Article

John Norton and the War of 1812

Published Online December 5, 2016

Last Edited December 5, 2016

Canada is a country so vast that too often, it seems, its history is lost inside its geography. A striking example is the history of Indigenous peoples, whose long, rich narrative is well-preserved by them, but seldom gets the same attention on a broader scale — even when their stories affect us all.
Major John Norton, Teyoninhokarawen, the Mohawk Chief. His portrait was painted by Mary Ann Knight, an accomplished English miniaturist, Norton is shown in Indian dress with headdress and ostrich feather, trade silver earrings and small ring brooches covering his shirt. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1805, and was painted during Norton's visit to England when he acted as an interpreter and emissary for the Grand River Mohawks, bringing their grievances to the attention of the British government.

Consider Mohawk chief John Norton’s role in the pivotal Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. Without the efforts of Norton and about 80 Grand River warriors in repelling more than 1,000 American soldiers, the battle might have been lost, and the tide of war turned.

Norton was, by any measure, unique. Born in Scotland around 1760 to a Scottish mother and Cherokee father taken from North America by British soldiers, Norton enlisted with the British army in 1784, was posted to North America in 1785, and deserted the army two years later while serving in Niagara (he was later pardoned and received an official discharge). He became involved with the Six Nations of Grand River, and learned the Mohawk language and culture under its chief, Joseph Brant (Thayendanegea), who adopted Norton as his nephew. That gave Norton the status of chief, and the name Teyoninhokarawen, which in Mohawk means “open door.” Despite his desertion, he kept close contact with the British, remained a devout Anglican, and was considered an ally by the administration.

Joseph Brant
Painting by William Berczy, circa 1807, oil on canvas.

With the outbreak of war, Norton (then in his early 50s) was made a captain by the British, and began recruiting Grand River Mohawk and others to fight. They had a reputation as fierce warriors and soon had a chance to prove it. On 13 October 1812, more than 1,000 American troops crossed the Niagara, seeking to take control of Queenston Heights. Part of the American force reached the top, circled the British artillery position and forced the Redcoats from the Heights. General Isaac Brock, one of the most respected British military leaders of his day, was killed leading a counter-attack (see Isaac Brock: Fallen Hero).

Death of Isaac Brock, The Battle of Queenston Heights
The Battle of Queenston Heights on 13 October 1812 was both a victory and a tragedy for the British and Canadian forces against the invading American army, and resulted in the death of Isaac Brock (foreground) (painting by John David, courtesy Library and Archives Canada/C-000273).
The Battle of Queenston Heights
This 1836 engraving by James Denis shows American troops (blue uniforms) crossing the Niagara River and landing at Queenston. British and Canadian troops (red uniforms) under General Isaac Brock drove the Americans back to the heights (painting by James B. Dennis, courtesy Library and Archives of Canada/C-014614).
Queenston
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With British troops in potential disarray, Norton, John Brant, and about 80 other Six Nations and Delaware warriors stepped in — and stepped up. Outnumbered more than 10 to 1, they held back the Americans for hours — long enough for reinforcements to arrive so that the British could retain the crucial outpost.

That effort by Norton and the Six Nations warriors was a remarkable contribution to the war effort, but it was far from their only one. In the following year, Norton and his warriors covered the British retreat to Burlington Heights after the Americans took Fort Niagara, provided scouts before a successful night attack at the Battle of Stoney Creek and contributed to the rout of the Americans at the Battle of Beaver Dams.

After the war, Norton was given the brevet rank of major. Overall, Indigenous people made up as much as 10 per cent of British forces in the war. In 2012, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the creation of the Canadian Forces War of 1812 Commemorative Banner and Medals to be given to successor First Nations and Métis communities. As the Prime Minister said, “Canada’s Aboriginal People were, in every sense, key to the victory that firmly established Canada as a distinct country in North America.” And so we also pay tribute to efforts that shaped not only our past, but also the nation that we are today.

(See also First Nations and Métis Peoples in the War of 1812.)

Six Nations Warriors
Studio portrait of the surviving Six Nations warriors who fought with the British in the War of 1812, Brantford, Ontario, July 1882.