Thomas Munson and the Pequot Indian War.

The first written record of my 8th great grandfather Thomas Munson in America was in 1637. He is listed as one the soldiers in the Pequot Indian War. The Puritans in the Massachusetts Bay Colony were settled in lands that had long been dominated by the Pequot Indians. When I read that the Puritans lost two men and the Indians 700 people in the War, I thought that the war sounded like a massacre. I have research the war a little and indeed it was a massacre. There had been small incidents of killings in the area. The Puritans decided to settle the problem by killing all of the Pequot Indians. With some Indian Allies, who did not like the Pequots, they attacked the Pequot village at night in 1637.

Captain John Underhill, one of the English commanders, documents the event in his journal, “Newes from America” :

Down fell men, women, and children. Those that ‘scaped us, fell into the hands of the Indians that were in the rear of us. Not above five of them ‘scaped out of our hands. Our Indians came us and greatly admired the manner of Englishmen’s fight, but cried “Mach it, mach it!” – that is, “It is naught, it is naught, because it is too furious, and slays too many men.” Great and doleful was the bloody sight to the view of young soldiers that never had been in war, to see so many souls lie gasping on the ground, so thick, in some places, that you could hardly pass along.

The massacre at Mystic is over in less than an hour. The battle cuts the heart from the Pequot people and scatters them across what is now southern New England, Long Island, and Upstate New York. Over the next few months, remaining resistors are either tracked down and killed or enslaved. The name “Pequot” is outlawed by the English. The Puritan justification for the action is simply stated by Captain Underhill:

It may be demanded, Why should you be so furious? Should not Christians have more mercy and compassion? Sometimes the Scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents. Sometimes the case alters, but we will not dispute it now. We had sufficient light from the word of God for our proceedings.

It is not known exactly what Thomas Munson’s role was in the war. 

At times in history people decide that they have the right to do terrible things. (Hitler) It has been true of most religions and societies. Thomas went on to be one of the founders of New Haven. His heirs donated land for the founding of Yale. He was in the militia all of his life and was later made Captain.

Our America has reached this time in history via many terrible actions. But also many wonderful heroic actions. I think that we are doing a lot better now than in our past. Hopefully this is true of the whole world. Sometimes you wonder.