Popham: the Forgotten Colony 

"No matter what we think about history, there is always more to be discovered." that is a great line.

As a lifelong Maine island resident, I have been to Popham many times and recall stories of there, Plymouth and Jamestown and how my family had connections with all of them. I guess it's time to call on my family historians for the information. Thanks for another great historical video!

As a resident of Phippsburg, Maine and fan of The History Guy, thanks for a wonderful episode ! The Phippsburg peninsula is beautiful and is rich with history. Every time I go for a walk, I wonder how many people before me have walked these paths, including early European settlers and the Native Americans long before them who fished and hunted these shores. . Truly humbling to consider.

I'm sure you're gonna get a bunch of us Mainers saying thanks for this. The first successful colony on the Maine coast,Phippsburg,still exists to this day.

I live in Bath, there is currently a replica of the Virginia under construction by a local society, being built in period correct ways with period tools

As someone that lives in Maine, and has been to Fort Popham/Popham beach. It is fantastic, and so historical. Thank you for covering yet another piece of forgotten history.

Note to self: Do not kidnap people then expect their family and community to help you. Check!

I had never heard of the Popham Colony until now. It's amazing what sort of history can fall through the cracks as time goes on.

The rediscovery of the Popham colony caused such a stir that I NEVER heard about it until today!!

It continually amazes me that not just one, but many colonies were sent out with no plans to start growing food in a timely fashion.

water falls at 6:10 are Screw Auger Falls in Newry Maine some 76 miles northwest of Popham, the coast at 6:27 is Acadia Park near Bar Harbor 86 miles east - the coastal rock formations in Popham are Precambrian volcanic marine sedimentary while Acadia is Silurian mostly granite

My ancestors settled in Jamestown in the 1620s. William Stone (7 times great grandfather) became the 3rd Colonial Governor of Maryland from 1649 to 1655.

I always bring up Popham and people ap rarely know about it. Popham was my favorite state park growing up so I read about the colony at least once a summer

As the Grandson of one of Phippsburg’s local historians I got the excellent experience of seeing the dig site of Popham Colony when Dr. Brain was there and holding coins from nearly four centuries ago is an experience I’ll never forget. Thanks for bringing this to the attention to more people.

I’m disappointed this was just posted! I just had left Maine after spending 6 months there for work. I flew over the Penobscot where the Americans battled the British in Reveres failed attack. This is my first of learning about this colony and now I need to go back and learn more!

I live in Maine and have an interest in archeology and hubby and I used Staycations as home school opportunities for our daughter. We first became aware of the new dig when we were visiting the fort and we actually got to participate in unearthing and processing artifacts over the years. We were actually there anytime they had funding and good weather to help process all the finds. We were always finding hidden bits of history. We've ranged all over Maine and the most important places in Boston and Salem, Mass. (we had to go there because hubby and baby girl are descendants of Rebecca Nurse) and of course we had to check out the "witching scene" but not the main tour, we always had inside people we would run into when we would do our living history impressions or go attend one and it's a wonderful community who delights in showing the hidden treasures that the general public doesn't get to see. Like Richard Chamberlin's house... and a bunch of folks dressed in Confederate uniforms sitting on the stairs while we decided whether we were too drunk to go upstairs. Since I was the sober sister I had to make the boys go back to their tents and come back in the morning for the official tour, but I was thinking Chamberlin must be spinning in his grave, and knowing what a vain man he was and what a jerk he was I really don't care. I figure the 15th Alabama got in the last lick by occupying his house and having a drink to the ANV in his stairwell. Sometimes little things mean a lot! lol We actually have so much history still to learn and new finds are being made every day. It is SO exciting. We could spend a life time in New England and never find all the mysteries and certainly we hit as many places on the East coast between Maine and GA (where I was from) as we could on family trips. It would take many lifetimes to explore the wonders of our land and take in all the history. I wish I had the ability to teleport just so I could see the interesting places. Touch that little piece of comb and wonder who it belonged to, how it got there. Were they sad when they lost it or did they never know? Were they past caring by then? Sometimes the family story is told in a series of tombstones and it is always heartbreaking, and you realize heartbreak was a constant companion. It was a hard life. Folks don't realize how tough it was. People were made of sterner stuff. We could use a little more of that fortitude. Edit: left out the best part... we also know some Pirate re-enactors and have been on a couple of their ships! All good stories have pirates!

