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Table of Contents
John Norton was a military leader of Iroquois warriors during the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. At the age of around 30, Norton was adopted by the Mohawk at the major reserve in Canada.
See the fact file below for more information on the John Norton or alternatively, you can download our 24-page John Norton worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
BIOGRAPHY
- John Norton (Teyoninhokarawen) was born on December 16, 1770, in Dunfermline, Scotland, United Kingdom. He was the son of a Cherokee father and a Scottish mother. Norton later claimed that he was the son of a Cherokee (a group of indigenous people of the Southeastern Woodlands of the United States) war chief.
- However, his father was taken by the British soldiers after destroying the Cherokee Village of Kuwoki in South Carolina.
- Norton was educated in Dunfermline. After graduating, he immediately enlisted in the British 65th Foot Regiment in 1784. In 1785, Norton arrived in Lower Canada with the Regiment. He was sent to Fort Niagara in Upper Canada two years later.
JOURNEY IN BECOMING A MOHAWK CHIEF
- In 1788, Norton was discharged and immediately worked in the fur trade from 1791-1795. He worked for John Askin, an American trader who was based in Fort Detroit.
- Norton worked as both an interpreter and trader. During this time, he dealt with the First Nations south of the Great Lakes, including Maumee, Wyandot, and Shawnee. After the victory of the American army against Maumee and their allies during the Battle of Fallen Timbers on August 20, 1794, Norton decided to return to Canada.
- Later, Norton was retained by the Indian Department at Niagara as an interpreter. Around the same time, Norton met Joseph Brant, a Mohawk military and political leader. Brant was impressed by Norton’s remarkable skill as an interpreter and negotiator.
- This led Brant to convince Norton to join the Grand River Mohawk. This was the group of people inhabiting the Six Nations of the Grand River supporting the British army during the revolution.
- Norton decided to resign from the Indian Department, and Brant adopted Norton as his nephew. Later, Brant granted him the title of Peace Chief, making Norton a Mohawk Chief.
- Norton was assigned to negotiating land settlements with the British government. He was accompanied by John, Brant’s son, but they were unable to reach a favorable agreement with the Grand River Mohawk.
- During this time, Norton was approached by the British and Foreign Bible Society to translate the Gospel of St. John into the Mohawk language. Norton’s work represented several firsts for the newly formed Bible Society.
- It became its first translation, first publication, and the first distribution in a foreign land when sent to Canada.
THE WAR OF 1812
- During the spring of 1809, Norton decided to travel to the land of Cherokee, where he was able to re-establish his relationship with the members of his father’s family. Norton arrived at the Grand River after traveling through Shawnee lands on his return.
- At the same time, Norton met Tenskwatawa, an American religious and political leader of Shawnee and Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, warrior, diplomat, and orator who resisted the expansion of the United States onto the Native American Lands.
- During the outbreak of the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain, the British Army assigned Norton the rank of captain. He recruited Grand River Mohawk and several others and led them at the Battle of Queenston Heights on October 13, 1812.
- Early in the battle, after the death of Sir Isaac Brock, a British Army Officer and colonial administrator from Guernsey, Norton led an attack on the American troops with the support of the Mohawk.
- This became a decisive moment because it gave General Sheaffe, a Loyalist General of the British Army, more time to prepare for a successful counter-attack on the American forces.
- The following year, Norton and his warriors covered the British Army forces’ retreat to Burlington Heights after Fort Niagara in Upper Canada was conquered by the American force.
- On June 6, 1813, the supposedly American advancement was stopped at the Battle of Stoney Creek, where Norton and the Mohawk provided scouts or spies before a successful night attack by Brigadier John Vincent of the 49th Regiment.
- Several days later, the British forces completed the Americans’ retreat during the Battle of Beaver Dams on June 24, 1813, with the Grand River and Kahnawake Mohawk Warriors’ support.
LATER IN LIFE
- After the war, Norton and his wife, Karighwaycagh, a Lenape (Delaware) woman, traveled to England. Norton received the brevet rank of major in the British Army.
- In 1816, Norton and his wife returned to the Grand River. However, in 1823, Norton was proven guilty of manslaughter after a fight over his wife’s infidelity.
- After this event, Norton essentially disappeared from historical records. Unconfirmed reports stated that Norton died in Northern Mexico some time in October 1831.
John Norton Worksheets
This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about John Norton across 24 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use John Norton worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about John Norton who was a military leader of Iroquois warriors during the War of 1812 between Great Britain and the United States. At the age of around 30, Norton was adopted by the Mohawk at the major reserve in Canada.
Complete List Of Included Worksheets
- John Norton Facts
- Norton’s Profile Writing
- Timeline of the Chief
- Questions of Norton
- Jumbled War
- Filling the Trades
- Leader’s Achievements
- Fact or Bluff?
- Mohawk’s Chief Leadership
- Iroquois Warriors
- Mohawks
Frequently Asked Questions
What was John Norton known for?
After the untimely death of Sir Isaac Brock, Norton rallied Grand River Mohawk and others to join him in the Battle of Queenston Heights. With his inspiring words and courage, he led them fearlessly into battle against American troops.
Who were the Norton family?
The Nortons were a powerful gentry family with possession of land in Somerset, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, and the city of Worcester as well as Bristol. Their primary residence situated in Bristol was created by Thomas Norton between St Peter’s Church and the north bank of River Avon.
Is Norton an Irish name?
Deriving from both English and Irish lineages, the name Norton is sure to carry a rich history.
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