The Brothertown Indian Nation celebrated its annual homecoming this year with the unveiling of a Wisconsin State Historical Society marker at the Dick Family Cemetery on October 19.
Located in the town of Brothertown, this cemetery is the smallest Brothertown Indian burial ground in Wisconsin, primarily for the Dick family, descendants of the Narragansett tribe from Rhode Island.
This dedication ceremony, which brought together tribal members, the historical society, the Calumet & Cross Heritage Society, and local community leaders, recognized the cemetery’s significance.
The cemetery dates back to the 1840s and is notable for its connection to the Brothertown community, which was founded by Samson Occam in New York in 1785. The Brothertown community, composed of Christian converts from seven nations—including Mohegan, Eastern Pequot, and Narragansett—moved to Wisconsin in the early 1830s.
The historical marker highlights several aspects of the community’s history, such as the Brothertown’s traditional Narragansett stonework, early mills, and the first steamboat on Lake Winnebago. Names of those buried at the cemetery, including veterans like William Reed, are listed on the back of the marker.
The ceremony featured songs from the Oneida Hymn Singers and speeches reflecting on the shared history and ongoing legacy of the Brothertown Nation. Tribal representatives emphasized the importance of preserving this history for future generations.
For more information, visit the websites of the Brothertown Indian Nation and Calumet & Cross Heritage Society.