Served in the Netherlands as a Lieutenant under Sir Thomas Fairfax. Came to America in 1632. Commanded the colonial force which destroyed the Pequot Castle 26 May 1637 near Stonington, CT. Negotiated the first land purchase from Uncas of the Mohicans, August 1659.

This action in May 1637 is also called The Pequot Massacre. Mason with several hundred settlers, Narragansett and Mohegan indians apparently found the village while the warriors were gone and torched it. Hundreds of women, old men and children died in the flames or while trying to escape.

"Major John Mason was born in England in the year 1600, was bred a soldier and served in the English army, and after his election as lieutenant, served under Sir Thomas Fairfax. He emigrated to America in 1632 and settled first in Dorchester, Mass., and represented that town in the General Court. In 1635 he removed to Windsor, Conn in the company of Rev. John Warham, Henry Wolcott and others, prominent settlers of that town, where he was elected an assistant or magistrate of the Connecticut Colony in 1642. In May, 1637, he commanded the successful expedition against the Pequot Indians when he and his famous ninety men immortalized themselves in the overthrowing and destroying the prestige and power of the Pequots and their fort near Mystic River, on Groton side, which event is commemorated by a boulder monument upon Mystic Hill upon the pedestal of which is a life size statue of Major Mason drawing his sword, when he heard the war-whoop of "Owanux," "Owanux," by the Indians in their fort. In 1647 he removed his family to Saybrook, where he continued to live until 1660, when he united with a number of distinguished families in the settlement of Norwich, Conn., where he was a Deputy Governor and Major General of the forces of Connecticut, and held other prominent positions. After a life of great usefulness and eminence, he died January 30, 1672. His widow died shortly afterwards. Unfortunately, the first wife of Major John Mason is not known, but she did not live long, but was the mother of one daughter: JUDITH. After the death of his first wife he m. 2d, Miss Anna Peck in July 1640."