Timbers in our house in Kent, England which was built in the early 1700s are of North American pine wood. Presumably part of a return cargo from the colonies.

I could walk to the site of this colony but I had no idea about all this!

Another fantastic education! Lance must have a staff of thousands! (Well, dozens hopefully) You can’t make me me believe a husband, wife, son (I only know of the son from the pod casts) and most importantly, some really smart kitties, can put all this together several times a week without at least some help! My favorite RU-vid channel hands down!

THANKS HISTORY GUY! I too am a Mainer, residing in Calais, Maine on the St Croix River ( pronounced Callis) and grew up in Robbinston which is at the mouth of the St Croix and the head of Passamaquoddy Bay. It is interesting to hear History Guy mention the settlement on St Croix Island, which is now an international historic landmark. The St Croix and Passamaquoddy Bay form the natural border between Maine, USA and New Brunswick, Canada. As a kid in the 1970s and early 80s, we frequently took boat rides up to the island, where we would see harbor seals lounging on the beach and I remember seeing the ancient building, said to be the last remnant of the French settlement. Sadly the building was destroyed by a fire. I'm not sure if you actually read these posts, I'm sure you are very busy, however if you do there is an absolutely fascinating story which relates to our small town of Calais, Maine and neighboring St. Stephan and St Andrew's New Brunswick, which took place during the war of 1812. The general synopsis is thus: During the period of the War of 1812, I'm not sure of the exact year, the city of Calais was planning a celebration of Independence Day and wished to have a display of fireworks. Unfortunately, Colonel Church, the leader of the local militia, did not have very much gunpowder. In a great twist of Irony, he approached the leader of the British forces, possibly regulars as there was artillery and a blockhouse guarding the sheltered harbor at St Andrew's and adjacent Navy Island , which was a stores station for the Royal Navy, and the British commander agreed to provide the necessary gunpowder for a suitable pyrotechnics display. Such a festivity would be enjoyed by citizens of both countries as they lined the riverfront to watch the fireworks. The 2 towns have always been linked by blood relations and marriages and still are to this day. And every year for many many years until the CoVid pandemic struck, each August our 2 towns would hold a cross border International Festival. At least that is how the story was related to me.

News to this woman who grew up near Jamestown. Thanks, Professor History Guy.

AS ALWAYS THE HISTORY GUY, AN EXCELLENT VIDEO!! I thought that was a neat way to describe the Jamestown re-supply fleet as being in a TEMPSET. Until you mentioned the name SEA VENTURE, I had that they had been a part of the fleet. When I lived in Bermuda during the early 70's, we had a field trip to the eastern end of the island that Ft.St.Catherine(where pieces of the SEA VENTURE,including the ship's anchor were on display),and, the town of St.George(Bermuda's early capital). Sir George Somers, the captain of the SEA VENTURE, was a close friend of Shakespeare, and, it was the wreck of the ship, as told to him by Sir George, that was the inspiration for the play THE TEMPEST. Also in St. George, we saw the tomb that has the heart of Sir George Somers buried in it(it was his last request to have his heart buried here). Wish I could remember the name of the church.🌞🌞🌞😄😄😄✌✌✌✌

While we're on the subject Of Colonial Maine, you might consider doing a piece about Paul Revere's defeat in Maine, his loss of ships and artillery and the March back to Boston.

Good stuff. I worked at Plimoth Plantation and we referenced Popham and said we saw the ruins of it in our voyages up to the Kennebec.

Almost makes me wish I was a kid in Primary School again. Those wonderful field trips we enjoyed from central New Hampshire to these places of colonial historical significance. It would be wonderful to visit Popham colony.

6:58 that's a fascinating example of how reliance on a certain level of technology can be crippling and life threatening. The natives could survive and the colonists could not without outside supplies.

Popham isn’t forgotten in the area. I was just there yesterday taking in the fall colors. Thank you for sharing this story with others

ive said this 100 times....but....you are the best history teacher in the world.....thank you....

