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The Life of the Brothertown Indians

~ Brothertown Indian History, People, Stories and Current Events

The Life of the Brothertown Indians

Tag Archives: Brothertown

Building Brothertown: March 13, 1773-March 13, 2023

13 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Brothertown History

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Brothertown, Brothertown Indians, Eeyawquittoowauconnuck, founding, Joseph Johnson

‘March 13, 1773’ as envisioned by a Brothertown Youth (c)Brothertown Citizen

250 years ago today, on March 13, 1773, our ancestors gathered in Mohegan to discuss plans to form their own Native town, away from the decimating and demoralizing influence of the Europeans. Joseph Johnson (Mohegan/Brothertown), “the first mover of this design”1, called the Indians of Mohegan, Montauk, Narragansett, Niantic, Farmington, Stonington, and Groton together.

It was decided to ask the Oneida, our northwestern brethren, for a tract of land upon which we and our children could live in peace. Then, as now, our Oneida brothers welcomed us. In 1774, a land agreement was signed.

In March and April of 1775, the ablest individuals left their homes in Farmington, Montauk, and Narragansett, and went on ahead to forge the new town. They built homes and planted corn. Among them were Joseph Johnson, Elijah Wampy (Tunxis/Brothertown), David Fowler (Montauk/Brothertown) and Samuel Niles (Narragansett/Brothertown)2. More people followed.

A couple of years later, forced to flee for their lives amidst the dangers of the Revolutionary War, the majority of our people found temporary shelter with the Stockbridge in Massachusetts. After seven years, when the fighting had ceased, we returned to our Oneida home, bringing our Stockbridge brethren with us. Since then, our two tribes have been inseparable.

Shortly after their return, through the help and pen of Reverend Samson Occom (Mohegan/Brothertown), our formal naming and founding was memorialized. On Monday, November 7th, 1785 Occom wrote in his journal, “But now we proceeded to form into a body politick, we named our Town by the Name of Brotherton, in Indian Eeyawquittoowauconnuck.”

Happy 250th anniversary, Brothertown!

 

For a more in-depth look at the formation of the Brothertown Indians, please see “Building Brothertown: From Farmington To Brotherton” at https://brothertowncitizen.files.wordpress.com/2022/12/tunxis-project-final-draft-122922.pdf or find the video presentation at the bottom of this page: https://brothertowncitizen.com/stories-of-the-brothertown-indians-podcast-episodes/

1 See Joseph Johnson’s June 2, 1774 letter to Governor Jonathan Trumbull and the Connecticut Assembly in To Do Good to my Indian Brethren, by Laura Murray, pp233-234.

2See “Joseph Johnson to Colonel Guy Johnson” March 25, 1775 pp 255-256, and “David Fowler to Colonel Guy Johnson” Saturday, April 8, 1775 pp 259-260, in To Do Good to my Indian Brethren, by Laura Murray.

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Kindred Spirits Gathering for the Holidays

03 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Current Events

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Tags

2022, Brothertown, Brothertown Indians, Eeyawquittoowauconnuck, nation gathering


The Brothertown Peacemakers and Brothertown Forward would like to invite all Brothertown descendants (enrolled and non-enrolled) to our end of year family gathering via Zoom. The event will take place Saturday, December 10th, at 3pm Central/4pm Eastern/1pm Pacific. The Zoom link can be found at https://brothertownindians.org/events/kindred-spirits-gathering-for-the-holidays/. Below, please find an agenda and ground rules. We can’t wait to see you!

Proposed agenda:

  1. Welcome from both Chief Peacemaker and Brothertown Forward and opening prayer
  2. Acknowledge any elected officials who attend and thank them for their service
  3. Get-to-know you breakout session (10 minutes) Possible topics: give individuals the option of either once in the session.
    a. Which ancestral lines do you descend from? AND/OR
    b. Share one story of one grandparent.
  4. Back to the main gathering where we can lead a discussion on hopes and dreams for our Nation in 2023 (5 minutes)
  5. Breakout session (10 minutes)
    a. Share ideas about what they would like to see the tribe accomplish in 2023.
    b. Ask for a recorder to write the list and share it in the main chat room.
    c. Ask for a speaker to present one or two ideas to the main room.
  6. Ask for one or two ideas from each group to present and ask for each group to paste their ideas into the chat so that we can capture it for later. (10 minutes)
  7. Breakout session (10 minutes) where individual can share their family holiday plans.
    Update on offices up for election in 2023 and encourage people to step in and step up
  8. Closing prayer – blessings for safe and joyful holidays and acknowledging the losses families endured the past few years.

