Michael Keropian Sculpture LLC

Sachem Daniel Nimham (1726- 1778) was a Sachem of the Wappinger People of the Hudson River Valley who dedicated much of his life trying to reclaim the land that was stolen from his people.

Most historians suggest Daniel Nimham was born in the Fishkill Creek Region near the Hamlet of Wiccopee, New York in 1726. It is very possible Daniel learned to speak English from his continental neighbors and may have taken part in the French- Indian War. He was made Sachem of the Wappinger People around 1760 following two Nimham sachems before him. The Philipse Family exaggerated their original land claim, purchased likely from Daniel's grandfather of ancestral lands in Eastern Hudson Valley Region of New York during the French-Indian War. Around 1756, Daniel moved 200 of the Wappinger people (the woman and children) to Stockbridge, MA. for their safety while the men were fighting the war for the British. Upon his return Daniel took the matter to the colonial court to reclaim the stolen lands back for his people, after having no luck with the colonial courts he and some fellow Mohican Sachems traveled to England in 1766 to plead his case before King George's Lord of Trade. Unfortunately while he was told he was in the right, his case was dropped when he returned back in the colonial court. He soon joined fellow Stockbridge Warriors to fight for the continental side during the American Revolution, more than likely assuming that if they fought well in the revolution a new American government would see fit to provide them lands for their sacrifice as was the argeement with any patriot soldiers. Daniel's son Abraham (1745 - 1778) became the captain of a company of Indian scouts serving with the Continental Army, a confederacy of Mohicans, Wappingers, Munsee and other local tribes. It is noted that Daniel "faithfully served in the army as a soldier at Cambridge...In 1775 ".

Daniel, Abraham and a small group of Stockbridge Warriors died at the Battle of Kingsbridge in the Bronx, NY on August 31, 1778. Approximately 40 Stockbridge were surrounded by approximately 500 British, Hessian Soldiers and Calvary under the command of Lt. Colonel Simcoe. The fighting began around 11 am in the morning and ended around 7pm that evening. The Stockbridge were among some of America's first Veterans to pay the ultimate sacrifice for the new nation. Mohican Sachem Hendrick Aupaumut and others of the tribe petitioned the General Court for compensation for the losses at the Bronx Massacre, dated September 22, 1778. "Our young men have been employed in the present War against the common Enemy and many have lately fell in Battle. Their Widows are now left to care of themselves and their children; without help from their Husbands, who at this season of the year provided for their families by hunting. We Indians depend on hunting to cloath ourselves and families. But when we get Skins we know not where to go to trade for Cloathing. We are not able to make any ourselves our Way of living is very different from our English Breathren. And by this We the Subscribers in behalf of our Tribe now earnestly pray you to consider our circumstances, and open your hearts, by providing such way by which we may be inable to procure some coarse cloathing perticularly Blankets."

By the early 1800's because of colonial pressure to remove the Native People from the Stockbridge area, most of the local Native People from Stockbridge took up the invitation of the Oneida Nation in New York and moved there, eventually much of the Stockbridge and Oneida left NY eventually settling in Wisconsin. They are represented by the Stockbridge-Munsse Mohican Communitee. Any Nimham's that moved to Oneida Territory naturally changed their language to Iroquoian and the Nimham name changed spelling from Nimham to Ninham because the language did not support the "m". A fair number of Wappingers stayed in the Hudson Valley and joined other families and their descendants still live in the area.

This sculptural tribute to Daniel Nimham symbolizes his short life as a dedicated sachem to his people in court and an American Hero on the battlefield. The sculpture depicts Nimham holding a survey in one hand symbolizing his effort to solve matters through legal means, and a musket in the other symbolizing his effort in fighting with the continental forces. The first depiction I created in 2002 and shows Nimham in traditional Indian clothing. Since then my research suggested he would have been dressed differently having more European regalia. The partial tree symbolizes "his life cut short". Nimham's life and that of many of his fellow warriors were lost fighting for the American Cause. George Washington deperately needed the help of the local Native People. There was a lot of pressure from Great Britain for the Native population to join them.

It may not be apparent at first glance, however a lot of research has gone into this sculpture throughout the past 20 years and my research continues today with the focus of creating not only a fitting monumental tribute to an American Hero but a historically accurate depiction of this man of which there has been no descriptions nor images found. Also to add any new information to his story that may surface. My research has taken me to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC, contacting descendants, speaking with historians and researching numerous articles, books and papers. My depiction of Nimham has come to me by pure spiritual intuition combined with the information gathered through the years of reseach.

It occurs to me that when we purchased our home just down the street from the mountain named after the Sachem, Mt. Nimham in 2000, it was likely not just a coincidence.

We welcome your comments and interest in the project, so feel free to contact us. While the 8' Sculpture is thankfully being funded by the Town of Fishkill, NY, funding is needed to help support the continued filmmaking and editing needed to create just not just a technical film of how to make a statue, rather to create a more thorough story about Daniel Nimham, the Wappinger and Stockbridge.

We plan to make available smaller versions of the 8' scale sculpture in limited edition.

In 2019, was honored that the Putnam County Veterans asked to use my likeness of Sachem Daniel Nimham on their service medal in 2019.

Sachem Daniel Nimham

Town of Fishkill, New York Website

Daniel Nimham- 3 Minute Introduction to the Project.

"The Creation of the Sachem Daniel Nimham Sculpture"