Near Oneida in Brown County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Revolutionary War Veteran
Powlis, an Oneida Chief, enlisted in the Continental Army also in 1777. Congress preceded the offer of army commissions with promises of American protection and supplies. On April 3, 1779, Congress resolved that twelve Chiefs from the Oneida and the Tuscarora tribes be given commissions as Officers of the Line in the Continental Army.
James Powlis was among those twelve and one of four captains so commissioned. Powlis served with Lt. Colonel Louis Cook, a Mohawk, and his New York Line. Cook, whose Oneida name Atyelú·ta! means "A Body," was the highest ranking Indian in the Continental Army.
Captain Powlis was honorably discharged December 1784 and received 1800 acres in New York State as a pension from the federal government for his military service.
As Chief of the First Christian Party, Powlis came to Wisconsin from New York after his wife Nelly's death. He died in Oneida, Wisconsin on March 15, 1849, at the age of 99. Although his headstone is now gone, it is believed he is buried in the Powlis family plot of the Oneida Holy Apostles Cemetery.
Erected 2005 by the Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Society Sons of the American Revolution, the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. (Marker Number 502.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans • War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), and the Wisconsin Historical Society series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1956.
Location. 44° 29.674′ N, 88° 10.93′ W. Marker is near Oneida, Wisconsin, in Brown County. Marker is on Freedom Road (County Highway U/E) half a mile south of Airport Drive (State Highway 172), on the right when traveling south. Marker is at the Oneida Holy Apostles Cemetery located in the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin, a reservation of the Oneida tribe. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Oneida WI 54155, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oneida Veterans Memorial (approx. 3 miles away); Earl L. (Curly) Lambeau (approx. 6 miles away); Vincent T. (Vince) Lombardi (approx. 6 miles away); Love at First Leap (approx. 6 miles away); Robert E. Harlan Plaza (approx. 6 miles away); Bryan Bartlett Starr (approx. 6.2 miles away); Wisconsin's Maritime Trails (approx. 6.4 miles away); Rapides des Peres (approx. 6½ miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on October 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,145 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 5, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.