George Weymouth

Who is George Weymouth?

George Weymouth was an English explorer of the area now occupied by the state of Maine.

In 1602 he sailed 300 miles into Hudson Strait until he was forced to turn back by his crew.

Ferdinando Gorges, who wanted to settle colonists in the Maine area, sponsored an expedition under Weymouth, who sailed from England on March 5, 1605 on the ship Archangel and landed near Monhegan on May 17, 1605. James Rosier, who accompanied Weymouth on this expedition, would write that Monhegan was

"woody, growen with Firre, Birch, Oke and Beech, as farre as we say along the shore; and so likely to be within. On the verge grow Gooseberries, Strawberries, Wild pease, and Wilde rose bushes."

Weymouth named the island "Saint George", after the patron saint of England.

They explored the coast of Maine, including the mouth of the Kennebec River. Weymouth may have seen the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

During the expedition, Weymouth’s men captured several Native American Patuxet: they were named Manida, Skidwarres/Skettawarroes, Nahanada/Dehanada, Assacumet and Tisquantum. Weymouth returned to England in July 1605 and presented the natives to his sponsor Gorges.