Ground Rules:


· We will treat each other with mutual respect
· We will maintain a decorum which exemplifies how our Ancestors lived
· Focus upon issues affecting our community today and tomorrow
· Arrive at this particular time with a good heart and spirit

Photo credit: antiquesandteacups.info

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Happy Eeyawquittoowauconnuck Day, family!

07 Monday Nov 2022

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Brothertown Founding Fathers, Brothertown History, Current Events, Joseph Johnson, Samson Occom

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

brotherton, Brothertown, Brothertown Indians, eeyamquittoowauconnuck, Eeyawquittoowauconnuck, New York Indians, Samson Occom

237 years ago today, on another Monday, November 7, 1785, Reverend Samson Occom recorded our public formation and naming.

But now we proceeded to form into a Body Politick,— We Named our Town by the Name of Brotherton, in Indian Eeyawquittoowauconnuck— J: Fowler was chosen clerk for this town Roger Waupieh, David Fowler, Elijah Wympy, John Tuhy, and Abraham Simon were Chosen a Committee or trustees for the Town, for a Year and for the future, the Committee is to be Chosen Annually,— and Andrew Acorrocomb, and Thomas Putchauker were chosen to be Fence Viewers to Continue a Year (https://collections.dartmouth.edu/occom/html/diplomatic/785554-diplomatic.html p15v-16r)

While Occom is always readily remembered, today, let’s also be mindful of Roger Wauby, Elijah Wampey, John Tuhi, Abraham Simon, Andrew Curricomb, Thomas Patchauker, their wives and families, and all of our many courageous ancestors who worked hard to make the Brotherton dream a reality.

Planning and building Brothertown was an arduous task (read Joseph Johnson’s diaries for more details—-To Do Good to my Indian Brethren by Laura Murray) and many many more people were involved in the years between the first multi-tribal planning meeting on March 13, 1773 and our official formation on November 7, 1785. Over 12 years, the Revolutionary War, and several lives came and went, including the spark who began it all—Joseph Johnson (see his letter to Governor Trumbull in Murray, p 234).

The original wave of settlers were burned out of the community in 1777. Many moved to Stockbridge to wait out the war. Between 1783-1785, when some semblance of safety and normalcy had returned, they again made the long, expensive journey back to our reservation land (thank you, Oneida!) where they started over for a 2nd time. These ancestors included, besides those already named, “old Uncle Cornelius”, Daniel Mossuck, John and Sarah Adams, Samuel and Hannah (Squamp) Adams, David Tousey family, James and Barbara (Poquiantup) Niles, and many others.

Today, let us also remember all of those, over the years, who have devoted themselves to our tribe and have passed on. This is but a small sample—Irene Shady and her daughter, Linda Shady (who passed only a couple weeks ago), Lani Bartelt, June Ezold, Will and Rudi Ottery, Joan and Frank Waldvogel, Mark Baldwin, and Dick Welch.

Finally, let us also remember those who continue to carry the Brothertown torch each and every day—our Peacemakers, Council, volunteers, and citizens all across the US and around the world. Taubotni!

Happy Eeyawquittoowauconnuck (Brothertown) Day!!

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Honoring A Brothertown Indian

01 Wednesday Jun 2022

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Brothertown History

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Brothertown, markbaldwin, memorial


On Sunday, June 12 at 10am, there will be a memorial bench dedication at Brothertown’s Union Cemetery in honor of Mark Alan Baldwin. Mark was born and raised in Sheboygan, Wisconsin but later relocated to California’s Bay Area where he passed away suddenly, at his home, on April 25, 2021.

For over four decades, Mark worked in service of the Brothertown Indians. He began a contemporary tribal newsletter in the 1980s, spearheaded numerous grants, served on Tribal Council, and volunteered for countless projects and committees. A few years ago, Mark helped to establish, and served as president for, Calumet and Cross Heritage Society; an independent nonprofit that works to preserve and share the history of the Brothertown Indians.

One of Mark’s final projects with Calumet and Cross was to begin work on a series of historical markers for culturally important sites in and around Brothertown, Wisconsin. Union Cemetery is one of these sites and is the final resting place for many Brothertown Indians; including some of Mark’s relatives. The new bench will sit under the trees near the entrance; ready to offer assistance, as Mark always was, to anyone in need.

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March 13, 1773: The Beginning of Eeyawquittoowauconnuck/Brothertown

13 Sunday Mar 2022

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Brothertown History

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

1773, Brothertown, Brothertown Indians, Eeyawquittoowauconnuck, founding, History, Johnson, march 13, New York Indians, Samson Occom

Today in Tribal History: On March 13, 1773, representatives from 7 Native communities met in Mohegan to discuss emigration to Oneida lands in upstate New York. Brothertown/Eeyawquittoowauconnuck is underway! That was 249 years ago today. Mark your calendars for March 13, 2023!

