Johnson, William, Sir, 1st Baronet, 1715-1774

Staff Only

Biography

Sir William Johnson, 1st Baronet was an Irish official of the British Empire. As a young man, Johnson moved to the Province of New York to manage an estate purchased by his uncle, Admiral Peter Warren, which was located amidst the Mohawk, one of the Six Nations of the Iroquois League. Johnson learned the Mohawk language and Iroquois customs, and was appointed the British agent to the Iroquois. Because of his success, he was appointed in 1756 as British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the northern colonies. Throughout his career as a British official among the Iroquois, Johnson combined personal business with official diplomacy, acquiring tens of thousands of acres of Native land and becoming very wealthy.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Gen. Thomas Gage letter

Collection

Identifier: Mss 773325

Mss 773325

Date(s): 1773-05-25

Scope and Contents

Letter from Gen. Thomas Gage of New York to Sir Wm. Johnson he is planning to sail for England, and only awaits the Arrival of Gen. Haldiman. Hears that Johnson is in poor health. Endorsement from Genl. Gage concerning his intended departure for England.

Thomas Gage letter

Collection

Identifier: Mss 772630.2

Mss 772630.2

Date(s): 1772-11-30

Scope and Contents

Letter from Thomas Gage in New York, N.Y., to Sir Will Johson comments on a case involving the murder of a trader, and on the trial of one Ramsay n Montreal.