Mahackemo facts for kids

The mark of Sachem Mahackemo, from old records of Norwalk land.

A painting called Purchase of Norwalk by Harry Townsend, found in Norwalk City Hall.

Mahackemo (also spelled Mahackamo) was an important leader, known as a Sachem, of the Norwalke people. They were a small group of Native Americans who were part of the larger Siwanoy tribe. In 1640 or 1641, Mahackemo sold land to a man named Roger Ludlow. This land later became the city of Norwalk, Connecticut.

Who Was Mahackemo?

Mahackemo was a powerful leader, or sachem, of the Norwalke people. A sachem was like a chief or a respected elder who made important decisions for their community. They helped guide their people and negotiate with others. The Norwalke people were a small group of Native Americans. They lived in the area that is now Norwalk, Connecticut. They were connected to a larger group of tribes called the Siwanoy.

The Norwalke Tribe

The Norwalke people lived off the land, hunting, fishing, and farming. They had their own customs, traditions, and ways of life. Their homes were often near rivers or the coast, which provided them with food and transportation. Like many Native American tribes, they had a deep connection to the land. They saw it as something to be shared and used by everyone, not owned by one person.

The Land Sale to Roger Ludlow

In the early 1600s, European settlers began to arrive in North America. They wanted to buy land to build new towns and farms. In 1640 or 1641, Mahackemo, as the sachem, made an agreement with an English settler named Roger Ludlow. Ludlow was a lawyer and a founder of other towns in Connecticut. He wanted to buy land to start a new settlement.

What Happened to the Land?

The agreement involved the sale of a large area of land. This land stretched from the Norwalk River to the Saugatuck River. It became the foundation for the town of Norwalk. For the Native Americans, selling land often meant sharing its use. However, for the European settlers, buying land meant owning it completely. This difference in understanding sometimes led to problems later on. The sale of this land was a big step in the history of Norwalk. It marked the beginning of the European settlement in that area.

Images for kids

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  Mark of Sachem Mahackemo, Norwalk Land Records Vol. 1

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  Purchase of Norwalk by Harry Townsend, a WPA mural in Norwalk City Hall