Hendrick was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, United States. His date of birth was either 1680 or 1692. He was the son of a Mohegan father and a Mohawk mother. The names of his parents are not known. Hendrick’s Mohawk name was Tiyanoga, also spelled Thoyanoguen, and he was also known as Henry Peters.
Hendrick usually resided in the Mohawk Valley, near the Upper or Canajoharie Castle. In 1710, with a party taken over by Colonel Peter Schuyler, he visited England and was presented to Queen Anne. For many years he acted as official spokesman for the Mohawks, who occupied a position of great strategic importance. His friendship was assiduously cultivated by William Johnson and various colonial governors, by whom he was held in high esteem.
Between the outbreak of King George's War and his death he was active in his efforts to hold the Six Nations to the English interest. He supplied the English with information of French activities and occasionally participated in raiding expeditions against the common enemy. At the same time he was loyal to his own people and endeavored to protect them from loss of their lands and the promiscuous sale of liquor.
In 1751 he was invited to Stockbridge, Massachussets, where he was consulted by Jonathan Edwards in regard to a project for educating members of the Mohawk tribe. During the years immediately preceding the French and Indian War, Hendrick frequently represented the tribe at councils between the Six Nations and the English leaders. These meetings culminated in the famous Albany Congress of 1754, at which Hendrick delivered the greatest speech of his career. With stinging sarcasm he took the English to task for neglecting the defense of their frontiers and leaving his own people, their allies, exposed to the French menace. The address made a profound impression and was even published in England (Gentleman's Magazine, June 1755).
In the late summer of 1755 he helped to enlist the aid of the Indians for Johnson's expedition against Crown Point, and himself accompanied Johnson, at the head of a force of fifty Mohawks. Hendrick was killed at the battle of Lake George on September 8, as he was leading the Indians in an attack against the French under Dieskau. His death called forth sincere expressions of grief and respect from his English associates.
Hendrick Theyanoguin was an important Mohawk leader and a Speaker for the Mohawk Council. Hendrick formed a close alliance with Sir William Johnson, the Superintendent of Indian affairs in North America. He was perhaps one of the most outstanding Indians of this period in North America. During his later years he was often referred to as "King Hendrick. "
Hendrick became a Christian, in name at least, and throughout his life was in close contact with those who were responsible for English policy along the New York frontier.
Theyanoguin was baptized as "Hendrick" by Godfridius Dellius of the Dutch Reformed Church in 1692. The English referred to him as Hendrick Peters or King Hendrick.
Hendrick was a member of the Bear Clan.
According to Timothy Dwight, one who saw Hendrick declared that "his figure and countenance were singularly impressive and commanding; that his eloquence was of the same superior order; that he appeared as if born to control other men, and possessed an air of majesty unrivaled within his knowledge. "
Nothing is known about Hendrick's family.
