Samp Mortar Rock is a seventy-foot cliff that runs behind the houses on Holly Dale and Rolling Ridge roads. Samp Mortar itself was the name the colonists gave to a sticky porridge made by the Native Americans from corn ground in the natural bowls at the top of the cliff.

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The land around Samp Mortar Lake was inhabited by the Sasqua tribe to the west of the Mill River, and by the Pequonnock tribe to the east. The area below Samp Mortar Rock was home to a small tribe of Mohicans.

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An interesting family outing is to search out the legendary mortar, which remains today on Samp Mortar Rock.

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The Native American connection was maintained here in 1952 when the Fairfield Historical Society was asked to assist the developer in selecting authentic Native American names for the streets of the new development. Some of the Native American related names are:

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• Nepas – meaning “The Little Riser”

• Nonopoge – name of a Sasqua tribe member who testified in a land case – means “Fresh Water or Pond”

• Papurah – first signer of the Stratford Confirmation in 1684 – means “A Winter Fish which comes up the Brooks”

• Ponuncamo – chief of the Sasqua – means “He paddles or rows a boat”

• Romanock – great warrior from an inland tribe

• Sasapequan – means “He Spread Out”

• Winnepoge – brother of Nonopoge, also testified for the town in the Sasqua Land Case – means “Pleasing Water”

• Siacus – means “He is a Hard Fighter, Stoutman”

• Tahmore – Indian Princess, daughter of Chief Onee-to of the tribe that lived near Samp Mortar Rock – means “Hearts Together”

• Taquoshe – means “He is Short, Low in Stature”

• Creconoof – means “He goes among, mingles with them”

• John Wampus – for whom Wampus Way is named, married Praske, daughter of Romanock

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