Treaty of Shackamaxon facts for kids
The Treaty of Shackamaxon, also known as the Great Treaty or Penn's Treaty, was an important agreement made in 1682. It was signed between William Penn, who founded Pennsylvania, and Tamanend, a leader of the Lenape Native American people. This treaty helped create a lasting peace between the Quakers (a religious group William Penn belonged to) and the Lenape. Tamanend famously said that the two groups would "live in peace as long as the waters [ran] in the rivers and creeks and as long as the stars and moon [endured]."
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Where Did the Treaty Happen?
The treaty took place at a special meeting spot used by the Lenape people. This area was located near the Delaware River in what is now Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
What Does Shackamaxon Mean?
The name "Shackamaxon" comes from a Lenape term, "Sakimauchheen Ing" (pronounced Sak-i-mauch-heen Ing). This means "to make a chief or king place." It was where the Lenape would "crown" their many family leaders, called "sakima", or their three main clan leaders, called "kitakima". Some people also think the name means "the place of eels," because it was a good spot for fishing. Today, this area is part of the Fishtown, Kensington, and Port Richmond neighborhoods in Philadelphia.
The Story of the Treaty
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William Penn arrived in North America in late 1682. He is believed to have made this treaty with the Lenape under a very old elm tree. While the exact written treaty document might have been lost, many historians believe a treaty definitely happened.
What is a Wampum Belt?
A wampum belt is a special belt made from polished shells. Native American tribes used wampum belts for many things, including recording important events, agreements, and messages. The Philadelphia History Museum at Atwater Kent has a wampum belt that they say proves this meeting between Penn and the Lenape took place. Even though the belt doesn't show the exact details of the agreement, it strongly suggests that the two groups met and made a promise of peace.
Remembering the Treaty
The story of the Treaty of Shackamaxon became very famous. It was shown in many artworks, especially in paintings by Benjamin West. The French writer Voltaire also mentioned it.
The Famous Elm Tree
The old elm tree where the treaty supposedly happened was a landmark for many years. Sadly, a big storm blew it down on March 5, 1810. To remember the spot, a tall stone monument (called an obelisk) was placed there in 1827. Later, in 1893, a park was created to honor the event, and it's now known as Penn Treaty Park.
Shackamaxon Today
Before William Penn arrived, six Swedish families lived in the Shackamaxon area. They later sold their land to the new English settlers. Over time, the Shackamaxon area grew into parts of what are now the Port Richmond, Fishtown, and Kensington sections of Philadelphia. Today, there is even a Shackamaxon Street in Philadelphia, which runs through Fishtown. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission also talks about the Shackamaxon treaty on its website, showing how important it was.
