Oneida County History Center will host “Elijah Wampey: A Brothertown Indian in Clinton’s Old Burying Ground“ on Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 2:00 PM. Presented by researcher Joanne Gilles, the event will take place at 1608 Genesee St., Utica, NY. Suggested donation is $5.00
The presentation will explore the remarkable life of Elijah Wampey, a prominent Native American figure well known to early European settlers. After a brief overview of Brothertown’s unique history, Gilles will explore Wampey’s legacy as a founding member of Brothertown, a two-time veteran of the French and Indian War, and a revolutionary who sought shelter at Fort Stanwix during the American Revolution. Remarkably, Wampey is one of only three Indigenous individuals believed to be buried in Clinton’s historic Old Burying Ground.
The Brothertown Indians are a Native American community formed in the late 18th century by Christianized members of several New England tribes, including the Mohegan, Pequot, Tunxis, and Narragansett. Pressured by colonial expansion, they moved from New England in the 1770s and 1780s to Kirkland and Deansboro, settling on land the Oneidas gave them. Early in the 19th century, many relocated to Wisconsin.
Joanne Gilles is secretary of the Clinton Historical Society. A Utica native, she moved back to the area in 2019 after a career as a Foreign Service Officer with the U.S. Department of State.
About the Oneida County History Center
Located at 1608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY, Oneida County History Center is a private 501(c) (3) not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to preserving the history, heritage, and culture of the greater Mohawk Valley for present and future generations. Please contact the History Center at 315-735-3642 or visit oneidacountyhistory.org for additional information.
