Chief Ponus has endured rain, wind, and storms for the last 120 years, and is getting a much-needed touch up. The large granite memorial stone that honors Chief Ponus, sachem of Rippowam, during the 17th century, has stood at the intersection of what is now Ponus Ridge Road and Davenport Ridge since 1897. Chief Ponus originally ruled over New Canaan, North Stamford and much of Ridgefield. Chief Ponus’ granite monolith occupies a place on the State Register of Historic Places.
Steve Orteig, who maintains the triangle and Chief Ponus monument at Ponus Ridge and Davenport Ridge roads on behalf of the New Canaan Beautification League, sprayed this side with Wet & Forget Outdoor Spray last fall. Wet and Forget is a gentle solution that works with rain, gradually over time, and already there has been noticeable improvement.
Orteig considers Chief Ponus Monument to be the most famous landmark in New Canaan. “Growing up I always admired the tomb, and my mother used to tell me stories about the local tribes. I don’t know how she knew them but, perhaps from her father, Dr. Markey Pullen. Anyway, two years ago, when the Beautification League asked if I wanted to care for a triangle here in town, I immediately said ‘yes’ and requested this one. I not only maintain it through weeding and trash removal, but trim the lower branches of the tree and cut back the Juniper bushes so that the correct line of sight is always open. Even the spring flowers I’ve planted are set back so as not to interfere with that sight line. The town also keeps an eye on the higher-up branches and cuts them when necessary. In fact, people have stopped there and thanked me for keeping it safe … .”
The inscriptions on the memorial reads: East: “Ponus, Sagamore, 1640”; West: “October 2, 1897”; South: “Erected by the Historical Society and the Ponus Tribe No. 31 of Red Men of New Canaan, Marks the Home and the Traditional Tomb of Ponus, Sachem of Rippowams”; North: “Dedicated on the Seventh Day of the Tenth Moon of A.D. 1897.”
The Chief Ponus monument in New Canaan, recently received a facelift. Ponus Memorial Stone. — Contributed photo by Faith Kerchoff.
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