As a resident of Maine, I have to chuckle at Popham's expectations of what his colony would provide!

If you're going to visit Fort Popham I suggest the Spring... it's less crowded and if you time it right you'll be there during harbor seal mating season. There will be dozens of seals in the harbor.

Nice presentation... as a Mainer, I appreciate honesty and the typical tenacity of our people and history... thanks...

I live in New Hampshire and I'm going to Popham Beach to camp this weekend. Video came out at a perfect time for me!

Dear History Guy, In 1982 there was an altercation between police and cult members in Palominas, a small southern Arizona village close to the town of Bisbee. Two people were killed and more injured. The members of the Miracle Valley Christ Church came mostly from Chicago and were followers of Francis Thomas, a charismatic black woman. The church buildings are still there although going to ruin. This is history that deserves to be remembered!

Thank you for the history session. We have almost the same thing in the South. First Settlement - St. Augustine, FL vs. Parris Island, Port Royal, SC

Wow. It is stories like these that breath life into the numerous narratives that await us still. Thank you.

Hey, that's where I grew up! Thanks THG!!!

I’ve walked on Popham Beach. It is a beautiful place but until now I did not know of its historical importance. What a story. Thanks for enlightening me.

I love history, studied it most of my life. Mostly colonial America, revolutionary war and Civil War. I had ancestors that fought in the revolution and also in the Civil War on both the north and the south. Keep up the great videos. I learn more and more every day by watching. God bless my friend and have a great day. Scott Schubert

You are NEVER too old to learn history.

Thanks for another great episode and a reminder that history is often not a finished story.

Been there... beautiful location. I have a friend who's family were residents for many years.

My head canon says that "Virginia" became a pirate ship...because, well...all good stories and pirates. ;-)

I've genuinely never heard of this, and I know alot about history. Thanks history guy

It’s wonderful to find that we had another successful colony in America for a short while at least. Thank everyone

Idk how but every time I get to your videos they're posted "2hrs", EVERY TIME!

Anyone else feel smarter by 7:30 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?😸👍

Great episode. We vacation in Bath every year and have been to visit the site of Popham colony

Thank you for filling in the gaps of the history I was unaware of. I'm just a novice history enthusiast, originally from Newport Rhode Island.

Once again you've introduced me to something I've never known before . . . THANKS!!

This is pretty cool, as a kid I would go to Popham Beach State Park at least once a summer, but I think I only when to Fort Popham once as part of a school trip. There's so much history back there.

Back in the Saddle again!

Great story of Popham. As a kid in the sixties we visited most of the coastal forts in Maine. There are a shit load. One place we visited as well was Pemaquid Point. Attempts to settle there began about 1610. Seasonal like many fishing hunting camps., Year rounders started in the late 1620's. Supposedly they brought some food overland to Plymouth colony' Apparently it can get pretty cold in Maine in the winter. You might check into that one.

I grew up just up the river from popham on Arrowsic island. The Clark & Lake trading post was burned by natives back in the colonial times. Might also make a decent video.

Wow! You're right. I've never heard or read about this colony before. Thank you for sharing!

ive been to popham beach many times had no idea about the colony many thanks!

History deserves to be remembered!!!

If there were only some pirates tangentially involved in this one.... Another fine episode HG. Well done.

This episode was very informative and entertaining. I didn’t know about these other colonies

When we lived in Brunswick Popham was our favorite go to area. The area is full of history as is the entire state. I think Kevin Costner filmed a scene from Message In A Bottle there. Love Maine and miss it.

Da Merc is growing on me, it's actually a pretty cool body style. Dang who's complaining about long videos?..I love long vids. Dern people with short attention spans are the bane of the internet.

Wow someone who actually adheres to the advertising guidelines. You sir are a scholar and a gentleman. The former not being in doubt of course!

As I have mentioned in prior videos, my first duty station as a coastie was as a lighthouse keeper on Seguin Island Light. That island is just a couple miles from Pompham Park and beach. I never realized the significance of that point I could see from my bedroom on the lighthouse.

I was stationed near there in the early 70s and always worked nights and many days I’d drive out and walk the beach to the fort. In the fall and spring many times I was the only one there.

