He was born in western New York, though no one is sure of the location now. His name means "one who stands up to the cross", though the circumstances under which it was bestowed are now lost to history. His family and kinship network, not to mention his own personal abilities, would have position him for leadership within the Seneca Nation. His first appearance in history is in 1753, when he guided George Washington, then a Virginia militia officer, to scout the French Fort la Boeuf. Guyasuta gave Washington the name Tall Hunter, and in turn Washington referred to him only as "the Hunter' in his journals and correspondence. A statue overlooking Pittsburg commemorates their collaboration. Despite their personal regard, however, Guyasuta sided with the French during the French and Indian War and may have taken a hand in wiping out Braddock's Expedition in 1755. During this same year, a young Scotch-Irish teenager taken captive on the Pennsylvania frontier in a Shawnee raid came to his attention. Guyasuta noticed young Simon Girty's courage and took him into his family, training him as a Seneca warrior.
During Pontiac's War, 1764-1767, Guyasuta was one of many Native leaders who took a prominent role in fighting against the British in an attempt to restore French control over the Ohio Valley. Some historians believe that he was a more prominent field commander than Pontiac, such that the entire episode should be named the Pontiac-Guyasuta war. Whether Simon Girty fought beside his foster father remains unclear. When the Rebellion was crushed and British authorities demanded that Native return all captives, Guyasuta gave Simon a horse and returned him to Pittsburgh. The two kept in touch for many years, their relationship rupturing when Simon initially seemed inclined to side with the Americans during the outbreak of the Revolution. Simon quickly learned the error of his ways and returned to British allegiance, but there is no record of whether he and Guyasuta had the opportunity to reconcile.During the American Revolution, Guyasuta followed his family and people in siding with the British and may have participated in the Battle of Oriskany, though he was aging by this time and would not have played a prominent role. Cornplanter succeeded in securing for some of their people a grant of land near what is now Corydon, Pennsylvania and Guyasuta retired there. Old, ailing and disillusioned with how the Americans were treating Native peoples, Guyasuta became prey to drinking. He died before his newphew Handsome Lake began receiving the visions that would reawaken Iroquois spirit and pride, including the message to abstain from alcohol.
Today, there are several statues to him, including the "Point of View"sculpture over Pittsburgh. I've included some of them here, plus a modern portrait bust. A miniature exists, said to have been painted from life, though the result shows Guyasuta with a Muscogean style turban with a silver ring surrounding it and I wonder if it hasn't been mistakenly identified.
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