Farmer's Brother

Honayawas or Farmer's Brother (c. 1730 – 1814) was a Seneca Chief, active member of the Six Nations, elected War Chief, translator, and noted orator who fought and negotiated with both the United States and British before, during, and after the American Revolution.

He was a signatory of the Treaty of Big Tree in 1797, and the Treaty of Buffalo Creek in 1802 which sold Little Beard's reservation to Oliver Phelps, Isaac Bronson, and Horatio Jones.

Career During the French and Indian War he may have fought in the disastrous Battle of the Monongahela with Braddock in 1755. During Pontiac's Rebellion he participated in the Devil's Hole Massacre in 1763. Farmer's Brother sided with the British along other Senecas. After the war, however, he maintained friendly relations with the victorious colonials.

While previously very active as a war leader, Farmer's Brother became more heavily involved in the treaty making process with the Americans after the British signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783. In the treaty the British surrendered to the Americans several territories East of the Mississippi River, however they did this without the knowledge or consent of their Six Nations allies who still considered themselves the rightful owners of this land. pressured the Americans While in Philadelphia he was presented with a silver medallion by George Washington. from then on he wore it constantly around his neck, and was often heard to say that he would lose it only when he lost his life. In 1794 he participated in a Grand Council at Niagara where he is reported to have given a three-hour speech which unfortunately has not survived. on the 21st of November 1798 at Genesee River in the newly formed New York State.

Personal Farmer's Brother has been described as A strong, stalwart warrior, of gigantic frame and magnificent proportions, straight as an arrow ... with eagle eye, frank, open countenance, commanding port, and dignified demeanor. In the negotiations preliminary to the Treaty of Big Tree Farmer's Brother supported Jemison's request that a section of land which had been promised to her be set aside as a reservation. Although opposed by Red Jacket, Farmer's Brother won the day and the Gardeau Reservation was set aside for her following her description. During the process of exhuming his grave a brass tablet was discovered with his initials on it but it was lost in the moving process. It has been variously spelled Honanyawus, Ouayawos, Honayewus, etc.

He is said to have been given the name "Farmer's Brother" by George Washington. Washington wanted to make agriculture respectable among the Native Americans and in conversation with Honayawas indicated that he himself was a farmer, and called him a brother. Honayawas was proud of meeting Washington and adopted the name.