Popham Colony

The Native Americans migrated for food and resources. White men migrated too. They migrated for food, resources and land. Many Mainer's migrated for jobs, food, homes, resources and land.

On August 19, 1607 120 colonists and George Popham sailed up the Kennebec River. Many people needed to settle for food and homes. The Popham Colony settled near the Kennebec River. They settled near the river for food and transportation. They built a church, a fort and 50 houses. They constructed the first ship built in Maine. The Popham colonists had no experience with the weather in Maine. During the first year there was a stormy, cold, icy winter. The houses were too thin. Many colonists died of pneumonia, including George Popham. Firewood was too green to burn. Inside their huts men were fighting like polecats. The colonists also had many conflicts with the Native American tribes. Due to all of these challenges they gave up and returned to England. Maine's natural environment was too rough and cold for these early settlers.


Elizabeth and Mikaela
3/19/03
4A

Back to Time Line