Johnson, Sir William (1715-1774), was a British merchant, soldier, Indian agent, and landowner in colonial New York. A major general in the French and Indian War (1754-1763), he defeated the French at the Battle of Lake George. As a reward, he was made a baronet. Johnson helped bring the Mohawk Indians over to the British side in the wars against France. The British government made him superintendent of Indian affairs in the North.
Johnson acquired more than 250,000 acres (100,000 hectares) of land in the Mohawk and Susquehanna valleys. He founded Johnstown, New York, as the “capital” of this area. He was born in County Meath, Ireland. He died on July 11, 1774.
