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