A European first saw these islands in 1609 when Samuel de Champlain explored the lake that bears his name and claimed the islands for the King of France. Ceded to Britain in 1763, they became part of the Royal Colony of New York. After 1776, several American Revolutionary heroes received land grants here, and two islands were named for them. In 1783, the area became part of the Free and Independent Republic of Vermont. The islands are also tied to the history and legend of the Allen family, the Green Mountain Boys, Rogers Rangers, and many others.