POPHAM, George, colonist, born in Somerset-shire, England, about 1550; died in Maine, 5 February, 1608. He became associated with Sir Ferdinando Gorges (q. v.) as one of the patentees of an extensive territory in what is now the state of Maine, and sailed from Plymouth, 31 May, 1607, with two ships and one hundred men. Popham was in command of one ship, and Raleigh Gilbert, a nephew of Sir Walter Raleigh, of the other. On 15 August, 1607, they landed at the mouth of the Sagadahoe or. Kennebec river. After listening to a sermon, and the patent laws, the company proceeded to build a storehouse, with a fort, which they called Fort George. This was the first English settlement in New England. The ships sailed on the home voyage on 5 December, leaving a colony of forty-five persons, Popham being president and Gilbert admiral. After Popham's death the colonists, having become discouraged, returned to England.--His brother, Sir John, born in Somersetshire in 1531 ; died 10 June, 1607, became lord chief justice about 1592, and was active in colonization schemes.--Sir Francis, supposed to be a son of Sir John, and named as a patentee of New England, was a member of parliament in 1620.