Johnson, Sir William

Sir William (1715-1774), a famous colonist of New York. He was a native of Ireland. In 1738 he established himself on a tract of land in the Mohawk Valley, about twenty-five miles from Schenectady. He settled colonists on his estate and opened up an extensive trade with the Indians. The six nations of the Mohawk family became so impressed with his fairness that they adopted him as a member of their tribe. In the war which followed with France they were held by his influence on the British side. They followed his lead in the operations against Crown Point and against Dieskau at Lake George. He took part in the expedition against Ticonderoga, received the surrender of Fort Niagara, was present at the capture of Montreal, and saw the surrender of all Canada. At the conclusion of the war the British Parliament gave him a grant of $25,000 and a large tract of land on the northern side of the Mohawk where the town of Johnstown, named in his honor, now stands. He was a noted man in his day. He lived in baronial style in a large wooden mansion, where he dispensed hospitality to native and white men alike with princely liberality. He started the business of glove making. He introduced sheep and blooded horses into the Mohawk Valley.