“March 13, 1773” (C) 2019 by a Brothertown youth

Coincidentally, it would be exactly 2 years later, March 13, 1775, when the first settlers would begin the trip to the new tribal lands in NY.

Check out the new Brothertown podcast now on Spotify-“Stories of the Brothertown Indians”: https://open.spotify.com/show/2NWo6wxOp4pEX4zmygBmo3?si=IeV2viGsSSSc9q1oqqa7UA.

Don’t forget to click subscribe!

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Mark Baldwin Memorial Bench Fund Raiser

27 Thursday Jan 2022

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Current Events

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Brothertown, calumet and Cross, Mark Baldwin, Union cemetery

Calumet and Cross Heritage Society is raising funds to purchase and install a bench in Brothertown, Wisconsin’s Union Cemetery in honor of our friend and founding President, Mark Baldwin. Please go to https://gofund.me/663ae6f8 to learn more. All donations are appreciated.

https://gofund.me/663ae6f8.

Even a small donation could help us reach our fundraising goal. If you can’t make a donation, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word.

UPDATE: Thanks to all who donated, we reached our goal within two days. Thank you!

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Peacemaker’s Meeting Saturday

09 Thursday Sep 2021

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Current Events

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Tags

Brothertown, peacemakers, zoom meeting

This Saturday at 11 am CT is the monthly Peacemaker’s meeting via Zoom. Per head Peacemaker Elsen, ALL Brotherton, enrolled or not, are invited to attend.

The Peacemakers are the judiciary branch of our tribal government and have been an important part of Brothertown since at least September 4, 1797 (the first written record we have from them). Our current Peacemakers work hard to protect our people and to ensure that they, and the tribe, are operating according to our constitution. They are a welcoming group; always happy to speak to their constituents and to offer support and counsel.

Please contact me, or the Peacemakers via email, for login information.

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Invitation to Submit Family Photos

03 Saturday Apr 2021

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Brothertown History

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

2022 calendar, Brothertown, Brothertown Indians

Dear family and friends,

I am beginning to collect photos and stories for Calumet and Cross’s 2022 Brothertown calendar, “Brothertown:  7 tribes; 7 generations”.  The plan is to highlight a different family each month with pictures of 7 generations of that family along with a brief family bio.  If you would like to have your family featured in the calendar, please contact me. Priority will be given to early submissions.  Thank you!

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Eeyawquittoowauconnuck Day

06 Friday Nov 2020

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Brothertown History

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

brotherton, Brothertown, Brothertown Indians, Eeyawquittoowauconnuck, november 7 1785

Wisconsin’s Governor Evers has declared this Saturday, November 7th, Eeyamquittoowauconnuck/Brothertown Day in the state of Wisconsin!  This coincides, of course, with the tribe’s annual celebration of this date which, according to the Reverend Samson Occom’s journal, is the day on which our Brothertown ancestors gathered into a “body politick” in New York and christened themselves “Brotherton, in Indian Eeyawquittoowauconnuck.” 

You (Brothertown descendant or not) are invited to join us in our virtual celebration this Saturday, November 7th.  We will begin at 6:30pm Central with a welcome from our Tribal Council and a reading of the proclamation followed by a presentation from Andrew Olson on the Brothertown Indians involved in Indiana’s St Mary’s Treaties.  Please contact me for login information.

Hope to see you there!

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2020 Brothertown Calendar of Events

06 Thursday Feb 2020

Posted by A Brothertown Citizen in Current Events

≈ Comments Off on 2020 Brothertown Calendar of Events

Tags

2020 calendar of events, Brothertown, Brothertown homecoming, Brothertown Indians, Brothertown picnic, Council, Eeyawquittoowauconnuck, peacemakers

Tonight, February 7th at 8pm CT, the Peacemakers will be hosting their monthly meeting on Zoom. Everyone, enrolled or not, is invited to attend. https://zoom.us/j/272190735

Sunday February 16th at 10am CT will be the next Council/General Membership meeting. This event will also be attend-able via Zoom but only for enrolled citizens. If you have not already signed up for online Council meetings, please fill out this short form to do so: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSffhwOkN5PAj8_mwyNk7v6ZFIidZZ48GCZY0oS6gAH46WDzgw/viewform

Calumet and Cross Heritage Society will be hosting an all day singing event at Union Cemetery in Brothertown, Wisconsin on June 27th with dinner coordinated at a nearby home.  Everyone is invited to attend and to sing (shape note style) to our ancestors and honor headman Thomas Commuck on this year’s 175th anniversary of the release of his Indian Melodies.

Here is a list of additional 2020 Brothertown events:

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