Sir William Johnson was born in 1715 in County Meath, Kingdom of Ireland and died on July 11, 1774 in the Province of New York. Johnson converted to Protestantism when offered a spot to work for his uncle in British America. He arrived in 1738 and hired African slaves to clear the land so he could establish a settlement there. Eventually, he bought a small farm in 1739.
During King George's War in 1746, Johnson was promoted to New York's agent to the Iroquois, because he had close relations with them. In July of 1748, he built Fort Johnson up upon Mount Johnson, which was heavily fortified. Three years later, he resigned as the Indian commissioner of New York.
Johnson's main war involvement was in the French and Indian War. He was General in three battles: the Battle of Lake George, Battle of Fort Niagara, and the largest battle the Battle of Carillon. He survived all three battles, even though the British lost the Battle of Carillon by a great margin.
Johnson also played a big role in the Pontiac War which stretched from 1763-1766. He was the negotiator in this war, as he negotiated many treaties throughout the course of the war, including the treaty that finished the war in 1766. After the war, many treaties were still being finalized because the Indians were still unhappy with the British policy.
It is believed that Johnson died on July 11, 1774 in Johnson Hall due to a stroke. More than 2,000 people attended his funeral in Johnstown, and he was buried beneath the altar in St. John's Anglican Church, the church in Johnstown.
During King George's War in 1746, Johnson was promoted to New York's agent to the Iroquois, because he had close relations with them. In July of 1748, he built Fort Johnson up upon Mount Johnson, which was heavily fortified. Three years later, he resigned as the Indian commissioner of New York.
Johnson's main war involvement was in the French and Indian War. He was General in three battles: the Battle of Lake George, Battle of Fort Niagara, and the largest battle the Battle of Carillon. He survived all three battles, even though the British lost the Battle of Carillon by a great margin.
Johnson also played a big role in the Pontiac War which stretched from 1763-1766. He was the negotiator in this war, as he negotiated many treaties throughout the course of the war, including the treaty that finished the war in 1766. After the war, many treaties were still being finalized because the Indians were still unhappy with the British policy.
It is believed that Johnson died on July 11, 1774 in Johnson Hall due to a stroke. More than 2,000 people attended his funeral in Johnstown, and he was buried beneath the altar in St. John's Anglican Church, the church in Johnstown.