1606: First Attempt at a settlement

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In 1606, King James granted a charter that divided the new found country into two districts, called North and South Virginia, and authorized the establishment of two separate colonies in each district by two distinct companies.  A right of property in the land fifty miles on each side of the first landings, and extending 100 miles into the interior was granted by the order.

The first, or Southern, colony were allowed to settle any part of the country between 34 and 41 degrees North latitude, the Second, consisting of persons resident at Plymouth and other towns in the west of England, and named "Plymouth Company", were allowed to choose between 38 and 41 degrees North Latitude.  A further stipulation was made that the two colonies could not approach 100 miles of each other.

The two companies sent out their colonies.  One was fixed at Jamestown, under the command of Captain Smith.  The second was established at Sagadehock, which was located at the Mouth of the Kennebec, led by Captains Popham and Gilbert. 

The Northern colony consisted of 108 men, plus their assorted families.  

They landed in the month of August, and founded the town of Georgetown.   Captain Smith, in an earlier expedition, actually helped select the location at the mouth of the Kennebec with his description of "the fair and navigable river".  

Landing so late in the season proved excessively rigorous.  More than half of the party returned with the ships to England after two months, already beaten by the cold, and dwindling supplies.

A fire in December ruined the greater part of the buildings and supplies for those who remained.  Added to that loss was the death of their co-leader, Captain Popham, who was at the time the elected president of the Colony.  His successor, Captain Gilbert, was recalled to England upon the death of his brother, news of which arrived in the Spring.

Discouraged by difficulty, and without viable leadership, the colonists resolved to abandon the country, and returned to England with Gilbert.  In less than one year, the first attempt to settle The  Mayne was thwarted.