Farmer's Brother

Farmer's Brother (c. 1730–1815) is the English name of the Seneca chief Honayawas. He was a noted orator, but also noted as a war chief, famous for his cruelty to his enemies.

He was a signer of the Treaty of Big Tree in 1797, and the Treaty of Buffalo Creek in 1802 which sold Little Beard's reservation to Oliver Phelps, Isaac Bronson, and Horatio Jones.[1][2]

Career

During the French and Indian War he may have fought in the disastrous Battle of the Monongahela with Braddock in 1755. During Pontiac's Rebellion he participated in the Devil's Hole Massacre in 1763.[3]

During the American Revolution Farmer's Brother sided with the British, along with other Senecas. After the war, however, he maintained friendly relations with the victorious colonials. In 1792 he was one of a group of chiefs who visited Philadelphia, possibly to be present at the signing of the Agreement with the Five Nations.[4] While in Philadelphia he was presented with a silver medallion by George Washington. from then on he wore it constantly around his neck, and was often heard to say that he would lose it only when he lost his life.[5] In 1794 he participated in a Grand Council at Niagara where he is reported to have given a three-hour speech which unfortunately has not survived.[3] The same year he was a signatory of the Treaty of Canandaigua. In 1798, at a council held on the Genesee he spoke in favor of granting lands to two interpreters who had been captured and adopted by the Seneca during the revolution.[3]

During the War of 1812 he fought on the side of the United States despite his advanced age. He participated in the Battle of Fort George in 1813, and in the Battle of Lundy's Lane in 1814.[1] Following that battle a story is related that an Indian allied with the British (variously Chippewa or Mohawk) came to the Seneca saying he was deserting. Hhe was identified as a spy, and Farmer's Brother said to him "here are my rifle, my tomahawk, and my scalping knife: take your choice by which you will die." The spy chose the rifle and indicated he wanted to be shot through the heart (or head), so Farmer's Brother immediately pointed his rifle there and killed him.[6]:pp.279–281

On his death in 1815 the 5th Infantry Regiment buried him with full military honors in Buffalo, New York.[3]

Personal

Farmer's Brother has been described as

A strong, stalwart warrior, of gigantic frame and magnificant proportions, straight as an arrow ... with eagle eye, frank, open countenance, commanding port, and dignified demeanor.[7]

His exact birthdate is unknown, 1716, 1718, or 1732 have also been suggested.[1]

Farmer's Brother was a cousin (or half-brother) of Hiokatoo, who married Mary Jemison. According to Jemison "it was through the influence of Farmer's Brother that I became Hiokatoo's wife."[8]:p.186 In the negotiations preliminary to the Treaty of Big Tree Farmer's Brother supported Jemison's request that a section of land which had been promised to her be set aside as a reservation. Although opposed by Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother won the day and the 17,927-acre (7,255 ha) Gardeau Reservation was set aside for her following her description.[8]:pp.131–133

Name

The name Honayawas is said to have a "vulgar meaning".[1] It has been variously spelled Honanyawus,[1] Onayawos,[9] Ouayawos, Honayewus,[3] etc.

He is said to have been given the name "Farmer's Brother" by George Washington. Washington wanted to make agriculture respectable among the Native Americans and in conversation with Honayawas indicated that he himself was a farmer, and called him a brother. Honayawas was proud of meeting Washington and adopted the name.[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hodge, Frederick Webb (ed.) (1907). Handbook of American Indiane north of Mexico (part I). Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 453. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  2. ↑ "TREATY WITH THE SENECA, 1802". INDIAN AFFAIRS: LAWS AND TREATIES. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Stone, William Leete (1841). Life and times of Red-Jacket, or Sa-go-ye-wat-ha. New York: Wiley and Putnam. p. 409. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  4. ↑ "AGREEMENT WITH THE FIVE NATIONS OF INDIANS, 1792". INDIAN AFFAIRS: LAWS AND TREATIES. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  5. ↑ Thatcher, Benjamin Bussey (1836). Indian Biography (vol 2). Harper & Brothers. p. 277. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  6. ↑ Johnsom, Crisfield (1876). Centennial History of Erie County, New York. Heritage Books, Incorporated. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Smith, Henry Perry (1884). History of the City of Buffalo and Erie County. Buffalo, NY: D. Mason & Company. p. 64. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  8. 1 2 Seaver, James Everett; Letchworth, William Pryor (1910). A narrative of the life of Mary Jemison. G.P. Putnam's Sons. Retrieved July 31, 2017.
  9. ↑ "AGREEMENT WITH THE SENECA, 1797". INDIAN AFFAIRS: LAWS AND TREATIES. Retrieved July 31, 2017.


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