The Brothertown Collection
Tax deductible
Photo taken by Mr. Dennis Gramentz. Pictured left to right are Jessica Ryan, Jerry Walentoski, Loretta Metoxen, and Caroline Andler in front of a table of some of the items in the collection.
In 2010, the Oneida Nation, on behalf of the Brothertown Indian Nation, purchased, and continues to archive, a collection of Brothertown related artifacts. This purchase was the culmination of a 10+ year effort begun by Brothertown Tribal Genealogist, Caroline Andler, and furthered by Oneida Tribal Historian, Loretta Metoxen.
The collection had been inherited by a Mr. Jerry Walentoski from a friend of his who had inherited it from his own non-native grandfather, Otto Heller. After years of persuading, Mr. Walentoski finally accepted the Oneida Nation’s generous purchase offer.
The Brothertown Tribe is in the process of purchasing “The Brothertown Collection" from the Oneida Nation. Over the last four years, The Brothertown Nation has been making payments to the Oneida for its purchase. The remaining balance owed to the Oneida, to allow it to come home, is $65,000.
Once the balance to the Oneida is paid, the Brothertown Nation will be able to house, display, and maintain the collection in our own facility. The Brothertown Nation will once again take care, have custody, and have control of their own historical documents and artifacts.
The Brothertown Nation currently occupies a 10,000 square foot Community Center which houses its offices, library, museum, gift shop and bingo hall.
Your contribution to the purchase of this historical collection will allow its current membership and future generations the opportunity to enjoy and rediscover the Brothertown Nations unique and fascinating history.
While consisting of hundreds of original documents, photos and artifacts, following are some of the items specifically remembered by Mrs. Caroline Andler.
Orsamus Fowler’s Appointment as Major in the 29th Reg during the Civil War 2-18-1858
Avery Samson Probate 1-5-1852
Many original Land Patents signed by President Tyler in 1842
Rachel Abner and Isaac Dick’s personal inventory 1847
Phebe Fowler’s dementia and her daughter’s legal papers
William Dick appointed as Peacemaker by Gov. DeWitt Clinton, NY 3-6-1822
Edgar Dick’s Notary License 1894
Last Will and Testament of Harriet Niles
Lawsuit Graves v. Fowler 4-24-1863
Official Election results Orsamus Fowler elected Calumet County Treasurer 1852=1854Original paperwork of 1st lawsuit filed by an Indian tribe against the US government
Personal correspondence in several hundred envelopes -including 119 letters written by Brothertown men fighting during the Civil War and writing to relations back home in Brothertown
Correspondence from those still living in Brothertown, NY, detailing how hard life is for them 1850
Hundreds of photos – most named – including many in little red velvet boxes of our Civil War soldiers
Dozens of tiny school and church books
The Court Book
Thomas Commuck’s book of hymns
An original copy of Samson Occom and the Christian Indians of New England
A couple of Stockbridge history books including one telling of those Stockbridge thrown off their land for back taxes and served by John Crosley Hammer, First Sheriff of the new county
Most valuable are the two maps which divided up the Brothertown Township into lots and signed by G.H. Feathersonbaugh on July 13th, 1840
Some later articles
The Baptist celebration which was held in Phillips woods plays written and performed, speeches, photos of the gathering.
Beautiful marriage certificates preformed in Utica, NY, mostly Fowler and Johnson.
Help our Nation bring home our collection, "The Brothertown Collection," before the end of the year.
In 2010, the Oneida Nation, on behalf of the Brothertown Indian Nation, purchased, and continues to archive, a collection of Brothertown related artifacts. This purchase was the culmination of a 10+ year effort begun by Brothertown Tribal Genealogist, Caroline Andler, and furthered by Oneida Tribal Historian, Loretta Metoxen.
The collection had been inherited by a Mr. Jerry Walentoski from a friend of his who had inherited it from his own non-native grandfather, Otto Heller. After years of persuading, Mr. Walentoski finally accepted the Oneida Nation’s generous purchase offer.
The Brothertown Tribe is in the process of purchasing “The Brothertown Collection" from the Oneida Nation. Over the last four years, The Brothertown Nation has been making payments to the Oneida for its purchase. The remaining balance owed to the Oneida, to allow it to come home, is $65,000.
Once the balance to the Oneida is paid, the Brothertown Nation will be able to house, display, and maintain the collection in our own facility. The Brothertown Nation will once again take care, have custody, and have control of their own historical documents and artifacts.
The Brothertown Nation currently occupies a 10,000 square foot Community Center which houses its offices, library, museum, gift shop and bingo hall.
Your contribution to the purchase of this historical collection will allow its current membership and future generations the opportunity to enjoy and rediscover the Brothertown Nations unique and fascinating history.
While consisting of hundreds of original documents, photos and artifacts, following are some of the items specifically remembered by Mrs. Caroline Andler.
Orsamus Fowler’s Appointment as Major in the 29th Reg during the Civil War 2-18-1858
Avery Samson Probate 1-5-1852
Many original Land Patents signed by President Tyler in 1842
Rachel Abner and Isaac Dick’s personal inventory 1847
Phebe Fowler’s dementia and her daughter’s legal papers
William Dick appointed as Peacemaker by Gov. DeWitt Clinton, NY 3-6-1822
Edgar Dick’s Notary License 1894
Last Will and Testament of Harriet Niles
Lawsuit Graves v. Fowler 4-24-1863
Official Election results Orsamus Fowler elected Calumet County Treasurer 1852=1854Original paperwork of 1st lawsuit filed by an Indian tribe against the US government
Personal correspondence in several hundred envelopes -including 119 letters written by Brothertown men fighting during the Civil War and writing to relations back home in Brothertown
Correspondence from those still living in Brothertown, NY, detailing how hard life is for them 1850
Hundreds of photos – most named – including many in little red velvet boxes of our Civil War soldiers
Dozens of tiny school and church books
The Court Book
Thomas Commuck’s book of hymns
An original copy of Samson Occom and the Christian Indians of New England
A couple of Stockbridge history books including one telling of those Stockbridge thrown off their land for back taxes and served by John Crosley Hammer, First Sheriff of the new county
Most valuable are the two maps which divided up the Brothertown Township into lots and signed by G.H. Feathersonbaugh on July 13th, 1840
Some later articles
The Baptist celebration which was held in Phillips woods plays written and performed, speeches, photos of the gathering.
Beautiful marriage certificates preformed in Utica, NY, mostly Fowler and Johnson.
Help our Nation bring home our collection, "The Brothertown Collection," before the end of the year.
Organizer
Samson Occom
Organizer
Fond du Lac, WI
BROTHERTOWN NATION INCORPORATED
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
