happened as tensions grew in New York before the American Revolution. He led combined British militia and Mohawk actions in the Mohawk Valley. Later, he was accused of making false reports. He went to London to defend himself after the war. He died there in 1788.
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Early Life and Moving to New York
Guy was the son of either John or Warren Johnson. They were younger brothers of Sir William Johnson. The Johnson family came from an old Irish family called the O'Neill dynasty.
In 1756, Guy sailed from Ireland. He joined his uncle William in the Mohawk Valley of the New York colony. He helped his uncle, who was the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs. This meant he was in charge of relations with Native American groups. He worked closely with the Iroquois, who had strong ties with the British.
Family Life and Homes
In 1763, Guy Johnson married Mary (Polly). She was one of William's daughters from his first wife, Catherine Weisenberg. His uncle, who was now also his father-in-law, gave them a large piece of land. It was located on the Mohawk River, near what is now Amsterdam, New York.
In 1773, their first home was destroyed by a lightning strike. They built a new, large stone house in 1774. It was built in a grand style and they called it Guy Park. Soon after, they had to leave their home. This was because of growing tensions before the American Revolution. They went to Canada with other loyalists to settle near Fort Niagara. Sadly, Polly Johnson died at Oswego during their journey.
Career and the American Revolution
Guy Johnson became a helper to Sir William in his role as British Superintendent of Indian Affairs. He learned a lot about the Mohawk and Iroquois people. When William died in 1774, just before the war, Guy took over his job. Guy Johnson also served as a local judge. He was a colonel in the Tryon County militia. He was also elected to the New York colony's assembly.
Fighting for the British
In 1775, a group in New York decided to fight against British rule. Johnson stayed loyal to the British King. He tried to control the local courts in Tryon County. He was helped by other loyalists like Sir John Johnson and Colonel Daniel Claus. These three also led three groups of the Tryon County militia. But, Americans fighting for independence soon made the three loyalists leave their positions.
British General Gage sent Johnson a letter. It told him to gather as many Iroquois warriors as he could. They were to go to Canada and join forces with General Carleton. Their goal was to attack New England. In May 1775, Johnson fled with about 120 other loyalists. About 90 Mohawk people, led by Chief John Deseronto, also went with them to British-controlled Canada.
Along the way, Johnson worked to get the loyalty of the Iroquois nations. He held a meeting at Oswego, New York, in July. Johnson's wife Polly had died and was likely buried there. He and the rest of his group reached Montreal on 17 July.
In September 1775, John Campbell was put in charge of Native American affairs in Canada. General Guy Carleton, the leader of Quebec, told Johnson he had no power over Native Americans in Canada. He also said the Iroquois should not fight outside Quebec. Johnson decided to travel to England in November 1775. He went with the Mohawk leader Joseph Brant. They wanted to talk directly to important British leaders. The British leaders then made Johnson the permanent superintendent for Native American affairs in the northern colonies. However, he still had no power in Canada.
Johnson and Brant returned to North America. They landed in New York City in July 1776 after the British had taken the city back. He was told to stay in New York because he had no job in Canada. Johnson finally convinced his leaders to let him do his "duty." He returned to Canada in 1779.
He led forces against the American colonists in the Mohawk Valley area. His helpers carried out attacks in what Americans called the "Burning of the Valleys." These included attacks at Wyoming and Cherry valleys. Back at Fort Niagara in 1779, Johnson helped many Iroquois refugees. They had lost their homes because of the Sullivan Expedition that year. This expedition destroyed their villages and food stores in western New York. He also organized counter-attacks.
In 1781, General MacLean reported that Johnson's wartime financial reports were "too much, amazing & made up." Johnson was suspended from his job. He was called to Montreal, where the governor, Frederick Haldimand, said his actions were "wrong." Johnson was never found guilty, but he was in disgrace. He went to London to defend his reports to the government and stayed there. He died in 1788.
Sir John Johnson took over Fort Niagara as superintendent of Native American affairs while his cousin was away. He was officially given the job in March 1782.
Legacy
The state of New York took the property of loyalists and sold the house after the war. When it was owned by private people, the house was used as a stop for stagecoaches. This was during the big movement of people westward through New York State in the 1800s.
Since the early 1900s, the house has been kept as a state historic site. It was recently used as the Walter Elwood Museum for local history. It was badly damaged in August 2011 by flooding from Hurricane Irene.
Images for kids
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This painting by Benjamin West is usually thought to be a picture of Guy Johnson. But some historians think it shows Sir William Johnson, Guy's uncle.
