Archaeo - Histories@archeohistories
On July 20, 1779, a Loyalist militia force composed of 60 Indians and 27 white Tories under the command of militia captain and Mohawk war chief Joseph Brant (born Thayendanegea) attacked and destroyed the village of Minisink in upstate New York. After learning of the attack, the local Patriot militia set out in pursuit of Brant’s force. Their attempt to ambush Brant’s men was a disaster, however, and they were routed. Brant’s men took over 40 Patriot scalps, giving no quarter to the wounded or to prisoners. The only captured militiaman to survive was Captain John Wood. As some of Brant’s men were about to scalp Wood, Brant saw him give the Masonic distress signal. Brant, who was a Mason, ordered his men to stop, stepped forward and offered Captain Wood his hand. Wood took it and gave the Master Mason’s secret grip. Brant then ordered his warriors to spare Wood.
Sometime later Brant casually mentioned to Wood that he would have been killed had they not been Masonic brothers. Puzzled, Wood said he was not a Mason. Brant was infuriated, believing he had been deceived, but he spared Wood nevertheless.
In fact, Captain Wood had not done anything deceitful. It was all inadvertent. Somehow in the struggle something he had done had resembled the Masonic distress signal and likewise somehow the way he took Brant’s hand must have resembled the Masonic secret handshake.
During his time as a prisoner of war, John Wood must have often reflected on his luck. One of the first things he did when he was released from captivity years later was to join his local Masonic lodge.
The Battle of Minisink occurred on July 22, 1779.
The portrait of Joseph Brant was painted by George Romney in 1776.
© A Daily Dose of History
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