“Negro Heads” Sea Buoy May Become ​“Sowheag Rocks”

A local landmark that has been identified on United States nautical maps for more than 100 years could have a new name after all the ​“i’s are dotted and the t’s are crossed.”

State Sen. Ted Kennedy Jr., D‑Branford, has led a campaign for the past year to rename the ​“Negro Heads” landmark, a buoy and rocks located southeast of Maltby Cove in the Indian Neck section of Branford.

The change requires approval of both federal and state agencies, including the U.S. Geological Survey.

Kennedy and local officials said at a news conference Friday at Branford High School that the name of the rocks is offensive and derogatory. He and other local officials commended the winners of a contest that he and Schools Superintendent Hamlet Hernandez created to rename the rock formation.

Kelly Tiernan, a sophomore at the high school, was chosen the top winner. She named her entry ​‘Sowheag Rocks’ because of ​“the historical influence that Sowheag, a Native American chieftain considered a political leader at the time, had on our town and region.”

Sowheag, a 17th century Indian chief, sold the area that is now Branford to European settlers in 1638.

Tiernan wrote that ​“Renaming the Branford landmark ​‘Sowheag’ would create a positive message about diversity and culture. This name would show that we embrace diversity in Branford and respect our history.”

Tiernan also wrote that ​“Renaming this landmark would acknowledge the debt that we owe to the Mattabesec for making it possible for all of us to prosper here.”

Second place was awarded to freshman Samantha Esposito’s entry ​“Totokett Settlers Rocks” because the name ​“Totokett” was the original town name of Branford during the first permanent settlement. Third place was junior Viktoria Sinani’s entry ​“Robin’s Nest” because the rocks resemble eggs and our state bird is the Robin.

All three students will receive scholarships that were donated by the Branford Community Foundation and Dr. Roger Lowlicht. Tiernan received a $500 scholarship and Esposito and Sinani each received $250 scholarships.

When he announced the essay contest last year, Kennedy said, ​“This essay contest presents us with the opportunity to take something negative and turn it into a positive, learning experience for Branford high school students. I challenge Branford’s students to think hard and come up with a name that will make our community proud. I can’t wait to hear what our young people come up with.”

The winning name will be submitted to the U.S Board of Geographic Names, an organization with the authority to change the offensive buoy name on all government maps. The Connecticut State Geographic Names Authority will then contact local stakeholders to ensure the new name is appropriate for the community. The process of changing federally approved nautical map names is not an easy one. 

The winning essays were chosen by a committee consisting of Superintendent Hernandez, Town Historian Jane Bouley, Blackstone Library Director Karen Jensen, Branford High School Principal Lee Panagoulias, Branford Community Foundation President Stephanie Farber, and Branford Fire Chief Tom Mahoney. 
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