Post by blackcrowheart on Jul 5, 2007 8:50:05 GMT -5
The Lost Popham Colony
By Jeff Cheek
Tidings Correspondent
Do you remember your American History classes, way back in the fifth or sixth grade? Remember the Colonial lectures? Jamestown, Virginia was the first permanent English settlement, founded in 1607. Next were the Pilgrims, who landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachucetts in 1620. Despite unbelievable hardships, these courageous pioneers hung on and laid the foundation for what eventually became the United States of America.
No teacher ever mentioned Maine's Popham Colony, established in August 1607. It was well supplied, safe and secure. Why did it fail? The boss got a better offer.
In May 1607 two ships carrying 120 colonists sailed from England, headed for Maine's Kennebec River. The
"Gift of God" arrived August 13, the "Mary and John" three days later. The colonists soon built a large storehouse and a stockade. Shipwrights also used local timber to construct a thirty ton pinnace, the "Virginia."
The expedition was supported by two officials. One was Sir John Popham, Lord Chief Justice of England, the other a billionaire ( for those times) Sir Fernando Gorges. Gorges agreed to name George Popham, his partner's nephew, as Governor of the colony. However, he describes George as "an honest man, but old and of unwieldy body, and fearful to offend or contest with others."
He clashed with the military commander, an ambitious naval officer named Raleigh Gilbert, nephew of Sir Walter Raleigh.When Popham died in February 1608, Gilbert assumed the Governorship.
George Popham was honest but gullible. One ship sailed back in October, the second in December. He sent two reports back to England, containing information they had obtained from the Abenaki Indians. " Relating to commerce, all the natives confirm that in these parts there are nutmegs, mace and cinnamon with other products of great importance and value." They convinced him that, seven days journey west, there was "a vast sea, the boundaries of which they are wholly ignorant, which cannot be other than the Southern Ocean, reaching to China."
Many of the setters were English gentlemen who had come along for the adventure. When the "Gift of God" sailed in December, about half the colony went home. A comfortable winter in an English country home was preferable to a bitter Maine winter in a stockade.
New Governor Gilbert is described as "proud and arrogant, desirous of supremacy and rule," but he was an outstanding leader. He supervised construction of their fort, which they named Ft. St. George. Building the "Virginia" gave the colony a means to escape if the Abenaki attacked. It was also used to map Maine's rock bound coast. In short, the colony was thriving in a hostile environment, thanks to his leadership, when the next ship arrived in the summer of 1608. The news it brought was the death knell for Popham Colony.
The Governor learned that his brother, John, had died leaving him the enormous family estate and Compton Castle in Devonshire. He had a choice. He could stay in Maine and struggle or return home as lord of the manor.What happened next is a tribute to his leadership.
When he announced his intention to return to England, the other settlers voted to go home, too. They did not think Popham Colony could survive without his guidance. The "Virginia" and the supply ship had enough room for everyone. The Maine-built vessel crossed the Atlantic safely.
Another evidence of his long range planning comes from Samuel Maverick, who visited the site in 1624. Sixteen years had passed but "I found roots and garden herbs there." Raleigh Gilbert had planned well.
Sorry, there is no space for a recipe.
By Jeff Cheek
Tidings Correspondent
Do you remember your American History classes, way back in the fifth or sixth grade? Remember the Colonial lectures? Jamestown, Virginia was the first permanent English settlement, founded in 1607. Next were the Pilgrims, who landed at Plymouth Rock, Massachucetts in 1620. Despite unbelievable hardships, these courageous pioneers hung on and laid the foundation for what eventually became the United States of America.
No teacher ever mentioned Maine's Popham Colony, established in August 1607. It was well supplied, safe and secure. Why did it fail? The boss got a better offer.
In May 1607 two ships carrying 120 colonists sailed from England, headed for Maine's Kennebec River. The
"Gift of God" arrived August 13, the "Mary and John" three days later. The colonists soon built a large storehouse and a stockade. Shipwrights also used local timber to construct a thirty ton pinnace, the "Virginia."
The expedition was supported by two officials. One was Sir John Popham, Lord Chief Justice of England, the other a billionaire ( for those times) Sir Fernando Gorges. Gorges agreed to name George Popham, his partner's nephew, as Governor of the colony. However, he describes George as "an honest man, but old and of unwieldy body, and fearful to offend or contest with others."
He clashed with the military commander, an ambitious naval officer named Raleigh Gilbert, nephew of Sir Walter Raleigh.When Popham died in February 1608, Gilbert assumed the Governorship.
George Popham was honest but gullible. One ship sailed back in October, the second in December. He sent two reports back to England, containing information they had obtained from the Abenaki Indians. " Relating to commerce, all the natives confirm that in these parts there are nutmegs, mace and cinnamon with other products of great importance and value." They convinced him that, seven days journey west, there was "a vast sea, the boundaries of which they are wholly ignorant, which cannot be other than the Southern Ocean, reaching to China."
Many of the setters were English gentlemen who had come along for the adventure. When the "Gift of God" sailed in December, about half the colony went home. A comfortable winter in an English country home was preferable to a bitter Maine winter in a stockade.
New Governor Gilbert is described as "proud and arrogant, desirous of supremacy and rule," but he was an outstanding leader. He supervised construction of their fort, which they named Ft. St. George. Building the "Virginia" gave the colony a means to escape if the Abenaki attacked. It was also used to map Maine's rock bound coast. In short, the colony was thriving in a hostile environment, thanks to his leadership, when the next ship arrived in the summer of 1608. The news it brought was the death knell for Popham Colony.
The Governor learned that his brother, John, had died leaving him the enormous family estate and Compton Castle in Devonshire. He had a choice. He could stay in Maine and struggle or return home as lord of the manor.What happened next is a tribute to his leadership.
When he announced his intention to return to England, the other settlers voted to go home, too. They did not think Popham Colony could survive without his guidance. The "Virginia" and the supply ship had enough room for everyone. The Maine-built vessel crossed the Atlantic safely.
Another evidence of his long range planning comes from Samuel Maverick, who visited the site in 1624. Sixteen years had passed but "I found roots and garden herbs there." Raleigh Gilbert had planned well.
Sorry, there is no space for a recipe.