European Explorers of Connecticut: From Cabot to Hooker

Early Coastal Exploration (Pre-Settlement)

• John Cabot (Giovanni Caboto) — Venetian sailing for England. 1497: Landfall likely Newfoundland; may have coasted as far south as Connecticut waters. No confirmed landing.
• Giovanni da Verrazzano — Florentine for France. 1524: Sailed Narragansett Bay to Maine; charted Long Island Sound, likely sighting CT coast. Named "Refugio" (Block Island).
• Estêvão Gomes — Portuguese for Spain. 1525: Explored NE coast; may have entered CT River.

17th Century: Rivers and Claims

• Adriaen Block — Dutch. 1614: Sailed Up the Connecticut River (Versche Rivier) past present-day Hartford. Built Fort Hoop (later Hartford). Claimed New Netherland to 41°N. Mapped Long Island Sound, Block Island (named for him).
• Samuel de Champlain — French. 1611: Explored CT River from north; mapped Lac des Iroquois (Lake Champlain). Less direct CT contact.

English Settlement (1630s Onward)

• Thomas Hooker — Puritan minister. 1636: Led ~100 congregants from Massachusetts Bay to found Hartford. Authored Fundamental Orders (1639) — considered first written constitution in America.
• John Winthrop Jr. — Son of MA Bay governor. 1635: Founded Saybrook (fort at CT River mouth). 1644: Founded New London (Pequot). Later: Governor of CT Colony (1657–1676), alchemist, physician, Royal Society fellow.
• John Winthrop Sr. — MA Bay governor; influenced CT founding via son and alliances.

Dutch Withdrawal

1650: Treaty of Hartford — Dutch ceded CT River claims to New Haven Colony (English). 1664: New Netherland surrendered to England; CT charter (1662) confirmed boundaries.