Shackamaxon

Shackamaxon or Shakamaxon was a village inhabited by Delaware (Lenape) Indians, located in what are now the borders of the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In 1682, William Penn reportedly signed a treaty with the leaders of the Delaware village – although this treaty cannot be conclusively authenticated – under an ancient elm tree, which blew down in a storm in 1810. However, before William Penn's arrival, six Swedish families were found living here. The Swedes eventually sold out to the new English settlers. Shackamaxon would later become part of the Port Richmond, Fishtown, and Kensington sections of Philadelphia. The supposed treaty has been immortalized in several works of art (in particular Benjamin West's paintings) and was mentioned by Voltaire. The location of the elm tree is now a park, known as Penn Treaty Park.

The Shackamaxon treaty is mentioned on several sites, such as Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission [http://www.phmc.state.pa.us/ppet/penn/page3.asp?secid=31] and [http://www.rebelswithavision.com/arthurstclair.com/williampenn/ a biography of William Penn] ----