County of Brant Public Library Digital Collections

Epaphras Lord Phelps (Onasquesakon), Brant's Secretary

Description

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Media Type

Image

Item Types

Paintings

Portraits

Description

This copy of a painting portrays Epaphras Lord Phelps, also known as Onasquesakon. Originally a school teacher from the United States, he taught a school in Long Point, Blenheim and in Brant's Mohawk village; later, from 1800 to 1812, he was Joseph Brant's white secretary. He was trusted enough by Brant to be granted power of attorney for the Six Nations. The name Onasquesakon derives from "onas," a native word for quill or pen. He was given a plot of land which later became the Phelps tract, in what is now Mount Pleasant. This image was printed on page 56 of The Work of Our Hands by Sharon Jaeger, and was provided by Linda (Phelps) Guest.

Dimensions

Width: 21 cm
Height: 26 cm

Subject(s)