New London, Connecticut

:For the U.S. Navy base, see NSB New London.

History

Before English settlement, nearby tribal people called the site of New London by a name the English spelled "Nameaug". John Winthrop, Jr. led the first English to settle there in 1646, making it about the 13th modern Connecticut town settled by colonists; they informally named it Pequot (from the name of a tribe). It officially took its current name (after London, England) on 1658 March 10.

Related Topics:
John Winthrop, Jr. - 1646 - Pequot - London - 1658 - March 10

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Prior to the Battle of Groton Heights, New London was burned by the traitorous Benedict Arnold in the attempts to destroy the colonial privateer fleet and storage of goods and naval stores within the city.

Related Topics:
Battle of Groton Heights - Benedict Arnold

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Connecticut's independent legislature, in its January session of 1784, made New London one of the first two cities (along with New Haven) brought from de facto to formalized incorporations.

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Celebrities

The city was the birthplace of sculptor Edward Clark Potter.

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The family of Nobel and Pulitzer-Prize playwright Eugene O'Neill, and most of his own first 26 years, were intimately connected to New London. He lived for years there, and as an adult was employed and wrote his first 7 or 8 plays in the city. (A major O'Neill archive is located at Connecticut College there, and a family home there is a museum and Registered National Landmark operated by the O'Neill Theater Center.)

Related Topics:
Nobel - Pulitzer-Prize - Playwright - Eugene O'Neill - Connecticut College - O'Neill Theater Center

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