Maine, Home of Settlers and Lobsters By The Northern Rose

Maine is not one of the original thirteen colonies, but it does hold within its borders some of the richest and oldest history. The first known contact between the Penobscot natives and Europeans occurred around 1200 C.E.. This area of Maine had been seeing Northern European settlers for a few hundred years for trade related purposes. Most of these traders had come from the Iceland, Greenland, and Norwegian areas.

The first English settlement in what we know as Maine was founded in 1607. Some consider this to be the first English settlement in America but it should be argued that, even if this settlement did come first, the Popham Colony (founded by the Plymouth Company) was abandoned after fourteen months. Jamestown would be the more successful colony, making it the true first permanent settlement.

The natives in this area have had a rough go of it when it comes to their relationship with Europeans. In 1690 the Androscoggin tribe was driving out of the Maine area during King Williams War. Very few people know that there were actually six colonial wars. These were; King William's War, Queen Anne's War, Father Rale's War, Father Le Loutre's War, King George's War, and the French and Indian War. After being pushed off of their land in 1690, the Androscoggin tribe relocated to St. Francis, Canada. Their land would later be destroyed by Roger's Rangers (led by Robert Rogers) in 1759.

Maine would become part of the Massachusetts Bay colony in 1652. For most of the colonial period it would be fought over between the English, French, and various native populations. In most instances the English forces would prevail. During both the American Revolution and the War of 1812, American and British forces would continue to fight each other for control of this land. The United States of America officially got the land through the Treaty of Paris agreement that ended the American Revolution.

Succession sentiments, from the now state of Massachusetts, were started to be seen during the War of 1812 when pro-English merchants refused to defend the land from English invaders. In 1819, Maine became its own territory. It would become the thirty-second state on March 15, 1820 as part of the Missouri Compromise which also declared that slavery would not be legal in Maine.

Today, Maine is known for its majestic lighthouses, delicious blueberries, beautiful National parks, and of course, its lobsters. Maine is also home to moose, windjammers, and Stephen King.

By The Northern Rose