The colonists attributed the success of the massacre and extermination of the Pequot tribe to an act of God.
An expedition he led in 1636 is considered the opening offensive in the Pequot War, which practically destroyed the Pequot tribe as an entity.
He was also named to a committee overseeing military matters, a position that assumed some importance when war broke out with the Pequot tribe that year.
The Pequot tribe fished and explored in ocean-going canoes developed for rough water.
Across the Thames, the much smaller Pequot tribe had used its threats of land claims to win an act of Congress recognizing the tribe.
This prompted revenge by the Pequot tribe, who then attacked.
A fierce debate has been building within the Pequot tribe about the future direction of its education policies.
During Vane's tenure a dispute with the Pequot tribe of present-day southeastern Connecticut boiled over into war.
"This is a very, very significant burial ground for the Pequot tribe," Mr. Bellantoni said.
In 1636 all of the New England colonies went to war with the Pequot tribe of southeastern Connecticut, practically wiping them out.