Complex sentence: On July 30,1609 French explorer Samuel de Champlain claimed Vermont as part of New France, and French settlers later erected Fort Lamotte in 1666 which was the first European settlement in Vermont.
Split into simpler sentences: On July 30,1609 French explorer Samuel de Champlain claimed Vermont as part of New France. In 1666, French settlers erected Fort Lamotte, the first European settlement in Vermont.