Brilliant thank you sir

About the Third Fleet to Jamestown... Sir George Somers, Captain of the Sea Venture, is a distant relation by birth to my family (my mother's side). He and his crew founded the first colony on Bermuda. Spanish and Portugese fishermen sometimes went ashore there for food, but never made a settlement. Sir George's people eventually built a new ship on Bermuda, and sailed on to Jamestown. He was a partner in the voyage to Sir Walter Raleigh.

Wow, this has gotten me into reading/studying about the early colonies in the new world. But, also I am disappointed that Statler and Waldorf did not make any wise remarks. Was so looking for that.

Awesome that you're rocking the bow tie! That out of the way, Very informative!

Never heard of Popham before and I found the story fascinating. Thank you for sharing this great piece of history.

Went here many times …as a child,with my family ,in a camper.The fort was huge and amazing..we caught many stingless rays called skates. Sometimes the beach was absolutely covered in sand dollars.The water was cold and grey and angry,we,as preteens were absolutely forbidden to go in the water!Some of my earliest memories,and the last good ones before my folks split.This was in 70,71….

I'd heard of the Popham colony but not in this detail. Thank you .

Thank you Lance! There was a PBS series called Colonial House back in 2004 that quite closely parallels the story of Popham. It was even staged in Maine. It was my favorite series of the 'House' serieses.

Having been to Jamestown a couple of times, this changes things in my mind! It sounds like I should have been visiting Popham, instead! Lol

I could listen to you forever. Fascinating

I continue to value your channel to add to my exposure to new history. Thanks so much.

There is an interesting graveyard at the Popham site, dating back to the 17th Century. I highly recommend a visit there.

You are as always most informative. A million thanks 😊

My morning just got a whole lot better...Thanks for the video!

i have always been fascinated by the fact that some, not all but definitely some of the colonists were not able to survive the winters or to be resourceful enough to continue fishing during the winter. It seems so obvious but for whatever reason… sometimes those colonists like, I dunno… didn’t see the obvious way to survive on a coastal place in a harsh winter?

Great little story! dont know if youve made an episode about it already but: Sweden - had a colony along the Delaware river. It lasted for about 17 years in the 1600's until it got eaten by the dutch.

Thank you.

Popham is a wonderful place to visit. The history guy should go a bit up the coast to Castine, where the French, the Dutch and the English all had fights there and the first amphibious assault by the US marine Corp and against the British.

How interesting! As a Mainer I'm vaguely aware of this history but it was great to have it all laid out. Thanks also for pronouncing Sagadahoc correctly! 🙌

Amazing! WHY haven't we heard of this colony before?

Flew into Popham airfield ( Hampshire, England ) many times. Nice grass strip.

Have current history books or reference material available to schools reflect the discovery of Popham? I graduated high school in 1983, yet I don't remember Popham being mentioned in books or lessons in the 1970s or 1980s.

How interesting! I had never heard of this colony. Thanks for this.

Love Popham! It's a great place to visit and we are proud of it's history here in Maine.

It's very interesting! I also learned that Plymouth was the "first" English colony, and recently learned that my 11th great grandfather was a part of that, so my focus has been there. But England was late to the game.

I heard of this for the first time today! Thank you🐝❤️🤗

Matthew Gosnold set up a small semi-permanent trading fort on Cuttyhunk Island in Massachusetts, upon a tiny island in a freshwater pond on Cuttyhunk. The area has changed little since his original settlement and if it hadn't failed, it would have pre-dated Jamestown. The pond, island and surrounding area remain undeveloped and protected by the state.

Thank you , I had knowledge of Popham, but it is always good to learn more.

Great information that I had never heard

YES!!!! I suggested this topic last year :-)

Thank you. Really enjoyed the video.

I watch and love every episode of the history guy. You do a fantastic job of bringing history back to life.

We have relatives in that area and visited Popham beach and the area a few times. This is entirely unknown to me and a huge surprise, very cool piece of history. When we go back, we'll have to find some plaques or markers and see if we can find the reproduction being built.

Good stuff! Thank you

Thanks for sharing this story.

Always an interesting bit of the day spent here.

As always interesting and informative. Now I have somewhere else to look forward to seeing. Thanks.