Chronology of American Indian History

1637

May 25

The English destroy the Pequot’s village
at Mystic.
In a vicious campaign against the Pequot, whom
the English regard as their greatest Indian enemies
(see entry for AUGUST 25, 1636), about 250 well-
armed militiamen set ablaze the tribe’s principal
village at present-day Mystic, Connecticut. The
soldiers slaughter everyone who flees the flames. In

the massacre, between 400 and one thousand Indi-

ans, mostly women and children, are brutally killed.

The English are aided by Mohegan and Narragan-

sett warriors, who later express their horror at the

ferocity of the white militia.

After the attack, the English hunt down the

Pequot who have escaped. Many are slaughtered;

others are taken captive. About 50 captives are

made slaves to serve the colonists, but those deemed

the most hostile are sold into slavery in the West In-

dies in exchange for Africans, who become the first

black slaves in New England.

An engraving of English colonists attacking a fortified Pequot village during their 1636–37 war against the

tribe (Library of Congress, Neg. no. USZ62-32055)