George Waymouth
1605
ST. GEORGE’S RIVER
George Waymouth was sent to the Maine coast in 1605 to select a location for a settlement. His employers, the Earl of Southampton and Thomas Arundell, had some definite purpose in mind, but their plans were never fulfilled, and nothing is now known regarding their intentions. Hon. James Phinney Baxter, in his life of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, published at Portland in 1890, suggested that Arundell, who was a papal count, may have had some scheme for establishing a colony in which Roman Catholic Englishmen might find a refuge in case of a renewal of persecution in England. A document in the Roman archives shows that a Catholic priest accompanied Waymouth’s ship. He may have been the James Rosier who wrote an account of the voyage, which was printed at London shortly after the return.
Second English Book relating to New England
A
TRVE RELATION
of the most prosperous voyage
made this present yeere 1605,
by Captaine George Waymouth,
in the Discouery of the land
of Virginia.
Where he discouered 60 miles vp
a most excellent Riuer; together
with a most
fertile land.
Written by Iames Rosier,
a Gentleman employed
in the voyage.
LONDINI
Impensis Geor. Bishop.
1605.