DEERFIELD — A rare historical print of an 18th-century Native American statesman acquired by Historic Deerfield is now on display in the museum’s Flynt Center of Early New England Life.
Engraved on laid paper in ink, the portrait depicts Hendrick Peters Theyanoguin, a Westfield-born member of the Mohawk tribe, wearing traditional English garb and holding a halberd tomahawk. Historic Deerfield President and CEO John Davis said the piece is a “wonderful addition” to museum’s collection and ties in both local and Native American history of the Pioneer Valley.
“For about 10 years, from the mid-1740s to 1750s, he was probably the most influential figure in the relations between Iroquois and English colonists,” Davis said, adding that Theyanoguin traveled to Boston, Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City. “He was so well known, that after his death taverns were named after him.”
Often referred to as “White Head” due to his flowing white hair, Theyanoguin rose to prominence as a strategist, warrior and orator, who often aired indigenous peoples’ grievances with English settlers. At one point, according to Historic Deerfield, Theyanoguin once confronted New York Gov. George Clinton in 1754 with a delegation of 200 Iroquious to raise concerns about the French and Indian War’s effects on Native American tribes.
Davis said Theyanoguin was a broad figure with a “bold and assertive speaking style,” who English leaders and the public came to respect as a statesman. Davis noted, as a point of interest, that historians believe Theyanoguin was not completely fluent in English and all of his speeches were conveyed by a translator.
“I think he was someone who commanded attention and very quickly, in the eyes of the English, became a spokesperson,” Davis said. “At that time, there was probably no other Native American who had the name recognition he did.”
During the French and Indian War, Theyanoguin and other Mohawk warriors allied with the British as some Mohawk settlements sided with the French, which sometimes forced conflict between tribe members. In this time, Theyanoguin, along with Deerfield residents Dr. Thomas Williams, Col. Ephraim Williams and Rev. Stephen Williams, traveled to Lake George, New York under the command of Sir William Johnson, the British superintendent of Indian affairs.
On Sept. 8, 1755, the fortification Theyanoguin and others were stationed at was ambushed by French and Native American soldiers, who knocked Theyanoguin off his horse and killed him in what became known as the “Bloody Morning Scout.”
“Everyone was quite taken aback that this great figure had been felled in battle,” Davis said, noting Theyanoguin was approximately 65 at the time. “It was quite unusual for someone of his age to be in a battle, but it was thought his presence needed to be there. He was kind of the officer in charge.”
After his death, prints — most likely based on a lost January 1755 portrait created in Philadelphia — were commissioned to honor Theyanoguin.
“All of the images we have of him are posthumous,” Davis said. “Half of the prints that were made of him were done in England and then sent, within months of them being executed, back to the Colonies and sold and distributed.”
This specific print, which is undated and unattributed, was acquired by Historic Deerfield in an auction of American bookseller William Reese’s private collection. Reese, who was a well-known and prolific rare book collector, died in 2018.
“This was his private collection, the things he cared most deeply about,” Davis said. “This print is in excellent condition.”
In adding this piece to the museum’s collection, Davis said it is another item that fills out the broader picture of the Pioneer Valley’s history, especially those of marginalized voices, like the Native Americans who lived in the region long before English settlers arrived.
“Anything that is connected to Deerfield history or the larger history of the Connecticut River Valley is of interest to us,” Davis said. “We’re launching a number of initiatives to tell a more complete story of the native people who lived here before the English and lived alongside the English.”
The print is on view on the second floor of the Flynt Center and is open any time the museum is, on Wednesdays through Sundays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. General admission to the museum is $18 for adults, $5 for teens ages 13-17 and free for kids 12 and under. All Deerfield residents are entitled to free admission.