The connection between paddling and our heritage is striking. All of us who race canoes and kayaks have the great fortune of spending significant time on New England's beautiful rivers and lakes. Back and forth we go, training, racing, and getting a perspective on the world that few enjoy. (a guest post by Peter Heed, author of Canoe Racing)

What is easy to miss is the fact that our sport literally allows us to paddle through history. So much of New England's early heritage is inextricably linked to the rivers on which we train and race. Nearly everywhere you paddle in New England, there are compelling true life stories of real people, courage, violence, determination, and redemption along the the riverbanks. The Connecticut River valley is particularly rich in this heritage, as it served as the major "superhighway" for Native Americans and early settlers alike - usually by canoe, bateau, or flat bottomed boat! Fascinating stories are everywhere - along the riverbanks, on the water, and sometimes in areas now submerged by impoundments behind the dams.

Having just a little sense of this vibrant history can give you a whole new level of appreciation while you paddle, train , and race on the rivers we all love so much. With that in mind I have shared some of these great stories with you - of real people who lived and died along our rivers. This is one of them.