Exploration and Settlement of Maine. The first significant English settlement in Maine occurred in 1607 with the establishment of Popham Plantation at the mouth of the Kennebec River. The driving forces behind this venture were John Popham and Sir Ferdinando Gorges, wealthy English businessmen.
Most of the reason colonies were formed and European nations wanted to explore was for the prospect of increasing their access to natural resources, namely those of precious metals such as gold and silver.
